Written Answers of 15 July 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the number of cases for investigation that have been referred to the Serious Fraud Office by company auditors since its establishment.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Probate Services
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Lord Chancellor intends to publish his regulations under sections 54 and 55 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

  The Attorney-General
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is today issuing a consultation document setting out draft regulations for probate complaints schemes under sections 54 and 55 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. Under the provisions of that Act, membership of such a scheme will be compulsory for financial institutions and other persons wishing to provide probate services to the public. The draft regulations require all probate practitioners to belong to an ombudsman scheme with powers to award compensation. Copies of the consultation document and draft regulations will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses, are available in the Vote Office, and have been sent to representatives of the financial institutions, the legal profession and others who have an interest in the content of the regulations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Slovenia
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Yugoslav Government concerning the need to prevent risk of ecological catastrophe or human suffering arising from the threatened attack by terrorists on the nuclear power plant at Krsko near Zagreb; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Countries that operate civil nuclear power programmes are responsible for ensuring the safety of plants. The restoration of peace in Slovenia and Croatia would be the best guarantee of the safety of the nuclear power plant at Krsko. The plan agreed between the European Community troika and Yugoslav representatives at Brioni on 8 July offers a basis upon which negotiations for a peaceful resolution of the Yugoslav crisis can restart.

  Baltic States
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on behalf of the Baltic states regarding requests by the Soviet Government for economic aid; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received representations from members of the public and Baltic emigré associations about economic assistance to the Soviet Union. In our approach to assistance for Soviet economic reform we will be sensitive to wider political developments, including the Soviet authorities' approach to the Baltic republics.

  Iraq (Weapons)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, columns 124–25, what analysis has been completed at Porton Down in relation to Iraq's chemical and biological weapons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A vapour sample from the United Nations special commission's first chemical weapons inspection at the Muthanna establishment in Iraq from 9 to 14 June 1991 was analysed for the Commission by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down. While details of the results are confidential to the special commission, they are consistent with the press statement made by the United Nations on 24 June 1991 that nerve agents of the types GB and GF were present at Muthanna.

  European Community Co-operation Agreements
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the European Community has signed any other co-operation agreements similar to that signed with Morocco on 27 April 1976.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The European Community signed similar co-operation agreements with Algeria in 1976, Tunisia in 1977, Egypt in 1976, Israel in 1976, Lebanon in 1977, Syria in 1977, Jordan in 1977 and Yugoslavia in 1980.

  Arms Control
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining recent progress achieved with other Governments in the direction of arms control.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are committed to verifiable arms control agreements which enhance our security. We participate actively in the follow-on negotiations to the conventional forces in Europe treaty of November 1990 and in negotiations on further confidence and security-building measures. We also participate in negotiations for a global ban on chemical weapons. We are promoting my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's proposal for a United Nations register of arms transfers and consulting other major arms suppliers, in particular the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, on how best to strengthen controls on all forms of arms proliferation.
  3
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to discuss arms control with the United Nations and his EC counterparts.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no immediate plans to discuss arms control with the United Nations. Some of this Department's senior officials recently met other members of the permanent five at the United Nations Security Council in Paris on 8 and 9 July to review issues related to conventional arms transfers and to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This group will next meet in London in September. It is possible that my right hon. Friend will discuss arms control issues with his European Community counterparts during the next Foreign Affairs Council on 29 July.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further plans he has to introduce new international controls on arms sales.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are actively participating in efforts to introduce greater responsibility to the international transfer of conventional arms. The five leading arms exporters met in Paris on 8 and 9 July and agreed to work together to develop guidelines for restraint in arms transfer, and to set up a mechanism for continual consultation and exchange of information on these issues. This work will be taken forward at further meetings in London in the autumn.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in securing agreement for an international register of arms sales.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our initiative for a UN register has received wide support. President Bush, President Mitterrand and Prime Minister Kaifu have endorsed the idea, and the European Council on 28 and 29 June decided that the Twelve should put forward a joint resolution to the next UN General Assembly proposing a register. At their meeting in Paris on 8 and 9 July the five permanent members of the Security Council also expressed their support for further work to this end. We are pleased that the recent report of the UN expert study group on transparency has recommended the prompt establishment of a register.

WALES

  M4
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to minimise road works and the limitation on road lanes on the M4 for the remainder of the holiday period and particularly at weekends.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Two contracts are in progress on the M4. No additional schemes are to be carried out until September. Present restrictions required for these schemes will continue, but are unlikely to cause unnecessary delay to the public.

  A5
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his reply of 8 July,Official Report, column 265, if he will state the year in which it is expected that the work in building the A5 across Ynys Mon will commence.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The 1991 supplement to "Roads in Wales: Progress and Plans for the 1990s" shows the A5 improvements as planned to start after April 1994. It is not possible to give a firmer indication of timing at this stage.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of all infant and junior schools in each local education authority which have integrated units for children with special needs, together with their funding requirements under local management of schools; and whether each integrated unit receives all of the funding allocated to it under the local management of schools formula.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information on infants and junior schools with integrated units for children with special needs is not available centrally.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to give local education authorities the statutory duty to provide places for pupils with special needs up to the age of 18 years at least.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  At present local education authorities are required to secure the provision of suitable full-time education for pupils up to the age of 18, including those with special educational needs. For 16 to 18-year-olds, the Government intend that this duty will transfer to further education funding councils for England and Wales in a new independent further education sector. Our plans are set out in the White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century", Cm 1536.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils with special needs were in schools and colleges, by year group, from five to 18 years in each of the last five years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information in respect of pupils with statements of special educational needs in schools is given in the table. Data on special needs by year group are not available. Local education authorities are not required to maintain statements for young people in colleges of furrther education.

  Number of pupils in schools1

  Number

  1986–87

  9,916

  1987–88

  11,549

  1988–89

  11,340

  1989–90

  10,965

  1990–91

  12,647

  1 At January of each year. Includes pupils receiving education within and outside their own local education authority in primary, Secondary, special and independent schools and special units.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of all secondary schools in each local education authority which have integrated units
  5
  or other provision for children with special needs, together with their funding requirements under local mangement of schools; and whether each integrated unit, or other provision, receives all of the funding allocated to it under the local management of schools formula.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Details on the secondary schools with LEA designated special classes and their respective LMS budgets are given in the table. Information on schools with integrated units for children with special needs is not held centrally. Formula funding under LMS is based on two key principles—that the resources available should be allocated to schools on a clear and objective basis related to their relative need to spend, and that schools' budgets should depend mainly on the numbers and ages of their pupils. Whether or not factors for integrated units or other provision are included in the formulae is for LEAs to decide. LEAs retain their responsibilities in respect of children with statements of special educational need.

  School Name

  Local Management of Schools Budget(1) £

  Clwyd

  Rhyl High School

  1,881,310

  Denbigh High School

  1,478,990

  The Groves High School

  1,447,240

  Dyfed

  Fishguard County Secondary School

  1,315,469

  Ysgol Y Preseli

  1,164,472

  Pembroke Comprehensive School

  2,227,550

  Cardigan County Secondary School

  1,183,228

  Penglais Comprehensive School

  1,652,523

  Ysgol Gyfun Maes Yr Yrfa

  1,026,535

  Gwendraeth Valley Comprehensive School

  1,079,200

  Gwent

  St. Julians Comprehensive School

  1,986,631

  Hartridge Comprehensive School

  1,614,260

  Newbridge Comprehensive School

  1,183,073

  Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School

  1,336,205

  Llantarnam Comprehensive School

  1,706,110

  Glanyrafon Junior Comprehensive School

  669,801

  Cwmcarn Comprehensive School

  730,367

  Chepstow Comprehensive School

  1,677,119

  Caldicot Comprehensive School

  2,194,349

  Abersychan Comprehensive School

  1,374,224

  Abertillery Comprehensive School

  1,447,560

  Gwynedd

  Ysgol John Bright

  1,763,941

  Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy

  1,493,505

  Ysgol Friars

  1,703,648

  Mid Glamorgan

  Afon Taf High School

  2,118,000

  Cyfarthfa High School

  1,850,000

  Vaynor and Penderyn Comprehensive School

  695,000

  Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School

  2,476,000

  Hawthorn Comprehensive School

  1,744,000

  Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen

  1,744,000

  Blaengwawr Comprehensive School

  1,233,000

  Tonyrefail Comprehensive School

  2,010,000

  Cynffig Comprehensive School

  1,724,000

  St. Cenydd Comprehensive School

  1,622,000

  St. Ilan Comprehensive School

  1,599,000

  Bryntirion Comprehensive School

  1,670,000

  Ynysawdre Comprehensive School

  1,910,000

  Pencoed Comprehensive School

  2,078,000

  Lewis Girls Comprehensive School

  1,686,000

  Brynteg Comprehensive School

  2,698,000

  Ferndale Comprehensive School

  1,866,000

  Tonypandy Comprehensive School

  1,989,000

  Bedwellty Comprehensive School

  1,101,000

  6

  School Name

  Local Management of Schools Budget (1) £

  Archbishop McGrath School

  830,000

  Powys

  Caereinion High School

  882,275

  Llanidloes High School

  838,497

  Newtown High School

  1,817,623

  Welshpool High School

  1,293,060

  South Glamorgan

  Rumney High School

  1,787,357

  Willows High School

  1,176,007

  Fitzalan High School

  2,182,776

  Llanedeyrn High School

  1,579,164

  Cantonian High School

  1,687,323

  Llanrumney High School

  1,565,969

  Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive School

  1,684,498

  Barry Boys Comprehensive School

  2,421,338

  Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School

  2,390,428

  St. Cyres Comprehensive School

  2,308,914

  St. Illtyds High School

  1,247,509

  Mary Immaculate High School

  1,141,442

  West Glamorgan

  Olchfa Comprehensive School

  2,862,000

  Sandfields Comprehensive School

  1,488,000

  Gowerton Comprehensive School

  1,960,000

  Cwmtawe Comprehensive School

  2,107,000

  Cwrt Sart Comprehensive School

  1,243,000

  1 These details have been taken from LEAs' section 42 financial statements for 1991–92.

  Education Support and Training Programme
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many applications were made for grants under the education support and training programme 1992–93; and how many were successful;

  (2) if he will publish his programme of grants awarded under the education support and training programme 1992–93 and the conditions under which grants were awarded in each section.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We will be publishing details of the 1992–93 GEST programme for Wales this month. Local education authorities will have until October to submit bids for grant support. Information on how many applications were successful and the grants awarded will not be available until we have had an opportunity to consider these bids.

  Standard Assessment Tasks
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 33, if he will place in the Library copies of the representations he has received on the standard assessment tasks completed by children aged six-and-a-half to seven years this year.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The representations received about the implementation of the assessment arrangement for the first statutory SATs undertaken this year were unsolicited and as such cannot be made public without consent.

  Abattoirs
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the abattoirs in Wales which slaughter fewer than 12 livestock units or cattle each week.
  7
  Mr. David Hunt
  It would not be appropriate to list the information requested, in view of its commercial sensitivity. However, information on throughput derived from annual advisory visits by state veterinary staff to local authority licensed abattoirs is recorded in size bands. The 1990 figures for Wales are as follows:

  Livestock units

  Abattoirs

  0–5

  10

  6–10

  3

  11–15

  4

  Private Nursing Home Residents
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether residents of private nursing homes whose only income is from income support are eligible for additional benefits to cover the costs of support services including physiotherapy and chiropody where such services are not wholly provided by the health authority.

  Prep

  P1

  P2

  P3

  P4

  P5

  P6

  P7

  BELB n/a

  1·20

  1·0

  1·0

  1·10

  1·0

  1·00

  1·10

  NEELB 0·5 of P1–P7 values

  1·23

  1·09

  1·0

  1·09

  1·0

  1·09

  1·09

  SEELB 0·45

  1·20

  1·20

  1·1

  1·20

  1·1

  1·20

  1·20

  SELB 0·47

  1·10

  1·00

  1·0

  1·10

  1·0

  1·00

  1·10

  WELB 0·5

  1·00

  1·00

  1·0

  1·00

  1·0

  1·00

  1·00

  The cash value of each age-weighted pupil unit reflects the different approaches in each board area and are not, therefore, directly comparable. The figures are:

  AWPU £

  BELB

  813·79

  NEELB

  788·75

  SEELB

  730·92

  SELB

  852·35

  WELB

  812·25

  Prior to local mangement of schools—LMS—the Department paid 50 per cent. of approved teachers' costs

  Mr. Brooke

  Lord Belstead

  Dr. Mawhinney

  Mr. Needham

  Mr. Hanley

  Total

  January

  5

  10

  8

  10

  12

  45

  February

  13

  7

  8

  8

  11

  47

  March

  9

  12

  9

  5

  8

  43

  April

  6

  10

  12

  9

  13

  50

  May

  10

  7

  17

  12

  13

  59

  June

  10

  12

  14

  9

  10

  55

  Total

  53

  58

  68

  53

  67

  299

  Publications
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details for each of the last five years of all booklets, pamphlets, promotional literature, annual reports, statements of accounts, and other printed matter required by statute to be made publicly available by all (i) Government Departments, (ii) statutory bodies, (iii) other public agencies or authorities; the total cost in each case; and whether printing was carried out in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  8
  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  No additional benefits are available to cover these services.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Schools
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of the cash value and age-weighted pupil units allocated by each education and library board in Northern Ireland under the scheme for local management of schools to(a) preparatory school pupils and (b) primary school pupils; how much the difference is between the weighting for pupils attending preparatory and primary schools; and what is the reason for the difference.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Primary pupil age-weightings depend on the class being attended. The range of age-weightings in each education and library board is as follows:

  with all remaining costs being met by fees payable by parents. The reduced weighting under the LMS arrangements continue to reflect the ongoing contribution from fees.

  Ministers (Overnight Stays)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many nights in each of the months of January, February, March, April, May, June 1991 each of the Ministers at the Northern Ireland Office remained overnight in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the commencement dates and duration of each publicity campaign given in his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 145;

  (2) 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 3 July, Official Report, column 145.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The information is:
  9

  Campaign

  Commencement date

  Duration

  Company

  Crime Prevention Public Awareness Campaign

  Launch Autumn 1991

  Media element 4 weeks

  Cannot be disclosed on security grounds

  Environmental Awareness and Energy Efficiency

  22 August 1991

  3 months

  A. V. Browne Advertising Limited

  Job Training Programme

  Not finalised

  Not finalised

  Anderson Advertising Limited

  Pedestrian Safety

  26 June 1991

  1 month

  Chrysalis TV

  16 September 1991

  1 month

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since his answer of 20 December,Official Report, column 280.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The surveys since the answer on 20 December are:

  Entrance to Youth Training Programme

  Training and Employment Agency: Attitude and Awareness Survey

  Northern Ireland Museums Advisory Committee's Survey of Public Attitudes and Views of Museums in Northern Ireland

  Job Staff Satisfaction in DHSS

  Northern Ireland Continuous Household Survey

  Vehicle Testing Customer Survey 1991

  Customer Attitude 1991

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Inquiries
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on the latest year's figures available for England and Wales, what were the mean, median, longest and shortest lengths of time between the closing of a public inquiry and the subsequent announcement of his decision;

  (2) on the latest year's figures available for England and Wales, what were the mean, median, longest and shortest lengths of time from notification of a public inquiry to the announcement of the decision, following 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, or as the result of an appeal against a planning authority's decision, or for any other reason.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information is not available in the form requested, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The table sets out available information on the median periods between the opening of inquiries and the issue of decisions in respect of planning appeals made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and listed building consent appeals made under section 20 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

  England 1990–91

  Section 20 appeals (weeks)

  Section 78 appeals (weeks)

  Inspector inquiries

  7

  7

  Secretary of State inquiries

  24

  28

  Comparable information for advertisement and enforcement appeals, and for Wales, is not available.

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff were in the Crown Suppliers furnishing business on 15 August 1990.

  Mr. Yeo
  There were 493 industrial and non-industrial staff in post in TCS Contract Furnishing on 15 August 1990.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Crown Suppliers staff who transferred into Property Services Agency building management have now left the civil service on principal civil service pension scheme early retirement and severance terms.

  Mr. Yeo
  Seventy-six of the Crown Suppliers staff who transferred to building management have left the civil service on early retirement or severance terms.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what auditing arrangements apply to the preparation of Crown Suppliers Contract Furnishing for privatisation and eventual closure.

  Mr. Yeo
  The accounts of the Crown Suppliers, and costs in respect of any residual activities, are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. An internal audit presence remained throughout the closure process.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Crown Suppliers furnishing staff left the civil service under the principal civil service pension scheme early retirement and severence scheme terms in the first seven months of 1990 prior to the closure announcement.

  Mr. Yeo
  From 1 January to 14 August 1990, 85 Crown Suppliers furnishing staff left on early retirement and severence terms.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the projected cost excluding index-linking of annual compensation payments to design and furnishing staff until their retirement age.

  Mr. Yeo
  A total of £7,916,000.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the purchase value of all stocks of furniture and equipment held by Crown Suppliers furnishing business on 15 August 1990.

  Mr. Yeo
  A total of £7,873,000, excluding VAT.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Crown Suppliers staff have left the civil service on principal civil service pension scheme early retirement and severence terms from 15 August 1990 to date.
  11
  Mr. Yeo
  From 15 August 1990 to date the following industrial and non-industrial staff have the Crown Suppliers on early retirement and early severence terms:

  Number

  TCS Contract Furnishing

  256

  The Buying Agency

  15

  TCS Transport Services

  69

  340

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the cost of annual compensation payments made under the early retirement rules of the principal civil service pension scheme to design and furnishing staff, Crown Suppliers staff generally, and Crown Suppliers furnishing staff separately, since 1 January.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information is as follows:

  £

  Design and Furnishing Staff

  471,000

  Crown Suppliers Staff generally

  4,000

  Crown Suppliers Furnishing Staff

  42,000

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many design and furnishing, professional and technical officers transferred out of Crown Suppliers Contract Furnishing into Property Services Agency Building Management on 1 January 1989.

  Mr. Yeo
  A total of 108 design and furnishing, professional and technical officers were transferred to PSA Building Management on 1 January 1989.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the cost has been so far, excluding early retirement and severance payments, of closing down the Crown Suppliers Contract Furnishing business.

  Mr. Yeo
  The cost to the end of June 1991 was £10,400,000.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what money was realised from the sale of Crown Suppliers Contract Furnishing stocks of furnituree and equipment disposed of after the closure announcement.

  Mr. Yeo
  A total of £6,460,000, excluding VAT.

  PSA Building Management
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many design and furnishing staff are left in Property Services Agency Building Management; and what plans there are for compulsory redundancies.

  Mr. Yeo
  Thirteen design and furnishing staff are left in PDS Building Management; four of these may have to be considered for compulsory redundancy.

  EC Supplies Directive
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that arrangements and contracts between Government Departments and the Property Services Agency comply with the European supplies directive.
  12
  Mr. Yeo
  While the PSA is part of the Government, the arrangements that it has with other Departments do not fall within the terms of the directive. The parts of the PSA that are proposed for privatisation are not suppliers of goods on any major scale. However, all PSA divisions have been reminded of the EC/GATT rules relating to public procurement.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will discuss with the chairman of the National Federation of Housing Associations a new format for the presentation of housing association annual accounts, with a view to making them more easily understood.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Housing Corporation is reviewing the prescribed format for housing association accounts in consultation with the National Federation of Housing Associations. In considering what proposals for revision to put to my right hon. Friend, it will certainly have in mind the need to ensure that the accounts are clear and readily understood.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which district offices of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution have closed in the last year, or are scheduled to close in the future.

  Mr. Trippier
  The former district offices in Bristol and Leeds closed in 1990–91 when new regional headquarters offices were opened in those centres. The former district offices in Luton will close shortly following the opening of the new eastern regional headquarters at Bedford. The position on other offices is being reviewed in the light of the Government's proposal to create an environment agency.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the forecast expenditure for 1991–92 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on(a) staff dealing with authorisations and (b) staff undertaking inspection work.

  Mr. Trippier
  The forecast Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution staff—salary related—costs for 1991–92 for dealing with authorisations and registrations, and for carrying out inspection work, are as follows:

  £

  Authorisation

  2,150,000

  Inspection

  3,275,000

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the forecast expenditure for 1991–92 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on research work; and what proportion of this will be(a) undertaken by outside contractors and (b) devoted to radioactive substances work.

  Mr. Trippier
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution plans to spend about £8 million on research work in 1991–92. All research is undertaken by outside contractors and about 80 per cent. of the total relates to radioactive waste.

