Written Answers of 11 July 1991

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table otherwise comparable to that provided in his answer of 17 April,Official Report, columns 184–85, to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) showing reductions in payment per year in successive increments of £10 from £0 to £140 for (i) charge payers and (ii) pensioners.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Reduction in payment per year Bottom of range £

  Charge payers (millions)

  Pensioners(millions)

  0

  1·1

  0·1

  10

  2·5

  1·2

  20

  4·7

  2·6

  30

  1·0

  0·2

  40

  0·9

  0·2

  50

  1·1

  0·2

  60

  1·7

  0·3

  70

  1·6

  0·2

  80

  1·4

  0·2

  90

  1·5

  0·3

  100

  1·2

  0·2

  110

  1·0

  0·1

  120

  0·8

  0·1

  130

  0·8

  0·1

  140

  14·2

  1·9

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 2 July, how much of the special waste produced in the United Kingdom annually is disposed of by incineration.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department's "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics No. 13" published by HMSO in 1991 included in figure 5·3 an estimate that about 5 per cent. of the special waste produced in the United Kingdom in 1988 was disposed of by incineration. This figure is probably typical for any 12-month period in recent years.

  Parish Election Expenses
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue regulations to effect the release of money held by district councils on account for parish councils to be used by them for parish election expenses.

  Mr. Key
  The treatment of any money held by district councils relating to balances on parish accounts is a matter for the authorities concerned.

  Planning Inquiries
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on the lastest year's figures available for England and Wales what were the mean, median, longest and shortest lengths of time that were taken to make a decision about whether or not to issue a call-in notice under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, previously section 35 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, following an article 14 direction.

  Mr. Yeo
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Panning Applications
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on the latest year's figures available for England and Wales, how many planning applications were subject to an article 14 direction; how many were subsequently the subject of a call-in under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, previously section 35 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, and what both these figures were as a percentage of the total number of planning applications submitted.

  Mr. Yeo
  In England in 190–91, a total of 182 article 14 directions were made; 70 planning applications were called in following such directions; a total of 532,000 planning applications were received by local planning authorities. In Wales in the same year, the corresponding figures were 13; 2; 39,000.

  Planning applications which were the subject of article 14 directions or were called in by my right hon. Friends in 1990–91 were not necessarily received by local planning authorities in the same year.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Sir Richard Luce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 587, if he will set out in detail the formulae for the criteria which are required in assessing the standard spending assessment for a district council.

  Mr. Portillo
  The formulae for assessing the standard spending assessment for a district council are set out in paragraphs 3.33 to 3.36 and 3.48 to 3.58 of the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) as amended by paragraph 9 of the Revenue Support Grant Distribution (Amendment) Report (England). Copies of these documents are available in the Library.

  Venezuelan Environment Minister
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he held an official meeting with Snr. Enrique C. Finol, Minister for the Environment for Venezuela, during his recent visit to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Trippier
  A meeting was planned, but did not take place owing to a change in the Venezuelan Minister's programme.

  Commonhold Legislation
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention to include a right to buy the freehold for existing long leaseholders in the forthcoming commonhold legislation.
  415
  Mr. Yeo
  We hope to make a statement on commonhold very shortly.

  Housing, Tower Hamlets
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average rent of local authority homes in the London borough of Tower Hamlets in 1978 and in each subsequent year.

  Sir George Young
  Information on average weekly unrebated rents in April of each year is published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in "Housing Rents Statistics" for those authorities which respond to their annual survey. Copies of this publication for 1978 to 1990 are in the Library.

  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new homes were started and completed in the London borough of Tower Hamlets in each year since 1974; and how many of these were local authority or housing association homes for rent.

  Sir George Young
  The London borough of Tower Hamlets has not sent the Department any statistical returns about housebuilding in the area since 1984. The available information as reported by the borough for 1980 onwards is shown in tables 1.1 to 1.5 of "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas 1980 to 1989". Tables 3.1 to 3.6 show housebuilding in Tower Hamlets by the Greater London council. Figures for 1974 to 1979 are shown in tables 5 and 7 of the following issues of "Local Housing Statistics: England and Wales": volume numbers 33, 37, 41, 45, 49 and 53, respectively. No completions have been reported of dwellings built specifically for sale by local authority or housing associations in Tower Hamlets.

  Copies of the above publications are in the Library.

  Planning Procedures
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are taken to ensure that planning inspectors with interests in property development and building firms do not hear appeals concerning major development proposals.

  Mr. Yeo
  Inspectors are not allocated cases where it is clear that they have a personal involvement or interest that might bring into question their impartiality. If an inspector is allocated a case where he has a personal interest that could conflict with his official duty, he is required to inform the Department. Another inspector will then be appointed in his place.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what register of interests exists for planning inspectors.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Department does not keep a register of inspectors' interests. It does however, maintain a list of areas in which inspectors will not be allocated work. This list normally includes the local authority area in which an inspector lives, or has been recently employed, and any other area where he has interests that could conflict with his official duties.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 20 December,Official Report, columns 273–74.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The following surveys carried out by my Department since 20 December 1990, include questions to individuals about their opinions:

  Survey of Single Homelessness.

  Survey of Housing Association Tenants.

  Study of Under-Occupation in the Social Rented Sector.

  Evaluation of the Impact of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.

  Study of Conversions of Houses into Flats in London.

  Evaluating the Impact of Block Action.

  Appraisal of assisted Agency Services.

  Polish Economic Adviser
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he held an official meeting with Dr. Tomasz Zylicz, economics adviser to the Polish Minister for the Environment during his recent visit to London.

  Mr. Trippier
  No.

  United Nations Environment Programme
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he had an official meeting with Dr. Yusuf Ahmad of the United Nations environment programme executive directorate during his recent visit to London.

  Mr. Trippier
  Dr. Ahmad is a frequent visitor to the Department. My officials keep in touch with him on a number of international environmental issues on which he has much valued expertise.

  International Biotechnology Workshop
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the international biotechnology workshop held at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre on 17–19 June.

  Mr. Baldry
  Further to my reply of 14 May to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), the workshop was mounted under the auspices of the United Conference on Environment and Development—UNCED—and attended by some 50 senior international experts from about 30 countries. My Department contributed $80,000—£44,700—towards its cost.

  Under the chairmanship of Dr. Nay Htun of the UNCED secretariat, the workshop considered a wide range of factors affecting the assessment and management of risks in biotechnology. The expert advice given will form the basis of proposals to be presented to the UNCED preparatory committee at its third session in Geneva next month.

  The encouraging progress made at the workshop augurs well for the consideration of the environmentally sound management of biotechnology at the UNCED "Earth summit," to be held in Brazil in 1992. The United Kingdom will continue to work hard to prepare the ground for the agreement of a set of principles for risk assessment and management as a basis for the development of international guidelines on biotechnology safety.

  Thorne Moor
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Thorne moor has been designated under the Ramsar convention.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 5 July 1991]: No. The former Nature Conservancy Council identified Thorne—and Hatfield—moor as a potential Ramsar site but the Government have not received any formal recommendations from English Nature.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he is considering for the storage of compressed carbon dioxide waste gases from coal gasification in depleted gas fields, as part of the programme for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department of Energy's Chief Scientist's Group at the Energy Technology Support Unit is evaluating, in collaboration with industry, a number of options for the recovery of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion and, inter alia, its disposal in disused natural gas fields. My Department is also seeking collaboration, under International Energy Agency auspices, with up to 14 other countries in an assessment of the feasibility of removing, utilising, transporting and disposing of carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power generation.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table of the total grants given by each local authority social services department in England to voluntary organisations for the last year for which the information is available;

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 5 July 1991]: I have been asked to reply.

  The latest year for which information is available is 1988–89. The information is given in the table.

  Local Authority Contributions to Voluntary Organisations in 1988–89

  £000

  Metropolitan Borough Councils

  Bolton

  80

  Bury

  166

  Manchester

  0

  Oldham

  177

  Rochdale

  407

  Salford

  85

  Stockport

  101

  Tameside

  133

  Trafford

  0

  Wigan

  196

  Knowsley

  415

  Liverpool

  924

  St. Helens

  0

  Sefton

  25

  Wirral

  366

  Barnsley

  10

  Doncaster

  214

  Rotherham

  27

  Sheffield

  1,460

  Gateshead

  371

  Newcastle

  1,503

  North Tyneside

  19

  418

  £000

  South Tyneside

  31

  Sunderland

  0

  Birmingham

  4,564

  Coventry

  805

  Dudley

  248

  Sandwell

  91

  Solihull

  0

  Walsall

  120

  Wolverhampton

  1,014

  Bradford

  725

  Calderdale

  164

  Kirklees

  497

  Leeds

  1,281

  Wakefield1

  Inner London Boroughs

  City of London

  212

  Camden

  2,216

  Greenwich1

  Hackney1

  Hammersmith1

  Islington

  3,278

  Kensington

  1,238

  Lambeth1

  Lewisham

  1,466

  Southwark

  1,839

  Tower Hamlets

  0

  Wandsworth

  266

  Westminster

  2,560

  Outer London Boroughs

  Barking

  0

  Barnet

  532

  Bexley

  310

  Brent

  2,244

  Bromley

  321

  Croydon

  0

  Ealing

  403

  Enfield

  72

  Haringey1

  Harrow

  57

  Havering

  25

  Hillingdon

  300

  Hounslow

  0

  Kingston

  298

  Merton

  0

  Newham

  462

  Redbridge

  2

  Richmond

  0

  Sutton

  245

  Waltham Forest

  0

  Shire Counties

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Bedfordshire

  215

  Berkshire

  418

  Buckinghamshire

  1,510

  Cambridgeshire

  1,345

  Cheshire

  605

  Cleveland

  638

  Cornwall

  125

  Cumbria

  19

  Derbyshire

  945

  Devon

  924

  Dorset

  0

  Durham

  105

  East Sussex

  877

  Essex

  810

  Gloucestershire

  742

  Hampshire

  1,547

  Hereford and Worcester

  217

  Hertfordshire

  0

  Humberside

  0

  Isle of Wight

  48

  Kent

  1,268

  Lancashire

  490

  Leicestershire

  2,157

  Lincolnshire

  307

  419

  £000

  Norfolk

  1,329

  Northamptonshire

  1,607

  Northumberland

  48

  North Yorkshire

  359

  Nottinghamshire

  1,889

  Oxfordshire

  555

  Shropshire

  74

  Somerset1

  —

  Staffordshire

  229

  Suffolk

  953

  Surrey

  55

  Warwickshire

  1,229

  West Sussex

  18

  Wiltshire

  1,311

  Source: local authority revenue outturn forms 1988–89

  1 Completed form not received by 1 August 1990

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government of the People's Republic of China with regard to the detention of the Right Reverend Joseph Fan Zhongliang.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have made no specific representations about the detention of Bishop Fan Zhongliang.

  Conventional Forces in Europe
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in clarifying technical disputes regarding the CFE treaty; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  At an extraordinary conference of the CFE signatories in Vienna on 14 June, the Soviet Union made a statement regarding the treatment of equipment in coastal defence, naval infantry and strategic rocket force units. The extraordinary conference concluded that a satisfactory basis existed for proceeding toward ratification and implementation of the CFE treaty. The agreement reached will ensure that the Soviet Union will in practice comply with the limits, including zonal and active unit sublimits, established by the treaty.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 71.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No further public opinion surveys have been carried out by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since my answer of 17 December 1990.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 24, if he will list the commencement date and duration of the publicity campaign to which he refers.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The publicity campaign aimed at British travellers abroad is a continuous one.
  420
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 24.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No such companies are employed or involved in these campaigns.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his most recent assessment of the dangers faced by the refugee Shias in southern Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are very disturbed by recent United Nations evidence of renewed Iraqi action against those Iraqi Shia who have taken refuge in the marsh area of southern Iraq. We have made our concerns known to the head of the Iraqi interests section in London and to the Iraqi permanent representative at the United Nations and have urged the Iraqis to allow humanitarian relief into the area quickly.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what powers executive agencies have to change their financial regime without first amending their framework document.

  Mr. Renton
  Agency chief executives keep their financial and other management regimes under review, with the aim of developing the framework best suited to their business needs. Significant changes in an agency's financial regime would require the agreement of the responsible Minister and the Treasury. In many cases, there will be sufficient flexibility in the framework document to allow for changes, so no further amendment is required. But where such changes are not covered the framework document will need to be revised.

TRANSPORT

  London Underground
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the agreed expenditure for investment on the Circle line of London Underground over the next three years; and whether he has any plans to increase it.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government do not set levels of investment for individual Underground lines. However, London Underground is in the process of refurbishing the entire fleet of Circle line trains. It is also looking at ways of improving the line's service reliability by combining its running with that of the Hammersmith and City line.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he is having with the Health and Safety Executive in connection with each of the short and long-term recommendations listed in sections 7 and 8
  421
  of the May 1991 independent report by consulting engineers on the gantry accident of 4 September 1990 on the Severn bridge.

  Mr. Chope
  The recommendations are under discussion within the Department. The Health and Safety Executive will be consulted before final decisions are reached.

  A6 Chapel Bypass
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the final price paid to the construction company involved in the A6 Chapel bypass as compared to the original contract price.

  Mr. Chope
  The original tender sum for the contract was £17·031 million. The total contractor's account was settled at £43·703 million.

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton of 3 July, on the M11 link road, if he will list those standards established in the case of the M40, referred to by the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) in the debate on the New Roads and Street Works Bill in Standing Committee E on 14 March,Official Report, column 25, which can be applied to urban roads such as the M11 link road.

  Mr. Chope
  As is made clear in the answer to which the hon. Member refers, the measures taken to mitigate any evironmental impact of a new road depend on the individual nature of each project.

  Maidstone Bypass
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to let a contract for the widening of the M20 Maidstone bypass; and what completion date will be specified.

  Mr. Chope
  The contract for the widening of the Maidstone bypass section of the M20 between junctions 5 and 8 was let on 4 July to Balfour Beatty Ltd. Work will begin before the end of July for completion by the spring of 1993.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, columns 59–60.

  Mr. Rifkind
  My Department regularly commissions surveys. A list of all surveys is maintained but it is not possible to identify easily from this list those surveys which have included questions of opinion. My hon. Friend's answer of 20 December 1990 referred to 370 surveys of all types reported in the years 1985 to 1989. A further 101 surveys were reported in 1990 and I am sending a list of these to the hon. Member.

  British Rail (Safety)
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there are any plans to change British Rail's quality of service objectives to take account of the case for manning 422
  of rail stations in London by British Rail staff during the hours that such stations are timetabled to receive trains, and the provision at all stations of security cameras and emergency telephones.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 1 July 1991]: The staffing of stations is a matter for the BR board.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many assaults have taken place at unmanned British Rail stations in the past five years, and how many such stations had no security cameras and no emergency telephones.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 1 July 1991]: In 1989 and 1990 four assaults, of which one was serious, occurred at unmanned stations in the Greater London area. Figures for previous years and other areas are not readily available.

ENERGY

  Oil and Gas Exploration
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many blocks of the United Kingdom continental shelf have been licensed for oil and gas exploration within the past 10 years despite sustained objections from the Nature Conservancy Council.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Nature Conservancy Council has registered concerns about a number of blocks offered for oil and gas licensing in the past 10 years. These concerns have been met by applying conditions and restrictions to activity under the licences or by not offering the relevant blocks. In this period, the Nature Conservancy Council has objected to the offer for licensing of six blocks or pairs of blocks. Three of these were offered in the 10th round, but not subsequently licensed; three were licensed in the 12th round of offshore licensing.

  Radioactive Waste (Contamination)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether radioactive wastes contaminated with plutonium arising from the reprocessing of foreign spent fuel at(a) Sellafield and (b) Dounreay are covered by existing nuclear safeguards agreements.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  All civil nuclear material is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the United Kingdom-Euratom-International Atomic Energy Authority safeguards agreement. The UK-Euratom-IAEA safeguards agreement provides, however, that safeguards shall be terminated when the material has been diluted to the point at which it is practicably irrecoverable.

  Nuclear Electric
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy for what reason he prevented Nuclear Electric from launching a publicity and advertising campaign in July.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The decision to postpone a proposed advertising campaign was taken by Nuclear Electric plc.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) when he last discussed directors' pay with Nuclear Electric;
  423
  (2) whether it is his policy that the pay of the directors of Nuclear Electric should be comparable with that of directors of the privatised electricity companies;

  (3) what criteria he uses when determining the pay of the directors of Nuclear Electric.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I last discussed pay with members of the board of Nuclear Electric on 4 June 1991. Our approach in respect of all publicly owned companies is to pay salaries sufficient to recruit, retain and motivate the manpower the company needs.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions paper for the printing of share certificates for the flotation at the electricity distribution companies was returned to the paper suppliers; whether any financial loss occurred to the Department as a result; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None. All the paper ordered for the printing of interim share certificates required in the regional electricity companies share offers was either used, returned to the supplier at no cost, or sold to a third party without loss.

  EC Energy Ministers
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next intends to meet his opposite numbers in other European Community countries; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I expect to meet my opposite numbers at the next Energy Council, on 29 October, when we will discuss a number of energy-related subjects.

