Written Answers of 25 July 1991

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Inward Investment
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much investment has been made in Northern Ireland by American-controlled companies in each of the past five years; and to what extent these investments have been made as a result of the support made available from United States public funds.

  Mr. Needham
  The table shows the investment made in Northern Ireland by American-controlled companies in each of the past five financial years. Two of these investments involved support from United States public funds.

  Year

  Total investment (£,000)

  No. of investments

  1986–87

  40,335

  6

  1987–88

  21,541

  5

  1988–89

  103,933

  8

  1989–90

  212,674

  12

  1990–91

  74,659

  7

  Eastern Health and Social Services Board
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since the introduction of privatisation into services provided for the Eastern health and social services board, what proportion of financial savings have been allocated to actual patient care and improvement of medical services.

  Mr. Hanley
  The health and personal social services in Northern Ireland have not been subject to a privatisation policy. There is, however, a requirement on health and social services boards to test the efficiency of their domestic, catering and laundry services through competitive tendering. All financial savings arising from competitive tendering contribute to the overall resources available to each unit of management to deliver its operational plan, the emphasis of which is actual patient care and improvement of medical services.

  Stevens Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on the Stevens inquiry to date; and which Department is meeting the cost.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I understand that, up to 3 July, the cost of the Stevens inquiry has been £868,480. As is normal for such inquiries, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland is meeting the cost.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were arrested as a724
  result of the Stevens inquiry; how many have been charged; how many have been brought to trial; how many of those tried have been found guilty; how many have been released from custody and of them how many are on bail; and how many are still in custody.

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

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will now seek to have made available to his Department copies of the environmental audits carried out by companies in Northern Ireland which produce(a) toxic and (b) hazardous and special wastes.

  Mr. Needham
  Where such audits are carried out by companies in Northern Ireland, it is the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland's intention to seek to have copies made available.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 17 July,Official Report, column 212, on information on environmental impact assessments, if he has obtained copies of the published information referred to for his departmental library.

  Mr. Needham
  Copies of the published information referred to are not held in the departmental library; they are held by the environment service where they are readily available to officials who may require access to them.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East,Official Report, 17 July, column 212–13, what steps were taken by the councils through whose areas the hazardous waste referred to passed to ensure that it is being transported in accordance with current regulations.

  Mr. Needham
  The transport of hazardous waste by road in Northern Ireland is subject to the provisions of regulations for which the enforcing authority is the Department of Economic Development.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East,Official Report, 17 July, column 212, if he will list the types of hazardous waste imported into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic in 1988–89 and 1989–90; by what means it was disposed of; and whether those council areas through which it passed monitored its passage within their areas, and its disposal.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is given in the table. In most cases, the substances are chemically treated and sludge wastes which arise as a result of this treatment are landfilled under the close supervision of the relevant district councils. The passage through a district council area is not monitored by district councils.

  Substances

  Method of disposal

  Acqueous solution/Suspension of low level pesticides (plant washings).

  Treated in plant for disposal to landfill in Northern Ireland.

  Ammonia corrosive liquid.

  Treated with sulphuric acid in plant.

  725

  Substances

  Method of disposal

  Empty plastic containers of Escadulent material containing Esthyl methacrylate, Hydroxypropyl, Polyurethane, Iscoynate, Acrylic acid.

  Repacked and sent to England for treatment and disposal.

  Cupid acid.

  Sent to England for re-cycling.

  Printed circuit board effluent sludge.

  Treated in plant and precipitate sent for disposal to landfill in Northern Ireland.

  Mercury contaminated waste.

  Treated in plant—Mercury extracted for re-use.

  Copper hydroxide.

  Sent to England for re-cycling.

  Chlorinated solvents.

  Sent to England for re-cycling.

  Non-chlorinated solvents.

  Sent to England for re-cycling.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will outline the consideration given by any Government Department in Northern Ireland to the EC draft directive on the incineration of hazardous wastes and indicate what consultations there have been between Government officials and the European Commission on the implications of such a directive for any proposals for a hazardous waste incinerator in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  Proposals for a directive on the incineration of hazardous waste have yet to be placed before the European Council, although it is understood that a submission will be made shortly.

  Officials in the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland have been kept informed of the details of discussions on the draft directive. Any proposals for a hazardous waste incinerator in Northern Ireland would have to comply fully with emission standards and controls set out in any such new directive.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any Northern Ireland Government Department has been briefed or sought information on the study by the small area health statistics unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on possible links between pollution from waste incinerators and ill health in the community.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Department of Health and Social Services is represented on the steering committee which oversees the work of the small area health statistics unit. It is therefore aware of all studies being undertaken by the unit.

  Maydown Incinerator
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that the slag to be produced by the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry, will be harmless to the environment.

  Mr. Needham
  Details of the slag to be produced by the proposed incinerator and proper safeguards for the handling of such material will become available only if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submits a planning application and accompanying environmental statement.
  726
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what types of(a) toxic, (b) hazardous and (c) other special wastes the proposed incinerator at Londonderry will burn; and what is the temperature needed and for what periods to destroy each of those wastes.

  Mr. Needham
  The specific types of waste which will comprise the feedstock material for the proposed incinerator and the design details of the plant capable of safely handling such waste will have to be contained in any environmental impact assessment. The requirements set by the Government will ensure the degree of burn-out achieved at any such incinerator will be sufficient properly to destroy all material for which the plant is designed.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East, of 17 July,Official Report, column 210, on the expected lifetime of the Maydown incinerator, what is his estimate of the amount of waste which could be burnt in the incinerator over its lifetime.

  Mr. Needham
  Until the company submits details of the intended plant capacity that may be proposed for any incinerator, it is not possible to estimate the total quantity of material which might be burnt at any such incinerator over its lifetime.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the IDB or the Department of Economic Development have any plans to provide funding for the Du Pont company's proposed hazardous waste incinerator; and what discussions they have had with the company about possible funding for such a project.

  Mr. Needham
  The company has approached the Industrial Development Board about possible financial assistance for its proposed hazardous waste incinerator. Negotiations have not yet been concluded.

  Flood Damage
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the sums of public money expended in (1) Strabane area, (2) Ballycastle area and (3) the rest of Northern Ireland after the floods of 1987 and last year; how many persons received such sums and for what purposes; for Department of Health and Social Security payments what sums were paid in(a) grants and (b) loans and how much of the loans have been repaid to the latest available date; and whether there are any differences in Government action in the different situations.

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

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has concluded his consideration of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights' recommendation that racial discrimination be made unlawful in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The recommendation that racial discrimination be made unlawful in Northern Ireland was
  727
  contained in the SACHR second report on religious and political discrimination in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State wrote to the chairman of SACHR on 23 July proposing a meeting between officials and the commission to discuss the Government's response to this and a number of other recommendations contained in the report.

  Voluntary Grammar Schools
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the category B expenditure grants paid to each of the voluntary grammar schools and their numbers of fee paying and non-fee paying pupils for each school year since 1988.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:

  1988–89 school year

  School

  Category B grants paid £

  Fee paying pupils

  Non-fee paying pupils

  Armagh Royal

  243,713

  43

  458

  Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar

  293,463

  51

  669

  Ballymena Academy

  405,227

  18

  1,113

  Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar

  282,040

  2

  912

  Ballymoney, Dalriada

  294,737

  15

  771

  Ballynahinch Assumption

  248,335

  9

  691

  Bangor Grammar

  314,472

  36

  865

  Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate

  179,891

  22

  520

  Belfast, Campbell College

  440,606

  106

  478

  Belfast, Christian Brothers

  426,443

  34

  1,096

  Belfast, Dominican College

  275,287

  14

  782

  Belfast High School

  272,463

  12

  730

  Belfast, Hunterhouse College

  212,320

  129

  560

  Belfast, Methodist College

  773,910

  138

  1.458

  Belfast, Our Lady and St. Patrick's

  361,991

  12

  904

  Belfast, Royal Academical Institution

  489,258

  45

  858

  Belfast, Royal Academy

  636,237

  46

  1,250

  Belfast, St. Dominic's High School

  349,958

  15

  900

  Belfast, St. Malachy's College

  392,487

  11

  911

  Belfast, Strathearn

  219,177

  6

  598

  Belfast, Victoria College

  262,184

  65

  600

  Coleraine Academical Institution

  366,046

  134

  834

  Coleraine, Loreto College

  248,859

  10

  697

  Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar

  99,981

  16

  263

  Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar

  183,965

  13

  589

  Dungannon Royal

  303,152

  29

  549

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'

  197,028

  11

  690

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'

  183,699

  13

  672

  Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar

  350,238

  23

  1,041

  Enniskillen Convent

  219,193

  1

  746

  Enniskillen, Portora Royal

  231,547

  27

  314

  Enniskillen, St. Michael's

  240,806

  17

  664

  Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College

  205,749

  21

  529

  Holywood, Sullivan Upper

  348,720

  18

  984

  Kilkeel, St. Louis High

  128,174

  21

  266

  Larne Grammar

  237,915

  17

  614

  Lisburn, Friends' School

  301,811

  46

  820

  Lisburn, Wallace High

  394,991

  20

  1,060

  Londonderry, Foyle College

  289,168

  35

  757

  Londonderry, St. Columb's College

  536,879

  7

  1,537

  Londonderry, Thornhill College

  429,111

  20

  1,289

  Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High

  167,043

  5

  403

  Magherafelt, Rainey Endowed

  211,321

  8

  536

  Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent

  289,582

  11

  940

  Newry, Abbey Grammar

  233,459

  6

  705

  Newry, Our Lady's Grammar

  184,307

  12

  755

  Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar

  226,906

  9

  769

  728

  1988–89 school year

  School

  Category B grants paid £

  Fee paying pupils

  Non-fee paying pupils

  Newry, St. Colman's College

  237,829

  26

  748

  Omagh Christian Brothers'

  227,145

  9

  754

  Omagh, Loreto Convent

  264,875

  9

  808

  Portstewart Dominican College

  150,428

  46

  317

  Strabane Convent Grammar

  164,192

  12

  444

  1989–90 school year

  School

  Category B grants paid £

  Fee paying pupils

  Non-fee paying pupils

  Armagh Royal

  258,771

  58

  442

  Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar

  309,385

  36

  667

  Ballymena Academy

  435,680

  22

  1,098

  Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar

  319,190

  3

  946

  Ballymoney, Dalriada

  323,114

  14

  763

  Ballynahinch Assumption

  266,720

  17

  704

  Bangor Grammar

  354,824

  37

  830

  Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate

  202,529

  22

  570

  Belfast, Campbell College

  412,396

  131

  502

  Belfast, Christian Brothers

  478,402

  31

  1,084

  Belfast, Dominican College

  310,162

  13

  788

  Belfast High School

  278,303

  33

  672

  Belfast, Hunterhouse College

  238,407

  94

  511

  Belfast, Methodist College

  833,236

  147

  1,491

  Belfast, Our Lady and St. Patrick's

  410,559

  21

  945

  Belfast, Royal Academical Institution

  519,440

  46

  846

  Belfast, Royal Academy

  699,557

  28

  1,243

  Belfast, St. Dominic's High School

  390,899

  12

  865

  Belfast, St. Malachy's College

  433,089

  15

  864

  Belfast, Strathearn

  248,988

  3

  636

  Belfast, Victoria College

  281,805

  62

  554

  Coleraine Academical Institution

  402,220

  96

  764

  Coleraine, Loreto College

  278,461

  9

  709

  Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar

  110,646

  14

  262

  Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar

  210,594

  8

  629

  Dungannon Royal

  331,810

  44

  545

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'

  222,558

  10

  691

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'

  213,209

  11

  725

  Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar

  396,293

  14

  1,093

  Enniskillen Convent

  245,074

  6

  734

  Enniskillen, Portora Royal

  252,344

  19

  308

  Enniskillen, St. Michael's

  261,543

  12

  676

  Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College

  225,173

  23

  517

  Holywood, Sullivan Upper

  388,198

  17

  990

  Kilkeel, St. Louis High

  134,699

  26

  227

  Larne Grammar

  249,192

  26

  568

  Lisburn, Friends' School

  328,602

  52

  816

  Lisburn, Wallace High

  429,965

  19

  1,084

  Londonderry, Foyle College

  327,808

  22

  763

  Londonderry, St. Columb's College

  582,500

  25

  1,503

  Londonderry, Thornhill College

  463,990

  30

  1,245

  Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High

  174,205

  7

  392

  Magherafelt, Rainey Endowed

  223,617

  18

  541

  Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent

  324,724

  10

  957

  Newry, Abbey Grammar

  263,235

  10

  677

  Newry, Our Lady's Grammar

  206,559

  12

  761

  Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar

  257,504

  6

  809

  Newry, St. Colman's College

  261,195

  23

  754

  Omagh Christian Brothers'

  258,129

  15

  758

  Omagh, Loreto Convent

  303,213

  12

  840

  Portstewart Dominican College

  161,779

  52

  338

  Strabane Convent Grammar

  181,566

  8

  451

  729

  1990–91 school yea (8-month period)

  School

  Category B grants paid £

  Fee paying pupils

  Non-fee paying pupils

  Armagh Royal

  187,701

  47

  501

  Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar

  239,073

  2

  738

  Ballymena Academy

  332,780

  11

  1,148

  Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar

  248,949

  0

  959

  Ballymona, Dalriada

  239,696

  2

  777

  Ballyneyhinch Assumption

  205,914

  0

  780

  Bangor Grammar

  265,360

  13

  870

  Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate

  162,989

  8

  620

  Belfast, Campbell College

  302,079

  93

  597

  Belfast, Christian Brothers

  351,263

  4

  1,137

  Belfast, Dominican College

  240,567

  0

  867

  Belfast High School

  214,612

  1

  706

  Belfast, Hunterhouse College

  172,623

  62

  547

  Belfast, Methodist College

  609,615

  100

  1,549

  Belfast, Our Lady and St. Patrick's

  302,409

  0

  994

  Belfast, Royal Academical Institution

  379,070

  14

  911

  Belfast, Royal Academy

  509,946

  15

  1,274

  Belfast, St. Dominic's High School

  279,433

  2

  871

  Belfast, St. Malachy's College

  308,918

  0

  876

  Belfast, Strathearn

  191,777

  3

  648

  Belfast, Victoria College

  207,479

  42

  609

  Coleraine Academical Institution

  298,475

  58

  790

  Coleraine, Loreto College

  215,095

  0

  745

  Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar

  89,104

  0

  312

  Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar

  158,743

  0

  638

  Dungannon Royal

  238,446

  30

  569

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'

  183,396

  1

  728

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'

  177,033

  0

  769

  Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar

  308,664

  2

  1,206

  Enniskillen Convent

  195,484

  0

  765

  Enniskillen, Portora Royal

  174,606

  12

  331

  Enniskillen, St. Michael's

  204,249

  1

  688

  Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College

  174,779

  7

  568

  Holywood, Sullivan Upper

  294,377

  1

  1,012

  Kilkeel, St. Louis High

  104,106

  11

  266

  Larne Grammar

  187,641

  6

  622

  Lisburn, Friends' School

  259,282

  37

  830

  Lisburn, Wallace High

  320,445

  6

  1,133

  Londonderry, Foyle College

  245,472

  13

  814

  Londonderry, St. Columb's College

  440,508

  2

  1,553

  Londonderry, Thornhill College

  362,556

  7

  1,289

  Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High

  131,061

  0

  431

  Magherafelt, Rainey Endowed

  172,436

  1

  571

  Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent

  252,610

  0

  990

  Newry, Abbey Grammar

  196,665

  2

  664

  Newry, Our Lady's Grammar

  162,707

  3

  791

  Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar

  196,045

  3

  810

  Newry, St. Colman's College

  210,270

  0

  782

  Omagh Christian Brothers'

  201,664

  0

  777

  Omagh, Loreto Convent

  226,334

  1

  861

  Portstewart Dominican College

  128,331

  23

  368

  Strabane Convent Grammar

  133,922

  2

  449

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the amount of category A expenditure admitted for each of the voluntary grammar schools in Northern Ireland for each school year since 1989.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:730

  Category A expenditure admitted for grant

  1989–90 (School year) £

  1990–911 (Eight month period) £

  Armagh Royal

  751,589

  516,078

  Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar

  937,720

  653,788

  Ballymena Academy

  1,499,902

  1,053,189

  Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar

  1,075,497

  782,492

  Ballymoney, Dalriada School

  1,083,466

  773,908

  Ballynahinch, Assumption Grammar

  868,418

  635,563

  Bangor Grammar

  1,156,739

  816,750

  Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate

  741,887

  542,722

  Belfast, Campbell College

  839,106

  625,730

  Belfast, Christian Brothers'

  1,399,839

  972,402

  Belfast, Dominican College

  962,192

  695,087

  Belfast High School

  992,910

  687,535

  Belfast, Hunterhouse College

  949,744

  642,172

  Belfast, Methodist College

  2,302,121

  1,673,818

  Belfast, Our Lady & St. Patrick's

  1,138,880

  828,994

  Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution

  1,292,245

  910,409

  Belfast Royal Academy

  1,740,888

  1,208,832

  Belfast, St. Dominic's High School

  1,177,290

  791,986

  Belfast, St. Malachy's College

  1,144,269

  796,050

  Belfast, Strathearn

  869,980

  624,987

  Belfast, Victoria College

  1,038,563

  732,448

  Coleraine Academical Institution

  1,168,740

  808,465

  Coleraine, Loreto College

  889,970

  665,440

  Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar

  385,694

  279,930

  Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar

  704,574

  520,821

  Dungannon Royal

  794,732

  563,270

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'

  849,395

  600,398

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'

  773,625

  571,787

  Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar

  1,291,737

  962,553

  Enniskillen, Convent Grammar

  849,899

  606,986

  Enniskillen. Portora Royal

  472,958

  322,231

  Enniskillen, St. Michael's College

  804,585

  554,063

  Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College

  650,414

  472,663

  Holywood, Sullivan Upper

  1,271,642

  938,112

  Kilkeel, St. Louis Grammar

  424,290

  305,462

  Larne Grammar School

  866,543

  619,832

  Lisburn, Friends' School

  1,204,948

  840,527

  Lisburn, Wallace High

  1,375,556

  1,007,965

  Londonderry, Foyle College

  1,019,844

  736,727

  Londonderry, St. Columb's College

  1,780,366

  1,267,940

  Londonderry, Thornhill College

  1,550,162

  1,107,787

  Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High

  655,700

  462,716

  Magherafelt Rainey Endowed

  763,579

  542,845

  Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent

  1,146,756

  828,314

  Newry, Abbey Grammar

  819,377

  593,304

  Newry, Our Lady's Grammar

  864,763

  631,933

  Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar

  919,539

  693,272

  Newry, St. Colman's College

  861,770

  635,856

  Omagh, Christian Brothers'

  916,202

  675,480

  Omagh, Loreto Convent

  916,969

  660,344

  Portstewart, Dominican College

  517,616

  380,137

  Strabane, Convent Grammar

  547,553

  393,677

  731
  1Prior to 1990–91 the funding of voluntary grammar schools was determined on a school year basis (August to July). In 1990–91 the funding period was reduced to a eight months (August to March) so that, when local management of schools was introduced on 1 April 1991, funding would be on the same basis as for other schools (ie April to March).

  Schools (Capital Work)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the primary and secondary schools which have had tenders for major capital work approved and the amount involved in each case in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:

  Tender amount approved £ million

  1989

  Primary Schools

  All Saints (Tattysallagh) Omagh

  0·437

  Grange, Kilkeel

  0·223

  St. Anne's, Finaghy

  1,229

  St. Anne's, Strabane

  0·691

  St. Mary's, Aughnacloy

  0·329

  St. Patrick's, Dungannon

  1·626

  Secondary Schools

  Banbridge Academy

  4·400

  Drumcree High, Portadown

  1·800

  Dundonald Boys' High

  2·400

  Friends' School, Lisburn

  1·235

  Glengormley High

  3·100

  Loreto College, Coleraine

  2·200

  Movilla High, Newtownards

  4·250

  Omagh Academy

  3·200

  Our Lady's Grammar, Newry

  4·299

  Victoria College, Belfast

  0·378

  1990

  Primary Schools

  Hollybush, Londonderry

  0·709

  Langfield, Drumquin

  0·320

  Secondary Schools

  Drumcree High, Portadown

  0·218

  Lagan College, Belfast

  2·788

  Larne Grammar

  3·126

  Loreto Convent Grammar, Omagh

  1·450

  Orangefield High, Belfast

  3·443

  St. Mark's High, Warrenpoint

  2·899

  St. Mary's Girls' High, Downpatrick

  2·216

  St. Michael's Grammar, Enniskillen

  3·051

  1991

  Primary Schools

  Star of the Sea, Belfast

  0·986

  St. Joseph's Belfast

  0·760

  St. McCartan's, Loughinisland

  0·370

  St. Patrick's Mullinahoe

  0·406

  St. Tierney's Roslea

  0·422

  Secondary Schools

  Ballyclare

  3·443

  Castelderg

  2·100

  St. Columb's College, Londonderry

  3·051

  St. Mary's High, Limavady

  0·199

  Prisoners (Searches)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of strip searches made on female persons in Her Majesty's prison 732
  Maghaberry monthly since March 1991; what were the numbers of persons involved and the number of times each person was searched; what prison contraband, smuggled item, or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and what were the reasons for each search.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Details of the number of, and reasons for, strip searches of female prisoners in Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry from June 1990 to March 1991 have already been provided,Official Report, columns 428–29, 7 May 1991. Details from April 1991 are as follows:

  April 1991

  May 1991

  June 1991

  Number of Searches

  Total number of searches carried out

  35

  25

  33

  Total number of inmates searched

  26

  19

  24

  Number of prisoners searched once

  17

  15

  18

  Number of prisoners searched twice

  9

  3

  4

  Number of prisoners searched more than twice

  Nil

  1

  2

  Reasons for search

  First admission on remand/awaiting trial

  6

  5

  5

  First admission on sentence/final discharge

  16

  8

  13

  Attending remand court

  Nil

  1

  Nil

  Attending trial

  2

  Nil

  Nil

  Inter-prison visits

  4

  4

  8

  Following prison visits

  1

  Nil

  Nil

  Pre-release home leave

  4

  6

  7

  Compassionate home leave

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Visits to outside hospital

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Returning from bail application

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Attendance at court for bail

  Nil

  1

  Nil

  Fines paid

  2

  Nil

  Nil

  Working out scheme

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Bail granted

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  No prohibited article was found during these searches. One prisoner refused to be searched.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is as follows:
  733

  Total

  Disproportionate cost

  Undertaking to write

  Other reasons

  Referred to next steps agency

  November 1989 to October 1990

  1,140

  24

  23

  16

  0

  November 1990 to 25 July 1991

  1,030

  21

  25

  22

  7

  Teaching Costs
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were(a) the sums allocated to each secondary school in Northern Ireland to fund teaching costs in each school year since 1989, (b) the numbers of pupils in each school in each year and (c) the numbers of approved teaching posts.

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

  Heart Operations
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many emergency heart operations have been carried out at the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast in the past six weeks; and if he will break down these by how many operations were performed by each specialist surgeon.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Gentleman may wish to contact Mr. Norman Ferguson, the chairman of the Eastern health and social services board.

  Roe Valley Hospital
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on proposals for the future of Roe Valley hospital, Limavady.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no proposals at present to change the services currently provided at the Roe Valley hospital.

  I understand that the Western board is presently undertaking a review of health and social care provisions in the Limavady area. When this is completed any proposals affecting services at the hospital will be the subject of full consultation with all interested parties.

  Power Station Sales
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Her Majesty's Government intend to initiate the sale of the four power stations to trade purchasers; and when he expects the sale to be completed.

  Mr. Needham
  The first step in the process is being taken today with the issue of the preliminary memorandum. Prospective bidders will be afforded a period of four weeks in which to register an interest. Following the screening of responses, the information memorandum, on which the firm bids will be based, will issue to competing bidders at the beginning of September 1991. On the basis of the present programme all bids will require to be entered by the end of October. Completion of the sale of the power stations will, of course, be subject to Parliament's consideration of the draft Electricity (NI) Order and I hope to bring this before the House before the end of the year.
  734

  Advice Agencies
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he is taking to ensure voluntary legal advice-giving agencies in Northern Ireland can continue to provide their services.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 17 July 1991]: There are no plans to change the funding arrangements of legal advice-giving agencies in Northern Ireland.

  UDR Four
  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about his consideration of the case of the Ulster Defence Regiment Four.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have decided to use my power under the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 to refer the cases of Winston Allen, Noel Bell, James Hegan and Neil Latimer to the Court of Appeal.

TRANSPORT

  Anti-spray Devices
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the introduction of anti-spray devices on heavy lorries.

  Mr. Chope
  There have been regulations requiring spray suppression devices to be fitted to vehicles and trailers in the United Kingdom since 1984. Largely as a result of the United Kingdom's initiative the European Community has now reached an agreement on an EC directive 91/226 EEC for spray suppression based closely on the British standard. There is a commitment written into the directive to develop more effective vehicle tests to reduce spray and research is continuing at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, which should result in improvements in the future.

  Chelsea-Hackney Line
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the development of the Chelsea-Hackney tube line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government remain of the view that the Chelsea-Hackney line will be needed to cater for current and forecast demand on the rail networks serving central London. It is also very conscious of the benefits which the line would have in terms of improving access to and from Hackney. The alignment is accordingly being protected through the planning system so that it can be taken forward when resources permit.

  Noise Prevention
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was spent on noise prevention where the M40 motorway is concerned(a) before its original opening and (b) since its full implementation between Birmingham and London.

  Mr. Chope
  To date more than £2·7 million has been spent on specific noise mitigation measures on the M40 as a whole. It is not possible to give precise figures as noise amelioration measures are often an integral part of earthworks design and are not separately costed.

  MOT Test
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to introduce into the MOT test carbon monoxide emission limits of 3·5 per cent. or within 0·5 per cent. of manufacturer's specifications, for cars made after 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The carbon monoxide limits in the amendment to the Construction and Use Regulations, which were introduced on 4 July, are 4·5 per cent. for a vehicle first used on or after 1 August 1983 and 6 per cent. for a vehicle first used between I August 1975 and 31 July 1983. It is expected the exhaust emmission standards will become more stringent in future years, to reflect improved technology and stricter European Community requirements for new vehicles, particularly the introduction of catalytic converters on a large scale.

  British Rail Engineering Ltd.
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, under the terms of BREL's privatisation, what restrictions were placed on the extent of its liability for defects in design and manufacture; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  These were commercial decisions for British Rail, which negotiated the details of the sale.

  Railway Crossings (Scotland)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many open railway crossings there are in Scotland; and if he will list all those which are still to be fitted with barriers in accordance with the Stott recommendations.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate has records of 24 open crossings in Scotland. The only crossing to be dealt with under Professor Stott's recommendations is the automatic open crossing at Rosarie, in the Grampian region, which is to be converted to an automatic half barrier crossing. No other changes, including reductions to the speed of trains over crossings, were required in Scotland.

  Northern Ireland (Rail Links)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for improving Northern Ireland's rail links with the rest of Britain and Europe through routes in Scotland.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is for British Rail to come forward with any proposals.

  M12
  Sir Robert McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains his intention that the proposed M12 should be a toll motorway.

  Mr. Chope
  Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend intends to hold a competition once he has identified a preferred route. Privately financed proposals will be invited and, if such a proposal proves to be the best option, the successful tenderer will be awarded a concession under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

  Sir Robert McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has re-examined the justification for the proposed M12 between Chelmsford and the M25 in the light of recent traffic forecasts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The justification for each motorway and trunk road scheme is kept under review throughout its development in the light of economic, environmental, traffic and other factors. That will happen in this case. As part of that process, roadside traffic interviews were held in June. They will also assist decisions about the capacity of the proposed motorway.

  Railway Rolling Stock
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the late delivery by British Rail Engineering Ltd. of the new class 158 diesel trains has cost ScotRail in(a) lost revenue and (b) additional running costs in having to use old stock longer than planned for.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a matter for the British Railways Board.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much faults of design and construction on the class 158 diesel trains have cost ScotRail in(a) lost revenue and (b) extra maintenance costs;

  (2) if he will instruct British Rail to take legal action against British Rail Engineering Ltd. to recover its financial losses caused by faults on, and the late delivery of, the new class 158 diesel trains.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a contractual and commercial matter for British Rail.

  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the British Rail Board will announce its decision on the tenders it has received for building a further 47 class 465 electrical multiple unit four-car sets.

  Mr. Rilkind
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Seafarers
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ascertain(a) the total number of British seafarers, (b) the number of British seafarers employed on United Kingdom-registered ships and (c) the total number of seafarers of all nationalities employed on United Kingdom-registered ships.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department of Transport last year commissioned a study into the demand for, and supply of United Kingdom and Irish seafarers worldwide.
  737
  This includes detailed information about manning levels, of United Kingdom, Irish, and foreign seafarers, both on United Kingdom-registered vessels and on those registered abroad. I announced receipt of the report of that study on 11 June this year, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Sir G. Johnson-Smith). Summaries of the report are available in the Library.

  Virgin Airlines (Narita Airport, Tokyo)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning Virgin's application for British Airways slots at Narita airport, Tokyo.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  None. Virgin Atlantic has made an application to the Civil Aviation Authority to vary British Airways' licence to serve Tokyo. In accordance with usual procedures the CAA has published the application, on 16 July, and has invited objections within 21 days.

  "A Bus Strategy for London"
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) of 22 July, on the responses received to the document, "A Bus Strategy for London"; how many respondents commented unfavourably on the Government's policy to deregulate and privatise the London bus services; and how many favourably.

  Mr. Freeman
  Approximately 60 per cent. of respondents, including the hon. Lady, commented unfavourably on the Government's plans to deregulate bus services in London. Although a number of respondents commented on the timing and method of implementing privatisation, few expressed a view on the merits or demerits of the policy.

  Duty-Free Goods
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the benefit derived from the duty free concession to transport operators of air and sea routes during each of the last five years; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My Department's estimates of the impact of the abolition of duty-free allowances on air and sea transport have been based on commercially confidential information. My right hon. Friend will understand that in these circumstances I am unable to provide the information he is seeking.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the proportion of the duty forgone by the Treasury on duty-free sales, particularly at ports and on aircraft, which(a) subsidise transport operators and (b) directly benefit the travellers who purchase such goods.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I regret that the information requested cannot be given since there is no reliable detailed information available on duty-free expenditure by travellers entering or leaving the United Kingdom.

  North Devon Link Road
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the traffic volume on the Ilminster bypass and on the A361 north Devon link road; and what plans he has to dual these roads.

  Mr. Chope
  The Ilminster bypass carries an average of 14,000 vehicles per day; the figure for the north Devon link road between Tiverton and Barnstaple varies between 7,500 and 11,500 over the different sections of the route.

  I announced on 8 July our intention to add a second carriageway to the Ilminster bypass, in the light of the forecast doubling of traffic volume by early in the next century.

  Traffic flows on the single carriageway section of the north Devon link road are not expected to grow to the same extent and the road will continue to have capacity to deal with the forecast flow. I therefore have no plans to dual it.

  Rail Electrification (West Yorkshire)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on the West Yorkshire rail electrification.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have nothing to add to my replies to the hon. Member of 18 June and 1 July.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Route
  Sir Philip Goodhart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make it his policy to make an announcement about his views on the rail route to the channel tunnel at the earliest opportunity after a decision has been made even if Parliament is not sitting.

  Mr. Freeman
  We shall make an announcement on the rail link project as soon as possible.

  Road Traffic (Growth)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the percentages of growth in road traffic for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 to date in the following regions:(a) the Northern region, (b) Yorkshire and Humberside, (c) the north-west, (d) the east midlands, (e) the west midlands, (f) East Anglia, (g) the south-west, (h) the south-east and (i) Greater London.

  Mr. Chope
  My Department does not compile estimates of annual traffic growth by region. For Great Britain as a whole the figures are as follows:

  Per cent, change

  1988 to 1989

  + 7

  1989 to 1990

  0

  Ql 1990 to Ql 1991

  -3

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give

  739
  the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Speedlink
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many jobs will be lost in Scotland due to the closure of Speedlink on 8 July.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail estimates that between 90 and 100 posts will be withdrawn but that there will be no compulsory redundancies in Scotland as a result of the closure of Speedlink.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of Speedlink's Scottish traffic has been lost to road as a result of its closure on 8 July; and how many lorry movements this represents.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail is still in consultation with some customers, but expects to lose around 13 per cent. of Speedlink's Scottish traffic to road. This represents about 20 lorry journeys per working day.

  Gibraltar Airport
  Mr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the European Commission proposals for the third stage of air liberalisation in Europe are intended to apply to Gibraltar airport; and if he will make it his policy that any agreement based upon the proposals should include Gibraltar.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Commission's proposals have not yet been transmitted to the Council. We understand that they envisage the continued exclusion of Gibraltar until the airport agreement is implemented. We shall consider the terms of the proposals fully in due course and we expect that they will be extensively discussed by the Council of Ministers. We continue to believe that the implementation of the airport agreement represents the best way forward for Gibraltar.

  Barnstaple Bypass
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects to have paid all straightforward claims for compensation arising from compulsory acquisition of land for the Barnstaple bypass.

  Mr. Chope
  Full compensation has been paid in five cases. The remaining 73 cases will be completed and final payments made as soon as negotiations over the amount of compensation, and legal procedures, have been concluded.

  At least one advance payment of compensation has been made in over half these cases. Claims attract interest, at statutory rates, from the date of entry on to the land until payment is made.

  Double-line Railways
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the findings of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate, prior to 21 July, on the safety 740
  characteristics of single-line junctions between double-line railway routes, stating the operational advantages seen in such arrangements.

  Mr. Freeman
  The findings of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate on the safety characteristics of single line junctions between double line railway routes were set out in the published report of the chief inspecting officer's inquiry into the collision at Bellgrove junction on 6 March 1989. He said: "We consider that single lead junctions are acceptable in principle on safety grounds and we do not accept that improvements in the efficiency of operation and maintenance are intrinsically at variance with the maintenance of an adequate standard of safety". A copy of the report is in the Library of the House.

  Railway Signals
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the joint British Rail and Royal Holloway and Bedford New College study into incidents of signals passed at danger.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am arranging for copies of the executive summary of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what extra training or route familiarisation train drivers receive when the signals and track on routes which they might normally be expected to work, have been significantly repositioned or remodelled.

  Mr. Freeman
  For most significant resignalling schemes details are given to drivers by special signalling notices. In exceptional cases BR provides video training or conductors.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents there were of railway signals being passed at danger since 1979; and how many of those were(a) considered to be sufficiently serious to merit reporting to the railway inspectorate, (b) resulted in a derailment and (c) resulted in a collision involving one or more passenger trains.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand from British Rail that there were 8,171 incidents of signals passed at danger (SPAD) over the years 1979–90. These involved 60 collisions and 124 derailments to trains of all types. There is no statutory requirement for operators to report SPAD incidents unless an accident occurs.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the single lead junctions on the railways in Scotland.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not readily available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what type of signalling was in force at the time of the Newton, Glasgow rail accident on 21 July.

  Mr. Freeman
  Trains were signalled under track circuit block regulations and controlled by multiple aspect colour light signals equipped with the automatic warning system. The signalling at Newton is controlled by solid state interlocking.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the railway inspectorate made adverse comments on
  741
  the singling of any specific double junctions proposed under the north Clyde track improvement and resignalling scheme;

  (2) if he will list those double junctions which have been or are to be converted to single lead junctions as part of the north Clyde track improvement and resignalling scheme.

  Mr. Freeman
  Five junctions were converted as part of this scheme—Bellgrove, Knightswood North, Hyndland North and South, and Westerton. The railway inspectorate discussed the conversions in detail with BR, and in most cases the BR view was accepted but in one case two extra signals were provided and one was moved. Extra controls were added.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many incidents of railway signals being passed at danger in 1990, the signals in question had been repositioned or the track been remodelled less than three months before.

  Mr Freeman
  Out of 898 incidents on BR in 1990, nine occurred following signalling and/or track alterations.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of signals being passed at danger each year since 1989 took place on single lead junctions and involved passenger trains.

  Mr. Freeman
  Seven in 1990, and three in 1991.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many double junctions on British Rail were converted to single lead junctions each year since 1989; and on how many occasions the railway inspectorate approved such conversions.

  Mr. Freeman
  Three junctions were converted in 1990, and work is in hand to convert four this year. All conversions have been approved by HM railway inspectorate.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if any parts of the railway routes travelled by the trains involved in the Newton, Glasgow rail accident on 21 July had signalling problems as highlighted in the British Rail signal and telecommunications technical investigation report 91019.

  Mr. Freeman
  No.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received on the allocation of grants to specified rail services; whether he intends to review subsidies with a view to introducing such provision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department received representation on this issue from the Central Transport Consultative Committee on 16 July and is considering them.

  Departmental Houses, Archway Road
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the Department of Transport-owned houses in the Archway road area.

  Mr. Chope
  The Department is required by law to dispose of all its properties in the Archway road area as 742
  they are no longer needed for highway purposes. Some vacant commercial properties have already been sold. Options for disposing of the balance of the properties are being explored.

  A34
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a decision about the proposed road improvements to the A34 by junction 13 on the M4 near Chieveley.

  Mr. Chope
  I hope it will be possible to announce a preferred route for the A34 Chieveley/M4 (junction 13) improvement in the early autumn.

  Pleasure Boats (Safety)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay of five years before pleasure boat operators have to implement his Department's safety guidelines.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Consultative documents for new life-saving appliance and survivability standards for small passenger ships have been issued which do not propose a delay for implementation of those standards for five years but put forward "phase-in" proposals over a five-year period. Approximately 1,000 ships and launches will be affected by these proposals. Some ships already comply with the new requirements. To impose a shorter "phase-in" period would not be realistic.

  Highway Code
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirements apply to drivers of cars on giving way to persons riding bicycles across pedestrian crossings.

  Mr. Chope
  Drivers are required to give precedence to pedestrians, including those pushing bicycles, on a pedestrian crossing. No specific legal provisions apply in the case where the cyclist has not dismounted: both the driver and cyclist are required to show the same due consideration for other road users as on any other part of the carriageway.

  Buses
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his proposals to encourage greater use of buses and further investment in the bus manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Freeman
  Buses play an invaluable role in transporting large numbers of people going about their daily business. They will continue to be the major form of public transport in most urban areas and their greater use can play a significant part in reducing congestion and improving the environment.

  My Department is currently working on new advice to local authorities on a variety of traffic management measures designed to give buses advantage over other traffic. We intend to publish new guidance before the end of the year.

  We have recently set up a working group with local authorities and the bus industry to look at ways of encouraging more bus usage. Local authorities have been asked to identify bus priority schemes for credit approvals and we hope to be able to support some measures in 1992–93.
  743
  Investment in new buses is a matter for the operators, but it is clearly in their interests to ensure they provide as modern and attractive facilities as possible. London Buses Ltd. plans to spend up to £30 million on bus purchase and bus refurbishment in 1991–92.

  Environmental standards for vehicles are of the utmost importance. We have taken the lead in the EC in pressing for tough new emission standards for large diesel-engined vehicles.

  We are currently investigating the possibility of improving the in-service checks on smoke emissions and the public are being encouraged to report to the traffic commissioners any heavy vehicles emitting excessive smoke.

  We are committed to the creation of a thriving bus industry, with high quality standards, which is capable of meeting the future needs of the travelling public.

  Crash Helmets
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek information from each other European Community country where crash helmets for motorcyclists are not compulsory about the increase in the number of fatal and serious accidents to motor cyclists exceeding the number in the United Kingdom, on a comparable basis.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  London Underground (Safety)
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive a copy of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate's further study of the management of safety on the London Underground.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways tells me that the report of the further study announced on the 23 May 1989, will be completed within the coming month. I will arrange for a copy of the report,

  Rate support grant

  Domestic rate income1

  Non-domestic rale income2

  £ million

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Total

  1979–80

  33·7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1980–81

  36·8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1981–82

  31·2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1982–83

  28·4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1983–84

  24·7

  (23)

  27·8

  (26)

  56·4

  (52)

  108·9

  1984–85

  23·7

  (21)

  31·0

  (27)

  59·9

  (52)

  114·6

  1985–86

  21·3

  (19)

  31·3

  (27)

  62·3

  (54)

  114·9

  1986–87

  56·9

  (36)

  33·3

  (21)

  68·9

  (43)

  159·1

  1987–88

  61·4

  (36)

  35·9

  (21)

  71·1

  (42)

  168·4

  1988–89

  61·5

  (35)

  40·2

  (23)

  76·0

  (43)

  177·7

  1989·90

  77·2

  (46)

  32–8

  (20)

  57·6

  (34)

  167·6

  1 Domestic rates include rebates but are net of domestic rate relief grant.

  2 Non-domestic rates are net of disabled non-domestic relief grant and enterprise zone grant.

  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of the 15 local authorities which have the greatest arrears in collection of(a) community charge and (b) rents, indicating in each case the political control of the authority.

  Mr. Portillo
  Local authorities have been asked to report to the Department on their arrears of community charge at 31 March 1991 by 7 August. For details of local authorities' cumulative rent arrears, I refer my hon. Friend 744
  entitled "The Management of Safety on London Underground Ltd.—A Further Study", to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Lead-free Petrol
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the amount of lead-free petrol used as a percentage of total petrol consumption in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each of the other European Community countries.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Sir H. Rossi) on 24 July 1991.

ENVIRONMENT

  Greenhouse Gases
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Government have made since September 1990 in the attempts to secure international action to reduce greenhouse gases; and what action the United Kingdom Government are taking independently to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook) on 19 July 1991, columns 375–76.

  Local Government Finance
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) the rate support grant, (b) the non-domestic rate income and (c) the domestic rate income together with the percentages and totals for Tower Hamlets council in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Key
  No figures are available centrally for rate income for Tower Hamlets council before 1983–84.

  to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 21 February, Official Report, column 209. All the 15 authorities with the highest percentages of arrears outstanding at the end of 1989–90, the latest year for which figures are available, were Labour controlled at that time.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the price before and after taxation of an average motor car with and without a catalytic converter, with and without automatic transmission for(a) cars under 1300 cc, (b) cars over 1300 cc and under 2300 cc and (c) cars over 2300 cc; and what research he has undertaken into the effect of the extra cost relating to a catalytic converter on potential purchasers.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information required by my hon. Friend is not available to me. However, the estimated cost of an optional catalytic converter on a new car is approximately £350. The cost of an optional automatic transmission on a new car ranges from approximately £400 to over £800.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future of hedgerow protection.

  Mr. Baldry
  In our White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", the Government proposed new measures to give local planning authorities powers to safeguard key hedgerows. Subsequently, we issued a consultation paper—as part of our wider review of tree preservation policies and legislation—which gave further details of our proposals.

  As I explained to the House at the Report stage of the Planning and Compensation Bill, responses to the consultation were extensive and raised a range of basic issues. We explored these further in a series of meetings which I held with a number of interested parties during the spring, and have been giving careful attention to the various comments made.

  We have concluded that some of the criticisms made of our initial proposals have force: in particular that more comprehensive and systematic arrangements for protecting hedgerows are required; that the mechanics of the proposed new system should be refined; that payments for management should be targeted on hedgerows most likely to benefit, rather than be limited to those under threat of removal, and should reflect a wider range of management options; and that the burden of such payments should not fall on local authorities.

  We are therefore proposing measures which will address these criticisms, and now intend to go forward on a somewhat different basis from that set out in our consultation paper.

  The revised proposals would consist of two elements: a hedgerow notification scheme and separately administered and funded hedgerow management grants.

  The notification scheme would be administered by local planning authorities. It would require those who wish to remove hedgerows—or to reduce them in size beyond dimensions which would be laid down in regulations—to notify their local authority of their intention to do so. If the authority did not respond to the proposal within 28 days of such notification, the owner or occupier would be able to proceed. However, if the authority took the view that the hedgerow was of value for landscape, wildlife or historical reasons it would register it as such and inform the owner or occupier accordingly. Where a hedge was registered, the owner or occupier would be required to
  746
  retain the hedgerow concerned—and to undertake such work on it only as was consistent with its long-term retention and the maintenance of its amenity value. That would include, for example, trimming as part of normal agricultural operations.

  There would be a right of appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision of the local authority concerned to register a hedgerow. It would be open to the appellant to request that the Secretary of State set aside the registration on the grounds that retention of the hedgerow would pose a significant threat to the viability of the farm business.

  In the absence of a successful appeal, registration of a hedgerow would confer protection for a period of 10 years. Exemptions would apply for certain contingencies, such as disease, and for minor works such as moving a gateway, and it would be open to the local authority to revoke registration at any time it considered this appropriate.

  Removal of a hedgerow without notifying the local authority, removal of a hedgerow following registration, or unauthorised reduction in the size of a hedgerow would all constitute an offence.

  The proposed new arrangements therefore offer a comprehensive—but straightforward—means of safeguarding our hedgerow heritage, and I hope they will be widely welcomed.

  At the same time we recognise that some farmers may need assistance if they are to maintain or bring our hedgerow stock back into positive management. We are therefore proposing separate arrangements—administered by the Government or their agencies—to offer grants for that purpose aimed at encouraging landowners and farmers to reintroduce environmentally beneficial management, after taking account of existing grants.

  Eligible operations would include laying coppicing and —where appropriate—biennial trimming, but not the costs of annual maintenance where this was carried out as part of normal farming operations. In some cases the most environmentally beneficial course of action may be to leave a hedgerow in an unmanaged state for the immediate future.

  Separating arrangements for protecting hedgerows from aid for management will ensure that resources are used to best effect and are directed at those hedgerows which will gain most from positive management of this type, having regard to the character of the hedgerow concerned, local custom and practice and the most appropriate cycle of management.

  Administering the proposed system of protection separately from aid for management will therefore provide an essential element of flexibility in efforts to conserve this important feature of the countryside.

  I intend to make a fuller statement in due course, giving further details of the operation of both schemes. In the meantime, we shall be glad to receive comments from interested parties on our revised proposals, to assist in the process of refining and finalising them. To that end both I and my officials will be pleased to take part in further discussions as appropriate.

  So far as Wales is concerned, the Welsh Office proposes to ask the Countryside Council for Wales to explore the possibility of including a hedgerow management grants system as part of its proposals for the countryside stewardship scheme.

  These revised proposals fulfil our White Paper commitment, and mark a significant step in the task of

  747
  conserving the amenity of our rural areas. Some aspects—in particular the proposed notification procedures—will require primary legislation, and it is our intention to seek to introduce this when parliamentary time permits.

  Housing
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing starts and completions there were in each quarter of 1990 and in the first two quarters of 1991 in each English standard region.

  Mr. Yeo
  Figures up to the end of the first quarter of 1991 are in table 1.3 of the March quarter 1991 edition of "Housing & Construction Statistics: Great Britain: Part 1". A copy is in the Library. Corresponding figures for the second quarter of 1991 are not yet available.

  Radioactive Materials
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of occasions in the last 10 years when radioactive sources escaped from the official control regime in the United Kingdom; whether these were reported separately as containing high, medium and low levels of activity, how many mislaid sources reached the metals reclamation industry; and how many prosecutions were instigated.

