Written Answers of 4 July 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Family Law
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will state the composition of the family law administration working party; and when it last met.

  The Solicitor-General
  The family law and administration working party is chaired by a senior official of the Lord Chancellor's Department and its membership consists of officials of the Department of Health, Home Office, Department of Social Security, the Treasury and the Lord Chancellor's Department. The family law and administration working party last met on 5 February 1991.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the progress being made by the family law administration working party.

  The Attorney-General
  To date the working party has been primarily concerned with the very large number of arrangements necessary for the implementation of the Children Act 1989. The main parts of that Act are to take effect on 14 October 1991. Following implementation, the working party will proceed to review the other aspects of family law, as announced by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor on the Second Reading of the Children Bill on 6 December 1988, including the role and organisation of the support services, the reform of divorce law following publication of the Law Commission report and the law relating to domestic violence.

  British National Party
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration the Director of Public Prosecutions is giving to prosecution of the British National party on grounds of incitement to racial hatred.

  The Attorney-General
  The Greater Manchester police have submitted a report to the Crown prosecution service concerning a meeting held by the British National party on 27 April 1991 at a school in Rochdale. This report is currently being considered by the Crown prosecution service with a view to determining whether any offence contrary to the Public Order Act 1986 or the Representation of the People Act 1983 has been committed by any individual.

TRANSPORT

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he intends to announce his decision to authorise investment in class 373 rolling stock to provide a daytime service from the channel tunnel beyond London;
  174
  (2) whether tenders have been received for the manufacture of class 373 rolling stock to provide a daytime service from the channel tunnel beyond London.

  Mr. Rilkind
  British Rail is discussing with the manufacturers their recent proposals for the rolling stock to form the north of London day services. It is, therefore, not yet ready to submit an investment case.

  A27
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to announce possible routes for the A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement scheme; how many options he intends to publish; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I hope that public consultation on possible routes for the A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement will begin around the end of this year. It is too early to say how many options will be published for comment.

  M62 (Junction 13)
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when junction 13 on the M62 motorway at Worsley will be reopened; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Junction 13 was reopened fully at 9 pm on Friday 28 June.

  HGV Speed Limiters
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish regulations requiring heavy goods vehicles to be fitted with speed limiters; and when he will announce firm proposals for speed limiters to be fitted to existing vehicles.

  Mr. Chope
  I have signed regulations today that require that speed limiters must be fitted to all new heavy goods vehicles of over 7·5 tonnes gross vehicle weight as from 1 August 1992.

  Consultations are also beginning on draft regulations that will require speed limiters to be fitted to certain classes of existing heavy goods vehicles first used after 1 August 1988. The regulations will apply to all vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight in excess of 16 tonnes, and, additionally in the case of rigid-bodied vehicles, where the gross train weight is more than 5 tonnes greater than the gross vehicle weight.

  The regulations for new vehicles give vehicle manufacturers and operators plenty of notice of the change; and I expect that regulations for vehicles that are already on the road will be laid before the House shortly.

  Automated Weighbridges
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has concluded his consideration of the consultants' report on automated weighbridges referred to in his answer of 27 June 1990,Official Report, column 211; if he intends to extend the installation of automated weighing systems beyond the five points which already have this facility; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 17 April 1991]: The consultants found that certain automatic, self-weigh systems worked well technically, but were largely

  175
  ineffective without the presence of enforcement officers. We have, therefore, concluded that the most effective deterrent to overloading continues to be weight checks carried out by traffic examiners.

  On the more general question of enforcement at weighbridge sites, at inland locations and at ferry ports, I have asked the vehicle inspectorate to review the Department's current programme. The review will he completed by the end of this year.

  M40
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the carriageways of the M40 between junction 1 and Windsor road, Gerrards cross, which are currently under repair are resurfaced with pervious macadam rather than hot rolled asphalt.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 1 July 1991]: We are not able to justify the use of pervious macadam on this section of motorway. Pervious macadam costs more than conventional road surfacing and requires more frequent renewal maintenance. Further research is continuing on the use of this type of surfacing and it is hoped that in due course the causes of the additional costs will be overcome.

  Ferry Safety
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to take any action to impose higher standards of residual stability on existing roll on/roll off ferries using British ports as recommended by the steering committee of the roll on/roll off ferry safety research programme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 1 July 1991]: The higher standard of residual stability recommended by the steering committee of the roll on/roll off ferry safety research programme, will be applied to existing roll on/roll off ferries using British ports in accordance with procedures agreed by the International Maritime Organisation.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report tables showing for the latest two years now available and for planned expenditure in 1991–92, identifiable general Government expenditure by function in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, expressed(a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of United Kingdom total identifiable general Government expenditure, (c) as an amount per capita and (d) as an amount per capita expressed as an index where United Kingdom identifiable Government expenditure= 100.

  Mr. Mellor
  The data requested for the years 1988–89 and 1989–90, the latest years for which information is available, are given in tables E4 and E5 of appendix E of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1990 Autumn Statement"—Cm. 1520. Corresponding data for 1991–92 are not available.

  Car Allowances
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the proportions of private cars, or car mileage as a proportion of the respective totals, where the costs incurred by the vehicles are not wholly met by the taxable income of their owners or drivers.

  Mr. Maude
  About one third of cars available for use by members of private households are either supplied by employers, or qualify for tax relief against schedule D income tax liability, or attract some allowance for business mileage.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the definition adopted by the Inland Revenue to identify large employers for the purposes of enforcing payment of remittances by the 19 of any month.

  Mr. Maude
  For the purposes of collecting PAYE and national insurance contributions remittances the Inland Revenue define large employers as those paying over £4,500 per month.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the expected additional revenue in 1991–92 from value added tax resulting from the increase from 15 to 17·5 per cent.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is published in table 1.1 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1991–92".

THE ARTS

  English National Opera
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list for each of the last five years and for this year to date at today's prices, the amount of Government funding English National Opera has received; and if he will make a statement as to what controls his Office has over the way it is used.

  Mr. Renton
  Grants to individual arts companies are made by the Arts Council of Great Britain and the regional arts associations. Arts Council grants to English National Opera for the period in question were as follows:

  Year

  Actual grant £

  1991–92 real terms equivalent£

  1986–87

  6,626,000

  9,197,043

  1987–88

  6,748,000

  8,892,030

  1988–89

  6,917,000

  8,482,962

  1989–90

  7,056,000

  8,135,004

  1990–91

  9,104,000

  9,741,238

  1991–92

  10,432,300

  —

  I set the overall financial framework within which the Arts Council operates; the Arts Council, in turn, attaches conditions to its grants to individual companies relating to their artistic and financial performance.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Grocery Retailing
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider whether there are prima facie grounds for investigating whether there are scale and complex monopolies within the grocery retail sector.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Director General of Fair Trading continues to keep markets under review, but I understand that at present he has no evidence of abuse of market power that would justify a monopoly investigation of the retail grocery sector. Any evidence of abuse should be referred to the director general.

  Telecommunications
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the telecommunications industry.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 3 July 1991]: Telecommunications is one of the most dynamic industries in the United Kingdom. The market has grown rapidly, stimulated by the Government's commitment to competition and increased customer choice. In mobile telephony we have the two largest cellular networks in the world. In March, I announced that we would be ending the duopoly policy in the fixed telephony market, and allowing new companies to enter the market. We have already received five formal applications for new licences and more than 20 strong expressions of interests. This is good for the industry and good for consumers.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Expenditure Shortfall
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Education and Science what reasons account for the £12 million shortfall between planned and actual spending on capital building work in voluntary aided and special agreement schools in 1990–91; and whether he expects this shortfall to be repeated in 1991–92.

  Mr. Fallon
  The underspend of £12 million on total planned expenditure of £87 million 1990–91 resulted from the failure on the part of voluntary bodies and LEAs to spend up to the level allocated on a significant number of building projects. This resulted in an underspend of grant of some £10 million, which did, however, enable the Department to meet more requests for grant for external repairs to voluntary-aided schools therefore exceeding budget provision by some £7 million.

  We hope to avoid a shortfall in 1991–92 by introducing the design list procedure whereby many of the named major projects have had preliminary plans approved and are therefore expected to progress according to schedule. None the less, the Department will be asking authorities to confirm current year expenditure plans in September so that any spare resources can be identified and reallocated.

  Nuclear Structure Facility
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will instruct the Science and Engineering Research Council to issue a correction of its report, "The Laboratories in the 1990s", in the light of its proposal to close the nuclear structure facility.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Publication of this report, presented to the SERC in July 1990, was a matter for the SERC. It is for the council to consider whether, in due course, it wishes to publish an updated report taking account of developments since that date.

  Braille (Examination Papers)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will discuss with examination boards the need for exam papers to be produced in braille;

  (2) what information he has concerning the cost of individually and mass-producing examination papers in braille.

  Mr. Eggar
  Officials from the Department have had discussions about the braille needs of visually impaired examination candidates with the Royal National Institute for the Blind, with the secretaries of the GCE examining boards for A-level and AS-examinations, and with the Joint Council for the GCSE. Figures provided by these bodies suggest that the cost of translating an average length examination paper into braille lies between £240 and £480; significant savings are possible where the same paper is used by several candidates.

