Written Answers of 9 December 1992

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the new initiatives planned by Her Majesty's Government to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. mentioned in the pamphlet "Britain in Europe".

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Maastricht European Council agreed that nuclear non-proliferation was an area where member states might take joint action under the Maastricht treaty. Preparatory work by the Twelve has begun on specific initiatives that might be taken, to be completed by the entry into force of the treaty.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the specific new measures taken by European political co-operation during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council to strengthen nuclear nonproliferation policy of the European Community.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  During the United Kingdom presidency, the European non-proliferation working group has met twice. In addition to its general discussions, it has specifically decided, in order to assist the International Atomic Energy Agency in the discharge of its safeguards obligations, that the Community and its member states will provide to the agency, on a voluntary basis, additional information on production inventories and international transfers of nuclear material and on exports of certain relevant equipment and non-nuclear material. The provision of this information will begin next year.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with respect to adherence to the restrictions and guidelines set out in the series of International Atomic Energy Agency documents known as INFCI RC/209; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  INFCIRC/209/Rev.1 was published in November 1990 and incorporates amendments made since the original document was released in 1974. The document has no status in international law, but the arrangements it contains are an important contribution to the non-proliferation regime and are fully adhered to by Her Majesty's Government, who insist on full-scope safeguards as a condition for the supply of nuclear materials and equipment listed in the document.

  Albania
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will inform the Albanian Government that arms sales by Britain are conditional on the ending of public executions in that country.
  652
  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) on 30 November, at column 4, concerning our policy on arms sales to Albania.

  East Timor
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the Indonesian Government to allow human rights groups and journalists access to East Timor.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Journalists and non-governmental organisations have been able to visit East Timor. In our regular contacts with the Indonesian Government, we encourage them to facilitate such access.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the BBC World Service.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the World Service regularly review the performance and cost-effectiveness of World Service broadcasts in meeting agreed objectives and targets. The main factors are the audibility of broadcasts, the size and profile of their audiences and the impact and influence of programmes.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the benefits accruing to Britain from the introduction of the BBC World Service Television.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We welcome the success of BBC World Service Television in bringing high-quality British TV news reporting and other programmes to international audiences over an increasing area of the world. Reports from various sources, including our diplomatic missions, indicate that WSTV news and current affairs broadcasts are making a significant contribution to Britain's standing abroad.

  United Nations Forces
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the total number of troops currently operating under the auspices of the United Nations, indicating the countries to which they have been sent, the countries that have supplied them, and the Security Council resolutions under which they operate.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The troops currently operating under the auspices of the United Nations, in the various peacekeeping operations, broken down by country of origin and by destination are shown in the tables.

  Country of origin

  Number of troops

  Algeria

  33

  Argentina

  920

  Australia

  606

  Austria

  913

  Bangladesh

  958

  Belgium

  816

  Brazil

  74

  653

  Country of origin

  Number of troops

  Bulgaria

  779

  Cameroon

  14

  Canada

  3,438

  Chile

  109

  China

  488

  Colombia

  12

  Congo

  15

  Czechoslovakia

  533

  Denmark

  1,450

  Ecuador

  3

  Egypt

  427

  Fiji

  735

  Finland

  1,242

  France

  6,408

  Germany

  145

  Ghana

  1,735

  Greece

  7

  Guinea

  1

  Guinea Bissau

  15

  Honduras

  14

  Hungary

  13

  India

  1,387

  Indonesia

  1,763

  Ireland

  808

  Italy

  81

  Japan

  608

  Jordan

  885

  Kenya

  941

  Luxembourg

  40

  Malaysia

  931

  Morocco

  18

  Nepal

  1,693

  Netherlands

  1,858

  New Zealand

  114

  Nigeria

  919

  Norway

  1,096

  Pakistan

  1,618

  Philippines

  127

  Poland

  1,814

  Portugal

  30

  Romania

  6

  Russian Federation

  1,024

  Senegal

  24

  Singapore

  15

  Spain

  883

  Sweden

  691

  Switzerland

  66

  Thailand

  727

  Tunisia

  894

  Turkey

  6

  Ukraine

  396

  United Kingdom

  3,891

  United States of America

  534

  Uruguay

  942

  Venezuela

  58

  654

  Country of origin

  Number of troops

  Yugoslavia

  11

  Zimbabwe

  20

  TOTAL

  48,822

  United Nation Operations

  Number of troops

  Security Council resolutions

  UNTSO (Middle East)

  265

  SCR 50 (1948)

  UNMOGIP (India/Pakistan)

  38

  SCR 47 (1948)

  UNFICYP (Cyprus)

  2,159

  SCR 186 (1964)

  UNDOF (Lebanon)

  1,126

  SCR 350 (1974)

  UNIFIL (Lebanon)

  5,643

  SCR 425 (1978)

  UNAVEM (Angola)

  296

  SCR 696 (1991)

  UNIKOM (Iraq/Kuwait)

  416

  SCR 689 (1991)

  MINURSO (Western Sahara)

  377

  SCR 690 (1991)

  ONUSAL (El Salvador)

  235

  SCR 693 (1991)

  UNTAC (Cambodia)

  15,621

  SCR 745 (1992)

  UNPROFOR (Croatia)

  14,353

  SCR 763 (1992)

  UNPROFOR (Bosnia)

  7,740

  SCR 776 (1992)

  UNOSOM (Somalia)

  553

  SCR 751 (1992)

  Total

  48,822

  1 According to the latest United Nations figures.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) physically disabled and (b) sensorily disabled people are employed in his Department; and what percentage they are of the total work force.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Foreign and Commonwealth office employs 53 registered disabled persons (RDPs): 27 in the diplomatic wing—0·4 per cent. of its total work force and—26 in the Overseas Development Administration—1·38 per cent. of its total work force. Of the 26 RDPs employed by the ODA, 15 are physically disabled and 11 sensorily disabled. Details of individual's disabilities are not held centrally by the diplomatic wing.

  The FCO holds no statistics on non-registered disabled staff, but it is likely that their numbers exceed those who have chosen to register.

  World Decade for Cultural Development
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department is making to UNESCO World Decade for Cultural Development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  There are no plans at present to contribute.

  United Nations Observers
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries to which the United Nations has sent observers to monitor United Nations resolutions, indicating in each case the number of observers, the period of time for which they are appointed, and the number of observers from each European Community member state.
  655
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The number of military observers currently deployed with each United Nations peace-keeping operation and their country of origin are shown in the table. The standard length of tour for an individual observer is six months.

  Middle East

  India/Pakistan

  Angola

  Iraq/Kuwait

  Western Sahara

  El Salvador

  Cambodia

  Yugoslavia

  Somalia

  Belgium

  6

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  6

  —

  Denmark

  11

  6

  —

  6

  —

  —

  —

  7

  —

  France

  17

  —

  —

  15

  29

  —

  47

  6

  —

  Germany

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greece

  —

  —

  —

  6

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ireland

  20

  —

  2

  6

  6

  2

  12

  7

  —

  Italy

  8

  6

  —

  5

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Luxembourg

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Netherlands

  15

  —

  15

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Portugal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  Spain

  —

  —

  5

  —

  —

  120

  —

  7

  —

  United Kingdom

  —

  —

  —

  15

  13

  —

  37

  8

  —

  Non-EC countries

  188

  24

  263

  195

  163

  105

  470

  199

  50

  TOTAL

  265

  38

  285

  248

  219

  227

  468

  258

  50

  Market-testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The timetable for market-testing our departmental activities listed in CM 2101 has as its target completion of the programme by 30 September 1993. Planning is under way.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply to areas of work being market-tested depends on the circumstances of each case and the legal advice received by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's market-testing programme has not reached the stage to enable definitive answers to be given in individual cases.

  Azerbaijan
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the export of(a) military equipment and (b) equipment with both a military and civilian application to Azerbaijan.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have not approved licences for the export of any military equipment or equipment with military application to Azerbaijan: we adhere to the embargo called by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) on 28 February 1992 on the supply of weapons to the region of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. We are pressing for a widening of the CSCE embargo to cover military assistance generally.

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each date when changes were made to the guidelines covering defence-related exports to(a) Iran and (b) Iraq since 1979.

  Mr. Hurd
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]:Restrictions on Iran had been in force since the seizure of the American hostages in 1979, and on Iraq since the outbreak of the Iraq/Iran conflict in 1980. Guidelines applying to all deliveries of defence equipment to Iran and Iraq were introduced in December 1984 and announced on 29 October 1985. These were as follows:

  (i) We should maintain our consistent refusal to supply any lethal equipment to either side.

  (ii) Subject to that overriding consideration, we should attempt to fulfil existing contracts and obligations.

  (iii) We should not, in future, approve orders for any defence equipment which, in our view, would significantly enhance the capability of either side to prolong or exacerbate the conflict.

  (iv) In line with this policy, we should continue to scrutinise rigorously all applications for export licences for the supply of defence equipment to Iran and Iraq.

  The development and application of the guidelines in relation to Iraq are within the terms of reference of the Scott inquiry.

  Since 1991, guidelines for deliveries of defence equipment to Iran have been as follows:

  (i) We should maintain our consistent refusal to supply any lethal equipment to either side.

  (ii) Subject to that overriding consideration, we should attempt to fulfil existing contracts and obligations.

  (iii) We should not in future approve orders for any equipment which, in our view, would significantly enhance Iran's military capability.

  (iv) In line with this policy, we should continue to scrutinise rigorously all applications for export licences for the supply of defence equipment to Iran.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market-testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The timetable for market-testing in my Department ensures that the whole programme listed in Cm. 2101 will be completed by 30 September 1993. Preparations to execute the programme are well in hand and the first market tests are expected to be completed early in the new year.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply to an individual case depends on the facts of that case. Departments will seek advice of legal advisers about the relevance of TUPE on a case-by-case basis, as has been the case in the past.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Market-testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The applicability of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will be considered on the facts of each individual case, and a number of tests will be applied. For example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred. We are currently in the process of looking at the implications of TUPE and its applicability in relation to the areas being market-tested in the Lord Chancellor's Department, and are seeking the advice of our legal advisers about the relevance of TUPE on a case-by-case basis. No decisions have been made to date.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My aim is to have- the market-testing exercises for those areas listed in my Department's programme completed by 30 September 1993. This does not include county court bailiffs, as the timetable for the review of enforcement agents is dependent upon the approach taken following the recent consultation paper.
  658
  Planning of the market-testing exercises is well under way, and initial action is already taking place in most of the areas being market-tested. Significant milestones have been identified in the timetable for each of the areas, examples being that the tender evaluation process for typing services in the Public Trust Office is due in April 1993, and completion of the contract documentation for the pay unit is due by the end of May 1993.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Juvenile Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the longest time spent in an adult prison on remand in England and Wales(a) by a 14-year-old, (b) by a 15-year-old and (c) by a 16-year-old in the current year so far and in each of the last five years;

  (2) what is the longest time spent in an adult prison in England and Wales following conviction (a) by a 14-year-old, (b) by a 15-year-old and (c) by a 16-year-old in the current year to date and in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Market-testing
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Our aim is to complete all the planned market tests on the listed activities before 30 September 1993. A detailed timetable has yet to be settled for all areas to be market-tested but market tests have already begun in the following areas:

  Computer IT services

  Statistical services

  Office services

  Education services in prisons

  Management of HMP Manchester

  Warehousing and distribution

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and/or the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE) is the legislation by which the Government implemented the acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC. Whether TUPE should apply is dependent on whether the activity constitutes a "Transfer of Undertaking" or merely a change of supplier. Legal advice will be sought on a case-by-case basis as part of the market-testing process.

  President-elect Clinton
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the circumstances surrounding the search in October through Home Office files in(a) the immigration and nationality department and (b) other Home Office departments in

  659
  respect of President-elect Clinton; in response to what requests such a search was made; what is the normal procedure for dealing with such requests; what was the procedure in this case; and when Ministers (i) were informed and (ii) authorised the search.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In response to an inquiry by a journalist from the Evening Standard in October as to whether Mr. Clinton had applied for United Kingdom citizenship, the Home Office press office said that it was unable to discuss individual cases.

  The press office then made inquiries of the nationality division to establish for itself the facts of the case. These revealed that there was no file in Mr. Clinton's name. The press office subsequently decided to brief newspapers off the record that there was no foundation to the story in order to bring ill-informed speculation about Mr. Clinton to an end.

  No Minister was involved in any way or at any stage in the handling of the press inquiry. I have already

  Population of Persons Detained under the Immigration Act 1971 in Prison Service Establishments in England and Wales by Length of Detention1

  Length of Detention1

  One day to one month

  Over one month to two months

  Over two months to three months

  Over three months to six months

  Over six months

  Total detainees

  30 Septemper 1991

  41

  25

  11

  47

  70

  194

  31 December 1991

  56

  28

  17

  30

  79

  210

  31 March 1992

  68

  31

  15

  38

  83

  235

  30 June 1992

  63

  53

  32

  51

  61

  260

  1 Time which had been served by the relevant date.

  Population of persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 in prison service establishments in England and Wales by establishment

  Establishment

  Number

  September 1991

  December 1991

  March 1992

  June 1992

  Remand centres

  Brinsford

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Glen Parva

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Feltham

  1

  2

  1

  —

  Haslar

  99

  98

  99

  100

  Hindley

  1

  2

  —

  —

  Low Newton

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Prisons

  Bedford

  1

  2

  1

  3

  Belmarsh

  1

  6

  4

  3

  Birmingham

  12

  16

  18

  24

  Bristol

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Brixton

  4

  3

  1

  3

  Bullingdon

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Canterbury

  6

  7

  2

  6

  Dorchester

  —

  —

  5

  9

  Durham

  2

  1

  —

  1

  Elmley

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Exeter

  —

  —

  8

  2

  Gloucester

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Holloway

  3

  4

  6

  1

  Hull

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Leeds

  1

  1

  5

  3

  Leicester

  4

  7

  2

  5

  Lewes

  1

  3

  1

  4

  Lincoln

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Liverpool

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Norwich

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Pentonville

  46

  45

  55

  70

  Preston

  —

  —

  2

  3

  Pucklechurch

  1

  1

  —

  —

  660
  announced that I shall be reviewing with my chief press officer the procedure for handling such inquiries in the future.

  Immigration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many individuals were held in prison department establishments under Immigration Act powers, in each month from July 1991 to June 1992(a) by prison department establishment and ( b) length of detention;

  (2) how many individuals are currently held in prison department establishments under Immigration Act powers, in total (a) by prison department establishment and (b) by length of detention.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about detainees held in prison service establishments in England and Wales under the Immigration Act 1971 is not readily available by period of detention on a monthly basis. The available information is shown in the tables.
  661

  Establishment

  Number

  September 1991

  December 1991

  March 1992

  June 1992

  Shrewsbury

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Swansea

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Wandsworth

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Winchester

  2

  5

  3

  4

  Wormwood Scrubs

  2

  2

  14

  6

  All prison service establishments

  194

  210

  235

  260

  Aggravated Vehicle Taking Act 1992
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce proposals to increase the penalties available under the Aggravated Vehicle Taking Act 1992.

  Mr. Jack
  It is not our present intention to change the sentencing provisions of the Act. We have, however, made clear our intention to raise the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous or drink driving to 10 years, as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity is available.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) physically disabled and (b) sensorily disabled people are employed in his Department; and what percentage they are of the total work force.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  On 1 July 1992, 185 members of staff in the Home Office were registered disabled, representing 0·4 per cent of all staff. No record has been kept of staff's specific disabilities nor of staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.

  Drugs (Convictions)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of convictions against people for (i) dealing in and (ii) possessing hard drugs in(a) Pendle and (b) Lancashire for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested with respect to Lancashire for the misuse of all drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is given in table A2.6 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Statistics of drugs seizures and offenders dealt with (area tables)", 1987–1991, copies of which are in the Library. Information with regard to the Pendle district is not held centrally.

