Written Answers of 16 October 1991

WALES

  Health Service Pay Awards
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the amount health authorities in Wales will need to find in 1991–92 from existing funding in 1991–92 to meet the costs of the professions allied to medicine review body's pay awards.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  In 1991–92 health authorities in Wales will need to find an estimated additional £0·2 million, over and above the provision for inflation, estimated at £2·061 million, included in their start of year 1991–92 allocations, to meet the costs of the 1991 professions allied to medicine review body's pay awards.

  The amount to be found by district health authorities from their cash releasing cost improvement savings for all review body awards in 1991–92 is equal to 0·3 per cent. of their notified revenue resources.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the cost to health authorities in Wales in 1991–92 of the nurses, midwives and health visitors review body's pay awards for that year, and the amount allocated from Government reserves to meet part of these costs.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The cost to health authorities in Wales of the nurses, midwives and health visitors review body's pay awards in 1991–92 is estimated to be £32·1 million. The additional amount allocated from Government reserves, over and above the provision for inflation, estimated at £22·371 million, in authorities' original 1991–92 allocation, to meet part of these costs is £7·3 million.

  The amount to be found by district health authorities from their cash releasing cost improvement savings for all review body awards in 1991–92 is equal to 0·3 per cent. of their notified revenue resources.

  Mental Handicap Nurses
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many mental handicap nurses were employed in each health authority in Wales(a) working in hospitals and (b) working in the community, for each year since 1985.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Complete information is available only on the total staff in post for all nursing and midwifery staff.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional funds have been made available to local authorities specifically to provide care in the community for the financial year 1990–91.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The bulk of revenue and capital funding to individual local authorities is provided through 152
  revenue support grant and basic credit approvals respectively. These are not hypothecated to particular services. The local government revenue settlement for 1990–91 allowed an indicative amount for personal social services of £186·8 million, or 5 per cent. over 1989–90 adjusted budgets; the capital settlement for 1990–91 allowed an assumed gross figure of £10·8 million which represented an increase of 21 per cent. over 1989–90. It is for local authorities to determine how resources should be allocated to particular services. Additional funds provided outside the revenue settlement under Welsh Office initiatives and grant schemes were £1·3 million under the elderly initiative; £0·34 million for training schemes on the development of community care and care management and services to elderly people; £0·47 million under the mental illness strategy and £23·6 million allocated under the mental health strategy. In total, these represent a 50 per cent. increase over 1989–90 expenditure.

  Teachers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the results of his survey into the supply of teachers in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I announced last month the results of the Department's survey of teacher vacancies. The survey at the start of the new academic year showed that out of a total of 24,500 teaching posts, 40 remained unfilled, representing 0·2 per cent. of full-time teaching posts in Wales.

ENVIRONMENT

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many jobs he estimates that enterprise zones have created; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  By December 1989, the latest year for which figures are available for the United Kingdom as a whole, the number of jobs in enterprise zones had increased by 99,800 since the zones were created.

  Propery Services Agency Computers
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total costs of the Property Services Agency THESIS computer system.

  Mr. Yeo
  Further to my reply of 15 February 1991,Official Report, column 597, it has now become clear that some additional costs should be attributed to THESIS. Property Services Agency Services has also had less success than anticipated in finding alternative uses for some of the equipment purchased for the THESIS project. The effect is to increase the net cost of the PSA THESIS computer system to £12·1 million.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the annual report of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The annual report of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for 1990–91, its first as a next steps agency, was published on 31 July 1991. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  During the year under report, there was a significant increase in the number of applications for product licences of all types and a continuing heavy workload in other areas. Full costs have been recovered across all the sectors of VMD's business activities. This has been matched by improvements in service and the report describes the benefits which have accrued to the VMD's customers from the initiatives that have been put in place since the directorate was established as a next steps agency. The report confirms the high priority which the VMD gives to ensuring that the consumer, the animals themselves and the environment are properly protected through the licensing procedures for veterinary medicines.

  The test results gathered for the calendar year 1990 under the national surveillance scheme, which monitors the levels of veterinary residues passing into the meat for human consumption, are also reported. Under this programme more than 48,500 samples were taken in 1990, an increase of almost 20 per cent. on the numbers sampled in 1989. I am pleased to say that the number of samples exceeding the recommended maximum residue limits were reassuringly low.

  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the chief executive and his staff on the progress they have made during this first year and look forward to receiving reports of further improvements in future years.

  Blue Ear Pig Disease
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that blue ear disease in pigs is kept out of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gummer
  [pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1991, c. 554]: We took steps to deal with farms where pigs showed suspicious symptoms even before it was confirmed that blue ear pig disease was present in England. Once it was confirmed, on 13 June, our restrictions went further than the trade restrictions required by European Community rules, particularly in the designation of large restricted areas and in the controls imposed on farms which had received pigs which might have been carrying infection.

  This framework of controls has enabled detailed studies to be carried out on the nature of the disease and its spread, making use in particular of the blood test developed at the Central Veterinary Laboratory. That research shows that the virus can be present in pigs which show only slight symptoms, or none at all; that infection can persist on pig farms long after clinical signs have disappeared; that fattening pigs, as well as those used for breeding, can be involved in its spread; and that it can be spread by animals which themselves show no sign of the
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  disease. The disease is behaving in the same way as similar conditions have done in north America, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

  The understanding that we have gained of the disease will be central to planning our own future strategy and that of the Community as a whole. Clearly, infection is more widespread than would be suggested by clinical signs alone, and can be expected to spread further, even where farms are subject to restrictions much tighter than those required by Community rules. It is now equally clear that some elements of the controls which we put in place in June do not increase the level of protection to the national pig herd enough to justify the disruption that they cause.

  I have, therefore, decided to remove the elements of our restrictions on national pig movements that research has shown not to be worth while. All movement and area restrictions will be lifted from premises other than those where disease has been confirmed or is suspected. However, the trade restrictions required by Community rules—notably restrictions on exports from infected or suspect premises or the parishes in which they are located—will remain. Restrictions will also be maintained on the movement of pigs from such premises until eight weeks after clinical signs disappear, which clearly can be expected to reduce the extent to which infection is spread. The disease will remain notifiable and movements off restricted premises will remain subject to licence.

