Written Answers of 15 March 1991

ENVIRONMENT

  Child Care
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. Heseltine
  There are five headquarters offices and 17 other offices in central London. In addition, my Department has nine main regional offices, most of which are shared with other Government Departments, as well as over 50 offices throughout the country, including property holdings and my Department's three agencies, but excluding PSA Services.

  None of these offices has an on-site nursery or provides after school child care facilities. A number of interdepartmental holiday playschemes are in operation in Westminster, Birmingham, Bedford, Bristol, Nottingham, Newcastle and Manchester. These are all open to the Department's staff and parents have been charged up to £5 per day per child for the use of the facilities. The Department will also be participating in a proposed interdepartmental nursery scheme in Westminster.

  Expenditure in 1990–91 is estimated at £10,000. Future expenditure is difficult to estimate. Many factors are involved, including joint funding arrangements, demand, value for money of individual schemes and other departmental priorities.

  Primates
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the number of wild-caught primates imported into the United Kingdom in the last three years; and for what purposes these animals are used.

  Mr. Baldry
  In the three years to 31 December 1990, 11,428 live specimens of wild-caught primates were imported. Of these, 9,588 were imported for scientific or educational purposes; 1,766 for trade; and 74 for exhibition or breeding.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a committee of inquiry into the matter of waste disposal.

  Mr. Baldry
  A committee of inquiry is not required. There have been a number of Select Committee inquiries 690
  into waste disposal in recent years and a full Government review of waste management policies culminated in the passing of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. That Act will be implemented with a full programme of supporting advice and guidance about which there will be continuing consultation.

  River Pollution
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent assessment he has made of the presence of(a) heavy metals and (b) polychlorinated biphenyls in river eels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The National Rivers Authority is currently undertaking a monitoring programme for contaminants in river eels. Results are expected later this year.

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

  Mr. Heseltine
  In 1989–90, some 180 people in the central administration of my Department were whollyt or substantially involved in these activities. For the PSA, because of the nature of its business, all of the 14,140 staff supported the purchasing activity to a greater or lesser extent.

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

  Mr. Heseltine
  The staff cost, including overheads, of the purchasing activity in the central administration of my Department in 1989–90 was £1·5 million. For the PSA, all expenditure on staffing of some £390 million was associated with purchasing.

  Domestic Waste
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to increase the amount of domestic waste subject to incineration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Incineration can be a viable alternative to landfill as a method of disposing of waste, provided proper standards are observed. The higher standards that landfill sites will be required to meet under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the potential for energy generation from municipal waste incinerators, will also make incineration a more viable option financially. However, the final decision on the type of facility that is most appropriate in any area must lie with the waste disposal authority.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that there exist adequate facilities for incineration of domestic waste in compliance with the EC directive on large combustion plants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is for waste disposal authorities to ensure there are adequate facilities—including incinerators—and they will need to take this into account in preparing their
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  waste disposal plans. Air emissions from existing municipal waste incinerators are covered by EC directive 89/429. The Government have allocated £62 million over the next three years to local authorities for works necessary to upgrade such incinerators to meet these standards.

  Emergency Alarms
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all methods of Government funding available to local government that would enable them to purchase emergency alarm systems for elderly and disabled people.

  Sir George Young
  There is no single source of funding for the purchase of emergency alarm systems by local authorities. In most cases, it will be a matter for the local authority to decide the priority it places on alarms in relation to other demands and within available resources.

  Government support for such purposes may be provided through one of the following routes—the usable part of capital receipts and credit approvals; minor works assistance under section 131 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989; urban programme; revenue support grant; housing revenue accounts.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the grades and salary scales of officers in the pollution inspectorate;

  (2) what staff complement is considered necessary to enable his Department to discharge its duties in the field of pollution inspection; and how many vacancies currently exist for pollution inspectors.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside gave the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) on 24 January,Official Report, column 269. To meet its increased responsibilities for integrated pollution control under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's staff complement has been authorised to expand from 233 to over 300 by 1 April 1992 and may thereafter need to increase up to around 400 when integrated pollution control is in full operation.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution currently has 14 vacancies for pollution inspectors. These vacancies, and the authorised new posts, will be filled from the recent recruitment exercise which produced 38 successful applicants.

  The grades and current national rates of pay for pollution inspectors are listed below.

  Minimum of scale

  Maximum of scale

  Maximum of performance range points

  Grade

  £

  £

  £

  Assistant pollution inspector (HPTO)

  18,195

  19,681

  n/a

  Pollution inspector (SPTO)

  20,059

  26,121

  31,150

  Principal pollution inspector (grade 7)

  24,997

  29,809

  35,451

  Superintending pollution inspector (grade 6)

  27,229

  35,451

  41,681

  692

  Minimum of scale

  Maximum of scale

  Maximum of performance range points

  Grade

  £

  £

  £

  National rates of pay for pollution inspectors will increase from 1 April 1991 to:

  21,905

  29,809

  35,451

  Consequential increases for more senior inspector grades are currently under discussion with staff representatives.

  Saltley Renewal Area
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which roads were visited by the Minister for Housing and Planning during his visit to the Saltley renewal area on 26 February; and which residents' associations were invited to meet him.

  Sir George Young
  I visited the following roads in the south Saltley renewal area—Bowyer road, Hartopp road, Parkfield road, Couchman road, Alderson road, Ludlow road and Alum Rock road.

  I had a full day in Birmingham on 26 February 1991. I visited a hostel for the homeless, saw two public sector estates as well as the south Saltley renewal area, and went to two recent housing association developments. I was unable to meet representatives of all the local associations, but I met a large number of tenants and residents during the day and I enjoyed my visit to the home of two residents in south Saltley.

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about progress in the privatisation of the Crown Suppliers' vehicle hire and maintenance business.

  Sir George Young
  The Government have not been able to reach agreement with the only bidder about acceptable terms for the sale of the Crown Suppliers vehicle hire and maintenance business.

  There is little justification for retaining in Government a business which provides services commonly provided by other suppliers. Furthermore, the workshops are unprofitable and future profits from vehicle hire are uncertain. Consequently the Government have decided to close the business. Every effort will be made to find alternative civil service posts for the staff but some redundancies are inevitable. The trade unions are being consulted about the implications for their members.

  We are urgently considering the interests of customers of the business with a view to proposing alternative arrangements to meet their continuing requirements.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Invalid Care Allowance Unit
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to review the establishment at the invalid care allowance unit.

