Written Answers of 13 January 1992

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  European Court
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Attorney-General whether the Lord Chancellor intends to amend or clarify the law in order to ensure that the intentions of the House of Commons are not frustrated by courts imposing requirements which are contingent on the outcome of an unresolved appeal to the European Court.

  The Attorney-General
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Kirklees Borough Council v Wickes Building Supplies Ltd in which it was held that the council was required to give a cross-undertaking in damages when seeking, by means of an interlocutory injunction, to enforce the Shops Act 1950. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this decision because it is shortly to be appealed to the House of Lords.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will seek an early date for the hearing in the European Court of Justice on the alleged conflict between article 30 of the treaty of Rome and United Kingdom legislation on Sunday trading.

  The Attorney-General
  The United Kingdom has asked the European Court of Justice for an early date for the hearing of this issue.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his statement of 27 November,Official Report, column 918, if he will seek clarification from the European Court on the obscure reference in its decision in the Torfaen case, to which he referred, and in particular of those comments which have been interpreted as implying a conflict between United Kingdom Sunday trading legislation and article 30 of the treaty of Rome.

  The Attorney-General
  In two current cases on Sunday trading the United Kingdom has submitted observations to the European Court of Justice which discuss the effect of previous decisions of the court.

  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects the European Court of Justice to reach a decision on Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The European Court of Justice has not yet fixed a date for the hearing of the references by English courts, but the United Kingdom has asked for an early hearing.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Job Satisfaction
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what recent representations he has received from civil service unions on job satisfaction.

  Mr. Renton
  I meet civil service unions from time to time to discuss a variety of issues. It is the job of managers in departments and agencies to achieve our aim of having an efficient, effective and well-motivated civil service.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will commission research to update the Race Relations Employment Advisory Service report into how to identify and overcome barriers to fair employment across the civil service.

  Mr. Renton
  That report focused on the Department of Employment group. Similar recommendations were incorporated into the civil service programme for action on race, launched in 1990. Last month my department published the first progress report. It showed that departments and agencies have made a good start. The Government are determined to see further progress in this area.

THE ARTS

  Music Training
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will visit Wales to discuss music training.

  Mr. Renton
  I visited Wales in May and October last year, and shall be visiting the Principality again on 21 February to attend a performance by Welsh National Opera of "Pelleas and Melisande". Musical training in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales; but I should be pleased to discuss any matters falling within my own remit.

  Theatre Visits
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he next intends to visit the northern region to visit theatres.

  Mr. Renton
  I visited the northern region twice last year, and I hope to do so again soon. I will be happy to consider invitations to theatres in the region as part of that visit.

  Artistic Heritage
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received about his proposals to retain the country's artistic heritage in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Renton
  I have received a number of representations on the approach suggested by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and on the other option which I floated as an alternative. I look forward to receiving further representations by the end of March.

  Business Sponsorship
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement about business sponsorship of the arts.

  Mr. Renton
  Business sponsorship of the arts is holding up extremely well. Last year £44·5 million was attracted. I have now increased the budget for the business sponsorship incentive scheme, by £1 million, to £4·5 million from 1992–93, to sustain the growth of sponsorship which makes a vital contribution to the well-being of the arts in this country.

ENVIRONMENT

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to introduce a system of independent and objective evaluation of competitive tenders for the provision of local authority services, in cases where private sector agencies are in competition with direct labour organisations.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have no proposals to remove the responsibility for tender evaluation from local authorities. Our approach is set out in the consultation document "Competing for Quality—Competition in the provision of local services", published on 5 November. We expect our proposals to result in a clearer and fairer framework for compulsory competitive tendering.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by each of his Department's executive agencies since their establishment; and separately identify those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The following quality of service performance indicators have been adopted in each of my executive agencies. Unless otherwise specified, they have been adopted since the establishment of the agency.

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre: The key quality of service performance indicators arc customer ratings of service in each functional area. These are measured by means of a detailed questionnaire presentation, catering facilities, overall value for money and the client's willingness to use the Centre again.

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency: The key quality of service performance indicators are visitors' ratings for enjoyment, value for money, and helpfulness of staff, which are measured by regular surveys of customer satisfaction. The customer survey programme started in 1988, one year ahead of Agency status.

  Building Research Establishment: The current quality of service indicators are fulfilment of customer commissions (monitored by a sample survey); adherence to timescales for delivery of contracted outputs; and adherence to customer budgets.

  Ordnance Survey1The key quality of service performance indicators are to publish on microfilm within three months, each large scale map meeting the criteria and specification for reproduction, and to despatch within seven working days (including the day the order is received) 90 per cent. of orders for 1:50,000 folded maps. The first indicator was tightened from four to three months after the first year of the Agency's operation.

  The Buying Agency: This agency was launched on 31 October 1991. Performance indicators have yet to be agreed, and
  418
  are expected to cover comparative prices for key product and service ranges, response and delivery times, and complaints.

  1 The Ordnance Survey is a separate Government Department

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of each of his Department's executive agencies; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information is as follows.

  Agency

  Subject

  University

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  Law

  London

  Building Research Establishment

  Natural Science Tripos

  Cambridge

  Ordnance Survey1

  Technology

  Brunel

  The Buying Agency

  Geography with Geology

  Bristol

  1 The Ordnance Survey is a separate Government Department for which I have ministerial responsibility.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff were in post on the date that each of his Department's executive agencies was established; and how many staff are in post now in each case.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information is as follows:

  Agency

  In post at launch

  In post on 1 December 1991

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  64·0

  65

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  344·0

  372

  Building Research Establishment

  684·5

  707

  Ordnance Survey1

  2,518·0

  2,373

  The Buying Agency

  115·0

  115

  1 The Ordnance Survey is a separate Government Department for which I have ministerial responsibility.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of each of his Department's executive agencies; and whether the cost was borne by the parent department or the new agency.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information is as follows:

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre—since the Centre had already been successfully launched as a commercial organisation for nearly 3 years before it became an Executive Agency there was no special launch.

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency—was launched with a press conference and a modest event for staff at each Palace. The Department contributed £366 and the Agency £150.

  Building Research Establishment—the Agency bore the total cost of £7,000.

  Ordnance Survey1—the Agency bore the cost from its running cost provision and did not exceed £5,000.

  The Buying Agency—the Agency bore the total cost of £25,000.

  1 The Ordnance Survey is a separate Government Department for which I am responsible.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable, including performance-related elements, in each case where appointments from the private sector have been made to his Department's executive agencies at grade 7 or above, since their establishment.
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  Mr. Heseltine
  The information is as follows:

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre—one appointment at Grade 7 level.

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency—apart from the Chief Executive three at Grades 5/6 and two appointments at Grade 7.

  Building Research Establishment—five appointments at Grade 7.

  Ordnance Survey1—apart from the Chief Executive, one appointment at Grade 6.

  The Buying Agency—none.

  The salaries including performance elements of each appointment in each executive agency are appropriate to the relevant civil service grade.

  1 The Ordnance Survey is a separate Government Department for which I am responsible.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether a group bonus scheme is in operation in each of his Department's executive agencies.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the last annual report for each of his Department's executive agencies was published; and when the next one is due.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those new facilities for staff nurseries and health care schemes which have been introduced in each of his Department's executive agencies since their establishment.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into each of his Department's executive agencies since their establishment; and provide a breakdown by grade of the number of staff taking up each new working pattern for each new agency.

  Mr. Heseltine
  These are matters for which each chief executive has day-to-day management responsibility. I am therefore asking each chief executive—including that of the Ordnance Survey, which is a separate Government Department for which I have ministerial responsibility—to write to the hon. Member. A copy of their letters will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of each of his Department's executive agencies, including performance-related element, and the length of time of the chief executive's contract in each case.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information is as follows:

  Agency

  Maximum salary

  Length of contract

  £

  Years

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  55,490

  25

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  59,000

  5

  Building Research Establishment

  57,300

  5

  Ordnance Survey1

  55,700

  3

  The Buying Agency

  56,300

  3

  1 The Ordnance Survey is a separate Government Department for which I have ministerial responsibility.

  2 Extended to just over 7 years.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the total amounts unpaid by the Property Services Agency to contractors for work 420
  completed which remain outstanding for periods in excess of (a) two years, (b) three years, (c) four years and (d) five years.

  Mr. Yeo
  PSA Services' policy is to make payment promptly as soon as this is due under the terms of the contract; payment will normally be made within 30 days of the presentation of a valid invoice.

  Final accounts on major projects often contain claims by contractors for additional costs claimed to be outside the contractor's control. Substantiating these claims can be a slow process. Interim payments are made as sums are justified, but overall the average settlement figure is only 20 per cent. of the original amount claimed. Because of the complex nature of contractors' claims it is not possible to say with any accuracy how much will eventually be paid to contractors for claims currently being discussed and negotiated.

  Business Rates, Southend
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost for an appeal against business rate valuations in Southend.

  Mr. Heseltine
  In England the average cost in 1990–91 to the Inland Revenue Valuation Office of handling proposals by ratepayers to alter rating lists is estimated at approximately £230. Separate figures for Southend are not available.

  The average cost to the Essex valuation and community charge tribunals—VCCT—of dealing with all types of appeal is estimated at approximately £100 per appeal cleared in 1990–91.

  These costs are not, of course, borne by the appellant, though in the case of appeals beyond the VCCT to the Lands Tribunal costs may be awarded.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department first contacted the director general of the Forestry Protection and Nature Conservation Authority in Indonesia requesting information on CITES annex C2 species; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have had no direct contact with the Indonesian authorities. I understand that the European Commission wrote to them in 1987, and again in 1988, 1990 and, most recently, on 2 December this year. Officials from the Commission and the CITES secretariat have also discussed wildlife issues with the Indonesian authorities.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of appeals for opencast sites his Department has granted since 1980 to British Coal and private companies, the names of the companies, and the location of the sites.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information requested is available only in respect of decisions issued since 1 April 1987. The Department's records show that the number of planning appeals granted for opencast sites in each financial year were as follows:
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  Planning Authority

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  11991

  Barnsley

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Bolton

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  2

  2

  2

  2

  —

  County Durham

  3

  3

  3

  3

  4

  Gateshead

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Huntingdon

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Leeds

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  North Tyneside

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Northumberland

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Staffordshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Wakefield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Total

  7

  8

  8

  9

  7

  1 1 April 1991–30 November 1991

  Details of companies involved and the precise location of each site are not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member when the information has been collected.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what initiatives his Department has undertaken to encourage construction firms (i) to ensure maximum standards of energy efficiency in buildings and (ii) to use energy efficient materials;

  (2) if he will review all aspects of the Building Regulations and codes of practice with a particular view to improving the long-term durability of construction and energy efficiency;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to adopt new standards for house building and introduce a requirement for all newly built, converted or renovated properties to undergo energy audits.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Building Regulations and codes of practice are kept under review. The Department supports a programme of research at the Building Research Establishment and elsewhere with annual expenditure of £10 million.

  Provisions in the Building Regulations for higher standards of energy efficiency came into force in April last year. The Government are committed to seeing how these standards could be further strengthened, including improved provisions when properties are converted or renovated.

  A Government "standard assessment procedure" for comparing home energy labels was introduced on 18 December. It is our intention that this system should be developed to enable it to be incorporated into the Building Regulations when these are next amended.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has any plans to carry out an audit of low-income households to identify the steps needed to make homes energy efficient.

  Changes between years in the standard spending assessments for Shropshire

  Education

  Personal social services

  All services

  Year

  £ million

  Per cent.

  £ million

  Per cent.

  £ million

  Per cent.

  1989–90–1990–91

  6·048

  5·0

  3·048

  15·4

  13·609

  7·0

  1990–91–1991–92

  17·274

  13·5

  4·808

  21·3

  33·698

  16·1

  1991–92–1992–93

  8·522

  5·9

  2·505

  9·2

  13·945

  5·8

  422
  Mr. Yeo
  The 1991 English house condition survey will include an "energy audit" of dwellings in the sample and record achieved room temperatures and fuel consumption. It will provide an estimate of the energy efficiency of the housing stock, including the homes of low-income households, and the measures needed to make dwellings energy efficient.

  A13, Havering
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the decision of the public inquiry on the routing of the A13 trunk road through Havering.

  Mr. Yeo
  The decision will be announced when the inspector's report has been considered in conjunction with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Defective Housing
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds he has made available to enable London boroughs to buy back from right-to-buy owners houses found to have concrete cancer.

  Mr. Yeo
  Authorities may choose whether to repurchase or repair dwellings designated under housing defects legislation. Annual housing investment programme HIP—allocations take account of numbers of unreinstated designated dwellings reported by authorities. Recently announced 1992–93 HIP allocations for London boroughs included £56·7 million for specified capital grants, of which £3·7 million was allowed for housing defects obligations. These are notional, indicative figures, and authorities may spend more, or less, according to their statutory obligations. Exchequer contributions are paid to meet 75 per cent of the net cost of repurchases or repairs.

  Standard Spending Assessment, Shropshire
  Mr. Biffen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total and percentage increase over the previous year for the standard spending assessment for Shropshire for 1990–91, 1991–92, and 1992–93 in respect of education, personal services, and total expenditure.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information requested is shown in the following table. The increases for 1990–91 are based on a comparison with 1989–90 grant-related expenditure assessments adjusted to take account of changes in authorities' responsibilities between the two years. Those for 1992–93 are based on the provisional standard spending assessments announced on 26 November 1991.

  Waste Incinerators
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to release the results of the linked planning inquiry into the siting of merchant chemical waste incinerators on Teesside and Tyneside.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend will release the results of the three linked incinerator inquiries on Teesside and Tyneside, along with his decision on the applications, as soon as it is practicable to do so.

  Mental Handicap
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will obtain for his departmental library a copy of the Mencap document regarding the charging for, and provision of, day care centre and educational facility plans for mentally handicapped people.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Yes.

  Homelessness (Manchester)
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance his Department proposes to give to those charitable organisations which provide shelter to homeless people in the Greater Manchester area over the Christmas period.

  Mr. Yeo
  In 1991–92, the Government are providing £4·5 million in grants to voluntary organisations throughout England for practical projects to prevent and relieve homelessness. This will rise to £6·1 million in 1992–93—an increase in real terms of around 30 per cent. Among the projects currently funded are three in Greater Manchester—Hulme Action Research Project, SHADES City Centre Project and the Selcare Trust.

  The concentrations of rough sleepers in individual local authority areas outside London are comparatively small and I would expect individual local authorities to make emergency provision for people sleeping out in their areas.

  Woolwich Common Estate
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much is to be spent on improvements to the Woolwich Common estate; how much is Government funded; when the homes were built; and what the spending is, averaged across the number of dwellings and the number of residents.

  Mr. Yeo
  I recently approved, under the 1991–92 estate action programme, a scheme on the Woolwich Common estate totalling £9·910 million. Estate action resources will contribute £5·527 million or 56 per cent. of the total scheme costs and will help to improve the living conditions in 688 of the 1,350 dwellings on the estate. The best estimate that we have of the number of residents affected is 2,000. Woolwich Common was built in four phases between 1968 and 1981. Under the proposed scheme a 93-dwelling Bison tower block, built under phase I, will benefit from improved heating, insulation and communal facilities. The security problems of 488 low-rise flats, which were among the last buildings to be constructed on the site, will also be addressed. The scheme also involves reroofing and rewiring these dwellings and others. The average costs per unit for all dwellings included in the scheme is £14,500.
  424
  The scheme will be completed over four years and is the second phase of a large-scale programme of works on the estate which has already attracted £3·5 million in estate action funding.

  Council Tenants (House Purchases)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which inner London boroughs have not applied for central funds to give help equivalent to the right-to-buy discount to council tenants who wish to purchase a home elsewhere.

  Mr. Yeo
  In 1991–92, 28 London boroughs are running approved cash incentive schemes and are issuing grants under section 129 of the Housing act 1988 to enable council tenants who could not otherwise do so, to buy a home in the private sector. All are utilising resources made available under the 1991–92 homeless initiative. The five London housing authorities that have not applied to operate a scheme are Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, City of London, Greenwich and Newham.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether landlords of houses in multiple occupation will be liable for the council tax.

  Mr. Key
  Yes. We intend to include the necessary provisions in regulations under clause 8 of the Local Government Finance Bill.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether students in households where the landlord is liable for payment of the council tax and passed on this cost through higher rents will be eligible for compensation through a rebate system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Most students do not have access to housing benefit; nor will they be entitled to council tax benefit. However, properties where all the residents are students will be exempt from the council tax. There will be a 25 per cent. discount in respect of any property with only one non-student resident. These arrangements will apply regardless of whether the students or their landlord would be the liable person.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the landlords of student halls of residence will be exempt from liability for the council tax.

  Mr. Key
  The Government intend to make an order under clause 4 of the Local Government Finance Bill exempting student halls of residence from the council tax. We are presently discussing the details of this exemption with the local authority associations.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the system of personal discounts for the council tax will be implemented in relation to full-time students.

  Mr. Key
  The Local Government Finance Bill provides for students to be eligible for discounts. Educational institutions will be required to provide students on request with certificates which local authorities will be able to use as evidence that a person should be disregarded.
  425
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce a system of joint and several liability for the council tax.

  Mr. Key
  The Government's proposals for joint and several liability are set out in clauses 6(3) and 9 of the Local Government Finance Bill.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the projected annual costs of collecting the council tax in the Easington district council area.

  Mr. Key
  We have made no estimate of the cost of collecting the council tax for individual authorities, but over the country as a whole we would expect it to be no more than half the cost of collecting the community charge.

