Written Answers of 20 November 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Jasbir Singh
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General whether the Department of Public Prosecutions plans to institute any prosecutions arising out of the unlawful killing of Jasbir Singh, following the inquest held by the Bradford coroner.

  The Attorney-General
  On 1 November 1991 the West Yorkshire police submitted a report which is being considered at CPS headquarters.

  Private Office Staff
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General what are the numbers of staff he has in his private office; and what was the equivalent number in 1981.

  The Attorney-General
  Three officials staff the private office serving both myself and the Solicitor-General. The private office was set up in September 1989. Previously each Law Officer was served by a senior personal secretary only.

  County Courts
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the income received in fees for each county court in England and Wales.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. There are some 275 county courts in England and Wales and in 1990–91 the total income received in county court fees was £134,852,000.

  Immigration Tribunal
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General how many times he has visited the offices of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal since taking office.

  The Attorney-General
  I have not visited the offices of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.

  Sodigar Hussain
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General when the appeal by Mr. Sodigar Hussain—TH/4303/90—was heard in Leeds; when Mr. Hussain or his representatives were informed of the outcome; what is the current position of this appeal; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The appeal of Mr. Sodigar Hussain (TH/4303/90) was heard by the adjudicator at Leeds on 21 August 1991. On 4 October 1991 the adjudicator's determination, dismissing the appeal, was dispatched to the parties' representatives in this country, and on 22 October 1991 Mr. Hussain's representatives 156
  lodged an application for leave to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal against the adjudicator's determination. The current position is that the president of the IAT has adjourned consideration of the application until 12 December 1991, to allow Mr. Hussain's representatives to submit grounds of appeal, if they so wish.

  It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the decision of the adjudicator to dismiss the appeal or that of the President of the IAT to adjourn consideration of the application for leave to appeal until 12 December 1991 as they are both judicial decisions.

TRANSPORT

  Cardiff Airport
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many international flights arrive from overseas destinations each week into Cardiff airport; how many flights per week arrive from Florida; and how many flights a week arrive from Amsterdam.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In the 1991 summer season, there were about 88 international flights each week into Cardiff airport, of which 45 were scheduled services and 43 were charter services. Of the total number, one flight was from Florida (charter) and 18 were from Amsterdam (scheduled).

  For the 1991–92 winter season there will be about 75 international flights into Cardiff airport, of which 57 will be scheduled services and 18 will be charter services. Of the total, none will be from Florida and 19 scheduled flights from Amsterdam.

  Merchant Navy
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish his review on the strategic role of the Merchant Navy.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  A statement will be made on the availability of British flag shipping for defence purposes as soon as possible.

  Street Lighting
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commit funds to local authorities to improve street lighting in high crime areas.

  Mr. Chope
  Local authorities already have the freedom to commit funds to the improvement of street lighting.

  Margaret and William II
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the investigation into the loss of the Newlyn fishing vessel, Margaret and William II.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Marine Accident Investigation Branch inquiry into this accident is complete and the inspector who carried out the investigation has submitted his findings and recommendations to the chief inspector of marine accidents. A report on the accident will be published.

  White Strobe Lights
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many structures in(a) the Solent area and (b) the United Kingdom are going to be fitted with the new white strobe lights under the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The application of the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements for the lighting of aeronautical obstructions, is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority, which has the statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation within the United Kingdom. I have drawn the hon. Member's question to the attention of the Civil Aviation Authority and have asked it to write to him direct.

  War (Shipping Requirements)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to announce what the shipping requirements in times of conflict should be.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Shipping requirements in times of conflict will depend on the type of conflict. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is considering the military requirements in the light of the NATO Heads of State and Governments' recent agreement in Rome.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People.
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, of 12 November,Official Report, column 429, if he has now received a copy of the report "Blind and Partially Sighted Adults in Britain—The RNIB Needs Survey"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I congratulate the RNIB on this comprehensive report. It will be very helpful to the Department of Transport in its continuing programme of work to improve facilities both in public transport and in the pedestrian environment for blind and partially sighted people.

ENVIRONMENT

  Inland Waterways
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to alter(a) by statute or (b) in any other way, the membership or function of the Inland Waterways Amenity advisory committee.

  Mr. Heseltine
  We are currently considering the structure and role of the Council in the light of the citizens charter and other relevant matters in consultation with its chairman and with the chairman of the British Waterways Board. The terms of existing members expire at the end of 1991 and I am consulting both chairmen on future appointments.

  House Building
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice has been given by regional controllers to local authorities concerning the treatment of funding required for new build projects, in negotiations on the level of housing investment programmes for the next financial year.
  158
  Mr. Yeo
  The Department's housing regional controllers remind local authorities during annual discussions on housing investment programmes of the Government's policy that they should fulfil in the main an enabling role in their area, and should concentrate their efforts on the renovation of their own stock. Scarce resources should be directed to where they will be best employed or where best value for money may be obtained, for example by taking advantage of private finance through sponsoring housing associations' developments.

  Planning Appeals
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning appeals have been lodged with his Department in each year since 1985 against refusal by a planning authority to allow the fitting of security shutters or other external security features on shop premises; and what percentage of these appeals were successful.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information held by the Department about planning appeals makes it possible to identify appeals affecting shop fronts, but not those concerned specifically with the security of shops.

  Hedegerows
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about his Department's proposals to introduce grants for hedgerow maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Following announcement of our proposals in July, the Department has received comments from a range of interested parties, including local authorities, landowning and farming bodies, and environmental groups. Our intention to provide new incentives for hedgerow management has been broadly welcomed and we are discussing with the Countryside Commission and others the detailed scope and terms of the proposed scheme. We shall be making a further statement in due course.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce grants for hedgerow maintenance.

  Mr. Baldry
  We hope to make our proposed new incentives for hedgerow management available next year.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 395–96, when his discussions with the Countryside Commission and others on the proposed incentive scheme will be completed; and when the proposals will be implemented.

  Mr. Baldry
  Our discussions on a scheme to provide new incentives for hedgerow management are making good progress, and we shall make a further statement as soon as possible. We plan to establish the proposed scheme in the coming year.

  Retailers (Security)
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what quality standards are required for security features such as shutters, grilles and glass fitted in
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  commercial or retail premises in the United Kingdom; and what information he has on comparable standards prevailing in other EC countries.

  Mr. Yeo
  There are no statutory requirements expressly requiring or applying to the fitting of security features in commercial or retail premises in the United Kingdom.

  Voluntary guidance relating to the security of buildings against crime is contained in British standard 8220. Part 2 applies to offices and shops and part 3 applies to warehouses and distribution units.

  The Department does not keep information on the technical standards and practices applying to security features in commercial and retail premises in other member states. However, information on technical standards is available from BSI's technical help for exporters service based at Milton Keynes. The telephone number is 0908 220022.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made since March 1991 on assisting Homeless Emergency for London People to get blankets from Government stocks.

  Sir George Young
  The Government are providing grants under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 to over 80 voluntary organisations in England for practical projects to prevent and relieve homelessness. Homeless Emergency for London People, whose initiative on behalf of the homeless I welcome, has not asked my Department for direct assistance since March 1991. HELP was invited to bid for funds in February but no formal application was received from it.

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review his policy on enterprise zones following completion of his Department's study by PA-Cambridge Economic Consultants assessing the impact of enterprise zones; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The final evaluation of enterprise zones by PA-CEC will not be completed until 1995. Our policy remains that the creation of new zones will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.

  Water (Consultations)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines govern the consultations on water quality, water use and flood prevention strategies to be incorporated in environmental impact assessments to accompany private and hybrid bills; and if consultations require obligatory reference to the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Yeo
  An environmental statement deposited with a new private or hybrid Bill authorising the carrying out of works will, in accordance with Standing Order 27A (Private Business), generally be expected to contain all the information set out in schedule 3 to the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988. This includes the likely effects of the proposed works on the environment by reference to their 160
  possible impacts on water. Promoters are advised when preparing their environmental statement to consult those bodies with relevant information in their possession including, where appropriate, the National Rivers Authority.

  Flame Retardants
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current state of negotiations within the EC with regard to the Commission proposal 91/7 on the marketing and use of bromine-based flame retardants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The proposal is for an immediate ban on the marketing and use of seven polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBBEs) with three more (pentabromobiphenyl ether, octabromobiphenyl ether, and decabromobiphenyl ether) banned after five years. The Government's position on this proposal was debated in the House of Commons European Standing Committee A on 17 July 1991. The proposal was last discussed in the EC in a Council working group meeting on 1 October.

  There are two major problems with the current proposal. Firstly, due to a technical oversight in the wording, the three substances which the Commission had intended should remain on the market for a further five years will effectively be banned immediately. Secondly, the efficacy and safety of substitute compounds has not been addressed. The United Kingdom is concerned that, prior to a final ban, substitutes are assessed to ensure that they are effective flame retardants and demonstrably safer to man and the environment. A ban should only follow if the efficacy and safety criteria are met.

  I understand that the European Parliament Environment Committee has decided to defer consideration of this proposal until a directive on flame retardant materials used in soft furnishings is drafted. This directive will help to inform the debate on the efficacy of substitutes.

  Genetically Manipulated Organisms
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish the draft regulations on genetically manipulated organisms.

  Mr. Baldry
  A consultation paper containing draft regulations, "Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Proposed New Regulations", was published jointly with the Health and Safety Commission on 22 October 1991.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the findings of the drinking water inspectorate into the outbreak of cryptosporidia in the Hull area during 1990.

  Mr. Baldry
  The investigation by the drinking water inspectorate is nearing completion, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Severance Payments
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department proposes to take any action to permit the payment of local enhanced severance payments following the judgment in the case of Allsop v. North Tyneside metropolitan borough council.
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  Mr. Key
  I understand that the metropolitan borough of North Tyneside has appealed against the judgment. The matter is therefore sub judice.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the capital receipts from council house sales in each district in his Department's eastern region for each of the last five years.

  Eastern Region1

  Discounted value of all sales (£'000)

  Town name

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Luton

  6,510

  9,714

  16,503

  10,790

  n/a

  Mid Bedfordshire

  4,767

  6,031

  7,743

  3,711

  3,198

  North Bedfordshire

  6,510

  n/a

  n/a

  7,373

  65,104

  South Bedfordshire

  4,486

  6,823

  8,601

  5,465

  3,203

  Aylesbury Vale

  8,415

  10,028

  11,791

  7,090

  4,987

  Chiltern

  3,810

  n/a

  31,264

  0

  0

  Milton Keynes

  1,812

  n/a

  8,542

  5,277

  1,782

  South Bucks

  2,195

  3,180

  2,931

  3,624

  37,213

  Wycombe

  n/a

  10,663

  11,042

  n/a

  n/a

  Cambridge

  6,021

  6,536

  9,344

  n/a

  4,002

  East Cambridgeshire

  2,181

  2,744

  3,303

  1,597

  1,092

  Fenland

  1,528

  2,494

  3,845

  1,585

  507

  Huntingdonshire

  5,446

  7,726

  9,603

  5,531

  3,802

  Peterborough

  n/a

  3,740

  6,272

  n/a

  2,056

  South Cambridgeshire

  4,406

  4,718

  6,585

  4,139

  4,112

  Basildon

  n/a

  n/a

  7,326

  n/a

  n/a

  Braintree

  5,896

  8,242

  9,136

  6,507

  2,740

  Brentwood

  2,125

  2,830

  3,778

  3,229

  2,127

  Castle Point

  1,557

  2,050

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Chelmsford

  3,834

  6,521

  10,203

  8,866

  3,509

  Colchester

  2,375

  4,697

  8,880

  n/a

  1,935

  Epping Forest

  n/a

  6,359

  6,498

  4,793

  3,373

  Harlow

  n/a

  n/a

  18,346

  22,445

  9,217

  Maldon

  1,337

  1,713

  2,092

  1,226

  970

  Rochford

  1,919

  2,182

  3,888

  n/a

  831

  Southend-on-Sea

  3,335

  3,082

  6,755

  n/a

  2,424

  Tendring

  1,843

  2,281

  3,462

  2,791

  1,395

  Thurrock

  6,943

  11,418

  13,748

  11,726

  6,418

  Uttlesford

  2,255

  3,528

  4,073

  1,660

  1,261

  Broxbourne

  6,536

  4,632

  7,212

  3,414

  4,947

  Dacorum

  12,014

  15,391

  21,420

  13,179

  7,769

  East Hertfordshire

  5,433

  5,419

  8,039

  6,188

  4,127

  Hertsmere

  8,546

  9,505

  11,138

  7,537

  4,008

  North Hertfordshire

  4,584

  6,310

  n/a

  7,729

  4,774

  St. Albans

  4,329

  5,490

  9,026

  9,144

  8,464

  Stevenage

  9,516

  n/a

  16,832

  12,735

  7,310

  Three Rivers

  2,645

  4,148

  6,372

  n/a

  3,148

  Watford

  4,459

  5,814

  8,257

  4,537

  2,572

  Welwyn Hatfield

  14,318

  18,162

  19,878

  14,810

  7,330

  Breckland

  3,273

  4,140

  6,539

  4,060

  2,069

  Broadland

  795

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  25,042

  Great Yarmouth

  1,247

  1,716

  2,794

  2,348

  1,388

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  2,351

  3,252

  7,049

  2,221

  1,350

  North Norfolk

  1,380

  1,887

  4,140

  3,231

  1,168

  Norwich

  4,245

  n/a

  16,369

  10,562

  4,619

  South Norfolk

  2,239

  2,782

  4,533

  2,805

  1,672

  Babergh

  2,282

  2,618

  4,305

  2,016

  1,685

  Forest Heath

  2,318

  3,565

  3,707

  2,444

  1,737

  Ipswich

  3,436

  6,073

  11,219

  5,730

  2,336

  Mid Suffolk

  1,599

  2,304

  3,607

  3,478

  1,207

  St. Edmundsbury

  3,373

  5,360

  7,173

  4,805

  1,679

  Suffolk Coastal

  2,113

  3,602

  4,900

  2,705

  2,630

  Waveney

  1,582

  2,720

  4,252

  1,844

  1,668

  1 Figures shown are as reported by individual authorities.

  n/a indicates that no data is available.

  Oil Pollution (Kuwait)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the International Council for Bird Preservation on the subject of assistance for Kuwait in tackling the problems caused to bird populations by remaining pools of oil.
  162
  Mr. Yeo
  The total discounted values of all sales of houses and flats, based on returns from local authorities, are shown in the table. Actual cash receipts in any year will depend on the extent to which sales were financed by loans from the authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  I had an exchange of correspondence on this matter with the International Council for Bird Preservation in June and July of this year.

  Lead
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what standards exist for the presence of lead and derivatives of lead in(a) soil and (b) air;

  (2) what agency is responsible for the implementation of standards on the presence of lead and derivatives of lead in (a) soil and (b) air; and what guidance he has given to such agencies to report their findings and activities to his Department.

  Mr. Baldry
  (a) The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 set down a lead in soil standard of 300 milligrams per kilogram of dry matter. This only applies to those agricultural soils which receive sewage sludge. The regulations are enforced by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. (b) A maximum concentration of 2 micrograms of lead per cubic metre (expressed as an annual mean concentration) is set down in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 1989 which are enforced by the Secretary of State. Compliance is checked at air quality monitoring stations and results reported to the Secretary of State.

  Waste (Burning)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations exist for the control of the burning of chlorine or PVC-based waste; and what agency is responsible for the implementation of such controls.

  Mr. Baldry
  The control of existing plant burning chlorine or PVC-based waste is presently subject to the following regulations:

  The Collection and Disposal of Waste Regulations 1988.

  The Control of Industrial Air Pollution (Registration of Works) Regulations 1989.

