Written Answers of 29 April 1991

>NATIONAL FINANCE

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing reconciliations for England, Scotland and Wales between local authority current expenditure as in table 5.8 of Cm. 1520 and the respective aggregate expenditure for grant purposes in successive revenue/(rate) support grant orders.

  Mr. Mellor
  Following the changes to the local authority finance system, data are no longer held in a form which makes it possible to provide the information requested, except at disproportionate cost. For most years, figures for current expenditure have changed only very slightly from those given to the hon. Member in response to the similar question he asked on 20 July 1990.

  Differences in aggregate external finance between the 1990 public expenditure White Paper and the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–932

  England

  Revenue Support Grant

  –70

  –27

  Non domestic payments

  31

  108

  115

  1,617

  1,990

  Magistrates courts

  27

  19

  30

  Commonwealth Immigrants

  30

  10

  Probation and aftercare

  1

  20

  19

  30

  Police

  34

  62

  138

  230

  Education Support

  54

  50

  In-service teacher training

  5

  –47

  –50

  Administration of Housing Benefit3

  5

  15

  20

  Area Protection Grant4

  2

  10

  40

  Other grants

  -40

  40

  52

  50

  Total

  31

  38

  84

  191

  1,876

  2,400

  Scotland

  Revenue Support Grant

  9

  16

  Non domestic rate payments

  268

  260

  Urban programme

  –3

  –6

  1

  Police

  4

  –12

  2

  Administration of Housing Benefit3

  1

  2

  Other grants

  1

  9

  10

  Total

  11

  –1

  282

  270

  Wales

  Revenue Support Grant

  Non domestic rate payments

  138

  80

  Police

  –3

  4

  7

  10

  Other grants

  1

  3

  4

  Total

  –3

  7

  150

  90

  Total Great Britain

  31

  38

  92

  197

  2,308

  2,770

  1The differences shown are differences after adjustments for changes of classification and switches between departments and spending sectors.

  2Figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  3Including Community Charge benefit administration.

  4Including low rateable value areas grant.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis using the
  2
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis for the years 1984–85 to 1993–94, in as far as practicable in the same format as table 5.1 of Cm. 1520 of aggregate external finance of local authorities, showing (a) changes between table 21.4.3 of Cm. 1021 and table 5.3 of Cm. 1520 and (b) changes between table 5.3 of Cm. 1520 and the "Financial Report and Budget Statement" 1991–92.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information is set out in the table below. It is on the same basis as the information on differences from Cm. 1021 presented in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement—that is, it excludes differences arising from changes in the way expenditure is recorded (classification changes) or from transfers between departments or sectors (for example, switching responsibility for expenditure from central Government to local authorities). Figures for 1985–86 and 1986–87 are unchanged. Corresponding analyses of differences between the supplement and the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" are not available. Details of changes since the supplement arising from the community charge reduction scheme and the measures announced on 17 January to reduce the levels of community charges are set out in table 5.2 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

  economic categories of table 5.6 of Cm. 1520 of the differences in the years 1984–85 to 1993–94 between the

  3
  levels of local authority self-financed expenditure underlying (a) table 21.4.11 of Cm 1021 and table 5.11 of Cm. 1520 and (b) table 5.11. of Cm. 1520 and the "Financial Report and Budget Statement" 1991–92.

  Mr. Mellor
  Local authority self-financed expenditure is simply the residual between the level of local authority expenditure (and projections for future years) and the level of central Government support for local authorities (plans for future years). Differences in the levels of local authority self-financed expenditure therefore simply depend on changes in local authority expenditure itself, and in central Government support. Levels of local authority expenditure are shown in table 21.4.6 of Cm. 1021, and table 5.6

  Retail Prices Index

  Average annual percentage increase

  January 1986 to March 1991

  January 1980 to January 1990

  January 1970 to January 1980

  January 1960 to January 1970

  Goods other than food and fuel and light1 2

  5·0

  5·8

  12·5

  3·5

  Food, fuel and light and services

  4·6

  5·7

  14·5

  4·0

  Housing

  12·8

  11·9

  13·5

  5·1

  1 Includes vehicle maintenance, tax and insurance prior to 1974.

  2 Including the cost of meals out since 1968.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing(a) the amount invested by United Kingdom manufacturing industry in plant and machinery in 1970, 1973, 1979, 1985 and 1989 at 1985 prices, (b) the amount invested per person employed in manufacturing industry in each of those years and (c) the nearest comparable figures for France, Germany, Italy and the United States of America in each case.

  Mr. Mellor
  The following table provides the available information for the United Kingdom, from the annual census of production. In this case, net capital expenditure means capital purchases net of sales.

  Investment figures derived from the annual census of production differ slightly from those published in the United Kingdom national accounts because of differences in definition and coverage.

  There are no directly comparable data available for other countries. OECD publishes comparisons of investment incurred by industry groups, but not for plant and machinery alone.

  Net capital expenditure in plant and machinery in manufacturing industry at 1985 prices in the United Kingdom

  Total £ million

  £ per person employed

  1970

  7,903·7

  983·9

  1973

  6,665·9

  862·0

  1979

  8,031·3

  1,159·6

  1985

  6,881·2

  1,383·0

  1988

  8,845·4

  1,793·4

  Notes:

  1. Orders III to XIX of SIC(68) up to 1979. Divisions 2–4 of SIC(80) for later years.

  2. The latest available census year is 1988.

  3. From 1988, in line with accounting practice, assets leased on a finance leasing basis are included as assets by the lessee rather than by the lessor. This is estimated to have increased total
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  of Cm. 1520; differences in the level of central Government support are set out in a previous answer to the hon. Member on 18 April 1991 at column 259.

  Retail Prices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing for the period since 1 January 1986 and for the decades 1980–90, 1970–1980 and 1960–1970, the average annual percentage increase in the retail prices of(a) goods other than food and fuel, (b) other goods and services and (c) housing.

  Mr. Mellor
  The following table gives the available information.

  United Kingdom capital expenditure in 1988 by up to 8 per cent.

  Source Annual Census of Production.

  Tobacco
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he expects imports of each tobacco product to increase as a result of the changes in tobacco taxation he announced in his Budget Statement; and if he will show the increases by percentage and by value for each manufactured product and indicate the country of origin by percentage and value.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The aims of the increases in tobacco taxation announced in the Budget statement include an overall fall in tobacco comsumption, both of United Kingdom manufactured and imported tobacco products to which the increases equally apply. It is too early yet to predict the impact of the tax changes on individual classes of tobacco products, let alone by country of origin.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he expects the sale of each home-produced tobacco product to decline as a result of the changes in taxation of tobacco products he announced in his Budget statement; and how many jobs he expects will be lost in each of the counties of the United Kingdom as a result in the present financial year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  It is estimated that consumption of tobacco products will be about 4 per cent. lower in 1991–92 as a result of the increase in taxation of tobacco products announced in the Budget statement. Reliable estimates are not available for individual products. I cannot predict the impact of these tax changes on jobs in the tobacco industry; this will depend on a wide range of other factors.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the balance of trade with the rest of the European Community in manufactures, including erratics, on a balance of payments at current prices for 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24 April at column 468.

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

  Mr. Maples
  Details of fees paid by the Central Office of Information to management consultants for years 1979–80 to 1988–89 were given in the answer at column 168 on 13 March 1990. Figures for the years 1989–90 to 1991–92 are as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  71,181

  1990–91

  1Nil

  1991–92

  2Nil

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Treasury; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is as follows (budgeted complement given in brackets):

  Staff in statistical divisions1

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Unified grade 52

  2(2)

  2(2)

  2(2)

  2(2)

  Unified grade 72

  8(8)

  7(8)

  8(7)

  7(6)

  SEO

  4(4)

  3(4)

  2(3)

  2(2)

  HEO

  5(5)

  4(5)

  5(6)

  6(6)

  Senior assistant statistician/ assistant statistician

  4(4)

  3(4)

  4(4)

  4(5)

  EO

  10(11)

  10(11)

  12(11)

  11(12)

  AO/AA

  13(13)

  15(13)

  14(14)

  13(13)

  Total

  46(47)

  44(47)

  47(47)

  45(46)

  Notes Consistent information, in the form required, is not available before 1988–89 and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

  1Defined as divisions headed by grade 5 chief statistician and employed mainly on statistical work. There are other statisticians posts in Her Majesty's Treasury which are not included in the above figures.

  2At the senior levels of the service, where management forms a major component of most jobs, there are service-wide common pay and grading arrangements. These unified grades 1 to 7 are known as the open structure and cover grades from permanent secretary level to grade 7 level. Within the unified grades there are no formal barriers to movement between former occupational groups, eg scientists, administrators, statisticians etc.; each post should be filled by the person best equipped in terms of skills, ability and experience.
  6
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Central Office of Information; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Maples
  The Central Office of Information has not had statistical divisions or staff in statistical posts for the years in question. There are no proposals for any such appointments in 1991–92.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure by the Central Office of Information on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maples
  Details of the cost of the press office of the Central Office of Information for 1979–80 to 1988–89 were given at column 166 on 13 March 1990. The costs for 1989–90 are as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  46,612

  1990–91

  157,240

  1991–92

  254,740

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

ENERGY

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 21 July 1988, 13 March 1989 and 12 March 1990 (at columns 833–36, 19 and 4 respectively) for the information relating to 1979, 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1990. I regret that information about complements and for staff in post in the intervening years is not available; the position as at 1 April 1991 when there were no vacancies is:

  Grade

  Staff numbers

  Statistician grades

  Chief Statistician

  1

  Statistician

  5

  Assistant Statistician

  2

  Sub-total

  8

  Economist grades

  Senior Economic Advisor

  2

  Senior Principal Economic Advisor

  1

  Economic Advisor

  8·5

  Senior Economic Assistant

  2

  Economic Assistant

  1

  7

  Grade

  Staff numbers

  Sub-total

  14·5

  Senior open structure and Administrative grades

  Grade 3

  1

  Grade 7

  1

  Senior Executive Officer

  5

  Higher Executive Officer

  7

  Executive Office

  13

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1

  Administrative Officer

  8

  Personal Secretary

  4

  Sub-total

  40

  Total

  62·5

THE ARTS

  Items in Lieu of Tax
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the objects and property accepted in satisfaction of inheritence tax during the financial year ended 31 March; if, in listing these, he will specify(a) the amount of tax satisfied in each case, (b) whether any offers of objects carried conditions as to destination, (c) the dates in each case of the recommendations received by him from the Museums and Galleries Commission for the acceptance of objects, (d) the total for the financial year of the tax thus satisfied and (e) how much of this total was covered in the public accounts by means of resort to the Reserve in accordance with Government policy as announced on 26 July 1985, Official Report, column 779; and whether a press notice will be issued by the Office of Arts and Libraries making available the complete list of acceptances during the financial year which is covered in his reply.

  Mr. Renton
  The information the hon. Member requests is as follows:

  Item

  Tax satisfied £

  Date MGC recommendations received

  *Beachey painting1

  360

  —

  Collections of works by and relating to John Piper

  137,918

  17 October 1989

  *Photographs by and of Cecil Beaton

  125,331

  16 June 1990

  *Old master drawings by Mirola Barocci, da Cortona and Reni

  64,490

  2 May 1990

  *Two Raeburn Portraits

  48,439

  18 June 1990

  Painting by Sickert

  84,000

  25 October 1990

  Shudi Harpsichord

  35,000

  19 June 1990

  *Collection of Post Office and Telegraph Stamps

  113,000

  16 August 1990

  *Collection of paintings and a George III cabinet

  211,522·80

  6 September 1990

  *Collection of paintings and drawings by Runciman

  196,000

  15 February 1991

  *Portrait attributed to Reynolds

  20,000

  12 April 1990

  A collection of musical instruments

  126,956

  11 January 1991

  A collection of papers relating to George Greenough

  26,600

  11 January 1991

  Watercolour by Whistler

  7,000

  11 January 1991

  *Two paintings by Nasmyth

  56,000

  19 June 1990

  1 Additional payments for offer accepted in 1989–90.

  Notes:

  Those offers marked* carried conditions as to their destinations. The total tax satisfied in the financial year 1990–91 was
  8
  £1,252,646·80. There was no recourse to the Contingency Reserve for acceptance in lieu in 1990–91.

  Press notices have already been issued announcing the acceptance of all these items except for the portrait attributed to Reynolds. An announcement on this will be made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, in due course.

TRANSPORT

  Motorways (Lighting)
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what would be the cost of lighting all Britain's motorway network.

  Mr. Chope
  The estimated capital cost of lighting the present network in England is in excess of £250 million. The estimated running costs in energy and maintenance would be approximately £30 million per annum.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made in reducing drink driving(a) generally and (b) among what were the prime target groups.

  Mr. Chope
  Considerable progress has been made in our continuing campaign against drinking and driving in changing public attitudes and so reducing the number of road accidents caused by those who drink and drive. In 1980, 32 per cent. of drivers and riders killed in road accidents, whose blood alcohol level was known, were above the legal limit. By 1989 this had fallen to 19 per cent. Among the target groups over the same period this proportion fell from 25 per cent. to 11 per cent. for the 16-to-19 age group and from 41 per cent. to 24 per cent. for the 20-to-29 age group. The reduction has been less marked for older drivers and our campaign has been broadened to address drivers in their early middle age.

  HGV Speed Limiters
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what incentives he intends giving to road hauliers to fit speed limiters to heavy goods vehicles on a retrospective basis.

  Mr. Chope
  None. Many operators have voluntarily fitted speed limiters so as to save fuel and reduce maintenance costs and have found this investment to be well worth while.

  LRT
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the authorised capital investment for London Regional Transport in each of the past 15 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  For the six years 1985–86 to 1990–91, the information is as follows:

  Authorised level of capital investment

  £ million cash

  1985–86

  184

  1986–87

  273

  1987–88

  305

  1988–89

  365

  1989–90

  486

  1990–91

  580

  9
  We have no comparable data for prior years, when London Transport was under GLC control. Actual capital investment in those years was as follows:

  LT Investment/Capital Expenditure

  £ million cash

  1976

  74

  1977

  64

  1978

  66

  1979

  100

  1980

  123

  1981

  147

  1982

  127

  1983

  168

  1984–851

  240

  1 15 month financial year

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 24 April to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central, what are the technical difficulties relating to the day trains for direct services from the channel tunnel to cities north of London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand from British Rail that there are two main problems. One is the need to avoid the risk of electrical currents from the locomotives interfering with the signalling. The other is the adaptation of the inter-capital train sets, which are too long for stations north of Peterborough and Rugby, so that they have a driving cab in the middle of the train and can be split to operate as two separate trains, while preserving the other characteristics of the train sets. British Rail is investigating with the manufacturers how best to overcome these difficulties and will seek the earliest possible delivery date. As an interim measure, British Rail is examining the possibility of running a few InterCity services from Scotland and the north of England direct to Waterloo to provide a better connection with the inter-capital trains.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish an analysis showing (i) for the years 1981–82 to 1989–90 grant-related expenditure analysed by standard region; (ii) for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 total standard spending and standard spending assessments analysed by standard region (iii) for the years 1981–82 to 1991–92 aggregate Exchequer finance analysed by standard region and (iv) for the years 1981–82 to 1991–92 central Government support analysed by standard region; indicating whether this analysis is consistent with section 5 of Cm. 1520;

  (2) if he will publish tables showing (a) an updated version of the then Secretary of State's written answer of 30 November 1987, Official Report, columns 417–18, concerning the scale of inter-regional transfers through resources equalisation for the years 1981–82 to 1991–92, but identifying separately the contribution of the domestic and non-domestic sectors; and (b) a parallel inter-regional analysis of needs equalisation measured against a benchmark of equal per capita distribution;

  (3) if he will publish an analysis, consistent with the totals for England and Wales in table 5.2 of Command
  10
  1520, showing (i) an analysis by class of local authority within standard region of the 1990–91 community charge safety net (ii) an analysis by class of authority within standard region of the low rateable value areas grant/area protection grant for the years 1990–91 to 1993–94 and (iii) an analysis by class of authority within standard region of transitional relief for the years 1990–91 to 1993–94.

  Mr. Portillo
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place the associated tables in the Library.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year from 1967–68 to 1991–92 the aggregate grant percentage for rate revenue support grant;

  (2) if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 for each county and district council, London borough and for England as a whole (a) the total standard spending and standard spending assessment, (b) the total standard spending and standard spending assessment expressed as pounds per capita, pounds per adult and pounds per community charge unit, (c) the community charge required to be levied to finance standard spending assessment, (d) the "long-run" community charge required to be levied to finance standard spending assessment, (e) the "long-run" community charge required to be levied to finance expenditure 1–5 and 10 per cent. below and 1–5 and 10 per cent. above standard spending assessment, (f) the proportion of total expenditure which would be financed by government grant at each of the spending levels specified in (e) above, (g) that level of expenditure as a percentage of standard spending assessment which would require a zero community charge and (h) that level of expenditure as a percentage of standard spending assessment which would require a zero "long-run" community charge;

  (3) if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis showing for each English local authority, for each class of local authority, for each standard region and for England as a whole (a) grant-related expenditure in 1989–90, expressed in pounds and pounds per capita, (b) standard spending assessment in 1990–91 and 1991–92, expressed in pounds and pounds per capita, (c) the difference between grant-related expenditure in 1989–90 and standard spending assessment in 1990–91, expressed in pounds and pounds per capita and (d) the "long-run" cost of the difference in (c) above in pounds to be met by community charge payers and the effect in pence on the community charge.

  (4) if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis for the years 1966–67 to 1990–91, as far as is practicable consistent with table 1.1 of "Welsh Local Government Financial Statistics No. 14, 1990", of rate fund services revenue account but which also distinguishes (a) non-domestic rate revenue from domestic rate revenue and (b) gross rates, net rates and rate rebate grants.

  Mr. Portillo
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place the associated tables in the Library.

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money was spent by local authorities on the provision of speech therapy in the last year for which figures are available.
  11
  Mr. Key
  The vast majority of spending on speech therapy is carried out by health authorities. The relatively small amount of spending by local authorities is not separately identified on their returns submitted to the Department of the Environment.

  Local Government Boundaries
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the statements or speeches made by, or on behalf of, Ministers of the Crown (a) prior to July 1987 and (b) since covering any major review of the functional organisation of boundaries of local government.

  Mr. Key
  Over the 158 years since the setting up of the Royal Commission on Municipal Corporations of 1833, which can be regarded as the first major review of the functional organisations and boundaries of local government, many speeches and statements have been made by, and on behalf of, Ministers of the Crown. The most relevant to the current situation are the statements made by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, for Wales and for Scotland on 21 March and 22 April at columns 401 and 901.

  Electricity Pylons
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has commissioned or published in the last 10 years in respect of the effect on health of electromagnetic radiation from electricity pylons.

  Mr. Baldry
  Matters relating to the possible health hazards from environmental radiation are the concern of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. However, my Department maintains close liaison with the Department of Health on these issues.

  Residuary Bodies
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total capital sum realised from the abolition of the metropolitan county councils and the winding up of the residuary bodies.

  Mr. Key
  One hundred and seventeen million pounds of capital receipts realised from the sale of surplus property and other assets were distributed by the metropolitan residuary bodies, excluding London, to local authorities.

  Quarries (Waste Disposal)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number and sites of quarries in County Durham used for waste disposal from industrial and domestic sources.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department does not have information on the number of quarries which are used for waste disposal. Durham county council, as waste disposal authority, should be able to provide the information on waste disposal sites in its area.

  Rural Development
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to promote the achievements of Rural Development Commission projects in the rural development areas, in particular those using funds provided from central Government.

  Mr. Baldry
  My colleagues and I take every opportunity to publicise the achievements of the Rural Development Commission, as does the commission itself. For example, on 19 April my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside launched a project in Rossendale, Lancashire, which is part of a new partnership between the Rural Development Commission and Help the Aged aimed at addressing the needs of elderly people in rural areas.

  Article 4 Direction
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now give a decision in response to the application by the Caradon district council for an article 4 direction in respect of land at St. Veep which the hon. Member for Cornwall, South-East first referred to his office on 22 August 1990.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have written to my hon. Friend explaining that delay has been caused by awaiting additional supporting evidence which the district council has offered to provide. Officials in my Department have written to the council about this again on 15 April. I assure my hon. Friend that once this additional evidence has been received, or the council confirms that it does not intend to submit anything further, we will issue a prompt decision on the article 4 direction.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the aggregate external finance will be for each local authority under the illustrative council tax and what is the AEF in payment for 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  With the council tax, grant and business will be paid directly to each tier of local authority. It is therefore not possible to make direct comparisons with external finance in 1991–92 which is paid to the collection fund in each area.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish for each local authority the average illustrative council tax bill per household; showing the average community charge bill per thousand in 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  The Government issued on 23 April full information on the illustrative effect on household bills had the council tax been fully in place in 1991–92.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his statement to the House on 23 April,Official Report, column 901–3, what is his policy towards the removal or otherwise of the safety net from those local authorities which will attract more Government grant than at present as a result of the proposals outlined by him on that occasion.