  "Black Country Bright Future"
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to "Black Country Bright Future" to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Key
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 28 October to 1 November.

  City Challenge
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce successful bids under the city challenge programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  We intend to announce the successful authorities by the end of July.

  Traveller Sites
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many permanent traveller sites or pitches are provided currently by each local authority in west Yorkshire; what was the figure for the comparable period last year; how many additional pitches or sites are expected to become available during the coming year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The number of permanent traveller pitches provided by each local authority in west Yorkshire at this time last year, the current provision and the likely provision by next year are as follows:

  Number of pitches

  Authority and site

  Last year

  This year

  Next year

  Bradford

  Mary Street

  24

  24

  28

  Esholt Lane

  16

  16

  19

  Calderdale

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Kirklees

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Leeds

  Cottingley Springs A

  20

  20

  20

  Cottingley Springs B

  Nil

  36

  36

  Wakefield

  Heath Common

  52

  52

  38

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many permanent traveller sites are currently available in Bradford; how many pitches are available; when improvement work to sites is expected to be completed; what is the total cost of improvement work to date; what is the total estimated cost of improvement work; how much of this improvement work is paid for by grant from his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  There are currently two permanent local authority gypsy sites in Bradford, one at Mary street and the other at Esholt lane.
  14
  Phase I improvement works to the Mary street site costing £183,449 were given approval in February 1988 and these works have been completed. The site currently provides 24 pitches.

  Phase II and III improvement works to the same site costing £549,983 were approved in February 1991. These works will produce further site improvements and an additional four new pitches bringing the total number of pitches on this site to 28.

  The total estimated cost of improvement works to the Mary street site is £733,432.

  The Esholt lane site at present provides 16 pitches. Improvement works costing £549,481 were approved in March 1991. These will result in a total of 19 pitches on this site.

  Grants are available to local authorities towards the capital cost of providing gypsy caravan sites. The rate of grant on admissible costs on schemes approved by the Secretary of State is 100 per cent.

  Housing
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans are currently being made by his Department to deal with the growth in demand for public and private sector housing which will arise when the establishment of the armed forces is reduced and service men and women cease to be entitled to Ministry of Defence housing.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department is in touch with the Ministry of Defence about the likely effects of "Options for Change". The final form that the changes will take has still to be decided, but I know my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will be taking into account the housing implications.

  Humberside
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what weight he intends to give to the Boundary Commission's interim report "The Future of Humberside" in the full national local government review;

  (2) what account he is taking of the proportion of the public response to the Boundary Commission's interim report "The Future of Humberside" which favours retaining the present county of Humberside.

  Mr. Key
  Due consideration will be given by my right hon. Friend to all the views expressed in the course of the review of Humberside.

  Empty Properties
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the figures for empty properties by tenure for each London borough annually since 1979.

  Mr. Yeo
  [pursuant to the reply, 9 July 1991, c. 312–20]: Local authorities report the number of their own dwellings which were empty at 1 April, and estimates of empty dwellings owned by other public sector bodies, housing associations and the private sector, in their annual housing investment programme returns (HIP 1). The available figures for London boroughs appear in the "HIP1 All Items Print" for each year since 1979, at the column references given in the table.

  15

  "HIPI All Items Print"—column references

  Year

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Other public sector*

  Private sector

  1979

  B41

  B42+B43**

  B44

  B45

  1980

  A81

  A82 + A83**

  A84

  A85

  1981 to 1984

  A71

  A72

  A73

  A74

  1985 to 1989

  A81

  A82

  A83

  A84

  1990

  A71

  A72

  A73

  A74

  Notes:

  * Other public sector includes dwellings owned by other boroughs, the GLC (up to 1985), government departments and other public sector agencies.

  ** For 1979 and 1980 there were separate estimates for local authority funded housing association dwellings and others.

  Copies of all the documents are in the Library.

  Housing Grants
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many discretionary grants were awarded to private sector owners and tenants in the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 to date;

  (2) how many mandatory grants were awarded to private owners and tenants in the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 to date.

  Grants paid to private owners and tenants under the Housing Act 1985: England

  (numbers of dwellings)

  Year

  Mandatory

  Discretionary

  All grants

  1988–89

  20,823

  81,624

  102,447

  1989–90

  17,729

  82,750

  100,479

  1990–911

  n.a.

  n.a.

  70,475

  Notes: Mandatory grants are composed of all intermediate, some special and some repair grants.

  1 Provisional.

  A new system of grants under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 began in mid-1990. The number of mandatory and discretionary grants approved and paid is shown in the following table.

  Grants to private owners and tenants under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989: England

  (number of grants)

  Year

  Approvals

  Grants paid

  Mandatory

  Discretionary

  Mandatory

  Discretionary

  19901

  5,148

  13,834

  611

  7,009

  1991 (first quarter)1

  9,950

  11,761

  3,390

  9,477

  Notes: Discretionary grants include minor works assistance.

  1 Provisional.

  Rural Development Commission
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the work of the Rural Development Commission since its inception.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The work of the Rural Development Commission is described in its annual reports which are in the Library of the House.

  East London Transport (Inspectors' Reports)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he expects to receive the inspectors' reports on the east London river crossing and the London City airport before 31 August.

  Mr. Yeo
  Both reports have now been delivered.
  16
  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 12 July 1991]: For the period up to June 1990 grants to private owners and tenants were made under the Housing Act 1985, although payments for grants approved are still continuing. The available information distinguishing mandatory and discretionary grants relates to payments for financial years up to 1989–90 appears in the table.

  Tenex Elbow
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment his Department has made of the dangers present to individuals and the environment by the Tenex Elbow shock absorber; and what safety tests have been carried out on the absorber;

  (2) whether his Department will take steps to ban the sale of the Tenex Elbow shock absorber until he is satisfied that no danger exists for the public or the environment either whilst it is in use or when it has been disposed of.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Tenex Elbow shock absorber has been examined by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.

  It contains 30 grammes of mercury, a substance which is a well known environmental hazard and may pose a threat to the environment when discarded. I am therefore considering whether their supply should be prohibited. I have asked officials to contact the suppliers.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Obscene Publications (Prosecutions)
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for breaches of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 have taken place in the past five years; and how many have been successful.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is given in the table. Data for 1990 are not yet available.

  Defendants proceeded against and found guilty of offences under the Obscene Publications Act 19591

  England and Wales

  Year

  Total proceeded against

  Total found guilty

  1985

  275

  226

  1986

  129

  126

  1987

  121

  93

  1988

  158

  130

  1989

  125

  96

  1 Obscene Publications Act 1959, section 2 as amended by the Obscene Publications Act 1964, section 1.

  Mr. Kanagerotnom Jeyabolasingam
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter dated 5 November 1990 from the hon. Member for Woolwich about the case of Mr. Kanagerotnom Jeyabolasingam of 15 Goldfinch road, SE28, reference No. J/134460.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Abdulahi Osman Jama
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to provide a substantive reply to the letter of 25 June 1990 from the hon. Member for Woolwich about the case of Mr. Abdulahi Osman Jama, reference TN2/1581/12236/89, which was acknowledged by his Department on 31 July 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member today.

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much will be the extra expenditure on the United Kingdom immigrant advisory service, following his statement on political asylum on 2 July.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh Central (Mr. Darling) on 9 July at columns 324–25.

  Prisons (Parcels)
  Mr. Cormack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of parcels addressed to prisoners held in high security prisons are opened and searched by prison staff before delivery.
  18
  Mrs. Rumbold
  The current instruction to governors at all establishments on the handling of inmates' correspondence requires all incoming parcels to be opened by a member of staff in the presence of the inmate and examined for illicit enclosures.

  British Nationals
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British nationals have absconded from home leave in each of the last five years and have not been recaptured.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Since details of the nationality of prisoners who fail to return from home leave are not routinely collected, the information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to transfer the holding of remand prisoners from police cells to military camps.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Remand prisoners have to be held in secure accommodation near the courts which have remanded them so that they may be escorted to and from the court for remand hearings. Military accommodation is not generally suitable for this role, although it has been used to hold sentenced prisoners in times of severe overcrowding. The present position is that industrial action has prevented the prison service from using existing prison places in order to avoid using police cells. But prison service management continues to work to gain access to accommodation and to use the prison estate flexibly.

  Police Pursuit
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers the policy of chief constables in relation to the pursuit of suspects driving away vehicles; whether any limits are imposed on the freedom of police officers to enter into pursuit and on the maximum speed of police vehicles while engaged in pursuit duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The pursuit of suspects driving away vehicles is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. The Association of Chief Police Officers, in a recent review of police driver training, has produced a recommended code of practice on pursuit management and driving.

  All the emergency services, including the police, are exempt from the speed limits if observing them would hinder the purpose for which the vehicle was being used.

  Women's Issues
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies the ministerial group on women's issues has made into issues affecting older women.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Most of the issues discussed by the ministerial group on women's issues affect women of all
  19
  ages. Topics in which the interests of older women have been more specifically addressed have included a review of the needs of carers and training opportunities for women returners.

  Harmondsworth Detention Centre
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently detained at the Harmondsworth detention centre in London; why these people are detained; what was the(a) minimum, (b) average and (c) maximum period of detention, to date, during 1991; what the comparable figures are for the same period in 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  At 10 July 1991, a total of 94 people were detained at the Harmondsworth detention centre. Of these, 66 were detained pending further examination of their applications for leave to enter the United Kingdom. Of the others, 13 have been refused leave to enter, seven have been served with notices that they are illegal entrants and eight are the subject of deportation action. These 28 people are detained while representations are considered, appeal rights exercised, or arrangements for removal from the United Kingdom made.

  Consideration is given in all case to whether release on temporary admission is possible; but the particular circumstances of each case makes this inappropriate.

  Records of those detained at Harmondsworth over the course of a year are not held centrally and it would be possible to provide all the information requested only at disproportionate cost. However, the minimum period of detention in 1991 to date has been less than 24 hours. The minimum period of detention in 1990 was also less than 24 hours.

  Other available information is as follows.

  The average period of detention of those held at Harmondsworth on 10 July 1991 was 24.6 days. This compares with an average of 10 days for those held on 10 July 1990.

  The maximum period spent by anyone in Harmondsworth in 1990–91 was 406 days—between 13 January 1990 and 22 February 1991.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many days in the past month persons detained at the Harmondsworth detention centre in London have refused food; how many detainees are currently refusing food; what reasons have been given by detainees for refusing food; how frequently detainees refusing food are medically examined; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As at 11 July, no detainee at the Harmondsworth detention centre was refusing to take meals. In the period 12 June to 10 July 1991, detainees declined meals on a total of seven days, the details being shown in the table.

  Dale

  Number of persons

  Reason

  26 June

  2

  Not hungry

  30 June

  1

  Protest

  2 July

  2

  Not hungry

  2 July

  1

  Protest

  3 July

  1

  Not hungry

  4 July

  11

  Protest

  4 July

  2

  Stomach upset

  20

  Date

  Number of persons

  Reason

  8 July

  4

  Protest

  9 July

  1

  Protest

  All detainees who refuse meals are referred to the detention centre's medical practitioner's daily surgery for examination.

  The fact that a detainee is refusing meals does not necessarily mean that he or she is not taking nourishment. A range of confectionery is available for purchase within the centre and visitors are allowed to bring in certain items, including fruit.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the past three years the fines imposed on British Airways relating to the arrival of illegal immigrants at United Kingdom airports; and how many fines remain outstanding.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 makes carriers who bring improperly documented passengers to the United Kingdom liable to a charge. It is not the practice to disclose information on the record of individual airlines under the Act.

  Hillsborough Football Stadium
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chairman of the Police Complaints Authority on the reasons for the delay since the result of the inquest on the Hillsborough football stadium disaster and any decision being made on the bringing of disciplinary charges against those police officers under investigation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. My hon. Friend will be aware that on Friday 12 July the Police Complaints Authority issued a statement announcing their decision to direct that disciplinary charges be brought against two officers of the South Yorkshire police.

  Police and Prison Manpower
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the incident at Winchester crown court on Tuesday 9 July and set up an inquiry to report specifically upon security of building construction and security procedures and on the manning levels of the local police and prison service.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  At 13.40 hours on 8 July at Winchester Crown Court, six prisoners created a disturbance in the custody area. All were already serving sentences, and it is believed that their actions were in protest at the prisons to which they might be allocated when their current trial was over. They armed themselves with items of broken furniture in order to resist or prevent intervention by prison staff, and two climbed into the roof space above the cells area. All had surrendered to prison staff by 19.16 hours that day. There were no injuries to staff or to prisoners. The Hampshire police force is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident.

  An investigation into the design and construction of the custody area at Winchester Crown Court will be carried

  21
  out by members of prison service headquarters. The detailed security procedures in the custody area of the court are a matter for the governor, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  The current strength of the Hampshire police force is fully up to its authorised complement, and Winchester prison has sufficient staff to carry out its work.

  Winchester Prison
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the overcrowding and staffing at Winchester prison and the reason why he decided not to invite the local hon. Member to attend his visit to Winchester prison.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The certified normal accommodation of Winchester prison is 458 and its operational capacity 623. On 10 July 1991, the latest date for which figures are available, the population was 556. This compares well with other local prisons. As far as staffing is concerned, I am satisfied that Winchester prison has been provided with enough staff to carry out its work.

  My hon. Friend will be informed of any future plans for Ministers to visit Winchester prison, and my right hon. Friend very much regrets that though a misunderstanding this was not done on the occasion of his visit on 6 March 1991.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Civil Service College
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service (1) how many staff were in post on the date that the Civil Service college was established as an executive agency; and how many staff are in post now;

  (2) what group bonus schemes are in operation in the Civil Service college; and if he will state the cash amount per person awarded in the last year for which figures are available, and the conditions attached to its award;

  (3) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the Civil Service college as an executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by the parent Department or the new agency;

  (4) if he will list those new facilities for staff including nurseries and health care schemes which have been introduced in the Civil Service college since its establishment as an executive agency;

  (5) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the Civil Service college since its establishment as an executive agency; and a breakdown by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern;

  (6) what appointments from the private sector have been made to the Civil Service college at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable, including any performance related element.

  Mr. Renton
  These are matters for the chief executive and I have asked her to write to the hon. Gentleman direct.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when the last annual report for the Civil Service college was published; and when the next one is due.

  Mr. Renton
  The Civil Service college's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1990 were 22
  published on 20 August 1990. Copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses in that week. It is planned to publish the 1990–91 report and accounts by 31 July 1991.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the public opinion surveys conducted by, for or on behalf of his Office since his answer of 20 December,Official Report, column 293.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: No public opinion surveys have been conducted by my office since 20 December 1990.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Accountancy Practices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether under the proposed recognised supervisory body regime, investors will be able to take legal action against the Auditing Standards Board for(a) adopting and (b) issuing passive auditing guidelines.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Auditing Practices Board will have no functions under the supervisory regime in part II of the Companies Act 1989, so the question of legal action against the board by virtue of the introduction of part II does not arise. Whether the board could be liable for damages under the general law would be for the courts to determine.

  Salmon
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact EFTA being given access to the EC free trade area will have on the Scottish salmon farming industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: The negotiations between the EC and EFTA to create a European economic area continue. EFTA has not been offered improved access to the EC market for salmon.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy that no agreement will be signed between EFTA and the EC until the current trade dispute with Norway is resolved.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the recent anti-dumping investigation by the EC into farmed salmon products from Norway. This case was dropped by the Commission following the receipt of assurances from Norway. I am aware of the salmon farming industry's concerns about imports of salmon or salmon products from Norway to the Community. These concerns are being borne in mind in the current discussions between the EC and EFTA on the European economic area.

  EC Trade
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the value in ecu of the total imports into the EC of manufactured goods in each of the last three available years;
  23
  (2) what was the value in ecu of the total exports of manufactured goods from the EC in the last three available years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The information is available in table 3 of the External Trade Statistical Yearbook published by EUROSTAT, which is held in the Library.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the total value in ecu of the total exports of imported goods from(a) Germany, (b) France and (c) Italy in each of the last three available years;

  (2) what was the value in ecu of the total exports of imported goods from the United Kingdom in the last three available years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The information is not available.

  Units of Measurement
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on units of measurement, of 2 July,Official Report, column 99, when his Department will begin consultation about the implementation and timing of the EC directive on units of measurement referred to in the debate on European Communities Document No. 4102/89 on 11 April 1989, Official Report, column 858.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 12 July 1991]: My Department has already consulted interested parties about implementing the units of measurement directive and the timing of phasing out certain imperial units. The Department is preparing drafts of the implementing legislation. There will be further consultation when this work has been completed.

PRIME MINISTER

  Building Societies
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister, if Ministers, at the time of the 1985 Budget, intended to lay regulations to create liability for tax relating to a year for which building societies composite rate tax liability had been fully discharged; what estimate of the money involved was available to Ministers at the time; and what, and when, an estimate was first made available to Parliament.

  The Prime Minister
  The 1985 Budget day press release announced that there would be transitional provisions to deal with the changeover for building societies from an annual to a quarterly accounting system in line with that for the banks.

  The announcement followed confidential discussions with building society representatives during which Ministers made it clear that the provisions would cover payments between the end of societies' accounting periods in 1985–86 and 5 April 1986 that would otherwise fall out of account.

  No estimate was made at the time of tax on interest accruing between the end of societies' accounting periods ending in 1985-86 and paid before the end of that tax year. No estimate covering all societies has subsequently been
  24
  made available to Parliament. For societies other than the Woolwich Equitable, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by the Economic Secretary on 21 June at column 341.

  Additionality
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements exist for co-ordination between the Treasury, the Department of the Environment, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office, on the question of additionality in respect of RECHAR funding from the European Community; and which Minister has the lead responsibility for policy regarding additionality.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has lead responsibility for all matters concerning the European Community structural funds.

  Former Prime Ministers
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 428, whether income arising from a former Prime Minister's special position in public life was taken into account in assessing their eligibility for the allowance to former Prime Ministers for the additional costs which they are liable to incur from their special position in public life.

  The Prime Minister
  No. The full amount of the allowance is available to all former Prime Ministers.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 428, what is the former Prime Ministers' total annual allowance; whether it includes travel expenses (a) within the United Kingdom and (b) abroad; and if he will make a statement on the restrictions on the use of money under the scheme.

  The Prime Minister
  The maximum amount of the allowance available to former Prime Ministers during 1991–92 is £28,986 plus £2,899 for secretaries' pension contributions. Former Prime Ministers may draw on the allowance to offset the secretarial and other office expenses they incur because of their special position in public life, but not the cost of their travel either in the United Kingdom or abroad.

  Mar Lodge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up an interdepartmental working group to consider the future of Mar lodge.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has already established the Cairngorms working party to present options for the integrated management of the Cairngorms as a whole. Mar lodge estate is central to the area under consideration. The relevant Government Departments and agencies are represented on, or act as technical assessors to, the working party.

  I understand, moreover, that the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and the Countryside Commission for Scotland are giving consideration to the future management of the natural heritage interest on the estate.

  Cairns Group
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister what consideration he has given to the communique issued following the meeting of Cairns group of ministers in Manaus, Brazil, on 9 July; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The communique rightly points to the need to bring the Uruguay round of trade negotiations to an early conclusion, and the crucial importance of agreement on agriculture in order to do so. As the communique says, the need now is to move from technical discussions to decisions on the framework within which agricultural support and protection are to be reduced. I hope that the London economic summit this week will give a strong push to the Uruguay round, and that Heads of Government will remain personally involved, with the aim of reaching a successful conclusion this year.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Play Areas
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what guidelines he has issued to local authorities concerning the safety of children's play areas;

  (2) what specific advice he has given to local authorities concerning the synthetic surfacing of children's play areas; and what standards are required.

