Written Answers of 3 May 1991

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Students (Expenditure)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer of 29 April in relation to expenditure on higher education in the form of mandatory awards, if he will provide the information on expenditure per student on fees and expenditure per student on maintenance in real terms with 1978–79 = 100.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The data requested are given below and cover expenditure made by local education authorities in England and Wales in bestowing mandatory awards under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations.

  Expenditure per student (real index)

  Academic year

  Fees

  Maintenance

  1978–79

  100

  100

  1979–80

  94

  104

  1980–81

  101

  104

  1981–82

  104

  98

  1982–83

  57

  93

  1983–84

  54

  91

  1984–85

  52

  80

  1985–86

  53

  73

  1986–87

  52

  74

  1987–88

  52

  73

  1988–89

  51

  72

  The real index has been calculated using the retail prices index. The 1982–83 expenditure on fees is affected by a reduction in the rate set for first degrees and diplomas from £900 to £840 with compensating increases in the direct funds paid to institutions.

  Education Support and Training
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much expenditure he intends to support in the 1992–93 grants for education support and training programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I propose a grants programme for 1992–93 supporting total spending by local education authorities of £377 million. This compares with a programme of £346 million in 1991–92.

  The proposed programme will target resources to help implement the Government's key education reforms. It includes over £80 million to improve school management and £146 million for the national curriculum. Within these areas, I propose to increase the level of support for key priorities compared with last year: there would be £10 million for governor support; £14 million for teacher appraisal; £15 million to help meet the equipment needs of schools implementing the national curriculum; and £45 million for training and other support for national curriculum assessment.
  334
  I am proposing a major new initiative for the inner cities. The most important new policy would be a scheme to raise standards in identified schools facing particularly severe problems. I am also proposing a pilot scheme in a number of inner city areas to improve access by local people to higher education. The new projects, costing £8·6 million, would be concentrated in areas covered by the Government's city action teams and inner city task forces, and would be drawn up in consultation with these bodies.

  Another new activity will support the development of regional projects designed to meet the special needs of deaf-blind children.

  The programme will support a number of other priority areas, including teacher recruitment and induction of newly appointed teachers.

  The package also includes support for schools wishing to introduce vocational qualifications in their sixth forms.

  I am writing today to the local authority associations setting out my proposals in detail. I shall be issuing a draft circular shortly, in the light of any comments from the associations, inviting LEAs to hid for grant support.

  The table lists my proposals in full.

  Grants for education support and training 1992–93

  Proposed programme

  £ million

  School management and appraisal

  School administration/management information systems

  37·5

  Governor training

  10·0

  Central LMS implementation teams

  10·0

  School management training

  11·0

  Appraisal of teachers

  14·0

  TOTAL

  82·5

  National curriculum and assessment

  Books

  15·0

  Equipment

  15·0

  Primary maths/science designated courses

  11·0

  Other INSET and teacher support

  54·0

  Assessment

  45·0

  LEA inspection

  6·0

  TOTAL

  146·0

  IT in schools

  30·0

  Teacher supply

  Teacher recruitment

  10·0

  Induction training

  2·5

  Licensed teachers

  10·1

  Articled teachers

  11·0

  Teacher data transfer systems

  1·0

  TOTAL

  34·6

  Special educational needs

  Specialist SEN training

  6·0

  Training for SEN in ordinary schools

  1·2

  Training of educational psychologists

  2·8

  Deaf/blind children

  2·0

  TOTAL

  12·0

  Vocational qualifications in schools

  3·0

  Under-fives

  5·0

  Management of training

  20·0

  Inner cities

  Raising standards in schools

  6·6

  335

  £ million

  Pilot schemes for access to higher education

  2·0

  TOTAL

  8·6

  Youth and community

  3·5

  Health education

  5·0

  Further education

  College management

  9·4

  National vocational qualifications

  7·0

  Initial training of FE teachers

  2·0

  SEN in FE

  0·9

  TOTAL

  19·3

  Workers Educational Association

  1·3

  Continuing education support grams programmes

  Difficult pupils

  2·6

  Improving attendance

  2·5

  Multi-ethnic schools

  1·1

  Adult literacy

  0·04

  TOTAL

  6·3

  TOTAL

  377·1

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Family Conciliation Services
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what assistance his Department gives to the Cleveland family conciliation service.

  The Attorney-General
  No direct or specific central Government funding is or has ever been available for Cleveland family conciliation service. Indirect help is provided through the courts, the probation service and the legal aid fund in some cases. The Government are reviewing the future of, and funding for, conciliation services as part of their consideration of proposals to reform the divorce law.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the Government's policy on the funding of family conciliation services.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member for Stockton, South to the reply given to the question from my hon. Friend, the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 18 April 1991, at column 221.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the period which currently elapses between the lodging of an appeal against a refusal of leave to enter the United Kingdom which is lodged at an overseas diplomatic post and the time when the immigration appeals organisation at Thanet house notifies the appellant or its representative that the appeal has been lodged giving them a choice for an oral or written appeal; and if he will provide this information in respect of each country from which such appeals are lodged.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is not available in respect of individual countries. However, it is estimated that the period which currently elapses 336
  between the lodging of an appeal against refusal of entry clearance to the United Kingdom at a diplomatic post overseas and its arrival at the Immigration Appellate Authorities, IAA, at Thanet house is on average one month for visit visa appeals and three months for settlement appeals.

  Once the IAA has received an appeal, it is on average able to dispatch the case papers to the appellant or his representative in this country within one week for cases to be heard at Thanet house, and two to three weeks for cases to be heard at other hearing centres. At this stage, the IAA notifies the appellant or his representative that the appeal has been lodged and gives him a choice for an oral or written appeal.

ENVIRONMENT

  Buildings (Security)
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will discuss with representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the secured by design group ways of raising standards and specifications in house and office buildings to make them more secure from illegal entry;

  (2) if he will now consider introducing higher specifications and standards in the construction of houses in order to ensure a greater level of security from illegal entry;

  (3) if he will discuss with representatives of British police authorities the standards of doors and windows fitted in new and existing houses and the vulnerability to illegal entry of such doors and windows.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department is currently funding research into the effectiveness of security measures in buildings and the results will be made available to the British Standards Institution, which is the forum through which interested parties can contribute to the debate on the development of British standards and the United Kingdom's input to European standards.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy to broaden the definition of substantial demolition as part of the Building Regulations (part M) to cover(a) classification or determining the independence of an extension to a building, (b) that material alterations are taken into account and (c) that part M regulations cover the curtilage of the construction site so that concerns such as car parking space can be taken into account.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department is conducting a review of part M of the Building Regulations as part of a wider review of the regulations as a whole. The issues raised by the hon. Member are being thoroughly considered by my Department and the building regulations advisory committee, together with other responses to the recent consultation exercise. I expect the revised guidance on part M to be published later this year.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total expenditure by the Countryside Commission on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Trippier
  The following table gives the available information. No figures are available prior to 1 April 1982.

  Year

  Expenditure on press and public relations £

  1982–83

  24,644

  1983–84

  72,264

  1984–85

  171,668

  1985–86

  159,318

  1986–87

  162,164

  1987–88

  147,628

  1988–89

  176,543

  1989–90

  225,138

  1990–91

  1215,027

  1991–92

  2256,000

  1 Estimated.

  2 Budget.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total expenditure by Ordnance Survey on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Baldry
  Records in sufficient detail to provide the information requested are held for seven years only. The available information is as follows:

  Total expenditure on press and public relations

  £000

  1984–85

  696·2

  1985–86

  833·2

  1986–87

  751·3

  1987–88

  820·8

  1988–89

  737·1

  1989–90

  825·5

  1990–91

  1,119·4

  This 1991–92 budget for press and public relations activities is £1,320,500. The increase in expenditure in the years 1990–92 is attributable to additional publicity for the Ordnance Survey bicentenary in 1991.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total expenditure by the Nature Conservancy Council on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Trippier
  Direct expenditure on information and publicity is listed in the table. For 1989–90 onwards the figures are net of receipts.
  338

  (Nature Conservancy Council for England)

  £

  1979–80

  92,000

  1980–81

  120,000

  1981–82

  129,000

  1982–83

  135,000

  1983–84

  124,000

  1984–85

  166,000

  1985–86

  282,000

  1986–87

  460,000

  1987–88

  863,000

  1988–89

  849,000

  1989–90

  768,000

  1990–91

  748,000

  1991–92

  537,000

  Wellington House
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention to sell Wellington house following the closure of the Crown Suppliers; and what is the latest valuation of Wellington house.