  I also hope to have separate meetings later this year with the German Minister for Economic Affairs, the Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs and the Portuguese Minister for Industry and Energy. In each case, European energy matters will form the basis for discussion.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 39.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The only advertising agency currently employed in any of the campaigns listed in my earlier answer is Laing Henry for the United Kingdom offshore supplies industry. My Department does not usually retain companies in a purely promotional or public relations role.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the cost, and the benefits, of his Department's exhibit on renewable energy resources at the recent exhibition on the environment, wildlife and conservation at Olympia.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The total cost of the Department of Energy's participation in this exhibition is expected to be £24,000. This event forms part of the programme for promoting renewable energy, including the raising of 424
  public awareness and the involvement of industry in the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. An analysis of inquiries will be carried out to assess the effectiveness of the material provided.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 13.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 39, if he will list the commencement date and duration of each publicity campaign.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The energy efficiency, offshore supplies industry and renewable energy campaigns are ongoing, and have been running for a number of years. The joint campaign with the Department of the Environment is expected to commence in the autumn of 1991 and continue until 1993–94.

  Fourth Landward Licensing Round
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the response to the fourth landward licensing round.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The fourth landward licensing round which closed at noon on 20 June attracted 35 applications for exploration licences from 39 companies or groups of companies. I will now be considering all the applications on their merits. The new licences resulting from this round, which I hope to announce towards the end of the summer, should help to maintain the momentum of exploration onshore in Britain.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the public opinion surveys conducted by, for or on behalf of, the Lord Chancellor's Department or the Law Officers since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 1, giving the date and purpose of each survey.

  The Attorney-General
  No national public opinion survey has been conducted by, for or on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department or any of the Departments for which I am responsible since 17 December 1990. No records are held centrally of any local surveys that may have been conducted by area staff of the Crown prosecution service, and such information could be acquired only at disproportionate cost.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Bank and Building Society Lending
  Mr. Lawson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annualised percentage growth of bank and building society lending was, seasonally adjusted, over the six months to(a) May 1991 and (b) June 1991.
  425
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  For the six months to the end of May 1991 the banks' and building societies' lending to the M4 private sector annualised growth rate was 7·1 per cent. (seasonally adjusted).

  The June 1991 figure is not available yet. It will be given in line 23 of table A of the Bank of England's monetary statistics notice, due for publicaton on 29 July 1991.

  NUCPS (Pay Dispute)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his reasons for refusing to refer the pay dispute with the National Union of Civil and Public Servants to the Civil Service Arbitration tribunal; and if he will now reconsider that decision.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Under the terms of the long-term pay agreement with the NUCPS, arbitration is an option only if both parties agree. Arbritration was rejected because pay should reflect what is needed to recruit, retain and motivate staff within what can be afforded. The offer took these factors into account and is within the parameters of the pay agreement.

  The NUCPS has now accepted the offer.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet building society representatives to discuss the Government response to the Woolwich judicial review result.

  Mr. Maples
  I have no plans to do so. The Building Societies Association has not asked for such a meeting.

  Obscene Publications
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many imported publications deemed to be obscene have been seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the past five years; how many persons have been prosecuted for this trade; and what punishments were imposed.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In the five years 1986 to 1991 a total of 157,689 publications deemed to be indecent or obscene were seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. 373 persons were prosecuted leading to a total of 36 years 9 months imprisonment (including 18 years 1 month suspended sentences), seven years probation and fines and costs totalling £183,171.

  Public Servants' Pensions
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the Government's policy of abating the pensions of public servants who are re-employed in the public service after retirement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The Government have completed their review of the current abatement policy.

  My hon. Friend the then Economic Secretary announced on 21 December 1989 at col 370 that the pay or pension of retired public servants would no longer be subject to abatement if they were re-employed in a different public service after retirement. This change did not extend to those who retire early from one public service and are subsequently re-employed in another. They
  426
  continue to be subject to abatement until they reach the normal retirement age in the public service from which they first retired.

  The Government have now given further consideration to the abatement arrangements for those who are re-employed in the same public service from which they draw pension. Here, re-employment is a continuation of the employment from which the pension derives and we have concluded that a public service pension should not normally be payable where the employee has not genuinely retired from that public service. Circumstances may occur in the future in a particular public service for which a relaxation of abatement might be appropriate but no such case has been made so, for the present, we do not consider that any significant change is warranted in the current policy or its application. Abatement will generally continue to apply for those who are re-employed in the same public service from which they draw pension. There will, however, be some minor changes to remove anomalies which will ease the effect of abatement in some cases and will simplify administration.

  Civil Service Employees
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers, locations and departments of all civil servants employed in Gwent and Glamorgan.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 9 July 1991]: At 1 April 1991 the number of non-industrial civil servants employed in Gwent and Glamorgan was 22,165. Analyses by location and by department are given in tables 1 and 2 respectively. No figures are held centrally of the number of industrial civil servants employed in Gwent and Glamorgan.

  Table 1

  Numbers of non-industrial civil servants in Gwent and Glamorgan Staff in post at 1 April 1991

  Location

  Headcount

  Gwent

  3,304

  of which:

  Blaenau Gwent

  203

  Islwyn

  104

  Monmouth

  443

  Newport

  2,149

  Torfaen

  405

  Glamorgan

  18,861

  of which:

  Cynon Valley

  234

  Merthyr Tydfil

  349

  Ogwr

  384

  Rhondda

  166

  Rhymney Valley

  247

  Taff Ely

  930

  Cardiff

  9,354

  Vale of Glamorgan

  621

  Afan

  262

  Lliw Valley

  5

  Neath

  154

  Swansea

  6,155

  Source: Mandate.

  Table 2

  Numbers of non-industrial civil servants in Gwent

  Department

  Staff in post at 1 April 1991 (headcount)

  Central Statistical Office

  789

  Customs and Excise

  48

  Crown Prosecution Service

  32

  427

  Table 2 Numbers of non-industrial civil servants in Gwent

  Department

  Staff in post at 1 April 1991 (headcount)

  Ministry of Defence

  135

  Employment Department Group

  390

  Home Office

  401

  Inland Revenue

  326

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  102

  Department of Social security

  581

  DTI

  435

  Department of Transport

  28

  Welsh Office

  18

  Other departments

  19

  Total

  3,304

  Source: MANDATE.

  Numbers of non-industrial civil servants in Glamorgan

  Department

  Staff in post at 1 April 1991 (headcount)

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  38

  Customs and Excise

  405

  Crown Prosecution Service

  184

  Ministry of Defence

  713

  Employment Department Group

  1,558

  Department of the Environment (excluding PSA)

  14

  PSA

  280

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  693

  HMSO

  17

  Home Office

  480

  Inland Revenue

  3,261

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  511

  Land Registry

  737

  Mint, Royal

  371

  Ordnance Survey

  30

  Department of Social Security

  2,321

  DTI

  1,139

  Department of Transport

  4,343

  Welsh Office

  1,740

  Other departments

  26

  Total

  18,861

  Source: MANDATE.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Environmental Aid Projects
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria his Department's Overseas Development Administration uses to judge appropriate time horizons when considering the funding of environmental aid projects.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Consistent with the principles of sustainable development, we aim to take a long term view of every environmental impact of projects we finance, and pay special attention to any possible irreversible effects. No generally agreed criteria exist for judging appropriate specific time horizons and qualitative judgments are often needed especially where it is not possible fully to quantify environmental costs and benefits. We have financed work by the Overseas Development Institute, published last month as a book "Values for the Environment: A Guide to Economic Appraisal" by J. T. Winpenny, which will provide guidance on these issues to ODA economists and others. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Iraq
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the sums committed by Her Majesty's Government in humanitarian assistance to Iraq(a) for relief operations for refugees and (b) in total.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Since 4 April 1991, the Government have committed £61·5 million for Iraqi refugees. The Government also committed £18·37 million during 1990–91 for humanitarian assistance to refugees in the Gulf crisis area.

  Malawi
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation of human rights in Malawi.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Observance of human rights in Malawi is showing welcome improvement. A total of 88 detainees have been released so far this year. The Malawi Government have told us that all remaining cases of detention without trial are under review. We seek an end to detention without trial in Malawi as elsewhere.

  World Bank Report
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy to assist in the widespread distribution in the United Kingdom of the forthcoming annual world development report of the World Bank on environmental and development matters.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The 1991 World development report, "The Challenge of Development", was published by the World Bank on 8 July. I endorse its main thesis that successful development requires the public and private sectors each to play an appropriate role, and to do so effectively. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The 1992 report will deal with development and the environment and will be published next April.

  World development reports deserve to be widely distributed and the World Bank already has machinery in place to achieve this.

  Contraceptive and Infant Health Care Advice
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance in regard to contraceptive advice and infant health care is made available by Her Majesty's Government to nations covered by the Lomé convention in the Pacific, Caribbean and Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  A specific focus on population and demography is included for the first time in the fourth Lomé convention signed in December 1989, although under earlier conventions the EC financed a number of projects in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the health sector. The Commission is now preparing projects reflecting the new focus in co-operation with Governments of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

  Iraq
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are being made by the United Kingdom Government either individually or in conjunction with the international community to meet the humanitarian requirements of the Shi'ite population in southern Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The relief programmes of the United Nations and the Red Cross and Red Crescent provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people throughout Iraq. Britain has so far contributed US$16 million to the UN appeal launched in May and £2·5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross. A UN mission is currently in Iraq to assess the situation particularly in the southern part of the country. We shall give its report our full consideration.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export of Goods Order
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the amendments made to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989; and if he has any plans to make any further amendments.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Seven amendment orders to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989 have been made:

  Amendment No. 1 came into force 14 February 1990

  Amendment No. 2 came into force 30 April 1990

  Amendment No. 3 came into force 15 April 1990

  Amendment No. 4 came into force 11 August 1990

  Amendment No. 5 came into force 31 August 1990

  Amendment No. 6 came into force 21 December 1990

  Amendment No. 7 came into force 10 July 1991

  It is planned to introduce a consolidated order incorporating these amendments later this year. Additional amendments to export controls reflecting agreement reached in various international regimes of which the United Kingdom is a member are anticipated.

  Insurance Selling
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to ensure that the coverage of the Association of British Insurance code of practice guidelines for general insurance selling are(a) complete and (b) enforced and whether he has any plans to refer this matter to the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Mr. Redwood
  All Association of British Insurance members agree to adhere to the provisions of the code. Its operation is overseen by an independent monitoring committee on which my Department is represented. I believe that the code is working satisfactorily, but the monitoring committee will be undertaking a full review next year. Any evidence to the contrary should be sent to the monitoring committee. I have no plans to refer the code to the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Maintenance Contracts
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about alleged unfair terms in maintenance contracts for office and industrial equipment, excluding photocopier leasing agreements.
  430
  Mr. Redwood
  My Department has received three complaints over the last three months alleging unfair terms in maintenance contracts for office equipment other than photocopiers. All three complaints have been about maintenance and leasing agreements for facsimile equipment.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on 18 March 1991, Official Report, columns 23–24. That statement applies equally to all maintenance contracts for office and industrial equipment.

  Fraud
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to bring forward proposals to place a duty on auditors to report fraud, or suspicion of fraud.

  Mr. Redwood
  As the Government made clear in their response to the report of the Trade and Industry Select Committee on company investigations, we do not believe that a statutory duty should be imposed on auditors to report fraud, or suspicions of fraud, to the authorities. We believe that the action to be taken by auditors in respect of fraud is best left to professional guidance and we welcome the profession's initiative in publishing last year the auditing guideline on the auditor's responsibilities in respect of fraud, other irregularities and errors, which all auditors are expected to follow.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether export licences are required for the sale by British companies of(a) technology, (b) engineering design and (c) building design blueprints or plans, where the development of such blueprints or plans involves military equipment or premises.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: In 1989 the export controls covering military equipment to certain countries were extended to include all products involving the combination and construction of metallic or non-metallic materials specially designed to provide ballistic protection for military systems. Similarly, all technology engineering design and building design blueprints or plans relating to these products now require a licence.

  Friendly Societies
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to initiate legislation for the reform of friendly societies.

  Mr. Maples
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, South (Mr. Morris) on 3 June 1991, Official Report, column 23.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Services
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of fire engines and average populations served by each fire brigade station in London for each year since 1979.
  431
  Mr. John Patten
  The number of front-line pumping appliances based at each fire station in the London fire brigade for each year from 1979 to 1991 is shown in the table. Information about the population served by each

  Front line pumping appliances based at London fire stations, 1979–1991

  Fire Station

  Year 1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Acton

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Addington

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Barbican

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Barking

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Barnet

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Battersea

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Beckenham

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Belsize

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bethnal Green

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Bexley

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Biggin Hill

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bow

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Brixton

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Bromley

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Cannon Street

  2

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Chelsea

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Chingford

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Chiswick

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Clapham

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Clerkenwell

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Croydon

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Dagenham

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Deptford

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Dockhead

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Dowgate

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Downham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Ealing

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  East Greenwich

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  East Ham

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Edmonton

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Eltham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Enfield

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Erith

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Euston

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Feltham

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Finchley

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Forest Hill

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Fulham

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Greenwich

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Hainault

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hammersmith

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Hayes

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Harrow

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hendon

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Heston

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Hillingdon

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Holloway

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Homerton

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Hornchurch

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Hornsey

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Ilford

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Islington

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Kensington

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Kentish Town

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Kingsland

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Kingston

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Knightsbridge

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Lambeth

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Lambeth River

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lee Green

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Lewisham

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Leyton

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Leytonstone

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Manchester Square

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Mill Hill

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Millwall

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Mitcham

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  New Cross

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  New Malden

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Norbury

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  North Kensington

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  432
  fire station in the London fire brigade is not readily available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost
  433

  Fire Station

  Year 1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Northolt

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Old Kent Road

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Orpington

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Paddington

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Park Royal

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Peckham

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Plaistow

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Plumstead

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Poplar

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Purley

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Richmond

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  Romford

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Ruislip

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Sanderstead

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Shadwell

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Shooters Hill

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Shoreditch

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Sidcup

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Silvertown

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Soho

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Southall

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Southgate

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Southwark

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Stanmore

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Stoke Newington

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Stratford

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Surbiton

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Sutton

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Tooting

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Tottenham

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Twickenham

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Wallington

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Walthamstow

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Wandsworth

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Wennington

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wembley

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  West Hampstead

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Westminster

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  West Norwood

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Whitechapel

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Willesden

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Wimbledon

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Woodford

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Woodside

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Woolwich

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Notes:

  1. These figures do not include special appliances, such as hydraulic platforms or turntable ladders, nor pumping appliances maintained as part of the Brigade's reserve fleet.

  2. The figures shown in this table derive from establishment returns submitted by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority relating to the establishment on 1 January each year.

  Junior Crime Prevention Panels
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the presentation of his awards to the west midlands junior crime prevention panels.

  Mr. John Patten
  Although my right hon. Friend has made no awards of prizes to west midlands junior crime prevention panels, I acknowledged and thanked those involved for the valuable work which they undertake during my address to the crime prevention conference "A Matter of Youth" held at Edgbaston on 18 October 1990. Home Office grants totalling £6,155 have been made under the safer cities programme to support and promote the work of junior crime prevention panels in the west midlands.

  Refugees (Legal Advice)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given to the obligations in the international conventions on refugees 434
  that there should be no discrimination in access to legal advice and assistance in proposing the ending of green form legal advice and assistance to refugees.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In their review of asylum arrangements the Government have taken full account of the United Kingdom's international obligations. The planned change in eligibility for green form legal aid, which relates to all immigration matters, is compatible with these obligations. In this area the primary remedy lies in appeals to the immigration appellate authorities, for which free advice and representation is available from the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service. We have no plans to alter access to the High Court in these cases or eligibility for legal aid for litigation there.

  Mr. Paul Cleeland
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for his Department's document on Paul Alexander Cleeland's trial to be further
  435
  amended in respect of the comments of the preparer of the document so that it refers only to the summing-up of the trial judge.

  Mr. John Patten
  Following my reply to a question from the hon. Member on I May 1991 at column 178, a copy of the revised Home Office memorandum on Mr. Cleeland's conviction was placed in the Library. We are now considering whether there are grounds to justify the intervention of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in the conviction of Mr. Cleeland. As part of the review of the case, we will consider whether any further amendments to the Home Office memorandum on Mr. Cleeland's conviction are necessary.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 4.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Department has carried out four public opinion surveys since 17 December 1990:—two surveys of attitudes to crime and crime prevention among adults, done before and after Crime Prevention Week in April 1991;
  —two surveys about crime prevention, carried out in March and May 1991, as part of a series of surveys to test the effectiveness of crime prevention publicity.

  Some questions on attitudes to punishment were also put to 12 to 19-year-olds in May 1991 in an omnibus survey.

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons in which Mr. Charlie McGhee (MM2170) has been held in the six weeks up to 5 July; and if he will give reasons for transfer in each case.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Charles McGhee—MM2170—who is a category A prisoner, was transferred on three occasions in the six weeks up to 5 July 1991. On 7 June, Mr. McGhee was transferred to Frankland prison from Full Sutton prison in the interests of maintaining good order and discipline. On 23 June, following an incident at Frankland prison, it became necessary to move a number of prisoners, including Mr. McGhee, who was transferred to Long Lartin. On subsequent review, it proved necessary to move him again, in the interests of good order and discipline, and on 28 June he was transferred to Wakefield prison.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries with which the United Kingdom has a prisoner transfer ratification agreement; how the parole systems in each country are affected by transfer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The following countries have joined the United Kingdom in ratifying the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons:

  Austria

  Belgium

  Canada

  Cyprus

  Denmark

  Finland

  France

  Greece

  Italy

  436

  Luxembourg

  Malta

  Netherlands

  Spain

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Turkey

  USA

  A bilateral agreement has also been signed with the Government of Thailand.