  Mr. Key
  The illustrative figures published on 23 April assume that the present area protection grant will be distributed in the same way as the remainder of AEF.
  13
  The Government propose that there will be transitional relief to ensure that no household will face an unreasonable increase in its bill from one year to another as a result of the introduction of the new system. There will therefore be no need for transitional arrangements applying to whole local authorities.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the figures and calculations which result in Grimsby's local government tax bills in each column of his illustrative tables being among the 10 highest in the country.

  Mr. Key
  The illustrative figures are calculated on the basis of a distribution of grant and non-domestic rate income which allows local authorities in all areas to set a council tax of £400 for a band D property occupied by two or more people, if they provide a standard level of service. The corresponding figures are £267 for a band A property and £668 for a band G property.

  All spending above the standard level falls upon the council tax. Humberside county council spends 4 per cent. above its standard spending assessment and Great Grimsby spends 32 per cent. above its SSA, leading to higher bills in the area than those for standard spending.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the correlation in his illustrative bills table in the new council tax between the percentage over standard spending assessment and size of charge in each band.

  Mr. Key
  All revenue in excess of standard spending assessment will fall to be raised by the council tax for the local authority concerned. Within the area of an authority, the increase in bill for a band G property will be two and a half times that for a band A property. The size of increase required for a 1 per cent. increase in spending will depend on the SSA for the authority and the proportion of properties in each band.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his statement to the House on 23 April,Official Report, columns 901–903, if his review of local government will include the metropolitan districts.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend to the House on 23 April at column 901, in which he said that the Government intend no significant changes in the structure of local government in London or the metropolitan areas. However, they are seeking views on how arrangements for some services, such as grants to the voluntary sector and the arts, might be improved in these areas.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the full cost of calculating the Government's council tax figures and the cost of publishing the documentation outlining the Government's proposed system of local government finance.

  Mr. Key
  No additional expense was incurred in calculating the illustrative council tax figures, as these were compiled from data held by the Department on existing computer systems.

  The estimated cost of publishing the documents outlining the Government's finance proposals was some £20,000.

  Drinking Water Inspectorate
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many technical employees on the drinking water inspectorate were(a) previously employed by his Department and (b) previously employed by a water company, statutory water company or water authority or otherwise in the water industry.

  Mr. Trippier
  Seven members of the professional staff of the drinking water inspectorate were previously employed by my Department, and two by other Government Departments. Four joined the inspectorate from water companies and one from a public analyst. Another was employed by a firm of consultants. Two people are on secondment from the water research centre.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total number of days that staff of the drinking water inspectorate have spent on water company premises;

  (2) how many site inspections have been carried out by staff of the drinking water inspectorate;

  (3) what is the total number of inspections carried out by drinking water inspectorate staff and the total number carried out by others; what is the proportion of drinking water inspections which are sub-contracted out to consultants; and what is the name of each firm of consultants employed by the drinking water inspectorate and the value of the contract awarded in each case;

  (4) what is the average amount of notice given to a water company before an inspection takes place;

  (5) if he will list each water company inspection that has been carried out so far in each water company; and if he will give the date of each visit and the conclusions of the inspection.

  Mr. Trippier
  Since the drinking water inspectorate was established on 2 January 1990, inspectorate staff have spent about 120 days on water company premises. These staff have inspected 15 of the 39 water companies in England and Wales. Two firms of consultants, Watson Hawksley Ltd, and Rofe, Kennard and Lapworth were engaged by the inspectorate to make 24 inspections. For commercial reasons it would not be appropriate to give the value of the contracts.

  Inspections were made between June 1990 and February 1991 and, in general, water companies were given five weeks' notice. All inspections, except three, included site visits. The conclusions from the inspections will be summarised in the first annual report from the chief inspector of the drinking water inspectorate which is due to be published in July.

  Cryptosporidia Outbreak, Hull
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take action against Yorkshire Water for the outbreak of cryptosporidia in Hull in 1990.

  Mr. Trippier
  The final report of the outbreak control team was delivered recently to the drinking water inspectorate which is investigating the incident. The inspectorate will make recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in due course upon any action to be taken.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total sum paid out in fees by the Metropolitan police to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the deputy commissioner that payments by the Metropolitan police to management and computer consultants, in each financial year since 1984–85, estimated expenditure for 1990–91 and budget estimate for 1991–92 are as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  346,000

  1985–86

  433,000

  1986–87

  558,000

  1987–88

  702,000

  1988–89

  742,000

  1989–90

  939,000

  11990–91

  1,538,000

  21991–92

  911,000

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Budget estimate.

  I understand that information on spending on management consultants only, and for the years prior to 1984–85, is not available.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure by the Metropolitan police on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Year

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Grade

  Grade 7

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  SEO

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  1 (1)

  —(1)

  —(—)

  HEO

  2(2)

  2 (2)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  2 (2)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  EO

  9 (9)

  9 (9)

  9 (9)

  8 (9)

  8 (8)

  8 (8)

  8 (8)

  8 (8)

  9 (8)

  8 (8)

  7 (8)

  9 (8)

  9 (8)

  AO

  52(61)

  62(61)

  58 (61)

  57 (61)

  51(61)

  59(61)

  61(61)

  61(61)

  62(62)

  58(62)

  55(62)

  59(62)

  53(58)

  AA

  —(—)

  1(—)

  2(—)

  —(1)

  —(1)

  —(1)

  —(1)

  —(1)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  Supporting grades

  10 (9)

  11 (9)

  9 (10)

  12 (9)

  7(10)

  5 (7)

  5 (7)

  7 (7)

  7 (7)

  7 (7)

  7 (7)

  8 (7)

  6 (7)

  Graphics grades

  3 (3)

  2(3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  3 (3)

  2(2)

  2 (2)

  2(2)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  Data processing grades

  4(13)

  4(13)

  5 (13)

  5 (13)

  5 (5)

  4 (5)

  4 (5)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  —(—)

  Total

  82(99)

  93(99)

  91(101)

  90(101)

  78(92)

  84(90)

  85(89)

  83(84)

  85(84)

  78(82)

  74(82)

  80(82)

  72(77)

  Notes:

  1. Complement figures are shown in brackets.

  2. Only the Grade 7 post is filled by a statistician, the remaining posts being filled by executive, administrative and support grades staff, who undertake a mixture of statistical and support duties. An additional Grade 7 post is located in the Management Support Department.

  Police Forces (Restructure)
  93. Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce primary legislation to restructure the police forces of England and Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no plans for primary legislation, but we are considering what further improvements in the service delivered by the police can be achieved by developments within the present constitutional framework.
  16
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The deputy commissioner has told me that expenditure on staff and accommodation costs of the directorate of public affairs, and on recruitment and other advertising and other promotional literature, in each financial year since 1985–86, estimated expenditure for 1990–91 and budget estimate for 1991–92 are as follows:

  £

  1985–86

  3,622,861

  1986–87

  4,444,103

  1987–88

  4,555,000

  1988–89

  5,475,000

  1989–90

  5,366,000

  11990–91

  5,916,000

  21991–92

  6,390,000

  1 Estimated Out-turn.

  2 Budget Estimate.

  Information for the years prior to 1985–86 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Metropolitan police; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The deputy commissioner tells me that the complement and staff in post in the Metropolitan police statistics branch is shown in the table.

  Trevi Group
  94. Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish details of any representations the Government have made to the Trevi group regarding combating terrorism after 1992.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Government continue to press in Trevi for the closest possible co-operation against terrorism, which we regard as an essential objective in its own right. We have also continued to make clear to our Community partners our intention to maintain necessary checks at United Kingdom ports and airports after 1992.

  Kurdish Asylum-Seekers
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Kurdish asylum-seekers are required to report to police stations on a weekly basis; how many of them are aged(a) under 18 years and (b) under 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information available is as follows. Staff in post on 1 April in each of the relevant years in the statistical divisions of the Home Office are set out in the following table:

  Statisticians

  Other grades

  Total

  1979–80

  24

  127·5

  151·5

  1980–81

  25

  127

  152

  1981–82

  24

  125

  149

  1982–83

  23

  123·5

  146·5

  1983–84

  22

  129

  151

  1984–85

  25

  128

  153

  1985–86

  26

  139·5

  165·5

  1986–87

  24

  140·5

  164·5

  1987–88

  24·5

  144·5

  169

  1988–89

  27·5

  140

  167·5

  1989–90

  30

  143

  173

  1990–91

  28

  158·5

  186·5

  1991–92

  31·5

  168·5

  200

  The number of vacancies, if any, varies from week to week and no separate record is maintained.

  Northumbria Police
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northumbria as to how many hours' overtime were on average worked by a police constable in his force(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the chief constable of Northumbria that the average amount of overtime worked per officer in the federated ranks in Northumbria in 1990 was 185·37 hours. Figures for 1979 are no longer available and the other detailed information requested would be obtainable only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northumbria as to how many(a) constables,(b) inspectors, (c) chief inspectors, (d) superintendents and (e) chief superintendents there were in his force (i) in 1979 and (ii) in 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  At 31 December

  1979

  1990

  Constables

  2,529

  2,680

  Inspectors

  190

  193

  Chief Inspectors

  60

  63

  18

  At 31 December

  1979

  1990

  Superintendents

  51

  50

  Chief Superintendents

  13

  13

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northumbria as to the number of(a) police officers, (b) police cars and (c) motor cyclists who were on hand at Newcastle airport for the recent visit of the Duke and Duchess of Kent; and what was the cost of policing the Kents' visit to Northumbria.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The level of policing for particular events is a matter of operational judgment for the chief constable concerned. I understand from the chief constable of the Northumbria police that a total of 30 officers were on hand at Newcastle airport for the visit by their Royal Highnesses on 10 April. Of these, 12 were drivers, 14 were motor cyclists, and four officers were deployed from territorial divisional duties. The use of motor cyclists in particular resulted in significant reductions in the level of police resources needed during the visits subsequently made by their Royal Highnesses to seven different venues in the county of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. The additional cost to the Northumbria police was about £2,000.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northumbria as to the total real cost of policing in Northumbria for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. This is a matter for the police authority.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northumbria as to the number of officers(a) stationed and (b) residing at Ponteland; and what are their duties.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to call for a report; nor is the information centrally held.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northumbria as to the number of serving officers for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of officers on the strength of the Northumbria police at 31 December for each year since 1979 is as follows:

  Police strength

  1979

  3,339

  1980

  3,340

  1981

  3,331

  1982

  3,329

  1983

  3,337

  1984

  3,344

  1985

  3,368

  1986

  3,361

  1987

  3,478

  1988

  3,460

  1989

  3,526

  1990

  3,528

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief
  19
  constable of Northumbria as to the total cost, including manpower, of the force helicopter for each year since it was acquired.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Northumbria police air support unit became operational in November 1989. I understand from the chief constable that the cost of the first year of operation was £656,320, including police manpower costs of £165,670.

  Police Incomes
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the gross income of(a) a police constable, (b) a sergeant, (c) an inspector, (d) a chief inspector, (e) a superintendent and (f) a chief superintendent in a provincial force in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Minimum and maximum basic salaries for the years in question are as follows:

  June 1979

  September 1990

  Minimum

  Maximum

  Minimum

  Maximum

  Constable

  3,600

  5,700

  10,866

  18,132

  Sergeant

  5,450

  6,250

  17,346

  20,896

  Inspector

  6,250

  7,440

  19,896

  22,590

  Chief Inspector

  7,100

  8,235

  22,590

  25,128

  Superintendent

  9,800

  10,710

  30,729

  33,369

  Chief Superintendent

  10,800

  11,775

  34,167

  36,276

  All other entitlements depend on the individual circumstances of the officer in question and are set out in the Police Regulations 1987, copies of which are available in the Library.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Financial Assistance
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, how much financial help the Church Commissioners have provided to churches, abbeys and cathedrals in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alison
  The commissioners' primary responsibility is the support of the clergy and their funds are not generally available for churches. However, they provided approximately £900,000 in 1987, £1·8 million in 1988 and £2·5 million in 1989 towards church buildings, either under specific legislative authority or to meet legal obligations to do with land ownership.

  Canterbury Cathedral
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, how much was spent by the Church Commissioners in payment to the staff of Canterbury cathedral in 1990–91.

  Mr. Alison
  A total of £54,650.

  Church Residential Property
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what account the commissioners take of the housing shortage in London in respect of their policies on management of their residential property holdings.

  Mr. Alison
  The commissioners' prime responsibility in the management of all their assets, including residential property, is to provide support for the clergy of the Church of England. Within this overall policy, the commissioners' Octavia Hill estates help meet a social need by providing rented accommodation for over 1,500 families on lower incomes who would otherwise look to local authorities for their housing.

  Commissioners' Assets
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what is the value of the current assets of the Church Commissioners.

  Mr. Alison
  The latest published figure, at 31 December 1989, was £3·1 billion.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Parliamentary Employees
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many people are currently employed in the Palace of Westminster; how many were employed five, 10 and 15 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The House of Commons Commission employs 1,032 staff. A further 1,100 are employed by Members. In addition 7,976 photo identity pass holders are currently entitled to access to the House. These include police and security staff, Department of the Environment personnel, Government Department officials, and others.

  Comparative figures for five, 10 and 15 years ago in respect of House of Commons staff are 964, 879 and 550 respectively. Meaningful figures for the other categories of pass holders for those years are not readily available.

  Televising of House
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on televising the House on cable systems.

  Mr. MacGregor
  In its recent report, the Select Committee on Broadcasting reiterated its belief in the desirability of establishing a television channel dedicated to continuous coverage of parliamentary proceedings. Of the three proposals submitted to it, the Committee concluded that the scheme put forward by United Artists was "the most thoroughly worked out and immediately practicable". The United Artists service, which is expected to begin in the autumn, will be available, without any extra charge to subscribers, to any home or other building served by a local cable network. In addition, it is hoped, subject to the outcome of discussions involving the Independent Television Commission, that the service might also be transmitted via one of the spare transponders on the Marco Polo satellite, for the time being at least by BSkyB.

  Kuwait (Oil fires)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will set up a Select Committee to consider Her Majesty's Government's aid to British contractors involved in trying to extinguish Kuwait oil fires.

  Mr. MacGregor
  No.

  European Community (Communications)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a further statement about the introduction of free telephone calls to European institutions.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes).

  Palace of Westminster (Restoration)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects that part of the Ibbs report which will bring responsibility for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster within his responsibilities to be implemented.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The report on House of Commons services, by the team led by Sir Robin Ibbs, recommended among other things that responsibility for the parliamentary works budget should pass from the Secretary of State for the Environment to the House of Commons Commission. The House of Lords has subsequently agreed to accept responsibility for its share of the cost of the services provided under this budget, which include routine maintenance and refurbishment, and the provision of new buildings, as well as the restoration of the fabric of the Palace of Westminster. The Ibbs report envisaged that the transfer of responsibility for these services might take place as early as the beginning of the 1992–93 financial year, subject to the introduction of other organisational changes in the House of Commons service. It is too early to say whether that target will be achieved. There are no proposals to transfer responsibility for these matters to the Leader of the House.

  Parliamentary Procedures
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he is now able to announce the plans for changes in procedures for the House; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to a similar question from the hon. Member on 25 March at column 607.

  Telephone Services
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he has any plans to improve the telephone services in the Palace of Westminster.

  Mr. MacGregor
  It is planned to upgrade the software in the Palace of Westminster telephone exchange within the next 12 months. This will enable the automatic routing of outgoing calls by the cheapest means. During the same period it is hoped to modernise the equipment in use in the Members' Message Bureau in order to provide a more efficient message-taking service for Members and the general public.

  Resettlement Grants
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when the TSRB report on resettlement grants will be published.

  Mr. MacGregor
  During Second Reading of the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Bill on 31 January I announced the Government's intention to invite the TSRB to review resettlement grants. Copies of the report have today been placed in the Library of the House and are available from the Vote Office. It will be published as an appendix to the TSRB's report on parliamentary pensions.

  Subject to the views of the House, the Government are minded to accept the TSRB's recommendation that resettlement grants should be extended to all Members aged 65 and over on a tapered basis according to length of service and age. This will require a resolution of the House, and I intend to bring this forward at an early opportunity.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Parliamentary Procedures
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans the Commission has to undertake a fundamental review to improve the way Parliament operates and to ensure that value for money is obtained.

  Mr. Beith
  The Ibbs report on House of Commons services was published on 28 November and was given a generally positive welcome by the House in the debate on 17 January. Steps to implement the report are now in train. The whole thrust of the Ibbs report was in the direction of better accountability and value for money in the delivery of services for the House. A further review was not seen to be required.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Family Conciliation Services
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the public funding of family conciliation services.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 18 April 1991 at column 221.

  Rape
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration the DPP gives to the need for corroborative evidence when deciding whether to proceed with prosecutions for alleged rape; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Corroborative evidence is not demanded as a matter of law for a charge of rape to be capable of being proved. The CPS assesses the available evidence in accordance with the criteria contained in the code for Crown prosecutors, bearing in mind the legal
  23
  requirement that a judge shall warn a jury that it is dangerous to convict of rape without some corroboration. Only if the Crown prosecutor considers that there is a realistic prospect of a conviction, and that a prosecution is required in the public interest, will the case proceed to court.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total sum paid out in fees by the Lord Chancellor's Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year: and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  The Attorney-General
  On the information available, the cost to the Lord Chancellor's Department of employing management consultants for each financial year from 1984–85 to date is as follows.

  £

  1984–85

  Nil

  1985–86

  221,000

  1986–87

  473,837

  1987–88

  134,255

  1988–89

  205,882

  1989–90

  178,500

  1990–91

  147,000

  1991–92

  1192,000

  1 Forecast.

  The figures exclude computer consultancy. Figures for 1979–80 and 1983–84 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will give, for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Lord Chancellor's Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  The Attorney-General
  The information that is readily available on the number of staff and complement by grade in the statistics branch of the Lord Chancellor's Department is shown in the tables:

  Grade of staff

  In post January 1980

  Complement

  Grade 7/statistician

  1

  n/a

  Assistant/senior assistant statistician

  1

  n/a

  Senior executive officer

  1

  n/a

  Higher executive officer

  1

  n/a

  Executive officer

  3

  n/a

  Clerical officer

  6

  n/a

  Clerical assistant

  1

  n/a

  Grade of staff

  In post July 1984

  Complement

  Grade 7/statistician

  1

  n/a

  Assistant/senior assistant statistician

  1

  n/a

  Higher executive officer

  1

  n/a

  Executive officer

  3

  n/a

  Clerical officer

  6

  n/a

  Clerical assistant

  1

  n/a

  24

  Grade of staff

  In post July 1988

  Complement

  Grade 7/statistician

  1

  n/a

  Assistant/senior assistant statistician

  1

  n/a

  Higher executive officer

  1

  n/a

  Executive officer

  3

  n/a

  Administrative officer

  4

  n/a

  Administrative assistant

  2

  n/a

  Grade of Staff

  In post March 1989

  Complement 1988–89

  Grade 7/Statistician

  1

  1

  Assistant/Senior Assistant Statistician

  1

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  2

  3

  Administrative Officer

  4

  4

  Administrative Assistant

  2

  2

  Grade of Staff

  In post March 1990

  Complement 1989–90

  Grade 7/Statistician

  1

  1

  Assistant/Senior Assistant Statistician

  1

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  2

  2

  Administrative Officer

  4

  4

  Administrative Assistant

  3

  3

  Grade of Staff

  In post April 1991

  Complement 1991–92

  Grade 7/Statistician

  1

  1

  Assistant/Senior Assistant Statistician

  1

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  3

  1

  Administrative Officer

  4

  1

  Administrative Assistant

  2

  1

  1 No longer applicable.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total expenditure by the Lord Chancellor's Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  The Attorney General
  Total expenditure on press and public relations excluding staff costs is as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  5,180

  1985–86

  13,253

  1986–87

  23,282

  1987–88

  34,500

  1988–89

  34,159

  1989–90

  33,616

  1990–91

  29,113

  The amounts spent for previous years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The budget for 1991–92 is £73,000.

