Written Answers of 4 June 1991

TRANSPORT

  Nuclear Material
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that the arrangements for a police escort for the road transportation of nuclear products are rigorously enforced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Movements of radioactive materials by road must comply with the Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Great Britain) Regulations 1974 and Amendment Regulations 1985.

  There is no requirement in these regulations for police escorts to accompany the road transport of radioactive materials.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many journeys involving the transport of nuclear waste there were on the road system in Northumberland in the years 1988, 1989, 1990, and the first three months in the current year;

  (2) how many times nuclear waste has been transported along the A1 between British Nuclear Fuels, Sellafield, Cumbria, and Dounreay, Scotland; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) how many times nuclear waste has been transported along the A69 between British Nuclear Fuels, Sellafield, Cumbria, and Dounreay, Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  My Department does not collect data of the kind requested.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the numbers and dates of road accidents on the A69 involving the transportation of nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  There have been no accidents reportable under the Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Great Britain) Regulations 1974 involving vehicles carrying radioactive materials, but I am aware of a minor road traffic accident at Hexham on 19 April this year to a vehicle carrying miscellaneous items which included a package of low-level nuclear waste. This did not cause any damage to the package or its contents.

  Motorways
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects that section of the M1 which passes through Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire to be cleared of litter.

  Mr. Chope
  Litter clearance is carried out continuously on this section of motorway, with daily removal of large individual items of debris.

  Rail Services (Privatisation)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the Government now intend to make subsidies available to any InterCity services which might otherwise be jeopardised as a result of impending privatisation; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what steps he intends taking in the run-up to privatisation of the InterCity services of British Rail; if he will ensure that these branches of the intercity network which do not make a profit, are not run down by British Rail, or transferred to provincial services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  No decision has yet been taken on the structure of a privatised British Rail. Detailed questions about transfers of services between parts of BR, or about the subsidy regime for particular services, must await that decision.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with his Irish counterparts concerning the implications for rail services between London and Holyhead arising from the Government's plans to privatise railway services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no discussions about the implications of privatisation for London-Holyhead rail services. He has had recent correspondence with his Irish counterpart about the Crewe-Holyhead line, in the context of channel tunnel services and the European Commission's proposals for a high-speed rail network.

  Freight Facilities Grant Scheme
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the main changes he intends to make to the freight facilities grant scheme: and when the changes will come into operation.

  Mr. Freeman
  With the agreement of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, the following changes will be made:

  (i) a tripling in the price which the Government are proposing to pay for environmental benefits. The ceiling for grant is to be increased to £l per lorry-sensitive mile from the current level of 34p, and will be revalued for inflation in future years;

  (ii) virtually all single-carriageway roads will be considered environmentally-sensitive, rather than the current narrower definition of unclassified, urban; and scenic roads;

  (iii) most urban dual carriageway journeys will count for grant;

  (iv) urban roads will be given a 50 per cent. higher weighting than other sensitive roads;

  (v) the grant rules will be revised to allow for the eligibility in principle of inter-modal systems;

  (vi) schemes of exceptional environmental benefit will no longer be restricted to a maximum rate of grant of 60 per cent;

  (vii) in appraising a grant application, the stream of future environmental benefits will be calculated on a discounted basis, so that they are expressed in the same way as costs, which are currently expressed on that basis;

  (viii) the period of appraisal will remain generally at 10 years, but with flexibility to apply a lesser or greater period if appropriate; and to consider substitute flows of traffic as meeting the grant conditions over the life of the project where appropriate;

  (ix) 5 per cent. of grant payable may be retained until monitoring returns showing that a scheme is operating satisfactorily;

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  (x) the grant rules will be amended to permit the Department(s) to take a charge on assets in particular circumstances;

  (xi) greater publicity will be given to the scheme.

  The new criteria on payment of grant will be introduced immediately.

  Shipowners
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has made and what reports he has published concerning the comparative costs borne by

  Appendix 3.1 Some Comparative Crew-cost Options (30,000 dwt. Bulk Carrier)—1990 (£)

  OPTION A —UK officers —UK ratings (all UK rates)

  OPTION B —UK officers (offshore rates) —Filipino ratings (ITF approved rates)

  OPTION C —4 UK key officers (offshore rates) —6 Indian officers —Filipino ratings (all ITF approved rates)

  OPTION D —4 UK key officers (offshore rates) —6 Indian officers (ITF approved rates) —Hong Kong/China ratings (HK/PRC rates)

  OPTION E —Filipino officers —Filipino ratings (all ITF approved rates)

  OPTION F —Indian officers —Indian ratings (all ITF approved rates)

  Officers wages and leave

  314,064

  282,435

  217,589

  217,589

  147,340

  154.584

  Ratings wages and leave including overtime

  277,128

  95,425

  95,425

  81,803

  95,425

  120,654

  Crew travel

  59,400

  43,200

  39,600

  40,650

  29,700

  46,200

  Manning expenses

  4,770

  6,083

  7,000

  8,922

  7,376

  7,635

  Annual crew cost

  655,362

  427,123

  359,614

  348,964

  279,841

  329,073

  Daily crew cost

  1,796

  1,171

  986

  956

  767

  902

  Notes:

  Total crew complement: 22 = 10 officers + 12 ratings.

  Tours of duty: British—4 months.

  Asian/Eastern—8 months.

  Leave: British (United Kingdom rates)—12 days per month.

  British (Offshore)—l0 days per month.

  Asian/Eastern—6 days per month.

  Overtime: assumes mean of 100 hours per month.

  Salaries paid in: British—£.

  Others—US$ (at 1·70 = £1).

  The Gulf
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his marine pollution control unit has taken to monitor(a) the DESMI Engineering contract for heavy duty skimmers, (b) the Alba International contract in relation to the clean-up of Musallamiyah bay and (c) the Alba International contract for the clean-up of the coastline of Karan island.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: In respect of the Department of the Environment contract with DESMI Engineering, the marine pollution control unit acting on behalf of DOE, checked that the heavy duty oil skimmers were in full working order prior to their despatch to Bahrain.

  As advised in my reply of 15 April at column 1, both of the contracts with Alba International were between that company and the International Maritime Organisation, which advises that the work has been completed satisfactorily. The MPCU had no monitoring role.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funds the United Kingdom gives to the International Maritime Organisation Gulf fund.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The Departments of Transport and of the Environment have
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  United Kingdom shipowners for comparable standards of manning and safety under flags of convenience and flags of Commonwealth states; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The Department of Transport has, from time to time, commissioned information on crew cost comparisons, from ship managers and consultants, in order to help inform policy. Such information has not generally been published. The hon. Member may, however, be aware that the report of the joint working party on British shipping, published last year, included the attached table of case-specific figures, supplied by the General Council of British Shipping.

  each made a single £500,000 contribution to the International Maritime Organisation's Gulf oil pollution disaster fund.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will make a statement about the review of the financial conditions for legal aid which were announced in November 1990.

  The Solicitor-General
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is publishing a consultation paper today canvassing the options for funding civil legal aid with particular reference to those people who are currently not eligible for legal aid. Copies of the paper have been laid in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. The consultation period will run until the end of October and no decisions will be taken before then. A separate consultation paper will shortly be issued in Scotland to take account of the different position there.

  Further stages of the review will cover legal aid in criminal and matrimonial cases and the green form advice and assistance scheme. Separate consultation papers will be issued for these stages.

THE ARTS

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give details of any proposed changes to the cash and running costs limits for his Department's votes in 1991–92.

  Mr. Renton
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary summer supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XII, vote 4, is to be increased by £106,000 from £2,176,000 to £2,282,000. Additional provision is being transferred to meet the costs of certain services provided by the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Department of the Environment (Property Holdings). There is no net effect on the planning total.

  Royal Scottish orchestra £

  Scottish chamber orchestra £

  Scottish Baroque ensemble £

  Scottish Opera £

  Scottish Ballet £

  1988–89

  1,444,000

  636,350

  91,250

  3,260,000

  1,370,000

  1989–90

  1,473,000

  676,000

  91,800

  3,357,000

  1,407,000

  1990–91

  1,639,700

  709,000

  99,500

  3,669,000

  1,525,000

  1991–92

  1,735,000

  755,000

  107,000

  3,935,000

  1,640,869

  Some additional moneys have yet to be allocated in 1991–92 by the Scottish Arts Council from the enhancement fund and for touring; the companies above will be among the recipients of these funds.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the annual amount of grants to arts organisations and events in the cities of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh for the financial years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and projected for the year 1991–92.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: Scottish Arts Council grants to client organisations are as follows. Information relating to local authority grants is not readily available.

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  Aberdeen

  147,557

  160,543

  135,287

  180,000

  Dundee

  332,809

  371,520

  416,616

  399,285

  Edinburgh

  2,762,526

  2,857,636

  3,176,717

  3,101,000

  Glasgow

  7,569,290

  7,894,700

  8,662,421

  9,119,569

  Notes:

  (i) The figures above include grants to the three national companies based in Glasgow and the one national company based in Edinburgh. These companies are required, as a condition of grant, to tour throughout Scotland.

  (ii) They also include other touring companies, and galleries producing touring exhibitions, that are predominantly based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

  (iii) Figures for 1991ߝ92 are based on budget plans and exclude funds yet to be allocated.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give the number of energy audits carried out in his Department in the past five years and for each audit a statement of its main conclusions.
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  The running costs limit for the Office of Arts and Libraries will be increased by £106,000 from £2,136,000 to £2,242,000.

  Grants (Scotland)
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the amount of grant paid to the Scottish national orchestra, Scottish chamber orchestra, Scottish Baroque ensemble, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet for each of the financial years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and projected for the year 1991–92.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The information requested is as follows:—

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: No energy audits have been carried out in my Department, but surveys to improve energy efficiency have been, and are being, undertaken.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give for each available year from 1978 the amount invested in improving the energy efficiency of his office in(a) cash terms and (b) 1990–91 money terms.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: Investment to improve energy efficiency has been the responsibility of the Property Services Agency and the major occupying Departments within the two buildings in which my Department is located. Staff are encouraged, however, to follow simple but effective no-cost measures to help reduce energy consumption.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give the number of dedicated energy managers in his Department and the number of person-years devoted to energy management in the latest year.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The Office of Arts and Libraries has no dedicated energy managers but is advised in such matters by the Cabinet Office.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Woolwich Case
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on what grounds the Inland Revenue lost the Woolwich case in the High Court;

  (2) how many judges in (a) the High Court, (b) the Court of Appeal and (c) the House of Lords did not agree with the original Inland Revenue contention that there was no double taxation in the Woolwich case;

  (3) on what grounds the Inland Revenue won the Woolwich case in the Court of Appeal.

  Mr. Maples
  The High Court held that the Building Societies Regulations 1986 went beyond the scope of the
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  enabling powers, to the extent that they sought to bring into account payments made by building societies in transitional periods to 6 April 1986. The Court of Appeal reversed that decision.

  The House of Lords dismissed by a majority of four to one the Woolwich's principal argument in its appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision and confirmed that the enabling legislation did authorise the Inland Revenue to made regulations covering transitional periods to 6 April 1986. But the Lords held unanimously that there was no power to apply 1985–86 tax rates to payments in the transitional periods.

  Over the course of the litigation seven judges found that the enabling legislation authorised the Revenue to make regulations bringing into charge payments of interest in transitional periods to 6 April 1986; two found that it did not.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate in total how much the Inland Revenue received from building societies in 1985–86 and 1986–87; and how much will not be repaid as a consequence of clause 50 of the Finance Bill being approved by the House.

  Mr. Maples
  Receipts of income tax and corporation tax from building societies were £3,025 million in 1985–86 and £3,067 million in 1986–87. An estimated £130 million of 1986–87 receipts would be repaid if clause 50 was not approved; receipts of about £20 million in later years would also be repaid, together with accumulated interest amounting to about £100 million at the beginning of this financial year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many building societies, on or after 25 October 1990, asked for return of the tax which was in dispute; and how many received a written acknowledgement before the Budget speech in 1991.

  Mr. Maples
  It would not be appropriate to provide information about the tax affairs of individual taxpayers.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Treasury or Inland Revenue estimates of extra or accelerated payment of tax by building societies from(a) the changed tax arrangements and (b) the transitional arrangements were published in (i) 1985 and (ii) 1986.

  Mr. Maples
  The 1985–86 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" showed the effect of the building society measures on Exchequer revenue in 1985–86 to be nil and estimated the effect on tax liabilities for the first full year to be a reduction of £20 million in societies' liability to corporation tax.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a complete collection of Treasury press notices, ministerial speeches and pronouncements, and debates on the Floor of the House and in Committee on the change in taxation payments by building societies.

  Mr. Maples
  I have placed a collection of this information in the Library.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by the Central Office of Information in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Central Office of Information in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Maples
  This question falls within the scope of the policy announced in Cm. 1263: arrangements have therefore been made for the chief executive of the Central Office of Information to respond direct. Copies of the letter will be placed in the House Library and with the Public Information Office.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by Her Majesty's Treasury in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by Her Majesty's Treasury in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm, the subject of the assignment and, if appropriate, the executive agency for whom the contract was carried out.

  Mr. Maples
  The expenditure in the financial year 1990–91 is estimated to be some £5,902,000, which includes some £5,245,600 by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. Figures include the cost of development studies, which in turn include the cost of associated hardware and software; the later items are not separately identifiable.

  The following management and computer consultancy contracts were awarded by Her Majesty's Treasury in the financial year 1990–91.

  Contracts awarded:

  A Bobsin

  Office services project

  A. Morris

  Personnel project

  Admiral

  Quality Management

  AIAI

  Consultancy Support

  AMP Systems Lts

  Systems upgrade

  AMTEC

  Consultancy Support

  Anderson Consultants

  ITIL Project Support

  Ashford Associates

  Development Support

  B. Traynor

  Health project

  BBC Central Directorates

  Press office project

  BDO Binder Hamlyn

  Auditing contract

  BIS

  CRAMM Project Support

  BIS

  Consultancy Support

  Brameur

  Consultancy Support

  Brian Bolton

  Standards Support

  Brian Farrington Ltd

  Purchasing and Supply

  British Computer Society

  ITIL Project Support

  British Telecomm

  GTN Support

  C. Cubed

  Consultancy Support

  C. Makemson

  GOSIP Project Support

  CAMTEC

  Consultancy Support

  Cannon Rosen and Co.

  Personnel project

  CAPITA Group Ltd.

  Pursuit project

  Catering Consultants

  Pay division project

  CCMS

  ITIL Project Support

  Cego Mackrotest

  Market Research

  Chipboards

  IT Support

  City University

  Study in Estimating

  City University

  Study in Management

  Civil Service College

  Training Support

  CMGBIS

  SSADM Project Support

  145

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Purchasing research

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Management policy project

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Coding Systems for Purchasing

  D. B. I. Associates

  Development Support

  D. R. Moss

  Programming Support

  DAE University of Cambridge

  Capital gains and balance of payments

  Data Dictionary

  SSADM Project Support

  Data Systems

  Consultancy Support

  DCMS

  Network Management Support

  Delta Dimensions Ltd.

  Purchasing Database

  Deuce

  CRAMM Project Support

  DMW Group

  GTS Project Support

  Dr. D. Helm

  Economics project

  Dr. E. Burgess

  Personnel project

  DTI

  Management policy project

  EFD

  Consultancy Support.

  EOSYS

  Consultancy Support.

  ERA Technology

  Systems Interface.

  Ernst & Young

  GTS Project support.

  Ernst & Young

  GEMINI Marketing.

  Ernst & Young

  Methods Harmonisation.

  Ernst & Young

  ITIL Project support.

  Fischer & Lorenz

  Consultancy Support.

  Format Desktop Publishing

  SSADM Project Support.

  Frank Griffiths Associates

  Comments on DTp's Action Plan.

  Frank Griffiths Associates

  Highways Consultancy Commissions.

  Frank Griffiths Association

  Purchasing research.

  G. Hughes

  Development work on Project Database.

  Graftondale

  Open Systems Support.

  GTP Sales

  Telecomms Update.

  Healy R. Baker

  Accounting research project.

  Hedra Ltd.

  IT Review Support.

  Hoskyns

  Consultancy Support.

  HWPH Ltd.

  Nursery project.

  ICI C & P Headquarter

  Economics project.

  ICL

  Use of OSNET telecommunications system.

  Ideas Int.

  Database Support.

  IDU

  ITIL Project Support.

  IDU

  Infrastructure Support.

  Industrial Training Service

  Management policy project.

  Industrial Training Service

  Management policy project.

  Info Strategy

  GOSIP Project Support.

  Infologistix

  ITIL Project Support.

  Info. Design

  ITIL Project Support.

  Ingham Partnership

  SSADM Project Support.

  Ingham Partnership

  User Interface Project.

  Ingham Partnership

  Consultancy Support.

  Insieme

  ITIL Project Support.

  Institute of Manpower Studies

  Personnel project.

  J. D. Barnett

  Office services project.

  J. Gammon

  Use of private sector purchasing agent.

  J. K. Microelectric

  Consultancy Support.

  J. Westgate

  Consultancy Support.

  K. Baldwin

  Consultancy support

  K. P. G. Computer Support Services Ltd.

  Computer project

  K. W. Gray

  Personnel project

  Kermon Associates

  Consultancy support

  Kermon Associates

  GTS project support

  Kiddy & Co.

  Account management

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Auditing contract for IBM 43/81

  Lancare

  Check of telecommunications links

  Logica

  Consultancy support

  Logica

  GEMINI project support

  Logica

  Capacity planning

  M. Brech

  Management policy project

  M. J. O. Willacy

  Purchasing adviser

  M. N. Pickett

  Estate management

  M. W. Townley

  Financial institutions project

  MARI Group

  Consultancy support

  Masons

  Consultancy support

  Model Systems

  Consultancy support

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  Mrs C Megan

  Pensions project

  Ms S Horder

  Personnel project

  Network Telecomms

  GOSIP project support

  Nolan & Norton

  SSADM project support

  Nottingham University

  CSCW support

  OASIS Limited

  Pursuit project

  Open Systems Foundation

  Open Systems support

  Open Systems Foundation

  Training support

  OSI Services

  GTS project support

  Ovum Ltd

  Consultancy support

  Oxford Economic Research

  Economics project

  P Chambers

  Personnel project

  P G Davis

  Pensions project

  P N Parry

  Guidance on works projects

  PA Consultancy

  Consultancy support

  PA Consultancy

  ITIL project support

  PA Consultancy

  GDN project support

  Pat Bacon

  Pursuit project

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Management policy project

  Peter Hyde

  ITIL project support

  Pi Limited

  Purchasing database

  Pink Elephant

  ITIL project support

  Pratten

  Consultancy contract

  PRAXIS

  Framework support

  Price Waterhouse Association

  Privatisation project

  Protocol Int

  ITIL project support

  PSC Int

  GOSIP project support

  QBS Ltd

  ITIL project support

  R H Willmott

  EPHOS Project Support

  R H Willmott

  GOSIP Project Support

  R L Harris

  Marketing Support

  R M O'Connor

  Standards Support

  R Morgan

  Economics research

  Roger Tym and Partners

  Aid and export finance project

  Salford

  Development Support

  SEMA

  GOSIP Project Support

  SEMA

  Consultancy Support

  Sensitive Visual Aids

  Braille Support

  Softlab

  ITIL Project Support

  Soutron

  Consultancy Support

  Strand S. T. Ltd.

  Consultancy Support

  Systems Associated

  Consultancy Support

  T C F Howard

  Personnel project

  T McCormack

  Personnel project

  T W Olle Associates

  Development Support

  Telecomputing Ltd

  Automated job assembly consultancy

  Theo Goddard

  Consultancy Support

  Touche Ross Ltd

  Consultancy Support

  Transform

  Pay Project

  Transtech Consultancy Service

  Personnel project

  Trove

  GOSIP Project Support

  Turing Institute

  Development Support

  W. E. Townsend

  Personnel project

  Woodway

  Consultancy Support

  Workplace Nurseries

  Nursery project

  X-Tel Services

  CSCW Support

  Key to abbreviations

  ITIL

  IT Infrastructure Library

  SSADM

  Structured Analysis and Design Methodology

  GOSIP

  Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile

  CRAMM

  CCTA Risk Analysis and Management Methodology

  EPHOS

  European Procurement Handbook for Open Systems

  GTN

  Government Telecommunications Network

  GTS

  Government Telecommunications System

  OSI

  Open Systems Interconnection

  CSCW

  Computer Supported Co-operative Working

  GDN

  Government Data Network

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by the Royal Mint in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or
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  computer consultancy contract awarded by the Royal Mint in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Maples
  This question falls within the scope of the policy announced in Cm. 1263: arrangements have therefore been made for the deputy master and chief executive of the Royal Mint to respond direct. Copies of the letter will be placed in the House Library and with the Public Information Office.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by HMSO in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by HMSO in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  £ million

  Small properties

  Large properties

  All properties

  County

  1973 Rateable value

  1990 Rateable value

  1973 Rateable value

  1990 Rateable value

  1973 Rateable value

  1990 Rateable value

  Bedfordshire

  5

  42

  38

  301

  42

  343

  Berkshire

  4

  46

  66

  639

  70

  685

  Buckinghamshire

  4

  44

  45

  427

  49

  471

  East Sussex

  7

  71

  27

  247

  34

  317

  Essex

  13

  120

  80

  717

  92

  837

  Hampshire

  11

  113

  80

  695

  91

  808

  Hertfordshire

  7

  67

  89

  698

  96

  765

  Isle of Wight

  1

  15

  3

  37

  5

  53

  Kent

  12

  124

  63

  580

  75

  705

  Oxfordshire

  4

  45

  31

  326

  35

  371

  Surrey

  7

  76

  64

  642

  71

  718

  West Sussex

  6

  57

  39

  379

  44

  436

  London Boroughs and City of London

  112

  1,031

  1,138

  8,983

  1,250

  10,014

  The table gives rateable values before and after revaluation for all properties in the rating lists as at 1 April 1990. Small properties are taken to be those with a 1990 rateable value below £15,000 in London, and below £10,000 elsewhere.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total amount spent by the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the OMCS in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm, the subject of the assignment and, if appropriate, the executive agency for whom the contract was carried out.

  Mr. Renton
  The OMCS spent £747,500 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases, in 1990–91. The management and computer consultancy contracts let by the OMCS during 1990–91 are as follows:

  Firm and Assignment

  Coopers and Lybrand—Informing decisions on advising Departments and Agencies about the evaluation of Agencies' performance.

  Computer Answers Ltd.—Design and write database system.

  148
  Mr. Maples
  This question falls within the scope of the policy announced in Cm. 1263: arrangements have therefore been made for the chief executive of HMSO to reply direct. Copies of the letter will be placed in the House Library and with the Public Information Office.

  Business Premises (South-East Counties)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total value of(a) small, (b) large and (c) all business premises in each south-eastern county (i) before and (ii) after the recent revaluation which coincided with the introduction of the uniform business rate.

  Mr. Maude
  The information is as follows:

  Daton Systems Ltd.—Design and write database system.

  DBI Associates—Feasibility study for replacement computer system.

  KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock—Evaluation of senior staff training and development programme.

  KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock—Evaluation of implementation of Management Charter Initiative guidelines.

  Linbert Spencer—Development of equal opportunity recruitment guidance pack.

  Nottingham Professional Development Services—Production of an access training manual and other training materials.

  Oracle Corporation UK Ltd.—Programming support in development of recruitment processing system.

  Pearn Kandola Downs—Development of equal opportunity learning programme and training materials.

  Praxis Systems—Assistance in the analysis, design and testing of software and production of user manual.

  Psytech Ltd.—Further development of computerised system to support use of psychometric testing in recruitment schemes.

  Raindrop Data Systems Ltd.—Design and write database system.

  Taylor Stewart Associates—Development of training material on managing people from diverse groups.

  Trident Computer Services—Design and write database system.

  The only consultancy contract let by an executive agency was that with DBI Associates, let by the occupational health service.

HEALTH

  Cigarette Advertising
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the statutory provisions relating to the EC's powers concerning cigarette advertising.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Commission is proposing a new draft directive on tobacco advertising, the text of which is not yet available. Previous drafts have been based on article 100A of the treaty establishing the European Economic Community.

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total level of expenditure on pay for nurses, in cash and constant prices, in each year since 1973.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information requested for the financial years since NHS reorganisation on 1 April 1974 is shown in the table.

  The level of expenditure in 1989–90 reflects the transfer of many senior nurse managers from the nursing and midwifery pay structure to general senior management pay categories, a planned reduction in the overall number of students in training and other factors.

  NHS expenditure on salaries and wages—nursing and midwifery staff

  Total salaries and wages costs

  £000 (cash)

  £000 (at 1989–90 prices)

  1974–75

  761,521

  3,201,069

  1975–76

  985,114

  3,298,763

  1976–77

  1,122,979

  3,311,980

  1977–78

  1,220,263

  3,165,533

  1978–79

  1,375,652

  3,218,475

  1979–80

  1,679,338

  3,367,308

  1980–81

  2,338,084

  3,961,953

  1981–82

  2,554,240

  3,947,322

  1982–83

  2,747,676

  3,964,759

  1983–84

  2,858,812

  3,942,959

  1984–85

  3,074,483

  4,035,413

  1985–86

  3,261,598

  4,059,776

  1986–87

  3,566,025

  4,291,889

  1987–88

  4,013,321

  4,580,604

  1988–89

  4,750,229

  5,052,819

  1989–90

  5,028,195

  5,028,195

  Annual accounts of regional and disrict health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals. (Predecessor authorities for the years prior to 1982–83).

  NOTES TO THE TABLE

  1. The figures are gross pay costs including employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions. Expenditure on non-NHS (agency, etc.) staff is also included.

  2. The figures for earlier years have been expressed at 1989–90 prices by the use of Gross Domestic Product deflators.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the names of those people nominated to be chairs of second-wave NHS trusts.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  An announcement of the names of the chairmen of second-wave NHS trusts will be made after the trusts have been formally established.

  Intestinal and Stomach Cancer
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has on links between diet and the incidence of intestinal and stomach cancer, with particular reference to the consumption of red meat.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Comparisons of diet and the incidence of intestinal cancer in different groups have prompted hypotheses of a possible increase in risk from the consumption of red meat or its fat content, but the evidence is inconclusive.

  The Department is not aware of any suggested link between the consumption of red meat and an increased risk of stomach cancer.

  Vaccines
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported reactions there have been to vaccines in the last year for which figures are available; which vaccines were reported; what were the reactions; and whether any of these resulted in permanent disabilities.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There were 748 reports of suspected adverse reactions to vaccines in 1990; some of these reports may have featured more than one vaccine and/or more than one reaction. The report of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily imply a causal relationship.

  The following vaccines were involved:—

  Anthrax

  BCG

  Diphtheria

  Hepatitis B

  Influenza

  Measles

  Measles/mumps/rubella

  Polio

  Rubella

  Tetanus

  Typhoid

  Whooping cough

  Yellow fever

  The reactions reported fell into the following categories:—

  Application site disorders

  Arrythmias

  Auditory and vestibular

  Autonomic nervous system

  Bleeding and clotting disorders

  Cardiovascular disorders

  Central nervous system

  Collagen disorders Endocrine disorders

  Fetal disorders

  Gastro-intestinal disorders

  General disorders

  Hepatic disorders

  Intra-cardiac disorders

  Male reproductive disorders

  Metabolic and Nutritional

  Muscular Skeletal disorders

  Other special senses

  Peripheral vascular disorders

  Psychiatric disorders

  Resistance mechanism

  Respiratory disorders

  Skin and appendages

  Urinary disorders

  Visual disorders

  White blood cell disorders

  A number of the reports indicated that, at the time of reporting, the patient had not yet recovered. A number of these patients have subsequently recovered.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any changes will be made to the cash limits and running cost limits for his Department in 1991–92.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:

  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 1 (hospital, community health, family health services (part) and related services, England) will be increased by £162,196,000 from £16,247,836,000 to £16,410,032,000. This increase allows for an additional £157,719,000 to help provide, from 1 April 1991, for the pay awards recommended in the 1991 reports of the review bodies for nursing staff, midwives, health visitors and professions allied to medicine, and on doctors' and dentists' remuneration, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 31 January 1991 and for a transfer of £4,758,000 from class XI, votes 2 (Department of Education and Science, higher and further education) and 3 (Department of Education and Science, student awards, loans and compensation payments) in respect of public sector higher education. These increases are partially offset by transfers of £ 191,000 to class XVI, vote 8 (hospital and community health services, family practitioner services (part) and other health services, Wales) in respect of occupational therapy training and £90,000 to class XIII, vote 3 (see below) in respect of a child health care initiative.

  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 3 (Department of Health, administration, miscellaneous health services and personal social services, England) will be increased by £43,118,000 from £683,351,000 to £726,469,000. The increase provides for £1,281,000 to meet, from 1 April 1991, the review body recommendations mentioned above; for £42,000,000 for grants to haemophiliacs infected with HIV; for a net transfer of £847,000 from class XIV, vote 4 (Department of Social Security, administration and miscellaneous services) following a reapportionment of costs between the two Departments; for transfers of £90,000 from class XIII, vote 1 (see above) in respect of a child health care initiative and £14,000 from class IV, vote 2 (Department of Trade and Industry, support for industry, international trade, statutory and regulatory work, consumer protection and administration) in respect of research undertaken by the laboratory of the Government chemist and the national physical laboratory. The increases are partially offset by a transfer of £1,114,000 to class XI, vote 2 (Department of Education and Science, higher and further education) in respect of social work training. The Department's running cost limit is decreased by £733,000 from £253,625,000 to £252,892,000.

  The increases have been charged to the reserve and therefore do not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Cigarette Consumption
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide the source of his information that cigarette consumption in the Netherlands declined by 41 per cent. over the period 1975 to 1987; and whether this figure is for both manufactured cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco together, or for only one of these categories.
  152
  Mr. Dorrell
  The original source of this information is the Central Bureau for Statistics, the Netherlands. The figure relates only to manufactured cigarettes. It was recently published in the United Kingdom in Waterson M. J. "Advertising and Tobacco Consumption: An Analysis of the two Major Aspects of the Debate"International Journal of Advertising, 1990, 9, 59–72, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if priority will be given to the removal of tobacco advertising, not only from shops visible from schools and playgrounds, but also from shops close to schools and playgrounds.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The new voluntary agreement between the tobacco industry and the Government on tobacco advertising will require the industry to remove 50 per cent. of all permanent shopfront advertising over five years. The terms of the agreement will mean that the industry must give priority to removing signs clearly visible from schools. It is these signs which cause greatest concern to the Government.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the agreement with the tobacco industry announced recently to limit external permanent advertising on shops will apply to advertising stuck to the interior of shop windows facing outwards.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The agreement will cover permanent advertising material of this type, specifically window friezes and full window dressings.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the types of external permanent advertising material on shops to which his agreement with the tobacco industry will not apply.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No specific categories of external permanent advertising material on shops are excluded from the agreement.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what method will be used to measure the 50 per cent. reduction in permanent external tobacco advertising material on shop fronts.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Once the agreement has been concluded, the committee for monitoring agreements on tobacco advertising and sponsorship will engage independent consultants to monitor compliance with this aspect of the agreement. The methodology used by the consultants will be agreed between them and the committee. This matter will be covered in the committee's annual reports.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission an independent survey of the extent of tobacco advertising material on shops, comparable with those conducted for the committee for monitoring agreements on tobacco advertising and sponsorship by MAS Research Marketing and Consultancy Ltd. and reported in its first and second reports.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The precise nature of the independent consultancy work to be undertaken in monitoring compliance with the agreement is a matter for the committee for monitoring agreements on tobacco advertising and sponsorship.
  153
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he consulted the medical profession before concluding his agreement with the tobacco industry on advertising.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have not yet finally concluded the agreement. We are fully aware of the medical profession's views on this matter. The Department's own medical advisers took an active part in the negotiations.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that there is no increase in shop-front tobacco advertising in the period before the new voluntary agreement with the tobacco industry comes into effect.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The reference date for the number of permanent shopfront signs advertising tobacco will be 1 July 1991. The industry has given firm assurances that it is not its intention to use the period before 1 July to make significant increases in the number of such signs.

  "Registration: proposals for change"
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received following the publication of the White Paper on "Registration: proposals for change", (Cm. 939).

  Mr. Dorrell
  There has been generally a widespread welcome for the proposals made in the White Paper.

  Secular Marriages
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further consideration he has given to the form of service, person performing the service, authorised buildings and greater flexibility in the arrangements for secular marriages; if he will now consider introducing legislation to enable secular marriages to be carried out by magistrates, mayors or provosts, to allow them to take place in civic and other specified buildings, and to allow greater flexibility in the services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The proposals in Cm. 939 are designed to give greater flexibility in the form of civil marriage ceremony and the choice of venues where such ceremonies may be conducted. The Government intend to introduce legislation to give effect to those and other proposals in the White Paper as soon as other parliamentary business allows.

  The Government have no plans to allow civil marriages and the attendant responsibilities to be carried out by anyone other than registration officers.

  South Yorkshire Ambulance Service
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received during the past six months from residents in South Yorkshire expressing support for the transfer of the South Yorkshire ambulance service to trust status.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [pursuant to her reply, 20 May 1991 c. 394]: I regret that the identification of Yorkshire regional health authority as being responsible for the public consultation exercise on the trust application from the South Yorkshire ambulance service was incorrect. Trent regional health authority is conducting this exercise.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Correspondence
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what caused the delay in replying to the letter of 25 September 1990 to the Minister of State responsible for prisons from the Member for Brent, East about his constituent, Ms. R. Louis; and for what reasons could a copy of the reply not be faxed to him on 23 May.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is regretted that the hon. Member's first letter of 25 September 1990 was lost at prison service headquarters during reorganisation and the reply not provided until the receipt of his further letter of 4 April. A copy of the reply was faxed to the House of Commons for the attention of the hon. Member on 23 May.

  Indecency
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury of 20 December 1990,Official Report, column 334, he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on any changes made since that date to force instructions contained in the Metropolitan police force instruction manual or elsewhere relating to police operations to detect possible offences of indecency; and whether clearer guidance has been provided.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Metropolitan police that no such changes have been made since 20 December 1990, although this is being kept under review. The Metropolitan police instruction manual includes directions to officers as to the procedures to be followed in a wide range of street duties. It contains no specific instructions relating to the detection of offences of indecency. This is because the action to be taken by officers must be determined primarily by the circumstances of each particular case, within the overall guidelines.

  Visas
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions are taking place with the European Community concerning the validity of visas issued by one member state throughout the Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The question of co-operation between member states on visa matters is currently under discussion in the EC intergovernmental fora which are examining a draft convention on the crossing of external frontiers. It is too early to predict the outcome of those discussions.

  Cash Limits
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to make any changes to the 1991–92 cash limits within his responsibilities and to his Department's running costs limits.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IX, vote 3, will be increased by £12,872,000, from £878,445,000 to £891,317,000. At the same time the Home
  155
  Office running costs limit will be increased by £9,007,000 from £1,294,993,000 to £1,304,000,000. This mainly reflects the additional provision sought in connection with an increase in the number of asylum applications.

  £9,000 of the increase will be offset by a transfer of provision from the Cabinet Office (class XIX, vote 1). The balance of £12,863,000 will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

WALES

  Standard Assessment Tasks
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit(a) Sandycroft C. P. school and (b) Connah's Quay Bryn C. P. school, to discuss standard assessment tasks with staff members.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Although we have no immediate plan to visit these schools, my right hon. Friend and I have discussed assessment tasks with teachers in several schools we have recently visited. The Welsh Office in conjunction with HMI and the School Examinations and Assessment Council will be holding a one day conference at the end of June for primary teachers and advisers from all LEAs in Wales to discuss this year's assessment arrangements for seven-year-olds.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what policy initiatives he plans concerning homes in Wales for the elderly mentally infirm.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  We recognise the vulnerability of elderly people with mental infirmities and the need for adequate networks of care for them and of support for their families and friends who provide care.

  Where it is no longer possible for an individual to stay in his or her own home, admission to residential, nursing home or hospital care should be a positive choice based on a full assessment of realistic alternatives. Such care should be in appropriately designed and staffed, locally based accommodation.

  Our detailed policies and programme of action are set out in the Welsh Chapter of the White Paper "Caring for People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond" (Cm 849), in the guidance on social care plans published by the Welsh Office in September 1990 and in the all-Wales mental illness strategy published in May 1989. Copies of these documents are in the Library of the House.

  These are being carried into effect through complementary county plans for mental illness services and social care more generally which are to be published by April 1992. Earmarked Welsh Office funds under the mental illness strategy, the elderly initiative and the new grant scheme to promote more flexible forms of community care for elderly people and those with physical or sensory disabilities are helping to develop the required patterns of local services.
  156
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from the Care Homes Association concerning the fees paid to care homes and to nursing homes.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  None this year.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he will take to enable local authorities to top up payments to homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Local authorities have the power to top up payments to independent sector residential homes in respect of people receiving the residential rate of income support who are under 65 or who continue in such care from the age of 65. From 1 April 1993, the Government intend that these arrangements will remain in place for those who continue in residential or nursing home care which they entered before that date.

  For new residents of all ages from 1 April 1993 there will be new arrangements. Local authorities will manage a single unified budget to cover the costs of social care, whether in a person's own home or in a residential care or nursing home. People who enter homes under this new funding system and who need public financial support will no longer, therefore, have their care costs met by social security. The present rules on local authority topping up payments will, therefore, no longer apply to this group. In place of the present special income support limits, they will be able to claim help from the normal income support system of personal allowances and premiums, and from housing benefit. The financial incentives towards residential care under present income support rules will therefore be eliminated.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many residential homes for the elderly mentally infirm there are in each county in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The number of homes for elderly people as at 31 March 1990 is shown in the following table. Homes catering for elderly mentally infirm residents are included in these figures.

  Local authority homes

  Private homes

  Voluntary homes

  Clwyd

  20

  151

  5

  Dyfed

  29

  68

  2

  Gwent

  24

  22

  —

  Gwynedd

  27

  84

  2

  Mid Glamorgan

  34

  32

  2

  Powys

  14

  17

  1

  South Glamorgan

  21

  79

  9

  West Glamorgan

  21

  26

  3

  Wales

  190

  479

  24

  Visits to Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the schools he has visited in 1991.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend visited Ysgol David Hughes, Gwynedd on 20 May 1991 and Ruthin school, Clwyd on 24 May 1991. During the course of 1991 I have visited four county primary schools and seven county secondary schools in Wales. These are as follows:
  157

  School

  Date

  Lansdowne County Primary School

  South Glamorgan

  18 January 1991

  Llanishen High School

  South Glamorgan

  18 January 1991

  Ysgol Pencae (County Primary)

  Gwynedd

  4 February 1991

  Ysgol Aberconwy (Secondary)

  Gwynedd

  4 February 1991

  Ysgol Llwyn Cnvn

  Mid Glamorgan

  22 March 1991

  Ysgol Rhydyfelen

  Mid Glamorgan

  22 March 1991

  Ysgol Glantaf

  South Glamorgan

  26 April 1991

  Ysgol John Bright

  Gwynedd

  2 May 1991

  Tywyn Primary School

  West Glamorgan

  10 May 1991

  Olchfa Comprehensive School

  West Glamorgan

  10 May 1991

  Primary School Tests
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet teachers' unions to discuss the impact of standard assessment testing on staffing levels in primary schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I recently met the representatives of the Welsh Secondary Schools Association and will shortly meet with representatives of the National Association of Head Teachers in Wales to discuss assessment issues.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to make any changes to the 1991–92 cash limits for class XVI, votes 4, 5, 8 and 10.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary and revised estimates, the cash limit on class XVI, vote 4 will be increased by £8,408,000, from £143,000,000 to £151,408,000; the cash limit on class XVI, vote 5 will be increased by £724,000, from £399,151,000 to £399,875,000; the cash limit on class XVI, vote 8 will be increased by £10,291,000, from £1,120,386,000 to £1,130,677,000; and the cash limit on class XVI, vote 10 will be reduced by £62,716,000, from £1,827,515,000 to £1,764,799,000.

  The increase to vote 4 provides additional resources for training and enterprise councils in respect of employment training.

  The increase to vote 5 comprises: (i) the provision of resources for grant-maintained schools (£500,000) which are offset by a corresponding reduction in class XVI, vote 10; (ii) additional provision in respect of various payments to be made to the Department of Education and Science (£1,108,000) which will be offset by a corresponding reduction in class XI, votes 1 and 2; and (iii) a reduction in the provision for rating work by valuation offices, following an amended VAT ruling by Customs and Excise (£884,000). This reduction will be used to offset in part an increase in class XVI, vote 11 in respect of flood, storm and emergency services.

  The increase to vote 8 comprises: (i) additional resources towards meeting the cost of the pay awards recommended in the 1991 report of the review bodies for nursing staff, midwives, health visitors and professions allied to medicine and on doctors' and dentists' remuneration (£10,100,000); and (ii) provision for the funding of occupational therapy training (£191,000).

  The reduction to vote 10 is made up as follows. (i) There is a decrease of £62,000,000 in respect of the community charge reduction scheme, provision for which is being sought by means of a summer supplementary estimate on class XVI, vote 11. (ii) There is a decrease in the provision
  158
  for rate support grant (£216,000) following the recalculation of local authorities' entitlements. The latter reduction will offset that element of the increase in class XVI, vote 11 in respect of flood, storm and emergency services (£1,100,000) not covered by the reduction from class XVI, vote 5. (iii) There is a decrease in the provision for revenue support grant (£500,000) to offset an increase in class XVI, vote 5 in respect of expenditure on grant-maintained schools.

  As already announced, the increase in respect of review bodies' pay awards and the provision for employment training have been charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure. There is no net impact on public expenditure of the other changes shown above.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement about the management of children's homes in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  We have already announced our intention to review local authorities' arrangements for the management and control of their children's homes: I intend to invite voluntary and private children's homes to co-operate in this exercise. The review will be conducted by the social services inspectorate Wales, and the report of its findings will be published.

  Separately, following the recent allegations in the press, I have decided to direct Gwent county council to set up a full independent inquiry into the management regime and practical day-to-day running of Ty Mawr community home, and into the county council's arrangements for oversight and control of the local management. Guidance to local authorities on the need for them to take early action to introduce complaints procedures for the children in their care has already been issued. In collaboration with the Department of Health, the Department will be issuing further comprehensive guidance on residential care as part of the process of implementing the Children Act 1989 which comes into force in October. We will take whatever further action is necessary in the light of the reports of the Ty Mawr inquiry and our own review of children's homes when these are to hand.

  In addition, officials have recently completed a thorough review of secure care for young people. The review, which took evidence from all interested parties, paid particular attention to the need for secure accommodation to avoid the use of prison for boys on remand. I am presently considering the final report of the review which we will be publishing for consultation next month. The consultation, which will be very wide, will be conducted with all urgency consonant with a proper consideration of the issues.

ENVIRONMENT

  Uniform Business Rate (Post Offices)
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received concerning the effect of the uniform business rate on rural post offices; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to provide relief from the uniform business rate for community post offices.

  Mr. Key
  We have received a number of representations on this subject, and a Post Office survey has shown a varied effect on rates bills for this type of property. Some sub-postmasters have stated that they are better off under the new arrangements.

  We do not propose to give rate relief to "community" post offices. Such property is rateable only to the extent that the non-domestic use prevents part of it from being used wholly for the purposes of living accommodation at some time during the day. In view of concerns expressed about the rating of "community" post offices, valuation officers have checked the assessment of these properties.

  From 1 April this year, we have also improved the transitional arrangements for properties in mixed domestic and commercial use to limit year-on-year rates increases to 10 per cent. in real terms; this will benefit many rural post offices.

  Royal Parks Police
  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many police were employed by the royal parks in(a) 1971, (b) 1981 and (c) 1991, respectively.

  Sir George Young
  The royal parks constabulary was formed in 1974. Prior to that there was a body of park keepers with a strength of 174 in 1971. The authorised complement of the RPC was 159 in 1981 and 160 in 1991.

  Ordnance Survey (Expenditure)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount spent by the Ordnance Survey in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Ordnance Survey in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Baldry
  The chief executive will write to the hon. Member.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the basis upon which service personnel and their families living in a group of properties, not having separate rateable values entered in the valuation list, will now be able to benefit under the Community Charge (England) (Reductions) Regulations 1991; and what steps he has taken to inform local authorities of this change.

  Mr. Key
  The aim of the reduction scheme is to limit the increase in community charges over rates in 1989. The 160
  improvements to the scheme announced on 25 March will help people who live in properties where there was only one rateable value covering several residences. Under transitional relief a maximum of two personal community charges only could be compared to the rates. Under the community charge reduction scheme local authorities are now required to compare the rates with the aggregate community charge liability of all the eligible charge payers living in one or more properties covered by one rateable value. This change will particularly benefit service personnel living in properties which did not have separate rateable values. Details of the changes to the scheme were sent to authorities on 26 March and 28 March.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals to the West Yorkshire valuation and community charge tribunals were waiting to be heard on 22 May; how many appeals have been resolved since 1 April 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The available information is as follows:

  Outstanding Appeals

  Appeals Cleared since 1 April 1990

  (a) 1973 Rating Appeals as at 22 May 1991

  339

  6,163

  (b) 1990 Rating Appeals at end of April 1991

  23,610

  324

  (c) 1990 Transitional and Completion Notice Appeals as at 22 May 1991

  2,086

  146

  (d) Community Charge Appeals at end of April 1991

  59

  181

  Most of the 1990 rating appeals were not transferred from valuation offices to the tribunal until February and March this year. Some of these have already been listed for hearing; the 324 cases cleared are those agreed or withdrawn since 1 December 1990.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent action he has taken to remind local authorities of their duties(a) to collect all the community charges owed to them and (b) actively to pursue non-payers and late payers of the community charge; and if he will introduce legislation to prevent local authorities from passing on the shortfall per head in revenue, caused by those charge payers who do not pay in full, to charge payers who do pay in full.

  Mr. Key
  All authorities are very well aware of their duty to collect the community charge from all those liable to pay it. In commenting on the latest community charge collection figures published on 29 May my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Local Government and Inner Cities made it clear that authorities were still under an obligation to collect any outstanding charges and that there would be no amnesty for non-payers. It is right than when setting community charges authorities should take account of their estimates of any amounts which will be unrecoverable, as they did when setting rate poundages under the former rating system.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the departmental guidelines issued since February 1991 to local authorities on the poll tax, their date of issue and a brief summary of each of their contents.
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  Mr. Key
  My Department has written to local authorities about the community charge on the following occasions since February:

  11 March
  "Community Charge and Non-Domestic Rating: Statutory Instruments and Circular Letters"
  —This contained a list of all statutory instruments laid in 1990 and 1991 and all circular letters issued by the Department since October 1990.

  19 March
  "Community Charges in 1991–92"
  —This outlined the changes made to the community charge as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech.

  26 March
  "Community Charges in 1991–92"
  —This gave further details of the General Reduction of 140 and of changes to be made to the Community Charge Reduction Scheme.

  28 March
  "Community Charges in 1991–92"
  —This gave further guidance on the effect of the General Reduction in charges and explained in more depth the changes to the Community Charge Reduction Scheme.

  25 April
  "The Personal Community Charge (Reduction) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1991"
  —This explained the effect of the regulations amending the criteria by which chargepayers are eligible under the Reduction Scheme.

  7 May
  "The Community Charges and Non-Domestic Rating (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1991"
  —This explained the effect of these regulations on the instalment arrangements for the payment of community charges.

  16 May
  "Community Charge Liability: British Service Personnel in the Gulf"
  —This gave charging authorities guidance about the liability of British service personnel posted to the Gulf in the light of the High Court decision on Bradford City Council v. Anderton, and also gave details about the reimbursement scheme to be operated by the Ministry of Defence.

  20 May
  "You and the Community Charge: Reductions for 1991–92"
  —This enclosed copies of the new leaflet explaining how the £140 reduction and the Community Charge Reduction Scheme will work in 1991–92.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information local authorities are required to provide to community charge payers, on the community charge bill, relating to the item called other adjustments.

  Mr. Key
  Authorities are required to provide their charge payers with explanatory notes which form part of their community charge bill. These include a note on other adjustments which explains that the main adjustments taken account of in this figure are authorities' estimates of interest payable to or by the authority; changes in income due to movements on and off the community charges register; income from standard charges; and community charges not collected by the authority.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many individuals have been prosecuted 162
  for non-payment of the community charge; and what percentage of charge payers are estimated not to have paid their community charge in full.

  Mr. Key
  By the end of March 1991 local authorities in England had issued 4·1 million summonses for nonpayment of the community charge and had obtained almost 3 million liability orders. Information is not available on the numbers of charge payers who have paid their charge in full; but we estimate that by the end of March 1991, 91 per cent. of charge payers had made some payment.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the factors which he takes into account in calculating the standard spending assessments and the total external support for Basildon district council and Southend-on-Sea borough council; and the weighting that was given to each factor.

  Mr. Key
  The factors and weights used to calculate standard spending assessments (SSAs) which form the basis of grant distribution, are the same for all authorities providing the same range of services. They are set out in the "Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England)" as amended by the "Revenue Support Grant Distribution (Amendment) Report (England)" approved by the House of Commons on 29 January. Copies of both of these are in the Library together with the SSA handbook for 1991–92 which provides details of the service elements of SSA for every authority.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations regarding the lay-out of the community charge bill issued by local authorities and the information it provides.

  Mr. Key
  My Department received a number of responses from authorities and other organisations on the form of the community charge bill and its accompanying information following the issue of draft regulations on these matters last year.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities about backdating claims for rebate on the poll tax.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the "Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit Guidance Manual", especially paragraph B2.34, which was issued to local authorities in January this year. A copy of the guidance manual is in the Library. In addition, local authorities were informed in March this year about the special arrangements for claims for benefit affected by the Community Charges (General Reduction) Act 1991.

  Housing Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish a table showing nationally, regionally and for each district, the total number of dwellings, the total number of owner-occupied dwellings, the number rented from (i) public and (ii) private landlords and the average rent charged for commercial dwellings in 1979 and at the latest available date.

  Mr. Key
  National and regional estimates of the stock of dwellings by type of tenure appear in "Housing and
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  Construction Statistics, Great Britain, 1979–1989". The national estimates for December 1979 and subsequent years are in table 9.3. The earliest consistent figures at regional level, showing housing association dwellings separately from private rented dwellings, are for April 1981 and these are in table 9.4. An unpublished table for December 1989 with these categories combined has been placed in the Library. The latest available estimates, for December 1990, appear in tables 2.23 and 2.25 of "Housing and Construction Statistics, Great Britain, December quarter 1990, Part 2".

  Estimates for individual authorities which are consistent with national and regional totals and tenure categories are not available. A table giving total stock for each local authority at the end of 1980 and 1990 has been placed in the Library.

  Region

  Number of domestic hereditaments (millions)

  Average value per hereditament (£)

  Implied value of housing stock (£bn)

  Northern

  1·2

  50,000

  60

  North West

  2·5

  58,000

  150

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2·0

  60,000

  120

  East Midlands

  1·6

  66,000

  100

  West Midlands

  2·0

  63,000

  130

  East Anglia

  0·8

  67,000

  50

  South West

  1·8

  82,000

  150

  South East

  4·1

  96·000

  400

  Greater London

  2·8

  117,000

  330

  Royal Parks (Contracts)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether all the work allocated by the district works office, royal parks, to Baker Bros. that was paid for, has now been completed.

  Sir George Young
  With one exception, the type of orders used by the district works office, royal parks, to place work with that company (which is now called Electrical Refrigeration (South East Ltd) requires the work to be completed before payment is made. The exception related to a specific contract which provided for interim payments; the work was completed before the final payment was made.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which district works offices of the Property Services Agency allocated electrical work to Messrs Baker Bros (Grays) Ltd. in the year since 1987.

  Sir George Young
  The district works offices concerned were central London palaces, City-London north, Kensington, museums and galleries groups 1 and 2, royal parks, special buildings 1 and 2, Whitehall, north and Whitehall, south.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he has taken to assure himself that electrical and buildings maintenance work carried out to the Rose Garden restaurant in Regent's park has been accurately apportioned and monitored;

  (2) what steps he has taken to assure himself that the arrangements for allocating work to Messrs. Baker Bros. (Grays) Ltd. on projects carried out at Regent's park were drawn up in compliance with departmental guidelines;
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  National and sub-national information on private sector fair rents registered with rent officers for 1979 are published in the Department's "Note for Rent Officers RO(S)33", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Comparable information for the fourth quarter of 1990 is in the Department's "Statistical Bulletin 91(2) Rent Officer Statistics, Third and fourth quarters 1990".

  Residential Property Values
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment what is his estimate of the number and average value of residential properties in each English region and in Wales, together with his estimate of the value of the housing stock in each case.

  Mr. Key
  The table provides the information requested.

  (3) why it was decided not to use measured term contractors in the case of contracts allocated by the district works office, royal parks, for work carried out in Regent's park in the years 1988, 1989 and 1990.

  Sir George Young
  PSA Services, Building Management. London (BML) is employed to undertake maintenance work at the Rose Garden restaurant. For that type of work detailed procedures exist relating to the selection of the appropriate method by which individual services are to be executed, the supervision of that work and the scrutiny of invoices prior to payment authorisation. The district works officer and regional management are required to carry out regular personal checks of randomly selected orders; and the district works office is the subject of other management reviews, the results of which are passed to BM L's management board.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many contracts were given by the district works office, royal parks, to Baker Bros. (Grays) Ltd. of Essex in each year since 1988.

  Sir George Young
  The number of contracts placed with that company in those years was five.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to assure himself that the allocation of contracts by the district works office, royal parks, to Baker Bros. (Grays) Ltd. of Essex in 1988. 1989 and 1990 complied with all departmental guidelines.

  Sir George Young
  Three of the contracts were awarded to the company as a result of competitive tendering in accordance with departmental guidelines and in which the company made the most favourable offer. The other two
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  were for very small value works, which the district works officer placed with the company in accordance with his delegated authority.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether contract work to the open air theatre at Regent's park, allocated by the district works office, royal parks, was completed within budget.

  Sir George Young
  Since the formation of the district works office, royal parks, works services on this site have comprised minor maintenance and minor new works. Some cost overruns have occurred. By its very nature, work in existing property is likely to encounter unforeseeable problems which may result in additional expenditure. However, if the cost of such services exceeds the estimate, procedures require the matter to be referred to management for approval of the additional cost. Since 1 April 1990, the funding of works services in the royal parks has been the responsibility of DOE central's royal parks division, which approves each individual service and any significant variation.

  Heveningham Hall
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what agreement as to the implementation of the tree planting scheme of Dame Sylvia Crowe at Heveningham hall was agreed by the purchaser at the time of the sale in 1981: and what steps the owner has taken to fulfil it.

  Sir George Young
  The purchaser covenanted to use his best endeavours to commence, carry out and complete the tree planting scheme recommended by Dame Sylvia Crowe in her report of November 1975, or an alternative scheme if agreed in writing by the vendor. The implementation of the scheme has been delayed, partly by the loss of a large number of trees in the storms of the past four years. Suffolk county council is currently formulating a new planting programme with the managing agents, Suffolk Coastal district council and Task Force Trees to reinstate these losses. Dame Sylvia Crowe's scheme is also being re-examined in the light of more recent research.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he took to verify the suitability of I. D. Investment Development AG to be the purchaser of Heveningham hall at the time of its sale in 1981.

  Sir George Young
  The negotiations for the sale of the hall were conducted with the late Mr. Al Ghazzi and his solicitors. It would not be appropriate to give details of the inquiries which were made at the time as to Mr. Al Ghazzi's suitability. The terms of sale include the acceptance of certain covenants by I. D. Investment Development AG and a deed of covenant by Mr. Al Ghazzi guaranteeing the company's performance.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to return the James Wyatt furniture to Heveningham hall.

  Sir George Young
  This is a matter which will need to be considered when the restoration work is completed.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to identify the ultimate beneficial owner of I. D. Investment Development AG as the legal owner of Heveningham hall and at the time of its purchase of the hall.
  166
  Sir George Young
  My right hon. Friend's concern is to ensure that this outstanding historic building is properly restored and maintained. He does not need further information about the ownership of the hall in order to monitor the progress of the work, which is going well.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what restrictive covenants there are to cover the use by the Al Ghazzi family of Heveningham hall.

  Sir George Young
  There are no restrictive covenants on the use of Heveningham hall.

  Radon
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the exceptionally high radon levels found in tap water in Alnwick, Northumberland.

  Mr. Trippier
  A survey of tap water, organised by researchers at Bristol, is currently being conducted at secondary schools round the country. The survey involves the use of a simple kit to test for radon. A single sample from a school in Alnwick was found to contain radon activity of 65 bq/1. I am advised by the National Radiological Protection Board that this result is not a cause for concern.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the outcome of the recent publicity campaign in Cornwall and Devon relating to radon in homes.

  Mr. Baldry
  I launched a publicity campaign on 11 March to encourage householders in Cornwall and Devon to take advantage of the Government-funded free radon measurement service, which is available on request to householders throughout the two counties. My Department has produced a leaflet, "Radon in Houses", which has been distributed to all households in Cornwall and Devon.

  Seven hundred and fifty thousand copies of the leaflet have been sent out. The house-to-house leaflet drop was backed up by a widespread poster campaign. Posters have been displayed in libraries, citizens advice bureaux, DIY shops, estate agents etc, and additional leaflets were made available through these outlets. 160 copies of a Braille version of the leaflet were sent out through the blind welfare officers of the two counties. A public service announcement was recorded for use by local radio stations.

  I am pleased to be able to tell my hon. Friend that the campaign has been a resounding success. The leaflet has a tear-off slip to enable householders to apply to the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) for a radon measurement. NRPB carries out radon measurements for Government. Up to the present, over 72,000 requests have been received from householders by the board. All those applying will receive a response within four weeks, and the radon detectors themselves within two months, Over 50,000 measurements are already in progress.

  Cornwall and Devon make up the only area of the country which has formally been designated by the NRPB as a radon affected area. About 12 per cent. of homes in the region may have radon concentrations exceeding the level at which householders are advised to take action to

  167
  reduce it; this is a much larger proportion than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of contracting lung cancer.

  If the results show that the Government action level is exceeded, householders are advised to undertake the necessary remedial measures, which can usually be carried out effectively for relatively modest cost. Advice on remedies is given in the Department's free leaflet, "The Householders' Guide to Radon", a copy of which is always provided with the radon survey results. Local authorities may give discretionary house renovation grants for radon remedial works, subject to a test of resources.

  I most sincerely urge all householders in Cornwall and Devon to accept the advice to have their houses measured for radon.

  Footpaths and Bridleways
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by year for the past 10 years, and for the current year to date, the number of(a) public footpaths and (b) public bridleways that have been (i) created and (ii) closed to the general public.

  Mr. Baldry
  Information is not held centrally in precisely the form requested, but records held by the Countryside Commission indicate that the number of public path creation and extinguishment orders made, and known to have to come into operation in England and Wales since the introduction of revised procedures on 28 February were:

  Orders made

  Orders known to have come into operation

  Creation

  19831

  65

  43

  1984

  60

  47

  1985

  79

  65

  1986

  93

  79

  1987

  71

  55

  1988

  108

  87

  1989

  97

  74

  1990

  113

  76

  19912

  45

  19

  Extinguishment3

  19831

  215

  143

  1984

  281

  187

  1985

  309

  196

  1986

  267

  186

  1987

  295

  157

  1988

  289

  177

  1989

  242

  143

  1990

  303

  151

  19912

  100

  23

  1 After 28 February.

  2 Approximately first half of year.

  3 These figures include orders for diversion or temporary extinguishment; orders made by magistrates' courts; and side road orders, which may include creation and extinguishment within the same order.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne can expect a reply to his communication of 26 February on behalf of Mrs. Meryl Hellevoort, of 3 Primrose gardens, Mary's Well, Redruth, on rate support grant payments.
  168
  Mr. Key
  I have replied to my hon. Friend today.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer,Official Report, 21 May, column 405, with regard to the number of jobs created or attracted in urban development corporations, how the figure for Sheffield was calculated; and where the jobs are located.

  Mr. Portillo
  The figure of 7,787 jobs for Sheffield development corporation is a gross estimate of permanent jobs created or attracted in the UDA, not a net figure as indicated in the answer given in the Official Report, 21 May at column 405. The figure is an estimate of jobs in the development corporation's area arising out of private sector developments completed since the corporation was established and an estimate of jobs created as a result of grant support to local firms for business development schemes. The majority of jobs, about 7,000, are at Meadowhall.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what responses he has received to consultation on the separation of local authorities' waste regulation and disposal functions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  On 31 May my Department and the Welsh Office issued a circular giving guidance to those local authorities which are both waste regulation and waste disposal authorities under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 on how to separate those functions as the Act requires.

  Some 30 replies were received on the draft circular, issued on 6 March, from local authority associations, individual local authorities and other interested bodies including the waste disposal industry. Responses generally supported the principle of separation, but raised a number of particular concerns.

  The local authority associations expressed considerable concern over the extent of separation requested and its possible cost. We have no wish rigidly to prescribe particular administrative structures. We have therefore rewritten the circular to offer authorities more flexibility, provided that they meet the important objective of independence for the regulation authority from pressures arising from their role as disposal authorities. No long-term increase in costs should therefore be involved.

  Concerns were also expressed about the future status of waste regulation and I am happy to take this opportunity to reaffirm the Government's policy that the status of waste regulation should be enhanced generally, and that this should be helped not hindered by its separation from waste disposal.

  We have set a timetable, taking account of local authority concerns, for them to submit their proposals to the Secretary of State; this should be done as soon as possible and at the latest by 31 December 1991.

  We have also now commenced a number of provisions of part II of the Act dealing with the establishment of waste regulation, disposal and collection authorities and some of their functions—in particular, the duty of waste regulation authorities to prepare strategic waste disposal plans for their areas.
  169
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue the expected circular on new arrangements for waste disposal operations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, with particular reference to the introduction of competitive tendering for waste disposal contracts and the formation of local authority waste disposal companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  My Department and the Welsh Office issued the circular to local authorities on 29 M ay. The circular provides guidance on new arrangements for waste disposal operations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, including the introduction of competitive tendering for waste disposal contracts, and advice on the formation of local authority waste disposal companies (LAWDCs). The new arrangements will provide the basis for fair competition and higher environmental standards in waste disposal and will, together with other parts of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, encourage the provision of improved services for the collection, keeping, treatment and disposal of waste.

  There has been consultation with the local authority associations, with the waste disposal industry and with other interested parties. The advice and guidance contained in the circular reflects the concerns which have been expressed to us.

  The circular explains that, under the Act, authorities will no longer be able to carry out waste disposal operations themselves. In the first instance, it will be for authorities to choose what sort of arrangements they wish to make in order to satisfy the provisions of the Act; available options include entering into a joint venture with the private sector, privatising the waste disposal undertaking or establishing a LAWDC under direction from the Secretary of State. Any authorities which do not take steps to make satisfactory new arrangements for waste disposal will he directed to form a LAWDC.

  Guidance on the formation of a LAWDC is contained in the circular, as is advice on provisions to be included in a scheme to transfer the authority's waste disposal undertaking to a LAWDC. Each transfer scheme must be approved by the Secretary of State. When authorities are directed to form LAWDCs, each authority will be provided with its own individual timetable for the creation of its LAWDC, reflecting that authority's particular circumstances and the Secretary of State's commitment to implementing this policy as soon as possible. Setting the new arrangements for waste disposal in place throughout England and Wales will be achieved through a co-operative effort, drawing on the resources of both central and local government.

  The circular also explains that the Act introduces competitive tendering for waste disposal contracts. With effect from 31 May, local authorities must award only new contracts for waste disposal through competitive tender. In framing the terms of any contract, authorities must consider whether to include conditions designed to maximise recycling and to minimise pollution of the environment or harm to human health. Authorities are not required to accept the lowest tender where an alternative offers environmental benefits. At all stages in the process, authorities must take care not to discriminate unduly against particular types of waste disposal contractor. The
  170
  competitive tendering process will identify the full costs of waste disposal, and will encourage an efficient and environmentally conscious waste disposal service.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to make any changes to the cash limit on the Property Services Agency services vote in 1991–92.

  Mr. Yeo
  Subject to approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class VIII vote 13 will be reduced by £470,000 from £91,416,000 to £90,946,000. The reduction is due to the transfer of £500,000 to Property Holdings (in respect of the transfer of the PSA security group function) offset by an inward transfer of £30,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry following the extension of charging for seedcorn research.

  This vote also covers the residual costs of the Crown Suppliers, following the closure on 31 March of the Crown Suppliers trading fund. Pending parliamentary approval of the estimates, urgent expenditure estimated at £5,000,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the contingencies fund.

  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any changes to announce to his Department's running cost limits for 1991–92.

  Mr. Yeo
  Yes, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary summer supplementary estimate, the running cost limit for Property Holdings will be increased by £7,058,000 from £49,973,000 to £57,031,000. The increase reflects the transfer of responsibility to Property Holdings of the special services group from class VIII vote 13 and the interdepartmental despatch service from the Crown Suppliers.

  Sir Timothy Raison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any changes to announce to his Department's cash limits and running costs limits for 1991–92.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised and supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:

  (i) the cash limit for class VIII, vote 2 (miscellaneous housing administration and grants) will be reduced by £25,588,000 from £221,495,000 to £195,907,000. This mainly reflects a decision to transfer £25,500,000 of capital resources for projects for the single homeless to the DOE Housing Corporation (DOE/HC) non-voted cash limit. These transferred resources will continue to be available to provide for the single homeless. The remainder of the cash limit reduction is to the provision for grants to the priority estates project;

  (ii) the DOE/HC non-voted cash limit will be increased by £25,500,000 from £1,495,425,000 to £1,520,925,000. This results from the transfer of resources for capital projects to help the single homeless from the cash limited vote class VIII, vote 2 to DOE/HC as described above;

  (iii) the cash limit on class VIII, vote 5 (central environmental services, etc.) will be increased by £665,000 from £326,625,000 to £327,290,000. The increase is required mainly to cover higher charges for environmental research, arising from the introduction of full cost recovery by the Department of Trade and Industry (the offsetting increased receipts appear on class IV, vote 2). The increase also provides for an enhanced better environment

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  awards for industry scheme and for the costs of transporting oil recovery equipment to Bahrain, following the major oil spills during the Gulf conflict;

  (iv) the cash limit for class VIII, vote 6 (royal palaces, royal parks, historic buildings, etc.) will be reduced by £1,110,000 from £174,144,000 to £173,034,000. There will be a reduction in provision for the Royal Commission on historical monuments of England of £2,771,000 due to its relocation plans being rephased offset by minor increases in provision throughout the vote;

  (v) the cash limit for class VIII, vote 8 (Department of the Environment: Administration) will be increased by £466,000 from £187,951,000 to £188,417,000. There are various transfers which include a transfer of £675,000 from class VIII, vote 7 (Department of the Environment: Property Holdings) in respect of financial and administrative services to be provided for Property Holdings and a transfer of £200,000 to the Department of Education and Science for sport and recreation work;

  (vi) the running costs limit for the Department will be increased by £531,000 from £189,530,000 to £190,061,000.

  On behalf of the Director General of the Office of Water Services, I have to announce a cash limit reduction on class VIII, vote 11 (Office of Water Services) of £ 15,000 from £6,300,000 to £6,285,000. The Department's running cost limit will be reduced by £269,000 from £5,713,000 to £5,444,000. The reduction in running costs will offset increases in capital expenditure on accommodation and information technology. There are also some other minor changes on the vote.

  These increases will be charged to the Reserve and not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Peacetime Civil Emergency Plans
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to introduce legislation to require local authorities to draw up peacetime civil emergency plans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  I have been asked to reply.

  We hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Vacant Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the amount of vacant, dormant, derelict, underused and under-utilised land owned by each Government Department.

  Sir George Young
  [pursuant to his reply, Tuesday 19 February 1991, c115–16]: Holdings of unused and underused land in England at 31 March 1990, the latest available date, as reported by the Departments concerned, are shown in the table. Information about health authorities' land is not available. No unused or underused land is held by any other major Departments.

  Individual Departments are responsible for monitoring and managing their own property holdings. The rationalisation of holdings, the disposal of surplus land and the improvement of systems are encouraged through the public expenditure survey discussions and in other ways.
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  Unused and underused land held by Departments

  acres

  Ministry of Defence

  2,527

  Department of the Environment

  117

  Home Office

  299

  HM Land Registry

  18

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  9

  Department of Transport

  1,606

  TRADE AND INDUSTRY
  Mr. Lee
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade textiles committee meeting held on 16 May; and if he will make a statement on his policy on renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement for 17 months on existing terms.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The textiles committee discussed the basis on which the multi-fibre arrangement should be extended after its expiry on 31 July this year. No decision was reached. A further meeting is expected in mid-June. The European Community, on behalf of the United Kingdom and the other member states, is proposing a 17-month extension on existing terms.

  Cash Limit
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any changes will be made to his Department's cash limit and running cost limits for 1991–92.

  Mr. Lilley
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 2 (support for industry, international trade, statutory and regulatory work, consumer protection, and administration) will be increased by £4,559,000 from £758,460,000 to £763,019,000. The running costs limit for the Department of Trade and Industry will be increased by £440,000 from £257,796,000 to £258,236,000.

  In order to establish the Patent Office and Companies house executive agencies as trading funds, the increase in the cash limit covers net provision of £7,252,000 for loans to Patent Office and £6,037,000 for loans to Companies House to provide initial working capital and finance for long-term projects. This expenditure will require the prior approval of the House to the establishment of the two funds. It is offset by decreases of £4,125,000 in net provision of Companies house and £655,000 for the Patent Office to reflect their transition to trading fund status together with increased appropriations in aid of £3,184,000 on the administration section as a result of receipts from those new trading funds.

  There are also increases of £250,000 in the consumer and investor protection programme to provide assistance for the share ownership movement, £120,000 in the space technology programmes in respect of residual espenditure on Dialtech retrieval services, £71,000 for the Department's promotion of consumer safety, to be fully met by receipts from the European Community, and £20,000 in the industrial research programme to meet the United Kingdom's subscription to the European resource centre for economic redevelopment and restructuring.

  These increases are partly offset by a net decrease of £268,000 in telecommunications and posts expenditure, comprising increases in subscriptions to international

  173
  organisations and regulatory publicity which are more than offset by an increase in related receipts; a decrease of £122,000 in administration in respect of consultancies and formal inquiries; and a decrease of £650,000 in the measurement and technology support programme for strategic research paid to the Warren Spring laboratory, the laboratory of the Government chemist and the national physical laboratory executive agencies, to reflect transfers to other Government Departments which will fund such research directly. These net running cost controlled agencies' gross total and appropriations in aid both accordingly increase by £556,000 for WSL, £84,000 for LGC and £10,000 for NPL. Increased appropriations in aid of £34,000 for the national engineering laboratory executive agency reflect recovery of strategic research costs from other Government Departments by NEL, which is on gross running cost control.

  In addition, there are net transfers of provision of £195,000 from NPL to LGC in respect of provision of common services and minor capital purchases, and of £255,000 from the support for industrial research and development programme to civil aircraft research and demonstration in respect of a project under the EUREKA programme.

  An increase of £206,000 for additional superannuation liability of suppliers of central services is more than offset by a reduction of £355,000 of superannuation liability in the administration section for export services; the net reduction will be matched by reduced receipts on the superannuation vote.

  The departmental running cost limit will be increased by £440,000, reflecting the reclassification to running costs of programme expenditure of £305,000 in respect of companies investigations, transfers of £67,000 from the FCO and Civil Service Commission for recruitment, publicity and the establishment of the export services joint directorate, an increase of £230,000 to facilitate DTI's policy of establishing strict customer/contractor relationships between their central services and customer divisions (fully offset by receipts of central service suppliers) and £120,000 from NPL to the national weights and measures laboratory in respect of the provision of common services. These increases are partly offset by a transfer of £282,000 from running costs to programme expenditure in connection with work on copyright policy by the Patent Office trading fund.

  This supplementary estimate increases the DTI's public expenditure provision by a net £623,000 when the non-voted public expenditure consequences of creating Patent Office and Companies house trading funds are taken into account. This increase will be charged to the reserve and therefore will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Tertiary Colleges
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all tertiary colleges in England by local education authority.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Those colleges in England generally known as tertiary colleges are as follows:
  174

  College

  Authority

  Elm Park College

  Harrow

  Greenhill College

  Harrow

  Weald College

  Harrow

  Richmond upon Thames College

  Richmond upon Thames

  Bury Metropolitan College

  Bury

  Manchester College of Arts and Technology

  Manchester

  South Manchester College

  Manchester

  Leigh College

  Wigan

  Wigan College of Technology

  Wigan

  Knowsley Tertiary College

  Knowsley

  Castle College

  Sheffield

  Loxley College

  Sheffield

  Norton College

  Sheffield

  Park wood College

  Sheffield

  Parson Cross College

  Sheffield

  Stradbroke College

  Sheffield

  South Tyneside College

  South Tyneside

  Halesowen College

  Dudley

  Bilston Community College

  Wolverhampton

  Dewsbury College

  Kirklees

  Wakefield District College

  Wakefield

  South Bristol College

  Avon

  Isle College, Wisbech

  Cambridgeshire

  South Cheshire College of Further Education

  Cheshire

  Penwith Tertiary College

  Cornwall

  Derby Tertiary College (Mackworth)

  Derbyshire

  Derby Tertiary College (Wilmorton)

  Derbyshire

  South East Derbyshire Tertiary College

  Derbyshire

  Exeter College

  Devon

  North Devon College

  Devon

  Weymouth College

  Dorset

  Derwentside College

  County Durham

  Peterlee College

  County Durham

  Lewes Tertiary College

  East Sussex

  Harlow College

  Essex

  Royal Forest of Dean College

  Gloucestershire

  Alton College

  Hampshire

  Brockenhurst College

  Hampshire

  Cricklade College, Andover

  Hampshire

  Fareham Tertiary College

  Hampshire

  Accrington and Rossendale College

  Lancashire

  Blackburn College

  Lancashire

  Nelson and Colne College

  Lancashire

  Preston College

  Lancashire

  Runshaw Tertiary College

  Lancashire

  Skelmersdale College

  Lancashire

  Daventry Tertiary College

  Northamptonshire

  Selby College

  North Yorkshire

  Central Nottingham Tertiary College

  Nottinghamshire

  Henley College

  Oxfordshire

  Oswestry College

  Shropshire

  Bridgwater College

  Somerset

  Strode College

  Somerset

  Yeovil College

  Somerset

  Newcastle under Lyme College

  Staffordshire

  Sixth Form Colleges
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all sixth form colleges in England by local education authority.

  Mr. Fallon
  Maintained sixth-form colleges in England as at October 1990, within each local education authority, are as follows:

  Local education authority and college name

  1. Kensington and Chelsea

  St. Charles RC Sixth Form College

  2. Wandsworth

  St. Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

  3. Barnet

  Woodhouse Sixth Form College

  175

  4. Croydon

  Purley Sixth Form College

  John Ruskin Sixth Form College

  5. Harrow

  St. Dominic's Sixth Form College

  6. Merton

  Merton Sixth Form College

  7. Waltham Forest

  Leyton Sixth Form College

  Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College

  8. Birmingham

  Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College

  Cadbury Sixth Form College

  Josiah Mason Sixth Form College

  St. Philip's RC Sixth Form College

  9. Dudley

  King Edward VI College

  10. Sandwell

  West Park College

  Rowley Regis College

  11. Solihull

  Solihull Sixth Form College

  12. St. Helens

  Carmel Sixth Form College

  13. Sefton

  King George V College

  14. Wirral

  Birkenhead Sixth Form College

  15. Bolton

  North Bolton Sixth Form College

  South Bolton Sixth Form College

  16. Bury

  Holy Cross Sixth Form College

  17. Manchester

  Shena Simon College

  Loreto Sixth Form College

  Xaverian College

  18. Salford

  Pendleton College

  Eccles College

  De La Salle College

  19. Stockport

  North Area College

  The Ridge College

  Aquinas RC Sixth Form College

  20. Tameside

  Hyde Sixth Form College

  Ashton-under-Lyne Sixth Form College

  21. Wigan

  Winstanley College

  St. John Rigby RC Sixth Form College

  22. Rotherham

  Thomas Rotherham College

  23. Kirklees

  Greenhead College

  Huddersfield New College

  24. Leeds

  Notre Dame Sixth Form CN0

  25. Wakefield

  Pontefract New College

  26. North Tyneside

  Tynemouth College

  27. Avon

  St. Brendan's RC Sixth Form College

  28. Bedfordshire

  Luton Sixth Form College

  29. Cambridge

  Hills Road Sixth Form College

  Long Road Sixth Form College

  30. Cheshire

  Priestley Sixth Form College School

  Widnes Sixth Form College

  Sir John Deanes College

  31. Cleveland

  Hartlepool Sixth Form College

  South Park Sixth Form College

  Marton Sixth Form College

  Acklam Sixth Form College

  Stockton Sixth Form College

  Bede Sixth Form College

  176

  Prior Pursglove College

  Sir William Turners Sixth Form College

  St. Mary's Sixth Form College

  32. Cornwall

  St. Austell Sixth Form College

  33. Cumbria

  Barrow-in-Furness Sixth Form College

  34. Durham

  Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College

  35. East Sussex

  Varndean Sixth Form College

  Brighton Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College

  Bexhill College

  Eastbourne Sixth Form College

  36. Essex

  Colchester Sixth Form College

  SE Essex Sixth Form

  Palmer's Sixth Form College

  37. Hampshire

  Totton College

  Queen Mary's College

  Barton Peveril Sixth Form College

  Havant College

  Farnborough Sixth Form College

  Itchen Sixth Form College

  St. Vincent Sixth Form College

  Portsmouth Sixth Form College

  Taunton's College

  Peter Symond's Sixth Form College

  38. Hereford and Worcester

  Hereford Sixth Form College

  The Sixth Form College, Worcester

  39. Humberside

  Wilberforce College

  Wyke College

  John Leggott College

  40. Lancashire

  Blackpool Sixth Form College

  Newman College

  St. Mary's Sixth Form College

  41. Leicestershire

  Gateway Sixth Form College

  Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth College

  Wyggeston Collegiate School

  Rutland Sixth Form College

  42. Norfolk

  East Norfolk Sixth Form College

  North Walsham-Pashton Sixth Form College

  43. North Yorkshire

  Scarborough Sixth Form College

  York Sixth Form College

  44. Nottinghamshire

  High Pavement Sixth Form College

  Bilborough College

  Forest Fields College

  45. Shropshire

  Shrewsbury Sixth Form College

  New College

  Ludlow College

  46. Somerset

  The Richard Huish College

  47. Staffordshire

  Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College

  48. Surrey

  Godalming College

  Reigate College

  Esher College

  Woking College

  Spelthorne College

  Strodes College

  Farnham College

  49. Warwickshire

  King Edward VI College

  50. West Sussex

  Worthing Sixth Form College

  Haywards Heath College

  Collyers Sixth Form College

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Education and Science what was the total amount spent by his Department in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm, the subject of the assignment and, if appropriate, the executive agency for whom the contract was carried out.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department spent £1,080,368 on management and computer consultancies in the 1990–91 financial year. The contracts concerned were as follows:

  Consultant and subject of assignment

  AMTEC
  Feasibility study for Policy Branch Information System

  Butler Cox
  Post Implementation Review and Evaluation of the Further Education Statistical Record system

  BBT
  Data conversion work

  BIS
  Feasibility study of Enhanced Technical Data Service (ETDS)

  BIS
  Project review of Enhanced Technical Data Service (ETDS)

  BIS
  Full study for replacement of Data Collection Processing System

  CCTA
  Information Systems Strategy Review

  CMC, Communicatie-Management Consultants Contribution to seminar on Restructuring an Inspectorate

  CMG
  Evaluating network carriers

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte
  OU review of part-time costs

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte
  Study of requirements of maintained primary and secondary schools for software for the purposes of collating, managing and transmitting data generated by the statutory NC assessment arrangements

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte
  Comparison of costs and effects of an HMI Inspection Project with alternative approaches

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte
  Review of BACS payment system

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte
  Management of change for IT records management system

  Duhig Berry
  Project management for survey projects

  Elizabeth Braiden Management and Survey Consultant
  HMI survey on performance related pay: District Inspector's questionnaire

  Ernst and Young
  Sport and Recreation Division: Financial Management review of Central Council of Physical Recreation
  178
  Henley
  Feasibility of Enhanced Technical Data Service (ETDS)

  Howard Whitehead and Partners
  Management consultancy: survey of ESRC

  Hoskyns
  Resource planning

  ICL
  Report and general support to Core Resource Information System-Finance

  ICL
  Review repair status of mainframe operating systems and recommend

  INTAC
  Videoconferencing

  KINESIS
  Options for connecting Architects and Buildings Branch PCs to network

  KINESIS
  Secretariat review

  KINESIS
  Facilitator in implementation of IT records management system.

  KPMG Management Consulting
  Training needs analysis of proposed Teachers' Pensions Agency.

  KPMG
  Information Systems Branch annual business plan.

  KPMG
  Review of Teachers' Superannuation Scheme.

  LALCREST
  Productivity improvement programme.

  Neville Russell
  Accountancy advice on Assisted Places Scheme and Music and Ballet Scheme with particular reference to the review of assessment of parental contributions and an assessment of applications for fee increases for APS. Advice on financial agreement with 5 MBS schools.

  ORACLE
  Evaluation of software for Enhanced Technical Data Service (ETDS).

  ORACLE
  Programming work on HMI travel and subsistence.

  ORACLE
  Benchmark of hardware for Data Collection Processing System.

  Oxford Computer Training
  Programming advice.

  Peat Marwick and McLintock
  Pensions Branch: Pensions Administration System.

  PE International
  Development of grade 7 training.

  PE International
  Development of management training.

  Management Consulting P-E International
  For development of Schools Branch induction programme.

  Price Waterhouse
  Technical advice on financial controls for National Curriculum Council.

  RADIUS
  Enhancements and screen production on Accounts payable System.

  RML
  Advice on technical enhancements to PCs and network.

  SSADM (SCOLL)
  Productivity improvement programme.

  SYBASE
  Relational Database Management System Trials.

  Thorn EMI
  Review of Architects and Buildings Branch.
  179
  TRANRATE
  Programming work on New Basic Teachers' Record System.

  Touche Ross
  Local Management of Schools: extension to special schools (feasibility).

  Touche Ross
  Management consultancy: survey of NERC.

  Touche Ross
  Advice on extension of Local Management of Schools.

  Two B
  Amendments to software.

  Bob Young
  For rewriting school development plans.

  The Department had no executive agencies in 1990–91.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out his plans for funding education provision for the long-term adult unemployed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Members for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) and for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) on 23 January 1991 at columns 196–97; and to the White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st century", Cm 1536.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science further to his reply of 24 April,Official Report, columns 438–40, if he will give in 1990 prices, by local education authority, the level of capital spending on school buildings for 1978–79, 1984–85 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Fallon
  The following table shows the information requested:

  Capital spending by LEAs on school buildings 1990 prices

  £ million

  LEA

  1978–79

  1984–85

  1988–89

  Barking

  1·3

  3·0

  1·5

  Barnet

  3·3

  1·3

  3·0

  Bexley

  3·3

  3·1

  3·7

  Brent

  3·3

  2·5

  0·7

  Bromley

  1·8

  3·4

  7·6

  Croydon

  2·0

  1·8

  5·7

  Ealing

  3·0

  1·0

  1·8

  Enfield

  4·0

  1·0

  4·6

  Haringey

  2·3

  1·4

  3·8

  Harrow

  3·3

  1·3

  3·0

  Havering

  1·0

  1·3

  3·9

  Hillingdon

  5·3

  2·0

  8·9

  Hounslow

  5·0

  3·5

  6·3

  Kingston

  0·5

  0·6

  1·9

  Merton

  1·8

  1·3

  2·8

  Newham

  6·3

  6·4

  3·3

  Redbridge

  3·3

  2·5

  4·6

  Richmond

  1·8

  1·7

  0·9

  Sutton

  0·8

  1·8

  3·6

  Waltham Forest

  3·8

  1·3

  7·3

  ILEA

  32·0

  14·7

  24·4

  Birmingham

  7·1

  11·7

  4·8

  Coventry

  5·8

  2·1

  9·4

  Dudley

  3·8

  5·7

  4·1

  Sandwell

  4·5

  1·8

  0·7

  Solihull

  3·0

  1·6

  2·4

  Walsall

  6·1

  3·0

  3·2

  Wolverhampton

  5·0

  1·4

  2·2

  Knowsley

  2·0

  1·8

  1·4

  Liverpool

  4·8

  2·3

  11·1

  St. Helens

  6·3

  2·0

  1·7

  Sefton

  3·5

  1·7

  1·9

  180

  LEA

  1978–79

  1984–85

  1988–89

  Wirral

  2·0

  3·1

  5·4

  Bolton

  2·5

  1·8

  2·5

  Bury

  4·5

  0·8

  1·1

  Manchester

  2·8

  7·5

  9·9

  Oldham

  2·5

  2·1

  2·5

  Rochdale

  5·0

  1·7

  2·9

  Salford

  4·8

  2·5

  3·8

  Stockport

  2·0

  1·3

  3·2

  Tameside

  3·0

  2·5

  2·8

  Trafford

  1·0

  0·8

  1·6

  Wigan

  6·1

  2·5

  4·2

  Barnsley

  5·0

  0·1

  1·9

  Doncaster

  3·8

  1·0

  0·9

  Rotherham

  4·0

  1·8

  2·5

  Sheffield

  4·0

  12·9

  10·3

  Bradford

  5·5

  15·8

  12·1

  Calderdale

  3·3

  2·1

  3·8

  Kirklees

  4·8

  5·7

  3·3

  Leeds

  9·8

  7·4

  17·3

  Wakefield

  5·8

  1·8

  6·4

  Gateshead

  2·8

  3·4

  3·4

  Newcastle

  3·5

  2·3

  5·0

  North Tyne

  3·0

  1·8

  3·2

  South Tyne

  3·5

  4·7

  2·9

  Sunderland

  3·5

  3·4

  5·6

  Isles of Scilly

  0·3

  0·0

  n/a

  Avon

  7·6

  6·1

  7·5

  Bedfordshire

  14·4

  3·3

  5·0

  Berkshire

  12·4

  12·7

  n/a

  Bucks

  10·3

  12·2

  7·2

  Cambridgeshire

  14·9

  9·6

  17·7

  Cheshire

  26·2

  11·7

  25·1

  Cleveland

  8·3

  5·0

  5·8

  Cornwall

  10·8

  4·7

  7·5

  Cumbria

  4·3

  5·7

  6·0

  Derbyshire

  15·4

  12·0

  13·2

  Devon

  10·1

  9·5

  13·0

  Dorset

  8·6

  4·5

  4·0

  Durham

  7·1

  4·5

  4·2

  East Sussex

  7·1

  8·9

  11·7

  Essex

  29·3

  10·0

  n/a

  Gloucs

  7·3

  5·9

  6·6

  Hampshire

  29·3

  22·8

  28·2

  Hereford and Worcs

  12·9

  4·1

  n/a

  Hertfordshire

  7·8

  11·3

  12·3

  Humberside

  19·4

  8·5

  12·7

  Isle of Wight

  3·0

  0·8

  2·1

  Kent

  23·2

  7·5

  13·1

  Lancashire

  15·4

  7·1

  12·1

  Leicestershire

  11·6

  6·9

  11·7

  Lincolnshire

  7·8

  7·4

  7·7

  Norfolk

  12·4

  6·5

  7·8

  North Yorks

  11·4

  12·0

  7·0

  Northants

  13·4

  6·2

  5·5

  Northumberland

  6·8

  1·8

  1·9

  Nottinghamshire

  14·9

  5·5

  n/a

  Oxfordshire

  3·5

  3·3

  7·0

  Shropshire

  8·8

  3·1

  4·8

  Somerset

  4·5

  3·5

  n/a

  Staffordshire

  21·2

  7·8

  8·8

  Suffolk

  12·9

  5·7

  11·6

  Surrey

  12·9

  12·9

  21·1

  Warwickshire

  6·3

  3·4

  3·8

  West Sussex

  5·5

  7·6

  8·3

  Wiltshire

  4·5

  7·8

  4·2

  Notes:

  1. n/a indicates data not available.

  2. expenditure is given in 1990–91 prices, rounded to the nearest £0·1 m; it includes provision from within the Department of the Environment's Urban Programme, and covers nursery, primary, secondary and special education.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date he received the letter dated 12 May from Mrs. Linda Bettany of Sandycroft C. P. school, concerning resources and class size; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Mrs. Bettany addressed her letter of 12 May to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, who has ministerial responsibility for the matters she raises.

  Standard Assessment Tasks
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the operation of standard assessment tasks.

  Mr. Fallon
  Consultations have recently opened on the statutory orders on testing for next year. Copies of the consultation documents have been placed in the Library. My right hon. and learned Friend has emphasised his commitment to review this summer's operation before deciding on the exact form of tests for next year.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will appoint extra teachers to primary schools where standard assessment tasks are carried out.

  Mr. Fallon
  The appointment and deployment of teachers is a matter for local education authorities.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had with(a) teachers and (b) head teachers concerning standard assessment tasks.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had extensive discussions with teachers and head teachers on this issue, and will continue to do so.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any changes to announce to cash limits on votes within his responsibility for 1991–92.

  Mr. Eggar
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimates, the cash limits for class XI, vote 1, schools, research and miscellaneous services, and class XI, vote 2, higher and further education, will be amended. The cash limit changes are as follows:

  Class and Vote

  Current cash limit £

  Change £

  Revised cash limit £

  XI. 1

  713,445,000

  -582,000

  712,863,000

  XI. 2

  2,919,806,000

  -3,521,000

  2,916,285,000

  The decrease on class XI, vote 1 results from the appropriation in aid of contributions from the Welsh Office to certain programmes which are on a joint England and Wales basis.

  The decrease on class XI, vote 2 results partly from the appropriation in aid of contributions from Wales to the programme of bursaries for the initial training of teachers
  182
  in shortage subjects. The remainder of the decrease results from the transfer of responsibility to regional health authorities for manpower planning to meet NHS needs across a range of professions allied to medicine and the accompanying costs of training courses. The decrease is net of an increase in provision for the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council to cover the costs to higher education institutions of providing two-year diploma in social work courses to replace certificate in social services courses run in further education colleges. Funding for this will be transferred from the Department of Health.

  Student Awards
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will announce the rates of supplementary allowances payable within the mandatory student award in 1991–92.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Subject to Parliament's approval of the necessary regulations which will be laid in due course, supplementary allowances payable within the mandatory student award by local education authorities in England and Wales will be increased in the academic year 1991–92. In most cases, the rises will be broadly in line with the overall increase in student support through the loan and basic grant together which I announced on 22 May,Official Report, columns 499–500. I am placing details of the supplementary allowances in the Library.

PRIME MINISTER

  Swan Hunter
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will visit Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on Tyneside.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Professional Association of Teachers
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to ensure that the Professional Association of Teachers is recognised in the determination of statutory and non-statutory pay and conditions of employment in each part of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  In England and Wales, the Government recognise the Professional Association of Teachers and consults it on statutory pay and conditions. For the future, the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions (No. 2) Bill will require the new review body, which will deal with statutory pay and conditions, to invite evidence from representative bodies, such as the Professional Association of Teachers. The determination of non-statutory pay and conditions is a matter for local education authorities and the governing bodies of grant-maintained schools.

  In Scotland, the Scottish joint negotiation committee determines the statutory pay and conditions of service for school teachers. The Professional Association of Teachers is represented on the committee. In Northern Ireland, the association has not yet met the minimum membership requirement to satisfy the conditions laid down for representation on the Northern Ireland Teachers Council. Under the council's constitution, this is a precondition for representation on its negotiating committee for teachers' pay and conditions of service.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 4 June.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening, I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

  10 Downing Street (Decorations)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what alterations he has made to the internal furnishing decorations within No. 10 Downing street since he became Prime Minister.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding reply 3 June]: None.

ENERGY

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any changes will be made to his Department's cash limits for 1991–92.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised and new estimates, the following changes will be made.

  The cash limit for class V, vote 2 will be reduced by £7,915,000 from £329,164,000 to £321,249,000. The cash limit for class V, vote 3, will be reduced by £4,392,000 from £46,127,000 to £41,735,000. The running costs limit for the Department will be reduced by £5,530,000 from £49,507,000 to £43,977,000.

  These reductions reflect the transfer of ministerial responsibility for the regulation of offshore safety to the Secretary of State for Employment. This follows my announcement to the House on 12 November 1990, columns 329–345.

  The cash limit for class V, vote 9, which is a new vote providing for advisers' fees in connection with preliminary work on the privatisation of the coal industry, will be £1,000,000.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the number of dedicated energy managers in his Department and the number of person-years devoted to energy management in the latest year.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: There is one dedicated energy manager in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is FCO policy that all staff should be aware of the energy policies and the need for conservation. It is therefore impossible to identify the number of person-years devoted to energy management.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give for each available year from 1978 the amount invested in improving the energy efficiency of his Department in(a) cash terms and (b) 1990–91 money terms.
  184
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: It is not possible to provide the information in the detail requested as the figures are not readily available. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office only assumed direct responsibility for its fuel and utilities accounts in April 1990, before when they were paid by the Property Services Agency.

  In 1989–90, a total of £55,360 (£60,730 in 1990–91 terms) was invested in improving energy efficiency in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 1990–91, the cash figure was £57,000, but in addition, the need for energy conservation was drawn to the attention of all staff working in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the number of energy audits carried out in his Department in the past five years and for each audit a statement of its main conclusions.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: An energy survey, including an energy audit, of the main Foreign and Commonwealth Office building in Whitehall was carried out in 1990. The consultants concluded that annual savings of £53,000 could be achieved with no capital expenditure and further savings of £7,100 per annum could be achieved with a capital expenditure of £19,400. The majority of the recommendations have already been implemented.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Research
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many ministerial visits were paid to each of the institutes of food research at(a) Norwich, (b) Reading and (c) Langford in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  In the past five years, four ministerial visits have been made to the Agricultural and Food Research Council institute of food research: once to Norwich in 1986, twice to Norwich in 1987 and once to Reading in 1990.

EMPLOYMENT

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether any changes will be made to the cash limits or running costs limits for 1991–92 within the employment group.

  Mr. Jackson
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made.

  The cash limit for class VI, vote 1 (programmes and central services) will be increased by £90,392,000 from £2,266,849,000 to £2,357,241,000. The increase is the net result of an increase of £105,000,000 for employment training in England and Wales which was announced to the House on 26 February (partly offset by increased receipts of £8,408,000 from the Welsh Office, class XVI, vote 4); a transfer of £4,500,000 to class VI, vote 3 for offshore safety; a transfer of £ 1,186,000 to the Ministry of

  185
  Defence class I, vote 1 for payments to participants in their youth training scheme and a transfer of £514,000 to the Employment Service, class VI, vote 2 to reflect the transfer of certain responsibilities for common services and telecommunications.

  The cash limit for class VI, vote 2 (Employment Service) will be increased by £17,514,000 from £436,335,000 to £453,849,000. The increase is the net result of an increase of £55,000,000 for the increased costs of the administration of unemployment benefit and associated payments (offset by increased receipts of £38,000,000 from the Department of Social Security, class XIV, vote 4) and additional provision to help unemployed people, including extra counselling and jobsearch seminars, and a transfer of provision of £514,000 from class VI, vote 1 to cover certain common service responsibilities.

  The cash limit for class VI, vote 3 (Health and Safety Commission and Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), will be increased by £18,071,000 from £160,735,000 to £178,806,000. The increase reflects the transfer of the offshore safety function to the Health and Safety Executive and is the net result of a transfer of £12,549,000 from the Department of Energy, class V, votes 2 and 3 (partly offset by increased associated receipts of £353,000); a transfer of £4,500,000 from class VI vote 1; a transfer of £300,000 from the Department of Transport, class VIII, vote 2 (More than offset by increased associated receipts of £325,000); and increased provision of £1,046,000 to cover superannuation payments for offshore safety staff (fully offset by increased receipts to the civil superannuation vote).

  The single running cost limit for the Department of Employment (class VI votes 1 and 2) will be increased by £55,000,000 from £1,002,699,000 to £1,057,699,000.

  The running cost limit for the Health and Safety Commission (class VI vote 3) will increase by £11,129,000 from £121,957,000 to £133,086,000.

  These increases will be charged to the reserve and therefore will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the east midlands in the textile or footwear industries; what percentage of the total work force of the east midlands this represents; what is his estimate of the number of people in the east midlands whose jobs depend upon the east midlands textile and footwear industry; if he will express this as a percentage of the total work force; and what the equivalent figures and percentages were in 1979.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: Estimates of employment at the required level of detail are only available from the census of employment.

  The available information is given in the table.

  Textiles and Footwear

  Number

  Percentage of Civilian Workforce

  1981

  September1

  103,000

  5·7

  1989

  September

  75,000

  3·9

  1 Earliest comparable date.

  Tourism
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish a table showing nationally, regionally and for each district, the central Government provision in the standard spending assessment for tourist expenditure and the expenditure on and income from tourism; and if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to recover expenditure on tourism from a tourist tax.

  Mr. Key
  I have been asked to reply.

  Tourism will have an impact on a range of services provided by local authorities. These include those provided by districts, for example, on environmental health, refuse collection and street cleaning. There will also be an impact on a wider range of services, predominantly provided by counties, such as police and highway maintenance. For some services it is possible for the authorities concerned to offset expenditure with income from charges; car parking and leisure facilities are the most obvious examples.

  There is no explicit element for tourism within the standard spending assessment for an authority, but, within the standard spending assessment components for district and county level services generally, the annual number of domestic visitor nights spent in the authority is one of the factors used in the distribution. A table showing the amount of standard spending assessment distributed on the basis of this factor alone for 1991–92 has been placed in the Library.

  I am also placing in the Library a table showing the latest information on estimated central Government expenditure on tourism-related activities; and one on income from tourism as measured by the estimated spending of visitors.

  On the question of a tourist tax, the Government have no specific proposals in this area. However, we are willing to consider as part of the local government review any suggestion for new local sources of revenue which might assist authorities in this area.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Agencies
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of launching the Benefits Agency at(a) national, (b) area and (c) district levels.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested 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.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of launching the Contributions Agency at(a) national, (b) area and (c) district levels.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She 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.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his assessment of the effect of the implementation of the Disability Living Allowance and Disability Working Allowance Bill upon entitlement to motability; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The motability scheme will be available to people on the higher rate of the mobility component of disability living allowance in the same way as it is to people currently on mobility allowance. The extension of the higher rate of the mobility component to severely mentally handicapped people with severe behavioural problems means that more disabled people will have the opportunity to benefit from motability when DLA is introduced than at present.

  Local Offices, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what change there has been in the numbers of claims and the time involved in(a) the assessment of a claim and (b) the notification of the assessment to the claimant in his Department's offices in the Doncaster area, following the installation of computer systems.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The delivery of social security benefits 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.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he plans to change the pension rules so that expatriate Britons can have their pensions upgraded as they are in the United Kingdom; and how much such a move would cost.

  Mr. Jack
  Annual pension increases are paid to United Kingdom pensioners living in 32 overseas countries. We have no plans to extend the payment of these increases to all UK pensioners worldwide. Such a move would cost £337 million a year at April 1991 rates of benefit.

  Mortgage Debt
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table for the past five financial years showing how much his Department spent servicing mortgage lending debt incurred by borrowing from building societies.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Estimates of amounts included for mortgage interest in the assessment of supplementary benefit and, from 1988, income support, are given in the table for each of the past five years for which information is available.

  Information about building society loans is not collected. The amounts shown relate to the interest on loans from all mortgage lenders. In 1989, some 281,000 claimants had an amount for mortgage interest included in their assessment. For the vast majority, the amount is less than £100·00 per week.

  £million

  1984

  218·5

  1986

  351·2

  1987

  335·2

  188

  £ million

  1988

  285·6

  1989

  353·1

  Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries 1984–89.

  Notes:

  In 1985 the Annual Statistical Enquiry was not undertaken.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.

  Social Assistance
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions are taking place with the European Community concerning the establishment of a minimum level of social assistance in each member state; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Officials have been taking part in preliminary discussions with the Commission and other member states on a draft Council recommendation on common criteria concerning social assistance schemes. The resultant draft has not yet been received by the Government, but the indications are that it will not present serious problems for the United Kingdom, which is one of the member states that already has a comprehensive scheme in the shape of income support.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether there have been any changes in the cash limits or running costs limits of his Department for 1991–92.

  Mr. Scott
  Subject to parliamentary approval on the necessary supplementary estimate the cash limit for class XIV vote 4 (Administration and Miscellaneous Services) will be increased by £42,658,000, from £1,838,770,000 to £1,881,428,000. The revision takes account of the work involved in the uprating of child benefit and national insurance contributions on company cars as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement (£5,004,000); provision for the work carried out by the Department of Social Security on behalf of the Department of Employment (£4,589,000); a transfer to the Department of Health (class XIII vote 3) of £847,000; a transfer to the Home Office (class IX vote 3) of £4,000; a transfer from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (class XIII vote 6) of £269,000; a transfer from the Office of the Minister of the Civil Service (class XIX vote 1) of £10,000, an increase in agency payments to the Department of Employment (class VI vote 2) of £38,000,000 and a transfer from the civil superannuation vote (class XVIII vote 4) of £40,000. The additional requirements are partially offset by an increase in receipts of £4,403,000. The balance will be charged to the reserve and will therefore not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  In addition, running cost changes result from a transfer to the Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland) (£1,965,000) for the running costs of the Belfast social security centre. There will be a corresponding increase on the Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland) vote 3 Administration and Miscellaneous Services; also a reduction of £50,000 to take account of a variation from a previously anticipated pattern of expenditure.
  189
  As a result of these changes, the running cost limit of the Department of Social Security is increased by £8,605,000 from £2,107,212,000 to £2,115,817,000.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will recalculate the tables provided, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell)Official Report, 27 March, columns 443–48, to include the effects of the Community Charges (General Reduction) Act 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 8 May 1991]: The information is set out in the tables. All assumptions are as set out in the published tax-benefit model tables. Each family is assumed to live in council property appropriate to its size and to pay estimated average rent and community charge.

  Gross earnings Charge

  Tax

  National Insurance

  Take home pay

  Rent rebate

  Community Charge benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and Community Charge

  60·00

  0·00

  2·18

  57·82

  13·03

  1·78

  72·63

  46·34

  80·00

  4·16

  3·98

  71·86

  3·90

  0·00

  75·76

  49·47

  100·00

  9·16

  5·78

  85·06

  0·00

  0·00

  85·06

  58·77

  120·00

  14·16

  7·58

  98·26

  0·00

  0·00

  98·26

  71·97

  140·00

  19·16

  9·38

  111·46

  0·00

  0·00

  111·46

  85·17

  160·00

  24·16

  11·18

  124·66

  0·00

  0·00

  124·66

  98·37

  180·00

  29·16

  12·98

  137·86

  0·00

  0·00

  137·86

  111·57

  200·00

  34·16

  14·78

  151·06

  0·00

  0·00

  151·06

  124·77

  Married Couple

  £ per week

  Assumed rent

  21·59

  Assumed Community Charge

  9·40

  Gross earnings Charge

  Tax

  National Insurance

  Take home pay

  Rent rebate

  Community Charge benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and Community Charge

  60·00

  0·00

  2·18

  57·82

  21·59

  7·52

  86·93

  55·94

  80·00

  0·00

  3·98

  76·02

  19·14

  6·95

  102·11

  71·12

  100·00

  0·89

  5·78

  93·33

  7·89

  4·36

  105·58

  74·59

  120·00

  5·89

  7·58

  106·53

  0·00

  2·38

  108·91

  77·92

  140·00

  10·89

  9·38

  119·73

  0·00

  0·40

  120·13

  89·14

  160·00

  15·89

  11·18

  132·93

  0·00

  0·00

  132·93

  101·94

  180·00

  20·89

  12·98

  146·13

  0·00

  0·00

  146·13

  115·14

  200·00

  25·89

  14·78

  159·33

  0·00

  0·00

  159·33

  128·34

  Married Couple with one child aged 11

  £ per week

  Child Benefit

  9·25

  Assumed rent

  23·82

  Assumed Community Charge

  9·40

  Gross earnings Charge

  Tax

  National Insurance

  Take home pay

  Family credit

  Rent rebate

  Community Charge benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and Community Charge

  60·00

  0·00

  2·18

  57·82

  54·40

  10·48

  4·44

  136·39

  103·17

  80·00

  0·00

  3·98

  76·02

  44·76

  4·92

  3·16

  138·11

  104·89

  100·00

  0·89

  5·78

  93·33

  32·64

  1·54

  2·38

  139·14

  105·92

  120·00

  5·89

  7·58

  106·53

  23·40

  0·00

  1·78

  140·96

  107·74

  140·00

  10·89

  9·38

  119·73

  14·16

  0·00

  1·19

  144·33

  111·11

  160·00

  15·89

  11·18

  132·93

  4·92

  0·00

  0·60

  147·70

  114·48

  180·00

  20·89

  12·98

  146·13

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  155·38

  122·16

  200·00

  25·89

  14·78

  159·33

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  168·58

  135·36

  190
  The weighted average headline community charge for Great Britain in accordance with the Community Charges (General Reduction) Act is £246 a year as from April. The tables have been adjusted to take into account all the other April Budget proposals/benefit changes, as well as the proposed changes in October.

  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.

  Single person (aged 25 or over)

  £ per week

  Assumed rent

  21·59

  Assumed Community Charge

  4·70

  191

  Married couple with three children aged 8 and 11

  £ per week

  Child benefit

  16·75

  Assumed Rent

  26·03

  Assumed Community Charge

  9·40

  Gross earnings Charge

  Tax

  NI

  Take home pay

  Family credit

  Rent rebate

  Community charge benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and community charge

  60·00

  0·00

  2·18

  57·82

  64·10

  10·35

  3·90

  152·92

  117·49

  80·00

  0·00

  3·98

  76·02

  54·46

  4·79

  2·62

  154·64

  119·21

  100·00

  0·89

  5·78

  93·33

  42·34

  1·41

  1·84

  155·67

  120·24

  120·00

  5·89

  7·58

  106·53

  33·10

  0·00

  1·24

  157·62

  122·19

  140·00

  10·89

  9·38

  119·73

  23·86

  0·00

  0·65

  160·99

  125·56

  160·00

  15·89

  11·18

  132·93

  14·62

  0·00

  0·06

  164·36

  128·93

  180·00

  20·89

  12·98

  146·13

  5·38

  0·00

  0·00

  168·26

  132·83

  200·00

  25·89

  14·78

  159·33

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  176·08

  140·65

  Married couple with three children aged 8, 11 and 15

  £ per week

  Child Benefit

  24·25

  Assumed Rent

  26·03

  Assumed Community Charge

  9·40

  Gross earnings Charge

  Tax

  National Insurance

  Take home pay

  Family credit

  Rent rebate

  Community charge benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and community charge

  60·00

  0·00

  2·18

  57·82

  80·20

  8·01

  3·36

  173·64

  138·21

  80·00

  0·00

  3·98

  76·02

  70·56

  2·45

  2·08

  175·36

  139·93

  100·00

  0·89

  5·78

  93·33

  58·44

  0·00

  1·30

  177·32

  141·89

  120·00

  5·89

  7·58

  106·53

  49·20

  0·00

  0·70

  180·68

  145·25

  140·00

  10·89

  9·38

  119·73

  39·96

  0·00

  0·11

  184·05

  148·62

  160·00

  15·89

  11·18

  132·93

  30·72

  0·00

  0·00

  187·90

  152·47

  180·00

  20·89

  12·98

  146·13

  21·48

  0·00

  0·00

  191·86

  156·43

  200·00

  25·89

  14·78

  159·33

  12·24

  0·00

  0·00

  195·82

  160·39

  Married couple with Four children aged 3, 8, 11 and 15

  £ per week

  Child Benefit

  31·75

  Assumed Rent

  26·03

  Assumed Community Charge

  9·40

  Gross earnings Charge

  Tax

  National Insurance

  Take home pay

  Family credit

  Rent rebate

  Community charge benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and community charge

  60·00

  0·00

  2·18

  57·82

  89·90

  5·67

  2·82

  187·96

  152·53

  80·00

  0·00

  3·98

  76·02

  80·26

  0·00

  1·54

  189·57

  154·14

  100·00

  0·89

  5·78

  93·33

  68·14

  0·00

  0·76

  193·98

  158·55

  120·00

  5·89

  7·58

  106·53

  58·90

  0·00

  0·16

  197·34

  161·91

  140·00

  10·89

  9·38

  119·73

  49·66

  0·00

  0·00

  201·14

  165·71

  160·00

  15·89

  11·18

  132·93

  40·42

  0·00

  0·00

  205·10

  169·67

  180·00

  20·89

  12·98

  146·13

  31·18

  0·00

  0·00

  209·06

  173·63

  200·00

  25·89

  14·78

  159·33

  21·94

  0·00

  0·00

  213·02

  177·59

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the percentages for national insurance contributions at each income band, using constant 1991 prices, for each year since 1979.
  192
  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The information requested is in the table.
  193

  National Insurance contribution (NIC) percentage rates1 1979 onwards

  Tax Year

  Employees' NIC rate

  Employers' NIC rate

  Weekly income bands at which different NIC rates apply 3 £

  1979–80

  6·5

  13·52

  Single percentage rate applied to all earnings between lower and upper earnings limits

  1980–81

  6·75

  13·72

  1981–82

  7·75

  13·72

  1982–83

  8·75

  13·72

  1983–84

  9·00

  11·952

  1984–85

  9·00

  11·452

  1985–86 (to 5 October 1985)

  9·00

  10·452

  6 October 1985 to 5 April 1986

  5·00

  5·00

  35·50—54·99

  7·00

  7·00

  55·00—89·99

  9·00

  9·00

  90·00—129·99

  9·00

  10·45

  130·00—265·00

  NIL

  10·45

  Above 265·00

  1986–87

  5·00

  5·00

  38·00—59·99

  7·00

  7·00

  60·00—94·99

  9·00

  9·00

  95·00—139·99

  9·00

  10·45

  140·00—285·00

  NIL

  10·45

  Above 285·00

  1987–88

  5·00

  5·00

  39·00—64·99

  7·00

  7·00

  65·00—99·99

  9·00

  9·00

  100·00—149·99

  9·00

  10·45

  150·00—295·00

  NIL

  10·45

  Above 295·00

  1988–89

  5·00

  5·00

  41·00—69·99

  7·00

  7·00

  70·00—104·99

  9·00

  9·00

  105·00—154·99

  9·00

  10·45

  155·00—305·00

  NIL

  10·45

  Above 305·00

  1989–90

  5·00

  5·00

  43·00—74·99

  7·00

  7·00

  75·00—114·99

  9·00

  9·00

  115·00—164·99

  9·00

  10·45

  165·00—325·00

  NIL

  10·45

  Above 325·00

  Employee

  Employer

  5 October 1989 to 5 April 1990

  2·00

  5·00

  43·00

  43·00 to 74·99

  9·00

  7·00

  43·01

  75·00 to 114·99

  9·00

  to

  115·00 to 164·99

  10·45

  325·00

  165·00 or more

  1990–91

  2·00

  5·00

  46·00

  46·00 to 79·99

  9·00

  7·00

  46·01

  80·00 to 124·99

  9·00

  to

  125·00 to 174·99

  10·45

  350·00

  175·00 or more

  1991–92

  2·00

  4·60

  52·00

  52·00 to 84·99

  9·00

  6·60

  52·01

  85·00 to 129·99

  8·60

  to

  130·00 to 184·99

  10·40

  390·00

  185·00 or more

  Notes:

  1 All rates are in respect of not contracted-out employment.

  2 Includes National Insurance surcharge.

  3 Percentage rates are applied to all earnings once the level of earnings reaches a certain point. In 1986–87, for example, NICs would have been levied at a single rate of 7 per cent, on gross earnings of £65·00.

  4 All figures shown are those current at the time. The lower and upper earnings limits for the payment of NICs, and the earnings bands between those levels, increase broadly in line with price inflation.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress he has made in setting up the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Jack
  Pursuant to my reply of 15 April at column 9–10, no final decisions have yet been made on the location of administration centres for the Child Support Agency,194
  since its establishment depends on the passage of the Child Support Bill currently before the House. However, for planning purposes the assumption is that there should be up to six new offices housing about 3,000 staff—in addition to the CSA staff who will be based in local offices of the Department's Benefits Agency, making a total of about 4,500 in all. It is the Government's intention to locate the

  195
  new administration centres in different areas throughout the country as part of its policy of relocating civil service jobs.

  Substantial progress has been made in identifying suitable locations with over 100 sites visited by my officials at 31 different locations. Detailed negotiations and discussions are being conducted about six particular locations in Falkirk, Belfast, Birkenhead, the black country (Dudley), Hastings and Plymouth—all of which appear to meet the criteria required for supporting a large CSA office. The discussions are aimed at establishing the ability of each location to meet the Department's accommodation specification, cost requirements and timetable. Once I am satisfied on all these matters, I will confirm the final decisions on the locations of the new administration centres. If successful, this will create new jobs for people in the travel-to-work areas in these six locations.

  The Department's decision to locate the work of the new agency in different parts of the country should be seen in conjunction with the announcement earlier this year confirming the location of 700 more jobs in the north-east—at Newcastle—for the Contributions Agency, in addition to the 1,000 jobs for Newcastle announced last year. A further 800 DSS jobs are due to move to Leeds from mid-1992 as part of the initiative to relocate work from DSS headquarters offices in London and Southampton. From April 1992, the administration of the new benefits for disabled people will require about 1,100 staff who will be located in a number of areas spread around the country. Relocation of work from London social security offices has been in progress since 1989 and a total of over 1,500 new jobs have been created in Glasgow, Belfast and Ashton-in-Makerfield. By the end of 1992, it is estimated that about 83 per cent. of jobs in DSS will be in locations outside London.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Northern Ireland Railways
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be the cost of providing two years' pensionable pay when death occurs during service for employees of Northern Ireland Railways; and what is the cost of the present scheme.

  Mr. Needham
  Employees of Northern Ireland Railways qualify for membership of the pension scheme administered by the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee under the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.

  The cost of providing benefits under the NILGOSC scheme is not recorded on an individual basis. It would not be possible, therefore, without an actuarial valuation to calculate the cost of providing two years' pensionable pay when death occurs during service.

  The cost to existing members of the NILGOSC scheme is 5 per cent. of salary for manual employees and 6 per cent. of salary for non-manual employees with employing authorities contributing 6·2 per cent.

  Employees of Northern Ireland Railways are, of course, entitled to join a private pension scheme, the benefits and cost of which may differ from the NILGOSC scheme.

  Regional Waste Licensing
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provisions are being made to establish a regional waste licensing system for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government are currently preparing proposals for a comprehensive waste management strategy for Northern Ireland which will take into account comments received from district councils on the Aspinwall report. The proposed strategy will be the subject of consultation in due course.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources are being allocated to ensure that stated targets for listed buildings, surveying historic monuments and sites and designating conservation areas can be met.

  Mr. Needham
  In 1991–92. the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland will spend £5·1 million, including staff costs and programmes expenditure, on tasks or functions related to historic building and monuments. The Department remains on course for meeting the targets set out in Government's White Paper "This Common Inheritance" (Cmd 1200).

  Street Lighting
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used to decide whether any part of a road in the Downpatrick and Craigavon divisions of the Department of the Environment should be provided with street lighting.

  Mr. Needham
  The criteria used to decide whether any part of a road in the Downpatrick and Craigavon divisions should be provided with street lighting are traffic volumes, road safety, and the density of housing and other developments.

  Road Improvement Schemes
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what major road improvement schemes have been carried out in the Downpatrick and Craigavon divisions between 1 March 1984 and 31 March 1991.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is:

  DOWNPATRICK DIVISION

  Balloo Road, Bangor—Stage 1

  Union Bridge, Lisburn

  Lisburn through pass; Benson Street-Longstone Street

  Dunmurry by-pass—Stage 2A

  Lisburn through pass; Governors Road-Laganbank Road

  Balloo Road, Bangor—Stage 2

  Hillsborough by-pass; Lisburn Road junction

  Shimna Bridges, Newcastle

  Donaghadee Road, Newtownards

  Dunmurry by-pass—Stage 2C

  CRAIGAVON DIVISON

  Patrick Street/Borans Hill, Newry

  Upper Dromore Road, Warrenpoint

  Al—Ballintaggart Crest

  Al—Climbing Lane at Customs Station, Newry

  Kilmorey Street junction, Newry

  Al—Edenordinary final surfacing

  A1—Beechill

  Banbridge by-pass bridge

  197

  Newry by-pass—Stage 1

  Banbridge by-pass dualling

  Newry—Canal Street/Downshire Road link

  Tandragee Road/Bridge Street, Portadown

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what moneys have been invested in

  Expenditure

  £ thousands

  Financial year

  HQ1

  Ballymena

  Belfast

  Coleraine

  Craigavon

  Downpatrick

  Omagh

  Total

  1985–86

  612

  906

  3,154

  757

  1,434

  985

  1,568

  9,414

  1986–87

  418

  1,014

  3,268

  1,505

  1,804

  1,092

  879

  9,980

  1987–88

  690

  1,071

  3,169

  1,821

  1,784

  890

  793

  10,218

  1988–89

  1,755

  3,063

  1,999

  986

  1,844

  1,827

  694

  12,168

  1989–90

  100

  1,895

  6,510

  1,298

  1,233

  2,217

  3,144

  16,397

  21990–91

  35

  1,522

  5,012

  1,065

  1,300

  2,789

  3,339

  15,062

  2 Relates to specific schemes which were handled centrally.

  2 Provisional at this stage.

  Ferry Services
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the increased fares on the ferry service between Strangford and Portaferry.

  Mr. Needham
  One representation to the most recent increase in fares has been received from Down district council.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much it cost to operate the Strangford to Portaferry ferry service in each of the years from 1 April 1985 to 31 March 1991.

  Mr. Needham
  Operating costs for the Strangford to Portaferry ferry service were:

  Financial year

  Cost (£'000)

  1985–86

  484

  1986–87

  553

  1987–88

  526

  1988–89

  674

  1989–90

  822

  1990–91

  783

  Concessionary Fares
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce reduced transport fares for women on reaching retirement age at 60 years.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is precluded by the provisions of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 from making a distinction on age grounds between men and women. The qualifying age for concessionary half-fare travel by bus and rail in Northern Ireland is 65 years for men and women, and there are no plans to alter it.

  Youth Services
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the education budget has been allocated to youth services in each year from 1 April 1985 to 31 March 1991 in the Southern education and library board.

  Dr. Mawhinney

  198
  major road improvement schemes in each road division in the Six Counties between 1 March 1985 and 31 March 1991.

  Mr. Needham
  Expenditure on major road improvement schemes in the past six financial years has been:

  Year

  Percentage of recurrent block grant allocated to youth service

  Percentage of capital grant allocated to youth service

  1985–86

  2·88

  1·80

  1986–87

  2·80

  2·14

  1987–88

  3·03

  2·10

  1988–89

  3·14

  1·09

  1989–90

  3·10

  0·84

  1990–91

  2·74

  1·04

  Footpaths and Bridleways
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by year for the past 10 years, and for the current year to date, the number of(a) public footpaths and (b) public bridleways that have been (i) created and (ii) closed to the general public.

  Mr. Needham
  The creation and closure of public footpaths and bridleways is a district council responsibility and the information sought is not held centrally.

  Renewable Energy Programme
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Northern Ireland will be included in the review of the renewable energy programme.

  Mr. Needham
  Yes.

  Fair Employment Commission
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards correcting the under-employment of Protestants on the staff of the Fair Employment Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: I understand that the 1991 monitoring return made by the commission shows that 30, 53 per cent., of its employees are Protestant and 27, 47 per cent., are Roman Catholic. The commission's approach to the religious composition of its staff, including its wish to attract more applicants from the Protestant side of the community, was set out in its press release of 16 October 1990, a copy of which was placed in the Library.

  Detention Centres (Lay Visitors)
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the criteria for appointments by the police authority in Northern Ireland for the selection of lay visitors to non-paramilitary suspects in Royal Ulster Constabulary detention centres.
  200
  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The appointment of lay visitors is a matter for the Police Authority for Northern Ireland.

SCOTLAND

  Opera House Edinburgh
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for an opera house on the site of the Empire theatre, Edinburgh; and what public bodies are involved in taking this project forward.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have been kept advised of Edinburgh district council's plans to convert the Empire theatre into an international venue for opera, ballet, concerts and drama. In addition to the district council, Lothian regional council, Lothian and Edinburgh enterprise company, Historic Scotland, the Scottish tourist board and the Scottish Arts Council are likely to be involved in the project.

  Scottish Agricultural College
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which agricultural advice services provided by the Scottish agricultural college are wholly publicly funded.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Services which are undertaken for the public good: that is, the benefits accrue to the whole community and not only to the individual. They include the following.

  (a) General advice on what is needed to conform with statutory requirements (Such as those on pesticides, health and safety at work or animal welfare).

  (b) All general advice on animal welfare.

  (c) Initial general advice on conservation and diversification.

  (d) General education and training for the rural community.

  (e) Veterinary investigation service tests related to notifiable diseases.

  (f) Monitoring services on patterns of animal health, welfare and infertility.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria he applies, and by what authority, in determining which advisory work of the Scottish agricultural college shall be partly publicly funded.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Authority for the provision of agricultural advice is derived from section 4(4) of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1911. Advice which is partly publicly funded is advice the benefits of which accrue partly to the community and partly to the individual user. It includes the following:Specified services which would otherwise be fully chargeable but which are supplied to crofters at a reduced rate because of the effect of low income and relatively poor resources in the crofting area.
  Services which are charged at a standard price, which does not cover the cost of delivering them in remote or otherwise disadvantaged areas.
  Work associated with animal and crop disease surveillance.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the advisory work of the Scottish agricultural college which is partly publicly funded is chargeable to the client.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In the year 1989–90, charges for partly publicly funded advice accounted for some 25 per cent. of total costs.

  Arts (Buildings)
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of those buildings used for the arts in Scotland which have been built, renovated or improved with Government funds since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table lists the properties occupied by the three Scottish national institutions, which are directly funded by my Department through building programme grant in aid. All of these properties have, to varying degrees, been subject to building or improvement works since 1979. In addition, the Government provided £9·4 million—on an exceptional basis—towards the construction of the Burrell gallery in Glasgow.

  In addition, my Department supports the development of local authority museums, galleries and libraries through the revenue support grant. Other support for the arts in Scotland, including an element for building projects, is provided by the Office of Arts and Libraries, through grants to arts bodies by the Scottish Arts Council.

  PROPERTIES OCCUPIED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

  Institution and Property

  National Galleries of Scotland

  National Gallery of Scotland, the Mound, Edinburgh

  Royal Scottish Academy, Princes Street, Edinburgh

  National Portrait Gallery, Queen Street, Edinburgh

  Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road, Edinburgh

  Store, 140 Causewayside, Edinburgh

  National Museums of Scotland

  Royal Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

  National Museum of Antiquities, Queen Street, Edinburgh

  York Buildings, Queen Street, Edinburgh

  Leith Custom House, Leith, Edinburgh

  Scottish United Services Museum, Edinburgh Castle

  Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian

  Scottish Agricultural Museum, Ingliston, Edinburgh

  Shambellie House, Dumfriesshire

  Biggar Gasworks Museum, Lanarkshire

  Store, Port Edgar, South Queensferry

  Store, West Granton Road, Edinburgh

  Store, Newbattle Abbey, Dalkeith

  Store, Brighton Street, Edinburgh

  National Library of Scotland

  George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

  Causewayside Building, Edinburgh

  Offices, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

  Law Court Buildings, Parliament Square, Edinburgh

  Bindery, Sighthill, Edinburgh

  Store (shared), Sighthill, Edinburgh

  Specific major capital building and maintenance projects since 1979 include (the figures are rounded to the nearest £0·5m):

  1. The conversion of the former John Watson's School to become the Gallery of Modern Art. (£3·5 million).

  2. The construction of the first phase of the National Library's accommodation at Causewayside, Edinburgh. (£11 million).

  3. Restoration and repair works at the Royal Museum of Scotland. (£8 million, on completion).

  4. Stonework restoration at the Findlay Building in Queen Street, Edinburgh (home of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and of the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland). (£4 million).

  5. Refurbishment of the National Gallery of Scotland. (£1 million).

  6. Recladding of the hangars at the Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian. (£1 million).

  Construction work has now begun on the second phase of the National Library's Causewayside Building (which is

  203
  costing £22 million), and I have committed resources of £22 million (exclusive of VAT and fees) to the construction of the new Museum of Scotland. Other major projects to be financed by the Government are: the provision of new storage accommodation for the National Museums (over £4 million), a major programme of fire precaution works at the National Library's HQ Building in George IV Bridge, Edinburgh (£4 million); and restoration work at the Royal Scottish Academy Building in Princes Street, Edinburgh (over £5 million).

  Footpaths and Bridleways
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by year for the last 10 years, and for the current year to date, the number of(a) public footpaths and (b) public bridleways that have been (i) created and (ii) closed to the general public.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not kept centrally.

  Fish Farms
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are in place for formal consultation when marine fish farms, which were established before the formal consultation procedures were introduced in 1989, apply to the Crown Estate for the renewal of their sea bed lease.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Each lease will be subject to individual review by the Crown Estate as and when it falls due for renewal. The Crown Estate will undertake any consultations it considers necessary in the light of the circumstances at each review.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the Crown Estate's very sensitive areas in Scottish waters and the number of fish farm leases allocated in each;

  (2) how many sea bed leases for (a) salmon farms and (b) shellfish farms are located in areas designated as very sensitive areas by the Crown Estate.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table shows the number of sea bed leases allocated to salmon and shellfish farms in the very sensitive areas defined and identified by the Crown Estate:

  Very sensitive areas on the mainland coast

  Salmon farms

  Shellfish farms

  1. Loch Laxford/Loch a'Chadh-Fi

  Sutherland

  3

  3

  2. Loch Glendhu/Loch Glencoul

  Sutherland

  1

  1

  3. Loch Broom/Loch Kanaird

  Ross-shire

  2

  1

  4. Inner Little Loch Broom

  Ross-shire

  1

  1

  5. Inner Loch Ewe/Loch Thurnaig

  Ross-shire

  3

  4

  6. Inner Loch Gairloch

  Ross-shire

  0

  3

  7. Inner Loch Torridon/Loch Shieldaig

  Ross-shire

  3

  4

  8. Loch Carron

  Ross-shire

  1

  4

  9. Loch na Cairidh/Caolas Scalpay

  Skye

  1

  2

  10. Loch Brittle/Loch Scavaig

  Skye

  0

  0

  11. Loch na Dal

  Skye

  0

  1

  12. Loch Alsh/Loch Duich

  Lochaber

  3

  7

  13. Inner Loch Hourn

  Lochaber

  1

  1

  14. Inner Loch Nevis

  Lochaber

  0

  0

  15. Loch nan Uamb

  Lochaber

  0

  0

  16. Inner Loch Sunart

  Lochaber

  6

  7

  17. Inner/Outer Loch Leven

  Lochaber

  2

  3

  18. Tobermory Bay, Mull

  Argyll

  1

  1

  204

  Very sensitive areas on the mainland coast

  Salmon farms

  Shellfish farms

  19. East Lismore

  Argyll

  1

  0

  20. Inner Loch Creran

  Argyll

  0

  0

  21. Inner Loch Etice

  Argyll

  1

  6

  22. Sound of Kerrera/Loch Feochan

  Argyll

  1

  5

  23. Loch Melfort/Shuna Sound

  Argyll

  2

  2

  24. Loch Craignish

  Argyll

  1

  2

  25. Loch Sween

  Argyll

  2

  2

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sea bed leases for marine fish farms are now in force in Scotland, for(a) finfish and (b) shellfish; and how many of each were established before the formal consultation procedures were introduced in 1986.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand from the Crown Estate that there are currently 308 sea bed leases for finfish farming and 392 for shellfish farming off the coast of Scotland. Of these 158 finfish and 112 shellfish leases were granted before October 1986.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide details of extant sea bed leases for marine salmon farms in Scotland, including(a) map reference, (b) area in hectares, (c) date of lease agreements, (d) date of expiry of lease, (e) production limits and when imposed or revised and (f) whether each application was subjected to (i) the formal consultation procedure, (ii) statutory environmental assessment and (iii) consideration by the advisory committee.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand from the Crown Estate that the information requested at points(a), (b), (c) and (d) is not available in the form requested except at disproportionate cost to public funds. Lists of leases giving basic information are, however, made available by the Crown Estate on request. I am also informed that Crown Estate leases granted under the formal consultation procedures contain conditions specifying the equipment which may be installed; the consequential production limits are not separately listed.

  All new site applications submitted to the Crown Estate have been subject to the formal consultation procedures since October 1986, and to the provisions of the Environmental Assessment (Salmon Farming in Marine Waters) Regulations 1988 which came into effect on 15 July 1988. One application has met the criteria for which such an assessment is required.

  One case has been referred to the advisory committee for its consideration.

  Whisky
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much whisky was sold in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) in export sales for each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Lang
  The statistics requested are as follows:

  Whisky sales–1981–1990 (million litres of pure alcohol)

  United Kingdom sales

  Export sales

  1981

  47·71

  244·24

  1982

  44·75

  251·28

  1983

  44·48

  227·84

  205

  United Kingdom sales

  Export sales

  1984

  43·36

  231·29

  1985

  46·15

  225·89

  1986

  45·64

  236·19

  1987

  44·60

  240·17

  1988

  45·18

  245·94

  1989

  43·03

  242·49

  1990

  41·52

  238·75

  Source: Scotch Whisky Industry Review 1990.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of total whisky sales in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) export sales was made up by malt whisky in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Lang
  The statistics requested are as follows:

  Sales of malt whisky—1981 to 1990 Proportion of market by volume (per cent.)

  United Kingdom

  Export

  1981

  1·7

  10·6

  1982

  2·3

  10·3

  1983

  2·1

  12·3

  1984

  2·6

  13·1

  1985

  2·6

  10·4

  1986

  2·8

  11·4

  1987

  3·3

  10·4

  1988

  3·6

  11·2

  1989

  4·0

  12·2

  1990

  4·4

  12·8

  Source: "Scotch Whisky Industry Review" 1990.

  Substandard Housing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the number of houses in Renfrew district which are below minimum required standards; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish a table showing the number of (a) houses of all forms of tenure which are below tolerable standard, (b) local authority houses which have rising and penetrating dampness, (c) Scottish Homes houses which have rising and penetrating dampness, (d) local authority houses with condensation and rising and penetrating dampness and (e) Scottish Homes houses with condensation and rising and penetrating dampness, in (i) Renfrew district and (ii) Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office does not make estimates of houses that are below minimum required standards.

  Local authorities' estimates of the number of dwellings in their districts below the tolerable standard at 31 March 1990 were published in tables 16 and 17 of the "Scottish Office Statistical Bulletin HSG/1991/2". Copies were sent to all Members representing Scottish constituencies and are available in the Library.

  Local authorities provide estimates of the numbers of local authority dwellings affected by condensation and dampness to the Scottish Office each year. The figures for Renfrew district and Scotland setting out the position as at 31 March 1990 are shown in the table. Comparable information for Scottish Homes stock is not held centrally.
  206

  Local authority dwellings affected by condensation and dampness as at 31 March 1990

  Rising and penetrating damp only

  Condensation only

  Condensation and rising and penetrating damp

  Renfrew district

  0

  0

  8,603

  Scotland

  62,185

  132,612

  83,075

  Disability
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about investment in housing for disabled people; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A small number of local authorities have made such representations in recent months in the context of housing capital allocations for 1991–92, and these were taken into account when decisions on final allocations were made in March. The Government have made gross housing capital allocations to local authorities for 1991–92 of £452·;5 million on the HRA block for investment in authorities' own housing stock and £111·1 million on the non-HRA block for investment in private sector housing. It is for local authorities to make decisions on investment in housing for disabled people, in the light of local priorities and the resources available.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to improve transport for people with disabilities in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office works closely with the Department of Transport's disability unit to ensure that public transport is easier to use and that personal mobility is increased for disabled people. We have made a grant of £20,000 available to Disability Scotland to enable it to run a mobility roadshow in Scotland, at the Ingliston exhibition centre from 20 to 22 September 1991. This will be the first event of its kind in Scotland, and will be modelled on the biennial event held at Crowthorne, Berkshire. It will assist disabled people in Scotland to make informed choices on the vehicles, equipment and mobility aids best suited to their requirements.

  A Scottish Office official acts as an observer on the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, the statutory committee set up to advise the Government on transport and mobility matters relating to disabled people. Two of the 20 members of this committee are Scottish. The Scottish Office also has an observer on the access and mobility committee of Disability Scotland.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will bring forward proposals to confer on the police additional powers to prosecute those who abuse or illegally use orange badges intended only for the benefit of genuinely disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is already an offence for an able-bodied person to use a parking place reserved for an orange badge holder on public roads or in a local authority off-street car park which has been designated by an order made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act
  207
  1984. It is also an offence for a non-badge-holder to display a badge on a vehicle which is parked illegally in circumstances where a badge holder would have been entitled to park. Both offences carry a maximum penalty of level 3 on the standard scale. However, in the light of comments made during debate on aspects of the orange badge scheme at the Committee stage of the Road Traffic Bill in another place, further consideration is being given to the introduction of an offence which would be committed by the display of an orange badge when the legitimate holder is not with the vehicle.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to launch a public campaign to discourage the abuse of parking in areas designated for(a) the specific use of disabled people and (b) the exclusive use of disabled people in possession of orange badges.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The regulations relating to the orange badge scheme of parking concessions have been the subject of a major review. The abuse of parking areas designated for orange badge holders was among the matters considered in the review. Appropriate publicity will be arranged when amending regulations are introduced to advise the public of the changes to the scheme and of the importance of respecting the concessions on parking for the disabled.

  Housing Finance
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the housing authorities with capital debt at high enough levels to attract Government subsidy in each year for the past 10 years; if he will show the total of subsidy to each authority in each year; and if he will express the subsidy as per house.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A local housing authority receives housing support grant when estimated eligible expenditure exceeds estimated eligible income in respect of the authority's housing revenue account. The level of capital debt is one of the factors which influences estimated eligible expenditure. The amounts of housing support grant paid to individual authorities in each year since 1981–82, expressed as a total and as an amount per council house, are shown in the table.

  1981–82

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  1,038,356

  366

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  1,154,679

  235

  Roxburgh

  1,537,295

  247

  Tweeddale

  109,055

  66

  Clackmannan

  1,283,981

  133

  Falkirk

  4,428,554

  132

  Stirling

  1,016,562

  77

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,272,965

  247

  Nithsdale

  100

  0

  Stewartry

  542,539

  217

  Wigtown

  767,726

  164

  Dunfermline

  2,800,067

  122

  Kirkcaldy

  3,077,166

  117

  North East Fife

  979,538

  122

  Aberdeen

  9,533,966

  241

  Banff and Buchan

  4,343,622

  336

  208

  1981–82

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Gordon

  2,379,107

  390

  Kincardine and Deeside

  933,388

  265

  Moray

  3,552,254

  321

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  435,542

  392

  Caithness

  876,132

  207

  Inverness

  1,631,231

  226

  Lochaber

  1,813,360

  522

  Nairn

  251,993

  219

  Ross and Cromarty

  4,199,542

  672

  Skye and Lochalsh

  316,747

  430

  Sutherland

  519,316

  303

  East Lothian

  3,155,554

  194

  Edinburgh

  7,869,440

  140

  Midlothian

  1,791,607

  136

  West Lothian

  2,182,016

  99

  Argyll and Bute

  2,811,692

  332

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  193,589

  106

  Clydebank

  3,285,203

  276

  Clydesdale

  578,477

  60

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  117,762

  27

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  819,727

  79

  Cunninghame

  2,744,500

  118

  Dumbarton

  1,177,708

  89

  East Kilbride

  98,060

  61

  Eastwood

  15,462

  8

  Glasgow

  44,099,691

  254

  Hamilton

  3,243,635

  141

  Inverclyde

  4,443,201

  225

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  1,885,952

  103

  Kyle and Carrick

  2,807,798

  155

  Monklands

  4,252,050

  149

  Motherwell

  5,737,727

  143

  Renfrew

  2,186,158

  55

  Strathkelvin

  1,539,073

  141

  Angus

  2,499,757

  172

  Dundee

  5,285,879

  131

  Perth and Kinross

  1,309,294

  80

  Orkney Islands

  1,082,222

  758

  Shetland Islands

  2,624,591

  993

  Western Isles

  1,267,392

  519

  1982–83

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  686,226

  245

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  552,583

  114

  Roxburgh

  1,165,695

  191

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  689,627

  73

  Falkirk

  1,494,309

  45

  Stirling

  1,335,195

  101

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,387,048

  274

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  412,797

  169

  Wigtown

  452,325

  96

  Dunfermline

  683,115

  30

  Kirkcaldy

  696,260

  27

  North East Fife

  829,197

  107

  Aberdeen

  7,089,761

  180

  Banff and Buchan

  3,306,069

  258

  Gordon

  2,240,622

  377

  Kincardine and Deeside

  817,907

  232

  209

  1982–83

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Moray

  2,301,798

  209

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  505,386

  457

  Caithness

  817,378

  200

  Inverness

  1,375,208

  198

  Lochaber

  1,383,564

  402

  Nairn

  206,063

  182

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,493,364

  559

  Skye and Lochalsh

  316,309

  434

  Sutherland

  477,942

  285

  East Lothian

  2,079,858

  130

  Edinburgh

  2,327,904

  42

  Midlothian

  906,746

  70

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  2,767,417

  331

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0

  0

  Clydebank

  2,201,808

  186

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  167,191

  15

  Cunninghame

  745,237

  32

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  0

  0

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  37,292,928

  217

  Hamilton

  1,543,988

  67

  Inverclyde

  3,048,261

  155

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  298,335

  16

  Kyle and Carrick

  911,439

  50

  Monklands

  3,222,528

  113

  Motherwell

  3,296,551

  83

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  1,198,935

  111

  Angus

  1,221,795

  86

  Dundee

  1,820,168

  45

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  852,422

  591

  Shetland Islands

  2,654,652

  1,015

  Western Isles

  1,358,959

  541

  1983–84

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  648,884

  238

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  373,420

  79

  Roxburgh

  1,260,321

  207

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  45,021

  5

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  20,431

  2

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,574,069

  311

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  414,643

  169

  Wigtown

  255,317

  55

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  309,583

  41

  Aberdeen

  3,724,702

  96

  Banff and Buchan

  2,437,206

  193

  Gordon

  1,709,877

  294

  Kincardine and Deeside

  972,194

  279

  Moray

  1,987,151

  182

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  515,570

  466

  210

  1983–84

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Caithness

  819,544

  204

  Inverness

  1,241,308

  182

  Lochaber

  1,334,449

  392

  Nairn

  265,393

  241

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,091,946

  500

  Skye and Lochalsh

  323,325

  439

  Sutherland

  446,107

  265

  East Lothian

  1,050,527

  67

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  2,554,514

  307

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0

  0

  Clydebank

  1,855,408

  157

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  0

  0

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  32,355,851

  191

  Hamilton

  119,816

  5

  Inverclyde

  1,865,250

  96

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  447,952

  25

  Monklands

  1,705,278

  60

  Motherwell

  1,037,418

  26

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  326,922

  31

  Angus

  181,321

  13

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  731,864

  509

  Shetland Islands

  2,409,052

  915

  Western Isles

  1,723,845

  703

  1984–85

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  486,805

  183

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  107,262

  24

  Roxburgh

  1,265,786

  213

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  0

  0

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,673,013

  330

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  359,095

  147

  Wigtown

  200,315

  44

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  87,427

  12

  Aberdeen

  3,053,523

  80

  Banff and Buchan

  1,943,394

  157

  Gordon

  1,940,317

  342

  Kincardine and Deeside

  854,052

  246

  Moray

  1,790,081

  167

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  487,297

  442

  Caithness

  826,248

  207

  211

  1984–85

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Inverness

  1,305,145

  191

  Lochaber

  1,225,816

  365

  Nairn

  227,117

  210

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,241,650

  527

  Skye and Lochalsh

  394,993

  534

  Sutherland

  467,987

  277

  East Lothian

  392,369

  26

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  2,308,945

  278

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0

  0

  Clydebank

  1,774,590

  151

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  0

  0

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  32,269,404

  191

  Hamilton

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  1,162,804

  60

  Kilmarnock and Boudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  0

  0

  Monklands

  1,956,032

  69

  Motherwell

  0

  0

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  2,775

  0

  Angus

  0

  0

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  779,233

  531

  Shetland Islands

  2,764,219

  1,049

  Western Islands

  1,863,547

  762

  1985–86

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  446,429

  171

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0

  0

  Roxburgh

  1,306,156

  223

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  0

  0

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,759,500

  347

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  343,400

  142

  Wigtown

  95,565

  21

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  0

  0

  Aberdeen

  2,260,303

  60

  Banff and Buchan

  1,599,685

  132

  Gordon

  1,800,235

  326

  Kincardine and Deeside

  942,305

  276

  Moray

  1,509,258

  142

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  497,879

  446

  Caithness

  750,997

  191

  Inverness

  1,510,450

  224

  212

  1985–86

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Lochaber

  1,398,166

  431

  Nairn

  218,689

  206

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,474,516

  562

  Skye and Lochalsh

  467,318

  626

  Sutherland

  518,431

  307

  East Lothian

  23,235

  2

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  2,155,278

  264

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0

  0

  Clydebank

  1,778,773

  152

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dunbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  0

  0

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  32,675,646

  194

  Hamilton

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  562,537

  29

  Kilmarnock and Boudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  0

  0

  Monklands

  328,169

  12

  Motherwell

  0

  0

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  0

  0

  Angus

  0

  0

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  804,942

  549

  Shetland Islands

  2,778,672

  1,054

  Western Isles

  2,171,685

  881

  1986–87

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  201,135

  78

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0

  0

  Roxburgh

  951,730

  166

  Tweedale

  0

  0

  Clackannan

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  0

  0

  Annadale and Eskdale

  1,382,490

  275

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  253,704

  106

  Wigtown

  0

  0

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  0

  0

  Aberdeen

  0

  0

  Banff and Buchan

  558,241

  47

  Gordon

  1,838,802

  337

  Kincardine and Deeside

  779,199

  224

  Moray

  682,537

  66

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  388,218

  352

  Caithness

  663,077

  170

  Inverness

  1,033,853

  153

  Lochaber

  1,441,327

  471

  213

  1986–87

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Nairn

  181,633

  163

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,178,298

  518

  Sky and Lochalsh

  586,754

  747

  Sutherland

  522,874

  308

  East Loathian

  0

  0

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argle and Bute

  1,373,972

  171

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0

  0

  Clydebank

  804,237

  70

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  0

  0

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  21,891,239

  131

  Hamilton

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  0

  0

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  0

  0

  Monklands

  0

  0

  Motherwell

  0

  0

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  0

  0

  Angus

  0

  0

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  684,343

  463

  Shetland Islands

  2,934,933

  1,129

  Western Isles

  2,137,164

  883

  1987–88

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  225,306

  90

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0

  0

  Roxburgh

  1,115,301

  200

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  0

  0

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,337,917

  270

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  386,158

  164

  Wigtown

  265,382

  61

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  0

  0

  Aberdeen

  0

  0

  Banff and Buchan

  617,681

  53

  Gordon

  2,723,337

  506

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,267,315

  364

  Moray

  982,346

  96

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  462,702

  429

  Caithness

  759,297

  197

  Inverness

  1,157,218

  173

  Lochaber

  1,396,801

  458

  Nairn

  209,500

  196

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,339,315

  545

  214

  1987–88

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Skye and Lochalsh

  789,606

  1,010

  Sutherland

  643,801

  376

  East Lothian

  0

  0

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  1,709,251

  215

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  51,224

  29

  Clydebank

  786,456

  69

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  63,514

  47

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  15,116,893

  91

  Hamilton

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  0

  0

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  0

  0

  Monklands

  0

  0

  Motherwell

  0

  0

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  0

  0

  Angus

  0

  0

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  743,450

  513

  Shetland Islands

  3,172,405

  1,225

  Western Isles

  2,595,347

  1,066

  1988–89

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  91,417

  37

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0

  0

  Roxburgh

  1,124,198

  208

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  0

  0

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,557,353

  323

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewarty

  413,062

  179

  Wigtown

  410,486

  96

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  0

  0

  Aberdeen

  0

  0

  Banff and Buchan

  246,862

  22

  Gordon

  3,276,799

  602

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,617,844

  458

  Moray

  614,211

  61

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  384,299

  367

  Caithness

  1,012,850

  268

  Inverness

  1,370,584

  207

  Lochaber

  1,800,599

  622

  Nairn

  271,618

  257

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,793,708

  624

  Skye and Lochalsh

  985,932

  1,275

  215

  1988–89

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Sutherland

  796,808

  463

  East Lothian

  0

  0

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  1,586,284

  202

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  124,971

  73

  Clydebank

  1,031,201

  94

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  33,496

  26

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  24,660,513

  154

  Hamilton

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  0

  0

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  0

  0

  Monklands

  0

  0

  Motherwell

  0

  0

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  0

  0

  Angus

  0

  0

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  850,377

  605

  Shetland Islands

  3,677,667

  1,427

  Western Isles

  2,894,620

  1,201

  1989–90

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  48,841

  21

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0

  0

  Roxburgh

  1,339,141

  259

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  0

  0

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,684,048

  364

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  509,240

  230

  Wigtown

  551,246

  132

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  0

  0

  Aberdeen

  0

  0

  Banff and Buchan

  136,883

  12

  Gordon

  3,788,264

  689

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,922,521

  544

  Moray

  528,935

  55

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  393,499

  389

  Caithness

  1,229,421

  328

  Inverness

  1,949,824

  302

  Lochaber

  2,148,759

  789

  Nairn

  344,628

  322

  Ross and Cromarty

  4,154,244

  694

  Skye and Lochalsh

  1,203,495

  1,495

  Sutherland

  969,864

  572

  East Lothian

  0

  0

  216

  1989–90

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  1,775,900

  229

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  278,995

  167

  Clydebank

  1,010,546

  96

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  0

  0

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  30,697,621

  197

  Hamilton

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  0

  0

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  0

  0

  Monklands

  0

  0

  Motherwell

  0

  0

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  0

  0

  Angus

  0

  0

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  776,917

  568

  Shetland Islands

  4,112,702

  1,593

  Western Isles

  3,741,152

  1,579

  1990–91

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  Berwickshire

  0

  0

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0

  0

  Roxburgh

  1,321,472

  261

  Tweeddale

  0

  0

  Clackmannan

  0

  0

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  Stirling

  0

  0

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,504,110

  332

  Nithsdale

  0

  0

  Stewartry

  436,944

  198

  Wigtown

  600,795

  148

  Dunfermline

  0

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  0

  0

  Aberdeen

  0

  0

  Banff and Buchan

  0

  0

  Gordon

  3,792,482

  691

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,882,382

  534

  Moray

  0

  0

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  386,736

  400

  Caithness

  1,330,831

  360

  Inverness

  1,934,977

  310

  Lochaber

  2,398.530

  914

  Nairn

  350,804

  335

  Ross and Cromarty

  4,231,891

  717

  Skye and Lochalsh

  1,303,836

  1,606

  Sutherland

  1,006,044

  588

  East Lothian

  0

  0

  Edinburgh

  0

  0

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  217

  1990–91

  HSG £

  HSG per house £

  West Lothian

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  1,041,664

  140

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  317,125

  195

  Clydebank

  650,646

  67

  Clydesdale

  0

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0

  0

  Cunninghame

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  East Kilbride

  0

  0

  Eastwood

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  24,536,123

  165

  Hamilton

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  0

  0

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  0

  0

  Monklands

  0

  0

  Motherwell

  0

  0

  Renfrew

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin

  0

  0

  Angus

  0

  0

  Dundee

  0

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  0

  Orkney Islands

  783,399

  588

  Shetland Islands

  4,395,805

  1,729

  Western Isles

  3,757,098

  1,598

  Horticulture
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Scottish Office spent on the promotion of the Scottish horticultural industry in each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department has a general sponsoring role in relation to the Scottish horticultural industry. This is discharged in a variety of ways and detailed costs are not held centrally.

  The Department funds research and development on horticulture at the Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee. Since 1981–92, expenditure has been as follows:

  £'000s

  1981–82

  1,698

  1982–83

  1,567

  1983–84

  1,174

  1984–85

  1,064

  1985–86

  918

  1986–87

  1,104

  1987–88

  1,080

  1988–89

  835

  1989–90

  840

  1990–91

  1,168

  1991–92

  855

  Hospitality
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by the Scottish Office on hospitality in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  The information is shown in the table:
  218

  Year

  Amount spent on hospitality £

  1979–80

  15,283

  1980–81

  19,427

  1981–82

  20,762

  1982–83

  31,588

  1983–84

  26,287

  1984–85

  27,301

  1985–86

  35,815

  1986–87

  38,315

  1987–88

  41,983

  1988–89

  42,987

  1989–90

  60,173

  1990–91

  65,123

  Rents to Mortgages Scheme
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sales have been completed under the rents to mortgages scheme in Renfrew district; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  By 30 April 1991, 15 sales had been completed under the rent to mortgage scheme within Scottish Homes' Renfrew and Inverclyde district and a further six applications were being processed. Since the extension of the rent to mortgage scheme to local authority tenants from 1 April 1991, some 20,000 expressions of interest have been received from across the country, including over 1,300 from Renfrewshire and Argyll.

  Homeless Persons Act
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have been considered for priority under the Homeless Persons (Scotland) Act by Renfrew district council in each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers of households that applied to Renfrew district council under the homeless persons legislation and were assessed as being in priority need are set out in the table. The returns do not record the numbers of persons in these households. Returns for 1990–91 are not yet complete.

  Year of application

  Number

  1980–81

  390

  1981–82

  486

  1982–83

  612

  1983–84

  520

  1984–85

  572

  1985–86,

  979

  1986–87

  867

  1987–88

  693

  1988–89

  800

  1989–90

  727

  Ferguslie Mills
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to reach a decision on the application to demolish the category A listed Ferguslie Mills in Paisley; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The hon. Member has written to my right hon. Friend on this matter. I expect to be in a position to reply to him shortly.

  Party Conferences
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for a report from the relevant chief constables giving the total policing costs arising from(a) the Conservative party conference in Perth and (b) the Labour party conference in Aberdeen in 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand from the chief constables of the forces concerned that the additional costs involved were £120,000 and £560, respectively. The level of resources provided for the policing of party conferences is an operational matter for the chief constable concerned in the light of all the circumstances including the threat assessment.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount spent by the Registers of Scotland in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Registers of Scotland in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The total amount spent by the Registers of Scotland was £38,234·59 for contracts placed with CCTA system consultancy service of HM Treasury to assess their information systems requirements.

  "Registration: Proposals for Change"
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, following the publication of the White Paper "Registration: proposals for change" (Cm. 939), he will consider the introduction of legislation to enable secular marriages to be carried out by magistrates, mayors or provosts, to allow them to take place in civic and other specified buildings and to allow greater flexibility in the services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The White Paper, Cm. 939, presented proposals for change in England and Wales. Scotland's registration system, governed by more recent legislation, already provides considerable flexibility, notably the opportunity for couples to be married in a civil ceremony at any office where there is an authorised registrar, and not just in the area or areas of residence of the parties. The registrar general has invited local authorities to consider how additional flexibility might be provided within the present system, and to submit to him schemes for such improvement. As an example, he has suggested that authorities might wish to designate suitable rooms in other civic buildings as part of registrars' offices, for the purpose of holding civil marriage ceremonies there. My right hon. Friend has no plans for legislation to permit the solemnisation of civil marriages by persons other than registrars.

  Students' Allowances
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details of any changes in students' allowances for session 1991–92.
  220
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I am publishing today the main rates of allowances payable under the postgraduate students' allowances scheme for vocational postgraduate courses which do not attract student loans, together with the rates of various supplementary allowances payable to both undergraduate and vocational postgraduate award holders. The main rates of maintenance allowance for undergraduates will remain frozen at their 1990–91 cash levels following the introduction of student loans.

  Details of the new rates have been placed in the Library. The increases in these rates are broadly in line with the 6 per cent. increase in the overall student maintenance provision announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science.

  In addition, there are two significant changes to the terms of the students' allowances scheme with effect from session 1991–92. These are:

  (i) Eligible students undertaking full-time courses leading to the award of a Higher National Certificate, and certain analogous courses, will be offered assistance under the Scheme; and

  (ii) Eligible students who have successfully completed a Higher National Diploma, or any comparable 2-year course, may qualify for assistance from year two of a degree course, irrespective of the subject being studied.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what decisions he has reached on the location of the company headquarters for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. and the future of the company's services on the upper Clyde.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has accepted the advice of the board of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. that, on grounds of cost effectiveness, the headquarters of the company should remain in Gourock. He welcomes, however, the company's commitment to Oban, as indicated by the substantial improvements made to shore facilities for passengers and commercial vehicles in recent years.

  My right hon. Friend has also decided, in the light of current demand uncertainties, arising particularly from the proposed closure of the Holy Loch naval base, that arrangements for Caledonian MacBrayne's services in the upper Clyde, between Gourock and Dunoon and between Wemyss bay and Rothesay, should continue unchanged meantime. He will ensure, however, that the board of the company, and the Scottish Office, monitor the position closely over the coming months; and he has not ruled out privatisation of these services in the longer term.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to make any changes to the cash limits for 1991–92 within his responsibility.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes, I intend to make changes to six of the cash limits within my responsibility as follows.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XV, vote 3: Training programmes; roads and transport, and industrial support, Scotland, previously known as training programmes and industrial support, Scotland, will be increased by £161,194,000 from £444,488,000 to

  221
  £605,682,000. This increase reflects the transfer of responsibility for roads and transport from the Scottish Office Environment Department to the Scottish Office Industry Department with effect from 29 July 1991, and takes account of increased provision of £13,600,000 for Scottish Enterprise and £1,400,000 for Highlands and Islands Enterprise in respect of Scotland's share of the increased provision for adult training, previously announced by the Secretary of State for Employment on 26 February 1991. There will be a consequent reduction of £146,192,000 in the cash limit for class XV, vote 5, roads, transport and environmental services, Scotland from £279,635,000 to £133,443,000.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XV, vote 13, law, order, miscellaneous health services and social work services, Scotland, previously known as law, order and miscellaneous health services, Scotland, will be increased by £31,326,000 from £180,438,000 to £211,764,000 to reflect the transfer of provision for social work services from class XV, vote 14, education, arts and libraries and also to cover the transfer of the provision for Scottish prison headquarters staff from class XV, vote 20, Scottish Office administration. This latter transfer will increase the running cost provision on class XV, vote 13 by £2,797,000 from £100,662,000 to £103,459,000.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class XV, vote 14, education, arts and libraries, Scotland, previously known as education, arts, libraries and social work, Scotland, will be reduced by £32,041,000 from £253,004.000 to £220,963,000 to take account of the transfer of responsibility for social work services from the Scottish Office Education Department to the Scottish Office Home and Health Department. A corresponding increase is being sought on class XV, vote 13, law, order and miscellaneous health services, Scotland.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class XV, vote 20 will be decreased by £2,797,000 from £143,239,000 to £140,442,000 to cover the transfer of prison headquarters staff to class XV, vote 13. Accordingly the running cost provision on class XV, vote 20 will be decreased by £2,797,000 from £139,395,000 to £136,598,000.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XV, vote 26, hospital, community health, family health (part) and other health services, Scotland is being increased by £26,162,000 from £2,306,242,000 to £2,332,404,000 to help meet the costs of pay awards following the 1991 report of the review bodies for nursing staff, midwives, health visitors and professions allied to medicine and on doctors' and dentists' remuneration. This also includes an amount of £3,462,000 as a result of the transfer of provision for training from class XV, vote 13, law, order and miscellaneous health services, Scotland to class XV, vote 26.

  There is no change overall to the Department's running costs limit. As already announced the increase in respect of the review bodies' awards and the provision for employment training have been charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure. There is no net impact on public expenditure from the other changes shown above.

  First Aid
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to assist local education authorities to meet their responsibilities for first aid provision in schools and colleges.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: My Department drew the attention of education authorities in October last year to the revised version of the Health and Safety Commission's approved code of practice which gives practical guidance with respect to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. In addition my Department is currently preparing guidance on first aid provision in schools and colleges in Scotland which will be issued to education authorities this summer.

  Gas and Oil Policies
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his Department has invested in educational establishments, organisations and individuals for training and retraining in work connected with the gas and oil industry over each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: This information is not collected centrally.

  Gas Pipeline
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from local fishermen, marine-ferry operators and local authorities, concerning the laying of a gas pipeline between Rothesay and Dunoon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: None. The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department consulted interested parties, including the local fishermen's association. A licence for the pipeline, required under the provisions of part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, was issued by the Department on 2 May 1991.

  Farming Statistics
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers, partners, directors and farm workers were employed on a county-by-county basis in Scotland in June 1990.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: Scottish counties ceased to be used for agricultural statistics purposes after 1975 following local government reform. The number of farmers, spouses doing farm work and farm workers employed on main holdings in June 1990, by local authority region, is shown in the table. Partners and directors are not separately enumerated in the census, but are included either as farmers or farm workers.

  Region

  Number of farmers

  Number of spouses doing farm work

  Number of farm workers

  Borders

  1,296

  512

  2,492

  Central

  771

  379

  1,032

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,282

  1,064

  3,846

  223

  Region

  Number of farmers

  Number of spouses doing farm work

  Number of farm workers

  Fife

  722

  270

  1,704

  Grampian

  4,643

  1,829

  5,198

  Highland

  2,755

  1,079

  2,103

  Lothian

  730

  309

  1,673

  Strathclyde

  4,101

  2,165

  5,391

  Tayside

  2,066

  806

  3,706

  Islands

  2,141

  982

  963

  Scotland

  21,507

  9,395

  28,108

  Trunk Road Schemes
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about progress on trunk road schemes during 1990–91 and the progress expected in 1991–92.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 24 April, at column 460.

  Road Schemes
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about progress on road schemes from(a) Ballygrant to Bridgend, Islay (A846), (b) Salen to Tobermory (A848) and (c) Strachur to Leanach (A886).

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: These roads are local roads and, as such, are the responsibility of Strathclyde regional council as the local roads authority.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each available year from 1978, the energy consumption, broken down by fuel, of the buildings occupied by his Department, expressing the figures in(a) cash terms, (b) 1990–91 money terms and (c) units of consumption for electricity in kilowatt hours, gas in therms, liquid fuel in litres and solid fuel in tonnes; and if he will give the square footage of accommodation to which these figures relate.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: Information for the period prior to 1 April 1990 is not available. My Department is currently collecting details of energy consumption and costs in 1990–91, and I shall write to the hon. Gentleman when the information is complete.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of dedicated energy managers in his Department and the number of person-years devoted to energy management in the latest year.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: A part-time energy manager has been appointed and many staff with other duties devote part of their time to energy management.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of energy audits carried out in his Department in the past five years and for each audit a statement of its main conclusions.
  224
  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: Thirty-five audit were carried out in my Department, excluding the associated Departments and the Scottish prison service, and these led to a large number of recommendations—mainly of a technical nature—designed to improve energy efficiency.

DEFENCE

  Job Losses
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning job losses in the defence industry.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I have received a number of representations from hon. Members and others.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what analysis he has made of the effect of air power in winning the war in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The success of the allied air campaign clearly paved the way for the liberation of Kuwait. We are continuing our detailed analysis of the conflict, together with the conclusions to be drawn from it.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to report to the House on his consideration of "Options for Change".

  Mr. Tom King
  We are proceeding in consultation with our NATO allies to carry forward our work on "Options for Change". The achievement of agreement on the United Kingdom role in the rapid reaction corps is an important further step forward in this. As I have already made clear, I intend to set out the progress so far, and the way ahead, in the annual defence White Paper, which I hope to publish before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the role of the Territorial Army as part of his "Options for Change" discussions.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have received a number of representations concerning the Territorial Army's role in our future plans for the armed forces.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings have taken place with civil service trade union representatives regarding the "Options for Change" study.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings have taken place with civil service trade union representatives regarding the "Options for Change" study.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Progress on the work on "Options for Change" has been discussed at the last two meetings of the departmental Whitley council and at the last four meetings of the joint industrial Whitley council. In addition, there have been a number of informal meetings between trade union representatives and Ministers and senior officials.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any new radar equipment for use in low-flying training exercises has been set up on the Scottish side of the border in the vicinity of Spadeadam; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No. A number of mobile ground radar installations are, however, held at RAF Spadeadam and are deployed as necessary during low flying exercises.

  Chieftain Tank
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further delays he anticipates before the announcement of the replacement for the Chieftain tank.

  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the outcome of the completion for replacing the Chieftain tank.

  Mr. Allan Clark
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Leeds. West (Mr. Battle).

  Frigates
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current number of frigates on order for the Royal Navy and when he expects the next ship of the type 23 class to be brought into service.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  There are currently seven type 23 frigates on order. The next ship of the class is expected to enter service before the end of the year.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to minimise the risk of accidental detonation of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The designs of all British nuclear weapons comply with stringent safety standards. Nuclear weapons are afforded the highest practicable procedural and physical safeguards during manufacture, storage and transport.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has of the development of nuclear weapons by countries outside NATO and the former Warsaw pact.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Outside NATO and the Warsaw pact, China is the one declared nuclear weapons state. Argentina, Brazil, India, Israel, Pakistan and South Africa all have significant nuclear facilities not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, as does North Korea which is not recognised as a state by Her Majesty's Government. None of these countries has declared itself to have or to be seeking nuclear weapons. In addition, Iraq was thought to have an active nuclear programme prior to the Gulf conflict. UN Security Council resolution 687 requires that Iraq unconditionally agrees not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons.

  Gurkha Regiments
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Gurkha regiments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As my right hon. Friend told the House this afternoon, detailed work on the composition of the Army and the future of specific regiments continues. Once the process of consultation within the Army on how to proceed is complete, we shall come forward with more detailed announcements.

  NATO
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with other Defence Ministers regarding NATO forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tom King
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett).

  Closures, Yorkshire
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to close any defence establishments in Yorkshire.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Detailed measures implementing the changes foreshadowed in the statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 25 July 1990 will be announced at the appropriate times.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his counterpart in Indonesia; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has not met General Moerdani, though he hopes to have the opportunity to do so at some stage.

  Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to meet the German Minister of Defence to discuss the numbers of European fighter aircraft to be ordered by the German air force and the RAF; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with his German colleague at which a wide range of issues are discussed.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the British defence manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 23 May 1991 Official Report, column 613.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he can announce any changes to the defence cash limits for 1991–92.
  227
  Mr. Tom King
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary summer supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:

  Defence cash limits

  £'000s

  Class and vote

  Current cash limit

  Change

  Revised cash limit

  I, 1

  10.203,592

  +256,740

  10,460,332

  I, 2

  8,680,982

  + 868,841

  9,549,823

  I, 3

  1,615,717

  +4,630

  1,620,347

  I, 5

  487,395

  +26,523

  513,918

  These changes, which increase the block defence cash limit by £1,156,734,000 from £22,875,780,000 to £24,032,514,000, are principally to cover increased expenditure identified so far arising from the United Kingdom military commitment in the Gulf area, and its related effect on other parts of the defence programme. This increase is within the estimate of about £.1·5 billion announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 18 April 1991 at column 558. The increase in defence provision for 1991–92 will be charged to the Reserve and will therefore not add to the planned total of public expenditure. This increase will be offset by the cash contributions from other Governments expected to be received in this financial year.

  Ceremonial Duties
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the performance of soldiers and horses concerned with ceremonial duties.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The consistently outstanding performance of both the soldiers and the horses concerned with ceremonial duties is a source of national pride. I look forward to seeing them at the Queen's birthday parade on 15 June.

  Gulf Trust Fund
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been collected for the Gulf trust fund; which organisations or individuals have benefited, and by how much; what he intends to do with any remaining or additional money; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Donations to the Gulf Trust currently total around £2·5 million. This money is being passed to the service benevolent funds where it will remain earmarked to meet the needs of service personnel and their families which have arisen as a result of death or injury in the Gulf conflict. Individual grants are being made by the benevolent funds in accordance with their trust deeds.

  Army Command Structure
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the Army command structure in Wales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly on the reorganisation of the United Kingdom land forces district structure and its implications for Wales.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will meet the chairman of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve for Wales, Maindy barracks, Cardiff to discuss the Army command structure in Wales;

  (2) if he will meet the Assembly of Welsh Counties to discuss the Army command structure in Wales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans for such meetings.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had concerning the Army command structure in Wales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A number of representations have been made, principally in the form of letters from Members of Parliament and parliamentary questions.

  SOUTH AFRICA: RELEASE OF POLITICAL DETAINEES
  SOUTH AFRICA: RELEASE OF POLITICAL DETAINEES
  ARMS SALES: REGISTER PROPOSAL
  ARMS SALES: REGISTER PROPOSAL
  THAILAND: BURMESE REFUGEES
  THAILAND: BURMESE REFUGEES
  BURMA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  BURMA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  LEGAL AID FUNDING: CONSULTATION PAPER
  LEGAL AID FUNDING: CONSULTATION PAPER
  SUB-POST OFFICES AND THE UNIFORM BUSINESS RATE
  SUB-POST OFFICES AND THE UNIFORM BUSINESS RATE
  EDUCATION PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
  EDUCATION PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
  SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: IMPROVEMENT MEASURES
  SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: IMPROVEMENT MEASURES
  READING ABILITY ASSESSMENT METHODS
  READING ABILITY ASSESSMENT METHODS
  PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING METHODS
  PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING METHODS
  EXAMINATIONS AND SPELLING: ADVICE TO DES
  EXAMINATIONS AND SPELLING: ADVICE TO DES
  STATEMENTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
  STATEMENTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
  GRANT-MAINTAINED STATUS FOR SCHOOLS
  GRANT-MAINTAINED STATUS FOR SCHOOLS
  RADON MEASUREMENT SCHEME
  RADON MEASUREMENT SCHEME