Written Answers of 17 July 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Belfast Duty Solicitor Scheme
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General what arrangements he intends to make to ensure the survival of the Belfast duty solicitor scheme.

  The Attorney-General
  The Belfast duty solicitor scheme is a voluntary scheme established and administered by the Council of the Law Society for Northern Ireland. The continued running of the scheme is, therefore, a matter for that body.

ENERGY

  Energy-efficient Lighting
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to encourage businesses to follow the lead of the Houses of Parliament in introducing energy-efficient lighting to cut costs and save energy.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My Energy Efficiency Office uses its 'Best Practice' programme and the network of Regional Energy Efficiency Officers to promote the saving of energy costs through the use of energy efficiency lighting in industry and commerce.

  Central Heating Boilers
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will make a statement on the assessment he has made of the effect of the EC's draft directive for new hot water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels—document No. 9791/90—on(a) the average cost to British householders of replacing a central heating boiler, (b) the average cost of installing a central heating system, (c) the average cost of a central heating boiler, (d) the profitability of the British boiler-making industry, (e) the average cost of a new house or flat, (f) employment within the British boiler-making industry, (g) the number of house owners who in future will not be able to replace central heating boilers and (h) the average annual saving per boiler in fuel costs;

  (2) if it is Her Majesty's Government's intention to oppose implementation of the draft directive on new hot water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government wish to encourage cost-effective improvements in the energy efficiency of central heating systems in the United Kingdom. The draft directive as proposed by the Commission would not secure this aim. We have offered detailed suggestions for amendments, as have other member states and the European Parliament, and we await a response from the Commission.

  Precise assessment of the effects of implementing the current draft is not possible, because of uncertainty about
  162
  its meaning; in general, the average costs of boilers and systems (a, b, c) are likely to rise, and the average saving (h) is unlikely to be sufficient to make the extra investment cost-effective. Some 60 per cent. of households would have to make alterations costing from £200 to £1,000 before being able to replace their current boiler, a total cost to the nation of some £2,000 million to £3,000 million, resulting in annual fuel savings of only some £10 million to £20 million. The consequential impacts on the average cost of new dwellings (e) and on profitability and employment in the boiler-making industry (d and f) are not clear, but there would have to be major redeployments of resources.

  Ministerial Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the role of the working group involving outside advisers to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Lewisham East, (Mr. Moynihan) on renewable sources of energy.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Government announced their intention to conduct a review of their renewable energy programmes in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" published in September 1990. A further statement will be made shortly on the procedures to be followed for that review.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether prisoners are considered for transfer to an open prison if they have not previously been on home leave.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The successful completion of a period of home leave is not a general requirement for allocation to open conditions, but most open establishments include such a requirement in their allocation criteria because of its usefulness as an indication of inmates' suitability.

  Prisoners
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the current prison population spent time in local authority care as children; and what proportion this is of the total prison population.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This information was collected in the national prison survey and will be made available once the results have been analysed.

  Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought under section 100H(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and 50H(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, respectively, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, since 1 April 1986.

  Mr. John Patten
  Records available centrally show no prosecutions in England and Wales from 1986 to 1989 under the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985. No information is centrally available for Scotland.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in tabular form details of the numbers of claims for between(a) £750 and £850, (b) £850 and £950 and (c) £950 and £1,050 and the number in excess of these amounts by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board during the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and how many of the claims were made by police officers.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information is not available in the form requested, but the percentage of awards within different bands for the year ended 31 March 1990, is shown in paragraph 8.1 of the board's last annual report—Cm 1365—a copy of which is in the Library. The relevant figures are:

  Number

  Percentage

  Under £400

  462

  1·6

  £400– £499

  473

  1·7

  £500– £599

  3,179

  11·4

  £600– £799

  5,085

  18·2

  £800– £999

  3,458

  12·4

  £1,000–£1,991

  7,868

  28·2

  £2,000–£4,999

  5,205

  18·6

  £5,000–£9,999

  1,394

  5·0

  £10,000 and over

  802

  2·9

  27,926

  100·0

  The board does not keep totals of the number of applications from police officers.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of cases settled under the criminal injuries compensation scheme in 1990; and what information he has about the time taken to determine cases from first registration in the years ending 31 March 1990 and 31 March 1991.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the calendar year 1990, a total of 50,006 cases were resolved. The percentage resolved within certain periods of registration for the year ended 31 March 1990, is shown in paragraph 6.1 of the board's 26th annual report—Cm 1365—a copy of which is in the Library. The relevant figures are:

  Percentage

  Up to 3 months

  0·5

  3 to 6 months

  1·5

  6 to 9 months

  3·8

  9 to 12 months

  13·9

  Over 12 months

  80·3

  Equivalent figures for the year ended 31 March 1991 are not yet available, but a recent survey by the board indicated that about 60 per cent. of applications are being resolved within 12 months.

  Parliamentary Boundary Commissioners
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the process of consultation for appointing the assistant parliamentary boundary commissioners; and what progress has been made to date.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has been asked by the Boundary Commission for England to appoint a panel 164
  of about 60 assistant commissioners in connection with the fourth general review of constituencies in England, which began in February. The commission put forward a list of 110 distinguished lawyers compiled by writing to heads of chambers and the Lord Chancellor's Department inviting suggestions.

  The Home Office is now in the process of consulting the Lord Chancellor's Department over biographical information about the nominees. Final decisions about which of the nominees should be invited to serve will be made in due course.

  Prisons
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider using the redundant Army barracks and air and sea stations as prisons for low category prisoners as a short-term measure to relieve overcrowding in prisons such as Winchester.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: The use of military accommodation to hold prisoners would be justifiable only if the prison population was so high that it could not be contained within the operational capacity of the prison service. Winchester prison, as with many local prisons serving the courts, has a population which exceeds its certified normal accommodation but is less than its operational capacity. Over the next two years, 10 new local prisons and remand centres will be opening, and these will make a major impact on overcrowding in local prisons.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Namibia
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the European Commission with the aim of ensuring that the Community's policy towards negotiations with Namibia is not affected by national bias arising from the current dispute concerning illegal fishing in Namibian waters by nationals of a Community member.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The United Kingdom has expressed concern over the handling of the suspension of fisheries negotiations between the Community and Namibia. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development raised the issue with Commission officials during the 6 and 7 May Council of Ministers in Brussels. The Commission has now given an assurance of its readiness to resume negotiations, which is shared by the Namibian Government.

  Dependent Territories
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his review of the financial arrangements and the adequacy of financial regulations in dependent territories has now been completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My officials have conducted a review; further work is still needed. My officials are discussing further action with the Comptroller and Auditor General.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Set-aside Scheme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the options available to farmers which are non-agricultural under the set-aside scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Farmers can make use of any non-agricultural option under the set-aside scheme within the limitations described on page 6 of the booklet SA1—Rev 2—a copy of which is attached. The booklet is also available in the Library of the House. In the first two years of the scheme the main non-agricultural uses related to horse-based activities, golf courses, game cover for commercial shoots, sports grounds and other recreational activities.

  Blue-ear Pig Disease
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to relax movement restrictions imposed because of blue-ear pig disease; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government's prompt action in response to suspicion of this disease in Great Britain appears to have been successful in containing its spread. In the light of accumulating knowledge about the development of the disease it is now possible to reduce the size of the restricted area, which was imposed on 13 June, around those farms in Humberside where the disease is suspected or has been confirmed. This action, which will take effect immediately, will release movements of pigs from over 100 large livestock units from all restrictions.

  Restrictions on farms where the disease has been confirmed or is suspected will remain, but some changes in the movement controls which are applied to affected farms and within restricted zones can now safely be made. These changes are being finalised in the light of comments made by the industry; the details will be announced shortly. These changes will be welcomed by the farmers concerned.

  Investigations of the original source of infection in Great Britain are continuing, and developments on farms where disease has been found or is suspected are being closely watched. The fact that these changes can now be made reflects the success of the Government's prompt actions when early reports of the disease were reported and is a tribute to the effectiveness of the state veterinary service in responding to new challenges.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 15 and 16 July.

  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting together with the Parliamentary Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry).

  Discussion concentrated on the Commission's proposals for major adaptations to the common agricultural policy. I welcomed the prospect of reform and reminded the Council that the United Kingdom was wholly committed in its support for radical change in the CAP. However, I also emphasised that the main thrust of these
  166
  proposals was disappointing in that they do not constitute a long-term policy for encouraging efficient farming in the Community, are certain to be very costly and involve substantial discrimination between different producers and member states. Furthermore, the environmental element of the CAP would still be an add-on extra rather than a central theme. The Council is expected to resume these discussions at its next meeting in September.

  In a discussion on the GATT round I emphasised the need for the Community to take the initiative immediately with a view to achieving an overall solution well before the end of this year.

  I also stressed the continued need to protect United Kingdom producers of soft fruit from low-priced processed imports from eastern Europe. The Commissioner agreed to extend the present safeguards until 25 September.

TRANSPORT

  Transport Planning
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions the Government have reached in reviewing methods to achieve a balance between economic and environmental costs and benefits in transport planning.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment—SACTRA—is currently reviewing the Department's methods of environmental assessment for trunk roads, and in particular the scope and methods for putting monetary values on environmental effects. I expect to receive its report in the late summer. The Department gathers information on the full range of economic, environmental and other costs and benefits, to inform decision making, whether or not the information can be quantified or expressed in monetary values.

  Airport Charges
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority and BAA concerning the proposals for cuts in the charges levied on airlines.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no such consultations.

  Lighthouses
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the net cost to the general lighthouse fund in 1988–89 and 1989–90 in respect of the fund's obligations for(a) the Sumbrero lighthouse in Anguilla and (b) Pembroke light in the Falkland Islands.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 for Sombrero are £31,008 and £48,507 respectively. No expenditure was incurred at Cape Pembroke, where the lighthouse is not operational.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with rail freight distributors on the regulations concerning undermodal vehicles maximum cargo as against road haulage competition.
  167
  Mr. Freeman
  Following the launch of his railfreight initiative on 28 May, my right hon. and learned Friend has written to rail freight distributors and others asking for their views on the opportunities for, and obstacles to, a more effective use of the rail network.

  Marine Directorate
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to relocate the marine directorate of his Department away from central London.

  Mr. Chope
  It is this Government's policy to keep under review the cost and location of work carried out by Departments.

  Following a review of my Department's marine directorate headquarters, we have decided that most of the directorate's posts which are currently located in offices in central London should relocate to Southampton.

  The work to be relocated includes the central staff of the Surveyor-General's Organisation, the HQ administration of Her Majesty's Coastguard, and the marine pollution control unit. Approximately 260 jobs are affected. Some 20 posts dealing with ports matters will remain in central London.

  The marine directorate plans to move into new offices in Southampton in May 1993. They will be equipped with all the necessary up-to-date technology to ensure that communications with the rest of the Department, both in London and round the coast, are easy and quick at all times. The move is expected to yield savings of about £19 million over 20 years.

PRIME MINISTER

  Energy-efficient Lighting
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to encourage all Government Departments to introduce energy-efficient lighting to cut costs and save energy; and whether he will assist them with such schemes.

  The Prime Minister
  As part of the Government's drive to improve energy efficiency on their estate the ministerial group on energy efficiency chaired by the Secretary of State for Energy encourages Departments to take all cost-effective energy efficiency measures available. Since the start of the present campaign many Departments have introduced energy-efficient lighting schemes.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister when he was first informed of the doubts of the Bank of England concerning BCCI.

  The Prime Minister
  I was informed of the fraud as soon as the Bank was satisfied that it had evidence on which it could act.

  Sheikh of Abu Dhabi
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi.

  The Prime Minister
  I paid a courtesy call on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in my capacity as Foreign Secretary on 21 July 1989.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Forestry
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken since September 1990 to reform the tropical forestry action plan.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The United Kingdom participated in the ad hoc expert group in Geneva in March to develop revised goals and objectives for the TFAP and revisions to its organisation and management following the independent review of TFAP published in May 1990. The group emphasised the need for the TFAP to be country-led, nationally owned process overseen by a consultative group which would monitor quality and impact.

  The FAO Council in June 1991 agreed that a small "contact group" of developing and developed countries, NGOs and international agencies should further develop the ad hoc group proposals and report to FAO's Council in November. The ODA will play an active part, if invited.

  In countries where the ODA has been involved in TFAP activity since September 1990, officials have followed the recommendations of the independent review in formulating projects and strengthening planning capacity in-country.

  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what bilateral aid has been given to developing countries to address the social and economic reasons for forest loss since September 1990; and what steps he has taken to assess its effectiveness in promoting agroforestry and reforestation;

  (2) if he will list, with figures, the research projects wholly or partly funded by the Government, aimed at improving the productivity of forests in developing countries since September 1990.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The following ODA forestry research projects have been approved since September 1990. These fall into two categories: strategic research and bilateral country programme activities. All have increased forest productivity as a major objective.

