Written Answers of 4 February 1991

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Israel
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek through the United Nations an estimate of the deaths and injuries caused to Palestinians in the west bank and Gaza by Israeli forces; and if he will seek an investigation into the extent to which these acts were in breach of the fourth Geneva convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We gather information on casualties in the occupied territories from a variety of sources, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the United Nations agency responsible for the care of Palestinian refugees. Our figures are 870 deaths and many thousands of injuries since the beginning of the intifada. We regularly take up with the Israelis incidents in which we believe that their security forces have acted in breach of the fourth Geneva convention.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist relatives of the United Kingdom citizens working in Saudi Arabia to keep in touch with their family and answer queries on their whereabouts and well-being.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that families are able to communicate freely by telephone and that the Post Office is doing everything that it can to provide a regular postal service.

  United Kingdom Civilians, Dhahran
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to discuss with the management of Aramco at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, health and safety factors relating to civilian employment of United Kingdom citizens.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 29 January the British ambassador to Saudi Arabia discussed with the President of Aramco the general situation of British nationals under contract to the company. The ambassador was assured that Aramco would not penalise those who sought to leave because of the Gulf crisis and that accrued benefits would not be forfeited.

  Neither the British Government nor Aramco are advising those employed in or near Dhahran to leave. All British nationals in the area have been issued with respirators.

  Guatemala
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made concerning abuses of human rights by the Guatemalan national police; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We and our European partners have often made clear to the Guatemalan authorities our deep concern about human rights abuses, including the plight of street children. We have repeated this concern to the new Government of President Serrano.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with King Hussein of Jordan concerning his proposal for a cease fire in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have been in close contact with the Jordanians about the Gulf crisis. We understand that the Jordanian proposal for a ceasefire is no longer being pursued.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has been received, or promised, from other Governments towards the costs of the deployment of British forces in the Gulf.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received pledges of assistance, both financial and in kind, from a number of countries. It would be difficult to quantify these, or to list every offer. But notable among them are contributions from Germany and Japan; and host nation support facilities from Saudi Arabia.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payments have been(a) made and (b) promised by (i) Kuwait and (ii) other Gulf states in respect of the cost of the war in the Gulf; and to which countries or organisations such payments have been made.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are not aware of all pledges, but major among them are those by Kuwait—․16 billion—and Saudi Arabia—․13·5 billion—to the United States. Most Gulf states are providing practical support to forces involved in the hostilities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the ambassador or charge d'affaires of Iraq concerning the level of civilian casualties suffered; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have frequently made clear to the Iraqi ambassador our abhorrence of the appalling treatment of Kuwaiti civilians by the Iraqis in breach of the Geneva conventions following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. We have also protested to him about deliberate Iraqi attacks on civilian targets in Israel and Saudi Arabia. By contrast, allied service men have taken considerable risks to minimise Iraqi civilian casualties in the current hostilities.

  Turkey
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's interpretation of the legal
  3
  status of Turkey's relations with northern Cyprus, and what action he is taking to ensure Turkey complies with United Nation resolutions on this matter.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to United Nation Security Council resolution 541 of 18 November 1983 which calls upon all states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Government are well aware of our position in full support of that resolution, and of all the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

  Pilgrimages
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he is giving to those who have booked pilgrimages to Mecca or Medina.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our advice to visitors to Saudi Arabia is that it is better to avoid travel, unless they have strong reasons to go there. The cities of Mecca and Medina are a good distance away from the area of hostilities but air services to Saudi Arabia are restricted. It is for individuals to decide whether to proceed.

PRIME MINISTER

  The Gulf (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all EEC countries, setting out his estimate of(a) their expenditure in direct contributions to their own participation in the Gulf conflict by the end of January, (b) their contribution to the United Kingdom and (c) the value of their contribution to the United Kingdom as a percentage of the United Kingdom's direct expenditure as described above.

  The Prime Minister
  Our EC partners are showing, both by their military and economic contributions, that they share solidarity with us in pursuing the liberation of Kuwait. But I cannot quantify this in the way requested, particularly since the position is changing all the time.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Chymosin
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the new source for the enzyme Chymosin, as approved by the Food Advisory Committee, to be in commercial production; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  This is a matter for the manufacturing company, Gist Brocades.

  Sugar (Pensioners)
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to provide a low price sugar concession for British pensioners.

  Mr. Curry
  We have no such plans.

  Milk
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect on employment in the milk processing industry of further reductions in the common agricultural policy.
  4
  Mr. Curry
  The Commission has not yet published any formal proposals for changes in CAP support. The likely effect on employment in the milk processing industry will be one of the factors to be considered when such proposals are forthcoming.

  Badgers
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received any information about the illegal gassing of badgers in Cumbria in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Maclean
  No.

TRANSPORT

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals to introduce a new maximum speed limit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I am currently considering whether the current maximum speed limits should be changed.

  Freight Trains
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will raise at the European Community Transport Council proposals for the adoption of standard low bogies for through freight trains travelling on the United Kingdom and continental rail network after 1993.

  Mr. Freeman
  At the request of the Transport Council, the European Commission has recently set up a high-level working group to identify the measures required for the creation of a combined transport network and the conditions under which such a network can operate effectively. The United Kingdom will participate fully in the working group.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to discuss with his French counterpart the Berne-gauge/British Rail gauge compatibility problem for through freight transport after channel tunnel completion.

  Mr. Freeman
  In the spring.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the introduction of low bogies on the Berne gauge trains running through the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  The choice of the rolling stock for channel tunnel freight services is primarily a commercial matter for British Rail and its railway partners. British Rail plans to use low-platform wagon technology to carry most types of swapbodies and containers within the British loading gauge.

  Bus Priority Measures
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the introduction of bus priority measures.

  Mr. Freeman
  We believe that bus priority measures have an important role in promoting bus use. It is for local authorities to consider what measures might be appropriate in their area.

  Driver Information
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when was the last time he met the data protection registrar to discuss the disclosure of personal information from the DVLA to third parties; whether the data protection registrar was invited to make a submission to the road traffic law review committee; and whether he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will make it his policy to inform drivers that items of their personal information will be transferred to the new police national computer; and whether he will make a statement;

  (3) whether he will place the report of the Road Traffic Law Review Committee, that includes the discussions and recommendations that relate to the disclosure of information from the DVLA to the new police national computer, in the Library.

  Mr. Chope
  The DVLA and the Department in general regularly consult the Office of the Data Protection Registrar about proposed legislation which might affect or be affected by the Data Protection Act 1984.

  DVLA registrations under the Data Protection Act 1984 indicate that details from both the vehicle and driver registers are given to the police. Therefore, as the planned changes for providing the police with additional information from the DVLA driver register do not require consultation with the Data Protection Registrar he was not invited to make a submission to the road traffic law review committee.

  It would not be appropriate to undertake the substantial cost of informing individual drivers about the change in practice which is in line with the registration.

  A copy of the road traffic law review report is in the Library. The relevant reference is paragraph 3.43.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the current state of staffing levels and workload of the Crown prosecution service.

  The Attorney-General
  There has been a significant improvement in recruitment in the past year. The Crown prosecution service has 1,717 lawyers in post against an increased total requirement of 2,053, an increase over 12 months of 137 lawyers in post. There are 3,637 administrative staff and law clerks in post, against a total requirement of 3,688.

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Circuit Judges

  2

  3

  —

  1

  1

  3

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  1

  County Court Registrars

  1

  —

  —

  2

  1

  1

  In 1991 to date one woman circuit judge and one woman district judge (formerly known as county court registrar) have been appointed.

  The proportion of women in the profession with the necessary qualifications for appointment is low at present. As it increases, the Lord Chancellor will be able to appoint more women to judicial office.
  6
  Workload expressed in terms of the total number of cases prosecuted increased during the first nine months of 1990 by 3·2 per cent.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a further statement on the shortage of staff in the Crown prosecution service.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown prosecution service now has 1,717 lawyers in post against an increased total requirement of 2,053, an increase over 12 months of 137 lawyers in post, and an increase since October 1986 of 504 lawyers in post. The current upturn in recruitment is being assisted by the success of the training scheme for pupil barristers and trainee solicitors, the introduction from 1 June 1990 of the single combined prosecutor grade, and a current doubling of the number of recruitment boards.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Attorney-General if he is satisfied with current levels of recruiting of professional staff to the Crown prosecution service; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The number of lawyers in post at the end of January 1991 was 1,717·5. This figure represents an increase of 137·5 over the preceding 12 months, an average net gain of 11·5 per month. I welcome this significant increase, and recent trends indicate to me that it will continue.

  Racist Publications
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will make a statement concerning the prosecution of people who disseminate anti-semitic and other racist material.

  The Attorney-General
  Such people may commit offences under part III of the Public Order Act 1986, or under the Malicious Communications Act 1988. I recently consented to a prosecution under the 1986 Act and I expect to make decisions under that Act in other cases in the near future.

  Women Justices
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Attorney-General how many women were appointed as judges, stipendiary magistrates and registrars respectively in each of the years 1985 to date; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is as follows:

  Chester Crown Court
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the progress of the rebuilding and refurbishment of Chester crown court.

  The Attorney-General
  The initial phase of the project to adapt disused rooms as office accommodation was
  7
  completed in June 1989. Construction work to provide a separate entrance for local authority staff is due for completion in spring this year. Work is also in progress to provide a third courtroom, new ancillary rooms and to complete repairs and other improvements to the building. This latter phase of the project is expected to be completed in autumn 1992.

  Guildford Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects the case of Mrs. Maguire and her family to come before the appeal court; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The question of listing is a judicial one and not for comment by Ministers. The DPP understands that the court will list the case for a preliminary hearing once the parties have finalised their written submissions.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxes
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the tax yield for 1989–90 and 1990–91 of(a) vehicle excise duty, (b) fuel duty, (c) new car tax, (d) value added tax on new vehicles and (e) value added tax on petrol and derv sales.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Following is the available information:

  1989–90(outturn)

  1990–91(forecast)

  Vehicle excise duty

  2·9

  3·0

  Hydrocarbon oil excise duty

  8·7

  9·6

  Car tax

  1·5

  1·4

  Value added tax on new cars

  2·7

  n.a.

  Value added tax on petrol

  1·2

  n.a.

  Value added tax on derv

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.—not available.

  Inflation
  Mr. Simons Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual rate of inflation between February 1974 and May 1979; and what has been the equivalent figure during the present Parliament.

  Mr. Maples
  Between February 1974 and May 1979 the average annual rate of inflation, as measured by the retail prices index, was 15·4 per cent. per annum. This compares with 7·7 per cent. for the period May 1979 to December 1990.

  Kuwaiti Investment Funds
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of Kuwaiti investment office funds held in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maples
  The information requested is not available.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the effects of his interest rate policy on employment.
  8
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: Interest rates are maintained at a level to bear down on inflation and keep sterling within its ERM bands. The defeat of inflation is essential for economic prosperity and sustained high employment.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Teachers and Pupils (Norfolk)
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of teachers employed by Norfolk county council in 1961, 1970, 1980 and 1990, or the latest date available, in actual and full-time equivalent terms, and the number of children being educated by Norfolk county council for each of the above years, and the teacher:pupil ratio in each case.

  Mr. Fallon
  The information requested for maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in Norfolk is as follows. Comparable data for 1961 and 1970 are not readily available.

  1980

  1990

  Pupils Full-time Equivalent (thousands)

  116·1

  99·6

  Teachers

  Actual Number (thousands)

  6·3

  6·4

  Full-time Equivalent (thousands)

  6·0

  5·8

  Overall Pupil/Teacher Ratio

  19·4

  17·1

  School Staff
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about the number of(a) teaching, (b) classroom support, (c) other school-based and (d) non-school-based staff employed by each local education authority; and what proportion (d) represents of the total staff of each local education authority.

  Mr. Fallon
  Information showing the number of teachers employed by each LEA in the nursery, primary and secondary schools sector is given in DES statistical bulletin 5/90 which is available in the Library.

  Tables provided by LACSAB showing the numbers of teaching and non-teaching staff (full-time and part-time) employed by each LEA (including special and further education) have been placed in the library.

  No information is available separately on the numbers of classroom support, other school-based or non-schoolbased staff.

  CERN
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the United Kingdom's contribution to CERN in each of the last five years available in(a) cash terms and (b) constant terms.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information is as follows:

  Financial Year

  Cash(£ million)

  1990–91 prices (£ million)

  1986–87

  44·8

  58·2

  1987–88

  56·0

  69·0

  1988–89

  54·1

  62·2

  9

  Financial Year

  Cash(£ million)

  1990–91 prices (£ million)

  1989–90

  48·5

  52·4

  11990–91

  53·1

  53·1

  1 Estimate.

  Fine Arts
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will commission an inquiry into the contribution made to design and innovation in commerce and industry by British graduates in fine art; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to increase the number of fine art undergraduate places in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. and learned Friend does not set target figures for fine art undergraduate provision but, within the substantial aggregate resources available, looks to the higher education institutions and their funding councils to respond appropriately to demand in this and other subject areas.

  Non-university higher education in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mature Students
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about the number of mature students studying in higher education in the European Economic Community states the United States of America and Japan; and what percentage they represent within the indicated student population as a whole.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The requested information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out in tabular form the

  Percentages

  Academic year beginning

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  19891

  Older mature participation index

  Men

  0·269

  0·264

  0·274

  0·275

  0·331

  0·356

  Women

  0·250

  0·279

  0·291

  0·317

  0·371

  0·400

  Younger mature entry index

  Men

  10·8

  11·7

  11·6

  11·5

  12·4

  13·6

  Women

  4·6

  5·0

  4·6

  4·9

  5·6

  6·3

  1 Provisional.

  The indices are not calculated with reference to socio-economic groups.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of mandatory awards made to mature students in higher education in each year from 1980 to the latest available date.
  10
  number of mature initial entrants to full-time undergraduate degree courses in higher education for each year from 1980 to the latest available date for (a) universities, (b) public sector institutions and (c) all higher education; and if he will list those figures as a percentage of the total number of students in each year.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information requested is as follows:

  Mature home first year full-time undergraduates in higher education 1980–81 to 1988–89 in Great Britain

  Universities

  Polytechnics and colleges

  Total higher education

  1980

  7,594

  9,574

  17,168

  1981

  7,007

  11,125

  18,132

  1982

  6,224

  11,016

  17,240

  1983

  6,120

  10,583

  16,703

  1984

  6,515

  10,170

  16,685

  1985

  6,767

  11,837

  18,604

  1986

  7,390

  12,577

  19,967

  1987

  7,835

  14,699

  22,534

  1988

  9,116

  16,887

  26,003

  Mature home full-time 1st degree entrants as a percentage of home full-time 1st degree entrants in Great Britain

  Universities

  Polytechnics and colleges

  Total higher education

  1980

  9·9

  21·5

  14·2

  1981

  9·6

  20·8

  14·3

  1982

  8·8

  19·2

  13·5

  1983

  8·9

  18·6

  13·3

  1984

  9·3

  17·9

  13·2

  1985

  9·7

  20·3

  14·5

  1986

  10·6

  21·1

  15·4

  1987

  10·9

  23·5

  16·8

  1988

  12·1

  25·5

  18·4

  Source: DES Statistical Bulletin—Mature Students in Higher Education.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the older mature participation index and the younger mature participation index for higher education for each year since 1984; and if he will show these figures(a) for men and women and (b) for each socio-economic group, as defined by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Information available is as follows:

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The data are not available in he form requested. The numbers of awards made to students with independent status in England and Wales from 1980–81 to 1988–89 were:

  Full Value Awards

  1980–81

  46,919

  1981–82

  49,810

  1982–83

  51,526

  11

  Mandatory Awards

  1983–84

  41,070

  1984–85

  41,318

  1985–86

  42,978

  1986–87

  46,732

  1987–88

  53,066

  1988–89

  60,310

  The figures are for the academic year. Full value awards include both mandatory awards and full value discretionary awards.

