Written Answers of 19 July 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  International Investments Ltd., Gibraltar
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Attorney-General whether any discussion has taken place between representatives of Her Majesty's Government and Her Majesty's Attorneys General for Gibraltar regarding the affairs of International Investments Ltd., Gibraltar, in liquidation; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I can answer only on behalf of my own Department and those whom I superintend. The company to which the hon. Member refers has been the subject of a criminal investigation leading to one person being charged in Belfast. During the course of that investigation, investigators and lawyers have liaised as necessary with their counterparts in Gibraltar including the office of the Attorney-General.

  Pollution (Crown Immunity)
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions since 1979 the judicial review process has been invoked in a pollution incident involving facilities protected from prosecution by Crown immunity.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is not available in the form required and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Maydown Incinerator
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are included in the specification for the waste incinerator proposed for the Maydown, Londonderry site to prevent gases and material being exposed to temperatures between 250 deg C and 400 deg C during combustion.

  Mr. Needham
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on 12 July,Official Report, column 500.

  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 what specific design requirements apply to the incinerator proposed for the Maydown, Londonderry site to deal with halon and silicon compounds which(a) result from paint manufacture or (b) which may be offered for incineration in the furnace.

  Mr. Needham
  Specific design details are not yet available, but it may be that the information sought can be provided if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submits a290
  planning application and accompanying environmental statement for a toxic waste incinerator at its Maydown site. The design requirements set by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland will ensure that the wastes to be disposed of at the plant are clearly specified.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy on the selection of methods of disposal of toxic and hazardous waste to be employed at incinerator plants in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  The selection of a waste disposal method is based on the determination of the "best practicable environmental option" for a particular category of waste, a process which is designed to ensure that neither public health nor the protection of the environment are endangered. High temperature incineration is one of the current options for the disposal of toxic and hazardous waste and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume) of 27 February,Official Report, column 511, how much of the special wastes are toxic wastes which require incineration to render them harmless; at what temperatures they are incinerated; and how much are wastes arising from the production of synthetic fibres.

  Mr. Needham
  The amount of toxic wastes requiring incineration included in the figure of 8,000 tonnes which I specified in my answer to the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume) can be identified only at disproportionate cost. However, an independent consultant's report issued in 1990 estimates that 60 per cent. of special waste arisings are landfilled directly, with the remainder being dealt with by chemical treatment, incineration or reclamation.

  The temperatures at which such wastes are incinerated vary from 900 to 1200 deg. C., depending on the time period involved and combustion conditions within the incinerator.

  Statistics for the amount of special wastes arising from the production of synthetic fibres can also be identified only at disproportionate cost, but the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has authorised the movement of 1,000 tonnes of lycra polymer waste to Finland for high-temperature incineration during the 12-month period commencing October 1990.

  Departmental Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the new forms of working patterns introduced into each agency in his Department since its establishment; and if he will break-down by grade the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern;

  (2) how many staff were in post on the date that each agency in his Department was established; and how many staff are now in post;

  (3) what group bonus schemes are in operation in each agency in his Department;

  (4) if he will list those new facilities for staff which have been introduced in each agency in his Department since establishment;

  (5) whether any appointments from the private sector have been made to any agency in his Department at grade 7 or above since its establishment.
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  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is a matter for chief executives of agencies. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member. Copies of their replies will be placed in the Library and Public Information Office.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the last annual report for each agency in his Department was published; and when the next are due.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Training and Employment Agency, established on 2 April 1990, intends to publish its first annual report in September 1991.

  The Rate Collection Agency, established on 1 April 1991, intends to publish its first annual report after 31 March 1992.

  The Social Security Agency, established on 1 July 1991, is not due to publish its first annual report until after April 1992.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of each agency in his Department; and what is the length of each chief executive's contract.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The chief executives of the Training and Employment Agency and the Social Security Agency are paid on the standard civil service pay scale for grade 3 and the chief executive of the Rate Collection Agency as a grade 6. The chief executive of the Training and Employment Agency is a permanent appointment and the other two chief executives are appointed for three years.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of each agency in his Department.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The amounts spent on the launch of the Training and Employment Agency and the Rate Collection Agency were £65,216·66 and £9,898·15 respectively.

  The information regarding the launch of the Social Security Agency which took place on 24 June 1991 is not yet available. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member as soon as the figures are known and copies of his reply will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what first degree was obtained by the chief executive of each agency in his Department; and from which institution.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  As the information requested is of a personal nature, I have asked the chief executives of the agencies to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by each agency in his Department since its establishment as an executive agency; and if he will separately identify those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The quality of service performance indicators are:

  The Training and Employment Agency:
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  to measure the level of satisfaction with the agency's training consultancy and advisory service;

  to survey companies sponsoring training in training centres to establish that their training needs have been satisfied;

  to survey levels of customer satisfaction with the services provided by the agency's offices; and

  to ensure that literature is issued within 24 hours, and that queries are followed up within one week in response to Freefone inquiries.

  Quality of service performance indicators had not been established on a regular basis before agency status, although a number of ad hoc surveys of satisfaction with training centre and office provision were carried out.

  The Rate Collection Agency:
  Collection and Recovery of Rates—To generate refunds of 90 per cent. of ratepayers so entitled within 14 days of credits being identified.
  Administration of the Housing Benefit Scheme, for the Owner-Occupier Sector—To achieve 96 per cent. of housing benefit assessments free to error.
  No quality of service performance indicators were operative in rating division, the Rate Collection Agency's predecessor, prior to agency status.

  The Social Security Agency:
  The quality of service performance indicators for the Social Security Agency are contained in its 1991–92 business plan, a copy of which is available in the Library. Of these, the indicator on customer satisfaction is the only one which was not in existence prior to the establishment of the agency.

  Mental Handicap Provision
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to increase day service provision for the mentally handicapped in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The management and delivery of services at local level are the responsibility of health and social services boards. Boards are expected to determine the level of service to be provided in their respective areas.

  Day care is recognised as a fundamental component of community services for people with a mental handicap. The importance of day services was stressed in the Health and Personal Social Services Regional Strategy for Northern Ireland (1987–1992); in the policy paper on community care for the 1990s, "People First"; and in the draft Regional Strategic Framework (1992–1997) which was issued recently for consultation.

  Social Fund
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will carry out a review of the social fund system.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no plans to review the scheme at present, but the Government will carefully consider the implications of research findings expected to become available at the end of the year.

  Anti-Poverty Network
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to the report of the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Secretary of State and other Northern Ireland Office Ministers have received for information copies of a report entitled "Poverty in Northern Ireland—Establishing an Anti-Poverty Network" The report,
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  which records the process involved in setting up the Northern Ireland anti-poverty network, does not require a formal response but it is being read with interest and its receipt will he acknowledged.

  Family Credit
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people made applications for family credit in the constituency of South Down in each year since 1 April 1988 until 31 March 1991; and, of these, how many were approved and how many were refused.

  Mr. Hanley
  This is now a matter for the chief executive of the Social Security Agency, but I understand that the information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Social Security
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of income support hardship claims by claimants whose benefit had been suspended for not actively seeking work; and what were the numbers of such claims for each social security office since September 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 18 July 1991]: Social security operational matters are the responsibility of the chief executive of the Social Security Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman and place copies of his reply in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many social security appeals there were by claimants who had been disqualified from benefit for(a) not actively seeking work and (b) for refusing suitable employment; and what figures are available in respect of the social security appeals tribunals' findings and any subsequent appeals to the social security commissioners since September 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 18 July 1991]: Social security operational matters are the responsibility of the chief executive of the Social Security Agency. I understand, however, that there have been no appeals to the social security commissioners on these subjects since September 1989 and that the other information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many claimants in each social security office(a) received warning letters regarding actively seeking work, (b) have had their benefit suspended, (c) have had their claims allowed on referral to the adjudication officer and (d) have had their claims disallowed on referral since 1989;

  (2) how many claimants in each social security office (a) have had benefit suspended for refusing suitable employment, (b) have had their benefit restored on referral to the adjudication officer and (c) were disqualified from benefit on referral to the adjudication officer since September 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 18 July 1991]: Social security operational matters are the responsibility of the chief executive of the Social Security Agency. I understand, however, that the information requested is not available.

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from Oxfam on the present state of malnutrition and risk of epidemic disease in Iraq.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received no direct representations from Oxfam. I am aware of its concerns, which were discussed by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development during a visit to Oxfam on 10 July.

  Wild Birds
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Prime Minister what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to curtail the trade of wild-caught birds into(a) the United Kingdom and (b) EC countries.

  The Prime Minister
  We have asked our scientific advisers, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to review the evidence as to whether the trade in wildlife is compatible with maintaining the populations of species at satisfactory levels. We will consider, in the light of their findings, whether any changes in existing conservation controls are required. Negotiations are continuing on Community proposals for the protection of animals during transport.

