Written Answers of 10 May 1991

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  RECHAR
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to meet the requirements of the European Commissioner to allow additional spending with regard to RECHAR; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, for Northern Ireland, for Wales and for Scotland, and other Ministers, met Mr. Bruce Millan, European Commissioner with responsibility for regional policies, on 25 April to discuss issues relating to the Community's structural funds.

  The proposed RECHAR programmes of grants for United Kingdom coalfield areas were one of the subjects discussed. The meeting helped reduce the misunderstanding there has been about the additionality of Community grants. We remain in touch with the Commission and hope that agreement will now soon he reached to enable these useful programmes to proceed.

  Consumers' Deposits
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to ensure that deposits paid by consumers for goods or services are held in trust so that in the event of a company going into receivership, liquidation or bankruptcy. the deposit will be refunded to the consumer.

  Mr. Leigh
  We have no plans to introduce such legislation. The Government accepted the view of the Insolvency Law Review Committee that compulsory trust accounts would add to the costs and prices of businesses and would be detrimental to the interests of ordinary creditors. The Director General of Fair Trading is, however, continuing to keep this area under review, and we shall give careful consideration to any recommendations he may make.

  Stormseal
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make an application against Mike and Mark Sweeney, formerly directors of Stormseal and now directors of Sure Style, under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, having particular regard to any responsibility they may have had for the Stormseal company becoming insolvent.

  Mr. Redwood
  Stormseal UPVC Window Co. Ltd. was one of a group of six companies that went into administrative receivership on 4 January 1991 and were controlled by brothers Mark and Michael Sweeney. Subsequently on 27 March 1991 winding-up orders were made against Stormseal arid one other company Stirfront 596
  Ltd. and the official receiver at Manchester is dealing with their affairs. Both the administrative receiver and the official receiver have a responsibility under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 to consider the conduct of the directors and report any matters to the Secretary of State which they consider makes them unfit to be concerned in the management of a company.

  An initial report is required to be submitted within six months of the appointment of the administrative receiver, but it is understood that the complexity of the affairs of the Stormseal group makes it unlikely that a full report will be able to be prepared by June 1991. On receipt of the full reports from the administrative receiver and the official receiver, the Secretary of State will consider whether it is appropriate to apply for disqualification of the said directors or any other persons involved in the affairs of the group.

  National Film Commission
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to take a decision on the film industry's proposal for a national film commission.

  Mr. Leigh
  I am happy to announce that the Government have decided to invite Sydney Samuelson to establish a United Kingdom film commission to promote the United Kingdom as a place to make films and that the commission will receive grants from the DTI totalling £3·5 million over the next four years. The Department will discuss with the commission detailed terms and conditions.

  Industry Council
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the discussions which took place in the EC Industry Council on 29 April.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 7 May 1991]: The Industry Council meeting on 29 April, which Lord Hesketh attended for the United Kingdom, discussed Commission communications on the European electronics and information technology industry, the biotechnology industry and the future of the European Coal and Steel Community treaty. The Council also discussed Community policy on small and medium-sized enterprises and adopted a resolution reaffirming the Council's commitment to promoting the creation and development of small firms throughout the European Community.

  Post Office
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what proposals he has to privatise Post Office Counters Ltd;

  (2) what preparations Post Office Counters Ltd. is making for privatisation;

  (3) what representations he has received concerning the re-establishment of a sub-post office at Newhill, near Rotherham; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what is his policy on the provision of sub-post offices.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 8 May 1991]: The Government have made it clear on a number of occasions that we remain fully committed to the maintenance of a network of post offices adequate to enable the Post Office

  597
  to fulfil its statutory duty to have regard to economy and efficiency, and to the social, commercial and industrial needs of the United Kingdom. I am satisfied that in managing its network of post offices the Post Office is fully meeting these obligations.

  We have at present no plans for the privatisation of the Post Office. Girobank has been successfully transferred to the private sector, but no other decisions have been taken.

  It has been the policy of successive Governments since the establishment of the Post Office as a public corporation in 1969 that decisions concerning aspects of the day-to-day running of the postal business, such as those relating to the level of service provision available in particular areas, are the operational responsibility of the Post Office Board. The Government's role in Post Office matters is confined to broad issues of general policy and to matters of overall control.

  I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no representations concerning the re-establishment of a sub-post office at Newhill, Rotherham.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Zoological Society
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when grants were first made to the Zoological Society of London in connection with scientific research; what has been the total grant paid to date; and what is the proposed grant for the current financial year.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department of the Environment first provided funds specifically for the society's Institute of Zoology of £.1·3 million in 1988–89. Responsibility for public funding of the institute was transferred to my Department through the Universities Funding Council and the university of London in April 1989. The transfer was accompanied by an increase in public funding through the UFC in respect of the university of London of £1·3 million in the 1989–90 financial year and £1·4 million in the subsequent two financial years. The actual level of funding for the institute is strictly a matter for the university of London. In addition, the institute received grants from the research councils and the Royal Society of £0·5 million in 1989–90.

  Humanities (Postgraduate Studentships)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the recent change in the arrangements for the administration of the postgraduate state studentship scheme in the humanities.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Since 1984 the British Academy has administered the national scheme for postgraduate studentships in the humanities on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education and Science. Full responsibility for the scheme was transferred to the academy which, with effect from the beginning of this financial year, administers it in its own right. It continues to receive funds for this purpose from my Department.

WALES

  Regional Policy
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement following his discussion with the Commissioner for regional policy of the European Community held on 15 April.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and other ministerial colleagues, I met European Commissioner Millan on 25 April.

  We discussed a wide range of European structural fund matters. Commissioner Millan assured me that a decision on the Dyfed-Gwynedd-Powys integrated development operation programme would be made shortly.

  Quangos
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the individual appointments excluding casual vacancies he is scheduled to make to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992 indicating in each case the title of the post, the salary if any and the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The readily available information about the appointments for which I am responsible, a number of which will fall to be made in 1991 and 1992, is in "Public Bodies" and "Public Appointments: A Handbook for Women's Organisations", copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Schools Inspectorate
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to institute a review of Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Given the proposed changes in the education service, I think that this is an opportune moment to conduct an in-depth review of the role and structure of Her Majesty's inspectorate in Wales. I am putting in hand arrangements for such a review.

THE ARTS

  Paisley Pattern
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to fund a heritage centre to show the history of and to promote the sale of articles in the paisley pattern; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  I have no plans to fund such a heritage centre. My funding responsibility does not extend to museums in Scotland, where I assume that such a centre would be based.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Passport Service
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be in a position to reply to the correspondence of the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon requesting a passport for Mrs. Williams of Blaengwynfi, Port Talbot.
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  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I wrote to the right hon. and learned Gentleman about this matter on 22 January. Unfortunately, he does not appear to have received the letter. My office has now forwarded a further copy which I trust he has received.

  Gloucester Prison
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the ratio of prison staff to inmates at Gloucester prison for each of the last three years; and what was the comparable figure in the five prisons nearest to it in size.

  Officers per inmate

  1 April 1988

  1 April 1989

  1 April 1990

  1 April 1991

  Gloucester

  0·45

  0·45

  0·44

  0·48

  Bedford

  0·50

  0·54

  0·56

  0·68

  Shrewsbury

  0·33

  0·44

  0·42

  0·53

  Leicester1

  0·49

  0·54

  0·63

  0·70

  Reading

  0·40

  0·51

  0·56

  0·55

  Swansea

  0·39

  0·51

  0·57

  0·53

  1 Including special unit.

  Private Prisons
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he considers to be appropriate profit levels in privately run penal establishments.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend will take a view on what profit levels are appropriate when considering bids for the operation of Wolds remand prison. The profit level in any agreed contract would, however, be regarded as commercially confidential.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to provide for the proper training of managers, social workers and guards in privately run penal establishments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The director and other custodial staff of any contracted-out prison would require training to a level specifically approved by my right hon. Friend. The training requirement for Wolds remand prison is set out in schedule 3(b ) of the tender documents and is available in the Library. Any social workers engaged by contractors would require the qualifications of their profession.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners he expects to be situated in privately run penal establishments by 31 December 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  On present plans the management of Wolds remand prison, which will hold some 300 prisoners, would be contracted out in 1992. No decisions have yet been taken about any extension of contracting out. Any such proposals would be subject to parliamentary approval in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill.

  River Tweed (Boats)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any proposals for bye-laws to be confirmed relating to the launching of boats in the River Tweed in the borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
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  Mrs. Rumbold
  On 1 April 1991, the ratio of prison officers to inmates in local prisons, including principal and senior officers but excluding female establishments, ranged from 0·34 to 0·71 officers per inmate. This variation reflects differences in workload, scale and the particular facilities contained in establishments.

