Written Answers of 17 May 1991

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Grant-maintained Status
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have(a) become committed to hold a ballot on grant-maintained status, (b) voted yes and (i) had the proposals approved, (ii) had the proposal rejected and (iii) await determination of the proposal and (c) voted no; how many in each category were the subject of (1) closure or (2) reorganisation proposals; and whether, for schools in categories (b), (ii) and (c), the proposals have been approved or rejected.

  Mr. Eggar
  Two hundred and seventy-nine schools have been or are committed to holding a ballot on GM status. There have been 160 votes in favour, 47 votes against and 75 results are still awaited. Four schools have embarked on the process twice and one application lapsed.

  Of the schools which voted in favour of applying for GM status, 77 applications have been approved and the Secretary of State is minded to approve another. Thirteen have been rejected and 45 have yet to be decided. Applications from a further 24 schools are awaited.

  The number of schools in each category which have been the subject of closure or reorganisation proposals were:

  Proposal date

  Decision date

  Description

  Local education authority

  19 March 1984

  25 February 1986

  Secondary reorganisation

  Devon

  23 November 1984

  12 August 1985

  Close two schools and establishment of a new secondary

  ILEA

  23 November 1984

  12 August 1985

  Close two schools and establishment of a new secondary

  ILEA

  9 July 1985

  28 July 1986

  Establishment Lubavitch House school as a voluntary aided instead of an independent

  ILEA

  6 December 1985

  17 September 1986

  Reorganisation in Trafford

  Trafford

  9 December 1985

  7 January 1987

  Establishment of a new Church of England primary school

  Avon

  25 April 1986

  24 May 1990

  Application for aided status for the Islamia primary school

  Brent

  15 September 1986

  8 May 1987

  Closure of St. Albans' Church of England secondary and establishment of secondary school

  Birmingham

  23 October 1986

  5 August 1987

  Dudley reorganisation

  Dudley

  2 January 1987

  31 October 1988

  Change status of Yesodey Hatorah primary school from independent to voluntary aided

  ILEA

  15 December 1987

  12 May 1988

  Close one Roman Catholic infant and one Roman Catholic junior school and establishment of new Roman Catholic primary school

  Salford

  26 February 1988

  14 December 1988

  Establish new Church of England (voluntary assisted) first school, Creekmoor, Poole

  Dorset

  4 March 1988

  16 February 1989

  Establish St. Julian of Norwich high school in substitution for three Roman Catholic secondary modern schools

  Trafford

  11 November 1988

  1 September 1989

  Amalgamate St. Bernard's convent and St. Thomas More high schools and establish a secondary school

  Essex

  6 January 1989

  15 September 1989

  Amalgamate St. Mary's and St. Veronica's Roman Catholic primary schools and establish a new Roman Catholic primary school

  Lancashire

  20 January 1989

  13 March 1990

  Establish a new Roman Catholic first and middle school in substitution for St. Mary's Roman Catholic primary school

  Norfolk

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  Number subject to closure/reorganisation proposals

  GM proposals:

  Approved

  77

  20

  Minded to approve

  1

  0

  Rejected

  13

  12

  Not yet decided

  45

  15

  Still to be published

  24

  6

  Voted no

  47

  20

  Lapsed applications

  1

  1

  Ballot result pending

  75

  11

  Total number of embarkations

  283

  85

  Nine of the 12 LEA proposals involving schools with rejected GM applications were eventually approved. Twelve of the 20 LEA proposals involving schools which voted not to apply for GM status were approved.

  Voluntary-aided Status
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list those applications for voluntary-aided status which have been rejected in the last 10 years, giving in each case the dates of application and rejection and the local education authority affected.

  Mr. Fallon
  The information since 1985 is provided in the following table. The Department has no readily available record of such applications before then. The list includes proposals for the establishment of schools after amalgamation or reorganisation, as well as proposals for brand new schools.
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  Proposal date

  Decision date

  Description

  Local education authority

  18 May 1989

  5 April 1990

  Reorganisation of primary and secondary schools—part 7

  Leeds

  24 August 1989

  10 April 1990

  Establish new secondary school (on reorganisation)

  Cheshire

  13 September 1989

  22 January 1991

  Establish new Church of England comprehensive school (to replace county school)

  Devon

  28 September 1989

  26 November 1990

  Establish new Church of England voluntary aided primary school at West Tytherington, Macclesfield

  Cheshire

  19 October 1989

  2 May 1990

  Establish a new voluntary aided primary school (amalgamation)

  Salford

  26 October 1989

  29 November 1990

  Establish new primary school in Ventnor road

  Sutton

  19 December 1989

  16 August 1990

  Establish new Church of England/Methodist voluntary aided primary school

  Avon

  15 March 1990

  26 October 1990

  Establish new Roman Catholic primary school in Sandhurst

  Berkshire

  13 June 1990

  28 January 1991

  Establish new voluntary aided secondary school (amalgamation)

  Kent

  7 September 1990

  25 March 1991

  Establishment of new secondary school

  Somerset

  14 September 1990

  20 February 1991

  Establishment of new primary school

  Dudley

  Seven-year-olds (Assessment)
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what preparatory steps he is taking to collect reports from teachers administering standard assessment tasks to seven-year-olds as to the practical implications of these tasks in their present form.

  Mr. Eggar
  A range of methods will be used to obtain teachers' views about the standard assessment tasks—SATs—as part of the evaluation of the first national assessments of seven-year-olds. The School Examinations and Assessment Council—SEAC—will be co-ordinating the information, which will include replies to questionnaires sent to two random samples of teachers. SEAC, together with the Department and Her Majesty's inspectorate—HMI—has also arranged a series of conferences which will be attended by teachers of seven-year-olds. The conferences will give teachers an opportunity to put forward their views about a range of aspects of the assessment arrangements, including the SATs.

  Qualifications
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he makes of the proportion of the age group who by their 19th year have achieved (i) five or more GCSE passes at grade C or above, or qualifications at national vocational level 2 and (ii) two or more A-level passes, or qualifications at national vocational level 3.

  Mr. Eggar
  Information on students' attainments in national vocational qualifications is not held centrally, nor is information collected about GCSE passes gained by students in FE colleges.

  However, the proportion of all school leavers in England who had gained five or more GCSE passes at grade C or better in the academic year 1988–89 was 31·9 per cent.

  As a proportion of the 18-year-old age group, 17·4 per cent. of school leavers and home full-time students in FE colleges had gained two or more A/AS passes, with two AS passes counting as one A-level.
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  Olympic Games
  Sir Neil Macfarlane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he has met members of the British Olympic Association to discuss Manchester's bid for the Olympic games;

  (2) whether he has had meetings with the representatives of the committee for Manchester's Olympic games bid.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave yesterday,Official Report, column 221, to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry).

  East Birmingham Task Force
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what visits or other engagements were undertaken by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science during his visit to the east Birmingham task force area on 21 December 1989.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The programme included visits to Birmingham Heartlands Ltd., St. Peter's college, the Ocean Video project and Just for Starters Ltd. and meetings with representatives of the Grand Metropolitan Community Trust and the Birmingham training and enterprise council.

  Agency Status
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list those bodies currently with agency status within his Department under the "next steps" initiative; and whether he has identified any further candidates for agency status under the initiative within his Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  There are as yet no agencies within the Department under the "next steps" initiative, but my right hon. and learned Friend has identified the Department's teachers' pensions branch as a candidate for agency status.

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the results from his Department's January survey of teacher vacancies.
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  Mr. Fallon
  In England, in January 1991 there were 3,400 full-time vacancies in maintained nursery and primary schools and 2,200 full-time vacancies in secondary schools. These figures are equivalent to 2·0 per cent. of teachers in service in nursery and primary schools and 1·2 per cent. of teachers in service in secondary schools. The overall total of 5,600 vacancies is equivalent to 1·6 per cent. of full-time teachers in service. These vacancy rates compare with 2·1 per cent. for nursery and primary, 1·5 per cent. for secondary and 1·8 per cent. overall last year, an improvement of around 14 per cent. These figures are most encouraging, especially for London, where the improvement on last year is of the order of 33 per cent. The full published details of the survey have been placed in the Library.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Immigration Appeals Tribunal
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General for what reasons the Home Office's amplified grounds of appeal were not placed before the chairman of the immigration appeals tribunal when he reached a decision on 28 February; when the amplified grounds were placed before the chairman of the IAT; and if he will arrange for the chairman's decision to be expedited in view of the compassionate circumstances of the case.

  The Attorney-General
  The Home Office's amplified grounds of appeal in the case of Mr. Liwa Uddin were not placed before the chairman of the immigration appeals tribunal—IAT—when he reached a decision on 28 February because of an administrative error on the part of the immigration appellate authorities which resulted in the amplified grounds of appeal not being linked to Mr. Uddin's case file.

  The grounds of appeal were subsequently placed before the chairman of the IAT on 17 April 1991, who dismissed the Home Office appeal in his determination of 7 May 1991.

  Official Secrets Act
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions and on what basis he has been asked to authorise a grant of immunity to a civil servant from prosecution under the Official Secrets Act 1911 as part of inquiries into the leak of law officers' letters to Secretaries of State and other private individuals.

  The Attorney-General
  I have never been asked to authorise a grant of immunity from prosecution in such circumstances. The hon. Member will recall that my right hon. Friend the Member for Finchley (Mrs. Thatcher) informed the House on 23 January 1986,Official Report, column 451, that my predecessor had authorised the then head of the civil service to tell an official that he had my predecessor's authority to say that, provided that the head of the civil service received full co-operation in his inquiry into the disclosure of parts of a letter written by me, the official concerned would not be prosecuted in respect of anything said during the course of the inquiry.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid Policy
  Sir Bernard Braine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy in regard to providing aid for the governments of countries where human rights are openly violated and where there is evidence that traffic in drugs intended for export to the outside world is permitted.

  Mrs. Chalker
  A country's human rights record and its attitude towards illicit drugs production and trafficking are among the factors taken into account in allocating aid programme assistance among countries.

  Economic Aid
  Sir Bernard Braine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries currently receiving British economic aid.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the right hon. Member to the list of developing country recipients of gross bilateral aid in "British Aid Statistics 1985–89", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  The following countries of eastern Europe have received assistance from the know-how fund: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Soviet Union.