  Mr. Scott
  We intend to increase the staffing level at the invalid care allowance unit from 358 in 1990–91 to 400 in 1991–92.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time between the date on which an application for invalid care allowance is received and the first payment is made to a successful claimant.

  Mr. Scott
  Based on the year to 31 January 1991, the average time between the date on which an application to invalid care allowance is received and the first payment is made to a successful claimant is 47·5 days, which includes an average of nine days to cover payment preparation and dispatch processes after the claim has been cleared in the unit.

  Emergency Alarms
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what income support arrangements exist to enable individuals to purchase or rent emergency alarm systems.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There is no specific provision in the income support scheme to help meet the cost of purchasing emergency alarm systems. However, where the eligible rent or eligible housing costs of an elderly, sick or disabled person include an inescapable service charge for an emergency alarm system, help with that charge can be provided through housing benefit or income support respectively.

  Quality Assessment Surveys
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 612, if he will send the hon. Member for Oldham, West a copy of the survey by Research Surveys of Great Britain when he places copies in the Library.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Yes. I will do so as soon as the report is available.

  Multiple Births
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will consider the level of child benefit for the first child where multiple births occur; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Child benefit provides a worthwhile contribution towards the costs of bringing up children, but it has never been intended to meet those costs in full. The higher rate of £8·25 from this April for the eldest eligible child in each family at any one time recognises that, at all income levels, families with children face additional costs compared with other families. It is therefore the presence of any one child rather than the number of children which is significant in bringing about that difference in expenditure. The standard rate of £7·25 will of course be paid for all children who do not attract the higher rate. A mother whose first children are twins for example will get a total of £15·50 child benefit a week.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many additional claimants would qualify for the disability working allowance if the functional test were applied for initial claims for those not receiving a694
  quailfying benefit; and if he will estimate the numbers and net cost in each category for (a) claimants working in receipt of no benefit, (b) claimants working in receipt of income support and earnings, (c) claimants working and receiving housing benefit and/or community charge benefit, (d) claimants not working in receipt of income support without the disability premium, (e) claimants not working in receipt of unemployment benefit with no income support addition, (f) people not working and receiving no benefit and (g) people receiving family credit.

  Mr. Scott
  Estimates of the number of people who might claim disability working allowance (DWA) can be only tentative since they depend on assumptions about how availability of the benefit might influence behaviour. We do not believe that the test of functional disability as proposed would be a suitable alternative to the requirement to be or to have been receiving a long-term incapacity or disability benefit. However, our best estimate is that if claimants were able to qualify by satisfying the test of functional disability alone, the DWA case load would be increased by about 200,000 and the cost by roughly £200 million net of other benefit savings. It is not possible to estimate with confidence the numbers or net cost in the categories (a) to (g).

  Care Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list his estimate of the numbers of claimants in receipt of income support payments towards the cost of(a) residential care homes and (b) nursing homes for each of the last 10 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 16 November 1990 at column 238.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are taken by local benefit offices to ascertain whether income support claimants in receipt of payments towards the cost of nursing home care are(a) in need of nursing care and (b) in receipt of nursing care.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The level of income support payable depends on the type of care the nursing home is providing for the claimant. The adjudication officer must be satisfied that the home is recognised by the registration authority as able to provide a level of care and that the resident is receiving such care. We have no evidence to suggest that residents of nursing homes do not need to be there.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 January,Official Report, column 535, giving figures on the hours worked by people with disabilities, if he will indicate the source of his statistics; and whether these figures have been used in determining the likely take-up of the proposed disability working allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  The information to which the hon. Member refers was obtained from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys disability surveys. Estimates of the cost and case load of the disability working allowance have been largely based on data from these surveys.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Tertiary College (Truro)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to make a decision on the proposed establishment of a tertiary college in Truro.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Secretary of State has before him a proposal significantly to change the character of Richard Lander school, published on 1 November 1990, which relates to the establishment of the proposed tertiary college. Our aim is to decide such proposals within five months from the date of publication. The establishment of the college itself does not require a decision by the Secretary of State.

  Welsh Registry, University of Wales
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) on what basis the recently announced 15·47 per cent. increase in funds allocated to the Welsh Registry, university of Wales, for the year 1991–92 was calculated;

  (2) what performance indicators he intends to use to ensure that the £3·7 million allocated to the Welsh Registry, university of Wales, for the year 1991–92, will provide value for money.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The distribution of funds to individual institutions and the monitoring of related performance are, under the Education Reform Act 1988, matters for the Universities Funding Council.

  University of Wales
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy in regard to the development of the university of Wales and its constituent colleges in the light of the likely economic and cultural needs of the people of Wales into the next century.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for each institution to plan its own development in the light of its perception both of national and other demands and of its abilities to respond to these, consistent with its general mission. The distribution of public funding in support of these plans is a matter for the Universities Funding Council.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends to introduce a new scheme for assisted places; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  The assisted places scheme has been in operation since 1981 and has provided the opportunity for many thousands of youngsters from familiies on lower incomes to benefit from the education provided by good independent schools. There will be 35,000 places available in the scheme by the mid-1990s, following the admission of new schools to the scheme this academic year, many in the north of England.

  We have no plans to introduce any new scheme.

WALES

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the main funding headings which are used in providing grants to voluntary organisations and any changes that have taken place over the last five years;

  (2) 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. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given to her on 14 March by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Foxes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a table of moneys allocated to Welsh fox destruction clubs since 1979.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No moneys have been allocated to Welsh fox destruction societies since 1979.

  Health Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in the health authority area in Powys are awaiting surgery.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Under existing arrangements, information is collected about the number of people waiting for treatment at hospitals but not about their area of residence. From 1 April 1991, waiting lists become the responsibility of the health authorities of the patient's area of residence and, in time, published information will reflect this.

EMPLOYMENT

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

  Mr. Forth
  The Minister responsible for energy use is Viscount Ullswater, a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

  He has a dual role—
  (1) As the departmental representative on the ministerial group on energy efficiency, which is chaired by the Secretary of State for Energy, he contributes to the implementation of the Government's policy to promote energy awareness and efficiency throughout the public and private sectors of the economy.
  (2) As the Minister responsible for this Department's energy strategy he oversees the implementation of the strategy, the main objective of which is to reduce energy use by 15 per cent. over the next five years. He encourages energy awareness and efficiency in those areas of the economy where the Department has a sponsoring role—training and enterprise, tourism and small firms. He, with other Ministers in the Department of Employment, promotes energy awareness and efficiency at appropriate occasions during official visits and speeches.

  Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the chairman of Barclays, Lloyds, National Westminster, Royal Bank of Scotland and the Midland banks to discuss their involvement in the loan guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  I meet or correspond with senior banking representatives on a regular basis to discuss their general services to small firms, including their involvement in the loan guarantee scheme. I have also met the small firms sub-committee of the Committee of London and Scottish Bankers.

  Between June 1981 and March 1991, more than 27,900 guarantees have been issued under the scheme, corresponding to lending of £891 million. The scheme continues to have a significant role in assisting small firms that cannot otherwise raise finance for viable business activities.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of loan guarantee schemes granted by(a) Barclays, (b) Lloyds, (c) National Westminster, (d) Royal Bank of Scotland and (e) the Midland banks in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of guarantees issued for each of the banks is as follows:

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Barclays

  586

  625

  640

  Lloyds

  352

  370

  263

  National Westminster

  430

  1,127

  1,387

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  61

  74

  69

  Midland

  375

  521

  1,087

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals he has received for the provision of suitable alternative accommodation for remand prisoners in Greater Manchester;

  (2) for how many prisoners on remand provision has been made for them to held in police cells in Greater Manchester for each month over 12 months; and if he will give the figures individually for Stockport, Cheadle Hulme and Denton police stations.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Vigorous efforts continue to be made to reduce further the number of prisoners held in police cells. This will be greatly assisted by the opening of an additional 140 refurbished places at Manchester prison this summer and by other new accommodation which is shortly to be brought into use in the north of England.

  Emergency arrangements for the use of police cells when sufficient accommodation is not available in prison service establishments, and the use of cells in individual police stations, is a matter for the chief officer of the force concerned. Prison service management liaises closely with the police on the provision of accommodation, and the police are reimbursed for the additional expenditure they sustain.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will name the three people who, according to Lord Colville's report on the operation in 1990 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (table 3) in 1988 were charged following detention and/or examination on account of their involvement in international terrorism; their country of origin; and the terrorist organisation or activity in which they are suspected to have been involved;

  (2) if he will name the seven people who, according to Lord Colville's report on the operation in 1990 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (Table 9) in 1990 were charged following detention and/or examination on account of their involvement in international terrorism; their country of origin; and the terrorist organisation or activity in which they are suspected to have been involved.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  It is not the practice to disclose the names of those who are detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act or the nature of their suspected involvement in terrorism. Of the three people who were suspected of involvement in international terrorism and charged with criminal offences following detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in 1988, one was born in Austria, one in Italy and one in the United Kingdom. Of the seven such people who were so charged following examination or detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in 1990, two were born in Egypt and one each in Brazil, India, Kenya, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

  Escapees
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answers to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West on 6 March, which of the six persons who absconded were on drugs-related offences and which owed money to the courts.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  The six women concerned had all been convicted of drug offences. Of these, one was ordered to pay costs of £450 which is still owed to the court. None of the other women are known to have been in debt to the courts.

  Ethnic Minorities (Attacks)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific guidance he has given since 15 January to chief police officers regarding attacks on Muslims and other ethnic minorities and their properties; if he plans to give any further guidance in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Decisions about the deployment of officers and other operational matters are solely the responsibility of individual chief officers. It would therefore be inappropriate for specific guidance to be issued to chief officers about attacks on Muslims and other ethnic minorities and their properties.

  All chief officers are aware of the continuing need to respond to racially motivated incidents as a priority. Close links are maintained between the Government and the Association of Chief Police Officers on community and race relations issues through regular discussions. These meetings have been used in recent months to ensure that all

  699
  developments and tensions relating to British Muslims during the Gulf crisis have been closely monitored by police forces. The Government will continue to issue guidance as appropriate on the response by the police and other agencies in tackling these unacceptable crimes.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual expenditure by his Department on electoral registration per London borough for each financial year since 1987–88.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: Financial provision for local authority expenditure on electoral registration is made as part of the revenue support grant. Decisions about the amount spent on electoral registration rest with individual authorities.

  Iraqi Nationals
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi nationals have(a) permanent residence, (b) exceptional leave to remain, (c) student status and (d) political asylum, as of the latest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 12 March 1991]: It is estimated from the latest labour force surveys and immigration control data that, at present, some 7,000 Iraqis are usually resident in the United Kingdom, including students. In addition, some 1,300 Iraqis have been granted exceptional leave since 1983, and about 200 Iraqis have political asylum.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Share Ownership
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate cost to the Exchequer in a full tax year of introducing a quoted company individual share ownership allowance on the first(a) £1,000, (b) £2,000 and (c) £5,000 of taxable income if (i) 50 per cent., (ii) 75 per cent. and (iii) 100 per cent. of taxpayers with sufficient taxable income used such an allowance to invest in new shares in quoted companies; and how much finance would be available to quoted companies as a result.

  Mr. Maude
  On the stated assumptions, estimates relating to 1990–91 are as follows:

  Cost of income tax relief

  £ billion

  Percentage take-up

  Tax allowance £

  50 per cent.

  75 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  1,000

  3·1

  4·6

  6·2

  2,000

  5·6

  8·4

  11·2

  5,000

  9·9

  14·9

  19·8

  Amount of investment

  £ billion

  Percentage take-up

  Tax allowance £

  50 per cent.

  75 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  1,000

  11·9

  17·9

  23·8

  2,000

  21·4

  32·1

  42·8

  5,000

  37·3

  55·9

  74·5

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated effect on receipts of corporation tax over the next five financial years of replacing the existing capital expenditure allowance rates by rates of(a) year one 40 per cent., year two 40 per cent. and year three 20 per cent., (b) year one 33⅓ per cent., year two 33⅓ per cent. and year three 33⅓ per cent. and (c) the accounting rate of depreciation used in a company's accounts.

  Mr. Maude
  The effect would depend on a number of factors, including the levels of capital expenditure qualifying for allowances, which would be influenced by a change in the rates, and the extent to which companies would be able to set any increases in allowances against profits for tax purposes.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what level could mortgage interest relief be raised, at no net cost, if higher rate mortgage and relief were abolished.

  Mr. Maude
  The mortgage interest relief limit could be raised to about £37,000 on the basis of the 1990–91 figures if relief were restricted to the basic rate. The estimate excludes behavioural effects.