  Persons aged 17 to 21 inclusive receiving probation, community service or Children and Young Persons Act 1969 supervision by the probation service on 31 December 1991 by probation area and type of supervision

  Area

  Type of supervision

  Probation total

  Probation with additional requirements under the Criminal Justice Act 1982

  Community service order

  Children and Young Persons Act 1969

  Avon

  318

  126

  181

  41

  Bedfordshire

  129

  30

  101

  18

  Berkshire

  270

  79

  127

  7

  Buckinghamshire

  160

  26

  116

  13

  Cambridgeshire

  158

  34

  107

  4

  Cheshire

  245

  14

  197

  4

  Cleveland

  307

  56

  175

  36

  Cornwall

  65

  15

  67

  —

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for political asylum in Britain have been made from British embassies since January; and how many such applications have been successful.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information for 1992 is not available. For available information for 1991 and earlier years I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 9 November, columns 629–30.

  EC Immigration Ministers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of EC ministers with responsibility for immigration held in London on 30 November.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7 December 1992,Official Report, column 481, when I reported on the outcome of the Immigration Ministers' meeting on 30 November and Trevi Ministers' meeting on 1 December.

  Convicted Teenagers
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of each probation department, how many 17 to 21-year-olds are on alternative-to-custody programmes run by the probation service and or voluntary organisations following conviction for a criminal offence in each case on the last date for which information is available.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 4 December 1992]: The available information is shown in the table.
  663

  Area

  Type of supervision

  Probation total

  Probation with additional requirements under the Criminal Justice Act 1982

  Community service order

  Children and Young Persons Act 1969

  Cumbria

  161

  45

  119

  19

  Derbyshire

  172

  21

  145

  13

  Devon

  301

  88

  138

  15

  Dorset

  189

  62

  117

  10

  Durham

  172

  48

  159

  25

  Essex

  383

  78

  209

  12

  Gloucestershire

  171

  58

  95

  20

  Hampshire

  444

  150

  254

  28

  Hereford and Worcester

  189

  25

  110

  15

  Hertfordshire

  220

  36

  130

  10

  Humberside

  378

  75

  215

  5

  Kent

  372

  81

  261

  3

  Lancashire

  594

  168

  484

  74

  Leicestershire

  247

  36

  187

  17

  Lincolnshire

  187

  75

  108

  14

  Greater Manchester

  1,020

  190

  771

  101

  Merseyside

  683

  116

  436

  40

  Norfolk

  161

  29

  103

  12

  Northamptonshire

  195

  51

  54

  1

  Northumbria

  611

  85

  299

  57

  Nottinghamshire

  327

  3

  194

  38

  Oxfordshire

  136

  10

  100

  4

  Shropshire

  117

  24

  86

  7

  Somerset

  188

  76

  68

  13

  Staffordshire

  385

  113

  198

  54

  Suffolk

  133

  23

  117

  13

  Surrey

  199

  58

  87

  9

  East Sussex

  128

  44

  122

  9

  West Sussex

  119

  13

  80

  16

  Warwickshire

  107

  15

  102

  9

  West Midlands

  944

  250

  644

  74

  Wiltshire

  159

  39

  126

  20

  North Yorkshire

  142

  29

  92

  12

  South Yorkshire

  513

  80

  435

  37

  West Yorkshire

  794

  186

  756

  101

  Inner London

  694

  62

  577

  45

  North East London

  281

  21

  202

  35

  South East London

  169

  35

  144

  12

  South West London

  123

  27

  84

  6

  Middlesex

  494

  8

  283

  33

  Dyfed

  104

  23

  51

  11

  Gwent

  110

  38

  122

  23

  North Wales

  89

  14

  157

  3

  Powys

  30

  7

  10

  —

  South of Glamorgan

  193

  58

  91

  35

  Mid Glamorgan

  232

  70

  116

  12

  West Glamorgan

  139

  51

  95

  1

  England and Wales

  15,551

  3,274

  10,604

  1,246

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Prime Minister when he first became aware of the 1988 amendments to the 1985 Howe guidelines for defence-related exports to Iraq.

  The Prime Minister
  The development and application of the guidelines will be a matter for the Scott inquiry.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of his travels within the European Communities to meet his counterparts since 1 July 1992.

  The Prime Minister
  The total cost is not yet available.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list by date all meetings and telephone conversations he has had with his European Community counterparts during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council.
  665
  The Prime Minister
  I have had frequent contacts with my EC colleagues, most recently during a tour of EC capitals to prepare for the Edinburgh European Council.

  Iraq and Iran
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to discuss arms and nuclear exports to Iraq and Iran from European Community countries during the European summit of the European Council.

  The Prime Minister
  We are committed to strengthening nuclear non-proliferation regimes and to controlling arms exports. The United Kingdom presidency has taken forward work on nuclear non-proliferation and on the harmonisation of conventional arms export policies in European political co-operation. We have no plans to discuss EC arms and nuclear exports to Iraq and Iran at the Edinburgh summit.

  Legal Expenses
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister on what dates, in what circumstances and at what cost, contributions have been made, at public expense, towards the legal expenses of officers of Her Majesty's Government, officers of the House of Commons who are Members of the House, persons working in the private office of Ministers and accounting officers for Departments of state since 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay) on 3 December,Official Report, column 307.

WALES

  South Glamorgan Health Authority
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many secretarial staff were assisting consultants in South Glamorgan health authority in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) the first half of 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The requested information is not available centrally.

  Unemployment Statistics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the unemployment figures for(a) Wales and (b) Clwyd for men and for women and as a percentage for May 1979 and for the latest date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The earliest month for which data comparable with present coverage are available for local areas is June 1983. The seasonally adjusted series, consistent between 1979 and 1992, is produced only for Wales as a whole. All available unemployment figures can be accessed from the NOMIS database, by House of Commons Library staff.

  Local Government Reorganisation and Education
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what considerations informed his decision in respect of whether to place in the Library the results of his 666
  consultation exercises in the case of (a) local government reorganisation and (b) "Choice and Diversity and the Education Bill".

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Responses to the various consultative documents on local government reorganisation were placed in the Library of the House at the request of the local authority associations in Wales and others.

  Our policy on the responses received in respect of the proposals contained in the Education White Paper "Choice and Diversity" was described in my reply of 26 November to the hon. Gentleman at column 794.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he intends to improve the training within the youth training scheme.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Training and enterprise councils (TECs), which are responsible for the planning and delivery of youth training, operate under a performance-based contract. Each TEC has arrangements for quality assurance and has the flexibility to develop programmes to meet local needs.

  Youth training is being made even more effective through the progressive extension of training credits which are designed to increase the motivation of young people, encourage more employers to train and promote an efficient training market.

  Young People (Shotton)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people in the Shotton travel-to-work area are not in employment, not on a youth training scheme and not in full-time education.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  In October 1992 there were 398 unemployed claimants aged between 16 and 18 years inclusive in the Shotton, Flint and Rhyl trave-to-work area. Information on other young people who are out of employment, not on a YT scheme nor in full-time education, is not available.

  Assisted Area Status
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of when the review of assisted area status will be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on 2 December to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) by my hon. Friend the Minister of Trade at columns 260–61.

  Education (Choice and Diversity)
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many representations he has received on the White Paper, "Choice and Diversity and the Education Bill"; and how many representations were made from(a) local education authorities, (b) teaching organisations and (c) others;

  (2) if he will list, with names and addresses, those organisations and individuals who submitted representations to him over the White Paper, "Choice and Diversity and the Education Bill".
  667
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have received some 300 representations on the White Paper "Choice and Diversity". A list, setting out the details of 81 of these, has been placed in the Library of the House. The list includes local education authorities and teaching organisations but does not include those governing bodies, headteachers, teachers, parents and members of the public who responded. It would not be appropriate to list such respondents, some of whom may not wish their names to be disclosed.

  The list does not include those organisations which responded to the separate consultations on special educational needs and the proposed transfer of responsibility for the development of Welsh language classroom materials to the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Awdurdod Cwricwlwm ac Asesu Cymru).

  Training
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to improve the delivery of training by Training and enterprise councils.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  TECs operate under a performance-based contract with the Department. Each TEC has arrangements for quality assuring the delivery of training by its training providers. Each TEC's performance is reviewed by officials.

  Dolphins
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of state for Wales what representations he has received concerning the welfare of dolphins in the Irish sea and specifically Cardigan bay; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Forty-eight representations have been received since November 1991 from a number of sources including members of this House, members of the public and conservation bodies. Forty-four were in relation to the issuing of a licence by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to Hamilton Oil to undertake exploratory drilling in Cardigan bay; the other four were in relation to the seismic survey that was carried out in the hay in September of this year by the British Geological Survey.

  Railway Privatisation
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the chairman of British Rail concerning the privatization of the rail industry in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend last met Sir Bob Reid on 7 September. They discussed a wide range of topics including privatisation.

  Disabled Trainees
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are taken by his Department to monitor the effectiveness of policies employed by training and enterprise councils concerning the placement of disabled trainees.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Training and enterprise councils are required to set out in their business plans what steps they 668
  intend to take to ensure that appropriate training is provided for people with disabilities. Each TEC's performance is reviewed by officials.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was allocated as travel allowances to assist disabled trainees to take up training placements by each training and enterprise council in Wales in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  It is not possible to identify separately the amount for travel allowances for disabled trainees. In negotiating budgets with training and enterprise councils (TECs) the Department takes account of travel costs for all trainees and the TECs are under a "best endeavours" obligation in their contract to provide support costs, including reasonable travelling allowances, for disabled trainees.

  Tourism
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the total earnings from tourism in Wales in each year since 1981; and if he will break the figures down according to(a) earnings from United Kingdom staying visits, (b) overseas visitors and (c) day visitors.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 October 1992, columns 132–33]: Unfortunately an incorrect figure was given, the correct answer is as follows: Estimates of expenditure by overnight visitors to Wales are given in the following table. Estimates of expenditure by day visitors are available only for the financial year ending on 31 March 1989 when an estimated £229 million was spent in Wales. (Source: The Leisure Day Visits survey 1988–89, conducted by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on behalf of the Department of Employment and the British Tourist Authority.)

  Expenditure by overnight visitors to Wales1

  £ million

  Year

  United Kingdom visitors2

  Overseas visitors

  1981

  n.a.

  50

  1982

  n.a.

  55

  1983

  n.a.

  85

  1984

  n.a.

  90

  1985

  n.a.

  95

  1986

  n.a.

  100

  1987

  n.a.

  120

  1988

  n.a.

  100

  1989

  985

  120

  1990

  900

  130

  1991

  900

  130

  Sources: United Kingdom Travel Survey, International Passenger Survey.

  1These estimates, derived from: sample surveys and thus subject to potential random sampling errors, have been rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  2Since 1989 information has been obtained from the United Kingdom Tourism Survey (UKTS), sponsored jointly by the statutory tourist hoards from: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. It is not possible to make a direct comparison between the results of this latter survey and those of earlier surveys.

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many private residential and nursing homes have been repossessed in Wales in each of the last three years; and how many beds have been lost each year through such repossessions.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been allocated to the urban programme for Wales for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Urban programme allocations for Wales for the last five years were:

  £ million

  1988–89

  24·6

  1989–90

  27·6

  1990–91

  32·6

  1991–92

  40·6

  1992–93

  31·4

  Illegal Parking
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will convene a conference of police, county councillors, borough, district, community and town councillors to discuss ways of alleviating the ill effects of illegal itinerant encampments in the county of Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No. This would be a matter for Clwyd county council to consider.

  Hearing-impaired Children
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he intends to ensure that the special needs of children with hearing impairment but who have not been statemented are protected in the future(a) in local education authority schools and (b) in opted-out schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Governors of both local education authority and grant-maintained schools have a responsibility to use their best endeavours to secure that, if any pupil has special educational needs, provision is made to meet those needs. The national curriculum applies to all children, including those with hearing impairments, and schools' special needs provision will be subject to inspection under the new system of school inspections by registered inspectors.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market tested b) 30 September 1993, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 670
  1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply to an individual case depends upon the facts of that case; and there are a number of tests to be applied. For example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The timetable for market testing my departmental activities listed in Cmnd 2101 indicates my aim that the whole programme is complete by 30 September 1993.

  Regional Enterprise Grants
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will start paying regional enterprise grants to companies based in intermediate areas in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  On 11 May the Minister for Industry announced the extension of the coverage of regional enterprise grants. In Wales, companies in intermediate areas have accordingly been invited to apply for grants. Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a spring supplementary estimate 1992–93 for the agricultural support services, fishing, regional and industrial development, Wales vote (class XVI, vote 2). Pending that approval, and to ensure that projects can go ahead without delay, urgent expenditure estimated at £150,000 will be met by repayable advances for the contingencies fund.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Developing Countries
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what commitments have already been made out of the planned provision for aid to developing countries for 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The bulk of multilateral aid spending over the next three years will arise from existing commitments and developments in the EC budget expenditure on aid. Within individual bilateral aid programmes a range of commitments have already been entered into for spending over the next three years. Details of individual commitments could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  Tibet
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the People's Republic of China relating to policies on compulsory abortion and sterilisation of women, and birth control policy in Tibet; and what assistance is given to China's health and social services under bilateral aid programmes.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We regularly raise with the Chinese authorities our concern about the situation in Tibet and human rights abuses there including allegations of forced abortion. The Chinese authorities deny that forced
  671
  abortion is official policy. Nevertheless there are reports that such practices occur in more isolated areas. Through the United Nations population fund (UNFPA) representations have been made to Chinese authorities about our concerns on these matters.

  Our bilateral aid programme is focused on the environment, energy efficiency, economic reform and management, and public administration. We are not currently involved in either of the health or social services sectors.

  Overseas Aid (Gross National Product)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of gross national product was dedicated by the United Kingdom in overseas aid in the periods October 1990 to October 1991 and October 1991 to October 1992.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Aid as a proportion of gross national product is calculated by calendar year. In 1990 the United Kingdom spent 0·27 per cent. of our GNP on overseas aid and in 1991 0·32 per cent.

  Somalia
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which regions of Somalia the United Nations Secretary-General has proposed the use of force to ensure delivery of emergency food aid.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: United Nations Security Council resolution 794 permits the use of all necessary measures by member states throughout Somalia. In practice, we expect use of force only to be necessary in those regions in the south and centre of the country, where the delivery of emergency food aid has been seriously impeded by looting and violence.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reaction Her Majesty's Government have made to the proposal of the United Nations Secretary-General for the use of force to deliver emergency food aid to Somalia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: Increased security is the key to delivering relief to the starving in Somalia. We have therefore accepted the United Nations Secretary-General's judgment that a larger United Nations military operation by a coalition of member states is necessary to secure the delivery of emergency food aid. We co-sponsored United Nations Security Council resolution 794 of 3 December.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request the United Nations Secretary-General to draw up proposals to enable leaders in the north of Somalia, Republic of Somaliland, to establish an effective system of administration and to consolidate the relative peace in that region.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: The strategy proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General in July 1992 by the United Nations Security Council, envisages the re-building of institutions and the consolidation of peace throughout Somalia. The United Nations proposes to pursue those objectives on a regional basis. The north-west is one of the regions identified by the Secretary-General. We hope that the implementation of Security Council resolution 794, adopted on 3 December,
  672
  will create the conditions in Somalia, not only for improved humanitarian relief operations but for effective implementation of the United Nations's plan for rehabilitation and institution rebuilding throughout the country.

  Bosnia-Herzegovina
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Nations humanitarian aid convoys have travelled to their destinations in Bosnia-Herzegovina from(a) Belgrade, (b) Split and (c) by air from other points of departure.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: Exact figures for how many convoys have travelled to their destinations in Bosnia-Herzegovina from various points of departure are not available from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at present. However, there are 79 UNHCR trucks based at Belgrade with a capacity of 1,140 tonnes and 10 at Split with a capacity of 70 tonnes. A further 228 trucks with 2,343 tonnes capacity are based elsewhere in the former Yugoslavia. As of December, a total of 1,840 relief flights had been made, delivering 21,106 tonnes of humanitarian relief; all of these were to Sarajevo.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what estimate he has made of the total job loss throughout the economy consequent upon the pit closure programme he announced last week;

  (2) what is his working assuption of the consequential effects on British Rail manpower and finances of the pit closure programme which he announced last week.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the knock-on effect of the closure of the 31 mines on employment in(a) transport, (b) the engineering industry, including belting etc., (c) other material suppliers, (d) the demand for electric power on base load, (e) the demand for consumer goods and (f) retail distribution; and if he will provide an approximate total for the total knock-on effect, including the second-round effects.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade by what formula he estimates the number of businesses which close consequent on the closure of a colliery.