  Burma
  Sir Bernard Braine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the policy of denying aid to the Government of Burma, other than humanitarian aid to the refugees on the Thai-Burmese border, has yet had any effect on the repressive policies of the Burmese Government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Despite widespread international condemnation, there is still no evidence that the Burmese authorities intend to transfer power to the democratically elected representatives of the Burmese people or to put an end to their repressive human rights policies.

  Botswana
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the environmental implications of subsidised beef imports from Botswana into the EC under the Lomé trade agreement in terms of(a) the livestock stocking policy and (b) the veterinary fencing policy under EC disease control regulations.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No official assessment has been made. This is a matter for the Government of Botswana in the first instance.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the use of levies returned to Botswana in subsidies for beef imports into the EC under the Lomé trade agreement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Under the preferential import quota scheme for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries including Botswana, beef imported into the Community is subject only to 10 per cent. of the normal import levy. No portion of this levy is reimbursed to the exporting industry.

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Forces
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now make it his policy to answer questions relating to special forces.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Education and Training
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Prime Minister when the promised White Paper on 16 to 19-year-olds' education and training will be published; and which Department is taking the lead on this.

  The Prime Minister
  The White Paper on education and training will be published shortly. It is being produced jointly by my right hon. and learned Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Employment and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. A White Paper on education and training in Scotland will also be published shortly by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Olympic Games
  Sir Neil Macfarlane
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to meet representatives of the British Olympic Association and the Manchester Olympic Committee.

  The Prime Minister
  It is for my hon. Friend the Minister of Sport to discuss with those concerned how best the Government can help to promote Manchester's bid for the 2000 Olympic games. The Government wish Manchester every success.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Maintenance
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the amount of benefit expenditure on lone parents recovered from relatives liable to pay maintenance, for each year from 1978 to the latest available date.

  Mr. Jack
  The first year for which complete data are available is 1980–81. The data cover all payments received from liable relatives and include a small amount of maintenance paid for other families besides lone parents. The information is in the table.

  £ million (1989–90 prices)

  1980–81

  175·6

  1981–82

  207·0

  1982–83

  209·0

  1983–84

  197·6

  1984–85

  186·2

  1985–86

  197·6

  1986–87

  —1

  1987–88

  181·2

  1988–89

  176·6

  1989–90

  205·6

  1 Data not available as, no annual statistical inquiry, which collects the bulk of the required information, was undertaken during 1986–87 because of a change in the collection arrangements.

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  NB: The figures include estimates of benefit saved as a result of payments from liable relatives removing entitlement to benefit.

  Source: Departmental records.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Lawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide the information given in his answer of 3 May,Official Report, columns 349–51, at constant 1989–90 prices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.

  £ million (1989–90 prices)

  Council rents (rent rebates)

  Community charge benefit and rate rebates

  1983–84

  2,732

  1,681

  1984–85

  2,817

  1,778

  1985–86

  2,860

  1,842

  1986–87

  2,913

  1,968

  1987–88

  2,864

  1,944

  1988–89

  2,851

  1,460

  1989–90

  2,856

  1,460

  1990–91

  2,951

  2,109

  Note: Revalued to 1989–90 prices using the GDP deflator.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for review by a social fund inspector were outstanding for more than one month on 28 February and 31 March.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the table.

  28 February 1991—616 cases outstanding for more than one month.

  31 March 1991—1,013 cases outstanding for more than one month.

  Additional inspectors have been recruited.

  Child Benefit
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing the amounts by which child benefit could be increased at no extra cost, if(a) the proposed extra £2 for first children were distributed evenly between all children and (b) third and subsequent children received £1 a week more than first and second children.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]: The £1 increase in April 1991 for the eldest eligible child is estimated to cost some £250 million. The full-year cost of increasing that rate by a further £1 in October will be some £355 million. If this £605 million were redistributed in the ways suggested, without carrying them through into income-related benefits, the rate for (a) all children would be £8·60 compared with £9·25 for the eldest eligible child and £7·50 for all other children from October, and (b) that for first and second children would be £8·45 and for third and subsequent children, £9·45.

ENVIRONMENT

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the financial costs to his Department in commissioning and publishing the research
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  document "Competitive Tendering for Local Authority Services—Initial Experiences"; and if he will indicate the future costs of any further research into compulsory competitive tendering that his Department is planning.

  Mr. Portillo
  The figure is £83,000. This was the first part of a three-year study, the remainder of which is estimated to cost £98,000.

  Environmental Education
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, as part of his programme to promote environmental education, he will make available resources for the distribution to schools, colleges and other similar bodies of copies of relevant environmental publications.

  Mr. Baldry
  Copies of the Department's "Environment in Trust" leaflets were circulated to all secondary schools in England and Wales on publication. These leaflets and other publications, including the recent "Wake Up" leaflet, are available to anyone on application. The Department also supports the preparation and distribution of educational materials by our grant-in-aid environmental bodies, and by those organisations which receive funds from the special grants programme.

  Wath Recycling
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 551, what assessment Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has made of the security with which the toxic waste held at Wath Recycling since June 1989 is contained.

  Mr. Trippier
  Contaminated copper hydroxide sludge was delivered to the Wath site during the week commencing 5 June 1989. After discussions between the South Yorkshire hazardous waste unit, the Health and Safety Executive, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, the company and the producer of the material, it was agreed that the sludge should be repacked in steel drums and stored in a safe place on site, pending a decision on its final destination. The statutory control authority for waste storage and disposal is the SYHWA. HMIP has no statutory duties in respect of this matter and has had no further involvement.

  People Sleeping Rough
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on the initiative to provide accommodation for people sleeping rough in central London.

  Sir George Young
  I am glad to be able to report that there has been significant progress on this initiative.

  The Housing Corporation is announcing today the allocation of over £50 million to more than 50 housing associations in London, to provide some 1,400 bedspaces in permanent homes for people sleeping rough or in hostels in central London. This allocation is part of the total provision of £96 million over three years which my Department has made for rough sleepers in central London.

  Today's allocations will bring to more than 2,300 the number of places in move-on housing for rough sleepers
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  being provided this year and next. In addition, some 1,000 additional places in direct access hostels should be in place within the next few months. So far, about 1,000 places are available, in a mixture of move-on housing, hostels and short-term shelters.

  The first Department of Health hostel for homeless mentally ill people was opened last month. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health is today announcing proposed additional revenue funding of £2·7 million over three years, of which his Department will provide £1·5 million and the Mental Health Foundation will endeavour to raise £1·2 million from private sources. This will provide further psychiatric support for people sleeping rough and in hostels in London.

  The initiative is beginning to have a significant effect on the numbers of people sleeping rough in central London. The voluntary groups estimated in January that there were about 1,000 people sleeping rough in seven main areas in central London. Last month, the estimate was that numbers in these areas had come down to about 500.

  I hope that this progress will continue as more accommodation becomes available. I am very grateful for the very positive way in which the voluntary groups, the housing associations and the London boroughs have responded to the initiative. Our aim remains to make it unnecessary for anyone to sleep rough in central London.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Bailiffs
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to issue a code of conduct for bailiffs attached to magistrates courts.

  Mr. John Patten
  We intend to issue best practice guidance shortly on the use of bailiffs by magistrates courts.

  Immigration
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of individuals accepted by the immigration authorities for permanent settlement in the United Kingdom for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many individuals came from the Indian sub-continent and from Africa.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information for 1986 to 1988 is published in table 15 of the Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1989", Cm. 1124, and for 1989 and 1990 in table 1 of the Home Office statistical bulletin 3/91 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—Third and Fourth Quarters and Year 1990". A copy of each publication is held in the Library.

  Coaches (Speeding)
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of convictions of coach drivers for speeding offences in each of the last five years.

  Mr. John Patten
  The motoring offences information collected centrally does not include the details of the type of vehicle involved.

  Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding has been provided to the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association in the last five years; and what funding is proposed for 1991–92.

  Mr. John Patten
  Prior to 1990–91, no contribution from central funds was made to the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association. In the financial year 1990–91, a contribution of £40,000 was made by the Home Office to the association. Provision is available for a contribution of £40,000 in the current financial year, of which £10,000 has so far been paid to the association.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role is played in the provision of advice to his Department by(a) the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association and (b) the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council is constituted under section 29 of the Fire Services Act 1947 to advise my right hon. Friend on matters as to which he is required by the Act to consult it, or on any other matters arising in connection with the operation of the Act which the council has taken into consideration, apart from matters relating to conditions of service and the maintenance of discipline. My right hon. Friend is responsible for appointing the members of the council, who include representatives of the interests of fire authorities and of persons employed as members of fire brigades. The Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association is one member of the council. The association is also represented on the joint committees which report to the council and to the Scottish Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council. Apart from its role in submitting advice to my right hon. Friend through the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council, the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association has no special role in the provision of advice to the Home Office.

  Birmingham Six
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is considering final proposals for financial compensation for each of the Birmingham Six; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  On the advice of the independent assessor, my right hon. Friend has made interim payments of compensation to each of the six men.

  The solicitors representing the men have been asked to supply any information which they wish the assessor to take into account when determining the final sum. It is for the assessor to decide what the amount should be and when he has the information he needs to reach a decision. In accordance with the provisions of section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, my right hon. Friend will accept the assessor's recommendation.

  Criminal Justice System
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the Royal Commission on the criminal justice system will consider the retirement age of those dispensing justice;

  (2) whether the Royal Commission on the criminal justice system will consider the work of the Crown forensic service;
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  (3) if the Royal Commission on the criminal justice system will consider replacing the appeal court system with a less adversarial court;

  (4) whether the Royal Commission on the criminal justice system will consider the establishment of a national police force.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Royal Commission on criminal justice has been given very wide terms of reference, and it is for the commission to determine the way in which it will carry out its task and to report accordingly.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are proposed to allow hon. Members to give evidence to the royal commission on the Criminal Justice System.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is for the royal commission to determine the way in which it will carry out its task, but I understand that an announcement will be made shortly about the arrangements for the submission of evidence to the commission.