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his Department's policy on ensuring blind and partially sighted higher and further education students have adequate access to the examination process.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government are concerned to ensure that students with disabilities, including those who are blind or partially sighted, should have equal access to further and higher education. It is a matter for individual institutions, in consultation as appropriate with qualification awarding bodies, to ensure that suitable arrangements are made for the assessment of individual students.

  Agricultural and Food Research Council
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the names and locations of all the AFRC establishments that have been closed since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The following AFRC research establishments have closed since 1979:

  Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage

  Weed Research Organisation, Begbroke, Oxford

  Meat Research Institute, Bristol

  Unit of Animal Genetics, Edinburgh

  Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, Sussex

  Unit of Muscle Mechanisms and Insect Physiology, Cambridge

  The AFRC has also undertaken a programme of Institute restructuring which has involved some relocation of research establishments. This has been necessary to match the pace of scientific advance and opportunity and the shift in Government support from near-market to basic research. The concentration of AFRC's research base on to fewer sites will allow greater concentration of resources in its priority areas.
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  Funding to the AFRC from the science budget has increased by 37 per cent. in real terms since 1979. The AFRC continues to fund excellent work at the frontiers of science.

ENVIRONMENT

  Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether schedule 5 of the Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 authorises a charge by a bailiff even where no visit has been made.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. Bailiffs cannot charge the debtor for work under schedule 5 of the Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 if no visit is made. However, that does not preclude the bailiffs' charging the local authority for any work they have undertaken.

  London
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he takes to ensure that London's position is fully represented within the discussions that affect it within government.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I take all appropriate steps to ensure fair representation of London's interest. Within my Department I have a London regional office to advise me on matters directly affecting London and I consult widely, particularly with London boroughs, their associations and many other bodies with London-wide concerns.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the money raised by the uniform business rate in London is spent in London.

  Mr. Key
  In total local authorities in London received £1·5 billion from the non-domestic rates pool in 1990–91, and provisionally paid £2·7 billion into the pool during 1990–91. The latter figure does not represent the amounts of non-domestic rates raised from properties in London, because, first, properties on the central and Crown lists make payments direct to the non-domestic rates pool—it is not known how much of the total yield from these properties relates to London—and secondly, the provisional contribution made by local authorities to the non-domestic rates pool is calculated on the basis of the rateable value of properties on the local rating list as at 31 December 1989. Information about the actual rates payable in respect of 1990–91 is not likely to be available until November 1991.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the budget of each urban development corporation to cover the provision for training in each of the years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  The information is shown in the table.
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  UDC

  1989–90 £,000

  1990–91 £,000

  1991–92 £,000

  Black Country

  150

  400

  900

  Bristol

  nil

  nil

  nil

  C. Manchester

  7

  35

  71

  Leeds

  5

  23

  25

  London Docklands

  2,400

  3,300

  2,200

  Merseyside

  315

  315

  260

  Sheffield

  58

  67

  100

  Teesside

  148

  100

  200

  Trafford Park

  22

  184

  446

  Tyne and Wear

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish information giving details of the capital provided in the budget for all the urban development corporations for the provision of housing for the years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  The information is shown in the table.

  UDC

  1989–90 £000

  1990–91 £000

  1991–92 £000

  Black Country

  0

  0

  0

  Bristol

  0

  0

  0

  Central Manchester

  620

  3,128

  3,012

  Leeds

  0

  0

  0

  London Docklands

  51,000

  19,500

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  50

  Sheffield

  0

  0

  0

  Teesside

  716

  169

  2,752

  Trafford Park

  0

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  1,057

  667

  2,012

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the initiatives promoted by each of the urban development corporations to assist tourism since their inception.

  Mr. Key
  The UDCs' programmes include a wide variety of projects which help to promote tourism. Examples are:the restoration of Albert dock in Liverpool:
  support for local festivals, such as those held in Manchester and Wolverhampton;
  visitor centres in Trafford Park and Teeside, and the Bede monastery museum in Jarrow;
  environmental works to rivers, canals and pathways in many UDCs, including Sheffield and Bristol;
  the London Docklands development corporation's six-year programme of funding for local tourist initiatives, including grants to local listed buildings such as St. Matthias church.
  the development of hotel and leisure facilities in several UDCs.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of houses provided by each of the urban development corporations for each year of operation to 31 March.

  Mr. Key
  The available information is contained in the tables.

  Housing units completed in UDC areas

  1981–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  London Docklands

  1 1,497

  901

  1,832

  2,698

  1 Cumulative figure for 1981–84.

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  UDC

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Black Country

  120

  168

  367

  289

  Bristol

  —

  —

  25

  97

  Central Manchester

  —

  140

  115

  173

  Leeds

  —

  0

  89

  0

  London Docklands

  1,854

  2,649

  2,019

  1,770

  Merseyside

  1 339

  233

  206

  282

  Sheffield

  —

  0

  0

  0

  Teesside

  0

  0

  241

  202

  Trafford Park

  —

  0

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  252

  105

  1 Cumulative figure to 1987–88.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment further to his answer to the hon. Member for Bristol, South of 10 June,Official Report, column 385, (1) what are the current arrangements with urban development corporations to fund the cost of unfinished projects;

  (2) whether suitable arrangements for the winding up of uncompleted projects begun by urban development corporations will involve the Government's meeting the full cost of completion, or part of the cost.

  Mr. Key
  Arrangements have not yet been determined.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list for each local authority the percentage of community charge uncollected at 31 March.

  Mr. Key
  I am arranging for the available information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the cost would be of abolishing the minimum 20 per cent. contribution to the poll tax.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 27 June 1991 at column 519.

  District Council Newspapers
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department's library receives copies of the Basildon district council newspaper "Basildon Link" and Thurrock borough council newspaper "Thurrock Voice".

  Mr. Heseltine
  No.

  Toxocara
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what analysis his Department carries out on the presence of toxocara canis in soil; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The matter of pet-borne infections is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. My Department has not carried out any research into the presence of toxocara canis in the soil.

  Urban Development Initiative
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria were used to decide the recent list of cities to be included in the Government's new urban development initiative programme.
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  Mr. Key
  City challenge is a new initiative through which local authorities are asked to provide local leadership for the regeneration of critical areas of their towns and cities. The authorities will bring together the relevant interests in their areas—the private sector, voluntary sector and local residents—to draw up plans for economic, social and environmental renewal. The initiative has been launched this year through a pilot scheme in which 15 authorities were invited to bid for 10 places as pacemaker authorities. Provided this pilot competition is successful, we intend there will be a full competition open to urban programme authorities in 1992.

  The 15 authorities invited to participate in this year's pilot exercise were chosen to represent a wide range of circumstances across the country and for their ability to work up imaginative plans quickly.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether farmers in(a) environmentally sensitive areas and (b) national parks will be eligible for payment under the countryside stewardship scheme.

  Mr. Trippier
  Countryside stewardship payments will not be available where funding is available under the ESA scheme. However, the Countryside Commission may, at its discretion, agree payment in an ESA under the stewardship scheme for items not covered by the ESA scheme, for example access. The position is made clear in the scheme literature.

  So far as national parks are concerned, farmers and other landowners and managers who have land within the landscape types targeted by the scheme may apply provided they are not receiving public funding already for work and management practices covered by the stewardship scheme.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the topics of each television advertising campaign to be carried out by his Department and any other publicity campaign costing more than £100,000

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 1 July 1991]: My Department has no plans to use television advertising in any of its publicity work in the current financial year. We have two proposed publicity campaigns, which are estimated to cost more than £100,000. These are the joint campaign with the Department of Energy on the environment and home energy efficiency and a campaign to alert all businesses to the duty of care under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Council Tax (Exemptions)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if those exempt from poll tax because of severe mental handicap will be exempted from the council tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer, 2 July 1991]: We have proposed that people who are severely mentally impaired should be entitled to personal discounts under the council tax if they would otherwise give rise to a higher bill for the property in which they live.

  Disability Manifesto
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the recommendations of the "Disability Manifesto: An Agenda for the 1990s", a copy of which has been sent to him, which relate to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 3 July 1991]: My Department's policy, in respect of the relevant recommendations of the disability manifesto, is to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in the life of the community. A major and continuing initiative is the introduction and implementation of building regulations aimed at making the built environment accessible to disabled people. On this and all other policy issues of concern to disabled people for which I have responsibility, my Department's practice is to consult with organisations representing disabled people.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 4 July.

  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.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place the official record of the briefing concerning immigration given on his behalf during the Luxembourg meetings of the European Council in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made in the House on 1 July, and the conclusions of the European Council, which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  (a) Charged statutory work

  109,074

  88,911

  108,032

  (b) Chargeable advice

  1,229,570

  2,554,089

  2,191,263

  (c) Non-chargeable advice

  137,705

  477,948

  560,003

  (d) Non-chargeable statutory work

  685,588

  1,283,431

  1,555,490

  Notes:

  (a) There have been structural changes in ADAS during this period. Figures are for ADAS as it was constituted at the time.

