Written Answers of 19 December 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Divorce
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Attorney-General what response he has made to the Law Society memorandum on maintenance and capital provision on divorce.

  The Attorney-General
  The Government have in hand a staged review of the family justice system, and will ensure that the Law Society's recommendations are taken into account as the review considers the areas of law concerned. The society's recommendations include proposals in relation to a formula for calculating child maintenance, which were considered during the passage of the Child Support Bill. Also included are proposals for a system of pension-splitting on divorce, which raise matters of pension law, which is a subject currently under review by the Department of Social Security.

  Magistrates, Newcastle
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will name the members of the Newcastle magistrates advisory committee on appointments to the Newcastle upon Tyne bench.

  The Attorney-General
  The names of the members of the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee for Newcastle upon Tyne are—

  Miss E. D. Barraclough

  Mr. J. Burn

  Mr. J. L. Curry

  Miss A. F. Irwin

  Mrs. L. M. Kennedy

  Mrs. F. F. Southern

  Miss J. R. Straker

  Mr. D. I. Williams

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Attorney-General what priority he gives to ensuring an even representation of all geographic areas in Newcastle upon Tyne upon the magistrates bench.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor expects all his advisory committees to put forward candidates who are suitable for appointment. Subject to this, he requires them to seek to achieve a bench which is broadly representative of the community it serves. To this end, he expects them to take into account geographical and other factors.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Adult Education
  Dame Elaine Kellet-Bowman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the names and locations of each adult education centre, other than colleges of further education, funded by local education authorities.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is not possible to give names and locations of adult education centres. Much further education for adults is not run within a specific centre. It may be provided as an adult education service run in a variety of locations and using a combination of premises, such as purpose-built centres, school premises, church halls and FE college premises.

  Dame Elaine Kellet-Bowman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the local education authorities which are currently funding colleges of adult education.

  Mr. Eggar
  Local education authorities may provide further education for adults by way of separate centres or as integral provision within further education colleges. The most recently available expenditure information submitted by LEAs indicates that the following authorities provided further education for adults in separate adult centres or in adult education centres conducted separately on the premises of further education colleges:

  ILEA

  Barking

  Bexley

  Brent

  Bromley

  Croydon

  Ealing

  Enfield

  Havering

  Hillingdon

  Kingston Upon Thames

  Merton

  Redbridge

  Richmond Upon Thames

  Sutton

  Waltham Forest

  Birmingham

  Coventry

  Dudley

  Sandwell

  Solihull

  Walsall

  Wolverhampton

  Knowsley

  Liverpool

  Sefton

  Bury

  Oldham

  Rochdale

  Salford

  Stockport

  Wigan

  Barnsley

  Doncaster

  Calderdale

  Kirklees

  Leeds

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  South Tyneside

  Sunderland

  Isles of Scilly

  Avon

  Bedfordshire

  Berkshire

  207

  Buckinghamshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Cheshire

  Cleveland

  Cornwall

  Cumbria

  Derbyshire

  Devon

  Dorset

  Durham

  East Sussex

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Hampshire

  Hereford and Worcester

  Humberside

  Isle of Wight

  Kent

  Lancashire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  North Yorkshire

  Northamptonshire

  Northumberland

  Nottinghamshire

  Oxfordshire

  Shropshire

  Somerset

  Staffordshire

  Suffolk

  Surrey

  Warwickshire

  West Sussex

  Wiltshire

  EC Directives
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all directives from the European Community issued since May 1979 which are(a) now active in the field of education and (b) under consideration.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  There are two current EC directives of significance to the field of education agreed since May 1979: the Council directive of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years' duration; and the Council directive of 28 June 1990 on the right of residence for students which falls to be implemented by 30 June 1992. A proposal for a Council directive on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training which would complement directive 89/48/EC is currently under negotiation.

  Unemployed People
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance his Department gives to schools regarding offers of voluntary assistance from unemployed people with relevant skills, as a means of helping them to find employment.

  Mr. Eggar
  None. The use of voluntary help in schools is a matter for local management.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blackburn,Official Report, 13 December, column 560–61, he will give the names of the 106 grammar schools which have ceased to exist since 1979.
  208
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The situation is much more complicated than suggested in the question. It is not true that 106 schools have closed. Some schools will have merged to form other schools; others will have become independent and moved out of the maintained sector; others will have changed their status and become comprehensives and some comprehensives will have become grammar schools. Without painstaking investigation we cannot know how many schools fall into each category. It is likely that we would need to list considerably more than 106 schools in order to provide a clear picture.

  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what dates he received applications by certain Ealing schools for grant-maintained status and by the borough of Ealing for its schools reorganisation programme; when he expects to announce his decisions on those applications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Eight Ealing schools applied for grant-maintained status on dates ranging from 27 February to 3 July 1991. Ealing local education authority and the governors of the voluntary aided schools published proposals on 3 May 1991 to reorganise all primary and secondary schools in the borough.

  Where there are conflicting proposals, my right hon. and learned Friend is obliged to consider one set of proposals against the other and then decide on the grant-maintained proposals first, followed by the proposals from the local education authority and the governors of the voluntary-aided schools. There are more than 100 schools involved and the issues are complex and require detailed examination. He expects to announce his decision in January.

  Standard Assessment Tests
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now publish the aggregate results for the standard assessment tests for key stage one, by local education authority.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has today, published the national results of this summer's tests on seven-year-olds, together with the results of LEAs in England. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  County Schools (Funding)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on capital allocations for county schools for 1992–93.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Local education authorities have today been informed of their annual capital guidelines—ACGs—and supplementary credit approvals—SCAs—for education for 1992–93. These figures again amount to a substantial increase in local education authorities' borrowing power for education capital expenditure. They build further on the increases in the last two years.

  Allocations for education capital—in the form of ACGs and SCAs—will total £590 million compared with £538 million in 1991–92, a rise of over 9·5 per cent.
  209
  A total of £524 million is available for schools—an increase of 11 per cent.—and £66 million for further education.

  Within the schools sector I have again given priority to:

  Second and third-year expenditure on work covered by ACGs in earlier years.

  Projects to provide new school places in area s of population growth.

  New projects to implement approved proposals to remove surplus places.

  Making a bigger contribution towards getting rid of deficiencies in existing school buildings and for work needed for the effective delivery of the national curriculum. A total of £148 million is available for such improvements in 1992–93, an increase of 36 per cent. on the equivalent figure for 1991–92.

  A total of £15 million of this latter sum, as my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) announced on 4 December, is to be allocated in the form of SCAs to LEAs bidding for their schools to become technology schools as part of the technology schools initiative. The remainder has been distributed to LEAs by formula passed on numbers of pupils and substandard places in schools.

  Because of the proposals in the Further and Higher Education Bill currently before Parliament to transfer all sixth-form colleges to the new further education sector, I am also issuing SCAs to LEAs in respect of their capital expenditure at sixth form colleges. This will enable LEAs' expenditure to be separately identified so that they can be recompensed by the proposed funding council for any outstanding debt.

  Within the further education sector, my programme includes allocations of £43 million to meet commitments arising from 54 major buildings projects with a total completion value of £150 million. In addition, I have awarded allocations of £14 million for minor works and equipment. This will help colleges to prepare for the reforms proposed in the Further and Higher Education Bill now in Parliament. A further £9 million will be allocated during 1992–93. All allocations for further education will be by SCAs, hypothecated for particular purposes.

  My programme and the SCAs announced today do not represent the full total of funds available to LEAs for capital expenditure. Authorities are also able to spend additional sums from capital receipts and from their revenue budgets if they so choose.

  The 9·5 per cent. increase in ACGs is well ahead of the rate of inflation and purchasing power is further boosted at a time of lower building tender prices. The figures for 1992–93 represent a 22 per cent. increase over two years and a 93 per cent. increase since 1987–88. For schools alone the figure has doubled since 1987–88. This underlines the Government's continuing commitment to secure improvements to our school buidings.

  Lists of ACGs and SCAs allocated to individual local authorities are as follows:

  Capital expenditure 1992–93: Annual capital guidelines and supplementary credit approvals

  Schools and sixth form colleges 1992–93

  Total ACGs and SCAs 1992–93 (£ 000's)

  Barking

  844

  844

  Barnet

  1,059

  1,059

  Bexley

  1,436

  1,477

  Brent

  1,336

  1,472

  Bromley

  2,272

  2,337

  Croydon

  2,220

  2,351

  210

  Schools and sixth form colleges 1992–93

  Total ACGs and SCAs 1992–93 (£000's)

  Ealing

  2,246

  2,626

  Enfield

  1,994

  2,137

  Haringey

  1,433

  1,506

  Harrow

  2,953

  3,057

  Havering

  908

  970

  Hillingdon

  1,071

  1,071

  Hounslow

  3,128

  3,167

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  289

  340

  Merton

  1,675

  1,675

  Newham

  5,828

  5,936

  Redbridge

  1,167

  1,193

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  452

  529

  Sutton

  2,056

  2,108

  Waltham Forest

  3,694

  3,751

  City

  0

  0

  Camden

  965

  1,006

  Westminster

  158

  158

  Greenwich

  1,011

  1,054

  Hackney

  1,830

  1,910

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2,882

  2,934

  Islington

  964

  1,078

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,259

  1,264

  Lambeth

  1,290

  1,290

  Lewisham

  1,959

  2,071

  Southwark

  1,877

  2,276

  Wandsworth

  2,161

  2,306

  Tower Hamlets

  10,135

  10,576

  Brimingham

  10,931

  11,456

  Coventry

  2,276

  2,389

  Dudley

  4,831

  9,324

  Sandwell

  1,444

  1,558

  Solihull

  649

  864

  Walsall

  834

  898

  Wolverhampton

  2,482

  2,544

  Knowsley

  2,077

  2,124

  Liverpool

  5,576

  5,831

  St. Helens

  1,049

  1,151

  Sefton

  3,152

  3,179

  Wirral

  2,213

  2,300

  Bolton

  1,337

  1,432

  Bury

  1,051

  1,051

  Manchester

  8,333

  8,810

  Oldham

  3,136

  3,194

  Rochdale

  3,326

  3,326

  Salford

  2,333

  2,391

  Stockport

  1,396

  1,503

  Tameside

  3,051

  3,051

  Trafford

  1,224

  1,490

  Wigan

  4,224

  4,372

  Barnsley

  1,493

  1,594

  Doncaster

  735

  815

  Rotherham

  2,748

  2,855

  Sheffield

  4,754

  4,973

  Bradford

  8,435

  10,208

  Calderdale

  1,541

  1,580

  Kirklees

  4,071

  4,858

  Leeds

  23,186

  23,445

  Wakefield

  5,755

  5,841

  Gateshead

  1,514

  1,567

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  2,430

  2,574

  North Tyneside

  1,686

  1,726

  South Tyneside

  1,522

  2,209

  Sunderland

  3,612

  4,267

  Isles of Scilly

  116

  116

  Avon

  4,269

  4,576

  Bedfordshrie

  3,928

  4,041

  Berkshire

  5,238

  5,461

  Buckinghamshire

  5,289

  7,639

  Cambridgeshire

  7,205

  13,957

  Cheshire

  8,698

  8,878

  Cleveland

  3,801

  3,968

  Cornwall

  5,943

  7,910

  Cumbria

  10,377

  10,579

  Derbyshire

  16,065

  16,818

  Devon

  9,959

  11,023

  Dorset

  4,735

  4,929

  211

  Schools and sixth form colleges 1992–93

  Total ACGs and SCAs 1992–93 (£000's)

  Durham

  7,017

  7,364

  East Sussex

  17,724

  17,919

  Essex

  18,394

  20,771

  Gloucestershire

  6,980

  7,294

  Hampshire

  13,018

  14,462

  Hereford and Worcester

  3,488

  4,437

  Hertfordshire

  5,677

  7,016

  Humberside

  9,253

  9,437

  Isle of Wight

  1,584

  1,636

  Kent

  20,229

  24,437

  Lancashire

  20,465

  25,518

  Leicestershire

  8,376

  8,930

  Lincolnshire

  12,263

  12,421

  Norfolk

  2,811

  3,163

  North Yorkshire

  6,222

  6,400

  Northamptonshire

  4,107

  4,319

  Northumberland

  2,516

  2,568

  Nottinghamshire

  5,737

  9,156

  Oxfordshire

  5,681

  5,849

  Shropshire

  4,110

  4,203

  Somerset

  5,134

  5,638

  Staffordshire

  7,805

  9,190

  Suffolk

  9,169

  11,332

  Surrey

  6,031

  6,296

  Warwickshire

  1,988

  2,035

  West Sussex

  3,693

  3,855

  Wiltshire

  4,137

  5,402

  Sport
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the Government's statement on sports policy and its response to the Education Science and Arts Committee's Fourth Report of Session 1990–91, -Sport in Schools"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the Government's review of sports policy was initiated; and if he will make a statement on progress towards its completion.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am happy to announce today that we are publishing a statement which sets out clearly and comprehensively our policies and priorities for sport and active recreation. It focuses largely on England and Wales, although where appropriate it covers United Kingdom issues. We are also publishing today the Government's response to the Education, Science and Arts Committee's report, "Sport in Schools".

  Very substantial sums are now available to sport from the private sector, including funds from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and the Football Trust, assisted by recent reductions in the rate of pool betting duty. We now propose to establish a business sponsorship incentive scheme for sport similar to that run for the arts and targeted at the grassroots level. Its initial funding for 1992–93 will be in excess of £3 million and it will cover England, Scotland and Wales.

  The statement reaffirms our belief that sport should be free from Government intervention, but that the principle of channelling assistance for sport through independent but accountable bodies remains sound. The present structure, however, is in need of reform and in the statement we announce proposals for replacing the present Great Britain Sports Council with a United Kingdom Sports Commission and a Sports Council for England. These proposals are broadly in line with those which the
  212
  Great Britain Sports Council itself made in the course of the review which would require the surrender of its royal charter.

  The statement, and our response to the Committee, set out a number of ways for improving opportunities for young people to take part in sport particularly by promoting partnerships between schools and other organisations in the local community. We intend to publish guidance on good practice in promoting such partnerships next year. Guidance is also to be issued to schools on the information they should make regularly available to parents on sports facilities and sporting achievements.

  These proposals build on existing decisions:—

  to make PE a compulsory subject in the national curriculum until the age of 16;

  to require all school children to be taught to swim by the time they leave primary school;

  to institute a champion coaching pilot scheme for the extra-curricular coaching of school children;

  to support legislation which will allow school governors to enter into dual use agreements for the joint management of school premises out of school hours;

  to provide financial resources to promote the greater integration of disabled sport and able-bodied sport;

  to encourage the establishment of the Foundation for Sport and the Arts providing some £40 million per annum extra finance for sport;

  to introduce proposals to create a new criminal offence of providing anabolic steroids to minors, and further research to ascertain the extent of the steroid problem;

  to encourage sporting contact with South Africa on a sport by sport basis for racially integrated sports; and

  to provide up to £2 million for feasibility studies which will assist Government in reaching a decision on whether to offer support for the Manchester Olympic bid.

  This statement represents a comprehensive summary of the Government's initiatives and proposals to take sport and active recreation towards the next century.

  LINC Project
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last had discussions with Nottingham university concerning the progress of the language in the national curriculum project.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no such discussions, but officials have maintained contact with the project's director.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the National Association for the Teaching of English and with the National Association of Advisers in English with reference to the language in the national curriculum project.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no such discussions.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the university of Bath concerning its recent findings on the efficacy of the language in the national curriculum programme for teachers.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received no such representations from the university of Bath.

  ILEA Art Collection
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science where the former Inner London education authority art collection is now kept; and what are the arrangements for the distribution or sale of the collection.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for the London residuary body.

  Number of pupils under 5 in Maintained schools shown as a percentage of the estimated 3 and 4 year old population within each LEA in England, as at January 19912 3

  Nursery schools

  Primary nursery classes

  Schools infant classes

  Total of all pupils under 5 in school

  Rank order

  City

  0·0

  30·8

  16·9

  47·7

  69

  Camden

  3·7

  22·2

  13·2

  39·1

  80

  Greenwich

  10·4

  36·4

  15·3

  62·1

  33

  Hackney

  3·0

  34·6

  12·6

  50·1

  61

  Hammersmith

  14·7

  22·6

  12·3

  49·7

  62

  Islington

  6·0

  33·9

  14·3

  54·2

  54

  Kensington and Chelsea

  8·3

  18·2

  10·3

  36·8

  88

  Lambeth

  6·3

  26·5

  13·7

  46·5

  72

  Lewisham

  3·3

  31·1

  13·4

  47·8

  68

  Southwark

  7·7

  35·0

  15·2

  57·9

  42

  Tower Hamlets

  12·8

  33·9

  14·9

  61·7

  34

  Wandsworth

  2·8

  28·0

  11·6

  42·4

  76

  Westminster

  4·5

  22·2

  11·8

  38·4

  83

  Barking

  0·0

  33·8

  30·9

  64·7

  26

  Barnet

  6·3

  23·5

  26·0

  55·8

  51

  Bexley

  3·2

  14·2

  15·7

  33·1

  93

  Brent

  3·3

  28·2

  25·7

  57·2

  45

  Bromley

  0·0

  2·1

  15·5

  17·7

  107

  Croydon

  5·0

  5·1

  28·8

  38·9

  81

  Ealing

  6·6

  29·6

  25·0

  61·2

  37

  Enfield

  0·0

  20·5

  28·9

  49·5

  64

  Haringey

  4·3

  37·6

  30·0

  71·9

  13

  Harrow

  0·0

  17·8

  28·6

  46·4

  73

  Havering

  0·0

  4·6

  34·2

  38·8

  82

  Hillingdon

  1·9

  48·4

  1·9

  52·3

  55

  Hounslow

  0·0

  73·7

  0·2

  73·9

  11

  Kingston upon Thames

  6·6

  27·1

  28·9

  62·6

  32

  Merton

  0·0

  52·4

  23·2

  75·6

  10

  Newham

  12·9

  33·5

  10·0

  56·4

  49

  Red bridge

  0·0

  14·8

  14·0

  28·7

  97

  Richmond upon Thames

  1·6

  16·8

  27·2

  45·6

  74

  Sutton

  5·6

  29·0

  1·1

  35·7

  89

  Waltham Forest

  4·8

  32·9

  12·4

  50·2

  59

  Birmingham

  7·6

  25·0

  31·3

  63·9

  29

  Coventry

  4·3

  21·6

  32·3

  58·1

  41

  Dudley

  3·8

  30·8

  15·5

  50·1

  60

  Sandwell

  3·0

  49·2

  32·6

  84·8

  7

  Solihull

  0·0

  34·5

  36·3

  70·8

  17

  Walsall

  10·6

  47·7

  33·0

  91·3

  3

  Wolverhampton

  11·9

  44·3

  15·4

  71·7

  14

  Knowsley

  0·0

  46·0

  32·0

  78·0

  8

  Liverpool

  4·8

  46·9

  36·4

  88·1

  6

  St. Helens

  1·5

  31·7

  31·9

  65·0

  24

  Sefton

  4·3

  28·4

  32·3

  65·0

  25

  Wirral

  3·4

  20·7

  31·7

  55·8

  50

  Bolton

  6·5

  32·3

  30·6

  69·4

  20

  Bury

  3·0

  27·3

  32·4

  62·7

  31

  Manchester

  4·3

  5·10

  16·2

  71·5

  15

  Oldham

  0·0

  34·9

  33·5

  68·4

  21

  Rochdale

  14·5

  17·2

  29·8

  61·5

  36

  Salford

  15·1

  39·4

  33·7

  88·2

  5

  Stockport

  11·3

  8·1

  30·1

  49·5

  63

  Tameside

  5·6

  34·9

  32·8

  73·3

  12

  Trafford

  0·0

  26·2

  28·3

  54·5

  53

  Wigan

  2·2

  21·9

  33·2

  57·3

  44

  Barnsley

  3·1

  47·3

  17·2

  67"5

  23

  Doncaster

  0·0

  41·7

  34·5

  76·1

  9

  Rotherham

  5·5

  35·6

  15·5

  56·6

  47

  Sheffield

  6·3

  38·4

  19·5

  64·1

  28

  Under-fives
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the figures for 1991 for the percentage of under-fives in(a) nursery schools, (b) nursery classes, (c) infant classes and (d) in total, by local education authority in England, in rank order.

  Mr. Eggar
  Provisional information on the percentage of under-fives, in each of the categories requested, within each local education authority in England in January 1991, and the rank order of each local education authority, is given in the table.
  215

  Nursery schools

  Primary nursery classes

  Schools infant classes

  Total of all pupils under 5 in school

  Rank order

  Bradford

  3·3

  34·1

  19·3

  56·7

  46

  Calderdale

  0·0

  31·1

  30·5

  61·5

  35

  Kirklees

  4·9

  33·4

  19·0

  57·4

  43

  Leeds

  1·6

  39·2

  20·1

  60·9

  38

  Wakefield

  5·4

  42·9

  21·2

  69·5

  19

  Gateshead

  1·3

  31·2

  32·2

  64·6

  27

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  9·9

  30·7

  30·8

  71·4

  16

  North Tyneside

  6·4

  51·9

  33·8

  92·1

  2

  South Tyneside

  20·2

  38·3

  39·8

  98·4

  1

  Sunderland

  11·6

  25·0

  31·1

  67·7

  22

  Avon

  6·5

  11·8

  30·7

  49·0

  65

  Bedfordshire

  8·4

  22·8

  11·0

  42·1

  78

  Berkshire

  9·8

  15·8

  1·7

  27·3

  100

  Buckinghamshire

  2·8

  9·5

  15·5

  27·8

  99

  Cambridgeshire

  3·7

  7·5

  31·2

  42·4

  75

  Cheshire

  3·2

  17·7

  31·3

  52·2

  56

  Cleveland

  0·9

  53·4

  34·1

  88·4

  4

  Cornwall1

  1·0

  12·6

  28·7

  42·3

  77

  Cumbria

  7·1

  16·6

  30·8

  54·5

  52

  Derbyshire

  6·2

  30·2

  22·0

  58·4

  40

  Devon

  1·3

  10·2

  16·6

  28·1

  98

  Dorset

  0·0

  5·6

  32·2

  37·8

  86

  Durham

  16·6

  23·3

  30·1

  69·9

  18

  East Sussex

  1·9

  7·0

  29·3

  38·2

  85

  Essex

  0·6

  5·4

  15·5

  21·5

  102

  Gloucestershire

  0·0

  0·1

  30·1

  30·2

  96

  Hampshire

  0·8

  3·9

  15·1

  19·8

  105

  Hereford and Worcester

  0·0

  7·7

  13·2

  20·8

  103

  Hertfordshire

  6·3

  24·3

  16·4

  47·0

  71

  Humberside

  5·0

  32·5

  22·8

  60·3

  39

  Isle of Wight

  0·0

  6·9

  35·1

  42·0

  79

  Kent

  0·2

  4·6

  27·1

  31·9

  94

  Lancashire

  8·6

  9·0

  30·7

  48·3

  67

  Leicestershire

  0·2

  22·1

  16·1

  38·4

  84

  Lincolnshire

  2·1

  6·3

  29·2

  37·6

  87

  Norfolk

  2·4

  2·8

  28·9

  34·0

  90

  North Yorkshire

  2·2

  18·3

  26·9

  47·5

  70

  Northamptonshire

  3·9

  14·7

  33·4

  52·0

  57

  Northumberland

  1·8

  29·5

  31·8

  63·0

  30

  Nottinghamshire

  2·1

  46·7

  7·7

  56·5

  48

  Oxfordshire

  6·8

  9·1

  4·5

  20·5

  104

  Shropshire

  1·6

  11·8

  20·1

  33·5

  91

  Somerset

  0·0

  0·8

  32·7

  33·4

  92

  Staffordshire

  7·1

  15·1

  28·8

  51·1

  58

  Suffolk

  0·6

  16·1

  14·5

  31·2

  95

  Surrey

  1·7

  9·5

  13·3

  24·5

  101

  Warwickshire

  6·2

  10·6

  31·6

  48·4

  66

  West Sussex

  3·3

  0·8

  12·4

  16·5

  108

  Wiltshire

  0·0

  3·0

  14·5

  17·9

  106

  England

  4·1

  21·1

  22·7

  47·9

  1 Isles of Scilly have been included with Cornwall.

  2 Excludes pupils who became 5 years of age by 1st January 1991.

  3 The percentage of pupils has been derived by comparing the number of pupils in school with the estimated population aged 3 and 4 years.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he intends to take to safeguard school playing fields from re-development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Local Education Authorities arc responsible for taking decisions on whether or not to dispose of school playing fields. It is the Government's policy to encourage authorities to dispose of land and buildings which have become surplus to requirements through the rationalisation of school provision. However, in view of public concern over the continuing loss of school playing 216
  fields to redevelopment, I have to-day written to the local authority associations seeking their comments on a letter I propose to issue to all local education authorities. The letter will ask LEAs not to dispose of school playing fields unless they have first investigated and established that they will not be needed in the long term for school or community use. It will also say that in future when considering proposals involving school closures my right hon. and learned Friend will take account of authorities' plans for the retention of playing fields that may be needed to remedy any deficiencies in playing field provision at neighbouring schools.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Control
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many departmental officials, at what grade, and with what responsibilities, attended the round table briefing meeting on arms control and disarmament hosted by his Department for non-governmental organisations on 26 November; and what was the cost to his Department of the meeting.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The meeting was chaired by Mr. David Summerhayes, disarmament adviser and those attending included the heads of the arms control and disarmament, security policy and non-proliferation and defence departments of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the head of the disarmament and arms control unit of the Ministry of Defence. The cost of the meeting has not been calculated.

  Visas
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what responsibility the European Community will have for visa lists following the Maastricht meeting of Heads of Government; and what effect this will have on Commonwealth citizens applying for visas to enter the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Once the revised treaty of Rome has entered into force, the Council of Ministers will be responsible for drawing up the list of countries, which may include Commonwealth ones, whose nationals must have a visa when crossing member states' external frontiers.

  Fiji
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to persuade Fiji to adopt a revised constitution.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None. Fiji's new constitution is essentially an internal matter which is for the peoples of Fiji to decide.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to send observers to the next Fijian elections.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No, but the British embassy in Suva will be reporting on the elections in the normal way.

  Mr. Muhummad al Fasi
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Saudi Arabian Government regarding Mr. Muhummad al Fasi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None.

  Euratom
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what competence Euratom will have over United Kingdom military nuclear activities following the agreements made at the Maastricht meeting of the intergovernmental conference on European political and economic union.
  218
  Mr. Garel-Jones
  None. The Maastricht European Council made no substantial amendments to the Euratom treaty, although some consequential amendments will be necessary to reflect EC institutional changes.

  Geneva Convention
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will be in a position to ratify the additional protocols to the 1949 Geneva convention.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We hope to be in a position to make a decision on ratification of the additional protocols to the 1949 Geneva conventions very soon.

  CSCE
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Governments of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia respectively signed the charter of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe; and what discussions he or departmental officials have had with counterparts in the Baltic states over their accession to the treaty on conventional forces in Europe.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania signed the charter of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe on 6 December.

  Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence officials visited Estonia on 13 and 15 October to discuss a range of issues, including the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe, the CFE treaty. We have had discussions at ambassadorial level with the Governments of the other Baltic states in their capitals and in Vienna. We expect to follow up these contacts with further visits in the new year. It is for the Baltic states themselves to decide whether to accede to the CFE treaty.

  Maastricht
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish details of the redefinition or extension of Community competence in relation to(a) education, (b) training, (c) cohesion, (d) research and development, (e) environment, (f) trans-European networks, (g) industry, (h) health, (i) culture, (j) consumer protection and (k) development co-operation, resulting from the Maastricht agreement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The redefinition or extension of competence in all these areas is clearly set out in the relevant provisions of the treaty on union agreed at Maastricht, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Korea
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the recent agreements between the Governments of North and South Korea on the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula under international verification.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We warmly welcome the outcome of the recent north-south prime ministerial talks in Seoul, including the wish to replace the armistice by a peace agreement and to strengthen bilateral links and exchanges. There remains much to be done but we see these as positive steps forward.
  219
  We also welcome the south's offer of simultaneous inspection of sites to further help resolve the issue of nuclear safeguards. We hope the north will reciprocate.

