Written Answers of 21 February 1991

TRANSPORT

  Greater Manchester Relief Road
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what alternative solutions to the problem of traffic congestion on the M62 motorway were considered and rejected in favour of the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  Expanding capacity by widening of the existing motorway; reducing demand for the road by limiting access to the motorway for local traffic or encouraging alternative modes of transport.

  Bus Lanes, Westminster
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on what action is to be taken to enforce no parking in bus lanes in Westminster; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Enforcement is entirely a matter for the police. My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to intervene in the way suggested.

  Airport Congestion
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the study that his predecessor commissioned on ways in which the system for allocating slots at congested airports might be improved.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The consultants, SD-Scicon UK Ltd, have completed stage one of the study. I have placed copies of their report in the Library of the House and shall be circulating it to interested parties.

  The consultants have identified a number of options for allocating slots which could merit further study and have developed a technique for standardising the assessment of different methods.

  Breakdown (by programme) of DOE expenditure in Y and H region

  (£ million)

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–911 forecast outturn

  1991–92 estimate

  Rate Support Grant/Revenue Support Grant

  1,176·30

  1,278·20

  1,325·40

  1,305·80

  888·10

  n/a

  Housing Investment Programme Allocations

  125·30

  124·30

  123–70

  106·30

  186·70

  188·90

  Housing Subsidies

  0·29

  0·27

  Nil

  Nil

  256·73

  n/a

  UDG/URG/City Grant Approvals

  2·09

  3·67

  33·32

  7·54

  37·74

  n/a

  Urban Programme

  n/a

  24·08

  24·10

  26·88

  27·96

  29·32

  Urban Development Corporations

  n/a

  n/a

  10·60

  18·25

  33·00

  25·00

  Gypsy grants

  0·69

  0·31

  0·70

  0·26

  1·45

  2·00

  City Action Team

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0·76

  0·85

  194
  I have asked the consultants to proceed to stage two of their study and to present a further report to me in the summer.

  Retail Deliveries
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to encourage out-of-hour retail deliveries.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 February 1991]: I have no current plans to do so. The matter is best determined by highway authorities in response to local circumstances under the wide powers available to them in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. A considerable volume of out-of-hours deliveries already takes place under these arrangements and through agreements between businesses and distribution firms.

  A2070
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the date for the public inquiry into the route of the A2070 Ham street bypass in Kent.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 February 1991]: I cannot give a date until Kent county council proposes dates for the inquiry convenient to itself, whereupon the Secretary of State will arrange for the appointment of the independent inspector.

ENVIRONMENT

  Expenditure, Yorkshire and Humberside
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a breakdown, by programme, of his Department's expenditure in Yorkshire and Humberside from 1979 to the present.

  Mr. Key
  A breakdown of the Department's main programmes is given in the table for the years 1986–87 to date. In the case of some DOE programmes, the information available relates to allocations or approvals rather than expenditure.

  Information for the years 1979–80 to 1985–86 is not readily available.
  195

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–911 forecast outturn

  1991–92 estimate

  Derelict Land Grant

  3·30

  8·90

  9·68

  10·54

  14·11

  15·58

  Private Sector/DLG

  1·34

  0·83

  4·08

  1·63

  0·55

  1·21

  1 1990–91 saw the introduction of a new capital control system and new financial regime.

  2 This is the housing element of the Housing Revenue Account subsidy.

  3 City Grant approvals to date.

  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a breakdown, by programme, of his Department's expenditure in the metropolitan district of Leeds from 1979 to the present.

  Mr. Key
  A breakdown of the Department's main programmes is given in the table for the years 1986–87 to

  Breakdown (by programme) of DOE expenditure in Leeds metropolitan district

  (£ million)

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–911 (forecast outturn)

  1991–92 (estimated)

  Rate support grant/Revenue support

  135·400

  144·800

  145·800

  138·800

  137·700

  n/a

  Housing investment programme allocations

  22·400

  21·900

  20·800

  16·900

  33·600

  31·900

  Housing subsidies

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  28·350

  n/a

  RDG/URG/City grant (grant approvals)

  0·800

  2·400

  0·200

  0·070

  0·050

  n/a

  Urban programme

  n/a

  3·800

  4·700

  4·700

  5·300

  5·400

  Urban development corporation

  n/a

  n/a

  2·600

  8·750

  14·000

  12·000

  Gypsy grants

  nil

  nil

  0·410

  0·035

  0·760

  0·170

  City action team

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0·370

  0·400

  Derelict land grant (DLG)

  0·037

  0·132

  0·169

  0·227

  0·750

  0·750

  Private sector DLG

  nil

  nil

  0·300

  0·330

  3 nil

  nil

  1 1990–91 saw the introduction of a new capital control system and new financial regime.

  2 This is the housing element of the housing revenue account subsidy.

  3 Private sector DLG no longer available in Leeds following the introduction of city grant.

  Satellite Receivers
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he gives to planning authorities on the fixing of satellite receivers on the outside of properties; under what conditions permission to site such a receiver may be refused; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Where the installation of a satellite dish does not fall within the general permission granted by the Town and Country Planning General Development Order, it is in the first instance for the local planning authority to consider whether planning permission should be granted or refused, having regard to all material considerations. We hope later this year to publish planning guidelines which will give advice on unobtrusive siting of dishes.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to amend the regulations specifying the planning conditions for the fixing of a satellite receiver on the outside of a property; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given by the then Minister for Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 1 November,Official Report, column 695, and my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) on 13 November, Official Report, column 93. We hope to announce shortly how the Town and Country Planning General
  196
  date. In the case of some DOE programmes, the information available relates to allocations or approvals, rather than expenditure.

  Information for the years 1979–80 to 1985–86 is not readily available.

  Development Order 1988 will be amended in the light of the consultation exercise undertaken last summer and the subsequent Sky-BSB merger.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the accuracy of the advice given to purchasers of a satellite receiver by the suppliers in respect of planning conditions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  No representations have been received. The forthcoming departmental planning guide for the siting of satellite antennas will be widely distributed among the suppliers of antennas. This should help to improve the quality of advice and also the standard of installation.

  Waste Disposal Plants
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to encourage the use of electromagnets at waste disposal plants.

  Mr. Baldry
  The potential return on the use of magnetic separation at a waste disposal plant should be enough to encourage the use of electromagnets without any Government intervention.

  Nevertheless, we have made available £10 million in supplementary credit approvals for local authorities in England in 1991–92, for investment in recycling facilities.

  Countryside Premium Scheme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many farmers are currently eligible for admission to the countryside premium scheme; how many are actively enrolled in the scheme; what is the current cost of the scheme; and what percentage of the total amount is reimbursed from CAP funds.

  Mr. Baldry
  All farmers in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk entering permanent fallow land into MAFF's set aside scheme are eligible for admission to the countryside premium scheme. Land set aside for rotational fallow, grazed fallow or non-agricultural use may also be eligible in certain circumstances. There are currently about 850 farmers in the seven counties with set-aside land in these eligible categories.

  To date, the Countryside Commission has made agreements under the countryside premium scheme with 160 farmers and, in 1991–92, expenditure is expected to be £750,000. The scheme is not currently eligible for reimbursement from CAP funds.

  Structure Plans
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what employment factors he takes into account when approving structure plans.

  Sir George Young
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 12 February,Official Report, column 426. The economic factors taken into account by local planning authorities and my right hon. Friend would include considerations such as current and possible future levels of employment in the area.

  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whom he expects to consult on his proposed modifications to the Cheshire structure plan in the spring.

  Sir George Young
  My right hon. Friend will notify Members of Parliament of the proposed modifications of the Cheshire structure plan who have expressed an interest, and all those who represent Cheshire, together with the participants at the examination in public. Cheshire county council will be asked to place copies of the proposed modifications and supporting documents on deposit for public inspection. It must advertise that this has been done and inform those who made representations on the plan.

  Low-energy Light Bulbs
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage the use of low-energy light bulbs in his Department's offices and other buildings.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department's policy relating to the promotion of low-energy lighting is, wherever practicable, to replace all standard luminaires, both tungsten and fluorescent, with low-energy consuming equivalents.

  In the three largest headquarters buildings a programme of lighting improvements is currently being carried out. All these projects incorporate the installation of low-energy fluorescent tubes and miniature fluorescent
  198
  fittings. The number of tungsten bulbs in current use throughout the Department's offices is minimal, but these will be replaced as part of the ongoing programme to reduce overall energy consumption.

  Radioactivity
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what levels of radioactivity are permitted for release to the atmosphere after the incineration of radioactively contaminated materials.

  Mr. Baldry
  Radioactive waste may be disposed of only if an authorisation has been issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. Authorisations impose strict conditions and activity limits and are issued only after careful assessment is made of the environmental impact of proposed disposals to ensure that doses to the public are below the maximum permissible limits as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. As for disposal by incineration, authorisations are issued on a case-by-case basis taking all the local circumstances into account. However, it is usual to permit disposals of up to 4 megabecquerels per day of the commonly used tritium and carbon-14 without this detailed examination.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he expects all requisite guidance to be in place before the implementation of integrated pollution control under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 on 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  General guidance on the operation of integrated pollution control will be issued before 1 April. More detailed guidance on particular categories of process will be made available in accordance with the timetable for bringing processes in these categories under integrated control.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the speciality chemicals industry about integrated pollution control requirements under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department has received representations from the speciality chemicals industry about particular characteristics of the processes they operate. In addition, we have consulted the industry's main representatives, the Chemical Industries Association, in drawing up guidance and preparing regulations on integrated pollution control.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will further consult the speciality chemicals industry before the detailed implementation of integrated pollution control.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department has already drawn on the expertise of the speciality chemicals industry in preparing regulations and drawing up general guidance for the implementation of integrated pollution control. Final versions will be published shortly. Further consultation will be undertaken on detailed issues as appropriate.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to adopt the
  199
  principle of a presumption in favour of unrestricted access for the public to information held by pollution control authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  Yes. The Water Act 1989 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provide for public access to information in respect of water pollution, integrated pollution control and local authority air pollution control.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many members serve on the fire advisory panel; and how many of those members are also members of the Society of Fire Safety Engineers.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Fire Advisory Panel has 13 outside members, of whom seven are also members of the Society of Fire Safety Engineers. In addition, eight officials regularly attend its meetings, and of those, three are members of the society.

  Bathing Beaches
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will name the designated bathing beach in England which had the highest number of total coliforms present in any single water sample taken during the 1990 bathing season; and if he will indicate the level reached;

  (2) if he will name the designated bathing beach in England which had the highest number of E. coli present in any single water sample taken during the 1990 bathing season; and if he will indicate the level reached.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the publication "Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC) Article 13 Report (1990 Survey Results) United Kingdom", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to publish information concerning the presence of chemicals and the level of general pollution as part of the beach standards test list.

  Mr. Baldry
  Monitoring of the quality of bathing water is carried out in accordance with the requirement of directive 76/160/EEC. In England and Wales the results of the monitoring are maintained on public registers by the regional offices of the National Rivers Authority. Summary results are published in "Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC) Article 13 Report (1990 Survey Results) United Kingdom", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the designated bathing beaches in England, indicating for each the date that they became designated in accordance with the 1976 EC bathing water directive.

  Mr. Baldry
  The dates on which bathing waters were identified as being subject to the requirements for standards specified in directive 76/160/EEC are as follows:

  Date Identified

  Northumbrian Region

  Spittal

  1987

  Bamburgh Castle1

  1989

  (1987)

  200

  Date Identified

  Seahouses North1

  1989

  (1987)

  Beadnell

  1987

  Low Newton

  1987

  Alnmouth

  1987

  Warkworth

  1987

  Druridge Bay

  1987

  Newbiggin North1

  1989

  (1987)

  Newbiggin South1

  1989

  (1987)

  Blyth South Beach1

  1989

  (1987)

  Seaton Sluice1

  1989

  (1987)

  Whitley Bay

  1987

  Tynemouth Cullercoats1

  1989

  (1987)

  Tynemouth Long Sands North1

  1989

  (1987)

  Tynemouth Long Sands South1

  1989

  (1987)

  Tynemouth King Edwards Bay1

  1989

  (1987)

  South Shields

  1987

  Marsden

  1987

  Whitburn North1

  1989

  (1987)

  Roker/Whitburn South1

  1989

  (1987)

  Seaham Beach1

  1989

  (1987)

  Seaham Remand Home1

  1989

  (1987)

  Crimdon

  1987

  Seaton Carew North1

  1989

  (1987)

  Seaton Carew Centre1

  1989

  (1987)

  Seaton Carew North Gare1

  1989

  (1987)

  Redcar Coatham1

  1989

  (1987)

  Redcar LB Station1

  1989

  (1987)

  Redcar Granville1

  1989

  (1987)

  Redcar Stray1

  1989

  (1987)

  Saltburn

  1987

  Yorkshire Region

  Staithes

  1987

  Runswick Bay

  1987

  Sandsend

  1987

  Whitby

  1987

  Robin Hoods Bay

  1987

  Scarborough North Bay

  1979

  Scarborough South Bay

  1979

  Clayton Bay

  1987

  Filey

  1987

  Reighton

  1987

  Flamborough North Landing

  1987

  Flamborough South Landing

  1987

  Bridlington North Beach

  1979

  Bridlington South Beach

  1979

  Wilsthorpe

  1987

  Fraisthorpe

  1987

  Earls Dyke

  1987

  Barmston

  1987

  Skipsea

  1987

  Hornsea

  1987

  Tunstall

  1987

  Withernsea

  1987

  Anglian Region

  Cleethorpes

  1987

  Mablethorpe Town

  1987

  Sutton-on-Sea

  1987

  Moggs Eye

  1987

  Anderby

  1987

  Chapel St. Leonard

  1987

  Ingoldmells South

  1987

  Skegness

  1987

  Heacham

  1987

  Hunstanton Beach

  1987

  Wells

  1987

  Sheringham

  1987

  Cromer

  1987

  Mundesley

  1987

  Great Yarmouth North

  1987

  Great Yarmouth Pier

  1987

  Great Yarmouth South

  1987

  Lowestoft North

  1987

  Lowestoft South

  1987

  Southwold

  1990

  Felixstowe North

  1987

  Felixstowe South

  1987

  201

  Date Identified

  Dovercourt

  1987

  Walton

  1987

  Frinton

  1987

  Holland

  1987

  Clacton

  1987

  Jaywick

  1987

  Brightlingsea

  1987

  West Mersey

  1991

  Thames Region

  Shoebury East

  1989

  Southend Thorpe Bay

  1979

  Southend Westcliff Bay

  1979

  Southern Region

  Sheerness

  1991

  Leysdown

  1987

  West Beach

  1987

  Herne Bay

  1987

  Minnis Bay

  1987

  St. Mildred's Bay

  1987

  Margate the Bay

  1979

  Margate Fulsam Rock

  1987

  Joss Bay

  1987

  Broadstairs

  1987

  Ramsgate

  1987

  Sandwich Bay

  1987

  Deal Castle

  1987

  St. Margaret's Bay

  1987

  Folkestone

  1987

  Sandgate

  1987

  Hythe

  1987

  Dymchurch

  1987

  St. Mary's Bay

  1987

  Littlestone

  1987

  Camber

  1987

  Winchelsea

  1987

  Hastings

  1987

  Bexhill

  1987

  Norman's Bay

  1987

  Pevensey Bay

  1987

  Eastbourne

  1987

  Seaford

  1987

  Newhaven

  1987

  Saltdean

  1987

  Brighton

  1987

  Hove

  1987

  Southwick

  1987

  South Lancing

  1987

  Worthing

  1987

  Littlehampton

  1987

  Middleton-on-Sea

  1987

  Bognor Regis

  1987

  Pagham

  1987

  Selsey

  1987

  Bracklesham Bay

  1987

  West Wittering

  1987

  West of Eastoke

  1987

  West Hayling

  1987

  Eastney

  1987

  Southsea

  1987

  Stokes Bay

  1987

  Lee-on-Solent

  1987

  Hillhead

  1990

  Calshot

  1987

  Lepe

  1987

  Milford-on-Sea

  1987

  Christchurch Bay

  1987

  Highcliffe

  1987

  Compton Bay

  1987

  Totland Bay

  1987

  Colwell Bay

  1987

  Gurnard

  1987

  Cowes

  1987

  Ryde

  1979

  Seagrove

  1987

  St. Helens

  1987

  Bembridge

  1987

  202

  Date Identified

  Whitecliff Bay

  1987

  Sandown

  1979

  Shanklin

  1979

  Ventnor

  1987

  Wessex Region

  Christchurch Highcliffe Castle1

  1987

  (1979)

  Christchurch Friar's Cliff

  1990

  Christchurch Avon Beach

  1987

  (1979)

  Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank1

  1987

  Bournemouth Hengistbury

  1987

  Bournemouth Pier

  1979

  Poole Shore Road Sandbanks

  1987

  Poole Harbour Sandbanks

  1979

  Poole Harbour Lake

  1987

  Poole Harbour Rockley Sands

  1987

  Shell Bay

  1987

  Studland

  1987

  Swansea

  1979

  Kimmeridge Bay

  1987

  Lulworth Cove

  1987

  Durdle Door East

  1987

  Durdle Door West

  1987

  Ringstead

  1987

  Bowleaze Cove

  1987

  Church Ope Cove

  1987

  Weymouth Lodmoor

  1987

  Weymouth Central

  1979

  Portland Harbour Castle Cove

  1987

  Portland Harbour Sandsfoot

  1987

  West Bay (West)