  We do not have comprehensive information about the parole systems in other countries. The necessary details are established when an application for transfer is received.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of I July,Official Report, column 4.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Home Office uses the following advertising agencies:Collett Dickinson Pearce and Partners Limited—Crime Prevention
  FCO Limited—Fire Prevention and Safety, Electoral Registration, Absent voting Riley Advertising—Police Recruitment: Graduate/Ethnic, Police Special Constable Recruitment, Prison Service Recruitment BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Limited—Passports
  My Department does not use public relations companies. We do not currently use a promotional agency, although we did engage Clarke Hooper Consulting Limited for last April's Crime Prevention Week.
  "Civil Protection Magazine" is produced by the Home Office and the Central Office of Information.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  SERC Projects
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the practice for the Science and Engineering Council in setting up a capital project with regard to estimating and recording the actual manpower used at the end of a project.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We have been informed by the SERC that under arrangements now in force for consideration of major capital projects, full account is taken of the estimated direct and indirect manpower costs involved. Detailed arrangements for subsequent monitoring during project construction also apply.

  Education Resources
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his reply of 21 February,Official Report, columns 235–36, he will publish the same tables with deductions for capital expenditure from the appropriate heading.

  Mr. Fallon
  The figures published in my reply of 21 February already exclude capital expenditure. The potential schools budget is the general schools budget less expenditure on five items excepted from delegation: capital; government specific grants; home to school transport; school meals; and transitional exceptions.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to inquire into the activities and costs of educational institutes following the Government's decision that the language in the national curriculum report was not of an adequate standard to merit publication.

  Mr. Eggar
  No such inquiry is necessary. My right hon. and learned Friend has decided that the materials should not be published so that they would be used only for their intended purpose and not used in the classroom as teaching materials.

  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what action he is taking to recover the full amount spent on the unpublished language in the national curriculum report from educational institutes and other bodies engaged in its preparation.

  Mr. Eggar
  Language in the curriculum is a three-year training programme for teachers, now entering its final phase. The cost of producing the training package used in the programme was about £120,000. The question of recovering costs does not arise.

  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has held with Nottingham university concerning research contracts between his Department and the university following his decision in respect of the language in the national curriculum report.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no discussion with the university of Nottingham concerning research contracts.

  Salaries
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on parity of salaries between clinical academic staff and their NHS counterparts.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, as the representatives of university employers, to settle the pay levels of clinical and other academic staff within the aggregate resources available. The Government take account of relative pay and price costs and other relevant factors in determining aggregate public funding for the universities.

  Medical Education
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the British Medical Association on the impact on medical education of underfunding of universities; and how he has responded.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Two letters about university funding and other matters have been received recently from the medical academic staff committee of the BMA. In reply, we have made clear that it is for individual universities to determine the funding of medical schools within the aggregate resources at their disposal, including the planned increase in available public funding in 1991–92 of some 10 per cent. for the second year running.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December 1990,Official Report, column 41.

  Mr. Eggar
  Further policy evaluation projects of the kind described in my reply on this subject on 17 December, which we have commissioned from the relevant budget since then are:

  Effective management in schools.

  Employment and development of teachers after long INSET courses.

  Follow-up of a survey service on bully/victim problems.

  Family expenditure survey 1991/92 (DES contribution).

  Haberdashers' Aske's CTC
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) in determining the percentage of his contribution towards any additional capital costs of establishing the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college, what account he will take of the Haberdashers' Company's agreement to underwrite extra sponsorship income for the college during the period in which the initial capital works will be completed;

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 6 March, Official Report, column 187, what percentage up to 80 per cent. he will agree to contribute towards any additional capital costs of establishing the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college;

  (3) what additional capital costs, beyond those specified in paragraph 8(ii) of the funding agreement signed on 21 December 1990, are expected to be incurred in establishing the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college;

  (4) over what period he anticipates that the initial capital works for establishing the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college will be carried out.

  Mr. Eggar
  I am discussing possible design changes to proposed capital works with the sponsors. I am not yet in a position to confirm the extent of any changes, associated costs and their apportionment.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assistance is provided by his Department to British Nuclear Fuels plc in support of its educational programme for school governors.

  Mr. Fallon
  As part of our general programme of support for school governors, the Department and Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools participated last December in the annual seminar organised by British Nuclear Fuels plc for its employees who are governors.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, columns 43–44.

  Mr. Eggar
  The teacher recruitment campaign has been designed by Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising Limited.
  439
  No company has yet been selected to undertake the publicity campaign to provide parents with information about changes in the education system.

  The services to business campaign, run as part of the Department's professional, industrial and commercial updating (PICKUP) programme, is managed by Quadrangle Communications Limited.

  Voluntary Aided Schools
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools applied to become voluntary aided schools during each of the past four years; in how many cases were the applications supported by the local education authority; and how many of these applications were subsequently approved by the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Fallon
  The information on the number of independent schools which have applied to the Secretary of State since 1987 for voluntary-aided status is provided in the table.

  Year proposals published

  Number of proposals published

  Number supported by LEA

  Number approved

  1987

  2

  2

  1

  1988

  0

  0

  0

  1989

  1

  0

  1—

  1990

  1

  1

  0

  1991

  1

  0

  1—

  1 Still outstanding.

  Nuclear Physics, Daresbury
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the total manpower costs for nuclear physics at Daresbury for each year since 1974.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not held centrally by the Department. The hon. Member may wish to direct his question to the Science and Engineering Research Council.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the annual extra overhead costs to be borne by the remainder of Daresbury laboratory as a result of the ending of the NSF contributions to those overhead costs.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not held centrally by the Department. My hon. Friend may wish to direct his question to the Science and Engineering Research Council.

  British School
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, if he will make additional provision for construction costs of the British school in Armenia in 1991–92.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Parliamentary approval for my Department to make final payments for the Armenian school project will be sought in a winter supplementary estimate for the schools, research and miscellaneous services vote (class XI, vote 1). This will provide mainly for some minor remedial work to complete the contract liabilities. The expenditure will be offset by a saving 440
  elsewhere on the vote. Pending Parliament's approval, urgent expenditure will be met by a repayable advance of £7,000 from the contingencies fund.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, when he intends to publish for consultation the draft order with attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages in the national curriculum.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have today published for consultation a draft order with an associated document setting out attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages in the national curriculum for pupils aged 11 to 16, as I am required to do by section 20(5) of the Education Reform Act 1988. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The draft order has been prepared following advice to me from the National Curriculum Council, in the light of its consultations on the proposals made by the former holder of my office and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. I am most grateful to the council for its advice.

  I have accepted the council's recommendations for attainment targets and programmes of study as a basis for further consultation. The National Curriculum Council has recommended a reduction in the total number of statements of attainment from 144 to 102. I have accepted this change and believe that it will be helpful in reducing the assessment load on teachers. I have however, made a few minor changes of wording, particularly to the non-statutory examples.

  The draft order for modern foreign languages sets out a range of essential language competences; concentrates on the ability of pupils to use foreign languages effectively for communication; highlights the importance of cultural awareness as an integral part of language learning and ensures that all pupils will receive a stimulating and worthwhile challenge in order to raise standards and stretch even the most able learners at the upper levels of attainment.

  The period for consultation on the draft order will end on 4 October 1991. I intend to make the final order in November 1991 in good time for schools to begin teaching national curriculum modern foreign languages to pupils aged 11 from the following autumn.

  I have also accepted the national curriculum council's recommendation that the format of the order made under section 3(2)(b) of the Education Reform Act be amended from two schedules to a single list of specified languages. I intend to make a new section 3 order at the same time as the final order in November 1991.

  Truancy
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take to reduce truancy rates in schools.

  Mr. Fallon
  [pursuant to the reply, 15 April 1991, columns 51–52]: My right hon. and learned Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales have today laid before Parliament regulations on pupil registration and the publication of information about rates of unauthorised absence. These require that from the

  441
  beginning of the next school year, schools distinguish in their attendance registers between authorised and unauthorised absences of pupils of compulsory school age and from August 1992 maintained schools' prospectuses and annual reports include specified information on rates of unauthorised absence.

  These regulations have been laid after a two-month consultation period in which widespread support was expressed for our proposed action on school attendance. They will stimulate all schools to give a high priority to attendance. Schools in turn should be able to look to parents to shoulder their responsibilities to secure their children's attendance at school.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Environment Exhibition, Olympia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost and the benefit of his Ministry's exhibit at the recent exhibition on environment, wildlife and conservation at Olympia; and what special literature was produced for the event.

  Mr. Curry
  The cost of the Department's exhibit at the Sunday Times exhibition on environment, wildlife and conservation at Olympia, was £100,000 of which £27,000 was for site rental. The exhibit explains how MAFF, in association with other Government Departments and agencies, works to achieve a balance in the use of the countryside and surrounding rivers and seas. A brochure entitled "Balance in the Countryside" is being used to support the exhibit.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 72.

  Mr. Curry
  Current publicity campaigns are based on the opinion surveys commissioned by the Department prior to 17 December 1990. No further surveys have been undertaken since that date.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent on the United Kingdom set-aside scheme for each year since 1989–90; what are his estimates for 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what account in these estimates has been taken of the agreements reached at the Agriculture Council meeting in May.

  Mr. Curry
  The table shows the actual amounts paid to United Kingdom participants in the 1989–90 and 1990–91 financial years and the estimates of payments to be made in the period 1991–92 to 1993–94. The estimates do not take account of the agreement reached at the Agriculture Council meeting in May.

  Financial years

  £ million

  1989–90

  19·84

  1990–91

  119·11

  1991–92

  2227·92

  442

  Financial years

  £ million

  1992–93

  2249·37

  1993–94

  2248·91

  1 Actual.

  2 Estimated.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the results of inspections his Ministry has carried out on the set-aside scheme including(a) the number of farms visited and (b) the percentage visited of the total in set-aside; and how many breaches of regulation have been identified, for each year of the scheme.

  Mr. Curry
  The Community set-aside rules require member states to inspect a minimum of 5 per cent. of holdings on which land is being set aside under the scheme. It is not departmental policy to indicate the expected or achieved levels of inspection in the interests of proper enforcement. In the United Kingdom, in the first year of the scheme, significant irregularities were found on 2 per cent. of the holdings inspected.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the five-year set-aside scheme in 1991–92; and whether he will allow the use of set-aside land to grow non-food crops.

  Mr. Gummer
  The five-year set-aside scheme will be open to new applications from 1 August 1991. The only changes to the rules of the existing scheme will be to provide for the partial refund of cereals coresponsibility levy paid between 31 July 1991 and 30 June 1992 to set-aside participants. The refund is expected (subject to detailed Commission rules) to amount to £2·68 per tonne. Application forms and explanatory booklets will be available from local divisional offices at the end of this month. These forms must be returned by 30 September 1991.

  I have consulted interested bodies on the EC regulations permitting member states to permit the growing of cereals for non-food uses on set-aside land. In the light of that consultation and the report to the House of Lords by the Select Committee on European Communities (Sub-Committee D) on non-food uses of agricultural products I have concluded that we should not introduce such a scheme in the United Kingdom. I will, however, continue to keep the possibility under review.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the uptake of the set-aside scheme, including the number of farms and the area of land set aside in hectares in England in 1990 and 1991;

  (2) if he will list the numbers of farms, the numbers of hectares and the average area per farm in hectares which are in the set-aside scheme in each county in 1991;

  (3) what amount of land in (a) hectares and (b) percentage terms in set-aside was used for different land use options in 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the press release dated 17 December 1990, which is available in the Library of the House.

  Cereals
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the hectareage of land in the United Kingdom under cereals in 1991.

  Mr. Curry
  The preliminary estimate of the area sown to cereals in the United Kingdom for the 1991 harvest is 3·6 million hectares.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 75.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department has employed no advertising, promotional or public relations companies in connection with these campaigns.

  Design and production of the touring exhibition was carried out under contract by Interactive Learning Productions; and design work on the revision of food publications is being carried out under contract by Trickett and Webb Ltd.

  Residues (Meat)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce further controls on residues of veterinary medicines in meat; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am issuing a consultation document today on our proposals and I intend to introduce regulations under the Food Safety Act which will significantly strengthen existing controls on the presence of veterinary medicines in meat and meat products. There has been concern that the mis-use of veterinary medicines can pose a threat to the health of consumers through residues passing into the food chain.

  The new measures will contain the following key elements:
  to make it an offence to submit an animal for slaughter containing residues in excess of prescribed maximum limits;
  to make it an offence to sell meat or meat products with excess residues;
  to make it an offence to fail to observe the withdrawal period stipulated in the literature associated with licensed veterinary medicinal products;
  to enable carcases found to contain excess residues to be immediately condemned as unfit for human or animal consumption;
  to enable animals found to contain illegal beta-agonists or other unlicensed veterinary medicinal products to be compulsorily slaughtered other than for human or animal consumption.

  The consultation document has been issued to interested parties and copies have also been placed in the Library of the House. Consultation with the European Commission will also be necessary. I expect to be able to lay the final regulation before the House in October.

  The British agricultural industry has a fine reputation for the safe use of veterinary medicines. These measures will protect that reputation and I hope that other countries in the European Community will be prepared to take and enforce similar measures.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all those voluntary organisations which are receiving grant aid from his Ministry in 1991–92 and his estimates for 1992–93; and if he will list the amounts which each organisation is to receive.

  Mr. Gummer
  The following voluntary organisations will benefit from grants made by my Department in 1991–92. Estimates for 1992–93 are also given.

  Organisation

  Grant for 1991–92

  Estimated grant for 1992–93

  £

  £

  Dartington Institute (Project Sylvanus)

  5,050

  2,300

  Farming and Wildlife Trust

  276,500

  1—

  National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs

  19,436

  19,922

  National Proficiency Tests Council

  75,000

  37,000

  Rural (Responsible Use of Resources in Agriculture and on the Land)

  2,500

  1—

  1 These grants are under review.

  2 £6,500 of this is a subscription.

  Blue Ear Pig Disease
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which counties restrictions on pigs are in force due to blue ear disease; which counties were included in his chief veterinary officer's notification of the disease to the EC under Commission decision 91/237/EEC dated 1 July 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 24 June at column 383 and the information placed in the Library of the House accordingly.

WALES

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the amounts of hazardous waste imported into Great Britain for incineration through Welsh ports from the Irish Republic in each year since October 1988.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information is as follows.

  Waste (tonnes)

  1 October 1988 to 31 March 1989

  43·0

  1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990

  316·4

  1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991

  501·2

  School Meals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the percentage of school meals received by pupils per local education authority in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools for each of the years since 1979.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information, as at September of each year, is given in the table.
  445

  Number of pupils receiving school meals, as a percentage of the pupils present

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Primary

  Clwyd

  69

  48

  46

  55

  62

  58

  56

  54

  53

  48

  49

  49

  Dyfed

  86

  67

  74

  75

  75

  73

  70

  67

  66

  61

  62

  62

  Gwent

  66

  61

  63

  63

  64

  64

  61

  61

  62

  59

  61

  57

  Gwynedd

  85

  70

  71

  68

  71

  70

  67

  67

  68

  63

  62

  61

  Mid Glamorgan

  68

  58

  63

  62

  66

  68

  64

  63

  63

  59

  59

  57

  Powys

  85

  66

  88

  78

  79

  69

  62

  64

  63

  62

  64

  66

  South Glamorgan

  64

  49

  50

  43

  46

  48

  48

  48

  48

  46

  46

  47

  West Glamorgan

  67

  48

  58

  56

  60

  53

  51

  51

  49

  45

  45

  45

  Wales

  71

  57

  61

  60

  64

  62

  59

  59

  58

  55

  55

  54

  Secondary

  Clwyd

  44

  31

  34

  30

  39

  51

  43

  42

  43

  43

  38

  41

  Dyfed

  54

  66

  65

  69

  67

  72

  69

  69

  70

  67

  66

  65

  Gwent

  33

  35

  40

  39

  46

  53

  44

  49

  52

  50

  52

  56

  Gwynedd

  59

  52

  58

  56

  55

  56

  53

  54

  51

  48

  41

  48

  Mid Glamorgan

  48

  43

  46

  49

  47

  55

  43

  45

  44

  40

  44

  45

  Powys

  58

  45

  49

  53

  60

  65

  49

  50

  49

  48

  55

  54

  South Glamorgan

  37

  31

  37

  31

  36

  39

  34

  35

  38

  36

  38

  36

  West Glamorgan

  40

  34

  40

  43

  49

  62

  57

  56

  56

  55

  47

  54

  Wales

  44

  41

  45

  45

  48

  55

  48

  49

  50

  48

  47

  49

  School Sport
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the state of sport in schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend is jointly, with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, considering the Education, Science and Arts Select Committee report on sport in schools. They are also considering the final report of the physical education working group set up to advise on a national curriculum for PE in schools.

  As part of the Government's current review of its policies towards sport and active recreation we are also looking at ways in which children of school age can be encouraged to participate in sport both during and outside school hours, including through the further promotion of links between schools and local sports clubs.