  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set in hand a study to estimate the overall number of job losses in the mining and related industries and in the mining communities likely to arise in the event of all 31 pits being closed, as announced by him in his statement of 13 October.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 6 November 1992]: The Government's view of the employment consequences of pit closures is set out in the memorandum submitted to the Employment Select Committee of the House on 1 December 1992 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. With the agreement of the Committee, a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Personal Protective Equipment
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's assessment of the likely effect of its regulations arising from the PPE directive on firms employing(a) more than 50 people and (b) fewer than 50 people; and what action his Department proposes in order to minimise the disadvantages to small businesses in particular, arising from the directive.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Personal Protective Equipment Directive (89/686/EEC) removes technical barriers to trade arising from national regulations by creating a single regulatory regime. All firms in the sector, regardless of size, will be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new rules. To minimise the difficulties which smaller businesses may face, in preparing for introduction of the provisions of this directive, the Government have decided that a period of 12 months will be allowed under the United Kingdom regulations before it will be necessary for them fully to comply with the new requirements.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations his Department has received concerning the EC directive on personal protective equipment; how these representations have affected his Department's policy on the directive; and what his Department estimates to be the average cost per employee of those businesses having to comply with the regulations.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Department has received many representations from industry and others on the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive (89/686/EEC). These views have been taken into account in the drafting of the United Kingdom regulations.

  The Department has not been able to obtain the necessary information to determine compliance costs per employee for businesses affected by this directive, but these should be comparable with the costs of such businesses throughout the EC. United Kingdom businesses will have access to new markets as a result of this directive.

  Package Holidays Directive
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to lay regulations to implement the European Community package holidays directive.

  Mr. Leigh
  Regulations implementing the EC Directive on Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours (90/314/EEC) were laid before Parliament on Monday 23 November. They were withdrawn in order to make a number of amendments to the drafting and re-laid on Tuesday 1 December. They will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.

  999 Service
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the oral statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Technology of 27 November,Official Report, columns 1163–66, concerning the future of the 999 service, if he will investigate the technical feasibility of running the existing system of operator centres within a competitive system of telephone providers.

  Mr. Leigh
  Oftel has appointed independent consultants to advise on ways in which the current 999 674
  arrangements might be improved in the light of the growing numbers of telecommunications operators. Once their report is complete, all the options will be reviewed by the parties concerned in the light of the consultants' findings. As I have made clear, the Government fully support the director general's commitment to ensuring that the quality of any new arrangements at least maintains, and preferably improves, the current high standard of 999 call handling arrangements.

  Parcelforce and Red Star Parcels
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to ensure that management and employees of Parcelforce and Red Star Parcels are in a position to put together bids.

  Mr. Leigh
  As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade anticipated in his statement to the House on 15 July, he has asked the Post Office Board to make available financial support to help Parcelforce management and employees in putting together a bid for the business, should they wish to do so, in competition with other potential bidders. Red Star Parcels is a division of the British Rail Parcels Group and questions arising from its privatisation are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he expects to invite bids for Parcelforce;

  (2) when he expects the privatisation of Parcelforce to be completed.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Government have not yet decided on the method and timing of the privatisation of Parcelforce. I can therefore forecast neither the launch date for the privatisation, nor when it is likely to be completed.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the effect on employment of the privatisation of Parcelforce.

  Mr. Leigh
  The detailed work set in hand following my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's announcement on 15 July of his intention to privatise Parcelforce will cover all matters relating to the sale.

  Mr. Stott
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that, in the event of the privatisation of Parcelforce, the future owner will make pension provisions for the employees which, when taken as a whole, will be no less favourable than those currently provided under the Post Office pension schemes.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: There is extensive experience of protecting the accrued rights of public sector employees on privatisation; the same diligence will apply to the sale of Parcelforce. A potential purchaser's plans for future pension provision will in addition be carefully scrutinised at the time bids are sought.

  Powergen
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he will take to compel PowerGen to adhere to their previous commitment to retrofit 4,000 megawatts of capacity with flue gas desulphurisation technology; and if he will make a statement.
  675
  Mr. Eggar
  The retrofitting of 2GW of flue gas desulphurisation technology is already under way at PowerGen's Ratcliffe on Soar power station. PowerGen has also applied for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to fit a further 2GW at Ferrybridge C; I am considering this application. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has power to direct Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to require the fitting of FGD in a particular case if he considers it appropriate.

  Manufacturing Plant and Development
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he has given for new manufacturing plant and development to(a) United Kingdom-owned companies and (b) foreign-based companies for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Complete information has not been recorded in the form and over the period requested. However, since 1979, the following amounts have been paid under regional selective assistance and, from November 1984, the revised regional development grant scheme, to United Kingdom and foreign-owned companies respectively towards projects involving new manufacturing plant in Great Britain:

  £ million

  UK-owned companies

  Foreign-owned companies

  1979–80

  7·6

  16·1

  1980–81

  9·6

  5·1

  1981–82

  11·5

  4·6

  1982–83

  14·7

  10·6

  1983–84

  15·0

  11·1

  1984–85

  18·5

  12·5

  1985–86

  53·1

  17·2

  1986–87

  133·2

  19·6

  1987–88

  154·5

  40·0

  1988–89

  227·1

  58·2

  1989–90

  162·0

  54·0

  1990–91

  116·6

  41·4

  1991–92

  54·6

  61·4

  Notes:

  (1) Payments towards new manufacturing plant under the original Regional Development Grant scheme could only be included at disproportionate cost.

  (2) Excludes payments towards, (i) new manufacturing plant under Section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 and (ii) development.

  Computer Games
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to make an investigation into monopolistic behaviour by computer games manufacturers.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Investigation of anti-competitive practices or monopolistic behaviour is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading. The director general makes references to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission where he considers it appropriate.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) physically disabled and (b) sensorily disabled people are employed in his Department; and what percentage they are of the total work force.

  Mr. Eggar
  On 1 July 1992, the latest date for which information is readily available, the Department (including its executive agencies and the former Department of Energy) employed the following number of disabled staff.

  Number of Staff with Disabilities1

  Percentage of Total Workforce

  Registered

  122·5

  1·0

  Non Registered

  56·5

  0·5

  Total

  179·0

  1·5

  1 Full time equivalents.

  Of these, 47·5 staff (0·4 per cent. of the total workforce) were known to have a sensory disability. Separate figures for physical disability are unavailable.

  The above figures cover only staff who have chosen to declare their disability.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market tested by 30 September 1993, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Eggar
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply to an individual case depends on the facts of that case; and there are a number of tests to be applied. For example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred. We are seeking the advice of our legal advisers on a case by case basis.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is my intention to mount market tests before September 1993 on all my Department's activities listed in Cmnd 2101. I am not publishing a timetable since detailed planning is still underway in some areas.

  Microsoft Corporation
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will(a) investigate the proposed supply and charging practices of the Microsoft Corporation for MS-DOS and (b) refer this to the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Investigation of allegedly anticompetitive or monopolistic behaviour is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading. Allegations of such practices should be referred to his office for consideration.

  Beer
  Mr. Hardy
  Top ask the President of the Board of Trade what account he has taken of the preparedness of the British glass-making industry for the proposed new requirements for beer measurement, in decisions on the timing of the introduction of the requirements.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 4 December 1992]: The British Glass Manufacturers Confederation was consulted in January 1992. Following consultation the implementation date was set at 1 April 1994 allowing a gradual transition and giving glass manufacturers time to prepare for the new requirement.

  Post Office
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he was consulted by Post Office Counters over its planned new reorganisation and job reduction programme as part of his review of the Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: Internal management structure and levels of employment within Post Office Counters are operational matters for the Post Office Board. My Department was fully informed in advance about the proposed re-organisation of Post Office Counters. These operational matters do not form part of our current review of the Post Office.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Tourism
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will make it his policy that support for regional tourist boards will not be cut as a result of the tourism review;

  (2) for what reason grant in aid support for the tourism industry is to be reduced over the next three years.

  Mr. Key
  I refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn, Hatfield (Mr. Evans) on 13 November,Official Report, columns 997–98. I believe that the case is now much less strong for central Government funding of the promotion of tourism in England. The English Tourist Board (ETB) has done a great deal over the years to raise standards, to improve access to information, and to show the industry how their products can be developed and marketed. As the industry matures, and the regional tourist boards develop, it is appropriate for other bodies to carry on many of the ETB's central activities. That is reflected in the allocations of Exchequer grants for tourism over the next three years.

  However, I also believe that central Government support for the regional tourist boards should continue. I believe that this support should be targeted much more closely than at present on areas of need where tourism might be an instrument of economic regeneration. The English Tourist Board is currently working on proposals for support to the regional tourist boards.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage for what reason tourism has been excluded from the list of recipients of financial benefits that will be provided by the national lottery.

  Mr. Key
  The White Paper, "A National Lottery Raising Money for Good Causes", stated that proceeds 678
  from the national lottery would be distributed for the arts, sport, heritage and charities. Funds devoted to improving the heritage, arts and sports sectors will also benefit tourism.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make it his policy to re-establish the post of tourism Minister, with responsibility only for tourism, within his Department.

  Mr. Key
  My Department brings together for the first time a number of inter-related portfolios, all of which are important to tourism. Both my right hon. Friend and I cover the whole range of the Department's activities, including tourism itself. The industry will benefit from having two Ministers, including one at Cabinet level, whose interests are directly relevant to tourism.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment has been made of the effect on the early summer tourist trade if the May day bank holiday were to be removed.

  Mr. Key
  There has been no direct assessment of this kind. However, the English Tourist Board (ETB) takes the view that the May day holiday is too close to the Easter and late spring bank holidays, and generates little extra tourism business. This view is backed by many sections of the tourism industry. The ETB considers that an autumn bank holiday would help to extend the tourist season and thereby promote greater employment opportunities.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Brooke
  My Department intends that the market-testing of those activities listed in Cmnd 2101 will be complete by 30 September 1993 and planning is well under way. Tenders are currently being invited for the provision of office services in my Department's new headquarters building. Contracts will be in place before the move.

  Tenders are currently being invited for building agent services for the royal parks with the intention that the managing contractor will be appointed by 1 April 1993 or shortly thereafter. The Historic Royal Palaces Agency will present a report to me on the market-testing of gardens maintenance by the end of this year.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Brooke
  My Department intends to contract out a number of its central services when it moves to its new headquarters. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations are unlikely to apply in this case as none of my Department's staff are currently engaged in providing these services. In relation to other activities due to be market-tested, my Department will seek legal advice on the relevance of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC on a case by case basis.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will announce the television licence fees which will take effect from 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Brooke
  On 14 January 1991, the then Secretary of State for the Home Department announced (Official Report, col. 377–78) that the fee increase for April 1991, which was set at 3 per cent. below the retail price index, would be followed by annual increases at RPI over the subsequent four years. The operation of this formula would, however, be reassessed in 1994.

  Licence fee increases are based on the annual increase in RPI as at the preceding September, in the same way as rises in pensions and other state benefits. Application of this year's September RPI figure of 3·6 per cent. to the current unrounded fees produces new rounded totals of £83 for a colour licence and £27·50 for a monochrome licence. The necessary regulations to bring these fees into force next April will be laid before the House in due course.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what representations he has received about the workings of the concessionary television licence scheme as it affects Severn house, Worcester; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether the consultations on the future structure and funding of the BBC will include an examination of the concessionary television licence scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have received representations about the workings of the concessionary television licence scheme as it affects Severn house, Worcester, only from the hon. Member. The concessionary scheme was the subject of long and careful scrutiny before the regulations were revised in 1988. The Government have repeatedly made it clear that they have no plans to amend or extend the regulations governing the scheme. The long-term future of the licence fee and the arrangements for paying it are issues to be considered in the debate about the renewal of the BBC's charter.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of revenue to the Treasury from the proposed national lottery.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Hall) on 7 December 1992 (Official Report, column 456).

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the loss of revenue to the Treasury from the pools industry when the national lottery is introduced.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara) on 7 December 1992 (Official Report, column 455).

  Windsor Castle
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when English Heritage applied for access to inspect and survey rewiring and other works being carried out at Windsor castle; and what response was given on each occasion.
  680
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what information he has regarding applications by English Heritage to survey Windsor castle during the recent installations of new services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answers 27 and 30 November 1992]: English Heritage works closely with the royal household and has carried out several inspections and surveys in the royal palaces over the past few years. English Heritage experts were not generally involved during the rewiring work at Windsor castle because it was judged that it did not involve significant disturbance to the fabric. However, they were notified on a number of occasions in the course of the work of possible disturbance to the historic fabric and were allowed access on all but one occasion.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total cost would be of uprating the level of income support received by people aged 18 to 24 years to the level enjoyed by those of 25 years and over.

  Mr. Burt
  The estimated cost of increasing the rate of income support for 18 to 24-year-olds to that payable to those aged 25 and over is £360 million in a full year. This figure includes the consequential increases in housing benefit and community charge benefit.

  Note:

  The figure has been rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  Source:

  Modelled at 1992–93 prices and benefit levels using data drawn from the 1991 Annual Statistical Enquiry and the 1987–88–89 Family Expenditure Surveys.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department is spending on publicity and promotion for the Child Support Agency in 1992–93.

  Mr. Burt
  The new child support scheme will make a substantial change to both existing law and practice in this area, substituting an administratively-based system for the current courts system. Publicity is being aimed at a wide audience among the public, lawyers and advisers, recognising the major scale of this change. The total publicity budget for 1992–93 is £4,012,000, including TV, radio and press advertisements, leaflets and other information material, distribution of leaflets through a handling house, training presentations to legal and lay advisers, and the launch of the Child Support Agency.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the letter sent to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North dated 30 October by Michael Bichard, chief executive of the Benefits Agency, relating to the resources to be made available for the urgent processing of outstanding disability living allowance from constituents in Stoke-on-Trent, North.

  Mr. Burt
  A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the current real value of the pensioners' Christmas bonus would be had it been upgraded in line with the retail prices index since the bonus introduction in 1972.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 19 October 1992 at column 176.

  Occupational Diseases
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the report by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on bladder and lung cancer in relation to aluminium smelting; and if he will make a statement on this and the council's earlier reports on work-related upper limb disorders (Cm 1936) and lung cancer in relation to occupational exposure to silica (Cm 2043).

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today laid before Parliament the council's report on bladder and lung cancer in relation to aluminium smelting (Cm 2104). We have accepted the council's recommendation that bladder cancer in relation to work in aluminium smelting involving the Soderberg process be added to the list of diseases prescribed for industrial disablement benefit purposes. The council found insufficient evidence to recommend that lung cancer in association with aluminium smelting be prescribed.

  The Government also accept the council's recommendations in Cm 1936 and 2043 that both carpal tunnel syndrome associated with the use of hand-held vibrating tools, and lung cancer where there is accompanying evidence of silicosis in people in a prescribed list of occupations, be added to the list of prescribed diseases.

  Regulations will be laid to implement the above recommendations from spring 1993.

  The Government will be giving further consideration to the council's recommendation that other cases of carpal tunnel syndrome should be considered for benefit on a case by case basis.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The timetable listed in Cm 2101 shows the main activities which the Department aims to market-test by 30 September 1993. We also aim to test printing, microfilming, travel, video production, storage and distribution, and publishing services. Planning is well under way. Each project is setting its own specific timetable for the main milestone stages within the overall programme.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market tested by 30 September 1993, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.
  682
  Miss Widdecombe
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE) and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply to an individual case depends on the facts of that case; and there are a number of tests to be applied. For example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred. We are seeking the advice of our legal advisers about the relevance of TUPE on a case by case basis.

  Dependency Allowance
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make it possible for a woman of pensionable age to claim a dependancy allowance for a man who is not.

  Miss Widdecombe
  It is already possible for a woman aged 60 or over to receive an increase of retirment pension for a husband who is under 65, provided she had entitlement to an increase of invalidity, sickness or unemployment benefit immediately prior to retirement. The Government will be looking at these rules in the context of their consideration of the equalisation of pension age.

  Mrs. Jean Fox
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for South Hams, dated 22 October, about Mrs. Jean Fox of 6 Mapledene close, Stoke Gabriel, South Devon.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I understand that Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, replied to my hon. Friend on 1 December 1992.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Officers (Legal Expenses)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, on what dates, in what circumstances and at what cost, contributions have been made from public funds towards the legal expenses of Officers of the House of Commons since 1979.