  Pensions
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual cost of allowing taxpayers to offset contributions to an approved pension plan against higher rates of tax in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Maude
  About £350 million at 1990–91 levels.

  Capital Taxation
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the reduction in annual liability to(a) capital gains tax and (b) capital transfer tax in 1990–91 and 1991–92 as against the 1978–79 indexed regime, specifying in each case the total and average reduction per taxpayer and the number of taxpayers in each year.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 25 February 1991]: I regret the delay in replying. Latest available estimates for capital transfer/inheritance tax for 1990–91 and for 1991–92, based on the 1990–91 regime with statutory indexation, are as follows:

  Estimate

  Reduction, compared with indexed 1978–79 regime in:

  Total liability (£ million):

  1990–91

  690

  1991–92

  730

  Average liability1 (£):

  1990–91

  9,600

  1991–92

  10,300

  Taxpayer numbers (thousands) Indexed regime:

  1990·91

  72

  1991·92

  70

  701

  Estimate

  Present regime:

  1990–91

  23

  1991–92

  22

  1 The reduction in the average liability is calculated using estimated numbers of taxpayers under the indexed 1978–79 regime.

  These estimates are based on the estimated value of taxable estates passing on death in 1990–91 and 1991–92 under existing rules and make no allowance for any impact which the indexed 1978–79 tax rate would have on the level of taxable estates.

  The methodology used to compare the indexed 1978–79 capitals gains tax regime with the current regime has been examined. A number of major modelling assumptions have to be made for this comparison since, in 1978–79, tax was charged on nominal gains with gains accruing prior to 6 April 1965 being ignored whereas, under the current regime, the charge applies to gains after allowing for indexation and ignoring gains accruing prior to 31 March 1982. I regret that the conclusion reached is that it is not possible to provide sufficiently reliable estimates of the difference between the two regimes.

  Latest available estimates of taxpayer numbers for capital gains tax for the present regime, excluding gains realised by companies and included in assessments to corporation tax, are:

  Thousands

  1990–91 liabilities

  110

  1991–92 liabilities

  95

HEALTH

  Health Service Staff
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on staff shortages and turnover rates among ancillary, nursing, administrative, clerical, professional and technical staff in the health service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The available information is:

  Per cent.

  Staff group

  Vacancy levels1

  Turnover rates2

  Ancillary

  not known

  32·7

  Nursing and midwifery

  2·9

  15·6

  Administrative and clerical

  not known

  20·2

  Professions allied to medicine

  4·2

  21·6

  1 Vacancies of three months or more on 31 March 1990 as a percentage of funded establishments.

  2 Calculated as numbers leaving health authorities year ended 31 March 1990 as a percentage of staff in post at 30 September 1989. Leavers include those moving from one region to another.

  Purchasing and Distribution
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people in his Department are wholly or substantially involved in purchasing stores and distribution activities;

  (2) what is the full annual cost, including overheads, of his Department's purchasing activity.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department keeps no records of those employed on purchasing stores as opposed to services, or 702
  of those exclusively involved in distribution activities. Similarly, the management arrangements for the Department which involve devolved responsibilities in line with the financial management initiative means that it is not possible without incurring disproportionate costs to ascertain the costs of the Department's purchasing activity.

  Sleeping Rough (Hypothermia)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the figures for deaths due to hypothermia while sleeping rough, for each year since 1979, in(a) Greater London and (b) England and Wales.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is readily available for the years 1986–90, but for the earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The table shows, for each year from 1986, the number of deaths registered with any mention of hypothermia recorded on the death certificate and where, in addition, the deceased was recorded as being of no fixed abode, or information on their usual residence was not known at time of registration.

  Year

  Area

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  11990

  England and Wales

  10

  12

  8

  9

  6

  Greater London

  7

  6

  4

  3

  4

  1 Provisional.

  Homeless People
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the deaths reported in England and Wales during the cold weather period ending 15 February were of homeless people.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Residential Homes
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that before patients are discharged to private sector residential or nursing homes the financial consequences and the right of patients to choose to remain in the care of the national health service are explained and that patients and their relatives are not unreasonably pressured to leave national health service care.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The booklet of good practice guidance accompanying circular HC(89)5, "Discharge of Patients from Hospital", a copy of which is available in the Library, stated that arrangements for discharge to alternative care should be made in good time and be acceptable to patients and/or their carers. Information should be given in writing before the transfer as to whether the health authority would pay the fees under a contractual arrangement. No national health service patient should be placed in a private nursing or residential care home against his or her wishes if that means that he or she or a relative will be personally responsible for the home's charges. At the same time, authorities are not expected to keep patients in hospital when there is no clinical need to do so.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research has been carried out into the proportion
  703
  of residents in (a) local authority homes, (b) voluntary homes, (c) private residential homes, (d) private nursing homes and (e) private homes with joint registration who have been drawn from the immediate locality of the home concerned;

  (2) what research he has undertaken into the client satisfaction of residents of care homes;

  (3) what research he has undertaken into life expectancy in respect of inmates of residential care homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has funded research projects on various aspects of the residential care and nursing home sectors over the past five years at a number of universities, notably at the personal social services research unit, University of Kent and the social policy research unit and centre for health economic, University of York. A project by the Policy Studies Institute, funded by the Department, on "Services for Elderly People—Choice, Participation and Satisfaction" is due for completion this summer.

  We are not aware of research bearing directly on life expectancy of residents in homes or on the proportion of residents drawn from the immediate locality.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the number of different codes of practice published by organisations or associations of care home managers or owners recognised by his Department.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has endorsed the working party report, "Home Life", published in 1984, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Information about codes of practice published by the various care home associations is not collected routinely by the Department.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given by his Department as to the maximum number of residents who are relatives of a private care or nursing home owner or staff member and in receipt of board, accommodation and personal care, who are permitted to reside in the home concerned in the part of the building which is registered over and above the number of beds for which the home is registered.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None. Part I of the Registered Homes Act 1984 requires that adequate accommodation is provided for the residents of residential care homes. If relatives of the proprietor or staff of a home are accommodated, the accommodation available for use by other residents must continue to meet their needs. Part II of the Registered Homes Act requires that sufficient and suitable accommodation and services are provided to any patient in a nursing home.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by each registration authority the number of registered homes in the following categories(a) local authority homes, (b) voluntary homes, (c) private residential homes, (d) private nursing homes and (e) private homes with joint registration; and how many of these homes were purpose built.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about the number of residential care homes by registration authority is contained in table 1 of "Residential Accommodation for 704
  Elderly People and Younger Physically Handicapped People: All Residents in Local Authority, Voluntary and Private Homes Year Ending 31 March 1989 England" and, "Residential Accommodation for Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped People: Number of Local Authority, Voluntary and Private Homes and Places at 31 March 1989 England". Copies are in the Library.