  Project

  ODA contribution £

  Strategic Research

  Tree crop interactions in agroforestry prototypes in the Sahel

  169,200

  Management of miombo woodland as community woodlots

  81,000

  Comparative study of traditional and introduced tree crops

  164,000

  Rainforest regeneration in threatened forests of Northern Amazonia

  46,000

  Investigating soil characteristics and relationship to vegetation status on Mt. Cameroon

  43,000

  Collection of Calliandra calothyrus seeds and distribution

  22,000

  Reproductive biology of Contra alliodora

  74,000

  Evaluation of tree species' potential for fodder (in Central America and Africa)

  292,000

  169

  Project

  ODA contribution £

  Study of Inga genetic resources in Central and South America

  268,000

  Mangrove distribution, vulnerability and management in Central America

  34,000

  Recovery of tropical forest ecosystems from major disturbances (Indonesia)

  60,000

  Impact of invasive tree species and control (Jamaica)

  73,000

  Agroforestry and Mycorrhiza research for semi-arid land of East Africa

  60,000

  Modelling approach to new logging practices (Malaysia)

  45,000

  Diseases of forest tress in South East Asia

  26,000

  Long-term production prospects of logged and unlogged forest in Uganda

  98,000

  Contribution of fruit-eating primates to natural forest regeneration in Uganda

  142,000

  Africa Acacia rhizobial technology and ecology (Zimbabwe)

  204,000

  Dipterocarps, Awarcariacae studies and their application

  291,000

  Study of seed growth of ecophysiology and Dipterocarp varieties

  63,000

  Molecular study of the genetic resources in the genus Lencaena

  66,000

  Comparative physiology, field performance and propagation of prosopsis plants

  243,000

  Improving yield and sustainability of food production by control of soil acidity

  142,000

  Reliability of genetic parameters estimated from forest tree progeny tests

  161,000

  Bilateral Research Programmes

  Production of national database of land resources in Belize

  143,000

  Developmental potential of rosewood and other species in Para State, Brazil

  634,000

  Establishment of new biological research station in Caxiuana National Forest, Para State, Brazil

  1,351,000

  Biological study of ecology, natural regeneration and flora of flooded forest, Para State, Brazil

  246,000

  Pilot management project to demonstrate artificial regeneration techniques and management procedures in Cameroon

  1,900,000

  Forest ecology research and staff training in Ghana

  333,000

  Entomological research in Guyana's forest

  190,000

  Development of a small and medium scale wood industry in Honduras

  1,956,000

  Managing lowland dipterocarp forest as a sustainable and productive resource (Indonesia)

  2,644,000

  170

  Project

  ODA contribution £

  Biological control of aphids attacking conifer plantations in Malawi

  612,000

  Development of a sustainable forestry research capacity in Nepal

  4,921,000

  The following projects have investigation of social/ economic reasons for forest loss as part of their overall objectives [Strategic Research (SR); Bilateral (B)].

  £

  Belize forest planning and management (B)

  3,356,000

  Impact of rainforest logging on local people in Sumatra (SR)

  32,000

  Resistance of forests to Hurricane Gilbert (Jamaica) (SR)

  200,000

  Indigenous forest conservation project (Kenya)(B)

  4,860,000

  Integration of social forestry issues into objectives of Cross River State, (Nigeria)(B)

  1,690,000

  Adoption of hedgerow intercropping by Third World farmers (SR)

  48,000

  Under ODA's joint funding scheme, finance is also provided for many non-governmental organisation projects. Details of these could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  ODA has long-established procedures for monitoring and evaluation of projects including feedback of evaluation lessons to all seven programme managers. ODA is currently evaluating five completed forestry projects, in Kenya, India, Lesotho, Nepal and Cote d'Ivoire. The results of this are expected in mid-1992.

  Conservation
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific bilateral aid the Government have given to conservation projects in developing countries, particularly to anti-poaching projects and the management of wildlife reserves since September 1990.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We are currently financing 67 NGO environment and wildlife conservation projects through the ODA's joint funding scheme, at an aid programme cost of £1·2 million in 1991–92; and 21 bilateral wildlife conservation projects in Africa at an estimated total aid programme cost of £5 million.

WALES

  A470
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of the cost of completing the A470 Pentrebach to Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The estimated total cost of the A470 Pentrebach to Cefn Coed scheme given in the 1991 supplement to "Roads in Wales: Progress and Plans for the 1990s" is £28 million at November 1989 prices.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's estimate of the expenditure on the A470 Pentrebach to Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil in 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.
  171
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Actual expenditure will depend on the speed with which engineering design and statutory procedures can be completed and the timing of the start of main works. A main works start is planned before April 1994, and it is not possible to give a more precise date at this stage. A realistic breakdown of expenditure between the financial years requested cannot be given.

  Housing for Wales
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the salaries and emoluments of the board members of Tai Cymru (Housing for Wales).

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on Thursday 11 July, at column 449.

  A487
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the first study on the need for a replacement for the Pont Seiont on the A487 to the south of Caernarfon was initiated; on what date that study was completed; what were the initiation and completion dates of any subsequent surveys; on what date construction work on a new bridge was originally scheduled to start; on what dates the start date was revised, for what reason and to what new start date; what is the latest start date for this scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  As part of a general exercise to assess the load-carrying of certain bridge structures on trunk roads in Wales a study of Pont Seiont was

  Port

  Country of origin

  Destination

  Type of waste

  Tonnes

  Holyhead

  Ireland

  Greater Manchester

  Glycolmethacrylate Scrap

  16·0

  Metal Hydroxide/Oxides

  340·1

  PolychloroBiphenyl (PCB)

  13·7

  Hampshire CC

  Miscellaneous Waste

  22·6

  Miscellaneous Chemical Waste

  15·1

  Organic Waste (mix)

  84·8

  Pharmaceutical Waste

  79·0

  Torfaen BC

  Adhesive Waste

  12·4

  Liners (cont: toxic waste)

  35·2

  Miscellaneous Waste

  14·6

  Miscellaneous Chemical Waste

  131·5

  Organic Waste (mix)

  19·7

  PolychloroBiphenyl (PCB)

  12·0

  Pharmaceutical Waste

  19·2

  Total

  815·9

  Newport

  Austria

  Greater Manchester

  Metal Hydroxide/Oxides

  84·1

  Miscellaneous Waste

  1,090·6

  Germany

  Hampshire CC

  Laboratory Waste

  66·5

  Pesticides

  70·0

  Torfaen BC

  Miscellaneous Chemical Waste

  6·9

  Pesticides

  23·9

  Finland

  Torfaen BC

  PCB Fluid/Transformer

  10·7

  Ireland

  Greater Manchester

  Metal Hydroxides/Oxides

  1,515·7

  Hampshire CC

  Organic Waste (mix)

  31·3

  172
  commissioned in 1973. This study culminated in the announcement by the then Secretary of State in November 1979 of his "Preferred Route" for the replacement of Pont Seiont. The scheme was included in the 1978 "Roads in Wales" programme for a start in the time band 1981–83. Also as a consequence of the study the existing bridge was strengthened in 1982 to enable it to carry trunk road traffic in the short to medium term. A recent assessment has shown the bridge to be in good condition satisfying current and anticipated loading requirements.

  The time band for the start of the replacement scheme has changed in subsequent publications of "Roads in Wales" to reflect this scheme's priority in relation to others in the roads programme. The 1991 supplement to "Roads in Wales: Progress and Plans for the 1990s" shows the scheme in the time band April 1994 to March 1997.

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state for the last available year(a) the amount of toxic waste imported through Welsh ports in total, and by port and (b) the country of origin and destination of toxic waste imports by port, together with the nature of toxic waste in each case.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The Government believe that developed countries should be self-sufficient in waste disposal and are working towards that end in international discussions.

  The information for the year ending 31 March 1991 is as follows:

  173

  Port

  Country of origin

  Destination

  Type of waste

  Tonnes

  Switzerland

  Greater Manchester

  Aluminium Hydroxide/Oxide

  7·4

  Battery Waste

  7·0

  Distillation Residue

  25·0

  Inorganic Waste

  3·8

  Organic Waste (mix)

  3·8

  Paint Waste

  96·7

  Sodium Chloride

  84·4

  Sodium Benzosulphonate

  34·1

  Hampshire CC

  Organic Waste (mix)

  326·2

  Torfaen BC

  Organic Waste (mix)

  129·1

  Paint Waste

  64·0

  PolychloroBiphenyl (PCB)

  66·9

  PVC Waste

  17·0

  Total

  4,505·1

  Swansea

  Ireland

  Torfaen BC

  Miscellaneous Waste

  10·1

  Total

  10·1

  Grand Total

  5,331·1

  Dentistry
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those health authorities in Wales that have appointed directors of dental public health; how many of these directors are designated or accredited consultants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information is as follows: The district health authorities that have directors of dental public health in post are:

  Clwyd1

  East Dyfed1

  Gwent

  Gwynedd1

  Pembrokeshire

  Powys

  South Glamorgan1

  West Glamorgan

  1Of consultant designation.

  The post in Mid Glamorgan is currently vacant. It is shortly to be advertised as a shared appointment with Powys with the intention of securing the services of an accredited consultant in dental public health.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the number of full-time posts and full-time equivalent posts allocated by each family health authority in Wales for dental matters.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  This information is not available centrally.

  TVEI
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Training Agency and his Department intend to publish their next joint statement on the technical and vocational education initiative and the national curriculum.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department, the Training Agency and the Curriculum Council for Wales issued a joint statement on TVEI and the national curriculum in July 1989. At present I have no plans to publish a further statement.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of his budget is allocated to non-vocational adult education.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A great deal of non-vocational adult education is undertaken by local education authorities for which allowance is made in the annual local authority revenue settlement. The sums involved are not hypothecated. The Welsh Office budget for adult education is not split between vocational and non-vocational education.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish an inquiry into the state and development of non-vocational adult education in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I do not believe that an inquiry is necessary. The White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century" sets out the Government's priorities for the provision of further education for adults. The consultation exercise that ensued has brought forward a wide range of views on the future of adult education and these are being considered in detail before we move forward towards legislation.

  Family Health Services
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the family health services authorities in Wales he has met since his appointment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend met the chairmen of all the authorities in July 1990. Subsequently, I met the chairmen in June this year when we discussed the progress being made in the development of family health services in Wales.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Schools Budgets
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list local education authorities in rank order by the proportion of the potential schools budget held back in 1991–92, showing in each case the proportion held back in 1990–91.

  Mr. Fallon
  We are not yet in a position to provide all the information requested. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Education Expenditure, Coventry
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of Coventry local education authority's expenditure is held back from schools after deductions have been made for capital expenditure; and what is the relative figure for other local education authorities.

  Mr. Fallon
  The figures for 1991–92 will be published soon: I will write to my hon. Friend.

  National Curriculum Council
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the relevant qualifications of Mr. David Pascall in respect of his part-time chairmanship of the National Curriculum Council prior to his appointment in 1990; what proportion of the working week he is expected to devote to these duties; and to what salary and emoluments he is entitled in the year 1991–92.

  Mr. Eggar
  Mr. Pascall was appointed to the NCC in August 1990 and knows its work well. He will assume the chairmanship of the council on a part-time basis in August 1991. He currently expects to spend 25 to 30 days a year on council business and will be paid an appropriate per diem fee, the amount of which has not yet been settled.

  ILEA Sites (Disposal)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many former Inner London education authority sites have been disposed of by the London residuary body through negotiation; and how many have been sold at auction;

  (2) what is the total income so far raised by the London residuary body from the sale of former Inner London education authority sites; and what is the estimated value of those still to be disposed of;

  (3) how many former Inner London education authority sites have been sold by the London residuary body to (a) London borough councils, (b) other public bodies and (c) private purchasers; and how many have still to be disposed of;

  (4) how many former Inner London education authority sites transferred to the London residuary body for disposal were previously used as playing fields.

  Mr. Eggar
  These are matters for the London residuary body.

  Education and Training
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the consequences for adult education of the recent Government White Paper on education and training.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department has so far received around 1,000 representations about the implications for the further education of adults of the recent Government White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century".

  Open University
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will next meet the vice-chancellor of the Open university to discuss the expansion of the university's range of activities.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I meet the vice-chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues relating to the university. I met the vice-chancellor in May, and again when I visited the university last week. No date has yet been fixed for a further meeting.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of his budget is allocated to non-vocational adult education.

  Mr. Eggar
  Allowance is made within annual local authority finance settlements for the further education of adults. It is for individual local education authorities and the institutions they maintain to determine the pattern of spending in each area within the resources available to them.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the population of the United Kingdom participated in non-vocational adult education.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is not available centrally, because the available enrolment data do not distinguish between vocational and non-vocational study. Enrolments at adult education centres in the United Kingdom numbered 1·6 million in 1988–89. In addition there were nearly 600 thousand enrolments on courses run by university extra-mural departments, the Workers Educational Association and other bodies. There were also over 600,000 enrolments on non-examinable courses without a specified qualification in further education colleges in England alone. All of these enrolment statistics will cover both vocational and non-vocational study.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will state the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.
  177
  Mr. Renton
  This is a personal matter for the chief executive. However, he has authorised me to say that his first degree was a bachelor of arts in English and History from the university of British Columbia.

  Civil Service College
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will state the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Civil Service college; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

  Mr. Renton
  This is a personal matter for the chief executive. However, she has authorised me to say that her first degree was in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford university.

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

  Mr. Renton
  The last annual report of the Civil Service Occupational Health Service was published in July 1990 for the year ending 31 March 1990. The annual report for 1990–91 is due to be published on 26 July 1991. Copies of this will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses when available.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the Occupational Health Service since its establishment as an executive agency; and separately identify those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status.

  Mr. Renton
  The quality of service performance indicators being developed in the Occupational Health Service include:

  1. Peer review and review by Division Heads of performance against objectives.

  2. Standard protocols for the delivery of services.

  3. Post-service questionnaires for advisory visits, comprehensive medical examinations and lifestyle screenings, and Occupational Health Service health and safety training. The overall rating will be on a six points scale with targets set for the proportion of responses in the top two points.

  4. Targets for turn around time in case referrals and for the error rate in invoices to customers.

  5. Cost per productive professional day.

  There were no specific quality of performance indicators.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will state the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Occupational Health Service; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

  Mr. Renton
  This is a personal matter for the chief executive. However, he has authorised me to say that his first degree was a bachelor of medicine/bachelor of surgery from the university of Aberdeen.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Enterprise Initiative (Consultants)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of his Department's contractors are also listed as consultants under the enterprise initiative assisted consultancy scheme; and what proportion of the number of projects their work comprises.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Department has five main contractors who are responsible for the administration of the enterprise initiative assisted consultancy scheme. In turn, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, as one of the main contractors, sub-contracts most of its operation to four regional contractors. Of the nine bodies concerned, five are listed as consultants under the scheme. Since the enterprise initiative was introduced in January 1988, they have been responsible collectively for 1·9 per cent. of the total projects completed to date across all six consultancy schemes.

