Written Answers of 21 March 1991

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide for each local authority the level of rates payable in 1989–90 below which a ratepaying couple who have not subsequently moved house might expect in 1991–92 to benefit from the community charge reduction scheme.

  Mr. Key
  I am arranging for a table of the information requested, based on the community charges for 1991–92 so far reported to the Department, to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for the years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91, for each local authority in England and Wales, the proportion of revenue raised by the rating system or community charge as a percentage of total local authority expenditure.

  Mr. Key
  I am arranging for a table of the estimates for local authorities in England for 1988–89 and 1989–90 to be placed in the Library of the House. For 1990–91, community charge income is paid into the collection fund of the charging authority and, together with revenue support grant and receipts from the non-domestic rates pool, finances the spending of both charging and precepting authorities. It is not therefore possible to relate the community charge income of the collection fund to the expenditure of any particular authority.

  Figures for authorities in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the year on year increase in percentage terms, in standard spending assessment for 1991–92 for each metropolitan district and London borough.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: The figures requested are given in the following table:

  Percentage increase in SSA between 1990–91 and 1991–92

  per cent.

  Greater London

  City of London

  2·5

  Camden

  22·4

  Greenwich

  22·2

  Hackney

  22·9

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  20·8

  Islington

  25·4

  Kensington and Chelsea

  26·8

  Lambeth

  23·3

  Lewisham

  24·1

  Southwark

  24·7

  Tower Hamlets

  25·1

  Wandsworth

  23·2

  Westminster

  22·1

  168

  per cent.

  Barking and Dagenham

  20·6

  Barnet

  22·9

  Bexley

  21·3

  Brent

  19·9

  Bromley

  21·9

  Croydon

  20·7

  Ealing

  21·7

  Enfield

  22·1

  Haringey

  21·7

  Harrow

  18·9

  Havering

  20·3

  Hillingdon

  23·5

  Hounslow

  23·9

  Kingston upon Thames

  21·6

  Merton

  17·2

  Newham

  23·7

  Redbridge

  22·6

  Richmond upon Thames

  22·1

  Sutton

  21·9

  Waltham Forest

  20·8

  Greater Manchester

  Bolton

  17·9

  Bury

  17·9

  Manchester

  19·5

  Oldham

  21·6

  Rochdale

  19·5

  Salford

  16·3

  Stockport

  19·2

  Tameside

  18·5

  Trafford

  16·6

  Wigan

  18·6

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  16·0

  Liverpool

  18·1

  St. Helens

  20·2

  Sefton

  20·5

  Wirral

  19·2

  South Yorkshire

  Barnsley

  19·9

  Doncaster

  20·5

  Rotherham

  18·8

  Sheffield

  20·2

  Tyne and Wear

  Gateshead

  20·4

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  18·8

  North Tyneside

  19·5

  South Tyneside

  18·2

  Sunderland

  19·5

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  18·4

  Coventry

  17·0

  Dudley

  19·5

  Sandwell

  17·1

  Solihull

  17·9

  Walsall

  15·9

  Wolverhampton

  18·4

  West Yorkshire

  Bradford

  19·7

  Calderdale

  18·0

  Kirklees

  18·8

  Leeds

  20·5

  Wakefield

  19·4

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what would be the level of community charge in Kent for 1990–91 if the amount of revenue support grant, or its equivalent, paid to local authorities had been maintained at its 1978–79 level in real terms;
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  (2) what would be the level of community charge in Calderdale for 1990–91 if the amount of revenue support grant, or its equivalent, paid to local authorities had been maintained at its 1978–79 level in real terms.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon) on Thursday 14 March,Official Report, column 675.

  Council Housing
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish, in the Official Report (a) the total, for each authority, of homes owned by the council at 1 January 1980, (b) the total sold to tenants under the right-to-buy legislation and other voluntary processes since 1 January 1980 to the latest date for which figures are available and (c) the percentage (b) represents of (a) for the London boroughs of Camden, Islington, Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth, the metropolitan boroughs of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham and the districts of Nottingham and Bristol, and each of the districts of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.

  Mr. Yeo
  A table giving the available information on sales for each English local authority was placed in the Library on Wednesday 30 January 1991—Official Report, column 542.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the number of people made homeless due to mortgage repossessions since 1979.

  Mr. Yeo
  Local authorities report the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1985 where the main immediate reason for homelessness is mortgage arrears, but do not distinguish those who were actually subject to repossession. Estimates are as follows:

  Year

  England

  1979

  2,000

  1980

  2,500

  1981

  3,500

  1982

  4,200

  1983

  4,700

  1984

  6,100

  1985

  8,300

  1986

  10,070

  1987

  10,460

  1988

  8,340

  1989

  8,360

  1990

  13,470

  Urban Renewal Grant
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the range of projects funded by urban renewal grant in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Key
  In addition to the resources made available through local authorities' housing investment programme allocations and capital receipts, my Department provides specific resources under the group of urban and housing programmes as follows:170

  1990–91

  £ million

  Urban programme

  232·6

  City grant approved

  49·5

  Derelict land grant

  73·5

  Urban development corporations

  553·9

  City action teams

  7·8

  Estate action

  190·0

  In addition, resources totalling £165 million are available in 1990–91 to help the homeless through local authority and housing association schemes, the rough sleepers initiative and grants to voluntary organisations offering advice and support.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what projects in Wandsworth have received funding from the urban renewal grant; and what is the total value of the grants.

  Mr. Key
  My Department has provided specific resources in Wandsworth as follows:

  1990–91

  £ million

  Urban programme

  2·5

  City grant approved

  0·4

  Homelessness

  3·1

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what payments will be made or have been made to Mr. D. A. Turnbull arising out of the sale of TCS to the management buy-out with which the person to whom the Government are considering selling the transport section of the Crown Suppliers is connected.

  Mr. Yeo
  Payments totalling £36,000 have been made by my Department to members of Mr. Pinkney's team in support of fees they incurred up to December 1990 for advice from D. A. Turnbull and Co. Mr. Turnbull is corresponding with the Department about support for subsequent fees for the team's advisers.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether all TCS contracts let by his Department connected in any way with Mr. D. A. Turnbull complied with civil service procurement rules.

  Mr. Yeo
  Yes.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on funding lesbian and gay housing associations.

  Mr. Yeo
  To be eligible for public funding for housing activities, a housing association must be registered with the Housing Corporation. Responsibility for registration rests in statute with the corporation. I am, however, not aware that there are any registered associations which meet the hon. Member's description.

  Derelict Land, Leicestershire
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent in Government grants on derelict land, following the closure of coal mines, in north-west Leicestershire since 1979.

  Mr. Yeo
  Since 1979, payments of derelict land grant totalling £2,496,884 have been authorised for schemes for the reclamation of former collieries in Leicestershire, North-West.

  Gulf Oil Fires
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the evidence on which he has based his statement,Official Report, 15 March, column 1389, on the impact of oil fires.

  Mr. Baldry
  The long-term environmental damage arising from acid rain in parts of Europe results from cumulative deposition over very many years, combined with sensitive geology. Neither of these factors applies in the Gulf region, and it is therefore to be hoped that long-term damage will be slight.

  Water Supply
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many relaxations have been authorised under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 12 March,Official Report, column 476.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are(a) the average cost per person of Government provision towards local government services and (b) individual community charges in each district in Devon in 1991–92;

  (2) what is the support per person given by central Government to (a) Lambeth and (b) North Devon; and what is the community charge of each for the year 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  The available information is given in the table. If Parliament enacts the Community Charges (General Reduction) Bill, new average community charges will be £140 lower, with a consequent increase in central Government support.

  Total external support1

  Average community charge

  1991–92

  1991–92

  £/head

  £/head

  East Devon

  456

  383

  Exeter

  491

  377

  Mid Devon

  472

  394

  North Devon

  479

  2—

  Plymouth

  510

  380

  South Hams

  465

  380

  Teignbridge

  466

  405

  Torbay

  475

  380

  Torridge

  514

  346

  West Devon

  468

  370

  Lambeth

  1,557

  590

  1 Total external support includes revenue support grant, receipts from the non-domestic rates pool, area protection grant and Inner

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  London education grant. Information on other central Government support (specific grants, community charge reduction scheme, and community charge benefits) will not be available until authorities send in their detailed budget returns to the Department.

  2 Not available.

  Research
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of research projects(a) currently being undertaken or (b) commissioned by his Department; and if he will list the subjects of research and dates for publication in each case.

  Mr. Heseltine
  My Department is currently managing just over 1,000 research contracts on environmental protection, planning, local government, housing and construction. These contracts are expected to produce a corresponding number of reports over the next two years. It would not be practicable to list the expected publication date of each.

  Transport Museum, Bradford
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the negotiations regarding the city grant application to assist the development of the transport museum site at Low Moor, Bradford.

  Mr. Key
  There is as yet no city grant application for the Low Moor site. However, a proposal for a mixed leisure and commercial development on this site has been submitted to the Department for a preliminary view on its suitability for city grant. The proposal is currently under discussion between the Department's city grant team and the scheme's promoters.

  Milton Keynes Development Corporation
  Mr. Benyon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the wind-up of the Milton Keynes development corporation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Following careful consideraiton of the representations received in the course of our consultation under section 41 of the New Towns Act 1981, I have decided that Milton Keynes development corporation should be wound up on the target date of 31 March 1992. The necessary order will be made in due course.

  It is important that Milton Keynes be brought to completion to the high standards established by the development corporation and that inward investment and promotion of the city continue. The Commission for the New Towns has much experience in handling the completion of development, and I am confident that it has the flexibility to meet the particular and acknowledged needs of Milton Keynes. I am asking the commission to pay special attention to balanced development to continuing high standards at Milton Keynes and to inward investment there. I am also asking the commission to move towards the establishment there of a new promotion agency, in conjunction with the local authorities and the private sector. This agency will have a dedicated budget.

  Urban Renewal Grants
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the range of projects funded by urban renewal grants in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 18 March 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox).

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what projects in Salford have received funding from the urban renewal grant; and what is the total value of the grants.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 18 March 1991] : My Department has provided specific resources in Salford as follows:

  1990–91

  £ million

  Urban programme

  6·9

  City grant approved

  5·3

  Derelict land grant

  1·8

  Manchester/Salford city action team

  0·9

  Estate action

  3·7

  In addition, the designated areas of Trafford Park development corporation covers a small area of Salford borough; the development corporation's total provision in 1990–91 is £24·2 million.

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the capital debt for each local authority(a) at the latest available date and (b) five years previously and the amount of interest paid in the intervening period; and if he will total the figures regionally and nationally.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 19 March 1991]: The available information has today been placed in the Library of the House.

  Standard Community Charges
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 12 March,Official Report, columns 478–79, relating to standard poll tax payers; if he will now give the comparable figures for Bolton; and how many standard charges are attributed to second homes in (a) Wigan, (b) Salford, (c) Westminster and (d) Bolton.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: Bolton's return to my Department gives the number of properties subject to a standard community charge at 1 June 1990 to be "not available". In any case, no information can be provided in the terms sought. The fact that a property may give rise to the standard charge does not indicate whether it is kept as a second home or is empty for some other reason.

  Inner London Education Authority
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the additional costs grant arising from the abolition of ILEA to each of the London local authorities(a) in 1990–91 and (b) for 1991–92.
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  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: The amounts payable by way of inner London education grants are as follows:

  1990–91

  1991–92

  £

  £

  City of London

  210,000

  147,000

  Camden

  6,781,169

  4,792,075

  Greenwich

  11,344,514

  7,852,451

  Hackney

  6,523,011

  4,872,854

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  6,812,046

  4,951,567

  Islington

  7,840,576

  5,342,227

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,693,725

  2,416,962

  Lambeth

  9,475,207

  6,691,718

  Lewisham

  10,565,150

  7,375,779

  Southwark

  9,479,967

  6,469,667

  Tower Hamlets

  9,102,152

  5,910,136

  Wandsworth

  10,974,086

  7,970,026

  Westminster

  7,198,397

  5,207,538

  Dumplington
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he gives to local authorities as regards an acceptable time scale for the determination of a planning application; what target time scale he sets for determination of planning issues within his Department; what is the average length of time taken by his Department to arrive at a decision on such applications following the completion of a public inquiry; and why it has now taken more than three years in the case of the application for a regional shopping centre at Dumplington, Trafford Park, Manchester.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government have set local authorities the target of deciding 80 per cent. of planning applications within eight weeks.

  The Department has a target of determining 80 per cent. of those planning applications which are called in for the Secretary of State's decision within 13 weeks from the date on which the inspector's report is received. The target for planning appeals which are recovered for the Secretary of State's decision, rather than being transferred to a planning inspector for decision, is to determine 80 per cent. within eight weeks of receiving the inspector's report. Of cases decided in 1990, 64 per cent. of called-in applications were decided within 13 weeks; 59 per cent. of recovered appeals were decided within eight weeks.

  Occasionally, decisions take substantially longer because the scale or nature of the proposed development raises complex issues. I understand the frustration caused by the long delay in issuing the decision on two called-in applications and an appeal relating to the Dumplington scheme. This has been caused by the need to consider carefully the comments made by the parties about the access proposals. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 11 February, I cannot yet forecast when it will be possible to decide these cases. I will write to interested parties as soon as I can.

  Litter, Motorways
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment further to his answer of 13 March, if he will list the starting and completion dates of litter collection from each section of motorway for the last year for which figures are available; if he will take steps to ensure that
  175
  embankments and verges are cleared; and whether any prosecutions for littering of motorways have been successful.

  Mr. Chope
  I have been asked to reply.

  Litter collection from motorways is undertaken by the Department's agents in conjunction with other highway maintenance functions. Separate information about starting and finishing dates for litter collection is not available.

  The provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which will come into force on 1 April this year, will require litter clearance to specified standards from highways including embankments and verges.

  Records of successful prosecutions for littering do not distinguish motorways from other areas. In 1988" there were 1,607 convictions for littering under the Litter Act 1983, and in 1989 there were 2,174.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Public Safety
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to review the legislation relating to corporate responsibility, liability and accountability for public safety; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department keeps under review any issues which may affect the safety of consumers and the responsibility of suppliers of consumer products to ensure that their products are reasonably safe. The relevant legislation is the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and I have no immediate plans to undertake a review of the Act.

  Profit Sharing
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new incentives for profit sharing his Department plans to offer to British companies.

  Mr. Redwood
  A number of tax incentives are operated by the Inland Revenue. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a number of improvements to them in his Budget statement, including profit-related pay, save-as-you-earn, employee share ownership trusts and personal equity plans.