  Over the past three years, the ratios at Her Majesty's Prison Gloucester and at the five local prisons nearest to it in size, by number of inmates, were as follows:

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No.

  Haslar Project
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons he has withdrawn the Home Office grant for the Haslar project concerned with refugees.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 3 May at column 340.

  Somalis
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the Merseyside immigration unit to discuss the number of Somalis who are seeking to join their family in Liverpool.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend and I do not consider that a meeting at this time would be productive. If there are any particular problems of concern to the Merseyside immigration and advice unit, we should be happy to consider any written representation it wishes to make.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Somali citizens are seeking settlement in(a) Liverpool and (b) Merseyside at the latest date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is of the number of Somali nationals granted settlement in the United Kingdom, figures for which are published in table 15 of the Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1989"—Cmnd. 1124—a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average waiting time for Somali refugees to join their relatives in Liverpool at the most recent date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The average time between receipt of an application in the asylum division and a decision is 16 months.
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  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to improve replies from Lunar house to solicitors and community bodies concerning Somalis seeking settlement in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Because of very large-scale increases in the number of asylum applications from Somalis and other nationalities and the concession operated by the Government for Somalis seeking to join their families in this country, a large amount of work continues to be generated in the asylum division of the immigration and nationality department. On 26 April my right hon. Friend announced a nearly fivefold increase in staff resources for this division. It will take time to recruit and train such a large number of additional staff, but I would expect that in due course decisions will be able to be taken more quickly than at present.

  Breathalysers
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions, advice or other forms of commercial or contractual restrictions have been issued by his Department to the manufacturers or distributors of breathalysers in the United Kingdom on the retail supply of such devices to the public; and if he will list the respective authorities on which they are based.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No such instructions have been issued.

  Asylum
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (I) if he will list by nationality the numbers of nationals seeking asylum in the United Kingdom whose applications have been outstanding for(a) one month, (b) six months, (c) 12 months, (d) 18 months and (e) 24 months; and, of these, how many are in detention;

  (2) if he will list the number of asylum seekers by nationality detained at (a) Hardmondsworth, (b) Haslar and (c) HM prisons for a period in excess of (i) one month, (ii) two months, (iii) three months, (iv) four months, (v) five months, (vi) six months and (vii) seven months.

  Table B: Asylum applicants detained1, by nationality, place of detention and length of detention

  Number of persons

  Nationality

  Harmondsworth1

  Haslar2

  Her Majesty's prisons2

  Total

  (i) Detained for between one and two months

  Angolan

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Bangladeshi

  5

  —

  7

  12

  Colombian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Gambian

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Ghanaian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Indian

  —

  1

  4

  5

  Nigerian

  1

  —

  1

  2

  Pakistani

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Turkish

  —

  1

  6

  7

  Zairois

  —

  1

  1

  2

  Nationality doubtful

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  8

  5

  23

  36

  (ii) Detained for between two and three months

  Albanian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Angolan

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Bangladeshi

  5

  —

  1

  6

  602
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 1 May 1991]: A breakdown by nationality of the number of asylum applications which have currently been awaiting a decision for less than 12 months is not readily available because of delays in recording. Approximate estimates of applications awaiting a decision for between 12 and 24 months are given in table A. Reliable information on cases outstanding for more than 24 months is not available.

  Available information on asylum applicants detained is given in table B. No applicants currently detained have been in detention for more than 18 months.

  Table A

  Approximate estimates1 2 of asylum applicants awaiting a decision in the United Kingdom for between 12 and 24 months, by nationality and length of time outstanding

  Number of persons

  Outstanding for between 12 and 18 months3

  Outstanding for between 18 and 24 months3

  Angolan

  160

  110

  Bangladeshi

  10

  *

  Colombian

  20

  5

  Czechoslovakian

  *

  15

  Ethiopian

  220

  155

  Ghanaian

  320

  150

  Indian

  555

  280

  Iranian

  65

  95

  Iraqi

  50

  35

  Lebanese

  10

  5

  Libyan

  *

  10

  Pakistani

  280

  40

  Polish

  5

  10

  Seychellois

  10

  10

  Somalian

  125

  150

  South African

  10

  5

  Sri Lankan

  1,415

  650

  Sudanese

  95

  60

  Turkish

  210

  345

  Ugandan

  465

  250

  Zairois

  750

  270

  Other and unknown nationality

  210

  170

  GRAND TOTAL

  4,990

  2,810

  1 As at 26 April 1991. Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with '*' = less than 3.

  2 Including associated dependants.

  3 Figures for African countries may understate because of delays in recording applications: those for other countries may overstate, because of under-recording of decisions made earlier.

  603

  Nationality

  Harmondsworth2

  Haslar2

  Her Majesty's prisons2

  Total

  Colombian

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Ethiopian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Ghanaian

  8

  3

  —

  11

  Guyanan

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Indian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Iraqi

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Nigerian

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Turkish

  —

  1

  2

  3

  Zairois

  2

  1

  —

  3

  Total

  17

  11

  4

  32

  (iii) Detained for between three and four months

  Algerian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Angolan

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Bulgarian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Egyptian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Ghanaian

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Indian

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Iranian

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Lebanese

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Romanian

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Sri Lankan

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Turkish

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  3

  3

  8

  14

  (iv) Detained for between four and five months

  Algerian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Angolan

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Ghanaian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Turkish

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Zairois

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Total

  1

  2

  3

  6

  (v) Detained for between five and six months

  Ghanaian

  —

  —

  6

  6

  Indian

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Nigerian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  —

  1

  7

  8

  (vi) Detained for between six and seven months

  Bangladeshi

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Ghanaian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Pakistani

  1

  —

  1

  2

  Zairois

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Total

  2

  3

  2

  7

  (vii) Detained for between seven and twelve months

  Angolan

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Colombian

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Ghanaian

  —

  5

  —

  5

  Jordanian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Turkish

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Zairois

  1

  1

  4

  6

  Total

  2

  10

  4

  16

  (viii) Detained for longer than twelve months

  Ghanaian

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1Persons detained, as at 26 April 1991, solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. In some cases the asylum application will have been lodged subsequent to the applicant being detained. The figures include both detained asylum applicants who applied at ports, and those detained in after-entry enforcement work. For the latter, the figures exclude persons whose asylum application was refused but who remained in detention.

  2Any asylum applicant detained for longer than one month is held in one of these locations.

  604

  Football Licensing Authority
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many administrative staff are currently in post at the Football Licensing Authority; how many more administrative staff it is planned to appoint; and what will be the time scale of such appointments.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 8 May 1991]: The number of staff employed by the Football Licensing Authority is a matter entirely within the authority's own discretion. I understand, however, that seven administrative staff are currently in post, and that, while there are no current plans to increase that number, the position will be kept under review.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Director of Works
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed as representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been paid to headhunters Saxton Bampfylde for the process of selecting a Director of Works for the Palace of Westminster.

  Mr. Beith
  £20,871·86.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visit
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to make an official visit to the Paisley, South constituency; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no immediate plans to do so. I am visiting Scotland today to attend the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Association conference.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to meet representatives of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) on 18 April 1991 at columns 568–69.

  Press Office
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the criteria used to govern the activities of his press office; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  My press office operates under the same rules as govern the activities of other civil servants—namely, the civil service pay and conditions of service code and the December 1987 Armstrong note on the duties and responsibilities of civil servants in relation to Ministers. Information officers are involved, as a proper part of their duties, in the processes of presentation of Government policies and decisions.

  Economic Regions
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) which Minister is responsible for keeping under review the relevance of the boundaries of the economic regions; and what is the procedure for altering those boundaries;

  (2) whether he will publish a table showing which departments (a) collect or publish statistics based on the economic regions and (b) allocate grants, wholly or in part, on a regional basis, using the economic regions for such allocations, and statistics based on such regions.

  The Prime Minister
  In considering any proposal to alter the boundaries of the 11 standard regions of the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State for the Environment would take the lead in consultation with colleagues.

  A large number of Departments collect or publish statistics based on standard regions. "Regional Trends 25" (HMSO) brings together a very wide range of such statistics and attributes them to the appropriate departmental sources. It is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Grants are not allocated, wholly or in part, on the basis of standard regions in England.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the recent Antarctic meeting in Madrid.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government warmly welcome the outcome of the Madrid meeting and hope that the draft protocol tabled there will provide the basis for the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment which has always been the Government's objective.

