Written Answers of 8 March 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Mortgage Possessions
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Attorney-General how many mortgage possession actions were issued in the Upminster court area in the last 12 months.

  The Attorney-General
  There is no county court at Upminster. Upminster falls within the district of Romford county court, which in 1990 issued 1,180 mortgage possession actions and made 434 orders for possession.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Central America
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much total bilateral aid to central America was in 1990.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Aid statistics for 1990 are not yet available. Figures for previous years can be found in the 1990 edition of "British Aid Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Council of Europe (UK Delegation)
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

  Mr. MacGregor
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed the hon. Member for Newport, East (Mr. Hughes) as a full member in place of the former hon. Member for Neath, the late Donald Coleman.

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he gives to local authorities that consider planning applications on land which they are themselves marketing and selling to private developers.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 provides that when determining proposals for development of its own land a local authority is bound by the same statutory rules which apply to the determination of any other planning application. It must have regard to the provisions of the development plan, where relevant, and to any other material considerations. The ownership of the land concerned is not a material consideration.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently registered as community charge payers in England.

  Mr. Key
  The figure is 35,900,000.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dixon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of Government grants for 1990–91 per head of population in (a) the London borough of Wandsworth and (b) South Tyneside borough council.

  Mr. Key
  Government grants in 1990–91 consist of revenue support grant, special grants, specific grants in aggregate external finance, community charge benefit grant and transitional relief grant. Government grants per head of relevant population in 1990–91 are £677 in Wandsworth and £369 in South Tyneside.

  Public Buildings (Windows)
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, following the terrorist attack on Downing street, he will direct the Property Services Agency to fit laminated glass in all Government buildings;

  (2) if, following the bomb attack on Victoria station, he will order a review of the types of glass fitted in facilities in public areas;

  (3) if he will instruct the Property Services Agency to undertake a review of the types of glass fitted in public buildings with respect to the effect of attacks by bombs and other explosive devices.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 7 February. It would not be appropriate to give details of any particular measures which may be taken.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to combat homelessness in the Manchester and Greater Manchester areas; and what further measures he intends to take.

  Sir George Young
  Resources for housing are allocated through the housing investment programme for local authorities and through the Housing Corporation for housing associations. The general needs index, which determines local authority allocations under the housing investment programme, has been revised to take greater account of homelessness pressures. For 1991–92 local authorities in the Greater Manchester area have been allocated £113.948 million through the housing investment programme. For 1991–92 housing associations in the north-west region, including Greater Manchester, have been allocated £104·5 million through the Housing Corporation. Also in 1991–92 three Manchester-based voluntary organisations concerned with homelessness—SHADES city centre project, Hulme Action research project and Selcare Trust outreach and resettlement project—will be receiving grants from my Department under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 for the first time.

  Oil Pollution (Bahrain)
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the recent request by the Government of Bahrain for equipment to help combat oil pollution.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry), is visiting Bahrain on 9 March for discussions with the Government of Bahrain and to see at first hand the counter-pollution preparations for dealing with the Gulf oil spills. I will be presenting a first consignment of three oil recovery skimmers which the United Kingdom is making available to the Government of Bahrain. We expect a further consignment of three skimmers will be airlifted to Bahrain shortly. The cost of these operations is estimated at £300,000 and a new subhead is being created on class VIII, vote 5 to enable the provision of oil recovery equipment to Bahrain.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the regulatory framework for introducing integrated pollution control and local authority air pollution control under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will be completed.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am pleased to announce that my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, for Wales and for Scotland have today laid before Parliament four statutory instruments relating to part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These are:the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1991, which define the processes to be covered by local authority air pollution control and by integrated pollution control (IPC); the substances, the release of which to air, land and water are to be controlled; and the timetable for the implementation of part I of the 1990 Act;
  the Environmental Protection (Applications, Appeals and Registers) Regulations 1991, which deal with the procedures for making an application for an authorisation under part I of the 1990 Act; consultation with the public and statutory consultees; the appeals procedures; and public registers of information;
  the Disposal of Controlled Waste (Exceptions) Regulations 1991, which deal with the interface between the waste controls exercised currently under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and the two new control regimes established under part I of the 1990 Act; and
  the Environmental Protection (Authorisation of Processes) (Determination Periods) Order, which proves for an extension of the period allowed for the determination of an application for an authorisation under part I of the 1990 Act, where an application is made for information to be withheld from the public register on grounds of national security or commercial confidentiality; and, where an application is made for an existing plant which falls to local authority control, for a reduction of the period allowed for determining applications relating to certain small waste oil burners.

  These statutory instruments provide the main regulatory basis for the introduction of integrated pollution control and local authority air pollution control on 1 April.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will make a statement on cost recovery charges for local authority air pollution control;

  (2) whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution cost recovery charges for integrated pollution control.
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  Mr. Trippier
  The Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides for the introduction of charges to cover the costs of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HM IP) and the National Rivers Authority (NRA) in regulating processes under integrated pollution control (IPC), and to cover the costs of local authorities in regulating processes for air pollution control.

  With the agreement of the Treasury, the Secretary of State has now made schemes of charges for the two control systems which will both take effect from 1 April 1991. I will be placing copies of these in the Library.

  Last July, the Department published a consultation document inviting comments on proposed charging schemes for IPC and local authority pollution control, both taking the form of an application fee payable when a process was submitted for authorisation, an annual subsistence charge payable for holding an authorisation, and a fee for consideration of substantial variation of an authorisation.

  The Department has received some 79 responses on these proposals, a list of which has been placed in the Library. Copies of individual responses may be obtained through the Library.

  In the case of processes subject to IPC, which vary substantially in size and complexity, it was proposed in the consultation document to relate IPC fees and charges to the number of specified "components" which the process comprised. Thus a small metal-plating plant might have one or two components, while an iron and steelworks might have 25 components or more, and pay correspondingly larger charges. Respondents generally agreed that the proposed structure of IPC charges and the component-based approach provided a satisfactory basis for relating charges to regulatory effort, without undue administrative complexity.

  The scheme now made therefore operates on this basis. The application fee will be £1,800 per component, or £1,200 for a process already subject to Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution air pollution control. The annual subsistence charge will be £500 per component. Where the process also involves discharge to controlled water and is thus subject to monitoring and oversight by the National Rivers Authority, the subsistence charge will include an element to meet these costs also. The substantial variation fee will be £600 per component.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's forecast 1991–92 costs relating to IPC, to be recovered through the fees and charges, amount to some £5·9 million. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will closely monitor its expenditure and at the end of the financial year will publish detailed accounts and information on charging and regulatory costs.

  The scheme for local authority air pollution control is broadly similar to that for IPC, except that the fees and charges are set per process, and components do not apply, since the processes coming under local authority control are less diverse in size and complexity. The application fee is £800, the annual subsistence charge £500, and the substantial variation fee £530. Reflecting a simplified authorisation procedure for small waste oil burners, the application fee for these is £100 and the annual subsistence charge £100. The Department intends to review the scheme later in the year, in consultation with interested parties.
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  The schemes take account of many useful comments received, and extensive discussion with industry and other interested parties, to ensure that detailed operation is straightforward and equitable.

  Local Government Finance (EC)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline the method of funding used to finance local government in each of the 11 other members of the European Community.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 6 March 1991]: Information on local government revenue in the European Community is compiled by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and published in "Revenue Statistics of OECD Member Countries". The information requested is set out in the following tables.

  Local government tax revenue sources (per cent.)

  Income taxes

  Corporate, profit, capital gains, etc.

  Social security contributions

  Payroll taxes

  Property taxes

  Taxes on goods and services

  Other taxes

  Belgium

  66·5

  11·6

  5·8

  0·0

  0·0

  16·1

  0·0

  Denmark

  89·8

  1·8

  0·0

  0·0

  8·3

  0·1

  0·0

  France

  15·2

  0·0

  0·0

  4·4

  34·2

  13·0

  33·2

  FR Germany (State)1

  51·7

  10·6

  0·0

  0·0

  5·5

  32·2

  0·0

  FR Germany (Local)1

  66·1

  14·9

  0·0

  0·0

  18·1

  0·7

  0·3

  Greece2

  10·8

  0·0

  0·0

  37·9

  7·1

  44·1

  0·0

  Italy

  26·7

  19·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  54·3

  0·0

  Luxembourg

  34·2

  47·0

  0·0

  0·0

  4·0

  14·8

  0·0

  Netherlands

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  75·0

  25·0

  0·0

  Portugal

  0·0

  38·9

  0·0

  0·0

  20·1

  40·6

  0·4

  Republic of Ireland

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  100·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Spain

  16·9

  16·4

  0·0

  0·0

  22·8

  42·7

  1·3

  Source: Revenue Statistics of OECD Countries 1965–1989, all figures 1987 unless otherwise stated.