  Housing Improvements (Manchester)
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sums have been allocated to the city of Manchester for the housing improvement programme in each of the last 10 years in(a) cash terms and (b) adjusted for inflation.

  Mr. Yeo
  Since 1981–82 local authorities have been able to augment the borrowing power of their housing investment programme—HIP—allocations by using the prescribed proportion of their capital receipts. Manchester city council has made substantial use of receipts to fund capital expenditure over this period. HIP allocations and gross capital expenditure for the last 10 years were:

  £ thousands

  HIP allocation

  Gross expenditure

  Cash

  1991–92 prices

  Cash

  1991–92 prices

  1982–83

  53,430

  89,370

  52,453

  87,736

  1983–84

  44,528

  71,182

  50,770

  81,160

  1984–85

  40,499

  61,656

  70,700

  107,635

  1985–86

  36,050

  52,013

  46,564

  67,183

  1986–87

  29,227

  40,826

  49,555

  69,222

  1987–88

  31,555

  41,805

  83,268

  110,316

  1988–89

  29,234

  36,135

  93,109

  115,089

  1989–90

  21,005

  24,382

  110,426

  128,180

  New Capital Finance System1

  1990–91

  52,153

  55,804

  52,783

  56,478

  21991–92

  53,900

  53,900

  not available

  Notes:

  1 From 1990–91, under the new capital finance system, the HIP allocation does not convey borrowing approval directly.

  2 Provisional estimate of final allocation.

  An initial HIP allocation of £34·9 million—£033·4 million at 1991–92 prices—has been issued for 1992–93 and additional resources—supplementary credit approvals—may be allocated later.

  Special Wastes
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to update water management paper 23 on special wastes.

  Mr. Baldry
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside announced in July a timetable for the revision of waste management papers. Waste management paper No. 23, on special wastes, forms 426
  part of that timetable and is due to be issued for consultation in July this year and published in January 1993.

  House Building
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new houses were constructed in the Easington district council area in each year since 1988–89, by(a) the council, (b) housing associations and (c) private companies.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information for 1988 and 1989 is published in "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Area 1980–89", and for 1990 in "Local Housing Statistics: England and Wales", volume No. 97. Copies are in the Library. Returns received for the first 11 months of 1991 show 80 dwellings completed in the Easington district council area, all built by private enterprise.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons waste management papers 4 and 26 do not envisage the granting of a waste disposal licence after planning permission from a district council.

  Mr. Baldry
  Disposal licences under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 have to be issued in accordance with the Collection and Disposal of Waste Regulations 1988, SI 1988 No. 819, after planning permission has been obtained. The advice given in waste management paper No. 26 on landfilling of wastes is that an application for a licence can be rejected only on the grounds of danger to public health or risk of water pollution—paragraphs 2.50 and 2.54. This reflects the wording of section 5(3) of the Control of Pollution Act. Waste management paper No. 4 is a technical memorandum providing guidance on how a licence should be devised by a waste disposal authority. The paper refers to the extant guidance in WMP 26 and statutory requirements of the Control of Pollution Act on granting of licences and cases where they may be refused.

  Light Rail System Coventry
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make it his policy to refuse any application for a light rail transit line between Coventry city centre and the Westwood Heath area;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the traffic and financial viability of the proposed light rail transit line from Coventry city centre to the Westwood Heath area;

  (3) if he will come to an early decision on the viability of the proposed Coventry city centre to Westwood heath light rail transit line;

  (4) if he will make it his policy to seek the views of (a) traders in Earlsdon street and (b) residents of properties in Coventry South West affected by the proposed light rail transit line from Coventry city centre to the Westwood Heath area, before reaching a decision on the viability of the line.

  Sir George Young
  So far as the matters raised are for central Government, they will be for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport to consider. Until a firm proposal is made and detailed justification for it is submitted, no assessment can be made
  427
  of the proposed route. However, local residents will be consulted on proposals affecting them and any objections will be considered at a public local inquiry.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, on the basis of the best information available, he will publish a table showing for each region and each class of local authority in England, for housing capital receipts and other capital receipts, showing(a) total cash backed capital receipts available to local authorities at 31 March 1990, and the amount of those receipts that were set aside as provision for credit

  Capital receipts 1990–91—by region and class

  Total receipts 31 March 1990

  of which reserved part

  Total receipts 1990–91

  of which reserved part

  Receipts used in 1990–91

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Totals by Class

  Shire Counties

  247

  118

  229

  102

  128

  Metropolitan Districts

  343

  210

  607

  397

  305

  London Boroughs

  1,396

  888

  729

  485

  495

  Non Metropolitan Districts

  4,554

  2,968

  1,516

  1,059

  1,171

  Other Authorities

  81

  53

  65

  24

  57

  Total all England

  6,621

  4,237

  3,146

  2,067

  2,156

  Totals by Region

  South East

  3,736

  2,399

  1,627

  1,090

  1,146

  South West

  713

  449

  218

  137

  173

  East Anglia

  310

  202

  106

  68

  89

  West Midlands

  444

  285

  271

  184

  191

  East Midlands

  641

  404

  192

  107

  168

  North West

  299

  193

  300

  187

  160

  Yorks & Humberside

  279

  175

  264

  177

  139

  Northern Region

  199

  130

  168

  117

  90

  Total all Regions

  6,621

  4,237

  3,146

  2,067

  2,156

  Forecast capital receipts 1991–92—by region and class

  Total receipts 1991–92

  of which reserved part

  Receipts used in 1991–92

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Totals by Class

  Shire Counties

  167

  77

  137

  Metropolitan Districts

  497

  301

  224

  London Boroughs

  631

  394

  350

  Non Metropolitan Districts

  971

  636

  804

  Other Authorities

  50

  16

  50

  Total All England

  2,316

  1,424

  1,565

  Totals by Region

  South East

  1,124

  682

  794

  South West

  163

  98

  167

  East Anglia

  106

  69

  65

  West Midlands

  201

  130

  102

  East Midlands

  140

  87

  134

  North West

  239

  143

  132

  Yorks & Humberside

  195

  120

  105

  Northern Region

  148

  95

  66

  Total All Regions

  2,316

  1,424

  1,565

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what forecasts he has made as to the likely levels of(a) housing capital receipts and (b) other capital receipts, generated by local authorities in England in 1992–93; what proportion of those receipts is estimated to be required to be set aside as provision for credit
  428
  liabilities, (b) the total of capital receipts received by local authorities in 1990–91 and the amount of those receipts set aside as provision for credit liabilities, (c) total capital receipts spent by local authorities in 1990–91, (d) the estimated total of capital receipts local authorities received in 1991–92, and the amount of those receipts that are likely to be set aside as provision for credit liabilities and (e) the estimated total of capital receipts spent on capital projects in 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  The information requested is as follows. The figures are taken from local authority returns to the Department where available, estimates have been made for missing data.

  liabilities; and what amount of capital receipts are estimated to be spent on capital projects within the financial year.

  Mr. Key
  Estimates of this nature are uncertain but at the time of the autumn statement total capital receipts likely to be generated by local authorities in 1992–93 were forecast at £3·0 billion. This total is likely to be split between housing and non-housing receipts in the ratio of 3:1. It is estimated that around two thirds of the total would be required to be set aside as provision for credit liabilities. It is further estimated that £1·2 billion of capital receipts, both accumulated and in-year, would be spent on capital projects during 1992–93.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the relationship between a district council's planning responsibilities for pollution control and those of a county council.

  Mr. Yeo
  The main land use planning responsibilities of district councils in England are the preparation of local development plans and decisions on planning applications for most types of development. County councils prepare structure plans, with which local plans must generally conform, and minerals and waste local plans; they are the development control authority for "county matters", principally mineral and waste disposal developments. In all of these functions, authorities may take into account
  429
  the pollution aspects of development where they are relevant to the development and use of land. But we do not expect local planning authorities to use their planning powers to duplicate pollution controls under environmental protection legislation—whether operated by the National Rivers Authority, HM inspectorate of pollution, county councils as waste management authorities or district councils as pollution control authorities.

  We intend to publish a draft planning policy guidance note on planning, pollution control and waste management issues later this year.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statistics he has concerning homeless people in the Easington district council area who are aged(a) 16 and 17 years, (b) 18 to 20 years and (c) over 20 years.

  Mr. Yeo
  Local authorities report the number of households for whom they accept responsibility to secure permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act. The quarterly P1(E) returns identify such households by the category of need but not by age. The total number of households accepted by Easington district council under these provisions in the third quarter of 1991 was 25.

  In the second quarter of this year the return was revised to identify for the first time:

  (i) households in priority need who were accepted as homeless because the household contained vulnerable young person(s) (aged 16 and over) and;

  (ii) young single homeless people who were not in priority need for whom the authority nevertheless agreed to secure permanent accommodation.

  Since then, Easington district council has reported accepting only one such household, in the first of these two categories in the second quarter of 1991.

  Cold Weather Credits
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to meet representatives from the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have no such plans.

  Poll Tax
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the costs to the poll tax payers in Easington for collecting the poll tax in 1990–91; and what are the projected costs for 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  The cost of collecting the community charge in Easington in 1990–91 and 1991–92 is estimated to be £699,000 and £793,000 respectively. Revenue expenditure is financed by Government grants, contributions from the non-domestic rates pool and withdrawals from reserves, in addition to community charges. It is therefore not possible to identify what components of these costs are financed directly by community chargepayers.

  Voluntary Sports Clubs
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of the areas that are being considered as part of his Department's further 430
  analysis of its survey into the granting of discretionary rate relief to voluntary sports clubs; what is the timetable for this further analysis; and by what date his Department will review its guidance to local authorities on discretionary rate relief to voluntary sports clubs.

  Mr. Key
  The further analysis is of the policy statements provided by charging authorities about the way in which they granted discretionary rate relief in 1990–91 to charities and other non-profit making bodies including sports clubs. We expect the analysis to be complete by mid-February. Depending on the results of this analysis, and taken with details of the numbers of properties granted relief in 1990–91, we will decide whether our guidance to authorities needs to be reviewed. We expect to announce our conclusions following consideration of the analysis.

  Municipal Waste Water
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the consultation paper on the modus operandi proposed to be used by Her Majesty's Government in implementing the European Community directive on the treatment of municipal waste water.

  Mr. Baldry
  A consultation paper on the criteria for identifying sensitive areas and less sensitive areas—urban waste water treatment directive—and polluted waters—nitrate directive—will be issued within the next few months.

  Royal High School, Edinburgh
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans for the letting or sale of space in the Royal high school building, Edinburgh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 16 December 1991]: The Crown Office buildings in Edinburgh have been occupied by the Crown Office since January 1982. There are no immediate plans to dispose of this building. Plans are in hand to colocate the Crown Office with the new Edinburgh sheriff court in 1994 and the future of this building will have to be reviewed closer to that date.

  Rent Increases
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide information for 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 on the levels of rent increases for rented accommodation for each county in England for(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations and (c) stock transferred from local authorities to housing associations.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The estimated annual percentage changes in average local authority rents and registered rents for unfurnished housing association tenancies, which cover the majority of housing association tenants, are as follows. Comparable information is not available for transferred stock.
  431

  Annual percentage change in local authority rents

  Average weekly rent

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  £

  Avon

  4

  7

  9

  22

  24·17

  Bedfordshire

  4

  13

  7

  19

  24·41

  Berkshire

  3

  10

  11

  18

  25·75

  Buckinghamshire

  4

  10

  10

  40

  27·77

  Cambridgeshire

  5

  8

  10

  19

  22·82

  Cheshire

  6

  4

  6

  9

  17·87

  Cleveland

  4

  7

  10

  6

  25·07

  Cornwall

  5

  5

  6

  16

  22·67

  Cumbria

  7

  10

  19

  12

  22·60

  Derbyshire

  5

  7

  6

  8

  19·80

  Devon

  4

  11

  8

  20

  24·20

  Dorset

  6

  12

  10

  21

  28·10

  Durham

  0

  9

  12

  12

  23·02

  East Sussex

  5

  7

  10

  14

  26·34

  Essex

  4

  8

  8

  22

  25·18

  Gloucestershire

  5

  10

  7

  26

  24·43

  Greater Manchester

  2

  11

  13

  11

  22·27

  Hampshire

  7

  8

  9

  15

  26·60

  Hereford and Worcester

  4

  8

  9

  15

  22·16

  Hertfordshire

  6

  5

  11

  29

  25·08

  Humberside

  6

  9

  8

  10

  20·73

  Isle of Wight

  8

  8

  15

  11

  28·45

  Kent

  6

  9

  13

  27

  28·66

  Lancashire

  6

  11

  11

  13

  24·04

  Leicestershire

  5

  10

  11

  7

  22·27

  Lincolnshire

  9

  9

  11

  9

  20·95

  London

  4

  14

  9

  21

  29·05

  Merseyside

  5

  4

  6

  7

  22·13

  Norfolk

  8

  6

  6

  14

  21·70

  North Yorkshire

  6

  9

  9

  21

  21·81

  Northamptonshire

  3

  8

  7

  13

  21·12

  Northumberland

  2

  6

  7

  6

  19·80

  Nottinghamshire

  3

  8

  8

  10

  21·57

  Oxfordshire

  6

  9

  10

  23

  23·92

  Shropshire

  5

  10

  8

  15

  22·72

  Somerset

  9

  8

  8

  22

  23·29

  South Yorkshire

  9

  2

  3

  5

  19·09

  Staffordshire

  7

  9

  9

  13

  21·02

  Suffolk

  5

  5

  9

  18

  22·15

  Surrey

  5

  7

  16

  26

  29·89

  Tyne and Wear

  6

  6

  7

  3

  19·05

  Warwickshire

  3

  10

  3

  15

  21·94

  West Midlands

  8

  8

  14

  15

  25·07

  West Sussex

  7

  8

  5

  28

  27·92

  West Yorkshire

  5

  8

  11

  8

  19·82

  Wiltshire

  5

  8

  3

  20

  23·25

  Note: Rent changes shown for 1987–88 relate to the change in average rents between April 1986 and April 1987, but will include most of the increases for 1987–88. Those for later years are derived from estimates of financial year average rents.

  Annual percentage changes in registered rents of unfurnished housing association tenancies

  Average annual rent

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  (£)

  Avon

  8

  9

  10

  12

  2,010

  Bedfordshire

  5

  6

  8

  7

  1,615

  Berkshire

  8

  7

  8

  10

  2,133

  Buckinghamshire

  7

  7

  8

  12

  1,645

  Cambridgeshire

  6

  6

  7

  8

  1,437

  Cheshire

  5

  6

  7

  9

  1,359

  Cleveland

  6

  6

  7

  10

  1,639

  Cornwall

  11

  10

  12

  13

  2,099

  Cumbria

  5

  6

  6

  11

  1,099

  Derbyshire

  9

  9

  8

  9

  1,751

  Devon

  9

  10

  10

  11

  2,040

  Dorset

  7

  8

  11

  13

  1,957

  Durham

  6

  6

  8

  8

  1,485

  East Sussex

  8

  8

  7

  10

  1,944

  Essex

  7

  7

  8

  11

  1,838

  Gloucestershire

  10

  9

  12

  13

  1,763

  Greater Manchester

  7

  7

  9

  9

  1,355

  Hampshire

  8

  8

  9

  10

  1,848

  432 433

  Average annual rent

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  (£)

  Hereford and Worcester

  6

  7

  9

  10

  1,669

  Hertfordshire

  6

  9

  10

  11

  1,634

  Humberside

  7

  5

  9

  10

  1,642

  Isle of Wight

  7

  11

  9

  12

  1,849

  Kent

  7

  7

  8

  11

  2,130

  Lancashire

  5

  6

  7

  7

  1,404

  Leicestershire

  6

  7

  8

  9

  1,477

  Loncolnshire

  6

  6

  7

  7

  1,582

  London

  7

  8

  9

  10

  1,716

  Merseyside

  7

  7

  7

  9

  1,195

  Norfolk

  6

  7

  8

  9

  1,776

  North Yorkshire

  7

  7

  9

  10

  1,760

  Northamptonshire

  6

  6

  8

  8

  1,575

  Northumberland

  6

  7

  8

  9

  1,655

  Nottinghamshire

  7

  7

  8

  10

  1,646

  Oxfordshire

  7

  7

  8

  8

  1,821

  Shropshire

  6

  6

  11

  12

  1,690

  Somerset

  6

  7

  8

  8

  1,734

  South Yorkshire

  7

  8

  10

  10

  1,566

  Staffordshire

  6

  10

  9

  8

  1,596

  Suffolk

  6

  8

  10

  9

  1,649

  Surrey

  7

  9

  7

  11

  1,969

  Tyne and Wear

  7

  6

  7

  9

  1,419

  Warwickshire

  5

  6

  7

  9

  1,411

  West Midlands

  6

  7

  8

  10

  1,429

  West Sussex

  7

  7

  8

  11

  1,834

  West Yorkshire

  7

  7

  8

  11

  1,535

  Wiltshire

  7

  9

  10

  10

  1,847

  Note: Percentage changes are derived by annualising rent increases on tenancies re-registered (most are subject to re-registration every two years) in the financial year. Those for 1987–88 and 1988–89 are based on re-registrations in 1987 and 1988, respectively.

  Small Firms
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many schemes his Department runs to provide help or finance for small firms; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 18 December 1991]: The only scheme my Department runs to provide help specifically for small firms is the preferential treatment they receive under the non-domestic rating transitional arrangements. However, small firms may also receive help under the following schemes:

  Environmental technology innovation scheme

  Urban programme

  Inner urban areas Act grants

  City action team special budgets.

  In addition, schemes operated by bodies sponsored by my Department also help small firms. The following schemes, all operated by the Rural Development Commission, are targeted on small businesses:

  Business advice

  Loans fund

  Marketing initiatives

  Support for training.