  Mr. Atkins
  My predecessor the then Minister for Sport, commissioned the national children's play and recreation unit to prepare a booklet on playground safety for distribution to local authorities. The Department is also producing a booklet on safety in school playgrounds and related matters. Both will include advice on the safety of surfaces and will be published as soon as possible. I regard it as essential that playgrounds should be as safe as possible. Playground operators are required to consider actively how best to discharge their duties of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition, non-statutory guidance exists in the form of British standards, BS 5696—play equipment intended for permanent installation outdoors—and BS 7188—methods of test for impact absorbing playground surfaces.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate visits to grant-maintained schools from September 1989 to June 1991

  Grant-maintained school

  Her Majesty's inspectorate visits

  Audenshaw

  December 1989

  February 1990

  February 1991

  Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar

  January 1990

  November 1990

  Baverstock

  February 1990

  October 1990

  February 1991

  Heckmondwike

  November 1989

  January/June 1990

  November 1990

  London Oratory

  September 1989

  February 1990

  February/March 1991

  Old Swinford Hospital

  November 1989

  March 1990

  November 1990

  Queen Elizabeth's Grant-Maintained Grammar

  November 1989

  June 1990

  March 1991

  Queensbury

  November 1989

  May 1990

  February 1991

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when his review of the future role and functions of Her Majesty's inspectorate is to be completed; and when, and in what form, it will be published.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have now received the report from the review team and am considering its recommendations. I shall announce my decisions in due course.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy for the publication of reports of inspections and other visits by Her Majesty's inspectors to grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The policy for the publication of reports on schools which have GM status is the same as for all other institutions. Only a proportion of the inspection visits made to schools by Her Majesty's inspectors are planned and carried out with the intention of producing a report for publication. Those that do not come within that category conclude with HMI providing an oral report of the findings to the head and chairman of governors, where he or she is able to attend. This policy is applied consistently to all schools, whether GM, LEA maintained or independent.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list(a) the inspections and (b) other visits made by Her Majesty's inspectors to grant-maintained schools since September 1989 giving details of the schools concerned and dates, and whether reports of the inspections or visits have been issued to the governors, or made public.

  Mr. Eggar
  The table lists details of HMI visits to grant-maintained schools between September 1989 and June 1991. At the end of this period, there were 62 schools operating with GM status. The frequency of HMI visiting reflects the newness of the status of these schools.

  All visits to schools by HMI are for the purpose of inspection. However, only a proportion of these visits are intended to produce a report for publication. None of the visits listed in the table came into that category and I will not therefore be publishing reports of any of the visits. In all cases HMI's findings were reported orally to the head and to the chairman of the governors where he or she was able to be present.
  27

  Grant-maintained school

  Her Majesty's inspectorate visits

  Skegness Grammar

  November 1989

  November 1990

  Small Heath

  September 1989

  June 1990

  October 1990

  St. James Church of England

  September 1989 January 1990

  October 1989 March 1990

  December 1989 July 1990

  Wilmington Girls Grammar

  October 1989

  February/October 1990

  May 1991

  King's

  November 1989

  June 1990

  March 1991

  Wilson's

  November 1989

  May 1990

  March 1991

  Castle Hall

  October 1989

  January 1990

  January 1991

  Hendon

  June 1990

  February 1991

  Queen Elizabeth's Grant-Maintained Boys

  November 1989

  June 1990

  May 1991

  Colyton Grammar

  November 1989

  March 1990

  October 1990

  Bankfield High

  January 1990

  March 1990

  March 1991

  St. Francis Xavier's College

  January 1990

  November 1990

  Cardinal Vaughan Memorial

  June 1990

  February 1991

  Claremont High

  April 1990

  October 1990

  Lancaster Royal Grammar

  November 1990

  London Nautical

  September 1990

  Netherthorpe

  November 1990

  Ribston Hall

  April 1990

  Southfield Girls

  April 1990

  January 1991

  Southlands

  June 1990

  Beechen Cliff

  April 1990

  Long Field High

  October 1990

  February 1991

  Bishopshalt

  October 1990

  Bournemouth Grammar

  October 1990

  December 1990

  Bridgewater Hall

  January 1991

  Brindley Hall

  February 1991

  Carre's Grammar

  March 1991

  Ecclesbourne

  March 1991

  Guildford

  October 1990

  Marling

  January 1991

  Pate's Grammar

  January 1991

  Rickmansworth

  March 1991

  Stroud High

  October 1991

  Watford Boys' Grammar

  March 1991

  Wolverhampton Girls' High

  January 1991

  Bullers Wood Girls

  March 1991

  Francis Bacon

  January 1991

  Handsworth Boys' Grammar

  March 1991

  Wymondham College

  April 1991

  28

  29

  Grant-maintained school

  Her Majesty's inspectorate visits

  Crossley Heath

  June 1991

  Lancaster Girls' Grammar

  June 1991

  North Halifax High

  April 1991

  Stratford

  April 1991

  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list, for each grant-maintained school, the number of places and the number of pupils(a)

  Name of school

  Indicated physical capacity

  Pupils at application

  Pupils at January 1990

  Pupils at January 1991

  Adams Grammar School

  506

  445

  n.a.

  457

  Audenshaw High School

  778

  724

  714

  758

  Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

  738

  746

  717

  734

  Bankfield High School

  778

  436

  428

  452

  Baverstock Grant-maintained School

  1,052

  975

  1,037

  1,084

  Beechen Cliff School

  1,100

  865

  n.a.

  760

  Bishopshalt School

  1,083

  917

  n.a.

  957

  Bournemouth Grammar School

  941

  882

  n.a.

  872

  Bridgewater Hall School

  1,398

  1,265

  n.a.

  1,089

  Brindley Hall School

  881

  995

  n.a.

  1,081

  Bullers Wood School for Girls

  1,006

  942

  n.a.

  976

  Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

  588

  614

  n.a.

  629

  Carre's Grammar School

  627

  385

  n.a.

  403

  Castle Hall Grant-maintained School

  567

  382

  394

  434

  Chalvedon School

  1,696

  1,284

  n.a.

  1,334

  Claremont High School

  1,307

  888

  n.a.

  853

  Colyton Grammar School

  371

  433

  421

  462

  Crossley Heath School

  790

  690

  n.a.

  685

  Ecclesbourne School

  1,056

  1,223

  n.a.

  1,196

  Francis Bacon School

  844

  469

  n.a.

  441

  Great Barr School

  2,271

  2,010

  n.a.

  2,005

  Guildford County School

  641

  733

  n.a.

  740

  Handsworth Grammar School for Boys

  738

  766

  n.a.

  772

  Hardley Secondary School

  941

  729

  n.a.

  669

  Heckmondwike Grammar School

  600

  565

  584

  614

  Hendon School

  1,085

  841

  805

  820

  King Edward VI Grammar School

  572

  540

  n.a.

  528

  Kingsley Park Middle School

  495

  337

  n.a.

  331

  Lancaster Girls Grammar School

  651

  642

  n.a.

  644

  Lancaster Royal Grammar School

  831

  847

  n.a.

  864

  London Nautical School

  434

  393

  n.a.

  391

  London Oratory School

  1,045

  890

  1,184

  1,178

  Long Field High School

  460

  392

  n.a.

  347

  Marling School

  881

  735

  n.a.

  737

  Netherthorpe School

  725

  553

  n.a.

  616

  North Halifax High School

  769

  692

  n.a.

  640

  Old Swinford Hospital

  828

  544

  525

  544

  Pate's Grammar School

  920

  1,010

  n.a.

  977

  Queen Elizabeth's Grant-maintained Grammar School

  412

  334

  329

  336

  Queen Elizabeth's Grant-maintained School for Boys

  957

  1,054

  1,036

  1,074

  Queensbury School

  1,060

  647

  641

  676

  Reading School

  771

  651

  n.a.

  645

  Ribston Hall High School

  682

  482

  n.a.

  405

  Rickmansworth School

  898

  933

  n.a.

  961

  Skegness Grammar School

  808

  567

  539

  568

  Small Heath School

  1,173

  771

  780

  758

  Southfield School for Girls

  915

  615

  n.a.

  598

  Southlands School

  930

  542

  n.a.

  504

  St. Francis Xavier's College

  1,247

  1,008

  1,012

  1,014

  St. George's School

  822

  870

  n.a.

  864

  St. James Church of England School, Bolton

  778

  657

  655

  687

  Stratford School

  1,195

  765

  n.a.

  393

  Stroud High School

  881

  735

  n.a.

  698

  The Cornwallis School

  1,280

  805

  n.a.

  798

  The Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington

  553

  451

  415

  426

  30
  at the date on which grant-maintained proposals were published or approved, (b) in January 1990 and (c) in January 1991.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 5 July 1991]: The information requested by my hon. Friend is as follows:
  31

  Name of school

  Indicated physical capacity

  Pupils at application

  Pupils at January 1990

  Pupils at January 1991

  The Kings School, Grantham

  854

  747

  762

  764

  The Maplesden Noakes School

  754

  651

  n.a.

  715

  Watford Boys Grammar School

  1,055

  1,032

  n.a.

  1,043

  Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

  550

  352

  n.a.

  307

  Wilsons School

  747

  730

  753

  745

  Wolverhampton High School for Girls

  593

  563

  n.a.

  584

  Wymondham College

  1,483

  831

  n.a.

  827

  Key:

  Column 1: indication of capacity as on the statement of capacity form submitted with proposal for grant-maintained status.

  Column 2: number on roll at time of application.

  Column 3: number on roll as submitted to the Department by the school on Form 7 in January 1990.

  Column 4: number on roll as submitted to the Department by the school on Form 7 in January 1991.

  n.a.—School not operating as Grant-maintained in January 1990.

  Observatories
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the outcome of the review of the future of the Royal Greenwich Observatory and the Royal Observatory Edinburgh; and whether he will make a statement on the future provision for research in astronomy in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  A review of the respective roles of the two Royal Observatories, commissioned by the Science and Engineering Research Council, will be considered by the council at its meeting on 17 July. No final decisions will be taken before them. The SERC will continue to support a high-quality programme of research in astronomy. The

  Pupils and students with special needs in schools and colleges in England

  thousands

  Academic year

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Maintained

  Primary1

  18·1

  19·3

  23·2

  26·0

  29·2

  Secondary1

  11·9

  14·0

  17·7

  21·2

  25·1

  Independent1

  n/a

  n/a

  6·1

  5·6

  5·6

  Special schools2

  age 5

  3·7

  3·7

  3·6

  3·8

  3·6

  6

  4·1

  4·3

  4·2

  4·2

  4·3

  7

  5·0

  5·0

  5·3

  5·2

  5·1

  8

  5·9

  5·8

  6·0

  6·3

  6·2

  9

  7·3

  6·7

  6·7

  6·9

  7·2

  10

  8·5

  7·9

  7·3

  7·2

  7·6

  11

  9·9

  9·3

  8·8

  8·2

  8·2

  12

  11·3

  10·4

  10·0

  9·4

  8·8

  13

  13·0

  12·1

  11·3

  10·6

  10·1

  14

  14·2

  13·5

  12·6

  11·7

  10·9

  15

  14·3

  14·4

  13·5

  12·5

  11·6

  16

  4·5

  4·3

  4·3

  4·2

  3·8

  17

  2·9

  2·9

  2·8

  3·0

  2·9

  18

  1·7

  1·9

  1·9

  1·9

  2·0

  Maintained colleges

  age 16

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4·4

  3·9

  17

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  3·7

  3·3

  18

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1·3

  1·8

  1 Pupils with statements of special educational needs only. Age breakdown not available.

  2 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools, general hospital schools and hospital special schools.

  n/a = not available.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a list of infant and junior schools in each local education authority which have integrated units for children with special needs, together with their funding requirements under local management of schools; and whether each integrated unit receives all of the funding allocated to it under the local management of schools formula.
  32
  allocation of funds for this and other areas of science within the overall resources available is for the council to decide.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils with special needs were in schools and colleges, by year group, from five to 18 years in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Fallon
  The table shows the numbers of pupils with special needs in schools and colleges in England for the academic years 1985–86 to 1989–90, the latest date for which information is available.

  Mr. Fallon
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to give local education authorities a statutory duty to provide places in full time education for pupils with special needs up to 18 years of age at least.

  Mr. Fallon
  At present, local education authorities are required to secure the provision of suitable full-time
  33
  education for pupils up to the age of 18, including those with special educational needs. For 16 to 18-year-olds, the Government intend that this duty will transfer to further education funding councils for England and Wales in a new independent further education sector. Our plans are set out in the White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century", Cm. 1536.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a list of all secondary schools in each local authority area which have integrated units or other provision for children with special needs, together with their funding requirements under local management of schools; and whether each integrated unit, or other provision, receives all of the funding allocated to it under the local management of schools formula.

  Mr. Fallon
  This information is not available centrally.

  Support and Training Programme
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications were made for grants under the education support and training programme 1992–93; and how many were successful.

  Mr. Fallon
  The circular setting out the grants for education support and training programme for 1992–93 and inviting applications for grant support was issued on 1 July. Local education authorities in England are invited to submit applications by 18 October 1991.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to issue guidance to head teachers, governors and parent teachers associations about responsibilities under the Data Protection Act; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  Guidance on the implications of the Data Protection Act for schools is currently being prepared and will be sent to all local education authorities and maintained schools in England as soon as possible.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Monofilament Fishing Nets
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 162, about the amount of evidence on the impact of monofilament nets on sea birds, if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with environmental groups on this matter.

  Mr. Curry
  My meeting on 4 July with Wildlife Link was focussed primarily on large-scale drift net fishing and the effect on small cetaceans and did not refer to sea birds.

  Irradiated Spices
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects irradiated spices to be on sale in the shops; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I announced the issue of the first licence to irradiate spices and condiments on 12 June. The 34
  marketing of any products irradiated under the licence is a matter for manufacturers and retailers, not for the Government.

  Monosodium Glutamate
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Aggriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made concerning the safety of monosodium glutamate as a food additive; and if he has any proposals to regulate its use.

  Mr. Curry
  The flavour modifier monosodium glutamate has been assessed by the Government's independent expert advisory committees and found to be safe for use in food. Conditions of use are set out in the Miscellaneous Additives in Food Regulations 1980, as amended. The substance is not permitted in foods specially prepared for infants and young children.

  Abattoirs
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the abattoirs in England which slaughter fewer than 12 livestock units or cattle each week.

  Mr. Gummer
  It would not be appropriate to list the information requested in view of its commercial sensitivity. However, information on throughput derived from annual advisory visits by my veterinary staff to local authority licensed abattoirs is recorded in size bands. The 1990 figures for England are as follows:

  Livestock units

  Abattoirs

  0–5

  =

  76

  6–10

  =

  70

  11–15

  =

  38

  Veterinary Investigation Centres
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the nearest veterinary investigation centre to the Humber ports following the closure of the Lincolm veterinary investigation centre.

  Mr. Maclean
  Thirsk veterinary investigation centre.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations were carried out with local veterinary surgeons over the closure of Lincoln veterinary investigation centre.

  Mr. Maclean
  The review of the veterinary investigation service was an internal review. Initial discussions were held with the trade unions and during the review views were submitted from a number of interested parties including the British Veterinary Association and National Farmers Union. These views were carefully considered before any final decisions were taken. Subsequent to the announcement of the outcome of the review discussions have been held with the British Veterinary Association including a representative of the Lincolnshire division of the BVA. As I have explained, full discussions will be held with local veterinary surgeons on alternative arrangements for the submission of material to the veterinary investigation service and the proposed van service before the closure of the Lincoln VI centre.
  35
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the veterinary investigation centre quality control centre will remain at Lincoln veterinary investigation centre.

  Mr. Maclean
  The review of the veterinary investigation service recommended that the veterinary investigation service quality control unit currently accommodated at the Lincoln VI centre be relocated at an alternative site. The quality control unit will remain on the Lincoln site until the alternative accommodation is available next year.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give figures for all investigations the Lincoln veterinary investigation centre has carried out involving notifiable diseases.

  Mr. Maclean
  Responsibility for the investigation of notifiable diseases rests with the veterinary field service operating through the divisional veterinary officer and is not a responsibility of the veterinary investigation service.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many salmonella tests were carried out at Lincoln; and what proportion this was of all tests carried out by veterinary investigation centres.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is not possible to supply the specific information requested. The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for South Shield (Dr. Clark) on 20 June, at column 258, and on 1 July, at column 74.

  Animal Disposal, Lincoln
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to setting up a modern animal disposal facility at Lincoln with individuals or companies prepared to run one on a contract basis.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Ministry has contracts with a number of private companies for the incineration of suspect bovine spongiform encephalopathy carcases. In general, however, it is up to the agricultural sector, as with other industries, to deal with the waste it creates. A number of companies have plans to construct purpose-built incineration plants to handle fallen animals and other animal waste.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the proposed van collection for dead animals and samples following the closure of the Lincoln veterinary investigation centre; whether the van will be refrigerated; whether it can carry full carcases; how many vehicles will be provided; and what response time farmers can expect from their initial request.

  Mr. Maclean
  The details of the proposed van service will be fully discussed with local veterinary surgeons before the closure of the Lincoln veterinary investigation centre.

  Food Imports
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his review on import penetration into the United Kingdom of food from overseas.
  36
  Mr. Gummer
  The outcome of this review will be announced in due course.

  BSE
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the total number of cattle reaching slaughter houses come from herds where an indication of bovine spongiform encephalopathy exists.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available.

  Blue-eared Pig Disease
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which veterinary investigation centre carried out the preliminary work on the identification of blue-eared pig disease; and which other centres have experience in this field.

  Mr. Maclean
  In the period up to 13 June 1991 possible incidents of blue-eared pig disease were reported to the Winchester, Truro, Lincoln, Preston, Newcastle and Reading veterinary investigation centres who carried out the investigations which comprised the preliminary work on the identification of blue-eared pig disease. As from 13 June 1991, blue-eared pig disease was made a notifiable disease and the responsibility now rests with the veterinary field service operating through the divisional veterinary officer. The divisional veterinary officer and his staff are now responsible for carrying out the investigation of reported incidents and samples are sent to the central veterinary laboratory at Weybridge for examination.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to give special consideration to registered charities which deposited money with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International in the compensation scheme for the bank's investors.

  Mr. Maples
  As I said in the House on Monday 8 July,Official Report, columns 660–74, it would not be right or possible to make special arrangements within the deposit protection scheme for one group of depositors. The terms of the deposit protection scheme are set by part II of the Banking Act 1987.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration was given by the Bank of England when Price Waterhouse were appointed as fraud investigators at BCCI in 1987, to appointing a different company as auditors.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 12 July 1991]: I am advised that the Bank of England did not appoint Price Waterhouse as fraud investigators at BCCI in 1987. I understand that Price Waterhouse was appointed by BCCI itself as financial auditors for the whole group, with the encouragement of the relevant supervisors. It was this that facilitated the auditors' understanding of intra-group transactions and contributed to a fuller financial assessment of the group. This in turn facilitated the ultimate discovery of the fraud.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a scheme to provide 100 per cent.
  37
  compensation for depositors in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International with individual accounts of up to £100,000 and small businesses employing up to 200 employees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: I explained in my statement to the House on Monday 8 July, Official Report, columns 660–74, the arrangements that are in place for depositors and small businesses who had accounts with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. There are no plans to change the present deposit protection fund arrangements.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Bank of England first received information that the Bank of Credit and Commerce International was the subject of an organised fraud; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: I understand that the Bank of England received information suggesting serious irregularities in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International at the beginning of this year and shortly afterwards commissioned a report under the Banking Act 1987. This report was received about two weeks ago.

  Banks
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received any representations about(a) the time taken for and (b) the efficiency of the transfer of funds between banks.

  Mr. Maples
  Yes, but very few.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the level of depositors' balances in transit between one deposit taking institution and another which remains as uncleared funds at the close of each day's business.

  Mr. Maples
  Items in sterling in the course of transmission between one deposit-taking institution and another which are uncleared at the end of each day are estimated to be in excess of £10 billion.

  Civil Service Expenditure
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total Government spending was spent on the administration of the civil service in each year from 1979–80 to 1989–90; and what was the proportion spent on wages and salaries of civil servants.

  Mr. Mellor
  The precise information asked for is not readily available. Information on total central Government and general government, including local authorities, expenditure and on wages and salaries of central Government employees is included on the CSO database in the following series, identified by their database codes. The CSO database is accessible through the Library of the House.

  ABAB—total general Government expenditure

  ABAC—central Government own expenditure

  GILN—central Government pay including employers' contributions

  Data on central Government expenditure on running costs—that is, current expenditure on personnel, goods and other services used in Departments' administration—are
  38
  given for the years since 1986–87, in table 4.10 of the Statistical Supplement to the 1990 Autumn Statement (Cm. 1520). Consistent data for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Share Shops
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the organisations which have responded to his request for views on high street share shops as a distribution method for privatisation issues and other equities.

  Mr. Maude
  I have received a number of proposals from the private sector for a new retail distribution arrangement. It is for the companies concerned to disclose their interest in this initiative.

  Business Expansion Scheme
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many business expansion schemes have been floated in each year since they were introduced; how many of the companies are still trading; and how many failed to provide an exit route for investors after the expiry of five years.

  Mr. Maude
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  The number of companies receiving business expansion scheme investment in each year where the year of investment is within five years of the date of incorporation is as follows. Information for 1990–91 is not yet available.