  The status of a student is either independent or dependent. To be treated as an independent student the student must be an orphan or satisfy one or more of the following in the year before the course starts: have reached the age of 25; have been self-supporting for three years or more; have been married for three years or more. All other students are treated as dependent.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out in tabular form the number of applications made by mature students aged(a) 21 to 25 years and (b) over 25 years for entry to courses in higher education in each year since 1987; how many were accepted; and what percentage this represented in each of these years.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Information on the number of mature students applying and accepted for higher education in 1988–89 through the two central admission agencies is as follows:

  Mature Students 1988–89

  Applications (a)

  Acceptances/admissions (b)

  (b)/(a) percentage

  UCCA applicants/acceptances1

  Age 21–25 years home domicile

  11,139

  4,739

  42·5

  Age over 25 years home domicile

  11,946

  5,373

  45·0

  PCAS applicants/admissions2

  Age 21–25 years home domicile

  15,313

  5,462

  35·7

  Age over 25 years home domicile

  12,410

  5,429

  43·7

  Sources:

  UCCA—Statistical Supplement to 1988–89 Annual Report.

  PCAS—Statistical Supplement to 1988–89 Annual Report.

  1 Candidates applying for admission to United Kingdom Universities (excluding the Open University and the University of Buckingham) through UCCA for full-time undergraduate first degree or first diploma courses.

  2 Applicants are those who seek admission to a full-time or sandwich first degree or Diploma of Higher Education or Higher National diploma course in a polytechnic/college through PCAS.

  Nuclear Research
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the historic costs to the United Kingdom of participation in CERN in 1987–88 and the projected costs for 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what percentage of these costs were due to forward currency buying.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information requested is as follows:12

  Financial year

  United Kingdom payment to CERN £ million

  Forward buying element Percentage

  1987–88

  56·0

  6·6

  11991–92

  57·8

  2·4

  11992–93

  59·3

  2·2

  1 Estimated.

  Note: The premium payments for forward buying of currency each year vary according to a number of factors including the prevailing and forecast interest and exchange rates.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of cross-curricular themes within the provisions of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Eggar
  Evidence from Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools indicates that schools are making good progress in implementing the national curriculum and that it is already having a favourable effect on standards. It is up to individual schools how they deliver the national curriculum subjects and whether certain aspects are linked across subject boundaries in a cross-curricular way. To help schools with this task, however, the National Curriculum Council has recently issued a series of booklets to schools on the effective delivery of cross-curricular themes.

  Portage Projects
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what response he has made to the report on portage projects published by Her Majesty's inspectorate in January 1990;

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that families which have benefited from the portage service funded under education suppport grants are enabled to have a continuity of support when the grant period ends.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Secretary of State welcomed this HMI report on how a sample of 13 portage schemes worked in practice. The Department has reviewed the effectiveness of the £8·1 million of central Government expenditure on portage in the light of the report, and has concluded that this pump-priming initiative to help establish such a local service was a worthwhile investment.

  Portage is a locally administered service. Central ESG support is limited to pump-priming purposes. LEAs are, however, free to continue funding portage schemes, and to develop others from within their own resources if they so wish. What if any continued provision is made is for each LEA to decide.

ENERGY

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what representations he has received from the energy intensive users' group regarding prospective bulk electricity prices for the next financial year;
  13
  (2) when he expects to respond to the representations he has received from the energy-intensive users' group regarding prospective increases in the cost of bulk electricity supplied to heavy industry.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for Halton (Mr. Oakes) on 30 January 1991 at columns 507 and 508.

  Nuclear Levy
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the most up-to-date estimate of the level of the nuclear levy over each of the next five years.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The amount of the levy depends on a variety of factors including the terms of the nuclear contracts. The amount actually collected each year may fluctuate up or down depending upon estimates made of future electricity revenues. However, I am confident that the levy rate will follow a downward trend over the next eight years.

  Fallow Blocks
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in 1989 and 1990 in reducing the number of fallow blocks on the United Kingdom continental shelf.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There has been very good progress. At the beginning of 1989, there were 125 blocks in the fallow category. Of these 104 were in the mature areas of the North Sea, and 21 in the higher risk and more difficult frontier areas north and west of the Shetlands. At the end of 1990, the overall total of such blocks remaining fallow was 41. The number in the mature area had been reduced to 29: a fall of nearly three quarters. In the frontier area, there has been a slower rate of progress, but here also we have seen significant new activity. The operators still holding fallow blocks have told me they expect to make further substantial progress during 1991. I welcome this assurance of their continuing commitment.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is for each year since 1985 the bilateral aid granted to Nicaragua.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The figures of amounts spent are:

  £

  1985

  116,000

  1986

  86,000

  1987

  nil

  1988

  180,000

  1989

  61,000

  A figure for 1990 is not yet available. These exclude amounts going, via the joint funding scheme, through British NGOs.

  USSR (Food Aid)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on food aid to the USSR.
  14
  Mrs. Chalker
  With our partners we are watching developments in the Soviet Union closely. We have suspended European Community technical assistance although emergency and food aid may continue where we can guarantee delivery direct to those in need. There is no Government-to-Government aid to the Soviet Union.

  Aid Allocation
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what major changes have taken place and are planned in the allocation of moneys from the aid budget.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The aid programme is managed flexibly to enable us to respond to the changing needs of developing countries. Its allocation will continue to reflect the priorities we have established.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase aid to sub-Saharan countries in Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Our bilateral aid to sub-Saharan African countries increased from £267 million in 1986 to £496 million in 1989. We intend to maintain a substantial programme in those countries where aid can be used effectively.

  Gulf Crisis
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will now increase their aid budget to nearer the United Nations recommended level to reflect the increased needs created by the Gulf conflict.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has any plans to review overseas aid contributions in the light of the Gulf crisis.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Future plans for expenditure on overseas aid were published at the time of the autumn statement. Our priorities are kept under review to ensure they respond to the changing needs of developing countries.

  Gaza Strip
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts he will make to assist the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in ensuring adequate nutrition and medical facilities in the Gaza strip during the present middle east crisis.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Britain has traditionally been and remains a major contributor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's work. In 1990 we provided £5·5 million and hope to increase our support in 1991. This, together with other donors' contributions, will help the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to carry out its traditional roles of providing for education, health, relief and other needs of Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories.

  Rain Forests (Logging)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on commercial logging in tropical rain forests in the light of the International Tropical Timber Organisation council meeting in Japan.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The International Tropical Timber Organisation's remit is to promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilisation and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources. At the last meeting of the International Tropical Timber Organisation in Japan in November 1990, the council reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable forest development. The council confirmed the International Tropical Timber Organisation's target of the year 2000 for all trade in tropical timber to come from sustainable sources and the principles embodied in the International Tropical Timber Organisation guidelines for best management practice of natural tropical forests including logging. To help promote the guidelines more widely, the International Tropical Timber Organisation agreed to host a world conference of senior foresters in July 1991.

  At the next council meeting in Quito in May there will be a round table discussion on incentives for tropical timber producing countries to adopt sustainable forest management policies. This will be informed by a study commissioned by the International Tropical Timber Organisation from the Oxford forestry institute and financed by my Department.

  Least-developed Countries
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to increase the amount of aid granted to the 42 least-developed countries to 0·15 per cent. of gross national product.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In the programme of action adopted by the second United Nations conference on the least-developed countries held in Paris on 3 to 14 September 1990 no target applicable to all donors was established. The United Kingdom, along with several other donors, undertook to make our best efforts to reach the previously agreed United Nations target of 0·15 per cent. of gross national product. However, 70 per cent. of our bilateral aid goes to the poorest countries, some of the largest of which are not on the United Nations list of least-developed countries.

  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, as a percentage of gross national product, the total amount of aid granted by Her Majesty's Government to the 42 least-developed countries in each of the last 10 years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Net official development assistance to countries classified by the United Nations as least developed in the year in question, as a percentage of gross national product was as follows:

  Year

  Percentage of gross national product

  1980

  0·09

  1981

  0·12

  1982

  0·11

  16

  Year

  Percentage of gross national product

  1983

  0·10

  1984

  0·09

  1985

  0·11

  1986

  0·08

  1987

  0·08

  1988

  0·10

  1989

  0·10

  Bilateral Aid
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those bilateral aid projects involving Overseas Development Administration of more than £20 million which it is currently estimated will exceed the original Overseas Development Administration contribution by 15 per cent. or more.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The only current project of this kind is the Cairo wastewater project in Egypt. The original Overseas Development Administration commitment of £52·4 million has been increased to £64·4 million because the scope of the project has been enlarged since it was first approved.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of total United Kingdom aid to Ethiopia since 1986 was used for agricultural or water conservation projects.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In the current financial year over 40 per cent. of our long-term development assistance to Ethiopia will be used in agricultural and water projects. This represents about 7 per cent. of our estimated total aid, including humanitarian assistance, to Ethiopia during the same period. A figure for the whole of the period since 1986 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will increase the level of per capita aid to Ethiopia to £1.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: We allocate our aid between countries taking account of a large number of factors including need, the prospect of it being used effectively and the nature of our relations with the country concerned. It would not be sensible to target per capita aid levels in the way suggested.

  Aid Programme (Evaluation)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid in each of the last two years to outside evaluators of the United Kingdom's aid programme.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Payment to external evaluators by the evaluation department amounted to £277,930 in 1989 and £216,169 in 1990.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made with other aid donors in agreeing economic and social indicators against which the progress of aid projects could be judged.
  17
  Mrs. Chalker
  There is broad agreement among donors about the economic and social indicators which reflect quality of life in developing countries and those which might appropriately be used to judge the success of particular projects. However, there has been less progress in agreeing the use of specific quantitative economic and social performance measures that might be used as part of the aid co-ordination process between a recipient government and donors collectively.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Monklands, West on 21 January,Official Report, column 39, he will name those outside evaluators used to study the effectiveness of particular aspects of the United Kingdom's aid programme in the last two years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: The following evaluators were used by our evaluation department in 1989 and 1990:

  Mr. T. Anderson

  Dr. S. Ladbury

  Mr. G. Armstrong

  Mr. C. Lane

  Mr. S. Aicester

  Mr. R. Lattimer

  Mr. A. Airey

  Mr. R. Limbrey

  Dr. R. Bailey

  Mr. G. McGilvary

  Mr. A. Barnett

  Mr. P. McLean

  Mr. B. Barrett

  Mr. R. Moberley

  Mr. R. Beales

  Mr. G. Munday

  Ms. D. Bryceson

  Mr. N. Mutter

  Mr. E. Burr

  Prof. E. Naylor

  Ms. C. Cassals

  Mr. A. Palfreman

  Mr. M. Chand

  Mr. J. Pickford

  Mr. G. Clarke

  Mr. D. Potten

  Mr. J. Cusworth

  Mr. J. Quelch-Wools

  Mr. T. Duncan

  Dr. J. Redhead

  Mr. J. Eaton

  Mr. J. Roberts

  Mr. M. Felton

  Mr. M. Segall

  Mr. M. Flint

  Mr. D. Shields

  Ms. L. Gardiner

  Mr. I. Smout

  Mr. F. Greig

  Mr. D. Stied(

  Mr. J. Groves

  Dr. R. Stirrat

  Dr. P. Hall

  Dr. P. Street

  Mr. P. Hardcastle

  Ms. N. Thandon

  Mr. P. Harding

  Dr. A. Taylor

  Mr. D. Harkin

  Mr. R. Thompson

  Mr. P. Harris

  Mr. A. Tomowski

  Dr. M. Harrison

  Mr. A. Wall

  Prof. C. Hassal

  Mr. D. Watson

  Mr. A. Holt

  Mr. A. Wearing

  Mr. P. Howgate

  Mr. E. Weatherhead

  Mr. J. Howe

  Mr. R. Wedderburn

  Ms. J. Johnson

  Dr. C. Weir

  Dr. D. Jones

  Mr. R. Wilson

  Ms. S. Jones

  Mr. J. Winpenny

  Mr. P. Kennard

  Mr. S. Zadek

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criticism he has received over the past three years from outside evaluators used to study the overall effectiveness of the United Kingdom aid programme; and what was the action taken.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: The findings of around 50 evaluation studies completed over the last three years are too numerous and detailed to list.

  Evaluation reports, or the synthesis studies based on them, are considered by the ODA projects and evaluation committee. They are summarised in evaluation abstracts EVSUMS and circulated to all operational staff so that the lessons learned can be applied to future aid activities. Consideration is also given to whether ODA procedures should be changed in the light of the findings in order to
  18
  improve aid effectiveness. The catalogue of evaluation studies and the collection of EVSUMS are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific measures he is taking to attract more women into the Overseas Development Administration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I am anxious to provide the fullest possible opportunities for women to work in the ODA. Our equal opportunity policy is designed to ensure, among other things, that any barriers to women's career development are eliminated. We have for example provided flexible working arrangements, established holiday play schemes for employees' children and reduced seniority requirements for promotion. The number of women working in ODA permanent posts has increased by 13 per cent. since 1986. We also want to attract more women to overseas contract posts and are now implementing the recommendation of a study specially commissioned for that purpose.

  Aid Programme
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give at constant prices(a) the total level of United Kingdom aid in each of the last four decades and (b) the contribution per head of the United Kingdom population in the same period.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: Calculations of gross public expenditure on aid in each of the last four decades at constant prices are as follows:

  Decade

  Total aid in decade 19891 prices (£ million)

  Population (million)

  Aid per head of United Kingdom population per decade (£)

  1950–59

  7,433

  50·856

  146

  1960–69

  15,559

  54·171

  287

  1970–79

  16,172

  56·231

  288

  1980–89

  16,707

  56·539

  295

  Sources: Annual Abstract of Statistics (Treasury, CSO); British Aid Statistics.

  1 1950–65 are in 1989–90 prices; 1966–89 in 1989 prices; figures from 1972 include aid administration costs.