  Mr. Baldry
  Any person wishing to keep or use radioactive material in England and Wales must be registered by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. Control is exercised by the imposition of strict limits and conditions contained in certificates of registration issued by HMIP following careful consideration of the relevant circumstances. One of these conditions requires the user to inform the police and the chief inspector of HMIP without delay if he believes the registered source has been lost or stolen and to take all practical steps to recover the source. All registered users are subject to inspection to ensure that the limns and conditions in certificates are being complied with.

  As an indication of the importance attached to the proper regulation of radioactive substances, the Government have recently increased the maximum penalties for offences under the Radioactive Substances Act to include an unlimited fine and imprisonment for five years on indictment.

  A small number of lost or stolen sources are notified to HMIP each year and reports on these cases will contain details of the levels of activity involved. All cases are thoroughly investigated by HMIP, which is aware of only one incident where a lost source may have entered the metals reclamation industry. In this case HMIP is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a quantity of pelletised steel dust contaminated with radioactivity which was shipped from Ireland to Avonmouth in September 1990.

  There have been two prosecutions involving lost or stolen sources in the past 10 years. I am satisfied that the Radioactive Substances Act continues to provide a robust control over the use of radioactive materials in this country.

  Housing Association Grants
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the amount of grant paid and the number of organisations grant-aided 748
  under section 50 of the Housing Act 1988 for each financial year since enactment, including the amount available in the current financial year.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Housing Corporation grant under section 50 of the Housing Act 1988 was as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  1,220,458,374

  1990–91

  1,738,092,695

  1991–921

  2,228,375,000

  1 Provisional.

  The total number of housing associations which are paid grants each year is not held by the Department. I have therefore asked the corporation to respond to the hon. Member direct. The subsequent reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the amount of grant paid and the number of organisations grant-aided under section 87 of the Housing Associations Act 1985 for each financial year since enactment, including the amount available in the current financial year.

  Mr. Yeo
  I believe that the hon. Member is referring to the programme of promotional and advisory grants administered by the Housing Corporation under, principally, section 87 of the Housing Associations Act 1985. The level of the corporation's programme, financed by grant-in-aid from the Department, has been as follows for the years in question:

  £000s

  1985–86

  342·1

  1986–87

  509·7

  1987–88

  472·3

  1988–89

  586·3

  1989–90

  1,109·0

  1990–91

  2,699·5

  1991–92

  3,702·0

  Decisions on the allocation of funds to particular organisations and projects are entirely a matter for the Housing Corporation. I have therefore asked the corporation to write to the hon. Member about the number of organisations which have received grant.

  Co-operative Promotion Allowance
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the amount of co-operative promotion allowance paid and the number of organisations to which it was paid in each financial year since its introduction, including the amount available in the current financial year.

  Mr. Yeo
  Co-operative promotion allowance is paid at the discretion of the Housing Corporation from the funds which the Department makes available to support development by housing associations. I have therefore asked the corporation to write to the hon. Member giving the information requested.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on which local authorities have losses arising out of the BCCI closure, including the amounts in each case.
  749
  Mr. Key
  A number of authorities which had deposits with BCCI have written to the Department. Apart from that, I do not at present have any information beyond that which has appeared in the press.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of(a) the income to the Exchequer and (b) the financial benefit to the environment from the sale of catalytic converters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I have been asked to reply.

  Catalytic converters will be fitted to virtually all new petrol cars from the end of 1992. They will add to their cost and fuel consumption will increase, but there will be major improvements in local and regional air quality. It is impossible to predict (a) the effect these changes will have on revenue to the Exchequer, given the unpredictable nature of the market, and (b) the financial benefit to the environment at this time from the sale of these devices, given that many of the factors involved cannot be costed.

  Guest Houses
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to collect statistics on the number of guest houses that provide fewer than six bed spaces per night.

  Mr. Key
  No.

  Mortgage Repossessions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many mortgage repossessions there have been in each county in England and Wales during each of the last 12 months for which records are available; and what were the annual figures for each of the last 12 months.

  Mr. Yeo
  Figures are not available in the form requested.

  The most recent figures published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that, for the United Kingdom as a whole, there were 16,560 repossessions in the six months ended 30 June 1990, and 27,330 in the six months ended 31 December 1990. Total repossessions in 1990 affected less than 0.5 per cent. of borrowers.

  Aggregates
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest date by which comments on the recently published aggregates demand forecasts should be submitted to his Department for them to be taken into account in the revision of MPG6.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department has not specified any time limit for comments to be made on the forecasts. But to enable views to be taken into account in the preparation of the draft revised guidelines we would welcome comments within the next four months.

  Mr. Alan Blumlein
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the Minister of State, Baroness Blatch, on the papers of the late electronics engineer Alan Blumlein.
  750
  Mr. Heseltine
  These papers are not the Government's responibility, and Baroness Blatch has not written a letter about them.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what impact "Options for Change" will have on the PSA work undertaken for Defence Works Services for the Ministry of Defence in Germany and the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Yeo
  It is clear that there will be an overall reduction in MOD's requirement for works services as a result of "Options for Change". The consequences for individual locations, and individual suppliers of services such as PSA, have still to be worked out.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what fee value of new business has been started by each of PSA's new business divisions since untying was introduced.

  Mr. Yeo
  Civil clients untied from PSA for major works from 1 April 1988. All MOD works services and civil minor works and maintenance were untied from 1 April 1990. Since untying PSAS businesses have been successful in winning work with total fee values as follows.

  £ million

  PSA Projects

  90·9

  Building Management

  18·7

  PSA International

  19·0

  The figures for building management and PSA International represent the fee value of work either won in competition or through negotiation. The figure for PSA projects represents the fee value of all new projects awarded since 1 April 1988 for civil and wider market clients and since 1 April 1990 for MOD by negotiation or competition.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the projected cost of privatising PSA; and what return is anticipated from the sale of any or all of the business divisions.

  Mr. Yeo
  The projected cost of preparing PSA for privatisation including the costs of the sales process depends on the strategy adopted. They are commercially sensitive estimates.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any Crown property will be included in the sale of the PSA businesses as part of the assets of the organisation.

  Mr. Yeo
  Whether any properties will be sold with parts of PSA will depend on the particular needs of the organisations after privatisation. At the time of the Property Services Agency and Crown Suppliers Bill 17 freehold Crown properties were identified as being potentially transferable with the PSA, if needed. The great majority of existing PSA accommodation is leasehold.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the resignation of the PSA's chief executive.
  751
  Mr. Yeo
  Mr. Geoffrey Chipperfield, the current chief executive, has not resigned. His predecessor was Mr. Patrick Brown, who transferred on 26 June to become Permanent Secretary of the Department of Transport.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the Property Services Agency spent on hospitality in the financial years 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Sir George Young
  PSA's expenditure on hospitality was as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  27,107

  1990–91

  51,268

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many, and at what cost, performance bonuses and merit payments were made to grade 5 and above civil servants in the Property Services Agency for 1989–90.

  Mr. Yeo
  Three bonus payments totalling £2,800 were made in 1989–90. Merit payments—performance range points—were also made to 16 staff at grade 5 level or above on the basis of their performance in that year. The annual cost of these payments amounted to £25,129 in 1990–91.

  Leases
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many statutory tenants there are in houses who are holding over from 14-year leases and with full repairing responsibilities.

  Sir George Young
  This information is not available.

  Redundancy Dowry
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the redundancy dowry, referred to in his oral answer of 10 July,Official Report, columns 949–50. will (a) fully cover all the redundancy entitlement earned in Government service by the transferred staff and (b) be contained within a trust fund or funds fully independent to the purchasers of each business.

  Sir George Young
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him yesterday.

  Riverside Site, Twickenham
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to give his planning decision on the Twickenham riverside site; and if he will inform the hon. Member for Twickenham of his decision no later than he informs the local planning authority and the developers.

  Mr. Yeo
  The inspector's report on the application by Marks and Spencer plc in relation to the site is currently under consideration and we hope to issue a decision shortly. I can also confirm that the issue of the decision will be co-ordinated, so that notification to the local planning authority, the applicant and the hon. Member for Twickenham are dispatched at the same time.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish a table showing for each region in England his Department's assessment of the current shortfalls of rented housing in relation to local needs;

  (2) what is the deficiency in the quantity of housing available through housing associations and local authorities for rent in each region of England; what research is being carried out by his Department on the deficiency; and when he will report on the findings of such research;

  (3) what assumptions about the future rented housing demand he makes in determining the number of homes to be started by housing associations and local authorities each year; and on what factual information he bases those assumptions;

  (4) if he intends to prepare and publish a review of projected housing need in relation to this Department's funding of rented housing programmes;

  (5) if he will list the allocations his Department has made in 1990–91 and 1991–92 to increase the supply of rented homes in areas where housing shortages exist; the estimated number of additional homes that will result from these allocations and his Department's estimate of the shortages that will remain after these homes have been built;

  (6) what steps his Department takes to measure any shortfall between the supply and demand for rented housing provided by housing associations and local authorities each year.

  Sir George Young
  Estimates of need for subsidised housing are not susceptible to precise quantification, depending as they do both on subjective judgment of what constitutes need, and on factors affecting access to owner occupation, such as interest rates and house prices, which can vary in the short term. We nevertheless take account of indicators of housing need in the allocation of capital resources to housing associations—which are now the main providers of new subsidised housing—and to local authorities. The housing needs indicator, reviewed each year jointly by my Department, the Housing Corporation and the National Federation of Housing Associations, and used in allocation of resources to Housing Corporation regions, incorporates factors such as homelessness, overcrowding, the household-dwelling balance and the accessibility of owner-occupation; allocation of resources to associations within regions is a matter for the Housing Corporation, which takes these and other factors into account. The generalised needs index, used in allocation of resources to local authorities and determined following consultation with the local authority associations, also includes these factors, with a lower weighting because most authorities' capital expenditure is on renovation of their existing stock.

  Various projects in the Department's housing research programme are designed to improve our knowledge of housing need. I announced the capital allocations to local authorities for 1991–92 on 13 December, Official Report, columns 463–64, and the regional distribution of the Housing Corporation's approval development programme on 13 February, Official Report, columns 470–1. I shall write to the hon. Member with fuller etails of the

  753
  composition of the housing needs indicator and the generalised needs index and of the housing research programme.

  We have recognised that there are shortages of subsidised rented housing in some areas and we have provided resources for a substantial increase in output by housing associations, from 21,000 in 1989–90 to 40,000 in 1993–94; details are given in my Department's annual report (Cm. 1508), paragraphs 7.35 to 7.38 and figures 70 and 71. Availability of resources for subsidised housing is considered in the public expenditure survey each year.

  Birds
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assumptions he has made about the origin of birds in his calculation of the numbers of captive birds of prey in the United Kingdom;

  (2) what proportion of captive birds of prey in the United Kingdom were (a) bred in captivity, (b) illegally imported and (c) taken unlawfully from the wild.

  Mr. Baldry
  Section 7 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act requires that all captive birds of the species listed in schedule 4 are registered with my Department. A prerequisite of registration is the provision of details of the origin of the bird. Over 75 per cent. of registered captive birds of prey were bred in captivity. Evidence that birds may have been illegally imported or taken unlawfully from the wild is passed to the enforcement authorities. No estimate is available of unregistered birds illegally held.

  Bottles
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consult his counterparts in Sweden, Denmark and Germany to seek information on the ways in which they have encouraged the use of returnable, refillable bottles for drinks which are on sale in shops; and if he will investigate the feasibility of introducing such measures in the United Kingdom;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to persuade supermarkets to make greater use of refillable containers when selling drinks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's White Paper on the Environment, "This Common Inheritance", stated that encouraging the re-use or recycling of materials was a priority. The Government recognise that the use of refillable beverage containers can make environmental and economic sense in certain circumstance. The White Paper also recognised that policies should be based on the best scientific and economic information. The Government have therefore commissioned a study by consultants of the implications of a deposit refund scheme for beverage containers. This includes studies of schemes in place in other countries.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons,
  754
  (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Heseltine
  So far in this Session my Department has answered 2,899 written parliamentary questions. The figure for the comparable period in the last Session is 4,156. The other information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Non-domestic Rate
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his best estimate of the actual total yield from the national non-domestic rate in(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1991–92.

  Mr. Portillo
  We currently estimate that the non-domestic rate yield in England will be about 11 billion for 1990–91 and £12.2 billion for 1991–92.

  Local Government Boundary Commission
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the reports of the Local Government Boundary Commission covering Greater London and Surrey to be published.

  Mr. Key
  The commission has issued three sets of draft proposals which concern the Greater London/Surrey boundary. Public responses have been received and are being considered by the commission, after which it will submit reports to my right hon. Friend.

  Red Squirrel
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being taken to prevent the further decline and regional extinction of the red squirrel from those areas of England which it was known to occupy 10 years ago.

  Mr. Baldry
  Under schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act, the red squirrel is fully protected throughout Britain against killing, injuring, taking and selling. There are projects being carried out in various parts of England to determine the population dynamics of the red squirrel for conservation management purposes. Several of these projects receive support from public sources, and the results should assist the efforts being made by English Nature and others to conserve the species.

  Eco-labelling
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy that eco-labelling should start with raw materials rather than at the stage of manufacture.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government are already committed to awarding eco-labels to products on the basis of the impact they have on the environment from the cradle to the grave. Analysis of the cradle stage will cover raw materials.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce regulations requiring local authorities to provide warnings by notice or broadcast in the areas concerned that pesticide spraying is to take place.

  Mr. Baldry
  Under the Control of Pesticides Regulations, all pesticide products must be approved by Ministers of six Government Departments, including my own, before they can be sold, supplied, stored, used or advertised. Appropriate conditions are attached to the approvals which, if followed, will ensure safe use of the pesticide. For example, some pesticides have specified re-entry times before which members of the public, or other unprotected individuals, should not be allowed access to treated areas.

  In addition to the specific controls through the approvals scheme, there are more general controls through the consents of the regulations. It is, for example, a requirement that the users of pesticides take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of human beings. This is not specified in a precise way because the user is best able to judge what is needed in the specific circumstances of his particular pesticide use. In some cases warning notices may be appropriate; in others they may be unnecessary, in yet others they may be inadequate if used alone.

  I am not aware of any considerations that would justify another layer of control of the kind suggested.

  Radon Gas
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been undertaken into the effectiveness of the removal of radon gas from newly constructed dwellings; and if he will outline the results of the research.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Building Research Establishment is undertaking research into the practical building problems and the effectiveness of measures to combat radon gas in newly constructed dwellings. The findings of the research are being taken into account in revised guidance to support the Building Regulations, but final results will not be available until next year.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has relating to the effect of radon gas on the life expectancy of people living in and around Dartmoor.

  Mr. Baldry
  The evidence for the health effects of radon gas in Dartmoor and elsewhere is provided by the National Radiological Protection Board. In particular, I refer my hon. Friend to the "Documents of the NRPB", Vol. I, Nos. 1 and 4, 1990, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the new maps being prepared by his Department indicating where radon is to be found at its highest levels.

  Mr. Baldry
  Yes.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline the research evidence lying behind the setting of an advisory level of 200 becquerels in newly constructed dwellings.
  756
  Mr. Baldry
  The research evidence requested is set out in the National Radiological Protection Board publication "Documents of the NRPB", volume I, No. 1, 1990. Copies were placed in the Library on publication.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what method of site inspection he proposes to introduce to discover(a) whether radon is present, (b) in what quantities and (c) whether it is potentially dangerous to health.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department funds the National Radiological Protection Board to carry out free surveys of the levels of radon in houses using passive etched-track detectors over a period of at least three months. The NRPB advises the householder of the danger to health according to the recorded radon level. There is no reliable method of predicting radon levels from site measurements before house construction.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proposals he has to introduce under section C2 of the Building Regulations 1985 mandatory requirements for methods of construction so as to prevent the entry of radon gas into newly constructed dwellings;

  (2) what advice he is giving building control officers with regard to the reduction of radon gas to less than 200 becquerels.

  Mr. Yeo
  Regulation C2 of the Building Regulations 1985 requires precautions to be taken to avoid danger to health caused by substances found on or in the ground to be covered by the building. Interim guidance relating to radon was produced in June 1988 to support this requirement. A revised approved document for part C which specifically refers to radon will be published later this year, and this will be supported by more detailed guidance on methods of construction to limit the entry of radon gas into newly constructed dwellings.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average annual dose of radon received by people in the United Kingdom, expressed in terms of milliSieverts; and what is the average in Devon.

  Mr. Baldry
  The average annual dose of radon received by people in the United Kingdom is 1 milliSievert effective dose equivalent. In Devon, the annual average dose is 3·5 milliSieverts.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the migration of uranium daughter radionuclides in natural sediments; and to what extent there are similar elements with regard to radon gases in rock formations.

  Mr. Baldry
  The solid radioactive species in the uranium decay series do not migrate in dry rock formations. However, radon, which is a noble gas, readily migrates through fissured rocks, soils and sediments.

  Clean Council Campaign
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received a copy of the Friends of the Earth's clean council campaign; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am not aware of any such campaign.

  Housing (Public Health)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received the document "Housing or Homelessness: a Public Health Perspective," published by the Faculty of Public Health Medicine; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department received this report in May. It raises matters of interest to the Department of Health as well as to my Department. We will give careful consideration to its recommendations.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received seeking the introduction of a 100 per cent. rebate for the community charge for income support claimants from April 1992.

  Mr. Key
  We have received a number of representations in support of 100 per cent. rebates.

  Mineral Planning Guidance
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to revise Mineral Planning Guidance note No. 3; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government have no immediate plans to revise the guidelines in MPG3, but we are continuing to monitor their use. Officials will be discussing their effectiveness with representatives of the industry and the local authorities later in the year.

  Direct Labour Organisations
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision there is for local authorities to privatise their direct labour organisations.

  Mr. Key
  There is no reason why a local authority which wishes to privatise its direct labour organisation should not do so. Direct labour organisations are in any case subject to compulsory competitive tendering under the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988. My right hon. Friend is currently considering the scope for extending the list of services subject to competition.

  Planning Inspectorate
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the planning inspectorate will become an executive agency under the next steps initiative.

  Sir George Young
  We intend to launch the Planning Inspectorate executive agency on 1 April 1992.

  A main aim of the new agency will be to maintain the high quality of the planning inspectorate's work in relation to planning appeals and its other responsibilities. Inspectors' recommendations and decisions on planning cases will continue to be made by reference to statutory requirements and the Government's policy guidance. Their independence will not be impaired. Agency status will define more sharply the objectives which the inspectorate aims to achieve, and the greater management flexibility which it permits will promote greater efficiency.
  758
  The relationship between Ministers and the agency's chief executive, who will also be the chief planning inspector, will be set out in a framework document, which is now being prepared. The chief executive's post will be subject to open competition.

  Unleaded Petrol
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of petrol sales in the United Kingdom now consist of unleaded petrol

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 24 July 1991]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Sir H. Rossi) on 24 July 1991.

  Thorne Moor
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether planning consents for peat digging on Thorne Moor near Doncaster have been reviewed under the Mineral Act 1981;

  (2) what proportion of Thorne Moor has planning permission for peat extraction; and what restoration of those areas subject to extraction has taken place.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 5 July 1991]: I shall write to the hon. Member.

  European Commission
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to estimate the future cost to British business of each of the European Commission's environmental proposals currently under consideration.

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

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Government have made since September 1990 in implementing their intended five-point plan for major studies on the status of the world's biodiversity.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The hon. Member is referring to the five-point plan described on page 52 of the environment White Paper.

  The first of the five points relates to the financing of a major study on the status of the world's biological diversity. This study is being carried out by the world conservation monitoring centre, Cambridge and is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. The other studies referred to in the White Paper have already been completed. They are summarised in the booklet entitled "Biological Diversity and Developing Countries: Issues and Options". This was published by the Overseas Development Administration last month. A copy is in the House of Commons Library.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total amount of housing benefit reimbursed(a) to local authorities and (b) private

  759
  tenants in each financial year in (i) England and (ii) Great Britain in respect of rebates granted to council tenants since the beginning of the scheme;

  (2) what is the total amount of housing benefit in each financial year paid by local authorities in (a) England and (b) Great Britain to council tenants since the scheme began;

  (3) what is the total Government expenditure on housing benefit on a financial year basis in (a) England and (b) Great Britain.

  Mr. Yeo
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Environmental Challenges
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what contributions the Government have made either independently or through the European Community to help central and eastern Europe cope with environmental challenges since September 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  (2) in what specific ways since September 1990 the Government have now established a strict environmental regime for waste disposal in order to minimise the production of waste.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I will write to the hon. Member.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the average delay between the hearing of an immigration appeal by an adjudicator and the dispatch of the determination to the appellant or his or her authorised representative, listed by each immigration appeals hearing centre.

  The Attorney-General
  The immigration appellate authorities do not record detailed statistics on the average delay at each hearing centre between the hearing of an immigration appeal by an adjudicator and the dispatch of the determination to the appellant or his or her authorised representative. However, it is possible to provide the following estimates:

  Weeks

  Thanet House, London

  4–7

  Harmondsworth1

  4–8

  Birmingham

  4–8

  Leeds2

  4–5

  Manchester

  4–7

  1 Includes Cardiff and Belfast.

  2 Includes Glasgow and Edinburgh.

  1990

  January to March 1991

  Type of decision

  Appeals allowed

  Appeals dismissed

  Appeals allowed

  Appeals dismissed

  Exclusion—Appeal at Port

  29

  174

  2

  77

  Exclusion—External Appeals

  57

  997

  24

  460

  Refusal of Certificate Entitlement

  37

  152

  15

  72

  Refusal of Entry Clearance for Temporary purposes (NOT HUSBANDS or WIVES or FIANCES or FIANCEES)

  1,100

  3,544

  324

  1,593

  Refusal of Entry Clearance for Employment, Business or Independent Means (NOT HUSBANDS, WIVES, FIANCES or FIANCEES)

  9

  18

  5

  19

  Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by WIVES and CHILDREN, other dependent relatives and returning residents.

  611

  829

  110

  285

  Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by female fiancees

  10

  31

  5

  2

  Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by husbands

  530

  835

  128

  333

  Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by male fiances

  293

  468

  82

  150

  760
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the average delay, listed by each immigration appeals hearing centre, between receiving the explanatory statement and other papers about a case(a) from a British post overseas and (b) from the Home Office sending these papers out to the appellant or his or her authorised representative.

  The Attorney-General
  Upon receipt of an explanatory statement and other papers about an appeal from a British post overseas the immigration appellate authorities are able to dispatch copies of the case papers to the parties' representative in this country within one week for cases to be heard at Thanet house in London and two to three weeks for cases to be heard at the IAA's regional hearing centres.

  In Home Office cases, copies of the case papers are sent to the appellant or their representatives when the appeal is set down for hearing. For all the IAA's hearing centres, this is usually within four to five weeks of the IAA receiving the explanatory statement from the Home Office.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will provide a table of the number of appeals to the immigration appeal tribunal allowed and dismissed in 1990 and the first quarter of 1991.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Allowed

  Remitted1

  Dismissed

  Appeals heard

  1990

  171

  225

  260

  Appeals heard

  January-March 1991

  23

  50

  77

  1 For re-hearing before an immigration adjudicator

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will provide a table showing the number of appeals to immigration adjudicators allowed and dismissed in 1990 and the first quarter of 1991 broken down according to the nationality of the appellant and the type of decision appealed against.

  The Attorney-General
  The information is not readily available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of appeals to immigration adjudicators allowed and dismissed in 1990 and the first quarter of 1991 broken down according to the type of decision appealed against is given in the table.
  761

  1990

  January to March 1991

  Type of decision

  Appeals allowed

  Appeals dismissed

  Appeals allowed

  Appeals dismissed

  Variation of Landing Conditions (including curtailment of stay or duration or conditions of leave to remain given to persons previously exempted (S. 14(2)).

  21

  88

  1

  16

  Refusal to Vary Leave to Enter

  130

  2,951

  70

  1,636

  Decision to make Deportation Order

  36

  620

  9

  174

  Refusal to revoke Deportation Order

  4

  17

  0

  5

  Giving of Removal Directions

  3

  53

  0

  6

  Destination Only Appeal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  2,870

  10,777

  775

  4,828

  Menwith Hill Byelaws
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what has been the cost of bringing prosecutions under the Menwith Hill Military Lands Byelaws in each year since the byelaws came into force.

  The Attorney-General
  More than 100 prosecutions have been brought under the Menwith Hill Military Lands Byelaws since 1986 when the byelaws came into force. It is not possible to identify the individual cost each year of these cases.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will arrange to have printed in the Official Report a copy of the letter dated 4 July, reference C91//232/8 from the Lord Chancellor to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East.

  The Attorney-General
  No, but arrangements have been made to place copies of the letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the letter from the Lord Chancellor to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East of 4 July, reference C91/232/8, if he will list those debt-related proceedings which involve a risk of imprisonment.

  The Attorney-General
  The debt-related proceedings for which the Lord Chancellor has responsibility which involve a risk of imprisonment are as follows:

  Oral Examination.

  Attachment of Earnings.

  Rescue of goods seized in execution.

  Judgment summons.

  There are other debt proceedings which are dealt with in the magistrates' courts which involve a risk of imprisonment. As such, these are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Asylum and Immigration Service
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General what the latest available annual figures are for(a) how much was spent on legal aid for asylum and immigration advice, (b) what proportion the above amount represents in terms of the entire legal aid budget, (c) what proportion of the above amount involved less than two hours advice and (d) what proportion of the above amount involved more than two hours advice.

  The Attorney-General
  Separate information is not available for the cost of legal advice for immigration or asylum cases. However, £2,652,727 was paid under the 762
  legal aid green form scheme for all immigration and nationality advice and assistance in the financial year 1990–91. This represented approximately 0.4 per cent. of the total payments made out of the legal aid fund during that period, or 3 per cent. of the total spent on the legal aid green form scheme. Information is not available on the proportion of payments for work involving more or less than two hours advice. Legal aid is also available for judicial review proceedings concerning immigration and asylum cases, but separate figures for the amount spent are not available.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Attorney-General what information is held on, or estimate made of, the number of successful claims and the total and average amounts of compensation awarded by courts or settled out of court in respect of industrial injuries during each of the last 10 years, based on the date of the injury, both in cash terms and adjusted to take account of inflation.

  The Attorney-General
  Information is not collected in the form requested.

  Information on personal injury at work cases dealt with in the Queen's Bench division of the High Court has been collected on a sample basis for two months each year since 1986. The results of this exercise are as follows:

  Personal injury at work cases dealt with in the Queen's Bench division in the two months sampled

  Number of claims

  Number awarded to plaintiff

  Amount awarded £

  Amount awarded per case £

  1986

  340

  96

  1,904,364

  19,837

  1987

  424

  161

  4,353,809

  27,042

  1988

  566

  190

  4,990,737

  26,267

  1989

  629

  153

  5,984,239

  39,113

  1990

  546

  115

  6,249,586

  54,344

  Maguire Judgment
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will arrange for a copy of the Maguire judgment to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  The Attorney-General
  Further to my reply of 2 July 1991, I have today placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament copies of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the Maguire case.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to provide a substantive reply to the letter dated 15 April from the hon. Member for Woolwich about pressures on teachers, which was acknowledged on 16 April (reference TE/05 1/1010).

  Mr. Eggar
  I have written to the hon. Member today.

  Football
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will invite the Football Association and the Football League and Professional Footballers Association to discuss the problems smaller clubs face in the league with regard to losing their right to gain promotion and a place in the highest league.

  Mr. Atkins
  The promotion arrangements for any proposed new structure for football are a matter for the football authorities.

  Recreation and Leisure Courses
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future of recreation and leisure courses following the publication of the White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century".

  Mr. Eggar
  The duty to secure adequate provision of recreational and leisure education for adults will remain with local education authorities. It will be for authorities, as now, to determine their expenditure across the services for which they are responsible.

  Science Services
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many staff work in his Department's science section; and what is the distribution of their grades;

  (2) what are the annual running costs of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils.

  Mr. Eggar
  There are 36–3 full-time equivalent staff in the 00Department's science branch in the following grades:

  Number

  Grade 3

  1

  Grade 5

  2

  Grade 6

  1

  Grade 71

  8

  SEO

  2

  HEO(D) (accountant)

  1

  HEO

  7

  Number of secondary pupils per youth worker/club leader by LEA

  1989–90

  1988–89

  1987–88

  1986–87

  1985–86

  1984–85

  1983–84

  1982–83

  1981–82

  1980–81

  1979–80

  Outer London boroughs

  301 Barking

  829

  541

  980

  1,023

  1,168

  1,110

  1,131

  487

  705

  599

  623

  302 Barnet

  731

  1,365

  —

  1,171

  1,133

  1,176

  1,155

  515

  971

  389

  416

  303 Bexley

  —

  408

  417

  464

  485

  367

  1,204

  562

  1,336

  619

  1,629

  304 Brent

  573

  145

  161

  171

  203

  138

  146

  141

  374

  317

  335

  305 Bromley

  502

  515

  627

  735

  774

  804

  914

  1,905

  1,800

  1,858

  1.527

  306 Croydon

  —

  —

  500

  561

  598

  876

  974

  1,162

  841

  912

  1,183

  764

  Number

  Senior personal secretary

  1

  Administration trainee

  1

  EO

  4

  Personal secretaries

  3

  AO

  3·5

  AA

  0·8

  Typist

  1

  1 Grade 7 is seconded to the Link secretariat at the Department of Trade and Industry.

  In 1990–91 the net running costs of the Department's science branch amounted to about £767,000 excluding accommodation costs and certain centrally provided services.

  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many staff work for the Advisory Board for the Research Councils; and what is the distribution of their grades;

  (2) what are the annual running costs of his Department's science section.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The advisory board's secretariat currently consists of the following staff:

  Number

  Grade 5

  1

  Grade 7

  2

  HEO

  1

  EO

  1

  Personal secretaries

  2

  AO

  0·5

  AA

  0·2

  and there is one grade 7 vacancy

  The ABRC s running costs in 1990–91 totalled £498,000, including the costs of commissioned studies but

  Funding Councils
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many staff in his Department's further and higher education 1 section work on the distribution of funds for science by the Polytechnics and Colleges and Universities Funding Councils.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  About five staff are concerned with policy for the distribution of funds for research by the two councils, alongside other work.

  Youth Clubs
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the number of secondary school pupils per youth worker/club leader for each local authority from 1979 to 1991.

  Mr. Atkins
  Data are shown in the table for individual local education authorities from 1979–80 to 1989–90. Data are not available for 1990–91.
  765

  1989–90

  1988–89

  1987–88

  1986–87

  1985–86

  1984–85

  1983–84

  1982–83

  1981–82

  1980–81

  1979–80

  307 Ealing

  —

  —

  —

  4,370

  922

  1,172

  1,147

  1,159

  1,037

  946

  1,281

  308 Enfield

  533

  991

  1,041

  1,089

  1,398

  1,746

  1,993

  2,127

  1,910

  1,449

  1,464

  309 Haringey

  —

  —

  —

  75

  118

  141

  154

  199

  257

  1,150

  1,579

  310 Harrow

  419

  423

  427

  543

  556

  569

  563

  573

  598

  614

  1,321

  311 Havering

  1,147

  1,204

  1,217

  1,281

  1,155

  1,132

  995

  1,030

  1,023

  1,434

  1,560

  312 Hillingdon

  565

  785

  828

  845

  —

  712

  665

  723

  797

  679

  666

  313 Hounslow

  —

  1,045

  880

  927

  957

  830

  771

  788

  809

  819

  820

  314 Kingston

  —

  360

  377

  389

  410

  441

  451

  465

  465

  528

  643

  315 Merton

  3,736

  167

  1,764

  —

  1,106

  1,180

  998

  1,165

  1,215

  1,006

  868

  316 Newham

  —

  624

  2,277

  1,025

  1,148

  1,220

  1,262

  1,307

  1,179

  1,638

  1,567

  317 Redbridge

  318

  309

  1,474

  917

  941

  981

  1,013

  827

  485

  498

  508

  318 Richmond

  614

  743

  1,130

  1,150

  1,135

  1,127

  973

  688

  1,179

  1,057

  1,089

  319 Sutton

  1,275

  1,302

  1,361

  1,245

  1,295

  664

  688

  705

  721

  1,482

  1,503

  320 Waltham Forest

  383

  411

  415

  481

  532

  577

  641

  665

  754

  768

  815

  Total Outer London Boroughs

  632

  463

  657

  544

  591

  568

  619

  594

  761

  756

  855

  427 ILEA

  110

  —

  66

  —

  283

  86

  94

  101

  248

  260

  305

  Total Greater London

  225

  463

  171

  769

  443

  212

  230

  237

  463

  472

  541

  Metropolitan Districts

  West Midlands

  330 Birmingham

  877

  1,070

  —

  1,603

  640

  708

  690

  808

  807

  863

  754

  331 Coventry

  299

  798

  1,083

  1,039

  905

  984

  1,032

  1,333

  2,714

  1,213

  810

  332 Dudley

  603

  597

  502

  922

  1,062

  1,379

  2,154

  686

  1,585

  812

  826

  333 Sandwell

  961

  478

  596

  640

  702

  747

  784

  892

  932

  1,606

  1,590

  334 Solihull

  838

  878

  756

  797

  838

  881

  910

  751

  747

  652

  665

  335 Walsall

  148

  153

  164

  203

  234

  255

  273

  326

  335

  339

  347

  336 Wolverhampton

  246

  631

  1,088

  1,188

  1,832

  1,923

  2,045

  3,257

  757

  825

  831

  Total West Midlands

  427

  530

  716

  725

  621

  681

  717

  759

  787

  768

  733

  Merseyside

  340 Knowsley

  244

  360

  542

  1,088

  1,775

  2,818

  1,876

  1,960

  2,063

  2,183

  2,341

  341 Liverpool

  699

  1,827

  368

  —

  —

  —

  286

  387

  1,523

  1,647

  2,160

  342 St. Helens

  —

  —

  —

  1,510

  1,985

  2,065

  2,138

  2,160

  2,126

  4,323

  5,748

  343 Sefton

  874

  898

  577

  1,525

  1,880

  1,676

  1,898

  1,950

  1,947

  6,667

  5,476

  344 Wirral

  943

  443

  559

  448

  1,287

  1,337

  1,369

  1,524

  1,638

  2,121

  1,918

  Total Merseyside

  641

  822

  548

  820

  1,640

  1,719

  653

  824

  1,747

  2,383

  2,644

  Greater Manchester

  350 Bolton

  8,841

  1,048

  863

  797

  842

  879

  878

  966

  974

  1,122

  989

  351 Bury

  265

  259

  348

  349

  710

  597

  768

  495

  1,047

  517

  1,056

  352 Manchester

  —

  —

  406

  442

  450

  515

  292

  292

  290

  289

  415

  353 Oldham

  706

  538

  576

  785

  860

  892

  707

  719

  710

  626

  605

  354 Rochdale

  535

  218

  407

  547

  551

  681

  631

  688

  1,314

  769

  776

  355 Salford

  1,225

  1,424

  1,533

  1,670

  2,205

  2,101

  1,430

  1,539

  1,612

  1,546

  1,856

  356 Stockport

  2,580

  452

  455

  536

  3,059

  3,228

  7,868

  681

  847

  874

  674

  357 Tameside

  767

  676

  651

  718

  825

  1,433

  845

  1,227

  549

  688

  1,539

  358 Trafford

  229

  253

  277

  472

  479

  2,142

  504

  865

  1,057

  675

  1,526

  359 Wigan

  —

  —

  892

  1,329

  1,800

  1,776

  844

  2,683

  962

  773

  765

  Total Greater Manchester

  657

  427

  521

  629

  807

  986

  662

  680

  672

  608

  760

  South Yorkshire

  370 Barnsley

  92

  1,453

  1,565

  1,720

  1,821

  1,751

  467

  946

  974

  982

  890

  371 Doncaster

  209

  219

  286

  390

  530

  487

  507

  408

  1,153

  955

  967

  372 Rotherham

  800

  822

  —

  321

  376

  357

  367

  371

  369

  363

  373

  373 Sheffield

  754

  1,176

  695

  799

  —

  1,095

  1,907

  513

  539

  551

  586

  Total South Yorkshire

  250

  541

  523

  535

  565

  653

  612

  486

  606

  594

  607

  West Yorkshire

  380 Bradford

  335

  —

  495

  493

  560

  635

  576

  621

  682

  627

  603

  381 Calderdale

  301

  418

  794

  879

  921

  946

  575

  520

  538

  412

  356

  382 Kirklees

  498

  1,517

  1,656

  1,911

  1,931

  1,990

  1,695

  1,005

  2,017

  1,690

  503

  383 Leeds

  —

  704

  712

  752

  1,058

  449

  598

  577

  630

  632

  595

  384 Wakefield

  —

  —

  —

  1,155

  1,241

  1,124

  1,190

  1,225

  1,140

  896

  583

  Total West Yorkshire

  595

  756

  704

  780

  931

  683

  722

  694

  785

  709

  628

  Tyne and Wear

  390 Gateshead

  266

  294

  6,751

  1,425

  2,955

  2,182

  575

  587

  616

  781

  799

  391 Newcastle upon Tyne

  246

  379

  313

  467

  621

  519

  655

  676

  325

  333

  329

  392 North Tyneside

  1,211

  447

  444

  578

  604

  773

  762

  947

  973

  987

  877

  393 South Tyneside

  338

  361

  530

  561

  595

  637

  233

  275

  271

  320

  327

  394 Sunderland

  431

  437

  432

  489

  564

  1,546

  644

  726

  1,539

  1,749

  1,580

  Total Tyne and Wear

  365

  383

  484

  575

  687

  866

  525

  588

  537

  588

  574

  766

  767

  1989–90

  1988–89

  1987–88

  1986–87

  1985–86

  1984–85

  1983–84

  1982–83

  1981–82

  1980–81

  1979–80

  Total Metropolitan districts

  455

  536

  588

  672

  769

  796

  661

  673

  752

  732

  750

  Non Metropolitan counties

  901 Avon

  306

  262

  1,009

  1,065

  1,300

  1,349

  1,431

  1,459

  1,760

  1,356

  1,408

  902 Bedfordshire

  1,884

  620

  661

  764

  816

  1,096

  897

  872

  896

  929

  928

  903 Berkshire

  690

  707

  735

  814

  851

  860

  927

  973

  1,010

  1,092

  1,108

  904 Buckinghamshire

  450

  701

  390

  409

  447

  463

  516

  625

  878

  542

  510

  905 Cambridgeshire

  1,160

  1,180

  1,224

  1,433

  1,457

  520

  527

  526

  681

  606

  636

  906 Cheshire

  1,002

  521

  611

  650

  730

  1,455

  1,489

  1,543

  1,485

  799

  800

  907 Cleveland

  339

  337

  369

  374

  413

  428

  436

  443

  509

  349

  352

  908 Cornwall

  1,162

  2,098

  2,552

  2,655

  3,235

  4,123

  4,139

  4,140

  4,757

  4,784

  4,768

  909 Cumbria

  1,658

  1,739

  1,576

  —

  907

  949

  908

  1,156

  1,650

  1,929

  1,853

  910 Derbyshire

  491

  258

  272

  524

  551

  681

  773

  838

  1,206

  1,243

  1,331

  911 Devon

  706

  768

  801

  868

  994

  1,004

  1,068

  1,061

  1,103

  1,094

  1,071

  912 Dorset

  710

  681

  736

  592

  615

  673

  1,156

  1,013

  996

  993

  961

  913 Durham

  201

  308

  329

  371

  411

  1,743

  1,765

  1,847

  2,961

  2,334

  3,050

  914 East Sussex

  926

  1,041

  1,163

  2,244

  2,175

  1,488

  1,585

  1,837

  1,631

  922

  1,395

  915 Essex

  1,494

  1,639

  1,708

  1,794

  1,911

  1,977

  2,080

  2,058

  1,787

  1,707

  1,191

  916 Gloucestershire

  414

  441

  1,014

  1,063

  579

  604

  622

  618

  622

  592

  598

  917 Hampshire

  1,261

  1,539

  1,644

  1,798

  1,875

  780

  905

  845

  976

  1,017

  854

  918 Hereford and Worcester

  929

  980

  1,062

  1,219

  1,251

  1,395

  1,500

  2,031

  2,262

  2,360

  2,327

  919 Hertfordshire

  979

  969

  1,013

  1,057

  1,109

  1,153

  1,189

  1,238

  967

  1,278

  1,243

  920 Humberside

  755

  834

  926

  1,269

  1,372

  411

  417

  421

  1,492

  1,501

  88

  921 Isle of Wight

  442

  440

  514

  525

  602

  614

  720

  692

  669

  871

  814

  922 Kent

  2,302

  2,395

  2,816

  3,321

  3,339

  3,654

  3,915

  3,537

  4,011

  3,795

  3,793

  923 Lancashire

  321

  340

  386

  411

  704

  740

  899

  764

  829

  577

  576

  924 Leicestershire

  278

  302

  303

  383

  447

  560

  640

  798

  828

  889

  780

  925 Lincolnshire

  453

  502

  529

  559

  586

  657

  635

  1,123

  1,154

  872

  846

  926 Norfolk

  1,088

  1,143

  1,355

  1,399

  812

  846

  859

  914

  953

  967

  896

  928 Northamptonshire

  1,203

  973

  988

  1,038

  3,731

  566

  664

  730

  874

  830

  1,417

  929 Northumberland

  708

  897

  934

  941

  1,154

  1,194

  1,228

  1,276

  875

  886

  561

  927 North Yorkshire

  475

  516

  514

  551

  697

  621

  687

  717

  1,111

  955

  1,047

  930 Nottinghamshire

  236

  255

  283

  312

  317

  283

  499

  508

  652

  669

  640

  931 Oxfordshire

  679

  688

  695

  941

  4,373

  621

  1,040

  1,069

  1,053

  1,012

  1,032

  932 Salop

  430

  496

  563

  614

  672

  709

  792

  843

  1,077

  1,047

  950

  933 Somerset

  480

  490

  507

  557

  575

  1,679

  2,034

  2,747

  2,755

  3,025

  2,337

  934 Staffordshire

  1,400

  1,440

  1,265

  1,053

  582

  481

  403

  2,819

  2,656

  2,708

  2,628

  935 Suffolk

  914

  736

  756

  761

  707

  600

  610

  630

  684

  670

  702

  936 Surrey

  828

  948

  1,075

  1,209

  1,292

  1,210

  1,278

  1,272

  761

  965

  962

  937 Warwickshire

  313

  382

  432

  476

  597

  658

  133

  1,203

  1,257

  1,311

  1,325

  938 West Sussex

  568

  586

  715

  750

  856

  1,999

  2,063

  1,263

  961

  881

  885

  939 Wiltshire

  733

  770

  44:'

  497

  527

  540

  570

  675

  601

  504

  478

  Total non-metropolitan counties

  594

  596

  662

  753

  803

  768

  791

  959

  1,085

  990

  966

  Total England

  483

  568

  491

  733

  727

  588

  588

  646

  845

  803

  819

  Welsh counties

  Clwyd

  532

  557

  616

  671

  761

  477

  525

  544

  524

  537

  515

  Dyfed

  2,612

  2,582

  2,662

  2,777

  2,869

  2,210

  2,203

  2,280

  1,951

  1,826

  1,731

  Gwent

  1,370

  1,540

  1,831

  1,739

  901

  1,028

  1,103

  674

  946

  466

  475

  Gwynedd

  626

  675

  835

  772

  839

  932

  947

  941

  1,073

  913

  955

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  525

  639

  1,129

  1,176

  1,207

  1,458

  1,154

  1,161

  1,121

  1,044

  Powys

  399

  391

  397

  414

  426

  391

  348

  347

  763

  765

  416

  South Glamorgan

  650

  627

  288

  308

  446

  487

  588

  601

  631

  599

  652

  West Glamorgan

  1,619

  1,715

  1,811

  1,811

  1,895

  1,974

  1,189

  453

  547

  395

  400

  Total Welsh Counties

  843

  768

  707

  807

  878

  830

  874

  703

  803

  648

  634

  All shire counties

  608

  609

  666

  758

  810

  773

  798

  927

  1,051

  943

  920

  Total England and Wales

  494

  578

  501

  737

  735

  599

  599

  649

  842

  791

  805

  Adult Education
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) of 16 July,Official Report, column 160, whether that adult education work which is undertaken in conjunction with (a) health authorities and (b) social services departments and which is to assist people in, or leaving, residential care, to
  768
  facilitate independent living, will come within the duties of the further education funding councils or of local education authorities.

  Mr. Eggar
  We are currently considering the responses to the proposals set out in the White Paper. We intend to ensure that the legislation makes clear the division of
  769
  responsibilities between the further education funding councils and local education authorities within the new structure for further education.

  Youth Service
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will give the actual expenditure on youth service for each local authority since 1979;

  (2) if he will give the expenditure on youth services per local education authority secondary school pupil for each local authority from 1979 to 1991;

  (3) if he will give the percentage of actual expenditure on youth service against grant-related expenditure assessment and standard spending assessment for the years since 1979 broken down for each local education authority.

  Mr. Atkins
  The readily available information is shown in the tables. The latest year for which information on actual expenditure is available is 1988–89. Information for years before 1987–88 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Table 1

  Expenditure on the Youth Service, 1987–88

  Local education authority

  Net recurrent expenditure1

  Net recurrent expenditure1 per secondary pupil2

  Actual expenditure as percentage of GREA for youth and related services

  £000

  £

  Per cent.

  Barking

  628

  67

  97

  Barnet

  970

  54

  72

  Bexley

  783

  52

  101

  Brent

  3,625

  306

  213

  Bromley

  825

  47

  82

  Croydon

  840

  71

  58

  Ealing

  3n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Enfield

  687

  75

  58

  Haringey

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Harrow

  621

  36

  73

  Havering

  704

  52

  86

  Hillingdon

  714

  52

  81

  Hounslow

  727

  57

  73

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  572

  75

  130

  Merton

  376

  32

  57

  Newham

  911

  66

  60

  Redbridge

  877

  65

  94

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  387

  57

  74

  Sutton

  479

  44

  85

  Waltham Forest

  1,286

  102

  108

  ILEA

  30,535

  282

  225

  Birmingham

  4,197

  61

  68

  Coventry

  906

  44

  55

  Dudley

  836

  46

  73

  Sandwell

  657

  31

  39

  Solihull

  386

  25

  49

  Walsall

  1,956

  93

  154

  Wolverhampton

  876

  50

  55

  Knowsley

  488

  45

  52

  Liverpool

  2,101

  66

  89

  St. Helens

  0

  0

  0

  Sefton

  609

  30

  54

  Wirral

  1,025

  45

  78

  Bolton

  921

  48

  76

  Bury

  872

  77

  134

  Manchester

  2,235

  83

  87

  Oldham

  630

  40

  61

  Rochdale

  1,320

  83

  134

  Salford

  516

  34

  48

  Stockport

  786

  40

  79

  770

  Local education authority

  Net recurrent expenditure1

  Net recurrent expenditure1 per secondary pupil2

  Actual expenditure as percentage of GREA for youth and related services

  £000

  £

  Per cent.