  Number

  1983–84

  514

  1984–85

  615

  1985–86

  600

  1986–87

  658

  1987–88

  703

  1988–89

  2,429

  1989–90

  1800

  1 Provisional

  Building Societies
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the effect of the removal of clause 52 of the Finance Bill on the ability of the Inland Revenue to retain certain disputed tax paid by building societies.

  Mr. Maples
  Whether or not tax paid under the transitional provisions in the 1986 Building Societies Regulations is repayable would, in the absence of clause 52, depend on the particular facts of each case.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the replies to the hon. Member for Eltham, on 15 April,Official Report, columns 9–10, 22 April, Official Report columns 300–1, and 8 July, Official Report, column 258, if he will make clear to the House by Monday 15 July when and how Treasury Ministers first explicity informed the House that it intended to lay regulations that would have the effect of obtaining tax payments from building societies for the year 1985–86 for which payments had been made to the Inland Revenue satisfying in full the liability for that year; and if he will

  39
  give the range of estimate and the best estimate made by the Inland Revenue and the Treasury of the revenue effect at that time.

  Mr. Maples
  Authority for the Revenue to make regulations was included in clause 38 of the 1985 Finance Bill and referred to in the Revenue press release issued on 15 March 1985 which also referred to transitional provisions. The regulations were laid before Parliament on 14 March 1986 and included provisions for building societies to account for tax on payments of interest and dividends made in the period between the end of their accounting years in 1985–86 and 5 April 1986 which had not previously been brought into account for tax. No estimate was made of the revenue arising from tax on interest accruing between the end of societies accounting periods ending in 1985–86 and paid before the end of that tax year. However, at the time of the 1985 Budget it was estimated that the proposal to move from an accruals to a paid basis of accounting for tax on building society interest would reduce receipts of income tax in 1986–87 by about £25 million. This estimate assumed that all transitional payments of tax would be received in 1986–87.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his letter of 11 July, if he will list all other newspaper reports or any parliamentary or ministerial reports before 29 July 1985 that made explicit reference to a proposal to claim tax from building societies

  Accounting periods ending

  Number of societies

  Amount of tax that would have been due in 1986–87 if old system had continued

  Amount of tax due in 1986–87 under new system plus instalments of transitional tax not due till later

  Increase or decrease in tax payable under new system

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  as percentage of old

  April 6 to 30 August (end of first complete quarter)

  6

  8

  13

  +5

  +62

  September to November

  7

  340

  432

  +92

  +27

  December to 5 April

  131

  2,596

  2,423

  –173

  –7

  Total

  144

  2,944

  2,868

  –76

  –3

  of which instalments due after 1986–87

  35

  The tax due from societies with accounting periods ending in September to November includes amounts subsequently repaid as a result of decisions by the courts and amounts which were withheld pending these decisions.
  40
  in relation to any period from their year end to the end of the financial year 1985–86, separate from the tax payment that had satisfied the liability for that full financial year.

  Mr. Maples
  This information is not readily available and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his letter of 11 July, if either the Treasury or the Inland Revenue responded in public at the time to The Daily Telegraph report, 29 July 1985, headed "Societies Fight £500 million Double Tax Demand" written by Richard Northedge.

  Mr. Maples
  I am not aware of any such response.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the three most significant causes for the increase between 1984–85 and 1985–86 in the tax receipts from building societies.

  Mr. Maples
  Tax receipts from building societies depend upon a number of factors including interest rates, tax rates and the level of deposits.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, for the groups of building societies with their year end in each quarter, estimate the gains and/or losses, respectively, from(a) the transitional arrangements and (b) the change to the new tax system in 1986–87.

  Mr. Maples
  Available information is shown in the table:

  Data Protection
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of inquiries under the Data Protection Act 1984 the Inland Revenue expects in the next(a) one year, (b) five years and (c) 10 years.

  Mr. Maude
  The Inland Revenue has to date received very few inquiries under the Data Protection Act, with 20 in the last 12 months. The Department has no reason to expect the level to increase materially in the foreseeable future.

  Special Tax Allowances (Piper Alpha)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total cost in 1989–90 and 1990–91 of the revenue forgone in special tax allowances for companies associated with losses in the Piper Alpha platform disaster.

  Mr. Maude
  No "special" tax allowances—other than those available to other companies involved in the North sea—have been available for companies associated with losses in the Piper Alpha platform disaster. There was a concessional relaxation in the rules that would have required petroleum revenue tax instalments to be paid by reference to profits made before the disaster. Such instalments would in any event have been repaid.

  Civil Service Pay
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response his Department has given to the 1991 pay claim submitted by the National Union of Civil and Public Servants on behalf of its members; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The pay of staff represented by the National Union of Civil and Public Servants is set by negotiation under the terms of the pay agreement with that union. This year's offer was for a 7·8 per cent. across-the-board increase, plus other increases, amounting to 0·2 per cent., giving a total pay bill increase of 8 per cent. The offer has been accepted by the NUCPS following a ballot of their membership, and the new rates are now in payment.

  VAT
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to implement a sliding rate of VAT registration threshold limits to reflect the number of employees and partners each business has; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have no plans to do so. VAT is a transaction-based tax. The registration threshold is based on the taxable turnover of a business and the United Kingdom Government are constrained by the provisions of the EC sixth directive which requires member states to operate a threshold based upon turnover.

  Medicine Imports
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of medicine imports from eastern European countries in terms of finished products or bulk active ingredients.
  42
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Detailed statistics of United Kingdom imports are contained in the monthly and annual volumes of "Business Monitor—Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", published by the Central Statistical Office; copies are available in the Library. Within that publication the country grouping of eastern Europe and USSR now comprises Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Albania and USSR. Before 1 January 1991 Yugoslavia appeared in the "Rest of Western Europe" grouping.

  The figures required are shown under standard international trade classification (SITC) Division 54 "Medical and Pharmaceutical Products". The value of imports is recorded as follows:

  £

  1 January 1990–31 December 1990

  4,837,000

  1 January 1991–31 May 1991

  1,655,000

  However, the phrase "bulk active ingredients" is not recognised within the structure of the nomenclature and statistics of trade in some chemicals which may be active ingredients in medicinal products will appear under other chemical divisions in the Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Excise Duties
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to support the interests of manufacturers of Scotch whisky and British gin during his discussions on excise duties within the EC.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In the further EC discussions due later this year on excise duty rates, my hon. Friend can be assured that my aim will be to secure arrangements which are acceptable both to the Exchequer and to the United Kingdom spirits industry.

  Accounting Firms
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the accounting firms in which heads of the Government Accounting Service since 1980 have been partners.

  Mr. Mellor
  Following is the information:

  Armstrong, Watson & Co;

  Baker, Tilley & Co;

  Price Waterhouse & Co;

  KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock;

  Holders of the post of head of the Government accountancy service retired from the firms of accountants in which they were partners before taking up the post.

  Rateable Values
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total rateable value of industrial and commercial property in the Staffordshire Moorlands district on 1 April 1989, 1 April 1990 and 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Maples
  The information is as follows:

  Industrial and Commercial Property as at 1 April

  Rateable Value £ thousands

  1989

  2,387

  1990

  16,786

  1991

  16,940

  43
  Rateable values as at 1 April 1989 are based on the 1973 valuation list, those at 1 April 1990 and 1991 on the 1990 rating list. The 1990 rating list which came into force on 1 April 1990 contains properties valued as at 1 April 1988, whereas the 1973 valuation list contains properties valued as at 1 April 1973. These are also differences in coverage and, for certain types of property, differences in the method of valuation, between the 1973 valuation list and 1990 rating list.

  GDP
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the gross domestic product per head for(a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) the other regions of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maples
  Provisional figures for 1989 have been published by the Central Statistical Office in "Economic Trends" No. 450, April 1991 at page 128, and also in the 1991 edition of "Regional Trends". Both publications are available in the Library.

  Currency Exchange
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to prevent organisations operating currency exchange retail outlets in the United Kingdom from charging commission rates when exchanging Scottish banknotes for Bank of England notes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  We do not propose to introduce any such legislation.

  Scottish Banknotes
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on commission rates charged when Scottish banknotes are exchanged for Bank of England notes within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maples
  The charging of fees for the exchange of banknotes is a matter for the banks and their customers. Some banks will exchange Scottish banknotes free of charge whereas others find it necessary to recover costs of repatriation and other overheads connected with handling notes which are not regularly reissued.

  Written Answers
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current minimum threshold sum used to justify declining to answer fully a written parliamentary question on the grounds of disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Maples
  The current advisory cost threshold beyond which an answer to a written question can be declined on the grounds of disproportionate cost is £250.

  Foundation for Sport and the Arts
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his written answer of 18 April,Official Report, columns 243–44, if he will list in full the organisations or individuals with which ministers or officials in his Department have held meetings since 16 April with regard to establishing the proposed foundation for sport and the arts announced in his Budget statement; on what date such meetings took place; and what further meetings are planned.
  44
  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: I met representatives of the pools promoters on 4 and 13 June. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Treasury discussed the foundation with the hon. Members for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) and for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 21 May. Treasury officials also met the pools promoters on 22 April and 24 April. No firm plans exist for further meetings.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer further to his written answer of 28 March,Official Report, columns 516–17, what suitable arrangements for monitoring and audit have been agreed for the proposed foundation for sport and the arts announced in his Budget statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: Customs and Excise will be responsible for monitoring that the proceeds of the proposed cut in pool betting duty and the agreed contributions to the foundation from the pools companies actually pass to the trustees, by checking the accounts of the pools companies as part of their normal work in administering the pool duty.

  Under the proposed trust deed, a copy of the auditors' annual report on the trust will be sent to the Minister of Sport. The Minister will also have the right to nominate an observer to attend all meetings of the trustees and to be supplied with all relevant papers.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether(a) non-professional, (b) semi-professional or (c) professional football clubs outside the current structure of the four divisions of the Football League will be eligible to apply for financial help from the funds of the proposed Foundation for Sport and the Arts to which he referred in his letter of 31 May to the Secretary of the GM Vauxhall Conference.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 12 July 1991]: Football clubs outside the Football League will be eligible to apply for financial help from the proposed Foundation for Sport and the Arts like any other athletic sport.

  Banks (Regulation)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he has any plans to increase the Bank of England's powers to regulate banking where banks have their main offices in offshore islands; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has any plans to increase the Bank of England's powers to regulate banking where banks have their main offices in other EC member states; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: There are no plans to increase the Bank of England's regulatory powers, but the Government and the Bank of England will be reflecting on any lessons which can be learnt from the BCCI case for the framework of regulation, both at home and internationally.

TRANSPORT

  Vehicle Inspectorate
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the vehicle inspectorate
  45
  since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will publish a breakdown by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern;

  (2) how many staff were in post on the date that the vehicle inspectorate was established as an executive agency; and how many staff are in post now;

  (3) if he will list those new facilities for staff including nurseries and healthcare schemes which have been introduced in the vehicle inspectorate since its establishment as an executive agency;

  (4) how many appointments from the private sector have been made to the vehicle inspectorate at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including performance related element in each case;

  (5) if he will give details of all group bonus schemes in operation in the vehicle inspectorate;

  (6) what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the vehicle inspectorate; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded;

  (7) when the last annual report for the Vehicle Inspectorate Agency was published; and when the next one is due;

  (8) if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the Driving Standards Agency since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will identify separately those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status;

  (9) if he will give details of all group bonus schemes in operation in the Driving Standards Agency;

  (10) what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded;

  (11) when the last annual report for the Driving Standards Agency was published; and when the next one is due;

  (12) how many staff were in post on the date that the Driving Standards Agency was established as an executive agency; and how many staff are in post now;

  (13) if he will list those new facilities for staff including nurseries and healthcare schemes which have been introduced in the Driving Standards Agency since its establishment as an executive agency;

  (14) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the Driving Standards Agency as an executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the agency;

  (15) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the Driving Standards Agency since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will publish a breakdown by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern;

  (16) how many appointments from the private sector have been made to the Driving Standards Agency at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including performance related element in each case.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the Driving Standards executive agency will be writing to the hon. Member.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the vehicle inspectorate, including performance related element; and what is the length of time of the chief executive's contract.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate agency was initially appointed on a three-year contract from 1 August 1988 to 31 March 1991 which was renewed on 1 April 1991 for a further three years until 1 April 1994. The maximum salary that the chief executive could be paid in 1991–92, depending on performance, is £44,996 per annum, but a further general increase is expected on 1 August 1991. In addition he is eligible for special bonus payments amounting in total to a maximum of £10,000 over the current three-year period.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency including the performance related element; and what is the length of time of the chief executive's contract.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency has been appointed from 2 April 1990 to 1 April 1993.

  The maximum salary that the chief executive could be paid in 1991-92 depending on performance, is £41,681 per annum, but a further general increase is expected on 1 August 1991. In addition he is eligible for special bonus payments amounting in total to a maximum of £6,500 over the three-year period.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the DVLA, including performance related element; and what is the length of time of the chief executive's contract.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the DVLA has been appointed from 2 April 1990 to 1 April 1995.

  The maximum salary that the chief executive could be paid in 1991–92 is £48,000 per annum. In addition he is eligible for special bonus payments amounting in total to a maximum of £9,000 over the first two-year period. The special bonus payments which may be payable for the remaining three years of the appointment have yet to be determined.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the vehicle inspectorate as an executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the agency;

  (2) if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the vehicle inspectorate since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will identify separately those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate executive agency will be writing to the hon. Member.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those new facilities for staff including nurseries and healthcare schemes which have been introduced in the driver and vehicle licensing agency since its establishment as an executive agency;
  47
  (2) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the driver and vehicle licensing agency as an executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the agency;

  (3) how many staff were in post on the date that the driver and vehicle licensing agency was established as an executive agency; and how many staff are in post now;

  (4) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the driver and vehicle licensing agency since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will publish a break-down by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern;

  (5) how many appointments from the private sector have been made to the driver and vehicle licensing agency at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including performance related element in each case;

  (6) when the last annual report for the driver and vehicle licensing agency was published; and when the next one is due;

  (7) if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the driver and vehicle licensing agency since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will identify separately those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status;

  (8) what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the driver and vehicle licensing agency; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded;

  (9) if he will give details of all bonus schemes in operation in the driver and vehicle licensing agency.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing executive agency will be writing to the hon. Member.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency including the performance related element; and what is the length of time of the chief executive's contract.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency has been appointed from 2 April 1990 to 1 April 1993.

  The maximum salary that the chief executive could be paid in 1991-92, depending on performance, is £38,610 per annum, but a further general increase is expected on I August 1991. In addition he is eligible for special bonus payments amounting in total to a maximum of £6,500 over the three-year period.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the last annual report for the Vehicle Certification Agency was published; and when the next one is due;

  (2) how many appointments from the private sector have been made to the Vehicle Certification Agency at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including performance related element in each case;

  (3) what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded;
  48
  (4) how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the Vehicle Certification Agency as an executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the agency;

  (5) if he will give details of all bonus schemes in operation in the Vehicle Certification Agency;

  (6) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the Vehicle Certification Agency since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will publish a break-down by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern;

  (7) if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the Vehicle Certification Agency since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will identify separately those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status;

  (8) how many staff were in post on the date that the Vehicle Certification Agency was established as an executive agency; and how many staff are in post now;

  (9) if he will list those new facilities for staff including nurseries and healthcare schemes which have been introduced in the Vehicle Certification Agency since its establishment as an executive agency.

  Mr. Chope
  The chief executive of the Vehicle Certification executive agency has written to the hon. Member.

  Correspondence
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington can expect a response to his letter of 5 April, proposing a meeting with a deputation about noise in the Shrewley and Hatton areas of Warwickshire emanating from the M40 motorway.

  Mr. Chope
  My hon. Friend will know that the meeting which he requested is being arranged.

  British Rail
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been achieved by British Rail towards the targets set out in its commercial plan for divesting itself of surplus land.

  Mr. Freeman
  On 24 October 1983 the then Secretary of State published the objectives that he had agreed with the chairman of British Rail, which asked the board to continue to pursue a vigorous policy of property development and disposal. British Rail has been successful in divesting itself of its surplus land. Since 1 January 1984, British Rail has disposed of over 23,000 acres.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what record he has of or what representations he received from British Rail about its inability to recruit the most suitable applicants for posts in top and middle management or skilled scientific and professional grades owing to inadequate or non-competitive salaries.

  Mr. Freeman
  None. The British Railways Board is responsible for salaries and recruitment of its staff.

  Motor Insurance
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it obligatory for evidence of third party motor insurance cover to be displayed in vehicle windscreens in the same way as vehicle excise duty.
  49
  Mr. Chope
  No. Compulsory motor insurance in the United Kingdom focuses on the driver rather than a particular vehicle. A windscreen disc would not prove, therefore, whether a vehicle was being driven in accordance with the terms of a valid insurance policy.

  Road Safety, Blackburn
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make decisions on recommendations from the Lancashire constabulary and Lancashire county council as to road safety on the A6119 Brownhill drive, Blackburn; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  As soon as possible after receiving the recommendations. I shall then write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Scheme

  Region

  Year

  Assessor

  East London River Crossing

  LRO

  1985–86

  G. Heath, CTP, FRTPI, FBIM, JP

  A406: East of Falloden Way to East of High Road Finchley

  LRO

  1986–87

  G. B. Cummings, CEng, FICE, FIHT

  A65 Burley Bypass

  YHCPD

  May 1987

  P. J. Amblin, CEng, MICE, MIWES, MPTPI

  A6(M) Stockport North/South Bypass

  NWCPD

  November 1987/March 1988

  Professor E. A. Rose, MSc, Dip. Arch., ARIBA, FRTPI, FRSA

  A34 Newbury Bypass

  SECPD

  1988

  A. Langton, CEng., DipTP, MICE, MRTPI, MIHT

  A3 Milford Bypass

  SECPD

  1989

  Dr. George A. Goutty, JP, MA, MSc, MPhil., PhD AA Dip., DipTP, MRTPI, ALI

  A406 Regents Park Road Junction Improvement

  LRO

  1988–89

  E. R. Emery, VRD, CEng., MICE, MIHT, DipTE

  A17 Wigtoft-Sutterton Bypass

  EMRO

  January 1990

  J. R. Coward, MCD, BA(Arch.) Hons., RIBA

  A638 Doncaster North Bridge Relief Road

  YHCPD

  1990–91

  G. A. Goulty, JP, MA, MSc., MPhil., PhD, AAdip., ARIBA, ALI

  East London River Crossing

  LRO

  1990–91

  M. Astrinsky, RIBA, MRTPI, DipTP

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those public inquiries into trunk road proposals since 1985 which have involved consideration of the effect of the proposed scheme on(a) sites of special scientific interest, (b) national parks, (c) areas of outstanding natural beauty, (d) heritage coast, and (e) scheduled ancient monuments; and in which of these cases an assessor was appointed to assist the inspector to consider the environmental consequences.

  Mr. Chope
  The information on individual schemes is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All schemes in the national trunk road programme have for many years been subjected to a very full environmental appraisal. Landscaping, ecological and other environmental aspects of scheme design are always important factors in route selection to ensure that the minimum of disturbance is caused by new roads to the surrounding environment. The advice of interested bodies such as English Nature, the Countryside Commission, English Heritage, the National Trust, the Landscape Advisory Committee and the Royal Fine Art Commission is sought and their views are made available to the public inquiry. Specialist advice is also sought wherever appropriate and if necessary specialist consultants are appointed.

  Road Inquiries
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those people appointed as assessors to assist the panel inspectorate over the last five years; and if he will list their relevant qualifications;

  (2) in how many trunk road inquiries since 1985 an assessor has been appointed to assist the inspector.

  Mr. Chope
  There have been 10 occasions since 1985 when an assessor has been appointed to assist the inspector conducting the inquiry into a trunk road scheme. The assessors and the inquiries in which they were involved are as follows:

  Since 1985 specialist assessors have been appointed to assist inspectors at public inquiries into the following trunk road proposals where environmental or aesthetic factors were a major consideration:

  East London River Crossing (1985–86 and 1990–91) Burley Bypass

  A6(M) Stockport North/South Bypass

  A3 Milford Bypass

  A17 Wigtoft Sutterton Bypass

  A638 Doncaster North Bridge Relief Road

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public inquiries there have been into trunk road proposals in each year from 1985 to 1991.

  Mr. Chope
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  1985–86

  41

  1986–87

  44

  1987–88

  29

  1988–89

  31

  1989–90

  40

  1990–91

  34

  Motorways
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the latest available figures for the numbers of vehicles crossing over the central reservation of motorways and dual carriageways in the last year for which these figures are available.