  Small firms may also benefit from these other schemes run by sponsored bodies although they are not specifically aimed at them:

  Rural Development Commission schemes for fully funded small workshop unit construction;

  partnerships with local authorities to construct small workshop units;

  redundant building grants;

  rural transport development fund;

  English Heritage repair grants for listed buildings.

  The Rural Development Commission also provides support for local enterprise agencies which in turn help small businesses.

  Agricultural Occupancy
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ease the agricultural occupancy planning conditions attached to a farm dwelling when a farmer has had to go out of farming after a specified number of years.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 19 December 1991]: Conditions that restrict the occupancy of a dwelling to an agricultural worker seek to keep the dwelling available for the purposes which justified its provision. The Department's model agricultural occupancy condition, in DOE circular 1/85, enables a dwelling to be occupied by either someone "last employed" in agriculture or an agricultural worker in the locality. If circumstances change, an application can be made to the local planning authority for the condition to be lifted.

  Drinking Water (Pollution)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he intends to take to prevent the air pollution levels of the past week affecting the drinking water supply drawn from watercourses in the affected areas.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]:None. I am advised that the high air pollution levels recently experienced in London should not have had any adverse effect on the quality of drinking water as there was no concurrent rain to wash the pollution into the water supply. The current blustery weather conditions should have dispersed the pollution.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Malta
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from the Government of Malta about Lockerbie-related issues.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Maltese Government co-operated extensively during the complex and lengthy investigation and were kept fully briefed on the findings of the investigation. We continue to maintain regular contacts with the Maltese Government.

  Switzerland
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition in the Palace of Westminster from 13 January 1992 to mark the 700th anniversary of Switzerland.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for this exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall for a week from 13 January 1992.

  European Union
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which language common foreign and security policy texts adopted, pursuant to the footnote to article K of the treaty on European union will initially be written before they are translated into all the official Community languages.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The language of initial drafting is likely to depend on the presidency. Current practice in European political co-operation is for texts to be drafted and worked on simultaneously in English and French.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives are being taken to discover the fate of the remaining Kuwaiti citizens that have not been accounted for since the end of hostilities in the Gulf war.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are maintaining pressure on Iraq to fulfil all its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions, including the return of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals. We fully support Kuwait's efforts through the International Committee of the Red Cross to establish the whereabouts of its missing citizens. We shall continue to raise this question on appropriate occasions at the UN and elsewhere.

  Soviet Republics
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Governments of the Soviet republics in respect of the application of the principles of human rights to their proposals on citizenship rights.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 31 December we in concert with our EC partners, recognised eight former Soviet republics 436
  as independent states, after they had provided satisfactory assurances inter alia on human rights including citizenship rights. We regularly raised human rights issues with the former Soviet authorities. We shall continue to do so with the governments of these newly independent states, making clear that their approach in this respect will influence the development of our bilateral relations.

  Maastricht Agreements
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish at an early date a White Paper setting out the text of the contents of the treaty of Maastricht, less the articles which amend articles of the treaty of Rome, together with a second section which clearly shows the deletions, amendments, and proposed standing text of the putative treaty of Rome as it would stand, given full ratification of the agreements reached at Maastricht.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The full text of the treaty on European union, including amendments to the treaty of Rome, will be published as a White Paper after the definitive version has been signed by member states.

  China
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the United Kingdom Government has had with the Government of the People's Republic of China concerning a comprehensive test ban treaty.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None recently, but both the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China are members of the conference on disarmament in Geneva, which includes discussions of nuclear testing matters on its agenda. China has made clear that it will undertake no further atmospheric testing of nuclear devices.

  EC Jurisdiction
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the definition of, or criteria determining, those matters falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of the European Community, or list those matters not within that category, stating in either case the relevant bases in treaty articles or protocols.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The EC has exclusive jurisdiction where that is conferred upon it by treaty provision or measures taken under the treaty. Current examples include the CAP, common commercial policy and the external tariff.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 December.

  Mr. Hurd
  My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 December. The Council underlined its commitment to a successful conclusion of the Uruguay round and stressed the importance of opening up world trade, particularly for those countries
  437
  introducing market-oriented economic reforms. In a discussion of the draft agreement put forward by Mr. Dunkel, the GATT Director General, the Council decided that the paper contained positive elements, but that its proposals on agriculture required modification. The Council asked the Commission to negotiate the necessary improvements.

  The Council also agreed to provide 35 mecu of emergency food aid to Albania. The Commission undertook to put forward proposals on the possible supply of raw materials to Albania.

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

  Mr. Hurd
  The Foreign Affairs Council met on 10 and 11 January.

  The Economic and Finance Council may meet on 13 January. Ministers might consider further food aid to the former Soviet Union.

  The Agriculture Council will meet on 27 and 28 January. Ministers will continue to discuss the Commission's common agriculture policy reform proposals and any outstanding agriculture issues arising from the Uruguay round negotiations. Ministers may also discuss meat products.

  Republic of Ireland
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request the Government of the Republic of Ireland to establish a system of payments to the United Kingdom Exchequer, or United Kingdom local authorities, in respect of expenditure in support for Irish citizens who are homeless in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have been asked to reply.

  I do not consider that such a request would be appropriate.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Company Receiverships
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has as to the proportion of the total of company receiverships which are initiated by the(a) Customs and Excise and (b) by the Inland Revenue.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Neither Customs and Excise nor the Inland Revenue initiate the appointment of receivers.

  Local Authority Asset Sales
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish details of the assumptions used in assessing the proceeds from local authority asset sales for 1992–93 in table 1.A.13 of the Grey Book, including the expected proceeds from right-to-buy and voluntary transfers; and what allowance has been made in the forecast increase in local authority sales proceeds for 1992–93 for the declining trend in the right-to-buy.

  Mr. David Mellor
  Table 1.A.13 of the 1991 Autumn Statement, Cm 1729, shows local authority purchases and 438
  sales of land and buildings. The figures for local authority asset sales for 1992-–3 were rounded to the nearest £1 billion, reflecting their tentative nature. These are broad estimates based, among other things, on the proceeds from such asset sales in previous years, and it would not be appropriate to break down the analysis in detail.

  Government Data Network
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many computers operated by Government Departments are connected to the Government data network; and how many individual files are linked to that network.

  Mr. Maples
  Access agreements to use the network have been made between Racal Data Networks Limited and 22 Departments or non-departmental Government bodies. These are Inland Revenue, Department of Social Security, Home Office, Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, Employment Department, Her Majesty's Treasury, Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Department of Energy, General Register Office (Scotland), the Intervention Board Executive Agency, Department of Trade and Industry, Welsh Office, Department of Transport, Ordnance Survey, Department for National Savings, Department of Health, Natural History Museum, Cabinet Office, National Museums of Scotland, Property Holdings and the Paymaster General's Office. Some 2,800 network access points have been installed. Details of computer systems that send and receive data over the Government data network are not held centrally.

  Bad Debts
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has of the present amount of indebtedness to the United Kingdom banking sector which is regarded as bad or doubtful; and what information he has of the proportions of bad or doubtful indebtedness which exist in respect of(a) United Kingdom based small firms, (b) United Kingdom based large companies, (c) investment in the USA and (d) investment in Latin America, Asia or Africa.

  Mr. Maples
  The Bank of England publishes information about the provisions made against bad debt by the large United Kingdom banks in its annual report under the Banking Act. The latest published figures are in the bank's report for 1990–91. Separate figures are given for provisions against domestic bad debt, commercial bad debt and problem country debt. However, the breakdown requested is not available.

  Voluntary Donations to the Treasury
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, by financial year,(a) the number of people who sent voluntary extra donations to the Treasury and (b) what the total amount of such contributions were, for each of the last 15 years.

  Mr. Maude
  The information to ascertain the numbers of people for all these years together is available only at disproportionate cost.

  The net amounts of voluntary extra contributions received by the Inland Revenue for each year are as follows:

  439

  Year

  Amount (£)

  31 March 1977

  10,623·36

  31 March 1978

  9,350·22

  31 October 1979

  11,129·77

  31 October 1980

  310,988·93

  31 October 1981

  129,246·98

  31 October 1982

  41,247·59

  31 October 1983

  18,140·58

  31 October 1984

  80,386·81

  31 October 1985

  39,329·49

  31 October 1986

  26,926·90

  31 October 1987

  23,479·48

  31 October 1988

  105,357·05

  31 October 1990

  2,587·50

  31 October 1991

  147,012·95

  Figures are not now kept for financial years.

  The net amount is arrived at after adjustment, for example for individuals who subsequently claim their previously anonymous payment.

  Civil Service (Working Conditions)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent meetings he has had with civil service trade union representatives to discuss hours and conditions of work.

  Mr. Maples
  I meet civil service trade union representatives from time to time to discuss a variety of issues.

  Retail Sales
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of retail sales in(a) December 1991 and (b) December 1990.

  Mr. Maples
  The estimate of the volume of retail sales, seasonally adjusted, in December 1990 is 119·7–1985 = 100. The estimate for December 1991 will be published on Monday 20 January.

  EC Social Policy
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is envisaged that under the protocol on the social policy agreed at Maastricht the 11 member states who are allowed recourse to the institutions of the EC will have to make a payment to the EC to cover the costs to the EC of such recourse.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Any act adopted by the 11 member states under the protocol on social policy will not be applicable to the United Kingdom; nor will the United Kingdom bear any financial consequences, other than administrative costs for the institutions, arising from such acts.

  Soviet Union Debt
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimate of the total value of the extended debt of the Soviet Union owed to banks and other commercial organisations within the EC.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Precise data are not available. The total amount of the former Soviet Union's hard currency debt is in excess of $60 billion, of which some $38 billion is owed to EC creditors. Most of this debt 440
  represents guaranteed and non-guaranteed bank loans. German banks are the largest creditors—$19·4 billion according to the Bundesbank—though much of this lending has been guaranteed either by the German Government or by the German export credit agency.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the total external debt of the Soviet Union is owed to banks and commercial organisations in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The total claims of domestic German banks on the Soviet Union at the end of June 1991 were DM 35·2 billion—$19·4 billion—according to data provided by the Bundesbank. The total contractual claims of United Kingdom registered banks—including those of United Kingdom subsidiaries of foreign owned banks—were $2·9 billion at the same date. Assuming Soviet external debt to have been in the region of $60 billion in mid-1991—although there are some higher estimates—debt to United Kingdom and German banks would have constituted 4·8 and 32·3 per cent. respectively of total Soviet external debt. In both cases, much of the bank lending was guaranteed by Governments and export credit agencies.

  Gross National Products
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the GNP per capita of each of the EC member states, expressed as a percentage of the Community average.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Following are the data for gross domestic product per capita, using purchasing power parities, for EC member states.

  GDP Per Capita 1990, Converted at Purchasing Power Parities, EC Average = 100

  Country

  GDP

  Luxembourg

  127

  Germany

  112

  Denmark

  108

  France

  108

  Italy

  106

  United Kingdom

  104

  Netherlands

  102

  Belgium

  101

  Spain

  77

  Ireland

  69

  Greece

  52

  Portugal

  52

  Source: OECD Main Economic Indicators, December 1991

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list each of those regions of the EC whose GNP per capita is less than 100 per cent. of the Community average.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Data for gross domestic product per capita for EC regions are published by the Central Statistical Office in "Regional Trends 26", 1991 edition.

  Gaming Taxes
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the levels and amounts of tax from each main form of gaming, betting and lotteries for the current year.
  441
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In the year ending 31 March 1991 receipts from the betting and gaming duties and the rates of duty applied were as follows:

  Revenue (£000)

  Rate of duty

  Off-course betting

  479,064

  8 per cent, of stake

  On-course betting

  —

  Not taxed

  Pool betting

  303,944

  37½ per cent. of stake

  Casino gaming

  57,367

  Premises licence of £250 plus graduated percentages of gross gaming yield bands, varying between 2½ per cent, and 33⅓ per cent.

  Gaming machines

  98,631

  Machine licence of £150 to £960, dependent on the amount of payout and the cost to play

  Bingo

  67,432

  10 per cent, of stake money paid for cards plus l/9th of added prize money

  Lotteries

  —

  Not taxed

  Most gambling is exempt from VAT, but the tax is chargeable on the net take of gaming machines and on certain fees to participate in bingo. It is not possible to calculate the VAT yield from information provided on VAT returns.

  Councillors (Attendance Allowances)
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority local councillors' attendance allowances are classified as earned income for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  Local authority councillors are office holders and therefore are assessable to income tax under the ordinary schedule E charging provisions on any attandance allowances they receive for the performance of approved duties. The charge to tax is imposed by section 19 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

  Cigarettes (Taxation)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the effect on the retail prices index of raising additional duty and tax on cigarettes in order to produce £750 million additional annual revenue.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This would raise the retail prices index by 0·3 per cent.

  Gaming
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account is taken of(a) betting, (b) gaming and (c) lotteries in the compilation of the retail prices index.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Betting, gaming and lotteries are not covered by the retail prices index.

  Soviet Economy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effects on the Soviet economy of the advice he has given.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The authorities of the former Soviet Union and of the republics have been very keen to discuss their reform plans with the United Kingdom Government and others in the west. During my visit to the Soviet Union last summer, and in the many contracts which I have had in recent months with policy makers, I have urged the adoption of a comprehensive and radical reform programme with the aim of achieving macroeconomic stability and establishing a market economy.
  442
  Other G7 countries and the international financial institutions, in particular the International Monetary Fund, have been providing similar advice.

  The United Kingdom set up a 'know-how-fund' for the Soviet Union in 1990 to provide technical assistance and advice. This fund was more than doubled to £50 million last summer. A number of other countries and the European Community are also providing technical assistance, training and advice to the ex-Soviet Union.

  The Russian Government have now taken the first major step in the direction of creating a market economy by freeing most prices from 2 January. Many other republics have followed or will follow this move. I have constantly emphasised to the Russian Government, and the Governments of the other republics, the importance of continuing and intensifying their discussions with the IMF on the implementation of these and further reforms. Russia and the Ukraine have now both applied for full IMF membership. Other republics have also applied or are expected to do so soon.

  In the short term, I expect that these reforms will lead to higher prices and a fall in output as inflationary pressures are brought out into the open and uneconomic enterprises close. However, I am convinced that in the medium term a successful move to a market economy will create the conditions for a substantial improvement in living standards. The ex-Soviet Union is rich in natural resources and has a well educated workforce. If reform is successful, the prospects for growth are very good.

  Alcohol Tax
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives of the spirits industry about current EC proposals to harmonise tax rates on different types of alcoholic beverages.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the outcome of discussions with the drinks industry over EC excise proposals.

  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will press for the inclusion in the current EC excise proposals of a mechanism to prevent further increases in tax discrimination against spirits in each member state.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to press for an EC tax harmonisation programme which reduces differentials between alcoholic beverages.

  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he intends to make to the report,
  443
  "Competition Between Alcoholic Drinks: an Analysis", commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association and the Gin and Vodka Association; and what amendments he intends seeking to the European Commission's proposals on excise tax rates.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the spirits industry to discuss EC proposals for excise duty harmonisation on 1 October 1991. We have since received the industry's report on competition between alcoholic drinks. Treasury Ministers fully understand the case the industry has put forward for a "capping" mechanism to prevent any further discrimination against spirits after 1992. We are now considering how best to respond to the current harmonisation proposals when further discussions resume in Brussels.

  Incomes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the gains or losses from each Budget since 1979 (i) before indexation and (ii) after indexation for those with incomes,(a) below £5,000 a year, (b) £5,000 to £10,000, (c) £10,000 to £15,000, (d) £15,000 to £20,000, (e) £20,000 to £30,000, (f) £30,000 to £50,000, (g) £50,000 to £70,000, (h) £70,000 to £100,000 and (i) over £100,000 a year.

  Mr. Maude
  The gains and losses from each Budget depend on many factors and it would be impracticable to attempt to estimate the effects of all Budget measures since 1979. Information on the effects of specific measures may be found in the press notices issued each Budget day by the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.

  Share Ownership
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the impact of the privatisation and flotation of(a) Government-owned companies and (b) the Abbey National building society and the Trustee Savings bank, on the overall level of share ownership in the United Kingdom at the latest available date.

  Mr. Maude
  Share ownership in Great Britain in 1979 is estimated to have been 7 per cent. of the adult population. The latest Treasury-Stock Exchange survey showed that in 1991 share ownership had risen to 25 per cent. of the adult population of Great Britain. Five per cent. of the adult population owned shares in privatisation issues only; 4 per cent. owned Abbey National shares only; and 1 per cent. owned Trustee Savings Bank shares only. Information for the United Kingdom as a whole is not available.

  Tax Allowances
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in a full year in (i) 1991–92 and (ii) 1992–93 of introducing an upper limit on all income tax allowances and reliefs of(a) £10,000, (b) £15,000 and (c) £20,000 a year with (1) the current tax allowances and reliefs and (2) limiting all income tax allowances and reliefs except the single person's allowance to the basic rate, giving the revenue from each relief separately, the total revenue and the numbers of people affected, for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
  444
  Mr. Francis Maude
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 December 1991, c. 221]: I regret that, due to an administrative error, the complete answer was not given. It should have read as follows:

  It is estimated that at 1991–92 levels of income the introduction of the upper limits specified would yield the following:

  Upper limit for total allowances and reliefs

  Yield in a full year under the current tax regime

  Yield following restriction of all reliefs and specified allowances to the basic rate

  £ million

  £ million

  £10,000

  590

  390

  £15,000

  240

  150

  £20,000

  140

  90

  The estimated yield from restricting all allowances, except the basic personal allowance, to the basic rate is about £300 million. The estimated yield from restricting all reliefs to the basic rate is £600 million. Of this figure about £250 million results from restricting relief on employee contributions to occupational pensions and about £150 million results from restricting relief on personal pension contributions.