  Trade Agreements
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken since September 1990 to ensure that international trade agreements involving the United Kingdom have had respect for the international environment.

  Mr. Lilley
  The European Community has signed no new multilateral trade agreements since September 1990. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is playing a leading role in an important and developing international debate about the relationship of environmental questions to the rules of international trade.

  Since September 1990 the Government have participated in a study on trade and environment issues in the OECD—this led to endorsement by the OECD ministerial council in June of a programme of further work, in which we are participating, and which may lead to guidelines on ways to protect the environment while preserving the open multilateral trading system; begun planning a consultancy study which will look urgently at the trade effects of measures which may be taken to control the emission of greenhouse gases; participated with our European partners in the GATT Uruguay round negotiations on agriculture which are addressing the need for assistance for environmental and conservation purposes—agreement in GATT on investment and intellectual property would also assist the technology flows needed to deal with environmental problems; participated fully in a GATT working party on the export of domestically prohibited goods, including those banned on environmental grounds; supported re-establishment of a GATT working party on the environment.

  Publicity Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 20, if he will list the commencement date and duration of each publicity campaign.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 10 July 1991]: Most of the activities listed are of a continuing nature in support of departmental programmes. The two major campaigns, the enterprise initiative support package for business and the

  179
  single European market information campaign, began in 1988. The enterprise initiative's assisted consultancy scheme will continue until March 1994. The single market campaign was launched as a five-year programme to alert British business to the challenges and opportunities that the single market is bringing.

  British Standards Institution
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Government responded to the call in last year's European Commission Green Paper on standardisation for national Governments to put more resources into promoting and supporting standardisation at national level.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: The Government continue to provide substantial funding to the British Standards Institution and, in the single market campaign, emphasise the importance of industry contributing to European standards work through BSI.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the amount of funding given by his Department to the British Standards Institution in each of the years from 1979 to 1990, and what is the amount planned to be given in 1991 and 1992.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: Expenditure on the grant in aid to the BSI together with the consultancy drafting scheme, the priority standards fund, additional targeted funding and the assisted international travel scheme has been:

  £000

  1982–83

  3,408

  1983–84

  3,618

  1984–85

  4,051

  1985–86

  4,530

  1986–87

  5,316

  1987–88

  5,509

  1988–89

  5,889

  1989–90

  5,898

  1990–91

  6,223

  1991–92

  16,807

  1 Estimates provision

  No decisions on funding for 1992–93 have yet been taken. I regret that comparable earlier figures are not readily available.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Banks
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has now received about the treatment of small businesses by the banks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I have now completed my discussions with the chairmen of the major clearing banks and considered the information which they have provided on their interest rates and charges to small businesses.

  Over recent months the Government have received complaints from small businesses about the way in which banks were handling their business, in particular suggestions that the banks were not passing on to their customers the full cut in base rates seen since October
  180
  1990. A strong banking system is of considerable importance to the economy, but the way in which small businesses are financed, and the terms on which they deal with the banks, are equally important. Small firms have provided much of the dynamism and renewed entrepreneurial spirit which have done so much to improve the United Kingdom economy over the past decade. The success of small firms is essential to the success of the economy. Suggestions that they are getting a bad deal from the banks therefore required serious and urgent investigation.

  I, therefore, saw the president of the British Bankers Association on 5 June and the chairmen of National Westminster, Lloyds, Barclays and the Midland over the following week. I expressed the Government's concern about the complaints we had received and asked the chairmen to co-operate in the joint exercise by the Bank of England and Treasury officials to establish the facts.

  The banks have now supplied the information requested and this has been analysed and considered by the Bank of England and the Treasury. A summary is being placed in the House Library. The deputy governor and I subsequently met the major clearing banks again to discuss the position.

  I have also received a large number of letters from small businesses, as has the Prime Minister, the Bank of England, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Employment. Well over 1,000 letters of complaint have been received and analysed. The Department of Trade and Industry regional directors have held discussions with banks and businesses and the Department of Employment has had continuing discussions with banks and small businesses over recent months.

  The information we received suggests that the bulk of small firms' overdrafts and loans were base rate related. The great majority—some 95 per cent.—of small business borrowers saw at least 3 per cent. of the 3½ per cent. cut in base rates made between October of last year and the date on which the information was supplied. In about 70 per cent. of cases, the full 3½ per cent. was passed through to borrowers. From the point of view of monetary policy, there is no reason to doubt that the reductions in interest rates are feeding through and will have their effect.

  About 25 per cent. of borrowers, however, experienced an increase in their margins of about ½ per cent. and a small minority—some 5 per cent.—saw their margins widen by more than that. In general, this is either because they had to negotiate new facilities; because they were moved on to a new basis of setting rates as part of a central initiative; because they had gone over their authorised borrowing limits and faced the high "penal" rates—30 per cent. APR or more—common to all banks on the excess amounts; or because the banks judged that an increase was necessary on credit risk grounds. To the extent that this reflects the current stage in the business cycle, that should be reversed as the recovery takes hold.

  Any increase in costs to a business man is unwelcome. From the correspondence we have received, it is also clear that in a number of cases increases in margins have been notified to customers at short notice and sometimes retrospectively. Moreover, it is also clear that banks have been imposing higher charges and more frequently for services than before. Some banks have increased their revenue significantly from the provision of other services, particularly management, arrangements and renewal fees.

  181
  The increases reported by individual banks range from 16 per cent. to 55 per cent. over the last six to 12 months, albeit from a low base. In some cases, new or significantly increased charges have been made without prior notice. Such practices are clearly inconsistent with the head office policies which the chairman described to me.

  I have sent the chairmen an analysis of the complaints we have received about their bank so they can follow them up. I have asked each of the chairmen to give me a report on how these complaints have been dealt with. I have also spoken to the chairmen generally about the main sources of complaint. I have put it to them that they should each consider drawing up a code of conduct for their small business customers and that at the least customers have a right to expect that the terms and conditions iof their accounts should be fair and reasonable, taking account of the customer's individual circumstances; they should have been notified to the customer in advance in writing in clear and simple terms; they should be given a full written statement of the standard tariffs of charges applicable to their account; they will be specifially warned in advance if charges which are not covered by the standard tariff are likely to be made, such as fees for management time; they should be given a clear explanation of the basis on which interest is to be charged, whether it is base rate related and what the margin over base rate will be; the terms and conditions of the account other than the interest rate, should not be altered without adequate prior notice in writing perhaps of one month, offering an opportunity to discuss with branch staff; finally, customers should be given a clear explanation of how complaints may be made about decisions taken at local branch.

  The chairmen have assured me that these points are generally reflected in their existing policy, but they will instruct their branch managers to ensure that they are followed in all cases. They will each consider what further code of best practice each of them should promulgate within their banks, and they have undertaken to report to me what action they have taken. I will take stock with them in six months' time of their progress in implementing these codes of good practice.

  Some of the complaints we have received are serious and reflect an unprecedented degree of public concern about the conduct and attitude of the banks. The bank chairmen are well seized of the Government's concern about this issue and have undertaken to make sure that their managers are fully aware of the need to handle small business customers with due care and sensitivity. The Government will continue to monitor the situation and I have made it clear to the chairmen that we would view with serious concern any evidence of high-handed or unprofessional behaviour.

  It is also, however, important that small businesses communicate fully with their banks, and both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Employment will continue to assist in fostering such a dialogue.

  Finally, although the information we received showed no evidence of collusion, I am passing it to the Director General of Fair Trading in case there is anything in it which he considers merits investigation.

  Civil Servants (Pay Levels)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration his Department has given to the findings of the Office of Manpower Economics in respect of the relative pay levels of civil servants in comparison with private sector equivalents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The long-term pay agreements covering different civil service groups provide for pay negotiations to be informed at least once every four years by a survey of outside remuneration levels undertaken by the Office of Manpower Economics. The information in each levels survey is one of the factors which is taken into account during the subsequent negotiations.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to accept requests for arbitration from the National Union of Civil and Public Servants in respect of its 1991 pay claim; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The 1991 pay offer has been accepted by the NUCPS after a ballot of their membership produced a substantial vote in favour. In these circumstances, arbitration would clearly be inappropriate.

  Pensions
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which sections of the public service have had trusts or pension or charitable funds established as a result of the underpayment of pensions in 1987–88; what are the amounts of capital vested in these trusts, pensions or charitable funds; and what are the estimated costs of establishing such trusts and administering them.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the then Paymaster General to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 3 May 1988, at column 400, in which he gave details of the existing public service charities to which donations were being made as a result of the underestimation in the retail prices index. The Paymaster General also said that, as there was no national charity on a scale desirable for the national health service, the Government would consult staff and management interests on the possibility of establishing one.

  The NHS Pensioners' Trust came into operation on 1 April 1991, and it was given £1,311,000. It was the only trust, pension or charitable fund set up for the public services as a result of the retail prices index error. The estimated cost of establishing the trust is of the order of £35,000. The cost of administering the trust is a matter for the trustees.

  Public Expenditure, Scotland
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current level of public expenditure in Scotland expressed as an amount per capita.

  Mr. Mellor
  Data on identifiable general Government expenditure per capita in Scotland in 1989–90, the latest year for which data are available, is given in table E5b of appendix E of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1990 Autumn Statement", Cm. 1520.

  Coinage
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to phase out the 1p piece.

  Mr. Maples
  No. However, as already announced, from September 1992 1p and 2p coins will be issued in copper-plated steel instead of traditional bronze. The new coins will have the same weight and diameter as the existing versions. The new and old coins will circulate together.

  Entitlements for 1991–92 cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Class

  Vote

  Department

  Description

  Amount (£000s)

  II

  1

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Overseas representation.

  5,674

  II

  3

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  External broadcasting and monitoring.

  1,181

  III

  2

  Intervention Board-Executive Agency

  Administration.

  306

  III

  4

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Other agricultural and food services and support for the fishing industry.

  2,000

  III

  5

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Departmental research, advisory services and administration.

  793

  IV

  2

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Support for industry, international trade, statutory and regulatory work, consumer protection and administration.

  4,346

  IV

  9

  Office of Telecommunications

  Office of Telecommunications.

  341

  VI

  1

  Department of Employment

  Training and enterprise programmes.

  2,000

  VII

  2

  Department of Transport

  Administration and transport services.

  735

  VII

  4

  Department of Transport

  Driver and vehicle licensing.

  74

  VIII

  5

  Department of the Environment

  Central environmental services, etc.

  903

  VIII

  6

  Department of the Environment

  Royal palaces, royal parks, historic buildings, ancient monuments and the national heritage.

  1,048

  VIII

  7

  Property Holdings1

  Civil accommodation services and administration, etc.

  1

  VIII

  12

  Ordnance Survey

  Ordnance Survey.

  1,348

  IX

  2

  Home Office

  Prisons, England and Wales.

  3,949

  IX

  3

  Home Office

  Administration, immigration and police support services, England and Wales.

  2,000

  X

  11

  HM Land Registry2

  HM Land Registry.

  1

  X

  12

  Public Record Office

  Public Record Office.

  880

  X

  13

  Crown Office

  Administration.

  447

  XI

  1

  Department of Education and Science

  Schools, research and miscellaneous services.

  6,085

  XI

  2

  Department of Education and Science

  Higher and further education.

  2,688

  XI

  4

  Department of Education and Science

  Administration.

  2,000

  XII

  3

  Office of Arts and Libraries

  Libraries.

  221

  XIII

  1

  Department of Health

  Hospital and community health services, family practitioner services (part) and other services, England.

  31,480

  XIV

  4

  Department of Social Security

  Administration and miscellaneous services.

  3,718

  Flexibility Schemes
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the entitlements for 1991–92 resulting from the carry forward of capital and running costs underspends allowed under the end-year flexibility schemes.

  Mr. Mellor
  A list of entitlements totalling £162 million for capital expenditure and £26 million for running costs is shown in the table. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, individual cash limits and running costs limits will be increased when entitlement is taken up. The total increase in cash limits resulting from the take-up of end-year flexibility will be charged to the reserve and will therefore not add to the planned total of public expenditure.
  185

  Class

  Vote

  Department

  Description

  Amount (£000s)

  XV

  2

  Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department

  Agricultural services and fisheries for Scotland.

  1,890

  XV

  3

  Scottish Office Industry Department

  Regional and general industrial support, Scotland.

  1,215

  XV

  5

  Scottish Office Environment Department

  Roads, transport and environmental services, Scotland.

  1,017

  XV

  10

  Scottish Courts Administration

  Administration of justice, Scotland.

  1,026

  XV

  13

  Scottish Office Home and Health Department

  Law, order and miscellaneous health services, etc. Scotland.

  1,075

  XV

  14

  Scottish Office Education Department

  Education, arts and libraries Scotland.

  2,000

  XV

  18

  General Register Office

  General Register Office, Scotland.

  802

  XV

  20

  The Scottish Office

  Administration.

  311

  XV

  26

  Scottish Office Home and Health Department

  Family practitioner services (part) and other health services, Scotland.

  10,068

  XVI

  2

  Welsh Office

  Agricultural services, support for the fishing industry, regional and industrial development, Wales.

  1,880

  XVI

  5

  Welsh Office

  Tourism, roads and transport, housing, other environmental services, education and science, arts and libraries and centrally funded health and personal social services, Wales.

  1,075

  XVI

  8

  Welsh Office

  Hospital and community health services, family practitioner services (part) and other health services, Wales.

  5,086

  XVI

  9

  Welsh Office

  Administration

  118

  XVII

  1

  Northern Ireland Office

  Law, order, protective and miscellaneous services, Northern Ireland.

  650

  XVIII

  1

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  Administration.

  2,000

  XVIII

  5

  Customs and Excise

  Administration.

  2,385

  XVIII

  6

  Inland Revenue

  Administration

  159

  XVIII

  9

  Department for National Savings

  Department for National Savings.

  329

  XVIII

  13

  Central Statistical Office

  Central Statistical Office.