  Trident
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith),Official Report, 27 June, column 512, what factors he took into account in reaching his assessment that the introduction of Trident in the mid-1990s will provide the minimum capability necessary to maintain an effective independent deterrent into the next century; and what weight he gave in making this assessment to the United Kingdom obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to Defence Open Government Documents 80/23, 82/1 and 87/01 available in the Library.

  Genocide Convention
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister further to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) of 16 April,Official Report, column 162, what legal advice he has sought on the genocide convention in respect of Saddam Hussein.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 July 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 7 May at column 390.

  Housing
  Mr. John Home Robertson
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Government has any plans to provide any special assistance to local authorities, housing associations or other providers of housing to meet the housing needs of service men and their families returning to civilian life as a consequence of "Options for Change".
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  The Prime Minister
  The details of the force reductions required as a result of "Options for Change" are still being examined. We are considering how to deal with the housing implications as part of this work.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mount Prison
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have escaped from the Mount since its opening, giving the relevant dates.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A total of 13 prisoners have escaped from the Mount since its opening on 15 March 1988. The chronological details are as follows:

  Number of prisoners escaped

  Date

  Number

  15 September 1988

  1

  30 October 1989

  2

  6 December 1990

  1

  3 May 1991

  2

  12 May 1991

  3

  10 June 1991

  1

  18 June 1991

  1

  21 June 1991

  2

  Exit Polls
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to prohibit the taking of exit polls on polling days during elections.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No.

  Mr. Paul Cleeland
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 1 May,Official Report, column 178, and 11 July, Official Report, columns 436–37, relating to the case of Paul Cleeland, what precautions he is taking to prevent misleading comments from being inserted into similar Home Office documents in future.

  Mr. John Patten
  I am satisfied that every care is taken in considering representations concerning possible miscarriages of justice and all possible efforts are made to ensure that all documents relating to the case are prepared accurately.

  Prisons (Energy Management)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of dedicated energy managers and the number of person-years devoted to energy management in the latest year in the Prison estate.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  There are three dedicated energy managers in the Home Office. In 1990–91 a total of about 4½ person-years was devoted to energy management.

  British Citizens (Death Threats)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that appropriate measures continue to be fully taken to safeguard the British citizen who is under threat of death from abroad.
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  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Yes.

  Drugs (Arrests)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests there were by the central drug squad in 1988, 1989 and 1990, respectively.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the figures for arrests made by the central drug squad were as follows:

  Number

  1988

  274

  1989

  253

  1990

  423

  Walton Prison
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost of keeping an inmate in Her Majesty's prison, Walton.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The average weekly cost per inmate held in HM prison Liverpool during 1989–90 (the latest information available) was £260.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Prisoners (Income Support)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether income support is payable to a person who is on home leave from prison; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Income support may be payable in these circumstances, depending on the terms of the prisoner's licence.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Further Education
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will specify(a) the number of students currently receiving education or training in the further education sector and (b) the number of students with special educational needs currently receiving education or training in further education.

  Mr. Eggar
  In 1989–90 (the latest year for which data are available) there were 1·8 million students in further education; of these 32,000 were students with special educational needs.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list the names of all governors so far appointed to Bacon CTC, and the dates of their appointments;

  (2) when he approved the articles of government for Bacon CTC; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a revised version of the memorandum and articles
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  of association of the college for his agreement: when agreed it will be placed in the Library. Governors have not yet been appointed.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Education and Science (1) at what per pupil rate, for pupils(a) under and (b) over school leaving age he has agreed to pay annual per capita grant to city technology colleges (i) in and (ii) outside London for the 1991–92 academic year;

  (2) what is the estimated or final amount of (a) annual per capita grant and (b) earmarked annual grant he has agreed to pay to each city technology college for the 1991–92 academic year;

  (3) for how many pupils (a) under the (b) over school leaving age he has agreed to provide funding at each city

  Recurrent funding of existing CTCs—academic year 1991–92

  College

  (1990–91 prices)

  Academic Year 1991–92 (1991–92 prices

  At full capacity (1991–92 prices)

  Basic APG

  Weighted APG

  Pupils Numbers

  APG

  EAG

  Total recurrent costs

  Unit costs per pupil

  Pupils Numbers

  Unit costs per pupil1

  £

  £

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £

  £

  Existing

  Kingshurst

  2,075

  2,300

  USLA

  720

  2·451

  0·234

  2·685

  2,918

  USLA

  900

  2,709

  (Opened September 1988)

  OSLA

  200

  OSLA

  200

  Teesside

  2,075

  2,300

  USLA

  552

  1·751

  0·168

  1·919

  3,476

  USLA

  900

  2,700

  (Opened September 1989)

  OSLA

  OSLA

  200

  Nottingham

  2,075

  2,280

  USLA

  506

  1·852

  0·177

  2·029

  3,320

  USLA

  835

  2,678

  (Opened September 1989)

  OSLA

  105

  OSLA

  165

  Bradford

  2,075

  2,365

  USLA

  430

  1·510

  0·154

  1·664

  3,869

  USLA

  750

  2,798

  (Opened Septemberr 1990)

  OSLA

  OSLA

  230

  Harris

  2,345

  2,600

  USLA

  798

  2·954

  0·207

  3·161

  3,563

  USLA

  900

  3,016

  (Croydon)

  OSLA

  89

  OSLA

  200

  (Opened September 1990)

  Dartford

  2,105

  2,305

  USLA

  840

  2·764

  0·237

  3·001

  3,093

  USLA

  1,050

  2,697

  (Opened September 1990)

  OSLA

  130

  OSLA

  200

  Gateshead

  2,075

  2,285

  USLA

  300

  1·217

  0·123

  1·340

  4,466

  USLA

  750

  2,678

  (Opened September 1990)

  OSLA

  OSLA

  150

  Opening September 1991

  Britschool

  2,345

  3,050

  USLA

  120

  1·345

  0·191

  1·536

  5,120

  USLA

  360

  3,567

  (Croydon)

  OSLA

  180

  OSLA

  360

  Bacons

  2,845

  3,155

  USLA

  900

  3·395

  0·338

  3·733

  3,971

  USLA

  900

  3,668

  (Surrey Quays)

  OSLA

  40

  OSLA

  200

  Haberdashers

  2,845

  3,155

  USLA

  900

  3·833

  0·361

  4·194

  3,812

  USLA

  900

  3,657

  (Lewisham)

  OSLA

  200

  OSLA

  200

  Telford

  2,075

  2,275

  USLA

  168

  1·211

  0·220

  1·431

  5,770

  USLA

  840

  2,667

  OSLA

  80

  OSLA

  160

  Corby

  2,075

  2,285

  USLA

  210

  1·234

  0·208

  1·442

  5,059

  USLA

  750

  2,678

  OSLA

  75

  OSLA

  150

  Wandsworth

  2,845

  3,270

  USLA

  300

  1·622

  0·219

  1·841

  6,136

  USLA

  750

  3,789

  OSLA

  OSLA

  250

  1 The unit cost at full capacity (see column 10) assumes recurrent funding at constant financial year 1991–92 prices.

  Notes:

  1. The per capita grant is enhanced in the early years, but on a progressively diminishing basis as student numbers build-up, to recompense the CTC for the abnormal costs in the start-up period. The unit cost in the early years before reaching full pupil capacity is therefore higher than that applying in schools which are full.

  2. The amount paid to USLA and OSLA pupils in any particular year during the build-up period is the same. This is based upon the planned mix of pupils under school leaving age (USLA) and over school leaving age (OSLA) at full capacity—see weighted APG at column 3.

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  technology college during the 1991–92 academic year; and what is the total number of pupils in these age groups planned for each city technology college when it becomes fully operational.

  Mr. Eggar
  The amount of recurrent grant available to each established city technology college in the 1991–92 academic year has yet to be finalised. However, provisional figures at financial year 1991–92 prices, derived from actual LEA out-turn expenditure in financial year 1988–89, the latest year for which this information is available, has been made available to these colleges. The information that the hon. member requested is based on these provisional figures and is as follows:
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  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will set out the additional revenue related to start-up costs, for each of the city technology colleges;

  (2) if he will set out the sum allowed for central administration in the budget of each of the city technology colleges, and the calculation behind the sum in each case;

  (3) if he will set out (a) the revenue costs per pupil, for the current year, of each of the existing city technological colleges, and (b) the basis of the calculation for the revenue costs in each case.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his reply of 31 October 1990,Official Report, columns 517–18, at what per pupil rate, for pupils (a) under and (b) over school leaving age, annual capitation grant has been paid during the 1990–91 academic year to city technology colleges operating in the London area; and what has been the total amount of annual per capita grant paid to each of these colleges for this year.