  (b) Includes hours spent on work for MAFF/Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce.

  (c) Figures for 1989–90 onwards include directly attributable overheads— training, leave, management, and so on. Figures for 1988–89 exclude overheads.

  Veterinary Investigation Centres
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the closure dates for each of the veterinary investigation centres which are due to be closed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The veterinary investigation centre at Wye will close on 31 July 1991; the Bangor centre will close on 30 September 1991. The closure dates for the Lincoln and Truro centres have not yet been finally decided. The Cambridge and Norwich centres will close when the new centre at Bury St. Edmunds is opened in 1993. The

  Disability Manifesto
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy towards the recommendations of the "Disability Manifesto: An Agenda for the 1990s", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 3 July 1991]: The aim underlying the Government's policies for people with disabilities is to enable them to take a full part in the life of the community. Considerable progress has been made towards this goal over the past 12 years, and, while much remains to be done, we are continuing to build on these achievements.

  This Government will continue to work towards enabling people with disabilities to live independently as far as possible, and to contribute fully to all aspects of the life of the community.

  As the right hon. Member has asked similar questions of a number of my right hon. Friends, I have asked them to outline the major initiatives of their departmental programmes for people with disabilities.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agricultural Development Advisory Service
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the number of man hours spent in ADAS on(a) charged statutory work, (b) chargeable advice, (c) non-chargeable advice and (d) non-chargeable statutory work for each year since 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  ADAS began charging for services generally on 1 April 1987. Information for the years 1986–87 and 1987–88 is not available in the form requested.

  Information for the years 1988–89 to 1990–91 is as follows:

  Worcester centre will close when the new centre in Warwickshire is opened in 1993. The Reading centre will close when the Winchester centre is enhanced and the new Warwickshire centre is opened in 1993.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the counties which fall into each currently operating veterinary investigation centres catchment area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The counties and areas covered by the national network of veterinary investigation centres in England and Wales are generally defined by county boundaries but there is however a degree of flexibility to
  185
  meet local requirements. The specific counties and other areas which form the catchment areas for the currently operating veterinary investigation centres in England and Wales are:

  Bristol (Langford) VIC:
  Avon, Somerset, Dorset and parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Gwent.

  Cambridge VIC:
  Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and parts of Greater London, Suffolk, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.

  Lincoln VIC:
  North Humberside, South Humberside, Lincolnshire and parts of Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Leicestershire and West Yorkshire.

  Newcastle VIC:
  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Cleveland.

  Norwich VIC:
  Norfolk and parts of Suffolk.

  Penrith VIC:
  Cumbria and parts of North Lancashire, Northumberland and West Yorkshire.

  Preston (Barton Hall) VIC:
  Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Isle of Man and parts of Yorkshire, Cumbria, Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

  Reading VIC:
  Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Guernsey, Jersey and parts of Wiltshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Middlesex, Greater London and Hertfordshire.

  Shrewsbury VIC:
  Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands Metropolitan County and parts of Cheshire, Powys, Clwyd, Warwickshire and Derbyshire.

  Starcross VIC:
  Devon and parts of Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

  Sutton Bonington VIC:
  Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and parts of Staffordshire, South Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.

  Thirsk VIC:
  North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and parts or South Yorkshire, North Humberside, Cleveland and County Durham.

  Truro (Polwhele) VIC:
  Cornwall, Isle of Scilly and parts of Devon.

  Winchester VIC:
  Hampshire, Isle of Wight, West Sussex and parts of Dorset, Wiltshire and Surrey.

  Worcester VIC:
  Hereford and Worcester, Warwickshire and parts of Gwent, Gloucestershire and West Midlands.

  Wye VIC:
  Kent, East Sussex and parts of Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex.

  Aberystwyth VIC:
  Powys and parts of Dyfed and Gwynedd.

  Bangor VIC:
  Gwynedd and Clywd.
  186
  Carmarthen VIC:
  Mid Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, South Glamorgan and parts of Dyfed, Powys and Gwent.

  Countryside Premium Scheme
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to start administering the countryside premium scheme.

  Mr. Curry
  It is our intention to take over responsibility for the scheme and, subject to review and obtaining the necessary EC powers, extend it nationally. However, the final form and timing of adoption of the necessary EC proposals are uncertain.

  North York Moors Farms
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the funding his Ministry has contributed to the North York Moors national park farm scheme in each of the last three years; what plans he has for the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  This scheme is financed through the usual funding arrangements for national parks in which my Department has no involvement. However, farmers participating in the scheme may also benefit from the farm and conservation grant scheme funded by my Department. The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service is also available to offer advice and assistance in furtherance of the aims of the scheme, which has my full support.

HEALTH

  Breast Feeding
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information he has for 1990, for each social class of partner or husband, on the percentages of mothers who breastfed(a) initially and (b) when their baby had reached the age of six weeks;

  (2) what information he has about the percentage of women breastfeeding their babies (a) initially and (b) at six weeks in 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1990.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information for 1990 is unlikely to be published before next year. The table sets out the information requested for the years 1975, 1980 and 1985 in England and Wales.

  England and Wales

  1975 Percentage

  1980 Percentage

  1985 Percentage

  Birth

  51

  67

  65

  Six weeks

  24

  42

  40

  Source: OPCS surveys.

  In the recently published Green Paper "The Health of the Nation" we have proposed that we should aim to increase the rates of breast feeding at birth by 75 per cent. and six weeks by 50 per cent. by the year 2000.

  Clinical Standards Advisory Group
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what(a) financial and (b) personal resources have been allocated to support the work of the clinical standards advisory group;
  187
  (2) how often the clinical standards advisory group has met;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to publish an annual report on the work of the clinical standards advisory group;

  (4) if he will make it his policy that work done by the clinical standards advisory group should be made available to the public;

  (5) if he will make it his policy to publish a response to each report produced by the clinical standards advisory group;

  (6) how often the clinical standards advisory group will publish its findings;

  (7) if he will list the members of the clinical standards advisory group;

  (8) what authority will be given to the clinical standards advisory group to initiate its own areas of work;

  (9) when the Clinical Standards Advisory Group had its first meeting.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Clinical Standards Advisory Group comprises a chairman and 16 members as follows:

  Dr. Gordon Higginson (Chairman)

  Professor June Clark

  Professor Roy Duckworth

  Sir Terence English

  Miss Pam Hibbs

  Miss Jennifer Hunt

  Miss Rosemary Jenkins

  Miss Wilma Macpherson

  Dr. Michael O'Brien

  Professor Eurfil Rhys Davies

  Professor John Richmond

  Professor Michael Rosen

  Mr. Derek Seel

  Dr. Nuala Sterling

  Professor Victor Tindall

  Dr. Colin Waine

  Professor Sir Dillwyn Williams

  In addition, the General Medical Council, the General Dental Council, the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, the General Medical Services Committee and the Joint Consultants Committee have each nominated an observer to attend meetings.

  Under section 62 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, the CSAG will report to Health Ministers, and to NHS bodies, on the remits that each may give to the group. Health Ministers will normally publish reports made to them together with their responses. NHS bodies which commission work by the group will decide on the handling of the group's reports. Health Ministers will expect to receive and publish periodic overview reports from the group on its work at suitable intervals.

  The CSAG has no statutory authority to initiate its own areas of work. However, Health Ministers will attach importance to the views of the group on the areas of work which they might be invited to cover. Health Ministers provide administrative and professional support to the CSAG from within their Departments. In 1991–92 £900,000 has been set aside to meet secretariat and other costs arising from the group's work.

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the amounts allocated by each regional health authority in 1991–92 for the(a) training of
  188
  managers in the national health service, (b) postgraduate medical education and (c) continuing medical education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 June at column 684.

  Occupational Therapy Service
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has issued guidance to health and local authorities on their responsibilities in providing an occupational therapy service in the community.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Guidance to health and local authorities on occupational therapy services was issued in 1985. There was further guidance in a 1988 health notice (HN(88)26), a copy of which is available in the Library, on the development of services for people with physical or sensory disabilities. A report by the social services inspectorate on local authority occupational therapy services is to be published shortly.

  Chronic Sick and Disabled Units
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to health authorities for the relocation of people being moved from young chronic sick and disabled units.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Health circular HC(89)5, a copy of which is available in the Library, on the discharge of patients from hospital was issued in February 1989 together with an explanatory booklet about procedures to be followed.

  Dentures
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a further statement on his policy regarding the direct provision to the public of dentures by denturists.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The General Dental Council may make regulations to establish classes of dental auxiliaries who may undertake dental work. These may not, however, permit auxiliaries to fit, insert or fix dentures or artificial teeth. It is considered that only registered dental or medical practitioners are competent to recognise pathological conditions which may be caused or exacerbated by dentures.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the planned reductions and planned increases in staff by each national health service trust from which he obtained the net figure of 200 which he gave in the debate on 14 May,Official Report, column 174, specifying the planning period in each case.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No; as I said in the debate, many trusts are expanding and some are contracting. The prime responsibility of NHS trusts is to provide services and they will make their manpower plans in response to demand from health authorities and other purchasers. Therefore, the plans are likely to change over time.