WALES

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the total job losses in the steel industry in Wales in each financial year since 1978–79.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Comprehensive information detailing separately the number of jobs lost or created in the steel industry is not available. The following table shows the number of persons employed in the steel industry in Wales at the end of December each year.

  Number of employees

  1978

  56,900

  1979

  55,300

  1980

  34,700

  1981

  27,100

  176

  Number of employees

  1982

  24,600

  1983

  22,300

  1984

  21,800

  1985

  21,500

  1986

  21,100

  1987

  20,900

  1988

  20,200

  1989

  19,400

  1990

  118,000

  1 Provisional.

  Source: Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau.

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether, following the recent determination on appeal that speech therapy should be regarded as an educational provision for certain children, he has given any guidance to local education authorities in Wales on the implementation of the Education Act 1981 and the provision of statements of special educational needs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Welsh Office circular 54/89 on "Assessments and Statements of Special Educational Needs" gives guidance to local education authorities on the implementation of the Education Act 1981 and the provision of statements. It also advises on the need for local education authorities to work closely with district health authorities and social services departments on the provision of non-educational services.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes concerning fallen animals: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  As I indicated to the hon. Gentleman when I wrote to him on 18 February 1991, the difficulties being experienced in respect of the disposal of fallen animals arise primarily from changes in the market for rendered products. In the Government's view, this is largely a problem for the market to resolve. Nevertheless, the state veterinary service continues to monitor the situation. It, with the National Rivers Authority and local authorities, can provide advice to farmers about the disposal of fallen animals. Research which could lead to an improvement in the market for rendered products continues, and the recycling of animal waste has been identified as a priority area for EC assistance under regulation 866/90.

  Open-heart Surgery
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the number of open-heart surgery operations carried out at the University hospital of Wales to reach(a) 650, (b) 700, (c) 750 and (d)

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  An increase in the number of open-heart operations for adults at the University hospital of Wales to the target of 800 yearly is presently under consideration with South Glamorgan health authority, reflecting the substantial central investment to upgrade coronary and intensive care facilities and cardiac catheter laboratories at the hospital and projected achievements in 1990–91.
  177
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the numbers of open-heart surgery operations carried out in Wales in 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1990.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Information for 1970 and 1975 is not readily available or directly comparable. From information provided by health authorities I understand that, in addition to 129 open-heart operations secured for patients from Wales under contractual arrangements with hospitals in England during 1990 and funded centrally by the Welsh Office, the number of open-heart operations reported to have been carried out in Wales is:

  Number

  1980

  244

  1985

  576

  1990

  637

  Farm Aid Conservation Grants
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many grant applications under the farm aid conservation grant scheme have been refused in the last two years; and if he will list the numbers refused under each main ground for refusal.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In Wales, since the farm and conservation grant scheme was introduced in February 1989, a total of 134 claims have been rejected and 2,099 claims authorised for payment up to the end of February 1991. Claims will have been rejected for a breach of either the statutory requirements or the administrative rules of the scheme. I understand that the vast majority have been rejected for breaching statutory requirements.

  Minister's Flat, Cathays Park
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answers of 18 March, column 34, whether he took account of the country of origin, when purchasing the bed linen, microwave oven, television set and video recorder for the Secretary of State's flat at the Crown buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff.

  Mr. David Hunt
  These were purchases made locally seeking value for money. Most of the items were manufactured in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether, pursuant to his answers of 18 March, column 34, standard community charge is payable to Cardiff city council in the respect of the Secretary of State's flat at the Crown buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Community charge payments are not appropriate as the flat forms part of the non-domestic value of the Cathays Park building. However, contributions are made through non-domestic rate support.

  Artificial Joints
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current cost of a replacement(a) knee and (b) hip operation carried out under specific earmarked Welsh Office contract funds at the treatment centre at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Current costs at the treatment centre, including all fixed and variable costs, are £2,463 for a hip replacement and £3,163 for a knee replacement.
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  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the numbers of adults in Wales waiting for replacement (i) hips and (ii) knees for periods of more than four months(a) in the last full year before the setting-up of the treatment centre at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar and (b) the present year.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Information is not collected in the form requested, although it was estimated, at July 1989, that some 935 patients were waiting four months or more for hip and knee replacement operations.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the length of the four months plus waiting list for artificial(a) knees and (b) hips for the year 1991–92.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information is not collected in the form requested.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ensure that in the case of pollution control projects, grant aid approval will not be refused to farmers who have set about urgent remedial works, eligible for grant, in response to requests from the National Rivers Authority or any other regulatory body.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  It has always been our policy to pay grant on claims which comply with the terms of the relevant grant scheme.

  Aston Day Centre
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure the continued running of the Deeside day centre at Aston.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  It is for the local statutory agencies concerned to decide whether or not they wish to provide funds for the centre.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to announce the future arrangements for allocating revenue funds to district health authorities in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Health authorities were consulted in January on options for a weighted capitation formula to be used to determine each authority's share of revenue resources. Copies of the consultation paper "Implementing the White Paper: Options for a Weighted Capitation Revenue Resource Allocation Formula" are in the Library of the House.

  After considering the responses from authorities, I have decided that the most appropriate basis for the formula is as set out in option 4 of the consultation paper. This option takes account of the review of the relationships between morbidity, social deprivation and health needs carried out for the Department by Dr. Carr-Hill of York university. Copies of his review were circulated with the consultation document and are in the Library of the House. I shall also be arranging for it to be published. The formula retains the weighting for sparsity included in the existing revenue assessment formula. This is in recognition of the additional costs of providing services to scattered populations in rural areas.
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  Each DHA's share of resources, according to the formula, compared with its share of gross discretionary recurrent revenue resources for 1991–92, is shown in the table:

  Percentage share of revenue funding

  1991–92

  Formula share

  Clwyd

  13·52

  14·24

  East Dyfed

  9·02

  8·77

  Gwent

  14·87

  15·20

  Gwynedd

  8·18

  8·78

  Mid Glamorgan

  19·14

  19·05

  Pembrokeshire

  3·68

  3·87

  Powys

  4·76

  4·15

  South Glamorgan

  14·00

  13·09

  West Glamorgan

  12·83

  12·86

  Health authorities will need time to adjust to their new formula shares and there is also some uncertainty about the effect of revised population estimates following the 1991 census on formula shares. For these reasons the

  Annual change in revenue resources as a percentage of previous year's allocation at constant prices

  Year

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Clwyd

  1·28

  1·25

  1·17

  1·17

  1·17

  1·17

  1·16

  0·45

  0·45

  East Dyfed

  0·00

  0·00

  0·05

  0·05

  0·05

  0·05

  0·05

  0·45

  0·45

  Gwent

  0·53

  0·59

  0·84

  0·84

  0·84

  0·84

  0·84

  0·45

  0·45

  Gwynedd

  1·76

  1·67

  1·39

  1·38

  1·38

  1·37

  1·36

  0·45

  0·45

  Mid Glamorgan

  0·00

  0·00

  0·52

  0·52

  0·53

  0·53

  0·53

  0·45

  0·45

  Pembroke

  1·20

  1·18

  1·14

  1·14

  1·14

  1·13

  1·13

  0·45

  0·45

  Powys

  0·00

  0·00

  -1·97

  -2·02

  -2·08

  -2·14

  -2·21

  0·45

  0·45

  South Glamorgan

  0·00

  0·00

  -0·70

  -0·71

  -0·72

  -0·73

  -0·75

  0·45

  0·45

  West Glamorgan

  0·00

  0·00

  0·66

  0·66

  0·66

  0·67

  0·67

  0·45

  0·45

  This assumes 0·5 per cent. per annum real terms growth in overall discretionary revenue provision, exclusive of capital charges element, in line with resource planning assumptions previously issued to DHAs. However, resultant figures above are expressed as a percentage of total revenue allocations—with capital charges element added back in.

  The table shows that there will be a redistribution of resources with the allocations of two authorities, Powys and South Glamorgan, being reduced to their capitation shares after 1993–94, subject to the review in 1993. The changes affect the purchasing positions of health authorities, but the provision of services will depend on where purchasers choose to place their contracts. The future of individual hospitals will therefore not always depend on the relative funding position of the authorities in which they are located.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Fund
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the social fund allocations for 1991–92 to each of his offices in Glasgow.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn) on 19 March,Official Report, column 68.
  180
  allocations of most authorities will, subject to any centrally funded service developments, be maintained at their current level, after allowing for inflation, until 1993–94; and only those shown to be more than 2 per cent. below their formula target level of funding will benefit from discretionary growth funding. From 1994–95 to 1998–99, I presently intend that district health authorities' allocations will be adjusted in equal steps, so that each authority will receive its formula share of funds by 1998–99. The need for a faster or slower pace of change than this will be reconsidered in 1993 when the 1993–94 allocations are announced. Factors that I will take into account will be the effects of revised population estimates and the extent to which equalisation will have been achieved as a result of the differential distribution of growth funding in 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  On this basis and, I must stress, for planning purposes only, the percentage changes in discretionary funding that authorities might anticipate over the next 10 years are as follows:

  Pensions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, pursuant to his reply of 6 March,Official Report, columns 170–71, he will provide a breakdown of the figures for the cost of incentives in the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 between people opting into (a) personal pensions or (b) schemes, giving the numbers involved in each case.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government Actuary's estimates are as follows:

  Great Britain

  Year

  Incentives to personal pensions

  Schemes

  Number eligible for incentive in personal pensions

  Schemes

  £ billion

  million

  1987–88

  0·3

  —

  3·1

  —

  1988–89

  0·35

  0·06

  3·1

  0·5

  1989–90

  0·5

  0·1

  4·0

  0·75

  The amounts paid are shown against the year to which they relate rather than the year in which payment was made.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what it would cost to raise the state pension of(a) a single person to £60 per week and (b) a married couple to £96 per week; and by how much the basic rate of income tax would have to rise to produce the sums required.

  Miss Widdecombe
  It would cost an extra £3·6 billion to increase the basic state retirement pension from the
  181
  1991–92 levels to those suggested. State retirement pensions are paid from the national insurance fund and not by general taxation, so a rise in these pensions of this amount would imply an increase in national insurance contributions of £2·50 per week for an employee on average male earnings and the same amount for his employer.

  Claimants (Tyne and Wear)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of(a) supplementary benefit, (b) supplementary pension and (c) income support there were in each constituency of the county of Tyne and Wear in May 1979 and at present.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, it is possible to identify the number of claimants in the categories above in the three local offices serving the Tyne and Wear area:

  11979

  21991

  (a) Supplementary Benefit3

  27,910

  4—

  (b) Supplementary Pension

  14,910

  4—

  (c) Income Support

  4—

  39,620

  1 Data derived from Quarterly Statistical Enquiry of 15 May 1979.

  2 Data derived from 28 February 1991 count of cases in action, which include a number where payment has ceased but other action is continuing. Data is provisional and subject to amendment.

  3 Includes Supplementary Pension cases quoted at line (b).

  4 Not applicable.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his Department will consider proposing to power companies the joint publicising of the cold weather payment scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 14 March,Official Report, columns 669–70.

  Crisis Loans, Bradford
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what instructions have been issued to local offices in Bradford regarding the consideration of applications for crisis loans from young single people; if he will ensure that such applications are dealt with immediately; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The guidance issued by the Secretary of State about considering applications for crisis loans is published in the social fund manual, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Region and Project Title

  Approved Cost1

  Number of Places

  Capital

  Current

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Strathclyde

  Pre-School and Parent Provision, Fullarton, Irvine

  8,800

  18,480

  —

  20

  Pre-Fives Braehead Primary School, Irvine

  3,200

  10,550

  —

  30

  Pre-Five and Parent Provision, Irvine

  3,328

  10,340

  —

  40

  Pre-Five and Parent Provision, Stanley Primary School, Ardrossan

  8,490

  22,340

  —

  30

  Haycocks Primary School Nursery Class, Stevenson, Ayr

  4,700

  19,067

  —

  60

  Three Towns Pre-Five Project (Saltcoats)

  189,892

  288,782

  55

  10

  182
  Local guidance concerning priorities to be met from the local loans budgets makes no differentiation between ages of applicants. In making decisions, social fund officers take into account the law, the Secretary of State's directions and guidance, and local managers' guidance on priorities, in the light of the individual applicant's needs and circumstances.

  Applications satisfying the criteria for crisis loans are cleared on the day of receipt.

SCOTLAND

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

  Mr. Ian Lang
  My hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart), the Under-Secretary of State responsible for industry and local government in the Scottish Office, is also responsible for matters concerning energy. As regards energy efficiency, his brief is the same as that of the other members of the ministerial group on energy efficiency which was announced in the White Paper on the Environment on 25 September. The group is chaired by the Secretary of State for Energy. Its aim is to raise the profile of energy efficiency by working with Government Departments, local authorities and organisations representing energy users in all sectors of the economy to stimulate improvements. The group will also monitor the Government's energy efficiency programmes and the new initiatives announced in the White Paper on the environment and assess the need for further action.

  Nursery Schools
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in which regions the urban programme has funded nursery schools; and if he will list each approved project with the cost and number of places.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The urban programme funds a wide variety of projects aimed at pre-school children and their families in the most deprived urban areas in Scotland. The table lists projects which have been funded since 1979 where the urban programme has specifically provided nursery school places.
  183

  Region and Project Title

  Approved Cost1

  Number of Places

  Capital

  Current

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Drumry Pre-Five Project/St. Eunans

  15,000

  36,914

  80

  —

  Fasque Place Centre for Pre-Fives and Families, Drumchapel

  112,950

  93,730

  10

  70

  Sighthill Nursery School

  0

  28,300

  40

  80

  Day Nursery, Easterhouse

  42,000

  68,180

  30

  —

  Enterprise Childcare, Govan

  279,200

  247,369

  75

  —

  Employment Opportunities Nursery

  169,652

  0

  40

  10

  Respite Day Care for Children, North Airdrie

  400

  14,785

  30

  —

  Provision for Pre-School SMH/PMH Children, Monklands

  0

  53,070

  17

  —

  Kirkshaws Pre-Fives Project, Lanarkshire

  52,500

  23,006

  20

  —

  Pre-Five Project, Plains, Airdrie

  13,710

  19,848

  40

  —

  Pre-School Group for Mentally Handicapped, Motherwell

  2,229

  45,160

  —

  25

  Thrashbush Community Under-Fives Project, North Airdrie

  20,000

  35,750

  20

  —

  Laighstonehall Parents/Childrens Centre, Hamilton

  68,910

  63,018

  —

  —

  Kirkwood/Kirkshaws Pre-5 Facilities

  11,200

  14,520

  20

  —

  Townhead/Gartsherrie Pre-Fives Scheme

  15,574

  36,690

  20

  —

  Kirkshaws/Kirkwood Pre-Five Facilities

  4,447

  6,180

  20

  —

  Viewpark/Tannochside Pre-Five's Scheme, Motherwell

  35,259

  25,520

  20

  —

  Larkhall Pre-Five Project, Hamilton

  13,885

  13,730

  —

  40

  Bowfarm/Grieve Road Childrens Centre, Renfrew

  65,700

  80,760

  24

  —

  Children and Family Centres, Moorpark, Renfrew

  47,200

  51,118

  —

  50

  Integrated Family Nursery (Rainbow Centre, Port Glasgow)

  112,513

  66,720

  35

  —

  West Johnstone Family Centre, Renfrew

  326,550

  172,441

  60

  —

  Tayside

  Whitfield Children and Parents Centre (Aberlour)

  55,000

  118,273

  24

  12

  1 Some of the projects listed make provision for other services in addition to nursery school places eg support to parents' groups, toy libraries and home visiting.