  Crime
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give figures for(a) total crime and offences, (b) total crimes, (c) total offences, (d) serious assaults and (e) housebreaking for each year since 1979 inclusive; if he will give the percentage increase or decrease for each year compared with the figure for the previous year together with the total increase or decrease since 1979; and what was the percentage clear-up rate for crimes in each of the years since 1979 inclusive.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information for England and Wales is published annually in tables 2.1 and 2.18 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" and tables A and D of Home Office statistical bulletin 4/91, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Corresponding information for Scotland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Sports Grounds
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the organisations and individuals which he has consulted on extending mandatory all-seated accommodation to sports grounds other than football grounds designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975; what are the methods by which and the dates on which such consultations will take place; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what are the organisations and individuals which he plans to consult on extending mandatory all-seated accommodation to sports grounds other than football grounds designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975; what are the methods by which and the dates on which such consultations will take place; when the consultation period will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  During the course of last year Home Office officials held separate discussions with members of the executive committee of the rugby league, with officials of the rugby football union and, together with colleagues from the Welsh Office, with officials of the Welsh rugby
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  football union. We have consulted and are currently awaiting the views of the Association of Chief Police Officers on the extension of mandatory all seated accommodation to these sports. My right hon. Friend will make a statement in due course. No consultations have been held with the cricket authorities because most designated cricket grounds are already wholly or substantially all seated. The designation of sports grounds under the 1975 Act is confined to grounds used for association football, rugby league, rugby union and cricket.

  Press Complaints Commission
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission; and when he proposes to bring forward legislation as recommended by the Calcutt commission.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend and I met the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission on 14March. The legislation recommended by the Calcutt committee is still under consideration.

  Asylum Applications
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of(a) asylum applications granted and (b) cases in which exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom was granted in (i) 1988, (ii) 1989 and (iii) 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest available information is given in the table:

  Grants of asylum and exceptional leave to remain, 1988–891

  Year

  Grants of asylum

  2Grants of exceptional leave to remain

  1988

  968

  2,263

  1989

  3,045

  5,680

  21990

  1,600

  3,900

  1 Includes associated dependants.

  2 Provisional estimates which probably understate the true levels.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list(a) the number of individual applications for asylum in the United Kingdom and (b) the number of dependants of the principal applicants for asylum received in (i) 1988, (ii) 1989, (iii) 1990 and (iv) January to March in the current year;

  (2) how many claims for asylum were outstanding as at (a) 31 December 1988, (b) 31 December 1989 and (c) 31 December 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will reply as soon as possible.

  Naturalisation (Members' Letters)
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long on average it takes his Department to reply to letters from hon. Members about constituency cases involving naturalisation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  During March the average time taken to reply to enquiries from hon. Members on nationality matters, including those referring to naturalisation, was 22 days.
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  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Newbury may expect a reply to his letter of 18 February.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Agency Status
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those bodies currently with agency status within his Department under the "next steps" initiative; and whether he has identified any further candidates for agency status under the initiative within his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Passport Agency and the Forensic Science Service Agency were established this April. The Fire Service college is a firm candidate for agency status, with a proposed launch date of 1 April 1992. Other parts of the Department are also being considered as candidates.

  Foreign Prisoners
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals serving a sentence of imprisonment in England and Wales have been transferred to complete their sentence in their country of origin in each of the last five years.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 14 May 1991]: The information requested is as follows:

  Transfers of foreign inmates under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984

  Number

  1986

  10

  1987

  6

  1988

  7

  1989

  11

  1990

  13

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Enterprise Initiative
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in the north-east region have successfully applied for enterprise initiative consultancies since the inception of the scheme.

  Mr. Leigh
  From the inception of the scheme in January 1988 to 14 May 1991, 3,926 applications for enterprise initiative consultancies have been received in the north-east. These have resulted in 3,883 approved projects, of which 1,283 projects have been completed.

HEALTH

  Health Authorities and Trusts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the annual rate of remuneration of(a) chairmen of health authorities, (b) members of health authorities, (c) chairmen of health trusts and (d) members of health trusts as at 1 April 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991.
  289
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Details of the remuneration paid to health authority chairmen and members in 1988, 1989 and 1990 are set out in the tables. The rates for 1991 are still under consideration.

  Chairmen of Health Authorities Regional Health Authorities

  £

  1 April 1988

  11,709

  1 April 1989

  12,462

  1 April 1990

  18,921

  District Health Authorities

  £

  1 April 1988

  11,709

  1 April 1989

  12,462

  1 April 1990

  Band 1

  17,437

  Band 2

  15,503

  Band 3

  13,674

  Notes:

  Band 1 Teaching DHAs with revenue budget of £45 million or more 1985–86, and non-teaching DHAs with revenue budget of £60 million 1985–86.

  Band 2 Teaching DHAs with revenue budget on £45 million or less 1985–86, and non-teaching DHAs with revenue budget of £30 million to £60 million 1985–86.

  Band 3 Non-teaching DHAs with revenue budget of £30 million or less 1985–86.

  Family Health Service Authorities

  £

  1 April 1988

  5,000

  1 April 1989

  5,000

  1 April 1990

  Band 1

  11,395

  Band 2

  10,600

  Band 3

  9,805

  Notes:

  Band 1—Population over 750,000.

  Band 2—Population 250,000 to 750,000.

  Band 3—Population under 250,000.

  Special Health Authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals

  £

  1 April 1988

  11,709

  Eastman Dental Hospital

  9,758

  1 April 1989

  12,462

  Eastman Dental Hospital

  10,385

  1 April 1990

  Band A

  15,503

  Band B

  13,674

  Band C

  11,395

  Notes:

  Band A—Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's SHA.

  Band B—Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals SHA.

  Moorfields Eye Hospital SHA

  Hospitals for Sick Children SHA.

  National Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery SHA.

  Royal Marsden Hospital SHA.

  Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospitals SHA.

  Band C—Eastman Dental Hospital SHA.
  290

  National Health Service Trusts from 1 January 1991

  £

  Band 1

  17,610

  Band 2

  15,659

  Band 3

  13,812

  Notes:

  Band 1—Trusts with turnover in excess of £50 million.

  Band 2—Trusts with turnover between £20 million and £50 million.

  Band 3—Trusts with turnover of less than £20 million.

  Members of Health Authorities and Trusts

  £

  From 26 July 1990

  RHA

  5,000

  From 17 September 1990

  DHA

  5,000

  FHSA

  5,000

  From 1 January 1991

  Non-executive directors of NHS Trusts

  5,000

  AIDS
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has been made of the cost of treating AIDS patients in the national health service for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will give the figures separately for men and women.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government have made available the following sums of earmarked money to regional health authorities as a contribution towards the costs incurred in helping prevent the spread of HIV infection and providing treatment, counselling and support for those affected by HIV and AIDS.

  £ million

  1987–88

  25·1

  1988–89

  61·7

  1989–90

  122·5

  1990–91

  129·5

  1991–92

  137·3

  Separate figures for the costs of treatment of men and women are not available.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether patients who have grievances regarding their treatment by hospital trusts will be able to have them referred to the health service ombudsman in the same way as patients treated in directly managed hospitals.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Yes. Schedule 9, paragraph 18(10) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 provides for trusts to be subject to investigation by the health service commissioner.

  Nurses (Regrading Appeals)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses(a) in Doncaster and (b) in England and Wales had regrading appeals outstanding at 31 March.
  291
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A total of 22 appeals on behalf of nurses employed by Doncaster district health authority were outstanding at regional level at 31 March 1991. None was outstanding at national level.

  The information available on appeals outstanding at regional and national level in England up to 31 March 1991 is shown in the table:

  Appeals outstanding (England)

  Number

  Regional

  15,359

  National

  476

  Information on district level appeals is not held centrally.

  Questions on clinical grading appeals in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Minister for Health will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden of 28 February.

  Mr. Dorrell
  My hon. Friend replied on 16 May.

  People Sleeping Rough
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the initiative to provide accommodation and psychiatric care for mentally ill people sleeping rough in central London.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I was pleased to be able to open formally last month the first of the specialist hostels to be funded under the Department of Health's programme. Work is continuing on a further five hostel schemes, all of which are expected to open before the end of this financial year. New community-based psychiatric teams, along with an evaluation team, have been set up in the three Thames health regions concerned, and are already working with mentally ill people on the streets.

  Today I can announce that, in collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation, we expect to make available further revenue funding totalling about £2·7 million over the next three years. The Department of Health will provide £1·5 million, and the Mental Health Foundation will he endeavouring to raise the remaining £1·2 million from private sources, subject to detailed consideration of the projects.

  This extra money will give central London's health and social services authorities the opportunity to expand their community psychiatric teams, to enable them to provide support for mentally ill people within the new direct access hostels being established by the Department of the Environment under its rough sleepers initiative. Progress on the latter initiative is the subject of an announcement today by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning.

  HIV
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the results of the Medical Research Council's anonymised HIV surveys will be available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We are today publishing the first results of the Government funded Medical Research 292
  Council's anonymised HIV surveys. These surveys involved testing blood from a wide selection of patients who have had blood taken for other purposes. Great care must be taken in interpreting these preliminary results because the samples were small. Nevertheless they show that the priority we have given to public education campaigns is justified.

  The first results show that the overall prevalance of HIV infection in women attending certain ante-natal clinics in inner London is one in 500. These figures show a fivefold range from about one in 200 to more than one in 1,000 in the inner London clinics surveyed.

  In the small number of clinics surveys in outer London and the south-east there was a wide range from about one in 300 to one in 2,500, but half these clinics had no positive results.

  In other parts of the country, only one test in 16,000 in ante-natal clinics was positive.

  Among heterosexual women attending certain sexually transmitted diseases clinics in inner London the prevalence rate was one in 500; however, it was one in 100 for heterosexual men. Among homosexual and bisexual men attending the same clinics there is evidence of continuing transmission. The current prevalence rate is one in five.

  These initial results, though preliminary, provide valuable information to help us target our response to the epidemic. We intend to establish and lead an AIDS action group to reinforce action in areas with high prevalence rates. The group will address issues such as access to local services, local prevention and education initiatives and how to reach particular groups such as women, children and ethnic minorities. It will draw on the experience of local service providers and include within its membership representatives from health and local authorities, voluntary organisations and local communities.

  South Derbyshire DHA
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated by South Derbyshire district health authority for the latest year for which figures are available and the previous year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The table lists the number of in-patients, out-patients and day cases treated by Southern Derbyshire health authority for 1988–89 and 1989–90—the last year for which figures are available.

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Percentage increase

  In-patients1

  55,673

  61,608

  10·7

  Out-patients

  314,990

  324,962

  3·2

  Day cases

  4,977

  5,255

  5·6

  1The inpatient figures represent Finished Consultant Episodes.