  Housing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new measures he proposes to tackle the housing needs of(a) the homeless, (b) young families, (c) vulnerable single people and (d) those with special needs.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I have today announced a personal initiative for single or other homeless people with special or severe difficulty. Local authorities have been invited to submit proposals for a pilot scheme to develop new measures of support and make the best use of existing resources, in partnership with other relevant local statutory and non-statutory bodies. Resources of up to £800,000 are to be allocated over a period of three years to fund the scheme.

  Local authorities have also been invited to bid against a capital reserve of £2·88 million and revenue support for local voluntary bodies of £150,000 for homelessness projects. The reserve is designed to complement authorities' own efforts in dealing with cases of homelessness, within the context of the approach to partnership with housing associations and voluntary bodies which is developing strongly in Wales.
  446
  These measures are additional to plans in hand with Housing for Wales to increase the total housing association stock by over one third by 1993–94, so directly benefiting a range of groups including families and those in special need.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) council, (b) private and (c) housing association houses have been completed in each of the last 10 years in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the numbers of farms, the numbers of hectares and the average area per farm in hectares which are in the set-aside scheme in each county in 1991;

  (2) what was the uptake of the set-aside scheme in (a) the number of farms and (b) the area of land set aside in hectares for 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Fifty-three farms had entered the scheme by the end of the 1990–91 scheme year. Details are given in the table.

  No. of Holdings Participating

  Area Set Aside (ha)

  Average Area set Aside per Holding (ha)

  Gwynedd

  4

  99·33

  24·83

  Clwyd

  4

  98·63

  24·65

  Powys

  4

  74·16

  18·54

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  1

  148·67

  143·67

  West Glamorgan

  3

  175·87

  58·62

  Gwent

  6

  319·38

  53·23

  Dyfed

  31

  884·10

  28·52

  Total

  53

  1,800·14

  33·96

  Cardiff Barrage
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he has received from the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the proposed Cardiff barrage; and if he proposes to accept its advice.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My officials have begun discussions with officers of the Countryside Council about issues arising out of the proposed Cardiff barrage. I shall take account of recommendations emerging from these discussions in finalising my proposals.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, columns 35–36.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Advertising and promotions companies employed by or on behalf of the Welsh Office on the campaigns detailed in the reply I gave on 1 July 1991 are:

  McCann Erickson Payne Golley—Enterprise Wales

  Dragon Advertising—Road Safety

  The Department has not yet appointed any advertising, promotions or public relations contractor to undertake drugs and alcohol misuse work this financial year.

  Tai Cymru
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the real terms funding for Tai Cymru in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the approved gross development programme for Housing for Wales, which includes receipts. The initial allocations, which exclude resources transferred from local authorities, at 1991–92 prices are as follows:

  £ million

  1989–90

  83·017

  1990–91

  109·336

  1991–92

  117·414

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the salaries of the board members of Tai Cymru.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The remuneration of the board members of Housing for Wales, effective from 1 April 1991, is as follows:

  £

  Chairman

  26,750

  Deputy Chairman

  8,280

  Members

  3,625

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names of the chairpersons of training and enterprise councils he has appointed in Wales, stating the salaries payable to them and, for each of them, the experience, qualifications and interests which qualified them for appointment.
  448
  Mr. David Hunt
  Training and enterprise council boards are responsible for the appointment of their chair persons. To be eligible a chair person must be a chief executive of a company; a top operational manager at local level of a major company; or the senior partner in a professional partnership. The appointment is unpaid. The Welsh TEC chairmen are as follows:

  Mid Glamorgan
  Mr. John W. Phillips (Managing Director, Reliance-BarkerDavies Ltd.).

  West Wales
  Mr. Robert C. Hastie (Chairman. Bernard Hastie and Company Ltd.).

  North East Wales
  Mr. John Troth (Managing Director, Dennis Ruabon Ltd.).

  South Glamorgan
  Mr. Roger G. Helliwell (Group Director, William Cowlin and Son Ltd.).

  North West Wales
  Mr. Trefor Jones (Chief Executive, Pilkington Optronics Division).

  Gwent
  Mr. Geoff Canning (Works Manager, British Steel Tinplate).

  Powys
  Mr. David Margetts (Chairman, Elkay Electrical Manufacturing Company Ltd.).

  Trawsfynydd Lake
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further studies he is carrying out on radioactivity in Trawsfynydd lake; and when he expects the results to be available.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The fisheries radiological inspectorate—FRI—of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food provides scientific advice to the Welsh Office which is responsible for radioactive waste disposal authorisations in Wales. The FRI operates a continuing programme of monitoring of radiation dose rates and measuring radioactivity in a variety of environmental materials in the environment of Lake Trawsfynydd. The results are published in the FBI's annual reports of monitoring of radioactivity in surface and coastal waters of the British isles and copies are available in the Library of the House.

  An enhanced programme has been set up to obtain samples of sediment cores, in which radioactivity can be measured in specific layers. The results of this additional work will be published in due course; meanwhile, the results so far are comparable where appropriate with the results of the regular monitoring programme.

  Oral Surgery
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the date and venue of each of his visits to oral surgery departments in hospitals in Wales since his appointment.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend has not made any specific visits to oral surgery departments in hospitals in Wales, but in my capacity as Minister of health in Wales, I visited the dental hospital at the University hospital of Wales on 15 March 1991.

  Disability Manifesto
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. Nicholas Bennett
  [holding answer 3 July 1991]: In their responses to similar questions from the right hon. Gentleman, my right hon. and hon. Friends have set out the Government's key policies and programmes in relation to the groups whose needs are referred to in the disability manifesto. Most of these policies and programmes, including in particular the improvements to social security arrangements and employment opportunities, will benefit equally people with disabilities in Wales.

  We have a complementary programme to meet the distinctive needs and circumstances of Wales, the aim of which is to enable people with disabilities to play the fullest possible part in the life of their communities.

  We have placed particular emphasis on the development of services for people with physical or sensory disabilities in our guidance on the development of social care plans. In Wales these are being prepared jointly, under the leadership of social service authorities, by local health authorities and other agencies, working in close consultation with representatives of the users and carers. The first social care plans will be published in April 1992 and will be available to the public so they can see what services are available, how to gain access to them, and what proposals are being made for their development.

  These developments in social care planning build on existing distinctive policies and initiatives in Wales which will continue. These include the all-Wales mental handicap and mental illness strategies under which we are providing £39 million in 1991–92 to promote new patterns of more local and accessible services. We are also continuing our initiative on the elderly under which we are providing £2·38 million in 1991–92 to promote innovation in service delivery which enables people to remain in comfort and dignity in their own homes and communities. Further to encourage the development of more flexible forms of community care for elderly people and those with physical or sensory disabilities, we have introduced in 1991–92 a new grant scheme. Under this almost £1·6 million is being made available, much of it for services provided by voluntary bodies.

  On the housing front, local authorities are being encouraged, through their involvement in social care planning, to assess the current and future housing needs of disabled people within their areas. In most cases, it is expected that housing needs will be met by making repairs and adaptations to individuals' existing homes. The recent changes to the disabled facilities grants will ensure that the maximum assistance, up to the total cost of adaptations, will go to those in greatest need. In addition, Housing for Wales has a policy of devoting 10 per cent. of its programme to supported schemes for people with special needs. In the current year it is expected that this will lead to the provision of in excess of 330 new homes, many of which will be for people with learning or physical disabilities.

  The Welsh Office is sponsoring once again this year the access award scheme, run by the Wales Council for the
  450
  Disabled, to encourage good building design with the aim of ensuring that buildings are accessible to people with disabilities.

PRIME MINISTER

  Official Visits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister, when he will next pay an official visit to south London.

  The Prime Minister
  I am making plans for a series of visits to all parts of the country and very much hope to include south London among them.

  Share Shops
  Mr. French
  To ask the Prime Minister which Departments have participated in the Government's review of high street share shops as a distribution method for privatisation issues and other equities.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is considering, in consultation with interested colleagues, proposals from the private sector for a retail share distribution network.

  China (Visit)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he intends to raise the matters of global warming and climate change, and ozone layer depletion, when he meets members of the Chinese Government during his forthcoming visit to China.

  The Prime Minister
  Plans for my visit to China are still at an early stage of preparation. The Government are in regular contact with the Chinese authorities to discuss climate change, ozone layer depletion and other international environmental issues.

  Environmental Conferences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government were represented at the Ecoasia '91 conference held in Japan in early July.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the new policy proposals on the environment he made to the conference on global problems and solutions on 8 July.

  The Prime Minister
  Copies of my speech are available in the Library.

  World Conservation Monitoring Centre
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what use is ma de by departments of Her Majesty's Government of the world conservation monitoring centre in Cambridge; and what funds are provided by Her Majesty's Government to support the centre.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to page 52 of the Environment White Paper (Cm. 1200), where attention is drawn to the Government's five-point plan for the conservation of biological diversity in developing
  451
  countries. The first of the five points relates to a major study on the status of the world's biodiversity which is being carried out for the Overseas Development Administration by the world conservation monitoring centre. The centre is an independent charity established by leading agencies in the conservation movement including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (I UCN) and the United Nations environment programme (UNEP), both of which are supported financially by Her Majesty's Government.

  United Nations Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what annual contributions have been made by the United Kingdom since 1979 to the man and biosphere interdisciplinary sciences and natural resource programme of the United Nations Education and Science Organisation; and what benefits have accrued to the United Kingdom from the contributions made.

  The Prime Minister
  Until the United Kingdom withdrew from the United Nations Education and Science Organisation (UNESCO), in December 1985 no separate contribution was made from aid funds to the man and biosphere (MAB) programme. An assessed contribution was made annually to the UNESCO programme of which MAB is an integral part.

  Since our withdrawal from UNESCO research related to the MAB has been maintained through a grant from the Overseas Development Administration to the National Environment Research Council (NERC). The sums given over the past five years are as follows:

  £

  1986–87

  89,185

  1987–88

  98,600

  1988–89

  98,700

  1989–90

  100,000

  1990–91

  100,000

  Work on the MAB within NERC is undertaken by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. The institute benefits from these contributions by being able to maintain its research capacity in areas overseas which might not qualify for funding from its other sources. This strengthens the United Kingdom institutional capacity to maintain a broad experience in environmental disciplines and increases our knowledge of the environmental problems affecting other countries, whose perspectives and priorities in addressing environmental issues may differ from those of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to propose to the United Nations that a new agency for the promotion and establishment of new and renewable energy sources be set up under the auspices of the United Nations.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Nations already has a committee on new and renewable sources of energy, which has achieved little of value. The question of future United Nations institutions in this area is likely to form part of the subject matter of the United Nations conference on environment and development to take place in Rio de Janeiro next year.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects Her Majesty's Government to publish the results of its monitoring of the implementation of carbon dioxide emission reduction policies; and if he will indicate the cost to date of such monitoring.

  The Prime Minister
  United Kingdom carbon dioxide emission figures are published annually in the Department of the Environment's "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics". The first set of measures to curb emissions was published last September in the Environment White Paper (Cm 1200). We will publish a report in the autumn on progress towards our carbon dioxide target.

  It is not possible to estimate separately the cost of monitoring progress on carbon dioxide as monitoring forms part of a wider programme of work on the United Kingdom's response to the threat of climate change, involving a number of departments.

  "Our Common Future"
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister when Her Majesty's Government intend to publish their review of progress in the implementation of the action points set out in the White Paper "Our Common Future" and what has been the total cost to date of the actions taken to implement the proposals and commitments.

  The Prime Minister
  The first full progress report on the Environment White Paper (Cm 1200) will be published later this year. The essence of the White Paper commitments is the integration of environmental concerns throughout Government policies. The cost of implementation is therefore reflected across a wide range of spending priorities and an all-inclusive figure for the costs of the action taken to date is not readily available. Among the more substantial expenditure committed is:Water investment by the water companies of £28 billion from 1990 to 2000;
  An extra £23·1 million grant-in-aid in 1991–92 for the National Rivers Authority;
  £30·2 million representing a rise of 35 per cent. grant-in-aid to the Countryside Commission for 1991–92;
  Increase of £4 million for research on renewable energy;
  An extra £133 million credit approval for local authorities over the next three years to improve recycling and waste disposal.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to enhance biodiversity and the protection of the rain forests in south America, south-east Asia and Africa.

  The Prime Minister
  On biodiversity, our activities are summarised in "Biological Diversity and Developing Countries: Issues and Options", which was published last month and which is in the Library.

  British bilateral aid contributions to forest projects in progress or under consideration as at early 1991 are as follows:
  453

  Number of projects

  Estimated aid programme costs (£ million)

  South America

  12

  10·5

  South East Asia1

  9

  9·4

  Africa

  74

  28·2

  1 Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand.

  Environmental Protection and Enhancement Agency
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to publish the consultation paper on his proposals for an environmental protection and enhancement agency, announced on 8 July.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 July 1991 at column 279 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe).

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 11 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.

HEALTH

  Chronic Sick and Disabled Units
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young chronic sick and disabled units have closed in the past five years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Our figures show the number of units recording patient activity, not the number of units closed.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of people cared for in young chronic sick and disabled units for each year since 1980.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The available information is given in the table. The figures from 1980 to 1986 refer to deaths and discharges from units for younger physically disabled and spinal injury units. The information for 1988–89 and 1989–90 is the estimated number of finished ward stays of patients in these units. The figures are not directly comparable.

  Year

  Units for younger disabled

  Spinal injury units

  Total

  1980

  4,383

  1,867

  6,250

  1981

  4,936

  1,973

  6,908

  1982

  5,340

  2,134

  7,474

  1983

  6,239

  2,023

  8,262

  1984

  6,576

  2,021

  8,597

  1985

  7,251

  2,338

  9,589

  1986

  8,904

  2,359

  11,263

  1987–88

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1988–89

  10,913

  1,358

  12,271

  1989–90

  10,922

  2,081

  13,003

  Source SM12: 1980–1986 Form SH3.

  1988/89–1989–90 form KP20
  454
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young chronic sick and disabled units currently exist within each regional health authority.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Number of Younger Physically Disabled and Spinal Injury Units by Regional Health Authority 1989–901

  Region

  1989–90

  Northern

  8

  Yorkshire

  10

  Trent

  11

  East Anglian

  3

  North West Thames

  5

  North East Thames

  11

  South East Thames

  9

  South West Thames

  4

  Wessex

  5

  Oxford

  6

  South Western

  5

  West Midlands

  4

  Mersey

  3

  North Western

  6

  SHAs

  —

  Total

  90

  Source: SM12 KHO3Q

  1 The count is based on bed availability in the period 1 January 1990 to 31 March 1990.

  Tower Hamlets
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of people employed in Tower Hamlets in(a) Tower Hamlets health authority, (b) Royal London hospital trust, (c) family practitioner service, (d) dental service and (e) other health-related occupations for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Stephen Dorrell
  The table provides the figures requested in Tower Hamlets authority from 1982, the earliest date available, to 1989, the latest available. Figures up to 1985 include family practitioner committee staff. It is not possible now to distinguish between family practitioner committee and district health authority figures for those years. On 1 April 1985 family practitioner committees became independent employing authorities. District health authority figures after that date, therefore, exclude FPC staff. Information in respect of the number of people employed by family practitioner committees since 1985 is not held centrally.

  Information about the numbers employed by the Royal London hospital trust and other related occupations is not collected centrally.

  Tower Hamlets health authority hospital and community health service staff in post1 30 September each year.

  Whole time equivalent2

  1982

  5,470

  1983

  5,492

  1984

  5,202

  1985

  5,024

  1986

  5,049

  1987

  4,865

  1988

  4,969

  1989

  4,896

  Source: Department of Health annual census of medical and non-medical manpower.

  Notes:

  455

  1 Figures include Medical and Dental Locums and agency locums and Nursing and Midwifery agency staff, and Permanent paid Honorary staff.

  Figures exclude Consultants and Senior Registrars in Non-Teaching District Health Authorities and Senior Registrars in Teaching District Health Authorities. These still have their contracts with the RHA.

  On 1 April 1985 Family Practitioner Committees became independent employing authorities. Figures after that date therefore exclude FPC staff.

  2 Figures are independently rounded to the nearest whole-time equivalent.

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total number of reported cases of theft and fraud in the Tower Hamlets health authority in each year since 1979 showing(a) the total number of cases reported, (b) the total number of prosecutions and (c) the total number of convictions.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Tower Hamlets health authority was established on 1 April 1982 following the abolition of area health authorities and consequently 1982–83 is the first year for which information is available.

  The annual statement of losses included with the authority's annual accounts, records the number of reported cases in the category of loss of cash, equipment and property in stores and in use arising from theft, fraud, arson, neglect of duty or gross carelessness as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases

  1982–83

  33

  1983–84

  40

  1984–85

  28

  1985–86

  51

  1986–87

  84

  1987–88

  45

  1988–89

  25

  1989–90

  33

  Health authorities are required to report to the Department annually all instances of alleged fraud and Tower Hamlets health authority has made no reports of fraud since its inception.

  Information on the numbers of theft cases reported to the police, and of any resultant prosecutions and convictions is not collected centrally by the Department.

  Nurses
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many enrolled nurses in the national health service have expressed interest in converting to state-registered nurse status; and how many conversion places from enrolled to state-registered nurse status have been offered for national health service staff;

  (2) what steps he has taken to create and co-ordinate a national stratagem for enrolled nurse conversion courses; and what funding is available for the provision of enrolled nurse conversion courses.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is for regional health authorities, in consultation with employers, to plan for enrolled nurse conversion as part of their responsibility for identifying the level of demand for qualified nurses and for allocating appropriate budgets.

