Written Answers of 14 March 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Repossessions
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General how many possession orders on the grounds of mortgage arrears have been made in the Lambeth and Wandsworth county courts in the last year for which figures are readily available.

  Crown Court committal for trial cases: Hearing times in hours

  England

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Trials

  Guilty pleas

  All cases

  Trials

  Guilty pleas

  All cases

  Trials

  Guilty pleas

  All cases

  1986

  7·5

  0·6

  3·1

  8·0

  0·7

  3·4

  13·9

  0·9

  3·1

  1987

  7·3

  0·6

  2·8

  7·2

  0·8

  3·0

  12·6

  1·2

  3·5

  1988

  7·4

  0·7

  2·6

  8·0

  0·8

  2·8

  15·1

  0·9

  4·6

  1989

  7·2

  0·7

  2·6

  7·7

  1·0

  2·9

  12·2

  1·2

  4·1

  1990

  7·1

  0·7

  2·6

  7·5

  1·0

  3·0

  13·2

  1·3

  4·7

  Between 1987 and 1989 the information on county court hearing times was collected only on a sample basis, in terms of days, hours and minutes, for two months of each year. It is not possible to calculate an average hearing time from these data, unless an assumption is made about the average length of a day. However, the information for 1990 is available as follows.

  1990

  County court trials: England

  3·1

  Hearing time in hours Wales

  3·1

  No information is collected on hearing times of county court trials heard in Northern Ireland.

  Legal Aid Payments
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will list the total payments from legal aid funds and the payments per head of the population in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland over the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  The table sets out the total payments from legal aid funds and the payments per head of the population for England and Wales and for Northern Ireland. It is not possible to break down the information between England and Wales. These figures do not include administration costs.

  England and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Year

  Total payment

  Per head

  Total payment

  Per head

  £ thousands

  £

  £ thousands

  £

  1985–86

  466,081

  9·34

  11,300

  7·25

  1986–87

  499,381

  9·97

  12,200

  7·79

  1987–88

  544,006

  10·83

  14,000

  8·89

  1988–89

  618,270

  12·27

  18,200

  11·53

  1989–90

  726,678

  14·37

  17,300

  10·93

  624
  The Attorney-General
  In 1990 Lambeth county court made 505 mortgage possession orders and Wandsworth county court made 497.

  Trials (Statistics)
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will list the average length in days of trials(a) on indictment and (b) in county courts in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland over the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  Crown court hearing times are recorded in hours rather than days. The relevant information for Crown courts is given in the tables.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will list the average payment from legal aid funds to(a) solicitors and (b) barristers in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland over the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  Separate information is not available for England and Wales. The table sets out the average payment to(a) solicitors and (b) barristers from all forms of legal aid but excludes disbursements.

  Year

  Solicitors £

  Barristers £

  1985–86

  161·39

  218·78

  1986–87

  175·19

  247·54

  1987–88

  188·08

  274·82

  1988–89

  195·58

  320·59

  1989–90

  216·85

  365·41

  Information on the number of payments made to solicitors and barristers in Northern Ireland is not available and therefore information on average payments cannot be provided.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  National Curriculum
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional administrative staff local education authorities have been required to employ as a result of the national curriculum; and how many in fact have been employed.

  Mr. Eggar
  Data are not available on the number of administrative staff employed by LEAs in connection with the national curriculum. The extent to which individual LEAs and schools think it appropriate to employ additional staff will depend on their circumstances, including the scope for redeploying existing staff to new tasks.
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  Higher Education
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is, for each year since 1975, and in 1990 moneys, the average public expenditure per student in higher education in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The available data on higher education unit public funding are shown in table 11.13 of the Department's report on "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1991–92 to 1993–94", Cm 1511, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Architecture Courses
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer of 6 February to the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs),Official Report, column 145–46, if he has yet reached a decision about the length of architecture courses; what representations he has received about the likely effects of a reduction in their length; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend is still considering this matter in the light of the responses received from RIBA, ARCUK and other bodies to which the Department's consultation paper on the length and structure of architecture courses was sent last August, the advice of the Universities and Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Councils on the outcome of their parallel consultations with institutions in their respective sectors, and the representations received from a number of other bodies and individuals. He is not yet in a position to announce his conclusions.

  Institute of Food Research
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 11 March,Official Report, column 342, whether there have been or are planned to be any alterations to the parapet wall during the construction of the new building of the Institute of Food Research at the Reading university campus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  A number of options were considered at the design stage concerning the parapet wall; the chosen option incorporated a safety handrail. There were no alterations to the parapet wall during the construction phase of the project; nor are any planned.

  Special Schools
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the number of pupils with statements of special educational need in non-maintained special schools and independent schools under the arrangements of each local authority in January 1989 and 1990;

  (2) how many pupils belonging to each local education authority attended non-maintained special schools and independent schools for the purposes of special education treatment in January 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Fallon
  [pursuant to the reply, 17 December 1990, c. 35–38]: The information provided in the original reply was
  626
  incomplete. The table lists as at January 1989 the numbers of pupils belonging to each local education authority who are receiving special education treatment in non-maintained special schools and independent schools.

  Number of pupils as at January 1989 for whom LEAs are paying tuition fees and who are attending: (a) non-maintained special schools; and (b) independent schools for the purpose of receiving special educational treatment

  (a)

  (b)

  Barking and Dagenham

  16

  16

  Barnet

  35

  62

  Bexley

  47

  73

  Brent

  36

  35

  Bromley

  31

  50

  Croydon

  33

  112

  Ealing

  82

  128

  Enfield

  23

  62

  Haringey

  21

  60

  Harrow

  91

  47

  Havering

  24

  21

  Hillingdon

  56

  42

  Hounslow

  30

  59

  Kingston upon Thames

  11

  67

  Merton

  25

  26

  Newham

  11

  17

  Redbridge

  91

  53

  Richmond upon Thames

  7

  13

  Sutton

  13

  68

  Waltham Forest

  21

  17

  Inner London

  104

  159

  Birmingham

  21

  75

  Coventry

  18

  9

  Dudley

  14

  22

  Sandwell

  20

  1

  Solihul

  4

  35

  Walsall

  2

  9

  Wolverhampton

  8

  22

  Knowsley

  17

  12

  Liverpool

  72

  8

  St. Helens

  69

  21

  Sefton

  48

  57

  Wirral

  33

  109

  Bolton

  58

  8

  Bury

  60

  3

  Manchester

  108

  20

  Oldham

  24

  0

  Rochdale

  26

  20

  Salford

  11

  8

  Stockport

  78

  63

  Tameside

  12

  17

  Trafford

  45

  2

  Wigan

  81

  16

  Barnsley

  18

  0

  Doncaster

  41

  15

  Rotherham

  113

  0

  Sheffield

  2

  7

  Bradford

  12

  9

  Calderdale

  15

  20

  Kirklees

  51

  16

  Leeds

  11

  8

  Wakefield

  59

  35

  Gateshead

  31

  10

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  38

  17

  North Tyneside

  37

  33

  South Tyneside

  26

  0

  Sunderland

  41

  10

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Avon

  122

  120

  Bedfordshire

  55

  78

  Berkshire

  188

  127

  Buckinghamshire

  55

  81

  Cambridgeshire

  9

  61

  Cheshire

  242

  76

  Cleveland

  40

  40

  Cornwall

  29

  60

  Cumbria

  54

  80

  Derbyshire

  85

  55

  Devon

  184

  191

  627

  (a)

  (b)

  Dorset

  171

  36

  Durham

  70

  21

  East Sussex

  140

  120

  Essex

  188

  315

  Gloucestershire

  70

  30

  Hampshire

  367

  454

  Hereford and Worcester

  51

  71

  Hertfordshire

  80

  218

  Humberside

  68

  42

  Isle of Wight

  37

  2

  Kent

  301

  346

  Lancashire

  260

  306

  Leicestershire

  29

  46

  Lincolnshire

  32

  107

  Norfolk

  20

  107

  North Yorkshire

  54

  90

  Northamptonshire

  38

  64

  Northumberland

  41

  17

  Nottinghamshire

  66

  128

  Oxfordshire

  38

  44

  Shropshire

  34

  39

  Somerset

  71

  55

  Staffordshire

  29

  46

  Suffolk

  88

  122

  Surrey

  146

  144

  Warwickshire

  31

  98

  West Sussex

  137

  114

  Wiltshire

  115

  173

  Figures as returned to the Department by each LEA on Form 8b.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Whisky Stocks
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make inquiries into the exclusion of whisky stocks from Lonrho's most recent published accounts in the light of their former inclusion.

  Mr. Redwood
  I see no reason to do so. The chief executive's statement included in the annual report for 1990 explains that the sale of bulk whisky stocks in 1989 was a one-off event. In future, for public companies with financial years starting after 23 December 1989, any questions about the accounts will be a matter for the Financial Reporting Review Panel.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how accurately his Department's sector groups match the responsibility areas of individual Kuwait Ministries; and what arrangements he is making to ensure the closest liasion between the two.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The sector groups were originally set up to match areas of responsibility in the Kuwait emergency recovery programme, which broadly correspond to those of Kuwaiti Ministries. Some changes have since been made in the light of developments, but it is not considered feasible for their responsibilities to match those of Kuwaiti Ministries on every point.

  Inner Cities Task Force
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the results of the recent external evaluation of the inner cities task force initiative.
  628
  Mr. Leigh
  The evaluation of task forces in Birmingham Handsworth, Doncaster and Rochdale was completed at the end of last year by PA Cambridge Economic Consultants. Their report is published today. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Exporters
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any new plans to help British exporters.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and for Trade and Industry have agreed that a new unit, reporting to Ministers in both Departments, should be established on 2 April 1991. The unit—to be called the joint directorate—will be responsible for the development of export promotion policy.

  Its aims will be to: deploy staff effectively in the United Kingdom and overseas, in line with the priorities for export promotion; ensure that all staff engaged in export promotion are trained to consistent standards; provide a fully integrated service both at home and overseas; and improve the ability to respond swiftly and effectively to the changing needs of United Kingdom businesses.

  Earlier today, the British Overseas Trade Board published the second edition of its forward plan. The plan, which has the full support of Ministers, sets out the priorities which will guide the way in which the substantial resources available for export promotion will be used in 1991–92.

  Information about the joint directorate and copies of the forward plan have been placed in the Library.

  Iraq
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement giving details of the assistance which is being provided by his Department to those United Kingdom companies which face delayed time of completion penalty clauses in contracts with Iraq.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 11 March 199]: My Department is giving urgent consideration to what further measures might be taken to ensure that, as far as is possible, companies do not find themselves liable to penalties as a result of being unable to fulfil contracts because of sanctions. The Export Credits Guarantee Department will consider, and is considering, claims from its customers in accordance with the terms of the policies they hold.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Purchasing and Distribution
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the full annual cost, including overheads, of his Department's purchasing activity.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1989–90 the annual cost, including overheads, of the purchasing and supply activity of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was £2,294,423. For the current financial year, the cost is likely to be £2,300,000. With adjustment for inflation, this would represent a decrease in real terms of 5 per cent.
  629
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in his Department are wholly or substantially involved in purchasing stores and distribution activities.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 54 staff are engaged full-time on the purchasing and supply activity. A further 17 officers spend over 50 per cent. of their time on purchasing work.

  Value for Money
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures of performance are employed by his Department to ensure value for money.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic wing uses a variety of performance measures, which vary according to the function or activity involved, to ensure value for money. Specific value for money targets for the last two financial years have been notified to Parliament in evidence on the annual public expenditure White Paper. Some of the most significant of these measures will continue to be published annually in the departmental report, which replaced the public expenditure White Paper.

  In the aid programme, value for money is ensured through the application of the Overseas Development Administration's aid effectiveness procedures which are set out in the annual departmental report.

  Hostages
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new steps he is taking to speed up the release of British hostages held in Beirut; and if he will make a statement on his latest approach to the Governments of Syria and Lebanon in this connection.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 13 March, at column 549. The Syrian Foreign Minister confirmed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 6 February his Government's intention to continue their efforts to obtain the release of western, including British, hostages in Lebanon. My hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is visiting Damascus this week. Her Majesty's ambassador in Beirut maintains close and regular contacts with all those in Lebanon who might be able to influence the hostages' release.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statements Her Majesty's ambassador to Kuwait has made about the treatment of Palestinian nationals in Kuwait.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In an interview with BBC Radio 4 last weekend Mr. Weston, the British ambassador in Kuwait, spoke of the reasons why the authorities in Kuwait were detaining and screening Palestinians. He made it clear that he did not believe the Kuwaiti authorities were carrying out reprisals. In answer to a question, Mr. Weston agreed that not all the Palestinian former residents of Kuwait could be assured of future residence and employment in Kuwait.
  630

  Weapons
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Attorney-General's answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 364, for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have decided not yet to ratify the specific conventional weapons convention or to accept the protocol on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of incendiary weapons; and whether he has any plans to ratify them.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are still considering ratification of the United Nations weaponry convention, and in particular whether to accept the optional protocol No. III, which restricts the use of incendiary weapons in certain circumstances. We hope to be able to come to a decision on ratification when this review is complete.

  The Gulf (Belgian Contribution)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about the Belgian financial contribution to the United Kingdom's role in the Gulf crisis.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I am sorry that my reply to my hon. Friend's oral question of 13 March, at column 934, was inadvertently inaccurate in one respect. On 27 February the Belgian Government announced a contribution of £15 million towards British military expenditure in the Gulf. We welcomed this concrete expression of international solidarity.

ENERGY

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the nuclear installations inspectorate concerning the Westinghouse digital protection system governing the computerised safety monitoring system for the Sizewell B nuclear power station.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate—NII—is assessing the computerised protection systems for Sizewell B as part of the continuing licensing process. It is also assessing the secondary protection system, which is fitted to Sizewell B in addition to the digital system, and which employs established United Kingdom technology. The nuclear installations inspectorate will not permit fuel to be loaded into the reactor until it has assessed Nuclear Electric's safety case for the station and found it to be adequate.

  Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will request a report from the nuclear installations inspectorate on the shutdown in February of the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I am aware of the shutdown, but I have no plans to ask the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate for a specific report on the matter. The decision to shut down the Trawsfynydd reactors was taken by the operators, Nuclear
  631
  Electric plc, and was to enable adjustments to be made in order to allow operation at reduced pressure. The reactors will not be permitted to return to power until the NII is satisfied with the operator's safety case for such action.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to meet the chairman of Nuclear Electric to discuss pressure vessel integrity in the reactors at the Magnox nuclear power station at Trawsfynydd.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to hold such discussions. The matter is an operational one for Nuclear Electric, which is keeping the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate informed.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will be proposing any alteration in the level of the non-fossil fuel obligation following the cut in output at the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The nuclear non-fossil fuel obligation—SI 1990/263 —was fully complied with by the regional electricity companies through the arrangements they submitted to the Director General of Electricity Supply by 1 April 1990. However, in the event of any contracted capacity ceasing to be available for a cause other than an act or omission on the part of a regional electricity company, the order provides that the level of the obligation shall be deemed to reduce accordingly.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make it his policy to consider the availability of gas for other customers when considering licence applications for gas-fired electricity power stations.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Applications for electricity generation licences are a matter for the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  Petroleum Production
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the Government's latest forecasts of levels of United Kingdom petroleum production.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The latest forecasts for United Kingdom petroleum production in the years 1991 to 1995 are as follows:

  Million tonnes

  1991

  80·100

  1992

  80·105

  1993

  80·115

  1994

  90·125

  1995

  90·125

  FA 1978 schemes

  FA 1980 schemes

  FA 1984 schemes

  Number of participants receiving share allocations in year

  Initial market value of shares appropriated

  Number of employees to whom options granted during year

  Initial value of shares over which options granted

  Number of employees to whom option granted during year

  Initial value of shares over which options granted

  ('000)

  (£ million)

  ('000)

  (£ million)

  ('000)

  (£ million)

  1988–89

  870

  350

  370

  740

  90

  1,660

  1989–90

  850

  380

  440

  990

  100

  1,700

  632
  As in previous years, the forecasts are presented in the form of a range of outcomes for each year. These take into account the many uncertainties involved. The figures include stabilised crude oil, natural gas liquids—NGLs—and condensates. NGL and condensate production is expected to contribute between 4 million and 10 million tonnes annually.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Company Cars
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the amount of additional revenue raised if the capital and running costs of company-owned cars were included in the calculation of taxable income for income tax and national insurance purposes on the basis of actual costs incurred.

  Mr. Maude
  Employees who have cars made available to them for private use are charged to tax on the basis of scale charges for broad bands of types of car and depending on the current business mileage. The actual costs incurred by employers in providing cars are not known. However, in considering the appropriate lever for the scale charges, a full range of appropriate capital and running costs is taken into account. The value of employer-provided cars is not subject to the national insurance charge.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of his Ministers has been given responsibility for energy use by his Department; and what is his or her brief regarding energy efficiency.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I am responsible for energy use in HM Treasury. My brief is to reduce energy consumption within the Treasury and to support cost-effective measures to obtain benefits from the more efficient use of energy in all Departments.

  Employee Share Ownership
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest calculation on the numbers of employees who benefit from schemes set up under (i) FA1978, (ii) FA1980 and (iii) FA1984 for employee share or share option arrangements; what were the comparable figures for a year ago; and what are the values attributable to each of these figures.

  Mr. Francis Maude
  [holding answer 13 March 1991]: Estimates for the two most recent years for which figures are available are as follows:
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  Profit-related Pay
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average percentage of pay in profit-related pay schemes in each year; and what is their distribution.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 25 February 1991]: The information is as follows:

  Live schemes with profit periods ending in

  Profit related pay as a percentage of total pay. All schemes.

  1988–89

  6·5

  1989–90

  7·3

  Range of profit related pay as a percentage of total pay

  Live schemes with profit periods ending in

  Below 5 per cent.

  5–10 per cent.

  10–15 per cent.

  15 per cent. and below

  Total

  1989–89

  16

  48

  17

  19

  100

  1989–90

  24

  46

  21

  9

  100

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the tax relief on the employer's share of the personal pensions rebate paid by the Inland Revenue to the Department of Social Security for each of the years for which figures are available; and what is his estimate of the costs for each of the future years for which estimates are available.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 8 March 1991]: There is no additional tax relief on the employer's share of national insurance contribution rebates for personal pensions. Payments made to the Department of Social Security by the Inland Revenue as tax relief on the employees' share are as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1988–89

  37

  1989–90

  208

  11990–91

  170

  1Estimated.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of tax relief on the future income of the funds invested to provide personal pensions, using the technical assumption that the rate of return which will build up in personal pension schemes would otherwise have been subject to tax in the hands of individuals and institutions.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 8 March 1991]: Such an estimate would depend on future levels of investment, rates of return and tax rates.
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TRANSPORT

  Rail Services
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on(a) improvements to the east coast main line and (b) support for provincial railway services in the Northern region in each year since 1987.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Figures are not available for BR investment and Government support in particular geographical regions.

  Hungary (Negotiations)
  Mr. Grist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will announce the outcome of recent negotiations on road transport between his Department and the Hungarian Ministry of Transport.

  Mr. Chope
  These negotiations resulted in agreement to abolish with immediate effect the quota on the number of lorry journeys permitted annually between the UK and Hungary. From 1 January 1992, the need to carry a permit will also be abolished. This welcome extension of liberalisation means that British hauliers will no longer be prevented from carrying out business by a lack of Hungarian permits.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will announce the outcome of the consultation exercise about the proposal to introduce mandatory seat belt wearing for adults in the rear seats of cars and taxis.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The consultation period ran from 16 November 1990 to 31 January 1991. Some 1,100 copies of the consultation document were issued and to date 81 responses have been received. My Department has also received a number of letters on this subject in response to press reports, rather than to the consultation document itself.

  There was overwhelming support for the proposal, including those from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the police, the motoring organisations and all 36 local authorities which responded.

  I am today sending to all those who responded draft regulations, on which comments are invited by 12 April. I have placed copies in the Library. The intention is to lay the regulations before the House after Easter with a view to implementation on 1 July this year.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those locations being considered by his Department as possible freight terminals offering trunk rail services from Scotland to the channel tunnel;

  (2) what provision he is making for relevant bodies, such as regional or district councils in Scotland, to consult his Department on possible freight terminals offering trunk rail services from Scotland to the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  The siting of regional terminals for channel tunnel freight traffic is a commercial matter for
  635
  British Rail. British Rail is currently discussing possible locations in Strathclyde with local authorities and private sector developers.

  North Sea Standby Vessels
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those North sea standby vessels which do not meet the requirements of recommendation 89 of the Cullen report;

  (2) if he will list those North sea standby vessels which meet the requirements of recommendation 89 of the Cullen report.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is not available from the survey records kept by the Department, but, since September 1990, most ships converting for standby vessel duties have been meeting those requirements of the Cullen report which the Department had anticipated it might contain. The full requirements of recommendation 89 have now been incorporated into the Department's latest standard for standby vessels.

  Cam Spirit
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the name of the Silver Pit was changed to the Cam Spirit.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The change of name was recorded in the register of ships on 4 September 1990.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the current refit of the Silver Pit/Cam Spirit will result in that vessel meeting all the requirements of recommendation 89 of the Cullen report on Piper Alpha.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The refit is not complete, but the present intention of the owner is that the vessel will meet the relevant recommendations of the Cullen report.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all official inspections and surveys of the Silver Pit/Cam Spirit carried out since the Piper Alpha disaster.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Silver Pit was inspected by marine surveyors of the Department in July 1988 shortly after the Piper Alpha disaster. Further surveys were carried out in December 1988, January 1989 and December 1989. She was also inspected by authorities in the Netherlands in July 1990 for operation in their sector of the North sea.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the periods when the Silver Pit/Cam Spirit has been on duty in the North sea since the Piper Alpha disaster; and the nature of her duties in each case.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  After the Piper Alpha disaster the Silver Pit continued to operate at various locations in the North sea, but separate operational records of standby vessels are not maintained by the Department. This information will be contained in the ship's log books, but could be extracted only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all modifications made to the Silver Pit/Cam Spirit between the Piper Alpha disaster and the current refit.
  636
  Mr. McLoughlin
  During this period no modifications were made to the structure of the vessel. But the fast rescue craft and the Department of Trade and Industry DOTI boat were renewed, the bow thruster unit replaced, the lubricating oil piping repaired, the generator engine re-aligned, and a number of other deficiencies made good.

  Accident (M4)
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will hold an inquiry into the causes of the multiple road accident on the M4 in Berkshire, between junctions 14 and 15, on Wednesday 13 March, including the significance of motorists ignoring the weather conditions; if he will indicate the weather conditions at the time and whether the fog/speed warning lights were switched on; and what consideration lie is giving to whether the fire which followed the collision suggests a need for manufacturers to look again at fire hazards on heavy goods vehicles and cars.

  Mr. Chope
  I offer my condolences to those who were injured and to the relatives of those who were killed in this tragic accident.

  The police are still carrying out investigations and are not able to give a definite opinion on the causes of the accident. I have asked to see the report of the investigation as soon as it is available and shall consider urgently what lessons may be learnt including, as my hon. Friend suggests, lessons about driver behaviour.

  There was blanket fog in the area and preliminary indications are that drivers were driving too fast for these conditions. I also understand that the warning lights in the area were not switched on before the accident. This was a decision by the police, which was in accordance with advice given to all police forces by the Association of Chief Police Officers, that they should be used only for hazards which are not readily apparent to drivers, and not for general adverse weather conditions. I have already spoken to the chief constables of Thames Valley and Wiltshire constabularies. We are arranging to meet to discuss this policy.

  My Department continually seeks to reduce the risk of fires in vehicles and liaises both with manufacturers and with fire services on research into better design for this purpose.

HEALTH

  Food Safety
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the World Health Organisation's 1989 consultation report on health surveillance and management procedures for food handling personnel in relation to food service operations.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This is an interesting report which is consistent with the Government's view that food handlers should receive training in food hygiene. We will consider its recommendations carefully before determining our overall policy on training of food handlers.

  Neonatal Care
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neonatal intensive care cots there are in England.
  637
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Neonatal intensive care cots in maternity units are not separately identified in returns submitted to the Department. Of those not in maternity units, 3,496 intensive care cots were in use during 1989–90, of which 865 were in regionally designated intensive care units.

  General Medical Services
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the total annual expenditure, in cash and adjusted for changes in input unit costs, on general medical services for each family health authority in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The total annual expenditure on general medical services—GMS—in cash and adjusted by the GMS service inflation factor has been placed in the Library. Details are provided for each family health services authority and aggregated at regional health authority and national level.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give, for each family health services authority, the cost per patient of general medical services.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is in the table.

  Cost per patient oj General Medical Services: England 1989–90

  £ per head of registered population

  Cleveland

  29·32

  Cumbria

  33·81

  Durham

  30·76

  Northumberland

  35·13

  Gateshead

  29·75

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  31·20

  North Tyneside

  29·01

  South Tyneside

  29·10

  Sunderland

  26·28

  Northern RHA

  30·75

  Humberside

  29·75

  North Yorkshire

  35·44

  Bradford

  29·60

  Calderdale

  29·40

  Kirklees

  28·10

  Leeds

  31·86

  Wakefield

  32·67

  Yorkshire RHA

  31·30

  Derbyshire

  31·12

  Leicestershire

  30·61

  Lincolnshire

  33·24

  Nottinghamshire

  28·93

  Barnsley

  28·25

  Doncaster

  29·63

  Rotherham

  28·83

  Sheffield

  32·28

  Trent RHA

  30·60

  Cambridgeshire

  33·08

  Norfolk

  35·27

  Suffolk

  35·53

  East Anglia RHA

  34·63

  Bedfordshire

  31·59

  Hertfordshire

  34·13

  Barnet

  28·67

  Brent and Harrow

  30·96

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  28·15

  Hillingdon

  28·47

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  31·42

  North West Thames RHA

  30·96

  638

  £ per head of registered population

  Essex

  31·25

  Barking and Havering

  28·84

  Camden and Islington

  30·58

  City and East London

  30·85

  Enfield and Haringey

  28·26

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  29·35

  North East Thames RHA

  30·24

  East Sussex

  31·67

  Kent

  32·28

  Greenwich and Bexley

  29·40

  Bromley

  29·88

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  28·13

  South East Thames RHA

  30·73

  Surrey

  31·08

  West Sussex

  32·95

  Croydon

  28·79

  Kingston and Richmond

  31·47

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  28·04

  South West Thames RHA

  30·66

  Dorset

  34·85

  Hampshire

  33·71

  Wiltshire

  31·88

  Isle of Wight

  32·88

  Wessex RHA

  33·59

  Berkshire

  33·17

  Buckinghamshire

  33·39

  Northamptonshire

  31·75

  Oxfordshire

  33·11

  Oxford RHA

  32·89

  Avon

  31·71

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  37·23

  Devon

  36·33

  Gloucestershire

  35·71

  Somerset

  36·00

  South Western RHA

  35·02

  Hereford and Worcester

  30·66

  Shropshire

  32·00

  Staffordshire

  28·94

  Warwickshire

  31·73

  Birmingham

  30·19

  Coventry

  30·63

  Dudley

  27·14

  Sandwell

  30·00

  Solihull

  34·70

  Walsall

  27·60

  Wolverhampton

  28·66

  West Midlands RHA

  30·10

  Cheshire

  30·93

  Liverpool

  28·35

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  29·17

  Sefton

  28·97

  Wirral

  29·72

  Mersey RHA

  29·75

  Lancashire

  29·14

  Bolton

  28·89

  Bury

  29·34

  Manchester

  31·50

  Oldham

  26·22

  Rochdale

  27·62

  Salford

  30·07

  Stockport

  30·61

  Tameside

  28·79

  Trafford

  28·35

  Wigan

  26·46

  North Western RHA

  29·06

  England

  31·22

  639

  Mentally Handicapped Children
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of provision of care available to children with severe learning difficulties, extreme challenging behaviour and autism and on the provision of care available to them after they are of school age.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is for local statutory authorities to determine the form and extent of services to be provided locally in the light of their knowledge of local needs and resources. We would expect the relevant education, social services and health authorities to work together with parents to identify what arrangements are appropriate for a young person leaving full-time education. Detailed statistics on the range of services provided are not held centrally, but in 1989 there were 2,032 places in local authority, voluntary and private homes and hostels for mentally handicapped children.

  Dentists
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in each FHSA have withdrawn from the NHS since 1 October 1990.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Between 1 October 1990 and 28 February 1991, 509 dentists withdrew from Family Health Services Authority—FHSA—dental lists in England, and 394 dentists were added to those lists. This represents a net decrease of 115, less than 0·7 per cent. of the total. The details for each FHSA in England are set out in the table.