  1987

  Eypemouth

  1987

  Seatown

  1987

  Charmouth West

  1987

  Porlock Weir

  1987

  Minehead Terminus

  1987

  Dunster North West

  1987

  Blue Anchor West

  1987

  Burnham Jetty

  1987

  Berrow

  1987

  Brean

  1987

  Weston-S-Mare Uphill Slipway1

  1987

  (1979)

  Weston-S-Mare Grand Pier1

  1987

  (1979)

  Weston-S-Mare Sand Bay1

  1987

  (1979)

  Clevedon Swimming Pool

  1987

  South West Region

  Lyme Regis Church Beach1

  1989

  (1987)

  Lyme Regis Cobb1

  1989

  (1987)

  Seaton (Devon)

  1987

  Beer

  1987

  Sidmouth Town1

  1989

  (1987)

  Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder1

  1989

  (1987)

  Ladram Bay

  1987

  Budleigh Salterton

  1987

  Sandy Bay

  1987

  Exmouth

  1987

  Dawlish Warren

  1987

  Dawlish Town1

  1989

  (1987)

  Dawlish Coryton Cove1

  1989

  (1987)

  Teignmouth Holcombe1

  1989

  (1987)

  Teignmouth Town1

  1989

  (1987)

  Shaldon

  1987

  Ness Cove

  1987

  Maindencombe

  1987

  Watcombe

  1987

  Oddicombe

  1987

  Babbacombe

  1987

  Redgate

  1987

  Meadfoot

  1979

  Beacon Cove

  1987

  Torre Abbey

  1979

  Hollicombe

  1987

  Paignton Preston Sands1

  1989

  (1979)

  Paignton Paignton Sands1

  1989

  (1979)

  Goodrington

  1979

  Broadsands

  1979

  Shoalstone

  1987

  203

  Date Identified

  St. Mary's Bay

  1987

  Dartmouth Castle and Sugary Cove

  1987

  Blackpool Sands

  1987

  Slapton Sands Monument1

  1989

  (1987)

  Slapton Sands Torcross1

  1989

  (1987)

  Mill Bay

  1987

  Salcombe North Sands

  1987

  Salcombe South Sands

  1987

  Hope Cove

  1987

  Thurlestone South1

  1989

  (1987)

  Thurlestone North1

  1989

  (1987)

  Bantham

  1987

  Bigbury-on-Sea South1

  1989

  (1987)

  Bigbury-on-Sea North1

  1989

  (1987)

  Challaborough

  1987

  Mothecombe

  1987

  Wembury

  1987

  Bovisand

  1987

  Plymouth Hoe East1

  1989

  (1987)

  Plymouth Hoe West1

  1989

  (1987)

  Portwrinkle

  1987

  Downderry

  1987

  Seaton (Cornwall)

  1987

  Millendreath

  1987

  East Looe

  1987

  Readymoney

  1987

  Polkerris

  1987

  Par

  1987

  Crinnis Golf Links1

  1989

  (1987)

  Crinnis Leisure Centre1

  1989

  (1987)

  Charlestown1

  1989

  (1987)

  Duporth1

  1989

  (1987)

  Porthpean

  1987

  Pentewan

  1987

  Polstreath

  1987

  Port Mellon

  1987

  Gorran Haven Little Perhaver1

  1989

  (1987)

  Gorran Haven (Vault)1

  1989

  (1987)

  Porthluney

  1987

  Pendower

  1987

  Gyllyngvase

  1987

  Swanpool

  1987

  Maen Porth

  1987

  Porthallow

  1987

  Porthoustock

  1987

  Coverack

  1987

  Kennack Sands

  1987

  Pollurian Cove

  1987

  Poldhu Cove

  1987

  Gunwalloe Cove

  1987

  Porthleven East2

  1989

  (1987)

  Porthleven West1

  1989

  (1987)

  Praa Sands East1

  1989

  (1987)

  Praa Sands West1

  1989

  (1987)

  Perran Sands

  1987

  Mounts Bay L Hogus1

  1989

  (1987)

  Mounts Bay Heliport1

  1989

  (1987)

  Mounts Bay Penzance1

  1989

  (1987)

  Mounts Bay Wherry Town1

  1989

  (1987)

  Porthcurno

  1987

  Sennen

  1979

  Porthmeor

  1979

  Porth Gwidden

  1987

  Porthminster

  1979

  Carbis Bay Station Beach1

  1989

  (1987)

  Carbis Bay Porth Kidney Sands1

  1989

  (1987)

  The Towans (Hayle)1

  1989

  (1987)

  The Towans (Godrevy)1

  1989

  (1987)

  Portreath

  1987

  Porthowan

  1987

  Trevaunance Cove

  1987

  Perranporth Village End1

  1989

  (1987)

  Perranporth Penhale Sands1

  1989

  (1987)

  Holywell Bay

  1987

  Crantock

  1987

  Fistral

  1979

  Towan

  1979

  Watergate

  1987

  204

  Date Identified

  Mawgan Porth

  1987

  Treyarnon Bay

  1987

  Constantine Bay

  1987

  Mother Ivey's Bay

  1987

  Harlyn Bay

  1987

  Trevone Bay

  1987

  Rock

  1987

  Daymer Bay

  1987

  Polzeath

  1987

  Widemouth Sand

  1987

  Bude Summerleaze1

  1989

  (1987)

  Bude Crooklets1

  1989

  (1987)

  Bude Sandy Mouth1

  1989

  (1987)

  Hartland Quay

  1987

  Westward Ho!

  1987

  Instow

  1987

  Saunton Sands

  1987

  Croyde Bay

  1987

  Woolacombe Putsborough1

  1989

  (1987)

  Woolacombe Village1

  1989

  (1987)

  Ilfracoombe Tunnels Pool

  1990

  Ilfracombe Capstone1

  1989

  (1987)

  Ilfracombe Hele1

  1989

  (1987)

  Combe Martin

  1987

  Lynmouth

  1987

  North West Region

  Meols

  1987

  Moreton

  1987

  New Brighton

  1987

  Formby

  1987

  Ainsdale

  1987

  Southport

  1987

  St. Annes

  1987

  St. Annes North

  1988

  Blackpool South

  1987

  Blackpool Central

  1987

  Blackpool North

  1987

  Bispham

  1987

  Cleveleys

  1987

  Fleetwood

  1987

  Heysham—Half Moon Bay

  1987

  Morecambe South

  1987

  Morecambe North

  1987

  Bardsea

  1987

  Aldingham

  1988

  Newbiggin

  1988

  Walney Biggar Bank

  1987

  Walney Sandy Gap

  1987

  Walney West Shore

  1987

  Roan Head

  1987

  Askam-in-Furness

  1987

  Haverigg

  1987

  Silecroft

  1987

  Seascale

  1987

  St. Bees

  1987

  Allonby South

  1988

  Allonby

  1987

  Silloth

  1987

  Skinburness

  1988

  1 Some bathing waters have been subdivided since first identified. The date in parenthesis is when the bathing water was first identified, and the other date is when the bathing water was subdivided for the purposes of Directive 76/160/EEC.

  2 A landslip at Porthleven East in May 1989 made the beach inaccessible.

  Estuaries
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the estuaries in the United Kingdom which are regarded as of environmental importance and those which require to be protected under the terms of the Ramsar convention.
  205
  Mr. Baldry
  The information readily available relates to Great Britain. The majority of our estuaries encompass areas that are of environmental importance and where appropriate these are protected as sites of special scientific interest. The Nature Conservancy Council has undertaken a review of the nature conservation interests of the estuaries of Great Britain and I understand that its full report is due to be published on 25 March. Sites which contain estuarial areas where it has been agreed that the Ramsar criteria are met, and which have been designated, are as follows:

  1. Bridgewater Bay

  2. Cors Fochno and Dyfi

  3. Lindisfarne

  4. Minsmere-Walberswick

  5. North Norfolk Coast

  6. Chesil Beach and The Fleet

  7. Dee Estuary

  8. The Swale

  9. Alt Estuary

  10. Rockliffe Marshes

  11. Chichester and Langstone Harbours

  12. Upper Severn Estuary

  13. The Wash

  14.Pagham Harbour

  15. Bridgend Flats, Islay

  16. Griunart Flats

  17. Loch an Duin

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications for the voluntary sector of changes in local authority funding levels.

  Mr. Key
  It is for each individual local authority to decide on the level of its funding for the voluntary sector. We have increased the amount of external support to local authorities next year by 12·8 per cent.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on action to mitigate oil spills and ecological damage in the Gulf.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The states whose coastlines are most at risk from the oil deliberately released from Iraqi installations or as a consequence of Iraqi shelling have the primary responsibility for response action. Recognising the unprecedented scale of the threat, both the coalition Governments and the wider international community have offered assistance to the Gulf states in the form of expertise or pollution control equipment. I described the initial assistance offered by the United Kingdom in my letter to hon. Members of 6 February which included both expert advice on pollution control and assessment of the biological effects of the oil spill. Our current information is that the largest oil slick has had a serious impact along parts of the coastline of Saudi Arabia from Khafji as far south as the island of Abu Ali. Protective booms are in place round the intakes for major industrial and desalination plants along the Saudi coast and work has begun on protecting the most ecologically sensitive sites.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the destruction of coral reefs in the Gulf forming the spring spawning grounds for large shrimp fisheries.
  206
  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 18 February 1991]: The assessment of the biological effects of the Gulf oil spill carried out by the Natural Environment Research Council for my Department includes a description of the likely effects of oil on the coral ecosystem in the Gulf. A copy of this report is in the Library. We do not yet have sufficiently detailed information from the Gulf to determine how serious the impact of the slick has been, but it is likely that at least some of the coastal reefs between Khafji and Manifa in Saudi Arabia have been affected.

  Litter Code
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities submitted comments on his proposals to implement the litter code under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 into existing compulsory competitive tendering arrangements, as set out in his letter of 9 January to the three local authority associations; and what proportion of the comments he received were in favour of the proposals.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Department received 39 responses to its consultation letter of 4 January setting out the Government's proposals for introducing transitional arrangements to facilitate the implementation of the litter duty in cases where street cleaning contracts had already been let by local authorities. The respondents, who included the main local authority associations in England, Wales and Scotland and various other representative associations, made a significant number of constructive comments. These comments are being carefully considered and an announcement will be made shortly.

  Interim Development Orders
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to alter the procedures relating to interim development orders; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Yes. The Government believe that it is inequitable that the extent and terms of these permissions, which have been in existence for close to 50 years, are not recorded and that householders and others may have been disadvantaged by this lack of knowledge.

  The Government intend, therefore, to table amendments during the passage of the Planning and Compensation Bill to provide that, unless the holder of an IDO permission applies to the appropriate mineral planning authority within four months of the date of the commencement of the provisions for the permission to be registered, the permission will cease to have effect. My Department will consult on the detail of what we have in mind, including the appropriate time period for applications to be submitted.

  The Government recognise that registration in itself will not deal with the problems of the lack of conditions attached to such permissions. Residential and other development may have been built on or near IDO permission areas; similarly, parts of IDO sites may have been designated as sites of special scientific interest or of other environmental importance—without knowledge of the fact that the permission existed or the terms of the conditions attached to it. The Government are therefore considering whether to require that applications for registration of IDO permissions are accompanied by schemes of operating, restoration and, where appropriate,

  207
  aftercare conditions for the approval of the mineral planning authority. The Government take the view that it would be sensible to use the opportunity of registration to apply conditions and believe that responsible operators would share that view. Applicants would be able to appeal to the Secretary of State against refusal or the imposition of unreasonable conditions by the authority. My Department will be issuing today a short consultation paper on these proposals, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House, and will consider the response before taking a firm decision. The question of the impact of the proposals on the compensation rights of operators would be covered in the consultation exercise.

  The Government have also considered carefully whether it would be right to take statutory measures now to deal with the problems of unworked land and IDO permission boundaries. Although we fully appreciate the strength of feelings on this issue and the legitimate concerns expressed, we are not convinced that it would be right to expropriate legitimate mineral working rights without a detailed examination of all the implications and full and considered consultation on any proposed changes.

  My Department will therefore look at these issues very closely in its comprehensive review of the existing powers available to mineral planning authorities for dealing with inadequate permissions and we shall be considering whether we can reach early conclusions on the compensation aspects. In the meantime, I intend to invite the industry, in the context of agreeing a scheme of operating and restoration conditions with the mineral planning authority, to discuss an adjustment to the boundaries of their rights where appropriate.

  These proposals are subject to consultation with representatives of the local authorities, environmental groups, the industry and land-owners. They aim to provide the right balance between the needs of the country for a secure and effective supply of minerals, together with information about where these sites are worked and ensuring that the minerals are extracted in an environmentally sensitive way. As we made clear in the Environment White Paper it is necessary to strike a careful balance between the interests of amenity and the need to exploit the resource. Mineral operators must take account of best environmental practice and aim to be good neighbours. I am aware that increasingly the industry accepts its responsibility to work sites in an environmentally sensitive manner and to restore land once working has ceased.

  Rent Arrears
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the latest figures are on the arrears of rent outstanding to each local housing authority in England; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I have today arranged for the information to be placed in the Library.

  As at 1 April 1990, rent arrears owing to all English housing authorities amounted to some £360 million, (7·8 per cent. of the total rent collectable.) This is an increase of 12 per cent. compared with the figure at 1 April 1989. The 10 authorities with the worst arrears represent 37 per cent. of the total; their level of arrears ranges from about 18 per cent. of the rent collectable, in Camden, to about 45 per cent., in Brent. London accounts for 46 per cent. of the national total; total London arrears are £165
  208
  million and nine of the 10 worst authorities are in London; but I am glad to see that seven London boroughs have reduced the amount of rent outstanding to them.

  The figures are an indictment of too many authorities for their poor management and, while a third have improved their performance and deserve commendation for this, the figures show that far too many are not acting upon the advice on rent collection given by the Department and the Audit Commission.

  The three poorest performing authorities are those that turned in the worst performance last year. In Brent, Lambeth and Southwark, tenants between them owe over £60 million worth of rent. Since the introduction of the new housing finance system in April 1990, the cost of arrears are borne by the tenants who do pay their rent. If some tenants do not pay, either rents generally will go up or the level of service will fall. Authorities are also required to account to their tenants for their housing management by publishing indicators of their performance, from April this year onwards. I expect tenants to demand major changes in authorities' policies towards non-payers, and to put pressure on them to ensure that arrears of this magnitude become a thing of the past.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what consideration was given to seeking an order to restrain former Chief Superintendent George Reade from going to Australia prior to the hearing of the appeal of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he was first made aware that former Chief Superintendent George Reade was proposing to travel to Australia; and what undertaking he sought as regards Mr. Reade's availability for inquiries relating to the appeal of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

  The Attorney-General
  This case remains under consideration by the courts. I will write to the hon. Member after the appeal has been determined.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost to public funds of sending Devon and Cornwall police officers to Australia to interview former Chief Superintendent George Reade.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions has arranged for the chief constable of the Devon and Cornwall police to write to the hon. Member giving the information requested.

  Pre-trial Issues
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement concerning the inter-agency working group on pre-trial issues.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary and I have received a report from the working group on pre-trial issues which makes a number of detailed and far-reaching recommendations for improvements in the processing of criminal cases to the point of trial.

  We welcome the report as a valuable basis for action in consultation with the CPS, the police, the courts, and other organisations and bodies with a direct interest in the

  209
  implementation of the recommendations. We have appointed a steering group of officials to carry forward implementation of the report and to undertake these consultations in order to establish the resource implications of the proposals made, and to provide by the summer recess a costed action plan for implementation.

  Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and sent to the Select Committee on Home Affairs which last year conducted an inquiry into the impact on the criminal justice system of the establishment of the CPS and made many recommendations which the working group has carried forward.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he is taking to promote the meeting of legal quotas for employing disabled people in Government Departments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  All Departments and agencies aim to employ a 3 per cent. quota of registered disabled staff. My Department has introduced a range of initiatives, outlined in the code of practice on the employment of people with disabilities in the civil service, to help Departments and agencies to achieve this. The annual report on progress will be published next month in the magazine "Independent". Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Human Rights
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the incorporation of the European convention on human rights into United Kingdom law.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no plans to propose legislation to incorporate the European convention on human rights and fundamental freedoms into domestic law. We are committed to, and support, the principles of human rights in the convention, but we believe that it is for Parliament rather than the judiciary to determine how these principles are best secured.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the efficiency of magistrates courts' committees; and if he will make a statement;

  Nationality

  Naturalisation1

  Registration1

  General immigration casework1 2

  Asylum and related casework1 3

  Outstanding cases

  October

  63,553

  24,485

  20,910

  29,936

  November

  64,818

  23,853

  21,931

  32,566

  December

  63,597

  22,677

  21,765

  35,304

  January

  61,331

  21,859

  20,919

  37,666

  Intakes

  October

  1,645

  969

  30,656

  6,261

  November

  1,425

  803

  30,264

  5,800

  210
  (2) if he has received any representations on the report of the scrutiny team concerning magistrates courts; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) whether his Department has any plans to reform the financial administration of magistrates courts; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if he will make a statement on his Department's response to the scrutiny report on magistrates courts' services.

  Mr. John Patten
  No decisions have yet been reached on the proposals for reorganising and financing the magistrates' courts service contained in the scrutiny report on the service. We have received views from the representative organisations of the service, magistrates courts' committees, individual members of the service and other interested parties. We are considering these views in the light of the assessment by independent consultants last year of the costs of implementation.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give the number of court actions which have so far been undertaken in the Mansfield court area for the non-payment of the poll tax;

  (2) if he will give the number of court actions which have so far been undertaken for the non-payment of the poll tax by petty sessions division area.