  Source: KP70 and KH09 returns.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Strangford Lough
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the proposed designation of Strangford lough as a marine nature reserve from Strangford lough advisory co-ordinating council, Strangford lough nature conservation association, local farming organisations and others; and if he will make a statement.
  293
  Mr. Needham
  Since the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland announced its recommendation that Strangford lough should be designated as a marine nature reserve, the Department has received representations from a wide range of bodies including those referred to by the hon. Gentleman. Many of these representations have centred round the future management of the lough, rather than the designation of the marine nature reserve itself.

  The Department will be issuing a consultative paper at the beginning of June setting out its thinking on the future management structure for the lough and on a marine nature reserve. The consultation paper will be circulated widely and officials will be arranging meetings at which they will further explain the proposals. The district councils, the Strangford lough advisory and co-ordinating committee, the Strangford Lough Nature Conservation Association, farming organisations and other relevant bodies will be included in the consultation process. I hope all those interested will take the opportunity to express their views in as positive a way as possible. Following consultation the Department will produce a document containing policies and proposals.

  Factory Space
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount of factory space available for letting from the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland and the Local Enterprise Development Unit at 30 September 1990 analysed by parliamentary constituency.

  Mr. Needham
  Factory space and workspace accommodation available for letting at 30 September 1990 was as follows:

  Constituency

  IDB—Available lettable space sq ft

  LEDU—Available workspace sq ft

  Belfast East

  Nil

  Nil

  Belfast North

  Nil

  65,165

  Belfast South

  16,140

  Nil

  Belfast West

  8,178

  15,960

  East Antrim

  Nil

  1,194

  East Londonderry

  3,228

  1,942

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  3,228

  26,668

  Foyle

  16,140

  20,204

  Lagan Valley

  Nil

  652

  Mid Ulster

  41,426

  10,802

  Newry and Armagh

  41,125

  26,642

  North Antrim

  35,336

  14,454

  North Down

  Nil

  Nil

  South Antrim

  31,204

  Nil

  South Down

  17,007

  7,172

  Strangford

  Nil

  Nil

  Upper Bann

  29,246

  26,950

  Total

  242,258

  217,805

  Although the Local Enterprise Development Unit does not own or let factory space it funds the local enterprise programme which aims to establish a network of local enterprise agencies throughout Northern Ireland. Local enterprise agencies provide managed workspace accommodation for new and existing small businesses in units of various sizes.

  Company Assistance
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of the companies assisted by the Industrial Development Board who located factories in each of the district council areas in Northern Ireland from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991.

  Mr. Needham
  During the period from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991 there were nine new inward investment projects for which offers of assistance were accepted. To date two of these projects—Keith Prowse Holdings Ltd. in Belfast city council area and Webtech (NI) Ltd. in Fermanagh district council area—have been made public. The remaining seven projects, which have not yet been announced, will be located in the following district council areas: Antrim, Ballymena, Belfast (two), Magherafelt, Newry and Mourne, and Newtownabbey.

  In addition, four other inward investments for which no selective financial assistance was offered were secured. Two of these have been made public—Inland Revenue in the Belfast city council area and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the Newry and Mourne district council area. The other two projects, as yet unannounced, will be located in the Antrim and Belfast council areas.

  Desmond and Sons Ltd., an existing Northern Ireland company, located a new factory in the Dungannon district council area.

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the special development initiative led by the Industrial Development Board entails for the constituency of South Down.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of the Environment is co-ordinating the involvement of various Government Departments in progressing the Downpatrick regeneration strategy. Within this framework IDB is exploring the availability of a number of sites which might be suitable for industrial development purposes. IDB is also associated with the Department of Economic Development-led Newry initiative which, although primarily aimed at the Newry urban area, is likely to be of benefit to neighbouring areas.

  IDB officials have recently met Down district council to discuss industrial development in the area and IDB's United States-based overseas representatives have also met a local group to discuss the establishment of links between South Down and Chicago. Some 70 companies in the South Down area will be provided with information about an IDB trade mission to Chicago in October 1991.

  Northern Ireland Electricity
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will name the organisations or concerns which have so far expressed an interest in purchasing power stations in Northern Ireland or investing in Northern Ireland Electricity.

  Mr. Needham
  No organisation or concern has yet formally registered an interest in purchasing the power stations or in acquiring shares in NIE's successor company. All such expressions of interest would in any event represent commercially confidential information and would not normally be published.
  295
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he or his officials have had with the chairman of the Northern Ireland electricity service concerning the drafting of the minute relating to the decision of the Northern Ireland electricity service not to renew the contract of its chief executive.

  Mr. Needham
  The drafting of the minutes of the board of Northern Ireland Electricity is a matter for the chairman and company secretary.

  The chairman of NIE meets Ministers and officials on a regular basis, and advised the Department of Economic Development of the discussions at the meeting of the board on 3 May.

  Millisle Tourist Project
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many covers on control boxes of electric columns in Millisle, County Down have been removed this year; what proposals he has to make these covers more secure; and if he will make a statement on the inherent danger to children and the public in Millisle by these exposed electrical installations.

  Mr. Needham
  No covers have been removed this year. Arrangements exist for repairing and securing any control boxes which may be damaged.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a footway at Moss road, Millisle, from the Orange hall as far as the car park on the opposite side of Moss road; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  A scheme to extend the existing footway on the south side of the Moss road, Millisle from the Orange hall to the A2 junction is planned for the next financial year subject to finance being available. There are no proposals to provide a footway on the opposite side of the road.

  Schools and Colleges (Rates)
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what services and support local district councils provide for secondary schools and further education colleges in respect of rates payments.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 14 May 1991]: There are two rates in Northern Ireland, the regional rate determined by the Department of Finance and Personnel, which funds regional services, including education, and the district rate struck by each district council to meet the costs of district services which include the provision of leisure facilities—playing fields, leisure centres, swimming pools, and so on—and environmental services—refuse collection and disposal, street cleansing and litter control, building control, environmental health enforcement and so on. District services are provided for secondary schools and further education colleges.

WALES

  Speech Therapy
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time speech therapists are currently employed by each Welsh health district board; and if he will make a statement.
  296
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Number of staff in post as at 30 April 1991

  District health authority

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Pembrokeshire

  4

  3

  Clwyd

  18

  10

  East Dyfed

  12

  3

  Gwent

  16

  5

  Gwynedd

  9

  3

  Mid Glamorgan

  19

  4

  Powys

  6

  3

  South Glamorgan

  26

  10

  West Glamorgan

  8

  5

  There has been a significant and welcomed increase in the number of speech therapists employed by district health authorities in Wales since this Government took office. Since 1979 the number of whole-time equivalent speech therapists employed has increased from 65 to 154, an increase of 137 per cent.

  Brymbo Steelworks
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the quality of training provided for people from Brymbo steelworks who were recently made redundant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Training for those recently made redundant at the Brymbo steelworks is provided under the iron and steel employees' readaptation benefits scheme which is jointly funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and the European Commission. In the course of administering the scheme the Department of Trade and Industry has discussed the quality of training, both with trainees and with training providers, and has drawn apparent deficiencies to the attention of the providers. That Department is continuing to monitor the situation closely.

TRANSPORT

  Severn Crossing
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require that local companies and jobs will be given priority when considering supply and service contracts for the John Laing-GTM second Severn crossing joint venture.

  Mr. Chope
  The concession company for the second Severn crossing scheme will be required to comply with the normal competitive rules for sub-contracting. It will not therefore be allowed to discriminate on the grounds of nationality or location in its selection of sub-contractors. But I hope that local firms and individuals will bid for the work.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which authorities are responsible for determining the charges or tolls for the carriage of freight traffic through the channel tunnel for those portions of the journey(a) on the continent (b) within the United Kingdom and (c) between Frethun and Cheriton; and if

  297
  the payer of such moneys can be made aware of the components of any combined charge for any class or quantity of traffic attributable to each part of the journey.

  Mr. Freeman
  Charging for international rail freight services through the channel tunnel will be a commercial matter for British Rail and SNCF, who have a commercial agreement with Eurotunnel for the use of the tunnel.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance is being provided out of public funds, other than that for grants toward the costs of private railway sidings, for the development or equipment of freight terminals for cross-channel rail traffic on the basis of(a) general desirability and (b) reduction in road congestion.

  Mr. Freeman
  Investment in terminals for channel tunnel freight services is a commercial matter for British Rail and, where appropriate, its private sector partners. British Rail is prohibited under section 42 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 from receiving Government grants for international rail services.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is British Rail's target date for signing a contract for building the main fleet of international trains for the channel tunnel route; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when British Rail will order the fleet of 18-coach Euro-express trains; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail, SNCF and SNCB signed the contract for the 30 inter-capital trainsets in December 1989. British Rail are still discussing with the manufacturers the design of and terms for the specially modified trainsets needed for north of London services.

  Essex Roads
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to increase the capital allocation to Essex county council for road construction in this or following financial years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The allocation of transport supplementary grant, annual capital guideline and supplementary credit approval for local authority expenditure on roads in 1991–92 was announced last December. The resources available were fully distributed among the 108 authorities and none held back for later allotment.

  The allocations are decided in the light of information in authorities' annual transport policies and programme documents, which have to be submitted to the Secretary of State by the end of July each year. The allocations for Essex county council for 1992–93 will be considered on this basis, taking into account the competing bids from other highway authorities and the total resources available. It is not therefore possible to anticipate the outcome.

  Kingsway Underpass
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long the underpass from Waterloo bridge to Kingsway has been closed to traffic; when it will be re-opened and how much is the estimated cost of the work.

  Mr. Chope
  Westminster city council, which is the highway authority for the underpass, closed it on 298
  18 January 1989. I understand that it is to re-open within the next few weeks and that the estimated cost of refurbishment is £4 million.

  24 Claremont Road, E11
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the Waltham Forest environmental health officer with regard to his Department's property at 24 Claremont road, E11; and what action he proposes to take on it.

  Mr. Chope
  Yes; I have placed in the Library a copy of the environmental health officer's report about 24 Claremont road, E11 dated 27 June 1990. This property has been acquired in connection with A12 Hackney-M11 link road and is temporarily occupied by tenants of the Department.