  Changes to the number of registered dentists on FHSA lists since 1 October 1990 (England only)

  FHSA

  Withdrawals

  Additions

  Net change

  Cleveland

  5

  3

  -2

  Cumbria

  2

  1

  -1

  Durham

  7

  1

  -6

  Northumberland

  1

  1

  0

  Gateshead

  0

  4

  4

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  13

  2

  -11

  North Tyneside

  0

  1

  1

  South Tyneside

  2

  0

  -2

  Sunderland

  3

  2

  -1

  Humberside

  0

  5

  5

  North Yorkshire

  4

  6

  2

  Bradford

  6

  11

  5

  Calderdale

  0

  2

  2

  Kirklees

  1

  5

  4

  Leeds

  7

  5

  -2

  Wakefield

  2

  1

  -1

  Derbyshire

  3

  11

  8

  Leicestershire

  4

  3

  -1

  Lincolnshire

  0

  12

  12

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  6

  4

  Barnsley

  4

  5

  1

  Doncaster

  0

  8

  8

  Rotherham

  0

  3

  3

  Sheffield

  4

  4

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  2

  0

  -2

  Norfolk

  2

  2

  0

  Suffolk

  4

  3

  -1

  Bedfordshire

  2

  7

  5

  Hertfordshire

  15

  8

  -7

  Barnet

  23

  2

  -21

  Brent and Harrow

  12

  5

  -7

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  21

  3

  -18

  Hillingdon

  4

  0

  -4

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  41

  0

  -41

  640

  FHSA

  Withdrawals

  Additions

  Net change

  Essex

  5

  10

  5

  Barking and Havering

  1

  12

  11

  Camden and Islington

  25

  0

  -25

  City and East London

  20

  0

  -20

  Enfield and Haringey

  22

  0

  -22

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  1

  1

  0

  East Sussex

  9

  8

  -1

  Kent

  16

  6

  -10

  Greenwich and Bexley

  9

  0

  -9

  Bromley

  1

  6

  5

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  13

  8

  -5

  Surrey

  10

  21

  11

  West Sussex

  10

  11

  1

  Croydon

  5

  4

  -1

  Kingston and Richmond

  1

  9

  8

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  8

  8

  0

  Dorset

  6

  4

  -2

  Hampshire

  5

  4

  -1

  Wiltshire

  7

  1

  -6

  Isle of Wight

  1

  0

  -1

  Berkshire

  7

  10

  3

  Buckinghamshire

  5

  10

  5

  Northamptonshire

  5

  1

  -4

  Oxfordshire

  5

  3

  -2

  Avon

  5

  10

  5

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  5

  1

  -4

  Devon

  4

  7

  3

  Gloucestershire

  7

  3

  -4

  Somerset

  1

  2

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  4

  3

  -1

  Salop

  3

  1

  -2

  Staffordshire

  6

  2

  -4

  Warwickshire

  1

  1

  0

  Birmingham

  11

  9

  -2

  Coventry

  6

  1

  -5

  Dudley

  6

  5

  -1

  Sandwell

  0

  3

  3

  Solihull

  2

  4

  2

  Walsall

  0

  3

  3

  Wolverhampton

  2

  0

  -2

  Cheshire

  7

  8

  1

  Liverpool

  6

  4

  -2

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  6

  5

  -1

  Sefton

  6

  5

  -1

  Wirral

  2

  6

  4

  Lancashire

  2

  12

  10

  Bolton

  1

  1

  0

  Bury

  1

  3

  2

  Manchester

  5

  9

  4

  Oldham

  1

  6

  5

  Rochdale

  4

  1

  -3

  Salford

  2

  2

  0

  Stockport

  1

  2

  1

  Tameside

  5

  0

  -5

  Trafford

  2

  2

  0

  Wigan

  2

  4

  2

  Total

  509

  394

  -115

  These figures are derived from information on the number of registered dentists on an FHSA list as notified by FHSAs to the Dental Practice Board. Since some dentists practise in more than one FHSA, the total number of different dentists for England is less than the sum of the dentists for individual FHSAs.
  641

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has any plans to introduce charges for replacement batteries for national health service hearing aids.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No.

  Children at Risk
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children who are or may be at significant risk have not been allocated to a qualified social worker; and what action is being taken to remedy the position.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information collected centrally about children who are or may be at risk relates to children on the child protection register.

  A child's name is normally placed on the child protection register following discussion at a case conference, convened by the social services department or by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, when abuse or potential abuse is confirmed and an inter-agency agreement is made to work co-operatively to protect the child. When a registered child moves, the child should be registered at once pending the first case conference in the new area.

  The most up-to-date information about numbers on child protection registers relates to 31 March 1990. This information is collected from all local authorities in England and is published in the provisional feedback "Children and Young Persons on Child Protection Registers, year ending 31 March 1990, England". Copies are available in the Library.

  The latest information about the number of children on the registers in London boroughs who are not allocated to a social worker is published in "Child Protection Services in London, Aspects of Management Arrangements in Social Services Departments, 31 December 1989", together with numbers on the registers at the time at which the survey took place. Copies are available in the Library. Similar information is not available centrally for the rest of England.

  It is for individual local authorities to make arrangements to carry out the child protection plans for children in their area on the child protection register. The social services inspectorate offers positive support to local authorities in their efforts to maintain and develop the child protection services which they have a duty to provide.

  London Ambulance Service
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) for each of the last six months and (b) for each division of the London ambulance service (i) the total number of non-emergency ambulance journeys and (ii) the number of cancelled patient journeys by category.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not held centrally. The management of the London ambulance service is the reponsibility of the London ambulance service board. The hon. Member may wish to write to Mr. James Harris, the chairman of the board, for details.
  642

  Immunisation and Cervical Screening
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of general practitioners in each family health services authority received target payments for childhood immunisation and cervical screening in the first six months of 1990–91.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [pursuant to her reply, II February 1991, c. 351–56]: I regret that the table published contained errors in respect of Suffolk and Wakefield family health services authorities. The correct figures are as follows:—

  FHSA

  Higher payment

  Lower payment

  Total

  Childhood Immunisation percentage qualifying

  Suffolk

  93

  7

  99

  Wakefield

  44

  43

  87

  Pre-School booster percentage qualifying

  Suffolk

  89

  11

  99

  Wakefield

  32

  34

  66

  Cervical Cytology percentage qualifying

  Suffolk

  89

  12

  100

  Wakefield

  90

  9

  99

  NB. Figures for higher and lower payments may not add to total because of rounding error.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number of justices of the peace in Stockport and Tameside by ward; and what steps have been taken over the last three years to increase the proportion of young JPs, women JPs, JPs from ethnic minorities and JPs from under-represented wards.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  My advisory committees in the area of Stockport and Tameside have done their best to improve the balance in appointment of magistrates as suggested; they have been partially successful and I shall be sending the hon. Gentleman the figures separately in due course.

WALES

  Homelessness
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West of 20 February,Official Report, column 151, how much of the support for Swansea Accommodation for the Single Homeless for 1990–91 is for staff costs; and if he will list the projects for which support for staff costs is provided;

  (2) if he will give details of all proposed support from his Department to Swansea Accommodation for the Single Homeless for 1991–92; how much of this is to meet staff costs; and if he will list the projects for which support for staff costs is to be provided.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information requested is as follows:
  643

  Source of Welsh Office funding

  Amount £

  Staff-costs1 £

  Project

  1990–91

  1. Section 73 of the Housing Act 1985

  71,150

  45,650

  Resettlement and housing provision

  2. Urban programme

  33,600

  25,200

  Day centre

  3. Grant under Section 28(a) of the National Health Service Act 1977

  19,000

  13,100

  Life skills support

  1991–92

  1. Section 73 of the Housing Act 1985

  Application currently being considered

  2. Urban Programme

  33,600

  25,200

  Day centre

  3. Grant under Section 28(a) of the National Health Service Act 1977

  17,000

  11,700

  Life skills support

  1 Staff costs only include salaries and National Insurance costs.

  Health Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many operating theatres in Wales are closed(a) because of a shortage of staff and (b) by other measures.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  This information is not available centrally.

  Health Boards (Appointments)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on appointments to health boards in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The Welsh chapter of the White Paper "Working for Patients" announced that in making non-executive appointments to district health authorities there would be a strong emphasis on leadership and top-level management qualities. That remains the position. Persons are appointed on the strength of the skills and experience they can bring to the work of an authority and not because they represent particular organisations or interests.

  Executive members of authorities are members either by virtue of the post they hold or because, in accordance with the relevant legislation, they have been appointed by the chairman, non-executive members and the general manager acting jointly.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many long-term unemployed there are in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In January 1991 there were 24,020 long-term unemployed claimants in Wales—that is, those claiming benefit for 12 months or more.

  Primary Schools (Testing)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he plans to meet(a) the teacher organisations and (b) the parent-teacher associations concerning primary school testing.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Although I have no immediate plans to meet representatives from teacher organisations and 644
  parent-teacher associations, they are being fully consulted about the development of the statutory arrangements for the assessment of primary school pupils.

  North-south Roads
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made concerning improvements to north-south roads in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Welsh Office has spent £165 million on 35 improvement schemes to the A470 and A483 since 1979. The A470 Llanidloes bypass was opened on 25 February; the A483 Chirk bypass is on course for completion in the spring. Information on further plans for improving north-south links is contained in the 1991 supplement to "Roads in Wales", published on 25 February.

  Council Housing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to meet the Association of District Councils in Wales to discuss council house building; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I shall be meeting the Welsh Housing Consultative Committee next month, and representatives of local authorities may well raise this subject then.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to enable the district councils in the valleys of Wales to build more council houses.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Within the context of their enabling role, local authorities in the valleys, as elsewhere, work in close partnership with housing associations to make the most effective use of public resources in the provision of new social housing.

  Pwllpeirian Hill Experimental Farm
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is now in a position to announce what plans he has for Pwllpeirian Hill experimental farm, Cwmystwyth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 16 January 1991, at column 517.

  A44
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made in upgrading the A44 trunk road from Aberystwyth to Llangurig; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Blaeng'euffordd footway and Llangurig junction improvements were completed last year. Tenders have been invited for the Capel Bangor footway improvement scheme and draft statutory orders for the Penllwyn crossroads improvement are expected to be published by early summer.

  School Facilities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what extra resources he will make available to make good deficiencies in the schools library service, as instanced by Her Majesty's inspectorate for Wales's annual report; and if he will make a statement;
  645
  (2) if he proposes to make extra resources available to re-equip school laboratories and workshops; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The responsibility for the allocation of resources for school libraries, laboratories and workshops lies with local education authorities which must decide such matters in line with their assessment of priorities within the education service.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of staff in the local education authorities of Wales to ensure that school libraries are opened and supervised during school hours; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Decisions on staffing levels for services such as school libraries are for local education authorities and individual schools to take in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what average amount per pupil has been spent on library books in each of the local education authorities in Wales for each year since 1980.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information is not held centrally.

  Technology and Design
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to make extra resources available to meet the requirements of the national curriculum in technology and design.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Additional funding has been provided and existing resources redirected under the specific grants for education support and training schemes to help local education authorities with the progressive implementation of all subjects within the national curriculum, including technology. It is not possible to identify support given for a particular subject, but approved expenditure related to the national curriculum under these specific grant programmes rose from almost £7 million in 1989–90 to just under £10 million in the current financial year. This will rise again to over £14·5 million in 1991–92 and we intend to continue support in future years.

  National

  National

  National

  Year

  Revenue support grant

  Non-domestic rates

  Community charge

  Revenue support grant

  Non-domestic rates

  Community charge

  Revenue support grant

  Non-domestic rates

  Community charge

  1990–91

  60

  18

  23

  58

  21

  21

  56

  22

  22

  1991–92

  62

  19

  219

  56

  22

  221

  55

  23

  222

  1 Includes both domestic and non-domestic rates.

  2 Community charge for standard spending for 1991–92.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for(a) each local authority, (b) each class of authority and (c) Wales as a whole, the capital receipts accumulated by 31 March and his estimates of the amount set aside as provision for credit liabilities in 1990–91 from (i) housing capital receipts, (ii) non-housing capital receipts and (iii) all capital receipts.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The table shows total cash-backed accumulated receipts at 31 March 1990. The amount each authority has set aside as provision for credit liabilities in 1990–91 is not available centrally.
  646
  Local education authorities are being asked to target expenditure on the needs of pupils directly affected by the phased introduction of the core and foundation subjects of the national curriculum. Technology commenced implementation into schools from August 1990.

  Specialist Teachers
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the ratio of the number of specialist advisers to the number of teachers in each subject in each education authority in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of local authority income was provided or will be provided for each year from 1979–80 to 1991–92 by(a) rate or revenue support grant, (b) domestic rates or poll tax and (c) non-domestic rates or receipts from the non-domestic rate pool for (a) Cynon Valley, (b) Mid Glamorgan and (c) Wales as a whole.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The figures requested are shown in the following table; 1979–80 and 1980–81 are not available on a consistent basis.

  The community charge system uses a different method for sharing out the various elements making up the total income, so the two parts of the table are not comparable.

  Cynon Valley

  Mid Glamorgan

  Total Wales

  Year

  Rate support grant

  Total rate call1

  Rate support grant

  Total rate call

  Rate support grant

  Total rate call1

  1981–82

  80

  20

  66

  34

  63

  37

  1982–83

  80

  20

  67

  33

  64

  36

  1983–84

  79

  21

  67

  33

  64

  36

  1984–85

  79

  21

  64

  36

  62

  38

  1985–86

  78

  22

  68

  32

  60

  40

  1986–87

  79

  21

  63

  37

  59

  41

  1987–88

  77

  23

  63

  37

  58

  42

  1988–89

  77

  23

  64

  36

  58

  42

  1989–90

  77

  23

  62

  38

  56

  44

  Total cash backed receipts at 31 March 1990

  £ thousand

  Alyn and Deeside

  3,471

  Colwyn

  2,913

  Delyn

  —

  Glyndwr

  3,430

  Rhuddlan

  2,773

  Wrexham Maelor

  10,267

  Carmarthen

  5,038

  Ceredigion

  6,031

  Dinefwr

  1,661

  Llanelli

  484

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  7,653

  647

  £ thousand

  South Pembrokeshire

  5,183

  Blaenau Gwent

  6,124

  Islwyn

  8,809

  Monmouth

  2,995

  Newport

  21,238

  Torfaen

  8,677

  Aberconwy

  7,272

  Arfon

  6,465

  Dwyfor

  324

  Meirionnydd

  1,469

  Ynys Mon

  5,181

  Cynon Valley

  3,187

  Merthyr Tydfil

  2,416

  Ogwr

  6,105

  Rhondda

  810

  Rhymney Valley

  5,154

  Taff-Ely

  6,436

  Brecknock

  7,176

  Montgomeryshire

  9,260

  Radnorshire

  3,678

  Cardiff

  12,159

  Vale of Glamorgan

  27,358

  Lliw Valley

  4,809

  Neath

  3,083

  Port Talbot

  2,383

  Swansea

  7,254

  Clwyd

  2,074

  Dyfed

  42

  Gwent

  14,840

  Gwynedd

  140

  Mid Glamorgan

  650

  Powys

  238

  South Glamorgan

  200

  West Glamorgan

  1,521

  Dyfed Powys JPA1

  554

  North Wales JPA1

  201

  South Wales JPA1

  —

  Total Districts

  218,726

  Total Counties

  20,460

  Total Wales

  239,186

  1 JPA: Joint Police Authority

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cost to his Department of(a) implementing and (b) monitoring the community charge or poll tax in Wales in the financial years (i) 1989–90 and (ii) 1990–91; and what is his estimate of the cost for 1991–92.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Staff and related costs for implementation of the new local government finance systems, including the introduction of the community charge, were £305,000 in 1989–90. Expenditure in that year on publicity amounted to £450,000. For 1990–91, staff and related costs for administration of the systems will be £330,000. I anticipate staff and related costs for 1991–92 of £375,000.

  River Taff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to fund the Keep Wales Tidy campaign and National Rivers Authority proposal for a consortium to undertake a two-stage clean-up of the River Taff and its banks.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I understand that the Keep Wales Tidy campaign expects to fund phase 1 of the project—the study phase—from contributions by the Welsh Development Agency, the National Rivers Authority, the Cardiff Bay development corporation and local authorities in the Taff valley.
  648
  When phase 1 has been completed the local authorkties concerned will be able to apply for funding for the next phase—the project proper—from the urban programme and such applications would be considered alongside other competing priorities for urban programme support. The next opportunity to submit such bids will be at the end of July this year for projects commencing in 1992–93.