  Mr. Marc Ellington
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the sums paid to Mr. Marc Ellington for professional services by the Historic Buildings Council and Historic Buildings and Monuments in each of the past 10 years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Members of the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland receive no salary or fee for their services. Mr. Marc Ellington has received no payments for professional services from Historic Buildings and Monuments during the past 10 years. In 1985, Historic Buildings and Monuments commissioned, at a cost of £6,900, a public information video from Soundcraft, a company of which Mr. Marc Ellington is a partner.

  Police (Scotland) Act
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will lay before Parliament a consolidated and classified abstract of statistics collected under section 47 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 for the years since 1982.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  "Scottish Criminal Statistics 1983–1988" (Cm 1475) was laid before Parliament yesterday and will be published today. The information for these years contained therein has already been issued in Scottish Office Home and Health Department statistical bulletins, copies of which were sent to all Scottish Members, and placed in the Library at the time of issue.

  When there is a suitable legislative opportunity, we intend to bring forward an amendment of the present

  185
  statutory requirement to publish a consolidated and classified abstract of criminal statistics to reflect the current practice of providing earlier statistical bulletins on particular topics.

  Housing
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress was made in the year to 31 March 1990 in bringing houses in Scotland up to the tolerable standard; what number of houses he estimates to fall below that standard; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Local authorities estimate that, in the year to 31 March 1990, 10,507 houses were brought up to the statutory tolerable standard and a small number were closed for occupation or demolished. This is a very substantial increase over the numbers reported as being improved in previous years, although figures may not be comparable for the reasons given below.

  Until results become available from the national house condition survey, on which field work begins this year, it is not possible to offer a reliable estimate of the number of houses in Scotland below the tolerable standard (BTS). The information available to me on BTS houses is drawn from returns made by local housing authorities, giving their estimates of the number of houses in their district which fail to meet the standard as at 31 March each year. Local authorities have a statutory duty to assess the condition of the stock in their districts. The Government encourage local authorities to carry out local house condition surveys to improve their information base and in June 1988 issued detailed guidance on the conduct of surveys.

  By 31 March 1990, 14 local surveys had been carried out. It appears that the results have led several authorities to revise upwards their previous figures of BTS houses. The number of houses reported as BTS on 31 March 1990 is 81,049, of which we estimate some 20 per cent. to be unoccupied. The returns for each local authority are set out in the table. The reported total represents an apparent increase of 25,151 on the published estimate for 31 March 1989. Most authorities reporting high percentage increases between these dates had completed local surveys by the end of March 1990. This, with the reported substantial increase in the number of BTS houses improved over the 12-month period, suggests that the reported increase in the Scottish total in the year to 31 March 1990 results from changes in the basis of measurement and does not indicate any sudden worsening in the condition of the housing stock.

  A further 15 local authorities have now carried out, or are in the process of carrying out, local surveys and 10 more are understood to be planning surveys. As more authorities take account of survey results, there may be further revisions of the basis of their BTS returns, possibly leading to further reported increases in the BTS total. Direct comparisons of estimates compiled on the basis of survey results with those submitted previously by the same authorities, or with those compiled by other authorities without the benefit of local house condition surveys, are unlikely to be valid. A new statistical framework or series may be necessary and Scottish Office officials will consider the technical issues arising with representatives of local authorities.
  186
  Our policies and the level of financial provision for housing already recognise the need for substantial investment in houses in need of improvement and repair, including houses not previously classified as being below the tolerable standard. In the five years to 1989–90, a total of 330,200 houses have been improved in the public sector, and 156,200 in the private sector with the aid of grant. At the local level it is for individual local authorities to set their own priorities for housing, but section 85 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 places a duty on them to take action on BTS houses and we expect them to have full regard to that duty in administering the improvement and repair grant system, in determining investment priorities for their own stock, and in the use of the other appropriate statutory powers at their disposal. Scottish Homes will also play an important part in improving BTS houses in certain rural areas, and has identified this as one of the main priorities of its rural strategy.

  Dwellings below the tolerable standard, 31 March 1990

  District

  Number

  Scotland

  81,049

  Borders

  Berwickshire

  723

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  459

  Roxburgh

  939

  Tweeddale1

  500

  Central

  Clackmannan

  955

  Falkirk

  382

  Stirling

  458

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  187

  Nithsdale

  1,032

  Stewartry

  144

  Wigtown

  70

  Fife

  Dunfermline

  327

  Kirkcaldy

  475

  North East Fife

  1,034

  Grampian

  Aberdeen

  1,130

  Banff and Buchan

  1,434

  Gordon

  907

  Kincardine and Deeside

  350

  Moray

  1,147

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  242

  Caithness

  354

  Inverness

  1,200

  Lochaber

  400

  Nairn

  29

  Ross and Cromarty1

  2,500

  Skye and Lochalsh1

  600

  Sutherland

  427

  Lothian

  East Lothian

  1,682

  Edinburgh

  4,785

  Midlothian

  399

  West Lothian

  426

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  7,440

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  29

  Clydebank1

  11

  Clydesdale

  297

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  53

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  187

  Cunninghame1

  1,950

  187

  District

  Number

  Dumbarton

  91

  East Kilbride

  92

  Eastwood

  12

  Glasgow

  31,819

  Hamilton

  740

  Inverclyde

  3,318

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  168

  Kyle and Carrick

  350

  Monklands

  184

  Motherwell

  647

  Renfrew

  1,110

  Strathkelvin

  20

  Tayside

  Angus1

  882

  Dundee

  2,052

  Perth and Kinross

  670

  Islands Councils

  Orkney Islands

  1,117

  Shetland Islands

  881

  Western Isles

  1,232

  1 1990 return is outstanding. Figures are for 31 March 1989.

  Leukaemia
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the case study of leukaemia in the Dounreay area, recommended by the second report of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment will be published.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The report will be published tomorrow in the British Medical Journal and copies will be available in the House. The report, commissioned by the Scottish Office Home and Health Department, prepared by the information and statistics division of the Common Services Agency, concludes that the observed excess incidence of childhood leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma—NHL—in the area within 25 km of Dounreay cannot be explained by paternal exposure to ionising radiation prior to conception. The authors point out that an apparent association between the use of beaches by the children in the vicinity of Dounreay and the incidence of childhood leukaemia and NHL should be treated with caution.

  COMARE has stated in its advice that these results taken alone do not suggest paternal employment at Dounreay nuclear establishment as a factor in the causation of childhood leukaemia/NHL in the neighbourhood and indeed make it clear that such employment cannot be a full explanation of the excess incidence observed in the vicinity of Dounreay. However, the statistical power of the study is inevitably very low and the study cannot refute the suggestion from the study of Gardner et al. that fathers' recorded external radiation dose may be related to the incidence of leukaemia/NHL in their offspring.

  The Dounreay study has been referred to the independent expert Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE). The text of its advice, which the Government have accepted, is as follows:

  COMARE Statement of Advice

  Results of a case control study of leukaemia and non Hodgkins Lymphoma in children in Caithness near the Dounreay nuclear installation—Urquhart J. D., Black R. J., Muirhead M. J., Sharp L., Maxwell M., Eden O. B., Adams Jones D.
  188
  Background

  1. In 1988 COMARE published its second report "Investigation of the possible increased incidence of leukaemia in young people near the Dounreay Nuclear Establishment, Caithness, Scotland" (1). The report made eight recommendations to Government. The first of these concerned a case control study of young people registered as cases of leukaemia or lymphoma in the Dounreay area. The study was commissioned by the Scottish Home and Health Department in 1988 and was undertaken by the Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service in conjunction with the Department of Paediatric Haematology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh. DN The findings have now been published in the British Medical Journal (2).

  2. The authors' stated objective was "To examine whether the observed excess of childhood leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the area around the Dounreay Nuclear Installation is associated with established risk factors or with factors related to the plant or with parental occupation in the nuclear industry".

  3. The Minister of State at the Scottish Home and Health Department referred the results of the studies to COMARE for consideration and advice.

  The Study

  4. The authors ascertained 14 cases of leukaemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in under 15 year olds, resident in Caithness, registered between 1968 and 1986. Controls were matched for date of birth and mother's place of residence at child's birth (either within 25km of Dounreay or within the remainder of Caithness). Data from birth certificates and parental employment records from the nuclear industry were analysed for 13 cases and 47 controls. Questionnaire data were analysed for 11 cases and 36 controls.

  5. In an attempt to explain the excess incidence of leukaemia and NHL in the Dounreay area, particularly between 1979 and 1986, the authors examined possible associations with a variety of factors relating to the child and/or the child's parents. These included parental occupation, age and social class, maternal birth place, family medical history, pregnancy history, possible exposure to non-ionising radiation and various aspects of lifestyle.

  6. The study found that none of the cases of leukaemia or NHL had been exposed ante natally to diagnostic x-rays. In the analysis of parental occupation, children with leukaemia or NHL in either the immediate vicinity of Dounreay or in the rest of Caithness were found to be no more likely to have fathers who were, or had been employed in the nuclear industry, than were control children without malignant disease.

  7. In the analysis of many other factors, the only associations to achieve statistical significance were the use of local beaches by case children in the years prior to diagnosis and the receipt of prescription medication by case mothers when pregnant. However, no two case mothers received the same medication.

  COMA RE's advice to Government

  8. COMARE has considered this study and our advice is set out below.

  General Considerations

  9. In our second report [1] we noted the considerable problems in interpretation of findings based on very small numbers of cases. As there were only 11 cases for the questionnaire based study, and 13 for the birth certificate/ employment record study any conclusion drawn from these results remains open to some uncertainty. It is not possible to assess whether interpretation of parts of the data may have been biased by the unavoidable exclusion of three cases from the questionnaire study or by the use of retrospective questionnaire data based on parental recall or by some of the difficulties in recruiting controls.

  10. Nevertheless, the study was justified by the need to elucidate factors of possible relevance to the excess incidence of childhood leukaemia/NHL in the vicinity of the Dounreay Nuclear Establishment (DNE). In addition there is a need to accumulate information from areas around several nuclear sites as part of our overall strategy for evaluting possible causes of childhood malignancy in those areas.
  189
  11. Therefore, we have considered the results of this study in terms of whether it can provide a statistical explanation for the excess of childhood leukaemia in the Dounreay locality specifically, and in the wider context of other published studies. We have given particular consideration to how the results relate to those of the similar study undertaken by Gardner et al in West Cumbria [3].

  Methodology

  12. The Committee consider that the methods of investigation were appropriate to the aims of the study.

  Results

  13. The authors observe that for children resident within 25 km of Dounreay, only 2 of 8 cases (25 per cent.) of leukaemia/NHL had fathers employed at DNE at any time compared with 12 of 25 controls (48 per cent.). These results, taken alone, do not suggest paternal employment at DNE as a factor in the causation of childhood leukaemia/NHL in the neighbourhood and indeed make it clear that such employment cannot be a full explanation of the excess incidence observed in the vicinity of Dounreay. However, the statistical power of the study is inevitably very low and the study cannot refute the suggestion from the study of Gardner et al [3], that fathers' recorded external radiation dose may be related to the incidence of leukaemia/NHL in their offspring.

  14. We note the finding of an apparent association between the use of the beaches in the proximity of Dounreay by children and the development of leukaemia/NHL. We advise that this finding should be interpreted with considerable caution since:

  14.1

  it relates to five cases only;

  14.2

  it is based on parental recall some years after the event which may be subject to human error;

  14.3

  the only comparable study [3] did not produce a similar result;

  14.4

  information, currently available, on the levels of radioactivity on the beaches, suggests that these are far too low to cause leukaemia on the basis of accepted models of leukaemogenesis.

  Nevertheless, we will incorporate a review of the Dounreay beach monitoring data into our future work programme.

  15. Data on proximity of home address to the microwave communications installation outside Thurso were analysed for those 8 cases living within 25 km of Dounreay and 25 controls. We agree broadly with the authors' conclusion that the results of this analysis do not support the hypothesis that the microwave transmitter could be a source of risk. However, we will subject the matter to more detailed investigation with respect to the possible spread and power of the beam and its relation to places of residence of cases and controls.

  General conclusions

  16. We consider that this study does not identify an explanation for the excess of childhood leukaemia/NHL around Dounreay. The disparity beteween these findings and those of Gardner et al in Cumbria tends to weaken but does not exclude the suggestion that these two excesses have a similar causation. At the same time, the findings in this small study fail to support but do not negate the suggestion of an

  Table 4

  Children in care at 31 March 1989

  By accommodation

  Community

  Residential

  Responsible social work authority

  At home

  Relatives/ friends

  Foster parents

  Other1

  Total

  Local authority home

  Voluntary home

  Residential school

  Special school

  Assessment centre

  Other2

  Total

  Grand total

  Borders

  60

  12

  23

  14

  109

  8

  0

  1

  3

  0

  0

  12

  121

  Central

  353

  24

  104

  54

  535

  38

  2

  10

  3

  19

  22

  94

  629

  Dumfries/Galloway

  70

  7

  86

  9

  172

  32

  7

  0

  0

  5

  5

  49

  221

  Fife

  105

  27

  75

  19

  226

  4

  1

  3

  9

  11

  21

  49

  275

  Grampian

  345

  31

  241

  31

  648

  103

  5

  52

  4

  0

  10

  174

  822

  Highland

  202

  30

  191

  4

  427

  27

  1

  2

  5

  11

  5

  51

  478

  Lothian

  687

  14

  346

  48

  1,095

  102

  17

  63

  20

  22

  23

  247

  1,342

  Strathclyde

  4,049

  374

  1,261

  52

  5,736

  724

  79

  405

  81

  69

  90

  1,448

  7,184

  Tayside

  349

  69

  211

  26

  655

  80

  58

  23

  9

  20

  26

  216

  871

  Orkney

  21

  0

  3

  0

  24

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  4

  28

  Shetland

  5

  3

  11

  0

  19

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  5

  24

  Western Isles

  16

  3

  8

  0

  27

  14

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  15

  42

  190
  association between paternal employment in the nuclear industry and leukaemia/NHL in children. We would reiterate the views expressed in the final conclusion of our 2nd report [1]. These were that the evidence of a raised incidence of leukaemia near Dounreay, taken in conjunction with that relating to the area round Sellafield is sufficient to warrant an intensified programme of investigation.