  The Department has offered alternative accommodation to the tenants in order to vacate the property. They have turned the offer down. Since the report, essential repairs have been carried out. It is our intention to demolish the property after the tenancy agreement expires in November 1991.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines are laid down for investigations by the British Transport Police in cases of sudden death.

  Mr. Freeman
  The guidelines for investigations by the British Transport police in cases of sudden death are the same as those for Home Department forces. Investigations are conducted on behalf of Her Majesty's coroners of the areas in which such deaths occur. In apropriate cases, the facts are brought to the attention of the Crown prosecution service.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what statutory bases the British Transport Police is required to investigate and submit reports to Her Majesty's coroners in cases of sudden death involving British Rail trains.

  Mr. Freeman
  The British Transport police in its present form is established by section 69 of the Transport Act 1962 and its jurisdiction stems from section 53 of the British Transport Commission Act 1949 as amended. Constables are appointed in accordance with the provisions of the British Transport Commission Act 1949 as amended by section 70 of the Transport Act 1962, section 43 of the British Transport Commission Act 1962 and section 25 of the British Railways Act 1978. Parallel provisions apply in Scotland. BTP constables have the same powers and duties as any other constable in England, Wales and Scotland while acting within their jurisdiction. Within that jurisdiction, investigations into sudden deaths are conducted on behalf of Her Majesty's coroners in the same way as those conducted by other police forces.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities of a technical and engineering nature are available to the British Transport police when investigating cases of sudden death suspected of having being caused by mechanical failure.

  Mr. Freeman
  The British Transport police has full access to the forensic science service, Home Office
  299
  pathologists, the Metropolitan police forensic laboratory, and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist. In addition, it can use each and every technical and engineering facility avialable within British Rail. Should independent advice not available from these organisations be necessary, the force is free to obtain that advice from the most appropriate source, including the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the practice of the British Transport police with regard to making use of engineering and mechanical reports in the control and possession of British Rail when submitting reports to Her Majesty's coroners in cases of sudden death.

  Mr. Freeman
  The practice of the British Transport police is the same as that of any Home Department police force when investigating sudden deaths. If any relevant report is held by British Rail, it will be sought and, if obtained, disclosed to Her Majesty's coroner. If such a report is not disclosed by British Rail, Her Majesty's coroner will be informed of its believed existence enabling him to exercise his power to order the appearance of witnesses to give evidence on the contents at the inquest should he deem it necessary.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there is a complaints procedure similar to the police complaints procedure in respect of the activities of the British Transport police.

  Mr. Freeman
  Arrangements for dealing with public complaints concerning the British Transport police are identical to those for Home Department police forces in England and Wales, except that the final appellate authority in respect of the police disciplinary appeals is the Secretary of State for Transport and not the Home Secretary. Arrangements in Scotland are identical to those operating in other Scottish police forces.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he will list the present members of the British Transport police committee, indicating which members are employed full time and part time;

  (2) what are the primary duties and function of the British Transport police committee;

  (3) which members of the British Transport police committee are now, or have been, employees of the British Railways Board.

  Mr. Freeman
  The present membership of the British Transport police committee is as follows:

  Mr. J. C. P. Edmonds (Chairman)

  Mr. D. Tunnicliffe

  Mr. C. J. D. Driver

  Mr. A. P. Watkinson

  Dr. J. D. C. Prideaux

  Sir Lawrence Byford CBE, QPM, DL, LLD

  All the above mentioned members are current full-time members or employees of the British Railways Board except for Mr. Tunnicliffe and Sir Lawrence Byford. Membership of the committee is not, however, a full-time responsibility.

  The principal duties and function of the committee are set out in paragraph 4(g) of the British Transport Police Force Scheme 1963, made under section 69 of the Transport Act 1962. These are primarily to supervise he administration of the force, to make recommendations to
  300
  the British Railways and London Regional Transport boards on any matter concerning the force, to exercise the powers of the Railways Board under section 53 of the British Transport Commission Act 1949 as amended by section 70 of the Transport Act 1962 and to do on behalf and in the name of the Railways Board all other things which may be necessary for performing its functions under the BTP force scheme.

  Speed Limiters
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish regulations requiring speed limiters to be fitted to heavy goods vehicles; and whether he will extend the requirement to vehicles already in service.

  Mr. Chope
  A major consultation exercise earlier this year has shown that there is overwhelming support for fitting speed limiters to new vehicles. This measure should significantly reduce both the number and severity of accidents involving speeding HGVs. I am therefore pleased to confirm that draft regulations are being published today, and they will require all new HGVs over 7·5 tonnes gross vehicle weight to be fitted with speed limiters as from 1 August 1992.

  I am also proposing today to bring forward regulations which would require speed limiters to be fitted to at least the biggest and heaviest articulated vehicles first registered after 1 August 1988. There was firm support for this in the consultation exercise.

  Speed limiters would pay for themselves in terms of fuel savings in just a few years and there would be environmental benefits, too.

  Private Bills
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will complete his consultations on the 1988 report of the Joint Committee on Private Bill Procedure (HL Paper 97, HC625) insofar as it relates to transport matters.

  Mr. Rifkind
  We have completed our consideration of the responses to the Government's consultation document "Private Bills and New Procedures" (HMSO ref Cm. 1110) which set out proposals for a new order-making procedure to replace private Bills as the method by which railway, rapid transit and a wider range of harbour works would in future be authorised, as the Joint Committee recommended. Over 100 bodies or individuals responded and the majority supported the principle of the proposed reform, which would relieve Parliament of a significant, and growing, volume of private business relating to works projects.

  The Government are persuaded, in the light of the generally favourable reaction to the proposals, that legislation should be introduced at the earliest opportunity to establish new order-making powers for railway, tramway and other rapid transit systems, and inland waterway works, and to extend the range of harbour orders. The procedures will be broadly similar to those outlined in paragraphs 14 and 15 and 23 to 29 of the consultation document except in regard to two important aspects.

  For schemes of national significance we now propose that Parliament should have a role earlier in the procedure; issues of policy and principle would be

  301
  considered by Parliament separately and in advance of public inquiries. This change will enable Parliament to debate and establish the principle of the very biggest schemes so that the subsequent public inquiry would be limited to considerations of more local and detailed aspects for which it is better suited. We see this as a more satisfactory arrangement. If Parliament does not like the scheme in principle neither promoters nor objectors would be put to the expense of a public inquiry. Moreover, public inquiries into schemes of national significance undertaken before the principle has been settled could become unmanageable and extremely long. Finally we were persuaded by the argument of some consultees that the rejection of a project by Parliament after a public inquiry might serve to undermine the public inquiry system.

  Parliamentary consideration would take the form of a debate on a resolution moved by the Government in both Houses. Parliament would, of course, require sufficient information to make a decision. We expect that the draft order, including an assessment of the impact on the environment, would be available before a debate took place. This would provide the basis for justifying the project in broad terms.

  Secondly, the Government have concluded that the proposal for local authorities to deal with a first tier of schemes of essentially local significance should be dropped. These schemes would instead be decided by Ministers or be delegated to persons appointed by the Secretary of State. Only a small number of respondents to the consultation document expressed enthusiasm for this proposal and we consider that too few schemes would be suitable for decisions by local authorities to warrant establishing a separate procedure to handle them.

  The proposal to allow safety to be one of the factors in determining whether footpaths and bridleways should be stopped up or diverted—paragraphs 37 to 40 of the consultation document—will, in the light of the responses, be limited in the Bill to rights of way crossing railways.

  The recommendation that other works projects which require a private Bill should also be dealt with by orders has been well received. We are still considering ways in which this might best be achieved, but we agree in principle that they should be dealt with outside Parliament.

  The Government will continue to consult those directly affected by these proposals as detailed procedures are worked up. They are also in contact with a range of environmental and other interests who will wish to express views on these matters.

EMPLOYMENT

  Unemployment
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current rate of unemployment in(a) the Cambridgeshire travel-to-work-area, (b) the Eastern region and (c) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jackson
  Only unadjusted unemployment figures are available down to travel-to-work-areas. In April 1991, the latest available date, the unadjusted unemployment rate was 3·7 per cent. in the Cambridge travel-to-work-area, 5·7 per cent. in the East Anglia region and 7·7 per cent. in the United Kingdom.

  Careers Service
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the outcome of consultations between his Department and Berkshire county council with regard to the future of the careers service in Berkshire.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department has received a response from the education committee of Berkshire county council to my consultation paper on the future of the careers service. I welcome the response. It is being considered prior to any decision being taken on the future of the careers service.

  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress his Department has made in its consultation with local education authorities on the future of the careers service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department has received a very high response from local education authorities to the consultation on the future of the careers service. All responses are being considered.

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the job club provisions in the area covered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise as at 1 April.

  Mr. Jackson
  Questions on operational matters in the Employment Service executive agency are the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred this question for reply.

  Employment Measures, Waveney
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on how much money his Department has contributed to retraining, training and employment schemes and job clubs and all other projects to reduce unemployment in Waveney in each of the past 10 years; and what his forward plans are for the next three years.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 14 May 1991]: The information is not available in the form requested. However, in the last 10 years the Employment Department has provided a range of opportunities to assist the unemployed in the Waveney area, including youth training, community programme, employment training, advisory services to jobseekers and job clubs. Although, because of changes to the content and collation of statistics, comparable figures are not available for previous years, in the last two financial years, 1989–90 and 1990–91, my Department has allocated a total of £842,735 million to the east midlands and eastern region to assist training and unemployment measures.

  The Government are determined to ensure that unemployed people have the best possible advice and support to help them to find jobs and to provide special help where it is needed. On training, this year Government are spending more than two and half times in real terms the amount spent in 1978–79.

  In the future training and enterprise provision will be delivered by the training and enterprise councils. Norfolk

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  and Waveney TEC has been allocated a budget of £20 million in 1991–92 to enable it to plan and deliver training and enterprise provision in its area. The TEC will be paying particular attention to the needs of the unemployed.

  Employment service offices in Waveney offer a full range of programmes and services to help unemployed people back to work, including advisory interviews, job club, job interview guarantee, travel to interview scheme, Restart courses and jobsearch seminars. The employment service Norfolk and Suffolk area office has a programme budget of £549,400 in 1991–92.

DEFENCE

  Cluster Bombs
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of bombs dropped by United Kingdom forces in the Gulf conflict were cluster bombs.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  About 7 per cent.