  Mr. Yeo
  No: it is not intended to sell Wellington house; the building is to be used to house other Government Departments. The latest valuation of Wellington house is £24 million.

  Local Authorities (Capping)
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what limits he has set, or plans to set, for authorities capped for 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend decided on 3 April to adopt principles for designating authorities for capping in 1991–92 which gave effect to the provisional criteria announced on 31 October 1990 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr. Patten). Applying these principles, he has designated authorities and proposed caps for them as set out in the table. Under the status these authorities had 28 days ending on 30 April in which they could either challenge or accept their proposed caps.

  Six authorities—Somerset, Iangbaurgh, Milton Keynes, Reading, Greenwich and Middlesbrough—accepted and my right hon. Friend has therefore in each case confirmed the caps for these authorities at the level he originally proposed.

  Eight authorities—Basildon, Bristol, Ipswich, Lambeth, Norwich, Stoke-on-Trent, Warwickshire and Wirral—challenged their proposed caps and suggested alternatives as set out in the table. My right hon. Friend will consider their cases and all other relevant information before he decides on the level of the final caps, which may be the same as or different from the amounts he originally proposed.

  My right hon. Friend will set out his final caps for challenging authorities in a draft order which he intends as soon as possible to lay before the House. If the House approves the draft he will set the final caps at levels specified in the order.
  339

  Proposals for Caps

  Original budget

  Budget reduction

  Capped budget

  Original charge1

  Charge reduction

  Capped charge

  Original budget percentage over SSA

  Percentage increase over 1990

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £

  £

  £

  percentage

  Absolute excessiveness

  Basildon4

  26·8

  4·7

  22·1

  355

  39

  316

  121·2

  —

  Bristol4

  59·4

  6·0

  53·4

  384

  20

  364

  44·5

  —

  Ipswich4

  17·3

  1·3

  16·0

  324

  15

  309

  50·0

  —

  Langbaurgh3

  16·2

  0·6

  15·6

  338

  6

  332

  36·3

  —

  Middlesbrough3

  21·0

  0·8

  20·2

  317

  7

  310

  21·9

  —

  Milton Keynes3

  22·3

  2·1

  20·2

  315

  16

  299

  24·6

  —

  Norwich4

  16·5

  1·5

  15·0

  293

  16

  277

  25·1

  —

  Excessive increases

  Greenwich3

  215·5

  2·5

  213·0

  258

  16

  242

  —

  6·2 5(15·2)

  Lambeth4

  315·5

  8·3

  307·2

  450

  48

  402

  —

  10·7 5(6·5)

  Reading3

  18·7

  1·0

  17·7

  334

  10

  324

  —

  11·1 5(18·8)

  Somerset3

  274·7

  2·2

  272·5

  2246–275

  6

  240–269

  —

  9·9 5(3·0)

  Stoke—on—Trent4

  28·0

  2·2

  25·8

  272

  11

  261

  —

  16·4 5(14·4)

  Warwickshire4

  278·3

  6·0

  272·3

  2269–366

  16

  253–320

  —

  11·4 5(4·8)

  Wirral4

  246·2

  11·1

  235·1

  336

  45

  291

  —

  20·0 5(4·8)

  1Original charges are after £140 general reduction in community charges.

  2 Indicates that charges vary between shire districts.

  3Langbaurgh, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Greenwich, Reading and Somerset have accepted the proposed cap.

  4Basildon, Bristol, Ipswich, Norwich, Lambeth. Warwickshire and Wirral have put forward an alternative at the level of their original budget; Stoke-on-Trent have put forward an alternative of £27·5 million.

  5Figures in parentheses include percentage over SSA.

  Short-term Leases
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to change the financial arrangements for short-term leases acquired by local authorities.

  Sir George Young
  The Department has today issued a consultation paper to all local housing authorities on the future of short-term leasing. We believe that this form of accommodation has a useful role to play in helping homeless families. We are proposing that, from 1992–93, new leases acquired by local authorities for a term of three years or less should be accounted for outside the housing revenue account. This will put them on a common financial footing with other property used by housing authorities as temporary accommodation for the homeless, but in which they have no long-term interest.

  Swimming Pools
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of public swimming pools that have closed each year since 1979.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not held centrally. The overall number of public swimming pools has increased from just over 1,000 in the early 1980s to nearly 1,200 now.

PRIME MINISTER

  Civil Defence
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Prime Minister what procedures he has established for co-ordination between the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and agencies of the United States Government regarding the levels of attack preparedness and the length of warning times applicable to future civil defence provision in the United Kingdom.
  340
  The Prime Minister
  Procedures governing coordination on warning times and related matters involve many Government Departments and there are a number of arrangements to which the United Kingdom and the United States of America are party—the most important being those established with our NATO partners. All 16 NATO nations are currently discussing revisions to our mutual defence arrangements in the light of the substantial changes that have occurred in Europe.

  As for the United Kingdom specifically, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will be making an announcement about changes in our arrangements, including the planning assumptions that will underlie civil defence planning, in the summer.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Kurdish Refugees
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the role of the Crown Agents in providing emergency relief for Kurdish refugees.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Crown Agents are playing an important part in procuring and delivering relief supplies to the relief organisations working in the region. They are currently supplying blankets, tents, clothing and food to a total value of just under £1 million on behalf of the European Community, the Overseas Development Administration, the British Red Cross and other charitable organisations.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total expenditure by the ODA on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.
  341
  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply he received from my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 30 April, column 140.

  EC-Namibia Fisheries Agreement
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what position Her Majesty's Government took on the suspension of negotiations for an EC-Namibia fisheries agreement; and whether he is taking any action to promote a resumption of negotiations.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The matter was raised in a recent meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the European Community. Along with other partners, we sought an explanation from the Commission, which has subsequently informed the Namibian Government that the suspension was purely temporary. We look forward to the resumption of negotiations. I shall he taking this up at the ACP ministerial meeting in Brussels next week.

  Medical Tears
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements his Department is making to send out to Turkey and Iran British volunteer medical teams.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We are sending out early on 6 May, 90 medical and other volunteer relief workers to help Iraqi refugees on the mountains in the Cukurca region of Turkey and as they move back to their homes in Iraq. These initial teams will be under the direct supervision of the ODA's humanitarian aid co-ordinator, and will work in close co-ordination with British and allied forces in Turkey and Iraq. The operation is being co-financed with the European Community, as part of the Community's emergency aid programme announced on 8 April.

  The Iranian authorities have not requested medical volunteers. We are however financing the provision of two field health centres in West Azerbaijan province.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure by the Office of Data Protection Registrar on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Data Protection Registrar was first appointed in September 1984. I understand that his office incurred no significant promotional expenditure until the financial year 1985–86. Expenditure on press and public relations is shown in the table:

  £

  1985–86

  32,492

  1986–87

  50,212

  1987–88

  64,624

  1988–89

  44,780

  1989–90

  48,822

  1990–91

  54,163

  The estimated expenditure for 1991–92 is £65,000.

  Latchmere-Haslar Project
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he has decided to withdraw Home Office funding from the Latchmere-Haslar project for refugees.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Home Office has never provided core funding to the Latchmere-Haslar project. The payments made to it were exceptional and for one year and were intended to reflect the additional and transitional costs to the project arising from the transfer of detainees from Latchmere house to Haslar prison. The project's application last December for long-term core funding was turned down, on the grounds that the Government already make a substantial grant-in-aid to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service to provide advice and representation and that, with limited resources, departure from the established practice of funding a single organisation in this way was not justified. My right hon. Friend is considering that decision further in the light of a substantial number of representations which we have received.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake to refund local authorities the cost of any compensation which they may be required to pay in consequence of injunctions obtained in regard to Sunday trading, pending final determination of the issue by the House of Lords in consequence of the decision of the Court of Appeal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  No. Local authorities receive a substantial contribution to their costs generally through the revenue support grant system. We have no plan to increase this contribution specifically for their enforcement duties under the Shops Act 1950.

