Written Answers of 8 November 1991

TRANSPORT

  Motor Vehicles
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he will publish the conformity of production exhaust emission standards for motor cars approved for use in the United Kingdom;

  (2) when he intends to introduce MOT test standards based on conformity of production emission limits; and if he intends to use these in roadside spotcheck programmes.

  Mr. Chope
  The current United Kingdom conformity of production standard for CO emission from petrolengined vehicles is 4·5 per cent. which is 1 per cent. more than the type approval standard to allow for manufacturing tolerance. This is the same as in the EC. These are the standards to which we are testing.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to publish the criteria for accepting requests made under the new compensation provisions of the New Road and Street Works Act 1991 for the purchase of properties affected by road schemes.

  Mr. Chope
  I believe my hon. Friend has in mind section 62 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 which gives authorities discretion to acquire property seriously affected by public works. The criteria to be applied to the Department's road schemes are under consideration.

  Rail Service, Leicester
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet reached a decision on the proposed passenger rail service to run from Leicester through the South Derbyshire coalfield to Burton on Trent, Toyota and Derby.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I hope to make announcements about the allocation of resources for local public transport projects in 1992–93 shortly.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to ensure that standards in the construction of the channel tunnel rail link meet the requirements for new railway construction laid down by the European Community.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no such EC requirements.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects to announce details of the arrangements for working up the new route for the new railway to the channel tunnel;
  262
  (2) if he will ensure that the study of the new rail link to be built to the channel tunnel includes full appraisal of the route needed for through running of international passenger and freight trains beyond London;

  (3) when the status of Ove Arup will be clarified to enable the company once again to enter into discussions with the citizens of Mid-Kent on the alignment, environmental protection measures and other causes of concern of the channel link.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend has asked British Rail to carry out the next phase of developing the route in close consultation with the Government and the private sector and take the lead in consulting the public. We shall announce more details of the arrangements as soon as we are able to. The work to be done will include examination of the implications of the route for international freight and passenger services to and from both London and beyond.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide additional funds to British Rail to enable it to fulfil its obligation to purchase properties rendered unsaleable by their safeguarded railway corridor between Detling and Cheriton and to act as a buyer of last resort in compassionate cases.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail's offer remains open to buy any domestic property within the safeguarded zone between Detling and Cheriton. There are no present plans to broaden the terms of, or area covered by, the voluntary purchase scheme for this route section.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of containers currently being carried on the European railway network could reach(a) London and (b) Liverpool (i) now and (ii) in 10 years' time on tracks currently operated by BR.

  Mr. Freeman
  BR's European container services to London and Liverpool can at present accept all standard ISO containers as well as 2·5m wide pallet containers and 12·2m long swap bodies. When the channel tunnel opens in 1993 BR will be able to accept between 90 and 95 per cent. of all containers in use on other European railways. In the longer term, the percentage will depend on future developments in the global container market.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss his invitation to anyone to take BR's freight operation off his hands; if he has any plans to assist towards that outcome; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend regularly meets the chairman of British Rail to discuss a variety of issues, including progress on his rail freight initiative. The Government intend to seek substantial privatisation of BR in the next Parliament. Meanwhile, my right hon. Friend wrote to the chairman on 9 October asking BR to give positive and sympathetic consideration to reasonable proposals from the private sector to introduce new freight or passenger services. We look forward to BR's response.

  Queen Elizabeth II Bridge
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the procedures to be followed by householders who live near the Queen Elizabeth II bridge
  263
  at Dartford, and who wish to process a claim for compensation for enhanced noise levels due to a faster throughput of traffic; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish the compensation entitlement of householders who live near to the Queen Elizabeth II bridge at Dartford, or the approach/exit roads thereto, and who find themselves affected by enhanced noise levels due to a faster throughput of traffic; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Notices will be published soon in the local press describing the procedures for claiming compensation under part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973 for depreciation in value of property. Details of the procedure and conditions of eligibility are further described in a booklet "Your Home and Nuisance from Public Development", available from the Department's regional office at Federated house, Dorking. The claim period lasts six years commencing from a date 12 months after the new road was opened to traffic on 30 October 1991. Special provisions apply for those selling their houses within the first 12 months after completion of the works.

  Under part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973, there is a right to claim compensation for depreciation of more than £50 in the value of land (including buildings) caused by specified physical factors (noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke and artificial lighting and the discharge on to the land in respect of which the claim is made of any solid or liquid substance) arising from the use (but not its construction) of a new or altered highway. If compensation is payable, reasonable valuation or legal fees incurred by claimants in making claims will also be paid. Interest is payable from the date the claim is received or the first claim day, whichever is later, until the compensation is paid.

  Bus Passes
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make a free bus pass available to all pensioners as of right; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We have no plans to change the present arrangements. Local authorities already have powers to provide pensioners with free or reduced price bus travel. The decision on what to provide is one for the local authority in the light of local demand and the resources that they can make available.

ENERGY

  Gas
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when reserves of British gas are likely to run out on current consumption levels.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The 1991 Brown Book (Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom; a report to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Energy) showed the estimated remaining gas reserves of the UKCS to lie in the range 963–3345 billion cubic metres (bcm). Total consumption in 1990 was estimated at approximately 59 bcm. Over the last decade additions to reserves have exceeded consumption: the 1981 Brown Book showed 264
  estimated reserves in the range 750–2150 bcm. The United Kingdom will remain a major producer of gas well into the next century.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will identify the consumption levels of British gas for the next century in 10-yearly periods.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My Department published a range of scenarios of United Kingdom energy consumption (up to 2020) based on oil price assumptions supplied by the intergovernmental group on climate change in Energy Paper number 58. A copy of this paper has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Coal-burning Schemes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the level of investment provided for research into and promotion of clean coal-burning schemes within the United Kingdom; and what proportion of the total energy budget this constitutes.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Both British Coal and my Department are supporting a wide range of research and development projects to develop cleaner coal technologies. The development of these technologies is a collaborative exercise and many of the projects also involve United Kingdom industry and overseas organisations such as the European Commission and the International Energy Agency. The value of contracts in the Department's current coal R and D programme are worth over £115 million with Department support of over £21 million. One of the most important of these projects is the development of British Coal's topping cycle technology which is taking place at Grimethorpe and its coal research establishment. Information on total spending by industry in the United Kingdom on energy-related research is not available to my Department.

  Transmission Link
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the Energy Minister of the Republic of Ireland and the chairman of the National Grid Company concerning the proposals for an undersea transmission link between Wales and the Republic of Ireland, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals there are to link the United Kingdom electricity grid with that of the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There have been no substantive discussions at ministerial level. However, I understand that the National Grid Company and the Electricity Board of Ireland are considering the matter; it is for them to assess the technical and commercial viability of the project.

  Energy Sources
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of national energy needs are met from(a) coal, (b) oil, (c) windmills, (d) gas and (e) other sources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Figures for shares of primary energy consumption in 1990 are as follows:
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  Fuel

  Percentage share Per cent.

  Coal

  31·3

  Oil

  35·5

  Natural gas

  24·1

  Other1

  9·1

  1 Nuclear and natural-flow hydro electricity, and net imports of electricity from France.

  The amounts produced from wind power at present represent less than 0·05 per cent. of total primary energy consumption. However, following the 1990 and 1991 Renewables Orders under the non-fossil fuel obligation the regional electricity companies have been obliged to contract for wind power capacity, building up to the substantial level of 94·63 M W. This should considerably enhance the potential for bringing wind power into the electricity market on a competitive basis.

  Spent Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any plutonium separated at Sellafield from the spent nuclear fuel discharged from the JAPCO TOKAI—1 Magnox nuclear plant has ever been co-processed with(a) spent fuel of similar irradiation from electricity board/nuclear board/Scottish Nuclear Magnox plants and (b) spent fuel of similar irradiation from BNFL's Magnox plants.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The policy of British Nuclear Fuels plc is to co-process civil spent fuel from its various home and overseas customers wherever it is operationally desirable to do so. In respect of material from BNFL's own reactors, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for South Worcestershire (Mr. Spicer) to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 8 December 1988 at column 329.

  Windscale
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the current arrangements for storage of the filters from the Windscale pile number one damaged in the 1957 fire.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  This is a management matter for BNFL. However, I understand that the filters from Windscale pile number one which became contaminated as a result of the 1957 fire are stored along with other intermediate-level waste at Sellafield.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Private Bills
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what proposals he has to abolish or reform the private Bills procedure.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  Proposals will be published very shortly.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Residential Homes
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether residential homes are exempted from policies for exemption for competitive tendering for catering, cleaning and laundry services.

  Mr. Hanley
  This is a matter for HPSS boards to determine in accordance with my Department's instructions, which provide for exemption for residential homes"where these services are provided on site and clients are directly involved as an integral part of the therapeutic or rehabilitative process".

  Civil Defence
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RIMNET sites for civil defence are in existence in Northern Ireland; how many are fully operational; and what is the maximum level of radiation in centrigrays which they can quantify.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Northern Ireland has one fully operational RIMNET site with a further four expected to be in operation by mid-1992. The maximum level of measurable radiation which such sites can quantify is 0·3 centigrays per hour.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new police officers will be recruited during the next 12 months for front-line duties in the fight against crime as a result of the announcement on 9 October 1991; how many will be deployed in the Metropolitan police area; and if he will publish the names of provincial police forces who will be authorised to recruit additional officers giving details of the number in respect of each force.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend will announce allocations of establishment increases to forces shortly.

  Overseas Electors
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons living abroad were registered as electors on the most recent electoral register; how many of them lived in Belgium, Cyprus, France, Spain and South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A total of 34,454 overseas electors are included on the electoral register for 1991–92. A breakdown of the total by parliamentary constituency is included in "Electoral Statistics 1991", published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, a copy of which is in the Library. Information on the number of overseas electors living in particular countries abroad is not held centrally.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a copy of "United Kingdom, Deficient Policy and Practice for the Protection of Asylum Seekers" published by Amnesty International for his departmental library.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Home Office library already has a copy.

  Belmarsh Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of inmates at Belmarsh prison on 1 November.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  On 1 November there were 658 inmates in Belmarsh prison.

  Stress-related Illnesses
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to develop health attention services for staff at prisons in England and Wales to deal with stress-related illnesses.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The prison service has developed a stress management package for use by all its staff. Training in the use of this package is currently under way, and the aim is for the majority of staff to receive this training in 1992.

  A servicewide scheme of post-incident care was launched in July this year providing care, support and expert counselling for staff suffering stress reactions following traumatic incidents at work. In addition, a lifestyle screening programme has been introduced which covers stress levels as well as other aspects of health. Prison service staff also have access to the confidential counselling services of the civil service occupational health service and the Home Office staff welfare service.

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of prison inmates who have been taken off category A classification in prisons in England and Wales during the last 12 months.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  During the 12 months up to the end of October 1991, 71 category A inmates were downgraded to category B following review by the category A committee.

  Prostitutes, Balham
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests he has had from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for an increase in the number of police officers in the Tooting police division in the light of the presence of prostitutes in the Bedford hill area of Balham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is for the Commissioner to decide how to allocate resources between divisions from the overall pool of officers available to him.

  The Commissioner is aware of the problem of prostitution in Bedford hill and a local squad is dedicated to combating it. In addition, as a result of discussion with
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  the local police consultative group, the police and Wandsworth council have within the last few weeks set up a working party to explore multi-agency approaches to tackling the problem.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police stations and the numbers of remand prisoners being held at police stations in the Greater London area on 31 October.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  On 31 October a total of 166 prisoners were held in the following police stations in the Greater London area:

  Number

  Albany Street

  10

  Bow Road

  12

  Brentford

  5

  Camberwell

  13

  Cannon Row

  15

  Croydon

  5

  Deptford

  11

  Earlsfield

  1

  Forest Gate

  3

  Gipsy Hill

  3

  Horseferry Road

  24

  Kennington

  5

  Lambeth

  11

  Lavender Hill

  5

  Mitcham

  1

  Muswell Hill

  2

  Ruislip

  4

  Snowhill

  2

  South Western

  10

  Teddington

  2

  Thames

  8

  Walthamstow

  4

  West End Central

  10

  I regret that it is not possible to identify separately remand and other classes of prisoner.

  Prisoners (Police Cells)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were being held in police cells in the Cardiff gaol catchment area in the week ending 26 October, how many were(a) sentenced and (b) remanded, and how many were aged 15, 16 or 17 years old.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  During the week ending 26 October the following number of prisoners who should have been held in Cardiff prison were held in police cells:

  Number

  21 October

  197

  22 October

  199

  23 October

  193

  24 October

  194

  25 October

  201

  Information on prisoners in police cells is not collected at weekends. It is not now possible to differentiate between remand and other classes of prisoner or to identify the ages of prisoners held on those days.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidelines he proposes to govern the use of police cells for overnight stays involving young children and babies accompanying their parents while being questioned;
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  (2) what discussions he has had with the chief constable of South Wales concerning the children under the age of 10 years kept with their parents in police cells at Fairwater police station, Cardiff, on the night of Sunday 27 October; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is not proposed to issue guidelines. The police do not, in normal circumstances, allow children to remain with parents in cells. Every effort is made to place children with responsible adults relatives or friends, or to seek assistance from the social services department.

  I understand from the chief constable of South Wales constabulary that at 2.20 pm on 27 October a man and woman, of no fixed abode, were arrested and taken to Fairwater police station where it was decided not to grant bail. They were accompanied by seven children. Between 3.45 and 10.55 pm the police made numerous attempts to find accommodation via the social services, but were unsuccessful. The children were therefore housed overnight with the parents in a cell with integral sanitation.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed by the Commission for Racial Equality, and what is the cost per annum of running the board.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  On 5 November 1991, the Commission for Racial Equality employed 199 staff. The budget for the financial year 1991–92 is £14,055,000.

THE ARTS

  Public Libraries
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many public libraries were open for 45 hours or more per week in 1980; and what is the corresponding figure for 1991.

  Mr. Renton
  Direct comparisons are not available. Statistics prepared by the Chartered Institute of Public

  Topic

  Commencement Date

  Duration

  Company

  (a) Her Majesty's Treasury:

  *British Telecom Share Flotation

  1 October 1991

  2 months

  J. Walter Thompson Dewe Rogerson Ltd.

  (b) Central Office of Information carried out no publicity campaigns on its own account. The following campaigns were organised for other Departments:

  RAF Recruitment

  May 1991

  Ongoing

  J. Walter Thompson

  *Soldier Recruitment

  24 June 1991

  12 weeks

  Delaney Fletcher Slaymaker Delaney & Bozell

  Officer Recruitment

  April 1991

  Ongoing

  Collett Dickenson Pearce

  *Territorial Army Recruitment

  19 September 1991

  10 weeks

  Delaney Fletcher Slaymaker Delaney & Bozell

  Citizens Charter

  23 July 1991

  4 weeks

  BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Ltd.

  Customs and Excise Staff Recruitment

  1 April 1991

  12 months

  Bernard Hodes

  *Road Tax Evasion

  1 April 1991

  12 months

  Waldron Allen Henry & Thompson/D'arcy Masius Benton & Bowles

  Northern Ireland Electricity Privatisation

  16 May 1991

  7 months

  Shandwick Consultants

  *Teacher Recruitment

  1 July 1991

  23 weeks

  Saatchi & Saatchi

  Assessment Tests

  7 April 1991

  12 weeks

  Bernard Hodes

  Parents Charter

  27 September 1991

  9 weeks

  BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Ltd.