  I have greatly valued the close contacts that we have had with the British Veterinary Association and producers organisations since blue ear pig disease was first suspected. In consultation with those bodies we have over the past weeks made a number of adjustments to our controls. We shall continue to consult them fully in the light of any further scientific advice that emerges.

  School Meals
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's plans for the working party on school meals; who are the members of the working party; what meetings it has held; what plans it has for the future; and when he hopes to publish nutritional guidelines for school meals.

  Mr. Gummer
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the catering working group which was established last year by my Department, the Department of Health and the Health Education Authority. Its purpose is wider than suggested by the hon. Member and is to advise the MAFF-DH-HEA nutrition liaison group, an interdepartmental committee of officials, on ways of increasing the provision of healthier food in all types of catering outlets. In addition to representatives from the sponsoring Departments, the membership comprises representatives from the Department of Education and Science, the Royal Society of Health, the industrial catering sector—company staff restaurants—and the commercial sector. An independent academic chairman has been appointed. The Health Education Authority provides the secretariat. Three meetings have so far been held.

  The working group's terms of reference are to consider and make recommendations regarding:

  (a) raising the catering industry's awareness of the importance of healthy eating to the national diet and inter alia national health;

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  (b) providing guidance to caterers on achieving healthier choice in the methods of food selection, preparation and service;

  (c) identifying and advising those organizations responsible for catering education and training on the importance of including nutritional and dietary education within the curriculum of all courses.

  The group is expected to meet approximately three times a year and its considerations will include the possible need for guidelines for "healthy catering practice" in all catering outlets, including schools.

  Food Safety
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will consult local authority associations representing trading standards authorities prior to making directions under section 6(3) of the Food Safety Act 1990; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans he has to set up consultative arrangements with local authority associations concerning the financial arrangements of actions taken under section 6(3) of the Food Safety Act 1990; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what has been the cost of the action taken by his Ministry before and following the making of each direction under section 6(3) of the Food Safety Act 1990; if he will give details of each action taken; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have issued a direction under section 6(3) of the Food Safety Act to four individual local authorities, each in respect of a premises in their respective areas where my officers were carrying out an investigation in connection with alleged widespread irregularities in the marketing of orange juice. The effect of such directions is to remove from the local authority to myself the costs of any investigation and enforcement action. These costs are carried within the general votes of my own department and are thus not readily separately identified. The investigation is in any case not yet concluded. I will endeavour where appropriate to consult with affected local authorities beforehand on the use of the powers in section 6(3); on this occasion I consider that it was correct in the public interest to exercise my powers without any such prior consultation. My overriding concern must be the protection of the public.

  Veterinary Products
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the reasons for the fall in applications for new licences and animal test certificates in 1990;

  (2) what estimate he has made of the average cost involved and length of time required by veterinary medicine companies in preparing data on safety and quality for submission of an application for new products; and if he will outline the data required to be submitted;

  (3)what assessment he has made of the effect of the cost of licensing veterinary medicine products on the amount of research undertaken.

  Mr. Maclean
  My hon. Friend has written to me asking the same three questions. I will he replying shortly, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House and the Public Information Office.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  United Nations
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the seven new members of the United Nations.

  Mr. Lennnox-Boyd
  I warmly welcome the entry to the United Nations of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

  We have long had diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea and now have diplomatic relations with each of the Baltic states. We hope to establish diplomatic relations with the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia shortly. Our support for the admisson of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations has meant that we also now recognise the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as a state, but have no plans to establish diplomatic relations.

  Biological and Toxin Weapons
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent announcement of the third review conference concerning the 1925 Geneva protocol to the biological and toxin weapons convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am pleased to say that on 27 September the ambassador of the United Kingdom delegation to the conference on disarmament in Geneva announced at the third review conference of the biological and toxin weapons convention that Her Majesty's Government had decided to withdraw that part of our reservation to the 1925 Geneva protocol which maintained our right to retaliate in kind if biological weapons were used against us. The protocol prohibits the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of bacteriological methods of warfare.

  Political Union
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the ministerial meeting of the intergovernmental conference on political union on 29 July and 30 September.

  Mr. Hurd
  I attended ministerial meetings of the intergovernmental conference on political union on 29 July and 30 September.

  The meeting on 29 July was procedural. The Netherlands presidency outlined its plans for the negotiations, to include ministerial meetings in September, November and December, and a two to three-day "conclave" of Foreign Ministers in the week of 11 November. The presidency said that it intended after this conclave to prepare a draft Treaty for discussion by the President of the Council, Mr. Lubbers, during his tour of member states' capitals before the European Council at Maastricht on 9 and 10 December.

  On 24 September the presidency tabled a new draft treaty text, incorporating substantive changes from the text prepared by the Luxembourg presidency in advance of

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  the European Council in Luxembourg on 28 and 29 June. The ministerial meeting on 30 September concluded that negotiations should continue on the basis of the Luxembourg presidency text. The Netherlands text was subsequently withdrawn. An inter-institutional conference between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament was held on 1 October. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office represented the United Kingdom.

  Foreign Affairs Councils
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Councils on 29 July, 6 and 30 September, respectively.

  Mr. Hurd
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 July. The Council agreed to provide 50,000 tonnes of food aid to Albania and asked the Commission to produce an opinion on the Swedish application to join the European Community. The Council also reviewed progress in the negotiations on a European economic area and on the Uruguay round. Ministers issued statements on the middle east peace process and on Burma. They agreed that the troika of Foreign Ministers should return to Yugoslavia to seek agreement on a ceasefire.

  At the Foreign Affairs Council on 6 September, the United Kingdom was represented by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Council discussed the association agreement negotiations with Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, but were unable to reach agreement on a revised negotiating mandate for the Commission. Ministers met their counterparts from the Baltic states and issued a statement stressing the willingness of the Community and member states to establish diplomatic relations with them. Ministers also discussed the latest developments in Yugoslavia and agreed to convene a peace conference on 7 September.