  Neonatal Intensive Care
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each region and for England as a whole the number of neonatal intensive care cots.
  189
  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 15 October 1990 at columns 667–74. We expect figures for 1990–91 to be completed by the end of September.

  Ativan
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of prescriptions of Ativan in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 3 July 1991]: The information requested is as follows:

  Great Britain

  Number of prescriptions

  (thousands)

  Drug name

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Tab Lorazepam 2pt5mg

  332·9

  429·1

  382·0

  255·7

  212·9

  Tab Lorazepam 1mg

  2,148·5

  2,719·1

  2,519·6

  1,867·0

  1,529·3

  Ativan Tab 2pt5mg

  92·7

  0·2

  —

  —

  —

  Ativan Tab lmg

  543·1

  0·5

  0·1

  —

  —

  Note:

  1. Ativan was included in a list of drugs not prescribable at NHS expense from April 1985. However, its generic form, Lorazepam, remains prescribable.

  2. These figures are based on a sample of dispensed prescriptions of approximately 1 in 200 in England and Wales and 1 in 100 in Scotland.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans or proposals he has for merging or re-organising the district health authorities in Greater London.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 July 1991]: We have no plans to reorganise health authorities. Any proposal to merge district health authorities in London or elsewhere is a matter for the regional health authority concerned. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made it clear to regional health authorities that consultation on any such proposals has to be wide and that Ministers need to be convinced that they are in the interests of local people and of the national health service generally.

  All live births

  Live births (with birthweight stated) by birthweight

  District health authority

  Number

  Percentage with birthweight not stated

  Total(birthweight stated)

  <1000g(per cent.)

  1000–1499g (per cent.)

  1500–1999g(per cent.)

  2000–2499g (per cent.)

  2500–2999g (per cent.)

  3000–3499g (per cent.)

  3500–3999g (per cent.)

  4000g and over (per cent.)

  Clwyd

  5,352

  2·2

  5,237

  0·3

  0·6

  1·6

  4·1

  16·1

  35·1

  30·1

  12·2

  East Dyfed

  2,723

  4·1

  2,616

  0·3

  0·5

  1·0

  3·5

  15·1

  37·5

  30·8

  11·3

  Pembrokeshire

  1,435

  0·4

  1,429

  0·2

  0·6

  1·0

  4·0

  15·5

  37·6

  29·4

  11·8

  Gwent

  6,404

  6·7

  6,004

  0·2

  0·5

  1·3

  4·9

  18·1

  36·2

  29·3

  9·5

  Gwynedd

  3,027

  5·0

  2,883

  0·2

  0·4

  1·2

  4·2

  14·5

  37·4

  28·7

  13·3

  Mid Glamorgan

  7,812

  1·1

  7,730

  0·4

  0·6

  1·2

  4·0

  17·7

  36·2

  29·2

  10·7

  Powys

  1,472

  6·9

  1,377

  0·1

  0·7

  0·9

  3·8

  14·6

  38·1

  31·2

  10·7

  South Glamorgan

  5,868

  0·7

  5,830

  0·4

  0·6

  1·1

  3·9

  17·0

  38·6

  27·9

  10·4

  West Glamorgan

  4,773

  7·6

  4,434

  0·2

  0·7

  1·1

  4·1

  14·6

  36·7

  30·4

  12·3

  Wales

  38,866

  3·5

  37,540

  0·3

  0·6

  1·2

  4·1

  16·4

  36·8

  29·4

  11·1

  Source: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

WALES

  Blue Ear Pig Disease
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is undertaking to prevent the spread of blue ear pig disease into Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Blue Ear Pig Disease Order 1991 was introduced in June. This order makes suspicion of the disease notifiable, allows for the declaration of infected places and infected areas by special orders and allows movement restrictions to be placed on premises exposed to infection pending a veterinary investigation.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the average knacker charge for the collection of(a) bovine casualties and (b) ruminant casualties in each year from 1979 onwards on the basis of 1989–90 prices in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The charging by knackers for the removal of carcases is a comparatively recent development resulting from changes in the market for animal by-products. Details of these charges are not available in the form requested, but is understood that the current average ranges of charges in Wales are as follows:

  £

  Adult cattle

  10–30

  Calves

  2–5

  Sheep

  4–8

  Birth Statistics
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give for 1990 for the residents of(a) Wales and (b) each NHS district within Wales (i) the number of live births (ii) the percentage of live births with unstated birth weight (iii) the number of live births with stated birth weight and (iv) the percentages of these, which were under 1000g, 1000g to 1499g, 1500g to 1999g, 2000g to 2499g, 2500g to 2999g, 3000g to 3499g, 3500g to 3999g and 4000g and above.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information requested is given in the table and is derived from all registered births to residents of Wales:

  A44
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to improve the trunk road A44 between Rhydlydan and Llwynhowel, Ponterwyd Sir Aberteifi within the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have no plans to carry out improvement to the A44 in that area to that time scale.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many adults with learning difficulties were undertaking employment training in Wales in each of the last five years; and how many are in training in the current year.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not available.

  Male and Female

  Average gross weekly earnings

  Distribution of weekly earnings percentage earning under:

  £180

  £250

  £320

  Wales

  232·1

  38·0

  64·3

  83·6

  Gwynedd, Clwyd, Powys and Dyfed1

  227·7

  40·1

  65·6

  84·6

  Gwynedd2

  225·5

  44·6

  64·9

  83·8

  Meirionnydd district

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a =Not available.

  Source: New Earnings Survey.

  1 Excluding Llanelli district.

  2 Separate figures for the national park area are not available.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average gross weekly earnings as at April 1991 of male and female full-time employees by industry (sic 1980 class) in(a) Wales, (b) Gwynedd, Clwyd, Powys and Dyfed, (c) the administrative district of Snowdonia national park and (d) the district of Meirionnydd.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The latest available information by industry—standard industrial classification classes—is published in part E of the new earnings survey 1990—tables 118–121—a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Because figures for Wales are derived from a sample of full-time employees, details for some industry classes are not sufficiently reliable for publication.

  There are no reliable figures by industry class for the other areas of Wales requested but the average earnings of all make and all female full-time employees in April 1990 are, where available, given in the table:

  Average gross weekly earnings:

  Full-time employees on adult rates—pay unaffected by absence

  Male

  Female

  Wales

  258·6

  180·3

  Gwynedd, Clwyd, Powys and Dyfed1

  253·9

  178·1

  Gwynedd2

  248·4

  175·7

  Meirionnydd district

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1 Excluding Llanelli district.

  2 Separate figures for the national park area are not available.

  192
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of employment training placements for the last available financial year were in workplaces with employers; and what percentage were in project-based schemes.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The estimated percentages of ET participants on placements with employers and with projects as at 31 March 1991 were 27 and 28 per cent. respectively. Financial year information is not available.

  Earnings
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the distribution of gross weekly earnings of full-time persons in(a) Wales, (b) the counties of Gwynedd, Clwyd, Powys and Dyfed, (c) the administrative district of Snowdonia national park and (d) the district of Meirionnydd as at April 1991.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The latest available information, for April 1990, relating to the distribution of gross weekly earnings of full-time employees on adult rates whose pay was not affected by absence, is given in the table:

  Trawsfynydd Lake
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will identify the means and routes by which radioactivity has entered Trawsfynydd lake, giving comparable information for other bodies of water that are not directly connected with discharges from the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, and account for the presence of natural radioactivity, past fall-out from Chernobyl and other nuclear-related incidents that have resulted in airborne radioactive matter entering Trawsfynydd lake; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will provide the results of any analysis undertaken by or reported to his office on the increased radiation dose, whole body and internal organs, received by the most exposed members of the public as a result of the water level of Trawsfynydd lake being lowered for investigation repairs to the dam serving to contain the waters of the lake; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will provide the level of radioactivity currently in situ in the sediments of lake Trawsfynydd, and the proportions of the overall radioactive inventory contributed by each principal radionuclide specie, stating how each radionuclide specie is distributed across the lake bottom and through the sediment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  [holding answer 28 June 1991]: The directorate of fisheries research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food monitors regularly the levels of any radioactivity found in environmental materials taken from Lake Trawsfynydd. Measurements

  193
  are also made in other lakes. The results are published in the annual reports of monitoring of radioactivity in surface and coastal waters of the British Isles. Copies of the report are available in the Library of the House.

  The regular monitoring reports include analysis of the measurements in terms of both internal and external radiation doses. There is no evidence of any increase of dose to members of the public which is attributable to the lowering of the water level in the lake.