  Minor Operations
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the cost of minor operations carried out by general practitioners and the cost of equivalent treatment through the hospital service.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The new contract for GPs, which came into force on I April 1990, introduced a new payment to GPs who personally provide minor surgery services and who are on the minor surgery list of their local family health services authority. In Wales payments made to GPs since the introduction of the scheme amount to £513,187. Information regarding the cost of equivalent treatment through the hospital service is not held centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Drake Hall (Absconding Prisoners)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1989;

  (2) how many prisoners absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1990;

  (3) how many prisoners absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1988.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The number of prisoners who absconded in each of the three years referred to is as follows:

  Number

  1988

  48

  1989

  81

  1990

  57

  These figures include prisoners who absented themselves from the prison and those prisoners who failed to return having been temporarily released for such purposes as home leave.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners who absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1900 were recaptured;

  (2) how many prisoners who absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1988 were recaptured;

  (3) how many prisoners who absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1989 were recaptured.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  In 1988 a total of 38 prisoners unlawfully at large from Drake Hall open prison were recaptured.

  During 1989 a total of 64 prisoners unlawfully at large from Drake Hall open prison were recaptured. Of these, three had absconded during 1988.

  During 1990 a total of 53 prisoners unlawfully at large from Drake Hall open prison were recaptured. Of these, two had absconded during 1989.
  649
  During 1991, two prisoners who had absconded during 1990 have been recaptured.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners who absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1989 and have not been recaptured were serving sentences for drug-related offences;

  (2) how many prisoners who absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1990 and have not been recaptured were serving sentences for drug-related offences;

  (3) how many prisoners who absconded from Drake Hall open prison in 1988 and have not been recaptured were serving sentences for drug-related offences.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Of those prisoners who absconded during 1988 and remain unlawfully at large, a total of four were in custody for drug-related offences.

  Of those prisoners who absconded during 1989 and remain unlawfully at large, a total of 12 were in custody for drug-related offences.

  Of those prisoners who absconded during 1990 and remain unlawfully at large, a total of three were in custody for drug-related offences.

  Video Films (Rental to Children)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the report of the investigation undertaken by the Federation Against Copyright Theft at the request of the Video Standards Council into the background circumstances of two surveys undertaken by the Birmingham Sunday Mercury into age-restricted videos being rented to children below the specified age.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Video Standards Council—a trade body—sent us a copy of this report last August. The report urged video dealers to be more careful to comply with the law and supported tougher enforcement against those who do not. It did not call for any immediate action by the Government.

  Broadcasting (Independent Productions)
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to lay an order under section 16(5) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 in relation to independent productions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Section 16(2)(h) of the Broadcasting Act requires regional Channel 3 licensees to ensure that in each year not less than 25 per cent. of the total amount of time allocated to the broadcasting of qualifying programmes in their service is allocated to the broadcasting of a range and diversity of independent productions. Under section 16(5) of the Act, I am empowered to specify, by order, the definition of "qualifying programmes" and "independent productions". I hope to lay the draft of such an order before the House later this month.

  In drawing up the draft order, I shall have regard to the current voluntary independent production initiative, in which the independent television companies and the BBC are participants, the details of which my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) announced on 28 April 1988. I am, however, minded to make one important change to the current arrangements. Under the
  650
  voluntary initiative, an independent producer is defined as one in which no broadcaster has any shareholding. Although I accept the need to limit the scope for undue influence which may arise through cross-shareholdings of this kind, I believe that the present requirement is too restrictive and is not in the best interests of the independent sector itself. I therefore propose to permit a broadcaster to have up to a 15 per cent. shareholding in an independent producer, and to apply a similar limit on investment by an independent producer in a broadcaster.

  I have placed a more detailed set of proposals in the Library.

  Metropolitan Police
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Metropolitan police establishment for 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have agreed with the Commissioner some important changes to the way in which the Metropolitan police establishment is presented.

  Up to now, the Metropolitan police establishment has been presented as a single figure. No distinction is made between those posts available for operational policing across the Metropolitan police district; posts funded nationally or by other organisations, for example, at Heathrow airport, and which are therefore tied to the particular purpose for which those funds are given; and posts in support both locally and at headquarters.

  I have agreed therefore a more detailed way of presenting the figures which will enable the public to see more clearly how the resources available to the force are being deployed.

  We have also made some changes in the way the establishment is formed. First, we are bringing the Metropolitan police into line with provincial forces in the way in which their officers who are assigned to central or common police service posts are shown on the establishment. In the case of provincial forces, such officers are already treated as supernumerary to the establishment of the force. In future, the Metropolitan police will likewise no longer carry such officers within their establishment and, accordingly, it will be reduced by the extent of the current commitment to central and common police services.

  Secondly, I have agreed an important value for money initiative put forward by the Commissioner. This enables the moneys used at present to fund certain police posts which require neither the powers nor the skills of a police officer to be used instead to fund civilian posts. The extra funds released in this way will enable further much-needed civilian support to be funded or officers to be redeployed on operational duties. The total establishment figure will naturally reduce as such police posts are "cashed in" in this way. One hundred posts have been cashed in this year, the effect of which has been to allow the Commissioner to provide more support staff while preserving the present strength of operational police officers. I am confident this change will enable the Commissioner to manage his manpower resources better and deliver an improved service.

  The effects of these and other changes, including the increase of 100 posts I announced on 20 December 1990 to take effect from the end of 1991–92, is that the Metropolitan police establishment for 1991–92 will be

  651
  28,486, of which 709 are reimbursable posts, 4,609 are support and specialist posts and 23,168 will be available for operational policing in the Metropolitan police district.

  European Court
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to make arrangements for the reviewing of life sentences following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on 25 October 1990.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Government are carefully considering the implications of the court's judgment to see what changes are necessary to the existing arrangements for reviewing the cases of discretionary life sentence prisoners in order to meet the requirements of the European convention on human rights.

  Passport Office
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what parties have been organised to coincide with the new agency status for the Passport Office: what is the cost to the Exchequer; how many people have been invited; and where these entertainments are being held.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is proposed to mark the launch of the United Kingdom Passport Agency as an executive agency of the Home Office on 2 April 1991 with events at the six regional passport offices in Belfast, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport and Peterborough, at the passport records unit at Hayes, Middlesex, and at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre in London.

  The events will be attended by the staff of the agency, and invitations will also be extended to representations of foreign governments, the travel trade, Government Departments and others with whom the agency will have a business relationship.

  These gatherings will provide an opportunity to outline the agency's plans for obtaining the maximum benefit from the change to executive agency status under the Government's "next steps" initiative in terms of value for money and a continuing emphasis on high levels of service to the public. They will also be used to publicise ways of making the best use of the passport service, for example by sending non-urgent applications by post rather than applying in person at a passport office. About 1,900 staff and business contacts of the Passport Agency are expected to attend the eight events at an overall average cost in the region of £10 per person.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the main funding headings which are used in providing grants to voluntary organisations and the changes that have taken place over the last five years.

  Mr. John Patten
  On 4 April last year my right hon. and noble Friend, the then Home Secretary, announced the publication of the report of the efficiency scrutiny of Government funding of the voluntary sector. Annex D of that report, a copy of which is in the Library, contains a list of grant schemes through which voluntary organisations were funded in 1987–88 and 1988–89. Details of changes which have taken place over the last five years are not available centrally.
  652
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in a table under the relevant headings all funding given to voluntary organisations in the most recent year for which figures are available and for the previous four years.

  Mr. John Patten
  Details of the total funding given to voluntary organisations by Government Departments are announced each year by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. Details for 1988–89 were announced on 11 May last year at columns 254–55. Similar announcements covering total grants made in 1987–88, 1986–87 and 1985–86 were made on 16 May 1989 at columns 120–21, 14 April 1988 at columns 217–19 and 2 March 1987 at columns 464–65. An announcement in respect of total funding in 1989–90 is expected to be made shortly.

  A list of all voluntary organisations funded by Government Departments was placed in the Library when details of grants made in 1988–89 were announced last May.

  Police Records
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the availability to hon. Members of information about the names, dates of conviction, offences of conviction and length of sentences of convicted persons.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In general, police records are regarded as confidential and information is not disclosed from them unless there are important considerations of public interest. Exceptions to the general rule of confidentiality are usually only made for the protection of vulnerable members of society; to ensure probity in the administration of the law; and national security.

  Immigration
  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the statutory provisions that govern whether an individual whose application for entry into the United Kingdom as the spouse of a British citizen has been rejected by an entry clearance office in the Indian sub-continent, and who has appealed to an adjudicator against that decision, may be allowed to be present in person when that appeal is heard; and if he will list the circumstances in which that person can be permitted to attend a hearing of their case, or be in the United Kingdom at the time when it is heard.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There is no provision in the Immigration Rules—HC 251—for someone who has been refused entry clearance to be granted leave to enter the United Kingdom for the specific purpose of attending an appeal hearing. In order to qualify for a visit visa, such an applicant would need to satisfy the entry clearance officer that he meets the requirements set out in paragraph 22 of the rules. A copy of the rules is in the Library.

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for political asylum were received in January and February; from which countries the applicants came; and how many had entered the United Kingdom prior to 31 December 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: Reliable estimates of the number of applications for

  653
  asylum in the United Kingdom in January and February 1991 by nationality and date of arrival are not yet available. However, provisional indications are of a total of more than 3,000 principal applications, excluding associated dependants, in each month. This figure does not include applications for upgrading to refugee status by those previously granted exceptional leave.

  raqi Nationals
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the entry of Iraqi nationals to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: the "Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules" laid before Parliament on 18 January—HC 160—an application for entry falls to be refused if the applicant is an Iraqi national. However, discretion is exercised in compassionate circumstances where we are satisfied that no threat to national security is involved.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Dyslexia
  William Ross
  10. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dyslexic children attend Northern Ireland schools.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Dyslexia can describe a variety of specific learning difficulties experienced by children and the education and library boards are aware of some 600 such children attending schools.

  nglo-Irish Agreement
  Skinner
  11. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further discussions he has had regarding the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Matters arising under the Anglo-Irish Agreement continue to be discussed within the framework of the regular meetings of the intergovernmental conference. The last conference meeting was on 31 January. Subjects discussed included political development, security matters, extradition and environmental issues. A joint statement has been placed in the Library and the Vote Office.

  Duffy
  18. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Irish Government about the future of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor).

  Extradition
  Trimble
  12. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has had any recent discussions with the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning extradition.
  654
  Mr. Brooke
  Extradition was discussed at the last meeting of the Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference on 31 January. A copy of the joint statement has been placed in the Library.

  Tourism
  Simon Coombs
  13. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on tourism in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  Implementation of the Government's strategy for tourism in Northern Ireland is now well advanced and I am confident that its targets for sustained growth in tourism numbers will be achieved.

  Ministerial Meeting
  Bell
  14. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his most recent meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor).

  Unemployment
  Bill Michie
  15. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he plans to take to deal with unemployment.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government's economic development strategy for Northern Ireland aims to improve the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy and thereby bring about increased profitability and employment.

  Cryer
  17. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  At 7 February 1991, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 97,817 unemployment claimants in the Province. This represents a fall of 451 over the last month and 1,122 over the last year.

  Unadopted Entries
  16. Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of his Department for upgrading unadopted entries in towns.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of Environment for Northern Ireland has no plans to upgrade unadopted entries in towns. Responsibility for such entries lies with the frontagers or landowners concerned.

  Prison Service
  McKelvey
  20. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his priorities for the Northern Ireland prison service.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Northern Ireland prison service will continue to discharge its responsibilities to hold in secure and humane confinement those committed by the courts and to reduce the risk of re-offending by encouraging prisoners to take full advantage of the opportunities offered during their confinement.
  655

  Education Expenditure
  John Marshall
  21. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement upon trends in expenditure upon education in Northern Ireland since 1978–79.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1978–79 spending on education in Northern Ireland was £332 million. In 1989–90 it was £898 million. This cash increase of £566 million over the period represents a real increase of 151½ per cent. This year I expect expenditure on education to be around £1 billion.

  Rathlin Island
  Peter Bottomley
  22. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Rathlin island will have a mains electricity distribution system.

  Mr. Needham
  The board of Northern Ireland Electricity gave its approval to a scheme to provide mains electricity on the island. Some details have still to be worked out, but it is hoped that work on the scheme will begin this summer.

  New Hospital
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received on the proposed new hospital in Northern health board area.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have received several representations from the Coleraine/Ballymoney area in support of the proposal for a new hospital in that area. These include a petition of approximately 20,000 signatures together with more than 15,000 signed letters.

  Environmental Protection Agency
  Kilfedder
  24. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish an independent environmental protection agency.

  Mr. Needham
  The establishment of an independent environmental protection agency was one of the recommendations in the recent report by the Environment Committee of this House in relation to environmental issues in Northern Ireland. The report is currently being studied. A command paper giving the Government's response to the Committee will be presented to the House. I would not wish to anticipate that response.

  Community Relations
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his plans for industry to encourage better community relations.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government believe that the business sector can play an important role in encouraging community relations in Northern Ireland, although they do not wish to be prescriptive or directive. Therefore, as a first step, I intend having early meetings with business people to explore with them how they could contribute to promoting greater harmony within the work force and the wider community.
  656

  Future Government
  Andrew MacKay
  26. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his discussions with the political parties in the province about the future government of Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor).

  Arts Funding
  Colvin
  27. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the per capita arts funding in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The answer is £3·14 in 1990–91.

  Hospital Beds
  Alton
  28. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many beds will be available in Northern Ireland hospitals by the end of the current year.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not available. However, the average number of available beds in Northern Ireland hospitals has decreased in each of the last five years from 16,595 in 1985 to 14,154 in 1989–90. These reductions are consistent with targets set in my Department's regional strategy (1987 to 1992) and I expect the downward trend to continue this year. Over the same period as above the number of patients treated increased from 290,109 to 315,962 as a result of the more intensive use of beds and greater concentration on day cases.

  Public Expenditure
  Bowis
  29. Mr.To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the public expenditure plans and priorities for Northern Ireland for 1991–92 and 1993–94.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The recently published report on the Government's expenditure plans and priorities gives further information about the resource allocations announced last November by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State are being utilised for the benefit of Northern Ireland. The report shows the very substantial programme of work in which all Departments are engaged, covering the full spectrum of economic, social and environmental provision.

  Child Care
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of workplaces for civil servants in his Office and in the Northern Ireland Departments; what proportion of the total number have an on-site nursery facility; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide a holiday play scheme; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide after-school child care facilities; what charges are made for use of any facility; what the net cost has been for the provision of these facilities; and what estimate he can make of any future expenditure.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Northern Ireland civil service and the Northern Ireland Office have staff based in 341 buildings throughout the Province and in London.
  657
  There are no on-site nurseries or after-school child care facilities provided. However, the feasibility of establishing a nursery in Northern Ireland is currently being investigated and nursery facilities for London-based staff are being sought with larger Government Departments and private companies.

  Three holiday play schemes have been established in Northern Ireland. They are not located in Government buildings but they serve staff working or living in the Ballymena, Londonderry and Stormont areas. Additional schemes will be set up in the future in areas where the demand for them exists. The small home civil service part of the Northern Ireland Office in London can link into schemes already set up by larger Departments and hopes to be able to take advantage of any new schemes.