  My hon. Friends, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Minister for Trade, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council on 30 September and 1 October. The Council agreed the Commission's negotiating mandate for the association agreement negotiations with Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia. The Council also agreed to send a further 50,000 tonnes of food aid to Albania sourced from eastern Europe under triangular purchasing arrangements. The Council asked the Commission to begin exploratory talks with the three Baltic states on trade and co-operation agreements. It also agreed to include these countries and Albania in the Community's PHARE programme and the generalised system of preferences. The Council asked the Commission to begin exploratory talks with Bulgaria on an association agreement.

  The Council agreed on the importance of a co-ordinated western response to the recent Soviet request for food aid on the basis of a full assessment of need, burden-sharing, and conditionality. It amended the regulation on a credit guarantee for the Soviet Union to permit purchases from eastern and central European countries.
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  The Council reviewed progress in the negotiations on a European economic area. It identified three main areas — fish, the EFTA cohesion fund and alpine transit—which needed further work before the joint EC/EFTA ministerial meeting on 21 October.

  The Council agreed the Commission's negotiating mandate for the free trade agreement negotiations with the Gulf Co-operation Council. Ministers reviewed the situation in Yugoslavia. They held an Association Council with Turkey in the margins of the meeting. They also discussed the EC role in a middle east peace conference and the modalities of the appointment of a Commission representative in the occupied territories.

  Councils of Ministers
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The following Councils met between 1–15 October:

  1 October - Environment Council

  7 October - Economic and Finance Council

  7 October - Transport Council

  14 October - Labour and Social Affairs Council

  15 October - Consumer Affairs Council.

  The Agriculture Council will meet on 21 and 22 October and Ministers will discuss the reform of the common agriculture policy, the agricultural aspects of the GATT Uruguay round, and sweeteners in food. Ministers may also discuss meat products, and food quality.

  The Research Council will meet on 28 October. Ministers will discuss, and may agree common positions for, the following specific programmes under the third framework programme 1990–1994: controlled nuclear fusion; nuclear fission safety; and human capital and mobility. Ministers may also consider the Commission's proposal for the joint research centre's 1992–1994 programme.

  The Fisheries Council may meet on 28 October and Ministers might discuss technical conservation regulations.

  The Energy Council will meet on 29 October and Ministers will give further consideration to the proposed energy charter for the development of a free market in energy across the whole of Europe and beyond. Under the heading of "Energy and the Environment", Ministers will examine issues concerning CO2 emissions and response strategies, and may adopt the SAVE decision on energy efficiency. Ministers will also discuss the related hot water boilers directive, proposals to amend the existing Commission powers on oil crisis management and oil stocks, and accession by the Community to the IEA. Ministers might consider proposals to increase competition in the energy sector through the liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to review the Banking Act 1987 in the light of the collapse of BCCI.
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  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 19 July, at columns 715–29, and the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 July, at columns 757–64.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England concerning the latter's statement that BCCI had a criminal culture and the effect of that statement on the careers of members of staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  I know that the Governor did not intend to imply that all the staff of the BCCI were dishonest or involved in the fraud which led to the closure of the bank. Such an implication is patently not true. Hon. Members may also wish to know that I issued the following statement to the press on 4 October:"The Government has always made it clear that they would like to see depositors get as much of their money back from BCCI as possible. However, as I said to the House in July, I have always thought that a restructuring would prove difficult to achieve in the circumstances and that now also seems to be the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi Government.
  There was, of course, no question of either the Bank of England or the Government being obstructive in this. The Bank have always said they would look at any proposal put to them and there would certainly have been no question of the Government obstructing a successful restructuring had one proved possible. But in fact no proposal has been put forward.
  I recognise that this is very disappointing for the employees. The Abu Dhabi Government appear to have made generous proposals to assist them. I hope the staff will find work again soon. In July, the Chancellor, commented in the House that it would be monstrously unfair if honest, hardworking employees of BCCI were tainted by the actions of their superiors. I hope that prospective employers will not hold the fact that they worked for BCCI against them.
  Depositors will get compensation from the statutory deposit protection scheme as soon as a winding up order is made. I understand the provisional liquidator is still in discussion with the shareholders about the global position. In the meantime, interim compensation is being provided by the scheme put in place by the Abu Dhabi Government. I understand that the vast majority of depositors with the United Kingdom branches stand to get back 75 per cent. of their full deposit under the statutory scheme. The extent to which depositors will get back the rest of their money will obviously depend on the outcome of the liquidation.

  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is being done to help Asian businesses affected by the closure of BCCI to arrange new banking facilities.