THE ARTS

  Northern Arts
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list the amount of grant given to Northern Arts for each year since 1980.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is as follows

  ACGB grant to Northern Arts

  Years

  £

  1980–81

  1,306,630

  1981–82

  1,456,051

  1982–83

  1,733,236

  1983–84

  1,819,020

  1984–85

  1,938,659

  1985–86

  2,086,802

  1986–87

  3,424,500

  1987–88

  3,510,500

  1988–89

  3,526,910

  1989–90

  3,626,775

  1990–91

  3,951,000

  1991–92

  4,426,914

  Following the excellent 13·9 per cent. increase for the Arts Council which I announced last November, I am delighted that the Arts Council has decided to pass on to every regional arts board at least the same level of increase for next year. For 1992–93 Northern Arts will receive £5,043,000.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Central Statistical Office
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the quality and output of the Central Statistical Office; and what steps he is taking to improve them;

  (2) what recent changes have been made to the structure and functioning of the Central Statistical Office.

  Mr. Maples
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies the Chancellor gave to my hon. Friends for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) and for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden) on 19 November, at columns 139–41.

  Taxpayers
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for 1992–93 the number of taxpayers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, giving numbers separately for employees and self-employed.

  Mr. Maude
  The number of taxpaying individuals, classified by main source of income in 1992–93, is estimated to be as follows with the illustrative assumption of 4 per cent. indexation of allowances from the autumn statement 1991:

  Million

  Employees

  19·3

  Self-employed

  2·8

  Other1

  2·9

  220
  1 Includes pensioners and those with no earned income.

  Separate figures for Great Britain and Northern Ireland are not available.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93 the number of taxpayers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland who have taxable income less than (a) £500, (b) £1,000, (c) £1,500 and (d) £2,000.

  Mr. Maude
  Information for the United Kingdom is given in the table. Estimates for 1992–93 are approximate and are based on the illustrative 4 per cent. indexation of allowances from the autumn statement 1991.

  Estimated number of taxpayers (millions)

  Taxable income1 £ per year

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Less than 500

  1·1

  1

  Less than 1,000

  2·3

  2¼

  Less than 1,500

  3·4

  3¼

  Less than 2,000

  4·3

  4¼

  1 Income for income tax purposes less allowances and reliefs.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93 the number of taxpayers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland who have gross income (i) less than £10,000, (ii) between £10,000 and £20,000, (iii) between £20,000 and £30,000 and (iv) between £30,000 and £40,000.

  Mr. Maude
  Information for the United Kingdom is given in the table. The estimates for 1992–93 are approximate and are based on the 4 per cent. illustrative indexation of allowances from the autumn statement 1991

  Estimated numbers of taxpayers (millions)

  Gross income £ per year

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Less than 10,000

  10·2

  9½

  10,000 to 20,000

  10·5

  10½

  20,000 to 30,000

  2·9

  3¼

  30,000 to 40,000

  0·8

  1

  Over 40,000

  0·7

  ¾

  Total

  25·1

  25

  I regret that it is not possible to provide separate estimates for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the most recent estimates for 1991–92 of(a) how many taxpayers get additional personal allowance and widows' bereavement allowance, (b) how many of these also get one parent benefit and widowed mothers' allowance and (c) how many of these are also receiving means-tested benefits in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Maude
  The information is as follows:

  (a) About 500,000 taxpayers benefit from the additional pesonal allowance, and 100,000 from the widows' bereavement allowance.

  (b) The estimated average numbers in Great Britain receiving one parent benefit and widowed mothers' allowance in 1991–92 are 785,000 and 65,000 respectively. However, the benefits system cannot distinguish between taxpayers and non-taxpayers or identify those who benefit from a specific tax allowance.

  221

  (c) Estimates are not available of the numbers at (b) who are also receiving income-related benefits.

  Medical Insurance
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his forecast for the cost to the Exchequer in a full year in(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93 of tax relief for private medical insurance premiums for persons aged over 60 years.

  Mr. Maude
  The estimated cost of the relief in respect of 1991–92 is expected to be about £60 million. The cost in respect of 1992–93 will depend on the level of premiums paid.

  Tax Allowances
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in a full year in (i) 1991–92 and (ii) 1992–93 of introducing an upper limit on all income tax allowances and reliefs of(a) £10,000, (b) £15,000 and (c) £20,000 a year with (i) the current tax allowances and reliefs and (ii) limiting all income tax allowances and reliefs except the single person's allowance to the basic rate, giving the revenue from each relief separately, the total revenue and the numbers of people affected, for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Maude
  It is estimated that at 1991–92 levels of income the introduction of the upper limits specified would yield the following:

  £ million

  Upper limit for total allowances and reliefs

  Yield in a full year under the current lax regime

  Yield following restriction of all reliefs and specified allowances to the basic rate

  £10,000

  590

  390

  £15,000

  240

  150

  £20,000

  140

  90

  The estimated yield from restricting all allowances, except the basic personal allowance, to the basic irate is about £300 million. The estimated yield from restricting all reliefs to the basic rate is £600 million. Of this figure, about £250 million results from restricting relief on employee contributions to occupational pensions and about £150 million results from restricting relief on personal pension contributions.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the revenue yield in(a) the first year and (b) a full year, assuming this is introduced at the beginning of 1991–92, of extending national insurance contributions to all employee taxable benefits in kind, for employees in Great Britain and Northern Ireland who earn over £8,500, distinguishing between employee and employer contributions, listing the revenue from each benefit and assuming the abolition of the national insurance upper earnings limit.

  Mr. Maude
  The additional revenue for the United Kingdom in a full year at 1991–92 levels is shown in the 222
  table which gives the available analysis by type of benefit. The estimates are based on an employee contribution rate of 9 per cent. and an employer contribution rate of 10·4 per cent. The estimates are calculated using the taxable value of the benefits. The yield in the first year would depend upon the administrative arrangements made to collect the new charge.

  Revenue yield1

  Type of benefit

  From employees

  £ million from employers

  Car

  400

  20

  Car fuel

  40

  20

  Private medical insurance

  40

  40

  Home telephone

  10

  10

  Beneficial loans

  20

  20

  Other benefits

  200

  230

  Total

  710

  300

  1 For a full year at 1991–92 levels of income and benefit.

  2 These items are already subject to employer contributions.

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest meeting of the European Community's Council of Economic and Finance Ministers.

  Mr. Maples
  The Economic and Finance Council of the European Community met in Brussels on 16 December. I represented the United Kingdom with the Minister for Corporate Affairs.

  The Council discussed the Portuguese Government's programme for economic convergence, and welcomed their ambitious targets for reducing inflation to a ceiling of 4 per cent. by the end of 1995, the general Government deficit to no more than 3 per cent. of GDP by 1995 and lowering the debt ratio. But the Council stressed that the achievement of these targets is highly dependent on the budget for 1992, the growth rate that is realised and the appropriate mix of policy instruments. The Council invited the Commission and the monetary committee to monitor the implementation of the programme and to report back to the Council before the end of 1992.

  The Council confirmed the agreement in principle reached at the Foreign Affairs Council that morning on a new package of emergency food aid to the value of 200 mecu for Moscow and St. Petersburg, and, if appropriate, other cities. Of this aid, 100 mecu can be released immediately and a further 100 mecu following consultation of the European Parliament in mid January. The earlier proposals for a loan totalling 1·25 becu for three years was also formally adopted and it was agreed that the first tranche, of 500 mecu should now be released as soon as possible.

  The Council discussed the ideas for a carbon/energy tax contained in the Commission's communication and took note of reports from the fiscal aspects group and the conclusions of the joint Energy and Environment Council held on 13 December. It was agreed that the fiscal aspects working group should undertake work on the basis of additional analysis of the issues by the Commission and that the Council would re-examine the question before May in preparation for the UNCED Council in Rio.
  223
  The Council discussed several matters relating to the abolition of fiscal frontiers, and formally adopted the directive on the VAT transitional arrangements to apply after 1992.

  Political agreement was reached on the draft directive on the arrangements for the holding, movement and control of goods subject to excise duty. This agreement includes satisfactory provision for minimum indicative levels to distinguish between commercial and private transactions in tobacco products and alcoholic drinks, since commercial transactions are taxed in the country of destination while private transactions are taxed in the country of origin. The minimum indicative levels agreed were as follows:

  Item

  Amount

  Cigarettes

  800

  Cigarillos

  400

  Cigars

  200

  Smoking tobacco

  1kg

  Spirits

  10 litres

  Intermediate products

  20 litres

  Wine

  190 litres

  Beer

  110 litres

  1 Including a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wines.

  Above these levels, the transaction may be taken to be of a commercial character unless the person concerned can establish to the satisfation of the fiscal authorities that it is not.

  For limited period, Ireland will be able to apply minimum indicative levels for wines and beer at 50 per cent. of the levels generally agreed. Special arrangements were also agreed to allow Denmark to continue to apply its current travellers' allowances on spirits and tobacco after 1992.

  Subject to parliamentary scrutiny, agreement was also reached on extended and modified derogations for Ireland and Denmark from the directive on travellers' allowances, to apply during 1992.

  Denmark will continue to apply its current levels of travellers' allowances, while for Ireland, the agreement provides for the following revised allowances:

  Current allowance

  Allowance to apply in 1992

  Cigarettes (number)

  150

  300

  Smoking tobacco (grams)

  400

  400

  Spirits (litres)

  0·75

  1·5

  or

  Intermediate products and sparkling wine (litres)

  1·5

  3

  Still wine (litres)

  2·5

  5

  Beer (litres)

  112and25

  115 and 30

  Other products (ecu)

  2110

  3175

  1 for travellers out of the Republic for less and more than 24 hours respectively

  2 subject to a single item limit of 95 ecu

  3 subject to a single item limit of 150 ecu for travellers out of the Republic for more than 24 hours, 110 ecu for less than 24 hours.

  The Council also took note of a progress report by the Dutch presidency on the last six months and the work to be done before 1 January 1993.

  The Community's acceptance of the "Helsinki package" of reforms to the OECD consensus on export credits was confirmed. This agreement incorporates a welcome reduction in trade distorting export credit
  224
  subsidy to the benefit of taxpayers and a tightening of the rules on the provision of tied aid subsidies so that these are better targeted on aid-worthy projects in aid-worthy countries.

  The Council took note of a report from the Commission on a proposal for a directive on withholding taxes on interest and royalty payments and remitted the proposal to a working group for further work.

  The Council also took note of a joint report from the Commission and the European investment bank on lending by the European investment bank outside the Community.

  The conclusions of that morning's meeting of the Transport Council on road transport taxation were remitted to an ad hoc working group for further discussion.

  The investment services directive was also discussed in a group of personal representatives at which the Minister for Corporate Affairs represented the United Kingdom. No decisions were reached.

  Uncollected Tax
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to his answer of 2 December,Official Report, columns 37–38, he will publish a table showing the levels of uncollected tax at the end of the financial year 1989–90 and 1990–91 for (a) value added tax, (b) income tax, including schedule D and (c) corporation tax, excise duties and capital gains tax, expressed both as a sum figure and as a percentage of total tax due for each category.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 12 December 1991]: Information on average daily arrears of value added tax, on the basis of financial years, and on income tax, corporation tax, and capital gains tax arrears at years ending 31 October can be found in "Volume 12: Classes XVIII to XIX" of the 1990–91 appropriation accounts, pages vii and xiii respectively. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Arrears of excise duty on drink, tobacco and road fuel are not collated centrally. However, these duties are either paid in cash on clearance to home consumption or by duty deferment backed up by a financial guarantee. In either case the possibility for arrears is minimal. Arrears of car tax, and betting and gaming duty can however arise and were as follows:

  Arrears £ million

  As percentage of receipts

  31 March 1990

  48·9

  2·0

  31 March 1990

  6·9

  0·3

  In general, the bulk of the sums of tax in arrears are collectable and remain outstanding only for short periods, possibly days. Sums outstanding for longer periods risk incurring penalties or interest charges. Ultimately the Revenue Departments write off only those sums indicated in the reply of 2 December 1991, Official Report, columns 37–38. Write-offs occur mainly through insolvencies or from traders becoming untraceable.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage corporation tax would have to be increased to raise an amount equivalent to the amount raised by the uniform business rate in 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 16 December 1991]: Assuming no changes in company behaviour, the corporation tax rate, applied to profits from 1 April 1988 onwards, would need to have been more than 20 percentage points higher to yield a sum over these two years equivalent to the amount raised from non-domestic property by way of rates.

  In the absence of rates, the required increase would have been significantly less because rates are allowed as a deduction in computing profits for corporation tax. Information required to quantify the level is not available.

  Rates raise revenue to pay for services provided by local authorities by taxing the occupation of non-domestic property. As such, they are levied on unincorporated businesses, partnerships and the self employed who are liable to income tax, as well as the corporate sector which is liable to corporation tax.

  Self-employed and Partnerships
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the effect on the Exchequer's revenue of applying corporation rather than income tax to the self-employed and partnerships.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 18 December 1991]: 'There would be an effect on the timing of tax payments. Partnerships and the self-employed pay tax for income tax years in two instalments, three months before and three months after the end of the tax year. Corporation tax is paid in one instalment nine months after the end of the accounting period. There would also be an effect on the amount of tax paid, but the extent would depend on how the rules for taxing companies were adapted to tax the self-employed and partnerships.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the tax consequences of the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity.

  Mr. Maude
  The Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 provides for the transfer of the business assets and liabilities of Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) to a number of successor companies into private ownership. Under normal tax rules a number of tax consequences would arise solely as a result of the pre-privatisation reorganisation of NIE into the successor companies. We intend to introduce legislation in 1992 designed to treat the reorganisation on a tax-neutral basis in accordance with the Government's general policy on privatisation.

ENVIRONMENT

  London Docklands Development Corporation
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much public funding has been given since the establishment of the London Dock lands development corporation to the London Arena development; and if he will make a statement.
  226
  Mr. Key
  The total public sector contribution to the capital cost of the London Arena is £3·425 million.

  Caravan Site, Basingstoke
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of establishing under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 the site at Peak Copse, Dummer, Basingstoke, including all the preliminaries, the cost of the public inquiry and the cost of actual construction.

  Mr. Yeo
  The cost of the preliminary work on the planning application concerning the site and of the public local inquiry which was held in January 1989, fell principally on Hampshire county council. The costs of the inquiry inspector, which were borne by the Secretary of State, are not separately identifiable.

  The actual cost of constructing the site will not be known before completion of the scheme in mid 1992, but the tender accepted by the Hampshire county council in the sum of £616,738 is within the approved estimate for gipsy site grant.

  Cycling (Royal Parks)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the provision of cycling facilities will be considered by the independent review group on royal parks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The royal parks review group is considering the provision of cycling facilities in Hyde park and Kensington gardens and will report its conclusions on this and other matters early next year.

  Private Tenancies
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received about the practice of certain private landlords of requiring a tenancy to be terminated when a baby is born to the tenant; what information he has as to how widespread this practice is; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he has any plans to prohibit private landlords from terminating tenancies when a child is born to the tenant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend has received no such representations. Landlords may obtain possession from an assured tenant to whom a child has been born only if a term of the tenancy agreement has thereby been breached, or if the landlord is otherwise entitled to possession. In either case a court order is necessary and the landlord must satisfy the court that it is reasonable to grant him possession for a breach of the terms of the tenancy. A tenant will therefore be aware of the likelihood that he will not be able to remain after a child is born at the point where he accepts the tenancy. We have no plans to change the law in this respect.

  West Kent Housing Association
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much grant was given by his Department to West Kent housing association in respect of the proposed voluntary transfer of housing stock.

  Sir George Young
  My Department has not given any grant to the West Kent housing association in respect of
  227
  the proposed transfer of the new town housing stock at Basildon; nor are there any powers so to do. However, in accordance with the provisions of the New Towns (Transfer of Housing Stock) Regulations 1990, as amended, the Commission for the New Towns will pay the reasonable costs incurred by both the West Kent housing association and Basildon district council in connection with a ballot of tenants.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Carmarthen by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy, the hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on. 2 December at column 42, on energy efficiency investment, if he will break down the figure of £900 million into its component parts.

  Mr. Yeo
  A breakdown of the figure of £900 million for the financial year 1990–91 is not available. However, the 1986 English house condition survey indicated that of all major expenditure on the public sector stock, directed at the improvement of heating and insulation, some 73 per cent. was for installing or repairing central heating and nearly 9 per cent for other heating. Around 17 per cent was spent on wall insulation and some 1 per cent on loft and roof insulation.

  Planning Zones
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take in order to encourage local planning authorities to make simplified planning zones on appropriate cases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Planning and Compensation Act 1991 provides for substantial simplification and streamlining of the procedure for making simplified planning zones—SPZs. Regulations for the detailed implementation of this will be laid before the House in due course.

  I have today issued a consultation paper setting out our proposals for such regulations, and for the revision and inclusion in a single document of the Department's guidance to authorities on the making of SPZs.

  Authorities have a duty under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to keep under review the desirability of making SPZs for parts of their area.

  National Wildlife Parks (Military Use)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on whether military use is permitted of national and wildlife parks in each of the other European Community countries.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 18 December 1991]: Military use is permitted in protected areas in other European Community countries, but information for each member country is not readily available.

  Windscale Inquiry
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans there are to publish the study by Lyons (CB) Ltd. of press reporting of the Windscale public inquiry.
  228
  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  This report was commissioned for the Health and Safety Executive's internal use and there are no plans to publish it.

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on the design of the next phase of the new parliamentary building; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The consultant architect appointed by my Department, Michael Hopkins and Partners, completed their preliminary sketch plan stage proposals in October. These were presented to the New Building Sub Committee which endorsed the way the scheme is developing. A text of the letter I received from the Chairman, the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) and of my reply along with copies of Hopkins' report are being placed in the Library.

  Design work, and discussions with London Underground Ltd. on the integration of the scheme and the proposed new Westminster station are continuing. It is planned to publish the final sketch plan proposals early next year.

  The letter from the hon. Member for Ogmore and my reply to him are as follows.

  SELECT COMMITTEE ON HOUSE OF COMMONS (SERVICES): NEW BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE
  22nd October 1991
  Dear Michael
  Bridge Street Phase 2
  At its meeting last Tuesday the New Building Sub-Committee received a presentation from Mr. Michael Hopkins on his Preliminary Sketch Plan Report for Phase 2 of the new parliamentary building project. As the Sub-Committee will shortly cease to exist, and as there may be a lengthy interval before the new Accommodation Committee is set up, I thought it would be helpful if I wrote to inform you of the Sub-Committee's present views in regard to Phase 2.
  In general the Sub-Committee is very pleased with the way the designs are shaping up. Last week we were shown elevations of the proposed building for the first time, and I think I speak for all my colleagues who were present in saying that these were very encouraging. We appreciate, of course, that Mr. Hopkins is still actively developing his views about the appearance of the building, and that it will not be until next Spring that the plans are finalised.
  We approved the proposals for Members' offices contained in the PSP Report. In particular we are content with the proposal that about 104 "sets" should contain ensuite accommodation for Members' staff, while in a further 92 "sets" space will be shared with other Members' staff.
  Mr. Hopkins's proposals for the internal layout of the building, especially on the. ground and first floors, are still being developed. We regard the proposals to roof in either the inner courtyard (at second floor level), or the outer space formed between Phase 2 and Norman Shaw South, as interesting, and we certainly think Mr. Hopkins should further investigate each possibility in order to establish its pros and cons. We are sure that he will bear in mind the importance of ensuring, if at all possible, that the minimum allocations of space for specific functions as set out in the Services Committee's Initial Brief are adhered to in whatever emerges as his favoured layout.
  We approved Mr. Hopkin's new proposals to carry the load of the building on its perimeter walls and on six columns extending downward to the base of the station, rather than on a horizontal concrete "raft". We think it essential, however, that whatever means are chosen to separate the parliamentary building from the London underground station below it, the

  229
  highest priority must be given to ensuring that noise and vibration from the trains do not disturb Members and staff in their offices.
  Mr. Hopkins reported to us on the difficulties which have arisen in relation to the siting of ventilation shafts. This is a matter which will clearly have to be looked at in detail by our successors, but we wish to put on record our concern at the proposed introduction of such shafts within the parliamentary estate. The aesthetic and other disadvantages that might arise from such a proposal will need to be carefully evaluated.
  Finally, we note that a number of issues remain to be resolved in discussions with London Underground. Our successors will need to satisfy themselves that suitable arrangements have been made with regard to the location of the temporary ticket hall, achieving an early start to the construction of the parliamentary building, shared use of the site during the construction period, future ownership of the land, and provisions to insulate the parliamentary building from noise and vibration. It will also be important to receive confirmation from London Underground that the construction timetable they have previously outlined in evidence to the Service Committee is still operative.
  We understand that London Underground propose shortly to introduce a further private bill dealing with the Jubilee Line. Our successors may well wish to enquire into any proposals in this bill which directly impinge on the parliamentary estate, and to report to the House on them before the bill is given a second reading. This would be a similar procedure to that which the Services Committee adopted with regard to the original Jubilee line bill in Session 1989–90.
  Subject to progress in resolving these issues, and to the satisfactory passage of the London Underground Bill through Parliament, we see no reason why the target of Spring 1992 for the commencement of work on site should not be achieved. We wish to put on record our thanks to Mr. Hopkins, and to his junior colleague Mr. John Pringle, for all the work they have done and for the constructive and creative way in which they have sought to interpret their necessarily complex brief.
  15 December 1991
  Dear Ray,
  NEW PARLIAMENTARY BUILDING
  Thank you for your letter of 22 October recording the outcome of the New Building Sub Committee's consideration of Michael Hopkins and Partners proposals for the next phase of the New Parliamentary Building. Before dealing with the issues you raise may I congratulate you first on becoming Chairman of the new Accommodation and Works Committee. I am sure it is very important to the development of the proposals for the new building that there should be this continuity with the depth of knowledge it brings to the scheme.
  I had the opportunity last week to visit Hopkins' office to see their proposals. He has done considerable work since the presentation to the Sub Committee and it is quite clear that there are the makings of a fine scheme. The massing, scale and silhouette of the building are now becoming much clearer and will, I think, contribute greatly to the important views across the River Thames as well as the more oblique views from Parliament Square. The choice of materials is of great importance. There is a very difficult balance to be struck between the red brick of the Norman Shaw buildings and the lighter brown stone used on the Palace. I know from our discussions that Michael Hopkins is very conscious of this point.
  It is, I believe, essentially a matter for the House to determine the priorities for the use of the accommodation which can be provided in the building. I note that your Sub Committee was content with the proposals for Members' offices and I think you will find that the most recent work to develop the proposals for the ground and first floors will not only result in an exciting space but will assist considerably in increasing the amount of accommodation available without in any way overdeveloping the site.
  It is quite clear, both from your letter and the reports I have received, that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done to integrate successfully the proposed extension to the Jubilee Line with the new building. I consider it very important therefore that the discussions involving my
  230
  officials, London Underground and the House should be pursued rigorously to try to achieve the timetable you set out so that all the necessary information is made available to enable the House to take an early view on the impact of the proposed Extension and to reach agreement on the way ahead without delaying unnecessarily the new building.
  I shall be keeping in touch as the design continues to develop and look forward to seeing a fully worked up scheme early in the New Year.
  Yours faithfully,
  MICHAEL HESELTINE

  Bottled Water
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations exist to control bottled(a) mineral water and (b) spring water; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Natural Mineral Water Regulations 1985 control the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters in Great Britain. Similar controls apply in Northern Ireland. Regulations laying down specific controls for other bottled waters are currently being drafted.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  EC (Visits)
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list (i) the number of visits made by officials in his Department during the past month to destinations outside the United Kingdom but within the European Community on official business related to the European Community, (ii) the number of visits made by officials in his Department to Brussels within the past month on official business related to the European Community and (iii) the number of nights spent by officials in his Department over the past month away from the United Kingdom on official European Community business.

  Mr. Lilley
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will name the destinations for which export licence applications are subject to special consideration for strategic and proliferation reasons.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government have decided to publish a list of destinations for which export licence applications are subject to special consideration to serve as a guide to industry. The list, which is subject to regular review, is based on strategic and proliferation concerns and other criteria, including the risk of diversion and the lack of effective export controls. The destinations are as follows:

  Afghanistan

  Albania

  Algeria

  Angola

  Argentina

  Brazil

  Bulgaria

  Burma

  China

  Cuba

  231

  Czechoslovakia

  Egypt

  Estonia

  Hungary

  India

  Iran

  Iraq

  Israel

  Latvia

  Libya

  Lithuania

  Mongolia

  North Korea

  Pakistan

  Poland

  Romania

  Somalia

  South Africa

  South Korea

  Soviet Union

  Syria

  Taiwan

  Vietnam

  Export licence applications will continue to be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with stringent criteria. The inclusion of a destination on the list does not in itself preclude the granting of an export licence. Normal licensing procedures continue to apply in respect of exports to other destinations.

  Executive Directors
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to amend company law so that a non-executive director who has been chairman of the remunerations sub-committee of the board of directors of a public company cannot himself or herself be subsequently appointed to executive director posts whose remunerations were determined by that sub-committee.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: Detailed internal arrangements of companies and their boards are a matter for companies, operating in the case of listed companies under stock exchange rules.

  The Secretary of State has no plans to amend company law, which provides for proper disclosure of remuneration of directors and chairmen and gives shareholders an adequate measure of control over the appointment and remuneration of directors.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Vietnam
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on progress made in allocating the £1 million set aside in May 1990 for a special joint funding scheme in Vietnam.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The £1 million set aside under this scheme has been fully committed to 18 projects in those areas of north Vietnam from which boat people have predominantly come. The British non-governmental organizations—NGOs—with whom we are co-operating are Action Aid, Safe the Children Fund, Care and Marie Stopes International. Projects cover a wide range of community development activities, including water supply and irrigation, income generation schemes in afforestation, aquaculture and smallholder farming, mother and child health and family planning.
  232
  In addition, under ODA's regular joint funding scheme, we have made further substantial commitments to NGO projects in other areas of Vietnam. These now total just over £850,000.

  Renewable Natural Resources
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what activities have been funded by the ODA under the strategy for research on renewable natural resources.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of the annual report 1990–91 on the strategy for research on renewable natural resources. The report gives an overview of the objectives and achievements of work undertaken in 1990–91 and outlines the direction of future work.

  Iraq
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to provide further humanitarian assistance to civilians in Iraq.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Yes. Since April we have spent over £44 million in aid for the people of Iraq. This figure continues to rise. We are supporting the work of British and British-based Iraqi relief organisations, and United Nations agencies, and are in constant touch with them about how we can help further.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will bring forward legislation to provide that Secretaries of State must be members of the Cabinet;

  (2) if he will bring forward legislation to amend the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 to allow the Lord Chancellor to be a Member of the House of Commons;

  (3) if he will bring forward legislation to abolish the post of Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chancellor's Department, and to establish in their place a Secretary of State for Law and a Department of Law;

  (4) if he will bring forward legislation to replace the title of Secretary of State by the title of Cabinet Minister;

  (5) if he will bring forward legislation to provide that the Attorney-General must be a member of either the Commons or the Lords.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Soviet Republics
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to make available to the Governments of the Republics of the former Soviet Union, United Kingdom expertise in(a) civil and military nuclear technology, (b) environmental pollution abatement and (c) food distribution.

  The Prime Minister
  United Kingdom expertise in civil uses of nuclear power and food distribution can be made available to the republics of the former Soviet Union under the auspices of our know-how fund. A separate fund
  233
  for tackling environmental problems will come into operation next year. We are studying how we might help the republics reduce the risks of the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

  Maastricht
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list in the Official Report those topics on which the institutions of the European Community will not possess a basis of views for any opinion, recommendations, legislation, expenditure or adjudication, consequent to the adoption of the draft treaties agreed at Maastricht.

  The Prime Minister
  The provisions of the treaty on European union agreed at Maastricht, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, make clear the conditions under which the institutions of the European Community may act.

  Lord Chancellor
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will Fist the legal qualifications necessary for appointment as(a) Lord Chancellor and (b) Attorney-General.

  The Prime Minister
  The Lord Chancellor must be a person able to discharge duties as the president of the supreme court of judicature—that is, the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the Crown court—and also as the presiding chairman of the House of Lords in its judicial capacity. In order that he or she may represent the Crown in each of the Queen's courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Attorney-General is a member of the Bar of England and Wales.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 19 December.

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

TRANSPORT

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Aitken
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will announce the allocation of the transport supplementary grant and credit approvals for capital expenditure on local roads in England for 1992–93.

  Mr. Rifkind
  A total of £370 million transport supplementary grant—TSG—plus £510 million in annual capital guideline—ACG—and supplementary credit approval—SCA—are to he allocated to local highway authorities in England for capital expenditure on their roads in 1992–93. With the help of capital reserves and developer contributions, I therefore expect authorities to be able to spend well over £1,000 million in total.