  Recurrent funding of existing CTCs—academic year 1990–91

  College

  Academic Year 1990–91

  At full capacity

  Basic APG

  Weighted APG

  Pupils Numbers

  APG

  EAG

  Total recurrent costs

  Unit costs per pupil

  Pupils Numbers

  Unit costs per pupil1

  £

  £

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £

  £

  Kingshurst

  2,075

  2,300

  USLA

  540

  1·900

  0·195

  2·095

  3,036

  USLA

  900

  2,459

  OSLA

  150

  OSLA

  200

  Teesside

  2,075

  2,300

  USLA

  372

  1·288

  0·137

  1·425

  3,830

  USLA

  900

  2,450

  OSLA

  OSLA

  200

  Nottingham

  2,075

  2,280

  USLA

  336

  1·387

  0·142

  1·529

  3,940

  USLA

  835

  2,430

  OSLA

  52

  OSLA

  165

  Bradford

  2,075

  2,365

  USLA

  180

  0·975

  0·200

  1·175

  6,527

  USLA

  750

  2,540

  OSLA

  OSLA

  230

  Harris

  2,345

  2,600

  USLA

  744

  2·671

  0·281

  2·952

  3,899

  USLA

  900

  2,736

  OSLA

  13

  OSLA

  200

  Dartford

  2,105

  2,305

  USLA

  825

  2·543

  0·326

  2·869

  3,173

  USLA

  1,050

  2,448

  OSLA

  79

  OSLA

  200

  Gateshead

  2,075

  2,285

  USLA

  150

  0·900

  0·181

  1·081

  7,206

  USLA

  750

  2,430

  OSLA

  OSLA

  150

  1 The unit cost at full capacity (see column 10) assumes recurrent funding at constant 1990–91 prices.

  Notes:

  1. The per capita grant is enhanced in the early years, but on a progressively diminishing basis as student numbers build-up, to recompense the CTC for the abnormal costs in the start-up period. The unit cost in the early years before reaching full pupil capacity is therefore higher than that applying in schools which are full.

  2. The weighted APG at column 3 is based upon the planned mix of pupils under school leaving age (USLA) and over school leaving age (OSLA) at full capacity.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer of 26 June,Official Report, columns 466–67, to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), if he has yet reached a decision as to whether any redundancy payments are to be made to teaching and non-teaching staff at Bacon Church of England secondary school who have not been offered equivalent employment at the new Bacon city technology college.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 26 June 1991 at columns 466–67.
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  Mr. Eggar
  The table sets out the recurrent grant available to each of the existing city technology colleges in the current academic year. The grants comprise an annual per capita grant (APG) in respect of each pupil; and earmarked annual grants (EAG) covering initial stocks of consumables and IT software, and continuing requirements for school meals, pupil support and INSET. The basic per capita grant this year is £2,075 for pupils under school leaving age, and is weighted in respect of those pupils over school leaving age. It is derived from actual LEA out-turn expenditure in financial year 1988–89, the latest year for which such information is available. An allowance of 7 per cent. has been added to the LEA figure to cover central administration costs, and the figure is repriced to 1990–91 values.

  Provision is made within annual per capital grant for diseconomies of scale during college's start-up period, reflecting good practice in respect of new schools within the LEA maintained sector. The annual per capital grant for colleges in the London area contains a further enhancement to reflect necessarily higher operating costs.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has issued on admissions policy for city technology colleges in respect of admission of siblings.

  Mr. Eggar
  None. It is for colleges to determine such details of admission procedures in accordance with funding agreement requirements.

  Standard Assessment Tasks
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children who were tested as seven-year-olds in the summer term of 1991 were(a) in mixed-age classes and (b) in classes of 30 or over.
  301
  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is not available nationally.

  Schools (Swimming)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make it his policy to ensure that all education authorities and maintained schools make provision for the teaching of swimming.

  Mr. Atkins
  The national curriculum working group on physical education has considered questions concerning the teaching of swimming. My right hon. and learned Friend is currently considering the working group's final report. The Government's response to the group's report will be published shortly.

  Adult Education Centres
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the future of adult education centres, consequent on the publication of his White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received several hundred such representations.

  Primary School Class Sizes
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that class sizes in primary schools are not above 30; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 13 June 1991 at column 642.

TRANSPORT

  Motorway Bridge Numbering
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with the motorway bridge numbering scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  Instructions to begin implementing the motorway bridge numbering scheme will be issued to the Department's regional offices and agent authorities by the early autumn. The work should be completed in two to three years.

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his timescale for reviewing agreements amongst user groups concerning new regulations for the orange badge scheme for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I have had further helpful discussions with representative organisations and hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Greater Manchester Relief Road
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his written answer of 15 July, if he will give the number of route options which will be open for public consultation in the autumn, in respect of the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  This is a matter still to be decided. Information on the form of public consultation will not be given until the start of that process.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a specific category on police accident fault report forms to enable the identification of whether the use of a mobile phone may have been a factor in the accident.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 July 1991]: The police complete a STATS19 accident report form for each personal injury road accident that occurs in Great Britain. This form records 70 different items regarding the attendant circumstances of the accident and the vehicles and casualties involved. It does not record the cause of accidents or attempt to apportion blame or find fault, as this is often difficult and sometimes impossible to determine objectively. Some police forces record additional information on injury road accidents for local purposes, but this is not collected centrally.

  The content of the STATS19 form is the responsibility of the Standing Committee on Road Accident Statistics, which meets twice a year and includes representatives from the police, local authorities and central Government.

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to upgrade the M11 link road through Leyton and Leytonstone in the light of his Department's document entitled "Transport and the Environment";

  (2) if he will reissue the booklet "Transport and the Environment", with a case study on the M11 link road through Leyton and Leytonstone.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 July 1991]: I have no plans for a further reissue of the booklet "Transport and the Environment" as the latest edition was published only a few weeks ago. The booklet is descriptive and does not prescribe standards to mitigate environmental impact. There are no plans to change the design of the A12 Hackney-M11 link road consequent upon publication of the latest edition.

WALES

  Dentists
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each health authority in Wales the number of general dental practitioners on whom the Dental Practice Board has placed prior approval by targeting.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  No general dental practitioner in Wales has been placed on prior approval by targeting.
  303
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the areas of Wales which family health services authorities have identified as being in need of more dentists.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Family health services authorities have notified to our Department the following areas, as being in need of dentists, for the purpose of meeting the qualifying criteria for payment of grants under the location incentive scheme.

  FHSA

  Area

  Clwyd

  Queensferry

  Dyfed

  Gwendraeth Valley

  Gwent

  Ringland-Newport

  Blaenau Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Whole of Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Upper Rhymney Valley

  Central Ogwr

  Powys

  None

  South Glamorgan

  Pentwyn-Cardiff

  West Glamorgan

  None

  Mental Handicap Review
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was his original target for the publication of the "Review of the All Wales Strategy for the Development of Services for People with a Mental Handicap"; what is the latest estimated date of its publication; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The original target date for publication of an analysis of responses to our November 1990 paper on key issues together with our outline proposals for the future was the end of April 1991. We have received almost 120 responses which, taken as a whole, are particularly detailed, thoughtful and helpful. We have been concerned to do full justice to these comments in our consideration of the programme of action from 1993. Our proposals will be published shortly, and comments invited on them by the end of November, with the aim of having as much time for responses as the original timetable.

  Home Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dwellings have(a) been draught proofed and (b) had loft insulation carried out under the home energy efficiency scheme in Wales, and in each county: and what are the estimated numbers of properties which qualify under the scheme.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information on dwellings which have been draught-proofed is not collected.

  A total of 238,900 homes have been included in the homes insulation scheme, since its introduction in September 1978 up to the first quarter of 1991. The scheme came to an end in April 1990.

  A county breakdown is available only from 1984 to 1991. The county totals for this period are as follows:
  304

  Number of dwellings insulated 1984 to 1991

  County

  Number

  Clwyd

  13,496

  Dyfed

  12,075

  Gwent

  15,416

  Gwynedd

  8,414

  Mid Glamorgan

  26,568

  Powys

  3,207

  South Glamorgan

  16,702

  West Glamorgan

  14,888

  WALES

  110,766

  Children (Hearing Loss)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new measures he intends to take in schools in Wales to assist children who suffer severe hearing loss.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Local education authorities have the responsibility for securing appropriate provision in schools for children with special educational needs, including those with a severe hearing loss. The Welsh Office has made support available to local education authorities under the grants for educational support and training programme for the in-service training of teachers of children with a hearing impairment. This support will also be available in 1992–93.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many children there are in Wales by each county and by category who suffer hearing difficulties;

  (2) how many unfilled vacancies there were in Wales for teachers of children suffering hearing loss in January 1991 and January 1990;

  (3) how many qualified teachers employed in each of the local education authorities in Wales are engaged in teaching those who suffer hearing difficulties.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has so for taken to assist children with severe hearing loss.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave him on 6 June 1991. It is the responsibility of the relevant statutory authorities to provide services which meet the needs of all those with disabilities.

  Dark Lane Infill Site
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received any complaints about tipping at the Dark lane, Rossett, Clwyd infill site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  A number of representations have been made by the hon. Gentleman to the Welsh Office in the past year.