  Mr. Beith
  None since September 1987. A search of records before that date could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

  Portrait Restoration
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the estimated cost of restoring the damaged portrait of Lady Thatcher in 1 Parliament street; and when he expects it to be returned to the House.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The damaged portrait of Lady Thatcher has been restored without charge. I am advised that it was rehung in the 1 Parliament street building this morning.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he approved the transfer of 50 tonnes of non-sector area VII hake to the Scottish Fishermen's Organisation; how he consulted the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation; what are the implications for the Northern Ireland fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not normal practice for quota swaps to be approved by Ministers. The Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation was not consulted as it was known that it did not have an allocation from which to offer the 500 tonnes of mackerel required to accommodate the needs of the mackerel handliners in the south west of England in return for hake. While the Northern Ireland industry would have benefited from an additional allocation of hake quota, the swap was approved in the overall interests of the non-sector fishery.

  Newry Bypass
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the current progress towards the completion of the Newry bypass, giving estimated start and completion dates for phases 2 and 3.

  Mr. Atkins
  The detailed design of stage 3 is well advanced. While the start dates will be dependant on the outcome of the current review of the Government's expenditure plans and the completion of the statutory processes, I hope to be in a position to make an early announcement.

  Gamblers Anonymous
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial assistance has been made available by(a) the Department of Health and Social Services and (b) health boards, for Gamblers Anonymous in Northern Ireland; and what further funding arrangements are proposed.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Department of Health and Social Services provided grant aid of £250 to Gamblers Anonymous Belfast in the financial year 1987–88. The Department has no plans to provide further grant aid.
  684
  The Eastern health and social services board has provided grant aid to Gamblers Anonymous Belfast as follows:

  Year

  Amount paid £

  1989–90

  2,113

  1990–91

  10,170

  1991–92

  14,176

  The Eastern board proposes to provide further grant aid of £80,250 in the current financial year.

  The Northern, Southern and Western health and social services boards have not provided financial assistance to Gamblers Anonymous and have no plans to do so.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Mates
  The timetable for market testing the Northern Ireland activities listed in Cmd 2101 ensures that the whole programme will be completed by 30 September 1992. The market testing process is already well underway. The precise timing of the various steps in the process will vary from test to test.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Mates
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply to an individual case depends on the facts of that case; and there are a number of tests to be applied. For example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred. Advice will be sought from our legal advisers about the relevance of TUPE on a case by case basis.

HEALTH

  Complementary Medicine
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many complementary medical practitioners are now receiving NHS payment via the family health services authority as full members of the primary care team;

  (2) if she will indicate the number of complementary therapists employed in (a) fund-holding general practitioner practices and (b) non-fund-holding general practitioner practices;

  (3) what steps she will take to draw doctors' and family health service authorities' attention to the new possibilities raised by the announcement of 3 December 1991 allowing doctors to delegate responsibilities to practitioners of complementary medicine provided the doctor retained clinical charge of a patient.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally. However, my hon. Friend will wish to know that it is open to all GPs to employ a wide range of staff including complementary therapists" where appropriate, to assist them in the provision of general medical services.

  General practitioners are already aware that their terms of service allow them to employ a wide range of staff including complementary therapists. Family health services authorities who have management responsibility for the GP practice staff reimbursement scheme are similarly aware. The press release to which my hon. Friend refers simply clarified the existing position. We see no need therefore to issue further guidance.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what effects the proposed changes in health promotion clinic fee structure will have on counselling services in primary health care and on the availability of complementary therapies.

  Mr. Sackville
  It will remain open to practices, as now, to offer these services to patients if they so wish.

  The arrangements for health promotion programmes, to be introduced from July 1993, will concentrate on action to address smoking, coronary heart disease and stroke. But there will also be transitional arrangements to help protect existing activity outside the scope of the main scheme, and we intend from 1994–95 to establish funding arrangements for action to address additional local priorities.

  Community Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, pursuant to her answer of 30 November,Official Report, column 82, what is her Department's latest estimate of the annual shortfall between benefits and charges for residential or nursing care; and what account was taken of this in the announcement she made on 2 October concerning the funding of community care with effect from April 1993.

  Mr. Yeo
  As I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 30 November at column 82, the £140 million additional finance for community care above the £399 million transfer from social security will ensure that all authorities will be able to purchase appropriate care for people under their new responsibilities. Any difference that exists
  686
  currently between the level of benefits and charges should be substantially reduced after April 1993 when authorities negotiate fee levels with care homes or provide non-residential services for people who could be better cared for at home.

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure Magnetic Resonance Imaging provision in all health authorities the size of North-Staffordshire.

  Mr. Sackville
  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging technique with the advantage that it does not involve ionising radiation. It has advantages over computerised tomography scanning in particular clinical situations but is expensive in terms of capital and running costs. Case-mix, amongst other things, will influence whether or not a provider unit will wish to have MRI facilities.

  The national health service reforms as set out in the White Paper "Working for Patients" provide that hospitals and other units will be responsible for providing efficient and effective health services to meet the needs identified by health authorities. In this context, provider units will inevitably reach different decisions on whether MRI should form part of the services they provide.

  Hospitals
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of hospitals in England in 1979, 1991 and 1992.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1979 there were 2,023 hospitals in England making activity returns, and in 1990–91 there were 1,578. Over the same period the number of hospital in-patient cases treated rose by an estimated 25 per cent. to 7·5 million finished consultant episodes in 1990–91. From 1991–92 returns refer to national health service trusts (which may comprise more than one unit) and district health authorities (covering all directly managed units) and data on the number of individual units are not available.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of expenditure required in Hyndburn during the first year of the transfer of funds for care in the community from the Department of Social Security to Lancashire county council's social services department.

  Mr. Yeo
  It is the responsibility of Lancashire county council to estimate the expenditure required in Lancashire for the first year of the community care reforms. The indicative special transitional grant allocation for Lancashire for 1993–94 is £20·07 million.

  Pharmaceuticals (Cost)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of pharmaceuticals to hospitals, prescribing doctors and normal general practitioner prescription costs for the past five years; and if she will make a statement.
  687
  Dr. Mawhinney
  Expenditure on drugs by the family health services (FHS) and health authorities in England is shown in the table. The FHS figures include the cost of prescriptions written by all family doctors.

  £ million

  Family health services

  Hospital and community health services

  Total

  1987–88

  1,536

  352

  1,888

  1988–89

  1,744

  380

  2,124

  1989–90

  1,942

  414

  2,356

  1990–91

  2,080

  460

  2,540

  1991–92

  2,317

  1—

  —

  1 An equivalent figure for 1991–92 is not yet available.

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits her Department officials have made to each regional health authority during the last 12 months; and how many visits each regional health authority chairman has made in that period to her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the ambulance services which have applied for or have been granted status as self-governing trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Twenty four ambulance service units have been established as national health service trusts. They are as follows:

  First wave

  1. Northumbria Ambulance NHS Trust.

  2. Lincolnshire Ambulance NHS Trust.

  3. Norfolk Ambulance NHS Trust.

  4. Cornwall Ambulance Service (part of Cornwall Community Healthcare Trust)

  Second wave

  5. Cleveland Ambulance NHS Trust.

  6. South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust.

  7. Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  8. Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  9. Gloucestershire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  10. Devon Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  11. Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  12. Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  Third wave

  13. Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  14. Durham County Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  15. West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  16. North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  17. Humberside Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  18. Nottinghamshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  19. Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  20. The Two Shires—Northampton and Buckinghamshire Ambulance NHS Trust.

  21. Royal Berkshire Ambulance NHS Trust.

  22. Dorset Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  23. Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  24. Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

  Limited List Prescribing
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been saved annually by the national health service by the original selected list scheme on drugs; and what was the effect on the level of prescriptions in those catergories which were not on the selected list.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1985–86 the selected list scheme saved £75 million on the drugs bill. It is not possible to make meaningful estimates for subsequent years, or to measure changes in the level of prescriptions which can be directly attributed to the scheme. We believe however that significant savings continue to be made.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a timetable showing when she plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Sackville
  The activities to be market tested in the Department were listed in Cmd 2101. A timetable for market-testing these activities has been drawn up with the aim of making a recommendation on the outcome of each tender by 30 September 1993. The Department has already awarded contracts for office and building services at the Department's new building in London.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to which of those of her Department's activities due to be market tested by 30 September 1993, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired rights directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Sackville
  We will consider the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC to the Department's market-testing programme on a case-by-case basis.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing(a) asbestos-related deaths and (b) asbestos-related disorders, by region for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  I shall let the hon. Member have such information as is available without incurring disproportionate cost as soon as possible.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the chief executives of shadow trusts who have failed to become the chief executive in the subsequent self-governing trust;

  (2) if she will list the chief executives of directly managed national health service units that have failed to be appointed to the post of chief executives in the subsequent shadow trust unit.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not held centrally. Chief executive appointments in shadow and operational national health service trusts are a matter for the chairman and non-executive directors of the trust concerned.

  London Health Services
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on the age structure, gender breakdown and specialty mix of the 680 consultants who are identified in the Tomlinson report as surplus to requirements;

  (2) if she will make a statement on the current merit award allocation to the 680 consultants identified by the Tomlinson report as surplus to requirements; what is the total amount of these awards; and how much of this sum will be transferred to primary care provision.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The figure of 680 consultants mentioned in the report is Sir Bernard Tomlinson's estimate of the number of surplus consultant posts, if patient inflows to inner London hospitals reduce to the maximum extent projected. We are still considering the proposals in the report, and will announce our response, including the staffing implications, in the new year.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the funds allocated in the autumn statement for the implementation of the Tomlinson report proposals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We shall put forward our proposals for the future direction of London's health services, including the financial implications, in the new year.

  GP Drug Budgets
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the total GP drug budget for 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92 and projected figure for 1992–93 and the proportion of that budget spent for all patients in relation to patient age by five-year intervals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Expenditure on drugs by the family health services in England amounted to £1,942 million in 1989–90, £2,080 million in 1990–91 and £2,317 million in 1991–92. The latest estimate for 1992–93 is £2,584 million. Information on the proportion of expenditure spent on patients in particular age groups is not available centrally.

  Running Costs
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress she has made in achieving the target of a reduction of 1·5 per cent. in her Department's running costs for the present financial year, in the first half of this financial year; and what specifically has been saved, by what means and in what areas of her responsibility.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 1 December 1992]: All parts of the Department are required to contribute towards the target for increased efficiency through measures aimed at cash-releasing savings or improved productivity. These are taken into account at the outset when budget allocations are made at the start of each year. For 1992–93 the Department plans to achieve efficiency gains totalling 1·4 per cent. Taken with the 1·7 per cent. gains achieved last year this more than meets the average target of 1·5 per cent. each year. The planned savings this year are made up of £1·2 million on manpower, £1·8 million on non-manpower costs and £0·6 million on the London paybill as a result of the first phase of the relocation to Leeds of the National Health Service
  690
  Management Executive. Further savings of £1·9 million are expected to be realised in 1992–93 (including on capital expenditure) through improved purchasing policies.

  The Department's agencies (NHS Estates and the Medicines Control Agency) work to separate targets. These are monitored through the respective departmental boards and the latest quarterly reports for the agencies show that they are both on course to achieve their targets by the end of the year. The NHS Estates Agency is working to an efficiency target of 4 per cent. in 1992–93 through reductions in manpower costs, improvements in procurement and increased use of video-conferencing. The target for the Medicines Control Agency is to achieve increased productivity of 3 per cent.

SCOTLAND

  Market-Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Lang
  I announced the 1992–93 market-testing programme for my Departments on 28 August 1992. The market-testing of all 26 activities is due to be complete by 30 September 1993. The time taken to complete the market test will vary depending on the value of and complexity of the activity under consideration. Testing is now under way on several activities, including pay, leave and superannuation functions and the Scottish prison service works and store.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC acquired knights directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Lang
  This will be determined for each activity in the light of the facts of the case and after considering legal advice.

  Waivers of Disqualification
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many waivers of disqualification have been granted; and how many have been refused, for employees and trustees of charities since part I of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 came into force on 27 July.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
  No waivers of disqualification have been granted and no waivers have been refused for employees and trustees of charities since the coming into force of the Act on 27 July.

EDUCATION

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.
  691
  Mr. Forman
  Work has already begun on each of the Department's areas for market testing listed in Cmnd 2101, with a view to completing the programme by 30 September 1993. In the largest test, that of support services in the Department's headquarters, the work of developing specifications and shortlisting potential contractors is well advanced.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Forman
  The relevance of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations and the Acquired Rights Directive to an area of work being market tested depends upon the facts of each case, since there are a number of factors to be taken into account. The Department will be taking legal advice on the application of the regulations for each of the areas to be market tested by 30 September 1993.

  School Examination Results
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many secondary schools were entered in the recently published schools' examinations results tables; how many entries were incorrect and for what reason; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  A total of 4,622 schools were included in the school performance tables published on 18 November. All complaints of incorrect figures are being investigated on a case by case basis. To date, the entries for some 16 schools have been found to be incorrect due to error on the part of the Department or its contractor. In all these cases, erratum slips are being issued and letters of apology sent to the schools concerned.

  Administration Costs
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much in real terms his Department spent centrally on general administration in the last three years for which figures are available; what proportion of the total budget these figures represented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The figures are based on those set in table 1 of the departmental report, published in February this year (Cm 1911), and revalued to 1991–92 financial year prices. The figures are rounded to the nearest £1 million.

  £ million

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Administration, research and miscellaneous services

  87

  91

  107

  Total Department of Education and Science

  6,659

  7,102

  7,345

  Administration expressed as a

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  percentage of total

  1·3

  1·3

  1·4

  The figures include expenditure on civil science; responsibility for this work was transferred to the Office of Science and Technology on 6 July 1992.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) physically disabled and (b) sensorily disabled people are employed in his Department; and what percentage they are of the total work force.

  Mr. Forman
  The Department, including the Teachers Pensions Agency, has 69 staff (3 per cent. of the work force) who are registered disabled. This includes 19 (0·8 per cent.) with sensory disabilities and 30 (1·3 per cent.) with physical disabilities. There are other staff in the Department with disabilities who have chosen not to register and who are not included in the above figures.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools have declined to opt for grant-maintained status following ballots.

  Mr. Forth
  Of the 779 ballots for grant-maintained status which have been held to date, 172 (22 per cent.) have resulted in a vote against applying for grant-maintained status. Once a school has balloted in favour of applying for grant-maintained status, the governors have a statutory duty to proceed with the application by publishing proposals.

  Education Courses (London)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many courses of adult education were provided by the Inner London education authority at the time of its abolition; and what are the current corresponding figures for its successor authorities.

  Mr. Forman
  Information on the number of adult education courses is not collected by the Department, which collects only enrolment data from adult education centres.

  Natural Medicines
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision there is in the curricula of Government-funded medical establishments for the teaching and theory and practice of the schools of natural medicine.

  Mr. Forman
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is for universities to determine the curriculum for medical education in the light of recommendations frorn the General Medical Council. The GMC is considering changes to its current recommendations. Its intention is that medical students should in future have a range of options from which to choose for part of their course. It will be for institutions to decide their own curricula taking account of the GMC's revised criteria.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the recent survey into the operation of of grant-maintained schools undertaken by the grant-maintained schools centre.

  Mr. Patten
  A survey of 103 grant-maintained schools, undertaken by the grant-maintained schools centre, was
  693
  published on 27 November 1992. The survey demonstrated clearly the benefits of grant-maintained status, which enables schools to manage their own affairs and gives them the flexibility to target funding at classroom level.

  The main findings of the survey were as follows:

  more than 80 per cent. of the schools that responded reported increased pupil numbers at the beginning of the school year 1992–93;

  more than three-quarters of schools reported an increase in teaching staff;

  more than 90 per cent. of schools experienced no difficulty in recruiting or retaining governors;

  57 per cent. of secondary comprehensive schools and 40 per cent. of primary schools reported an increase in their provision for Special Needs.

  Copies of the survey are available in the Library.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Members' Pay
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to bring forward a resolution on the pay of hon. Members, as referred to in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's autumn statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The resolution on Members' Salaries was debated and approved by the House on Wednesday 25 November.

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration Select Committee
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to present nominations for the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

  Mr. Newton
  Nominations for the Select Committee on Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration were approved on Wednesday 2 December.