  Mr. Paul Brown
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the error made by his Department in deporting the wrong Paul Brown to Kingston, Jamaica; what steps he has made in contacting him and informing him of his Department's error; what has been the result of the appeal made by the other Paul Brown; and what steps he has made to ensure such an error cannot recur.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]A Mr. Paul Brown was removed to Jamaica on 7 July 1989 in the mistaken belief that he was subject to a deportation order which had been made against another person of the same name. Both men were Jamaican, both had been convicted of offences, and both had been recommended for deportation by a court. The Paul Brown removed on 7 July 1989 made no representations against his removal. If he wished to return to the United Kingdom he would have to qualify for entry under the immigration rules. Those rules provide that where a passenger has been convicted of an offence included in the list of extradition crimes leave to enter is to be refused unless the immigration officer considers admission to be justified for strong compassionate reasons. Mr. Brown had been so convicted and no steps have been taken to trace him in Jamaica.
  343
  The other Paul Brown was deported on 4 July 1990. He did not exercise his right of appeal to the higher court against his conviction or against the recommendation for deportation. The circumstances which led to the confusion of the two identities was most unusual and unlikely to recur. Nevertheless, magistrates courts have been asked to provide the person's date of birth and nationality when notifying my Department of a court recommendation. The Lord Chancellor's Department will be making similar arrangements for the Crown courts.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Government are taking on asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 23 April 1991]: In view of the increase in the number of people coming to the United Kingdom to seek asylum, the Government have been reviewing arrangements for dealing with asylum seekers. On 26 March, at columns 347–48, I announced the introduction of a visa requirement for Ugandan nationals, who account for a significant proportion of asylum applicants in the United Kingdom. On 26 April, at column 566, my right hon. Friend announced a nearly fivefold increase in staff resources for asylum determination and commensurate increase in other parts of the asylum system. The review is continuing and further announcements will be made as necessary.

DEFENCE

  Chemical Defence Establishment, Nancekuke
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the evidence that decontamination of the former chemical defence establishment at Nancekuke, Cornwall has not been wholly effective.

  Officers

  Service men

  RN/RM

  Army

  RAF

  RN/RM

  Army

  RAF

  1989

  January—March

  34

  103

  54

  560

  1,042

  900

  April—June

  56

  194

  101

  627

  1,051

  981

  July—September

  80

  238

  70

  724

  1,018

  884

  October—December

  60

  138

  107

  633

  990

  757

  1990

  January—March

  38

  142

  67

  670

  1,002

  648

  April—June

  79

  220

  103

  716

  963

  713

  July—September

  69

  180

  74

  814

  1,020

  785

  October—December

  56

  122

  57

  737

  755

  623

  Fuel Air Explosive Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the Government assessment of claims made by the Iraqi authorities at the Baghdad fair 1990 that they possessed fuel air explosive weapons.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We are not aware of a "Baghdad fair" in 1990. However, the Iraqis displayed what they claimed were fuel air explosive weapons of Iraqi origin at the Baghdad international military production exhibition in 1989. We cannot comment further on this matter.
  344
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, CBDE. under its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive of the CBDE, Dr. G. S. Pearson to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Resolution Class Submarines
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many refits will he undergone by each Resolution class submarine.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The future refit programme of resolution class submarines is classified.

  Service Married Quarters
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the number of service married quarters which are illegally occupied by otherwise homeless service families.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  There were 1,672 service married quarters irregularly occupied as at 31 December 1990.

  Armed Forces Personnel
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his answer of 29 April,Official Report, columns 35–36, if he will list in the Official Report, for each of the armed forces, the number of (a) male officers, (b) female officers, (c) service men and (d) service women, who have taken premature voluntary release in each quarter since January 1989.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No premature voluntary release, PVR, figures for females are available at present. The remainder of the information requested is as follows:

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of defensive measures to protect soldiers under attack from fuel air explosive weapons.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Fuel air weapons, FAE, are but one of a range of threats which are routinely examined when considering defensive measures for the British soldiers.

  Nuclear Vessels and Submarines
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many nuclear arms capable, or nuclear-powered vessels and submarines of the Royal Navy have been (i) completely scrapped, (ii) are in store or (iii) are in active service at the present time.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is not our practice to define Royal Navy ships as being nuclear-capable or non nuclear-capable. Four nuclear-powered submarines have been taken out of service, and are awaiting final disposal. Of these, one is stored afloat and three are being, or are about to be, decommissioned. There are currently 18 nuclear-powered submarines in service with the Royal Navy.

  Nuclear Facilities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many square metres of floorspace used for the storage or maintenance of Royal Navy nuclear facilities have been (i) completely decommissioned and ready for alternative use, (ii) are held in reserve or (iii) are in active service at the present time.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Farm Machinery
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the investment in farm machinery in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what were the figures in 1980 and 1975, all figures in cash and in real terms taking 1975 as 100.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Investment inform machinery1

  In cash prices

  In real terms2 (index 1973 = 100)

  £ million

  1975

  20

  100·0

  1980

  33

  84·3

  1986

  43

  75·7

  1987

  42

  69·9

  1988

  52

  83·2

  1989

  58

  85·4

  31990

  59

  79·7

  1 Tractors, vehicles and equipment (including plant).

  2 Calculated by deflating by the retail prices index.

  3 Forecast.

  Agriculture
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the gross profit in agriculture in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and in 1980 and 1975 in cash and real terms, taking 1975 as 100.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is an follows:346

  Value of gross output of agriculture

  In cash prices £ million

  In real terms1 (index: 1975 = 100)

  1975

  286

  100·0

  1980

  546

  97·6

  1986

  752

  91·9

  1987

  776

  91·0

  1988

  817

  91·4

  1989

  866

  89·8

  21990

  853

  80·7

  1 Calculated by deflating by the retail prices index.

  2 Forecast.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the gross value of the output of the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and in 1980 and 1975 in cash and real terms, taking 1975 as 100.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Farmers

  Agricultural workers

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  1975

  125,500

  17,700

  10,800

  7,500

  1980

  27,600

  10,900

  7,900

  5,700

  1986

  25,100

  10,800

  6,000

  5,200

  1987

  24,600

  10,800

  5,800

  5,200

  1988

  24,600

  11,100

  5,500

  5,100

  1989

  23,200

  11,800

  5,300

  5,400

  1990

  22,700

  11,900

  5,100

  5,500

  1 Excludes 4,700 female owners, partners and directors for whom information is not available on whether they worked full-time or part-time in agriculture.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) farmers (full-time), (h) farmers (part-time), (c) agricultural workers (full-time) and (d) agricultural workers (part-time), were engaged in agriculture in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and in 1980 and 1975 in cash and real terms, taking 1975 as 100.

  Mr. Hanley
  Gross profit data are not available. The following data relate to "total income from farming" which is the closest measure that equates.

  Total income from farming

  Year

  In cash prices £ million

  In real terms1 (Index: 1975 = 100)

  1975

  51

  100·0

  1980

  48

  48·8

  1986

  106

  73·1

  1987

  156

  103·0

  1988

  181

  114·2

  1989

  212

  123·7

  21990

  169

  90·0

  1 Calculated by deflating by the retail prices index.

  2 Forecast.

  Universities
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in statistical form the staff-student ratios in Northern Ireland universities for the last five years, and whether additional capital funding will be made available to Northern Ireland universities to meet the need for additional residential accommodation and other physical resources, arising from increased student enrolments.
  347
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The aggregate figures for the two universities in Northern Ireland are:

  Year

  Student/staff ratio

  1985–86

  11·9

  1986–87

  12·0

  1987–88

  13·0

  1988–89

  13·9

  1989–90

  14·2

  Government funding of £5·5 million has recently been approved for a 3,000 sq m extension to the university of Ulster's Jordanstown campus. In addition, the Department of Education is considering a recommendation from the Universities Funding Council that the Department should provide grant aid for a further 1,700 sq m extension to the university's Magee campus.

  No Government funding is at present being made available for additional residential accommodation.

  Electricity Industry
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of agricultural land in Northern Ireland is owned by overseas investors; and if he will list(a) the countries concerned and (b) the percentage of land owned by each.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not available.