  British Airways
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had concerning the future of British Airways in south Wales with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency.
  305
  Mr. David Hunt
  I have regular discussions with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency about a range of matters concerning the development of the Welsh economy.

  Veterinary Officers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many veterinary officers are employed in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food earlier today.

EMPLOYMENT

  Woollen Textiles
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies in the wollen textile industry in West Yorkshire have been notified for 1991 to the most recent practicable date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The number of redundancies confirmed as having taken place in the textile industry in the Yorkshire and Humberside region during the first four months of 1991 is 584. Information is not available for the woollen textile industry, nor for West Yorkshire county.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Factories Act 1961 and associated subordinated legislation have been undertaken so far to the most recent practicable date in 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The information is not available in the form requested. The table shows the number of informations laid by Health and Safety Executive inspectorates and local authorities for the period January 1975 to March 1990. Figures for the period April 1990 to March 1991 are not yet available.

  Information laid by HSC/E enforcing authorities and local authorities 1975—1989–90

  Date of hearing

  Number of informations laid

  1975

  12,956

  1976

  12,174

  1977

  23,023

  1978

  23,012

  1979

  32,730

  1980

  33,169

  1981

  42,408

  1982

  442,819

  1983

  2,749

  1984

  2,794

  1985

  2,772

  1986–87

  2,812

  1987–88

  3,062

  1988–89

  3,059

  1989–90

  3,366

  1 Information laid by Her Majesty's factory inspectorate.

  2 Information laid by Her Majesty's factory inspectorate and local authorities.

  306
  3 Informations laid by Her Majesty's factory and agricultural inspectorates and local authorities.

  4 Informations laid by Her Majesty's factory, agricultural and quarries inspectorates and local authorities.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those countries in the EC which have minimum wage legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Belgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain have statutory national minimum wage laws, though in Belgium the legal minimum applies only to those not covered by local sector-led agreements reached by both sides of industry. In the United Kingdom and Ireland minimum wage rates are set for some industries. Statutory wage fixing destroys jobs and should have no permanent place in the labour market.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions for breaches of the minimum wages legislation have been undertaken so far to the most recent practicable date in 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Up to 17 July, eight employers have been prosecuted for offences under wages council legislation during 1991. The policy of the wages inspectorate under all Governments has been to seek compliance by advice and persuasion and to consider prosecution only where there is deliberate or repeated disregard for the law.

  Tourism
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of Britain's gross national product is attributable to tourism for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 to date.

  Mr. Forth
  The latest available estimates show that about 5 per cent. of the gross national product of the United Kingdom was attributable to the tourism industry in both 1989 and 1990.

  Job Search Seminars
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many job search seminars have been held in each of the counties of Wales.

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

DEFENCE

  Quality Assurance
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the impact on the future staffing of the directorate general of defence quality assurance of his Department's decision to rely on NACCB—National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies—certification rather than carrying out its own routine assessments of potential contractors.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The contractor assessment branch has been disbanded and the work has been passed
  307
  to DGDQA's regional directors. The number of full-time staff engaged on assessment has been reduced from 60 to 30 and it is expected that a further 10 full-time posts will be saved. DGDQA staff will continue to assess contractors' capabilities where access to highly classified records or material is involved or where no NACCB accredited organisation is able to cover the full scope of the contractor's work.

  Armed Forces Rugby Unions
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 15 July to the hon. Member for Wakefield, whether the recently advertised post of youth development officer for the Royal Naval Rugby Union is to be funded from within his Department's budget for the Royal Naval Rugby Union.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the full cost to his Department of(a) the Armed Forces Rugby Union and (b) the Royal Air Force Rugby Union; and how many full or part-time posts there are within both organisations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Armed Forces Rugby Union (in fact the Combined Services Rugby Football Committee) and Royal Air Force Rugby Union are run by executive committees, who provide their services on a voluntary basis. There are no full or part-time posts funded by the Ministry of Defence solely dedicated to the support of these organisations. MOD does provide financial assistance with both sports equipment and travel costs for officials and players but these costs are not held centrally.

  Avionics Department, RAF Carlisle
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce his decision on whether the avionics department of RAF Carlisle 14 MU is to be transferred to RAF Sealand.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the RAF maintenance group defence support agency. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

SCOTLAND

  Toxoplasmosis
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is being carried out by his Department into the possible causes and sources of contamination of congenital toxoplasmosis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish Office Home and Health Department is not currently supporting research into the possible causes and sources of contamination of congenital toxoplasmosis but favourable consideration would be given to any application for funding for soundly based research projects on this topic.

  Kinross Health Centre
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on proposals for a new health centre in Kinross.
  308
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The chairman of Tayside health board has written to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Perth and Kinross, in whose constituency the health centre is located, indicating that the provision of a new health centre for Kinross is high on the list of Tayside health board's capital priorities, and I understand that it has recently purchased some land for the new centre.

  European Private Patients Group
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what hospitals in Scotland participate in the European Private Patients Group.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  None.

  Hospital Infection Manual
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the way in which the hospital infection manual is being implemented in Scotland by hospitals both in the national health service and the private sector.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The hospital infection manual, which has been made available for use both in the national health service and the private sector in Scotland, includes valuable advice on the control of infection and on procedures for dealing with outbreaks of infection in hospitals. The manual is highly regarded and its advice widely implemented, usually under the direction of the chief administrative medical officer.

  Veterinary Officers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many veterinary officers are employed in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Education at Home
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are taken by his Department to promote awareness among parents of their statutory rights under section 30 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to educate their children at home.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 17 July 1991]: The hon. Gentleman needs to distinguish between a right and a duty. It is for a parent to carry out his statutory duty under Section 30 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to provide efficient education for his child suitable to his age, ability and aptitude either by ensuring that he attends a public school or by other means.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Indonesia
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the human rights record of Indonesia, he will oppose the granting of an export licence to British Aerospace to sell to Indonesia Hawk trainer/fighter aircraft.
  309
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No application has yet been received by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the signatories to the United Nations nuclear non-proliferation treaty to the most recent practicable date.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  To date, there are 142 states parties to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Taiwan and North Korea, not recognised as states by Her Majesty's Government, have also deposited instruments of ratification and accession to the treaty.

  The list of states parties to the non-proliferation treaty is as follows:

  States party to the non-proliferation treaty

  1. United Kingdom

  2. United States of America

  3. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

  4. Afghanistan

  5. Albania

  6. Antigua and Burbuda

  7. Australia

  8. Austria

  9. Bahamas

  10. Bahrain

  11. Bangladesh

  12. Barbados

  13. Belgium

  14. Belize

  15. Benin

  16. Bhutan

  17. Bolivia

  18. Botswana

  19. Brunei Darussalam

  20. Bulgaria

  21. Burkina Faso

  22. Burundi

  23. Cambodia

  24. Cameroon

  25. Canada

  26. Cape Verde

  27. Central African Republic

  28. Chad

  29. Colombia

  30. Congo

  31. Costa Rica

  32. Cote D'Ivoire

  33. Cyprus

  34. Czech and Slovak Federal Republic

  35. Denmark

  36. Dominica

  37. Dominican Republic

  38. Ecuador

  39. Egypt

  40. El Salvador

  41. Equatorial Guinea

  42. Ethiopia

  43. Fiji

  44. Finland

  45. Gabon

  46. Gambia

  47. Germany, Federal Republic

  48. Ghana

  49. Greece

  50. Grenada

  51. Guatemala

  52. Guinea

  53. Guinea Bissau

  54. Haiti

  55. Holy See

  56. Honduras

  57. Hungary

  58. Iceland

  59. Indonesia

  310

  60. Iran

  61. Iraq

  62. Republic of Ireland

  63. Italy

  64. Jamaica

  65. Japan

  6. Jordan

  67. Kenya

  68. Kiribati

  69. Korea, Republic of

  70. Kuwait

  71. Lao People's Democratic Republic

  72. Lebanon

  73. Lesotho

  74. Liberia

  75. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

  76. Liechtenstein

  77. Luxembourg

  78. Madagascar

  79. Malawi

  80. Malaysia

  81. Maldives

  82. Mali

  83. Malta

  84. Mauritius

  85. Mexico

  86. Mongolia

  87. Morocco

  88. Mozambique

  89. Nauru

  90. Nepal

  91. Netherlands

  92. New Zealand

  93. Nicaragua

  94. Nigeria

  95. Norway

  96. Panama

  97. Papua New Guinea

  98. Paraguay

  99. Peru

  100. Philippines

  101. Poland

  102. Portugal

  103. Qatar

  104. Romania

  105. Rwanda

  106. St. Lucia

  107. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

  108. San Marino

  109. Sao Tome and Principe

  110. Saudi Arabia

  111. Senegal

  112. Seychelles

  113. Sierra Leone

  114. Singapore

  115. Soloman Islands

  116. Somalia

  117. South Africa

  118. Spain

  119. Sri Lanka

  120. Sudan

  121. Suriname

  122. Swaziland

  123. Sweden

  124. Switzerland

  125. Syrian Arab Republic

  126. Tanzania

  27. Thailand

  128. Togo

  129. Tonga

  130. Trinidad and Tobago

  131. Tunisia

  132. Turkey

  133. Tuvalu

  134. Uganda

  135. Uruguay

  136. Venezuela

  137. Vietnam

  138. Western Samoa

  139. Yemen, Republic of

  311

  140. Yugoslavia

  141. Zaire

  142. Zambia

  Notes:

  1. Taiwan (not recognised as a State by Her Majesty's Government) signed the Treaty in Washington on 1 July 1968 and deposited an Instrument of Ratification in Washington on 27 January 1970.