  Conveyancers
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Lord Chancellor intends to publish for consultation his proposals for regulations on the competence and conduct
  25
  of authorised practitioners, the new class of conveyancer, to be made under section 40 of the Courts and Legal Service Act 1990.

  The Attorney-General
  My noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor is issuing these today. Copies of the draft regulations and explanatory consultation document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Foreign Debts
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the estimates of outstanding debt for(a) Sudan, (b) Zimbabwe, (c) Ghana, (d) Zambia and (e) Uganda.

  Mrs. Chalker
  According to the World bank debt tables 1990–91, the total external debts outstanding for the five countries listed are as follows:

  Total external Debt (US$ millions)

  Sudan

  12,965

  Zimbabwe

  3,088

  Ghana

  3,087

  Zambia

  6,874

  Uganda

  1,808

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what concessions have been given to(a) Sudan, (b) Zimbabwe, (c) Ghana, (d) Zambia and (e) Uganda in respect of repayment of debt to bankers and the Government during the last three years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  For Ghana, Sudan and Uganda during the last three years Her Majesty's Government have cancelled old aid loans worth £10·4 million, £1·3 million and £1·3 million respectively, under their scheme for retrospective terms adjustment. Zimbabwe and Ghana have strong records of servicing their debts and have avoided the need for rescheduling. Uganda and Zambia have received concessional reschedulings of their official debts to Government creditors under Toronto terms during the last three years: Uganda in January 1989 and Zambia in July 1990. Sudan has been unable to reach agreement with her creditors and has allowed substantial debt arrears to accumulate. None of the countries listed has reached debt relief agreements with its commercial bank creditors during the last three years.

  Iraqi Refugees
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate the Government have made of(a) the aid requirements of the Iraqi refugees over the next six months and (b) the United Kingdom's contribution to this; and from which budget the United Kingdom's funds will come.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No such estimates have been made. The appeals launched by the international agencies alone total over US$620 million. So far, the United Kingdom has made available £21 million for refugee assistance, as well as the aid share of the costs of the airbridge and Operation Haven. These costs are being met from the overseas aid programme.

  Peru
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being given to Peru to contain cholera.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In response to a request from the Peruvian Government, the Overseas Development Administration made an immediate cash contribution in February of US$20,000 through the Pan American Health Organisation, which is co-ordinating the relief effort. In March we contributed a further £100,000 through PAHO in response to the rapidly increasing scale of the epidemic. In addition, we are providing some £180,000 as Britain's share of the European Community's emergency aid.

  Iraq
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of United Kingdom flights of relief supplies for Iraqi refugees to(a) Turkey and (b) Iran to date.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave on 25 April to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes). As of 26 April, the Overseas Development Administration has sent seven flights of relief supplies to Iran and 20 to Turkey. More will follow.

  Chile
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was, for each year since 1970, the amount of funds given to Chile by Her Majesty's Government under bilateral technical co-operation agreements in 1991 money.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Gross bilateral technical co-operation expenditure for Chile from 1970 to 1989, the latest year for which figures are available, was:

  Year

  Current prices

  Constant (1990) prices

  1970

  233

  1,604

  1971

  232

  1,460

  1972

  324

  1,886

  1973

  507

  2,756

  1974

  382

  1,807

  1975

  306

  1,138

  1976

  939

  3,032

  1977

  2,073

  5,876

  1978

  1,079

  2,747

  1979

  2,131

  4,742

  1980

  2,021

  3,764

  1981

  1,452

  2,427

  1982

  675

  1,049

  1983

  442

  653

  1984

  257

  363

  1985

  256

  342

  1986

  202

  260

  1987

  236

  290

  1988

  241

  277

  1989

  267

  287

  The figures in the first column include amounts, totalling over £11 million in current prices, spent since 1973 in support of various World University Service programmes for Chilean refugee students.

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider increasing the level of aid and trade provision for the current 12 months.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No. Additional resources are not available within the aid programme for this purpose.

  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the actual level of aid and trade provision for each of the past five years and the official forecast for the next two years in monetary terms and as a percentage of total aid.

  Mrs. Chalker
  As a percentage of the overseas aid budget, expenditure on aid and trade provision over the last five financial years was:

  £ million

  Aid and trade provision expenditure

  Expenditure as a percentage of aid budget

  1986–87

  81

  6·3

  1987–88

  48

  3·7

  1988–89

  59

  4·0

  1989–90

  62

  3·9

  1990–91

  194

  15·8

  1 Provisional.

  The aid and trade provision budget for 1991–92 is £97 million out of a total overseas aid budget of £1,720 million. The budget for 1992–93 will be set following the outcome of the annual public expenditure survey.

PRIME MINISTER

  St. John Ambulance Brigade
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make facilities available to staff in his office 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.

  The Prime Minister
  Arrangements exist for officials to contribute by deduction from pay to charities of their choice. The decision by members of my office about which charitable appeals to support must be a matter for them.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he, with his colleagues responsible for transport in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, will consider consultations on ways to let the public know whether a driver killed in a road crash had consumed alcohol.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply he received from my hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lloyd) on 22 April 1991 at columns 350–51.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total sum paid out in fees by the Prime Minister's office to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.
  28
  The Prime Minister
  There has been no expenditure by my office on fees to management consultants since 1979–80, and none is planned for 1991–92.

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

  The Prime Minister
  The expenditure by the Cabinet Office, including from its creation on 1 October 1987, the Office of the Minister of the Civil Service, on management and computer consultancies, including certain consultancies relating to the civil service as a whole, in the financial years from 1983–84 is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1983–84

  152,000

  1984–85

  423,818

  1985–86

  329,334

  1986–87

  505,092

  1987–88

  417,778

  The figures for each year since then, which exclude the cost of computer consultants, are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1988–89

  70,608

  1989–90

  51,500

  1990–91

  1182,000

  1991–92

  2242,735

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  Note:

  The figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92 reflect increases in management consultancies undertaken by the Cabinet Office for the civil service generally.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total expenditure by the Cabinet Office on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  The Prime Minister
  Expenditure on press and public relations by the Cabinet Office was:

  £

  1984–85

  247,495

  1985–86

  232,980

  1986–87

  224,813

  1987–88

  215,925

  1988–89

  201,837

  1989–90

  205,650

  The latest estimate for 1990–91 is £165,088 and the budget for 1991–92 is £213,323.

  Similar information is not available for the years prior to 1984–85.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total expenditure by the Prime Minister's office on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  The Prime Minister
  Expenditure by my office on press and public relations was not recorded separately before 1987–88. The total expenditure for each year since then and the budget for 1991–92 are as follows:
  29

  £

  1987–88

  377,987

  1988–89

  419,326

  1989–90

  427,802

  1990–91

  1553,010

  1991–92

  2554,748

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  Note: The figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92 include notional superannuation costs which are excluded from the figures for earlier years.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Cabinet Office; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  The Prime Minister
  The number of staff, by grade, employed on 1 April in each of the years from 1982 in the statistical divisions of the Cabinet Office, differentiated between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts, were:

  Staff in post, with in brackets, where different, total complement

  Grade

  Members of Statistician Group

  Members of Administration and other groups1

  Total

  1982

  51·0

  153·0

  204·0 (209·0)

  1983

  50·0

  159·5

  209·5 (208·5)

  1984

  47·0

  146·0

  193·0(193·0)

  1985

  50·5

  136·5

  187·0 (186·0)

  1986

  52·0

  148·5

  200·5 (198·5)

  1987

  1a

  1

  —

  1

  3

  3

  —

  3

  5

  9

  1

  10(9)

  7

  24

  6

  30(31)

  Senior Executive Officer

  —

  8

  8(7)

  Higher Executive Officer

  —

  23

  23 (22·5)

  Executive Officer

  —

  34

  34 (35·5)

  Administrative Officer

  —

  24

  24

  Personal Secretary

  —

  13

  13(12·5)

  Senior Assistant and Assistant

  Statistician

  9

  —

  9(11)

  Cadet Statistician

  7

  —

  7

  Chief Draughtsman

  —

  1

  1

  Senior Draughtsman

  —

  1

  1

  Higher Draughtsman

  —

  2

  2

  Draughtsman

  —

  6

  6(7)

  Information Officer

  —

  1

  1

  53

  120

  173 (175·5)

  1988

  1A

  1

  —

  1

  3

  3

  —

  3

  5

  9

  1

  10(9)

  7

  25

  4

  29(31)

  Senior Executive Officer

  —

  8

  8

  30

  Staff in post, with in brackets, where different, total complement

  Grade

  Members of Statistician Group

  Members of Administration and other groups1

  Total

  Higher Executive Officer

  —

  20

  20(21)

  Executive Officer

  —

  31

  31 (37)

  Administrative Officer

  —

  21

  21 (24)

  Senior Personal Secretary

  —

  1

  1

  Personal Secretary

  —

  11

  11(11·5)

  Senior Assistant and Assistant

  Statistician

  9

  —

  9(10)

  Cadet Statistician

  6

  —

  6(7)

  Chief Draughtsman

  —

  1

  1

  Senior Draughtsman

  —

  1

  1

  Higher Draughtsman

  —

  2

  2

  Draughtsman

  —

  5

  5(7)

  Information Officer

  —

  1

  1

  53

  107

  160(175·5)

  1989

  1A

  1

  —

  1

  3

  3

  —

  3

  5

  9

  1

  10(9)

  7

  25

  4

  29(31·5)

  Senior Executive Officer

  —

  7

  7(5·5)

  Higher Executive Officer

  —

  18

  18(21)

  Executive Officer

  —

  35

  35(36)

  Administrative Officer

  —

  25

  25 (24·5)

  Senior Personal Secretary

  —

  2

  2

  Personal Secretary

  —

  11

  11(10·5)

  Senior Assistant and Assistant

  Statistician

  8

  —

  8(11)

  Cadet Statistician

  3

  —

  3(1·5)

  Chief Draughtsman

  —

  1

  1

  Senior Draughtsman

  —

  1

  1

  Higher Draughtsman

  —

  2

  2(1)

  Draughtsman

  —

  4

  4(7)

  Information Officer

  —

  1

  1

  49

  112

  161 (167·5)

  1 Includes all other non statistician group staff.

  Figures for the years prior to 1982 are no longer available, and information on the numbers of staff by grade is not readily available for the years 1982 to 1986 and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  Since July 1989, when the Central Statistical Office became a separate department, the Cabinet Office has had no statistical divisions.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in
  31
  the statistical divisions in the Prime Minister's office; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  The Prime Minister
  During the period in question, there has been no statistical division within my office. There are no statisticians in post or on the staff complement, and there are no plans to create any such posts.

  Iraqi Refugees
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to increase the financial year 1991–92 budget of the Overseas Development Administration to cover the costs of emergency relief for Iraqi refugees.

  The Prime Minister
  Additions to the overseas aid programme totalling up to £30 million have been agreed to fund the Government's further efforts to relieve the suffering of Iraqi refugees.

  Within this total, up to £20 million will be provided to continue the airbridge operation, to provide urgently needed supplies, and to finance the immediately foreseeable costs falling to the aid budget of the United Kingdom's participation in Operation Haven inside Iraq. The balance of £10 million represents the Government's contribution to the Kurdish refugee appeal announced on Thursday 25 April.

  These additions will enable the ODA to maintain its planned development activities, and to continue to provide substantial humanitarian assistance to help relieve famine in Africa.

  North Sea
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up a high-level task force combining all the Departments of state concerned, all industries involved and all interested parties to bring forward proposals to secure continued viability of all uses and the well-being of the North sea, once gas and oil structures are decommissioned; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Departments maintain regular contact with a wide range of organisations with an interest in many aspects of the North sea. I see no advantage in establishing an additional forum.

  Consideration of an abandonment programme by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy under the provisions of the Petroleum Act 1987 will take account of consultations with organisations concerned with other uses of the sea including fishing, and with environmental interests. The abandonment of offshore installations will be performed in such a way as to cause no significant adverse effects upon navigation or the marine environment, in accordance with our international obligations.

  Opposition Parties (Access to Civil Service)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he will consider allowing opposition parties equal access to civil servants and publicity budgets to enable them to prepare and publicise their own policies.

  The Prime Minister
  No. By long-standing convention, civil service time and Government publicity budgets are not used for party political purposes.
  32
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the civil service trade unions regarding the effectiveness of the rules set out in the Armstrong memorandum of December 1987 on the propriety of publishing party political material using civil servants' time.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Arms Trade
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has for an international register of arms sales.

  The Prime Minister
  At the special European Council in Luxembourg on 8 April, I proposed a register of arms sales at the United Nations to monitor the scale of arms build-up in any one country. We are taking every opportunity to urge others to support the idea of such a register. Our ambassador at the United Nations is also taking this forward in New York.

  First Division Association
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many of the demands of the First Division Association code of civil service ethics have been incorporated into official regulations.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government's position is set out in the note by the former head of the home civil service on the duties and responsibilities of civil servants in relation to Ministers, issued in December 1987, subject to the further points contained in the Government's responses to the fifth report of the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee for the 1989–90 Session.

  Iraqi Arms Disposal
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has put to the United Nations for a commission to monitor Iraqi arms disposal.

  The Prime Minister
  United Nations Security Council resolution 687 requires the Secretary-General to establish a special commission to oversee the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. We hope that the special commission will start work as soon as possible, and we shall co-operate with it fully.

  Members' Letters
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 April,Official Report, columns 293–94, to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes), whether he will make it his aim to provide responses to Members' letters to Ministers which are as full and as helpful as possible, on a time scale similar to that for a response to a parliamentary question.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis) on 12 February at column 393. I have nothing further to add.

  South Africa
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he raised with Mr. de Klerk at their meeting on 22 April the failure of the South African Government to release all political prisoners by the target date of 28 February 1991, as agreed in the Pretoria minute of 6 August 1990.
  33
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 April 1991]: No, not least because the target date of 30 April has not yet been reached.

DEFENCE

  US Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will obtain for his departmental library a copy of the recently published report "US Nuclear Weapons: Safety Implications for the United Kingdom," released by the British American Security Information Council.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Yes.

  The Gulf
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what equipment that returned from the Gulf has subsequently been sent back to the region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The following major equipments are undertaking Operation Haven tasks; three Hercules C-130 aircraft and 12 Chinook helicopters. Eight of the Chinook helicopters were transferred direct from Operation Granby tasks.

  Submarines (Z-berths)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his intention to proceed with plans to establish Z-berths for submarines at Swansea.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Grade/Year

  1 April 1989

  1 April 1990

  1 April 1991

  Complement

  Vacancies

  Complement

  Vacancies

  Complement

  Vacancies

  Grade 41

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Grade 51

  2

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  Grade 61

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Grade 71

  25

  4

  25

  3

  21

  1

  SEO

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  HEO—Admin

  16

  2

  14

  0

  15

  0

  HEO—ADP

  6

  0

  6

  0

  6

  0

  HSO

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  AS/SAS1

  10

  1

  8

  3

  7

  1

  EO—Admin

  35

  3

  30

  1

  26

  2

  EO—ADP

  17

  1

  17

  1

  17

  I

  AO

  56

  9

  40·5

  5

  37

  4·5

  AA

  18

  6

  9

  0·5

  7·5

  2

  PS

  3

  0

  3

  0

  3

  0

  Reprographic Op

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  193

  26

  159·5

  13·5

  144·5

  115

  1 Professional statisticians.

  Chieftain Tank
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the suitability of French-manufactured tanks as a replacement for Chieftain tanks.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department is making a full assessment of the suitability of the French Leclerc tank equipment for our future main battle tank fleet.

  Kurdish Refugees
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average cost of a flight of(a) Hercules aircraft and (b) Chinook helicopters involved in the operation to relieve Kurds on the borders of Iraq; what is the cost of other relief work undertaken by United Kingdom forces; and what proportion of costs incurred by the armed forces in the operation to relieve Iraqi Kurds will fall on the Overseas Development Administration budget.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is too early to give an estimate of the cost of MOD assistance to the Overseas Development Administration in support of its programme of humanitarian relief to the Kurds. The charges to the ODA will cover mainly the deployment of aircraft, goods supplied and in-theatre flying for the air drop, as well as the cost of building and supplying camps. Charges to the ODA for aircraft used in the relief operation will be based on an estimated average cost per flying hour of £2,020 for a Hercules and £2,445 for a Chinook.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I regret that not all the information requested is available. However, the staff complements by grade, and the associated number of vacancies, in Ministry of Defence statistical divisions for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 are as follows:

  Armed Forces Personnel
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest figures for home ownership for married personnel in the armed forces by service.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The latest survey which included information on home ownership of personnel in the armed forces was conducted in 1987–88. The following figures show the level of home ownership of personnel who were married, widowed, divorced or
  separated (figures for married personnel only are not available):
  35

  Armed forces

  Percentage

  Royal Navy/Royal Marines

  75

  Army

  26

  Royal Air Force

  49

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will supply hon. Members with the latest Army personnel research establishment reports on(a) any continuous attitude survey for both officers and soldiers, (b) any premature voluntary release survey relating to officers and soldiers and (c) the proposed report on housing attitudes when it is ready.

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

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of the gratuity-terminal grant for(a) a sergeant with 22 years' service and (b) a major aged 50 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A sergeant with 22 years reckonable service would receive a tax-free terminal grant of £ 16,050; a major aged 50 (assuming 29 years reckonable service from age 21) would receive £37,932.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the figures for premature voluntary release from the armed forces for the last two years by quarter.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  1989

  January to March

  2,693

  April to June

  3,010

  July to September

  3,014

  October to December

  2,685

  1990

  January to March

  2,567

  April to June

  2,794

  July to September

  2,942

  October to December

  2,350

  The figures include both officers and other ranks.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Michael Ashcroft
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any form of diplomatic status has been(a) sought and (b) conferred on Michael Ashcroft, chairman of ADT, to cover his present stay in the United Kingdom in respect of his duties as roving trade ambassador for Belize.

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Statistical Posts

  Chief Statistician (G5)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Statistician (G6)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Statisticians (G7)

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  5

  4

  5

  4

  5

  4

  5

  4

  5

  3

  3

  Assistant/Senior Assistants

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Administrative Posts

  HEO

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  EO

  3

  2

  3

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  3

  2

  2

  36
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No.

  Sri Lanka
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any representations from Amnesty International on disappearances, deaths in custody, torture and judicial killings in Sri Lanka since 1983; and if he will review Britain's aid to Sri Lanka with regard to the promotion of peace, political settlement and human rights.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are in regular contact with Amnesty International about Sri Lanka, and have frequently raised our concerns about human rights issues with the Sri Lankan Government. Both bilaterally and with our European partners, we have make it clear that future decisions on development aid will be affected by the Government's performance on human rights.