  Food Aid
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries, including developed nations, are receiving food aid.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: Under the food aid convention, the United Kingdom has an obligation to provide 110,700 tonnes of food aid to the developing countries each year. The principal beneficiaries are currently Ethiopia, Sudan, Bangladesh, Mozambique and Pakistan.

  The United Kingdom also contributes to the EC food aid budget, which benefits a wide range of developing countries. There is a separate provision of 350 million ecu for food aid for eastern Europe, from which the Soviet Union, Bulgaria and Romania are expected to benefit.

  Malawi
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Lilongwe-Salima road in Malawi has cost to date; and what he estimates the final cost to be.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: The estimated total cost of the project is £15,104,000. Our contribution under the British aid programme for Malawi will be £15,042,000, of which £6,751,561 has so far been spent.

  Procurement, Advisory and Monitoring Unit
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what savings he expects from the Overseas Development Administrations procurement, advisory and monitoring unit for 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: The 'new savings' target to be set for 1991–92 will meet the requirements specified by the central unit on purchasing and published in the 1990 progress report to the Prime Minister on Government purchasing.

  Joint Funding
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of ODA bilateral aid, broken down by region and by purpose, was provided through non-governmental organisations through the joint funding scheme.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: In 1989–90, the last complete financial year, the figures were:

  Sum spent under the joint funding scheme £ million

  As a percentage of bilateral aid programme

  Total joint funding scheme

  16·47

  1·78

  By continent

  Africa

  8·28

  2·03

  Americas

  2·73

  5·05

  Asia

  4·91

  1·96

  Oceania

  0·17

  4·19

  Unallocable by country

  0·38

  0·20

  By sector heading

  Agriculture

  1·57

  1

  Aids

  0·11

  1

  Appropriate technology

  0·15

  1

  Children

  0·16

  1

  Disabled

  0·73

  1

  Education

  2·02

  1

  Environment

  0·54

  1

  Fisheries

  0·03

  1

  Forestry

  1·06

  1

  Health

  3·56

  1

  Housing

  0·17

  1

  Income generation

  0·50

  1

  Population

  0·79

  1

  Social development

  2·53

  1

  Water

  1·88

  1

  Women

  0·63

  1

  Youth

  0·04

  1

  1 This information could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Service Personnel (Hospital Treatment)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provisions have been made in hospitals in Wales for the priority admission and treatment of any Welsh service personnel who may be wounded in the Gulf war; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Appropriate plans have been made for the NHS in Wales to play its part in the treatment of Gulf war casualties. The central priority is to transfer the wounded from their point of arrival in the United Kingdom to appropriate hospitals as quickly and effectively as possible.

  Cardiac Treatment
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to provide the specialist cardiac resources at the university hospital of Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  In addition to the facilities which already exist, our Department is currently funding enhanced cardiac catheter laboratories and improved intensive care and coronary care facilities.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the names of all the NHS specialist cardiologists in Wales, together with the hospitals at which they are based.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  This information is not held centrally. There is no general hospital in Wales which is without a consultant physician who will have had higher training in all aspects of general medicine including cardiology. Cardiology training has developed over time with changing technologies and therapies and general physicians with a practising interest can be expected to have a range of training backgrounds and experience consistent with their professional clinical practice.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which hospitals in Wales he is currently considering for the establishment of the satellite cardiac centre; and when he expects the centre to be operational.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him on 30 November 1990, at column 511.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the level of funding for(a) the specialist paediatric cardiology and (b) the paediatric cardiac surgery, following the opening of the paediatric cardiac unit at the university hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The paediatric cardiac unit at the University Hospital of Wales has been planned to provide about 100 paediatric cardiac operations yearly and appropriate cardiological services consistent with the recommendations of the cardiology committee of the Royal College of Physicians. It will be funded accordingly as demand develops and subject to review.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the paediatric cardiac unit, including the infant surgery component, will be operational at the university hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
  21
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The paediatric cardiac unit at the University Hospital of Wales is expected to come into operation in mid 1991 to provide a paediatric cardiac surgery service and a cardiological service for children of all ages. Neonatal and infant cardiac surgery is a supra regional service currently provided at a limited number of centres, the nearest of which is Bristol. Following the advice of the cardiology committee of the Royal College of Physicians provision of neonatal and infant cardiac surgery at the University Hospital of Wales is to be reviewed when the unit has been in operation a sufficient time for an assessment to be made.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if it remains his policy to increase the specialist cardiac and cardiological resources in Wales to meet a target of at least 1,200 adult heart operations.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  It remains our target to increase provision for adult cardiac survey and cardiology for south Wales to about 1,200 operations per annum as recommended by the cardiology committee of the Royal College of Physicians.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional information or studies he requires before announcing his verdict on South Glamorgan health authority's proposed hospital closures.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The Secretary of State now has sufficient information for him to consider carefully the proposal's made by South Glamorgan health authority. This information is currently being assessed and the considerations applying to all the proposals will be referred to in the decision letters, which it is hoped to issue before too long.

  Waste
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds are available to assist district authorities in Wales to purchase and install recycling and incineration equipment, as an alternative method to landfill, for the disposal of household and commercial waste.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Districts are able to fund such expenditure from their capital resources. In addition funding may be available from the Department of Energy's renewable energy programme. The formula based arrangements for the distribution of local authority capital resources in Wales have the support of the local authority associations and was introduced in order that authorities should be able to determine individually, how the resources made available are spent.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many district waste authorities in Wales operate waste recycling plants; and if he will list them, together with the type and capacity of plant in operation.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information is not maintained centrally. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 each waste collection and regulation authority will be required to publicise plans showing its arrangements for the recycling of waste.

  National Health Service Reform
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if health authorities in Wales have been issued with guidelines outlining the requirements for the drafting of detailed business plans for the implementation of the National Health Service reforms with particular regard to approval in principle submission for major capital projects.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Guidance outlining the issues to be addressed in the preparation of business plans was issued generally to district health authorities on 25 January 1991. This confirmed advice previously given to those individual health authorities currently progressing approval in principle submissions for major capital projects.

  Hospital, Ynys-y-plwm
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when he will give to the Mid Glamorgan health authority his decision on the approval in principle submission relating to the application by that authority to build a new district general hospital at Ynys-y-plwm, Llanstrisant, for Taff Ely and Rhondda;

  (2) what is his policy with respect to announcing a decision on the approval in principle submission by Mid Glamorgan health authority for construction of a district general hospital at Ynys-y-plwm, Llanstrisant, before a business case has been presented to the Welsh Office by the authority detailing the implications of the National Health Service reforms on the district general hospital proposals;

  (3) if he will issue without delay to the Mid Glamorgan health authority formal approval for the district general hospital project at Ynys-y-plwm, Llantrisant.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  No decision will be taken until the approval in principle submission and accompanying business plan have been fully considered, and at present we are unable to indicate when this might be since a business plan completed in the format requested by the Department has yet to be received from the authority.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the public consultation process relating to the district general hospital project at Ynys-y-Plwm, Llantrisant, has ended; by what date appeals to him were required to be submitted; and when he expects to announce his decision.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Consultation on the restructuring of health services in Taff-Ely and Rhondda in the light of the proposed district general hospital at Ynys-y-Plwm has ended. Appeals to the Secretary of State had to be submitted by 4 November 1990. A decision on the proposals will be announced as soon as possible.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will provide the detailed calculation of the transitional relief level for poll tax payers for the Bettws community of Newport;

  (2) if he will provide the detailed calculation of the transitional relief level for poll tax payers for the Wentloog community of Newport.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The transitional relief scheme which is in operation during 1990–91 is calculated as follows. Column numbers refer to the following tables.
  23
  Under the scheme an amount of transitional relief is paid to all personal community chargepayers within a community area if the forecast charge (column 5), based on present expenditure patterns, is over a certain threshold amount above the notional average domestic rate bill per adult (column 4) for that community (calculated as the product of the average district domestic rate poundage in 1989–90 (column 3) and the domestic rateable value of the community on 1 April 1989 (column I) divided by the total number of community charge payers (column 2) in that community area). The transitional relief paid to each personal community chargepayer (column 7) is equal to the amount that the forecast community charge exceeds the threshold level.

  1990–1991 Relief: Newport

  Local Authority and Community Council

  (1) Domestic rateable value (£)

  (2) Relevant population1 number

  (3) Domestic poundage (P)

  (4) Notional ave. Domestic rates per adult (£)

  (5) Forecast community charge (£)

  (6) Difference between C.C. and rates (£)

  (7) Amount above £18 threshold (£)

  Newport

  Bettws

  494,827

  6,531

  257·43

  195

  175

  -20

  -38

  Wentloog

  36,667

  605

  257·43

  156

  175

  19

  1

  1991–1992 Relief: Newport

  Local Authority and Community Council

  (1) Domestic rateable value (£)

  (2) Relevant population1 number

  (3) Domestic poundage (P)

  (4) Notional ave. Domestic rates per adult (£)

  (5) 1990–91 community charge (£)

  (6) Difference between C.C. and rates (£)

  (7) Amount above £37 threshold (£)

  Newport

  Bettws

  494,827

  6,531

  257·43

  195

  239

  44

  7

  Wentloog

  36,667

  605

  257·43

  156

  239

  83

  46

  1 As specified in Appendix 2 of the Welsh Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will outline the principles on which he has based eligibility and levels of transitional relief for communities in Wales in respect of the poll tax in 1991–92.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  All communities in Wales are eligible for the community charge reduction scheme, as they were for transitional relief. Under the scheme an amount will be deducted from the community charge bill for all personal community chargepayers within a qualifying community area. Communities qualify for reductions if the actual community charge set by the charging authority for 1990–91 exceeds the specified threshold set at £37 above the national average domestic rate bill per adult for that community, calculated as the product of the average district domestic rate poundage in the 1989–90 and the domestic rateable value of the community on 1 April 1989 divided by the total number of community chargepayers in that area. The community charge reduction in each case is equal to the amount that the actual community charge for 1990–91 exceeds £37.

  This revised scheme provides relief to around 67 per cent. of chargepayers in Wales in 1991–92 compared with around 35 per cent. of chargepayers in 1990–91.

  Commonwealth Games
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he intends to take as a result of the Sports Council's report in respect of happenings during the Commonwealth Games in Auckland and the response by the Wales Commonwealth Games Council; and if he will make a statement.
  24
  The threshold for 1990–91 was set at £18 above the average domestic rate bill per adult; £20 million will be paid out to personal chargepayers on this basis over the whole of Wales.

  The scheme which will be in operation during 1991–92 differs in three respects. Firstly, the forecast community charge in the above calculation is replaced by the actual 1990–91 community charge. Secondly, the threshold has been increased to £37. Finally, the amount paid out to personal chargepayers over the whole of Wales under the scheme in 1991–92 will be £62 million, £42 million more than the relief in 1990–91.

  The data for the communities requested are shown in the following tables.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  These are matters for the Sports Council for Wales, in discussion with the Commonwealth Games Council, and I do not propose to intervene.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wiltshire TEC
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the Wiltshire training and enterprise council.

  Mr. Jackson
  Wiltshire training and enterprise council is currently drawing up its corporate and business plans with a view to becoming operational in the spring.

  Skill Centre, Gabalfa
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he has had with the chairman of South Glamorgan TEC regarding(a) the future of the skill centre at Western avenue, Gabalfa, (b) the disposal of his leasehold interest in it and (c) the provision and fitting out of replacement training facilities.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have had no consultations with the chairman of South Glamorgan TEC on the issue raised.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Patents
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the United Kingdom pharmaceutical sector on the likely effects of the proposed reform of patents, as set out by the report of the European Parliament's committee on the environment, public health and consumer protection; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  I have received many representations from the pharmaceutical industry about the Commission's proposal for a supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products but none has referred to the particular changes addressed by the recommendation of the European Parliament's committee on the environment, public health and consumer protection. The European Parliament did not adopt the committee's recommendation in its opinion on the proposal.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give his Department's assessment of the optimum period it is believed should apply to patents and to supplementary protection certificates for pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Leigh
  The optimum overall period of protection for pharmaceuticals by patent and the supplementary protection certificate currently proposed by the EC Commission should be such as to encourage research and development whilst not having unduly adverse consequences, because of the monopoly, on consumers, the national health service and the generic pharmaceutical industry. We hope to be in a position to announce a view on the details of the Commission's proposals shortly.

  ECGD Insurance Services Group
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish the list of potential purchasers after privatisation of the insurance services group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  For reasons of commercial confidentiality it would not be appropriate to publish the names of the potential purchasers who responded to the prequalification questionnaire. The names of short-listed bidders will be made public when they have been selected and invited to submit definitive bids.

  Anti-dumping Duties
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what products investigated by the EC under its anti-dumping regulations are subject to price maintenance agreements, import quotas, or any other action falling short of anti-dumping duties as a result of the anti-dumping investigation.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 17 January 1991 Official Report, columns 593–94. I have placed in the Library of the House a list of all remedies in force on 31 December 1990. This shows not only duties but undertakings given by exporters. Most of these relate to minimum price levels, but the undertakings in respect of urea relate to volumes exported to the Community.

  Imports
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what products are subject to either EC or national quotas, excluding those relating to the multi-fibre arrangement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 17 January 1991,Official Report, columns 593–94. All products requiring an individual import licence are listed in the open general import licence of 4 December 1987, as amended which is published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. I have placed in the Library of the House of Commons notice to importers 2293 which gives the provisional 1991 quota arrangements for goods from the state trading area. In addition to those listed there are restraints on a range of iron and steel goods which originate in the Soviet Union. There are also quotas on the import of bananas originating in the dollar area. Notices to importers are published in Thursday editions of Lloyd's List International.

  ECGD Insurance Services Group
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the position of clearing banks as potential buyers for the business of the Insurance Services Group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government have been willing to consider proposals from any bona fide potential investor, including any clearing bank, before reaching decisions on a shortlist of bidders for competitive tendering purposes.

  Theft
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 30 January 1991]: Details of equipment stolen from the Department during the last three financial years are set out in the tables.