  1 Figures for Germany are based on 1985 data.

  2 Figures for Greece are based on 1980 data.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total value of work carried out for the Property Services Agency at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich by CITEC Electric Ltd.; and when the company will receive payment.

  Mr. Yeo
  The total value of work carried out for the Property Services Agency at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich by CITEC Electric Ltd. is £2,029·90 inclusive of VAT, which has been paid to the company in full.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements are in hand for the inspection of city technology colleges by Her Majesty's inspectorate; if he will detail the number, location and frequency of visits by inspectors; and if he will make it his policy to publish the findings.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The inspection arrangements provide for each CTC to be visited in their first term of 300

  Local government revenue sources

  Percentage

  Grants

  Fees/ fines

  Other revenues

  Tax revenue

  Belgium1

  63·4

  —

  —

  36·6

  Denmark

  42·0

  5·3

  4·8

  47·9

  France

  34·8

  16·2

  5·1

  43·9

  FR Germany (State)2

  15·3

  7·9

  5·3

  71·4

  FR Germany (Local)2

  26·7

  22·1

  13·4

  37·8

  Greece3

  25·6

  27·9

  14·6

  31·9

  Italy

  90·4

  2·1

  5·2

  2·2

  Luxembourg

  33·2

  4·8

  6·7

  55·4

  Netherlands

  80·8

  5·1

  8·3

  5·8

  Portugal4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Republic of Ireland

  71·3

  10·6

  11·9

  6·2

  Spain

  27·1

  10·2

  5·4

  57·3

  Source: Revenue statistics of OECD countries 1965–89, all figures 1987 unless otherwise stated.

  1Figures for fees/finesand other revenues are not available. Percentage share between grants and taxes will, therefore, be smaller than shown in table.

  2 Figures for Germany are based on 1985 data.

  3 Figures for Greece are based on 1980 data.

  4 Figures for grants, fees/fines and other revenues are not available for Portugal.

  existence to enable the DES to register them as independent schools, a legal requirement placed upon all such schools. Following this, termly visits are being made at present. In addition, as with any other school, Her Majesty's inspectorate is invited to visit individual CTCs from time to time to offer advice. The number of inspection visits made by Her Majesty's inspectorate to each CTC is as follows:

  Kingshurst: seven

  Djanogly and MacMillan: four each

  Bradford, Emmanuel, Harris and Leigh: one each.

  As is the case for all schools such routine visits do not result in published reports. The findings are conveyed orally to the principal and the chairman of governors or other nominated governors. I have no plans to publish the records of such visits to CTCs or to any other school. Where the inspection is both designed and intended to result in a formal written report then the CTC, like any other school, would be informed in advance that such was to be the outcome. The report would then be published by me in the usual way. The first inspection which is expected to lead to a published report is to be carried out early in this coming summer term at Kingshurst CTC.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blackburn,Official Report, 26 February, column 434, if he will place in the Library details of the evidence he has available of the past neglect by local education authorities of grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The capital allocations for grant-maintained schools were in response to deficiencies identified by GM schools in their existing buildings. The expenditure covers repair work in some cases and in other cases adaptation and new construction to allow for the implementation of the national curriculum.

ENERGY

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan), of 18 February,Official Report, column 29, what consideration has been given to the experience of the loss of coolant at the power station at Mihama, Japan on the design and cost of the Sizewell B power station.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The incident referred to, a rupture of a steam generator tube, resulted in a release of radioactivity which was extremely small and constituted no danger to the population or the environment. In preparing the safety case and cost estimates for Sizewell B, the CEGB took full account of the possibility of such an incident occurring. Indeed, this was one of the incidents which was specifically addressed at the Sizewell B public inquiry, and it is also addressed in all of the station's safety reports. The design of the reactor and its protective systems are such as to make the possibility of a significant release of radioactivity from incidents involving a loss of reactor coolant extremely remote. Nevertheless, I understand that Nuclear Electric plc maintains a watching brief on overseas incidents so that it can review their safety procedures in the light of any lessons which might be learnt.

  Independent Electricity Generators
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the effects on independent electricity generators of the bulk supply tariff rates determined by the CEGB successor companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Electricity prices are now determined under the contractual and operating arrangements which have been established for the newly structured industry. There are no bulk supply tariffs.

  Oil Exports
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if exports will be permitted of crude oil from the United Kingdom continental shelf to the countries of central and eastern Europe.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Her Majesty's Government have decided that the guidelines, introduced on 31 January 1979 —Official Report, column 461—which govern the
  302
  destination of crude oil exports from the United Kingdom continental shelf shall be withdrawn with immediate effect. This means that there will be no inhibition on companies exporting crude oil to the countries of central and eastern Europe, and other countries with one exception. This initiative is primarily in response to the oil supply difficulties of countries in central and eastern Europe as a result of falling exports from the Soviet Union and the loss of supplies from Iraq and Kuwait.

  While European Community measures exist on the export of crude oil to South Africa, Her Majesty's Government will expect companies exporting crude oil to abide by these measures by not exporting crude oil from the United Kingdom continental shelf to South Africa.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Pint Glasses
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to make use of his powers under the Weights and Measures Act 1979 to clarify the definition of a pint when it is served into a brim measure glass, and to encourage the licensed trade to introduce line measure glasses.

  Mr. Leigh
  There is little evidence of dissatisfaction amongst individual consumers about how beer is served. I therefore have no plans for action on these matters.

  ECGD (Insurance Services Group)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 5 March to the hon. Member for Leeds, North-West (Dr. Hampson),Official Report, column 88, if he will require the payment of any form of bond by those shortlisted tenderers for the acquisition of the insurance services group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department, for access to commercially sensitive information on the insurance services group.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. Confidentiality undertakings have been obtained from each company invited to tender. In the event of a breach of any undertaking the Secretary of State will be able to pursue legal remedies through the United Kingdom courts.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 5 March, to the hon. Member for Leeds, North-West (Dr. Hampson),Official Report, columns 88–89, what restriction he is placing on the numbers of staff of the shortlisted tenderers for the acquisition of the insurance services group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department who will be allowed to see details of insurance services group's commercial transactions, operations, figures and accounts; and what methods he proposes to prevent the subsequent commercial misuse of any such information acquired in the tendering process by unsuccessful bidders.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Each shortlisted company has entered into a detailed confidentiality undertaking to the Secretary of State which restricts, on a need-to-know basis, the persons allowed to see the detailed information provided in connection with the tender. It has been drafted to protect the interests of the Secretary of State and the eventual buyer and to achieve an appropriate balance between the restrictions imposed and the need to use the
  303
  information for the purpose of the tender. Legal remedy is open to the Secretary of State if there is evidence of misuse. Overseas companies who have been invited to tender have submitted to the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom courts.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 5 March,Official Report, columns 88–89, to the hon. Member for Leeds, North-West, on what date he expects the shortlisted candidates for purchasing the insurance services group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department to visit the insurance services group headquarters in Cardiff.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There will be different dates for each short-listed candidate. The precise dates are currently under discussion with the short-listed companies, but the visits are expected to take place during April.

  Salmon
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely increase in imports of Norwegian farmed salmon following the imposition of United States tariffs on imports to the United States of America; and of the impact of these Norwegian imports on the United Kingdom salmon farming industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The final determination in the United States anti-dumping case against farmed salmon from Norway has yet to be made by the US International Trade Commission. It is not possible to quantify the effect which the eventual decision in this case may have on Norwegian exports of farmed salmon.