  Clenbuterol
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what proportion of herds suspected of being treated with clenbuterol is only a random sample of the whole herd tested; and if he will make it his policy to test all animals in a suspected herd.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 1 May 1991]: (I am considering the details of an on-farm testing regime under the powers available when the food safety order comes into effect on 21 May. On-farm testing for clenbuterol cannot be currently carried out.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give separate figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what are his latest estimates for 1990–91 and budgets for 1991–92.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 25 April 1991]: The information could not be made available in the form requested except at disproportionate cost. The figures for spending on all advertising and other promotional material are:

  £

  1979–80

  468,972

  1980–81

  487,393

  1981–82

  613,464

  1982–83

  1,550,896

  1983–84

  2,853,451

  1984–85

  2,699,659

  348

  £

  1985–86

  3,916,824

  1986–87

  3,787,628

  1987–88

  4,028,259

  1988–89

  4,606,655

  1989–90

  5,227,759

  1990–91

  15,688,427

  1991–92

  25,450,370

  1Estimate

  2 Budget

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 30 April 1991]: The totals are as follows:

  £

  1979–80

  Nil

  1980–81

  Nil

  1981–82

  Nil

  1982–83

  Nil

  1983–84

  Nil

  1984–85

  Nil

  1985–86

  52,380

  1986–87

  4,298

  1987–88

  2,411

  1988–89

  1,549,937

  1989–90

  3,194,988

  11990–91

  3,413,313

  21991–92

  1,726,000

  1 Estimate

  2 Budget

SCOTLAND

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure by the Forestry Commission on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The total expenditure by the Forestry Commission on information services, shows, exhibitions and publications, including technical publications, is given in the following table. The figures include staff costs and overheads and have been rounded to the nearest £100,000. A more precise breakdown is not available.

  Year ended 31 March

  Expenditure £

  1980

  700,000

  1981

  800,000

  1982

  700,000

  1983

  700,000

  1984

  900,000

  1985

  1,200,000

  1986

  1,200,000

  1987

  1,200,000

  1988

  1,600,000

  1989

  1,900,000

  1990

  1,700,000

  349

  Year ended 31 March

  Expenditure £

  1991

  11,900,000

  1992

  22,000,000

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Forestry Commission in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The total expenditure by the Forestry Commission on advertising, legal fees, estate agent fees, and so on, in connection with the disposals programme is given in the following table. The disposals programme started in July 1981, so no expenditure was incurred in the two years ended 31 March 1981. The figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.

  Year ended 31 March

  Expenditure £

  1982

  500,000

  1983

  500,000

  1984

  800,000

  1985

  800,000

  1986

  700,000

  1987

  700,000

  1988

  600,000

  1989

  600,000

  1990

  800,000

  1991

  1600,000

  1992

  2700,000

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  Scottish Development Agency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Scottish Development Agency in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92;

  (2) what was the total expenditure by the Scottish Development Agency on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  These are operational matters for Scottish Enterprise, which succeeded the Scottish Development Agency on 1 April 1991, and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

WALES

  M4 Matrix System
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the matrix system on the M4 operates on GMT throughout the year.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the total expenditure by the Welsh Development Agency on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92;

  (2) what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Welsh Development Agency in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on Wednesday I May 1991.

  All-Wales Treatment Centres
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the contracted through-put targets for each of the three all-Wales treatment centres for orthopaedic surgery, general surgery and ophthalmic surgery.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Throughput targets for 1991–92 are yet to be agreed.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report, for 1990–91, for each of the three all-Wales treatment centres for orthopaedic surgery, general surgery and ophthalmic surgery, the contracted throughput targets, separately distinguishing the numbers by resident health authority.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The contracted throughput targets for the three all-Wales treatment centres in 1990–91 were:

  Number

  a. Ophthalmic treatment centre, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor

  Cataract operations

  315

  Other operations

  29

  Total

  344

  b. Orthopaedic treatment centre, Prince of Wales hospital, Rhydlafar, near Cardiff

  Hip replacements

  233

  Knee replacements

  57

  Other procedures

  73

  Total

  363

  c. General surgery treatment centre, Bridgend general hospital, mid Glamorgan

  Varicose vein and hernia operations

  800

  Total

  800

  Not more than 20 per cent. of the throughput at the orthopaedic and general surgery centres was intended for South Glamorgan and Mid Glamorgan residents respectively whilst at the ophthalmic centre, 20 per cent. of the throughput was aimed at non-Gwynedd residents. Throughput targets for 1991–92 are yet to be agreed, but are not expected to fall below the maximum throughput levels achieved in 1990–91.

  Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete Houses
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what purchase price will have to be paid by Swansea city council to repurchase prefabricated reinforced concrete houses; what formula is applicable; and what account is taken of the market price and presumed knowledge of the defects by the purchasers.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Eligible properties would be repurchased by the authority at 95 per cent. of the defect-free value.

  Singleton Hospital
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the job description of the consultant radiologist approved for Singleton hospital.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  This is a matter for the district health authority.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new representations of substance he has received since the right hon. Member for Swansea, West presented a petition for the retention of the Singleton casualty unit; and what considerations were raised by the petition which required consultation beyond that already encompassed by his review.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The right hon. Gentleman presented his petition on 12 February. In the light of the right hon. Gentleman's representations, I visited the unit on 25 March and met a deputation of local residents, who handed me further letters. Three additional petitions, including another from the right hon. Gentleman, have been received.

  In the light of these representations and my personal visit to the unit, I have consulted further within my Department. I am considering all matters put to me and hope shortly to announce the result of the review.

  Expenditure £ million

  Percentage change in real terms

  Cumulative percentage change

  Cash

  1990–91 prices

  1978–79

  16,602

  41,882

  —

  —

  1979–80

  19,616

  42,412

  1·27

  1·27

  1980–81

  23,751

  43,396

  2·32

  3·59

  1981–82

  28,963

  48,260

  11·21

  14·80

  1982–83

  33,000

  51,240

  6·38

  21·18

  1983–84

  36,881

  54,842

  6·82

  28·00

  1984–85

  39,949

  56,533

  3·08

  31·08

  1985–86

  43,488

  58,359

  3·25

  34·33

  1986–87

  46,841

  60,763

  4·10

  38·43

  1987–88

  48,939

  60,270

  - 0·81

  37·62

  1988–89

  49,721

  56,989

  -5·44

  32·18

  1989–90

  52,661

  56,742

  -0·43

  31·75

  1990–91

  59,001

  59,001

  3·98

  35·73

  Notes: The real terms decrease over the period 1987–90 is largely attributable to the fall in unemployment since 1986.

  Benefits
  Mr. Lawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total amounts of social security benefits paid in each year since 1978–79 in respect of(a) council rents, (b) rates and (c) the community charge.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Fund
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the latest figure he has available for the cumulative loan debt of the social fund and his estimate of what proportion is likely to be written off.

  Mr. Scott
  The cumulative social fund loan debt as at 31 March 1991 was £142 million. No social fund loans have been written off. All social fund loans are recoverable. Although there may be some circumstances where recovery is abandoned, this may be only temporary.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for review by a social fund inspector were outstanding for more than one month at the most recent date for which this information is available.

  Mr. Scott
  On 30 April 1991, there were 1,243 applications for review by a social fund inspector which had been outstanding for more than one month. Additional inspectors have been recruited.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for review by a social fund inspector were outstanding at the end of February, March and April.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  February 1991

  1,709

  March 1991

  1,923

  April 1991

  2,223

  Additional inspectors have been recruited.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 17 April,Official Report, column 192–93, regarding social security expenditure, if he will give the same information including expenditure on the unemployed.

  Mr. Jack
  Details of total social security spending from 1978–79 to 1990–91 are given in the table.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Data on help with housing costs are not readily available for years prior to 1983–84. The available information is in the table.
  353

  Council rents (rent rebates)

  Community charge benefit and rate rebates

  £ million

  £ million

  1983–84

  1,980

  1,218

  1984–85

  2,145

  1,354

  1985–86

  2,296

  1,479

  1986–87

  2,420

  1,635

  1987–88

  2,506

  1,701

  1988–89

  2,680

  1,373

  1989–90

  2,856

  1,460

  1990–91

  3,180

  2,272

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to issue for consultation his guidelines for visiting doctors on the care component of disability living allowance for(a) the under two-year-olds and (b) disabled people over the age of two; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans for consultations on the largely procedural guidelines for visiting doctors—examining medical practitioners. We will, however, be consulting disability organisations and specialist groups in the near future on the guidelines for adjudication officers and the doctors who advise them, about the care and mobility effects likely to arise from different medical conditions. We shall also be consulting organisations about the self-assessment claim pack for disability living allowance which should enable many claims to be determined without the need for an examination by an EMP.