  Financial year 1987–88

  £

  Intelligent modem

  416·00

  Camera and lens

  374·00

  Camera

  500·00

  Video recorder

  120·00

  Casette deck

  120·00

  Colour television

  120·00

  Video recorder

  120·00

  Pocket calculator

  1.53

  Video recorder

  677·00

  TV colour monitor

  155·00

  Transmitter-receiver

  1,265·00

  Video recorder

  411·00

  Video recorder

  400·00

  Video recorder

  430·00

  Radio

  110·00

  Video recorder

  610·00

  Colour TV

  120·00

  Colour TV

  120·00

  Colour TV

  120·00

  Colour TV

  1 20·00

  Colour TV

  120·00

  Video recorder

  120·00

  Microwave oven

  120·00

  27

  £

  Camera

  250·00

  Camera

  145·00

  M200

  210·00

  MC7

  90·00

  Six tapes

  11·25

  Pocket calculator

  4·50

  1 Residual value.

  Financial year 1988–89

  £

  Computer

  525·00

  Computer equipment

  158·00

  Camera

  25·00

  Video camera

  684·00

  Five cases of lost equipment

  142·00

  Car swaging kit

  25·00

  Answering machine

  80·00

  Calculator

  53 ·00

  Nineteen missing items

  6,145·50

  Computer

  450·00

  Fluke multimeter

  120·00

  Calculator

  21·00

  Calculator

  5·00

  Equipment

  500·00

  TV

  170·00

  Machine—Phillips 0285

  44·00

  TV and video

  375·00

  Word processor and feeder

  1,875·00

  1 Residual value

  Financial year 1989–90

  £

  Gas Meter

  300·00

  Shears

  12·00

  Calculator

  6·00

  Camera

  100·00

  Video Recorder

  520·00

  Photographic Slide Printer

  45·00

  Portable Video Recorder

  588·00

  Video Camera

  567·00

  Colour TV Monitor

  264·00

  Socket set

  139·00

  Camera

  323·00

  Calculator

  61·00

  Answering Machine

  244·00

  TV

  703·00

  Microcomputer

  408·00

  TV Monitor

  172·00

  Dual AMS Disc Drive

  310·00

  Dual Disc Drive

  344·00

  Colour Monitor

  201·00

  Special Monitor

  312·00

  Microcomputer

  402·00

  VHS Recorder

  195·00

  Calculator

  71·00

  Calculator

  84·00

  Camera

  452·00

  Lens

  324·00

  Micro Computer

  624·00

  Digital Multimeter

  68·00

  Computer

  401·00

  Camera and Holder

  234·00

  Electric Drill

  131·00

  Staple Gun

  13·00

  Cordless Cleaner

  10·00

  Sub Surface Buoy

  400·00

  Electric Motor

  75·00

  Rechargeable Cleaner

  121·00

  Computer

  150·00

  Computer Monitor

  112·50

  Computer

  112·50

  Mast Unit

  375·00

  Mast Unit

  375·00

  Calculator

  25·00

  Printer

  401·73

  28

  £

  Computer

  1112·50

  Printer FX 100

  175·00

  Colour Monitor

  112·50

  Computer

  200·00

  Dual Disc Drive

  200·00

  Microvitec 1441

  200·00

  Monitor

  200·00

  Video Recorder

  144·00

  Computer

  901·00

  Answering Machine

  80·00

  2 Video Recorders

  293·74

  Answering Machine

  80·00

  Pinwriter Printer

  112·00

  Computer

  897·00

  Radio

  408·02

  1 Residual value·

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Iraqi Citizens
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the internment of Iraqi citizens living in Britain.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No power permitting internment of Iraqis civilians is in force in United Kingdom law. If such a power were proposed, Parliament would be able to consider and decide the matter.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many residents in the United Kingdom, of Palestinian and Arabic origin have been detained under security regulations arising out of the conflict in the Gulf, as at Monday 28 January; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  By 28 January a total of 101 Iraqis and 10 other nationals had been detained under the Immigration Act powers following notification of a decision to make deportation orders against them on the grounds that their presence was not conducive to the public good for reasons of national security. At 28 January 42 Iraqis and eight others remained in detention under the Immigration Act and 35 Iraqis were held in military custody as prisoners of war.

  Magistrates
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward further proposals to increase the financial loss allowance for magistrates.

  Mr. John Patten
  The financial loss allowance for magistrates was last increased in April 1990, in line with the increase for local authority councillors. We shall consider whether a further increase is possible with effect from this April to reflect changes in levels of earnings.

  Passports
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British passports were processed in(a) 1979, (b) 1985, (c) 1986, (d) 1987, (e) 1988, (f) 1989 and (g) for each month of 1990.
  29
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The total number of British passport services in 1979 and each of the years from 1985 to 1989 was:

  Millions

  1979

  1·79

  1985

  2·02

  1986

  2·50

  1987

  2·43

  1988

  2·83

  1989

  2·77

  The total number of British passport services for each month of 1990 was:

  Number

  January

  265,000

  February

  360,000

  March

  414,000

  April

  364,000

  May

  395,000

  June

  329,000

  July

  308,000

  August

  280,000

  September

  168,000

  October

  146,000

  November

  184,000

  December

  100,000

  TOTAL

  3,310,000

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports were received in 1990 at British passport offices.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of passport applications received in 1990 was 3·37 million.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of waiting time for a British passport application completion for each month in 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The average time, in working days, for the processing of a properly completed non-urgent British passport application for each month in 1990 is shown in the table.

  Working days

  January

  7·94

  February

  10·40

  March

  11·68

  April

  9·67

  May

  11·83

  June

  11·54

  July

  7·71

  August

  3·00

  September

  2·75

  October

  2·83

  November

  3·50

  December

  4·33

  The average for the whole of 1990 was 7·27 working days. Urgent applications were processed more quickly, in accordance with travellers' needs.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of British passports after 1992.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  British nationals, as defined in accordance with EC law, will continue to be able to 30
  exercise their rights of free movement between European Community countries after 1992 on production of their passports.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of staff work at each of the major passport offices in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The complement of permanent staff employed at each regional passport office as at 31 December 1990 is shown in the table:

  Number

  London

  202·5

  Liverpool

  269·5

  Peterborough

  2125

  Newport

  2120

  Glasgow

  202·0

  Belfast

  78·0

  In addition, up to 320 temporary staff may be employed at these offices at periods of peak demand.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British visitor's passports were issued in each month of 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the number of British visitor's passports issued between January and November 1990. The figures for December 1990 are not yet available.

  Number

  January

  81,560

  February

  97,721

  March

  123,232

  April

  192,963

  May

  202,764

  June

  243,450

  July

  387,657

  August

  270,894

  September

  200,620

  October

  139,284

  November

  66,780

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much new funding will be given to British passport offices in 1991–92 to improve services.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Proposed gross provision for the passport department, within the overall provision for Home Office vote 3, is £51·9 million for 1991–92 as compared to £41 million under the supply estimates for 1990–91, an increase of £10·9 million. The increased provision is to enable the department to deal with anticipated increases in demand from the public for passport services and to introduce improved working practices, including modifications to offices. There is also provision for improvements related to agency status, including new accounting systems, enhanced training, devolved personnel management and improved communications.

  Police Cells
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the longest period a person has been held in a police cell in 1990 and 1989;

  (2) how many people were held in police cells across Britain, by police authority, for the latest date when figures are available.
  31
  Mrs. Rumbold
  On Friday 1 February a total of 604 prisoners were held in police cells in the following police areas:

  Number

  Metropolitan

  6

  Cheshire

  23

  Derbyshire

  10

  Greater Manchester

  252

  Humberside

  57

  Kent

  11

  Lancashire

  85

  Merseyside

  52

  Northumbria

  12

  South Yorkshire

  29

  West Midlands

  24

  West Yorkshire

  43

  Information about the length of time which individual prisoners have spent in police cells is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Child Seat Belts
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have arisen from child safety restraints not being used in cars since the Act came into force.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information collected centrally does not separately distinguish between the various seat belt offences. Between 1983 and the end of 1989 there were 81,475 proceedings at magistrates courts in England and Wales for seat belt offences under the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1982 and the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children) Regulations 1982 and later legislation. Since 1 October 1986, the police have also been able to issue fixed penalty notices for seat belts offences, and by the end of 1989 about 280,000 notices for seat belts offences had been issued.

  Television Licences
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed to phase-out black and white television licences; and what consideration has been given to arrangements to cushion the impact for those on low incomes.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are not for the present planning to take a decision on the recent suggestion by the consultants Price Waterhouse that the differential between the colour and black and white television licence fees should be phased out. When we come to do so we will consider the effects on those who currently buy black and white licences.

  War Crimes
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to bring forward legislation on war crimes.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Government have made clear their commitment to the reintroduction of the War Crimes Bill this Session.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers(a) joined and (b) left the prison service in each of the years 1983 to 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The numbers who have joined and left the prison officer grades—main grade, senior officer and principal officer—are as follows:

  (a) Joined

  (b) Left1

  1983

  1,189

  599

  1984–85

  1,235

  652

  1985–86

  997

  771

  1986–87

  934

  614

  1987–88

  1,664

  644

  1988–89

  2,372

  794

  1989–90

  1,555

  936

  1 Mainly retirements but the figures include those leaving the service for other reasons as well as those who left the officer grades on promotion to the governor grades.

  The prison service has been recruiting an unprecedented number of new prison officers since the introduction of fresh start in 1987. There are now over 20 per cent. more prison officers in post than in April 1987. The service has no difficulty in attracting sufficient numbers of suitable recruits and remains on course to meet all the targets set when fresh start was introduced.

  Immigration
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the case of Mr. AA (Ref.: A413117/2(S)) was referred to Greater Manchester police for inquiry; and what was the cause of delays in processing this case up to this point.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The reasons for the delay were explained to the hon. Member in a letter of 16 October 1989 from my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State and in my letter of 3 January 1991. The case was not referred to the police by Home Office officials.

  Slot Machines
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he is giving to the extension of licensing arrangements to cover amusement-only slot machines installed in shops and eating places; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None. Such machines do not come under the Gaming Act 1968 since they do not constitute gambling. The results of the Home Office research study "Amusement Machines Dependency and Delinquency", published in July 1988, provided no grounds to justify extending legislative controls to amusement-only slot machines and we have received no reliable new evidence since to contradict this finding.

  Capital Offences
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of persons who have been found guilty of offences which were deemed capital offences prior to the abolition of the death penalty in 1965, for each year since 1975; and if he will show against such figures the percentage change year on year.
  33
  Mr. John Patten
  No such figures are available in the absence of a specific court decision. Under the Homicide Act 1957 only the court, with full details of the case, could determine whether any particular offence was capital and since 1965 no such determination has been made.

  Criminal Justice Bill
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the views expressed by the chief constables of Thames Valley and Manchester in relation to possible consequences arising out of implementation of clause 25 of the Criminal Justice Bill.

  Mr. John Patten
  I am informed that the chief constables of Thames Valley and Greater Manchester have not made comments to the Home Office on clause 25 of the Criminal Justice Bill.

  Detainees
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently detained on grounds of national security within the terms of the Immigration Act 1971; where they are held; and what right of appeal they have exercised.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Fifty-two are currently detained under the Immigration Act 1971 following service of notice of intention to make a deportation order for reasons of national security. They are detained in HM prisons and 31 are in Pentonville, 12 are in Wormwood Scrubs, eight in Full Sutton and one in Holloway. All 52 have forwarded representations, which are under consideration, and 51 have currently applied to appear before the advisory panel provided for in paragraph 157 of the "Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules"—HC 251.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated cost, in total, of moving Iraqi and Palestinian detainees from Yorkshire to Pentonville prison on 31 January for appeal hearings, and their subsequent return.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Police and prison services escorting costs from Full Sutton to Pentonville prisons on 31 January, including vehicle hire, are estimated at approximately £7,300. Return journey costs cannot yet be estimated.

  Mr. Abdul Al-Ghazzi
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are any restrictions on Mr. Abdul Al-Ghazzi's travel rights within the United Kingdom.

  Population1 of Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 September 1990: by type of prisoner, sex and ethnic origin

  Type of prisoner and sex

  White

  West Indian, Guyanese, African

  Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi

  Chinese, Arab, Mixed origin

  Other, not recorded (including refusals)

  Total number of persons in establishments

  Males

  Untried

  5,632

  923

  192

  176

  251

  7,174

  Convicted unsentenced

  1,532

  158

  36

  33

  49

  1,808

  Sentenced

  27,915

  3,485

  973

  616

  702

  33,691

  Non-criminal

  92

  66

  19

  13

  15

  205

  All prisoners

  35,171

  4,632

  1,220

  838

  1,017

  42,878

  34
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are unable to trace any record of a Mr. Abdul Al-Ghazzi without further identifying particulars.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to make any changes to the Charity Commission cash limit and running cost limit for 1990–91.

  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to make any changes to the 1990–91 cash limits within his responsibilities and to his Department's running costs limit.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes) on 1 February at columns 659–60.

  Nigerian Offenders
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for he Home Department how many male and female prisoners in England and Wales who emanated from Nigeria are currently serving a sentence or are being held on remand; and what percentage of each group was involved in drug offences.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 25 January 1991]: On 30 June 1990, the latest date for which information is readily available, an estimated 430 male and 100 female sentenced prisoners were known to be citizens of Nigeria; however, the recording of nationality is not always reliable. About 80 per cent. of the males and 60 per cent. of the females were known to have been sentenced for drugs offences.

  Information about offence and nationality is not recorded centrally for the remand population.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the ethnic composition of(a) the remand and (b) the sentenced prison population, for males and females in England and Wales for the latest date available.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 25 January 1991]: The readily available information is given in the table. The information is published annually in "Prison statistics, England and Wales", Table 1.11 of the 1989 issue, Cm. 1221, copies of which are available in the Library.
  35

  Type of prisoner and sex

  While

  West Indian, Guyanese, African

  Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi

  Chinese, Arab, Mixed origin

  Other, not recorded (including refusals)

  Total number of persons in establishments

  Females

  Untried

  208

  53

  7

  21

  17

  306

  Convicted unsentenced

  73

  8

  2

  4

  2

  89

  Sentenced

  777

  303

  26

  40

  51

  1,197

  Non-criminal

  5

  3

  —

  1

  —

  9

  All prisoners

  1,063

  367

  35

  66

  70

  1,601

  1 Provisional. The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate.

  Solvent Abuse
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons under the age of(a) 25 years, (b) 21 years and (c) 18 years have died as a result of lighter fuel sniffing, on an annual basis, nationally and regionally.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The most complete data on this topic are those collected by the national study of deaths associated with abuse of volatile substances carried out by the St. George's hospital medical school and the data shown are from that study. 1989 data are provisional.