  The Collection and Disposal of Waste Regulations are enforced by waste disposal authorities. The Control of Industrial Air Pollution Regulations are enforced by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Since 1 April 1991, new incinerator plant for these wastes has been subject to the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1991, enforced by either HMIP or local authorities depending on the exact nature of the waste and the capacity of the incinerator. Existing incinerators will progressively be brought under these controls.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest are within 100 m of proposed local road routes.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Hook Island
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if a reservoir appraisal, as outlined in appendix B of the planning circular 2/85, has been carried out in the case of the proposed Hook island, Poole harbour, development; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if the procedure outlined in appendix A of planning circular 2/85 has been invoked in the case of the proposed Hook island, Poole harbour, development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 14 November 1991]: Appendix B of DOE circular 2/85 explains the three stages
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  of onshore hydrocarbon development: exploration, appraisal and production. Appendix A of DOE circular 2/85 explains the Department of Energy's licensing procedures which apply to all oil and gas development. BP carried out offshore appraisal drilling in Poole bay in 1988–89 following consultations with local interests and the completion of an environmental assessment.

  Following successful appraisal drilling to determine the extent of the Wytch Farm oilfield, BP consulted widely on various development concepts. Its preferred option is the construction of an artificial island large enough to accommodate a well site and drilling facilities on which a conventional land-type drilling rig could be operated. Because the island would be in navigable waters, it is necessary for the construction of the island and the works associated with it to have the authority of Parliament. However, the Bill provides that the area of the sea bed on which BP proposes to construct the island will becone part of Dorset for planning purposes. This means that, if the Bill is granted consent, no development will take place unless planning approval is obtained from Dorset county council, or the Secretary of State on appeal.

  Sea Pollution
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the Public Accounts Committee report on oil and chemical pollution at sea.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Treasury minute in response to the 40th report by the Public Accounts Committee on oil and chemical pollution at sea is currently being drafted and will be published shortly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime Prevention
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which cities are eligible to apply for specific crime prevention projects funding under(a) the safer cities programme and (b) urban programme schemes; and if he will list those cities in the last 18 months which have made successful bids for specific crime prevention projects.

  Mr. John Patten
  The 19 areas where the Home Office has established safer cities projects, listed in the table, are eligible for Home Office grants for specific crime prevention schemes. All have received funding in the last 18 months except Derby, Leicester and Middlesbrough, where projects began operation only this autumn.

  Fifty-seven designated districts, also listed in the table, are eligible to apply for Department of the Environment funding under the urban programme. Those marked with an asterisk have included crime prevention projects in their programme for 1991–92, the only period for which I understand this information is available.

  Safer Cities projects

  Birmingham

  Bradford

  Bristol

  Coventry

  Derby

  Hartlepool

  Hull

  Islington

  Leicester

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  Lewisham

  Middlesbrough

  Nottingham

  Rochdale

  Salford

  Sunderland

  Tower Hamlets

  Wandsworth

  Wirral

  Wolverhampton

  Urban Programme Local Authorities

  1Newcastle/Gateshead

  1Hartlepool

  1Langbaurgh

  1Middlesbrough

  1North Tyneside

  1South Tyneside

  1Stockton-on-Tees

  1Sunderland

  1Manchester/Salford

  1Blackburn

  1Bolton

  1Burnley

  1Oldham

  1Preston

  1Rochdale

  1Wigan

  Liverpool

  Halton

  Knowsley

  St Helens

  Sefton

  Wirral

  Barnsley

  Bradford

  Doncaster

  Kingston Upon Hull

  Leeds

  Rotherham

  Sheffield

  Kirklees

  Birmingham

  Coventry

  Dudley

  Sandwell

  Walsall

  Wolverhampton

  Wrekin

  1Derby

  1Leicester

  1Nottingham

  1Bristol

  1Plymouth

  1Hackney

  1Islington

  1Lambeth

  1Brent

  1Greenwich

  1Hammersmith and Fulham

  1Haringey

  1Kensington and Chelsea

  1Lewisham

  1Newham

  1Southwark

  Tower Hamlets

  1Wandsworth

  1 Authorities which included crime prevention projects in their 1991–92 programmes.

  Kerb Crawling
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of motorists convicted of kerb crawling in the Greater London area from January to October 1991.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information is not yet available for 1990 and 1991. In England and Wales in 1989 there were 166
  891 males convicted of kerb crawling. Of these 49 were within the Metropolitan police district and none within the City of London police force area.

  Criminal Injuries (Compensation)
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time which elapses between the date of criminal injury and the payment of compensation in respect of that injury.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board does not record centrally the period between the dates of incident and registration of claim. Nor does it produce an average time for processing applications. However, percentages of cases completed within certain periods of registration are shown in the board's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of incidents recorded per uniformed police officer for the year 1990–91 in(a) Weybridge, Surrey and (b) Newcastle upon Tyne.

  Mr. John Patten
  Figures are not available.

  Northumbria Police Authority
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to reply to recent representations from the Northumbria police authority.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend has received a request from Northumbria police authority for a special payment to meet costs arising from the recent disturbances on Tyneside. This is receiving urgent consideration and my right hon. Friend will reply as soon as possible.

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mr. Daya Pal Singh and his wife (S 672230/2(S)), Mr. Harvinder Pal Singh (S 672231/2 (S)) and Mr. Hari Pal Singh (S 672909/2 (S)), all relatives of Mr. Mohinder Paul Singh Bedi of Hayes, applied for political asylum in the United Kingdom; what is their current status in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No.

  The hon. Member will understand that it has been the practice of successive Governments not to confirm or deny whether an individual has made a claim for political asylum in the United Kingdom.

  Police Cells
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment is made of the mental health of people held on remand in police cells in England and Wales when they are remanded.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  Arrangements for caring for prisoners in police cells are for chief officers of police. I understand that the prisoners concerned are normally assessed by a police doctor on reception.

  Prison Accommodation
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to ensure that prisoners for whom prison cell accommodation is not suitable are given acceptable alternatives.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  The only circumstances under which prison cell accommodation could be considered unsuitable would be on medical grounds. In such cases the inmate would be accommodated in the establishment's health centre or, if necessary, transferred to hospital.

  Children and Young Persons Act
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state(a) the number of children detained in relation to section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 in each of the past 15 years, (b) the average length of detention or imprisonment undertaken by such offenders, (c) how many have been released under licence and (d) in how many cases licences were revoked; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  [holding answer 13 November 1991]: The readily available information on the number of persons sentenced in England and Wales to detention under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 is given in table 1. The lengths of sentence imposed on those sentenced under section 53(2) are shown in table 2.

  Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Information about the number of juveniles received into and detained in prison service establishments under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 are published annually in "Prison Statistics England and Wales", tables 3.2 and 3.13 of the volume for 1989, Cm 1221, copies of which are in the Library.

  The numbers of prisoners released from prison service establishments in England and Wales on licence from

  Table 2

  Persons sentenced under Section 53(2) Children and Young Persons Act 1933 by length of sentence, 1984–1989

  England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Length of sentence

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1 1989

  Up to 4 months

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Over 4 months and up to 6 months

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Over 6 months and up to 1 year

  1

  1

  2

  6

  4

  3

  Over 1 year and up to 18 months

  6

  9

  9

  3

  4

  1

  Over 18 months and up to 2 years

  23

  39

  30

  36

  32

  20

  Over 2 years and up to 3 years

  39

  70

  71

  59

  88

  66

  Over 3 years and up to 4 years

  17

  20

  21

  23

  25

  10

  Over 4 years and up to 5 years

  5

  10

  13

  14

  12

  9

  Over 5 years and up to 7 years

  4

  3

  3

  7

  8

  1

  Over 7 years and up to 10 years

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  —

  Over 10 years, excluding life

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Life

  2

  1

  3

  2

  1

  4

  Total

  99

  154

  156

  154

  177

  115

  1Comparisons with prison receptions data suggests that there may have been under recording in 1989.

  Table 3

  Prisoners released on licence from Prison Service establishments in England and Wales from detention during Her Majesty's pleasure or for life under Section 53, Children and Young Persons Act 1933: by year of release and average time served, 1976–90

  Year

  Number

  Time served1 (years)

  1976

  8

  7·4

  1977

  3

  9·1

  1978

  8

  7·7

  1979

  4

  7·5

  168
  detention during Her Majesty's pleasure under section 53(1) or for life under section 53(2), showing the average times served, are given in table 3.

  The majority of prisoners discharged from determinate detention under section 53(2) are released on licence before the end of sentence. In 1987, of the 140 detainees released from prison service establishments, about 90 were released on licence; in 1988 the figures were 120 and 100.

  The numbers recalled in 1990 from licence after determinate sentences under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 are published in table 5 of the Parole Board's annual report for 1990 (HC 481), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Table 1

  Persons sentenced under Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933: 1975–89 England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Section 53(1)

  Section 53(2)

  Total

  1975

  6

  45

  51

  1976

  7

  51

  58

  1977

  10

  59

  69

  1978

  9

  81

  90

  1979

  26

  54

  80

  1980

  19

  64

  83

  1981

  16

  71

  87

  1982

  31

  81

  112

  1983

  16

  69

  85

  1984

  22

  99

  121

  1985

  18

  154

  172

  1986

  16

  156

  172

  1987

  19

  154

  173

  1988

  22

  177

  199

  1 1989

  15

  115

  130

  1 Comparisons with prison receptions data suggests there may have been under recording in 1989.

  Year

  Number

  Time served1 (years)

  1980

  5

  8·8

  1981

  6

  8·6

  1982

  6

  8·4

  1983

  9

  8·4

  1984

  4

  7·4

  1985

  8

  8·5

  1986

  9

  9·1

  169

  Year

  Number

  Time served1 (years)

  1987

  11

  11·9

  1988

  2

  9·8

  1989

  7

  10·2

  21990

  6

  13·1

  1 Excluding any time spent on remand in custody, in non-Prison Service establishments or following any subsequent recall.

  2 Provisional Figures.

  Publicity
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide an up-to-date list of each television advertising campaign carried out, or to be carried out, by(a) the Home Office and (b) the Metropolitan police 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.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 November 1991, c. 34–36]: The Commissioner has told me that in 1991–92 the Metropolitan police service is funding one television advertising campaign, which is for police recruitment. This is a part of recruitment advertising for the service which, in this period, is the only campaign costing more than £100,000. It is a continuing campaign carried on throughout the year and is being handled by Collett, Dickenson, Pearce and Partners Ltd. and Moxon, Dolphin and Kerby.

THE ARTS

  library Association
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received from the Library Association about the views he attributed to the association in his reply to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 11 November,Official Report, column 776.

  Mr. Renton
  I am glad to have this opportunity of correcting a slip of the tongue in my reply to a supplementary question from the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 11 November,Official Report, column 776. I referred to the Library Association when I intended to quote the report "Libraries Choice", which said that the key issues facing public library authorities were not necessarily financial but were those of attitude, choice and commitment. I have acknowledged this in a letter to the Library Association and have copied the exchange of correspondence to the hon. Members for Crewe and Nantwich and for Stoke on Trent, Central.

WALES

  Special Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the initiatives he has taken to assist pupils and teachers in special schools; and if he will make a statement.
  170
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  It is for local education authorities to ensure that appropriate provision is made in schools for children with special educational needs. The Welsh Office has issued guidance to LEAs and others on staffing for pupils with special needs and on the procedures associated with the assessment and statementing processes of the Education Act 1981. Further, the Department has made grant available, which is being continued in 1992–93, under the grants for education support and training scheme (GEST), for the in-service training of teachers of pupils who are visually or hearing impaired or who have severe learning difficulties and for the initial training of educational psychologists.

  More widely, we are providing support to LEAs under the GEST programme for the implementation of school teacher appraisal schemes. Appraisal will help teachers, including those in special schools, to improve their professional skills and develop their full potential.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to assist the blind and the partially sighted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 12 November 1991.

  Hearing Impaired People
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Wales what measures he proposes to assist those who are deaf or hearing impaired.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Under the provisions of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990, social services authorities are to publish their first social care plans by 1 April 1992. These plans, which in Wales are to be prepared jointly with all other relevant authorities and service providers, and representatives of user and carer interests, will include hearing impairment services and set out the way in which authorities intend to assess and meet peoples needs. The Welsh Office has issued guidance to the authorities on the preparation and content of these plans and on assessment and care management.

  This has recently been supplemented by the publication of the latest of the Welsh Health Planning Forum's protocols for investment in health services to achieve health gain, which covers the needs of those with physical or sensory disabilities. The Welsh Office is working closely with authorities in the preparation of draft plans to ensure that they address adequately the needs of all client groups.

  The Welsh Office is making available £1·6 million in the current financial year to encourage the development of more flexible forms of community care for elderly people and those with physical and/or sensory disabilities. So far, 39 projects have been approved, with more in the pipeline, and a circular inviting applications for schemes beginning in 1992–93 was issued in October. We are also making available £600,000 in 1991–92 to organisations active at an all-Wales level in promoting the interests of the elderly and of those with disabilities. Among these are the Wales Council for the Disabled (£250,000) and the Wales Council for the Deaf (£94,000).

  The Children Act, which came into effect from 14 October, lays a general duty on social services authorities to promote the welfare of children who are in need by

  171
  providing an appropriate range and level of services. Section 17 of the Act defines children in need so as to include deaf or hearing impaired children. The provision of education for such children is a matter for local education authorities. However, the Welsh Office has made grant available, which is to continue in 1992–93, under the grants for education support and training programme for the in-service training of teachers of the deaf/hearing impaired. Further, the Department has invited bids for grant aid under GEST for the development of a regional centre for the educational needs of those who are deaf and blind. Bids are currently being considered.

  Homelessness
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in each district council area are(a) registered as homeless or (b) on the housing waiting list.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  (a) People do not register as homeless but present themselves, together with other members of their household, to the housing authority. The numbers of people within households accepted as homeless by local authorities under the Housing Act 1985 in the quarter ended 30 June 1991 are given in the following table:

  Persons accepted as homeless: quarter ending 30 June 1991

  Number

  Aberconwy

  26

  Alyn and Deeside

  165

  Arfon

  23

  Blaenau Gwent

  196

  Brecknock

  78

  Cardiff

  1,129

  Carmarthen

  47

  Ceredigion

  47

  Colwyn

  33

  Cynon Valley

  284

  Delyn

  191

  Dinefwr

  79

  Dwyfor

  24

  Glyndwr

  30

  Islwyn

  97

  Llanelli

  74

  Lliw Valley

  46

  Meirionnydd

  79

  Merthyr Tydfil

  103

  Monmouth

  83

  Montgomeryshire

  71

  Neath

  170

  Newport

  793

  Ogwr

  309

  Port Talbot

  109

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  63

  Radnorshire

  15

  Rhondda

  86

  Rhuddlan

  50

  Rhymney Valley

  95

  South Pembrokeshire

  60

  Swansea

  499

  Taff-Ely

  196

  Torfaen

  249

  Vale of Glamorgan

  233

  Wrexham Maelor

  176

  Ynys Mon

  31

  Wales total

  6,039

  (b) No information is available centrally.

  Home Repossessions
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homes have been repossessed by loan or mortgage companies and building societies in each county of Wales during the current year.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Only the total numbers of warrants of repossession are available; those relating specifically to mortgages are not collected separately. However, separate data are available on the number of repossession orders made following mortgage actions. The numbers given in the following table relate to totals of orders made through courts within an area and as such do not correspond directly to the number of homes within that area on which orders were made.

  Repossession Orders made following Mortgage Actions1

  January—September 1991

  Clwyd

  542

  Dyfed

  608

  Gwent

  855

  Gwynedd

  445

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,203

  Powys

  98

  South Glamorgan

  918

  West Glamorgan

  719

  Wales

  5,388

  Source: Lord Chancellor's Department.