  Mr. Maples
  The Government have been most concerned by the continuing stories that Asian businesses affected by the closure of the BCCI are having difficulties establishing new banking facilities. We have therefore taken steps to publicise again the help available from the clearing banks, the provisional liquidator Touche Ross, and Government Departments. The details were again set out in a letter which I sent to Mr. Nirj Deva on 30 September and which was also issued as a Treasury press notice. The text is as follows and has been published in the Daily Jang. We have also placed an advertisement setting out the various helpline numbers in the Asian Trader, which is widely distributed.
  Nirj Deva Esq
  433 Chiswick High Road
  London W4 4AU 30 September 1991
  We have spoken recently about the effect which the closure of BCCI has had on the many small Asian businesses which banked with it. As I told you, I have been concerned about the
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  continuing stories that some of these businesses are still having problems establishing new banking facilities. I have been even more concerned at reports that the Asian community believe that the Government is indifferent to their problems, or worse, that BCCI has closed down because it was an Asian bank. Nothing, I can assure you could be further from the truth.
  BCCI was closed by the international regulators who authorised and supervised it because of evidence of a massive fraud striking at the heart of the operation. The nationality of those involved was irrelevant. The Government has, however, been acutely aware that many of those who have suffered from the closure of the UK branches are Asian businessmen and small depositors and it is a matter of deep concern to us that so many thriving, profitable businesses of such value to the economy have been so badly damaged. We have the highest possible respect for the Asian community. They are hard working, self sufficient and epitomise everything that we have tried to foster over the past twelve years. That they should so disproportionately have been the victims of this bank fraud is truly tragic.
  Because of my concern for the effect on small businesses, both I and my officials have been in regular touch with the Bank of England to ensure that everything that can reasonably be done to help them is being done. I spoke to the Governor again recently because of the continuing stories about the problems small businesses were having, and the Bank pursued the matter with the clearing banks. As I think you are aware, the clearers responded very positively after the closure of BCCI on 5 July, nominating contact points in their branches to deal with potential customers from BCCI. But they have reported that surprisingly few customers of BCCI have approached them.
  Similarly, Touche Ross the provisional liquidators have also been doing everything they can to help. From the outset, they made arrangements for customers to release their banking records to the clearers, and they have also been working very hard to find ways of releasing security held by BCCI. This has been taking some time in some cases. As provisional liquidators, they cannot simply release the security without establishing the customers' net position with the bank, and that can take time where the banking relationship of the particular customer in question was complex. But I understand that they have now dealt with all but a comparatively few difficult cases. Most of the businessmen who approached them for help now have new banking facilities established with one of the clearers. Touche Ross also, however, report that surprisingly few businesses have contacted them.
  Clearly, neither the clearers nor the provisional liquidator can give assistance unless they are actually asked. I am therefore attaching to this letter a list of clearing bank contact points and the telephone number of Touche Ross and copying the letter to the press, in the hope that the information will therefore reach as many of those who need it as possible. If there are other ways in which I could bring this information to the attention of the Asian business community, please let me know.
  I am also taking this opportunity to include some information about the Department of Employment Loan Guarantee scheme and the DTI Enterprise Initiative, both of which may be of use to businesses affected by the closure of BCCI. The Loan Guarantee scheme offers a Government guarantee of 70 per cent. (85 per cent. in Inner City Task Force Areas) on loans of up to £100,000 from participating commercial banks, where a small firm is unable to offer security or lacks the track record normally required by banks and other financial institutions involved in the scheme. Details can be obtained from the address on the attached list.
  Any business which applies will have to provide a business plan, and it has been suggested to us that may present a problem for some of the smaller businesses affected by the closure of BCCI. The DTI Enterprise Initiative can assist in arranging consultancy services to help a small business prepare such a plan. Further information can be obtained from the contacts on the attached list.
  In some cases, however, all that may be needed is guidance and assistance from more experienced businessmen in the

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  local community or a professional advisor, such as the business's usual accountant. Both may be able to assist a small business in presenting its case to the clearing banks.
  I hope this information will be useful. I am very concerned about the continuing stories of Asian businesses having problems and I would welcome any further information you and others can offer about the specific problems being experienced so that we can see what more, if anything, might be done to resolve them.

  John Maples.

  Helpline numbers and points of contact for BCCI customers

  1. The following banks have set up helplines and/or branch contact points:

  (a) Bank of Scotland: 031 243 5524

  031 243 5542

  (b) Clydesdale: 041 223 2532

  041 223 2899

  (c) Lloyds:

  Branch contacts

  London

  Bayswater 071 221 4218

  Berkeley Square 071 491 4239

  Commercial Road 071 790 2445

  Covent Garden 071 836 3045

  Earl's Court 071 835 1464

  Whitechapel High Street 071 709 0491

  Fenchurch Street 071 481 4991

  Kensington High Street 071 938 2171

  Knightsbridge 071 589 2223

  Marble Arch 071 723 4247

  Old Bond Street 071 629 0288

  Paddington 071 723 0131

  Pall Mall 071 839 1288

  Park Lane 071 409 3545

  South Kensington 071 589 4883

  Swiss Cottage 071 722 7144

  Outer London

  Southall 081 574 7922

  Croydon 081 649 7711

  Wembley 081 903 6366

  Provincial branches

  Birmingham, Colmore Row 021 233 1255

  Bradford 0274 783181

  Leeds, Park Row 0532 448181

  Manchester, King Street 061 833 0222

  Isle of Man, Douglas

  Regent Street 071 734 4090

  (d) National Westminster:

  Branch contacts

  London

  Piccadilly Circus 071 434 3151

  Orchard House, Oxford Street 071 408 1232

  Bush House, Aldwych 071 836 5593

  London South West

  Southall 081 574 2300

  London South East

  Croydon 081 681 3199

  Lewisham 081 318 7331

  Tooting 081 672 7611

  West Midlands

  Handsworth 021 523 6111

  Digbeth 021 643 6922

  Birmingham, Bennctts Hill 021 643 8941

  Manchester

  Manchester, 33 Piccadilly 061 236 5642

  Manchester, City Office 061 829 1420

  Oldham 061 633 3005

  London North West

  Wembley 081 903 1303

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  Wembley Park 081 904 1407

  Islington 071 359 3716

  City

  Eastern 071 377 0844

  London, Fruit Exchange 071 247 1077

  London North East

  Limehouse 071 538 2363

  Lancashire

  Blackburn 0254 263571

  Preston 0772 58276

  East Midlands

  Leicester, Granby Street 0533 550033

  Rose Hill, Derby 0332 43279

  Nottingham. Senior Manager's Office 0602 422220

  North

  Glasgow 041 221 6981

  Yorkshire

  Leeds, City Office 0532 443151

  Bradford, Market Street 0274 390801

  Sheffield, City Office 0742 756677

  Newcastle upon Tyne 091 261 2221

  (e) Midland: 071 260 6921

  Midland Branch contacts

  Manchester 061 832 9011

  Shipley 0274 531 666

  Bradford 0274 308 308

  Coventry 0203 256 444

  Hove 0273 724 500

  Leicester 0533 551 515

  Slough 0753 868 161

  London, Hounslow 081 570 2255

  London, Bethnal Green 071 739 6084

  London, Great Portland Street 071 486 7191

  London, Streatham Hill 081 680 9988

  Newcastle 091 232 5792

  Birmingham 021 631 4400

  Bristol 0272 298 111

  Derby 0332 295 200

  Leeds 0632 442 500

  Isle of Man 0624 623 051

  London, Fenchurch Street 071 623 3088

  London, Ealing 081 567 6705

  London, Regent Street 071 287 2000

  London. Southall 081 571 0041

  (f) Barclays Bank

  Barclays has decided not to designate specific branches but rather to invite BCCI customers to contact any of their branches. The branches have received instructions on how best to help these customers and an internal helpline is in operation to deal with any difficulties.