  Table 1 sets out the national totals for different types of expenditure. Table 2 shows the total amounts of TSG, credit approval and gross approved expenditure for each of the 108 local highway authorities. They are being notified today of their allocations by the Department's regional offices.
  234
  Leaving aside the grant newly allocated for structural maintenance in 1991–92 and 1992–93, there is to be about the same amount of TSG as for 1991–92, but it is 18 per cent. more than for 1990–91.

  Authorities will be able to make a start on the 37 new major schemes listed in table 3, which are to be newly accepted for TSG. Authorities will also be able to make progress with certain other major schemes using only credit approvals.

  These new major schemes will, like the 274 others which continue to receive TSG support, relieve communities of the noise and danger of heavy through traffic, aid inner city regeneration and help to open up new opportunities for development and growth.

  There is to be a 17 per cent. increase in minor works expenditure and, within that, a 38 per cent. increase in expenditure ear-marked for local safety schemes.

  I am pleased with the start that local authorities have made in using the money we allocated for local safety schemes for 1991–92. Even if they spend no more than the grant and credit approvals that we have given them, over 1991–92 and 1992–93 they will have had the potential to carry out around 7,700 local safety schemes which could save 170 lives and prevent 2,200 serious injuries and 9,000 other casualties in any 12-month period.

  The £110 million accepted expenditure for bridge maintenance, which is 22 per cent. more than for 1991–92, will enable authorities to maintain the momentum of this important programme of work and the £95 million allocated for maintenance of the roads which form part of the primary route network will help ensure that these important transport links are properly maintained.

  Table 1

  £ million

  Existing commitments

  493·791

  New starts

  60·028

  Minor works

  88·656

  Bridges

  110·965

  PRN maintenance

  95·280

  Grant adjustments

  -54·360

  Non grant aided expenditure

  88·199

  Total

  882·559

  Table 2

  Local authority capital expenditure on roads 1992–93

  (£ million)

  Government grant (TSG)

  Total borrowing approval

  Gross approved spending

  Counties

  Avon

  6·295

  14·385

  27·130

  Bedfordshire

  2·233

  2·517

  4·750

  Berkshire

  4·617

  7·470

  12·087

  Buckinghamshire

  1·886

  3·283

  5·169

  Cambridgeshire

  2·792

  3·571

  6·363

  Cheshire

  11·099

  12·513

  23·612

  Cleveland

  3·623

  5·611

  10·684

  Cornwall

  4·848

  6·160

  11·583

  Cumbria

  2·283

  2·775

  5·058

  Derbyshire

  1·908

  3·186

  5·944

  Devon

  4·412

  5·230

  9·642

  Dorset

  3·466

  4·321

  7·787

  Durham

  4·307

  5·359

  10·191

  East Sussex

  3·151

  5·182

  9·633

  Essex

  6·275

  7·500

  13·775

  Gloucestershire

  4·377

  4·850

  9·227

  Hampshire

  10·512

  18·004

  30·316

  Hereford and Worcester

  2·494

  4·480

  8·299

  Hertfordshire

  5·823

  7·261

  13·659

  235

  Government grant (TSG)

  Total borrowing approval

  Gross approved spending

  Humberside

  8·225

  9·202

  17·427

  Isle of Wight

  0·902

  1·070

  1·972

  Kent

  33·149

  39·852

  73·176

  Lancashire

  11·630

  15·783

  29·713

  Leicestershire

  5·728

  8·799

  16·577

  Lincolnshire

  3·402

  4·317

  7·894

  Norfolk

  6·541

  8·452

  15·743

  Northamptonshire

  4·464

  6·189

  11·728

  Northumberland

  2·757

  3·604

  6·811

  North Yorkshire

  6·452

  8·607

  16·384

  Nottinghamshire

  4·277

  5·533

  10·210

  Oxfordshire

  5·087

  6·248

  11·735

  Shropshire

  2·481

  4·490

  8·246

  Somerset

  2·975

  4·544

  8·619

  Staffordshire

  3·820

  4·847

  8·667

  Suffolk

  5·688

  6·789

  12·477

  Surrey

  8·139

  14·437

  24·076

  Warwickshire

  1·797

  2·106

  3·903

  West Sussex

  3·478

  4·541

  8·569

  Wiltshire

  1·493

  3·196

  5·989

  Metropolitan Districts

  Bolton

  1·711

  1·935

  3·646

  Bury

  0·565

  0·699

  1·264

  Manchester

  8·672

  10·160

  19·207

  Oldham

  5·544

  6·794

  12·813

  Rochdale

  0·760

  0·863

  1·623

  Salford

  1·686

  2·491

  4·177

  Stockport

  1·792

  1·996

  3·788

  Tameside

  1·232

  1·650

  2·882

  Trafford

  2·196

  2·866

  5·287

  Wigan

  0·835

  2·334

  4·344

  Knowsley

  6·496

  7·362

  14·083

  Liverpool

  0·000

  1·387

  2·582

  St. Helens

  6·973

  7·574

  14·547

  Sefton

  0·620

  0·825

  1·495

  Wirral

  1·677

  2·095

  3·872

  Barnsley

  4·024

  4·447

  8·471

  Doncaster

  3·533

  4·035

  7·568

  Rotherham

  1·942

  2·258

  4·200

  Sheffield

  7·475

  11·367

  20·992

  Gateshead

  2·888

  3·261

  6·149

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1·078

  2·510

  4·488

  North Tyneside

  0·425

  0·506

  0·931

  South Tyneside

  0·176

  0·724

  1·300

  Sunderland

  1·956

  3·361

  6·317

  Birmingham

  12·263

  14·859

  27·822

  Coventry

  4·641

  5·591

  10·507

  Dudley

  3·564

  4·052

  7·616

  Sandwell

  2·398

  3·031

  5·429

  Solihull

  0·982

  1·357

  2·539

  Walsall

  8·635

  10·390

  19·900

  Wolverhampton

  3·033

  5·360

  9·668

  Bradford

  2·159

  2·901

  5·435

  Calderdale

  0·458

  0·654

  1·112

  Kirklees

  2·295

  2·717

  5·012

  Leeds

  4·083

  6·176

  10·259

  Wakefield

  1·414

  1·871

  3·285

  London Boroughs

  City of London

  1·621

  1·831

  3·452

  Barking and Dagenham

  0·592

  0·899

  1·491

  Barnet

  0·487

  0·616

  1·103

  Bexley

  1·694

  1·915

  3·634

  Brent

  0·758

  2·597

  3·405

  Bromley

  2·794

  3·091

  5·885

  Camden

  2·301

  2·590

  4·891

  Croydon

  0·535

  1·084

  1·969

  Ealing

  1·027

  2·436

  4·488

  Enfield

  5·851

  6·407

  12·258

  Greenwich

  0·000

  0·580

  1·065

  Hackney

  1·406

  1·718

  3·124

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1·005

  1·239

  2·244

  Haringey

  1·813

  2·081

  3·894

  Harrow

  2·513

  5·933

  11·271

  236

  Government grant (TSG)

  Total borrowing approval

  Gross approved spending

  Havering

  0·388

  0·474

  0·862

  Hillingdon

  8·636

  9·784

  18·595

  Hounslow

  0·401

  0·753

  1·154

  Islington

  0·984

  1·516

  2·500

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0·317

  0·936

  1·778

  Kingston upon Thames

  0·965

  1·483

  2·673

  Lambeth

  0·374

  0·450

  0·824

  Lewisham

  3·352

  6·406

  12·258

  Merton

  0·000

  1·200

  2·155

  Newham

  1·563

  3·865

  7·203

  Redbridge

  0·485

  0·624

  1·109

  Richmond upon Thames

  0·441

  0·507

  0·948

  Southwark

  1·416

  2·123

  4·014

  Sutton

  0·288

  0·900

  1·588

  Tower Hamlets

  1·252

  1·708

  2·960

  Waltham Forest

  0·865

  1·121

  2·111

  Wandsworth

  2·283

  3·079

  5·762

  Westminster

  2·526

  3·451

  6·377

  Note: Gross approved expenditure exceeds the sum of grant and borrowing approval if an authority holds unused grant from previous years.

  Table 3

  Authority

  Scheme name

  East Sussex

  A26 Malling Hill relief road, Lewes

  Hampshire

  A31 Bentley bypass

  Kent

  A257 Ash bypass

  Kent

  Medway tunnel

  Oxfordshire

  A4130 Wallingford bypass

  West Sussex

  A259 Chichester-Bognor Regis improvement, phase 1

  Avon

  A4 Avonmouth link

  Cornwall

  A389 Egloshayle bypass

  Devon

  A386 Tavistock Road dualling, Plymouth, Stage 1

  Dorset

  A37 Improvements (A356—Somerset boundary)

  Gloucestershire

  A48 Lydney bypass

  Somerset

  A39 Glastonbury western relief road

  Wiltshire

  Meads roundabout, Swindon—grade separation

  Birmingham

  Thimble Mill Lane, phase 2

  Dudley

  A491 High Street, Amblecote

  Solihull

  West Midlands renaissance area

  Wirral

  A41 New Chester Road improvement

  Cheshire

  Upton (Chester) Park and Ride

  Lancashire

  A6 Chorley Town Centre bypass, phase 3

  Gateshead

  A1114 Western Riverside Route stage 1, phase 2 and stage 2

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  A695 Scotswood Road improvement—west of Paradise

  Sunderland

  A690 Doxford Park access road, stage 2

  Cleveland

  A171 Guisborough bypass

  Durham

  A689 Newton Cap diversion

  Barnsley

  A6195 Dearne Towns link road

  Sheffield

  A57 Sheffield Parkway/Park Square junction improvement

  Kirklees

  A62 Huddersfield ring road improvement, Phase 2

  Humberside

  A164 Beverley North East bypass

  North Yorkshire

  A59 Bolton Bridge bypass

  Leicestershire

  A563 Soar Valley Way

  Lincolnshire

  A46 Swallow bypass and route improvement

  Northamptonshire

  A422 Deanshanger bypass

  Buckinghamshire

  A421 Bletchley Road diversion, Buckingham

  Cambridgeshire

  A141 Spittals link, Huntingdon

  Essex

  A414 Aukingford Gardens-Talbot roundabout, Stages 1 and 2

  Norfolk

  B1332 Kirstead bypass

  Hackney

  A104 Lea Bridge reconstruction

  Waltham Forest

  A104 Lea Bridge reconstruction

  Marchioness
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans any further inquiry following the report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch on the Bowbelle and Marchioness disaster.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The marine accident investigation branch carried out a thorough inspector's inquiry into this accident; the report included 27 safety recommendations. Action on 20 of them is complete and the remainder are being implemented. In addition, the MAIB report included criticism of some aspects of my Department's and the maritime industry's approach to river safety in earlier years. Although the MAIB considered that there have been recent improvements in this respect, I have concluded that it would be desirable to set up an independent investigation into these matters.

  I am pleased to be able to announce that Mr. John Hayes, Secretary General of the Law Society has agreed to carry out an investigation with the following terms of reference:
  "In the light of the BOWBELLE/MARCHIONESS disaster, to examine the handling since 1980 by the Department of Transport of its responsibility for the safety of vessels on rivers and inland waters and to report on the effectiveness of the present approach. The investigation should take account of developments in the field of marine safety at the international level."

  Mr. Hayes will be assisted by an expert adviser. He will start work as soon as possible in the new year. Mr. Hayes will be inviting all those who may wish to do so to put their views to him. His report will be published.

  Plymouth City Airport
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what attempts were made by his Department to consult about levels of public safety with the Civil Aviation Authority and Plymouth city council before the approval in 1987 of the extension and reorientation of Plymouth city airport main runway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Aerodrome licensing and aircraft safety are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. The extension and realignment of Plymouth airport's main runway required planning permission and had to meet the authority's licensing criteria. I understand that there were extensive consultations between the authority and Plymouth city council prior to the extension and realignment of the runway.

  Airline Baggage
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether international passenger airline operators using United Kingdom airports are required to prevent unaccompanied baggage being carried unless indentified and subject to security control before it is carried; what are the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements on this matter; whether they are enforced in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what interpretation has been given to the British Government by the Joint International Air Transport Association—Air Transport Association baggage security group on ICAO standard 5.1.4.; and if he will make a statement;
  238
  (3) what directives or regulations were in force to ensure that no unaccompanied baggage was carried on international flights at the time of the Lockerbie bombing; and what new requirements have been enforced since in regard to unaccompanied baggage;

  (4) what steps have been taken since the Lockerbie bombing to ensure that there is a positive reconciliation of passenger with baggage; and how he ensures that the airlines carry out his policy.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The ICAO standard, both as it stood at the time of the Lockerbie disaster and as revised subsequently, requires that baggage belonging to passengers who are booked to joint a flight but fail to do so should be identified, and the baggage should not be carried unless it is first subject to security controls. The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to make this a mandatory requirement. It did so in 1985, by means of a direction to aircraft operators under the Aviation Security Act 1982.

  Both the ICAO standard and the United Kingdom requirement apply only to bags belonging to "no show" passengers. At present it is not possible to identify other unaccompanied bags, such as ones which have been misrouted, mishandled or misconnected and which are being returned to their owners, except by what are essentially manual methods. These are slow and cumbersome, and all leading aviation countries accept that it is not practicable to require their use at major airports because it would seriously reduce the capacity of the international air transport system.

  It is recognised internationally that this problem can he overcome only by the development of sophisticated systems capable of identifying unaccompanied bags automatically. With this in mind, and building on proposal put forward by the joint IATA/ATA baggage security group, the European civil aviation conference has drawn up and published guidelines setting out the criteria that such systems will need to meet.

  Several manufacturers are currently developing systems designed to meet these criteria. The results of initial trials are encouraging, although at present there are still a number of problems which need to be overcome. We in the United Kingdom have brought the manufacturers of the systems and the airlines together in an attempt to ensure that the problems are resolved as quickly as possible; and we have made it clear that, once they are resolved, we shall announce a date by which airlines will be required to identify all unaccompanied baggage loaded or transferred at our airports. No other country has yet made such a firm declaration of intent.

  Tees and Hartlepool Trust Port
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a full investigation of the circumstances of the sale of the Tees and Hartlepool trust port; if he will make public his discussions with those representing the Tees and Hartlepool trust port management buy-out at the meeting planned for 17 December 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My. right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that the board of the Tees and Hartlepool port authority has conducted the sale of its undertaking with all due propriety, and in accordance with the provisions of the Ports Act 1991. There is no need for any investigation.
  239
  I met the Earl of Stockton and representatives of the senior management of the Tees and Hartlepool port authority on 18 December at their request. I regard our discussions as having been conducted in confidence.

  Sealink Stenna
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of any discussions he or his Department have had with Sealink Stenna concerning the future of its ferry operations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We are keeping ourselves informed about developments within the Sealink Stenna cross-channel ferry operation. Decisions relating to the future of the services concerned are however a commercial matter for the company's management alone.

  British Rail (Compensation)
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the financial compensation for commuters who suffer from BR services which do not reach the Government's performance standards announced in respect of Kent coastal services will be extended to users of the Greatly, Andover, Whitchurch and Overton services of British Rail.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his setting of new performance standards for the Kent coastal services from 1 January 1992 will apply to(a) London to Dover services via Tonbridge, (b) London to Hastings services via Tonbridge and (c) London to East Kent services via Maidstone East.

  Mr. Freeman
  The BR passengers charter will set individual objectives for all fifteen of the Network SouthEast route groups. BR will compensate season ticket holders if the service delivered falls significantly short of the published standards.

  Trust Ports
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each trust port those parties which have expressed an interest in purchasing the respective trust port.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No. That is a matter of commercial confidence between the trust port authority, as vendor of the port undertaking, and the parties concerned.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give an update of those trust ports which have lodged a scheme with his Department as required by the Ports Act 1991.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The situation remains as stated in the answer which I gave the hon. Member on 12 November 1991, at column 431.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give full details of those bids which the trust port authority is recommending the Secretary of State to accept.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The only trust port authority which has as yet recommended a bid for my right hon. Friend's240
  consent is the Tees and Hartlepool port authority, in respect of a bid from Teeside Holdings Limited. Details of that bid were set out by my right hon. and learned Friend in his answer of 18 December to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Mr. Devlin).

  Citizens Charter (Airlines)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to include British airlines within the provisions of the citizens charter; and if he will make a statement on passenger compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The citizens charter is a programme to improve public services. I have no plans to extend its scope to cover British airlines, which all operate in the private sector.

  Passenger compensation for delayed or cancelled flights is a matter for the commercial judgment of the airlines concerned.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what encouragement he is giving to bus companies to purchase environmentally friendly new vehicles to help ease current congestion and pollution.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are taking a number of steps to ease congestion and pollution by encouraging both greater use of the bus and more environmentally friendly buses. I announced a package of measures on 16 December, including the provision of at least £10 million over the next two years to fund demonstration projects to promote bus use; publication of the Department's "Keeping Buses Moving"—a guide for local authorities on the provision of bus priority measures; much tighter controls of the amount of pollutants which can be emitted from new heavy diesel vehicles from 1993 onwards; and the introduction in 1992 of an instrumented smoke emissions test for in-service vehicles, together with tough roadside enforcement.

  Ashford Station
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department first gave consideration to an alternative cheaper international station at Ashford.

  Mr. Freeman
  I visited Ashford station in the company of British Rail officials on 30 May to see for myself what potential there might be for an alternative cheaper option for the international passenger station, and asked British Rail to examine the feasibility of my own ideas. This study proved abortive, but a proposal subsequently advanced by Eurotunnel has been a catalyst for plans for a cheaper station to be examined further.

  Inland Waterways
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the successful bids for section 8 freight facilities grant schemes in respect of inland waterways.

  Mr. Freeman
  There have been seven successful applications for Inland Waterway freight facilities grant under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981. The awards have been as follows:
  241

  £

  Millgate Investments Ltd., Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

  369,340

  Varma Services Ltd., Deptford, London SE

  859,200

  Sheffield Haulage and Storage Ltd., Rotherham

  61,375

  West Country Fuels Ltd., Gloucester

  26,950

  Colwick Petroleum Ltd., Nottingham

  63,494

  Sand and Gravel (Leeds) Ltd.

  20,640

  Wimpey Hobbs Ltd., Greenwich, London, SE

  402,832

  East Coast Line
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are being taken to combat the recent episodes of vandalism to equipment on the east coast line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that BR has been suffering very serious problems of vandalism on the east coast main line in recent weeks, particularly involving cutting and removal of signal cables at various points over a 100-mile stretch of the route in north-east England. The British Transport police, in co-operation with British Rail, have been undertaking a large-scale operation to contain and reduce the vandalism, and I understand that there have been some 50 arrests. British Rail is also speeding up the removal of redundant cabling and is taking measures to improve the security of key installations.

EMPLOYMENT

  EC Earnings
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out the information he has of the level of national average earnings in each EC country at the present time, or the latest period for which information is available, both in that country's currency and in the sterling equivalent.

  Mr. Forth
  The information sought is set out in "Rapid Reports—Population and Social Condition, 1991/5; Earnings in Industry and Services", published by Eurostat, a copy of which is currently available in the Library. Data are given in national currencies, ecu, and purchasing power standards. At present there are 0·7 ecu to the pound.

  Mr. Lewis Drake
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the actions taken by the Health and Safety Executive in connection with the fatal accident to Mr. Lewis Drake on 7 November at A. H. Markes Ltd., Low Moor, Bradford.

  Mr. Forth
  The Health and Safety Executive investigation into the fatal accident to Mr. Lewis Drake at A. H. Marks and Co. Ltd., Bradford, began on 8 November 1991 and is continuing. The circumstances leading to the accident and the working procedures being followed, are under investigation by the HSE which has also examined the plant involved and given advice about its reinstatement.

  Travel-to-Interview Scheme
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he has any plans to review the travel-to-interview scheme;
  242
  (2) if he will make it his policy to relate the money offered to interviewees under the travel-to-interview scheme to the benefits the interviewee is receiving rather than the salary of the job offered; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The effectiveness of all the Departments programmes are continually monitored. As a result it was recognised that the salary limit applied to the travel-to-interview scheme was out of date. The limit will therefore be increased from £16,500 to £25,000 a year from 2 January 1992. We expect this will have significantly, increased the number of people helped.

  The new salary covers 90 per cent. of all wage earners and will avoid the administrative complexities of a benefits based scheme. A link with benefits could in fact lead to more restricted eligibility than currently exists.

  EC Social Action
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements he proposes for his presence and participation in the European Community Social Affairs Council of Ministers meetings, when the other member states' Ministers are discussing matters arising under the social protocol agreed at the Maastricht summit meeting.

  Mr. Forth
  The treaty on European union agreed at the Maastricht European Council confirms that the social chapter within the present treaty—articles 117–122—will be retained without change and the United Kingdom will continue to participate fully in all relevant discussions about the development of the Community's social dimension.

  A protocol to the treaty on European union notes that the 11 other member states wish to continue along the path laid down in the social charter, which they signed in 1989, and have adopted among themselves an agreement to that end. The conduct of business under that agreement is a matter for the 11 Governments concerned. The United Kingdom shall not take part in their deliberations, and any decisions taken by them shall not be applicable to the United Kingdom.

  HM Dockyard, Portsmouth
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what he plans to open for inspection to the public, all or in part, the file on the approval of ventilation arrangements at HM dockyard, Portsmouth, October 1933 to October 1968, ref. LAB 14478, file no. SHW 4207 1960.

  Mr. Forth
  In accordance with the terms of the Public Records Acts, this file will be opened to the public after 30 years in January 1999.

ENERGY

  European Energy Charter
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a report on his participation in the European energy charter signing ceremony on 16 and 17 December; what are the United Kingdom's primary objectives in signing the charter; if he will place a copy of the charter and the text of supporting in documents in the Library; and if he will make a statement.
  243
  Mr. Wakeham
  I attended the international conference on the European energy charter in the Hague on 16 and 17 December 1991. In addition to signing the charter on behalf of the United Kingdom, I made a short statement welcoming agreement of the charter as a political declaration and looking forward to negotiation of legally binding agreements and protocols to implement the principles and objectives of the charter.

  I am pleased that the charter was signed on behalf of 31 European countries, the European Community, nine Soviet republics and the inter-state economic committee of the Soviet Union, and four non-European countries.

  The United Kingdom's primary objective throughout the charter process has been to promote more open, non-discriminatory energy markets across Europe and throughout the world, and to assist in the achievement of economic efficiency and environmental benefits, particularly in the countries of eastern Europe and in the Soviet republics.

  I will place a copy of the charter and the concluding document of the conference in the Library of the House.

  Flue Gas Desulphurisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of fossil-fuelled power stations have been fitted with flue gas desulphurisation equipment in each EC member state in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My Department does not have this information.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has to strengthen his Department's research and development programme in the energy efficiency field after the current financial year.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We will continue to develop the best practice programme which started in 1989. Expenditure on research, development, demonstration and dissemination of energy efficiency technology is planned to increase by some 14 per cent. in the coming financial year, and by further amounts in each of the succeeding two years.

  The continuation of the development of best practice is in line with our commitments under the Environment White Paper "This Common Inheritance" and with the recent recommendations by the Advisory Council on Research and Development and the Advisory Council on Science and Technology.

  Gas Purification
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what evaluation he has made of the Haldor Topsoe SNOX flue gas purification plant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My Department is aware of a large number of flue gas purification processes. It is the responsibility of plant operators to choose the most cost-effective means of meeting statutory limits on gaseous and other emissions.

  Kozlodny Power Station
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the forms of assistance being provided by the British nuclear electricity industry via the World 244
  Association of Nuclear Operators for safety improvements, repairs and training at the Kozlodny nuclear power station in Bulgaria; how this aid is co-ordinated with the technical and financial assistance being arranged for Bulgaria by the G-24 group of nations; and when and under what conditions he expects Kozlodny to meet WANO safety standards.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  In response to recommendations from the G7 London summit in July 1991, the G24 group of countries has recently agreed procedures for co-ordinating the programmes of nuclear safety assistance which are being provided to central and eastern Europe by individual member countries and international organisations. The overall objective of the G24 assistance is to help the countries of central and eastern Europe to exercise their responsibilities in nuclear safety in an informed and effective manner in conformity with best international practice. The EC emergency assistance programme for Bulgaria will now fit within this co-ordination framework.

  The World Association of Nuclear Operators is managing two aspects of the emergency programme of nuclear safety assistance to Bulgaria financed under the European Community's regional PHARE programme for 1991. These comprise urgent "housekeeping" measures to improve the physical condition of the older VVER 230 units at Kozloduy nuclear power plant and ensure the effective operation of safety systems, and a twinning programme under which western operators are providing guidance on operational safety improvements. In addition WANO is overseeing a six-month programme of generic design safety studies on the VVER 230.

  An engineer from Scottish Nuclear is a member of the "housekeeping" team. Nuclear Electric has provided a quality assurance expert to assist in the implementation of the six-month programme and expects to send two more experts to Kozloduy in the new year. The United Kingdom nuclear industry is bidding for contracts under the six-month programme. The United Kingdom Government have also provided two experts to assist the European Commission with overall supervision of its programme of assistance.

  Under the same emergency programme a consortium of EC safety authorities is undertaking safety analysis of the Kozloduy reactors and providing assistance to the Bulgarian regulatory authority. The UKAEA and the nuclear installations inspectorate are members of this consortium.

  Decisions on further action to be taken to improve the safety of the reactors are the responsibility of the Bulgarian Government.

  Wood Fuel
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, what progress has been made since the "Wood: Fuel for Thought" conference in Bristol in October to exploit short-term arable coppice as a wood fuel.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I can today announce the setting up of the farm wood fuel and energy project in which five farms will grow short-rotation arable coppice as a commercial enterprise to produce wood fuel. The farmers who have agreed to participate are:

  John Willmer Esq. of Clanfield, Oxford

  Brian Maggs Esq. of Compton Dando, Bristol

  245

  Robert Goodwin Esq. of Kelvedon, Colchester

  Christopher Barnes Esq. of Morebath, Tiverton and

  Lord Falmouth of Tregothnan, Truro

  R. H. and R. W. Clutton, chartered surveyors and land agents, will be assisting these farmers to establish this energy crop and in due course will identify energy markets for the wood fuel.

  The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service will independently monitor the commercial viability of these enterprises in order to inform other farmers interested in arable coppice. Environmental Research Limited will be carrying out an assessment of the environmental impact of the crop. I expect this project to be the first step in the realisation of the very significant potential for energy crops in the United Kingdom.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Security Service
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the newly appointed head of the Security Service will meet hon. Members of Parliament formally to discuss her job.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Security Service Act 1989 placed on a statutory footing the previous convention, under which the Director General of the Security Service was regarded as responsible to Ministers for the work of the service, and Ministers were in turn accountable to Parliament. There are no plans for any change in this framework.

  Safer Cities Campaign
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given by his Department to(a) Swansea and (b) Cardiff in regard to involving those cities in his safer cities campaign.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Home Office safer cities programme does not extend to Wales and consequently Cardiff and Swansea were not eligible for consideration. Separate arrangements for providing support for local crime prevention activity apply in Wales.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the cities in the United Kingdom which were eligible under the criteria for the safer cities campaign and the figure granted to date 10 each of these cities.

  Mr. John Patten
  The following is a list of the 20 local authority areas in England selected for inclusion in the Home Office safer cities programme showing the amount of grant approved up to 17 December 1991 in support of local crime prevention activity:

  Area

  Grant approved

  Birmingham

  916,000

  Bradford

  966,000

  Bristol

  984,000

  Coventry

  939,000

  Derby

  1nil

  Hartlepool

  696,000

  Hull

  602,000

  Leicester

  2nil

  Middlesbrough

  1nil

  Nottingham

  793,000

  246

  Area

  Grant approved

  Rochdale

  655,000

  Salford

  697,000

  Sunderland

  586,000

  Wirral

  762,000

  Wolverhampton

  792,000

  London Boroughs

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  3nil

  Islington

  853,000

  Lewisham

  1,031,000

  Tower Hamlets

  539,000

  Wandsworth

  531,000

  1 Project established October 1991.

  2 Project established September 1991.

  3 Project established December 1991.

  The safer cities programme in Scotland and the safer towns initiative in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Scottish Office and Northern Ireland Office respectively.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any towns which were not formally in possession of city status were(a) considered and (b) offered involvement in the safer cities campaign.

  Mr. John Patten
  The term "safer cities" is a working title intended to denote the programme's concentration on inner-city and similar urban areas. All 57 district, metropolitan district and London borough council areas in England covered by the urban programme were considered for possible inclusion in the safer cities programme: a number of those invited to join, and in which safer cities projects have subsequently been established, do not have city status.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been(a) budgeted, (b) allocated and (c) paid out in respect of the safer cities campaign in the present financial year.