  Of particular importance are the provisions for a ban on mineral activity for 50 years, and mechanisms for a review of the ban after 50 years, or before if everyone agrees. The results of these provisions would be that there can never be mining in Antarctica unless all the present consultative parties agree.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show the number of persons employed by the Northern Ireland Office in Northern Ireland and the areas of Northern Ireland from which they are drawn, the number of Roman Catholics, the number of Protestants and the number of others and the religious composition of the population of the areas from which the persons are drawn between the ages of 18 and 64 years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A significant proportion of the home civil service staff employed in the Northern Ireland Office in Northern Ireland are from Great Britain. They were educated outside Northern Ireland and their community background has not been determined. It would not be appropriate to provide the information sought.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show the number of persons employed by the civil service in Northern Ireland, the areas of Northern Ireland from
  607
  which they are drawn, the number of Roman Catholics, the number of Protestants and the number of others, the religious composition of the areas from which they are drawn in the age group 18 to 64 years and the religious composition of the Northern Ireland population in the same age group.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The numbers and composition in terms of the community background of Northern Ireland civil servants are given in a regular series of reports issued by the Northern Ireland civil service's equal opportunities unit, the most recent of which was published during October 1989. Copies of this and the two previous reports are in the Library.

  The third report, besides giving information about the numbers and community background of Northern Ireland civil servants, also gave an estimate as to labour availability. For this it drew on the continuous household survey for the years 1985 to 1987 regarding economically active persons aged 16 and over. Details for the age group 18 to 64 are not readily available. The table gives the relevant information.

  Percentage Protestant

  Percentage Roman Catholic

  Percentage Others

  Northern Ireland Civil Service

  55·3

  34·5

  10·2

  Economically active population estimate

  60·9

  35·5

  3·6

  In the main, the Northern Ireland civil service recruits on a Northern Ireland basis. The community background of successful candidates plays no part in determining where such candidates are posted. For this reason, it has not been considered appropriate to monitor applications and/or appointments other than on a Northern Ireland basis. Information regarding the community background of staff based on the areas of Northern Ireland from which they are drawn is not therefore available. Such analyses could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cambodia (Peace Plan)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on additions to the permanent five peace plan for Cambodia, proposed recently by Japan.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We welcome Japan's active involvement in the peace process. We are carefully considering the Japanese proposals concerning the ceasefire arrangements and measures to prevent the recurrence of genocide, although both the state of Cambodia and China have expressed reservations.

TRANSPORT

  Breathalysers
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now take steps to permit and encourage the advertising and retail sale of self-testing breathalyser devices and procedures.
  608
  Mr. Chope
  Those wishing to advertise and sell self-testing breathalyser devices are free to do so. As in any commercial endeavour, the demands of the marketplace are likely to provide the most effective form of encouragement.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Solicitors Complaints Bureau
  Mr. John Townend
  To ask the Attorney-General how many complaints have been received about the legal profession from judges, lawyers, members of the public and the lay observer during the past 12 months; and what assessments he has made of the efficiency of the Solicitors Complaints Bureau.

  The Attorney-General
  This information is not available in the form requested. The responsibility for any assessment of the efficiency of the Solicitors Complaints Bureau lies with the Law Society.

  The Government responded to disquiet about the handling of complaints about the legal profession by establishing under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 the office of Legal Services Ombudsman, to be independent of government and the profession, and to have a wider range of powers than the lay observer whom he replaced. The Legal Services Ombudsman will present an annual report to the Lord Chancellor which will be laid before Parliament.

DEFENCE

  Efficiency Exercise Incentive Scheme
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he has issued on the uses to which money awarded under the Department's efficiency exercise incentive scheme can be put; and how the expenditure of such moneys is monitored.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Guidance was issued to management areas about the way money awarded under the Department's trial efficiency incentive scheme was to be used. The guidelines stated that the scheme was intended to provide as much flexibility as possible on the type of project on which a management area chose to spend its reward, provided that the project did not breach Treasury guidelines and complied with departmental instructions on propriety and value for money; and that the project should benefit the defence community as a whole and/or contribute to its future efficiency. Proposals for projects on which management areas wished to spend their rewards were required to be approved by the relevant service executive committee member, commander-in-chief or the chief of defence procurement, and also by the relevant senior finance officer. Details were reported to a central point where the expenditure could be monitored against the sums awarded.

  NATO
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how and when he expects to make known to the House the results of NATO's review of its role, force levels and the deployment of allied forces in Europe, following the end of the cold war and east-west agreement on conventional forces.
  609
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Work on NATO's strategy review is continuing. We will keep the House informed.

  NGOs (Appointments)
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the individual appointments excluding casual vacancies he is scheduled to make to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992 indicating in each case the title of the post, the salary if any and the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to "Public Bodies 1990" issued by the office of the Minister for the Civil Service in December 1990; pages 12 to 14 list Ministry of Defence appointments. Relevant information is also in "Public Appointments: a Handbook for Women's Organisations", pages 31 to 37, published by the Women's National Commission. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  Buccaneer and Tornado Aircraft
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, on completion of his assessment of the performance of RAF equipment in Operation Desert Storm, he will make a statement on the operational benefits, including target identification and accuracy, of Buccaneer and Tornado aircraft working together.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The performance of all aircraft and equipment used in the Gulf is still being evaluated. We have not yet decided how the results of this work might he made public.

  Sea King Helicopters
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to order Sea King helicopters to replace or supplement older helicopters in the search and rescue role; and when he will announce his decision on replacement search and rescue aircraft.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Although the Wessex continues to make a valuable contribution to the search and rescue service, we are examining the case for its replacement as part of the MOD's normal equipment planning process. An announcement will be made once a decision is taken.

HEALTH

  Cryptosporidiosis
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current incidence of cryptosporidiosis in the Battersea area.

  Mr. Dorrell
  An increased number of cases of cryptosporidiosis has been reported from the Wandsworth area. A detailed investigation into the cause of the increase is being conducted by the local consultant in communicable disease control with the support of the Public Health Laboratory Service.

  Severely Disabled People
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with representatives from disability organisations on the need to secure future local authority payments to severely disabled people to enable them to make their own personal assistance arrangements.
  610
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have had several such discussions, most recently at a meeting with the Spinal Injuries Association in March.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is still his policy to retain the legal prohibition on local authorities from making payments to severely disabled people to employ their own personal care assistants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  During the passage of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, the Government gave careful consideration to an amendment to allow local authorities to make payments direct to those in need of services, but decided not to do so because of the difficulties in determining which clients would be eligible for direct payments and in controlling costs. However, our guidance stresses the need for disabled people to be fully involved in decisions about the care which they need and points out that there is no reason why a disabled person who wants to have day-to-day management of his or her carers should not do so.

  Hip Fractures
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of hospital episodes for hip fractures distinguishing between men and women, and women aged over 75 years nationally and in each health authority region, in each year since 1980; and what is his estimate of the total annual national cost of these procedures.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 30 April 1991]: Information is given in the table about the estimated numbers of discharges and deaths from 1980 to 1985 and finished consultant episodes between 1987–88 and 1989–90 for hip fractures. Information is not available centrally on the total annual national cost of these procedures.

  Estimated numbers of discharges and deaths (1980 to 1985) and finished consultant episodes (1987–88 to 1989–90)

  where principal diagnosis was ICD 820: Fracture of neck or femur by RHA of residence