  Mr. John Patten
  The available information, which is provided by justices' clerks on a clerkship basis, is placed in the Library as soon as possible after its collation. Information for the period 1 April to 30 September 1990 is already in the Library and for the period 1 October to 31 December 1990 will be placed in the Library this week.

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding cases there were for October, November, December 1990 and January 1991 under the headings of(a) naturalisation, (b) registration, (c) refugees, (d) asylum seekers, and (e) general immigration; and what was the number of new casework applications in each of those areas for each month.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of outstanding cases and intakes in the immigration and nationality department by the categories requested is as follows:
  211

  Nationality

  Naturalisation1

  Registration1

  General immigration casework1 2

  Asylum and related casework1 3

  December

  1,334

  667

  21,467

  4,740

  January

  1,514

  883

  27,356

  6,513

  1 Does not include applications received in the Department but which await allocation to caseworkers.

  2 Includes referred entry clearance applications, and enquiries submitted by letter, as well as variation of leave cases. Includes both general and eastern European casework (the latter was absorbed into general casework in July 1990).

  3 These figures are a total of all work outstanding in the refugee unit.

  Police Costs
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current cost of the Metropolitan, West Midlands and Merseyside police forces expressed in terms of cost per crime cleared up.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information on the amount of police time spent on different types of activity, including clearing up crime, does not yet make it possible to produce an accurate and consistent unit cost of crime cleared up for each force. A programme of work, following a joint Home Office/Treasury study of police manpower, is under way to develop standard methods of activity analysis in forces. This should in due course make it possible to attribute time and cost to different activities, including those relating to crime.

  Asylum
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the total number of people who sought asylum in the United Kingdom in each quarter of 1990;

  (2) if he will list the total number of people who sought asylum in the United Kingdom in 1990; and how many (a) were awarded refugee status, (b) were awarded exceptional leave to remain and (c)were refused entry.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Reliable quarterly estimates of the number of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom in 1990 cannot yet be made, but provisional indications are that the total in 1990 was of the order of 30,000, including associated dependants.

  Comprehensive information on decisions in 1990 on asylum applications is not yet available. Decisions recorded to date are shown in the following table, but these understate because of delays in recording.

  Decisions1 on applications2 for asylum in the United Kingdom made in 1990 as recorded at Mid-February 1991

  Numbers

  Granted asylum

  1,600

  Granted exceptional leave

  3,700

  Refused asylum or exceptional leave

  650

  1Including associated dependants.

  2 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in 1990.

  Fuller and more reliable estimates of applications and decisions in 1990 will be published as usual in the annual Home Office statistical bulletin "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom" later this year.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1985 the number of applicants for asylum in the United Kingdom who have been held in detention for more than one month.
  212
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. On 15 February, 110 persons who had claimed asylum had been detained under Immigration Act powers for more than one month.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the Council of Europe ministerial conference on east-west migration in Vienna regarding the asylum question.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I attended the ministerial conference in Vienna on 24 and 25 January, at which representatives of Council of Europe member states, as well as all the states of central and eastern Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States were present. The conference was not concerned specifically with asylum, but with the problems posed for both receiving countries and countries of origin by the growth of migration from central and eastern Europe. There was general agreement on the need for international cooperation on measures to limit migratory flows, including action in respect of economic migrants who seek to exploit the asylum process and on the importance of tackling the root causes of migration in the countries of origin. A group of senior officials from the participating states was invited to follow up the recommendations of the conference.

  A copy of the final communiqué of the conference has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he is giving to the establishment of a European appeal court to give a right of appeal against a refusal to grant asylum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None. I see no merit in such a proposal.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he distinguishes in policy between measures taken to combat abuse of the asylum procedure and measures taken to regulate the flow of asylum seekers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Our policy is to meet our international obligations towards refugees who may properly look to the United Kingdom for protection, while taking firm action to maintain normal immigration control in respect both of those who have already found safety elsewhere and of those whose applications for recognition of refugee status have no basis in the criteria of the 1951 United Nations convention.

  National Boundaries
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Government will join the Schengen process.
  213
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We do not intend to accede to the convention on the abolition of checks at common borders which was signed by the Schengen group of countries in June last year.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Government will press for the adoption of the convention on the crossing of the communities' external frontiers by all member states of the European Community.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The draft convention on the crossing of external frontiers is still under discussion between the member states and is not yet ready for signature.

  Racial Attacks
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces in the United Kingdom record racially motivated attacks; if he will arrange for the latest figures for each force to be published, together with the figures for the comparable period of the previous year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  All police forces in England and Wales record incidents as being racially motivated if the victim, the investigating officer or a third party witness perceive them to be so. Publication of such information is for chief officers. Some include statistics in their annual reports, while others may decide to make such information available in response to a particular inquiry.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary examines carefully during inspections forces' response to racially motivated crime. The Government are currently monitoring the impact of recent guidance to the police and other agencies, and will be formally reviewing progress with all statutory bodies. The Government have made it clear to the police service that racial attacks must be tackled as a priority.

  Tote
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who owns the Tote; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Horserace Totalisator Board (the Tote), by virtue of section 12(1) of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, is established as a body corporate. It is therefore an independent legal person.

  Boundary Commission
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Boundary Commission for England has decided when to start the next general review of constituencies in England.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The commission has given notice of its intention to commence a general review forthwith. It is required to report between February 1993 and February 1998.

  Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a report from Viscount Colville of Culross QC on the operation in 1989 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.
  214
  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have received such a report from Viscount Colville and have placed copies in the Library.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Savings
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, as a percentage of total household disposable income, net savings in the United Kingdom in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Maples
  The estimates for the period 1985 to 1989 are as follows:

  Balance (household income less expenditure) as percentage of total household disposable income

  Percentage

  1985

  0·5

  1986

  -0·4

  1987

  -1·9

  1988

  -2·6

  1989

  -1·8

  Community Charge
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 28 January to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside,Official Report, column 391, on the community charge reduction scheme, if he will publish in the Official Report the assumptions used in reaching he figure given.

  Mr. Mellor
  The savings on community charge benefit resulting from the introduction of the community charge reduction scheme are a broad estimate based, like all the figures for the scheme, on the family expenditure surveys for 1987–89. Account has also been taken of preliminary information on the numbers of people claiming community charge benefit.

  Pensions (Tax Relief)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of tax relief given in respect of moneys invested by individuals and companies in all types of pensions and pension funds during the last five years.

  Mr. Maude
  Latest estimates are as follows:

  £ million

  Relief for:

  Employees contributions to occupational pension schemes

  Employers contributions to occupational pension schemes1

  Contributions to personal pensions and retirement annuity contracts2

  1986–87

  1,700

  3,300

  475

  1987–88

  1,700

  3,000

  525

  1988–89

  1,800

  3,100

  625

  1989–90

  2,000

  3,500

  950

  1990–91

  2,200

  3,800

  1,100

  1 On the basis that under present arrangements, employers' contributions are not taxable as a benefit in kind for the employee.

  2 Includes income tax relief on FSAVCs.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies his Department has carried out of the impact of corporation tax on smaller businesses and the survival rate of small companies.

  Mr. Maude
  The impact of corporation tax on small companies is kept under regular review. The profits limit for the small companies relief has been doubled in the last two years so that 40,000 more companies now pay tax at 25 per cent.—the small companies rate of corporation tax. And we have reduced the small companies rate itself from 42 per cent. to its present level of 25 per cent.

  Nursing Agencies
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what legislative or administrative changes have been made since 1 January 1989 affecting the liability for VAT of nursing agencies.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  None. The United Kingdom has always exempted from VAT the supply of services by a person registered or enrolled in any of the medical or

  Departmental Report

  Published

  Supplement to the Autumn Statement

  (Cm 1520)

  Friday

  1 February

  Department of Social Security

  (Cm 1514)

  Friday

  1 February

  Ministry of Defence

  (Cm 1501)

  Tuesday

  5 February

  Department of Employment

  (Cm 1506)

  Tuesday

  5 February

  Home Office (inc Charity Commission)

  (Cm 1509)

  Tuesday

  5 February

  Cabinet Office

  (Cm 1519)

  Thursday

  7 February

  Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments and Net Payments to EC Institutions

  (Cm 1518)

  Thursday

  7 February

  Energy

  (Cm 1505)

  Thursday

  7 February

  Department of Transport

  (Cm 1507)

  Thursday

  7 February

  Department of Health and OPCS

  (Cm 1513)

  Thursday

  7 February

  Department of Education and Science

  (Cm 1511)

  Tuesday

  12 February

  Trade and Industry

  (Cm 1504)

  Tuesday

  12 February

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Intervention Board and Forestry Commission

  (Cm 1503)

  Wednesday

  13 February

  Environment

  (Cm 1508)

  Wednesday

  13 February

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including ODA)

  (Cm 1502)

  Wednesday

  13 February

  Office of Arts and Libraries

  (Cm 1512)

  Wednesday

  13 February

  Legal Departments

  (Cm 1510)

  Thursday

  14 February

  Scotland

  (Cm 1515)

  Thursday

  14 February

  Wales

  (Cm 1516)

  Friday

  15 February

  Northern Ireland

  (Cm 1517)

  Friday

  15 February

  There are no departmental reports outstanding.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he has to the new budget format of departmental reports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We shall be reviewing all aspects of departmental reports in the light of comments received from departmental Select Committees and others over the coming months.

  Mr.Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what requests from Chairmen of departmental Select Committees he has received to discuss the new departmental reports.

  Mr. Mellor
  This is a matter for the Chairmen of departmental Select Committees.
  216
  paramedical registers. However, under both United Kingdom and EC law this relief does not extend to the services of non-professionally qualified people.

  Financial Reporting
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve financial reporting to Parliament and to departmental Select Committees.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Government set out their proposals for the presentation of financial information in their White Paper "Financial Reporting to Parliament" (Cm 918). These proposals were implemented by the introduction this year of departmental reports. As the White Paper makes clear, the Government will keep the arrangements for the presentation of financial information under review.

  Departmental Reports
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the departmental reports published to date and those that are outstanding.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information is as follows:

  Real Interest Rate
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in tabular form the real interest rate for each month for the last year; and if he will make a statement on the apparent trend.

  Mr. Maples
  There is no agreed definition of the real interest rate. The table shows the average three-month inter-bank rate, for each month for the last year, deflated by the 12-month all-items RPI inflation rate for that month. In the three months to end January, the average real interest rate was 4·1 per cent. compared with an average of 7·0 per cent. for the same three months a year earlier.

  'Real' three-month inter-bank rate

  per cent.

  1990

  January

  6·9

  February

  7·1

  217

  per cent.

  March

  6·7

  April

  5·3

  May

  5·0

  June

  4·7

  July

  4·7

  August

  4·0

  September

  3·6

  October

  2·8

  November

  3·6

  December

  4·1

  1991

  January

  4·6

  Alcohol Duties
  Sir George Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the first forecast excise duty revenue for the latest revised estimates for 1989–90 and 1990–91 for(a) still wines less than 15 per cent. alcohol, (b) still wines more than 15 per cent. alcohol, (c) sparkling wines, (d) beer, (e) cider and perry, (f) made wines and (g) spirits.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information available is as follows. Forecasts are not made for individual categories of wine.

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Outturn

  Autumn Statement

  £ billion

  £ billion

  Beer

  2·1

  2·3

  Spirits

  1·5

  1·8

  Wine and made wine

  0·8

  0·9

  Cider and perry

  0·1

  0·1

WALES

  Employment Practices
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) which district health authorities in Wales have(a) adopted and (b) implemented policy statements on child care facilities for staff employed within the districts; how many hospitals in each health authority area offer child care facilities and how many take advantage of such facilities; and whether he has any plans to issue guidelines, including the issuing of targets for child care facilities in the health service;

  (2) which district health authorities have produced guidelines or policy statements concerning the application of job-share schemes; how many job-share posts have been (a) advertised and (b) filled in each district health authority in Wales; and how many of these job-share schemes applied to (i) health visitors, (ii) district nurses, (iii) midwives, (iv) sister nurses and (v) staff nurses.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information requested is not held centrally. Whilst there are no guidelines and targets for child care facilities, health authorities are encouraged, through the annual manpower resource planning process in particular, to consider and develop a range of employment practices. These include child care facilities and job-share schemes. However, the adoption and implementation of such practices is a matter for local employers to decide.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dental check-ups were performed in Wales on(a) children (b) adults and (c) pensioners in each of the health areas in Wales for the years 1986 to 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The available information is in the tables.

  Table 1 gives the number of examinations, scheduled for payment during the appropriate year, performed within the general dental service.

  Table 2 gives the number of inspections performed within the community dental service during the year in question. These figures include inspections conducted as part of screening programmes carried out by the community dental service to indentify patients requiring full examination.

  Table 1

  General dental services—number of examinations1

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Children (aged 0–17)

  Clwyd

  75,590

  76,330

  77,620

  75,150

  Dyfed

  61,740

  61,740

  62,370

  61,650

  Gwent

  89,160

  85,340

  84,870

  83,080

  Gwynedd

  44,270

  42,750

  42,590

  40,270

  Mid Glamorgan

  95,170

  92,760

  92,240

  90,320

  Powys

  18,010

  18,190

  18,690

  18,660

  South Glamorgan

  97,910

  90,850

  85,190

  81,660

  West Glamorgan

  91,670

  89,150

  87,640

  84,520

  Adults (excluding pensioners)

  Clwyd

  121,550

  128,780

  136,430

  126,900

  Dyfed

  103,920

  109,970

  116,220

  109,450

  Gwent

  132,950

  138,170

  148,780

  139,710

  Gwynedd

  75,140

  77,550

  82,500

  76,750

  Mid Glamorgan

  134,280

  142,110

  150,070

  131,930

  Powys

  32,180

  35,330

  37,520

  36,720

  South Glamorgan

  149,380

  155,650

  161,640

  149,480

  West Glamorgan

  134,920

  141,960

  146,110

  130,640

  Pensioners2

  Clwyd

  17,210

  14,740

  16,950

  15,280

  Dyfed

  14,110

  12,000

  13,930

  13,190

  Gwent

  14,270

  11,690

  14,310

  12,970

  Gwynedd

  13,560

  10,960

  12,730

  11,500

  Mid Glamorgan

  12,980

  10,720

  12,910

  11,010

  Powys

  4,430

  3,710

  4,440

  4,310

  South Glamorgan

  18,930

  15,730

  18,010

  16,550

  West Glamorgan

  16,270

  13,810

  16,480

  13,780

  1 All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  2 Women aged 60 and over. Men aged 65 and over.

  Table 2

  Community Dental Service: Number of Inspections

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Children1

  Clwyd

  42,709

  46,377

  30,546

  29,011

  East Dyfed

  38,131

  28,365

  18,836

  16,819

  Pembrokeshire

  17,254

  23,553

  23,361

  23,858

  Gwent

  54,623

  63,110

  51,302

  41,204

  Gwynedd

  17,994

  14,772

  15,305

  17,963

  Mid Glamorgan

  71,514

  63,389

  61,571

  61,422

  Powys

  22,081

  20,289

  17,309

  15,617

  South Glamorgan

  40,343

  43,207

  45,941

  44,531

  West Glamorgan

  52,512

  53,239

  54,368

  53,010

  Adults2

  Clwyd

  648

  810

  1,015

  661

  East Dyfed

  363

  558

  553

  722

  Pembrokeshire3

  15

  17

  27

  51

  Gwent

  1,986

  3,389

  1,737

  1,379

  219

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Gwynedd

  1,131

  1,162

  2,035

  1,197

  Mid Glamorgan

  755

  672

  705

  1,311

  Powys3

  28

  57

  56

  130

  South Glamorgan

  1,425

  1,754

  1,819

  1,551

  West Glamorgan

  645

  1,090

  804

  1,333

  1 Children under five and school children.

  2 Includes mothers and handicapped adults. No further age split is available.

  3 The figures for Pembrokeshire and Powys exclude handicapped adults on which data have not consistently been collected.

  Overseas company

  Country of ownership

  Location1

  Commencement date1234

  Ford Motor Co. Ltd.

  USA

  Swansea

  1965

  Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co. Ltd.

  Japan

  Cardiff

  1976

  Sony (UK) Ltd.

  Japan

  Bridgend

  1974

  Gallaher Ltd.

  USA

  Cardiff

  21968

  Hoover plc

  USA

  Merthyr

  1947

  British Alcan Aluminium plc

  Canada

  Newport

  pre 1945

  CMB Packaging (UK) Ltd.

  France/UK joint ownership

  Neath

  31989

  Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd.

  Japan

  Wrexham

  1985

  Valeo SA

  France

  Ammanford

  21989

  SGS-Thompson Microelectronics Ltd.

  France/Italy joint ownership

  Newport

  21989

  Calsonic International (UK) Ltd.

  Japan

  Llanelli

  21989

  Warner-Lambert (UK) Ltd.

  USA

  Pontypool

  1971

  Fram Europe Ltd.

  Italy

  Treforest

  41961

  STC plc

  Canada

  Newport

  21990

  Monsanto plc

  USA

  Wrexham

  pre 1945

  Alcoa Manufacturing (GB) Ltd

  USA

  Swansea

  21968

  TRW UK Ltd

  USA

  Neath

  1946

  Thomson Corp plc

  Canada

  Cardiff

  21959

  Bristol-Myers Squibb

  USA

  Shotton

  1982

  James River UK Holdings Ltd.

  USA

  Bridgend

  21973

  3M UK Holdings plc

  USA

  Tredegar

  1950

  Brother Industries Ltd.