  1 Figures include suspended orders, whereby the mortgagees are given an opportunity to clear their debts.

  Geography
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish an order to introduce a geography short course for key stage 4 in the national curriculum.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have published today an order specifying the attainment targets and programmes of study for a short geography course at key stage 4. These documents will come into effect from August 1994.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Bank Notes
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he last considered the privatisation of the Bank of England printing works at Loughton, Essex; what conclusions were reached; and what is the latest estimate of the proceeds that would accrue from such a privatisation;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to seek competitive tenders for the production of Bank of England bank notes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  The printing of bank notes is the Bank of England's responsibility. The bank is, however, fully conscious of the need to ensure that bank notes are produced as cheaply as possible, consistent with maintaining the security and integrity of the note issue and it has assured me that it will take whatever steps it considers necessary to achieve that.

  BCCI
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has about the invoicing of fees by Price Waterhouse to the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

  Mr. Maples
  None.

  Bank Regulation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to create a Banking Commission to regulate all banks in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maples
  No.

  Income tax, NICS and indirect tax payments at multiples of average earnings, 1990–91 and 1991–92—percentages of gross earnings

  Multiples of average earnings

  0·5 per cent.

  0·75 per cent.

  1 per cent.

  1·5 per cent.

  2 per cent.

  5 per cent.

  10 per cent.

  1990–91

  Single people

  Income tax

  15·6

  18·7

  20·3

  22·0

  26·5

  34·6

  37·3

  NICs

  6·9

  7·6

  8·0

  6·1

  4·6

  1·8

  0·9

  VAT

  4·9

  4·9

  5·1

  Other indirect

  7·4

  6·9

  6·6

  Total income tax and NICs

  22·5

  26·3

  28·3

  28·1

  31·1

  36·4

  38·2

  Married, two children

  Income tax

  0·8

  8·8

  12·9

  17·0

  22·0

  32·8

  36·4

  NICs

  6·9

  7·6

  8·0

  6·1

  4·6

  1·8

  0·9

  VAT

  4·4

  4·8

  5·4

  Other indirect

  8·0

  7·1

  6·3

  Total income tax and NICs

  7·7

  16·4

  20·9

  23·1

  26·6

  34·6

  37·3

  Married, both working

  Income tax

  0·8

  8·9

  12·9

  16·9

  18·9

  28·3

  34·2

  NICs

  4·8

  6·2

  6·9

  7·6

  7·7

  3·7

  1·8

  VAT

  5·1

  5·3

  5·5

  Other indirect

  9·5

  8·3

  7·2

  Total income tax and NICs

  5·6

  15·1

  19·8

  24·5

  26·6

  32·0

  36·0

  1991–92

  Single people

  Income tax

  15·4

  18·6

  20·2

  21·8

  25·8

  34·3

  37·2

  NICs

  6·8

  7·5

  7·9

  6·3

  4·8

  1·9

  1·0

  VAT

  5·4

  5·4

  5·6

  Other indirect

  7·5

  7·0

  6·7

  Total income tax and NICs

  22·2

  26·1

  28·1

  28·1

  30·6

  36·2

  38·2

  Married, two children

  Income tax

  0·7

  8·8

  12·8

  16·9

  21·4

  32·5

  36·3

  NICs

  6·8

  7·5

  7·9

  6·3

  4·8

  1·9

  1·0

  VAT

  4·9

  5·4

  6·0

  Other indirect

  8·1

  7·2

  6·4

  Total income tax and NICs

  7·5

  16·3

  20·7

  23·2

  26·2

  34·4

  37·3

  Married, both working

  Income tax

  0·8

  8·9

  12·9

  16·9

  19·0

  27·9

  33·9

  NICs

  4·6

  6·1

  6·8

  7·5

  7·8

  3·8

  1·9

  VAT

  5·7

  5·9

  6·1

  Other indirect

  9·6

  8·5

  7·3

  Total income tax and NICs

  5·4

  15·0

  19·7

  24·4

  26·8

  31·7

  35·8

  Notes

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay class 1 NI contributions at the contracted-in rate.

  2. Since 1990–91, husbands and wives have been taxed independently. Previously the tax liability of couples depended on their joint income. To permit comparisons with earlier years, the table therefore shows income tax and national insurance contributions paid by a married couple as a proportion of their joint income, assuming, as in the earlier years, that where both partners are earners, the husband and wife share the relevant multiple of earnings in the ratio 60:40.

  3. In order to provide comparability with 1978–79, when support for children was given partly through child tax allowance, child benefit is treated as a negative income tax for the married couple with two children. (For 1991–92, the child benefit figure is a financial year average).

  Income Disposal
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the percentage of gross earnings going in(a) income tax, (b) national insurance contributions, (c) VAT, (d) other indirect taxes and (e) the poll tax, of (i) a single person, (ii) a married couple both working, and (iii) a married couple with two children, on (1) 50 per cent., (2) 75 per cent., (3) 100 per cent., (4) 150 per cent., (5) 200 per cent., (6) 500 per cent. and (7) 1,000 per cent. of average earnings in each year since 1978–79

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 19 November 1991]: Figures for 1978–79 to 1987–88 have been placed in the Library of the House, as noted in the Official Report, 13 April 1989, column 624. Figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 were published in the Official Report, 5 July 1990, columns 699–702. Updated figures for 1990–91 and the latest estimates for 1991–92 are given in the tables.
  175
  4. Average earnings are taken to be the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time males on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. These are estimated to be £307·00 per week in 1990–91 and £330·80 per week in 1991–92, using the Government Actuary's Department's assumption of 7¾ per cent. growth in whole economy underlying earnings over 1990–91 as published in the 1991 autumn statement.

  5. The estimates of indirect taxes are based on equations derived from the 1985 family expenditure survey, uprated to later years using forecasts of aggregate tax receipts. They are based on the illustrative assumption that 10 per cent. of disposable income is saved. There are wide variations in spending patterns between households with the same composition and similar incomes and estimated payments of VAT and other indirect taxes are therefore approximate, even within the income range for which figures are shown. Outside this range, the margin of error is even higher and reliable estimates cannot be made. Because of sampling variation, there can be substantial differences between estimates obtained from family expenditure surveys for different years.

  6. It has not been possible to make satisfactory estimates of the burden of the community charge in the absence of sample survey results, which would enable actual payments net of adjustments arising the community charge reduction scheme etc. to be related to earnings.

  Bank Loans
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give comparable figures for the proportion of bank loans to industry which are for periods of five years or more, for each OECD country, for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 18 November 1991]: No data are available in the form requested—that is,

  Country (currency/unit)

  Year

  Short-term loans A (up to 2 years)

  Long-term loans B (more than 2 years)

  Proportion of long term loans to total loans B/(A + B) Per cent.

  Austria (Sch billion)

  1985

  83

  68

  45·0

  Belgium (BFr billion)

  1988

  655

  890

  57·6

  Japan (Yen trillion)

  1988

  221

  173

  43·9

  Netherlands (F1 billion)

  1988

  29

  42

  58·9

  Spain (Pta billion)

  1989

  1,695

  4,478

  72·5

  United Kingdom (£ billion)

  1989

  20

  20

  49·8

  United States ($ billion)

  1989

  152

  462

  75·3

  Yugoslavia (D billion)

  1984

  1,599

  2,922

  64·6

PRIME MINISTER

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to extend the debt relief he announced at the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit to all low income debtor countries.

  The Prime Minister
  There are no plans to extend Trinidad terms beyond the poorest and most indebted countries. There is widespread agreement that these countries have the most pressing problems. It is right, therefore, that our priority should be to address their problems. So far 22 very poor and indebted countries have benefited from the existing Toronto terms debt reduction package—another United Kingdom initiative. Although the precise criteria for eligibility for the Trinidad terms package are still being worked out in practice, those that qualify will enjoy a much more generous treatment than that presently available under Toronto terms.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmonella
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in his negotiations in the Council of Ministers in introducing Community-wide measures to control salmonella in poultry units.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have continued to press for Community-wide controls on salmonella to be introduced as soon as possible. The European Commission has now published proposals for a regulation on the control of
  176
  differentiating loans for terms of more or less than five years. However, data are available for loans for more or less than two years—the standard system of national accounts split short term v. long term—for the countries shown in the table. These are published in OECD Financial Statistics Part 3, Non-Financial Enterprises Financial Statements balance sheets. The figures are for amounts outstanding in the latest year available, as indicated.

  salmonella and certain other zoonoses throughout the European Community. This is a significant step forward and will provide a useful framework for discussions.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his current policy on slaughtering salmonella-infected egg-laying poultry flocks.

  Mr. Maclean
  Poultry laying flocks in which the presence of salmonella enteritidis has been confirmed are required to be compulsorily slaughtered with compensation. On 31 October we announced that owners of poultry laying flocks infected with salmonella enteritidis and poultry breeding flocks infected with salmonella enteritidis or salmonella typhimurium would be given the option of sending their eggs for pasteurisation. This option will become available when pasteurisation plants have applied for, and have been granted, approval to process eggs from infected flocks.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Ron Davieš
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the numbers of dead farm animals disposed of improperly; and if he will collect details from highways authorities concerning the numbers of farm animal carcasses they collect.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have received some reports of unburied animals and illegal dumping, but as the Agriculture Select Committee accepted in its recent report, most are anecdotal. However, the state veterinary service continues to monitor the situation very closely in consultation with all interested authorities.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the number of attempts to break Britain's animal quarantine laws during the last two years; what species of animals were involved; and how many confirmed cases of rabies have been identified in animals either in or outside quarantine during that period.

  Mr. Maclean
  There were 80 prosecutions in 1989 and 1990 for breaches of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, as amended. The majority involved dogs and cats. Others related to rodents, primates, rabbits, ferrets, a hedgehog and a margay cat. Since the beginning of 1989, there has been one case of rabies identified in a dog in quarantine.

  Battery Cages
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made at the Council of Ministers in respect of the development of new standards of battery cages for laying poultry.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Commission is reviewing egg production systems, as required by the EC battery hens directive. I understand that its report, with proposals for revised welfare standards, is likely to be submitted to the Council in the second half of 1992. The United Kingdom will be pressing for significant improvements in welfare conditions and for the directive to be extended to non-cage systems.

  Number of suspect BSE animals slaughtered

  January 1991

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Avon

  63

  43

  72·88

  4

  Bedfordshire

  6

  4

  66·67

  0

  Berkshire

  11

  8

  72·73

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  15

  15

  100·00

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  6

  6

  100·00

  0

  Cheshire

  77

  74

  96·10

  0

  Cleveland

  3

  2

  66·67

  0

  Clwyd

  33

  29

  96·67

  3

  Cornwall

  159

  130

  81·76

  0

  Cumbria

  34

  31

  91·18

  0

  Derbyshire

  35

  32

  91·43

  0

  Devon

  200

  181

  90·50

  0

  Dorset

  179

  157

  87·71

  0

  Durham

  7

  4

  57·14

  0

  Dyfed

  113

  105

  92·92

  0

  Essex

  6

  5

  83·33

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  2

  1

  50·00

  0

  South Glamorgan

  5

  4

  80·00

  0

  Gloucestershire

  73

  62

  84·93

  0

  Gwent

  13

  9

  69·23

  0

  Gwynedd

  5

  4

  80·00

  0

  Hampshire

  64

  54

  85·71

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  38

  30

  78·95

  0

  Hertfordshire

  8

  7

  87·50

  0

  Humberside

  8

  6

  75·00

  0

  Isle of Wight

  14

  12

  85·71

  0

  Kent

  36

  34

  94·44

  0

  Lancashire

  50

  44

  88·00

  0

  Leicestershire

  49

  46

  93·88

  0

  Lincolnshire

  21

  21

  100·00

  0

  London

  1

  1

  100·00

  0

  Manchester

  6

  6

  100·00

  0

  Norfolk

  37

  32

  88·89

  1

  Northamptonshire

  8

  8

  100·00

  0

  Northumberland

  7

  7

  100·00

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  11

  10

  90·91

  0

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he is undertaking into cattle disease indistinguishable in symptoms from BSE but not proven as BSE by post-mortem examination.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are several common diseases of cattle in which the clinical signs are similar to some of the symptoms of BSE, most notably hypomagnesaemia, nervous ketosis, hypocalacemia and listeriosis. A proportion of clinically suspect cases of BSE which do not have the post-mortem changes of the disease is therefore to be expected. Hypersensitivity, agression or recumbency may frequently prevent investigations into alternative causes either because farm staff will be at risk of injury, or because suspects have to be destroyed in order to prevent further suffering. Nevertheless, histopathological studies of the brains of such cattle have been carried out and no new significant neurological diseases have been detected. We will continue to monitor such cases through the epidemic.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table for each county of England and Wales for each month of 1991 to date showing the number of cattle slaughtered as BSE suspect; and how many and what percentage of cases were subsequently confirmed by post-mortem examinations.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is in the table:
  179