  Tameside

  1,039

  68

  120

  Trafford

  569

  46

  67

  Wigan

  819

  34

  69

  Barnsley

  519

  32

  61

  Doncaster

  1,366

  62

  117

  Rotherham

  889

  45

  86

  Sheffield

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Bradford

  2,827

  65

  108

  Calderdale

  930

  68

  113

  Kirklees

  1,325

  46

  72

  Leeds

  2,592

  46

  87

  Wakefield

  678

  30

  57

  Gateshead

  795

  61

  102

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  1,155

  65

  103

  North Tyneside

  512

  34

  76

  South Tyneside

  1,549

  152

  242

  Sunderland

  733

  35

  60

  Avon

  4,017

  70

  124

  Bedfordshire

  1,058

  24

  47

  Berkshire

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Buckinghamshire

  2,188

  62

  95

  Cambridgeshire

  1,626

  39

  69

  Cheshire

  1,739

  25

  49

  Cleveland

  2,347

  55

  91

  Cornwall

  533

  17

  37

  Cumbria

  1,256

  37

  78

  Derbyshire

  4,522

  72

  133

  Devon

  2,611

  44

  82

  Dorset

  1,459

  36

  76

  Durham

  1,105

  27

  49

  East Sussex

  981

  27

  47

  Essex

  3,389

  32

  67

  Gloucestershire

  1,699

  49

  93

  Hampshire

  2,857

  32

  52

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,193

  24

  51

  Hertfordshire

  2,441

  35

  70

  Humberside

  3,178

  47

  93

  Isle of Wight

  418

  41

  112

  Kent

  2,291

  22

  42

  Lancashire

  4,052

  44

  72

  Leicestershire

  2,615

  41

  70

  Lincolnshire

  1,014

  26

  51

  Norfolk

  1,603

  37

  67

  North Yorkshire

  1,410

  30

  62

  Northamptonshire

  1,609

  35

  75

  Northumberland

  698

  25

  71

  Nottinghamshire

  4,630

  67

  114

  Oxfordshire

  1,101

  31

  52

  Salop

  1,587

  53

  103

  Somerset

  1,927

  65

  127

  Staffordshire

  2,421

  32

  66

  Suffolk

  1,966

  41

  92

  Surrey

  2,073

  43

  61

  Warwickshire

  1,436

  51

  77

  West Sussex

  1,394

  34

  67

  Wiltshire

  1,499

  42

  73

  England Totals/ averages

  161,470

  53

  87

  1 Gross expenditure excluding financing costs of capital expenditure, less income other than specific grant income. Derived from local authorities' spending returns to the Department of the Environment.

  2 Derived from local authorities' returns of their pupil numbers to the Department of Education and Science.

  3 n/a denotes that a spending return was not received from the authority.

  771

  Table 2

  Expenditure on the youth service, 1988–89

  Local education authority

  Net recurrent expenditure1

  Net recurrent expenditure1 per secondary pupil2

  Actual expenditure as percentage ofGREAfor youth and related services

  £000

  £

  Per cent.

  Barking

  697

  78

  96

  Barnet

  966

  55

  60

  Bexley

  758

  52

  86

  Brent

  2,377

  215

  122

  Bromley

  894

  57

  77

  Croydon

  1,054

  63

  64

  Ealing

  1,804

  160

  89

  Enfield

  796

  49

  58

  Haringey

  3n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Harrow

  648

  83

  66

  Havering

  845

  51

  92

  Hillingdon

  1,018

  77

  100

  Hounslow

  737

  60

  63

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  580

  79

  115

  Merton

  459

  41

  60

  Newham

  1,104

  83

  65

  Redbridge

  1,078

  81

  100

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  514

  76

  86

  Sutton

  517

  49

  81

  Waltham Forest

  1,336

  113

  98

  ILEA

  35,377

  341

  224

  Birmingham

  4,396

  67

  62

  Coventry

  1,095

  57

  59

  Dudley

  983

  57

  76

  Sandwell

  736

  37

  39

  Solihull

  430

  29

  48

  Walsall

  2,305

  117

  160

  Wolverhampton

  2,070

  126

  116

  Knowsley

  666

  67

  63

  Liverpool

  2,392

  79

  89

  St. Helens

  328

  25

  40

  Sefton

  843

  44

  68

  Wirral

  1,512

  70

  101

  Bolton

  1,057

  58

  77

  Bury

  916

  87

  124

  Manchester

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Oldham

  683

  45

  57

  Rochdale

  1,453

  96

  129

  Salford

  538

  38

  44

  Stockport

  598

  33

  53

  Tameside

  1,149

  79

  117

  Trafford

  677

  59

  71

  Wigan

  876

  39

  65

  Barnsley

  551

  37

  57

  Doncaster

  1,305

  62

  97

  Rotherham

  1,029

  55

  87

  Sheffield

  3,038

  111

  125

  Bradford

  3,127

  73

  104

  Calderdale

  1,103

  84

  119

  Kirklees

  1,426

  52

  67

  Leeds

  6,860

  127

  205

  Wakefield

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Gateshead

  722

  59

  82

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  659

  39

  51

  North Tyneside

  585

  40

  79

  South Tyneside

  1,855

  195

  263

  Sunderland

  1,010

  51

  72

  Avon

  5,269

  96

  140

  Bedfordshire

  1,131

  26

  44

  Berkshire

  2,185

  47

  65

  Buckinghamshire

  2,370

  69

  88

  Cambridgeshire

  1,780

  44

  65

  Cheshire

  2,005

  30

  50

  Cleveland

  2,629

  65

  90

  Cornwall

  787

  26

  48

  Cumbria

  1,333

  41

  73

  772

  Local education authority

  Net recurrent expenditure1

  Net recurrent expenditure1 per secondary pupil2

  Actual expenditure as percentage ofGREAfor youth and related services

  £000

  £

  Per cent.

  Derbyshire

  5,066

  85

  130

  Devon

  2,913

  51

  79

  Dorset

  1,722

  44

  77

  Durham

  1,263

  33

  49

  East Sussex

  1,089

  31

  44

  Essex

  4,026

  40

  69

  Gloucestershire

  2,147

  65

  104

  Hampshire

  3,230

  37

  51

  Hereford & Worcester

  1,201

  24

  45

  Hertfordshire

  2,782

  42

  70

  Humberside

  3,839

  63

  99

  Isle of Wight

  467

  46

  109

  Kent

  2,708

  27

  44

  Lancashire

  5,179

  59

  80

  Leicestershire

  2,946

  48

  69

  Lincolnshire

  1,096

  30

  48

  Norfolk

  1,870

  45

  68

  North Yorkshire

  1,587

  36

  60

  Northamptonshire

  1,706

  38

  60

  Northumberland

  681

  24

  60

  Nottinghamshire

  5,233

  80

  113

  Oxfordshire

  1,325

  39

  55

  Shropshire

  1,788

  63

  100

  Somerset

  2,478

  87

  143

  Staffordshire

  2,599

  36

  62

  Suffolk

  2,124

  45

  88

  Surrey

  2,420

  53

  63

  Warwickshire

  1,434

  54

  69

  West Sussex

  1,599

  40

  66

  Wiltshire

  1,480

  43

  63

  England Totals/ Averages

  191,322

  65

  88

  Notes to tables

  (1) Gross expenditure excluding financing costs of capital expenditure, less income other than specific grant income. Derived from local authorities' spending returns to the Department of the Environment.

  (2) Derived from local authorities' returns of their pupil numbers to the Department of Education and Science.

  (3) n/a denotes that a spending return was not received from the authority.

  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement following the annual review of the voluntary sector of the youth service as indicated by him on 5 April 1990,Official Report, column 731.

  Mr. Atkins
  In announcing his proposals for the establishment of a National Youth Agency on 5 April 1990, the then Secretary of State said that he proposed to require the agency to report to him annually. The National Youth Agency was established on 1 April 1991 and its first annual report will be made in 1992. We have separately carried out a review of grants to the voluntary sector of the Youth Service, and are currently considering the comments submitted by interested bodies as part of a process of consultation.

  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the expenditure on grant aid given to voluntary youth organisations by each local authority from 1979 to 1991.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Community Colleges
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what effect on fees and provision of courses his proposals for further education will have in rural communities at present served by community colleges;

  (2) what effect on fees and provision of courses his proposals for further education will have in smaller coastal localities where students may have to travel long distances to attend courses.

  Mr. Eggar
  Between them, the further education funding councils and local education authorities will continue to have a duty to secure the provision of the full range of further education. Governing bodies of schools will have a new power to provide education for part-timers and adults. Our proposals are intended to ensure that there is a coherent pattern of provision which is readily accessible to local communities.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session; and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Citizens Charter
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the cost in a full year of the proposals on pages 13 and 14 of the White Paper "The Citizen's Charter", Cm. 1599.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I expect that the proposals will be contained within planned expenditure. The charter proposals will also inform discussion of future expenditure plans.

  Foreign Students (Designation)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the position of(a) members of the British volunteer programme and (b) members of the diplomatic service and the armed forces with respect to their designation as home or as foreign students for the purposes of tuition fees and grant eligibility when they have worked overseas for more than three years.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The conditions of eligibility for mandatory student awards and for the "home student" rate of tuition fee are set out in the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations and the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations respectively. The requirements include ordinary residence in the British islands throughout the three years preceding the first year of the course, other than wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education. Special provisions apply to 774
  residence in EC territory. There are no specific exemptions for members of the British volunteer programme, diplomatic service or armed forces, but where the ordinary residence requirement cannot be met only because of temporary employment overseas an exemption applies which has the effect of treating the student as a home student. It is for local education authorities in the case of awards, and for further and higher education institutions in the case of fees, to determine whether an individual student is eligible, having regard to his particular circumstances, the provisions of the regulations and any relevant case law.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science under what circumstances and under what conditions he permits the construction of secondary schools whose estimated structural life is less than 60 years; and what policy he adopts in respect of such schools now nearing the end of any short-term estimated life span.

  Mr. Fallon
  New school building projects for maintained and grant-maintained schools are required to comply with the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 and the Department's construction standards. These do not stipulate a minimum structural life.

  Further Education
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support for non-vocational courses he will give when the proposals of his recent White Paper on further education are brought into effect.

  Mr. Eggar
  The further education funding councils will be resourced to secure adequate provision of a wide range of further education for adults, including courses leading to academic and vocational qualifications and basic skills. We shall also carefully consider standard spending assessments in the light of local education authorities' duty to secure provision of other further education for adults.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, prior to vesting day, colleges of further education and local education authorities can enter into binding agreements that colleges of further education will make no claim to permanent possession of off-site accommodation made available to them by local education authorities.

  Mr. Eggar
  The land, buildings and equipment currently used by colleges which will transfer to the new sector will be vested in those colleges on 1 April 1993. However, my right hon. and learned Friend has decided that, in exceptional circumstances, where the governing body of a college has so agreed with a local education authority, specific assets can remain with the authority after vesting day. My right hon. and learned Friend will need to approve any agreement having this effect.

  In addition, it will be possible to carry forward existing shared use agreements relating to particular facilities.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department will provide additional funds for extra staff management and training in colleges of further and higher education prior to the inception of independent corporate status; and if he will make a statement.
  775
  Mr. Eggar
  We recognise the importance of careful preparation by colleges for independence. We are already looking at the needs of colleges, and the means of meeting them. If needs are identified which cannot be met through existing funding, my right hon. and learned Friend will look at them in the context of the overall funds available for his programme in the period in question.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Association of Colleges for Further and Higher Education on the state of their buildings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The association's response to the recent White Paper, "Education and Training for the 21st Century", refers to the condition of college buildings.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether local education authorities will continue to be financially responsible after vesting day for development programmes already started at colleges of further education but not scheduled to be completed until further education colleges have passed from local education authority control.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 9 May 1991 at col 563 that, subject to certain conditions, the Further Education Funding Council will take responsibility for servicing debts incurred by local education authorities for new capital spending in colleges of further education and sixth form colleges. The council will service only debts arising from contracts entered into after 1 April 1991 which have a value in excess of £50,000 and which have been approved by my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Voluntary Schools
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total value of the bids from the voluntary school sector in major and minor capital programmes for the year 1991–92; and what is his total allocation for that year.

  Mr. Fallon
  Bids for new major and minor capital projects in the voluntary school sector amounted to a first year spend of £92 million in 1991–92. The total allocated for new work in that year was £23 million.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) which medical research units working on the causes and treatment of multiple sclerosis are currently receiving public funds;

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress being made by Government-funded research programmes into the causes and treatment of multiple sclerosis;

  (3) how much public money each year since 1979 has been devoted to research into the causes and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The main Government agency for funding medical research is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department. It is an independent body which normally decides its research 776
  priorities on its own expert judgment. I understand that in 1989–90 (the latest year for which details are available) it supported work directly relevant to multiple sclerosis at two units in Oxford. It is also funding a range of research into normal and disordered functions which is of potential relevance. The council continually reviews all its research areas to ensure that progress is satisfactory and that resources are best deployed.

  Research on multiple sclerosis is undertaken by charities, and may also be undertaken by university departments and medical schools with support from the University Funding Council, and by health departments and authorities. Figures are not available for total expenditure from public funds on multiple sclerosis research since 1979, but the MRC's expenditure on directly relevant research is:

  Financial year

  £000s

  1979–80

  656

  1980–81

  747

  1981–82

  826

  1982–83

  501

  1983–84

  485

  1984–85

  446

  1985–86

  403

  1986–87

  404

  1987–88

  297

  1988–89

  216

  1989–90

  180

  The MRC is always willing to consider funding for soundly based research proposals in competition with other applications.

  Playgroups, Tower Hamlets
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the numbers of(a) children attending and (b) sites for (i) registered pre-school nurseries and (ii) playgroups in Tower Hamlets for each year since 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information available centrally is shown in the table. Information is not collected centrally on the number of children attending these facilities. Annual information is published in "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March", copies of which are available in the Library. The publication for 1990 will be available in the autumn.

  Day care places for children under 5 in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, rate per thousand population, 1981–89.

  Registered Day Nurseries

  Registered Playgroups

  Registered Childminders

  No. of places

  Rate

  No. of places

  Rate

  No. of places

  Rate

  1981

  169

  17·4

  365

  37·6

  350

  36·1

  11982

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11983

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11984

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1985

  0

  0·0

  594

  49·9

  510

  42·9

  1986

  0

  0·0

  715

  57·2

  460

  36·8

  1987

  12

  0·9

  634

  48·8

  320

  24·6

  1988

  121

  8·9

  510

  37·5

  382

  28·1

  1989

  121

  8·8

  489

  35·4

  437

  31·7

  1 Return not submitted for these years.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Pergau Hydro-electric Project
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what feasibility studies were carried out by the Overseas Development Administration of the Pergau hydro-electric project before offering aid to the Government of Malaysia;

  (2) what additional studies were considered by the Overseas Development Administration in relation to the Pergau project.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In considering this project the Overseas Development Administration had available a feasibility study carried out by the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation and as part of our own appraisal financed studies of environmental issues and contract pricing.

  Iraq
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his assessment of the immediate humanitarian needs of Iraq.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan produced last week a detailed report on humanitarian needs in Iraq, following the United Nations mission to Iraq which he led earlier this month. We and others are giving the report our urgent consideration. We are continuing our assistance to displaced people in northern Iraq through provision of vehicles, agricultural equipment and building materials, and are playing a leading role in a European Community initiative to provide food, clean water, health care and shelter to those in need in the north-east of the country.

PRIME MINISTER

  Defence Equipment Finance Department
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister when co-operation between International Military Services and the Defence Equipment Finance Department of the Midland International Trade Services was terminated.

  The Prime Minister
  Decisions on individual business contacts by International Military Services are matters for the company's judgment, and are subject to commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what defence firms based in Britain have had links with the Defence Equipment Finance Department of the Midland International Trade Services.

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for the companies concerned.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the Government Departments which have co-operated with the Defence Equipment Finance Department of the Midland International Trade Services.

  The Prime Minister
  The Ministry of Defence and Export Credits Guarantee Department have had routine contacts with the Defence Equipment Finance Department of Midland International Trade Services. There may also have been routine contacts with other departments, but no records of such contacts are kept centrally.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Prime Minister how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested is a matter for public record.

  Citizens Charter
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of the design, preparation, printing and distribution of the White Paper on the citizens charter, Cm. 1599.

  The Prime Minister
  The cost of the design and preparation of Cm. 1599 is likely to be in the region of £33,000.

  The costs for printing, publishing and distributing the White Paper were met by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, which aims to recover its costs from sales revenue.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of printing and publishing the citizens charter, Cm. 1599.

  The Prime Minister
  The costs of printing and publishing the citizens charter White Paper Cm. 1599 were 780
  met by HMSO who aim to recover their costs from sales revenue. The estimated cost of producing the short version of Cm. 1599 was £60,000.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the total cost to public funds of the pledges made in the citizens charter.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have put, and will continue to put, extra resources into priority public services whenever extra money can be afforded. Under the charter programme it will also find better ways of converting the money that can be afforded into even better services. I therefore expect the cost to be met within the existing public expenditure programme.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the opinion surveys carried out in the course of preparation of the citizens charter; and if he will place the results of each survey in the Library, together with the name of the organisation which carried out each survey.

  The Prime Minister
  No opinion surveys were carried out in the course of preparing the White Paper. The White Paper itself is a means of sounding public opinion and it is proposed that the views of the public should be sought regularly about the services they use.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of the launch at the Queen Elizabeth II centre of the White Paper, the citizens charter, Cm. 1599.

  The Prime Minister
  The estimated cost of the launch is £73,000. This covers the cost of hiring the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre and ancillary facilities.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give a full list of arms purchases made through BCCI and thought to have been for Iraq during the last 10 years.

  The Prime Minister
  I do not have this information.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library copies of all correspondence he received from the Governor of the Bank of England relating to the Bank of Credit and Commerce International since June 1987.

  The Prime Minister
  No. Exchanges between the Governor and myself are confidential. Any material relating to BCCI would, moreover, be covered by the provisions of part V of the Banking Act 1987. Lord Justice Bingham will of course have access to any correspondence received from the Governor relating to BCCI.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what information he has on which defence firms based in Britain have had links with BCCI.

  The Prime Minister
  The relationship between defence firms and BCCI is a matter for the companies concerned.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Prime Minister what assistance Her Majesty's Government and the Bank of England gave to United States officials in 1990 investigating affairs of the BCCI.

  The Prime Minister
  Since Operation C Chase in 1988, Customs and Excise investigators have kept in regular
  781
  touch with their US counterparts regarding drugs money laundering matters. The Bank of England has co-operated with the US authorities as fully as it can within the constraints imposed on it by the Banking Act.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether, in the inquiry into the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, Lord Justice Bingham will have powers to compel attendance from directors or employees of self-regulatory organisations set up under the terms of the Financial Services Act 1986;

  (2) whether, in the inquiry into the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, Lord Justice Bingham will have powers to compel attendance from Government servants and regulators who have left the public service.

  The Prime Minister
  This is a non-statutory inquiry. In the light of the experience of a number of similar non-statutory inquiries in recent years, we do not expect any difficulties in securing the attendance of witnesses.

  Bank of England
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the dates on which he met the Governor of the Bank of England since June 1987; and what was discussed on each occasion.

  The Prime Minister
  I have met the Governor from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Food Aid, Africa
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will seek to ensure that the European Commission places a higher priority on humanitarian considerations than cost-effectiveness in deciding allocation of food aid to Africa;

  (2) if he will list the surplus commodities held in the intervention stocks of the European Commission, the quantity of each commodity currently held or held on the latest date for which the information is available and the amount of each commodity that has been used within the programme of food aid for Africa which was agreed in May;

  (3) if he will list the surplus commodities held in the intervention stocks of the European Commission and indicate, for each item on the list, the steps he has taken to find ways that items might be used to combat starvation and poverty in Africa and elsewhere as an alternative to remaining in store;

  (4) if he will list the surplus commodities held in the intervention stocks of the European Commission and indicate, for each item on that list, his assessment of ways in which that commodity could be used (a) as immediate emergency food aid for Africa and elsewhere and (b) as part of long-term programmes to prevent starvation;

  (5) further to his answer of 22 July, if he will (a) indicate the quantity of grain being drawn from intervention stocks of the European Commission, (b) indicate the quantity of grain that would meet the needs of the special programme of food aid for Africa and (c) indicate whether additional quantities of grain could make a contribution to meeting the needs of people facing starvation in Africa over and above the needs of the special programme;
  782
  (6) further to his answer of 22 July, if he will indicate the measurements of cost-effectiveness currently being used by the European Commission to cost the special programme of food aid for Africa;

  (7) further to his answer dated 22 July, if he will seek to persuade the European Commission to increase the use of grain from intervention stocks to meet the needs of people currently facing starvation in Africa.

  The Prime Minister
  I am satisfied that humanitarian considerations, in particular the need to ensure that the right product reaches the right people at the right time, are given high priority by the European Commission. However, the very substantial cost of transport from Europe to the more remote parts of Africa has to be taken into account when determining the source of grain for relief purposes; for that reason we encourage the Commission to buy food in nearby countries with exportable surpluses whenever appropriate.

  Significant intervention stocks are held of cereals (particularly common wheat, durum wheat, barley and rye), milk products, beef and wine. Of these only common wheat and, to a limited extent, rice are suitable for use as emergency food aid. So far in 1991 262,000 tonnes of common wheat held in intervention have been used in this way. In addition substantial quantities of wheat have been purchased on the European Commission open market by the Commision and member states for food aid purposes; some 90 per cent. of the food provided under Community action programmes (1·7 million tonnes of cereals, and smaller quantities of other products this year) is obtained from within the Community. Tables showing the amounts of the various products held in intervention are deposited regularly in the Libraries of the House.

  The main priority now in combating famine in Africa is to encourage donors to deliver quickly pledges already made and to find ways of speeding up distribution within the affected countries to the people most in need. We shall continue to take every opportunity to pursue these issues with other donors, including the European Commission, and with the international organisations and recipient countries. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will be discussing them with the main British non-governmental organisations on 25 July.

  Tourism
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to appoint a tourism ombudsman.

  The Prime Minister
  No. There is already a comprehensive framework of consumer protection legislation in place, which will be further strengthened for the travel and tourism industry by the implementation of the European Community package travel directive.

  Postal Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 22 July concerning postal services of the Royal Mail, what factors Her Majesty's Government will take into account in determining the price level at which private service alternatives will be permitted; and when he expects to announce the new level.

  The Prime Minister
  In determining the minimum price level at which private operators will be allowed to provide letter services, the Secretary of State for Trade and
  783
  Industry will satisfy himself that the Post Office's ability to meet its statutory obligations and to provide a nationwide letter service within an affordable uniform tariff structure will not be undermined. He will also bear in mind the potential for improvements in the Post Office's efficiency and service quality as well as tariff levels and the financial targets that he sets. He will make a significant move after the necessary legislation is enacted.

  Science and Technology Secretariat
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the annual running costs of the Cabinet Office science and technology secretariat.

  The Prime Minister
  In 1990–91 the running costs of the science and technology secretariat were £1,228,322.

  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Prime Minister how many staff work in the Cabinet Office science and technology secretariat; and what is the distribution of their grades.

  The Prime Minister
  The number of staff working in the Cabinet Office science and technology secretariat on 1 July 1991 was 36. The grade distribution is as follows:

  Number

  Chief scientific officer

  1

  Grade 3

  1

  Grade 5

  2

  Grade 6

  3·5

  Grade 7

  8

  HEO

  1

  EO

  3·5

  AO

  4

  AA

  3

  SPS

  2

  PS

  5

  Typist

  2

  Civil Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals Her Majesty's Government have considered for a new international convention to bring together in a single convention agreements relating to the regulation of civil nuclear issues and radioactive materials currently the subject matter of several international conventions; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are not considering any such proposals.

  Mr. Alan Blumlein
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will acquire for the nation the biographical papers relating to the electronics engineer Alan Blumlein, inventor of stereo and pioneer of electronic television and radar.

  The Prime Minister
  Neither I, nor my colleague the Minister for the Arts, is aware of any sale of papers relating to Alan Blumlein. The question of acquisition of such papers for the nation therefore does not arise.

  G7 Conference
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total estimated cost to Her Majesty's Government of hosting the Group of Seven conference in London.
  784
  The Prime Minister
  With many accounts still to be settled, I cannot give a precise figure, but I expect the total cost to be around £7 million.

  Mr. Bob Ingham
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what correspondence his office has received from Mr. Bob Ingham of Woodlands crescent, Knutsford over the past two years; if he will list the subjects of the correspondence; and what response has been made.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 July 1991]: My office received a letter addressed to me from Mr. Bob Ingham on 30 August 1990 on the subject of sewage, which my office acknowledged, noting the contents and stating that the letter was being sent on, for information, to the Department with policy responsibility for the matter raised.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of confirmed cases of BSE in each county or Scottish region at the latest available date in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information up to 19 July 1991 is as follows:

  County

  Cases

  England:

  Northern

  Cleveland

  39

  Cumbria

  608

  Durham

  112

  Humberside

  134

  Northumberland

  136

  Tyne and Wear

  4

  Yorkshire, North

  1,164

  Yorkshire, South

  98

  Yorkshire, West

  135

  Total

  2,430

  Midlands and Western

  Cheshire

  904

  Derbyshire

  506

  Herefore and Worcester

  595

  Lancashire

  699

  Leicestershire

  759

  Manchester

  33

  Merseyside

  14

  Nottinghamshire

  193

  Salop

  752

  Staffordshire

  593

  West Midlands

  18

  Warwickshire

  328

  Total

  5,394

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  88

  Cambridgeshire

  110

  Essex

  143

  Hertfordshire

  137

  Lincolnshire

  257

  Norfolk

  524

  Northamptonshire

  274

  Suffolk

  378

  Total

  1,911

  785

  County

  Cases

  South-East

  Berkshire

  190

  Buckinghamshire

  285

  Hampshire

  1,182

  Isle of Wight

  228

  Kent

  645

  London

  18

  Oxfordshire

  489

  Surrey

  288

  Sussex, East

  417

  Sussex, West

  790

  Total

  4,532

  South-West

  Avon

  647

  Cornwall

  2,363

  Devon

  3,538

  Dorset

  2,692

  Gloucestershire

  920

  Somerset

  2,915

  Wiltshire

  1,941

  Total

  15,016

  Wales

  Clwyd

  377

  Dyfed

  1,377

  Mid Glamorgan

  77

  Glamorgan, South

  84

  Glamorgan, West

  16

  Gwent

  233

  Gwynedd

  88

  Powys

  296

  Total

  2,548

  Scotland:

  South

  Borders

  53

  Central

  30

  Dumfries

  207

  Lothian

  23

  Strathclyde

  272

  North

  Fife

  62

  Grampian

  201

  Highland

  56

  Orkney

  10

  Shetland

  3

  Tayside

  85

  Western Isles

  1

  Total

  1,003

  Northern Ireland:

  Antrim

  66

  Armagh

  18

  Down

  45

  Fermanagh

  20

  Londonderry

  25

  Tyrone

  41

  Total

  215

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many BSE carcases have been(a) incinerated and (b) buried in 1991 in England.

  Mr. Gummer
  In the period January to May 1991 9,593 BSE carcases were incinerated and 306 buried in England.

  Cereal Production
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount of land in each county which has been under cereal production for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information requested is given in the following table. Data are taken from the 1987 to 1990 June agricultural censuses and hence exclude estimates for minor holdings not in the annual census.

  Census of agriculture June 1987·90 Distribution of cereals area by county

  '000 hectares

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Avon

  17·0

  17·6

  17·1

  16·2

  Bedfordshire

  55·3

  53·3

  54·3

  51·5

  Berkshire

  37·5

  37·2

  36·2

  33·7

  Buckinghamshire

  54·7

  52·4

  51·5

  47·0

  Cambridgeshire

  170·5

  166·2

  164·9

  161·2

  Cheshire

  29·8

  29·7

  28·5

  26·2

  Cleveland

  14·7

  14·2

  14·6

  13·2

  Cornwall1

  46·2

  46·1

  43·9

  40·4

  Cumbria

  24·6

  24·0

  22·4

  20·3

  Derbyshire

  32·0

  32·4

  32·7

  31·1

  Devon

  74·3

  74·4

  70·0

  65·6

  Dorset

  56·7

  56·9

  56·7

  53·6

  Durham

  36·5

  37·3

  37·6

  34·9

  East Sussex

  31·1

  30·4

  28·8

  26·6

  Essex

  161·2

  155·2

  158·9

  153·7

  Gloucestershire

  81·0

  80·4

  76·9

  70·3

  Greater London

  4·6

  4·6

  4·3

  4·1

  Greater Manchester

  6·1

  6·2

  6·1

  5·9

  Hampshire

  104·6

  105·9

  105·2

  101·2

  Hereford and Worcester

  90·8

  91·4

  90·7

  84·3

  Hertfordshire

  59·4

  58·4

  58·7

  56·5

  Humberside

  178·9

  178·0

  179·7

  172·6

  Isle of Wight

  8·8

  9·3

  9·1

  8·1

  Kent

  92·8

  89·2

  92·7

  86·1

  Lancashire

  19·5

  20·0

  19·0

  17·2

  Leicestershire

  87·4

  86·0

  87·2

  80·9

  Lincolnshire

  290·6

  285·3

  290·5

  279·3

  Merseyside

  10·0

  10·0

  9·9

  9·1

  Norfolk

  214·3

  210·1

  210·6

  204·5

  North Yorkshire

  196·7

  196·2

  198·6

  189·9

  Northamptonshire

  94·8

  92·8

  93·0

  85·5

  Northumberland

  74·9

  76·0

  77·0

  72·9

  Nottinghamshire

  81·7

  80·5

  81·3

  75·8

  Oxfordshire

  110·2

  107·7

  107·5

  99·8

  Shropshire

  84·2

  85·0

  85·4

  80·5

  Somerset

  45·8

  47·7

  47·6

  44·2

  South Yorkshire

  35·7

  35·6

  35·1

  32·7

  Staffordshire

  46·1

  46·1

  46·6

  42·8

  Suffolk

  173·3

  169·5

  172·5

  169·0

  Surrey

  15·1

  14·1

  13·5

  12·5

  Tyne and Wear

  8·2

  8·2

  7·9

  7·3

  Warwickshire

  68·0

  66·7

  67·7

  62·4

  West Midlands

  5·6

  5·6

  5·5

  5·4

  West Sussex

  44·8

  43·8

  41·5

  40·0

  West Yorkshire

  22·5

  22·3

  23·0

  22·0

  Wiltshire

  114·2

  113·4

  113·1

  106·6

  England

  3,312·9

  3,273·0

  3,275·1

  3,105·1

  1 Includes Scilly Isles.

  Notes: Minor holdings are excluded. Triticale is included from 1989.

  Oil Seed Rape
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount of land in each county under oil seed rape since 1987.
  787
  Mr. Gummer
  The information requested is given in the following table. Data are taken from the 1987 to 1990 June agricultural censuses and hence exclude estimates for minor holdings not in the annual census.

  Census of Agriculture June 1987–90 Distribution of oil seed rape area by county

  '000 hectares

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Avon

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  0·7

  Bedfordshire

  7·9

  7·3

  6·2

  7·9

  Berkshire

  2·8

  2·4

  2·7

  3·3

  Buckinghamshire

  6·4

  5·9

  6·0

  7·4

  Cambridgeshire

  18·5

  16·5

  15·9

  19·2

  Cheshire

  2·2

  1·9

  1·6

  1·8

  Cleveland

  2·3

  2·1

  1·9

  2·8

  Cornwall inc Scilly Isles

  0·7

  0·7

  0·3

  0·6

  Cumbria

  0·5

  0·5

  0·3

  0·3

  Derbyshire

  3·7

  3·6

  3·0

  3·4

  Devon

  0·9

  0·8

  0·7

  0·9

  Dorset

  1·0

  1·1

  1·0

  1·4

  Durham

  5·3

  4·9

  4·8

  6·8

  East Sussex

  2·1

  2·1

  1·7

  2·2

  Essex

  22·5

  21·3

  20·5

  22·8

  Gloucestershire

  5·5

  5·3

  5·5

  7·1

  Greater London

  0·6

  0·5

  0·6

  0·7

  Greater Manchester

  0·5

  0·4

  0·4

  0·6

  Hampshire

  6·2

  4·8

  4·7

  6·1

  Hereford and Worcester

  5·3

  4·7

  4·6

  5·8

  Hertfordshire

  8·6

  7·3

  7·4

  8·8

  Humberside

  25·7

  23·1

  21·0

  24·5

  Isle of Wight

  0·5

  0·6

  0·7

  0·9

  Kent

  14·4

  12·9

  11·4

  15·1

  Lancashire

  0·9

  0·8

  0·8

  1·3

  Leicestershire

  13·4

  12·7

  11·6

  14·1

  Lincolnshire

  40·7

  34·8

  32·0

  38·6

  Mersey side

  0·4

  0·5

  0·5

  0·6

  Divisional office

  Environmentally sensitive areas

  Farm and conservation grant scheme

  Farm diversification grant scheme

  Farm woodland scheme

  Hill livestock compensatory allowances

  Sheep annual premium scheme

  Suckler cow premium scheme

  Set-aside

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  South western region

  Exeter

  —

  2,350

  221

  46

  3,360

  9,273

  2,625

  283

  Gloucester

  —

  1,222

  206

  144

  —

  3,551

  1,331

  1,376

  Taunton

  822

  2,001

  207

  4

  1,161

  4,311

  1,380

  377

  Truro

  327

  667

  131

  9

  992

  3,288

  1,554

  219

  Eastern region

  Chelmsford

  —

  260

  95

  31

  —

  528

  388

  1,183

  Huntingdon

  —

  148

  33

  71

  —

  2,497

  647

  1,530

  Lincoln

  —

  221

  42

  27

  —

  1,064

  872

  526

  Norwich

  3,286

  545

  93

  133

  —

  1,035

  1,043

  1,279

  Northern region

  Beverley

  201

  513

  52

  20

  1,024

  2,130

  1,329

  310

  Carlisle

  64

  1,530

  85

  19

  7,654

  10,618

  2,393

  66

  Newcastle

  372

  356

  90

  29

  7,338

  9,093

  4,153

  400

  Northallerton

  534

  1,201

  160

  24

  4,860

  8,504

  1,959

  165

  South eastern region

  Guildford

  26

  478

  61

  42

  —

  2,132

  1,068

  1,245

  Maidstone

  605

  428

  177

  14

  —

  3,919

  718

  802

  Oxford

  —

  399

  89

  60

  —

  2,502

  911

  1,885

  Midlands and Western region

  Crewe

  629

  3,698

  173

  31

  2,213

  6,643

  2,038

  390

  Nottingham

  556

  704

  81

  32

  1,221

  4,175

  1,345

  350

  Preston

  —

  1,113

  59

  —

  1,688

  3,678

  828

  118

  Worcester

  —

  541

  84

  69

  2,679

  7,501

  1,536

  316

  788

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Norfolk

  11·2

  8·9

  7·1

  9·4

  North Yorkshire

  19·6

  17·5

  16·4

  19·5

  Northamptonshire

  18·6

  16·4

  16·0

  18·3

  Northumberland

  7·1

  6·7

  6·9

  10·0

  Nottinghamshire

  13·5

  11·6

  10·7

  12·5

  Oxfordshire

  11·6

  11·3

  10·4

  12·7

  Shropshire

  4·2

  3·5

  2·9

  3·5

  Somerset

  1·2

  0·9

  0·7

  0·9

  South Yorkshire

  6·1

  6·0

  5·3

  5·8

  Staffordshire

  4·5

  4·1

  3·3

  4·0

  Suffolk

  17·5

  13·3

  12·6

  13·9

  Surrey

  1·1

  1·3

  1·2

  1·4

  Tyne and Wear

  1·2

  1·1

  1·2

  1·5

  Warwickshire

  10·4

  9·4

  8·8

  9·9

  West Midlands

  0·6

  0·5

  0·5

  0·6

  West Sussex

  3·7

  3·0

  2·9

  3·6

  West Yorkshire

  3·1

  2·9

  2·6

  3·0

  Wiltshire

  5·4

  5·0

  4·6

  6·4

  England

  340·6

  303·5

  282·7

  342·5

  Note: Minor holdings are excluded.

  Grants and Subsidies
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount of money which was paid out by each of his divisional offices for each(a) agricultural subsidy scheme and (b) grant scheme available to farmers in 1990.

  Mr. Gummer
  The money dispersed by each of my divisional offices on the principal grant and subsidy schemes in 1990 is shown in the table:

  Horses and Ponies (Exports)
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in their negotiations with the European Commission and other member states with regard to preventing a renewal of an export trade in horses and ponies for slaughter.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) on 18 July 1991,Official Report, column 282.

  Wildlife and Landscape Conservation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of regional and national training courses on wildlife and landscape conservation where held for Agricultural Development and Advisory Service officers in 1990 and to date in 1991; and how many are planned for the rest of 1991 in each region.

  Mr. Gummer
  The numbers of national and regional training courses on wildlife and landscape conservation held in 1990 and in 1991, to date, for Agricultural Development and Advisory Service advisers are as follows:

  National

  Regional

  1990

  6

  9

  11991

  6

  6

  1 To date.

  Training courses planned for the remainder of 1991 are as follows:

  Number

  National

  3

  Regional:

  Eastern

  1

  Midlands and Western

  2

  Northern

  1

  South Western

  4

  Wales

  1

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department has answered 1,360 parliamentary questions for written reply in the current parliamentary Session to date, and 1,870 questions for the equivalent period in the last Session. The further information requested by the hon. Member is not collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Salmon
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the report on east coast fisheries prepared under the Salmon Act 1986; and whether the original report which he receives will be published without alteration.

  Mr. Curry
  Section 39 of the Salmon Act 1986 requires the presentation of a review to Parliament on the salmon net fisheries off the north-east coast of England and the east coast of Scotland. Scientists at the Scottish Office and from this Department have completed a substantial background paper which is now being considered.

  A report will be presented to Parliament as soon as possible.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the significance of the north-east coast salmon fishery as a component of the fishing industry of that area, and of the effect on the industry which would result from a ban on that fishery.

  Mr. Curry
  The majority of fishermen operating off the north-east coast of England fish for a variety of different species. For those fishermen who fish for salmon it can represent a significant part of their annual income. However, the mixed species nature of the fishery means that it is difficult to quantify the effect that banning salmon fishing would have on the industry.

  Ministry Staff, Devon
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for reorganising his offices and staff in Devon.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 23 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Irvine).

THE ARTS

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Edinburgh Art Galleries
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has now received about the closure of art galleries in Edinburgh; and if he will reconsider his decision not to hold an inquiry into the Scottish Arts Council's funding of the visual arts.

  Mr. Renton
  I received five letters about the Edinburgh art galleries, including one from the hon. Member for
  791
  Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan). This matter falls within the remit of the chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain, to whom I have referred the correspondence for his consideration and for direct replies. I have, however, been kept closely in touch with developments and I understand that the chairman's view is that an inquiry would be inappropriate. I see no reason to dissent from this.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will specify the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom, during the half-year ended 30 June, of individual works of art and museum objects

  Item

  To whom allocated

  Conditions/ wishes expressed

  East Anglian collection of paintings and George III Cabinet

  Norwich Castle Museum

  Conditional

  Two paintings by Nasmyth

  University of Manchester—Whitworth Art Gallery

  Conditional

  Painting by Sickert

  Tate Gallery

  Wish to go to Tate Gallery

  Collection of works by and relating to John Piper

  Wolverhampton Museum and Art Gallery

  Wish to go to Wolverhampton Art Gallery

  Four Old Master drawings

  National Galleries of Scotland

  Conditional

  Portrait of Charles Hope by Raeburn

  National Galleries of Scotland

  Conditional

  Stamp Collection

  British Library

  Wish to go to the British Library

  Collection of photographs by and of Cecil Beaton

  National Portrait Gallery

  Conditional

  Portrait attributed to Reynolds

  National Galleries of Scotland—to remain in situ in Paxton House, Berwickshire

  Conditional

  Items awaiting allocation

  Date of acceptance

  *Portrait by Beechey

  20 April 1990

  *Painting by Lucas de Heere

  20 April 1990

  *Two portraits by Gainsborough, one by Rubens and a landscape by Seghers

  20 April 1990

  Portrait of Professor Hill by Raeburn

  12 March 1991

  Harpsichord by Burkat Shudi

  12 March 1991

  Collection of drawings by Runciman

  26 April 1991

  Papers of George Bellas Greenough

  26 April 1991

  Whistler watercolour

  26 April 1991

  Collection of musical instruments

  26 April 1991

  Note: The three offers marked* were omitted, in error, from the answer given to the hon. Member for Warley, East on 21 January 1991 at column 9.

  Press notices have already been issued announcing the acceptance of all these items and the allocations that have been made to date.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training or guidance material has been issued for magistrates dealing with poll tax cases; if he will place copies of such material in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Guidance was contained in Home Office circular 23/1990, issued on 14 March 1990, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he now has as to the 792
  pre-eminent for national, scientific, historical or artisitc interest which have been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed by testators or executors in the matter of allocation; whether he will list the works of art and museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the respective dates of their acceptance in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax; and whether a press notice will be issued from his Department covering the information given in his reply.

  Mr. Renton
  The information the hon. Gentleman requests is as follows:

  number of people who have served, or are serving, a prison sentence for non-payment of the 1990–91 poll tax, and the length of their sentences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  According to the records held centrally, which are approximate, six prisoners had been received into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales by 31 March 1991 following committal for non-payment of the community charge. The periods of committal imposed were 10 days, two weeks, three weeks, one month (2), and three months. Reliable information is not yet available centrally for such prisoners received since March 1991.

  Magistrates Clerks
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the salaries of clerks to the magistrates courts are first paid by local authorities and then reimbursed by his Department, or paid directly; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Salaries are paid by local authorities, which receive specific grant support from the Home Office for magistrates courts expenditure.

  Visas
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to(a) airlines and (b) British posts abroad about the categories of people who are visa nationals but who are exempt from requiring visas to re-enter the United Kingdom after an absence abroad; why it was decided not to record this exemption on people's passports; and if he will publish the guidance.
  793
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A copy of the guidance given to airlines on the exemption criteria has been placed in the Library. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has, I understand, similarly advised posts abroad. In addition, posters covering the changes have been displayed at all British posts abroad and all applicants granted a visa now receive a standard passport-sized card setting out the terms of the new extended visa exemption scheme. Now that the exemption scheme applies uniformly to all nationalities, a "visa exempt" passport endorsement is no longer necessary.

  Mrs. Zabeda Begum Yagoob
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what response he has made to the representations made by the hon. Member for Bradford, West in the case of Mrs. Zabeda Begum Yaqoob (Ref. Y48459); when his Department informed the hon. Member for Bradford, West of an intention to deport Mrs. Yagoob from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what notices were sent to the Bradford home address of Mrs. Zabeda Begum Yaqoob (Ref. Y48459) prior to her deportation from the United Kingdom; on what dates such notices were sent; how they were delivered; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what representations he has received concerning Mrs. Zabeda Begum Yagoob (Ref. Y48459); following her deportation from the United Kingdom from (a) her representative and (b) other persons or organisations;

  (4) when Mrs. Zabeda Begum Yaqoob, born in 1950, (Ref. Y48459) was deported from the United Kingdom; who was her representative; what notices concerning his intention to deport were sent to her representative; on what dates such notices were sent; how such notices were sent; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what inquiries were made by his officials into hospital treatment being received by Mrs. Zabeda Begum Yagoob (Ref. Y48459) before she was deported from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Representations from the hon. Member for Bradford, West on behalf of Mrs. Zabeda Begum Yaqoob were rejected on 17 January 1989 and subsequently on 7 April 1989, when he was informed of the intention to make a deportation order against her. Notice of this decision was sent on 13 April 1989 to her legal representatives, Messrs Carter Gouldsborough of Bradford, by first class ordinary post and on 14 April 1989 to Mrs. Yaqoob at her home address by first class recorded delivery post together with the appropriate appeals forms. Her appeal against the decision was dismissed on 11 September 1990.

  No representations on her behalf have been received from her representatives or others following her deportation from the United Kingdom on 14 May 1991. We were not informed that Mrs. Yagoob was receiving any hospital treatment before she was deported and there was therefore no cause for inquiries to be made.

  Sexual Offences Act
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy towards the use of police officers to encourage or in any way induce offences to be committed under section 32 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Measures to detect crime are operational matters for chief officers of police. However, the Home Office has issued guidance to all police forces which stresses that police officers must not incite the commission of offences.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the incidence of police officers encouraging or inducing offences to be committed under section 32 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information of methods of detection for offences committed under section 32 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the financial cost incurred by the deployment of a single police officer in surveillance of a public toilet for one day.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Available figures on the cost of police officers' time are not related to the duties on which they are engaged; additional costs are not normally incurred by the deployment of officers on particular duties.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines have been issued relating to police operations applied to the entrapment of homosexual men for soliciting.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Home Office has issued guidance to all police forces which stresses that police officers must not incite the commission of criminal offences. Instructions relating to particular police operations against suspected indecency are a matter for individual chief officers.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Remand (Young People)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that young people on remand should be dealt with in such a way as to maximise public protection and minimise serious re-offending while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
  795
  Mr. John Patten
  The Government's policy is to ensure that the courts have the powers they need to deal properly with juvenile defendants having regard to all relevant matters including the protection of the public and the prevention of offending. The Criminal Justice Bill makes the necessary provision.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is currently(a) the average cost, (b) the highest cost and (c) the lowest cost per week of holding a young person on remand in secure accommodation which is provided (i) in premises other than prison accommodation and (ii) in various types of prison accommodation.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information about remand prisoners is not held separately.

  The average weekly cost of holding a juvenile in a closed youth establishment in 1989–90 was £346. At the establishments with the highest and lowest costs the average weekly costs were £450 and £260 respectively.

  Information about non-prison service establishments is not available.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the alternatives to secure accommodation he is currently considering in respect of young people on remand.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health is establishing a national steering group which will consider the practical arrangements for dealing with remanded juveniles under the Criminal Justice Bill.

  Karamjit Singh Chahal
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the case of Karamjit Singh Chahal.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to him on 25 June at columns 405–6.

  Crimes of Violence
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy towards the monitoring of crimes of violence against lesbians and gay men; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The monitoring of crimes of violence against lesbians and gay men is, in common with many other types of crime, a matter for individual chief officers. For example, I understand that the Metropolitan police have identified four divisions in which specific monitoring of such attacks is being undertaken on a pilot basis with a view to developing good practice. Attacks on lesbians and gay men are as unacceptable as any other incidents of violence against individuals, and I have every confidence in the determination and ability of the police to protect all members of the public.

  Returning Residents
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, by nationality, have requested entry to the United Kingdom, as returning residents, in each quarter since May 1990; how many have been(a) readmitted as such, (b) readmitted for a limited period and (c) been refused entry to the United Kingdom.
  796
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Cymag
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration his Department is giving to banning the possession and sale of Cymag.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Poisons Rules 1982 already prohibit the sale of Cymag to the general public. The Poisons Board in November 1990 considered the case for further strengthening controls on the availability of Cymag but concluded that changes to the poisons legislation would not be justified.

  Bailiffs
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now issued best practice guidance on the use of bailiffs by magistrates courts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  I hope that it will be possible to publish the guidance next month, and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received by clerks of the court as to the actions or conduct of bailiffs involved in the collection of poll tax debts; and of these how many cases resulted in the complaint being held in favour of the complainant.