  Deaths associated with the abuse of volatile substances Ligher fuel deaths by age and standard region

  Standard region

  Under 25

  Of which under 21

  Of which under 18

  1983–89

  North

  24

  24

  20

  North-West

  26

  23

  16

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  25

  23

  21

  East Midlands

  15

  14

  14

  West Midlands

  20

  17

  14

  East Anglia

  3

  3

  1

  South East

  54

  49

  38

  South West

  7

  7

  5

  England

  174

  160

  129

  Wales

  9

  7

  5

  Scotland

  37

  32

  25

  Northern Ireland

  2

  2

  2

  Total

  222

  201

  161

  1983

  North

  0

  0

  0

  North West

  3

  2

  2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2

  1

  1

  East Midlands

  1

  1

  1

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  South East

  3

  3

  3

  South West

  1

  1

  0

  England

  10

  8

  7

  Wales

  0

  0

  0

  Scotland

  7

  6

  4

  Northern Ireland

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  17

  14

  11

  1984

  North

  6

  6

  6

  North West

  2

  2

  2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2

  2

  1

  East Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  1

  0

  0

  East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  South East

  7

  7

  4

  South West

  0

  0

  0

  England

  18

  17

  13

  Wales

  4

  4

  4

  36

  Standard region

  Under 25

  Of which under 21

  Of which under 18

  Scotland

  3

  3

  1

  Northern Ireland

  1

  1

  1

  Total

  26

  25

  19

  1985

  North

  1

  1

  0

  North West

  4

  4

  3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5

  5

  5

  East Midlands

  2

  1

  1

  West Midlands

  2

  2

  2

  East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  South East

  5

  4

  3

  South West

  1

  1

  1

  England

  20

  18

  15

  Wales

  0

  0

  0

  Scotland

  7

  7

  7

  Northern Ireland

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  27

  25

  22

  1986

  North

  3

  3

  2

  North West

  4

  4

  1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2

  2

  1

  East Midlands

  1

  1

  1

  West Midlands

  5

  5

  5

  East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  South East

  8

  8

  7

  South West

  0

  0

  0

  England

  23

  23

  17

  Wales

  1

  1

  0

  Scotland

  5

  4

  4

  Northern Ireland

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  29

  28

  21

  1987

  North

  2

  2

  2

  North West

  4

  4

  2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4

  4

  4

  East Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  2

  2

  0

  East Anglia

  1

  1

  0

  South East

  11

  10

  7

  South West

  0

  0

  0

  England

  24

  23

  15

  Wales

  2

  0

  0

  Scotland

  7

  6

  5

  Northern Ireland

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  33

  29

  20

  1988

  North

  6

  6

  6

  North West

  5

  4

  4

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  6

  5

  5

  East Midlands

  4

  4

  4

  West Midlands

  5

  4

  4

  East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  37

  Standard region

  Under 25

  Of which under 21

  Of which under 18

  South East

  14

  12

  9

  South West

  1

  1

  1

  England

  41

  36

  33

  Wales

  2

  2

  1

  Scotland

  8

  6

  4

  Northern Ireland

  1

  1

  1

  Total

  52

  45

  39

  1989

  North

  6

  6

  4

  North West

  4

  3

  2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4

  4

  4

  East Midlands

  7

  7

  7

  West Midlands

  5

  4

  3

  East Anglia

  2

  2

  1

  South East

  6

  5

  5

  South West

  4

  4

  3

  England

  38

  35

  29

  Wales

  0

  0

  0

  Scotland

  0

  0

  0

  Northern Ireland

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  38

  35

  29

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Policy
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to publish new planning policy guidance notes to replace the existing PPG3 "Land for Housing."

  Sir George Young
  Yes. A draft revised planning policy guidance note on housing, PPG 3, was issued for consultation by my Department in the autumn of 1989. This attracted several hundred responses which raised a number of important and complex issues requiring careful consideration. My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to publish the revised guidance in final form shortly.

  Housing, Newham
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amounts allocated to the London borough of Newham's housing investment programme in each year from 1979 to 1991 inclusive, indicating the change as a percentage each year in real terms.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information requested is as follows. Since 1981–82 authorities have been able to augment the borrowing power of their HIP allocations by using the prescribed proportion of their capital receipts. For 1990–91 and 1991–92, under the new capital finance system, the HIP allocation does not convey borrowing approval directly.

  Housing investment programme allocations for London borough of Newham (£ thousands)

  Cash

  Real terms1

  Percentage change2

  1978–79

  18,875

  50,558

  —

  1979–80

  25,887

  59,428

  + 18

  1980–81

  25,756

  49,967

  -16

  1981–82

  15,482

  27,391

  -45

  38

  Cash

  Real terms1

  Percentage change2

  1982–83

  22,162

  36,608

  + 34

  1983–84

  20,361

  32,147

  -12

  1984–85

  23,310

  35,024

  +9

  1985–86

  21,574

  30,741

  -12

  1986–87

  23,179

  31,937

  +4

  1987–88

  20,719

  27,073

  -15

  1988–89

  23,745

  28,916

  +7

  1989–90

  20,915

  23,943

  -17

  1990–91

  26,094

  27,660

  3+ 16

  1991–92

  23,333

  23,333

  4-16

  1 Expressed in 1991–92 prices.

  2 Percentage change over previous year in real terms.

  3 Provisional.

  4 Initial allocation only.

  Reservoirs
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to implement the provisions of the Reservoirs Act 1975; and if he proposes to introduce any additional measures.

  Mr. Baldry
  The provisions of the Reservoirs Act 1975 have been implemented in England, Wales and Scotland in stages with effect from 8 November 1983 to 1 April 1986. No additional measures are currently proposed.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the capacity of each dam yin England which falls within the scope of the Reservoirs Act 1975; and if he will give, in each case, the name of the undertaker.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dams in each county in England fall within the scope of the Reservoirs Act 1975.

  Mr. Baldry
  The number of dams by local government authority falling within the scope of the Reservoirs Act 1975 is shown in the table. The information was obtained from reports as at 1 April 1989 made to the Secretary of State by local authorities, as enforcement authorities under the Act.

  Shire Councils

  Number

  Avon

  18

  Bedfordshire

  12

  Berkshire

  15

  Buckinghamshire

  19

  Cambridgeshire

  19

  Cheshire

  33

  Cleveland

  23

  Cornwall

  13

  Cumbria

  46

  Derbyshire

  71

  Devon

  33

  Dorset

  6

  Durham

  20

  East Sussex

  26

  Essex

  37

  Gloucestershire

  22

  Hampshire

  35

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  46

  Hertfordshire

  21

  Humberside

  13

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Kent

  18

  Lancashire

  113

  39

  Shire Councils

  Number

  Leicestershire

  19

  Lincolnshire

  19

  Norfolk

  17

  Northamptonshire

  25

  Northumberland

  35

  Oxfordshire

  13

  Shropshire

  32

  Somerset

  17

  Staffordshire

  49

  Suffolk

  15

  Surrey

  54

  Warwickshire

  28

  West Sussex

  23

  Wiltshire

  11

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Total

  1,104

  Metropolitan district councils

  Number

  Barnsley

  16

  Birmingham

  19

  Bolton

  13

  Bradford

  26

  Bury

  13

  Calderdale

  29

  Coventry

  1

  Doncaster

  2

  Dudley

  6

  Gateshead

  0

  Kirklees

  27

  Knowsley

  2

  Leeds

  10

  Liverpool

  3

  Manchester

  5

  Newcastle

  1

  North Tyneside

  0

  Oldham

  18

  Rochdale

  25

  Rotherham

  11

  St. Helens

  10

  Salford

  2

  Sandwell

  3

  Sefton

  0

  Sheffield

  22

  Solihull

  4

  South Tyneside

  0

  Stockport

  3

  Sunderland

  0

  Tameside

  18

  Trafford

  1

  Wakefield

  9

  Walsall

  3

  Wigan

  3

  Wirral

  1

  Wolverhampton

  0

  TOTAL

  307

  In addition, there were 59 dams within the Greater London area.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what remedial works have been carried out to dams in England under the terms of the Reservoirs Act 1975; and what was the expenditure involved in each case.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions have been made under the provisions of the Reservoirs Act 1975; what were the alleged offences; and in how many cases such prosecutions were successful.
  40
  Mr. Baldry
  One prosecution under the provisions of the Reservoirs Act 1975, in 1989, has been reported by the enforcement authorities. The alleged offences were non-compliance with notices requiring works to a reservoir following an inspection and failure to appoint a supervising engineer. The prosecution was successful. The reports due on 1 April this year will disclose any further prosecutions that have taken place since 1989.

  Nursery Places, Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assumptions he makes about the need for the provision of nursery places in Lambeth in the proposed revenue support grant settlement.

  Mr. Key
  Allowance is made for nursery provision within the standard spending assessment for social services for children. The assessment for Lambeth is calculated in the same way as for other authorities, on the basis of the formula set out in paragraph 3.19 of the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) as amended by the Revenue Support Grant Distribution (Amendment) Report (England) debated and approved by the House on 29 January.

  Underused Land
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 10 largest local authority owners of underused land in England.

  Mr. Yeo
  Complete up-to-date information is not available.

  Gasworks (Benzene)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of former gaswork and gasometer sites that are known to be contaminated with benzene.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Department keeps no such records centrally. In 1988 the Department published a report entitled "Problems arising from the Redevelopment of Gasworks and Similar Sites" in which it was estimated that the total number of sites in the United Kingdom formerly used for coal-gas production could be about 3,000. Benzene is a possible by-product of the processes sometimes associated with former gasworks sites.

  Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 local authorities will be placed under a duty to keep registers of potentially contaminated sites including former gasworks sites.

  Unleaded Petrol
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government are undertaking to encourage the sale of unleaded petrol.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government increased the duty differential in favour of unleaded petrol in last year's Budget—the third successive budget increase. Regulations came into force last October which require all new cars to be capable of running on unleaded petrol. From the end of 1992, all new cars will be required to have catalytic convertors, which necessitate the use of unleaded petrol.

  Thamesmead
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now plans to open the public inquiry into the proposed development of Thamesmead town centre.

  Mr. Yeo
  The inquiry will open on 30 April.

  Public Inquiries, East London
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report of the inspector on the public inquiries into the east London river crossing and the London city airport.

  Mr. Yeo
  As soon as both inspectors have completed their reports.

  Defective Housing
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment following the submission of new evidence to his Department, if he will review the case for designating the Truscon RD27 houses in Storrington avenue, Liverpool under the housing defects legislation.

  Mr. Yeo
  No. The additional material received by my Department does not contain any new evidence which would alter the original decision.

  Cliffe Marshes, Kent
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call in the proposals by the Port of London Authority to dump dredgings on Cliffe marshes, Kent.

  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend has today called in for his own determination the proposals by the Port of London Authority for the formation of silt lagoons and associated works on land at Cliffe marshes, Rochester, Kent.

  Gloucester Grove Estate
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he will decide on the Estate Action programme bid from the London borough of Southwark in respect of the Gloucester Grove estate; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what discussions he has had with the London borough of Southwark concerning the Estate Action programme on the Gloucester Grove estate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Department is currently considering bids submitted by local authorities for Estate Action support during 1991–92. This involves a detailed assessment of the relative merits of a large number of proposed schemes. Officials have discussed with council officers the London borough of Southwark's bid for a scheme at Gloucester Grove and these discussions will be taken into account in arriving at a decision on the council's application. An announcement about those schemes to be worked up as firm Estate Action proposals will be made shortly.

  EC Directives
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will update the answer given to the hon. Member for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes)42
  in the Official Report of 29 January 1987, columns 388–402, on EC directives and sub-directives relating to environmental improvement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The list of measures concerned with environmental protection which have been adopted by the European Community since August 1967, has today been placed in the Library of the House.

  Local Government Contracts
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in issuing section 13 notices under the Local Government Act 1988, he takes into consideration whether councillors have ignored council officers' advice in the awarding of a contract; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  When my right hon. Friend considers whether to issue a notice under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988 on the ground that it appears to him that an authority has acted in contravention of section 7(7) of that Act, he takes into consideration all matters which are relevant to the question of whether the authority has acted in a manner having the effect, or likely or intended to have the effect, of restricting, distorting or preventing competition. He considers the actual, intended or likely effect of the authority's decision to carry out work through its direct services organisation.

  Councillors may choose, as they think fit, whether to follow their officers' advice and, provided their decision does not appear to my right hon. Friend to contravene the requirements of the Act, he sees no relevance in the fact that they have chosen not to follow officers' advice.

  Gulf Oil Slick
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has had from the OECD in relation to the Gulf oil slick.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: The communique issued by the Environment Ministers of the OECD countries on 31 January included the following:
  "In their statement on the environmental situation in the Gulf, Ministers condemned Iraq's recourse to the destruction of the environment as a weapon and pledged to strengthen the capacity of the international community to prevent and confront environmental disasters, taking particular account of the situation of developing countries. This would encompass, in co-operation with UNEP, the IMO and other relevant international organisations, the strengthening of international principles and agreements, and the reinforcing of technological and institutional response capacities as well as the possible establishment of liability verification and claims settlement procedures. In particular, Ministers stressed the urgency of an early and full implementation of the IMO Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Co-operation with relevant United Nations and other bodies, to develop a regularly updated register of information on technological and institutional response capacities."

  I warmly welcome this statement. The pledge strengthen the future response capacity of the international community is in line with the initiative I put forward in the House on 28 January at column 656.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what predictions he has had from computer models at the Meteorological Office and the Proudman oceanographic laboratory about the likely behaviour of the oil slick in the Gulf.
  43
  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991: One of the studies commissioned from the Natural Environment Research Council aims to develop a model with the Meterological Office which can predict the movement of a Gulf oil slick. Work so far has demonstrated the viability of the concepts involved and the project is continuing.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Natural Environment Research Council contribution to containing the Gulf oil slick.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: The Natural Environment Research Council is compiling urgent short-term reports to model and assess the biological effects of the pollution of the Gulf caused by the actions of Saddam Hussein. The first phase is now complete and is being made available to the Gulf states leading the response to the pollution. My Department is assembling a register of the United Kingdom marine scientific expertise potentially available for further studies of the problem in the longer term.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contact he has had with the International Maritime Organisation in relation to Gulf oil pollution.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: I understand that the International Maritime Organisation—IMO—has been approached by the Saudi Government to help co-ordinate the offers of assistance with pollution response equipment and expertise which it has received. The IMO has been informed of the United Kingdom response to requests from the Gulf states so far and the marine pollution control unit of Department of Transport is maintaining close contact with them.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his contacts with the United Nations Environment Programme for improving environmental communications in relation to the Gulf oil slick.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: Senior officials in my Department have been in touch throughout the week with the United Nations Environment Programme and its executive director, Dr. Tolba. The UNEP has asked the United Kingdom for help in its efforts to improve communications and technical co-ordination over the pollution in the Gulf caused by the action of Saddam Hussein and I shall be responding sympathetically as soon as it is clear just what form of assistance is required. The UNEP is calling a meeting next week in Geneva with relevant UN agencies, including the International Maritime Organisation, and the oil industry to identify gaps in knowledge and to identify a practical programme of international co-operation.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment at what time, on what date he first contacted the British Oil Spill Control Association about containment of the Gulf oil slick.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: The Government's liaison with the British Oil Spill Control Association is principally through the marine pollution control unit in the Department of my right hon. Friend the
  44
  Secretary of State for Transport. The unit has been in close contact with the association ever since becoming aware of the spill on 25 January. My Department has been kept fully informed throughout.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what study has been made since August 1990 of the problems of dealing with oil slicks in war zones.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: Techniques and equipment for dealing with oil spills are the same whether or not the spill is in a war zone. It is for military authorities concerned to resolve any military aspects as necessary if the spill is in a war zone.

  Gulf Ecosystem
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) of 28 January,Official Report, columns 656–57, what information is available to his Department about the ecosystem of the Gulf.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: Detailed information on the Gulf ecosystem is available from a number of sources and my Department has now received a specially commissioned assessment of the likely biological effects of the Gulf oil spill by the Natural Environment Research Council which we are passing on to the Gulf states. We have also seen a report from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia's National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development. The Nature Conservancy Council and several non-governmental organisations have also provided us with useful material.