TRANSPORT

  Supply Vessels (Foreign Crews)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department intends issuing to operators on the use of foreign crews on North sea supply vessels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department is proposing to establish a consultation group of offshore supply vessels, including representatives of shipowners, operators, unions and the Health and Safety Executive. Matters to be considered by the group are likely to include a code of practice for operators covering manning, among other matters.

  Motorways
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of changes in motorway planning policy in relation to increasing the number of refreshment facilities.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Following a commitment in the citizens charter, we announced a new policy on the provision of motorway services on 6 August. Under the 694
  new arrangements it is for the private sector rather than the Department of Transport to identify sites for motorway service areas, seek planning permission and acquire the land. The Department has since received a number of approaches from commercial organisations interested in the opportunities generated by the new policy and we hope that these will develop into firm proposals in due course.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Norris
  The timetable for market testing my Department's activities listed in Cmnd 21001 provides for the programme to be substantially completed by 30 September 1993. The activities to be tested are diverse and separate timetables are being prepared for each case. In the case of the Register of Shipping and Seamen, tenders are due to be invited in April 1993 and contracts let in September 1993.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market tested by 30 September 1993, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Norris
  The application of TUPE and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/89/EEC will depend on the particular circumstances of each market testing case, and specific legal advice will be sought in each case.

  Conservation
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State. for Transport what action he intends to take to guard against the degradation of sites of special scientific interest and other areas requiring special conservation measures under the EC directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, in the planning of new road networks including motorways.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Our long-established policy is that our road schemes should avoid protected areas wherever possible. We consult English Nature as individual proposals are developed and publish a comprehensive environmental assessment. Special measures to protect sites or relocate species may be agreed with English Nature.

  We are already considering the implications of the EC Habitats Directive in the planning of our schemes and will observe its provisions when it is implemented.

  Disabled People
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the annual report of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have received the sixth annual report of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The report makes a number of detailed recommendations on three principal subjects; the introduction of buses

  695
  that are more easily accessible to disabled people, the need for further improvements in the pedestrian environment to remove obstacles to mobility and the need for more effective education and training on mobility issues as part of vocational and other qualifications within the transport industries.

  The committee's recommendations are being studied in detail and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already been in touch with the committee about them.

  Bus Operators (Investigations)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will say how many bus operators are currently under investigation by the traffic commissioners; and if he will give in each case the commencement date of the investigation.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  British Rail (Capital Spending)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement for each main part of British Rail on the levels of capital spending necessary to maintain the capital stock and to avoid a deterioration of services.

  Mr. Freeman
  The distribution of capital and management resources amongst the different businesses of British Rail is a matter for the board. The additional funds announced for British Rail in the autumn statement will permit the board's total investment to continue at a level considerably higher in real terms than in the 1970s and 1980s.

  Mercantile Marine (Manpower)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are being taken to restore manpower levels within the British mercantile marine.

  Mr. Norris
  It is for the industry to determine its manpower needs. The Government are encouraging school leavers to join the Merchant Navy by providing financial support for the training of British crews and crew relief. The availability of crewing to meet defence needs is being further reviewed.

  Since the Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning Document) Regulations came into force on 28 July 1992 my Department has specified the minimum complement on all British registered ships of 500 gross tonnes and over.

  Ilkley Bypass
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to annouce the preferred route for the proposed A65 Ilkley bypass.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I hope to be able to do so very shortly.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what action he has taken in response to the 1991 annual report of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Scotland; and if he will make a statement;
  696
  (2) what is his policy on the circumstances in which it is appropriate for the Government to intervene in the provision of rail services to rural communities;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the effect of the decision to eliminate the rail service from Carstaris to Edinburgh in 1991 on the economy of the rural community of Clydesdale; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what action he has taken in response to the recommendation of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Scotland in its annual report that some InterCity trains should stop at Carstairs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I take note of the views, reports and other representations of all Transport Users' Consultative committees. However, the precise level of service offered on individual lines is a matter for the British Railways Board to consider.

  British Rail's InterCity business is required to operate on a commercial basis, just like its competitors. To do so, it must make the best use of available resources by tailoring its services to meet market circumstances. Uneconomic but socially necessary passenger services, where there is clear need for them, are provided by British Rail's regional railways sector. The Government provide substantial financial support through PSO grant towards the cost of such services. However, PSO is paid as a block grant to British Rail, and it is for it to allocate it on a line by line basis. Subsidy is not dependent on public ownership of the railways and we have made it clear that we intend to continue to provide subsidy where it is required following implementation of our privatisation proposals.

  Greater Manchester Buses
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assurances were given to GM Buses and trade unions representing the work force of GM Buses about Government support for an employee buyout prior to 23 November.

  Mr. Freeman
  It has been made clear to the PTA, GM B and their work force that the Government are in favour of employee participation in companies, and would be happy to see an employee buy-out. We have also made it clear since June this year that we expect all new sales of public transport companies to be by open competition and that we expect bids for buy-outs to be put forward on this basis. This applies to Greater Manchester Buses, and the new smaller companies that are to be formed from it.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) physically disabled and (b) sensorily disabled people are employed in his Department; and what percentage they are of the total work force.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department of Transport and its agencies had recorded 201 registered disabled staff at 1 July 1992, representing 1·3 per cent. of the total work force. Of these 170 were registered as physically disabled and 31 sensorily disabled.

  Nuclear Material (Transport)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to licence the channel tunnel for the transportation of plutonium; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a matter for the concessionaire's commercial judgment. Eurotunnel has said that it does not intend to permit the transport of nuclear material through the channel tunnel.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account he has taken of the recommendations contained in the report for the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection, on the environmental and public health aspects of the storage, transport and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuels and plutonium, dated October 1992.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: None.

  The report is still in draft form, awaiting comments from the European Parliament.

  Parking Offences
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will bring forward proposals for changes in the law to allow all local highways authorities to issue penalty charge notices for parking offences on the lines of the current system in London boroughs.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The necessary legislation is already in place. Section 43 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 enables new arrangements for parking enforcement, similar to those currently being introduced in London under sections 63–79 of the Act, to be extended by order to other areas. Preparations for the introduction of the new arrangements in London are well advanced, but we do not expect any of the London boroughs to be in a position to begin operating them before April next year at the earliest. In accordance with undertakings given during the passage of the Bill, we do not propose to make the new powers available generally until some experience has been gained of their operation in London.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has decided which British Rail routes to include in the first passenger franchises; and whether this group will include the east coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  No decisions have yet been taken on which passenger rail services will be the first to be offered for franchising. We hope to take a decision on this shortly, taking into account the responses we have received to our consultation document on franchising, published in October.

  Motor Cars
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce a 100 bhp limit on motor cars sold in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 8 December 1992]: I have no plans to introduce a power limit on motor cars.

  Motor Cycles
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Government will oppose the Commission's proposal to impose a 74 kW/100 bhp power limit on all motor cycles sold in the EC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 8 December 1992]: The Government have made clear their view that the statistical evidence in support of the Commission's proposal is not entirely conclusive; but this is in order to encourage safe motor cycling and I believe this is a matter for qualified majority voting, we have decided not to stand in the way of the unanimous desire of other member states. We have therefore said that we would be prepared to accept the proposal. The EC Council of Ministers is currently awaiting the opinion on first reading of the European Parliament.

  Traffic Calming, Rutland
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will grant permission for Rutland to become an accepted area for the implementation of experimental traffic-calming measures.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 8 December 1992]: Traffic calming is a relatively new approach to improving safety and environmental conditions. The Traffic Calming Act 1992 clarified the powers of highway authorities to undertake such works. We aim to bring forward regulations soon, covering a range of the better-known techniques. Where a highway authority wishes to use a measure not covered by regulations or clearly enabled under other legislation, it is open to that authority to seek a special authorisation from the Department.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Value Added Tax
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been agreed for the payment of VAT on exports under the single market.

  Sir John Cope
  Payment of VAT on goods despatched from the United Kingdom to other member states will not normally be required under single market arrangements.

  Sales in such circumstances may be zero-rate provided that the supplier quotes the customer's VAT number on the sales invoice and holds satisfactory commercial evidence of removal of the goods from the United Kingdom. If the customer is not VAT registered, VAT will be chargeable in the United Kingdom unless the supplier is required to account for VAT in the member state of destination under distance selling arrangements such as mail order. Customs and Excise will be issuing more detailed guidance very shortly.

  Exports to countries outside the European Community will continue to be zero-rated as at present.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many VAT registered traders were penalised for late payment of VAT in each of the last eight quarters; and how much the Exchequer received in fines resulting from this.
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  Sir John Cope
  The number of VAT registered taxpayers surcharged in the last eight quarters for which figures are availale are as follows:

  Number of taxpayers surcharged

  1 November 1991 to 31 January 1992

  36,457

  1 December 1991 to 29 February 1992

  36,934

  1 January to 31 March 1992

  31,261

  1 February to 30 April 1992

  37,691

  1 March to 31 May 1992

  37,090

  1 April to 30 June 1992

  37,093

  I May to 31 July 1992

  37,021

  1 June to 31 August 1992

  36,930

  The total amount of surcharge payments received during the same period is approximately £51·2 million. This figure will include payments of some surcharge assessments issued prior to 1 November 1991.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of how the administration of the transitional value added tax system from 1 January will affect subscription sales of magazines in EC member states(a) to customers who are not registered for value added tax, (b) to customers who are registered for value added tax, (c) if sales in the country of destination are over 35,000 ecu and (d) if sales to the country of destination are over 100,000 ecu.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: After I January 1993, the tax treatment of goods supplied by VAT-registered traders to customers in other member states under the distance selling arrangements—for example by mail order—will be dependent on thresholds. Each member state has the choice of adopting a threshold of either 35,000 ecu or 100,000 ecu. If sales to a member state are beneath that member state's threshold, then VAT in the member state of origin is chargeable; in the case of supplies of magazines from the United Kingdom, this would be zero. If sales exceed the threshold laid down by a member state, then all sales to that member state are chargeable at the appropriate rate of VAT in that member state and the trader will need to be registered for VAT or appoint a tax representative in that member state. Supplies to VAT-registered traders in other member states can continue to be zero-rated on "export" if the VAT registration number of the consignee is shown on a tax invoice.

  It is not possible to estimate centrally how subscription sales of magazines will be affected. At present VAT is payable in most member states but the amount paid is not known to us. In future, traders beneath the appropriate thresholds will benefit by being able to apply our zero rate. Traders above the thresholds will need to be registered in other member states. The effect of the new arrangements on individual traders will therefore depend on their turnover in each member state.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the last five years up to 30 November(a) total VAT registrations and (b) total new registrations.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 8 December 1992]: The information requested is as follows:
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  At 31 March

  Total VAT registrations

  Total new registrations

  1988–89

  1,623,866

  234,666

  1989–90

  1,710,106

  266,094

  1990–91

  1,745,097

  217,882

  1991–92

  1,677,829

  194,070

  11992

  1,643,679

  124,371

  11 April to 30 November.

  Figures from 1991 onwards reflect the effects of substantial increases in the registration and deregistration thresholds in the 1991 Budget.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions lay behind the estimate of the number of right-to-buy sales over the next two years included in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's autumn statement on 12 November.

  Mr. Portillo
  The estimate of capital receipts in the current financial year and in 1993–94 published in the autumn statement related to local authority asset sales generally in the United Kingdom; no specific figures were published for right-to-buy sales of council dwellings. The basis of the United Kingdom estimate was given in my written answer to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 20 November 1992 col.418–19.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what forecast the Government have made for the United Kingdom's net contribution per annum to the EC budget in each of the next seven years arising from the Government's current EC budget proposal to the EC Council;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the reasons for proposed increases in the EC budget as a proportion of EC gross domestic product;

  (3) what benefit he assesses will accrue to the United Kingdom from an expansion in the EC budget.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: The United Kingdom presidency tabled on 25 November a compromise proposal for negotiations on the future financing of the European Community; a copy has been placed in the Library. The implied annual addition to the United Kingdom's net public sector contribution arising from this proposal would be some £150 million in 1999 (at 1992 prices) above the forecast underlying cost of Community spending given the present ceiling on own resources, which would rise to £2,800 million in 1999 (at 1992 prices). The Government's aim is to achieve a settlement at Edinburgh which is affordable and consistent with the principles of budget discipline and sound public finance. Achieving agreement will assist progress on other issues, in particular enlargement.

ENVIRONMENT

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to put into practice the agreements reached at Luxembourg on the treatment of toxic waste.
  701
  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 3 December 1992 at column 288.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assumptions lay behind the estimate of the number of right-to-buy sales of council dwellings over the next two years published on 12 November.

  Sir George Young
  The estimate of capital receipts in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's autumn statement related to local authority asset sales generally in the United Kingdom; no specific figures were published for right-to-buy sales of council dwellings. The United Kingdom estimate was based on information about local authorities' recent asset sales and forecast outturn in the current year, taking account of the expected effect of the receipts measure announced in the autumn statement.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals he expects against council tax valuations; and how many appeals he expects will be heard before 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is fruitless to try to predict the number of appeals. As the final banding lists are not compiled until 1 April 1993, appeals are not possible before that date. However, anyone who wishes to correct a factual error in a draft list may approach the local listing officer, who will make any necessary amendments before 1 April.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to ensure that local authorities set their council tax at an affordable level.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am confident that the vast majority of local authorities will play their part in setting affordable council taxes by setting sensible budgets. I have made clear that I shall not hesitate to use my capping powers to protect council tax payers if authorities fail to do so.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce measures to reduce the level of council tax in those areas with an above-average proportion of houses in bands D and E.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. The council tax is a fair tax, which will take account of different individual circumstances and will be applied consistently across the country. The transitional reduction scheme will ensure that households in bands D and E will not face an increase of more than £2·50 and £2·75 a week respectively, if their councils spend at a reasonable level and have a good record on tax collection.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what Government support is being provided to reduce the impact of the new council tax.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We will be providing £340 million in transitional relief in 1993–94 to limit the initial increase between household community charge bills and the council tax.

  Revenue Support Grant
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the assumptions behind the recent revenue support grant settlement for local authorities, which he announced on 26 November.

  Mr. Redwood
  My right hon. and learned Friend gave a very full statement on 26 November. Consultation on his proposals for the settlement are now under way and he has nothing further to add at this stage.

  South West Water (Capital Investment)
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to reduce the level of capital investment required by South West Water as a result of European legislation.

  Mr. Maclean
  Our obligations for the time being under European Community legislation must be met, though we seek to ensure that it is done at the lowest cost to consumers. We consider that revisions of certain features of both the drinking water and bathing waters directives are overdue, and impose unnecessary costs on European consumers.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent of ozone level depletion in January 1992 over northern England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the recent research findings relating to ozone depletion over the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  The results from measurement sites in Northern Europe and from satellites indicate that ozone levels in January 1992 were the lowest ever recorded at about 20 per cent. below the long-term January mean. This is outside the previously recorded range of natural variability. However, exceptional meteorological conditions involving the lowest surface pressure recorded this century, are thought to have contributed to low ozone levels. Results from succeeding spring months were within the range of long-term variation.

  Local Government Structure
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he expects to have been made by the Local Government Commission in reviewing the structure of local government by the end of 1993.

  Mr. Redwood
  By the end of 1993 the Local Government Commission should have completed its reviews of local government structure, boundaries and electoral arrangements in the Isle of Wight, Derbyshire, and Cleveland and Durham and have reached the final stage of its reviews of Avon, Gloucestershire and Somerset and Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire. The Commission should also have begun some of the reviews in the second tranche of its work programme.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which environmental groups he has met in the past year to discuss issues relating to the use of nuclear power in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  I met members of Greenpeace on 21 September and discussed a number of issues with them including ones relating to the use of nuclear power in the United Kingdom.

  London Forum
  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a further statement about the London Forum.

  Sir George Young
  My right hon. and learned Friend expects to make a further announcement about the London Forum shortly.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has as President of the Council of Ministers for the Environment to ensure a higher level of compliance by member states with EC directives applying to water quality.

  Mr. Maclean
  We wish to see the establishment of a small community inspectorate to audit the performance of national enforcement agencies; and the harmonisation of reporting methods under the Standardised Reporting Directive. During our presidency, we have successfully encouraged the formation of a network of environmental enforcement agencies to encourage exchange of information on enforcement practice.