  However, in recommending the termination of the anti-dumping case brought in the European Community by Scottish and Irish salmon producers, the Commission has agreed to follow closely the export of Norwegian farmed salmon to the Community and, if necessary, to initiate further discussions with the Norwegian Government.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made with the European Community anti-dumping investigation into farmed salmon from Norway.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Following assurances given by the Norwegian Government on measures to stabilise the market in farmed salmon, the European Comrnission submitted a proposal to the Council of Ministers to close the investigation without remedy. The Commission has also agreed, at the request of the United Kingdom, to follow closely the export of Norwegian farmed salmon to the Community and, if necessary, to initiate further discussions with the Norwegian Government.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn),Official Report, 22 January, columns 118–19, he will list the dates and locations of the seminars on export controls to which he makes reference; and if he will indicate the number and types of companies in attendance; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of the seminars.
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  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 28 February 1991]: DTI non-proliferation seminars have been held this year in Southampton (17 January), Manchester (31 January) and London (5 February), and were attended by 30, 52 and 160 delegates respectively. A broad cross-section of United Kingdom industry was represented, with particularly strong participation from the electronics and defence industries. The programme of non-proliferation seminars will continue through the remainder of this year and events are already planned for Edinburgh (18 April), Bristol (4 June) and Birmingham (11 June).

  I am satisfied that the seminars are making a valuable contribution to heightening awareness about the risks of clandestine procurement activities and explaining export controls.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what address smaller firms in the construction and in the catering equipment industry should address their inquiries for supply of goods and services to Kuwait and the Gulf states.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 7 March 1991]: All inquiries on project business should be directed to the DTI's projects and export policy division in 1–19 Victoria street London SW1. Telephone 071 215 5381/4887.

  All other inquiries should be made to the Kuwait desk in the DTI's overseas trade division. Telephone 071 215 5491/4388/5081/5221/4246. (Address as above).

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to introduce smaller specialist United Kingdom companies and skilled persons to the purchasing authorities in Kuwait and the Gulf states.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 7 March 1991]: The Government of Kuwait have been made aware of the range of experience and capabilities available from British industry in the prospectus presented to them during the visit to Ta'if last month of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary with senior business men. At this early stage in the reconstruction of Kuwait it is not possible to advise on opportunities for supplying specific goods and services. My Department is keeping a list of companies which have expressed interest in opportunities in Kuwait and will provide relevant information through the export intelligence service (EIS) when it becomes available. Companies that do not already subscribe to the EIS are advised to do so and to ask to be profiled for Kuwait. Smaller firms should register their interest with the Crown Agents and should also explore the possibilities for sub-contracting to larger companies with experience in the Gulf. Companies which formerly had agents in Kuwait should seek to re-establish contact with them or with agents in other Gulf markets. The normal export services of my Department remain available to assist exporters to other Gulf markets. Persons seeking emloyment in Kuwait should register their interest with the Employment Service overseas placing unit in Sheffield.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Escapees
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether Olutayo Akinkunmi, who escaped from Spring Hill on 13 January 1990, has since been recaptured; and whether his offence was drug related;

  (2) whether Olutayo Akinkunmi, and Mojeed Gbadegesin Osinboyejo, who escaped from Spring Hill on 13 January 1990 and 15 April 1990, and Mercades Cano who escaped from Askew Grange on 18 August 1990, have since been recaptured.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Mojeed Osinboyejo and Mercades Cano are still unlawfully at large.

  Olutayo Akinkunmi was sentenced at Reading crown court on 6 September 1988 to two and a half years' imprisonment for the illegal importation of drugs (herbal cannabis). He absconded from Spring Hill open prison on 13 January 1990 and was recaptured on 13 May 1990. He was deported on his release from prison on 16 July 1990.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his answers of 25 February,Official Report, column 398, 28 February, Official Report, column 568, and 1 March, Official Report, column 648, on recaptures of escaped prisoners, what sentences the escapers had been given; and how much had been served, in each case.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Maureen Amaker Mgbadike was sentenced to three years' imprisonment and had served 10 months of her sentence when she absconded.

  Desiree Adina Caesar was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and had served one year one month and 11days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Nana Adoma Frimpomaah was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and had served one year 23 days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Abiodan Kafo was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and had served one year two months and 19 days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Joke Lawal was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment and had served one year four months and 22 days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Tina Tony Okpoye was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and had served one year two months and 25 days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Agatha Ekwueme was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and had served 11 months and five days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Tawakality Jaiyesimi was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and had served one year of her sentence when she absconded.

  Bhagyawati Jain was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment and had served one year two months and 11 days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Uche Angela Okeke was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment and had served one year four months and nine days of her sentence when she absconded.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Shersby
  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 crime 306
  clear-up rate for 1990; and if he will publish in the Official Report the number of crimes cleared up in the Metropolitan area in each of the past two years.

  Mr. John Patten
  Figures published by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis show the clear up rate for notifiable offences recorded in the Metropolitan police district in 1990 was 17 per cent. and the number of crimes cleared up had risen from 131,400 in 1989 to 141,700 in 1990.

  Police Pensions
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the annual expenditure for each of the years 1986 to 1990, inclusive, on ordinary police pensions; and how many of the officers receiving pensions during each of these years were compulsorily retired on account of age.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Expenditure on police pensions in England and Wales was as follows:

  £ million

  Gross expenditure1

  Police officers' contributions

  Net expenditure

  1986–87

  386·9

  163·4

  223·5

  1987–88

  423·1

  186·1

  237·0

  1988–89

  457·0

  203·3

  253·7

  1989–90

  512·5

  221·7

  290·8

  1 Includes annual payments, commutations, net transfer values and refunds of contributions.

  Information to answer the second part of the question is not held centrally.

  Mr. Delbert Gordon
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the solicitor acting for Delbert Devon Gordon from Jamaica, Home Office reference G291458, was sent the explanatory statement for an appeal lodged in January 1990; when he intends to reply to the latest letter on this topic from the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch; and if he will make a statement about the reasons for the lengths of time involved in his Department's dealings in this matter.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are substantial backlogs of appeals awaiting preparation of explanatory statements and these have regrettably delayed work on Mr. Gordon's case. However, the statement has been prepared and will be despatched to the appellate authorities very shortly. I will write to the hon. Member when this has been done. The appellate authorities will make arrangements for the explanatory statement to be forwarded to the appellant's nominated representative.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the recent post office investigation into leaked documents at the Commission for Racial Equality; and what was the cost of the investigation and who paid for it.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I understand that the outcome of this post office investigation was inconclusive and no action was taken. The cost, paid by the Commission for Racial Equality, was £2,303.
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  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the number of redundancies declared under the recent restructuring proposals at the Commission for Racial Equality, giving an ethnic and gender breakdown.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I understand that three officers took compulsory early retirement or severance because of the recent structural changes at the Commission for Racial Equality. All were men—one African, one Asian and one white.

TRANSPORT

  Red Routes
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the appointed establishment in personnel he expects as a consequence of the appointment of the traffic director of London red routes and any other additions to departmental staff; and what increase he expects in net costs over current costs of parking control.

  Mr. Chope
  As to the establishment of the traffic director I refer the hon. Member to the explanatory and financial memorandum accompanying the Road Traffic Bill. I do not expect any permanent addition to departmental staff. The cost of enforcing the arrangements for on-street parking in London proposed in connection with the Road Traffic Bill cannot be estimated at this stage, but it is intended that enforcement action by the local authorities should be self financing.

  London Traffic
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish his draft statutory objectives for the proposed London directors of traffic and the draft statutory guidance for traffic management and parking, respectively, as required by clauses 42, 43 and 54 of the Road Traffic Bill as at Third Reading in the House of Commons.

  Mr. Chope
  In the autumn.

  Fuel Efficiency
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures the Government are taking to ensure that fuel efficiency is promoted in car advertisements.

  Mr. Chope
  I have recently held discussions with the Advertising Standards Authority, which is now taking a more active role in controlling advertisements that stress high speed. This should have benefits in terms of both safety and fuel efficiency.

  Wherever a new vehicle is offered for sale, the results of its official fuel consumption test are required by law to be displayed. Dealers are also required to have available my Department's publication "New Car Fuel Consumption —The Official Figures". This enables different models to be compared.

  British Rail Land
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what land he has purchased within the past two years within the Wakefield constituency from British Rail.
  308
  Mr. McLoughlin
  No such land has been purchased within the past two years.

  London Airports
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that no use will be made of Northolt airport for any present or future overflow traffic from Heathrow; what plans he has to extend current civil and commercial traffic using Northolt airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is the Government's policy that airliners should take precedence at Heathrow and Gatwick, and that smaller airports around London should cater for business aviation operations displaced from the two major airports. There are no specific proposals to increase the use of Northolt by civil aircraft.