  Mr. John Patten
  Bailiffs used to levy distress in community charge cases are employed by the local authority, and not by the court. Justices' clerks will therefore not necessarily be aware of complaints about their conduct, and we do not have information about their number. However, the Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 make provision for a person aggrieved by the levy of, or an attempt to levy, a distress to appeal to a magistrates court. A total of 14 such appeals were heard during the last financial year. Information about their outcome is not readily available.

  Police Conduct
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is now the total amount paid by the Metropolitan police in(a) out-of-court settlements and (b) in-court awards arising from complaints about police conduct in the past 12 months to date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the amounts paid by the Metropolitan police in settlements out of court and under awards made by the courts arising from allegations of wrongful acts by Metropolitan police officers are as follows:

  Settlements out of court £

  Awards made by the courts £

  1990

  557,214

  188,110

  11991

  280,169

  17,901

  1 To 23 July.

  Summer Projects, Manchester
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on funds offered for summer projects in the Moss Side and Hulme areas of Manchester by his Department; what requests were received from local groups; and what was his response.

  Mr. John Patten
  The hon. Member and others have expressed concern about the risks to children in Moss Side and Hulme of being drawn into crime and drug misuse. Local groups have discussed these concerns with Home Office officials, the local probation service, and officials from the Moss Side and Hulme task force and Manchester and Salford city action team, and have proposed organising a range of activities for young people this summer and beyond, aimed at reducing these risks. Funding of £46,300 to support these schemes has been offered by the Home Office, Department of Education and Science, local task force and city action team.

  Prisoners (Searches)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many strip searches were carried out on female prisoners sentenced category A and remand prisoners being held in Her Majesty's prisons, Durham and Brixton, since November 1989; what prison contraband, smuggled item, or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and what were the reasons for each search.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Between 1 November 1989 and 30 June 1991, category A women prisoners held in Brixton and Durham prisons were strip searched on a. total of 254 occasions. No unauthorised article was found. On no occasion did the prisoners refuse to be strip searched. Strip searching is a routine security measure to which all prisoner—smale and female—are subject, both for its deterrent effect and as a means of discovering unauthorised articles.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the reorganisation of magistrates courts in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have received many comments from interested bodies and individuals on the report of the magistrates courts scrutiny, and have been giving them careful consideration.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he proposes to make to the formula for cash limiting the magistrates courts system to meet the needs of rural areas.

  Mr. John Patten
  We shall give careful thought to the representations about the needs of rural areas made in the course of consultations on the proposed formula for the allocation of current grant before reaching final decisions.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the reasons for the closure of Darwen magistrates court.
  798
  Mr. John Patten
  I understand that no decision has yet been taken by the Lancashire magistrates courts committee that this courthouse should be closed.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many rural magistrates courts he estimates will close in England and Wales in 1991 and 1992.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have made no such estimate, since decisions on the maintenance of courthouses are in the first place matters for the responsible magistrates courts committees in consultation with their paying authorities. Cash limits on current grant will reinforce the need for committees to consider the number and location of courthouses as part of their general responsibility for providing an effective and efficient service, having regard to the needs of court users as well as to affordability; but the effect on individual committees will depend on the total grant available to support magistrates courts expenditure and on the arrangements for its allocation by area, on which final decisions have not yet been made.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received with regard to the closure of magistrates courts in Dyfed; and what action he proposes to take.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have as yet received no representations in relation to the decision by the Dyfed magistrates courts committee on 18 July to close 11 courthouses. If there is an appeal by the paying authority under the Justices of the Peace Act 1979 against this decision we shall of course consider it on its merits.

  Monmouth Police Station
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had concerning funding in relation to the condition of Monmouth police station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Representations about Monmouth police station have been received from members of the Gwent police authority and from a number of hon. Members.

  Charity Laws
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to reform the current charity laws; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to reform the current charity laws; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Government's proposals for reforming charity law are set out in the White Paper, "Charities: A Framework for the Future", published in 1989. There is always pressure for a place in the legislative programme, but preparation of a Bill is well advanced and we hope that there will be an early opportunity to introduce the legislation.

  Prison Escapes
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many category A prisoners escaped from dispersal prisons during 1990–91; and from which establishments.
  799
  Mrs. Rumbold
  On 15 January 1991 a category A prisoner under escort to Her Majesty's prison Full Sutton escaped, in company with a category B prisoner. Both were recaptured later the same day.

  During 1990–91 no category A prisoners have escaped from within a dispersal prison.

  Criminal Records
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make a statement on the scrutiny of criminal records.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The scrutiny report raises some difficult and sensitive issues on the scope, management and disclosure of criminal records which require careful consideration. The Government's views on the report will be made known as soon as possible.

  Gambling Machines
  Mrs. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has received any representations from Mr. Mark Griffiths, of Polytechnic South West, Plymouth, on the effects of gambling machine abuse upon young people.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No.

  Sick Leave
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when work commenced on the proposed circular on sickness and sick leave; and when he expects it to be published.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Police Records
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if there is a recommended or statutory period during which police forces should retain interview notes and case documents before they are destroyed;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to issue guidance that no police interview notes or case documents should be destroyed for as long as a person is imprisoned on conviction of the crime involved;

  Table 1

  Spouses and fiance (e) in the Indian sub-continent applying for entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom

  Number of persons or percentage

  Husbands

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  1990 3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Year

  1991 1st quarter

  New Delhi (including Calcutta)

  Applications received1

  70

  90

  80

  60

  290

  70

  Applications granted2

  60

  50

  50

  40

  200

  40

  Applications refused initially

  40

  20

  30

  40

  130

  50

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  35

  n.a.

  Bombay (including Madras)

  Applications received1

  100

  70

  50

  40

  270

  100

  Applications granted2

  60

  40

  60

  30

  190

  30

  Applications refused initially

  50

  40

  50

  50

  200

  40

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  44

  n.a.

  Dhaka

  Applications received1

  140

  150

  160

  160

  610

  130

  Applications granted2

  40

  70

  60

  50

  220

  70

  Applications refused initially

  90

  70

  100

  80

  340

  60

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  58

  n.a.

  800
  (3) if he will list the practice of each police force in England and Wales for the retention of interview notes and case documents in serious cases.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There is no such statutory or recommended period. The policy on retention of interview notes and case documents is a matter for each chief officer of police.

  Information on the practice of individual forces is not held centrally. At present we have no plans to issue guidance to police forces.

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry clearance from(a) wives, (b) husbands, (c) fiances and (d) fiancés made at British posts in (i) New Delhi, (ii) Bombay, (iii) Calcutta, (iv) Madras, (v) Dhaka, (vi) Islamabad, (vii) Karachi and (viii) Colombo for each quarter since January 1990 were (1) received, (2) granted and (3) refused; how many refusals at each post were (A) wholly and (B) partly because the visa officer was not satisfied that the primary purpose of the marriage was not immigration; how many refusals at each post were (x) wholly and (y) partly because the visa officer was not satisfied that the couple could support and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds; what was the refusal rate at each post; and what percentage of those refusals were (I) wholly and (II) partly on primary purpose grounds.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 24 July 1991]: Information for the Indian sub-continent for the whole of 1990 and, where available, for the first quarter of 1991 is given in the tables. Where the numbers are small, the figeures for individual posts have been combined. To keep down the cost, only annual data for 1990 have been given. For information for the first quarter of 1990, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 26 July 1990 at columns 468–72.

  Information on refusals which takes account of successful appeals is not compiled for periods shorter than 12 months. Corresponding information for Colombo is not available centrally.
  801

  Husbands

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  1990 3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Year

  1991 1st quarter

  Islamabad (including Karachi)

  Applications received1

  620

  490

  420

  410

  1,950

  560

  Applications granted2

  210

  200

  230

  350

  1,000

  390

  Applications refused initially

  530

  370

  270

  380

  1,550

  410

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  53

  n.a.

  Number of persons or percentage

  Fiances

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  1990 3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Year

  1991 1st quarter

  New Delhi (including Calcutta)

  Applications received1

  80

  60

  60

  40

  230

  50

  Applications granted2

  30

  20

  10

  20

  80

  20

  Applications refused initially

  30

  20

  20

  40

  110

  40

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  56

  n.a.

  Bombay (including Madras)

  Applications received1

  80

  60

  40

  40

  220

  70

  Applications granted2

  60

  40

  20

  20

  150

  10

  Applications refused initially

  30

  50

  30

  50

  160

  30

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  40

  n.a.

  Dhaka

  Applications received1

  10

  4—

  4—

  4—

  20

  4—

  Applications granted2

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  10

  4—

  Applications refused initially

  10

  4—

  4—

  4—

  20

  4—

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  72

  n.a.

  Islamabad (including Karachi)

  Applications received1

  110

  80

  60

  60

  310

  70

  Applications granted2

  60

  40

  60

  70

  230

  50

  Applications refused initially

  210

  110

  100

  80

  500

  70

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  60

  n.a.

  Number of persons or percentage

  Wives

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  1990 3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Year

  1991 1st quarter

  New Delhi (including Calcutta)

  Applications received1

  180

  190

  140

  140

  660

  200

  Applications granted2

  160

  160

  170

  170

  660

  130

  Applications refused initially

  10

  20

  30

  30

  100

  20

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  12

  n/a

  Bombay (including Madras)

  Applications received1

  460

  280

  200

  250

  1,210

  450

  Applications granted2

  270

  210

  370

  250

  1,100

  320

  Applications refused initially

  20

  20

  30

  30

  110

  30

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  9

  n/a

  Dhaka

  Applications received1

  310

  320

  330

  270

  1,240

  240

  Applications granted2

  350

  350

  350

  200

  1,250

  240

  Applications refused initially

  90

  60

  70

  50

  270

  30

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  6

  n/a

  Islamabad (including Karachi)

  Applications received1

  920

  650

  670

  560

  2,800

  800

  Applications granted2

  660

  700

  860

  730

  2,950

  890

  Applications refused initially

  120

  100

  60

  70

  340

  90

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  11

  n/a

  Number of persons or percentage

  Fiancees

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  1990 3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Year

  1991 1st quarter

  New Delhi (including Calcutta)

  Applications received1

  60

  70

  60

  50

  240

  50

  Applications granted2

  50

  20

  20

  60

  150

  40

  802

  803

  Fiancees

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  1990 3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Year

  1991 1st quarter

  Applications refused initially

  20

  4—

  10

  20

  50

  30

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  24

  n/a

  Bombay (including Madras)

  Applications received1

  70

  40

  40

  40

  200

  50

  Applications received2

  40

  30

  20

  40

  130

  30

  Applications refused initially

  10

  10

  10

  10

  40

  10

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  22

  n/a

  Dhaka

  Applications received1

  10

  4—

  10

  10

  30

  10

  Applications granted2

  4—

  10

  4—

  4—

  20

  4—

  Applications refused initially

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  6

  n/a

  Islamabad (including Karachi)

  Applications received1

  50

  50

  50

  40

  190

  50

  Applications granted>2

  60

  40

  60

  40

  200

  50

  Applications refused initially

  10

  10

  10

  10

  40

  4—

  Refusal rate (percentage)3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  16

  n/a

  1 Including applications subsequently withdrawn or lapsed

  2 Granted initially or on appeal

  3 Applications refused initially, minus applications granted on appeal, as a percentage of applications decided

  4 5 or fewer

  n/a = not available

  Table 2

  Spouses and fiance(e) in the Indian Sub-continent refused1 entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom in 1990

  Number of persons or percentage

  Number refused because couple could not accommodate and/or maintain themselves without recourse to public funds:

  Number refused because primary purpose of the marriage was to obtain admission to the United Kingdom:

  Primary purpose refusals as a percentage of all refusals:

  Solely for these

  Partly for these reasons

  Solely for this reason

  Partly for this reason

  Solely on primary purpose grounds

  Partly on primary purpose grounds

  New Delhi (including Calcutta)

  Husbands

  —

  10

  60

  10

  53

  10

  Fiances

  4—

  10

  60

  10

  60

  12

  Wives

  10

  10

  50

  4—

  57

  3

  Fiancees

  —

  10

  60

  10

  49

  28

  Bombay (including Madras)

  Husbands

  4—

  10

  150

  10

  92

  4

  Fiances

  4—

  4—

  100

  10

  86

  8

  Wives

  10

  4—

  60

  4—

  59

  2

  Fiancees

  4—

  4—

  20

  4—

  59

  5

  Dhaka

  Husbands

  10

  60

  220

  60

  70

  18

  Fiances

  —

  10

  10

  10

  241

  235

  Wives

  40

  30

  4—

  10

  2

  5

  Fiancees

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3—

  3—

  Islamabad (including Karachi)

  Husbands

  30

  700

  390

  690

  34

  60

  Fiances

  4—

  190

  120

  210

  34

  60

  Wives

  90

  40

  20

  20

  11

  12

  Fiancees

  4—

  10

  10

  10

  19

  24

  Total Indian sub-continent

  Husbands

  30

  770

  820

  770

  47

  44

  Fiances

  4—

  200

  280

  230

  49

  41

  Wives

  140

  70

  130

  30

  25

  6

  Fiancees

  10

  20

  50

  10

  42

  20

  1 Applications refused initially, minus applications granted on appeal.

  2 Percentage based on fewer than 15 applications refused.

  3 Percentage not calculated for five or fewer applications refused.

  4 Five or fewer, or ½ per cent, or less.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for settlement by wives and children in(a) Dhaka and (b) Islamabad
  804
  were (i) received, (ii) granted, (iii) refused, (iv) deferred at

  805
  first interview, (v) lapsed and (vi) outstanding and information requested is given in the table. beginning of 1990.

  Wives and children applying for entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom1

  Number of persons

  Applications

  Post

  Newly received2

  Granted3

  Refused initially4

  Referred or deferred5

  Withdrawn or lapsed4

  A waiting first interview at end of quarter

  Dhaka

  1990

  1st quarter

  1,320

  1,570

  520

  470

  280

  1,600

  2nd quarter

  1,190

  1,650

  380

  6—

  240

  1,300

  3rd quarter

  1,110

  1,330

  360

  6—

  160

  1,100

  4th quarter

  980

  650

  200

  6—

  20

  1,500

  1991

  1st quarter

  640

  940

  220

  6—

  50

  1,300

  Islamabad

  1990

  1st quarter

  1,190

  990

  250

  640

  100

  1,700

  2nd quarter

  860

  1,050

  200

  6—

  60

  1,400

  3rd quarter

  890

  1,170

  130

  6—

  40

  1,200

  4th quarter

  840

  1,190

  180

  6—

  40

  1,000

  1991

  1st quarter

  980

  1,240

  160

  6—

  60

  1,300

  Karachi

  1990

  1st quarter

  100

  60

  10

  10

  7—

  70

  2nd quarter

  70

  80

  7—

  6—

  7—

  50

  3rd quarter

  80

  70

  10

  6—

  10

  50

  4th quarter

  60

  50

  —

  6—

  7—

  50

  1991

  1st quarter

  80

  40

  7—

  6—

  —

  100

  1 Including all persons applying for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

  2 Data include some double counting in respect of applications recorded initially for entry clearance and then subsequently for a certificate of entitlement.

  3 Granted initially or on appeal.

  4 Since about the end of 1989, settlement applications have been refused in the circumstances where previously they would have been lapsed.

  5 Referred to the Home Office for decision or deferred for further inquiries.

  6 Data discontinued from May 1990.

  1 Five or fewer.

  Violence Against Women
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress towards implementing the recommendations of the Women's National Commission report on violence against women.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 28 June 1991]: We welcome the Women's National Commission's report on violence against women in 1985. In the light of that report, and of research studies which have provided fresh insight into offences of rape and domestic violence, we have issued guidance to the police on how to improve their response to these crimes; strengthened the powers of the courts to punish offenders and to protect victims; and encouraged local agencies to work together to provide help and support to women who are victims of violent or sexual crimes.
  806
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 24 July 1991]: The information requested is given in the table.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Bank Auditing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce legislation under which all banks would be required to file their annual accounts within 90 days of the year end.

  Mr. Maples
  None. All limited companies are already subject to statutory time limits for the filing of accounts.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce legislation under which all banks would be required to publish a cash flow statement and related data.

  Mr. Maples
  The Government have no plans to introduce legislation in this area. I understand, however, that the Accounting Standards Board is working towards the publication later this year of an accounting standard which will require companies to include a cash flow statement in their annual accounts.
  807
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to propose legislation to prevent banks from operating off-balance sheet financing schemes in their financial statements;

  (2) what plans he has to introduce legislation under which bank auditors will be changed every five years;

  (3) whether he has any plans to propose legislation under which bank depositors would individually be able to sue the auditors if the bank fails.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will propose legislation under which banks selling off-balance sheet financing schemes will not be licensed;

  (2) if he will propose legislation under which a hank's auditors would be banned from supplying non-audit services;

  (3) if he will propose legislation under which the annual reports of the banks will be required to publish the highest and the lowest interest rates charged by them during the year;

  (4) if he will propose legislation under which all banks will be required to publish the auditor's comments on the internal financial controls of banks;

  (5) if he will propose legislation under which all bank advertisements will be required clearly to state the maximum protection available to depositors.

  Mr. Maples
  The Government have no plans to introduce legislation.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to investigate the role of unqualified individuals in the audit of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

  Mr. Maples
  I am not aware of any suggestion that the individuals in charge of the audit of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International were not suitably qualified.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the operations in the United Kingdom of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International in respect of inducements to clients and information provided to customers, with a view to possible amendments to the banking legislation.

  Mr. Maples
  I refer the hon. Member to the announcement made by the Prime Minister on 22 July at column 757.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what communications he has received from Ernst and Young about the operations of BCCI.

  Mr. Maples
  Ernst and Young did not communicate any doubts about the operations of BCCI to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, nor would I expect them to have done so.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the incidence of prosecutions of BCCI officials for money laundering in the United States of America since 1986.

  Mr. Maples
  I understand that employees of companies in the BCCI group were indicted in Tampa, Florida in 1988 and subsequently convicted in 1990. Two prosecutions were brought in the United Kingdom in connection with the same case.
  808
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of United Kingdom depositors involved in the BCCI bank, together with the total capital involvement.

  Mr. Maples
  I understand that the branches of BCCI in the United Kingdom had some 70,000 depositors including overseas and United Kingdom residents and 140,000 accounts in both sterling and other currencies. It has not yet been possible for the (provisional) liquidator to estimate the capital involved.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether BCCI had at the time of, or recently prior to, its closure the control of any other banks with current operations in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maples
  No.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions have been held between the Treasury and Mr. Agha Hasan Abedi about BCCI banking operations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  There have been no discussions between the Treasury and Mr. Agha Hasan Abedi.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the scale of illegal money laundering identified in the operations of BCCI in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maples
  One employee in the United Kingdom operations of BCCI was convicted of money laundering last year. There have been no further prosecutions of United Kingdom employees of BCCI for money laundering.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of all correspondence he received from the Governor of the Bank of England relating to the Bank of Credit and Commerce International since June 1987.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  No. Exchanges between the Governor and myself are confidential. Any material relating to BCCI would, moreover, be covered by the provisions of part V of the Banking Act 1987. Lord Justice Bingham will of course have access to any correspondence received from the Governor relating to BCCI.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations his Department had with the Governor of the Bank of England about his visit to Abu Dhabi to meet officials concerning the BCCI issue.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 22 July 1991]: My officials and I have discussed BCCI with the Governor on a number of occasions over the last few weeks, both before and after his visit to Abu Dhabi.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to consult a creditors' meeting before a liquidator is appointed in connection with BCCI.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.
  809
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he was informed of the intention of the Bank of England to close the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 22 July 1991]: I was informed on 28 June that the Bank of England proposed to call the College of Supervisors together to consider closure.

  Banking Act (Disclosure Requirements)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what monitoring he does of accounting disclosure requirements imposed under the Banking Act; and how this is reported to Parliament.

  Mr. Maples
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Banks (Investigations)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give an undertaking that in internal investigations of banks carried out under the Banking Act partners from auditing firms criticised by Department Trade and Industry inspectors will not be used.

  Mr. Maples
  I am advised that the Bank of England will continue to take into account all relevant factors in deciding who should conduct investigations commissioned under the Banking Act.

  Committee on Local Authority Borrowing
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members of the Treasury committee on local authority borrowing; how often the committee meets; what are its terms of reference; when the status of the list of authorised institutions was last discussed; what advice the representative of the Bank of England gave about the status of the list; if he will publish the minutes of the meeting; and what information he has about the subsequent circulation to local authorities by the local authority associations represented at the meeting of the advice given by the Bank of England.

  Mr. Maples
  The Committee on Local Authority Borrowing is chaired by the Treasury and includes Government and Bank of England officials and representatives from the local authority associations. There is no regular cycle for meetings. The terms of reference are"to consider Local Authority Borrowing".

  The status of the list of institutions authorised under the Banking Act 1987 was discussed at the meeting held on 10 May. The issue was raised because some local authorities had deposits with Chancery bank, which had been put into administration. A Bank of England representative advised that:
  "it was important to regard the list of authorised institutions as just that: a list of institutions authorised to take deposits at the date of the list.… The list did not say anything about the relative creditworthiness of the institutions or that they could not fail. That was an assessment the local authorities, and other depositors, had to make."
  810
  A copy of the minutes of the meeting are being placed in the Library. The minutes are sent to those present. Wider circulation by the representatives of the local authority associations is a matter for them.

  Butchers
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the number of independent butchers' shops that have ceased trading in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Maples
  I have been asked to reply. The number of traders registered for VAT as butchers was 13,641 in April 1991 compared with 14,181 12 months previously.

  Income Tax, Scotland
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the average income tax payable by each tax unit in Scotland;

  (2) how many tax units there are in Scotland paying tax at the (a) basic rate and (b) higher rate.

  Mr. Maude
  The estimated numbers of single people and married couples resident in Scotland liable to income tax solely at the basic rate is 1·77 million for 1988–89, the latest available year. In addition some 90,000 were liable to tax at the higher rate. The average income tax liability per tax-paying tax unit is estimated to be £1,880 in 1988–89.

  Foundation for Sport and the Arts
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Her Majesty's Government's relationship with the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and the Football Trust will be reviewed in the event of a change of ownership of any member of the Pools Promoters Association.

  Mr. Mellor
  Whether or not Her Majesty's Government would need to review its relationship with the Foundation for Sport and the Arts or with the Football Trust would depend upon who the new owners were and on their attitude to their company's continued participation in either body.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the channel of communication between Her Majesty's Government and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, once the foundation has been formally established.

  Mr. Mellor
  It is important that there should be a single channel of communication between Her Majesty's Government and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. It will be provided by the Department of Education and Science and, in particular, the Minister for Sport. A representative of the Department will attend meetings of the foundation's trustees. I regret any confusion that may have been caused by my mistaken reference to another Minister in this context during the recent debate on clause 114 of the Finance Bill on 15 July at column 172.

  Central Statistical Office
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many staff work in the Central Statistical Office; and what is the distribution of their grades;
  811
  (2) what is the annual budget of the Central Statistical Office.

  Mr. Maples
  As at 12 July 1991, there were 1,099–5 staff employed by the Central Statistical Office, with a grade distribution as follows:

  Number

  Grade 1A

  1·0

  Grade 2

  1·0

  Grade 3

  3·0

  Grade 4

  1·0

  Grade 5

  20·0

  Grade 6

  3·0

  Grade 7

  67·5

  Senior executive officer

  34·0

  Senior assistant/assistant statistician

  25·0

  Higher executive officer

  142·0

  Executive officer

  274·0

  Administrative officer

  384·5

  Administrative assistant

  65·0

  Higher graphics officer

  1·0

  Graphics officer

  4·0

  Senior information officer

  1·0

  Information officer

  1·0

  Assistant information officer

  1·0

  Mapping and charting officer

  1·0

  Librarian

  1·0

  Typing manager

  2·0

  Phototypesetter

  1·0

  Senior personal secretary

  3·0

  Personal secretary

  22·5

  Typist

  16·0

  Support manager 3

  1·0

  Support grade band 1

  6·0

  Support grade band 2

  17·0

  Total

  1,099·5

  Note: Part-time staff are counted as 0·5.

  Details of the 1991–92 provision for the Central Statistical Office (class XVIII, vote 13) are shown in Supply Estimates 1991–92 (HC 236-XVIII). The net provision for 1991–92 is £31,741,000, comprising gross provision of £32,791,000 and appropriations in aid of £1,050,000.

  Company Vans
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the maximum penalties that can be imposed on companies which fail to register the information detailing the private use of company vans when completing PIID forms for the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Maude
  The maximum penalty which an employer can be charged for fraudulently or negligently completing a form P11D is £3,000.

  National Savings Office, Durham
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints he has received regarding the national savings office in Durham and delays in notification to regional post offices of payments to be made on specific dates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  I have received no complaints of this nature during 1991. If my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind perhaps he would like to write to me or the director of savings so that inquiries can be made.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 22 July, if he will make it his policy to keep statistics on parliamentary questions for written answers to his Department to show how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. Answers to parliamentary questions are published in the Official Report and are therefore open to public scrutiny; additionally, statistical data may be accessed through POLIS.

  Bank of England
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the dates on which he met the Governor of the Bank of England since June 1987; and what was discussed on each occasion.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I have met the Governor from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Duty-free Goods
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the international treaties or agreements which govern or are relevant to the existence and continuation of the duty-free concession for international travellers.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Deposit Takers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the banking companies on the Bank of England's current list of deposit takers supplied to local authorities.

  Mr. Maples
  The Department of the Environment wrote to local authorities on 21 June asking them to complete a routine statistical return of their borrowing and lending. Enclosed with their letter was a list of "institutions included within United Kingdom banks (at 31 December 1990)". The list was provided solely to assist completion of the statistical return. It is published annually in the Bank of England'sQuarterly Bulletin and I have placed a copy in the Library.

  Personal Equity Plans
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for personal equity plans.

  Mr. Maude
  Personal equity plans continue to do very well. In 1990–91 a further half million plans were taken out, with initial investment of £1·6 billion. The average amount invested was a little over £3,000.

  The total number of plans taken out, since their introduction in 1987, is now nearly 1·5 million. And the total subscribed—ignoring withdrawals and growth—is almost £4 billion.
  813
  These figures do not yet reflect the changes announced in this year's Budget.

  Public Service Pensions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the cost of increasing the pensions from a current date of those retired public servants whose pensions were permanently depressed as a result of retirement during the 1970s and 1980s when their pay was held down by Government policy but later the subject of special reviews for those remaining in service, in accordance with the arrangements set out in Inland Revenue memorandum No. 12 of February 1974.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Western Isles Council
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each transaction the sums advanced by the Treasury to Western Isles islands council in 1990 and 1991; if he will give the reasons for each advance; and what was the rate of interest charged by the Treasury on each advance.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer on 22 July 1991]: The Treasury does not lend money to local authorities. Public sector lending to local authorities is carried out by the Public Works Loan Board. The PWLB does not disclose its transactions with individual authorities.

  Interest Rate Swaps
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on which local authorities were involved in problems with interest rate swaps, including details of the amounts involved in each case.

  Mr. Key
  I have asked to reply.

  I am not aware of any comprehensive list of authorities which were involved in interest rate swaps and the amounts involved in each case. A list of authorities was published in The Daily Telegraph on 2 January 1991 and was the subject of comment in the Local Government Chronicle on 11 January. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the list.

  Accounting Law
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review accounting law and practice concerning banks and their subsidiaries.

  Mr. Maples
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has just completed final consultations on draft regulations to implement the EC Bank Accounts Directive. I have no plans to review the area separately.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Office Costs Allowance
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will refer the office costs allowance to the Top Salaries Review Body.
  814
  Mr. MacGregor
  The Top Salaries Review Body last reviewed the office costs allowance in 1987. I have written to the chairman of the Top Salaries Review Body, asking him to conduct a further review, in the following terms:"As you know, I was very grateful that you were able to deal so quickly with the recent reviews of the Parliamentary Pension Scheme and Resettlement Grants.
  The TSRB has also periodically reviewed aspects of the structure of Parliamentary allowances. The Office Costs Allowance was last reviewed in 1987. The Government does not consider that a fundamental review of Parliamentary allowances is necessary at present, but would be grateful if the TSRB would conduct a further review of the operation of the Office Costs Allowance in the House of Commons dealing as before with structure, level and uprating.
  It would be very helpful if the TSRB could report on the Office Costs Allowance by the end of the year."

  Parliamentary Sittings
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what information he has on the average number of sitting days per year over the past five years for the lower house of the legislature for each of the EC countries, together with the United States of America and Canada; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: No detailed information is kept by my office, but I understand that some of the data requested are published in the latest edition (1986) of the Inter-Parliamentary Union's "Parliaments of the World", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  New Members (Induction Book)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what progress has been made in preparing an induction book for new hon. Members, based on codifying all the existing materials issued to new hon. Members by the various Departments and originators in the House of Commons.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 19 July 1991]: Arrangements are now well advanced for the production at the beginning of the next Parliament of a looseleaf A4 size binder containing information about the services provided for Members and their staff by the six Departments of the House and other public agencies. Space will be available in the binder for information for new Members from other services, including the political parties. A final mock-up of this publication will be submitted to the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee for approval before the end of the Session.

  Terrace Dining Rooms
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will list the total number of bookings in the past 12 months for which details are available for the Terrace Dining Rooms made by(a) Conservative Members and (b) Members of all other parties;

  (2) if he will list the bookings made for the Terrace Dining Rooms in the first full week of June, listing organisations and Members who make the bookings;

  (3) what is the allocation system for Members to book the Terrace Dining Rooms.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 23 July 1991]: In accordance with regulations agreed by the Services

  815
  Committee for banqueting services, Members may book Terrace Dining Rooms A, B, C and D, the Terrace Pavilion, the Members' Dining Room, the Harcourt Grill Room, and the Westminster Hall Cafeteria for functions sponsored by themselves. Members may have no more than three bookings outstanding at any one time in their name.

  It is not the practice to disclose details of bookings made by Members.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he has considered alternative uses for Terrace Dining Rooms as(a) creches for the children of hon. Members and staff, (b) study rooms for Members and (c) cafeteria facilities for children's parties visiting the House.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 23 July 1991]: Suggestions similar to those made by the hon. Member have been made in the past, but were considered to be inappropriate. The Terrace Dining Rooms form part of a useful facility for Members to entertain their guests.

  The Services Committee is nevertheless giving serious consideration in different contexts to each of the matters raised in the question.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  South Africa
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he had during his recent visit to South Africa in which he discussed or made representations on the causes of violence in Natal and the Transvaal.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed the issue of violence with many of those he met in South Africa including President de Klerk, Mr. Mandela and Chief Buthelezi.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conditions apply to grant payments by Her Majesty's Government to the Inkatha organization in South Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We do not give direct financial support to any party in South Africa. We have given material help to organisations in South Africa previously excluded from the national political process. So far we have given to the ANC £71,500 worth of assistance, to Inkatha £43,783 and to the PAC £2,784. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs outlined the conditions applying to this assistance in his reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) on 13 June 1990 at column 255.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made to President de Klerk on his recent visit to South Africa, on the need for the South African Government to maintain law and order in an impartial manner; and what representations have been made by the European Community.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs stressed to President de Klerk and his ministers the need to ensure 816
  that the security forces act impartially and effectively. The European Community made a demarche to the South African Government on 28 May, urging them to do everything in their power to put an end to violence, effectively and impartially.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the South African Government concerning the covert activities of South Africa's security services.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We discuss a wide range of issues with the South African Government regularly. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs spoke to Mr. Pik Botha, the South African Foreign Minister, on 24 July.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the sums of money paid to Her Majesty's Government either directly or by the British ambassador to South Africa's special fund to Inkatha in each year since 1988.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have made no payments to any fund for Inkatha. We have made available material help to them and others previously excluded from the national political process as explained in answer to an earlier question.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings during his recent visit to South Africa he had with Chief Buthelezi; and if he raised the involvement of members of the Kwa Zulu Assembly in violence in Natal.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Chief Buthelezi called on my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in Durban on 9 July. They discussed ways in which to bring about an end to violence in Natal. They agreed that all political leaders have a responsibility to use their influence to reduce tension and promote political tolerance.

  Western Sahara
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government intend to sponsor the sending of a parliamentary monitoring team to the referendum in the western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We understand that in due course the United Nations Secretariat will approach member states of the United Nations Security Council to ask whether they intend to send unofficial observers to monitor the referendum campaign and the referendum, due to take place in early 1992. We shall inform the House when we have further information.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government intend to contribute(a) forces, (b) police and (c) civilian personnel to the United Nations operations conducting the referendum in the western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are contributing to the cost of the operation. In addition we are providing the peace-keeping force with 15 military observers.

  Soviet Union
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics about the failure to grant exit visas to Olga Mariya and Yakov Bekker of Doshanbe, Yefim and Yevglariya Gelman of Chelyabinsk, and the Gurevich family and Vladimir Idelson of Leningrad, to enable them to rejoin family in Israel.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are prepared to consider raising these cases with the Soviet authorities, but to make representations effectively we would need further information from either the families or concerned organisations.

  Vienna Talks
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the content of recent NATO proposals for reducing military manpower in Europe at the Vienna talks.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Further negotiations are taking place in Vienna, in accordance with the CFE treaty, focusing primarily on measures to limit national military manpower in Europe. Under NATO proposals tabled on 4 July, a broad definition of manpower would be agreed including all full-time military personnel of land, air and air defence forces together with personnel in all other land-based units holding equipment limited by the CFE treaty. NATO's proposals would require each participant to limit and where necessary reduce its military personnel through an international commitment, in order to achieve a stable and secure balance of forces at a lower overall manpower level. Limitations should be implemented within 40 months of the CFE treaty entry into force.

  Nuclear Arms
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy for reducing the overall remaining Soviet nuclear threat to Britain through negotiation; and what proposals he has for negotiations to reduce the threat(a) from non-strategic naval nuclear missiles and (b) from Soviet nuclear-capable aircraft.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the prospect of signature of a START agreement, which will be a milestone towards a safer and more stable world; this agreement will benefit the broader security of the allies. Follow-on talks on strategic arms limitation will be held between the United States and Soviet Union. Proposals concerning coverage of further systems are a matter for the two sides. Soviet aircraft in Europe are already limited by the CFE treaty.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the short-range nuclear force talks to begin.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  NATO is committed under the London declaration to talks aimed at reducing US and Soviet short-range nuclear forces in Europe. Preparations for these talks are continuing within the alliance. No date has been set for such talks to begin.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it remains Her Majesty's Government's policy to support the principle of challenge inspections, anytime, anywhere, without right of refusal, for verification of the proposed chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We continue to believe that a system of intrusive challenge inspections will represent an essential element of an effective verification regime for the future chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received by Her Majesty's Government from other members of the western group of nations since the proposal on challenge inspections was made to the negotiations on the chemical weapons convention at the conference on disarmament on 15 July by Her Majesty's Government, together with Australia, Japan and the United States of America.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received no formal representations from other members of the western group of nations since proposals for a challenge inspection regime for a future chemical weapons convention were tabled in the conference on disarmament on 15 July. We have been, and shall remain, in close and regular contact with the other members of the western group on this and the remaining outstanding issues in the negotiations.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the proposal on challenge inspections made to the negotiations on the chemical weapons convention at the conference on disarmament on the 15 July, by Her Majesty's Government, together with Australia, Japan and the United States of America.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am making arrangements to place in the Library a copy of CD/CW/WP 352 of 15 July, the conference on disarmament document which sets out the US proposals for a challenge inspection regime which were co-sponsored by the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations took place between Her Majesty's Government and the other members of the western group of nations at the conference on disarmament before the proposal on challenge inspections was made to the negotiations on the chemical weapons convention at the conference on disarmament on the 15 July, by her Majesty's Government, together with Australia, Japan and the United States of America.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There was close and regular consultation between all members of the western group of nations at the conference on disarmament (CD) before the tabling by the United States of the text of a proposed challenge inspection regime under the co-sponsorship of the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia.

  Biological Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the biological weapons convention.
  819
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We fully support the 1972 biological and toxin weapons convention and believe it represents an important international norm against the development, acquisition and retention of biological and toxin weapons. We hope that measures to strengthen the treaty regime will be agreed at the third review conference in September this year.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals Her Majesty's Government will be making to the biological weapons convention review conference to be held in September.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We shall be submitting proposals to strengthen the existing provisions of the biological weapons convention and to maintain its status as an important international norm against biological and toxin weapons. Central to our policy will be proposals to improve and extend the regime of confidence-building measures, to improve organisational arrangements by establishing a supportive body and to examine the feasibility of devising effective verification procedures.

  Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 July,Official Report, column 520, on what date he placed in the Library a copy of the updated British data exchanged in accordance with section VII of the protocol on notification and exchange of information to the CFE treaty giving the details of the location of British forces in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The updated British data exchanged in accordance with section VII of the CFE treaty protocol was added to the Library following the exchange in February this year.

  We have checked with the Library; the papers are available for consultation in the international affairs and defence section.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 July,Official Report, column 520, if he will place in the Library a copy of the updated United States data exchanged in accordance with section VII of the protocol on notification and exchange of information to the CFE treaty giving the details of the location of United States forces in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Some basic data on equipment holdings is contained in the 1991 Statement on the Defence Estimates.

  Beyond this it is not our responsibility to publish the CFE data provided by other member states. It is up to individual states to publish their own data.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the timetable for ratification of the conventional forces in Europe treaty by other states; and if he will list those countries that have already ratified this treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Czechoslovakia ratified the CFE treaty on 23 July. Most of our NATO allies hope to be able to ratify during the autumn, as do we. Indications from other CFE signatories so far are that they too intend to ratify before the end of the year.

  Mrs. Jamila Sadiq
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British High Commission in Islamabad sent papers to the Home Office concerning Mrs. Jamila Sadiq (Ref. IMP S767465 (S)) who has applied to join her husband in the United Kingdom; when the post received a request to send a second set of papers concerning her case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In accordance with the guidelines on the handling of representations by Members of Parliament in immigration cases, issued to Members on 14 December 1988, I have referred the question to the correspondence unit of the migration and visa department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The hon. Member will receive a reply from the unit as soon as possible.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Including the aid wing, this Department has answered 1,989 written questions so far this Session. This compares with 2,203 questions for the comparable period in the 1989–90 Session. Nine from the current session were referred for answer to next steps' chief executives. None was referred during the previous Session. The rest of the information requested is not centrally recorded and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the United Kingdom's overseas posts concerning the administration and activities of any branch of BCCI; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  All overseas posts were informed of the action on 5 July by the regulatory authorities in a number of jurisdictions to secure control of the assets of banks in the BCC group. A number of posts have subsequently reported on developments in individual countries. We had reports last year of the indictment of BCCI in Florida on charges of money laundering. We are checking whether we have had reports from posts about other banks in the BCC group prior to 5 July and will write to the hon. Member.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people arriving in Hong Kong since 12 July in order to attend the global Chinese student union conference there were refused entry to Hong Kong; what reasons were given for their refusal; and what representations have been achieved about this both in the United Kingdom and in Hong Kong.
  821
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Fourteen people arriving in Hong Kong since 12 July for the conference were denied entry to Hong Kong. These decisions are matters for the Hong Kong Government. Few representations have been received about this in Hong Kong, and still fewer here.

  G7 Summit
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost to the Exchequer of the G7 summit.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  With many accounts still to be settled, I cannot give a precise figure, but I expect the total cost to be around £7 million.

  South Georgia (Hazardous Waste)
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in removing hazardous materials and waste from the abandoned whaling stations on South Georgia.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  An operation to deal with the problems of potential environmentally damaging materials in the old whaling stations on South Georgia took place from January to May this year. It was funded jointly by the Government of South Georgia and Christian Salvesen plc, who hold the leases to the stations. The work was carried out to specifications laid down by environmental consultants commissioned by the Government of South Georgia, who have now inspected it and approved the success of the operation. Items of historical interest are to be preserved in a South Georgia whaling museum.

ENERGY

  Energy Conservation
  Sir Marcus Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to energy conservation in Government Departments to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I am required to give agreement in principle that any proposed exhibition meets the criteria laid down by the Serjeant at Arms. If my hon. Friend would care to provide details of the exhibition, I shall give the request full and prompt consideration.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress since September 1990 in implementing a programme to develop renewable energy technologies showing promise of commercial viability; and when he will announce the conclusions of the review of future policy.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department has been undertaking a substantial programme to develop renewable energy technologies consistent with the strategy published in 1988 as Energy Paper 55. For example, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan) recently announced further funding of £205,000 for the United Kingdom's first shoreline wave energy system, and a822
  £250,000 programme of research into solar energy. Moreover, we have made available considerable financial support through the non-fossil fuel obligation to generators utilising renewable energy technology. The Department's strategy on renewable energy sources is currently being reviewed and I would expect results to be available early in 1992.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has to amend or reform the current annual round of bidding by promoters of renewable energy projects for approval by the Non-Fossil Fuel Purchasing Agency.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The procedures to select projects to be contracted in fulfilment of a non-fossil fuel obligation for renewables are a matter for the regional electricity companies and their agents, the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency Ltd, which must bear in mind that the Director-General of Electricity Supply has to be satisfied with the arrangements.

  Salter's Duck
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about Government policy towards research and development of offshore wave power devices, with specific reference to Salter's Duck.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Department of Energy is currently reviewing the prospects for wave energy across the whole range from shoreline to large-scale offshore devices, including the Salter Duck. The review is expected to be completed later this year.

  Further funding of £205,000 for the United Kingdom's first shoreline wave energy system on the Scottish island of Islay was announced on 15 July, bringing the total funding by the Department for this device to £900,000.

  Peat
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1990,Official Report, column 304, to the hon. Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken) whether, in the light of the volume of extraction of peat in the Flow Country, and of the studies conducted for his Department, he will make it his policy to discontinue the use of peat, other than for local domestic use in traditional areas; and if he will set out the policy conclusions for his studies.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The final studies undertaken on behalf of the Department of Energy concerning the potential use of peat as a fuel particularly in relation to Scottish peat resources have now been concluded. My Department does not regard the use of peat as an industrial fuel to be an economic proposition. However the use of peat for any potential application now commands widespread environmental concerns. The findings of these latest studies will be published shortly and include much information on Scottish peat resources which should greatly assist future environmental assessment studies. The Government fully recognise the desirability of preserving peatlands and are actively considering the ways of resolving the apparent conflict between peat extraction and conservation issues.

  Wind Energy
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the director of the Meteorological Office concerning the supply of relevant sections of the national wind map to promoters a wind energy projects.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I understand that the Meteorological Ofice routinely sells its wind data to the promoters of wind energy projects, but the Department has had no contact with it regarding this activity.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Licence

  Date of application

  Applicant group

  Current licensees

  Area awarded

  Exploration Licences (XLs)

  XL146

  May 1980

  Clyde Petroleum

  429 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  XL148

  May 1980

  Clyde Petroleum

  116 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  XL149

  May 1980

  Taylor Woodrow RTZ ELF James Finlay Candecca

  158 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  XL150

  May 1980

  Amoco

  476 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  XL167

  August 1981

  Weeks Petroleum Lennox Oil Whitehall Petroleum

  486 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  XL202

  June 1982

  Taylor Woodrow RTZ ELF James Finlay Candecca Resources

  491 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  Production Licences (PLs)

  PL076

  December 1967

  BP Exploration

  477 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  Home Oil

  PL077

  December 1967

  BP

  Kelt U.K. Ltd.

  469 sq kms

  Home Oil

  Candecca Resources Marinex Exploration Tullow Exploration

  PL079

  December 1967

  BP

  Kelt U.K. Ltd.

  488 sq kms

  Home Oil

  Candecca Resources Marinex Exploration Tullow Exploration

  PL080

  December 1967

  BP

  Kelt U.K. Ltd.

  470 sq kms

  Home Oil

  Candecca Resources Marinex Exploration Tullow Exploration

  PL081

  December 1967

  BP

  Kelt U.K. Ltd.

  Home Oil

  Candecca Resources Marinex Exploration Tullow Exploration

  PL164

  February 1969

  Anco Exploration

  467 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  Gas Exploration, Ryedale
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many licences have been granted for the exploration of gas in the Ryedale district.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Since the introduction of the Petroleum (Production) Regulations 1966, 23 petroleum licences have been awarded covering areas wholly or partly within the Ryedale district. Of these, 13 are still in existence. These licences confer rights to explore for oil as well as gas. I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of a map which shows the current licensed areas in the Ryedale district.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list(a) the area, (b) the applicant and (c) the date of all applications that have been made to date to take up licences granted for gas exploration in the Ryedale district.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The table lists the licences which have been awarded for areas which are wholly or partly in Ryedale district since the introduction of the Petroleum (Production) Regulations 1966. The licences confer rights to explore for oil as well as gas.
  825

  Licence

  Date of application

  Applicant group

  Current licensees

  Area awarded

  PL234

  July 1982

  Taylor Woodrow RTZ ELF James Finlay Candecca Resources

  Kelt U.K. Ltd. Candecca Resources Nedlloyd Energy

  150 sq kms

  Exploration Licences (EXLs)

  EXL005

  September 1985

  Taylor Woodrow Candecca Resources ELF James Finlay RTZ

  Kelt U.K. Ltd. Candecca Resources Pict Petroleum ELF Oil and Gas

  91 sq kms

  EXL006

  September 1985

  Amoco ELF

  Amoco UK Ltd. ELF UK Ltd.

  192 sq kms

  EXL036

  September 1985

  Shell Garth Resources

  155 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  EXL098

  September 1986

  Clyde Petroleum Ind Scot Energy Bow Valley

  Clyde Exploration Industrial Scotland Energy Bow Valley Petroleum

  116 sq kms

  EXL099

  September 1986

  Taylor Woodrow Candecca Resources RTZ ELF James Finlay

  40 sq kms

  Licence surrendered

  EXL105

  May 1987

  Enterprise Oil BGas BP Pet Dev Peko Pet Whitehall Pet

  Tullow Exploration BGas BP Exploration Amerada Hess DNO Onshore

  170 sq kms

  EXL129

  January 1988

  Marinex Pet Aran Energy Holl Sea Search Renown Energy

  Teredo Pet Aran Energy Puffin Oil Monument Resources

  151 sq kms

  EXL130

  January 1988

  Amoco UK

  Amoco UK

  51 sq kms

  EXL180

  October 1989

  Kelt U.K. Ltd. Candecca Resources Marinex Exploration Tullow Exploration

  Kelt U.K. Ltd. Candecca Resources Marinex Exploration Tullow Exploration

  85 sq kms

  Appraisal Licence (AL)

  AL003

  July 1989

  Kelt U.K. Ltd. Candecca Resources Teredo Pet Tullow Exploration James Finlay

  Kelt U.K. Ltd. Candecca Resources Marinex Exploration Tullow Exploration

  40 sq kms

  Note: Under "Applicant Group" and "Current Licensees", all companies involved in the licence are listed. In each case the operator of the licence is the first listed.

  Electricity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 15 July,Official Report, column 2, what total declared net capacity of electricity generation he anticipates being installed by the year 2000.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The need for additional capacity by 2000 is uncertain and will depend upon a number of factors including the future demand for electricity and commercial judgments on the economic life of existing plant. A range of scenarios for net capacity changes is provided in Energy Paper No. 58 (table 4.9) published in January 1990 a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The scenarios cover the period 1990–2005.