  Mr. Chope
  Information is available only in cases where the vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in personal injury. In 1989, the latest year for which data are available, there were 111 such vehicles on motorways which left the carriageway offside and crossed the central reservation. The equivalent figure for dual carriageways was 742.

  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions there are for the use of fast lanes on three lane motorways by coaches and lorries.

  Mr. Chope
  Coaches of over 12 m long and goods vehicles with an operating weight exceeding 7·5 tonnes are banned from using the outside lane of motorways.

  A41 Bypass
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost of constructing the A41 bypass from the M25 to the junction to the west of Berkhamsted.

  Mr. Chope
  The A41 bypass is divided into two schemes, Kings Langley and Berkhamsted.

  The contract for the construction of the Kings Langley bypass has been awarded to A. F. Budge (Contractors) Ltd. and is worth about £20 million. Tenders have been invited for the construction of the Berkhamsted bypass which has been estimated to cost £25·8 million.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government have taken recently to improve the safety of cyclists using public roads.

  Mr. Chope
  Recent initiatives are detailed in the Department's memorandum to the Transport Select Committee hearing on cycling. The Committee's minutes of evidence have now been published.

  We are continuing to add to the body of published technical advice for local authorities on means of providing for cyclists, which now exceeds 30 traffic advisory leaflets and four more detailed local transport notes.

  We are encouraging the use by local authorities of urban safety management techniques, which can make a significant contribution to reducing accidents to the most vulnerable road users such as cyclists. This effort has been underpinned by the introduction of more flexible road hump regulations, and an increasing number of authorisations for the use of 20 mph speed limits.

  Our recent child safety campaign was designed to raise the awareness of the potential dangers to child cyclists on the road, and to encourage the wearing of cycle helmets. This has been supported by complementary campaigns by the private sector.

  Stansted Airport
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy not to grant additional licences for the United States or other carriers for services from Stansted airport, in preference to or separate from such licences being available to all airports in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No. While we aim to facilitate balanced development of services to all airports, we must retain the flexibility to respond to the specific circumstances of particular negotiations.

  Air Routes (Competition)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had to date about the need for increased competition on major air routes from Heathrow to western Europe.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has received a number of recent representations concerning aviation competition in Europe.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to conduct a further review of competition policy on western European air routes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has no present plans to undertake a review of competition policy on air routes in western Europe.

  A primary United Kingdom objective in the liberalisation of air transport within Europe remains the creation of conditions in which fair and open competition between carriers can flourish. Progress towards this objective has already been achieved. Current EC regulations together with our bilateral arrangements presently provide the scope for more than one airline of each country concerned to serve the major western European routes.

  We expect the EC Commission's proposals for the third stage in the creation of the single market to provide further opportunities for airlines by opening up all intra-Community routes to competition. It is for Governments to create these opportunities and for airlines to take them up.

  Air Fares
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he proposes to take to reduce air fares on western European air routes operated on a bilateral basis by two national airlines.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We believe that airlines should be free to set their own fares with a minimum of regulatory intervention. As a safeguard, however, European Community measures already exist which provide that fares may not be excessive in relation to the relevant costs. The introduction of the single European market in 1993 will provide greater freedom for setting fares responding to market forces, and we shall continue to urge that safeguards are provided against excessive fares.

  Second Severn Crossing
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if falling interest rates result in any reduction in the total sum which was agreed with the concessionaire for the second Severn crossing in 1989; what was the prevailing relevant interest level at the time of that agreement; and what is its equivalent level today.

  Mr. Chope
  Under the concession agreement with Severn River Crossing plc, SRC bears the risk of changes in interest rates. Changes in rates, in either direction, do not affect SRC's tolls or revenue entitlement under the agreement. The concession agreement was executed on 29 October 1990, when the clearing bank rates was 14 per cent.; the rate is now 11 per cent.

  Greater Manchester Relief Road
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish his Department's preferred routes for the greater Manchester western and northern relief road; and when he expects the public consultation process to start.

  Mr. Chope
  Public consultation on stage 2 of the relief road (M56–M62) is planned for the autumn. It is hoped to follow with consultation on route options for stage 3 (M62–M66) in the winter. Preferred route announcement would follow consideration of the consultation response at each stage.

  Motorway Slip Roads
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles per day use the slip roads in each of the directions between the M53 and M56.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 12 July 1991]: The information is as follows:

  Slip road

  Number of vehicles

  M56 westbound to M53 northbound

  9,533

  M56 westbound to M53 southbound

  9,618

  M53 southbound to M56 eastbound

  9,522

  M53 northbound to M56 eastbound

  9,939

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the slip roads joining the M53 and the M56 were originally constructed to the specified standard.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 12 July 1991]: Yes. The opportunity has been taken to resurface these slip roads during the reconstruction of the main carriageway.

  A259, Kent
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements are planned for the A259 road in Kent over the next three years.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The national roads programme includes five schemes, at various stages of preparation, for improving most of the A259 trunk road in Kent. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures, I hope it will be possible to start construction of the Brookland diversion, within the next three years, and of bypasses to New Romney, St. Mary's
  54
  Bay, Dymchurch and Hythe, together with an improvement at Walland Marsh in the mid to late 1990s. The regional programme provides for small-scale works, mostly aimed at improving traffic flow and/or safety, which can usually be implemented more quickly. Eleven such schemes on the A259 in Kent are at present firmly programmed for 1991–93.

  Diesel Engines
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement about the potential benefits to the environment of encouraging the greater use of diesel engines in motor cars.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 10 July 1991]: Compared with their catalyst petrol-engined counterparts, diesel cars are generally worse emitters of NOx and particulates, but better on carbon monoxide and CO2. Given that diesel cars usually enjoy a 20 to 30 per cent. advantage in fuel economy, and that duty on diesel fuel is slightly less than on petrol, there is already an implicit encouragement towards diesels, particularly for high-mileage users.

EMPLOYMENT

  Disablement Advisory Service
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy towards the training and guidance given to individual disablement advisory service managers; and what plans he has to improve this guidance and to ensure national consistency and quality.

  Mr. Jackson
  Disablement advisory service managers currently undertake a six-month nationally designed training programme which includes a mix of distance learning, off-the-job training modules, a development workshop and personal development projects.

  Written guidance about operational procedures is provided centrally. Further guidance is provided by the Employment Service's head and regional offices as required.

  The training programme is currently being examined and will be revised to reflect the planned changes, which my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 16 April, to the services provided by the Department for people with disabilities. The training programme for managers in the new service will continue to be delivered to nationally defined standards. Written guidance will also be revised to reflect the roles and functions of the new assessment and counselling teams.

  Officials will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the training programme and will establish competencies to enable them to measure the effectiveness of those providing the service. They will also devise a set of qualitative performance measures to ensure that those providing the new arrangements deliver a more professional and coherent service for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what appeal procedure is available to disabled people who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the local disablement advisory service manager regarding aids and equipment for employment.
  55
  Mr. Jackson
  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. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his plans to restructure the disablement advisory service; how many staff were employed before the restructuring; and how many will be employed once it is completed.

  Mr. Jackson
  In a statement on 16 April my right hon. and learned Friend announced plans to restructure the way in which the Department provides employment services for people with disabilities. The plans include the formation of new, local teams incorporating the present functions of the disablement advisory service, disablement resettlement officers and the employment rehabilitation service's assessment teams. The aim of the new teams will be to provide a more professional, coherent service for people with disabilities. The service will operate to nationally defined standards, but in a way which will allow for the development of more flexibility in meeting local needs.

  Information about the number of people employed within the disablement advisory service is not at present collected on a regular basis. The number of disablement advisory service personnel in post on 11 June 1990, the latest date for which information is available, was 181.

  The resource currently used to provide the disablement advisory service will be transferred to the new teams. Added to it will be the resource currently used to provide the disablement resettlement officer service and the employment rehabilitation assessment service.

  Officials are presently engaged in taking forward action to implement the new service.

  Training Schemes
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all current training schemes and measures to reduce unemployment; and if he will give any details of(a) the number of people participating at any one time and (b) the separate and overall expenditure in each case.

  Mr. Jackson
  Most of the current training schemes and Employment Service measures to reduce unemployment are detailed in the Employment Department's annual report (Cm 1506) published on 13 February 1991, copies of which have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Planned expenditure for 1991–92 on training schemes is also given.

  Currently it is estimated that there are 157,000 adults and about 300,000 young people on Government training programmes. Around 50,000 people are assisted by enterprise allowance at any one time.

  Information on the numbers currently participating on ES measures is not available. However, planned expenditure for ES programmes in 1991–92, together with the number of places available is as follows:

  Programme

  1991–92 programme (£ millions)

  Places/numbers helped

  Jobclubs

  27·5

  156,000

  Job Interview Guarantee

  4·1

  39,000

  Restart Courses

  8·1

  90,000

  56

  Programme

  1991–92 programme (£ millions)

  Places/numbers helped

  Jobsearch Seminars

  2·5

  40,000

  Travel to Interview Scheme

  1·2

  25,000

  Jobshare

  0·6

  1132

  Joblink (Pilot)

  0·3

  900

  Programme Development Funds

  3·0

  2—

  Employment Rehabilitation

  8·6

  43,700

  Sheltered Employment Programmes (including Remploy)

  121·5

  20,900

  Special Programmes for People with Disabilities

  13·0

  9,400

  In addition to the sums shown above and those published in the annual report, further funding has been provided, as follows:
  In February 1991 a further £120 million was made available for Employment Training.
  In March 1991 an extra £55 million was also provided for the ES to maintain customer service standards and to provide an enhanced placings service, through job referral teams, for recently unemployed people who are job ready and do not need further advice on how to look for work.
  On 19 June an extra £100 million was announced to provide a comprehensive package of measures including:

  a new programme, employment action, which will help 40,000 people at a cost of £48·5 million;

  Employment Training to be increased by a further £35 million to help a further 15,000 people;

  an expansion of Employment Service measures to help 135,000 people through expansion of job clubs (places for extra 40,000 people), Restart courses and assessment/counselling activities (to help 95,000 people).

  In total we are providing 840,000 opportunities this year and 900,000 opportunities next year to help get people back into work as quickly as possible. This represents the most comprehensive range of help and advice ever made available to the unemployed.

  (1) This is the number currently being supported.

  (2) Programme development funds are used by the ES to participate in and develop local initiatives to help reduce unemployment in areas of particular need. They are not directly linked to particular schemes or programmes.

  (3) Table shows GB total.

  Construction Training
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what training the TECs are providing in London and the south-east in plumbing, wall and floor tiling, roofing and slating.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is not available in the form requested. It is a matter for individual TECs to design and deliver provision which meets the needs of the local labour market. I know, for example, that LETEC is providing training in plumbing and plans to introduce training in wall and floor tiling in the autumn.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of cash for construction training on employment training is spent in London and the south-east.

  Mr. Jackson
  The figures are not available in the format requested.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are waiting for a place at Laings and Mowlems construction industry courses in east London.
  57
  Mr. Jackson
  Information of this kind is held by the TECs and I have asked the chief executive of East London TEC to write to the hon. Gentleman with this information.

  Jobs (Travel and Subsistence)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will institute a study into the numbers of registered unemployed in receipt of travel and interview expenses to pursue work in other areas of the country who are subsequently offered employment, but are unable to accept it due to the lack of funds for travel to the place of work and subsistence, pending their initial pay packet.

  Mr. Jackson
  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. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assistance is available from (i) the social fund and (ii) other public sources for those on income support who, after securing employment in other areas of the country, require temporary financial assistance for(a) travelling expenses to reach their place of work and (b) subsistence pending their initial pay packet.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is not available in the form requested. Many of the TECs in London and the south-east include the provision of construction training opportunities as one of their priorities. Nationally, the construction industry training board is providing over 10,000 places on youth training.

  Graduate into Enterprise Project
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the differences between the graduate into enterprise project and employment training with particular reference to any formal and written agreement drawn up between trainees on each of the relevant schemes and their training managers or providers.

  Mr. Jackson
  The graduate into enterprise 'project comprises a series of programmes operated by Durham university business school in collaboration with other universities and polytechnics in the north-east. Including among these programmes are some, for example, graduate enterprise and graduate gateway, on which participants are supported by local training and enterprise councils through employment training. ET is for unemployed people and includes enterprise training for those wishing to become self employed. All trainees in ET must receive full information in writing about their individual training plan and the terms and conditions of training.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what the projected cost for training and enterprise councils when they are fully established was estimated at on 1 January; and what the current estimate for that cost is.

  Mr. Jackson
  At the beginning of the year, the administrative cost for TECs and remaining Employment Department area offices for 1991–92 was estimated at £124·3 million. It is expected that all TECs will be fully operational this year. This estimate still stands.

  Barking Skill Centre
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what training is now taking place on the site of the Barking skill centre; and what uses the land and building have been put to.

  Mr. Jackson
  Barking skill centre was purchased by Astra Training Services Ltd. and is now in the private sector. Issues relating to training undertaken at the skill centre and what use the land and buildings located on the site are put to, are now matters for the owners.

  Earnings, Scotland
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to his answer of 10 June,Official Report, columns 435–38, on employees earning less than £3·40 hourly, if he will provide the information given in percentage form in terms of the absolute number of employees affected in each category.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested is not available.

  Rehabilitation Centres
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has given any further consideration to the number of employment rehabilitation centres required in London and the south-east.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State announced on 16 April, in a written reply to a question from the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans),Official Report, columns 157–59, that employment services for people with disabilities are to be improved and developed.

  It was also announced that greater use will be made of the voluntary sector and others to provide employment rehabilitation and that nine Employment Service centres of excellence, including one in London and the south-east, were to be established over, approximately, the next five years.

  Operational responsibility for the development of the centres of excellence and for the range of employment services for people with disabilities rests with the chief executive of the Employment Service, Mike Fogden, to whom I have referred the hon. Lady's question for a more detailed reply.

  Earnings
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state separately for full-time workers, part-time workers and all workers (i) the number and (ii) the percentage earning less than £130 for(a) women, (b) men and (c) all workers, excluding overtime pay in (1) Wales, (2) each county in Wales and (3) Great Britain, for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information available from the April 1990 new earnings survey is shown in the tables. The results of the April 1991 survey will be published this November and December.
  59

  Earnings in April 1990: New earnings survey

  A. Full time employees on adult rates with weekly earnings excluding overtime less than £130

  Number in the sample

  Percentage of total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Wales

  564

  397

  961

  30·7

  11·1

  17·7

  Clwyd

  91

  52

  143

  34·7

  9·7

  17·9

  Clywd-West

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Clwyd-East

  58

  36

  94

  34·9

  9·0

  16·7

  Dyfed2

  58

  33

  91

  38·7

  14·2

  23·8

  Gwent

  86

  69

  155

  33·5

  11·3

  17·8

  Gwynedd

  39

  46

  85

  31·7

  17·2

  21·8

  Mid Glamorgan

  94

  52

  146

  28·5

  9·8

  16·9

  Powys

  27

  19

  46

  37·0

  15·7

  23·7

  South Glamorgan

  78

  57

  135

  21·4

  8·4

  12·9

  West Glamorgan3

  91

  69

  160

  33·0

  11·3

  18·0

  Great Britain

  10,056

  6,308

  16,364

  23·0

  7·6

  13·0

  1 Sampling error too large or numbers too small for reliable estimate.

  2 Excluding Llanelli.

  3 Including Llanelli.

  Source: New Earnings Survey 1990.

  B. Part time employees on adult rates with weekly earnings excluding overtime less than £130

  Number in the sample

  Percentage of total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Great Britain

  22,763

  3,117

  25,880

  89·8

  85·0

  89·2

  Source: New Earnings Survey 1990.

  C. All employees on adult rates with weekly earnings excluding overtime less than £130

  Number in the sample

  Percentage of total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Great Britain

  32,819

  9,425

  42,244

  47·6

  10·9

  27·2

  Source: New Earnings Survey 1990.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to ensure that the results of industrial tribunals are notified to the appellants before being released to the media;

  (2) if he will investigate the recent leaks of the results of industrial tribunals; and if he will make a statement.
  60
  Mr. Forth
  In accordance with the Industrial Tribunal (Rules of Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1985 decisions are entered in the register and then sent to the parties. The register is open to the public, as required by the regulations. I am not aware of any problems arising from this procedure, but if the hon. Member has a specific case in mind perhaps he will let me have the details so that I can examine it.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  House of Commons Commission
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission if the Public Accounts Commission has considered the staffing implications of a requirement to examine the value for money spending of the House of Commons Commission.

  Sir Peter Hordern
  No. It is for the National Audit Office to identify its staffing requirements in the light of its programme of value-for-money studies. The Comptroller and Auditor General determines the actual programmes of value-for-money studies, and in so doing he takes account of the views of the Public Accounts Committee. The Comptroller and Auditor General is able to decide whether or not to include House of Commons Commission expenditure among his value-for-money studies.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on the criteria used in assessing the allocation of new accommodation in phase I of the new parliamentary building.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The New Building Sub-Committee resolved at its meeting on 21 May 1991 the allocation of offices in phase I as between Members of political parties.

  Individual offices will be allocated to Members by the accommodation Whips of the Government and official Opposition parties on behalf of the Services Committee in the usual way.

  Current Appointment Rounds

  Type of Appointment

  Next Review

  Number

  Appointments made

  M

  F

  Regional Health Authority Chairmen

  31 July 1991

  2

  2

  —

  Regional Health Authority Non-Executives

  31 October 1992

  11

  —

  —

  District Health Authority Chairmen

  31 March 1992

  108

  —

  —

  NHS Trust Chairmen

  30 November 1991

  1

  —

  —

  NHS Trust Non-Executives

  30 November 1991

  3

  —

  —

  Basildon Community Health Council
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to increase the funding of the community health council for Basildon and Thurrock; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The funding of community health councils is a matter for the relevant regional health authority.

  Partially Sighted Register
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what benefits are available to people on the partially sighted register.

  Mr. Dorrell
  People who are registered as partially sighted are entitled to free sight tests. Local authority

  Envelopes
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 June,Official Report, column 18, to the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway), what reasons account for the delay in providing the European envelope facility due to be made available in June; and when it will be available.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Initial samples of envelopes provided for use by Members in correspondence to official destinations in the European Community were found not to be sufficently strong. I am assured that supplies of higher quality envelopes will be available from the Serjeant at Arms' stores on Monday 15 July.

  Parliamentary Regional Sittings
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he has any plans to hold sittings of Parliament in regional centres other than London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  No.

HEALTH

  NHS Trust Board
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many regional health authority, district health authority, and national health service trust board posts are due to be filled in the current round of appointments; how many appointments have been made to date; and what proportion of the appointees are women.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  We envisage that the second wave of NHS trusts will be established in the autumn. The appointment of chairmen and non-executive directors will be announced at the same time.

  social services departments have a duty to provide services to people who are partially sighted, whether or not they are registered, if there is an established need. A range of services or concessions for people who are partially sighted is available from opticians, libraries, voluntary organisations, transport authorities and other public and private bodies, some of which may make registration a condition of eligibility. There is no specific social security provision for people who are registered as partially sighted.

  Food Businesses (Training)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to use those powers available to him under the Food Safety Act 1990 to make regulations requiring training for those employed in food businesses.
  63
  Mr. Dorrell
  I shall be making an announcement shortly.

  Pharmaceutical Companies
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the impact on(a) profitability of pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines to the national health service and (b) the national health service drugs bill of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The pharmaceutical price regulation scheme seeks to strike a balance between securing the supply of drugs to the national health service at an acceptable cost to the taxpayer and offering pharmaceutical companies a reasonable level of profitability on their NHS sales.

  It is not possible to estimate the impact of the PPRS on companies' profitability or the NHS drugs bill since that would depend on what the level of drug prices might be or what other expenditure controls might exist in the absence of the agreement.

  NHS Consultants
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average earnings level of an NHS consultant net of expenses.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The consultant's whole-time salary ranges from £34,960 to £45,130 with the majority of consultants being on the maximum point. In addition, approximately one third of consultants have distinction awards. The value of a distinction award ranges from £7,955 to £42,870 per year. Consultants may also be paid fees and allowances for work outside the basic NHS contract. The salary includes no allowance for expenses.

  Waste Incinerators
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the minimum temperature needed for waste incinerators in national health service hospitals adequately to burn all waste, in particular that resulting from treatment to patients who suffer from serious infectious diseases.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Health authorities and NHS trusts are required to comply with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment's guidelines, issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which specify operating temperatures for incinerators. The minimum temperature for new plant installed after 1 April 1991 is 1000 deg. C. Under the interim arrangement provided by the Act, existing plants may operate at a minimum temperature of 850 deg. C. for a maximum of five years, but I have stressed to NHS management the importance of meeting the higher minimum temperature standard as quickly as possible.