  Sokerol
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) of 28 January,Official Report, column 666, what action he is taking about Sokerol.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: The hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) has been in contact about Sokerol both with my Department and with the Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit, which is the Government's centre of expertise on oil pollution control at sea. Arrangements exist to make the Governments of the Gulf states, who bear prime responsibility for dealing with the pollution inflicted on the Gulf by Saddam Hussein, aware of potentially useful materials and technology available from the United Kingdom on which they may wish to call.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of revenue expenditure in the forthcoming financial year at which the capping of expenditure would be considered in respect of(a) Essex county council and (b) Southend borough council.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 1 February 1991]: On the basis of our intended criteria for charge capping in 1991–92—which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr. Patten) on 31 October—Essex county council and Southend borough council would be able to increase their budgets to the level of their 1991–92 standard spending assessments–£902·978 million and £17·885 million respectively—before those increases would be considered excessive.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the allocated expenditure for local authority capital expenditure on education in England in each year since 1979, in real terms.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 31 January 1991]: Capital allocations for education at 1990–91 prices were as follows:

  £ million

  1981–82

  592·1

  1982–83

  526·9

  1983–84

  438·9

  1984–85

  426·8

  1985–86

  423·4

  1986–87

  386·7

  1987–88

  377·6

  1988–89

  444·3

  1989–90

  388·1

  Under the new capital finance system, introduced on 1 April 1990, there is no precise equivalent to capital allocations. Annual capital guidelines, which are a measure of the government's assessment of the need for local authorities to finance capital expenditure on a particular service, were £457·9 million for education for 1990–91. Local authorities are not bound to spend at that level but the extent to which they can finance this expenditure from borrowing is regulated by the issue of credit approvals. Information for earlier years is not readily available.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Lobby (Statues)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make arrangements for the statues of Disraeli and Asquith situated in the Members' Lobby to change places; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have no plans to do so.

  Norman Shaw Buildings (Access)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has for the improvement of disabled access in the Norman Shaw North and Norman Shaw South buildings.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 31 January, at column 576. If he has any specific suggestions for improvements I will of course ensure they are included together with the studies currently being carried out.

HEALTH

  Operation Waiting Lists
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce waiting lists for operations; and how long is the average delay for non-life endangered surgical operations in north Devon.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  At 31 March 1990, the latest date for which information on hospital waiting lists is held centrally, the median waiting time for patients who have been treated in the surgical specialties, excluding emergencies, in north Devon was 2·8 weeks.

  It is the time patients wait for treatment which is important, not total numbers on the lists. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 16 January, we are continuing the special waiting list fund in 1991–92 with a further £35 million to help health authorities reduce the number of patients who wait excessively. This brings to £154 million the Government's investment in the fund over five years. South Western region has received £6·8 million from the waiting list fund over the period 1987 to 1991. The attack on waiting times is a key priority for the NHS in 1991–92 and the NHS management executive is agreeing tough targets with all 14 regional health authorities for substantial reductions in the number of patients who wait over a year for treatment.

HEALTH

  Trent Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each of the centres established by the Trent regional health authority as part of the treatment centres initiative(a) its name, location and specialty, (b) its commencement date, (c) the budget allocated to that centre for (i) 1989–90, (ii) 1990–91 and (iii) 1991–92, (d) the number of patients treated at that centre since it started work and (e) the average number of cases treated at such centres nationally.

  Mr. Dorell
  If the hon. Member would like to write to me and let me know what he has in mind by the phrase "treatment centres initiatives" I will reply to him direct.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what he estimates to be the annual cost of administering community health councils.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The expenses of community health councils are met by and are reported with the total expenditure of the health authorities with which they are associated.

  The summarised accounts of health authorities in England for 1989–90 show such expenses as £8·6 million.

  Clinical Regrading
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health following the clinical regrading exercise how many appeals against grading were(a) lodged with the Northern regional health authority, (b) heard to date, (c) successful and (d) have yet to be heard; what is the average length of time for an appeal to be heard; and what advice and resources are being applied to deal with the backlog.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  At 31 December 1990, 194 nurse clinical grading regional appeals had been referred to Northern regional health authority for hearing under the procedures established by the General Whitley Council. I understand that of 49 regional appeals heard so far, 10 have been decided in favour of the appellant. There is no estimate of how long it will take for any particular regional appeal to be heard. The regional health authority will make every effort to operate the appeals process as quickly as possible.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has concerning the level of salmonella infection in turtles and terrapins and the extent to which such infection is transmitted to humans; and if he has any proposals for relevant research.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 31 January at column 617.

  No information is held centrally on the level of salmonella infection in turtles and terrapins. The public health laboratory service's (PHLS) communicable disease surveillance centre, with a number of PHLS laboratories, the Medical Research Council and the London School of
  48
  Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will be conducting a pilot study this year on the incidence of infectious intestinal disease in the human population. This study will include an inquiry into possible risk factors, including contact with animals.

  Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will announce the Government's decisions on the recommendations in the Peat Marwick McLintock review of the United Kingdom Central Council and the four national boards for nursing, midwifery and health visiting.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Government consulted widely on the Peat Marwick McLintock recommendations and also on proposals drawn up by the four United Kingdom Health Departments to reflect the education and training implications for the health care sector of the White Paper "Working for Patients". We have now come to a view on the main features of the statutory framework for the regulation of the nursing, midwifery and health visiting professions. Future arrangements for organisation and finance of nursing, midwifery and health visiting education have also been decided which reflect the way in which these services are delivered in the four United Kingdom countries. These are set out in detail in written statements which my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and I are issuing today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  In England, I have decided that regional health authorities, in consultation with employers, should in future have the main responsibility for funding pre-registration nursing and midwifery training, rather than sharing that responsibility with the English national board as at present. The resources to be allocated to such training will need to be specified by regional health authorities in a clearly defined and protected budget. Post-registration nurse and midwifery training designed to produce specific professional skills will also, for the time being at least, be funded from a separate and protected regional budget.

  With regard to the statutory framework for the regulation of the professions, the Government accept the Peat Marwick McLintock proposals that the United Kingdom central council, rather than the national boards, should be the statutory body to which the professions elect members, and that the whole of the professional conduct function should be centralised at the council. In the light however of the decisions which have been taken on the organisation and finance of professional education, the case made by Peat Marwick McLintock for direct management of colleges of nursing and midwifery in England, Scotland and Wales by their respective national boards largely disappears. We have accordingly decided not to accept the recommendations in this regard. But there will be a continuing role for bodies in each of the four countries of the United Kingdom to accredit institutions and validate courses and to ensure that the council's standards of professional education are met in each country.

  The changes proposed will require legislation, the timing of which will depend on the other pressures on the Government's legislative programme.

  Under-fives
  Mr. Aspinwall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote the development of child care for the under-fives.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Seven in eight or 86 per cent. of three and four-year-olds attend some form of day care or nursery education for part or more of the week which provides a good basis on which to expand services.

  The Department has a major programme of activity designed to encourage the development of good quality childcare services across the country.

  The current programme includes:
  implementation of the Children Act 1989 which will introduce a new more effective registration system and a duty for local social services departments and local education authorities to review every three years and publish a report on the day care services in their area;
  new guidance now in preparation on quality and standards of childcare services and education services for pre-school children, the new registration system and review duty;
  training materials project being funded to help local authority registration staff carry out their regulatory function efficiently, and to encourage local authorities to see themselves as facilitators helping providers run good quality services;
  support to the childcare voluntary sector including eleven national organisations in receipt of core grants totalling over £1·2 million in the current financial year and a small grants scheme involving seven national bodies allocating capital sums to local groups now running for the fourth year;
  new centrally-funded under fives initiative to test certain policy ideas on, for example, services for homeless families and lone parents;
  research projects into childminding and playgroups;
  the interdepartmental consultative group on provision for under fives on which DSS, DES, DOE, Home Office, Ministry of Defence, Scottish and Welsh Offices are represented together with representatives from the local authority associations, the voluntary sector, the private childcare sector and employer interests. The Group meets under my chairmanship to discuss matters of concern.

  The policy which has evolved and developed over the years enables us to build on the strengths of our pattern of childcare services with its invaluable contribution from the voluntary sector and now from the increasingly interested private providers and employers.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions his Department has issued to district health authorities about the use of the word "authority" in their official titles.

  Mr. Dorrell
  None.

  Self-employed People
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the parliamentary constituencies in Wales in order according to the number of self-employed persons in each as revealed by the latest census; and if he will give the figure for each of those constituencies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  50

  Number of self-employed by Parliamentary Constituency

  Number

  Aberavon

  1,343

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,443

  Swansea East

  1,539

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  1,569

  Islwyn

  1,590

  Cynon Valley

  1,595

  Ogmore

  1,644

  Torfaen

  1,722

  Rhondda

  1,816

  Neath

  1,868

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  1,976

  Newport East

  2,004

  Caerphilly

  2,141

  Newport West

  2,166

  Cardiff West

  2,220

  Bridgend

  2,253

  Swansea West

  2,374

  Cardiff North

  2,408

  Alyn and Deeside

  2,423

  Pontypridd

  2,446

  Cardiff Central

  2,525

  Llanelli

  2,647

  Wrexham

  3,027

  Gower

  3,078

  Meirionnydd Nant Conway

  3,367

  Delyn

  3,444

  Vale of Glamorgan

  3,577

  Conwy

  3,620

  Ynys Mon

  3,693

  Caernarfon

  3,800

  Clwyd North West

  4,129

  Monmouth

  4,483

  Clwyd South West

  4,808

  Montgomery

  5,309

  Pembroke

  6,054

  Brecon and Radnor

  6,261

  Ceredigion and Pembroke North

  7,771

  Carmarthen

  8,131

  Coventry Health Services
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are specifically responsible for dealing with complaints by patients and families in the Coventry family health services authority and by the Coventry health authority;

  (2) how many people are employed by the Coventry family health services authority and by the Coventry health authority;

  (3) what is the latest available figure and for the years 1979 to 1988 for the back-log of complaints at the Coventry family health services authority and the Coventry health authority; and how many complaints had not been investigated for (a) over a year and (b) over two years;

  (4) what is the average time taken to deal with a complaint to the Coventry family health services authority and the Coventry health authority; and what is the national average.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairmen of the authorities for details.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the latest figure and for each year from 1980 for the number of people undergoing treatment for drug abuse; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not held centrally.

  Circumcision
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to health authorities as to whether circumcision operations can be undertaken without charge by the national health service on the basis of parental choice rather than medical necessity.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This is a matter for local decision but in general only those operations which are deemed to be clinically necessary are performed without charge by the national health service.

  Total NHS (England) spending and HCHS spending as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  £ billion

  GDP(A)

  Total HCHS gross expenditure

  Total NHS gross expenditure as a percentage of GDP expenditure

  Total HCHS gross expenditure

  Total HCHS gross expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  1974–75

  89·400

  3·426

  3·8

  2·596

  2·9

  1975–76

  111·200

  4·511

  4·1

  3·409

  3·1

  1976–77

  130·100

  5·149

  4·0

  3·874

  3·0

  1977–78

  151·400

  5·689

  3·8

  4·251

  2·8

  1978–79

  173·800

  6·525

  3·8

  4·888

  2·8

  1979–80

  208·600

  7·755

  3·7

  5·800

  2·8

  1980–81

  237·800

  10·103

  4·2

  7·653

  3·2

  1981–82

  260·900

  11·329

  4·3

  8–506

  3·3

  1982–83

  285·700

  12·353

  4·3

  9·140

  3·2

  1983–84

  309·800

  13·113

  4·2

  9·607

  3·1

  1984–85

  331·900

  14·102

  4·2

  10·203

  3·1

  1985–86

  363·100

  14·923

  4·1

  11·112

  3·1

  1986–87

  390·800

  16·060

  4·1

  11·954

  3·1

  1987–88

  432·900

  17·659

  4·1

  13·146

  3·0

  1988–89

  482·900

  19·606

  4·1

  14·546

  3·0

  1989–90

  523·000

  21·139

  4·0

  15·744

  3·0

  1990–91

  558·000

  23·718

  4·3

  17·750

  3·2

  1991–92

  604·000

  26·428

  4·3

  19·916

  3·3

  HCHS figures from 1985–86 onwards are not comparable with those for the earlier years as they have been adjusted to reflect the new definition of HCHS expenditure to be used in the forthcoming departmental report. i.e. they include family health services administration, disablement services authority and family health services cash-limited spending.

  Portage Schemes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities joint fund portage schemes; and what is his policy towards such joint funding.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally. Decisions on joint funding are for health authorities to take at a level.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish details of the originating debt to be issued to each of the first wave of NHS trusts.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The size of each NHS trust's originating capital debt and the proportions of interest bearing debt and public dividend capital within the total will be set later on this year following a determination of each trust's opening net asset values.

  NHS Spending
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the total NHS spending and (b) HCHS spending as a proportion of United Kingdom gross domestic product in each year from 1974–75 to the present time.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The table gives NHS and HCHS expenditure for the years from 1974–75 as a proportion of gross domestic product.

  Gulf Casualties
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds, per region, have been made vacant to enable the services to use them for Gulf casualties.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There should be no need for health authorities to empty beds until significant ground operations begin.

  Children at Risk
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy towards the charging by health authorities or national health service trusts of local authority social services departments for the attendance of hospital doctors at case conferences concerning children or young persons at risk.
  53
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Such charges in respect of hospital doctors should not be necessary, and the needs of the child should always be paramount.

  Hospital Services, Carlisle
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the failure of East Cumbria health authority to discuss major reductions in hospital services in Carlisle with the East Cumbrian community health council.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 January 1991] I understand that the Northern regional health authority is looking into this matter.

  Nurses (Prescribing Rights)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Health if he will introduce legislation to permit limited prescribing rights for nurses.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [pursuant to the reply 23 January 1991, c. 220]: The Government support the general principle of nurse prescribing endorsed by the advisory group on nurse prescribing but there is more work to do before the final proposals can be agreed and legislation introduced.

  The report of the advisory group was published and issued for comment in December 1989, and the consultation period ended on 30 April 1990. In total 330 responses were received from the four United Kingdom countries. These included replies from health authorities, family health services authorities, medical, pharmaceutical and nursing organisations, individual nurses, trade unions and pharmaceutical companies. Commentators generally welcomed the report and supported its recommendations.

  The report and comments identified various issues which require further work, in particular the economic implications, education and training needs, the development of a formulary, administrative arrangements and legal implications. Clearly, implementation depends upon sorting out these issues. The Department intends shortly to announce details of the independent cost benefit analysis of the advisory group's proposals which we are commissioning. Work is also being carried forward in all the other areas.

  An interim report from the cost benefit analysis should be available in the spring of 1992. Depending upon the nature of the results, we would hope to introduce legislation as soon as a suitable opportunity arises.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why there has been a delay in issuing claim forms for hill livestock compensatory allowance; when farmers may expect these application forms to be released; and what steps he is taking to arrange for early payment of hill livestock compensatory allowance.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 25 January 1991, Vol. 184, col.331.