  1980

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  8,750

  21,874

  30,511

  Northern

  698

  1,212

  1,797

  Yorkshire

  637

  1,766

  2,362

  Trent

  965

  2,352

  2,968

  East Anglia

  370

  791

  1,130

  North West Thames

  513

  1,119

  1,736

  North East Thames

  709

  1,715

  2,270

  South East Thames

  750

  2,136

  2,845

  South West Thames

  606

  1,766

  2,331

  Wessex

  462

  1,469

  1,920

  Oxford

  308

  637

  1,027

  South Western

  606

  2,105

  2,896

  West Midlands

  924

  2,300

  3,420

  Mersey

  257

  791

  1,253

  North Western

  945

  1,715

  2,557

  1981

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  8,904

  22,409

  30,670

  Northern

  541

  1,234

  1,846

  Yorkshire

  663

  1,897

  2,499

  Trent

  918

  2,601

  3,346

  East Anglia

  275

  949

  1,224

  611

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  North West Thames

  592

  1,010

  1,469

  North East Thames

  704

  1,683

  2,244

  South East Thames

  877

  2,152

  2,887

  South West Thames

  592

  1,703

  2,275

  Wessex

  581

  1,387

  1,805

  Oxford

  214

  918

  1,244

  South Western

  571

  1,703

  2,295

  West Midlands

  989

  2,346

  3,335

  Mersey

  530

  969

  1,397

  North Western

  857

  1,856

  2,805

  1982

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  8,994

  23,095

  31,835

  Northern

  590

  1,516

  2,218

  Yorkshire

  743

  1,913

  2,686

  Trent

  1,119

  2,452

  3,256

  East Anglia

  346

  987

  1,445

  North West Thames

  539

  1,302

  1,811

  North East Thames

  733

  1,608

  2,320

  South East Thames

  804

  2,035

  2,706

  South West Thames

  712

  1,852

  2,381

  Wessex

  366

  1,292

  1,923

  Oxford

  315

  926

  1,201

  South Western

  529

  1,730

  2,269

  West Midlands

  1,058

  2,635

  3,602

  Mersey

  387

  997

  1,424

  North Western

  753

  1,852

  2,594

  1983

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  9,157

  24,277

  33,032

  Northern

  494

  1,483

  2,235

  Yorkshire

  834

  2,122

  2,719

  Trent

  1,123

  2,709

  3,708

  East Anglia

  309

  1,236

  1,710

  North West Thames

  474

  1,277

  1,720

  North East Thames

  721

  1,813

  2,575

  South East Thames

  772

  2,070

  2,812

  South West Thames

  505

  1,648

  2,163

  Wessex

  556

  1,514

  2,029

  Oxford

  288

  834

  1,009

  South Western

  814

  1,936

  2,482

  West Midlands

  1,112

  2,297

  3,389

  Mersey

  546

  1,092

  1,483

  North Western

  608

  2,245

  2,997

  1984

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  8,450

  25,256

  33,541

  Northern

  596

  1,521

  2,107

  Yorkshire

  555

  1,943

  2,631

  Trent

  802

  2,703

  3,454

  East Anglia

  493

  1,203

  1,562

  North West Thames

  473

  1,511

  2,015

  North East Thames

  514

  1,953

  2,601

  South East Thames

  586

  2,446

  3,094

  South West Thames

  565

  1,758

  2,292

  Wessex

  545

  1,614

  2,087

  Oxford

  319

  730

  1,038

  South Western

  555

  2,015

  2,703

  West Midlands

  1,182

  2,344

  3,392

  Mersey

  411

  1,367

  1,747

  North Western

  853

  2,148

  2,817

  612

  1985

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  9,700

  26,272

  34,703

  Northern

  609

  1,496

  2,177

  Yorkshire

  867

  2,301

  3,106

  Trent

  939

  2,827

  3,508

  East Anglia

  351

  1,125

  1,538

  North West Thames

  578

  1,269

  1,847

  North East Thames

  887

  2,023

  2,590

  South East Thames

  640

  2,353

  3,106

  South West Thames

  702

  1,713

  2,270

  Wessex

  609

  1,507

  1,981

  Oxford

  258

  929

  1,218

  South Western

  774

  2,126

  2,745

  West Midlands

  1,218

  3,085

  3,890

  Mersey

  454

  1,383

  1,744

  North Western

  815

  2,136

  2,982

  1987–881

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  9,055

  25,049

  32,707

  1988–89

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  8,677

  25,722

  33,371

  Northern

  513

  1,309

  1,702

  Yorkshire

  514

  1,462

  1,936

  Trent

  989

  2,506

  3,215

  East Anglia

  388

  1,173

  1,464

  North West Thames

  572

  1,824

  2,369

  North East Thames

  678

  2,027

  2,750

  South East Thames

  772

  2,298

  2,839

  South West Thames

  535

  1,829

  2,329

  Wessex

  575

  2,263

  2,779

  Oxford

  252

  878

  1,235

  South Western

  840

  2,697

  3,354

  West Midlands

  825

  2,306

  3,078

  Mersey

  463

  1,252

  1,646

  North Western

  765

  2,264

  3,047

  1989–90

  Male

  Female

  All ages

  Over 75

  All ages

  England

  10,303

  30,295

  38,622

  Northern

  752

  1,919

  2,515

  Yorkshire

  627

  1,944

  2,478

  Trent

  939

  3,022

  3,832

  East Anglia

  491

  1,366

  1,780

  North West Thames

  782

  2,177

  2,846

  North East Thames

  940

  2,467

  3,210

  South East Thames

  800

  3,146

  3,848

  South West Thames

  608

  2,174

  2,623

  Wessex

  725

  2,660

  3,304

  Oxford

  390

  1,094

  1,381

  South Western

  767

  2,014

  2,424

  West Midlands

  953

  2,837

  3,588

  Mersey

  574

  1,477

  1,940

  North Western

  1,000

  2,229

  2,917

  1 Data for 1987–88 are not available centrally by region of residence.

  Notes:

  Date for 1986 are not available.

  The figures for 1987–88 onwards are provisional estimates based on incomplete date and may be subject to revision when ongoing analysis has been completed.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Claims
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current figures in(a) numbers and (b) time involved in waiting for claims to be dealt with; and what were the figures 12 months ago.

  Month ending 31 March 1991

  Month ending 31 March 1990

  Benefit

  Number received

  Average clearance (days)1

  Number received

  Average clearance (days)1

  Income support

  352,299

  5

  298,705

  5

  Sickness/Invalidity

  88,867

  8

  90,391

  9

  Retirement pension

  47,128

  19

  46,407

  21

  Family credit

  81,696

  73 per cent, within 20 days

  77,694

  —

  Invalid care allowance

  5,683

  35

  5,342

  40

  Severe disablement allowance

  764

  32

  707

  32

  War disablement pension

  3,277

  37 per cent, within 125 days

  3,573

  36 per cent, within 125 days

  War widows pension

  508

  63 per cent. within 50 days

  401

  64 per cent, within 50 days

  Attendance allowance

  39,264

  42

  39,208

  42

  Mobility allowance

  21,079

  50

  23,916

  35

  Child benefit straightforward claims

  37,431

  96 per cent, within 5 days

  42,879

  100 per cent, within 5 days

  non-straightforward claims

  27,152

  82 per cent, within 16 days

  30,495

  95 per cent, within 16 days

  One parent benefit

  15,650

  85 per cent, within 12 days

  17,438

  93 per cent. within 12 days

  1 Rounded.

  Quarter ending 31 March 1991

  Quarter ending 31 March 1990

  Benefit

  Number received

  Average clearance (days)1

  Number received

  Average clearance (days)1

  Widows benefit

  14,994

  15

  15,984

  15

  Maternity allowance

  27,611

  10

  31,377

  12

  1 Rounded.

  Quangos
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the individual appointments excluding casual vacancies he is scheduled to make to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992 indicating in each case the title of the post, the salary if any and the duration of the appointment.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The readily available information about the appointments for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is responsible, a number of which fall to be made in 1991 and 1992, is given in "Public Bodies" and "Public Appointments: A Handbook for Women's Organisations", copies of which are in the Library.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate how many mortgages supported by DSS interest payments total (i) over £700,000, (ii) £600,000 to £700,000, (iii) £500,000 to £600,000,
  614
  Miss Widdecombe
  The total number of claims received and the average clearance time for the month or quarter ending 31 March, and the comparable figures for March 1990 are in the table.

  (iv) £400,000 to £500,000, (v) £300,000 to £400,000, (vi) £200,000 to £300,000, (vii) £100,000 to £200,000, (viii) £50,000 to £100,000 and (ix) under £50,000; what is the average weekly interest paid by the DSS in each band; and what is the total DSS payment of interest for each band.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information is not collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information about the amount of weekly loan interest included in the assessment of income support is collected and is published in the income support annual statistical enquiry. A copy of the 1989 enquiry is in the Library; the 1990 enquiry will be available shortly.

  Residential Care Allowance
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the level of funding provided by way of the residential care allowance.
  615
  Miss Widdecombe
  The estimated annual expenditure on income support for claimants in residential care at August 1990 was £772 million, excluding nursing homes.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the adequacy of residential care allowances.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A number of representations have been received recently both from individuals and representative bodies.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he takes to monitor the impact on rent levels and the number of tenancies in the private, housing association and local authority sectors of the residential care allowance.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The higher income support limits for people in residential care homes are based on costs of care, not on charges by the homes or on housing costs and occupancy rates prevailing in the community as a whole. Residents in local authority homes do not receive the higher income support levels of benefit.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for cold weather payments have been received by his Department since 1 January; and how many claims were (i) approved, (ii) refused and (iii) still outstanding at 30 April.