  The charges to parents using holiday play schemes range from £3 to £4 per child per day. The Northern Ireland civil service made grants of approximately £8,000 to fund the three holiday play schemes in 1990–91. Future expenditure on these schemes is expected to continue at the same level; if additional schemes are set up grants will be paid to them on a similar basis.

  River Dun (Breakwater)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effects have been observed as a result of the breakwater erected at the mouth of the River Dun in respect of(a) deposition or removal of sand, (b) on commercial fisheries and (c) on the freedom of movement of migratory fish.

  Mr. Hanley
  The answer is:

  (a) No effect on the deposition or removal of sand can be attributed with certainty to the breakwater.

  (b) There has been an increase in the commercial salmon catch in the vicinity of the breakwater since its erection.

  (c) Fish migrating from the River Dun should not be affected by the breakwater but those returning to the River, while not obstructed by the structure itself, may be impeded to an extent during periods when the adjacent fixed draft net is also in the fishing mode. To facilitate the passage of fish the owner of the net has made application to change the site and characteristics of the net and following a recent public inquiry the matter is awaiting decision.

  Fishing
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether the use of nylon monofilament nets are permitted in the freshwater commercial fisheries of Northern Ireland;

  (2) whether he has considered a ban on the sale of wild brown trout in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  No.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the minimum size of each species of coarse fish which can be taken by commercial fishing engines from the freshwater lakes and rivers of Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  The coarse fish species for which a minimum takeable size has been prescribed are:

  (a) Pollen 19·5 cm (7½in).

  (b) Pike: 60 cm (24in) only applicable in Lough Erne.

  (e) Eels: 40 cm in all waters controlled by the Fisheries Conservancy Board except Lough Neagh where the mimimum size is 30 cms.

  658
  There is no mimimum size for eels in the waters controlled by the Foyle Fisheries Commission.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what number of(a) salmon and (b) sea trout have been taken by nets in the River Dun in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Commercial fishing for salmon and sea trout is not permitted in the River Dun.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to at what age and what size brown trout in Lough Neagh reach maturity.

  Mr. Hanley
  Lough Neagh brown trout mature between their third and sixth years, with most maturing by their fifth year. Within this range there are differences between the sexes (females tend to mature later than males) and between different sub-populations of trout. The size at maturity ranges from approximately 20 to 50 cms.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) salmon and (b) sea trout redds have been counted in the River Dun in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Hanley
  The counting of redds is by visual observation and numbers observed can be distorted by water and weather conditions. Figures for the years concerned were:

  Salmon redds

  Sea trout redds

  1981

  Nil

  Nil

  1982

  Nil

  Nil

  1983

  4

  N/c

  1984

  N/c

  N/c

  1985

  Nil

  Nil

  1986

  Nil

  Nil

  1987

  N/c

  N/c

  1988

  N/c

  N/c

  1989

  6

  Nil

  1990

  16

  Nil

  N/c = No count undertaken.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the minimum size of brown trout which can be taken by commercial fishing engines from the freshwater lakes and rivers of Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  There is no minimum size of brown trout which can be taken by commercial fishing engines, but commercial fishermen cannot have in their possession for sale any trout of less than 30 cm (12 inches).

  Housing
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Antrim of 5 March,Official Report, c.127, if he will list by name the four Housing Executive and 40 private developments concerned.

  Mr. Needham
  The developments concerned are as follows:

  Development

  Borough Council area

  NIHE sites

  Station Park, Tome

  Antrim

  Ardeen Gardens, Rathcoole

  Newtownabbey

  659

  Development

  Borough Council area

  Hightown Road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  The Diamond, Rathcoole

  Newtownabbey

  Private Sites

  Laurel Park, New Street, Randalstown

  Antrim

  The Gables, New Street, Randalstown

  Antrim

  Trommery Park, Ballytrommery Road, Crumlin

  Antrim

  Kings Court, Templepatrick

  Antrim

  Fortview Stage 1, The Folly, Antrim

  Antrim

  Hightown Gardens/Rise, Hightown Road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Shermond Park, Ballyhenry Road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Fairhill Crescent—Carnmoney

  Newtownabbey

  Mount Pleasant Road, Jordanstown

  Newtownabbey

  Doagh Road/Monkstown Road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Toberdowney Estate—Lismenary Road, Ballynure

  Newtownabbey

  Jordanstown Mews (115 Jordanstown Road,Newtownabbey)

  Newtownabbey)

  Hampton Court—138–148 Jordanstown Road, Jordanstown

  Newtownabbey

  Monkstown Avenue, Newtownabbey

  Newtownabbey

  Burnside Road, Doagh

  Newtownabbey

  Collinview Avenue—Ballyclare

  Newtownabbey

  Whitehouse Park—Shore Road, Newtownabbey

  Newtownabbey

  Archvale Avenue—Carnmoney

  Newtownabbey

  Jordanstown Heights—Mount Pleasant Avenue Jordanstown

  Newtownabbey

  Beechgrove Dev, Manse road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Collinbridge Park—Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Ferndale Road—Carnmoney

  Newtownabbey

  Cogry Hill and Cogry Rise—Cogrey Road, Doagh

  Newtownabbey

  Meadowcrofft, Ballyclare Road, Ballyrobert

  Newtownabbey

  Cherry Meadows—Burneys Lane, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Foundry Lane—Ballyclare

  Newtownabbey

  Mossley Road—Ballyrobert

  Newtownabbey

  Ashley Park—Doagh Road, Ballyearl

  Newtownabbey

  Clare Heights—Doagh Rroad, Ballyclare

  Newtownabbey

  Asbourne/Glendermore—Ashgrove Road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Merrion Avenue—Ballyclare

  Newtownabbey

  Carnhill Road—Prince Charles Way, Carnmoney

  Newtownabbey

  Glenbourne Park, Jordanstown

  Newtownabbey

  Dorchester Park, Ballyhenry Road— Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Carnhill No. 2 Estate—Prince Charles Way, Carnmoney

  Newtownabbey

  George Court, Main Street, Ballynure

  Newtownabbey

  Hightown Road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Grange Valley, Ballyclare

  Newtownabbey

  Lismara, Shore Road, Newtownabbey

  Newtownabbey

  Christine Road, Manse Road, Glengormley

  Newtownabbey

  Social Security
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many social security claimants have been(a) prosecuted and (b) found guilty of claiming benefit while working and receiving wages during each year from 1985–86 to 1989–90.

  Mr. Hanley
  During the period 1985 to 1989 the number of social security claimants prosecuted and the number of convictions was:

  Total prosecuted

  Total convictions

  1985

  940

  759

  1986

  1,079

  1,024

  1987

  1,079

  1,015

  660

  Total prosecuted

  Total convictions

  1988

  1,184

  1,151

  1989

  1,075

  1,033

  Figures in respect of 1990 will not be available until mid 1991.

  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many workers in the construction industry have been(a) prosecuted and (b) found guilty of claiming social security benefit while receiving wages during each year from 1985–86 to 1989–90.

  Mr. Hanley
  During the period 1985 to 1989 the number of workers, including employers in the construction industry, who have been prosecuted for social security fraud was:

  Number prosecuted

  1985

  412

  1986

  416

  1987

  408

  1988

  476

  1989

  373

  Details concerning actual convictions in individual sectors of industry could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. Figures in respect of 1990 will not be available until mid-1991.

  Agriculture
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show for each of the months of September, October and November in the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1990 the price received for suckled calves in the principal markets for such cattle, sums to be shown in cash and real terms, taking for real terms 1975 as the base year, or as much of such information as is available to him.

  Mr. Hanley
  Estimates of prices received for suckled calves in the principal markets in Northern Ireland for the months of September, October and November in the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are given below in current prices and in real terms.

  Current prices (£/head)

  Prices in real terms1 (£/head)

  Sept.

  Oct.

  Nov.

  Sept.

  Oct.

  Nov.

  1975

  64·33

  73·25

  74·16

  64·33

  72·24

  72·28

  1980

  —

  157·27

  163·89

  —

  81·28

  84·00

  1985

  225·20

  227·81

  242·61

  84·03

  84·88

  90·09

  1988

  363·62

  360·78

  348·73

  119·49

  117·33

  112·93

  1989

  317·60

  337·01

  318·80

  97·01

  102·16

  95·82

  1990

  246·08

  210·67

  279·81

  67·77

  57·58

  76·66

  1 Deflated by changes since September 1975 in the United Kingdom index of retail prices.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the 0Official Report to show for each of the months of June, July, August, September and October the average price received

  661
  for fat lambs in the principal markets of Northern Ireland in the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1990, showing also the average final price received by the farmer taking into account sums which arise from market support payments, all prices to be shown in cash and real terms taking 1975 as the base year, or as much of such information as is available to him.

  Mr. Hanley
  Estimates of prices received for finished lambs in the principal markets in Northern Ireland for the months of June, July, August, September and October in the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are given in the following tables in current prices and in real terms. Since 1982, market support for sheep has not been based on payments on lambs marketed but is paid, on a per ewe basis, to those keeping eligible breeding ewes. Therefore lamb prices which include market support payments are not available.
  662

  Current prices (pence/kg deadweight)

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  1975

  33·30

  28·71

  28·20

  28·76

  32·83

  1980

  162·00

  142·30

  121·00

  122·70

  116·20

  1985

  176·24

  158·95

  158·70

  155·28

  162·54

  1988

  203·67

  199·68

  198·11

  194·93

  194·90

  1989

  201·00

  185·99

  179·72

  176·23

  173·51

  1990

  167·67

  130·43

  133·05

  137·68

  133·86

  Prices in real terms1 (pence/kg deadweight)

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  1975

  33·30

  28·43

  27·76

  28·06

  31·60

  1980

  83·59

  72·82

  61·80

  62·25

  58·60

  1985

  64·20

  58·01

  57·75

  56·55

  59·08

  1988

  66·41

  65·04

  63·80

  62·50

  61·85

  1989

  60·52

  55·97

  53·94

  52·53

  51·32

  1990

  45·99

  35·74

  36·11

  37·00

  35·70

  1 Deflated by changes since June 1975 in the United Kingdom index of retail prices.

  663

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Homeless Claimants
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Social Security if he will place in the Library a copy of the review of the future arrangements for homeless claimants in London being undertaken by the district manager of the New Southwark district.

  Miss Widdecombe
  It is not our intention to publish this report.

  Child Care
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of workplaces for civil servants in his Department; what proportion of the total number have an on-site nursery facility; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide a holiday play scheme; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide after-school child care facilities; what charges are made for use of any facility; what the net cost has been for the provision of these facilities; and what estimate he can make of any future expenditure.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department has just under 500 workplaces. One workplace has an on-site nursery, but staff in other workplaces have access to another 23 nursery schemes provided by other Government Departments or private organisations.

  Sixty-five workplaces have access to places to holiday play schemes, and three have access to after-school child care.

  Child care charges vary by scheme and location —the main criterion is the provision of good value for money. The charge to staff for nurseries ranges from £20 to £55 per week; for holiday play schemes from £1·50 to £7 per day; and for after-school child care from £1·00 to £1·30 an hour.

  In 1990–91 £1·6 million was allocated for expenditure on child care. Specific allocations for later years are not made centrally.

  Departmental Accounts
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he has taken to rectify those mistakes and miscalculations identified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General in refusing to approve his Department's accounts for(a) 1989–90 and (b) 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Three of the Department's accounts for 1989–90 were qualified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General. As a result the Department has taken steps to improve its computer systems, provided additional training and guidance to staff and has corrected errors in individual payments. The 1990–91 accounts have not yet been prepared and will be presented for audit in September 1991.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received to index the level of the cold weather payment to rises in fuel prices since 1986; and if he will make a statement.
  664
  Mr. Scott
  We are not aware of any recent representations on this subject.

  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been paid out in cold weather payments by region since 1 February.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is not yet available, but it will placed in the Library as soon as possible.

  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what have been the staffing costs, by region, of administering the cold weather payments since 1 February.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not yet available, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Purchasing and Distribution
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the full annual cost, including overheads, of his Department's purchasing activity.

  Miss. Widdecombe
  The full annual cost, including overheads, of those staff wholly or substantially engaged in purchasing in the DSS is £4 million, including the cost of staff engaged in stores activities. This figure excludes warehousing costs, those storage and distribution activities which are contracted out and staff who spend only a small proportion of their time in purchasing and supply. This cost amounts to 0·5 per cent. of the total purchasing spend of £812 million.

  Family Credit
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of cases family credit is payable to the mother.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In two-parent families family credit is payable to the mother in almost every case. Legislation provides that in such families the claim has to be made by the woman, which means that she becomes the payee. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may accept a claim by the man where he is satisfied that this would be reasonable, but this provision is used only in exceptional circumstances.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in(a) the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland are in receipt of family credit; and what estimated proportion these families represent of those judged to be entitled to this benefit.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information about the total number of families eligible for family credit can be obtained only for Great Britain as a whole, and only retrospectively, from family expenditure survey data.

  The latest available information for families receiving family credit is as follows:

  Families

  (a) Greenock and Port Glasgow

  1,0101

  (b) Strathclyde

  16,2001

  Scotland

  39,0002

  665
  1 Number of awards actually in payment on 8 February 1991 i.e. excludes awards on claims made before that date but not decided at that stage.

  2True case load at the end of July 1990, i.e. including backdated awards. Information on this more comprehensive basis is only available for Scotland as a whole.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether information about family credit, similar to that supplied to parents whose child benefit is paid by order book, has been sent to those receiving it by credit transfer.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The same personalised message, telling the family that they may be able to get family credit if their income is less than the figure quoted in the message, now appears on the child benefit award notices, change of rate notices and statements of entitlement sent to those people whose payment is made by credit transfer.

  Purchasing and Distribution
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in his Department are wholly or substantially involved in purchasing stores and distribution activities.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The number of people wholly or substantially involved in purchasing, stores and distribution at the Department of Social Security is 217. This includes 69 people engaged in related stores activities.

  Criminal Injuries (Compensation)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his Department will review its rules with regard to the treatment of awards from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as savings for the purpose of benefit entitlement assessment; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The vast majority of payments from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board have no effect whatsoever on social security benefits.

  The rules for the income-related benefits were changed in October 1990 so that compensation payments arising from a personal injury which are placed on trust are completely disregarded when deciding entitlement to benefit. The normal rules apply to payments made by the trustees.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will consider the determination of a higher trigger point for the cold weather payment in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  As I announced in the House on 11 February, we will shortly undertake a review of the scheme.

  Value for Money
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures of performance are employed by his Department to ensure value for money.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department uses a wide range of indicators to measure its performance and the quality of 666
  service it provides. These are set out in the 1991 departmental report (Cm 1514) a copy of which is available in the Library. To ensure value for money in administrative expenditure, the Department has an ongoing target to increase efficiency and uses mechanisms such as efficiency scrutinies, internal consultancy, market testing of in-house activities and the monitoring of purchasing improvements.