  Teacher Recruitment—Graduates

  7 November 1991

  5 weeks

  Bernard Hodes

  270
  Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) show that 106 library authorities in England at 31 March 1981 had 761 service points (excluding mobile libraries) open for 45 hours or more per week. At 31 March 1990, the latest year for which statistics are available, 96 authorities reported 572 service points in the same category.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Company Directors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the increase since 1979 in the real earnings, including fringe benefits, of directors of public companies.

  Mr. Maude
  I regret that the information is not available.

  Publicity
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an up-to-date list of each television advertising campaign carried out, or to be carried out. by(a) Her Majesty's Treasury (b) the Central Office of Information, (c) the Department of National Savings, (d) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, (e) the Inland Revenue and (f) the HMSO during 1991–92, and of each other publicity campaign costing more than £100,000, giving for each (i) the topic, (ii) the commencement date, (iii) the duration and (iv) the advertising, promotional and public relations companies involved.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: Advertising campaigns costing more than £100,000 carried out this year are given in the table. Campaigns that used television in addition to other media are marked with an asterisk. Those without an asterisk did not use television.
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  Topic

  Commencement Date

  Duration

  Company

  Launch of 'Investors in People' Scheme

  17 October 1991

  1 week

  Gold Greenlees Trott

  *TECS

  1 April 1991

  12 weeks

  Gold Greenlees Trott

  Career Development Loans

  10 August 1991

  6 weeks

  Gold Greenlees Trott

  *'Just the Job' booklet for unemployed

  12 May 1991

  4 weeks

  D'arcy Masius Benton & Bowles

  *'Just the Job' booklet for unemployed

  12 September 1991

  5 weeks

  D'arcy Masius Benton & Bowles

  Employment Service Staff Recruitment

  1 April 1991

  12 months

  PA Advertising Ltd.

  Energy Efficiency to reduce emissions by industry

  October 1991

  6 months

  Laing Henry

  Energy Efficiency to reduce emissions in the home

  November 1991

  4 months

  Collett Dickenson Pearce & Partners

  ECGD Insurance Services

  April 1991

  2 months

  Leo Burnett Ltd.

  Blood Donors

  29 July 1991

  7 weeks

  FCO Ltd.

  Health of the Nation Leaflet

  5 June 1991

  2 weeks

  BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Ltd.

  *Nursing Recruitment

  26 September 1991

  2 months

  Laing Henry

  Health Services for Women

  30 June 1991

  3 months

  Laing Henry

  Children's Act

  14 October 1991

  10 months

  Laing Henry

  Police Recruitment—Specials

  April, August, October 1991

  1 week

  Riley Ltd.

  *Crime Prevention

  1 April 1991

  2 months

  Collett Dickenson Pearce & Partners

  Passport Renewal

  7 October 1991

  2 months

  BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Ltd.

  Dangerous Drugs Bill

  11 August 1991

  3 days

  FCO Ltd.

  Electoral Registration

  15 September 1991

  4 weeks

  FCO Ltd.

  Smoke Alarms

  19 October 1991

  4 days

  FCO Ltd.

  Police Recruitment Graduates

  June 1991

  5 months

  Riley Advertising

  *Family Credit

  2 September 1991

  6 weeks

  BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Ltd.

  Companies Registration Compliance

  October 1991

  6 months

  Golley Slater

  Queens Award for Export/ Technology

  April 1991

  4 months

  BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Ltd.

  *Navy Recruitment

  April 1991

  Ongoing

  Young & Rubicam

  *Census 1991

  4 April 91

  1 month

  D'arcy Masius Benton & Bowles

  *AIDS

  May 1991

  9 months

  BMP DDB Needham Worldwide Ltd.

  Ordnance Survey

  26 June 1991

  1 week

  Leagas Delaney

  Patent Registration move to Wales

  April 91

  12 months

  Ayer Barker Ltd.

  *Scottish Electricity Share Flotation

  26 March 1991

  11 weeks

  Citigate Advertising Faulds Advertising

  *Child Road Safety Helmets

  23 April 1991

  3 weeks

  Miller Leeves, Waldron Allen, Henry Thompson

  Motorway Litter

  19 April 1991

  9 days

  Miller Leeves, Waldron Allen, Henry Thompson

  Drink/Drive

  1 July 1991

  1 month

  Miller Leeves, Waldron Allen, Henry Thompson

  Rear Seatbelts

  1 June 1991

  1 month

  Miller Leeves, Waldron Allen, Henry Thompson

  *Child Pedestrian Safety

  21 October 1991

  3 weeks

  D'arcy Masius Benton & Bowles

  *British Telecom Share Flotation

  1 October 1991

  2 months

  J. Walter Thompson

  Details of future campaigns have not been finalised.

  (c) Department of National Savings

  5th Issue Index-linked savings certificates

  10 June 1991

  4 weeks

  McCann Erickson Advertising Ltd.

  *Children's Bonus Bonds

  8 July 1991

  4 weeks

  McCann Erickson Advertising Ltd.

  *Income Bonds

  5 August 1991

  4 weeks duration not finalised

  McCann Erickson Advertising Ltd.

  January 1992

  *Savings Certificates

  February 1992

  Duration not finalised

  McCann Erickson Advertising Ltd.

  Investment Account

  18 August 1991

  6 weeks

  McCann Erickson Advertising Ltd.

  Children's Bonus Bonds, Premium Bonds and Investment Account

  1 November 1991

  About 6 weeks

  McCann Erickson Advertising Ltd.

  272 273

  Topic

  Commencement Date

  Duration

  Company

  (d) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise

  Customs and Excise Staff Recruitment

  1 April 1991

  12 months

  Bernard Hodes

  (e) Inland Revenue—none

  (f) Her Majesty's Stationery Office—none

HEALTH

  Care Homes
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce measures further to safeguard the welfare of residents in residential care and nursing homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have today laid before Parliament regulations made under the Registered Homes Act 1984 that will require applicants for registration in respect of residential care and nursing homes to declare any criminal convictions they may have; and to provide proof of their identity on request. The first of these measures reinforces the administrative arrangements already in place under which authorities are advised to ask applicants about criminal convictions, and the police can be asked to make confirmatory checks against their records. Requiring proof of identity should help ensure applicants do not evade these and other checks by giving a false name.

  These new requirements will strengthen the hand of registration authorities and help reduce the already small risk of unsuitable applicants becoming registered under the 1984 Act.

  Abortions
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the private clinics licensed to perform abortions which have used, or were planning to use, a macerator to dispose of the bodies of aborted unborn babies, together with the means and place of disposal that each clinic is currently using;

  (2) if he will list the private clinics licensed to perform abortions which are curretly using a macerator to dispose of the bodies of aborted unborn babies.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This method of disposal is not now considered appropriate. It is being phased out as soon as possible in the few places where it is used. The Department is writing urgently to proprietors of approved places requiring them to use incineration and, where appropriate, to confirm that they have ceased to use maceration as a means of disposal. Compliance will be further monitored through the regular, unannounced inspections by the Department's medical, nursing and investigative officers.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues to those places licensed to perform abortions regarding consultation with the mother concerning the disposal of her aborted unborn baby.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is a matter for the woman concerned to take up with the proprietors of the approved place if she wishes to do so. Where the possibility 274
  of research arises, advice has been given about the need to discuss this with the woman so that she can decide whether or not to give consent.

  General Practitioners (Overpayment)
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he proposes to take on the overpayment to general practitioners in 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler) on 7 November at columns 259–60.

  Children Act 1989
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to make his first report to Parliament on implementing the Children Act 1989; and if he will introduce regular quarterly reporting on residential child care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Children Act requires information received from local authorities and others to be laid before Parliament. We expect to lay a report before Parliament on the implementation of the Act by the end of 1992. The statistical return for the first year of operation of the Act should be available in 1993. There are no plans to introduce quarterly reporting on residential child care.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists within the Trent regional health authority provided dental treatment under the NHS in(a) 1989 and (b) 1990; and what is the number now.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information is given in the table.

  1. General Dental Service Staff

  Number

  September 1989

  1,372

  September 1990

  1,395

  June 1991

  1,310

  2. Hospital and Community Health Service Dental Staff1

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  September 1989

  211

  180·2

  September 19902

  211

  177·2

  1 Figures include permanent paid and honorary staff but exclude hospital practitioners and clinical assistants.

  2 Latest available figure.

  Legionnaire's Disease
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill, of 5 November, columns 317–18,
  275
  how many cases of legionnaire's disease have been reported in Liverpool; when they were first notified to the authorities; where they are thought to have originated; why the outbreak was not made public; what action was taken to warn other patients and staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Five cases have been reported in Liverpool so far in 1991, of which two appear to be related and associated with the Broadgreen cardiothoracic centre.

  Both these cases, reported in October, were brought to the attention of the local public health authorities and the Public Health Laboratory Service when the diagnoses were confirmed.

  As soon as the first case was confirmed at the cardiothoracic centre samples were taken from the water systems. The results indicated that the infection could have originated from that source. Measures were therefore taken to treat the water system immediately.

  Confirmation of one case of legionnaire's disease cannot definitely be associated with any particular source. By the time that the second case was confirmed at the cardiothoracic centre appropriate control measures had been taken. There was therefore no need to alert the public.

  Following confirmation of the second case letters were sent to the general practitioners of all patients treated at the centre since it opened in July and also to all other hospitals in the area, alerting them to the possibility of the diagnosis. All staff at the centre are being screened for any signs of infection so that prompt treatment can be provided if required. To date no further cases have been identified.

  Health Records (Confidentiality)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last discussed with the Data Protection Registrar the matter of health record confidentiality and the pros and cons of providing non-statutory guidance on the matter.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 15 October at column 137.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions have been initiated by his Department for the violation of health records confidentiality; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department has not initiated any such prosecutions. The confidentiality of health records is protected by the law of confidence and not the criminal law. Any breach of the duty of confidence may be actionable by the patient or the relevant authority. Unauthorised use or disclosure of personal health information by health authority staff would also be regarded as a serious disciplinary matter.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reverse the decision to encourage project grants at the expense of core grants under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: We have no such plans. We are aiming to reduce the 80 per
  276
  cent. of the section 64 general scheme budget currently spent on core grants in order to increase the scope for pump-priming and innovative projects, but the greater part of the budget will continue to go on core funding subject to three yearly review. It is necessary to strike the right balance and this is consistent with the approach of the report "Scrutiny of Government Funding of the Voluntary Sector" published in April 1990.

  Income Generation
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the income generated by each regional and district health authority for the financial years 1989–90 and 1990–91 as recorded in the short-term programme/outturn and report process.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 7 November 1991]: The available information is given in the table.

  Figures for 1990–91 are not yet available.

  1989–90

  £ Thousand

  Northern

  837

  Yorkshire

  805

  Trent

  2,240

  East Anglian

  815

  North West Thames

  2,111

  North East Thames

  5,121

  South West Thames

  473

  Wessex

  1,382

  Oxford

  1,683

  South Western

  2,365

  West Midlands

  1,357

  Mersey

  1,875

  North Western

  2,075

  South East Thames

  2,147

  125,286

  1 A further £1·5 million came from special health authorities.

  Incontinence Pads
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the statutory provisions governing charges for incontinence pads by local health authorities.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 7 November 1991]: The position on charging for NHS services is set out in section 1(2) of the National Health Service Act 1977 which states that such services must be
  "free of charge except in so far as the making or recovery of harges is expressly provided for by or under any enactment, whenever passed".
  The provision of incontinence pads by NHS community services to people who are not NHS in-patients is a matter for the discretion of health authorities.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical assessment is used to decide how many incontinence pads are supplied free daily.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 7 November 1991]: This is a matter to be determined by individual health authorities. The Department has issued general guidance to health authorities on this matter following a national review of incontinence services, earlier this year.

EMPLOYMENT

  Pay Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the percentage increase since 1979 for the median, average, upper and lower deciles of full-time adult rates as(a) female hospital ward orderlies, (b) female welfare workers, (c) local authority male manual workers, (d) male and female non-manual workers in banking and finance, (e) male and female non-manual workers in legal services and (f) male and female manual workers in manufacturing.

  Mr. Jackson
  The available information is published in parts B, C and D of the "New Earnings Survey" reports for 1979 and 1991, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the percentage increase since 1979 for the median, average, upper and lower deciles of full-time adult rates as(a) male hospital porters, (b) male and female primary school teachers. (c) male locomotive drivers and motormen, (d) footplate staff, (e) NHS male ancillary staff and (f) NHS male maintenance staff.

  Mr. Jackson
  The available information is published in parts B and D of the "New Earnings Survey" reports for 1979 and 1991, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will publish the percentage increase in real earnings in(a) manufacturing and (b) non-manufacturing of (i) manual and (ii) non-manual males arid females respectively in the lowest decile, the lower quartile, the higher quartile and the highest decile, with the median and average figures for 1970 to 1979 and 1979 to the most recent available date;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table in the same form as that contained in his reply dated 15 November 1989, Official Report, column 279, bringing that information up to date and in each case distinguishing between manufacturing and non-manufacturing; and if he will provide corresponding figures for (a) the periods 1970 to 1973 and 1974 to 1983 and (b) females over each period.

  Under (weeks)

  6

  8

  10

  12

  16

  20

  26

  1 April 1991 to 6 November 1991

  1

  3

  14

  38

  72

  82

  91

  1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991

  3

  15

  33

  50

  75

  89

  96

  1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990

  5

  26

  49

  66

  87

  94

  97

  1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989

  2

  11

  32

  64

  80

  88

  94

  1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988

  4

  22

  41

  58

  79

  86

  90

  1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987

  9

  20

  39

  54

  72

  83

  89

  Mining Accidents
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, for each coal mine in England and Wales, and for each year since 1985, the number of recorded accidents which have taken place in the course of the employment of coal miners.

  Mr. Forth
  The information in the following tables is for the years 1987–88 to 1990–91. Statistics for earlier years
  278
  Mr. Jackson
  The available information on average gross weekly earnings is published in the "New Earnings Survey" reports for the years concerned (in tables 10,11,18 and 21 for 1970, in tables 29, 32, 49 and 52 for 1973, and in tables 54, 57, 74 and 77 for 1974, 1979, 1983 and 1991), apart from figures for employees in non-manufacturing for 1991 which are given in the following table. Estimates of decile, quartile and median earnings for those in non-manufacturing are not available for 1991.

  Information on the retail prices index (all items) to convert 1979 figures to 1991 prices is published in table 6.4 of the latest "Employment Gazette" for April 1991, and in table 26 of the annual supplement to "Economic Trends" for April of earlier years.

  Copies of the publications are available in the Library.