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Oxfordshire

  18

  18

  100·00

  0

  Powys

  21

  17

  80·95

  0

  Shropshire

  47

  40

  85·11

  0

  Somerset

  290

  241

  84·56

  5

  Staffordshire

  35

  29

  82·86

  0

  Suffolk

  37

  34

  91·89

  0

  Surrey

  14

  11

  78·57

  0

  Sussex East

  32

  28

  87·50

  0

  Sussex West

  42

  41

  97·62

  0

  West Midlands

  2

  1

  50·00

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  1

  0

  0·00

  0

  Warwickshire

  19

  14

  73·68

  0

  Wiltshire

  140

  110

  78·57

  0

  Yorkshire North

  78

  61

  78·21

  0

  Yorkshire South

  9

  9

  100·00

  0

  Yorkshire West

  8

  7

  87·50

  0

  Number of uspect BSE animals slaughtered

  February 1991

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Avon

  73

  42

  64·62

  8

  Bedfordshire

  9

  9

  100·00

  0

  Berkshire

  11

  8

  72·73

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  16

  11

  68·75

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  3

  3

  100·00

  0

  Cheshire

  60

  54

  90·00

  0

  Cleveland

  1

  0

  0·00

  0

  Clwyd

  28

  20

  90·91

  3

  Cornwall

  120

  83

  69·17

  0

  Cumbria

  43

  37

  86·05

  0

  Derbyshire

  27

  25

  92·59

  0

  Devon

  169

  148

  88·10

  0

  Dorset

  135

  114

  84·44

  0

  Durham

  9

  8

  88·89

  0

  Dyfed

  70

  62

  88·57

  0

  Essex

  4

  3

  75·00

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  2

  2

  100·00

  0

  South Glamorgan

  2

  2

  100·00

  0

  Gloucestershire

  51

  47

  92·16

  0

  Gwent

  11

  10

  90·91

  0

  Gwynedd

  5

  3

  60·00

  0

  Hampshire

  41

  27

  65·85

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  33

  31

  93·94

  0

  Hertfordshire

  6

  5

  83·33

  0

  Humberside

  8

  6

  75·00

  0

  Isle of Wight

  10

  10

  100·00

  0

  Kent

  23

  19

  82·61

  0

  Lancashire

  47

  41

  87·23

  0

  Leicestershire

  34

  30

  88·24

  0

  Lincolnshire

  9

  9

  100·00

  0

  London

  4

  3

  100·00

  0

  Manchester

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  Norfolk

  25

  16

  64·00

  1

  Northamptonshire

  14

  13

  92·86

  0

  Northumberland

  13

  12

  92·31

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  5

  4

  80·00

  0

  Oxfordshire

  32

  20

  64·52

  0

  Powys

  18

  13

  72·22

  0

  Shropshire

  34

  33

  97·06

  0

  Somerset

  200

  173

  87·37

  5

  Staffordshire

  36

  24

  66·67

  0

  Suffolk

  16

  14

  87·50

  0

  Surrey

  6

  6

  100·00

  0

  Sussex East

  24

  18

  75·00

  0

  Sussex West

  52

  43

  82·69

  0

  West Glamorgan

  2

  2

  100·00

  0

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  100·00

  0

  Warwickshire

  15

  14

  93·33

  0

  Wiltshire

  120

  101

  84·87

  0

  Yorkshire North

  67

  56

  83·58

  0

  Yorkshire South

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  Yorkshire West

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  180

  181

  Number of suspect BSE animals slaughtered

  March 1991

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Avon

  63

  47

  83·93

  7

  Bedfordshire

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  Berkshire

  11

  11

  100·00

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  16

  15

  93·75

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  6

  6

  100·00

  0

  Cheshire

  58

  49

  84·48

  0

  Clwyd

  32

  19

  76·00

  7

  Cornwall

  174

  141

  81·03

  0

  Cumbria

  39

  34

  87·18

  0

  Derbyshire

  28

  26

  92·86

  0

  Devon

  249

  213

  86·23

  2

  Dorset

  170

  143

  84·12

  0

  Durham

  3

  3

  100·00

  0

  Dyfed

  96

  83

  86·46

  0

  Essex

  17

  9

  64·29

  3

  Mid Glamorgan

  9

  9

  100·00

  0

  West Glamorgan

  1

  1

  100·00

  0

  Gloucestershire

  45

  36

  80·00

  0

  Gwent

  17

  15

  88·24

  0

  Gwynedd

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  Hampshire

  82

  72

  88·89

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  32

  30

  93·75

  0

  Hertfordshire

  7

  6

  85·71

  0

  Humberside

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  Isle of Wight

  12

  11

  91·67

  0

  Kent

  29

  24

  82·76

  0

  Lancashire

  71

  62

  88·57

  1

  Leicestershire

  40

  39

  97·50

  0

  Lincolnshire

  6

  6

  100·00

  0

  London

  2

  2

  100·00

  0

  Manchester

  2

  2

  100·00

  0

  Merseyside

  2

  1

  50·00

  0

  Norfolk

  39

  35

  92·11

  1

  Northamptonshire

  20

  14

  70·00

  0

  Northumberland

  11

  10

  90·91

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  15

  13

  86·67

  0

  Oxfordshire

  26

  24

  92·31

  0

  Powys

  21

  14

  66·67

  0

  Shropshire

  39

  36

  92·31

  0

  Somerset

  246

  197

  83·12

  9

  Staffordshire

  37

  26

  70·27

  0

  Suffolk

  18

  17

  94·44

  0

  Surrey

  22

  21

  95·45

  0

  Sussex East

  21

  17

  80·95

  0

  Sussex West

  49

  44

  89·80

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  1

  1

  100·00

  0

  Warwickshire

  21

  19

  90·48

  0

  Wiltshire

  121

  86

  71·67

  1

  Yorkshire North

  98

  86

  87·76

  0

  Yorkshire South

  6

  5

  83·33

  0

  Yorkshire West

  14

  13

  92·86

  0

  Number of suspect BSE animals slaughtered

  April 1991

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Avon

  46

  36

  80·00

  1

  Bedfordshire

  8

  7

  87·50

  0

  Berkshire

  7

  6

  85·71

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  21

  19

  90·48

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  3

  1

  33·33

  0

  Cheshire

  85

  70

  83·33

  1

  Clwyd

  35

  25

  78·13

  3

  Cornwall

  174

  144

  82·76

  0

  Cumbria

  50

  44

  88·00

  0

  Derbyshire

  40

  36

  90·00

  0

  Devon

  239

  208

  87·03

  0

  Dorset

  185

  159

  86·41

  1

  Durham

  9

  7

  77·78

  0

  Dyfed

  118

  101

  85·59

  0

  Essex

  18

  14

  82·35

  1

  Mid Glamorgan

  6

  5

  83·33

  0

  West Glamorgan

  2

  1

  50·00

  0

  182

  183

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  South Glamorgan

  9

  9

  100·00

  0

  Gloucestershire

  65

  48

  75·00

  1

  Gwent

  13

  11

  84·62

  0

  Gwynedd

  8

  8

  100·00

  0

  Hampshire

  105

  86

  81·90

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  33

  26

  81·25

  1

  Hertfordshire

  8

  7

  87·50

  0

  Humberside

  9

  8

  88·89

  0

  Isle of Wight

  18

  15

  83·33

  0

  Kent

  34

  31

  91·18

  0

  Lancashire

  56

  43

  76·79

  0

  Leicestershire

  52

  48

  92·31

  0

  Lincolnshire

  19

  17

  89·47

  0

  London

  3

  3

  100·00

  0

  Manchester

  7

  3

  42·86

  0

  Norfolk

  60

  52

  86·67

  0

  Northamptonshire

  29

  27

  93·10

  0

  Northumberland

  7

  3

  42·86

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  6

  6

  100·00

  0

  Oxfordshire

  29

  24

  85·71

  1

  Powys

  22

  16

  72·73

  0

  Shropshire

  40

  36

  90·00

  0

  Somerset

  229

  178

  80·18

  7

  Staffordshire

  38

  32

  86·49

  1

  Suffolk

  20

  17

  85·00

  0

  Surrey

  16

  15

  93·75

  0

  East Sussex

  30

  25

  83·33

  0

  West Sussex

  52

  39

  75·00

  0

  Warwickshire

  24

  20

  83·33

  0

  Wiltshire

  142

  102

  73·38

  3

  North Yorkshire

  77

  62

  80·52

  0

  South Yorkshire

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  West Yorkshire

  10

  9

  90·00

  0

  Cleveland

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  100·00

  0

  Number of suspect BSE animals slaughtered

  May 1991

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Avon

  54

  37

  72·55

  3

  Bedfordshire

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  Berkshire

  13

  10

  83·33

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  15

  13

  92·86

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  11

  8

  72·73

  0

  Cheshire

  70

  59

  84·29

  0

  Cleveland

  3

  3

  100·00

  0

  Clwyd

  19

  14

  82·35

  2

  Cornwall

  147

  115

  78·23

  0

  Cumbria

  54

  51

  94·44

  0

  Derbyshire

  37

  32

  86·49

  0

  Devon

  180

  149

  83·71

  2

  Dorset

  141

  117

  84·78

  3

  Durham

  5

  4

  80·00

  0

  Dyfed

  93

  75

  80·65

  0

  Essex

  9

  7

  77·78

  0

  South Glamorgan

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  West Glamorgan

  2

  1

  50·00

  0

  Gloucestershire

  46

  37

  80·43

  0

  Gwent

  11

  9

  81·82

  0

  Gwynedd

  3

  1

  33·33

  0

  Hampshire

  57

  48

  84·21

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  28

  22

  78·57

  0

  Hertfordshire

  7

  7

  100·00

  0

  Humberside

  8

  4

  57·14

  1

  Isle of Wight

  10

  7

  70·00

  0

  Kent

  37

  35

  97·22

  1

  Lancashire

  46

  35

  77·78

  1

  Leicestershire

  41

  41

  100·00

  0

  Lincolnshire

  10

  9

  90·00

  0

  Manchester

  3

  2

  66·67

  0

  Norfolk

  35

  34

  97·14

  0

  Northamptonshire

  20

  18

  90·00

  0

  Northumberland

  13

  12

  92·31

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  8

  8

  100·00

  0

  184

  185

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Oxon

  35

  29

  82·86

  0

  Powys

  29

  21

  72·41

  0

  Salop

  32

  28

  87·50

  0

  Somerset

  208

  155

  78·28

  10

  Staffordshire

  32

  30

  93·75

  0

  Suffolk

  22

  17

  85·00

  2

  Surrey

  13

  12

  92·31

  0

  Sussex, East

  28

  23

  82·14

  0

  Sussex, West

  30

  23

  79·31

  1

  Warwickshire

  17

  14

  82·35

  0

  Wiltshire

  117

  90

  77·59

  1

  Yorkshire, North

  68

  52

  80·00

  3

  Yorkshire, South

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  Yorkshire, West

  9

  8

  88·89

  0

  Number of suspect BSE animals slaughtered

  June 1991

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage + VE com-firmed

  Number pending

  Avon

  44

  24

  68·57

  9

  Bedfordshire

  8

  7

  87·50

  0

  Berkshire

  8

  8

  100·00

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  14

  13

  92·86

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  5

  4

  80·00

  0

  Cheshire

  72

  62

  86·11

  0

  Cleveland

  2

  1

  50·00

  0

  Clwyd

  37

  25

  86·21

  8

  Cornwall

  161

  129

  80·63

  1

  Cumbria

  33

  29

  87·88

  0

  Derbyshire

  24

  22

  91·67

  0

  Devon

  172

  156

  90·70

  0

  Dorset

  125

  108

  88·52

  3

  Durham

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  Dyfed

  95

  82

  86·32

  0

  Essex

  10

  7

  87·50

  2

  South Glamorgan

  7

  6

  85·71

  0

  West Glamorgan

  3

  1

  33·33

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  4

  3

  75·00

  0

  Gloucestershire

  32

  28

  90·32

  1

  Gwent

  13

  11

  84·62

  0

  Gwynedd

  4

  3

  75·00

  0

  Hampshire

  38

  33

  86·84

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  28

  23

  82·14

  0

  Hertfordshire

  6

  6

  100·00

  0

  Humberside

  10

  7

  87·50

  2

  Isle of Wight

  10

  6

  60·00

  0

  Kent

  16

  16

  100·00

  0

  Lancashire

  39

  33

  84·62

  0

  Leicestershire

  39

  35

  94·59

  2

  Lincolnshire

  11

  10

  100·00

  1

  Manchester

  1

  0

  0·00

  0

  Norfolk

  26

  24

  92·31

  0

  Northamptonshire

  15

  10

  66·67

  0

  Northumberland

  9

  6

  66·67

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  Oxfordshire

  32

  28

  87·50

  0

  Powys

  16

  12

  75·00

  0

  Shropshire

  49

  35

  71·43

  0

  Somerset

  188

  133

  76·00

  13

  Staffordshire

  41

  33

  80·49

  0

  Suffolk

  16

  14

  87·50

  0

  Surrey

  10

  8

  88·89

  1

  Sussex East

  20

  19

  95·00

  0

  Sussex West

  38

  34

  89·47

  0

  Warwickshire

  17

  16

  94·12

  0

  Wiltshire

  110

  88

  80·73

  1

  Yorkshire North

  50

  41

  85·42

  2

  Yorkshire South

  3

  3

  100·00

  0

  Yorkshire West

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  London

  1

  1

  100·00

  0

  Merseyside

  2

  2

  100·00

  0

  186

  187

  Number of suspect BSE animals slaughtered

  July 1991

  County

  Total slaughtered

  Number + VE confirmed

  Percentage+ VE confirmed

  Number pending

  Avon

  42

  29

  78·38

  5

  Bedfordshire

  3

  3

  100·00

  0

  Berkshire

  9

  7

  87·50

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  26

  24

  96·00

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  5

  5

  100·00

  0

  Cheshire

  84

  71

  93·42

  8

  Cleveland

  2

  2

  100·00

  0

  Clwyd

  43

  28

  93·33

  13

  Cornwall

  158

  133

  84·71

  1

  Cumbria

  70

  62

  88·57

  0

  Derbyshire

  29

  27

  93·10

  0

  Devon

  187

  171

  91·44

  0

  Dorset

  126

  115

  91·27

  0

  Durham

  3

  3

  100·00

  0

  Dyfed

  106

  92

  86·79

  0

  Essex

  11

  9

  100·00

  2

  South Glamorgan

  4

  4

  100·00

  0

  Gloucestershire

  43

  36

  85·71

  1

  Gwent

  16

  15

  93·75

  0

  Gwynedd

  8

  6

  75·00

  0

  Hampshire

  46

  42

  95·45

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  33

  31

  93·94

  0

  Hertfordshire

  3

  2

  66·67

  0

  Humberside

  12

  12

  100·00

  0

  Isle of Wight

  22

  8

  42·11

  3

  Kent

  34

  30

  90·91

  1

  Lancashire

  59

  48

  81·36

  0

  Leicestershire

  48

  47

  97·92

  0

  Lincolnshire

  22

  20

  90·91

  0

  Manchester

  1

  0

  0·00

  0

  Norfolk

  58

  49

  92·45

  5

  Northamptonshire

  22

  18

  85·71

  1

  Northumberland

  7

  3

  50·00

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  11

  11

  100·00

  0

  Oxfordshire

  28

  23

  92·00

  3

  Powys

  18

  1

  61·11

  0

  Shropshire

  43

  37

  86·05

  0

  Somerset

  215

  155

  78·68

  18

  Staffordshire

  45

  42

  93·33

  0

  Suffolk

  14

  13

  92·86

  0

  Surrey

  9

  9

  100·00

  0

  Sussex East

  28

  24

  85·71

  0

  Sussex West

  40

  33

  82·50

  0

  Warwickshire

  18

  17

  100·00

  1

  Wiltshire

  85

  71

  84·52

  1

  Yorkshire North

  77

  51

  70·83

  5

  Yorkshire South

  8

  7

  87·50

  0

  Yorkshire West

  17

  16

  94·12

  0

  London

  1

  1

  100·00

  0

  Merseyside

  2

  1

  100·00

  1

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the number of occurences of bovine tuberculosis and the numbers of cattle affected and destroyed for each of the last 24 quarters; and if he will make a statement on the evidence linking badgers to such outbreaks.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is given in the following table. None of the cattle destroyed was showing 188
  clinical signs of tuberculosis. Every confirmed outbreak is investigated and all other sources of infection are eliminated before the possibility of cross-infection from badgers is assessed. This is based upon badger activity on the breakdown farm together with historical information on badger-related infection in the parish. In the majority of cases where a badger origin has been suspected, infection has been confirmed in badgers killed during MAFF control operations.
  189

  Year/Quarter

  Number of herds with cattle reacting to tuberculin test

  Number of herds with infection confirmed in quarter

  Cases attributed to badgers

  Number of cattle destroyed having reacted to test

  Number of cattle in which infection confirmed by post mortem and/or culture of organism

  1985

  Q1

  341

  34

  33

  268

  138

  Q2

  16

  203

  74

  Q3

  16

  142

  23

  Q4

  8

  87

  16

  1986

  Q1

  306

  24

  36

  150

  40

  Q2

  23

  172

  58

  Q3

  9

  109

  17

  Q4

  9

  86

  16

  1987

  Q1

  324

  24

  77

  163

  92

  Q2

  16

  123

  73

  Q3

  11

  243

  79

  Q4

  11

  94

  53

  1988

  Q1

  363

  38

  65

  180

  78

  Q2

  20

  183

  45

  Q3

  29

  155

  44

  Q4

  13

  159

  81

  1989

  Q1

  95

  37

  71

  183

  102

  Q2

  142

  37

  347

  162

  Q3

  109

  25

  189

  43

  Q4

  106

  24

  182

  48

  1990

  Q1

  103

  23

  81

  229

  97

  Q2

  149

  49

  341

  142

  Q3

  105

  31

  239

  83

  Q4

  112

  37

  239

  75

  1991

  Q1

  147

  39

  28

  343

  146

  Total

  2,402

  605

  391

  4,809

  1,825

  Sea Fish Industry Authority
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an announcement about the review of the Sea Fish Industry Authority carried out by Fisheries Departments.

  Mr. Curry
  Officials from Fisheries Departments were asked to carry out a fundamental review of the Sea Fish Industry Authority's future role, and the levy and basis of industry funding on the fisheries industry which would be necessary to support these activities. Their report is being made public and copies placed in the Libraries of the House. Certain other recommendations to the chairman on organisation and staffing will remain confidential.

  The report recommends that the SFIA should continue to carry out the majority of its functions but should cease its generic advertising campaign, allowing the levy rate to be reduced to the level which applied before the most recent increase. The report also makes a number of other recommendations about the application of the levy, the constitution of the SFIA board and improvements to efficiency.

  Fisheries Ministers have considered the report carefully and accept the broad thrust of its conclusions. We consider that the SFIA, since its creation in 1981, has contributed
  190
  substantially to the development of the sea fisheries industry. We endorse the review's finding that the research and development and training role of the authority is, in general, strongly supported by the industry. We feel that it should continue to work broadly along existing lines. We agree that various functional and organisational changes should be made to make the SFIA more efficient and cost effective.