  In addition, plans submitted to the Department for the implementation of Project 2000 nurse training are expected to contain firm proposals to increase the number of conversion places. Central funding has been made available to facilitate this.
  456
  The number of conversion courses approved by the English national board has increased from six in March 1985 to 241 in April 1991. Flexible methods of conversion have also been introduced which will help speed up the rate of conversion. The United Kingdom central council has changed its rules to allow enrolled nurses who have failed first level training three times to have three further attempts at passing their examinations.

  Figures are not held centrally on the numbers of enrolled nurses who have expressed interest in converting to first level status, or on the number of conversion places which have been offered for national health service staff.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the effect of the placing of adverts for grade D nurses only on the right of other enrolled nurses to apply for posts in the national health service; and what provisions are included in Whitley council agreements governing the placing of adverts for D grade nurses only.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is for health authorities to determine the appropriate grading for advertised nursing posts, in the light of the grading definitions agreed by the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council, and to decide what qualifications and experience are required. It is open to any nurse who meets those requirements to apply for such a post.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what effect the merging of nursing departments arising from implementation of Project 2000 has on restricting the number of nursing places available for conversion courses.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have no evidence to suggest that the merging of colleges of nursing has restricted the number of nursing places available to enrolled nurses for conversion courses.

  Ashington Hospital
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions govern the requirement to employ a fully qualified head of clinical chemistry at relevant hospitals; what restrictions have been placed on clinical chemistry services in Ashington hospital in the absence of a suitably qualified person; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The qualification requirements for clinical scientists of all grades employed within the NHS are set out in advance letter (SP) 1/90, a copy of which is available in the Library. There are no restrictions placed on the clinical chemistry services at Ashington hospital in Northumberland. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Peter Carr, the chairman of Northumberland health authority, for details.

  Abortions
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on health authorities refusing to undertake a second national health service abortion for women who have a clinical need for them; if he will issue guidelines to health authorities on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities are not required to collect such information. If the hon. Gentleman has a specific case in mind, the district general manager of the relevant health authority should be able to provide details.

  Tobacco Labelling
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made in implementing the EC directive on the labelling of tobacco products.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have now made regulations under section 11 of the Consumer Protection Act and section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 which have been laid before Parliament today. They will come into effect on 1 January 1992 and will fully implement the EC directive on the labelling of tobacco products. The regulations were subject to consultation in draft and as a result I have made the health warnings on cigarette packets larger and clearer than originally proposed.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, columns 63–64.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information readily available relates to the register of surveys maintained by the Central Statistical Office. Titles of surveys carried out since my earlier reply are as follows:

  Cold Weather Publicity Evaluation 1991

  Drugs Information 1991

  Nursing: TV Creative Developments

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 54.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The companies currently employed by, or on behalf of the Department's information division who are involved in the campaigns listed in my earlier reply are as follows:

  Central Office of Information

  FCO

  Ogilvy and Mather

  Laing Henry

  Peter Cundall Associates

  Media Systems

  NML Presentations Ltd.

  BMP DOB Needham

  Barkers Human Resources Advertising Ltd.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures he will take in the light of his proposals for the future of the independent living fund, to ensure that adequate funds are made available to local authorities to meet the personal assistance needs of severely disabled people.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Government are committed to providing adequate resources for all aspects of community care. Decisions on resources for 1993–94 will be taken during the 1992 public expenditure survey, in the light of discussions with the local authority associations.

  Centre for Applied Microbiological Research
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the costs of the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research relate to(a) work carried out for, on, or on behalf of, Porton International Ltd. and related companies and (b) the public health laboratory service.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 9 July 1991]: In the last financial year work for which Porton International was invoiced represented approximately 20 per cent. of the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research—CAMR —costs this year. In the same year the Public Health Laboratory Service bore approximately 40 per cent. of the Centre for Microbiological Research's costs. Funding from other Government Departments and grant-giving bodies comprised the remaining 40 per cent.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Operational Strategy
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of the operational strategy in each financial year from 1991–92 to 1998–99(a) gross and (b) net of savings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  At 1988–89 prices the flow of gross costs and net of savings for the operational strategy, from 1991–92 to 1998–99, are currently estimated to be:

  Gross £ million

  Net of savings (net cash flow) £ million

  1991–92

  224·4

  -35·4

  1992–93

  122·9

  107·9

  1993–94

  98·7

  148·6

  1994–95

  92·5

  161·9

  1995–96

  93·4

  162·5

  1996–97

  94·6

  161·3

  1997–98

  91·3

  166·7

  1998–99

  98·6

  197·2

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the costs and savings of the operational strategy(a) gross and (b) net of other savings for each financial year since its inception indicating the proportions and sources of the savings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  At 1988–89 prices the latest estimate of the costs and savings of the operational strategy(a) gross and (b) net of other savings (ie excluding staff savings) from 1985–86 to 1998–99 are in the table.

  The proportions and sources of the three savings categories other than staff savings are as follows:

  i. Contribution from DHSS Northern Ireland—4·3 per cent.

  ii. Residual value of buildings and equipment—10·3 per cent.

  iii. Non-salary cost savings—85·4 per cent.

  459

  £ million

  Costs

  Savings

  (a) Gross

  (b) net of savings other than staff savings

  (a) Gross

  (b) Net of other savings (i.e. = Staff savings

  1985–86

  21·5

  21·5

  0·0

  0·0

  1986–87

  59·4

  58·5

  16·5

  15·7

  1987–88

  95·1

  91·2

  28·4

  24·5

  1988–89

  150·4

  128·6

  66·3

  44·6

  1989–90

  243·2

  203·6

  82·4

  42·8

  1990–91

  269·1

  243·2

  106·7

  80·8

  1991–92

  224·4

  199·5

  189·0

  164·1

  1992–93

  122·9

  91·5

  230·8

  199·4

  1993–94

  98·7

  71·6

  247·3

  220·1

  1994–95

  92·5

  65·8

  254·4

  227·7

  1995–96

  93·4

  66·7

  255·9

  229·2

  1996–97

  94·6

  67·8

  255·9

  229·2

  1997–98

  91·3

  62·5

  258·0

  229·2

  1998–99

  98·6

  32·0

  295·8

  229·2

  Departmental Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of each agency in his Department as an executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the new agency.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Expenditure on events and publicity material surrounding the launch of each of the Department's executive agencies is a matter for each agency's chief executive. For the Benefits and Contributions Agencies, I refer the hon. Member to Mrs. Robinson's letter of 4 June and Miss Chant's letter of 30 May respectively to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers), copies of which are in the Library. For the Information Technology Services Agency, Mr. John Kenworthy, the chief executive, will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and Public Information Office. There was no such expenditure in relation to the Resettlement Agency.

  Any expenditure incurred was borne by the agency itself.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish details of the group bonus scheme in operation in each agency in his Department, including the cash amount per person awarded in the last year for which figures are available, and the conditions attached to its award.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Of the Department's four agencies, only the Information Technology Services Agency operates a group bonus scheme. The scheme operated in 1990–91. Payments, ranging from £50 to £1,500 have been made to a total of 155 staff at a total cost of £32,325. Awards were made for the achievement of specific objectives which produced improvements in service or cash efficiency savings. This pilot scheme is part of an Information Technology Services Agency group bonus scheme which also provides for total bonus payments of up to £400,000 to be paid in 1991–92 in respect of work done in 1990–91. The conditions are that the agency achieves efficiency savings, over and above those required in the Department's management plan, of at least four times the intended bonus payments, while maintaining agreed levels of service. No payment can be made until it is verified that the conditions have been fully met. Payments to any individual are subject to a maximum limit of £5,000.
  460
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appointments from the private sector have been made to each agency in his Department at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including the performance-related element.

  Miss Widdecombe
  It is not usual to reveal details of the pay arrangements of individual officers, other than chief executives of Next Steps agencies. Within that constraint, the information requested is as follows:

  Information Technology Services Agency:
  Three appointments have been made at grade 6, the salaries for which are all within the normal civil service range for the grade outside London. One appointment has been made at grade 5, the salary for which is above the normal civil service range for the grade.

  Benefits Agency:
  Three appointments have been made, one at grade 5 and two at grade 6. These appointments arc within the normal civil service range for the grade within the London pay area.

  No such appointments have been made in either the Contributions Agency or the Resettlement Agency.

  Plawsworth Resettlement Unit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many places for men are currently provided at the Plawsworth resettlement unit; how many are occupied; and if he will list the numbers and locations of the replacement facilities for men within the Northern region.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The management of the resettlement unit replacement programme is a matter for Mr. Tony Ward, the chief executive of the Resettlement Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 66, if he will list the commencement date and duration of the publicity campaign to which he referred.

  Miss Widdecombe
  No commencement date has been agreed. The duration of the campaign is still a matter under consideration.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the advertising, promotional or
  461
  public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July, Official Report, column 66.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Central Office of Information supervises our major advertising campaigns. Our appointed agency is currently BMP DDB Needham.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 18 December,Official Report, columns 140–41.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Public opinion surveys carried out by the Department since 18 December 1990 are listed in the table.

  1. Disability working allowance—Customer opinion of the assessment form proposed for use in repeat claims to DWA.

  2. Attitudes towards personal pensions and other types of pension provision—Self-explanatory.

  3. Customer perceptions of resettlement units—Views of the customers of resettlement units about the services provided.

  4. National customer survey—Customer opinion of benefits delivered by local and central offices of the Benefits Agency.

  5. Savings limit publicity—Evaluation survey.

  6. Benefits Agency logo—Customer opinion of new agency logo.

  7. Disability freeline evaluation—Second survey.

  8. Family credit campaign—Continuing evaluation of campaign.

  9. Customer market survey for the Contributions Agency —Customer opinion of service provided and future requirements.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the new child support agency is likely to come into operation, and where the administrative staff are to be located.

  Mr. Jack
  We plan to establish the Child Support Agency in early 1993—subject to the successful passage of the Child Support Bill. Most of the agency's staff will be located in six child support offices, each capable of housing some 500 staff. There they will do the bulk of processing and assessment work which does not require face to face contact with the customer. Negotiations are taking place which, if concluded satisfactorily, would site offices in Belfast, Birkenhead, the Black Country (Dudley area), Falkirk, Hastings and Plymouth, creating job opportunities for the local communities. Around one third of the agency's staff will be co-located in Benefit Agency offices to conduct interviews, visit customers, pursue local inquiries and offer advice and guidance about the agency's services.

  Personal Pension Schemes
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many members of personal pension schemes he expects to opt back into the state scheme within the next five years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information is not available in the precise form requested. Any estimate would be highly speculative given the large number of variable factors that 462
  individuals must consider before exercising their choice. However, the Government Actuary provided some forecast of trends in the personal pension market in his "Second Quingennial Review of the Long Term Financial Estimates of the National Insurance Fund" published on 25 July 1990 (HC 582), a copy of which is in the Library.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the main training programmes and numbers involved in each of the last three years on offer to people in the(a) Sheffield TEC area, (b) Manchester TEC area, (c) Birmingham TEC area, (d) Leeds TEC area, (e) Glasgow LEC area and (f) in each of the London TEC areas; and how that is planned to change in the current financial year in the same format as his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) on 15 May, Official Report, column 214.

  Mr. Jackson
  Table A shows the main training programmes available in Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow area offices for each of the last three years of their operation and the average numbers involved in training.

  Table B provides similar information for London region only. This is because the complex nature of programme and boundary changes compounded by the differing TEC operational dates invalidates a further division of data.

  Table C shows the numbers planned in 1991–92 for the London region and for each of the other TEC areas by name. Plans for 1991–92 for Glasgow LEC is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to answer. The tables do not reflect numbers likely to be involved in employment action.

  It is not possible for realistic comparisons to be made between operational TECs and former area offices. Because of boundary changes none of the TEC areas coincide with the former area office boundaries, and in addition there have been many changes to the programmes provided.

  Table A

  Sheffield

  1988–892

  1989–901 3

  1990–911 3

  Youth Training (YT)

  8,456

  5,491

  3,009

  Adult Training (AT)

  41,190

  3,856

  3,400

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS)

  1,694

  960

  770

  1 Sheffield TEC became operational on 1 October 1990.

  2 1988–89 relates to Sheffield and Rotherham areas.

  3 Figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 relate solely to the Sheffield TEC area.

  4 Adult Training for 1988–89 excludes Community Programme (CP).

  Leeds

  1988–892

  1989–901 3

  1990–911 3

  Youth Training (YT)

  8,739

  4,881

  3,500

  Adult Training (AT)

  41,350

  2,957

  2,500

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS)

  2,644

  1,103

  776

  1 Leeds TEC became operational on 15 October 1990.

  2 1988–89 relates to the Leeds and North Yorkshire area.

  463

  3 Figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 relate solely to the Leeds TEC area.

  4 Adult Training for 1988–89 excludes Community Programme (CP).

  Manchester area office

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–911

  Youth Training (YT)

  N/A

  6,508

  5,438

  Adult Training (AT)

  23,944

  4,410

  4,096

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS)

  2,117

  1,817

  1,148

  N/A = Not available.

  1 Manchester TEC became operational on 12 November 1990.

  2 Adult Training for 1988–89 excludes Community Programme (CP).

  Note: The figures for YT and AT are based on the average number in training. The figures for EAS are based on the actual numbers joining.

  Table C

  Average anticipated number of people on the main programmes in 1991–92

  Sheffield TEC

  Leeds TEC

  Manchester TEC

  Birmingham TEC

  London region

  Youth training (YT)

  2,788

  3,200

  6,525

  6,398

  21,316

  Adult training (AT)

  2,405

  2,319

  7,850

  4,343

  15,681

  Enterprise allowance (EAS)

  900

  644

  1,300

  1,105

  5,927

  Note:

  YT and AT data are anticipated in-training

  EAS data are anticipated numbers joining

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will explain under what circumstances refugees are eligible to join employment training and youth training; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department will shortly be advising TECs that for 1991–92 they will be able to allow refugees with indefinite or limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom access to employment training and youth training, subject to their meeting the normal eligibility criteria.

  Dock Labour Scheme
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) to whom he has awarded the contract to carry out the manpower survey currently being undertaken by his Department into the manpower pre and post-abolition of the dock labour scheme; what is the full cost of the survey to his Department; and when he intends to publish the findings of the survey;

  (2) which companies, trade unions and organisations it is intended to interview as part of the manpower survey with regard to the abolition of the dock labour scheme; and what part recently set up labour agencies will contribute to the survey;

  (3) if he will list each of the terms of reference of the manpower survey with regard to the abolition of the dock labour scheme, and place in the Library a copy of the full remit;

  (4) what scope the manpower survey has for assessing the incidence of the use of casual labour.
  464

  Table A

  Birmingham Area Office

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–911

  Youth Training (YT)

  8,579

  7,929

  5,417

  Adult Training (AT)

  27,539

  6,734

  5,310

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS)

  2,196

  1,807

  764

  1 Birmingham TEC became operational on 12 November 1990.

  2 Adult Training for 1988–89 excludes Community Programme (CP).

  Table B

  London Region

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Youth Training (YT)

  20,941

  20,700

  20,609

  Adult Training (AT)

  115,114

  20,102

  19,573

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS)

  2—

  8,999

  7,047

  1 Adult Training for 1988–89 excludes Community Programme (CP).

  2 Not available.

  Note: The figures for YT and AT are based on the average number in training. The figures for EAS are based on the actual numbers joining.

  Mr. Forth
  In conjunction with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, I have commissioned MDS-Transmodal and PIEDA plc to undertake a wide-ranging research project into the effects of the abolition of the dock labour scheme in 1989.

  The terms of reference of the study, which is expected to cost £140,000 and to take about 15 months to complete, are:
  "To assess the economic and social implications of the abolition of the Dock Labour Scheme, by means of a review of existing sources and the collection of fresh data, including attitudinal information, both in the docks and in the wider port areas".

  I am placing in the Library a copy of the invitation to tender and the research specification for the project, which includes an examination of the rationalisation of labour practices in the docks since the abolition of the scheme.

  It will be for the consultants to decide which organisations to interview during this research project.

  I would expect the main findings to be published shortly after the completion of the final report.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 83.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Department's various research branches do not commission public opinion surveys as such. However, they do carry out research projects on a variety of employment-related issues which involve
  465
  surveys of individuals I list those research studies, commissioned or partly funded by the Employment Department Group (ED, Employment Service, and Health and Safety Executive), which have involved surveys of individuals carried out since 17 December 1990.

  The British Social Attitudes Survey

  Changes in Young People's Career Aspirations in the Late 1980s and Early 1990s

  Claimants Who Experience Repeat Spells of Unemployment

  Cohort Study of Claimants in Leicester

  Employment and Handicap Follow-up

  Literacy Issues in Recruitment and Selection for Unskilled Jobs

  National Child Development Study-5th Stage Region-Urban Unemployment in Manchester and Liverpool

  Scottish Young People's Survey

  Study of the Effects of Noise in the Workplace

  Unemployment and Labour Market Flexibility

  Youth Cohort Study—England and Wales

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the advertising promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 72.

  Mr. Jackson
  GGT Advertising is employed by the Department in connection with the career development loans and national training awards campaigns, referred to in the answer of 1 July.