  Nuclear Weapons (Transport)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to commission a study into the transportation of nuclear weapons through urban areas in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No; I am fully satisfied with our arrangements for the transport of nuclear weapons.

  Procurement Contractors
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of facilities of United Kingdom-based defence procurement contractors paid £5 million or more for equipment by the Ministry of Defence in 1988–89.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This information is a matter for the companies concerned.

  Missile Technology Control Regime
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reassessment he has made of the work of(a) the co-ordinating committee on export controls or (b) the missile technology control regime following the conflict in the Gulf.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Gulf conflict has underlined the importance of the work of the missile technology control regime in preventing the proliferation of ballistic missiles. As to the co-ordinating committee for multinational export controls, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 March 1991, at column 571.

  Sea King Helicopters
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the possibility of chartering civil aircraft to transport Sea King helicopters to Bangladesh.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  RFA Fort Grange was considered by the Overseas Development Administration to represent the most cost-effective way of deploying and 304
  operating RN Sea King helicopters in aid of Bangladesh. The Fort Grange will provide a highly flexible operating base for both the Sea Kings and the six Royal Marine rigid raider boats which she is also carrying.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the "Options for Change; study will have any further effects on the RAF beyond those announced on 10 May.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Arms Transfer
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 293, whether he supports the inclusion of non-lethal defence equipment on a United Nations arms transfer register.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I shall consider this question in the light of any relevant recommendations by the United Nations expert study group when its report to the Secretary General is circulated.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his policy to place in the Library a declassified copy of the report by the United Nations experts study group on measures to promote arms transfer transparency.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  When the Secretary General circulates the report I will be happy to place a copy in the Library.

  Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has re-assessed the inspection and verification procedures of the non-proliferation treaty following the conflict in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The need to strengthen the NPT regime is kept under contant review.

  Overseas Development Agency
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money he has charged the Overseas Development Agency for the use of military resources in relief operations in(a) Turkey and (b) northern Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Charges have not yet been made, but the latest estimate for the cost to date of military assistance to the ODA is around £5 million. It is not possible to apportion costs between Turkey and northern Iraq.

  RAF Squadrons
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proposals he has to provide alternative postings within the Ministry of Defence to personnel from Nos. 16, 15, 92 and 20 Squadrons; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what proposals he has to offer early retirement or voluntary redundancy packages to personnel from Nos. 16, 15, 19, 92 and 20 Squadrons; and if he will make a statement;
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  (3) whether he envisages having to compel any of the personnel of Nos. 16, 15, 19, 92 and 20 Squadrons to become redundant; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what discussions he has with local housing authorities about the future housing requirements of personnel from Nos. 16, 15, 19, 92 and 20 Squadrons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans to make any of the personnel of Nos. 15, 16, 19, 20 or 92 Squadrons redundant, nor to offer them special terms for premature voluntary release. Squadron personnel will be posted to other units in the normal way. There is no need to hold discussions with local authorities about the future housing requirements of these personnel.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cambodia
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any planning for the deployment of a United Nations military force in Cambodia has taken place.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We understand that the United Nations secretariat has been working on preliminary arrangements for the implementation of all the provisions of the draft comprehensive settlement document, including those relating to the military aspects.

  Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ishtiaq Ahmed, date of birth 1 January 1974, reference IMM/A4162, applied to the post in Islamabad for entry clearance to the United Kingdom; and when a decision is to be taken on his application.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In accordance with the guidelines on the handling of representations by Members of Parliament in immigration cases, issued to Members on 14 December 1988, I have referred the question to the correspondence unit of the migration and visa department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The hon. Member will receive a reply from the unit as soon as possible.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 13 and 14 May.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council took place in Brussels on 13 and 14 May. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I represented the United Kingdom.

  The Council agreed on a 60 million ecu package of emergency assistance to help those suffering in Bangladesh. The aid will be financed by bilateral contributions from member states.

  At the request of the United Kingdom, the Council discussed proposals for strengthening EC-Turkey relations. It instructed the Committee of Permanent Representatives to examine the proposals in more detail and to report to the Foreign Affairs Council in July.
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  The Council discussed the situation in Yugoslavia. It decided that the visit by the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and the President of the Commission, which was agreed by the informal European Council in Luxembourg, should take place soon.

  After a brief discussion by the Council, the Commission agreed to continue funding for the international fund for Ireland.

  EC and EFTA Ministers met on 13 May to review progress in the negotiations for a European economic area, which will extend the single market to the EFTA countries. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry represented the United Kingdom. Substantial progress was made on the outstanding issues and EC and EFTA Ministers confirmed their commitment to conclude the negotiations before the summer. They agreed a comprehensive joint declaration setting out the main elements of the European economic area. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The ninth EC-Israel co-operation council on 14 May reviewed economic co-operation between the European Community and Israel. EC Ministers raised the appointment of a Commission representative in the occupied territories and the question of EC participation in a peace conference.

  Political Union
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the ministerial meeting of the inter-governmental conference on political union on 13 and 14 May.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I attended the ministerial meeting of the inter-governmental conference on political union on 13 and 14 May. The meeting discussed presidency proposals on social policy, cohesion and European citizenship.

  In discussion on social policy my right hon. Friend stressed that in the United Kingdom's view the existing treaty struck a just balance between the scope for Community action and the diversity of national practices and customs and that we saw no need for any change.

  Spain, supported by other southern member states, argued that further measures to promote cohesion were necessary as the Community embarked on a new stage of political and economic integration. We, together with other northern member states, took the view that the IGC was not an appropriate forum to open a discussion on financial and budgetary issues, which would be raised in the context of next year's review of Community finances.

  In the discussion on citizenship, many member states expressed the view that any new text should go no further on rights of free movement and residence than existing legal provisions. We made it clear that there should be no question of any concept of European citizenship cutting across member states' own nationality legislation.

  Discussion of these and other aspects of the inter-governmental conference on political union will continue at future meetings of special representatives and Ministers. A further ministerial session will be held on 17–18 June. The inter-governmental conference will be on the agenda of the European Council to be held on 28 and 29 June.

  Indo-Chinese Refugees
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the fourth meeting of the steering committee set up by the 1989 international conference on Indo-Chinese refugees.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The fourth meeting of the steering committee created by the international conference on Indo-Chinese refugees met in Geneva on 30 April and 1 May. The joint United Kingdom and Hong Kong delegation drew attention to the worsening situation in the colony caused by a sharp increase in the number of Vietnamese migrants arriving in Hong Kong, coupled with a low number of departures. Copies of the final statement are being placed in the Library of the House. The statement reaffirms the strong commitment of participants to implement the comprehensive plan of action of June 1989 in its entirety, and in particular that non-refugees are not eligible for resettlement and must return to their country of origin. The British Government fully support the Hong Kong Government's efforts to resolve this intractable problem through the full and balanced implementation of the comprehensive plan of action. The British Government intend to consult urgently with the principal countries concerned over alternative and additional measures for accelerating the return of non-refugees to the country of origin, which remains crucial if an effective and durable solution to the problem is to be found.

SCOTLAND

  GPs' Contracts
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the higher and lower targets for primary immunisation, pre-school booster immunisation and cervical cytology set in the contract for general medical practitioners which came into force on 1 April 1990; what percentage of general medical practitioners have(a) now achieved and (b) not achieved these targets; what were the comparable figures in March 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The higher target for primary immunisation—that is, of children aged two and under —and for pre-school booster for children aged five and under is 90 per cent; and the lower target for these two categories is 70 per cent. The higher target for cervical cytology is 80 per cent., and the lower 50 per cent.

  The percentages of general medical practitioners reaching target levels as at 1 October 1990, in comparison with the position as at 1 April 1990, are shown in the table. The figures show that considerable progress has been made since the new GP contract was introduced on 1 April 1990 and that the incentives provided by the Government under the contract are indeed producing results.

  General Medical Practitioner Target Achievement Levels SCOTLAND: Percentage of GMPs Reaching the Target Levels

  Target Category and Target Levels Achieved

  1 April 1990

  1 October 1990

  Primary Immunisation

  90%–100%

  64·0

  73·4

  70%–<90%

  29·6

  23·4

  <70%

  6·4

  3·2

  308

  Target Category and Target Levels Achieved

  1 April 1990

  1 October 1990

  Pre-School Booster

  90%–100%

  41·6

  58·4

  70%–<90%

  29·0

  17·8

  <70%

  29·5

  23·9

  Cervical Cytology

  80%–100%

  45·7

  61·2

  50%–<80%

  45·5

  34·4

  <50%

  8·8

  4·4

  Note: Cervical cytology figures exclude Greater Glasgow Health Board, which has a variation on the standard targets payments system in operation.

  Public Libraries
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to allocate resources towards the promotion of public library services for blind and partially sighted people; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The allocation of resources to public library services is not a matter for the Secretary of State, but for individual local authorities—usually the district and islands councils, but Highland, Borders and Dumfries and Galloway regional councils in their respective areas—which have a statutory duty to secure the provision of adequate library facilities for all persons resident in their area.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research has been commissioned into the effects of the right-to-buy legislation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Since the right-to-buy legislation was introduced in 1980, the Scottish Office has commissioned three research projects into its effects. The first, "Council House Sales in Scotland", was published in 1985 and is available in the Library. The other two projects, "The Right to Buy—Survey of Tenants" and "The Right to Buy—Survey of Purchasers", are still in progress and will be published in due course. Other agencies, including Scottish Homes, have also commissioned research projects about aspects of the right to buy.

  Council Housing
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the percentage of council housing stock relative to the total housing stock, including private and rental, for each district council.

  Mr. Lang
  The latest available information, which relates to 31 March 1989, is set out in the table.