  Urban Areas (Regeneration)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to assist the regeneration of urban areas.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government remain strongly committed to the regeneration of urban areas. We have provided over £90 million more resources for my Department's urban group of programmes than previously planned for 1993–94. This will allow full funding for each of the 31 successful city challenge areas next year as part of their £37–5 million five-year programme. It will also allow the urban development corporations to continue to develop their areas. The Urban Regeneration Agency will build on UDC experience in regenerating land for the benefit of urban areas. We have enabled local authorities to make greater use of capital receipts, backed by £20 million of capital partnership resources from the urban programme. Next year we will also be opening four new inner city task forces, in Birmingham, Plymouth, Stockton and Haringey.

  Caravan Sites Act 1968
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what responses he has received to his Department's consultative proposals for reform of the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Clifton-Brown).

  Council Rents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes there have been in the average rent for(a) council houses and (b) council flats from 1979 to 1991 in England.

  Sir George Young
  My Department does not have separate estimates of average rents for local authority houses and flats. The estimated average weekly rents for council dwellings at April of each year in England from 1979 to 1991 are:

  Year

  £ per week at April

  1979

  6·41

  1980

  7·70

  1981

  11·42

  1982

  13·48

  1983

  13·97

  1984

  14·66

  1985

  15·54

  1986

  16·36

  1987

  17·70

  1988

  18·82

  1989

  20·70

  1990

  23·76

  1991

  27·28

  The estimates for 1979 to 1990 are based on the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's annual survey of local authority housing rents. The estimate for 1991 is derived from local authorities' housing revenue account subsidy claim form returns to the Department.

  Integrated Pollution Control
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on integrated pollution control.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government introduced comprehensive new controls on industrial pollution in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, part I of which requires operators of processes with the greatest potential for pollution to seek prior authorisation from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) under a system of integrated pollution control.

  Integrated pollution control came into effect for all new processes on 1 April 1991, and the requirement for authorisation of existing processes will extend to all relevant industries by 1995. By the end of 1992–93 some 650 plants in 13 industrial groups will have become subject to IPC.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to hold discussions with the National Federation of Housing Associations on the future of housing associations.

  Sir George Young
  My colleagues are in frequent contact with the National Federation of Housing Associations and discuss a wide range of issues of concern to housing associations. I last met them on 12 November, but I have no immediate plans for future discussions.

  Repossessed Homes
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will cause an investigation to be made by the Building Societies Commission or otherwise into the issue of insider rings of solicitors and estate agents manipulating the market in repossessed homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 30 November 1992]: I have been asked to reply.

  Following recent press reports, the Director General of Fair Trading has commenced inquiries with a view to the possibility of taking action against individuals under the Estate Agents Act 1979. Under the Act the director general may in certain circumstances prohibit individuals from engaging further in estate agency work.

  Alerce Timber (Seizure)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Customs and Excise seizure of a quantity of alerce timber in Oxfordshire in May.

  Sir John Cope
  I have been asked to reply.

  Customs and Excise seized a quantity of alerce timber banned from international trade under CITES—Conference on International Trade in Endangered Species. Decisions on whether to institute legal proceedings are a matter for the commissioners of Customs and Excise and I understand that the commissioners, on the basis of the evidence before them, do not feel that they would be justified in instituting criminal proceedings in this case. The timber is now held in safe storage and Customs are examining disposal options.

  Local Authorities (Responsibilities)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the statutory responsibilities currently in force specifically for local authorities in Northumberland at(a) district level and (b) county level which were enacted in the last 30 years.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The only relevant statute of which I am aware is the Northumberland County Council Act 1970, in so far as it has not been repealed by the Tyne and Wear County Council Acts of 1976 and 1980. The hon. Member may wish to contact Northumberland county council for the information he is seeking.

  EC Environment Policy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in achieving Her Majesty's Government's policy objectives for EC environmental protection policy during the presidency of the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The United Kingdom presidency has so far secured agreement to the regulation on the transboundary shipment of waste and made good progress on a number of other proposals. In addition we have highlighted the importance of integrating environmental concerns into other policy areas and carried forward work to follow up the Earth summit. We have secured a Commission commitment to report on implementation 706
  and enforcement of Community environmental legislation, and have established a network of EC environment enforcement authorities. We expect to make further progress on a number of proposals at the Environment Council on 15–16 December.

  Flats Over Shops Initiative
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was(a) the number of applications received for the flats over shops initiative in England and Wales for 1991–92 and (b) the total value of these applications;

  (2) how many flats have become available for rent in England and Wales as a result of the flats over shops initiative.

  Sir George Young
  A total of 210 local authorities in England applied for resources totalling over £41 million in the first year (1992–93) of the fiats over shops scheme, of which 57 received supplementary credit approvals totalling £5,047.500. Should all these proceed to plan, then it is likely that the number of additional units of accommodation raised will be in the region of 400. In addition, the Housing Corporation has a programme of its own. A number of other bodies—including some retailers—are seeking to bring vacant space above shops back into use, partly stimulated by the Government's initiative. Separate arrangements, which are not directly comparable, are operated in Wales by the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Local Authority Receipts
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total level of receipts likely to accrue to each local authority in England during the current financial year.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Local authorities provide returns to the Department giving the capital receipts they received in 1991–92 and the receipts they are forecasting to receive in 1992–93. I have arranged for this information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the amount of capital receipts likely to be released in the Hyndhurn constituency during the calendar year 1993 and the financial year 1993–94 from the sale of council-owned dwellings under the right-to-buy legislation.

  Sir George Young
  Projections of likely future right-to-buy receipts are not made for individual local authority areas.

  Abandoned Mines
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the National Rivers Authority concerning flooding and polluted water leaking contamination into rivers and streams from abandoned mines and proposed abandoned mines, including dates of meetings and sites under discussion.

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. Friend and I have referred to the topic from time to time in discussions with members of the National Rivers Authority's board, and there have
  707
  been discussions and exchanges of information between my officials and those of the N RA. I expect these contacts to continue as we give further consideration to policy on this issue.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if she will seek to amend section 89 of the Water Resources Act 1991 to make owners of abandoned workings liable for prosecution.

  Mr. Maclean
  The recent Environment White Paper confirmed that the Government are considering the framework of legal responsibility for pollution from abandoned mines. This will include consideration of section 89 of the 1991 Act.

  Ms.Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if she will list all abandoned mines known to cause water pollution problems.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available centrally. The National Rivers Authority has been reviewing data on water pollution from abandoned mines, and I expect its assessment to he published within the next few months.

  Domestic Water Meters
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals for legislation to regulate the installation of domestic water meters in England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  No. It is a matter for each water company to decide whether to install water meters in the light of the circumstances in its area. Provisions governing the installation and positioning of water meters are contained in the Water Industry Act 1991 and the Water (Meters) Regulations 1988.

  Cetaceans
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what he expects the pilot study he has commissioned into cetaceans in the channel to report.

  Mr. Maclean
  The results of this joint European proposal to carry out a major trans-boundary survey of cetaceans in the North sea, Kattegat, Skaggerak and the channel will help to identify important habitat areas for these species and potential threats to them. The survey will also aid Community states in fulfilling their international nature conservation obligations and the results will provide a basis for the development of an integrated management plan for the region.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the number of right-to-buy applications received and registered by each local authority in England for(a) the year ended September 1991 and (b) the year ended September 1992;

  (2) what was the number of sales completed by each local authority in England under right to buy for (a) the year ended September 1991 and (b) the year ended September 1992.

  Sir George Young
  Information on right-to-buy applications and completed sales for each local authority 708
  in England is published in the quarterly publication "Local Housing Statistics". Estimates are for financial years, or parts of financial years. The July 1992 issue (No. 102) contains figures for the financial year 1990–91 (table 5B) and provisional information for 1991–92 (table 5A). Details for the first quarter of 1992–93 were given in table 5 of the October 1992 issue (No. 103). Updated information covering the first half of 1992–93 will be available in the new year. Corresponding estimates for the periods requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the proportion of(a) houses arid (b) flats sold to sitting tenants in England and Wales which have been repurchased by English and Welsh local authorities under housing defects legislation for each year since 1982;

  (2) how many (a) houses and (b) flats sold to sitting tenants under the right to buy have been repurchased by English local authorities under housing defects legislation for each year since 1982.

  Sir George Young
  In England 12,165 houses and flats have been repurchased under the legislation by local authorities, representing 1·1 per cent. of all sales by those local authorities under the right to buy to the end of June 1992. In Wales the corresponding figures are 467 and 0·5 per cent. The number of properties repurchased each year has been as follows:

  (a) Houses

  (b) Flats

  England:

  1984–85

  78

  1

  1985–86

  2,342

  16

  1986–87

  2,550

  30

  1987–88

  2,006

  35

  1988–89

  1,674

  14

  1989–90

  1,258

  7

  1990–91

  1,306

  11

  1991–92

  834

  3

  Wales:

  1984–85

  —

  —

  1985–86

  22

  3

  1986–87

  90

  —

  1987–88

  214

  2

  1988–89

  63

  1

  1989–90

  38

  1

  1990–91

  17

  1

  1991–92

  12

  1

  Source: Local authority returns

  The available data on repurchases does not include the year in which the dwelling was purchased under the right to buy so it is not possible to calculate the proportions of each year's sales that have been repurchased.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) physically disabled and (b) senSorily disabled people are employed in his Department; and what percentage they are of the total work force.

  Mr. Howard
  The Department employs 97 disabled people and this represents some 1·5 per cent. of the non industrial work force. Of the 97 disabled people, we are aware of 25 who have a sensory disability.

  County Archive Services
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the continuation of the county archive services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In the context of the review of local government structure by the Local Government Commission we have received representations from the Society of Archivists, the Association of County Archivists, the National Council on Archives and the Royal Commission on Historic Manuscripts, as well as representations from other interested parties and members of the public.

  Our policy guidance to the Commission highlights the need for it to consider arrangements for the maintenance and management of archives. Our objective is for local authorities to continue to develop local policies for the collection and preservation of archives, and for making them available for public inspection whilst maintaining the integrity of existing collections.

  Building and Construction
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest assessment of the prospects for increased activity in the building and construction industry.

  Sir George Young
  The prospects for increased activity in the construction industry will have been boosted by the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his autumn statement. The action to revive the housing market, the "window of opportunity" for use of local authority capital receipts, the changes in capital allowances and the protection of many key capital spending programmes will all help create work in the industry. Most important of all is the reduction in interest rates, which are now at their lowest level since January 1978. All that is needed now is a return of confidence, and that should begin to re-assert itself now that the Government have set out their strategy for growth.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to change the standard spending assessment calculation for under-fives from a population base to a provision base.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Our proposals for the 1993–94 standard spending assessments do not include any amendment to the education SSA element for under-fives. However all representations on these proposals will be carefully considered before final decisions are reached.

  Water
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the chairmen of water companies in England and Wales about water supply disconnections.

  Mr. Maclean
  Both Ministers and officials from time to time meet the chairmen of water companies and discuss 710
  matters of mutual interest, including disconnections. For example, this subject was raised briefly when Lord Strathclyde and I met the chairmen of the Water Services Association and the Water Companies' Association on 1 December 1992.

  Housing
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new houses were completed in Essex for every year since 1979, broken down by local authority district and between private, local authority and housing association ownership management.

  Mr. Baldry
  Estimates of housebuilding completions by sector for each local authority area in Essex are shown in the publications "Local Housing Statistics" and "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas 1980–89".

  Figures for 1979 are in table 5 of the May 1980 edition (issue No. 53) of "Local Housing Statistics". Figures for 1980 to 1984 are in "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas"; tables 1.1 to 1.5. Latest figures for 1985 to 1991 and the first half of 1992 are in tables 1(a) to 1(h) of the October 1992 edition (issue No. 103) of "Local Housing Statistics". Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Budget Allocations
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the budget allocations made to each region for city grant for each year from 1989–90(a) at current prices and (b) at 1989–90 prices.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  City grant is a demand-led grant programme and not allocated on a regional basis. Details of the amount of city grant approved by region and financial year are listed.

  Region

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992 to date

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Prices at date of approval

  West Midlands

  19·34

  14·10

  15·84

  13·61

  North West

  24·33

  15·85

  21·15

  16·10

  Northern

  6·45

  2·39

  8·81

  6·77

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5·07

  16·60

  11·87

  3·61

  London

  5·66

  2·56

  5·38

  1·60

  East Midlands

  4·34

  1·73

  8·23

  2·00

  South West

  —

  0·26

  4·83

  3·70

  65·19

  53·49

  76·11

  47·39

  Amount of City Grant approved (1989–90 prices)

  West Midlands

  19·34

  13·03

  13·68

  11·25

  North West

  24·33

  14·65

  18·27

  13·31

  Northern

  6·45

  2·21

  7·61

  5·60

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5·07

  15·34

  10·25

  2·98

  London

  5·66

  2·36

  4·65

  1·32

  East Midlands

  4·34

  1·60

  7·11

  1·65

  South West

  —

  0·24

  4·17

  3·06

  65·19

  49·43

  65·74

  39·17

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the budget allocations made to each inner-city task force by his Department for each year from 1989–90(a) at current prices and (b) at 1989–90 prices.
  711
  Mr. Squire
  Responsibility for the task force unit transferred to my Department from the Department of Trade and Industry on 1 June 1992. The expenditure by each inner city task force for the period from 1989–90 to 1991–92 is set out in the following table.

  Expenditure by task forces 1989–92

  Task force

  1989–90 (£'000s)

  1990–91 (£'000s)

  1991–92 (£'000)

  Birmingham

  East

  958·9

  753·5

  999·1

  Handsworth

  311·9

  516·8

  8·0

  Bradford

  129·6

  1,107·4

  1,264·7

  Bristol

  920·6

  1,316·3

  1,073·9

  Coventry

  879·0

  802·3

  1,278·3

  Derby

  —

  62·2

  807·2

  Doncaster

  1,619·4

  1,192·4

  188·5

  Hartlepool

  941·4

  1,350·7

  769·6

  Hull

  —

  —

  80·5

  Leeds

  1,211·8

  1,021·5

  1,180·6

  Leicester

  981·5

  212·9

  2·8

  Liverpool

  297·7

  1,059·4

  1,422·9

  London

  Deptford

  48·5

  1,144·8

  1,208·7

  Hackney

  —

  —

  158·8

  North Peckham

  766·2

  1,530·4

  1,391·9

  Spitalfields

  859·5

  921·1

  1,243·9

  West London

  502·2

  1,163·8

  1,481·2

  Manchester

  996·7

  1,920·0

  2,203·1

  Middlesbrough

  979·7

  1,006·9

  1,160·1

  Nottingham

  998·4

  1,100·3

  857·2

  Preston

  487·8

  408·9

  87·7

  Rochdale

  908·7

  632·6

  254·6

  South Tyneside

  —

  —

  16·8

  Wirral

  —

  317·9

  701·2

  Wolverhampton

  1,269·8

  326·7

  99·6

  Note: Allocation of the task force budget of £23 million for 1992–93 is not yet complete. Figures are not available on a 1989–90 cost basis. To provide this would incur disproportionate costs.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what weight he gives to service-specific costs such as education inflation and social service provision inflation in calculating standard spending assessments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 7 December 1992]: Standard spending assessments are distributed according to general principles which best reflect the differences in the costs of providing a standard level of service between local authorities. Total standard spending and its division between services, takes account of a number of factors including service responsibilities, cost pressures and what the country can afford.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Curry
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC 712
  will apply to an individual case depends on the facts of that case; and there are a number of tests to be applied. For example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred.

  We are seeking the advice of our legal advisers about the relevance of TUPE on a case by case basis.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Curry
  The timetable set for market testing the Departmental activities listed in the citizens charter first report: 1992 (CM 2101) requires the whole programme to be completed by 30 September 1993.

  Planning is well under way on individual market tests and it is anticipated that the first invitations to tender will be issued early in 1993.

  Agri-environment Measures
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he intends to set priorities for the implementation of Agri-Environment Regulation (2078/92).