  Industrial disablement pensions assessments current at 31 March 1990

  Males

  Percentage all assessment

  Total all ages

  101

  201

  30

  40

  50

  60

  70

  80

  90

  100

  All ages

  167,940

  13,180

  67,580

  41,370

  19,960

  9,980

  6,240

  3,140

  2,180

  860

  3,450

  Under 18

  30

  —

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18–19

  290

  —

  170

  30

  70

  10

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20–24

  1,480

  —

  920

  220

  160

  60

  50

  10

  30

  10

  20

  25–29

  3,120

  20

  1,710

  770

  250

  100

  110

  60

  10

  10

  80

  30–34

  5,170

  70

  2,710

  1,290

  470

  190

  170

  80

  30

  20

  140

  35–39

  6,880

  110

  3,420

  1,670

  650

  370

  230

  130

  80

  70

  150

  40–44

  10,850

  260

  5,030

  2,720

  1,210

  550

  360

  260

  150

  70

  240

  45–49

  13,670

  410

  5,840

  3,340

  1,820

  900

  500

  170

  240

  80

  370

  50–54

  17,170

  870

  7,380

  4,180

  2,100

  1,000

  520

  330

  170

  100

  520

  55–59

  20,150

  1,240

  8,030

  5,570

  2,550

  1,150

  700

  350

  230

  10

  320

  60–64

  25,030

  2,250

  9,640

  6,190

  3,410

  1,360

  910

  420

  370

  100

  380

  65–69

  25,480

  2,730

  9,320

  6,420

  2,920

  1,670

  990

  490

  370

  150

  420

  70–74

  17,510

  2,190

  6,060

  3,910

  2,070

  1,300

  830

  500

  250

  120

  280

  75–79

  12,450

  1,720

  4,250

  3,080

  1,350

  900

  500

  160

  140

  90

  260

  80–84

  6,150

  830

  2,100

  1,410

  790

  290

  310

  130

  80

  20

  190

  85 and over

  2,510

  480

  970

  570

  140

  130

  50

  50

  30

  10

  80

  Females

  Percentage all assessment

  Total all ages

  101

  201

  30

  40

  50

  60

  70

  80

  90

  100

  All ages

  22,740

  2,000

  11,460

  5,040

  1,890

  1,120

  650

  280

  120

  50

  130

  Under 18

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18–19

  30

  —

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20–24

  260

  —

  190

  50

  10

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25–29

  450

  —

  370

  30

  20

  10

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30–34

  580

  30

  330

  150

  40

  20

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  35–39

  980

  30

  560

  170

  110

  50

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40–44

  1,610

  80

  970

  340

  90

  50

  50

  10

  —

  10

  10

  45–49

  2,150

  120

  1,150

  420

  200

  130

  60

  30

  10

  —

  30

  50–54

  2,610

  140

  1,510

  540

  140

  140

  80

  40

  10

  10

  —

  55–59

  3,100

  200

  1,750

  630

  200

  170

  40

  30

  20

  —

  10

  60–64

  2,920

  390

  1,360

  540

  260

  180

  110

  20

  40

  —

  20

  65–69

  2,580

  330

  1,140

  630

  270

  70

  40

  50

  20

  10

  20

  616
  Mr. Scott
  The information will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available.

  Gulf: Crisis Loans
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Shettleston's letters of 7 March and 14 April regarding the Gulf crisis: crisis loans.

  Mr. Jack
  I apologise for the delay in the Department not replying sooner to the hon. Member's letters. Following receipt of the letters, work has been undertaken to fully examine the circumstances of the hon. Member's constituent, and to recheck the information given in the reply he received from the local office manager on 29 January. The case has a number of factors which are being given careful consideration, but inquiries should shortly be completed and a reply will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Disablement Benefits
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were receiving industrial disablement at each rate at the last date for which figures are available; and if he will break down the figures by sex and standard age cohorts.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 1 May 1991]: The information is in the table.
  617

  Percentage all assessment

  Total all ages

  101

  201

  30

  40

  50

  60

  70

  80

  90

  100

  70–74

  1,860

  280

  640

  600

  130

  70

  80

  40

  —

  —

  20

  75–79

  1,670

  190

  700

  450

  160

  90

  40

  10

  10

  10

  10

  80–84

  1,250

  100

  550

  310

  160

  60

  20

  40

  —

  —

  10

  85 and over

  690

  110

  210

  130

  100

  80

  30

  10

  10

  10

  —

  1 10,200 beneficiaries with disablements of between one and nineteen per cent, receive disablement pensions. Those of 1–13 per cent, are included at 10 per cent, and those of 14–19 per cent, are included at 20 per cent.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxation
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will indicate for the last year for which figures are available, how much was collected in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Scotland in respect of (i) income tax, showing PAYE separately, (ii) national insurance, (iii) value added tax, (iv) capital gains tax, (v) capital transfer tax, (vi) stamp duty on conveyancing, (vii) other stamp duty, (viii) inheritance tax, (ix) road tax on private vehicles and commercial vehicles separately, (x) duty on alcohol, (xi) duty on tobacco, (xii) duty on petrol and (xiii) duty on purchase of new vehicles.

  Mr. Maude

  (i) No information is available on total income tax or PAYE collected in Northern Ireland and Scotland, but total income tax liabilities in 1987–88, the latest available year, were estimated to be £3·4 billion for taxpayers resident in Scotland and £0·8 billion for Northern Ireland residents.

  (ii) National insurance receipts from Northern Ireland were £574 million in 1989–90. No figures are available for Scotland.

  (iv) No information available for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  (v) and

  (viii) Provisional estimates of receipts of estate duty, capital transfer tax and inheritance tax in 1990–91 are £74 million for Scotland and £18 million for Northern Ireland.

  (vi) Stamp duty on conveyancing received by the Edinburgh Stamp Office in 1990–91 was £62 million and the corresponding amount for the Belfast Stamp Office was £8 million.

  (vii) No information available for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  (ix) Estimates for Vehicle Excise Duty revenue in 1989–90 are as follows:

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  £ million

  £ million

  Total

  230

  65

  Private, light goods vehicles and motorcycles

  175

  50

  Others

  55

  15

  Note: Figures are rounded to nearest £5 million

  Information on the tax collected in Northern Ireland and Scotland in respect of value added tax, car duty on alcohol, tobacco and petrol could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information would not reflect the tax falling on final expenditure in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  VAT (Hospices)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the recent increase in value added tax on hospices with charity status.
  618
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that detailed information of this sort is not readily available.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on value added tax rating release for hospices with charity status.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  There is a wide range of VAT reliefs designed to assist charities such as hospices with their caring work.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any proposals to reduce the burden of value added tax falling on caring charities such as hospices.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No. Charities, including hospices, already benefit from a wide range of VAT reliefs, as well as direct tax reliefs.

  Income Levels
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update to April 1991 the information on net earnings provided in the answer to the then hon. Member for Fulham of 10 February 1987,Official Report, columns 177–78.

  Mr. Maude
  Estimates of the levels of earnings for the top 5 per cent. of earners are not published. The information in the table is based on estimates of these levels derived from distributions of earnings published in the relevant new earnings surveys. Information for April 1991 is not yet available. Earnings levels are for men or women as appropriate paid at adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. Taxpayers are assumed to have no reliefs or allowances other than the appropriate personal allowance.

  Earnings after Income Tax, National Insurance Contributions1 and Child Benefit (£ per week)

  4 April 1979

  April 1990

  Single man

  At current prices

  114·17

  403·75

  At constant April 1990 prices2

  263·03

  403·75

  Married man3

  At current prices

  117·98

  416·98

  At constant April 1990 prices2

  271·81

  416·98

  Married man3 with two children under 11

  At current prices

  125·98

  431·48

  At constant April 1990 prices2

  290·24

  431·48

  Single woman

  At current prices

  72·23

  262·92

  At constant April 1990 prices2

  166·41

  262·92

  1 At the contracted in rate.

  2 By reference to the retail price index.

  3 Assuming no wife's earnings.

  4 Under the April 1979 tax/benefit regime.

  Quangos
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the individual appointments excluding casual vacancies he is scheduled to make to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992 indicating in each case the title of the post, the salary if any and the duration of the appointment.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  During 1991 the Chancellor is scheduled to appoint or reappoint five members of the National Economic Development Council and a further 15 during 1992. Appointments are for two years and no salary is paid.

  In February the Queen, on the recommendation of the Chancellor, appointed five members to the Royal Mint Advisory Committee and during 1992 the Chancellor is scheduled to recommend up to four more appointments. Appointments are for seven years and no salary is paid.

  Central Unit on Purchasing
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of savings achieved by the central unit on purchasing in each year since 1986.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The central unit on purchasing is an advisory unit responsible for encouraging best procurement practice in central Government Departments. It, therefore, has no executive purchasing responsibilities. However, since the formation of CUP and the start of the Government purchasing initiative in 1986, Departments collectively have achieved savings in excess of £1·3 billion. Detailed figures on departmental savings are set out in CU P's annual reports to the Prime Minister, copies of which are available in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the authorities 'which have a higher spending above standard spending assessment but have a lower council tax than Grimsby; and if he will set out the reasons for the difference in each case;

  (2) further to his answer of 29 April, Official Report, column 13, if he will list each district where most households are in band B in order of the district's divergence from the standard spending assessment. with the estimated council tax for band B in each district;

  (3) further to his answer of 29 April, Official Report, column 13, if he will list each district in order of its percentage increase in spending above its standard spending assessment, showing its correlation with its position in rank order of level of council tax;

  (4) if he will publish the correlation, and its statistical significance, between the level of council tax in band B for a two-person household in all districts with (a) the percentage spending of the district over or under standard spending assessment, (b) the band of the average value home in that district, (c) the percentage of homes in band A in that district and (d) the level of unemployment in each district according to the latest available figures.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 April 1991 to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) at column 12.