  Dental Care
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he is encouraging better dental care and dental hygiene among children in advance of completion of the consultation period on the health strategy Green Paper.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Under the new contract general dental practitioners are paid on a capitation basis for their child 64
  patients. This is designed to encourage dentists to place emphasis on preventative measures including advice on oral hygiene and a healthy diet.

  The redesigned role of the community dental service is also intended to help improve dental health education and preventive measures.

  More than £1 million has already been spent in support of oral health education projects since the publication of the White Paper "Promoting Better Health", and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 9 May that up to £750,000 would be available from the Department to support oral health education projects this year.

  In addition, funding is provided to the health education authority which has a long-established programme of providing education to patients and children on matters relating to nutrition and dental health.

  Medicine Imports
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many umbrella product licences for parallel imported medicines that can be exploited by all its members have been granted to the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers;

  (2) whether he has any plans to discontinue issue of umbrella product licences for parallel imported medicines to the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers, as an alternative to issuing licences to individual importers.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Association of Pharmaceutical Importers is not a parallel import licence holder. Licences can be issued to any company or individual meeting the criteria laid down in the Medicines Act 1968; related regulations and European guidelines may provide for a product to be placed on the market by named distributors.

  We have no present plans for changing these arrangements.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all persons or organisations involved in the parallel importing of medicines hold wholesale dealers licences.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. Not all importers are wholesale dealers, but those that are should either hold a wholesale dealer licence or operate from premises which are registered as pharmacies.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many organisations hold product licences to engage in the parallel importing of medicines; and how many such organisations hold wholesale dealers' licences.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As at 30 June 1991 there were 38 parallel import licence holders of which 32 held wholesale dealers' licences.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the premises of all parallel importers of medicines who hold wholesale dealers' licences have been inspected by the United Kingdom medicines inspectorate.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Yes, the premises of all wholesalers who are licensed to import medicines are inspected regularly.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many product licences have been granted for generic
  65
  medicines where the finished product of the active ingredient has been produced in former COM ECON countries.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Indian and Chinese Medicines
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has any plans to commission research into the number of traditional Indian and Chinese medicines that are available in the United Kingdom without a product licence, and the number of people who have been treated with such products.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Medicinal products are evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy when an application for a product licence is made. This action would be taken on any such application in respect of a traditional Indian or Chinese medicine.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Medicines Control Agency is taking to evaluate and license traditional Indian and Chinese medicines.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Before a medicinal product can be marketed in the United Kingdom it must be covered by a product licence obtained under the Medicines Act 1968. All product licence applications, including any for traditional Indian or Chinese medicines, have to be evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy by the licensing authority before a product licence can be granted.

  Rent Subsidies
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers health authorities have to subsidise the rents of tenants in their employment; whether such subsidy can be differentiated according to income; and whether such subsidy can exceed applicable levels of housing benefit.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In many localities successful recruitment and retention of NHS staff depends on authorities providing subsidised residential accommodation. The level of the subsidy will be a matter for each individual authority.

  Some staff are required to occupy NHS accommodation as a condition of employment. Where this is so, authorities abate rent or lodging charges in accordance with centrally negotiated agreements.

  With the lifting of Crown immunity on 1 April, staff who occupy NHS accommodation can now apply to their local authority for housing benefit in the same way as non-NHS tenants. Detailed guidance on all these matters was issued by the Department to all health authorities in March this year in HG(91)9, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  The payment of housing benefit is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Abortion
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in considering granting a licence for RU486 how many studies financed by the manufacturers Roussel Uclaf were 66
  considered by the Medicines Control Agency; by whom they were carried out; how large the samples were; what the results showed; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish the number of independent research projects commissioned by the Medicines Control Agency into RU486, the names of the research units involved and the results;

  (3) how many of the studies commissioned by the Medicines Control Agency into RU486 included post-abortion syndrome studies and follow up studies on the mothers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Medicines Control Agency does not commission research projects into drugs. The MCA's role is to evaluate the data submitted in support of an application for a licence for a drug in respect of its safety, quality and efficacy for the indication proposed. For all new drugs, the MCA seeks the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines and its expert sub-committees. Section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968 precludes both Ministers and the MCA on grounds of commercial confidentiality from disclosing any information on data submitted by manufacturers in support of clinical trials or product licence applications.

  I would, however, draw my hon. Friend's attention to the well-documented studies in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, June 1990, Vol. 97, pages 480 to 486, and in the New England Journal of Medicine, 8 March 1990, Vol. 322, No. 10, pages 645 to 648, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he is setting up a special fund along the French lines to provide damages for children born deformed because their mothers have taken RU486 but then refused to take prostaglandin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. Both the licence holder's data sheet for Mifegyne, for use by the doctor, and the patient information leaflet stress the importance of completing the course of treatment.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial provision he is making in the budgets of regional and district health authorities for legal costs and damages against the possibility of deformed victims of RU486 suing the national health service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No such action is necessary.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of health authorities and hospital trusts that have received payments from the national waiting list initiative fund in the present financial year.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Allocations from the waiting list fund are made to regions, which in turn allocate sums to their constituent health authorities. Information is not available centrally on regions' allocation to districts except for the 80 target lists being investigated by Qa Business Services. The available information is shown in the tables.
  67

  Waiting list fund 1990–91

  Table 1. Allocations to regions from main wailing list fund

  Region

  Allocation (to 30 June 1991) (£000)

  Northern

  375

  Yorkshire

  520

  Trent

  500

  East Anglian

  340

  North West Thames

  433

  North East Thames

  658

  South East Thames

  440

  Table 2. Allocations to regions from £9 million reserved for target lists

  Region

  District

  Specialty

  Allocation (to 30 June 1991) (£000)

  Trent

  Sheffield

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  123

  North East Thames

  Tower Hamlets

  Oral Surgery

  24

  Tower Hamlets

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  24

  West Essex

  General Surgery/Urology

  9

  West Essex

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  61

  City and Hackney

  Ear, Nose and Throat

  62

  North East Essex

  General Surgery

  63

  South West Thames

  West Surrey

  Ophthalmology

  31

  North West Surrey

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  60

  West Midlands

  North Staffordshire

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  50

  Total allocations to target lists

  507

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has held with the Yorkshire regional health authority about the authority's scheme with regard to the identification by general practitioners of patients on hospital waiting lists for more than 12 months; and what is the estimate of the likely cost of this scheme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has had no specific discussions with the regional health authority on this. However, I understand that as part of the drive to reduce long waiting times, the region has asked purchasing health authorities and GP fund-holders to check the details of patients who have been waiting over a year. The regional health authority has told the Department that the costs are minimal.

  It is a key regional management task to ensure that purchasers know how many of their patients are waiting, at which hospitals and for how long, so that arrangements can be made, using the waiting list fund, to secure early treatment for long wait patients. The waiting list fund is expected to be used to reduce the number of long wait patients of both health authorities and GP fund-holders.

  Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the date on which his Department, his medicine control bodies or his public health services first became aware of a possible link between growth hormone and Creutzfeld-Jakob disease.

  Mr. Dorrell
  On 11 April 1985 the chairman of the health services human growth hormone committee informed the Department that he had learned from the United States of America of the death from CreutzfeldJakob disease of three patients who had received human growth hormone therapy. A meeting of the committee was 68

  Region

  Allocation (to 30 June 1991) (£000)

  South West Thames

  388

  Wessex

  380

  Oxford

  258

  South Western

  323

  West Midlands

  713

  Mersey

  575

  North Western

  475

  Total allocation to regions

  6,378

  arranged for 9 May. At that meeting it was reported that the Untied States Federal Drugs Agency had withdrawn the use of human growth hormone therapy on 19 April. The committee decided to withdraw the therapy from use in the United Kingdom; human growth assessment centres were notified immediately. Regional health authorities were informed of the decision and the background to it on 10 June 1985.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the study into the incidence of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease he is funding to be completed; and if he will make it his policy to place it in the Library.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It will be necessary to continue the study into the incidence of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) for a decade or more. The author, Dr. R.G. Will, is expected to make the full results available through the usual scientific channels. We have agreed to make an annual report on the incidence of CJD available to the House. The available data on suspected cases who died in 1990 shows that 10 have been confirmed as CJD with a further nine probable and 13 possible cases, most of which are awaiting the results of neuropathology. Reliable data on the previous incidence of CJD is limited, but there is no evidence to show it is increasing.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of the blood transfusion service on the donation of blood by sufferers from Creutzfeld-Jakob's disease.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There is no evidence that Creutzfeld-Jakob disease can be transmitted in blood or blood products, but people who suffer from CJD or are at special risk of contracting the disease are not accepted as blood donors.

  Performance-related Payments
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each year since its introduction the total amount of performance-related payments made to regional or district health authority staff and break this figure down to identify the amounts paid each year in respect of individual districts and regions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Nursery Places
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which provide nursery places for use by national health service staff and detail the number of nursery places available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested regarding nursery provision is not collected centrally at present.

  We anticipate some information being available by the autumn and 1 will arrange for details to be placed in the Library.

  It is our understanding that somewhere in the region of half of health authorities have some provision at present.

  Patients (Contracting)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to regional and district health authorities and trusts with regard to the action which should be taken when patients from a particular purchaser require elective procedures in excess of the agreed ceiling of in-year activity.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  General guidance on contracting was given in "Contracts for Health Services: Operational Principles" and "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Contracts"—copies of which are in the Library.

  District health authorities will lay contracts which they judge will best meet the needs of local people within the resources available. Hospitals and other units will, as in the past, have to take management action, in close consultation with clinicians, to ensure that levels of activity do not run ahead of the resources available. They may, however, be able to agree with the purchaser an extension to the contract in year to cover additional services.

  Medical Manpower
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review future United Kingdom medical manpower.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Following my announcement to the Joint Consultants' Committee earlier this year, I am setting up a new standing advisory committee, to advise on the future balance of medical manpower supply and demand in the United Kingdom and to make recommendations as to the appropriate medical school intake.

  The Committee's terms of reference will be:
  To advise the Secretary of State for Health on future developments in the balance of medical manpower supply and demand in the United Kingdom, taking account of
  70
  resource assumptions and other guidance which the Secretary of State, in consultation with other Health Ministers, may give to the Committee; and
  To make recommendations about the medical school intake including the balance between home and overseas students, and the timing of any changes, taking into account the resources available within the Universities Funding Council's aggregate funding and from overseas students' fees as well as the facilities for clinical students.

  I have appointed Professor Colin Campbell, Vice Chancellor of Nottingham University, to be the first chairman of the Committee. The membership of the Committee will be announced shortly.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Duchy Visit
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to pay his next visit to the Duchy.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next intends to visit the Duchy of Lancaster in his official capacity.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next plans to visit the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I have no plans to visit the Duchy of Lancaster in the immediate future.

  Bolton
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make an official visit to Bolton; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I have no plans to visit Bolton in the immediate future.

SCOTLAND

  Nairn Bypass
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress there has been on the proposal for a bypass for Nairn.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We have no proposals for a bypass of Nairn. Works are currently under way to upgrade the road within the town by a local diversion at Nairn railway bridge.

  Hospital Consultants
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeals have there been from hospital consultants under general Whitley council conditions of service, section 40, since 1961; and in each case, what was the time between the appeal board's decision and its announcement by him.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Records are available only from 1973. In that period there have been three appeals by hospital consultants under section 40 of the general Whitley council conditions of service. In only one case was
  71
  an independent appeal panel constituted and the time between the submission of the appeal panel's recommendations to the Secretary of State and the announcement of his decision was six months.

  Tayside Health Board
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds are available to Tayside health board to pay travel costs for re-deployed staff.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Tayside health board receives an annual allocation of revenue to meet recurrent expenditure. In 1991–92 £204.066 million was made available to Tayside health board for this purpose. These resources are not allocated centrally to specific areas of expenditure and it is for the health board to decide how they should be deployed.

  Meigle Cottage Hospital
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost per bed for keeping and treating an in-patient at Meigle cottage hospital for the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The cost of keeping and treating an in-patient for one week at Meigle cottage hospital for the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Actual cost per In-Patient Week

  1990–91

  549·09

  1989–7;90

  517·96

  1988–89

  452·37

  1987–88

  410·61

  1986–87

  401·00

  Greater Glasgow Health Board (Children)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each general dental practice within the Greater Glasgow health board area the number of children registered under capitation arrangements.

  Bridging Finance for Community Care

  £'s

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  ARGYLL AND CLYDE

  Elderslie

  195,000

  22,000

  125,000

  254,000

  0

  168,000

  Bute Day Hospital

  185,000

  175,000

  0

  175,000

  0

  175,000

  Community MHT

  2,100

  126,416

  0

  126,416

  0

  126,416

  Inverclyde Phys Dis

  150,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  95,577

  Dumbarton and Dunoon

  32,875

  42,545

  0

  42,545

  0

  42,545

  Total

  564,975

  365,961

  125,000

  597,961

  0

  607,538

  AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN

  None at present

  BORDERS

  St. Mary's

  47,100

  86,250

  0

  103,250

  0

  16,750

  Galashiels

  50,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  97,100

  86,250

  0

  103,250

  0

  16,750

  DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

  Sheltered Housing

  32,000

  85,000

  0

  58,000

  0

  62,000

  72
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available centrally.

  Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost per bed for keeping and treating an in-patient in the acute ward/geriatric wing at Blairgowrie cottage hospital for the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The cost of keeping and treating an in-patient for one week at Blairgowrie cottage hospital for the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Actual cost per in-patient week £

  1990–91

  383·82

  1989–90

  367·46

  1988–89

  337·42

  1987–88

  330·00

  1986–87

  333·00

  Community Care
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the agencies and professional organisations which have been given details about the bridging finance awards that have been made under the announcement of 12 June concerning care in the community.

  Mr. Lang
  On 11 June 1991, each health board general manager was notified of the details of approved projects in their board area.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the successful bridging finance applications announced on 12 June to develop and expand care in the community, broken down by revenue and capital in each health board area and for each of the three years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Lang
  The information is included in the following table.
  73

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Community Home

  0

  95,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  32,000

  180,000

  0

  58,000

  0

  62,000

  FIFE

  None at present

  FORTH VALLEY

  Mental Illness

  216,000

  137,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mental Handicap

  0

  50,000

  30,000

  30,000

  100,000

  0

  Total

  216,000

  187,000

  30,000

  30,000

  100,000

  0

  GRAMPIAN

  Richmond Fellowship

  24,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Peterhead Supp Ace

  5,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Inverurie Supp Ace

  10,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Room to care

  0

  15,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Aberdeen Supp Ace

  80,000

  39,123

  80,000

  45,995

  80,000

  45,995

  Forensic Rehab

  0

  39,208

  0

  47,050

  0

  47,050

  Rehab/Outreach

  0

  59,508

  0

  62,290

  0

  62,290

  Rehab/Day centre

  0

  166,666

  0

  250,000

  0

  250,000

  SAMH Supp Housing

  20,000

  19,583

  0

  23,500

  0

  23,500

  SAMH Rehab

  50,000

  32,792

  0

  78,700

  0

  78,700

  Woodlands Hospital

  0

  50,000

  0

  17,800

  0

  17,800

  Moray

  100,000

  80,000

  0

  165,239

  0

  165,239

  Manor

  21,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  310,000

  501,880

  80,000

  690,574

  80,000

  690,574

  GREATER GLASGOW

  Mental Handicap II

  71,000

  296,000

  0

  107,000

  0

  0

  Comm MH Team Bases

  150,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Comm MHT Dom Ser

  0

  100,000

  0

  100,000

  0

  0

  Mental Illness II

  345,000

  901,000

  0

  173,000

  0

  0

  EMI

  12,000

  52,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Comm MH Team Bases

  50,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Comm MHT Dom Ser

  0

  90,000

  0

  90,000

  0

  0

  Total

  628,000

  1,439,000

  0

  470,000

  0

  0

  HIGHLAND

  None at present

  LANARKSHIRE

  Mental Handicap

  314,000

  353,514

  0

  707,028

  0

  707,028

  Mental Illness

  120,000

  95,200

  0

  190,400

  0

  190,400

  Total

  434,000

  448,714

  0

  897,428

  0

  897,428

  LOTHIAN

  Hopetoun House

  0

  15,000

  0

  20,000

  0

  20,000

  Penumbra

  375,000

  64,000

  375,000

  64,000

  0

  0

  Total

  375,000

  79,000

  375,000

  84,000

  0

  20,000

  ORKNEY

  No schemes submitted

  SHETLAND

  No schemes submitted

  TAYSIDE

  Fresh Start

  60,000

  125,000

  30,000

  125,000

  0

  0

  WESTERN ISLES

  Mental Handicap

  45,000

  112,700

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mental Illness

  0

  39,118

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  45,000

  151,818

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Total of all schemes

  2,762,075

  3,537,623

  640,000

  3,056,213

  180,000

  2,294,290

  Total per year

  6,299,698

  3,696,213

  2,474,290

  Grand Total

  12,470,201

  74 75
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultation took place on the proposals for bridging finance announced on 12 June to develop and expand community care.

  Mr. Lang
  In assessing applications for bridging finance from health boards, prior to allocation on 12 June 1991, the Government took into account the extent to which the proposals had been agreed with local authorities and voluntary agencies involved.

  Tourist Signposting
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what progress has been made in the review of signposting for tourist purposes; and if he will viake a statement;

  (2) when he expects to publish his Department's circular on tourist signposting;

  (3) if he will publish a list of those individuals and bodies who were consulted and who submitted evidence to the body undertaking the review of signposting for tourist purposes;

  (4) on what date did the review of signposting for tourist purposes commence; and what are the reasons for the delay in producing the circular.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A range of new signs for tourist attractions was first proposed in 1988 in the context of the review of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981. The bodies who were consulted in Scotland included local roads authorities, the Scottish tourist board, the Highlands and Islands development board, police forces, motoring organisations, road safety organisations and bus and transport associations. Comments received were mostly from regional and islands councils, but also from the STB, the HIDB, the AA and bus interests. Subsequently, a review of tourist signposting was taken forward in seminars arranged respectively by the Scottish Office (in October 1989), the Scottish tourist board (in February 1990) and the Highlands and Islands development board, in conjunction with Highland regional council (in September 1990). Close to 250 delegates attended these seminars in total, representing the widest possible range of interests in the tourism sector.

  As a consequence of all the input obtained from the exchanges of views at these seminars and thereafter, comprehensive guidelines have been drawn up in close consultation with the Scottish tourist board, the Scottish Confederation of Tourism and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. These guidelines will be sent out in draft for comment by the various interests in the very near future. It has been a long process, but the subject is complex and the views are many, and often conflicting.

  Residential Care Allowance
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all those regional and island authorities that top up care costs for residents in receipt of residential care allowance and who stay in residential accommodation for people with learning difficulties.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Tranent-Macmerry Bypass
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the fatal accident on the Tranent-Macmerry bypass on 6 July; and if he will take further steps to warn motorists that that section of the A 1 road is not a dual carriageway.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This appalling accident took place in the early morning of 6 July in darkness and fog on a stretch of the A1 between Tranent and Haddington. It is too early to draw conclusions as to the causes of the accident or the factors which may have contributed to its exceptional severity. A report on the accident will be made by the police to the procurator fiscal. The stretch of road in question has a good safety record with an accident rate well below the national average for a road of its type. The signs and road markings provided exceed national standards.

  The steering group which I set up to carry out a programme of improvements to the A 1 as part of a route action plan has been examining the whole length of the route between Edinburgh and Newcastle to identify accident remedial measures which might be taken. Their examination has included this and other single carriageway sections of the route. I am now asking the group to re-examine these sections in the light of this accident to consider whether there are any signing or other remedial measures which could further improve the safety of these sections and which could be implemented at an early date.

  I have asked the police to advise me of any issues relevant to road safety relating to this section of the road which have become apparent from their investigation of the accident and I will, of course, give urgent consideration to any recommendations they may make.

  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport has already indicated that following the accident his Department will also be reviewing the requirements relating to the seating for passengers carried in vans.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is, for each year since 1975, the number of people on the electoral register in(a) Greater Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the number of people on the electoral register in Scotland by parliamentary constituency is contained in the annual series "Electoral Statistics" compiled by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. Copies of the entire series since 1974 are available in the House Library.