  Albatrosses
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the actions of his Environment, Science and Energy Department in preventing mortality of albatrosses through long fishing lines.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  At the general assembly of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, in Perth, Australia, last December an official from the Department discussed with his Australian counterparts the problem of the incidental mortality of albatrosses through long-line fishing, about which we share the hon. Member's concern. Since then, the Department has kept in touch with Mr. Nigel Brothers of the Tasmanian Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage, who is conducting excellent research into this problem. We will continue to keep the hon. Member informed of developments.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Staff in statistical and administrative posts are employed in the Overseas Development Administration but not in the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Figures are available only for the period 1984–85 to 1991–92, as follows:
  37

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  Complement

  Actual

  AO

  7

  5

  6

  5

  4

  4

  5

  4

  4

  4

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  PS

  1

  1

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Total

  21

  18

  18·5

  16·5

  15·5

  16·5

  17

  16

  16

  17

  17

  18

  17

  19

  17

  17

  Peru
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice is being given to British travellers about travel to areas of Peru at risk from cholera.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We advise travellers that there is a risk from cholera in the coastal and interior regions of Peru, particularly in the poorer townships where hygiene and sanitation standards are inadequate. Travellers should avoid food vendors and cheap restaurants, observe strict personal hygiene, ensure they are vaccinated against the disease and carry a valid vaccination certificate.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives in regard to fiscal and trade incentives to assist in protecting the environment were discussed in the meeting between the EC Foreign Affairs Ministers and the Foreign Ministers from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador and Mexico in Luxembourg on 25 April.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Ministers of the Community and the Rio group, meeting in Luxembourg on 26 and 27 April, discussed extending co-operation in a wide range of areas including trade, investment and the environment, in the context of the institutional framework established between the European Community and the Rio group. I will place a copy of the meeting's communiquèin the Library.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the issue of Brazil and Argentina signing the nuclear non-proliferation treaty during his meetings with his respective Brazilian and Argentine counterparts in Luxembourg on 25 April.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, attended the EC-Rio group meeting in Luxembourg on 26–28 April. At the meeting, Ministers noted with interest the initiative by Argentina and Brazil to set up a joint system of accounting and verification, applicable to all nuclear installations in both countries, and to negotiate an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. A copy of the communiqué will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Iraq
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose to the United Nations Security Council a resolution relating to the discussions which have taken place between the Kurdish leadership and the Iraqi Government.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Any agreement between the Kurdish groups and the Iraqi Government is an internal 38
  Iraqi matter, but, if requested to do so, the international community will wish to consider what further reassurance it can give to the Kurdish peoples. The United Nations has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Government on the conduct of relief operations in Iraq based on the personal safety of the refugees and the normalisation of their lives in their places of origin.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government to provide substantial humanitarian aid to Shias in southern Iraq; if he will make it his policy that British and other coalition forces should remain on the southern Iraq-Kuwait border until an orderly replacement by United Nation's peace-keeping forces has taken place; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 April to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn), at column 521–22.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the Iraqi authorities offering rewards for Kurdish men and women handed over to Iraqi Ba'athist forces, including police; what estimates he has received about how many such people have been handed over as a result; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Although we regularly receive information from a number of sources about conditions in the Kurdish areas in Iraq, we have seen no reports of the activities described by the hon. Member.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration is being given to the establishment of safe havens on the Iraq-Iran border; what assessment has been made of the numbers of Kurds and others inside Iraq and inside Iran in need of humanitarian aid; how many air strips are being built on the Iran-Iraq border; what accessibility Hariri airport offers to humanitarian aid flights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Safe havens will be established where they are needed. The most recent estimates we have of the number of refugees is almost 1 million on the Iranian side of the border and nearly half a million on the Iraqi side of the border. Our first priority has been to provide immediate humanitarian assistance using the existing infrastructure. Where necessary, helicopters are being used to fly supplies to inaccessible areas. We and non-Government agencies are considering the use of all facilities in the area for extending relief operations.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations are being made to Iraq to ensure no Iraqi forces, including all categories of Iraqi police, are permitted to occupy areas in close proximity to safe havens and other areas occupied by Kurds and Shias; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Representations have been made to local Iraqi commanders and to Iraq's permanent
  39
  representative at the United Nations. Following these representations most of the armed Iraqis have now left the area where the safe camp is being established.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually

  Complement of staff and staff in post in MAFF statistical divisions

  Complement

  staff in post

  grade 5

  grade 7

  senior assistant/assistant statistician

  support staff

  grade 5

  grade 7

  senior assistant/assistant statistician

  support staff

  1979–80

  2

  8

  8

  201

  2

  8

  8

  198·5

  1980–81

  2

  8

  7

  186

  2

  9

  7

  176

  1981–82

  2

  8

  5

  158

  2

  9

  6

  158

  1982–83

  2

  8

  5

  156

  2

  8

  5

  151

  1983–84

  2

  8

  5

  152

  2

  9

  4

  138

  1985–85

  2

  8

  4

  150

  2

  8

  4

  131

  1985–86

  2

  8

  5

  149

  2

  9

  7

  121

  1986–87

  2

  8

  5

  123

  2

  8

  8

  117

  1987–88

  2

  10

  7

  124

  2

  10

  9

  119

  1988–89

  2

  10

  9

  132

  2

  10

  9

  114·5

  1989–90

  2

  11

  10

  136–5

  2

  10

  10

  127–5

  1990–91

  2

  11

  10

  134·5

  2

  11

  8

  130·5

  1991–92

  2

  11

  10

  135·5

  2

  11

  8

  128·5

  Sugar
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evaluation he has made of the impact of the 1991–92 agriculture price proposals concerning sugar prices on export revenues of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

  Mr. Curry
  The Commission's 1991–92 price proposals include a 5 per cent. cut in EC sugar prices. Any cut agreed 40
  employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is as follows:

  would lead to a reduction in the value of the EC's export refunds for sugar. In turn, this should improve the world market, to the benefit of those ACP (and other) countries which sell sugar on it. The price to be offered to the ACP for sugar sent to the EC in 1991–92 under the Lome sugar protocol—currently over twice the world market price—must be linked to EC prices, but is not negotiated with the ACP until after the price fixing.

HEALTH

  Sight Tests
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he expects to launch an information campaign about the availability of free sight tests;

  (2) what steps his Department has taken to promote eye care in Britain.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Between 35 and 40 per cent. of the population are still entitled to free NHS sight tests. This includes all children and people who are entitled on either medical or low income grounds. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I launched a publicity campaign this February to draw attention to those groups entitled to free NHS sight tests. There are also local publicity initiatives, such as the eye care week organised by Derbyshire family health services authority which took place between 15 and 20 April.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to review the policy of charges for national health service sight tests; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is Government policy that those who are able to pay for sight tests should do so, provided that vulnerable groups are protected. In June 1990 we published a report by an independent market research company—NOP—of the number of adults who had had sight tests during the first quarter of 1990. The results indicated that demand for sight tests was returning to normal after an initial drop when entitlement to NHS sight tests was restricted in April 1989. We will be monitoring sight test uptake by questions in the general household survey.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current fee paid to an ophthalmic optician for carrying out a national health service sight test.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The fee paid to an ophthalmic optician for carrying out a national health service sight test is £12·15 from 1 April 1991.

  Hearing Aid Services
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) of 6 February,Official Report, column 156, on pilot projects to reduce waiting times for hearing aid services, if he will outline the different ways of reducing waiting times which are being tested by the projects, the length of time for which the projects will run and the parameters on which the projects are to be evaluated.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information about the precise arrangements within each individual project is not held centrally. Detailed information about the design of the projects and the parameters for the evaluation is set out in "Provisions of Hearing Aid Services Under the NHS", a consultation paper issued by the Department in April 1990, a copy of which is available in the Library. A copy of a recently published paper "Hearing Aid Services: Evaluation of Pilot Projects (RDD 198/0765)" about the evaluation is also available in the Library. The Department is funding the projects for 12 months.

  Evening Primrose Oil
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the occasions when the advisory committee on borderline substances has considered the efficiency of evening primrose oil over the last five years; when it next intends to consider it; and what applications he has received asking that it be permitted to be prescribed at national health service expense;

  (2) how much public money has been spent on assessing the value of evening primrose oil with a view to allowing it to be prescribed at national health service expense.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The advisory committee on borderline substances considered evening primrose oil products in November 1986, September 1987, May 1990, November 1990 and March 1991, and will do so again when it considers appropriate. Over the past year, the Department has received 16 letters on this subject. The Department has not funded research into the efficacy of evening primrose oil.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the estimated number of people with(a) mental handicap, (b) mental illness, (c) physical disability and (d) sensory impairment who would need an authorised representative under the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;

  (2) what is the estimated number of authorised representatives necessary to implement sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;

  (3) what figure for the number of disabled people was used to estimate the cost of £18 million to implement sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;

  (4) what is the estimated cost for one authorised representative over one year acting under the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The local authority associations' estimates of the potential costs of sections 1 and 2 of the Act are based on detailed work undertaken independently by two contrasting local authorities. The estimates assume that authorised representatives might have been appointed for approximately 144,000 disabled people annually, on a one-to-one basis. Around a quarter of this number would be people with a mental handicap, with the remainder largely attributable to those suffering from mental illness, including dementia; a minimal proportion of the total would be people with physical disability or sensory impairment only. The estimates of the costs of an authorised representative for one year range from around £40 for administration, to about £215 if expenses and fees were also to be payable.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the costs of carrying out procedures under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to give representation to disabled people.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The involvement of disabled people and those who care for them in decisions about the services they need is central to the Government's policy for
  43
  community care. However, it is not possible to say how many procedures under the National Health Service and Community Care Act, for example in relation to complaints and assessment, will involve individual disabled people being represented, and it is therefore not possible to estimate the costs arising.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) published since 1979 on the subject of air pollution and human health; which studies were specifically concerned with (i) children and (ii) the elderly; which were undertaken on (x) a national, (y) a regional and (z) a local basis; which studies related specifically to (1) vehicle emissions and (2) tropospheric ozone; and what research is currently being undertaken into these areas.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Research on biomedical aspects of the effects of air pollution on health lies within the remit of the Medical Research Council

  The Department continues to support the social medicine and health services research unit at St. Thomas's hospital in its long-term national study of health and growth among children, in which air pollution has featured as one factor.

  Further support has been given to the St. Thomas's unit during this period for regional and local studies on indoor air pollution in relation to respiratory illnesses among children. Reports of all these studies are published in the scientific literature.

  The small area health statistics unit at the London school of hygiene and tropical medicine, which is jointly funded by this and other Government Departments, is investigating mortality and cancer rates in communities which may be exposed to air pollution from industrial installations.

  In 1990, the Department established an independent expert advisory group to assess, on the basis of national and international research data, the impact of air pollution episodes on health. The group's advice will relate to effects on the general public, although special attention will be given to sensitive groups such as the elderly and children. The group is currently completing its assessment of the effects of tropospheric ozone, and will next consider sulphur dioxide and related pollutants. Its reports will be published.

  Canada (NHS Arrangements)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will seek reciprocal national health service arrangements for patients with the Government of Canada.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Talks with the Canadian authorities in 1982 indicated that a reciprocal agreement was unlikely to

  DHSS permanent staff in statistics division on 1 April

  1987

  1988

  Administrative (vacancies)

  Statistical (vacancies)

  Administrative (vacancies)

  Statistical (vacancies)

  Grade 3

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Grade 5

  —

  7

  —

  7

  Grade 6

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Grade 7

  1

  35 (·5)

  1

  35 (·5)

  Senior assistant statistician

  —

  3·5 (·5)

  —

  5(2)

  Assistant statistician

  —

  6

  —

  7

  Senior executive officer

  13

  —

  18

  —

  44
  be concluded because of the legislative difficulties which it would cause the Canadian Government. We see no scope for reopening the matter at present.

  Medicine Imports
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what analysis is being made in the knowledge of or by his Department into the quality and chemical composition of batches of medicines imported from(a) eastern Europe, (b) Greece and (c) Belgium; and what study is being considered of the effects of medicines imported from eastern Europe into the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Medicines Control Agency, which is part of the Department of Health, operates a medicines testing scheme which analytically monitors the quality and chemical composition of a statistically significant sample of medicinal products marketed in the United Kingdom.

  The medicines testing scheme includes imported medicines from Belgium, Greece and eastern Europe. During the period April 1990 to March 1991, 45 medicinal products imported from Belgium and 12 medicinal products sourced from Greece were examined. No products from eastern Europe were analysed in this period.

  Hairdressers
  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those local authorities which have registered hairdressing establishments within their areas under section 77 of the Public Health Act 1961.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There is no requirement under section 77 of the Public Health Act 1961 or any other general legislation for the registration of hairdressing establishments.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information readily available is shown in the tables. Staff in post figures for the periods prior to 1 April 1987 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Staff complements as such are no longer used, since expenditure is controlled by financial rather than manpower limits.
  45

  1987

  1988

  Administrative (vacancies)

  Statistical (vacancies)

  Administrative (vacancies)

  Statistical (vacancies)

  Higher executive officer

  36(1)

  —

  43

  —

  Executive officer

  61(9)

  —

  69·5 (6·5)

  —

  Administrative officer

  89(1)

  —

  89(3·5)

  —

  Administrative assistant

  28·5(1)

  —

  21(2·5)

  —

  Personal secretary

  8

  —

  10

  —

  Total

  236·5(12)

  53·5(1)

  251·5(12·5)

  56(2·5)

  DH permanent staff in statistics division on 1 April

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Administrative (vacancies)

  Statistical (vacancies)

  Administrative (vacancies)

  Statistical (vacancies)

  Administrative (vacancies)1

  Statistical (vacancies)

  Grade 3

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Grade 5

  —

  6

  —

  5

  —

  5

  Grade 6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Grade 7

  1

  25(1·5)

  —

  24·5(4)

  2

  21·5(3)

  Senior assistant statistician

  —

  2(2)

  —

  6

  —

  8·5

  Assistant statistician

  —

  3

  —

  2

  —

  5

  Senior executive officer

  12(1)

  —

  8

  —

  9

  —

  Higher executive officer

  29(6)

  —

  24(3)

  —

  23·5

  —

  Executive officer

  51(3)

  —

  41(3)

  —

  49

  —

  Administrative officer

  56·5 (5)

  —

  55(6)

  —

  52

  —

  Administrative assistant

  17·5

  —

  15(2)

  —

  12

  —

  Personal secretary

  6(1)

  —

  5(1)

  —

  5(1)

  —

  Total

  173(16)

  37(3·5)

  148(15)

  38·5(4)

  153·5(1)

  42·3(3)

  1 Budget allocation vacancies equate to two executive officer posts.

  OPCS Permanent Staff in Statistical Divisions on 1 March

  1987 Administrative Statistical/Technical

  1988 Administrative Statistical/Technical

  Grade

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  3

  —

  3

  6

  1

  1

  2

  1

  7

  6

  11

  7

  13

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  —

  4

  —

  2

  Assistant Statistician

  —

  1

  —

  2

  Chief Medical Officer

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Medical Officer

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Chief Social Survey Officer A

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Chief Social Survey Officer B

  5

  —

  3

  —

  Principal Social Survey Officer

  12

  —

  15

  —

  Senior Social Survey Officer

  12

  —

  13

  —

  Social Survey Officer

  5

  —

  6·5

  —

  Assistant Social Survey Officer

  4

  —

  4

  —

  Principal Research Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Research Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  14

  —

  17

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  51·5

  —

  52·5

  —

  Executive Officer

  91·5

  —

  92·5

  —

  Administrative Officer

  209·5

  —

  197·5

  —

  Administrative Assistant

  67·5

  —

  66

  —

  Personal Secretary

  19

  —

  18·5

  —

  Total

  503

  20

  498·5

  21

  OPCS permanent staff in statistical divisions on 1 March

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Administrative/Technical

  Statistical

  Administrative/Technical

  Statistical

  Administrative/Technical

  Statistical

  Grade 3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  3

  6

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  7

  10

  14

  10

  14·5

  11

  12·5

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  5

  Assistant Statistician

  —

  3

  —

  4

  —

  3

  Chief Medical Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Medical Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Chief Social Survey Officer A

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  46 47

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Administrative/Technical

  Statistical

  Administrative/Technical

  Statistical

  Administrative/Technical

  Statistical

  Chief Social Survey Officer B

  4

  —

  5

  —

  5

  —

  Principal Social Survey Officer

  15

  —

  13

  —

  15

  —

  Senior Social Survey Officer

  11

  —

  10

  —

  9

  —

  Social Survey Officer

  4·5

  —

  4·5

  —

  11

  —

  Assistant Social Survey Officer

  4

  —

  10

  —

  6

  —

  Principal Research Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Research Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0·5

  —

  Research Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2·5

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  17

  —

  23·5

  —

  25·5

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  57·5

  —

  59·5

  —

  84·5

  —

  Executive Officer

  93

  —

  111

  —

  136·5

  —

  Administrative Officer

  253

  —

  261·5

  —

  246

  —

  Administrative Assistant

  60

  —

  66

  —

  43

  —

  Personal Secretary

  18

  —

  19·5

  —

  18·5

  —

  Total

  552

  23

  598·5

  24·5

  620

  24·5

  Health Education Authority
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the total sum paid out in fees by the Health Education Authority/Health Education Council to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92;

  (2) if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Health Education Authority/Health Education Council; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts;

  (3) what was the total expenditure by the Health Education Authority/Health Education Council on press and public relations 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.

  Charges
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing prescription, dental and optical charges in April 1979 and April 1991 in current and constant prices showing both the cash and real increase for each charge.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The table sets out the latest available information in relation to prescription and dental charges. No comparable figures for optical charges are available because the supply of NHS spectacles ceased in July 1986. Information relates to financial years.

  Prescription charges

  £

  1979–80

  0·20

  1990–91 (current prices)

  3·40

  1990–91 (1979–80 prices)

  1·48

  48

  Average dental charge

  £

  1979–80

  6·83

  1989–90 (current prices)

  25·02

  1989–90 (1979–80 prices)

  10·82

  Catherine Murphy
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will instigate an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the case of Catherine Murphy, whose family were wrongly informed of her death;

  (2) when he expects to be able to reply to Councillor Neil Cardwell regarding the case of Catherine Murphy, who is at present an in-patient of Rainhill hospital, Rainhill, Merseyside.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The St. Helens and Knowsley health authority has apologised unreservedly to Miss Murphy's relatives and is conducting an urgent inquiry. I have asked it to keep me informed. I am writing to Councillor Cardwell today.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  St. John Ambulance Brigade
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what facilities he is providing 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. Leigh
  "Give as you Earn" facilities are available within the Department for staff to contribute to this, as with any other appeal, and as they feel appropriate.

  Bakery Industry
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance has been given to Golden West Foods in respect of investment in a bakery and distribution centre in Rochdale.

  Mr. Leigh
  All applications for assistance by companies from my Department are treated in strictest confidence. However, a press release on 14 January 1991 announced with the consent of the company that a grant of £1·5
  49
  million under the regional selective assistance programme had been offered to Golden West Foods Ltd. for a bakery development at Heywood industrial park, Rochdale.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the criteria for assistance to the bakery industry; whether that industry is assessed to be in balance between sales and productive capacity; and what steps are being taken to monitor the creation of projected extra jobs.

  Mr. Leigh
  Neither my Department nor the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has schemes for assistance specifically tailored to the bakery industry. In common with the rest of industry, the bakery trade may be eligible for regional selective assistance where a project meets the criteria of the scheme. Projects must create or safeguard jobs and satisfy other criteria such as viability, the need for assistance and benefits to the national and regional economy. The advice of MAFF would be sought as to prevailing conditions in the market at the time of any application. My Department monitors the creation of extra jobs in the industry, arising from new capital investment which has received support under RSA, in accordance with the conditions of the grant.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reasons underlie the rejection of the application for aid by Warburton's Ltd. for their new bakery in Newburn, and for a second investment in that bakery.

  Mr. Leigh
  It is not normal practice to provide details of individual cases where these have been supplied in confidence by a business to the Department. I should be happy to look into the matter if the hon. Member would like to write to me with further details.

  Northern Development Corporation
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what grants are made available to the Northern development corporation; and whether he has discussed with it the case for devoting more interest and attention to Cumbria.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Northern Development Company has been offered a grant of £1·33 million in the current financial year for its inward investment promotion activities in the north-west of England. DTI funding for inward investment in the north-east, including Cumbria, is provided through INWARD, which receives a grant of £990,000. NDC also carries out general economic development activities in. Cumbria, but this does not

  Table A

  Business Statistics Office

  The following figures relate to the position as at 1 April of each year

  Grade

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Staff in post

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  G3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Chief Statistician

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  3

  4

  4

  4

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  G5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  G6

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  G7

  13

  12

  12

  10

  11

  10

  10

  8

  10

  7

  7

  18

  19

  18

  19

  19

  19

  20

  20

  Statistician

  8

  11

  10

  12

  10

  11

  10

  11

  11

  11

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  2

  4

  6

  4

  6

  4

  6

  4

  7

  5

  7

  3

  9

  3

  9

  3

  9

  4

  10

  Assistant Statistician

  1

  2

  3

  3

  1

  1

  3

  3

  3

  2

  SEO

  29

  29

  28

  26

  26

  25

  25

  22

  23

  21

  20

  21

  21

  21

  21

  20

  21

  20

  21

  HEO

  91

  101

  103

  96

  101

  92

  96

  80

  84

  76

  78

  80

  79

  80

  80

  80·5

  79

  84

  80

  50
  receive DTI funding. The NDC is already increasing its activities in Cumbria. My Department has discussed this on several occasions with the company.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Leigh
  The tables show the available information. The Department's statistical services have been subject to a number of organisational and machinery of government changes which need to be taken into account when comparing the data for different years. In particular, a major part of the Department's statistical work and associated staff (including the business statistics office) were transferred to the Central Statistical Office on 31 July 1989.

  Table A shows the information for the business statistics office for each year from 1 April 1980 to 1 April 1989. Tables B and C show the information for the Department's two central statistical divisions from 1 April 1981 to 1 April 1989. On 1 April 1980, the central statistical divisions were part of the Department's economics and statistics divisions, and table D shows the staff in post for these as at 1 April 1980. Following the transfer of statistical work to the Central Statistical Office, the remaining statistical work was distributed among a number of divisions within the Department in 1989–90. A further departmental reorganisation combined the statistical work of the Department to form part of the economics, market intelligence and statistics division in 1990–91. The information from 1 April 1990 is shown in table E. Detailed allocations have not yet been finalised for April 1992.