  Hot Water Boilers
  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he first consulted the National Gas Consumers Council concerning the proposed European Community directive concerning the efficiency requirements for new hot water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Since the European Commission published its proposal for a directive on hot water boilers, in November 1990, my energy efficiency office has been holding staged consultations with interested bodies in the United Kingdom. The initial stages of consultations were technically based and involved the gas industry and manufacturing organisations. Formal consultations with consumers associations, including the National Gas Consumers Council, have been under way since June 1991.

  Nuclear Levy
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the nuclear levy is going to(a) the nuclear and (b) the renewable non-fossil fuel generating stations in (i) the current financial year and (ii) the next financial year.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Precise figures for the distribution of the fossil fuel levy between nuclear and renewables for the current financial year are not available. However, the capacity contracted within the non-fossil fuel obligation for nuclear for the current financial year is now some 8GW, compared with some 27MW for renewables. The distribution of the levy will be broadly related I o these capacities. It is not possible to give the corresponding figures for the next financial year, since the second non-fossil fuel obligation for renewables has not yet been made.

  Acid Rain
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will fund future research at the CERL laboratory, Leatherhead, in the area of acid rain and sulphur dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel generating stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Reductions in the emission of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are governed by the European large combustion plant directive. Research into the most effective way of meeting these reductions is a matter for the industry. In addition, the Department's Advisory Council on Research and Development maintains a watching brief on developments in electricity research and development and will make recommendations to the Secretary of State as appropriate.

  Sour Gas Power Station
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he plans to hold the public inquiry into the application of Kelt UK to build a sour gas power station at Claypit plantation in the Vale of Pickering, north Yorkshire; and what the terms of reference are to be.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I expect to hold the public inquiry which will assist me in my decision on Kelt UK Limited's application early in 1992. I shall announce full details in due course.

  I will issue, in advance of the inquiry, a statement of the matters which seem to me relevant to my consideration of the application. I will take all relevant factors into account in preparing that statement.

  Power Generating Stations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on the locations(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in Europe and (c) in other parts of the world of land-based power generating stations using hydrogen sulphide gas.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Hydrogen sulphide is not a fuel used in power generation though it may be present as an impurity in certain fuels.

  Permanent Under-Secretary of State
  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to appoint a full-time permanent Under-Secretary of State for his Department.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The present Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Mr. J. R. S. Guinness, already holds his appointment on a full-time basis.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the approximate date of the opening of bidding for initial applications for the third tranche of the renewables section of the non-fossil fuel obligation.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend has not yet made a decision on the timing of the next tranche of the renewables non-fossil fuel obligation.

  Carbon Tax
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to institute a carbon tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moyniham
  The Government's policy on the use of economic instruments for environmental protection is set out in the White Paper, "This Common Inheritance". In the long term, action to control emissions will inevitably have to include increases, achieved by taxation or other means, in the relative price of energy. However, the White Paper made clear the Government's intention not to introduce any such measures in the next few years outside the transport sector.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the final outturn, and what is the present forecast of schemes presented in tables 11 and 12 of his Department's expenditure plans; what were the figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92; and what was the outturn for 1989–90 in real terms.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested is set out in the following tables.

  Table 1

  Collaborative R&D: Outputs

  Outturn 1989–90

  Outturn 1990–91

  Forecast 1991–92

  Link1

  Number of

  Programmes

  11

  6

  3

  Projects

  38

  90

  75

  Participants

  123

  309

  230

  SMEs

  19

  51

  38

  Total Project costs (£m)

  23.1

  (26.6)2

  43.4

  45

  Eureka

  Number of Projects

  10

  18

  35

  Participants

  23

  21

  40

  SMEs

  10

  4

  10

  Total UK eligible

  Project costs (£m)

  9.9

  (11.4)2

  32

  60

  829

  Outturn 1989–90

  Outturn 1990–91

  Forecast 1991–92

  Advanced Technology Programmes

  Number of Programmes

  8

  6

  8

  Projects

  89

  58

  64

  Participants

  164

  222

  254

  SMEs

  69

  64

  72

  Total Project costs

  (£m)

  74

  (85.3)2

  44.3

  50.7

  Research and Technology Organisations

  Number of

  Programmes

  19

  19

  20

  Projects

  146

  42

  100

  Total Project costs (£m)

  36.4

  (42.0)2

  21.2

  37

  Table 2

  Industrial Innovation Expenditure

  £ million

  Programme

  Outturn 1989–90

  Outturn 1990–91

  Forecast 1991–92

  Forecast 1992–93

  Forecast 1993–94

  Collaborative R and D

  Closed schemes

  21

  8

  4

  0·5

  —

  Open schemes

  37

  45.75

  59

  61

  70

  Technology Transfer and Other R and D

  18(11)1

  18.38

  23

  21·5

  20

  Single Company Support

  Closed schemes

  11

  2.2

  1

  —

  —

  SMART and New schemes

  6

  9·17

  13

  17

  20

  93(86)1

  83·5

  100

  100

  110

  1 The figures in brackets relate to £7 million transferred from the Innovation Budget to the Measurement and Technology Support Budget.

  The outturn of £93 million in 1989–90 represents £107·2 million in real terms (uprated to 1991–92 prices using the GDP deflators described in Note 2 to Table 1 above).

  Horizontal Take-off and Landing Vehicle
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure and in which financial years, his Department supported expenditure on a space horizontal take-off and landing-vehicle; what recent contracts his Department has had with the European Space Agency and the Soviet Ministry of Aviation Industry on this matter; and whether exports of know-how and equipment relating to such vehicles require export licences, or clearance through Cocom.

  Mr. Leigh
  The DTI provided financial support through the British National Space Centre, towards proof-of-concept studies for the original HOTOL (horizontal take-off and landing) vehicle. The work was undertaken in the financial years 1986–87 and 1987–88. The DTI contribution amounted to £2·4 million out of total costs of some £4 million.

  British Aerospace is currently undertaking a feasibility study with the Soviet Ministry of Aviation Industry for an air-launched interim version of HOTOL. No United Kingdom Government funding is involved. But BNSC was able to help with a presentation on the first results of this study given by British Aerospace to the European Space Agency on 21 June. The question of an export licence and Cocom review could be addressed only once a specific proposal was available.
  830

  Outturn 1989–90

  Outturn 1990–91

  Forecast 1991–92

  General Industrial

  Collaborative

  Projects

  Number of Projects

  28

  15

  20

  Participants

  207

  38

  50

  SMEs

  40

  15

  25

  Total Project costs (£m)

  26

  (30.0)2

  9.3

  15

  Notes:

  The forecasts in this Table are based on an interim survey and are therefore provisional. A full survey will be undertaken in advance of the next Trade and Industry Expenditure Plans report.

  1 Includes some LINK projects which have received funding from both the Science and Engineering Research Council and DTI.

  2 The figures in brackets represent outturn in 1989–90 uprated to 1991–92 prices using the GDP deflators of 7.75 per cent for 1990–91 and 7 per cent for 1991–92, as set out in Table 2.1 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1991–92 (House of Commons No. 300).

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the first degree obtained by the chief executives of Companies House, the Insolvency Service, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the National Engineering Laboratory, the National Physical Laboratory, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, the Patent Office, the Radiocommunications Agency and the Warren Spring Laboratory; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

  Mr. Lilley
  This question seeks personal information about individuals; I have therefore drawn it to the attention of chief executives.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the last annual reports for Companies House, the Insolvency Service, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the National Engineering Laboratory, the National Physical Laboratory, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, the Patent Office, the Radiocommunications Agency and the Warren Spring Laboratory were published; and when the next ones are due.

  Mr. Lilley
  The following is the information.
  831

  Agency

  Date last annual report publicly available

  Expected dale of publication of next annual report

  Companies House

  August 1990

  July 1991

  Insolvency Service

  October 1990

  August 1991

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  October 1990

  Autumn 1991

  National Engineering Laboratory

  1989

  August 1991

  National Physical Laboratory

  February 1990

  July 1991

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  July 1991

  Summer 1992

  Patent Office

  5 June 1991

  Summer 1992

  Radiocommunications

  July 1990

  August 1991

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  August 1990

  September 1991

  Agency

  Grade

  Numbers employed from private sector since establishment as an Agency

  1991–92 Maximum salary payable including performance element

  Companies House

  7

  1

  1G7

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  7

  1

  2G7

  National Engineering Laboratory

  5

  3*

  3G5

  National Physical Laboratory

  7

  1

  2G7

  Patent Office

  6

  1

  4G6

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  7

  1

  5G7

  * One has subsequently resigned.

  1 G7 pay range outside London: £21,905-£31,150 subject to review w.e.f. 1 August 1991. Progress beyond £26,121 subject to performance.

  2 G7 pay range in outer London: £23,616-£33,276, subject to review w.e.f. 1 August 1991. Progress beyond £28,024 subject to performance.

  3 G5 pay range outside London: £32,551-£43,307, subject to review w.e.f. 1 August 1991. Progress beyond £36,997 subject to performance.

  4G6 pay range outside London: £24,997-£38,610 subject to review w.e.f. 1 August 1991. Progress beyond £29,809 subject to performance.

  5G7 pay range in outer London without London Weighting: £22,891-£32,551, subject to review w.e.f. 1 August 1991. Progress beyond £27,299 subject to performance.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executives and the length of time of the chief executives' contracts of Companies House, the Insolvency Service, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the

  Agency

  Term of Chief Executive's current Appointment

  1991–92 maximum salary payable

  Companies House

  5 years

  £41,6811 plus maximum performance bonus of up to 12·5 per cent.

  Insolvency Service

  3 years

  2G3 range

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  5 years

  2G3 range

  National Engineering Laboratory

  5 years

  £64,500 plus maximum performance bonus of up to 15 per cent.

  National Physical Laboratory

  2 years 9 months

  2G5 range

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  3 years

  4G5 range

  Patent Office

  4 years

  2G3 range

  Radiocommunications Agency

  2 years

  2G3 range

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  2 years 11 months

  3G3 range

  1 Subject to review w.e.f. 1 August 1991.

  2 G3 pay range in London: £50,380—£58,010 rising to £51,300—£59,000 on 1 December 1991.

  3 G3 pay range outside London: £47,090—£54,720 rising to £48,000—£55,000 w.e.f. 1 December 1991. Progress in the G3 pay range is subject to performance.

  4 G5 pay range in outer London: £34,695—£45,721, subject to review w.e.f. 1 August 1991. Progress beyond £39,335 subject to performance.

  Soft Drinks
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission into the supply of carbonated soft drinks.
  832
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many appointments from the private sector have been made at grade 7 or above since their establishment as executive agencies to the Warren Spring Laboratory, the Patent Office, the Radiocommunications Agency, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, the National Physical Laboratory, the National Engineering Laboratory, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the Insolvency Service and Companies House; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable, including performance-related element, in each case.

  Mr. Lilley
  The following is the information.

  National Engineering Laboratory, the National Physical Laboratory, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, the Patent Office, the Radiocommunications Agency and the Warren Spring Laboratory.

  Mr. Lilley
  The following is the information requested.

  Mr. Redwood
  The MMC's report on carbonated drinks is currently being considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The report will be published as quickly as practicable.

  Royal Ordnance
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many transactions with Royal Ordnance, prior to privatisation, were made using BCCI; what were the transactions for; and who were the purchasers.

  Mr. Leigh
  This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  European Generics Forum
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the companies represented by the European Generics Forum other than those companies within the same holding company as Generics UK.

  Mr. Leigh
  I am informed that the European Generics Association has recently been created to represent the common interests of the generic pharmaceutical industry and bulk chemical producers across Europe. Generics (UK) and the Netherlands company BOGIN, which were members of the European Generics Forum, are now members of this association. The other companies and organisations which are involved are Eurogenerics (Belgium), Durascan (Denmark), Stada, Azupharma, TAD, IGG (Germany), FIS/Aschimfarma (Italy), Farmindustria (Portugal), Afaquim (Spain), Centrafarm (Netherlands) and Helvepharm AG (Switzerland).

  Price Marking
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from retailers about the implications of the Price Marking Order 1991—S.I., 1991, No. 1382; whether he intends to issue guidance about its implementation; and if his officials will meet representatives of retailers to discuss the order.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Retail Consortium has made representations that the order, which implements EC directives requiring price indications for goods offered for sale to the final consumer, is unnecessary. I consider the order to be necessary since the directives require that price indications be given and that they must be legible. Our existing price marking requirements relate only to certain foods.

  My officials have prepared a four-page guidance note to the order which has been distributed to trade associations, trading standards departments, and others. I am asking them to arrange to meet representatives of the consortium to discuss its concerns.

  BAe146 (Component Parts)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the United States Government to remove their embargo on the sale of component parts of the BAe 146 feeder airliner to Iran; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government have made a number of representations to the United States Administration in support of British Aerospace's application for the re-export to Iran of the United States content of six BAe146 aircraft. The decision of the United States 834
  authorities to reject the application is disappointing. The Government will continue to press for the decision to be changed.

  Timeshare Promotion Schemes
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his reply to the Adjournment debate of 27 March,Official Report, columns 1092–4, if he will detail the action he has taken to outlaw unfair and misleading timeshare promotion schemes.

  Mr. Leigh
  We intend to make false or misleading descriptions in offers of free gifts (including offers which feature in timeshare award schemes) an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. The Government will legislate as soon as parliamentary time becomes available.

  I have raised the issue of timeshare with the European Commission and it is considering putting forward a proposal for an EC directive. I would like to see such a directive include a requirement that prospective timeshare buyers should be given a written prospectus, a 14-day cooling-off period and protection of deposit moneys. A cooling-off period would help counterbalance the high pressure sales techniques employed by some timeshare operators.

  Thomson CSF and GEC Airborne Radar
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what account he is taking of state ownership in considering whether to refer the proposed merger of Thomson CSF and GEC Airborne Radar capabilities to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission;

  (2) whether he has any plans to refer the proposed merger of Thomson CSF and GEC Airborne Radar capabilities to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission;

  (3) what factors he is taking into account in considering whether to refer the proposed merger of Thomson CSF and GEC Airborne Radar capabilities to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Redwood
  The joint venture between GEC-Marconi and Thomson-CSF is being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading. If his office finds that it qualifies for investigation under the terms of the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Director General will advise the Secretary of State on whether it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. The main grounds for referring a merger to the MMC is its effect on competition in the United Kingdom. In addition, the Secretary of State announced on 26 July last year that he would pay particularly close attention to the degree of state control, if any, of acquiring companies when considering whether to refer merger situations to the MMC.

  Barlow Clowes
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 319, what evidence was received by the Le Quesne inquiry into the Barlow Clowes affair relating to the relationship between Barlow Clowes and the Bank of Credit and Commerce International and in respect of money laundering; if he will (a) publish it and (b) make it available to the inquiry into the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.
  835
  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Development Area Status
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the criteria for development area status; and whether north Devon meets these criteria.

  Mr. Leigh
  This was set out in the 1983 White Paper "Regional Industrial Development" (Cmnd 9111) as follows:"In considering the designation of an Assisted Area, the Government have regard to criteria first laid down in the Industrial Development Act 1966 (currently in section 1(3) of the Industrial Development Act 1982), namely:
  "all the circumstances actual and expected, including the state of employment and unemployment, population changes, migration and the objectives of regional policies".

  The current assisted areas map restricts development area status to 15 per cent. of the working population of Great Britain, and intermediate area status to a further 20 per cent.

  On present unemployment rates in the travel-to-work areas which make up the hon. Member's north Devon constituency, there is unlikely to be justification for development area status.

  Mergers and Takeovers
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to restore jurisdiction from the European Commission to the Department of Trade and Industry in dealing with proposed mergers or takeovers of very large undertakings where considerations of national or public interest are involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The EC merger regulation allows member states to take action to protect legitimate or other public interests where these are not taken into consideration by the regulation. Public security, plurality of the media and prudential rules are recognised as such legitimate interests. Action to protect other public interests can be taken only with the European Commission's prior consent where the merger regulation allows. The introduction of legislation in the House of Commons to repatriate these matters would be invalid under the treaty and the regulation.

  Equipment (Overseas Sales)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the United States Government over the past two years on the overseas sale of equipment by British companies; and if he will list the company and the equipment concerned in each case.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on individual licensing matters.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session;836
  and if he will publish a table of how many answers (a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Lilley
  A total of 1,234 written questions have been answered so far this Session, and the figure for the comparable period in the last Session was 1,983. The other information mentioned by the hon. Member is not held centrally, and an analysis of it could therefore be prepared only at disproportionate cost.

  Package Travel (Green Paper)
  Sir Robert McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to publish his Green Paper on package travel.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Department's consultation document on the implementation of EC directive 90/314/EEC, on package travel, package holidays and package tours, was published yesterday.

  Fibreoptic Transmission Technology Ltd.
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will instruct his officials in Leeds to ascertain what assistance may he made available to Fibreoptic Transmission Technology Ltd. of Bradford to remain trading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  DTI officials have been in contact with the company on a number of occasions over the last two years. This has led to the company receiving two enterprise initiative consultancies, export assistance, and an offer of grant under the LINK scheme.

  It is not DTI's role to provide financial assistance to enable individual companies to continue trading.

  Telecom Networks
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the organisations which have applied to operate the Telecom networks following the end of the BT and Mercury duopoly.

  Mr. Redwood
  A list of applications for Telecommunications Act licences currently under consideration is kept at the Office of Telecommunications and updated weekly. The list is open to public inspection. It currently contains the following details:
  837

  Telecommunications Act 1984 Register of Licence applications under consideration by the Secretary of State (as at 19 July 1991)

  Applicant

  Services proposed

  Cognito Group Ltd.

  Provision of radio packet data links to fixed terminals via its existing network.

  lonica L3 Ltd.

  Provision of a national telephone service offering PSTN facilities based on fixed wireless communication.

  Meteor Communications (Europe) Ltd.

  Provision of telemetry and telecontrol systems to fixed and mobile apparatus throughout the United Kingdom, and Western Europe, by means of a meteor burst radio network. No connection to other telecommunication system is sought.

  National Transcommunications Ltd.

  Provision of broadband network services in the United Kingdom for the transmission of vision, sound and data.

  Paknet Ltd.

  Provision of fixed and mobile data services using the company's existing fixed network.

  RAM Mobile Data Ltd.

  Provision of packet switched data services to fixed terminals via its existing radio network.

  Satellite Information Services

  Provision of two-way satellite circuits connected to the public switched telephone network for engineering and programme control purposes in connection with outside broadcasting activities.

  Sound Broadcast Services

  Provision of point-to-point radio and wire systems for radio broadcasters to allow transmission of programme material, communications and data to and from studios and transmitter sites on a permanent basis.

  Racal Vodafone Ltd.

  Provision of fixed links in its own network or to others. Provision of telecommunications services of every type on its network. Direct connections to overseas mobile and fixed networks.

  In addition, over 20 other companies have expressed a strong interest in running new networks but they have yet to make a formal application.

  Telephones
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to encourage the spread of hearing aid-compatible telephones.

  Mr. Redwood
  The licences issued to the public telecommunications operators British Telecommunications, Mercury Communications Ltd. and Kingston Communications (Hull) plc under the Telecommunications Act 1984 require them to ensure that telephones for the hearing impaired are available to meet all reasonable demands. The licensees are also required to install facilities for the hearing impaired in all their public call boxes.

  Spirits (Measures)
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will be introducing any further legislation controlling the quantities of spirits or liqueurs sold for consumption on licensed premises; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  Legislation brought in last summer provided that 25 ml should be the metric measure to replace the existing imperial quantities of 1/6, 1/5, and 1/4 gill (23.7 ml, 28.4 ml, 35.5 ml). I am conscious, however, that parts of Scotland have traditionally used the larger imperial measures. Following consultation with interested parties, I therefore propose to introduce legislation to permit a second metric quantity of 35 ml for dispensing gin, rum, vodka and whisky. I do not propose, however, to extend prescribed quantities to other spirits and liqueurs.

  Radio Spectrum Review
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the stage two radio spectrum review was completed; and if he will publish the Committee's report.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have received the report and it will be published shortly.

  Carbonised Soft Drinks
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he can announce the date of publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report into carbonised soft drinks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The MMC's report on carbonated drinks is currently being considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The report will be published as quickly as practicable.

  Auditors
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now announce decisions on the recognition of supervisory bodies, and of professional qualifications for auditors under part II of the Companies Act 1989.

  Mr. Redwood
  Yes. I have decided to recognise four supervisory bodies for company auditors under section 30 of the Companies Act 1989—the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW); the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS); the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAO; and the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA). I have also decided to recognise the accountancy qualifications offered by these four bodies as recognised professional qualifications for company auditors under section 32 of the Act. The rules and guidance of the four bodies, on the basis of which I have taken these decisions, include some amendments to those in the original applications. I shall be placing copies of the revised rules and guidance, excluding certain material supplied in confidence, in the Library of the House.

  I am also actively considering an application from the Association of Authorised Public Accountants (AAPA) for recognition as a supervisory body, and expect to reach

  839
  a decision soon. Consideration of the application is not yet complete, but I am not aware at this stage of any problems in connection with it.

  I have also received very recently an application from the Association of International Accountants (AIA) for recognition of its accountancy qualification. This application is under consideration.

  In taking these decisions, I have had regard to the reports of the Director General of Fair Trading. The Director General found that the rules and guidance of the applicants relating to their professional qualifications were not likely to have significant anti-competitive effects. He reached the same conclusion on the applications to be recognised as a supervisory body, apart from the rules on ownership and control of audit firms. In the case of ACCA, he recognised that the rules were in line with the minimum requirements of the Act. The Director General did however find that the rules of the three institutes on the ownership and control of audit firms, which are more restrictive than the Act requires, were likely significantly to restrict, prevent or distort competition. Although he has welcomed some of the changes which the institutes have now made to their rules, these changes have not led him to alter this finding. I shall be placing a copy of his latest report in the Library.

  Having considered the arguments carefully, I was not convinced that the anti-competitive effects identified by the Director General were likely to be significant; and I therefore decided to recognise the institutes as supervisory bodies on the basis of the revised ownership and control rules put forward by them; but I have indicated to the Director General that I would welcome a decision by him to review the operation of the new ownership and control rules in practice after two years.

  The recognition of supervisory bodies for company auditors, and of professional audit qualifications, will clear the way for the commencement of the new regulatory arrangements for company auditors established by part II of the Companies Act 1989. I intend to bring the main operative provisions of part II into force from 1 October 1991. From that date, only firms and individuals who are members of a recognised supervisory body, and eligible for appointment as company auditors under the rules of that body, may accept new or renewed appointments as company auditors. Persons qualified as company auditors under existing legislation will however be able to complete after 1 October audit engagements accepted before then.

  The commencement of part II will implement the UK's obligations under the eighth EC company law directive. It is designed to establish a new and effective regulatory regime for company auditors which will safeguard the traditional professional qualities of independence and integrity; introduce new monitoring arragements which will help the profession maintain high standards; and enable the profession to respond decisively to complaints or other evidence that one of its members may be falling short of those standards.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information led to the action of his Department in November 1990 in writing to non-departmental organisations funded by grants to ask them 840
  to supply as a matter of urgency details of all their banking arrangements, including any use of the overnight money market or any similar facility; how many such organisations were found to have deposits with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International; and whether those with such deposits were contacted about them by his Department.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department wrote as part of an annual review of banking arragements required by the Treasury. The exercise extends to the non-departmental bodies for which my Department is responsible. Replies received have not shown any dealings with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

  Common Purpose Programme
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to the value of the common purpose programme which his Department funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department, together with other Departments in the action for cities initiative, has contributed funding to common purpose since its launch in 1989. Since then, common purpose has successfully established programmes in 15 cities: five more are due to become operational by early 1992. Five hundred and fifty people have been or are participating in common purpose programmes. My officials are in the process of commissioning an evaluation of common purpose.

  Securities and Investments Board
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what criteria he adopted in agreeing the increases in the budget for the Securities and Investments Board for 1991–92;

  (2) what consultation there has been between his Department, the Securities and Investments Board, the self-regulatory bodies and the recognised professional bodies on the increase in respective contributions to the Securities and Investments Board budget for 1991–92; and what changes were made as a result of those consultations.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Securities and Investments Board's budget is a matter for the board. I have had discussions with the chairman recently and have a further meeting planned next week. He has assured me that he and his board attach great importance to ensuring that costs are kept under firm control.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a table showing imports and exports from the EEC and from the rest of the world of(a) manufactures and (b) manufactures less erratics in 1970, 1973, 1979, 1988, 1989, 1990 and the current year to date.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 23 July 1991]: The available information is shown in the following table.
  841

  United Kingdom Trade in Manufactured Goods1

  £ billion

  Imports

  Exports

  EC (11) (incl GDR)

  Rest of World

  EC (11) (incl GDR)

  Rest of World

  19702

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19732 3

  3·6

  5·1

  3·3

  6·8

  1979

  16·1

  13·6

  12·9

  18·0

  less erratics

  15·2

  9·4

  11·5

  13·3

  1988

  45·9

  37·6

  32·4

  33·8

  less erratics

  44·8

  32·7

  29·9

  27·6

  1989

  52·8

  43·3

  38·1

  38·4

  less erratics

  51·6

  37·7

  35·6

  31·1

  1990

  54·1

  44·1

  44·3

  40·2

  less erratics

  52·8

  37·8

  41·4

  32·7

  1991 (Jan-Mar)

  12·3

  10·1

  11·1

  8·6

  less erratics

  12·0

  8·8

  10·4

  7·1

  1991 (Jan-May)4

  20·6

  17·5

  19·7

  15·2

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.

  1 Manufactured goods have been defined as Sections 5 to 8 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Rev. 3). Erratics include: Pearls, semi-precious stones, silver, aircraft and associated equipment, ships and boats.

  2 Statistics on trade in manufactured goods for 1970, and erratics for 1973, could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  3 The EC figures for 1973 exclude the German Democratic Republic, which is included in the rest of the world figures.

  4 Erratics data for the current year to date are not yet available.

  Exporters
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to notify exporters of any changes in the addresses, telephone numbers and facsimile numbers of sections of his Department supplying information and advice to exporters; and where an up-to-date list of such information is currently available.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 23 July 1991]: We attach considerable importance to keeping our business customers informed. Through the overseas trade services network, under which the export work of my Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is carried out, a number of booklets and brochures are published which detail the advice and information available to United Kingdom exporters and the appropriate contact points from which this help can be accessed. These publications are updated on a regular basis, and new additions are currently being prepared for issue shortly. Contact information is also made available through the DTI enterprise initiative telephone hot-line.

  At local level our network of regional offices, including DTI offices in the south-west in Bristol, Plymouth and Penzance, produce regular export newsletters which periodically detail the export section contacts within the office.

  Full details of the regional network and other export-related contacts, including specific country inquiry points, are given in "The Guide to Exporting" (Fifth Edition), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Table 1

  National Insurance Contribution Income

  £ million

  Class 1 Employees

  Class 1 Employers

  Class 2

  Class 3

  Class 4

  Total

  1978–80

  3,953

  6,153

  136

  11

  104

  10,357

  1980–81

  5,162

  7,880

  173

  12

  133

  13,360

  1981–82

  7,656

  10,661

  221

  14

  150

  18,702

  1982–83

  7,923

  9,293

  283

  19

  184

  17,702

  1983–84

  8,909

  10,094

  337

  28

  205

  19,573

  1984–85

  9,570

  10,790

  380

  27

  242

  21,009

  1985–86

  10,392

  12,020

  373

  40

  288

  23,113

  1986–87

  11,103

  13,179

  366

  31

  331

  25,010

  1987–88

  12,419

  14,724

  390

  30

  380

  27,943

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether redundancy payments are counted as state aid by the EC when considering whether sales of companies meet their fair competition criteria.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 24 July 1991]: Government assistance towards redundancy payments could be regarded as state aid by the European Commission. This would depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what amount and proportion of national insurance contributions from(a) employees, (b) employers, (c) voluntary, (d) self-employed and (e) in total, were spent on (i) national insurance contributory benefits, (ii) non-contributory benefits and (iii) the national health service in each year since 1979–80.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. The available information is given in the tables. It is not possible to apportion expenditure between the classes of national insurance contributions in the way suggested by the question. However, the income to the national insurance fund is shown in table 1 and the expenditure from the fund is shown in table 2.
  843

  Class 1 Employees

  Class 1 Employers

  Class 2

  Class 3

  Class 4

  Total

  1988–89

  13,850

  17,118

  437

  32

  474

  31,911

  1989–90

  14,450

  19,050

  478

  36

  571

  34,585

  1. Figures for 1987–88 to 1989–90 are provisional.

  2. Figures for 1990–91 are not yet available.

  3. Class 3 contributions are voluntary; Class 2 and Class 4 are self-employed.

  4. There was also a Treasury Supplement to the National Insurance Fund, which was progressively reduced from a rate of 18 per cent in 1979–80 until its abolition in April 1989.

  Table 2

  Expenditure from the National Insurance Fund

  £ million

  Benefits

  NHS

  1979–80

  12,206

  882

  1980–81

  14,843

  1,025

  1981–82

  17,213

  1,339

  1982–83

  18,593

  1,629

  1983–84

  19,709

  1,705

  1984–85

  21,285

  1,814

  1985–86

  22,901

  2,018

  1986–87

  24,748

  2,213

  1987–88

  25,826

  2,702

  1988–89

  26,545

  3,477

  1989–90

  28,235

  4,071

  1990–91

  30,496

  4,300

  1. Contributory benefits arc defined as those paid from the National Insurance Fund. However, Industrial Injuries Benefits, Guardians Allowance and Childs Special Allowance, although paid from the Fund, do not have a contribution condition.

  2. Benefits include Statutory Sick Pay from 1983–84 and Statutory Maternity Pay from 1987–88. From 1990–91 expenditure on Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay is reimbursed from general taxation.

  3. Administration costs arc not included, as the breakdown between contributory and non-contributory benefits is not available for all years.

  4. Benefits figure for 1990–91 is estimated outturn.

  5. NHS figure for 1990–91 is provisional.

  6. Any excess of expenditure over income in any year is met by the accumulated balance of past surpluses.

  Elderly Men
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the numbers of men aged 60 to 64 years who are not economically active.

  Miss Widdecombe
  It is estimated that, in May 1991, around 620,000 men aged between 60 and 64 years were economically inactive.

  Maintenance Payments
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department takes to notify an estranged spouse in receipt of maintenance payments paid by his Department that an agreed scheme of payments has ceased to be paid; and if he will review the current situation.

  Mr. Jack
  Under the existing arrangements the Benefits Agency does not, as a matter of course, notify a customer when an agreement to pay maintenance which is collected by the Department breaks down, because the amount of income support in payment remains unaffected. As soon as it becomes apparent that the agreement is no longer working, steps are taken to discover the reason and to re-establish payments. We aim therefore to solve the problem without unnecessarily troubling the customer.844
  But where the problem is more serious and requires enforcement or other action, the customer will normally be involved.

  As part of the new system of child maintenance being introduced by the Child Support Bill, parents with care will be able to benefit from the dedicated collection and enforcement services of the new Child Support Agency. We are still considering the detailed working procedures of the agency.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on provision of income support and other social security benefits to people granted exceptional leave to remain; and if he has any plans to revise the present arrangements.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There is full entitlement to social security benefits for people who are granted exceptional leave to remain, provided they satisfy the appropriate conditions of entitlement. We have no plans to amend the existing provisions.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will (1) give the reason for not granting the full rate of income support to asylum seekers; and in what ways the financial needs of claimants who are asylum seekers are considered to differ from the financial needs of other claimants;

  (2) make a statement on the provision of income support and other social security benefits to asylum seekers; and if. he has any plans to revise the present arrangements.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Asylum seekers are among the groups of people who are not entitled to income support under the normal rules but whose circumstances make it appropriate for them to receive some benefit. They can receive social security benefits while their applications for asylum are being processed by the immigration authorities. For them, as for other comparable groups, 90 per cent. of the personal allowance is paid, together with full amounts for children and any appropriate premiums. If refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom is granted, personal allowance becomes payable at the full rate. We have no plans to amend the existing provisions.

  Benefits, Tower Hamlets
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people claimed(a) housing benefit and (b) community charge benefit in Tower Hamlets for the last two years;

  (2) if he will list the numbers claiming housing benefit and the total benefit paid for each year since 1979 in Tower Hamlets.
  845
  Miss Widdecombe
  The table sets out the available information. Before 1983 assistance with housing costs was provided through the supplementary benefit scheme and through the rent rebate, rent allowance and rate rebate schemes, run by the Department of the Environment. Because of the split in responsibilities between Tower Hamlets and the Greater London council, the information for 1983–84 and 1984–85 is not available in the form requested. The number of individuals receiving community charge benefit in Tower Hamlets in 1990–91 was 40,300, rounded to the nearest 100.

  Year

  Housing Benefit Caseload

  Benefit paid £ million

  1985–86

  30,700

  29·00

  1986–87

  30,100

  33·90

  1987–88

  30,400

  49·00

  1988–89

  28,400

  53·20

  1989–90

  26,900

  52·10

  1990–91

  26,500

  57·4

  (1) For 1985–86 to 1987–88, the figures are based on rate rebate caseload. Most people who get a rate rebate also receive a rent rebate or rent allowance, however this excludes a small number who receive rent rebate or rent allowance but not rate rebate.

  (2) Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  (3) Figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 are derived from rent rebate, rent allowance and rate rebate caseload.

  (4) Rounded to the nearest £100 thousand.

  (5) Rent rebate and rent allowance only.

  (6) Based on mid year subsidy claim estimate.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, 15 April,Official Report, column 98, how many people are at present receiving invalidity benefit; what were the comparable figures in 1980, 1985 and 1990; and how he accounts for the change.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Sir I. Gilmour) on 30 January 1991 at columns 548–49.

  The estimated average number of people receiving invalidity benefit at present is 1,350,0001. Comparable figures for earlier years are in the table:

  Number

  1980–81

  1620,000

  1985–86

  1865,000

  1990–91

  11,270,000

  1 The Government's Expenditure White Paper.

  Unlike the figures quoted in my answer of 15 April, the above figures relate only to invalidity benefit.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women over the age of 60 years receive invalidity benefit calculated according to their retirement pension contributions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the total number of women aged 60 and over receiving invalidity benefit at 31 March 1990, the latest date for which information is available, was 29,100. This figure includes women with title under the special arrangements for some widows, those where the incapacity
  846
  is due to the effects of an industrial accident or disease, and those where title is based upon their own retirement pension entitlement.

  Capital Values Rule
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is given to his Department's offices and income support sections on treatment of the capital values of homes for those who are unavoidably absent in order to tend relatives receiving invalid care allowance and attendance allowance; and if he will place a copy of that guidance on the record.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The capital value of a person's home is completely disregarded under income support, even though he or she may be temporarily living elsewhere. Guidance on this matter is contained in the adjudication officer's guide paragraphs 27717, 27720.4, 30202.1 and 30211. A copy of the AOG is in the Library.

  Income Support
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of Scottish children(a) in total and (b) as a percentage dependent on supplementary benefit and income support for each year from 1979 to the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what payments were made to residents of supportive housing accommodation project homes in Staffordshire over and above the normal payments to residents in ordinary hostels for the last two financial years.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the numbers of(a) claimants, (b) dependants and (c) total numbers dependent on income support in Scotland for each year since 1979.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Members and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of people at each social security office who are(a) having deductions made from their income support to cover poll tax arrears and (b) were having such deductions three months, six months, nine months and 12 months ago.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the level, duration and position in the hierarchy of deductions of the benefit sanction for mothers who refuse to co-operate with the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Jack
  The level and duration of the reduction in the personal benefit of the parent with care who declines
  847
  without a good reason to comply with clause 6 of the Child Support Bill were announced in Committee. They have been discussed in subsequent stages in both Houses. Since then I have received representations from two organisations on this aspect. It is important to remember that the question of reducing benefit arises only where there are no reasonable grounds to believe that action on maintenance would cause harm or undue distress to the parent or her children. I should point out that as a reduction not a deduction the question of fitting into the hierarchy of deductions does not arise. The decision to make a reduction will be made only after the parent has had two separate opportunities to consider her position and explain her reasons and two different people have considered the case. The benefit reduction is therefore intended very much as a measure of last resort.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing the number of claims for statutory sick pay made(a) since 5 April 1991 and (b) for the comparable period in 1990 giving information on which claims were payable at the higher rate and which at the lower rate in (1) Wales, (2) Scotland and (3) England; and if he will show a breakdown of the figures for male and female employees and for manual and non-manual workers.

  Mr. Scott
  Information is not available in the form requested. The table shows the estimated numbers of statutory sick pay recipients at any one time during the 1990–91 and 1991–92 financial years:—

  Financial Year

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Estimated numbers

  360,000

  350,000

  Source: Departmental Report (Cm 1514—February 1991.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from trade unions, employers or employers' organisations in Wales about the likely effects of requiring employers to meet 20 per cent. of the costs of the statutory sick pay scheme.

  Mr. Scott
  A few representations on the reimbursement provisions of the Statutory Sick Pay Act 1991 were received from individual employers in Wales, from the Wales area office of the National Federation of the Self Employed and Small Businesses and the Welsh Council of the Confederation of British Industry.

  Fraud and Special Investigations
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing for each administrative region within Wales what the target savings are for the year to date, and the year to date achieved savings, of the fraud and special investigator sections within Department of Social Security offices; whether the statistics in each area are compiled on a comparable basis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The investigation of fraud is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Carers
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review benefits for carers in the light of the findings of his Department's research report "Social Security and Community Care: The Case of the Invalid Care Allowance"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Since the completion of the study we have introduced two improvements for carers. The ICA earnings limit has been increased twice—to £20 in April 1990 and to £30 in April this year. In October 1990 the carer premium in the income-related benefits was introduced and in October this year entitlement to the premium will be extended for up to eight weeks after caring ceases. We will continue to keep the needs of carers under review.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund decisions in England went to review in each of the first five months of 1991.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of applications for review by social fund officers1

  January 1991

  6,961

  February 1991

  7,656

  March 1991

  8,189

  April 1991

  8,730

  May 1991

  9,399

  1 All applications for review are made in the first instance to SFOs.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) why the standard letter, DL/SF14, sent to applicants whose application for review of a social fund officer's decision has been rejected, no longer informs them that they can ask for a social fund inspector to decide whether the decision to reject the application was correct;

  (2) why his guidance to social fund officers, in paragraph 4156 of the social fund manual, was amended to exclude the reference to payment of a crisis loan by means of a voucher.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many social fund decisions in Newham went to review in each of the first five months of 1991;

  (2) how many applications for social fund loans were refused in Newham in 1990 on the grounds of inability to repay the loans;

  (3) how many applications there were in Newham for review by the social fund inspector in each of the first five months of 1991;

  (4) what is the current average clearance time for crisis loan applications in Newham.

  (5) how many applications in Newham reviewed by the social fund inspector resulted in changes in the first five months of 1991;

  (6) how many social fund decisions were changed on review in Newham in each of the first five months of 1991.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the
  849
  Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Members and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications there were in England for review by the social fund inspector in each of the first five months of 1991; and how many of these applications resulted in changed decisions.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  applications for SFI review

  revised decisions by SFI

  January 1991

  701

  153

  February 1991

  617

  142

  March 1991

  661

  151

  April 1991

  701

  139

  May 1991

  761

  188

  Also, 2,495 cases in Great Britain were referred back for redetermination by a Social Fund Officer between January and May 1991. However information about the proportion of those cases which resulted in a revised decision will not become available until the end of 1991–92.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund decisions were changed on review in England in each of the first five months of 1991.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of decisions changed on review

  January 1991

  3,700

  February 1991

  3,654

  March 1991

  4,417

  April 1991

  4,076

  May 1991

  4,458

  The number of decisions changed on review covers those revised both by social fund officers and by social fund inspectors.

  Benefit Applications (Newham)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many benefit applications in Newham offices were received from individuals claiming refugee status in each of the last 12-month periods.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on the number of benefit applications received in Newham offices from persons from abroad is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of applications for crisis loans are paid on the day of application in Newham.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and Public Information Office.

  Benefit Agency Logo
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his answer of 11 July,Official Report, column 463, what was the cost of the survey into customer opinion of the new Benefits Agency logo; and what was the result of this survey.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the cost was £6,200, including VAT.

  Benefits (Abolition and Taxation)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings he estimates have accrued to the Exchequer each year since each of the following measures was introduced, both in current prices and at 1991 prices:(a) the abolition of earnings-related supplement to unemployment benefit, (b) the taxation of unemployment benefit, (c) the abolition of the child additions to unemployment benefit, (d) the abolition of the lower rate unemployment benefits, (e) the abatement of unemployment benefit for occupational pensions, (f) the extension from six to 26 weeks in the disqualification period, (g) the introduction of actively seeking work rules and restart interviews, (h) the reduced entitlement for students,(i) the full extent normal rule, and (j) the higher contributions conditions introduced in the Social Security Act 1988.

  Mr. Jack
  The available information is set out in the table. Savings for each year since implementation cannot be calculated given the effects of other benefit changes and economic factors. Details of savings from the taxation of benefits, restart interviews and the full extent normal rule are not available.

  Measure

  Estimated savings (£ million) in year of implementation

  Estimated savings in year of implementation at 1991 prices

  Abolition of earnings related supplement

  390

  695

  Abolition of child dependency additions

  3

  5

  Abolition of half/three quarter rates of UB1

  20

  26

  Abatement of UB on account of an occupational pension

  25

  45

  Extension from six to 13 weeks of the disqualification period

  21

  29

  Extension from 13 to 26 weeks of the disqualification period

  37

  45

  Actively seeking work2

  100

  115

  Benefits for students restricted to summer vacation

  9

  12

  Withdrawal of benefits for students

  79

  391

  New contribution conditions

  10

  12

  1 Unemployment benefit.

  2 Estimated savings also take into account other changes to UB legislation made in the 1989 Social Security Act.

  3 Revised estimated savings for first full financial year following implementation.

  Community Care Grants
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of community care grants were awarded in England under direction 4(a)(iii) alone in the first five months of 1991.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of community care grants were awarded in Newham under direction 4(a)(iii) alone in the first five months of 1991.

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

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 July to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, if he will break down the figure of 72 parliamentary questions referred to agency chief executives, by agency.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is as follows:—

  Number

  Benefits Agency

  60

  Information Technology Services Agency

  5

  Contributions Agency

  4

  Resettlement Agency

  3

  Client Interviews (Interpretation)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements exist for interpretation at interviews with clients who do not speak English; how much interpreters are paid; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The existing arrangements for customers who do not speak English are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, who has taken a number of initiatives in respect of this matter. He will write to my hon. Friend and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Disablement Benefits
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure claims for invalid care allowance and severe disablement allowance are being adjudicated upon, and paid, promptly.

  Mr. Scott
  Action on certain invalid care allowance and severe disablement allowance claims has been delayed pending the outcome of appeals. Following legal advice, arrangements are being made to ensure that all outstanding claims are now put to the adjudicating authorities and adjudicated. Where appropriate, payment will then be made as soon as is practicable.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many homeless families and how many individuals within the families, were placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in 1990–91; what was the average number, for families and individuals, during the year; and what was the cost of their benefits.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Homelessness issues are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  I understand that information on the number of families or individuals placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation during the year is not available; the average number of homeless households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in 1990–91 is estimated at 11,900 in England; and information on the average number of individuals in each family is not available. The equivalent figures for Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, respectively.

  Information on the benefit paid is not available.

  Source: Local authority quarterly returns to the Department of the Environment on their actions under the Homelessness legislation.

  Mentally Handicapped Adults
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the evidence he has submitted to the Social Security Advisory Committee on parents who have hitherto provided a mentally handicapped adult offspring with a home seeking to establish a joint tenancy with their offspring, or issuing them with a licence on a commercial basis; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department provided information to the Social Security Advisory Committee which it issued to six disability organisations on 12 June and, as part of the formal consultation exercise, again on 5 July. I have placed copies of these notes in the Library.

  Community Charge Rebate
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what protection exists to ensure claimants' net income was not reduced when their community charge rebate was reduced as a result of this year's uprating to invalidity benefit; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many people in receipt of invalidity benefit and community charge rebate had a cut in their rebate in 1991–92 as a result of their increase in invalidity benefit; how many of them were worse off in net terms as a result; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Increases in invalidity benefit are taken into account when assessing entitlement to community charge benefit, but the personal allowances and premiums appropriate to community charge benefit were also uprated in April. Information is not available about the number of people in receipt of invalidity benefit whose community charge benefit has been reduced. However, we are not aware that there are any claimants in these circumstances who have not seen an overall increase in their net income from invalidity benefit after paying their rebated charge.

  Family Expenditure
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of expenditure on families with children compared with the position before the 1988 reform.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 15 July 1991]: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Family Incomes
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett)Official Report, 13 May, columns 31–34, if he will repeat the figures including (a) columns for the two-parent families showing their net incomes after rent and community charge when on income support, (b) earnings levels for all three families of £180, £190 and £200 a week, (c) child care costs for the lone mother of £70 a week for the four-year-old child, and £20 a week for the six-year-old child and (d) comparable figures for all three families assuming they are owner-occupiers with mortgages of £40,000.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 22 July 1991]: Income-related benefits such as family credit and housing benefit provide valuable help for many working families and make it worth while taking up and retaining employment. The social security reforms, and subsequent changes in tax and national insurance have virtually eliminated the worst effects of the poverty trap, so that it is now almost impossible for someone to be worse off as a result of an increase in gross pay.

  Lone parent with 2 children aged 4 and 6 with mortgage and child care costs

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Net mortgage interest

  CC

  Child care costs

  Net earnings

  FC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -116·16

  57·70

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -37·36

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -107·06

  54·14

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  31·82

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -97·96

  47·77

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -29·09

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  75·00

  9·40

  9000

  -88·86

  41·40

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -26·36

  100·00

  ·89

  5·36

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -80·65

  35·65

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -23·90

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -74·05

  31·03

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  21·92

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -67·45

  26·41

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -19·94

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -60·85

  21·79

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -17·96

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -54·25

  17·17

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -15·98

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -47·65

  12·55

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -14·00

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  41·05

  7·93

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -12·02

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -34·45

  3·31

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -10·04

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -27·85

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -6·75

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -21·25

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  -0·15

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  75·00

  9·40

  90·00

  -14·65

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  6·45

  Lone parent with 2 children aged 4 and 6 with mortgage

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Net mortgage interest

  CC

  Net earnings

  FC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  75·00

  9·40

  -26·16

  57·70

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  52·64

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  75·00

  9·40

  -17·06

  54·14

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  58·18

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  75·00

  9·40

  -7·96

  47·77

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  60·91

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  75·00

  9·40

  1·14

  41·40

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  63·64

  100·00

  ·89

  5·36

  75·00

  9·40

  9·35

  35·65

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  66·10

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  75·00

  9·40

  15·95

  31·03

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  68·08

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  75·00

  9·40

  22·55

  26·41

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  70·06

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  75·00

  9·40

  29·15

  21·79

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  72·04

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  75·00

  9·40

  35·75

  17·17

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  74·02

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  75·00

  9·40

  42·35

  12·55

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  76·00

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  75·00

  9·40

  48·95

  7·93

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  77·98

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  75·00

  9·40

  55·55

  3·31

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  79·96

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  75·00

  9·40

  62·15

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  83·25

  854
  The information requested is set out in the tables. It should be noted that the results in the tables remain arbitrary. They cannot reflect, except by chance, the actual circumstances of particular people and cannot claim to be representative of the population at large. The tables use hypothetical rents so they do not reflect the full range of housing costs which people can pay. All other assumptions are as detailed in the published tax benefit model tables.