  Average gross weekly earnings of full-lime employees on adult rates, whose pay was not affected by absence, who do not work in manufacturing industries

  April 1991

  £

  Manual men

  246·7

  Manual women

  156·4

  Non-manual men

  374·6

  Non-manual women

  238·8

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current waiting time for cases to reach a hearing by industrial tribunals within(a) the Barnsley, East constituency and (b) South Yorkshire; and what were the comparable waiting times in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  I reget that the information is not in the form requested. The following table shows the percentage of cases coming to first hearing at the industrial tribunals in the Leeds region, which includes Barnsley and the South Yorkshire area, within six, eight, 10, 12, 20 and 26 weeks respectively of receipt of the application. The figures for the period 1 April to 6 November 1991 are provisional. The figures for the period 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987 are for the Sheffield regional office which served the South Yorkshire area until its amalgamation with Leeds in 1987.

  could be provided only by incurring disproportionate cost. The tables list injuries notified to HSE in respect of all persons employed within the curtilage of the coal mine.
  279

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  +3 day

  Major injury

  Total

  1990–91

  Agecroft

  CM

  0

  4

  1

  5

  Allerton Bywater

  CM

  0

  68

  3

  71

  Annesley/Bentinck

  CM

  0

  53

  6

  59

  Apedale

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Asfordby

  CM

  0

  14

  2

  16

  Askern

  CM

  0

  37

  8

  45

  Bagworth

  CM

  0

  25

  1

  26

  Barnburgh

  CM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Barnsley Main

  CM

  0

  27

  7

  34

  Barnsley Main

  CM

  0

  27

  0

  27

  Bentley

  CM

  0

  58

  7

  65

  Betws

  CM

  0

  11

  3

  14

  Bevercotes

  CM

  0

  69

  5

  74

  Bickershaw Complex

  CM

  0

  15

  6

  21

  Bilsthorpe

  CM

  0

  80

  8

  88

  Blaenant

  CM

  0

  4

  2

  6

  Blenkinsop

  LM

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Bolsover

  CM

  0

  56

  10

  66

  Brawds Level

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Brodsworth

  CM

  0

  7

  5

  12

  Brynglas

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Calverton

  CM

  1

  56

  7

  64

  Clipstone

  CM

  0

  40

  10

  50

  Cotgrave

  CM

  0

  33

  5

  38

  Coventry

  CM

  0

  179

  11

  190

  Creswell

  CM

  0

  91

  5

  96

  Darrell

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Daw Mill

  CM

  0

  129

  13

  142

  Dawdon

  CM

  0

  53

  7

  60

  Dearne Valley

  CM

  0

  11

  3

  44

  Deep Navigation

  CM

  0

  27

  4

  31

  Denby Grange

  CM

  0

  11

  8

  19

  Dinnington

  CM

  0

  2

  6

  8

  DOE LEA

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Donisthorpe/Rawdon

  CM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Draycott Cross

  LM

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Easington

  CM

  1

  118

  15

  134

  Ellington Combine

  CM

  1

  142

  9

  152

  Frickley/SE

  CM

  0

  34

  6

  40

  Gascoigne Wood

  CM

  0

  99

  3

  102

  Gedling

  CM

  0

  37

  10

  47

  Goldthorpe

  CM

  0

  25

  5

  30

  Graig-y-Llyn

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Green Clough

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Grimethorpe

  CM

  0

  16

  10

  26

  Harworth

  CM

  1

  85

  9

  95

  Hatfield/Thorne

  CM

  0

  37

  3

  40

  Houghton Main

  CM

  0

  34

  8

  42

  Kellingley

  CM

  0

  144

  6

  150

  Kiveton

  CM

  0

  47

  7

  54

  LEA Hall

  CM

  0

  73

  6

  79

  Little Sheriff

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Littleton

  CM

  0

  89

  6

  95

  Lonnen Drift

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Mainband

  LM

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Maltby

  CM

  0

  73

  10

  83

  Manton

  CM

  0

  36

  8

  44

  March Hywell No. 2

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Markham Main

  CM

  1

  35

  3

  39

  Markham

  CM

  0

  87

  8

  95

  Moorside

  LM

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Murton

  CM

  0

  60

  12

  72

  North Selby

  CM

  1

  111

  13

  125

  Oak

  CM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Ollerton

  CM

  0

  82

  5

  87

  Parklands No. 5

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Parkside

  CM

  0

  8

  9

  17

  Penallta

  CM

  0

  36

  7

  43

  Pentwyn No. 3

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Podmore Hall

  LM

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Point of Ayr

  CM

  0

  22

  6

  28

  Prince of Wales

  CM

  0

  71

  9

  80

  Quaker House

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Quaker House

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Renishaw Park Mine

  CM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Riccall

  CM

  0

  35

  6

  41

  280 281

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 day

  Major injury

  Total

  Rossington

  CM

  0

  23

  0

  23

  Rufford

  CM

  0

  76

  6

  82

  Scranton

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Sharlston

  CM

  0

  74

  3

  77

  Sherwood

  CM

  0

  48

  1

  49

  Shirebrook

  CM

  0

  100

  5

  105

  Shireoaks/Steetly

  CM

  0

  4

  0

  4

  Silverdale

  CM

  0

  47

  11

  58

  Silverhill

  CM

  1

  46

  7

  54

  Silverwood

  CM

  0

  29

  7

  36

  Stillingflcet

  CM

  1

  72

  11

  84

  Sutton Manor

  CM

  0

  19

  5

  24

  Taff Manor

  CM

  0

  23

  1

  24

  Thoresby

  CM

  0

  86

  12

  98

  Thurcroft

  CM

  0

  53

  2

  55

  Tower

  CM

  1

  44

  5

  50

  Treeton

  CM

  0

  15

  0

  15

  Trentham

  CM

  0

  69

  19

  88

  Tyn Wern

  CM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Tyn-Y-Craig

  CM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Vane Tempest/Seaham

  CM

  0

  54

  2

  56

  Venallt

  LM

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Warsop Main

  CM

  0

  7

  3

  10

  Waunhir No. 2

  LM

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Waunhir No. 2

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Wearmouth

  CM

  0

  71

  11

  82

  Welbeck

  CM

  0

  50

  12

  62

  Westoe

  CM

  1

  62

  11

  74

  Whitemoor

  CM

  0

  37

  8

  45

  Whittle

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Wistow

  CM

  1

  27

  5

  33

  Woodside Drift

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Woody Close Drift

  LM

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Wrytree Farm Drift

  LM

  0

  3

  0

  3

  Ystrad Anthracite

  LM

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 Day

  Major

  Total

  1989–90

  Acres Nook

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Agecroft

  CM

  0

  36

  4

  40

  Allerton Bywater Mine

  CM

  0

  51

  5

  5

  Amber Valley Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Annesley/Bentinck

  CM

  1

  82

  4

  5

  Apedale 1–4

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Apedale 5–6

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Asfordby

  CM

  0

  19

  6

  25

  Askern Mine

  CM

  0

  36

  3

  39

  Baddesley

  CM

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Bagworth/Ellistown

  CM

  0

  54

  5

  59

  Bank Top 2

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Barnburgh Mine

  CM

  0

  4

  1

  5

  Barnsley Main Mine

  CM

  0

  34

  4

  38

  Barras Hill Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Bentley Mine

  CM

  0

  45

  12

  57

  Betteshanger

  CM

  1

  6

  2

  9

  Betws Mine

  CM

  0

  18

  6

  6

  Bevercotes

  CM

  1

  86

  6

  92

  Bickershaw Complex

  CM

  1

  25

  3

  29

  Bilsthorpe

  CM

  0

  69

  13

  82

  Bilston Glen Collier

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Blaenant Mine

  CM

  0

  46

  10

  10

  Blenkinsopp Caste Mine

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Blidworth

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Bolsover Mine

  CM

  0

  71

  8

  79

  Brodsworth

  CM

  0

  17

  5

  22

  Brynglas Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Calverton

  CM

  0

  70

  9

  79

  Castle

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Cefn Mawr No. 2 Mine

  LM

  1

  —

  1

  2

  Clipstone

  CM

  0

  53

  9

  62

  Clrghyll Drift Mine

  LM

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Cotgrave

  CM

  1

  43

  2

  46

  Coventry

  CM

  0

  162

  10

  172

  Craugau Mine

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Cresswell

  CM

  1

  125

  7

  133

  282 283

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 Day

  Major

  Total

  Cwmgwili New Drift Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Darrell Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Daw Mill

  CM

  0

  119

  9

  128

  Dawdon Mine

  CM

  1

  94

  0

  1

  Dearne Valley Mine

  CM

  0

  11

  3

  14

  Deep Navigation Mine

  CM

  0

  35

  10

  10

  Denby Grange Mine

  CM

  0

  13

  13

  13

  Dinnington Mine

  CM

  0

  15

  2

  17

  Doe Lea Mine

  —

  15

  —

  15

  Donisthorpe/Rawdon

  CM

  0

  46

  7

  53

  Draycott Cross

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Drovers Drift Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Easington Mine

  CM

  0

  128

  13

  13

  Ellington Combine Mine

  CM

  0

  161

  10

  10

  Florence

  CM

  0

  10

  6

  16

  Frickley/SE Mine

  CM

  0

  13

  6

  19

  Gascoigne Wood Mine

  CM

  0

  122

  7

  7

  Gedling

  CM

  0

  47

  8

  55

  Glo Mynydd Mine

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Goldthorpe Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Goldthorpe Mine

  —

  —

  35

  —

  35

  Graig-Y-Fforest No. 2

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Grimethorpe Mine

  CM

  0

  32

  8

  40

  Hall of Auchincross

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Harworth

  CM

  0

  65

  13

  13

  Hatfield/Thorne Mine

  CM

  1

  60

  5

  66

  Hem Heath

  CM

  0

  42

  11

  53

  High Street

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  High Moor Mine

  CM

  0

  16

  4

  20

  Holditch

  CM

  0

  3

  1

  4

  Houghton Main Mine

  CM

  1

  56

  2

  59

  Kellingley Mine

  CM

  0

  98

  10

  10

  Kiveton Park Mine

  CM

  0

  25

  3

  28

  Kiveton Mine

  CM

  0

  22

  2

  24

  Lea Hall

  CM

  0

  91

  12

  103

  Letty Phillip

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Little Sheriff

  —

  —

  4

  —

  4

  Littleton

  CM

  0

  65

  11

  76

  Longannet

  CM

  0

  —

  15

  15

  Lyn

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Mainband Mine

  LM

  0

  5

  3

  8

  Maltby Mine

  CM

  0

  90

  9

  99

  Maltby Parkgate Mine

  CM

  0

  3

  1

  4

  Mansfield

  —

  —

  5

  —

  5

  Manton Mine

  CM

  0

  37

  12

  49

  Markham Main Mine

  CM

  0

  51

  10

  61

  Markham Mine

  CM

  0

  15

  15

  Merthyr Vale Mine

  CM

  0

  16

  3

  3

  Monktonhall Colliery

  CM

  0

  1

  1

  Moorside Mine

  2

  2

  Murton Mine

  CM

  1

  13

  14

  Murton Mine

  CM

  1

  80

  13

  14

  North Selby Mine

  CM

  0

  38

  10

  10

  Oak Mine

  LM

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Oakdale Mine

  CM

  0

  11

  2

  2

  Ollerton

  CM

  1

  87

  2

  3

  Pantygasseg

  1

  1

  Parklands No. 5

  LM

  0

  4

  1

  5

  Parkside

  CM

  2

  3

  5

  10

  Penallta Mine

  CM

  0

  28

  5

  5

  Podmore Hall

  2

  2

  Point of Ayr

  CM

  0

  11

  3

  14

  Prince of Wales Mine

  CM

  1

  56

  10

  11

  Riccall Mine

  CM

  0

  24

  6

  6

  Rossington Mine

  CM

  1

  32

  10

  43

  Royston Drift Mine

  CM

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Rufford

  CM

  0

  127

  4

  4

  Scranton Mine

  1

  1

  Shadfen Park Drift Mine

  LM

  0

  3

  1

  1

  Sharlston Mine

  CM

  0

  54

  4

  4

  Sherwood

  CM

  0

  68

  10

  10

  Shirebrook Mine

  CM

  1

  115

  7

  123

  Shireoaks/Steetley Mine

  CM

  0

  10

  2

  12

  Silverdale

  CM

  0

  37

  7

  44

  Silverhill

  CM

  0

  48

  1

  1

  Silverwood Mine

  CM

  1

  58

  7

  66

  Stillingfleet Mine

  CM

  0

  93

  16

  16

  Sutton

  CM

  0

  8

  2

  2

  284 285

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 Day

  Major

  Total

  Sutton Manor M7

  CM

  0

  17

  1

  18

  Taff Merthyr Mine

  CM

  0

  36

  6

  6

  Thoresby

  CM

  0

  111

  7

  7

  Thurcroft Mine

  CM

  0

  66

  6

  72

  Tower Mine

  CM

  1

  52

  6

  7

  Treeton Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  Vane Tempest/Seaham