  Radioactive nuclides are regularly monitored in Lake Trawsfynydd sediments and the results published in the annual reports. More detailed investigations into the radionuclide content of sediment profiles are currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the results will be published.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration his Department has given to the radiological consequenced to individual members of the public of allowing the Trawsfynydd lake to be completely drained and/or abandons when the present nuclear power station located on its shores ceases to function; what conclusions he has reached in terms of the most exposed individual of the public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  [holding answer 28 June 1991]: When Trawsfynydd power station is to be decommissioned, full account will be taken of potential radiation exposure to members of the public from such operations. However, the presence of the recently refurbished Maentwrog hydroelectric power station will ensure the need to maintain the lake for many years to come.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the period for which the level of the lake was lowered in order to facilitate investigation and repairs to the dam containing the waters of Trawsfynydd lake, and state by how much, on average, the level of the lake was lowered and by what extent in area lake bottom sediments were exposed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  [holding answer 28 June 1991]: I understand from Nuclear Electric that Trawsfynydd lake level was lowered in December 1986 from a nominal
  194
  maximum of 650 ft above mean sea level—AMSL—to a nominal maximum of 642 ft AMSL to aid investigative work on the main dam structure. The level rose during early 1987 but was again reduced to 644 ft AMSL nominal maximum in May 1987 to relieve pressure on the clam structure until the new dam is completed, which is expected to be later this year.

  When the lake's maximum level is lowered, areas of the lake shore which are normally covered by water, except during the summer months, are uncovered for longer periods. The size of these exposed areas varies from one part of the lake to another, depending on the slope of the shore at any point.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which organisation is to be responsible for maintaining Trawsfynydd lake at the desired levels and in good repair in future years; for how long the lake will have to be maintained full and in good repair if any undesirable radiation exposure to any member of the public is to be avoided; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  [holding answer 28 June 1991]: Nuclear Electric owns the lake and is responsible for maintaining it at the required level. I understand that the primary purpose of the lake is to provide water for the Maentwrog hydro-electric scheme.

  If at any time the draining of the lake is proposed, a full assessment of any potential radiological consequences will be made beforehand so that all necessary measures can be taken, including those required to ensure public safety.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if water run off from Trawsfynydd lake enters any source of potable water supplies.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  [holding answer 28 June 1991]: There are no licensed potable water abstractions from Trawsfynydd lake or the Afon Prysor into which it discharges. However, records are not kept of single abstractions of less than 5 cu m or of abstractions by adjoining land owners which are permitted without licence.

SCOTLAND

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many reported cases of BSE there have been in each of the last six months; how many cattle have been killed; and from what number of farms in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information for Scotland for each of the last six available months is as follows:

  Number reported

  Number slaughtered

  Number of farms

  December 1990

  43

  40

  39

  January 1991

  76

  72

  65

  February 1991

  67

  58

  53

  March 1991

  73

  59

  59

  April 1991

  59

  53

  50

  May 1991

  48

  30

  28

  The number of farms relates to animals slaughtered. Animals reported as suspected of being affected with the disease are normally held for a time for surveillance before slaughter. Final confirmation cannot be obtained until histopathological examination of brain tissues has been completed after death.

  Health Expenditure
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing expenditure on(a) hospital and community health services, (b) family health services and (c) total health service spending, identifying current and capital expenditure separately and adjusted for changes in input unit costs in each year from 1978–79 to the most recent available date.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 28 June 1991]: Details of gross expenditure for Scotland broken down by service from 1978–79 to 1989–90, in cash terms, and adjusted by the gross domestic product deflator, are given in the tables.

  (a) Hospital and Community Health Services

  £ million cash

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator to 1990–91 prices

  Current Expenditure

  1978–79

  627

  1,582

  1979–80

  749

  1,619

  1980–81

  964

  1,761

  1981–82

  1,083

  1,805

  1982–83

  1,156

  1,798

  1983–84

  1,227

  1,825

  1984–85

  1,306

  1,848

  1985–86

  1,381

  1,854

  1986–87

  1,465

  1,900

  1987–88

  1,598

  1,968

  1988–89

  1,776

  2,036

  1989–90

  1,906

  2,054

  Capital Expenditure

  1978–79

  51

  129

  1979–80

  58

  125

  1980–81

  59

  108

  1981–82

  84

  140

  1982–83

  92

  143

  1983–84

  99

  147

  1984–85

  107

  151

  196

  £ million cash

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator to 1990–91 prices

  1985–86

  120

  161

  1986–87

  115

  149

  1987–88

  117

  144

  1988–89

  128

  147

  1989–90

  170

  183

  (b) Family Health Services (Current)

  £ million cash

  Adjusted by the DPG deflator to 1990–91 prices

  1978–79

  167

  421

  1979–80

  197

  426

  1980–81

  246

  449

  1981–82

  281

  468

  1982–83

  322

  501

  1983–84

  349

  519

  1984–85

  382

  541

  1985–86

  402

  540

  1986–87

  440

  571

  1987–88

  485

  597

  1988–89

  545

  625

  1989–90

  583

  628

  (c) Total National Health Expenditure

  £ million cash

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator to 1990–91 prices

  Current

  1978–79

  837

  2,112

  1979–80

  999

  2,159

  1980–81

  1,276

  2,331

  1981–82

  1,436

  2,392

  1982–83

  1,556

  2,421

  1983–84

  1,665

  2,475

  1984–85

  1,782

  2,521

  1985–86

  1,882

  2,525

  1986–87

  2,017

  2,616

  1987–88

  2,199

  2,708

  1988–89

  2,449

  2,807

  1989–90

  2,633

  2,837

  Capital

  1978–79

  56

  141

  1979–80

  65

  141

  1980–81

  67

  123

  1981–82

  95

  159

  1982–83

  104

  162

  1983–84

  108

  161

  1984–85

  119

  169

  1985–86

  132

  178

  1986–87

  126

  164

  1987–88

  129

  159

  1988–89

  142

  163

  1989–90

  187

  202

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Credit
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking to investigate(a) the uptake of family credit by the self-employed,

  197
  (b) the administration of the family credit scheme so far as self-employed claimants are involved and (c) the use of cash flow on the method of determining earnings.

  Mr. Jack
  There are around 47,000 families on family credit where the main earner is self-employed. Nearly 45 per cent. of them receive family credit of £50 or more a week. To improve further the service to self-employed customers, and to respond to the representations made by them and on their behalf, the Department has commissioned a research study into family credit for the self-employed from the social policy research unit at the university of York. The study is looking not only at the administration of the scheme and the method of determining earnings, but at a wide range of other matters including the nature of low income self-employment; incentives to work and job creation; eligibility and factors affecting take-up of family credit; and standards of living. The full report of the study is not due until 1993, but we hope to receive information on the assessment and administration elements before the end of this year.

  Johnstone Benefits Office
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been spent in the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency on(a) floor coverings, (b) furnishings and (c) fabric improvements in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Expenditure incurred by this Department since 1985 has been as follows:

  Floor coverings £

  Furnishings £

  Fabric improvements (internal redecoration) £

  1985–86

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1986–87

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1987–88

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1988–89

  Nil

  Nil

  9,200

  1989–90

  21,500

  26,451

  1,000

  1990–91

  Nil

  12,021

  Nil

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been spent on extending or improving the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Income support

  Income support claims

  Social fund application

  Income support load

  Income support/ Social fund callers

  April 1987–88

  7,680

  18,534

  7,996

  Not available

  April 1988–89

  6,632

  17,812

  7,265

  4,355

  April 1989–90

  6,749

  17,489

  7,166

  5,332

  April 1990–91

  5,527

  23,519

  7,010

  5,732

  198
  Miss Widdecombe
  Information for the years prior to 1985–86 is not readily available.

  The amounts spent by this Department on extending or improving the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each of the financial years since 1985–86 are:

  £

  1985–86

  1,821

  1986–87

  734

  1987–88

  3,501

  1988–89

  1,084

  1989–90

  48,998

  1990–91

  17,048

  Notes:

  1. Figures prior to April 1988 do not include any works projects over £2,500, which were the responsibility of the Department of the Environment.

  2. These figures do not include the amounts spent on floor coverings, furnishings and fabric improvements.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the total population eligible to use the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many claimants were dealt with from the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is the effect of the Benefits Agency review on the operation of its office in Johnstone; what amendments to its operations have been made; what future proposals are intended for implementation; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Statistics were obtained from the Strathclyde regional council to aid service planning and give the projected population of the Renfrew district, considered to be the most relevant.

  In 1986 the actual figure was 203,220 with a projected change to 201,258, 200,805, 200,391, 200,008 and 199,644 in the years 1987 to 1991. The figures for 1985 are not available.

  It is impossible to say how many customers are dealt with by any office of the Benefits Agency in any year. Contact can be made by post, by telephone or by visit and detailed figures are not held. The table, covering the main benefits, gives an indication of the numbers in contact with the Johnstone office over the period. Figures prior to 1987 are not available.
  199

  Contributory benefits

  Short-term benefit/Maternity benefit claims

  Retirement pension/Widow's pension claims

  Short-term benefits load (average)

  Contributory benefit callers

  April 1987–88

  2,071

  971

  3,915

  15,569

  April 1988–89

  1,938

  900

  3,944

  14,962

  April 1989–90

  2,045

  1,001

  4,303

  14,725

  April 1990–91

  2,156

  862

  4,837

  15,997

  With the formation of the Benefits Agency, Paisley ILO and Johnstone ILO—previously separately managed independent units—were combined to form the Renfrew district. Currently at Johnstone are income support, liable relatives, direct payment, overpayments, social fund crisis loans and part of finance sections.