  Mr. Curry
  Our priorities, based on advice from Government agencies and others, include nitrate reduction measures where this is necessary to protect drinking water sources, reduction of livestock numbers where this will be environmentally beneficial, measures to increase the environmental benefits of set-aside, the encouragement of organic farming and the management of land for public access and recreation. Details of our proposals will be issued for consultation this winter. They are additional to the expansion of environmentally sensitive areas already under way.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the relationship between the agri-environment package and the implementation of the national sustainability plan.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is consulting widely on the scope of the United Kingdom's report to the Sustainable Development Commission. Our proposals for agri-environment measures, on which we will also consult widely, will reflect Government commitments on agriculture and the environment.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent his proposals on reorganisation of the Potato Marketing Board are affected by the most recent EC reform proposals for potato marketing.

  Mr. Curry
  I have made no proposals on reorganisation of the Potato Marketing Board. The EC proposals in their present form would require fundamental changes to the potato marketing scheme and the board's powers.The Agriculture Bill, currently in another place, contains enabling powers for the potato marketing scheme to be revoked, the Potato Marketing Board to be wound up and its assets transferred to a successor body or bodies. This flexibility does not exist in the European Communities Act
  713
  which would otherwise have to be used to wind up the scheme and the board if the current EC proposals were agreed.

  GATT
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect of the GATT round on the price of(a) beef and (b) milk within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  None. As the EC Commission has made clear, the agreement on agricultural issues reached with the United States in the context of the current GATT round is consistent with the reforms to CAP regimes agreed earlier this year.

  Scrapie
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date officials of his Department and other invited persons will be meeting Dr. Narang.

  Mr. Soames
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Ewes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish figures showing the total number of breeding ewes within the less-favoured areas in England and Wales in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is as follows:

  Breeding Ewes within less favoured areas

  England and Wales (thousands)

  1987

  7,863

  1988

  8,163

  1989

  8,507

  1990

  8,696

  1991

  8,727

  Source: June Agricultural Censuses 1987 to 1991—results for 1992 are not yet available in this form.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional training veterinary surgeons will have to undertake in order to carry out the ante and post-mortem inspection proposed under the EC directive on slaughterhouses.

  Mr. Soames
  Ante and post-mortem inspections are already required under United Kingdom legislation. For meat going for intra-community trade the ante-mortem must be carried out by an official veterinary surgeon and the new rules extend this requirement to meat going for domestic consumption. In the United Kingdom postmortem inspections will generally continue to be carried out by meat inspectors although in many other member states it is normally performed by a fully qualified veterinary surgeon.

  The degree qualification obtained by every veterinary surgeon fully equips him or her to perform both ante and
  714
  post-mortem inspections. In order to be designated by the Minister as an official veterinary surgeon in Great Britain a veterinary surgeon has to undertake a short course organised by the Department to bring him or her up to date with the latest United Kingdom and EC meat hygiene technology, legislation and practice.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider the desirability of linking grants for set-aside land in suitable locations in the upper and middle zones of river catchments, to a national scheme of grants for the construction of simple bunds and associated temporary sluices that would impound heavy natural run-off of water to avoid flooding.

  Mr. Curry
  Under domestic legislation, the Ministry makes grant aid available to the National Rivers Authority, local authorities and internal drainage boards in support of flood defence measures which are technically sound, economically worthwhile and environmentally acceptable. The rules for land set-aside under the new EC arable arrangements from autumn 1992 require the land to be kept in good agricultural condition during the set-aside period. It would be incompatible with this requirement to permit the construction of structures to prevent run-off on set-aside land.

DEFENCE

  NATO Status of Forces Agreement
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in the renegotiation with the German authorities of the supplementary agreement to the NATO status of forces agreement; when he expects the negotiations to be concluded; and when he expects a new agreement to come into force.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The review of the supplementary agreement to the NATO status of forces agreement began in September 1991. Negotiations have progressed very well and are now nearing their final stage. Seven states, including the United Kingdom and Germany are parties to the agreement and it is not possible therefore to say exactly when negotiations will be completed.

  Menwith Hill Station (Visit)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official assistance was given to the new director of the National Security Agency in connection with his visit to Menwith Hill station on 26 September.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All arrangements in support of visits by senior US officials to Menwith Hill station are a matter for the US Department of Defence.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the visit by representatives of the Government to Menwith Hill station around 11 October; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There was no visit to Menwith Hill station by representatives of the Government on or around 11 October.

  Greenwich Hospital Trust
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last published accounts for Greenwich hospital trust; and when he will make available a copy of the next available accounts.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Greenwich hospital's accounts for 1990–91 were ordered to be printed on 23 January 1992 and published accordingly by HMSO as House of Commons paper No. 203 of 1991–92. The 1991–92 accounts are nearing completion with a view to presentation to the House early in 1993.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the appointment of Hunters to act as agents for Greenwich hospital trust was subject to competitive tendering; and when the contract was last put out to tender.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. In 1968, Mr. D. C. Hunter, FRICS, was, with Admiralty Board approval, appointed manager of the hospital's Greenwich estate. In 1986, with the approval of the Greenwich hospital advisory panel, the appointment was transferred to Mr. Hunter's firm, Hunters, for a three-year trial period, with Mr. Hunter retaining responsibility for overall supervision of Greenwich hospital's interests. Although Mr. Hunter formally retired in 1989, he continues to act as a consultant to the firm. After the end of the trial period, the arrangement was reviewed and it was decided that existing contractual arrangements should continue.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation was undertaken with commercial tenants of Greenwich hospital trust about the appointment of the trust's agents to handle matters relating to the commercial leases held for the trust.

  Amalgamations in 1992

  Date

  Unit

  Full Title

  Formed from

  25 July 1992

  1 and 2 RGJ

  The Royal Green Jackets

  Reduction from 3 battalions to 2

  31 July 1992

  RDG

  The Royal Dragoon Guards

  Amalgamation of 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards

  1 August 1992

  1 and 2 RRF

  The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  Reduction from 3 batallions to 2

  3 August 1992

  2 RTR

  2nd Royal Tank Regiment

  Amalgamation of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and 3rd Royal Tank Regiment

  9 September 1992

  1 and 2 PWRR

  The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)

  Forms from the amalgamation of The Royal Hampshire Regiment and The Queen's Regiment (during period August 1992 to February 1993)

  14 September 1992

  2GR

  2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

  Amalgamation of the 1st and 2nd battalions 2nd King Edward VH's Own Gurkha " Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

  5 October 1992

  1 and 2 R Anglian

  The Royal Anglian Regiment

  Reduction from 3 battalions to 2

  19 October 1992

  HCR

  The Household Cavalry Regiment

  Union of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals

  1 December 1992

  LD

  The Light Dragoons

  Amalgamation of 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) and 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars

  4 December 1992

  KRH

  The King's Royal Hussars

  Amalgamation of The Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own) and 14th/20th King's Hussars

  716
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Available records do not indicate whether such consultation was undertaken. It is not normal commercial practice for a landlord to consult tenants before appointing an agent.

  Windsor Castle (Fire)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the deployment of military personnel at Windsor castle following the recent fire; what charges are being made for the cost of those services; and by whom they will be met.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During the fire and the immediate aftermath, in addition to men from the Windsor castle guard, some 200 soldiers from the Household Cavalry regiment were deployed to assist in removal of precious artifacts to a place of safety. Once the fire had been extinguished, soldiers assisted with the transfer of the previously removed objects back to their proper locations. During the period when members of the castle guard were providing assistance, the guard was reinforced with men from the 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles. Apart from charges which are being raised to cover the cost of meals provided for firemen at Combermere barracks, no charges are being raised for this assistance.

  Amalgamations
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out details of amalgamations or disbandments of combat arms units of the Army which have taken place during 1992, giving dates, the units affected and the titles of regiments formed by amalgamations; and if he will set out the timetable for future amalgamations or disbandments of combat arms units.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the tables.
  717

  Amalgamations—Future timetable

  Date

  Unit

  Full title

  Formed from

  27 February 1993

  1 and 2 LI

  The Light Infantry

  Reduction from 3 battalions to 2

  25 June 1993

  QRL

  The Queen's Royal Lancers

  Amalgamation of 17th/21st Lancers and 16/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers

  July 1993

  1 RTR

  1st Royal Tank Regiment

  Amalgamation of 1st Royal Tank Regiment and 4th Royal Tank Regiment

  August 1993

  QRH

  The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish)

  Amalgamation of The Queen's Own Hussars and The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars

  August 1993

  1 R IRISH

  The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Iniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)

  Amalgamation of 1st and 2nd battalions The Royal Irish Regiment

  August 1993

  1 CS (to be confirmed)

  The Cheshire and Staffordshire Regiment

  Amalgamation of The Cheshire Regiment and The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's)

  November 1993

  1 SG

  Scots Guards

  2nd battalion in suspended animation

  December 1993

  1 COLDM GDS

  Coldstream Guards

  2nd battalion in suspended animation

  April 1994

  RGBWR (to be confirmed)

  The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment

  Amalgamation of The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire) and The Gloucestershire Regiment

  September 1994

  to be announced

  to be announced

  Amalgamation of Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons and The Gordon Highlanders)

  October 1994

  to be announced

  to be announced

  Amalgamation of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) and The King's Own Scottish Borderers

  November 1994

  1 GREN GDS

  Grenadier Guards

  2nd battalion in suspended animation

  March 1995

  1 RGR

  1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles

  Amalgamation of 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) and 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles

  March 1995

  2RGR

  2nd Battalion the The Royal Gurkha Rifles

  7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles renames

  March 1995

  3 RGR

  3rd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles

  10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles renames

  March 1997

  2 RGR

  2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles

  Amalgamation of the 2nd and 3rd battalions The Royal Gurkha Rifles

  Note: Actual dates shown where known, others are approximate and subject to amendment.

  Military Aid
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the value of military aid supplied to overseas countries in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence has no military aid budget. The primary responsibility for funding military training assistance and other forms of aid lies with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and MOD assists where it is compatible with defence interests. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Liquid Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much liquid radioactive waste was dealt with annually since 1962 by the present liquid radioactive waste treatment plant at AWE Aldermaston.

  Mr. Aitken
  The volumes, in cubic metres, are as follows:

  Year

  Volume

  1962

  46,545

  1963

  39,950

  1964

  36,435

  1965

  34,661

  1966

  35,748

  718

  Year

  Volume

  1967

  34,643

  1968

  35,250

  1969

  32,700

  1970

  34,200

  1971

  34,400

  1972

  31,200

  1973

  33,000

  1974

  25,500

  1975

  25,500

  1976

  24,000

  1977

  25,800

  1978

  17,700

  1979

  21,300

  1980

  22,650

  1981

  16,800

  1982

  18,750

  1983

  15,900

  1984

  15,900

  1985

  15,300

  1986

  15,450

  1987

  14,250

  1988

  14,100

  1989

  13,800

  1990

  12,596

  1991

  13,500

  Note: Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom's active stockpile were declared one-point safe.

  Mr. Aitken
  Each design of nuclear weapon in the United Kingdom's active stockpile was declared one-point safe before entering service.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the establishment of a nuclear weapons safety group by his Department on the lines proposed in the Oxburgh report.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 6 November at column 532.

  Helicopter Noise
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans there are to extend the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme to include dwellings which are on regular helicopter flight paths;

  (2) what progress has been made on the review of the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme; and when he intends to reform the scheme.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A study is underway to establish whether the boundary of the existing noise scheme at Bessbrook should be extended in some areas to take into account the intensity of noise created by helicopters on approach and departure routes. The study is being conducted in close consultation with Newry and Mourne district council and we would expect the results to be available around mid-1993. If these show that additional properties are subject to the qualifying noise levels for sound insulation grant we will consider extending entitlement to those areas and, if appropriate, review the implications for other helicopter landing sites in Northern Ireland. We have no plans to introduce schemes other than in the vicinity of helicopter landing sites.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to including individual dwellings in the vicinity of look-out posts and occasional helicopter landing sites within the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  At look out posts and occasional helicopter landing sites the average 70dB(A) noise contour upon which our existing scheme is based would not be triggered from the small number of flights involved. It is not therefore proposed to include these sites in our scheme.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monitoring of helicopter noise and flight frequencies has been carried out, and at what locations, as part of the review of the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A pilot noise survey including a daily check of flight movements at Bessbrook, which we believe is the worst affected area, has already commenced and is continuing. Our efforts will be concentrated there until data from this task and a subsequent full noise survey have been collected and analysed.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the current review of the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme was initiated.
  720
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  April 1991.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the high incidence of night-time helicopter flights in parts of Northern Ireland during the review of the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is because of our concern about the number of night-time helicopter flights in certain parts of Northern Ireland that this aspect forms an important part of our review.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to introducing helicopter noise insulation schemes at landing sites excluded from the last such grant scheme.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We will consider the inclusion of other helicopter landing sites in Northern Ireland when the results of the noise survey at Bessbrook have been evaluated and the review of our night-time policy is complete.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before:30 September 1993.

  Mr. Aitken
  The table gives the information the hon. Gentleman requests for significant activities to be tested in this timescale. It should be noted that the planning dates given are indicative only, as the length of the consultation period and the negotiations which follow are not easy to predict in each case.

  Main activities to be tested by 30 September 1993

  Estimated completion date

  Accommodation and office services

  Property management (completed August 1992) Others March and September 1993

  Elementary Flying Training

  January 1993

  Engineering services and support

  RAF Scampton (completed) 30 July 1993 (18 Base Workshop) Helicopter and aircraft support—RNAS Yeovilton (completed)

  Fire services

  31 August 1993

  Freight delivery

  BAOR freight services (completed)

  31 August 1993 Military container service

  Grounds maintenance

  September 1993

  Information Technology services

  February 1993

  Motor Transport

  July 1993

  In-service equipment support

  May 1993 (Trident in-service support)

  March 1993 Flight checking

  Nuclear weapon research and production facilities

  April 1993

  Operation of experimental aircraft fleet

  September 1993

  Vehicle maintenance

  May 1993

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which of those of his Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of
  721
  Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Aitken
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply to an individual case will depend on the facts of that case. There are a number of tests to be applied; for example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred. We are seeking the advice of our legal advisers about the relevance of TUPE on a case by case basis.

  Aircraft
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the development of a European maritime patrol aircraft.

  Mr. Aitken
  I understand that a number of European aircraft manufacturers, including British Aerospace, are conducting exploratory studies into a possible European maritime patrol aircraft. I would be happy to consider such an aircraft as a possible contender to meet our future requirements, were it to be available.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom will participate in the feasibility stage of the European future large aircraft.

  Mr. Aitken
  No. However, we will continue to follow developments on the project.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom's requirement for a replacement maritime patrol aircraft.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department intends shortly to issue a request to industry for information, on possible means of upgrading the maritime patrol capability currently provided by the Nimrod MR2 aircraft. This will allow the identification of possible enhancements to, or replacements for, the present aircraft and their systems around the turn of the century. The responses to this request will enable my Department to assess possible solutions and establish which offers best value for money in meeting the requirement.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need for the United Kingdom to acquire a replacement for the Hercules aircraft.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department is currently assessing the need for a replacement for the Hercules aircraft against our future air transport requirements. It is out intention to procure any such replacement aircraft off-the-shelf.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the prospects for the European future large aircraft project following recent progress on the European fighter aircraft project.

  Mr. Aitken
  As my Department is not participating in the European future large aircraft project, we have made no assessment of its prospects following progress on EFA. We will, however, follow any developments.