  CM

  0

  99

  12

  12

  Viaduct "A" LM

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Warsop Main Mine

  CM

  0

  20

  2

  22

  Waunhir No. 2 Mine

  LM

  0

  1

  2

  2

  Wearmouth Mine

  CM

  0

  144

  10

  10

  Welbeck

  CM

  0

  65

  4

  4

  Westoe Mine

  CM

  0

  94

  8

  8

  Whitemoor Mine

  CM

  0

  28

  5

  5

  Whittle Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Wistow Mine

  CM

  0

  29

  5

  5

  Ystrad Anthracite Mine

  LM

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 day

  Major

  Total

  1988–89

  Annesley/Bentinck

  CM

  0

  60

  11

  71

  Asfordby

  CM

  1

  23

  8

  32

  Betteshanger

  CM

  0

  34

  5

  39

  Bevercotes

  CM

  0

  133

  9

  142

  Bagworth/Ellistown

  CM

  1

  96

  4

  101

  Bilsthorpe

  CM

  0

  84

  5

  89

  Blidworth

  CM

  0

  35

  4

  39

  Calverton

  CM

  0

  78

  8

  86

  Clipstone

  CM

  1

  82

  7

  90

  Cotgrave

  CM

  0

  70

  6

  76

  Creswell

  CM

  0

  110

  5

  115

  Donisthorpe/Rawdon

  CM

  0

  93

  9

  102

  Gedling

  CM

  0

  84

  13

  97

  Hawroth

  CM

  1

  89

  13

  103

  Linby

  CM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Mansfield

  CM

  0

  0

  3

  3

  Ollerton

  CM

  0

  127

  11

  138

  Rufford

  CM

  0

  95

  8

  103

  Sherwood

  CM

  0

  57

  5

  62

  Silverhill

  CM

  0

  57

  4

  61

  Sutton

  CM

  0

  28

  2

  30

  Thoresby

  CM

  0

  127

  5

  132

  Welbeck

  CM

  0

  73

  8

  81

  Allerton Bywater

  CM

  0

  54

  10

  64

  Denby Grange

  CM

  0

  37

  4

  41

  Gascoigne Wood

  CM

  1

  91

  2

  94

  Kellingley

  CM

  1

  143

  9

  153

  North Selby

  CM

  0

  51

  5

  56

  Park Mill

  CM

  0

  11

  3

  14

  Prince of Wales

  CM

  0

  83

  11

  94

  Riccall

  CM

  0

  8

  4

  12

  Sharlston

  CM

  0

  53

  1

  54

  Stillingfleet

  CM

  1

  45

  10

  56

  Whitemoor

  CM

  0

  23

  5

  28

  Wistow

  CM

  0

  8

  3

  11

  Woolley/Redbrook

  CM

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Dawdon

  CM

  0

  53

  13

  66

  Easington

  CM

  0

  35

  12

  47

  Ellington Combine

  CM

  0

  30

  12

  42

  Murton

  CM

  0

  40

  8

  48

  Vane Tempest

  CM

  0

  16

  7

  23

  Wearmouth

  CM

  0

  49

  12

  61

  Westoe

  CM

  0

  29

  12

  41

  Osmond Croft

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Abernant

  CM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Betws Mine

  CM

  0

  16

  7

  23

  Blaenant

  CM

  2

  38

  5

  45

  Britannia

  CM

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Carway Fawr

  CM

  0

  2

  2

  4

  Cwmgwili New Drift

  CM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Cynheidre

  CM

  0

  18

  7

  25

  Deep Navigation

  CM

  0

  39

  8

  47

  Merthyr Vale

  CM

  0

  75

  5

  80

  Oakdale

  CM

  0

  26

  9

  35

  Penallta

  CM

  0

  30

  5

  35

  286 287

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 day injury

  Major

  Total

  Taff Merthyr

  CM

  1

  53

  8

  62

  Tower Mine

  CM

  0

  50

  5

  55

  Marine

  CM

  0

  60

  3

  63

  Blaengrennig No. 2

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Brynglas

  LM

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Darrell

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Dynant Fach No. 2

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Ffynonau Duon No. 3

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Letty Phillip

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Oak

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Ystrad Anthracite

  LM

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Askern

  CM

  0

  34

  4

  38

  Barnburgh

  CM

  0

  36

  1

  37

  Bentley

  CM

  0

  20

  7

  27

  Brodsworth

  CM

  0

  30

  10

  40

  Dinnington

  CM

  0

  16

  3

  19

  Frickley/SE

  CM

  0

  18

  7

  25

  Goldthorpe

  CM

  0

  38

  7

  45

  Hatfield/Thorne

  CM

  0

  40

  6

  46

  High Moor

  CM

  0

  28

  4

  32

  Kiveton Park

  CM

  0

  31

  3

  24

  Maltby

  CM

  0

  88

  8

  96

  Maltby Parkgate

  CM

  0

  8

  3

  11

  Manton

  CM

  0

  40

  7

  47

  Manvers Complex

  CM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Markham Main

  CM

  0

  67

  5

  72

  Shireoaks/Steetley

  CM

  1

  48

  6

  55

  Silverwood

  CM

  0

  73

  6

  79

  Thurcroft

  CM

  0

  39

  4

  43

  Treeton

  CM

  0

  42

  7

  49

  Barnsley Main

  CM

  0

  43

  1

  44

  Bolsover

  CM

  0

  58

  4

  62

  Dearne Valley

  CM

  0

  10

  6

  16

  Grimethorpe

  CM

  0

  55

  12

  67

  Houghton Main

  CM

  0

  81

  11

  92

  Markham

  CM

  0

  130

  15

  145

  Royston Drift

  CM

  0

  27

  2

  29

  Shirebrook

  CM

  0

  153

  9

  162

  Warsop Main

  CM

  0

  65

  8

  73

  South Kirby/Ferrymo

  CM

  0

  1

  2

  3

  Doe Lea

  LM

  0

  5

  2

  7

  Strathfield

  LM

  0

  1

  2

  3

  Baddesley

  CM

  0

  54

  4

  58

  Bickershaw

  CM

  0

  30

  15

  45

  Coventry

  CM

  0

  140

  13

  153

  Daw Mill

  CM

  0

  107

  4

  111

  Florence

  CM

  1

  15

  12

  28

  Hem Heath

  CM

  3

  81

  6

  90

  Holditch

  CM

  0

  16

  5

  21

  Lea Hall

  CM

  0

  54

  5

  59

  Littleton

  CM

  0

  17

  7

  24

  Parkside

  CM

  0

  20

  7

  27

  Point of Ayr

  CM

  0

  19

  6

  25

  Silverdale

  CM

  1

  34

  3

  38

  Sutton Manor M7

  CM

  0

  5

  6

  11

  Acres Nook

  LM

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Bank Top No. 2

  LM

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Castle

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Ashington

  CM

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Woody Close Drift

  LM

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Wrytree Farm Drift

  LM

  0

  3

  1

  4

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 Day

  Major

  Total

  1987–88

  Abernant Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Acres Nook

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Agecroft

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Allerton Bywater Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Annesley

  CM

  0

  15

  6

  21

  Annesley/Bentinck

  CM

  0

  99

  1

  100

  Arkwright Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Asfordby

  CM

  0

  7

  2

  9

  Ashington Mine

  CM

  0

  24

  3

  27

  Askern Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  10

  10

  Baddesley

  CM

  0

  35

  9

  44

  288 289

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  +3 Day

  Major

  Total

  Bagworth/Ellistown

  CM

  1

  107

  11

  119

  Bank Top No 2

  LM

  1

  —

  1

  2

  Barnburgh Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Barnsley Main Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Barrashill Drift

  LM

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Bentinck

  CM

  0

  16

  1

  17

  Bentley mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Betteshanger

  CM

  0

  126

  5

  131

  Betws Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  8

  8

  Bevercotes

  CM

  0

  —

  12

  12

  Bickershaw Complex

  CM

  0

  —

  9

  9

  Bilsthorpe

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Birch Coppice

  CM

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Blaenant Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  8

  8

  Blenkinsopp Drift

  LM

  —

  7

  —

  7

  Blidworth

  CM

  0

  —

  5

  5

  Bodyst Uchaf Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Bolsover Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  10

  10

  Brodsworth

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Brynglas Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Bwlch Ton Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Cadley Hill

  CM

  —

  42

  4

  46

  Calverton

  CM

  0

  89

  10

  99

  Carway Fawr Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Clipstone

  CM

  0

  —

  15

  15

  Cotgrave

  CM

  0

  98

  7

  105

  Coventry

  CM

  0

  108

  7

  115

  Coventry

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Creswell

  CM

  0

  —

  10

  10

  Cynheidre Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Darran Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Daw Mill

  CM

  0

  104

  8

  112

  Dawdon Mine

  CM

  0

  136

  7

  143

  Dawdon Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  13

  13

  Dearne Valley Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Deep Navigation Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  11

  11

  Denby Grange Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Dinnington Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Drovers Drift Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Dynant Fach No. 1 Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Dynant Fach No. 2 Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Easington

  —

  —

  121

  13

  134

  Ellington Combine Mine

  CM

  0

  130

  11

  141

  Farmwood Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Fforch-y-garran Mine

  LM

  1

  —

  0

  1

  Florence

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Frickley/SE Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Gascoigne Wood Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  Gedling

  CM

  0

  95

  9

  104

  Goldthorpe Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Greenland Drift

  LM

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Grimethorpe Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  5

  5

  Harworth

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Hatfield/Thorne Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  9

  9

  Hem Heath

  CM

  0

  —

  10

  10

  High Street

  LM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  High Moor Mine

  CM

  1

  —

  7

  8

  Holditch

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Houghton Main Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  5

  5

  Kellingley Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Kiveton Park Mine

  CM

  1

  —

  2

  3

  Lady Windsor/Abercyn

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Lea Hall

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Letty Philip

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Linby

  —

  —

  77

  —

  77

  Littleton

  CM

  0

  —

  12

  12

  Maltby Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Maltby Parkgate Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Mansfield

  CM

  0

  —

  5

  5

  Manton Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Manvers Complex Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Marine Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Markham Main Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  8

  8

  Markham Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  19

  19

  Merthyr Vale Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Murton Mine

  CM

  0

  167

  10

  177

  Murton Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  10

  10

  Newstead

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  290 291

  Name

  Type

  Fatal

  + 3 Day

  Major

  Total

  North Selby Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Nostell Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Oakdale Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  Ollerton

  CM

  1

  —

  9

  10

  Parc Level

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Park Mill Mine

  CM

  1

  —

  2

  3

  Parklands No. 5

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Parkside

  CM

  0

  —

  9

  9

  Penallta Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Point of Ayr

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Prince of Wales Mine

  CM

  1

  —

  7

  8

  Quaker House

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Rawdon Complex

  CM

  1

  41

  5

  47

  Redbrook Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Renishaw Park Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Rhaeadr No. 2 Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Rheola

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Riccall Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  Rossington Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  10

  10

  Royston Drift Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Rufford

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Shadfen Park

  LM

  1

  1

  1

  2

  Sharlston Mine

  CM

  1

  —

  1

  2

  Sherwood

  CM

  0

  —

  9

  9

  Shirebrook Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  15

  15

  Shireoaks/Steetley Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Silverdale

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Silverdale

  CM

  0

  —

  7

  7

  Silverhill

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Silverwood Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  3

  3

  Six Bells Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Snowdon

  CM

  0

  —

  2

  2

  Snowdon

  CM

  0

  5

  2

  7

  South Kirkby/Ferrymoor

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  Stillingfleet

  CM

  0

  —

  5

  5

  Sutton

  CM

  0

  —

  5

  5

  Sutton Manor M7

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Sutton Manor M7

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Taff Merthyr Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  8

  8

  Thoresby

  CM

  0

  —

  12

  12

  Thurcroft Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Tower Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  10

  10

  Treeton Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Vane Tempest/Seaham

  CM

  0

  83

  5

  88

  Warsop Main Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  Waunhir No.2 Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Wearmouth Mine

  CM

  0

  197

  9

  206

  Welbeck

  CM

  0

  —

  11

  11

  Westoe Mine

  CM

  0

  121

  14

  135

  Wheldale Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  4

  4

  Whitemoor Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Wistow Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  6

  6

  Woodside Drift

  LM

  —

  1

  2

  3

  Woody Close Drift Mine

  LM

  0

  —

  1

  1

  Woolley/Redbridge Mine

  CM

  0

  —

  11

  11

  Wrytree Farm Drift Mine

  LM

  1

  5

  0

  6

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list(a) the number of training places available to the young unemployed and (b) the range of opportunities available to the young unemployed in the Barnsley, East constituency.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  In 1991–92 Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council (TEC) has contracted with local training providers on a training week basis. In the Barnsley local authority district the number of training weeks available will allow for an average in training level of 2,550 places for the remainder of this year.
  292
  The TEC has confirmed that it is confident of meeting the Government's guarantee to young people and in doing so is providing a wide range of training opportunities which they believe will meet known local needs.

  The Government have guaranteed that all young people who are under 18 and not in full-time education or a job and are seeking training are offered and, if necessary, re-offered a suitable youth training (YT) place. The Government remain committed to ensuring that the YT guarantee is met.

  In the Barnsley, East constituency the employment service offers opportunities to take a job, join a jobclub, or attend jobsearch seminar, restart course, job review workshop, or a job preparation course. There are varying eligibility criteria for these opportunities.

WALES

  BA Engine Maintenance Plant
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Director General of Fair Trading and others concerning the reference to the Office of Fair Trading of the sale of British Airways aero-engine maintenance plant at Nantgarw to assess its effect on competition on the market for servicing and supply of aero-engines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  As is normal practice when proposed mergers have implications for Wales, the Welsh Office has been consulted by the Office of Fair Trading.

  Industrial and Maritime Museum
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the chairman of the court of governors of the National Museum of Wales concerning the future expansion of the Wales Industrial and Maritime museum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Initial discussions about the National Museum of Wales' plans for the Welsh Industrial and Maritime museum have taken place between officials. The proposals are being considered along with other plans for developments in Cardiff bay.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the exclusion of the Cardiff bay site of special scientific interest from the special protection area under the European Community wild birds directive for the lower Severn estuary.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I reached our decision following careful consideration of a proposal submitted by the then Nature Conservancy Council, one of the predecessor bodies to the Countryside Council for Wales. The council has been fully consulted about the future of Cardiff bay in the context of the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many written representations he has received concerning the groundwater effects of the proposed Cardiff bay barrage as part of the public consultation exercise running from 25 September to 25 December.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None, but we are not yet half way through the three-month consultation period which ends on 31 December.

  Children in Hospital
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to issue a new circular on the welfare of children in hospital; and what factors have led to this timetable for its issue.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  We expect to issue new guidance on the welfare of children in hospital by the end of the year. This timetable arises from the need to revise existing guidance.

SCOTLAND

  Parents Charter
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the rights given to parents under the parents charter if they consider that performance of the Scottish Office in education is inadequate.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The parents charter relates to parents' rights in respect of the direct provision of education for their children, which in large part is the responsibility of education authorities. Parents will have new rights, through school boards, to have their interests taken into account when a school is inspected by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how frequently Her Majesty's inspectorate will inspect(a) nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary schools under the parents charter proposals.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Under the parents charter all schools will be required to produce a document setting out their educational plans and targets for two years ahead, and to report on progress over the previous two years.

  Future levels of inspection will be set in the context of this enhanced system for quality assurance. Inspections will be undertaken more frequently where that is necessary and a greater emphasis will be placed on follow-up inspections. For next year, I anticipate that the number of schools inspected is likely to be about 25 to 30 per cent. higher than in the current Session.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what rights the parents charter gives in nursery education.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The provision of nursery education is not a statutory requirement: it is a matter for individual education authorities to consider in the light of the needs and priorities of their areas. I expect, however, that education authorities will wish to apply the principles of the parents charter, wherever appropriate, for the benefit of parents of pupils at nursery schools.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will indicate the level of financial provision he intends to make for new environmentally sensitive area designations between now and the end of the 1992–93 financial year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. Friend proposes to make available £1·5 million for the designation, subject to parliamentary approval, of new environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland in the financial year 1992–93. Provision will also be made for further development of existing first round areas and for continuing payments in existing and new areas after 1992–93.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many environmentally sensitive areas he expects to designate between now and 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government believe that environmentally sensitive areas offer significant benefits to farming and conservation. My right hon. Friend therefore
  295
  intends to designate further areas in Scotland in 1992 and 1993 and has sought advice from his statutory advisers. He will announce the areas in due course.

  Health Records (Confidentiality)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what actions he is taking for the protection of health records confidentiality in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of Tuesday 15 October at column 146.

DEFENCE

  MV Polar Circle
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by which date a decision has to be made about the future lease or purchase arrangements for MV Polar Circle after the 1991–92 season.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Under the terms of the charter contract, an option to purchase Polar Circle or to extend the charter can be taken by the Government at any time before 24 January 1992.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what modifications he expects to be required on MV Polar Circle prior to her departure for Antarctica.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Polar Circle requires modifications to add military communications equipment, to embark hydrographic equipment, and to provide suitable aviation facilities.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the charter for MV Polar Circle is(a) a bareboat charter or (b) a time charter.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Polar Circle has been leased on a bareboat charter.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long is the lease taken out on the MV Polar Circle; if it remains his policy to retain a naval vessel in Falklands waters beyond April 1992; and if he will consider renaming MV Polar Circle, HMS Endurance for the duration of its lease.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Polar Circle is currently under charter to the Royal Navy for a minimum of seven and a maximum of eight months to replace HMS Endurance for this season's deployment to the Antarctic. For the period of her present charter she will be commissioned as HMS Polar Circle. If she were to be accepted into the Royal Navy on a permanent basis, we would then consider the name she could carry through her service life. The Government have made clear their commitment to carry out for the foreseeable future the tasks formerly undertaken by HMS Endurance. Other naval vessels will continue to be deployed in support of our defence commitments in the Falklands Islands.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the maintenance of a long-term naval presence in Antarctica.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Government are committed to maintaining for the foreseeable future the programme of work previously carried out by HMS Endurance.

  Post-service Training
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information is made available to service personnel regarding access to training after leaving the services.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 22 November 1990 at columns 207–8. The employment service booklets are currently being revised, and we are also working with the employment service on the production of a guide detailing services available to personnel after they have left the armed forces. This will be issued to all personnel prior to discharge.

  Redundancies
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Army service personnel, (b) Royal Air Force service personnel and (c) Royal Navy personnel have applied for voluntary redundancy; and whether he has any plans to make further offers of voluntary redundancy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Applications for selection for redundancy in 1992–93 have been received from over 5,000 Army personnel. We also expect to invite Army personnel to apply for redundancy in both 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  The RN expects shortly to invite applications for redundancy in 1992–93.

  It is not yet clear whether any redundancies will be needed in the RAF.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of those Army personnel who have applied for voluntary redundancy are(a) private soldiers, (b) NCOs and (c) officers; and what proportion of those Army personnel who have applied for voluntary redundancy come from (i) the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (ii) the Royal Corps of Signals and (iii) the Corps of Royal Engineers.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Some 85 per cent. of the applicants for voluntary redundancy are NCOs and 15 per cent. are officers.