  Income Support Deductions
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list his Department's offices in Glasgow and show against each how many income support arrestments and statutory reductions have been made at the request of Strathclyde regional council.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is as follows:

  Glasgow local office

  Number of deductions in place

  Anniesland

  667

  Bridgeton

  794

  City

  257

  Craigton

  1,002

  Cranstonhill

  1

  Laurieston

  704

  Mary hill

  678

  Partick

  273

  Provan

  787

  Rutherglen

  1,181

  Shettleston

  841

  Southside

  850

  Springburn

  1,063

  The information is not routinely published. It derives from the Department's management information system and is obtained from a quarterly count of deductions in action completed on 28 February 1991. The data are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Pensioners (Heating)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the annual costs for heating faced by pensioners.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department receives annual information on the patterns of pensioner expenditure, including the amounts spent on household fuel, from the family expenditure survey.

  Income Support
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claims in the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Port Glasgow are from(a) elderly citizens, (b) families, (c) single parents and (d) people with disabilities as a total figure and as a percentage of all claims.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, it is possible to identify the number of current claims from pensioners and from lone parents aged less than 60 in the two local offices serving the Greenock and Port Glasgow area. This information is as follows:
  667

  Pensioners

  Single parents

  Total number of claims

  5,164

  2,539

  Percentage of claims in Greenock/Port Glasgow area

  32·4

  16·0

  Note:

  Data derived from 30 November 1990 count of cases in action, which include a number of cases where payment has ceased but other action is continuing. Data are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which offices of his Department have received additional social fund allocations since 1 January; on what dates; and of what amounts.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Mitchell) on 13 March 1991.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether polycythaemia has been accepted as attributable to service by nuclear test veterans in addition to leukaemia and multiple myeloma.

  Mr. Scott
  Expert medical authorities now accept that polycythemia rubra vera may be looked upon as a disease similar to certain types of leukaemia. If the condition occurs in a British nuclear test participant, it will be certified as attributable to service for war pension purposes.

  National Insurance Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total cost to the National Insurance Fund to date of the 2 per cent. of banded earnings offered as an incentive to opt out of SERPs expressed(a) as a cash amount and (b) as an amount per head of those who remain in SERPs.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Revenue forgone by the National Insurance Fund in respect of the 2 per cent. incentive is to date just under £1,400 million. Because individuals move in and out of employment and also move between contracted in and contracted out employment or take out a personal pension during the course of a contribution year, it is not possible to determine accurately the number of individuals remaining in SERPs.

ENVIRONMENT

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the cost of lowering the maximum permissible annual increase in uniform business rate bills in(a) nominal and (b) real terms (i) for small businesses, from 15 per cent. to 10 per cent. and (ii) for larger businesses, from 20 per cent. to 15 per cent., for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Key
  The estimated costs in England, to the nearest £5 million, are as follows:
  668

  Nominal (cash) terms

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Small properties

  25

  40

  Large properties

  135

  205

  Real terms (1990 prices)

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Small properties

  25

  35

  45

  Large properties

  135

  185

  185

  No allowance has been made for changes to the rating lists since 1 April 1990 in making these estimates. Estimates for cash terms increases for 1992–93 have not been made because any increase in the cost in cash terms will be the result of an increase in the value of the multiplier for 1992–93, which will be determined in relation to the annual increase in the retail prices index in September 1991.

  The maximum increase for small composite hereditaments, most commonly where the owner lives "over the shop", has already been changed. From 1 April 1991, the limit will be 10 per cent. for these properties. The cost of this change is estimated to be £5 million in each of 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the cost of increasing the threshold at which businesses are eligible for the small business category of uniform business rate transitional relief from a rateable value of £10,000 to £15,000 outside London and from a rateable value of £15,000 to £25,000 within London, for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Key
  The cost in England, in 1990 prices, is estimated to be £25 million in 1990–91 and £35 million in each of 1991–92 and 1992–93. These estimates take no account of changes to the rating lists since 1 April 1990.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has for the cost of allowing businesses to remain eligible for transitional relief from the uniform business rate although they move premises for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Key
  The estimated cost in England of allowing businesses to remain eligible for transitional protection when moving premises is, in 1990 prices, £60 million in 1990–91, and £75 million in each of 1991–92 and 1992–93. These estimates take no account of changes to the rating lists since 1 April 1990.

  Green Labelling
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in agreeing a system of green labelling with the other EC member countries; and what proposals Her Majesty's Government have with regard to(a) the proportion of low-grade paper waste to be included in a green-labelled toilet roll, (b) the specifications for soap powder or detergent, (c) the specification for batteries, in particular the problems with mercury and cadmium, (d) aerosol spray, (e) liquid containers and (f) standards for shopping carrier bags.
  669
  Mr. Baldry
  The European Commission issued its proposed regulation for a Community award scheme for an eco-label on 11 February. The proposal will be discussed at the Environment Council on 18 March.

  No proposals have yet been made for the criteria against which specific product groups would be assessed for the award of an eco-label under the scheme. Under the proposed regulation, criteria would be determined on the basis of an assessment of the impact of a product on the environment over the whole of its life-cycle, and would aim for high standards of environmental protection.

  Greenwich
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the effect on the SSA for Greenwich if at the time of the last census Thamesmead tenants had already left the public sector and if the present numbers of children with lone parents had been present then.

  Mr. Key
  The information necessary to answer this question is not available.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the reasons why the spread of sports grounds and undeveloped land in the borough of Greenwich leads, through the ward weighted density calculation, to reduced social services provision for the frail elderly and children at risk.

  Mr. Key
  Ward-weighted density is not an indicator used in the standard spending assessment for personal social services for the elderly or for children. The level of provision of social services in Greenwich is, in any case, a matter of discretion for the borough.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the borough of Greenwich might be expected to spend on(a) social services and (b) other services if the assessment per head for Lewisham and for Wandsworth were used.

  Mr. Key
  It is for the borough of Greenwich to decide how much to spend on each service. SSAs are calculated to reflect the social and demographic characteristics of the individual authority concerned. Thus Lewisham's SSA would not be appropriate for Greenwich. The following table shows what the 1991–92 personal social services and all other services SSA elements for Greenwich would be if its SSA per adult for each service was the same as that of Lewisham and Wandsworth.

  SSA element for Greenwich 1991–92

  Personal social services

  All other services

  £ million

  £ million

  Greenwich's actual position

  32·165

  33·031

  With same per adult sum as for Lewisham

  41·191

  41·054

  With same per adult sum as for Wandsworth

  43·559

  52·095

  Nitrogen Oxide (Monitoring)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has in respect of the number of nitrogen oxide monitoring stations in each of the OECD countries.
  670
  Mr. Baldry
  No central records are kept of the numbers of nitrogen oxide monitoring stations in each of the OECD countries. Within Europe, nitrogen oxide monitoring data are compiled by the chemical co-ordinating centre of the UN ECE EMEP programme at the Norwegian Institute for Air Research. Of the 108 EMEP monitoring stations operated by the 28 European countries, 25 stations reported nitrogen oxide monitoring data in 1985.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which regulations concerning waste disposal will be in operation after 1992.

  Mr. Baldry
  The present statutory controls on waste disposal, contained in part I of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and the regulations made under that Act, will continue in force until repealed and replaced by part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. I hope to announce a timetable for the implementation of part II of the 1990 Act shortly.

  Radioactive Discharge
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his present policy in respect of the use of as low as reasonably achievable and best practical means guidelines to determine acceptable radioactive discharge levels to the marine environment.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's policy is to keep radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), taking account of economic and social factors. Operators discharging radioactivity to the marine environment are required not only to comply with any numerical limits laid down by the regulatory authorities, but are also placed under an obligation to use the best practicable means (BPM) to limit further the amount of radioactivity discharged.

  Recycling
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the reserve fund for innovative recycling projects was established; how many projects were funded through it; where these projects were located; and what was the cost to the fund of each project.

  Mr. Baldry
  There is no such fund specifically related to recycling projects. However, under the environmental technology innovation scheme (ETIS), launched in October last year, and the environmental grant fund, launched in December last year, assistance can be given to suitable innovative recycling projects. At present no offers of grant have been made in relation to recycling projects under these schemes which, with some exceptions in the case of ETIS, are not open to public sector bodies.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers there are to penalise councillors who fail to pay their community charge.

  Mr. Key
  None.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider extending the grounds for exemption from the poll tax to include severe physical handicap.
  671
  Mr. Key
  Our review of local government finance is considering all aspects of the community charge. Under the present arrangements people with disabilities may be helped by the community charge benefit disability and severe disability premiums.

  Mr. Dixon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the effect on the poll tax for 1991–92 in South Tyneside if Government grants were the same as in 1978–79 in real terms.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 8 March 1991]: Since I April 1990, in contrast to previous arrangements, revenue support grant has been paid to the receiving authority for each area in support jointly of its own expenditure and that of the precepting authorities in the area. For this reason it is not possible to make direct comparisons at the individual authority level between the new grant system and previous systems. Also it is inappropriate to apply the national percentage rate of grant to individual authorities, since in both old and new systems grant is paid at different rates to different authorities, reflecting differences in their local needs and resources.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the level of Government grants for 1990–91 per head of population in Wakefield metropolitan district council;

  (2) what would be the effect on the poll tax for 1991–92 in Wakefield metropolitan district council if Government grants were the same as in 1978–79 in real terms;

  (3) what grant per poll tax payer is received by Wakefield metropolitan district council.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 11 March 1991]: Government grants, consisting of revenue support grant, special grants, specific grants in aggregate external finance, community charge benefit grant and transitional relief grant, were £208 per head of population and £271 per head of relevant population in Wakefield in 1990–91.

  Since 1 April 1990, in contrast to previous arrangements, revenue support grant has been paid to the receiving authority for each area in support jointly of its own expenditure and that of the precepting authorities in the area. For this reason it is not possible to make direct comparisons at the individual authority level between the new grant system and previous systems. Also it is inappropriate to apply the national percentage rate of grant to individual authorities, since in both old and new systems grant is paid at different rates to different authorities, reflecting differences in their local needs and resources.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the average domestic rate bill in each local authority in England which would be necessary to yield the same revenue as his estimate of the yield of the community charge in 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: I am arranging for the information for 1990–91 to be placed in the Library of the House. Information for 1991–92 will not be available until authorities inform the Department of their budgets.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the effect on the poll tax for 1991–92 in(a) Salford, (b) Wigan and (c) Bolton if Government grants were the same as in 1978–79 in real terms.
  672
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the effect on the poll tax for 1991–92 in Bradford if Government grants were the same as in 1978–79 in real terms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: Since 1 April 1990, in contrast to previous arrangements, revenue support grant has been paid to the receiving authority for each area in support jointly of its own expenditure and that of the precepting authorities in the area. For this reason it is not possible to make direct comparisons at the individual authority level between the new grant system and previous systems. Also it is inappropriate to apply the national percentage rate of grant to individual authorities, since in both old and new systems grant is paid at different rates to different authorities, reflecting differences in their local needs and resources.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grant per poll tax payer is received by Maidstone and Faversham.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: Government grants, consisting of revenue support grant, special grants, specific grants in aggregate external finance, community charge benefit grant and transitional relief grant are, per head of relevant population in 1990–91, £206 in Maidstone and £231 in Swale.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage of total budgeted council expenditure which is paid for by poll tax in(a) Waltham Forest, (b) Wandsworth and (c) Westminster in 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 13 March 1991.]: Income from community charges, together with revenue support grant and receipts from the non-domestic rates pool, finances the spending of each charging authority and the appropriate precepting authorities. It is not possible to attribute a proportion of an individual authority's spending to any particular source of income.

  Ladies' Lavatories
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a planning guidance circular concerning the standards to be met in the provision of ladies' lavatory facilities in buildings open to the public.

  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so: this is not a concern of the land-use planning system. However, the Building Regulations 1985 and the technical guidance associated with them lay down requirements for the provision of sanitary conveniences and washing facilities in new buildings in England and Wales.

  Dog Control
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government intend to bring into effect the new provisions on dog control contained in the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Baldry
  The dog control provisions in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provide for new duties to be placed on district and London borough authorities to collect and detain stray dogs, and to enforce the existing requirement that dogs should wear a collar and
  673
  identification tag in a public place. We propose to bring these new measures into effect on 1 April 1992. My Department will consult local authorities on a draft circular in the summer, and will publish draft regulations in the autumn.

  My officials are holding discussions with the local authority associations and other interested bodies about the additional resource implications of implementing the new duties and powers. I have been most impressed by the initiatives and enthusiasm shown by the many authorities which already employ dog wardens. I would encourage others to follow their example by similarly exercising their existing powers to the full.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any changes to announce to his Department's cash limits for 1990–91.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Yes. I propose to make the following changes:

  (i) The non-voted cash limit for DOE/OES will be increased by £2,110,000 from £58,705,000 to £60,815,000. This results from the provision of additional supplementary credit approvals to enable local authorities to raise finance to fulfil their obligations to contribute part of the cost of certain roads built by the Commission for the New Towns and new town development corporations in England. The increase will be wholly offset by counterbalancing new town receipts (see (iii) (b) below).

  (ii) The non-voted cash limit DOE/LACAP will be increased by £500,000 from £2,785,170,000 to £2,785,670,000. This results from the provision of additional supplementary credit approvals to enable Peterborough DC to raise finance to purchase housing stock from the Commission for the New Towns. This increase is also wholly offset by counter-balancing new town receipts (see (iii) (b) below).

  (iii) The non-voted cash limit for DOE/NT (New Towns) will be increased by £222,390,000 from minus £525,370,000 to minus £302,980,000. This net increase is the result of the following individual changes:

  (a) an increase of £225,000,000, reflecting the effect on receipts of the present state of the property market;

  (b) reductions of £2,110,000 and £500,000 respectively resulting from additional receipts from local authorities financed by the cash limit increases described in (i) and (ii) above.

  (iv) The External Finance Limit for Letchworth Garden City Corporation will be increased by £4,120,000 from minus £4,000,000 to £120,000. This reflects changes in the Corporation's financing profile as a result of the downturn in the property market.

  These changes are within the forecast outturn for the planning total published on 1 February in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement.

  Community Charge (Gulf Postings)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that service personnel and civilians posted to the Gulf are reimbursed in respect of any liability to the community charge during their absence.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I told the House on 19 February that the Government had concluded that service personnel and associated civilians posted to the Gulf should not have to bear the cost of the community charge during the period of their posting and that we would consider in the light of the case of Bradford MBC v. Anderton how this could be achieved.

  The Government have decided to establish a compensation scheme, to be operated by the Ministry of
  674
  Defence, under which service personnel and civilians posted to the Gulf will be reimbursed for any community charge liability incurred in the period of their absence. The scheme will apply to all uniformed service personnel, including reservists; to civilians employed by the Ministry of Defence, including the merchant seamen of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; to merchant seamen on ships chartered by the Ministry of Defence; and to certain employees of defence contractors supporting the British armed forces in the Gulf. The scheme will be retrospective to the initial deployment in August 1990. Compensation will cease when an individual returns to Great Britain, except for personnel who are wounded where it will continue until they leave hospital or convalescent home.

  I have already announced separate proposals to compensate local authorities which lose significant amounts of income in respect of those service personnel whose liability for the community charge ceases as a consequence of posting to the Gulf.

  My Department will shortly be issuing to local authorities further guidance about the implications of the Anderton judgment for the community charge liability of service personnel.