  Property Values
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing nationally and by regions the average and quintile amounts in income per head and property values together with the percentage deviation in each region from the national average.

  Mr. Key
  The information requested is not available.

  House Prices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (i) the outturn of average dwelling prices for 1989 and (ii) for Greater London, Yorkshire and Humberside, the estimated average national capital value for the proposed council tax for all dwellings, all council dwellings and all dwellings less council dwellings; and if he will provide an estimate of the percentage in each of the proposed tax bands in each case.

  Mr. Key
  The illustrative council tax bills published on 23 April were based on an average property value of about £80,000. Estimates on the same basis of average property values in 1989 are not available. Nor are estimates which distinguish between council and other dwellings.

  Quangos
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the individual appointments excluding casual vacancies he is scheduled to make to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992, indicating in each case the title of the post, the salary if any and the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Information about the number and levels of remuneration of people appointed to public bodies by my Department is given in "Public Bodies 1990" and "Public Appointments: A Handbook for Women's Organisations", copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Housing Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each region, county and district the number of dwellings and the average rateable value of dwellings within each quintile ranked by rateable value, together with the corresponding capital value; and if he will add in each case the gross revenue yield from rates in 1989–90 and the corresponding yield from the proposed council tax.

  Mr. Key
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what is the ratio of average freehold and leasehold dwelling prices in each English region, Scotland and Wales to the English average used in his calculations in the illustrative tables for the council tax compared to 1982, 1977 and 1967; and what were the corresponding ratios for average incomes/earnings.

  Mr. Key
  Information on house prices for 1982, 1977 and 1967 is not available on a basis comparable with that
  621
  used in the tables showing illustrative council tax bills. Information on average earnings by regions is published by the Department of Employment in its annual reports of the new earnings survey.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what allowance is made in the standard spending assessment for numbers in private rented accommodation; and how this affects allocations per head of the population in(a) Grimsby, (b) Westminster, (c) Harrogate and (d) Eastbourne.

  Mr. Key
  The proportion of persons aged 65 years and over living in privately rented accommodation is used within the calculation of the standard spending assessment element for social services for the elderly. Details are given in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) which is in the Library.

  The SSAs for Grimsby, Harrogate and Eastbourne are therefore unaffected by this factor since they are not social services authorities. Westminster receives around £14 per head of population in its SSA for 1991–92 as a result of this factor.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what allowance is taken in the standard spending assessment for Humberside of the need to raise the numbers of young people staying in education after 16 years.

  Mr. Key
  The post-16 education standard spending assessment is based on a measure of the number of students aged 16 years and over derived from the latest available counts. Any increase in the numbers of young people in Humberside staying in education beyond the age of 16 will, therefore, be directly reflected in that authority's assessment.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what allowance is made in the standard spending assessment for tourism; and what is the rate per head of population for(a) Grimsby, (b) Westminster, (c) Scarborough and (d) Oxford.

  Mr. Key
  An allowance for tourism based on domestic overnight visitors is made in the standard spending assessment element for all other services. Details are given in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution (Amendment) Report (England) which is in the Library. The amount of SSA per head of population for 1991–92 allocated on the basis of the tourism factor for each of the listed authorities is as follows: Grimsby £1 per head; Westminster £10 per head; Scarborough £10 per head; and Oxford £1 per head.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for Barrow-in-Furness, Great Grimsby, Westminster, Wandsworth and Elmbridge, the amount per household allowed under the various headings of the standard spending assessment together with the reasons for any difference.

  Mr. Key
  Details of the 1991–92 standard spending assessments, for all authorities, disaggregated by the main service elements, are given in the "Standard Spending Assessment Handbook 1991–92" which was placed in the Library on 24 April 1991. Figures are shown in pound 622
  million and pounds per adult. SSAs are calculated on the basis of general principles applied in the same way to all authorities as described in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) and the Revenue Support Grant Distribution (Amendment) Report (England) both of which are also in the Library. Any differences in SSAs between authorities, therefore, reflect their varying characteristics.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what allowance is made in the standard spending assessment for ethnic minorities; and how this affects allocations in(a) Grimsby, (b) Leeds, (c) Birmingham and (d) Wandsworth.

  Mr. Key
  The country of origin of household members is included in the additional needs indicator which is part of the education standard spending assessment; in the children's social index which is part of the personal social services and all other services SSA. Details are given in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) as amended by the Revenue Support Grant Distribution (Amendment) Report, copies of which are in the Library.

  The amounts allocated on the basis of each of these indices are shown for all authorities in the "Standard Spending Assessment Handbook 1991/92" which is also in the Library.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each of the seven bands of council tax (i) the average value of the dwellings together with his estimate of (ii) the rateable value and (iii) the average rate required to raise £6·8 billion and (iv) the rate yield in each case as against the tax yield from his proposal.

  Mr. Key
  Since the bands we propose for the council tax be the same in each area, the average value in each band will be broadly the same in each area. If capital values were taxed directly, a tax rate of under 0·5 per pound of value would be sufficient to raise £6·8 billion in England. Estimates of the rateable value of properties in each of the seven council tax bands are not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment further to his answer of 29 April,Official Report, column 13 about the size of increase in council tax required for each percentage point of increase in spending; what is the level of spending above standard spending assessment for (a) Cleethorpes and (b) Grimsby; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Cleethorpes borough council set its demand on the collection fund for 1991–92 at £7·7 million, which is 31·0 per cent. or £34 per adult above the standard spending assessment. Great Grimsby borough council set its demand on the collection fund for 1991–92 at £11·8 million, which is 30·9 per cent. or £42 per adult above the standard spending assessment.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the assumed yield in paragraph 5 of his illustrative tables for the council tax is gross or net of rebates; and what is the gross yield as a percentage of the capital value overall and by decile groups of properties in terms of value.
  623
  Mr. Key
  The assumed yield is gross of rebates. The gross yield as a percentage of capital value overall is less than 0·5p in the pound.

  Information by decile groups of properties in terms of value is not available.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates will be the effect of the reduced income from second homes as a result of the change from double standard charge to 50 per cent. council tax in the borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed; and whether this figure was taken into account in the published projection of council tax for the borough.

  Mr. Key
  As explained in the consultation paper "A New Tax for Local Government", we propose that grant be distributed so that authorities in each area can finance spending at a standard level by levying standard taxable amounts. This will allow for the incidence of homes which are no one's sole or main residence. The illustrative council tax bills published on 23 April made allowance for the incidence of properties presently subject to the standard community charge.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on how the percentage yield from the council tax in each of his seven tax bands compares with the rate of wealth tax on houses in Germany.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 7 May 1991]: The proposed council tax and German wealth tax are not directly comparable systems of local taxation.

  Humming Birds
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the number of licences which were issued for the import of humming birds and other nectar feeding birds in 1988 and 1989, and the average number of birds covered by each licence;

  (2) what advice he has received from the United Kingdom Scientific Authority on the convention on trade in endangered species concerning the importation of humming birds and other nectar feeding birds.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information requested is as follows:

  Licences issued1

  Birds per licence

  1988

  1989

  1988

  1989

  Humming birds (trochilidae)

  51

  32

  22

  30

  Nectar feeding birds (nectariniidae)

  206

  372

  26

  31

  1 Not all licences issued are used.

  Our scientific adviser, the joint nature conservation committee, is consulted on all applications to import these birds. It has advised my Department that a number of these species are extremely sensitive and difficult to keep in captivity, although there is no reason why they should not be kept by zoos or individuals with specialist knowledge.

  Tenant Incentive Scheme (Lambeth)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been made available to Lambeth council for the tenant incentive scheme; and how much has been taken up.
  624
  Mr. Yeo
  Lambeth borough council has been allocated £1 million for cash incentive grants to its tenants in 1991–92 under the Government's homelessness initiative. None of this funding has yet been taken up by the council.

  Calderdale (Rating)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the comparable estimated bills for Calderdale under(a) the proposed council tax, (b) under the poll tax in 1991–92 and (c) on the assumption that rates had remained.

  Mr. Key
  Illustrative 1991–92 council tax bills were published on 23 April. I have no estimate of the comparable level of bills had rates remained.

  Housing (Taxation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what unadjusted gross and net percentage rate of tax on the freehold or leasehold value of dwellings in England would be required to yield £6·8 billion of revenue for local government purposes; and if he will publish a table showing the rate of tax and yield nationally and regionally.