  Ten per cent. of applicants are from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 5 per cent. are from the Royal Signals and 7 per cent. are from the Corps of Royal Engineers.

  Private soldiers in the Army are not invited to apply for redundancy.

  Defence Estate (Repairs)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total maintenance backlog of(a) unavoidable and essential repairs and (b) urgent repairs on the defence estate as of 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The total maintenance backlog on the defence estate at 1 April 1991 is estimated to be:

  £ million

  (a) Unavoidable and essential

  494

  (b) Urgent

  150

  Total

  644

  Armoured Divisions
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the percentage change in the capability of British armoured divisions in(a) the last four years and (b) the last nine years, respectively.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Towers
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the masts or towers over 500 ft tall owned by his Department which have been fitted with white strobe lights to conform to the recommendations of the Civil Aviation Authority, and the similar installations without such strobe lights.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The only mast owned by the MOD and over 500 ft tall to have been fitted with this type of hazard beacon is that at Aird Uig on the Isle of Lewis. The small number of remaining masts will be fitted as and when the existing obstacle lights become due for replacement.

  Greenham Common
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether compensation has yet been paid to the commoners of Greenham common for their rights.

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  Television advertising

  Radio advertising

  Newspaper advertising

  Other promotional material

  Total

  1979–80

  2·28

  0·04

  5·75

  0·14

  8·21

  1980–81

  0·54

  0·17

  6·10

  0·85

  7·66

  1981–82

  0·01

  0·04

  4·20

  1·04

  5·29

  1982–83

  0·01

  0·07

  3·90

  1·03

  5·01

  1983–84

  Nil

  0·07

  5·30

  1·90

  7·27

  1984–85

  0·49

  0·02

  6·86

  1·50

  8·87

  1985–86

  1·82

  0·02

  6·82

  1·03

  9·69

  1986–87

  0·73

  0·22

  8·07

  1·17

  10·19

  1987–88

  0·55

  0·03

  7·68

  2·52

  10·78

  1988–89

  2·86

  0·18

  9·56

  4·44

  17·04

  1989–90

  4·18

  0·26

  13·36

  6·21

  24·01

  1990–91

  2·88

  0·22

  9·21

  8·62

  20·93

  1991–92

  3·10

  0·55

  6·82

  2·59

  13·06

  1992–93

  Budgets not yet finalised

  Notes:

  1. All figures are expressed in £(pounds) million.

  2. 1991–92 figures are the latest estimates available.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide an up-to-date list of each television advertising campaign carried out, or to be carried out, by his Department during 1991–92, and of each other publicity campaign costing more than £100,000, giving for

  Royal Navy

  Production of a television recruiting advertisement and television advertising campaign.

  16 September to 17 November 1991

  Young and Rubican Ltd. advertising agency responsible for television advertising campaign, advertisement produced by Paul Weiland Films.

  Production of a radio recruting advertisement and radio advertising campaign.

  14 October to 30 November 1991

  Young and Rubican Ltd. advertising agency responsible for radio advertising campaign, advertisement produced by Central Office of Information.

  Production of a cinema recruiting advertisement and cinema advertising campaign.

  Spring 1992 (actual dates not yet known)

  Young and Rubican Ltd. advertising agency to be responsible for cinema advertising campaign, advertisement produced by Paul Weiland Films.

  298
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since 11 July 1991.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: The information requested is as follows:

  Royal Navy—

  Creative Development Research

  To monitor the effectiveness of advertising material.

  Royal Navy—

  Advertising Monitor

  RAF—

  Creative Development

  Publicity
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give separate figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what are his latest estimates for 1991–92 and budgets for 1992–93.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: The information requested is as follows:

  each (a) the topic, (b) the commencement date, (c) the duration and (d) the advertising, promotional and public relations companies involved.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: The information requested is as follows:

  299

  Army

  Production of a television/cinema recruiting advertisement and television/cinema advertising campaign.

  24 June to 14 July 1991

  Advertisement produced by Sid Roberson Films. Delaney, Fletcher, Slaymaker, Delaney & Bozell advertising agency responsible for advertising campaign.

  3 August to 15 October 1991

  Press campaign in support of the above.

  8 July to 2 September 1991

  Press recruitment campaign.

  3 November to 8 November 1991

  Delaney Fletcher Slaymaker Delaney & Bozell advertising agency responsible for advertising campaign.

  Territorial Army

  1. A combined television/press

  7 October to 4 November 1991

  Advertisement produced by Ridley Scott Associates.

  recruitment campaign highlighting the range of weekend activities in the Territorial Army.

  February 1992 (actual dates not yet known)

  Delaney Fletcher Slaymaker Delaney & Bozell advertising agency responsible for advertising campaign.

  2. A press campaign to recruit specialist personnel.

  16 September to 14 October 1991 February 1992 (actual dates not yet known)

  Delaney Fletcher Slaymaker Delaney & Bozell advertising agency.

  Purcell Miller Tritton responsible for production of posters in support of 1 and 2 above.

  Tri-Service

  1. Press campaign to thank employers for releasing Volunteer Reserve Forces personnel for service during the Gulf crisis.

  18 June to 23 June 1991

  Young and Rubican Ltd. advertising agency

  2. Campaign to increase public awareness of Volunteer Researve Forces and employers' support for them.

  4 weeks in December 1991 and January 1992 (actual dates not yet known)

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Burma
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans exist to challenge at the credential meeting the right to a seat for the current regime in Burma in the United Nations General Assembly.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the involvement of the security forces of the Burmese Government with the trade in narcotics; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No such representations have been made. We vigorously condemn all drugs trafficking and any groups in Burma involved in this pernicious trade.

  Thailand
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the human rights implications of evictions by the Thai Government of people from their homes in the Dong Yai forest, Buriram Province in Northern Thailand, to facilitate logging operations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received no such representations.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 4 November.

  Mr. Hurd
  A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council took place in Brussels on 4 November. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I represented the United Kingdom.

  The Council issued a statement reconfirming its commitment to a substantial, balanced and global conclusion of the Uruguay round this year. It urged the Commission to make effective use of every opportunity to achieve progress in the negotiations. In particular the Council drew attention to the need to make good use of the forthcoming EC/US summit on 9 November to narrow differences between the EC and United States in the interests of a successful completion of the round.

  The Council reviewed the situation in Yugoslavia and agreed a package of measures subject to a political decision by EC Ministers today. The measures comprise suspension of the EC/Yugoslavia trade and co-operation agreement and of Yugoslavia's inclusion in the EC's PHARE programme, and exclusion of Yugoslavia from the generalised system of preferences and from participation in ministerial meetings of the Group of 24. The Council also agreed in principle that any restrictive measures toward Yugoslavia as a whole should be accompanied by positive measures towards those republics co-operating with the peace process. There was agreement in principle that the United Nations Security Council should be invited to examine measures to tighten the arms embargo and to consider an oil embargo.
  301
  The Council discussed Cambodia in the light of the successful outcome of the Paris conference and invited the Commission to make proposals on future Community relations.

  The Council reviewed the draft European coal and steel community protocol in the association agreement negotiations with Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland and decided to remit the question to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further examination.

  An EC/Jordan Co-operation Council took place after the Foreign Affairs Council. A lunch between EC and Arab Maghreb Union Foreign Ministers was held in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council. There was no agreement to any change to existing EC measures against Libya.

  Political Union
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a statement on the outcome of the ministerial meeting of the intergovernmental conference on political union on 4 November.

  Mr. Hurd
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I attended a ministerial meeting of the intergovernmental conference on political union on 4 November. The meeting discussed the presidency's proposals for increased co-operation on interior and justice matters. A number of member states, in particular Germany, wish the Community to take responsibility for all co-operation in this area. That includes police co-operation, immigration and asylum policy. I agreed that the countries of Europe must work more closely together to combat illegal immigration and asylum and organised crime. Valuable work already goes on, and must be strengthened. But I made clear that we do not believe that bringing these areas into Community competence was necessary or desirable.

  There was also a discussion of the presidency's proposed amendments to the social chapter of the treaty of Rome. I said that the Community needed a social dimension, but did not need any treaty change to achieve it. I again pointed to the undesirability of trying to introduce measures in the social area, especially in industrial relations, which might cut across national practices and which could lead to unsustainable costs across the Community.

  These and other issues relating to the intergovernmental conference on political union will be discussed further at a meeting of Foreign Ministers to be held in Noordwijk in the Netherlands on 12 to 14 November.

  An inter-institutional meeting between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament was held on 5 November, following the 4 November ministerial meeting. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs represented the Government.

ENVIRONMENT

  Noise (Working Party Report)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the action he proposes to take arising from the noise review working party report published in October 1990.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's policy on noise was set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" and 302
  reflects much of the thinking of the noise review working party. My speech to the Noise Council seminar on 15 May and that of my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside to the Institution of Environmental Health Officers on 10 September summarised progress.

  A number of the working party's recommendations have already been implemented and the Government are actively working on others. Some of the main noise measures that have been taken are as follows.

  The Environmental Protection Act 1990 has clarified local authority responsibilities for noise control and increased the maximum fine for statutory noise nuisance from business premises to £20,000. The Government are funding a pilot neighbourhood noise awareness scheme at Forest Hill, and are grant-aiding a neighbour mediation scheme in Bristol and a noise awareness project for school children in Nottingham. One of the eligible categories for grant under this year's environmental grant fund is for the formation of schemes to develop noise awareness/mediation. The Government are in contact with audio manufacturers to discuss good practice for audio users.

  We have issued for comment guidance for environmental health officers and the police on existing powers to control noisy parties. In addition the Government have set up a working party to consider whether there is a need for further measures to control noisy parties. A draft code of practice on pop concerts has been published.

  The Building Regulations governing noise within buildings are to be amended to include for the first time in England and Wales noise insulation for flat conversions which will be as close as possible to standards for new buildings. Comments on our proposals have been received and it is planned that regulations will be laid by early December with a view to their coming into force next June.

  The Government have published a consultation document on tighter noise requirements for car alarms fitted to motor vehicles first used from August 1992. The main proposal is that the length of alarm be reduced from five minutes to 30 seconds and audible arming signals be banned. Responses to the consultation exercise are being considered. Also we shall be reviewing the new powers to control burglar alarms taken by London local authorities to determine whether there is a case for extending them nationwide.

  The Government have recently issued draft guidance for consultation on control of noise at surface mineral workings and we shall shortly be issuing draft planning policy guidance for consultation on noise and new development, to update and expand existing advice. This will include noise from roads, aircraft, railways and industry. It will also take forward the working party's several recommendations about the need to establish action levels or exposure bands for controlling new development.

  The Government plan to carry out research in 1992–93 to assess whether the current noise standard for noise insulation for new roads is still appropriate. We hope shortly to announce our conclusions on the report of the committee set up under the chairmanship of Dr. Mitchell to consider a noise insulation standard for new railway lines. The Government will consult on a draft of the regulations before they are made. A proposed revised planning procedure for new railway lines has been announced.
  303
  The Government have issued a consultation paper on control of noise at aerodromes. The main proposal is a new power to designate aerodromes—where informal consultation proves inadequate—to introduce formal consultative arrangements with the local authority. The extension of abatement orders to helicopters take-off and aerodrome ground running has been canvassed. The consultation period runs until end of the year. Also the Government recently announced that the amount of low flying by military jet aircraft is to decrease by about 30 per cent. over the next three years. The index for measurement of aircraft noise has been replaced by a more satisfactory measure.

  Government policy on noise is underpinned with appropriate research and our programme has been re-aligned with priorities identified by the noise review working party. Forthcoming research includes a national noise attitude study, a model for human response to transportation noise, assessment and prediction of industrial noise, and low frequency noise.

  Listed Buildings (Fittings)
  Mr. Bellotti
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether a painting on an overmantel which rests on a mantelpiece in a listed building forms part of the fittings and fixtures for which his Department has control over their destination.

  Mr. Yeo
  Section 1(5)(a) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, in defining the term "listed building", provides that for the purposes of the Act any object or structure fixed to the building shall be treated as part of the building, and therefore are subject to listed building controls.

  Whether a particular item is regarded as a fixture or a chattel will depend on the individual facts of each case; the test to be applied to listed buildings is the same as for other property. The courts have held that the issues to be considered are the degree to which an object is physically attached to a building, and the purpose for which it was attached.

  Private Tenancies
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many private sector tenancies were available annually, within the United Kingdom, for each year since 1979;

  (2) what number of private sector tenancies were available annually within (a) England and (b) Yorkshire and Humberside, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Yeo
  The available information relates to the number of private sector tenants who had been living in their accommodation for less than a year, as estimated from annual labour force surveys (LFS). Since some households will have moved more than once in the previous year, the total number of tenancies that became available each year will have been higher than the numbers shown in the table.

  Private renters resident under one year

  thousands

  Great Britain

  England

  Yorks and Humberside

  1981

  440

  390

  30

  1983

  500

  430

  40

  304

  Great Britain

  England

  Yorks and Humberside

  1984

  540

  470

  30

  1985

  490

  420

  50

  1986

  490

  420

  40

  1987

  560

  490

  50

  1988

  580

  520

  60

  1989

  510

  480

  40

  1990

  580

  540

  50

  Notes:

  1. The table shows moves in the 12 months before the time of interview, which was at some point between March and April each year.

  2. The LFS is a sample survey so the estimates are subject to sampling errors. For Great Britain and England the estimates are probably accurate to about 20,00 households either way up to 1983 and 30,000 either way from 1984 on. For Yorkshire and Humberside they are probably accurate to between 5,000 and 10,000 either way.

  3. The LFS was biennial until 1983 and there was no survey in 1980 or 1982.

  Grant-aided Work
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what monitoring his Department has done with regard to the quality of grant-aided work in relation to paragraph 109 of DoE circular 12/90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  As paragraph 109 of circular 12/90 explains, the quality of grant-aided work is ultimately a matter between the applicant and the building contractor. That paragraph also makes clear that payment of grant is conditional upon the works being executed to the satisfaction of the local housing authority, and that authorities should not certify as satisfactorily completed any works displaying an unacceptable quality of workmanship, or where the objectives of the grant are not met. Monitoring of the quality of grant-aided work is therefore already undertaken by local authorities and there is no need for the Department to be involved.

  Development
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received from the Association of District Councils on the effectiveness of current legislation in enabling the control of development with particular reference to development which constitutes a departure from the structure plan;

  (2) what advice he gives to local planning authorities when they are considering applications which involve development which constitutes a departure from the structure plan.

  Mr. Yeo
  No such representations have been received. A local planning authority which is considering a planning application that involves development constituting a departure from the structure plan should follow the procedures in the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans) (England) Direction 1981. Advice is given to authorities in Department of the Environment circular 2/81.

  Environmental Protection Act (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many successful prosecutions have been brought against duty bodies under part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Information on the number of litter abatement orders obtained and litter abatement notices served on duty bodies is not held centrally. However, the Tidy Britain Group, with the encouragement of my Department, undertook a survey of all local authorities in July this year to monitor the implementation of part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. None of the 331 respondents reported that prosecutions had been brought against them, although 13 authorities said that they had been notified of an intention to bring a prosecution under part IV.

  Information on the number of duty bodies prosecuted in 1991 for failing to comply with a litter abatement order or a litter abatement notice under sections 91 and 92 of the Act will be available along with the publication of the annual series of criminal statistics in late 1992.

  The number of prosecutions is not a reflection of the success of the measures in the Act, which are designed primarily as deterrents.