  Action for Cities
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what projects have been funded in inner cities under the action for cities initiative; and if he will list the factories and local businesses which have received funds under action for cities.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: A wide range of projects have been supported under the action for cities initiative, with Government expenditure input totalling over £10 billion since 1988. More detailed information is available in Government publications such as "Action for Cities", "Progress on Cities" and "People in Cities", and in the annual reports recently published by each Government Department. Factories and businesses receive specific help through various programmes and bodies; the main ones are listed below:

  Programmes

  Urban programme

  City grant

  Enterprise allowance scheme

  Enterprise initiative

  Loan guarantee scheme

  Regional enterprise grants

  Regional selective assistance

  Bodies or agencies

  Urban development corporations

  English estates

  Small firms centres

  Task forces

  City action teams

  If my hon. Friend requires any further information, perhaps he could write to me.

  Direct Labour Organisations
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will commission a report into the accounting procedures adopted by local authority direct labour organisations.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 13 March 1991]: The procedures which authorities are required to follow in accounting for their direct labour organisations are

  675
  prescribed in section 10 of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 and section 9 of the Local Government Act 1988. Under those Acts authorities are required to secure that the financial objectives prescribed by my right hon. Friend are met, and to submit copies of their annual reports to their auditor and to my right hon. Friend.

  We have no plans at present to commission a study of accounting procedures under this legislation.

EMPLOYMENT

  Child Care
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of workplaces for civil servants in his Department; what proportion of the total number have an on-site nursery facility; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide a holiday play scheme; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide after-school child care facilities; what charges are made for use of any facility; what the net cost has been for the provision of these facilities; and what estimate he can make of any future expenditure.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Employment Department Group has approximately 2,000 workplaces for civil servants, many of which are small local offices comprising 10 to 30 staff; at present we have one on-site nursery facility running in Bootle; 28 workplaces provide holiday play schemes; there are no after-school child care facilities provided at present. All parts of the group are actively pursuing initiatives to increase child care provision. The Department will continue to consider sympathetically proposals for child care facilities and, where possible, will provide practical help where there is evidence of sufficient demand to make it financially viable. Staff who wish to take advantage of play schemes and nurseries are required to contribute to running costs. Central records are not kept concerning individual costs involved and could not be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost; any future estimate of expenditure again cannot be gathered without incurring disproportionate costs. The diversity of workplaces within the group and their relative size often means that workplace provision is not viable. In some locations the Department is working with other Government Departments and outside industry to take child care provision forward. At present there are about seven schemes under consideration in this category.

  Apex Trust (Youth Project)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the threatened closure of the Apex Trust's youth project; what funding his Department provides to this project; how many people have been trained at the project since it was first established; how many people are currently being trained by the project; what alternative training places would be provided if the project was closed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department has a national employment training (ET) contract with the Apex Trust which runs between 28 May 1990 and 31 March 1991, and is for 1,477 places at a unit cost of £52 for each trainee week delivered which gives Apex an earning capacity of £3·38 million.
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  The Apex Trust's training centre in York has been operating since 1985, initially offering community programme and since September 1988 delivering ET. Figures supplied by the Apex Trust show that since the launch of ET in September 1988 250 trainees have trained at the centre, and that there are currently 37 trainees in training. North Yorkshire TEC has offered the Apex Trust a rundown contract between 1 April and the end of November to enable existing trainees to complete their training.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Veterinary Laboratories
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the 28 veterinary laboratories that were operational in 1979 and in 1991, and those that will be operational in 1995.

  Mr. Gummer
  The changes in the structure of the veterinary investigation service since 1979 are the result of two very thorough and carefully considered reviews on the operation of the service. These reviews were designed to produce significant improvements in the quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the service and to reflect changes in national requirements and methods of operation of the veterinary investigation service. Advances in diagnostic technology, automated analytical equipment, information technology and improvements in road transport systems mean that a larger proportion of services provided by the veterinary investigation service can now be carried out more efficiently in the reduced number of locations. It is important to have an efficient veterinary investigation service which is well equipped to meet our national needs over the years ahead.

  The 28 veterinary laboratories within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that were operational in 1979 consisted of 25 veterinary investigation centres located at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Chester, Gloucester, Leeds, Lincoln, Liverpool, Newcastle, Northampton, Norwich, Penrith, Reading, Shrewsbury, Starcross, Sutton Bonington, Thirsk, Truro, Weybridge, Winchester, Worcester and Wye, and the three central laboratories comprising the central veterinary laboratories at Weybridge, Lasswade (Edinburgh) and the cattle breeding centre at Shinfield.

  There are 21 veterinary laboratories operational in 1991 consisting of 19 veterinary investigation centres located at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Bristol, Cambridge, Carmarthen, Lincoln, Newcastle, Norwich, Penrith, Preston, Reading, Shrewsbury, Starcross, Sutton Bonington, Thirsk, Truro, Winchester, Worcester and Wye and the two central laboratories comprising the central veterinary laboratories at Weybridge and Lasswade (Edinburgh).

  It is expected that there will be 15 veterinary laboratories operational in 1995 consisting of 13 veterinary investigation centres located at Aberystwyth, Bristol, Carmarthen, Newcastle, Penrith, Preston, Shrewsbury, Starcross, Sutton Bonington, Thirsk, Winchester and the two new veterinary investigation centres to be built, one at Bury St. Edmunds and the other in Warwickshire and the two central laboratories comprising the central veterinary laboratories at Weybridge and Lasswade (Edinburgh).
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  Irradiation Plants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields, 11 March,Official Report, column 400, how many inquiries he has received regarding the licensing of irradiation plants; if he will list the companies making the inquiries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I do not believe it would be appropriate to list companies making inquiries about irradiation licences, some of which may have been purely exploratory. Details of each licence granted will be published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes as required by the Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields, 11 March,Official Report, columns 400–1 whether he intends to set up a new committee to consider applications for licences for irradiation plants in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I can see no case for a new committee. The committee of which full details were given in my answer to the hon. Member for South Shields on 11 March at column 400–01 has been in existence only since 1 January. Moreover, this group was specifically constituted so as to be able to give authoritative advice on all considerations relevant to the granting of a licence.

  Agricultural Inspections
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each year since 1986 the number of holdings visited by agricultural wage inspectors as (i) test inspections and (ii) inspections arising from complaints; how many underpayments were discovered; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The number of holdings visited by the agricultural wages inspectors is as follows:

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  (i) test-inspections

  2,791

  2,817

  2,017

  1,817

  (ii) inspections arising from complaints

  140

  114

  120

  80

  (iii) number of underpayments discovered

  70

  110

  56

  55

  Note: Statistics for 1990 are not yet available.

  Agricultural wages inspectors are located in all the Department's divisional offices to follow up complaints and enforce the relevant legislation.

  Milk
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the milk quota attaches to the land on which the milk is currently produced or to the land on which it was produced during the last five years.

  Mr. Curry
  Milk quota is allocated to a producer for use on his or her holding. European Community regulations prescribe that where an entire holding is transferred by sale, lease or inheritance all quota must pass to the transferee. Where part of a holding is transferred 678
  quota must be apportioned in accordance with areas used for milk production. The term "areas used for milk production" is not defined in EC regulations and in the case of a quota transfer it is for the parties concerned to agree on an apportionment. Where they fail to agree, the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1989 provide for an independent arbitrator to be appointed to decide the matter. An arbitrator is required to base his award on the pattern of milk production in the preceding five years.

  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the definitions of a holding used by EC countries for the purpose of milk quotas.

  Mr. Curry
  The definition of "holding" prescribed in European Community Regulation 857/84 Article 12(d) is as follows:"all the production units operated by the producer and located within the geographical territory of the Community".

  This regulation is applicable throughout the Community. For the purposes of the regional allocation of wholesale quota a clarification of the term was necessary, so the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1989 qualify the above definition as follows:
  "holding has the meaning assigned to it by Article 12(d) of Council Regulation 857/84, but in relation to any region, it means the division of the holding in that region".

  EC Surplus Food Scheme
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply has been sent to Anthony Clipsom, area organiser of the Bradford metropolitan council for voluntary service, to his letter, dated 1 March, sent to his Department in Reading, concerning the EC surplus food scheme 1991.

  Mr. Curry
  The closing date for the receipt of applications from organisations wishing to participate in the 1991 scheme is 22 March.

  The detailed arrangements mentioned by the hon. Member can be finalised only after all the applications have been examined following the closing date. The intervention board will be replying to Mr. Clipsom shortly along those lines.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with reference to the EC surplus food scheme 1991, under what criteria groups forming consortia will have their separate bids conflated; if smaller groups, involved in consortia, will be able to claim expenses for collecting and re-distributing food from central points; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The closing date for the receipt of applications from organisations wishing to participate in the 1991 scheme is 22 March.

  The detailed arrangements mentioned by the hon. Member can be finalised only after all the applications have been examined following the closing date.

  Animal Waste
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy towards European Community directive 90/667/EEC and specifically to the exemption that allows high-risk animal waste material to be used by hunt kennels and maggot farms; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this provision on human or animal health.
  679
  Mr. Gummer
  I welcome the fact that the directive includes provisions to permit the continuation of operations of this kind. It will be essential for such establishments to be subject to controls that safeguard human and animal health.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on the recommendation of the report of the Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (part II) that the use of pithing rods in abattoirs should be banned; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the Government's response to the Committee's recommendations, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Emergency Food Stocks
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 545, if he will give the reasons for the high costs of losses to the emergency food stocks in 1989–90 when set against the average of the preceding years from 1979–80; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Details of the stock losses for 1989–90 are published in the Appropriation Accounts 1989–90, volume 3. The higher incidence of losses resulted from a disposal in that year of an accumulation of downgraded stocks.

  Tributyltin
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (I) if he will make a statement on the presence of tributyltin in the North sea;

  (2) what recent assessment he has made of the implications for the marine environment of the presence of tributyltin in the North sea.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department began a programme to measure tributyltin (TBT) levels in water, fish and shellfish in 1982. Since 1987 the Department, jointly with the Department of the Environment, has commissioned a more intensive research and monitoring programme to assess the efficacy of control measures introduced in 1986 and 1987. This work has been focused on certain estuaries where contamination was highest. The results show that TBT levels are declining generally and affected populations of marine species are recovering. Levels in the most severely contaminated areas have declined by between six and tenfold since 1986 as a direct result of the controls applied.

  The levels of TBT in the mouths of estuaries away from pleasure craft activity have always been low, and concentrations in the open waters of the North sea are still lower. Levels are below both the quality standard required to protect marine species and the limit of detection of the most sensitive analytical techniques available.

  Sewage Sludge
  Mr. Simon Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether a programme has been drawn up for termination of the sea disposal of sewage sludge.
  680
  Mr. Gummer
  All bodies in the United Kingdom currently licensed to dispose of sewage sludge at sea have reported their plans to introduce alternative methods of disposal. Timetabling and the choice of appropriate method of disposal will depend on local circumstances. All licence holders have carefully considered whether beneficial use of sludge in their area would be practicable, and a number have plans for beneficial re-use of sludge. There are proposals for spreading sludge on agricultural land, for composting sludge for agricultural use and for the production of dry granules for production of fertilisers or peat substitutes.

  For most of the sludge sewage undertakers are pursuing the option of incineration. Their judgment takes account of the priority which they must give to the guarantee of a disposal outlet, the present lack of assured markets for high volumes of sludge-derived products, the distance of major treatment works from land on which sludge can be used and the environmental disadvantages of transporting sludge through urban areas. While pursuing incineration at this stage a number of the undertakers intend to keep open the option of adopting beneficial uses of sludge in the future. A beneficial by-product of incineration in some cases will be the generation of power.

  On current plans the Ministry will be terminating the first licences for sea disposal by the end of 1993, with further licences terminating in 1995. In the main these cases are those where re-use of sludge is planned. The introduction of incinerators will be subject to approval through the planning system and to appropriate time scales for construction; undertakers currently envisage the commissioning of most incinerators in the period 1997–98.

  The success of this important initiative depends on public recognition of the need for alternative methods of disposal. Those who have sought an end to disposal at sea have a duty to support alternatives, and to accept that there may be increased costs. The costs to water consumers of the proposed programme of measures are for determination between the sewerage undertakers and, in England and Wales, the Office of Water Services, in Scotland the Scottish Office and in Northern Ireland the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland).

  Foodstuffs (Import Levies)
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will show in table form, for each year since 1965–66, the total import duties and levies on foodstuffs as a whole, imported into the United Kingdom, and separately for the following categories:(a) cereals,(b) meat including livestock destined for consumption,(c) dairy products and (d) other items.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have been asked to reply.

  I regret that the information is not available in the form requested and could not in any way be provided for the full period requested except at disproportionate costs.

  The tables show the levy and duty for both foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs from the four most recent years in each case. Separate figures distinguishing between foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs are not available.
  681

  Agricultural levies

  Established in calendar years:

  1987 £000

  1988 £000

  1989 £000

  1990 £000

  Cereals

  84,310

  62,601

  47,392

  74,838

  Meat (beef, veal and pigmeat)

  6,065

  6,019

  5,458

  1,806

  Dairy products

  17,218

  21,883

  28,458

  11,156

  Other

  107,360

  88,047

  54,174

  39,362

  Total

  214,953

  178,550

  135,482

  127,162

  Note: Amounts are made available to the Commission two months after the month in which they are established.

  Import duties

  Financial years

  1986–87 £000

  1987–88 £000

  1988–89 £000

  1989–90 £000

  1Cereals (Chapter 11—products of the milling industry)

  222

  256

  302

  232

  Meat (Chapter 2—including edible offal but excluding livestock)

  9,848

  12,475

  14,600

  15,668

  Dairy products (Chapter 4—including eggs, honey and other edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified)

  2,991

  3,011

  2,898

  2,668

  Total

  13,061

  15,742

  17,800

  18,568

  1 No import duty was collected on unprocessed cereal grains (Chapter 10) most of which are liable to levy only.

  Notes: Figures for livestock and other items of foodstuff are not available.

  These figures are not directly comparable with those for levy. Import duty is summarised by tariff chapters only and these include items not subject to levy and exclude related foodstuffs in other tariff chapters.

SCOTLAND

  Health Service Pay
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when discussions will commence on the establishment of arrangements for local pay determination for health service employees in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The objective of introducing progressively greater flexibility in pay in order to relate pay to local labour markets and to reward individual performance is already being pursued in the Whitley councils.

  Fish
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a ban on the sale of wild brown trout in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No. Purchase, sale or export of brown trout of less than 8 inches in length, or between 1 September and 31 March of brown trout of any size, is already prohibited by section 2 of the Trout (Scotland) Act 1933.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many commercial fishing engines operate in freshwater lakes and rivers in Scotland which have as target species(a) salmon, (b) sea trout, (c) wild brown trout and (d) coarse fish by species; and what quantities of each such species were taken by such engines in (i) 1990, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1980 and (iv) 1970.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In Scotland the only methods of fishing for salmon and sea trout allowed in inland waters are net and coble or rod and line. There are approximately 682
  70 net and coble fisheries currently operating in Scotland. The total numbers of salmon and sea trout caught by this net and coble are shown in the table:

  Salmon and grilse

  Sea trout

  11989

  93,266

  45,133

  1985

  82,033

  50,547

  1980

  106,275

  97,850

  1970

  187,480

  102,170

  1Figures for 1990 will not be available until later this year.