  2. North Korea (not recognised as a State by Her Majesty's Government) acceded to the Treaty on 12 December 1985 in Moscow.

  Rio Group
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, during the last six months, he has met any of his counterparts from the member countries of the Rio Group.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, met the Argentine and Chilean Foreign Ministers on separate occasions in April. I attended the first meeting of the institutionalised dialogue between EC and Rio Group Ministers in Luxembourg on 26–27 April. The meeting covered a wide range of political and economic matters. I have also had bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Argentina, Brazil and Chile and with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Colombia.

  India
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of India's nuclear weapons capability.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are concerned about the unsafeguarded nuclear programme in India. We have always encouraged all non-parties to accede to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty; this would engage them in an undertaking not to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons.

HEALTH

  Census Forms
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of forms still have to be collected, nationally for the 1991 census; and what percentage still need to be collected in the London borough of Lambeth.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Virtually all 1991 census forms have now been collected. There were problems in contacting householders to collect completed forms, particularly in city areas, and special measures were introduced to deal with this. Initially a letter, a reply paid envelope, and another form were left at such households with a request that they post a completed form to the local census manager. This was followed by the setting up of a census freepost facility; and, in selected areas, where the proportion of households from whom a return had still not been received was reported to be substantially higher than the national average, a postal reminder was issued by the census office.

  The estimate of the number of addresses where no household had been contacted was made by local field staff. The follow-up action, particularly the postal reminder issued by the census office, has indicated that some of this accommodation was not occupied on census
  312
  night. However, the measures described above, have reduced the initial estimate of the proportion of households which were not contacted to two-thirds of 1 per cent. for England and Wales as a whole. In the London borough of Lambeth, some 3,600 households were sent a postal reminder, and about 1,000 replies have already been received back. The overall percentage of addresses classified as non-contacts will be available only after the returns for Lambeth have been processed early next year.

  A full evaluation of under-coverage, nationally and for inner London, will be possible in summer 1992 once the computer processed statistics and the results from the census validation survey are both available.

  General Practitioner Contracts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the general practitioner contract in respect of(a) the extra workload on general practitioners required for assessment activities, and (b) the deprivation allowance to general practitioners so that it is more closely related to the Jarman deprivation index.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We do not see a need to review the general practitioner contract in these areas.

  Any extra workload resulting from assessment activities is taken into account by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body when making its annual recommendation on general practitioners' pay.

  The Government already use the Jarman index as the basis for delivery of deprivation payments to general practitioners. Our objective is to target payments on those practices that serve areas with the highest levels of deprivation.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to require the exclusion of community health service observers from district health authority or family health service authority meetings to be permitted only in exceptional circumstances and on the submission of explicit reasons.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Community health council (CHC) observers have the right to attend district health authority and family health services authority meetings that are open to the public. It remains for the authority concerned to decide to which of its meetings that are closed to the general public a CHC observer may be invited to attend.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to enhance the position of community health councils in respect of(a) rights of audience at district health authority or family health services authority meetings, (b) involvement in joint planning of health and care services and (c) access to information.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There is no need to enhance the position of community health councils (CHCs).

  It remains a matter for decision by the relevant authority whether a CHC representative should be invited to speak at its meetings. Responsibility for joint planning of health and care services rests with the relevant authorities. However, NHS authorities should consult CHCs when formulating strategies for health are so that their views can be taken into account at an early stage of the decision making process.
  313
  CHCs are entitled to receive such information from their respective NHS authorities as they may reasonably require in order to carry out their duties.

  GP List Sizes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Medical Practices Committee will revise the rules governing list sizes which are required before an area may be designated an open one; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have consulted the medical practices committee and understand that the classification of practice areas by average list size of general practitioners is indicative only and not absolute. In determining whether additional doctors are required in any area the medical practices committee considers each case on its merits, having regard to particular local needs.

  Trichinosis
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what incidence of trichinosis has been recorded in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Cases of trichinosis in humans reported to the communicable disease surveillance unit of the Public Health Laboratory Service for the last 10 years are set out in the table.

  Laboratory reports to CDSC, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man: Annual totals 1980 to 1990

  Year

  Laboratory reports and available details

  1980

  —

  1981

  17 cases in soldiers returning from Hong Kong

  1982

  1 case

  1983

  —

  1984

  —

  1985

  2 cases

  1986

  1 case

  1987

  2 cases: one from Southern Africa

  1988

  —

  1989

  —

  19901

  —

  1 Provisional.

  Source: Form 20s to 1988; Oracle database from 1989.

  Occupational Health
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to occupational health in the single market, to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 4 November 1991 to 11 November 1991.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the costs per person per week for long-stay patients in NHS mental hospitals.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is not available centrally. Data on expenditure and activity are collected 314
  by specialty, and costs for long stay and short stay patients are not separately identified in the returns submitted by health authorities. The average cost of a bed occupied by an in-patient in a psychiatric specialty in 1989–90, the last year for which figures are available, is estimated at about £450 per week.

  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the costs per person per week for residents in local authority mental after-care homes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The 1990–91 estimates published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy give the gross average cost per place filled in local authority residential hostels for mentally ill people in England and Wales, excluding capital charges, as £213 per resident per week.

  Cochlear Implants
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why it was decided not to include Bradford in the list of centres for the cochlear implant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In selecting centres to participate in the cochlear implant programme the aim was to provide a reasonable geographical spread across the country; to provide both single and multi-channel implantation and to ensure both adults and children were included in the programme. Account was also taken of experience in implantation and the availability of suitable rehabilitation procedures. Bradford did not match these criteria as well as the centres chosen for funding.

  Bereavement (Staff Training)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what code, practices and staff training procedures have been implemented by local health authorities regarding the provision of bereavement support for the family and friends of terminally ill patients.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available centrally. Health authorities have been asked to plan and co-ordinate services for terminally ill people and their families, including the identification of training needs. Progress reports are expected later this year. The Department is supporting the production of training materials in this area by the Open university.

  Electronic Foetal Monitoring
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with the Royal College of Midwives concerning recent medical evidence that electronic foetal monitoring may have a correlation to specific pattern of foetal heart rates.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We meet with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) regularly. Many different areas are discussed, though electronic foetal heart monitoring has not recently been one of them. If the RCM has particular points that it wishes to make about this form of monitoring, I shall be glad to hear from it.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with the local authority social services departments regarding the standards set for the administration and care provision in children's homes.
  315
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We will shortly be issuing comprehensive guidance and regulations on the provision of residential care for children to accompany the implementation of the Children Act 1989. In preparing the guidance and regulations the Department consulted local authorities.

  Dental Practice Board
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the total expenditure for the dental practice board for(a) 1990–91 and (b) the estimated expenditure for 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Total administrative expenditure by the Dental Practice Board in 1990–91 was £21,152,823. The board's expenditure plans for 1991–92 remain the subject of discussions between the board and health departments for England and Wales.

  Generic Pharmaceuticals
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it remains his intention to promote the prescribing and dispensing of generic pharmaceuticals in original packs as announced by his Department on 8 November 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Progress on systematic introduction of original pack dispensing was originally halted by the failure of the medical bodies and the manufacturers to agree on common standard pack sizes. We plan to institute a new round of consultations with the medical and pharmaceutical professions and the pharmaceutical industry with a view to resolving this difficulty.

  Community Pharmacists
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will publish the total remuneration paid to community pharmacists in England and Wales for the years 1988, 1989 and 1990; and indicate in each case the proportion attributable to the costs of providing pharmaceutical services and the proportion attributable to profit.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  1988–89 was the final year of the cost-plus contract which allocated a specific amount of remuneration to profit and to the costs of providing pharmaceutical services.

  The total amount paid in 1988–89 was £468·2 million of which £20·6 million was attributed to profit. A sum of £20·9 million was also paid, which was arrears owing from 1987–88.

  For 1989–90 £496·5 million was paid in fees and £63·4 million in lump sums in respect of earlier periods.