  563

  XIX

  1

  Office of the Minister for the Civil Service

  Office of the Minister of the Civil Service.

  397

  XIX

  2

  Cabinet Office

  Other services.

  1,228

  Total voted

  109,493

  1 This is a token vote. Carryforward will be taken in the form of increased appropriations in aid of £8,544,000.

  2 This is a token vote. Carryforward will be taken in the form of increased appropriations in aid of £817,000.

  Non-voted cash limits

  Cash Block

  Department

  Description

  Amount (£000s)

  DOE/HC

  Department of the Environment

  Grants and capital expenditure financed by the Housing Corporation in England.

  950

  DOE/UA

  Department of the Environment

  External financing requirements of urban development corporations in England and grants to local authorities and other bodies under the urban programme, the derelict land reclamation and city grant programmes (including associated LA credit approvals) and other expenditure for inner cities initiatives.

  8,781

  DOE/LACAP

  Department of the Environment

  Basic credit approvals for housing, transport (except passenger transport authorities), education, health, other environmental services in England and Shire fire. Supplementary credit approvals and grants to local authorities for housing in England.

  18,844

  DOE/OES

  Department of the Environment

  Supplementary credit approvals for other environmental services in England.

  3,041

  186

  187

  Cash Block

  Department

  Description

  Amount(£000s)

  DTP/LACAP

  Department of Transport

  Supplementary credit approvals for transport in England. Basic credit approvals for passenger transport authorities.

  91

  MAFF/LACAP

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Supplementary credit approvals for flood defence and coast protection in England.

  776

  SO/LA1

  Scottish Office

  Capital expenditure in Scotland by authorities on roads and transport, sewerage, general services, urban programmes, police and social work, schools further education, teacher training and arts and libraries.

  8,900

  SO/LA2

  Scottish Office

  Capital expenditure in Scotland by local authorities for housing and capital expenditure by new towns in Scotland for housing and other environmental services.

  561

  WO/UA

  Welsh Office

  Supplementary credit approvals and grants (both capital and current) to local authorities in Wales in respect of the urban programme and urban development grant. Urban investment grant and expenditure by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation.

  3,183

  NID1

  Northern Ireland Departments

  Services broadly analagous to services covered by cash limits including family practitioner services.

  7,053

  Total non voted

  52,180

  Total capital end year flexibility (voted and non-voted)

  161,673

  Entitlements for 1991–92 running costs limits resulting from the carryforward of running costs underspends

  Department

  Amount (£000s)

  Intervention Board-Executive Agency

  117

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  1,460

  Trade and Industry

  1,504

  Department of Energy

  180

  Department of Employment Group

  4,705

  Property Holdings

  179

  Home Office

  2,589

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  1,419

  Department of Education and Science

  404

  Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys

  263

  Scottish Office

  984

  Scottish Courts Administration

  160

  Scottish Record Office

  50

  General Register Office, Scotland

  50

  Welsh Office

  186

  Northern Ireland Office; Northern Ireland Departments

  1,356

  HM Treasury

  426

  Customs and Excise

  2,886

  Inland Revenue

  6,638

  Department for National Savings

  582

  Central Statistical Office

  134

  Government Actuary's Department

  50

  Total

  26,322

  Intestacy
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was collected as ultimus haeres from Scotland and as bona vacantia from England and Wales for each year since 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 16 July 1991]: The amounts collected as ultimus haeres from Scotland were £400,000 in 1988 and £300,000 in 1989. The amounts collected as bona vacantia from England, Wales and
  188
  Northern Ireland, excluding the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, were £5,100,000 in 1988 and £5,100,000 in 1989. These figures are net of ex-gratia payments to kin, debts paid on estates, and administration and other costs. The accounts for 1990 will be laid before the House in the autumn.

  BCCI
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that all EC authorities regulating banks with branches in the United Kingdom provide a satisfactory degree of supervision; and what conclusions he has reached.

  Mr. Maples
  The harmonisation of supervisory standards within the EC is an area of considerable activity at Community level, in preparation for implementation of the second banking directive in 1993. The essential common standards have already been adopted in the solvency ratio directive and the own funds directive, and directives to harmonise further other aspects of the supervisory system are under negotiation at present. We shall be considering whether the BCCI case has any further lessons for the framework of regulation both at home and abroad.

EMPLOYMENT

  Enterprise Allowance
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the period of enterprise allowance in(a) January 1991 and (b) at present; how much has been spent each month this year for publicising the enterprise allowance scheme for starting up new businesses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  In January 1991, the enterprise allowance scheme provided up to 52 weeks on an allowance for all
  189
  those accepted on to the scheme. Since April 1991, entrants may stay on the scheme for between 26 weeks and 66 weeks, the actual period being determined by the local training and enterprise council according to local priorities. Where no training and enterprise council is yet in operation, the period of provision remains up to 52 weeks.

  National expenditure on publicity is shown in the table. This relates to the provision of the leaflets and support materials and does not include any local publicity which may have been undertaken by training and enterprise councils. Demand for the scheme remains strong with around 1,000 new entrants a week at present.

  Enterprise allowance scheme: expenditure on publicity in 1991

  £

  January

  17,947

  February

  1,230

  March

  27,007

  April

  nil

  May

  2,053

  June

  1,524

  July

  2,290

HEALTH

  HIV
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many persons in the United Kingdom are currently estimated to have AIDS or are HIV positive; and how many of these people have been notified and are known by name.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The AIDS case reports for the United Kingdom to the end of May 1991 total 4,666—4,412 males and 254 females—of which 2,695—2,568 males and 127 females—are known to have died. Adjusting for an estimated under-reporting rate of 20 per cent. would give a current estimate of 2,500 AIDS patients in the United Kingdom at the end of May 1991. These were all individuals tested in named testing programmes who would have been informed of their results.

  The HIV antibody positive reports received at the PHLS communicable disease surveillance centre numbered 15,337 for the United Kingdom at the end of March 1991. However, this represents an underestimate of the total number of infected persons because it is based only on those who have presented for testing. These people also would have been informed of their results.

  Names are not collected centrally.

  In addition we have available the results of the first phase of the anonymised HIV surveys.

  These indicate that among women attending, certain ante-natal clinics in inner London the rate of HIV prevalence is one in 500. These figures show a fivefold range from about one in 200 to more than one in 1,000. In the small number of clinics surveyed in outer London there was a wider range from about one in 300 to one in 2,500, but half these clinics had no positive results. In other parts of the country only one of 16,000 tests performed was positive.

  Among heterosexual women attending certain sexually transmitted diseases—STD—clinics in inner London prevalence is one in 500. It is, however, one in 100 for
  190
  heterosexual men. Among homosexual and bisexual men attending the same clinics the current prevalence rate is one in five.

  These preliminary results provide valuable information, but because they are based on studies of specific groups of people in selected areas they do not enable us to estimate the number of people in the general population that are HIV positive.

  More information about prevalence will become available as further results are published.

  Tranquillisers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the question of manufacturers' negligence in relation to tranquillisers.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of people who have been permanently disabled as a result of taking tranquillisers.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion the population of Wales represents as a percentage of the population of England on the most recent available information.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Resident populations for England and Wales relating to mid-1990 have now been estimated, and will be published shortly in "OPCS Monitor PP1 91/1". The figures are:—

  Million

  England

  47·837

  Wales

  2·881

  The estimated resident population of Wales is therefore 6 per cent. of that of England.

  Hospital Chaplains
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consult the Joint Committee for Hospital Chaplaincy on a revision of the guidelines for the appointment of chaplains within the national health service, to ensure that appropriate representation for all relevant faith communities is taken into consideration by regional and district health authorities.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The decision whether to appoint a chaplain is a matter for local decision. There is no bar on access to patients by representatives of non-Christian faiths.

  Infant and Maternal Deaths
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the number of infant and maternal deaths in England and Wales since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information is shown in the table.
  191

  Number of Infant and Maternal deaths in England and Wales 1979 to 1990

  Infant deaths

  Maternal deaths

  1979

  8,178

  74

  1980

  7,899

  70

  1981

  7,021

  57

  1982

  6,775

  42

  1983

  6,381

  54

  1984

  6,037

  52

  1985

  6,141

  46

  1986

  6,313

  45

  1987

  6,272

  46

  1988

  6,270

  41

  1989

  5,808

  56

  11990

  5,564

  57

  1 1990 figures are provisional.

  Carers National Association
  Dr. Gilbert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Carers National Association to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under the procedures agreed by the Services Committee, I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 2 to 6 December 1991.

  Energy Efficient Lighting
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage local health authorities to introduce energy-efficient lighting to cut costs and save energy; and whether he will assist them with such schemes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The national health service is committed to the objective of achieving a 15 per cent. saving in energy consumption over the five years from 1 April 1991. This programme, to which energy-efficient lighting will make a contribution, will release over £30 million for improved patient care within the NHS.

  Private Health Care
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those hospitals which comprise the European Private Patients Group.

  Mr. Dorrell
  About 30 national health service hospitals are involved in the European Private Patient Group which is carrying out a feasibility study on the sale of NHS private patient facilities to other European countries. The results of the study, and those hospitals involved, will be announced by the group in the autumn.

  Garlands Hospital, Carlisle
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients or ex-patients of the Garlands hospital, Carlisle, have fallen or jumped from the footbridge that crosses the M6 motorway from the hospital to Scotby village in the last 10 years; and how many were fatally injured.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Ian Carr, the chairman of East Cumbria health authority, for details.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the anticipated cost of running the new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; what are the anticipated revenues from sale of licences for each category of activity; and if he would make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the first full year, 1992–93, the running costs of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are estimated at £1·7 million. Fees have been set at a level which is intended overall to recoup from treatment and research centres about 50 per cent. of the costs of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The other 50 per cent. is contributed from public funds. The decision to increase the contribution from public funds from one third, as envisaged during the passage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, to one half was made following an analysis of the costs once the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority was set up. The proportions reflect the approximate costs attributable to the licensing process, to be recouped from treatment and research centres, and to the wider safeguards and requirements of the Act as laid down by Parliament, to be paid for from public funds.

  The initial fee which must accompany an application for a licence to carry out treatment or research has been set as follows:

  £

  Treatment Licence (including storage)

  250

  Research Licence (including storage)

  100

  Treatment centres will be charged an additional fee calculated on the basis of the number of treatment cycles performed by the centre in the year preceding the issue of a licence. The rate is £7 per donor insemination treatment cycle and £30 per in vitro fertilisation treatment cycle.

  Community Health Councils
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy towards the retention of the existing community health councils when new health authorities are being established.

  Mr. Dorrell
  When two or more existing district health authorities are being merged, there will in future be no automatic expectation that the matching community health councils—CHCs—should also merge. It will be for regional health authorities to ensure after consultation, that CHCs are organised in a way that allows them to carry out their duties economically and effectively.

  Abortion
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of women who have had more than one abortion in the United Kingdom; and if he will list the figures (i) for each of the last five years, (ii) under each ground and (iii) by number of abortions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 June 1991]: The tables provide the data requested for Great Britain. There are no available data for Northern Ireland.
  193

  The total number of women who have had more than one legal termination in Great Britain, for: (1) each of the last five years; (2) each ground.

  Year

  Total number of women who have had more than one termination in Great Britain

  Statutory grounds under which the current termination was performed, by number of women

  1 (with any other)

  2 (alone)

  3 (with or without 2)

  4 (alone)

  4 (with any other except 1, excluding 4 alone)

  5 or 6

  1986

  32,539

  87

  28,448

  3,671

  194

  139

  —

  1987

  34,591

  76

  29,976

  4,212

  194

  132

  1

  1988

  37,939

  99

  33,187

  4,360

  196

  97

  —

  1989

  40,650

  70

  35,469

  4,804

  210

  97

  —

  1990

  43,048

  94

  38,085

  4,563

  234

  70

  2

  1. Risk to life of woman.

  2. Risk of injury to physical or mental health of woman.

  3. Risk of injury to physical or mental health of existing child(ren).

  4. Substantial risk of child being born seriously handicapped.

  5. In emergency, to save life of woman.

  6. In emergency, to prevent grave permanent injury to physical or mental health of woman.

  The full definition of statutory grounds appears in the introduction to the OPCS annual publication 'Abortion statistics'.

  The total number of women who have had more than one legal termination in Great Britain, for: (1) each of the last five years: and (2) by the number of previous terminations.

  Year

  Total number of women who have had more than one termination in Great Britain

  Number of women who have had a termination in the current year, by the number of previous terminations

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  Not known

  1986

  32,539

  27,927

  3,732

  655

  161

  27

  22

  8

  4

  3

  —

  1987

  34,591

  29,542

  4,092

  740

  159

  37

  14

  3

  2

  2

  —

  1988

  37,939

  32,424

  4,463

  794

  184

  48

  14

  8

  2

  2

  —

  1989

  40,650

  34,444

  4,935

  975

  206

  53

  24

  9

  1

  3

  —

  1990

  43,048

  36,243

  5,446

  1,001

  228

  75

  34

  9

  3

  8

  1

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Resettlement Unit, Notting Hill Gate
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated cost of repairs to drains and sewers at the Notting Hill Gate resettlement unit before its closure; and what was the charge made by Dyno-Rod for solving the problem.

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

  Student Benefits
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations have been made to him by the National Union of Students about the recent changes in his Department's rules concerning benefits for students; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We received a letter and submission in October 1989 and a further letter, together with a copy of the National Union of Students' response to the Social Security Advisory Committee's consultation on the new regulations, in June 1990.

  Income Support
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to provide an increase above the rate of inflation in income support for people in residential care throughout the United Kingdom when income support is next uprated; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In setting the income support limits we have to make decisions within the context of the Government's public expenditure objectives, which embrace not only spending on people in independent homes but on the rest of the social security system, the NHS, and other public services. It is our policy to direct available resources to where the need is greatest and where such targeting will prove most effective.