  Future proposals are the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Benefits (Wales)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals were in receipt of(a) unemployment benefit, (b) income support and income support premiums, (c) family credit, (d) national insurance retirement pensions, (e) supplementary benefit, (f) child benefit and (g) one parent benefit; and what were the average payments made in (i) Wales, (ii) the administrative districts of Gwynedd, Clwyd, Powys and Dyfed, (iii) the administrative district of Snowdonia national park and (iv) the district of Meirionnydd during the past 12 months.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The complete answer to this question is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs. This is because such statistics are collected at DSS and unemployment benefit office level and areas covered by these offices do not correspond to the administrative districts specified. Furthermore, the information that is routinely collected does not reflect the number of individuals in receipt during particular periods, it merely provides a "snapshot" of a given point in time.

  Such information as is available and relates to Wales follows:

  (a) Unemployment Benefit; in May 1991, there were 28,610 individuals in receipt.

  (b) Income Support and Income Support Premiums; in May 1989, there were 246,000 customers in receipt of whom 169,000 were in receipt of one or more premiums. The average payment was £34·83

  (c) Family Credit; in November 1990, there were 21,300 persons in receipt. The average payment was £31·02.

  (d) Retirement Pension; in April 1990 there were 518,000 in receipt.

  (e) Supplementary Benefits; no customers in receipt of a weekly allowance

  (f) Child Benefit; in 1989, there were 348,000 persons in receipt. The average weekly payment was £13·94.

  (g) One Parent Benefit; in December 1989, there were 34,000 persons in receipt. The average weekly payment was £5·60.

  Disability Benefit Regulations
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether any disability benefit regulations will be laid before the summer adjournment.
  200
  Mr. Scott
  As the first step in a further consultation process on the new disability benefits I have today laid before the House draft regulations to provide for the new Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board. This new body will provide expert advice to staff working on disability living allowance and attendance allowance, which will remain for people disabled over age 65. The membership of the board will comprise people with disabilities and others with experience in the needs of disabled people and we will be inviting organisations of and for disabled people to make suggestions for its membership.

  Over the next few weeks we shall also be issuing for comments the draft claim forms for disability living allowance and disability working allowance and the regulations which set out how the new benefits will operate in detail. We shall also be issuing the draft disability handbook which will assist the staff working on disability living allowance, and the draft regulations for the two benefits.

  As part of this strategy of consulting disabled people about the administration of benefits we have conducted a survey of consumer views of the attendance allowance medical examination. The report of this survey, which shows a high level of satisfaction with the service provided by examining doctors will be published next week.

  We have also laid before the House today a set of regulations to enable members of Her Majesty's forces to satisfy the residence test for severe disablement allowance.

  Finally, we plan to lay regulations before the end of the parliamentary Session to introduce some beneficial changes to the industrial injuries provisions. We shall be extending the prescription for occupational asthma and adding two new diseases, orf and hydatidosis, to the schedule of prescribed diseases.

EMPLOYMENT

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on racial discrimination in employment.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government are resolutely opposed to racial discrimination and sees fair treatment between citizens regardless of race as fundamental to a healthy and balanced society. Racial discrimination is morally wrong. Moreover, in employment it makes bad business sense by potentially excluding the best person for the job.

  Progress has been made in eliminating racial discrimination. In that period from 1984 the unemployment rates for ethnic minorities came down faster than those for white people. There is also evidence that ethnic minority people have moved into higher level occupations over the past 20 years, and there has been a steady increase

  201
  in the number of ethnic minority people taking up the challenge and opportunities of self-employment. However, more remains to be done to achieve equal opportunities in employment for these groups.

  The Race Relations Act 1976, which applies to Great Britain, provides the legislative framework for the elimination of racial discrimination. The Commission for Racial Equality works to this end and has published a code of practice in employment.

  The Department—through the employment service and training and enterprise councils—seeks to ensure equality of opportunity, irrespective of race, in all its programmes and services. In addition, the Department's race relations employment advisory service provides advice and guidance to employers on the introduction and implementation of policies and practices aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in employment.

  Independent Unions Training Council
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will classify the Independent Unions Training Council as an appropriate body to approve training under paragraph 17 of the ACAS code of practice—time off for trade union duties and activities; and whether he has any plans to include the Independent Unions Training Council in paragraph 17 of subsequent editions of the code.

  Mr. Forth
  Paragraph 17 of the ACAS code of practice "Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities" consists of a restatement of statutory provisions contained in section 27 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for ACAS to amend its code of practice in the manner suggested. The Government have no present plans to amend the relevant legislation.

  Employees in Employment in the Food Industries, September 1989, by County

  Thousands

  Industries (Groups of SIC 1980)

  Food Distribution

  Food Manufacturing SIC Groups 411 to 423

  Retail SIC Groups 617

  Wholesale2SIC Group 641

  South East

  Bedfordshire

  3·6

  5·4

  2·0

  Berkshire

  5·1

  9·4

  3·4

  Buckinghamshire

  2·7

  6·9

  2·3

  East Sussex

  3·0

  8·4

  2·9

  Essex

  5·1

  19·8

  5·1

  Greater London

  34·5

  74·9

  34·2

  Hampshire1

  8·1

  22·4

  6·1

  Isle of Wight1

  Hertfordshire

  4·5

  16·6

  4·5

  Kent

  5·9

  18·8

  6·9

  Oxfordshire

  6·4

  8·2

  1·9

  Surrey

  2·5

  13·1

  4·5

  West Sussex

  3·2

  8·9

  1·8

  East Anglia

  Cambridgeshire

  7·0

  7·8

  3·2

  Norfolk

  12·4

  8·9

  5·3

  Suffolk

  13·7

  8·5

  3·1

  South West

  Avon

  6·1

  14·4

  6·6

  Cornwall

  2·2

  5·4

  2·5

  Devon

  6·6

  11·3

  5·6

  Dorset

  4·1

  8·4

  1·7

  Gloucestershire

  3·8

  6·6

  1·4

  Employment Training
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many adults with learning difficulties were undertaking employment training in each of the last five years; and how many are in training in the current year.

  Mr. Jackson
  While information is available about the overall number of trainees with disabilities entering employment training, information is not collected separately about those with learning difficulties.

  Astra Training Services
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of whether Astra Training Services Ltd. has carried out all its statutory obligations and formal undertakings to trainees and employees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  At the point of sale the Government met their undertakings to ensure that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 applied to former civil servants who transferred to the private sector, including Astra and that pension arrangements were satisfactorily covered. Astra Training Services Ltd. is now a private company and it, and not the Government, is responsible for such statutory or other obligations that fall on it.

  Food Industry
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of people employed in the food industry by county on the latest available date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jackson
  The most recent estimates of employees in employment according to industry and by county are from the September1989 census of employment. Data for the food industries are given in the table.
  203

  Thousands

  Industries (Groups of SIC 1980)

  Food Distribution

  Food Manufacturing SIC Groups 411 to 423

  Retail SIC Groups 617

  Wholesale2 SIC Group 641

  Somerset

  51

  5·7

  2·2

  Wiltshire

  6·5

  7·4

  2·4

  West Midlands

  Hereford and Worcester

  7·3

  7·5

  2·5

  Shropshire

  4·3

  5·0

  1·9

  Staffordshire

  8·4

  10·5

  3·2

  Warwickshire

  2·7

  6·0

  1·4

  West Midlands

  13·5

  26·3

  10·5

  East Midlands

  Derbyshire

  6·9

  9·8

  2·6

  Leicestershire

  9·9

  9·4

  3·9

  Lincolnshire

  12·0

  7·5

  4·2

  Northamptonshire

  7·7

  7·2

  3·5

  Nottinghamshire

  7·8

  11·7

  4·5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Humberside

  17·8

  11·8

  6·8

  North Yorkshire

  14·8

  9·1

  2·4

  South Yorkshire

  10·5

  13·1

  5·5

  West Yorkshire

  21·1

  24·0

  8·4

  North West

  Cheshire

  8·3

  12·2

  4·3

  Greater Manchester

  27·0

  25·5

  10·8

  Lancashire

  13·6

  15·3

  6·2

  Merseyside

  14·5

  12·8

  5·2

  North

  Cleveland

  4·2

  5·4

  1·0

  Cumbria

  7·6

  6·3

  0·9

  Durham1

  4·6

  8·2

  1·7

  Northumberland1

  Tyne and Wear

  4·9

  12·7

  3·6

  Wales

  Clwyd

  4·2

  6·1

  1·0

  Dyfed

  1·6

  3·7

  1·3

  Gwent

  3·8

  5·2

  1·0

  Gwynedd

  1·6

  3·4

  0·8

  Mid-Glamorgan1

  4·5

  7·2

  1·6

  Powys1

  South Glamorgan

  2·0

  5·1

  1·9

  West Glamorgan

  1·5

  4·3

  1·1

  Scotland (Regions)

  Borders1

  4·2

  3·6

  0·7

  Dumfries and Galloway1

  Central1

  1·9

  8·2

  1·1

  Fife1

  Grampian

  10·7

  7·6

  3·5

  Highlands

  1·3

  3·1

  0·9

  Lothian

  8·1

  9·6

  4·4

  Strathclyde

  18·3

  27·4

  8·5

  Tayside

  4·3

  6·0

  2·1

  Islands

  0·7

  0·9

  0·4

  1 Figures for these two counties are combined to avoid disclosure, directly or indirectly, of information concerning an individual firm.