  Council housing as a percentage of total stock at 31 March 1989

  Area

  Local authority percentage

  SCOTLAND

  38·4

  Borders

  Berwickshire

  27·7

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  26·5

  Roxburgh

  33·2

  Tweeddale

  21·2

  309

  Area

  Local authority percentage

  Central

  Clackmannan

  45·2

  Falkirk

  49·9

  Stirling

  36·9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  31·4

  Nithsdale

  30·6

  Stewartry

  22·0

  Wigtown

  33·6

  Fife

  Dunfermline

  39·4

  Kirkcaldy

  37·4

  North East Fife

  23·5

  Grampian

  Aberdeen

  38·3

  Banff and Buchan

  33·5

  Gordon

  18·8

  Kincardine and Deeside

  17·8

  Moray

  29·0

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  19·3

  Caithness

  34·1

  Inverness

  26·9

  Lochaber

  35·7

  Nairn

  25·3

  Ross and Cromarty

  30·4

  Skye and Lochalsh

  15·0

  Sutherland

  25·7

  Lothian

  East Lothian

  40·4

  Edinburgh

  24·0

  Midlothian

  35·8

  West Lothian

  35·7

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  24·8

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  11·5

  Clydesbank

  56·9

  Clydesdale

  43·1

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  18·6

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  54·5

  Cunninghame

  36·8

  Dumbarton

  38·9

  East Kilbride

  5·1

  Eastwood

  7·9

  Glasgow

  52·9

  Hamilton

  52·0

  Inverclyde

  46·5

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  48·7

  Kyle and Carrick

  37·8

  Monklands

  72·8

  Motherwell

  71·2

  Renfrew

  43·2

  Strathkelvin

  33·9

  Tayside

  Angus

  31·5

  Dundee

  47·6

  Perth and Kinross

  27·3

  Island Councils

  Orkney Islands

  17·4

  Shetland Islands

  29·2

  Western Isles

  18·4

  Source: Valuation roll.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were(a) the numbers of buses owned, (b) the numbers of staff employed and (c) the net book value of the assets of the Scottish Bus Group subsidiary, Eastern Scottish, at the time of its sale; and what were the net proceeds from the sale.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The following information relates to the position as at 22 April 1990:

  (a) 391.

  (b) 1,119.

  (c) £6,574,000. The net assets are stated on an historical cost basis, with the exception of heritable land and buildings which were re-valued on a current use basis.

  Sale prices for the subsidiaries of the Scottish Bus Group will be made public only after privatisation of all subsidiaries has been completed.

  Islay
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if there are any plans to designate the Isle of Islay an environmentally sensitive area; what consultations are under way to review the present arrangements; what consultations are under way or planned by the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and other interested parties; when he expects consultations to conclude; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to designate the Isle of Islay as an environmentally sensitive area. He is, however, currently reviewing the present arrangements for such areas and will, if necessary, honour his statutory obligation to consult the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and the Countryside Commission for Scotland on any proposal to change these arrangements flowing from the review.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the maximum net weekly incomes that would qualify for a local tax rebate in each property band in every local authority in Scotland if the exemplifications recently published by him applied with 100 per cent. rebates of those on income support and a 15 per cent. taper applied for(a) a married couple with two children under 11 years, (b) a married couple with no children and (c) a pensioner couple aged 60 to 74 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  Estimates of rebates under the council tax cannot be provided, since the detailed arrangements have yet to be determined.

  Social Work (Scotland) Act
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will state the number of voluntary and caring organisations which have received reductions in Scottish Office financial assistance in 1991–92, given under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 together with the amount of such reductions and the amount for each organisation affected;

  (2) if he will state the numbers of organisations which have received grants under the Social Work (Scotland) Act

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  1968 for each of the past five years; and how many organisations have been eliminated from such financial assistance during the period.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Grants are made available to voluntary and other organisations under sections 9 and 10(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. Grants were made to the following organisations in 1990–91:

  Organisation

  Total grant paid £

  Age Concern Scotland

  96,128

  Association of Lanark Voluntary Organisations

  21,098

  Alzheimers Scotland

  75,341

  Annandale and Eskdale Council of Social Service

  1,250

  Apex Scotland

  164,350

  British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering

  30,000

  Banff and Buchan Resource Information and Development Group Exchange

  21,818

  Badenoch and Strathspey Council of Social Services

  21,897

  Barra and Vatersay Council of Social Services

  20,664

  Berwickshire Association of Voluntary Service

  11,548

  Borders Federation of Councils of Voluntary Service

  895

  Brittle Bone Society

  9,963

  Broxburn/Uphall Handishop

  286

  Bute Community Links

  17,480

  Caithness Voluntary Group

  22,411

  Call Centre

  16,200

  Care in Action Scotland

  18,936

  Carers National Association

  18,538

  Childline Charitable Trust

  10,000

  Childline Scottish Appeal

  25,000

  Church of Scotland (Designated Place, Inverness)

  3,350

  Community Service Volunteers

  17,000

  Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies

  20,000

  Crossroads (Scotland)

  23,856

  Cruse Bereavement Care

  9,975

  Dementia Services Development Centre

  66,372

  Dial Scotland

  10,373

  Disability Scotland

  264,474

  Disablement Income Group

  4,448

  Disfigurement Guidance Centre

  6,581

  East Sutherland Council of Social Services

  15,116

  Ettrick and Lauderdale Council of Social Service

  10,903

  Gingerbread Scotland

  28,061

  Glasgow City Aid

  6,770

  Gordon Rural Area Information Network

  21,963

  Hamilton and East Kilbride Befriending Project

  28,363

  Harris Council of Social Service

  15,043

  Highland Federation of Councils of Social Service

  3,641

  Home-start Consultancy

  20,000

  Intermediate Treatment Resource Centre

  75,137

  Inverness Voluntary Organisations Group

  15,149

  Islay and Jura Council of Voluntary Service

  25,182

  Isle of Arran Council of Social Service

  12,888

  Kincardine and Deeside Council of Social Service

  26,098

  Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes Association of Voluntary Organisations

  5,016

  Kyle and Carrick Council of Social Service

  10,852

  Levenmouth Council of Social Service

  2,454

  Lewis Council of Social Service

  29,935

  Marriage Counselling Scotland

  90,668

  ME Association

  15,115

  Midlothian Council of Social Service

  6,195

  Mobile Projects Association Scotland

  15,875

  Moray Youth Project

  54,000

  National Children's Home

  47,177

  National Foster Care Association

  20,925

  National Institute for Social Work

  8,200

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship Scotland

  11,178

  Nithsdale Council of Voluntary Service

  15,070

  North and West Sutherland Council of Social Service

  11,074

  Penumbra

  22,512

  Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service

  14,533

  Planning and Development Unit, Tayside

  6,000

  Play Matters

  3,500

  Plus Self Help Association

  39,993

  312

  Organisation

  Total grant paid £

  Positive Help

  20,000

  Quarriers/SCAFA (Borders Development)

  13,010

  Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

  133,074

  Renfrew Council on Alcohol

  25,000

  Richmond Fellowship

  42,705

  Ross and Cromarty Council of Social Service

  21,308

  Roxburgh Association of Voluntary Service

  13,356

  Samaritans

  5,000

  Save the Children Fund (Renton Project)

  42,000

  Scottish Association for the Deaf

  7,356

  Scottish Association of Family Conciliation Services

  60,236

  Scottish Association for Mental Health

  104,304

  Scottish Adventure Playground Association

  14,800

  Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters

  32,112

  Scottish Child and Family Alliance

  58,685

  Scottish Child Minding Association

  40,492

  Scottish Council for Single Parents

  33,027

  Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

  298,191

  Scottish Home Visiting Resources and Training Unit

  25,814

  Scottish Pre School Play Association

  92,321

  Scottish Society for the Mentally Handicapped

  31,500

  Scottish Association for Care and Resettlement of Offenders

  150,086

  Scottish Action on Dementia

  500

  Scottish Child Law Centre

  40,790

  Scottish Council on Alcohol

  31,550

  Scottish Down Syndrome Association

  8,005

  Scottish Institute of Human Relations

  16,010

  Scottish Play Council

  2,000

  Scottish Refugee Council

  4,583

  Scottish Spina Bifida Association

  14,187

  Scottish Spinal Cord Injury Association

  13,869

  Scottish Training Advice Service

  28,500

  Scottish Womens Aid

  111,520

  Scottish Council for Single Homeless

  8,078

  Sense in Scotland

  54,684

  Shetland Council of Social Service

  22,862

  Skye and Lochalsh Council of Social Service

  20,038

  Speyside and District Council of Social Service

  18,071

  Stepping Stones

  26,817

  Stewartry Council for Voluntary Service

  17,802

  Still Birth and Neo-natal Death Society

  2,750

  Stirling Council of Social Service

  18,266

  Student Community Action Scotland Development Unit

  15,469

  The Princes Trust

  8,000

  Tweeddale Association of Voluntary Service

  9,437

  Uist Council of Social Service

  20,668

  University of Glasgow

  21,300

  University of Stirling

  5,624

  Volunteer Development Scotland

  60,031

  Visualise

  10,000

  Victim Support Scotland

  397,937

  Voluntary Association of Nairn Groups

  11,585

  Voluntary Services Orkney

  28,940

  West Lothian Council of Social Service

  17,890

  West Lothian Voluntary Council for Disabled People

  28,574

  Who Cares? Scotland

  30,769

  Wigtown Council for Voluntary Service

  13,418

  Note: A number of organisations received more than one grant.

  The following seven organisations will receive a lower level of grant in 1991–92:

  Organisation

  Grant paid in 1990–91 (£)

  Grant likely to be paid in 1991–92 (£)

  Section 9 grants

  Age Concern (Scotland)

  47,700

  45,100

  Marriage Counselling (Scotland)

  13,400

  11,000

  Victim Support (Scotland)

  22,100

  20,600

  313

  Organisation

  Grant paid in 1990–91 (£)

  Grant likely to be paid in 1991–92 (£)

  Section 10(1) grants

  SENSE

  36,050

  31,250

  Brittle Bone Society

  9,950

  5,200

  Disfigurement Guidance Centre

  6,600

  3,150

  Scottish Spina Bifida Association

  14,200

  10,200

  In addition, grants to 10 organisations were not renewed in 1991–92. Two section 9 grants were not renewed. These grants are based on three-year blocks of funding and are subject to renewal only in exceptional circumstances. Of the eight section 10(1) grants which were not renewed, five were for time-limited projects which had come to an end. In the other cases, one organisation did not submit an application for grant in 1991–92, one organisation was no longer representative following a reduction in membership and one organisation had largely completed the development work for which it was being funded.

  The numbers of grants given to organisations, and grant which ceased, in each of the past five years are as follows:

  Year

  Number of grants

  Number of grants which ceased

  Section 9 grants

  1986–87

  15

  0

  1987–88

  18

  0

  1988–89

  17

  0

  1989–90

  21

  0

  1990–91

  19

  4

  Section 10(1) grants

  1986–87

  144

  12

  1987–88

  136

  21

  1988–89

  134

  24

  1989–90

  122

  33

  1990–91

  134

  11

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmon
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the causes of the decline in rod-caught salmon during the 1990 season.