  Schoolchildren (Part-time Employment)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether he will initiate a survey to establish how many children of compulsory school age are failing to achieve their full educational potential as a consequence of excessive part-time employment;

  (2) what restrictions are placed on employers who provide part-time jobs for post-primary pupils who are still required to attend school on a full-time basis.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The restrictions imposed on employers of children of compulsory school age are contained in byelaws regulating the employment of children, made by each education and library board, under the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968. The byelaws stipulate the occupations in which children may be employed, the age below which children are not to be employed, the number of daily or weekly hours for which they may be employed, the times of day at which they may be employed, the intervals to be allowed to them for meals and rest, the holidays or half-holidays to be allowed to them and any other conditions to be observed in relation to their employment.

  I am not aware of any need for a survey.

  Health Targets
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish his health targets for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  Current health targets for Northern Ireland are contained in "Health and Personal Social Services—A Regional Strategy for Northern Ireland 1987–1992", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Planning
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those planning consents made in the year ended 31 March 1990, which include environmental conditions.

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

  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to make any changes to the planning system in order to improve the safeguarding of areas of environmental or ecological importance.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Select Committee on the Environment Committee, in its recent report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, expressed concern about planning controls and environmental safeguards. I am at present examining the recommendations in this report. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Forster Green Junction
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether tenders have been invited for the Forster Green junction improvement scheme in Castlereagh borough; when he expects work to commence on site; and what is the contract period for this scheme.
  55
  Mr. Needham
  Tenders have not yet been received for the Forster Green junction improvement scheme which is expected to commence during the 1991–92 financial year. The date is dependent on a number of factors including the acquisition of the necessary land. The contract period will be approximately one year.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider establishing an independent environmental protection agency with policing powers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Select Committee on the Environment, in its recent report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, recommended the establishment of such a body. I am at present examining the recommendations in this report. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will publish an annual report on the environment, including an analysis of wildlife habitat loss.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Select Committee on the Environment, in its recent report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, recommended the publication of an annual report on the environment. I am at present examining the recommendations in this report. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Savings
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of people retiring today receive income from savings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My hon. Friend will be pleased to hear that, in 1987, 82 per cent. of recently retired pensioners received income from savings.

  Know-how Fund
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assistance his Department is giving in establishing social security systems in eastern Europe.

  Mr. Jack
  As I mentioned earlier, officials have been working closely with the Polish and Czechoslovak Governments. Assistance has also been provided to Hungary.

  Low-income Families
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has of the number of low-income working families facing deduction rates of 100 per cent. or more(a) prior to 1988 social security reforms and (b) currently.

  Mr. Newton
  The social security reforms in 1988, together with subsequent changes including the major 56
  restructuring of national insurance in October 1989, have to all intents and purposes ended the situation in which the combined effect of tax and contribution deductions and benefit withdrawal could leave a family worse off as a result of increased earnings. Prior to the reforms, it is estimated that some 70,000 families were in this position.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people his Department expects to benefit from proposals outlined in "The Way Ahead".

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people will benefit from the measures announced in "The Way Ahead".

  Mr. Scott
  We estimate that some 850,000 disabled people and their carers will benefit from the proposals set out in "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" (Cmd. 917).

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of mothers in receipt of child benefit earn less than the average wage.

  Mr. Newton
  Our latest information is that of the 15 per cent. of mothers getting child benefit who are in full-time work, 63 per cent. were earning below average female full-time earnings.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many petitions containing how many signatures his Department has received or been notified of on the subject of child benefit since November 1986.

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

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the percentage change in real terms in the value of the state retirement pension since 1979.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My hon. Friend will be pleased to learn that the average real value of the state retirement pension in the year ending April 1990 was 5 per cent. higher than in the year to November 1979, although its value decreased by 3 per cent., if one merely compares its worth on the dates in 1979 and 1990 when it was uprated. My hon. Friend will, of course, agree with me that what really matters to pensioners is their total income which, as a result of the Government's successful economic strategy, increased by 31 per cent. in real terms between 1979 and 1987.

  Hospices
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the current ruling that hospices must make a compulsory charge to patients before patients can claim benefit to pay for a contribution to the running of the hospice.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Income support is a personal benefit intended to meet a claimant's day-to-day living costs. It
  57
  would be inappropriate to pay the higher rates of income support intended to meet the fees for nursing homes in cases where no fees are charged. People in hospices who do not have to pay a charge can claim the normal rates of income support, from which they may make a contribution to the hospice if they wish.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the earnings disregard in invalid care allowance has risen over the last two years.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the earnings disregard in invalid care allowance has risen over the last two years.

  Mr. Scott
  The earnings limit for invalid care allowance was raised from £12 to £20 a week in April 1990. In his statement on 24 October 1990 about the uprating of social security benefits my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced our intention to increase the limit by a further 50 per cent. to £30 a week from April this year.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Beaumont-Dark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many taxpayers with a marginal tax rate of 25p would be affected were the upper earnings limit on national insurance contributions to be removed.

  Mr. Jack
  If the upper earnings limit for employees' national insurance contributions were removed it is currently estimated that about 3·3 million people would pay more contributions, of whom about 2·2 million would have a marginal tax rate of 25p. If the corresponding upper profits limit for self-employed people were also removed it is estimated that about another 0·6 million people would pay more contributions of whom about 0·3 million would have marginal tax rate of 25p.

  Pensioners' Earnings Rule
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are estimated to be benefiting from the abolition of the pensioners' earnings rule.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Waller).

  Pensioner Households
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current value of the assets held by the average pensioner household; and what was the comparable figure in real terms in 1978–79.

  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current value of the assets held by the average pensioner household(a) currently and (b) in 1978–79, in real terms.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My hon. Friend will be pleased to hear that we estimate that the average real value of pensioners' assets doubled between 1979 and 1987.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average current family credit award.

  Mr. Jack
  The average amount of family credit in payment is over £30 a week. Nearly a third of families get £40 a week or more, over half of whom get £50 a week or more.

  Pensioner Support
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what additional support he is proposing to give to pensioners.

  Mr. Newton
  The national insurance pension will go up in April by £5·10 a week for a single person and £8·15 for a couple. In addition, following the £200 million special increase in income support premiums for less-well-off older and disabled pensioners which took place in October 1989, the basic pensioner premium is being increased an April by more than a normal uprating, to give real extra help totalling some £80 million to another 400,000 pensioners aged 60 to 74 directly through income support, and well over £1·5 million through housing benefit and community charge benefit. Less-well-off pensioners are also the principal group of beneficiaries who will be helped by the April increase of well over £200 million in income support limits for those in residential care or nursing homes.

  Single Payments
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to repeal the benefit regulation guaranteeing single payments to people in need because of serious risk to their health and with no other source of help.

  Mr. Scott
  A social security appeal tribunal has awarded a single payment under the terms of the (former) Supplementary Benefit (Urgent Cases) Regulations 1980. The adjudication officer has applied for leave to appeal to the social security commissioner against the decision. Any further action will depend on the outcome of the application for leave to appeal and, if appropriate, the appeal itself.

  Pension Age
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what decision has been reached on the means of achieving equal state pension age; and whether the principle for its achievement will be a flexible retirement decade centred on a common age of 65 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 18 of the Government's response to the 10th report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities, Session 1988–89, on "Equal Treatment for Men and Women in Pensions and Other Benefits"—Cm. 1038.

  SERPS
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, pursuant to his answers of 12 December 1990,Official Report, columns 427–28 and 14 January, Official

  59
  Report, columns 394–95, on the value of the state earnings related pension scheme, he will now give the figures from 1990 to 2029 on the same basis but at April 1990 prices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table. It is important to note that calculations of this nature can provide only a hypothetical view of the distant future based, as they are, on unchanged assumptions about economic variables and policies.

  Year

  UEL(£s per week)

  Average Earnings (£s per week)

  Half Average Earnings (£s per week)

  1990

  48·65

  31·85

  12·70

  1991

  53·20

  34·95

  13·90

  1992

  57·55

  38·10

  15·15

  1993

  62·15

  41·50

  16·65

  1994

  66·70

  44·90

  18·00

  1995

  71·35

  48·40

  19·45

  1996

  76·25

  52·25

  21·15

  1997

  81·10

  56·00

  22·75

  1998

  86·00

  59·90

  24·45

  1999

  86·55

  60·75

  24·80

  2000

  86·45

  61·15

  25·10

  2001

  86·15

  61·35

  25·25

  2002

  85·80

  61·55

  25·40

  2003

  85·45

  61·70

  25·55

  2004

  85·05

  61·85

  25·70

  2005

  84·65

  61·95

  25·85

  2006

  84·10

  61·95

  25·90

  2007

  83·55

  61·95

  26·00

  2008

  82·95

  61·90

  26·05

  2009

  82·35

  61·80

  26·10

  2010

  82·85

  62·65

  26·50

  2011

  83·35

  63·50

  26·95

  2012

  83·90

  64·35

  27·45

  2013

  84·40

  65·15

  27·85

  2014

  84·95

  66·00

  28·35

  2015

  85·55

  66·80

  28·80

  2016

  86·20

  67·70

  29·35

  2017

  86·80

  68·50

  29·85

  2018

  87·40

  69·30

  30·30

  2019

  88·05

  70·15

  30·85

  2020

  88·65

  70·95

  31·35

  2021

  89·35

  71·80

  31·90

  2022

  90·00

  72·60

  32·45

  2023

  90·70

  73·40

  33·00

  2024

  91·35

  74·25

  33·55

  2025

  92·05

  75·05

  34·10

  2026

  92·80

  75·90

  34·70

  2027

  93·50

  76·70

  35·30

  2028

  93·05

  77·05

  35·70

  2029

  92·65

  77·30

  36·05

  Weekly amounts of Additional pension payable on retirement on 6 April in the stated year with earnings equal to the Upper Earnings Limit (UEL), average earnings and half average earnings; at April 1990 prices.

  From 1990 onwards 5 per cent. prices and 6·5 per cent. earnings growth is assumed.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was his estimate of the loss to the national insurance fund through individuals contracting out of

  Castlegate

  David Lane

  Shakespeare Street

  Station street

  Grade 7

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  2·0

  SEO

  1·0

  —

  —

  —

  HEO

  7·0

  6

  7·0

  6·0

  Local Officer 1

  30·0

  29

  33·0

  32·5

  Local Officer 2

  66·0

  61

  64·5

  66·0

  Administrative Assistant

  13·5

  21

  12·5

  19·5

  Typing Manager

  —

  —

  1·0

  —

  Typist

  4·0

  2

  3·0

  3·0

  60
  state earnings-related pension scheme for each year since the implementation of the Social Security Act 1986; and what has been the actual loss for each of these years.

  Mr. Jack
  It was not possible to make an advance estimate of the income likely to be forgone to the national insurance fund as a result of individuals choosing personal pensions as a means of contracting out of SERPS. The table shows the actual amounts of contracted-out rebates and incentives paid in respect of such optants for 1988–89 and 1989–90. The table also shows the amounts used by the Government Actuary as working assumptions for the purposes of his reports on the national insurance fund in respect of those years.

  Personal pensions standard rebates and incentives Government Actuary's working assumptions

  £ million

  Assumptions for reports made during

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Actual amounts paid in the year

  1988–89

  260

  n/a

  289

  1989–90

  690

  2,582

  2,434

  The national insurance fund has a substantial balance of past surpluses and this is set to remain above the minimum recommended by the Government Actuary.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he next intends to visit the offices of the independent living fund; and when he last did so.

  Mr. Scott
  I have no immediate plans to visit the offices of the independent living fund, although I am in regular contact with the trustees. I last visited it on 2 December 1988.

  Benefit Forms
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further steps are under consideration to simplify forms used to claim benefits.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department has a continuing programme of review, impartial testing and monitoring of new and existing forms to make them easy to use, simplified and fit for their purpose.

  Local Offices
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff are employed and at what level in each of his Department's Nottingham offices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  At 31 January 1991 the number of staff, including part-time staff, employed in the Department's Nottingham local offices was as follows:
  61

  Castlegate

  David Lane

  Shakespeare Street

  Station street

  Support Grade 1

  —

  —

  —

  1·0

  Support Grade 2

  4·0

  3

  5·0

  4·0

  Total1

  126·5

  123

  127·0

  134·0

  1 In addition 20 casual staff are employed.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals in receipt of benefit are repaying from that benefit an amount relating to a loan from the social fund.

  Mr. Scott
  At 31 December 1990, 354,357 people were repaying social fund loans from a social security benefit.

  Plain English Society
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met the director of the Plain English Society to discuss DSS forms.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend has not done so. However, experts in the Department's document design unit meet members of the society from time to time and the Department has been the recipient of the society's plain english awards on a number of occasions.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what refurbishment plans are being considered, what is the nature of the work envisaged and when was the last time such work was done, for his Department's offices in the Nottingham area.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Four offices are involved. All have recently been supplied with new desks and chairs as part of their introduction of computer systems. In addition to the routine rolling programme of maintenance, decoration and replacement of furniture, carpets and fittings, the following special initiatives have been undertaken.

  Nottingham, Castle Gate
  A fast-flow reception system has been introduced together with refurbishment of customer seating.

  Nottingham, David Lane
  Caller areas were upgraded two years ago with the installation of new seating and flooring. All caller facilities previously located on two floors are now on the ground floor to provide an enhanced service and easy access for disabled customers.

  Nottingham, Shakespeare Street
  A fast-flow reception system has been introduced together with new seating.

  Nottingham, Station Street
  Caller areas have been restyled and an advice desk incorporated. The provision of a toilet for disabled staff is planned.

  Benefits
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to vary the level of income support, community charge benefit or housing benefit for people under 25 years of age.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to do so although, of course, all benefits are kept under continual review.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the total cost of increasing overall child support, child benefit and child dependency increase,62
  to 1979 levels for (a) war widows, (b) national insurance widows, (c) people on invalidity benefits and (d) pensioners.

  Mr. Jack
  The costs of increasing overall child support, child benefit and child dependency increase for these beneficiaries are shown in the table. Except for war widows, where there is minimal eligibility for such benefits, these figures are net of corresponding savings on income-related benefits.

  £ million

  (a) War Widows

  Children's allowance

  1·0

  Child Benefit

  0·2

  Total

  1·2

  (b) National Insurance Widows

  Child dependency increase

  9·7

  Child Benefit

  2·4

  Total

  12·1

  (c) People on invalidity benefits

  Child dependency increase

  25·8

  Child Benefit

  5·2

  Total

  31·0

  (d) Retirement pensioners

  Child dependency increase

  4·1

  Child Benefit

  0·7

  Total

  4·8

  Food Purchase
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money is allocated for food purchase in benefit payments(a) per adult and (b) per child aged (i) 16 to 17 years, (ii) 11 to 15 years, (iii) six to 10 years, (iv) three to five years and (v) nought to two years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Income-related benefit levels are not set on this basis.