  The following points should also be noted in reading the tables:

  1. The staff in post figures count part-time staff as half and exclude casual staff.

  2. The allocation of posts to grade is not available for April 1980.

  3. With the introduction of unified grading, the chief statistical and statistician grades were absorbed into grades 5 and 7 respectively.

  4 Following the creation of the economics, market intelligence and statistics division in 1990–91, some administrative staff work for both economists and statisticians. The figures for 1 April 1991 only include that proportion of time spent supporting statisticians.

  51

  The following figures relate to the position as at I April of each year

  Grade

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Staff in post

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  EO

  237

  238

  250

  235

  233

  203

  207

  180

  188

  180

  188

  192·5

  194

  186

  186

  176·5

  185

  169·5

  184

  AO

  371

  338

  352

  327

  325

  304

  313

  277

  283

  251

  263

  261

  259

  242

  248

  237

  247

  239

  242·5

  AA

  128

  126

  132

  119

  128

  113

  115

  97

  105

  83

  90

  79

  81

  70·5

  71

  59·5

  61

  59

  63·5

  PS

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  6

  7

  5

  5

  4

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  7

  6

  Librarian

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Assistant Librarian

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Typing Manager

  4

  4

  4

  5

  4

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Typist

  24

  22

  23

  19

  22

  19

  21

  19

  19

  16·5

  14

  14

  16

  15

  15

  14

  15

  12

  15

  Senior Messenger

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  3

  2

  3

  2

  3

  2

  2

  —

  2

  2

  Messenger

  16

  17

  17

  17

  16

  16

  16

  13

  13

  9

  10

  8

  9

  8

  9

  8

  —

  8

  9

  Chief Paperkeeper

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Paperkeeper

  4

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Paper Keeper

  13

  11

  9

  10

  8

  8

  8

  8

  6

  8

  7

  6

  6

  4

  4

  3

  4

  3

  3

  Office Keeper II

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Reprographics I

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Reprographics II

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Teleprint Operator

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Telephonist

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Total

  970

  946

  977

  914

  921

  842

  862

  751

  780

  697·5

  722

  711·5

  720

  676·5

  689

  648·5

  664

  646·5

  673

  Table B

  Statistics 1 Division

  The following figures relate to the position as at 1 April of each year

  Grade

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  G3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Chief Statistician

  6

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  G5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  3

  3

  3

  G7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  11

  11

  12

  Statistician

  17

  17

  16

  14

  14

  14

  12

  12

  12

  12

  11

  11

  12

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  2

  12

  2

  10

  3

  8

  1

  7

  3

  7

  —

  7

  2

  7

  1

  7

  2

  7

  Assistant Statistician

  4

  4

  3

  3

  1

  3

  5

  3

  —

  SEO

  3

  3

  3

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  HEO

  18

  19

  16

  15

  13

  13

  12

  12

  12

  12

  12

  11

  9

  11

  8

  8

  8

  8

  EO

  33

  32

  30

  24

  22

  21

  19

  17

  19

  17

  15

  14

  15

  14

  16

  14

  16

  14

  AO

  65·5

  65

  56·5

  46

  35·5

  37

  28

  29

  28

  28

  20

  19·5

  16

  18·5

  18·5

  16·5

  18·5

  17·5

  AA

  7·5

  8

  4·5

  4

  3

  3

  2

  2

  2

  2

  —

  1

  2

  1

  3

  3

  2

  3

  PS

  6

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  Paper Keeper

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Principal Research

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  OFF(R)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  164

  167

  143

  126

  106·5

  109

  86

  88

  86

  87

  70

  72·5

  70

  72·5

  69·5

  68·5

  66·5

  70·5

  Table C

  Statistics 2 Division

  The following figures relate to the position as at 1 April of each year

  Grade

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  Staff in post

  Posts

  G3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Chief Statistician

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  G5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  G7

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  3

  8

  8·5

  9

  8·5

  8·5

  Statistician

  8

  8

  9

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  9

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  2

  4

  3

  6

  5

  6

  2

  6

  2

  5

  1

  6

  1

  5

  3

  6

  2

  6

  Assistant Statistician

  3

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  1

  2

  SEO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  HEO

  12

  11

  13

  12

  13

  12

  12

  11

  11

  11

  11

  11

  12

  11

  10

  11

  9·5

  11

  EO

  21

  24

  22

  24

  22

  25

  24·5

  23

  22

  22

  23

  24

  18

  23

  16

  20

  19·5

  18

  AO

  55

  59

  56

  56

  47·5

  51

  42·5

  43

  38·5

  41

  46·5

  47

  42·5

  46

  435

  44·5

  39·5

  41

  AA

  3

  2

  2

  4

  3

  4

  3

  4

  4

  4

  4

  5·5

  3

  5·5

  7

  5

  4

  5

  SPS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  PS

  4

  4

  3

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  3

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  2

  4

  Paper Keeper

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Total

  115

  121

  116

  120

  109·5

  116

  104

  105

  97·5

  102

  105·5

  111·5

  96·5

  107·5

  99

  104·5

  94

  98·5

  Table E

  Grade

  SIP 1 April 1990

  Posts 1 April 1990

  SIP 1 April 1991

  Posts 1 April 1991

  Grade 5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 7

  11

  11

  10·6

  10·5

  Senior assistant statistician

  3

  6

  2

  2

  Assistant statistician

  1

  —

  1

  2

  HEO

  5

  5

  2·5

  2·5

  EO

  13

  15

  11

  11

  AO

  14

  17

  10

  10

  AA

  3

  3

  1

  1

  PS

  1

  1

  1

  1

  52 53

  Grade

  SIP 1 April 1990

  Posts 1 April 1990

  SIP 1 April 1991

  Posts 1 April 1991

  Support grade 2

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  53

  60

  40·1

  42

  Table D

  Economics and statistics division

  SIP 1 April 1980

  G3

  5

  Chief Statistician

  10

  Statistician

  30

  S/Assistant Statistician

  8

  Assistant Statistician

  4

  S/Economic/Advisor

  8

  Economic/Advisor

  19·5

  S/Economic/Assistant

  10

  G7

  3

  SEO

  4

  HEO

  42

  HSO

  1

  EO

  77

  AO

  145·5

  AA

  9

  SPS

  2

  Principal Research Officer

  4

  S/Research Officer

  1

  Research Officer

  1

  PS

  19

  Paper Keeper

  1

  Total

  404

  Insolvency Cases
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set the Insolvency Service executive agency for 1991–92.

  Mr. Redwood
  I expect the insolvency service to continue to bring proceedings for the disqualification of directors of failed companies, and to submit prosecution reports where there is evidence of criminal behaviour in all appropriate cases. In addition I have set it output targets of completing the administration of at least 14,500 cases in 1991–92, while examining in detail one in 20 of all bankruptcy and liquidation accounts received from independent insolvency practitioners.

  The quality of service targets for 1991–92 are: to report to creditors on assets and liabilities within nine weeks in at least 75 per cent. of cases; to hold the initial meeting of creditors within 12 weeks on at least 90 per cent. of all cases; to check and action at least 93 per cent. of payment requisitions within 10 days or by the due date; to submit reports within 10 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases identified for investigation.

  I would like to congratulate the chief executive and his staff on their success in improving quality of service last year while significantly increasing their efficiency. For 1991–92, I have asked the chief executive to secure a further 5 per cent. increase in productivity in case administration, as measured by both the initial handling of cases and their closure. I have also toughened the target for a reduction in real terms for the average unit cost of the initial stage of bankruptcies and liquidations, so that it is now a 37 per cent. reduction over the period 1990–91 to 1992–93.

  Environment Conferences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether his Department(a) received an invitation to attend and (b) had any participation in the second world industry conference on environmental management held in Rotterdam on 9 to 12 April;

  (2) when his Department received a copy of the recommendations made to Governments contained in the final declaration of the second world industry conference on environmental management dated 12 April.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]: An official from the Department's environment unit attended this conference as a delegate. Like other delegates he received a copy of the final declaration, including the recommendations to Governments at the final session of the conference on 12 April.

  Cornish Tin Mining
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the Department received an official response from Carnon Holdings to his Department's decision to withdraw funding from the Cornish tin mining industry;

  (2) what was the response of Carnon Holdings to his Department's decision to withdraw funding from the Cornish tin mining industry;

  (3) when his Department officially notified Carnon Holdings of the decision to cease funding for its tin mining operations; and what prior discussions with the company had taken place;

  (4) when his Department took the decision to withdraw funding from the tin mining industry.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]: Numerous discussions and other contacts have taken place since early 1990 on the question of the viability of Carnon Holdings Ltd.'s tin mining project, a precondition for advances of DTI loan money. The decision not to advance any further money to Carnon was made and conveyed orally to the company on 22 February 1991. It was confirmed in writing on 25 February. Carnon replied to the Department on 25 February enclosing its press release of the same date announcing its response to the decision.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the reasons for his Department's non-payment of the first instalment of 1·7 million to Carnon Holdings Ltd. to finance Cornish tin mining operations.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 25 April 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to my speech in the Adjournment debate on 6 March at column 431–438. I explained inter alia that the Government had come to the conclusion that the tin mining project was not viable in the longer term. The rules of financial and parliamentary accountability then meant that we could not make any further payments under the loan.

  Appledore Shipbuilders
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and industry if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement in the efforts of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. to secure an order from A. P. Moller for platform supply vessels.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 24 April 1991]: Since this is a commercial matter, I regret that I am unable to make a statement.

  Cumbria (Assisted Areas)
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to designate any new assisted areas in Cumbria; which districts will be affected; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 24 April 1991]: I do not anticipate further changes to the assisted areas map during this Parliament.

  Kuwait (Oil Fires)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 18 April, if he will make bulldozers and other relevant equipment available to the Government of Kuwait to assist in fighting the oil fires; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 23 April 1991]: It is for the firefighting contractors selected by the Kuwaitis to determine and make available the necessary equipment. As yet, British companies are not directly involved in firefighting, but the Government are actively supporting proposals from British groups to provide a wide range of services which are needed to deal with the oil fires.

  Building Work
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list the number and location of all new buildings or extensions commissioned by his Department in each of the past five years which(a) had contracts worth between £3 million and £5 million and (b) had contracts worth more than £5 million.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 25 April 1991]: Before 1 April 1988, my Department had no responsibility for funding major new buildings or extensions on the Government's civil estate. My Department has since commissioned one project covered by the question. This was for a new building at Newport in Gwent in the more than £5 million category, started in 1988–89.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give separate figures for the spending of his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what are his latest estimates for 1990–91 and budgets for 1991–92.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 25 April 1991]: I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on 13 March 1990
  56
  columns 173–74. Expenditure from the Department's central publicity budget over the past two years was as follows:

  £000s

  1989–90

  1990–912

  Television advertising

  5,084

  3,938

  Radio advertising

  540

  141

  Press advertising

  3,506

  1,801

  Other promotional materials1

  4,037

  3,867

  1 Publication, Audio-visual materials and posters.

  2 Estimated.

  Precise media allocations for the current year are not available, but expenditure is likely to be within the 1990–91 total.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 26 April 1991]: Separate figures for the years before 1987–88 are not readily available. The complement of the Department's press office on 1 April over the past five years has been as follows, with the number of staff in post shown in parenthesis:

  Year

  1987–88

  51

  (51)

  1988–89

  51

  (51)

  1989–90

  41

  (37)

  1990–91

  39

  (37)

  1991–92

  39

  (38)

  The current total includes 16 clerical and other support posts.

WALES

  Council Housing
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new houses were completed by district councils in Wales during 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The number of dwellings completed by district councils in January and February 1991 was 16; in 1990 a total of 551 dwellings was completed. Some 544 dwellings were under construction by district councils at the end of February 1991.

  Foreign-owned Companies
  Mr. Grist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employees in Wales work for(a) EC-owned firms and (b) other foreign-owned firms.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Some 63,000 people are currently employed at overseas-owned manufacturing plants in Wales. Of these, 14,000 are employed at plants in the ownership of EC countries other than the United Kingdom and 49,000 at other overseas-owned plants.

  Special Treatment Centres
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will extend beyond April 1992 the funding by his Department of the special treatment centres for hip and knee replacements at Rhydlafar hospital, for hernias and varicose veins at Bridgend general hospital and for cataract surgery at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The existing treatment centres are already proving successful in providing speedy treatment for patients with key disabling complaints and are expected to remain an effective source of treatment under the recently introduced contracting arrangements. Decisions on future funding will be taken in the light of experience during 1991–92, but it is not intended that central funding should continue indefinitely.

  Training Organisations
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, during his discussions with the chairmen of TECs in Wales on 7 May, he will include advice on the advisability of ensuring that chief executive officers and monitoring officers are not only experienced but qualified to determine whether approved training organisation status should be awarded to training organisations.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  All TEC chairmen in Wales are aware of their responsibility to ensure that all staff are adequately qualified to perform the duties assigned to them.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what propoals he has for another tier of local government in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Mr. leuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received on local government and constitutional reform in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Several, some in favour of reform and some against.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the conclusions he has reached in relation to the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have reached no conclusions. I propose to issue, early in the summer, a consultation paper identifying the factors which would need to be borne in mind in considering any reorganisation.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met leaders of local authorities in Wales to discuss local government finance.

  Mr. David Hunt
  On 23 April, to explain the Government's proposals for a new council tax to replace the community charge.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Wales what are the relative percentages of revenue raised for local government expenditure from charge payers, business rate payers and central Government grant.
  58
  Mr. David Hunt
  The overall effect of the local government finance settlement for 1991–92, taken together with the community charge reduction schemes that I have introduced this year, is that the average community charge payable in Wales will be around £92 before taking account of community charge benefit. This means that community charge payers are expected to contribute 8 per cent. towards budgeted spending with 21 per cent. being financed from non-domestic rates and the rest coming from a range of central Government grants.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of local government expenditure in Wales is currently raised by the poll tax.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Eight per cent.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate for(a) Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney and (b) Mid Glamorgan of employment training expenditure in 1990–91 and 1991–92, respectively.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The employment training budget now administered by the Mid Glamorgan training and enterprise council for the financial year 1991–92 is £5.6 million. Comparative figures for 1990–91 are not available. Figures for the areas of Merthyr and Rhymney are not produced.

  Prince of Wales Hospital, Rhydlafar
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he proposes to make to enable in-patients at St. Nicholas ward, Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar, to remain there after its proposed closure date of 30 April to complete their in-patient treatment.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on Friday 19 April 1991 at column 276.

  As the implementation of approved service changes is a matter for health authorities, I have not discussed the timing of the transfer of the children's orthopaedic service in South Glamorgan with the chairman of the district health authority. Nor do I have plans to issue any general guidance on this particular aspect of service planning.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the growth of the information technology industry in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information technology sector in Wales has grown from a limited base in the late 1970s into a substantial sector now. For example, in the electronic sector alone employment grew by 89 per cent. between 1978 and 1990.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the initiatives he intends to take to increase the number of EC-approved abattoirs in Wales by 1992.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Responsibility for complying with the EC measures to harmonise standards for abattoirs by 1
  59
  January 1993 rests with the industry. The Government consider that the abattoir industry should plan for this urgently, and I have taken every opportunity to encourage those involved to take the necessary steps to ensure that they comply with the new standards.

  New Hospital, Neath
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to make an announcement about the building of the new hospital for Neath.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend has today announced his decision approving the proposal of West Glamorgan health authority to build a new district general hospital for Neath and Port Talbot at Baglan moors, Port Talbot.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the level of inward investment into Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Inward investment has made a very significant contribution to the transformation of the Welsh economy in recent years, a contribution that is being maintained at very high levels. The financial year 1990–91 was again a record year for inward investment to Wales, with 147 projects secured promising nearly 15,000 jobs.

  Further Education
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received concerning the proposed change in funding and management of the further education sector in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Department has received three representations on this matter.

  Severn Estuary (Birds)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to designate as a special protection area under the 1979 EEC wild birds directive the inter-tidal mudflats on the Welsh side of the Severn estuary so far proposed for designation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him on Thursday 25 April by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Professional posts

  Senior economic adviser

  (Grade 5)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Chief statistician

  (Grade 5)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Statistician

  (Grade 6)

  6

  7

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  7

  Statistician

  (Grade 7)

  Principal research officer

  (Grade 7)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Economic adviser

  (Grade 7)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Senior assistant statistician

  3

  5

  2

  4

  2

  4

  —

  4

  Assistant statistician

  2

  1

  —

  1

  Administrative posts

  Higher executive officer

  1

  4

  5

  4

  4

  2

  1

  —

  Executive officer

  14

  18

  11·5

  14

  11

  14

  12

  15

  Administrative officer

  30

  33

  31

  30·5

  29·5

  30·5

  28

  28

  Senior data processor

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  School Nurses
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to bring schools into line with workplace law which stipulates that there must be a person on the premises with first aid qualifications for every 150 employees; and whether he will give consideration to appointing fully qualified nurses in schools with over 500 pupils.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Local authorities have duties, as employers, to provide first aid facilities for all their employees, including those in schools. These duties are set out in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and more specifically in the Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1981 made under that Act. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has no plans for extending these duties to cover non-employees.

  However, the Health and Safety Commission's approved code of practice on first aid at work recognises that employers, such as local education authorities, whose premises are regularly attended by non-employees may wish to make some provision for them. The recommendation of both the Welsh Office and HSE is that such employers may consider, among other matters, the total number of people on a site when assessing first aid needs. In the case of schools, the responsibility for making such an assessment rests with the employer.

  All local education authorities in Wales were sent the code of practice in February and asked to review the situation at the schools and colleges for which they have a general health and safety responsibility and to determine what practical measures needed to be given priority in order to reach or maintain the recommended minimum standards for first aid.

  The appointment of qualified nurses in schools is a matter for determination locally.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is as follows:
  61

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Administrative assistant

  4·5

  5·5

  4

  4

  3

  4

  4

  6

  Data processor

  ·5

  ·5

  ·5

  ·5

  ·5

  ·5

  ·5

  —

  Personal secretary

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Professional posts

  Senior economic adviser

  (Grade 5)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Chief statistician

  (Grade 5)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Statistician

  (Grade 6)

  5

  7

  5

  10

  6

  12

  9

  12

  Statistician

  (Grade 7)

  Principal research officer

  (Grade 7)

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Economic adviser

  (Grade 7)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Senior assistant statistician

  1

  4

  5·5

  8

  16·5

  8

  16·5

  8

  Assistant statistician

  2

  23

  22

  Administrative posts

  Higher executive officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Executive officer

  14

  15

  15·5

  17

  16

  17

  19

  19

  Administrative officer

  29

  28

  23·5

  21

  23

  22

  26

  25

  Senior data processor

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Administrative assistant

  4

  4

  3

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Data processor

  2·5

  2

  2·5

  2·5

  2·5

  2·5

  2·5

  2

  Personal secretary

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Professional posts

  Senior economic adviser

  (Grade 5)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0·5

  Chief statistician

  (Grade 5)

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Statistician

  (Grade 6)

  8·5

  13

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Statistician

  (Grade 7)

  10.5

  13.5

  11

  11

  12

  13·5

  10·5

  Principal research officer

  (Grade 7)

  —

  1·5

  1·5

  1·5

  Economic adviser

  (Grade 7)

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Senior assistant statistician

  17

  9·5

  8·5

  9·5

  6

  8·5

  7·5

  9·5

  6

  Assistant statistician

  23

  1

  1

  2

  —

  3

  Statistical computing officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Administrative posts

  Grade 7

  19

  19·5

  15

  16·5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Higher executive officer

  25·5

  29·5

  22

  21·5

  1

  —

  1

  —

  2

  Executive officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16

  16·5

  11·5

  16·5

  14·5

  Administrative officer

  6·5

  6

  5·5

  5

  19

  21·5

  19·5

  21·5

  24

  Administrative assistant

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7·5

  5

  5·5

  5

  6

  Personal secretary

  2

  2

  —

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1·5

  Typist

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Senior assistant statistician and senior research officer combined.

  2 Assistant statistician and research officer combined.

  Note:

  Since the introduction of delegated budgeting arrangements, the formal complement is no longer the basis for staffing.

  Accidents in Children's Play Areas
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has about accidents in children's play areas; and what steps he intends to take to make them safer.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The Department of Trade and Industry compiles statistics relating to accidents in a wide range of recreational environments including playgrounds. A copy of its 12th annual report of home accident surveillance systems, that for 1988, is in the Library of the House. Table LASS 2, page 46 presents accidents in playgrounds split by age. Information on playground 62
  accidents is also held by the Health and Safety Executive. I expect that a joint Department of Education and Science and Welsh Office advice on safety in school play areas will be issued to local authorities later this year.