  The number of people with total allowances and reliefs in excess of £10,000 is about 635,000. The corresponding figures for £15,000 and £20,000 are about 75,000 and 35,000 respectively.

  The estimates of revenue yield do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of such a limit.

  It is not possible to provide corresponding detailed estimates for 1992–93.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fuel Crops
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in the United Kingdom in growing crops economically for use as fuel or energy; what research facilities his Department is able to provide for this activity; and what studies have been made of the practice in other EC countries.

  Mr. Curry
  A wide range of crops for use as fuel or energy has been studied as part of the renewable energies programme of the Department of Energy. In recent years this work has concentrated on short rotation coppice wood because this gives good yields of dry biomass. For the same reason, there is interest in high yielding grasses such as miscanthus. At present, the growing of crops for fuel or energy is uncompetitive with more conventional energy sources but this could change in the future. The most promising energy sources appear to be wood and straw through direct burning but the economics are not yet attractive enough to encourage industrial use on any appreciable scale. Liquid fuels such as ethanol from cereals or sugarbeet or biodiesel from oilseed rape are also uncompetitive at the present time.

  The Ministry has experimental husbandry farms, within its Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, which is shortly to become an agency, and these would be available for growing energy crops, if it was considered that additional sites were needed to supplement those already in existence.
  445
  Other EC countries are also interested in crops for energy purposes, especially in wood and high yielding grasses. Germany and France have shown particular interest in ethanol from sugarbeet or cereals.

  An excellent account of the prospects for renewable energies from crops is contained in the evidence given to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities, Session 1990–91, seventh report "Non-Food Uses of Agricultural Products".

  Farmed Salmon
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to monitor the enforcement of the minimum import price structure on the imports of farmed salmon into the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Enforcement of the minimum import prices on consignments of farmed Atlantic salmon entering the Community is the responsibility of national customs authorities. The Commission has responsibility for monitoring that these Community rules are observed. I have written to the Commission emphasising the importance of ensuring that the requirements are strictly adhered to, and will draw any specific evidence of evasion to the Commission's attention.

  Food Aid (Eastern Europe)
  Sir Michael NcNair-Wilson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to ensure that food held in intervention, which is surplus to the stocks considered necessary by the EC as a proper reserve, is being made available as food aid for the newly independent countries of eastern Europe, including Russia.

  Mr. Curry
  Decisions on the supply of food aid take account of the needs of the recipient country. Where appropriate, supplies are drawn from intervention stocks, but in other cases they are purchased through the market for cost, availability or other reasons.

  Bottled Water
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends taking to improve the quality standards of bottled waters.

  Mr. Maclean
  I expect to make proposals shortly for regulations under the Food Safety Act covering the quality of bottled waters, except for natural mineral waters which are already subject to the Natural Mineral Waters Regulations 1985. My officials are also involved in discussions with Brussels concerning the revision of the natural mineral waters directive.

  Food Exhibition
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the role of the United Kingdom Food Processing Industry presented by the Food and Drink Federation to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Maclean
  Yes. I have agreed to open the exhibition on 27 January.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been paid in compensation in respect of cattle slaughtered under the tuberculosis eradication scheme in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Maclean
  The amount of compensation paid for cattle slaughtered under the tuberculosis eradication programme is as follows:

  £ million

  1989

  0·58

  1990

  1·10

  1991 (to November)

  0·65

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the action taken so far by him to control tuberculosis in deer.

  Mr. Maclean
  Tuberculosis in deer was made notifiable in June 1989. Slaughter with compensation arrangements were introduced on 1 September 1989 and a voluntary deer health scheme launched in December that year. Research into tuberculosis in deer is being pursued.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to launch a formal review of the evidence relating to bovine tuberculosis in badgers and the badger control strategy.

  Mr. Maclean
  Badger control strategy is kept under continuous review by the Department, in conjunction with the consultative panel on badgers and tuberculosis.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress made to date on the development of a vaccine against bovine tuberculosis in badgers.

  Mr. Maclean
  Although research in this country and overseas is continuing, progress towards development of an effective vaccine for badgers is unlikely to be rapid.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate the respects in which the provisions in England and Wales for the disposal of fallen and diseased animals diverge from the standards applying in the EC for animal health and food hygiene.

  Mr. Maclean
  Directive 90/667/EEC, which applies to England and Wales as to other parts of the Community, requires that animal waste be disposed of by rendering, burning or proper burial, but it also permits under a derogation traditional outlets such as knackers and hunt kennels to take fallen stock.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Christchurch School, Shooters Hill
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list each date on which he received proposals to spend money on capital works at Christchurch Church of England primary school, Shooters Hill since 1979; and what was his decision in each case.
  447
  Mr. Fallon
  Two repair projects have been approved during the time in question, one in 1984 and one in 1990. Grant aid of £44,879·12 was paid on the former. Work on the more recent project was deferred at the governors request and has yet to take place.

  Bids for major capital projects at Christchurch Church of England primary school were received from the Inner London education authority for the 1989–90 financial year, and from Greenwich education authority for 1991–92 and 1992–93. None was successful. Greenwich LEA has only had control of its education capital expenditure since April 1990. Before this date, capital expenditure on school buildings in inner London, including Greenwich, was the responsibility of the ILEA. Detail on particular bids for major improvement works in Greenwich cannot be readily extracted from records on earlier ILEA capital bids.

  Resources for minor works at voluntary aided schools are allocated to LEAs for existing schools and it is for LEAs in consultation with voluntary bodies to determine how the funds are distributed between schools. For 1992–93 Greenwich LEA has a minor works allocation of £144,000.

  A total of £6,165·30 has been paid in grant-aid for three projects at the school approved since 1988 under the Department's voluntary rationing scheme for capital work costing less than £5,000, or repair work costing less than £10,000.

  Chorlton C of E School
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date he received the letter from the hon. Member for Stretford regarding Chorlton Church of England primary school; on what date he came to a decision to use his powers under section 68 of: the Education Act 1944; and if he will make a statement on the time taken to reach his decision.

  Mr. Fallon
  The hon. Member's letter about Chorlton CE primary school was received in the Department on 25 July. My right hon. and learned Friend decided to issue a direction to the governors of Chorlton school on 30 September, but delayed its issue until 5 December because it appeared from information provided by Manchester LEA and solicitors acting on behalf of the governing body that the necessary information would be provided without the need for a formal direction.

  AIDS Education
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church on the content and place in the curriculum for AIDS education.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since replying to my hon. Friend's earlier question about HIV/AIDS education—Official Report column 417—my right hon. and learned Friend has received one letter from a representative of the Church of England and, to date, none from the Roman Catholic Church.

  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will undertake a sample study of AIDS education in those Roman Catholic voluntary -aided secondary schools which implement AIDS 448
  education as part of the family life programme taught jointly between the religious education and science departments.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to undertake such a study. It is for individual schools to determine how education about HIV and AIDS should be provided, taking full account of the requirements of the national curriculum, local circumstances, the needs of pupils and the views of parents.

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

  Mr. Eggar
  To date 446 schools1 have become committed to hold a ballot on grant-maintained status and (i) 162 schools have received approval for their proposals for grant-maintained status, (ii) 29 have had their proposals rejected and (iii) 62 await determination of their proposals and 60 have yet to publish proposals. Ninety-one schools have voted no to grant-maintained status. There are 41 schools with ballots pending, and one school where the application for grant-maintained status has lapsed.

  The most recent information held by the Department on current and subsequent associated closure and reorganisation proposals is as at 31 October 1991. At that date:

  (a) Of the 390 schools2 which had balloted or were committed to balloting on grant-maintained status, 106 were or are named in associated closure or reorganisation proposals3.

  (bi) Of the 130 schools which received approval for their proposals for grant-maintained status, 23 schools were or are named in associated closure or reorganisation proposals;

  1 This figure includes six schools which have balloted twice on grant-maintained status.

  2 This figure includes four schools which have balloted twice on grant-maintained status.

  3 Information differentiating between closure and reorganisation proposals is not readily available.

  (bii) Of the 24 schools which had their proposals for grant-maintained status rejected, 22 schools were or are named in associated closure or reorganisation proposals, of which 19 have been approved and three rejected;

  (biii) Of the 69 schools which awaited determination on their proposals for grant-maintained status, 23 schools were or are named in associated closure or reorganisation proposals; of the 28 schools who had voted yes but had not published proposals, 10 were or are named in associated closure or reorganisation proposals; and

  (c) Of the 70 schools who voted against applying for grant maintained status, 26 schools were or are named in associated closure or reorganisation proposals4.

  (d) Sixty-eight schools had ballots pending, two of which were or are named in associated closure or reorganisation proposals. One application for grant-maintained status had lapsed.

  (4) Information on whether these proposals were approved or rejected is not readily available.

  St. Thomas More School, London
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has accepted the application for capital works at St. Thomas More RC primary school, London SE9.

  Mr. Fallon
  Provision for minor improvement/replacement work at existing schools—like St. Thomas More RC primary school—is allocated to local authorities on a formula basis. Greenwch LEA has received a minor works allocation of £144,000 for 1992–93 under the formula. It is up to the LEA, in consultation with voluntary bodies, to decide which projects should receive funding from the formula.

  Exam Results
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils obtained five O-level/higher grade GCSE passes which included mathematics, English, a science, a foreign language and history or geography each year since 1973; and what proportion they represent of the cohort.

  Mr. Eggar
  The numbers of 16-year-old pupils in schools in England who obtained five or more GCSE passess at grades A to C including each of those subjects or combinations of subjects requested, in the academic year 1988–89 was 81,050–13·1 per cent. of all 16-year-olds, and in 1989–90 it was 79,470–13·7 per cent. Information is not available centrally in the form requested for academic years prior to 1988–89.

  Teaching
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take to make the job of teaching more attractive.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Government's education reforms, including in particular the introduction of the national curriculum and local management of schools, will raise standards in schools and make teaching an increasingly fulfilling and attractive career. The establishment of a pay review body for teachers recognises and enhances the status of the profession. There was a 21 per cent. increase in the numbers entering teacher training in 1991. The changes in initial teacher training which my right hon. and learned Friend has recently proposed will make the profession still more attractive.

  Higher Education
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will discuss with institutions of higher education the conduct of their admissions policy on a points basis in relation to A-level grades.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Admissions policies are matters for individual higher education institutions. In deciding whether to admit a student, institutions take a variety of academic, vocational and personal qualifications into account, of which A-level grades often, but by no means always, form an important part. We look at institutions to be flexible in determining entrance requirements and to look at the full range of candidate's achievements.

  School Government Regulations
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has completed his assessment after the completion of the consulting period over the proposed amendment to the Education (School Government) Regulations 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  Amending regulations to the Education (School Government) Regulations were laid before Parliament on 18 December, and came into force on 8 January. The main aim of the amendments was to ensure that governors were not overstretched. The principal amendments reduce the maximum number of governorships an individual can normally hold from four to two; and reduce from 12 to six months the period after which a governor is disqualified if he fails to attend all meetings within that period without the consent of the governing body.

  Parents Charter
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultation was held with parents before the publication of the parents charter.

  Mr. Eggar
  In recent years the Government have commissioned a number of surveys of parents' knowledge about the education system. These showed that some parents were unaware even of their most basic rights in relation to their children's education, and that the majority would welcome more information about what went on in schools. The parents charter clearly sets out parents' current rights; it also explains the Government's proposals to improve access to information about the quality of education and standards achieved in schools.

  Sport Guidance
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what date he intends to publish guidance to schools to suggest the sort of information they should make readily available to parents concerning opportunities for sport and recreation.

  Mr. Atkins
  Guidance is likely to be issued towards the end of April 1992.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what principal persons or bodies he consulted prior to making his recent decision concerning teacher training; and if he will place copies of these representations or conclusions in the Library, stating for each body or person concerned the extent and period of their experiences of(a) class teaching and (b) teacher induction;

  (2) what consultation he has had with governors, trustees and religious and other non-statutory bodies that have current responsibility for the training of teachers concerning his proposals for teacher training; and what communication he has had with them collectively since assuming office concerning the nature, quality and practicality of teacher training courses;

  (3) what communication he has had with principals of colleges of education and departments of education, or

  451
  any relevant representative body, concerning the nature, quality and practicality of the courses they provide for the training of teachers; and what consultation he has had with any representative body of heads of secondary schools concerning the new responsibilities he envisages for them in training teachers;

  (4) if he will publish a White Paper setting out the general principles of the plans he has for the training of teachers in general, including statistical information related to his timing of the changes; and if the steps he intends taking will effect the courses leading to the postgraduate certificate in education due to take place in 1992–93.

  Mr. Fallon
  The principal source of advice for the proposals announced by my right hon. and learned Friend in his speech to the north of England education conference was the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education—CATE. A list of CATE members has been placed in the Library. The proposals were also informed by a substantial report by Her Majesty's inspectorate on school-based initial teacher training in England and Wales, which has been published. Copies of this report have been placed in the Library.

  The reasons for the proposals, the arrangements for consultation and the timetable for implementation were set out in my right hon. and learned Friend's speech. Copies of the speech have been sent to all higher education institutions in England and Wales which offer courses of initial teacher training and to many other organisations and individuals. A consultation document, setting out proposed new criteria for the approval of secondary postgraduate—PGCE—courses and proposed accreditation arrangements, will be issued soon. The consultation period will last until the end of March.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effects on the staffing of institutes and colleges of education he expects to arise consequent on his recent proposals for changes in teacher training; what are the numbers of persons currently employed in such institutions in England and Wales(a) as professional staff and (b) as supporting personnel; and how many of each he expects to be retained if his plans are implemented.

  Mr. Fallon
  The proposals for the reform of initial teacher training announced by my right hon. and learned Friend in his speech to the north of England education conference would involve a significant transfer in the burden of responsibility for initial teacher training as between higher education institutions and schools. The staffing implications are for institutions themselves to determine.

  About 3,000 full-time equivalent staff are currently employed as lecturers and tutors on courses of initial teacher training at higher education institutions in England and Wales. Data on support staff are not held centrally.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list those institutions concerned with the training of teachers in England and Wales he has visited, and for what purpose, since assuming office, together with relevant dates and approximate length of visit.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. and learned Friend made half-day visits to the school of education at Nottingham 452
  university and the department of education at Loughborough university last year on 2 May and 21 October respectively. On both visits he observed teacher training in practice and spoke with staff, students, local teachers and headteachers. He met staff and students in the school of education at Nene college as part of a general half-day visit to the institution on 3 October. He also made a short visit to Bretton Hall college on 19 July, during which he met staff responsible for teacher training courses at the college.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will tabulate in the Official Report the name of each teacher training centre or institution, listed under convenient categories in England and Wales, respectively, and for each show the type of course offered for graduate, postgraduate and higher degree qualifications, respectively, together with the approximate numbers of students in each category and the number of academic staff in each institution.

  Mr. Fallon
  The names of English initial teacher training institutions, and enrolments on their ITT courses for 1989–90 are listed in tables 9 and 9a of the Department of Education's statistical bulletin 17/91—students on initial teacher training courses—published in July 1991. A copy of this is available in the Library.

  No figures for numbers of academic staff are available for individual ITT institutions.

  Sports Councils
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimates he has assumed for the level of grant-in-aid for the four sports councils and the United Kingdom Sports Commission once this body has been established in arriving at his decision to establish the Commission.

  Mr. Atkins
  The United Kingdom Sports Commission and the Sports Council for England will be funded from within the provision available for the GB Sports Council. Thereafter, the appropriate provision for each will be settled in the relevant public expenditure round, together with provision for each of the other home country sports councils.

  Sports Commission
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his timetable for establishing the United Kingdom Sports Commission; if he will list the organisations and individuals with whom Ministers and officials in his Department have held meetings with regard to establishing the United Kingdom Sports Commission and the dates on which such meetings took place; if he will list the organisations and individuals with whom Ministers in his Department plan to hold further meetings and the dates on which such meetings will take place; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The United Kingdom Sports Commission will be established as soon as practicable. The decision took account of the GB Sports Council's own proposals for Sports Council restructuring which were discussed with it. There were also consultations with interested Departments. There will be discussions with the GB Sports Council and others as appropriate to take forward the arrangements for establishing the UK Sports Commission.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the sports bodies and organisations to whom he has sent a copy of his consultation letter on the disposal of school playing fields; by what date he requires responses to this letter; and by what date he will announce the conclusions of this consultation exercise.

  Mr. Atkins
  Copies of the press release on the consultation exercise with the local authority associations—LAAs—have been sent to the Sports Council, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the National Playing Fields Association and the regional councils for sport and recreation. The LAAs have been asked for comments by 28 February and it is hoped to announce the conclusions of the exercise as soon as possible after that date.

  Sport
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what date he intends to publish his document setting out examples of good practice in promoting sporting and recreational opportunities for young people.

  Mr. Atkins
  This guidance document is one of the proposals in my recent sports policy statement, "Sport and Active Recreation" and I hope to publish it in the autumn.

  School Buildings
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the expenditure required to bring the existing school building stock to the standard required by School Building Regulations.

  Mr. Fallon
  The results of the survey of school buildings—SSB—published by the Department in November 1987 indicated that the cost of bringing school premises up to the accommodation standards defined in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981, and to an acceptable state of repair, for 1991 pupil numbers, was about £2 billion at November 1987 prices. We have no later estimate than this figure, which was based upon returns by LEAs in respect of some 800 primary and secondary schools. Between 1986–87 and 1989–90 LEAs spent over £2 billion on school buildings, a significant proportion of which will have gone on remedying the deficiencies noted in the SSB.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give his estimate of the increase in expenditure on maintenance to school buildings required to deal with the problems identified in the National Audit Office report on property management.