  Phipps Bridge Estate
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will assist the London borough of Merton to rebuild the Phipps Bridge estate following the proposals submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I understand that Merton is preparing new proposals for tackling the problems of this estate. My Department will do whatever it can to assist a satisfactory outcome.

  Control of Pollution Act
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions to make regulations under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 have not been implemented.

  Mr. Baldry
  Sections 6, 11, 18, 21, 23, 29, 45, 73, 94, 102 and 103. The reasons for non-implementation vary, but they include provisions being superseded by the Water Act 1989 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the fact that some of the provisions related to reserve powers.

  Parliamentary Properties
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the office properties in the Westminster area for which he is currently negotiating leases for parliamentary use.

  Mr. Yeo
  It would be inappropriate to provide this information while negotiations are still taking place.

  Stop Notices
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the appropriate ministerial order will be made to implement section 9 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 dealing with stop notices.
  306
  Sir George Young
  Shortly.

  Severn Estuary Protection Areas
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to submit the lower Severn estuary special protection area to the European Commission under the wild birds directive;

  (2) when he expects to submit the middle Severn estuary special protection area application to the European Commission environment directorate.

  Mr. Baldry
  The former Nature Conservancy Council's proposal for the designation of the lower Severn estuary as a special protection area for birds is under consideration within Government. The case for designation will be decided jointly by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Wales. The European Commission will be notified of the decision in due course.

  Noxious Waste
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he intends to announce his decision on the proposed byelaws submitted to him by Bassetlaw district council regarding the transport of noxious waste; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when his Department expects to reply to the last five letters from Bassetlaw district council from 4 June 1990 to 19 September 1991 concerning the adoption of byelaws under section 82 of the Public Health Act 1936 relating to the transportation of noxious substances arid removal through streets of offensive matter or liquid.

  Mr. Baldry
  The council was informed on 3 October that as much priority as possible was being given to its application given the present very high workload on the part of my Department which is responsible for local environmental issues.

  Falmouth School of Art and Design
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue an article 14 direction in the matter of the planning application by Falmouth school of art and design.

  Mr. Yeo
  It is not necessary for my right hon. Friend to do so. There will be sufficient time for him to decide whether issues of more than local importance are involve which would justify calling in the applications, since I understand that they will not be decided by Carrick district council until 11 December.

  "Cheshire 2001"
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to set up an inquiry at an early date into the proposals entitled "Cheshire 2001: A Strategy for the Future", submitted by Cheshire county council and Chester district council.

  Sir George Young
  The Secretary of State for the Environment has already held an examination in public on the Cheshire replacement structure plan—"Cheshire 2001", and there has been a full public consultation on his proposed modifications to the plan. He is considering all representations including those by Cheshire county council and the City of Chester before reaching his final decision.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the manpower resources of the pollution inspectorate.

  Mr. Trippier
  I gave details of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) staffing to the House earlier today.

  In January I announced that HMIP had been allocated over 80 new posts, to enable it to expand to 313 staff by 1 April 1992. I indicated that HMIP's resources would be kept under review in the light of its responsibilities for implementing the new system of integrated pollution control (IPC) under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  I have now authorised a further increase of around 50 staff, raising HMIP's 1992–93 complement to over 360 staff, effective from April 1992. This compares with a total of 133 staff in post when HMIP set up in April 1987, and underlines the Government's commitment to the highest standards of environmental protection.

  Recruitment of the additional pollution inspectors is in progress, with over 1,600 applications for the posts. This shows a high level of interest in HMIP and its responsibilities for protecting the environment.

  HMIP's manpower requirements for later years will be kept under review as IPC is progressively implemented and the inspectorate's workload increases further.

  The following table gives details of HMIP's complement and staff-in-post figures since its formation in April 1987.

  There are currently (1 November 1991) 270 staff in post.

  HMIP staffing 1987–19921

  Complement

  Staff in post

  April 19872

  199

  133

  April 1988

  3183

  157

  April 1989

  194

  165

  April 1990

  212

  172

  April 1991

  248

  232

  April 1992 previously

  313

  —

  now increased to: over

  4360

  —

  November 1991

  270

  Notes:

  1All figures exclude the former Radioactive Waste Policy and Administration Division, which transferred from HMIP to the DOE Directorate of Pollution Control and Waste in November 1990 (28 staff).

  2Date of formation of HMIP.

  Government capital expenditure on housing—England

  Cash

  1990–91 prices

  Percentage of GDP

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  gross1

  net2

  gross1

  net2

  gross1

  net2

  1984–85

  26,23·0

  2,576·0

  3,732·1

  3,665·2

  0·8

  0·8

  1985–86

  2,564·8

  2,460·1

  3,458·4

  3,317·2

  0·7

  0·7

  1986–87

  2,422·4

  2,290·3

  3,162·4

  2,989·9

  0·6

  0·6

  1987–88

  2,446·0

  2,322·4

  3,028·5

  2,875·5

  0·6

  0·5

  1988–89

  2,389·1

  2,246·8

  2,759·9

  2,595·5

  0·5

  0·5

  1989–90

  2,451·6

  2,324·5

  2,659·6

  2,521·7

  0·5

  0·5

  1990–91

  3,121·4

  3,042·9

  3,121·4

  3,042·9

  0·6

  0·5

  1991–92 estimate

  3,707·1

  3,614·1

  3,464·6

  3,377·7

  0·6

  0·6

  1 Housing Corporation gross capital expenditure (including use of receipts), local authority capital (excluding authorities' self-financed expenditure), and other capital expenditure (including, in 1991–92 only, Housing Action Trusts).

  2 As 1 less Housing Corporation receipts.

  Gross Government capital expenditure on housing does not include local authorities' self-financed expenditure and net expenditure does not take account of
  308
  3Drop in complement due to transfer of waste policy functions and 11 staff to DOE Waste Management Division in 1987–88.

  4Provisional figure.

  Publicity
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give separate figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what are his latest estimates for 1991–92 and budgets for 1992–93.

  (2) what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1991–92 and budget for 1992–93.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: The information in respect of paid publicity and associated staff costs for my Department (including agencies) is:

  £ million

  1985–86

  3·5

  1986–87

  4·2

  1987–88

  4·8

  1988–89

  6·9

  1989–90

  31·5

  1990–91

  7·5

  1991–92

  18·6

  1 Estimate.

  Expenditure is not broken down between different publicity media and information relating to financial years 1979–80 to 1984–85 inclusive is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. Budgets for 1992–93 have not yet been set.

  Housing Expenditure
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a series in(a) cash prices, (b) 1990–91 prices and (c) as a proportion of gross domestic product, Government capital spending on housing both net and gross of receipts.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: The available information, consistent with the new public expenditure planning total introduced in 1990, is as follows.

  authorities' receipts which increased from £1,630 million in 1984–85 to £3,300 million in 1988–89 and in 1990–91 were an estimated £2,450 million.
  309
  Information on a comparable basis for years before 1984–85 can be derived only at disproportionate cost. However, figures for earlier years on the old planning total basis are contained in public expenditure White Papers published prior to 1990.

  PSA Services
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to make any changes to the running costs cash limit on PSA services vote in 1991–92.

  Sir George Young
  [pursuant to his answer, 6 November c.159–60]: I will be making a further £8,844,000 available in 1991–92 for cash incentive schemes, to help council tenants buy their own homes in the private sector, and at the same time release permanent housing for homeless families, who might otherwise be in bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

  This will involve an increase in the DOE/LACAP non-voted cash limit from £3,007,648,000 to £3,016,492,000.

  Cash incentive schemes have been successful both in freeing family-sized local authority properties for use by homeless families and in helping local authority tenants who want to buy to realise their ambition. They offer excellent value for money for local authorities and their tenants.

  These extra funds must be used in the present financial year. The demand from tenants has been high and this extra money will ensure even greater benefit for them and for homeless families needing a permanent home.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a table showing for each year since 1961 and the current year to date the ration of United Kingdom exports of manufactures to the United States of America to imports of manufactures from the United States of America, the comparable figures for United Kingdom trade with Germany and Japan, and the figures for German and Japanese trade with the United States of America; and if he will give the real exchange rate in each case based on relative export prices, in terms of a common currency.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  This information can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Industrial Competitiveness
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the cost competitiveness of British industry has correlated with the export performance of British industry in manufactured goods since 1983; and what information he has on price elasticities for France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States of America over the same period.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Export performance depends not only on cost competitiveness but on non price factors such as quality, reliability and delivery. Between 1983 and 1990, United Kingdom cost competitiveness in the manufacturing sector (measured by relative unit labour costs) improved by 1·3 per cent. and the volume of United Kingdom manufactured exports rose by 63·1 per cent.
  310
  Information on price elasticities is available from a variety of sources.

  New Cars Report
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the prices of new cars and the distribution system.

  Mr. Redwood
  The MMC's report on the supply of new cars is currently being considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The report will be published as soon as is practicable.

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a table of crude balances of visible trade in sterling terms at current prices and exchange rates since 1988 for Belgium and Luxembourg, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United States of America and the United Kingdom; and if he will provide similar information for invisible trade for each year since 1974.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan on 18 October at col.286 and on 15 October at cols. 129–32.

  Latin America
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the British manufactured goods exported to the top 10 Latin American countries importers for each year since 1975, expressing the value of such exports in 1991 moneys;

  (2) if he will give a list of the top 10 Latin American countries exporters to Britain for each year since 1975, indicating the type of products imported by Britain and their value in 1991 moneys.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan on 16 October at columns 169–73.

  Nord-Pas de Calais
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the number and types of British companies establishing themselves in Nord-Pas de Calais, in order to avail themselves of continental loading gauge freight facilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have no information on the number of types of British companies which are locating in the Nord-Pas de Calais.

  I cannot say whether the continental loading gauge facilities would play any part in such companies' decisions. It is for companies themselves to establish what opportunities offer them the most attractive prospects and where to establish.

  British Telecom
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take steps to ensure that prior to the sale of further shares in British Telecom the
  311
  management of the company honours commitments given at the time of privatisation to continue to discuss changes to staff terms and conditions with its trade union representatives.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government made clear at the time of privatisation that the commercial management of BT was for the company and that the Government would not use their shareholding to intervene in such matters. This remains the position.

  Internal Market Council
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Brussels on Thursday 7 November.

  Mr. Redwood
  I attended the Internal Market Council on 7 November. The Council reviewed progress towards completion of the single market measures. The United Kingdom asked for faster progress on measures relating to the food industry and was promised by the Commissioner that 10 draft directives and amendments to directives covering issues like colorants, additives and food hygiene would be brought before the council over the next six months. The Council noted the Commission's review of implementation which praised the United Kingdom, Denmark and some other countries for their good implementation record, but which asked Italy to speed up implementation of a large number of outstanding measures.

  The Council failed to agree on the three outstanding vehicle type approval draft directives which would complete the set of 44 directives needed to allow whole vehicle type approval under Community rules. There was a majority around the table in favour of the directives, but France, Italy and Spain blocked progress at the meeting because they are unhappy with the arrangements related to implementation of the agreement on Japanese car imports into the Community. The Commission, the United Kingdom and other countries in the majority urged the manufacturers' case for these type approvals. It was hoped that the problem could be resolved by the December Internal Market Council.

  The Council expressed interest in a presidency/United Kingdom suggestion of a means of making progress on the draft irradiation directive and remitted the suggested outline compromise position from the presidency and the United Kingdom to a working party.

  The Council confirmed a common position on the Impact 2 technology programme following its substantial amendment in recent months. The United Kingdom made a statement saying that it was very important that moneys in this programme were not used in a way which damaged competitive technologies and companies operating commercially in the marketplace.

  Much of the time of the Council was given over to the draft sweeteners directive. A common position was finally agreed using a Commission compromise which allows Germany to ban the use of sweeteners in domestically brewed traditional beers while creating common rules for other food and drink products in the Community regulating the proportion of sweetener that can be included in their production. The United Kingdom had to defend the position of the low and no alcohol beer industry in the United Kingdom which uses sweeteners as the
  312
  French proposed an amendment which would have banned the use of sweeteners in all such beers. Support for the presidency compromise eventually materialised which protected the United Kingdom interest as well as the German.

  There was no substantial discussion on a draft proposal for a pension funds directive which is broadly satisfactory from a United Kingdom point of view, and there was agreement that the European Parliament was behaving unreasonably in withholding its opinion on the insurance directive in protest against the lack of progress on social legislation in the Council.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Burma
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had about aid to Burma with other Governments; and what information he has about changes in aid provided to Burma by other Governments.

  Mrs. Chalker
  After the repression of the democracy movement in 1988, Britain participated actively in consultations among EC partners, which resulted in agreement to suspend all bilateral aid to Burma except for humanitarian and emergency aid. Other major donors took similar action although some continued to implement existing commitments.

  We continue to liaise with other major donors on a regular basis, both through diplomatic missions in Rangoon, and through consultations in international as well as EC fora.

  A comparison of official development assistance to Burma for 1988 and 1989 (the latest year for which figures for all countries are available) is given in the following table.

  In 1990 the United Kingdom figure was £89,000.

  Net official development assistance to Burma (Myanmar)

  £ millions

  Amount

  Donor

  1988

  1989

  Australia

  4·6

  2·6

  Austria

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Belgium

  0·0

  0·0

  Canada

  1·4

  0·4

  Denmark

  0·2

  0·1

  Finland

  1·4

  2·9

  France

  3·5

  0·5

  Germany

  20·8

  2·8

  Ireland

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Italy

  0·2

  0·1

  Japan

  145·7

  44·0

  Netherlands

  0·6

  0·0

  New Zealand

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Norway

  0·0

  0·1

  Sweden

  n.a.

  0·1

  Switzerland

  0·4

  0·2

  United Kingdom

  2·2

  0·7

  United States

  5·6

  1·2

  186·6

  55·7

  Source: Geographical Distribution of Finacial Flows to Developing Countries 1986–89. (OECD Publications).

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the percentage increase in state retirement pension for each year since 1979; and what was the percentage increase in(a) prices and (b) average earnings in each of those years.

  (A)

  (B)

  (C)

  (D)

  Uprating date

  Rate of Retirement Pension

  Percentage increase in rate of Retirement Pension

  Percentage increase in Retail Prices Index

  Percentage increase in average earnings

  November 1979

  23·30

  —

  —

  —

  November 1980

  27·15

  16·5

  15·3

  17·9

  November 1981

  29·60

  9·0

  12·0

  11·5

  November 1982

  32·85

  11·0

  6·3

  8·3

  November 1983

  34·05

  3·7

  4·8

  7·3

  November 1984

  35·80

  5·1

  4·9

  6·5

  November 1985

  38·30

  7·0

  5·5

  8·6

  July 1986

  38·70

  1·0

  1·7

  5·7

  April 1987

  39·50

  2·1

  4·4

  5·4

  April 1988

  41·15

  4·2

  3·9

  8·4

  April 1989

  43·60

  6·0

  8·0

  9·7

  April 1990

  46·90

  7·6

  9·4

  9·3

  April 1991

  52·00

  10·9

  6·4

  8·6

  Notes:

  (1) Column C gives the percentage increase in the Retail Prices Index (all items) between uprating dates. These figures cannot be used as uprating factors—an earlier period of price movements must be used as a proxy so that sufficient time is available, for administrative purposes. to ensure timeous payment of the new rates. For example, the increase in April 1991, 10·9 per cent., represents the percentage change in the RPI from September 1989 to September 1990.

  (2) Column B gives the percentage increase in the Retirement Pension between uprating dates (the uprating factor).

  (3) Column A gives the rate of Category A Retirement Pension for a single person.