  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the decision to abolish rules 1, 2 and 3 of the traffic distribution rules for airports will have on the number of permitted air traffic movements at RAF Northolt.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  None.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the reduction of aircraft noise over Ealing, Hanwell, Perivale, Greenford and Northolt; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Older, noisier jet aircraft (the so-called chapter 2 types) will be progressively phased out over the next decade. That will mean individual aircraft will increasingly be only of the quieter types, which are less intrusive, and as a result the noise climate will improve.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to allow night flights at Heathrow airport after 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  When the present night restrictions were introduced, their objective was to improve the night noise climate around Heathrow and Gatwick without imposing unnecessary restrictions on the airline industry. That objective will be the starting point when we review the current night restrictions. As announced on 12 July 1990 we are conducting a major research project on the effect of aircraft noise on sleep. Its conclusions will be taken into account in the review.

EMPLOYMENT

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many laboratories have been registered as being in containment category 4; and how many projects using genetically modified organisms at containment level 4 have been approved in the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  Eighteen centres with category 4 containment facilities are registered as having notified the Health and Safety Executive under the Health and Safety (Dangerous Pathogens) Regulations 1981.

  No work involving the use of genetically modified organisms at level 4 containment has been notified under the Genetic Manipulation Regulations 1989.
  309
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial large-scale plants using genetically modified organisms have been notified to the Health and Safety Executive in the last 10 years; and how many were GILSP containment category 1, 2 or 3.

  Mr. Forth
  Notification of the large-scale use of genetically modified organisms was only made mandatory in 1989. Since 1989, 38 centres have notified the Health and Safety Executive of work with genetically modified organisms classified as requiring good large-scale practice. No distinction is made between industrial and non-industrial large scale notifications.

  Since 1989, one centre has notified work in large scale categories 1 to 3.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many laboratories have been registered as being in contain-ment category 3; and how many projects using genetically modified organisms at containment level 3 have been approved in the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  There is no requirement in United Kingdom law to notify containment level 3 facilities for naturally occurring pathogens.

  Since 1989, three projects have been notified to the Health and Safety Executive for work with genetically modified organisms at level 3 containment.

  Silicosis
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action his office proposes to prevent the recurrence of the disease silicosis in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The Health and Safety Commission is currently consulting with employers, trades unions and other interested parties on a proposal to set a maximum exposure limit of 0·4mg/m3 for respirable crystalline silica

  Council district

  Estate/location

  Number of system built dwellings

  Type of construction

  (a) Number replaced

  (b) Number refurbished

  1.

  Coleraine borough council

  The Heights Coleraine

  138

  No fines concrete

  Nil

  138

  Coleraine borough council

  The Heights Coleraine

  13

  Aluminium bungalows

  Nil

  13

  Coleraine borough council

  Harper's hill Coleraine

  373

  Concrete construction with drylining

  Nil

  Nil

  Coleraine borough council

  Larkfield estate Kilrea

  35

  Timber frame

  Nil

  Nil

  Coleraine borough council

  Oakfield estate Kilrea

  20

  Timber frame

  Nil

  Nil

  Coleraine borough council

  Glen Estate Portrush

  184

  Timber frame

  Nil

  Nil

  2.

  Magherafelt district council

  Ashgrove estate Magherafelt

  70

  Timber frame

  Nil

  Nil

  Magherafelt district council

  Leckagh estate Magherafelt

  111

  Timber frame

  Nil

  Nil

  Magherafelt district council

  Mullaghbuoy estate Magherafelt

  54

  Orlit

  Nil

  54

  Magherafelt district council

  Crawfordsburn Maghera

  20

  Aluminium bungalows

  Nil

  20

  Magherafelt district council

  Sunnyside Park Maghera

  83

  Timber frame

  Nil

  Nil

  Magherafelt district council

  Mallon Villas Draperstown

  19

  Aluminium bungalows

  Nil

  19

  310
  which is the main causative agent of silicosis. Such a limit, enforced under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988, should ensure very stringent control of exposure to respirable crystalline silica throughout industry.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Building Control Fees
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the level of building control inspection fees and planning fees since 1980; and if it is his intention to increase the fees during the incoming financial year.

  Mr. Hanley
  Building control inspection fees were introduced in 1982 and increased in 1984, 1987 and 1990. Details of the charges are contained in tables 1 to 4 of SR 1982 No. 392, SR 1983 No. 388, SR 1986 No. 331 and SR 1989 No. 420. It is the Government's intention to consult later this year on a proposal to increase fees for prescribed building control functions during the financial year 1991–92.

  Housing Executive Dwellings
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Housing Executive dwellings in (i) Coleraine, (ii) Magherafelt and (iii) Limavady council districts were system built; in which estates in each council district they are located; how many have been(a) replaced or (b) refurbished in each estate; how many is it intended to replace over the next five years; and what type of construction was used for these buildings.

  Mr. Hanley
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the information requested is as follows:
  311

  Council district

  Estate/location

  Number of system built dwellings

  Type of construction

  (a) Number replaced

  (b) Number refurbished

  3.

  Limavady borough council

  Caman ParkBallykelly

  29

  Timber frame

  Nil

  Nil

  Limavady borough council

  Columbia Park Ballymonie

  43

  Cross wall

  Nil

  Nil

  Note: At present the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has no plans to replace any of the above dwellings within the next five years.

  Irish American Calendar
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the financial contribution made by Government Departments or public bodies to the publication of the Irish American 1991 calendar; and which Government Department or public body approved the commentary in the calendar.

  Mr. Hanley
  The financial contribution made by Government Departments and public bodies was 19,000 US dollars. The commentary, approved by each of the bodies represented, was aimed at promoting Northern Ireland for business and tourism.

  Short Brothers
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the implications for the other budgets within the department of Economic Development of expenditure on the privatisation of Short's.

  Mr. Hanley
  The costs associated with the privatisation of Short Brothers plc did not have any implications for other expenditure programmes undertaken by the Department of Economic Development. Additional funding as necessary was provided to the Department for this purpose.

  Local Government Boundaries
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will request the Local Government Boundary Commissioner to consider the grouping of wards into district electoral areas while he is preparing his recommendations arising from his review of local government boundaries in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  It would require a change to the statutory remit of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner to enable him to group wards into district electoral areas. My right hon. Friend intends to review the procedure for determining boundaries at the earliest opportunity but it would not be practicable to undertake such a review at present without unduly delaying the work of the commissioner.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of students attending all designated courses for student loans who are potentially eligible for student loans in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 7 March 1991]: The most recent estimate for the academic year 1990–91 of the number of students domiciled in Northern Ireland who are eligible for a loan is 27,000.

  Loan-bearing courses do not require designation if they are at institutions receiving support from public funds.
  312
  The Department of Education for Northern Ireland may designate as loan-bearing courses of higher education at other institutions under regulation 4 of the Education (Student Loans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990.

WALES

  Community Charge
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for the money provided by his Department under the community charge reduction scheme for(a) Cardiff and (b) the other Welsh districts.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In 1991–92, £62 million will be distributed under the community charge reduction scheme to 67 per cent. of chargepayers in Wales. In Cardiff £5,339,064 will be distributed and the latest figures for each Welsh district are given in the following table:

  Relief 1991–92

  Amount to bedistributed1991–92 £

  Cardiff

  5,339,064

  Alyn and Deeside

  930,509

  Colwyn

  422,127

  Delyn

  985,579

  Glyndwr

  1,840,542

  Rhuddlan

  1,271,099

  Wrexham Maelor

  4,153,219

  Carmarthen

  1,209,675

  Ceredigion

  794,067

  Dinefwr

  1,043,059

  Llanelli

  1,783,624

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  938,883

  South Pembrokeshire

  305,035

  Blaenau Gwent

  3,619,575

  Islwyn

  2,058,321

  Monmouth

  30,777

  Newport

  1,107,061

  Torfaen

  1,291,491

  Aberconwy

  213,118

  Arfon

  1,051,078

  Dwyfor

  524,813

  Meirionnydd

  619,281

  Ynys Mon

  1,335,028

  Cynon Valley

  3,129,318

  Merthyr Tydfil

  1,626,486

  Ogwr

  5,157,039

  Rhondda

  4,886,514

  Rhymney Valley

  2,830,399

  Taff Ely

  1,557,938

  Brecknock

  503,855

  Montgomeryshire

  282,259

  Radnorshire

  102,937

  Vale of Glamorgan

  158,560

  313

  Amount to bedistributed1991–92 £

  Port Talbot

  1,715,915

  Lliw Valley

  2,053,343

  Neath

  2,030,452

  Swansea

  3,117,960

  Wales

  62,000,000

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations he has received regarding burning of orimulsion at Ince power station; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list the organisations which have contacted his Department expressing opposition to the use of orimulsion at the Ince power station.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have received a number of representations about burning orimulsion at Ince power station. A letter from Friends of the Earth Cymru was forwarded to my Department by my hon. Friend the Member for Conwy (Sir W. Roberts) on 17 September 1990. A letter from Gwynedd county council was forwarded to my Department by the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 19 September.