  Mr. Fallon
  As the NAO report made clear, local authorities are responsible for the maintenance of their school buildings. It is for individual LEAs, not the Government, to decide what to spend from within the resources available to them in order to keep schools in a satisfactory state of repair.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give for each education 454
  authority his assumption for the amount required to be spent on school building repairs within the expenditure forecast.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Government's 1992–93 local authority finance settlement allows for standard spending on education by local authorities collectively to be 7·1 per cent. higher than this year's figure, which in turn allowed for a substantial increase in standard spending over 1990–91. Within this framework it is for individual local authorities to determine how much to spend on education and the pattern of spending within education, in the light of local needs and circumstances. Local authorities' standard spending assessments do not contain a separately identifiable element for school building repairs.

  Polytechnics
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer of 16 December,Official Report, columns 31–33, (a) what advice he received from the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council and (b) when he last consulted the Standing Conference of Principals on the question of whether to designate any further polytechnics.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The references to polytechnic designations in my right hon. and learned Friend's answer of 16 December took account of responses from the Ploytechnics and Colleges Funding Council and the Standing Conference of Principals, among others, on the Department's consultation paper "Degree Awarding Powers and University Titles" issued on 31 October. Neither body offered advice on whether to designate further ploytechnics.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to provide training and employment for the young unemployed aged 17 years to 25 years in the Heywood and Middleton constituency.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Employment Service and Rochdale training and enterprise council deliver a wide range of employment, enterprise and training programmes, to help unemployed people, including young unemployed, in Middleton and Heywood as elswhere. Additionally, Rochdale training and enterprise council and the Employment Service are working with others to enhance training provision for certain special groups in the area.

  Youth Training Scheme
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are on YTS in the area of Seaham and Peterlee; and what were the numbers in 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Jackson
  Provision of training for young people in the Seaham and Peterlee areas is the responsibility of the County Durham training and enterprise council. I have forwarded the hon. Member's inquiry to the TEC chairman. In 1989–90 the youth training scheme was the responsibility of the Department and at March 1990, the latest date that information is available centrally, there were 775 young people on YTS in Seaham and Peterlee.

  Windscale Inquiry
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 19 December, if he will place in the Library a copy of the study by Lyons (GB) Ltd. of press reporting of the Windscale public inquiry.

  Mr Forth
  I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library.

  Euratom
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment against which authority an individual can claim in the event of a claim for compensation arising from the failure to implement EC directive 89/618.

  Mr. Forth
  The Government do not accept that individual rights to claim compensation arise from the failure to implement the directive before the due date.

  In the event of a member of the public seeking to establish an individual right to claim compensation arising from the failure to implement the directive, civil proceedings might be instituted against the Crown under section 17(3) of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947. In that case, the appropriate authorised Government Department against which civil proceedings might be instituted would therefore be this Department as it has responsibility for laying before Parliament proposals for the statutory instrument intended to implement the directive.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's timetable for promulgation of the information stipulated by EC directive 89/618.

  Mr. Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Commission is currently conducting public consultation on proposals to implement EC directive 89/6I8/Euratom. Comments are required by the end of February 1992. We will bring forward new legislation as soon as comments have been considered and proposals scrutinised by the European Commission under the procedure set down in article 33 of the Euratom treaty.

  COSH Regulations
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 associated with building records.

  Mr. Forth
  None.

  Youth Training Schemes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers go straight into youth training schemes in the Crewe and Nantwich travel-to-work area.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is not available in the format requested. At December 1991, 55 per cent. of the total number of school leavers in the South and East Cheshire training and enterprise council area went straight into youth training.

  Training Investment
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the amount of investment in training in each European country.

  Mr. Jackson
  The definition of investment in training varies very considerably from country to country and no comparable figures are available. In Great Britain, current annual investment in training by employers is estimated at over £20 billion.

  Bridging Allowance (Coventry)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will produce a table to show, for each of his Department's offices in Coventry, and for the city as a whole, how many young people, and how many of each sex, were receiving bridging allowance; and how many had their allowance terminated in each month since October 1988.

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

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the proportions of female part-time workers on adult rates, in April, with hourly earnings of less than(a) £3·80, (b) £5·00 and (c) £5·20; and if he will provide these figures by standard economic region, for Great Britain, and for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Forth
  The information available from the 1991 new earnings survey closest to that requested is given in the table.

  Percentage of part·time female employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence, with hourly earnings below the following specified amounts.

  April 1991

  £

  £

  £

  3·80

  4·80

  5·40

  Greater London

  23·5

  53·3

  65·1

  South East

  38·1

  64·7

  74·3

  East Anglia

  53·7

  76·5

  83·6

  South West

  57·4

  77·2

  84·4

  West Midlands

  58·5

  78·8

  84·0

  East Midlands

  59·2

  79·5

  86·3

  Yorks and Humberside

  59·6

  79·7

  85·4

  North West

  56·8

  79·4

  85·2

  Northern

  63·0

  81·5

  88·2

  Wales

  62·7

  79·4

  85·7

  Scotland

  54·4

  76·6

  82·1

  Great Britain

  52·3

  74·7

  81·8

  3·80

  5·00

  5·50

  Northern Ireland

  60·4

  77·8

  82·0

  Source: New Earnings Survey, Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Telecommunications Council
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on Wednesday 18 December.
  457
  Mr. Redwood
  The principal item for discussion was the European Commission's proposal for a directive on technical standards for satellite broadcasting. After a lengthy debate, member states were able to reach political agreement on a draft directive. A formal common position on the directive should be adopted shortly, after which it will go for a second reading in the European Parliament. The outcome demonstrated considerable European support for the Government's negotiating position which has consistently sought to protect the interests of European service providers and consumers. I believe we have achieved an excellent deal in this respect. We have resisted any damaging obligations on existing satellite broadcasters to adopt the D2-MAC standard, a move which could have threatened their commercial viability. We have also successfully prevented the compulsory inclusion of multiplexed analogue components—MAC—decoders in ordinary television sets and satellite receiving equipment, thereby sparing consumers an excessive cost premium on these products. I think that the greater emphasis the agreement now places on promoting the wide-screen capabilities of MAC is a very positive step for the European satellite broadcasting industry. Yet to be resolved is the separate financial measure which the Commission intends to propose to provide funding for the promotion of the MAC standard. The Government will consider a case for subsidy on its merits when a proper justification for the spend is put forward but we are opposed to the expenditure of the very large sums which have been talked about by the Commission.

  Formal common positions were adopted without discussion on the Council decision on the harmonisation in due course of the international telephony access code to 00, the Council directive on the application of open network provision to leased lines and the Council resolution on the further liberalisation of satellite communications.

  Industrial Development, Rochdale
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will visit Rochdale borough to meet representatives of industry to discuss matters relating to his Department's activities in industrial development.

  Mr. Leigh
  I have no present plans to do so, although my officials remain ready to discuss my Department's activities and services with Rochdale borough and other local authorities.

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for boosting manufacturing output in the Rochdale borough.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department has a wide range of schemes to help improve manufacturing output and encourage innovation. Firms in Rochdale wishing to take advantage of these schemes should contact DTI's north-west regional office in Manchester.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Animal Testing
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to use section 5(5) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 458
  1986 to ensure that projecct licences are not issued for animal tests for skin or eye irritancy where alternative testing methods are available.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  All applicants for project licences for whatever purposes are required to show that they have given thorough consideration to the possibility of using alternatives to the use of living animals in their proposed programme of work. At present there are no validated and accepted alternative testing methods to existing skin and eye irritancy tests.

  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any of the project licences currently issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 permit animal testing for skin or eye irritancy for the purpose of developing cosmetics or toiletries.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  There are currently four project licences in force which authorise the use of living animals in the safety testing of cosmetics or toiletries. All authorise the use of animals in tests to ensure that substances used in cosmetics are not skin irritants and three of them authorise tests to ensure that such substances are not eye irritants.

  The definition of cosmetics used in this country follows that used by the European Community and includes such items as shampoos, sunscreens and toothpastes. In view of the purposes of such products, skin and eye irritancy tests are carried out as part of a package of tests required to ensure that substances to be used in cosmetics are safe. Skin and eye irritancy tests will normally only be applied to animals after in vitro pre-screening tests have shown the substance in question to be a non-irritant thus reducing the possibility of adverse reactions to the animals involved.

  State-approved Funding
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are equivalents to the Ryrie rules on state-approved non-Government funding for state-approved causes.

  Mr. John Patten
  No.

  Gaming Polices
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the differences between public policies on(a) betting, (b) gaming and (c) lotteries.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Government policy on all gambling, whether betting, gaming or lotteries, reflects two basic principles. The first is that controls are necessary to ensure that it is conducted honestly and fairly. The second principle is that demand for gambling should not be stimulated. These principles are applied in different degrees to different kinds of gambling. The greater the scope for abuse and commercial exploitation the more rigorously they are applied.

  Lotteries
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange the publication by 17 January of an interim discussion paper on the technical issues which could be considered relevant to decisions on one or more high-prize lotteries.
  459
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The House will have an opportunity to consider these issues in debate on 17 January, but we do not intend to issue a discussion document in advance.

  Child Crime
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the number of incidents reported to police in each year since 1980 in which it is believed that offences were committed by children believed to be under the minimum age at 'which they could be either cautioned or prosecuted;

  (2) what was the number of incidents in each year since 1980 in which police identified the culprit or culprits as children under the age at which they could be prosecuted.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information is not collected centrally on the number or type of offences committed by children under the age of 10 years, the minimum age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales.

  Gaming Advertisements
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which forms of gaming, betting or lotteries may be advertised on television.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  By virtue of certain statutory controls and the provisions of the Independent Television Commission's code of advertising standards and practice, all advertising of betting and gaming is prohibited on commercial television. Lotteries permitted under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 may be advertised on television.

  Gambling
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the report on gambling commissioned by the European Commission, in so far as it covers the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As part of an examination of the gambling sector in the context of the single market, a purely factual report entitled, "Gambling in the Single Market—A study of the current legal and market situation", was published by the European Commission in July. We have drawn to the Commission's attention a number of factual inaccuracies in relation to the United Kingdom. In particular, we have pointed out that net consumer spend—estimated at about £3,300 million for the United Kingdom in 1989–90—provides a better guide to gambling expenditure than estimates of the total amount staked which appear in the report. On that basis, the EC gambling industry is much smaller than the report claimed.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority a colour television licence is required for the installation or use of a video cassette recorder in conjunction with a black and white television set.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The requirement for a colour television licence to install or use a video cassette recorder in conjunction with a monochrome television is set out in 460
  the Wireless Telegraphy (Television Licence Fees) Regulations 1991 (No. 436) made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the merits and demerits of a national lottery.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2 December 1991, at column 14.

  Security Service
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the purposes and objectives of the Security Service;

  (2) if he will make it his practice to provide information on the annual expenditure by the Security Service;

  (3) if he will now make it his practice to disclose the number of people employed by the Security Service.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make it his practice to provide detailed financial information on the expenditure of the Security Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The functions of the Security Service, as described in the Security Service Act 1989, are the protection of national security and the safeguarding of the United Kingdom's economic well being against threats posed by the actions or intentions of persons outside the British islands. I do not intend to depart from the practice adopted by successive Governments of not disclosing information about staffing, financial and other matters closely associated with the Security Service's operations which must necessarily remain secret.

  UKIAS
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what dates in 1991 Ministers and/or officials have met representatives of the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service; what was discussed; and what further meetings are planned;

  (2) what communication has been received from the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service proposals that green form legal aid be withdrawn and UKIAS provide advice and assistance on political asylum, immigration and nationality matters; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what increase in the Home Office grant-in-aid to the United Kingdom Immigrant Advisory Service would be required if it has to become the sole provider of advice and assistance on political asylum, immigration and nationality matters and if green form legal aid was wholly or partially withdrawn; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what departmental grant-in-aid has been given to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service in each of the past five years; and what grant-in-aid has been agreed for the coming financial year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are frequent discussions between the Home Office and the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service. In the past 12 months, these have included the discussions to which I referred in my
  461
  reply to the hon. Member's Question on 14 October 1991, at column 25, about our proposals on green form legal aid, and discussions, which continue, of other matters relevant to the payment of grant-in-aid, including aspects of UKIAS management. The grant paid to UKIAS in the financial years ending 31 March 1988 to 31 March 1991 was £0·961 million, £1·007 million, £1·130 million and £1·351 million respectively. £1·422 million has been paid so far this financial year. Payments for the remainder of this year and for future years will be determined in the light of continuing discussions with UKIAS about the resources needed to enable the organisation to respond to an increased workload.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings or correspondence has been undertaken by him with the Commission for Racial Equality concerning the relations between the Asylum Bill and the Race Relations Act 1976; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality wrote to my right hon. Friend about the Asylum Bill on 3 December and he replied on 10 January. The Government are satisfied that there is no conflict between the Bill and the Race Relations Act 1976.

  Sikh Groups (Expenditure)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints have been received by the Charity Commissioners, in each of the last three years, alleging the irregular expenditure of funds by organisations, including religious organisations, registered by the Sikh community living in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. John Patten
  Separate records are not maintained about individual complaints which have been received by the Charity Commissioners in respect of any charity, and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have been carried out on behalf of the Charity Commissioners, in each of the past three years, into complaints of the irregular expenditure of funds by organisations, including religious organisations, registered by the Sikh community living in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. John Patten
  The commissioners have used their powers of inquiry in some 17 cases involving allegations of misuse or misappropriation of funds, during the last three years, by charities connected with the Sikh community living in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) complaints have been received, in each of the last three years, and (b) what investigations have been undertaken by the Metropolitan police into the irregular expenditure of funds by organisations which promote the political, social and economic interests of the British Sikh community.

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

  Indian Terrorism
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British and non-British nationals, in each of the last five years, have been(a) arrested, (b) charged, (c) convicted and (d) acquitted over offences relating to the funding of terrorism in India; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  None.

  Terrorist Funds
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current United Kingdom legislation relating to powers to confiscate terrorist funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The financial provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 have given the police further means of obtaining information in the course of their investigations into terrorist crimes. The complexity of such investigations is such that none has yet reached the stage at which charges may be brought, at which point the powers of restraint and forfeiture may be used. Nevertheless, I understand that the police believe that the provisions have already proved valuable in providing documentary evidence of how funds are channelled, and in opening further lines of investigation.

  Broadcasting Council for Wales
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what considerations he took into account in his recommendations for the appointment of a new chairperson of the Broadcasting Council of Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The chairmanship of the Broadcasting Council for Wales is one of the duties of the BBC national governor for Wales. In considering recommendations for new appointments to the board, people are sought from a variety of backgrounds whose personal qualities and experience will enable them to contribute to the successful operation of the BBC, and to represent the wider public interest including that of the relevant parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy in the Library of the correspondence between the 11 members of the Broadcasting Council of Wales and himself on Friday 13 December concerning the appointment of Dr. Gwyn Jones to be the next chairman of the BBC Broadcasting Council for Wales.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I do not normally place copies of my correspondence in the Library and I see no reason to do so on this occasion.

  Police Manning
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 10 December,Official Report, column 394, 11 December, Official Report, column 435, 12 December, Official Report, column 508 and 13 December, Official Report, column 584, when he intends to write to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth on the calculations on which he based police manning levels.
  463
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I hope to reply this week.

  Homicides, London
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of homicides recorded by the police in the Metropolitan police district in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these were subsequently recorded as murder.

  Mr. John Patten
  The number of offences initially recorded as homicide by the Metropolitan police, and the number of these subsequently found to be murder is shown in the following table for each year from 1982 to 1990:

  Homicide offences in the Metropolitan police district

  Initially recorded homicide offences

  Year

  Total number

  Subsequently recorded as murder

  1982

  196

  47

  1983

  148

  39

  1984

  164

  36

  1985

  191

  40

  1986

  207

  50

  1987

  194

  43

  1988

  160

  33

  1989

  165

  46

  1990

  182

  37

  The equivalent figures for the year 1991 are not available.

  Bomb Warnings
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy for the British Transport police to be made aware of the code words used by the IRA in verifying the authenticity of bomb warning calls in London.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Effective co-operation and liaison exist between the Metropolitan police special branch and the British Transport police on this and other policy issues.

  Magistrates Courts, Rochdale
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his proposals for the future organisation of the magistrates courts in the Rochdale metropolitan borough.

  Mr. John Patten
  Decisions about the provision and usage of courthouses in Rochdale are a matter for the Rochdale magistrates courts committee in consultation with the paying authority. The Government's proposals for the future organisation of the magistrates' courts service in England and Wales as a whole were summarised in the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 18 December to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter).

  Police Civilianisation, Hertfordshire
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State ror the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of policemen in Hertfordshire who would become available for operational duties if the police authority adopted the best practice on civilianisation.
  464
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Of the 819 "key posts" in the Hertfordshire constabulary, 551—or 67·3 per cent.,—have been civilianised. A number of forces have achieved rates at 80 per cent. or more. Although there is not necessarily an exact correlation between the number of posts civilianised and the number of officers thereby released for operational duties, it is reasonable to assume that if Hertfordshire were to civilianise 80 per cent. of "key posts", some 100 further officers could be released for operational duties.