  (4) Column D gives the percentage increase in Average Earnings—New Series Index (whole economy) seasonally adjusted.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average annual rate of turnover of staff in his Department's offices dealing directly with the public for each of the last five years; and what were the different rates between clerical and executive grades.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information is not readily available in the form requested. The table shows (1) the resignation rate for all DSS staff for the three years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91; earlier years are not available for DSS alone; and (2) the turnover rate for 1990–91 for the units now comprising the Benefits and Contributions Agency field operations.

  (1) Resignations, all DSS

  (2) Turnover field operations

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  Percentage

  All grades

  8·1

  7·8

  5·2

  19·1

  EO/LOI

  3·0

  2·7

  1·4

  2·7

  A0/LOII

  8·8

  7·8

  4·8

  6·9

  AA

  18·0

  20·1

  14·9

  25·8

  1 up to and including UG6

  Notes.

  1. Turnover is defined as resignations, retirements, deaths, dismissals, transfers to other government departments and the termination of fixed-term contracts.

  2. There are technical difficulties in deriving accurate turnover figures for 1990–91 because of the effect of restructuring in preparation for Agency status. These figures are the best available at present.
  314
  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Pensions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of current gross average earnings is represented, in the United Kingdom and in each European Community country, by the(a) basic pension, (b) earnings-related supplement, and (c) total state pension for (i) a single pensioner and (ii) a pensioner with a dependent spouse of pension age.

  Mr. Jack
  It is not possible to compare pension arrangements between EC member states in the manner requested by the hon. Member. Only four countries within the EC—the United Kingdom, Denmark, Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland—pay a flat-rate state pension. Other countries operate earnings-related schemes whereby each person's pension is directly related to his own earnings level during his working life and accordingly has a different and individual relationship to national average earnings.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will allow those state pensioners in receipt of small occupational pensions to relinquish those pensions so that they can claim income support and the passported benefits;

  (2) what measures his Department is taking to ensure that those state pensioners who have a small occupational pension are not penalised by the benefit rules such that they are worse off than those without an occupational pension.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Many pensioners who have both a state retirement pension and an occupational pension are entitled to income support. They, like all income support
  315
  recipients, automatically qualify for maximum housing benefit and community charge benefit which are the passported benefits for which this Department is responsible.

  A pensioner whose occupational pension takes his total income above the level at which income support would be payable should still be better off than a person in similar circumstances who qualifies for income support. This is due to the effect of the tapers in housing benefit and community charge benefit which enable the pensioner to keep some of that extra income. The tapers are applied to any income above the applicable amount appropriate to a particular case and the resulting figure is offset against the maximum benefit payable. In housing benefit the taper is 65 per cent. and in community charge benefit it is 15 per cent.

  It would not be permissible, however, for any claimant to give up an income in order to claim public money to which he or she is not properly entitled.

  Income Support
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the likely impact of SI, 1991, No. 1559 on reducing future entitlement to income support and the numbers eligible; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 7 November.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings on income support payments are expected from reduced mortgage interest repayments arising from SI 1991 No. 1520.

  Total number of people dependant on income support 7,022,222

  Ranges of deductions

  Fuel

  Rent arrears

  Water

  Social fund

  Other

  £0·01 to £0·99

  Number

  100

  —

  201

  2,099

  2,000

  Percentage

  0·001

  —

  0·003

  0·030

  0·028

  £1·00 to £1·99

  Number

  701

  46,636

  5,989

  24,168

  13,477

  Percentage

  0·010

  0·664

  0·085

  0·344

  0·192

  £2·00 to £2·99

  Number

  1,796

  100

  5,792

  48,027

  24,071

  Percentage

  0·026

  0·001

  0·082

  0·684

  0·343

  £3·00 to £3·99

  Number

  5,295

  —

  12,373

  72,609

  10,376

  Percentage

  0·075

  —

  0·176

  1·034

  0·148

  £4·00 to £4·99

  Number

  6,095

  —

  14,093

  62,563

  4,094

  Percentage

  0·087

  —

  0·201

  0·891

  0·058

  £5·00 to £6·99

  Number

  20,086

  —

  4,002

  82,164

  25,960

  Percentage

  0·286

  —

  0·057

  1·170

  0·370

  £7·00 to £9·99

  Number

  49,848

  —

  200

  56,919

  6,792

  Percentage

  0·710

  —

  0·003

  0·811

  0·097

  £10·00 and over

  Number

  98,590

  —

  100

  34,454

  11,889

  Percentage

  1·404

  —

  0·001

  0·490

  0·169

  Source: Income Support Annual Statistical Inquiry 1990.

  Notes:

  1. A person may appear in more than one deduction group.

  2. A person may have more than one deduction in either the fuel or others deduction groups but will be counted only once in that group.

  3. The figures represent the number of people in each of the deduction groups.

  4. Percentages shown are the number in each category as a percentage of the total number of people dependant on income support.

  5. Information on Community Charge arrears was not collected at the time of the inquiry.

  316
  Miss Widdecombe
  SI 1991 No. 1520 amends the Family Credit (General) Regulations 1987 and will make it easier for working parents to claim family credit by reducing the number of hours they need to work from 24 to 16 hours a week from April 1992.

  We estimate that up to 5,000 parents with a mortgage, who are receiving income support and working 16 or more hours a week in April 1992, will become eligible for family credit and be better off. In addition, up to 10,000 working families with children are likely to continue to receive help with their mortgage in income support under special protection arrangements, on top of any family credit they receive.

  As these families will be either better off or no worse off, there is expected to be a benefit cost, rather than a saving, as a result of this amendment.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the total number of persons, including dependants, in receipt of income support; how many are currently subject to deductions in their income support on grounds of fuel, rent, water, poll tax, social fund, or other reasons amounting to(a) less than £1 a week, (b) £1 to £2 a week, (c) £2 to £3 a week, (d) £3 to £4 a week, (e) £4 to £5 a week, (f) £5 to £7 a week, (g) £7 to £10 a week and (h) over £10 a week; and what percentage each of these totals represents as a proportion of the total number dependent on income support.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information available is shown in the table.

  Fraud
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Secuurity if he will consider introducing a system for prosecuting social security fraud involving civil penalties along the lines of those provided for in the Taxes Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  In 1989 an efficiency scrutiny into social security fraud recommended the continued use of prosecution powers in the Social Security Act 1986, or the Theft Act 1968 in more serious cases. We have no plans to change these arrangements. Civil proceedings may also be taken to recover an overpayment of benefit from a fraudulent claim.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to collect information at district office level on(a) the number of applications made for the various components of the social fund, (b) the number refused and accepted, (c) the grounds for refusal and (d) the numbers of loans recovered.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Open-plan Offices
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals his Department has to study the effects of a system of open-plan offices and facilities along the lines of those introduced by the Employment Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Office facilities for the reception of customers is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit claimants(a) in Nottingham and (b) in the United Kingdom are awaiting payment of outstanding housing benefit; what is the total sum involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what form his Department holds information on projected numbers of individuals likely to draw a state earnings-related pension in future years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department does not hold this information in any form because it is not required in order to estimate the future total cost of the additional pension.

  Severe Disability Premium
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will now take steps to implement the recommendations of the Social Security Advisory 318
  Committee to provide transitional protection for those people who will no longer qualify for severe disability premium after 11 November; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Steps have already been taken. Regulations which came into force on 11 November provide preserved rights for those who secured the premium, or took steps to secure it, through joint tenancies or co-ownerships before 21 October 1991.

  Benefit Rates
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in the Official Report a schedule of social security benefit rates for 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.

  Schedule of main proposed Social Security Benefit Rates from April 1992

  (weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Attendance Allowance

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Higher rate

  41·65

  43·35

  Lower rate

  27·80

  28·95

  Child Benefit

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable1

  9·25

  9·65

  Each subsequent child1

  7·50

  7·80

  1 October 1991 rate

  Child's Special Allowance

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  See note on Child Dependency Increase

  10·70

  10·85

  Community charge benefit

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Personal allowances

  single

  18 to 241

  31·40

  33·60

  25 or over

  39·65

  42·45

  lone parent—18 or over

  39·65

  42·45

  couple—one or both over 18

  62·25

  66·60

  dependent children

  under 111

  13·60

  14·55

  11 to 151

  20·00

  21·40

  16 to 171

  23·90

  25·55

  181

  31·40

  33·60

  Premiums

  family1

  8·70

  9·30

  lone parent

  10·05

  10·60

  pensioner

  single

  13·75

  14·70

  couple

  20·90

  22·35

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  15·55

  16·65

  couple

  23·35

  25·00

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  18·45

  20·75

  couple

  26·20

  29·55

  319

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  disability

  single

  16·65

  17·80

  couple

  23·90

  25·55

  severe disability

  single

  31·25

  32·55

  couple (one qualifies)

  31·25

  32·55

  couple (both qualify)

  62·50

  65·10

  disabled child

  16·65

  17·80

  carer

  10·80

  11·55

  Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital

  higher rate

  13·00

  13·55

  lower rate

  10·40

  10·85

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000·00

  16,000·00

  amount disregarded

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  child's limit

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Earnings disregards

  where disability premium awarded

  15·00

  15·00

  various specified employments

  15·00

  15·00

  lone parent—not in receipt of IS

  25·00

  25·00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10·00

  10·00

  single claimant

  5·00

  5·00

  Other income disregards

  maintenance disregard

  —

  15·00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10·00

  10·00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  10·00

  10·00

  student loan

  10·00

  10·00

  student's covenanted income

  5·00

  5·00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge

  20·00

  20·00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4·00

  4·00

  where heating is included, additional

  8·05

  8·60

  1 October 1991 Rate.

  Dependency increases

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Adult Dependency Increases

  For spouse or person looking after children, with:

  retirement pension on own insurance, invalidity pension, unemployability supplement and, if beneficiary over pension age, unemployment benefit

  31·25

  32·55

  non-contributory retirement pension, invalid care allowance and severe disablement allowance

  18·70

  19·45

  sickness benefit if beneficiary over pension age

  29·95

  31·20

  unemployment benefit

  25·55

  26·60

  maternity allowance/sickness benefit

  24·50

  25·50

  320

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Child Dependency Increases

  For each child, with:

  retirement pension, widows benefit, invalidity benefit, invalid care allowance, severe disablement allowance, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and sickness/ unemployment benefit if beneficiary over pension age

  10·70

  10·85

  Note: The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase or allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom child benefit is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the 75p derived from the October increase in child benefit) between the rate of child benefit payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child.

  Disability Living Allowance

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Care component

  Higher

  —

  43·35

  Middle

  —

  28·95

  Lower

  —

  11·55

  Mobility component

  Higher

  —

  30·30

  Lower

  —

  11·55

  Disability Working Allowance

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Adult credit

  Single people

  —

  42·40

  Couples/Lone parents

  —

  58·80

  Child credit

  Under 11

  —

  10·40

  11 to 15

  —

  17·25

  16 to 17

  —

  21·45

  18

  —

  29·90

  Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)

  Single people

  —

  39·95

  Couples/Lone parents

  —

  66·60

  Capital

  Upper limit

  —

  16,000·00

  Amount disregarded

  —

  3,000·00

  Child's limit

  —

  3,000·00

  Tariff income

  £ 1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  Maintenance disregard

  —

  15·00

  War disablement pension and war widow's pension

  —

  10·00

  Voluntary and charitable payments

  —

  10·00

  Student loan

  —

  10·00

  Student's covenanted income

  —

  5·00

  Income from boarders:

  Disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge

  Expenses for subtenants

  Furnished or unfurnished

  —

  4·00

  Where heating is included, additional

  —

  8·60

  321

  Earnings Rules

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Invalid Care Allowance

  30·00

  40·00

  Unemployment Benefit (daily rate)

  2·00

  2·00

  Unemployment Benefit (maximum weekly amount)

  52·00

  54·00

  Therapeutic earnings limit

  39·00

  40·50

  Industrial injuries unemployability

  supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)

  2,028·00

  2,106·00

  War pensioners' unemployability

  supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)

  2,028·00

  2,106·00

  Adult dependency increases with sickness benefit where claimant is

  (a) under pension age

  24·50

  25·50

  (b) over pension age

  29·95

  31·20

  maternity allowance

  24·50

  25·50

  unemployment benefit where claimant is

  (a) under pension age

  25·55

  26·60

  (b) over pension age

  31·25

  32·55

  retirement pension, invalidity pension, severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependant

  (a) is living with claimant

  41·40

  43·10

  (b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule

  45·09

  45·09

  retirement pension, invalidity pension and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant

  31·25

  32·55

  severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant

  18·70

  19·45

  invalid care allowance

  18·70

  19·45

  Child dependency increases level at which CDIs payable with long-term benefits are affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner

  for first child

  110·00

  115·00

  for each subsequent child

  14·00

  15·00

  Family credit

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Adult credit

  38·30

  41·00

  Child credit

  9·70

  10·40

  11 to 15

  16·10

  17·25

  16 to 17

  20·05

  21·45

  18

  27·95

  29·90

  Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)

  62·25

  66·60

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000·00

  8,000·00

  amount disregarded

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  child's limit

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit Disregards

  maintenance disregard

  —

  15·00

  war disablement and war widow's pension

  10·00

  10·00

  322

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  voluntary and charitable payments

  10·00

  10·00

  student loan

  10·00

  10·00

  student's covenanted income

  5·00

  5·00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge

  20·00

  20·00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4·00

  4·00

  where heating is included, additional

  8·05

  8·60

  Guardian's allowance

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  See note on Child Dependency Increase

  10·70

  10·85

  Hospital downrating

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  20 per cent, rate

  10·40

  10·85

  40 per cent, rate

  20·80

  21·70

  Housing Benefit

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Personal allowances

  single

  16 to 241

  31·40

  33·60

  25 or over

  39·65

  42·45

  lone parent

  under 181

  31·40

  33·60

  18 or over

  39·65

  42·45

  couple

  both under 18

  47·30

  50·60

  one or both over 18

  62·25

  66·60

  dependent children

  under 111

  13·60

  14·55

  11 to 151

  20·00

  21·40

  16 to171

  23·90

  25·55

  181

  31·40

  33·60

  Premiums

  family1

  8·70

  9·30

  lone parent

  10·05

  10·60

  pensioner

  single

  13·75

  14·70

  couple

  20·90

  22·35

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  15·55

  16·65

  couple

  23·35

  25·00

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  18·45

  20·75

  couple

  26·20

  29·55

  disability

  single

  16·65

  17·80

  couple

  23·90

  25·55

  severe disability

  single

  31·25

  32·55

  couple (one qualifies)

  31·25

  32·55

  couple (both qualify)

  62·50

  65·10

  323

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  disabled child

  16·65

  17·80

  carer

  10·80

  11·55

  Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital

  higher rate

  13·00

  13·55

  lower rate

  10·40

  10·85

  Non-dependant deductions rent rebates and allowances aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  gross income: low inc threshold to £99.99