  (g)Royal Bank of Scotland: 071 615 2348–9

  Branch contacts

  Glasgow 041 248 2777

  Leeds 0532 451 815

  Manchester 061 236 8585

  Isle of Man 0624 629 111

  Birmingham 021 212 1166

  London, Cavendish Square 071 499 3601

  London. City 071 623 4356

  2. Touche Ross

  Touche Ross, the provisional liquidator, has set up a helpline.

  The number is 071 480 7766.

  3. Government Services

  (a) The Loan Guarantee Scheme helps small firms which are unable to offer security, or lack the track record normally required by banks or other financial institutions involved in the Scheme. The Government offers a guarantee of 70 per cent. (85 per cent. in the Inner City Task Force Areas) on loans up to £100,000. Details can be obtained from most branches or from:

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  Department of Employment

  Small Firms Policy Branch

  Loan Guarantee Unit

  St. Mary's House

  c/o Moorfoot

  Sheffield

  S1 4PQ

  Telephone 0742 597382

  (b) The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) can help with arranging consultancy services for small businesses. Details of this may be obtained from DTI local contact points:

  DTI North East 091 235 7292

  DTI North West (Manchester) 061 838 5000

  DTI North West (Liverpool) 051 224 6300

  DTI Yorkshire and Humberside 0532 338300

  DTI East Midlands 0602 596460

  DTI West Midlands 021 212 5000

  DTI East 0223 461939

  DTI South East (London) 071 627 7800

  DTI South East (Reading) 0734 395600

  DTI South East (Reigate) 0737 226900

  DTI South West 0272 308400

  Scotland 031 313 6200

  Wales 0443 841200

TRANSPORT

  Unadopted Roads
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of adopting currently unadopted roads in residential areas in England.

  Mr. Chope
  About £3,000 million.

  Unroadworthy Vehicles
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will consider further action to tackle unroadworthy vehicles.

  Mr. Chope
  The Road Traffic Act 1991 extended the power of the police to prohibit dangerously defective vehicles and it provided for all classes of motor vehicle to be prohibited. The Act also strengthened the law about the sale of unroadworthy vehicles. If a dealer is offering an unroadworthy vehicle for sale, he will have to make that clear to prospective purchasers.

  Trade Routes to Tokyo
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Airways regarding trade routes to Tokyo.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Secretary of State meets senior members of British Airways management from time to time to discuss matters of mutual interest and officials meet more frequently to consider matters of detail.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the outcome of the meeting of the European Community Transport Council on 7 October.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The meeting of the European Council of Transport Ministers was held in Luxembourg on 7 October. I represented the United Kingdom.

  I am pleased to report that the Council reached agreement in principle on important proposals on aviation technical harmonisation and the mutual recognition of
  164
  cockpit crew licences. A draft directive on the limitation of noisier—chapter 2—aircraft was remitted for further study with the object of reaching a final agreement at the December meeting of Transport Ministers.

  The Council agreed that work should begin on the third aviation package, with a view to completion by the end of June 1992. This work should include discussion on the definition of a Community air cargo carrier.

  On the aviation arrangements with Norway and Sweden, a draft agreement has been approved in principle. As the Council considered that the proper legal base for the agreement was article 84, this has now been passed to the European Parliament for their opinion. I reminded the Commission of the need for its report on state aid to the airline industry, which should be available for the next Council.

  On land transport matters, a directive to harmonise the law on seat belt wearing was agreed, which allows member states flexibility on how to apply the new requirements. The Council also discussed, but reached no agreement on, proposals to liberalise bus and coach operations. I expressed my concern over the bureaucratic restriction of operators' freedom to provide services that was inherent in the current approach. On transit, the Presidency provided details of the latest talks with Austria and Switzerland. The discussions are continuing.

  On inland waterways matters, an agreement in principle was reached on cabotage. Agreement was also reached on a directive on reciprocal recognition of inland waterway boatmasters certificates.

  Rail Use
  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to encourage greater use of the railway system.

  Mr. Rifkind
  To encourage more use of the rail network, I have written to the chairman of the railways board asking British Rail to give positive and sympathetic consideration to reasonable proposals from the private sector to introduce new freight or passenger services; to charge fairly for the use of BR track and facilities; to allow private operators to use their own locomotives if they wish; to allow private operators to use their own train crews, if they wish, as long as they are properly qualified.

  A copy of my letter to the chairman has been placed in the Library.

HEALTH

  Dentists
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of dentists in each family health services authority offer NHS service only to(a) children on a capitation arrangement, (b) adults exempt from NHS charges and (c) a combination of (a) and (b).

  Mr. Dorrell
  The figures in the form requested are not collected centrally. However, we are currently analysing the results of a recent sample survey of dentists providing NHS treatment.

  Recycling
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends to take to encourage the use for foodstuffs of which are disposable and recyclable.

  Mr. Leigh
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have set the challenging target of recycling 25 per cent. of the domestic waste stream—which includes packaging materials for foodstuffs—by the year 2000. Achieving this aim requires the existence of technologies to use recyclable material, and markets for the resulting products. The Government are addressing these elements through the support that they are providing to business-led collaborative projects under their environmental technology programmes. Many such projects feature the recycling of packaging.

  The Government are also monitoring eight kerbside collection schemes the results of which will help to promote and establish best practice and will encourage the take-up of such schemes.

ENERGY

  Video Recordings
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Don Valley of 18 June,Official Report, column 115, if he will make it his practice to keep central records of lists of titles of the video recordings purchased by his Department.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report on the progress of the interdepartmental ministerial committee on energy efficiency.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1990, c. 79]:I now have pleasure in placing copies of the ministerial group's annual report on energy efficiency in the Libraries of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Visitors
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to extend training provision for prison visitors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The prison service does not provide formal training for prison visitors. The National Association of Prison Visitors issues guidance and advice on the role of prison visitors, which is supplemented, as necessary, by governors and their staff.