  2 Includes the wholesale distribution of drink and tobacco.

  Labour and Social Affairs Council
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the outcome of the meeting of the Labour and Social Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 25 and 26 June; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The Council had a useful and productive meeting. On the first day, the Council formally adopted its common position on the directive concerned with the health and safety of temporary workers and a directive to control the use of asbestos in the workplace.

  Agreement was reached on an amendment to a regulation on social security arrangements for migrant workers; on a decision relating to the PETRA programme
  204
  concerning vocational training exchanges for young people; on a directive concerning the provision of medical assistance on board ships; and on a decision on the European Year of Health and Safety.

  Agreement in principle was also reached on a proposed directive on proof of employment relationships. Formal adoption was not possible since the European Parliament had failed to deliver its opinion in time for the Council.

  A regulation to bring forward by one year to 31 December 1991 the full free movement of workers between Spain and Portugal and the rest of the Community was also adopted.

  There was a protracted discussion, in which divergent views were expressed by a large number of member states,

  205
  on one article of the proposed directive on the protection of pregnant women at work, but no agreement was reached. Almost all member states continue to have serious concerns on many aspects of the substance of this proposal.

  Contrary to a number of inaccurate newspaper and broadcast reports, there was no discussion of the proposed directive on working time.

  On the second day dealing with youth affairs, when my noble Friend Viscount Ullswater represented the United Kingdom, the Council agreed a decision on the Youth for Europe programme and a resolution on priority action in the field of youth.

  Overall, the outcome of the proceedings demonstrated once again that the United Kingdom is far from isolated on even those proposals under the social action programme which cause us the most difficulty. Many member states are now experiencing difficulties and are working to keep important and sensitive areas of employment and social policy within the bounds of national law and practice. It is to be hoped that the Commission will take heed of these developments and concentrate its efforts on bringing forward proposals which will increase employment and reduce burdens on business.

  The meeting also showed that the present treaty is perfectly adequate to enable sensible progress to be made in those areas where the Community has a proper role.

  To date the Council has reached a decision on eight of the 19 social action programme measures so far submitted by the Commission.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Baltic States
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of attacks by units of the Soviet armed forces and Ministry of the Interior troops on targets in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in May and June; and if he will make representations to the Soviet authorities to withdraw all armed forces from the Baltic republics.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received several accounts of these attacks from our embassy and other sources. We have left the Soviet authorities in no doubt of our strong feelings about them. In the conclusions of its meeting at Luxembourg on 29 June, the European Council expressed its deep concern at the continued acts of intimidation and violence which had taken place in the Baltic states since the events in January, most recently in Vilnius on 26 June. The Council appealed for serious negotiations to be engaged between the Soviet authorities and the three Baltic states to find a solution which would fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the Baltic peoples.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to provide the Government of Gibraltar with all EC documents on which future directives or other legislation will be based; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  It is already our policy to provide Gibraltar with all EC documents relevant to Gibraltar's status within the Community.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Iraqi Refugees
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi refugees are presently living in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Around 700 Iraqi nationals, including associated dependants, have been recognised as refugees in the United Kingdom since 1979. Corresponding information for earlier years is not available.

  Immigration
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the Government's policies towards immigration.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The basic principles of the Government's immigration policy remain to maintain a firm and fair immigration control which restricts the numbers coming to work or settle here from outside the European Community.

  Independent Television Franchises
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the outcome of applications for Channel 3 licences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the outcome of applications for Channel 3 licences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It will be the Independent Television Commission, and not my right hon. Friend, which announces the outcome of applications for Channel 3 licences. I understand that it hopes to make such an announcement no later than October this year.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were jailed for non-payment of uniform business rate in 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  This information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Police Authorities (Yorkshire)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will visit Yorkshire to discuss the funding of the police authorities.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have no plans to visit Yorkshire to discuss police funding.

  Youth Crime Prevention Panels
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many junior crime prevention panels have been set up in England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  At the end of December 1990 there were 352 youth crime prevention panels in England and Wales, an increase of 91 over the previous 12 months.

  Regional Television Companies
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the percentage of the profits of regional television companies which are taken in levy payments.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Based on figures supplied by the ITC, which is statutorily responsible for collecting the ITV levy, it is estimated that for the 1990 calendar year the levy payable by ITV companies, including TV-am, will amount to 52 per cent. of gross profits.

  Guns
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate another review of the gun licence laws.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Firearms Consultative Committee is required to keep the Firearms Acts under review. If it thinks fit, it may make recommendations to my right hon. Friend for their amendment.

  Dog Control
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he plans to take to ensure existing and future dog control legislation is enforced by the police.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We have discussed the measures in the Dangerous Dogs Bill with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Metropolitan police, who support the action that the Government are taking to tackle the problem of dangerous dogs. We shall issue guidance to the police on enforcement of the legislation when it is enacted.

  Identity Cards
  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent consideration he has given to the introduction of identity cards for the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  In its report on practical police co-operation in the EC, the Home Affairs Committee recommended the introduction of a voluntary system of identity cards. In responding in January 1991, the Government said that the public demand for a voluntary identity card, and the benefits it would confer on the community, would not be commensurate with the high cost of developing and maintaining such a system. None the less, I shall continue to keep this question under review in the light of relevant developments.

  West Midlands Serious Crime Squad
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to have prepared a report on the lessons to be learnt from the disbandment of the West Midlands serious crime squad.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A full investigation of the handling of cases by the former serious crime squad of the West Midlands police is being undertaken. It is for the Police Complaints Authority to decide whether matters that have come to its notice as a result of the investigation, should be made public or should be drawn to my right hon. Friend's attention by way of a report under section 97(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

  Police Federation
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet the executive of the Police Federation to discuss recent rises in the level of crime.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend meets the executive of the Police Federation regularly to discuss a wide range of policing matters, including the level of crime.

  Fire Services (Northolt and Greenford)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the appropriate level of firefighting facilities and staff in the Northolt and Greenford area; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what proposals he has received for the reduction of the number of fire engines at Northolt fire station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is for the London fire and civil defence authority to assess the resources necessary to meet efficiently the fire risks in the Northolt and Greenford area. Any proposals to reduce the numbers of operational firefighters or firefighting appliances—and we have received none from the authority—would require my right hon. Friend's approval under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. In deciding whether to grant it, we should want to be satisfied that the London fire and civil defence authority would continue to be able to meet the nationally recommended minimum standards of fire cover.

  Sexual and Physical Violence
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how women victims of sexual and physical violence are encouraged to report the offence to the police.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Police procedures and facilities for the reception and treatment of victims of physical and sexual violence have improved greatly in recent years. We believe that the increase in reported rape over the same period is in part attributable to changes in police practice in this respect. In the light of recent Home Office guidance, many forces are now taking practical steps to provide a better service to victims of domestic violence, with a view to encouraging more women to report such incidents to them.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines there are on how victims of sexual and physical abuse should be treated by the police.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Home Office guidance to the police on the treatment of victims of rape and domestic violence was issued in 1986. A revised and expanded circular on domestic violence was produced in July 1990. Additional guidance for the police on the investigation of child sexual abuse will be issued in conjunction with the Department of Health's revised "Working Together" in the autumn. Copies of the current guidance are in the Library.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how data on women victims of sexual and physical abuse are collected; and how it is made available.
  209
  Mr. John Patten
  Statistics of recorded violent offences are collected by the police and published quarterly in a Home Office statistical bulletin and annually in Chapter 2 of "Criminal Statistics England and Wales". More detailed information on women victims of physical and sexual abuse is not collected on a regular basis but ad hoc analysis of police statistics, the British crime survey and other research studies classify offences by gender of victim. This information is made available either in ad hoc statistical bulletins such as Issue 29/86 "Violent Crime: Characteristics of victims and circumstances of recorded offences 1984", or in Home Office Research Studies such as "Personal Violence" HORS 89,"Changes in Rape Offences and Sentencing" HORS 105, "Concerns about Rape" Hors 106 and "Domestic Violence" HORS 107. Copies of all these publications are available in the Library.

  Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica admitted to, and refused leave to enter and removed from, the United Kingdom.