  13·50

  8·00

  gross income: £100 to £129.99

  13·50

  12·00

  gross income: £130 or more

  13·50

  18·00

  others, aged 18 or over or on Income Support and over 25

  5·70

  4·00

  Low earnings threshold

  62·15

  65·00

  Service charges for fuel

  heatinig

  18·05

  8·60

  hot water

  1·00

  1·05

  lighting

  ·65

  ·70

  cooking

  1·00

  1·05

  all fuel

  10·70

  11·40

  Amount ineligible for meals three or more meals a day

  single claimant

  14·20

  15·20

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  14·20

  15·20

  each child under 16

  7·15

  7·65

  less than three meals a day

  single claimant

  9·45

  10·10

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  9·45

  10·10

  each child under 16

  4·70

  5·05

  breakfast only—claimant and each member of family

  1·75

  1·85

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000·00

  16,000·00

  amount disregarded

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  child's limit

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Earnings disregards

  where disability premium awarded

  15·00

  15·00

  various specified employments

  15·00

  15·00

  lone parent—not in receipt of IS

  25·00

  25·00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10·00

  10·00

  single claimant

  5·00

  5·00

  Other income disregards

  maintenance disregard

  —

  15·00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10·00

  10·00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  10·00

  10·00

  student loan

  10·00

  10·00

  student's convenanted income

  5·00

  5·00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge

  20·00

  20·00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4·00

  4·00

  where heating is included, additional

  8·05

  8·60

  1 October 1991 Rate.

  324

  Income support

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Personal allowances

  single

  under 18—usual rate1

  23·90

  25·55

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  31·40

  33·60

  18 to 241

  31·40

  33·60

  25 or over

  39·65

  42·45

  lone parent

  under 18—usual rate1

  23·90

  25·55

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances1

  31·40

  33·60

  18 or over

  39·65

  42·45

  couple

  both under 18

  47·30

  50·60

  one or both over 18

  62·25

  66·60

  dependent children

  under 111

  13·60

  14·55

  11 to 151

  20·00

  21·40

  16 to 171

  23·90

  25·55

  181

  31·40

  33·60

  Premiums

  family1

  8·70

  9·30

  lone parent

  4·45

  4·75

  pensioner

  single

  13·75

  14·70

  couple

  20·90

  22·35

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  15·55

  16·65

  couple

  23·35

  25·00

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  18·45

  20·75

  couple

  26·20

  29·55

  disability

  single

  16·65

  17·80

  couple

  23·90

  25·55

  severe disability

  single

  31·25

  32·55

  couple (one qualifies)

  31·25

  32·55

  couple (both qualify)

  62·50

  65·10

  disabled child

  16·65

  17·80

  carer

  10·80

  11·55

  Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes

  old age

  160·00

  175·00

  very dependent elderly

  185·00

  205·00

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  170·00

  185·00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  170·00

  185·00

  mental handicap

  195·00

  215·00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  230·00

  245·00

  (b) (over pension age)

  160·00

  175·00

  others

  160·00

  175·00

  maximum Greater London increase

  23·00

  25·00

  nursing homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  255·00

  270·00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  255·00

  270·00

  mental handicap

  260·00

  275·00

  terminal illness

  275·00

  280·00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  290·00

  305·00

  325

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  (b) (over pension age)

  255·00

  270·00

  others (including elderly)

  255·00

  270·00

  maximum Greater London increase

  33·00

  35·00

  Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)

  breakfast

  1·10

  1·10

  midday meal

  1·55

  1·55

  evening meal

  1·55

  1·55

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in

  private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes personal expenses

  11·40

  12·20

  dependent children

  (a) under 11

  4·65

  5·00

  (b) 11 to 15

  6·85

  7·35

  (c) 16 to 17

  7·95

  8·50

  (d) age 18

  11·40

  12·20

  hospital

  higher rate

  13·00

  13·55

  lower rate

  10·40

  10·85

  local authority (Pt III)

  accommodation

  10·40

  10·85

  the Polish home Ilford Park

  max amount for accommodation and meals

  160·00

  175·00

  personal expenses for claimant

  15·10

  16·15

  personal expenses for partner

  15·10

  16·15

  personal expenses for dep children

  (a) under 11

  4·65

  5·00

  (b) 11 to 15

  6·85

  7·35

  (c) 16 to 17

  7·95

  8·50

  (d) 18

  13·55

  14·50

  Housing costs

  Deduction for non-dependants aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  gross income: low inclusive threshold to £99·99

  13·50

  8·00

  gross income: £100 to £129·99

  13·50

  12·00

  gross income: £130 or more

  13·50

  18·00

  others, aged 18 or over, or on Income Support and over 25

  5·70

  4·00

  Low earnings threshold

  62·15

  65·00

  Deduction for direct payments

  arrears of housing, fuel and water costs

  2·00

  2·15

  deductions for recovery of fines (introduced for first time from April 1992

  —

  2·15

  Deductions for arrears of Community Charge

  single claimant or claimant's partner

  2·00

  2·15

  joint couple debtors both on IS

  3·15

  3·35

  Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments

  ordinary overpayments

  6·00

  6·45

  where claimant convicted of fraud

  8·00

  8·60

  Reduction in benefit for strikers

  21·00

  22·50

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000·00

  8,000·00

  amount disregarded

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  child's limit

  3,000·00

  3,000·00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  326

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Disregards

  standard earnings

  5·00

  5·00

  higher earnings

  15·00

  15·00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10·00

  10·00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  10·00

  10·00

  student loan

  10·00

  10·00

  student's covenanted income

  5·00

  5·00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge

  20·00

  20·00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4·00

  4·00

  where heating is included, additional

  8·05

  8·60

  Industrial death benefit

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Widow's pension

  higher rate

  52·00

  54·15

  lower rate

  15·60

  16·25

  Industrial disablement pension

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  18 and over, or under 18 with dependants

  100 per cent.

  84·90

  88·40

  90 per cent.

  76·41

  79·56

  80 per cent.

  67·92

  70·72

  70 per cent.

  59·43

  61·88

  60 per cent.

  50·94

  53·04

  50 per cent.

  42·45

  44·20

  40 per cent.

  33·96

  35·36

  30 per cent.

  25·47

  26·52

  20 per cent.

  16·98

  17·68

  Under 18

  100 per cent.

  52·00

  54·15

  90 per cent.

  46·80

  48·74

  80 per cent.

  41·60

  43·32

  70 per cent.

  36·40

  37·91

  60 per cent.

  31·20

  32·49

  50 per cent.

  26·00

  27·08

  40 per cent.

  20·80

  21·66

  30 per cent.

  15·60

  16·25

  20 per cent.

  10·40

  10·83

  Maximum life gratuity (lump sum)

  5,640·00

  5,870·00

  Unemployability Supplement

  52·00

  54·15

  plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity

  higher rate

  11·10

  11·55

  middle rate

  6·90

  7·20

  lower rate

  3·45

  3·60

  Maximum reduced earnings allowance

  33·96

  35·36

  Maximum retirement allowance

  8·49

  8·84

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  68·00

  70·80

  intermediate rate

  51·00

  53·10

  normal maximum rate

  34·00

  35·40

  part-time rate

  17·00

  17·70

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  34·00

  35·40

  327

  Invalidity allowances and benefits

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Invalid Care Allowance

  31·25

  32·55

  Invalidity Benefit

  Invalidity pension

  52·00

  54·15

  Invalidity allowance

  higher rate

  11·10

  11·55

  middle rate

  6·90

  7·20

  lower rate

  3·45

  3·60

  Maternity and one parent benefits

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Maternity Allowance

  40·60

  42·25

  One parent benefit

  5·60

  5·85

  Pneumoconiosis, byssinosis, workmen's compensation (supplementation) and other schemes

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum)

  84·90

  88·40

  Partial disablement allowance

  31·25

  32·55

  Unemployability supplement

  52·00

  54·15

  plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity

  higher rate

  11·10

  11·55

  middle rate

  6·90

  7·20

  lower rate

  3·45

  3·60

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  68·00

  70·80

  intermediate rate

  51·00

  53·10

  normal maximum rate

  34·00

  35·40

  part-time rate

  17·00

  17·70

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  34·00

  35·40

  Lesser incapacity allowance

  maximum rate of allowance

  31·25

  32·55

  based on loss of earnings over

  41·65

  43·35

  Retirement Pension

  Old Rates

  New Rates

  1991

  1992

  Category A or B

  52·00

  54·15

  Category B (lower)—husband's insurance

  31·25

  32·55

  Category C or D—non-contributory

  31·25

  32·55

  Category C (lower)—non-contributory

  18·70

  19·45

  Additional pension (Increased by 4·1 per cent.)

  —

  —

  Increments to basic and additional pension contracted out deductions (from pre April 1988 earnings) and graduated retirement benefit (Increased by 4·1 per cent.)

  —

  —

  Contracted out deductions (CODS) and increments to CODS (from post April 1988 earnings) (3 per cent, paid by scheme, 1·1 per cent, by state)

  —

  —

  Graduated retirement benefit (unit) (pence)

  6·81

  7·09

  Addition at age 80

  0·25

  0·25

  328

  Severe disablement allowance

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Basic rate

  31·25

  32·55

  Age-related addition (from December 1990)

  Higher rate

  11·10

  11·55

  Middle rate

  6·90

  7·20

  Lower rate

  3·45

  3·60

  Sickness benefit

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Over pension age

  49·90

  51·95

  Under pension age

  39·60

  41·20

  Social fund

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Maternity payment

  100·00

  100·00

  Capital limit

  aged under 60

  500·00

  500·00

  aged 60 and over

  1,000·00

  1,000·00

  Statutory maternity pay

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Earnings threshold

  52·00

  54·00

  Lower rate

  44·50

  46·30

  Statutory sick pay

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Earnings threshold

  52·00

  54·00

  Lower rate

  43·50

  45·30

  Standard rate

  52·50

  52·50

  Unemployment Benefit

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Over pension age

  52·00

  54·15

  Under pension age

  41·40

  43·10

  Occupational pension abatement

  35·00

  35·00

  War pensions

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  Disablement pension (100 per cent, rates)

  private or equivalent

  84·90

  89·00

  officer (£ per annum)

  4,427·00

  4,650·00

  Age allowances

  40–50 per cent.

  6·00

  6·25

  over 50 but not over 70 per cent.

  9·25

  9·65

  over 70 but not over 90 per cent.

  13·25

  13·80

  over 90 per cent.

  18·50

  19·30

  Disablement gratuity (base figures for calculation purposes only)

  specified minor injury

  5,640·00

  5,870·00

  unspecified minor injury

  3,102·00

  3,228·50

  Unemployability allowance

  329

  Old rates

  New rates

  1991

  1992

  personal

  55·25

  57·50

  adult dependency increase

  31·25

  32·55

  a. increase for first child

  9·70

  9·75

  b. increase for subsequent children

  10·70

  10·85

  Invalidity allowance

  higher rate

  11·10

  11·55

  middle rate

  6·90

  7·20

  lower rate

  3·45

  3·60

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  68·00

  70·80

  intermediate rate

  51·00

  53·10

  normal maximum rate

  34·00

  35·40

  part-time rate

  17·00

  17·70

  Comforts allowance

  higher rate

  14·60

  15·20

  lower rate

  7·30

  7·60

  Mobility supplement

  32·35

  33·70

  Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum)

  33·96

  35·36

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  34·00

  35·40

  Severe disablement occupational allowance

  17·00

  17·70

  Clothing allowance (£ per annum)

  higher rate

  115·00

  120·00

  lower rate

  73·00

  76·00

  Education allowance (£ per annum) (maximum)

  120·00

  120·00

  War widow's pension (private)

  widow

  67·60

  70·35

  childless widow under 40

  15·60

  16·25

  age allowance

  (a) age 65 to 69

  7·75

  8·05

  (b) age 70 to 79

  14·95

  15·55

  (c) age 80 and over

  22·20

  23·10

  children's allowance

  (a) increase for first child (adjusted for child benefit increase)

  13·65

  13·75

  (b) increase for subsequent children

  14·65

  14·85

  Orphan' pension

  (a) increase for first child (adjusted for child benefit increase)

  15·10

  15·30

  (b) increase for subsequent children

  16·10

  16·40

  Unmarried dependant living as spouse (maximum)

  65·55

  68·30

  Rent allowance (maximum)

  25·75

  26·80

  Adult orphan's pension (maximum)

  52·00

  54·15

  Widower's pension (maximum)

  67·60

  70·35

  Widow's Benefit

  Old Rates

  New Rates

  1991

  1992

  Widow's payment (lump sum)

  1,000·00

  1,000·00

  Widowed mother's allowance

  52·00

  54·15

  Widow's pension

  330

  Old Rates

  New Rates

  1991

  1992

  standard rate

  52·00

  54·15

  age-related

  age 54 (49)

  48·36

  50·36

  age 53 (48)

  44·72

  46·57

  age 52 (47)

  41·08

  42·78

  age 51 (46)

  37·44

  38·99

  age 50 (45)

  33·80

  35·20

  age 49 (44)

  30·16

  31·41

  age 48 (43)

  26·52

  27·62

  age 47 (42)

  22·88

  23·83

  age 46 (41)

  19·24

  20·04

  age 45 (40)

  15·60

  16·25

  Note: For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age-points shown in brackets.

  Rossi Index
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish a table showing the annual increases in prices measured by the Rossi index in each year since September 1987(a) on the basis of calculation used hitherto and (b) on the new basis announced in his uprating statement on 21 October.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.

  "Rossi" calculation

  September

  Former

  New

  1987

  3·2

  3·2

  1988

  4·7

  5·0

  1989

  5·2

  5·6

  1990

  8·1

  8·4

  1991

  7·2

  7·0

  Source: Central Statistical Office.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what additional increases in child benefit would be required to restore it to the level it would have reached if it had been uprated in line with prices and average earnings, respectively, in each year from 1985 on, including the uprating announced on 21 October 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  The additional increases would be £0·75 for the eldest eligible child and £2·60 for other children on the basis of movements in the index of retail prices applicable to the general uprating of benefits from November 1985 to April 1992. Information which would enable a similar calculation to be made on the basis of movements in average earnings over the same period will not be available until 21 November, and I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the real value of benefit for each child of a widow, invalidity pensioner or retirement pensioner—child benefit and dependency addition combined—will be increased or reduced by the uprating announced on 21 October 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  It is proposed that the combined rates of child benefit and child dependency increase payable for each child of a widow, invalidity pensioner or retirement pensioner be increased in cash terms by £0·45 with effect from week commencing 6 April 1992. It is not possible to
  331
  calculate what such a cash increase would represent in terms of the real value of either the existing or previous rates of the benefits concerned until the retail prices index figures for April 1992 are available.

  St. Francis Hospital, Haywards Heath
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the consequences of the benefit decision regarding St. Francis hospital, Haywards Heath.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The income support eligibility of people discharged from hospital is considered on an individual basis by independent adjudication officers in the local social security office and Ministers cannot intervene.

  Date

  Average earnings1

  Statutory sick pay2 as a percentage of earnings at

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  £

  100 per cent.

  75 per cent.

  50 per cent.

  April 1983

  147·40

  27·3

  36·4

  54·6

  April 1984

  159·30

  26·5

  35·4

  53·0

  April 1985

  171·00

  25·9

  34·6

  51·9

  April 1986

  184·70

  25·3

  33·7

  50·6

  April 1987

  198·90

  23·7

  31·6

  47·5

  April 1988

  218·40

  22·5

  30·0

  45·1

  April 1989

  239·70

  21·7

  29·0

  43·5

  April 1990

  263·10

  20·0

  26·6

  39·9

  April 1991

  284·70

  18·4

  24·6

  30·6

  Notes:

  1 Earnings shown are the average for all full-time adult employees.

  2 The majority of SSP recipients get occupational sick pay on top of SSP when they are sick. In many cases this brings the total payment received up to full pay.

  332
  The cases of former long-term patients of St. Francis hospital, Haywards Heath are currently the subject of an appeal and it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of earnings was replaced by statutory sick pay for employees on 100 per cent., 75 per cent. and 50 per cent. of average earnings in each year since statutory sick pay commenced.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.