  Information about the number of private nursing homes and dual registered homes by registration authority is contained in, "Private Hospitals, Homes and Clinics Registered Under Section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984, Annual Summary Booklet 1988/89", which is also in the Library.

  Information about the number of homes that are purpose built is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list which organisations or associations of care home managers or owners are recognised by his Department.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department does not accord a preferential status or recognition to any particular care home organisations or associations.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to registration authorities with regard to the provision of written details of terms and conditions of care provision to residents in care and nursing homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  "Home Life—a code of practice for residential care", which has been endorsed by the Department and commended to registration authorities, a copy of which is available in the Library, recommends that residents should be given a written statement of the terms on which accommodation is being offered before their admission to a residential care home.

  We expect further guidance to be developed as part of the Department's caring in homes initiative.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he gives to registration authorities with regard to the obligations of old and new owners of private care of nursing homes on their sale or transfer.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Residential Care Home Regulations 1984 require a person registered in respect of a residential care home to notify the next of kin of any intention to terminate the arrangements for the accommodation of a resident. The code of practice "Home Life", a copy of which is available in the Library, also recommends that residents are directly advised of any change of owner. New owners must seek registration under the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to registration authorities with regard to the contents of complaints procedures within private or voluntary residential or nursing homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Residential Care Home Regulations 1984 require registered persons to advise residents of residential care homes in writing of their internal complaints procedures and also of the name and address of the registration authority to whom complaints may be directed. They must also ensure that complaints are fully investigated. The code of practice, "Home Life", a copy of which is available in the Library, suggests that
  705
  complaints may cover any subject and that their handling should be recorded. The National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts handbook on registration and inspection of nursing homes gives specific advice about handling complaints.

  Baby Milk
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy with regard to the World Health Organisation/UNICEF code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes (WHA 34.22).

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) on 4 March, at column 24.

  Maternity Cases
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by national health service region(a) for 1980 and (b) for the most recent year, the hospitals in England which had consultant obstetric or general practitioner maternity beds giving the numbers of beds of each type in each hospital.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 22 February 1991]: The information requested has been placed in the Library. Due to changes in the type of information collected, the data for the years concerned are not strictly comparable. The data for 1980 identify the beds available in the type of unit concerned. Since 1987, the bed type has been classified according to clinical responsibility—by consultant, general practitioner or for joint use. In addition, many of the individual sites were not open during one or other of the years in question. While there has been an overall reduction in the number of beds over the period, this has been accompanied by a significant reduction in the average length of stay of approximately 30 per cent.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Exports
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total sum expended by the EC on export refunds for food and wine from free market and intervention stocks in respect of the export of food and wine to(a) central and east Europe and the Soviet Union and (b) the rest of the world, in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and if he will include the payments in respect of food aid within these totals.

  Mr. Curry
  It is not possible to provide figures showing EC expenditure on export refunds broken down by destination. The table gives the total expenditure on export refunds and the amount within that attributable to food aid for 1990.

  Export refunds 1990 by commodity (£ million)

  Commodity

  Total export refunds

  Export refunds for food aid

  Cereals

  1,742·2

  39·3

  Rice

  26·7

  6·4

  Sugar

  647·2

  2·0

  706

  Commodity

  Total export refunds

  Export refunds for food aid

  Olive oil

  95·0

  1·0

  Oilseeds

  0·7

  —

  Fresh fruit and vegetables

  46·7

  —

  Processed fruit and vegetables

  9·5

  —

  Wine

  38·1

  —

  Tobacco

  43·1

  —

  Milk and milk products

  1,356·6

  11·0

  Beef

  773·6

  —

  Pigmeat

  121·3

  —

  Eggs and poultry

  124·4

  —

  Processed goods

  356·5

  —

  Total

  5,381·4

  59·6

  Agricultural Exports
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total value of exports of(a) cereals and (b) other agricultural products in each year since 1979 in actual and constant prices; and what is the percentage increase in each case in constant prices, showing 1979 as 100.

  Mr. Curry
  The readily available information is given in the table in which the volume indices (1985 = 100) indicate movements at constant prices.

  United Kingdom Exports

  Cereals1

  Cereals and cereal preparations

  Total SITC Section 02

  Value

  Value

  Volume index

  Value

  Volume index

  £ million

  £ million

  1985 = 100

  £ million

  1985 = 100

  1979

  96·8

  264·4

  43·8

  1,745·2

  67·9

  1980

  274·1

  455·7

  69·4

  2,050·8

  76·0

  1981

  475·6

  697·8

  102·3

  2,338·5

  82·3

  1982

  531·4

  773·9

  105·1

  2,508·3

  83·3

  1983

  465·7

  740·9

  89·9

  2,754·6

  89·9

  1984

  711·0

  992·7

  116·8

  3,114·8

  97·9

  1985

  539·3

  833·0

  100·0

  3,252·4

  100·0

  1986

  881·6

  1,177·5

  145·6

  3,745·8

  114·3

  1987

  524·2

  831·2

  114·3

  3,730·3

  118·7

  1988

  352·0

  674·8

  103·6

  3,458·2

  116·3

  1989

  579·1

  951·6

  134·7

  4,228·8

  132·0

  1990

  616·5

  1,045·5

  140·6

  4,324·6

  129·6

  1 Excluding rice.

  2 Defined on page xvii of the December 1990 Business Monitor MM20 of Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom as 'food and live animals'. It includes cereals and cereals preparations.

  Source: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and CSO.

  Wheat
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of common wheat received by the producer in the United Kingdom, Germany and France(a) in national currency and (b) converted to £ sterling at the market rates prevailing on the latest date for which this information is available.