  This reply also updates and replaces figures previously supplied, applying the assumptions in the tax benefit model tables recently published, and corrects typographical errors in the Official Report,13 May, columns 31–34.

  Lone parent with two children aged 4 and 6

  £

  (a) not working, after one year on benefit

  Income Support

  57·65

  Child Benefit

  21·10

  Rent Rebate

  26·03

  Community Charge Benefit

  3·76

  Total Net Income

  113·81

  Net Income After Rent and Community Charge

  83·03

  (b) earning £20 per week from part-time earnings

  Earnings

  20·00

  Income Support

  52·65

  Child Benefit

  21·10

  Rent Rebate

  26·03

  Community Charge Benefit

  3·76

  Total Net Income

  128·81

  Net Income After Rent and Community Charge

  98·03

  Notes:

  1. Child Benefit includes One Parent Benefit.

  Net Income after Rent and Community Charge includes the notional value of free school meals and welfare foods.
  855

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Net mortgage interest

  CC

  Net earnings

  FC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  75·00

  9·40

  68·75

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  89·85

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  75·00

  9·40

  75·35

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  96·45

  Lone parent with 2 children aged 4 and 6 and child care costs Net income after rent and community charge on income supplement 83·08

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Rent

  CC

  Child care

  Net earnings

  EC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -62·49

  57·70

  21·10

  8·03

  0·00

  24·34

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -53·39

  54·14

  21·10

  4·43

  0·00

  26·28

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -44·29

  47·77

  21·10

  2·66

  0·00

  27·24

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -35·19

  41·40

  21·10

  0·88

  0·00

  28·19

  100·00

  0·89

  5·36

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -26·98

  35·65

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  29·77

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -20·38

  31·03

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  31·75

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -13·78

  26·41

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  33·73

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -7·18

  21·79

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  35·71

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  -0·58

  17·17

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  37·69

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  6·02

  12·55

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  39·67

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  12·62

  7·93

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  41·65

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  19·22

  3·31

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  43·63

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  25·82

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  46·92

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  32·42

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  53·52

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  26·03

  4·70

  90·00

  39·02

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  60·12

  Lone parent with 2 children aged 4 and 6 Net income after rent and community charge on income support: 83·08

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Rent

  CC

  Net earnings

  EC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  26·03

  4·70

  27·51

  57·70

  21·10

  8·03

  0·00

  114·34

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  26·03

  4·70

  36·61

  54·14

  21·10

  4·43

  0·00

  116·28

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  26·03

  4·70

  45·71

  47·77

  21·10

  2·66

  0·00

  117·24

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  26·03

  4·70

  54·81

  41·40

  21·10

  0·88

  0·00

  118·19

  100·00

  0·89

  5·36

  26·03

  4·70

  63·02

  35·65

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  119·77

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  26·03

  4·70

  69·62

  31·03

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  121·75

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  26·03

  4·70

  75·76

  26·41

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  123·73

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  26·03

  4·70

  82·82

  21·79

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  125·71

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  26·03

  4·70

  89·42

  17·17

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  127·69

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  26·03

  4·70

  96·02

  12·55

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  129·67

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  26·03

  4·70

  102·62

  7·93

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  131·65

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  26·03

  4·70

  109·22

  3·31

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  133·63

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  26·03

  4·70

  115·82

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  136·92

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  26·03

  4·70

  122·42

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  143·52

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  26·03

  4·70

  129·02

  0·00

  21·10

  0·00

  0·00

  150·12

  Married couple with 2 children aged 4 and 6 Net income after rent and community charge on income support: 100·29

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Rent

  CC

  Net earnings

  FC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  26·03

  9·40

  22·81

  57·70

  15·50

  10·08

  3·84

  109·93

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  26·03

  9·40

  31·91

  54·14

  15·50

  6·48

  3·01

  111·04

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  26·03

  9·40

  41·01

  47·77

  15·50

  4·71

  2·60

  111·59

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  26·03

  9·40

  50·11

  41·40

  15·50

  2·93

  2·19

  112·13

  100·00

  ·89

  5·36

  26·03

  9·40

  58·32

  35·65

  15·50

  1·33

  1·82

  112·62

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  26·03

  9·40

  64·92

  31·03

  15·50

  0·00

  1·52

  112·97

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  26·03

  9·40

  71·52

  26·41

  15·50

  0·00

  1·23

  114·66

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  26·03

  9·40

  78·12

  21·79

  15·50

  0·00

  0·93

  116·34

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  26·03

  9·40

  84·72

  17·17

  15·50

  0·00

  0·63

  118·02

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  26·03

  9·40

  91·32

  12·55

  15·50

  0·00

  0·33

  119·70

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  26·03

  9·40

  97·92

  7·93

  15·50

  0·00

  0·04

  121·39

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  26·03

  9·40

  104·52

  3·31

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  123·33

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  26·03

  9·40

  111·12

  0·00

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  126·62

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  26·03

  9·40

  117·72

  0·00

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  133·22

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  26·03

  9·40

  124·32

  0·00

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  139·82

  856 857

  Married couple with 2 children aged 4 and 6 with mortgage Net income after mortgage and community charge on income support: 100·29

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Net mortgage interest

  CC

  Net earnings

  FC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  75·00

  9·40

  -26·16

  57·70

  15·50

  0·00

  3·84

  50·88

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  75·00

  9·40

  -17·06

  54·14

  15·50

  0·00

  3·01

  55·59

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  75·00

  9·40

  -7·96

  47·77

  15·50

  0·00

  2·60

  57·91

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  75·00

  9·40

  1·14

  41·40

  15·50

  0·00

  2·19

  60·23

  100·00

  0·89

  5·36

  75·00

  9·40

  9·35

  35·65

  15·50

  0·00

  1·82

  62·32

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  75·00

  9·40

  15·95

  31·03

  15·50

  0·00

  1·52

  64·00

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  75·00

  9·40

  22·55

  26·41

  15·50

  0·00

  1·23

  65·69

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  75·00

  9·40

  29·15

  21·79

  15·50

  0·00

  0·93

  67·37

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  75·00

  9·40

  35·75

  17·17

  15·50

  0·00

  0·63

  69·05

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  75·00

  9·40

  42·35

  12·55

  15·50

  0·00

  0·33

  70·73

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  75·00

  9·40

  48·95

  7·93

  15·50

  0·00

  0·04

  72·42

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  75·00

  9·40

  55·55

  3·31

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  74·36

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  75·00

  9·40

  62·15

  0·00

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  77·65

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  75·00

  9·40

  68·75

  0·00

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  84·25

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  75·00

  9·40

  75·35

  0·00

  15·50

  0·00

  0·00

  90·85

  Married couple with 3 children aged 3, 8 and 11 Net income after rent and community charge on income support: 123·07

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Net mortgage interest

  CC

  Net earnings

  FC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  26·03

  9·40

  22·81

  73·80

  22·75

  7·74

  3·30

  130·40

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  26·03

  9·40

  31·91

  70·24

  22·75

  4·14

  2·47

  131·51

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  26·03

  9·40

  41·01

  63·87

  22·75

  2·37

  2·06

  132·06

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  26·03

  9·40

  50·11

  57·50

  22·75

  0·59

  1·65

  132·60

  100·00

  ·89

  5·36

  26·03

  9·40

  58·32

  51·75

  22·75

  0·00

  1·28

  134·10

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  26·03

  9·40

  64·92

  47·13

  22·75

  0·00

  0·98

  135·78

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  26·03

  9·40

  71·52

  42·51

  22·75

  0·00

  0·69

  137·47

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  26·03

  9·40

  78·12

  37·89

  22·75

  0·00

  0·39

  139·15

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  26·03

  9·40

  84·72

  33·27

  22·75

  0·00

  0·09

  140·83

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  26·03

  9·40

  91·32

  28·65

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  142·72

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  26·03

  9·40

  97·92

  24·03

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  144·70

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  26·03

  9·40

  104·52

  19·41

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  146·68

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  26·03

  9·40

  111·12

  14·79

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  148·66

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  26·03

  9·40

  117·72

  10·17

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  150·64

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  26·03

  9·40

  124·32

  5·55

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  152·62

  Married couple with 3 children aged 3, 8 and 11 with mortgage Net income after mortgage and community charge on income support: 123·07

  Earnings per week

  Tax

  NI

  Net mortgage interest

  CC

  Net earnings

  FC

  CHB

  HB

  CCB

  Disposable income

  60·00

  0·00

  1·76

  75·00

  9·40

  -26·16

  73·80

  22·75

  0·00

  3·30

  73·69

  70·00

  0·00

  2·66

  75·00

  9·40

  -17·06

  70·24

  22·75

  0·00

  2·47

  78·40

  80·00

  0·00

  3·56

  75·00

  9·40

  -7·96

  63·87

  22·75

  0·00

  2·06

  80·72

  90·00

  0·00

  4·46

  75·00

  9·40

  1·14

  57·50

  22·75

  0·00

  1·65

  83·04

  100·00

  0·89

  5·36

  75·00

  9·40

  9·35

  51·75

  22·75

  0·00

  1·28

  85·13

  110·00

  3·39

  6·26

  75·00

  9·40

  15·95

  47·13

  22·75

  0·00

  0·98

  86·81

  120·00

  5·89

  7·16

  75·00

  9·40

  22·55

  42·51

  22·75

  0·00

  0·69

  88·50

  130·00

  8·39

  8·06

  75·00

  9·40

  29·15

  37·89

  22·75

  0·00

  0·39

  90·18

  140·00

  10·89

  8·96

  75·00

  9·40

  35·75

  33·27

  22·75

  0·00

  0·09

  91·86

  150·00

  13·39

  9·86

  75·00

  9·40

  42·35

  28·65

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  93·75

  160·00

  15·89

  10·76

  75·00

  9·40

  48·95

  24·03

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  95·73

  170·00

  18·39

  11·66

  75·00

  9·40

  55·55

  19·41

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  97·71

  180·00

  20·89

  12·56

  75·00

  9·40

  62·15

  14·79

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  99·69

  190·00

  23·39

  13·46

  75·00

  9·40

  68·75

  10·17

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  101·67

  200·00

  25·89

  14·36

  75·00

  9·40

  75·35

  5·55

  22·75

  0·00

  0·00

  103·65

SCOTLAND

  Local Authority Employees
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total numbers of full-time and part-time employees in each local authority in Scotland, and the gross totals, broken down by category, in 1979 and in the latest year for which figures are available.
  858
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Quarterly figures for local authority staffing have been published jointly by the Scottish Office and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities since 1976 and are available in the Library. Prior to 1981, figures for individual local authorities were not held centrally.

  School Catchment Areas
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland of how many instances he is aware of pupils who live within the appropriate catchment area being denied places in schools which have pupils from outwith the catchment area on their rolls as a result of placing requests.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Since August 1990, two letters have been received in the Scottish Office from parents with children of school age who moved into a catchment area but at that time were unable to secure a place for their child at their local school.

  Education
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table to show for each regional council in Scotland the cost of educating a child in(a) a primary school and (b) a secondary school where the school is (i) owned by a public authority and (ii) church owned by reference to denomination.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The available information is given in the table. It excludes the cost of school transport, meals and milk and central administration. Separate information for denominational and non-denominational schools is not available.

  Net current expenditure per pupil in primary and secondary schools 1989–90

  Region

  Primary £

  Secondary £

  Borders

  1,455

  2,328

  Central

  1,377

  2,366

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,279

  2,525

  Oil seed rape (hectares)

  Year

  Country

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Scotland

  22,000

  45,000

  42,000

  36,000

  45,000

  England and Wales

  276,000

  341,000

  304,000

  283,000

  343,000

  Belgium

  3,000

  4,000

  4,000

  5,000

  n/a

  Denmark

  226,000

  252,000

  200,000

  236,000

  n/a

  Germany

  308,000

  428,000

  385,000

  429,000

  n/a

  Spain

  5,000

  7,000

  8,000

  10,000

  n/a

  France

  392,000

  737,000

  865,000

  625,000

  n/a

  Ireland

  2,000

  6,000

  4,000

  4,000

  n/a

  Italy

  23,000

  28,000

  23,000

  16,000

  n/a

  Luxembourg

  1,000

  1,000

  1,000

  1,000

  n/a

  Netherlands

  6,000

  10,000

  7,000

  6,000

  n/a

  Brechin Infirmary
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had regarding the closure of the upper floor of Brechin infirmary about the reduction in the number of general practitioner beds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have received seven letters on Tayside health board's proposals to rationalise general practitioner beds at Brechin infirmary.

  It is the responsibility of the health board, in the light of local circumstances and priorities, to determine the extent and level of services it provides and to review the adequacy of such services to ensure that the best use is made of resources.
  860

  Region

  Primary £

  Secondary £

  Fife

  1,421

  2,354

  Grampian

  1,342

  2,524

  Highland

  1,434

  2,323

  Lothian

  1,313

  2,513

  Strathclyde

  1,407

  2,502

  Tayside

  1,297

  2,537

  Orkney

  1,686

  3,218

  Shetland

  1,815

  3,873

  Western Isles

  1,876

  3,270

  Source: Local authority financial returns.

  Oil Seed Rape
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number and content of research projects sponsored by his Department on oil seed rape.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A research grant of £63,000 over three years was awarded to Aberdeen university in 1990 by the Scottish Office Home and Health Department for a project to study the effects of oil seed rape on human health.

  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list figures showing oil seed rape acreage separately for England and Wales, Scotland and each EC country in each year over the past five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The figures requested are given in the table:

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the gross domestic fixed capital formation in Scotland as a percentage of the United Kingdom figure in 1979; and what is the percentage for the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) what was Scotland's gross domestic product as a percentage of United Kingdom gross domestic product in 1979; and what is the percentage in the latest year for which figures are available;

  (3) what percentage the Scottish contribution to United Kingdom manufacturing declined between 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available;

  (4) what percentage of United Kingdom gross domestic fixed capital formation in (a) all industries for which an estimate is available and (b) manufacturing originated in Scotland for each year from 1979 to the latest year for which figures are available;
  861
  (5) what gross domestic product was per head in Scotland in cash terms and as a percentage of the United Kingdom figure for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  The available information can be obtained from the regional accounts databank in the Library. Library staff will be pleased to assist in obtaining this.

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing expenditure on regional preferential assistance to industry in Scotland for each year from 1974 to the most recently available date in cash and constant prices.

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

  Gross expenditure on regional preferential assistance

  Cash Prices £ million

  Constant 1989–90 Prices £ million

  1974–75

  143·5

  603·6

  1975–76

  226·0

  757·3

  1976–77

  212·8

  628·0

  1977–78

  142·7

  370·5

  1978–79

  156·5

  366·4

  1979–80

  140·8

  282·5

  1980–81

  198·1

  335·9

  1981–82

  234·5

  362·6

  1982–83

  369·4

  533·4

  1983–84

  228·6

  315·5

  1984–85

  187·2

  245·9

  1985–86

  197·0

  245·4

  1986–87

  242·4

  291·8

  1987–88

  153·2

  175·1

  1988–89

  151·2

  160·8

  1989–90

  144·6

  144·6

  11990–91

  159·1

  147·7

  1 (provisional).

  Note: Includes gross expenditure in Scotland on regional selective assistance, regional development grants, regional enterprise grants, Scottish Development Agency and Highlands and Islands Development Board expenditure on grants and land and factory building. The figures also include a number of forms of assistance in the years up to 1982 which have been discontinued.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the(a) total number of recorded crimes and (b) crime rate per 100,000 population in Scotland for each year from 1979 to the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many employees in employment in Scotland worked in service industries in(a) June 1990 and (b) June 1991;

  (2) how many employees there were in manufacturing in 1979 in Scotland; and how many there were in the latest year for which figures are available;

  (3) how many employees in employment in Scotland there were in June 1979; and how many there were in June 1991.
  862
  Mr. Lang
  Estimates of the number of employees in employment in Scotland are available up to March 1991. The table gives the available information.

  Employees in employment in Scotland

  Thousands

  Total

  Manufacturing

  Services

  June 1979

  2,102

  604

  1,224

  June 1990

  1,973

  398

  1,353

  March 1991

  1,956

  388

  1,355

  Source: Employment Department quarterly estimates of employees in employment.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) men and (b) women in employment in Scotland currently earn less than £3·40 per hour.

  Mr. Lang
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the official homelessness statistics for Scotland for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  Statistics of households who applied to Scottish local authorities under the homeless persons legislation for the years 1978–79 to 1989–90 were published in table 15 of statistical bulletin HSG/1991/4, "Housing Trends in Scotland—Quarter ended 31 December 1990". Copies were sent to all Members representing Scottish constituencies and are available in the House Library. Since then a small number of late returns have been received for 1988–89 and 1989–90. Revised figures for these years are given below. Returns for 1990–91 are now being received, and will be published in due course.

  Applicant households under the homeless persons legislation by local authority assessment and year, Scotland

  Local authority assessment

  1988–89

  1989–901

  Total applicants

  24,711

  28,501

  Homeless

  9,630

  11,203

  priority unintentional

  6,718

  7,934

  priority intentional

  727

  878

  non priority

  2,185

  2,391

  Potentially homeless

  6,122

  6,661

  priority unintentional

  4,146

  4,664

  priority intentional

  416

  482

  non priority

  1,560

  1,515

  Neither homeless nor potentially homeless

  2,464

  2,960

  Lost contact

  6,495

  7,677

  1 Some 2,000 returns, mostly from Glasgow, are estimated to remain outstanding.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Glasgow Council for the Single Homeless and the Richmond Fellowship on homelessness among discharged psychiatric patients; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We have received no such representations from these bodies.

  It is Government policy, however, that patients should not be discharged from hospital until their needs have been assessed and proper arrangements made for their care in the community.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the young housing monitoring group on homelessness among young people; and if he will make a statement.
  863
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I recently received from Edinburgh Council for the Single Homeless a copy of the group's report, "Still in Demand", which presents information gathered by 20 housing agencies in Edinburgh from 274 people in the 16 to 24 age group who came to them in September 1990 seeking accommodation. I have read the report with interest. My reply to the council drew attention to the additional capital allocation of £0·75 million which we have made available to Edinburgh district council in 1991–92 for projects to combat homelessness, which should help the young people who are the subject of the report.

  Health Boards
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the capital expenditure bids of each health board in Scotland and their allocated capital expenditure budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Lang
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Earnings
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were average gross male weekly earnings in Scotland for each year since 1979 in cash terms, and as a percentage of the United Kingdom figure.

  Mr. Lang
  Information on the average gross male weekly earnings of full-time employees on adult rates for Scotland and Great Britain in April of each year can be obtained from part E reports from the New Earnings Survey. These are available from the Library. There is no comparable information readily available for the United Kingdom.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) hospital beds and (b) acute beds for Scotland in each year from 1979 until the latest year for which figures are available and the percentage changes from 1979 to the most recent year available.

  Mr. Lang
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Testosterone
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evaluation has been made of Di Hydrase Testosterone as a medicine for damaged prostates.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have no information on any product with this name. The in vivo metabolite of Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is believed to be an active agent within the prostate gland responsible for normal and abnormal growth. There are no known studies on the use of DHT as a treatment, but there is ongoing research into the effects of DHT inhibitors.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many BSE carcases have been(a) incinerated and (b) buried in 1991 in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In the period January to May 1991, 281 BSE carcases were incinerated and two buried in Scotland.

  Hospital Building Projects
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give a breakdown of the completed hospital and ward building programme for each of the years since 1979, by local health board, with the location and cost of each proposed new hospital building project and the total cost;

  (2) if he will give a breakdown of the present hospital and ward building programme by local health boards, with the location and cost of each proposed new hospital building project and the total cost.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Trust Hospitals
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to trust hospitals in Scotland about prices charged to health authorities in areas and specialties for which the trust hospital is a monopoly supplier.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Guidance has been issued to those units which have applied, or are considering applying, for trust status. This guidance advises that prices charged to health boards should cover all costs plus a 6 per cent. return on the current value of net assets. This requirement is binding on all NHS trust units.

  Bus Companies (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions there have been against(a) public and (b) private bus companies in Scotland for each year since 1980 for (i) drivers' hours violations and (ii) vehicle standards violations.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not separately identifiable within the criminal statistics maintained by the Scottish Office Home and Health Department.

  School and Nursery Building Programmes
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will provide a breakdown of the completed school and nursery building programme for each of the years since 1979, by local education authority, together with the location and cost of each completed new building project and the total cost;

  (2) if he will give a breakdown of the present school and nursery provision building programme by local education authority, together with the location and cost of each proposed new building project and the total cost.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested may be obtained from individual education authorities.

  Youth Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any representations about the youth training guarantees from local enterprise councils.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are responsible for delivering the Government's youth training guarantee in their areas. If
  865
  any one of the local enterprise companies with which these bodies contract were concerned about the delivery of the youth training guarantee in its area it would bring that concern to the attention of either Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise as appropriate. However, neither Scottish Enterprise nor Highlands and Islands Enterprise has suggested to my right hon. Friend that it doubts its ability to ensure that the guarantee is met.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, as per the requirement set out in the local enterprise council operating agreement, the number of youth training starts and the number of youth training trainees in training at the end of the four-weekly period as set out in the schedule of management information(a) for the most recent period for which information is available and (b) for local enterprise councils.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Local enterprise company operating contracts are contracts between individual local enterprise companies and Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise as appropriate. These contracts require local enterprise companies to deliver management information to these bodies; not to my right hon. Friend. I have therefore asked the chairmen of both bodies to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest figure for participants in youth training.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  In Scotland responsibility for the delivery of youth training rests with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked the chairmen of these bodies to write to the hon. Member with the information he has requested.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Lang
  The number of parliamentary questions put down for written answer during the last Session and so far this Session is:

  Session 1989–90—2,566

  Session 1990–91 (figures to 23 July 1991)—2,242

  The information requested for (a), (b) and (c) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ambulance Service, Inverness
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to retain the control of the Highland and Western Isles ambulance service in Inverness; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Orkney and Shetland (Ferries)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress his Department has made in monitoring freight and passenger traffic levels on the ferry routes between Orkney, Shetland and the Scottish mainland, in connection with his promised mid-year review of the subvention rates; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Ethnic Minorities (Education)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will bring forward proposals to specify funding from revenue support grant to local authorities for education and support of ethnic minorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The Government have no plans to introduce such a specific grant scheme in Scotland. Local authority spending in this area is supported by RSG.

  Further Education
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations his Department has received from the Association of Principals of Colleges on financial aid to assist the transition of further education colleges to autonomous institutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish branch of the Association of Principals of Colleges has welcomed the publication of the White Paper "Access and Opportunity" and support the establishment of colleges of further education as autonomous institutions. To assist the transition to the new status, the association has called for funding to be made available for financial, legal and administrative structures. Careful consideration is being given to these representations together with others received on the White Paper.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations his Department has received from the Scottish Further and Higher Education Association on the White Paper "Access and Opportunity —A Strategy for Education"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish Further and Higher Education Association has made a number of detailed comments on the White Paper proposals. These are being given careful consideration together with more than 100 other responses received.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration his Department has given to the demise of the Scottish Institute of Adult and Continuing Education and to the possible establishment of a successor body; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The demise of the Scottish Institute of Adult Education, which received grant from the Scottish Office Education Department, was a matter for the institute's governing body. The Department is currently reviewing the work of the Scottish Council for Education in the Community, including its role in adult education.
  867
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations his Department has received from the Association of Principals of Colleges concerning the importance of local authority representation on councils of further education colleges after 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish branch of the Association of Principals, in its response to the White Paper, "Access and Opportunity", has indicated that it considers it important that local authorities continue to be represented on the new councils after 1 April 1993. Careful consideration is being given to these representations together with others received on the White Paper.

  Fish Disease
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will obtain for his departmental library a copy of the findings of research by the Federal Research Institute for Fisheries, Hamburg, published by the German Research Service, concerning the incidence of tumours caused by pollution in fish in the North sea generally and the estuary of the River Tay in particular; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Scientists in the Department have not yet seen the full report, which they are still trying to obtain. They have, however, received more recent data from the German scientists concerned with the report. None of the data that they have seen over a period of several years demonstrates links between disease levels in fish and pollution.

  Horizon Programme
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to advise and assist interested groups in Scotland to apply for funds from the European social fund Horizon programme to provide job opportunities for the physically and mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  This is a matter for which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment takes responsibility; the position in relation to Scotland will be dealt with in the reply to the similar question which the hon. Member has put to my right hon. and learned Friend on this subject.

  Public Transport
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will bring forward regulations so as to ring-fence allocations for public transport measures within the budgets of local authorities.

  Mr. Lang
  I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Primary School Testing
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to continue the testing of primary 4 and primary 7 pupils in English language and mathematics.

  Mr. Lang
  A pilot round of tests in English language and mathematics was scheduled to be taken by primary 4868
  and primary 7 pupils between 1 March and 30 April this year. Overall about one third of eligible children sat tests, the figures for individual education authorities ranging from virtually 100 per cent. to under 5 per cent. The returns from the two largest authorities were both very close to the average.

  A detailed evaluation of the pilot round of testing in over 100 schools has been carried out by a panel of moderators led by a former Chief Inspector of Schools. This was published on 23 July and I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library of the House. This report confirms the quality of the test material and the practicability of administering the tests without significant disruption to class or school routine or distress to the pupils involved. At the same time the report makes a number of detailed recommendations. These focus particularly on the extent of introduction necessary by teachers for some test units and the procedures for marking the writing tests which proved to be over-elaborate. Other recommendations concern the assembly and organisation of resources and materials.

  In the light of this report and of other comments made I have decided that testing of primary 4 and primary 7 children in English language and mathematics remains an important part of pupil assessment, and that the arrangements for its conduct should be altered to meet representations which have been made and to remedy shortcomings which have been identified. Amending regulations are accordingly being laid before the House today which will govern primary testing for the school session beginning next month. These regulations introduce two changes to the arrangements which applied to the pilot round.

  First, testing will be permitted throughout the course of the school session instead of during the fixed period 1 March to 30 April. This change has been urged by representatives of education authorities, teacher organisations and parents. It will allow the tests more easily to match the school's own curricular planning, will facilitate school organisation and management and will allow tests more clearly to serve the purpose for which they are intended: to provide a measure of each pupil's progress. The last date for ordering test units is adjusted accordingly.

  Secondly, the requirement to provide a summary of test results to school boards is modified to require such a summary to be presented only where this can be done without identifying the results of any individual pupil. This change responds to concern that the previous wording might inevitably have required the disclosure of individual pupils' results where the summary related to classes in very small schools.

  A new document about test arrangements is also in preparation for the 1991–92 round of tests. This will take account of the more detailed observations and comments contained in the evaluation study and in representations which have been made from other sources.

  Testing has been the subject of considerable misunderstanding and misrepresentation since it was first announced as part of the 5 to 14 development programme in the consultation document, "Curriculum and Assessment: A Policy for the 90s". The changes now being introduced are intended to meet concerns which have been expressed. I hope they will be viewed in that light and that education authorities, teachers and parents will now join in ensuring that testing takes its place as an established and

  869
  valuable element in the 5 to 14 programme, which itself has been very well received. As the citizens charter recognises, test results are an important element in the reports on their children's progress to which all parents are entitled.

  It has also been represented by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and others that the stock of test units might be expanded so that they may be used at all stages of primary and early secondary education to confirm the accuracy of a teacher's assessment of a child's achievements. I am attracted to this suggestion and hope that in collaboration with education authorities it can be further developed.

  A number of commentators have likewise asked for attention to be given to supporting those children whom the tests show as experiencing difficulty in one or more aspects of language and mathematics. I am anxious to respond to these requests. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities have been asked for their views on how resources for learning support might best be deployed for this purpose. I have also asked the Scottish Office Education Department to review the diagnostic tests needed to help identify with greater precision the support needed for any particular pupil. That work is currently under way.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial plan and projections he has received from either the sponsors of the Foresterhill hospitals unit trust application or Grampian health board relating to the trust application; and if he will make it his policy to publish such information as soon as it is available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 24 July 1991]: The sponsors of the Foresterhill hospitals unit trust have submitted a detailed financial plan and projections covering three years. These will be treated as commercially confidential, but the trust will be asked to publish business plans for 1992–93.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when and at what rate of interest he will declare a dividend on public dividend capital in respect of trust hospitals in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Where a trust has a surplus, it will agree with the management executive whether to redeem part of its interest-bearing debt or invest it with approved institutions to provide for future capital expenditure or to declare a dividend.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the external financing limit for the proposed Foresterhill hospitals unit NHS trust in each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 24 July 1991]: External financing limits for NHS trusts are determined each year taking into account the amount of finance available nationally, the estimated capital expenditure of the trusts and the amount of internally generated resources. The figures for the years requested are therefore not known at this time.

  National Health Service Finance
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the existing external financing limit for Grampian health board.
  870
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 24 July 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Doran) on 24 July 1991.

  Forestry Commission Land
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields on 14 March,Official Report, columns 689–90, if he will list the Forestry Commission's land which has been put up for sale since that date; whether it has since been sold; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 23 July 1991]: The following forest areas have been placed on the open market since my earlier answer, and those marked with an asterisk have now been sold:

  County/Region

  Name

  Area hectares

  England

  Cumbria

  Coldside Wood, Kershope

  17

  Dorset

  Blackwater Copse

  13

  Gloucestershire

  Valley Road, Cinderford

  21

  Hampshire

  Mill Copse

  6

  Humberside

  Wrawby Moor

  70

  Somerset

  Chargot Estate

  18

  Suffolk

  Grimsditch Woods

  17

  Scotland

  Borders

  Hardens

  88

  Fife

  Ballantager Burn

  *4

  Fife

  High Valley Field

  *27

  Fife

  Kilwhiss Strip

  *3

  Fife

  Muirrow and Muirdean

  *33

  Fife

  Outhmuir

  *10

  Fife

  Parknowe

  *11

  Grampian

  Barlatch

  3

  Grampian

  Bloody Faulds

  3

  Grampian

  Coral Brae

  24

  Grampian

  Drakemyres

  32

  Grampian

  Hillend Moss

  16

  Grampian

  Kincardine District Woodlands

  161

  Grampian

  Knock Hill Wood

  56

  Highland

  Achibeg

  27

  Strathclyde

  Ardchuple Wood

  *2

  Strathclyde

  Blarchoarain

  *36

  Strathclyde

  Craigbarnet and Norwood

  *16

  Strathclyde

  St. Catherines Plantation

  *32

  Strathclyde

  Todlaw

  370

  Tayside

  Innerpeffray

  *67

  Tayside

  Innerwick and Camusurachan

  *125

  Wales

  Clwyd

  Coed Esgynfa

  7

  Clwyd

  Coed Min yr Afon

  2

  Clwyd

  Coed Penygelli

  29

  Clwyd

  Coed Penynant

  9

  Clwyd

  Crown Wood

  29

  Clwyd

  Glol Wood

  27

  Clwyd

  Travellers Inn

  5

  Clwyd

  Travellers Inn Gorse

  5

  Dyfed

  Aberdedle

  7

  Dyfed

  Allt Banc Sina

  18

  Dyfed

  Allt Dolfelfed

  16

  Dyfed

  Allt Gudd

  6

  Dyfed

  Allt Llwyn Dyfrion

  11

  Dyfed

  Allt Pistyll Dewi

  33

  Dyfed

  Bryn Wicket

  8

  Dyfed

  Coed Pant Sglodion

  18

  Dyfed

  Cynheidre Uchaf

  24

  Dyfed

  Danygraig

  10

  Dyfed

  Garn Fach

  21

  Dyfed

  Glas Pant

  4

  Dyfed

  Glebe Woods

  17

  Dyfed

  Lon Isaf

  7

  871

  County/Region

  Name

  Area hectares

  Dyfed

  Long Wood

  24

  Dyfed

  Maes y Bont

  1

  Dyfed

  Panteynon and Allt y Forlan

  29

  Dyfed

  Pengallt (Allt y Foel)

  18

  Dyfed

  Pont Henri

  14

  Dyfed

  Portis Pant

  30

  Dyfed

  Quay Wood

  7

  Dyfed

  Rhos y Gwydir

  2

  Dyfed

  River Wood

  1

  Dyfed

  Stradmore Wood

  22

  Dyfed

  Tynton Wood

  4

  Dyfed

  Wenallt

  17

  Dyfed

  Westland West Wood

  2

  Gwent

  Llangattock Great Wood

  8

  Gwynedd

  Braich Blaen Tafolog

  28

  Gwynedd

  Moel Groes Heol

  130

  Powys

  Beacon Lodge

  38

  Powys

  Bronfelen

  10

  Powys

  Coed Cae Gilbert

  5

  Powys

  Craig yr Henffordd

  8

  Powys

  Cwmgilla

  30

  County/region

  Name

  Name of purchaser

  Sale price

  Grid reference

  England

  Cornwall

  Headweir

  —

  —

  SS 237116

  Devon

  Heasley

  —

  —

  SS 732337

  Somerset

  Balls Wood

  —

  —

  ST 748423

  Somerset

  Pound Copse

  P.J. & R.C. Cary

  £16,500

  ST 763402

  Scotland

  Grampian

  Glasslaw

  —

  £32,300

  NK 628586

  Highland

  Brin Wood

  —

  —

  NH 626286

  Highland

  Clashnagrave

  —

  —

  NH 763948

  Highland

  Dirriemore

  —

  —

  NH 232764

  Strathclyde

  Thornwood

  Dr. F. Carswell

  £5,500

  NS 142697

  Strathclyde

  Ferns

  —

  —

  NS 141695

  Wales

  Gwent

  Ty Vree (Cook's Wood)

  ST 438978

  Local Authority Investment
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to local authorities on the use of surplus funds for investment.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 22 July 1991]: No such guidance has been issued.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of drinking water supplies in Scotland that reach the level of the EEC directive on drinking water; and if he will name them.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 July 1991]: There are 331 public water supply zones in Scotland assessed as meeting the requirements of the EC drinking water directive, which are now incorporated into the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990. I will send the hon. Member a list of their names and arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.
  872

  County/Region

  Name

  Area hectares

  Powys

  Frachwen

  10

  Powys

  Nantywylan

  4

  Powys

  Pwll Llydan

  31

  Powys

  Rhiwgoch Woods

  61

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 14 March,Official Report, columns 689–90, if he will list the Forestry Commission land which has now been sold, giving the name of the purchaser, the grid references, the county and the sale price; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 23 July 1991]: Of the properties listed in my previous answer, the following areas of Forestry Commission land have now been sold. The names and sale price are given only in cases where the purchasers have given their consent to such information being made public.

EMPLOYMENT

  Claimants
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a breakdown for Scotland, Wales and each standard region in England of the percentage of unemployed claimants who have been unemployed for 12 months or more at the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested, relating to April 1991, can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the ways by which training and enterprise councils are accountable to Parliament.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 24 July,Official Report column 613.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the form of the requirement set out in the training and enterprise council operating agreement the number of youth training starts and the number of youth training trainees in training at the end of the four-weekly period as set out in the schedule of
  873
  management information (a) for the period covering January 1991 and (b) for each training and enterprise council.

  Mr. Jackson
  Reliable training and enterprise council level information is available only from April 1991.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the result of the findings of the recent audit of five TECs as regards the issue of new guidelines about operating surpluses and their use.

  Mr. Jackson
  The audit of the first five training and enteprise councils was not concerned in particular with the use of operating surpluses. The TEC contract states clearly that any operating surpluses will be used by the TEC to further the aims of its corporate and business plan.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 218, if he will indicate what steps he is now taking to ensure adequate monitoring of the provision for people with learning difficulties within schemes for which he has ministerial responsibility.

  Mr. Jackson
  Each training and enterprise council is required to set out in its corporate and business plans how it intends to meet the needs of people with special training needs. These plans are subject to my approval, and that of the Secretary of State for Wales for TECs in Wales.

  The contractual requirements common to all TECs include providing appropriate training to people with special training needs, including those with learning difficulties. The Department has produced guidance on how to plan for and deliver training to meet those needs.

  TECs' performance against their plans are regularly discussed with officials of the Department. In addition, the training standards advisory service has a responsibility for appraising the quality of training offered by TECs.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 202, if he will now set targets for provision for people with learning difficulties.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have no plans to set such targets. The Government remain committed to the requirements on special training needs laid down in their agreements with TECs.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 108, what proportion of the £35 million package referred to in that answer will be applied (a) to provision in Wales, (b) to people with learning difficulties in the United Kingdom and (c) to people with learning difficulties in Wales.

  Mr. Jackson
  Some £2·5 million has been allocated to Wales. The Department's office for Wales will allocate the budget to TECs according to local need. It is not possible to say how much of the money will be spent on people with learning difficulties. However, the additional money is targeted on meeting special training needs alongside training for those in the guarantee and aim groups, some of whom will have learning difficulties.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer of 4 July,Official
  874
  Report, column 202, if he will make it his policy to ensure that information on the number of people with learning difficulties is collected in future.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have no plans to identify separately information on people with learning difficulties among those with other special training needs.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, (1) further to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 108, for each training and employment council how each such training and enterprise council (a) in Wales and (b) in other parts of the United Kingdom has set out its intentions in regard to people with special needs in general and people with learning difficulties in particular;

  (2), further to his answer of 5 July, Official Report, column 218, whether he will set targets for the current year and future years in terms of provision for young people and adults with learning difficulties within the sphere of ministerial responsibilities.

  Mr. Jackson
  The TEC operating agreement states that each TEC must make suitable high-quality training available for all trainees who have disabilities, or other significant personal disadvantages which give rise to special training needs. TECs produce corporate and business plans on the basis of the operating agreement. TECs' corporate plans are public documents and are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 218, if he will explain why the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Jackson
  Figures are collected on the number of people with disabilities in training, but these figures do not identify separately specific types of disability such as learning difficulties.

  Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department's list of awards eligible for funding by the Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate is available for planning purposes to organisations such as further education colleges, managing agents and awarding bodies.

  Mr. Jackson
  Full details of vocational qualifications accepted by the Employment Department for TEC funding appear in the National Council for Vocational Qualifications database. This is available for purchase by any training organisation or other interested party from NCVQ. A written summary of this information, in the form of vocational qualification of listings, is circulated by the Department to TECs to fulfil the obligations of the ED/TEC contract. TECs are free to pass on this information to whomever they wish.

  Youth Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give(a) the number of places in contract for 20 May, 23 June and 13 October, (b) the estimated net local recruitable potential up to 13 October, by (i) the stock of empty recruitable youth training places on 20 May and (ii) the cumulative total of new recruitment

  875
  opportunities becoming available between 21 May to 13 October, (c) the total number of externally resident young persons covered by youth training guarantees gaining entry to local places from 21 May to 13 October and (d) the net local recruitment potential up to 13 October, for each training and enterprise council.

  Mr. Jackson
  This information is in the form of estimates which are insufficiently reliable to warrant publication.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees in the printing industry are entering youth training this year.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give, in terms of the information obtained in the review of the youth training supply and demand(a) the estimated number of locally resident young persons in the guarantee or extended guarantee groups actively seeking local entry or re-entry to youth training at 20 May 1990, (b) new guaranteed active seekers arising between 21 May to 13 October and (c) school pupils starting year of reaching minimum school leaving age in September 1990 remaining at school one year later, for each training and enterprise council.

  Mr. Jackson
  This information is in the form of estimates which are insufficiently reliable to warrant publication.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether, based on the reporting arrangements outlined in schedule A of the model training and enterprise council operating agreement, any of the TECs in England and Wales has used the Bank of Credit and Commerce International for banking or investment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  I am not aware of any TEC using BCCI for banking at the time the bank's business was suspended.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether any of the regional offices of the Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate consulted training and enterprise councils about banking with or investing in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

  Mr. Jackson
  Regional offices do not provide TECs, which are private limited companies, with advice about banking or investment with any financial institution.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for what reasons the Health and Safety Executive imposed recruitment bans in 1989–90; and on what grades.

  Mr. Forth
  The Health and Safety Executive did not impose recruitment bans for any grades in 1989–90.

  Manufacturing (Fatalities)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of fatalities in the manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom and each EC member state for the years 1980 to 1990 giving the work force in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested cannot be made available without disproportionate cost. Relevant information for major EC countries is contained in a recent Health and Safety Executive publication, "Workplace Health and Safety in Europe" which is in the House Library. This publication, which provides a rigorous comparison between countries which operate different reporting systems shows that the British record on accident rates stands up well in comparison with other major countries in the European Community.

  Printing Industry
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the role and function of the national providers unit; and what assistance it is giving to the printing industry.

  Mr. Jackson
  The TECs and national providers unit within the Department provides a brokerage and administrative service to facilitate contracting between TECs and national providers where both parties wish. These services comprise:

  standardised contracting arrangements;

  a unified claims and payment service;

  centralised collection and dissemination of management information;

  assistance to TECs with financial appraisal and monitoring; and

  co-ordination on quality development.

  The British Printing Industry Federation's training organisation is making full use of all these services.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish the results of his review of the work permit scheme; when he expects the new scheme to be in operation; and what guidance he is giving to(a) employers and (b) workers about the new scheme.

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Brandon-Bravo) on 31 January,Official Report, columns 637–38. The main changes to the work permit

  877
  scheme will come into effect on 1 October 1991 when revised application forms and guidance notes for employers will be available.

  Hydrogen Sulphide Gas
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what established British safety standards exist for the piping on land of hydrogen sulphide gas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Hydrogen sulphide is not piped on land as a pure gas outside gas refineries; the safety of pipelines containing gases on land generally is governed by:

  The Pipelines Act 1962;

  The Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982;

  The Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989.

  In addition, the construction and operation of pipelines are subject to the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which require employers to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public affected by work activity, and designers and manufacturers of articles for use at work to ensure that they are designed and constructed to be safe when properly used.

  British standards, where they exist, provide a sound basis for the design and construction of pipelines. Other national or international standards providing an equivalent standard of safety are also acceptable. A British standard code of practice (BS 8010) for pipelines is currently in preparation; this is largely based on what is already current practice, and being followed by much of the industry.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from trade unions, employers or employers' organisations in Wales about the likely effects of requiring employers to meet 20 per cent. of the costs of the statutory sick pay scheme.

  Mr. Forth
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to reduce youth unemployment in tourist areas when the holiday season has ended.

  Mr. Jackson
  All young people aged under 18 who are not in full-time education or a job are guaranteed the offer of a suitable place on youth training. The Employment Service offers immediate assistance to anyone who has lost their job. In addition anyone aged 18 to 24 who has been unemployed for between six and 12 months is guaranteed a place on employment training, the enterprise allowance scheme, the job interview guarantee or in a job club. Provision of youth training, employment training and the enterprise allowance scheme are matters for local training and enterprise councils, which are well placed to meet the particular circumstances, such as seasonal unemployment, that arise in their areas.

  Pop Concerts
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will arrange for a copy of the draft of the Health and Safety Executive guidance on pop concerts and similar events to be placed in the Library and a further copy to be supplied to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West.

  Mr. Forth
  Yes. It is hoped that draft guidance will be available for consultation in October, when I will send a copy to the hon. and learned Member and arrange for a further copy to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the length of and reasons for the delays in the preparation of guidance by the Health and Safety Executive on pop concerts and similar events.

  Mr. Forth
  Preparation of the guidance on safety at pop concerts, which is to be issued jointly by the Health and Safety Commission and the Home Office, started in spring 1990. It was initially hoped that a draft would be available for consultation in late summer 1990.

  Preparation of the guidance was delayed because of the complexity of the issues which needed to be addressed and the need to seek and obtain specialist advice.

  It is now hoped that a draft will be available for public consultation in October this year and, as the hon. and learned Member will be aware, the matter is being treated with high priority.

  Horizon Programme
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to extend the European social fund Horizon programme to Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The programme already applies in Scotland and project applications will be invited from organisations throughout Great Britain. In Scotland it is expected that most of the projects for the disadvantaged group under Horizon will come from the areas of Westerhailes, Castlemilk, Ferguslie and Whitfield. However, all projects will be considered for funding on their merit provided they meet the eligibility criteria of Horizon.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which geographical areas are specified in his Department's guidelines for allocation of funds from the European social fund Horizon programme to provide job opportunities for the physically and mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The Horizon initiative is targeted at two specific groups; those with disabilities and the socially disadvantaged.

  Projects for people with disabilities will be invited from organisations throughout Great Britain.

  It is expected that most projects for the disadvantaged would come from the following areas:

  England—Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Bradford, Liverpool, Sheffield, Doncaster/Barnsley/Rotherham (Dearne Valley), Manchester, Salford, Wirral, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets.

  Scotland—Westerhailes, Castlemilk, Ferguslie, Whitfield.

  There is no geographical restriction on projects in Wales, but they will be expected to be in or to clearly benefit those wards which show the highest incidence of urban deprivation.
  879
  However, all projects will be considered for funding on their merit provided that they meet the eligibility criteria for the Horizon programme.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking to advise and assist interested groups in their right to apply for funds from the European social fund horizon programme to provide job opportunities for the physically and mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Initial guidance on the eligibility criteria for the Horizon programme together with information on the process and timetable for applying has been sent to over 700 organisations which have expressed an interest.

  Further information and the application forms will be issued to potential applicants by the end of August. The deadline for the submission of projects will be the end of September.

  The approval and payment of projects is dependent on the European Commission agreeing the proposals in our operational programme on how we intend to implement Horizon, which we submitted on 12 July. Approval is expected from the Commission in November, with the money being received by my Department by the end of the year, and payments being made to approved projects soon afterwards.

  Golf Courses
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidance the Health and Safety Executive gave councils on the protection of the public from danger or injury when using public footpaths and bridleways across golf courses when delegating its responsibilities for health and safety in leisure and recreation to district councils.

  Mr. Forth
  It is the employer's duty to protect members of the public from danger or injury on golf courses. The Health and Safety Commission has published general guidance to employers on the need to protect the safety of members of the public. Specific guidance on golf course and range safety has been identified as a priority need and work on its preparation will start this summer. It is expected to publish this guidance in spring 1992.

  Wages (Underpayment)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will take to increase prosecutions in the cases of illegal underpayment of wages identified by the wages inspectorate in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  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 a deliberate or repeated disregard for the law. There are no plans at present to change this policy. Since 1953 to date there have been eight prosecutions in Scotland for illegal underpayments.

  Careers and Occupational Information Centre
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for the future operations of the careers and occupational information centre.
  880
  Mr. Howard
  I have considered the report of the consultants I appointed to investigate the future of COIC in the light of the results of last year's internal review of careers guidance, taking account of the Government's proposals to strengthen careers advice for young people set out in chapter 7 of the recent White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century" Cm 1536, vol. 1. I have concluded that privatisation is not feasible at present, and I am considering other options for the future of COIC.

  Unemployment Benefit Rules
  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department has received reports which have been commissioned into the operation of the actively seeking employment condition.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of a report commissioned from the Institute of Manpower Studies into job search behaviour following the introduction of actively seeking employment as a condition for entitlement to unemployment benefit.