  Japan

  Wrexham

  1985

  Alfa-Laval Co. Ltd.

  Sweden

  Cwmbran

  1948

  Hitachi Ltd.

  Japan

  Aberdare

  21979

  Texaco Inc.

  USA

  Pembroke

  1964

  1 A number of overseas companies listed in the table have more than one plant in Wales, in which case the location and date of their first known investment is given.

  2 Some overseas companies became established in Wales by acquisition of then United Kingdom owned assets; these are separately identified by the notation 2, and the date given is the date of change of ownership to overseas.

  3 This was the merger, in 1989 between a United Kingdom company with plants in Wales and a French company.

  4 This is the date of the first investment at Treforest, subsequently the business was transferred to Llantrisant.

  Notes:

  1. Changes of asset ownership between one foreign company and another foreign company are not identified; and the commencement date is the date of the first known overseas investment.

  2. It is possible for an overseas company first established in Wales by direct new investment to have subsequently expanded by means of acquisition of existing assets.

  3. The primary data source for the above table is the Welsh Office Regional Data System.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 21 February.

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

  Foreign-based Employers
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the 25 largest foreign-based employers, by numbers employed, country of origin, location and date and size of initial investment in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The following table lists the 25 largest overseas employers in Wales, together with information on location and the date of the commencement of their operations in Wales. Current employment and capital investment details for individual companies are confidential. In total, however, these companies employ some 30,000 in Wales.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the translated text on which he based his initial response to the statement issued by the Iraqi Government on 15 February;

  (2) when he received an expert translation from the original of the statement put forward by the Iraqi Government on 15 February; and if he will arrange for it to be placed in the Library.

  The Prime Minister
  We received a copy of the full BBC translation of the Iraqi statement during the early afternoon of 15 February. This proved to be the same in all major respects as the English translation issued later by
  221
  the Iraqi Government. Arrangements have been made for a copy of both texts to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Norwegian Prime Minister
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals were made by his Norwegian counterpart during their recent meeting; and what response he made.

  The Prime Minister
  I had discussions with Mrs. Brundtland on 13 February 1991 which covered a range of issues including developments in the Baltics, Europe and the Gulf.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's progress in the last 10 years on achieving a co-ordinated policy for reducing hypothermia.

  The Prime Minister
  There has been a significant overall decline in the levels of excess winter mortality (the difference between the number of deaths in the quarter from January to March and the quarter from July to September) between 1979 (47,311 deaths) and 1989 (23,853 deaths). In only a very small number of these was hypothermia identified as the underlying cause: 166 in 1989, plus an additional 209 cases where it was a contributory factor.

  While there is clearly a correlation between excess mortality and winter weather, the exact causes of increased deaths in winter are extremely complex. Factors include diet, alcohol intake, smoking, clothing (especially dressing appropriately when going out of doors in cold weather) and exercise, as well as adequate warmth in the home. The need for further research in this area is being investigated by the Medical Research Council.

  The improved figures in recent years are no doubt due in part to the progress we have been able to achieve through the collaborative efforts of Government, the statutory services and the voluntary sector, in the provision of community health and personal social services, as well as to the more general improvements in housing, social security benefits and overall standards of living.

  Arms Register
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the establishment by the United Nations of a register of arms; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  We are playing a full part in the United Nations study group set up to look at ways and means of promoting transparency in international transfers of conventional weapons, including the possibility of establishing a universal and nondiscriminatory United Nations register. It is hoped that a report will be made to the United Nations Secretary-General later this year.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Antarctica
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he will be putting forward on the minerals issue at the April meeting of the Antarctic treaty parties.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 20 February at column 177.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from hon. Members and members of the public on the issue of Antarctic minerals.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received over 2,000.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his present policy towards a prohibition on mining in Antarctica.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State to him on 20 February 1991 at column 177.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it remains Government policy to ratify the convention on the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There are at present no plans to ratify the convention on the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities (CRAMRA).

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he will take to prevent any waste disposal in Antarctica.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The British Antarctic Survey complies fully with the waste disposal provisions of Antarctic treaty recommendation XV-3.

  The long-term policy of the survey is that all wastes, other than human or kitchen waste, should be removed from the Antarctic treaty area. This policy goes further than is required by measures currently under consideration in the Antarctic treaty consultative forum.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all future(a) conferences, (b) seminars and (c) meetings which Ministers in his Department have been invited to attend (i) in the United Kingdom, (ii) in the European Community and (iii) elsewhere; and if he will list the dates of these events for the next three months.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is not our normal practice to announce future engagements more than a few days before they are due to take place.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 697, if he will outline the rights of Portuguese fishing vessels in St. Helena's coastal waters.
  223
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Portuguese vessels do not enjoy automatic fishing and access rights in the waters of St. Helena and the dependencies, but can acquire them by separate and negotiated agreement. The only such agreement in force permits two Portuguese vessels to fish for an experimental period of two years within restricted areas of the waters of St. Helena and Ascension island.

  Bulgaria
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial aid has been provided to Bulgaria to the most recent available date.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The European Commission, as chairman of the group of 24 donor countries, publishes a regular "scoreboard" of assistance to all eastern European countries, including Bulgaria. The latest edition, issued on 30 January, has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from whom he obtained the English translation of the statement broadcast by Iraqi Radio on 15 February; if he will place a copy in the Library; if he is aware of any discrepancies in translation of the broadcast; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the time and date when his office first received from the Government of Iraq their statement of 15 February in both Arabic and English.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We received a full English text of the Iraqi statement, translated by the BBC monitoring service, during the early afternoon of 15 February. A copy of the Arabic text was received, also from the BBC, later that afternoon. In the late afternoon of 16 February we received an English text issued by the Iraqi Government, which was the same in all major respects as the BBC translation. I am arranging for copies of both texts to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent conditions have been set by the Austrian Government concerning the issuing of permits for the overflight of Austrian territories by British aircraft flying to the Gulf region.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The details of bilateral arrangements with other countries covering military overflights are classified and it is not our policy to comment on such matters.

  Military Exhibition, Baghdad
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any of his officials attended the first international exhibition for military production held in Baghdad in 1989.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Members of the British embassy in Baghdad attended the exhibition.

ENERGY

  Insulation
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply of 30 January,Official Report, column 507, what information he has on the proportion of the 43 per cent. of eligible homes in England and Wales with 4 in. or more of loft insulation which have 150 mm or more of loft insulation, as recommended in his Department's publication entitled "Energy in Your Home".

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Information on levels of loft insulation in existing homes is derived from surveys undertaken annually by Audits of Great Britain. Information currently available from these surveys does not enable identification of specific levels of loft insulation in excess of 4 in. in homes in England and Wales.

  Electricity Supplies
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what changes have been made as a result of the electricity privatisation legislation concerning the distribution companies' ability to cut off the electricity supply to households during periods of cold weather.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The public electricity supply licences issued to the regional electricity companies under the Electricity Act 1989 require them to produce a code of practice on payment of bills and to draw up methods for dealing with customers in debt. The Director General of Electricity Supply has now approved the code and methods submitted by Yorkshire Electricity and the submissions of the other companies are expected to be approved shortly. Disconnections now stand at their lowest level since records began, and the Director General has stated that one of his priorities is to secure a continuing and significant reduction in disconnections.

  Topping Cycle Technology
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will provide support for research and development in relation to the pursuit of topping cycle technology.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government announced at the beginning of February that they would be providing an additional £3·7 million this financial year for research into British Coal's topping cycle project at Grimethorpe. This brings the Department of Energy's total contribution to the project this year to £9·2 million and maintains the project's schedule.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions since the publication of the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" the ministerial committee on energy efficiency has met under his chairmanship; and whether he intends to increase the frequency of such meetings.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The ministerial committee meets approximately every two months and has met twice under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend. Four further meetings are planned this year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Achievements
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the principal achievements of his Department since June 1987.

  Mr. Lilley
  The Department of Trade and Industry continues to pursue the objective of encouraging enterprise, as set out in the 1988 White Paper "DTI—The Department for Enterprise". Towards this end, a number of notable achievements have been recorded across the whole range of the Department's activities: the enterprise initiative, bringing together a range of DTI services, was successfully launched in January 1988 and continues to stimulate business development and innovation; further privatisations have taken place, notably through the sale of Rolls-Royce plc, Rover Group, British Steel and Girobank; a major campaign has been undertaken to inform businesses about progress on the single market; major legislation, in particular the Companies Act (1989) and the Consumer Protection Act (1987), has been implemented to maintain a satisfactory framework for the operation of businesses and the protection of the consumer while, at the same time, further progress has been made towards removing unnecessary burdens placed on business by regulations and bureaucracy. Innovative activity by smaller firms is being stimulated by a comprehensive package of assistance including the small firms merit award for research and technology (SMART) and three new schemes, support for products under research (SPUR), the manufacturing, planning and implementation studies scheme (MPI), and the small and medium-sized enterprises technical advice service (SMETAS). DTI has also been at the forefront of implementing the Government's "next steps" initiative. Since 1988, nine agencies have been established within DTI involving roughly half the total manpower of the Department.

  Graylaw Holdings Ltd.
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has released the inspector's report on Graylaw Holdings Ltd. to any organisation.

  Mr. Redwood
  It would be inappropriate for me to discuss details of individual unpublished reports. Such reports, which include that into the affairs of Graylaw Holdings Ltd., are disclosed where appropriate under the Companies Act 1948 (as amended), under part XIV of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), and under the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Exports
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, for each year since 1985, the(a) agricultural and (b) the manufacturing goods exported from the United Kingdom to each one of the countries in (i) the Persian Gulf region and (ii) the Maghreb, indicating their value in 1990 moneys.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Volume indices of trade by product category are published in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics". A copy is available in the Library. However, estimates at constant prices of exports by product category to individual countries are not kept.

  Smoke Detectors
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recommendations the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee has made on the disposal of smoke detectors containing Americium 240.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee has made no recommendation to me about the disposal of smoke detectors containing Americium 241. But the National Radiological Protection Board has assured me that they can be disposed of safely with domestic rubbish.

  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for requiring the packaging of smoke detectors to indicate that they contain radioactive material.

  Mr. Leigh
  The proposed Radioactive Products (Safety) Regulations will require approved products to be labelled "approved by the National Radiological Protection Board under the Radioactive Products (Safety) Regulations". It is therefore unnecessary to indicate that a product contains a radioactive substance since the product will bear a label indicating that it has been approved as safe.

  Military Exhibition, Baghdad
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any of his officials attended the first international exhibition of military production held in Baghdad in 1989.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent by his Department on activities arising from the first international exhibition of military production held in Baghdad in 1989.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No financial support was given by my Department in respect of this event. Some staff time was involved in providing the non-financial assistance mentioned in my reply on 31 October 1990 to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) at column 608. It is not possible to quantify expenditure on the staff time involved.

  Legislation
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what process is undertaken to ensure that all new Government legislation avoids adding to the costs and reducing the economic viability of British industry.

  Mr. Redwood
  The White Paper "Releasing Enterprise" (Cm 512, 1988) committed Departments to compile compliance cost assessments (CCAs) for every regulatory proposal that could affect business. A CCA, which is to be drawn up before decisions are taken, seeks to identify the following: the sectors affected and any additional costs (recurring and non-recurring) they will have to bear; the impact on a "typical" business in the sectors principally affected and any differential effect on small firms; and any effect on international competitiveness. To ensure that
  227
  estimated costs are as accurate as possible, when business is consulted about regulatory proposals, information about compliance costs is to be requested and current estimates exposed in the form of a draft CCA.

SCOTLAND

  NHS Hospitals (Readmissions)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to collect central information for all national health service patients in Scotland who, having been discharged from national health service hospitals, required subsequent hospitalisation for(a) the same complaint or (b) a different but related complaint.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Arrangements are already in train to provide this kind of information through record

  Community psychiatric nurses at 31 March 1989–30 September 1990

  Whole time equivalent

  March 1989

  September 1989

  March 1990

  September 19901

  Argyll and Clyde

  —

  —

  —

  1·0

  Ayrshire and Arran

  22·0

  21·0

  22·0

  25·0

  Borders

  —

  —

  —

  10·0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  14·0

  14·0

  Fife

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Forth Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Glasgow

  —

  —

  —

  0·7

  Highland

  —

  —

  —

  15·0

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian

  6·0

  32·0

  28·0

  30·0

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  1·0

  —

  —

  2·0

  Tayside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland

  29·0

  53·0

  64·0

  97·7

  1 Provisional.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Local Government Finance
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the regional rate for Northern Ireland in each financial year since 1985.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The regional rate for Northern Ireland for each year since 1985 is as follows:

  Year

  Regional rate (non-domestic)

  (pence)

  1985–86

  100·87

  1986–87

  110·38

  1987–88

  113·53

  1988–89

  122·59

  1989–90

  138·07

  1990–91

  148·27

  (1) Overall Domestic Rates

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Antrim

  130·87

  144·13

  150·03

  161·59

  179·07

  190·77

  Ards

  138·87

  151·38

  154·53

  164·59

  183·57

  201·27

  Armagh

  123·37

  136·38

  139·53

  151·59

  170·07

  183·77

  228
  linkage based on the SMR (Scottish Medical Record) system. When fully in operation this will enable episodes of care to be linked together for the same patient and it will be possible to work out details of subsequent hospitalisation for the same condition and for different but related conditions.

  Community psychiatric nurses
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of community psychiatric nurses in post at 1 April each year from 1982 to 1 January 1991 for each health board in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information available centrally for community psychiatric nurses is given in the following table.

  Domestic ratepayers have received a reduction of 12p in the poundage each year through the domestic rate aid grant. The resulting domestic regional rate poundages were:

  Year

  Regional rate (domestic)

  (pence)

  1985–86

  88·87

  1986–87

  98·38

  1987–88

  101·53

  1988–89

  110·59

  1989–90

  126·07

  1990–91

  136·27

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the overall rate payable by ratepayers in each district council area in Northern Ireland for each financial year since 1985.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The overall rate payable by ratepayers in each district council area since 1985 is set out in the tables.
  229

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Ballymena

  125·22

  136·38

  141·38

  153·44

  170·07

  183·27

  Ballymoney

  131·12

  143·63

  147·53

  157·59

  176·32

  190·27

  Banbridge

  133·80

  146·35

  152·51

  161·57

  177·05

  191·15

  Belfast

  157·91

  174·74

  181·56

  194·55

  210·93

  224·35

  Carrickfergus

  143·87

  155·88

  160·94

  173·09

  191·82

  205·77

  Castlereagh

  121·87

  137·46

  142·53

  150·49

  163·97

  180·66

  Coleraine

  133·87

  147·38

  151·53

  163·59

  181·07

  191·27

  Cookstown

  124·72

  138·13

  144·53

  153·34

  173·82

  188·02

  Craigavon

  143·80

  158·59

  164·88

  173·94

  193·54

  207·04

  Derry

  148·37

  165·38

  171·03

  183·14

  202·87

  220·27

  Down

  133·87

  151·38

  161·53

  175·59

  194·07

  206·27

  Dungannon

  126·87

  139·88

  145·53

  154·59

  170·07

  184·02

  Fermanagh

  131·62

  147·13

  152·28

  164·09

  181·57

  193·77

  Larne

  133·87

  147·08

  154·08

  166·34

  182·82

  200·95

  Limavady

  123·87

  137·38

  142·48

  154·09

  173·07

  186·77

  Lisburn

  135·11

  147·18

  151·28

  164·16

  179·64

  191·83

  Magherafelt

  121·91

  134·94

  142·58

  154·09

  172·41

  185·27

  Moyle

  148·62

  164·13

  167·28

  176·09

  194·47

  210·49

  Newry and Mourne

  137·87

  152·68

  161·23

  170·29

  184·07

  194·27

  Newtownabbey

  141·47

  153·49

  158·77

  170·65

  190·17

  200·96

  North Down

  140·37

  155·28

  162·43

  174·29

  191·92

  205·51

  Omagh

  131·87

  145·38

  153·18

  165·59

  184·57

  200·57

  Strabane

  132·37

  148·88

  155·53

  167·59

  186·82

  203·52

  (2) Overall Non-Domestic Rates

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Rate pence

  Antrim

  142·87

  156·13

  162·03

  173·59

  191·07

  202·77

  Ards

  150·87

  163·38

  166·53

  176·59

  195·57

  213·27

  Armagh

  135·37

  148·38

  151·53

  163·59

  182·07

  195·77

  Ballymena

  137·22

  148·38

  153·38

  165·44

  182·07

  195·27

  Ballymoney

  143·12

  155·63

  159·53

  169·59

  188·32

  202·27

  Banbridge

  145·80

  158·35

  164·51

  173·57

  189·05

  203·15

  Belfast

  169·91

  186·74

  193·56

  206·55

  222·03

  236·35

  Carrickfergus

  155·87

  167·88

  172·94

  185·09

  203·82

  217·77

  Castlereagh

  133·87

  149·46

  154·53

  162·49

  175·97

  192·66

  Coleraine

  145·87

  159·38

  163·53

  175·59

  193·07

  203·27

  Cookstown

  136·72

  150·13

  156·53

  165·34

  185·82

  200·02

  Craigavon

  155·80

  170·59

  176·88

  185·94

  205·54

  219·04

  Derry

  160·37

  177·38

  183·03

  195·14

  214·87

  232·27

  Down

  145·87

  163·38

  173·53

  187·59

  206·07

  218·27

  Dungannon

  138·87

  151·88

  157·53

  166·59

  182·07

  196·02

  Fermanagh

  143·62

  159·13

  164·28

  176·09

  193·57

  205·77

  Larne

  145·87

  159·63

  166·08

  178·34

  194·82

  212·95

  Limavady

  135·87

  149·38

  154·48

  166·09

  185·07

  198·77

  Lisburn

  147·11

  159·18

  163·28

  176·16

  191·64

  203·83

  Magherafelt

  133·91

  146·94

  154·58

  166·09

  184·41

  197·27

  Moyle

  160·62

  176·13

  179·28

  188·09

  206·47

  222·49

  Newry and Mourne

  149·87

  164·68

  173·23

  182·29

  196·07

  206·27

  Newtownabbey

  153·47

  165·49

  170·77

  182·65

  202·17

  212·96

  North Down

  152·37

  167·28

  174·43

  186·29

  203·92

  217·51

  Omagh

  143·87

  157·38

  165·18

  177·59

  196·57

  212·57

  Strabane

  144·37

  160·88

  167·53

  179·59

  198·82

  215·52

  Housing
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of new houses built by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the number of new houses completed by the Housing Executive in each year since 1979 is as follows:

  Number

  1979–80

  2,952

  1980–81

  2,701

  1981–82

  2,342

  1982–83

  3,628

  1983–84

  3,874

  230

  Number

  1984–85

  3,384

  1985–86

  3,160

  1986–87

  2,222

  1987–88

  1,805

  1988–89

  1,653

  1989–90

  1,577

  11990–91

  1,151

  1 The figure for 1990–91 is for the period April 1990 to January 1991.

  Manufacturing Jobs
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of manufacturing jobs lost in Mid-Ulster since 1 April 1990.
  231
  Mr. Needham
  The information available relates to redundancies notified to the Department of Economic Development involving 10 or more employees at any specific workplace. This shows that 77 redundancies have occurred in the manufacturing sector in the Mid-Ulster parliamentary constituency since 1 April 1990.