  BBC Borrowing Limits
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the BBC's borrowing limits are to be increased.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I am today placing in the Library a copy of a supplemental charter which has been approved 166
  today by counsellors of state on Her Majesty's behalf. This increases the BBC's borrowing limit under article 3(w) of the charter from £100 million to £200 million, with power for the Secretary of State to approve further sums up to a maximum of £250 million. These changes are intended to allow for the expected effects on cash flow of the budget payment scheme for television licences and the licence fee settlement announced earlier this year.

  Squatting
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to amend the law on squatting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 15 October at columns 151–2.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  EC Regional Policy
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next intends to meet representatives of the European Commission to discuss regional policy.

  Mr. Leigh
  At an informal meeting of EC regional policy Ministers which has been called at The Hague on 18 and 19 November 1991.

  Car Exports
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on exports of British-made cars.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on exports of British-made cars.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on exports of British-made cars.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Between 1988 and 1990 the number of cars exported from the United Kingdom increased by 60 per cent. The number of cars exported in the first eight months of this year exceeded 400,000. This is an increase of 82 per cent. on the same period last year.

  World Trade
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the trends in the United Kingdom's share of world trade.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The United Kingdom's share of world exports of manufactures volume has been stable since the early 1980s after decades of decline. The United Kingdom's share of total world trade has been stable over the last five years.

  Scotch Whisky
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next intends to meet representatives of the Scotch whisky industry to discuss the promotion of exports.
  167
  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to meet representatives of the industry. Ministers take every opportunity to press for improved access to overseas markets for Scotch whisky.

  Quality Management
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to promote the implementation of total quality management standards by British companies.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on Government initiatives to support the implementation of total quality management standards.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Government are actively promoting total quality management through their "Managing into the '90s" awareness programme and through assisted consultancies under the consultancy help scheme.

  Export Policy
  Mr. Alan. W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to meet representative of British exporters to discuss Government policies on exports.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to meet representatives of British exporters to discuss Government policies on exports.

  Mr. Lilley
  I frequently meet members of the United Kingdom business community involved in exporting for Britain.

  West Midlands Development Agency
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government assistance has been given to the West Midlands development agency since it was established.

  Mr. Leigh
  Since its establishment in 1983, a total of £2–94 million in grant in aid has been provided to WMDA for its inward investment promotion activities. In 1991–92, £670 thousand was offered in grant in aid for inward investment, representing a 67·5 per cent. increase in funding over the last two years.

  Textile and Clothing Industry
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has recently received from the textile and clothing industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend has received representations on a number of issues from representatives of the textile industries.

  Postal Services
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with his EC counterparts on extending consumer choice and commercial competition in postal services.

  Mr. Leigh
  Officials in my Department have been closely involved with their EC counterparts and with the 168
  EC Commission in the formulation of an EC policy to extend consumer choice and commercial competition in postal services. There have also been a number of discussions in the EC Council of Ministers in which we have participated. The EC Commission expects to publish its policy proposals as a green paper shortly.

  Company Liquidations
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the current level of company liquidations.

  Mr. Redwood
  The total number of company liquidations due to insolvency in England and Wales during the first six months of 1991 was 11,055. This represents an annual rate of about 2 per cent. of the stock of companies.

  EC Industrial Policy
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next intends to meet representatives of the European Commission to discuss industrial policy.

  Mr. Lilley
  My colleagues and I maintain regular contact with representatives of the European Commission on a range of issues, including industrial policy.

  Shark Products
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to ban the import of shark products.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. Sharks are not currently recognised as being endangered. Were evidence to be produced that any species of shark was becoming endangered, consideration could be given to controlling the trade under either the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora—CITES—or the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the trade balance in manufactured goods in(a) Germany and (b) Britain in 1990.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Only sections 5 to 8 of the standard international trade classification are included as "manufactured goods". In 1990 the United Kingdom's trade deficit in manufactured goods was £13·7 billion. The Federal Republic of Germany, excluding East Germany, had a surplus of £58·6 billion.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the level of inward investment from the United States.

  Mr. Leigh
  The United Kingdom has maintained its successful track record as the preferred location within the European Community for inward investment from the United States of America. Britain's share of United States direct investment in the EC stood at 38 per cent. at the end of 1990.

  Company Audits
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he proposes any increase in the audit requirements for small limited companies.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Employers' Costs
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the cost burden on employers in the United Kingdom; and what information he has on comparable figures for other European Community countries.

  Mr. Redwood
  The latest figures published by the Central Statistical Office show that in 1988 the tax burden on business in the United Kingdom, including employers' social security contributions, was 8·9 per cent. of GNP compared with 17–2 per cent. in France, 13·9 per cent. in Belgium and the Netherlands and 10·5 per cent. in Germany.

  Footwear Industry
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received seeking further assistance for firms in the footwear industry.

  Table 1

  United Kingdom exports of manufactured goods1 to Latin America: 1975–1990

  Top ten importing countries—ranking by value of United Kingdom exports of manufactures for each year

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Brazil

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Mexico

  2

  2

  4

  4

  2

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Venezuela

  3

  3

  2

  2

  4

  4

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Chile

  7

  7

  7

  6

  6

  5

  5

  5

  6

  6

  5

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  Colombia

  8

  8

  6

  5

  5

  7

  7

  7

  4

  4

  4

  6

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Argentina

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  Ecuador

  9

  9

  5

  7

  8

  9

  9

  9

  8

  8

  7

  8

  8

  6

  7

  7

  Peru

  5

  6

  8

  8

  10

  6

  6

  6

  9

  9

  9

  7

  6

  8

  9

  8

  Cuba

  6

  5

  9

  9

  7

  8

  8

  8

  5

  5

  6

  5

  7

  7

  8

  9

  Panama

  10

  10

  10

  10

  9

  10

  10

  10

  7

  7

  8

  9

  9

  10

  —

  10

  Guatemala

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  —

  Dominican Republic

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  10

  10

  —

  10

  —

  10

  —

  Uruguay

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  9

  —

  —

  Note:

  1 Sections 5 to 8 of the Standard International Trade Classification.

  2 Current prices.

  3 The remaining countries in Latin America (Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador. Haiti, Honduras. Nicaragua and Paraguay) did not rank among the top ten in any of these years.