  Figures for wild brown trout or coarse fresh water fish catches in Scotland are not obtained or held centrally.

  Legal System
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will list the total payments from legal aid funds and payments per head of the population in Scotland over the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Year

  Legal Aid expenditure

  Payment per head of population

  £

  £

  1985–86

  41,479,000

  8·07

  1986–87

  47,454,000

  9·27

  1987–88

  47,723,000

  9·33

  1988–89

  58,169,000

  11·42

  1989–90

  58,959,000

  11·58

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the main funding headings which are used in providing grants to voluntary organisations and the changes that have taken place over the last five years.
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  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Annex D of the report of the Efficiency Scrutiny of Government Funding of the Voluntary Sector, a copy of which is in the Library, contains a list of Government grant schemes for voluntary organisations current in 1987–88 and 1988–89. Details of changes over the previous five years are not readily available.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in a table under the relevant headings all funding given to voluntary organisations in the most recent year for which figures are available and for the previous four years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the then Prime Minister, on 11 May 1990 at cols.254–55, 16 May 1989 at cols.120–21, 14 April 1988 at cols.217–19 and 2 March 1987 at cols.462–63. Details for 1989–90 will be announced shortly.

  Health Service
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reduction in income Greater Glasgow health board will face during 1991–92 because of share parity adjustment; and what further such parity adjustment reduction may be anticipated for 1991–93.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Greater Glasgow health board was allocated £536·073 million for revenue expenditure purposes in 1991–92, an increase in base allocation of 7·6 per cent. over the 1990–91 level. This is £13 million less than would have been allocated to them if the national average increase had been applied. The £13 million was redistributed among the other 14 health boards to achieve a more equitable distribution of resources.

  No decisions have yet been taken on allocations for 1992–93.

  Tourism
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total value to the Scottish economy of tourism in each of the past 15 years.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Figures for 1990 are not yet available. Information for the period 1975–89 is set out in the table.

  £ million

  1975

  355

  1976

  367

  1977

  498

  1978

  523

  1979

  590

  1980

  659

  1981

  718

  1982

  760

  1983

  897

  1984

  1,423

  1985

  1,421

  1986

  1,576

  1987

  1,894

  1988

  1,594

  1989

  1,773

  Note: Figures are compiled from the International Passenger Survey (for overseas visitors) and the British Tourism Survey, the National Survey of Tourism in Scotland and the United Kingdom Tourism Survey (for domestic visitors for the years 1975–83, 1984–88 and 1989 respectively). Because of differences in the domestic surveys, figures for the period 1975–83 are not directly comparable with those for 1984–89.
  684
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department last undertook a survey either directly or in conjunction with the Scottish tourist board of the impact of tourism on the Scottish economy.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The Scottish tourist board, as the agency with statutory responsibility for promoting and developing the Scottish tourism industry, undertakes annual surveys into the volume and value of tourism in Scotland.

  GP Funding
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made towards the establishment of general practitioner funding in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I am much encouraged by the level of interest in fundholding expressed by GPs in Scotland. I fully expect four fundholders to come into being on 1 April 1991, with a further five candidates later this year.

  There are clear signs that many more GPs are interested in what fundholding can offer them. In particular I am aware that a number of practices with less than the minimum patient list size (currently 9,000) would welcome the opportunity to participate in the scheme. I therefore intend to establish a limited number of pilot sites, involving individual practices, to assess the potential for such a development. I shall also be considering the scope for other developments, such as extending the range of services covered by a fund.

  Smokies
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of food poisoning have been attributed to the consumption of smokies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 15 February 1991]: There have been no recorded cases of food poisoning attributed to the consumption of smoked haddock. Fish hygiene proposals are under discussion in the EC, and we have made every effort to ensure that the final measure will be practical and realistic: there is no reason to believe that the proposed measure threatens in any way the future of the fish smoking industry.

  Forestry Commission
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all land currently owned by the Forestry Commission which it is planning to sell; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 March 1991]: The Forestry Commission's disposals programme will continue until the end of the century, and the selection of properties for sale will accordingly be staged over that period. Advance notification of areas being considered for disposal is given in the Estates Gazette in respect of all woodlands of more than 5 hectares, together with any other land having a known conservation, recreation or amenity interest. Copies of the Estates Gazette are to be found in the Library.

  The following forest areas are at present being offered for sale on the open market:
  685

  County/region

  Name

  Area heclares

  England

  Avon

  Camerton Wood

  19

  Cornwall

  Dryworks Wood

  4

  Cornwall

  Hay Wood

  54

  Cornwall

  Headweir

  5

  Cornwall

  Penanced Derrys

  7

  Cornwall

  Treworgy

  17

  Devon

  Blagdon Wood

  16

  Devon

  Brownsham

  70

  Devon

  Deershill

  11

  Devon

  Fyldon

  13

  Devon

  Heasley

  4

  Devon

  Higher Mines

  2

  Devon

  Mount

  9

  Devon

  Never Be Good

  9

  Devon

  Pulsworthy

  3

  Devon

  Squirrel

  14

  Devon

  Trago Mills

  2

  Dorset

  Moors Valley

  1

  Durham

  Stanley Cottage Plantation

  31

  Durham

  Stanley Moss Plantation

  32

  Hampshire

  Bordean Estate, Fishers Copse

  28

  Hampshire

  Lower Rowborough Copse

  8

  Hampshire

  Roke Mead Copse

  9

  Hampshire

  Whitefield Wood

  35

  Northumberland

  Corbies Crags Wood

  54

  North Yorkshire

  Gateforth East (Part)

  11

  North Yorkshire

  Gateforth West

  47

  North Yorkshire

  Seaton Ross

  33

  North Yorkshire

  Sutton Wood

  24

  Shropshire

  Coed Detton

  14

  Shropshire

  Long Mynd

  25

  Somerset

  Balls Wood

  2

  Somerset

  Barrow Copse

  3

  Somerset

  Barrow Wood

  13

  Somerset

  Churches Wood

  6

  Somerset

  Fry's Wood

  24

  Somerset

  High Bitcombe

  30

  Somerset

  Lower Bitcombe

  18

  Somerset

  Pound Copse

  6

  South Yorkshire

  Bagger Wood

  28

  South Yorkshire

  Green Springs Wood

  12

  South Yorkshire

  Lower Lee Wood

  5

  South Yorkshire

  Upper Lee Wood

  3

  South Yorkshire

  Walker Wood

  6

  West Sussex

  Down Copse

  6

  West Yorkshire

  Black Carr Plantation

  20

  Scotland

  Borders

  Menzion

  1,113

  Central

  Lendrick

  46

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Glaik Wood

  63

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Knockinaam Wood

  30

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Lochnaw Estate

  116

  Grampian

  Glasslaw

  54

  Grampian

  Hillend Moss

  16

  Grampian

  Hillhead

  12

  Grampian

  Knock Hill Wood

  56

  Highland

  Brin Wood

  69

  Highland

  Clashnagrave

  12

  Highland

  Dirriemore

  4

  Strathclyde

  Daljarrock Wood

  52

  Strathclyde

  Ferns

  2

  Strathclyde

  Finnery

  29

  Strathclyde

  Islay

  1,300

  Strathclyde

  Millhouse

  3

  Strathclyde

  Thornwood

  2

  Strathclyde

  Watermeetings Plantation

  731

  Wales

  Clwyd

  Coed y Garreg

  22

  Dyfed

  Allt Cefnrhyddan

  9

  Dyfed

  Allt Fawr

  7

  Dyfed

  Allt Ffos Colic

  18

  Dyfed

  Allt Goch

  29

  Dyfed

  Bwlch Newydd

  8

  Dyfed

  Cilfowyr

  5

  686

  County/region

  Name

  Area hectares

  Dyfed

  Cnwch yr Arian

  65

  Dyfed

  Coed Cwmgloyne

  24

  Dyfed

  Coed Ffridd Cwmere

  20

  Dyfed

  Coed Pant y Gasseg

  3

  Dyfed

  Coed Penrhiw

  77

  Dyfed

  Coed Rhyd Tir

  16

  Dyfed

  Crugiau Wood

  22

  Dyfed

  Cwm Cynfelin

  8

  Dyfed

  Cwmeilath and Cwmmarlais

  8

  Dyfed

  Fforest

  22

  Dyfed

  Ffynon Lefrith

  25

  Dyfed

  Gallt Garegy Fran

  5

  Dyfed

  Gallt y Cribin

  7

  Dyfed

  Glanteifi Wood

  4

  Dyfed

  Goitre Wen

  7

  Dyfed

  Gorsfarm Wood

  28

  Dyfed

  Letterston Moor

  15

  Dyfed

  Lower Scourfield

  13

  Dyfed

  Maestwynog

  12

  Dyfed

  Musland and Lower Broadmoor

  10

  Dyfed

  Pencwm Fawr

  9

  Dyfed

  Penhill Wood

  4

  Dyfed

  Rams Wood

  26

  Dyfed

  Tanyrallt

  6

  Dyfed

  Troserch Wood

  35

  Dyfed

  Ty Cerrig and Bylchau Duon

  108

  Dyfed

  Ty Isha

  16

  Dyfed

  Waun Baglan

  26

  Gwent

  Gorrashill

  8

  Gwent

  Llanfoist

  10

  Gwent

  Lords Grove

  38

  Gwent

  Luggas Wood and Young's Grove

  15

  Gwent

  Nant y Coy

  10

  Gwent

  Ty Vree (Cook's Wood)

  5

  Gwynedd

  Carrog Wood

  28

  Gwynedd

  Coed Dyfi

  17

  Gwynedd

  Mynydd Cefn Amlwch

  23

  Powys

  Bryn Glessy

  19

  Powys

  Castle Wood

  3

  Powys

  Clog Fawr

  13

  Powys

  Coed Mawr

  15

  Powys

  Coed Neuadd

  9

  Powys

  Coed Tyllys

  12

  Powys

  Cwmbach and Cwmcoch

  44

  Powys

  Dingle Wood

  6

  Powys

  Great Wood

  9

  Powys

  Penclawdd

  7

  Powys

  Trawscoed

  6

  Powys

  Tyle Clydach

  5

  Powys

  Tyle Crwn

  28

  West Glamorgan

  Craig Ynysgollen

  10

  West Glamorgan

  Gelli Gaer

  33

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a list of all land which was owned by the Forestry Commission and which has been sold since 1980 giving(a) the area of land sold, (b) to whom it was sold, (c) the year it was sold, (d) how much money the Forestry Commission received over the sale and (e) the type of woodland or other type of countryside.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 March 1991]: The Forestry Commission is preparing a list of the areas of forest land which it has sold since 1980. This will incorporate information provided in answer to previous questions. I shall arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

  Details of sales of land other than forest land are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  687

DEFENCE

  Child Care
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of workplaces for civil servants in his Department; what proportion of the total number have an on-site nursery facility; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide a holiday play scheme; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide after-school child care facilities; what charges are made for use of any facility; what the net cost has been for the provision of these facilities; and what estimate he can make of any future expenditure.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  There are some 750 locations throughout the United Kingdom employing MOD civil servants, most of which have less than 200 members of staff. The Department has full-time nurseries in central London and in Farnborough. A number of holiday play schemes have been set up in several different locations.

  The charges for parents for places in the London nursery are either £45 or £55 per week according to the grade of the parent. The charge at Farnborough is £40 per week. Further child care projects are under consideration. The funding of these projects will depend upon their assessed cost-effectiveness when seen against other demands on resources.

  The Gulf
  Sir Antony Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish an appraisal of the role of helicopters in the recent action in the Gulf with relation to support of the 1st Armoured Division in particular and of alliance forces in general.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are considering the outcome of the campaign and the conclusions to be drawn from it, but it is too early to say how the results of this work might be made public.

  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom registered merchant ships were used by Her Majesty's Government in connection with the Gulf conflict; and how many were chartered from overseas fleets.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  To date, five British and 107 foreign flagged vessels have been chartered in support of the Gulf conflict. A number of these vessels have undertaken more than one voyage.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the costs so far to public funds of the chartering of vessels to convey stores and equipment to the Gulf; what has been the cost to the Government of their freight agent; and if he will make a statement.
  688
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The cost to date of chartering vessels to carry stores and equipment to the Gulf is £74 million. It would not be appropriate to disclose details of the Government freight agent's remuneration: it is fixed by contract and is not affected by the cost of vessels taken up by the Ministry of Defence.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications of "Options For Change" for the security policy for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  On 8 November 1990, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland published a statement on the Government's security policy in Northern Ireland. The statement makes it clear that the armed forces will continue to support the RUC, with all the resources necessary, to ensure the defeat of terrorism; "Options for Change" will not alter this policy.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the further studies on aircraft noise mentioned in his answer to the hon. Member for Ryedale of 17 May 1990,Official Report, column 518, are now complete; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have now received reports on noise levels generated by aircraft operating at low level and on the review of available information on any possible relationship between aircraft noise and hearing loss. Copies of these reports have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The report of the review of available information o:n the possible relationship between aircraft noise and hearing loss indicates that the risk of hearing loss as a result of exposure to overflight noise is small, even after daily occurrences over as long a period as 40 years, while the risk of hearing loss due to a single overflight can be regarded as infinitesimal. The report also concludes that occasional brief exposure to noise levels as high as 125 dB(A) should produce no lasting effect on hearing and that there is a small margin of safety at that level.

  The report on noise levels generated by aircraft operating at low level has established that, at the speeds flown in the United Kingdom low-flying system, none of the RAF aircraft from which measurements were taken produced noise levels in excess of 125 dB(A).

  The report of the study of noise sources within and around aircraft is expected shortly. My Department's low-flying noise panel continues to co-ordinate work in this field and ensures that the findings of research are taken into account in the management of low flying and in the design of future aircraft.

  MR. TAHER SHRITEH
  MR. TAHER SHRITEH
  TIBET: HUMAN RIGHTS
  TIBET: HUMAN RIGHTS
  MIDDLE EAST: UN REPRESENTATION
  MIDDLE EAST: UN REPRESENTATION
  GULF TRUST: PROVISION OF RELIEF
  GULF TRUST: PROVISION OF RELIEF
  KUWAIT: HUMAN RIGHTS
  KUWAIT: HUMAN RIGHTS
  CENTRAL AMERICA: SUPPORT CO-ORDINATION
  CENTRAL AMERICA: SUPPORT CO-ORDINATION
  "HUMAN RIGHTS IN FOREIGN POLICY"
  "HUMAN RIGHTS IN FOREIGN POLICY"
  GHANA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  GHANA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  SEAT BELT PROPOSALS: RESPONSE
  SEAT BELT PROPOSALS: RESPONSE
  ANIMALS: PROTECTION DURING TRANSPORT
  ANIMALS: PROTECTION DURING TRANSPORT
  DOG CONTROL PROVISIONS
  DOG CONTROL PROVISIONS
  COMMUNITY CHARGE: PERSONNEL POSTED TO THE GULF
  COMMUNITY CHARGE: PERSONNEL POSTED TO THE GULF
  BROADCASTING: DRAFT ORDER
  BROADCASTING: DRAFT ORDER