  Mr. John Patten
  In 1991–92 the estimate of the costs of the 20 local projects in the Home Office safer cities programme is £7·1 million. Of this £5·1 million is for grants to support local crime prevention activity all of which has been allocated to project areas. As at 9 December, £3·8 million of this grant money had been paid out or firmly committed to local crime prevention schemes.

  City Centre Monitoring
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the use of closed-circuit television as a means of monitoring city centre activity with a view to targeting the deployment of police resources.

  Mr. John Patten
  The use of surveillance systems is an operational matter for chief officers. The Home Office crime prevention centre conducted a survey last year of more than 100 CCTV schemes in England, Wales and Scotland, and the results have been circulated to police forces.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders were transferred from Hewell Grange to the young offender institution at Hatfield during September 1991.
  247
  Mrs. Rumbold
  Twenty one.

  Closed-circuit Television
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been undertaken by or for his Department on the use of closed-circuit television in regard to criminal activity.

  Mr. John Patten
  Research is being undertaken by the Home Office on the effect of closed-circuit television on public order and the level of crime committed on the streets in Birmingham city centre.

  Refugees
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria for the issue of a travel document to a refugee residing in the United Kingdom who has the status of exceptional leave to remain.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Home Office certificates of identity are issued at the discretion of the Secretary of State and on payment of a fee of £15 to overseas nationals who have exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom where it can be shown that normal passport facilities have been refused by the authorities of their country of nationality or where it would be unreasonable to expect them to apply for national passports. A certificate of identity can be used as a travel document if recognised by the country of destination. People recognised as refugees under the terms of the United Nations refugees convention would normally be issued on request with a United Nations travel document.

  Private Security Industry
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made for the regulation of the private security industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Government believe that access to criminal records would be an essential ingredient of any statutory scheme for the regulation of the private security industry. They have, however, accepted the recommendation of the recent report on the scrutiny of criminal records that there should be no further extension of the arrangements for access to these records in advance of their computerisation. This is not expected to be completed until the mid-1990s. It is the Government's intention to publish a consultation paper towards the end of next year outlining our proposals for new disclosure arrangements.

  For this reason alone, therefore, it is not appropriate at this time to consider statutory regulation of the private security industry. Other factors, however, also support the case against statutory regulation. The present level of offending by private security personnel does not justify the introduction of an inevitably expensive and bureaucratic licensing system. And although the Government recognise concerns about the quality of service provided by some private security firms, it believes that issues such as quality, training and wages are fundamentally matters for the industry and its customers. The Government therefore believe that the most appropriate position is for the industry to strengthen the existing self-regulation mechanisms.
  248
  The industry has already made considerable progress in self-regulation. Recent important developments include: the merging of the National Supervisory Council for Intruder Alarms and the security systems inspectorate of the British Security Industry Association to form the National Approved Council for Security Systems; the formation by the International Professional Security Association of the British Security Registration Board; and the involvement of the International Professional Security Association in plans to reconstitute the manned services inspectorate of the British Security Industry Association to make it independent of its parent body, thereby allowing it to offer its inspection services to non-members of the British Security Industry Association, as well as to members.

  The adoption of standards, and the invocation of sanctions against those who fail to meet them, are an important part of the the industry's work in this area.

  The Government commend the industry's efforts to develop self-regulation, and in particular the projected enhancement of the manned services inspectorate. The extent to which the new arrangements achieve their objectives will, however, be monitored and the position will be reviewed when computerisation of the criminal records has been achieved.

  The Government reserve the option of requiring the industry to pay for any statutory regulation from its own resources should self-regulation prove ineffective.

  The Government's position is set out more fully in a background paper which has been placed in the Library and which is being sent to all interested parties in the industry and to the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Terrorist Firebomb Attacks
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing the number of terrorist firebomb attacks there have been in each year since 1973 in(a) London and (b) Great Britain; what was the amount of damage caused, the number of persons arrested, charged and convicted, in respect of the attacks; and if he will give the rate of conviction in each year.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The number of terrorist incendiary attacks in each year since 1973 is given in the tables.

  London

  Great Britain

  1973

  14

  14

  1974

  18

  31

  1975

  1

  —

  1976

  1

  —

  1977

  6

  4

  1978

  —

  —

  1979

  —

  —

  1980

  1

  —

  1981

  —

  —

  1982

  —

  —

  1983

  —

  —

  1984

  1

  1

  1985

  —

  1

  1986

  —

  —

  1987

  —

  —

  1988

  —

  —

  1989

  —

  —

  1990

  —

  —

  11991

  13

  35

  1 To 18 December 1991.

  249
  This information relates to Irish and international terrorism; it does not include domestic extremist attacks. The figures given are for the number of locations attacked and not the number of incendiary devices used.

  The information requested regarding the amount of damage caused and the convictions of those responsible for carrying out the attacks could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. M. Khan
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the refusal of an extension visa for Dr. M. Khan, Ref. No. TH/23660/91; and whether he will now allow a visa until the Royal College of Surgeons examinations in February.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Dr. Khan came to the United Kingdom on 11 May 1990 as a visitor and was admitted for six months, which is the maximum period under the immigration rules allowed to visitors. He then applied to remain here to resit examinations for the Royal College of Surgeons of England which he had previously failed. That request was granted exceptionally outside the immigration rules. He subsequently asked for further leave to remain to sit examinations—to take place in September 1991—for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow. That application was refused. His subsequent appeal to the independent adjudicator was dismissed and leave to appeal to the immigration appeal tribunal refused. I do not believe I would be justified in affording further exceptional treatment to Dr. Khan, and he should now make arrangements to leave the United Kingdom.

  Animals (Scientific Experiments)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into the scientific validity of animal experiments in assessing the effects of pesticides upon human health.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is not one of the Ministers responsible for the national and international regulations under which the safety testing of pesticides is required. His responsibility is for controlling the conduct of scientific procedures on living animals. Where validated alternatives to the use of living animals in scientific research for whatever purpose are available, authority under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to use living animals in research will not be granted.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his proposals for the future organisation of the magistrates courts in the light of the Le Vay review.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Government have now completed their review of the organisation of the magistrates courts service in England and Wales. In addition, because that review made it timely to do so, they have also considered how responsibility for the service should be allocated within government.

  As to organisation, the Government have concluded that, in the light of extensive consultations following the scrutiny of the magistrates courts service and of a study of
  250
  costs undertaken by independent consultants, it would not be right to bring forward legislative proposals to reconstitute the service as an executive agency. However, there has been a widespread acceptance of the need to modernise the management structure of the service with a view to improving its performance and strengthening lines of accountability while at the same time maintaining the independence of the judicial process and the valuable contribution of local magistrates in the local management of the service.

  Some useful first steps have already been taken since the scrutiny. But in order to achieve these aims and to take forward the application to this service of the principles of the citizens charter we propose to work with the service to introduce a range of improvements, upon some of which an early start can be made while others will require legislation. They include progress towards the establishment of an inspectorate, to provide an effective management audit and to promote the spread of best practice; a strengthening and clarification of the management role of magistrates courts committees; the introduction of systematic performance review and planning throughout the service; and a more coherent geographical structure, taking account as necessary of the review of the structure of local government as a whole which has now begun. On the other hand, no immediate change is envisaged in the balance between central and local financing of the service.

  It will be important to ensure that the new arrangements are strong and flexible, enabling the service to adapt to changing circumstances while at the same time guaranteeing a satisfactory career structure for court staff, high standards of performance, and effective working relations with other parts of the criminal justice system throughout England and Wales.

  As to responsibility, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has concluded that, in the light of the proposals outlined in this answer, it will be appropriate for the responsibilities in relation to the finance, organisation and management of the magistrates courts which are now assigned to the Home Secretary under the Justices of the Peace Act 1979 and related legislation to be exercised from 1 April 1992 by the Lord Chancellor in the same way as he holds those responsibilities for the Crown court. This brings to an end the divided responsibility for the magistracy. My right hon. Friend has also decided that, in these circumstances, it would be appropriate for him to appoint a junior Minister in the Commons in the Lord Chancellor's Department. The appointment will be announced in due course.

  The necessary instruments will be brought before Parliament as soon as possible. I shall continue to answer to Parliament for the criminal and procedural law of the magistrates courts in the same way as for the Crown courts. The Government intend to set out these proposals in more detail in a White Paper and to continue to consult interested bodies as necessary.

  Metropolitan Police (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan police officers, and of what rank, have taken early retirement, for medical or for other reasons, while under investigation into possible disciplinary offences within the last two years.
  251
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. However, information is given in his annual reports about the number of officers who resigned before disciplinary charges could be preferred against them, the number of these officers who were medically discharged and the number of officers who resigned while under investigation for disciplinary matters.

  Stop and Search (Ethnic Origins)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of the provisions of section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, whether he intends to make public information on the ethnic origin of those stopped and searched by police officers in the Metropolitan district.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Details of the information that will be published in respect of the provisions of section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 are under consideration.

  Irish Citizens
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what record is kept of the citizens of the Irish Republic who come to live in the United Kingdom, but have little or no means of support.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  We are not aware of any such record.

  Terrorism and Crime Guide
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to ban the sale in the United Kingdom of the guide to terrorism and crime computer disk version three and the soon to be released updated version four; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is for the police, in the first instance, and the Crown prosecution service to consider whether to bring proceedings against a particular publication contravening the criminal law.

  Royal Pardons
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many royal pardons have been granted in each of the past five years.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Number of free pardons granted

  1986

  28

  1987

  41

  1988

  39

  1989

  50

  1990

  47

  11991

  37

  1 To 18 December.

  These figures are in respect of summary convictions. No free pardons have been granted in the past five years to persons convicted after a trial on indictment.

HEALTH

  Dental Treatment
  Mr. Terry Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he will publish the latest information in the possession of his Department as to the coverage of dental treatment on the national health service; and whether he will make a statement;

  (2) how many dentists, since the inception of the new dental contract, in each regional health authority have ceased to offer treatment on the national health services, are still offering normal treatment on the national health service and have reduced the range of treatment they offer on the national health service.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information is not available to make a direct comparison between the NHS services dentists were offering before the introduction of the new dental contract and those they are offering now. However, the table shows the numbers of dentists practising now.

  The number of dentists at 30 September 1990 compared with the number of dentists at 30 September 1991 for each Regional Health Authority is as follows:

  Regional health authority

  Number of dentists at 30 September

  Difference

  1990

  1991

  Northern

  869

  881

  12

  Yorkshire

  1,094

  1,092

  -2

  Trent

  1,218

  1,257

  39

  East Anglia

  605

  604

  -1

  North West Thames

  1,512

  1,436

  -76

  North East Thames

  1,226

  1,222

  -4

  South East Thames

  1,341

  1,334

  -7

  South West Thames

  1,240

  1,242

  2

  Wessex

  949

  939

  -10

  Oxford

  826

  828

  2

  South Western

  1,209

  1,217

  8

  West Midlands

  1,395

  1,396

  1

  Mersey

  764

  765

  1

  North Western

  1,232

  1,238

  6

  Total

  15,480

  15,451

  -29

  Hospitals (Crown Immunity)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if NHS trust hospitals are covered by Crown immunity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Crown immunity, with the exception of a small number of limited immunities, has been removed from health service bodies, including NHS trusts. Details are contained in a health notice, HN(90)27, "The NHS and Community Care Act 1990 Removal of Crown Immunities", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Children's Homes
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to ensure that local authorities employ mature women who have brought up a family, or have direct experience thereof, to supervise children's homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We are sure that many mature women could play a more substantial role in the management of children's homes.
  253
  It is for authorities to decide the qualifications and experience that are appropriate for posts carrying different responsibilities within a home's staff establishment and to organise recruitment and/or training accordingly.

  Training opportunities have been enhanced by a number of initiatives taken by the Department, including acceptance of the recommendations in Sir William Utting's report "Children in the public care" that all heads of residential children's homes should be professionally qualified.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was spent on the NHS in absolute and in real terms in 1979; spent on the NHS in 1991.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In 1978–79 gross NHS expenditure in England was £6·5 billion—£17·7 billion in today's prices,

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  Region

  Regional health authority main allocation

  First wave trust capital

  Capital investment in region

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Northern

  92·5

  4·2

  96·8

  Yorkshire

  85·7

  35·0

  120·7

  Trent

  131·6

  17·0

  148·5

  East Anglian

  53·6

  7·1

  60·7

  North West Thames

  89·4

  12·3

  101·7

  North East Thames

  93·4

  21·0

  114·4

  South East Thames

  96·0

  14·3

  110·3

  South West Thames

  76·4

  20·2

  96·7

  Wessex

  82·4

  6·7

  89·1

  Oxford

  68·2

  0·4

  68·6

  South Western

  68·3

  39·1

  107·4

  West Midlands

  145·1

  16·6

  161·6

  Mersey

  45·4

  31·4

  76·8

  North Western

  106·7

  17·9

  124·6

  ALL REGIONS

  1,234·8

  243·2

  1,478·0

  The external financing limits for individual national health service trusts are being announced separately.

  St. Stephen's Hospitals
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current position with the building and equipping programme of St. Stephen's hospital, London, and the expected changes in the scale of operation of other London hospitals whose patients will be treated at the new hospital.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The construction of the new Westminster and Chelsea hospital on the site of the former St. Stephen's hospital is proceeding on schedule. The building should be completed in November 1992 and be fully operational by April 1993. It will replace facilities currently provided by the Westminster hospital and the Westminster children's hospital. Sir Bernard Tomlinson is currently heading a study group, commissioned by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, which is looking into the future provision of health care across London.
  254
  1991–92. This year gross expenditure on the NHS is expected to be £26·6 billion, a real-terms increase over the period of over 50 per cent.

  National Health Service Expenditure
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the projected capital spending in the national health service in the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 November 1991, c. 313–14]: The amounts in column 1 of the table will be allocated to the English regional health authorities for capital spending in 1992–93. Their residents will also benefit from the capital investment which first wave national health service trusts are authorised to undertake—column 2. The regional provision for capital spending taking the main allocations for regional health authorities and national health service trusts together is shown in column 3.

  Census Information
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions have been brought under the provisions of the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991 or any other enactment for the unlawful disclosure of census information.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No prosecutions have so far been brought with respect to unlawful disclosure of 1991 census information. One enumerator was prosecuted following the 1971 census.

  Sellafield (Childhood Cancer)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment to report on its review of the incidence of childhood cancer in the vicinity of Sellafield.

  Mr. Dorrell
  As my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) announced on 10 January 1990 at column 662, and 3 May 1991 at column 369, since 1989 the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment—COMARE—has been reviewing epidemiological and dosimetric data which have become available since the publication of the Black advisory

  255
  group's report to Government in 19841, and of COMARE's first report in 19862. Copies of both reports are in the Library. Much of this information has become available as a result of studies commissioned by the Government. In addition, some documents relating to radioactive discharges from Sellafield in the early 1950s have been drawn to the attention of COMARE. A preliminary review of all this information has caused COMARE to ask the National Radiological Protection Board to produce a comprehensive reassessment of dose and risk estimates in respect of the local population. I am advised that this reassessment will substantially delay COMARE's review and the completion of a final report to Government.

  1 Investigation of the Possible Increased Incidence of Cancer in West Cumbria. Report of the Independent Advisory Group. Chairman: Sir Douglas Black. HMSO (1984).

  2Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) First Report. The implications of the new data on the releases from Sellafield in the 1950s for the conclusions of the Report on the Investigation of the possible Increased Incidence of Cancer in West Cumbria. Chairman: Professor M. Bobrow. HMSO (1986).

  Pharmaceutical Price Regulation
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the amount of money in pounds sterling repaid to his Department under the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme and the number of companies which have made these payments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The current pharmaceutical price regulation scheme was introduced from 1 October 1986. Since that date, there has been a total of 102 repayments, from 38 companies. The total amount repaid is £61,379,286.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the gross profit, expressed in pence per prescription, paid to pharmacist contractors in England and Wales for each of the last 10 years at actual and constant prices.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The amounts due for profit which include interest on capital employed are shown in the table. The Pharmacists' Review Panel report on profit recommended that the pure profit percentage should be reduced from 2 to 1 per cent. This was implemented in 1988–89. Details are as follows:

  Year

  Interest

  Pure Profit

  Actual Prices

  Constant Prices2

  Actual Prices

  Constant Prices2

  1981

  8·61

  15·43

  6·81

  12·20

  1982

  8·64

  14·45

  7·49

  12·53

  1983

  8·00

  12·79

  8·33

  13·32

  1984

  8·50

  12·94

  8·63

  13·14

  19851

  11·00

  16·75

  8·91

  13·57

  1985–86

  11·19

  16·14

  9·60

  13·85

  1986–87

  10·62

  14·84

  10·12

  14·37

  1987–88

  10·37

  13·74

  11·02

  14·60

  1988–89

  13·18

  16·29

  6·01

  7·43

  1 1 January 1985 to 31 March 1985

  2 Constant Prices calculated using 1991–92 prices as the base.

  256
  Following the new arrangements for remuneration of pharmacists from April 1989 onwards, estimates of the amounts due for profit are no longer calculated as separate items of remuneration.

  Insulin Injections
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the comparative cost over two years of an insulin injection pen with appropriate needle and a disposable insulin syringe based upon two injections per day.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is not possible to make a detailed cost comparison in the way requested because of variations in patients' dosages and injecting habits and the types and pack sizes of insulin and their costs. On the basis of information submitted by the manufacturers to the Department, assuming no reuse of needles and a pen system that lasts for less than two years, the cost of an injection pen system would exceed the current cost of disposable syringes.

  Community Care
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which consideration by a health authority of the establishment of a village community for mentally handicapped patients is consistent with his policy on community care.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department has recently reviewed its policy on residential and other services for people with learning disabilities—mental handicap—in the light of the community care reforms and issued draft guidance for consultation. This envisages village communities as being an acceptable but not essential part of a range of community based residential settings. We are currently considering comments received as a result of this consultation.

  St. Charles Youth Treatment Centre
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proposals he has to change the security status of the St. Charles youth treatment centre, Brentwood;

  (2) what is the purpose of his proposal to erect a 17 ft wire fence outside the 40 ft perimeter wall of St. Charles youth treatment centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Local management is considering the need for an open facility to support secure units on the Brentwood site, but the Department has yet to receive recommendations. We are having exploratory discussions with local managers about whether or not to build a fence and if so how extensive that should be. The local planning authority has been approached about an option to enclose the site entirely. Its views are awaited.

  North East Thames Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of funding of the North East Thames regional health authority broken down by region between 1978–79 and 1991–92; and the projected funding for 1992–93.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 11 December 1991]: Information derived from the annual accounts of the health authorities comprising the North East Thames region is shown in table 1.
  257
  Over a period expenditure figures will exceed fundings allocated because in meeting their expenditure health authorities have the use of additional resources such as local receipts. Basic revenue allocations for the region for 1991–92 and 1992–93 are currently £1,332·5 million and £1,448·2 million respectively. Allocations to district health authorities within the region are a matter for the North East Thames regional health authority.

  Table II shows analysis of the region's total expenditure figures to authority levels for the years since the establishment of district health authorities—1 April 1982.

  Table II

  North East Thames region

  Total revenue expenditure on hospital and community health services (HCHS)

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  Cash

  At 1990–91 prices

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  North East Thames RHA

  22,442

  37,335

  23,393

  37,198

  26,531

  40,149

  Basildon and Thurrock DHA

  42,407

  70,549

  44,495

  70,754

  47,215

  71,449

  Mid Essex DHA

  35,555

  59,150

  38,426

  61,103

  40,099

  60,681

  North East Essex DHA

  48,242

  80,256

  51,301

  81,576

  56,123

  84,929

  West Essex DHA

  29,864

  49,682

  30,831

  49,026

  32,568

  49,284

  Southend DHA

  35,085

  58,368

  38,422

  61,097

  40,589

  61,422

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood DHA

  62,219

  103,508

  65,669

  104,424

  68,424

  103,544

  Hampstead DHA

  58,525

  97,363

  61,308

  97,489

  65,016

  98,387

  Bloomsbury DHA

  107,685

  179,146

  112,417

  178,760

  116,946

  176,971

  Islington DHA

  42,185

  70,179

  42,928

  68,262

  44,185

  66,864

  City and Hackney DHA

  70,791

  117,769

  75,294

  119,729

  78,683

  119,069

  Newham DHA

  30,613

  50,928

  32,282

  51,333

  34,180

  51,724

  Tower Hamlets DHA

  60,464

  100,589

  64,197

  102,083

  64,748

  97,981

  Enfield DHA

  30,392

  50,560

  32,088

  51,025

  33,473

  50,654

  Haringey DHA

  36,483

  60,693

  37,498

  59,627

  38,127

  57,696

  Redbridge DHA

  32,058

  53,332

  33,491

  53,256

  35,347

  53,490

  Waltham Forest DHA

  55,667

  92,608

  57,090

  90,782

  59,072

  89,392

  TOTAL

  800,677

  1,332,015

  841,130

  1,337,524

  881,326

  1,333,686

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  North East Thames RHA

  28,508

  40,911

  30,859

  42,820

  17,678

  23,262

  Basildon and Thurrock DHA

  43,163

  61,941

  47,975

  66,571

  52,061

  68,507

  Mid Essex DHA

  42,665

  61,227

  53,145

  73,745

  57,589

  75,781

  North East Essex DHA

  55,571

  79,748

  54,641

  75,820

  61,447

  80,857

  West Essex DHA

  36,868

  52,908

  40,300

  55,921

  44,206

  58,170

  Southend DHA

  42,657

  61,215

  46,608

  64,674

  52,045

  68,485

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood DHA

  72,033

  103,372

  76,018

  105,483

  85,557

  112,584

  Hampstead DHA

  55,633

  79,837

  59,334

  82,332

  64,957

  85,476

  Bloomsbury DHA

  122,450

  175,723

  128,901

  178,864

  138,578

  182,353

  Islington DHA

  49,194

  70,596

  51,459

  71,405

  56,266

  74,040

  City and Hackney DHA

  81,517

  116,982

  87,558

  121,496

  92,785

  122,095

  Newham DHA

  41,765

  59,935

  42,995

  59,660

  46,803

  61,588

  Tower Hamlets DHA

  67,183

  96,412

  71,231

  98,841

  77,089

  101,441

  Enfield DHA

  38,144

  54,739

  39,918

  55,391

  43,485

  57,221

  Haringey DHA

  46,312

  66,460

  49,277

  68,377

  52,246

  68,750

  Redbridge DHA

  37,799

  54,244

  40,890

  56,739

  44,391

  58,414

  Waltham Forest DHA

  52,726

  75,665

  54,991

  76,306

  61,763

  81,273

  TOTAL

  914,188

  1,311,915

  976,100

  1,354,445

  1,048,946

  1,380,297

  258

  Table I

  North East Thames region total revenue expenditure on Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS)

  £ thousands (cash)

  £ thousands (at 1991–92 prices)

  1978–79

  413,284

  1,114,783

  1979–80

  488,198

  1,128,601

  1980–81

  636,251

  1,243,024

  1981–82

  700,172

  1,247,517

  1982–83

  800,677

  1,332,015

  1983–84

  841,130

  1,337,524

  1984–85

  881,326

  1,333,686

  1985–86

  914,188

  1,311,915

  1986–87

  976,100

  1,354,445

  1987–88

  1,048,946

  1,380,297

  1988–89

  1,178,457

  1,445,224

  1989–90

  1,276,820

  1,472,084

  1990–911

  1,373,232

  1,469,359

  1 Latest available year. Provisional figure (as yet subject to audit).

  259

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  Cash

  At 1991–92 prices

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  North East Thames RHA

  20,723

  25,414

  22,791

  26,276

  26,710

  28,580

  Basildon and Thurrock DHA

  59,287

  72,708

  65,015

  74,958

  69,265

  74,114

  Mid Essex DHA

  63,732

  78,159

  68,785

  79,304

  73,806

  78,972

  North East Essex DHA

  68,573

  84,096

  74,673

  86,093

  79,182

  84,725

  West Essex DHA

  50,079

  61,415

  55,172

  63,609

  59,231

  63,377

  Southend DHA

  58,464

  71,698

  64,492

  74,355

  71,078

  76,053

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood DHA

  93,995

  115,273

  98,707

  113,802

  106,172

  113,604

  Hampstead DHA

  74,566

  91,445

  80,152

  92,410

  89,477

  95,740

  Bloomsbury DHA1

  155,397

  190,574

  164,928

  190,150

  —

  —

  Islington DHA1

  62,884

  77,119

  69,701

  80,360

  246,389

  263,636

  City and Hackney DHA

  104,893

  128,638

  112,469

  129,669

  119,894

  128,287

  Newham DHA

  52,457

  64,332

  56,489

  65,128

  62,356

  66,721

  Tower Hamlets DHA

  87,743

  107,605

  96,389

  111,130

  102,350

  109,515

  Enfield DHA

  48,861

  59,922

  52,316

  60,317

  56,467

  60,420

  Haringey DHA

  56,426

  69,199

  64,093

  73,895

  70,016

  74,917

  Redbridge DHA

  50,488

  61,917

  54,559

  62,903

  57,580

  61,611

  Waltham Forest DHA

  69,889

  85,710

  76,089

  87,725

  83,259

  89,087

  TOTAL

  1,178,457

  1,445,224

  1,276,820

  1,472,084

  1,373,232

  1,469,359

  1 Bloomsbury and Islington DHA from 1990–91.

  Source:

  Annual accounts of the regional Health Authority and the district health authorities comprising the North East Thames region.

  Notes to the table:

  1. 1990–91 figures are provisional (as yet subject to audit).

  2. Figures have been expressed at 1991–92 prices by the use of Gross Domestic Product deflators.

  3. Expenditure on HCHS covers all services directly managed by the health authorities including hospital, patient transport (i.e. ambulance), blood transfusion and other services.

  4. The pattern of expenditure at district levels varies between 1984–85 and 1985–86 reflecting a change in the methodology for determining the fundings and the accounting arrangements for long-stay patients in the region.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on national health trust hospitals.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [pursuant to his reply, 3 December 1991, c. 111]: The external financing limits for 1992–93 for the 57 NHS trusts which have been operational since 1 April 1991 and 98 NHS trusts which are to become operational on 1 April 1992 are set out in the tables. The limits do not include provision for 1991–92 outturn adjustments, resource management funding, or supra-regional developments which will be added subsequently.

  Capital expenditure by NHS trusts forms part of the public expenditure provision in the health programme. The NHS and Community Care Act 1990 provides no power for the NHS management executive to fund NHS trusts directly or to give them cash limits. NHS trusts can obtain funding only from the income they receive from purchasers or from borrowing. An annual external financing limit—EFL—controls access by NHS trusts to external finance. The EFL is a net financing concept measured by the new loans taken out by the NHS trust less loans repaid plus or minus changes in deposits.

  First wave external financing limits 1992–93

  NHS Trust

  External financing limit £000

  Anglian Harbours

  5,235

  Norfolk Ambulances

  1,082

  Broadgreen Hospital

  -763

  Chester and Halton Community

  -54

  Crew Mid Cheshire Hospitals

  -68

  260

  NHS Trust

  External financing limit £000

  Cardio/Thor. Cen. Liverpool

  118

  Royal Liverpool Childrens

  -900

  Royal Liverpool University Hospital

  437

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  5,771

  Wirral Hospital

  2,961

  Royal London Hospital

  5,198

  North Middlesex Hospital

  -1,396

  Royal Free Hampstead

  -780

  Royal National Orthopaedic

  381

  Royal National Nose, Throat and Ear

  964

  Southend Hospital

  1,504

  Freeman Hospital

  -1,516

  Newcastle Mental Health

  -422

  Northumbria Ambulance

  809

  Central Manchester Hospital

  5,235

  Christie Hospital

  768

  Hillingdon Hospital

  495

  Mount Vernon Hospital

  4,270

  Central Middlesex Hospital

  -1,994

  North Herts Acute and Community

  60

  Nuffield Orthopaedic

  -600

  Guys and Lewisham

  35,937

  United Bristol Healthcare

  2,622

  Cornwall Community

  -333

  Cornwall Mental Health

  100

  East Gloucestershire

  3,166

  East Somerset

  -920

  South Devon Health Care

  4,563

  West Somerset Acute and Comm.