  I have also received representations from the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) and the hon. Member, both of which were received on 24 September.

  Representations have also been made by Friends of the Earth to the Chester regional office of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Betting
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the sums received per annum by way of betting and other duty by Her Majesty's Government on(a) off-course and on-course betting, (b) amusement machines, (c) casinos, (d) bingo, (e) football pools and (f) small lotteries.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In the year ended 31 March 1990, receipts from betting and gaming duties were:

  £ million

  Off-course betting

  459

  On-course betting

  Nil

  Amusement machines

  Nil

  Gaming machines ie amusement with prizes and jackpot machines

  97

  Casino gaming

  50

  Bingo

  66

  Football pools

  304

  Small lotteries

  Nil

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish details of the latest assumptions used in the public expenditure planning process as to the likely 314
  level of (a) housing capital receipts and (b) other capital receipts generated by local authorities in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland in each of the planning years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 4 March 1991]: The Government do not plan local authorities' self-financed expenditure or capital receipts. The outlook for spending from local authorities' own resources is however taken into consideration during the annual public expenditure survey, although estimates of receipts are used only in respect of the forthcoming year. During the 1990 survey, it was estimated in broad terms that local authorities in England might generate the following levels of receipts in 1991–92 in respect of services within the English local authority block:

  £ billion

  Housing

  1·8

  Other

  1·1

  Levels of local authority capital receipts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not considered in the survey as these territories receive consequentials of the relevant parts of the English settlement.

  Electricity Companies
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 January,Official Report, column 509, whether he will state the grounds on which costs incurred by the electricity distribution companies in their change of ownership were regarded as general overheads of their business.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 7 March 1991]: As I explained in my previous reply, the shares of the electricity distribution companies were issued and sold on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy, who received all the proceeds.

  There was therefore no supply of shares by electricity distribution companies to which input tax was attributable. Any related costs incurred by the companies as a consequence fell to be treated with other non-attributable costs as general overheads of the business.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing how many people face marginal tax rates, both including and excluding social security, of (a) over 40 per cent., (b) over 50 per cent., (c) over 60 per cent., (d) over 70 per cent., (e) over 80 per cent., (f) over 90 per cent., and (g) over 100 per cent., (i) now and (ii) in each year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 25 February 1991]: Information is available only for marginal deduction rates including social security. Such information as is available is contained in the table.

  Numbers with marginal deduction rates at or above each level

  (thousands)

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  100 per cent. +

  70

  0

  0

  0

  90 per cent. +

  130

  45

  45

  45

  80 per cent. +

  290

  345

  210

  235

  315

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  70 per cent. +

  290

  515

  415

  395

  60 per cent. +

  450

  515

  420

  400

  50 per cent. +

  680

  515

  420

  400

  40 per cent.+

  n/a

  n/a

  455

  670

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on pooled family expenditure survey data and are cumulative.

  2. Calculated for benefit units in receipt of income-related benefits where at least one partner works 24 hours per week or more.

SCOTLAND

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at the Lord Advocate's Department.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Responsibility for the recruitment of senior grades lies with the Civil Service Commission. Grade 1 to 7 posts in the Lord Advocate's Department are almost exclusively staffed by lawyers. The extent to which ethnic minority groups are represented in the legal profession in Scotland is mirrored in recruitment.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of officers in each grade (1 to 7) and overall in the Lord Advocate's Department are(a) women and (b) from ethnic minorities, respectively.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As at 1 April 1990 there were 1,087 employees in the Lord Advocate's Department. Of this number 707 (65 per cent.) were women and 4 (0·3 per cent.) from ethnic minorities. The breakdown within grades 1 to 7 is as follows:

  Grades

  Total number of employees

  Women

  Ethnic minorities

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  1–4

  15·5

  nil

  (0)

  nil

  (0)

  5

  32·5

  2

  (6·1)

  nil

  (0)

  6

  40·0

  3

  (7·5)

  nil

  (0)

  7

  118·0

  48

  (40·6)

  1

  (0·8)

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Lord Advocate's Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origins of its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Following the 1987 survey the employment of persons from ethnic minorities is constantly monitored at all grades. There are no plans to make a statement at this time.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the total cost of the privatisation of the electricity industry in Scotland; how much is expected to be spent on(a) pre-sale costs, including marketing and (b) direct sale costs, including stamp duty and underwriting fees in each financial year; and if he will make a statement.
  316
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Expenditure on electricity privatisation in Scotland is published annually in the Appropriation Accounts. The annual outturn figures in respect of pre-sale costs are as follows:

  £

  1987–88

  616,000

  1988–89

  2,111,000

  1989–90

  3,811,000

  For 1990–91 £9·5 million has been provided to cover both pre-sale and direct sale costs. Direct sale costs will be announced after the sale in the usual way.

  The costs involved are small by comparison with the expected proceeds from the sale.

  Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will show the planned expenditure for the new local enterprise companies for 1991–92 as distributed between training and economic development.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  These are operational matters for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the chairmen to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the planned expenditure of Scottish Enterprise for(a) economic development and (b) training in 1991–92; and what were the equivalent figures in 1990–91.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Details of planned expenditure for Scottish Enterprise in 1991–92 together with equivalent figures for 1990–91 were published in table 3.6 of the Scottish Office departmental report "Serving Scotland's Needs" (Cm. 1515). The figures in that table for 1991–92 do not include the increases announced by my right hon. Friend on 2 February and 26 February. A breakdown of total expenditure which includes the £9.6 million announced on 2 February will be published in the Supply Estimates; but those estimates will not include the additional £13·6 million for employment training announced on 26 February, which will feature in a supplementary estimate to be taken later in the year.

  For the reasons explained in my reply to the hon. Member on Wednesday 19 December 1990 full details of planned expenditure on training in Scotland in 1990–91 are not available. The relevant figures published in table 3·6 of "Serving Scotland's Needs" are estimates of comparable Scottish Office estimate provision for training expenditure within the Scottish Enterprise area.

HEALTH

  Hospital Waiting lists
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his initiative to reduce hospital waiting lists.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is the time patients wait for treatment which is important, not total numbers on the list. I am pleased to inform the hon. Member that about half of all national health service in-patients are admitted
  317
  immediately and that of the remainder, half are admitted within five weeks. The problem of excessive waiting times is therefore concentrated on a minority of national health service patients. We are continuing the special waiting list fund in 1991–92 with a further £35 million to tackle this problem. Regions will match their allocations pound for pound bringing to £60 million the amount which will be available to reduce the number of patients who wait excessively long. £9 million from the fund has been earmarked for 80 of the worst lists in the country, which are to be investigated by a team from Qa Business Services.

  The National Health Service management executive is agreeing targets with all 14 regional health authorities for substantial reductions in the numbers of long waiters by March 1992.

  Product Licences
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the average time taken to grant product licences.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  During the past year the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has been reorganised into separate businesses, licensing procedures have been streamlined and additional professional staff have been allocated to licensing work. As a result there have been substantial improvements in the agency's performance.

  The agency is justifiably proud of its' position as the fastest licensing authority in the world for new drug substances. It wishes to retain this position. The director of the Medicines Control Agency has recently reported that it has actively sought to improve its performance in this area over the past 12 months.