  17. We undertake to update our advice on these issues as further relevant research data become available.

  1. Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) second report London HMSO 1988 ISBN 0 11 32111422.

  2. Urquhart J. D., Black R. J., et al. Results of a Case Control Study of Leukaemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma in children in Caithness near the Dounreay nuclear installation, [BMJ 1991, 302, 687–692].

  3. Gardner M. J., Snee M. P. et al. Results of Case Control Study of leukaemia and lumphoma among young people near Sellafield nuclear plant in West Cumbria BMJ 1990, 300, 423–429.

  Health Service
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Greater Glasgow health board about the effect on service provision of further reductions of income due to SHARE—Scottish health authorities revenue equalisation—parity adjustments.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 19 March 1991]: The Government's policy is to move gradually towards SHARE parity in a way which avoids turbulence. The implications of this for Greater Glasgow health board is kept under regular review in discussion between the board and the management executive.

  Children
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the number of children(a) on the child protection register, (b) in care in local authority accommodation and (c) in foster placements in respect of each regional and islands authority at the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: Information from child protection registers maintained by social work departments is not held centrally. The most recent available information about the accommodation of children in care or under supervision is published in table 4 of statistical bulletin No. CC13/1990 "Children in Care or Under Supervision as at 31 March 1989". This publication is available in the House Library.
  191

  Community

  Residential

  Responsible social work authority

  At home

  Relatives/ friends

  Foster parents

  Other1

  Total

  Local authority home

  Voluntary home

  Residential school

  Special school

  Assessment centre

  Other2

  Total

  Grand total

  SCOTLAND Total

  6,262

  594

  2,560

  257

  9,673

  1,139

  170

  559

  136

  158

  202

  2,364

  12,037

  Per cent.

  52

  5

  21

  2

  80

  9

  1

  5

  1

  1

  2

  20

  100

  1 Includes private lodgings and prospective adopters.

  2 Includes hospitals, hostels and other forms of residential accommodation not elsewhere specified.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Administrative Tribunals
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Attorney-General if the Council on Tribunals will publish draft model rules of procedure for administrative tribunals in the United Kingdom.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Advocate yesterday received copies of a special report to Parliament by the Council on Tribunals on draft model rules of procedure for administrative tribunals. It offers much helpful and practical advice to policy-makers and those responsible for drafting tribunal procedural rules which will be of great value in future in preparing procedural rules for new tribunals or amending the rules of existing tribunals. The Government welcome the report and are grateful to the Council on Tribunals for reporting on this matter. The report is available from HMSO (Cm. 1434).

NATIONAL FINANCE

  London Weighting
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) why London weighting for civil servants has been frozen since April 1988; and when he proposes to increase it to meet the increased cost of living in London;

  (2) why his Department has refused to go to arbitration over the question of London weighting for civil servants;

  (3) whether he has any plans to abolish London weighting for civil servants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The Government have no plans to abolish the London weighting paid to civil servants.

  The Government's policy is that pay in London, as elsewhere, should be based on what is required to recruit, retain, and motivate within what is affordable and to target pay to get the best value for taxpayers' money. Since 1988, an additional £87 million has been put into London pay, equivalent to more than a 50 per cent. increase in London weighting, through targeted increases. Recruitment and retention rates have improved significantly since 1988. Against this background, there was no justification for any across-the-board increases in London weighting.

  London weighting was last increased on 1 July 1988. Successive Governments have reserved the right not to go to arbitration on issues which raise policy considerations. The 1989 and 1990 claims by the Council of Civil Service Unions raised such considerations in respect of the Government's policies on the targeting of pay and the control of public expenditure. I could not therefore agree to a joint approach to the civil service arbitration tribunal.

THE ARTS

  Liverpool Playhouse
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received concerning the future of the Liverpool Playhouse theatre at the latest date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  I have received a number of representations from hon. Members, and from others, on behalf of the Liverpool Playhouse. Although I have no direct involvement in this matter, I am being kept abreast of developments by the playhouse and the Arts Council. I understand that the appointed administrator is continuing his efforts, in consultation with a range of local interests and the Arts Council, to resolve the company's financial difficulties. I very much hope there will be a successful outcome.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Rights of the Child
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the United Kingdom's ratification of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are making good progress. The Whitehall review of the convention has now taken place and we have identified the few areas where we envisage the need to enter reservations upon ratification in respect of the United Kingdom mainland. They are immigration and nationality, juvenile custody, employment, termination of pregnancy and children's hearings in Scotland. We are consulting the dependent territories and United Kingdom islands about their inclusion and will ratify the convention as soon as possible.

PRIME MINISTER

  Smoking
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek to establish co-ordination between the Department of Health's policies on the discouragement of smoking and support through the common agricultural policy for tobacco growing.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom has long been critical of the EC tobacco support regime and has consistently pressed for measures to reduce the level of subsidy.

  Ministers at the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have raised the mat ter with their European colleagues on many occasions and will continue to do so.
  193
  The Commission has agreed to bring forward proposals shortly for a revision of the tobacco regime and, although details are not yet available, we are hopeful of progress.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 21 March.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Public Utilities
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will institute a study into the advantages and disadvantages of inter-sectoral mergers, takeovers and share stakes in the public utilities.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to instigate such a study. Current legislation provides a sufficient safeguard for the public interest in relation to mergers, including those involving privatised utilities.

  President Bush
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what matters were discussed in his meeting in Bermuda with President Bush.

  The Prime Minister
  We discussed a wide range of subjects, including the aftermath of the Gulf crisis, middle east security issues, the Soviet Union, the Uruguay round, South Africa and arms control.

HEALTH

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how, under the present remuneration system, general practitioners as a whole may be rewarded for new work and responsibilities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The doctors and dentists review body takes account of evidence on any changes in general practitioners' work load and responsibilities when making its recommendations each year on the level of GPs' average net remuneration.

  Exhibitions
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Pre-School Playgroups Association to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 20 to 24 May.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Children's Society to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
  194
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 7 to 10 May.

  Sheep Dip
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning organo-phosphorous toxicity arising from the dipping of sheep; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have received four inquiries regarding possible adverse effects from the organophosphorus sheep dips during the past 10 months. Organophosphorus sheep dip, if properly used, are unlikely to cause harm, although a few people may be unusually sensitive. I understand that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is currently reviewing sheep dips.

  Anybody who considers that they may have been adversely affected by exposure to sheep dips should report the matter to the veterinary medicines directorate at Weybridge.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many properties owned and administered by his Department have been empty for(a) more than six months or (b) more than one year; and what is the regional distribution of these properties.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The National Health Service has some 4,000 hectares of land which is surplus to requirements and in process of disposal. The distribution between regional health authorities is as follows:

  Region

  Surplus land area (hectares)

  Northern

  355

  Yorkshire

  509

  Trent

  535

  East Anglia

  94

  North West Thames

  86

  North East Thames

  335

  South East Thames

  394

  South West Thames

  287

  Wessex

  25

  Oxford

  91

  South Western

  182

  West Midlands

  573

  Mersey

  278

  North Western

  339

  Detailed information about the length of time National Health Service property has been empty is not held centrally.

  Adoption
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government have any plans to establish an agency for inter-country adoption.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There are no plans to establish such an agency. There are 108 local authorities in England which are adoption agencies and a further 37 approved adoption societies. Guidance was issued in
  195
  September to each of these agencies in relation to the provision of services for inter-country adoption. A copy of CI(90)17 is available in the Library. We expect to issue further guidance shortly.

  Leicestershire Health Authority
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many of the new administrative posts created by Leicestershire health authorities in 1989–90 and 1990–91 have been filled; what are the job descriptions for the posts; and what is the salary for each post;

  (2) how many new administrative posts were created by Leicestershire health authority in each of the years (i) 1988–89, (ii) 1989–90 and (iii) 1990–91; and how much was spent on advertising those posts.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Townsend, the chairman of Leicestershire health authority, for details.

  Ambulance Services
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each ambulance authority the number of journeys cancelled due to no vehicle being available in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for 1989–90 for each ambulance authority the percentage of emergency calls where response time was within(a) 14 minutes and (b) seven minutes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Figures for response times are collected centrally only at seven and 14 minutes for metropolitan authorities. These are given in table 1.

  Data for response times for non-metropolitan authorities are collected at eight and 20 minutes. These are shown in table 2.

  Patient Transport Services 1989–90: Table 1

  Quality of Service

  Emergency calls: Response times: Metropolitan authorities England

  Ambulance authority

  Percentage of calls where response within 7 minutes

  Percentage of calls where response within 14 minutes

  Northumbria Met.

  52·6

  95·4

  West Yorkshire Met.

  36·7

  90·5

  South Yorkshire Met.

  28·5

  70·7

  London Ambulance Service

  14·3

  78·8

  West Midlands Met.

  49·0

  34·0

  Mersey Met.

  63·2

  98·2

  Greater Manchester Met.

  46·6

  93·1

  Source: KA34. DH Statistics and Management information (SM12B) 1990.

  Changes to the number of registered dentists on FHSA lists between 1st October 1989 and 1st October 1990 (England only)

  FHSA

  Withdrawals

  Additions

  Net change

  Cleveland

  42

  52

  10

  Cumbria

  26

  31

  5

  Durham

  31

  42

  11

  Northumberland

  22

  29

  7

  Gateshead

  14

  17

  3

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  20

  35

  15

  North Tyneside

  16

  25

  9

  South Tyneside

  17

  15

  -2

  Sunderland

  34

  29

  -5

  Humberside

  48

  52

  4

  North Yorkshire

  59

  64

  5

  Bradford

  30

  48

  18

  196

  Table 2

  Patient transport services 1989·90

  Quality of service

  Emergency calls: response times: non·Metropolitan authorities England

  Ambulance authority

  Percentage of calls where response within 8 minutes

  Percentage of calls where response within 20 minutes

  Cleveland

  53·0

  85·6

  Cumbria

  58·0

  94·1

  Durham

  82·7

  96·2

  Humberside

  71·6

  99·6

  North Yorkshire

  61·4

  94·3

  Derbyshire

  48·3

  96·5

  Leicestershire

  53·0

  96·4

  Lincolnshire

  64·0

  95·7

  Nottinghamshire

  42·8

  68·7

  Cambridgeshire

  43·9

  88·7

  Norfolk

  62·5

  97·7

  Suffolk

  49·7

  87·8

  Bedfordshire

  60·3

  97·7

  Hertfordshire

  57·2

  96·0

  Essex

  41·6

  79·1

  East Sussex

  52·2

  70·5

  Kent

  60·8

  96·5

  Surrey

  57·8

  92·9

  West Sussex

  63·8

  94·3

  Dorset

  62·2

  94·9

  Hampshire

  50·3

  97·5

  Wiltshire

  58·9

  93·9

  Isle of Wight

  45·8

  82·9

  Berkshire

  41·1

  84·2

  Buckinghamshire

  59·0

  95·3

  Northamptonshire

  60·0

  98·0

  Oxfordshire

  46·2

  81·2

  Avon

  57·9

  95·7

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  40·9

  89·6

  Devon

  59·5

  98·8

  Gloucestershire

  n/a

  97·6

  Somerset

  53·8

  86·5

  Hereford and Worcester

  59·5

  95·4

  Shropshire

  49·6

  92·2

  Staffordshire

  50·3

  98·0

  Warwickshire

  74·0

  93·9

  Cheshire

  54·1

  94·0

  Lancashire

  70·9

  99·1

  Source: DH Statistics and Management Information 1990.

  Dentists
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists on each family health services authority list withdrew and how many joined between 1 October 1989 and 1 October 1990.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Between 1 October 1989 and 1 October 1990, 3,666 dentists withdrew from FHSA dental lists in England, and 4,047 dentists were added to those lists. This represents a net increase of 381. The details for each FHSA in England are set out in the table.
  197

  FHSA

  Withdrawals

  Additions

  Net change

  Calderdale

  19

  24

  5

  Kirklees

  27

  25

  -2

  Leeds

  87

  76

  -11

  Wakefield

  17

  22

  5

  Derbyshire

  35

  47

  12

  Leicestershire

  54

  46

  -8

  Lincolnshire

  21

  23

  2

  Nottinghamshire

  48

  66

  18

  Barnsley

  25

  25

  0

  Doncaster

  19

  20

  1

  Rotherham

  13

  23

  10

  Sheffield

  40

  42

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  29

  37

  8

  Norfolk

  40

  60

  20

  Suffolk

  36

  44

  8

  Bedfordshire

  37

  30

  -7

  Hertfordshire

  104

  111

  7

  Barnet

  40

  42

  2

  Brent and Harrow

  33

  43

  10

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  80

  90

  10

  Hillingdon

  19

  24

  5

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  109

  82

  -27

  Essex

  103

  106

  3

  Barking and Havering

  29

  26

  -3

  Camden and Islington

  57

  57

  0

  City and East London

  58

  54

  -4

  Enfield and Haringey

  36

  56

  20

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  62

  55

  -7

  East Sussex

  52

  54

  2

  Kent

  132

  153

  21

  Greenwich and Bexley

  34

  35

  1

  Bromley

  31

  23

  -8

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  120

  115

  -5

  Surrey

  120

  117

  -3

  West Sussex

  50

  56

  6

  Croydon

  41

  39

  -2

  Kingston and Richmond

  29

  29

  0

  Merton, Sutton and Wandworth

  71

  71

  0

  Dorset

  36

  52

  16

  Hampshire

  100

  111

  11

  Wiltshire

  25

  31

  6

  Isle of Wight

  8

  9

  1

  Berkshire

  50

  64

  14

  Buckinghamshire

  59

  62

  3

  Northamptonshire

  20

  27

  7

  Oxfordshire

  41

  48

  7

  Avon

  90

  94

  4

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  19

  23

  4

  Devon

  61

  60

  -1

  Gloucestershire

  45

  48

  3

  Somerset

  23

  22

  -1

  Hereford and Worcester

  40

  44

  4

  Salop

  14

  18

  4

  Staffordshire

  31

  54

  23

  Warwickshire

  29

  30

  1

  Birmingham

  64

  50

  -14

  Coventry

  16

  18

  2

  Dudley

  22

  24

  2

  Sandwell

  16

  22

  6

  Solihull

  15

  21

  6

  Walsall

  10

  12

  2

  Wolverhampton

  10

  11

  1

  Cheshire

  89

  103

  14

  Liverpool

  36

  41

  5

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  20

  29

  9

  Sefton

  19

  22

  3

  Wirral

  30

  44

  14

  Lancashire

  100

  105

  5

  Bolton

  17

  17

  0

  Bury

  12

  17

  5

  Manchester

  65

  82

  17

  Oldham

  16

  25

  9

  Rochdale

  11

  15

  4

  Salford

  27

  25

  -2

  Stockport

  15

  22

  7

  Tameside

  12

  16

  4

  Trafford

  25

  22

  -3

  Wigan

  12

  20

  8

  198 199

  FHSA

  Withdrawals

  Additions

  Net change

  TOTAL

  3,666

  4,047

  381

  Note: These figures arc 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.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority will publish its code of practice.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has today published a consultation document containing its proposals for the code of practice. Comments and suggestions have been invited from an extensive range of interested organisations and from treatment and research centres which are to be regulated.