  We endorse the reviewers' conclusion that the SFIA should terminate its generic advertising campaign, but should continue its more specific marketing and promotional programme. We also agree with the view from the industry that a reduction in the levy would be desirable, as it would help to lighten the industry's financial burden. The saving from ending generic advertising would be £1·3 million out of a current budget of £8·3 million and would enable the levy to be reduced to £7 per tonne. We propose asking the SFIA to take the necessary steps.

  We also agree with the recommendations that the levy should not be extended to salmon, trout, canned or bottled fish or applied on an ad valorem basis.

  Fisheries Ministers wish all sectors of the industry to be satisfied that their views on the SFIA's plans and budget have been properly considered and that they have

  191
  adequate representation on the SFIA board. However, we feel that these issues can be taken into account without the need to amend primary legislation if the SFIA and the industry work together to follow up the report's recommendations for greater industry participation in SFIA advisory committees and in drawing up nominations for the SFIA board. We propose to ask the SFIA to consider adjustments to its organisational structure in the light of these and of the various other recommendations for improving efficiency.

  Officials are today writing to organisations with an interest in the SFIA giving them a further opportunity to comment on the action now proposed before final decisions are taken. I have also met the chairman of the authority. To end the period of uncertainty about SFIA's future, our intention is to make a final announcement before the end of this year.

  Japanese Cattle
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what arrangements exist between the United Kingdom and Japan covering the imports of Japanese cattle;

  (2) whether he will permit the import of Kobe cattle from Japan.

  Mr. Maclean
  Japan is not on the list of third countries from which member states of the European Community are permitted to import bovine animals and no arrangements exist for the importation of Japanese cattle, including Kobe cattle, into the United Kingdom.

  Dioxins and Furans
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests his Ministry has carried out on the levels of dioxins and furans in mothers and babies; and whether the results of these tests have been published.

  Mr. Maclean
  In 1989 the Department analysed single pooled samples of human milk from both Glasgow and Edinburgh for dioxins and furans as part of a worldwide survey conducted by the WHO regional office for Europe. The results, which were similar to those reported by other western European countries, were published in a scientific paper, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the cost of offering environmentally sensitive area grants to farmers in each of the national parks in England and Wales using similar take-up percentages as exist in those areas which are of a similar nature and region.

  Mr. Gummer
  [pursuant to the answer, 13 November 1991]: I am today announcing my proposals to designate 12 further environmentally sensitive areas. They are:

  In 1992:

  Exmoor

  Hampshire Avon

  Lake District

  North Dorset and South Wiltshire Downs

  North West Kent Coast/South Western Peak;

  In 1993:

  Blackdown Hills, Devon/Somerset border

  Cotswold Hills

  192

  Dartmoor

  Essex Coast

  Shropshire Hills

  Upper Thames Tributaries.

  The new designations will more than treble the amount of farmland within the 10 existing ESAs in England.

  Environmentally sensitive areas have proved a tremendous success since they were first introduced in 1987. They help farmers to conserve special habitats, landscapes and features of historic interest. Their contribution to protecting areas of national environmental importance has been acclaimed by farmers and environmentalists alike, and they have paved the way for similar schemes throughout Europe.

  We are starting work immediately on six of the new areas so that they can come into operation next summer. The other six areas will open for applications the following year.

  The ESA scheme has proved an excellent example of the way in which agricultural and environmental policies can operate in harmony to conserve the best features of our countryside. We have pioneered this approach in the United Kingdom and I am delighted to be able to announce this major extension of the scheme.

ENERGY

  Natural Gas
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give the latest estimates of natural gas reserves for which production access exists or is planned(a) in the United Kingdom sector of the North sea, (b) in the Irish sea, (c) in the English channel and (d) in the western approaches.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My Department's latest estimates of recoverable gas reserves in the United Kingdom are set out in table 4 of my right hon. Friend's report to Parliament of April this year on the "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom", also known as the Brown Book, which is available in the House of Commons Library. Apart from reserves for Morecambe in the Irish sea and some very small onshore sources, all figures shown for fields in production or under development relate to fields in the United Kingdom sector of the North sea.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of natural gas consumption by all United Kingdom users, by general category, during 1990–91.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The latest estimate of natural gas consumption by all United Kingdom users, by main category of user, in the period April 1990 to March 1991 is as follows:

  million therms

  Fuel producers

  Natural gas producers own use1

  1,201

  Power stations

  87

  Gas industry2 3

  4597

  Other fuel producers2

  66

  Total fuel producers

  1,951

  Final consumption5

  Iron and steel industry

  461

  193

  million therms

  Other industry2

  5,222

  Domestic

  10,841

  Other final users6

  3,222

  Total final consumption

  19,746

  Total natural gas consumption

  21,697

  1 For drilling, production and pumping operations.

  2 Includes methane produced in collieries.

  3Including losses in distribution.

  4Figures for calendar year 1990.

  5Including non-energy use of natural gas Excluding fuel producers.

  6Mainly public administration, commerce and agriculture.

  Coal Reserves
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest estimate of coal reserves for which production access exists or is planned in the United Kingdom in each standard region.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  This is a matter for British Coal, which publishes estimates for total United Kingdom reserves in their annual report. My Department does not keep separate figures.

  Oil Consumption
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of oil consumption by all United Kingdom users, by general category, during 1990–91.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The latest estimate of petroleum consumption by all United Kingdom users, by main category of user, in the period April 1990 to March 1991 is as follows:

  Million tonnes

  Fuel producers

  Refineries1

  6·5

  Power stations

  6·1

  Gas industry

  0·1

  Total fuel producers

  12·7

  Final energy consumption (excluding fuel producers)

  Iron and steel industry

  0·7

  Other industry

  7·7

  Transport

  43·0

  Domestic

  2·3

  Other final users2

  4·2

  Total final energy consumption

  58·0

  Non-energy use3

  8·9

  Total petroleum consumption4

  579·6

  1 Fuel used in refineries (including refinery losses).

  2 Mainly public administration, commerce, and agriculture.

  3 Feedstocks for petrochemical plants plus other non-energy uses.

  4 Excluding deliveries to international marine bunkers.

  5 Due to rounding the sum of the constituent items may not equal the totals.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of electricity generated for the grid by nuclear power stations in 1990–91.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The latest estimate for electricity generated, net of electricity used on works, by nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom in 1990–91 is 60,689 GW hours. This figure covers electricity generated by Nuclear Electric, Scottish Nuclear, British Nuclear Fuels and the Atomic Energy Authority.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list, by electricity generated and efficiency, nuclear power stations operating in the United Kingdom during 1990–91.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Nuclear power stations operating in the United Kingdom during the financial year 1990–91 are listed in the table:

  Nuclear Electric plc

  AEA

  BNFL plc

  Scottish Nuclear Ltd.

  Bradwell

  Winfrith

  Calder Hall

  Hunterston

  Dungeness 'A'

  (from

  ChapelCross

  'B'

  Hinkley Point 'A'

  October 1990

  Torness

  Oldbury

  no longer

  Sizewell 'A'

  supplies the

  Trawsfynnyd

  grid)

  Wylfa

  Dounreay

  Dungeness 'B'

  Hartlepool

  Heysham I

  Heysham II

  Hinkley Point 'B'

  Gross electricity supplied to the grid from nuclear power stations in the financial year 1990–91 was 61 Terawatt hours. Information on output and efficiency by station is a commercial matter for the companies.

  Oil Reserves
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest estimate of oil reserves for which production access exists or is planned(a) in the United Kingdom sector of the North sea and (b) in the western approaches.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My Department's latest estimates of recoverable oil reserves in the United Kingdom are set out in table 3 of my right hon. Friend's report to Parliament of April this year on the "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom", also known as the Brown Book, which is available in the House of Commons Library. Apart from a small contribution from onshore sources, the figures shown for fields in production and under development relate entirely to fields in the United Kingdom sector of the North sea.

  Coal Consumption
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of coal consumption by all United Kingdom users, by general category, during 1990–91.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information requested for coal consumption in the United Kingdom in the period April 1990 to March 1991 is as follows:
  195

  million tonnes

  Consumption by fuel producers:

  Power stations

  81·9

  Coke ovens

  10·7

  Other fuel producers1

  1·6

  Total fuel producers:

  94·2

  Final consumption (excluding fuel producers):

  Industry

  7·4

  Domestic

  5·2

  Other final users2

  1·2

  Total final consumption:

  13·8

  Total coal consumption:

  107·9

  1 Includes consumption by collieries.

  2 Mainly public administration and commerce.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nepal
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Nepal following the May 1991 general election.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are convinced that the best overall safeguard for human rights in Nepal lies in the country's recent transition to full parliamentary democracy. We welcomed the Government's decision in mid-June to release all prisoners who had been detained under the previous regime for religious activities.

  Guyana
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts Her Majesty's Government have made to ensure that the forthcoming elections in Guyana are free and fair.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have urged President Hoyte and other Guyanese Ministers to take all possible steps to restore public and international confidence in the electoral system. I recently summoned the Guyanese High Commissioner to express concern at reports of serious inaccuracies in the electoral list and have made the same point to the visiting Guyanese Deputy Prime Minister.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the results of his latest meeting with President Hoyte of Guyana.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not met President Hoyte. There have, however, been numerous recent meetings between United Kingdom and Guyanese Ministers, the latest between myself and Guyanese Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Murray, on 18 November. On each occasion, the opportunity has been taken to repeat that we expect free and fair elections in Guyana.

  Burma
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the question of human rights in Burma.
  196
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received numerous representations from members of the public, hon. Members, non-governmental organisations and others.

  European Integration
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about European integration.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Government see the movement towards closer political union in the European Community as an evolving process, but we hope that it will be possible to make a further step forward at the Maastricht European Council, building on the existing wide range of co-operation.

  Croatia and Slovenia
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what criteria he has denied official British recognition of the democratically elected governments of Croatia and Slovenia; and what were his reasons for urging his European Community counterparts to do likewise.

  Mr. Hurd
  This question is constantly reviewed. Those Yugoslav republics which want independence will get it. But recognition would not stop the fighting. We have to judge whether recognition of the two republics now would increase the very real danger of civil war in the other republics.

  European Frontiers
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he intends to take to ensure respect in Europe for existing frontiers.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We will continue to uphold the principles and provisions of the Helsinki final act and other CSCE documents which include respect for the territorial integrity of states and the recognition that frontiers can be changed in accordance with international law, by peaceful means and agreement.

  Middle East
  Sir Richard Luce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's position with regard to the middle east conference in Madrid.

  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east situation.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Madrid conference was an important step towards peace in the middle east. We congratulate the United States Secretary of State on his achievement. We look forward to the early resumption of bilateral talks between the parties and to the launching of broader discussions of regional issues in which we expect to play a part. We shall continue to do all we can to ensure the success of the process.
  197
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit the middle east to discuss the prospects for peace in the region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to visit the middle east.

  Sudan
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to discuss the situation in the Sudan with leaders in that country.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present. Our embassy in Khartoum follows developments in Sudan closely and puts across to the Government our views on the situation there.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the situation in Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  On 8 November, we and our EC partners made clear our condemnation of the use of force by agreeing a number of economic measures against Yugoslavia. We are now working towards a UN Security Council resolution imposing an embargo on the sale of oil to Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends to take to secure the establishment of structures to provide for the protection of minorities and minority rights before full recognition is given to any of the republics within Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  There can be no stability in the region without credible guarantees of minority rights. This must be a major element in any political settlement.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he intends to raise at the next Foreign Affairs Council.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The provisional agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council on 2–3 December is:

  —preparation for European Council;

  —Uruguay Round;

  —EC/Egypt;

  —Yugoslavia.

  There will also be a further conclave of Foreign Ministers to discuss political union on 2 December.

  United Kingdom Dependent Territories
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he is giving to a review of the constitutional position of United Kingdom dependent territories.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Constitutions of dependent territories are periodically reviewed, normally at the request of the elected representatives of the territory. This ad hoc process is appropriate and flexible and fully discharges our 198
  international obligations under article 73 of the UN charter. It is implicit in article 73 that the constitutional arrangements must be tailored to the particular circumstances of each territory.

  Kashmir
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning human rights violations in Kashmir.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received representations from a number of hon. Members, members of the public and other interested organisations.

  European Economic Area
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the recent agreement between the European Community and EFTA on a new economic area common to members of each organisation.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We warmly welcome the political agreement on the European economic area reached on 21 October. The EEA will extend the EC's single market to the EFTA countries from 1993, creating the world's largest single market. It will be good for Britain, the Community and the wider Europe.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the disappearance of the leadership of the site 8 refugee camp on the Thai/Cambodia border; and what is the view of Her Majesty's Government on the implications for the credibility of the Cambodia settlement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Shortly before the comprehensive political settlement was signed on 23 October, elected administrators at the site 8 camp were summoned to Khmer Rouge headquarters in Cambodia and replaced. At the same time it appears that preparations were also made to return the inhabitants of the camps to Cambodia. At the urgent request of the United Kingdom and others, the United Nations Secretary-General intervened and all the Cambodian parties, including the Khmer Rouge, undertook that there would be no forcible repatriation from the camps that they control. Now that the comprehensive political settlement has been signed, we expect all signatories to meet their obligations under it.

  Turkey
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what weight Her Majesty's Government have given, in considering whether to support the application for EC membership from Turkey, to the human rights situation in Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Her Majesty's Government believe that applications for European Community membership should be considered on their merits taking into account all the relevant economic and political criteria, including respect for human rights. The Council, in December 1989,
  199
  concluded that the Turkish application was premature, but agreed that measures should be put in place to strengthen the Community's relations with Turkey.

  Turks and Caicos Islands
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the current situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he will make a statement about the political, economic and financial position of this colony.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The new Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands are working closely with us to pursue their political and developmental priorities and to ensure the good government of the territory. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will carry forward the discussion when he sees the Chief Minister, the hon. C. Washington Misick, on 28 November.

  EC Treaty of Union
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the areas of policy in which the EC and its institutions would seek participation in terms of the draft treaty of union considered by Foreign Ministers on 12 and 13 November; and if he will publish a list of the areas in which EC participation is not sought in terms of the draft.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The latest composite draft treaty texts circulated by the Dutch presidency, which are available in the Library, provide a comprehensive survey of all the areas where it is proposed to amend the existing provisions of the treaty of Rome. They also include the proposals for increasing inter-governmental co-operation within the framework of the Union.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what increases he has made in the United Kingdom's diplomatic representation in eastern European countries over the past year; if he has any plans for further increases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Since November 1990 10 additional staff have been posted to eastern European countries, excluding the Soviet Union. We keep our representation in the region under constant review.

  Korea
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the admission of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary gave on 16 October to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns), at c.156.

  Vietnamese Refugees
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held between the British Government and the United 200
  States authorities on the recent repatriation of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong to Vietnam and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 12 November 1991, at c.480.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese refugees have been accepted into the United Kingdom at the latest date.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Between 1975 and 31 October 1991, 18,032 Vietnamese refugees were resettled in the United Kingdom from places of first asylum in south-east Asia. In addition, a further 4,203 Vietnamese were settled in the United Kingdom under the orderly departure programme.

  Lockerbie
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to inform other Governments of the results so far of the Lockerbie investigation; and what steps he is taking to ensure that high-performance plastic explosive is made only under Government authority and incorporates a substantial signature to assist detection.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have briefed a wide range of Governments throughout the world on the issue of warrants resulting from the Lockerbie investigation.

  The convention on the marking of plastic explosives for the purpose of detection was signed, subject to ratification, by the United Kingdom, and 40 other states, on 1 March 1991. The convention will require all plastic explosives manufactured by parties to the convention to be "marked" through a chemical additive which will make them detectable by existing equipment. (Official Report, 20 March 1991, column 114).