  Employment Action Programme
  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the employment action programme will be funded.

  Mr. Jackson
  Parliamentary approval of this new expenditure will be sought in a winter supplementary estimate for the Employment Department programmes and central services vote (class VI, vote 1) in respect of England and Wales and for the Scottish Office training programmes and industrial support, Scotland vote (class XV, vote 3) in respect of Scotland. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at up to £8 million will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the menu which comprises the ET guarantee.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government guarantee an offer of help to people aged between 18 and 24 who have been unemployed for between six and 12 months. This guaranteed help consists of an offer of a place on one of the programmes in the following menu: employment training; job interview guarantee; enterprise allowance; job club and, in future, employment action.

WALES

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost and effect on unemployment of introducing a minimum wage in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Department of Employment has estimated that the effect on employment in Great Britain of a minimum wage set at half median male earnings would be that, if wage differentials were restored by half, around 750,000 jobs could be lost. On the same assumption about differentials, a minimum wage set at two
  881
  thirds median male earnings could remove about 1·25 million jobs in Great Britain. On the assumption that they would be spread throughout Britain proportionately to employment below the proposed minima Welsh Office calculate that job losses in Wales could amount to 46,500 if the level were set at half median male earnings (6·2 per cent.) and 70,000 if at two thirds (5·6 per cent.) It is not possible to estimate the additional costs to employers in Wales.

  Disabled Children
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of children with disabilities in Wales according to(a) the severity of disability scale and (b) type of disability; and if he will also express the totals in terms of rates of disability per 1,000 children under the age of 16 years.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The latest available information is from the 1985 OPCS surveys of disability in Great Britain. The estimated numbers of children in each disability category and the cumulative rates per thousand are shown in the following table.

  Information for Wales by type of disability is not readily available.

  Severity category

  Estimated numbers (thousands)

  Severity category

  Estimated cumulative rates (per thousand aged under 16)

  10

  1

  10

  3

  9

  5

  9–10

  11

  8

  1

  8–10

  14

  7

  2

  7·10

  18

  6

  2

  6·10

  20

  5

  1

  5·10

  23

  4

  2

  4·10

  26

  3

  1

  3·10

  28

  2

  0

  2·10

  28

  1

  2

  1·10

  31

  Total

  18

  Note: The sample of children identified in the survey as having a disability was less than 100 and there is therefore a margin of error attached to these estimates.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of children with disabilities in communal establishments in Wales according to(a) disability severity scale and (b) the type of disability; and what is (i) the percentage of all children with disabilities in Wales who are currently living in communal establisments according to the disability severity scale and (ii) the percentage of children with disabilities within communal establishments who have particular types of disability.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The latest available information is from the 1985 OPCS surveys of disability in Great Britain. The estimated numbers of children with disabilities in communal establishments are shown in the table.

  Estimated numbers of children in communal establishments

  Severity category

  Number

  10

  53

  9

  30

  8

  35

  882

  Severity category

  Number

  7

  49

  6

  45

  5

  38

  4

  9

  3

  10

  2

  0

  1

  0

  Total

  269

  The sample of children in Wales identified in the survey as having a disability was too small to permit reliable estimates of the percentages by severity category of disabled children living in communal establishments.

  Information for Wales by type of disability is not readily available.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements have been made for access to proposed conductive education facilities in Birmingham for disabled children in Wales; what discussion has taken place with parents and professionals in Wales concerned about the progress and development of those children; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the number and ages of children who would benefit through the establishment of a centre for conductive education in the Principality.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  It is for the relevant statutory authorities to assess the needs of their local populations for services. For this purpose, information about conductive education will continue to be disseminated to them as it becomes available.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made(a) of the likely use that might be made by disabled children from Wales of the proposed conductive education project in Birmingham and (b) of whether Welsh requirements might be better met through separate facilities within the Principality;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the benefits that could be achieved for disabled children in Wales through the establishment of a centre for conductive education in the Principality.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  On the question of the conductive education project in Birmingham, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  The Government believe that conductive education should be accessible in the United Kingdom as part of the range of available therapies. However, conductive education cannot exist without trained conductors. The Government have pledged £5 million over four years to the Peto Institute in Hungary for the building of a new international institute in order that training places will be made available for people from the United Kingdom. The Welsh Office is contributing its share towards this, and in due course trained conductors should become available for work in Wales. Meanwhile, the potential benefits offered by conductive education and other therapies are being kept under review.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of dental practitioners employed by each health authority in Wales within the community dental service for each of the last five years; and if he will present his data per 1,000 of the population.

  Staff in post (whole-time equivalents) as at 30 September

  Rate per 100,000 population

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  19901

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  19902

  Clwyd

  13·3

  12·9

  13·4

  10·9

  11·7

  3·3

  3·2

  3·3

  2·7

  2·8

  East Dyfed

  10·7

  8·0

  10·6

  8·6

  8·6

  4·7

  3·4

  4·5

  3·6

  3·6

  Gwent

  18·2

  20·7

  18·3

  16·4

  15·3

  4·1

  4·7

  4·1

  3·7

  3·4

  Gwynedd

  12·6

  10·2

  9·6

  8·9

  9·7

  5·4

  4·3

  4·0

  3·7

  4·0

  Mid Glamorgan

  17·7

  19·5

  20·9

  18·9

  18·9

  3·3

  3·6

  3·9

  3·5

  3·5

  Pembrokeshire

  4·6

  5·6

  5·6

  5·6

  5·6

  4·2

  5·0

  5·0

  4·9

  4·9

  Powys

  8·0

  7·9

  7·0

  6·2

  7·0

  7·1

  7·0

  6·1

  5·3

  6·0

  South Glamorgan

  13·8

  9·8

  16·7

  16·8

  16·2

  3·5

  2·5

  4·1

  4·2

  4·0

  West Glamorgan

  11·8

  11·8

  11·8

  11·5

  12·3

  3·2

  3·2

  3·3

  3·2

  3·4

  1 Provisional.

  2 1989 population figures used.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing(a) the total number of homeless households in priority needs, (b) the total number of homeless households with dependent children and (c) homeless households with a pregnant member designated by local authorities in Wales as priority need in each year since 1986.

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

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homeless households have applied and been accepted by Monmouth borough council for every year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The figures requested are as follows:

  Cases presented1

  Cases accepted2

  1981

  3—

  194

  1982

  3—

  166

  1983

  3—

  182

  1984

  193

  171

  1985

  367

  284

  1986

  408

  258

  1987

  297

  258

  1988

  406

  245

  1989

  204

  157

  1990

  115

  115

  1 Defined as households about which inquiries were completed under Part III of the Housing Act 1985 and includes those who were not found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness.

  2 Defined as households accepted as homeless or threatened with homelessness. Both priority and non priority cases are included.

  3 Cases presented, by district, are not available before 1984.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many households were rehoused from the housing waiting list of Monmouth borough council for every year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The table sets out the total number housed by Monmouth borough council from its waiting list for each year from 1981–82, the earliest year for
  884
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The available information is given in the table:

  which information is available. Information on allocations resulting from local authority nominations to housing associations is not collected centrally.

  Number

  1981–82

  259

  1982–83

  287

  1983–84

  290

  1984–85

  275

  1985–86

  308

  1986–87

  204

  1987–88

  207

  1988–89

  126

  1989–90

  184

  1990–91

  185

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total number of households in Wales living in(a) bed-and-breakfast accommodation, (b) hostels including women's refuges and (c) short-life housing in each year since 1986.

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

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homeless households were accepted for housing by Welsh local authorities in 1990; and if he will show the figures on a basis comparable with those collected by English local authorities.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  A total of 6,670 households were accepted as being homeless by Welsh local authorities in 1990. This figure excludes an estimate of 2,000 households made homeless in Colwyn as a result of the major flooding incident in February 1990, none of whom remain in temporary accommodation.

  Elderly People (Voluntary Organisations)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a list of those voluntary organisations with specific concern for the elderly which are grant-aided by his Department; and if he will specify the nature of their work, the address of each organisation, and the amount of the grant allocated for the current financial year.
  885
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information is as follows:

  Organisation

  Aims and Objectives

  Grant allocation for the current financial year

  Age Concern England— for activities of Age Concern Wales— 1 Cathedral road, Cardiff

  To further the welfare of the elderly

  £132,500

  Base—British Association for Services for the Elderly

  To support those involved in the care of the elderly

  £15,000

  St. David's hospital, Cowbridge road east, Cardiff

  Help the Aged 298 Gladstone road, Barry

  To improve the quality of life of elderly people in the United Kingdom and overseas by raising and granting funds towards community based projects, housing and overseas aid

  £900

  Alzheimer's Disease Society (ADS) Wales regional office, Tonna hospital Tonna, Neath, West Glamorgan

  To promote an awarenesss of Alzheimer's disease and similar disorders and to secure improved support for carers and sufferers

  £20,000—for regional development officer £17,500 for Newport ADS Disgwylfa Day Centre

  In addition, Government have provided funds for schemes under our Department's initiative on the elderly and the new grant scheme which we launched this year to promote more flexible forms of community care for elderly people and those with physical and/or sensory disabilities. A number of these are run wholly by voluntary organisations.

  Elderly People (NHS Services)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the reports issued by the NHS advisory service since 1980 on the elderly in Wales specifying the date each report was issued.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Since 1980, the NHS advisory service has issued the following reports on services provided for the elderly in Wales:

  Powys Health Authority

  August 1982

  Merthyr and Cynon Valley

  July 1983

  Rhymney Valley

  July 1983

  East Glamorgan Unit

  August 1983

  Mid Glamorgan Health Authority

  August 1983

  Ogwr Unit

  August 1983

  Gwynedd Health Authority

  November 1983

  West Glamorgan Health Authority

  December 1983

  Clwyd Health Authority

  December 1983

  East Dyfed/Pembrokeshire Health Authority

  March 1985

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  September 1985

  Gwent Health Authority

  November 1985

  More recently, the NHS advisory service has been involved in visits inspecting services for the mentally ill in Wales; currently it is involved in visits to services provided for problem drug users.

  Birth Statistics
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing(a) live births outside marriage in Wales as a percentage of all live births and (b) the proportion of births outside marriage which have been registered by both parents in 1961, 1979, 1989 and 1990.
  886
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Live births outside marriage to residents of Wales

  (a) As a percentage of all live births

  (b) Percentage registered by both parents

  1961

  4·1

  1—

  1979

  9·2

  249·3

  1989

  28·2

  69·5

  1990

  29·3

  70·3

  1 Not available.

  2 Estimated.

  Family Incomes
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the estimated number of children in Wales whose families(a) receive incomes below supplementary benefit levels, (b) receive supplementary benefit, (c) receive income above supplementary benefit levels but below 110 per cent. of supplementary benefit, (d) income above 110 per cent. of supplementary benefit levels but below 120 per cent. and (e) income above 120 per cent. of supplementary benefit levels but below 140 per cent.; what were the equivalent figures for 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989; and what was the percentage change in each category between 1979 and 1989.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The table gives the estimated numbers of children in Wales, aged under 16 years, whose families received supplementary benefit or income support. The other information requested is not available centrally.

  Year

  Number

  1979

  57,000

  1981

  95,000

  1983

  110,000

  11986

  131,000

  1987

  123,000

  1989

  118,000

  1990

  125,000

  Percentage change 1979 to 1989 107.

  Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry, Department of Social Security.

  1 Information for 1985 was not produced from this survey.
  887
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest figures showing gross weekly household income levels in Wales as per family type and the percentage of households earning(a) less than £60, (b) £60 to £100, (c) £100 to £225, (d) £225 to £325, (e) £325 to £425, and (f) over £425 per week.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Estimates are given in the following tables. The first table provides, for Wales, the average gross weekly household income, by household composition, over the two-year period 1988–89. The second table shows, for the same two-year period, the percentages of all households in Wales in each band of earnings.

  These estimates, derived from the results of the 1988 and 1989 family expenditure surveys, may be subject to errors due to small sample sizes for some categories.

  Composition of household1

  Average gross weekly income (£)

  One adult, no children

  108·57

  Two adults, no children

  240·52

  Three or more adults, no children

  377·45

  One adult, one or more children

  103·81

  Two adults, one or more children

  332·46

  Three or more adults, one or more children

  420·28

  All households

  247·53

  1 Children are defined as those under 16 years of age.

  Average weekly household earnings1

  Percentage of all households2

  Less than £60

  9·0

  £60 and under £100

  6·4

  £100 and under £225

  30·7

  £225 and under £325

  26·4

  £325 and under £425

  11·3

  £425 and over

  16·3

  1 Only wages, salaries and earnings from self employment; other sources of incomes are excluded.

  2 Excluding households with no earned income.

  Source: Family Expenditure Surveys, Central Statistical Office.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 17 July,Official Report, column 411, on consultation with the people of Wales on the cost of a Welsh Assembly, what is his policy on the holding of a referendum on the matter.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The same evidence on cost was available before the referendum on 1 March 1979, when 956,330 people in Wales voted against a Welsh Assembly and 243,048 in favour.

  Schools Expenditure
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each year since 1979 any capital funds that have been granted to local education authoritites in Wales over and above the planned capital allocation for the construction of new primary schools; and if he will separately distinguish denominational from non-denominational schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Provision for local authority capital spending is not hypothecated to individual services and it 888
  is for LEAs to decide how much to spend on each service. Information about total capital expenditure on schools by local education authorities was provided in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 10 July 1991.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report in tabular form a list of local authority community homes in Wales which provide secure accommodation for juvenile offenders giving details of the number of beds in each home for(a) boys and (b) girls.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information is as follows:

  Home

  Authority

  Number of beds in secure unit

  Boys/girls

  Llwyncelyn

  West Glamorgan

  2

  Boys

  Silverbrook

  Mid Glamorgan

  3

  Boys or girls

  Ty Mawr

  Gwent

  2

  Boys

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy to reorganise speech therapy services in schools to ensure that they represent the best interests of children;

  (2) who is responsible for providing speech therapy services in schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The provision of speech therapy services in schools is primarily the responsibility of district health authorities. Where speech therapy forms part of the special educational provision specified in a child's statement of special educational need, the local education authority has a duty to ensure that that provision is made. This is usually done through the district health authority, but if for any reason the health authority is unable to provide it, the local education authority must do so.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he intends to take to enhance the status and pay of speech therapists.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Terms and conditions of service for speech therapists are set by the scientific and professional staffs Whitley council. Basic pay rates, as recently agreed within the council, now range from £11,187 to £28,674. A flexible pay and grading structure was recently introduced enabling NHS managers to reflect local patterns of service delivery. Employing authorities also have the ability to supplement basic pay rates by up to 20 per cent. to overcome any particular recruitment and retention difficulties.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the speech therapy units in each of the local education authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was provided for speech therapy for school children in Wales for each of the years 1980 to 1991.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Information regarding expenditure on speech therapy for school children in Wales is
  889
  not collected centrally. However, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him on Thursday 31 January 1991, which provided expenditure data for speech therapy services generally by health authorities in Wales between 1979–80 and 1989–90. Comparable information for 1990–91 is not yet available.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what response he will be making to the Welsh Consumer Council report "Speech Therapy and Children in Schools", of July 1991;

  (2) if he will meet the Welsh Consumer Council to discuss their publication on speech therapy.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The report of the Welsh Consumer Council raises a number of issues which require careful consideration. My right hon. Friend and I will consider what action is warranted in the light of that detailed consideration.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will fund an all-Wales convention and discuss policy on speech therapy and children in the schools of Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have no plans to do so.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many BSE carcases have been(a) incinerated and (b) buried in 1991 in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Up to 31 May 1991, 855 carcases were incinerated and there were no burials.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy that each of the present district health authorities in Wales should continue in existence following the Government's national health service reforms;

  (2) what are his proposals in respect of the powers, responsibilities to be exercised by, and the geographical areas to be covered by each health authority in Wales subsequent to the implementation of his national health service reforms.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Powers, responsibilities and geographical areas of health authorities in Wales are subject to statutory provision. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State keeps under review the appropriateness of the areas of authorities.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the specific bodies which will be the purchasers of health services for the area covered by each of the present district health authorities in Wales, following his national health service reforms;

  (2) if he will list the bodies which will be the purchasing authorities for health services in Wales under the Government's reform of the national health service in respect of the separation of the roles of purchaser and provider.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  District health authorities are purchasing authorities for each of their areas. They are listed as follows:890

  Clwyd

  East Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Pembrokeshire

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  There are, in addition, seven GP fund-holding practices in Wales which can purchase services directly for their patients. They comprise:

  Dr. Shah and partners, Hengoed

  Drs. James, Jones and partners, Pontypridd

  Dr. Jerrett and partners, Pontyclun

  Dr. Parry and partners, Porthcawl

  Drs. Morgan, Edwards and partners, Cardiff

  Dr. Jenkins and partners, Swansea

  Dr. Brackwell and partners, Rhyl

  Pembrokeshire district health authority has made an application to become an NHS trust. If this application is approved, it will be necessary to review the purchasing arrangements for that part of Wales.

  Young People (Remand)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ensure that young people on remand from courts in Wales are dealt with in such a way as to maximise public protection and minimise serious reoffending while ensuring cost-effectiveness.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The responsibility for dealing with young people on remand rests with the local authorities, except where they are bailed or are remanded to prison custody. Such remands to prison are to be ended under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act when sufficient local authority secure accommodation has been provided. Our officials have completed a review of secure care policy in Wales, including both secure accommodation and its community-based alternatives. We will be publishing this for consultation shortly.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) further to his answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 191, if he will explain why no information is available for Wales on the number of adults with learning difficulties undertaking employment training;

  (2) further to his answer of 5 July, Official Report, columns 231–32, if he will explain why the information requested is not available.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Figures are collected on the number of people with disabilities in training, but these figures do not identify specific types of disability. People with learning difficulties are included in total figures for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, columns 231–32, if he will indicate what steps he is now taking to ensure adequate monitoring of the provision for people with learning difficulties within employment schemes in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Each training and enterprise council (TEC) is required to set out in its corporate and business plans how it intends to meet the needs of people with disabilities. These plans are subject to the approval of myself and the Secretary of State for Employment.
  891
  Specific contractual requirements common to all TECs include providing appropriate training to people with special training needs, including those with learning difficulties. The Department of Employment has produced guidance on how to plan for and deliver training to meet those needs.

  TECs' performance against their plans will be regularly monitored by the Department of Employment. In addition, the Training Standards Advisory Service will be appraising the quality of training offered by TECs including provision for people with learning difficulties.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer, what proportion of the package referred to in his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 101, will be applied (a) to provision in Wales and (b) to people with learning difficulties in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment earlier today.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) further to his answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 191, if he will now set targets for provision for people with learning difficulties in Wales;

  (2) further to his answer of 5 July, Official Report, columns 231–32, if he will set targets for the current year and future years in terms of provision for young people and adults with learning difficulties in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have no plans to set such targets. The Government remain committed to the requirements on special training needs laid down in their agreements with training and enterprise councils.

  Local authority dwellings let to new tenants 1985–86 to 1990–91

  District

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Aberconwy

  227

  175

  188

  155

  157

  192

  Alyn and Deeside

  297

  301

  296

  248

  239

  224

  Arfor

  256

  253

  301

  271

  254

  193

  Blaenau Gwent

  581

  567

  613

  640

  422

  524

  Brecknock

  156

  179

  194

  163

  176

  152

  Cardiff

  1,168

  695

  783

  1,024

  880

  870

  Carmarthen

  222

  202

  221

  174

  145

  146

  Ceredigion

  203

  243

  222

  245

  174

  164

  Colwyn

  219

  235

  168

  170

  137

  147

  Cynon Valley

  367

  426

  360

  305

  331

  287

  Delyn

  270

  269

  235

  266

  242

  210

  Dinefwr

  140

  176

  174

  100

  116

  123

  Dwyfor

  79

  75

  68

  76

  72

  52

  Glyndwr

  142

  198

  221

  162

  182

  140

  Islwyn

  402

  267

  333

  324

  241

  259

  Llanelli

  402

  395

  392

  353

  396

  311

  Lliw Valley

  295

  363

  308

  296

  270

  323

  Meirionnydd

  129

  132

  125

  105

  104

  93

  Merthyr Tydfil

  413

  391

  425

  535

  482

  449

  Monmouth

  344

  238

  215

  171

  213

  218

  Montgomeryshire

  400

  270

  232

  188

  216

  155

  Neath

  236

  278

  232

  270

  190

  353

  Newport

  887

  753

  976

  847

  713

  624

  Ogwr

  696

  625

  509

  508

  451

  382

  Port Talbot

  315

  276

  413

  233

  234

  315

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  275

  281

  242

  290

  231

  211

  Radnorshire

  127

  76

  80

  75

  69

  75

  Rhondda

  221

  453

  397

  176

  427

  462

  Rhuddlan

  145

  184

  171

  113

  142

  109

  Rymney Valley

  609

  538

  533

  629

  446

  463

  South Pembrokeshire

  187

  155

  141

  255

  99

  96

  Swansea

  820

  550

  779

  1,112

  778

  871

  Taff-Ely

  432

  389

  399

  245

  230

  332

  Torfaen

  499

  1,115

  927

  824

  700

  705

  Vale of Glamorgan

  392

  390

  315

  374

  291

  319

  Wrexham Maelor

  981

  943

  826

  781

  735

  753

  892
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 191, if he will make it his policy to ensure that information on the number of adults with learning difficulties undertaking employment training is collected in future with regard to Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have no plans to identify separately information on people with learning difficulties among those with other special training needs.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 101, for each training and enterprise council, how each such TEC in Wales has set out its intentions in regard to people with special needs in general and people with learning difficulties in particular in its corporate plan.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment earlier today.

  Tenancies
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new tenancies were started and how many old tenancies were ended in 1990–91 in each local authority area in Wales; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  New tenancies started are given in the following table for local authority dwellings. Information on cessations is not collected centrally.
  893

  District

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Ynys Mon

  362

  347

  365

  368

  309

  228

  Wales

  13,896

  13,403

  13,379

  13,071

  11,494

  11,530

  Advertising
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out his Department's expenditure for 1990–91, and the previous five years, on(a) press advertising, (b) television advertising and (c) other advertising and promotions; and state (i) the budget allocation for each of those headings and (ii) his best available projection of outturn under each heading.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Secure Accommodation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the alternatives to secure accommodation he is currently considering in respect of young people on remand.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Our review of secure care policy in Wales will be published shortly.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is currently(a) the average cost, (b) the highest cost and (c) the lowest cost per week of holding a young person on remand in secure accommodation in Wales;

  (2) what is currently (a) the average cost, (b) the highest cost and (c) the lowest cost per week of holding a young person from Wales on remand in secure accommodation when accommodation outside Wales has to be used.

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

  South Glamorgan Health Authority
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has made to the views of(a) the Vale of Glamorgan community health council and (b) South Glamorgan health authority in regard to the loss of £6 million from the future resource allocation to the South Glamorgan health authority.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The new system of weighted compensation, which is based on the resident population 894
  of a health authority's area and which takes into account such factors as age structure morbidity is a much fairer system than the previous system based on service provision.

  It is being introduced over a period of time to allow health authorities to adjust. South Glamorgan hospitals will be able to make contracts to provide health care with other health authorities in Wales.

  The health authority's response to the consultation document, along with those from other Welsh DHAs, was taken fully into consideration when deciding on a weighted capitation formula for Wales. No communication has been received from the Vale of Glamorgan community health council on the subject.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 280, regarding ambulance services in Wales, if he will give an undertaking that his proposals will not be finalised and no action taken to change arrangements for the ambulance services without (a) an adequate period of open public consultation and (b) seeking the views of hon. Members.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I am happy to repeat my earlier assurances that there will be widespread consultation on the consultants' recommendations before any decisions are made on possible changes to the structure and organisation of patient transport services in Wales.

  Consultation will begin shortly and three months will be set aside for the submission of comments. The views of right hon. and hon. Members in Wales will be invited along with those of other interests.

  Carers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what policy initiatives he proposes to assist carers;

  (2) what measures he intends to introduce to increase respite care.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  We have made clear in all our policy and practice guidance the high priority which should be given to the support of carers and the development of respite care, which can benefit significantly both those in need of care and their families.

  It is for local and health authorities to decide what services should be provided to meet the assessed needs of their local populations. They are expected to address these needs in county plans produced under the all-Wales mental illness and mental handicap strategies, in social care plans and in local strategies for health.

  In support of these programmes, grants are available from the Welsh Office under certain schemes which are unique to Wales—the mental handicap and mental illness strategies. A new scheme to promote the development of more flexible forms of community care for elderly people and for people with physical or sensory disabilities has also been introduced. We are also continuing to support schemes under our earlier initiative for the elderly.
  895
  Planned expenditure on these programmes in 1991–92 is nearly £43 million compared with some £32 million last year.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the respite care locations in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mental Handicap
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he intends to improve the quality of service to people living both in hospitals and the community who suffer mental handicap.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The all-Wales mental handicap strategy seeks to do precisely this, as will our proposals for its future development which we intend to publish shortly.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list his proposed changes to the all-Wales strategy for people with a mental handicap; if he will indicate the period for comment on those proposals; and if he will give an assurance that he will continue to provide ring; fenced funding for the strategy.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  We intend to publish our proposals shortly, including the timetable for comments.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the organisations and voluntary bodies he has consulted in anticipation of the outcome of his review of the all-Wales strategy for mental handicap.

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

  (a) below 20 hectares

  1990

  1989

  1988

  1987

  1986

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Gwynedd

  87

  48·9

  87

  48·9

  87

  49·2

  88

  49·4

  88

  49·4

  Clwyd

  73

  43·7

  73

  42·7

  89

  49·4

  78

  45·3

  85

  48·3

  Powys

  115

  49·6

  123

  51·3

  124

  51·2

  126

  51·6

  127

  51·8

  Dyfed

  71

  40·6

  71

  40·6

  71

  40·6

  70

  40·2

  71

  40·6

  Gwent

  43

  40·6

  42

  39·3

  48

  42·5

  48

  42·5

  50

  43·5

  West Glamorgan

  2

  66·7

  2

  66·7

  2

  66·7

  2

  66·7

  2

  66·7

  Mid Glamorgan

  9

  45·0

  9

  45·0

  9

  45·0

  9

  45·0

  12

  52·2

  South Glamorgan

  15

  39·5

  16

  41·0

  19

  43·2

  22

  48·9

  22

  48·9

  Wales

  415

  423

  449

  443

  457

  (b) between 20–40 hectares

  1990

  1989

  1988

  1987

  1986

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Gwynedd

  71

  39·9

  71

  39·9

  70

  39·5

  70

  39·3

  70

  39·3

  Clwyd

  76

  45·5

  81

  47·4

  75

  41·7

  81

  47·1

  77

  43·8

  Powys

  104

  44·8

  104

  43·3

  105

  43·4

  105

  43·0

  106

  43·3

  Dyfed

  86

  49·1

  86

  49·1

  86

  49·1

  86

  49·4

  86

  49·1

  Gwent

  54

  50·9

  56

  52·3

  56

  49·6

  56

  49·6

  55

  47·8

  West Glamorgan

  1

  33·3

  1

  33·3

  1

  33·3

  1

  33·3

  1

  33·3

  Mid Glamorgan

  7

  35·0

  7

  35·0

  7

  35·0

  7

  350

  7

  30·4

  South Glamorgan

  19

  50·0

  19

  48·7

  21

  47·7

  19

  42·2

  19

  42·2

  Wales

  418

  425

  421

  425

  421

  Diet
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact on children's health in Wales of the effect of low income and low benefit levels on the cash available to provide a sound and nutritious diet.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The Health Promotion Authority for Wales is currently engaged in a pilot project which seeks to address the general issue of cost and availability of healthy dietary options. A preliminary report on the project will be available in April 1992.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of(a) the cost of action in respect of medical negligence in Wales, (b) the impact of delay in dealing with such claims on patients and families in Wales and (c) steps that could be taken to deal more simply and more effectively with such claims in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  As regards the costs arising from medical negligence litigation, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies that I gave him on 17 June and the letter that I subsequently sent him on 16 July.

  Information on the impact of possible delays in litigation on plaintiffs is not available centrally.

  Smallholdings
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of smallholdings provided by each local authority in Wales in April 1991 and at the same date on each of the previous five years, indicating in each case the number and percentage(a) below 20 hectares, (b) between 20 and 40 hectares and (c) in excess of 40 hectares.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The figures for 1991 are not available. Statistics for the previous five years collated at 31 March are given in the tables.
  897

  (c) in excess of 40 hectares

  1990

  1989

  1988

  1987

  1986

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Gwynedd

  20

  11·2

  20

  11·2

  20

  11·3

  20

  11·2

  20

  11·2

  Clwyd

  18

  10·8

  17

  9·9

  16

  8·9

  13

  7·6

  14

  8·0

  Powys

  13

  5·6

  13

  5·4

  13

  5·4

  13

  5·3

  12

  4·9

  Dyfed

  18

  10·3

  18

  10·3

  18

  10·3

  18

  10·3

  18

  10·3

  Gwent

  9

  8·5

  9

  8·4

  9

  8·0

  9

  8·0

  10

  8·7

  West Glamorgan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  4

  20·0

  4

  20·0

  4

  20·0

  4

  20·0

  4

  17·4

  South Glamorgan

  4

  10·5

  4

  10·3

  4

  9·1

  4

  8·9

  4

  8·9

  Wales

  86

  85

  84

  81

  82

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of(a) the area of land available as smallholdings in Wales in the year 1990–91, (b) the increase and decrease compared with the previous year and (c) the adequacy of this land to meet the interests of agriculture in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information for 1990–91 is not yet available. The total area of land provided by local authorities for smallholdings at 31 March 1990 was 20,741 hectares. This was a decrease of 2·9 per cent. on the previous year. The availability of this land provides worthwhile opportunities for new entrants to agriculture.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of tenants of local authority smallholdings(a) in Wales and (b) in each local authority area at 31 March and at the same date for each of the past five years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information for 1990–91 is not yet available. The information as at 31 March for the previous five years is contained in the annual report to Parliament on Smallholdings in Wales (table 3), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the areas of land held for smallholding by each local authority in Wales on 1 April, or the nearest convenient date, and the same date for each of the past five years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information for 1990–91 is not yet available. The information as at 31 March for the previous five years is contained in the annual report to Parliament on Smallholdings in Wales (table 1), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Care Facilities
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether he will make it his policy that any company intending to open hospital or other care facilities in Wales shall have to show that it is not owned or controlled by individuals or corporate bodies which have previously(a) provided such facilities at a sub-standard level or (b) been involved in actions detrimental to public health; and if he will make it his policy to monitor such links even after the establishment of any such facilities;

  (2) whether he will make it his policy to monitor the share ownership in any company operating hospital or care facilities in Wales in order to ensure that no major individual or corporate shareholder has a record of being directly or indirectly involved in the provision of
  898
  sub-standard facilities in the field of health or care nor a record of environmental pollution nor any other record of failure or neglect in regard to public health.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  In addition to the arrangements for the statutory registration and inspection of nursing and residential care homes, contracts for health services and care packages will include quality specifications. It will be for purchasing authorities to insist upon and monitor standards. It will not be necessary for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to monitor share ownership as part of ensuring high quality services.

  Environmental pollution and public health are separate matters which are monitored by the appropriate statutory authorities.

  Countryside Council for Wales
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish the final version of the statement of policy for the Countryside Council for Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I have placed the final version of the statement of policy in the Libraries of both Houses and made copies available to those organisations who commented on the statement while in draft form. I am grateful for the useful comments received which have been carefully considered. The statement has also been discussed with the council. Copies of the council's management statement have also been placed in both Libraries.

HEALTH

  GPs (Prescription Budgets)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number and percentage of general practitioners on a spending profile outside their indicated prescription budget at the end of May; and how this percentage varies between health regions.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Asthma
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing the expenditure per head in each national health service region for the latest available period using prescribing analyses and costs data for general practitioner prescribed drug treatment of asthma and related conditions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  899

  Cost (thousands) £

  List size

  Cost per head £

  Northern RHA

  4,376,934

  3,179,270

  1·38

  Yorkshire RHA

  4,626,018

  3,783,074

  1·22

  Trent RHA

  5,989,421

  4,878,399

  1·23

  East Anglia RHA

  2,432,996

  2,081,579

  1·17

  North West Thames RHA

  3,787,033

  4,111,169

  0·92

  North East Thames RHA

  3,922,551

  4,278,.439

  0·92

  South East Thames RHA

  3,926,892

  4,046,572

  0·97

  South West Thames RHA

  3,105,008

  3,234,806

  0·96

  Wessex RHA

  3,232,522

  3,011,032

  1·07

  Oxford RHA

  3,023,177

  2,665,838

  1·13

  South Western RHA

  4,230,747

  3,590,948

  1·18

  West Midlands RHA

  7,190,335

  5,472,767

  1·31

  Mersey RHA

  3,223,910

  2,513,942

  1·28

  North Western RHA

  5,891,977

  4,154,172

  1·42

  Note: For PACT purposes every FHSA within each region is permanently allocated to one of three quarterly processing cycles. The information provided is based on data relating to the following PACT periods:

  January 1991 to March 1991

  February 1991 to April 1991

  March 1991 to May 1991

  Water Contamination
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the delay in notifying consumers in Ealing, Northolt and Hanwell of the contamination of their water supplies.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 22 July, Official Report, column 789. The drinking water inspectorate has already started a thorough investigation of the incident. This will cover the action taken by the company to notify its consumers.

  Severely Disabled People
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is instigating to take into account the needs of present and future generations of severely physically disabled people in long-term national health service and regional and district authority plans.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is the responsibility of health authorities to assess the health needs of their local population including severely physically disabled people and to obtain appropriate services for them. The consultative document, "The Health of the Nation", sets out the Government's proposals for the development of a health strategy for England, including suggested targets for some services of particular relevance for people with severe physical disabilities. We have also appointed an advisory group on rehabilitation to advise us on the development of NHS rehabilitation services.

  Optical Appliances (Vouchers)
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the value of vouchers for optical appliances under the national health service, to reflect the increase in VAT to 17·5 per cent.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester (Mr. Nelson) on 24 July.

  Spectacles (Vouchers)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the increase in the value of vouchers for glasses for each year since their introduction in(a) cash and (b) real terms.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Increases in voucher values, in cash and real terms, have varied in each year since vouchers were introduced, depending on the voucher band. In general we have aimed to make the largest increases in those voucher bands where we perceived there to be the greatest need. The following table shows the range of percentage increases for each year except 1987 when voucher values were not increased.

  Voucher values 1986 to 1991

  Date

  Cash value increase per cent.

  1Reat value increase per cent.

  1 April 1988

  8·77 to 28·79

  -1·48 to +16·82

  1 September 1988

  4·70 to 5·88

  1 April 1989

  3·70 to 10·48

  -2·51 to +3·86

  1 April 1990

  2·04 to 6·10

  -4·97 to -1·53

  1 April 1991

  2·00 to 7·22

  -4·67 to +0·02

  1 Calculated using the GDP deflator.

  Guy's Hospital
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions the NHS management executive has had with the Guy's NHS trust on its future financial viability.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Current discussions with the Guy's and Lewisham national health service trust have focused on the financial strategy contained in its business plan. As is well known, the trust faces some financial problems in the current year, but these do not undermine its financial viability and are being effectively dealt with by its management.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information the NHS management executive has received from Guy's hospital on its plan to replace its director of finance.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Appointments, such as the director of finance, are a matter for trust boards and the national
  901
  health service management executive would not normally expect to be involved in new appointments or replacements. In this case, the NHSME was informed of the change that the trust board had decided to make.

  NHS Patients
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated in NHS hospitals in each year since 1970.

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

  Hospital treatments

  (thousands)

  Year

  In-patient treatments

  day cases

  Outpatient treatments

  Discharges and deaths

  1970

  5,011

  n/a

  32,355

  1971

  5,170

  n/a

  33,129

  1972

  5,222

  376

  33,243

  1973

  5,132

  409

  33,317

  1974

  5,172

  451

  33,352

  1975

  4,976

  421

  30,947

  1976

  6,255

  481

  32,396

  1977

  5,345

  536

  33,282

  1978

  5,370

  562

  33,950

  1979

  5,400

  592

  34,100

  1980

  5,670

  671

  35,243

  1981

  5,760

  714

  35,571

  1982

  5,720

  706

  35,651

  1983

  6,019

  813

  36,520

  1984

  6,178

  903

  37,043

  1985

  6,354

  963

  37,440

  1986

  6,414

  1,050

  37,728

  1987–88

  6,619

  881

  36,874

  1988–89

  6,586

  1,016

  36,146

  1988–89

  7,335*

  1,016

  36,146

  1989–90

  7,447

  1,163

  36,336

  * From 1988–89 onwards, in-patient activity has been measured in terms of Finished Consultant Episodes, including figures for well babies being cared for in hospital. Previous statistics did not count these babies.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the expenditure of each district health authority is devoted to administration; and what are the comparable figures for each year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Tables of percentage figures showing expenditure on headquarters administration as a proportion of total expenditure, as reported in the annual accounts of each regional and district health authority in England, for the years requested since the establishment of district health authorities on 1 April 1982, have been placed in the Library. Figures for each special health authority for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals, which cannot be attributed to particular regions, are also included for completeness. Equivalent information for 1990–91 will be available in the autumn.

  Regions are managed in an integrated way. It would be misleading to interpret the figures for particular districts in isolation, or to regard regional health authorities' data as distinct from that for the districts they manage. The division of functions between the RHA and districts and between districts varies from region to region and consequently the region totals provide a more valid picture.
  902
  Because of the changes in the structure of the NHS on 1 April 1982, establishment of district health authorities, and on 1 April 1985—separation of family practitioner committees from districts—information on which to base fully comparable data or an analysis to districts for 1978–79 is not held centrally. However, in 1978–79 expenditure on headquarters administration by the health authorities then broadly equivalent to those in the table represented 5·07 per cent. of their total current and capital expenditure.

  NHS Charges
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department will estimate the cost of abolishing national health service charges and transferring the net burden to national insurance; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to persons in receipt of housing benefit; and if he will do so;

  (3) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all those eligible for 80 per cent. community charge relief; and if he will make it his policy to do so;

  (4) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all pensioners; and if he will do so;

  (5) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all aged under 19 years who remain in full-time education; and if he will make it his policy to do so;

  (6) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all those on long-term sickness or in receipt of invalidity benefit; and if he will make it his policy to do so.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will consider a review of its system of benefits which assist payment of national health service charges for treatment with a view to greater simplification and accessibility; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 6 June at columns 300–01.

  As that reply made clear, the review of the administration of the low income scheme will be wide ranging. The procedures for claiming help under the scheme will be an important part of the review.

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were dispensed by community pharmacists for each benzodiazepine in 1990.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Benzodiazepines—England 1990

  Drug group

  Prescriptions £ millions

  Temazepam

  5·4

  Nitrazepam

  3·1

  Diazepam

  2·7

  903

  Drug group

  Prescriptions £ millions

  Triazolam

  1·4

  Lorazepam

  1·2

  Chlordiazepoxide

  0·5

  Oxazepam

  0·3

  Lormetazepam

  0·1

  Clonazepam

  0·1

  Clobazam

  0·05

  Total

  14·85

  These figures are based on the number of prescriptions in England which were dispensed by community pharmacists.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will bring forward proposals to ban the prescription of lorazepam;

  (2) what evidence he has on the link between use of the tranquilliser lorazepam and the onset of symptoms of paranoia.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The current advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines is that lorazepam and other licensed benzodiazepine tranquillisers have a place in the short-term treatment of anxiety if used with appropriate care. Behavioural disorders are known to occur rarely with lorazepam and difficulty in withdrawal is also well documented. Prescribers have been made aware of the correct use of these compounds and the problems which can occur if not used in accordance with the CSM's recommendations. There are no plans to ban lorazepam.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state, in relating to the newly opened National Addiction Centre,(a) how many staff will work on problems in relation to benzodiazepines, (b) what work they will carry out on benzodiazepine drugs, (c) how many people addicted to benzodiazepine will be treated at the centre and (d) what finance is being provided for treatment of benzodiazepine addiction and research into benzodiazepines at the centre.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. T. Owen, chairman of Bethlem and Maudsley special health authority, for details.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to tighten the control on the administration of benzodiazephines and other tranquillisers to children in care in the near future.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Benzodiazepines and other tranquillisers can be supplied only on a doctor's prescription and used in accordance with the doctor's instructions. Other than in the case of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 medical treatment can be given only with the consent of the patient. If a child is not of sufficient understanding to give consent, the consent of the child's parent, or local authority if the child is in care, is required, except in an emergency where immediate treatment is, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, needed to protect the child's life or health.

  Advice on this is confirmed in volume 4 in the Children Act guidance and regulations series published today.

  Information (Confidentiality)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the draft guidance on the confidentiality of personal health information in the NHS will be(a) issued for consultation and (b) completed.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The draft guidance will be issued soon. The timetable for completion of substantive guidance will depend upon the comments received.

  Intensive Therapy Units
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average number of fully funded beds in intensive therapy units; and if he will give the equivalent figure for 1986.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information in the form requested is not held centrally.

  Organ Transplants
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received any requests for the implementation of a system of recording on a national register an agreement for organ donation for transplantation purposes in the event of sudden death.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have received a number of suggestions proposing a national computerised register of potential organ donors. Evidence from trial projects so far do not support the case for the high expenditure necessary.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many organs have been donated for transplantation purposes in the North West regional health authority area during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The number of organs donated in the North Western regional health authority as reported to the United Kingdom transplant support service is as follows:

  Kidney

  Heart

  Heart/Lung

  Lung

  Liver

  1986

  86

  11

  2

  0

  9

  1987

  81

  17

  3

  0

  16

  1988

  120

  17

  9

  0

  23

  1989

  136

  21

  6

  0

  24

  1990

  148

  24

  6

  6

  32

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider introducing legislation for the implementation of an opt-out system to increase the number of organs for transplantation purposes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has undertaken of the system of retrieving human organs for transplant operated in Belgian intensive therapy units; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  None.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the medical profession regarding the introduction of new legislation to increase the number of organs available for transplantation.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The conference of the medical royal colleges working party, which in 1987 looked into the
  905
  supply of donor organs for transplantation, recommended that organ donation could best be increased by introducing procedures for identifying and referring protential donors. The working party believed that this would be more effective than the introduction of legislation. We have accepted that recommendation.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received any requests for a note to be made on hospital admissions records of an individual's willingness to donate organs for transplantation in the event of death while in hospital.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The content of the hospital admission forms is a matter for individual authorities to decide.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of kidney dialysis treatment for an individual patient over the course of one year; and what is the cost of carrying out a kidney transplant operation together with after-care costs for an individual patient.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The cost of organ transplantation varies between units and according to the complexity of the case. The figure of around £10,000 for a kidney transplant represents the latest estimate of a likely cost at 1989–90 prices. Information is not collected centrally on the annual cost of the drug regime required to sustain organ transplants.

  We hold no reliable information on the costs of maintaining dialysis patients, but according to a report published today by the Office of Health Economics the annual cost of dialysis is between £11,000 and £18,000.

  Pharmaceutical Prices
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the level of pharmaceutical price increases over the last 12 months.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has published figures which show pharmaceutical companies prices rising by 1.9 per cent. in 1989 and 2.5 per cent. in 1990.

  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been in the basic elements of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme in the past 12 months.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None. The PPRS continues to be operated on the basis of the 1986 agreement.

  GP Contract
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken by family health services authorities to monitor the number of night visits by general practitioners.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Family health service authorities collect information on night visit fee claims as part of their managerial responsibility to monitor the general practitioner's contract.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether there has been any change in the extent of night visits and out-of-hours work by general practitioners since the introduction of the new general practitioner contract;
  906
  (2) whether there have been any changes in the use by general practitioners of deputising services since the introduction of the new general practitioner contract.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We are currently conducting a bi-annual survey to collect data on the number of general practitioners who have consent to use a deputising service and the number of night visits made and by whom. The results should be available by the end of October.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority does not assume its full powers until 1 August 1991. The authority has made good progress in undertaking the preparatory work.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he will give to the licensing authority, established under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, about the proposed destruction of fertilised embryos currently held in storage facilities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reverse the trend of patients and their families using the private sector and to establish more national health service nursing homes based on three DSS pilot schemes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities are expected to ensure that a range of services are available for elderly people, including long-term care. It is for each health authority to decide the level and type of provision taking account of local needs and priorities. Within this our policy is to promote choice and the development of a flourishing independent sector alongside good quality public services.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those organisations and individuals who will be consulted before the publication of the patients charter; what form the consultation will take; and what is the timetable.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Our proposals for the charter for patients will be discussed with key members of the professions, NHS management and consumer representative bodies over the next few weeks before publication in early autumn.

  Lung Cancer
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the number of deaths per 1,000 in Devon and Cornwall caused by lung cancer; and what is the national average.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information is set out in the table.
  907

  Mortality rates per 1,000 population from malignant neoplasms of the trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD 162), for:

  (1) England, Wales and Elsewhere; (2) Cornwall; and (3) Devon, 1990

  Area

  Rate per 1,000 population

  England, Wales and Elsewhere1

  0·68

  Cornwall

  0·62

  Devon

  0·63

  1Elsewhere refers to people who are not normally resident in England and Wales, but who die there.

  Hen Slaughter
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has of the incidence of food poisoning in humans since the policy of slaughtering hens was introduced; and what evidence he has of correlation between these figures.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The reported incidence of salmonellosis in humans is regularly provided in the Public Health Laboratory Service/state veterinary service update on salmonella infection. Copies of the July 1991 edition are in the Library.

  A range of factors affect the reported incidence of human salmonellosis and no one factor can be singled out. Action therefore needs to be taken at all points in he food chain from farm to consumer. The figures for the first six months of this year are encouraging in showing a reduction compared with the same period in 1990, but it is premature to assess the full effects of the flock slaughter policy in reducing the risks of human infections.

  Tobacco Products
  Mr. Aspinwall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the new regulations on the labelling of cigarette products, whereby United Kingdom manufacturers are required to print warnings on cigarette packs larger than those required of importers.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Supra-regional Services
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, further to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eastleigh on 5 March,Official Report, column 113, if he will make available a summary of the funding and levels of activity agreed for 1991–92 with centres designated to provide supra-regional services.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A summary of this information has been placed in the Library as an addendum to the document "Supra regional services 1991–92: announcement by the Secretary of State for Health".

  Breakspeare Hospital
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the closure of the Breakspeare hospital, Hertfordshire.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Di Hydrase Testosterone
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation has been made of Di Hydrase Testosterone as a medicine for diseased prostates.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968 precludes the disclosure of information relating to product licence applications of their subsequent progress through the licencsing system.

  Before any new drug can be licensed in the United Kingdom it is evaluated in the first instance by the Committee on Safety of Medicines for its safety, efficacy and quality for the purposes set out in the product licence application.