  6,259

  Weston Area

  2,087

  Northern Devon

  1,418

  Croydon Community

  873

  Croydon Mental Handicap

  362

  Kingston Hospital

  1,455

  Epsom Health Care

  -411

  Royal Surrey

  1,019

  261

  NHS Trust

  External financing limit £000

  Homewood

  1,042

  St. Helier

  2,268

  Doncaster Royal and Montagu

  1,129

  Lincolnshire Ambulance

  855

  Northern General Sheffield

  6,584

  Royal National Rheumatic

  479

  West Dorset Community

  895

  West Dorset General

  1,553

  West Dorset Mental Health

  1,831

  Mid Staffs (1st) Community

  1,557

  Mid Staffs Mental Health

  -4,116

  Rugby District

  9,655

  Walsall Hospital

  1,709

  Bradford Hospitals

  10,812

  Leeds General Infirmary

  -4,384

  St. James's University

  8,963

  Hinchingbrooke Hospital

  381

  Kings Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals

  -2,553

  East Suffolk Community (Allington)

  92

  Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology

  -758

  Liverpool Community and Priority

  414

  Mersey Ambulance

  -218

  Southport And Formby Hospital

  -1,168

  Aintree Hospitals (Walton and Fazakerly)

  243

  Liverpool Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  3,946

  St. Helens and Knowsley Community

  635

  The Walton Centre for Neurosciences

  -700

  Basildon and Thurrock Acute

  -3,347

  Forest Healthcare

  -1,954

  North Essex (Rivers) Healthcare

  -3,982

  Essex Ambulance

  -89

  Mid Essex Hospital

  -3,908

  Southend Community

  -705

  North East Essex Services for Learning Difficulties

  -264

  North East Essex Mental Health Severalls Hospital

  -1,341

  Cleveland Ambulance

  62

  North Tees Health

  -1,626

  Northgate Unit Morpeth

  209

  Royal Victoria Hospital, Newcastle

  1,597

  Gateshead Community

  -163

  South Tees Acute Hospitals

  -1,477

  Burnley Health Care

  -175

  Lancaster Priority

  -360

  Wrightington Health

  -351

  Lancaster Acute

  164

  Royal Oldham Hospital/Community

  -1,891

  Bedford Hospital

  -915

  Ealing Hospital

  -1,255

  Parkside Community

  -1,836

  Wellhouse Edgware and Barnet

  -1,796

  Ashford Hospital

  -998

  East Hertfordshire

  -1,793

  Harrow Community

  272

  Hillingdon Community

  -269

  Luton and Dunstable

  -1,773

  Barnet Community

  -3,946

  North West Herts Mental Health (Horizon)

  -2,987

  South Bedfordshire Comm and Mental Health

  -511

  North West Herts Priority Unit (Dacorum and St. Albans)

  -1,696

  Harefield Hospital

  -900

  Aylesbury Vale Priority

  127

  Heatherwood and Wexham Park

  528

  Milton Keynes General

  -819

  Milton Keynes Community

  -80

  East Berkshire Mental Health

  -297

  Eastbourne Acute

  -2,345

  Brighton Community and Mental Health

  -855

  Maidstone Priority

  -69

  Thameslink Dartford Priority

  -358

  West Lambeth Priority

  4,010

  Hastings and Rother Healthcare

  3,080

  Optimum Community Lewisham and Southwark

  -278

  Ravensbourne Priority

  247

  262

  NHS Trust

  External financing limit £000

  Avon Ambulance

  -52

  Exeter Community

  449

  Southmead Health

  8,271

  Frenchay Healthcare

  1,872

  Plymouth Community

  646

  Devon Ambulance

  316

  Royal Cornwall Hospital

  4,203

  Phoenix Trust

  204

  Gloucestershire Ambulance

  -111

  Frimley Park Hospital

  10,484

  St. Peters Hospital, Chertsey

  -691

  (Weybourne) North West Surrey Community

  2,809

  Mulberry Trust (South Lincolnshire Mental Health)

  -407

  Weston Park Hospital

  -442

  City Nottingham Hospital

  7,981

  Nottingham Community

  -361

  Children's Hospital, Sheffield

  -860

  Doncaster Priority

  -730

  Central Sheffield University Hospitals

  -1,254

  Bassetlaw Hospital and Community

  2,968

  Barnsley Community and Priority

  -833

  South Yorkshire Ambulance

  -332

  Wiltshire Healthcare

  956

  Poole Hospital

  649

  Royal United Hospital, Bath

  1,434

  Bath Mental Health

  3,145

  Bath and Wells Healthcare (Avon and Somerset)

  -301

  Bournemouth and Christchurch Acute

  -1,392

  East Dorset Community

  2,272

  Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry

  -2,273

  Staffordshire Ambulance

  -368

  East Birmingham Hospital

  4,207

  Herefordshire Community

  -917

  Premier South East Staffordshire Community and Mental Health

  -723

  South Warwickshire Community

  -679

  Harrogate Health

  2,542

  Airedale Health Services

  -898

  Northallerton Health

  -1,317

  Bradford Community

  89

  York Hospitals and Community

  -577

  Scarborough Healthcare

  -1,036

  Regional Health Authorities (Revenue Allocation)
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce regional health authorities' revenue allocations for 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 December 1991, c. 199–200]: The cash-limited general medical services provision for 1992–93 will be £659 million. This covers direct reimbursement to GPs of their expenses on practice staff and premises improvements, the development of computerisation in general practice, and the management of practice funds. I am making today allocations to regional health authorities covering £628 million of that total. The allocations to regions are:

  GMS cash-limited allocations 1992–93

  Allocation

  Real growth

  1991–92

  1992–93

  £ million

  £ million

  per cent.

  Northern

  33·314

  36·414

  4·60

  Yorkshire

  44·458

  47·237

  1·68

  Trent

  55·520

  59·193

  2·02

  East Anglian

  32·366

  34·427

  1·79

  North West Thames

  44·999

  48·657

  3·47

  North East Thames

  44·549

  48·688

  4·58

  South East Thames

  47·454

  51·144

  3·14

  263

  Allocation

  Real growth

  1991–92

  1992–93

  £ million

  £ million

  per cent.

  South West Thames

  36·902

  39·865

  3·38

  Wessex

  38·773

  41·552

  2·55

  Oxford

  34·305

  36·627

  2·17

  South Western

  49·454

  52·886

  2·33

  West Midlands

  54·318

  59·060

  4·05

  Mersey

  28·246

  30·208

  2·34

  North Western

  39·381

  42·717

  3·80

  Total

  584·039

  628·675

  3·01

WALES

  GPs (Prescribing)
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to what variations are to be found in the prescribing patterns of general practitioners in Wales; what is the average inpatient and cash terms; what are the highest and lowest variations of any individual practice; and what variations can be found between similar practices with similar demographic compositions.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Information on GP prescribing is provided by the prescription pricing division of the Welsh Health Common Services Agency to family health services authorities, which, as part of their responsibilities, examine the cost of GP prescribing, including reasons for variations between GP practices with similar characteristics. However, the information is not collated in such a way as to provide the information my hon. Friend requires, except at disproportionate cost.

  I have put work in hand to refine the information system so that it will supplement the standard reports with a faster, more efficient and more detailed service for those who require information to he analysed according to their individual needs.

  Vacant Council Properties
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest available numbers of vacant council-owned properties for each district council in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information my hon. Friend requires is given in the table:

  Local authority vacant dwellings, by district, 19911

  Total vacant dwellings

  Clwyd

  Alyn and Deeside

  31

  Colwyn

  34

  Delyn

  20

  Glyndwr

  47

  Rhuddlan

  17

  Wrexham Maelor

  204

  Dyfed

  Carmarthen

  14

  Ceredigion

  41

  Dinefwr

  14

  Llanelli

  104

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  63

  South Pembrokeshire

  15

  264

  Total vacant dwellings

  Gwent

  Blaenau Gwent

  56

  Islwyn

  150

  Monmouth

  92

  Newport

  81

  Torfaen

  147

  Gwynedd

  Aberconwy

  16

  Arfon

  60

  Dwyfor

  11

  Meirionnydd

  15

  Ynys Mon

  60

  Mid Glamorgan

  Cynon Valley

  122

  Merthyr Tydfil

  71

  Ogwr

  68

  Rhondda

  26

  Rhymney Valley

  85

  Taff Ely

  99

  Powys

  Brecknock

  —

  Montgomeryshire2

  42

  Radnorshire

  9

  South Glamorgan

  Cardiff

  190

  Vale of Glamorgan

  37

  West Glamorgan

  Lliw Valley

  42

  Neath

  72

  Port Talbot

  171

  Swansea

  104

  Wales

  2,430

  1 At 1 April.

  2 Excludes Newtown which is designated as a New Town.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest available numbers for those registered as homeless for each district council in Wales; and what information he has to show separately those who are sleeping rough.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  No information is available centrally as to the cause and location of any persons who may be sleeping rough. The number of cases accepted as homeless, within the terms of the Housing Act 1985 and the number of persons associated with these cases, is given in the table:

  Incidence of homelessness—quarter ending 30 September 1991

  Welsh districts

  Cases accepted

  Persons involved in cases accepted

  Aberconwy

  8

  21

  Alyn and Deeside

  42

  114

  Arfon

  9

  20

  Blaenau Gwent

  73

  176

  Brecknock

  37

  114

  Cardiff

  518

  1,180

  Carmarthen

  23

  56

  Ceredigion

  45

  106

  Colwyn

  18

  67

  Cynon Valley

  96

  261

  265

  Welsh districts

  Cases accepted

  Persons involved in cases accepted

  Delyn

  71

  169

  Dinefwr

  48

  107

  Dwyfor

  18

  48

  Glyndwr

  11

  19

  Islwyn

  51

  115

  Llanelli

  52

  149

  Lliw Valley

  27

  77

  Meirionnydd

  26

  72

  Merthyr Tydfil

  32

  84

  Monmouth

  32

  88

  Montgomeryshire

  32

  74

  Neath

  79

  140

  Newport

  237

  628

  Ogwr

  158

  428

  Port Talbot

  24

  69

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  29

  70

  Radnorshire

  6

  17

  Rhondda

  51

  134

  Rhuddlan

  14

  48

  Rhymney Valley

  28

  71

  South Pembrokeshire

  21

  45

  Swansea

  191

  429

  Taff-Ely

  57

  161

  Torfaen

  135

  276

  Vale of Glamorgan

  113

  323

  Wrexham Maelor

  94

  179

  Ynys Mon

  8

  21

  Wales total

  2,514

  6,156

  Plas Newydd (Grants)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the grants awarded by the Historic Buildings Council of Wales to(a) the Marquess of Anglesey and (b) the National Trust in respect of Plas Newydd during the last 10 years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Department grant aids the costs of restoring eligible historic buildings on the advice of the Historic Buildings Council for Wales. The council itself does not make grants. In the last 10 years the following grants have been awarded:

  (a) Marquess of Anglesey—1987—£892 (repair of Nelson Monument).

  (b) National Trust (for Plas Newydd—1985—£102,100 (repair of roof, rainwater goods and chimney heads).

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received from Wales about Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Seven letters have been received by the Welsh Office on this subject.

  Chernobyl (Lambs)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what area of Gwynedd remains restricted as regards lamb sales to market as a consequence of the Chernobyl nuclear power station explosion in 1985; what the total cost in compensation has been since in each year since 1985; and what is the scientific prognosis for 1992 grass growth and saleable lamb meat production in Gwynedd.
  266
  Mr. David Hunt
  As the question refers to the post-Chernobyl situation in Wales, I am responding to the hon. Gentleman.

  The area of Gwynedd currently under restriction comprises approximately 75,483 hectares—about 186,519 acres. This compares to about 300,890 hectares—about 743,500 acres—when restrictions were first introduced in June 1986. A copy of a map illustrating the current restricted area which accompanied a recent press release was placed in the Library of the House on 16 December 1991.

  The total cost in compensation paid to farmers in the restricted area of North Wales, in each of the years since the introduction of restrictions is as follows:

  £

  1986–87

  2,638,691

  1987–88

  679,228

  1988–89

  578,868

  1989–90

  620,069

  1990–91

  613,548

  11991–92

  460,452

  Total

  5,590,856

  1 (to 29 November).

  Grass growth within the restricted area has not been affected to any significant degree by the Chernobyl deposition. However, the amount of radiocaesium in the root matt and surrounding soil which is taken up by vegetation can vary from year to year. This is due to the complex interactions of several factors such as weather, soil type, drainage and sheep grazing habits which are still the subject of research. It is not possible therefore to forecast the radiocaesium levels for 1992.

  The arrangements operated from the movement and marketing of sheep from the restricted area have proved to be a satisfactory way of enabling farmers to continue with normal husbandry and marketing practices whilst ensuring the safety of the food chain. This year fewer than 2 per cent. of sheep leaving the Gwynedd restricted area for movement and marketing have recorded above the safety level of 1,000 Bq/Kg.

  My Department will continue to study the results from the monitoring of sheep under the movement and marketing arrangements, and from regular monitoring of sheep at selected sites throughout the area. Assessment of these results has enabled suitable areas to be identified for intensive monitoring, which has made it possible to lift restrictions in two small areas this year. Work will continue to be carried out to achieve further derestriction as soon as it is safe to do so.

  Schools Inspectors
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the date of commissioning and terms of reference of the Adams report on the future of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools service in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The report was commissioned on 24 May with the following terms of reference:To review the role and organisation of HM Inspectorate in Wales in the light of the Government's policies for Education, and the particular character and needs of educational provision in Wales to secure that;

  (i) the public at large can be informed about the quality of the education provided by Schools and Colleges;

  (ii) funding agencies (including the Funding Councils and Local Education Authorities) can have access to

  267
  independent quality assurance advice on which they can rely, drawn from inspection of and reporting upon those institutions and forms of provision to which HMI statutorily have access;

  (iii) the management of Schools and, for the foreseeable future, Colleges in the Further Education sector, are supported by a system of quality assurance derived from inspecting and reporting on which they can draw in the exercise of their responsibilities;

  (iv) officials, both in the Welsh Office Education Department (WOED) and in other parts of the Welsh Office as necessary and Ministers continue to receive independent advice on education policy issues derived from the evidence of objective inspection.

  The review should take into account the existence and future development of other quality audit or assurance arrangements at departmental, local authority funding council—as envisaged in the White Papers—and institutional level and report on how HMI might relate to and interact with them. The review should also consider a widening of the role of HMI to include managerial and value-for-money issues in addition to educational and professional ones.
  To examine the feasibility and desirability of different organisational models which could deliver these objectives, assessing and comparing their advantages and disadvantages, considering in particular HMI:

  (i) being established wholly independent of Government;

  (ii) becoming a Next Steps Agency accountable to the Secretary of State;

  (iii) remaining part of the Welsh Office in the way it is now.

  As part of that examination to identify for each model:

  (i) the implications for staffing (including numbers and grading), for support services and for accommodation;

  (ii) its costs;

  (iii) the earliest date when it could be implemented and the steps and timetable which would need to be followed (including any changes in legislation which would be required) in order to achieve it.

  And in undertaking this review:

  (i) to take account of the separate review being undertaken in England;

  (ii) to consult WOED and HMI within the Welsh Office;

  (iii) to seek guidance as need arises from Ministers, the Permanent Secretary and Deputy Secretaries;

  (iv) to submit a preliminary report of progress to the Permanent Secretary within two months, for discussion with him and Deputy Secretaries;

  (v) to report to the Permanent Secretary with recommendations within three months.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will extend the period for consultation on groundwater in relation to the Cardiff Bay barrage for a period equivalent to that during which the advertising campaign by the development corporation adjudicated to be misleading by the Advertising Standards Authority was on display.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assurances he has given the Wales region of the National Rivers Authority regarding control of the Blackweir diversion and feeder canal during periods of drought; what discussions he has had with the Cardiff Bay development corporation and Associated British Ports regarding the necessary legal and financial arrangements flowing therefrom; when he anticipates the completion of these agreements; and if he will make a statement.
  268
  Mr. David Hunt
  The Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill requires the development corporation, before it commences construction of the barrage, to submit for the approval of the rivers authority details of the steps which it proposes to take to enable it to comply with the authority's water flow requirements. As I explained to the hon. Gentleman on 4 December detailed negotiations between Cardiff Bay development corporation and Associated British Ports are a commercial matter for the two parties.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what date he expects Cardiff Bay development corporation to have complied with the ruling of 6 December 1991 by the Advertising Standards Authority.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The ASA reported to CBDC's advertising agents on 6 December on complaints about a CBDC poster. The authority considered that using the word "creating" in the phrase "Cardiff Bay—creating a superb waterfront environment", had given the impression that construction of the Cardiff Bay barrage was assured when this was not the case. At the time the poster appeared the barrage had yet to be put forward to Parliament in the form of a Bill. The advertisers were requested to ensure that no implication that the barrage would certainly be built should be given until it had achieved the necessary parliamentary approval. The authority also criticised the breach of confidentiality by which some complainants made public the conclusion of the case before it had been ratified by the ASA council.

  The corporation has already complied with the ruling. Its advertising agency have proposed to the ASA an amendment to the copy of the magazine advertisement to read
  "The proposed construction of a barrage … would create a 500 acre freshwater lake".
  The advertising agency has reported to the corporation that the ASA are content for it to continue to use the words
  "Creating a superb waterfront environment".

  Safer Cities
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he has given to the need for the safer cities campaign to be applied to cities in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The safer cities programme was launched by the Home Secretary in 1988 and reached its target of 20 projects this month. It is part of the "Action for Cities" initiative which is concerned with the regeneration of the inner cities in England. Wales did not participate in these programmes, preferring to pursue its own distinct regeneration strategies, such as the valleys programme, and to provide substantial assistance to Welsh communities for crime prevention measures under the urban programme.

  A key feature of the safer cities programme is the establishment of multi-agency steering committees in each approved project area to promote and consider crime prevenion measures. In Wales a similar partnership approach has been achieved by providing funds under the urban programme, which has enabled county crime prevention co-ordinators to be appointed in six of the eight counties of Wales. The Welsh Office has also made funds available to the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders to assist with the development of crime prevention initiatives at a local level in south-east

  269
  Wales. Crime prevention projects developed under these initiatives may themselves be eligible for funding under the urban programme.

  Factory and Office Closures
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give figures for regional development grants and regional selective assistance grants repaid because of factory or office closures within four years of the payment of the grant, separately for each of the past five years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested would be available only at a disproportionate cost. However, the table gives details of regional selective assistance and regional development grant repayments over the last five years.

  £thousands

  1986–87

  2,335

  1987–88

  2,410

  1988–89

  1,982

  1989–90

  1,146

  1990–91

  370

  Usk Barrage Bill
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what account he is taking of the planned Cardiff bay barrage in determining his policy towards the Usk Barrage Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government's policy towards the Usk Barrage Bill will be determined according to its view of the merits of that Bill.

  Wentloog Lagoon
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what undertakings were given to the Countryside Council for Wales on 6 December regarding the relative timing for

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Total

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  District council

  Cynon Valley BC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30,230

  32,057

  62,287

  Taff Ely BC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  27,500

  29,150

  56,650

  Vale of Glamorgan BC

  —

  32,500

  15,910

  17,540

  18,412

  17,787

  102,149

  Total

  —

  32,500

  15,910

  17,540

  76,142

  78,994

  221,086

  County council

  Dyfed

  —

  —

  26,400

  30,220

  36,062

  —

  92,682

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30,000

  30,000

  Gwynedd

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20,000

  20,000

  Mid-Glamorgan

  —

  22,200

  31,592

  32,233

  34,361

  22,050

  142,436

  Powys

  —

  —

  15,829

  16,620

  25,925

  70,390

  128,764

  West Glamorgan

  —

  —

  26,600

  27,930

  31,615

  31,615

  117,760

  Total

  —

  22,200

  100,421

  107,003

  127,963

  174,055

  531,642

  South East Wales (Grant to NACRO)

  —

  —

  9,000

  62,629

  73,242

  50,000

  194,871

  All Wales total

  —

  54,700

  125,331

  187,172

  277,347

  303,049

  947,599

  Nebulisers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the provisions of additional funding for the supply on loan of nebulisers as standard 270
  construction of the Wentloog lagoon and the Cardiff hay barrage; what trials regarding the use of the lagoon by wading birds are proposed; what policy considerations relating to the lagoon will govern the decision to effect final closure of the barrage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The undertakings given to the Countryside Council for Wales were that the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill will be amended in the course of its passage to reinstate the requirement of the private Bill that if the barrage is built the lagoon must also be built; the lagoon will be constructed before impoundment behind the barrage.

  The Cardiff Bay development corporation will be discussing with the Countryside Council for Wales measures for ensuring the maximum effectiveness of the lagoon. The Countryside Council for Wales did not seek undertakings in respect of trials.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cash granted by his Department this year and in each of the last five years to assist crime prevention initiatives(a) in respect of each district and (b) in respect of each county council in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The table sets out details of allocations to district and county councils under the urban programme for crime prevention initiatives and a grant to the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders under section 64 of the Health Service and Public Health Act 1968.

  I am sure the hon. Gentleman will be pleased to see the steady increase in support for crime prevention programmes which includes a nearly sixfold rise in funding in four years.

  national health service items on prescription by NHS consultants; what discussions he has had with other health authority chairmen; and what proposals he has for dissemination of information to those requiring nebulisers.
  271
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State discussed this matter with health authority chairmen at his meeting with them on 20 November. At our request, all district health authorities are reviewing their policies and practices on the provision of equipment, including nebulisers and investigating individual cases where patients have claimed that they were advised to purchase such equipment. When this exercise has been completed we will consider whether further action is needed.

  South Glamorgan TEC
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will be making a grant towards the costs of the new office for the South Glamorgan training and enterprise college's new headquarters.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment gave on Tuesday 17 December, at columns 125–26.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will respond to the third report of the Welsh Affairs Committee, Session 1990–91, "Arrangements for Handling Serious Outbreaks of Food Poisoning in the light of the Salmonella Outbreak in July and August 1989 in North Wales" (HC Paper 328).

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am pleased to announce that the response has been published today as Command Paper 1789.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which units in Wales have been invited to prepare applications to become national health service trusts in April 1993.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received proposals from almost half the units in Wales to establish national health service trusts. The "expressions of interest" cover ambulance, community and mental health services as well as acute care. I am inviting the following to prepare formal applications to become NHS trusts in April 1993.

  Clwyd Acute North Unit

  Clwyd Acute South Unit

  Clwyd Community and Mental Health Unit

  Gwent Community and Mental Health Unit

  South Gwent Health Unit

  Ogwr Health Unit

  Llanelli-Dinefwr Health Unit

  Ceredigion Health Unit

  Carmarthen-Dinefwr Health Unit

  Powys Health Unit

  Llandough Hospital Unit

  West Unit, West Glamorgan

  East Unit, West Glamorgan

  Gwent, Powys and South Glamorgan

  Ambulance Service

  Taken together, these units involve a total of 82 hospitals, 11,000 beds, and contractual income for 1991–92 of £592 million and point the way forward for the delivery of effective and patient responsive services in Wales.

  Applications are due to be submitted in the summer of 1992, but the decision to prepare application rests entirely with the units concerned. My decisions on the submissions will be taken following statutory consultation process.
  272
  I was not able to invite an application at this time from Llandudno general hospital. However, I have confidence that the hospital has the potential to become a successful trust and will benefit from having more time to further develop its proposls. I have also deferred decisions on the expressions received from the Cardiff royal group of hospitals and to establish a mental health NHS trust in South Glamorgan to take account of the conclusions which will emerge from the recently announced joint strategic review by South Glamorgan and Mid Glamorgan health authorities.

  Including the Pembrokeshire NHS trust with the units now invited to apply for NHS trust status some 65 per cent. of acute services in Wales could be trust based by April 1993.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Gwylim Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress his Advisory Committee for Wales on National Rivers Authority functions has made since its establishment in 1990.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The committee's first annual report has been published today and I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Appointments
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will update his answer of 12 March 1991,Official Report, columns 448–58, to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside listing the full-time and part-time public appointments for which he is responsible, together with the salary and the date when each appointment is due for renewal, including those posts which are not salaried.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1991, c. 534–39]: I am now in a position to provide details of non-salaried appointments. These are shown in the table, together with a further list of salaried appointments.

  Salaried Appointments

  Salary £

  Regional Flood Defence Committee

  Mr. M. Mclaggan (Chairman)

  10,500

  31 March 1994

  Mr. J. Ap. Simon Jones

  3,480

  31 March 1994

  Mr. W. N. Waters

  3,480

  31 March 1994

  Mr. L. T. Chase

  3,480

  31 March 1994

  Mr. P. J. Perkins

  3,480

  31 March 1994

  Mr. J. W. Hughes

  3,480

  31 March 1994

  Mr. J. Llewellyn

  Nil

  31 March 1994

  National Rivers Authority

  Member

  Professor R. W. Edwards

  17,645

  30 June 1992

  Food From Britain

  Member

  Mr. A. Evans, OBE

  1,895

  22 September 1992

  British Wool Marketing Board

  Member

  Mr. C. Jones

  5,675

  25 September 1992

  Committees of Investigation for Great Britain and for England and Wales

  Member

  Mr. H. Humphreys Jones

  73 per day

  5 December 1994

  Home Grown Cereals Authority

  273

  Salary £

  Member

  Mr. D. F. R. George

  2,660

  2 June 1992

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Member

  Mr. R. E. M. Rees, CBE

  5,385

  1 April 1992

  Milk Marketing Board

  Member

  Mr. J. M. Williams

  13,600

  31 August 1993

  Potato Marketing Board

  Member

  Mr. G. Hawkins

  3,453

  4 November 1994

  Non-salaried appointments and date current appointment ends:

  Committee on Agricultural Valuation (Wales)

  Chairperson:

  Mr. J. R. Mathias, BSC—28 February 1993

  Members:

  Mr. C. H. Arkell, ARICS—28 February 1993

  Mr. F. G. Grounds, DL, FSVA, FAAV—28 February 1993

  Mr. T. Hammett—28 February 1993

  Mr. J. G. Harris, MA, FRICS, CAAV—28 February 1993

  Mr. H. B. Knight—28 February 1993

  Mr. K. R. McDiormid, FRICS—28 February 1993

  Mr. J. A. Pallister, FRICS—28 February 1993

  Mr. T. W. Sale, FRICS—28 February 1993

  Mr. T. G. Shearman, FRICS, FAAV—28 February 1993

  Mr. R. V. Stone, FRICS, FAAV—28 February 1993

  Mr. R. Thomas, MA, FRICS, CAAV—28 February 1993

  Mr. G. A. Wadsworth—28 February 1993

  Agricultural Wages Committee and Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees

  Clwyd

  Chairperson:

  Mr. T. Jones

  Members

  Mr. J. E. Ambrose, BA, M.Ed—31 December 1992

  Mr. I. G. Richards BSc, Eng.MICE—31 December

  Dyfed

  Chairperson:

  Mr. C. F. Hosking—Retiring 31 December 1991

  Members:

  Mrs. E. D. Williams—31 December 1991

  Mrs. E. Jenkins—31 December 1991

  Glamorgan

  Chairperson:

  Mr. D. R. I. Williams

  Members:

  Mr. P. T. Hart—31 December 1992

  Mrs. S. E. L. Reeve—31 December 1992

  Gwent

  Chairperson:

  Vacant

  Members:

  Mr. J. L. Evans—31 December 1992

  Mrs. A. L. Heynes, BA—31 December 1992

  Mrs. J. M. Williams—31 December 1991

  Gwynedd

  Chairperson:

  Mr. T. H. Morgan

  Members:

  Mr. R. R. Harris—31 December 1991

  Dr. E. Lloyd Evans—3l December 1992

  Powys

  Chairperson:
  274

  Mr. W. G. Davies

  Members:

  Ms. G. L. Thomas—31 December 1991

  Canon E. C. John, BA—31 December 1992

  Note: Chairpersons of AWC's are not appointed by the Secretary of State but by members of the Committee to itself, from one of the two independent members who are Secretary of State appointments.