  Rates of income support in Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The same considerations do, of course, apply there as well as in the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Income-related Benefits
  Mr. Lee
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information is available on the take-up of income-related benefits in the year before the 1988 reforms.
  195
  Mr. Jack
  Take-up estimates for 1987 confirm previous results and indicate that, overall, almost £9 out of every £10 of income-related benefit was claimed, and some 80 per cent. of those eligible to receive some income-related benefit made a claim. These figures are derived from "Technical Notes" covering take-up estimates for the income-related benefits for 1987, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Tax-Benefit Model Tables
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to publish tax-benefit model tables for 1991–92.

  Mr. Jack
  Copies are being printed and should become available within the next few days. I will ensure that they are placed in the Library as soon as they are ready.

  Young People (Benefit Claims)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he plans to make any changes in the arrangements for dealing with benefit claims from 16 and 17-year-olds.

  Mr. Jack
  I announced measures yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), which will further improve delivery of income support under the severe hardship provision to 16 and 17-year-olds. These will improve further the service provided to young people by Benefits Agency offices. I also stated the Government's intention to improve the handling of young people leaving care. We will legislate for 16 and 17-year-olds leaving care who live independently and continue in full-time education to receive income support without having to prove that they are estranged from their parents. We further intend to give those leaving care to live independently, who are registered for work and youth training, entitlement to income support for up to eight weeks. This initiative in conjunction with the earlier referral under the liaison arrangements, which we also announced yesterday, will give valuable assistance to this vulnerable group in establishing themselves in their new environment.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to publish his annual report on the social fund; and when he will publish the social fund commissioner's annual report.

  Mr. Newton
  My report (Cm. 1580) has been published today and I have laid it before Parliament. The social fund commissioner's annual report has also been published today and copies placed in the Library.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Accommodation
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Lord President of the Council for how many hon. Members and how many personal staff of hon. Members it is now planned to provide accommodation in the first stage of the new parliamentary building; what change these numbers 196
  represent from those previously envisaged; how this accommodation will be allocated; and when hon. Members and their staff will be able to move in.

  Mr. MacGregor
  1 Parliament street will contain single rooms for 65 Members, together with desk spaces for 75 Members' staff. Further accommodation will become available in the Palace of Westminster, in consequence of staff moving into the new building and of the renovation of rooms in Speaker's Court. 1 Parliament street will be available for occupation in September 1991; the Speaker's Court renovations should be completed in January or February 1992. By early 1992, it is estimated that there will have been net gains across the parliamentary estate of 95 Members' offices and 99 desk spaces for Members' staff. The Services Committee report setting out the original design brief for 1 Parliament street suggested that space was likely to be available within that building for about 60 Members and 100 Members' secretaries. The report continued:"These numbers are indicative only. We believe the balance proposed represents the pattern of Members' work as it exists at present, but changes are sure to come about and we do not regard the relative figures mentioned here as in any way sacrosanct."
  —Select Committee on House of Commons (Services), Third Report of Session 1983–84, The New Building: The Design Brief (HC 571), paragraph 22.

  On the question of the allocation of offices, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Sir D. Steel) on 9 July 1991 at column 341.

SCOTLAND

  Agency Status and Privatisation
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those public bodies and utilities that he is considering for either agency status or privatisation.

  Mr. Lang
  I announced that the agricultural scientific services were candidates for agency status on 16 April. Further candidates for agency status or privatisation will be brought forward when the case for any such change has been fully considered.

  Roads
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to improve roads in crofting areas.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Most roads in crofting areas are local roads and are the responsibility of the regional and islands councils, which are the local roads authorities. The improvement of such roads, therefore, is a matter for the councils concerned. Recent major improvements to the trunk road network have greatly benefited the crofting areas by providing improved access.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent in Scotland since 1979 on road building and improvements.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Since 1979 to the end of the financial year 1990–91 a total of £2,430 million has been spent on new road construction and improvements in Scotland; £1,060 million on motorways and trunk roads and £1,370 million on local roads.

  Earnings
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the improvement in average earnings in Scotland over the past decade.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Average real earnings in Scotland increased by over a fifth in the 10 years to April 1990.

  Companies Acts
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) prosecutions have been instituted and (b) convictions obtained in respect of breaches of the Companies Acts in Scotland in each year since 1987 and in the present year to date.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not separately identifiable within the Scottish Office classification of crimes and offences.

  Poll Tax (Civil Penalties)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on poll tax civil penalties.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has recently received a small number of representations about the imposition of civil penalties by community charges registration officers for the failure to return community charge registration forms.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on electoral registration trends in Scotland in the light of the OPCS analysis on pages 1 to 3 of "Population Trends 64".

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table of total electoral registrations in Scotland, produced on page 2 of "Population Trends 64", shows that there were 151,000 more registrations in 1991 than on the 1976 electoral register, although there has been a slight fall since 1987. As the analysis indicates, there are a number of reasons for these changes and it is not possible to evaluate their impact separately.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has of the amount of poll tax that has been collected in the year 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  According to information provided by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, a total of £43 million had been collected by the end of May. This low figure is not surprising given that some authorities, including Strathclyde, did not issue revised 1991–92 charge bills until last month.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now remove people on income support and students from liability to pay the poll tax.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  My right hon. Friend is keeping all aspects of the community charge under review, but has no plans for changing the arrangements affecting the liability of people on income support to pay the charge.
  198
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table, otherwise comparable to that provided for England in the answer of 17 April,Official Report, columns 184–85, to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) showing (a) reductions in 1991–92 in community charge in Scotland by successive increments of £10 from £0 to £140 for (i) charge payers and (ii) pensioners and (b) average community charge less community charge reduction scheme less community charge benefit, both before and after the £140 budget reduction in gross community charge, consistent with his written answer of 3 June, Official Report, columns 19–20.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: It is estimated that in 1991–92 the average community charge in Scotland, after the community charge reduction scheme and community charge benefit, would have been £320 before the Community Charges (General Reduction) Act and will in the event be £198. These figures make no allowance for reductions due to selective action. Beyond this I am unable to add to the reply I gave on 4 June.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of Scottish local authorities to discuss local government finance.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  I refer to my right hon. Friend's reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing).

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis Scottish local authorities are being funded to compensate them for the reductions in poll tax charges announced by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Community charge grant is being paid to local authorities to compensate them for the £140 reduction in headline community charges for this year.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the shortfall in local authority receipts of poll tax income for the first two years of the operation of the tax in Scotland.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Based on the latest collection figures issued by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and using local authorities' own payment assumptions, the shortfall in budgeted charge income is £80 million—8·8 per cent.—in 1989–90 and £220 million—21·9 per cent.—in 1990–91. An improvement in these figures, particularly for 1990–91, can be expected as collection procedures continue.

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to discuss with Scottish Enterprise its strategy for tackling the current recession in the Scottish economy.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  My right hon. Friend and I have frequent opportunities to discuss with the chairman, and members of the board, of Scottish Enterprise a range of topics concerned with further improving Scotland's economic performance.

  Lothian Regional Council
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the revenue support grant of Lothian regional council.
  199
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Lothian regional council's revenue support grant for 1992–93 will be determined entirely according to the principles of grant allocation jointly agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities through the distribution committee of the working party on local government finance. These principles are reviewed each year, incorporating, where appropriate, changes in service delivery nationally and improved information sources, to achieve the fairest possible distribution of the available Government support. Claims that the Government treat Lothian unfairly in terms of grant distribution are accordingly absolute nonsense.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the outcome of his intervention to reduce the budget of Lothian regional council.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  My right hon. Friend withdrew his proposal to reduce Lothian's 1991–92 personal community charge by £50 after the council agreed to a voluntary reduction of £37.

  Strathclyde (Finance)
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next meet representatives of Strathclyde regional council to discuss its present financial situation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  I refer to my reply earlier today to the hon. Members for Glasgow, Springburn (Mr. Martin) and Glasgow, Rutherglen (Mr. McAvoy).

  Mar Lodge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further representations he has had for the purchase of Mar Lodge for the nation.

  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.

  New Towns Development Corporations
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the proposed dissolution of the Scottish new towns development corporations.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Dissolution of the Scottish new town development corporations will take place in the order in which they were established—East Kilbride and Glenrothes first, then Cumbernauld, Livingston and Irvine.

  I anticipate that the necessary consultation process will start in the autumn of this year with a view to the first two wind-up orders being made in December.

  My intention is to base these consultations on a proposed period for wind-up of four years for East Kilbride and Glenrothes rather than the period of three years orginally suggested in the White Paper "The Scottish New Towns: The Way Ahead".

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received from Scottish fishermen about the activities of the Northumberland drift net fishery.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Since 1 January 1991 my right hon. Friend has received representations from the migratory fish committee of the Scottish Anglers National Association, the Atlantic Salmon Trust, the Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards and from one individual angler. These and other representations are being considered by Fisheries Ministers along with the scientific information collated for the purposes of the review which my right hon. Friends are required to carry out by section 39 of the Salmon Act 1986, on salmon net fishing from the Humber to the Ugie. A report will be presented to Parliament as soon as possible.

  Housing
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Scottish Homes.

  Mr. Lang
  I met the board of Scottish Homes on 1 July to discuss a range of strategic issues.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the most recent report he has received on the state of dampness in Scottish public sector housing and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The most recent information available is based on local authority returns to the Scottish Office Environment Department which indicate that 145,260 local authority houses were subject to dampness or both condensation and dampness as at 31 March 1990. The Government have made available housing revenue account—HRA—housing capital allocations in 1991–92 totalling £454·5 million. It is for local authorities to decide how to use these resources for investment in their own housing stock according to local priorities.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects Scottish drinking water supplies to conform with EC directives; and how much expenditure his Department is committing in the current financial year towards achieving that objective.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The quality requirements of the EC drinking water directive have been incorporated into The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990. Water authorities have undertaken to ensure that, within the next five years, in excess of 90 per cent. of supply zones will be receiving water which satisfies the regulations. Beyond this, improvements will continue, particularly in respect of iron through an extensive programme of replacement of old mains.

  Improvements to drinking water supplies form part of the authorities' water and sewerage capital expenditure programmes and for the current financial year Scottish programme provision has been set at more than £169 million. Authorities may fund additional capital expenditure from revenue.

  Heart Surgery
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many heart operations have been carried out privately in NHS hospitals in Scotland in the last 10 years; what is the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Statistics on heart operations carried out privately in NHS hospitals are not held centrally. Since central funding for major cardiac surgery began in 1983, the number of operations performed in Scotland has increased from 1,970 to 2,705 by December 1990.

  "Meeting Scotland's Needs"
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of all the alterations made to Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprises'

  Designated Sites

  Site

  County

  SPA Ramsar

  Date designated

  Loch An Duin

  Western Isles

  Ramsar

  25 April 1990

  Loch Druidibeg/a 'Machair and Loch Stilligary

  Western Isles

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Loch Druidibeg/a'Machair

  Western Isles

  SPA

  31 August 1982

  Handa

  Highland

  SPA

  25 April 1990

  Priest Island

  Highland

  SPA

  1 October 1986

  Rhum

  Highland

  SPA

  31 August 1982

  Claish Moss

  Highland

  Ramsar

  24 July 1981

  Loch Eye

  Highland

  SPA/Ramsar

  1 October 1986

  Cairngorm Lochs

  Grampian

  Ramsar

  24 July 1981

  Highland

  Loch of Skene

  Grampian

  SPA/Ramsar

  1 October 1986

  Abernethy Forest

  Highland

  SPA

  25 April 1990

  Loch Lomond

  Strathclyde

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Gruinart Flats, Islay

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  14 July 1988

  Bridgend Flats, Islay

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  14 July 1988

  Laggan Peninsula, Islay

  Strathclyde

  SPA

  14 July 1988

  Eilean na Muice Duibhe, Islay

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  14 July 1988

  Glac na Criche, Islay

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  25 April 1990

  Feur Lochain, Islay

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  25 April 1990

  Ailsa Craig

  Strathclyde

  SPA

  25 April 1990

  Silver Flowe

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Ramsar

  24 July 1981

  Rannoch Moor

  Tayside

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Highland

  Loch of Lintrathen

  Tayside

  Ramsar

  24 July 1981

  Loch Leven

  Tayside

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Forth Islands

  Lothian Fife

  SPA

  25 April 1990

  Gladhouse Reservoir

  Lothian

  SPA/Ramsar

  14 July 1988

  Fala Flow

  Lothian

  SPA/Ramsar

  25 April 1990

  Hoselaw Loch

  Borders

  SPA/Ramsar

  14 July 1988

  Potential Sites

  Site

  County

  SPA/Ramsar

  North Rona and Sula Sgeir

  Western Isles

  SPA

  Flannan Isles

  Western Isles

  SPA

  St. Kilda

  Western Isles

  SPA

  Shiant Isles

  Western Isles

  SPA

  West Sound of Harris

  Western Isles

  SPA/Ramsar

  Monach Islands

  Western Isles

  SPA

  South Uist Machair and Lochs

  Western Isles

  SPA/Ramsar

  West Sound of Barra

  Western Isles

  SPA/Ramsar

  Mingulay and Berneray

  Western Isles

  SPA

  Pentland Firth Island

  Highland

  SPA

  Orkney

  The Peatlands

  Highland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Caithness Lochs

  Highland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Caithness Cliffs

  Highland

  SPA

  Durness Lochs and Streams

  Highland

  Ramsar

  Cape Wrath

  Highland

  SPA

  Loch Morar

  Highland

  Ramsar

  Kentra Moss

  Highland

  Ramsar

  Balranald

  Western Isles

  SPA/Ramsar

  202
  respective budgets since the publication of "Meeting Scotland's Needs", and any directions given about the spending of those additional moneys.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 8 July, at columns 271–72.