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom (HMSO)

  Table 2

  Main United Kingdom manufactured goods exported to Latin America 1975–1990

  £ million1

  Value of exports

  1975

  1. Machinery other than electric

  241·5

  2. Transport equipment

  84·8

  3. Manufactures of metals nes

  43·2

  1976

  1. Machinery other than electric

  260·5

  2. Transport equipment

  100·2

  3. Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances

  62·7

  1977

  1. Other transport equipment

  154·0

  2. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  97·3

  170
  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend and I have received representations from a number of organisations, representing companies in the footwear industry.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the number of new contracts which have been won in Kuwait by British companies since the end of the Gulf war.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) and the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell).

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

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 14 October 1991]: The available information is shown in the tables.

  Value of exports

  3. Power generating machinery and equipment

  74·4

  1978

  1. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  105·1

  2. Power generating machinery and equipment

  86·3

  3. Other transport equipment

  82·2

  1979

  1. Other transport equipment

  113·2

  2. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  92·8

  3. Power generating machinery and equipment

  79·1

  1980

  1. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  110·9

  2. Power generating machinery and equipment

  109·5

  3. Road vehicles (including air cushioned)

  82·2

  171

  Value of exports

  1981

  1. Power generating machinery and equipment

  108·3

  2. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  100·8

  3. Road vehicles (including air cushioned)

  84·9

  1982

  1. Power generating machinery and equipment

  83·6

  2. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  74·0

  3. Other transport equipment

  70·3

  1983

  1. Other transport equipment

  52·9

  2. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  44·4

  3. General industrial machinery and parts

  40·2

  1984

  1. Other transport equipment

  137·4

  2. Metal working machinery

  57·5

  3. Power generating machinery and equipment

  56·8

  1985

  1. Other transport equipment

  96·4

  2. Road vehicles (including air cushioned)

  82·9

  3. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  76·3

  1986

  1. Road vehicles (including air cushioned)

  93·4

  2. Power generating machinery and equipment

  90·4

  3. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  78·2

  Table 1

  United Kingdom imports from Latin America: 1975–1990

  Top ten exporters to the United Kingdom—ranking by value of United Kingdom imports for each year

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Brazil

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Chile

  3

  4

  3

  3

  3

  2

  5

  3

  5

  5

  4

  2

  3

  2

  2

  2

  Mexico

  9

  9

  5

  5

  7

  5

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  3

  3

  3

  Argentina

  4

  3

  2

  2

  2

  4

  2

  6

  —

  —

  —

  9

  7

  5

  6

  4

  Venezuela

  2

  2

  4

  4

  4

  3

  3

  2

  2

  2

  2

  4

  4

  6

  5

  5

  Peru

  6

  5

  6

  7

  5

  6

  6

  5

  4

  4

  6

  6

  5

  4

  4

  6

  Colombia

  7

  7

  8

  8

  8

  7

  8

  7

  6

  6

  5

  5

  6

  7

  7

  7

  Uruguay

  —

  10

  9

  9

  9

  —

  9

  8

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  8

  8

  8

  Guatemala

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  Cuba

  —

  6

  10

  10

  10

  9

  10

  10

  10

  10

  —

  —

  —

  9

  9

  10

  Costa Rica

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  8

  8

  8

  9

  10

  10

  —

  Bolivia

  8

  8

  7

  6

  6

  8

  7

  9

  9

  9

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  Ecuador

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Panama

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nicaragua

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Note:

  The remaining Latin American countries-E1 Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, Haiti and the Dominican Republic—did not rank among the top ten in any of these years.

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom (HMSO)

  Table 2

  Main United Kingdom product imports from Latin America 1975–1990

  £ million1

  Value of imports

  1975

  1. Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials

  133·0

  2. Sugars, sugar preparations and honey

  108·9

  3. Metalliferous ores and metal scrap

  81·2

  1976

  1. Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials

  100·4

  2. Sugars, sugar preparations and honey

  95·5

  3. Non-ferrous metals

  94·4

  172

  Value of exports

  1987

  1. Power generating machinery and equipment

  115·0

  2. Metal working machinery

  105·0

  3. Road vehicles (including air cushioned)

  80·7

  1988

  1. Power generating machinery and equipment

  101·1

  2. Road vehicles (including air cushioned)

  98·4

  3. Organic chemicals

  71·2

  1989

  1. Power generating machinery and equipment

  93·5

  2. Organic chemicals

  81·2

  3. Road vehicles (including air cushioned)

  74·1

  1990

  1. Other transport equipment

  118·6

  2. Machinery specialised for particular industries

  88·1

  3. Power generating machinery and equipment

  87·5

  1 Current prices.

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, (HMSO).

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the top 10 Latin American countries exporting to Britain for each year since 1975, indicating the type of products imported by Britain and their value in 1991 moneys.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 14 October 1991]: The available statistics are shown in the tables.

  Value of imports

  1977

  1. Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof

  102·4

  2. Metalliferous ores and metal scrap

  101·5

  3. Non-ferrous metals

  97·6

  1978

  1. Metalliferous ores and metal scrap

  111·0

  2. Non-ferrous metals

  81·3

  3. Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof

  77·4

  1979

  1. Non-ferrous metals

  145·9

  2. Metalliferous ores and metal scrap

  142·2

  173

  Value of imports

  3. Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof

  100·6

  1980

  1. Non-ferrous metals

  197·8

  2. Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials

  150·7

  3. Metalliferous ores and metal scrap

  137·9

  1981

  1. Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials

  183·3

  2. Non-ferrous metals

  130·1

  3. Meat and meat preparations

  128·0

  1982

  1. Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials

  214·9

  2. Non-ferrous metals

  153·1

  3. Meat and meat preparations

  110·0

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Boxing
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the chairman of the British Boxing Board of Control; and what topics were discussed.