  Once the consultation exercise is complete, the authority will prepare a further draft of the code. In accordance with section 26 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, this will then be subject to approval by the Secretary of State before it is laid before Parliament.

  Continence Services
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the proposed review of continence services.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Officials have started work on a review of policy and practice across the range of continence services, including the supply of continence aids. We are already aware of the variety of provision and the aim of the review will be to identify good practice in the organisation and delivery of such services and to make recommendations for action designed to promote that good practice throughout the country. Officials have been asked to deliver their report by the end of June 1991. I will make the report available in the Library and to interested bodies.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Hunting, New Forest
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 March, if he will seek a report from the chief constable of Hampshire as to what the costs were of police overtime for presence at hunts in the New Forest on boxing day 1990 and new year's day 1991.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the chief constable that the estimated costs for police overtime arising from policing the hunts on boxing day 1990 and new year's day 1991 were £2,771 and £1,373 respectively.

  Crime Prevention Week
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much the advertising agency Collett, Dickinson, Pearce and Partners will receive for developing plans for advertising for Crime Prevention Week;
  200
  (2) what is the cost of the national advertising campaign for Crime Prevention Week;

  (3) what is the cost of the promotion work by Clerk Hooper Consulting for Crime Prevention Week;

  (4) what is the cost of television commercials for national Crime Prevention Week.

  Mr. John Patten
  The cost of the Crime Prevention Week advertising campaign will he £3,600,000, including VAT, of which nearly £1,450,000 is for television commercials. The cost of non-advertising promotional activity for the week will be £900,000, including VAT. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, the Government do not disclose the rate of commission or the fees negotiated with individual agencies.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what resources are to be given to local planning groups for Crime Prevention Week;

  (2) what resources are being given to local authorities to develop crime prevention initiatives for Crime Prevention Week;

  (3) what extra resources are to be given to local authorities to build on the work of Crime Prevention Week.

  Mr. John Patten
  The resources made available by the Government consist of a large volume of publicity material, including a campaign planning guide and extensive advertising, which it is expected will provide valuable support for activity organised at local level by the police, local authorities and other bodies and individuals with an interest in crime prevention.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to prevent the publicity surrounding Crime Prevention Week from enhancing the fear of crime.

  Mr. John Patten
  The need to avoid increasing the fear of crime was taken fully into account in preparing advertising and publicity for Crime Prevention Week. One of the most important messages of the week will be that. many crimes can be prevented by members of the public taking sensible precautions against them.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many properties, owned and administered by his Department, have stood empty(a) for over six months or (b) for over one year; and what is the regional distribution of these properties.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  It is assumed that the question relates to housing. The best estimate of the numbers of empty prison service properties, as at 1 March 1991, was 458, as set out in the table by region.
  201

  North

  Midland

  South East

  South West

  Total

  Vacant for security reasons or redevelopment

  29

  45

  17

  3

  94

  Vacant for re-allocation to designated staff

  21

  16

  12

  7

  56

  Awaiting demolition

  63

  —

  —

  —

  63

  On market for sale

  165

  36

  8

  6

  215

  Awaiting disposal

  13

  12

  1

  4

  30

  TOTALS

  291

  109

  38

  20

  458

  Information on the length of time for which these properties have been vacant is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  In addition, the Home Office directorate of telecommunications owns some properties which have been vacant for more than 12 months. Three of these are in the midlands, one in the south-west and one in the south-east.

  Women Prisoners
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum number of hours spent by a woman in seclusion at a women's prison or young offenders' institution over the last 12 months; and what is the average number of hours spent by women in seclusion.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information is not available in the form requested. Inmates may be removed from normal prison location at their own request or as a result of their behaviour. Inevitably the regime available to them is limited, but wherever circumstances allow they are able to associate with others in a similar position. Whatever the reason for their segregation, inmates will receive regular visits from the governor, medical officer and chaplain, and the staff on the unit on which they are held will be available to them as necessary.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have sought asylum in Britain during the past 12 months; how many have been granted, how many refused and how many are pending; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A fully reliable estimate of the number of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom in 1990 cannot yet be made, but provisional indications are that it was of the order of 30,000, including associated dependants. This figure does not include applications for upgrading to refugee status by those previously granted exceptional leave.

  Comprehensive information on decisions in 1990 on asylum applications is not yet available. Decisions recorded to date are shown in the following table, but these understate because of delays in recording.

  Decisions1 on applications2 for asylum in the United Kingdom made in 1990

  Numbers

  Granted asylum

  1,600

  Granted exceptional leave

  3,700

  Refused asylum or exceptional leave

  650

  1 Including associated dependants.

  2 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in 1990.

  Provisional indications are that about 38,000 asylum applications, including associated dependants, were
  202
  awaiting a decision in the United Kingdom at 31 December 1990. However, this estimate overstates the position because of under-recording of decisions made earlier.

  Fuller and more reliable estimates of applications, decisions and applications outstanding in 1990 will be published as usual in the annual Home Office statistical bulletin "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom" later this year.

  Voluntary Sector Funding
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken following publication of the efficiency scrutiny of Government funding of the voluntary sector.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  On 4 April last year, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell),Official Report, column 639, my predecessor announced the publication of the efficiency scrutiny of Government funding of the voluntary sector. He said that this would provide the basis for improving arrangements to ensure that the money was used both efficiently and for good purposes. Generally, the report has had a favourable response both within the voluntary sector and elsewhere.

  Departments have now considered the scrutiny recommendations as they affect individual grant schemes and have drawn up action plans for taking forward and implementing these recommendations. The aim will be to implement all the agreed changes by September 1993, but some Departments will be able to put new arrangements in place earlier.

  I am placing in the Library a statement, "Profiting From Partnership—The Implementation Process", explaining the action which Departments will be taking. This will also be available to voluntary organisations and other interested parties on request from the voluntary services unit in the Home Office.

  The majority of the recommendations of the scrutiny report fall to be considered in relation to each grant scheme or programme individually. In general, these are accepted where they are applicable and, where they are not already departmental practice, will be implemented in the light of the principles set out in the statement of 4 April 1990. However, not all the recommendations are applicable to all individual grant schemes and programmes.

  There are also a number of recommendations which relate to the role of the voluntary services unit—VSU—of the Home Office. The VSU intends to issue a revised statement of its role later in 1991. The VSU will also be taking the lead in co-ordinating the work to affect the implementation of those recommendations which are cross-departmental.

  Preliminary discussions have been held with the voluntary sector about the scrutiny report in general.

  203
  Departments will take account of the views of the organisations that they fund and of representative bodies working within their policy areas in carrying out the process of review.

  Electoral Roll
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) aged over 17 and under 26 years and eligible to vote in a general election and (b) aged 16 or 17 years in the United Kingdom on the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I have been asked to reply.

  No data are collected about the ages of people eligible to vote. There were 628,858 people on the 1990 parliamentary electoral registers in the United Kingdom who were aged 16 or 17 on the qualifying date and who became 18 and eligible to vote during the currency of that register up to 15 February 1991. Information about the 1991 register which came into use on 16 February is still being collected centrally by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. This information will be made available by the end of May.

ENERGY

  Oil Exploration, Wiltshire
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of oil exploration in Wiltshire.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No significant discoveries of oil have been made to date in Wiltshire. Since the reply given to my hon. Friend's similar question on 26 October 1989 at column 519, two further seismic survey programmes and one geochemical soil test have been carried out under petroleum licences covering parts of the county.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list all incidents and occurrences, including radioactive dose exposure to employees, involving the release or potential release of radioactive matter from high-level waste slurry/sludge storage tanks that have been reported to his Department or lodged with the nuclear installations Inspectorate under the established reporting procedures, in each of the last five years;

  (2) if he will list the size, number and types of storage tanks at each location in the United Kingdom at which high-level radioactive waste is stored; whether the waste is acid or alkali; what is the rate of hydrogen evolution from such tanks; and what is the method of purging this;

  (3) if he will name each establishment in the United Kingdom where liquid and/or slurry/sludge high-level radioactive waste is processed, treated and stored; and
  204
  what is the volume and total radioactive inventory and radionuclide composition of the high-level wastes stored at each such location.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  High-level liquid waste is produced in the United Kingdom at Sellafield and Dounreay, and is stored on site. Details of quantities and activity may be found in the United Kingdom inventory of radioactive waste, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  The high-level waste is acidic. Hydrogen evolution does occur, but levels are extremely low and the tanks are continuously ventilated.

  There have been no reportable incidents or occurrences involving high-level liquid waste storage tanks in the past five years.

  Home Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what provision he is making to ensure grant entitlement under the home energy efficiency scheme for those who cannot complete and sign their application forms for reasons of illiteracy, disability, illness or incapacity.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Under the Home Energy Efficiency Grants Regulations 1990, the applicant for a grant under the home energy efficiency scheme must be a householder, although the person in receipt of a qualifying benefit may be the householder or the householder's spouse. There is no requirement for the applicant to complete the form him or herself, although the applicant is required to sign.

  For the very few cases where the inability to sign an application form causes difficulties, we are examining urgently whether the regulations would permit some form of proxy signature or other alternative. In the event that no satisfactory solution can be found, amending regulations will be introduced at an early opportunity.

  National Power
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration he has given to the implications for the maximising of revenue from privatisations of Nomura Securities' acquisition of a 9 per cent. stake in National Power other than by purchase from the Department of Energy.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The market for equity in National Power and PowerGen was thoroughly tested through competitive book-building in the period before impact day. In addition, some of the benefit of the market rise during the offer period was obtained for the taxpayer through an international tender. I am satisfied that all appropriate steps to maximise proceeds were taken, having regard to other policy objectives. It is for investors to decide whether and if so how they wish to participate in the second market.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Environmental Issues
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider to seek to establish a Northern Ireland environmental protection agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to establish an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentlemen will be aware that the Environment Committee of this House, in its recent report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, recommended the establishment of such a body. I am at present examining the recommendations in this report. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to recommendation 21 in the first report of the Environment Committee of Session 1990–91 entitled "Environmental Issues in Northern Ireland"; and when the Department of the Environment will carry out a review of the effects of current policies on residential development in the countryside and institute a policy which will enable rural planning policy to be relaxed, and crossroads development to take place.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Environment Committee of this House, in its recent report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, recommended a review of planning policies on residential development in the countryside. I am at present examining the recommendations in this report. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to ensure that long-term environmental considerations are fully taken into account when financial inducements are given to incoming investors to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Environment Committee of this House, in its recent report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, recommended that the Government take steps to prevent the contamination of land by industry. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will introduce a system of grant-aid for the clean-up of contaminated sites.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will establish a register of contaminated land in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentlemen will be aware that the Environment Committee of this House, in its recent 206
  report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, expressed concern about contaminated land. I am at present examining the recommendations in this report. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to recommendation No. 15 in the first report of the Environment Committee of Session 1990–91 entitled "Environmental Issues in Northern Ireland"; and what action the Government will adopt to reduce the incidents of eutrophication of inland waters.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government are at present examining this recommendation, as part of their consideration of the Environment Committee's report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to the conclusion No. 25 in the first report of the Environment Committee of Session 1990–91 entitled "Environmental Issues in Northern Ireland"; and whether the Government will adopt measures such as national parks and management plans for areas such as the Mournes in the constituency of South Down.

  Mr. Needham
  The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Environment Committee of this House, in its recent report on environmental issues in Northern Ireland, recommended measures such as national parks and management plans. I am at present examining the recommendations in this report. The Government's response to the report will take the form of a Command Paper and I would not wish to pre-empt that response at this stage.

  Former Courtaulds Site
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who is responsible for cleaning up the former Courtaulds site near Carrickfergus.

  Mr. Needham
  Responsibility for cleaning up this site lies with the new owners.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action will be taken to prevent pollution from solvents and drums of chemicals left at the former Courtaulds site near Carrickfergus.

  Mr. Needham
  Provided that the Carrickfergus borough council is satisfied that no public health nuisance exists, and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is satisfied that no water pollution is occurring, action on the former Courtaulds site would be the responsibility of a new owner who wished to develop the site.

  The Department has established that certain inorganic wastes are present on the site and will continue to monitor the situation.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give an estimate of the level of unemployment in each of the 17 Northern Ireland constituencies in both 1979 and 1991.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested for parliamentary constituencies is not available prior to October 1984. Data from October 1984 onwards can be obtained from the House of Commons Library and information post-June 1986 is available from the NOMIS database which can also be accessed on-line by House of Commons Library staff.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Education Expenditure, Leicestershire
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent on education in Leicestershire in(a) 1979 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available, adjusted for inflation.