  In the abridged (established drug substances) licensing area there has also been considerable progress. The time to reach a licensing decision on standard and complex applications has reduced from 16 months in September 1990 to 10 months in January 1991 and will be further reduced to four months by April 1992. For those applications which have to be submitted to a committee set up under section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968 the time taken has reduced from 19 months in September 1990 to 13 months in January this year and will be seven months by April 1992. These are net times and do not include the time industry may take, often significant, to respond to questions raised by the agency about their applications.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time taken to grant product licences for parallel imports.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  During the seven months from 1 January 1990 to 31 July 1990, the latest period for which figures are available, the average time taken from date of application to date of grant of a parallel import licence was 18 months.

  Medical Products
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to propose to the European Commission that products under article 5 of the draft directive on the legal status of the supply of medical products for human use should be listed on the assumption that products with the same brand name in different member states are identical unless the manufacturers otherwise specify.
  318
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. Under current proposals the draft directive on the classification of medicinal products for human use requires member states to publish a list of products subject on their territory to medical prescription and to communicate the list to the Commission and to other member states. The form in which the list would be produced is still the subject of negotiation.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will reintroduce a turnover-related element into the Medicines Control Agency fee system.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the course of its full review of the fee structure, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has been considering a number of options. The MCA will be publishing its proposals shortly.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to meet the chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers to discuss the accountability of the Medicines Control Agency.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No, but I understand that the chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers has had informal discussions with Medicines Control Agency officials and a further meeting is planned.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the upper limit on turnover for companies to be eligible for the payment concessions from the Medicines Control Agency.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received a number of representations that the limit on turnover, which allow companies to qualify for concessions in time for payment, should be raised. We are considering these in the full review of the Medicines Control Agency's fee structure.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received calling for the Medicines Control Agency fee structure to be amended; if he has any proposals to amend the fee structure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A number of representations have been received suggesting that the Medicines Control Agency's fee structure should be amended. The Medicines Control Agency has been carrying out a full review of its fee structure. New proposals should be published shortly.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms there are for hon. Members to raise the question of particular outstanding applications to the Medicines Control Agency.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is open to hon. Members to write to Ministers at any time to inquire on behalf of an applicant about progress of a particular application. Information about a licence application is, however, commercial in confidence and cannot be divulged without the permission of the applicant.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that the Medicines Control Agency processes product licence (parallel imports) licence applications quickly and effectively.
  319
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  From April 1990 the number of staff employed on product licence (parallel import) applications has been increased and procedures have been streamlined follwing the re-organisation of the Medicines Control Agency into separate businesses. The director of the Medicines Control Agency has recently announced in a speech to the British Institute of Regulatory Affairs the objective of eliminating all licence backlogs by April 1992.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy for the Medicines Control Agency to give an explanation if a product licence application is outstanding for more than six months.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. It is open to applicants to inquire to the Medicines Control Agency about the progress of their applications at any time. In addition, information on the time taken to grant licences is published by the MCA at regular intervals in the Medicines Act information leaflet.

  Association of Pharmaceutical Importers
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to invite the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers to join the joint consultative group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. the joint consultative group exists to provide an informal discussion forum comprising senior representatives of the Department, the Medicines Control Agency and the two principal trade associations. If it were expanded to cover other interested trade associations it could not function in that informal way.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers; and what matters were discussed.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have had no formal meetings with the chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been discharged from institutions for the mentally ill into community care since 1979; and what information he has as to how many of these people are amongst these currently classified as homeless.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of people discharged from(a) long-stay mental handicap and (b) long-stay mental illness hospitals since 1980.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information available centrally is given in the table. Figures up to 1986 exclude deaths and all transfers to other hospitals, while figures after 1986 only exclude deaths and transfers between hospitals within a district health authority.

  Centrally collected figures are not available on the current whereabouts of persons with a mental illness discharged from national health service hospitals and hospital units.
  320

  Discharges from mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units, in England 1979–89

  After a stay of one year or more

  All durations of stay

  Year

  Mental illness

  Mental handicap

  Mental illness

  Mental handicap

  1979

  3,460

  1,178

  149,027

  15,760

  1980

  3,376

  1,120

  158,556

  18,014

  1981

  3,516

  1,246

  163,583

  21,258

  1982

  3,465

  1,229

  162,230

  24,345

  1983

  3,563

  1,457

  167,535

  30,445

  1984

  3,928

  1,919

  171,144

  34,892

  1985

  3,441

  2,052

  176,200

  37,902

  1986

  3,571

  2,528

  176,351

  40,464

  1987–881

  3,900

  2,500

  181,350

  35,050

  1988–901

  5,150

  2,960

  188,600

  39,360

  1 Estimated number of finished district spells include transfers to other hospitals outside the district.

  Drugs
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his estimates of the annual cost to the national health service of introducing original pack dispensing for generic pharmaceuticals and of the pharmacists' containers allowance.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is not possible to estimate what the effect of introducing more original pack dispensing for generic pharmaceuticals might be on costs for the national health service.

  The cost of the container allowance for the year 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990 was £14·6 million.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposed European Community directive on patient information leaflets for pharmaceuticals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We support the principle of providing improved information to patients about their medicines as proposed by the EC.

  Discussions on details are in progress.

  Occupational Therapists
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many occupational therapists are employed by local authority social services departments in England; and what is the current vacancy rate.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  At 30 September 1989 the number of qualified occupational therapists employed in social services departments in England was 1,305 in whole-time equivalent (wte) terms. Of these, 65 staff (wte) were employed in capacities other than that of occupational therapist, for example, senior management.

  Information on the numbers of vacancies for occupational therapists in social services departments is not collected centrally.

  Respite Care
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each local authority social services department in England, the number of respite care beds provided in(a) residential care homes and (b) hostels.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Home Helps
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hours of home help service were provided by local authority social services departments in each year from 1979–80 to 1989–90.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about hours of home help service is not collected centrally. The numbers of home helps employed by social services departments in England in whole-time equivalent terms at 30 September in each year are set out in the table.

  Number

  1979

  44,660

  1980

  46,637

  1981

  46,541

  1982

  47,310

  1983

  49,326

  1984

  50,561

  1985

  51,959

  1986

  53,706

  1987

  56,336

  1988

  57,004

  Abortion
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has about administrative arrangements in London district health authorities for getting women who want abortions into the queue.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received any representations about the availability of abortion services in London.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Yes. Arrangements for the provision of abortion services within the national health service are the responsibility of individual health authorities. Queries of a local nature should be taken up with the chairman or general manager of the health authority concerned.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) for each of the last four years and (b) for each London district health authority the average waiting time for abortions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The available information is for the year 1987–88 and relates to waiting time for admissions for the category "legally induced abortion". For each of the four Thames regional health authorities the average, as expressed by the median waiting time, was one week. Reliable information is not available on a district basis.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) for each of the last four years and (b) for each London district health authority the number of abortions carried out.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of abortions performed on residents of the London district health authorities can be found as part of table 24a of OPCS annual review volumes "Abortion Statistics". These are published in series AB and copies are in the Library. The latest year for which data are available is 1989.
  322
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has issued guidelines about procedures for referrals for abortions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave her on 28 January at column 429.

  Interleukin II
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals are(a) currently conducting a clinical trial of Interleukin II or (b) prescribing Interleukin II on a named patient basis; and if he will list the hospitals concerned.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  For reasons of confidentiality information held by the Medicines Licensing Authority about clinical trials cannot be divulged. The Department does not have information about the use of drugs on a named patient basis.

  Maternity Cases
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list for the most recent year for England and for each national health service region the percentage of women whose deliveries were (i) at a domestic address, (ii) in a consultant ward of a national health service hospital, (iii) in a general practitioner ward of a national health service hospital, (iv) in a combined consultant/ general practitioner ward of a national health service hospital, (v) in a private hospital, (vi) in another hospital or institution and (vii) elsewhere;

  (2) if he will list for the most recent year for England and for each national health service region the percentage of women who had (i) general anaesthesia, (ii) epidural or caudal anaesthesia, (iii) spinal anaesthesia, (iv) combinations of these methods of anaesthesia and (v) none of these methods of anaesthesia during labour or delivery;

  (3) if he will list for the most recent year for England and for each national health service region the percentage of women (i) whose labours were surgically induced, (ii) whose labours were induced by oxytocic drugs, (iii) whose labours were induced by a combination of surgical methods and oxytocic drugs, (iv) whose labours were of spontaneous onset and (v) who had elective caesarean sections;

  (4) if he will list for the most recent year for England and for each national health service region the percentage of women whose deliveries were conducted by (a) a hospital doctor, (b) a general practitioner, (c) a midwife and (d) a person other than a doctor or a midwife.