  Mr. Key
  The explanatory notes covering the illustrative council tax bills published on 23 April show that the 18·9 million homes in England had an estimated value of about £80,000. This implies a total value of £1,500 billion and a tax rate of under 0·5p per pound of value to raise £6·8 billion.

  Houses (Demolition)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to introduce planning controls over the demolition of houses; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Yesterday we tabled amendments to the Planning and Compensation Bill which will enable the Government to bring the demolition of houses within planning control in England and Wales.

  Until recently the Government believed that demolition did not usually constitute development and therefore did not fall within planning control. However, a recent High Court decision held that, in the particular circumstances of the case, the demolition of dwelling houses was development. That decision is subject to an appeal.

  For buildings listed as of historical or architectural importance and buildings within conservation areas, demolition is already covered by other controls. Most other demolitions of houses are not contentious and do not justify additional planning controls. However the Government are aware of the concern that has been expressed in particular cases. For example, some potential developers have demolished perfectly sound houses before having the necessary planning permission to erect replacement buildings. Rather than leave a vacant site that may blight neighbouring properties, the local planning authority can feel pressured to grant planning permission for an out-of-character development for which planning permission should be refused.

  A public consultation exercise last year showed that, although such "speculative" demolition was not widespread, its occurrence did sometimes cause serious

  625
  concern. In the light of responses to that consultation process, having reflected on the debates on the subject of demolition at various stages of the Planning and Compensation Bill and bearing in mind the recent High Court judgment, the Government have now concluded that the time is right to introduce selective controls on demolition.

  The proposed amendments would extend the definition of development to include the demolition of all buildings. They would also incorporate a direction-making power, which would enable the Secretary of State to provide that the demolition of particular types of building is not development and would not therefore be subject to planning control. Since the problem which these amendments are designed to tackle relates in particular to dwelling houses, our intention is to use this power to exclude from control all demolitions except demolitions of dwelling houses.

  Because most demolitions of dwelling houses would not justify the full application of the new controls, we propose using the Town and Country General Development Order 1988 to grant permitted development rights for the demolition of dwelling houses in most circumstances. This would mean that planning permission would not normally be required for such demolition.

  However, if a local planning authority wished to prevent demolition in a particular case or in a vulnerable area, it could use its power to give a direction which would require the developer to seek planning permission before proceeding with demolition. Such a direction would require the confirmation of the Secretary of State if it is to remain effective for longer than six months.

  By these measures we believe that it will be possible to control these undesirable cases of demolition without putting an undue burden either on developers or on local planning authorities.

  Gloucester Grove Estate, Peckham
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will make a decision on the estate action programme bid submitted by the London borough of Southwark in respect of funds to improve the Gloucester Grove estate in Peckham.

  Mr. Yeo
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing announced in February that the Gloucester Grove estate scheme was among applications approved in principle for support under this year's estate action programme, and that the London borough of Southwark had been invited to work up detailed proposals. Final decisions on individual schemes are announced as soon as possible after full submissions have been made and considered.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce compulsory notification and publicity for all planning applications submitted to local authorities.

  Mr. Yeo
  At present, applicants for planning permission in Scotland are statutorily required to notify neighbours. In England and Wales, by contrast, publicity for most types of planning application is at the discretion of the local planning authority; advice about this is given in my Department's circular 22/88—Welsh Office 44/88.
  626
  In the past, the Government have resisted proposals, from hon. Members and elsewhere, that there should be compulsory neighbour notification arrangements in England and Wales. We have argued that the present largely discretionary arrangements are appropriate, given the wide variety of situations in which development proposals arise, and that a statutory requirement to notify neighbours would be a burden on local authorities and applicants.

  It has recently come to light that in fact some 75 per cent. of local authorities in England now give some type of publicity to all planning applications. The wide use of computers in local authority planning departments makes this practice less onerous than it would once have been.

  Accordingly, the Government have decided that all planning applications in England and Wales, and any subsequent non-trivial amendments to applications, should be given some publicity. We will give effect to this by amending the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988, when we have considered the outcome of a public consultation exercise about the methods for achieving this objective. For example, in particular situations site notices, media announcements and other public notice may be no less effective than neighbour notification. The Department will publish by the end of June a consultation paper inviting the views of a wide range of organisations, including local authority and consumer interests. We would then make an amendment to the general development order which could come into effect later this year.

  There is already a statutory requirement that owners of land and tenants of agricultural holdings must be notified by applicants for planning permission of planning applications affecting their land. Clause 15 of the Planning and Compensation Bill provides for transferring to secondary legislation many of the detailed procedures which have to be followed. This will make it easier to streamline and reform those procedures. But the Government propose to retain in primary legislation a requirement that owners and agricultural tenants must be notified of planning applications affecting their land. We will table an amendment to the Bill to give effect to this commitment at Report stage.

  Twin Tracking
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet reached any conclusions in the light of responses to the consultation letter "Planning and Compensation Bill: Twin-Tracking".

  Sir George Young
  The Department's consultation letter of 6 March proposed an amendment to clause 14 of the Planning and Compensation Bill to enable local planning authorities to decline to determine a planning application if an appeal was before the Secretary of State in respect of a similar application.

  A total of 74 responses were received, of which 16 expressed support for the proposal on the grounds that twin-tracking wastes the resources of local planning authorities and the planning inspectorate and that it involves an element of "queue jumping" in that twin-tracking applicants submit appeals for tactical reasons rather than as a matter of last resort.

  Fifty-six respondents were against or strongly against the proposal. Many contended that twin-tracking is often the only lever available to applicants to encourage local

  627
  authorities to process applications with reasonable promptness. They also argued that the proposal would reduce the scope for constructive negotiation, because developers would lodge appeals as early as possible rather than risking protracted—and possibly fruitless—discussions with local planning authorities.

  We announced in another place that we would review the 75 per cent. fee concession at present enjoyed by duplicate planning applications. I confirm that we intend to consult on the proposal that this concession should be eliminated altogether when we amend the application fees regulations later this year.

  The Government are reluctant to take any action which would reduce the pressure on local authorities to determine planning applications quickly. Although the speed with which applications are decided has improved slightly, there is still considerable room for improvement—only 52 per cent. of applications were decided within eight weeks in the third quarter of 1990, compared with the Government's target of 80 per cent.

  We accept that appeals should be made as actions of last resort, but at present applicants need some means of ensuring reasonable handling times. Accordingly, the Government have decided not to proceed with the proposal described in the consultation letter.

  Local Authority Employees
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many employees of the City of London and City of London Corporation earn more than the salary level that would bring them within the scope of parts I and II of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, and have not obtained exemption; and if he will list the designated posts in the City of London and City of London Corporation to which parts I and II apply.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 7 May 1991]: My Department does not hold this information. I have asked the independent adjudicator to let the hon. Member have such relevant information as he can.

  Political Candidates, North Devon
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will hold an investigation into the free issue to political candidates for non-official purposes of self-adhesive labels bearing the name, address and rent book number of residents in the North Devon district council area.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 7 May 1991]: I understand that the local authority concerned has already held an inquiry and published the results.

EMPLOYMENT

  Industrial Hazards
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many control of industrial major hazards safety case reports remained uncompleted in each of the Health and Executive's area offices on 1 April; and within what time scale he anticipates the backlog will be cleared.

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of scientific/ medical staff undertaking research and development work on(a) health-related topics and (b) safety-related topics in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Forth
  The figures requested are as follows.

  Health

  Safety

  1988–89

  87

  136

  1989–90

  92

  143

  1990–91

  94

  139

  The term "research and development work" has been interpreted widely, and the figures include all scientific/ medical staff engaged on the main laboratory activities.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of(a) vacancies, (b) applications received, (c) those interviewed, (d) those offered a job and (e) those who accepted a job as a specialist inspector of health and safety in the latest recruitment round.

  Mr. Forth
  There were no specific number of vacancies for specialist inspectors of health and safety in the latest completed recruitment round which took place in August 1990. Seven hundred and forty-nine applications were received; 229 applicants were interviewed; 58 were offered a job; and 47 accepted a job.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of factory inspectors in each Health and Safety Executive area office with less than two years' experience in the Health and Safety Executive on 1 April.

  Mr. Forth
  The total number of factory inspectors in each Health and Safety Executive area office with less than two years' experience in the Health and Safety Executive on 1 April is 146. The number in each area office as follows:

  Factory Inspectors Class II with less than two years in the Health and Safety Executive at 1 April 1991.