  A1
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the programme for dualling the Al road from Musselburgh to Haddington and onwards to Dunbar, giving projected start and completion dates, and the relevant financial details from his Department's capital programme for roads.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Following our routes south of Edinburgh study, I announced that consultants would be appointed to prepare the AI dualling scheme from Bankton (Tranent) to Haddington and the further
  77
  dualling to Dunbar. The necessary preparatory work is progressing well and we are on course to meet the commitment given for a start to construction of the Bankton to Haddington dualling scheme by the mid-1990s. I expect the consultants to report later this summer on selected route options. The consultants report on the further dualling scheme between Haddington and Dunbar is expected in the latter part of 1992. In view of the uncertainty surrounding the time needed to complete the necessary statutory procedures start and completion dates are not available at this stage in the preparation of the schemes. Scheme costs will depend upon the complexity of the works and the line followed which cannot be predicted with any certainty at this stage.

  Erskine Bridge
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of maintaining the Erskine bridge.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The latest published accounts show that the operating and maintenance costs of the bridge were £326,247 in 1989–90.

  Mr. Graham
  to ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was taken in tolls on the Erskine bridge each year since the bridge was opened.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The latest published accounts are for 1989–90. The tolls collected each year since the bridge was opened are as follows:

  Financial year

  Tolls collected £

  1971–72

  194,775

  1972–73

  312,273

  1973–74

  359,570

  1974–75

  380,557

  1975–76

  417,495

  1976–77

  471,743

  1977–78

  524,666

  1978–79

  583,760

  1979–80

  525,059

  1980–81

  679,171

  1981–82

  843,467

  1982–83

  1,194,705

  1983–84

  1,257,592

  1984–85

  1,373,882

  1985–86

  1,394,421

  1986–87

  1,506,547

  1987–88

  1,627,605

  1988–89

  1,786,179

  1989–90

  2,360,403

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff are employed to collect the toll on the Erskine bridge; and if he will break it down by all staff grade involved.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are at present 30 full-time and one part-time members of staff employed at Eskine bridge. They comprise the bridge manager, three administrative staff, six toll supervisors, 20 toll collectors and a part time handyman. Temporary toll collectors are also employed as necessary to cover for annual leave and sickness so as to maintain the service to the public.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters the Government have received complaining about the Erskine bridge toll since 1979.
  78
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No record has been created and the information requested is not available.

  Abattoirs
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the abattoirs in Scotland which slalughter fewer than 12 livestock units or cattle each week.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It would not be appropriate to list the information requested in view of its commercial sensitivity. However, information on throughput derived from annual advisory visits by state veterinary service staff to local authority licensed abattoirs is recorded in size bands. The 1990 figures for Scotland are as follows:

  Livestock units

  Abattoirs

  0–5

  9

  6–10

  2

  11–15

  Nil

  Mar Lodge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he has made to the letter from the director general of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Dr. Martin Holdgate FRS, relating to Mar lodge; and if he will put copies of the correspondence in the Library.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have arranged to have copies of Dr. Holdgate's letter of 16 May to my right hon. Friend, and the Scottish Office Environment Department's reply of 5 June, placed in the Library.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answer of 19 June,Official Report, column 279, what further proposals he has received relating to the future of Mar lodge; and what response he had made.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  On 27 June I met representatives of the World Wide Fund for Nature, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Chris Brasher trust who outlined their proposals for the purchase of the Mar lodge estate.

  My response was that private ownership can and does provide for effective management of the natural heritage in Scotland. In this context, the proposal that the Government provide 50 per cent. of the purchase price of the Mar lodge estate is inconsistent with Government policy.

  Student Support
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is now taking in order to provide financial support to students, following the ending of their entitlement to welfare benefits.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 12 July 1991]: We are already providing such support through student loans and access funds. Loans and grants together provided an increase of 25 per cent. in the resources available to students in session 1990-91 and the loan element more than compensated the average student claimant for the loss of benefits. The average student's likely entitlement to

  79
  benefits was estimated to be about £327, whereas the average full year loan rate for session 1990–91 is £420. Eligible students who have not already done so can still apply for a loan for 1990–91 provided their completed application reaches the Student Loans Company Ltd. by 31 July.

  For session 1991–92 the overall provision for student maintenance has been increased by a further 6 per cent. on average, giving a loan facility of £580 for students living away from the parental home.

  In addition to student loans, discretionary assistance may be available in cases of need through the access funds which are administered by the individual academic institutions.

  Red Deer
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many estates have killed(a) fewer than five, (b) six to 10, (c) 11 to 50, (d) 51 to 100, (e) 101 to 250, (f) 251 to 500 and (g) more than 500 red deer in each year from 1986 to 1990.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 June 1991]: The information is as follows:

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Less than 5

  51

  45

  46

  46

  6 to 10

  47

  28

  41

  37

  11 to 50

  193

  208

  178

  191

  51 to 100

  97

  108

  117

  123

  Expenditure on trunk road maintenance

  1 April 1980 to 31 March 1990

  £ thousands

  Region

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Borders

  764

  1,247

  1,825

  1,618

  1,227

  1,371

  1,145

  1,307

  1,640

  1,565

  Central

  1,336

  1,913

  2,415

  2,614

  2,204

  2,190

  1,710

  1,377

  2037

  2,254

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,256

  2,414

  2,327

  2,130

  3,118

  1,762

  2,433

  2,847

  3,111

  3,736

  Fife

  604

  914

  1,165

  1,893

  1,099

  1,221

  1,707

  1,045

  2,154

  3,034

  Grampian

  1,635

  2,739

  1,982

  2,291

  1,800

  2,402

  3,344

  3,313

  2,812

  3,075

  Highland

  3,163

  3,977

  4,148

  5,530

  5,528

  6,783

  7,561

  7,093

  8,797

  9,063

  Lothian

  930

  1,394

  1,362

  2,005

  1,302

  1,928

  1,939

  2,306

  2,441

  2,214

  Strathclyde

  6,140

  11,115

  8,346

  10,692

  9,663

  9,766

  10,324

  12,140

  13,360

  15,707

  Tayside

  1,474

  3,375

  2,727

  3,969

  2,423

  2,745

  3,297

  2,508

  3,046

  4,621

  Expenditure on trunk road construction

  1 April 1980 to 31 March 1990

  £ thousands

  Region

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Borders

  2,656

  3,247

  2,677

  1,656

  1,013

  902

  1,964

  1,320

  1,117

  3,478

  Central

  2,901

  6,565

  4,784

  2,351

  1,321

  923

  1,672

  2,424

  2,078

  10,374

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,408

  3,994

  7,181

  5,590

  8,096

  11,110

  8,793

  17,925

  19,919

  24,158

  Fife

  2,304

  3,789

  3,857

  5,303

  6,014

  6,163

  4,030

  2,499

  7,940

  8,304

  Grampian

  8,009

  4,839

  4,016

  8,580

  16,603

  5,744

  2,147

  10,714

  17,170

  16,613

  Highland

  21,922

  24,499

  15,309

  11,783

  11,408

  5,234

  9,238

  16,008

  14,237

  14,085

  Lothian

  286

  783

  1,143

  881

  4,900

  12,320

  12,246

  4,208

  3,035

  5,761

  Strathclyde

  4,482

  9,805

  16,904

  20,377

  16,354

  23,589

  17,293

  22,681

  20,248

  23,651

  Tayside

  27,416

  15,525

  26,098

  15,274

  17,718

  21,045

  21,239

  16,095

  3,353

  7,128

  Anti-speeding Measures
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to monitor the effects of the measures recently taken to reduce speeding through Gateside, Fife.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: Accident prevention measures at Gateside were
  80

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  101 to 250

  72

  84

  93

  94

  251 to 500

  20

  20

  22

  20

  More than 500

  3

  3

  5

  7

  Auchtermuchty Bypass
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the Auchtermuchty bypass.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: I will be writing to the hon. Member very shortly in reply to his letter on this subject. I can state however that completion of the final elements of the necessary preparatory work on this scheme will be undertaken only when there is a reasonable prospect of early funding being available. The present indications are that this is unlikely to be the case within the next five years.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums have been spent on trunk roads in each region in Scotland for(a) maintenance and (b) new building in the last 10 years for which information is available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The information is set out in the following tables:

  completed within the last month. Speed checks were carried out prior to commencement of the works and further checks are currently taking place. In addition, as before and after accident analysis will be carried out 6 months following the implementation of the works.
  81
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will bring forward proposals to permit local authorities to reduce speed limits in the neighbourhood of schools.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: The Road Traffic Bill contains provisions to allow the introduction of variable speed limits in appropriate circumstances. This would enable, for example, an authority to reduce the speed limits outside a school during those times when children are arriving and leaving. In addition, a consultation paper was issued by the Scottish Office earlier this year about the introduction of 20 mph speed limit zones. It is envisaged that 20 mph zones would be most effective in residential areas and in the vicinity of schools. Guidance on both these initiatives will be given to local authorities as soon as practicable.

  Cupar Bypass
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Cupar bypass.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: We have no proposals at present for a bypass for Cupar. Fife regional council has conducted a traffic study of the town and its findings are expected this autumn. A traffic management scheme providing medium term measures to reduce the traffic problems in Cupar is currently being prepared by Fife regional council.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Departmental Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the maximum salary payable including the performance related element to the chief executive of each agency in his Department; and what is the length of time of each chief executive's contract.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Taking each agency in turn, the details are as follows:

  Resettlement Agency
  Salary, exclusive of London weighting, £33,970. An annual pay review is due in August 1991, details of which are not yet available. Additionally, if all targets are met, a bonus of up to 7.5 per cent. of salary at end of year two, and up to 10 per cent. of salary at end of year three. There is no fixed length of contract.

  Information Technology Services Agency
  Salary, exclusive of London allowance, £48,380—rising to £49,300 in December 1991. Additionally, if all targets are met, an annual bonus of up to 12·5 per cent. of salary. The length of contract is three years from 2 April 1990.

  Benefits Agency
  Salary £75,250 rising to £76,650 from December 1991. Additionally, if all targets are met, an annual bonus of up to 12·5 per cent. of salary. The length of contract is five, years from 1 April 1991.

  Contributions Agency
  Salary £44,996. An annual pay review is due in August 1991, details of which are not yet available. Additionally, if all targets are met, an annual bonus of up to 12·5 per cent. of salary. The length of contract is three years from 1 April 1991.

  Pension Age
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) pursuant to his answer of 2 June,Official Report, column 112, to the hon. Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken) what assessment he has made of the implications for the state earnings-related pension of the Barber judgment in the European Court of Justice;

  (2) whether he will establish a consultative committee to consider equalisation of the state pension age.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Barber judgment concerned an occupational pension scheme, but I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 26 June at columns 997–1006.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response he has made to the House of Lords European Communities Select Committee inquiry of Session 1988–89 into equal treatment in pensions and other benefits.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Our response is set out in the reply to the 10th report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities Session 1988–89 on equal treatment for men and women in pensions and other benefits (Cm. 1038).

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made towards equalisation of the state pension age.

  Mr. Widdecombe
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 26 June at columns 997–1006.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what studies he has commissioned from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys into equalisation of the state pension age; and when he expects the results to be available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  No studies have been commissioned from OPCS which deal specifically with the equalisation of state pension age, but research has been commissioned into retirement behaviour. The results of this research are due to be published later this year and will provide information in areas relevant to the equalisation of state pension age, such as trends in retirement age and the reasons for early and late retirement.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he has any plans to review the procedure whereby housing benefit paid on behalf of tenants directly to landlords for accommodation provided can be subject to clawback at a later date when the tenant has ceased to be eligible to receive housing benefit but has not so informed the landlord;

  (2) if he has any proposals to review the application of regulations 99 to 102 of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Regulations 97 to 105 of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 are currently under review. The need for amendments will be considered carefully in the light of the findings.

  Income Support
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will modify income support regulations to enable the calculation of housing costs to take into account compulsory mortgage-related insurance premiums.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to do so. Under present rules an amount may be included in the assessment of income support for mortgage interest payments, but no help is given with capital repayments or with the premiums on endowment policies taken out to repay the capital loan. This reflects our policy of helping people keep the roof over their heads without the benefit system being used to acquire a capital asset. No specific amounts are included for house insurance, but income support personal allowances are intended to cover normal day-to-day living expenses such as these.

  Jobs (Travel and Subsistence)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assistance is available from (i) the Social Fund and (ii) other public sources for those on income support who, after securing employment in other areas of the country, require temporary financial assistance for(a) travelling expenses to reach their place of work and (b) subsistence pending their initial pay packet.

  Mr. Scott
  A new employee may be able to obtain help from his employer with expenses on taking up employment.

  Work-related expenses are outside the scope of the social fund. However, a crisis loan may be considered for living expenses to tide a person over until he receives his first wage, where there are no other means of preventing serious risk to health or safety.

  Residential Care Allowance
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make adequate provision for those who qualify for residential care allowance-mental handicap rates after the introduction of the care in the community changes planned for 1993.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We intend to preserve the present scheme of special income support limits for existing claimants who are resident in most homes when the new funding structure is introduced on 1 April 1993. As now, under those arrangements there will be limits to the level of benefit available for different types of care. Subject to the normal qualifying conditions, those whose fees are at or below the limit will have their charges met in full. Existing arrangements for reviewing the level of the limits will continue.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how much it would increase public expenditure totals in his Department's budgets for expenditure in the year 1992–93 if he were to increase the residential care allowance mental handicap levels of income support available to people with learning difficulties in residential homes by 15 per cent.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Expenditure would depend on the number of claimants in receipt of the mental handicap 84
  limit and the level of that limit at the time. Information about expected numbers of income support customers as well as expenditure, is published in the public expenditure White Paper (Cm 1014). It has never been the practice to make separate forecasts about any individual group within the planning totals.

  War Injuries
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to change the existing legislation governing eligibility for pension as a result of war injuries to enable discretion to be exercised, in exceptional circumstances, where former service men or service women who were wounded on active service make late claims, to allow those claims to be backdated to the date of their original injury, where the circumstances suggest that they were not made aware of their entitlement to claim when their injuries were sustained.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Awards of war disablement pensions are normally paid from the date of claim. Where a person is invalided from the armed forces a claim for war pension is automatically instituted. There is no onus on the individual to claim in such circumstances. When people are otherwise discharged from the armed forces the onus is on them to claim any war pension to which they think they may be entitled; on discharge they are provided as a matter of routine with information about claiming a war pension.

  War pensions legislation already provides discretion to award war pension from a date earlier than the date of claim, where the circumstances of the case are considered to be exceptional. Awards may not, in any case, be paid before a service man or service woman leaves the armed forces.

  Social Fund
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for loans from the social fund have been(a) made and (b) granted on Merseyside to (1) individuals on state income support, (2) individuals in receipt of disability allowance, (3) individuals who receive a pension higher than the state income support level and (4) others for each of the last three years of operation of the fund.

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

  Income Support
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors contributed to the change in the number of people receiving income support in comparison with supplementary benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  Many factors will have contributed to the change but paragraph 26 of the departmental report (Cm 1514), a copy of which is available in the Library, identifies the fall in unemployment as the main reason. This confirms the view expressed at the time of the reforms, that the rate of unemployment was a key factor.

ENERGY

  United Kingdom Continental Shelf
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the potential level of capital funding on the United Kingdom continental shelf over the next two years.

  Mr. Moynihan
  A recent report of company intentions for capital investment showed that expenditure could increase by a third to £4.7 billion in 1991 and £4.8 billion in 1992.

  Power Lines
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on routing overhead power lines underground in environmentally attractive areas.

  Mr. Wakeham
  It is the Government's policy that the routing of overhead power lines should have full regard to the preservation of amenity. That is why the Electricity Act 1989 places environmental duties on those responsible for proposing and building overhead lines and on myself in considering applications for consent.

  British Coal (Productivity)
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the change in British Coal's productivity since 1979.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  From 1978–79 to 1990–91 British Coal's output per manshift increased by over 109 per cent.

  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next intends to meet the chairman of British coal to discuss productivity in British Coal.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I meet the chairman of British Coal on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of the coal industry, including the remarkable improvements they have been making in productivity.

  Oil and Gas Exploration
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow on Monday 17 June,Official Report, column 9, how many production licences were awarded in (a) 1990 and (b) in the current year so far; and what is the number currently being negotiated.

  Mr. Moyniihan
  As I indicated to the hon. Member in my answer of 17 June, important safety considerations are considered not at the initial licence award round but at the development project, annex B, or production plans stage of the licence.

  In 1990, 18 development projects were approved by my Department; 12 projects have been approved up to the middle of June this year. Several other projects are presently under consideration.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list all blocks of the United Kingdom continental shelf which have held a presumption against oil and gas licensing on the grounds of fisheries interests.
  86
  Mr. Moynihan
  Before deciding which blocks to offer in offshore licensing rounds, my Department consults the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department and national fishermen's organisations for advice on fishing matters.

  In recent rounds, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department and its predecessor, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, have advised that certain blocks in the following quadrants should not be offered for licensing:

  3, 8, 9, 11 to 14, 17, 18, 20 to 22, 30, 34, 40 to 43. 48, 52, 97, 99, 100, 107, 109, 110, 112 to 114.

  It would not be appropriate to list the individual blocks concerned as fish stocks and fishing patterns vary over time within these areas. Blocks in these and other quandrants have been licensed, by agreement with the relevant fisheries Department, with conditions and restrictions on oil and gas activity to safeguard fishing interests.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list all blocks within the United Kingdom continental shelf not submitted for licensing for oil and gas exploration on grounds(a) of interference with shipping and navigation, (b) of nature conservation and (c) other reasons.

  Mr. Moynihan
  We do not hold the information in the form requested. It is often the case, especially in areas close to the coast, that the concerns and priorities of differing interests are taken together in considering the exclusion of a block or blocks from licensing rounds.

  Electricity Generation
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the development of new generating capacity outside the duopoly.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Government welcome the proposed entry of the independents into the new competitive electricity market. The introduction of competition will increase the pressure on those in the market place, both to produce electricity more efficiently, and to serve their customers to the best of their ability.

  Mining Industry
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will discuss the funding structure and organisation of the mining industry with the chairman of British Coal.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I meet the chairman of British Coal on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

  Wind Energy
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the average annual level of investment into the research and development of wind energy(a) between 1974 and 1979 and (b) since 1979.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Prior to 1979–80 Government expenditure on wind research and development was directed at a few low-cost preliminary studies, with total expenditure amounting to about £146,000. In addition there was expenditure on IEA research and development
  87
  projects, including renewables, amounting to about £4 million. Since 1979 average annual expenditure on the wind programme has been £3·2 million.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of the construction of the Sizewell B nuclear power station.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I am pleased to say that progress of the construction of the Sizewell B project is now about eight months ahead of the committed 72-month programme and remains within the estimated cost to completion.

  Staff Relocation
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what stage his consideration of the relocation of Department of Energy staff out of London has reached; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department is currently carrying out its annual relocation review as required by the public expenditure survey committee. The results will be available next year.

  Poole Bay (Oil Reserves)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the value of the oil reserves known to be under Poole bay.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The operator estimates that recoverable reserves within the Poole bay licence are some 100 million barrels of oil. At current prices this would be worth around £1·2 billion.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with National Power and PowerGen concerning coal imports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have discussions from time to time with National Power and with PowerGen on all issues of mutual interest. Decisions on coal purchases, whether from United Kingdom or imported sources, are a matter for the parties involved.

  Offshore Oil and Gas
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many jobs in Scotland are supported, both directly and indirectly, by the offshore oil and gas industries.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Direct and indirect employment in 1990 by the offshore oil and gas industry in Scotland was 97,400.

  Energy Consumption
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the annual average consumption of energy in the United Kingdom(a) between 1974 and 1979 and (b) since 1979.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The annual average total final consumption of energy in the United Kingdom on a heat supplied basis was:88

  (a)58·5 billion therms between 1974 and 1979

  (b)56·8 billion therms between 1980 and 1990

  At the same time the United Kingdom's gross domestic product rose from an annual average level for the years 1974 to 1979 of £267 billion to an annual average level of £311 billion for the years 1980 to 1990. This combination reflects a substantial and welcome improvement in energy efficiency between the two periods.

  Kuwait (Oil Well Fires)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on action taken to extinguish oil well fires in Kuwait as a result of his visit.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My visit to Kuwait reflected the Government's deep concern regarding the situation and demonstrated out willingness to support the continuing efforts of United Kingdom industry to become involved in the fire fighting process.

  Those efforts continue.