  Mr. Curry
  The national averages of market prices provided by the Commission of the European Communities for the week ending Saturday 23 February 1991, converted to pound sterling using spot rate values for 22 February, are set out in the table.
  707

  Breadmaking wheat

  Feed wheat

  National currency per tonne

  £ per tonne

  National currency per tonne

  £ per tonne

  United Kingdom (£)

  137

  137

  126

  126

  Germany (DM)

  391

  134

  381

  130

  France (FF)

  1,276

  128

  n./a.

  n./a.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average on-farm selling price of wheat in the United Kingdom for each of the years from 1979 to 1990 in actual and real terms, and also at constant prices, showing the 1979 price as 100.

  Mr. Curry
  Average prices received by cereal producers are shown in the following table together with the all-items retail prices index. Average prices in real terms have been derived by dividing the average prices by the RPI and re-expressing with 1979 = 100. It is not meaningful to refer to prices "at constant prices".

  Calendar year

  Average price (£ per tonne)

  Retail Price Index (1985 = 100)

  Average prices in real terms (1979 = 100)

  1979

  95·9

  59·9

  100·0

  1980

  99·3

  70·7

  87·7

  1981

  108·9

  79·1

  86·0

  1982

  113·7

  85·9

  82·7

  1983

  124·8

  89·8

  86·8

  1984

  114·6

  94·3

  75·9

  1985

  112·2

  100·0

  70·1

  11986

  111·1

  103·4

  67·1

  1987

  112·1

  107·7

  65·0

  1988

  105·1

  113·0

  58·1

  1989

  104·7

  121·8

  53·7

  21990

  109·5

  133·3

  51·3

  1 From 1986, the prices quoted are net of co-responsibility levy.

  2 Forecast.

  Green Currencies
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many differing green currency rates are operated throughout the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Curry
  There are currently 33 green rates in force in the European Community.

  Food Prices
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price paid to producers for(a) wheat, (b) beef, (c) milk, (d) eggs and (e) pork in 1960, 1979, 1980 and 1990, respectively, in actual prices, at constant 1960 prices and at constant 1990 prices.

  Mr. Curry
  Average prices received by producers are given in the table. The prices quoted for 1960 have been derived from various sources and are not necessarily consistent with those provided for later years. These are inclusive of subsidies and exclusive of corresponding levies as shown in tables within section 5 of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1990". It is not meaningful to refer to prices "at constant prices" but prices "in real terms" may be derived by dividing actual prices by a general index of prices. The all-items retail prices index is provided for the specified years.
  708

  1960

  1979

  1980

  1990 (forecast)

  Wheat (£ per tonne)

  21·00

  95·90

  99·30

  109·50

  Beef (p per kg dcw.)

  32·00

  130·00

  137·00

  180·00

  Milk (p per litre)

  3·07

  11·55

  12·77

  19·23

  Eggs (p per dozen)

  18·30

  38·90

  44·20

  58·00

  Pigmeat (p per kg dcw.)

  25·00

  78·00

  84·00

  108·00

  Retail Price Index (1985 = 100)

  13·20

  59·90

  70·70

  133·30

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will show the average price to the consumer of(a) a pint of milk, (b) a 2 lb loaf of bread and (c) a pint of beer in 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990; and if he will also show the percentage increase between 1980 and 1990 in each case.

  Mr. Curry
  The table gives the available information.

  Description

  Price

  (pence per pint)

  a. Retail price of milk 1960–90

  1960

  milk

  13·3

  1970

  milk, ordinary

  24·7

  1980

  milk, ordinary

  216·5

  1990

  milk, pasteurised

  230·5

  Percentage change 1980 to 19903

  + 86

  (pence per loaf)

  b. Retail price of bread (unsliced) 1960–90

  1960

  white wheat bread 1¾ lb

  14·8

  1970

  white unwrapped loaf 1¾ lb

  28·8

  1980

  white unwrapped loaf 800 g

  236·6

  1990

  white unwrapped loaf 800 g

  265·2

  Percentage change 1980 to 19903

  + 70

  (pence per pint)

  c. Retail price of beer 1960–90

  1960

  beer, bottled

  19·3

  1970

  beer, bottled

  214·4

  1980

  beer, bottled and canned

  255·1

  1990

  (i) draught bitter

  2108·7

  (ii) draught lager

  2121·6

  Percentage change 1980 to 19903

  + 132

  1 Price based on mid October.

  2 Price based on annual average.

  3 The percentage change between 1980 and 1990 is based on the index for each item, rather than the average price. This takes into account the fact that the specification of the item may have changed over the period.

  Source: Retail prices index.

  Wool
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the guarantee price for the 1991 wool clip.
  709
  Mr. Gummer
  Together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales, and for Northern Ireland, I have reviewed the state of the wool market and the prospects for the 1991 clip. 1990–91 has been a very difficult year for the wool industry. Market conditions have continued to deteriorate and worldwide stocks of wool have built up to record levels. At home wool sales have been depressed by a slowdown in the property market with a consequent reduction in the demand for the furnishings and carpets which normally absorb quantities of British wool. Other factors, including the continued absence of China, a major buyer, and the decisions of Australia and New Zealand to abandon market price support for the present have further contributed to the depressed market situation worldwide. Currently the average market prices being achieved in the United Kingdom are well below the 1990 clip guaranteed price of 125p/kg. For 1991 the prospects remain uncertain.

  Ministers have also had to take account of the Government's announced intention to end the wool guarantee and of the need for the industry to prepare for a smooth transition to market prices. In the light of this review, and taking account of current market conditions, it has been decided to set the guarantee at 120p/kg for the 1991 clip year—a reduction of 5p/kg on the 1990 guaranteed price. This constitutes a further step towards actual market prices and towards the ending of the guarantee.

SCOTLAND

  Economic Assistance (Dumbarton)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what economic assistance Dumbarton constituency has received since 1985; and if he will list the amounts and types of grant involved.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The information is shown in the table:

  £'000s

  Regional selective assistance

  843·3

  Regional enterprise grants1

  84·8

  Regional development grants2

  4,959·4

  Scottish Development Agency

  3,092·0

  Scottish Tourist Board

  1,362·6

  1Regional enterprise grants were introduced on 1 April 1988.

  2 Regional development grants were closed to new applications on 31 March 1988.

  RENAVAL Programme
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the implementation of the RENAVAL community programme in Strathclyde.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  A programme of measures under the RENAVAL community programme was submitted, on behalf of Strathclyde, to the European Commission on 18 December 1990. The Commission's decision is still awaited.