  Seaham and Peterlee (Policing)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable on police manning levels in Seaham and Peterlee in the years 1989–90 and 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The deployment of police manpower within a force area is a matter for the chief constable. I understand from the chief constable of Durham that the information requested is as follows:

  On 31 December

  Establishment strength

  Establishment strength

  Seaham

  Peterlee

  1989

  55

  54

  114

  114

  1990

  54

  52

  117

  115

  11991

  53

  49

  126

  126

  1 as at November.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many car thefts there have been in the. Seaham and Peterlee area in each year since 1988–89.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Violence Against Police, London
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of offences of violence against the police in the Metropolitan police district in each of the last 10 years where the offence involved serious injury; and what is the clear-up rate.

  Mr. John Patten
  The available information relates to the number of officers assaulted while on duty and is published annually in the report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. A six-month survey of sentencing for assaults on police officers was conducted from July to December 1991. From this survey it will be possible to tell how many offenders were convicted of injuring a police officer in the Metroplitan police district during that period. The results of the survey will be published as soon as possible.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the West Midlands as to the progress of the inquiry set up in March 1991 into the identity of the persons responsible for the Birmingham pub bombings; how many officers have been involved in the inquiry; what they have been doing; and whether they have reached a conclusion.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I am not able to add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member on 18 November 1991 at column 17.

  Crime Levels
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the findings of the most recent British crime survey in establishing the fact about crime increases and the comparison with offences recorded by the police.

  Mr. John Patten
  The most recent British crime survey was carried out in 1988, covering crime in 1987. Some types of crime are excluded from the survey, such as those where the victim is an organisation or institution, rather than an individual. For those types of crime where comparisons can be made between the survey findings and offences recorded by the police, the increase between 1981 and 1987 was as follows:

  1Per cent.

  As indicated by the British crime survey

  30

  As indicated by offences recorded by the police

  41

  1 Increase in crime between 1981 and 1987.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to indemnifying local authorities which seek to enforce the law on Sunday trading in respect of the perceived risk of damages should they lose the case in the end.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is for local authorities themselves to determine what of their resources to allocate to enforcing the Sunday trading provisions of the Shops Act 1950 as it is in relation to the whole range of their many other responsibilities under the law. We make a substantial contribution to local authority costs generally through the revenue support grant system, and do not propose to increase this contribution specifically for this enforcement.

  Breath Tests
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will outline the legislation under which police with adequate identification can request a breath test.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The police powers to require breath tests are contained in the Road Traffic Act 1988.

  Under section 163 a police constable in uniform has the power to stop any vehicle; and under section 6 to require a breath test:

  (a) where there is reasonable cause to suspect that the driver has alcohol in his body; or

  (b) where there is reasonable cause to suspect that the driver has committed a moving traffic offence; or

  (c) where there is reasonable cause to believe that the driver has been involved in an accident.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from what date the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 will be enforced.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Act, apart from section 4, will be brought into force as soon as the guidance circular clarifying the duties of local authorities in enforcing the 466
  new law has been finalised following consultations with the interested parties. Section 4, which deals with the display of warning statements in retail premises and on vending machines, will be brought into effect later in the year after separate consultations have been completed.

  Grants
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to meet all the proposals put forward by local education authorities for grants under section II of the Local Government Act 1966.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Not all proposals met the new criteria for grants. Those proposals which were eligible for grant exceeded in total the resources available. It will be for the local education authorities concerned to decide which of their eligible proposals should be funded within the total grant allocated to each of them for education purposes.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reason for the delay in reporting back to local education authorities on the size of grants for 1992 onwards under the new rules for grants under section II of the Local Government Act 1966.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Some 2,100 applications for project funding were received which was in excess of expectations. All applications had to be carefully scrutinised to see if they met the new criteria for funding. Decisions were notified to all applicants on 18 December.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on plans to keep younger prisoners serving custodial sentences in secure work camps.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We have no such plans.

  India (Ministerial Visit)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his visit to India.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I made an official visit to India between 2 and 6 January, and to Pakistan on 7 and 8 January.

  In India, I visited Delhi, where I had constructive discussions with the Indian Prime Minister, the Indian Home Affairs Minister, and the Indian External Affairs Minister. We discussed in particular the importance of co-operation between the Governments of the United Kingdom and India in combating terrorism. I stressed our commitment to the fight against terrorism, and to co-operation with India in this. I also took the opportunity to express our concern about human rights. I also discussed the desirability of concluding a bilateral agreement to enable co-operation in the tracing, freezing and confiscation of terrorist funds and the proceeds of serious crime, including drug trafficking. In addition, I discussed the suggestion by the Indian Government that the existing extradition arrangements should be replaced by an extradition treaty. I agreed that our experts should again consider this, while having proper regard to the practical and legal requirements.
  467
  In Delhi, I gave a speech at the Indian international centre, a copy of which I am placing in the Library. I also visited and formally opened the new high commission immigration building, and held useful discussions with staff working in the immigration section.

  In Bombay I met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, where I discussed immigration and drugs matters. I visited the police headquarters and the immigration section of the high commission, where I had useful discussions with staff and police officers.

  In Islamabad, I had meetings with the President, the Interior Minister, and the Minister for Narcotics Control. The main focus of these discussions was the importance of international efforts to combat drug trafficking. I stressed that it was in the interests of both Governments to develop effective programmes to reduce the production of heroin, to break the supply chain and to reduce demand for drugs. I also had useful discussions with staff at the high commission concerned with the control of immigration and narcotics.

PRIME MINISTER

  RECHAR
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will institute an official inquiry into the source of the leaked letter from the Secretary of State for the Environment to the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales referring to the RECHAR scheme.

  The Prime Minister
  Where it appears that classified documents may have been leaked, it is for the Secretary of State for the relevant Department concerned, in the first instance, to decide, in consultation with his officials, what inquiries need to be made.

  Security Service
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the appointment of the new director of the Security Service.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 16 December 1991 that Mrs. Stella Rimington had been appointed as the new director general of the Security Service, in accordance with the provisions of the Security Service Act 1989.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what changes he intends to make in his policy for providing answers to questions from hon. Members on the Security Service;

  (2) if he will make it his practice to give information in reply to parliamentary questions concerning the Security Service;

  (3) if he will list changes made since 1987 in practice on providing answers to questions by hon. Members on the security services.

  The Prime Minister
  The functions of the Security Service and other statutory provisions were debated in Parliament during the passage of the Security Service Act 1989. The Government intend to continue the practice adopted by successive Governments of not disclosing information relating to the operation of the Security Service.

  Roman Catholic Church (Recognition)
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Prime Minister whether, following the repeal in part XVI of schedule 1 to the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1978 of section 24 of the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, he will now make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to accord the same degree of official recognition to the territorial sees and titles of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales as is accorded to the unestablished Anglican churches outside England.

  The Prime Minister
  This suggestion is currently being considered, and I will write to my hon. Friend about it as soon as possible.

  Government of London
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to reply to the letter dated 22 October from the hon. Member for Dagenham concerning the government of London.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has replied on my behalf.

  Government Achievements
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to his reply, on Her Majesty's Government's achievements, to the hon. Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls) on 16 December,Official Report, column 22, he will set out (a) the cost of making this reply and (b) the failures of Her Majesty's Government over the same period.

  The Prime Minister
  My reply of 16 December to my hon. Friend the Member for Teignbridge demonstrated a consistent record of success and achievement throughout 1991. The cost of that reply, based on the cost of staff and overheads in various departments involved in its compilation, and the printing costs, is estimated at £1,520.

  European Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he has agreed to or authorised in respect of the annex I entitled "Reference in the treaty to European Parties", in the draft treaty on European Union; and when, and under what circumstance, the places and formulation of such reference will be determined.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 December 1991]: It is for the presidency to propose a precise formulation and place in the treaty for such a reference before signature.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will state which body or bodies will define which associations or foundations are deemed charitable, in respect of the declaration on co-operation with charitable associations in pursuing the objectives of either version of article 117 in the draft treaty on European union.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 December 1991]: Declarations by the inter-governmental conference have political rather than legal force, and the existing arrangements for defining charitable status are not affected. In the case of the United Kingdom, the competent body remains the Charity Commission.

  Western Shoshone People
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will obtain for his office's library the 1989 report by the United States Congress Office of Technology Assessment to which reference is made in the letter by Ambassador Renwick to Chief Rowell of the Western Shoshone people.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]: I have already done so.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the technical basis for the requirement for the United Kingdom to carry out tests from time to time to ensure the safety of the nuclear deterrent deployment by the United Kingdom.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]: It has not been the practice of this or previous Governments to give technical details of our nuclear test programme. Testing remains essential to ensure the effectiveness, safety and credibility of our independent nuclear deterrent.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps have been taken to co-ordinate the United Kingdom nuclear weapons deployment and development programme with Her Majesty's Government's commitments under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]: For as long as our security depends upon the possession of nuclear weapons, the Government are committed to maintaining a minimum nuclear deterrent. This is entirely consistent with our commitments under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Coopers and Lybrand
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Prime Minister which Departments, for what purposes, and at what cost, have used the services of Coopers and Lybrand since 1989.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]: This information is not held centrally.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from Libya about the Lockerbie bombing; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]: The Libyans have issued various statements and indirect messages about the Lockerbie bombing. None of these provided a satisfactory response to the requests we made with our United States and French partners on 27 November.

  Lt. Col. Partap Singh
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to answer the letter, dated 12 August 1991, from Lt. Col. Partap Singh (retired), president of the Khalsa Raj party; and if he will place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]: My office has no record of receiving Lt. Col. Singh's letter.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Population Control
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the amounts of Overseas Development Administration grants to Population Services Family Planning Programme Ltd., Marie Stopes, for each of the last 10 years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The list of ODA grants to Marie Stopes International is as follows:

  Years

  Size of grant

  1981–82

  89,916

  1982–83

  71,424

  1983–84

  95,397

  1984–85

  0

  1985–86

  11,265

  1986–87

  162,460

  1987–88

  99,739

  1988–89

  194,699

  1989–90

  520,520

  1990–91

  605,265

  These grants do not represent general donations, but are provided in support of specifically agreed projects in developing countries.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the types of oral and injectable contraceptives provided under the United Nations fund for population activities as part of its health and family planning programme for Ghana.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The UNFPA's programme of contraceptive supply to Ghana provides Microgynon and Micronovum—orals—and Depo-Provera—injectable.

  Road-Building Projects (Central African Republic)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Minister for Overseas Development has had from Dr. Alan Tye of the West African Ornithological Society in relation to the Dzanga-Sangha rainforest reserve and the Dzanga-Ndoki national park in the Central African Republic; and what is his policy on Government aid for road-building projects in such areas.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Dr. Tye has written to me about a rural development project in the Dzanga-Sangha rain forest reserve which was tentatively scheduled for presentation to the August 1991 session of the executive board of the African development bank.

  I replied that the project had been withdrawn at the request of executive directors representing several non-regional members of the bank, including United Kingdom, until a comprehensive assessment of its environmental impact has been undertaken.

  We would expect environmental and social impact assessments to be undertaken for road projects located in environmentally sensitive areas.

  Latvia
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the items of assistance provided by Her Majesty's Government to Latvia since 1 January 1991.
  471
  Mrs. Chalker
  The following projects have been initiated in the Baltic states. including Latvia, with funding from the know-how fund:

  Know how fund Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia

  Small business creation

  1. Mitaline Technology (Estonia).

  2. Preparation of a training programme for use by Estonian Small Business Association.

  3. Estonian Small Business Association.

  4. Approved.

  5. £4,000.

  Financial Services

  1. Transcend Technology (Lithuania).

  2. To provide assistance to the Association of Light Industry Enterprises of Lithuania to prepare individual state enterprises for privatisation.

  3. Association of Light Industries.

  4. Approved.

  5. £9,800.

  Political and Cultural

  1. Restructuring MFAs.

  2. Senior retired United Kingdom diplomats on short attachments to Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Latvia. Lithuania and Estonia. To advise on restructuring in a democratic society.

  3. Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

  4. Approved.

  5. £15,000.

  1. Police Training Missions

  2. Senior officers from Strathclyde police on short missions to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to advise on police training needs, restructuring etc.

  3.—

  4. Approved.

  5. £20,000.

  1. Low Cost Book Scheme.

  2. Subsidies for text books for retailers and individuals in three baltic states.

  3.—

  4. Approved.

  5. £66,000.

  1. Short Term Scholarships.

  2. One year scholarships for postgraduates and young professionals in the three Baltics. Target areas economics, finance and management.

  3.—

  4. Approved.

  5. £120,000.

  1. Bradford Baltic Unit.

  2. Attachment of students from the three Baltic states to the Baltic Unit of Bradford University.

  3.—.

  4. Approved.

  5. £70,900.

  1. Books for Parliaments.

  2. Provision of text books in key areas to libraries of Baltic Parliaments.

  3.—.

  4. Approved.

  5. £15,000.

  1. Seminar for Parliamentary Librarians.

  2. Training seminar for Parliamentary librarians from the three Baltic States.

  3.—.

  4. Approved.

  5. £8,000.

  1. Legal Attachments.

  472

  2. Attachments of young lawyers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Law Society of Scotland and Scottish legal practices.

  3.—.

  4. Approved.

  5. £40,000.

  1. Legal Concepts for Translators.

  2. Training in legal concepts in English for translators attached to the Office of the Lithuanian Supreme Council.

  3.—.

  4. Approved.

  5. £4,000.

  1. TV Training Project.

  2. Assisting trainees from the three Baltic states in British TV production procedures.

  3.—.

  4. Approved.

  5. £26,000.

  1. Visit of Lithuania Deputy Chief of Protocol.

  2. Familiarisation visit.

  3.—.

  4. Completed.

  5. £2,000.

  1. Publisher Training.

  2. Seminar on publishing and book trade in Lithuania.

  3. Open Society Foundation of Lithuania.

  4. Approved.

  5. £30,000.

  Note:

  1.= Title of project.

  2. = Purpose of project.

  3. = Local organisation involved.

  4. = Status of project.

  5. = Cost of project.

ENERGY

  Petroleum Engineering Directorate
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) when work on the independent inquiry into the cost effectiveness of relocating petroleum engineering directorate staff in Aberdeen will begin; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if the Treasury has produced a brief for the Government-ordered independent inquiry into the cost effectiveness of relocating civil servants from the petroleum engineering directorate in Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department has drawn up a shortlist of firms from those which responded to my announcement and press advertisement. Six firms have been sent terms of reference agreed between the Treasury, Scottish Office and my Department, and they have been invited to tender for the review of the case for relocating the petroleum engineering directorate in Aberdeen. I shall announce who is to carry out the review when the consultant has been chosen.

  Cold Weather Credits
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to meet representatives of the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have no such plans.

  Deep-mined Coal
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current level of deep-mined coal production in Britain; and how many people are employed in deep-mined coal production.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  In the most recent completed financial year, 1990–91, the British Coal Corporation produced 72·3 million tonnes of coal from deep mines. At the end of that financial year, in March 1991, the corporation had 61,351 industrial employees at its deep mines.

  Privately owned mines, with licences to work coal underground, produced 1 million tonnes and employed 1,628 people.

  British Coal
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will dismiss the chairman and board members of the British Coal Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No.

  Heating
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of household income is spent on heating by households in each income group.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It is not possible to distinguish expenditure on fuel for heating from expenditure on fuel for other household uses. Data on total spending on fuel, light and power by households in 1990 as a proportion of total expenditure, analysed by income group, are:

  Gross normal weekly income of household

  1Expenditure

  £

  Per cent.

  Under 60

  11·8

  60 and under 80

  10·8

  80 and under 100

  9·6

  100 and under 125

  7·3

  125 and under 150

  6·5

  150 and under 175

  6·4

  175 and under 225

  5·5

  225 and under 275

  5·2

  275 and under 325

  4·2

  325 and under 375

  4·1

  375 and under 425

  4·0

  425 and under 475

  3·8

  475 and under 550

  3·4

  550 and under 650

  3·3

  650 and under 800

  3·1

  800 or more

  2·9

  All households

  4·5

  1 Expenditure on fuel, light and power as a proportion of total expenditure.

  Source: Family Spending, published by HMSO.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to increase funding of the home energy efficiency scheme.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have nothing further to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 6 December 1991, at column 258.
  474
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to extend the home energy efficiency scheme.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have no plans to extend the energy efficiency measures offered under the home energy efficiency scheme at present.

  Electricity Generation
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the cost to the domestic electricity consumer of the requirement for electricity generating companies to purchase their fuel from British Coal; and what is the difference between British Coal prices and the current world price for coal.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There is no requirement for electricity generating companies to purchase their fuel from British Coal. National Power and PowerGen currently have contracts with British Coal, in place until March 1993.

  The average British Coal price in 1990–91 was £41·78 per tonne, compared to an average price of power station coal imported into the European Community of approximately £25 per tonne, for the same year.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on the future level of opencast mining in the Northumberland area.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The future level of opencast coal mining in Northumberland will depend on commercial decisions by operators and on the acceptability of new sites to the planning authorities.

  EC Energy Policy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is(a) the direct and (b) the indirect effect of the agreement reached at the recent Joint European Energy and Environment meeting on European Communities energy policy on the United Kingdom (i) nuclear programme and (ii) renewable energy programme.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment explained on 17 December 1991, at columns 104 and 105, that the agreement reached at the recent joint session of the Energy and Environment Councils was to invite the European Commission to put forward formal proposals for measures to limit carbon dioxide emissions in the Community, including any necessary proposals for Community-wide taxation taking account of further studies and the conclusions of separate discussions by Finance Ministers. No such formal proposals have yet been made by the Commission. It is therefore premature to comment on the effect which any such proposals might have on the United Kingdom's nuclear and renewable energy programmes.