  Youth Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each of the 82 training and enterprise councils or employment service administration regions(a) the number of youth training places available, (b) the number of young people seeking a place and (c) the number of young people who left school last summer and are still without an offer of a youth training place.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: Information in the form requested is not available.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will(a) make a statement on the delivery of the youth training, (b) list the training and enterprise councils where the youth training is not being met and (c) list the representations he has received regarding the delivery of the youth training guarantee.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: The Government are fully committed to the YT guarantee and will see that it continues to be met. The guarantee of an offer of a suitable YT place applies to young people under 18 years who are not in full time education or a job and are seeking training under YT. The local delivery of the guarantee is a matter for TECs who must investigate and resolve any difficulties a young person within the guarantees group may experience in securing a YT place locally.

  Young people in the guarantee group can seek to join or rejoin YT at any time and are entitled to continued reoffers while they remain within the group. At any time of the year there are therefore young people seeking to join YT. I am not aware of any TECs which are currently
  466
  failing to meet the guarantee but I am aware that the choice and availability of placements with employers may be being affected by the current recession.

  In these circumstances I strongly endorse the Construction Industry training board's recent call for its industry's employer bodies to promote YT to its members and deplore the decision by the Transport and General Workers unions to seek to reduce the number of opportunities available to young people.

  Departmental records do not separately identify representations about the YT guarantee and this information could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of young people on bridging allowance for each of the employment scheme administration regions by providing a comparison of change and percentage change for the period January 1991 to May 1991 and January 1990 to May 1990, including the totals and the average.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: Questions on operational matters in the Employment Service Executive Agency are the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred this question for reply.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline the procedure involved in ensuring training and enterprise councils deliver the youth training guarantee; and whether independent organisations are being used to monitor the performance of TECs in the delivery of the guarantee and to resolve any differences between the Department and the TECs regarding what constitutes the guarantee being met.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: Provision for meeting the YT guarantee is made by TECs in their corporate and business plans which are agreed with the Department. TECs are obliged to use their best endeavour to meet the guarantees. Ensuring that TECs deliver the guarantee is therefore part of the overall contract management of TECs, which is the responsibility of the Department's regional directors. From time to time the Department employs independent consultants to examine and advise on various aspects of the Department's relationships with TECs or TEC performance. Monitoring the performance of TECs in relation to the YT guarantee or in other respects is however, a matter for the Department. Decisions as to what constitutes the guarantee being met are taken in the context of the Department's contract with TECs.

SCOTLAND

  Bird Killing
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of licences issued under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to permit the killing of(a) cormorant, (b) goosander and (c) red-breasted merganser in (i) Scotland and (ii) the Tweed catchment, for each year between 1985 and 1991, to date, to prevent serious damage to fisheries.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The details are as follows for the period 1985–91:
  467
  1. The number of licences granted for one or more species in Scotland were:

  Number

  1985 (January-December)

  59

  1986 (April-June)

  49

  1987 (April-June)

  44

  1988 (February-April)

  41

  1989 (February-April)

  37

  1990 (February-April)

  42

  1991 (February-April)

  50

  2. The licences granted for one or more species in the River Tweed catchment were:

  Number

  1985

  2

  1986

  2

  1987

  2

  1988

  2

  1989

  1

  1990

  1

  1991

  1

  The Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) has been consulted in advance of each shooting season. It was agreed with them and fishery interests in 1986 that any shooting under licence of these species should be restricted to April-June which coincided with the peak period of the smolt run on which the birds predated. In 1988 relevant interests agreed that shooting under licence should be restricted to the months of February-April on the ground that it would be less cruel to shoot birds outwith their breeding and nesting season.

  It was decided in 1989 with the agreement of the NCC that the number of licences issued for the Tweed area should be restricted each year to one. This policy gives the licensees, the River Tweed Commissioners, overall responsibility for the control of birds causing damage to fisheries in the area.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of(a) cormorants, (b) goosander and (c) red-breasted merganser killed under licence in (i) Scotland and (ii) the Tweed catchment for each year between 1985 and 1991, to date, to prevent serious damage to fisheries.
  468
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The details are as follows for the period 1985–91:

  1. Birds reported killed under licence in Scotland.

  Cormorants

  Goosanders

  Mergansers

  1985 (January-December)

  500

  224

  451

  1986 (April-June)

  134

  194

  263

  1987 (April-June)

  195

  175

  274

  1988 (February-April)

  221

  429

  204

  1989 (February-April)

  112

  383

  247

  1990 (February-April)

  335

  673

  421

  1991 (February-April)

  381

  504

  235

  2. Birds reported killed under licence in the River Tweed catchment

  Cormorants

  Goosanders

  1985

  19

  —

  1986

  36

  —

  1987

  29

  28

  1988

  50

  258

  1989

  5

  30

  1990

  17

  264

  1991

  26

  164

  No application has been received to shoot mergansers in the Tweed catchment during this period.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the amounts of hazardous waste imported into Great Britain for incineration through Scottish ports from the Irish Republic in each year since October 1988.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office does not hold information on the amounts of hazardous waste imported from the Irish Republic through Scottish ports for disposal of incineration in England and Wales. No such waste has been imported for incineration in Scotland since the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988 came into force.

  A96 Survey
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber on 27 June,Official Report, column 535, whether he will state the date and time of day at which the survey of pedestrian/vehicle flows on the A96 at Fraser park, Nairn, was undertaken.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The survey was undertaken on Friday 16 November 1990 between 8 am and 5 pm following representations to Highland regional council from a Nairn district councillor in October 1990.

  Health Visitors
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of health visitors employed by Greater Glasgow health board in April and November of each year beginning in April 1988.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available for the months requested. The number of health visitors employed by Greater Glasgow health board at 31 March and 30 September for the years requested is shown in the table:

  Whole-time equivalent

  Number

  March 1988

  278·2

  291

  September 1988

  289·0

  301

  March 1989

  276·6

  291

  September 1989

  299·3

  313

  March 1990

  281·3

  295

  September 1990

  265·7

  279

  March 1991

  286·3

  301

  The figures exclude combined and triple duty nurses.

  Hospital Incinerators
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland further to his answer of 24 June,Official Report, column 365, if he will identify the national health service hospitals in Scotland where waste incinerators have difficulties in complying with current pollution control legislation.

  Residents in Mental Illness Hospitals and Psychiatric Units as at 31.12.90 with an Admission Diagnosis of Senile Dementia (I.C.D. 290) by Health Board of Residence, Age and Sex.

  Male

  Female

  less than 65

  65–74

  75–84

  85+

  Total

  less than 65

  65–74

  75–84

  85+

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  6

  23

  46

  13

  88

  4

  32

  105

  80

  221

  Ayr and Arran

  5

  23

  34

  12

  74

  9

  29

  68

  42

  148

  Borders

  1

  7

  22

  1

  31

  3

  9

  52

  40

  104

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1

  9

  16

  5

  31

  2

  10

  62

  33

  107

  Fife

  3

  16

  49

  26

  94

  4

  37

  142

  112

  295

  Forth Valley

  3

  5

  24

  9

  41

  8

  26

  66

  71

  171

  Grampian

  4

  31

  76

  38

  149

  9

  39

  188

  201

  437

  Greater Glasgow

  17

  77

  154

  54

  302

  31

  93

  408

  330

  862

  Highland

  2

  7

  30

  12

  51

  4

  13

  42

  41

  100

  Lanark

  5

  24

  51

  12

  92

  11

  36

  100

  72

  219

  Lothian

  12

  28

  103

  33

  176

  17

  63

  243

  210

  533

  Orkney

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tayside

  6

  34

  61

  32

  133

  5

  43

  172

  176

  396

  Western Isles

  1

  0

  1

  1

  3

  0

  1

  11

  7

  19

  Scotland

  66

  285

  667

  248

  1,266

  107

  431

  1,659

  1,415

  3,612

  Outwith/N.K

  2

  0

  5

  0

  7

  1

  1

  4

  4

  10

  Total

  68

  285

  672

  248

  1,273

  108

  432

  1,663

  1,419

  3,622

  470
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Two clinical waste incinerators are experiencing difficulties in complying with current pollution control legislation. These are located at the Western and Royal Infirmaries in Glasgow. Greater Glasgow health board is pursuing a vigorous course of action to deal with these difficulties.

  Hospitals (Waste Disposal)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what special instructions have been issued for the adequate disposal of waste resulting from treatment of patients suffering from serious contagious diseases in Scottish national health service hospitals.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A code of practice entitled "Hospital Infection Manual" has been issued to health boards. This code contains guidance on the disposal of waste resulting from treatment of patients suffering from serious contagious diseases in Scottish national health service hospitals.

  Senile Dementia
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the health board areas the number of males and females suffering from senile dementia aged(a) up to 65 years, (b) 66 to 75 years, (c) 76 to 85 years and (d) over 86 years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There is no nationally maintained register of persons suffering from senile dementia in Scotland. Figures are however collected on people with dementia who are resident in, or who have been discharged from, NHS hospitals; and these are set out in the following tables. I must emphasise that studies of the prevalence of dementia in the population over 65 indicate that these figures represent only a small proportion of the total number of people suffering from senile dementia.
  471

  Number of persons with Senile Dementia First1 Discharged from Acute and Long-Stay Units in General Hospitals in 1989: By Age, Sex and Health Board of Residence.

  Males

  Females

  less than 65

  65–74

  75–84

  85+

  Total

  less than 65

  65–74

  75–84

  85+

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  2

  14

  51

  23

  90

  4

  18

  93

  96

  211

  Ayr and Arran

  3

  13

  30

  16

  62

  3

  17

  69

  60

  149

  Borders

  0

  2

  14

  7

  23

  0

  2

  13

  22

  37

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1

  7

  33

  13

  54

  2

  8

  52

  42

  104

  Fife

  0

  10

  27

  16

  53

  2

  16

  61

  34

  113

  Forth Valley

  1

  9

  26

  10

  46

  4

  4

  55

  50

  113

  Grampian

  2

  23

  60

  37

  122

  4

  26

  133

  145

  308

  Greater Glasgow

  6

  33

  82

  34

  155

  7

  28

  187

  199

  421

  Highland

  5

  13

  34

  11

  63

  1

  11

  50

  45

  107

  Lanark

  7

  18

  40

  11

  76

  5

  25

  112

  81

  223

  Lothian

  10

  39

  109

  44

  202

  7

  34

  265

  264

  570

  Orkney

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  1

  5

  2

  8

  Shetland

  0

  1

  2

  2

  5

  0

  0

  7

  4

  11

  Tayside

  2

  9

  52

  27

  90

  3

  14

  98

  101

  216

  Western Isles

  1

  0

  10

  3

  14

  2

  2

  11

  15

  30

  1 Figures are based on linked data and exclude persons with an earlier discharge in the period 1985–1989.

  Alcohol Abuse (Deaths)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths took place in national health service hospitals in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole with the principal diagnosis relating to alcohol abuse or misuse for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The figures requested are set out in the table. The causes of death included have been selected by the Registrar General as being the most relevant, based on current medical advice, and are shown below the table.

  Deaths in National Health Service hospitals from selected causes, Strathclyde and Scotland, 1979–90

  Year

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1979

  234

  389

  1980

  233

  371

  1981

  247

  398

  1982

  225

  400

  1983

  209

  376

  1984

  200

  364

  1985

  219

  396

  1986

  209

  343

  1987

  210

  366

  1988

  227

  384

  1989

  201

  386

  11990

  238

  405

  1 Provisional.

  Causes included:

  ICD1 Code

  Cause

  291

  Alcoholic psychoses

  303

  Alcoholic dependence syndrome

  305.0

  Non-dependent abuse of alcohol

  425.5

  Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

  571.0–571.3

  Chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis, alcohol reported as a cause

  571.4–571.9

  Chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis, alcohol not specifically reported as a cause

  E860

  Accidental poisoning by alcohol not elsewhere classified

  1 International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision).

  Fishing
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what time scale has been set for the conclusion of the EFTA negotiations relating to fishing opportunities in the Community; and if he will give details;
  472
  (2) whether his Department has carried out an analysis of the impact on Scottish fishermen of any liberalisation of the trade in fish between Norway and the Community resulting from the EFTA discussions; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what discussions he has had with Scottish fishing interests in connection with the likely outcome and impact of the current European Free Trade Association negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is hoped that the current EC-EFTA negotiations will be concluded by the end of July.

  These negotiations cover a wide range of commodities and the Government are taking careful account of the potential impact of any agreement on the industries affected. This of course includes the fishing industry and officials have discussed these negotiations with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.

  Further Education
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of male and female children aged 16 to 18 years in Inverclyde remained in full-time education for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information at this level of detail is not held centrally.

  Labour Statistics
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were registered unemployed in the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Port Glasgow in each year since 1980, by electoral ward.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The available information, from June 1983, for electoral wards defined on the basis of 1984 ward boundaries, can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library. Library staff are ready to assist in accessing the information if necessary.

  Renaval Programme
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the local programmes, in the Inverclyde district, which are to receive financial support by way of the European Community's Renaval programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Projects to be funded under the Strathclyde Renaval programme will be decided by a programme monitoring committee which will be established once the Commission approves the programme.

  Employment Training
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of employment training placements for the last available financial year were in work places; and what percentage were in project-based schemes in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole.

  April 1990-March 1991

  Per cent.

  Renfrew, Dumbarton and Argyll

  Glasgow City

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  Lanarkshire

  Estimated percentage of Scottish Employment Training placements in workplaces with employers, located in Training Agency area office areas

  9·4

  18·7

  12·5

  8·0

  Estimated percentage of Scottish Employment Training placements in project based schemes, located in Training Agency area office areas

  7·7

  18·2

  13·2

  9·7

  River Clyde (Discharges)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases there have been of unauthorised discharges into the River Clyde in the last 10 years; of these how many led to court proceedings and convictions; and what was the average fine imposed against such miscreants.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Some information on these matters is contained in the annual reports of the Clyde River Purification Board, copies of which are in the Library. More detailed information, however, is held only by the board and I have asked it to write to the hon. Member.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 91.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall place a list of surveys in the Library as soon as possible.

  Playgroups
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he has taken to determine the financial impact of the imposition of registration and inspection fees on non-profit-making play groups, mother and toddler groups and under-fives groups in Scotland;

  (2) whether he will bring forward proposals to exempt non-profit-making play groups, mother and toddler
  474
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The information for Scotland as a whole is set out in the table.

  April 1990-March 1991

  Per cent.

  Estimated percentage of Scottish Employment Training placements in workplaces with employers

  19·6

  Estimated percentage of Scottish Employment Training placements in project based schemes

  40·0

  The information sought is not available for areas within Scotland either in the form requested or for the precise areas stipulated. It is possible to disaggregate information only by former Training Agency area office areas and to provide figures only as a percentage of the Scottish total.

  Information on this basis for 1990–91 for the Training Agency area office areas which encompass Inverclyde district and Strathclyde region is set out in the table.

  groups and under-fives groups from registration and inspection fees under section 10 of the Children Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  When the Children Act 1989 comes into force on 14 October, fees payable by applicants for registration will be prescribed by regulations, as will annual inspection fees. The Government have not yet decided on the level of fees. We fully recognise the value to children and their families of the services provided by local playgroups, often within very tight budgets. We shall take this into account when we come to prescribe fees.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the numbers of farms, the numbers of hectares and the average area per farm in hectares which are in the set-aside scheme in each region in 1991.

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

  1Region

  Number of Farms

  Area set aside (ha)

  Average area/farm (ha)

  Borders

  37

  2,261

  61·1

  Central

  19

  709

  37·3

  Dumfries and Galloway, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles2

  9

  104

  11·6

  Fife

  20

  1,269

  63·5

  Grampian

  337

  10,796

  32·0

  Highland

  50

  2,240

  44·8

  Lothian

  18

  1,327

  73·7

  Strathclyde

  37

  665

  18·0

  Tayside

  90

  3,662

  40·7

  Scotland

  617

  23,033

  37·3

  475

  1 Information is provisional pending the processing of the 1990–91 set-aside claims.

  2 Data for these regions have been grouped together for reasons of confidentiality.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the uptake of the set-aside scheme in(a) the number of farms and (b) the area of land set aside in hectares for 1990–91.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In 1989–90, the second year of the set-aside scheme, a cumulative total of 498 farms in Scotland set aside 18,840 hectares of land. This increased in 1990–91, to 617 farms setting aside 23,033 hectares.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest (Compensation)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 13 June,Official Report, column 653, when the hon. Member for Linlithgow may expect a letter on his assessment of the size and number of other estates in a similar position to Glenlochay.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I expect to be in a position to write to the hon. Member very shortly, once some necessary information has been obtained from the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland.

  Playgroups
  Mr. Wray
  To asks the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in implementing section 10 of the Children Act 1989, he will make sure that no fees for registration and inspection are charged to non-profit playgroups with charitable status.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Playgroups provide a valuable service for children and their families, often within very tight budgets. In fixing the fees for registration and inspection, which will be prescribed by regulations under the Children Act 1989, we shall take account of the position of playgroups.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mortgage Repossessions
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of mortgage repossessions in Northern Ireland in 1990.

  Mr. Needham
  Repossessions statistics are not provided by the mortgage lending institutions on a regional basis. National totals are published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders in its GB quarterly publication "Housing Finance".

  Constitution
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland to discuss constitutional matters.

  Mr. Brooke
  On Wednesday 3 July.

  Anglo-Irish Conference
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Ministers from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland Governments will next meet within the context of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
  476
  Mr. Brooke
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Sir P. Duffy).