  Mature Students
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce regulations to allow mature students attending college on not more than two weekdays each week to qualify for unemployment benefit for the duration of their course.

  Mr. Jack
  The present position is that a mature student attending college part-time may be entitled to unemployment benefit for days on which he is available for work. He must be able to show that any restrictions he places on the days or hours he is prepared to work are not inconsistent with having a reasonable prospect of obtaining employment. He must also take reasonable steps to seek work.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the figures for(a) the numbers of claimants who successfully qualified for a cold weather payment in Scotland for the years 1988–89 and 1989–90, (b) the numbers of successful claimants in each weather station area, as defined in the Social Fund Cold Weather Payments Regulations, and the number of times each weather station area was triggered for the years 1988–89 and 1989–90 and (c) the estimated numbers of potentially eligible claimants, as defined in the said regulations for each weather station area triggered in the years 1988–89 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Scott
  (a) The total number of cold weather payments and the estimated number of successful claimants in Scotland for the years 1988–89 and 1989–90 are in the table:

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Number of payments

  502

  148,212

  Number of payments

  502

  224,726

  (b) (c) The number of potentially eligible claimants is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The number of payments and periods of cold weather (triggers), for each weather station area in Scotland where a period of cold weather was actually recorded in 1988–89 and 1989–90 are in the table.

  Weather station

  Payments

  Claimants

  Triggers

  1988–89

  Eskdalemuir

  502

  502

  1

  1989–90

  Glasgow Airport

  46,971

  223,485

  2

  Dumfries

  526

  526

  1

  Fort William

  150

  150

  1

  Kinloss

  536

  536

  1

  Lerwick

  29

  29

  1

  1 This figure includes payments made in April/May 1990 in respect of the winter of 1989–90.

  2 The number of claimants is different to the actual number of payments and can only be estimated, because a claimant can receive a payment each time his local weather station triggers. In Glasgow some claimants received two payments.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases involving casualties of the Bari harbour mustard gas disaster in 1943 have been investigated by his Department with a view to the possible payment of war pensions; how many pensions have been made payable; and what the criteria have been for such payments.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. Of the 693 casualties known to have arisen from the Bari harbour incident, 161 were killed or declared missing. Information on how many war widows' pensions resulted is not available.

  A special exercise in 1986–87 to trace the remainder showed that 185 claims for war pension had been made, of which 106 were successful.

  As with all claims for war pension, awards are made where disablement or death is due to service in the armed
  64
  forces or, for those who served in the merchant navy or were members of the naval auxilary, where disablement or death is directly attributable to a war injury or a war risk injury.

  Sick Pay
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he has issued to employers about payment of statutory sick pay to employees with less than two years' service.

  Mr. Scott
  Entitlement to statutory sick pay (SSP) is not dependent on an employee having worked for an employer for two years. Sufficient information to enable employers to administer the SSP scheme is contained in the "Quick Guide to SSP" and more detailed information is in the employer's manual to SSP. A copy of each was issued to all known employers in February 1989 for use from April 1989, and a revised edition of the quick guide was issued in February 1990.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Steel
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of the Arthur D. Little inquiry into the future of the Scottish steel industry up to and including the publication of the interim report on 24 January.

  Mr. Lang
  It would not be appropriate for me to disclose the value of the Scottish Development Agency's contract with Arthur D. Little, since such information is commercially confidential. The contract was awarded on the basis of competitive tendering.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest position of Scottish hospitals and trust status.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There is increasing recognition of the potential benefits of NHS trust status. Currently, my Department has received five expressions of interest and other units are considering their position.

  National Testing
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed, and next proposes to discuss, with Scottish local government representatives the implementation of national testing in primary schools at levels four and seven.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Officials of the Scottish Office Education Department are in regular and frequent contact with education authority personnel about testing and other matters.

  General Practices
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what method is used to classify general practices in terms of social structure and deprivation.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The basis for designating an area serviced by a general practitioner as deprived is the Jarman
  65
  index of under-privileged areas. The index, which uses 1981 census data at postcode sector level, consists of eight factors: levels of unemployment, elderly living alone, overcrowding, children under five, unskilled workers, single-parent households, ethnic minorities and population movement.

  Scrabster Harbour
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce a decision on the application for financial assistance to enable the proposed development to Scrabster harbour.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The economic justification for this project is being assessed. A decision will be announced as soon as that appraisal has been completed.

  Students
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what number of students attended the centrally-funded education institutions in 1978–79 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In 1978–79, 16,660 full-time and 3,000 part-time students attended institutions which were centrally funded by the Scottish Office Education Department at that time. Figures for 1990–91 are not yet available.

  Education (Capital Provision)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the capital provision for the centrally-funded education institutions in every year since1978–79, at 1990–91 prices.

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

  £ million

  1978–79

  15·2

  1979–80

  11·1

  1980–81

  13·2

  1981–82

  13·0

  1982–83

  11·7

  1983–84

  12·1

  1984–85

  11·9

  1985–86

  13·2

  1986–87

  23·2

  1987–88

  21·6

  1988–89

  16·7

  1989–90

  19·9

  1990–91

  19·0

  Education (Expenditure)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the contributions of central Government and local government to expenditure on local government education in every year since 1978–79 at 1990–91 prices.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is not possible to provide information in the form requested. The bulk of central Government support for local authority expenditure through aggregate external finance is not hypothecated to individual services.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of the assisted places scheme for the current financial year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The estimated cost of the scheme in the current financial year is £7·49 million.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the means-tested limits of the assisted places scheme and the distribution of pupils in terms of the levels of financial support received.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Details of the current parental income scale and the distribution of pupils according to relevant income are set out in the table.

  Part of relevant income to which the specified Percentage applies (1989–90) income tax year)

  parental contribution towards school fee (Percentage)

  That part (if any) which exceeds £8,034 but does not exceed £8,735

  9

  That part (if any) which exceeds £8,735 but does not exceed £9,449

  12

  That part (if any) which exceeds £9,449 but does not exceed £10,865

  15

  That part (if any) which exceeds £10,865 but does not exceed £13,043

  21

  That part (if any) which exceeds £13,043 but does not exceed £15,885

  24

  That part (if any) which exceeds £15,885

  33

  Number of pupils in school year 1989–901

  Relevant income

  Under £8,000

  £12,000

  £15,000

  Over £15,000

  2,839

  1,262

  728

  480

  369

  1 Provisional.

  Peebles Hydro
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the purpose of the Training Agency event at Peebles Hydro on 28 January; and what was its cost to public funds.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The Training Agency in Central and Fife invited representatives of its training providers from the central area to a short conference to explore the Forth Valley enterprise business plan and the crucial role for providers within that plan. The total cost of the conference was approximately £1,620. Set against the alternative of individual briefings and negotiations with each provider this was judged to represent value for public money.

DEFENCE

  Service Personnel (Injuries)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been invalided out because of injuries in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of service personnel invalided out because of injuries in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available is as follows:
  67

  Number

  1980

  168

  1981

  144

  1982

  123

  1983

  166

  1984

  231

  1985

  343

  1986

  295

  1987

  201

  1988

  249

  1989

  276

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the rate of pensions and the method of awarding them to wounded members of the armed forces who are invalided out.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Members of the armed forces who are invalided as the result of wounds or other causes which are attributable to service are eligible for lump sums, pensions and allowances in accordance with the provisions of the armed forces pension scheme administered by the Ministry of Defence and of the war pensions scheme administered by the Department of Social Security.

  Lump sums and rates of pension awarded under the armed forces pension scheme are related to the assessed degree of disability, the rank held, and the rates of pay in force at the time of invaliding. They are tax-free. Pensions in issues are index-linked from the date of the award by reference to movements in the retail prices index.

  There are no plans to change these arrangements.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he intends to take to publicise the services of War Pensioners Welfare staff to service men and relatives of service men currently on active service.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Arrangements exist within the armed forces to help serving personnel, or their families, where there is a need for welfare assistance or guidance. In the event that casualties arise as the result of active service, those responsible for service welfare will provide any initial help needed and will put personnel or their families in touch with other organisations as appropriate to the circumstances. The War Pensioners Welfare Service, which is administered by the Department of Social Security, is among those organisations.

  In these circumstances I do not believe it necessary or appropriate to particularly publicise the services of the War Pensions Welfare Service.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the staffing levels of War Pensioners Welfare; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  The staffing levels of the War Pensioners Welfare Service were examined last year in the course of a management inspection of the service. The inspection team's report recommended no changes in the number of chief welfare officers and welfare officers, but recommended some reductions in the number of support staff and the withdrawal of the homecraft service. The recommendations are being considered, but no decisions have yet been taken. The central advisory committee on war pensioners is being consulted about them and has agreed that a joint
  68
  working party on which war pensioners' interests will be represented, should be set up to review the aims and future of the homecraft service. Any effects of the Gulf conflict on the work of the service will be fully taken into account and we shall certainly not agree to anything that would harm the interests of war widows and war pensioners.

  Gulf Crisis
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the implications of the loss, damage or destruction of nuclear weapons in the middle east during the course of present hostilities; and what consideration has been given to the implication of potential widespread radioactive contamination;

  (2) what consideration he has given to the protection of nuclear weapons based in Turkey, within 200 miles of the Iraqi border, and to the removal of nuclear weapons on ships and submarines in the area.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It has been Her Majesty's Government's longstanding practice neither to confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons in any particular location at any particular time. The highest priority is attached to safeguarding our weapons wherever they may be and they are designed with a view to minimising the consequences of damage. Our operations in the middle east are being conducted with full regard to the implications of any potential radioactive contamination.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many nuclear weapons and reactors are currently situated in the middle east; and what consideration has been given to designating the area as a nuclear-free zone.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It has been Her Majesty's Government's longstanding practice neither to confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons in any particular location at any particular time. Nor do we give details of the whereabouts of our nuclear submarines. The United Kingdom supports nuclear weapon-free zones wherever they could make a contribution to security.

  Gulf Crisis
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of curies of radiation released by the bombing of Iraq's nuclear installations.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the destruction of two Iraqi nuclear reactors on 23 January; and what assessment he makes of the effects of the destruction in the medium and long-term in military and other terms.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) on 29 January, column 504. We have no evidence of any release of radioactivity from Iraq's nuclear installations.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the number of oil wells, oil rigs and other oil installations in Kuwait that are on fire.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We assess that up to 31 January 1991 the following oil installations in Kuwait are, or had recently been, on fire:
  69

  (a) Between three and eleven oil wells.

  (b) Up to four crude oil gathering centres.

  (c) Crude oil storage tanks in the Wafrah oilfield.

  (d) Crude oil storage tanks and manifolds at two refineries.

  (e) The Mina al Ahmadi Sea Island Terminal together with a related single buoy mooring.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature of Iraq's nuclear reactors, their capacity, their type of fuel and their moderating material; and what damage has been inflicted on them.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iraq has two research reactors at Tuwaitha nuclear research centre near Baghdad:A Soviet-supplied IRT-5000, pool type reactor with a maximum design power of 5000 kw(th), using 80 per cent. enriched uranium fuel in a moderator of light water.
  A French supplied ISIS (Tammuz-2), pool type reactor with a maximum design power of 500 kw(th), using 93 per cent. enriched uranium fuel in a moderator of light water. The buildings housing both reactors have been damaged.

  Damage to the reactors themselves, if any, cannot yet be assessed. We have no evidence of any release of radioactivity.

  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to sending HMS Britannia to the Gulf to serve as a medical support ship.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Careful consideration was given to deploying HMY Britannia to the Gulf to provide maritime medical support, but after a full assessment of the requirement, it was decided that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus would be better suited for the task.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he receives reports from the Red Cross about deaths and injuries in Iraq.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has received no such reports.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received concerning captured British pilots taken prisoner in Iraq and the medical treatment given to them.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I understand that Iraq has not yet provided any information to the International Committee of the Red Cross on allied personnel being held and their location, nor permitted the ICRC to satisfy itself that they are being held in accordance with Iraq's obligations under the Geneva convention.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what information he has received concerning the damage to Christian churches, mosques and schools in Iraq at the latest date;

  (2) what is the latest information he has received of deaths and injuries in Iraq involving civilians; and how many of those injured or killed were children.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The targets being attacked by coalition forces are sites which could pose a threat to allied forces or facilities supporting Iraq's occupation of Kuwait. These attacks have been carefully planned, with the aim of keeping civilian casualties as low as possible, and they also take account of the locations of sites of religious and cultural importance. Iraq claimed at the United Nations 70
  on 24 January that over 300 civilians had been killed and over 400 injured. They have also claimed extensive damage to non-military sites. We are unable to verify Iraq's claims.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist among the allied powers engaged in the Gulf for reviewing war aims.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The aims of the coalition forces are those laid down by the United Nations Security Council.

  Departmental Offices (Hospitals)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence offices in which hospitals his Department has opened an office.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No Ministry of Defence offices have been opened in national health service hospitals. However, military administrative officers (civilian hospitals) have been appointed to liaise between Army districts and civilian hospitals treating military casualties, should the need arise.

  Iraqi Prisoners of War
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the rules applicable to Iraqi prisoners of war held following capture by the international coalition forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Iraqi prisoners of war will be treated strictly in accordance with the Geneva convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war, signed in Geneva on 12 August 1949. A copy is available in the Library. Under the convention, Iraq is required to observe the same obligations towards allied prisoners of war.

  HMS Challenger
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where HMS Challenger is at present; on what date she was formally decommissioned; and what progress has been made in the arrangements for her sale.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  HMS Challenger is currently berthed in Portsmouth. She was formally decommissioned on 30 November 1990. Tenders have been invited for her purchase, and responses to this invitation are currently being considered.

  Conscription
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to seek information on young men who might be available for military service as conscripts or volunteers.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We have sought volunteers from the reserves for service during the current emergency, but we have no plans to reintroduce conscription nor to call for other volunteers beyond those required for normal recruitment to the armed forces.

  The Gulf (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 30 November,Official Report, column 550, when discussions with foreign Governments regarding the provision of financial assistance for the deployment of British forces to the Gulf began.
  71
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since August 1990, discussions have been held with a number of foreign Governments who have provided assistance for the deployment of British forces in the Gulf.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the amount of financial assistance that has been provided to date by foreign countries for the deployment and operation of British forces in the Gulf.
  72
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Germany has provided a contribution of 800 million deutschmarks in cash towards the cost of operations in the Gulf, in addition to a package of assistance valued at some 60 million deutschmarks. Assistance has also been provided by a significant number of other countries. We hope to be in a position to put a figure on the total value shortly.

  WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: DANGERS OF ELIMINATION ATTEMPTS
  WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: DANGERS OF ELIMINATION ATTEMPTS
  MR. KONDA NSATA PINDI
  MR. KONDA NSATA PINDI
  BRAILLE GRANT: REDEPLOYMENT OF FUNDS
  BRAILLE GRANT: REDEPLOYMENT OF FUNDS
  MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
  MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
  LONDON ZOO: FUNDING
  LONDON ZOO: FUNDING