  Homicide
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of homicide remain unsolved in the period 1970 to the latest date for which figures are recorded; how 710
  many of these remain open; and what guidance his officials give to police forces on the advisability of continuing with investigations of unsolved homicides.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 14 March 1991]: Twenty-four cases initially classified as homicide remain unsolved from the period 1978 to 1989. Comparable figures for years before 1978 are not available. The initial classification of homicide may subsequently be altered, for example as a result of decisions on charges taken in the course of judicial proceedings or if death proves to have been the result of an accident.

  The investigation of any crime is an operational matter for the chief constable, in consultation with the procurator fiscal, who has the right to direct the police in this regard. Unsolved homicides always remain open and the police are always ready to investigate further any case which has not been cleared up.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Soviet Union (Loans)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been loaned to the Soviet Union by British banks for each year since 1985; and if he will give details of each loan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Details of individual loans are not available, but total outstanding claims against the Soviet Union of UK-registered banks are given in table 15 of the Bank of England's quarterly report, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Burma
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Burma.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We welcomed the free elections in Burma in May 1990 and deplore the continuing failure of the Burmese military authorities to respond to the people's clearly expressed will. We have repeatedly called on the Burmese authorities to release political detainees and to end violations of human rights. We shall continue to take every opportunity to make our views known to the Burmese authorities, along with fellow EC members and other like minded states.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the companies employed on behalf of his Department to give advice., or to undertake other work on public relations and similar matters, during the Gulf crisis; if he will indicate the amount of money spent on remuneration for the companies involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 28 January, at column 377.

  Council of Europe, Madrid
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Madrid.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  An extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe was held in Madrid on 21 February. The United Kingdom was represented by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

  A copy of the conclusions of the Chair are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Cocom
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the decision to postpone a recent meeting of Cocom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The most recent meeting of COCOM was held on 27 to 28 February at executive committee level. This was originally planned to be a high level meeting, but since some outstanding technical issues in the exercise to reform the COCOM controls remained, the high level meeting was postponed until the new "core list" of controls is ready for implementation.

  The executive committee meeting made much progress towards solving the problems. Work continues in order to resolve the remaining issues rapidly.

  Europe
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the intentions of the Soviet Union to comply with the conventional forces in Europe treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We and our NATO allies continue to press the Soviet Union to comply fully with the treaty. We do not accept the Soviet claim that treaty limited equipment resubordinated to naval command is excluded from the scope of the treaty. We are also seeking Soviet clarification of their intentions as regards the large numbers of equipment currently being stockpiled east of the Urals. This Soviet action, while not illegal under the treaty, is a cause for concern in that it creates a potentially threatening stockpile just outside the area of application.

  Israel
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government still support United Nations resolution 242; what action he has taken in the past 24 months to enforce compliance with that resolution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We continue actively to support UN Security Council resolution 242 as the basis for a comprehensive settlement of the Arab/Israel dispute.

  Albania
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent talks have taken place with a view to restoring diplomatic relations with Albania.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British and Albanian officials met in Rome on 5 and 6 November and in Geneva on 18 and 712
  19 December to discuss outstanding bilateral issues, including the possible restoration of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Albania.

  Iraq
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to provide food aid and medical support for the people of Sulaimanya, Arbil and Kirkuk in Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations agencies are making an assessment of requirements for humanitarian assistance throughout Iraq. We have already made a contribution of £2·5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its work in the Gulf area.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the use of chemical weapons against Iraqi minority groups and others within Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no evidence that chemical weapons have been used in the current disturbances. We have made very plain to the Iraqis that we would view any use of such weapons very seriously indeed.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Government on providing help to opposition forces in Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is not for us, but for the people of Iraq to choose the Government of their country, although we would have no regrets at the disappearance of Saddam Hussein's regime. We shall maintain our contacts with Iraqi opposition groups.

  Israel
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the curfews imposed on the occupied territories by the Israelis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A number of human rights organisations and charities, honourable Members and the public have made representations about the curfews imposed by the Israelis. We welcome the relaxation of the curfews since the end of the conflict.

  Food Aid
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from which EC budget the 350 million ecu of food aid for the Soviet Union, Bulgaria and Romania will be paid; from which budget the United Kingdom's contribution will be paid; and in what proportion.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The 250 mecu food aid for the USSR will be funded from savings in the 1990 agriculture budget. Of the 100 mecu assistance for Romania and Bulgaria, 70 mecu will be funded from savings in the 1990 agriculture budget and from the 1991 budget, 20 mecu for medical assistance from the Poland Hungary Aid for
  713
  Reconstruction of the Economy budget and 10 mecu from savings being realised in the EC food aid budget because of low world food prices. The volume of food aid to developing countries will not be affected. The United Kingdom share of these amounts will form part of our contribution to Community own resources in line with all other EC budget expenditure.

DEFENCE

  Gulf Casualties
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's policy regarding the funding of any adaptations to injured armed forces personnel's homes and any specialist equipment needs they may have because of injuries received in the course of their duties.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Given the demands of service life, individuals are unlikely to remain in the armed forces if their injuries are such that they require specially adapted housing or specialist equipment. Those who are medically discharged because of injuries attributable to service are entitled to the benefits of the armed forces pension scheme and the war pension scheme. Local authorities have the main responsibility for providing any necessary financial assistance to adapt accommodation for disabled people including ex-service personnel who would also be eligible for assistance from the services' charitable organisations.

  Hunting
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what services are provided to hunts that are issued licences to hunt on Ministry of Defence land.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The licences issued to hunt on Ministry of Defence land do not include the provision of any services.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the procedure by which hunts may obtain a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A hunt may obtain a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land by applying to the local defence land agent or the officer commanding the relevant establishment. If the application is approved, the defence land agent will discuss the terms of the licence with the hunt.

  HMS Endurance
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the hydrographic output of HMS Endurance in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what other source of Antarctic expertise is available to the Hydrographic Office.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During the 1989–90 deployment to Antarctica and the south Atlantic, HMS Endurance completed the following hydrographic surveys:

  a. Gull harbour (Falkland Islands),

  b. Husvik harbour (South Georgia),

  c. Neumayer channel to Butler passage (Antarctic peninsula), and

  d. Antarctic sound northern part (Antarctic peninsula),and

  In addition, her helicopters carried out 24 aerial photographic sorties in South Georgia, South Orkney, the Antarctic sound, James Ross island and Anvers island.
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  Some other national hydrographic offices, notably Argentina, the United States of America, the USSR, Chile, Brazil and Spain, carry out occasional hydrographic surveys in the vicinity of the Antarctic peninsula, and the results are received in the form of published nautical charts. Other information such as passage depth soundings and aerial photography is obtained from the British antarctic survey.