  Cross-border Co-operation
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has recently made to, or received from, the Government of the Republic of Ireland regarding co-operation in security matters.

  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on cross-border security co-operation between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  At the meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental conference on 26 April measures to enhance security co-operation were discussed in detail with Irish Ministers. At that meeting, both Governments reaffirmed their commitment to continue to work together to counter terrorist violence. My right hon. Friend intends to return to those discussions at the next meeting of the conference.

  Armagh Four
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning the imprisonment of Winston Allen, Noel Bell, James Hegan and Neil Latimer, known as the Armagh Four; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend has, in addition to a petition and numerous letters from the public, received representations from Members, Lords, churchmen and others about the case. These have generally sought to encourage him to exercise his discretionary power to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal, which he would do only if some new evidence or consideration of substance is produced.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the disruption of rail services in Northern Ireland arising from both acts and threats of terrorism.

  Mr. Needham
  In spite of acts and threats of terrorism, Northern Ireland Railways continues to provide an important service to people on both sides of the border. Those who seek to disrupt it, not only cause needless hardship and inconvenience but put lives at risk.

  Political Talks
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the response to his latest political initiative.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the talks between the Northern Ireland political parties on the future of the Province.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest position regarding the current talks over political progress in the Province.
  477
  Mr. Brooke
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw).

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to introduce national health service trusts into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Department of Health and Social Services is consulting on an application from the Royal group of hospitals for health and social services trust status which, if successful, would result in the creation of a trust. Varying degrees of interest in trusts status have been expressed by other hospitals.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has finalised the date for the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  Subject to the necessary legislation being approved by Parliament, the Government hope to be in a position to complete the sale of the power stations in spring 1992, and aims to float the remainder of NIE's business on the stock exchange later in the year.

  Home Ownership
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the level of home ownership in Northern Ireland since 1979.

  Mr. Needham
  The growth in home ownership in Northern Ireland since 1979 has been a noted success. In that year the total number of owner-occupied properties was 256,500 which represented 52 per cent. of the total housing stock. By the end of 1990 this figure had risen to 347,500 or 66 per cent.

  Conservative Party
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to meet representatives of the Northern Ireland Conservative party to discuss the talks on the future of the Province; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I shall be meeting representatives of the Conservative party constituency associations in Northern Ireland in the near future for a general exchange of views on Government policy.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has had about the prevention of terrorism; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government regularly receive and consider representations from a wide range of bodies and individuals about the prevention of terrorism.

  The Government remain determined to defeat terrorism through the even-handed and energetic
  478
  enforcement of the rule of law. The RUC, supported by the Army, continue to make progress to this end, in the knowledge that Government will provide them with adequate resources, including legal resources. The Emergency Provisions (N.I.) Act, which received its Royal Assent on 27 June, is a further example of this support.

  However, the prevention of terrorism will not be achieved by security measures alone. The Government are also working, therefore, to implement effective measures in the political, social and economic fields.

  Stevens Inquiry
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost of the Stevens inquiry to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I understand that up to 3 July the cost of the Stevens inquiry has been £868,480.

  Mr. John Stevens, the deputy chief constable of Cambridgeshire, at the request of the chief constable of the RUC, conducted an inquiry into allegations of collusion between members of the security forces in Northern Ireland and loyalist paramilitaries. After a most thorough examination, he presented his report to the Chief Constable on 5 April 1990. Action on the report's conclusions and recommendations is being taken by the police and Army.

  Publications
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all publications relating to Northern Ireland ordered to be stocked by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, in each of the last five years; the total cost of each publication; and who was awarded the printing contract.

  Mr. Maples
  I have been asked to reply.

  A search of HMSO's title database shows the following number of publications with Northern Ireland or Ulster in the bibliographic details:

  Year of Publication

  Number

  1986

  512

  1987

  653

  1988

  642

  1989

  765

  1990

  699

  This does not, of course, represent the totality of HMSO publications that may relate to Northern Ireland in some way but it would involve disproportionate cost to examine each of the over 40,000 new items published by HMSO over this period for specific relevance.

  Similarly, the other details requested could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Colin Wallace
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a response to the most recent representations he has received about the case of Colin Wallace.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend replied to a letter from the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 5 July.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of people employed in shipbuilding and shiprepair in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  At 31 May 1991, the latest date for which figures are available, some 2,458 people were employed in shipbuilding and shiprepair in Northern Ireland.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that draft copies of the Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 are available to the House when it considers the draft Fair Employment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

  Mr. Needham
  I have arranged for copies of the draft Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 to be placed in the Library to facilitate debate on the Fair Employment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

  Health and Social Services Councils
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has given consideration to the extent to which funding will be required for health and social services councils, in order that they may fulfil their functions and meet the requirements to reflect the interests of the consumer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Yes. I recently met the four health and social services council chairmen to discuss finance and asked them to draw up budgets for the current financial year and for 1992–93, taking account of advice from the health and social services boards and the Department of Health and Social Services. I have undertaken that the councils will be adequately funded to represent the interests of the public in the health and personal social services in their areas.

DEFENCE

  Challenger 2 Tank
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has yet placed the production contract with Vickers for the Challenger 2 main battle tank.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Yes. Contractual negotiations have been successfully concluded between my Department and Vickers and the contract for two regiments of Challenger 2 main battle tanks was placed on Friday 28 June.

  Attack Helicopter
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the procurement of a new attack helicopter for the Army.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Following our withdrawal from the collaborative Al29-LAH studies, we have decided that the attack and armed reconnaissance roles would be best met by separate helicopters. We plan to replace the Lynx in the 480
  anti-tank role by an off-the-shelf purchase towards the end of the decade. To this end, we propose to issue a request for proposals against a cardinal points specification in the spring of 1992. The requirement for an armed reconnaissance helicopter will be considered separately.

  RAF Bases
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the former RAF bases which have closed since 1987(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since 1987 the former RAF bases at Barnwood, Bawdsey, Binbrook, Bishops Court, Hendon and North Coates in the United Kingdom have closed. There have been no overseas base closures in this period. We have also announced our plans for the full or partial closure of RAF Abingdon, RAF Biggin Hill, RAF Church Fenton, RAF Ely, RAF Halton, RAF Hullavington and RAF West Raynham in the United Kingdom, as well as the cessation of flying at RAF Gutersloh and RAF Wildenrath in Germany.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by location the RAF bases in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) abroad.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The following is a list of active bases where there is a permanent RAF presence:

  (a) In the United Kingdom

  RAF Abingdon

  RAF Aldergrove

  RAF Amport House

  RAF Ash

  RAF Bampton Castle

  RAF Benbecula

  RAF Benson

  RAF Bentley Priory

  RAF Biggin Hill

  RAF Boddington

  RAF Boulmer

  RAF Bracknell

  RAF Brampton

  RAF Brawdy

  RAF Brize Norton

  RAF Buchan

  RAF Cardington

  RAF Carlisle

  RAF Catterick

  RAF Chilmark

  RAF Chivenor

  RAF Church Fenton

  RAF Coltishall

  RAF Coningsby

  RAF Cosford

  RAF Cottesmore

  RAF Cowden

  RAF Cranwell

  RAF Digby

  RAF Ely

  RAF Finningley

  RAF Flyingdales

  RAF Halton

  RAF Harrogate

  RAF Headley Court

  RAF Henlow

  RAF Hereford

  RAF High Wycombe

  RAF Holbeach

  RAF Honington

  RAF Hullavington

  RAF Innsworth

  RAF Jurby Head

  RAF Kemble

  RAF Kinloss

  481

  RAF Leeming

  RAF Leuchars

  RAF Lindholme

  RAF Linton-on-Ouse

  RAF Locking

  RAF Lossiemouth

  RAF Lyneham

  RAF Machrihanish

  RAF Manston

  RAF Marham

  RAF Mount Batten

  RAF Neatishead

  RAF Newton

  RAF North Luffenham

  RAF Northolt

  RAF Oakhanger

  RAF Odiham

  RAF Pembray Sands

  RAF Pitreavie Castle

  RAF Portreath

  RAF Quedgeley

  RAF Rosehearty

  RAF Rudloe Manor

  RAF St. Athan

  RAF St. Mawgan

  RAF Saxa Vord

  RAF Scampton

  RAF Sealand

  RAF Shawbury

  RAF Spadeadam

  RAF Stafford

  RAF Stanbridge

  RAF Stanmore Park

  RAF Staxton Wold

  RAF Stornoway

  RAF Swanton Morley

  RAF Swinderby

  RAF Tain

  RAF Turnhouse

  RAF Upavon

  RAF Uxbridge

  RAF Valley

  RAF Waddington

  RAF Wainfleet

  RAF Wattisham

  RAF Watton

  RAF West Drayton

  1 April 1990

  1 April 1991

  Command

  Staff

  Command

  Staff

  Royal Navy

  Vice Admiral

  9

  3

  9

  3

  Rear Admiral

  18

  17

  17

  17

  Commodore/Senior Captain

  36

  50

  36

  51

  Royal Marines

  Lt. General

  1

  0

  1

  2

  Major General

  1

  2

  1

  2

  Brigadier/Colonel

  2

  6

  2

  7

  Army

  Lt. General

  5

  4

  6

  4

  Major General

  22

  37

  22

  39

  Brigadier

  97

  110

  99

  107

  Royal Air Force

  Air Marshal

  5

  4

  5

  5

  Air Vice Marshal

  9

  28

  10

  28

  Air Commodore

  24

  86

  22

  82

  Civilian

  Admin.

  Sc/Eng.

  Admin.

  Sc/Eng

  Grade 2

  6

  5

  6

  4

  Grade 3

  30

  28

  29

  25

  Grade 4

  12

  12

  12

  9

  Grade 5

  133

  126

  130

  120

  482

  RAF West Raynham

  RAF Wittering

  RAF Woodvale

  RAF Wroughton

  RAF Wyton

  (b) overseas

  RAF Akrotiri

  RAF Ascension Island

  RAF Belize

  RAF Bruggen

  RAF Gatow

  RAF Gibraltar

  RAF Gutersloh

  RAF Laarbruch

  RAF Mount Pleasant

  RAF Nordhorn

  RAF Rhendahlen

  RAF Sek Kong

  RAF Troodos

  RAF Wegberg

  RAF Wildenrath

  Manning Levels
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish with the Statement on the Defence Estimates the current and planned totals for(a) three-star posts, (b) two-star posts and (c) one-star posts, distinguishing military and civil posts, and distinguishing for military posts between command and staff appointments and for civilian posts between scientific-engineering posts and administrative ones.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Much work still has to be clone to establish the future requirement for starred posts. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State informed my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Dr. Goodson-Wickes) on 4 July, at column 213, it is planned to reduce the uniformed and civilian top structure in headquarters by about 20 per cent. Related reductions will be made throughout the services and among civilian staff. The current number of posts, and the corresponding data for 1990, is as follows. The figures do not include officers undergoing training, on handovers or on terminal leave.

  International Military Services Ltd.
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current position with regard to the closure of International Military Services Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It has been decided that International Military Services Limited is to cease trading on 31 July 1991, but the company will remain in being until all its current obligations are discharged.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 4 July to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Dr. Goodson-Wickes), (1) whether he has any plans to offer civil servants premature voluntary release packages as part of his plans to reduce the number of MOD civil service staff;

  (2) what are the grades of civil service jobs that are due to be eliminated, and the numbers in each grade;

  (3) whether he has plans to make compulsory redeployments of MOD civil servants;

  (4) what plans he has to make MOD civil servants redundant; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what discussions he has had with civil service trade unions regarding his planned reductions in the size of the civil service;

  (6) what agreements have been reached with civil service trade unions regarding his planned reductions in the size of the civil service;

  (7) what plans he has to allow MOD civil servants to transfer to other areas of the civil service.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  On 4 July representatives of the departmental trades unions were informed about our plans for a reduction in the size of the MOD headquarters. The trade unions were invited to comment on the plans in accordance with agreed consultative procedures. They are also being consulted about reductions in civilian staff outside headquarters under "Options for Change", as our plans develop. It is intended to bring about the required reduction in numbers by a variety of means, including a reduction in recruitment, natural wastage, transfer to other Government Departments if possible, and voluntary early retirement. Where necessary, civil servants in mobile grades will be expected to honour their mobility obligation. Everything possible will be done to avoid compulsory redundancy, though this may not be possible for all grades. Further work is continuing to identify the precise numbers and grades affected.

  Conventional Forces in Europe
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions have been made regarding the method and timing of reductions in British treaty-limited items of military equipment that are due to take place as part of the CFE treaty; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Reduction of United Kingdom treaty-limited equipment—tanks and armoured combat vehicles—will be carried out by explosive demolition, as described in the protocol on reduction. The necessary reductions will be completed within 40 months of the treaty coming into force, as specified in the treaty.

  Service Redundancies
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his policy to extend the 28-day training period for personnel leaving the services.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are reviewing future resettlement provision. I cannot anticipate the outcome of the review.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 2 July,Official Report, column 136, to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs), if he will provide further details on the nature of the advice and counselling given to those leaving the services.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Personnel may seek advice from their units resettlement or education officers at any time during their careers, and there is also provision for more formal interviews during the last 18 months of service. The guidance provided in these ways is intended to inform personnel about the opportunities and problems likely to be encountered in making the transition to civilian life and, more specifically, about the range of resettlement briefings and training options that are available. The briefings are organised on a collective basis at various locations, and cover such matters as applying for a job; specific civilian careers; life in different regions; and other facets of civilian life, such as purchasing a home and managing one's finances. Such briefings last one or two days, and personnel may attend a number of them, in addition to the 28-day training period.

  RAF Closures
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the strategic rationale behind the disbandment of No. 16, No. 58 and No 63 squadrons RAF Regiment;

  (2) what is the strategic rationale behind the closure of (a) RAF Hullavington, (b) No. 7 flying training school at RAF Church Fenton and (c) RAF Abingdon.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) on 2 July, at column 138, and to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991".

  Operation Granby (Injuries)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current number of service personnel being treated for physical injuries or illnesses resulting either wholly or partially from Operation Granby.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have had some form of treatment for physical injuries or illnesses resulting either wholly or partially from Operation Granby.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to paragraph 7 of the box entitled "Medical Support" at page 19 of volume 1 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991"—Cm. 1559–1.

  Racial Harassment
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 133, what action has been taken as a result of the complaints of racial harassment recorded in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All complaints of racial harassment which came to the attention of Ministry of Defence headquarters during the years 1988, 1989, 1990 and, to date, in 1991 were investigated and the results were as follows:

  Complaints substantiated

  Punishment

  Complaints unsubstantiated

  1988

  1

  12 offenders fined

  23

  1989

  1

  11 offender fined

  3

  1990

  —

  —

  33

  41991

  —

  —

  1

  1 All fined for common assault.

  2 Includes 2 complaints subsequently withdrawn.

  3 Includes 1 complaint subsequently withdrawn.

  4 1991 to date.

  Recruitment
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown by region of recruiting figures to the British Army.

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

  Regiments
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information is currently held centrally regarding(a) the running costs and (b) the operational effectiveness of individual Army regiments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None; there is no requirement for information at this level of detail to be held centrally.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the regiments in the Army and where they are currently serving.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The following table lists all Regular Army combat arm major units and their current base locations.