  Mr. Curry
  Only provisional rod data for 1990 are so far available. I am aware of reports that in some cases rod catches were lower than in previous years. The distribution and variation in catches is being analysed by scientists in the Fisheries Departments and by the National Rivers Authority. It is too early to draw firm conclusions. Year on year fluctuations in catches of migratory fish are normal and can be the result of a number of factors, including low water levels due to drought and higher than normal levels of natural mortality. It is not yet known whether there are any other abnormal factors in relation to the 1990 catches.

  Tuberculosis
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether his Ministry has carried out post mortems on rats found on farms where a herd 314
  outbreak of tuberculosis occurred to establish whether the rats themselves were carriers of the disease; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the work his Ministry is carrying out into investigating the possibility that rats might be vectors of tuberculosis, passing the disease on to cattle;

  (3) if he will list all the mammals which have been investigated by his Ministry as possible vectors of tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Rats are not examined as part of an investigation into a cattle herd breakdown. Past studies have looked at the possibility of rats and other wildlife being involved in the transmission of tuberculosis to cattle. This work was reviewed by Professor Dunnett in his report on badgers and bovine tuberculosis in 1986. No actual lesions have been revealed, other than in deer, and it has been concluded that where visible lesions are absent infected animals are not likely to be infectious. Appendix 8 of Professor Dunnett's report lists those species examined and information on wildlife examined is published annually in the reports on bovine tuberculosis in Badgers which are available in the Library of the House.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  EC (Finance Ministers)
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest informal meeting of the European Community's Economic and Finance Ministers.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Community met informally on 10 to 12 May. The Governor of the Bank of England and I represented the United Kingdom.

  Discussion of economic and monetary union focused on the content of stage 2 and the transition to stage 3. Differing views emerged on a number of issues and, in particular, the date for the establishment of a European system of central banks.

  I made it clear that the United Kingdom was not prepared to commit itself to moving to stage 3 without a further vote by the House of Commons in the future. There was some suggestion that it might be possible to meet the United Kingdom's concern on this point. I took the view that this was a constructive step in our direction but that the IGC was still at an early stage in negotiations and that many issues, including the content of stage 2, would have to be resolved before this question could be addressed in detail.

  A proposal from the Presidency setting out frameworks for the approximation of VAT and excise duties in the Community was also discussed. I argued that the approximation of VAT rates at Community level was not necessary for the removal of fiscal frontiers in the single market and I also emphasised the importance to the United Kingdom of continuing to apply our existing zero rates. In the discussion of excise duties, I argued for high minimum duty rates or effective restrictions to take account of the important health and social concerns attached to alcohol and tobacco. In both discussions other Ministers also expressed their different concerns and no agreements were reached.
  315
  The President of the Commission gave an account of his approach towards future financing issues in the Community over lunch. In a brief discussion of aid for Bangladesh, I urged that aid should be given through national channels and through the Community's existing budgetary resources.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Lawson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, for each quarter from the first quarter of 1977 to the first quarter of 1991 inclusive, the total United Kingdom short-term interest rate, using(a) the retail prices index excluding mortgage interest payments and (b) the retail prices index as the deflator.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information requested is in the following table:

  Percentage increase on a year earlier

  3 month interbank rate less RPI excluding mortgage interest payments

  3 month interbank rate less RPI

  1977

  Q1

  -3·8

  -3·9

  Q2

  -8·0

  -8·0

  Q3

  -8·3

  -8·3

  Q4

  -6·9

  -6·5

  1978

  Q1

  -3·3

  -2·6

  Q2

  0·6

  1·2

  Q3

  1·5

  1·6

  Q4

  3·5

  3·3

  1979

  Q1

  3·7

  2·8

  Q2

  2·5

  1·4

  Q3

  -0·9

  -1·6

  Q4

  -0·7

  -1·3

  1980

  Q1

  -0·3

  -1·2

  Q2

  -2·8

  -3·6

  Q3

  0·7

  -0·2

  Q4

  1·2

  0·2

  1981

  Q1

  0·6

  0·6

  Q2

  0·2

  0·7

  Q3

  2·2

  2·7

  Q4

  3·1

  3·3

  1982

  Q1

  3·3

  2·9

  Q2

  4·0

  3·6

  Q3

  3·5

  3·2

  Q4

  2·9

  3·5

  1983

  Q1

  4·6

  5·9

  Q2

  5·3

  6·1

  Q3

  4·6

  5·0

  Q4

  4·3

  4·1

  316

  Percentage increase on a year earlier

  3 month interbank rate less RPI excluding mortgage interest payments

  3 month interbank rate less RPI

  1984

  Q1

  4·6

  3·9

  Q2

  4·1

  3·9

  Q3

  6·7

  6·2

  Q4

  5·8

  5·1

  1985

  Q1

  7·8

  7·1

  Q2

  7·0

  5·3

  Q3

  6·0

  5·1

  Q4

  6·1

  5·8

  1986

  Q1

  7·6

  7·2

  Q2

  6·7

  7·2

  Q3

  6·5

  7·2

  Q4

  7·6

  7·6

  1987

  Q1

  6·7

  6·4

  Q2

  5·4

  4·8

  Q3

  6·0

  5·3

  Q4

  5·0

  4·9

  1988

  Q1

  5·1

  5·4

  Q2

  3·8

  4·0

  Q3

  5·9

  5·6

  Q4

  7·0

  5·6

  1989

  Q1

  7·1

  5·0

  Q2

  7·1

  4·9

  Q3

  7·7

  5·8

  Q4

  8·5

  7·0

  1990

  Q1

  8·5

  6·9

  Q2

  6·5

  4·9

  Q3

  5·5

  4·1

  Q4

  4·2

  3·5

  1991

  Q1

  4·3

  4·1

  Interbank Rates
  Mr. Lawson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, for each month from January 1986 to the present(a) the average three-month interbank rate, (b) the average three-month interbank rate in real terms, using the retail prices index excluding mortgage interest payments as the deflator and (c) the percentage growth in bank and building society lending over the same month in the previous year.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information requested is in the following table:
  317

  Average 3 month interbank rate

  Average 3 month interbank rate less RPI excluding mips

  Percentage growth in bank and building society lending over same month in previous year

  1986

  January

  12·8

  7·6

  16·2

  February

  12·7

  7·5

  17·3

  March

  11·7

  7·4

  16·6

  April

  10·5

  6·8

  16·5

  May

  10·2

  6·9

  16·5

  June

  9·8

  6·2

  17·2

  July

  10·0

  6·4

  17·8

  August

  9·8

  6·2

  18·4

  September

  10·1

  6·6

  18·1

  October

  11·0

  7·5

  18·8

  November

  11·2

  7·6

  19·6

  December

  11·4

  7·6

  20·2

  1987

  January

  11·1

  7·2

  20·5

  February

  10·9

  6·9

  19·8

  March

  10·0

  5·9

  19·1

  April

  9·8

  6·0

  19·6

  May

  8·8

  4·8

  19·5

  June

  8·9

  5·2

  19·3

  July

  9·2

  5·3

  19·6

  August

  10·0

  6·1

  18·9

  September

  10·2

  6·4

  20·1

  October

  10·0

  5·9

  19·3

  November

  9·0

  4·8

  18·9

  December

  8·8

  4·7

  19·1

  1988

  January

  9·0

  5·1

  20·1

  February

  9·3

  5·5

  20·0

  March

  8·9

  4·9

  20·9

  April

  8·3

  3·9

  21·9

  May

  8·0

  3·5

  22·3

  June

  8·9

  4·0

  22·9

  July

  10·6

  5·3

  23·6

  August

  11·4

  6·1

  24·1

  September

  12·2

  6·6

  24·3

  October

  12·0

  6·6

  24·7

  November

  12·3

  6·9

  24·6

  December

  13·1

  7·6

  24·6

  1989

  January

  13·1

  7·2

  24·5

  February

  13·0

  6·9

  24·3

  March

  13·1

  7·0

  24·3

  April

  13·1

  6·8

  23·5

  May

  13·1

  6·7

  23·3

  June

  14·2

  7·8

  22·5

  July

  13·9

  7·7

  21·6

  August

  13·9

  7·7

  21·9

  September

  14·0

  7·8

  22·1

  October

  15·0

  8·4

  21·4

  November

  15·1

  8·5

  20·9

  December

  15·1

  8·5

  21·2

  1990

  January

  15·2

  8·5

  20·4

  February

  15·1

  8·4

  20·7

  March

  15·3

  8·5

  20·4

  April

  15·2

  6·8

  19·7

  May

  15·2

  6·5

  19·3

  June

  15·0

  6·3

  18·7

  July

  14·9

  6·1

  17·7

  August

  15·0

  5·4

  16·7

  September

  14·9

  4·9

  15·7

  October

  14·0

  4·1

  15·5

  November

  13·6

  4·1

  15·4

  December

  13·8

  4·4

  13·8

  1991

  January

  14·0

  5·0

  13·1

  February

  13·3

  4·3

  12·4

  March

  12·4

  3·7

  11·1

  318

  Tobacco Taxation
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made towards the harmonisation of tobacco taxation within the European Community; and what effect this will have on the current level of tobacco taxation in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 16 May 1991]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor or the Exchequer gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Conway).

  There has been no agreement on tobacco tax rates and the Government view remains that centrally imposed tax harmonisation is unnecessary for completion of the single market. The United Kingdom remains free to set its own duty rates.

  Civil Research and Development
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply of 8 May,Official Report, column 461, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan, what are the comparable figures of per capita spending on civil research and development in 1989 for Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan and Sweden.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 16 May 1991]: The information is not available in the form requested. Relevant information currently available for these countries relating to the years 1984 to 1990 is published in table 6 of the OECD publication "Main Science and Technology Indicators 1990(2)", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  YUGOSLAVIA: CIVIL UNREST
  YUGOSLAVIA: CIVIL UNREST
  PRIVATE BILLS: TRANSPORT MATTERS
  PRIVATE BILLS: TRANSPORT MATTERS
  HEALTH SERVICE STAFF
  HEALTH SERVICE STAFF