  Antarctic
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military presence is maintained in the Antarctic; and what military presence is maintained by other Antarctic treaty signatory states.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  HMS Endurance deploys to Antarctica each austral summer. Three United Kingdom service personnel also assist the British Antarctic Survey with the servicing of aircraft.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current peacetime role of HMS Endurance; what other naval vessels have been identified which could fulfil that role; and what information he has on the extent to which her capabilities are replicated by the new British Antarctic Survey vessel James Clark Ross.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) on 6 March 1991, at column 224, on the duties carried out by HMS Endurance. Consideration is currently being given to the requirement for a replacement vessel, but no decision has yet been taken. Full account will be taken of the capabilities of vessels operated by the British Antarctic Survey.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the meteorological output of HMS Endurance in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what other source of Antarctic expertise is available to the Meteorological Office.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Whilst maintaining a presence in the British Antarctic Territory, HMS Endurance makes contributions to climate data records maintained by the Meteorological Office. During the 1989–90 season, HMS Endurance was in or near Antarctic waters for 100 days, during which time 350 sets of observations were logged and later sent to the Meteorological Office.

  Weather observations are also made in the Antarctic by a network of stations operated by international agencies, including the British Antarctic Survey. Real time data from these stations are sent to the Meteorological Office through the World Meteorological Organisation's global telecommunications network. Combined with climatological data, this information is used in weather forecasting and climate prediction work.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the costs of HMS Endurance are allowed for in his Department's latest long-term costings.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not our practice to give details of the contents of long-term costings.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the annual running costs of HMS Endurance, in manpower and other terms; what is the current(a) service and (b) civilian complement; and what costs are borne on his Department's vote.
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  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The approximate annual running costs of HMS Endurance are £2·4 million, excluding maintenance and refit. The current complement is 142, all of whom are service personnel. The entire cost of running HMS Endurance is met by the Ministry of Defence.

  Procurement Executive
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has yet reached a decision on the future of the three airfields owned by the Procurement Executive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.

  Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve
  The Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether "Options for Change" will include the role of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve and an assessment of the impact on traditional recruitment patterns.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The future, size, role and structure of the Territorial Army are being examined under "Options for Change". However, the Territorial Army will continue to play an essential part in national defence and we do not envisage any changes to the basis of existing recruitment patterns.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service women deployed in the Gulf have applied for maternity leave.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No service women applied for maternity leave while deployed in the Gulf. However, two service women in the Army were returned from the Gulf when they were found to be pregnant. One is now on maternity leave.

  WE177
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, when making the decision over a WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb replacement, he intends to also consider a WE177 nuclear depth bomb replacement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I can confirm that our future requirement for nuclear depth bombs is under consideration, but no decisions are expected to be taken in the near future.

  HMS Renown
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is intended to decommission HMS Renown in the next 12 months.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Shackleton Crash (South Harris)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the report into loss of life in the RAF Shackleton crash on South Harris in 1990; and whether 716
  the full review of operating practices to be implemented with additional staff inspections will be carried out in all heavy aircraft squadrons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All the recommendations in the board of inquiry's report have been implemented, including the full review of the Shackleton squadron's operating practices. Similar reviews have not been carried out in other RAF squadrons, but lessons learnt from the Shackleton accident and review are being applied more widely across the RAF, where appropriate.

  Signals Unit, Woolwich
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current demand for the services carried out by the special signals unit at RAF Woolwich Arsenal.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The work of SSU Woolwich continues to constitute an important part of the tasks carried out by the RAF Signals organisation.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are currently employed at the special signals unit at RAF Woolwich Arsenal.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  SSU Woolwich currently employs some 180 industrial and non-industrial civilian staff.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce a decision about the future of the special signals unit at RAF Woolwich Arsenal.

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

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Northern Region
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list his Department's support for companies in the Northern region for(a) exports and (b) preparations for the single European market, since 1987.

  Mr. Leigh
  Under the enterprise initiative, my Department provides a wide range of assistance to companies. In conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we are able to offer exporters access to market information facilities and a range of services designed to meet precisely the requirements of business. Our single market campaign has resulted in over 95 per cent. of businesses being aware of the implications of the single market and up-to-date advice and information is freely available to companies who wish to find out more about specific measures. Through the consultancy initiative, assistance may be available to companies that wish to use consultants to help prepare certain strategic areas of their business for the opportunities offered by exporting and the single market. The schemes operate throughout the United Kingdom, and separate figures are not readily available for take-up in the northern region.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of his Ministers has been given responsibility for energy use by his Department; and what is his brief regarding energy efficiency.

  Mr. Leigh
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has himself assumed responsibility for the Department's overall role in following up last year's Environment White paper, "This Common Inheritance". My noble Friend the Minister for Industry has responsibility for the promotion to business of the importance for competitiveness of environmental factors, including attention to energy efficiency and for energy management in the Department. On the latter, his brief is to achieve a saving of 15 per cent. in the Department's energy bill over the next five years.

  Oil Spill Recovery Equipment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department has carried out any assessment of the total world market for oil spill recovery equipment and technology and of where the United Kingdom ranks in that market.

  Mr. Leigh
  No such study has been undertaken by my Department. However, one of my Department's executive agencies, Warren Spring laboratory, offers advice and expertise on oil spill clean up to the public and the private 718
  sectors. As far as specific opportunities are concerned, I see it as primarily for companies in this sector to assess these themselves and respond accordingly. Clearly, in the present situation the opportunities are significant.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give for each year since 1979(a) the United Kingdom share of world trade in manufactured goods and (b) United Kingdom companies' share of domestic consumption in manufactured goods.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The United Kingdom's share of main manufacturing countries' exports of manufactured goods is published by the Central Statistical Office in table E1 of "The Monthly Review of External Statistics".

  Information on non-United Kingdom based companies' share of domestic consumption in manufactured goods up to 1987 is published in table 12·2 of the CSO's "Annual Abstract of Statistics". Data for more recent periods are available in table 15.10 of the CSO's "Monthly Digest of Statistics". Figures for 1989 and 1990 are not available because of lack of data on principal product sales, but estimates based on available data suggest United Kingdom-based companies' share of consumption of manufactured goods is 62 to 63 per cent. in 1989 and 1990.

  All publications referred to in this answer are held in the Library of the House.