  The Government are now taking steps to enable ratification of the convention.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he now has on the country in which the high-performance plastic explosive used in the Lockerbie outrage was manufactured.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Air Accidents Investigation Branch report No. 2/90 and the report of the fatal accident inquiry relating to the Lockerbie air disaster refer to the positive evidence of a detonating high performance plastic explosive, similar to Semtex, being responsible for the explosive destruction of Pan Am flight 103. We have no evidence linking any one country to the manufacture of the plastic explosive used.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Czechoslovakia and any other country manufacturing Semtex or any high-performance plastic explosive in order to ensure a readily recognisable signature is included in the manufacture to assist detecting devices and sniffer dogs.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The United Kingdom worked closely with the Government of Czechoslovakia in the preparation of the convention on the marking of plastic explosives
  201
  for the purpose of detection which was signed, subject to ratification, by the United Kingdom and 40 other states, including all major producers of plastic explosives, on 1 March 1991.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Maltese Government following the findings of the Lockerbie investigation.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Maltese authorities co-operated closely throughout the Lockerbie investigation. They have been briefed fully on the findings of the investigation.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the allowances paid to Vietnamese refugees returning voluntarily to Vietnam in order to help them resettle.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  [holding answer 18 November 1991]: All Vietnamese migrants who arrived in places of first asylum before 27 September 1991 and who volunteer to return to Vietnam receive US$410 repatriation assistance from UNHCR.

  Since it was clear that this payment was acting increasingly as an incentive for clandestine departure, UNHCR announced on 27 September 1991 that for all asylum seekers arriving after that date, the level of cash assistance for voluntary returns would be reduced to US$50.

  In addition, the international reintegration assistance programme aims to help all those who return to resume their lives in Vietnam by creating jobs in small and medium-sized enterprises and improving rural infrastructure and health and training facilities.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Local Government Finance
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish an estimate of the total amount of poll tax collected in 1990–91 from direct deductions from benefit in(a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Greenock and Port Glasgow.

  Miss Widdecombe
  An estimated £785,000 in community charge deductions was paid over to the local authority during the financial year 1990–91 by Benefits Agency local offices which cover the Strathclyde area. This figure includes about £37,000 collected from beneficiaries at the Greenock and Port Glasgow social security offices.

  A similar estimate for the whole of Scotland could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  Health Service Staff (Disablement)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the amount of Department of Social Security disablement benefit received each year by health service staff for back pain or back injury;

  (2) what is the amount of Department of Social Security industrial injuries benefit received each year by health service staff for back pain or back injury;

  (3) what is the total amount of Department of Social Security disablement benefit received each year by health service staff;
  202
  (4) what is the total amount of Department of Social Security industrial injuries benefit received each year by health service staff.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Circulars
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many circulars have been issued by his Department(a) to local authorities and (b) to other organisations or individuals, since 1 January 1991.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Eighteen housing benefit and community charge benefit circulars have been issued by the Department to local authorities since 1 January 1991. The other information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Resettlement Units
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the closure programme of resettlement units; what alternatives are in place; and what assessment he has made of the number of people who may be made homeless as a result of these changes.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on the closure programme of resettlement units is in the Resettlement Agency annual report, a copy of which is in the Library. No one will be made homeless as a result of the changes. Details of alternative provision is a matter for Mr. Tony Ward, the chief executive of the Resettlement Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the reply will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the membership of the regional review teams set up to produce and evaluate alternatives to resettlement units; and the dates each review team met; and what plans there are for future meetings;

  (2) if he will list the membership of the national advisory steering group set up to advise on proposed replacements to resettlement units; the dates it met; and what plans there are for future meetings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The management of resettlement units is a matter for Mr. Tony Ward, the chief executive of the Resettlement Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the reply will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many, and what proportion, of people in receipt of income support/housing benefit(a) disability premium and (b) severe disability premium, also receive invalidity pension/allowance.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 5 November 1991]: The number of cases in receipt of income support/housing benefit with disability premium and/or severe disability premium awarded, and in receipt of invalidity pension/allowance in Great Britain in May 1990, are as follows:

  203

  As a percentage of all in receipt of DP or SDP

  Per cent.

  With Disability Premium

  204,000

  42

  With Severe Disability Premium

  7,000

  10

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the real-terms difference between United Kingdom overseas development assistance in calendar year 1989 and calendar year 1990.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Net official development assistance in 1990 was 12·8 per cent. lower in real terms than in 1989. The 1990 figure was low because a disproportionate amount of planned 1990–91 expenditure fell in the first quarter of 1991. Measured by financial years the aid programme has grown in real terms since 1987–88, and is planned to continue to do so.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to reduce the amount of British aid tied to the purchase of British goods and services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The level of aid tied to British goods and services is regularly considered in the context of the effective operation of our aid programme. Proposals to untie bilateral aid within the Community are scheduled to be discussed by Ministers at the development council meeting on 28 November. We have always made it clear that we are ready to consider further untying if others are genuinely prepared to reciprocate, and there are satisfactory monitoring and policing arrangements.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to link the quantity of aid given to recipient countries to his assessment of those countries' adoption of good governance.

  Mrs. Challker
  Individual aid programmes are regularly assessed to ensure appropriate and effective use of resources. We take into account a number of factors which contribute to good government in the country concerned. In June I announced a target of £50 million in new bilateral commitments for direct assistance on good government in the coming year.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government plan to increase United Kingdom aid to developing countries to the United Nations target level of 0·7 per cent. of gross national product.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Government accept in principle the United Nations target for aid of 0·7 per cent. of gross 204
  national product. Future levels of aid will continue to depend, however, on our economic circumstances and on the many other priorities for public expenditure. The Government's public expenditure plans announced in the autumn statement provide for aid to developing countries of £1,831 million in 1992–93, £1,900 million in 1993–94 and £1,980 million in 1994–95. These figures represent an increase, over this year's originally planned figure, of 15 per cent. in cash terms and 3 per cent. in real terms.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of British aid is fully and freely available for worldwide procurement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In 1989, the latest year for which figures are available, 33 per cent. of British aid commitments were untied.

  Project Appraisal
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the project appraisal guidelines which have replaced the minimum test of development soundness to which he referred in his answer to the hon. Members for Esher (Mr. Taylor) and for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn) on 15 October 1991,Official Report, columns 126–27.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Aid and trade provision projects are now assessed to ensure that they represent sound investments which are financially viable and technically sound and are likely to bring economic benefits to the recipient country. This assessment includes the following factors.

  the market for the output;

  the best way of supplying the output;

  the rate of return on the project;

  the customer's capability for implementing the project including subsequent operation and maintenance;

  the recipient Government's policies in relevant sectors of the economy;

  the cost burden of the project on the recipient country; and the environmental impact.

  UN Environment Conference
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has been afforded to(a) United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisations and (b) non-governmental organisations from abroad, by his Department's Overseas Development Administration, to assist their participation in the preparatory committee meetings for the United Nations conference on environment and development in June 1992.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Government pay for a representative from UNEP-UK, which is co-ordinating the views of British non-governmental organisations on the UN conference on environment and development, to attend meetings of the preparatory committee. I am considering how we might assist NGOs from developing countries.

  Forestry Protection
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made by working group I of the preparatory committee for the United Nations conference on environment and development on forestry protection.

  Mrs. Chalker
  At its third session in Geneva in August and September, the preparatory committee began preparing a statement of principles on the management and conservation of the world's forests. It is expected that the statement of principles will be finalised at the final session of the preparatory committee in New York in March 1992, and that it will be endorsed by world leaders at the United Nations conference on environment and development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.

  Guyana
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid has been given to Guyana in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Following are the figures:

  £ million

  1988

  0·6

  1989

  6·6

  1990

  15·3

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the threat to the greenheart tree in Guyana.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No such assessment has been made. Since October 1990 the bilateral aid programme has been financing a three-year research programme by Imperial college which is looking at the major problems concerning the regeneration of greenheart and other commercial timber species.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Guyanese Timber Company has received in World bank grants.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The World Bank approved a $10 million loan in October 1978 and a supplementary IDA loan of SDR8·7 million ($8·8 million) in March 1985 to the Government of Guyana for the Upper Demerara forestry project. A state-owned company, Demerara Woods, was set up to manage the project.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what present aid projects exist with Sri Lanka; and if he will list them.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 18 November, column 71.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the costs of the work of the grant-maintained schools section of his Department as a percentage of the overall budget of his Department.
  206
  Mr. Eggar
  In 1991–92 the work of the grant-maintained schools division will account for around 0·7 per cent. of the Department's gross running costs recurrent budget.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many staff are employed in the grant-maintained schools section of his Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  There are 43 staff working in the grant-maintained schools division of the Department.

  Science Budget
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a full statement of the calculations underlying the transitional arrangements in respect of dual support for science funding summarised in his answer to the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis),Official Report, 7 November, columns 202–04.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  As my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 29 July, transitional arrangements will apply to projects for which grant funding is already in progress at 1 August 1992.

  The direct costs element of these projects will continue to be paid under existing arrangements but the research councils will make a contribution to indirect costs at the rate of 40 per cent. of the staff element of direct costs.

  The new dual support arrangements will apply in full to all grants starting on or after 1 August 1992; direct costs for these projects will be assessed using the new boundary and these grants will also be subject to a 40 per cent. addition to the staff element to cover indirect costs.

  The additions to the science budget for dual support announced on 7 November take account of the expected incidence of additional costs resulting from this phasing arrangement. They take account of the average grant profiles of the research councils; variations in the proportions of direct costs relating to staff; and the expected incidence of additional direct costs for each council. Information on the incidence of additional direct costs is based on the study undertaken jointly by heads of the research councils and the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, published in July. Copies of the joint report are available in the Library.

  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements as to quantum and timing of subscriptions to CERN he has taken into account in determining the changes in the science budget over the three years 1992–93 to 1994–95.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In line with usual practice, the Secretary of State determined the changes in the science budget over the three years 1992–93 and 1994–5 following advice from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on the research councils' latest assessment of their research priorities and consequent spending requirements.

  In formulating its advice, the ABRC gives due regard to the research councils' international commitments.

  Schools Inspections
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he wil publish his review report on Her Majesty's inspectorate; and whether parents will in future have access to such reports as part of their entitlement to information under the parents charter.
  207
  Mr. Eggar
  As my right hon. and learned Friend told the House on 6 June and repeated on 14 November, the review was set up to provide confidential advice to Ministers and would not be published. The parents charter sets out our proposals for ensuring that parents have the best possible information about local schools. Our plans for school inspection will play an important part in the process.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate his Department has of the cost of reducing all registration classes to a maximum of 30 pupils.

  Mr. Fallon
  My Department does not collect data on the size of the classes in which pupils are registered, so no estimate of the cost of reducing them to a maximum of 30 pupils can be made.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many registration classes have more than 30 pupils.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Alzheimers Disease
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what future he envisages for accelerator mass spectrometry research relating to the possible role of aluminium in Alzheimers disease consequent upon the proposed closure of the nuclear structure facility.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Science and Engineering Research Council is currently reviewing future scientific options following the closure of the nuclear structure facility, including for research in the field of accelerator mass spectrometry.

  Higher Education
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for improvement in the quality of higher education; and to what extent they involve computer-based learning and video teaching.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government's plans for maintaining and improving the quality of higher education were set out in the higher education White Paper, "Higher Education: A New Framework", (Cm. 1541). They are provided for in the Further and Higher Education Bill now before Parliament. The information systems committee of the Universities Funding Council has launched a number of initiatives on computer-based learning which are contributing to the development of more flexible and effective provision on the lines envisaged in the White Paper. Capital funding for the Universities Funding Council in 1992–93 will he £9 million higher than in 1991–92; this should enable a start to be made on SuperJANET, the upgraded academic computer network proposed by the ISC.

  Teachers' Pay Review Body
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the expenses or honoraria which are to be paid to the members of the School Teachers' Pay Review Body.
  208
  Mr. Eggar
  Under the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1991, my right hon. and learned Friend is empowered to pay the chairman, deputy chairman and members of the review body such remuneration and such allowances in respect of expenses properly incurred by them in the performance of their duties as he may determine. The amounts to be paid will be those properly claimed by each member of the review body.

  SuperJANET
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the need for SuperJANET; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We have received a number of representations from the academic and research communities about the proposed SuperJANET network. The spending plans announced in the autumn statement provide for capital funding for the Universities Funding Council in 1992–93 to be £9 million higher than in 1991–92: this should enable a start to be made on SuperJANET.

  Further Education
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, column 140, on what basis he has calculated the £25 million to be provided for 1992–93 for the costs of the establishment of the Further Education Funding Council and the removal of further education and sixth-form colleges from local authorities.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government intend that, subject to the passage of the Further and Higher Education Bill, funding should be available to assist colleges in preparing for independence from local authority control. The £25 million included in the Government's expenditure plans for 1992–93 has been calculated on the basis that it will allow substantial help to be given to colleges for this purpose and will also cover the costs of establishing the new Further Education Funding Council.

  Teacher Training
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will undertake a review of the resource requirements of those grant-maintained schools which incur additional costs by providing teaching experience for postgraduate students who are following courses of teacher training.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Secretary of State has no plans to undertake a review of the resource requirements of grant-maintained schools for the provision of teaching experience for students on initial teacher training courses.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds are currently available to local education authorities and grant-maintained schools to assist them with the additional costs incurred in providing teaching experience for postgraduate students who are following courses of teacher training.

  Mr. Eggar
  Funding for students on courses of initial teacher training is directed, through the funding councils, to the teacher training institutions, which are responsible for making arrangements for teaching practice and other school experience for such students.
  209
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students each year from courses of teacher training undertake training placements in schools; and how many days on average each student spends each year on such placements.

  Mr. Fallon
  During the 1991–92 academic year, about 15,000 postgraduate certificate of education students and about 23,000 undergraduate students will be placed at a school as part of their teacher training. Postgraduate certificate of education students spend an average of 18 weeks on school experience and teaching practice during their one-year course. Undergraduate students on four-year courses spend an average of 26 weeks in schools over the whole course, with much of this being concentrated in the final year of the course.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Investors
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the range of impartial professional advice available to investors.

  Mr. Redwood
  The provision of independent financial advice is one of the matters currently being considered by the Securities and Investments Board in its review of retail regulation.

  The Government are keen to see a wide range of suitable independent advice available in the market place through independent financial advisers and others.

  Accounting Standards Board
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward proposals to make the Accounting Standards Board a statutory body.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have no plans to change the status of the Accounting Standards Board.

  Company Disclosure Requirement
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to monitor compliance with the disclosure requirement of schedule 7 paragraph 9 to the Companies Act 1985.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. My Department will, however, continue to respond to specific complaints about non-compliance with statutory requirements relating to company directors' reports.

  Financial Reporting Council
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide details of the financing of the Financial Reporting Council.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the annual report and accounts of the Financial Reporting Council Ltd. for the year to 31 March 1991, copies of which are available on request from the company.

  Company Investigations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who carries out the investigations authorised under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985.
  210
  Mr. Redwood
  Investigations under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 as amended are carried out by those persons described in section 447(3), that is, an officer of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry or any other competent person.

  House of Fraser
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the progress being made by the Takeover Panel in its inquiries into possible breaches of the takeover code in relation to the House of Fraser; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Takeover Panel is not conducting its inquiries on my behalf, and I am therefore not responsible for its progress.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when, in accordance with the undertaking given by his predecessor to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, he expects to report to the House on how all the regulators concerned with the takeover of the House of Fraser have carried out their duties.

  Mr. Redwood
  Memoranda were submitted to the Trade and Industry Committee in November and December 1990 in respect of action taken by regulators in the House of Fraser case. When further relevant information is provided by regulators, the Committee will be informed.

  Guyana
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the results of the Department of Trade and Industry-organised seminar with President Hoyte.

  Mr. Lilley
  No such seminar has been organised by my Department.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Department of Trade and Industry-sponsored trade delegations have been to Guyana.

  Mr. Lilley
  Since 1986 there has been one sponsored trade mission to Guyana. This was undertaken by the Caribbean Trade Advisory Group in February 1991.