  Mr. Fallon
  Leicestershire's returns show that it spent some £131 million cash on education in 1979–80, and some £289 million cash in 1988–89, the latest year for which figures are available. At 1988–89 prices this represents some £247 million in 1979–80 and £289 million in 1988–89, an increase of 17 per cent.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to lay the orders on the national curriculum for history and geography; and in what respect they will differ from the draft.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I expect to lay these orders shortly. I cannot anticipate them.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Blackburn,Official Report, 8 March, columns 299–300, he will give an estimate of the cost, in the case of each named city technology college, of visits and other attention by Her Majesty's inspectorate; and whether any part of this cost has been charged to the city technology college.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The approximate direct cost of the visits made by Her Majesty's inspectorate to the city technology colleges is as follows:

  Kingshurst: £3,750

  Djanogly and Macmillan: £3,750 each

  Bradford, Emmanuel, Harris and Leigh: £1,325 each

  Under section 77(2) of the 1944 Education Act I have a duty to cause inspections to be made of all educational establishments at such intervals as appear to me to be appropriate. City technology colleges are independent schools and HMI inspects such schools under section 70 of the Act. All visits by HMI to maintained and independent schools are made at no cost to the institution. As a consequence, no part of the cost of visits has been charged to the city technology colleges.

  Belize
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contribution is being made by British scientific expertise to the protection of the rain forest and coral reef in Belize.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Neither this Department nor the Natural Environment Research Council is currently funding or undertaking any work in Belize.

  Agricultural and Food Research Council
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the Number of permanent staff employed by the AFRC in 1984 and in 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  There were 5,660 permanent staff in post at AFRC-funded institutes and AFRC central office on 1 April 1984.

  The figure for 1 April 1991 is estimated at 3,225, including 450 staff who are employed by AFRC but seconded to Horticulture Research International.

  Environmental Education
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the new Open university initiative on environmental education; and when he next expects to visit the Open university to discuss the development of environmental education.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I welcome the steps which the Open university has taken to integrate its environmental courses and develop an interdisciplinary environmental education programme. The Open university's contribution to this area was recognised in the environment White Paper, and has been supported by grants from bodies including the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council. I understand that the University's proposals for environmental education were further discussed during the visit by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for the Environment in October last year.

  I am expecting to visit the university in July, when I hope to see a range of its activities at first hand.

EMPLOYMENT

  Youth Training
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much was spent on youth training in(a) 1979 and (b) the latest available year.

  Mr. Jackson
  Expenditure on youth training in 1979–80 was £123·4 million1. The estimated expenditure on youth training (YT) in 1990–91 is expected to be £833 million2.

  1Youth opportunities programme (YOP).

  2 As published in the departmental report (Cm. 1501–1519).

  Careers Service
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will publish the findings from the review of the careers service; and if he will make a statement.
  209
  Mr. Jackson
  I am currently studying a report by my officials on the review of career guidance. I intend to consult especially training and enterprise councils and local education authorities about the future of the careers service.

  Ports
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what change there has been in(a) operating costs and (b) profits to port employers since the abolition of the dock labour scheme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Port employers' operating costs will reflect the fact that since 1988, when the estimated total wage bill of registered dock workers was £175 million, some three quarters of them have been made redundant. A fuller picture of the benefits of abolition will emerge during the next few weeks, as port authorities publish their financial results for 1990.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what reduction there has been in dock dues to port customers since the abolition of the dock labour scheme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Rates charged by ports to their main customers are a commercial matter between those parties.

TRANSPORT

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many letters his Department has received on the orange badge scheme for each of the last six months;

  (2) how many staff in his Department spend most of their time dealing with inquiries relating to the orange badge scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  The following number of letters were received in the last six months:

  Number

  September

  122

  October

  136

  November

  116

  December

  68

  January

  121

  February

  106

  and it is estimated that there are more than 1 million orange badge holders.

  Three members of the Department's staff are primarily employed in answering inquiries from them and others.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to introduce regulations revising the orange badge scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  I wish to see agreements among user groups before making any decision on the orange badge scheme.

  I will then bring forward the necessary amending regulations.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to discourage local authorities from establishing local schemes which undermine the national nature of the orange badge scheme.
  210
  Mr. Chope
  I hope that the introduction of a new passport-style badge will be a significant aid to enforcement which will discourage local authorities from setting up their own schemes.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the current repairs and maintenance work on the Severn bridge to be completed; and when the bridge will become fully operational.

  Mr. Chope
  The resurfacing contract is due for completion in the late summer, when the bridge will be fully operational in its final configuration.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the original estimated cost of the current repairs and maintenance work on the Severn bridge; and what is the latest estimated cost.

  Mr. Chope
  The current estimated cost of the repair and strengthening work is £80 million. The estimates have been revised many times over the years as changes to the scope of work have become necessary and an original estimated cost on a comparable basis with the current estimate is not available.

  Motorway Safety
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent the chevron marking of motorways for safety purposes is being considered for the road network as a whole; and whether road safety research carried out by other European countries is made available across the EC.

  Mr. Chope
  We are currently experimenting with chevron markings on motorways. That trial is due to end in the summer and we shall then consider the research report. The trial is based on French work, the results of which was made available to us prior to our own trials. Further work was considered necessary to see if the chevrons would be successful in different conditions.

  There is no formal arrangement for the transfer of road safety research results within the EC on such matters, but information is readily shared in practice.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his policy on the use of motorway warning lights in fog.

  Mr. Chope
  The matrix signs that are installed on most of the motorway network can indicate temporary speed restrictions and lane closures. They are activated by the police. The advice given to all police forces by the Association of Chief Police Officers is that they should be used only for hazards which are not readily apparent to drivers, and not for generally adverse weather conditions. I am arranging to discuss this policy with the association.

  Fog detectors linked automatically to warning signs that display the legend "fog" are under evaluation on the M25. The lessons to be learned from this trial will be applied to other parts of the motorway network.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to vary speed limits on motorways in adverse weather conditions; and if he will make a statement.
  211
  Mr. Chope
  Provision is being made in the Road Traffic Bill for the introduction of mandatory variable speed limits. Once the necessary signal technology has been developed and tested this will offer the potential for signing mandatory lower speed limits on motorways in adverse weather conditions as well as in other circumstances.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to modernise or improve the warning light systems on Britain's motorways.

  Mr. Chope
  A new signalling system combining an improved matrix signal with a supporting variable message sign is being installed on the south-west quadrant of the M25 during the next 12 months. This advanced signalling system will inform drivers of the nature of problems before they are encountered. It is planned that these signs will become automatically operated to give the earliest possible warning of problems or delays.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the motorway warning light system which operates in Holland; and how this compares with the British system.

  Mr. Chope
  Officials of the Department have visited the Netherlands and had discussions about signaling

  Analysis of empty property total

  Total stock

  Empty

  Being sold

  Repair/ relet in progress

  Awaiting demolition

  Awaiting decision

  South Eastern

  271

  154

  24

  90

  1

  39

  South Western

  98

  23

  17

  3

  1

  2

  West Midlands

  143

  48

  12

  24

  4

  8

  North Western

  385

  50

  16

  18

  8

  8

  Northern

  29

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  55

  12

  8

  2

  0

  2

  East Midlands

  43

  16

  9

  3

  0

  4

  Eastern

  362

  60

  9

  0

  43

  8

  London

  953

  128

  50

  11

  35

  32

  TOTAL

  2,339

  492

  145

  152

  92

  103

  Poynton Bypass
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what routes he is considering for the A523 Poynton bypass; and when he expects to make a decision.

  Mr. Chope
  Options based on the orange and green routes passing to the west of Poynton and combining with the eastern section of the proposed A6(M) to M56 (Manchester airport) link are being considered.

  I hope to announce a preferred route within the next few weeks.

  Scheme

  Authority

  Cost

  £ million

  A50 Coleville relief road stages 1 and 2

  Leicestershire County Council

  1·636

  A50 Coleville relief road stage 3

  Leicestershire County Council

  1·721

  A453 Dualling

  Department of Transport

  1·500

  A42 Measham and Ashby bypass

  Department of Transport

  35·500

  A42 Castle Donington (N) section contract 1

  Department of Transport

  29·011

  A42 Castle Donington (W) section contract 2

  Department of Transport

  13·140

  212
  practices. The Dutch motorway warning light system uses a matrix signal similar to that used in England. The system is concentrated on motorways in urban areas and is automatically operated. In England more than 97 per cent. of the motorway network is fitted with matrix warning systems, 100 km are automatically operated, the rest are operated by the police.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley) on 26 July 1990, if his Department has updated figures on the number of properties owned and administered by his Department(a) empty for more than six months or (b) empty for more than one year; and what is the regional distribution of these properties.

  Mr. Chope
  At 30 September 1990 the Department owned 2,339 residential properties acquired in advance of requirements for the trunk road programme. The Department's policy is not to leave properties empty if they are to be retained for six months or more and a tenant can be found. The table sets out the information that is available in the same form as the earlier reply.

  Roads, Leicestershire
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on new roads in north-west Leicestershire since 1979.

  Mr. Chope
  Since 1979 the Department of Transport and Leicestershire county council have to date spent £85·25 million on the construction of new trunk and principal roads in north-west Leicestershire. The details are as follows:
  213

  Scheme

  Authority

  Cost

  £ million

  A42 Castle Donington (N) section contract 3

  Department of Transport

  172·742

  85·250

  1 Spend to date (under construction)

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the major new schemes accepted for transport supplementary grant for 1990–91 and 1991–92 giving in each case (a) the net present value,

  Major new schemes accepted for transport supplementary grant in 1991–92

  Authority

  Scheme

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  NPV

  PVC

  Base

  Berkshire

  Phase 2 A33 relief road Rose Kiln Lane to I.D.R.

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  East Sussex

  East Hoathly bypass

  11·492

  1·964

  88

  Hampshire

  Totton western bypass (Stage 3)

  43·612

  12·836

  88

  Kent

  Roydon Hall bends to A26

  3·476

  0·960

  88

  West Sussex

  Hooklands improvement

  9·407

  2·912

  88

  Cornwall

  Poenryn and Falmouth distributor road

  9·460

  6·802

  88

  Devon

  Jetty Marsh ST2/Newton Abbot TC schemes

  15·970

  1·759

  88

  Devon

  A380 relief road (Kerswell to Hele road)

  15·924

  1·011

  88

  Dorset

  West Stafford bypass

  0·927

  1·402

  88

  Gloucestershire

  Eastington·Stroud ST2 (Stonehouse Court—Horsetrough Junction)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Somerset

  Shepton Mallet to East of Dean

  1·597

  4·448

  88

  Wiltshire

  Trowbridge relief road—Stage 2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Herefordshire/Worcestershire

  Alvechurch bypass

  17·130

  2·014

  79

  Shropshire

  Newport bypass

  5·445

  3·404

  88

  Staffordshire

  Keele bypass

  2·073

  1·611

  88

  Stockport

  A34 bypass (Etchells road to Schools Hill)

  10·80

  3·260

  79

  Cheshire

  Handforth BP & Maelr (Stockport/Developer funded)

  93·081

  20·400

  88

  Cheshire

  Urban traffic control system (Chester Warrington)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Cumbria

  Rothay link

  1·274

  1·414

  88

  Cleveland

  Portrack Lane dualling

  19·600

  3·522

  88

  Durham

  Teesside link and airport access

  9·964

  4·810

  88

  Durham

  Darlington cross town route Stage 1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Humberside

  Leven bypass

  5·233

  6·408

  88

  North Yorkshire

  Ripon BP/Distributor roads and works in city centre

  17·713

  4·880

  88

  Leicestershire

  Hinckley northern perimeter completion

  7·928

  1·360

  88

  Lincolnshire

  Grantham inner relief road

  1·744

  1·390

  88

  Northamptonshire

  Brackley southern bypass

  10·900

  1·400

  88

  Buckinghamshire

  A509/A422 Newport Pagnell BP dualling (MKDC CON)

  8·580

  1·847

  89

  Essex

  Stanford·le·Hope to Five Bells Stage 2

  110·544

  13·058

  n/a

  Norfolk

  King's Lynn traffic management scheme

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Norfolk

  Stratton Strawless·Hevingham improvement

  1·645

  0·925

  79

  Barking

  Beacontree Heath road improvements

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Bromley

  Elmers End road railway bridge

  2·810

  2·360

  88

  Ealing

  Iron bridge highway improvement

  21·159

  1·821

  88

  Hillingdon

  Uxbridge town centre improvement scheme

  34·600

  4·700

  88

  (a) The net present value (£ million)

  (b) The present value of cost (£ million>

  (c) The base year.

  Major new schemes accepted for transport supplementary grant in 1990–91

  Authority

  Scheme

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  NPV

  PVC

  Base

  Berkshire

  Sandhurst Crowthorne bypass

  27·884

  5·800

  88

  Berkshire

  Slough Bath Road Montem Lane—Wellington Street

  11·114

  4·985

  88

  East Sussex

  Boarshead to Eridge

  10·013

  5·750

  88

  Hampshire

  M3 link Minley

  45·663

  5·523

  88

  Kent

  Dartford northern bypass

  68·312

  6·000

  88

  Kent

  Thames·side industrial route (TIR) stage 1

  21·292

  2·580

  88

  Oxfordshire

  Banbury inner relief road

  37·360

  11·750

  88

  West Sussex

  Littlehampton bypass (main scheme)

  24·708

  4·000

  88

  West Sussex

  Crawley south western bypass

  15·067

  2·405

  88

  Avon

  Avon ring road (IV): Marsham way-A4 Bath road

  6·400

  4·190

  79

  Avon

  Weston Super Mare PDR stages VA and VB

  3·886

  4·380

  79

  Cornwall

  Liskeard industrial distributor road

  5·560

  3·303

  79

  Devon

  Milehouse junction improvement Plymouth

  28·603

  1·766

  88

  Devon

  Torbay ring road stage 2

  34·836

  3·491

  88

  Devon

  Thorns Cross to Eagle Farm stage 4

  6·806

  3·758

  88

  214
  (b) the present value or cost and (c) the base year used in calculating the net present value and the present value or cost.