  (5) if he will list for the most recent year for England and each national health service region the percentage of women whose deliveries were (a) spontaneous, including abnormal presentation of the head and breech spontaneous, (b) instrumental including forceps, ventouse and breech extractions, (c) caesarean sections and (d) by other and unspecified means.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 22 February 1991]: The most recent information available is for 1988–89, the first year for which additional delivery details were collected in the hospital episode statistics system. Following are the national estimates derived from these data; in the case of place of delivery, it has not been possible to provide the precise breakdown requested. The national percentages should be treated as approximate

  323
  figures and it is not possible to provide reliable regional estimates. Steps have been taken to improve quality and completeness of data which should reduce the level of approximation in later years and enable more detailed breakdowns to be made.

  Per cent.

  (i) Place of delivery

  In an NHS hospital:

  In a consultant ward

  61

  In a GP ward

  4

  In a consultant/GP ward

  33

  Other than NHS hospital

  2

  (ii) Anaesthetic administered

  General

  7

  Epidural or caudal

  15

  Spinal

  1

  Combination of the above

  1

  Other, including no anaesthetic

  60

  Not known

  15

  (iii) Method of onset of labour

  Surgically induced

  4

  Oxytocic drugs

  8

  Combination of the above

  6

  Spontaneous onset

  73

  Elective caesarian

  5

  Not known

  5

  (iv) Person conducting delivery

  Hospital doctor

  22

  General practitioner

  10

  Midwife

  72

  Other

  1

  Not known

  4

  (v) Method of delivery

  Spontaneous

  78

  Instrumental

  11

  Caesarian section

  10

  Other and unspecified

  1

  1 less than 0·5 per cent.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is his policy on allowing registration of private residential and nursing homes which refuse admission to residents who require income support to pay for their care;

  (2) what information he has on how many registered private residential or nursing homes currently refuse admission to residents who require income support to pay for their care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have no information about how many homes refuse admission to people requiring income support. Local authorities and health authorities are the registering authorities under the Registered Homes Act 1984. The Act sets out the criteria which enable a registration authority to refuse an application for registration. The admission of people who rely on income support is not among the criteria. There are no plans to seek amendment of the Act in this respect.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms exist to determine whether those in nursing homes in receipt of income support top-up payments towards the costs of nursing care are actually receiving nursing care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The person responsible for a nursing home has a statutory duty to provide adequate 324
  facilities and services to meet the care needs of their patients. District health authorities must inspect each home at least twice a year to ensure that this requirement is met.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most recent guidance issued to registration authorities with regard to privacy in residential care and nursing homes; and if he has any proposals to issue further guidance.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The question of privacy is dealt with in the 1989 social services inspectorate guidance "Homes are for Living In" and is also being covered in the current publications in the "Caring for Quality" series, of which three have already been issued and a further two are to follow. Copies will be placed in the Library. The Department's caring in homes initiative will reinforce the emphasis on good practice in residential care homes.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  The Gulf
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is his policy on the involvement of United States and British forces in future security arrangements for Gulf states;

  (2) what is his policy on a security agreement for the Gulf area involving states in the region and other states; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) whether he will make it his policy to ensure that the future security of the Gulf states is not based upon the armed forces of any one state in the region; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what is his policy on the involvement of north African states in the security of the Gulf region.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  New arrangements for the security of the Gulf states are matters for the states of the region themselves. We welcome the initiative taken by the Foreign Ministers of The Gulf Co-operation Council states, Egypt and Syria to discuss future security arrangements. We are ready to play our part if asked to do SO.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask"the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to promote democracy amongst the Gulf states.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Constitutional arrangements in the Gulf states are a matter for their Governments and peoples.

  As regards Kuwait, the national conference held in Jedda in October 1990 by the Government in exile and with delegations representing Kuwaiti opinion across the board, agreed that there should be a return to the provisions of the 1962 constitution as soon as possible after liberation. We have welcomed the Kuwaiti crown prince and Prime Minister's recent public reiteration of his Government's commitment of popular participation under this constitution, including new elections for the national assembly after liberation.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the role of the United Nations in the future security arrangements in the Gulf region.
  325
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A lasting peace in the Gulf region must clearly provide for the security of Kuwait and the other countries of the Gulf. It will be for the countries of the region to reach agreement on the necessary arrangements. We would not rule out the deployment of UN military observers or peacekeeping forces in the area if that were their wish.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to achieve a complete withdrawal of United States and British forces from the Gulf region.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is our intention to withdraw British forces that have been involved in hostilities from the Gulf region as rapidly as possible.

  We believe that it is for the countries of the region to take the lead in deciding future security arrangements.

  The withdrawal of United States forces is a matter for the United States Government.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to extend military non-proliferation measures in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our immediate objective is to complete the restoration of international peace and security in the middle east. We shall be examining with our partners how best to limit the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

  Northern Somalia
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on trade links with northern Somalia.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have been asked to reply.

  United Kingdom trade with Somalia is not classified by region.

  Figures on trade with Somalia can be obtained from "Overseas Trade Statistics Business Monitor MM20" tables II and V. A copy is available in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Fund
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of their social fund budgets have been spent by both Barnsley offices of his Department in(a) 1989–90 and (b) 1990–91.

  Mr. Scott
  Details of local office budget allocations and expenditure are available in the Library.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will show for (1) Leeds West and (2) Leeds metropolitan district council area the number of applicants for and awards of(a) community care grants, (b) budgeting loans and (c) crisis loans and (i) the amounts awarded, (ii) the percentage refused and (iii) the average award.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 4 March 1991]: Information on average awards and the percentage of refusals for the period April 1990 to January 1991 is given in the tables. Other information requested by the hon. Member is available in the Library.
  326

  Average awards

  Budgeting loans £

  Community care grants £

  Crisis loans £

  Leeds West

  211·80

  373·64

  39·48

  Leeds Metropolitan

  207·00

  315·60

  45·80

  Percentage refused

  Budgeting loans per cent.

  Community care grants per cent.

  Crisis loans per cent.

  Leeds West

  36·1

  64·9

  2·1

  Leeds Metropolitan

  34·7

  63·2

  4·1

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what relationship and liaison will be established between the independent living fund and the benefits agency upon the inception of the latter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Discussions are now taking place between the director of the independent living fund and officers of the shadow benefits agency to draw up a service agreement. The aim is to reflect existing arrangements in the most sensible way without causing disruption either to the independent living fund or to the agency. The agreement will mainly cover personnel and administrative matters.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications to the independent living fund have been submitted since 1 August 1990(a) per calendar month and (b) in total.

  Mr. Scott
  The figures requested are:

  Month

  Applications

  1990

  August

  635

  September

  458

  October

  512

  November

  545

  December

  373

  1991

  January

  491

  February

  531

  Total since 1 August 1990

  3,545

  Residential Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his latest estimate of the number of claimants in receipt of income support payments towards the cost of care in(a) voluntary care homes, (b) private residential homes, (c) private nursing homes and (d) private homes with joint registration from each of his local offices;

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the number of claimants in private homes with joint registration who receive income support payments towards the cost of (a) residential care and (b) nursing care.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  327
  Mr Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy on the continued payment of income support towards the cost of residential or nursing care to residents in homes which have been deregistered under the Registered Homes Act 1984 and where the management of the home concerned has been taken over by either(a) a local authority social services department or (b) a health authority.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Residents of a home managed by a local authority social services department would be treated as accommodated under part III of the National Assistance Act 1948 and residents of a home managed by a health authority would be treated as hospital in-patients; such people who were entitled to income support would receive the appropriate rates of benefit.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the number of claimants in receipt of income support payments towards the cost of care in(a) voluntary care homes, (b) private residential homes, (c) private nursing homes and (d) private homes with joint registration.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Numbers are available only for all residential care homes and nursing homes.

  Number

  Residential care

  128,000

  Nursing homes

  71,000

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the full annual cost of income support payments to residents in(a) voluntary care homes, (b) private residential homes, (c) private nursing homes and (d) private homes with joint registration.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Costs are available only for all residential care homes arid nursing homes.