  Title

  Location

  Infantry—Regular battalions

  1 Grenadier Guards

  Munster

  2 Grenadier Guards

  Caterham

  1 Coldstream Guards

  Wellington Barracks

  2 Coldstream Guards

  Chelsea

  1 Scots Guards

  Hohne

  2 Scots Guards

  Hounslow

  1 Irish Guards

  Berlin

  1 Welsh Guards

  Pirbright

  1 The Royal Scots

  Werl

  1 The Royal Highland Fusiliers

  Oakington

  1 The King's Own Scottish Borderers

  Edinburgh

  1 The Black Watch

  Ballykinler

  1 Queen's Own Highlanders

  Munster

  1 The Gordon Highlanders

  Fort George

  1 The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

  Minden

  1 The Queen's Regiment

  Minden

  2 The Queen's Regiment

  Canterbury

  3 The Queen's Regiment

  Cyprus

  1 The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  Tidworth

  486

  Title

  Location

  2 The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  Bulford

  3 The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  Hemer

  1 The Royal Anglian Regiment

  Colchester

  2 The Royal Anglian Regiment

  Celle

  3 The Royal Anglian Regiment

  Londonderry

  1 The King's Own Royal Border Regiment

  Colchester

  1 The King's Regiment

  Ballykelly

  1 The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  Osnabruck

  1 The Green Howards

  Catterick

  1 The Royal Irish Rangers

  Warminster

  2 The Royal Irish Rangers

  Lemgo

  1 The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  Weeton

  1 The Duke of Wellington's Regiment

  Tern Hill

  1 The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment

  Cyprus

  1 The Royal Hampshire Regiment

  Colchester

  1 Staffordshire Regiment

  Fallingbostel

  1 The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment

  Catterick

  1 The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  Bulford

  1 The Cheshire Regiment

  Chester

  1 The Royal Welsh Fusiliers

  Berlin

  1 The Royal Regiment of Wales

  Hong Kong

  1 The Gloucestershire Regiment

  Catterick

  1 The Light Infantry

  Berlin

  2 The Light Infantry

  Tidworth

  3 The Light Infantry

  Paderborn

  1 The Royal Green Jackets

  Osnabruck

  2 The Royal Green Jackets

  Omagh

  3 The Royal Green Jackets

  Dover

  1 The Parachute Regiment

  Hollywood

  2 The Parachute Regiment

  Aldershot

  3 The Parachute Regiment

  Aldershot

  1 2nd King Edward VIIs Own Gurkha Rifles

  Hong Kong

  2 2nd King Edward VIIs Own Gurkha Rifles

  Brunei

  6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles

  Hong Kong

  7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles

  Church Crookham

  10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles

  Hong Kong

  Royal Armoured Corps Regular Regiments

  The Life Guards

  Sennelager

  The Blues and Royals

  Windsor

  1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards

  Tidworth

  The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

  Fallinbostel

  4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards

  Detmold

  5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards

  Paderborn

  The Queen's Own Hussars

  Hohne

  The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars

  Fallingbostel

  9th/12th Royal Lancers

  Wimbish

  The Royal Hussars

  Munster

  13th/18th Royal Hussars

  Wolfenbottel

  14th/20th King's Hussars

  Munster

  15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars

  Detmold

  16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers

  Herford

  17th/21st Lancers

  Tidworth

  1 Royal Tank Regiment

  Hildesheim

  2 Royal Tank Regiment

  Bovington/Catterick

  3 Royal Tank Regiment

  Hemer

  4 Royal Tank Regiment

  Osnabruck

  Royal Artillery Regiments

  1 Royal Horse Artillery

  Hohne

  3 Royal Horse Artillery

  Colchester

  7 Royal Horse Artillery

  Aldershot

  2 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Munster

  4 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Osnabruck

  5 Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery

  Dortmund

  12 Air Defence Regiment Royal Artillery

  Dortmund

  14 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Larkhill

  16 Air Defence Regiment Royal Artillery

  Kirton Lindsey

  487

  Title

  Location

  19 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Topcliffe

  22 Air Defence Regiment Royal Artillery

  Dortmund

  26 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Gutersloh

  27 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Dortmund

  29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery

  Plymouth/Arbroath

  32 Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery

  Dortmund

  39 Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery

  Sennelager

  40 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Hohne

  45 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Paderborn

  47 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Thorney Island

  49 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  Lippstadt

  50 Missile Regiment Royal Artillery

  Menden

  Royal Engineer Regiments

  21 Engineer Regiment

  Nienburg

  22 Engineer Regiment

  Tidworth

  23 Engineer Regiment

  Osnabruck

  25 Engineer Regiment

  Osnabruck

  26 Engineer Regiment

  Iserlohn

  28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment

  Hameln

  32 Armoured Engineer Regiment

  Munsterlager

  33 (EOD) Regiment

  Chattenden

  35 Engineer Regiment

  Hameln

  36 Engineer Regiment

  Maidstone

  38 Engineer Regiment

  Ripon

  39 Engineer Regiment

  Waterbeach

  The Queen's Gurkha Engineers

  Hong Kong

  Army Air Corps

  1 Regiment Army Air Corps

  Hildesheim

  3 Regiment Army Air Corps

  Soest

  4 Regiment Army Air Corps

  Detmold

  7 Regiment Army Air Corps

  Netheravon

  9 Regiment Army Air Corps

  Topcliffe

  Special Air Service Regiment

  22nd Regiment Special Air Service

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the release of de-classified information on the safeguarding of nuclear weapons against(a) theft and (b) unauthorised use to his counterparts in other countries.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Any such case would be considered on its merits giving due regard to United Kingdom national interests and international obligations.

  MOD Land
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has established targets for the sale of surplus MOD property and land either(a) to housing associations or (b) on the open market.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with(a) the relevant local authorities and (b) his United States counterpart regarding the future employment and housing needs of civil service personnel employed at RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department has discussed various issues arising from the United States withdrawal from RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge with Suffolk county council and Suffolk coastal district council.

  Army Resettlement
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current number of staff in the Army resettlement employment liaison cell, the titles and grades of staff attached to the cell and its current average annual running cost.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Army resettlement employment liaison cell comprises one lieutenant colonel, who is the senior employment liaison officer, assisted by one major, one executive officer and two administrative assistants. Annual running costs are of the order of £200,000.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amount of funding has been provided to the Officers Association and the Regular Forces Employment Association in each year since 1970.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The funding provided to the Officers' Association and the Regular Forces Employment Association in each year since 1970 was as follows:

  Year

  Officers' Association £

  Regular Forces Employment Association £

  1970–71

  27,500

  15,100

  1971–72

  27,500

  18,700

  1972–73

  27,800

  38,800

  1973–74

  40,866

  43,500

  1974–75

  44,538

  52,780

  1975–76

  47,400

  76,000

  1976–77

  63,960

  91,000

  1977–78

  72,098

  98,700

  1978–79

  86,214

  146,500

  1979–80

  65,694

  193,800

  1980–81

  72,379

  241,000

  1981–82

  88,694

  263,600

  1982–83

  96,331

  323,600

  1983–84

  97,261

  359,400

  1984–85

  103,748

  399,400

  1985–86

  111,841

  415,800

  1986–87

  128,000

  431,140

  1987–88

  132,800

  453,400

  1988–89

  117,000

  496,100

  1989–90

  141,120

  523,600

  1990–91

  155,400

  557,600

  11991–92

  200,700

  605,300

  1 Forecast.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his policy to increase(a) the size of the Army resettlement employment liaison cell and (b) the level of funding provided to the Officers Association and the Regular Forces Employment Association.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The size of the Army resettlement employment liaison cell, which is part of the tri-service resettlement organisation employment unit, and the level of MOD grant to the Officers Association and the Regular Forces Employment Association are kept under review in the light of the demand on their services. The MOD will be discussing with both associations the level of funding necessary in the light of "Options for Change".

  RAF Hullavington
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions he has had with North Wiltshire district council regarding the future employment and housing needs of MOD personnel employed or stationed at RAF Hullavington and the barracks at Colerne;

  (2) what discussions he has had with (a) housing associations and (b) private firms regarding the future of the barracks at Colerne and RAF Hullavington.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None. Discussions will be held with North Wiltshire district council regarding the future of the sites.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with North Wiltshire district council regarding planning permission.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Discussions are held with local authorities as required on planning matters relating to MOD sites.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 17 December,Official Report, columns 5·7.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The opinion poll surveys conducted by, for or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence since December 1990 are as follows:

  Date

  Subject

  Public Attitudes to Defence

  Annual

  RAF Statement of Equality Research

  1991

  Research at Welbeck College on recruitment to the Army

  1991

  RAF—Strategic Research

  1991

  Target

  Market Exploratory Research (Navy)

  1991

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the advertising, promotional or public relations companies employed by, or on behalf of, his Department who are involved in the campaigns given in his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 82.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:

  Royal Navy
  Production of a television recruiting advertisement and television advertising campaign.—Young and Rubican Ltd. Advertising Agency to be responsible for television advertising campaign. Contract not yet placed for television recruiting advertising.

  Army
  Production of a television/cinema recruiting advertising and television/cinema advertising campaign. Press campaign in support of the above.—Advertisement produced by Sid Roberson Films. Delaney, Fletcher, Slaymaker, Delaney & Bozell Advertising Agency responsible for advertising campaign.

  Territorial Army

  1. A combined TV/Press recruitment campaign highlighting the range of weekend activities in the Territorial Army.
  490
  —Advertisement produced by Ridley Scott Associates. Delaney, Fletcher, Slaymaker, Delaney & Bozell Advertising Agency to be responsible for advertising campaign.

  2. A press campaign to recruit specialist personnel.—Delaney, Fletcher, Slaymaker, Delaney & Bozell Advertising Agency.

  Purcell Miller Tritton responsible for production of posters in support of 1 and 2 above.

  Tri-Service

  1. Press campaign to thank employers for releasing Volunteer Reserve Forces personnel for service during the Gulf crisis.—Young and Rubican Ltd. Advertising Agency.

  2. Campaign to increase public awareness of Volunteer Reserve Forces and employers' support for them.—Young and Rubican Ltd. Advertising Agency.

  Gurkhas and RAF Regiment
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many infantry battalions or manpower equivalent are contained within the establishment of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the RAF Regiment;

  (2) how many British infantry battalions equate, in terms of manpower, to the Brigade of Gurkhas and the RAF Regiment.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are five infantry battalions in the brigade of Gurkhas together with supporting units. United Kingdom infantry battalions vary in size according to role and differences in peace and war establishments. The RAF Regiment is not structured on the basis of battalions. It is not meaningful, therefore, to draw comparisons in this way.

  Army
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the men of the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF Regiment meet his infantry criteria of universality of posting both in terms of geographic location and type of duty, including armoured formations;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the quality of soldiering now being provided in the Household Division, Light Division and the Parachute Regiment;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the British Army is able to meet its present role and tasks;

  (4) how many battalion year tasks will be relinquished as a result of his recent assessment of the new military threat now facing the United Kingdom; and if he will list them;

  (5) what assessment he has made of whether the training of the officers and men of the Household Division, Light Division and the Parachute Regiment currently fit them to meet his criteria of universality in terms of geographic location and role, including armoured formations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes to make a statement on the restructuring of the Army before the House rises for the summer recess. It would not be appropriate to comment on these matters until then.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secetary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement on regimental restructuring in the Army.
  491
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said in the House on 2 July, he hopes to make a statement on Army restructuring before the summer recess.

  Infantry
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the contribution of the infantry to the modern hi-tech battlefield.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It has a vital contribution to make.

  Support Services
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secetary of State for Defence if he will list the current peace-time establishments, by rank of the medical, catering and ordnance support arms of each of the three services and their annual cost in terms of salary.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secetary of State for Defence what is, in his reorganisation of the armed forces, his policy on retention by each of the three armed-forces of its own individual medical (including dental), communications, mechanical, catering and ordnance supporting arms.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In looking for savings in support commensurate with those in the front line, we are examining the scope for rationalisation in all areas. The services will retain individual supporting arms where it is operationally necessary and cost-effective to do so.

  Type 2075 Sonar Programme
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations influenced his decision to terminate the contract for the development of the type 2075 integrated sonar suite.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to my answer of 17 June to the hon. Member for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes) at column 67.

  Location

  Strike/Attack

  Tornado GR1

  9

  Sqn

  RAF Bruggen

  14

  Sqn

  RAF Bruggen

  15

  Sqn

  RAF Laarbruch

  16

  Sqn

  RAF Laarbruch

  17

  Sqn

  RAF Bruggen

  20

  Sqn

  RAF Laarbruch

  27

  Sqn

  RAF Marham

  31

  Sqn

  RAF Bruggen

  617

  Sqn

  RAF Marham

  Buccaneer

  12

  Sqn

  RAF Lossiemouth

  208

  Sqn

  RAF Lossiemouth

  Offensive Support

  Harrier

  1

  Sqn

  RAF Wittering

  3

  Sqn

  RAF Gutersloh

  4

  Sqn

  RAF Gutersloh

  Jaguar

  6

  Sqn

  RAF Coltishall

  54

  Sqn

  RAF Coltishall

  Maritime Patrol

  Nimrod MR

  42

  Sqn

  RAF St. Mawgan

  Type 2076 Sonar Programme
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the type 2076 sonar programme.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Sonar 2076 is the programme to update the sonar suites of the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines. This programme will ensure that these submarines remain effective and capable throughout their lifespan. We have recently awarded contracts for the project definition phase of the programme to Marconi Underwater Systems Limited and Ferranti-Thomson Sonar Systems Ltd.

  Communications Project Definition Studies
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the integrated external and internal communications project definition studies.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. and learned Gentleman shortly.

  Light Armoured Vehicles
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future requirements of the Army for light armoured vehicles.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  We are continuing to review our requirement for light armoured vehicles as part of the "Options for Change" process.

  RAF Squadrons
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the operational squadrons in the Royal Air Force and where they are currently stationed.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The front-line squadrons of the RAF as of 1 April 1991 are listed at Annex D to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991" published on 9 July. Their peacetime locations as of the same date are as follows:
  493

  Location

  120

  Sqn

  RAF Kinloss

  201

  Sqn

  RAF Kinloss

  206

  Sqn

  RAF Kinloss

  Reconnaissance

  Jaguar

  41

  Sqn

  RAF Coltishall

  Tornado GRla

  2

  Sqn

  RAF Laarbruch

  13

  Sqn

  RAF Honington

  Nimrod R

  51

  Sqn

  RAF Wyton

  Canberra PR9

  1

  PRU

  RAF Wyton

  Air Defence

  Tornado F3

  5

  Sqn

  RAF Coningsby

  11

  Sqn

  RAF Leeming

  23

  Sqn

  RAF Leeming

  25

  Sqn

  RAF Leeming

  29

  Sqn

  RAF Coningsby

  43

  Sqn

  RAF Leuchars

  111

  Sqn

  RAF Leuchars

  Phantom FGR2

  19

  Sqn

  RAF Wildenrath

  56

  Sqn

  RAF Wattisham

  74

  Sqn

  RAF Wattisham

  92

  Sqn

  RAF Wildenrath1

  Bloodhound

  85

  Sqn

  RAF West Raynham2

  Rapier

  16

  Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Wildenrath

  26

  Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Laarbruch

  27

  Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Leuchars

  37

  Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Bruggen

  48

  Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Lossiemouth

  63

  Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Gutersloh

  Skyguard

  2729

  Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF Waddington

  2890

  Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF Waddington

  Airborne Early Warning

  Shackleton AEW

  8

  Sqn

  RAF Lossiemouth3

  Airborne Radio Relay

  Andover

  115

  Sqn

  RAF Benson

  Air Transport

  VC10

  10

  Sqn

  RAF Brize Norton

  Hercules

  24

  Sqn

  RAF Lyneham

  30

  Sqn

  RAF Lyneham

  47

  Sqn

  RAF Lyneham

  70

  Sqn

  RAF Lyneham

  Tristar

  216

  Sqn

  RAF Brize Norton

  HS125/Andover/Gazelle

  32

  Sqn

  RAF Northolt

  Andover

  60

  Sqn

  RAF Wildenrath

  Chinook

  7

  Sqn

  RAF Odiham

  18

  Sqn

  RAF Gutersloh

  Wessex

  72

  Sqn

  RAF Aldergrove

  Puma

  33

  Sqn

  RAF Odiham

  230

  Sqn

  RAF Gutersloh

  Tankers

  Victor K2

  55

  Sqn

  RAF Marham

  VC10 K2/K3

  101

  Sqn

  RAF Brize Norton

  Search and Rescue

  Sea King

  202

  Sqn

  RAF Lossiemouth

  RAF Boulmer

  RAF Leconfield

  RAF Manston

  RAF Brawdy

  Wessex

  22

  Sqn

  RAF Leuchars

  RAF Coltishall

  RAF Chivenor

  RAF Valley

  Ground Defence

  1 Light Armour Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Laarbruch

  2 Light Armour Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Hullavington

  3 Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Aldergrove

  51 Light Armour Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Catterick

  58 Light Armour Sqn RAF Regt

  RAF Catterick

  2503 Field Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF Waddington

  2620 Field Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF Marham

  2622 Field Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF Lossiemouth

  494 495

  Location

  2623 Field Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF Honinglon

  2624 Field Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF Brize Norton

  2625 Field Sqn R Aux AF Regt

  RAF St. Mawgan

  In addition, normal deployment outside the NATO area was:

  Cyprus

  Wessex, 84 Sqn; 34 Light Armour Sqn RAF Regt

  Hong Kong

  Wessex, 28 Sqn

  Falkland Islands

  1 Fit Phantom FGR2; 1 Fit Hercules; Chinook; Sea King; RAF Regt Rapier

  Belize

  1 Fit Harrier; 1 Fit Puma; RAF Regt Rapier

  1 92 Sqn is disbanding from 1 July.

  2 85 Sqn was retired on 1 July.

  3 The Shackleton was retired on 1 July. 8 Sqn is being re-equipped with E-3D Sentry aircraft based at RAF Waddington.

  RAF Capability
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he is giving in "Options for Change" to medium-level capability for the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As clearly demonstrated by the operations in the Gulf, the RAF maintains an effective medium-level capability. This will not be affected by "Options for Change".

  Naval Landing Platforms
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Royal Navy's landing platform dock replacement programme.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We expect to place the contract for project definiton of the design of two new assault ships shortly.

  Tornado
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the GR4 version of the Tornado aircraft to be fully operational.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Tornado GR4 is planned to enter service in the second half of the decade.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and locations of all those MOD properties in the Caradon area that are vacant at present; what is the length of time that they have been unoccupied; and what are his intentions for these properties.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are currently 12 vacant married quarters in the Caradon area at Torpoint. These have been vacant for fewer than three months. Eight of the properties are undergoing works and four will be alloted to incoming service families. In addition, one former married quarter is in the process of being sold.

  IRAQI CHEMICAL WEAPON STORES: BOMB DAMAGE
  IRAQI CHEMICAL WEAPON STORES: BOMB DAMAGE
  DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT AGENCIES: WATER FOR INJECTIONS
  DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT AGENCIES: WATER FOR INJECTIONS
  SOCIAL FUND EXPENDITURE
  SOCIAL FUND EXPENDITURE
  VETERINARY MEDICINES IN MEAT
  VETERINARY MEDICINES IN MEAT
  SET-ASIDE: RULES FOR FIVE-YEAR SCHEME
  SET-ASIDE: RULES FOR FIVE-YEAR SCHEME