  Special Protection Areas
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those sites so far designated or identified for designation in Scotland as special protection areas under EC directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds or wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  203

  Site

  County

  SPA/Ramsar

  Baleshare and Kirkibost

  Western Isles

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch Scadavay

  Western Isles

  SPA

  Inverpolly, Loch Urigill and Nearby Lochs

  Highland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch Maree

  Highland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch Ruthven and Nearby Lochs

  Highland

  SPA

  Central Highland Hills and Glens

  Highland

  SPA

  Lewis Peatlands

  Western Isles

  SPA/Ramsar

  North Harris Mountains

  Western Isles

  SPA

  Assynt Lochs

  Highland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch Stack, Loch Nam Brae and Nearby Lochs

  Highland

  SPA

  Loch Shin and Nearby Lochs

  Highland

  SPA

  Moray Basin Firths and Bays

  Grampian

  SPA/Ramsar

  Highland

  Beinn Dearg

  Highland

  SPA

  Ben Wyvis

  Highland

  SPA

  Glengarry Lochs

  Highland

  SPA

  Loch Tarf and Nearby Lochs

  Highland

  SPA

  North Inverness Lochs

  Highland

  SPA

  Hermaness and Saxa Vord, Unst

  Shetland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Ramna Stacks and Gruney

  Shetland

  SPA

  Fetlar

  Shetland

  SPA

  North Roe and Tingon, Mainland Shetland

  Shetland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Papa Stour

  Shetland

  SPA

  Foula

  Shetland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Noss

  Shetland

  SPA

  Fair Isle

  Shetland

  SPA

  West Westray

  Orkney

  SPA

  Papa Westray (North Hill and Holm)

  Orkney

  SPA

  Marwick Head

  Orkney

  SPA

  Lochs of Harray and Stenness

  Orkney

  SPA/Ramsar

  Hoy

  Orkney

  SPA

  Copinsay

  Orkney

  SPA

  Sule Skerry and Stack

  Orkney

  SPA

  Loch Spynie

  Grampian

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch of Strathbeg

  Grampian

  SPA/Ramsar

  Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Lochs

  Grampian

  SPA/Ramsar

  River Spey—Insh Marshes

  Highland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Cairngorms

  Highland

  SPA

  Grampian

  Fowlsheugh

  Grampian

  SPA

  Lochnagar

  Grampian

  SPA

  Drumochter Hills

  Highland

  SPA

  Tayside

  West Mainland Moors

  Orkney

  SPA

  North Mainland Coast

  Orkney

  SPA/Ramsar

  South Westray Coast

  Orkney

  SPA/Ramsar

  East Sanday

  Orkney

  SPA/Ramsar

  Croussa Field and the Heogs

  Shetland

  SPA

  Mousa

  Shetland

  SPA

  Rousay (part)

  Orkney

  SPA

  North Ronaldsay Coast

  Orkney

  SPA/Ramsar

  Southeastern Stronsay

  Orkney

  SPA/Ramsar

  Eday

  Orkney

  SPA

  Troup, Pennan and Lion Heads

  Grampian

  SPA

  St. Cyrus

  Grampian

  SPA

  Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast

  Grampian

  SPA

  Sumburgh Head

  Shetland

  SPA

  Monadhliath

  Highland

  SPA

  Alvie

  Highland

  SPA

  Ben Alder

  Highland

  SPA

  Kinveachy

  Highland

  SPA

  Creag Meagaidh

  Highland

  SPA

  Lochs of Spiggie and Brow

  Shetland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Mill Dam, Shapinsay

  Orkney

  SPA/Ramsar

  Rosehearty to Fraserburgh Coast

  Grampian

  SPA/Ramsar

  Orphir and Stenness Hills

  Orkney

  SPA

  Keelylang

  Orkney

  SPA

  Loch of Isbister

  Orkney

  SPA

  Blackpark and Gutcher, Yell

  Shetland

  SPA

  Loch Oire

  Grampian

  SPA

  Loch Vaa

  Highland

  SPA

  Glen Tanar

  Grampian

  SPA

  Muir of Dinnet

  Grampian

  SPA/Ramsar

  Moorland Areas, Central Shetland

  Shetland

  SPA

  West Burrafirth, Shetland

  Shetland

  SPA

  Hill of Colvadale and Sobul

  Shetland

  SPA

  An Socach—Cam a Gheoidh

  Grampian Central

  SPA

  204 205

  Site

  County

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch Lomond

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  Central

  Tiree and Coll

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  Treshnish Isles

  Strathclyde

  SPA

  Rhinns of Islay

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  Islay; the Oa

  Strathclyde

  SPA

  Inner Clyde Estuary

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  Rhunahaorine Point

  Strathclyde

  SPA

  Machrihanish and Tangy Loch

  Strathclyde

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch Ken and Dee Marshes

  Dumfries and Galloway

  SPA/Ramsar

  Lochinch and Torrs Warren

  Dumfries and Galloway

  SPA/Ramsar

  Wigtown Bay

  Dumfries and Galloway

  SPA/Ramsar

  North Colonsay and Western Cliffs

  Strathclyde

  SPA

  Sanda

  Strathclyde

  SPA

  Castle Loch Dumfries

  Dumfries and Galloway

  SPA/Ramsar

  Caenlochan

  Tayside Grampian

  SPA

  Montrose Basin

  Tayside

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch of Kinnordy

  Tayside

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch of Lintrathen

  Tayside

  SPA

  Tay-isla Valley

  Tayside

  SPA/Ramsar

  Loch Leven

  Tayside

  SPA

  Firth of Tay

  Tayside

  SPA/Ramsar

  Fife

  Cameron Reservoir

  Fife

  SPA/Ramsar

  Eden Estuary, Tentsmuir Point and Abertay Sands

  Fife

  SPA/Ramsar

  Tayside

  Flanders Moss and Lake of Monteith

  Central

  SPA/Ramsar

  Westwater

  Borders

  SPA/Ramsar

  Moorfoot Hills

  Borders

  Ramsar

  St. Abb's Head to Fast Castle

  Borders

  SPA

  Greenlaw Moor and Hule Moss

  Borders

  SPA/Ramsar

  South Tayside Goose Roosts

  Tayside

  SPA/Ramsar

  Firth of Forth

  Lothian

  SPA/Ramsar

  Fife

  Central

  Upper Solway Flats and Marshes

  Cumbria

  SPA/Ramsar

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Earnings
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has as to how the expected product of poll tax in Scotland and each of the regions in Scotland might be raised through a local income tax with resource equalisation in 1991–92 in the cases of(a) a single person on (i) 100 per cent. and (ii) 66 per cent. average earnings

  Single person 100 per cent. average earnings £

  Single person 66 per cent. average earnings £

  Married man (average earnings) wife (average full-time earnings) £

  Married man (average earnings) wife (average part-time earnings) £

  Borders

  349

  193

  590

  387

  Central

  601

  333

  1,016

  667

  Dumfries and Galloway

  419

  233

  709

  466

  Fife

  605

  335

  1,023

  672

  Grampian

  488

  271

  826

  542

  Highland

  402

  223

  680

  446

  Lothian

  911

  505

  1,540

  1,011

  Strathclyde

  574

  318

  970

  637

  Tayside

  601

  333

  1,017

  668

  Orkney

  10

  5

  16

  11

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Western Isles

  68

  38

  115

  75

  Scotland

  581

  322

  983

  645

  Note: Figures based on average earnings in April 1990 and 1990–91 tax allowances.
  206
  and (b) a married man with average male full-time earnings whose wife earns (1) average female full-time earnings and (2) average female part-time earnings.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The information is set out in the table. The figures are based on average earnings in Scotland in April 1990, and tax allowances for the 1990–91 tax year. The estimated local income tax rates are as given in my answer of 7 May,Official Report, columns 415–16.

  Flood Warnings
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the capital expenditure allocations was used to provide flood-warning systems by each river purification board for each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 16 July 1991]: River purification boards—RPBs—do not each

  Proportion of capital expenditure (per cent.)

  RPB

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Clyde

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  21

  Forth

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  Highland

  26

  0

  11

  15

  45

  66

  North East

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Solway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  58

  Tay

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  70

  Tweed

  4

  32

  41

  0

  34

  0

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Maydown Incinerator
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) which method for disposing of the combustion gases would be used at the incinerator proposed for the Maydown, Londonderry site;

  (2) what gas cleaning system is intended for the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry;

  (3) at what level above the stoichiometric requirements for complete combustion it is intended that air should be supplied at the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry;

  (4) what system of quenching combustion gases is intended for the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry;

  (5) what type of kiln is intended for the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry;

  (6) what system of introducing combustion air into the furnace is intended for the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry;

  (7) what kind of combustion chamber is intended for the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry;

  (8) what waste feed arrangements for reactive and other difficult wastes are intended for the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.

  Mr. Needham
  Such details are not yet available and can be provided only if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submits a planning application and accompanying environmental statement for a toxic waste incinerator at its Maydown site.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the outline information provided by Du Pont UK Ltd. in relation to the possible siting of a toxic waste incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.

  Mr. Needham
  Such details are not available. No planning application has been lodged by Du Pont (UK) Ltd. in relation to the possible siting of a toxic waste incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to ensure that
  208
  receive a block allocation for capital expenditure. Instead, the consent of my right hon. Friend is required to incur any liability to meet capital expense for individual projects. Capital expenditure in itself is not a complete measure of the resources used in establishing flood warning systems. However, details of the proportion of RPB's annual capital expenditure used for flood warning systems since 1985 are set out in the table.

  the heating process at the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry, is effective in disposing of toxic wastes.

  Mr. Needham
  The proposed incinerator will not be permitted to come into operation unless the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is fully satisfied that the equipment and procedures involved are so designed that the incinerator can fulfil safely and effectively its purpose of disposing of those wastes for which it is specified and that emission standards are fully met.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to publish a detailed environmental risk assessment of the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.

  Mr. Needham
  If Du Pont (UK) Ltd. proceeds with its proposal to site a toxic waste incinerator at Maydown, the environmental statement which must accompany the planning application under schedule 1(B) of the Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations (NI) 1989 will address the issue of risk to the environment. The statement will be made available to the public and for consideration during the public local inquiry into the project.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of exposure of gases to catalytic metals in the structure of the plant will take place at the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.

  Mr. Needham
  Such structural design details are not available but may become so if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submits a planning application for a toxic waste incinerator at its Maydown site.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the expected lifetime of the incinerator proposed for the Maydown site in Londonderry.

  Mr. Needham
  An incinerator of the type which may be proposed at this site could be expected to last approximately 20 years.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what method of disposing of halogenated acids it is intended should be used at the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.
  209
  Mr. Needham
  Such details are not yet available and can be provided only if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submit a planning application and accompanying environmental statement for a toxic waste incinerator at its Maydown site. However, for the design to be approved, it will be necessary for the company to satisfy the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland that the incinerator will be capable of destroying those wastes for which it is intended, without contravening the emission controls set.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Northern Ireland what constraints the incinerator proposed for the Maydown, Londonderry site will meet for gaseous emissions of(a) particulate matter, (b) lead, (c) cadmium and mercury, (d) hydrochloric acid, (e) hydrofluoric acid, (f) hydrobronic acid, (g) total acid as SO3 (h) NO2 (i) SO2, (j) phosphorous, (k) destructive and removal efficacy of polychlorinated biphenyls and (l) total dioxin/furan equivalents.

  Mr. Needham
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on 26 June 1991,Official Report, column 488.

  Such details are not available and can be provided only if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submits a planning application with accompanying environmental statement for a toxic waste incinerator at its Maydown site.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the intended degree of burn-out of solids as measured on ignition of kiln slag at the incinerator proposed for the Maydown, Londonderry site.

  Mr. Needham
  Such details are not yet available and can be provided only if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submit a planning application and accompanying environmental statement for a toxic waste incincerator at their Maydown site. However, the requirements set by the Government will ensure that the degree of burnout achieved at any such incinerator will be sufficient fully to destroy all material for which the plant is designed.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what proportion of time the incinerator proposed for the Maydown, Londonderry site will be able to operate without visible emissions or visible steam plumes from the stack.

  Mr. Needham
  Such details are not yet available and may become so only if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submits a planning application and accompanying environmental statement for a toxic waste incinerator at its Maydown site. Emissions to the atmosphere from the proposed incinerator would be subject to control by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The presence of visible emissions or steam plumes is likely to be dependent on the chosen methods of emission control.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has received from the disposal of slag produced by the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.

  Mr. Needham
  None. Such details are not yet available and can be provided only if and when Du Pont (U K) Ltd. submits a planning application and accompanying environmental statement for a toxic waste incinerator at its Maydown site.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what research is being carried out on behalf of his Department as to how the quantity of hazardous and toxic wastes might be reduced by recycling;

  (2) what plans he has to require firms which have hazardous and toxic wastes arising from their processes to reduce the quantities produced by recycling.

  Mr. Needham
  None specifically. However, the nature of hazardous and toxic waste is such that recycling is not an option and its destruction by high temperature incineration currently presents the most viable alternative. In addition, it is considered that the very considerable cost of high temperature incineration for such waste already provides the firms concerned with a keen incentive to keep the quantities involved to an absolute minimum. Wastes of this nature are essentially not recyclable and only those for which high temperature incineration presents the "best practicable environmental option" will be disposed of in this manner.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the environmental audits carried out by companies in Northern Ireland which produce(a) toxic and (b) hazardous and special wastes.

  Mr. Needham
  No information on environmental audits is available to the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. Such audits as exist are generally conducted by private consultants for individual companies to ensure a proper understanding of performance.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on environmental impact assessments of the major producers of(a) toxic, (b) hazardous and (c) special wastes in (i) the United States of America, (ii) Canada and (iii) the other European Community countries.

  Mr. Needham
  There is no national or international compendium of this information in existence. Government officials are, however, aware of published information on such issues.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the amounts of hazardous waste imported into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic in each year since October 1988.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is:

  Year

  Amount

  1988–89

  275 tons

  1989–90

  4,997 tons

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the amounts of hazardous waste transported from the Republic of Ireland through Northern Ireland to Great Britain in each year since October 1988.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is:

  Year

  Amount

  1988–89

  384 tons

  1989–90

  672 tons

  Publications
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of printing and distributing the Social Security Agency's framework document and business plan for 1991–92; and who was awarded the printing contract.