  Income Support
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the value of the 20 per cent. poll tax compensation within income support in 1991–92(a) for individual claimants and (b) in total.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The current value of the amounts which were included in income-related benefit levels in 1989 towards 20 per cent. of the community charge is equivalent to an average community charge for all claimants of £367. This compares with an estimated net average community charge for all income support claimants in 1991–92 of £210 across Great Britain as a whole, taking no account of capping. The estimated total cost of including these amounts in income-related benefit levels in 1991–92 is £540 million.

  Pension Funds (Self-investment)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to bring forward proposals to use the powers contained in the Social Security Act 1990 to restrict self-investment by pension funds.

  Level at which housing benefit ceases

  Level at which community charge benefit ceases

  Gross earnings £ per week

  Total net income £ per week

  Gross earnings £ per week

  Total net income £ per week

  Single householder

  87

  77·02

  76

  74·64

  Married couple

  118

  107·49

  146

  123·05

  Married couple with two children aged 4 and 6

  105

  147·89

  169

  158·05

  Lone parent with one child aged 3

  91

  131·76

  62

  128·37

  354
  Mr. Newton
  Because of the possible double jeopardy to job and pension that can be caused by a pension scheme investing in a related employer, broad powers were taken in the Social Security Act 1990 to restrict the practice. Messrs. Ernst and Young were asked to report on the overall extent of self-investment and any implications there might be in imposing restrictions. A copy of their report, "Study of Self Investment by Pension Fund", is being published and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Draft regulations have been referred for consideration by the Occupational Pensions Board. We propose that the overall proportion of a scheme's resources that may be self-invested should be limited to 5 per cent. Schemes that are currently above the limit will be required to take steps to reduce their level of self-investment, but only in respect of certain types of investments. A period of two years will be allowed for loans and equities listed on the stock exchange, and five years for equities traded on the unlisted securities market.

  Most small self-administered schemes and individual insured schemes will be exempted from the regulations where written agreement by all the members is provided to each act of self-investment. Where schemes currently have holdings of property or equity in private companies, they will not be required to take action to disinvest. In such circumstances no further self-investment may be made.

  Housing Benefit
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the level of gross earnings in April at which(a) a single householder, (b) a married couple, (c) a married couple with two children aged four and six years and (d) a single parent with one child, aged three years, will lose in housing benefit, assuming full take-up of family credit, average rent and rates and other assumptions, as in his reply to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Clay), Official Report, 1 December 1987, column 566.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 30 April 1991]: The answer is set out in the table. It should be noted that the results in the table remain arbitrary. They cannot reflect, except by chance, the actual circumstances of particular people and cannot claim to be representative of the population at large. The table uses hypothetical rents so it does not reflect the full range of housing costs which people can pay. The table sets out separately the cut-off points for housing benefit, which, in the earlier reply to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Clay) included rate rebate, and community charge benefit.
  355
  Notes:

  1. A community charge of £250 per person, per annum has been assumed throughout.

  2. Average rents are assumed to be as follows: £21·23 for a single person and for a married couple; £23·43 for a single person with one child and £25·60 for a married couple with two children. All other assumptions are as set out in the published tax/benefit model tables.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the achievements since 1987 and the present objectives of Her Majesty's Government's policies for caring for pensioners.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Since 1987, the Government have maintained the value of the state retirement pension and have continued to pursue the sound economic policies which have been the essential catalyst for the growth in pensioners' income during the 1980s. In addition, the abolition of the earnings rule in 1989 has allowed older people to remain in employment without reducing their state pension. The increased prosperity which these policies have brought to an expanding number of older people means, for example, that over 70 per cent. of pensioners now live in homes which are centrally heated and 86 per cent. have access to a telephone.

  At the same time, we recognise that there is still a need to protect the position of those who are less well off. As part of the April 1991 uprating of income-related benefits, the ordinary pensioner premium (for those aged 60 to 74) was increased by an extra £1 per week for single people and £1·50 for couples at a cost of some £80 million. This is in addition to a previous measure, taken in October 1989, which directed extra resources to older and disabled pensioners through income related benefits at a cost of £200 million in the first full year.

  There have been significant increases in the help available towards fees for those pensioners living in residential care and in nursing homes—a total of £1,270 million went to some 189,000 recipients in 1990 of whom the vast majority are elderly.

  The Government have also assisted those who wish to remain independent within their own homes. We have established, or helped to fund, a number of schemes, such as the minor works assistance grant, the disabled facilities grant and the home improvements agencies which provide independent advice and practical help for elderly people who wish to undertake repairs.

  Of equal importance to the maintenance of independence is the support given carers in the community. The Department has taken its own measures to improve their lot both by increasing financial provision through the extension of invalid care allowance to married women and the recently introduced carer premium in the income-related benefits. The number of carers receiving ICA has increased from 11,000 in 1985–86 to an estimated 125,000 in 1990 and estimated expenditure is now £213 million.

  Over the last 12 months we have introduced other measures which will help carers further. The amount a carer can earn without removing entitlement to ICA was increased from £12 to £20 in April 1990 and by a further 50 per cent, to £30 from April this year. A new carer premium was introduced into the income-related benefits in October 1990. Together with the abolition of the six-month qualifying period for attendance allowance for people with a terminal illness, this measure will cause a greater take-up of ICA. Finally, from October this year the carer premium will be extended to eight weeks after caring ceases.
  356
  Our primary objective for the future is to continue with and enhance the policies outlined in this reply—policies, for instance, which meant a real increase in income of 31 per cent. for the average pensioner in the first eight years of our term of office and which have helped nearly half of all pensioners to own their own home and nearly three-quarters to build up their own savings income. More particularly, the community care proposals outlined in "Caring for People", which will be fully implemented by 1993, will be shortly be providing a complete, locally determined package of care for those who will require it.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Income Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in 1991–92 and in a full year of introducing an upper limit on all income tax allowances and reliefs of(a) £10,000, (b) £15,000 and (c) £20,000 a year.

  Mr. Maude
  It is estimated that at 1991–92 levels of income the introduction of the upper limits specified would yield about(a) £700 million, (b) £250 million and (c) £150 million in a full year. The estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of such a limit.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure by the department for national savings on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maples
  Estimated figures for expenditure in the years 1984–85 to 1991–92 on press and public relations, including sales information units, established 1989, but excluding staff costs, are as listed below. No figures are available for the years prior to 1984–85.

  Year

  Press and public relations £

  1991–92

  87,950

  1990–91

  75,650

  1989–90

  41,525

  1988–89

  20,000

  1987–88

  22,830

  1986–87

  17,500

  1985–86

  15,500

  1984–85

  15,500

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure by the Inland Revenue on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maude
  Information relating to the financial years 1979–80 to 1985–86 inclusive is not readily available and
  357
  cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. The spend on press and external public relations activities for the remaining years is estimated to be as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1986–87

  580

  1987–88

  650

  1988–89

  610

  1989–90

  820

  1990–911

  7,728

  1991–922

  890

  1 Forecast oulturn.

  2 Budget.

  The figure for 1990–91 includes expenditure of £6·95 million on an advertising campaign to increase public awareness of the new arrangements, for non-taxpayers to register for payment of bank and building society interest without the deduction of income tax.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure by HMSO on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maples
  HMSO has commissioned no press and public relations work.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Total expenditure by HM Customs and Excise on press and public relations is as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  63,000

  1985–86

  87,000

  1986–87

  85,000

  1987–88

  89,000

  1988–89

  126,000

  1989–90

  92,000

  1990–91

  102,000

  1991–92

  186,000

  1 Estimated expenditure.

  The figures for 1979–1984 are not available.

  Fees
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maples
  Nothing.

  Chancery Banking Group
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each local authority that deposited money with the Chancery Banking group, and the amount deposited by each.

  Mr. Maples
  The information requested is confidential and is not available to the Treasury.