  Fuel Efficiency
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further proposals he has to encourage efficient fuel use in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The home energy efficiency scheme was started earlier this year. A domestic publicity campaign will be launched with the Department of the Environment in the autumn; energy efficiency advisory services are being introduced by the gas and electricity companies; some 80 Government seminars have been organised to promote energy efficiency throughout the public and private sectors.

  Oil and Ethylene Pipelines
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many applications he has received to lay oil and ethylene pipelines in England and Wales in the last 12 months; how many have been granted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Only one application for an oil pipeline has been received by my Department in the last 12 months. One application for an ethylene pipeline was granted in the same period.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he had with the Securities and Association concerning his delayed settlement of commission owing to Diameter Stockbrokers for services rendered in the course of the flotation of the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My Department's independent auditors, Touche Ross, had written to Diameter seeking information to support Diameter's claim for selling commission in respect of the regional electricity companies' flotation. An official of the Securities and Futures Association then subsequently contacted my Department drawing attention to Diameter's financial position: following further urgent discussions with Diameter, a payment was made available to them the same day.

  Electricity Use
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what figures he has for the consumption of electricity in(a) March 1991 and (b) the most recent month for which information is available.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Data on the consumption of electricity are collected on a quarterly basis only. The latest figure available for total electricity consumption from the public supply system in the United Kingdom is 78·78 TWh for the first quarter of 1991.

  Figures for the amounts of electricity available for consumption through the public supply system, that is, before excluding transmission, distribution and other losses, are collected monthly. Figures for March 1991 and May 1991, the most recent month for which information is available, are as follows:

  TWh

  March 19911

  31·13

  May 19911

  21·91

  1 It should be noted that the figure for March covers a five-week period, whereas the figure for May covers a four-week period.

  These data are routinely published in the monthly statistical bulletin Energy Trends, copies of which are available in the Library. The July edition, containing the above data, will be published on Thursday 25 July.

  Coal Privatisation
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many meetings he has had with the advisers he appointed to advise him on the privatisation of the coal industry; and what was the involvement of the chairman of British Coal at such meetings.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I and my right hon. Friend are having regular meetings with my advisers on coal privatisation, and also with the chairman of British Coal.

DEFENCE

  RAF Stornoway
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further new military facilities are planned at RAF Stornoway; and what is the timescale for their construction.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Future military construction at RAF Stornoway is under consideration in the light of discussions with NATO authorities.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alterations have been made in the past two years to the plans for future use of RAF Stornoway for military exercises.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Exercise plans for RAF Stornoway are formulated each year, but the only change to the general pattern over the last two years has been a decision not to activate the airfield for military flying earlier this year in the light of our commitments in the Gulf.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military exercises are planned for RAF Stornaway during the remainder of 1991.
  90
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Routine air defence exercises are planned to take place at RAF Stornoway from 9 to 20 September and from 10 to 23 November 1991.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the effect of cancellation of the hardened aircraft shelters project on the capability of RAF Stornoway to support(a) realistic peacetime training and (b) war operations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 June 1991, at column 318. No decision has been taken to cancel this project.

  Artillery Range, Hebrides
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the reasons for the recent period of inactivity at the Royal Artillery range, Hebrides.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The recent short-term reduction in live fire activities at the Royal Artillery range, Hebrides was due to the rescheduling of training periods as a result of the Gulf conflict. The range used this time to complete maintenance projects.

  Civilian Guard Force
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the planned establishment of the proposed Ministry of Defence guard force;

  (2) what is the estimated annual equipment budget for the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken;

  (3) what is the estimated total annual running cost of the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken;

  (4) what is the estimated annual personnel cost of the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department's new guard force is planned to come into operation; how many staff will be employed; on what terms and conditions; and at what estimated annual cost.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As I announced on 26 April 1991, at columns 572–73, in an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampshire, East (Mr. Mates), the new Ministry of Defence guard service will come into being on 1 April 1992.

  Its initial strength will be drawn from some 3,000 civilian personnel in existing patrolling, watching and similar grades including the present Ministry of Defence headquarters guard force. The ultimate size of the service is uncertain at present because account will need to be taken of the consequences of "Options for Change" on the number of locations to be guarded in the longer term.

  The terms and conditions on which the guard service personnel will serve are currently being negotiated. It is estimated that the annual running costs of the new service, predominantly personnel, but including clothing and some equipment, will be about £37·5 million but there are compensating savings notably in personnel costs of existing staff who will be assimilated into it.
  91
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of setting up the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The estimated cost of setting up the MOD guard service is £.2·5 million in the current financial year. This falls within vote sub heads 1A1, 1BI, ICI, 1D1, 1D2, 1E1, 1G1, 1L2 and 1L9 and relates to the formation of an implementation team to plan the adminstration and training of the service, and to the provision of clothing and equipment in readiness for its introduction on 1 April 1992.

  Salisbury Plain
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been paid in each of the last 10 years in compensation for damage caused by his Department's activities to property on, or in the vicinity of, Salisbury plain.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The following amounts of compensation have been paid in each of the last 10 years by the MOD in respect of claims arising from training and manoeuvre activities in the vicinity of Salisbury Plain. Information relating to any other type of claim could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Years

  £

  1981–82

  4,847

  1982–83

  2,121

  1983–84

  7,645

  1984–85

  8,837

  1985–86

  32,887

  1986–87

  6,504

  1987–88

  4,278

  1988–89

  8,215

  1989–90

  5,642

  1990–91

  2,223

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what compensation has been paid to members of the public for damage caused to property by the firing of AS90 guns on Salisbury plain.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Only one incident giving rise to claims can be specifically traced to the firing of the AS90 gun on Salisbury plain. That incident gave rise to two claims. One has been settled for £150·65; the other is still being negotiated.

  RAF Waddington
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what planning applications have been placed with the relevant local authority for new construction at RAF Waddington in the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In the past five years 23 planning applications have been submitted to the local authority, North Kesteven district council, in respect of new construction at RAF Waddington. These are listed in the table.

  August 1986

  Erection of storage building

  October 1986

  Construction of fuel store

  October 1986

  Siting of portacabins

  November 1987

  Erection of hangar

  February 1988

  Extension to existing building

  92

  April 1988

  Erection of radar building

  November 1988

  Erection of 16·3 metre high mast

  January 1989

  Erection of safety equipment store

  November 1989

  Construction of new shower/toilet block

  November 1989

  Construction of new office building

  November 1989

  Modifications to barrack block

  December 1989

  Extension to car park and installation of improved lighting

  January 1990

  Refurbishing of officers mess

  May 1990

  Installation of new fuel store

  September 1990

  Construction of office building

  October 1990

  Use of land for storage of servicemen's private caravans

  November 1990

  Erection of new security fences/gates

  January 1991

  Construction of new telecommunications building

  April 1991

  Erection of traffic control barriers and guard huts

  May 1991

  Construction of pump house

  May 1991

  Erection of security fence

  July 1991

  Construction of new shower block

  July 1991

  Erection of security fence

  Main Battle Tank
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to date of the studies carried out by his Department to evaluate the tanks in competition for the replacement of the Chieftain tank; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This information could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

  Accommodation
  Sir Alan Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines his Department has issued to local authorities on the priority to be given to rehousing service men after leaving the services, particularly for those who are on the waiting lists of garrison towns.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will answer shortly.

  London Custody Service
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why he has decided to replace guards provided by the London custody service with his Department's own guard force at London buildings.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The MOD has reduced its use of the London custody service because recruitment in its own guard force has improved and we prefer those guarding our buildings to be members of MOD and trained and equipped to our standards. There are also savings to the defence budget.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to his Department of security guards provided by the London custody service during each of the past five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The cost to the Ministry of Defence of security guards provided by the London custody service during each of the past five years has been as follows:

  £

  1986–87

  3,607,597·66

  1987–88

  4,529,811·46

  1988–89

  4,841,283·26

  93

  £

  1989–90

  5,205,886·35

  1990–91

  5,873,158·060

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those Ministry of Defence buildings at which it is planned to replace the London custody service by his Department's new guard force indicating the starting date for each change, and the numbers to be employed at each building.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  London custody service guards were replaced by MOD guards at 3–5 Great Scotland Yard in 1990. Those at Northumberland house and the Old Admiralty buildings will be replaced on 1 October. For security reasons, it would not be appropriate to reveal the numbers of guards at each location.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying sorties over the United Kingdom in each month from January to date.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  For the number of low-flying sorties carried out in January 1991 I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 8 March 1991 at column 332. The number of low-flying sorties carried out in the United Kingdom in each month from February to May, the most recent date for which figures are available, is as follows:

  Number

  February

  7,471

  March

  10,814

  April

  12,300

  May

  12,556

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all past, current and planned RAF participation in low-flying training exercises overseas during 1991, specifying the number and types of aircraft in each case.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  To date in 1991, the RAF has participated in the following overseas exercises involving an element of low-flying training:

  Exercise

  Country

  Dates

  Number and type of aircraft

  Snow Falcon 91–1

  Norway

  2–16 March

  6 Harrier GR5

  Agder

  Norway

  11–15 March

  4 Tornado GR1

  Red Flag 91-X

  USA

  27 March-8 June

  10 Harrier GR5

  Blue Moon

  Denmark

  2–3 April

  4 Jaguar 4 Tornado GR1

  Ardent Ground

  Portugal

  29 April-10 May

  6 Jaguar GRla

  Snow Goose 91–2

  Norway

  1–14 June

  6 Jaguar GRla

  Brown Falcon

  Denmark

  12 June

  8 Jaguar 8 Harrier GR5

  Exercises in the central region involving RAF participation are not included.

  As in previous years, further overseas exercises are planned, but it would be premature to give detailed information at this stage.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications for low-flying avoidance area status have been received by his Department since 1 January.
  94
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I regret that such applications are not recorded separately and it would require disproportionate effort to identify them. Since 1 January, however, some 250 temporary or permanent avoidance arrangements have been made.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about low-flying in each of the last five years came from addresses located within(a) low flying area 16, (b) low flying area 13, (c) low flying area 17 and (d) low flying area 12.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The numbers of inquiries or complaints about low-flying training which my Department received in each of the last five years from addresses located within low flying areas 12, 13, and 16 and 17 were as follows:

  Low flying area

  Year

  12

  13

  16

  17

  1986

  132

  23

  213

  445

  1987

  117

  11

  304

  400

  1988

  136

  21

  341

  449

  1989

  238

  32

  592

  836

  1990

  270

  42

  498

  754

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about low flying were received in each month since March 1990 from addresses in(a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The numbers of inquiries or complaints relating to military low flying training which my Department received over the period 1 March 1990 to 30 June 1991 from addresses in England, Scotland and Wales were as follows:

  Month

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  1990

  March

  366

  96

  84

  April

  303

  67

  39

  May

  546

  80

  119

  June

  477

  118

  147

  July

  930

  107

  226

  August

  775

  143

  192

  September

  344

  71

  35

  October

  414

  70

  107

  November

  206

  106

  19

  December

  98

  40

  38

  1991

  January

  74

  17

  15

  February

  28

  8

  11

  March

  96

  30

  25

  April

  228

  38

  49

  May

  463

  72

  84

  June

  274

  52

  95

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying movements authorised at less than 250 ft in each of the tactical training areas in each month from January 1991 to date.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The numbers of movements authorised for flying below 250 ft within the three United Kingdom tactical training areas between January and May 1991, the most recent date for which figures are available, were as follows:
  95

  Northern Scotland

  Central Wales

  Borders

  January

  111

  39

  180

  February

  107

  12

  127

  March

  12

  2

  324

  April

  7

  0

  0

  May

  45

  0

  8

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date notification of the disestablishment of the Humberside low-flying transit area was sent by his Department to(a) hon. Members and (b) local authorities in the area; and if he will list the parliamentary constituencies and local authorities concerned.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  As the hon. Member will be aware, when significant changes are made to the United Kingdom low flying system, hon. Members whose constituencies are affected are given appropriate notification.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to measure the noise levels generated by aircraft using afterburners at low level.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The report on the "External Noise of MoD Military Aircraft", a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House in November 1987, contains some such data but there are no plans for further work. As set out in my predecessor's answer of 12 June 1990, at column 140, to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), aircraft are instructed to use reheat as little as possible overland at low level and use would be unusual unless required for flight safety reasons.

  Tornado Crews
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the minimum altitude authorised for peacetime training flying by RAF Tornado GR1 crews from Muharraq, Bahrain, in the period following the Gulf war.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The normal minimum authorised altitude for flying training by RAF Tornado GR1 crews based at Muharraq following the Gulf conflict was 250 ft. A small number of sorties were, however, authorised down to 100 ft to enable designated aircrews to maintain currency in operational low-flying techniques.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make changes to his policy of purchasing any dwelling in the vicinity of a military airfield found to be subjected to noise levels greater than 125 dB(A) from military aircraft.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is planned to review the MOD's aircraft noise compensation policy in relation to military airfields once the current programme of noise surveys has been completed. The review should take place next year and will take into account the practical effects of applying existing policy since the programme began in 1985.

  Tornado Exercise
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the title of the exercise in which RAF Tornado GRI participated in Alaska in June 1990; how many 96
  aircraft took part; and if he will provide details of any subsequent or planned RAF participation in exercises in Alaska.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Four Tornado GRI aircraft deployed to Alaska in June 1990 for a training exercise, titled Distant Frontier. The possibility of a further such exercise is under discussion with the United States authorities.

  Tornados (Goose Bay)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF Tornado GRls are currently deployed to Goose bay, Canada; on what date they deployed there; and what is their expected date of departure from Goose bay.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None.

  Army Manpower
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table showing(a) the nominal manpower establishment, (b) the actual manpower strength, (c) the percentage of nominal establishment achieved, (d) the number of recruits becoming available each year and (e) the rate of retention of recruits and trained soldiers, for each infantry regiment in the British Army for which such information is not classified.

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

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans which are currently being made by his Department to assist in meeting demand for housing for personnel and their families who cease to be entitled to his Department's housing as a result of redundancy under "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The extent to which redundancies may be necessary as a result of the force reductions announced in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates" on 9 July, is still being examined. The housing implications of any redundancy programme will be taken into account as part of this work.

  HMS Endurance
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 July,Official Report, columns 283–84, to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) if he will announce the result of the structural survey on HMS Endurance before Parliament adjourns for the summer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The survey results should be available in the near future. When the work is complete we will have to assess its conclusions before reaching any decisions. We will make an announcement on the future of Endurance as soon as we are in a position to do so.

  HMS Illustrious
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the contract between Devonport Management Ltd. and his Department for the refit of HMS Illustrious is to be signed; and when work will begin.
  97
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  A final decision is to be taken as soon as possible.

  Gurkhas
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his highness the Sultan of Brunei signified his agreement to meet the costs of two Gurkha battalions; and for how long the agreement will apply.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A Gurkha battalion has been stationed in Brunei since independence in 1983 under an agreement whereby the full cost of the battalion is met by the Government of Brunei. This agreement is subject to periodic review and renewal.

  Foot Guards
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the annual cost of maintaining a Foot Guards battalion in London.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 11 July,Official Report, column 487.

  Infantry Manpower
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list, by individual battalion tasks, the present infantry deployments of the British Infantry, including Gurkhas, and the changes in tasks he envisages following his proposed cuts in infantry manpower.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 11 July,Official Report column 492) and to that given to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) also on 11 July, Official Report, column 487–89.

  Royal Fleet Auxiliary
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the present arrangements for running the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Like all aspects of MOD business, the cost effectiveness of the RFA is kept under review. The RFA continues to provide afloat support to the Royal Navy effectively and efficiently.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role was played by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in the build up of forces during Operation Granby, during hostilities in the Gulf region, and in related operations such as the Kurdish relief efforts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to chapters 1 and 2 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991", volume 1, Cm. 1559–1.

  Eleven Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships were tasked on Operation Granby in a variety of roles, including supply, medical support and heavy engineering. The ships involved were:
  Orangeleaf—which was already supporting the Armilla patrol and was subsequently relieved by Bayleaf

  Onla

  Argus

  98

  Diligence

  Resource

  Fort Grange

  Sir Galahad

  Sir Percivale

  Sir Tristram

  Sir Bedivere

  The outstanding support provided by the RFA was instrumental in the success of Operation Granby.

  RFA Resource subsequently made a significant contribution to the Kurdish relief effort and Fort Grange has provided support in the Bangladesh relief operation.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to change the management or manning of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; whether it is his intention to retain the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as an essentially civilian part of the British merchant navy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans to change the current manning of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary by Merchant Navy personnel. Future management arrangements are under review as part of the MOD's continuing efforts to maximise efficiency. No decisions have been taken, and any proposals affecting staff will be the subject of consultation with the trade unions in the usual way.

  Rail Vehicles and Connections
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many(a) electric locomotives and (b) diesel locomotives were owned by his Department in (i) 1979, (ii) 1985 and (iii) the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) how many rail freight vehicles were owned by his Department in (a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available;

  (3) how many of his Department's depots were provided with rail connections in (a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The figures are as follows:

  1979

  1985

  1991

  Electric locomotives

  3

  3

  3

  Diesel locomotives

  176

  139

  106

  Rail freight vehicles

  142

  130

  130

  MOD depots with rail connections

  38

  38

  21

  Departmental Freight
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of his Department's freight within Great Britain is consigned by(a) road and (b) rail.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The vast majority of the Department's freight is consigned by road. A detailed breakdown of the proportions of freight moved by road and rail could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the recruitment figures for each of the regiments within the Prince of Wales division for each of the last five years; and whether any regiments have not done any recruitment in this period because they were already at full complement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table. None of the regiments in the Prince of
  99
  Wales Division were fully manned during this period.

  Prince of Wales's Division officer and soldier1 intakes to trained strength 1987 to 1991

  1987

  1988

  1989

  19903

  19913 4

  Officers

  Soldiers2

  Officers

  Soldiers

  Officers

  Soldiers

  Officers

  Soldiers

  Officers

  Soldiers

  The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  6

  —

  4

  84

  1

  61

  5

  70

  5

  24

  The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment

  6

  —

  2

  58

  3

  85

  5

  103

  1

  48

  The Royal Welch Fusiliers

  4

  —

  7

  65

  5

  66

  5

  56

  3

  37

  Royal Regiment of Wales

  8

  —

  4

  43

  10

  72

  8

  100

  4

  43

  The Gloucestershire Regiment

  3

  —

  3

  64

  4

  51

  5

  39

  7

  34

  The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters

  7

  —

  3

  85

  2

  74

  4

  80

  3

  32

  The Royal Hampshires

  1

  —

  1

  64

  6

  45

  5

  42

  4

  23

  The Staffordshire Regiment

  3

  —

  7

  90

  8

  62

  —

  83

  2

  41

  Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment

  7

  —

  8

  63

  5

  41

  6

  36

  —

  15

  1 Soldier figures include apprentices and young soldiers and juniors.

  2 Soldier figures unavailable for 1987.

  3 Recruiting capped for officers and soldiers.

  4 Latest figures to 30 June 1991.

  Royal Navy Rugby Union
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the full cost to his Department of the Royal Navy rugby union and how many full or part-time posts there are within the Royal Navy rugby union.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The cost to the Department of the Royal Navy rugby union is in the region of £30,000 per annum. A retired officer acts as part-time secretary. He is assisted part-time by a service chief petty officer.

  Rehousing
  Sir Alan Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines his Department has issued to local authorities on the priority to be given to rehouse service men after leaving the services, particularly for those who are on the waiting lists of garrison towns.
  100
  However, the allocation of recruits to regiments is influenced by the overall manning priorities of both the whole Army and the infantry.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 9 July 1991]I have been asked to reply since my Department is responsible for issuing guidance to local housing authorities about the treatment of personnel leaving the services. It is for the local authority to decide what priority to give to rehousing service personnel, having considered the circumstances of each individual case. We advise local housing and service authorities to offer appropriate advice and assistance to service personnel well in advance of discharge. Local authorities are asked to act upon a certificate of impending homelessness issued by a senior officer up to six months before discharge.

  BARKESTONE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL
  BARKESTONE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL
  METHODIST CHURCH, DONEGALL SQUARE, BELFAST
  METHODIST CHURCH, DONEGALL SQUARE, BELFAST
  PROBATE COMPLAINTS SCHEMES
  PROBATE COMPLAINTS SCHEMES
  PREGNANCY TERMINATION: MIFEPRISTONE (RU486)
  PREGNANCY TERMINATION: MIFEPRISTONE (RU486)
  BANANA TRADE AFTER 1992
  BANANA TRADE AFTER 1992
  HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL CIRCULAR NO. 4/2/N104/2/88
  HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL CIRCULAR NO. 4/2/N104/2/88