  Mr. Hanley
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Social Security Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman and place copies of his letter in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Special Protection Areas
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those sites so far designated or identified for designation in Northern Ireland as special protection areas under EC directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds or wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance especially waterfowl habitat.

  Mr. Needham
  No SPA sites have been designated in Northern Ireland. Lough Neagh, with Lough Beg, has been designated as a Ramsar site. A review of potential SPA and Ramsar sites in Northern Ireland will be carried out later this year and a list of proposed sites will be produced.

  New Hospital, Coleraine
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has given further consideration to the case for a new hospital on a greenfield site at Coleraine, Co. Londonderry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Northern health and social services board's proposal for a new-build hospital on a greenfield site at Coleraine was submitted to the Department of Health and Social Services on 11 April. This is a major and complex proposal involving substantial capital expenditure and is therefore still being considered in detail within government. I hope that a decision can be taken in the near future.

  Scheduled Offences
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details for 1988, 1989 and 1990 of the number of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, their respective reserves, and the British Army, who have been charged with offences and who have been convicted of offences, giving details of custodial sentences imposed, and separately for charges and convictions concerning murder, attempted murder, membership of illegal organisations, conspiracy to cause explosions, withholding information concerning terrorist activities, possession of firearms, possession of firearms with intent to cause bodily harm and other offences classified as scheduled offences.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the uptake of the set-aside scheme in(a) the number of farms and (b) the area of land set aside in hectares for 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 11 July 1991, Official Report, column 444.

  Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many traffic accidents for the last 12 months for which figures are available were tyre related; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 16 July 1991]: Road traffic accident statistics in Northern Ireland are collected and collated by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The most recent figures available are for the calendar year 1989 when 11 accidents were attributable to tyre defects out of a total of 7,199. Figures for 1990 are expected to be available in mid-August.

  Hearing Therapists
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the professional qualifications for hearing therapists which are recognised by the Department of Health and Social Services; and the institution offering appropriate training.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: There are no formally recognised professional qualifications for hearing therapists. Persons appointed as hearing therapists are required to undertake an intensive one-year course of professional training. It is available at the City Lit Centre for the Deaf, Keeley house, Keeley street, London WC2B 4BA.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to improve the therapy available to the hearing impaired in Northern Ireland;

  (2) what plans he has to increase the number of hearing therapists employed within the Northern Ireland health service.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: The management and delivery of services at local level are the responsibility of each health and social services board. Boards are expected to determine the level of service to be provided and the requisite number of staff to be employed and trained. In the draft regional strategic framework 1992–1997 issued recently for consultation, one of the objectives included asks that each board should identify the number and needs of sensorily impaired people living in its area and should ensure access to specialist teams of staff to provide support for hearing and for visually impaired people.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hearing therapists are employed within the Northern Ireland health service.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: There are two, one based in the Royal group of hospitals and one at the Craigavon area hospital.

  Hearing Loss
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are suffering from hearing loss in each of the classifications (1) mild loss (20–39dB), (2) moderate loss (40–59dB), (3) severe loss (60–79dB), (4) profound loss (80–99dB) and (5) unaidable (100dB).

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: I regret that the information requested is not held centrally.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each year from 1979–80 to 1990–91(a) service expenditure control totals for each appropriate area for the purposes of the annual financial settlement and (b) the actual expenditure outturn in each of those areas.

  1982–83 to 1989–90 total grant related expenditure for the main groups of services

  £ million

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1. Education, Arts and Libraries

  10,217

  10,349

  10,624

  11,093

  11,618

  12,576

  13,939

  14,354

  2. Personal Social

  1,943

  2,085

  2,205

  2,366

  2,553

  2,756

  2,913

  3,269

  3. Law and Order

  1,649

  1,785

  1,890

  2,008

  2,152

  2,363

  2,555

  2,846

  4. Transport

  1,373

  1,398

  1,487

  1,733

  1,929

  2,045

  2,024

  2,140

  5. Employment and Consumer Protection

  107

  110

  115

  118

  127

  148

  159

  174

  5. Housing

  591

  536

  514

  628

  826

  825

  816

  872

  7. Environmental Services

  2,405

  2,507

  2,520

  2,652

  2,926

  3,000

  3,137

  3,620

  8. Financing Items

  230

  461

  527

  622

  660

  29

  464

  386

  All Services

  18,515

  19,231

  19,882

  21,221

  22,790

  23,742

  26,006

  27,662

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary for the Environment what was the balance in the general revenue account at the end of the financial year for London authorities for each year since 1985, by London borough.

  Closing balance (ie at 31 March) on rate fund revenue account

  £ million

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  ILEA

  46·489

  55·175

  50·545

  41·241

  94·604

  69·081

  Greater London CL

  0·000

  214·448

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  City of London

  5·369

  11·322

  19·152

  18·782

  28·850

  37·526

  Camden

  3·649

  17·489

  9·151

  1·726

  12·289

  19·068

  Greenwich

  13·102

  11·099

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Hackney

  -2·216

  11·485

  15·234

  n/a

  n/a

  0·490

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·030

  0·140

  0·140

  0·175

  12·971

  33·805

  Islington

  0·000

  3·843

  0·112

  3·198

  4·054

  10·962

  Kensington and Chelsea

  17·252

  15·857

  17·962

  16·563

  10·463

  10·126

  Lambeth

  33·516

  36·367

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Lewisham

  7·461

  12·967

  20·609

  11·129

  0·315

  n/a

  Southwark

  0·000

  2·909

  31·155

  18·790

  23·755

  12·606

  Tower Hamlets

  11·638

  9·282

  0·119

  0·000

  11·380

  0·000

  Wandsworth

  2·886

  4·463

  18·205

  6·909

  20·111

  35·914

  Westminster

  10·732

  14·877

  14·110

  13·022

  12·488

  n/a

  Barking and Dagenham

  7·328

  4·790

  7·529

  7·714

  7·197

  6·567

  Barnet

  3·337

  3·982

  5·415

  4·830

  14·396

  16·274

  Bexley

  6·999

  5·974

  6·237

  3·184

  3·742

  2·074

  Brent

  13·715

  32·252

  -14·847

  -8·543

  -23·188

  3·185

  Bromley

  2·976

  1·144

  11·373

  18·089

  26·670

  24·709

  Croydon

  4·283

  4·687

  19·228

  21·352

  16·566

  7·380

  Ealing

  -1·786

  -3·543

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  -4·928

  Enfield

  3·481

  5·543

  6·730

  6·758

  9·899

  8·190

  Haringey

  2·000

  24·115

  0·248

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Harrow

  10·304

  12·696

  13·118

  11·035

  12·116

  11·884

  Havering

  4·860

  2·112

  4·489

  4·499

  3·702

  2·900

  Hillingdon

  -6·235

  0·000

  2·524

  0·000

  2·305

  6·187

  Hounslow

  5·689

  26·623

  n/a

  1·081

  9·571

  n/a

  214
  Mr. Portillo
  The service expenditure control totals used in the rate support grant settlements from 1982–83 to 1989–90 are shown in the table. Information on expenditure control totals is not available for years prior to 1982–83.

  It is not possible to construct comparable figures for outturn expenditure on the basis of the available returns from local authorities.

  The service expenditure control totals used in the 1990–91 revenue support grant settlement together with expenditure on a similar basis are as follows:

  Control totals £ million

  Expenditure £ million

  Education

  14,753

  15,683

  Personal Social Services

  3,592

  4,035

  Police

  2,125

  2,187

  Fire and Civil Defence

  877

  949

  Highway Maintenance

  1,578

  1,736

  All Other Services

  4,502

  5,617

  Capital Financing

  2,380

  3,045

  Total Revenue Expenditure

  29,805

  33,250

  Mr. Portillo
  The available information as returned by authorities is given in the table.
  215

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  1·027

  0·687

  1·604

  7·041

  9·936

  5·296

  Merton

  4·775

  6·761

  37·416

  35·314

  33·254

  n/a

  Newham

  7·230

  25·707

  n/a

  0·000

  0·000

  4·018

  Redbridge

  0·341

  0·218

  2·411

  4·596

  4·686

  5·371

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  6·325

  7·354

  5·667

  13·441

  14·797

  n/a

  Sutton

  2·416

  2·143

  7·677

  5·345

  12·190

  8·959

  Waltham Forest

  9·199

  3·387

  0·260

  1·538

  3·244

  2·077

  London Fire/CD authority

  1—

  1—

  13·464

  0·004

  -26·702

  0·000

  Middlesex Probation

  1—

  1—

  0·000

  0·000

  0·000

  0·000

  South East London Probation

  1—

  1—

  0·000

  0·000

  0·000

  0·000

  South West London Probation

  1—

  1—

  0·003

  0·020

  0·037

  0·055

  North East London Probation

  1—

  1—

  0·059

  0·000

  0·000

  0·000

  London Waste Reg.

  1—

  1—

  0·325

  0·540

  -0·319

  0·499

  West London Waste

  1—

  1—

  1·860

  2·093

  1·947

  1·953

  North London Waste

  1—

  1—

  2·960

  1·901

  1·893

  2·502

  East London Waste

  1—

  1—

  1·020

  0·984

  0·622

  0·065

  West Riverside Waste

  1—

  1—

  1·126

  1·170

  0·949

  2·119

  n/a Not available.

  1— Not applicable.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing, for the years 1966–67 to 1991–92, separately for England, English regions, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom(a) average household domestic rate/community charge bills in pounds sterling, (b) average domestic rate/community charge bills adjusted by

  Region

  1983–84 £

  1984–85 £

  1985–86 £

  1986–87 £

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  South East

  370

  393

  420

  451

  486

  527

  573

  South West

  255

  272

  291

  351

  377

  418

  459

  East Anglia

  244

  265

  281

  349

  370

  404

  449

  West Midlands

  290

  299

  345

  398

  429

  467

  520

  East Midlands

  243

  271

  292

  362

  395

  444

  461

  North West

  291

  314

  347

  401

  432

  466

  515

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  234

  251

  273

  335

  353

  393

  437

  Northern

  262

  284

  322

  375

  382

  413

  457

  England

  303

  323

  351

  400

  429

  468

  512

  Average gross community charges by region for England are as follows:

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  South East

  351

  257

  South West

  339

  242

  East Anglia

  368

  235

  West Midlands

  373

  267

  East Midlands

  352

  256

  North West

  377

  286

  Yorks and Humberside

  315

  228

  Northern

  376

  267

  England

  357

  252

  Information on the RPI is published in Economic Trends; average household income by region is published in the annual Family Expenditure Survey reports and Regional Trends; average male earnings by region are published in the annual New Earnings Survey (Volume E) and reported also in Regional Trends. These publications are available in the House of the Commons Library.

  Information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the respective Secretaries of State.
  216
  the retail prices index, (c) average domestic rate/ community charge bills as a proportion of average household income and (d) average domestic rate/ community charge bills as a proportion of male average earnings.

  Mr. Portillo
  The available information for average gross domestic rate bills per household, by region in England, is as follows:

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing, with columns for English regions and England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, an analysis of local authority expenditure consistent with table 2 of Cm 1514.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 10 July 1991 at columns 396–98.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in rank order the proportion of community charge for 1990–91 now collected for each local authority, and the average for England.

  Mr. Portillo
  We estimate that the average percentage of budgeted community charge yield collected in England by 31 March 1991, allowing for non-responding authorities, was 90 per cent. I am placing in the Library a table containing information for individual local authorities ranked in descending order.

  War Widows (Housing Benefit)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors in the standard spending assessments relate to the liability of local authorities to offer a housing benefit disregard for war widows; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  That part of housing benefit payments which falls to be met by local authorities' general funds rather than being supported directly by central Government subsidy is covered by the all other services element of standard spending assessments—SSAs. This element covers a wide range of services and is distributed on the basis of a number of indicators, including an indicator of social conditions. There is no direct link between any single service covered by this SSA element and any one of the indicators.

  Special Protection Areas
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take to ensure that local planning authorities are aware of the location of sites which have been identified by the statutory nature

  Designated Sites

  Site

  County

  SPA/Ramsar

  Date designated

  Rockliffe Marshes

  Cumbria

  SPA/Ramsar

  1 October 1986

  Irthinghead Mires

  Cumbria

  Ramsar

  17 July 1985

  Northumberland

  Leighton Moss

  Lancashire

  SPA/Ramsar

  28 November 1985

  Alt Estuary (part)

  Merseyside

  SPA/Ramsar

  28 November 1985

  Ribble Estuary (part)

  Lancashire

  SPA

  31 August 1982

  Martin Mere

  Lancashire

  SPA/Ramsar

  28 November 1985

  Lindisfarne (part)

  Northumberland

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Fame Islands

  Northumberland

  SPA

  17 July 1985

  Coquet Island

  Northumberland

  SPA

  17 July 1985

  Holburn Lake and Moss

  Northumberland

  SPA/Ramsar

  17 July 1985

  Derwent Ings

  North Yorkshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  17 July 1985

  Humberside

  Moor House

  Cumbria

  SPA

  31 August 1982

  Rostherne Mere

  Cheshire

  Ramsar

  24 July 1981

  The Wash

  Lincolnshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  30 March 1988

  Norfolk

  Ouse Washes

  Cambridgeshire

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Norfolk

  North Norfolk Coast

  Norfolk

  SPA/Ramsar

  20 January 1989

  Redgrave and Lophara Fens

  Norfolk

  Ramsar

  15 February 1991

  Suffolk

  Minsmere-Walberswick (part)

  Suffolk

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Orfordness-Havergate (part)

  Suffolk

  SPA

  31 August 1982

  Abberton Reservoir

  Essex

  Ramsar

  24 July 1981

  Bure Marshes

  Norfolk

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere

  Norfolk

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Chew Valley Lake

  Avon

  SPA

  17 July 1985

  Chesil Beach and The Fleet

  Dorset

  SPA/Ramsar

  17 July 1985

  Chichester and Langstone Harbours

  Hampshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  28 October 1987

  West Sussex

  The Swale (part)

  Kent

  SPA/Ramsar

  17 July 1985

  Pagham Harbour

  West Sussex

  SPA/Ramsar

  30 March 1988

  Dee Estuary

  Clwyd

  SPA/Ramsar

  17 July 1985

  Cheshire

  Merseyside

  Upper Severn Estuary

  Gloucestershire

  SPA/Ramsar

  5 February 1988

  Bridgwater Bay

  Somerset

  Ramsar

  5 January 1976

  Potential Sites

  Sites

  County

  SPA/Ramsar

  Upper Solway Flats and Marshes

  Cumbria

  SPA/Ramsar

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Duddon Estuary

  Cumbria

  SPA/Ramsar

  Esthwaite Water

  Cumbria

  Ramsar

  218
  conservation agencies as meeting criteria for designation as SPAs under EC directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds or under the Ramsar convention.