  Forestry Commission Reference/Committee Panel (Wales)

  Members:

  Mr. P. L. Marriott—29 February 1992

  Mr. R. A. Smart, BSc, FICFOR—29 February 1992

  Lt. Col. J. D. Stephenson, OBE—29 February 1992

  Mr. W. B. Walker, FICFOR—29 February 1992

  Urban Investment Grant Appraisal Panel

  Chairman:

  Sir Melvyn Rosser—31 May 1993

  Members:

  Mr. P. Laing—31 May 1993

  Mr. R. Lacey—31 May 1993

  Mr. S. Lindsay—31 May 1993

  Mr. D. Schwarz—31 May 1993

  Mr. R. James—31 May 1992

  Mr. K. Doolan—31 May 1992

  Community Health Councils

  Clwyd South

  Mr. J. Wainright—30 June 1992

  Mrs. S. C. Cope—30 June 1992

  Mr. D. Northwood—30 June 1994

  Mrs. P. M. Wood—30 June 1994

  Clwyd North

  Mrs. B. A. Thompson—30 June 1992

  Mrs. J. B. Thomas—30 June 1992

  Mr. D. Elliott—30 June 1994

  Mr. H. S. Martin—30 June 1994

  Camarthen/Dinefwr

  Mr. D. G. Williams—30 June 1992

  Mrs. P. M. Carpenter—30 June 1992

  Mrs. Z. Jenkins—30 June 1994

  Mrs. M. Davies—30 June 1994

  Llanelli/Dinefwr

  Mr. D. T. James—30 June 1992

  Mrs. M. W. Hopkin-Thomas—30 June 1992

  Mrs. M. James—30 June 1994

  Mr. L. C. Murphy—30 June 1994

  Ceredigion

  Mr. R. Gardner—30 June 1992

  Mr. T. H. Lewis—30 June 1992

  Mrs. M. E. Jenkins—30 June 1994

  Mrs. I. M. Toney—30 June 1994

  Pembrokeshire

  Mr. W. R. Stocker—30 June 1992

  Miss M. J. Thomas—30 June 1992

  Miss N. I. Lewis—30 June 1994

  Mrs. C. A Howells—30 June 1994

  South Gwent

  Mrs. J. C. Phillips—30 June 1992

  Mrs. G. Thomas—30 June 1992

  Mrs. E. Dixon—30 June 1994

  Mr. R. O. Thomas—30 June 1994

  North Gwent

  Miss E. Tuckwell—30 June 1992

  Mr. B. R. Hood—30 June 1992

  Mrs. M. J. Smart—30 June 1994

  Mrs. J. E. Davies—30 June 1994

  275
  Aberconwy

  Mrs. J. A. D.Doll—30 June 1992

  Mr. J. Cockburn—30 June 1992

  Mr. L. M. Wyn-Roberts—30 June

  Arfon/Dwyfor

  Mr. E. T. Jones—30 June 1992

  Mr. E. Wright—30 June 1992

  Mrs. W. F. T.Watkin—30 June 1994

  Mrs. V. E. Roberts—30 June 1994

  Meirionydd

  Mrs. A. J. Noble—30 June 1992

  Mr. E. M. Davies—30 June 1994

  Ynys Mon

  Mr. M. J. Bonnie—30 June 1992

  Mr. R. A. Johnsosn—30 June 1994

  Mrs. E. E. Hughes—30 June 1994

  East Glamorgan

  Mrs. J. E. Evans—30 June 1992

  Mrs. O. J. Leebrook—30 June 1992

  Mr. M. W. Davies—30 June 1994

  Councillor F. L. Thomas—30 June 1994

  Merthyr/Cynon Valley

  Mr. C. T. Jones—30 June 1992

  Mr. P. E. Linton—30 June 1992

  Mrs. D. M. Griffiths—30 June 1994

  Mrs. B. Brown—30 June 1994

  Ogwr

  Captain M. Wilcox—30 June 1992

  Mrs. M. C. Evans—30 June 1994

  Mrs. Y. M. Griffiths—30 June 1994

  Rhymney Valley

  Mr. C. Fenton—30 June 1992

  Mrs. N. Rowlands—30 June 1992

  Mr. K. Perryman—30 June 1992

  Mrs. M. Roberts—30 June 1994

  Brecon/Radnor

  Mrs. D. M. James—30 June 1992

  Mr. W. G. Phillips—30 June 1992

  Mr. J. Davies—30 June 1994

  Mrs. M. V. Morgan—30 June 1994

  Montgomery

  Vacant—30 June 1992

  Mr. K. M. Roberts-Jones—30 June 1992

  Cardiff

  Mr. E. G. Owen—30 June 1992

  Mrs. A. Butlin—30 June 1992

  Mr. G. H. Miles—30 June 1994

  Mr. C. M. Williams—30 June 1994

  Vale of Glamorgan

  Mrs. S. L. Greensmith—30 June 1992

  Mr. W. Sweeney—30 June 1992

  Mrs. M. A. Campbell—30 June 1994

  Vacant—30 June 1994

  Neath/Port Talbot

  Mrs. J. H. Thomas—30 June 1992

  Mrs. B. I. Tyler—30 June 1992

  Mr. J. Warman—30 June 1994

  Mrs. B. E. Wheadon—30 June 1994

  Swansea/Lliw Valley

  Mrs. M. J. Thomas—30June 1992

  Miss J. E. Bassett—30 June 1992

  Mrs. P. R. Moore—30 June 1994

  276

  Dr. B. Shepperdson—30 June 1994

  Advisory committee on Borderline Substances

  Professor H. A. Lee—31 December 1992

  Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs

  Dr. M. R. Keen—31 December 1992

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work

  Dr. T. Jones—31 August 1992

  Mr. A. Hazell—31 August 1994

  Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials

  Dr. J. R. Larke—31 December 1992

  Mr. T. D. Turner—31 December 1992

  Committee on Safety of Medicines

  Dr. W. A. Jerrett—31 December 1992

  Dental Auxilliaries Committee

  Mrs. J. M. Prior—31 August 1992

  Intermediate Treatment Fund Trust

  Mr. C. Weston-Evans—Indefinite period

  Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation

  Dr. D. G. Crompton—31 March 1993

  Medical Practices Committee

  Dr. S. McHugh—31 March 1994

  Medicines Commission

  Professor J. Rhodes—31 December 1993

  Professor P. Spencer—31 December 1995

  National Radiological Protection Board

  Professor G. M. Roberts—30 September 1993

  Public Health Laboratory Service Board

  Dr. G. Crompton—31 July 1994

  Rural Dispensing Committee

  Mrs. M. Tudor—31 March 1992

  Standing Dental Advisory Committee

  Professor N. E. Robertson—31 March 1992

  Standing Medical Advisory Committee

  Professor B. McKibbin—31 March 1992

  Professor A. Richens—31 March 1994

  Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee

  Mr. M. J. Vince—31 March 1992

  Mr. D. M. Thomas—31 March 1994

  Standing Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee for England and Wales

  Professor P. Spencer—31 March 1994

  Welsh Committee for Postgraduate Pharmaceutical Education

  Dr. D. N. A. Armstrong—31 March 1992

  Mr. P. Hollyman—31 March 1992

  Miss C. Howells—31 March 1992

  Mr. H. A. O. Hughes—31 March 1992

  Professor I. W. Kellaway—31 March 1992

  Mr. M. Pollard—31 March 1992

  Miss G. E. Price—31 March 1992

  Mr. K. C. Rew—31 March 1992

  Mr. T. D. Turner—31 March 1992

  Curriculum Council for Wales Members:

  Mr. Alwyn Evans—31 July 1992

  Mr. John Love—31 July 1993

  Mrs. Gillian Jeffreys—31 December 1992

  Mr. Eddie Roberts—31 July 1992

  Mr. leuan Roberts—31 July 1993

  Dr. Peter Winterburn—31 July 1992

  Mr. John Walne—31 July 1992

  277

  Mrs. Kay Edwards—31 July 1994

  Mr. Dafydd Whittal—31 July 1994

  Mr. Stuart Hockey—31 July 1994

  Mrs. Penny Ryan—31 July 1994

  Mr. Ivor Evenden—31 July 1994

  National Museum of Wales

  Court and Council

  Rt. Hon. Lord Rees, QC—8 February 1994

  Mr. Roger Geraint Thomas—8 February 1994

  Mr. M. J. M. Clarke—8 February 1994

  Mr. A. Creunant Davies—8 February 1994

  Court Only

  Mr. J. M. Hugh Rees—8 February 1994

  Professor Eric Sunderland—8 February 1994

  National Library of Wales

  Court

  Mr. Jeffrey W. Morgan—19 April 1996

  Mr. Roy Luff—19 April 1996

  Mr. Ifan Moelwyn Hughes—19 April 1996

  Mr. John Watkin—19 April 1996

  Council

  Mr. Ifan Moelwyn Hughes—17 May 1994

  Mr. John Watkin—17 May 1994

  Mr. Jeffrey W. Morgan—18 July 1994

  Library and Information Services Council Wales

  Chairman:

  Mr. W. Gwyn Williams—30 September 1994

  Members:

  M. S. Tudfil—30 September 1993

  L. Adams—30 September 1993

  Mr. Keith Bray—30 September 1993

  Miss Mary Cooper—30 September 1992

  Mr. R. leuan Edwards—30 September 1993

  Dr. Ian Lovecy—31 December 1993

  Mr. Brynley F. Roberts—28 February 1994

  Mr. Hwyel E. Roberts—30 September 1992

  Mr. John Lancaster—30 September 1994

  Welsh Language Board

  Chairman:

  Mr. John Elfed Jones—31 July 1994

  Members:

  Mr. Rob Jones—31 July 1994

  Councillor Peter Law—31 July 1994

  Mr. Edward Rea OBE FBIM—31 July 1994

  Mr. Winston Roddick QC—31July 1994

  Mrs. E. Closs Stephens—31 July 1994

  Professor Eric Sunderland—31 July 1994

  Mr. Ewyn Ogwen Williams—31 July 1994

  Place Names Advisory Committee

  Chairman:

  Professor Gwynedd Pierce—Remuneration £350 (Honorarium)

  Member:

  Mr. Tomas Roberts—Remuneration £250 (Honorarium)

  Wales Youth Work Partnership

  Chairman:

  Dr. Howard Wiliamson—31 March 1992

  Wales Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education Standing Working Group

  Chairman

  Professor John A. Andrews—31 March 1992

  Members:

  Mrs. Gillian Armitage—31 March 1992

  Mr. Alan C. Aylesbury—31 March 1992

  Mr. Randall T. D. Davies—31 March 1992

  Mr. Richard W. Lewis—31 March 1992

  Mr. Eric Meats—31 March 1992

  Mr. Derek Morgan—31 March 1992

  Professor Michael Newby—31 March 1992

  Professor Georage H. Thompson—31 March 1992

  278
  Higher Education Corporations (initial appointments)

  Polytechnic of Wales

  Members:

  Mr. Roy Cull—31 March 1995

  Dr. Gareth Jones—31 March 1995

  Mr. Peter Kelly—31 March 1995

  Mr. Ruid Plaut—31 March 1995

  Mr. R. P. V. Rees—31 March 1995

  Professor Sir Williams Taylor CBE—31 March 1995

  Dr. Don B. Thomas—31 March 1995

  Mrs. Jane Evelyn Thomas—31 March 1995

  Dr. John Thynne—31 March 1995

  Mr. Roberts Watts—31 March 1995

  Swansea Institute of Higher Education

  Members:

  Mr. Colin Adlam—31 March 1995

  Professor Brian L. Clarkson—31 March 1995

  Mr. R. E. T. Davies—31 March 1995

  Mr. R. Davies-Evans—31 March 1995

  Mr. W. E. Edwards—31 March 1995

  Mr. Cyril Goldstone—31 March 1995

  Mr. Carl E. Hadley—31 March 1995

  Mr. Illtyd R. Lloyd—31 March 1995

  Ms. Val Veld—31 March 1995

  Cardiff Institute of Higher Education

  Members:

  Dr. Rita Austin—31 March 1995

  Mr. J. K. Brown MBE—31 March 1995

  Mr. A.B. Connolly—31 March 1995

  Mr. Gordon L. Harrhy—31 March 1995

  Mr. Robert Knight—31 March 1995

  Professor M. W. Roberts—31 March 1995

  Mr. Paul Sheldon—31 March 1995

  Welsh College of Music and Drama

  Members:

  Mr. Michael Boyce—31 March 1995

  Mr. Huw Davies—31 March 1995

  Mr. Geraint Stanley Jones—31 March 1995

  Mr. Frank Lincoln—31 March 1995

  Mr. Tom Owen—31 March 1995

  Ms. Sian Phillips—31 March 1995

  Mr. Chris Ryde—31 March 1995

  Mr. Adrian Trickey—31 March 1995

  Gwent College of Higher Education

  Members:

  Mr. Alan Burton—31 March 1995

  Mr. G. T. Canning—31 March 1995

  Mr. Elwyn Tudno Jones—3l March 1995

  Miss Susan Kent—31 March 1995

  Ms. Sally Medlyn—31 March 1995

  Mr. Roger Peachey—31 March 1995

  Professor P. S. J. Spencer—31 March 1995

  Mr. Nigel Williams—31 March 1995

  College Normal Bangor

  Members:

  Mr. T. Burman—31 March 1995

  Mr. R. Hefin Davies, MBE—31 March 1995

  Mr. R. Alun Evans—31 March 1995

  Mr. Gwilym E. Humphreys—31 March 1995

  Mr. Tom Jones—31 March 1995

  Mr. H. I. G. Roberts—31 March 1995

  Professor G. R. Sagar, CBE—31 March 1995

  Mrs. Eurwen Thomas—31 March 1995

  Court of the Governors of University College of Swansea

  Mr. P. H. J. Meyer—31 August 1994

  Dr. Gwyn Jones—31 August 1992

  Mr. Peter Scott—31 August 1993

  Court of the Governors of University College of North Wales

  Mr. Roy Bichain—31 July 1993

  Court of the Governors of University College of Aberystwyth

  Mr. J. M. James—31 August 1994

  279

  Dr. D. E. Evans—31 August 1994

  Mr. Meurig Rees—31 August 1994

  Mr. Geraint Stanley Jones—31 December 1992

  Court of the Governors of St. Davids University College

  Lampeter

  Mr. Robert Gee—30 April 1994

  Sports Council for Wales

  Members:

  Mr. G. C. Crimp—31 March 1993

  Mr. H. Davies—31 March 1993

  Mr. T. G. R. Davies—31 March 1993

  Mrs. J. Edwards—31 March 1993

  Mr. P. Gunn—31March 1993

  Professor D. Herbert—31 March 1993

  Councillor Mrs. D. M. J. James—31 March 1993

  Councillor Mr. K. F. Powell—31 March 1993

  Mr. H. M. Thomas—31 March 1993

  Mrs. W. Williams—31 March 1993

  Councillor W. J. Williams—31 March 1993

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

  Chairman:

  Lady Crawshay—Not known

  Vice Chairman:

  Mr. R. H. Williams—Not known

  Member:

  Mr. R. Lacey-Not—known

  Training Enterprise and Education Advisory Group for Wales

  Members:

  Mr. Eric Crawford—31 March 1992

  Mr. Clifford Davies—31 March 1992

  Mr. David Davies—31 March 1992

  Mr. Jeremy Hallet—31 March 1992

  Councillor Fred Kingdom—31 March 1992

  Mr. Edwin Merrette—31 March 1992

  Mr. George Wright—31 March 1992

  Mrs. Gillian Armitage—31 March 1992

  Mr. Roy Luff—31 March 1992

  Mr. J. Kevein Lynden—31 March 1992

  Saundersfoot Harbour Commission

  Mr. E. A. Phillips—31 May 1994

  Mr. B. Waters—31 May 1994

  South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee

  Mr. D. J. O. Chant—30 June 1993

  Mr. P. G. Davies—30 June 1993

  Mr. H. G. Evans—30 June 1993

  Mr. W. R. Garner—30 June 1993

  Mr. G. M. Hughes—30 June 1993

  Mr. R. J. Packman—30 June 1993

  Dr. S. E. Shacklcy—30 June 1993

  Mr. R. S. Shaw—30 June 1993

  Mr. J. I. Stock—30 June 1993

  National Rivers Authority: Advisory Committee for Wales

  Chairman:

  Professor R. W. Edwards—appointed for as long as he is a member of the National Rivers Authority

  Members:

  Professor M. J. Briton—appointed for as long as they are Chairmen of various National Rivers Authority regional committees

  Lord Morgan KCMG—appointed for as long as they are Chairmen of various National Rivers Authority regional committees

  Mr. M. A. McLaggan JP—appointed for as long as they are Chairmen of various National Rivers Authority regional committees

  Dr. T. H. Y. Tebbutt—appointed for as long as they are Chairmen of various National Rivers Authority regional committees

  280

  Councillor J. D. A. Thompson JP—28 February 1993

  Mr. B. Riddleston—28 February 1993

  Dr. S. Tyler—28 February 1993

  Brecon Beacons National Park Committee

  Members:

  The Hon. Mrs. E. S. J. Legge-Bourke—31 March 1992

  Dr. C. S. Briggs—31 March 1992

  Dr. D. Jones—31 March 1992

  Mr. D. Harvey—31 March 1993

  Mrs. R. Harris—31 March 1993

  Mrs. J. Hosie—31 March 1993

  Dr. J. C. Venus—31 March 1994

  Ms. S. Price—31 March 1994

  Mr. A. Michael—31 March 1994

  Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Committee

  Members

  Mr. C. Parry—31 March 1992

  Mr. W. Evans—31 March 1992

  Mr. R. Pratt—31 March 1992

  Mr. P. Mould—31 March 1993

  Mrs. C. Burton—31 March 1994

  Mr. A. Rhys Davies—31 March 1994

  Snowdonia National Park Committee

  Members

  Mr. D. H. Roberts—31 March 1992

  Mr. J. Dale—31 March 1992

  Mr. E. C. Roberts—31 March 1993

  Dr. M. B. Alcock—31 March 1993

  Mrs. R. Callister—31 March 1993

  Mr. J. Lloyd-Jones—31 March 1994

  Mr. D. Tomos—31 March 1994

  Mrs. F. Lynch—31 March 1994

  Mr. A. Jones—31 March 1994

  Consumers Committees for Great Britain and for England and Wales

  Members

  Mrs. M. J. Roberts—7 September 1994

  Miss B. Brookes—14 September 1994

  Intervention Board Executive Agency

  Member

  Mr. O. Rees, CB—22 February 1992. No remuneration.

  Meat and Livestock Commission—Consumers Committee

  Member

  Mrs. S. Robert—1 October 1992

  Milk and Dairies Tribunal for Wales

  Member

  Mr. L. N. H. George—1 February 1993. Remuneration £66 per day.

  Hill Farming Advisory Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  Chairperson:

  The Baroness Trumpington—14 February 1992

  Deputy Chairman:

  Mr. Alun Evans OBE—14 February 1992

  Members:

  Mr. John Allen OBE—14 February 1992

  Mr. Charles Armstrong—14 February 1992

  Mr. Henry Bainbridge—14 February 1992

  Mr. John Dowson—14 February 1992

  Mr. Roberts Edwards—14 February 1992

  Mr. George Hodgon—14 February 1992

  Mr. Thomas Jones BA—14 February 1992

  Mr. Edmund Morphet—14 February 1992

  Mr. Thomas Roskilly BSc PhD—14 February 1992

  Mr. John Sayer—14 February 1992

  Mr. John Tamplin—14 February 1992

  Mr. Christopher Thomas-Everard FRICS—14 February 1992

  Mr. Campbell Tweed—14 February 1992

  281
  Sub Committee for Wales of the Hill Farming Advisory Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  Chairman:

  Mr. Alun Evans OBE—14 February 1992

  Members:

  Mr. Hywel Bound—14 February 1992

  Mr. David Davies—14 February 1992

  Mr. Robert Edwards—14 February 1992

  Mr. Richard Howells—14 February 1992

  Mr. Thomas Jones BA—14 February 1992

  Mr. William Lloyd—14 February 1992

  Mr. John Price—14 February 1992

  Mr. John Tamplin OBE—14 February 1992

  Mr. Christopher Thomas-Everard FRICS—14 February 1992

  Agricultural Advisory Council for Wales

  Chairman:

  r. R. E. M. Rees—31 October 1992

  Members:

  Mr. J. A. Parry—31 October 1992

  Mr. D. F. R. George—31 October 1992

  Mr. T. H. Jones—31 October 1994

  Mr. D. Williams—31 October 1992

  Mr. E. H. Perkins—31 October 1993

  Mr. R. C. Pratt—31 October 1993

  Mrs. T. Adams—31 October 1994

  Mrs. A. M. Rees—31 October 1992

  Mr. J. R. Gill—31 October 1993

  Mr. M. S. Pickering—31 October 1993

  Mrs. R. Rowlands—31 October 1994

  Mr. F. J. Morgan—31 October 1994

  Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Chairman:

  Sir Peter Phillips, OBE—31 December 1991

  Members:

  Dr. A. J. S. Folwell—31 December 1993

  Mr. K. Hodge—31 December 1994

  Mr. D. Jenkins—31 December 1993

  Mr. T. J. Jones, OBE—31 December 1992

  Mr. M. Wallace, OBE—31 December 1993

  There is one vacancy on the board at present.

  Ancient Monuments Board for Wales

  Chairman:

  Prof. Glanmor Williams—31 March 1992

  Rent Assessment Panel for Wales

  Salary

  Professional

  D. R. Davies, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  L. J. Edwards

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  J. H. Firman, FRICS, FCLA

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  R. B. Griffiths, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  W. H. Griffiths, MA, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  G. H. Joy, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  W. R. G. Jones, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  V. A. Kenneally, BSc, FSVA, FRVA

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  J. Lewis, FRICS, FRVA

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  J. Lingard, ARICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  J. G. Lloyd, FRICS, FLAS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  P. K. Lucas, ARICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  V. E. A. Morris

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  D. B. Phillips, FRICS, FRVA

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  Mrs. R. Pomfret, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  J. A. W. Protheroe, BSc, FRICS, FCIA

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  R. L. Thompson, FRICS, FRVA

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  G. B. Travis, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  H. M. Tudor

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  282

  Salary

  N. O. Tyler, FRICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  D. S. Williams, ARICS

  £158 per day

  31 December 1992

  Lay Member

  Mrs. J. Aitken

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  C. W. Bickley

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  D. J. I. Davies

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  Mrs. E. Elias

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  Miss M. Evans

  £101 per day

  31 December 1991

  County Councillor E. K. Griffiths

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  D. A. Jones

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  W. Jones

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  County Councillor C. Lewis, JP

  £101 per day

  31 December 1991

  Mrs. M. A. Mason, JP

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  C. J. Noott

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  J. R. Pritchard, JP

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  Mrs. K. M. Provis, JP, BSc

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  Mr. E. M. Richards

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  Mrs. D. E. H. Roberts

  £101 per day

  31 December 1991

  Mrs. I. C. Williams

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

  H. H. Roberts

  £101 per day

  31 December 1992

DEFENCE

  Atomic Weapons Establishment (Contract Labour)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the possession of a criminal record automatically bars an applicant for contract labour at Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No

  Atomic Tests (Christmas Island)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new medical evidence he has received regarding the connection between the atomic tests on Christmas Island and subsequent cancer and cancer-related disease.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence will pay appropriate compensation whenever the Crown's legal liability is established. There is, however, no firm evidence to show that any ill-health suffered by those who attended the tests was caused by their participation. This is supported by the last report on the subject by the National Radiological Protection Board—which continues to accumulate data and will produce a further report.

  Pensions
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the difference in pension payments for the ranks of(a) major, (b) commander and (c) group captain between those who retired (i) just before the Prices and Incomes Act affected the calculations, (ii) those whose pension calculations were affected and (iii) those who retired after it had been repealed; and what would be the total cost of ending the anomaly.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Maximum rates of retired pay which can currently be received by officers who retired in particular months immediately before, during, and immediately after the period of pay restraint policy operative from 1976 to 1978 are as follows:
  283

  Retired pay (£)

  Major

  Commander

  Group Captain

  Month of retirement

  Original award

  Current rate

  Original award

  Current rate

  Original award

  Current rate

  March 1976

  2,957

  13,358

  3,617

  16,339

  4,380

  19,786

  April 1976

  3,108

  11,156

  3,768

  13,525

  4,380

  15,721

  April 1977

  3,210

  10,039

  3,870

  12,104

  4,481

  14,015

  April 1978

  4,220

  11,545

  5,091

  13,927

  6,062

  16,584

  Original awards were calculated, and have subsequently been increased, in accordance with the normal regulations of the scheme. There are no alternative rates of award from which the cost requested could be calculated.

  Trident
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the maximum number of nuclear warheads the United Kingdom's Trident missiles will be capable of carrying;

  (2) what potential exists for the number of warheads on the United Kingdom's Trident missiles to be increased during their operational lifespan.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The actual number of warheads which will be carried by the D5 missile in United Kingdom service, and the maximum number that could be, is classified information. The Government have, however, made it clear that each United Kingdom Trident submarine will carry no more than 128 warheads.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the maximum number of nuclear warheads that the United States Trident D5 missiles are capable of carrying.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Warhead numbers on the United States' Trident missiles are a matter for the United States Government. In their joint summit statement of December 1987, however, the United States and Soviet Governments confirmed the assumption that the United States Trident II (DS) missile would be deployed with eight warheads.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what payments have already been made by Her Majesty's Government to the United States Government towards the research and development costs of the warhead for the United Kingdom's Trident missiles; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how much the United Kingdom is paying the United States Government towards the research and development costs of the warhead for the United Kingdom's Trident missiles; if this is a fixed amount; and how the payments are made.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom has developed its own warhead for use with the Trident missile system. It is not in the national interest to reveal research and development costs of such projects.

  Polaris
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment as to the effectiveness of the Polaris nuclear deterrent for the remainder of its operational life.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We remain satisfied with the continuing credibility and effectiveness of the Polaris strategic deterrent.

  Tactical Air-to-Surface Missiles
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer,Official Report, 13 November, column 615, what are the implications for the United Kingdom's decision on procuring a TASM of President Bush's decision to cancel the SRAM-T programme.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  We are continuing to consider a number of possible options for the replacement of our WE177 free-fall bombs. No decision has yet been taken.

  Short-range Attack Missiles
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations took place between his Department and the United States Government concerning President Bush's decision to cancel the SRAM-T programme.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This issue was covered in the consultation between our two Governments which preceded President Bush's nuclear initiative of 27 September.

  Anti-ballistic Missiles
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer,Official Report, 13 November, column 614, what is his policy towards the negotiated deployment of strategic defences within the terms of the ABM treaty; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Gentleman on 13 November.

  Soviet Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to providing assistance to the International Atomic Energy Agency to assist in monitoring the destruction of Soviet tactical nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are considering with our NATO allies a range of nuclear issues arising from political developments in the Soviet Union. There has been no initiative to provide assistance to the International Atomic Energy Agency, whose activities are, in any case, restricted to the field of civil nuclear energy.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to match the offer made by the United States Government to the leadership of the former states of the Soviet Union to purchase redundant nuclear warheads for safekeeping.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are considering with our NATO allies a range of nuclear issues arising from political developments in the Soviet Union. No decisions have been reached.
  285
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what information and material assistance he has provided to his Soviet counterpart(a) to ensure the physical security of Soviet nuclear weapons and (b) to help them destroy nuclear weapons;

  (2) what discussions he has had with his Soviet counterpart regarding the physical security and command and control arrangements for Soviet tactical nuclear weapons;

  (3) what information he has received from the Ukraine, Byelorussia, and Kazakhstan regarding the physical security and command and control arrangements for nuclear weapons in these areas.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We and our allies have made clear on many occasions to the authorities in the Soviet Union and republics both our concern about these matters, and our willingness to provide assistance and advice where necessary and practicable.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his assessment of the current physical security and command and control arrangements for(a) Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles, (b) Soviet strategic bomber forces, and (c) Soviet sea-launched ballistic missiles;

  (2) what is his assessment of the security and control arrangements for Soviet nuclear weapons manufacturing technology.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We believe that effective procedures exist for central control of all strategic nuclear forces and nuclear weapons manufacturing facilities. and for their protection. Nevertheless we are conscious of potential problems which may be caused by the break-up of the Soviet Union.

  Transport Helicopters
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and type of transport helicopters deployed with the RAF for each year since 1980.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This information is not readily available in the form requested. The number and types of transport helicopter deployed by the RAF has not, however, changed significantly since the introduction of the Chinook into RAF service in the early 1980s and thus the numbers are broadly in line with those I gave in my answer on 12 December 1991,Official Report, column 546.

  Parachute Regiments
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 10 December,Official Report, columns 743–744, on the recruiting level of 15 Parachute Regiment, what are the recruiting levels of the other two parachute regiments.

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

  Housing
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 12 December,Official Report, column 546, on housing, whether he will place in the Library a copy of the letter which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces sent to Lady Anson; and if he will place in the Library copies of
  286
  all the letters he has received from the Association of District Councils, the Association of County Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities on the subject of housing for ex-service personnel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have arranged for a copy of my noble Friend's letter to be placed in the Library of the House, together with a copy of Lady Anson's letter of 16 August. No other correspondence has been received from the Association of District Councils, the Association of County Councils or the Association of Metropolitan Authorities.

  Vehicles (Review)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors have been considered as part of his review of armoured personnel carrier and heavy armoured combat vehicle numbers.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All relevant factors are being considered as part of the review of armoured personnel carrier and heavy armoured combat vehicle numbers.