  £ million

  Residential care

  772

  Nursing homes

  618

  Social Security Acts
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when it is his intention to introduce a Bill to consolidate the Social Security Acts 1975 to 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Law Commission has responsibility for the consolidation of Bills.

  The consolidation of the Social Security Acts 1975 to 1991 is currently under active consideration and the Law Commission is, of course, consulting with this Department. At present, it is not possible to say with any certainty when a Bill will be introduced.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when and how he proposes to publish the research reports on consumer views of the attendance allowance medical examination, invalid care allowance, the preliminary study of people leaving certain long-stay 328
  institutions, consumer perceptions of personal pensions, information needs of informal advisers and housing benefit reviews, referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North on 25 February, Official Report, columns 401–04.

  Mr. Scott
  Decisions have been reached in respect of two of the research subjects listed by the hon. Member. The preliminary study of people leaving certain long-stay institutions was a short information-gathering exercise only, and was not commissioned with a view to publication. Copies of the report on housing benefit reviews are available in the Library and the report will be published in the early summer.

  Pollok Local Office
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what sites are under consideration for the planned Glasgow, Pollok local office; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The location of the preferred site is expected to be known in the near future.

  Local Offices, Bradford
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (I) what representations he has received about the closure of his Department's local offices in Bradford on 7 and 8 February; what arrangements were made during severe weather for emergency cover or provision to help families with children, without money; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) why the after hours service was not operating when his Department's offices in Bradford were closed during the day this month; and on how many occasions and in what circumstances the after hours service declined to make home visits during February.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 28 February 1991]: All three Bradford offices closed two hours early on 7 February, and Bradford East and Bradford South did so again on 8 February. On both days staff ensured all urgent payments were made before they left for home, and the out-of-hours service began work at 6 pm. From 4 to 17 February a total of 152 requests for out of hours visits were received in the Bradford area, of which 41 were refused. Each decision that a visit was unnecessary was taken on the facts of the individual case. Bradford citizens advice bureau has complained about the closures, arid I understand that the district manager designate for the Bradford group of offices has written to the hon. Member to inform him of his response and of the steps he is taking to keep caller facilities open should similar circumstances recur.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what instructions have been issued to the local Department of Social Security office out-of-hours service in Bradford concerning home visits.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 28 February 1991]: Bradford local offices have copies of guidance on the Department's out of hours service. The guidance describes action to be taken when a referral is received. It is for the out of hours service officer to decide, on the facts of the case, whether a home visit payment is appropriate.

DEFENCE

  The Gulf
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations have been received by his Department from families of forces personnel serving in the Gulf regarding inefficiencies in, and the cost of, the postal service from Britain to the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave her on 6 March 1991 at columns 221–22.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the costs of operations in the Gulf; and from which subheads of which votes these funds are taken.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The additional costs of the Gulf conflict, as so far assessed, are £1·75 billion. Indications are that the eventual costs may be up to £3 billion. Vote subheads which have borne or are likely to bear the additional costs of the Gulf conflict are:

  Vote 1:

  A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, B4, BZ, C1, C2, C3, D1, D2, DZ, E1, E2, EZ, F1, F2, F3, F5, F6, F7, FZ, G1, G2, GZ, HI, H2, HZ, I1, L1, L2, L3, L5, L6, L7, L9, LZ.

  Vote 2:1

  E1, F1, F2, F3, F4, 12, J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, J7, J8, K1, L1, L2, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, N1

  Vote 3:

  A1, A2, A3, AZ.

  Vote 4:

  A1, A2.

  Vote 5:

  A1, A3.

  1 Costs have also fallen upon vote 2, sections A to D, but these cannot be attributed to individual subheads.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel were killed in the Gulf war; how many were injured; and how many of these were killed or injured by Iraqi forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Seventeen British servicemen are confirmed to have been killed and 43 injured in action. Of these, nine have been been confirmed killed and 11 injured in a single incident, when a US A–10 aircraft attacked two Warrior armoured vehicles. The circumstances surround-ing the other casualties are still under investigation. Eight British servicemen are still missing in action.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to allow independent groups to assess whether Iraqi prisoners of war being held in Saudi Arabia are being treated to the standards set out in the Geneva convention.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The International Committee of the Red Cross has full access to Iraqi prisoners of war in Saudi Arabia, as required by the third Geneva convention.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any NATO-assigned munitions from RAF Welford are being used by B52 aircraft operating from the United Kingdom to bomb targets in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the United States Government.

  Dubai Defence Exhibition
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications his Department has received from defence manufacturers for temporary export licences for 330
  equipment or technology to exhibit at the Dubai '91 aerospace and defence exhibition planned to be held in November.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Applications for temporary export licences are made to the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his policy to answer questions tabled by hon. Members relating to the benefits accruing to British arms manufacturers and defence material producers arising from his Department's procurement and arms sales promotion activities.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I see no reason to change the policy of this and previous Administrations on answering such questions.

  Hunting
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total revenue paid to his Ministry from the annual fees paid for licences issued to allow hunting on his Ministry's land.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Total receipts in 1990–91 from annual hunting licence fees were £75. The Ministry of Defence also recover the costs of preparing and issuing new licences, but figures for receipts are not held centrally.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many licences have been issued to allow hare coursing to take place on his Ministry's land.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Glengarry Radio System
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the decision was taken to cancel the extremely low frequency radio system that had been proposed for Glengarry, Scotland.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 14 February 1991 at column 592.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for a proposed extremely low frequency radio system to be sited somewhere other than Glengarry, Scotland.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to date of the extremely low frequency radio system that had been proposed for Glengarry, Scotland; and from which subheads of which votes these funds were taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is not our practice to give specific details of moneys spent on individual research programmes. The minimal costs associated with work to date have been borne on votes allocated for defence research.

  RAF Fairford (Explosives)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether local fire brigades are informed when explosives destined for RAF Fairford are transported through their areas.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All local emergency services have been notified in the recent movements of explosives destined for RAF Fairford.

  B52 Bombers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures will be taken, in the event of a B52 in-flight emergency shortly after take off, to inform the local fire brigades responsible for the areas between RAF Fairford and the munitions dumping ground off Hartland point.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for E>efence how many low flying sorties were flown in the United Kingdom low-flying system in each calendar month of 1990.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  For the number of low-flying sorties carried out between January and August 1990, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 1 November 1990 at column 766. The number of low-flying sorties carried out in the United Kingdom for the remainder of 1990 is as follows:

  Number

  September

  11,361

  October

  13,166

  November

  11,834

  December

  6,330

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for E'efence how many low-flying sorties were flown in the United Kingdom low-flying system in January.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  In January 1991, 8,990 sorties were flown in the United Kingdom low-flying system.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were flown at a height of less than 250 ft in the United Kingdom low-flying system in each calendar month of 1990.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Figures for sorties that have been flown below 250 ft are not available, but figures for the number of movements authorised for flying below 250 ft in the three United Kingdom tactical training areas in each calendar month of 1990 are as follows:

  1990

  Month

  Number

  January

  227

  February

  374

  March

  864

  April

  336

  May

  525

  332

  Month

  Number

  June

  82

  July

  75

  August

  701

  September

  834

  October

  815

  November

  861

  December

  233

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were flown at a height of less than 250 ft in the United Kingdom low-flying system in January.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  In January 1991, 330 movements below 250 ft were authorised in the three United Kingdom tactical training areas.

  Holy Loch Base
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any facilities will remain on standby at Holy Loch after the proposed closure of the base by the United States Navy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Detailed closure arrangements for the Holy Loch submarine support facility have not been finalised. However, though the Holy Loch's use for future periodic submarine visits is possible, we do not currently expect that any facilities will be retained on a standby basis after closure.

  USAF (Explosives)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations cover the transportation of explosives belonging to the United States Air Force in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Movements of US-owned explosives are subject to the normal regulations governing the transport of explosives in the United Kingdom. These are: for road movement, the Road Traffic (Carriage of Explosives) Regulations 1989—Statutory Instrument 1989 No. 615; for rail, the Conditions of Acceptance and Carriage by Rail of Military Explosives 1990 (BR 22206/2, The Red Book); and for ports, the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987—Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 37.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether movements of explosives around the United Kingdom by the United States Air Force are escorted by any personnel from his Department.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  RAF Upper Heyford
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the scheduled date for resurfacing the runway at RAF Upper Heyford.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not the practice to publish information of this kind.