  Mr. Chope
  The information provided by the local highway authorities concerned is as follows:
  215

  Authority

  Scheme

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  NPV

  PVC

  Base

  Devon

  Western approach/Union Street junction improvement Plymouth

  34·170

  0·839

  88

  Dorset

  Primary network/A37 improvement-section A AIP

  0·076

  1·148

  79

  Somerset

  Lysander road to Hendford Yeovil

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Wiltshire

  Swindon Cricklade road relief road-stage 2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Wiltshire

  Burbage bypass

  2·581

  1·843

  88

  Birmingham

  Middle ring road (Lawley street viaduct section)

  4·429

  4·965

  88

  Birmingham

  Lichfield road improvement phase 1 (UDA scheme)

  66·165

  7·700

  88

  Birmingham

  UDA Spine road (Heartlands)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Coventry

  North-south road phase 1

  28·433

  6·166

  86

  Dudley

  Dudley southern bypass

  59·300

  34·900

  88

  Solihull

  Shirley junction improvements phase 1

  3·248

  0·967

  88

  Herefordshire/Worcestershire

  Roman road Hereford phase 4 stage 2

  -0·252

  1·139

  88

  Herefordshire/Worcestershire

  A44-A422 Link Worcester road—Whittington road Marl. Bank

  71·260

  1·054

  88

  Shropshire

  Ironbridge bypass extension

  3·746

  1·156

  88

  Staffordshire

  Burslem town centre bypass

  0·468

  1·304

  88

  Bolton

  Outer ring road improvements

  20·527

  0·672

  79

  Manchester

  Intrmed ring road stage 1 (Kirkmanshulme Lane-Pottery Lane)

  11·617

  1·336

  79

  Manchester

  Airport access roads stage 2 (M56 spur/Airport)

  1·804

  1·660

  79

  Manchester

  Intermediate ring road stage 2 (Pottery lane-Oldham road)

  6·789

  3·256

  79

  Stockport

  Brinksway improvement phase 2

  4·160

  2·600

  88

  Wigan

  Lowton St. Mary's bypass

  2·610

  1·480

  79

  Knowsley

  M57—A562 link road

  20·620

  30·370

  88

  Liverpool

  Great Howard street improvement phase 1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Cheshire

  Wilmslow local bypass

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Lancashire

  Blackburn inner relief road (phase 1)

  13·892

  3·180

  88

  Lancashire

  Squires gate lane Blackpool dualling

  6·374

  1·440

  88

  Lancashire

  Park road/St. Helens road link Ormskirk

  7·602

  1·408

  88

  Sunderland

  Eastern relief road

  7·638

  0·945

  79

  Cleveland

  Thornaby bypass

  18·760

  13·500

  86

  Durham

  Metal bridge to Bowburn

  3·518

  1·158

  88

  Durham

  Consett bypass stage II

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Northumberland

  Prudhoe northern bypass

  23·182

  6·479

  88

  Northumberland

  Swinburne quarry to Fourlaws stage 1

  1·308

  0·729

  88

  Sheffield

  Penistone road stages II and III

  4·775

  1·377

  79

  Sheffield

  Outer ring road Darnall street II, III and IV

  0·206

  2·500

  79

  Bradford

  Bradford city ring road stage II

  71·924

  6·416

  88

  Bradford

  Killinghall Triangle

  30·547

  0·739

  88

  Leeds

  Leeds inner ring road stages 6 and 7

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  North Yorkshire

  Sherburn-in-Elmet and South Milford bypass

  7·358

  7·428

  88

  Leicestershire

  Ashby-Loughborough Coleorton improvement

  0·178

  0·461

  79

  Leicestershire

  Redland quarry to Quorn/Montsorrel bypass link

  0·264

  0·600

  79

  Northamptonshire

  Middleton Cheney BP and Overthorpe Hall improvement

  13·753

  5·518

  88

  Northamptonshire

  River Tove bends

  2·664

  1·645

  88

  Northamptonshire

  Nene valley way I Crawler lane

  1·384

  0·699

  88

  Nottinghamshire

  Manvers street link Nottingham

  3·781

  1·448

  79

  Bedfordshire

  Stagsden bypass

  1·157

  1·836

  88

  Cambridgeshire

  A14/A603/B1042 junction improvement Arrington

  n/a

  n/a

  88

  Essex

  Dovercourt bypass stage 2 phase 2

  2·881

  3·420

  79

  Essex

  Canes lane improvement (final stage)

  1·837

  0·599

  79

  Norfolk

  Watton inner relief road

  5·937

  1·333

  79

  Suffolk

  Stowmarket relief road

  10·144

  9·336

  88

  Suffolk

  Mutford bridge

  0·545

  5·625

  88

  Croydon

  Mitcham road/Sumner road-junction improvement

  1·040

  1·190

  89

  Ealing

  South road pedestrianisation (Southall town centre)

  1·620

  2·360

  88

  Merton

  Beddington/Mitcham relief road

  59·754

  6·644

  79

  Wandsworth

  Battersea park road (Alexandra avenue-Queenstown road)

  n/a

  1·617

  89

  (a) The net present value (£ million)

  (b) The present value of cost (£ million)

  (c) The base year

  Toll Road, Cheshire
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the alternative routes for the proposed toll road parallel to the M6 through Cheshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Four groups responded to our invitation for outline proposals for new privately funded road capacity between Birmingham and Manchester. We are still discussing with the respondents aspects of their proposals, which remain commercially confidential.

  Gulf Marine Environment
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the work of his marine pollution control unit in relation to the Gulf.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The marine pollution control unit (MPCU) has contributed to the response to the Gulf oil spill in a variety of ways in conjunction with the Department of the Environment (DOE) which has led on behalf of the Government.
  217
  In response to a Saudi Arabian request on 27 January the MPCU facilitated the movement of 90 tonnes of oil containment booms and skimmers from the commercial oil spill service centre at Southampton to Dhahran in Ministry of Defence chartered freight aircraft on 28, 29 and 30 January.

  On 28 January the Saudi Arabian Government requested the provision by the United Kingdom of two counter-pollution experts to assist their meteorology and environmental protection administration in responding to the spill. These were immediately provided by the MPCU—one MPCU scientist and another contracted by the MPCU from the DTI Warren Spring laboratory. After the necessary inoculations and training in personal anti-chemical warfare protection the experts arrived in Dhahran on 31 January. They assisted in the creation of a counter-pollution command and control organisation, checked and advised on the boom protection of seawater intakes to desalination plants and important economic sites, and advised on the identification and protection of important coastal ecological sites including plans to be implemented as equipment was made available. On-site reports relayed by these experts direct to the MPCU and thence to the DOE have provided a source of detailed information on the slick and the response to it which has been of great value to the assessment by the Government of the overall situation.

  On completion of the initial phase, these scientists were replaced on 15 February by the MPCU chief scientist to provide advice on the selection of disposal sites for recovered oil, spill movement prediction, and the short and long-term recovery of contaminated shores. In response to a request for assistance by the Bahraini Government he also visited Bahrain, to advise on ways in which Her Majesty's Government could help in the event that the oil might reach the Bahraini coast. This led to the gift by Her Majesty's Government of specialist oil recovery equipment—recommended by the MPCU—to the Government of Bahrain. On completion of these tasks and after agreement with the Saudi Arabian authorities, he returned to the United Kingdom on 1 March.

  Since 29 January the MPCU has also acted as the co-ordination centre for commercial offers of counter-pollution personnel and equipment from British companies to assist with the oil spill. These have been passed on, as appropriate, to Gulf states via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which has been asked by the Saudi Arabian Government to act as a clearing house for all international offers of this kind.

  The MPCU has provided technical advice to DOE throughout the incident and more recently, the unit has also advised IMO on various clean-up strategies which have been proposed by the Saudi Arabian control centre and which might be supported by the IMO fund to which Her Majesty's Government have contributed £1 million.

  Coach Bans, Pimlico
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress of the implementation of the coach ban in parts of Pimlico, as agreed by his Department in accordance with the submission of Westminster city council; when the ban will be introduced; how many signs are needed; what these will cost; and who will pay for them.
  218
  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: The implementation of the area coach ban and the associated costs are matters for Westminster city council. The Department's approval for a coach ban in the Victoria/Belgravia/Bayswater/Sussex Gardens /Bryanston areas which was required under the Local Government Act 1985 because of the potential effect on traffic flow in the strategic road network, was given on 16 October 1990.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce his alternative proposals for agriculture reform to those proposed by the European Commission.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have set out on a number of occasions the objectives we are pursuing in negotiations on the reform of the CAP.

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on any official proposals from the European Commission and member Governments to reform the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler) earlier today.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the budget estimate for EC spending on agriculture in 1991, expressed in pounds sterling; and if he will make a statement outlining the legal and administrative procedures for preventing overruns in this area of spending.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Community agriculture budget for 1991 totals £24,240 million excluding the monetary reserve. All Community expenditure is subject to controls under Council decision 88/377 concerning budgetary discipline and any increase in budget provisions requires the approval of the Council and the European Parliament. Furthermore, there are specific procedures in the budget discipline decision to ensure that the agricultural guideline for market support of £22,656 million in 1991 is respected.

  Imported Wild Birds
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's actions to reduce the mortality of imported wild birds.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Ministry's second report on mortalities in imported captive birds, relating to imports in 1989, was published in February. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  I regard the level of mortality as unacceptably high and the Department is taking what action it can to reduce losses. During the past year veterinary officials have visited major exporting countries and more visits are to take place. We insist that the authorities responsible for exports must comply with our import requirements and observe welfare standards of the International Air Transport Association. Consideration is being given to revised

  219
  pre-export isolation and certification requirements, and we will prohibit imports of birds from any country that fails to co-operate.

  Following a review of quarantine standards the number of birds in each quarantine premises will be specified according to physiological and behavioural needs. These measures are expected to result in reduced consignment sizes, and from 1 April the maximum size of any consignment of non-psittacines will be reduced from 6,000 to 4,000. Applicants for import licences are also now required to provide more detailed information and we are considering tightening further the application of our disease control arrangements.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is also considering what action can be taken within his responsibilities.

  Many of the problems arising from this trade would be significantly reduced if the public did not purchase captive birds. Some species should not be taken from the wild for this trade, and nobody should contemplate buying or keeping birds unless proper care and facilities are available.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the eight-day tie-up regulations affecting the fishing industry.

  Mr. Curry
  The regulations were thoroughly debated on 5 March, and I have nothing to add.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to ensure the accurate reporting of fish catches in area VIIA in the Irish sea.

  Mr. Curry
  Accurate reporting of fish catches, whether in area VIIA or elsewhere is primarily a matter for individual fishermen. The Government's role is to check the accuracy of such reports by means of spot checks and by comparing them with other data, including data from surface and aerial surveillance. When discrepancies are suspected they are investigated with a view to legal proceedings. In 1990 there were 92 prosecutions on United Kingdom vessels for offences against the control regulation (Council regulation 2241/87) which governs the recording of fishing activity and catches.

  Wheat
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current intervention stocks of wheat held in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  A table setting out intervention stock levels in the EC and the United Kingdom is deposited monthly in the House of Commons Library. Latest figures were tabled on 12 March.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average ex-farm price of wheat received by(a) British farmers, (b) French farmers, (c) German farmers and (d) the EEC generally in 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 in pounds sterling.
  220
  Mr. Curry
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is not yet published for 1990. The information for the other years is set out in the table. Producer prices for the European Community as a whole are not available.

  Producer prices for wheat

  £ tonne1

  France

  Germany

  United Kingdom2

  1979

  91·51

  117·70

  96·90

  1984

  98·48

  123·90

  113·90

  1985

  96·06

  111·24

  111·80

  1986

  114·73

  129·25

  110·70

  1987

  113·82

  134·74

  111·20

  1988

  98·48

  116·40

  106·90

  1989

  101·57

  113·67

  108·80

  1Exchange rates based on average spot rates for calendar years.

  2 To facilitate comparisons between countries figures for the United Kingdom are prepared on a slightly different basis from those given in my answer to the hon. Member on 15 March 1991.

  Source: "Eurostat Agricultural Prices"

  Sugar Beet Quotas
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from the National Farmers Union in respect of sugar beet quotas.

  Mr. Curry
  None.

  Food Prices
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the comparable increase in the price of food to consumers as measured against the retail prices index since 1979.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough (Sir M. Shaw) earlier today.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what change in retail food prices there has been for each of the last three months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Food prices are leading the way to lower inflation. The rate of food price inflation fell from 6·9 per cent. in November to 6·6 per cent. in December and 5·9 per cent. in January.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he has introduced to the set-aside scheme since its initial introduction.

  Mr. Curry
  Several changes have been introduced for the third year of the set-aside scheme in particular to improve its impact upon the environment:The number of cuts required of the plant cover on fallow set-aside land has been increased from one to two;
  The list of environmental features which farmers have to maintain and protect on set-aside land has been extended;
  A limited grazed fallow option has been included;
  The rates of aid for permanent and rotational fallow have been increased, partly to offset the increased costs arising from the new management rules;
  Differential rates of aid have been introduced for farmers who fallow more than 100 hectares of land and more than 75 per cent. of their eligible area, in order to reflect better the fixed cost savings.
  221
  Other changes have also been made to the scheme in the light of experience of its first two years of operation.

  Knacker Industry
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the knacker industry; and what representations he has received from United Kingdom knackermen and knackerwomen.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have received a number of representations from the knacker industry, which remains an important part of our animal waste disposal system. That is why we fought so hard and succeeded in securing arrangements under new Community rules on animal waste disposal which will ensure that the industry will be able to continue in its present form at least until 1995 and even after that if agreement can be reached.

  Farm Rents
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average farm rent in pounds per acre in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) England for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Curry
  The table gives average farm rents in metric terms for(a) Great Britain and (b) England. Information

  Year

  Bread

  Wheat

  Average price1

  Index

  Annual change2

  Average price4

  Annual change

  Nominal terms

  Real terms3

  Nominal terms

  Real terms3

  p/loaf

  January 1987 = 100

  Percentage

  Percentage

  £ tonne

  Percentage

  Percentage

  1988

  46·3

  107·9

  6·7

  1·7

  105·1

  -6·2

  -10·6

  1989

  48·8

  114·1

  5·7

  -1·9

  104·7

  -0·4

  -7·6

  1990

  50·1

  121·0

  6·0

  -3·0

  5109·5

  +4·6

  -4·5

  1 White sliced loaf 800g, annual average of monthly prices.

  2 The percentage change is based on the index rather than the price for bread. This takes into account the fact that the specification of the item may have changed over the period.

  3 Deflated using the all items Retail Price Index.

  4 Average price realised by producers, net of coresponsibility levy.

  5 Forecast.

  Sources: Retail Price Index, CSO.

  Agriculture in the United Kingdom, MAFF.

  Farming Subsidies
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about subsidies available to pig farmers and horticultural farmers in the Netherlands which are available through(a) the European Community and (b) the Dutch Government; whether those in (a) are available in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  European Community price support arrangements for pigmeat and for horticultural products apply in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

  The Government do not keep comprehensive details of the national subsidies and other state aids available to farmers in the Netherlands and other member states, since to do so would not be a cost effective use of resources. All state aids are, however, subject to the provisions of articles 92 to 94 of the treaty of Rome, and member states are required to obtain the Commission's approval in advance for new state aids and modifications to existing aids and to
  222
  cannot be provided on a United Kingdom basis because Northern Ireland's land tenure system is not generally comparable with that of Great Britain.