  Regiments (Recruitment)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will change his policy on the release of information on the recruiting levels of individual regiments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Information on the recruiting levels of individual regiments is not available centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Warheads
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capability the Atomic Weapons Establishment has to dismantle nuclear warheads and nuclear delivery systems.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer), on 21 October 1991,Official Report, column 453.

  Science and Peace Conference
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department was represented at the international congress of scientists and engineers on challenges of science and peace in a rapidly changing environment held in Berlin on 29 November to 1 December; and what is his policy towards the attendance at conferences of officials in his Department.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Ministers and officials attend conferences when they are relevant, and the timings and dates are convenient. No Defence Minister attended the conference in question; nor did any official attend on their behalf.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pension Age
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women go on working one year, two years, three years, four years and five years after reaching pension age.
  287
  Miss Widdecombe
  Activity rates for women in the five years after pension age are set out in the table. These figures are based on sample estimates from the labour force survey and are subject to greater sampling variability than are estimates for broader age groupings.

  Great Britian—1990

  Age

  Per cent.

  60

  29

  61

  27

  62

  22

  63

  20

  64

  15

  Note: The figures represent numbers of women in employment or unemployed, on the internationally agreed ILO definition, expressed as percentage of the population of women of each age.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of(a) reducing the pension age by one year to 64, (i) as gross cost, (ii) what the savings would be in terms of income support and community charge and housing benefit and (iii) net cost, (b) what the same figures would be for a reduction of two years to 63, (c) three years to 62, (d) four years to 61 and (e) five years to 60; and by what amount national insurance contribution would have to go up to meet in full such changes.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The discussion paper published yesterday includes the costs of a range of options for equalisation of state pension age.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will initiate a survey into whether skill shortages would be likely to occur if pension age for men was lowered by one year, two years, three years, four years or five years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to initiate such a survey.

  Pension Funds
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what action he proposes to take to prevent employers diverting their employees' pension fund moneys either to parent companies or to other corporate interests;

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that occupational fund assets are retained for the exclusive benefit of its members and pensioners.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Safeguards already exist in trust law to protect the interests of members of occupational pension schemes. Trustees have a duty to act, at all times, in the interests of all the beneficiaries of the scheme in accordance with the trust deed. Additional safeguards are in place for schemes that are used for contracting out of SERPS.

  This Government have already brought into force a provision which restricts an employer's ability to receive funds from a related pension scheme unless the scheme already increases pensions in payment at least in line with prices up to a maximum of 5 per cent.

  In addition we will bring forward, early next year, regulations to restrict to 5 per cent. the level of a schemes self investment in a sponsoring, associated or connected company.

  Pensions
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will increase the level of retirement pension to 33 per cent. of national average earnings for a single person and 50 per cent. of average earnings for married couples; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to do so. If the basic state pension had been increased this April in the way suggested by the hon. Member, the extra cost to the national insurance fund would be £25 billion this financial year which would imply an increase of £33 per week in the total contribution for a person on average male earnings and the employer.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards increases in the state retirement pension.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are committed to ensuring that state pensions are increased in line with prices thus ensuring a secure foundation in retirement. Further, we have created an economic environment in which pensioners' overall net incomes have increased by 34 per cent. in real terms between 1979 and 1988.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to bring into force regulations requiring employers to make good deficiencies upon the winding up of occupational pension schemes.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This provision in the Social Security Act 1990 was closely linked to the provision for limited price indexation on which we have delayed implementation in the light of the uncertainties arising from the Barber judgment. In the light of the Maastricht protocol on Barber, we are considering whether and when the necessary regulations should now be introduced.

  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to ascertain whether the Occupational Pension Board has fulfilled its duty to ensure that the resources in the pension funds of the companies of which the late Robert Maxwell was a director were and are sufficient to provide guaranteed minimum pensions for beneficiaries who had contracted out of SERPS.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Occupational Pension Board relies on certificates signed by actuaries to satisfy itself that the resources of an occupational pension scheme used for contracting out of SERPS are sufficient to meet the guaranteed minimum pension liability to its members. Certificates are submitted to the board every three and a half years.

  Additionally, in the case of self-administered schemes, an annual statement—signed by the scheme administrator, auditor or trustee—is required concerning the audit of scheme accounts, the receipt of contributions, and any self-investment or concentration of investment.

  I understand from the board that the documentation required in respect of the eleven pension schemes in the "Maxwell Group" was received and is in order. I also understand from the board that none of the certificates and statements gives any indication that there was anything wrong with the schemes at the relevant time.

  Damages for Injuries
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the 1990–91 income arising from the provisions of the Social Security Act 1989 for full recovery of state benefits from tort damages for injuries and the administrative costs involved; how many recipients were required to repay in full the state benefits they received; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Appeal Tribunals (Remuneration)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what remuneration will be paid to chairpersons and other members of social security and disability appeal tribunals from April 1992.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The fee payable to social security tribunal chairmen from April 1992 will be £115 per half-day session. Social security tribunal members are not paid a fee.

  The fee payable to disability appeal tribunal chairmen from April 1992 will be £115 per half-day session. There will be two rates payable to disability tribunal members: the lay members will be paid £53 per half-day session; the fee for the medical member—in practice a GP—will be in excess of this, but has not yet been fixed.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether, and in what circumstances, a person entitled to family credit will be allowed to claim disability working allowance instead; what benefits to which family credit is a passport will not be similarly available to persons receiving disability working allowance; and what will be the highest marginal tax rate, including loss of benefits, to which persons receiving disability working allowance will be exposed(a) in April 1992 and (b) after the introduction of council tax benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  A person is disqualified from claiming disability working allowance—DWA—if he, or any member of his household, has a current award of family credit. If he wishes to claim disability working allowance instead he will be able to make an advance claim during the period when he would normally be able to renew his family credit award so that there will be no break in payment.

  Family credit is a passport to free national health service prescriptions and to help with other NHS charges. People who get DWA will be able to apply for help with NHS charges through the NHS low income scheme.

  DWA, like family credit, will be assessed on the basis of net income so that people will gain something from each extra pound they earn. However, some people will be subject to marginal deduction rates of 96 per cent. from April 1992 and 97 per cent. after the introduction of council tax benefit.

  Vibration White Finger
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the rates of gratuity awards, in terms of gratuity per percentage disablement from 1 per cent. to 290
  15 per cent. for those awarded, in each of the past three years, in respect of a disablement allowance for vibration white finger.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those areas where the cold weather payments have been authorised currently, the number of areas where no such payments have been authorised; and the estimated percentage of pensioners in all who will be receiving the payments arising from the above.

  Mr. Scott
  By 18 December cold weather payments had been triggered by 26 of the 63 weather stations. Areas covered by 18 of the weather stations have already been authorised for payment. The remaining eight areas will he authorised for payment this weekend, 21 December 1991. The relevant weather stations are in the table. Information relating to the percentage of pensioners who will he receiving a payment in the areas which have triggered is not available.

  Cold weather payments

  Weather stations

  Period

  Bedford RAE

  5 December 1991 to 11 December 1991

  Birmingham AP

  5 December 1991 to 11 December 1991

  Boscombe Down

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Brise Norton

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Cilynydd

  8 December 1991 to 14 December 19911

  Coltishall

  7 December 1991 to 13 December 19911

  Coningsby

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Cwmbargoed

  7 December 1991 to 13 December 19911

  Dumfries/Drungans

  5 December 1991 to 11 December 1991

  Easthampstead

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Eskdalemuir

  3 December 1991 to 9 December 1991

  Finningley

  5 December 1991 to 11 December 1991

  Gatwick AP

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Heathrow AP

  8 December 1991 to 14 December 19911

  Honington

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Leeds WC

  7 December 1991 to 13 December 1991

  Leeming

  5 December 1991 to 11 December 1991

  Lyneham

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Marham

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Shawbury

  5 December 1991 to 11 December 1991

  Stansted

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Waddington

  7 December 1991 to 13 December 19911

  Watnall

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Wattisham

  8 December 1991 to 14 December 19911

  Wyton

  6 December 1991 to 12 December 1991

  Yeovilton

  8 December 1991 to 14 December 19911

  1 To be authorised weekend of 21 December 1991.

  Kidney Dialysis Patients
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to introduce a dietary allowance for social security claimants who are kidney dialysis patients and have to have a special diet.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to do so. I am advised that the dietary regime which kidney dialysis patients may be advised to follow need not result in any additional costs.

  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to introduce an
  291
  additional heating allowance for social security claimants who undergo kidney dialysis at home and have to keep their houses at a constant temperature.

  Miss Widdecombe
  People who undergo kidney dialysis at home are able to qualify for attendance allowance under special rules. This is currently worth at least £27·80 a week. In addition, attendance allowance attracts the disability, or higher pensioner, premium in income support, housing benefit and community charge benefit and is normally disregarded in the calculation of those benefits. We have no plans to introduce any further allowances for this group.

  Concessionary Coal
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the circumstances under which payment in lieu of concessionary coal can be disregarded when claiming community charge benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 18 December.

  Income Support (Mortgage Interest)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to make payments of income support in respect of mortgage interest payable direct to the lender.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House earlier today.

  Mr. R. Long
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he is able to inform Mr. R. Long of Buochli, 6373 Ennetburgen, Switzerland of his decision as to Mr. Long's national insurance liability during the period April 1986 to December 1987.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 18 November 1991]: We have concluded discussions on the interpretation of the regulations governing Mr. Long's case and have written to both Mr. Long and his former employer to inform them of the outcome. We are now awaiting their response. Provided that both Mr. Long and his former employer accept the interpretation and that agreement by the Swiss authorities is obtained, the Secretary of State will then be able to give his decision.

  Number of crimes and offences recorded by the police and percentage change 1979–90, Scotland

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  Total crimes and offences

  673,955

  724,671

  744,725

  762,483

  799,568

  809,451

  Total crimes

  346,680

  364,587

  408,204

  435,081

  448,260

  474,914

  Group 1 Non-sexual crimes of violence

  10,025

  11,090

  12,161

  12,085

  13,023

  13,700

  Group 2 Crimes of indecency

  4,673

  5,244

  4,794

  4,996

  5,474

  5,710

  Group 3 Crimes of dishonesty

  269,193

  279,793

  320,003

  340,070

  342,452

  359,196

  Group 4 Fireraising, vandalism etc

  56.138

  60.121

  61,725

  66,013

  73,060

  79,054

  Group 5 Other crimes

  6,651

  8,339

  9,521

  11,917

  14,251

  17,254

  Total offences

  327,275

  360,084

  336,521

  327,402

  351,308

  334,537

  Group 6 Miscellaneous offences

  123,319

  123,171

  118,214

  115,384

  114,807

  114,911

  Group 7 Motor vehicle offences

  203,956

  236,913

  218,307

  212,018

  236,501

  219,626

SCOTLAND

  Council Tax
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary fo State for Scotland what council tax bills would be in 1991–92 for each band in each district and island council area for(a) households of average size and (b) two-person households.

  Mr. Lang
  The average bills for households of a given size will depend on the number of adults in the households. Illustrative figures on bills for households of one, or two or more adults, under the proposed council tax were issued by the Government on 23 April.

  Police Numbers
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the latest establishment figures for uniformed police in each police authority; and if he will give actual staffing figures.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Authorised police establishment and number of officers in post as at 30 September 1991

  Establishment

  1Number in post

  Central Scotland Police

  643

  624

  Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

  384

  357

  Fife Constabulary

  780

  758

  Grampian Police

  1,178

  1,140

  Lothian and Borders Police

  2,487

  2,418

  Northern Constabulary

  654

  635

  Strathclyde Police

  6,954

  6,712

  Tayside Police

  1,057

  1,016

  1 The above figures exclude officers on secondment to other forces, central service, and so on.

  Crime
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a table on a comparable basis to his answer in the Official Report, 9 December, columns 344–46, with information on crime rates in Scotland since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is given in the table.
  293

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Total crimes and offences

  800,380

  822,370

  858,228

  855,601

  902,031

  959,063

  Total crimes

  461,970

  463,837

  481,230

  469,986

  493,385

  535,864

  Group 1 Non-sexual crimes of violence

  15,090

  15,705

  18,350

  17,871

  18,374

  18,234

  Group 2 Crimes of indecency

  5,741

  5,354

  5,266

  5,057

  5,742

  6,034

  Group 3 Crimes of dishonesty

  342,349

  342,522

  356,527

  344,509

  355,525

  385,152

  Group 4 Fireraising, vandalism etc

  79,545

  78,891

  76,444

  73,518

  79,062

  86,457

  Group 5 Other crimes

  19,245

  21,365

  24,643

  29,031

  34,682

  39,987

  Total offences

  338,410

  358,533

  376,998

  385,615

  408,646

  423,199

  Group 6 Miscellaneous offences

  118,098

  120,446

  127,306

  124,878

  124,892

  126,960

  Group 7 Motor vehicle offences

  220,312

  238,087

  249,692

  260,737

  283,754

  296,239

  Pencentage change

  1979–90

  Total crimes and offences

  42

  Total crimes

  55

  Group 1 Non-sexual crimes of violence

  82

  Group 2 Crimes of indecency

  29

  Group 3 Crimes of dishonesty

  43

  Group 4 Fireraising, vandalism etc.

  54

  Group 5 Other crimes

  501

  Total offences

  29

  Group 6 Miscellaneous offences

  3

  Group 7 Motor vehicle offences

  45

  Notes:

  1. Data for 1979 have been regrouped on the basis of the current Scottish Office Home and Health Department classification of crimes and offences which was revised in 1980.

  2. Prior to 1980, the return included crimes and offences reported to the Procurator Fiscal by agencies other than the police in which a prosecution was taken. Since 1980, these cases have been excluded. In 1982, there were about 6,400 such cases in Scotland, of a total of 762,483 crimes and offences.

  3. Most of the increase in crimes in Group 5 is in recorded cases of re-offending while on bail which may in part be explained by changes in recording practice.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of(a) total crimes and (b) violent crimes in (i) each police force area and (ii) across all of Scotland in 1979 and 1990, and the percentage increase in each authority area.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table. Figures for numbers of violent crimes recorded in 1979 provided on 27 March 1991,Official Report, columns 440–41, have been found to be in error, underestimating the amount of violent crime recorded in 1979. The following table contains revised figures for the number of violent crimes recorded in 1979.

  Number of crimes1, crimes and offences2 and violent crimes3 recorded in Scotland by police force area in 1979 and 1990 and the percentage change

  Police Force Area

  1979

  1990

  Percentage change 1979–90

  Central

  Crimes

  13,844

  22,957

  66

  Crimes and offences

  28,398

  46,078

  62

  Violent crimes

  1,5384

  3,277

  113

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Crimes

  4,835

  8,096

  67

  Crimes and offences

  17,934

  21,308

  19

  Violent crimes

  4744

  1,179

  149

  294

  Police Force Area

  1979

  1990

  Percentage change 1979–90

  Fife

  Crimes

  14,257

  30,706

  115

  Crimes and offences

  31,779

  55,142

  74

  Violent crimes

  l,8014

  3,063

  70

  Grampian

  Crimes

  22,821

  37,070

  62

  Crimes and offences

  50,604

  82,071

  62

  Violent crimes

  3,5724

  5,537

  55

  Lothian and Borders

  Crimes

  62,502

  87,548

  40

  Crimes and offences

  116,828

  152,445

  30

  Violent crimes

  5,8054

  8,765

  51

  Northern

  Crimes

  8,711

  13,132

  51

  Crimes and offences

  27,104

  35,467

  31

  Violent crimes

  1,4654

  2,042

  39

  Strathclyde

  Crimes

  195,485

  293,655

  50

  Crimes and offences

  351,269

  487,575

  39

  Violent crimes

  23,6334

  31,536

  33

  Tayside

  Crimes

  24,225

  42,700

  76

  Crimes and offences

  50,039

  78,977

  58

  Violent crimes

  2,4604

  3,923

  59

  Scotland

  Crimes

  346,680

  535,864

  55

  Crimes and offences

  673,955

  959,063

  42

  Violent crimes

  40,748

  59,322

  46

  Notes:

  1 Comprises groups 1–5 of the Scottish Office Home and Health Department (SOHHD) classification of crimes and offences.

  2 Comprises groups 1–7 of the SOHHD classification of crimes and offences, ie all crimes and offences.

  3 Comprises group 1 (non-sexual crimes of violence), the sexual assault category from group 2 (crimes of indecency) and the petty assault category from group 6 (miscellaneous offences) of the SOHHD classification of crimes and offences.

  4 Revised.

  Details of the SOHHD classification are given in the SOHHD statistical bulletin "Recorded crime in Scotland 1990", a copy of which is in the library.

  Degrees
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the criteria he will apply in granting degree awarding powers to Scottish higher education institutions beyond the present universities and polytechnics.
  295
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly.

  Rents-to-Mortgages Scheme
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the way in which rents to mortgages was marketed to the initial group of eligible tenants and then to local authority tenants.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The pilot rents-tomortgages scheme became available to eligible tenants of Scottish Homes and the new town development corporations in Scotland on 30 October 1989. Scottish Homes produced an explanatory leaflet which was distributed to each of its eligible tenants. Supplies of the leaflet were also made available to new town development corporations.

  The pilot scheme was extended to local authority tenants in Scotland on 1 April 1991 and was publicised by a campaign on television, in the national and local press and on radio. This was necessary because of the difficulty of contacting local authority tenants directly. An explanatory leaflet was also produced, and around 20,000 inquiries were received. The television advertising campaign was repeated in October. All eligible tenants interested in the scheme are offered detailed counselling and advice about the scheme and about the consequences of becoming a home owner.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish the results of research into consumer satisfaction with services following the introduction of compulsory competitive tendering.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has today published the report on market research, conducted in nine Scottish local authorities by the MVA Consultancy, into consumer satisfaction with refuse collection and street cleaning services both before and after the introduction of competitive tendering for those services. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The report shows little change in consumer satisfaction. Where change has occurred it has generally been for the better. The results of the research support the Government's view that competitive tendering can bring benefits without an unacceptable reduction in service standards. They provide no comfort to those who have claimed that saving from competitive tendering have been secured at the expense of quality of service.

  Farm Woodland Premium
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to prevent the postponement of planned tree planting on farms pending the introduction of the farm woodland premium scheme on 1 April 1992.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 19 November 1991 in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Esher (Mr. Taylor) (Official Report, columns 135–36) that a successor to the farm woodland scheme—to be called the farm woodland premium scheme—will be introduced on 1 April 1992. In
  296
  the meantime, applications to enter the existing scheme may be lodged for an extended period up to and including 31 March 1992.

  We are conscious that the proposals for the new scheme, which have recently been circulated for consultation, may encourage farmers to consider postponing their planting plans for the present season. In order to avoid a hiatus of this kind pending parliamentary agreement to a revised statutory instrument for the farm woodland premium scheme, we have decided that any planting approved under the current farm woodland scheme which is undertaken on or after 1 October 1991 will be eligible for the full planting grants under the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme, including payment of the better land supplement where appropriate. In all other respects the existing rules of the farm woodland scheme, including the rates of annual payments, will continue to apply.

  Any higher grants to be paid under these interim arrangements will be met by the Forestry Commission from existing resources.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by each of his Department's executive agencies since their establishment; and separately identify those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The framework documents for my three agencies set out the following key performance measures:

  Registers of Scotland
  turn round times in respect of the Land and Sasine Registers
  unit costs for the primary products of the Land and Sasine Registers
  backlog arrears comparisons in the Land and Sasine Registers
  evidence of customer satisfaction, eg error rates attributable to the Agency and indemnity claims
  progress on extending the Land Register to the whole of Scotland
  income/expenditure comparisons.

  Historic Scotland
  number of ancient monuments newly scheduled
  number of completed units of the resurvey of listed buildings
  number of general Historic Building Repair grant cases in payment
  conservation backlog on monuments in care
  value for money savings in maintenance of monuments in care
  number of visitors to monuments in care where an admission charge is made
  total income
  surplus on commercial activities
  exchequer contribution to Historic Scotland's work.

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
  aerial surveillance—per cent. of hours flown on task1 cost per aircraft sighting
  marine surveillance—number of boardings at sea marine surveillance-cost per boarding
  Sea Fisheries Inspectorate—cost per £1 million of fish landed
  prosecutions—proportion of cases reported for prosecution within required timescales
  number of cases where court proceedings are taken as percentage of offences report for prosecution.
  297
  Performance measures operative prior to agency status were: for the Registers of Scotland, turn round times, backlog arrears and indemnity claims; for Historic Scotland, increases in visitor numbers, income targets and numbers of historic buildings repair grants; and for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency, numbers of boardings at sea.

  1"Time on task" is the time that the aircraft spends looking for fishing vessels. It excludes transit time between airports and fishing grounds and flights for crew training, aircraft testing, and so on.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those new facilities for staff, including nurseries and health care schemes, which have been introduced in each of his Department's executive agencies since their establishment.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]None.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of each of his Department's executive agencies; and whether the cost was born by the parent Department or the new agency.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The information is as follows:

  Costs borne by

  Agency

  Parent Department

  £

  £

  Registers of Scotland

  8,000

  —

  Historic Scotland

  2,700

  300

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  300

  340

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of each of his Department's executive agencies; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The holding of a degree is not mandatory for the post of chief executive of any of the three agencies for which I am responsible. As the information requested is personal to the individual concerned, it is not appropriate to divulge it.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a group bonus scheme is in operation in each of his Department's executive agencies.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: No.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff were in post on the date that each of his Department's executive agencies were established; and how many staff are in post now in each case.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The information is as follows:

  Staff in post

  At Launch1

  1 December 1991

  Registers of Scotland

  997

  1,302

  Historic Scotland

  610·5

  627

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  196·5

  218·5

  1 The Registers of Scotland was launched as an agency on 1 April 1990.The two other agencies were launched on 1 April 1991.

  298
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the last annual report for each of his Department's executive agencies was published; and when the next one is due.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The first annual report for the Registers of Scotland was published on 23 July 1991 and placed in the Library. Historic Scotland and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency became agencies on 1 April 1991 and have not therefore published annual reports as yet. In the case of each of the agencies, the next annual report will be published as soon as possible after the end of the 1991–92 financial year.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable, including preformance-related elements, in each case where appointments from the private sector have been made to his Department's executive agencies at grade 7 or above, since their establishment.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: One such appointment has been made, at grade 7. The remuneration is within the relevant civil service pay scale for the grade. It would not be appropriate to identify the specific post.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of each of his Department's executive agencies, including performance-related element, and the length of time of the chief executive's contract in each case.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The information is as follows:

  Registers of Scotland: as for a Grade 4 civil servant; 5 year contract from 6 June 1990;

  Historic Scotland: as for a Grade 3 civil servant; open contract; it is intended that the post will be filled by open competition in due course;

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency: as for a Grade 5 civil servant; appointment for 3 years from 1 April 1991.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into each of his Department's executive agencies since their establishment; and provide a break down by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern for each new agency.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: None.

  Foresterhill Hospital
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether the Foresterhill hospital trust will purchase or lease land and property which is to be part of the trust but is currently owned by Aberdeen university;

  (2) whether compensation will be paid to Aberdeen university for land and property allocated to, or to be used by, the Foresterhill trust, but owned by the university.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 16 December 1991]: The greater part of the property to be transferred to the Foresterhill national health service trust is currently held in joint title in the names of the Secretary of State and the university of Aberdeen. It is intended that the Secretary of State's interest in such property would transfer to the trust. I see no reason why the present arrangements between the Foresterhill group of hospitals and Aberdeen university

  299
  over use of facilities on the site should change. It is not envisaged that a Foresterhill national health service trust would require property, the title to which was solely in the name of the university of Aberdeen. Consequently no issue of compensation appears to arise in relation to such property.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to meet his EC colleagues to discuss reform of the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  At the next meeting of the Agriculture Council on 27–28 January.

  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much the common agricultural policy has cost the British Exchequer during the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is as follows. In addition, however, the Exchequer supports CAP spending elsewhere in the Community through our net contribution to the EC budget.

  United Kingdom Public Expenditure under the CAP1

  £ million

  1987–88

  1,611

  1988–89

  1,363

  1989–90

  1,230

  1990–91

  1,848

  1991–92

  2,000

  1 United Kingdom expenditure under the CAP covers market support and structural aid schemes.

  Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to meet the president of the Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance to discuss problems concerning this sector of the food industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I am always ready to meet the alliance on any current point of concern.

  MacSharry Proposals
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Farmers Union to discuss the MacSharry proposals for the reform of the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay).

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will report on progress with the MacSharry common agricultural policy reform plans.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer to the reply I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Westmoreland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling) on 13 December 1991, at column 595.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received this year about animal welfare; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department continues to receive a very large number of representations on animal welfare.

  The Government attach great importance to this issue and will continue to press for the high standards in this country to be adopted throughout the European Community.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to improve animal welfare throughout the EC.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government will continue to press for the Community to set the highest welfare standards, in line with the declaration which has been agreed at Maastricht, following a United Kingdom initiative, on the need for Community legislation to take full account of animal welfare.

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

  Mr. Maclean
  The Food Advisory Committee's report of its review of food labelling legislation and practices recommends a number of further improvements in important areas of food labelling to which the Government have already responded positively.

  I shall shortly be considering the results of extensive consultation with all interested parties on the Committee's recommendations, along with any further recommendations which the Committee may wish to make as a result of that consultation, before taking any further action.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times he has met consumer representatives during 1991 to discuss food labelling.

  Mr. Maclean
  I meet the consumer panel and representatives of consumer organisations on a very regular basis to discuss matters of interest, including food labelling.

  I have taken the opportunity at these meetings to keep consumer organisations informed of progress on the Food Advisory Committee's review of food labelling, the report of which was published in April this year.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what fresh steps he is taking to make the information on the labels of food and food products(a) clearer, (b) simpler and (c) more relevant.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Food Advisory Committee's report of its review of food labelling legislation and practices, published in April this year, recommends a number of improvements in important areas of existing food labelling requirements, including the presentation of statutory labelling information, to which the Government has already responded positively.

  I shall shortly be considering the results of extensive consultation with all interested parties on the Committee's

  301
  recommendations, along with any further recomrnendations which the Committee may wish to make as a result of that consultation, before making any final decisions and taking further action.

  Agriculture Expenditure
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of public expenditure on agriculture; and what the comparable figure was for 1990.

  Mr. Curry
  Public expenditure under the common agricultural policy and on national grants and subsidies for the 1991–92 financial year is forecast at £2,086 million. The comparable figure for 1990–91 was £1,910 million.