  Mr. Atkins
  I met the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control and medical advisers today, to discuss safety arrangements in professional boxing.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set up an inquiry into amateur and professional boxing.

  Mr. Atkins
  No.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what statistical information his Department maintains on the incidence of death or serious injury arising as a result of participation in amateur and professional boxing.

  Project

  Period of research

  Researcher

  Guidance and Choice in the 16+ Action Plan

  August 1984 – July 1987

  Scottish Council for Research in Education

  Articulation of the 16+ National Development Programme

  September 1985 – August 1988

  Jordanhill College of Education

  Assessment in the 16+ Development Programme

  October 1985 – June 1988

  Scottish Council for Research in Education

  Accreditation of Work-Based Learning

  April 1986 – March 1988

  Scottish Vocational Education Council

  Competency Testing

  October 1986 – September 1988

  Scottish Vocational Education Council

  Marketing of Further Education by Further Education Colleges

  January 1987 – March 1987

  Stirling University

  The Induction of Teaching Staff into Further Education Colleges

  October 1987 – September 1988

  Scottish Council for Research in Education

  Assessment of Generic Aspects of Competence

  October 1987 – September 1989

  Edinburgh University

  Marketing in Further and Higher Education: A Development Model

  December 1987 – March 1988

  Stirling University

  Young People's Experience of National Certificate Modules

  September 1988 – September 1991

  Edinburgh University

  National Certificate Guidance Information System

  October 1988 – September 1990

  Jordanhill College of Education

  174
  Mr. Atkins
  The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys provides information on deaths during sporting and leisure activities through its annual monitor series DH4. The number of deaths in England and Wales where boxing was mentioned are as follows:

  1986—2 deaths

  1987—1 death

  1988—nil

  1989—nil

  1990—nil

  The Department does not maintain information on serious injuries, although the Sports Council collates general information on sports accidents.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will establish a study to ascertain the long-term physical and mental consequences of participating in both amateur and professional boxing.

  Mr. Atkins
  No.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to see that the incidence of brain stem injuries as a result of boxing accidents is monitored.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is for the boxing authorities to consider what specific information on boxing it is appropriate to collect and monitor.

SCOTLAND

  Further Education
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has conducted into the working of the further education system in Scotland in recent years; and if he will publish it.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In the years 1984–1991, the Scottish Office Education Department grant aided the following external research projects particularly relating to the further education system.
  175

  Project

  Period of research

  Researcher

  Teaching, Learning and Assessment in the National Certificate

  October 1988 – March 1991

  Scottish Council for Research in Education

  The Single European Market: Implications for Vocational Education and Training in Scotland

  October 1989 – September 1990

  Glasgow University

  Evaluation of Advanced Courses Development Programme in Further and Higher Education

  October 1990 – September 1991

  Scottish Council for Research in Education

  Evaluation of the Installation of the New Further Education College Council System

  August 1991 – December 1991

  Scottish Further Education Unit

  Evaluation of Scottish Wider Access Programme

  September 1991 – August 1992

  Scottish Council for Research in Education

  Details of recent SOED funded further education research projects arc contained in the 1989–90 and 1991 editions of the Department's publication "Educational Research", copies of which are in the Library.

  Publication of the results of research projects is governed by contracts between researchers and the Scottish Office Education Department. The general policy of the Scottish Office is to encourage the dissemination of research findings by publication of reports or by other means.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the relevant age cohort attained minimum qualification standard for higher education in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The qualified leaver index, calulated as the number of school and further education leavers with three or more highers or equivalent qualifications expressed as a percentage of the population aged 17 years, is shown in the table.

  Qualified leaver index

  1978–79

  18·7

  1979–80

  19·7

  1980–81

  20·0

  1981–82

  20·7

  1982–83

  22·0

  1983–84

  22·7

  1984–85

  21·5

  1985–86

  21·2

  1986–87

  22·0

  1987–88

  22·5

  1988–89

  24·0

  11989–90

  25·2

  1 Provisional.

  Feudal System
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will bring forward legislation to abolish the rights of feudal superiors as recommended by the Scottish Law Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Law Commission is currently carrying out a major review of property law in Scotland. As part of this work, the commission published a discussion paper in July 1991 176
  seeking comments on various proposals for reform or abolition of the feudal system. Once responses have been received and analysed, the commission will submit a report to the Government making specific recommendations for reform. My right hon. Friend proposes to await this report before deciding whether a change in the law is needed.

  Polytechnics
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the criteria by which his Department determines that educational establishments in Scotland have achieved polytechnic status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The criteria for granting polytechnic status in Scotland are essentially those which have been used in England and Wales modified to take account of Scottish circumstances, particularly the different subject programmes used by the Scottish Office Education Department for funding purposes. The criteria are:

  1. accreditation for taught degrees by the Council for National Academic Awards;

  2. a higher education enrolment of at least 4,000 full-time (including sandwich) students and substantial part-time provision (of the order of 1,500 students on substantive courses leading to a higher education award);

  3. at least 300 full-time higher education students in a majority of funding programmes: and

  4. over two-thirds of full-time higher education students on degree level courses.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those educational establishments in Scotland which his Department has determined as having achieved polytechnic status.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Two Scottish higher education establishments have been granted polytechnic status— Napier polytechnic of Edinburgh and Glasgow polytechnic.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what criteria the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology has failed to achieve polytechnic status.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Robert Gordon Institute of Technology has not submitted any application to the Scottish Office Education Department to be granted polytechnic status.

  TIBET: HUMAN RIGHTS
  TIBET: HUMAN RIGHTS
  EC TRANSPORT COUNCIL, 7th OCTOBER
  EC TRANSPORT COUNCIL, 7th OCTOBER
  THE RAILWAY SYSTEM: MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE USE
  THE RAILWAY SYSTEM: MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE USE
  NON-RENTED HOUSING: CODE OF PRACTICE
  NON-RENTED HOUSING: CODE OF PRACTICE