  Dounreay Investigation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newport West on 16 December 1991,Official Report, column 17, he will set out the nature of the discrepancy under investigation at Dounreay nuclear power development establishment.
  475
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  A report on the discrepancy has not been received to date.

  Trawsfynydd
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) when his Department became aware of the decision to downrate by 22 per cent. the Magnox reactor at Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, to enable operation to restart; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when his Department became aware of the new pressure temperature management regime at Trawsfynydd nuclear power station; and if he will make a statement on safety.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The reactors at Trawsfynydd were shut down in February 1991 as a precautionary measure, to enable Nuclear Electric to review the situation with regard to the integrity of pressure vessel welds. Both reactors have remained shut down since then.

  Discussions are continuing between Nuclear Electric and the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate on Nuclear Electric's safety case for a return to power of the reactors. Changes to the operating regimes
  476
  of the reactors, which may or may not result in downrating, will form part of those discussions. The details of changes finally agreed prior to any return to operation will be a matter for Nuclear Electric and the NII.

  There will be no question of a return to power of the Trawsfynydd reactors unless and until the NII is satisfied that an acceptable safety case has been made.

  International Atomic Energy Agency
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in strengthening the powers of inspection exercised by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  A number of proposals for strengthening IAEA safeguards have been made by the EC and others. However, no firm decisions have yet been taken on these issues, which will need full reflection by the IAEA board and its member states. The next meeting of the board of governors, in February, will devote much of its time to safeguards issues.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Sexual Offences
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of compensation was paid during the most recent year for which figures are available to(a) women and (b) children as a result of sexual offences.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  Criminal injuries compensation paid as a result of sexual offences

  (i) 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991

  (ii) 1 April 1991 to 17 November 1991

  £

  £

  Women

  583,510

  234,089

  Minors

  327,943

  352,122

  Gas Pipelines
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which routes for a gas pipeline from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are presently under consideration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The route of any gas pipeline from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will largely be a matter for decision by the private sector interests laying that pipeline.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the water courses which contain leachate from dumps containing tarry wastes in the Londonderry area; and whether plant and animal life in such water courses appear to have been affected by such leachate by reference to the plant and animal life present upstream and downstream of the dumps.

  Mr. Needham
  No significant traces of leachate associated with tarry wastes have been found in water courses within catchments in the Londonderry area; nor is there any evidence of adverse effect on plant and animal life. However, studies of flora and fauna in these water courses are under way and additional monitoring is planned in 1992.

  Immigration
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are estimated in each of the past 10 years to have(a) migrated from Great Britain into Northern Ireland and (b) emigrated from other countries into Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Migrated from Great Britain (a)

  Emigrated from elsewhere (b)

  1980–81

  5,100

  2,100

  1981–82

  4,400

  1,600

  1982–83

  4,800

  1,700

  1983–84

  5,200

  2,800

  1984–85

  6,900

  3,100

  478

  Year

  Migrated from Great Britain (a)

  Emigrated from elsewhere (b)

  1985–86

  8,000

  3,900

  1986–87

  9,500

  3,800

  1987–88

  9,500

  4,200

  1988–89

  10,200

  4,200

  1989–90

  10,800

  4,300

  Figures are derived from the mid-year estimates of population which cover the period 1 July in each year to 30 June in the following year.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated capital savings as a result of the present moratorium on new public expenditure on capital projects in Northern Ireland; how much of this saving is required as a result of expenditure on terrorist-related incidents; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is anticipated that the temporary deferment of new capital contracts should provide sufficient resources to offset the imbalance between new demands and easements within the Northern Ireland block amounting to some £30 million. This figure represents the net effect of substantial numbers of adjustments to budgets, both increases and decreases, arising since the start of the financial year, of which security-related costs are only one element. Final decisions on the adjustments required will be taken in the context of the spring supplementary estimates which will be laid before the House in February and the details will be made available then.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate the respects in which the provisions in Northern Ireland for the disposal of fallen and diseased animals diverge from those applying in the European Community for(a) animal health and food hygiene and (b) the environment, with particular reference to the possible pollution of water resources through on-farm burial; and how it is monitored.

  Mr. Hanley
  Arrangements in Northern Ireland comply with European Community provisions for disposal of fallen and diseased animals. Meat inspection systems operated by the Department of Agriculture and by environmental health officers aim to eliminate any risk to food hygiene. The Department of the Environment (NI) monitors fresh and marine waters for compliance with EC directives relating to water pollution.

  Infant Death
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 5 November,Official Report, column 50, what pilot studies his Department is doing to test the feasibility of the proposals for the confidential inquiries into stillbirths and deaths in infancy set out in the report published on 2 July 1991; and whether the results of the pilot studies will be ready in time to be taken into account in finalising plans for the inquiries themselves.
  479
  Mr. Hanley
  A national advisory body, on which Northern Ireland will be represented, is to be established to guide and oversee the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy. There are no plans for pilot studies to be undertaken in Northern Ireland.

  Public Spending Moratorium
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the capital projects planned for this financial year which are now postponed by the recently announced moratorium on public spending, indicating for each project the Department or public body concerned and the value of the contract.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Housing Estate Heating Systems
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list contract commencement and completion dates and the contract price for installing new heating systems in(a) New Mossley housing estate, Newtownabbey and (b) Springfarm housing estate, Antrim.

  Mr. Needham
  The chief executive of the Housing Executive has advised me that the contract details for installing new heating systems in New Mossley and Springfarm are as follows:

  Start date

  Completion date

  Price £

  Springfarm

  September 1988

  February 1989

  428,715

  New Mossley

  September 1988

  February 1989

  588,728

  Northern Ireland International Airport
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if a pension fund actuarial valuation has been attributed to the employees of Northern Ireland international airport in preparation for privatisation; and if he will give the name of the actuary.

  Mr. Needham
  No pension fund actuarial valuation has yet been carried out.

  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assurance he will give to employees of Northern Ireland international airport that their pension rights and expectations will be fully protected after privatisation.

  Mr. Needham
  Privatisation of Northern Ireland Airports Limited will not affect the pension rights and expectations of existing employees. If a new pension scheme were to be established in place of the existing scheme, it would be on terms that the benefits to be made available would be the same in all substantial respects as those presently enjoyed under current arrangements and any new scheme would receive the assets of the existing scheme.
  480

  Start Date

  Completion Date

  Price £

  Springfarm

  March 1991

  March 1992

  834,316

  New Mossley

  March 1991

  March 1992

  1,298,627

  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list contract commencement and completion dates and the contract price for replacing defective district heating mains pipework at the New Mossley housing estate in Newtownabbey.

  Mr. Needham
  The chief executive of the Housing Executive has advised me that the contract details for the replacement of defective district heating mains pipework at New Mossley were as follows:

  Start Date

  Completion Date

  Price £

  July 1985

  November 1989

  880,627

  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the contract commencement and completion dates and the contract price for fitting new card operated district heating meters at(a) New Mossley housing estate, Newtownabbey and (b) Springfarm housing estate, Antrim.

  Mr. Needham
  The chief executive of the Housing Executive has advised me that the contract details for fitting new card operated district heating meters in New Mossley and Springfarm estates are as follows:

  Buses (Pollution)
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to reduce exhaust pollution from public service vehicles by Ulsterbus and Citybus.

  Mr. Needham
  I am advised by the managing director of Ulsterbus and Citybus that, to reduce exhaust pollution, the companies' buses are powered by diesel, rather than petrol, engines; new buses are fitted with emission efficient engines, automatic gear boxes and speed limiters; and maintenance schedules include specific measures to reduce exhaust emissions.

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the tarry wastes arising from the production of acetylene gas at Maydown, Co. Londonderry, can be disposed of by incineration; and what research he has commissioned into the substances and chemicals which result when they are subjected to high temperatures.

  Mr. Needham
  I have not commissioned any research into the effects of incinerating these wastes but relevant work has been carried out elsewhere in the United Kingdom and internationally. Essentially, they are not incinerable without considerable pre-treatment. Official
  481
  guidance on the topic was published in 1977, in a code of practice entitled "Tarry and distillation wastes and other chemical based residues"—waste management paper No. 13. A copy is in the Library.

  A study will commence shortly into the scale and nature of the Tarry waste deposits in the north-west in order to determine the best practicable environmental option for their disposal and, if appropriate, the subsequent decontamination of the land on which they are situated.

  Year 1980

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  3

  7

  5

  6

  Belfast

  1

  1

  8

  23

  37

  59

  56

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Down

  0

  0

  1

  3

  3

  7

  6

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  0

  4

  4

  5

  6

  North Down

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  1

  2

  Antrim

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  7

  8

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  6

  3

  Ballymoney

  0

  1

  0

  1

  4

  3

  2

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  1

  3

  Coleraine

  1

  0

  1

  1

  6

  8

  5

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Lame

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  5

  0

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  3

  Moyle

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  1

  2

  7

  11

  9

  Armagh

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  3

  2

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  2

  1

  4

  7

  13

  Dungannon

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  3

  6

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  2

  3

  2

  7

  10

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  4

  3

  Limavady

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Derry

  0

  2

  1

  4

  17

  23

  15

  Omagh

  0

  1

  2

  2

  2

  4

  3

  Strabane

  1

  0

  0

  3

  3

  4

  5

  Northern Ireland

  3

  5

  25

  60

  128

  174

  176

  Year 1981

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  6

  Belfast

  0

  1

  4

  22

  51

  56

  48

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  4

  Down

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  5

  7

  Lisburn

  0

  1

  1

  4

  4

  6

  7

  North Down

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  8

  4

  Antrim

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  5

  11

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  2

  2

  8

  7

  5

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  2

  3

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  8

  4

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  0

  7

  10

  12

  6

  Cookstown

  0

  1

  0

  3

  3

  1

  1

  Larne

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  1

  8

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  3

  3

  Moyle

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  2

  10

  5

  8

  8

  Armagh

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  5

  1

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  3

  0

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  0

  2

  9

  15

  12

  Dungannon

  0

  1

  0

  3

  3

  2

  5

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  2

  4

  7

  7

  7

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  4

  5

  Limavady

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Derry

  0

  0

  0

  6

  18

  17

  23

  Omagh

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  4

  Strabane

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  3

  Northern Ireland

  0

  4

  13

  83

  154

  189

  189

  482
  Should incineration be recommended further research may have to be commissioned to ensure that the full environmental significance of the process is understood.

  Teenage Mothers
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of illegitimate births born to teenage girls in each year since 1980 in each registry area, giving the age in years of the teenage mothers.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:
  483

  Year 1982

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  5

  2

  Belfast

  0

  0

  6

  20

  41

  77

  54

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  0

  Down

  0

  0

  0

  4

  6

  3

  8

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  4

  2

  6

  12

  8

  North Down

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  1

  Antrim

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  4

  10

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  2

  5

  6

  4

  13

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  0

  2

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  5

  6

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  1

  1

  7

  9

  9

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  4

  Lame

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  3

  4

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  3

  3

  Moyle

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Newtownabbey

  0

  1

  1

  2

  10

  10

  11

  Armagh

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  6

  4

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  0

  7

  3

  16

  12

  Dungannon

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  3

  4

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  8

  10

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  0

  4

  8

  1

  6

  Limavady

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Derry

  0

  0

  1

  6

  16

  16

  21

  Omagh

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  5

  1

  Strabane

  0

  0

  0

  4

  5

  13

  8

  Northern Ireland

  0

  2

  22

  74

  147

  214

  206

  Year 1983

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  5

  8

  Belfast

  0

  0

  5

  20

  42

  83

  87

  Castlereagh

  0

  1

  0

  1

  6

  6

  6

  Down

  0

  1

  0

  1

  7

  9

  6

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  0

  4

  9

  8

  9

  North Down

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  2

  6

  Antrim

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  12

  11

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  0

  3

  9

  10

  10

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  3

  6

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  2

  0

  4

  1

  5

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  1

  4

  5

  5

  9

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  5

  3

  Larne

  0

  0

  0

  3

  9

  8

  6

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  7

  5

  Moyle

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  0

  7

  7

  10

  10

  Armagh

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  4

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  3

  3

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  1

  3

  6

  9

  9

  Dungannon

  0

  2

  0

  5

  0

  4

  3

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  1

  2

  8

  4

  6

  Fermanagh

  0

  1

  1

  1

  7

  10

  5

  Limavady

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  4

  Derry

  0

  0

  5

  5

  19

  29

  23

  Omagh

  2

  0

  1

  1

  3

  12

  4

  Strabane

  0

  0

  1

  3

  10

  9

  7

  Northern Ireland

  2

  5

  23

  78

  177

  258

  256

  Year 1984

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  4

  5

  5

  12

  Belfast

  0

  3

  7

  18

  68

  99

  114

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  5

  5

  Down

  0

  0

  1

  3

  4

  9

  11

  Lisburn

  0

  1

  2

  8

  13

  20

  9

  North Down

  0

  0

  0

  4

  7

  3

  4

  Antrim

  0

  0

  3

  2

  8

  11

  7

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  2

  3

  8

  3

  9

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  1

  1

  6

  4

  3

  Carrickfergus

  0

  1

  0

  1

  4

  3

  3

  Coleraine

  1

  1

  2

  6

  9

  11

  10

  Cookstown

  0

  1

  0

  0

  4

  1

  0

  484 485

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Larne

  0

  1

  2

  3

  8

  7

  6

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  1

  Moyle

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  0

  4

  11

  15

  17

  Armagh

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  4

  1

  Banbridge

  1

  0

  1

  1

  2

  0

  2

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  0

  5

  8

  10

  13

  Dungannon

  0

  2

  0

  3

  2

  2

  6

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  0

  2

  11

  8

  17

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  2

  2

  3

  5

  6

  Limavady

  0

  0

  1

  3

  6

  2

  9

  Derry

  0

  0

  1

  11

  10

  38

  28

  Omagh

  0

  0

  1

  2

  7

  7

  6

  Strabane

  0

  1

  3

  3

  8

  11

  10

  Northern Ireland

  2

  12

  29

  92

  222

  288

  311

  Year 1985

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  2

  8

  6

  3

  Belfast

  0

  1

  5

  26

  67

  119

  133

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  1

  3

  5

  2

  9

  Down

  0

  0

  3

  4

  8

  5

  13

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  2

  5

  12

  22

  11

  North Down

  0

  0

  3

  5

  1

  11

  12

  Antrim

  0

  0

  1

  5

  4

  13

  12

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  2

  6

  6

  6

  10

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  7

  5

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  8

  5

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  2

  3

  11

  10

  16

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  4

  4

  Larne

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  3

  6

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  5

  3

  Moyle

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  4

  5

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  1

  4

  9

  16

  15

  Armagh

  0

  1

  1

  3

  4

  6

  4

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  5

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  1

  3

  11

  14

  11

  Dungannon

  0

  2

  1

  3

  7

  5

  5

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  0

  4

  10

  7

  10

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  3

  0

  7

  3

  10

  Limavady

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  4

  4

  Derry

  0

  1

  1

  4

  25

  29

  41

  Omagh

  0

  0

  1

  4

  5

  5

  9

  Strabane

  0

  0

  0

  2

  11

  13

  9

  Northern Ireland

  0

  5

  30

  97

  232

  330

  370

  Year 1980

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  0

  14

  15

  11

  Belfast

  1

  0

  7

  22

  78

  114

  109

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  0

  7

  5

  8

  11

  Down

  0

  1

  0

  4

  12

  16

  12

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  3

  11

  16

  17

  23

  North Down

  0

  0

  1

  2

  12

  12

  3

  Antrim

  0

  0

  0

  6

  10

  9

  12

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  2

  2

  5

  15

  12

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  6

  3

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  0

  6

  4

  4

  9

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  0

  5

  7

  12

  16

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  0

  Larne

  0

  0

  2

  4

  5

  7

  5

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  4

  3

  Moyle

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  3

  4

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  0

  6

  17

  16

  13

  Armagh

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  4

  9

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  1

  0

  5

  5

  7

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  0

  6

  16

  17

  19

  Dungannon

  0

  0

  0

  1

  12

  10

  6

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  0

  3

  12

  9

  18

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  1

  4

  7

  9

  10

  Limavady

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  7

  10

  Derry

  0

  1

  2

  16

  24

  43

  42

  Omagh

  0

  0

  0

  4

  7

  5

  8

  486 487

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Strabane

  0

  0

  2

  5

  5

  9

  12

  Northern Ireland

  1

  3

  24

  120

  289

  378

  387

  Year 1987

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  2

  10

  12

  8

  Belfast

  1

  1

  5

  33

  84

  129

  128

  Castlereagh

  1

  1

  1

  0

  4

  7

  6

  Down

  0

  0

  0

  5

  8

  16

  20

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  1

  8

  21

  18

  17

  North Down

  0

  0

  0

  3

  9

  8

  10

  Antrim

  0

  0

  3

  3

  10

  12

  5

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  1

  7

  15

  13

  14

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  4

  5

  Carrickfergus

  0

  1

  1

  4

  6

  7

  5

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  2

  10

  10

  10

  13

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  3

  4

  Larne

  0

  0

  0

  4

  5

  8

  7

  Magherafelt

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  4

  3

  Moyle

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  2

  4

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  18

  20

  Armagh

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  6

  4

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  1

  3

  Craigavon

  0

  1

  2

  7

  19

  15

  28

  Dungannon

  0

  0

  2

  4

  8

  5

  10

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  1

  2

  1

  10

  17

  18

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  6

  8

  Limavady

  0

  0

  0

  5

  10

  13

  16

  Derry

  0

  1

  2

  6

  23

  34

  51

  Omagh

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  11

  7

  Strabane

  0

  0

  0

  3

  12

  15

  13

  Northern Ireland

  2

  7

  27

  120

  301

  394

  427

  Year 1988

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  1

  5

  6

  11

  13

  Belfast

  0

  0

  6

  36

  95

  143

  146

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  0

  3

  9

  11

  4

  Down

  0

  0

  3

  4

  7

  8

  14

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  3

  12

  20

  29

  26

  North Down

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  13

  17

  Antrim

  0

  0

  0

  4

  9

  15

  16

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  0

  2

  18

  14

  11

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  7

  8

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  1

  5

  4

  8

  8

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  2

  7

  6

  10

  12

  Cookstown

  0

  1

  0

  3

  1

  8

  5

  Larne

  0

  0

  2

  2

  10

  10

  7

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  13

  5

  Moyle

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  3

  3

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  1

  3

  13

  15

  15

  Armagh

  0

  0

  2

  3

  9

  6

  8

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  2

  3

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  0

  7

  13

  19

  23

  Dungannon

  0

  0

  1

  3

  8

  6

  5

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  0

  2

  12

  22

  21

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  3

  1

  10

  16

  12

  Limavady

  0

  0

  1

  1

  9

  9

  8

  Derry

  0'