  Information Technology
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many meetings he and his Ministers have had with information technology users and suppliers, and their trade associations, to discuss policy issues and reactions to EC draft directives;

  (2) if he will name all the third parties his Department has consulted during the last year on information technology and information technology-related issues.

  Mr. Leigh
  During the last year, DTI Ministers and officials have had numerous contacts with the suppliers and users of information technology, with their trade associations, and with other interested parties such as NEDO. Such contacts form an integral part of the daily business of my Department and cannot be quantified without disproportionate cost and effort.
  211
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last discussed information technology, or information technology-related, issues with other Ministers at the Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Commission communication on the electronics and IT industry was discussed by the Industry Council on 29 April 1991, which Lord Hesketh attended, and again discussed by the Industry Council on 18 November. Lord Reay was unable to attend that Council as he was attending the European Space Agency ministerial meeting in Munich. IT was also discussed within the context of Community research and development at the Research Council on 28 October. Lord Reay represented the United Kingdom at that Council.

  IT has also been considered in the context of other Councils in recent times, such as the Internal Market Council on 7 November, at which the proposed IMPACT programme concerning the development of the European information market was discussed.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many people in his Department are engaged full time in monitoring developments from the European Commission in Brussels, in the realm of information technology;

  (2) how many staff work full time on information technology, and information technology-related, issues in his Department.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department employs over 600 staff on information technology, and information technology-related issues. The major concentrations of these personnel are in information technology division, manufacturing technology division, telecommunications and post division and the national physical laboratory, and in respect of my Department's own use of information systems, services and management division.

  Of these staff, a number of them are involved with monitoring the European Commission's activities in relation to information technology research and other programmes that relate to information technology, but none is engaged full time in that capacity.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives his Department is planning in order to harmonise European information technology legislation.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department is reacting constructively to current European Community initiatives which may affect European information technology legislation.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether there is a central record of reviews and surveys relating to information technology sponsored by his Department;

  (2) how many reviews or surveys relating to information technology, excluding those which relate to his Department's internal departmental use of information technology, are being sponsored by his Department; and what topics they cover.

  Mr. Leigh
  A list of management or computer consultancy contracts awarded by my Department during financial year 1990–91 was published in the Official Report on 5 June 1991, columns 241–46.

  Innovation Unit
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the new innovation unit within his Department.

  Mr. Leigh
  I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's recent press notice P/91/544 of 10 October about the launch of the innovation unit.

  Spirits and Liqueurs
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what grounds he has decided against extending the requirement to sell gin, rum, vodka and whisky in prescribed quantities to other spirits and liqueurs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  Following consultation, I announced on 25 July my decision not to extend the categories of spirits to be sold in prescribed quantities. No members of the public have complained to me about the limited scope of the legislation. Moreover, if the legislation were extended the same instrument design could no longer be used for all spirits subject to prescribed quantities. This might result in the accidental use of the wrong instrument and would place an additional burden on the trade. Some consultees also stated that many non-controlled spirits are sold as after-dinner drinks and tend to compete more with each other than with the four controlled ones.

  Inward Investment (Ireland)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the inducements available in the Republic of Ireland for inward industrial investment from overseas and those available in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 19 November 1991]: Information on this subject is contained in "European Regional Incentives" prepared by the European Policies Research Centre, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about firms relocating factories from the United Kingdom to the Republic of Ireland because of lower rates of corporation tax or other inducements.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 19 November 1991]: The hon. Member raised this issue with me when we met recently. I have received no other representations concerning relocation of factories from the United Kingdom to the Republic of Ireland because of lower rates of corporation tax or other inducements. My Department does not routinely collect information on such moves.

  Scotch Whisky
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on Taiwan's application to become a member of GATT, in the light of Taiwan's treatment of imported Scotch whisky.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 18 November 1991]: The discriminatory tax treatment of Scotch whisky in Taiwan is unsatisfactory. Relations with GATT are a matter of

  213
  Community competence and the Community's position on Taiwan's application to accede to GATT is still under consideration. The United Kingdom, of course, takes up the questions important to Scotch whisky with the European Commission and our European partners.

  Food Prices
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the lack of price competition by the large food retailers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for them to carry out a full investigation.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 19 November 1991]: The Director General of Fair Trading continues to keep markets under review, but I understand that at present he has no evidence of price-fixing which would justify a reference of the food retailing sector to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. Any evidence of anticompetitive practices should be referred to the director general. Recently there has been evidence of price competition.

  Footwear
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to provide increased financial and other assistance to British footwear manufacturers trying to gain access to the Japanese market.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 19 November 1991]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 12 November, Official Report, col 458.

EMPLOYMENT

  Ambrosia Creamery (Accident)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 411, on the accident at the Ambrosia creamery, Lifton, Devon on 28 November 1990, what consideration was given to the statements taken by the employer from witnesses during the course of their investigation before reaching the conclusion about the possibility of determining responsibility for the damaged guard mechanism.

  Mr. Jackson
  In coming to a conclusion about the appropriate action to be taken after determination of the extent of responsibility for the damaged guard mechanism, the Health and Safety Executive took full account of the statements taken by the employer from witnesses during the course of the company's own investigation.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 411, if he will list the people interviewed by the inspector when carrying out the investigation into the accident on 28 November 1990, at the Ambrosia creamery, Lifton, Devon; and what positions in the company they occupied.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested cannot be provided. It is not the policy of the Health and Safety Executive to disclose such information without the knowledge and consent of those individuals concerned.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 November,214
  Official Report, column 411, what examination the Health and Safety Executive has made of the reason why an interlock switch was originally fitted to the hinged door to ensure that the conveyor was switched off whenever the door was open on the machinery in the accident on 28 November 1990, at the Ambrosia creamery, Lifton, Devon.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Health and Safety Executive inspector who investigated the accident on 28 November 1990 at Ambrosia creamery questioned the management team about the origins of the machine. He learned that it had been supplied from Germany without guarding at the cup feed point and that management considered that an interlocked guard should be fitted to prevent access to the feed mechanism while the power to the machine was switched on.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 411, in connection with the accident at the Ambrosia creamery, Lifton, Devon, on 28 November 1990, for what period the interlocking switch which was fitted to the hinged door on the conveyor was out of action; whether the machine was made to operate after the switch was inoperative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information available to the Health and Safety Executive investigation indicated that the door became unhinged during the early shift on 21 November 1990. As a consequence the door interlocking switch had been put out of action to allow the machine to operate without it. HSE established that a temporary repair was made during the same shift to restore operation of the interlock switch but this repair failed at a time and date which has not been possible precisely to ascertain.

  Crane Accident, St. Mary's
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 413, whether the crane driver was interviewed following the accident to a crane at St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly on 13 July 1991; what observations he made; whether the safe load indicator was operating correctly at the time of the accident; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector who investigated the accident on 13 July 1991 at St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, did not interview the crane driver. HSE therefore has no information concerning his observations.

  The inspector found that the warning bell circuit of the safe load indicator was operational at the time of his visit. However he was unable to establish whether the entire system was operational at the time of the incident, because of the damage the crane sustained when it overturned and the loss of part of the jib during the dismantling operation to make the crane safe.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 413, concerning the accident at St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, on 13 July 1991, what load it was thought was being lifted by the crane involved; and what was the actual weight lifted in tonnes.
  215
  Mr. Jackson
  It was thought that the container lifted by the crane involved in the accident at St. Mary's on 13 July weighed 4 tonnes or less. The actual weight of the container lifted was later found to be 4·3 tonnes.

  Health and Safety Inspectors
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for what reason the number of inspectors allocated to the research and laboratory services division at the health and safety inspectorate has been set at one; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is quite common practice in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for inspectors to be given short-term postings to non-inspectorate divisions, partly as development opportunities and partly to promote cross fertilisation of ideas. However, a great many of the professional posts in HSE's research and laboratory services division involve specialised scientific work and do not readily lend themselves to this type of approach. The division is therefore primarily staffed by professional scientific staff.

  The non-scientific posts in the division are largely concerned with service delivery, involving administrative/clerical and other support duties, and would not provide the right sort of opportunities for inspectors. Even though there is little scope for postings, however, scientists and inspectors regularly work together in multi-disciplinary teams, for example, in major accident investigations.

  Jasbir Singh
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will obtain from the Health and Safety Executive information about the activities of the Executive in connection with the recent death of Jasbir Singh at Idwal Fisher Ltd., Bradford.

  Mr. Jackson
  The fatal accident to Jasbir Singh on 9 April 1991 at Idwal Fisher Ltd., Bradford was reported to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) West and North Yorkshire area office immediately after it occurred. The HSE began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident the same day. HSE is currently awaiting the outcome of additional inquiries being made by the police, with whom it is co-operating, before deciding what if any further action may be appropriate.

  Deaths with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate, Scotland 1979–90

  Under 25

  25–34

  35–44

  45–54

  55–64

  65–74

  75–84

  85+

  Total

  1979

  3

  3

  7

  15

  29

  63

  89

  50

  259

  1980

  8

  2

  4

  6

  19

  47

  85

  28

  199

  1981

  8

  5

  2

  14

  26

  65

  87

  47

  254

  1982

  2

  3

  3

  7

  18

  52

  73

  38

  196

  1983

  5

  2

  2

  15

  16

  35

  60

  44

  179

  1984

  3

  2

  1

  6

  23

  44

  56

  41

  176

  1985

  2

  3

  1

  6

  16

  46

  93

  65

  232

  1986

  3

  2

  6

  8

  19

  41

  90

  40

  209

  1987

  2

  4

  9

  8

  16

  29

  51

  34

  153

  1988

  3

  0

  5

  9

  16

  18

  49

  38

  138

  1989

  7

  3

  5

  4

  14

  33

  51

  35

  152

  1990

  1

  0

  6

  5

  11

  25

  60

  29

  137

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what position the Liverpool, Riverside constituency held in the list of constituencies of official unemployment on a monthly basis from 1979 to the latest available date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  For areas with different sized workforces, such as parliamentary constituencies, the only meaningful comparisons are based on unemployment rates. These are not available at the level of parliamentary constituencies. However, information relating to the numbers unemployed in the Liverpool, Riverside parliamentary constituency, can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library and is available from June 1983.

SCOTLAND

  Crab Apples
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the contents of letters written by M. M. Cassie of the Scottish Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on the question of crab apples.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Only one letter was written by the official concerned on this subject. In April 1990 the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department was notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency of the proposed revocation of tolerances for residues of the fungicide captan on various fruits including crab apples because the use of captan on these fruits had been cancelled. Miss Cassie wrote to the agency seeking confirmation that the United States definition of crab apples was specific to that crop and did not include any variety or ordinary eating apples. The agency duly confirmed that the use of captan on ordinary eating apples was not being cancelled or the tolerances revoked.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing how many people categorised by age died of hypothermia, or illnesses associated with hypothermia, in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The figures requested are given in the table.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to amend planning regulations to enhance accessibility for disabled people in all new-build projects; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office environment department is preparing amendments to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 which will extend access for disabled people to the upper floors of all buildings except dwellings. These amendments are generally in line with similar amendments being prepared for England and Wales and Northern Ireland. They will apply to new build projects and to alterations and extensions to existing buildings in Scotland.

  Waste Disposal and Collection
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a timetable for review of the Collection and Disposal of Waste Regulations 1988 and the subsequent implementation of part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to take into account an exception for Scotland equivalent to regulation 9(1) and schedule 6 case 13 to the 1988 regulations.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We will undertake consultations on new regulations on waste disposal licensing prior to the implementation of the licensing provisions of part II of the 1990 Act. These provisions are currently scheduled for implementation throughout Great Britain on 1 April 1993. However this timetable will be reviewed in the light of the proposal to set up new environment agencies, for Scotland and for England and Wales, which will assume responsibility for waste regulation.

  Information Formats
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make special financial provision to assist local authorities to provide accessible information formats, such as Braille, large print, tape or videos in sign language, in public libraries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Statutory responsibility for the local authority public library service in Scotland lies with the local authorities themselves and not with the Secretary of State. It is for each local authority to determine the nature and scale of the service in its area in accordance with its duty to provide adequate library facilities for all persons resident in the area.

  Sports (Disabled People)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide district councils with financial assistance to employ sports development officers to promote recreation amongst disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is for the local authorities in Scotland to determine their deployment of staff and their expenditure on recreation among disabled people according to their assessment of local needs and priorities, in the light of the financial resources available to them.

  HIV
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many non-haemophiliacs in Scotland have contracted HIV infection as a result of national health service transfers of contaminated(a) blood, (b) blood products and (c) tissue;

  (2) how many non-haemophiliacs in Scotland who have contracted HIV infection as a result of contaminated national health service blood-tissue transfers (a) remain alive, (b) have developed AIDS and remain alive and (c) have developed AIDS and have since died of an AIDS-related condition.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information is not available in the form requested. There were 11 reported cases of persons claiming to have contracted HIV infection from contaminated blood, blood products or tissue.

  Of the 11 reported cases, all were alive as at 31 October 1991. We have no information that any of these cases have developed AIDS.

  Food Manufacturing
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by region the numbers currently employed in the food manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The most recent estimates of employees in employment according to industry and by region are from the September 1989 census of employment. Data for the food manufacturing industry are given in the table.

  Region

  Numbers employed in the food manufacturing industry

  Borders

  1,300

  Central

  900

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,900

  Fife

  1,000

  Grampian

  10,700

  Highland

  1,300

  Lothian

  8,100

  Strathclyde

  18,300

  Tayside

  4,300

  Islands

  700

  Source: Employment Department 1989 Census of Employment.

  Notes:

  1. These estimates are for September 1989.

  2. The industries covered are Groups 411–423 of the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Organ Exchange
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether all Scottish hospitals take part in the human organ exchange scheme run by the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The national health service in Scotland participates fully in the voluntary organ sharing arrangements run by the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority.

  Further Education
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the colleges of further education which are not under local authority control in Scotland.
  219
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Clause 30 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill defines a "college of further education" as an educational establishment by which further education is provided. Information is not held centrally on such establishments not under local authority control.

  School Boards
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by education authority current vacancies in the membership of school boards; and if he will express this figure as a percentage of the total number of available places in each authority.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 11 November 1991]: This information is not available centrally. I have no evidence that there will be a significant difference in the number of school boards once the present round of elections and by-elections is complete early next year.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department is taking to ensure that all school boards have their full contingent of members.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 11 November 1991]: The conduct of school board elections is a matter for education authorities. They have a statutory duty to ensure that parents are informed about the elections.

  NHS hospitals in Lothian Health Board—(a) in patient waiting lists and time spent on in-patient waiting list: by specially; (b) average wait for in-patient discharges

  (a) In-patient waiting list at 30 June 1991

  Number

  Per cent. waiting 6 months and over

  Per cent. waiting 12 months and over

  Per cent. waiting 24 months and over

  (b) Average (median) wait for in-patient admission for discharges in year ending 31 December 1990 (days)

  All Specialties

  11,971

  32·1

  14·5

  4·6

  29·4

  Acute Specialties

  10,036

  28·7

  11·7

  2·9

  33·4

  General Surgery

  3,272

  42·5

  17·6

  2·7

  27·9

  Orthopaedic surgery

  1,201

  19·7

  6·8

  1·7

  62·1

  ENT surgery

  2,547

  12·3

  4·5

  1·1

  81·5

  Ophthalmology

  1,451

  33·4

  9·6

  2·8

  30·5

  Urology

  1,196

  51·3

  30·3

  10·6

  26·0

  Orthodontists and paediatric dentistry

  12

  0

  0

  0

  11·5

  Oral surgery and medicine

  116

  18·1

  7·8

  1·7

  48·5

  Restorative dentistry

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  General medicine

  478

  17·4

  4·8

  0

  16·2

  Dermatology

  20

  0

  0

  0

  17·4

  Rehabilitation medicine

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Respiratory medicine

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Paediatric surgery

  140

  25·0

  8·6

  1·4

  77·0

  Paediatric medicine

  20

  0

  0

  0

  16·0

  Gynaecology

  571

  20·8

  6·3

  1·6

  31·8

  General practice

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Acute mixed

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other

  22

  45·5

  9·1

  0

  15·9

  Supra-area Specialties

  1,714

  51·2

  30·0

  13·6

  18·8

  Neurosurgery

  202

  41·6

  18·3

  0·5

  24·9

  Cardiothoracic surgery

  303

  36·3

  7·3

  0·3

  12·2

  Plastic surgery

  1,093

  62·2

  41·4

  21·1

  104·2

  Neurology

  34

  0

  0

  0

  14·5

  Radiotherapy

  23

  0

  0

  0

  14·6

  Spinal paralysis

  9

  44·4

  22·2

  0

  14·5

  Obstetric Specialties

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Specialist obstetrics

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  GP obstetrics

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Long Stay Specialties

  89

  21·3

  9·0

  0

  5·9

  Geriatric assessment

  8

  0

  0

  0

  5·1

  Geriatric long stay

  81

  23·5

  9·9

  0

  13·7

  220
  The Scottish Office undertook a press and television advertising campaign in support of education authorities in August and September to encourage parents to stand and to vote in the elections. In the parents charter, launched in September, we informed parents about the important contribution which school boards now make to the education system. My officials will also shortly issue advice to education authorities and school boards to encourage authorities to give boards greater flexibility in the exercise of their current functions.