  Inspectors

  Bristol

  4

  Basingstoke

  10

  East Grinstead

  7

  Barking

  9

  London South

  6

  Chelmsford

  5

  Luton

  5

  Northampton

  9

  Birmingham

  7

  Cardiff

  11

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  9

  Nottingham

  8

  Sheffield

  6

  Leeds

  4

  Manchester

  7

  Bootle

  7

  Preston

  9

  Newcastle-on-Tyne

  8

  Edinburgh

  8

  Glasgow

  7

  Total

  146

  629
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number and grades of specialist staff currently employed in the offshore safety division and the number it is proposed to employ in 1992.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is as follows:

  Grade

  Staff in post

  Grade 7 and above

  10

  Petroleum Specialist I

  1

  Petroleum Specialist II

  4

  Petroleum Specialist III

  7

  Petroleum Specialist IV

  24

  Reservoir Evaluation Specialist II

  1

  Reservoir Evaluation Specialist III

  2

  Reservoir Evaluation Specialist IV

  1

  Principal Inspector of Mines

  1

  Superintending Specialist Inspector

  1

  Factories Inspector 1A

  2

  Principal Agricultural Inspector

  1

  TOTAL

  55

  Detailed staffing targets are not yet available.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for what reasons, and on which grades, the Health and Safety Executive imposed recruitment bans in 1990–91.

  Mr. Forth
  The Health and Safety Executive did not impose recruitment bans for any grades in 1990–91.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unfilled professional/scientific posts existed at the Health and Safety Executive, Cricklewood laboratories as at 1 April.

  Mr. Forth
  There were 11 such posts unfilled at the Cricklewood laboratories on 1 April.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the Health and Safety Executive's scientific staff at the Cricklewood laboratories had less than two years' experience on 1 April.

  Mr. Forth
  There were 20 Cricklewood scientific staff with less than two years' experience on 1 April.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of staff at the Health and Safety Executive's Cricklewood laboratory on 1 April and how many there were on 1 April 1989.

  Mr. Forth
  The Health and Safety Executive employed 87 staff at its Cricklewood laboratory on 1 April 1991. There were 91 staff at the same location on 1 April 1989.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many occupational hygienists are currently working specifically on gas safety at the Health and Safety Executive's Bootle headquarters; how many explosives inspectors are engaged on the same work; and how many staff days are allocated specifically to this work.

  Mr. Forth
  There is currently one occupational hygienist working specifically on gas safety at the Health and Safety Executive's Bootle headquarters; 60 staff days are allocated for this work. Explosives inspectors do not work on gas safety.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he intends to take to help relieve 630
  the Health and Safety Executive of the burden of inexperience mentioned by the Health and Safety Executive's director general in the 1989–90 annual report, caused by the high resignation rate of factory inspectors.

  Mr. Forth
  In meeting the Health and Safety Commission's public expenditure survey bids in full in recent years, the Government welcomed the Health and Safety Executive's intention to increase numbers of inspectors, including factory inspectors. The consequent increased recruitment effort by the HSE has led to increases in the numbers of inspectors since 1988 and, therefore, a larger number of inexperienced inspectors. As a result, the HSE is giving close attention to training arrangements for new recruits. The HSE's plans for further recruitment, training and retention are set out in the commission's plan of work for 1991–92 and beyond, to be published at the end of May.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what resource costs, both in terms of finance and staff years, were incurred by the Health and Safety Executive in the investigation of the(a) Cannon street, (b) Redbourne gas over-pressurisation, (c) Hillsborough, (d) Piper Alpha and (e) King's Cross accidents.

  Mr. Forth
  Comprehensive and precise information about the costs of the HSE's contributions to investigations of those accidents is not available. The estimates given relate to resource inputs from HSE's field operations and technology divisions and its research and laboratories division. They do not include the time of senior management or other associated work and are thus minimum estimates of technical resources directly applied. The HSE is not aware of any incident at Redbourne.

  Identified investigation costs to the HSE are:

  Cannon Street— not available: investigation ongoing

  Hillsborough — approximately 6 staff years

  Piper Alpha — approximately 1 staff year

  Kings Cross — approximately 18 staff years.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of agricultural inspectors in each Health and Safety Executive area office with less than two years' experience in the Health and Safety Executive on 1 April.

  Mr. Forth
  The total number of agricultural inspectors in each Health and Safety Executive area office with less than two years' experience in the Health and Safety Executive on 1 April is 39. The number in each area office is as follows:

  Assistant agricultural inspectors with less than two years in the Health and Safety Executive at 1 April 1991

  Assistant inspectors

  Bristol

  4

  Basingstoke

  1

  East Grinstead

  3

  Chelmsford

  3

  Luton

  3

  Northampton

  2

  Cardiff

  2

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  3

  Nottingham

  2

  Sheffield

  1

  Leeds

  4

  Bootle

  2

  Preston

  2

  Newcastle-on-Tyne

  3

  631

  Assistant inspectors

  Edinburgh

  3

  Glasgow

  1

  TOTAL

  39

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the maximum number of trainee factory and agricultural inspectors it is possible for the Health and Safety Executive to recruit and train effectively each year.

  Mr. Forth
  The Health and Safety Executive estimates that it is possible to make arrangements for the effective training of a maximum of 90 newly recruited inspectors each year.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff years will be devoted in 1991 to preventive inspectors by the Health and Safety Executive's field operations divisions.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. In the period 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992 the Health and Safety Executive's field operations division proposes to spend 383·9 staff years on planned preventive inspection.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of health and Safety Executive inspectors working on risk assessment of major hazards.

  Mr. Forth
  There are currently 18 Health and Safety Executive inspectors working on risk assessment of major hazards.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the number of vacancies for specialist staff that exist in the Health and Safety Executive's offshore safety division; and how many applications were received to the most recent recruitment advertisement.

  Mr. Forth
  There is no specific number of vacancies for specialist staff in offshore safety division available at present, as the reorganisation and structure of the offshore safety division is still under consideration. A total of 530 applications were received for the current recruitment competition for petroleum specialists.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many safety cases he estimates the Health and Safety Executive's offshore safety division will be required to undertake in 1991–92; how many specialist staff will be engaged on this work; and at what grade.

  Mr. Forth
  Allowing for the necessary consultations, legislation requiring the submission of safety cases for offshore installations will not be made until 1992. Arrangements for assessing safety cases are currently being considered but it is too early to say how many staff will be engaged.

  Industrial Accidents
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of safety reports, under regulation 7(i) of the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1984, submitted to each Health and Safety Executive region before 8 July 1989 and the number of site occupiers who have still to receive a confirmatory letter from the Health and Safety Executive stating that the report has been examined, that selective inspections based on the report have been completed and that the report will now be used as a reference document in future inspections.

  Mr. Forth
  Information about the submission of safety reports under the Control of Industrial Major Hazards Regulations 1984—CIMAH—before 8 July 1989 is not available in the form requested and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  However under CIMAH, operators at existing industrial activities covered by the regulations were required to submit safety reports to the HSE by 8 July 1989. The HSE received 331 such reports by August 1989. The table shows a breakdown by the HSE regions that now exist:

  Number

  Wales and the South West

  45

  London and the South East

  14

  Home Counties

  24

  Midlands

  21

  Yorkshire and the North East

  105

  North West

  57

  Scotland

  65

  All reports must be examined on a multi-disciplinary basis by the HSE's field operations and technology divisions. A total of 325 reports have been examined and 86 of these have been categorised as entirely satisfying the requirement of schedule 6 of the CIMAH and have received a confirmatory letter.

  Agricultural and Factory Inspectors
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many factory and agricultural inspectors have been recruited in each of the years 1978 to 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  The available figures are as follows:

  Year

  Factory inspectors

  Agricultural inspectors

  19851

  27

  7

  1986

  44

  20

  1987

  33

  0

  1988

  44

  12

  1989

  56

  14

  1990

  56

  16

  TOTAL

  260

  69

  1 Centrally held recruitment figures are not available before 1985.

  633
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many factory inspectors 1 B, with more than two years' experience in the grade, resigned in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and the first three months of 1991.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of factory inspectors 1B with more than two years' experience in the grade who resigned in the years in question are as follows:
  634

  Number

  1987

  22

  1988

  14

  1989

  12

  1990

  13

  11991

  5

  1 January to March.

  FILM COMMISSION
  FILM COMMISSION
  TURKISH SETTLEMENTS IN CYPRUS
  TURKISH SETTLEMENTS IN CYPRUS
  VICTIMS OF SOVIET INTERNAL REPRESSION
  VICTIMS OF SOVIET INTERNAL REPRESSION
  YUGOSLAVIA: CSCE CONSIDERATION
  YUGOSLAVIA: CSCE CONSIDERATION
  LAW OF THE SEA CONVENTION
  LAW OF THE SEA CONVENTION
  TIBET: FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF CHINESE OCCUPATION
  TIBET: FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF CHINESE OCCUPATION
  IRAQI REFUGEES: RED CROSS ROLE
  IRAQI REFUGEES: RED CROSS ROLE