  Animal Transport
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to secure the welfare of livestock in transit(a) in Northern Ireland and (b) for export outside Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  Present Northern Ireland measures, as updated in 1989 and enforced by the veterinary inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, provide wide protection of the welfare of animals both on internal and international journeys.

  The controls conform to the standards of the EC directives on international transport. These will be adjusted as required following the current EC review of welfare of animals in transport.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the numbers of(a) cattle, (b) horses, (c) sheep, (d) chickens and (e) other livestock killed in transit each year in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not held by the Department.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce a measure to require drivers of animal transit vehicles to have basic skills in animal welfare matters.

  Mr. Hanley
  Current Northern Ireland, Great Britain and EC legislation for the protection of animals in transit places a duty on drivers to exercise care in the loading, unloading, feeding and watering of such animals.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Audit Commission
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what role the Audit Commission will have in respect of the auditing of(a) grant-maintained schools and (b) city technology colleges.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Auditing of grant-maintained schools and city technology colleges is the function of external auditors appointed by each school and college. The Audit Commission has successfully tendered to become the external auditors of several grant-maintained schools under the provisions of section 220 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Geography
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what account he has taken in the preparation of the national curriculum geography draft order of the recommendations of the geography working group and the National Curriculum Council regarding the inclusion of inquiry skills and the possible conflict between geography and environmental education.
  232
  Mr. Eggar
  The draft order for geography accepts the greater part of the National Curriculum Council's advice. This advice was based on proposals for the geography curriculum published in June last year, which were based on the geography working group's final report. In publishing the draft order my right hon. and learned Friend explained his view that the main emphasis of the attainment targets should be on the assessment of pupils' knowledge and understanding of aspects of geography, and less emphasis should be placed on the assessment of skills which are not particular to geography and the study of people's attitudes and opinions. The draft order confirms the importance of environmental education in geography through the inclusion of a separate attainment target devoted to this subject.

  Stratford School
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he was given by the governors of Stratford school, Forest Gate, London E7 on the application for grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Eggar
  A majority of the governing body of Stratford school was opposed to grant-maintained status, and advised rejection of the application.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what the implications are for Newham council educational reorganisation and case for a secondary school in docklands of the decision to allow grant-maintained status to Stratford school, Forest Gate, London E7.

  Mr. Eggar
  The first phase of Newham education authority's reorganisation was approved by the then Secretary of State in April 1990, some six months before any decision was made about Stratford school. The possible long-term need for a secondary school in the docklands development area was not a factor in the decision to give grant-maintained status to Stratford school. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider any proposal for a new school in docklands on its merits.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many hon. Members contacted him expressing support for the granting of grant-maintained status for Stratford school, Forest Gate, London E7.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the number of pupils at Stratford school, Forest Gate, London E7(a) before grant-maintained status was given and (b) at present; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Stratford school had 765 pupils in January 1990. I understand that there were 393 pupils on roll in January 1991. In March 1990 the school published proposals for the acquisition of grant-maintained status. These were approved in October 1990. The school will transfer to grant-maintained status on 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will place in the Library copies of advice and memoranda from Her Majesty's inspectors of schools regarding the application for grant-maintained status in respect of Stratford school, Forest Gate, London E7;
  233
  (2) pursuant to his answer of 8 February, Official Report, column 257, if the advice from Her Majesty's inspector of schools was in favour of granting grant-maintained status to Stratford school, Forest Gate, London E7; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Advice provided by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools is confidential to Ministers.

  Education Resources
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he is taking to ensure that more resources are delegated to schools; and if he will make a statement.

  1990–91 budgets: percentage of potential schools budget delegated to schools

  Local education authority3

  Percentage of PSB1 delegated to schools

  Discretionary2 exceptions as percentage of PSB

  Central administration as percentage of PSB

  1. Bolton

  89·10

  10·90

  2·02

  2. Berkshire

  87·68

  12·32

  2·71

  3. West Sussex

  87·49

  12·51

  1·95

  4. Sefton

  87·44

  12·56

  4·45

  5. Barking

  87·01

  12·99

  3·34

  6. Sunderland

  86·86

  13·14

  3·10

  7. Gloucestershire

  86·78

  13·22

  3·65

  8. Northumberland

  86·54

  13·46

  3·10

  9. Rotherham

  86·13

  13·87

  3·74

  10. Leeds

  86·12

  13·88

  3·87

  11. Bradford

  86·04

  13·96

  3·87

  12. Hampshire

  85·78

  14·22

  3·34

  13. Rochdale

  85·74

  14·26

  2·55

  14. Walsall

  85·72

  14·28

  3·37

  15. Suffolk

  85·66

  14·34

  2·75

  16. Surrey

  85·57

  14·43

  6·17

  17. Doncaster

  85·45

  14·55

  2·29

  18. Solihull

  85·31

  14·69

  2·49

  19. Warwickshire

  85·24

  14·76

  3·90

  20. Lincolnshire

  85·13

  14·87

  2·68

  21. Liverpool

  84·91

  15·09

  4·07

  22. Buckinghamshire

  84·88

  15·12

  4·58

  23. Kent

  84·87

  15·13

  3·79

  24. Northamptonshire

  84·74

  15·26

  3·69

  25. Staffordshire

  84·61

  15·39

  4·51

  26. Shropshire

  84·60

  15·40

  2·48

  27. Tameside

  84·40

  15·60

  2·47

  28. Trafford

  84·38

  15·62

  3·49

  29. Salford

  84·37

  15·63

  3·19

  30. Barnet

  84·36

  15·64

  5·07

  31. Cheshire

  84·31

  15·69

  5·15

  32. East Sussex

  84·09

  15·91

  2·42

  33. Essex

  84·03

  15·97

  4·11

  34. Bedfordshire

  84·02

  15·98

  3·91

  35. Dudley

  83·98

  16·02

  3·62

  36. Havering

  83·87

  16·13

  2·28

  37. South Tyneside

  83·76

  16·24

  4·20

  38. Brent

  83·63

  16·37

  4·82

  39. Cleveland

  83·63

  16·37

  5·56

  40. Norfolk

  83·62

  16·38

  4·05

  41. Cornwall

  83·57

  16·43

  3·72

  42. Sutton

  83·44

  16·56

  4·05

  43. Barnsley

  83·38

  16·62

  2·86

  44. Kirklees

  83·38

  16·62

  3·98

  45. Derbyshire

  83·37

  16·63

  2·96

  46. Gateshead

  83·29

  16·71

  3·01

  47. Wigan

  83·28

  16·72

  3·70

  48. St. Helens

  83·27

  16·73

  3·69

  49. Sandwell

  83·24

  16·76

  3·75

  50. Durham

  83·13

  16·87

  4·35

  51. Devon

  83·11

  16·89

  3·06

  52. Birmingham

  83·04

  16·96

  4·36

  53. Somerset

  82·91

  17·09

  3·58

  54. Wakefield

  82·87

  17·13

  2·98

  55. Nottinghamshire

  82·72

  17·28

  5·24

  56. Redbridge

  82·71

  17·29

  4·91

  57. Lancashire

  82·66

  17·34

  3·65

  58. North Yorkshire

  82·62

  17·38

  4·15

  234
  Mr. Fallon
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 December 1990, c. 324–29]: We have now received the budget statement prepared by Waltham Forest local education authority under section 42 of the Education Reform Act. The two tables update the figures published in my original reply to include data from Waltham Forest and revised information from Barking and Dagenham local education authority.
  235

  Local education authority3

  Percentage of PSB1 delegated to schools

  Discretionary2 exceptions as percentage of PSB

  Central administration as percentage of PSB

  59. Sheffield

  82·61

  17·39

  3·49

  60. Cumbria

  82·53

  17·47

  4·04

  61. Isle of Wight

  82·48

  17·52

  4·68

  62. Wiltshire

  82·35

  17·65

  3·92

  63. North Tyneside

  82·30

  17·70

  5·03

  64. Avon

  82·30

  17·70

  3·40

  65. Bury

  81·92

  18·08

  4·70

  66. Knowsley

  81·91

  18·09

  5·07

  67. Calderdale

  81·86

  18·14

  4·84

  68. Dorset

  81·85

  18·15

  4·71

  69. Wolverhampton

  81·77

  18·23

  5·26

  70. Humberside

  81·71

  18·29

  3·57

  71. Ealing

  81·66

  18·34

  6·33

  72. Oldham

  81·64

  18·36

  4·98

  73. Hounslow

  81·59

  18·41

  5·19

  74. Harrow

  81·52

  18·48

  5·76

  75. Enfield

  81·50

  18·50

  5·56

  76. Oxfordshire

  81·37

  18·63

  5·46

  77. Bexley

  81·33

  18·67

  4·61

  78. Coventry

  80·93

  19·07

  6·00

  79. Cambridgeshire

  80·75

  19·25

  4·82

  80. Bromley

  80·70

  19·30

  4·49

  81. Richmond

  79·98

  20·02

  6·91

  82. Merton

  79·79

  20·21

  7·86

  83. Newcastle

  79·75

  20·25

  6·12

  84. Waltham Forest

  79·65

  20·35

  7·02

  85. Haringey

  79·36

  20·64

  6·04

  86. Kingston

  78·46

  21·54

  7·09

  87. Westminster

  77·97

  22·03

  8·20

  Average

  83·76

  16·24

  5·26

  1 PSB = General Schools Budget minus mandatory exceptions, school meals, home to school transport and transitional exceptions.

  2 Column 2 is the percentage of the PSB not delegated to schools, for example 100 per cent, minus the percentage in Column 1.

  3 All 87 LEAs which introduced LMS in April 1990 were required to publish budget statements for 1990–91 under Section 42 of ERA.

  1990–91 budgets:

  Percentage of the aggregated schools budget1 allocated on the basis of pupil numbers and ages

  LEA2

  Percentage

  1. Redbridge

  89·30

  2. Lincolnshire

  87·25

  3. South Tyneside

  86·93

  4. Barking

  86·73

  5. Bolton

  85·73

  6. Dudley

  85·72

  7. Tameside

  85·57

  8. North Yorkshire

  85·51

  9. Northumberland

  85·49

  10. Bromley

  84·99

  11. Oldham

  84·77

  12. Bexley

  84·40

  13. Gateshead

  84·36

  14. Wigan

  84·35

  15. Westminster

  84·20

  16. Staffordshire

  84·00

  17. Harrow

  83·83

  18. Kent

  83·72

  19. Coventry

  83·52

  20. Sefton

  83·33

  21. Trafford

  83·28

  22. Gloucestershire

  83·22

  23. Barnsley

  82·80

  24. Devon

  82·64

  25. Suffolk

  82·57

  26. Cambridgeshire

  82·34

  27. Avon

  82·30

  28. Solihull

  82·29

  29. Northamptonshire

  82·19

  30. Calderdale

  82·17

  31. West Sussex

  82·13

  32. Waltham Forest

  81·99

  33. Humberside

  81·97

  34. Rotherham

  81·79

  35. Salford

  81·69

  236

  LEA2

  Percentage

  36. Isle of Wight

  81·62

  37. Bury

  81·45

  38. Cleveland

  81·43

  39. Hounslow

  81·42

  40. Wiltshire

  81·00

  41. Cornwall

  80·93

  42. Sunderland

  80·69

  43. Newcastle

  80·66

  44. Ealing

  80·62

  45. Durham

  80·40

  46. Sutton

  80·29

  47. Somerset

  79·99

  48. Warwickshire

  79·89

  49. Buckinghamshire

  79·73

  50. Berkshire

  79·68

  51. Enfield

  79·21

  52. Dorset

  79·03

  53. Leeds

  78·90

  54. Birmingham

  78·63

  55. Bradford

  78·51

  56. Merton

  78·36

  57. Haringey

  78·25

  58. Walsall

  78·19

  59. Kirklees

  78·17

  60. North Tyneside

  78·00

  61. Shropshire

  77·91

  62. Brent

  77·81

  63. Cheshire

  77·78

  64. East Sussex

  77·41

  65. Richmond

  77·26

  66. Sheffield

  77·19

  67. Essex

  77·05

  68. Bedfordshire

  77·00

  69. Kingston

  76·84

  70. Hampshire

  76·63

  71. Derbyshire

  76·04

  72. Norfolk

  75·99

  73. Cumbria

  75·62

  237

  LEA2

  Percentage

  74. Oxfordshire

  75·61

  75. Doncaster

  75·38

  76. Havering

  75·36

  77. Wakefield

  75·29

  78. Barnet

  75·19

  79. Liverpool

  75·00

  80. Rochdale

  75·00

  81. St. Helens

  75·00

  82. Knowsley

  75·00

  83. Wolverhampton

  75·00

  84. Sandwell

  74·94

  85. Surrey

  74·91

  1 ASB=Aggregated Schools Budget: the amount planned to be allocated through the LMS formula.

  2 The budget statements produced by Lancashire and Nottinghamshire LEAs did not contain the relevant information.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  The Gulf
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his remarks in the House on 14 February,Official Report, column 1002, who, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, has made representations to the broaacasting authorities concerning coverage of the Gulf war; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  No formal representations have been made.

HEALTH

  Funding, Leeds
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much expenditure has been allocated to Leeds from regional and central funding in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information derivable from annual accounts submitted to the Department is shown in the table.

  Leeds health authorities—total expenditure on hospital and community health services (HCHS)

  Year

  Revenue expenditure £000 (Cash)

  Capital expenditure £000 (Cash)

  1979–80

  86,377

  7,735

  1980–81

  111,821

  11,339

  1981–82

  123,904

  14,297

  1982–83

  131,728

  13,862

  1983–84

  141,456

  13,135

  1984–85

  150,450

  9,694

  1985–86

  160,481

  9,919

  1986–87

  172,071

  7,903

  1987–88

  191,063

  8,618

  1988–89

  213,367

  12,305

  1989–90

  232,187

  13,761

  Source:

  Annual accounts of the Leeds Western and Eastern health authorities (Leeds area health authority for the years prior to 1982–83) and those of the Yorkshire regional health authority.

  Notes:

  1. HCHS covers all services directly managed by the health authorities concerned including hospital, community health and
  238
  other services. Expenditure on family practitioner services (now family health services) is not strictly attributable to districts and is excluded. However, the figures for the years prior to 1985–86 include small elements relating to the administrative expenses of the former Leeds family practitioner committee which were included in relevant annual accounts but are not separately identifiable.

  2. The figures for capital expenditure include amounts in respect of schemes within Leeds districts but recorded in the annual accounts of the Yorkshire regional health authority. All other expenditure incurred by the latter authority for the Leeds area or the Yorkshire region as a whole is excluded. Expenditure met on a national basis by other NHS organisations or by the Department is similarly excluded.

  3. Figures for capital expenditure at regional and sub-regional levels tend to fluctuate year on year mainly reflecting changes in the pattern of capital investment throughout the country.

  Myodil
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a further statement on the Government's response to the side effects of the drug Myodil.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 13 December 1990 at columns 466–69.

  Breast and Cervical Cancer
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average waiting time for results from cervical smear tests by region and district; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not available in the form requested. Health authorities are asked to ensure that laboratories return results of smear tests to the smear-taker within one month. A survey of laboratory backlogs and workload carried out in the second half of 1990 indicated that around two thirds of laboratories were meeting that target in July 1990. In those areas where backlogs existed the average processing time was 7·5 weeks.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cervical smear tests have been carried out on women for each year since 1980(a) per region and (b) per district; and if he will state by (i) district and (ii) region how many are still to be dealt with.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information on the number of cervical smear tests carried out on women for each year from 1980 to 1989 is given in the table by region. The 1988–89 figure is for 193 out of the 200 laboratories which submitted a return in that year. The information is collected from laboratories. It is not possible or relevant to produce it by district. Smears taken from women in a particular region are sometimes analysed by laboratories in other regions.