  For 1990–91 £543·1 million was paid in fees and a lump sum of £10·1 million for 1990–91 will be paid in 1991–92.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the total number of salmonella cases reported in 1990 and in the first six months of 1991.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The total numbers of human isolations of salmonella reported by the public health laboratory service division of enteric pathogens in England and Wales for the periods in question are contained in the January and July 316
  1991 issues of the public health laboratory service/state veterinary service update on salmonella infection, copies of which are in the Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Meat Inspection
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to make meat and poultry inspection standards and charges universal throughout the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  I, along with other Agriculture and Health Ministers, commissioned in April a detailed study of the costs and benefits of alternative methods of providing day-to-day meat inspection and hygiene control in fresh meat, poultry meat and game plants in Great Britain.

  The study has now been completed and my colleagues and I will be carefully considering the results. We expect to announce our decision early in the autumn. In making decisions on future enforcement arrangements a number of factors will need to be taken into account, including the ability of the enforcement system to ensure evenness of standards and consistency of charges throughout the country.

  Veterinary Officers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the number of veterinary officers employed in England in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The number of veterinary officers in Great Britain is as follows: England, 246; Scotland, 58; Wales, 33. The number of veterinary officers employed by the state veterinary service is maintained at a level commensurate with its responsibilities.

  Pigs, Warwickshire
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the movement restrictions imposed on pigs in Warwickshire have not been included in his Chief Veterinary Officer's report to the European Community, as placed in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Blue-eared pig disease has not yet been confirmed in the restricted premises in Warwickshire and investigations there are continuing. Only those parishes in which the disease has been confirmed are notified to the European Commission.

  Agriculture and Food Research Council
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to appoint an hon. Member to the Agriculture and Food Research Council.

  Mr. Gummer
  None. Last year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman) to the council with effect from 1 January 1991. His appointment will run until 31 July 1994.

  Veterinary Investigation Centres
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place copies of the annual reports for 1990 of all the veterinary investigation centres in the Library.

  Mr. Gummer
  It is not the practice for veterinary investigation centres to prepare annual reports for publication.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  RECHAR
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the value of the RECHAR funds earmarked for the United Kingdom at present frozen by the European Commission pending the outcome of his review of additionality.

  Mr. Leigh
  The United Kingdom's 11 RECHAR programmes for our coalfield areas, which are at present awaiting approval by the Commission, apply for a total of some £109 million of European Community grant.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the terms of reference for this review of the additionality issue in respect of RECHAR funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  Discussions are continuing between the Departments concerned and the Commission on a range of issues relating to the operation of the structural funds in the United Kingdom. I attach great importance to the United Kingdom's RECHAR programmes and hope that they will be approved by the Commission very shortly.

  ICI (Hanson Bid)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received any approach from Hanson plc seeking guidance on whether any takeover bid would be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have received no such approach. A bid involving a combined turnover in excess of five billion ecu, unless predominantly within one member state or outside the Community, would fall within the European Commission's jurisdiction.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was learned from the Le Quesne inquiry into Barlow Clowes about the use made by Barlow Clowes of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International and about the proprieties of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International's role in that case.

  Mr. Redwood
  Sir Godfray Le Quesne's report contains no reference to the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Soviet Union
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom help for the Soviet Union, including individual republics, through the know-how fund and the Council of Europe Demosthenes programme.

  Mrs. Chalker
  On 18 July my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced that in addition to the £10 million available in 1991–92, the know-how fund for the Soviet Union will be increased from £10 million to £20 million in 1992–93 and a further £20 million will be made available in 1993–94. The objective of the fund is to support the transfer of British skills and expertise essential to making the change to a market economy in four key sectors: food distribution, small business creation, energy and financial services. Projects in individual republics are eligible for support.

  The United Kingdom is one of 25 members of the Council of Europe, whose Demosthenes programme enables the countries of eastern and central Europe to take advantage of the Council's work and expertise in the rule of law, human rights and a pluralist democracy. The Soviet Union has "special guest status" in the Council's Parliamentary Assembly and can benefit from this programme.

THE ARTS

  Energy Consumption
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts, pursuant to his answer of 18 June,Official Report, column 113, with which other Departments his office shares accommodation.

  Mr. Renton
  My office has two locations: the Government Offices, Great George street, London SW1 and the St. Christopher House annexe, Sumner street, London SE1. The former is shared with the Cabinet Office, Treasury, Central Statisticl Office and Ministry of Defence; the latter with the Department of Health and Ministry of Defence.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Pensions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many personal pension (i) schemes and (ii) individual policies the Fees Office administers on behalf of hon. Members' staff; and how many whole-time equivalent staff are employed to administer them.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 17 July 1991]: The Fees Office, on behalf of hon. Members, currently makes payments towards a total of 1,021 individual pension arrangements for Members' staff.

  The Fees Office employs the equivalent of two full-time staff to administer these arrangements.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how much money was available to be paid into personal pension schemes for hon. Members' staff in 1990–91; and what proportion of it was paid into hon. Members' staff policies.
  319
  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 17 July 1991]: Staff of an honourable Member are eligible for pension contributions of up to 10 per cent. of their gross salaries paid from the Member's office costs allowance. In the financial year 1990–91 the total salaries paid amounted to £12,141,417, making £1,214,142 available for pension contributions; £998,099, representing 82·2 per cent., was actually paid.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list each pension scheme currently in operation for people employed in the House of Commons, including hon. Members, and indicate the category and number of personnel eligible.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 17 July 1991]: Membership of the following pension schemes is open to Members of Parliament, all House of Commons permanent staff and staff employed by hon. Members and paid from their office cost allowances.

  Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund
  With the exception of the Speaker, the Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers, whose pensions are payable from the Consolidated Fund, all Members of Parliament are eligible for Membership.

  House of Commons Staff Pension Scheme
  All House of Commons permanent staff and those with period appointments, 1,039 at 30 June 1991, are eligible for membership.

  Hon. Members Staff Pensions Arrangements
  All staff of hon. Members who are paid salaries from the Members' office costs allowance—1,312 at 30 June 1991—are eligible for a contribution not exceeding 10 per cent. of their salary to be paid towards an individual pension arrangement.
  Other persons employed in the House of Commons are subject to pension arrangements provided by their employers.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is his estimate of the cost to the House of Commons Fees Office of administering the pension provision for hon. Members' staff as a proportion of contributions paid to their policies for the year 1990–91.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 17 July 1991]: Salary costs as a proportion of premiums paid in 1990–91 was 3 per cent.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Child Care
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), of 9 July,Official Report, column 301, if he will list the other relevant factors of which he estimates the TRAC—Campaign for Child Relief on Child Care—estimates take no account.

  Mr. Maude
  The TRAC estimates do not appear to take any account of the likelihood that some of those induced to return to work by tax-free child care would replace existing workers, or displace jobs elsewhere in the economy. To the extent that that happened, net employment gains would be overstated. Nor do they take account of the deadweight costs arising from switches into employer-assisted child care by those who are already employed.

  Youth Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the number of youth training places in the departments for which he is responsible and (b) the number of places occupied in May for each of the years 1989, 1990 and the current year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 18 July 1991]: The information is not held centrally, but provisional figures are as follows:

  Number

  Youth training places

  May 1989

  25

  May 1990

  39

  May 1991

  43

  Places occupied

  May 1989

  13

  May 1990

  32

  May 1991

  43

ENERGY

  South Wales Electricity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has had from the South Wales Electricity company concerning purchases of its shares by Welsh Water; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We have been informed by South Wales Electricity plc that further shares have been purchased by Welsh Water plc and that the directors are opposed to a merger.

  Energy Consumption
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy pursuant to his answer of 25 June,Official Report, column 436, if he will give for each Department the progress made so far towards the target of a 15 per cent. reduction in weather-corrected energy consumption per unit of floor area.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Information on energy consumption in Departments for 1990–91 is being collected by my Energy Efficiency Office, and will be published in the annual report of the ministerial group on energy efficiency in the autumn.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy pursuant to his answer of 25 June,Official Report, column 436, if he will give the formula used to adjust energy consumption according to the weather.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The formula used to adjust energy consumption according to the weather applies to the space heating of a building and is:
  Adjusted consumption=DDO/DD x Total space heating consumption
  DDO is the 20-year average of degree days, and DD is the number of degree days for the current year. This information is prepared on a regional basis by the Meteorological Office. DDO and DD should refer to the same region.

  Executive Salaries
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy further to his oral answer of 15 July to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras,Official Report, column 8, if

  321
  he will list the other organisations which produced reports on executive pay, indicating in each case the name of the organisation which retained their services and over what period.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Other reports on executive pay were produced for a number of the now privatised electricity companies and are a matter for those companies.

  Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what volumes of low-level radioactive wastes will be created in the reprocessing of foreign spent nuclear fuel already contracted to be processed in the British Nuclear Fuel Ltd. thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  British Nuclear Fuels plc estimates that some 36,000 cu m of conditioned low-level radioactive waste will arise from the reprocessing of overseas spent nuclear fuel currently contracted to be reprocessed in the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Clerk's Department
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) what percentage of the staff in

  Cumulative rent arrears at the end of March 1981 to 1985

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  London boroughs

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  Barking and Dagenham

  0·50

  3·00

  0·70

  3·20

  1·10

  4·80

  1·20

  5·20

  0·70

  3·10

  Barnet

  0·50

  3·80

  0·70

  4·30

  0·90

  4·30

  1·00

  4·60

  1·00

  4·50

  Bexley

  0·30

  4·10

  0·40

  4·60

  0·40

  4·30

  0·30

  2·80

  0·30

  2·70

  Brent

  1·50

  15·60

  2·80

  20·60

  3·60

  23·20

  4·90

  31·40

  5·30

  32·20

  Bromley

  0·30

  2·80

  0·50

  3·20

  0·40

  2·70

  0·90

  5·30

  0·30

  3·20

  Camden

  2·40

  17·20

  1·60

  8·40

  2·50

  9·60

  2·70

  9·90

  3·10

  11·20

  City of London

  0·02

  1·30

  0·04

  2·40

  0·05

  2·40

  0·06

  2·60

  0·08

  3·30

  Croydon

  0·40

  4·60

  0·90

  6·10

  0·90

  5·30

  0·60

  4·10

  1·10

  6·00

  Ealing

  0·70

  4·80

  0·90

  5·10

  1·10

  5·50

  1·40

  6·80

  1·50

  7·30

  Enfield

  0·50

  4·40

  0·40

  2·70

  0·60

  3·20

  0·70

  3·50

  1·30

  6·30

  Greenwich

  1·20

  6·80

  1·40

  5·60

  2·00

  7·20

  1·60

  5·90

  3·00

  10·80

  Hackney

  1·40

  12·80

  1·00

  7·00

  3·30

  10·20

  3·60

  10·90

  9·20

  27·20

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·90

  10·10

  1·00

  7·30

  1·10

  6·90

  1·10

  6·10

  1·50

  7·50

  Haringey

  1·50

  14·80

  1·40

  9·10

  3·50

  18·50

  2·50

  13·20

  2·90

  15·20

  Harrow

  0·40

  6·20

  0·50

  5·80

  0·40

  5·10

  0·60

  6·60

  0·70

  8·40

  Havering

  0·60

  5·80

  0·60

  4·50

  0·40

  3·10

  0·70

  5·10

  0·70

  4·80

  Hillingdon

  0·50

  3·80

  0·50

  2·50

  0·60

  3·30

  0·50

  2·70

  0·50

  2·30

  Hounslow

  0·20

  2·30

  0·50

  3·60

  1·20

  8·20

  1·40

  8·60

  1·60

  9·30

  Islington

  0·60

  3·40

  3·20

  12·80

  5·50

  17·40

  4·50

  14·50

  4·90

  15·10

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0·50

  7·30

  0·50

  5·60

  0·90

  7·70

  0·90

  7·30

  1·10

  8·20

  Kingston Upon Thames

  0·05

  1·00

  0·20

  2·60

  0·20

  2·80

  0·10

  1·80

  0·10

  1·50

  Lambeth

  3·70

  29·00

  7·40

  40·00

  n/a

  n/a

  7·90

  20·80

  9·40

  24·00

  Lewisham

  2·10

  17·60

  2·80

  14·90

  4·30

  12·90

  6·70

  20·30

  7·30

  22·30

  Merton

  0·70

  7·80

  1·20

  10·60

  1·30

  10·40

  1·20

  8·80

  1·20

  7·90

  Newham

  0·60

  4·40

  0·80

  4·20

  1·60

  6·70

  1·80

  7·30

  2·30

  9·10

  Redbridge

  0·30

  4·10

  0·60

  5·50

  0·60

  4·70

  0·60

  4·70

  0·60

  4·80

  Richmond Upon Thames

  0·07

  1·10

  0·10

  1·20

  0·10

  1·00

  0·10

  1·30

  0·20

  2·00

  Southwark

  5·10

  16·10

  5·10

  11·30

  6·80

  13·50

  8·80

  17·20

  11·00

  20·50

  Sutton

  0·20

  2·00

  0·30

  3·00

  0·40

  3·10

  0·40

  3·00

  0·40

  2·60

  Tower Hamlets

  0·50

  7·30

  0·70

  6·40

  1·00

  7·40

  0·80

  6·00

  0·90

  6·20

  Waltham Forest

  0·40

  4·60

  0·70

  6·10

  1·20

  8·10

  2·80

  16·50

  3·10

  17·80

  Wandsworth

  2·70

  11·00

  4·50

  13·10

  5·70

  15·10

  5·40

  14·20

  5·40

  12·30

  Westminster

  1·00

  7·20

  1·50

  8·30

  1·60

  7·60

  1·50

  6·80

  1·80

  6·80

  322
  the House of Commons Clerk's Department of grade 7 equivalent and above did not graduate from Oxford or Cambridge;

  (2) what percentage of the staff in the House of Commons Clerk's Department of grade 7 equivalent and above did not have arts degrees;

  (3) what percentage of the staff in the House of Commons Clerk's Department of grade 7 equivalent and above were not educated at private schoools.

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 2 July 1991]: No central records are kept, but from information obtained by way of questionnaire, the approximate percentage figures are 30 per cent., 37 per cent.1 and 40 per cent.
  1 The definition used for a "non-arts" degree includes degrees in science, mathematics, law and social sciences. If only science and mathematics degrees were included, the figure would be 7 per cent.

ENVIRONMENT

  Rent Arrears
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authority rent arrears level in London by borough for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have today placed in the Library tables listing cumulative rent arrears of London boroughs, and arrears as a percentage of rent roll, for each year since 1981. The corresponding figures for earlier years are not available centrally.
  323
  Source: Housing Subsidies and Grants: Second Advance Claim Forms.

  Note: Large year to year changes in arrears up to 1987 may be due to changes in reporting (ie high figures may include arrears of rates or service charges). From 1987 onwards figures for rent arrears only have been estimated where necessary (indicated by *).