  Expenditure in Schools
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the expenditure per pupil on (i) books and (ii) equipment in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in cash and real terms since 1976.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Local authority expenditure per pupil on text books, library books, educational equipment,
  63
  stationery and materials in primary and secondary schools since 1976–77 is shown in the table. Reliable information on text books and equipment is not separately available.

  Primary1

  Secondary

  cash

  constant prices2

  cash

  constant prices2

  1976–77

  9·3

  27·4

  16·9

  49·8

  1977–78

  10·2

  26·5

  18·0

  46·7

  1978–79

  11·9

  27·8

  20·9

  48·9

  1979–80

  12·7

  25·5

  22·8

  45·7

  1980–81

  14·6

  24·7

  25·2

  42·7

  1981–82

  16·2

  25·0

  28·4

  43·9

  1982–83

  18·5

  26·7

  33·5

  48·3

  1983–84

  19·8

  27·3

  37·4

  51·6

  1984–85

  17·9

  23·5

  39·9

  52·4

  1985–86

  20·0

  24·9

  41·3

  51·4

  1986–87

  22·5

  27·1

  57·4

  69·1

  1987–88

  23·9

  27·3

  58·2

  66·4

  1988–89

  25·3

  26·9

  64·4

  68·5

  1 Primary includes nursery schools.

  2 Cash prices revalued to 1989–90 prices using the GDP deflator.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Head Teachers (Appraisal)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his plans for the appraisal of head teachers.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. and learned Friend's plans are set out in the drafts of the regulations he proposes to make on school teacher appraisal and of the associated departmental circular. The drafts were sent out for consultation to representatives of the employers, teacher associations and others on 23 April 1991: copies have also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Special Schools (London)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of places in special schools in each local authority in London by category(a) as at 1 April 1990 and (b) as at 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Fallon
  Information on the number of special school places is not available centrally. The number of pupils in maintained special schools within the London boroughs is given in the table. These figures reflect the position as at January 1990, the latest date for which information is available.

  Number of pupils in special schools by LEA for Inner and Outer London boroughs

  Maintained special schools Number of pupils

  201 City

  —

  202 Camden

  421

  203 Greenwich

  732

  204 Hackney

  663

  205 Hammersmith and Fulham

  481

  206 Islington

  333

  207 Kensington and Chelsea

  98

  208 Lambeth

  956

  209 Lewisham

  505

  210 Southwark

  578

  211 Tower Hamlets

  484

  212 Wandsworth

  740

  213 Westminster

  219

  64

  Maintained special schools Number of pupils

  Inner London boroughs

  6,210

  301 Barking

  186

  302 Barnet

  343

  303 Bexley

  268

  304 Brent

  369

  305 Bromley

  384

  306 Croydon

  479

  307 Ealing

  439

  308 Enfleld

  416

  309 Haringey

  326

  310 Harrow

  244

  311 Havering

  257

  312 Hillingdon

  377

  313 Hounslow

  495

  314 Kingston upon Thames

  251

  315 Merton

  240

  316 Newham

  471

  317 Redbridge

  405

  318 Richmond upon Thames

  177

  319 Sutton

  285

  320 Waltham Forest

  734

  Outer London boroughs

  7,146

  Greater London

  13,356

  Youth Service (London)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the amount of money spent in(a) Greater London, (b) inner London and (c) Southwark on the youth service in each of the financial years from 1979 to 1991 inclusive; and what was the amount budgeted in each of the same areas for 1991–92, both absolutely and as a proportion of the total education budget.

  Mr. Atkins
  The available information is shown in the table. The latest year for which information on actual spending is available is 1988–89. This information is taken from local education authorities' spending returns and is not collected for particular areas within a local education authority. The information requested on amounts budgeted is not collected.

  Net recurrent spending1 on the Youth Service

  Greater London (£000)

  ILEA (£000)

  1979–80

  18,500

  11,338

  1980–81

  22,998

  14,168

  1981–82

  27,011

  16,597

  1982–83

  30,712

  19,300

  1983–84

  34,505

  21,699

  1984–85

  35,584

  22,726

  1985–86

  3 36,568

  23,725

  1986–87

  243,054

  27,193

  1987–88

  346,545

  30,535

  1988–89

  253,559

  35,377

  1Excluding costs of financing capital expenditure, and specific grant income.

  2One Outer London authority did not submit a return.

  3Two Outer London authorities did not submit a return.

  Pupil Numbers (Southwark)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the projection of population of all residents, residents under 11 years, pupils between 11 and 18 years and pupils under 11 years on which his Department is working for each of the years 1990–91 to 2000–1 inclusive in(a) Southwark and (b) each of the parliamentary constituencies within the London borough of Southwark.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Department does not engage in the planning of educational services at local education authority or constituency level. This is a matter for the individual authorities concerned.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils are awaiting assessment of their special educational needs in each London local education authority at the latest date for which figures are available; what is the average delay between requests for and issuing of statements; what additional financial and human provision is made in each case to ensure statementing as soon as possible; what proposals he has for speeding up the procedure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  This information is not collected centrally. The responsibility for carrying out assessments of special educational needs rests with the local education authorities. Advice and guidance in relation to the procedures for assessments and statements made under the Education Act 1981 is given in circular 22/ 89, which was issued jointly by the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Health in September 1989.

  Southwark (Official Visits)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all official visits made by Ministers, in each case with the name of the Minister and the date, to schools or institutions of education in the London borough of Southwark in each year from 1979 to 1991 inclusive.

  Mr. Fallon
  Records of ministerial visits are not available as far back as 1979. However, in the last two years DES Ministers have visited a number of schools and colleges in inner London boroughs, including Southwark. The then Minister of State visited Sumner nursery and Surrey Square junior and infants schools in Southwark on 23 January 1990. Earlier this year, on 26 March, my hon. Friend the present Minister of State visited the London Nautical School.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list the information he has available on the names of those local authorities which have not made full payment of tuition fees to institutions of higher education for the current academic year; and if he will indicate the amounts of the sums unpaid;

  (2) what information he has on the percentage of fee payments due to institutions of higher education from local authorities for the autumn term 1990 and the spring term 1991 which remains unpaid;
  66
  (3) if he will take steps to ensure that those local authorities which have not paid in full the tuition fees owed to institutions of higher education for the first two terms of the current academic year do so.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1990 require local education authorities to pay tuition fees promptly to academic institutions on behalf of their mandatory award holders. I understand that a significant proportion of the autumn term 1990 fee instalments remained unpaid at the end of that term and that there were delays in paying the spring term 1991 instalments, but that the majority of both instalments have now been paid. I am awaiting further information from the bodies representing universities and polytechnics on the amounts still outstanding and the individual local authorities at fault. I deplore unnecessary delays in payment. The Department issued clear guidance last year on good practice deadlines for fee payment. All authorities have recently been reminded again of this guidance and the statutory requirements, and urged to settle outstanding fees. The Department is taking action with any individual authorities found to have substantial payments still overdue. Measures are being developed to improve the processing of fee payments for the coming academic year.

  Women Scientists
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he has made of the census, why more women are not doing scientific and technical work since August 1990; and what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to convince girls and young women that such opportunities for physicists are open to all, in the light of demographic changes.

  Mr. Eggar
  The employers concerned have the prime responsibility for making scientific and technical careers attractive to women. Nevertheless, this Government's education reforms include some relevant initiatives. The science component of the national curriculum will reinforce that aspect of the education of pupils to age 16, both boys and girls. This will help to ensure that pupils will be less likely to have career options prematurely closed to them and will be better placed to make informed choices about whether to follow a career in a scientific discipline.

  The Women into Science and Engineering campaign (WISE) fosters equal opportunity links between education and industry and stresses the importance of eliminating and stereotyping in option choice and careers advice. The WISE campaign has continued to be promoted and five WISE buses, sponsored and maintained by industry, and with support from the Government, continue to give careers advice to girls.

  For mature students, there are available some access courses which cater exclusively for women; for example, in micro-electronics, engineering, and information and industrial technology.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the initial teacher training courses upon which the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education has made recommendations to him, categorised according to whether(a) all relevant criteria are satisfied, so that he was recommended

  67
  to approve the course under schedule 5 to the Education (Teachers) Regulations Act 1982, (b) a recommendation for schedule 5 approval was made conditional upon further progress within a specific timetable, (c) no recommendation was made and (d) he was recommended to withhold or to withdraw approval; and in each case whether he has accepted the Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education recommendation.

  Mr. Fallon
  Since 1 January 1990, when the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education was reconstituted, the Secretary of State has approved on its advice the courses listed in the table. He has also withdrawn aproval on the council's advice from work and the urban environment as a main subject specialism in the BEd (Hons) primary course at the polytechnic of North London. There are no courses where approval has been given subject to conditions.

  My right hon. and learned Friend is currently considering advice from the council on 17 further courses.

  Courses accredited on the advice of CATE since 1 January 1990

  Goldsmith's College

  Art Teachers' Certificate (secondary) course.

  PGCE primary course.

  PGCE secondary course.

  BEd (Hons) (primary) course.

  BEd (Hons) (secondary) course.

  Keele University

  Biology as additional main subject method specialism in PGCE (secondary) course.

  University of Cambridge and Homerton College

  PGCE (primary, lower years) course.

  BEd (Hons) (primary) course.

  Polytechnic of North London

  BEd (Hons) primary course: main subject specialisms in Health, Physical Education and Recreation Studies; Language, Literature and Media Studies; Mathematics, Computing and Technology.

  University of Warwick

  PGCE (secondary) course.

  BA (Hons) with QTS (primary) course.

  BA (Hons) with QTS (secondary) course.

  Anglia College of Higher Education

  Two year BEd (secondary) course in Music.

  Kingston Polytechnic

  Music as a main subject method specialism without a second subject method specialism in PGCE (secondary) course.

  Manchester Polytechnic

  Two year BEd (secondary, 11–16) course in Chemistry.

  Two year PGCE (secondary, 11–16) course in Chemistry.

  Two year part-time PGCE (secondary, 11–16) course in Chemistry.

  Brunel University

  Two year part-time PGCE (secondary) in Physics.

  West London Institute of Higher Education

  BEd (Hons) (primary) course.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the reports completed since 1983 by Her Majesty's inspectorate on institutions responsible for teacher education and training and indicate the date of publication of the report and, for university departments of education, which opted not to publish their reports.

  Mr. Fallon
  The reports issued by Her Majesty's inspectorate since 1983 on institutions responsible for teacher education and training are listed in the table.

  Reports on the university of Nottingham and the university of Newcastle, available in 1985 and 1988 respectively, were not published.
  68

  Published HMI reports on institutions responsible for teacher education and training since the end of 1983

  Name

  Date published

  Kingston Polytechnic

  21 June 1984

  Chelmer Institute

  13 July 1984

  Middlesex Polytechnic

  28 August 1984

  Humberside College of Higher Education

  30 August 1984

  Rolle College

  13 September 1984

  Bretton Hall College

  29 November 1984

  University of Exeter

  10 December 1984

  University of Newcastle

  11 December 1984

  Hertfordshire College of Higher Education

  24 January 1985

  Christ Church College, Canterbury

  19 February 1985

  Birmingham Polytechnic

  27 March 1985

  University of Bristol

  27 March 1985

  Westhill College

  25 April 1985

  University of Bath

  5 April 1985

  University of Durham

  19 June 1985

  St. Mary's College, Twickenham

  3 September 1985

  West Midlands College of Higher Education

  3 September 1985

  University of Sussex

  17 September 1985

  University of Leicester

  25 September 1985

  Liverpool Institute

  8 October 1985

  Portsmouth Polytechnic

  6 December 1985

  University of Reading

  11 December 1985

  University of Loughborough

  26 December 1985

  University of Sheffield

  31 December 1985

  College of St. Paul and St. Mary

  3 January 1986

  Manchester Polytechnic

  23 January 1986

  Sheffield City Polytechnic

  24 January 1986

  Bishop Grosseteste College

  7 February 1986

  College of St. Mark and St. John

  19 March 1986

  Edge Hill College of Higher Education

  7 May 1986

  The Polytechnic of Wolverhampton

  27 May 1986

  Bath College of Higher Education

  3 June 1986

  West London Institute of Higher Education

  13 June 1986

  Newman College

  17 June 1986

  Bulmershe College of Higher Education

  24 June 1986

  St. Martin's College

  2 July 1986

  La Sainte Union College of Higher Education

  13 August 1986

  Worcester College of Higher Education

  18 August 1986

  University of Southampton

  28 August 1986

  University of Cambridge

  19 September 1986

  University of York

  9 December 1986

  Polytechnic of South Bank

  23 December 1986

  King Alfred's College of Higher Education

  28 January 1987

  Oxford Polytechnic

  5 February 1987

  Liverpool Polytechnic

  14 February 1987

  Trinity and All Saints College

  25 February 1987

  University of Hull

  26 February 1987

  Brighton Polytechnic

  27 February 1987

  University of Leeds

  3 March 1987

  Manchester Polytechnic

  31 March 1987

  Nene College

  27 March 1987

  Bedford College of Higher Education

  14 April 1987

  Bradford and Ilkley Community College

  14 April 1987

  North Riding College

  21 April 1987

  West Sussex Institute of Higher Education

  15 May 1987

  Crewe and Alsager College of Higher Education

  21 May 1987

  Newman College

  26 June 1987

  University of Warwick

  8 July 1987

  Bristol Polytechnic

  9 July 1987

  Brunei University

  17 July 1987

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic

  15 July 1987

  The College of Ripon and York St. John

  23 July 1987

  Trent Polytechnic

  24 July 1987

  Charlotte Mason College

  14 August 1987

  Leeds Polytechnic

  15 September 1987

  Roehampton Institute

  15 October 1987

  University of London, Institute of Education

  20 October 1987

  University of Manchester

  30 October 1987

  University of East Anglia

  20 November 1987

  Polytechnic of North London

  18 December 1987

  Goldsmith's College

  27 January 1988

  University of Keele

  9 February 1988

  69

  Name

  Date published

  University of Liverpool

  4 March 1988

  University of Birmingham

  5 March 1988

  Chester College

  25 February 1988

  University of London, King's College

  20 May 1988

  University of Oxford

  2 June 1988

  Leicester Polytechnic

  12 July 1988

  Thames Polytechnic

  25 August 1988

  Sunderland Polytechnic

  7 September 1988

  Jews College

  20 September 1988

  Derbyshire College of Higher Education

  26 October 1988

  Birmingham Polytechnic

  28 October 1988

  Christ Church College, Canterbury

  8 November 1988

  Essex Institute of Higher Education

  28 February 1989

  St. Martin's College

  22 March 1989

  Bath College of Higher Education

  4 May 1989

  Bradford and Ilkley Community College

  28 August 1989

  Liverpool Polytechnic

  18 November 1989

  West Sussex Institute of Higher Education

  22 November 1989

  Brighton Polytechnic

  1 March 1990

  Nene College

  10 July 1990

  West London Institute of Higher Education

  30 October 1990

  University of Durham

  21 November 1990

  Nottingham Polytechnic

  16 November 1990

  St. Mary's College, Twickenham

  4 December 1990

  Manchester Polytechnic

  24 April 1991

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many courses of initial teacher education and training have been considered by the central Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education; how many are pending; how many have been accepted; and how many have been rejected.

  Mr. Fallon
  Since 1 January 1990, when the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education was reconstituted, 94 courses have been submitted to it for consideration. Of these, 37 so far have been the subject of advice to the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list by local education authority the number of(a) primary and (b) secondary schools taking placement of trainee teachers (i) as part of their course and (ii) for their induction year.

  Mr. Fallon
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to complete the formal approval procedure for postgraduate certificate of education and B.Ed. teacher training courses presently operating under temporary approval.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. and learned Friend will complete the accreditation process as soon as he is satisfied that all the courses presently operating under temporary approval fully meet the criteria.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many courses of initial teacher education and training have been scrutinised by local Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education committees; and, of these, how many have been accepted and how many rejected.

  Mr. Fallon
  Since 1 April 1990, when the new local committees came into being, they have considered a total of 80 courses. Of these, 75 have been put forward to the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and five courses have been referred back to the institutions concerned.
  70
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the colleges of teacher education and training and university and polytechnic departments of education visited by Education Ministers in the last six months.

  Mr. Fallon
  The college of Ripon and York St. John and the Roehampton institute.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has issued during the last five years to local education authorities and schools in the induction of newly trained teachers.

  Mr. Fallon
  Advice on the induction of newly trained teachers is contained in administrative memorandum No. 1/90, "The Treatment and Assessment of Probationary Teachers".

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to publish the next Her Majesty's inspectorate report on the "New Teacher in School".

  Mr. Fallon
  Her Majesty's inspectors expect to undertake an inspection in the summer of 1992 of those newly trained teachers who took up their first appointments in September 1991. A report will then go to my right hon. and learned Friend for him to consider publication.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he collects on the operation and cost of the system of teacher induction.

  Mr. Fallon
  Under the programme of grants for education support and training, we collect information from the local education authorities which are claiming support for induction training. In the current financial year, over 70 per cent. of authorities are planning to claim support specifically for provision in this area.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Eggar
  Copies of tables containing the available information have been placed in the Library.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Oxford, East of 22 April in relation to total spending on higher education student support in the form of mandatory awards, if he will provide the information on cash expenditure, real expenditure with 1978–79 = 100, and expenditure per student, disaggregated between expenditure on fees and expenditure on maintenance.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The data requested are given in the table and cover expenditure made by local education authorities in England and Wales in bestowing mandatory awards under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations.
  71

  Expenditure (cash £m)

  Expenditure (real index)

  Expenditure per student (£)

  Academic year

  fees

  maintenance

  fees

  maintenance

  fees

  maintenance

  1978–89

  197·1

  271·9

  100

  100

  616

  850

  1979–80

  217·8

  332·2

  95

  105

  675

  1,030

  1980–81

  281·1

  398·2

  106

  108

  840

  1,190

  1981–82

  340·0

  443·3

  115

  108

  959

  1,250

  1982–83

  208·6

  472·0

  66

  108

  563

  1,274

  1983–84

  217·1

  502·1

  65

  109

  564

  1,306

  1984–85

  226·4

  480·2

  65

  99

  573

  1,215

  1985–86

  238·4

  457·7

  64

  89

  611

  1,173

  1986–87

  245·1

  479·6

  64

  91

  622

  1,216

  1987–88

  262·3

  503·1

  66

  92

  649

  1,244

  1988–89

  278·7

  547·0

  66

  94

  671

  1,317

  The real index has been calculated using the retail prices index. In 1982–83, expenditure on fees is affected by a reduction in the rate set for first degrees and diplomas from £900 to £480 with compensating increases in the direct funds paid to institutions.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had about the presence in the Antarctic of debris from British research programmes; and what action is being taken to clear up such debris.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Apart from two parliamentary questions from the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 9 May 1990,Official Report, column 184, the Secretary of State has received no representations.

  The British Antarctic Survey has now formulated and is implementing its up-to-date environmental management policy covering the disposal of debris and wastes. This phased programme is intended to comply fully with recommendation XV-3 of the XVth Antarctic treaty consultative meeting held in October 1989. All waste, other than human waste and scrap food, will be removed from Antarctica.

  Abandoned bases are being surveyed prior to the development of a programme of remedial work. Clean-up activities took place at Deception island, Winter island and Halley base during the 1990–91 season.

  Colleges of Further Education
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the provisions of the Education Reform Act in respect of opting-out are to be made applicable to colleges of further education.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. As my right hon. and learned Friend made clear in his statement to the House on 21 March 1991,Official Report, columns 432–48, the Government propose to introduce new legislation to take all further education colleges out of local authority control.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what limit he sets in the extent of delegated powers relevant to the running of such an institution that may be delegated to the governing body of a further education college by the relevant local education authority;

  (2) if he will list the powers which may be delegated to a governing body under local management of schools to colleges.
  72
  Mr. Eggar
  The local education authority, in consultation with the governing body, is responsible for determining, in accordance with the scheme of delegation drawn up by the local education authority under section 139 of the Education Reform Act 1988, the general educational character of a college and its place in the local education system. The governing body is responsible, in accordance with the scheme, for the general direction of the college.

  The powers which may be delegated to college governing bodies are listed in paragraph 4.11 of DES circular 9/88 "Education Reform Act 1988: Local Management of Further and Higher Education Colleges: Planning and Delegation Schemes and Articles of Government", a copy of which is held in the Library.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the limit of the extent of control over capital building and revenue maintenance programmes that can be assumed by a further education college.