  Farm Subsidies
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress towards reaching agreement on farm subsidies over the next five years.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government aim to secure, through reform of the common agricultural policy and through

  1988

  Horse based activities1

  Golf Courses

  Game cover for commercial shoots

  Sports Ground

  Other recreational facilities

  Other uses under non agricultural use option

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Avon

  8

  73

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  6

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  5

  22

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Berkshire

  6

  146

  —

  —

  1

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Buckinghamshire

  14

  157

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  112

  Cambridgeshire

  8

  117

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  16

  Cheshire

  7

  64

  1

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  29

  Cleveland

  1

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cornwall

  5

  53

  1

  9

  1

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  2

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  1

  10

  2

  56

  —

  —

  1

  16

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devonshire

  4

  37

  —

  —

  1

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  1

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  13

  1

  23

  Durham

  6

  99

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  16

  93

  2

  95

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Gloucestershire

  8

  51

  2

  15

  1

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater London

  2

  39

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  6

  —

  —

  1

  10

  Greater Manchester

  3

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  6

  62

  —

  —

  1

  22

  1

  13

  —

  —

  1

  17

  Hereford/Worcestershire

  5

  23

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  4

  24

  1

  53

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  2

  19

  3

  49

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  45

  Kent

  14

  137

  1

  7

  2

  6

  1

  20

  —

  —

  1

  41

  Leicestershire

  6

  32

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  2

  71

  1

  147

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  3

  19

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  1

  25

  Norfolk

  6

  30

  1

  53

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  4

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumberland

  3

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  12

  1

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  8

  Oxfordshire

  12

  80

  I

  44

  —

  —

  2

  4

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Shropshire

  3

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  41

  Somerset

  7

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Staffordshire

  4

  35

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  13

  125

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  13

  —

  —

  1

  2—

  Surrey

  2

  5

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  East Sussex

  2

  26

  —

  —

  2

  6

  —

  —

  1

  8

  —

  —

  West Sussex

  11

  157

  1

  14

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  12

  Warwickshire

  11

  78

  2

  73

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  9

  Wiltshire

  6

  59

  1

  12

  1

  3

  —

  —

  1

  12

  —

  —

  302
  agreement in the GATT Uruguay round negotiations, lower levels of agricultural support both within the European Community and worldwide.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations on set-aside arrangements he has received over the last month.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received a number of representations on various aspects of set-aside over the last month.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers have received payment under the set-aside scheme, for each year since 1988, in each county in England for(a) horse based activities, (b) golf courses, (c) game cover for commercial shoots, (d) sports grounds, (e) other recreational facilities and (f) other; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 December 1991]: The following tables list all agreements under the nonagricultural use option of the set-aside scheme for 1988, 1989 and 1990, the three years for which payments have been made under the scheme.
  303

  Horse based activities1

  Golf Courses

  Game cover for commercial shoots

  Sports Ground

  Other recreational facilities

  Other uses under non agricultural use option

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  North Yorkshire

  5

  62

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  27

  West Yorkshire

  2

  22

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total (1988)

  232

  2,193

  21

  671

  13

  72

  13

  107

  5

  35

  26

  424

  1 Livery stables, riding schools, stud farms, hay for horses, grazing for horses, horse rides.

  2 Less than 1 hectare.

  Note: Total may differ due to rounding

  1989

  Horse based activities1

  Golf Courses

  Game cover for commercial shoots

  Sports Ground

  Other recreational facilities

  Other uses under non agricultural use option

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Avon

  8

  77

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  8

  86

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  Berkshire

  7

  244

  —

  —

  1

  4

  —

  —

  1

  16

  —

  —

  Buckinghamshire

  16

  164

  1

  65

  1

  4

  3

  31

  —

  —

  1

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  9

  165

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  6

  —

  —

  2

  19

  Cheshire

  7

  79

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cornwall

  4

  29

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  4

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  6

  63

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devonshire

  13

  74

  1

  48

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  6

  68

  1

  63

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  1

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  16

  83

  1

  54

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  12

  Gloucestershire

  14

  251

  —

  —

  1

  3

  1

  22

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater London

  1

  26

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  2

  32

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  17

  163

  —

  —

  2

  28

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  6

  Hereford/Worcestershire

  7

  98

  2

  100

  1

  11

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Hertfordshire

  11

  95

  1

  46

  1

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  19

  Humberside

  2

  20

  2

  76

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  47

  Isle of Wight

  2

  19

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  4

  1

  4

  —

  —

  Kent

  14

  123

  1

  50

  3

  21

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  1

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  8

  144

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  Lincolnshire

  4

  49

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  4

  56

  —

  —

  2

  7

  1

  3

  —

  —

  1

  4

  Norfolk

  8

  81

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Northamptonshire

  5

  78

  2

  84

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  2

  17

  Northumberland

  6

  105

  —

  —

  1

  43

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  8

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  28

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  8

  2

  5

  Oxfordshire

  18

  181

  2

  121

  1

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  15

  Shropshire

  5

  89

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  24

  Somerset

  4

  43

  2

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  4

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  5

  35

  1

  63

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  19

  Suffolk

  10

  165

  1

  32

  —

  —

  3

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  9

  111

  1

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Sussex

  6

  46

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  44

  West Sussex

  8

  83

  2

  61

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Tyne and Wear

  3

  48

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  4

  37

  2

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  34

  Wiltshire

  10

  87

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  11

  135

  1

  36

  2

  15

  —

  —

  1

  2

  1

  6

  South Yorkshire

  1

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  2

  18

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total (1989)

  304

  3,590

  25

  1,019

  19

  153

  11

  76

  10

  43

  28

  290

  1 (Livery stables, riding schools, stud farms, hay for horses, grazing for horses, horse rides)

  2—less than 1 hectare.

  Note: Total may differ due to rounding
  304 305

  1990

  Horse based activities1

  Golf Courses

  Game cover for commercial shoots

  Sports Ground

  Other recreational facilities

  Other uses under non agricultural use option

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Number of agreements

  Land area hectares

  Avon

  3

  17

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  5

  37

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Berkshire

  6

  108

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buckinghamshire

  6

  133

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  37

  Cambridgeshire

  7

  34

  5

  270

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Cheshire

  1

  19

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cornwall

  5

  36

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  26

  Derbyshire

  3

  36

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devonshire

  2

  77

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  2

  34

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  3

  86

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  13

  131

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Gloucestershire

  8

  38

  —

  —

  1

  7

  2

  44

  —

  —

  1

  9

  Greater London

  3

  46

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  8

  Greater Manchester

  5

  26

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  6

  60

  —

  —

  1

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  I

  64

  Hereford/Worcestershire

  5

  41

  1

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  1

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  2

  9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  94

  Kent

  16

  222

  3

  133

  I

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  136

  Lancashire

  I

  26

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  8

  67

  1

  66

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  6

  76

  2

  92

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2—

  Merseyside

  2

  53

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Norfolk

  3

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  5

  85

  1

  96

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  4

  13

  2

  104

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Oxfordshire

  12

  144

  2

  127

  —

  —

  1

  29

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shropshire

  2

  4

  1

  31

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somerset

  7

  141

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  6

  Staffordshire

  6

  49

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  10

  85

  1

  23

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  44

  Surrey

  5

  71

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  East Sussex

  7

  70

  2

  94

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  17

  West Sussex

  5

  42

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  15

  Tyne and Wear

  2

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  7

  67

  2

  124

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  11

  194

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  13

  —

  —

  1

  1

  North Yorkshire

  7

  67

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  167

  West Yorkshire

  1

  24

  1

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total (1990)

  213

  2,528

  24

  1,259

  8

  29

  5

  87

  2

  3

  24

  627

  1 (Livery stables, riding schools, stud farms, hay for horses, grazing for horses, horse rides)

  2—less than 1 hectare

  Note: Total may differ due to rounding

  Fishing Boats (Decommissioning)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to introduce a decommissioning scheme for fishermen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend has already made it clear that he is prepared to consider proposals for a decommissioning scheme, but only as part of a wider package including effort control. We are currently debating these ideas with the industry.

  Sheep Producers
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the likely effect on United Kingdom sheep producers of the MacSharry proposals to reform the common agricultural policy.
  306
  Mr. Gummer
  The proposed reform of the sheepmeat regime seriously discriminates against United Kingdom producers, many of them in the most difficult areas of the country. Reducing ewe premium headage limits would exclude up to 15 per cent. of our animals from the premium whereas only about 3 per cent. of the rest of the EC's ewes would be excluded.

  Farmers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of farmers in 1980 to 1991.

  Mr. Curry
  The number of farmers, partners and directors in England in the years 1980 to 1991 as at the annual June census, including estimates for minor holdings, are shown in the table.
  307

  Farmers, partners and directors, England (including minor holdings)

  Year

  Thousands

  1980

  196·4

  1981

  193·9

  1982

  192·1

  1983

  189·8

  1984

  190·1

  1985

  187·8

  1986

  187·4

  1987

  185·5

  1988

  183·5

  1989

  182·4

  1990

  181·9

  1991

  1179·5

  1 Provisional.

  Bottled Mineral Water
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy for consumers of current regulations for the labelling of bottled mineral water; and whether he has raised this issue with his consumer panel.

  Mr. Gummer
  The labelling and marketing of natural mineral waters is harmonised in the EC by the natural mineral waters directive (80/777) and implemented in the UK by the Natural Mineral Waters Regulations 1985. The EC Commission is currently reviewing the operation of the directive and some time ago we passed to it comments on improvements in labelling. We expect the Commission to propose amendments to the directive. When these are received we will consult UK interests, including consumer organisations. I will at that time assess the need to consult the consumer panel as well; in the meantime it is always open for a member of the panel to raise any relevant issues with me.

  Salmonella
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage of poultry consumed in the United Kingdom which has been imported for the latest available date; how many tests for the presence of salmonella were carried out and with what results; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  In 1990, imports of poultrymeat represented 12·4 per cent. of domestic use and is forecast at 12 per cent. for 1991.

  Information on the results from the bacteriological testing of imported poultrymeat is not held centrally.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what information he has on the number of reports received by local authorities and water companies about carcases of farm animals left by the roadside or in water courses for each year since 1986;

  (2) if he will list the number of (a) initiated and (b) successful prosecutions against those who deliberately leave carcases unburied or dump them under the (i) Control of Pollution Act 1974, (ii) Environmental Protection Act 1990 and (iii) Dogs Act 1906 in 1990 and 1991, respectively.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available centrally.

  Knackers and Renderers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals to monitor the range of prices that different renderers charge knackers across the country.

  Mr. Maclean
  Although some information is obtained regularly by the Ministry on the broad movement of collection charges by renderers, I have no intention of setting up a formal monitoring system in relation to the financial arrangements between knackers and renderers.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, in tonnes, the amount of waste arising from knackers' yards in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information in the form requested is not available. However, it is estimated that the animal waste arising from knackers' yards accounts for between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of the material processed by the rendering industry. The rendering industry currently processes up to 1·75 million tonnes of animal waste a year.

  Illegal Catches
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many United Kingdom trawler captains have been successfully prosecuted during the last 12 months for landing illegal catches of fish at United Kingdom ports and harbours;

  (2) how many United Kingdom trawler captains have cases awaiting to be dealt with by the courts for landing illegal catches of fish at United Kingdom ports and harbours.

  Mr. Curry
  Ninety-one United Kingdom fishing skippers have been successfully prosecuted during 1991 for offences against fisheries legislation; 153 cases are waiting to be dealt with by the courts. Information on how many of these convictions and pending cases result from the landing of illegal catches is not readily available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precautions he is taking to prevent United Kingdom trawler fishermen from landing illegal catches at United Kingdom ports and harbours.

  Mr. Curry
  Enforcement of national and community fisheries legislation is carried out by the sea fisheries inspectorates of the Fisheries Departments in co-operation with patrol ships of the Royal Navy and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and surveillance aircraft. The United Kingdom control and inspection procedures are acknowledged to be among the best in the Community.

  Badgers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ensure that local badger groups and wildlife protection groups are notified in advance of any section 43 licences it may be proposed to issue within their area; if he will allow a period for representations to be made prior to such licences taking effect; and if he has yet finalised details of his licensing scheme.

  Mr. Maclean
  In considering an application for a licence to permit interference with a badger sett the licensing authorities will consult local interests as they consider appropriate.

  Horses
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to review the status of the horse as an agricultural animal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have no current plans to do so.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the numbers and proportion of fallen stock disposed of by(a) knackering/rendering, (b) hunt kennels and (c) on farm burial for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is estimated that knackers and hunt kennels dispose of well in excess of 700,000 fallen animals each year. Figures for other means of disposal, such as burial on farm, licensed landfill sites or incineration are not known.

  Dioxins and Furans
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his food surveillance report on dioxins and furans.

  Mr. Gummer
  I hope to be able to publish this report by the end of January.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Pensioners (Welfare)
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being considered to look after the welfare of pensioners during the winter months, particularly regarding financial support for adequate heating in their homes.

  Mr. Hanley
  Basic pensions, together with any income support which may be payable, are intended to cover pensioner's day-to-day living costs, including heating throughout the year. Income support includes special premiums, ranging from £13·75 to £26·20, to help with pensioners' extra needs. From April 1992 there will be, over and above the normal uprating provision, a special increase of £1 a week in premiums for single pensioners and £1·50 for pensioner couples who are disabled or over 80. The cold weather payments scheme has also been considerably improved. Payments of £6 will be paid automatically to eligible people as soon as a seven-day period of exceptionally cold weather is forecast by the Meteorological Office or actually occurs. The capital rule has also been abolished, making more people eligible.

  In addition to cash benefits, the Department of Health and Social Services seeks to provide elderly people with practical advice and information as part of its annual "Keep Warm, Keep Well" campaign. This aims to alert elderly people and their carers to the dangers of winter weather; encourage them to take simple steps to keep well; and provide them with information on services, such as insulation and draught-proofing schemes, and the availability of social security benefits.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will bring forward proposals to abolish the non-dependant deduction in relation to housing benefit cases.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no plans to do so.

  Education Authorities (Duties)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which sections of legislation covering education in Northern Ireland contain provisions comparable to section 70 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Provisions comparable to section 70 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 are contained in article 101 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, as substituted by article 158 of the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

  Northern Ireland Block
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) further to his answer to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman) of 9 December,Official Report, column 324, if he will now publish details of the programmes of expenditure which have been running ahead of plans in this financial year, and of those which have been behind forecast expenditures, showing in each case the subheadings and the sums involved; if he will show details of the capital works postponed and the maintenance works deferred until next year; and what is his estimate of the consequences for employment in the current and the next financial year;

  (2) further to his answer to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman) on 9 December, Official Report, column 324, when the above target expenditures which have led him to postpone expenditure on maintenance works and capital works in Northern Ireland first became known to him.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Expenditure requirements are monitored by Departments from the start of the financial year. It was the balance between new demands and savings emerging in the third quarter which led to the decision to postpone some expenditure. The situation continues to evolve and final decisions on the adjustments required will be taken in the context of spring supplementary estimates. The details will be available in the revised estimates, which cover most areas of public expenditure. These will show the main changes proposed and will be laid before the House in February. The debate on the appropriation order will provide the opportunity for discussion.

  Information on individual projects affected is not centrally available but the delay in releasing new projects will be short-lived. The overall employment effects are also expected to be minimal—at most only a temporary change in the balance of activity between sectors—as the total volume of public expenditure is not being reduced.

  Criminal Injury and Damage
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision was made for(a) criminal injury, and (b) criminal damage in each financial

  311
  year since 1987–88; how much was actually expended in those years; and what projections he has made for the current financial year and the next two financial years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Criminal injuries

  Criminal damage

  £k

  £k

  1987–88

  Provision

  12,100

  17,855

  Expenditure

  12,925

  19,004

  1988–89

  Provision

  14,500

  19,600

  Expenditure

  14,968

  20,606

  1989–90

  Provision

  17,063

  21,592

  Expenditure

  16,450

  22,124

  1990–91

  Provision

  19,000

  23,396

  Expenditure

  19,548

  22,711

  1991–92

  Projection

  25,000

  33,500

  1992–93

  Projection

  25,235

  27,884

  1993–94

  Projection

  23,477

  22,406

  Note: Provision includes supplementary provision.

  Salmon
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the incidence of farmed salmon escapees entering salmon rivers in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Northern Ireland salmon rivers are not regularly monitored for farmed salmon escapees. All the information available in shown in the table.

  River

  Number of Escapees

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Bush

  4

  0

  1

  2

  3

  Glenarm

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1159

  0

  Other Co. Antrim Rivers

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  10

  n/a

  Notes

  n/a—No monitoring undertaken.

  1 As a result of a special exercise undertaken following a known escape from a salmon farm.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums he has expended on research into the effect of farmed salmon escapes on the native stocks of salmon in Northern Ireland rivers in each of the last three financial years and the current year.

  Mr. Hanley
  The sums expended were as follows:

  £

  1988–89

  Nil

  1989–90

  Nil

  1990–91

  2,560

  1991–92

  14,844

  1 Up to 30 November 1991.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. McCrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will co-ordinate the activities of the Social Security Agency and the Housing Executive in order that they use their computerised systems to synchronise all transactions relating to housing benefit changes, benefit deductions, payment of rent from such deductions, and rent statements to tenants.

  Mr. Hanley
  Social security operational matters are the responsibility of Mr. Alex Wylie, chief executive of the Social Security Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman and copies of his reply will be placed in the Library and Public Information Office.

  Magharafelt Primary School
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when he expects the perimeter fence at Magharafelt controlled primary school to be repaired;

  (2) how many mobile classrooms there are at Magharafelt controlled primary school; and when he expects them to be replaced by permanent buildings.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Any necessary repairs will be carried out by the north eastern education and library board as soon as possible. The school has two mobile classrooms. The north eastern education and library board has no immediate plans to replace them.

  Hospital (Coleraine)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the last six months on the provision of the new hospital at Coleraine; what sums have been expended on that programme to date; and when he expects work to begin.

  Mr. Hanley
  I announced approval in principle for the new Causeway hospital on 13 September. A site has been identified at Lodge road, Coleraine and negotiations for its purchase are in hand. I hope to be able to announce the time scale for the construction in the near future.

  Fishing
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will, for as long a number of years as is possible at reasonable cost, publish a table to show for each river in the area covered by the Foyle Fisheries Commission the number of(a) salmon, (b) grilse and (c) sea trout taken by (i) anglers and (ii) by commercial fishermen showing the number of fish taken by nets and fishing engines in each river estuary and in Lough Foyle, by other coastal fishing stations and by drift nets.

  Mr. Hanley
  The tables set out the information which is available. Separate figures for salmon and grilse cannot be provide.
  313

  Anglers' catch returns

  Salmon and Grilse

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Camowen/Drumragh

  5

  17

  4

  4

  37

  14

  3

  13

  3

  2

  Culdaff

  1

  8

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Dennett

  6

  6

  3

  3

  6

  2

  1

  —

  4

  15

  Derg

  32

  193

  11

  13

  103

  10

  3

  9

  5

  40

  Deele

  4

  7

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Faughan

  420

  403

  273

  52

  564

  371

  89

  165

  370

  332

  Finn and Reelan

  248

  273

  339

  75

  309

  324

  77

  208

  170

  188

  Foyle

  14

  68

  15

  80

  7

  25

  14

  39

  20

  4

  Glenclly/Owenkillew

  27

  125

  10

  5

  64

  22

  12

  20

  22

  25

  Mourne/Strule

  183

  479

  89

  79

  496

  270

  82

  410

  299

  156

  Roe

  552

  519

  80

  53

  224

  119

  96

  77

  81

  119

  Others

  25

  27

  7

  15

  —

  14

  13

  16

  2

  45

  Totals

  1,517

  2,125

  831

  379

  1,814

  1,172

  390

  960

  977

  927

  Percentage submission of returns1

  12

  17

  7

  15

  10

  8

  4

  5

  6

  4

  Sea Trout

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Camowen/Drumragh

  4

  15

  2

  4

  40

  30

  —

  —

  —

  6

  Culdaff

  10

  19

  15

  27

  29

  22

  5

  —

  —

  4

  Dennett

  299

  165

  165

  152

  68

  39

  14

  17

  95

  220

  Derg

  73

  196

  5

  6

  121

  13

  11

  23

  5

  10

  Deele

  15

  22

  —

  —

  36

  11

  5

  16

  —

  8

  Faughan

  2,950

  2,188

  5,723

  1.425

  2,808

  1,864

  1,210

  1,003

  648

  660

  Finn and Reelan

  408

  337

  103

  209

  137

  245

  253

  135

  55

  138

  Foyle

  199

  224

  39

  188

  46

  42

  263

  175

  122

  9

  Glenelly/Owenkillew

  163

  319

  85

  84

  148

  79

  73

  25

  23

  38

  Mourne/Strule

  1,092

  644

  368

  254

  633

  271

  97

  364

  170

  63

  Roe

  1,687

  756

  195

  773

  772

  135

  207

  216

  166

  193

  Others

  521

  114

  57

  466

  —

  178

  218

  107

  128

  50

  Totals

  7,421

  4,999

  6,567

  3,588

  4,838

  2,929

  2,356

  2,081

  1,412

  1,399

  1 Percentage submission of returns

  12

  17

  7

  15

  10

  8

  4

  5

  6

  4

  1 Anglers in the Foyle Fisheries Commission area are required, as part of the licensing arrangements, to submit catch returns but do not always do so. Figures cannot be extrapolated to give catch returns for 100 per cent, submission of returns as, among others factors, anglers are more likely to make a return if they have caught fish.

  Commercial fishermen's catches

  Salmon and grilse

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Drift nets—Sea and Lough Foyle

  21,252

  37,165

  65,654

  18,299

  24,528

  32,280

  12,587

  17,321

  55,108

  33,850

  Draft nets—River Foyle

  10,296

  17,036

  14,237

  9,697

  12,921

  11,355

  4,883

  15,358

  30,612

  9,188

  River Roe

  1,485

  3,268

  1,244

  595

  1,145

  1,354

  551

  818

  478

  1,011

  Fixed engines—Coastal

  435

  943

  627

  78

  674

  282

  47

  79

  330

  371

  Londonderry fishery River Foyle

  1,313

  1,745

  1,490

  863

  1,253

  1,083

  415

  763

  —

  —

  Totals

  34,781

  60,157

  83,252

  29,532

  40,521

  46,354

  18,483

  34,339

  86,528

  44,420

  Sea trout

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Draft nets River Roe

  473

  352

  942

  846

  225

  279

  285

  259

  22

  62

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will for as long a number of years as is possible at reasonable cost, publish a table to show for each river in the area covered by the Fisheries Conservancy Board the number of(a) salmon, (b) grilse and (c) sea trout taken by (i) anglers and (ii) commercial fishermen, showing the number of fish taken by nets/fishing engines in each river estuary, fresh water lough or by coastal fishing stations and by drift nets.
  314
  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not available in the form requested. In the Fisheries Conservancy Board area anglers are not required to submit catch returns but records of some catches are submitted on a voluntary basis and these are set out in the table together with the commercial fisherman's returns. Separate figures are not available for salmon and grilse and figures for sea trout are available only in respect of commercial fishing.
  315

  Anglers' catch returns

  Salmon and grilse

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Lower River Bann

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2,530

  1,831

  983

  Bush River Private Stretch

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  170

  70

  47

  New Stretch2

  —

  —

  —

  14

  47

  93

  65

  74

  25

  35

  Town Stretch

  1

  145

  89

  41

  146

  201

  195

  108

  57

  114

  Leap Stretch

  1

  17

  30

  9

  119

  122

  108

  122

  105

  150

  Rest of FCB area except L Erne

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  757

  1,900

  1 Not available.

  2 Opened in 1984.

  Commercial Fishermen's returns

  Salmon and Grilse

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Tidal draft nets

  180

  215

  520

  549

  400

  27

  69

  114

  74

  12

  Tidal drift nets

  992

  1,041

  1,231

  662

  1,01

  479

  248

  675

  812

  252

  Fixed engines

  7,474

  13,773

  13,366

  12,607

  7,944

  11,382

  10,577

  12.968

  17,364

  9,950

  Total

  8,646

  15,029

  15,117

  13,818

  9,354

  11,888

  10,894

  13,757

  18,250

  10,214

  Sea Trout

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Tidal draft nets

  254

  231

  721

  757

  418

  263

  332

  162

  221

  138

  Tidal drift nets

  —

  —

  3

  —

  2

  1

  1

  2

  3

  —

  Fixed engines

  138

  102

  155

  189

  65

  142

  120

  120

  163

  101

  Total

  392

  333

  879

  946

  485

  406

  453

  288

  387

  239

  North Down (Economy)
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to regenerate the local economy in the North Down area.

  Mr. Needham
  The North Down area benefits from the many measures currently being undertaken by the Government and their agencies to promote economic development throughout Northern Ireland.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all capital projects in the areas for which he has responsibility, either directly or indirectly through the South Eastern education and library board, which have been postponed by the recently announced capital expenditure moratorium.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The following capital projects in the area of the South Eastern education and library board will be delayed by the moratorium:

  Extension to St. Colm's High School. Twinhrook, Dunmurry

  Extension to St. Colmcille's High School. Crossgar

  Minor works at Longstone Special School. Dundonald

  Site purchase at Ballymacross, Lisburn

  National Health Service Trusts
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what hospitals in the Province have applied for trust status.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Royal group of hospitals has applied for health and social services trust status and its application has been accepted. The trust will become fully operational as from 1 April 1993.

  Public Expenditure, Strangford
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which projects by the roads service of the Department of the Environment in the constituency of Strangford are now delayed due to the moratorium on public expenditure.

  Mr. Needham
  A number of maintenance schemes to a value of approximately £200,000 and the following minor works schemes have been delayed:

  A20 Saltwater Bridge, Kircubbin

  Moss Road. Millisle

  Manse Road/Sainttield Road Junction, Carryduff

  Killynure Road/Church Road Junction, Carryduff

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) which projects by the Northern Ireland fire authority in the constituency of Strangford are now delayed by the moratorium on public expenditure;

  (2) which projects, supported by the industrial development boards, in the constituency of Strangford are now delayed due to the moratorium on public expenditure;

  (3) which projects by the water service of the Department of the Environment in the constituency of Strangford are now delayed due to the moratorium on public expenditure.

  Mr. Needham
  None.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) which projects by the Department of Agriculture in the constituency of Strangford have been delayed as a result of the moratorium on public expenditure for capital projects;

  (2) which projects by the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbours authority have been delayed following the moratorium on public expenditure in capital projects.

  Mr. Hanley
  None.
  317
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) which projects by the police authority in the constituency of Strangford are now delayed by the moratorium on public expenditure;

  (2) which educational projects in the constituency of Strangford are now delayed due to the moratorium on public expenditure.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at what locations in the constituency of Strangford(a) the building of new homes and (b) improvement schemes to existing homes are delayed due to the moratorium on public expenditure; and how many homes are involved at each location.

  Mr. Needham
  The chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised me that the pause in public spending in 1991–92 will have no affect on the building of new homes or improvement schemes to existing homes in the constituency of Strangford.

  Electricity Employees (Pensions)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will be receiving a reply to his letter of 28 November regarding pension arrangements for employees of Northern Ireland Electricity.

  Mr. Needham
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 16 December.

  Undergraduate Statistics
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arc the most recent figures available for the number of undergraduates(a) from Great Britain, (b) from the Republic of Ireland and (c) in total at (i) the University of Ulster and (ii) Queen's University of Belfast.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Provisional figures for full-time undergraduates enrolled for the current—1991–92—academic year are:

  Queen's University

  University of Ulster

  Great Britain

  241

  452

  Republic of Ireland

  455

  1,190

  Total enrolement

  7,990

  9,313

  Small Firms
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many schemes his Department runs to provide help or finance for small firms; and if he will list them.
  318
  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 18 December 1991]: Through the Local Enterprise Development Unit—LEDU—and the Training Employment Agency the Department of Economic Development runs or supports 38 schemes.

  These are:

  Training and Employment Agency Schemes

  Training

  Overseas Export Marketing Programme

  Export Development Programme

  Finance

  Success through Quality

  Quality Management Training

  Small Business Development Programme

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme

  New Enterprise Programme

  Graduate Enterprise Programme

  Entrepreneurial Arts Programme

  Manpower Training Scheme

  Innovation

  Development of Enterprise in Boston in Ireland

  Local Enterprise Development Unit Schemes

  Information, Counselling and Consultancy

  Advisory Business Consultancy Scheme

  Health Checks

  LEDU Workshops

  Technical and Marketing Appraisal Visits

  Business Information Services

  European Information Centre

  Small Firms Counsellors

  Mentor Programme

  Acumen Programme

  Finance

  Capital Grant

  Working Capital Grant

  Unsecured and Secured Loans

  Setting-Up Grant Leasing Grant

  Equity

  Employment Grant

  Rent Relief Grant

  Interest Relief Grant

  Buying Time Assistance

  Management Salary Grant

  Incentive Grants Enterprise Grants

  Marketing Development Grant

  Development Grant

  Property

  Local Enterprise Programme

  Property Development Scheme

  Innovation

  Strategic Programme for Innovation and Technology Transfer

  PRISONERS' TRANSFERS: REPORT
  PRISONERS' TRANSFERS: REPORT
  PRISONER "DAVID"
  PRISONER "DAVID"
  PRISON CHAPLAINCY
  PRISON CHAPLAINCY
  PRISONS: RELIGIOUS GUIDANCE
  PRISONS: RELIGIOUS GUIDANCE
  MR. SALMAN RUSHDIE: SECURITY
  MR. SALMAN RUSHDIE: SECURITY
  PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY: REGULATION
  PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY: REGULATION
  CONVICTIONS BASED ON CONFESSIONS
  CONVICTIONS BASED ON CONFESSIONS
  BEACHES: SAFETY MANAGEMENT
  BEACHES: SAFETY MANAGEMENT
  NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: TERRACOTTA CLEANING
  NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: TERRACOTTA CLEANING
  NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: ALTERATIONS
  NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: ALTERATIONS
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS ORGANISATION: REVIEW
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS ORGANISATION: REVIEW
  CROWN COURT: REVIEWS OF SENTENCING
  CROWN COURT: REVIEWS OF SENTENCING
  BALTIC STATES: GOLD RESERVES
  BALTIC STATES: GOLD RESERVES
  SOVIET NUCLEAR WEAPONS
  SOVIET NUCLEAR WEAPONS
  MINING AREAS: RECHAR GRANTS
  MINING AREAS: RECHAR GRANTS
  ARTICLES OF UNION: DISPLAY CASE
  ARTICLES OF UNION: DISPLAY CASE
  EC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DIRECTIVE: UK DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES
  EC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DIRECTIVE: UK DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES
  REGENT'S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE
  REGENT'S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE
  FARM WOODLAND PREMIUM SCHEME: EFFECT ON PLANTING
  FARM WOODLAND PREMIUM SCHEME: EFFECT ON PLANTING