  Tax Allowances
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the effect on tax revenues in 1991–92 of freezing the additional personal allowance at £1,720; and what increase in one-parent benefit could be financed from this amount.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 1 May 1991]: The yield in a full year at 1991–92 levels of income is estimated to be about £20 million compared with statutory indexation. This would finance a 30p per week increase in one-parent benefit.

  National Savings
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum paid out in fees by the Department for National Savings to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 2 May 1991]: Figures for the years 1984–85 to 1991–92 are given in the table. No figures are available for the years prior to 1984–85.

  Year

  £000s

  1991–92

  1383

  1990–91

  349

  1989–90

  342

  1988–89

  424

  1987–88

  410

  1986–87

  308

  1985–86

  748

  1984–85

  684

  1 Estimate.

  HMSO
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum paid out in fees by Her Majesty's Stationery Office to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 2 May 1991]: The records on HMSO's management information system do not differentiate between management and other consultancy, notably computer consultancy. The consultancy cost for each financial year is assessed as being:

  Year

  £

  1983–84

  70,000

  1984–85

  150,000

  1985–86

  400,000

  1986–87

  550,000

  1987–88

  400,000

  11988

  155,000

  1989

  290,000

  1990

  400,000

  1 Nine months.

  HMSO changed its financial year from the fiscal to the calendar year in 1988. Comparable figures for the years 1979–80 to 1982–83 could be given only at disproportionate cost. The consultancy budget for 1991 is £265,000.

  Tropical Hardwoods
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to introduce additional taxes on the sale of tropical hardwoods; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 2 May 1991]: I have no present plans to do so. Deforestation is a global problem requiring a concerted response, rather than piecemeal imposition of taxes by individual nations. The environment White Paper includes a number of measures to promote sustainable development of the tropical timber industry.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kuwait
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Central (Mr. Watson),Official Report, 24 April, column 453, if, during his visit to Kuwait, he will make urgent representations against the proposed show trials of Palestinians followed by public hangings or firing squads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will reiterate to the Kuwaiti authorities the importance of ensuring that all residents of Kuwait are treated fairly and humanely and in accordance with the law and with their fundamental human rights.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland of 24 April,Official Report, columns 455–6, whether he will give details of the specific complaints expressed by the United Nations Committee on Human Rights during the presentation of the United Kingdom's third periodic report on 1, 2 and 3 April.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have yet to receive the summary record of the human rights committee's proceedings. As soon as it is available, copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

  I can inform the hon. Member, however, that the committee questioned our delegation in detail on a wide range of issues in the United Kingdom and dependent territories. It was concerned in particular with issues relating to Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, the optional protocol to the international covenant on civil and political rights and the incorporation of the covenant into domestic legislation.

  Convention on Inhumane Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the 1981 convention on inhumane weapons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answers given to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 14 March, and 22 April, on the same subject, at cols 634 and 293 respectively.

EMPLOYMENT

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total expenditure by the British tourist authority on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Forth
  These matters are the responsibility of the board of the British tourist authority and I am asking the chairman to write directly to the hon. Gentleman.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether training providers in Bradford are to be paid only when trainees secure employment.

  Mr. Jackson
  The contracts for training in Bradford are negotiated between training providers and the Bradford training and enterprise council. The financial details of these contracts are commercial in confidence.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the reduction in training places, especially for those with special needs, in Bradford in the coming year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have not received any recent representations concerning training places for those with special needs in Bradford. It is for Bradford training and enterprise council to decide with whom it contracts to provide training to meet local needs.

  Gas Surge (Royston)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, if he will list the actions he has taken since the gas surge in Royston on 8 March in order to prevent a recurrence of this event.

  Mr. Forth
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 April, column 221]:I regret that the answer contained an incorrect statement in that it said that British Gas had replaced approximately 4,000 metres of pipeline. The correct information is as follows:
  Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive are carrying out a full investigation into the gas incident in Royston on 8 March. HSE will decide what action. if any, is appropriate when the investigation is completed.
  I understand that British Gas has replaced approximately 4,000 gas meters as a result of the incident.

  Industrial and Occupational Health Problems
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent research he has funded into industrial and occupational health problems; and what guidance he has offered to employers as a result.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 30 April 1991]: The Health and Safety Executive, HSE, funds both intramural and extramural research projects into industrial and occupational health problems.

  There are 87 occupational health projects presently contracted at universities, research institutes and Medical Research Council, M RC units. HSE's occupational medicine and hygiene laboratory also has a significant programme in this area.
  361
  In addition to this research, investigations are mounted by doctors in HSE's employment medical advisory service, EMAS and epidemiological studies are conducted by HSE's epidemiology and medical statistics unit.

  The production of guidance notes for both employers and employees relies upon the results from these intramural and extramural research projects, EMAS investigations and epidemiological studies.

  Full details of HSE's current research are listed in its 1991–92 "Procramme of research and related services". A copy is available from the House of Commons Library.

  Baggage Allowance
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will initiate a survey of the impact that an increase in baggage allowance for passengers on British airlines flying to and from British airports would have on encouraging visitors to Britain to take advantage of these services.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have no plans to initiate such a survey. Baggage allowances for passengers travelling on British airlines are a commercial matter for the airlines themselves.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list his Department's statutory responsibilities to overview and control British Rail's operations and those matters which fall within the operational responsibility of British Rail.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under section 3 of the Transport Act 1962, it is the duty of the railways board to provide railway

  Date

  Aircraft model

  Aircraft model

  Latitude

  Longitude

  1983

  22 December

  Westland WG30

  Model A10

  5341N

  00001W

  1984

  5 April

  S-61 (civil models)

  Model A10

  5342N

  00005E

  19 April

  Sikorsky S76

  Model A10

  5339N

  00003W

  8 May

  Westland WG30

  Tornado GR

  5343N

  00006E

  14 May

  Westland WG30

  Model F111

  5342N

  00006E

  7 September

  Friendship F27

  Medium Jet (type unknown)

  5341N

  00002W

  1986

  23 April

  Cessna 150

  Model F111

  5336N

  00024W

  23 September

  Super Puma/Tiger helicopter

  F4/Phantom

  5341N

  00002W

  1987

  20 October

  Cessna 404

  Model A10

  5435N

  00012W

  1988

  28 April

  Tornado GR

  S-61 (civil models)

  5345N

  00005E

  21 June

  Skyhawk 172

  Tornado GR

  5336N

  00027W

  18 July

  Friendship F27

  Cessna 150

  5334N

  00025W

  10 August

  Cherokee

  Model A10

  5342N

  00007W

  6 September

  Friendship F27

  Skyhawk 172

  5344N

  00014W

  22 November

  Dauphin SA 365

  Model F111

  5339N

  00006E

  1989

  9 January

  Sikorsky S76

  Jaguar

  5342N

  00008W

  11 May

  Dauphin SA 365

  Jetstream SC4, BAE 31

  5336N

  00020W

  362
  services in Great Britain, and to have due regard to efficiency, economy and safety of operation. The Secretary of State's responsibilities include, in section 27 of the Transport Act 1962, powers to give the railways board directions of a general character as to the exercise and performance of its functions in relation to matters affecting the national interest. The Secretary of State may also, under section 3 of the Railways Act 1974, give directions to the board imposing on it obligations to provide passenger services that it would not provide on a commercial basis and to compensate it for the losses incurred. Since 1 April 1988, this obligation has not applied to InterCity.

  Baggage Allowance
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are any plans to increase the baggage allowance for passengers flying on British airlines to and from British airports to match those of other countries.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Baggage allowances are not fixed by the Government but are a commercial matter for the airlines themselves to determine, subject only to being filed with the Civil Aviation Authority as part of the normal tariff approval procedures. I am not aware that the baggage allowances set by British carriers are significantly different from those of their foreign competitors.

  Air Misses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by year for the last 10 years, to date, the number of air misses that have been reported to the Civil Aviation Authority in the region of the Humber estuary; and if he will give the location and the types of aircraft involved.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is as follows:
  363

  Date

  Aircraft model

  Aircraft model

  Latitude

  Longitude

  1990

  16 January

  Dauphin SA 365

  Model F111

  5341N

  00011E

  16 February

  Sikorsky S76

  Buccaneer

  5342N

  00016W

  7 June

  Dauphin SA 365

  Model A10

  5338N

  00000E

  12 July

  Dauphin SA 365

  Model F111

  5342N

  00009E

  2 August

  Dauphin SA 365

  Model F111

  5340N

  00010E

  Note: The selected area is between 5332 and 5345N and between 001 I E and 0027W, below 5,000 ft. There were no airmisses in the selected area in 1981, 1982 or 1985.