  Cumulative rent arrears at the end of March 1986 to 1990

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1988

  1990

  London boroughs

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  Arrears

  Arrears as percentage of rent roll

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  Barking and Dagenham

  1·20

  4·90

  0·70

  3·00

  0·80

  3·20

  0·80

  3·20

  0·70

  2·70

  Barnet

  1·00

  4·90

  0·60

  3·00

  0·80

  3·70

  1·00

  4·40

  1·30

  5·80

  Bexley

  0·30

  2·80

  0·30

  2·80

  0·30

  3·00

  0·30

  3·20

  0·30

  2·80

  Brent

  11·00

  63·00

  6·50

  38·50

  *8·10

  46·90

  *13·70

  49·00

  15·80

  44·60

  Bromley

  0·50

  3·20

  0·40

  2·70

  0·40

  2·00

  0·60

  3·10

  0·70

  3·50

  Camden

  4·40

  15·60

  4·60

  16·00

  4·70

  15·30

  5·80

  15·20

  7·50

  17·80

  City of London

  0·10

  4·80

  0·10

  2·40

  0·10

  1·90

  0·10

  3·30

  0·20

  4·30

  Croydon

  1·70

  8·20

  1·20

  5·60

  1·30

  6·00

  1·40

  5·60

  1·80

  6·60

  Ealing

  1·70

  8·20

  1·90

  8·90

  2·20

  10·20

  5·70

  26·20

  5·70

  18·30

  Enfield

  1·00

  4·80

  1·10

  5·70

  1·20

  5·10

  1·70

  6·50

  1·00

  3·50

  Greenwich

  2·90

  10·00

  3·50

  12·10

  4·80

  15·30

  5·50

  14·10

  8·10

  18·00

  Hackney

  5·50

  16·20

  6·60

  19·80

  8·40

  24·10

  12·40

  30·30

  15·30

  29·50

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1·70

  7·50

  1·90

  7·90

  2·20

  8·40

  3·70

  10·50

  6·40

  17·40

  Haringey

  5·60

  28·50

  3·20

  16·50

  4·10

  18·80

  7·20

  25·60

  11·90

  30·30

  Harrow

  0·60

  6·30

  0·40

  4·30

  0·40

  4·00

  0·60

  5·90

  0·70

  6·60

  Havering

  0·70

  4·30

  0·50

  3·00

  0·50

  2·80

  0·60

  3·30

  0·60

  3·10

  Hillingdon

  0·50

  2·50

  0·40

  2·30

  0·50

  2·50

  0·50

  2·80

  0·60

  3·00

  Hounslow

  0·90

  4·90

  1·10

  5·60

  1·10

  5·60

  1·00

  4·70

  1·60

  5·20

  Islington

  6·20

  18·30

  6·50

  19·60

  9·80

  27·40

  13·10

  28·90

  6·50

  12·10

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1·20

  8·40

  1·00

  7·20

  1·10

  7·00

  1·30

  8·20

  1·70

  9·90

  Kingston upon Thames

  0·10

  1·60

  0·10

  1·80

  0·10

  1·70

  0·30

  3·00

  0·30

  3·10

  Lambeth

  10·00

  24·00

  7·50

  18·00

  12·60

  29·90

  17·50

  35·70

  17·40

  32·50

  Lewisham

  6·80

  19·50

  4·20

  12·00

  4·70

  12·20

  5·70

  12·80

  5·80

  11·90

  Merton

  1·20

  7·40

  1·10

  7·70

  0·80

  5·20

  0·70

  5·00

  1·30

  7·60

  Newham

  2·70

  10·70

  3·10

  11·40

  3·60

  12·10

  5·40

  16·00

  9·90

  21·60

  Redbridge

  0·60

  3·90

  0·70

  4·90

  0·80

  5·50

  1·30

  8·50

  1·60

  8·70

  Richmond upon Thames

  0·20

  2·00

  0·20

  2·00

  0·30

  2·90

  0·40

  4·00

  0·80

  5·80

  Southwark

  13·40

  24·40

  14·70

  27·80

  19·00

  29·30

  *26·80

  35·50

  27·00

  31·90

  Sutton

  0·40

  2·70

  0·40

  2·60

  0·40

  3·10

  0·80

  5·60

  0·70

  4·50

  Tower Hamlets

  2·30

  6·80

  2·30

  5·60

  2·20

  4·90

  2·20

  4·70

  3·10

  6·10

  Waltham Forest

  4·40

  23·60

  2·70

  14·10

  3·10

  16·00

  4·40

  20·60

  3·20

  13·80

  Wandsworth

  2·80

  6·80

  2·50

  5·40

  2·40

  5·30

  3·40

  6·90

  3·80

  8·10

  Westminster

  1·80

  6·20

  1·90

  6·50

  1·80

  6·10

  1·70

  5·60

  2·00

  5·50

  Source: Housing Subsidies and Grants: Second Advance Claim Forms.

  Note: Large year to year changes in arrears up to 1987 may be due to changes in reporting (ie high figures may include arrears of rates or service charges). From 1987 onwards figures for rent arrears only have been estimated where necessary (indicated by *).

  Housing
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the drafting of his Department's circular 7/91; and if he has any plans to amend it.

  Sir George Young
  We have received a number of letters from hon. Members, local authorities and other interested bodies about circular 7/91 on "Planning and Affordable Housing". I have also discussed the circular at meetings with local authority representative bodies, including the Housing Consultative Council.

  Many local authorities and others have welcomed the clarification of policy on the use of planning mechanisms to encourage the provision of affordable housing where it is needed. The circular emphasises the important role of local plans which may, after careful analysis of the need, incorporate appropriate planning policies on affordable housing. The circular makes it clear that matters unrelated to land use, such as tenure or the income of the occupier, should not be regulated through the planning system. In view of this, the best way of ensuring that such housing remains affordable is through planning agreements that provide for a housing association or similar body to retain an interest in the ownership sufficient to control the occupation.
  324
  We have no plans at present to amend the circular. In due course, the advice will be incorporated in the revised planning policy guidance note 3, with whatever minor changes may then be appropriate.

  No. 7 Millbank
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 461, what progress has been made with his inquiries into the suitability of 7 Millbank as offices for hon. Members and staff.

  Mr. Yeo
  A number of options is still under consideration.

  Local Authority Staff(Pay)
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will encourage local authorities to settle the pay claim of local authority administrative, professional, technical and clerical staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  This is entirely a matter for local government. Local authorities themselves are best placed to decide on the levels of pay settlements for their staff.

  Burglary
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce higher standards for materials used in housing construction to ensure their greater resistance to burglary.

  Mr. Yeo
  The warranty schemes for new houses operated by the National Housebuilding Council and the Housing Standards Company include requirements relating to basic security measures, such as door and window locks. Housing associations adopt similar standards. In addition, my Department has produced guidance on security measures in both new and existing housing. Research is being undertaken to monitor the effectiveness of these measures, and the results 'will be made available to the British Standards Institution so that they can review the relevant British standards.

  British Waterways
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those sites referred to in paragraph 2.91 of his Department's annual report—Cm 1508—where British Waterways are planning developments.

  Mr. Baldry
  No. The identification of particular sites for development is a matter for the British Waterways Board.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department was represented at the 1991 summer school on radioactive waste management, decommissioning and clean-up, held at Jesus college, Cambridge on 8 to 11 July.

  Mr. Baldry
  Yes. Several members of the Department attended and gave papers.

  Water Abstraction Licences
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions owners of fishing rights have applied for revocation or variation of water abstraction licences under the provisions of the Water Resources Act 1963 since that Act came into force; and how many such applications have been determined in favour of the applicant, either by revocation or variation of the licence, or by the award of compensation.

  Mr. Trippier
  This information is not available.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the costs per person per week for residents of housing associations providing mental after-care.

  Mr. Yeo
  The costs for residents vary from scheme to scheme and information is not at present assembled centrally. Housing associations are, however, required under the tenants' guarantee to ensure that charges to residents can be afforded by those on low incomes. The Housing Corporation also intends to keep charges to residents in special needs schemes under review as part of its monitoring of the new funding arrangements introduced this April.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received seeking a compensatory mechanism for the losses incurred by local authorities following the closure of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have received a number of representations from local authorities on this subject but none specifically seeking compensation.

  Steel Cans (Recycling)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether assistance is provided to facilitate the recycling of steel cans to any local authorities or other organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government provide a range of assistance to facilitate the recycling of various materials, including steel cans. Industry can seek funding through the ETIS scheme, operated jointly by my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry, and the DEMOS and EUROENVIRON schemes, administered by the Department of Trade and Industry. Voluntary organisations may apply for grant through the environmental grant fund.

  We have also distributed £12 million of supplementary credit approvals for 1991–92 to enable local authorities to invest in recycling. Seventy-eight of the 96 authorities which received SCAs received approvals for schemes involving the recycling of cans.

  West End Development, Bradford
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in the examination of the application for city grant by 3Ds Ltd. for the west end development in Bradford, what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that Old Court Ltd. can contribute sufficient income from its publishing activities to finance the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  An application from 3Ds has been received, but cannot be appraised in its present incomplete form. When we are able to carry out a full appraisal the Department will, of course, satisfy itself that the developer is in a position to undertake the project.

  Heritage Grants
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discretionary grants are available from his Department for national projects undertaken by voluntary organisations involved in heritage work.

  Mr. Yeo
  National projects undertaken by voluntary organisations involved in heritage work are eligible for funding under two grant schemes operated by my Department.

  The main source of funding for such projects is the special grants programme which assists voluntary organisations for activities relevant to the Department's interests.

  They can also be eligible for the environmental grant fund which aims to support the work of voluntary groups on innovative projects which will help take forward the policies set out in our White Paper "This Common Inheritance".

  Keighley Picture House
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amount of grant aid provided for the refurbishment of Keighley picture house.

  Mr. Key
  Under the urban programme, the Department of the Environment has contributed £273,000 towards the refurbishment of the picture house.

  Pentachlorophenol Discharges
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the average levels of pentachlorophenol in industrial discharges in the Rossendale and Darwen constituency; what is the highest level of measured discharge of pentachlorophenol; and what is the maximum permitted discharge level.

  Mr. Baldry
  Available information on discharges to rivers and sewers is held for rivers by the north-west region 328
  of the National Rivers Authority, and North West Water plc for sewers. Discharge levels are constrained by the requirements of EC directive 86/280/EEC which sets a limit of 2mg per litre for individual discharges. The directive also sets an environmental quality objective of 2 microgrammes per litre, which has been taken into national law in the Surface Water (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1989 and which, as required by the Water Act 1989, we aim to meet in all areas so far as it is practicable.

  Planning
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to establish a voluntary register of interests for planning inspectors.

  Mr. Yeo
  We have no proposals to establish such a register.

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  BARKESTONE SCHOOL: STATUTORY INSTRUMENT
  WILDLIFE CONSERVATION: DATA
  WILDLIFE CONSERVATION: DATA
  BASKING SHARK: CONSERVATION POLICY
  BASKING SHARK: CONSERVATION POLICY
  SCOTLAND: PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY FUNCTIONS
  SCOTLAND: PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY FUNCTIONS
  STRATEGIC FOOD STOCKPILE: PHASED REDUCTION
  STRATEGIC FOOD STOCKPILE: PHASED REDUCTION
  CENTRAL SCIENCE LABORATORY: RELOCATION
  CENTRAL SCIENCE LABORATORY: RELOCATION
  BLUE-EARED PIG DISEASE
  BLUE-EARED PIG DISEASE
  EWE PREMIUM: ADVANCE PAYMENTS SUPPLEMENT
  EWE PREMIUM: ADVANCE PAYMENTS SUPPLEMENT
  PRIVATISED UTILITIES: CHARGES TO CONSUMERS
  PRIVATISED UTILITIES: CHARGES TO CONSUMERS
  HM FORCES IN THE GULF: INLAND REVENUE INSTRUCTION
  HM FORCES IN THE GULF: INLAND REVENUE INSTRUCTION