  Information on the number of smears outstanding was collected for the 1988–89 year, but the quality and completeness of the data were such that no useful figures can be produced.

  Improvements are being set in hand to improve the quality of this new data collection system.
  239

  Cervical Cytology

  Smears examined by Regional Health Authority

  Thousands

  England

  Regional Health Authority

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Northern

  152

  158

  154

  172

  186

  226

  224

  270

  300

  Yorkshire

  199

  211

  204

  224

  242

  271

  266

  299

  305

  Trent

  275

  288

  281

  297

  320

  359

  343

  393

  403

  East Anglia

  101

  104

  104

  121

  130

  145

  144

  159

  185

  North West Thames

  263

  261

  244

  260

  264

  302

  297

  317

  375

  North East Thames

  221

  230

  254

  275

  277

  316

  308

  325

  326

  South East Thames

  223

  225

  218

  233

  246

  282

  284

  317

  326

  South West Thames

  187

  193

  182

  195

  208

  231

  229

  248

  267

  Wessex

  155

  160

  160

  170

  182

  208

  211

  233

  233

  Oxford

  137

  137

  133

  151

  164

  195

  195

  222

  238

  South Western

  154

  161

  157

  173

  102

  214

  219

  247

  247

  West Midlands

  291

  292

  289

  310

  342

  395

  403

  465

  507

  Mersey

  90

  93

  91

  104

  118

  138

  154

  203

  212

  North Western

  333

  328

  322

  347

  370

  399

  416

  389

  392

  Special Health Authority

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  England

  2,789

  2,850

  2,809

  3,046

  3,245

  3,696

  3,709

  4,099

  4,326

  Notes:

  These figures relate to smears analysed by laboratories in each region.

  Smears taken from women in one region are in some cases analysed in laboratories in other regions.

  Figures for 1988–89 are for those 193 laboratories which submitted a return.

  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by the national screening programme for breast and cervical cancer towards achieving its objectives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is the first country in the EC to have a nationwide call and recall scheme for both breast and cervical cancer screening.

  Breast Screening Programme

  Between 1987 and 1990 £55 million was allocated in England to set up and run the nationwide breast screening programme. Women aged between 50 and 64 will be invited every three years for mammographic screening. Specialised screening centres are now operating over most of the country and all eligible women throughout England should have been invited for screening by 1993. Figures for those centres operational for the whole of 1988–89 indicate that around 70 per cent. of women receiving invitations are accepting them. A report issued in January 1991 by the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening supported the current programme and concluded that it could reduce mortality in the eligible age group by around a quarter by the year 2000.

  Cervical Screening Programme

  Computerised call and recall systems were implemented in all district health authorities by April 1988. Women aged between 20 and 64 should have been invited for screening by 1993 and will be recalled at least every five years. Health authorities must ensure that all abnormal smears are followed up and facilities for investigation and treatment are available.

  In the first six months since the introduction of the GP's contract 54 per cent. of GPs received payment for 80 per cent. coverage of women screened and 35 per cent. for 50 per cent. coverage.

  The NHS has set up the national co-ordinating network for the cervical screening programme which supports
  240
  managers and others responsible at local level. £95,000 has been awarded to the network for each financial year 1990–91 and 1992–93.

  Abortion
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to bring forward the necessary measures to implement the conscience clause of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I announced on 14 February that a commencement order will be laid which will enable the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to assume its full powers on 1 August 1991. The commencement order will bring section 38 (conscientious objection) of the Act into force at the same time.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement giving details of the proposed timetable for the implementation of the different sections of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A commencement order and regulations relating to the termination of pregnancy (section 37 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act) will be laid shortly. A commencement order and regulations necessary to enable the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to function fully from 1 August 1991 will be brought forward later this year. The implementation of secton 30 of the Act (to facilitate parental orders where a surrogate mother is involved) depends on certain sections of the Children Act 1989 which are expected to come into force in the autumn of this year.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he will respond to the 10th report of Session 1989–90 of the Social Services Committee on the working of the conscience clause of the Abortion Act—House of Commons Paper No. 123;
  241
  (2) what action he has taken to ensure that candidates for medical school are no longer asked their views on abortion.
  242
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We are carefully considering the committee's report and will be publishing our response shortly.

  Food Hygiene
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he proposes making any changes to the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990 which introduce new temperature controls from 1 April.

  Mr. Dorrell
  New controls on the temperature of foods during production, storage, distribution and service to the consumer were announced on 18 July 1990 and regulations specifying relevant foods and control temperatures come into force in stages from 1 April.

  The requirements are introduced to help minimise the opportunity for growth of pathogenic micro-organisms such as listeria and salmonella. For many food businesses the regulations represent the first statutory requirement to maintain temperature control. The controls are additional to the general provisions contained in the Food Safety Act on the safety of food for the consumer.

  I am concerned that requirements are not introduced which unnecessarily alter working practices where there is no overriding food safety reason for doing so. I am also concerned that the regulations should be practical to implement.

  Together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods and the Welsh Office I have considered representations made on the way in which the regulations apply to certain foods. I believe that in certain areas it is reasonable for changes to be made to the regulations which would not present a public health risk.

  Officials will therefore be consulting interested parties on further changes to the regulations and a copy of the consultation document will be placed in the Library. When the consultation is complete, further amending regulations will be laid before Parliament.

  The main changes proposed are:
  to allow a two hour period immediately after baking before certain baked products need to begin to be chilled. Any micro-organisms present after baking would take at least two hours before starting to multiply to levels which could give rise to health concerns. I am satisfied that this relaxation would make a significant difference to the investment required by industry and is consistent with the food safety objectives of the temperature control regulations;
  to allow certain uncut baked egg pastry products, such as custard tarts and Yorkshire curd tarts, to remain outside temperature controls if to be sold on the day of their production. I am satisfied that this exemption would allow craft bakers to continue their traditional practice whilst still safeguarding public health;
  to allow an exemption of four hours outside temperature controls for foods displayed on premises such as railway buffet cars, mobile catering facilities, or marquees provided that no more food than necessary is displayed. This exemption extends to these facilities the exemption already available to catering premises;
  to extend the deadline for compliance with the temperature controls, which operate from 1 April 1991, to 1 April 1992 for some airline catering where compliance can only be achieved by refrigeration of highly specialised delivery vehicles;
  to exempt foods delivered by mail order through the post or by courier to allow industry more time to develop practical means of achieving necessary controls. Research studies have been commissioned by Government to identify ways of maintaining product stability in this area and further discussion with industry on practical solutions will be needed. This exemption will be kept under review and we shall be examining urgently ways of providing consumers with information on these products.

  Other detailed points are contained in the consultation document. Comments on these changes are being sought from consumer interests, industry, and enforcement
  244
  agencies. I understand that my colleagues at the Scottish Office will also now be conducting a consultation on parallel draft Scottish regulations.

  The temperature controls are an important new measure in seeking to improve food safety and I shall continue to keep their operation and effectiveness under review to ensure they achieve the intended objectives while being practical. I am conscious that there will be an important period of education and learning for all concerned in the early stages of the new controls. Enforcement agencies will clearly want to bear in mind the proposed changes when considering advice and action to enforce the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990.

  Blood Products
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps are being taken to ensure that products of the blood products laboratory meet the conditions laid down under the Medicines Act and enforced by the Medicines Control Agency;

  (2) what proposals his Department has to import unlicensed plasma products from unlicensed overseas sources.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The bioproducts laboratory is not at present covered by the licensing requirements of the Medicines Act because of Crown immunity. However, some of its products are so licensed and it will be seeking licences for other products under the arrangements leading to the removal of Crown immunity. For many years the BPL has been inspected by the medicines inspectorate and its products have been tested by the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control, as are similar licensed pharmaceutical products.

  The Department has no plans to import plasma products.

  Brook and Greenwich Hospitals
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has received about the number of operations cancelled at the Brook and Greenwich district hospitals during 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We do not collect information about the number of operations cancelled. We collect information about operating theatre sessions held and cancelled in each district health authority. This information is not broken down by hospital.

  Fostering
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many responses he has received to paragraph 16 of his draft guidance notes on gay and lesbian fostering; how many were(a) in favour and (b) critical of the proposals; and if he will list those in each case from organisations;

  (2) what plans he has to review his guidance notes on gay and lesbian fostering, paragraph 16, following representations he has received.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The responses received on the foster placement consultation document are now being considered. We plan to issue guidance that the interests of children are paramount.
  245
  I shall write to the hon. Member about the general responses, letters and pre-printed postcards.

  Diploma in Social Work
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many diplomas in social work courses he expects to have been approved by October 1991.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Approval of courses is a matter for the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW). The council's current targets for full approval are a total of 19 by 31 March 1991 and 59 by 31 March 1992. Planning figures for March to October 1991 are not available.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the maximum number of diplomas in social work courses that he expects to be approved.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Approval of diploma in social work courses is a matter for the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW). The council has no plans at present for a maximum number of courses but expects a total of 109 throughout the United Kingdom by 1993–94.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many diplomas in social work courses he expects to be approved in the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work northern region.

  Senior Managers in Social Services Departments in England and Wales 1990

  Directors

  Deputies

  Assistant/Divisional Directors or equivalent

  Totals

  Percentages

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  English Counties

  38

  1

  30

  3

  185

  36

  253

  40

  86

  14

  English Metropolitan Districts

  31

  5

  24

  2

  111

  26

  166

  33

  83

  17

  London Boroughs

  25

  7

  12

  2

  79

  34

  116

  43

  73

  27

  Welsh Authorities

  7

  1

  6

  1

  29

  5

  42

  7

  86

  14

  Totals

  101

  14

  72

  8

  404

  101

  577

  123

  Percentages

  88

  12

  90

  10

  80

  20

  82

  18

  Note: Not all posts are included because of vacancies.

  Women make up 86·5 per cent. of the local authority personal social services work force and 12 per cent. of senior management.

  Miscarriage Association
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now announce the core grant for central administrative costs to the Miscarriage Association for the next three years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Recipients of awards made under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 will be informed about their grants shortly.

  Female Circumcision
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will obtain a videocassette and transcript of the BBC 2 "Forty Minutes" television programme on female circumcision to be shown on 21 February for his departmental library.
  246
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work has set a target of 20 courses providing 1,700 student places by the end of 1993–94.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he is seeking a regional balance of diploma in social work courses.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Approval of diploma in social work courses is a matter for the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW). The council is seeking to ensure that there is a reasonable distribution of courses throughout the United Kingdom, and within each region of the United Kingdom, reflecting service needs.

  Social Services Departments (Women Managers)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women there are in senior management positions in local authority social services departments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is not routinely collected centrally. However a recently published report of the social services inspectorate entitled: "Women in Social Services, a neglected resource" identified the following distribution of women senior managers in local authorities in England and Wales:

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Yes. The Department is already aware of the proposed broadcast and will obtain a copy.

DEFENCE

  Night Flying
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the comparative noise levels at take-off and requirement to conduct flying exercises at night as between F15 and F111 aircraft operated by the USAF from Lakenheath.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The FI5Es to be introduced at RAF Lakenheath are expected to operate to the same night flying restrictions which apply to the F111F aircraft presently stationed at the base, with an increase of around 12 sorties a month currently planned. Noise levels generated by F111F and F15E aircraft are very similar. It is our practice to review existing compensation
  247
  arrangements when aircraft deployments change, and this will apply at RAF Lakenheath once the F15E aircraft are in place.

  The Gulf
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the adequacy of supply of sunglasses to troops serving in Operation Desert Storm.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  To date some 49,000 pairs of sunglasses have been dispatched to the Gulf. This is an adequate supply to provide one pair of sunglasses to each of the troops serving there.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a soldier aged 17 years and three months and eligible to serve with the British Army in the Gulf can be required to take part in military action.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people in the reserve forces have refused to serve in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 14 February 1991]: Of those reservists issued with compulsory call-out notices 33 made successful appeals for exemption on the basis of difficult personal circumstances or conscientious objection. A small number of reservists have failed to report for duty without apparent good reason. A decision on what action should be taken in respect of these non-reporters has yet to be made.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many(a) British service personnel and (b) service personnel from each of the coalition forces have been killed or injured in the Gulf since 17 January to date; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what are his estimates of dead and injured Iraqi military in Iraq and Kuwait since 17 January to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Her Majesty's Government are not in a position to provide overall estimates of the number of allied or Iraqi military personnel killed or injured so far during hostilities. The United Kingdom has no personnel confirmed as killed or injured as a direct result of hostilities.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the major producers of small arms ammunition which have been given contracts to replace the munitions being used by British forces in the Gulf.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The question of replacing small arms ammunition used in the Gulf has not yet arisen.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people in the reserve forces, who volunteered to serve in the Gulf, were refused; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 14 February]: No Royal Navy or Royal Air Force reservists who volunteered for service in the Gulf were rejected. Of the 1,124 Army reservists who volunteered, 206 were rejected for various reasons.
  248
  Call-out procedures have proved satisfactory and the requirement has been met largely on a voluntary basis.

  RAF Honington
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of RAF Honington.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As part of our studies following the statement on "Options for Change" by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 25 July 1990 at col. 470, we are considering the future of a number of RAF stations in the United Kingdom, including Honington, but no decisions have yet been taken.

  Defence Quality Assurance
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has determined a date for the relocation of the directorate general of defence quality assurance.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It was proposed to move some 1,600 posts of the directorate general, defence quality assurance to Stockton-on-Tees between 1993 and 1995. This project is now being reassessed and I will make an announcement in due course.

  Military Exhibition, Baghdad
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any of his officials attended the first international exhibition for military production held in Baghdad in 1989.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No.

  Military Personnel
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel have so far been returned to the United Kingdom for medical treatment since the commencement of Operation Granby; and if he will broadly classify the cases according to treatment, and identify the regional health authorities involved.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A total of 467 service personnel have been returned to the United Kingdom from the Gulf for medical reasons since the commencement of the deployment. Those involved have suffered varying degrees of accidental injury or have illnesses which could be best treated in the United Kingdom.

  One case has been referred to the NHS—South Western regional health authority.

  HMY Britannia
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the daily cost of running HMY Britannia; and how much is to be charged per day for any commercial usage.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The daily cost of running HMY Britannia in 1990–91 is about £25,400, including an allowance for servicing work undertaken during the year. Catering and other additional expenses incurred are charged for her use on commercial activities in support of British industry.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposals to convert HMY Britannia for hospital use in the Gulf war.
  249
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 4 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans) at column 69.

  Nuclear Warships
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions he has declined to follow the advice of the nuclear-powered warship safety committee in every particular.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I can confirm that it is the MOD's policy to act in accordance with the independent expert advice of the nuclear-powered warships safety committee on the construction, operation and maintenance of our nuclear submarines.

  Lundy Island
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the nature conservation status of Lundy island and to the preservation of its rare coral when designating an area close by for bomb disposal.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 15 February at column 621. B52 aircrews have been instructed to avoid Lundy island if an exceptional emergency requires them to jettison bombs in the danger area off Hartland point.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the protection of small fishing vessels and their crews when designating the area off Lundy island and Hartland point for bomb disposal at sea.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West on 15 February at column 621.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will consider a site 40 miles south of Lundy island for B52 bomb disposal at sea in preference to the Lundy island area.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what significant changes have been introduced in terms of content and presentation in his first annual report—Cm 1506—when set against the 1990 public expenditure White Paper; what steps were taken to draw it to the attention of the media and other possible interested parties; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether his Department has any plans to develop its annual report further.

  Mr. Jackson
  The report shows the wide range of opportunities offered by my Department for training, enterprise, education and special help for the unemployed and the way it is promoting a fairer and safer workplace. Each part of the Employment Department group now has a separate section in the report describing its expenditure 250
  on programmes and services which reflects broadly the order in which the estimate for 1991–92 will be presented. This enables an easier read across to estimates than the 1990 public expenditure White Paper presentation by departmental objectives. The report introduces more detail on running costs, more detail on the impact of Europe and an account of departmental responsibilities regarding the environment. The use of colour and charts helps present the information to the general public.

  Notice of the publication of my report was given a week beforehand in a written question on 29 January 1991 at col. 466. A press notice was released on the day of publication and copies of the report were placed in the Libraries of the Houses. Copies were also sent to the hon. Members for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair), for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) and for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), and to members of the Employment, Treasury and Civil Service Committees as interested parties.

  I intend to continue presenting details of my Department's plans in as helpful a way as possible.

  Parliamentary Constituencies
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, in ranking order, the 30 parliamentary constituencies with the most economically active people.

  Mr. Jackson
  The only regular source of data on the economically active population is the labour force survey. This is a sample survey of about 60,000 households in Great Britain. Because of the size of the sample, estimates can be made only down to regional level.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a table comparing the plans agreed in the 1989 and 1990 public expenditure surveys on the same price base and using the gross domestic product deflator assumptions given, respectively, in 1990 and 1991 public expenditure White Papers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested is given in the following table. The plans for 1991–92 onwards in the 1991 departmental report are not directly comparable to the plans for 1991–92 onwards in the 1990 public expenditure White Paper chiefly because they exclude the amounts transferred to the Scottish programme, mainly for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which will be responsible for delivering the main training and enterprise programmes in Scotland with effect from 1991–92.

  Running Costs
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's three-year plans for running costs.

  Mr. Jackson
  My departmental report includes information on running costs over the three forward years and on the efficiency and effectiveness with which these resources are used. More detailed information is published for the employment service in the "Annual Performance Agreement and Operational Plan" and for the Health and
  251
  Safety Executive in the "Health and Safety Commission's Plan of Work". Other management documents are for internal use within the Employment Department group.