EMPLOYMENT

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the number of(a) agricultural inspectors and (b) factory inspectors in the HSE area offices in (i) London and the south-east and (ii) the midlands region in each year since 1978.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  (a) The information available for Health and Safety Executive (HSE) agricultural inspectors is as follows:

  (i) London and south-east region

  (ii) Midlands region

  1985

  10

  31

  1986

  8

  34

  1987

  9

  31

  1988

  10

  30

  1989

  9

  31

  1990

  11

  30

  1991

  10

  27

  1992

  10

  30

  Note Figures are for I April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available for earlier years by these regions because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  (b) The number of factory inspectors employed by HSE in (i) London and the south-east and (ii) the midlands region in each year since 1978 was:

  Year

  (i) London and South East region

  (ii) Midlands region

  1978

  98·0

  122·0

  1979

  108·0

  124·0

  1980

  110·0

  132·0

  1981

  111·0

  127·0

  1982

  105·0

  118·0

  1983

  99·0

  109·0

  1984

  91·0

  103·0

  1985

  100·0

  106·0

  1986

  94·0

  105·5

  1987

  94·5

  104·5

  1988

  96·0

  101·5

  1989

  96·0

  103·5

  1990

  93·0

  116·0

  1991

  95·0

  120·5

  1992

  99·0

  132·5

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the number of(a) nurses and (b) doctors employed in the HSE area offices in the (i) London and south-east and (ii) midlands regions, in each year since 1978.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  (a) The information available for nurses employed by the Health and Safety Executive in (i) London and the south-east and (ii) the midlands is as follows:

  723

  (i) London and South East region

  (ii) Midlands region

  1985

  4

  8

  1986

  4

  8

  1987

  5

  8

  1988

  5

  9

  1989

  6

  8

  1990

  5

  9

  1991

  6

  8

  1992

  7

  9

  Note: Figures are for I April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available for earlier years by these regions because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  (b) The information available for doctors employed by the Health and Safety Executive in (i) London arid the south-east and (ii) the midlands is:

  (i) London and the South East region

  (ii) Midlands region

  1985

  10·0

  12·0

  1986

  10·0

  10·5

  1987

  6·5

  10·5

  1988

  4·5

  10·0

  1989

  4·5

  8·0

  1990

  4·0

  9·0

  1991

  3·5

  8·0

  1992

  6·5

  10·0

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available for earlier years by these regions because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the number of(a) agricultural inspectors, (b) factory inspectors, (c) doctors and (d) nurses in the Health and Safety Executive area offices in the north-west region in each year since 1978.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  (a) The available information for Health and Safety Executive (HSE) agricultural inspectors in the north-west region is as follows:

  Number

  1985

  12

  1986

  13

  1987

  13

  1988

  10

  1989

  12

  1990

  14

  1991

  14

  1992

  17

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available for earlier years by this region because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  (b) The number of factory inspectors employed by HSE in the north-west region in each year since 1978 was:
  724

  Number

  1978

  92

  1979

  97

  1980

  90

  1981

  93

  1982

  87

  1983

  85

  1984

  83

  1985

  85·5

  1986

  78·5

  1987

  78·5

  1988

  74·5

  1989

  80

  1990

  83·5

  1991

  82·5

  1992

  79·5

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  (c) The information available for HSE doctors in the north-west region is as follows:

  Number

  1985

  10

  1986

  8

  1987

  9

  1988

  7

  1989

  7

  1990

  5

  1991

  7

  1992

  7·5

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available for earlier years by this region because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  (d) The information available for HSE nurses in the north-west region is as follows:

  Number

  1985

  7

  1986

  7

  1987

  7

  1988

  7

  1989

  7

  1990

  6

  1991

  7

  1992

  8

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available for earlier years by this region because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the number of(a) factory inspectors, (b) agricultural inspectors, (c) doctors arid (d) nurses in the Health and Safety Executive area offices in the Yorkshire and north-east region in each year since 1978.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  (a) The number of factory inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the Yorkshire and north-east region in each year since 1978 was:

  725

  Number

  1978

  101·0

  1979

  104·0

  1980

  108·0

  1981

  103·0

  1982

  90·0

  1983

  92·5

  1984

  88·0

  1985

  91·0

  1986

  88·0

  1987

  86·5

  1988

  79·5

  1989

  84·5

  1990

  90·5

  1991

  92·5

  1992

  89·5

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  (b) The information available for Health and Safety Executive agricultural inspectors in the Yorkshire and north-east region is as follows:

  Number

  1985

  18

  1986

  17

  1987

  18

  1988

  14

  1989

  16

  1990

  19

  1991

  22

  1992

  18

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available by these regions for earlier years because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  (c) The information available for Health and Safety Executive doctors in the Yorkshire and north-east region is as follows:

  Number

  1985

  9·0

  1986

  9·5

  1987

  7·0

  1988

  6·0

  1989

  6·5

  1990

  8·5

  1991

  7·5

  1992

  8·5

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.

  Comparable figures are not available by these regions for earlier years because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  (d) The information available for HSE nurses in the Yorkshire and north-east region is:

  Number

  1985

  10

  1986

  12

  1987

  10

  1988

  10

  1989

  10

  1990

  9

  1991

  9

  1992

  8

  Note: Figures are for 1 April each year and show full-time equivalent staff.
  726
  Comparable figures are not available by this region for earlier years because of changes in the basis of compiling staffing statistics for the occupational group.

  Mr. A. J. Linehan
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps were taken under the civil service rules relating to business appointments in connection with approval of the recruitment of Mr. A. J. Linehan by Higgs and Hill Safety Consultants.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Mr. Linehan did not apply to the executive under the normal civil service rules prior to this appointment as a non-executive director of Hinton and Higgs and the executive is in correspondence with him on the matter.

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost of ACAS during each year since its creation; and what is the expected cost in(a) 1992 and (b)

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is set out in the following table:

  Cost £ million1

  (a) Historical costs

  21974–75

  1·3

  1975–76

  3·4

  1976–77

  8·0

  1977–78

  8·6

  1978–79

  9·4

  1979–80

  10·6

  1980–81

  11·8

  1981–82

  10·7

  1982–83

  11·7

  1983–84

  12·3

  1984–85

  12·6

  1985–86

  13·1

  1986–87

  14·4

  1987–88

  15·2

  1988–89

  15·9

  1989–90

  16·5

  1990–91

  17·7

  1991–92

  19·5

  (b) Estimated costs:

  1992–93

  21·7

  1 Total net costs of ACAS. Figures do not include the costs of the
  Certification Officer or of the Central Arbitration Committee.

  2 2 September 1974 to 31 March 1975.

  Figures for 1993–94 will be published in the Government's expenditure plans (Employment Department Group Report) early next year.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many conciliation officers have been employed by ACAS during each year since its creation; how many it employs now; and how many it expects to employ in 1993.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I am told by the chairman of ACAS that all higher executive officers (HEOs) employed by the service in its regional organisation are nominated as
  727
  conciliation officers under section 211(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, although not all are employed full-time on conciliation work. Records of the total number of HEOs employed are not available before 1983.

  Year

  Number of HEOs on operational work

  1983

  221

  1984

  216

  1985

  203

  1986

  204

  1987

  200

  1988

  190

  1989

  184

  1990

  185

  1991

  181

  1992

  191

  The figures given are calculated on the average number of HEOs in post over the first half of the calendar year in question. This year it is estimated that 92 per cent. of all HEO operational time is being employed on conciliation. This proportion is expected to be higher in 1993.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the role of ACAS has changed since its foundation; and what further changes are proposed.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Since its creation as an independent statutory body, by the Employment Protection Act 1975, there have been three main changes to the statutory role of ACAS. First, the provisions in the 1975 Act relating to ACAS's role in the determination of claims for trade union recognition were repealed by the Employment Act 1980. Secondly, ACAS's role in undertaking inquiries into questions concerning Wages Councils was ended by the Wages Act 1986. Thirdly, ACAS's role in seeking to promote the settlement of complaints without them having to be determined by an industrial tribunal has been extended by a variety of enactments.

  As to the future, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1 December, Official Report, columns 132–33, to my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick). If there are to be any further changes, they will be made after consultation with the ACAS Council.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many and what percentage of ACAS conciliation officers have portable telephones and word processors; and what plans there are to increase these provisions.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I am told by the chairman of ACAS that no portable telephones are in use by conciliation officers. Most conciliation officers have access to personal computers. Replacement of the service's current computing systems is scheduled for 1993.

  Training
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people resident in the Hyndburn constituency are engaged on employment training and employment action; and what proportion they represent of the total number of eligible people.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is not available. Information on the number of participants on 728
  employment training and employment action is riot collected centrally below training and enterprise council level.

  Pools Industry
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the pools industry.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is included in the estimates for sport and other recreational services, which do not separately identify the pools industry.

  In June 1992 (the latest date for which information is available) there were 343,000 employees in employment in sport and other recreational services in Great Britain.

  Vocational Training
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make it her policy to establish United Kingdom wide minimum standards for the provision of vocational training, including(a) maximum numbers of hours that trainees are allowed to work, (b) the proportion of time to be spent on off-the-job training, (c) the proportion of time to be spent on placement, (d) break entitlements, (e) holiday entitlement, (f) other paid or unpaid leave and (g) grievance and disciplinary procedures.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidelines have been produced by her Department to training and enterprise councils concerning the inclusion of statements relating to(a) the quality of the training provision and (b) equal opportunity statements within their operating agreements.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Relations between training and enterprise councils and the Employment Department are governed by the TEC operating agreement. Under this agreement TECs are required to:Contract only with training providers that obtain and maintain approved training organisation status under criteria published by the Secretary of State or under criteria that are agreed to be at least equivalent; and to use all reasonable endeavours to ensure equality of opportunity in respect of all their activities and to pass on this obligation to their training providers.

  Each year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State produces strategic guidance to support TECs in developing their plans. This sets out the strategic priorities that underpin the operating agreement. These cover help for those at a disadvantage in the labour market and the provision of high quality training.

  In addition, TECs have access to "Developing Good Practice" briefs on equal opportunities, managing quality and a wide range of other subjects.

  PA Consulting Group
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money has been paid to PA Consulting Group in respect of contracts undertaken to(a) establish the feasibility of privatising the electrical equipment certification service and (b) undertake a pay and grading review for the Health and Safety Executive.
  729
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Health and Safety Executive paid PA Consulting Group £87,400 in the financial year 1991–92 for a study of the future status of the electrical equipment certification service.

  The Health and Safety Executive appointed PA Consulting Group in March 1992 to assist in a review of pay and grading arrangements. A total of £79,400 has been paid to date.

  Both contracts were awarded following competitive tendering exercises.

  Hazard Ratings
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how occupational health factors are taken into account in determining the Health and Safety Executive's hazard rating system for the inspection of premises.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  When determining current health performance at inspection visits, to enable them to determine or review the inspection rating calculated, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive's field operations division (FOD) take into account the action taken by employers, owners and the self employed to both identify risks to health and to prevent or control the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

  Field operations division is currently looking at new approaches to stimulate systematic collection of information on health risks further to refine the targeting of inspection visits planned on the basis of the rating system.

  Employment Service
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress the Employment Service has made in the latest quarter in meeting targets outlined in the 1992–93 agency agreement; and if she will show for the latest possible date(a) the total unemployed job placings against profiled target, (b) the long-term unemployed job placings, (c) people with disabilities job placings, (d) inner-city job placings, (e) the employment training referral to the start ratio, (f) the number of new claims not pursued following initial contact and (g) the number of people who withdrew their claim to benefit after contact with fraud investigators.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I am informed by the chief executive of the Employment Service that in the period April to September 1992, the Employment Service placed a total of 729,000 unemployed people into jobs, against an annual target of 1·425 million. 24·3 per cent. of these placings were long-term claimants, 2·8 per cent. were people with disabilities and 34 per cent. were unemployed people in inner cities against annual targets of 19 per cent., 2·5 per cent. and 36 per cent. respectively. Over the same period the employment training/employment action referral to start ratio was 2·8:1 against an annual target of 2·5:1. New claims not pursued following initial contact were at the annual target level of 10 per cent. The number of people who withdrew their claim to benefit after contact with fraud investigators was 35,000 against an annual target of 58,000.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those unemployed in the Accrington and Rossendale travel-to-work area have been out of work for more than 12 months.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Unemployment figures by duration are available only on a quarterly basis. In October 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, 25·1 per cent. of unemployed people in the Accrington and Rossendale travel-to-work-area had been unemployed for over 12 months.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list by county the number and percentage of long-term unemployed for each year since 1984; and if she will indicate the percentage increase or decrease for each county.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the areas of the south-east region which are considered as long-term unemployment black spots; and what actions she proposes to take to help these areas.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is departmental policy to target assistance for the long term unemployed at individual people. In November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that next year help on Government employment and training programmes for unemployed people is being increased by nearly £500,000 to almost £1·5 million. New jobplan workshops will offer guidance and assessment for 300,000 people unemployed for a year or more.

  The successful job club and job interview guarantee schemes, including work trials, will both be expanded to provide an additional 180,000 places. Training for work will give training and enterprise councils greater flexibility to provide over 300,000 adults with opportunities to improve, update and learn new skills, or do work of benefit to the local community.

  Job Clubs
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many job clubs were operational in each region and for Great Britain as a whole at the latest available date and for each year since 1987; how many of them in each region catered for groups with special needs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from J. Cooper to Ms. Clare Short, dated 9 December 1992:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, it is the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the Agency's Chief Executive to answer Parliamentary Questions about relevant operational matters. In his absence, I am replying to your question about the number of Jobclubs operational since 1987.
  Table 'A' attached shows the number of Jobclubs at the end of each operational year (end March) from 1986–87. The

  731
  number of Jobclubs at the end of 1986–87 is only available as a national total, but regional breakdowns are shown for subsequent years. The most recent figures (October 1992), are also given.
  Table 'B' shows the number of standard and specialist Jobclubs by region and nationally at the end of March 1992. Although specialist Jobclubs were introduced as pilots in previous years, this was the first year for which separate statistics were recorded. The most recent figures (September 1992), are also given.
  All Jobclubs help people who face particular difficulties in the labour market and most will have members who either have some degree of literacy or language problem, have a disability or have been in prison. Similarly, all Jobclubs are open to executives and managers. In response to the rise in unemployment at executive levels we have been opening some Jobclubs which focus particularly on that client group, though the activities and operations are very similar to the standard provision.
  For ex-offenders and people with disabilities, our policy is to integrate them into our standard provision wherever possible. The existence of a very small number of Jobclubs

  Table A

  Number of jobclubs by region

  Northern

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  London and South East

  South West

  Wales

  West Midlands

  North West

  Scotland

  National

  March 1987

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  390

  March 1988

  90

  102

  111

  265

  75

  75

  144

  200

  142

  1,204

  March 1989

  95

  96

  111

  263

  77

  74

  146

  208

  140

  1,210

  March 1990

  78

  91

  90

  229

  57

  62

  108

  165

  130

  1,010

  March 1991

  76

  84

  80

  209

  57

  59

  100

  155

  123

  943

  March 1992

  100

  105

  118

  317

  77

  68

  144

  196

  138

  1,263

  October 1992

  100

  106

  110

  317

  85

  75

  143

  193

  139

  1,268

  Table B

  Number of specialist jobclubs by region

  Northern

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  London and South East

  South West

  Wales

  West Midlands

  North West

  Scotland

  National

  March 1992

  Standard

  89

  86

  86

  236

  62

  65

  118

  171

  120

  1,033

  Supportive

  3

  11

  14

  36

  3

  1

  12

  10

  9

  99

  Executive

  5

  4

  16

  37

  11

  2

  9

  12

  9

  105

  People with disabilities

  1

  1

  1

  3

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  8

  Ex offenders

  2

  3

  1

  5

  1

  0

  3

  3

  0

  18

  September 1992

  Standard

  88

  85

  86

  242

  67

  67

  118

  165

  118

  1,036

  Supportive

  3

  13

  9

  35

  3

  1

  8

  9

  11

  92

  Executive

  7

  5

  16

  38

  13

  7

  9

  15

  9

  119

  People with disabilities

  1

  1

  1

  4

  1

  0

  3

  0

  0

  11

  Ex offenders

  1

  2

  1

  5

  1

  0

  3

  4

  0

  17

  Market Testing
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to which of those of her Department's activities due to be market-tested by 30 September 1993 the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive 77/189/EEC will apply to an individual case depends on the facts of the
  732
  targeted specifically at such clients is aimed at developing our expertise which can help improve provision over the whole network.
  Supportive Jobclubs provide additional help to people with more severe problems who cannot cope in the standard provision. They are proving a useful way of extending the range of people Jobclubs can help, especially in terms of literacy or language, or people with a severe lack of confidence who have been unemployed for a long time.
  In her statement to the House on 12 November 1992, the Secretary of State indicated, amongst other things, that there will be a further expansion of Jobclubs in 1993–94. We expect to target part of the expansion towards supportive Jobclubs. An evaluation of this provision is nearing completion and we shall want to consider the findings before deciding on the balance between the standard and supportive approaches.
  I hope this is helpful.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  case; and there are a number of tests to be applied. For example, it needs to be shown that an undertaking or part of an undertaking is actually being transferred.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a timetable showing when he plans to market-test those activities listed for testing before 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The citizens charter White Paper, "The Citizen's Charter: First Report 1992" (Cm. 2101), shows the main activities which are included in the Employment Department market-testing programme up to 30 September 1993.

  Planning is well under way.

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