  Track Circuit Failures
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the results of his Department's investigations into the two track circuit failures that occurred during February at(a) Aberdeen and (b) Wymondham; and how many (i) railway staff and (ii) passengers were being carried in each incident.

  Mr. Freeman
  The incident at Aberdeen, which was reported to the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate, involved the derailment of an empty passenger train with only the train crew on board. The incident at Wymondham, which was not statutorily resportable, involved a track maintenance machine carrying a permanent way gang. The actual number of staff concerned is not known. No passengers were involved in either incident.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he received the British Rail signal and telecommunications technical investigation report 91019 DC track circuits discussion of residual voltage and wrong side failure modes with special reference to bonding principles, dated 25 March; what action he has taken in respect of the report's findings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate received a copy of this report on 1 May, and is now considering it. Meanwhile, BR has taken action to avoid a recurrence.

  Safety Standards (Cars)
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are absolute safety standards governing the construction of motor cars and vehicles in the United Kingdom; and whether there are any proposals for an EC directive on the subject.

  Mr. Chope
  Yes. All new cars and goods vehicles must meet at least the saftey standards in national vehicle type approval. Type approval is based largely on standards agreed in the EC and in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and it covers the inspection of prototype vehicles and manufacturers' arrangements for ensuring conformity of production. An EC-wide whole vehicle type approval scheme is being developed, to allow manufacturers the option of obtaining whole vehicle approval in any EC member state, but this will not in any way comprise safety standards.

  A17
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he received with regard to the proposed Al7 Leadenham bypass in Lincolnshire; if he will give the reasons for his decision to overrule the inspector's report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The letter of 24 February issued on behalf of the Secretaries of State for the Environment and of Transport explained their decision in detail. I will send the hon. Lady a copy.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet representatives of the fishing industry to discuss a
  decommissioning scheme.

  Mr. Curry
  If the industry produces workable proposals for an industry funded decommissioning scheme together with effective measures for long-term conservation, I will examine them.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Dangerous Dogs
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to introduce legislation to prevent the import of dangerous dogs.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A ban on such imports would present serious practical difficulties because it would clearly be impossible to identify on import whether individual dogs would later prove dangerous; controls would thus have to focus on identifiable breeds but cross-breeding would allow evasion; and smuggling would be encouraged, so adding to the risk of rabies spreading into the United Kingdom. Dangerous dogs pose problems regardless of whether they are imported or domestically bred. A Home Office consultation paper published in June last year on "The Control of Dogs" sought views on a range of possible remedies. Responses are currently being considered before the Government announce their decisions.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure by the Export Credits Guarantee Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The total expenditure of the ECGD on press public relations is shown below:
  365

  Year

  £000

  1985–86

  541

  1986–87

  703

  1987–88

  747

  1988–89

  1,112

  1989–90

  1,271

  11990–91

  1,067

  1 Provisional.

  For the years 1979–80 to 1984–85, the expenditure was recorded by the central office of information as an allied service. The budget for 1991–92 has still to be finalised, and will depend on developments in the privatisation process.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisai ion by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The total sums paid out by the ECGD in fees to outside organisations in the futherance of privatisation since 1979–80 are as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1979–80 to 1988–89

  Nil

  1989–90

  103

  1990–911

  3,413

  1 Provisional

  The budget for 1991–92 has still to be finalised, and will depend on developments in the privatisation process.

  The costs of the current privatisation of the short-term business of ECGD, including fees paid to advisers, will be reported to Parliament after the sale is completed.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Export Credits Guarantee Department; and if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 1 May 1991]: The ECGD does not have any statistical divisions.

HEALTH

  Lincolnshire Health Authorities
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses were employed by the North Lincolnshire health authority in March 1979 and March 1991, respectively.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Due to the re-organisation of health authority boundaries in 1982, figures for North Lincolnshire health authority prior to this date are not comparable with the figures for later years. The table shows the figures for 1982 and 1989, the earliest and latest years for which comparable information is available.

  The reduction in the number of nurses employed is due in part to a mental handicap unit at Caistor being
  366
  transferred to the management of Yorkshire regional health authority, instead of Trent regional health authority.

  North Lincolnshire Health Authority Nursing and midwifery staff1 at 30 September

  1982

  1989

  Whole-time equivalents2

  2,270

  2,230

  Source: Dept of Health (SMI3C) annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

  1Includes agency staff.

  2All figures are independently rounded to the nearest ten whole-time equivalents.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the average weekly cost per child or young person in care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about the costs to local authorities of children in care expressed in terms of cost per child week for different types of accommodation are published in the reports under the Child Care Act 1980 entitled "Children in Care in England and Wales". The most recent publication is for the year ending 31 March 1988, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of children and young persons in care; and if he will give details of the reasons for their admission.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The latest estimate of the number of children and young persons in care is for 31 March 1989. It is estimated that 62,148 children and young people were in care then. The numbers in care have fallen by 32 per cent. since 1979. The table shows this broken down by legal status and reason for current episode. These figures are provisional.

  Children in the care of local authorities at 31 March by reason for entering care, England

  England

  Reason for entering care

  1989

  Received into care under section 2 of the Child Care Act 1980

  Short-term illness of parent or guardian

  1,668

  Long-term illness or incapacity of parent

  1,122

  Confinement of mother

  199

  Family homeless

  304

  Parents are dead/no guardian

  317

  Abandoned or lost

  1,122

  Death of parent

  895

  Deserted by parent

  3,134

  Parent or guardian in prison or custody

  414

  Unsatisfactory home conditions

  5,460

  Other reasons

  9,072

  Sub-total

  23,707

  (Percentage of total)

  (38%)

  Committed into care by order of the courts

  On remand or committed for trial

  615

  Subject to interim care order

  2,101

  Sub-total

  2,716

  Committed by care orders made under the Children and Young Persons Act 1969:

  S.1(2)(a) neglect, ill treatment

  14,990

  S.1(2)(a) neglect, ill treatment of another child in household

  1,699

  S.1(2)(bb) member of household convicted of an offence against children

  296

  S.1(2)(c) moral danger

  957

  367

  Reason for entering care

  1989

  S.1(2)(d) beyond parental control

  1,911

  S.1(2)(e) not receiving full time education

  1,070

  S.1(2)(f)/7(7) guilty of an offence

  2,122

  S.15(1) in place of a supervision order

  790

  S.25(1)/26(2) transfer of a care order

  29

  Sub-total

  23,864

  Committed by care orders made under other Acts

  Section 43(1) of the MCA 1973

  3,627

  Section 10(1) DPMCA 1978

  160

  Section 7(2) of the FLRA 1969

  6,409

  Section 2(2)(b) of the GA 1973

  1,180

  Section 17(1)(b) of the CA 1975

  16

  Others

  469

  Total number of children in care

  62,148

  NHS Trusts
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out for each established national health service trust(a) the level of any staff reductions proposed, (b) any proposed changes in the level of services and (c) their current financial position.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. National health service trusts have extensive freedom to manage their own affairs. However, trusts will be obliged to publish an annual report and accounts.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the national health service units which are currently being considered for self-governing trust status.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  To date, 59 of the 130 hospitals and other units that expressed an interest in becoming a trust by April 1992 have submitted formal applications. Others continue to arrive daily. They are as follows:

  Northern regional health authority

  Cleveland ambulance services

  Gateshead Community Unit

  Northgate Hospital, Northumberland

  North West Durham hospital and community unit

  North Tees acute and community services

  Royal Victoria and dental hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne

  South Tees acute hospital services

  Yorkshire regional health authority

  Airedale health services

  Bradford mental health and community services

  Northallerton health services

  York health services

  Trent regional health authority

  South Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance services

  Weston Park hospital, Sheffield

  East Anglian regional health authority

  East Suffolk community unit

  Huntington acute and Hinchingbrooke hospitals

  North West Thames regional health authority

  Barnet community health services

  Barnet and Edgware hospitals

  Northwick Park hospital

  Hillingdon community health unit

  North West Hertfordshire mental handicap unit

  South Bedfordshire community and mental health services

  Bedford general hospitals

  Luton and Dunstable hospital

  North East Thames regional health authority

  Essex ambulance services

  368

  North Essex healthcare

  North East Essex mental illness unit

  Royal London homoeopathic hospital

  Southend community care services

  Forest healthcare

  South East Thames regional health authority

  King's healthcare unit

  Dartford and Gravesham priority services

  Tunbridge Wells mental handicap unit

  Wessex regional health authority

  Bath district mental health unit

  Bournemouth and Christchurch acute unit

  Poole acute unit

  East Dorset community services

  Royal United hospital, Bath

  Wiltshire healthcare

  Avon and Somerset community unit

  Oxford regional health authority

  Aylesbury Vale priority services unit

  East Berkshire mental handicap unit

  Horton general hospital

  Milton Keynes acute and maternity services unit

  Milton Keynes community and mental health services unit

  West Berkshire mental handicap unit

  Heatherwood and Wexham park hospitals

  South Western regional health authority

  Royal Cornwall hospitals

  Frenchay acute and community services

  Southmead acute and community services

  Gloucester ambulance services

  Devon ambulance services

  Greater Bristol unit

  Exeter community services

  Mersey regional health authority

  Liverpool community and priority services

  Mersey regional ambulance services

  Mersey regional centre for neurosciences

  St. Helens and Knowsley community unit

  Southport acute unit

  North Western regional health authority

  Oldham acute and community services.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has decided not to proceed with any of the proposed national health service trusts which he has already announced.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide which of these hospitals and other units will be approved for trust status once he has fully examined their applications; considered the views expressed in the public consultation process; and is satisfied that they can fulfil the criteria for moving into trust status.

  Census
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement explaining the procedures under which the questions in the census form are determined; what is the specific purpose of various questions in the current census; and if he will take steps to ensure that future census forms take account of the right of privacy of individuals in society.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  An account of the consultation and testing procedures, the topics covered and the uses to which the statistics on each topic will be put is given
  369
  in paragraphs 9 to 23 of the White Paper 1991 Census of Population, Cm. 430, of July 1988, which set out the Government's proposals. An account is also given, at paragraph 24, of the topics that were considered but excluded as a result of the selection process.

  The importance of privacy is a prime consideration when assessing the public acceptability of census questions. This, and the need to keep the census form to an acceptable length, will continue to be key considerations in planning any future census, as will, of course, the need to keep private the personal information people put on their forms. The Census Act 1920 strengthened by the Census (Confidentiality) Act of earlier this year, gives legal protection to the confidentiality of personal census information.

  Northern RHAs
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number, size and nature of service increment for teaching and regional contracts placed with provider units by the Northern regional health authority for 1991–92.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally. The lion. Member may wish to contact Mr. Peter Carr, the chairman of Northern regional health authority for details.

  Haemophiliacs
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the settlement of the litigation by those haemophiliacs infected with HIV; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I am pleased to be able to announce that a formal offer conveying the detailed terms of' the settlement has now been made to the plaintiffs' representatives. The new trust, which will administer the payments, the Macfarlane (Special Payments) (No. 2) Trust, is being set up today.

  Payments can begin as soon as acceptances have been received from individual plaintiffs and the settlement has been approved by Mr. Justice Ognall. This should be within a few days.

  Full details of the payments to be made under the settlement will be given once those details have been announced in open court.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his proposals for regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of Health has published for consultation proposals for regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. It is proposed to bring these regulations into force on 1 August. The main provisions of the Act will come into force on that day, and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority will assume its full powers.

  The regulations will cover the composition of licence committees; licensing procedure; extension of the maximum storage period for gametes in specific circumstances; exemption from licence requirements for those keeping and examining gametes or embryos in
  370
  connection with the investigation of, or proceedings for, an offence; and for storage of gametes for purposes which are not intended to be controlled by the Act.

  The Department has also published for consultation proposals to ensure a smooth transition to the new licensing system. These do not form part of the regulations, but will be contained in a commencement order.

  The Department has sent proposals for these regulations to a wide range of professional bodies, relevant treatment and research centres and other interested organisations. I am arranging for copies to be available in the Vote Office. The Department will consider all comments received carefully in formulating the regulations which will be laid before Parliament.

  Infertility
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to lay regulations to bring the infertility treatment known as GIFT within statutory control.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government have no plans to take further steps to regulate GIFT at the moment, but we intend to keep this matter under review.

  Treatments subject to statutory control under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act include those which involve the creation of a human embryo outside the body and those which involve the use of donated or stored gametes or embryos. GIFT is not intended to secure the creation of an embryo outside the body. Where it involves the storage or donation of any gametes, GIFT will be subject to the licensing provision of the Act because it falls within the second category set out above. Thus provision already exists to safeguard those involved in treatment in these circumstances. But in other cases, for example, when the husband's sperm is used, it will not. Many centres offering GIFT will also have to be licensed under the Act because of other treatments they provide, for example, in-vitro fertilisation. This means that these centres will need to comply with the provisions of the Act and follow the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's code of practice.

  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking in respect of information about their donor parents for children born as a result of infertility treatment.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Regulations under section 31(4)(a) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 can require the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to give specified information at age 18 or later to an applicant born following treatment services involving the use of donated gametes.

  This raises profound issues which require wide-ranging consultation. We do not therefore propose to introduce regulations at this time, and donors will remain anonymous.

  Family Planning
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that all health authorities and national health service trusts follow the 1974 memorandum of guidance on family planning and make
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  male and female sterilisation operations available under the national health service, both for family planning and medical reasons.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The national health service management executive is writing to all regional health authority general managers about the provision of male and female sterilisation operations.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities and national health service trusts which do not make available male and female sterilisation operations under the national health service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 15 April at column 80.

  COMARE Investigations
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment is still investigating the possible causes of leukaemia and lymphatic cancer among under nine year olds living near nuclear establishments;

  (2) whether the findings of Dr. Gardner at Sellafield are part of the brief of COMARE.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Yes.

  Preliminary advice on Professor Gardner's findings from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment was published in the Official Report on 2 April 1990 at columns 430–34. In formulating further advice to Government, the Committee will take the results of Professor Gardner's study into consideration, along with the results of other studies, either completed, under way or planned.

  COMARE's work programme as at January 1990 was set out in the reply that my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) on 10 January 1990 at columns 662–63. COMARE is currently engaged in a review of the possible health effects of radioactive discharges from the Sellafield installation in the light of new data which has emerged since the committee reported on the position in west Cumbria in 1986.

  COMARE is expected to have completed this review by the middle of next year. Other major areas in COMARE's current and future work programme include the following:
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  i. the incidence of childhood cancer in the vicinity of Scottish nuclear sites, other than Dounreay;

  ii. consideration of the results of the case-control study of childhood cancer in the vicinity of Aldermaston and Burghfield, results expected in early 1992;

  iii. consideration of the results of other studies recommended in previous advice to Government;

  iv. consideration of the results of a major study of the geographical distribution of childhood cancer on a nationwide basis, results expected 1992;

  v. participation in a review of the evidence relating to the incidence of childhood cancer around nuclear installations, once the results of the geographical studies—see iv above—are available.

  Employment of Children
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he anticipates giving approval to city of Bradford metropolitan council byelaws, concerning the employment of children submitted on 25 October 1989; what are the reasons for the delay in the granting of approval; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Bradford metropolitan council's draft byelaws were resubmitted to the Department following earlier consideration and were received on 20 December 1990.

  Having considered the revision, the Department is now content with the draft byelaws and is writing to the council setting out further procedures it needs to follow.

  NHS Internal Market
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authority has responsibility under the national health service internal market for meeting the costs of travel, overnight accommodation and escorts when a patient from one health authority area is sent for treatment at a district hospital in another health authority area.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the new contracting arrangements, purchasers of health services—mainly district health authorities and fund holding GPs—will be responsible for meeting the costs of treatment given to their residents or patients; this will include the costs of ambulance transport—with an escort—if this is considered medically necessary. For other journeys, the hospital travel cost scheme provides full or partial reimbursement for the cost of travelling to hospital where patients are in receipt of income support or family credit; others on low income may also get help.