  Mr. Fallon
  Control of the major capital building programme currently rests with local education authorities. Responsibility for minor capital works, structural repairs and maintenance can be split between local education authorities and their colleges, according to the scheme of delegation. Responsibility for minor repairs and maintenance rests with the colleges.

  Foundation for Sport and the Arts
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what calculations were involved in arriving at the estimate given by the Minister for Sport at a press conference at the Queen Elizabeth conference centre on 23 April that the total amount of money that would go to the proposed Foundation for Sport and the Arts would be £75 million.

  Mr. Atkins
  I gave illustrative figures. Under the proposals announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor, the reduction in pool betting levy from 40 per cent. to 37·5 per cent. would on present estimates channel about £20 million a year into the foundation. A further £40 million or so would be given by the pools promoters. If turnover increased the yield could be greater.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on how many occasions he has intervened to prevent a local education authority from delegating functions to a further education college.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which ad hoc budgets not subject
  73
  to formula funding may be delegated to a further education college for administration, with the approval of the education authority.

  Mr. Eggar
  If the local education authority wishes, all funds for administration services can be delegated to a college. In most approved schemes local education authorities were permitted to earmark funds for certain services and to require colleges to use those sums to buy the services from their local education authority. Local authorities were required, however, to ensure that over a three-year period colleges were given increased discretion, particularly over services provided to support colleges.

  School Meals
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the results from the 1990 school meal census showing the numbers and proportions of children taking (i) paid school meals, (ii) free school meals and (iii) making their own arrangements in(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools, (c) special schools and (d) in all three.

  Expenditure per pupil1—England

  Books

  Equipment

  Books and Equipment

  Cash

  Real terms3

  Cash

  Real terms3

  Cash

  Real terms3

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  Nursery and Primary

  1975–76

  2·92

  9·19

  6·70

  21·11

  9·62

  30·31

  1976–77

  3·25

  9·02

  7·35

  20·39

  10·60

  29·41

  1977–78

  3·63

  8·85

  7·84

  19·14

  11·47

  28·00

  1978–79

  4·23

  9·32

  8·64

  19·02

  12·88

  28·34

  1979–80

  4·67

  8·81

  9·69

  18·28

  14·36

  27·08

  1980–81

  5·30

  8·45

  10·79

  17·19

  16·08

  25·64

  1981–82

  5·88

  8·55

  12·31

  17·90

  18·19

  26·45

  1982–83

  6·96

  9·45

  13·96

  18·95

  20·93

  28·41

  1983–84

  7·10

  9·22

  15·74

  20·42

  22·84

  29·63

  1984–85

  7·25

  8·95

  16·35

  20·19

  23·60

  29·14

  1985–86

  7·46

  8·73

  17·50

  20·49

  24·95

  29·22

  1986–87

  8·22

  9·30

  19·91

  22·54

  28·13

  31·84

  1987–88

  9·01

  9·68

  21·63

  23·24

  30·64

  32·92

  1988–89

  8·95

  8·95

  23·19

  23·19

  32·14

  32·14

  Secondary

  1975–76

  5·08

  15·99

  13·51

  42·54

  18·58

  58·53

  1976–77

  5·71

  15·84

  14·46

  40·13

  20·17

  55·97

  1977–78

  6·31

  15·39

  15·04

  36·72

  21·35

  52·11

  1978–79

  7·16

  15·77

  17·24

  37·94

  24·40

  53·71

  1979–80

  7·82

  14·75

  18·79

  35·44

  26·61

  50·19

  1980–81

  8·08

  12·83

  21·17

  33·76

  29·26

  46·64

  1981–82

  8·60

  12·50

  23·58

  34·28

  32·18

  46·78

  1982–83

  9·89

  13·42

  26·65

  36·17

  36·53

  49·59

  1983–84

  10·09

  13·09

  29·12

  37·78

  39·21

  50·87

  1984–85

  10·15

  12·53

  32·38

  39·98

  42·53

  52·51

  1985–86

  10·66

  12·49

  34·17

  40·01

  44·83

  52·50

  1986–87

  13·13

  14·86

  44·02

  49·82

  57·15

  64·69

  1987–88

  14·82

  15·92

  47·37

  50·89

  62·19

  66·82

  1988–89

  14·32

  14·32

  55·46

  55·46

  69·79

  69·79

  1 The figures are based on local education authority returns to DOE and pupil number returns to DES.

  2 The cash figures for earlier years have been repriced to 1988–89 prices using the Gross Domestic Product (Market Prices) deflator.

  3 Figures for nursery schools and for primary schools are not collected separately.

  Play Areas (Accidents)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about accidents in children's play areas; and what steps he intends to take to make them safer.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of Trade and Industry's accident statistics cover a range of recreational environments including playgrounds. A copy of the 12th annual
  74
  Mr. Fallon
  This information is available in "Statistics of Education: Schools 1990", pages 137 to 145, which was published on 23 April 1991. Copies are being placed in the Library.

  Expenditure in Schools
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing the expenditure per pupil on (i) books and (ii) equipment in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in cash and real terms since 1976.

  Mr. Fallon
  Figures returned by local education authorities for spending on books and equipment separately need to be treated with caution because of differing local authority practices in classifying spending between the two items. The table therefore shows, for each year for which information is available, spending figures per pupil for books and equipment together as well as for books and equipment separately.

  report of the home accident surveillance system has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Certain accidents must also be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.

  The Government are concerned to ensure that children's playgrounds are as safe as possible. At this Department's request, the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit is preparing a booklet on playground safety for distribution to local authorities and other

  75
  operators. A complementary departmental guidance booklet on school playgrounds and related safety issues is in preparation.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish a table showing for 1970, 1973, 1979, 1985 and the latest available date the

  Employees in employment in those manufacturing industries where import penetration or export proportion exceeded 20 per cent, at June 19891

  United Kingdom

  (unadjusted)

  Thousands

  Standard industrial classification 1980

  Division or class

  2 June 1971

  June 1973

  June 1979

  June 1985

  December 1990

  Other mineral and ore extraction, etc.

  2

  1,281·8

  1,238·3

  1,146·9

  778·7

  719·5

  Metal manufacturing and extraction of metal ores and minerals3

  21–23

  510·7

  479·9

  422·7

  216·8

  189·6

  Chemical industry/man-made fibres

  25/26

  449·6

  440·0

  445·2

  342·3

  329·0

  Metal goods, engineering, vehicles

  3

  3,708·8

  3,572·0

  3,374·0

  2,443·4

  2,293·1

  Mechanical engineering

  32

  1,148·5

  1,061·9

  1,044·5

  764·0

  743·7

  Office machinery and data processing equipment

  33

  91·8

  79·3

  73·9

  87·9

  80·5

  Electrical and electronic engineering

  34

  809·4

  808·9

  761·1

  595·6

  559·2

  Motor vehicles and parts

  35

  507·5

  513·5

  466·3

  274·0

  244·9

  Other transport equipment

  36

  438·3

  413·5

  390·3

  288·3

  259·2

  Instrument engineering

  37

  139·5

  134·6

  130·0

  104·6

  89·6

  Other manufacturing industries

  4

  3,074·5

  3,031·7

  2,731·8

  2,139·6

  2,087·8

  Textiles

  43

  526·9

  503·7

  390·6

  245·3

  197·7

  Manufacture of leather and leather goods

  44

  40·4

  38·7

  33·5

  21·5

  18·9

  Footwear and clothing

  45

  501·9

  486·3

  418·0

  312·1

  292·4

  Timber and wooden furniture

  46

  264·1

  284·1

  251·1

  209·8

  245·7

  Paper, printing and publishing

  47

  580·6

  560·2

  548·3

  482·6

  487·1

  Rubber and plastics

  48

  253·8

  267·8

  242·7

  195·5

  221·5

  Other manufacturing

  49

  107·6

  107·7

  110·2

  77·0

  77·6

  1 Latest date for which import penetration/export proportion ratio can be calculated.

  2 The earliest date for which figures are available on a consistent basis.

  3 The calculation of import/export proportion ratios is not appropriate for class 21 (extraction and preparation of metalliferous ores). However, it is not possible to separate estimates of employees in employment in this class from those in classes 22 and 23, both of which have import penetration or export proportion ratios of over 20 per cent.

  Training (South-east London)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all those organisations and individuals who have made representations to him about cuts in training for the year 1991–92 so far announced for south-east London.

  Mr. Jackson
  I receive many representations from a variety of organisations and individuals on a wide range of issues.

  Separate records of each of these issues are not maintained.
  76
  numbers employed in each of the industries by maximum and sub-division in which import penetration or export proportion now exceeds 20 per cent.

  Mr. Jackson
  Employment statistics for these periods for the United Kingdom are not available below the two digit level of standard industrial classification. The available information is as follows:

  Sheltered Housing Staff
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to establish a mandatory system of national training qualifications for sheltered housing staff.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have no plans to introduce a mandatory system of national training qualifications for sheltered housing staff. However, under the programme to develop national vocational qualifications for all occupations the housing lead body is currently developing national vocational qualifications for those employed in housing activities. The development of NVQs for sheltered housing
  77
  staff is part of that programme, and I am confident that relevant qualifications will be available by mid-1992, in line with Government targets.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many 16 and 17-year-olds were registered unemployed in each of the past 18 months in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total sum paid out in fees by the Training Agency/Manpower Services Commission to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Jackson
  Expenditure by the Training Agency, and its predecessors, the Training Commission and the Manpower Services Commission, on management consultancy for the years 1984–85 to 1989–90 was as follows:

  £ thousands

  1984–85

  128

  1985–86

  191

  1986–87

  403

  1987–88

  238

  1988–89

  215

  1989–90

  28

  The estimated outturn for 1990–91 is around £150,000. Following recent reorganisation of the Employment Department, the former Training Agency is now an integral part of the Department's headquarters. The Department's management consultancy budget for 1991–92 will be reported to the House in due course.

  Information for the periods 1979–80 to 1983–84 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, (1) in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts;

  (2) in the statistical divisions in the Training Agency/MSC; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Jackson
  The numbers of staff, by grade, employed on 1 April 1991 in statistical divisions in the Department of Employment headquarters—including statistical sections previously in the Training Agency—the Employment Service Agency and the Health and Safety Executive are as in the table below. The number of permanent staff included is close to the current complement. The complement of casual administrative staff varies over time. More such staff will be employed as necessary to process the 1991 "New Earnings Survey" and the 1991 census of employment.
  78
  The information readily available for earlier years has already been given, in replies to the hon. Member on 15 March 1990, 15 March 1989 and 21 July 1988.

  Staff in post in ED group statistical divisions (as at 1 April 1991—part-time staff shown as proportion of full time)

  Grade

  Number

  Statistical grades

  Grade 3 (director of statistics)

  1

  Grade 5 (chief statistician)

  5

  Grade 6 (statistician)

  1

  Grade 7 (statistician)

  23·7

  Assistant/senior assistant statistician

  24

  Total statistical grades

  54·7

  Administrative grades

  Grade 7

  2

  Senior executive officer

  10

  Higher executive officer

  23

  Executive officer

  51·5

  Administrative officer

  124·4

  Administrative assistant

  36

  Senior/personal secretary

  7

  Total administrative grades

  253·9

  Other staff

  Grade 7 (economic adviser)

  1

  Senior/economic assistant

  3

  Senior/research officer

  2

  Total other grades

  6

  Total all grades

  314·6

  Earnings, Northumberland
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of women manual and non-manual workers in Northumberland earned less than £120 per week in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is estimated from the "New Earnings Survey" that in April 1990, 36·5 per cent. of manual and 19·1 per cent. of non-manual full-time female employees on adult rates in Northumberland, whose pay for the survey pay period was not affected by absence, had gross weekly earnings less than £120.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the figure below which the lowest paid 10 per cent. of manual and non-manual women workers earned in the county of Northumberland, in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is estimated from the "New Earnings Survey" that in April 1990, the figures below which 10 per cent. of female manual and non-manual employees earned in Northumberland were £96·70 and £105·60 respectively, for full-time female employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey pay period was not affected by absence.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the average earnings for manual
  79
  and non-manual women workers in the county of Northumberland in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is estimated from the "New Earnings Survey" that in April 1990, average gross weekly earnings in Northumberland were £140·40 for manual and £183·90 for non-manual full-time female employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey pay period was not affected by absence.

  NOW Initiative
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Government intend to take part in the National Operations for Women initiative to promote equal opportunities for employment and vocational training for women, launched by the European Community on 31 January; when he intends to appoint a co-ordinator; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  On 19 April the European Commission notified the amount of funding available to the United Kingdom for NOW. My Department is now in a position to compile the overall operational programme that has to be submitted to the Commission by the end of June. Further details will be announced as soon as possible.

  Temporary Employment Scheme
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has for a temporary employment scheme for the unemployed.

  Mr. Jackson
  There are already a wide range of measures available to help unemployed people get back to work. I have no current plans to introduce a temporary employment scheme.

SCOTLAND

  Potatoes
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who is responsible for ensuring that Scottish seed potatoes comply with the Seed Potato Regulations 1984; and how the scheme of certification is administered.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Producers and subsequent sellers of seed potatoes are responsible for ensuring that their product complies with the regulations.

  The seed potato classification and labelling schemes are administered and enforced by the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department under the Seed Potatoes Regulations 1984. Certificates of classification are issued by the Department provided that the growing crop is found on at least two visual inspections to meet the standards prescribed.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what legal recourse, under the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland certification scheme, a potato farmer from outside Scotland has against either the merchant supplier, or the Scottish grower, of virus-infected Scottish seed potatoes supplied.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Seed Potatoes Regulations 1984, which govern the marketing of seed potatoes in 80
  Great Britain, and under which the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department, formerly DAFS, administers the seed potato classification and labelling schemes, do not provide for any form of restitution to purchasers of seed potatoes. Such matters must be pursued through the normal commercial channels. Any purchaser who is not satisfied with goods delivered to him, including seed potatoes, may initiate civil legal proceedings under the Sale of Goods Act.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland takes immediately to inform all merchants and farmers who have taken seed from a Scottish grower in cases where it has firm evidence that a batch of Scottish seed potatoes from that grower has high levels of virus infection; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department, formerly DAFS, has no legal responsibility to notify industry bodies in such circumstances.

  However, in cases where the Department was in possession of facts which clearly gave rise to concern about the presence of virus it would as a matter of course conduct a full investigation. I understand that my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for these matters is writing to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what legal penalties are available to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland to prosecute growers and merchants who supply Scottish seed potatoes which are found at a subsequent date not to comply with the regulations of certification; and how many prosecutions of Scottish seed potato suppliers for faulty seed there have been in each year for the last 10 years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964, any person who contravenes any provision contained in the seeds regulations may be prosecuted and by summary conviction would be liable to a fine not exceeding £2,000.

  There have been two successful prosecutions by the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of the marketing of seed potatoes in Great Britain under the Seed Potatoes Regulations 1984; one in 1988, the other in 1989.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further resources he has allocated to local authorities to bring standards of drinking water up to EC recommended levels; and when he expects all drinking water to comply with EC standards.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Improvements to drinking water quality form part of the water and sewerage capital expenditure programme. For 1991–92 programme provision has been set at more than £169 million, rising to £238 million for 1993–94. The figure for 1993–94 is two thirds higher than the provision for 1990–91 and more than double the level for 1988–89. Authorities may also fund additional capital expenditure from revenue.

  The EC standards for drinking water have been incorporated into the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990. Almost all drinking water put into public supply and which is not subject to

  81
  relaxation of specific standards as authorised under the regulations is expected to comply with the EC standards by 1995. Private water supplies which require improvement to comply with the standards are to be the subject of programmes on which it is planned to issue further guidance later this year.

  Local Government Review
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in his review of local government, he will give consideration to the establishment of an independent commission similar to that being proposed for local government south of the border.

  Mr. Lang
  I have, of course, given very careful consideration to this matter. I have concluded that the establishment of a commission of the kind which my right hon. Friend has in mind would not be the best or most appropriate way forward for Scotland, where we have a local government system which is less diverse and more coherent, where the scale of the task is very different, and where we already have 16 years' experience of unitary authorities in the islands.

  My right hon. Friend proposes a commission which will advise him on changes in different parts of England, on a rolling programme: I do not see a need for a commission working in that way in Scotland. The absence of a commission will not, however, mean a less thorough consultative process in Scotland. We intend to start the consultative process within the next few weeks, by consulting on the broad principles which will underpin the new system.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer of 15 April,Official Report, column 118, what are the arrangements for specific pollution incidents or other significant water quality failures.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 require a water authority to notify appropriate district or islands councils and health boards of any event affecting drinking water quality which may give rise to a significant risk to public health. The "Guidance on Safeguarding the Quality of Public Water Supplies in Scotland", issued in April 1990, sets out in detail the actions that the water authority should take. These include notifying the Scottish Office Environment Department of any significant water quality failure. A procedure has been agreed whereby the water authority reports initial details of any such incident as soon as possible after its occurrence. The information is updated as the event progresses, until normal water quality is restored.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the reported cases of water pollution in Scotland in each year since 1975.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The full range of information is not available centrally. River purification boards, however, maintain records of water pollution incidents and publish details of these in their annual reports.

  Community Care
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 has been implemented in Scotland with reference to community care.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (Commencement No. 5 and Revocation) (Scotland) Order 1990—SI1990 No. 2510 c65 S212—and to Scottish Office circular SW2/1991, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current and estimated costs of providing community care in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c)

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. Community care extends over a wide range of different services and expenditure on it is not separately classified as such. The Government have recognised the costs of the new community care arrangements to local authorities by taking £10 million into account in setting the level of aggregate external finance for 1991–92. Further costs will be considered in the course of future annual settlements of local government finance.

  Assisted Reproductive Service
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Scottish Home and Health Department's national acute services advisory group's review on an assisted reproductive service for Scotland will be complete; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I expect this review to be completed by the autumn of this year and I shall make a statement then.

  Lothian Health Board
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many operations were cancelled or postponed by Lothian health board in each month from January 1990 to March 1991.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The latest available information is set out in the table.

  Number of cancelled in-patient and day case admissions:

  Total in-patients and day cases

  Number

  January

  109

  February

  83

  March

  118

  April

  102

  May

  90

  June

  94

  July

  98

  August

  60

  September

  83

  October

  199

  November

  197

  December

  117

  January

  175

  MV Antares
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if a date has been set for the fatal accident inquiry into the sinking of the Antares; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Investigations are continuing into the deaths of the crew of the MFV Antares. The date and location of the fatal accident inquiry have yet to be fixed.

  Dentists
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dentists were registered with the national health service in Scotland on(a) 1 October 1988, (b) 1 October 1989, (c) 1 October 1990 and (d) 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The number of dentists registered with the national health service in Scotland on each of the dates in question is as follows:—

  Number of Dentists

  (a) 1st October 1988

  1,572

  (b) 1st October 1989

  1,652

  (c) 1st October 1990

  1,694

  (d) 1st April 1991

  1,719

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advertising for the Scottish electricity privatisation has been placed in the Northern Ireland press or television; and on what basis the level of advertising there was fixed.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The two Scottish electricity companies share offers are being advertised in Northern Ireland using the national press and business magazines. This is the approach which has been adopted for use in most of the United Kingdom. In Scotland, however, a broader marketing is aimed at the companies' customers.

  Press and Public Relations Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 26 April 1991]: The number of staff in the information officer grades employed in the Scottish Office Information Directorate and the number of vacant posts as at 1 April each year from 1979–80 to 1991–92 is set out in the table:

  Number of staff

  Vacancies

  1979

  22

  3

  1980

  24

  —

  1981

  20

  1

  1982

  22

  —

  1983

  20

  —

  1984

  20

  —

  1985

  19

  1

  1986

  20

  2

  1987

  22

  1

  1988

  23

  1

  84

  Number of staff

  Vacancies

  1989

  28

  3

  1990

  31½

  —

  1991

  33½

  —

  Listed Buildings (Demolition)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State For Scotland how many listed buildings have been demolished in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole in the past five years; what information he has concerning the circumstances of such demolitions; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 April 1991]: Information is not readily available in the form the hon. Member has requested. The table shows the number of listed building consent applications notified to the Secretary of State in the period in question which involved demolition, either total or partial, and which were cleared for his interest.

  Year (1April-31 March

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1986–87

  52

  142

  1987–88

  57

  154

  1988–89

  46

  124

  1989–90

  31

  107

  1990–91

  39

  95

  Information is not gathered on the action taken following the granting of consents. Such information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nursery Education
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of local authority nursery school places provided by each of the education authorities, expressed as a percentage of the eligible children in each area.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 April 1991]: The table gives, for each education authority, the number of three and four-year-old children attending education authority nursery schools at September 1990 as a percentage of the 1990 mid-year estimate of the total three and four-year-old population, the range which is the relevant age group for nursery education.