  1990

  1991

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Total admitted1

  1,150

  1,230

  1,100

  800

  1,100

  Total refused leave to enter and removed

  10

  8

  7

  13

  7

  Guyana

  Total admitted1

  400

  400

  300

  300

  400

  Total refused leave to enter and removed

  5

  8

  3

  4

  6

  Barbados

  Total admitted1

  400

  400

  400

  300

  400

  Total refused leave to enter and removed

  2

  5

  5

  3

  2

  Jamaica

  Total admitted1

  1,900

  2,080

  1,700

  1,300

  1,700

  Total refused leave to enter and removed

  52

  33

  33

  32

  37

  1 The data for January to March 1991 are provisional.

  Thames Valley Police
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on future manning levels in the Thames Valley police force.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend announced on 20 December 1990 an additional 40 police posts for Thames Valley with effect from 1 October 1991.

  The police authority has also made an application for an additional 132 police posts for 1992–93. My right hon. Friend hopes to make a decision before the end of the year.

  May Inquiry
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects Sir John May to resume his inquiry into the conviction of innocent people for the Guildford and Woolwich bombings.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I understand that Sir John May will resume his inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the convictions of the Guildford and Woolwich defendants as soon as any proceedings against officers of the Surrey police force have been concluded. I further understand that Sir John intends holding further public hearings into the Maguire case in September.

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the numbers of people seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom; and what further action he proposes to announce to control such immigration.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend made a statement on asylum on 2 July at columns 165–67.

  Immigration (Caribbean)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of(a) Trinidad and Tobago, (b) Guyana, (c) Barbados and (c) Jamaica have (i) been admitted and (ii) refused admittance and removed each month during the period November 1990 to March 1991.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Drug Initiative Teams
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made on the establishment of drug initiative teams.

  Mr. John Patten
  Twelve local drugs prevention teams are in action under the Government's drugs prevention initiative, including one in Wolverhampton. Four further teams are in the process of being appointed or recruited. Discussions with local agencies in another four areas are taking place about the arrangements for setting up teams in those areas.

  Broadcasting Regulation
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the chairman of the BBC to discuss the regulation of the broadcasting industry.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend meets the Chairman of the BBC from time to time in order to discuss a wide range of broadcasting issues. The last occasion was in May.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Passes
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish a list of the several categories of Palace of Westminster pass, showing the capacities for which each category applies, together with(a) the number of such passes in issue at the latest convenient date and (b) the total number of such passes in issue at any time in the latest convenient annual period.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I am arranging for the information requested to be placed in the Library of the House.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Departmental Flowers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the annual cost of flowers supplied to the House; and which Departments of the House use them.

  Mr. Beith
  In the last financial year the Refreshment Department spent £8,997 on flowers for the areas under its control. Flowers are also supplied by arrangement with the Refreshment Department for private functions: but their cost is charged to the sponsoring Member's account.

  I understand that the Parliamentary Works Office has responsibility for the supply of flowers to the Speaker's state rooms and other parts of the House, including the Terrace.

DEFENCE

  The Gulf (Halons)
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the volume of halons released to the atmosphere in the Gulf region during Operation Granby/Desert Storm as a result of the in-flight refuelling of military planes of the armed forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is no evidence to suggest that any halon gases are released during the air-to-air refuelling of RAF aircraft.

  Nuclear Deterrent
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account is taken of the size of the United States and Soviet Union's arsenals in setting the size of the United Kingdom nuclear deterrent.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent is not based on any specific numerical correlation with the nuclear arsenals of others. Rather, it has long been United Kingdom policy to maintain only the minimum numbers of weapons necessary to deter aggression. In this respect the need to ensure that our nuclear deterrent remains effective against improving Soviet defences is of overriding importance when considering the size of our force.

  Trigat
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's involvement in the Trigat programme and the committed cost incurred to date.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom is a full member of the European collaborative group procuring the Trigat systems.

  Expenditure to date has been £130 million.

  Regiments
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his answer of 14 June,Official Report, column 733, when his noble Friend will write regarding information on individual regiments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend wrote to the hon. Member today.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he held with his NATO counterparts about the proposed reductions in the Royal Navy under the "Options for Change" process prior to 25 July 1990.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The United Kingdom's proposals for changes to its defence forces in response to the changing strategic environment in Europe, including the proposed reductions for the Royal Navy, were set out in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement on "Options for Change" last summer. These proposals were carefully considered in the light of international developments and the work under way to determine the alliance's new military posture. At the time of the announcement it was made clear that the United Kingdom's proposals would be subject to consultation with our NATO allies. In common with our allies, we have since engaged in formal consultations within the alliance and with our allies about our future plans.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his policy to publish a statement detailing the total anticipated effect of the" Options for Change" process on(a) the procurement budget and (b) the personnel budget.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Estimates of expenditure in 1991–92 on equipment procurement and on personnel will be given in the annual defence White Paper, to be published on 9 July. It is not our policy to disclose details of our financial plans beyond the estimates year.

  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has held with companies involved in the manufacture of defence equipment concerning the formulation of Her Majesty's Government's policy "Options for Change"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 23 May 1991 at column 613 of the Official Report.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make his policy to publish a detailed statement on the strategic rationale underlying the "Options for Change" process.
  213
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This will be covered in the annual defence White Paper to be published on 9 July.

  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what offers he has received from trade associations representing manufacturers of equipment for defence to assist in the formulation of Her Majesty's Government's policy on "Options for Change"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Discussions between Ministers and trade associations are conducted on a confidential basis.

  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for reducing his Department's headquarters under "Option for Change".

  Mr. Tom King
  As I made clear in my statement on 25 July 1990 on "Options for Change" my intention is to make substantial savings across the whole field of defence activities. This will involve both the armed forces and their civilian support and include the MOD headquarters which I have decided to restructure and slim down proportionately to the overall reductions.

  I plan to achieve a smaller and more cohesive central headquarters, resulting in savings of about 20 per cent. in the uniformed and civilian top structure. Generally similar reductions will be carried through the organisation as a whole. The fall in numbers in the London element of the headquarters will be proportionately greater because in addition a substantial range of functions will be relocated and will merge with existing support establishments and commands elsewhere. On current expectations staff numbers in London are expected to fall from about 14,500 by some 7,000.

  Overall under "Options for Change" the number of MOD civilian posts at home and abroad is currently expected to fall by about 20 per cent., the same proportion as the armed forces. About 20,000 posts will be saved in the United Kingdom and 15,000 abroad. This reduction will go forward at the same pace as in the armed forces overall.

  Soviet Navy
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his Soviet counterpart regarding the future programme of Soviet naval shipbuilding.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has not discussed the future programme of Soviet naval shipbuilding with his Soviet counterpart.

  Nuclear-powered Submarines
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the programmed acceptance date for the first of class for a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines envisaged in Staff Target (Sea) 7027.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The first of class submarine envisaged in Staff Target (Sea) 7027 was expected to enter service by the end of the century. The precise date is classified.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure to date has been incurred on feasibility studies into an SSN20 class of submarine.
  214
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  To date expenditure of some £44 million has been incurred on the SSN20 feasibility studies. These studies have produced valuable information which will be of use for both the studies into a batch 2 Trafalgar class and for the programme to update the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class sonar capability.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he commissioned the first feasibility studies into the SSN20 class of nuclear-powered submarines.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Feasibility studies into an SSN20 class nuclear-powered submarine were approved in February 1986.

  HMS Fearless and Intrepid
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure to date has been incurred on feasibility studies into(a) replacing HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid and (b) refurbishing HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Expenditure to date on feasibility studies into the replacement of the assault ships amounts to £4·14 million, and that into extending their lives to £161,000.

  Sandown Class Minehunters
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies submitted tenders last year for the supply of Sandown class minehunters; and what was the total value of these tenders.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The four companies invited to tender for the supply of Sandown class minehunters were Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd., Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. and Swan Hunter Shipbuilders and Engineering Ltd. The tenders covered the supply of various numbers of ships up to a maximum of seven; the value of the tenders is commercially confidential.

  Anti-air Warfare Frigate
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state when he expects to complete his studies of the design of a new anti-air warfare frigate to replace the type 42 destroyer.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 23 May,Official Report, column 615.

  Wing Commander Farquhar
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to identify the person who removed documents and computer materials from the car left unattended by Wing Commander Farquhar in the circumstances which formed the basis of the recent court martial; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The investigation of the theft of materials from the car is a matter for the Metropolitan police. I cannot comment further.

  AFRICA: FAMINE RELIEF
  AFRICA: FAMINE RELIEF
  UN: SECRETARY GENERAL'S SUCCESSOR
  UN: SECRETARY GENERAL'S SUCCESSOR
  DIPLOMATS FROM EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES: TRAINING
  DIPLOMATS FROM EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES: TRAINING
  POLICE OFFICERS: INSURANCE COVER
  POLICE OFFICERS: INSURANCE COVER
  UPTON GREY SCHOOL, HAMPSHIRE
  UPTON GREY SCHOOL, HAMPSHIRE
  MoD HEADQUARTERS: STAFF REDUCTIONS
  MoD HEADQUARTERS: STAFF REDUCTIONS