  AIDS
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that resources for AIDS are targeted effectively and that full use is made of AIDS care education and training;

  (2) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the £140 million AIDS allocation is being used efficiently and appropriately to meet current needs.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department monitors the use of ring-fenced money allocated to regional health authorities through the AIDS (Control) Act reports.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he intends to take to ensure there are no delays in the payment of NHS AIDS money to the voluntary sector; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current arrangements.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department allocated £137·3 million of ring-fenced AIDS money in 1991–92 to regions, which in turn allocate them to their districts. In addition, we also allocated £1·9 million to the voluntary sector in 1991–92 and £10·2 million through the AIDS support grant scheme to local authorities. Mechanisms for payment and for decisions about grant-giving and contracts are established locally, according to local circumstances and need.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will bring forward his detailed guidance under the Children Act 1989 regulations covering the management of residential children's homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have today published a compilation of guidance on residential care as volume 4 in the Children Act 1989 series. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  This will apply to all local authority, voluntary and private children's homes, and some small boarding schools. They will be required to maintain a written statement of their purpose; provide proper standards of accommodation and staffing; prohibit corporal punishment; and keep detailed records. Inspection of children's homes will be expected normally to be carried out by local authorities' arms-length inspection units.

  The new volume also draws together guidance and regulations previously published on placing children in homes; contact with parents; review of children's needs and circumstances; complaints procedures; independent visitors; and after-care.
  909
  The Children Act 1989 comes into force on 14 October. This follow-up package will also apply from then. Together, these provisions create a new framework for looking after children in homes which is comprehensive and forward looking and keeps the welfare of children at centre stage.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the cost of action in respect of medical negligence, (b) the impact of delay in dealing with such claims on patients and families and (c) steps that could be taken to deal more simply and more effectively with such claims.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have no central intelligence on the costs incurred by health authorities in dealing with negligence claims or of the impact of possible delays in litigation on plaintiffs.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State drew attention earlier this year to improvements in the litigation process being implemented as a result of the civil justice review and also undertook to consider the possibility of a system of arbitration for medical negligence. The Department will invite views on a consultation document to be published shortly.

  RU486
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 18 July,Official Report, column 287, on what date his Department officially announced that RU486 was to receive a product licence in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department does not make immediate announcements about the issue of product licences. The licence for RU486 (Mifegyne) was granted to Roussel on 1 July. The company announced the following day that it had received a product licence.

  Formal notification of decisions to grant product licences is via the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes. In the case of RU 486 (Mifegyne), publication will be at the end of August.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research, other than clinical trials, has been carried out on the safety aspects of the drug RU486.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As for all new drugs, safety testing was undertaken according to the requirements of directive 75/318 EEC. The Committee on Safety of Medicines was fully reassured as to the safety of RU486 from the results of these tests.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of the new responsibilities in regard to the licensing of new drugs undertaken by the Medicines Control Agency since it was given independent status.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Medicines Control Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Health operating within a published policy and resources framework document.

  The chief executive of this agency is responsible and accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the efficient management, overall performance and future development of the agency.
  910
  The licensing of medicines, including new drugs, remains the responsibility of Ministers—"the United Kingdom licensing authority"—under the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968 and associated European directives.

  Remand Costs
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is currently(a) the average cost, (b) the highest cost and (c) the lowest cost per week of holding a young person on remand in secure accommodation which is subject to supervision or inspection by his Department.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Central Manchester Hospital Trust
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what extra moneys will be made available in the current financial year to the Central Manchester hospital trust to guarantee continuity of patient care;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the financial position of the Central Manchester hospital trust, including details of any plans or proposals which will lead to a reduction of the financial overspend.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Central Manchester hospital trust had an overspend in the first quarter of this financial year. It has taken the action necessary to balance income and expenditure for the year.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he had made of the quality and quantity of services provided by the Central Manchester hospital trust; and if he will take steps to ensure they are sustained in the future.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The quality and quantity of the services it provides both now and in the future are a matter for agreement between the Central Manchester hospital trust and its purchasers.

  Caesarean Sections
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each district health authority the percentage rate of caesarean sections for all births.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information relating to the method of birth delivery is collected via the hospital episodes statistics system. At present, it is possible only to give reliable estimates at national level. For this information I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 8 March at columns 322–23. Work is currently in progress to investigate the possibility of producing estimates at regional level. Some incomplete information on method of delivery at district health authority level is available in the health service indicator package, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Purchasing Agreements
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now take steps to ensure that the minimum permissible expiry time for any purchasing agreement between a health service purchaser and a provider will not be less than the recently announced guaranteed maximum waiting time for the respective treatment.
  911
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under the citizens charter, health authorities will be responsible for ensuring that no resident waits more than two years for any operation, except for some special cases such as transplants. This duty will not be affected by the period of operation of any particular contract.

  Maternity Services
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the district health authorities which have established maternity services liaison committees;

  (2) if he will make a statement about maternity services liaison committees.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Maternity services liaison committees continue to be an important forum both for obtaining professional agreement on the operation of local maternity and neonatal services and for representing the views of the consumer.

  At the end of 1988, all district health authorities providing maternity services had set up a maternity services liaison committee. This was in line with the good practice guidance set out in the reports of the Maternity Services Advisory Committee.

  Remand (Young People)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that young people on remand are dealt with in such a way as to maximise public protection and minimise serious re-offending while ensuring cost-effectiveness.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Local authorities already have a statutory power to take account of the need to protect the public in determining how any child in their care, including those on remand, might most appropriately be accommodated. Under the Children Act 1989, local authorities will additionally be under a duty to take reasonable steps designed to encourage children in their area not to commit criminal offences. Guidance on practical steps which authorities might take in exercise of this new duty was given in "The Children Act 1989: Guidance and Regulations Volume 1 Court Orders" a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the alternatives to secure accommodation he is currently considering in respect of young people on remand.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Guidance on how local authorities might exercise their new duty under the Children Act 1989 to take reasonable steps designed to avoid the need for children in their area to be placed in secure accommodation is being given in "The Children Act 1989: Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Residential Care", to be published this week.

  Additionally, the Department has invited a number of bodies, including the local authority associations and the Association of Directors of Social Services, to join a national steering group whose remit will include consideration of further steps which might be taken to develop alternatives to secure accommodation for young people on remand.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has concerning the amount of time lost by consultants and other specialists in the national health service as a result of patients failing to keep appointments or to give notice that they cannot attend appointments at the appointed time; what assessment he has made of the impact of this practice on waiting lists; and what action he intends to take to remind the public of the contribution they can make to reducing waiting lists.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information is not available centrally on time lost by consultants and other specialists as a result of failure by patients to attend appointments. It is regrettable that some patients do not inform hospitals when they know in advance that they cannot keep an appointment. This results in a waste of resources which could be used for the benefit of other patients. We have recently issued guidelines on the management of waiting lists, commissioned from Qa Business Services, to all health authorities in England. These guidelines provide advice on what hospitals should tell patients about their responsibilities as users of the service. All patients should be told to inform the hospital if their circumstances change in any way that might affect their appointment or admission. All hospitals should also regularly validate their waiting lists to weed out the names of patients who, for one reason or another, no longer require treatment. This will help to cut the number of non-attendances.

  Child Birth
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the district health authorities which have domino schemes for child birth.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide information for each of the last five years about the clinical outcomes for births which take place(a) in the home and (b) in hospital settings.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conditions he lays down for providers of ambulance services in the national health service to publish their specifications for replacement vehicles; and if the relevant requirements are open to competitive tender.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Vehicle specifications for replacement ambulance vehicles are prepared or updated by service providers at the time that tenders for their supply need to be issued. The Majority of these requirements will be open to competitive tender and in many cases, because of the potential order value, subject to EC directives with regard to purchasing procedure.

  Conductive Education
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the current situation and further plans for the department of conductive
  913
  education in England in general, about the specific development of facilities at Birmingham, and the access to such facilities for patients from other parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Meningitis Vaccine
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will introduce a vaccine for bacterial meningitis; for what age groups of children the bacterial meningitis vaccine will be introduced and at what times in the immunisation schedule; what plans the Department of Health has to publicise the introduction of the bacterial meningitis vaccine; and what number of children he estimates will be given the bacterial meningitis vaccine during 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We plan to introduce a vaccine against haemophilus influezae b (Hib), the most common cause of bacterial meningitis, from 1 October 1992. Subject to the outcome of studies in progress in Gloucester and Oxford, the recommendation will be for the vaccine to be given in three doses at ages two, three, and four months—at the same time as immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and whooping cough.

  Before the vaccine is introduced there will be a major publicity campaign aimed at professionals in the NHS and at parents. We hope that Hib will be at least as well accepted as the other vaccines in the childhood immunisation programme, and achieve at least 90 per cent. uptake by the first birthday. This level of acceptance would mean that about 600,000 infants per year would be immunised in England.

  Health Promotion
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance his Department is able to offer to voluntary organisations establishing health promotion schemes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department provides funding to support the agreed national activities of a large number of voluntary organisations, many of which undertake health education as part of their overall role.

  Steroids
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East of 9 July,Official Report, column 338, if he will give details in each case of the length of time between (a) the seizure of evidence and the issue of the summons and (b) the issue of the summons and the final court decision.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Health Service Trusts
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name any health service trust which has introduced its own terms or conditions of service since the passing of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; and if he will list those powers which would enable any provider organisation to take such steps(a) with his consent and (b) without his consent.
  914
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about the terms and conditions of service of staff in NHS trusts is not collected centrally. All provider units are subject to certain powers governing the employment of staff. For NHS trusts, these are set out in sections 5, 6 and 7 of schedule 2 to the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. For staff in other provider units, including those staff transferred to NHS trusts who chose to remain on their contracts of employment on transfer, the powers are paragraph 10(1) of schedule 5 to the National Health Service Act 1977, paragraph 11 of schedule 3 to that Act and the National Health Service (Remuneration and Conditions of Service) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991 No. 481).

  Written Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session. and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is a matter of public record.

  Mrs. Kamala Sunthankar
  Sir Alan Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold a public inquiry into the death of Mrs. Kamala Sunthankar in the Royal Berkshire hospital on 17 April, details of which have been sent to him.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 8 July 1991]: I will write to my hon. Friend.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Facilities (Iraq)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the nuclear activities conducted by Iraq at(a) the Fallujah facility near Baghdad, (b) the Tarmiyah plant, (c) the Abu Ghurayb military base and (d) the underground complex near Mosul.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All nuclear activity conducted by Iraq at these and other sites is currently under investigation by the UN Special Commission and the International Atomic Energy Authority which report directly to the UN Secretary General. The UN has released a consolidated report of the first two inspections of Iraqi nuclear facilities and copies of this have been placed in the Library of the House.

  South Atlantic Command Structure
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the command structure for a white ensigned vessel in the south Atlantic and a blue ensigned vessel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Command of Her Majesty's ships is the responsibility of the Commander in Chief Fleet, who
  915
  in turn is responsible to the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Defence Staff. The command structure for blue-ensigned vessels depends upon the Government organisation or other public body which operates them.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the number of hostile incidents involving a blue ensigned vessel in the south Atlantic in the last 30 years;

  (2) on what occasions the United Kingdom has taken military action following harassment of (a) a white ensigned vessel and (b) a blue ensigned vessel in the south Atlantic.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Ministry of Defence records show that during the last thirty years, there has been only one incident involving blue ensigned vessels in the south Atlantic, excluding actions during the Falklands conflict in 1982. This was an unsuccessful attempt by an Argentinian vessel to stop the RRS Shackleton in February 1976. During the same period, with the exception of operations during the Falklands conflict, there have been no occasions on which military action has been taken following harassment of either white or blue ensigned vessels.

  Naval Vessels
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the difference in effect between the presence of an armed vessel flying the white ensign and an unarmed blue ensigned vessel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It would depend on the circumstances.

  Low Flying
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of low-flying movements in the highlands restricted area in each year since 1981; and what information he has on the breakdown of these figures by aircraft type.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have nothing to add to the answer that my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 22 December 1988 at column 369.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions United States air force units stationed in the United Kingdom have been granted permission to fly at less than 250 ft over the United Kingdom during work-up training for red flag exercises in the United States of America; and what is his current policy on the granting of such permission.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  There are no records of United States air force units stationed in the United Kingdom ever having been authorised to carry out operational low flying training at less than 250 ft over the United Kingdom during work-up training for red flag exercises in the United States. My Department's general policy on such training remains as set out in evidence to the Defence Committee last year (HC 120/90, pp. 12–13).

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received in the last year on the subject of low flying.
  916
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 15 July at column 94.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if aircrews are permitted to select towns or villages as turning points when planning the route of a low-flying sortie.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  All aspects of a low-flying sortie, including the choice of turning points, are subject to regulations on the avoidance of populated areas which are designed to minimise disturbance to the general public.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the measures taken by his Department to ensure that United States forces stationed in the United Kingdom are complying with the regulations and advice set out in the United Kingdom military low flying handbook.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Aircraft of the United States air force stationed in the United Kingdom and using the United Kingdom low flying system are subject to the same monitoring as the Royal Air Force to ensure compliance with United Kingdom low flying regulations.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any further United States air force low-flying training at less than 250 ft over Wales has been authorised since the reply given to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 19 December 1990,Official Report, column 208.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No operational low flying training at less than 250 ft has been authorised over Wales for United States air force aircraft since the reply in question.

  OSEX Exercises
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the requirement for aircraft attack training during the OSEX series of exercises.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The OSEX series of exercises is designed to provide aircrew with training in a range of offensive support operations. Airfield attack is one such operation.

  RAF (Training)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the requirement for night forward air control training in the Royal Air Force; when training in this role was first introduced into the training programme of Royal Air Force tactical weapons units; and if he will list the locations used for night forward air control training.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is currently no requirement for the RAF to carry out night forward air control training, and no such training takes place.

  Ministerial Guidance
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the NATO defence ministerial guidance to 1998 agreed in May 1991 and its implications for answering threats to the United Kingdom.
  917
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The 1991 ministerial guidance which was approved by Defence Ministers at their meeting at the end of May provides political guidance for defence planning activities in NATO, both national and collective, for the period up to 1998 and beyond. The guidance emphasises the need to maintain the effectiveness of the alliance's collective defence arrangements and thus to provide the level of resources necessary to ensure that forces contributing to the new force structures are adequately manned, equipped, trained and exercised, and so capable of countering any threat to the territory of allies.

  Air Refuelling
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if air-to-air refuelling operations are permitted in United Kingdom airspace outside the designated air refuelling areas published in the United Kingdom air pilot and royal air force flight information publications; and what are the regulations governing such operations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Air-to-air refuelling is permitted outside the designated air refuelling areas listed in the United Kingdom air pilot and Royal Air Force flight information publications, but normally only over the sea. lf, exceptionally, permission is given to conduct air refuelling over land and outside the designated areas, such operations must be carried out at high level, away from built-up areas.

  Anti-ballistic Missiles
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the adoption of an anti-ballistic missile capability by NATO.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This was addressed recently when alliance Ministers met in Brussels on 28–29 May. The final communique issued at the end of that meeting reports that Ministers discussed the potential risk posed by proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction and the need to consider complementary approaches to dealing with the problem, including export controls and missile defences. Ministers welcomed a briefing by the United States concerning its concept for global protection against limited ballistic missile strikes.

  F15E Aircraft
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the location of F15E aircraft.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 5 February 1991 at column 161.

  Squadron Roles
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a costing for maintaining dual capable units of the armed forces in a nuclear role for each of the following types of units currently in service:(a) Tornado squadrons, (b) Buccaneer squadrons, (c) Sea Harrier squadrons, (d) Nimrod squadrons, (e) Sea King squadrons or flights, (f) Lance regiments and (g) 155 mm self-propelled artillery regiments.
  918
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Territorial Reserve Forces
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the territorial reserve forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in the House on 23 July, and the accompanying White Paper entitled, "Britain's Army for the 90s" (Cm. 1595).

  Defence Spending
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the percentage of gross domestic product spent on defence will be in the United Kingdom after the proposed reductions are implemented; and what information he has on the comparable proportion of gross domestic product spent on defence in France and Germany, allowing for cuts planned in the same period by these countries.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Plans announced last autumn showed the percentage of gross domestic product spent on defence reducing from 4 per cent. in 1990–91 (excluding expenditure on the Gulf deployment) to 3·4 per cent. in 1993–94. These plans are being reviewed during this year's public expenditure survey in the light of the further work that has taken place to refine the "Options for Change" proposals. No information is yet available on future levels of gross domestic product to be spent on defence by France. Although Germany has announced plans for defence spending to 1994, no forecasts of German gross domestic product are avaialable for that year for comparison with United Kingdom figures.

  Faslane and Coulport
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much has been spent on the Faslane Trident training facility in financial years(a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90 and (d) 1990–91 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (2) how much has been spent on the Faslane shiplift in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (3) how much has been spent on the Coulport maintenance support building in financial years (a) 1990–91, and (b) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices, and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (4) how much has been spent on shore construction at Faslane and Coulport in support of the Trident programme in each of the last 10 financial years in (i) then-year prices, and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (5) how much has been spent on the Coulport re-entry body processing building in the financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (6) how much has been spent on the Faslane site services distribution 1 to 4 berths in financial years (a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91, and (c) 1991–92, in (i) then-year prices, and (ii) 1991–92 prices;
  919
  (7) how much has been spent on the Faslane strategic weapons support system in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92, in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (8) how much has been spent on the Faslane Neptune senior ratings mess in financial years (a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91 and (c) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) current prices;

  (9) how much has been spent on the Coulport electrical generating station in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (10) how much has been spent on the Coulport ready issue magazines in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices, and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (11) how much has been spent on the Faslane finger jetty in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d 1990–91, and (e) 1991–92, in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (12) how much has been spent on the Coulport special area security in the financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (13) how much has been spent on the Faslane dockside cranes in financial years (a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91, and (c) 1991–92, in (i) then-year prices, and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  £ thousands

  Project

  Capital

  Resources

  Total

  Trident training facility

  12,140

  2,440

  14,580

  Faslane shiplift

  125,369

  41,917

  167,286

  Coulport maintenance support building

  829

  1,292

  2,121

  Faslane shore construction

  343,303

  99,756

  443,059

  Coulport shore construction

  276,793

  69,035

  345,828

  Coulport re-entry body processing building

  7,790

  1,560

  9,350

  Faslane SSD/1 to 4 berth

  6,095

  3,013

  9,108

  Faslane strategic weapons support building

  14,094

  3,237

  17,331

  Faslane senior rates mess

  807

  878

  1,685

  Coulport generating station

  27,496

  8,537

  36,033

  Coulport ready issue magazines

  11,043

  2,268

  13,311

  Faslane finger jetty

  15,506

  5,184

  20,690

  Coulport special area security

  18,421

  3,783

  22,204

  Faslane dockside cranes

  15,586

  5,211

  20,797

  Coulport explosives handling jetty

  63,368

  23,759

  87,127

  Coulport jetty foreshore

  12,205

  2,419

  14,624

  Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence

  28,476

  5,645

  34,121

  Coulport re-entry body magazines

  15,540

  3,191

  18,731

  Faslane northern utilities building

  30,048

  10,047

  40,095

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport ready issue magazines;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane finger jetty;

  (3) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport special area security;

  (4) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane dockside cranes;

  (5) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport explosives handling jetty;

  (6) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence;

  (7) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport re-entry body magazine;

  (8) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane northern utilities building;
  920
  (14) how much has been spent on the Coulport explosives handling jetty in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (15) how much has been spent on the Coulport jetty foreshore in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (16) how much has been spent on the Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91, and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (17) how much has been spent on the Coulport re-entry body magazine in financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91 and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices;

  (18) how much has been spent on the Faslane northern utilities building in the financial years (a) 1987–88, (b) 1988–89, (c) 1989–90, (d) 1990–91, and (e) 1991–92 in (i) then-year prices and (ii) 1991–92 prices.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, cumulative capital and resource cash outturn figures to the end of 1990–91 for these projects are shown in the table:

  (9) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport jetty foreshore;

  (10) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport electrical generating station;

  (11) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane strategic weapons support system;

  (12) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane Neptune senior ratings mess;

  (13) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport re-entry body processing building;

  (14) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane site services distribution/1 to 4 berths;

  (15) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Coulport maintenance support building;

  (16) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane trident training facility;
  921
  (17) if he will make a statement about the role and function of the Faslane shiplift.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  These facilities will variously support Vanguard submarines, some other classes of submarine, and the Trident strategic weapons system.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much of the cost of the Coulport re-entry body magazine is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (2) how much of the cost of the Coulport electrical generating station is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (3) how much of the cost of the Coulport re-entry body processing building is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (4) how much of the cost of the Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (5) how much of the cost of the Coulport explosives handling jetty is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (6) how much of the cost of the Coulport jetty foreshore is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (7) how much of the cost of the Faslane strategic weapons support system is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (8) how much of the cost of the Coulport ready issue magazines is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (9) how much of the cost of the Faslane finger jetty is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (10) how much of the cost of the Faslane dockside cranes is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (11) how much of the cost of the Faslane Trident training facility is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (12) how much of the cost of the Faslane Neptune senior ratings mess is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (13) how much of the cost of the Faslane northern utilities building is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (14) how much of the cost of the Coulport special area security is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (15) how much of the cost of the Faslane shiplift is attributable to the Trident programme;

  (16) how much of the cost of the Faslane site services Distribution/1 to 4 berths is attributable to the Trident programme.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not our policy to discuss the detailed Trident attribution of individual projects or contract packages.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane Neptune senior ratings mess; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (2) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence in financial years (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (3) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991-92 prices, on the Coulport electrical generating station in financial years (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (4) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane northern utilities building; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;
  922
  (5) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport ready issue magazines in financial years (a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95;

  (6) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991-92 prices, on the Faslane finger jetty in the financial years (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (7) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport special area security; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what were the reasons for the difference;

  (8) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane dockside cranes in financial years (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (9) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane shiplift; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what were the reasons for the difference;

  (10) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport maintenance support building; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (11) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991-92 prices, on the Coulport explosives handling jetty in financial years (a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95;

  (12) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport jetty foreshore in financial years (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (13) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane site services distribution/ 1 to 4 berths; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (14) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport re-entry body processing building; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (15) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane shiplift in financial years (a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95;

  (16) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport maintenance support building in financial years (a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and 1994–95;

  (17) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane Trident training facility; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (18) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane site services distribution/ 1 to 4 berths in financial years (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (19) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport electrical generating station; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference between these estimates;

  (20) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane northern utilities building in financial years (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (21) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport jetty foreshore; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (22) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport ready issue magazines; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;
  923
  (23) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane finger jetty; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (24) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane dockside cranes; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (25) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane strategic weapons support system; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (26) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (27) what is the cost of the Coulport maintenance support building;

  (28) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport explosives handling jetty; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (29) what is the expected expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Faslane Neptune senior rates mess in financial year 1992–93;

  (30) what was the original estimate of expenditure, in 1991–92 prices, on the Coulport re-entry body magazine; what is the current estimate of expenditure; and what are the reasons for the difference.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not our policy to discuss the latest estimated costs or expected annual expenditure of individual projects or contract packages for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane site services distribution 1 to 4 berths; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (2) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport special area security; and what was the original estimate of the year of completion;

  (3) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane shiplift; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (4) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane northern utilities building, and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (5) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport maintenance support building; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (6) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane Neptune senior ratings mess; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (7) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport re-entry body magazine; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (8) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport electrical generating station; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (9) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport re-entry body processing building; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (10) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;
  924
  (11) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport explosives handling jetty; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (12) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport jetty foreshore; and what was the original estimate of year of completion.

  (13) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane strategic weapons support system; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (14) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Coulport ready issue magazines; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (15) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane finger jetty, and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (16) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane dockside cranes; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  (17) what is the current estimate of year of completion for the Faslane Trident training facility; and what was the original estimate of year of completion;

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Project

  Estimated year of completion

  1Original

  Current

  Faslane SSD/1–4 Berth

  1993–94

  1993–94

  Coulport special area security

  1990–91

  Complete

  Faslane shiplift

  1990–91

  1993–94

  Northern Utilities Building

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Coulport Maintenance Support Building

  1992–93

  1992–93

  Faslane senior rates mess

  1991–92

  21991–92

  Re-entry body magazines

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Coulport generator station

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Re-entry body processing building

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Jetty roads and perimeter fence

  1990–91

  3199I–92

  Explosives handling jetty

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Coulport jetty foreshore

  1991–92

  41991–92

  Strategic weapons support building

  1990–91

  completed

  Coulport ready issue magazines

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Finger jetty

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Dockside cranes

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Trident training facility

  1988–89

  works completed 1988–89

  1 At time of contract let.

  2 Advanced works only.

  3 Jetty link road and fence.

  4 Jetty support area.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) why the Coulport re-entry body magazine was not included in table 1 of class I, vote 4 of the supply estimates for 1991–92;

  (2) why the Coulport re-entry body processing building was not included in table 1 of class I, vote 4 of the supply estimates for 1991–92;

  (3) why the Coulport jetty roads and perimeter fence was not included in table 1 of class I, vote 4 of the supply estimates for 1991–92;

  (4) why the Faslane strategic weapons support system was not listed in table 2 of class I, vote 4 of the supply estimates for 1991–92;

  (5) why the Coulport special area security was not included in table 1 of class I, vote 4 of the supply estimates for 1991–92;
  925
  (6) why the Coulport maintenance support building was not included in table 1 of class I, vote 4 of the supply estimates for 1991–92.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

  Challenger II Tank
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first Challenger II tank is scheduled to enter operational service with the Army.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  We expect the first Challenger II to enter service with the British Army in the mid-1990s.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any further decisions have been made regarding the decommissioning of nuclear submarines.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The policy for disposal of decommissioned nuclear submarines remains under active consideration. No final decision has yet been taken.

  RAF Greenham Common
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any further decisions have been made regarding the future use of RAF Greenham Common.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  HMS Warspite
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the timetable for the decommissioning of HMS Warspite.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  HMS Warspite is undergoing decommissioning at Devonport at the present time.

  Menwith Hill Byelaws
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many prosecutions have been brought under the Menwith Hill Military Lands Byelaws in each of the years since the byelaws entered force; and how many convictions were secured under these byelaws in each year.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

  Barton Stacey Married Quarters
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans to offer empty married quarters at Barton Stacey for sale; if he will set out the timetable for the sale; and what are his proposals on the future of Army houses where the offer for sale to service personnel is not taken up.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Fifty-one married quarters at Barton Stacey have been identified as surplus to our long-term requirements and will be offered for sale to service personnel through the services discount scheme. Some of the houses to be sold are still occupied. Those 926
  already vacant will be offered for sale as soon as the details can be drawn up for publication in the sales bulletin and the remainder will be offered for sale as soon as they become vacant. Any houses not taken up under the discount scheme are normally offered for sale on the open market at full market price, but depending on the number of quarters available the possibility of a bulk disposal in this particular instance cannot be ruled out.

  International Military Services
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary 'of State for Defence what co-operation there has been between the International Military Services and the defence equipment finance department of the Midland International Trade Services in the last two years.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Decisions on individual business contacts of International Military Services Ltd. are matters for the company's judgment, and are subject to commercial confidentiality.

  Iraq
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what contingency measures are in place to deal with the environmental damage that could arise from a decision to bomb Iraq's nuclear plants;

  (2) what contingency plans there are to evacuate civilians or offer assistance in the event of a decision being made to bomb Iraq's nuclear plants.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We look to Iraq to comply in full with the terms of Security Council resolution 687. I am not prepared to speculate about any action which may be necessary to ensure Iraqi compliance.

  Royal Ordnance
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many transactions with Royal Ordnance, prior to privatisation, were made using the Bank of Credit and Commerce International; what were the transactions for; and who were the purchasers.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The records for this period are no longer held centrally, but any role for BCCI in transactions involving Royal Ordnance would have been a matter for the customer. Details of such transactions would be regarded as commercially confidential.

  Kuwait
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what additional precautions have been taken for service personnel working in the Kuwait region since 26 February to(a) safeguard their general health and (b) reduce their exposure to air pollution;

  (2) what criteria have been used to determine the levels of exposure to air pollution that are applied to service personnel who have been working in the Kuwait region since 26 February;

  (3) whether anti-pollution masks have been issued to service personnel working in the Kuwait region since 26 February;

  (4) what plans he has to improve anti-air pollution measures for service personnel in the Kuwait region;

  (5) what assessment has been made of the application of health and safety precautions by his United States counterpart in the Kuwait region since 26 February.
  927
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Service personnel in close proximity to the oil fires are provided with protective masks and their lung function is being monitored.

  The health and safety of personnel deployed in Kuwait is a matter of priority. The individual measures taken to ensure health and safety, which are kept under review, are based on expert advice and reflect the extensive experience of the services in such matters. No formal assessment of equivalent United States measures has been carried out.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure was incurred on(a) general health and safety precautions and (b) anti-air pollution measures for service personnel working in the Kuwait region since 26 February.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This information is not available as it is subsumed in other costs.

  Mobile Force
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what expenditure will be saved as a result of not retaining the United Kingdom mobile force;

  (2) what is the strategic rationale for the decision not to retain the United Kingdom mobile force.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The decision that NATO should reply on smaller conventional forces in Europe, with an increased emphasis on flexibility and rapid deployment was based on a careful reassessment of the risks of war in Europe, and developments in the Soviet Union. Against this background, "Options for Change" concluded that the role of the United Kingdom mobile force needed to be re-examined along with other deployment options for reinforcement forces on an Allied Command Europe-wide basis. Elements of the United Kingdom mobile force will be redeployed within our contribution to the new Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps structure. It is not possible separately to identify savings attributable to its disbandment.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations have taken place with his Danish, German and Norwegian counterparts regarding the withdrawal of the United Kingdom mobile force.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Denmark, Germany and Norway were consulted, along with other allies, through the normal alliance procedures.

  Service Commitments
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many(a) infantry battalions and (b) armoured regiments will be assigned to the Rapid Reaction Corps;

  (2) whether he will list the future commitments of the British Army envisaged under "Options for Change", giving details of the number of battalions and regiments that will be required to fulfil those commitments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 9 to 20 "Britain's Army for the 90s" (Cm. 1595), published on 23 July 1991.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he will list the current commitments of the British Army, giving details of the number of battalions and regiments that are required to fulfil those commitments;
  928
  (2) whether he will list the future commitments of the Royal Air Force envisaged under "Options for Change", giving details of the number and type of squadrons that will be required to fulfil those commitments;

  (3) whether he will list the current commitments of the Royal Navy, giving details of the number and type of vessels that are required to fulfil those commitments;

  (4) whether he will list the current commitments of the Royal Air Force, giving details of the number and type of squadrons that are required to fulfil those commitments;

  (5) whether he will list the future commitments of the Royal Navy envisaged under "Options for Change", giving details of the number and type of vessels that will be required to fulfil those commitments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to volume 1, chapter 4 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates, "Britain's Defence for the 1990's" (Cm. 1559–1) which was published on 9 July.

  Naval Support
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial savings are estimated to result from his statement on changes in naval support of 16 July,Official Report, columns 148–49.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, West (Mr. Douglas) on 22 July 1991 at column 452.

  Operation Granby
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units deployed as part of Operation Granby were undermanned.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All units deployed on Operation Granby were manned to their full war establishment.

  Five-power Defence Arrangement
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect "Options for Change" will have with regard to the five-power defence arrangement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Her Majesty's Government remain committed to the five-power defence arrangements as a useful source of security for friendly nations in south-east Asia and it is intended that, subject to availability of resources, the active participation of all three services in FPDA exercises will continue.

  Redundancies
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what redundancy terms he plans to offer to those service personnel who are made redundant as a result of "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave on 23 July to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn). Redundancy terms are the same for all three services and are embodied, for the Royal Navy, in Orders in Council; for the Army, in part 9 of the Army pensions warrant; and for the Royal Air Force in chapter 46 of Queen's Regulations (Royal Air Force).

  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for handling redundancy in the services and among Ministry of Defence United Kingdom-based civil servants; and if he will make a statement.
  929
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to "Britain's Army for the '90s" (Cm. 1595), which has been published today. Details of Army redundancies are set out in paragraphs 39 to 42.

  As to redundancies in the other two services, the Royal Navy judges that there may be a measure of redundancy among officers and ratings, mainly at more senior levels. Subject to further assessment of the numbers involved, it is hoped to achieve these by voluntary redundancy, some late in 1992–93, with the majority subsequently. Some compulsory redundancies might be necessary to complete the programme.

  No decisions have yet been taken about RAF redundancies, but it is considered that redundancies among airmen are unlikely, with the possible exception of a small number of senior NCOs in a few trades. In the case of RAF officers, some measure of redundancy at squadron leader level and above may be necessary over the period to the mid-1990s, but it is hoped to keep this to a minimum. The terms and conditions of RN and RAF redundancy will be same as those for the Army.

  On current plans about 20,000 United Kingdom-based civil service posts will be reduced over the period 1991–92 to 1996–97. To the greatest extent possible, this reduction will be achieved by natural wastage, early retirement and redeployment. However, there will inevitably be some redundancies, particularly among industrial and non-mobile staff. Numbers will to some extent depend upon which establishments are closed and on the timing. Redundancies will be handled under the Ministry of Defence redundancy agreement. Redundancy compensa-tion is paid under the principal civil service payment scheme.

  Top-level Budgets
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will provide detailed figures of the operating costs and programme expenditure in top-level budgets described on page 61 of the 1991 "Statement of the Defence Estimates 1991" Cm. 1559.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Detailed figures for operating costs and programme expenditure in the top level budgets described on page 61 of the 1991 Statement on the Defence Estimates are as follows:

  Operating costs £ million

  Programme expenditure £ million

  CinC Fleet

  717

  —

  Commandant General Royal Marines

  191

  —

  British Army of the Rhine

  1,692

  —

  Field Army

  1,118

  —

  Assistant Chief of the General Staff

  521

  73

  Strike Command

  1,236

  —

  RAF Germany

  358

  —

  Overseas Commands

  520

  —

  Naval Home Command

  514

  —

  Fleet Support

  666

  1,089

  Quartermaster General

  270

  453

  Army Individual Training Organisation

  713

  —

  Support Command

  739

  33

  Air Member for Supply and Organisation

  250

  1,112

  Principal Personnel Officers

  339

  2,169

  Other MOD TLBs

  521

  677

  Chief of Defence Procurement

  995

  —

  Defence Research Agency

  626

  —

  Meteorological Office

  59

  —

  930
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of the amounts assigned to the top-level budget holders listed on page 60 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991", Cm. 1559; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The amounts assigned to the top level budgets listed on page 60 of the 1991 Statement on the Defence Estimates are as follows:

  £ million

  CinC Fleet

  717

  Commandant General Royal Marines

  191

  British Army of the Rhine

  1,692

  United Kingdom Land Forces

  1,831

  of which:

  Field Army

  1,118

  Army Individual Training Organisation

  713

  Assistant Chief of the General Staff

  594

  Strike Command

  1,236

  RAF Germany

  376

  Naval Home Command

  514

  Chief of Naval Personnel

  666

  Fleet Support

  1,755

  Adjutant General

  1,095

  Quartermaster General

  723

  Support Command

  772

  Air Member for Personnel

  746

  Air Member for Supply and Organisation

  1,362

  Other MOD TLBs

  1636

  Vice Chief of Defence Staff

  563

  of which:

  Defence Staff HQ

  43

  Overseas Commands

  520

  Chief of Defence Procurement

  995

  Defence Research Agency

  626

  Meteorological Office

  59

  1 "Other MOD TLBs" include the 2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State, Chief Scientific Advisor and Chief of Defence Intelligence. The figure cannot be disaggregated, for reasons of national security.

  WE 177 Weapon
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 June,Official Report, column 128, to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) if he expects to make a statement on the costs of replacing the WE 177 weapon before the beginning of the summer adjournment of the House.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what formal consultations took place with NATO allies prior to 25 July 1990 regarding "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 4 July at column 212.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Nepalese Government and the Brunei Government regarding "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Both Governments have been informed of the implications of "Options for Change" in relation to the Brigade of Gurkhas.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on how many service and United Kingdom civilian personnel are affected by "Options for Change"; and what roles the civilian staff employed by the Ministry of Defence carry out.
  931
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The current strength of the armed forces is some 305,000. The 1979 figure was 322,000, and the mid-1990s figure will be some 246,000. The Ministry of Defence employs a total of 169,000 civilians, 140,000 United Kingdom-based and 29,000 engaged overseas. The 1979 total was 286,000 and the total by the mid 1990s will be 135,000. Ministry of Defence civilians carry out a wide variety of roles in support of all three services. Since they cost less and can provide greater continuity, they are widely employed to release service personnel for military tasks. Programmes on which civilians are employed are set out in the Statement on the Defence Estimates. As well as headquarters work, examples of their tasks and roles are:

  Running the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. These include tankers, support and supply ships which sail with the fleet and on operations. (About 2,500 people).

  Running the Navy's supply and armament depots.

  Building, maintaining and storing the nuclear deterrent.

  Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

  Manning army workshops.

  Computer support for all three services.

  Bill paying for all that is bought by the three services. The Ministry of Defence police, some 5,000 strong, who guard key establishments against terrorists.

  The fire services for all three services.

  RAF repair, maintenance and supply depots and other support tasks in RAF Commands. (About 20,000 in all).

  Running service mess facilities.

  Scientific research in our research establishments.

  The scientists and other professionals who run the Meteorological Office (weather forecasting) and most of the staff in the Hydrographic Office.

  Logistical Support
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he has made to his policy regarding logistical support as a result of(a) Operation Granby and (b) "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are considering the outcome of Operation Granby and the conclusions to be drawn from it in the logistics and other areas but it is too early to say what changes may result. Within "Options for Change" we have set ourselves the goal of making substantial savings in the support area commensurate with those in the front line. The Statement on the Defence Estimates published on 9 July contains a full statement of our plans. We have already announced some decisions affecting the Army logistic base and corps, naval support infrastructure and a number of RAF bases. More announcements will be made in due course.

  NATO Forces
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution he envisages British armed forces making to NATO's main defence forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  While the British Army's main contribution to the defence of Europe will be as part of the new multinational ACE Rapid Reaction Corps, 1st (UK) Armoured Division will also have deployment options with a German-led main defence force corps if it is available and required. The RN and RAF will be contributing to main defence forces; details of their assignment are still being discussed within NATO.

  Merlin Helicopter
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs are involved in(a) the Merlin helicopter project and (b) the prime contractor functions of this project.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This would be a matter for those companies participating in the project.

  Injuries Compensation
  Sir George Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have applied for compensation for injuries sustained while on duty in each of the last 10 years; and how many cases, in respect of each year, are still awaiting settlement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is not readily available. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

  Radar Companies
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the long-term military procurement implications of the proposed merger between Thomson CSF and GEC Airborne Radar capabilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The proposed joint venture between GEC-Marconi and Thomson-CSF is being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading. Advice by the MOD to the regulatory authorities is given on a confidential basis and it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage.

  Royal Navy Museum
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the development of the museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth is dependent on any commercial venture; where any company involved in the development is registered; and what consideration has been given to the consequences for the developments at the museum of the Royal Navy of financial problems or collapse suffered by any company involved;

  (2) whether he will increase the grant-in-aid to the museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth to obviate the development of the museum being taken over by a commercial company.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Responsibility for the development of the Royal Naval Museum at Portsmouth rests with the trustees of the museum. The MOD provides an annual grant-in-aid as a substantial contribution towards meeting the running costs of the museum.

  Trident
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to publish a formal response to the Defence Committee's report on the Trident programme.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is our intention to reply to the House of Commons Defence Committee's report on the Trident programme within the next two months.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what notification is given to local fire authorities prior to the transport of nuclear warheads or missiles through the centre of a city;

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 16 July, Official Report, column 148, whether the local police force is warned in advance when a nuclear weapons convoy is to pass through their area of responsibility.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Advance notice of the routes and timings of nuclear weapons convoys is kept to a strict minimum for security reasons. Nevertheless, liaison is maintained with those local police forces which might have such convoys passing through their area of responsibility.

  Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry (Near Miss)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made into investigating the near-miss of a Buccaneer jet and Caledonian MacBrayne ferry Lord of the Isles on 30 April; when he expects the investigations to release the inquiry report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I hope to write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how widespread is the use of the benzodiazepine sleeping pill temazepam by RAF personnel; and how many of these are undergoing treatment for panic attacks as a result of taking the drug.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Temazepam is used by RAF personnel who have difficulties in sleeping due to disturbance of their rest and activity patterns associated with intensive air operations.

  I am not aware of any personnel having undergone treatment for panic attacks as a result of taking temazepam.

  Regimental System
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arguments he considered against the regimental system before deciding to retain it.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The future of the regimental system was never in doubt: it was the degree of change to the regimental structure that was a factor for consideration in the "Options for Change" exercise.

  Hydrographic Office
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the performance of the Hydrographic Office in its first year of operation as a defence support agency and on performance targets for 1991–92.
  934
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of the Hydrographic Office Defence Support Agency's annual report for the year 1990–91.

  At the time of the launch in April 1990 the chief executive was set a number of demanding targets covering quality of service, efficiency and productivity. The results from the first year of operation as an agency have been very encouraging. As the 1990–91 annual report shows, the Hydrographic Office has met or exceeded most of its targets. This has been achieved in a year in which the Hydrographic Office played a significant role in support of Operation Granby.

  The need to secure economies in defence spending continues, and defence support agencies which remain an integral part of the Ministry of Defence cannot be exempt from contributing to this process. Against this background, and recognising the progress already made, the key targets for this financial year and beyond have been revised.

  On quality of service, the chief executive is required to continue to ensure that all immediate dangers are promulgated by radio navigation warnings within the now reduced period of 20 hours, and to accelerate the programme of modernisation and metrication of charts by reducing the number of imperial unit charts remaining in the inventory by at least 90 such charts per annum. The chief executive is also required to increase the number of new charts and new editions by at least 5 per cent. per annum to 1994–95.

  As regards commercial sales a higher target has been set, to increase revenue from such sales by at least 13 per cent. over the first five years of the operation of the agency. Over the same period the aim remains to increase productivity by an average of at least 1 per cent. per annum.

  The chief executive has also been required to reduce the agency's net operating costs by £0·9 million per annum but may offset all or part of such a reduction by increasing revenue above that already budgeted.

  As regards an overall efficiency target to which the above key targets and other targets in the agency's business plan will contribute, the assumption is that the discipline of the next steps approach and the additional freedoms and flexibilities which agencies receive will allow them to do better in terms of efficiency than in the rest of the Department. The chief executive is, therefore, being required to achieve an efficiency target of 2·5 per cent. this year, compared with 1·5 per cent.for the Department as a whole. I would, however, hope an average of 3·5 per cent. would be achievable over the period 1992–93 to 1994–95.

  As the annual report for 1990–91 shows, progress has been made on the remaining two key targets, to develop within 1990–91 an improved system of output measurement and improved management information and management accounting systems. Those targets have now been refined to provide for the development of the agency's financial and management accounting information system by 1 April 1992 and the installation of a fully integrated IT-supported management information system by 1 April 1994.

  LONDON FIRE SERVICE
  LONDON FIRE SERVICE
  CRIME WHILE ON BAIL
  CRIME WHILE ON BAIL
  EOC: LEGAL COSTS IN HALFORD CASE
  EOC: LEGAL COSTS IN HALFORD CASE
  PASSPORT OFFICE: STAFF NUMBERS
  PASSPORT OFFICE: STAFF NUMBERS
  FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
  FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
  AUNG SAN SUU KYI
  AUNG SAN SUU KYI
  SYRIAC COMMUNITY, TURKEY
  SYRIAC COMMUNITY, TURKEY
  KURDS IN TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS
  KURDS IN TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS
  SOUTH-EAST TURKEY: STATE OF EMERGENCY
  SOUTH-EAST TURKEY: STATE OF EMERGENCY
  KURDS IN IRAQ: RELIEF MEASURES
  KURDS IN IRAQ: RELIEF MEASURES
  SOUTH BANK COMPLEX: PROPOSED DEMOLITIONS
  SOUTH BANK COMPLEX: PROPOSED DEMOLITIONS
  HONG KONG: NAVAL PATROL SQUADRON
  HONG KONG: NAVAL PATROL SQUADRON
  NEW VESSEL TYPES: SAFETY CODE REVIEW
  NEW VESSEL TYPES: SAFETY CODE REVIEW
  CATAMARANS: CLASSIFICATION, INSURANCE AND SAFETY
  CATAMARANS: CLASSIFICATION, INSURANCE AND SAFETY
  MEDICINAL PRODUCTS: EXTENDED PATENT PROTECTION
  MEDICINAL PRODUCTS: EXTENDED PATENT PROTECTION
  BALTIC STATES: POSTAL UNION MEMBERSHIP
  BALTIC STATES: POSTAL UNION MEMBERSHIP
  LOCOMOTOR DISABLED: MOBILITY ALLOWANCE
  LOCOMOTOR DISABLED: MOBILITY ALLOWANCE
  SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT ADDITIONS
  SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT ADDITIONS
  DISABILITY WORKING ALLOWANCE
  DISABILITY WORKING ALLOWANCE
  LONG-TERM INCAPACITY BENEFIT
  LONG-TERM INCAPACITY BENEFIT
  COT DEATHS
  COT DEATHS
  BIRTHS AND INFANT DEATHS, SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
  BIRTHS AND INFANT DEATHS, SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
  COT DEATHS. SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
  COT DEATHS. SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
  LIFE SENTENCE PRISONERS IN SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND: RELEASE
  LIFE SENTENCE PRISONERS IN SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND: RELEASE
  HOUSE RENOVATION GRANT SYSTEM: REVIEW
  HOUSE RENOVATION GRANT SYSTEM: REVIEW
  PSA SERVICES: FUTURE
  PSA SERVICES: FUTURE
  PLANNING APPLICATIONS: PUBLICITY
  PLANNING APPLICATIONS: PUBLICITY
  ROYAL PARKS
  ROYAL PARKS
  UNIVERSITIES: VAT COST INCREASE
  UNIVERSITIES: VAT COST INCREASE
  STUDENT BOOK PURCHASES: FUNDING
  STUDENT BOOK PURCHASES: FUNDING
  HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: LIBRARY ACQUISITION FUNDING
  HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: LIBRARY ACQUISITION FUNDING
  VOCATIONAL STUDIES: FUNDING OF BOOK PROVISION
  VOCATIONAL STUDIES: FUNDING OF BOOK PROVISION
  NATIONAL CURRICULUM: FUNDING OF BOOK PROVISION
  NATIONAL CURRICULUM: FUNDING OF BOOK PROVISION
  SCHOOL BOOKS: SPENDING
  SCHOOL BOOKS: SPENDING
  COLLEGES OF EDUCATION: SPENDING ON BOOKS
  COLLEGES OF EDUCATION: SPENDING ON BOOKS
  CLOSED SCHOOL PROCEEDS: USE FOR BENEFIT OF THE LOCALITY
  CLOSED SCHOOL PROCEEDS: USE FOR BENEFIT OF THE LOCALITY
  HEDGEROW CONSERVATION
  HEDGEROW CONSERVATION
  PLANNING INSPECTORATE EXECUTIVE AGENCY
  PLANNING INSPECTORATE EXECUTIVE AGENCY
  NATURE CONSERVANCY BODIES AND THE BUILT HERITAGE: CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS
  NATURE CONSERVANCY BODIES AND THE BUILT HERITAGE: CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS
  CLINICAL ACADEMIC STAFF: PAY INCREASES
  CLINICAL ACADEMIC STAFF: PAY INCREASES
  BARKESTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL
  BARKESTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL