Written Answers of 10 June 1991

ENVIRONMENT

  Public Inquiries
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria for appointing public inquiry inspectors; and on what basis public inquiry inspectors can be sacked.

  Mr. Yeo
  Before appointing an inspector to hold a public inquiry, the Department considers what issues the case is likely to raise and then selects an inspector with the appropriate expertise and experience.

  Salaried inspectors are subject to the same disciplinary code as any other civil servant. Fee paid inspectors are subject to the rules set out in their contracts or terms of engagement. Public inquiries concerned with trunk road orders are conducted by independent individuals, not civil servants, and they are nominated specifically for each inquiry by the Lord Chancellor.

  Population 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 households, the number drawing household benefit, the number paying a reduced community charge by bands of reduced charge, and the number on national assistance.

  Social Security Region

  Unemployed (000s)

  Pensioners (000s)

  Others (000s)

  Total (000s)

  North-East

  257

  242

  232

  731

  Midlands

  250

  258

  235

  743

  London, North

  249

  251

  268

  768

  London, South

  221

  228

  219

  667

  Wales and South West

  199

  215

  183

  597

  North-West

  241

  224

  237

  702

  Scotland

  180

  151

  176

  507

  National Total

  1,597

  1,568

  1,550

  4,715

  Urban Development Corporations
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government will be allocating funds over and above those already earmarked for the urban development corporations or promised in grant aid to fund the full cost of completion of projects left unfinished on the termination of the urban development corporations' fixed lifetime.

  Mr. Key
  I expect satisfactory arrangements to be made to deal with projects which are under way when a corporation is wound up. These arrangements will be determined by the circumstances of the particular case.
  386
  Mr. Key
  Information on households at district level is contained in table 39 of the county report to the 1981 census, copies of which are in the Library. Similar analyses from the 1991 census will become available during 1992. Current estimates of the number of households for England and the English regions were given in the reply to the hon. Member's earlier question on 20 May 1991 at columns 327–28.

  Estimates of the number of households in receipt of housing benefit are:

  Estimated number of households claiming housing benefit

  Standard region

  Thousands

  Northern

  295·1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  381·5

  East Anglia

  239·9

  East Midlands

  110·8

  Greater London

  533·6

  South-East (ex· London)

  499·3

  South-West

  252·2

  West Midlands

  366·3

  North-West

  508·2

  England Total

  3,186·9

  The information relates to November 1990 and is based on quarterly caseloads. A table containing this information for districts, where available, has been placed in the Library.

  It is not possible to provide the information requested on the numbers who will be paying a reduced community charge at either regional or district level. For estimates at a national level I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 April 1991 to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) at columns 184–85.

  National assistance was replaced by supplementary benefit in 1966 which was itself replaced by income support in 1988. Information on income support is only available for the former social security regions. Quarterly details as at February 1991 are as follows:

  Homelessness
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he gives to local authorities on the definition of intentionally homeless.

  Mr. Yeo
  Section 71 of the Housing Act 1985 provides for the Secretary of State to issue guidance to local authorities on how to apply the homelessness legislation. Local authorities must have regard to this guidance when dealing with homeless applicants. A revised code of guidance—third edition—is currently in preparation, following extensive consultation, and will be issued shortly. The code contains advice on how local authorities should assess whether an applicant has become homeless
  387
  intentionally, although this decision will be a matter for the authority's own discretion on the facts of each individual case.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing legislation to place a duty on local authorities to provide accommodation for all 16 to 18-year-olds who are homeless.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government's 1989 homelessness review concluded that the homelessness legislation provided an adequate safety net to those in greatest need who were homeless through no fault of their own. The homelessness code of guidance contains advice on how local authorities should assess applications from young people who apply as homeless, although this will be a matter for the local authority's discretion on the facts of each individual case.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities in England and Wales which provide rented accommodation for single, homeless people.

  Mr. Yeo
  Local authorities that retain housing for rent provide accommodation for homeless households when the need arises. However the information available to my Department does not separately identify accommodation let to single people.

  For information about Wales I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Transmitter, Northumberland
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to call in the proposals for the erection of a Loran C transmitter near Amble, Northumberland by Trinity House; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend cannot call in a development proposal before a planning application has been submitted. 1 understand that Trinity House is consulting Alnwick district council and other interested parties with a view to exercising permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988 to establish a transmitter at Togston to service the proposed north-west European Loran C system. Exercise of these rights is dependent upon the conclusion of an international agreement on the UK joining the system.

  Housing Starts
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his Department's working forecasts for the number of(a) local authority new starts and (b) housing association new starts for each of the next five years.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the Department's annual report—(Cm 1508)—chapter 7, paragraphs 7.30 to 7.47 in particular.

  Institute of Horticulture
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received from the Institute of Horticulture regarding garden festivals; and if he will make a statement;
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  (2) when he next proposes to discuss the development of garden festivals with the Institute of Horticulture; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) when he next proposes to meet the Institute of Horticulture; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  I have agreed to meet the Institute of Horticulture to discuss the future of garden festivals, following a recent letter from the president arguing that further festivals be staged.

  Industrial Waste
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken to promote the implementation of policies to ensure that safe and effective arrangements are made for the disposal of industrial waste in the country of origin; what steps he has taken to encourage the adoption of this policy by other countries: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom has taken a leading part in persuading the international community to accept the principle that industrial and other wastes should be disposed of at environmentally sound facilities in the country of production. The OECD decision-recommendation on the reduction of transfrontier movements of wastes of 31 January 1991 requires member countries to dispose of their wastes in an environmentally satisfactory fashion as far as possible in their own territory. EC directive 91/156 of 18 March 1991 requires member states to dispose of waste to a high level of environmental protection and to establish an adequate network of disposal facilities to enable the Community as a whole to become self-sufficient in waste disposal and member states to move towards that aim individually. The United Kingdom has been advocating the importance of self-sufficiency during the current negotiations on the draft regulation on shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community which would enable member states to ratify the Basel convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes.

  Angling
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government intend to introduce legislation to impose the same or similar restrictions on the use of lead shot as imposed on the use of lead weights in angling.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government are aware of the potential effects of lead shot on the environment. We have asked the Nature Conservancy Council for England to assess the extent of any danger to wildlife and its habitat, and to monitor the outcome of current research into possible alternatives to lead shot. When we have evaluated all this evidence, we will be able to decide whether voluntary restriction or legislation is more appropriate.

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the enterprise zone designated areas by standard region in England, giving the date of designation and expiry.

  Mr. Portillo
  The table supplies this information.
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  Region

  Enterprise Zone

  Designation Date

  Northern

  Tyneside

  25 August 1981

  Hartlepool

  23 October 1981

  Middlesbrough

  8 November 1983

  Sunderland

  27 April 1990

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Wakefield

  31 July 1981 and 23 September 1983

  Rotherham

  16 August 1983

  Scunthorpe

  23 September 1983

  Glandford

  14 April 1985

  North West

  Salford/Trafford

  12 August 1981

  Speke (Liverpool)

  25 August 1981

  Workington

  4 October 1983

  N. E. Lancashire

  7 December 1983

  West Midlands

  Dudley

  10 July 1981 and 3 October 1994

  Telford

  13 January 1994

  East Midlands

  Corby

  22 June 1981

  Wellingborough

  26 July 1983

  South East

  North West Kent

  31 October 1983 and 10 October 1986

  London

  Isle of Dogs

  26 April 1982

  Note: Each zone has a 10 year life designation; Wakefield, Dudley and North West Kent include zone extensions.

  National Parks
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the percentages of planning decisions made in eight weeks by each of the district councils in Staffordshire and in the Peak District national park in the 12 most recent three-month periods for which figures are available.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information requested is as follows:

  Percentage of planning decisions made within 8 weeks in Staffordshire, by planning authority

  Per cent.

  Quarter of decision 1988

  Local authority

  1st

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  Cannock Chase

  74

  83

  82

  80

  East Staffordshire

  87

  90

  82

  74

  Lichfield

  53

  73

  66

  59

  Newcastle Under Lyme

  90

  91

  93

  85

  South Staffordshire

  60

  54

  48

  35

  Stafford

  81

  85

  78

  39

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  62

  63

  55

  48

  Stoke on Trent

  66

  73

  70

  69

  Tamworth

  81

  78

  77

  69

  Peak National Park1

  68

  55

  49

  49

  1 This includes figures for areas outside Staffordshire.

  Percentage of planning decisions made within 8 weeks in Staffordshire, by planning authority

  Per cent.

  Quarter of decision 1989

  Local authority

  1st

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  Cannock Chase

  75

  80

  60

  72

  East Staffordshire

  70

  75

  68

  70

  Lichfield

  57

  63

  57

  59

  Newcastle Under Lyme

  90

  86

  75

  83

  South Staffordshire

  40

  41

  37

  51

  Stafford

  22

  52

  71

  52

  390

  Quarter of decision 1989

  Local authority

  1st

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  40

  29

  10

  32

  Stoke on Trent

  63

  63

  22

  47

  Tamworth

  68

  56

  68

  67

  Peak National Park1

  51

  54

  38

  42

  1 This includes figures for areas outside Staffordshire.

  Percentage of planning decisions made within eight weeks in Staffordshire, by planning authority

  Per cent.

  Local authority

  Quarter of decision 1990

  1st

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  Cannock Chase

  66

  65

  71

  71

  East Staffordshire

  68

  59

  62

  76

  Lichfield

  57

  59

  61

  59

  Newcastle Under Lyme

  85

  87

  83

  85

  South Staffordshire

  49

  70

  62

  64

  Stafford

  23

  19

  31

  22

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  27

  35

  38

  39

  Stoke on Trent

  40

  56

  48

  47

  Tamworth

  68

  66

  73

  61

  Peak National Park1

  28

  20

  28

  35

  1 This includes figures for areas outside Staffordshire.

  Cheshire County Council
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will ask the Audit Commission to investigate the decision by Cheshire county council to replace existing road signs marking the county boundary;

  (2) if he will ask the Audit Commission to investigate the decision by Cheshire county council to allocate £60,000 to a public relations campaign to promote its image as the local authority.
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  Mr. Key
  No. These are matters for the auditor who must undertake his duties in accordance with the Audit Commission's code of audit practice. The code requires the auditor to satisfy himself that the body whose accounts are being audited has made proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the residents of Cheshire about the expenditure by Cheshire county council on public relations campaigns.

  Mr. Key
  We have received no recent representations from residents of Cheshire concerning expenditure by Cheshire county council on public relations campaigns.

  Cheshire Road Signs
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will intervene to prevent Cheshire county council from replacing all existing road signs indicating the county boundary in the light of the review of local government structure;

  (2) if he will meet the chief executive of Cheshire county council to discuss the decision of the county council to replace the existing road signs marking the county boundary.

  Mr. Key
  Local spending decisions are a matter to be determined by Cheshire county council in the light of its knowledge of local circumstances and the relevant powers. Subject to audit, the council will in this, as in all matters, be accountable to Cheshire electors for its decisions.

  Local Government Review
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to local authorities on public relations campaigns in the run-up to the review of local government structure.

  Mr. Key
  The joint circular of 15 August 1988 from the Department of the Environment, the Scottish Development Department and the Welsh Office contains the code of recommended practice of local authority publicity to which, by statute, local authorities must have regard.

  Special Grants Scheme
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the organisations that received grants from the Department of the Environment's special grants scheme; and at what level the grants were made for 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Key
  In 1989–90 a total of £1·942 million was expended from my Department's special grants programme to support 85 projects in England, which increased in 1990–91 to £2·235 million to 94 projects. I am placing a list of organisations receiving grant for both years in the Library of the House. Separate programmes are administered in Scotland and Wales by the Scottish Office Environment Department and the Welsh Office respectively.

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the locations of any high-volume waste incinerators which have received planning permission in the United Kingdom over the last two years; and what conditions were imposed, if any, in each case.

  Mr. Baldry
  Whether to grant planning permission for a high volume waste incinerator is a function of local planning authorities. We do not collect records of permissions for such developments, or of conditions attached to such permissions.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list current United Kingdom regulations in force or pending which restrict or control the erection of high-volume waste incinerators in the vicinity of food storage and processing premises.

  Mr. Baldry
  The erection of a high-volume waste incinerator would require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Acts. Before they can operate, new incinerators must also be authorised under part I of the Environmental Protection Act either by the local authority or Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, depending on the volume of the incinerator.

  Water Tower, Southwold
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement outlining the reasons for the listing of the water tower at Southwold in Suffolk.

  Sir George Young
  The old water tower was listed on 16 May on the basis of clear advice from English Heritage, the Secretary of State's statutory professional advisers, that it is a building of special architectural or historic interest. English Heritage advised that the tower, which was built in 1886, is a very rare example of a wind-powered water tower.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement outlining the procedures that were followed in the listing of the old water tower at Southwold in Suffolk; and if he will give the names of the inspector and of those who were consulted.

  Sir George Young
  This building was drawn to the Department's attention in April and, in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, English Heritage's advice was sought on whether it was a building of special architectural or historic interest. No other body was consulted in this particular case. The inspector who assessed the building was an historic buildings inspector from English Heritage, but the final decision was taken by the Secretary of State. It is not our normal practice to consult more widely on proposals for listing, or to give the names of the inspectors who advise the Secretary of State.

  Heveningham Hall
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the covenants accepted by ID Investment Development AG, and the deed of covenant by Mr. A1 Ghazzi, guaranteeing the company's performance in relation to Heveningham hall.
  393
  Sir George Young
  The broad effect of the covenants which were entered into at the time of the sale has been explained on more than one occasion. I do not think that there is anything in the present situation which would justify breaching normal considerations of confidentiality as to the detailed terms of the conveyance.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment further to his answer of 4 June,Official Report, column 163, who is re-examining Dame Sylvia Crowe's scheme and in the light of what specific research.

  Sir George Young
  The re-examination is being carried out by the bodies mentioned in my previous answer in the context of their formulation of a replanting programme; English Heritage is also being consulted. I was referring to general advances in our understanding of historic landscapes over recent years rather than to specific research.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what monitoring he has undertaken of(a) 18th century restoration and (b) 20th century restoration of Heveningham hall.

  Sir George Young
  Monitoring of works carried out under listed building consent is in the first instance a matter for the local planning authority. In view of the importance of the building, English Heritage has also kept closely in touch with the progress of the repair and restoration work.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to amend part VI of the Local Government and Housing Act to release capital receipts from the sale of council houses to be invested in the provision of new housing.

  Mr. Yeo
  Local authorities are required to set aside part of their capital receipts that have accrued from the sale of assets to meet outstanding loan debt and other liabilities. The remainder they may spend in new capital investment. The balance between debt redemption and new investment is kept under review.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to place a duty on local authorities to help provide for another neighbouring local authority with greater housing needs.

  Mr. Yeo
  No.

  Council Housing, London
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of council housing in London is currently not inhabited by council tenants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 7 May 1991]: From latest available information reported on HIP1 returns it is estimated that 2.9 per cent. of stock owned by London boroughs was vacant at 1 April 1990. A further 0·7 per cent. was recorded as in unlicensed occupation.

  The Government have taken steps to ensure that local authorities improve the utilisation and management of
  394
  their stock. There is certainly considerable scope for improvement on the above figures, particularly among inner London boroughs. Revised housing revenue account subsidy arrangements now incorporate financial incentives for authorities to minimise the proportion of voids in their stock. The publication of performance indicators from this year onwards will highlight standards of housing management, including control of stock, and increase accountability to tenants. London boroughs have received additional allocations of £86 million over the past two years to repair empty local authority homes through the homelessness initiative. It is estimated that more than 5,000 will be brought back into use as a result.

  Local Authority Service Provision
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what areas of local authority service provision for which he is responsible payments are required to be made to individuals who are not employees(a) in the form of a grant or one-off payment and (b) on receipt of paid invoices.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 6 June 1991]: I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Holmewood Estate (Finance)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the funding sources and amounts already allocated for improvements to Holmewood estate in Bradford.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 7 June 1991]: The Department has to date made the following allocations for improvements to the Holmewood estate:

  £

  Estate Action Programme

  4,958,600

  Urban Programme

  202,000

  City Action Team Special Funding

  68,670

  Kew Gardens
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total daily admission cost for an unemployed man, his partner and two children over the age of five years to enter Kew gardens for each year since 1985; what account has been taken of the level of unemployment benefit in setting those charges; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  The standard daily admission costs for two adults and two children over five years of age entering Kew gardens for each year since 1985 have been, and are, as follows:

  Admission £

  1985

  0·50

  1986

  0·50

  1987

  1·00

  1988

  1·00

  1989

  3·00

  January-October 1990

  3·00

  November-December 1990

  8·00

  1991

  8·00

  395
  The current standard single adult entry charge is £3, but senior citizens and students can enter at half price and children under 15 for £ 1 . No special provision has been made for visitors who are unemployed.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has issued any guidelines during the past 12 months to the mobility allowance units with regard to the length of time for which mobility allowance is awarded; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  An award of mobility allowance is made by the independent adjudicating authorities for as long a period as it is considered that the conditions of entitlement will be met. I understand that no guidance on this point, other than that issued in connection with the changes relating to people without legs, has been issued to staff during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will arrange to provide a simple medical report form for applicants for mobility allowance who are suffering from sickle cell disease in a similar style to form MY38A used for applicants who suffer from haemophilia.

  Mr. Scott
  Arrangements to introduce a special medical report form for people with sickle cell disease claiming mobility allowance are already in hand. Benefits Agency staff are liaising with the Birmingham sickle cell and thalassaemia centre about the questions to be included on the form and as soon as the text has been agreed, the form will be printed and brought into use.

  Maintenance Payments
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the present criteria for deciding whether his Department will collect maintenance payments on behalf of income support claimants; and in what proportion of cases these arrangements currently operate.

  Mr. Jack
  The Department will collect maintenance payments on behalf of a claimant to income support if the liable relative does not pay the full maintenance due, pays late or misses a payment. Payments can also be collected by the Department where there are other good grounds for doing so—for instance, if there is a threat of violence from the liable relative.

  The latest information held is for May 19891, and shows that at that time just under a quarter of maintenance payments for income support claimants were collected on their behalf by the Department.

  1 Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry, May 1989.

  Vaccine Damage Payments Act
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures of applications made under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979; and how many cases have been successful or are still under consideration.

  Mr. Scott
  Between 1979 and 31 May 1991, 3,447 applications for vaccine damage payments were received.396
  Of these, 848 awards were made, 72 are still under consideration and 44 have been referred at the claimant's request to the independent vaccine damage payments tribunal.

  Pensions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated net cost or gain to the Exchequer in the current financial year of the final or incremental 34p by which retirement pension exceeds the single person's income support level inclusive of the £13·75 pensioner premium.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There is no net gain or loss to the Exchequer. A single pensioner on income support, inclusive of the £13·75 pensioner premium, receives £1·40 more than the full basic level retirement pension.

  Belfast Office
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many telephone and fax lines are available at the Belfast office of his Department dealing with benefit claims from applicants in London;

  (2) what is the average time taken before claimants receive substantive replies to queries from his Department's office in Belfast sent in by (a) fax and (b) telephone;

  (3) what is the cost of the system of phone referrals of local calls from London to his Department's office in Belfast for the year 1990–91.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The relocation of benefits work to the social security centre in Belfast is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Euro-card
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest position on a European card for pensioners.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Worsley (Mr. Lewis) on 25 March at column 290. I will send him a copy of the letter I wrote to Members of the European Parliament on 28 February.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people registered disabled receive attendance allowance in(a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Renfrew district.

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

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are being taken to harmonise the regulations governing prescribed industrial diseases within the European Community.
  397
  Mr. Scott
  The Government are currently considering the European Commission recommendation of 22 May 1990 concerning the adoption of a European schedule of occupational diseases.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has received from his Department's monitoring exercise of claimants who do not qualify for invalid care allowance in specific weeks because their children return home from residential care on alternate weekends; and what action he proposes to take.

  Mr. Scott
  In the 12 months to May 1990, out of a total of about 35,800 invalid care allowance decisions, 120 claims were disallowed solely on grounds of the effects of intermittent care. There are no plans to change the present rules.

  Farmers (Family Credit)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what total amount of family credit was paid to farmers in England and Wales during the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jack
  Separate information about farmers is not available. We estimate that in 1989–90 the total amount of family credit paid to families in England and Wales where the main earner was in "farming, fisheries and related occupations" was around £12 million, out of total expenditure on family credit in Great Britain for that year of £425 million.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of farmers currently claiming family credit in England and Wales; and what were the equivalent numbers for(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Jack
  Separate information about farmers is not available. As at 31 October 1990, the latest date for which comprehensive information is available, there were 8,980 families in England and Wales receiving family credit where the main earner was in "farming, fisheries and related occupation". Equivalent information is not available for 1984 and 1979, since the occupational classifications used for family income supplement statistics were on a different basis.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the number of self-employed currently applying for family credit and the total amount paid to the self-employed in family credit during the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jack
  As at 31 October 1990, the latest date for which comprehensive information is available, there were 47,860 families receiving family credit where the main earner was self-employed. We estimate that, in 1989–90, the total amount of family credit paid to families where the main earner was self-employed was around £88 million, which was just over 20 per cent. of total expenditure on family credit in that year.
  398
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of families who received family credit payments in each of the last two years.

  Mr. Jack
  597,000 awards of family credit were made in 1989–90 and 638,500 in 1990–91. The total of awards made since the start of the scheme in 1988 recently passed the 2 million mark. Awards last for six months, and then a renewal claim has to be made, leading to a further award if appropriate. Therefore, many families will have received more than one award, and information is not available as to the total number of families who have received family credit during a given period.

  Common Retirement Age
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate the additional costs of providing for all men and women to claim a full state pension at a common retirement age of 60, 62 and 64 years of age, respectively, at the current level of state pension paid in 1991–92;

  (2) if he will estimate the common retirement age for men and women for state pension purposes which would be cost neutral at 1991–92 levels of pension;

  (3) if he will make a statement of Her Majesty's Government's current policy on a common retirement age for state pension purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe) on 20 May 1991 at col 627 and the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 27 February 1991 at col 539.

  Price Indexation
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer of 3 June, when he expects a decision will be made on the introduction of the limited price indexation under the terms of the Social Security Act 1990.

  Miss Widdecombe
  No date has yet been set.

  Income Support
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will amend social security arrangements to allow for income support to be paid in advance to the individual and to make it easier for social fund loans and grants to be paid in advance to the landlord.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to amend the payment of income support in arrears to claimants under pension age. Those over pension age are paid income support in advance. We consider that these arrangements are sensible because they are in line with the way wages and other benefits are paid. Anyone who is unable to manage until their first payday may apply for a crisis loan from the social fund.

  Loans are available from the social fund to pay for rent in advance. Whether such payments are made direct to the landlord is at the discretion of the local office.

TRANSPORT

  Airport Security
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken to apply the findings on airport security of the sheriff principal in the Lockerbie fatal accident inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The sheriff principal's report is being studied most carefully by the Department. Only one of the 20 findings referred directly to the Department.

  The Department has required the industry to apply additional security controls to all unaccompanied bags. It is also discussing with representatives of airlines new procedures to ensure that all bags to be flown are properly authorised.

  Technology for carrying out reconciliation checks on large volumes of baggage is becoming available and is being introduced by airlines. It is not yet sufficiently widespread or co-ordinated to enable the Department to impose a general requirement for its use by all airlines. We are pursuing this with the industry and international bodies. In practice, at airports in the United Kingdom, British Airways and other major airlines substantially meet the requirements indentified by the sheriff principal.

  Midland Line (Electrification)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is prepared to authorise the expansion of British Rail's borrowing approvals to commence the immediate electrification of the Midland main line from Bedford to Sheffield; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for British Rail to put forward electrification proposals. I have not received from it any proposals in respect of the midland main line. I understand that InterCity's first investment priority is the west coast main line, where the rolling stock and infrastructure is considerably older and the service less reliable than on the midland main line.

  M25 (Tunnels)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total number of sections of the M25 that are underground in tunnels; what is the distance of the largest single section of the M25 in a tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  There are tunnels on the M25 at Bell Common and Holmesdale, the latter tunnel being the longer at 650 m. The London orbital is completed to the east of London by the A282 Dartford tunnels under the Thames which are some 1,400 m long.

  Aviation (Third Party Liability)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to introduce compulsory insurance against third party liability for general aviation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the advice he has received from the former chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority on the question 400
  of compulsory insurance for aircraft registered in the United Kingdom. The Civil Aviation Authority advice identified a number of issues which would need to be resolved, including how a compulsory scheme could be enforced and how much it would cost, what the implications for the insurance industry would be, various questions on liability, and whether the scope of a scheme should be such as to insure against liability to passengers in aircraft or only to persons on the ground.

  Railway Reopenings (Tribunal) Bill
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be in a position to answer the letter from the hon. Member for Christchurch regarding his Department's attitude towards the Railway Reopenings (Tribunal) Bill; and if he will publish his reply by means of an answer to this question.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. and learned Friend has today written to my hon. Friend.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total amount spent by the Land Registry 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 Land Registry in 1990–91, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  The Attorney-General
  Management and computer consultancy contracts were awarded by the Land Registry in 1990–91 as follows:

  Management consultancy
  Price Waterhouse—Review of the Agency's top management structure.

  Computer consultancy
  Intergraph UK Ltd.—Technical advice on digital mapping.
  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency—Departmental Consultancy Support Agreement providing ongoing technical advice, support and Information Technology procurement services.

  The Land Registry's expenditure on these services in 1990–91 was £48,061·79.

  Bailiffs' Letters
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General how many complaints he has received about intimidatory bailiffs' letters; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I have not received any complaints about intimidatory bailiffs' letters. The Lord Chancellor has received some complaints about private bailiffs employed by local authorities to enforce liability orders for unpaid community charge.

  The complaints concerned the intimidatory behaviour of some bailiffs and the lack of information about complaints procedures. These complaints were referred to the appropriate local authority.

  Procedures for the execution of warrants by county court bailiffs are standardised. Any forms or notices which

  401
  bailiffs need to send are produced centrally and are pre-printed. Care is taken to ensure that the wording of these is clear, precise and not intimidatory.

  Forfeiture of Leases
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will ask the Law Commission to look at the consequences of the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Billson v. Residential Appartments Ltd. in relation to claims for relief from forfeiture of leases.

  The Attorney-General
  The Law Commission is presently engaged in the preparation of a draft Bill to give effect to the recommendations for landlords' termination orders made in its report of 1985 (Law Com. No. 142 —H.C. 279) on the forfeiture of tenancies. I understand that the difficulties dealt with by the decision to which the hon. Gentleman refers were addressed by the recommendations, which the commission is now putting into draft legislative form.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General how much in costs was ordered to be paid against the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of charges against Reg Brealey and others on a charge of insider dealing; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The order made by His Honour Judge Sanders was that the Crown prosecution service should pay the whole of the defence costs post-committal in the case to which the hon. Member refers; and that, failing agreement between the parties as to the amount of such costs, they should be at liberty to apply to him for a determination. It is too soon to say whether agreement as to the amount of the costs will be possible. Moreover, the Director of Public Prosecutions has made application to the divisional court for judicial review of the order for costs.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  National Insurance
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average earnings for each year since 1979; and what percentage of that earnings was levied to pay national insurance.

  Mr. Maude
  Average weekly earnings are measured in April each year by the Department of Employment's new earnings survey. The figures since 1979 are given in column(a). The figures in column (b) show the percentage of all estimated income from employment and self employment paid in national insurance contributions. They should be regarded as indicating the trend in this percentage rather than as a meaningful measure of its level because the proportion of earned income which employees or self-employed persons may pay in national insurance contributions will vary according to individual circumstances.

  Year

  (a) £s

  (b)percentage1

  1979

  862

  8·7

  1980

  106·3

  8·8

  1981

  1198

  9·3

  402

  Year

  (a) £s

  (b)percentage1

  1982

  132·1

  9·9

  1983

  144·5

  10·5

  1984

  155·8

  10·6

  1985

  167·4

  10·6

  1986

  181·2

  10·5

  1987

  194·9

  10·5

  1988

  213·6

  10·6

  1989

  234·3

  9·7

  1990

  258·0

  n/a

  1 Figures for 1988 and 1989 are calculated after netting off rebates of contributions and incentive payments made to personal pension schemes. The 1989 figure would otherwise have been 10·5.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of revenue was received from national insurance contributions(a) from employees and (b) employers for each of the years since 1979 at constant prices.

  Mr. Maude
  The information in real terms using GDP deflator at market prices, is as follows (£ million in 1985 prices).

  Year

  National Insurance contributions

  By employees

  By employers

  1979

  11,481

  7,580

  1980

  11,450

  7,734

  1981

  11,045

  8,655

  1982

  10,877

  9,892

  1983

  11,654

  11,023

  1984

  11,912

  11,416

  1985

  12,245

  11,683

  1986

  13,082

  11,909

  1987

  13,678

  12,360

  1988

  14,470

  12,932

  1989

  14,402

  11,973

  Sickness
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage of days lost due to sickness in the civil service during 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Sickness absence information for the civil service is collected on a calendar year basis. The 1990 statistics are not yet available. In 1989 about 4 per cent. of days were lost due to sickness absence in the non-industrial civil service.

  Civil Service (Contract Cleaners)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the relevant trade unions to discuss wages and conditions for contract cleaners in the civil service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Contract cleaners are not civil servants. Their pay and conditions of service are for agreement with their particular employers. However, to ensure compliance with the requirements of Government contracts, contractors must ensure that they maintain the level of service specified in the contracts and other rates of pay and conditions of service sufficient to attract suitable staff to achieve these levels. Departments monitor the performance of contractors throughout the duration of contracts.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for publication, for each Government Department, of the total amount spent in 1990–91 on(a) management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases, (b) details of each contract awarded in that year, giving the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment and (c) the total amount budgeted to spend in 1991–92.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information on all Departments is not held centrally. For expenditure by Her Majesty's Treasury in the financial year 1990–91, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on 4 June at column 142. These figures include the cost of development studies, which in turn include the cost of associated hardware and software; the latter items are not separately identifiable.

  The Treasury's budgeted consultancy spend for financial year 1991–92 is £3,568,000.

  Commercial Confidentiality
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from European banks on the subject of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Maples
  None.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female prisoners were mentally ill during the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Statistical records available for the six months 1 April 1990 to 30 September 1990 show that over that period 85 female prisoners were diagnosed as being mentally disordered and removed from prison; 43 of these were reported to be mentally ill.

  On 30 September 1990, the latest date for which figures are available, 23 female prisoners were reported by prison medical officers to be mentally disordered as defined by the Mental Health Act 1983. Of these, 10 were reported to be mentally ill.

  The Government encourage the diversion of mentally disordered offenders from the prison system whenever custody is not necessary in the public interest.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a decision on Michael Thynne's case and the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  When the House considers the House of Lords' amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill, we intend to bring forward proposals for new arrangements for deciding the release of discretionary life sentence prisoners, which will comply with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of Mr. Thynne and others.
  404
  If these amendments are approved by Parliament and Mr. Thynne is still detained when they come into effect, his case will be considered in accordance with them. In the meantime, the case will be dealt with under the existing arrangements for considering the release of life sentence prisoners, and is due to be considered by the local review committee in February 1992.

  Refugees
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent meeting he has had with the British Refugee Council concerning displaced Palestinians, Kurds, Shiite Iraqis, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Filipinos and Yemenis following the Gulf war.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None.

  Police Records
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the envisaged police national network, whether all the major command and control or criminal information systems of each police force are to be linked to the network; whether the network will include the police national computer; whether there are plans for the network to facilitate transfers between police forces and their respective criminal intelligence databases; whether there are plans to utilise more efficiently the name based information from the DVLA in relation to criminal information databases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) on 15 May 1991 at column 185.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will place in the Library the report of the review committee exploring the wider use of police criminal records; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have arranged for a copy of the report of the efficiency scrutiny of the national collection of criminal records to be placed in the Library shortly. The report is now being considered in accordance with the procedures for efficiency scrutinies.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the organisations that have replied to his consultation exercise in relation to the proposal by the European Commission for a data Protection directive.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The following organisations have responded to our consultation exercise:

  The Advertising Association

  American Express

  The Association of British Chambers of Commerce

  Association of British Insurers

  The Association of British Travel Agents

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  The Association for Information Management (ASLIB)

  Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS)

  Barclays Bank plc

  The Booksellers Association of Great Britain and Ireland

  British Bankers Association

  The British Broadcasting Corporation

  The British Computer Society

  405

  British Dental Association

  The British Direct Marketing AT0

  British List Brokers Association

  British Medical Association

  British Telecom

  CCN Credit Systems

  The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA)

  Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom

  Confederation of British Industry

  Confederation of Information Communication Industries

  Consumer Credit Trade Association

  Consumers Association

  Consumers in the European Community Group (UK)

  Council of Mortgage Lenders

  The Office of Data Protection Registrar

  Direct Mail Services Standards BD0

  European Association of Information Services (EUSIDIC)

  Finance Houses Association

  Independent Television Association (ITV)

  Industry Forum on Data Protection

  The Institute of Chartered Accountants

  The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

  Institute of Credit Management

  The Institute of Information Scientists

  The Institute of Internal Auditors—UK

  Institute of Personal Management

  The International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland

  The Law Society

  The Law Society of Northern Ireland

  The Law Society of Scotland

  The Library Association

  Local Government Training Board

  The Mail Order Traders AT0

  The Market Research Society

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

  The National Audit Office

  National Book Committee

  The National Computing Centre Ltd.

  The National Consumer Council

  The National Consumer Credit FT0

  National Council for Civil Liberties (Liberty)

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  National Westminster Bank plc

  The Newspaper Society

  Periodical Publishers Association

  The Retail Consortium

  Securities and Investments Board

  Trustee Savings Bank Group plc

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the reasons for the Government's opposition to the European Commission's proposals for a data protection directive in relation to(a) the distinction between personal data held in the public and private sector, (b) the supervision of the personal data held by security services, (c) the seeking of data subject consent and (d) the additional individual rights proposed in the directive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In large-scale, technically advanced societies both public and private sector organisations need to collect and computerise information about individuals in order effectively to discharge administrative and commercial functions in the public interest. The Government believe that data protection law should recognise this, and guard against damage to individual's interests through misuse of data rather than place unnecessary obstacles in the way of normal use.

  The Government therefore see no justification for treating either public or private sector use of data as intrinsically less desirable; nor do they believe that a proper balance would be struck between data user and data subject by requiring, for example, automatic
  406
  notification and consent procedures. More generally, they believe that, under the new approach to harmonisation, single market measures should be confined to minimum essential requirements; they note that the activities of the security services lie outside the treaty of Rome. The Government would be prepared to support data protection harmonisation measures based more closely on the existing Council of Europe convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data.

  Royal Family
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces are involved in extra costs due to security needed at the homes of members of the royal family.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In England and Wales, there are royal palaces and residences in the Metropolitan police, Thames Valley police, Norfolk constabulary, Gloucestershire constabulary and Northamptonshire police force areas. Details of any operational policing costs are a matter for the chief officers concerned.

  Prevention of Terrorism Act
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces are involved in extra costs due to Prevention of Terrorism Act controls at ports.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Port controls under the Prevention of Terrorism Act may apply to any person who has arrived in, or is seeking to leave, Great Britain or Northern Ireland by ship or aircraft. The level of policing, and its costs, are matters for the chief officer concerned.

  Crime Witnesses
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the average delay before a witness of a crime views a witness album and its assessed effect on successful recognition.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that those witnesses to a crime who are called to view witness albums usually do so within seven days of the crime being committed. The interval will depend on several factors including the effect of the crime on the witness, the competence of the witness and the progress of the investigation. It is not possible to give a definitive assessment of the effect of any interval on successful recognition.

  Knowsley Magistrates Courts
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of revenue and capital expenditure for magistrates courts in Knowsley for each court for each of the last five years and as budgeted for the current financial year.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information available centrally is given in the table. This relates to net expenditure eligible for specific grant by the Knowsley magistrates courts committee as a whole. An approved level of capital spending for 1991–92 has not yet been set.
  407

  Net current expenditure

  Capital financing/expenditure1

  £

  £

  1986–87

  544,056

  48,203

  1987–88

  581,826

  44,396

  1988–89

  656,741

  45,933

  1989–90

  673,745

  47,512

  1990–91

  2821,000

  85,720

  1991–92

  3871 ,039

  —

  1 From 1986–87 to 1989–90: capital financing costs, ie debt redemption, interest charges and revenue contributions to capital outlay. For 1990–91: approved capital expenditure (the actual expenditure figure is not yet available) plus estimated loan charges on pre-April 1990 debt.

  2Provisional outturn.

  3Budget estimate at forecast outturn prices.

  Immigration Information (Glasgow Airport)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to reopen the Home Office immigration public information desk at Glasgow airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The arrangements for the public inquiry office at Glasgow airport are under review. We hope to reach a decision shortly.

  Young Offenders and Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what future arrangements are to be made for the accommodation of those young offenders and remand prisoners formerly held at Her Majesty's prison Pucklechurch and now located at Her Majesty's prison Gloucester and Her Majesty's prison Cardiff; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received about the availability of resources at Her Majesty's prison Gloucester and Her Majesty's prison Cardiff to hold young offenders and remand prisoners.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I am aware that there are a number of difficulties involved in accommodating young offenders from the Avon area in Gloucester and Cardiff prisons. These are being addressed in consultation with the area manager concerned and taking into account the current review of the whole prison estate. The future of Pucklechurch is part of that review and we hope to announce the results shortly.

  Isle of Man
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what help has been requested of the United Kingdom Government by the Isle of Man legislature or judiciary within the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1991, c. 30]: The Isle of Man legislature or judiciary do not customarily request help from the United Kingdom Government. The Government do, however, regularly receive, and respond to, a wide range of requests from the Isle of Man Government for information, advice and services, in some instances under reciprocal arrangements between the United Kingdom and the island, including in relation to the formulation, scrutiny and operation of
  408
  provisions of Isle of Man legislation and in relation to the island's system of civil and criminal justice. A central, chronological record of the number and exact nature of such requests is not kept.

ENERGY

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) how many complaints were received by or concerning the electricity share information office in relation to the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales;

  (2) what is the total number of complaints received on share allocations in the privatisation of (a) the regional electricity companies and (b) the generating companies of England and Wales by his Department and by the electricity share information office.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The records kept by the electricity share information office—SIO—were designed to enable telephoned or written inquiries of all types to be dealt with readily, rather than to enable one type subsequently to be distinguished from another on a statistical basis. It would entail disproportionate expense to conduct a precise analysis now. However, my Department estimates that the written complaints received following the share allocations were equivalent to about one in 5,000 of the number of applications received in both offers. Only a small percentage of these made any complaint about the SIO itself.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the total cost of operating the electricity share information office for the purpose of privatising(a) the distribution companies and (b) the generating companies of England and Wales;

  (2) what was the total estimated cost of the electricity share information service in each of the past two financial years; and in what way its staff contracts will expire or be terminated.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The cost to Government of setting up and operating the electricity share information office in respect of the privatisation of the electricity industry in England and Wales was zero in 1989–90 and 12·8 million in 1990–91. It is not meaningful to apportion this between the offers for sale of the regional electricity companies and the generating companies since the principal facilities, including the initial register, were used for both flotations.

  My Department contracted the project management of the office to Kleinwort Benson Limited, which was responsible for its day-to-day staffing and operation.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to receive the next report from Touche Ross on the detection of multiple share application fraud in the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My officials are in regular contact with Touche Ross on the subject of multiple applications and fraud. I expect to receive a report from Touche Ross covering both electricity sales in England and Wales towards the end of this year.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has had from stockbrokers
  409
  employed on the privatisation of the electricity supply industry concerning delayed payment of fees or commissions

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on 6 June. Since that reply four more stock brokers have made inquiries.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the chairman of the 12 regional electricity companies and the two fossil-fuelled generating companies of England and Wales concerning the completion of payments of fees and commissions to stockbroking firms employed in the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The companies have no locus in either the fees payable to the Government's stockbrokers or the commissions payable to stockbroking firms in respect of selling commissions.

  Fast Reactors
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration he has given to the need for fast reactors as an integral part of reprocessing plutonium in obsolete nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration he is giving to European co-operation in fast reactors in relation to design after the middle of 1993.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government will keep its position on the European fast reactor collaboration under review in the light of future developments.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place his Department's proposals for decommissioning civil nuclear power stations in the Library.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Department of Energy has no proposals for decommissioning civil nuclear power stations. Decommissioning is a matter for nuclear power station operators to consider within the guidelines on safety and environmental protection set by the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in convenient form the information he has on load factors of nuclear power stations in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the USA, (c) France, (d) Germany, (e) Japan and (f) Brazil.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information requested is set out in the table. The data are taken from the April 1991 edition of the Journal Nuclear Engineering International.

  Country

  1990 average load factor

  Lifetime load factor to end 1990

  United Kingdom

  51·8

  49·2

  United States of America

  64·6

  59·4

  France

  62·9

  62·3

  410

  Country

  1990 average load factor

  Lifetime load factor to end 1990

  Percentage

  Percentage

  Germany

  68·4

  71·9

  Japan

  71·2

  67·9

  Brazil

  39·2

  22·3

  The load factor is defined as the ratio of electricity generated to potential generation if the plant in question operated continuously at its design capacity.

  Comparisons of load factors between countries should be treated with caution. For a variety of reasons, they do not necessarily reflect the operating availability of reactors.

  Photovoltaics
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has to support a programme of development of photovoltaics as presented to his Department by Sir John Cadogan FRS.

  Mr. Moynihan
  On 8 May I announced that the Government are to fund a £250,000 programme of research into the use of solar power for electricity production. We believe that photovoltaics is a renewable technology which has considerable potential, particularly when incorporated into the fabric of a building, and it is towards this area that the Department's programme will be focused.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Egypt
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any representations regarding the torture and imprisonment of three converts to Christianity in Egypt; and if he has made any recent representations to the Egyptian Government regarding them.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has received many representations expressing concern about the plight of the three Christian detainees in Egypt. He raised the matter with the then Egyptian Foreign Minister when they met in Cairo on 1 May.

  START
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have been consulted by the Soviet and United States Governments regarding the use to which fissile material from warheads withdrawn under the strategic arms reductions talks will be put.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The provisions of the START agreement are a matter for the United States and Soviet Union.

  Boat People
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what date, given current progress, he expects to complete the screening of those boat people currently living in detention centres in Hong Kong, including the appeals against screening decisions.
  411
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The rate of screening depends on the rates of arrival and repatriation. Vietnamese migrants are currently screened approximately 24 months after their arrival in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the conditions within detention centres and camps for boat people in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Wherever possible, United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees' recommendations for camp conditions in respect of food, nutrition and water standards have been adopted.

  Although it has not yet been possible to meet in full United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees' recommendation on space standards and toilet provisions, the opening of a new detention facility at Tai a Chau will enable further improvements to be made. The possibility of further improvements will depend mainly on the flow of new arrivals and the rate at which non-refugees can be returned to Vietnam.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts regarding an international solution to the problem of the Vietnamese boat people.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the recent joint declaration of the European Community-Association of South-East Asian Nations ministerial meeting held in Luxembourg on 30–31 May 1991, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what accommodation is provided for families in detention centres in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Wherever possible, conditions within the 10 detention centres are in accordance with recommendations from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the reasons of those boat people who have refused voluntary repatriation from Hong Kong.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There are many reasons why Vietnamese migrants have so far refused voluntary repatriation, but like many other non-refugees throughout the world it appears that the majority believe that they will ultimately be allowed to resettle in other countries. In the comprehensive plan of action, which was agreed to deal with this situation and which has recently been reconfirmed, it clearly states that all non-refugees must return to their country of origin.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many family groups with children are detained in camps in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information is not readily available.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many boat people have died in detention centres in Hong Kong since they were established; and if he will give their ages and causes of death.
  412
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since the establishment of detention centres on 16 June 1988 there have been 78 deaths. The Hong Kong Government do not hold information on the ages and causes of death.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of boat people resident in detention centres in Hong Kong have taken the option of voluntary repatriation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There are currently fewer than 500 volunteers for repatriation in the camps in Hong Kong. This represents less than 1 per cent. of the current camp population.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many boat people are currently detained in camps in Hong Kong; and if he will give the numbers within the age groups(a) up to 12, (b) 12 to 21, (c) 21 to 40, (d) 40 to 60, and (e) 60 plus years old.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  On 5 June 1991 there were a total of 58,122 Vietnamese refugees and Vietnamese migrants in camps in Hong Kong.

  Statistics are kept only on the ages of those determined to be non-refugees or who are awaiting screening. Of the 46,384 of these in camps on 2 May 1991, 2,030 were under one year old; 12,979 between one and 15; 29,149 between 16 and 39; 2,066 between 40 and 59; and 160, 60 and over.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to maintain contact with boat people repatriated to Vietnam from Hong Kong; and what information he has on their current condition in Vietnam.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who is responsible for all post-return monitoring, recently reported that there have been no indications that any of the 8,500 returnees has suffered ill-treatment on return to Vietnam. This finding is corroborated by the British embassy in Hanoi which has its own limited monitoring programme.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of screening boat people giving figures for the numbers(a) screened, (b) granted refugee status, (c) denied refugee status, (d) who have appealed against the result of their screening, (e) of appeals that have been heard, and (f) of cases in which the appeal has decided in favour of the appellant.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  From the introduction of screening in Hong Kong on 16 June 1988 until 31 May 1991 a total of 24,299 boat people had been screened by the Hong Kong immigration department. Of these, 3,313 were granted and 20,986 denied refugee status. With only a very few exceptions, all appeal. Eighteen thousand, one hundred and twenty-two of these appeals have been heard, of which 2,538 were decided in favour of the appellant.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the number of orphaned children among the boat people detained in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No record is kept of the number of orphaned children in Hong Kong. All unaccompanied minors, whether or not orphans, are put in the care of a responsible adult while in Hong Kong.
  413
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision is being made at the detention centres in Hong Kong for the provision of health care and education for detainees.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Wherever possible United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' recommendations for camp conditions have been adopted. Food is provided in accordance with dietary scales drawn up by Hong Kong Government dieticians and UNHCR technical advisers. Babies are provided with special clothing and all children receive personal sanitation items, such as soap, towels and tooth brushes. Well baby clinics are run by voluntary agencies to monitor the health of babies under the age of five and all children and babies receive a free immunisation service.

  Education programmes run by voluntary agencies co-ordinated by UNHCR provide for pre-school education for children between the ages of 6 and 12 and secondary education between the ages of 12 and 16. There is a library in each camp and educational videos are shown.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has collected concerning conditions in Vietnam in the new economic zones and about the prevalance of religious persecution and the number of re-education camps.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We understand that the Vietnamese policy of moving people to under-populated areas from the over-populated river plains has caused some hardship, but we believe that this policy has now been superseded by voluntary population movement. We have no information on the number of re-education camps. According to the Vietnamese Government, people are not persecuted for their religious beliefs.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the attitude of the Vietnamese Government and penalties under the legal system for the offence of leaving Vietnam without official permission.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the statement of 30 April 1991 of the fourth steering committee of the international conference on Indo-Chinese refugees, Vietnam confirms that, in accordance with accepted international understandings, no asylum-seeker who returns would face persecution and reaffirms its previously expressed undertaking to permit the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees full and unhindered access to returnees in the exercise of UNHCR's monitoring function. The steering committee itself noted with satisfaction that there have been no indications that any of the 8,500 returnees has suffered ill-treatment on return.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the number of people currently in prison for their political or religious beliefs in Vietnam.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  According to the Vietnamese Government, people are not imprisoned for their religious beliefs, but only when the practice of those beliefs results in their breaking the law or undermining national security.414
  We have confirmation of four priests in re-education camps. The Vietmanese authorities claim that there are currently fewer than 130 prisoners in such camps who, it is generally acknowledged, have been imprisoned for their political beliefs. The total number of people in arbitrary detention in Vietnam is estimated to be at least 2,000.

  Middle East (Humanitarian Aid)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish an updated chart showing, in United States dollars, the contributions made by each country, including the United Kingdom, to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the regional humanitarian plan of action for the middle east.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The United Kingdom has committed US $8,095,000 bilaterally since January to the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. During the period 15 January to 28 May we understand from UNHCR that it received pledges totalling US$148,066,561 as set out in the table.

  Donor

  US dollars

  Australia

  855,839

  Austria

  1,910,000

  Canada

  4,997,479

  Denmark

  8,306,378

  Finland

  3,955,100

  France

  1,550,388

  Germany

  20,476,190

  Iceland

  88,497

  Ireland

  237,342

  Italy

  650,423

  Japan

  42,700,000

  Netherlands

  3,002,390

  New Zealand

  147,700

  Norway

  3,843,983

  Sweden

  9,182,091

  Switzerland

  2,359,020

  United Kingdom

  8,095,000

  United States of America

  12,500,000

  Yugoslavia

  225,225

  European Community(IGO)

  21,439,024

  Other non-governmental donations

  1,544,492

  Total

  148,066,561

  Fishing (South Atlantic)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that the krill fishery around South Georgia and the South Orkney islands be banned and that immediate conservation measures are introduced at the next meeting of the parties to the convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  In successive meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources—CCAMLR—the United Kingdom has argued for precautionary limits on krill catches, although there is as yet no scientific evidence that krill stocks have been adversely affected by fishing. CCAMLR decisions are taken by consensus, and a precautionary limit has not to date been agreed. At the next meeting we shall again press strongly for such a limit.
  415
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conservation measures his Department is considering following the British Antarctic survey report on the fish and krill population around South Georgia.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Conservation of fish stocks around South Georgia, outside the 12-mile territorial limit, is the responsibility of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. At the next meeting, in October, the United Kingdom will press for strict conservation measures in light of the latest scientific evidence. Measures under consideration include a ban on fin-fishing and a precautionary limit on krill catches.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now ban fin-fishing around South Georgia to protect existing fish populations.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Conservation of fish stocks around South Georgia, outside the 12-mile territorial limit, is the responsibility of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. At the next meeting of the Commission the United Kingdom will base its recommendations on the scientific evidence available; a ban on fin-fishing around South Georgia in the coming year is under consideration.

  Commercial Charging
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of the receipts from commercial charging for market information inquiries and overseas states reports.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Receipts for the services for the last two financial years totalled:

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  Market Information Inquiry Service

  50,113

  216,404

  Overseas Status Report Service

  9,102

  21,884

  Note: Figures are exclusive of VAT.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from his French counterpart following the proposed accession of France to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty in regard to French participation in nuclear disarmament negotiations as stipulated under the treaty.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In a statement on 3 June on arms control and disarmament, the French Government announced that nuclear disarmament remained an essential objective for France, who supported the efforts of the two super powers to reduce their nuclear arsenals. France confirmed that it would take part in the process as soon as the conditions which it stipulated in 1983 had been met.

  We have welcomed France's decision in principle to accede to the NPT. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs looks forward to discussing this and related issues when he next meets Mr. Dumas.

  Mr. Ramesh Kumar
  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will issue a visa to Mr. Ramesh Kumar to enable him to visit the hon. Member for Hendon, North, to one of whose constituents he is married, so that the hon. Member can represent him personally at his appeal against refusal of a permit to reside in this country; what precedents exist for denying an hon. Member access to foreign citizens; and on how many occasions and for what reasons such denials have occurred.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible on the question about the issue of a visa to Ramesh Kumar. Her Majesty's Government do nothing to deny an hon. Member the right to approach foreign citizens. However, for personal contact to be made in the United Kingdom the foreign citizen must meet the requirements of the immigration rules.

  European Banking Transactions
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will order an internal inquiry into the monitoring of European banking transactions by Government Communications Headquarters.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No.

  Saddam Hussein
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on bringing Saddam Hussein to justice for crimes against humanity.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 7 May, Iraqi leaders bear personal responsibility under international law for their actions. This principle was reiterated in United Nations Security Council resolution 674. In the case of both the Geneva conventions of 1949 and the genocide convention of 1948, Iraqi leaders can, in law, be brought to national court or international tribunal. We and our EC partners have asked the United Nations Secretary-General to investigate how this might be achieved.

  Kurdish People
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effective protection the Kurds in the safe havens will receive after the allies withdraw from the areas in question.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are doing everything we can to ensure the persecution the Kurds have suffered at the hands of Saddam Hussein does not happen again. Considerable reassurance should be provided by the deployment of United Nations relief workers and field service personnel, who will monitor the security situation and report any abuses to the United Nations Secretary-General. We are discussing with our coalition partners what other arrangements might be put in place to deter Saddam Hussein from further aggression.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has
  417
  received from representatives of the Kurdish community in northern Iraq over the withdrawal of allied forces from the areas of the safe havens.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are in regular contact with Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq and are monitoring closely developments arising from the agreement in principle reached between Kurdish leaders and the Iraqi Government in April.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conditions relating to the safety and security of the people involved are to be fulfilled before the allies leave the areas of the safe havens by the date announced, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have made it clear in our contacts with Kurdish leaders that allied forces cannot remain in northern Iraq indefinitely. No decisions have yet been reached on the timing of a final withdrawal; we and our coalition partners are doing everything we can to create the climate of security and reassurance necessary to ensure respect for the fundamental human and political rights of the Kurdish people.

  Irish Banks (Security)
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of the Republic of Ireland on the subject of the commercial security of Irish banks.

  Mr. Hurd
  The Government are not aware of any such representations.

  Expo 92
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will allow the Government of Gibraltar to have use of part of the British pavilion at the Expo 92 exhibition in Seville; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The British pavilion at Expo 92 will be designed to present a single, integrated theme. There will be no separate representation of United Kingdom counties, regions or dependent territories.

  Mr. Paul Anderson and Mr. Nigel Comley
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken with regard to Mr. Paul Anderson and Mr. Nigel Comley's request to the British embassy in Addis Ababa to leave Ethiopia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Although the airport remains officially closed, the British embassy was able to arrange for Mr. Anderson and Mr. Comley to leave Addis Ababa for Nairobi in a private charter aircraft on 6 June 1991.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when Her Majesty's Government first became aware of the participation of German-owned companies in the manufacture of poison gas and chemicals in Iraq; and when they became aware of the participation of German-owned companies in the extension of Scud missiles; and if he will make a statement;
  418
  (2) when the issue of the participation of German-owned companies in the manufacture of poison gas and chemicals and the extension of Scud missiles was raised with representatives of the German authorities; and what response was received;

  (3) what advice he has had from the German Government about the inquiries which they have ma de into the participation of German-owned companies in the manufacture of gas and chemical poisons and in the extension of Scud missiles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is not our practice to reveal such information. Responsibility for enforcing German export control legislation rests with the German Government.

SCOTLAND

  Junior Doctors (Working Hours)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the average hours worked weekly by junior doctors in Scottish hospitals since 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on the actual number of hours worked by junior doctors is not available centrally. The average number of hours for which junior doctors were contracted was 85·5 in 1989 and 85·1 in 1990; these figures include time spent on call after normal hours as well as those spent working during the day.

  The Government are committed to reducing junior doctors' hours of work to acceptable levels and a major package of guidance about the implementation of the "heads of agreement" which was reached with the profession last year is to be issued to health boards shortly.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount spent by his Department in the 1990–91 financial year on management and compouter consultancy contracts, excluding hard-ward 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. Lang
  Expenditure on management and computer consultancy contracts in the 1990–91 financial year was £1·375 million.

  Contracts awarded were as follows:

  Ernst and Young—Scottish Natural Heritage.

  PIEDA—Historic Scotland, Appraisal Business Plans.

  HEDRA—Historic Scotland, Information Systems Strategy.

  Quality Consulting Services—Prison Workshops System, Quality Management System.

  Marketing Initiatives Ltd.—Development and Delivery of Scottish Prison Service Strategic Management and Planning Initiative.

  Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte—Organisation Review of Scottish Prison Service.

  P-E International—Scottish Office Superannuation Division.

  SRU Management Consultants—Strategic Framework for NHS.

  William Shaw—Sore Consultancy.

  Ernst and Young—Information Systems Business Review.

  Peat Marwick McLintock—Highlands and Islands Veterinary Service.

  419

  PIEDA—Aerial Surveillance Operations.

  CCTA Systems Consultancy Service—Information Systems Strategy Study.

  CCTA Systems Consultancy Service—Provision of advice and guidance on Information Systems Strategy Studies.

  HEDRA Ltd.—Review of management approach to Information Technology.

  PA Consulting Services Ltd.—Procurement Services on behalf of Scottish Criminal Record Office.

  Tomlinson Associates—Evaluation of Land Resources Geographic Information Systems.

  Taylor Woodrow Management and Engineering Ltd.—National Response Plan Exercise.

  SIAS Ltd.—NESA Development (Economic Assessment of Trunk Road Scheme).

  JMP Ltd./Dunsmore Data—Scottish Road Traffic Database.

  CS Consultants—Personal Computer In-House Consultancy.

  CS Consultants—Roads Financial Monitoring system.

  MVA Ltd.—Route Evaluation by Vehicle Simulation.

  Dunsmore Data—Development of Bridges Database.

  The Scottish Vocational Educational Council—Programme for Analysis of Examination Results.

  The Scottish Examinations Board—Programme for Analysis of Examination Results.

  The Scottish Council for Educational Technology— Programme for Analysis of Categories of work.

  The Scottish Council for Educational Technology—Development of Performance Indicator Analysis programme.

  Micro-Electronics Educational Development Centre—Room Utilisation Programme development.

  None of the contracts shown was awarded by executive agencies. As indicated, however, the second and third contracts shown related to Historic Scotland, which was established as an agency on 1 April 1991.

  Vets
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of vets employed by the Scottish Office in each year since 1974.

  Mr. Lang
  Members of the state veterinary service are employed throughout Great Britain by MAFF. The 59 members of SVS staff in Scotland are responsible for giving veterinary advice to my Department.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if any works of art have been accepted in lieu of inheritance tax since he last made an announcement.

  Mr. Lang
  I am pleased to announce that the following work has been accepted in lieu of inheritance tax.

  Item

  Amount of Tax Satisfied

  Portrait of Patrick Home, attributed to Sir Joshua Renolds

  £20,000

  The portrait has been allocated to the National Galleries of Scotland and is to be kept at Paxton house, Paxton, Berwickshire.

  Protected Sites
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of(a) Coulport, (b) Glen Mallan, (c) Loch Goil, (d) Campbelltown, (e) Rothesay, (f) Loch Striven, (g) Loch Fyne, (h) Brodick, (i) Lamlash bay, (j) East Loch Tarbert, (k) Broadford, Portree, (l) Braewick bay, (m) Bressay sound, (n) Dales voe, (o) Loch Ewe and
  420
  (p) Thurso bay are covered in whole or part by (a) sites of special scientific interest, (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty, (c) environmentally sensitive areas or (d) Ramsar sites.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 May 1991]: There is no designation of land as "areas of outstanding natural beauty" in Scotland, but some of the places in question are part of national scenic areas identified by the Countryside Commission for Scotland. None of the locations forms part of an environmentally sensitive area or a site designated under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance. Otherwise the information is as follows:

  Area

  Designation

  (a) Site of special Scientific Interest

  (b) National Scenic Area

  Loch Fyne

  *

  —

  Brodick

  —

  *

  Broadford, Portree

  *

  —

  Braewick Bay

  *

  —

  Dales Voe

  *

  —

  Loch Ewe

  —

  *

  Thurso Bay

  *

  —

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will express at constant prices, taking 1985 as a base, the capital allocation to Greater Glasgow health board in each year from 1985 to 1990.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 June 1991]: The information requested expressed in constant prices, taking 1985 as base, is as follows:

  £

  1985–86

  24·288

  1986–87

  17·899

  1987–88

  17·958

  1988–89

  18·245

  1989–90

  22·759

  1990–91

  17·770

  In addition, there are private and voluntary sector bodies which undertake capital development and with which health boards are free to negotiate partnership agreements for the provision of health care.

  M80
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the line of route of the M80 to Haggs will be determined before 30 June 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 6 June 1991]: It is intended to present the proposals for the two schemes which constitute the M80 motorway between Stepps and Haggs to the regional and district councils and other affected parties later this year. Thereafter it is hoped that a draft order detailing the line of the route can be published early in 1992. The order will be made once the statutory procedures have been completed.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Royal Victoria Hospital
  Mr. McCrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received in opposition to the granting of trust status to the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have received many representations about the health and personal social services reforms. I have had no representations about the Royal group of hospitals' applications for trust status on which consultations have recently started.

  Road Transport Licensing Scheme
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the budgetary allocation to the road transport licensing scheme in each year since 1 April 1986.

  Mr. Needham
  Expenditure on road transport licensing in Northern Ireland in the financial years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 was £388,686, £405,362 and £448,123 respectively. Expenditure details for earlier years are not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. The budgetary allocation for 1991–92 is £470,000.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hauliers are registered with the road transport licensing scheme.

  Mr. Needham
  The number of hauliers holding current road freight operators' licences in Northern Ireland was 1,515 at 31 May 1991.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inspections in respect of the road transport licensing scheme have been carried out in each year since 1 April 1986.

  Mr. Needham
  The number of vehicles inspected by road transport licensing branch staff in each financial year from 1 April 1986 was:

  Number

  1986–87

  10,210

  1987–88

  13,875

  1988–89

  11,805

  1989–90

  13,615

  1990–91

  15,489

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inspectors were employed in the road transport licensing scheme in each year from 1 April 1986; and how many are currently employed.

  Mr. Needham
  The average number of staff employed on road transport inspection duties in each financial year from 1 April 1986 was as follows:

  Average number

  1986–87

  8·6

  1987–88

  7·2

  1988–89

  7·2

  1989–90

  7·2

  1990–91

  7·5

  422
  The number currently employed is eight.

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to the report from the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights on religious and political discrimination and equality of opportunity in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Brooke
  I am still considering the many detailed and complex recommendations of the report.

  Political Talks
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the names of the possible candidates for the position of independent chairman of strand 2 of the Ulster talks who have been suggested by the Social Democratic and Labour party; and how many of these were rejected by(a) the Alliance party, (b) Her Majesty's Government, (c) the Government of the Republic of Ireland, (d) the Democratic Unionist party and (e) the Ulster Unionist party, respectively;

  (2) if he will list the names of the possible candidates for the position of independent chairman of strand 2 of the Ulster talks who have been suggested by the Democratic Unionist party and have been rejected by (a) the Social Democratic and Labour party and (b) the Government of the Republic of Ireland;

  (3) if he will list the names of the possible candidates for the position of independent chairman of strand 2 of the Ulster talks who have been suggested by the Alliance party of Northern Ireland; and how many of these were rejected by (a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) the Government: of the Republic of Ireland, (c) the Social Democratic and Labour party, (d) the Democratic Unionist party and (e) the Ulster Unionist party, respectively;

  (4) if he will list the names of the possible candidates for the position of independent chairman of strand 2 of the Ulster talks who have been suggested by the Ulster Unionist party and have been rejected by (a) the Social Democratic and Labour party and (b) the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. tan Paisley) on 6 June 1991,Official Report, column 325.

  Advance Factories
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at what locations advance factories are presently being constructed.

  Mr. Needham
  Advance factories are currently being constructed at Glenn road, Belfast and Ballygomartin road, Belfast under the "Making Belfast Work" programme.

  Fire Stations
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the criteria for changing a part-time fire station into a full-time station.

  Mr. Needham
  The criteria for changing a part-time fire station into a full-time station are those which form part of a review of fire cover in any particular brigade area. The following factors are taken into account in any such review:
  423

  risk category

  attendance times

  response time

  travel time

  availability of retained personnel, and the number of fire calls

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. Needham
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: A total of 263 energy audits were carried out over the last five years in the Northern Ireland Government Office estate.

  A statement of main conclusions for each audit could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. Needham
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: There is one dedicated energy manager in the NI energy conservation unit for the Northern Ireland Government Office estate. Three person-years were devoted to energy management in this estate by the unit in 1990–91.

  There is no dedicated energy manager in the Northern Ireland Office in London.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The information requested for the years prior to 1986–87 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The amount spent on new energy efficiency measures in the Northern Ireland Government Office estate from 1986–87 onwards is as follows:

  Cash terms £

  1990–91 money terms £

  1986–87

  25,000

  32,897

  1987–88

  72,000

  91,539

  1988–89

  24,000

  28,279

  1989–90

  25,000

  27,250

  1990–91

  16,500

  16,500

  It is not possible to disaggregate costs for the Northern Ireland Office in London.

THE ARTS

  Libraries
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what action he is taking to encourage the use of libraries especially by children and young people.

  Mr. Renton
  The aim of my public library development incentive scheme is to extend and improve public library service in England, and most award-winning projects promote their better use. Two projects have been directly concerned with children and young people.

  "Kill the Messenger"
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will acquire a copy of "Kill the Messenger" by Sir Bernard Ingham for his office's library.

  Mr. Renton
  No.

  Museum and Gallery Collections
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how he will encourage national museums and galleries to make their collections accessible to people across the whole United Kingdom.

  Mr. Renton
  I am glad to say that national muesums and galleries already do a great deal to make their collections more accessible to people across the country by means of outstations and travelling exhibitions. I have asked all the national museums and galleries for which I am responsible to set out in their current corporate plans to further action they propose to make their collections more widely accesible.

  London City Ballet
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he can yet announce measures to ensure the continuance of the London City Ballet; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  I fully set out my position, and that of the Arts Council, in this House on 3 May. Neither the Government nor the Arts Council can make a firm commitment of revenue support for London City Ballet at this time, but the Arts Council has agreed to use its best endeavours to help find a way of securing the company's future. The board of London City Ballet has now decided that the company should continue to operate at least until 1 April 1992. I welcome the news that the board has felt able to proceed in this way.

  Industrial Heritage
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will meet the chairman of the North West Regional Arts Council to discuss support for the preservation of industrial heritage.

  Mr. Renton
  Support for the preservation of the industrial heritage is a concern of the north west area museums service. I shall be meeting the chairman of the service on 13 June.

  Welsh Arts Provision
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he next intends to meet the chair of the Welsh arts council to discuss arts provision in Wales.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he next proposes to meet the chairman of the Welsh arts council to discuss its funding priorities.

  Mr. Renton
  I meet the chairman of the Welsh arts council from time to time for discussions on matters of mutual interest. I visited the Welsh arts council's offices and met the chairman and staff on 2 May and enjoyed a very useful meeting.

  Merseyside Arts Funding
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will visit the Merseyside region to meet local authority leaders to discuss the state of arts funding in the area.

  Mr. Renton
  I will be visiting Liverpool on Tuesday, June 25 but I have no current plans to meet local authority leaders on that day.

  Museum Documentation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received concerning the work of the Museum Documentation Association on future modes in relation to the Museum and Galleries Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  I have received no such representations about the work of the Museum Documentation Association—MDA. However, I understand that the Museums and Galleries Commission has recently reviewed the work of the MDA and has substantially increased its allocation to the association over the last two years.

  Museum Entry and Retrieval Systems
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to set common national and international standards for museums' entry and retrieval systems.

  Mr. Renton
  I have no plans at present to set up such standards; however I understand that the Museums Documentation Association will be launching a data standards scheme in conjunction with the Museums and Galleries Commission in due course.

PRIME MINISTER

  International Tropical Timber Organisation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will transfer responsibility for the United Kingdom's membership of the International Tropical Timber Organisation from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Overseas Development Administration.

  The Prime Minister
  Responsibility was transferred to the Overseas Development Administration in October 1990.

  National Union of Mineworkers' Funds
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 June,Official Report, column 34, to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on Her Majesty's Government's assistance to Price Waterhouse, sequestrators of the National Union of Mineworkers, what relavant information the Government passed to the sequestrators; and what was the provenance of this information.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to my answer of 3 June to the hon. Member for Linlithgow. Information was provided to the sequestrators in confidence.

  Cleeve Station
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Prime Minister which Minister in Her Majesty's Government has responsibility for the work of Cleeve station, and what is Cleeve's relationship to Government Communications Headquarters.

  The Prime Minister
  The station at Cleeve camp, Morwenstow is GCHQ's and, as such, comes under the ministerial responsibility of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Women Civil Servants
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what percentage of women are now employed in grades 1 to 7 of the civil service.

  Mr. Renton
  On 1 April 1990, the latest date for which figures are available, 9·7 per cent. of staff in grades 1 to 7 were women. This compares with 4·5 per cent. in 1984 when the programme of action to achieve equality of opportunity for women was launched.

  Civil Service College
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants attended the Civil Service college in(a) 1979 and (b) the last available year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  About 9,000 civil servants attended the Civil Service college in 1979 whereas in the financial year 1990–91 the figure was approximately 17,600. I am pleased that over the last 11 years the number of college students has increased in this way.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Armaments Exports
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a table indicating the value of exports from the United Kingdom of armaments or arms-related products, in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information may be found in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1990"—volume 2, Cm. 1022-II.

  Flexible Manufacturing Technology Ltd.
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the involvement of Flexible Manufacturing Technology Ltd. in the possible supply of equipment to Iraq covered by an arms export embargo.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Investigations of possible breaches of United Kingdom export controls are carried out by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. It has been the policy of this and successive Governments not to reveal details of such investigations.

  Securities and Investments Board
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received a report from the Securities and Investments Board on the excercise of its functions under the Financial Services Act.

  Mr. Redwood
  A copy of the board's report, made in accordance with section 117 of the Act, was laid before Parliament today. The report covers the period from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991. Copies are now available in the Library.

  Multi-fibre Arrangement
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the latest situation regarding the general agreement on tariffs and trade negotiations with particular reference to the multi-fibre agreement.

  Staff employed

  Man-days of training

  Total

  Managers1

  Management

  All

  Agricultural and Food Research Council

  4,250

  2,569

  1895

  22,092

  Economic and Social Research Council

  117

  65

  55

  3722

  Medical Research Council

  3,300

  4N/A

  4N/A

  4N/A

  Natural Environment Research Council

  2,880

  2,000

  1,600

  5,400

  Science and Engineering Research Council

  2,615

  1,788

  1,584

  5,230

  Notes:

  1 Staff at or above Executive/Scientific Officer level or equivalent.

  2 Excludes training in grant-aided institutes which are not collected

  3 Includes 471 man-days of training on the new computer installati

  4 Information is not collected centrally and could only be obtained from the MRC's 55 institutes at disproportionate cost.

  Teachers
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he intends to take to make teacher training more relevant to the actuality of the classroom.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Secretary of State's criteria for the accreditation of initial teacher training courses have recently been revised to reflect more closely what is expected of beginning teachers, including the requirements of the Education Reform Act 1988. Institutions are now required, inter alia, to provide that:

  (i) courses of less than four years should include at least 75 days, and four year courses at least 100 days, of teaching practice and other school experience, in more than one school;

  (ii) experienced school teachers must contribute to course planning, student selection, lectures and seminars;

  (iii) lecturers must periodically review their own school teaching experience which, by academic year 1992–93 has to be the equivalent of not less than one term in every five years;

  (iv) no degree or other qualification attracting qualified teacher status should be awarded unless the student has demonstrated a satisfactory standard of practical classroom work;

  (v) all courses should include training in the application of the students' subject specialisms to the teaching and assessment of pupils.

  These criteria are to be further reviewed by the end of the year.

  The Government have also introduced the articled teacher scheme, in which 80 per cent. of the training takes place in schools. The first cohort began their training in September 1990; a second cohort will start in September
  428
  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 5 June 1991]: Pending conclusion of the Uruguay round, participants met on 16 May to discuss an interim extension of the existing multi-fibre arrangement. No decision was reached and a further meeting is expected to take place later this month.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Research Councils
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, columns 315–18, how many staff in total were employed by each research council in 1990–91; how many managers eligible for management training were employed by each research council in 1990–91; and how many man-days or equivalent of (a) management training and (b) training overall was provided by each research council in 1990–91.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The details are as follows:

  1991 and the Government have recently announced funding for a third cohort. The licensed teacher scheme, which has also been introduced recently, allows suitably qualified candidates to be employed by local education authorities as classroom teachers and receive on the job training. The Government are evaluating both these schemes since we believe that as much of initial training as possible should take place in the school.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers are now in post; and how many were in post 12 months ago.

  Mr. Fallon
  Provisional figures for January 1991 show that there were 393,720 full-time equivalent teachers in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools sector in England. In January 1990 there were 398,542.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average qualification of entrants into teacher training.

  Mr. Fallon
  The most recent information available about the qualifications of entrants to initial teacher training is shown in the tables.

  Table 1

  Mean A Level Scores of entrants to undergraduate courses of Initial Teacher Training in England 1989

  University

  Public Sector

  A Level Score

  7·2

  5·3

  Note: A Grade "A" at A level scores 5 points, a grade E scores 1 point.
  429

  Table 2

  Degree class of those recruited to postgraduate courses of Initial Teacher Training in England and Wales (Universities) 1989

  Degree

  per cent of total

  Higher (eg MA, PhD)

  4·4

  1st

  3·1

  2i

  33·1

  2ii

  39·8

  2

  1·0

  3rd

  7·9

  Pass

  7·7

  Other

  3·0

  Note: Comparable data is not available for public sector institutions.

  Table 3

  Degree class of those who successfully completed postgraduate courses of initial teacher training in England and Wales (public sector institutions) 1988

  Degree

  per cent of total

  1st honours

  3·0

  2nd honours

  76·3

  Other and unclassified honours

  8·0

  Ordinary/pass

  12·7

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of total education spending is spent on teacher pay and training.

  Mr. Eggar
  In 1988–89, the latest year for which information on actual spending is available, some 36 per cent. of total education spending was spent on teacher pay and training. This includes expenditure on school teachers' salaries, employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions, and in-service training for school teachers supported by the LEA training grants scheme—LEATGS. LEAs may also provide for in-service training additional to that supported by the LEATGS, but this information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much teacher pay has increased for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  School teachers' pay settlements since March 1986 are as follows:

  Date of increase

  Percentage

  31 March 1986 1

  1·6

  April 1986

  5·7

  1 January 1987

  16·4

  1 October 1987 1

  April 1988

  4·73

  1 April 1989

  6·3

  1 April 1990

  9·3

  1 January 1991

  Subject to parliamentary approval, the 1991–92 settlement will be worth 11·3 per cent. in a full year.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers took early retirement in each of the past three years; and if he will give the figure expressed as a percentage of the total teacher force for each of these years.

  Mr. Fallon
  The number of teachers who took early retirement—that is retired between age 50 and 59—in each of the past three years is shown in the table. The numbers of retirements relate to teachers in the maintained nursery,430
  primary, secondary and special schools sector. The numbers are also expressed as a percentage of the full-time teacher force in those establishments at 1 January in each year.

  Financial year

  Premature retirements

  Percentage of teacher force

  1988–89

  7,875

  1·9

  1989–90

  8,427

  2·1

  1990–91

  9,710

  2·4

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers left the profession in each of the past three years for employment outside teaching; and what that was expressed as a pecentage of the total teacher force.

  Mr. Fallon
  The table shows estimates of the number of full-time teachers who resigned from maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England and Wales in each calendar year from 1987 to 1989 to take up non-educational employment, together with the proportion they represented of the full-time teaching force.

  Full-time teachers resigning to take up jobs outside teaching

  Number

  Percentage of all full-time teachers

  1987

  2,560

  0·7

  1988

  3,320

  0·9

  1989

  3,280

  0·9

  Source: LACSAB survey of teacher resignations

  Pupil-teacher Ratio
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current pupil-teacher ratio in England.

  Mr. Fallon
  In 1990–91 the overall pupil-teacher ratio in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England is provisionally estimated to have been 17·25 pupils per teacher.

  Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what formal reply his Department has made to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals in respect of their request for additional funds for pay and compensation for the recent increase in value added tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. and learned Friend has made clear to the CVCP that it is for the committee and institutions as employers to reach a pay settlement within the aggregate resources at their disposal; and that, against the background of an increase in public funding for universities in 1991–92 of 10 per cent. for the second year running, the Government are unable to provide any further sums for extra VAT costs not recoverable through higher output charges.

  Welsh Plant Breeding Station
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to give financial aid to the Welsh plant breeding station, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, during the next three years; and if he will make a statement.
  431
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The funding of new facilities at the Welsh plant breeding station are as detailed in my reply to the hon. Member on 12 March 1991,Official Report, column 449–50.

  In addition the station, which is part of the Agricultural and Food Research Council's institute of grassland and environmental research, will continue to receive support from the AFRC science budget funds, currently estimated at approximately £2·5 million a year.

  Kettleshume Primary School
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will meet the chief education officer of Cheshire county council to discuss the financial implications of the decision to close the Kettleshume Church of England primary school.

  Mr. Atkins
  Cheshire county council has not yet published section 12 proposals to close Kettleshume primary school. When proposals are published, the authority will be required to provide information about financial implications of closing the school. I would therefore not expect a meeting with the chief education officer to be necessary.

  Early Leavers
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is for each year since 1974 the number of students in(a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) higher education who left their respective schools and universities before completion of their studies; and what are the percentages for males and females in each case.

  Mr. Fallon
  Information for school pupils is not collected centrally.

  Statistics on university students who had successfully completed full-time or sandwich first degree courses are contained in "University Management Statistics and Performance Indicators in the UK", published by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Universities Funding Council. A copy of the 1990 edition has been placed in the House Library.

  A-levels
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the numbers taking A-level examinations in(a) physics, (b) chemistry and (c) mathematics for each year from 1980.

  Mr. Eggar
  The total numbers of school leavers attempting A-level examinations in the subjects in question, were as follows. 1988–89 is the latest year for which information is available.

  Numbers of School Leavers attempting A-level/AS

  (Thousands)

  Physics

  Chemistry

  Maths

  All leavers

  1979–80

  35·84

  31·74

  48·08

  750·73

  1980–81

  38·15

  34·22

  50·06

  733·96

  1981–82

  41·62

  36·79

  54·89

  751·13

  1982–83

  40·72

  36·30

  56·12

  765·52

  1983–84

  41·12

  36·48

  56·60

  752·82

  1984–85

  38·95

  35·60

  56·06

  736·21

  1985–86

  36·81

  35·00

  54·69

  718·21

  1986–87

  3413

  31·95

  52·81

  715·99

  1987–88

  3344

  32·17

  53·85

  655·96

  1988–89

  32·93

  30·65

  51·48

  617·71

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the level of parental contributions to the fees of pupils in the assisted places scheme in the next academic year.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Remission of tuition fees under the assisted places scheme is dependent on the level of fees at participating schools and the amount parents can afford to contribute. Subject to parliamentary approval, the parental contribution scales will be adjusted upwards for the school year 1991–92 as set out in the table. Where the relevant income for the appropriate financial year does not exceed £8,715 the tuition fees will be wholly remitted.

  Percentage

  Part of relevant income to which percentage applies

  One assisted pupil

  Each of two assisted pupils

  Each of three assisted pupils

  That part which exceeds £8,548 but does not exceed £9,294

  9·00

  6·75

  5·25

  That part (if any) which exceeds £9,294 but does not exceed £10,054

  12·00

  9·00

  7·00

  That part (if any) which exceeds £10,054 but does not exceed £11,560

  15·00

  11·25

  8·75

  That part (if any) which exceeds £11,560 but does not exceed £13,878

  21·00

  15·75

  12·25

  That part (if any) which exceeds £13,878 but does not exceed £16,902

  24·00

  18·00

  14·00

  That part (if any) which exceeds £16,902

  33·00

  24·75

  19·25

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Famine Relief
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is giving to relieve famine in Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have committed over £230 million, including our share of EC actions, in emergency assistance to Africa since the beginning of 1989. Of this, over £110 million has been in response to the present food crisis in the six worst affected countries—Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mozambique, Angola and Liberia. These amounts include the two new pledges, together worth £53 million, which I made on 15 April and 20 May respectively.

  I have allocated the £53 million as follows:

  (i) £20 million for food aid and delivery costs apportioned as follows:

  27,500 tonnes to Sudan

  27,000 tonnes to Ethiopia

  8,000 tonnes to Somalia

  7,500 tonnes to Mozambique

  £1 million for cereals and supplementary food for Angola.

  (ii) £12 million via British non-governmental organizations—NGOs—for emergency relief work in the Horn.

  (iii) £12 million to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for famine and refugee assistance allocated as follows:

  433

  £5 million for assistance in Africa

  £3 million for the Horn

  £3 million for Mozambican refugees in Malawi £1 million for the Ogaden.

  (iv) £3 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for humanitarian assistance in Africa particularly in Somalia and Sudan.

  (v) £3 million to NGOs for relief activities in Mozambique and Angola.

  (vi) £2 million to UNICEF and United Nations agencies for activities in the Horn.

  (vii) £1 million to United Nations agencies for activities in Liberia.

  I have placed further details of these commitments in the Library of the House.

  The allocations for the Horn are made on the assumption that the security situation allows us to deliver humanitarian assistance effectively. At present, the situation in Ethiopia and Somali is uncertain. We shall monitor events carefully and adjust the allocations where necessary.

  Ethiopia
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what aid Her Majesty's Government will he giving to the Ethiopian Government; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what aid Her Majesty's Government have given to aid agencies with respect to the situation in Ethiopia in 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In 1991 we have so far provided £22·6 million in bilateral humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia. I expect to provide more during the course of this year. Our aid is channelled through mutilateral and British voluntary agencies.

  In the financial year 1990–91, we provided £3·3 million in bilateral development assistance to the Ethiopian Government. I am prepared to provide a broadly similar amount in 1991–92, provided conditions allow. In addition, in 1990–91, we channelled £350,000 through British voluntary agencies under the ODA's joint funding scheme for ongoing projects.

  Disaster Relief
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Overseas Development Administration to complete its study of the options for setting up a rapid deployment force for responding to disasters.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The ODA's review of its arrangements for managing and delivering emergency relief for disasters overseas is expected to be completed soon.

  Colonial Service Pensions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will carry out a review of the financial circumstances of United Kingdom citizens in receipt of pensions from public service for former colonial administrations with a view to providing financial enhancement in cases where depreciation of the currency in which the pension is paid has resulted in a significant fall of its value in pounds sterling.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No. Successive Governments have taken the view that they cannot protect the position of all those 434
  who were employed in the public services of our former colonies. Such protection is confined to those for whom the British Government acknowledge a special responsibility by virtue of their having been recruited by, or on behalf of, the Secretary of State for the Colonies for employment on expatriate terms in the central government of a colony.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from United Kingdom citizens in receipt of public service pensions from former colonial administrations regarding the current value of their pensions.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We regularly receive requests from pensioners who wish to be included in our overseas pension protection arrangements.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate how much it would cost to take over the payment of overseas pensions paid to Rhodesian and Zimbabwean pensioners under the terms of the Overseas Pensions Act 1973; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  It is not possible to estimate the cost because we hold no information about Zimbabwe public service pensioners, who were all locally appointed.

  Cambodia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Nations Development Programme office in Cambodia is open; what is UNDP's budget for Cambodia; whether any aid has yet been spent or committed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  There is no formal UNDP resident representative in Cambodia. An informal liaison office is however undertaking preparatory work in anticipation of a political settlement which would enable UNDP to support operations there. An allocation of $41·3 million has been made for Cambodia for the period 1992–96, but all funds remain frozen at present with no aid spent or committed.

  EC Food Aid
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what type of food the EC's 400,000 tonnes of aid, decided on in April, will consist of; and what is the value of the food in ecu and pounds sterling, respectively.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Food provided under the Community's special programme for Africa will consist mainly of cereals and grain such as wheat or wheatflour, maize, rice and sorghum.. The programme will also include quantities of vegetable oil, pulses and sugar. The cost of the 400,000 tonnes programme is estimated at 140 million ecu—about £97·5 million.

  Africa Famine Relief
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any requests from Governments in Africa, or aid agencies, or the EC, for military assistance in distributing famine relief in Africa; and if he will make a statement.
  435
  Mrs. Chalker
  We receive occasional suggestions for the RAF to help in distributing famine relief. We consider each request as appropriate, bearing in mind the need to make the most cost effective use of resources in responding to specific needs.

EMPLOYMENT

  Earnings, Scotland
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the(a) total number, (b) percentage of (i) female part-time workers, (ii) male

  Full time employees on adult rates with hourly earnings less than £3·40

  April 1990

  Number in the sample

  Percentage of total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Scotland

  998

  638

  1,636

  25·0

  9·5

  15·3

  Borders

  46

  ֵ

  ֵ

  61·3

  ֵ

  ֵ

  Central

  59

  27

  86

  28·8

  7·5

  15·2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  ֵ

  25

  60

  ֵ

  14·3

  22·6

  Fife

  70

  37

  107

  34·1

  9·9

  18·5

  Grampian

  99

  58

  157

  28·1

  7·7

  14·2

  Highland

  43

  24

  67

  30·1

  11·0

  18·6

  Lothian

  148

  114

  262

  19·1

  9·5

  13·2

  Strathclyde

  401

  266

  667

  22·7

  9·1

  14·2

  Tayside

  91

  68

  159

  26·8

  13·3

  18·7

  Islands

  ֵ

  ֵ

  ֵ

  ֵ

  ֵ

  ֵ

  Highlands and Islands

  49

  31

  80

  28·0

  11·1

  17·6

  Great Britain

  8,187

  5,542

  13,729

  20·5

  7·4

  12·0

  Source: New Earnings Survey 1990.

  Notes:

  (1) "ֵ" denotes sampling error too high or numbers too small for reliable estimate.

  (2) "—" denotes information not available.

  (3) The survey excludes significant numbers of part-time employees with low weekly earnings.

  Part time employees on adult rales with hourly earnings less than £3·40

  April 1990

  Number in the sample

  Percentage of total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Scotland

  1,024

  —

  —

  53·8

  —

  —

  Borders

  ֵ

  —

  —

  ֵ

  —

  —

  Central

  ֵ

  —

  —

  ֵ

  —

  —1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  ֵ

  —

  ֵ

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  ֵ

  —

  —

  ֵ

  —

  —

  Grampian

  113

  —

  —

  53·3

  —

  —

  Highland

  ֵ

  —

  —

  ֵ

  —

  —

  Lothian

  183

  —

  —

  52·9

  —

  —

  Strathclyde

  401

  —

  —

  50·1

  —

  —

  Tayside

  97

  —

  —

  58·1

  —

  —

  Islands

  ֵ

  —

  —

  ֵ

  —

  —

  Highlands and Islands

  ֵ

  —

  —

  ֵ

  —

  —

  Great Britain

  10,848

  1,023

  11,871

  52·2

  49·1

  51·9

  Source: New Earnings Survey 1990.

  Notes:

  (1) "ֵ" denotes sampling error too high or numbers too small for reliable estimate.

  (2) "—" denotes information not available.

  (3) The survey excludes significant numbers of part-time employees with low weekly earnings.

  All employees on adult rates with hourly earnings less than £3·40 April 1990

  Number in sample

  Percentage of total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Scotland

  2,022

  1—

  1—

  34·3

  1—

  1—

  Borders

  67

  1—

  1—

  59·3

  1—

  1—

  Central

  115

  1—

  1—

  38·2

  1—

  1—

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2—

  1—

  1—

  2—

  1—

  1—

  Fife

  144

  1—

  1—

  45·7

  1—

  1—

  Grampian

  212

  1—

  1—

  37·6

  1—

  1—

  Highland

  2—

  1—

  1—

  2—

  1—

  1—

  Lothian

  331

  1—

  1—

  29·5

  1—

  1—

  Strathclyde

  802

  1—

  1—

  31·2

  1—

  1—

  Tayside

  188

  1—

  1—

  37·2

  1—

  1—

  436
  part-time workers, (iii) female full-time workers, (iv) male full-time workers, (v) all full-time workers, (vi) all part-time workers, and (vii) all workers in (I) Scotland, (2) Great Britain and (3) each Scottish region with hourly earnings of less than £3.40.

  Mr. Jackson
  The figures available from the new earnings survey are given in the tables:
  437

  Number in the sample

  Percentage of total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Islands

  2—

  1—

  1—

  2—

  1—

  1—

  Highland and Islands

  2—

  1—

  1—

  2—

  1—

  1—

  Great Britain

  19,035

  6,565

  25,600

  31·3

  8·6

  18·6

  Source: New Earnings Survey 1990.

  Notes:

  The survey excludes significant numbers of part-time employees with low weekly earnings.

  1—denotes information not available.

  2—denotes sampling error too high or numbers too small for reliable estimate.

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of people who were receiving the enterprise allowance in London in each of the former Training Agency's area offices in each quarter since April 1987.

  Mr. Forth
  The former Training Agency area office breakdown of people receiving the allowance in London is

  Financial years

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  1987–88

  Inner London North

  2,285

  2,814

  2,806

  2,522

  East London

  1,186

  1,197

  1,176

  1,150

  North London

  1,429

  1,505

  1,522

  1,423

  North West London

  155

  14

  —

  131

  Inner London Central

  276

  45

  36

  370

  South West and West London

  1,100

  1,125

  1,120

  1,152

  London South

  1,293

  1,319

  1,275

  1,172

  Inner London South

  1,650

  1,911

  2,080

  2,227

  Inner London East

  —

  —

  —

  55

  AZTEC1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1988–89

  Inner London North

  2,114

  1,746

  1,524

  1,421

  East London

  1,076

  1,012

  913

  826

  North London

  1,272

  1,197

  1,202

  1,166

  North West London

  399

  629

  859

  952

  Inner London Central

  696

  979

  1,211

  1,164

  South West and West London

  1,213

  1,354

  1,491

  1,551

  London South

  1,053

  1,000

  1,015

  1,014

  Inner London South

  2,195

  2,073

  1,816

  1,562

  Inner London East

  176

  287

  401

  421

  AZTEC1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1989–90

  Inner London North

  1,375

  1,538

  1,489

  1,455

  East London

  828

  727

  742

  754

  North London

  1,181

  1,618

  1,471

  1,470

  North West London

  800

  30

  12

  5

  Inner London Central

  1,125

  1,078

  1,109

  1,150

  South West and West London

  1,482

  880

  843

  826

  London South

  978

  805

  742

  685

  Inner London South

  1,487

  2,092

  2,021

  2,027

  Inner London East

  323

  224

  96

  5

  AZTEC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1990–91

  Inner London North

  1,404

  1,247

  1,152

  1,118

  East London

  769

  771

  777

  792

  North London

  1,374

  1,241

  1,186

  791

  North West London

  —

  —

  —

  296

  Inner London Central

  1,081

  945

  899

  806

  South West and West London

  732

  769

  544

  492

  London South

  670

  568

  565

  547

  Inner London South

  1,908

  1,834

  1,332

  1,195

  Inner London East

  —

  —

  —

  —

  AZTEC1

  —

  —

  498

  457

  1 Note: AZTEC Training and Enterprise Council started operating in November 1990. It took over the running of the scheme for an area previously covered by the South West and West London and Inner London South area offices.

  438
  shown for each quarter of each financial year in the table. Because of changes in scheme administration, it is not possible to provide a consistent table for the whole period.
  439
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, what was the number of people who were receiving the enterprise allowance in each quarter since April 1987.

  Mr. Forth
  The regional breakdown of people receiving the allowance is shown for each quarter in the table. Because of changes in scheme administration, separate data for London and the south-east are not available for financial year 1988–89.

  Financial years

  First quarter

  Second quarter

  Third quarter

  Fourth quarter

  1987–88

  London

  9,382

  9,930

  10,017

  10,245

  South East

  11,402

  12,118

  12,231

  11,802

  Western Division1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eastern Division1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southern Division:1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South West

  9,790

  10,288

  10,085

  9,979

  West Midlands

  9,096

  9,492

  9,498

  9,304

  East Midlands and Anglia

  9,272

  10,107

  10,216

  10,322

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  8,829

  9,941

  9,200

  9,025

  North West

  14,498

  14,911

  14,715

  14,257

  Northern

  4,717

  5,051

  5,174

  4,119

  Wales

  5,750

  5,904

  5,944

  5,869

  Scotland

  8,655

  9,208

  8,924

  8,740

  Great Britain

  91,391

  96,250

  96,004

  94,662

  1988–89

  London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South East

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Western Division1

  7,393

  6,861

  6,342

  5,852

  Eastern Division1

  7,508

  7,557

  7,831

  7,602

  Southern Division1

  7,766

  7,527

  7,200

  6,803

  South West

  9,877

  9,852

  9,776

  9,289

  West Midlands

  9,006

  8,936

  9,009

  8,781

  East Midlands and Anglia

  9,146

  8,903

  8,960

  8,578

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  9,068

  9,090

  9,183

  8,980

  North West

  14,100

  14,034

  14,359

  13,909

  Northern

  5,316

  5,380

  5,373

  5,311

  Wales

  5,852

  6,049

  6,290

  6,255

  Scotland

  8,469

  8,263

  8,157

  7,699

  Great Britain

  93,501

  92,452

  92,480

  89,059

  1989–90

  London

  9,579

  8,992

  8,604

  8,377

  South East

  8,526

  8,251

  8,223

  7,554

  Western Division1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eastern Division1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southern Division1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South West

  8,617

  7,874

  7,123

  6,501

  West Midlands

  8,506

  7,978

  7,486

  6,916

  East Midlands and Anglia

  8,834

  8,026

  7,178

  7,061

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  8,419

  7,942

  7,712

  7,366

  North West

  13,404

  12,735

  12,065

  11,436

  Northern

  5,127

  4,851

  4,469

  4,252

  Wales

  6,086

  5,757

  5,418

  4,896

  Scotland

  7,190

  6,904

  6,662

  6,310

  Great Britain

  84,288

  79,312

  75,131

  70,669

  1990–91

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London

  8,035

  7,447

  6,953

  6,494

  South East

  7,328

  6,865

  6,409

  6,142

  Western Division1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eastern Division1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southern Division1

  —

  —

  —

  -

  South West

  5,903

  5,460

  5,012

  4,642

  West Midlands

  6,409

  5,934

  5,504

  5,025

  440

  Financial years

  First quarter

  Second quarter

  Third quarter

  Fourth quarter

  East Midlands and Anglia

  6,618

  6,306

  5,905

  5,653

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  6,703

  6,116

  5,753

  5,658

  North West

  10,836

  10,094

  9,391

  8,816

  Northern

  3,956

  3,681

  3,386

  3,257

  Wales

  4,023

  4,237

  3,982

  3,636

  Scotland

  6,131

  5,777

  5,562

  5,323

  Great Britain

  66,543

  61,967

  57,857

  54,646

  1 Note: In 1988–89 the scheme was run by the Employment Service which had organised its combined London and South East Region into three operating divisions.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the amount of expenditure on the enterprise allowance scheme in London in each of the former Training Agency's area offices for each year since 1985.

  Mr. Forth
  The former Training Agency area office breakdown of expenditure on the allowance in London is shown for financial years 1989–90 and 1990–91 in the table. Because of changes in scheme administration, information for earlier years is not kept in the form required and could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Financial years

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  Inner London North

  3,114,640

  2,620,433

  East London

  1,528,400

  1,592,546

  North London

  3,090,463

  2,575,644

  Inner London Central

  2,291,666

  2,035,398

  South West and West London

  1,950,453

  1,319,226

  London South

  1,770,320

  1,219,906

  Inner London South

  4,207,400

  3,237,160

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the budgets allocated for each London training and enterprise council, or for the areas to be included in future training and enterprise councils, for the enterprise allowance scheme in 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Budgets for 1991–92 have been allocated by funding block rather than individual scheme. EAS forms part of funding block 3. The allocated block 3 budgets for training and enterprise councils—TECs—in the London region, including those not yet operational, are given in the table. TECs will have greater freedom and flexibility to adapt EAS to meet the needs of the local economy and to improve survival rates.

  Funding block 3 budget allocations to TECs 1991–92

  TEC

  Allocation £ million

  Operational date

  AZTEC

  1·430

  12 November 1990

  CENTEC

  3·920

  16 September 1991

  CILNTEC

  2·650

  14 October 1991

  LETEC

  2·700

  1 April 1991

  NORTH

  2·410

  16 September 1991

  NORTH WEST

  1·310

  August-September 1991

  SOLOTEC

  1·940

  1 April 1991

  STTEC

  3·510

  27 May 1991

  WLTEC

  1·880

  19 August 1991

  Steelworkers (Respiratory Disease)
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) when the Health and Safety Executive last carried out any research on non-malignant respiratory disease among steelworkers;

  (2) if he will ask the Health and Safety Executive to carry out further research on non-malignant respiratory disease among steelworkers.

  Mr. Forth
  The Health and Safety Executive has recently undertaken a review of research on chronic non-malignant respiratory disease in ferrous metal manufacturing and production workers, including the steel industry and has also commissioned a wider ranging review of the health effects of airborne substances in the ferrous foundry industry. The results are expected to be available early next year.

  In addition, the HSE continues to monitor closely other relevant research programmes including current proposals for research on health issues among steelworkers in Britain submitted to the European Coal and Steel Community.

  Hotels and Guest Houses
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment his Department has carried out on the effect of the VAT changes introduced in the recent Budget on small privately-owned hotels and guest houses.

  Mr. Forth
  My Department has made no such assessment.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many small hotels and guest houses have deregistered since 1 April 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  In the period from 1 April 1991 to 31 May 1991, there were 693 applications to deregister from hotels and residential establishments on the ground that anticipated turnover was below the value added tax threshold.

  Health and Safety Inspectors
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives he proposes to engage more health and safety inspectors in Wales.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 6 June 1991]: The Health and Safety Executive has undertaken recruitment to increase the number of inspectors. This will allow a further five inspectors to be allocated to work in Wales. No difficulty in recruitment has been experienced. No special initiatives are necessary.

  Tourism
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will take to encourage the growth of employment in the tourism industry in Yorkshire.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 7 June 1991]: In 1989 there were 127,800 people employed in the tourism industry in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, 24 per cent. more than in 1984. The Government will encourage further employment growth by reducing inflation, continuing our
  442
  financial support for tourism and promoting enterprise and training through the network of training and enterprise councils now established in the region. The industry must also play its part by negotiating realistic pay settlements.

HEALTH

  Northumberland Area Services
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the current waiting list for each specialty in Northumberland health authority and the number of people who have waited(a) for over one year and (b) for over two years in each specialty.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The latest information available, at September 1990, is given in the table. This information is on a "provider" bases, and does not relate to the district's resident population. In the year to March .1990 the number of in-patients treated has increased by 2 per cent. and since 1979 in the order of 16 per cent.

  Northumberland Health Authority

  Number waiting and number waiting over one year for treatment at 30 September 1990—in-patients

  Specialty

  Total waiting1

  Total waiting 12+months

  Total waiting 12+months

  General surgery

  450

  54

  9

  Urology

  109

  7

  0

  Trauma and orthopaedic

  801

  147

  57

  ENT

  0

  0

  0

  Oral surgery

  23

  3

  0

  Anaesthetics

  0

  0

  0

  General medicine

  7

  0

  0

  Dermatology

  0

  0

  0

  Thoracic medicine

  0

  0

  0

  Rheumatology

  0

  0

  0

  Paediatrics

  0

  0

  0

  Geriatric medicine

  8

  0

  0

  Obs and Gyn (Obstretrics)

  0

  0

  0

  Obs and Gyn (Gynaecology)

  274

  15

  7

  GP maternity function

  0

  0

  0

  GP (non maternity)

  1

  0

  0

  Mental handicap

  14

  0

  0

  Mental illness

  9

  5

  0

  Others

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,696

  231

  73

  1 Excludes self-deferred cases—those patients who refuse an offer of admission.

  District Health Authorities (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which district health authorities have the longest average waiting time for the specialties which cover(a) hip replacement operations, (b) cataract corrections and (c) hernia operations.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The latest available information, at September 1990, for those waiting for in-patient treatment, is given in the tables. The tables have been compiled on the basis of the percentage of patients waiting more than one year which is the generally accepted measure of waiting time. Direct comparisons between specialties at district health authority level can be misleading because there are considerable variations of case mix within different hospitals.
  443
  The 15 district health authorities with the highest percentage of patients waiting over 1 year

  In-patient waiting lists 30 September 1990

  General surgery (includes hernia operations)

  North Hertfordshire

  North Devon

  Kingston and Esher

  Bexley

  Herefordshire

  Dartford and Gravesham

  West Essex

  Riverside

  Milton Keynes

  Harrogate

  West Lambeth

  Gateshead

  North East Essex

  South Warwickshire

  Waltham Forest

  In-patient waiting lists 30 September 1990

  Ophthalmology (includes cataract operations)

  Kingston and Esher

  Rochdale

  Riverside

  West Surrey and North East Hants.

  Shropshire

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

  Preston

  Bassetlaw

  East Suffolk

  Leeds Western

  Bolton

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  Central Manchester

  Dudley

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  In-patient waiting lists 30 September 1990

  Trauma and Orthopaedic (includes hip replacement operations)

  Maidstone

  Bristol and Weston

  Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  West Lambeth East Suffolk KW0

  Tunbridge Wells

  Brighton

  Riverside

  Chichester

  Herefordshire

  Bloomsbury

  Oldham

  East Surrey

  Medical Records
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long it takes to transfer medical records from one general practice to another in each of the regions within his jurisdiction.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available centrally.

  Health Benefits Scheme
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total value of help given under the health benefits low income scheme per annum for the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally. Under the scheme people receiving 444
  income support or family credit and their dependants are automatically exempt from NHS charges. Other claimants who are entitled to help towards the cost of meeting NHS charges are issued with a certificate authorising either full or partial exemption from any charges which they may incur. There is no limit on the number of occasions upon which a certificate may be used during the six-month period of its validity.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations he is formally consulting on his review of the health benefits low income scheme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The review will look in detail at the way in which the NHS low income scheme is currently administered. The report recently published by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux—NACAB—is therefore particularly relevant to the review. Officials will be discussing with NACAB the matters that it has raised and its recommendations. There are no plans to consult formally with organisations other than NACAB, but any representations that are received will be considered as the review is taken forward.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the value of each claim under the health benefits low income scheme is taken up with administrative charges.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is not available.

  During 1990–91, a total of 1,017,739 claims for help under the National Health Service low income scheme were received by the health benefits unit at Newcastle and 957,886 certificates of full or partial exemption were issued. The average cost of processing each claim was £7·65.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to publicise the existence of the health benefits low income scheme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Regulations 1986 require opticians to display prominently a notice showing possible entitlement to vouchers under the low income scheme. Dentists are required by their terms of service set out in the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1990 to display prominently a notice, indicating National Health Service charges which are payable under general dental services and entitlement to exemption from and remission of National Health Service charges.

  In addition to these obligatory requirements, posters promoting the low income scheme are available for display at citizens advice bureaux, general practitioners' surgeries, pharmacies and in hospital out-patient departments. Claim forms and explanatory leaflets are also readily available from these and a number of other outlets, including welfare rights organisations and local offices of the Social Security Benefits Agency. The adequacy of existing forms and leaflets and their provision in languages other than English will be considered as part of the review of the National Health Service low income scheme.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each NHS trust the number of executive directors and chief executives receiving remuneration of over £40,000 in bands of £5,000.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The salaries of the chief executive and other executive directors of NHS trusts are a matter for the trust board. This information is not available centrally.

  Occupational Therapy
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ring-fence the occupational therapy funding being devolved to regions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Regional health authorities have been told that the moneys devolved to them for occupational therapy training are to be earmarked for that purpose until 1995–96.

  Condoms
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the risks to users of condoms made from natural rubber latex subject to radiation processing by RVNRL vulcanisation technology; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department has no evidence of risks to users of condoms which have been vulcanised by an irradiation process. The process is understood to be used in the far east for some rubber latex products, mainly gloves. The major suppliers of condoms to the United Kingdom market employ other methods of vulcanisation.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Electoral Registration
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are registered to vote in England and Wales.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The electoral register which came into use on 16 February 1991 contained 38,478,502 people qualified to vote in local government elections in England and Wales and 38,509,382 people qualified to vote in parliamentary elections.

  HIV
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of the terms of the settlement of the litigation by those people who contracted HIV through infected blood products; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I welcome the announcement today in court of the conclusion of this litigation and the acceptance of the terms of a settlement by the overwhelming majority of those in England and Wales who were pursuing action.

  Under the terms of the settlement the payments to be made are:
  446

  £ each

  To each individual who is an infected haemophiliac:

  Infant (person under 18 years old)

  21,500

  Single adult

  23,500

  Married adult without dependent children

  32,000

  Haemophiliac with dependent children

  60,500

  Infected intimates of HIV infected haemophiliac:

  (a) adults or married infants

  23,500

  (b) unmarried infants

  21,500

  Category G plaintiffs (ie those litigants who have not sero-converted and/or been infected with HIV to their knowledge, but are at risk of doing so because they are the intimates of haemophiliacs who have sero-converted and/or been infected with HIV or developed AIDS).

  2,000

  The payment amounts are those put forward by the steering committee of solicitors representing the HIV-infected haemophiliacs and their counsel, and agreed by the Government.

  The Macfarlane (Special Payments) (No. 2) Trust which was set up on 3 May has already begun to make the payments. A similar offer has been made to settle the separate litigation in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The payments will also be available to HIV infected haemophiliacs and infected intimates who had not joined litigation against any Department and who undertake not to do so in future.

  While maintaining its denial of any negligence, the Government have provided £42 million to cover the cost of the payments. This is in addition to the £24 million made available in 1990 to provide a sum of £20,000 for each HIV-infected haemophiliac. We are also committed to ensuring that the original Macfarlane Trust set up in March 1988 with a Government grant of £10 million will continue to be able to give additional help where there is special need. These payments are in recognition of the very special and tragic circumstances of the haemophiliacs infected by HIV and provide a substantial measure of financial security for them and their families.

  Furthermore, the Government remain committed to taking all reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate services and treatments are available to the haemophiliacs, their partners and all others infected with HIV to try to alleviate and delay the effects of this infection. We continue to contribute to the research effort both here and worldwide, primarily to find a vaccine against HIV infection and a cure for the disease itself. We also continue to give substantial ring-fenced funds, amounting to almost £150 million in the current year, to the NHS and other organisations as the Government's contribution towards the cost of preventing the further spread of HIV and of providing appropriate diagnostic, treatment, care and support services.

  Birth Statistics
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 16 May,Official Report, column 250, if he will publish (a) the number of deliveries on which his figures were based and (b) the total number of women who delivered in England during the financial year 1989–90.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The estimates quoted in the Official Report of 16 May were based on detailed returns

  447
  in respect of some 360,000 deliveries. In the same financial year—1989–90—there were 650,804 live births and 3,067 stillbirths in England, a total of 653,871 deliveries.

  Special Diets
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many prescriptions for special diets were issued by general practitioners in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) in what circumstances general practitioners are able to issue national health service prescriptions for special diets; what restrictions there are on the foods available on prescription; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is not the function of the NHS to provide food products on prescription. We recognise that in some cases GPs may consider their active intervention is needed to help patients keep to medically recommended diets. GPs may therefore prescribe from a range of food products recommended by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances.

  GPs are also free to prescribe other nutritional products, including vitamins and minerals, wherever necessary for their patients' treatment.

  Products which the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances considers have no therapeutic use in the treatment of disease in the community are added to schedule 3A to the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1974, so that they cannot be prescribed by GPs at NHS expense.

  Although the Department's prescribing statistics include the estimated number of prescriptions for nutritional products, many of these products have several uses and it is therefore not possible to identify those which are used in "special diets". In addition, a large number of these products are prescribed so infrequently that the statistics are not a reliable measure of the number of prescriptions issued.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to challenge EC competence with regard to tobacco advertising; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have not yet received the revised draft of the EC directive on tobacco advertising. When I do so I will give it careful consideration.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will give the number of energy audits carried out in the Privy Council Office in the past five years and for each audit a statement of its main conclusions;

  (2) if he will give the number of dedicated energy managers in the Privy Council Office and the number of person-years devoted to energy management in the latest year;

  (3) if he will give for each available year from 1978 the amount invested in improving the energy efficiency of the Privy Council Office in (a) cash terms and (b) 1990–91 money terms;
  448
  (4) if he will give for each available year from 1978, the energy consumption, broken down by fuel, of the buildings occupied by the Privy Council Office, 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. MacGregor
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: The position of the Privy Council Office remains as indicated in answers given by my predecessor on 5 June 1990, Official Report, column 459, 14 June 1990, Official Report column 299, and 25 June 1990, Official Report, column 54. The costs passed on to the Department in 1990–91 were £11,669 for electricity—representing approximately 203,000 units —and £2,352 for gas. No costs were incurred in respect of liquid or solid fuels. The remaining information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Disabled People
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) if he has any plans to review the car parking facilities available for disabled people who(a) work within or (b) visit the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many parking spaces are available in the precincts of the Palace of Westminster the use of disabled Members of Parliament and where these are located; and if he will make a statement.

  (3) if he has any plans to review the facilities available for car-parking in the Palace of Westminster for Members of Parliament who are disabled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  There are 12 parking spaces in Star Chamber Court and three parking spaces in the inner courtyard of Norman Shaw North reserved for the use of vehicles driven by or used by photo-identity pass holders who are disabled. At present, eight hon. Members, four Members' secretaries and nine staff of the House have been authorised by the Serjeant at Arms to use these spaces on a first-come first-served basis. In addition, authority for their use is given from time to time to disabled visitors and to photo-identity pass holders suffering from a temporary period of incapacity. The arrangements for disabled parking in the precincts of the Palace of Westminster are kept under continuous review by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee. They were reviewed and confirmed by the Sub-Committee in January 1988 as a result of a survey carried out into the use of the spaces for the disabled in Star Chamber Court. In March 1990 the Sub-Committee gave approval for an additional parking bay for disabled drivers to be set aside outside Norman Shaw North bringing the total in that area to three and the Sub-Committee agreed in March this year that these three bays should be transferred to the inner courtyard of Norman Shaw North.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to review access for disabled people to the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.
  449
  Mr. MacGregor
  I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 3 June 1991,(Official Report, column 16). In addition to improvements recently agreed by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee, it is proposed that a comprehensive study should be carried out to identify practicable and acceptable proposals for access by disabled and elderly people which marry the need for better facilities within the constraints imposed by the historic nature of the Palace of Westminster.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) when he next plans to meet representatives of the police to discuss the misuse of car parking spaces in the Palace of Westminster which are specifically designated for exclusive use by orange badge holders; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what action he proposes to take against hon. and right hon. Members who misuse car parking spaces in the precincts of the Palace of Westminster which are designated for the exclusive use of orange badge holders; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) how many complaints he has received regarding the alleged misuse or abuse of parking spaces in the Palace of Westminster designated for the use of disabled Members of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
  450
  Mr. MacGregor
  I have received no complaints of misuse or abuse of the spaces reserved for disabled people —they are not specifically set aside for orange badge holders. However, I have asked the authorities of the House to remind others who park their cars in Star Chamber Court not to use the spaces reserved for disabled people. I would welcome the co-operation of all right hon. and hon. Members in observing the recommendation of the Services Committee that the 12 marked spaces in Star Chamber Court and three marked spaces in the inner courtyard of Norman Shaw North should be for the exclusive use of disabled drivers.

  Charles Stewart Parnell (Statue)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, further to his answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 357, what further discussions he has held about moving the statue of Charles Stewart Parnell to a more appropriate location on the Committee floor.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I understand that the proposal will be on the agenda for the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the House of Commons on 17 July.

WALES

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest level of inward investment to Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The record levels of inward investment continue. Since 1 January Wales has secured 60 more projects, promising 7,196 new or safeguarded jobs and capital investment of over £342 million. From 21 June I shall be visiting the United States and Canada with Dr. Gwyn Jones, the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, to secure further investment for Wales.

  Seven-year olds (Assessment)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will report progress with the assessment of seven-year-olds in Welsh schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  All primary schools in Wales have now concluded their assessments of seven-year-olds and reports will be made to parents by the end of the summer term.

  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider abolishing the assessment of seven-year-olds in schools in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Assessment forms an integral part of the national curriculum. The Government remain committed to the statutory assessment for seven, 11, 14 and 16-year-old pupils. The arrangements for testing seven-year-olds next year will be reviewed in light of the evaluation of this year's exercise currently being undertaken by the School Examinations and Assessment Council.

  Welsh Language Board
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Welsh Language Board; and if he will make a statement on the future of the board and its responsibilities.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend and I last met the chairman of the Welsh Language Board on 23 May. Consultations on the proposals put forward by the board are currently taking place within Government. We will announce our response to these as soon as possible.

  Agriculture (Incentive Schemes)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the setting up of incentive schemes for young people setting up in agriculture.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Over the past year I have received a number of representations from farming unions and others about incentives for young people to enter the industry.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that there will be an adequate supply of Welsh language teachers to meet the needs for the national curriculum.
  452
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The requirements of the national curriculum including those in relation to Welsh, are being taken fully into account in setting the intakes to initial teacher training, in the revision of criteria for initial teacher training courses, devising recruitment policies and in the planning of the grants for education support and training programme.

  Hospital Services
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met chairmen of health authorities in Wales to discuss the standard and range of hospital services.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met health authority chairmen on 31 January. I have met every health authority chairman since 1 January this year during my frequent visits to NHS establishments throughout Wales.

  Family Farms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to safeguard the future of family farms in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I recognise the importance of family farms within the structure of agriculture in Wales and their significance in social terms. I will continue to seek to ensure that those farms, along with others, are able to compete effectively and on equal terms within the single European market.

  Area Health Authorities
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he intends to meet the chairmen of area health authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  A date for the next meeting between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and DHA chairmen has yet to be finalised.

  Hospitals, Monmouth
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit Monmouth to establish the effect of Government policy on local hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend and I have recently made a number of visits to the Monmouth area and I visited Nevill Hall hospital on 15 May 1991. I shall be making a further visit to health service establishments in Gwent in July.

  Education
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met Welsh county councils to discuss education provision in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I meet with Welsh local authorities from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues including, of course, provision for the education service.

  Sir Anthony Meyer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he proposes to take to improve further and higher education in Wales.
  453
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The measures that we propose to take to improve further and higher education in Wales are contained in the White Papers "Education and Training for the 21st Century" and "Higher Education—A New Framework", published on 20 May. Our objective is to encourage young people to maximise their potential through increased participation in further and higher education and training. The reforms that we have announced will make it easier for this objective to be met.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to implement the proposals relevant to his Department's function in the recent education White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The proposals in the White Papers will require new legislation. This will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  Roads Programme
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has made any recent additions to the Welsh roads programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) on 14 May.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next proposes to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss rail services in the principality.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with the chairman of British Rail to discuss a range of issues. They hope to meet again soon.

  Forestry
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he evaluates environmental considerations in the development of forestry policy in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government's forestry policy fully recognises the environmental benefits that forests can provide if planned and managed in a sensitive way.

  Since 1985 the Forestry Commissioners have had a statutory duty to endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between the needs of forestry and those of the environment in carrying out their functions. We have introduced a number of other measures to ensure that environmental factors are taken into account in forestry developments. For example, under the Environmental Assessment (Afforestation) Regulations 1988, the Forestry Commissioners may require applicants for grant to draw up an environmental statement if they consider that new planting proposals are likely to have a significant effect on the environment. The Commission's woodland grant scheme is also designed to ensure that planting schemes meet high standards which are in sympathy with the landscape and meet relevant environmental considerations, as set out in guidelines published by the commission. Those policies are subject to regular monitoring and evaluation.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next intends to meet the chairmen of district health authorities to discuss NHS trusts in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend and I discussed NHS trusts with the chairmen when we last met them on 31 January. A date for the next meeting has not yet been arranged.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications he has received to date from hospitals in Wales for national health service hospital trust status.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To date no application for trust status has been received from any unit in Wales, but: an expression of interest has been lodged by Pembrokeshire DHA and a formal application is expected shortly.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the increase in unemployment in the Monmouth constituency since June 1990.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Since June 1990 the number of unemployed claimants in the Monmouth constituency has increased by 622.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. David Hunt
  The total amount spent by my Department in the 1990–91 financial year on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases was £1,300,216. Details of management and computer consultancies awarded in that year were as follows:

  Management consultancies awarded in the financial year 1990–91

  Aspimrall & Co.:

  Study of Industry and Environment

  Price Waterhouse:

  Study of "Source Wales"

  Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte:

  Review of Youth Service Management in Wales

  Innovation Pilot Programme & Marketing:

  Welsh Development Technology Marketing

  Cambridge Scientific Ltd.:

  Provision of Scientific services to NHS(D)

  C. J. Webber:

  West Glamorgan Ambulance Service Business Plan

  Mid Glamorgan Health Authority:

  Commercialisation of Pathology Service

  Peter Stanley Associates:

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  Gwynedd Health Authority Surgery and Outpatients Review

  P. A. Hutchinson & Owen, Thomas & Co.:

  Pathology Business Planning

  Finesse Corporate Functions:

  Marketing of Neville Hall Conference Centre.

  MMM Consultancy Group Ltd. & Owen Thomas & Co:

  All Wales Supplies Review.

  Peter Watkins:

  Commercial Opportunities for the Ambulance Service in Wales.

  Price Waterhouse:

  All Wales Ambulance Review.

  Peter Stanley Associates:

  Gwynedd Health Authority Review of Surgical Survices.

  Gwent Management Consultancy Services:

  FHSD Forms Review to FHSAs.

  Owen Thomas & Co:

  Cost Improvement Programme Review

  Roy Carr Hill:

  Future Revenue Allocations in Wales (DHAs).

  Hay MCL:

  Performance Management in the NHS in Wales.

  Touche Ross:

  Business Plan: Breast Test Wales

  Cardiff Business School:

  Evaluation of better patient services

  Babti & Dobbi:

  Form of property appraisal audit

  Alan Thomas:

  Preparedness of DHAs for contracting

  Duhig Berry:

  PRINCE Project management overview

  Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte:

  I and IT Strategic Direction for the NHS in Wales:

  Technical Strategy and Implementation programme

  Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte:

  I and IT strategy for Gwynedd DHA

  Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte:

  Clwyd resource management project benefits study

  Greenhalgh & Co. Ltd.:

  Support to nursing systems project board

  Metapraxis Ltd.:

  Executive information provision

  HACAS:

  Study of costing of community hospitals in Powys and Clwyd

  Griffiths Associates:

  Configuration of computers

  XPDNT Systems:

  Configuration of automated project management systems

  Gwyn Bevan:

  GP Fundholders scheme—management of practice funds

  Triad Special Systems:

  Feasibility study into the viability of providing computer facilities for the Rent Officer Service in Wales

  Aldbourne Associates:

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  Property Estates Project and HOW

  Howard Humphries:

  Road construction site management system

  SIAS:

  Welsh Highways Information System

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd.:

  Information systems strategy for Agriculture Department

  Council Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of domestic residences in each of the property value bands of the proposed council tax in Wales, in the manner of the answer given to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Evans), 8 May,Official Report, column 536.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The following table gives the estimates used for the calculation of illustrative council tax bills for Wales.

  Property value in relation to average capital value

  Upper property in value band £

  Number of dwellings in Wales

  A: under 50 per cent.

  30,000

  181,600

  B: 50 to 65 per cent.

  39,000

  214,700

  C: 65 to 85 per cent.

  51,000

  241,700

  D: 85 to 110 per cent.

  66,000

  199,900

  E: 110 to 150 per cent.

  90,000

  171,900

  F: 150 to 200 per cent.

  120,000

  85,800

  G: over 200 per cent.

  Over 120,000

  63,400

  Total all bands

  1,159,000

  Holyhead-London Transport Services
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will define the new responsibilities given to the Minister of State for Wales with regard to the development of rail links between Holyhead and London.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  As part of my responsibility for co-ordination of initiatives for urban renewal in Holyhead I have taken a close interest in rail services.

  The provision of services will nevertheless remain a matter for British Rail to determine.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many meetings have so far been chaired by the Minister of State for Wales of the various organisations with a direct interest in improving the co-ordination of transport services from Holyhead to London; if he will state what organisations were represented at those meetings; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The provision of transport services is a matter for transport operators. I have had several meetings with interested parties including my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Transport, local authorities and British Rail. On 3 June I chaired a meeting of organisations interested in all aspects of the regeneration of Holyhead at which British Rail was represented.

  Dentists' Contracts
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dentists have left the national health service in Wales since the implementation of the new contract system.
  457
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Overall between 1 October 1990 and 30 April 1991 there was a net decrease of 10 dentists from FHSA dental lists in Wales, which represents 1·1 per cent. of the total.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average class size for infants, primary and secondary schools in Wales in(a) 1989–90 and (b) 1990–91.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information as at September of each year is given in the following table. The primary school information relates to the average size of registered classes in primary schools, including nursery classes. In the case of secondary schools, it is based on classes as taught.

  Data on class size of nursery schools are not held centrally.

  Primary Schools

  Secondary Schools

  1989–90

  24·8

  18·9

  1990–91

  24·8

  19·2

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to increase nursery schooling in those parts of Wales where spending has been reduced; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has any plans to meet local education authorities in Wales to discuss an increase in the provision of nursery education.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The provision of education in school for children under the age of five is at the discretion of local education authorities. Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have any plans to meet authorities to discuss nursery education.

  School Fabric
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he plans to meet local education authorities in Wales to discuss the fabric of schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No. Expenditure plans submitted each year by local education authorities provide information about their education building plans, including refurbishment of schools, and these are subject to discussion with the Department.

  Secure Places
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) by what date he intends to ensure there are enough secure places in Wales to end totally the accommodation of young people on remand in prison accommodation;

  (2) if he will announce the steps he intends to take to provide secure places in Wales for those young people who need to be so placed;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the number of secure places needed in Wales to cope with the number of young people who need to be so accommodated without making use of prison accommodation;

  (4) what contribution he estimates can be made by community-based approaches and preventive work with
  458
  young people and their families to cut down the number of secure accommodation places needed in Wales; and what plans he has to develop such policies.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Officials have completed a thorough review of secure care policy in Wales. I am presently considering their report, which will be issued for consultation next month.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in detail the actions taken by his Department on the findings he published on 4 June relating to investigations undertaken into three children's homes in Wales, since the date of the inspections reported on.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Local management of the homes and the relevant local authorities were informed of the findings of the inspections immediately upon their conclusion. They were also given an opportunity to comment on draft versions of the reports prior to their publication. Subsequently, the social services inspectorate has written to directors of social services clarifying the conditions of use of the units and work is in hand on a revision of those conditions.

  The findings of the inspections were taken into account in our review of secure care in Wales. Action on the specific recommendations made by the inspections is a matter for the respective local authorities.

  Further inspections of the three units will take place in 1992.

  Dentistry (Anaesthetic Services)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that people living in Mid Glamorgan have an acceptable level of provision of general anaesthetic services for dentistry.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The assessment of the needs of the resident population of a district, for general anaesthetic services for dentistry, is the responsibility of the district health authority and the family health service authority. In the hospital and community sector it is for the district health authority to contract with service providers to secure services sufficient to meet the assessed needs.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what response he proposes to make to the findings of the Poswillo report.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Consultation upon the Poswillo report is continuing. The outcome will be announced in due course.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the number of general dental practices in Mid Glamorgan which provide general anaesthetic services for tooth extraction; and what plans he has to improve this provision.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Three general dental practices in Mid Glamorgan provide general anaesthetic services. Information is not held centrally regarding the type of procedures for which these services are used.

  Mid Glamorgan family health service authority, in conjuction with the district health authority, has the responsibility for planning and securing appropriate levels of dental services for its resident population.

  Job Creation
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of each company involved in job creation projects in Wales during 1990 together with the number of jobs created in each case.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 23 May 1991]: Information relating to all job creation projects is not held centrally. In the context of inward investment, Wales secured 142 projects from overseas and the rest of the United Kingdom during 1990, promising nearly 16,000 new and safeguarded jobs and a capital investment of almost £640 million.

  A list of the companies concerned, excluding those which have requested confidentiality, are shown in the table. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, individual details of investment and jobs are not disclosed.

  PROJECTS SECURED 1990

  NORTH AMERICA

  Company

  AMG Resources

  Activeair

  Agrisence BCS

  Alberto Culver UK Ltd.

  Alcoa Extrusions (UK) Ltd.

  Borg Warner Automotive

  Britcair Ltd.

  Britcair/Merck

  CBS

  Campbell Chilled Foods

  Dexter Packaging

  Dow Chemical

  Dow Corning

  Dow Corning

  Elac/Harmon

  Electro Craft

  Electrocatalytic Ltd.

  Eriez Magnetics

  Eurofoil Ltd.

  Hoover

  Inco (Europe) Ltd.

  J. R. Freeman & Sons

  Kimberly Clark

  Kimberly Clark

  Lion Laboratories MPD Inc.

  Miles Labs

  Optical Fibres

  Owens Corning Fibreglass

  Rubery Owen-Rockwell

  Silent Channel Products

  Strategic Systems Industries

  Superjet Services

  TRW Cam Gears

  Viskase

  Westminster Health Care

  PROJECTS SECURED 1990

  UNITED KINGDOM

  Company

  Abbey National Plc

  Abbey National Plc

  Allen Ind

  Allied Dunbar

  Avana Bakeries

  BBC

  Bantex (Flint) Ltd.

  Benison Nursery Care

  British Aerospace Ent Ltd.

  British Airways

  British Coal Liquification

  British Steel

  British Telecom

  Brown & Jackson

  Caring Production Ltd.

  Chartered Trust Comp. Centre

  460

  Chartered Trust Ltd.

  Chivers Book Sales Ltd.

  Collective Leisure Ltd.

  Conran Roache

  Cornelius Electronics

  Deeside Colour Direct

  Domglade

  Dunn & Bradstreet

  Elite Optics

  Envelopes Direct

  Flexigraphics

  Guiness Bros Plc (Luxi)

  Holtron

  Inland Revenue (Swansea)

  Inland Revenue (Wrexham)

  Jan Roberts Ltd.

  K. D. Products Ltd.

  Kilroe Pipeline Services Ltd.

  Lloyds Bank

  Lloyds Bank (St. Mellons)

  Lucas CBS

  Memory Lane Cakes

  Oakdale Batteries Ltd.

  Penn Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Peters Savory Products

  Qualtex Industries Ltd.

  Rygor Holdings

  Scottish Amicable

  Sedgewick (UK) Ltd.

  Solaglass

  Spirolit UK Ltd.

  Star Products

  Swift Catering

  Techlok Ltd.

  Travers Morgan Consulting Gp

  Ultimate Design

  Vanessa Ltd.

  Victoria Cabinets Co.

  W. A. Turner

  Willis Wrightson

  Windsor Die Castings Ltd.

  Wirral Print Finishers

  Wrexham Mineral Cables

  JAPAN/FAR EAST

  Gooding Sanken

  Kintetsu Express

  Matsushita Electric (UK) Ltd.

  Matsushita Electric (UK) Ltd.

  Meiki (UK) Ltd.

  Orion Electric (UK) Ltd.

  Panasonic

  Sekisui

  Sharp Manufacturing

  Takiron

  Yuasa Battery (UK) Ltd.

  AFRICA/ASIA/ROW

  Company

  Boral Ltd.

  European Fine Blanking

  Prestar/Camford

  EUROPE

  Autophon (UK) Ltd.

  Avangard

  Belscan Ltd.

  Castle Cement

  Coopers Filters

  Cray Valley Products

  DAS Legal

  Ensinger Ltd.

  Ferrero Manufacturing Ltd.

  Finnbhus AB/Andrew Scott Ltd.

  Fram Europe Ltd.

  Golden Ltd.

  Interceram Manufacturing Ltd.

  Isringhausen (GB) Ltd.

  Kronospan

  Label Image Ltd.

  Lansing Linde

  461

  Smurfit Marketing By Design

  Solaglas

  Spring Industries Ltd.

  Spring Industries Ltd.

  Todo (UK) Ltd.

  Triumph International (UK) Ltd.

  Stilexo Ind. (UK) Ltd.

  Valeo Climate Control Ltd.

  England

  Wales

  Year of application

  Applications

  Successful applications

  Applications

  Successful applications

  1987

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1988

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1989

  3

  3

  1

  —

  1990

  2

  2

  1

  —

  Garden Festivals
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the Institute of Horticulture regarding garden festivals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I have not so far received any representations on garden festivals from this source.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next proposes to discuss the development of the garden festivals with the Institute of Horticulture; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  At present I have no plans to do so.

  Institute of Horticulture
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next proposes to meet the Institute of Horticulture; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 May 1991,Official Report, column 189.

  Video Cameras (New Forest)
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent to Forestry Commission keepers regarding the use of video cameras in the New Forest.

  Mr. Curry
  A copy of the letter, dated 15 December 1989, is being placed in the Library.

  Scotch Whisky (Exports)
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value of British exports of Scotch whisky in each of the past five years, in cash terms and as a percentage of total exports.

  Mr. Curry
  The figures for exports for Scotch whisky, which include a small amount of Northern Irish whiskey, are as follows:

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fish Farms
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many owners of fish farms in England and Wales have applied to the EC for a subsidy to develop aquaculture since 1987; and how many have been successful in their application.

  Mr. Curry
  Council regulation 4028/86, provides for Community measures to improve and adapt structures in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and came into effect from 1 January 1987. Since then, there have been 11 applications for EC aquaculture aid in England and Wales, of which eight have been successful. The details are shown in the table.

  Value of exports of Scotch whisky

  £ million

  as a percentage of all visible exports

  1986

  1,071

  1·5

  1987

  1,136

  1·4

  1988

  1,289

  1·6

  1989

  1,470

  1·6

  1990

  1,712

  1·6

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will use his powers under the Sea Fisheries Conservation Act 1967 to ban the use of drift nets in United Kingdom waters.

  Mr. Curry
  The European Community is currently preparing a regulation which will prevent the use of large-scale indiscriminate drift netting in not only United Kingdom waters but the waters of all other member states and by EC vessels on the high seas. We are working so that this can be agreed soon.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Prime Minister's answer of 4 December 1990,Official Report, column 172, if he will make a further statement on compensation for nuclear test veteran, John Hall.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

  Invalidity Pensions
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current total annual pension paid to(a) a private and (b) a sergeant, with five years' service, invalided out of the services in 1990 with (i) 30 per cent. disability, (ii) 60 per cent. disability and (iii) 100 per cent. disability, respectively.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The table shows the current rates of pension paid by the Ministry of Defence and by the Department of Social Security.

  (a) Service attributable pension paid by the Ministry of Defence in respect of invaliding on 1 April 1990.

  Percentage disability

  Private annual pension £

  Sergeant annual pension £

  30

  1,530·42

  2,627·22

  60

  2,073·83

  4,066·70

  100

  2,992·08

  6,119·46

  (b) War disability pension paid by the Department of Social Security

  Percentage disability

  Private weekly pension £

  or Sergeant annual equivalent £

  30

  25·47

  1,328·00

  60

  50·94

  2,656·00

  100

  84·90

  4,426·69

  In addition, there is a range of supplementary allowances which may be payable under the war pension scheme, depending on the circumstances of the individual case—e.g. unemployability supplement or allowance for lowered standard of occupation, constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, age allowance, clothing allowance.

  Parachute Units
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) under what headings additional costs arise for a Territorial Army parachute unit compared with a comparable non-parachute unit;

  (2) what savings would be made by assigning a Territorial Army parachute unit to a non-parachute role as a Territorial Army unit of comparable size.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to my hon. Friend.

  Interpreters
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many qualified interpreters in(a) Arabic and (b) Turkish are currently serving in (i) the armed forces and (ii) the reserves; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are 45 qualified interpreters in Arabic and seven in Turkish currently serving in the regular forces. We do not hold central records of the number of qualified interpreters in the reserve forces, but they are know to number at least 27 in Arabic and one in Turkish.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many interpreters in(a) Arabic and (b)
  464
  Turkish are currently serving with the British forces in (i) south-eastern Turkey and (ii) northern Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Eleven Arabic-speaking members of the armed forces are currently deployed to south-eastern Turkey and northern Iraq on operation Haven. Six are trained to linguist or interpreter standard and two also have Turkish language qualifications. The other five are students on the services' long Arabic language course. They are deployed within Turkey and northern Iraq as required. Local interpreters are employed as necessary.

  Crown Prosecutions (Army) Act
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the reasons for the delay in providing copies of the Batus range orders, the memorandum of understanding between the British and Canadian Governments and details of the exercise briefing orders, as they related to the digging of trenches in the impact area of a live firing range, to the representatives of Guardsmen Adrian Hicks, John Ray and Sean Povey, in pursuit of their claim of negligence under the Crown Prosecutions (Army) Act 1987; and if he will make the relevant documents available forthwith.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A copy of the Batus range standing orders and of the exchange of notes on the training of United Kingdom armed forces in Canada (there is no memorandum of understanding) have now been sent to the solicitors representing Guardsmen Hicks, Ray and Povey. No other documents have been requested.

  "Options for Change"
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future role of the Royal Hampshire Regiment in his consideration and determination of "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 4 June at columns 143–44.

  Injured Grenadiers
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resettlement arrangements were made upon the medical discharge of the three injured Grenadiers, Adrian Hicks, John Ray and Sean Povey.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Lance corporal Ray is still in the Army and has embarked upon the resettlement process. Guardsman Povey is also still in the Army but has yet to start resettlement.

  Guardsman Hicks has left the Army. He spent a total of 235 days, divided into two periods, at the defence services medical rehabilitation unit RAF Headley Court, where he passed his driving test. He has received guidance from the MOD's resettlement advice officer and the employment services disablement resettlement officer. He was assessed at an employment resettlement centre last year and subsequently underwent a resettlement training course at Henswell, near Lincoln. After discharge from the services, any further training is the responsibility of the disablement resettlement officer of the employment services, but of course his regimental association will continue to take an active interest in his after care.
  465
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he personally has read the findings of the board of inquiry into the Army exercise accident involving guardsmen Adrian Hicks, John Ray and Sean Povey on 7 July 1989.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been briefed on the content of the board of inquiry's report.

  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he will make available documents key to the cases of Grenadier guardsmen Adrian Hicks, John Ray and Sean Povey in formulating their cases under the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987, and in particular the Range Orders, the full findings of the subsequent board of inquiry and the precise safety briefings given to men prior to embarking on the training exercise of 7 July 1989;

  (2) why documents key to Grenadier guardsmen Adrian Hicks, John Ray and Sean Povey in pursuing their cases of negligence under the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 have not yet been made available to them.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The solicitors acting for Guardsmen Hicks, Ray and Povey already have a summary of the findings of the board of inquiry report. A copy of the exchange of notes between the United Kingdom and Canadian Governments regarding the training of United Kingdom forces in Canada and of the Batus range standing orders have now been sent to them. No information on the briefing provided for the training exercise is held by the Ministry of Defence but safety precautions, including the procedures for reporting and disposing of unexploded ammunition are covered in the range standing orders.

  Mr. John Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases have been brought under the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act since it came into force in 1987; and in how many of those cases a claim of negligence was upheld.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 came into force, and as at 20 May 1991, a total of 1,619 claims have been received. Of these, 235 have been accepted and settled. 331 have either not been pursued further by the claimant or have not been accepted and 1,053 are currently under investigation.

  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what precise steps were taken to ensure the effective execution of safety procedures by the 1 Battalion Grenadier Guards on the Batus training area in Canada on 7 July 1989.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Comprehensive range safety procedures are laid down in the range standing orders, which must be followed by all units.

  The steps to be taken to ensure that these procedures are known to all Batus personnel are laid down in the orders. It is the responsibility of commanders at all levels to ensure that the safety procedures are rigorously obeyed.

  The board of inquiry convened to investigate this incident did not identify any contravention of any order, procedure or drill.

  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide the details, including assumed 466
  discount rate and time of money flows, behind the actuarial assessment of the £150,000 present value equivalent award which he gave to the House in the Adjournment debate on 3 June, Official Report, column 136.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In arriving at the estimated present value equivalent to the MNOD and DSS benefits awarded, future pension payments (which are linked to the retail price index) payable from discharge until death were discounted at a rate of just over 4 per cent. per annum, this being the assumed rate of investment return available in excess of future price increases, based on the real return available in December 1990 on idex linked British Government securities.

  The present equivalent award was estimated at about £143,000 assuming the death occurs at age 60, or £161,000 assuming death at age 75.

  Army Manpower
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what change in the roles and commitments of the British Army led to his recently announced manpower cuts.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) and the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett) on 4 June at column 143.

  Housing, Wales
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the total number of Ministry of Defence housing units to be found on(a) Royal Air Force and (b) Army bases in Wales in each of the years (i) 1969, (ii) 1979 and (iii) 1989.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The total number of Army and RAF married quarters and civilian houses owned by the Ministry of Defence in Wales on 31 March 1989 was as follows:

  1979

  1989

  RAF

  2,365

  2,014

  Army

  674

  516

  Statistics do not differentiate between houses on or off base. Records are not available for 1969.

  Welsh Military Bases
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list of all military bases currently within Wales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are 16 major defence establishments in Wales. These are shown with their function in the table. In addition there are many minor facilities located throughout the Principality.

  Establishment

  Main function

  Brecon

  HQ Wales and NCO tactical wing

  Castlemartin

  Armoured corps training area

  Sennybridge

  Principal Army training area

  Bridgend

  Army vehicle workshop

  RNAD Trecwn/Milford Haven

  Royal naval armament depot

  467

  Establishment

  Main function

  AWE Llanishen

  RAF tactical weapons training

  RAF St. Athan

  Aircraft maintenance and technical training centre

  RAF Sealand

  Specialist repair centre for avionics

  RAF Valley

  Advanced flying training

  RAF Caerwent

  United States Army ammunition storage facility

  RAE Aberporth

  Royal Aircraft Establishment

  MSD Pembroke dock

  Marine and salvage depot

  Llangennech

  Forms and publications depot

  P and EE Pendine

  Proof and experimental establishment

  RAE Llanbedr

  Royal Aircraft Establishment

  The Gulf
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on impediment by the Spanish Government of the British contribution to the war effort in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I am not aware of any such impediment by the Spanish Government. Spain generously provided a range of practical assistance, including air transport, in support of British forces.

  Operation Granby
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel involved during the period of Operation Granby were(a) members of the volunteer forces, either serving in the Gulf or in United Kingdom assisting with the effort on releasing regular personnel or (b) personnel serving on SSVCs or S type engagements with the regular forces in the Gulf or in United Kingdom assisting with the effort or releasing regular personnel.
  468
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: A total of 877 members of the volunteer reserves were called out for service during Operation Granby. Nearly 500 other personnel from the Territorial Army served on short service voluntary commissions or special type S short-term attachments with the regular Army last year, many in support of Operation Granby, and 6 Royal Marines Reservists undertook similar attachments with the Royal Marines. In addition, considerable assistance was provided by volunteer reservists on an informal basis at local level.

  Helicopters
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters which served in the Gulf were painted in desert colours; how many such helicopters have been re-painted in ordinary camouflage; how many helicopters will be painted in desert colours for the fly-past in June; what is the cost of painting desert colours on the helicopters which will take part in the fly-past; and how many helicopters painted in desert colours will be re-painted in ordinary camouflage after the fly-past.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 June 1991]: All British helicopters deployed to the Gulf were painted in desert camouflage. About half have already had, or will shortly have, this paint removed. The remainder will be repainted in normal camouflage colours as they undergo scheduled overhauls. No helicopters will be repainted specifically for the fly-past, although the desert colours of some of those taking part may need to be touched up for anti-corrosion purposes. The cost of this will be minimal.

  CAMBODIA: AID
  CAMBODIA: AID
  CAMBODIA: AID IMPLEMENTATION
  CAMBODIA: AID IMPLEMENTATION
  BURMA: AID
  BURMA: AID
  BURMA: UN AID
  BURMA: UN AID
  ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS: POLICY
  ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS: POLICY