  In-patient Waiting Lists, Lothian
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each specialty, the current in-patient waiting list figures in the Lothian health board area, and the average in-patient waiting times; and indicate for each specialty(a) the number and (b) the percentage awaiting in-patient treatment for (i) over six months, (ii) over 12 months, (iii) over 18 months, (iv) over 24 months and (v) over 36 months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 11 November 1991]: The information available is contained in the following tables. Information on patients waiting over 18 months and over 36 months is not at present collected centrally.
  221

  (a) In-patient waiting list at 30 June 1991

  Number

  Per cent. waiting 6 months and over

  Per cent. waiting 12 months and over

  Per cent. waiting 24 months and over

  (b) Average (median) wait for in-patient admission for discharges in year ending 31 December 1990 (days)

  Young chronic sick

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Psychiatric Specialties1

  129

  45·7

  28·7

  16·3

  —

  Mental Illness

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Psychogeriatrics1

  116

  50·9

  31·9

  18·1

  —

  Child psychiatry1

  13

  0

  0

  0

  —

  Adolescent psychiatry

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Special Categories

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Communicable diseases

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Special care baby unit

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Intensive therapy unit

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accident and Emergency

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  In addition there were 3 mental handicap patients awaiting transfers to a hospital in the Lothian Health Board area.

  1 Average (median) wait figures are not available for these specialties.

HEALTH

  Perinatal Neonatal and Postnatal Deaths
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he intends to take to introduce health promotion measures to ensure that the rate of perinatal, neonatal and postneonatal deaths is urgently reviewed and reduced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The rate of infant mortality in England is now at its lowest ever level, of 7·9 per 1,000 live births in 1990. Perinatal mortality has also reduced significantly over the last 11 years, from 14·6 per 1,000 total births in 1979 to 8·1 in 1990. We continue our efforts to make further reductions.

  By the end of 1991–92, all regional health authorities will have in place a system of epidemiological surveys to investigate the patterns and trends of still births and neonatal deaths in respect of their own population. A national advisory body will shortly be set up to steer the Government's confidential inquiry into still births and deaths in infancy, and regions will be expected to play a full part in that.

  For 1992–93, the NHS chief executive has asked all RHAs to agree targets with their district health authorities and family health services authorities to reduce the number of still births and infant deaths still further. At the same time, consideration is being given to improving access to services for certain groups of women, such as those from ethnic minorities, and improvements in the level of consultant cover on labour wards will be sought.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the accuracy with which his Department enumerates homeless people in capitation calculations for health planning purposes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The weighted capitation formula for allocations to regional health authorities takes account of projections of their resident populations but makes no separate allowance for homeless people.

  The projections used are prepared by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from figures based on the census of population, adjusted for subsequent births,
  222
  deaths and migration. The census aims to cover everyone, but adjustments are made for under-enumeration in estimating the usually resident population of an area. In common with everyone else, the homeless are either included in figures for their area of residence, if they provide a usual address, or in the area in which they were enumerated if they have no fixed abode.

  The Department currently uses projections derived from the 1981 census, but these will be refined in the light of the 1991 census. In 1991, special measurs were taken to produce as reliable a count of people sleeping rough as possible. The results of this have been laid before Parliament in a supplementary monitor to the 1991 census preliminary report.

  Guidance to the NHS invites regional health authorities to consider whether they should adjust the allocations for district health authorities to allow for unenumerated homeless people.

  Nurse Regrading
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions he has taken in response to the backlog of nurse regrading appeals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Action to reduce the backlog of nurse grading appeals is a matter for the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council. A joint working group of the negotiating council is currently considering options for streamlining the existing procedure.

  Health Authorities (Public Relations)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many regional health authorities maintain public relations departments; what is their total annual cost; how big are their staffs; and what increase there has been in their numbers.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Tobacco
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the Institution of Environmental Health Officers, the BMA, the Coronary
  223
  Prevention Group and local authorities concerning the ban on tobacco advertising and promotion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have received a wide range of representations about tobacco advertising and promotion, including from the organisations named.

  Special Footwear
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recognised training is available to NHS appliance clerks in the Orthotics Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Training for this group of staff is a local responsibility. There is no prescribed national training course.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long on average a disabled person has to wait for made-to-measure footwear from the time of prescription to delivery; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available centrally. The new NHS contract for prescribed footwear specifies that delivery must be made within six weeks of receipt of an order. Health authorities should ensure that the contractors with whom they place orders are complying with the terms of the national contract and take up any cases of difficulty which may arise.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received a copy of the report "Footwear: A Quality Issue" published by the Disabled Living Foundation on behalf of the Disabled Living Foundation, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the King's Fund and the Society of Chiropodists.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Yes, and we are considering the recommendations.

  New Norwich Hospital
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with funding and plans for the new district general hospital in Norwich; and when he expects work to begin.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Options for the provision of hospital services in Norwich are being reappraised.

  Health Education Council
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the latest breakdown of the Health Education Council's budget and its programme for 1992.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is published in the Health Education Authority's operational plan 1991–93, copies of which are available in the Library.

  "Enjoy Healthy Eating"
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the objectives behind the publication of the Health Education Authority's "Enjoy Healthy Eating" booklet; and to whom it has been distributed.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Health Education Authority's "Enjoy Healthy Eating" booklet is the first guide to be issued since 224
  the expert Committee of Medical Aspects of Food Policy report on dietary reference values published in July. It represents the start of the healthy eating education campaign, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State promised in the summer. The information and advice it contains has the full backing of both the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Further nutrition education resources for both professionals and the public are being developed. Two million booklets have been printed, for distribution to a variety of outlets through district health education units.

  Organ Exchanges
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which regional health authorities do not participate in the United Kingdom Transplant Authority's organ exchange scheme.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Participation in the voluntary organ sharing arrangements is a matter for individual units. According to information provided by the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority, which administers the scheme on behalf of the profession, units currently not fully contracted into the scheme are located in the South East Thames and South West Thames regional health authorities.

  HIV
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many non-haemophiliacs in England have contracted HIV infection as a result of national health service transfers of contaminated(a) blood, (b) blood products and (c) tissue;

  (2) how many non-haemophiliacs in England who have contracted HIV infection as a result of contaminated national health service blood-tissue transfers (a) remain alive, (b) have developed AIDS and remain alive and (c) developed AIDS and have since died of an AIDS-related condition.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There have been 49 reports in England of HIV infection in people who received blood, including blood components, in the United Kingdom. There has been one report of HIV infection due to tissue transfer. The number of infected persons thought to be alive is 26. The number reported with AIDS is 26, of whom 21 are known to have died. We have no information on the cause of death.

  Health Education Authority
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which scientific advisers the Health Education Authority consults on its health education programme; and what academic members it maintains on its staff.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Health Education Authority takes account of a wide range of scientific evidence and advice in developing and implementing its various programmes, and employs staff suitably qualified to enable it to do so. If the hon. Member requires any further information he may wish to contact Sir Donald Maitland, the chairman of the authority, direct.

  Organ Transplants
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average waiting time for an organ transplant; and if he will detail this information for kidneys, heart and lungs, hearts, lungs, livers and pancreas.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not collected centrally.

  NHS Beds
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table to show the average number of national health service beds in use in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the statistical bulletin of 2 October 1990, "NHS hospital activity statistics for England 1979–1989/90", copies of which are available in the Library. More important than the number of beds is the number of patients treated each year. This has increased by more than one third since 1979.

  Operations
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the 10 most costly types of surgical operation currently being carried out under the national health service; and how many of each type were carried out in 1978 and in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 11 November 1991]: The information requested is not available. The costs of any particular treatment or procedure will vary according to the complexity of each case. The most costly types of operations will inevitably be among the most complex, such as double or triple transplants, which are performed only rarely.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Urban Development Grants
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 385, how many civil servants, and in which Departments, are engaged in administering the urban development grants which are funded by the International Fund for Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  Twelve all from the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

  CRISP Programme
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 385, on CRISP—the community regeneration initiative special project—if he will list the precise criteria for determining which towns and villages are in areas of particular disadvantage, state when these criteria were published and indicate what steps are taken to draw them to the attention of interested parties.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter primarily for the International Fund for Ireland. I have asked the chairman of the fund to write to the hon. Gentleman and will place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 385, if he will list with respect to each town every payment made under the CRISP programme indicating in each case the recipient and the purpose of the payment.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  226
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer of 11 November,Official Report, column 385, if he will list the specified areas of Belfast and Londonderry for which urban development grant is available and give the precise criteria for the selection of those areas.

  Mr. Needham
  Applications may, in principle, be accepted throughout the Belfast city council area. Because demand has exceeded resources for some time, funds are now focused on areas of greatest need. Currently these areas are those covered by the Belfast action teams, including small parts of some team areas which extend beyond the city council boundary. Outside action team areas, but within the Belfast city boundary, only exceptional projects in terms of urban regeneration are considered for grant.

  In Londonderry, urban development grant is available for approved projects in the main commercial and industrial sectors of the city within the area encompassed by the former county borough of Londonderry, and within the Londonderry enterprise zone at Campsie and Springtown.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the public funds expended and the various watercourses and lakes involved to restock such waters after pollution incidents in which fish were killed.

  Mr. Hanley
  There is no legislative provision for the use of public funds for general restocking of waters after pollution incidents. Public funds are used to restock waters only in cases where fish kills result from pollution incidents caused by facilities which are in public ownership. Details of such expenditure over the past five years are shown in the following table.

  Location

  Year

  Amount £

  River Creggan

  1987

  7,913

  River Callan

  1987

  3,000

  Restocking has also been carried out in other cases at the expense of those responsible for pollution incidents in keeping with the "polluter pays" principle.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing for each of the last three years for which figures are available the number of pollution incidents which resulted in fish kills in Northern Ireland waters, the waters involved, the fish species and approximate numbers, the action taken to restock, to identify the polluters and to prosecute the polluters and the result of court proceedings.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is not held centrally. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman in the near future when the details are available.

  Organ Transplants
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in the Province are awaiting an organ transplant; if he will give the figure for 1990; and how long on average patient; wait for a transplant of a kidney, heart and lungs, heart, lung, liver and cornea.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are at present in Northern Ireland 72 patients waiting for a kidney transplant and about 30 waiting for corneal grafting. The remaining information requested is not readily available.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Stolen Property
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the estimated value of property stolen from the House of Commons during 1990 and in 1991 to the most recent practicable date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The estimated value of property reported stolen in the Palace of Westminster and in the Parliamentary Outbuildings was £16,700 in 1990 and £15,800 to date in 1991. This includes property stolen from contractors, which accounts for two thirds of the 1990 figure, as well as from Members, their staff and staff of both Houses.

  Each report of property stolen is vigorously followed up by the police, but it would greatly assist if articles of value were secured and desks and filing cabinets locked when offices are left unattended.

DEFENCE

  TOGS System
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present status of the thermal observation and gunnery sighting system contract with United Scientific; and whether any penalty clauses have been invoked.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  A TOGS contract was placed with Avimo Ltd., a subsidiary of United Scientific Holdings. Deliveries of main systems are now complete and only the delivery of a number of spares is outstanding. The Department is not pursuing liquidated damages under this contract.

  AWACS Agreement
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present value of offset contracts created as a result of the Boeing airborne warning and communication system agreement; and if the agreed amounts are being fulfilled.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Boeing has to date submitted progress reports listing contracts placed with United Kingdom companies totalling $1·855 billion, of which we have so far agreed that $1·197 billion should count for credit. I have little doubt that Boeing will meet the agreed target of some $1·5 billion.

  Explosives and Propellants
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many explosives and propellant contracts were placed in the periods(a) January to July and (b) July to December, for each of the years 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990, respectively; and what were the values of those contracts;

  (2) what has been the expenditure on explosives and propellants in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department purchases the great majority of its explosives and propellants as integral parts of whole munitions, rather than under specific contracts. Overall expenditure on these components is not separately identifiable.

  Starfighter Aircraft (Fuel Leak)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report on the fuel leak from a C141 Starfighter aircraft at Air Force base Mildenhall in 1990.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I am not aware of any such report.

  HMS Itchen
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to his answers of 7 November,Official Report, column 252, he will indicate the implications of the refit of HMS Itchen referred to therein for the availability of sea training facilities at HMS Wessex.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During the refit of HMS Itchen, reservists' requirements for training at sea can be satisfied by using a mine sweeper fleet vessel allocated to another sea training centre. In addition, even when a ship is in refit some opportunities for training on that ship will still exist.

  Frigates
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his intention to issue a request for proposals for the main gun armament of the replacement for the Type 42 destroyer.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We intend to issue shortly an invitation to industry, through the Ministry of Defence Contracts Bulletin, to register interest in bidding for the supply of the main gun armament of the replacement for the type 42 frigate.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards an integrated defensive aids sub-system for the European fighter aircraft.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Our policy towards the European fighter aircraft defensive aids sub-system is to equip the aircraft with a capability which meets the operational requirement in the most cost-effective manner.

  Rapid Reaction Corps
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the proposal that the Luftwaffe should lead the air component of NATO's rapid reaction corps.
  229
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  At their defence planning committee meeting last May, NATO Defence Ministers agreed, in principle, to the formation of air reaction forces. Since then, work has continued in NATO to determine the precise size and structure of such forces, including the command and control arrangements, which must be efficient and militarily effective.

  Menwith Hill Station (Cable)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when work to lay a new cable between Menwith Hill station and Hunter's Stones post office tower will be completed and at what total estimated cost; what is the purpose of the new cable; and if he will make a statement.
  230
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My Department has no knowledge of work to lay a new cable between Menwith Hill station and Hunter's Stones post office tower.

  Defence Equipment Exhibition
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance is available from his Department to British companies taking part in the Eurosatory land defence equipment European exhibition due to be held in Paris in June 1992.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Defence Export Services Organisation offers advice and, where appropriate, support to any United Kingdom firm intending to market defence-related products overseas.

  WASTE INCINERATORS: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
  WASTE INCINERATORS: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
  ORTON AND VERA CHIRWA
  ORTON AND VERA CHIRWA
  SEA FISH INDUSTRY AUTHORITY: FUTURE ROLE
  SEA FISH INDUSTRY AUTHORITY: FUTURE ROLE
  ORKNEY INQUIRY
  ORKNEY INQUIRY
  SCOTTISH LEGAL AID: ADMINISTRATION COSTS
  SCOTTISH LEGAL AID: ADMINISTRATION COSTS
  SCOTTISH SCHOOLS: ADMINISTRATION
  SCOTTISH SCHOOLS: ADMINISTRATION