  Employment Training
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the effect on those in employment training in Avon of the closures of schemes, under the reduction in the employment training budget, for Avon for 1991–92 over 1990–91.

  Mr. Jackson
  All employment training trainees affected by scheme closures will be reviewed individually and an alternative ET place or other appropriate outcome will be offered to them.

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the companies prosecuted between 1 October 1989 and 30 September 1990 under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations; and if he will give details of the alleged offences which led to the prosecutions.

  Mr. Forth
  Provisional details of the companies prosecuted under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations between 1 October 1989 and 30 September 1990 are given in the following list:

  Informations Laid under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations by HSE's Factory and Agricultural Inspectorates, 1 October 1989 to 30 September 1990 (provisional).

  Name of Company

  No. of Informations

  Regulation

  Fairey Arlon Ltd, Hounslow

  1

  7(1)

  SI Industries, Croydon

  1

  6

  Messrs. Sandberg. London

  5

  All 7 (1)

  Wolverhampton MBC Works Dept.

  3

  6, 7, 12

  BPC Ltd, Northfield

  1

  6

  Delta Crompton Cables Ltd, Swansea

  2

  7, 12

  Glynwed Consumer and Building Products Ltd, Telford

  13

  7, 12, 12

  S&D Castings Ltd, Chesterfield

  2

  Both Reg 12

  AWT Painters Ltd, Leigh

  1

  7

  Parkcrest Foundry Ltd, Ashton-Under-Lyne

  2

  Both Reg 9

  Brimset Ltd, Rotherham

  1

  7(1)

  Electrical Motor Service Centres Ltd, Chester-Le-Street

  3

  6, 7, 12

  Advance Sectional Buildings (Cleveland) Ltd, Hartlepool

  1

  6

  Stonewest Cox, Newcastle

  1

  7(1)

  James Howden Ltd, Renfrew

  2

  6,7

  1 One information on Regulation 12 withdrawn

  Note:

  Prosecution under the above specific regulations concern the following requirements:

  Regulation 6:—undertaking on assessment

  Regulation 7:—preventing or adequately controlling exposure

  Regulation 9:—Maintaining control measures

  Regulation 12:—Providing sufficient information instruction and training.

  The data do not include details of cases under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 taken solely where employers have failed to comply with enforcement notices concerned with the COSHH regulations.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the seasonal factors involved in the adjustment of the unemployment and jobcentre vacancy figures for January announced on 14 February, in each case citing the factor concerned and the number of those affected by it so as to account for its part in the difference between the adjusted and unadjusted total.

  Mr. Howard
  The seasonal factors applied to the United Kingdom unemployment and jobcentre vacancy figures for January 1991 are as follows:

  Factor

  Change in factor on previous month

  Unemployment

  -68,600

  +63,300

  Vacancies

  +28,400

  -12,500

  Note: These factors are provisional and subject to revision, mainly in the following month.

  The seasonal influences on the unemployment and vacancy figures follow a broadly similar pattern year to year, with January having the most unfavourable influences of any month. The precise reasons for this are not known. It is likely that both the unemployment and vacancy figures in January are affected by the fact that (a) many firms close over Christmas and new year and so temporarily cease recruiting; (b) the majority of seasonal employment recruitment for the Christmas and the new year period will have come to an end by January; (c) the weather inhibits employment and recruitment in, for example, the construction and tourism-related industries. For these reasons, unemployment in January is usually well above the average for the year (and therefore has a negative factor applied to the headline total to get the seasonally adjusted figure), just as in June unemployment is usually below average. With vacancies the reverse is the case.

  Further details of the process of seasonal adjustment used on the monthly unemployment figures can be found on page 604 of the December 1990 issue of Employment Gazette. A similar process is used for vacancy figures.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Feedstuffs
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the expenditure implications of the EC directive on the official control of feedstuffs.

  Mr. Maclean
  An extra £30 million a year has been added to the revenue support grant from 1991–92 to meet the costs falling to local authorities in Great Britain as a result of new food legislation.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Government will set up a national network of incinerators to destroy the carcases of BSE-infected cattle.

  Mr. Maclean
  Over 80 per cent. of the carcases are already dealt with in Britain's existing network of incinerators and more will come on stream later this year.
  253
  I hope the hon. Member does not want to override local planning laws with a socialist alternative to NIMBY (not in my back yard)—LSIMBIMBY (Labour says it must be in my back yard).

  Organophosphorous Sheep Dips
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the use of organophosphorous sheep dips.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay) earlier today.

  Clone Breeding
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about clone breeding of various species.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are aware of the basic research which is being carried out at home and abroad and are closely monitoring developments on the cloning of animals.

  The Department will ensure that the same high standards of welfare will apply to all farm animals, regardless of their origin.

  Horses and Ponies
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has been able to negotiate improved treatment for the export of horses and ponies to the EC after 1992.

  Mr. Gummer
  Negotiations are still at an early stage on the proposals for a Council regulation on the protection of animals during transport. We will press strongly for retention of measures which will prevent the export of horses and ponies for slaughter.

  British Food
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken to promote sales of British food.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Gregory).

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Britain's exports of food products.

  Mr. Curry
  In the 12 months to November 1990, United Kingdom exports of food and drink amounted to £6 billion. This figure represents about 6 per cent. of the total value of our visible exports, and is an 8 per cent. improvement over the previous 12-month period.

  Animal Transport
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made towards an EC directive on the transport of food animals.

  Mr. Gummer
  There have been two meetings of officials from member states to discuss the Commission's proposal for a new regulation on protection of animals during 254
  transport. As the discussions proceed we will be pressing for high welfare standards which will be properly enforced throughout the Community.

  Turtles
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what expertise resides in his Department on hawksbill turtles and green turtles.

  Mr. Maclean
  Turtles are protected under United Kingdom, EC and international provisions, the primary responsibility and expertise for which rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Agricultural Reform
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends meeting the EC Commissioner for Agriculture to discuss his farm proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  At the Agriculture Council on 4 and 5 March.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which organisations he consults on animal welfare.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department consults a wide range of organisations on animal welfare matters.

  Lamb and Sheepmeat
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he estimates that there will be full free trade in lamb and sheepmeat between the United Kingdom, France and the remaining EC countries.

  Mr. Curry
  Free trade within the EC and the establishment of a support system capable of allowing United Kingdom producers to compete on equal terms were key aims of the Government in the review of the sheepmeat regime in 1989. These remain the Government's aims during the transitional period before the reformed sheep regime becomes fully operational by the end of the 1992 marketing year at the latest.

  Unfit Carcases
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many carcases were condemned as unfit for human consumption during 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Inspection of meat intended for human consumption is the responsibility of local authorities. My Department does not at present collect information from them on the number of condemnations of carcases.

  Slaughter Industry
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the state of the United Kingdom slaughtering industry.

  Mr. Gummer
  The slaughtering sector faces major changes with the advent of the single market. I am pleased to note that the leading companies are gearing up to the challenges and opportunities it offers.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on payment of hill livestock compensatory allowances.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, North (Mr. Speller) on 11 February.

  Farm Bankruptcies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about farm bankruptcies.

  Mr. Curry
  There were 142 bankruptcies in agriculture and horticulture in 1989. In the first half of 1990 there were 136, but agriculture's share of the total has remained broadly in line with the rest of the economy over the last decade.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions for each of the last five years his officials or state veterinary service officials have attended mink farms for the purpose of inspecting slaughter; and which slaughter methods were, on each occasion, observed.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13 December 1990 at column 474. The additional information now requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusion he has drawn from the statistics produced by the public health authority on the reduction in salmonella enteritidis infection in layer flocks and the increase in salmonella enteritidis isolations in humans.

  Mr. Maclean
  The reported incidence of salmonella enteritidis, the main target of the Government's control measures, fell by 38 per cent. in laying birds producing eggs for human consumption between 1989 and 1990. While it is too soon to draw firm conclusions, indications are that the comprehensive package of measures introduced by this Department may be having a significant effect on the number of egg laying flocks infected with salmonella enteritidis.

  The figures on the number of salmonella enteritidis isolations in humans indicate that there is a continuing public health problem. A number of factors might be involved in the increase in the number of cases between 1989 and 1990. It would therefore be inappropriate to compare directly the human and animal data. This was stressed when the latest PHLS/SVS Update on salmonella infection was published last month.

  Food Safety
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ii' he will indicate when he expects to publish the findings of the research in connection with the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990 at Torry.
  256
  Mr. Maclean
  I expect to publish the results when the research has been completed.

  Food Marketing
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many counties in England now have their own food marketing and promotion organisations.

  Mr. Curry
  Comprehensive information is not available, but we know that there are county-based speciality food groups in 18 English counties.

  Nitrates
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the implementation of the nitrate-sensitive areas scheme.

  Mr. Curry
  The pilot-nitrate sensitive areas scheme opened in June 1990 and applications last year covered over 50 per cent. of the eligible agricultural land. Additional applications are expected before the scheme finally closes on 31 May this year. Equipment to take water samples in the soil zone has been installed and deep core sampling is also being undertaken.

  Marginal Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy towards the use of marginal land.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government support farming on marginal land through designation as less-favoured areas under EC directive 75/268 which gives access to hill livestock compensatory allowance payments and enhanced rates of capital grant.

  Riparian Zones
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy towards the management of riparian zones and the surrounding farming community.

  Mr. Curry
  There is evidence that riparian zones can be managed in ways which help to reduce nutrient leaching in surface water catchments and encourage species diversity. The possibilities for encouraging such management will be considered when existing schemes are reviewed and new ones introduced.

  Smoked Salmon
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out in the Official Report the exact nature of the research brief given to the research station at Torry regarding the growth of pathogenic organisms in smoked salmon; and if he will make a statement indicating when he expects the research project to be concluded.

  Mr. Maclean
  The work involves measuring the time and temperature profiles of foods in the mail system, the physical, chemical and microbiological status of mail order foods, their capacity to support the growth of food pathogens and how best the mail order trade can adapt to the new regulations. The preliminary results are expected shortly.

  CAP
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about current negotiations within the EEC to reform the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Commission is expected to present price proposals, including proposals for changes to the common agricultural policy, to the Agriculture Council on 4 and 5 March.

  Farming Incomes
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimate of farming incomes.

  Mr. Curry
  Total income from farming is forecast to be £2,113 million in 1990.

  Deer
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many deer of each species were culled in 1990 in each conservancy; whether they were taken by Forestry Commission employees or others; what arrangements were made for the disposal of carcases or trophies; and what was the income to each conservancy as as result of such sales and fees.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have been asked to reply.

  The statistics requested are given in the following tables. These cover the year to 31 March 1990, the latest period for which figures are at present available. The income from trophy fees is not recorded separately from the income from permit charges and lettings and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Deer carcases are sold by the Forestry Commission to licensed game dealers. Individual stalking contracts stipulate whether trophies belong to the Forestry Commission or may be retained by the permit stalker.

  Number of deer culled

  Conservancy

  By commission staff

  By others

  Income from venison (£)

  Sika Deer

  North England

  19

  —

  1,224

  East England

  26

  —

  933

  West England

  17

  16

  1,901

  Wales

  —

  —

  —

  North Scotland

  297

  106

  16,778

  Mid Scotland

  293

  132

  14,231

  South Scotland

  67

  —

  3,003

  Income support MR255

  September

  October

  November

  December

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1990

  London South Region

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  21

  15

  7

  4

  Number of awards refused

  2

  9

  1

  2

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10A(2), ASW

  Number of awards made

  1

  6

  0

  1

  Number of awards refused

  1

  5

  0

  9

  London North Region

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  33

  34

  33

  16

  Number of awards refused

  9

  7

  4

  1

  258

  Number of deer culled

  Conservancy

  By commission staff

  By others

  Income from venison (£)

  Fallow Deer

  North England

  2

  —

  120

  East England

  1,193

  69

  66,679

  West England

  533

  7

  28,670

  Wales

  85

  9

  3,501

  North Scotland

  —

  —

  —

  Mid Scotland

  38

  13

  1,709

  South Scotland

  40

  —

  2,669

  Muntjac

  East England

  311

  31

  3,096

  West England

  14

  —

  120

  Roe Deer

  North England

  1,327

  376

  57,464

  East England

  473

  137

  15,863

  West England

  133

  31

  6,344

  Wales

  12

  —

  157

  North Scotland

  2,182

  697

  100,930

  Mid Scotland

  2,097

  773

  83,053

  South Scotland

  2,390

  593

  104,883

  Red Deer

  North England

  50

  6

  6,594

  East England

  2

  —

  214

  West England

  54

  7

  5,982

  Wales

  —

  —

  —

  North Scotland

  1,973

  280

  204,234

  Mid Scotland

  2,500

  909

  274,386

  South Scotland

  534

  19

  55,483

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Ms.Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each region and for Great Britain as a whole how many income support and unemployment benefit claimants have (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully claimed income support under the hardship rules in each month since August 1990, showing those whose claim was in doubt due to(a) actively seeking work and (b) availability for work.

  Mr. Jack
  Most unemployed people are required to be available for and actively seeking work as a condition of receiving benefit. A payment to avoid hardship will be automatically considered by the adjudication officer where someone fails to fulfil this condition, resulting in the loss of benefit.

  The statistics kept are given in the table. The remainder of the information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  259

  Income support MR255

  September

  October

  November

  December

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1990

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10A(2), ASW

  Number of awards made

  14

  11

  6

  4

  Number of awards refused

  10

  1

  0

  3

  Midlands Region

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  10

  24

  7

  5

  Number of awards refused

  6

  9

  5

  1

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10A(2), ASW

  Number of awards made

  2

  9

  0

  1

  Number of awards refused

  1

  3

  3

  1

  Wales and South Western Region

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  29

  21

  20

  15

  Number of awards refused

  16

  16

  21

  5

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10A(2), ASW

  Number of awards made

  9

  5

  4

  2

  Number of awards refused

  4

  1

  0

  1

  North Eastern Region

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  10

  11

  20

  8

  Number of awards refused

  17

  11

  9

  3

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10A (2), ASW

  Number of awards made

  2

  9

  8

  6

  Number of awards refused

  1

  10

  3

  0

  North Western Region

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  37

  19

  48

  12

  Number of awards refused

  56

  61

  40

  37

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10(A) (2), ASW

  Number of awards made

  4

  7

  11

  13

  Number of awards refused

  5

  5

  17

  1

  Scotland

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  16

  8

  14

  8

  Number of awards refused

  7

  10

  16

  7

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10A (2), ASW

  Number of claims made

  1

  10

  21

  11

  Number of claims refused

  2

  4

  5

  0

  National

  Hardship claims under Regulation 8(3), availability

  Number of awards made

  156

  132

  149

  68

  Number of awards refused

  113

  123

  96

  56

  Hardship claims under Regulation 10A (2) ASW

  Number of awards made

  33

  51

  50

  39

  Number of awards refused

  24

  29

  28

  15

  Staffing Levels
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration is being given to improving staffing levels in the local office network.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department allocates staffing resources to local offices using a system designed to match resources to requirements. The staffing levels are based on the latest estimate of workload forecasts and are kept under review.

  Local Offices (Industrial Action)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will outline his Department's policy on checking benefit payments during the recent industrial action in a number of local benefit offices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  During the recent industrial action in a number of local benefit offices, the Department's policy was to continue to operate benefit checks normally 260
  as far as possible. Of the offices involved in the industrial action all continued to carry out security benefit payment checks in the usual way. The local benefit offices at Camberwell, Bloomsbury, Port Talbot, Wallasey, Stockton, Redcar, Hull (East) and Ilford did abandon checks on quality of work, but maintained all security checks on benefit payments.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether any checks of benefit payments were abandoned in local offices where officers normally responsible for checking procedures were on strike during the recent industrial action.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Security checks on benefit payments were not abandoned in any of the local benefit offices affected by the recent industrial action, and were carried out in the normal way. Some checks on quality of work were abandoned in the local benefit offices at Camberwell, Bloomsbury, Port Talbot, Wallasey, Stockton, Redcar, Hull (East) and Ilford.
  261
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will quantify the amount of money lost through overpayments of benefit as a result of the recent industrial action in a number of social security offices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member. for Exeter (Mr. Hannam)Official Report, 1 February, column 672, how many people claiming disability working allowance it is estimated will earn below the national insurance lower earnings limit.

  Mr. Scott
  Estimates for the disability working allowance (DWA) have necessarily been based to a significant extent on assumptions about behavioural changes among disabled people who are not currently in work. As a result, any projections of the earnings of recipients can be only tentative. We estimate, however, that up to 5,000 DWA recipients at any one time may have earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit.

  Pension Upratings
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the value of the pension upratings to be introduced in April 1991; and what would be the value of the pension upratings needed in April 1991 in order to bring pensions up to the same level as if pensions had been increased from their 1979 level each year in line with the rise in average earnings or the retail prices index whichever was the higher.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In April the basic retirement pension will rise by £5·10 for a single person and by £8·15 for a married couple. To bring the same pension up to the level that would have been paid had it been uprated by the higher of earnings or prices would require an extra £12·80 and £20·50 respectively, on top of the actual increases. The extra cost of such a measure would be in excess of £5·7 billion per annum and would cost an additional £7·90 in national insurance contributions for an employee on average earnings and his employer.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assistance is available from his Department to those whose income support level is inadequate to meet the costs charged by the residential or nursing homes for the care which is required.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The income support limits for various categories of residential and nursing home care represent the maximum amounts available. Any additional assistance—for example, that provided by relatives or charitable organisations—is, however, disregarded in the calculation of income support entitlement. Local authorities have powers to place people in private residential care homes and meet their fees in full, recouping from the resident an assessed amount towards the charge.

  Pensioners (Income)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the percentages of, and the percentage increase in real terms between 1979 and the 262
  latest year for which figures are available in pensioner income from (a) benefits, (b) occupational pensions, (c) savings and (d) earnings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.

  Types of Pensioners' Income

  Percentage of Gross Incomes

  Real Terms increase Per cent

  1979

  1987

  1979–87

  Total Social Security Benefits

  61

  53

  17

  Occupational Pensions

  16

  21

  77

  Savings Income

  11

  19

  130

  Earnings

  12

  7

  -20

  Total Income

  100

  100

  31

  Sources: Family Expenditure Survey 1987.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by quintile the percentage change in pensioner net income from 1979 to date using standard prices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is in the table.

  Changes in real income for each pensioner net income quintile

  Quintile

  Increase (per cent.)

  1979–87

  Bottom

  19·0

  Second

  23·5

  Third

  24·0

  Fourth

  26·5

  Top

  43·8

  Source: Family expenditure survey.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioner units receive income from state benefits to the value of(a) 100 per cent. of income, (b) 75 per cent. of income or more and (c) 50 per cent. of income or more.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In 1987 the percentage of pensioner units receiving income from state benefits to the value of(a) 100 per cent. of income was about 16 per cent.; (b) 75 per cent. of income or more—about 54 per cent. and (c) 50 per cent. of income or more—about 75 per cent.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the research(a) currently under way and (b) planned into the reasons for increasing numbers of invalidity benefit recipients, giving the title of the research, its authors, its cost and its completion date in each case.

  Mr. Scott
  No such research is being undertaken by or on behalf of the Department. A large survey of invalidity benefit recipients is planned to start later this year and the detail of this study has yet to be agreed. It is anticipated. however, that much of the work will be undertaken by in-house researchers and the study is likely to take about two years to complete.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what special assistance is offered to those elderly people who need an immediate cold weather payment in order to pay for fuels which require immediate cash payments.

  Mr. Scott
  Where there is entitlement to cold weather payment, the Department's offices can and do make immediate payments to the elderly who require assistance to pay for fuels. Payments may be made at the office in cases where it is essential to do so.

  Staff are encouraged to adopt a sympathetic approach in their dealings with the elderly, and often provide assistance in helping the eligible customer to complete the application form.

  In cases where a request is received for an amount above the £6 award, a specially trained social fund officer may decide that an application for an interest-free crisis loan, on top of the cold weather payment, should be invited. Such an award is discretionary and would be considered if the officer identified a serious risk to the health or safety of the customer.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average weekly temperature in each weather station area used for cold weather payments for each week since 3 February; and how much was claimed in cold weather payments in each of these weeks.

  Mr. Scott
  Details of average weekly temperatures in weather station areas used for cold weather payments since 3 February are held in the Library. Details of the total amounts claimed are not yet available.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will specify the precise days to which the Prime Minister's announcement of 7 February,Official Report, column 408, waiving the seven consecutive day temperature requirement for cold weather payments,

  Uprating date

  Period used to determine rate

  Single Person

  Married Couple

  Actual rate

  Hypothetical rate

  Difference

  Actual rate

  Hypothetical rate

  Difference

  November 1978

  —

  19·50

  —

  —

  31·20

  —

  —

  November 1979

  November 1978—November 1979

  23·30

  23·20

  -0·10

  37·30

  37·15

  -0·15

  November 1980

  November 1979—November 1980

  27·15

  27·35

  0·20

  43·45

  43·80

  0·35

  November 1981

  November 1980—November 1981

  29·60

  30·65

  1·05

  47·35

  49·05

  1·70

  November 1982

  November 1981—November 1982

  32·85

  33·20

  0·35

  52·55

  53·10

  0·55

  November 1983

  May 1982—May 1983

  34·05

  36·10

  2·05

  54·50

  57·75

  1·25

  November 1984

  May 1983—May 1984

  35·80

  37·95

  2·15

  57·30

  60·70

  3·40

  November 1985

  May 1984—May 1985

  38·30

  41·30

  3·00

  61·30

  66·05

  4·75

  June 1986

  May 1985—January 1986

  38·70

  43·60

  4·90

  61·95

  69·75

  7·80

  April 1987

  January 1986—September 1986

  39·50

  45·50

  6·00

  63·25

  72·80

  9·55

  April 1988

  September 1986—September 1987

  41·15

  49·10

  7·95

  65·90

  78·55

  12·65

  April 1989

  September 1987—September 1988

  43·60

  53·30

  9·70

  69·80

  85·30

  15·50

  April 1990

  September 1988—September 1989

  46·90

  58·45

  11·55

  75·10

  93·55

  18·45

  April 1991

  September 1989—September 1990

  52·00

  64·80

  12·80

  83·25

  103·75

  20·50

  Notes:

  1. Hypothetical rate is uprated from November 1979 using prices or earnings whichever is the greater in each year.

  2. Figures quoted are £s per week.

  Disabled People (Employment Quotas)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what quotas apply to his Department for the employment of disabled people arising from the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 and other legislation; and if he will make a statement.
  264
  refers and the days to which the Prime Minister's statement made on 12 February, Official Report, column 728 applies.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's announcements of 7 and 12 February, concerning the seven-day qualifying period for cold weather payments, refer to the periods 1–7 February and 8–14 February respectively.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what discussions his Department has had with the electricity companies with a view to enabling those who could receive cold weather payments to use such payments at the time of need by electricity payment cards;

  (2) if he will give consideration to the possibility of putting cold weather payment vouchers in pension or benefit books to enable such payments to be turned on by the Government when necessary.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to make changes to the methods of payment of cold weather payments this winter, but as I announced in the House on 11 February, we will be reviewing the scheme in time for next winter, including the operational arrangements.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the value of the basic state retirement pension for(a) a single pensioner and (b) a married pensioner couple at 1979 and at each uprating since 1979, including that proposed for April 1991; what it would have been if it had been uprated in line with average earnings at each of these upratings; and what was the total cumulative loss as a result of not uprating in line with earnings at each uprating (i) at current prices and (ii) at 1991 prices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested in part (i) of the question is in the table. We are unable to give the figures at 1991 prices as the RPI figure for April is not yet available.

  Mr. Scott
  In common with other Crown employers, quotas do not apply to this Department. However, the Department is aiming to meet the 3 per cent. quota.

  Benefits Take-up
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list in ascending order the percentage take-up of each benefit administered by his Department.

  Mr. Jack
  The latest available information on take-up is contained in the technical notes on take-up of benefits, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Agency Business Plans
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the dates for each social security-related agency to publish its business plan.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We intend to publish business plans for 1991–92 for each of the Department's agencies by the end of April.

  Benefit Schemes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the cost of(a) housing benefit schemes and (b) community charge benefit schemes is met by (i) cash-limited grant from central Government and (ii) other sources by category; and what are the trends in these proportions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Most of the benefit costs of the two schemes are currently met through direct subsidy (which is not cash limited) at a rate of 97 per cent. The balance is taken into account in local government finance settlements. In addition there are a number of lower rates of direct subsidy, ranging from nil to 50 per cent. in certain "incentive" areas where authorities have most scope to control costs. Sums reflecting unavoidable expenditure in these areas are also taken into account in local government finance settlements.

  The main change since the 1988 social security reforms has been the introduction of the housing revenue account arrangements in England and Wales in April 1990; under these, most rent rebate expenditure is taken into account at 100 per cent. when calculating subsidy, with expenditure in the "incentive" areas subsidised through a cash-limit specified sum. The basic rate of subsidy for expenditure outside these arrangements will change from 97 to 95 per cent. next April; again, this change has been taken into account in local government finance settlements.

  The Department also subsidises 50 per cent. of local authorities' estimated administrative needs through a cash-limited specific grant; the remaining 50 per cent. is taken into account in local government finance settlements. The proportion met by direct subsidy was 60 per cent. between April 1988 and March 1990; there are no present plans for further changes, although all subsidy matters are kept under review.

  Hostels
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the 22 hostels run by his Department via the Resettlement Agency for single homeless people and the projected date in the case of each hostel for its transfer to local authorities and voluntary bodies.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Resettlement Agency is responsible for the following 22 resettlement units:266

  Alvaston, Derby;

  Bishopbriggs, Glasgow;

  Bridgehouse, London;

  Brighton, East Sussex;

  Camden, London;

  Cedars Lodge, London;

  Fazakerley, Liverpool;

  Lancelot Andrews House, London;

  Leeds, West Yorkshire;

  Leicester, Leicestershire;

  Newbury, Berkshire;

  Plawsworth, Co. Durham;

  Pound Lodge, London;

  Sittingbourne, Kent;

  Southampton, Hampshire;

  Spur House, London;

  Stormy Down, Mid-Glamorgan;

  Walkden, Manchester;

  West End House, London;

  West Midlands, Worcester;

  Winterbourne, Bristol;

  Woodhouse, Sheffield.

  The Resettlement Agency's main aim is to establish sufficient replacement provision in the local authority and voluntary sectors to enable its resettlement units to be closed.

  The Brighton resettlement unit is to close by the end of March 1991 and the running of the Fazakerley unit will be transferred to Knowsley metropolitan borough council from April 1991.

  The replacement of a further four of the agency's units is to be announced shortly, but no firm dates have yet been established for closure of the remaining units.

  Care Costs
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average cost of providing(a) residential and (b) nursing home care; and what is the average payment made to those on income support in each category.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department does not collect data on the average cost of providing residential or nursing home care. Last year we commissioned Price Waterhouse to undertake a survey into costs; some figures are available in its report, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  For information about average payments made to those on income support I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 5 February at column 133–34.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average percentage of total costs of(a) residential and (b) nursing home care met by his Department for those who are on income support.

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

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps is his Department taking to increase the take-up of mobility allowance by the deaf-blind; and if he will make a statement on progress to date.

  Mr. Scott
  We have been monitoring the take-up of mobility allowance by people who are both deaf and blind and we have been disappointed that more claims have not been made. That is why on 18 February we started a nationwide publicity campaign primarily targeted on
  267
  carers and professionals working with disabled people. It involves a direct mailshot to carers and professionals, the distribution of leaflets in specialist journals, and radio broadcasts.

  Benefit Applications
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time taken to process applications for each of the main benefits for which his offices covering the Nottingham, North constituency are

  Clearance times in working days

  Castlegate

  David lane

  Shakespeare street

  Station street

  Income support

  7·00

  3·90

  8·80

  11·00

  Retirement pension

  16·80

  9·00

  26·70

  17·90

  Sickness/Invalidity benefit

  6·80

  7·50

  10·70

  7·70

  Social fund

  (i) Budget loan

  4·50

  17·03

  3·82

  4·83

  (ii) Community care grant

  7·99

  15·36

  6·26

  6·91

  (iii) Crisis loan

  0·30

  0·25

  0·16

  0·46

  SERPS
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his answer of 6 February,Official Report, column 194, within which heading the administrative costs of the state earnings-related pension scheme are subsumed; and what are the total costs under that heading for all fees, commissions and administrations covered by that heading.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The administrative costs of SERPS are not separately identified, but are included in the overall figure for retirement pension. In 1989–90 the total estimated administrative cost of retirement pension was £331 million.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what sums have been paid for each of the years since 1986 from general taxation into the national insurance fund to make good deficits arising from opting out of the state earnings-related pension scheme.

  Mr. Jack
  Payments have never been made into the national insurance fund from general taxation specifically to make good contribution rebates arising from opting out of SERPS.

  Management Consultancies
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his answer of 12 February,Official Report, column 441, if he will list those projects for which there is a publicly available report and those for which a report is not available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Consultancy reports are usually internal working documents and are not publicly available. The exception is the Price Waterhouse report on residential care and nursing home costs, which was considered to be of wider interest. A copy of this report is available in the Library.
  268
  responsible; and whether the operational strategy makes such information available to any hon. Member who asks a similar question.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The average length of time taken to process each of the main benefit claims for the offices covering the Nottingham, North constituency over the period 1 April 1990 to 31 December 1990 is in the table. This information can be made available to any hon. Member who asks a similar question. Hon. Members may also obtain the information from the appropriate district manager.

  Benefit Costs
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has done on changing the balance between income tax and national insurance so that total benefit costs are met from national insurance contributions.

  Mr. Jack
  No such research has been undertaken.

  Community Charge Benefit
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to have information on the take-up level of community charge benefit.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on the take-up of income-related benefits such as community charge benefit, can be obtained only from retrospective data. Information about take-up for the first full year of the community charge benefit scheme can be produced only after the results of the 1991 family expenditure survey become available.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is issued by his Department to ensure that those in receipt of attendance allowance are made aware of other benefits which they may claim; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The Department's leaflets are available to people receiving attendance allowance from normal outlets including social security offices, citizens advice bureaux, post offices, voluntary organisations and by writing or telephoning the Department of Social Security's leaflets unit at Stanmore. In addition the attendance allowance claim pack (DS2) gives information about invalid care allowance and home responsibilities protection. It also directs potential attendance allowance beneficiaries to sources of help and advice, including the social security freeline telephone service.

  The leaflet which is sent with all decisions on attendance allowance (DS668) alerts recipients to a range of other

  269
  social security benefits to which they might be entitled, including invalid care allowance, income support, housing benefit and severe disablement allowance, and where to seek advice about social security benefits. It also gives details of the independent living fund. Children approaching 16 years of age who are receiving attendance allowance are sent specific advice about severe disablement allowance and income support, for which they may qualify.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of attendance allowance reviews by doctors, of original decisions by delegated medical practitioners not to award, result in an award of attendance allowance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Information on all successful reviews is given at table E1·02 of "Social Security Statistics 1990", a copy of which is available in the Library. The figures for 1990 are given in the table.

  Decisions on review by the Attendance Allowance Board and reason for review

  Figures

  Total Reviews

  68,094

  Number successful

  51,320

  Success rate

  75 per cent.

  Reason for Review

  Dissatisfaction:

  Number reviewed

  33,615

  Number successful

  21,330

  Success rate

  63 per cent.

  Deterioration:

  Number reviewed

  32,347

  Number successful

  29,084

  Success rate

  90 per cent.

  Other change:

  Number reviewed

  2,132

  Number successful

  906

  Success rate

  42 per cent.

  Note: A successful review is one where an award is made or increased or is backdated.

  Quality of Service Targets
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will include in his next departmental report the key quality of service targets for his Department and current performance results on each target.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We will continue to publish key targets for forward periods and results for past periods in the most appropriate documents. The results for years to 1989–90 and targets for 1990–91 were published in the departmental report (Cm 1514) on 1 February 1991. Targets for 1991–92 for the DSS executive agencies will be published in the individual agencies' business plans in April.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of national insurance contributions is collected by the(a) Inland Revenue and (b) other bodies.
  270
  Mr. Jack
  In 1989–90 the Inland Revenue collected 93 per cent. of all national insurance contributions. The remaining 7 per cent. were collected by the Department of Social Security.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total cost of staff and administration in collecting national insurance for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is in the table. The figures show Department of Health and Social Security (now DSS) and Inland Revenue costs for the administration and collection of national insurance contributions.

  The increase is accounted for mainly by the effects of inflation on salary and other operational costs. In addition, accommodation costs were transferred from the PSA to the administrative vote during the period covered by the table.

  Income tax year

  Cost £ million

  1980–81

  98

  1981–82

  103

  1982–83

  116

  1983–84

  130

  1984–85

  138

  1985–86

  145

  1986–87

  152

  1987–88

  163

  1988–89

  174

  1989–90

  183

  Benefit Changes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security who set the criteria for the changes in benefits listed on page 6 and 7 of his departmental report—Cm. 1514; and what consultations took place on these criteria with the legislature.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Paragraphs 4 to 8 of the departmental report (Cm. 1514) set out the Government's approach to social security policy and its development. That approach, and all the proposals and actions of the Department, are subject to continuous parliamentary scrutiny.

  "Next Steps" Agencies
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he envisages in(a) parliamentary accountability in general and (b) his method of handling parliamentary written and oral questions arising from the move to agencies.

  Miss Widdecombe
  As my right hon. Friend the former Prime Minister said in reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 6 June 1990 at column 615, Ministers remain fully accountable to Parliament for the work of their Departments, including executive agencies.

  As one of the objectives of establishing executive agencies is to respond better to the concerns of hon. and right hon. Members, answers to written questions relating to operational matters for which authority has been delegated to a chief executive will normally be answered with an explanation that the chief executive, as the person best placed to give a prompt and effective response, will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the reply will be

  271
  placed in the Library. Answers to oral questions relating to operational matters will normally be based on information supplied by the chief executive.

  Special Schools
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will clarify paragraph 17 of his draft circular of 21 December 1990, on the application of local management of schools procedures to special schools in 272
  Wales, by specifying the precise advantages he believes special schools in Wales can obtain from delegated management.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I have been asked to reply. We propose to extend the openness and fairness of formula funding to all special schools and to give the opportunity to manage its own budget to every special school that wants to do so and can show that it is able to do so.

  JORDAN: ALLEGED TARGETS
  JORDAN: ALLEGED TARGETS
  RENT ARREARS
  RENT ARREARS
  REFUSE DERIVED FUEL PLANTS
  REFUSE DERIVED FUEL PLANTS
  HOMELESSNESS: LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING
  HOMELESSNESS: LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING
  NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY: INTERPRETATION
  NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY: INTERPRETATION
  ISRAEL AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
  ISRAEL AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
  TIN MAUNG WIN
  TIN MAUNG WIN
  EC DIRECTIVES
  EC DIRECTIVES