  Average farm rents (£ per hectare)

  Year

  Great Britain

  England

  1979

  38·23

  42·13

  1980

  45·27

  50·01

  1981

  52·91

  58·36

  1982

  60·39

  66·14

  1983

  67·70

  73·93

  1984

  74·37

  81·27

  1985

  79·83

  87·38

  1986

  84·41

  92·65

  1987

  87·32

  95·86

  1988

  88·36

  96·82

  1989

  89·19

  97·12

  11990

  90·90

  98·48

  1 Provisional.

  Bread
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been(a) the price of bread and (b) the price of wheat in each of the last three years; and what have been the annual increases in real, actual and percentage terms.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  send an inventory of all state aids to the Commission annually. The Government monitor, through their embassies in the Netherlands and elsewhere, the introduction of new state aids and modifications to existing aids, and draw any that seem to be of doubtful legality to the attention of the Commission.

  Green Pound
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the different green pound rates operative in various agricultural commodities and each individual rate for each type of cereals and other crops listed under cropping in the annual review of agriculture White Paper for(a) Great Britain, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is set out in the table:
  223

  Green rate

  Commodity

  1 United Kingdom

  2 Republic of Ireland

  All crop products

  0·779553

  0·878776

  Sheepmeat

  0·779553

  0·878776

  Beef and veal

  0·795232

  0·878776

  Pigmeat

  0·800520

  0·878776

  All other products

  0·758185

  0·878776

  11 ECU in £ sterling.

  21 ECU in Irish punt.

  Animal Medicines
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the levels of fees for licensing animal medicines in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the other countries of the European Community.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is set out in the table. This is based on information circulated by the EC Commission in November 1990 to provide an approximate estimate of the fees payable in each member state. The pound sterling rates have been converted from ECUs at the rate prevailing on 30 November 1990.

  Fees payable for authorisation of veterinary medicinal products in EC member stales: 1990–91

  Country

  Product with new active ingredient (£)

  Product with established active ingredient (£)

  Belgium

  1,079

  1,079

  Denmark

  1,915

  1,915

  Germany

  8,202

  2,563

  Greece

  204

  204

  Spain

  8

  8

  France

  155

  155

  Ireland

  1,468

  296

  Italy

  525

  525

  Luxembourg

  49

  49

  Netherlands

  834

  303

  Portugal

  310

  310

  United Kingdom

  12,000

  3,000

  Horses kept on agricultural holdings in England and Wales

  1970

  1975

  1979

  1983

  1990

  (i) Horses for agricultural and horticultural purposes

  112,000

  4,100

  4,400

  5,400

  5,200

  (ii) All other horses and ponies

  114,000

  144,000

  132,000

  144,000

  138,000

  Totals

  126,000

  148,100

  136,400

  149,400

  143,200

  1 Collected in 1970 as: Horses (including mares kept for breeding) used for work in agriculture or market gardening.

  Note: All figures include estimates for minor holdings.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to recommend to farmers non-organophosphorous sheep dips; how many complaints his Department has received about damages to humans using the present dips; and when he expects to approve further alternative preparations.

  r. Maclean
  I am not taking any steps at this stage to recommend that farmers use one type of sheep dip rather than another. All sheep dip products are currently subject to a review to ensure the most up-to-date safety standards apply. Any products which fail to meet these standards will have to be withdrawn from the market. The results of the review will be announced later this year.

  Of the 55 reports of suspected adverse reactions I reported in my reply to my hon. Friend on 11 March at column 399, 41 relate to dips which are presently licensed.
  224
  Source: EC Commission.

  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make it his policy to limit the increase in fees for licensing animal medicines to the level of inflation.

  Mr. Maclean
  No. Government policy remains that the full cost of licensing should be recovered from the industry through the fees it pays for licences and other services. Costs will continue to be reviewed annually and, where necessary, any increases will be reflected in the fees charged. But with improvements in efficiency at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate resulting from its establishment as a "next steps" agency, I would expect any increases that may arise to be kept below the level of inflation as is the case this year. Proposals currently before the House for 1991–92 are for an increase of 5 per cent. in fees for product licences and animal test certificates, and an average of 8 per cent. for other fees and inspections. Both are well below the current rate of inflation.

  Equine Population
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates to be the equine population(a) currently and (b) five, 10, 15 and 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  No official figures are available for the total equine population, but the department periodically collects information on horses kept on agricultural holdings in England and Wales. Figures for the years of collection giving the nearest match to the years requested, are shown in the following table:

  That is nine reports fewer than previously indicated. I regret that the expiry of two product licences, for which the nine reports were received, had been overlooked.

  I will be happy to approve any alternative preparations which meet the Medicines Act criteria of safety, quality and efficacy.

  Consumer Representatives
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with consumer representatives.

  Mr. Maclean
  Representatives of the consumer organisations were present on the 20 February 1991, at the fourth periodic meeting between my right hon. Friend the Minister and the office holders of consumer organisations. The next meeting is planned for 25 June 1991.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of farms, their locations, the number of cows and which companies are licensed for the testing of bovine somatotropin in England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Cyanamid, Lilly Industries and Monsanto are currently authorised to conduct field trials using BST products. Trials involving 70 cows are currently taking place on three farms in the United Kingdom. As the hon. Member is already aware, section 118 of the Medicines Act precludes me from disclosing further details.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Veterinary Products Committee is to consider the possible adverse effects of bovine somatotropin on the human stomach; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The VPC considered this aspect in relation to two BST products before advising me last year that their use would pose no risk to human safety. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a recent article on this subject in the British Medical Journal. I am asking the VPC to consider this paper in case it contains new data which they will wish to assess.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he now intends to allow the introduction of bovine somatotropin; whether the Veterinary Products Committee has considered the matter further; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The VPC has advised me that applications from Lilly Industries and Monsanto to license BST products should be refused for reasons of animal safety. Both companies have said they will be taking up their right to appeal to the Medicines Commission and to generate additional data for consideration there. I certainly do not intend to license any BST product while these expert committees continue to advise me not to.

  Fish Products
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to amend the ingredients regulations concerning fish products.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have just issued for public consultation proposals for new controls on fish products. The main provisions of the proposals:

  (a) require all fish products as defined to be labelled with a declaration of the average fish content;

  (b) require a declaration of the presence of minced fish if present in amounts greater than 10 per cent. of the total fish content; and

  (c) define the term 'fillet' and permit its use in labelling and advertising to indicate its proportion in the final product.

  Once enacted, the proposal will also revoke the Food Standards (Fish Cakes) Order 1950.

  Cattle
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the reasons for the imposition of the Food Protection 226
  (Emergency Prohibitions) (Lead in Cattle) (England) Order 1991 which was made on 6 March, giving the origins of the contamination and the number of cattle involved; and whether he expects an increase in the number of farms affected.

  Mr. Gummer
  These restrictions were introduced by an order made under part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to protect consumers by preventing the marketing of contaminated food following an outbreak of lead poisoning among a group of 80 dairy cattle on a farm in Devon. The source of contamination has been traced to an old car battery which had been inadvertently incorporated into a silage clamp. No other farms are affected.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ensure that in the case of pollution control projects, grant aid approval will not be refused to farmers who have set about urgent remedial works, eligible for grant, in response to requests from the National Rivers Authority or any other regulatory authority.

  Mr. Curry
  It has always been our policy to pay grant on claims which comply with the terms of the relevant grant scheme.

  Farm Conservation Grants
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many grant applications under the farm aid conservation grant scheme have been refused in the last two years; and for what reasons applications were refused in each case.

  Mr. Curry
  In England, since the farm and conservation grant scheme was introduced in February 1989, a total of 653 claims have been rejected or withdrawn and 6,626 claims authorised for payment up to the end of February 1991. Claims will have been rejected for a breach of either the statutory requirements or the administrative rules of the scheme. Reasons for rejections in individual cases could be given only at disproportionate cost as this information is not held centrally.

DEFENCE

  Hunting
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a licence has been issued to the Bicester with Whaddon Chase foxhounds to hunt on Ministry of Defence land at Arncott near Bicester in Oxfordshire.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a licence issued to a hunt to hunt on Ministry of Defence land has ever been revoked or if action has been taken for infringement of licensing conditions.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land has been revoked for breach of the licence conditions. There have been two occasions in the last five years when hunts have been warned about the conduct of themselves or their followers.
  227
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the licence fee for hunts to hunt on Ministry of Defence land becomes payable in 1991.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: There is no specific date in the year for payment of licence fees for hunts to hunt on Ministry of Defence land. Licences with hunts commence on different dates in the year and payment is required at the start of the licence period and before the hunt enters MOD land.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hunts that had a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land have not fully paid the licence fee for 1990 by the end of the year.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: There are no outstanding licence fees in respect of 1990 for hunts to hunt on Ministry of Defence land.

  Missiles
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Kingswood of 11 March,Official Report, column 412, on the "Family of Weapons Memorandum of Understanding", if he will identify the factors which have given rise to the need to reconsider the status of the MOU with the United States Government.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The principal factors relate to changes in the international situation since the MOU was signed in 1980, and to progress made in developing the two weapon systems involved.

  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his answer to the hon. Member for Kingswood of 11 March,Official Report, column 412, when the review of BAe's ASRAAM proposal will be complete.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Any proposal made by BAe in response to the invitation to tender for solutions to SR(A)1234 will be evaluated along with other proposals received. It is too early to say when these evaluations will be complete.

  Christmas Islands
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel who were present at Christmas island during nuclear tests are(a) still living and (b) deceased.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Data on mortality amongst nuclear test participants up to 1 January 1989 is still being verified by the National Radiological Protection Board. Its report on this study will not be available for some time.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what documents relating to British nuclear tests have been released under sections 3(4) and 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958; what documents have been withheld; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Listings of documents related to the British nuclear weapons tests and experiments, whether released or withheld on grounds of national security under the Public Records Act 1958, could not be compiled and published without disproportionate cost.

  Gulf War (Casualties)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has informed Gulf support groups that casualty visiting officers will make special arrangements, including payment of allowances and travel costs, for nominated next of kin to visit hospitalised casualties from the Gulf war.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Next of kin of hospitalised personnel were informed by service authorities of the special arrangements for visiting their relatives, including eligibility for concessionary travel and subsistence allowances. It was not necessary to inform Gulf support groups separately of the arrangements, although advice was provided on request.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the nominated next of kin of the very seriously ill, the seriously ill and other hospitalised casualties following the Gulf war have been granted allowances for full board and lodgings and travel costs.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the forces returning from the Gulf required or are likely to require hospitalisation; and how many of these have been classified as very seriously ill or seriously ill.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  To date a total of 811 service personnel requiring hospitalisation have returned from the Gulf during operation Granby. Information on the numbers of very seriously ill or seriously ill cases is collected on a daily basis, not as a running total. There were 10 seriously ill and no very seriously ill cases in United Kingdom military hospitals yesterday.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Her Majesty's special armed forces suffered any casualties as a result of participation in operation Granby.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Four members of the special forces were killed in action.

  Gulf Trust
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he has given any advice to service benevolent funds regarding the distribution of money raised by the Gulf Trust; if the service benevolent funds have given him any information regarding money so far allocated; and on what criteria allocations are being made;

  (2) how much money has so far been donated to the Gulf Trust; how much has been allocated to the benevolent fund for each service; and on what criteria the allocation was made.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The total value of donations to the Gulf Trust currently stands at £1·2 million. Allocations from the trust to the service benevolent funds will be made in accordance with needs. No allocations have yet been made. The service benevolent funds will distribute moneys to those in need in accordance with their established practices and within the ambit of their trust deeds.

  The Gulf (Camels)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the number of camels(a) killed by allied bombing raids or ground attacks in Iraq and Kuwait and (b) that have died of asphyxiation from smoke from the burning oil wells in Kuwait.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  The Gulf (Army Personnel)
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British Army personnel serving in the open desert in the Gulf are being charged for their food and accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All Army personnel serving in the desert are exempt from food and accommodation charges.

  Fissile Materials
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been undertaken by or on behalf of, his Department concerning the long-term verifiable storage or destruction of fissile materials withdrawn from redundant nuclear warheads.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  None.

  The Gulf (Smoke)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the work of the Meteorological Office research aircraft in studying the composition and behaviour of smoke plumes in the Gulf.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The C-130 aircraft of the meteorological research flight is owned and crewed by the RAF. It has been fitted out with a wide range of sophisticated scientific instruments which are operated by Meteorological Office scientists who direct the scientific missions.
  230
  The aircraft will conduct a number of flights over the Gulf states before returning to the United Kingdom where the data gathered will be analysed. Measurements will be made of the optical and chemical properities of the oil smoke plume at a number of downwind distances at varying heights. The results will greatly assist the evaluation of the smoke movements and its impact.

  Housing Sales
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy regarding the sale of ex-Ministry of Defence housing; and whether any changes have occurred to this policy in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 March 1991]: Surplus service married quarters which are capable of individual sale are normally offered for sale to serving service personnel at a 30 per cent. discount. Surplus civilian dwellings which are capable of individual sale are normally offered for sale to the civilian occupant at a discount of up to 60 per cent; the difference in discount follows from the service personnel's discount being taxable whereas the discount available to a civilian is not. As an exceptional measure, civilian tenants of surplus service married quarters may be allowed to purchase at a discount of 30 per cent. Surplus housing which is not offered for sale through either of the two discount schemes is normally sold on the open market to the highest bidder. Exceptionally, private treaty sales—for example to a housing association—may be agreed provided that an open market sale is not likely to achieve a higher price; in such cases the price is determined by the district valuer. Apart from the introduction of the civilian discount scheme in 1980 and the service scheme in 1983, there have been no other changes to our disposal policy in the last 10 years.

  PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES DETECTION:ICAO CONVENTION
  PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES DETECTION:ICAO CONVENTION
  MONTSERRAT: AID
  MONTSERRAT: AID
  PEERS LOBBY: CEILING
  PEERS LOBBY: CEILING
  ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL, 18th MARCH
  ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL, 18th MARCH
  SCHOOL STANDARD ASSESSMENTS: TIMING ESTIMATE
  SCHOOL STANDARD ASSESSMENTS: TIMING ESTIMATE
  SCHOOL STANDARD ASSESSMENTS: MATHS AND SCIENCE
  SCHOOL STANDARD ASSESSMENTS: MATHS AND SCIENCE
  SCHOOL STANDARD ASSESSMENTS: COST ESTIMATES
  SCHOOL STANDARD ASSESSMENTS: COST ESTIMATES
  CONTINENCE SERVICES: POLICY REVIEW
  CONTINENCE SERVICES: POLICY REVIEW
  ST. THOMAS' HOSPITAL
  ST. THOMAS' HOSPITAL