  Mr. Baldry
  Designated and potential special protection areas and Ramsar sites are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 through the sites of special scientific interest system. Local planning authorities are already informed of the location of these sites as part of the SSSI designation process. A list of both potential and designated SPAs and Ramsar sites has been published in the Official Report and is updated.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sites so far designated or identified for designation in England as special protection areas under EC directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds or wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat.

  Mr. Baldry
  The tables list all those sites in England which have been designated as either special protection areas, or Ramsar sites, or both and those which have been identified by the Nature Conservancy Council as potential special protection areas or Ramsar sites.
  219

  Sites

  County

  SPA/Ramsar

  Northumberland

  Morecambe Bay

  Cumbria

  SPA/Ramsar

  Lancashire

  Ribble and Alt Estuaries

  Lancashire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Merseyside

  Mersey Estuary

  Merseyside

  SPA/Ramsar

  Cheshire

  Ravenglass

  Cumbria

  Ramsar

  Bowland Fells

  Lancashire

  SPA

  Thorne and Hatfield Moors

  South Yorkshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Humberside

  Shap Fells

  Cumbria

  SPA

  Solway Mosses

  Cumbria

  Ramsar

  Duddon Mosses

  Cumbria

  Ramsar

  North of England Montane Sites

  Cumbria

  SPA

  Lindisfarne

  Northumberland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast

  Cleveland

  SPA/Ramsar

  Malham Tarn

  North Yorkshire

  Ramsar

  Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs

  Humberside

  SPA

  Humber Flats, Marshes and Coast

  Humberside

  SPA/Ramsar

  Lincolnshire

  Northumberland Coast

  Northumberland

  SPA/Ramsar

  North Yorkshire Moors

  North Yorkshire

  SPA

  Hornsea Mere

  Humberside

  SPA

  Yorkshire Dale Moorlands

  North Yorkshire Cumbria

  SPA

  North Pennine Moors

  Cumbria

  SPA/Ramsar

  Northumberland

  Durham

  North Yorkshire

  Peak District Moors

  Derbyshire

  SPA

  South Yorkshire

  Staffordshire

  Midland Meres and Mosses

  Cheshire

  Ramsar

  Shropshire

  Staffordshire

  Walmore Common

  Gloucestershire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Norfolk

  The Wash—Gibraltar Point

  Lincolnshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Nene Washes

  Cambridgeshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Ouse Washes

  Cambridgeshire

  SPA

  Norfolk

  Rutland Water

  Leicestershire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Roydon Common

  Norfolk

  Ramsar

  Minsmere—Walberswick

  Suffolk

  SPA/Ramsar

  Orfordness—Havergate

  Suffolk

  SPA/Ramsar

  Stour and Orwell Estuary

  Suffolk

  SPA/Ramsar

  Essex

  Hamford Water

  Essex

  SPA/Ramsar

  Abberton Reservoir

  Essex

  SPA

  Benfleet and Southend Marshes

  Essex

  SPA/Ramsar

  Breckland heaths

  Norfolk

  SPA

  Suffolk

  Dersingham Bog

  Norfolk

  Ramsar

  Chippenham Fen

  Cambridgeshire

  Ramsar

  Mid-Essex Coast

  Essex

  SPA/Ramsar

  Norfolk Broads

  Norfolk

  SPA/Ramsar

  Deben Estuary

  Suffolk

  SPA/Ramsar

  Great Yarmouth North Denes

  Norfolk

  SPA

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  Somerset

  SPA/Ramsar

  Taw and Torridge Estuary

  Devon

  SPA

  Isles of Scilly Coastal Habitats

  Cornwall

  SPA/Ramsar

  Exe Estuary

  Devon

  SPA/Ramsar

  Dorset Heathlands

  Dorset

  SPA

  Poole Harbour

  Dorset

  SPA/Ramsar

  East Devon Heaths

  Devon

  SPA

  Tamar Complex

  Devon

  SPA

  Cornwall

  Bodmin Moor

  Cornwall

  SPA

  New Forest

  Hampshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Portsmouth Harbour

  Hampshire

  SPA

  Southampton Water and Solent Marshes

  Hampshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Avon Valley

  Hampshire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Dorset

  Porton Down

  Wiltshire

  SPA

  Hampshire

  220

  221

  Sites

  County

  SPA/Ramsar

  Windsor Forest and Great Park

  Berkshire

  SPA

  Surrey

  Woolmer Forest

  Hampshire

  SPA

  The Swale

  Kent

  SPA/Ramsar

  Thames Estuary and Marshes

  Kent

  SPA/Ramsar

  Medway Estuary and Marshes

  Kent

  SPA/Ramsar

  Thanet Coast

  Kent

  SPA/Ramsar

  Pevensey Levels

  East Sussex

  SPA/Ramsar

  Dungeness to Pett Levels

  Kent

  SPA/Ramsar

  East Sussex

  Lee Valley

  Greater London

  SPA

  Stodmarsh

  Kent

  SPA/Ramsar

  Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons

  Surrey

  SPA/Ramsar

  Chobham to Yateley Commons

  Surrey

  SPA

  Hampshire

  Berkshire

  Amberley

  West Sussex

  SPA/Ramsar

  South West London Reservoirs and Gravel Pits

  Greater London

  SPA/Ramsar

  Berkshire

  Surrey

  Severn Estuary

  Gloucestershire

  SPA/Ramsar

  Avon

  Somerset

  South Glamorgan

  Gwent

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that port and harbour authorities are aware of the locations and significance of sites which have been identified by the statutory nature conservation agencies as meeting criteria for designation as SPAs under directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds or under the Ramsar convention.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 11 July 1991]: Designated and potential special protection areas and Ramsar sites are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 through the sites of special scientific interest system. Harbour and port authorities, as owners/ occupiers, are already informed of the location and ornithological significance of these sites as part of this process. SSSIs are entered as a local land charge.

  Water Industry
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what record he has of or what representations he received from the water industry, before privatisation, 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. Baldry
  In making the appointments of executive directors of the new water and sewerage companies before privatisation we had in mind the need to attract applicants of the necessary calibre and took into account representations from the industry about the salaries that were required for that purpose. In some cases, it was necessary for these to be above the existing scales of the industry. The relevant salaries were listed in the prospectus.

  Mortgage Payments
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with building societies' representatives about schemes to prevent the increase in repossessions and help for people falling behind with mortgage payments; and if he will make a statement.
  222
  Mr. Yeo
  As part of our continuing discussions with banks and building societies, my right hon. Friend met the Council of Mortgage Lenders earlier this month. In addition to the help already available to some borrowers through income support and through shared ownership schemes, discussion included steps to see that reductions in base rates were passed promptly to borrowers and that links between lenders, local authorities and local DSS offices are improved to ensure that no property is needlessly repossessed.

  Flags (10 July)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which flags were being flown on 10 July on the Treasury building, Whitehall; and if he will make a statement about the reasons why each of these flags has been selected.

  Mr. Yeo
  On 10 July four union flags were flying on the Treasury building as part of the preparations for the London economic summit. Since then other flags of the United Kingdom, the armed forces and the G7 flag have been added in accordance with Her Majesty's command.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects appeals against assessment of uniform business rate for 1990–91 to be completed.

  Mr. Portillo
  The hearing of appeals is a matter for the valuation and community charge tribunals, which are statutory independent. However, I expect the tribunals to determine by 1 April 1994 the bulk of appeals lodged in the financial year 1990–91 against the 1990 rating list.

  Local Government (Statutory Obligations)
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all statutory obligations currently imposed on local government in England.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is not practicable to list all local authority statutory obligations which arise under a very
  223
  wide range of both public general and local Acts. Moreover, in addition to those responsibilities which are cast in the form of legal duties, practical considerations may make other functions, which are formally only powers, effectively obligations.

  House Prices
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the change in house prices during the second quarter of 1991 for(a) the northern region, (b) Yorkshire and Humberside, (c) the north-west, (d) the east midlands, (e) the west midlands, (f) East Anglia, (g) the south-west, (h) the south-east and (i) Greater London as measured by the house price index.

  Mr. Yeo
  The regional mix-adjusted house price index based on the survey of building society mortgage completions is published annually by the Department. The latest figures, for 1990, are in table 5.11 of "Regional Trends 26", a copy of which is in the Library. The quarterly mix-adjusted index, at the national level—United Kingdom—is published in part 2 of the quarterly edition of "Housing and Construction Statistics: Great Britain". The index for the second quarter of 1991 is not yet available.

  Marine Monitoring
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the future of marine monitoring in United Kingdom coastal waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have today placed copies in the Library of both the report of the marine pollution monitoring management group—MPMMG—on, "The Principles and Practice of Monitoring in UK Coastal Waters" and the Government's response to it. This response sets out the Government's views for the future of marine monitoring around our shores in the light of the recommendations made by MPMMG.

  Drinking Water Inspectorate
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now received the report of the drinking water inspectorate for 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The chief inspector, Michael Healey, has submitted to me and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales his first annual report on drinking water in 1990. This has been published today, and I have placed copies in the Library.

  Of 3·3 million tests carried out on drinking water during 1990, 99 per cent. came within the legal limits. The chief inspector has concluded that the water supplied to consumers is of high quality, and often of exceptionally high quality. Overall, the inspectorate has confirmed the safety of public water supplies.

  The report is the first comprehensive description of drinking water quality in England and Wales, tested rigorously against the very demanding criteria of the Water Quality Regulations, which incorporate the limits in the EC drinking water directive. I am pleased that in this country we are leading the way in Europe by requiring such close scrutiny of our water supplies and the publication of a report of this kind.
  224
  Some supplies were found not to comply at some time with some of the standards in the Water Quality Regulations. These cases do not endanger health. Some companies have given my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales and me undertakings, in response to action by us under section 20 of the Water Act 1989, to remedy the position as quickly as practicable, and in most cases by 1995. Other companies will do so shortly. This remedial programme requires major capital investment by the industry, amounting to over £2 billion by 1995. The inspectorate has concluded that the programme is on schedule. My hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier), the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, is however writing today to the chairmen of water companies to emphasise the importance we attach to this programme.

  Furthermore, my right hon. Friend and I have asked the inspectorate to review the remedial programme. If the review shows that there is scope for remedying current breaches of the standards at an earlier date than hitherto planned, we shall consider to what extent water companies should be required to do that. This could mean that some companies would be allowed a higher limit on their charges, to reflect additional costs.

  Finally, the report also refers to a small number of incidents notified by water companies to the inspectorate in which either companies have had to take special precautions or the inspectorate is considering enforcement action or prosecution.

  In parallel with this major investment programme by the water industry, the Government are taking action on other fronts which will reduce the contamination of water sources by nitrate and pesticides.

  Planning Applications
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to issue a consultation paper about publicity for planning applications.

  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has today issued a consultation paper "Planning Applications: Publicity and Notification" seeking views on a range of proposals for a new regime of publicity for planning applications.

  In particular views are invited on:

  (a) the merits of introducing compulsory neighbour notification for all planning applications;

  (b) the relative merits of different types of publicity eg, site notices, newspaper advertisements or any other media and on whether publicity should be undertaken by applicant or local planning authority;

  (c) the scope for introducing variable levels of publicity depending on the importance of the application and the location of the application site;

  (d) the merits of extending publicity requirements to applications for reserved matters following a grant of outline planning permission;

  (e) a proposal for all planning decisions to be advertised.

  Separate but parallel consultation is being carried out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Montreal Protocol
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, with figures, the total contributions that the Government have made since September 1990 towards the costs that developing
  225
  countries will incur in complying with the revised Montreal protocol; and what further contributions the Government will undertake before the end of 1993.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government announced a contribution of up to $15 million to the Montreal protocol funding mechanism in June 1990, to be disbursed over the following three years. There are no present plans for further contributions.

  Kingsbridge Book Shop
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the appeal against uniform business rate assessment for 1990–91 of Kingsbridge Book Shop was received; and when he expects it to be heard.
  226
  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: The proposal to alter the entry in the rating list for Kingsbridge Book Shop was lodged on 25 September 1990 and was transmitted to the local valuation and community charge tribunal—VCCT—within the statutory six months of receipt. Unless agreement between the ratepayer and the valuation officer is reached beforehand, it is estimated that the appeal will be listed for hearing by the VCCT by the end of September.

  ASYLUM SEEKERS: DETENTION CRITERIA
  ASYLUM SEEKERS: DETENTION CRITERIA
  MENTALLY ILL PERSONS NEEDING SOCIAL CARE
  MENTALLY ILL PERSONS NEEDING SOCIAL CARE
  STUDENT LOANS
  STUDENT LOANS
  SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS APPLICATIONS: RESPONSE TO OBJECTIONS
  SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS APPLICATIONS: RESPONSE TO OBJECTIONS
  PLANNING APPLICATIONS: PUBLICITY
  PLANNING APPLICATIONS: PUBLICITY
  MARGINAL TAX RATES
  MARGINAL TAX RATES