  Figures for numbers of pupils attending nursery schools have been used because there are no reliable figures for the number of places and because many children attend nursery school part-time.

  Number of three and four year olds in education authority nursery schools with percentages in relation to the three and four year old population, September 1990

  Education authority

  Three and four year olds in nursery schools September 1990

  Percentage of three and four year olds in nursery schools

  Borders

  470

  19·5

  Central

  2,732

  41·4

  Dumfries/Galloway

  630

  17·8

  Fife

  4,388

  47·6

  Grampian

  3,391

  26·1

  Highland

  730

  13·6

  Lothian

  8,457

  45·9

  85

  Education authority

  Three and four year olds in nursery schools September 1990

  Percentage of three and four year olds in nursery schools

  Strathclyde

  18,911

  30·9

  Tayside

  3,326

  34·27

  Orkney

  102

  20·4

  Shetland

  137

  20·5

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  Scotland

  43,274

  33·0

  Food Hygiene
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to complete consultations with interested bodies concerning proposed food hygiene regulations for Scotland; which bodies will be consulted; when draft legislation will he published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 April 1991]: Comments have been invited by 20 May on our proposals to amend the Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 1959. Following consideration of the results of the consultation, the new regulations will be laid before Parliament; it is proposed that these will come into force from 1 October 1991. The changes were outlined in my reply to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan) on 26 February. The following representative bodies have been consulted.

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

  Scottish Food Co-ordinating Committee.

  Association of Public Analysts of Scotland.

  The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.

  Scottish Milk Marketing Board.

  Scottish Dairy Trade Federation.

  Company of Scottish Cheesemakers.

  Handmade Cheese Association of Scotland.

  Scottish Association of Master Bakers.

  The Federation of Bakers (Scottish Area).

  Sea Fish Industry Authority.

  Scottish Fishermen's Federation.

  Aberdeen Fish Curers' and Merchants' Association.

  Herring Buyers Association.

  Glasgow Wholesale Fish Trade Association.

  Scottish Federation of Fishermen's Co-operatives Ltd.

  Scottish Federation of Fishmongers

  The Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland

  Scottish Salmon Smokers Association (Mr. H. Neil)

  Scottish Salmon Growers Association

  Highlands and Islands Fishermen's Association (SG)

  British Trout Association

  Scottish Salmon Smokers Association (Mr. Norman MacLean)

  Scottish Shellfish Growers Association

  Scottish Fish Merchants Federation

  Shellfish Growers Association

  Wholesale Grocers' Association of Scotland

  Scottish Grocers' Federation

  The Scottish Licensed Trade Association

  The Brewers' Association of Scotland

  Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  National Association of Wholesale Meat Salesmen of Scotland

  Scottish Quality Beef and Lamb Association

  Co-operative Union Ltd

  Association of Scottish Chambers of Commerce

  National Farmers' Union of Scotland

  Scottish Consumer Council

  Scottish Trades Union Congress General Council

  Institute of Food Science and Technology (Scottish Branch) Scottish Tourist Board

  The National Trust for Scotland

  86

  Association of Bed and Breakfast Operators

  Scottish Development Agency

  Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society

  Institute of Refrigeration/Refrigeration Industry Board

  British Direct Marketing Organisation

  Small Farmers Association

  Highlands and Islands Development Board

  Hamper Industry Trade Association Ltd

  British Railways Board (ScotRail Headquarters)

  The Post Office

  Road Haulage Association (Scottish Area)

  Association for Consumer Research

  Consumers Association Ltd

  Consumers in the European Community Group Co-operation Union (Parliamentary Committee)

  National Consumer Council

  National Consumer Protection Council

  National Federation of Consumer Groups

  National Federation of Womens Institutes

  The Brewers Society

  British Crayfish Marketing Association

  British Egg Products Association

  British Retailers Association

  British Sandwich Association

  British Soft Drinks Council

  British Sugar Refiners Association

  The Champagne Association

  Co-op Milk Trade Association

  Crab Processors Association

  The Crystalised Fruit Dealers Association

  The Delicatessen & Fine Food Association

  Federation of British Kippers & Herring Merchants Association

  Federation of British Port Wholesale Fish Merchants Association

  Federation of Edible Nuts Association

  Federation of Fresh Meat Wholesalers

  Federation of Street Traders Union

  Fleetwood Fish Merchants Association

  Great Yarmouth Mediterranean Herring Exporters Association

  Institute of Fisheries Management

  Institute of Grocery Distributors

  Institute of Market Officers

  International Meat Trade Association

  Joint Consultative Council of the Fresh Fruit, Vegetable & Flower Industries

  Joint Council of British Potato & Vegetable Merchants Association

  Livestock Traders Association

  London Fish Merchants Association

  London Meat Traders Association Inc.

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Meat Marketing Board

  Mushroom Growers Association

  National Association of British Market Authorities

  National Council of Associations of Fresh Meat Wholesalers

  National Council of Wholesale Egg Distributors

  National Dairymans Association

  National Dried Fruit Trade Association

  National Edible Oil Distribution Association

  National Egg Marketing Association

  National Egg Producers & Retailers Association

  National Federation of Fish Friers

  National Federation of Fishmongers Ltd.

  National Federation of Fruit & Potato Trades

  National Federation of Inland Wholesale Merchants

  National Federation of Licensed Victuallers

  National Federation of Meat Traders

  National Federation of Poultry Meat Merchants

  National Federation of Wholesale Grocers & Provision Merchants

  National Federation of Wholesale Poultry Merchants National Game Dealers Association

  National Joint Council of British Potato & Vegetable Merchants Association

  National Market Traders Federation

  National Union of Licensed Victuallers

  National Union of Retail Confectioners

  North of England Wholesale Grocers Association

  87

  Port Wine Trade Association

  Potato Marketing Board

  Pre-Packed Flour Association

  Produce Packaging & Marketing Association

  The Retail Consortium

  Retail Distributors Association Ltd.

  Sherry Shippers Association

  Smithfield Market Tenants Association

  South Western Fish Buyers & Processors Association

  Association of British Meat Processors

  Association of British Preserved Milk Manufacturers Association of British Salters and Curers

  Association of Batter, Blender and Butters and Cheese Packers

  Association of Butter and Cheese Manufacturers Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers

  Association of Malt Products Manufacturers

  Association of Non-Brewed Condiment Manufacturers

  Association of Salmon Smokers and Processors

  Association of Unpasteurised Milk Producers and Consumers

  Automatic Vending Association of Britain

  Bacon and Meat Manufacturers Association

  The Bakers Union

  Bakery Allied Traders Association

  The Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate & Confectionery Alliance

  The Bristol & District Grocers and Provision Dealers Association

  British Broiler Growers Association Ltd.

  British Chemical Distribution and Traders Association British Commercial Rabbit Association

  British Compounders Association

  British Deer Farmers

  British Deer Society

  British Essences Manufacturers Association

  British Food Manufacturers Industries Research Association

  British Glucose Manufacturers Association

  British Meat Manufacturers Association

  British Oat and Barley Millers Association

  British Pearl Barley Millers Association

  British Potato Trades Consortium

  British Poultry Federation Ltd.

  British Poultry Meat Association Ltd.

  British Salt Federation

  British Sheep Dairying Association

  British Snail Farmers Association

  British Soluble Coffee Manufacturers Association

  British Sugar Corporation

  British Turkey Federation Ltd.

  Cake and Biscuit Alliance

  Civic Catering Association

  Cocoa, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance

  Coffee Trade Federation

  Combined Edible Nut Trade

  Commercial Queen Rearer Association

  Council of National Bee Keeping Association of UK

  Creamery Proprietors Association

  Dairy Trade Federation

  Danish Bacon Board

  Ducks Producers Association

  Eggs Authority

  The English Herring Catchers Association

  Federation of Bakers

  Federation of Gelatine and Glue Manufacturers

  Food and Drink Federation

  Fruit and Vegetable Canners Association

  Gin Rectifiers and Distillers Association

  Hamper Industry Trade Association

  Hops Marketing Board

  Ice Cream Alliance Ltd.

  Ice Cream Federation Ltd.

  Incorporate National Association of British & Irish Millers Limited

  Isle of Man Fisherman's Association

  Isle of Man Fish Processors Association

  Licensed Animal Slaughterers and Salvage

  Licensed Horse Slaughterers and Salvage Association

  Margarine and Shortening Manufacturers Association

  National Association of British and Irish Millers Ltd.

  National Association of British Wine Producers

  88

  National Association of Cider Makers

  National Association of Creamery Proprietors and Wholesale Dairies

  National Association of Master Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers

  National Association of Perry Makers

  National Association of Soft Drink Manufacturers Ltd.

  National Cheese Council

  National Dairy Council

  National Egg Packers Association Ltd.

  National Federation of Cold Storage and Ice Trades

  National Food and Drink Federation

  National Sausage Casing Association

  Pet Food Association

  Pet Food Manufacturers Association

  Poultry Association of Great Britain

  Retail Confectioners and Tobacconists Association

  Rusk Manufacturers Federation

  Salmon and Trout Association

  Salt Manufacturers Association

  Scotch Whisky Association

  Sea Fishing Industry Authority

  Sea Products International

  Seed Crushers and Oil Processors Association

  Self Raising Flour Association

  Shellfish Association of Great Britain

  Shellfish Industry Authority (Hull)

  Snack, Nut and Crisp Manufacturers Association Ltd.

  Specialist Cheesemakers Association

  Tonic Wine Producers Association

  Traditional Farm Fresh Turkey Association

  United Kingdom Association of Manufacturers of Bakers Yeast

  United Kingdom Cheese Guild

  United Kingdom Dairy Association

  United Kingdom Egg Producers Association Ltd.

  United Kingdom Provisions

  United Kingdom Renderers Association

  United Kingdom Sugar Industry Association

  Vinegar Brewers Federation

  Vodka Trade Association

  Watercress Growers Association

  Wild Boar Association

  Association of Casing Importers Ltd.

  Brandy Shippers Association

  British Association of Canned and Preserved Food Importers and Distributors

  Fruit Importers Association

  Fruit Juice Importers Association

  Imported Meat Trade Association Ltd.

  Liquer Importers Association

  Advertising Association

  Association of British Abattoir Owners Ltd.

  Association of British Chamber of Commerce

  Association of Railway Preservation Societies

  Association of Sea Fishers Committees of England and Wales Bee Farmers Association

  British Association of Ships Suppliers

  British Baking Industry Research Association

  British Beekeepers Association

  British Brush Manufacturers Association

  British Ceramic Research and Traders Association Ltd.

  British Diatetic Association

  British Field Sport Society

  British Fishermans Association

  British Goat Society

  British Independent Grocers Association

  British Industries Biological Research Association

  British Medical Association

  British Ports Federation

  British Railways Board

  British Standards Institution

  British Vetinary Association

  British Tourist Authority

  Brixham Trawlers Owners Association

  Bus and Coach Council

  Butter Information Council

  Campden Food Preservation and Research Organisation

  Chemical Industries Association

  Co-operative Union

  89

  Flour Milling and Baking Research Association

  The Food Hygiene Bureau

  Food Manufacturers Industrial Group

  Food Policy Research Unit, University of Bradford

  The Food Research Institute

  Freight Transport Association

  GMB Union

  International Natural Gums Association for Research

  Isinglass Manufacturers Association

  Leatherhead Food Research Association

  Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  London Egg Exchange

  London Food Commerce

  National Association of Health Stores

  National Chamber of Trade

  National Farmers Union

  National Freight Federation

  National Institute for Research in Dairying

  Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry

  National Pharmaceutical Association

  National Physical Laboratory

  Natural Food Colours Association

  North East Coast Fishing Vessel Owners Association

  Pea Pickers and Pea Packers Association

  The Post Office

  Proprietary Association of Great Britain

  Research Institute for Consumer Affairs

  Tea Buyers Association

  UK Provision Trade Federation

  British Hotel Federation

  British Hotel, Restaurants and Caterers Association

  Confederation of Fried Fish Caterers Association

  Confederation of Fried Fish Cateries

  Hospital Caterers Association

  National Association of Catering Butchers

  National Catering Federation

  Restauranteurs Association of Great Britain

  Scarborough Hotels Association

  British Frozen Food Federation

  British Refrigeration Association

  National Cold Storage Federation

  In addition, approximately 240 other individuals and organisations have been consulted.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the grant element used for each local authority in Scotland in calculating the tax liability for a house with two or more adults in that authority area in 1991–92 for the purposes of tables 1 and 2 in the annex to the consultation paper, "A New Tax for Local Government".

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 26 April 1991]: The illustrative figures were calculated at district level, and for this purpose regional community charge income was apportioned to districts in proportion to the community charge tax base. With grant similarly apportioned to districts, the grant amounts assumed for the purposes of the calculation are set out in the table. The figures allow for revenue support grant, community charge grant and grant under the personal community charge reduction scheme.

  Grant total £

  Berwickshire

  14,414,578

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  25,380,818

  Roxburgh

  27,491,083

  Tweeddale

  11,368,346

  Clackmannan

  27,539,962

  Falkirk

  81,274,179

  Stirling

  44,617,462

  Annandale and Eskdale

  27,454,017

  Nithsdale

  41,675,769

  Stewartry

  17,721,405

  90

  Grant total £

  Wigtown

  22,758,395

  Dunfermline

  71,591,125

  Kirkcaldy

  83,761,661

  North East Fife

  40,976,839

  Aberdeen City

  130,510,392

  Banff and Buchan

  51,047,129

  Gordon

  45,115,129

  Kincardine and Deeside

  29,962,875

  Moray

  51,446,270

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  9,183,496

  Caithness

  21,781,863

  Inverness

  48,782,813

  Lochaber

  15,157,189

  Nairn

  8,579,407

  Ross and Cromarty

  39,539,931

  Skye and Lochalsh

  10,189,375

  Sutherland

  11,813,807

  East Lothian

  39,133,089

  Edinburgh City

  213,518,570

  Midlothian

  38,349,029

  West Lothian

  68,401,040

  Argyll and Bute

  44,409,721

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  24,121,307

  Clydesbank

  31,596,178

  Clydesdale

  36,677,761

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  38,196,487

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  29,106,142

  Cunninghame

  83,783,569

  Dumbarton

  47,621,138

  East Kilbride

  49,765,499

  Eastwood

  35,653,554

  Glasgow City

  465,399,616

  Hamilton

  66,255,835

  Inverclyde

  61,644,107

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  52,566,746

  Kyle and Carrick

  72,650,459

  Monklands

  69,487,982

  Motherwell

  93,897,412

  Renfrew

  128,132,921

  Strathkelvin

  53,883,882

  Angus

  62,577,035

  Dundee City

  114,451,379

  Perth and Kinross

  80,998,493

  Total

  3,113,414,165

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fraud
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of alleged fraud were detected in relation to(a) income support and (b) social fraud, which were considered for civil legal proceedings in England, Scotland and Wales in 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Jack
  The Department does not collect information on the number of cases considered for civil legal proceedings which relate to alleged fraud involving social security payments. A case is accepted for proceedings on the basis that a debt exists, with no distinction being made between fraudulent and non-fraudulent cases. Proceedings will be considered in all cases where the overpayment is £300 or more after other attempts to recover the debt have been exhausted.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including
  91
  vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department of Social Security holds no records to show the numbers of statisticians in

  Numbers of Staff in statistical divisions on 1 April 1989, 90, 91

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Admin.

  Prof.

  Total

  Admin.

  Prof.

  Total

  Admin.

  Prof.

  Total

  Grade

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  2

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  3

  —

  0·33

  0·33

  —

  0·33

  0·33

  —

  0·33

  ·33

  4

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  5

  —

  2

  2

  —

  2

  2

  —

  2

  2

  6

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  7

  1

  9

  10

  —

  8

  8

  —

  8

  8

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  —

  2

  2

  —

  2

  2

  —

  7

  7

  Assistant Statistician

  —

  2

  2

  —

  4

  4

  —

  2

  2

  SEO

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  HEO

  11

  —

  11

  9

  —

  9

  7·5

  —

  7·5

  EO

  19·5

  —

  19·5

  12·5

  —

  12·5

  10·5

  —

  10·5

  AO

  33

  —

  33

  34·5

  —

  34·5

  33

  —

  33

  AA

  7

  —

  7

  6

  —

  6

  5

  —

  5

  S/PES

  2

  —

  2

  2·33

  —

  2·33

  2

  —

  2

  Total

  75·5

  15·33

  90·83

  64·33

  16·33

  80·66

  58

  19·33

  77·33

  Vacancies in statistical divisions on 1 April 1989, 90, 91

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Admin.

  Prof.

  Total

  Admin.

  Prof.

  Total

  Admin.

  Prof.

  Total

  Grade

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  6

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  7

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Assistant Statistician

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  1

  1

  SEO

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  HEO

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  EO

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  AO

  —

  —

  0

  2·5

  —

  2·5

  —

  —

  —

  AA

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  S/PES

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  5

  1

  6

  2·5

  0

  2·5

  —

  1

  1

  Mortgage Interest Payments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will bring forward proposals to regulate the amount which can be claimed to pay mortgage interest payments on homes.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Regulations exist to limit the amount which can be paid for mortgage interest through income support where payments are excessive. This is where:

  The accommodation is too large; or

  The accommodation is situated in an unnecessarily expensive area; or

  The outgoings are higher than those on suitable alternative accommodation in the same area.

  The restriction—to the amount that the claimant would need to obtain suitable alternative accommodation—applies from the outset of the claim if the claimant could not afford the financial commitment when it was entered into, provided it is reasonable to expect the claimant and family to move. Its application my be deferred for
  92
  DHSS before the split of the Department in 1989. Figures for the years since 1989 are shown in the table and give the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the analytical services division of DSS. The figures are not strictly comparable between years because of reorganisation of the Department's analytical services.

  26 weeks where the commitment was affordable and for up to a further 26 weeks if the claimant is using his best endeavours to obtain cheaper accommodation.

  This regulation is, like all social security legislation, kept under careful review.

  Benefits
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of people in the constituency of Argyll and Bute receiving(a) retirement pension, (b) widow's benefit, including death benefit, (c) invalidity benefit, (d) invalid care allowance, (e) severe disablement allowance, (f) unemployability supplement and (g) child benefit; how many of those in (a) to (f) also receive child benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Information relating to these benefits is not available for individual constituencies.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of people in
  93
  Scotland receiving (a) retirement pension, (b) widow's benefit, including death benefit, (c) invalidity benefit, (d) invalid care allowance, (e) severe disablement allowance, (f) unemployability supplement and (g) child benefit; how many of those in (a) to (f) also receive child benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The table shows the latest available figures:

  Benefit

  Number receiving in Scotland

  Date to which information relates

  Retirement Pension

  809,490

  30 September 1990

  Widows Benefit

  38,510

  31 March 1990

  Invalidity Benefit

  169,300

  31 March 1990

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  33,600

  31 March 1990

  Child Benefit

  609,000

  21 February 1991

  Widow's payment, which is a lump sum payment of £1,000, may be payable for those women who were widowed after April 1988. Information relating to the number of widows receiving a widow's payment is not available for Scotland.

  Information relating to the number of people receiving invalid care allowance and unemployability supplement is not available for Scotland.

  Information relating to the number of benefit recipients also receiving child benefit is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  94
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount paid out in state benefits, including mortgage interest relief, to people earning more than(a) the national average wage and (b) two thirds of national average wage at the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jack
  The latest available information on benefit payments is for 1987; the closest corresponding period for which information on mortgage tax relief is available is the financial year 1987–88. On this basis, the estimated benefit payments to family units with total gross earnings of more than the specified levels, based on average male earnings, were:

  (a) about £6.7 billion;

  (b) about £9.7 billion.

  Child benefit represents around two thirds of those benefit payments.

  Resettlement Unit
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the business plan of the Resettlement Unit executive agency for 1991–92 will be published.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The 1991–92 business plan has today been placed in the Library.

  REFUGEES IN IRAN: AID
  REFUGEES IN IRAN: AID
  AUTHORISED PRACTITIONERS: CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
  AUTHORISED PRACTITIONERS: CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
  SPEED LIMITS: ENFORCEMENT
  SPEED LIMITS: ENFORCEMENT
  BUS SERVICES: COMPLAINTS TO TRAFFIC COMMISSIONERS
  BUS SERVICES: COMPLAINTS TO TRAFFIC COMMISSIONERS
  FRIENDLY SOCIETIES: GUIDE TO THE LAW
  FRIENDLY SOCIETIES: GUIDE TO THE LAW