  1

  4

  7

  20

  40

  44

  Omagh

  0

  2

  1

  7

  8

  9

  15

  Strabane

  0

  0

  1

  5

  3

  15

  10

  Northern Ireland

  0

  4

  35

  133

  303

  462

  459

  Year 1989

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  16

  12

  Belfast

  0

  1

  8

  31

  75

  126

  151

  Castlereagh

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  9

  7

  Down

  0

  0

  1

  4

  8

  10

  19

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  3

  6

  14

  23

  35

  488 489

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  North Down

  0

  0

  1

  3

  5

  14

  6

  Antrim

  0

  0

  1

  5

  4

  15

  17

  Ballymena

  0

  0

  0

  7

  5

  18

  15

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  9

  9

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  2

  4

  4

  8

  8

  Coleraine

  0

  2

  2

  8

  16

  28

  16

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  1

  3

  7

  5

  9

  Larne

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  9

  13

  Magherafelt

  0

  0

  0

  3

  5

  5

  1

  Moyle

  1

  0

  0

  3

  4

  8

  4

  Newtownabbey

  0

  0

  1

  3

  9

  18

  16

  Armagh

  0

  0

  0

  2

  6

  4

  12

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  5

  6

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  4

  6

  15

  23

  29

  Dungannon

  0

  0

  1

  4

  8

  9

  8

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  2

  2

  9

  12

  20

  Fermanagh

  0

  0

  1

  3

  13

  12

  11

  Limavady

  0

  0

  0

  5

  7

  8

  9

  Derry

  0

  1

  1

  10

  22

  40

  48

  Omagh

  0

  0

  1

  2

  5

  7

  5

  Strabane

  0

  0

  0

  3

  6

  17

  12

  Northern Ireland

  1

  4

  30

  128

  272

  458

  498

  Year 19901

  Age of mother

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Ards

  0

  0

  0

  1

  11

  12

  21

  Belfast

  1

  1

  13

  23

  86

  128

  125

  Castlereagh

  0

  1

  0

  1

  5

  7

  6

  Down

  0

  0

  3

  10

  14

  17

  14

  Lisburn

  0

  0

  4

  5

  10

  29

  38

  North Down

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  5

  11

  Antrim

  0

  0

  0

  3

  6

  6

  19

  Ballymena

  0

  1

  1

  1

  10

  18

  16

  Ballymoney

  0

  0

  1

  4

  3

  6

  7

  Carrickfergus

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  9

  11

  Coleraine

  0

  0

  0

  5

  15

  18

  23

  Cookstown

  0

  0

  0

  4

  12

  9

  8

  Larne

  0

  0

  0

  2

  7

  4

  14

  Magherafelt

  0

  1

  0

  4

  5

  8

  7

  Moyle

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  1

  6

  Newtownabbey

  1

  0

  4

  5

  16

  18

  16

  Armagh

  0

  0

  0

  3

  5

  12

  9

  Banbridge

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  7

  6

  Craigavon

  0

  0

  0

  7

  16

  19

  25

  Dungannon

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  9

  7

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  0

  1

  1

  13

  25

  23

  Fermanagh

  0

  1

  0

  3

  10

  6

  13

  Limavady

  0

  0

  0

  3

  7

  10

  17

  Derry

  0

  0

  1

  12

  22

  40

  59

  Omagh

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  8

  11

  Strabane

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  13

  11

  Northern Ireland

  2

  5

  31

  111

  297

  444

  523

  1 1990 figures are provisional.

  Source: Statistics held by General Register Office.

  Local Government Pension Scheme
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the name of the present Northern Ireland local government officers' superannuation scheme pension fund adviser.

  Mr. Needham
  The Northern Ireland local government officers' superannuation scheme pension fund is managed by two fund managers, Mercury Asset Management and Gartmore pension fund managers. The fund also invests directly in property and forestry and is advised in these respects by Mr. J. W. Burgess FRICS and Tilhill Economic Forestry Limited respectively.

  Libyan Arms
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount estimated by the Government and the Government of the Irish Republic to be the total provision of Libyan arms and explosives to the IRA; and what amount of the IRA's Libyan arms and explosives cache have, to date, been(a) expended and (b) captured.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: Substantial quantities of Libyan arms and explosives reached the Provisional IRA in the mid-1980s. Their recovery has been the objective of a sustained programme of intensive searching by the Garda in the Republic of Ireland and by the police and Army in Northern Ireland.

  491
  This has had some success, although such arms and weapons continue to be used by PIRA in its terrorist campaigns. For operational reasons it would not be appropriate to give details of the amount of arms and explosives expended and recovered.

TRANSPORT

  Traffic (Nottingham)
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about traffic in the Greater Nottingham area.

  Mr. Chope
  I have received a number of representations about transport strategy in Nottingham, including one from my hon. Friend which I discussed with him at a meeting last November.

  Road Congestion
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the annual cost to British business of road congestion.

  Mr. Chope
  There are no reliable estimates of the annual cost of road congestion to British business, but the costs are clearly substantial.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the overall reduction since 1967 in the number of deaths in road crashes when at least one driver or rider was above the legal alcohol limit; and if he will publish the figures for each year.

  Mr. Chope
  Figures for each year since 1979 are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1979

  1,790

  1980

  1,570

  1981

  1,540

  1982

  1,670

  1983

  1,200

  1984

  1,280

  1985

  1,130

  1986

  1,060

  1987

  980

  1988

  840

  1989

  870

  1990

  800

  A13
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the division of responsibility between local and central Government on the development of the A13 and its approaches, with respect to the east end of London.

  Mr. Chope
  My Department has a major programme of works to the A13 trunk road to improve access to east London and docklands. The London Docklands development corporation has a complementary programme to provide new access roads within docklands. I have no plans to change the allocation of responsibility for the A13.
  492
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what time scale he envisages work on the Mardyke-Wennington link of the A 13 commencing.

  Mr. Chope
  I hope that the decision of the public inquiry will be announced in February, and subject to the completion of the statutory procedures, some advance work will commence in the autumn of this year.

  M66
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the M66 from Denton to Middleton to be built and opened.

  Mr. Chope
  I expect work on the first construction contract at the northern end of the scheme to start towards the end of this year, subject to the successful outcome of the remaining statutory procedures. If all goes well, the new road could be open to traffic by 1997.

  Exhaust Emissions
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are being taken to reduce harmful emissions from vehicle exhausts.

  Mr. Chope
  The Government are to introduce two new measures prescribing even stricter limits on emissions of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter from motor vehicles. The first will apply to all types of new petrol-engined cars and light vans from 31 December 1992. The second, which applies to new heavy diesels is a two-stage measure commencing on 1 October 1993, with a further reduction on 1 October 1996. These measures set ambitious targets with a challenging but industrially realistic timetable, putting the United Kingdom on a course for substantial longer-term progress in improving the quality of air in our towns and cities.

  North Kent Rail Services
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on British Rail commuter services on the north Kent line.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government are well aware that the quality of service on certain lines, including some of those running through Kent, is below what passengers can reasonably expect. However, an improvement scheme costing over £600 million is underway on Kent link lines. Improvements to Kent link services will be made with the introduction of new Networker trains from this May.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will next meet with the chairman of British Rail in order to discuss privatisation.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend meets the chairman of British Rail regularly to discuss a range of issues including privatisation.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses he has received to his Department's latest consultation paper on aircraft noise from small airfields; and when he expects to reach his conclusions thereon.
  493
  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. and learned Friend had received 391 responses up to 31 December. Careful consideration will be given to the points which have been raised and we aim to reach conclusions during the first half of the year.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the commercial potential of the channel tunnel to the north-west.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have made no specific assessment, but I believe that the opportunities created by the channel tunnel for new rail links with the continent will be very beneficial to the north-west and to other parts of the country.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Eurotunnel consortium management since the beginning of the new year on progress in completing the project and related matters.

  Mr. Freeman
  I hold discussions with Eurotunnel's management from time to time, but have not done so yet in 1992.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans exist for the Waterloo international terminal after the channel tunnel rail link has been completed;

  (2) if he will estimate the amount of rail traffic using the Brockley-Nunhead line after the completion of the alternative route for the channel tunnel rail link;

  (3) whether any householders living along the Brockley-Nunhead line have been contacted by British Rail about compensation or compulsory purchase;

  (4) what plans there are to create additional tracks cutting into the embankment or gardens on the Brockley-Nunhead line.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Waterloo international passenger station will continue to take some international passenger trains after the channel tunnel rail link has been completed. One aspect of the current studies to refine the proposals for the new line is to consider how best to provide access from it to Waterloo. No conclusions have as yet been reached. There are no plans for widening the Brockley-Nunhead line and therefore the question of compensation or compulsory purchase does not arise.

  Mrs. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans have been made to develop public transport systems which will serve the new Stratford terminal for the channel tunnel rail link.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are extensive plans for improvements to public transport infrastructure that will benefit Stratford: the docklands light railway extension, the refurbishment of the Central line, the Jubilee line extension—Stratford to Green Park and beyond via Canary Wharf, London Bridge, Waterloo and Westminster—and the east-west crossrail from Stratford via Farringdon and Paddington to important towns west of London such as Aylesbury and Reading.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he has had with the chairman 494
  of British Rail regarding the future of the channel tunnel rail freight terminal at Old Oak Common following the decision to route the main flow of channel tunnel rail traffic into central London via Stratford and Barking.

  Mr. Freeman
  Willesden—not Old Oak Common—and Stratford will be the two freight terminals serving London and the south-east when the channel tunnel opens. British Rail is currently considering, in close consultation with the Government, whether the proposed rail link between London and the tunnel should be used for freight. No decision has yet been made.

  Bus Deregulation
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made in deregulating London buses.

  Mr. Freeman
  Deregulation of bus services in London is a long-standing Government commitment. Progress towards this objective started in 1985 when London Transport initiated a programme of route tendering. In 1989, London Buses Limited was restructured into 12 smaller bus operating subsidiaries in readiness for the transition to a commercial bus market. Last year, the Government confirmed their intention to proceed with deregulation and privatisation. A Bill will be introduced as soon as possible after the next election. In preparation for that, I have initiated discussions with a number of groups with a direct interest in the future of bus services in London.

  Rail Passengers Charter
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further plans he has for discussions with the directors of British Rail South East for the implementation of the citizens charter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the development by British Rail of a passengers charter to ensure higher standards of service to rail passengers and to reduce train delays and cancellations.

  Mr. Freeman
  Discussions with British Rail about its passengers charter are well advanced. British Rail will publish its charter soon.

  Community Transport
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received recently on community transport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have not received any specific representations recently on community transport, but my Department is in close and regular touch with the Community Transport Association whose information and advice service we fund.

  London Underground (Escalators and Lifts)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of escalators and lifts that were not working at London Underground stations on 7 January.

  Mr. Freeman
  On 7 January London Underground recorded that 35 of its 274 escalators were out or service.
  495
  Of these, six were withdrawn for replacement, 11 for planned maintenance and 18 as a result of defects. In addition, eight of its 68 lifts were out of service. Of these four are being replaced and four were defective.

  King's Cross Underground Station
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the investment programme for London Transport for the period 1991–92 to 1994–95 announced on 6 November was set with London Underground's plans for the construction of a low level interchange at King's Cross underground station in mind; what plans London Underground has to proceed with this construction and against what proposed schedule; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The grant settlement announced on 6 November took into account the totality of London Transport's investment plans. With the exceptions of the Jubilee line extension and east-west crossrail. the settlement did not earmark funds for specific projects. The apportionment of the settlement between the different subsidiaries is a matter for London Transport, and the timing of particular underground schemes is a matter for London Underground Ltd.

  Coastguards
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail the different geographical areas of responsibility of the various coastguard sector offices following the coastguard sector review.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Her Majesty's coastguard coverage of the United Kingdom coastline is divided up into a total of six regions consisting of 21 districts, which are made up of sectors. Following the sector review, these sectors are as follows:

  Aberdeen Region

  1. Shetland District

  Sullom Voe

  Lerwick

  2. Aberdeen District

  Dornoch

  Inverness

  Moray West

  Moray East

  Peterhead

  Aberdeen

  Montrose

  3. Pentland District

  Pentland North

  Pentland South

  Thurso

  Wick

  4. Forth District

  St. Andrews

  Levan

  Fisherrow

  Eyemouth

  Yarmouth Region

  1. Tyne Tees District

  Amble

  Hartlepool

  2. Humber District

  Whitby

  Scarborough

  Flamborough

  Hull

  Cleethorpes

  3. Yarmouth District

  Hunstanton

  Great Yarmouth

  496
  Dover Region

  1. Thames District

  Sandings

  Tendring

  Maldon

  Southend

  Medway

  2. Dover District

  East Kent

  Rother

  Eastbourne

  Falmouth Region

  1. Solent District

  Wight

  South Downs East

  South Downs West

  Chichester

  Portsmouth

  Southampton

  2. Portland District

  Poole

  Swanage

  Wyke

  Lyme

  3. Brixham District

  Torbay

  Kingsbridge

  Tamar

  St. Austell

  4. Falmouth District

  Carrick

  St. Mary's

  Land's End

  Cambourne

  North Cornwall

  Swansea Region

  1. Swansea District

  Hartland

  North Devon

  Somerset

  Avon

  Gwent

  Ogmore

  Gower

  2. Milford Haven District

  Carmarthen

  Milford Haven

  Preseli

  Cambrian

  3. Holyhead District

  Tremadoc

  Dwyfor

  Anglesey

  Clwyd

  4. Liverpool District

  Merseyside

  Fylde

  South Cumbria

  Solway

  Kirkcudbright

  Clyde Region

  1. Belfast District

  Belfast South

  Belfast North

  2. Clyde District

  Galloway

  Clyde

  Kintyre

  3. Oban District

  Oban

  Mull

  Skye

  4. Stornoway District

  East Minch

  Uist

  Harris/Lewis

  497
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the number of coastguard sector officers, the total number of auxiliary coastguards and the number of regular coastguard officers employed(a) in 1984 and (b) at present.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The numbers of coastguard sector officers, auxiliary coastguards, and regular coastguard officers employed in 1984 and at present are as follows. It should be noted that numbers of sector officers employed in 1984 were not compiled separately, but included within the much larger category of coastguard officer grade one, and as such a meaningful comparison with present figures cannot be made.

  1984

  Present

  Coastguard sector officers

  N/A

  99

  Auxiliary coastguards

  7,684

  4,390

  Regular coastguard officers (includes sector officers)

  534

  491

  The reduction in numbers of auxiliary coastguards is largely due to the abolition in 1988 of breeches buoy companies and the introduction of search companies requiring fewer men. Reductions were made by natural wastage.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he intends to take to ensure that an effective coastguard service is maintained; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Her Majesty's coastguard will continue to co-operate maritime search and rescue operations from its 21 modern and well-equipped maritime rescue co-ordination centres, and subcentres, supported by the local sector and auxiliary coastguard organisation around the coast.

  Steps are constantly taken to ensure that an efficient and effective coastguard service is maintained through the introduction and use of up-to-date equipment and a modern communications network, in order to meet changing patterns in coastal activity. Such an example is the recently completed sector review, the outcome of which I announced in the House on 3 December 1991. This included inter alia the doubling of the number of pagers and portable radios to improve readiness and response, and formation of 68 new auxiliary coastguard companies at new locations around the coast to provide better coverage and enhance surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the areas where there will be a reduction in the number of auxiliary coastguards as a result of the sector review.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There is to be a reduction of 566 in the overall number of auxiliary coastguards around the United Kingdom coast. This reflects the transition from manning levels required for operation of breeches buoy equipment—now withdrawn from service—to smaller units dedicated to surveillance and intelligency-gatherinng which is now the primary role for auxiliary coastguards. This reduction in numbers will be spread over four years, and largely achieved by natural wastage.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will(a) give for each office full details of the proposed
  498
  reduction in the number of coastguard sector offices and (b) list the coastguard sector offices whose designation will be suspended as a result of the coastguard sector review.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Under the recent coastguard sector review a reduction in the number of sector offices around the coast was proposed and accepted. In the main this will be achieved by the merging of old sectors to form fewer, new, renamed sectors in improved buildings which in some cases will accommodate two sector officers.

  In total there is to be a reduction of 38 sector offices around the coast. Within each region these are as follows:

  Region

  Present

  Proposed

  Change

  Aberden

  18

  12

  -6

  Yarmouth

  16

  7

  -9

  Dover

  12

  6

  -6

  Falmouth

  23

  16

  -7

  Swansea

  21

  19

  -2

  Clyde

  18

  10

  -8

  Totals

  108

  70

  -38

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he hopes to bring forward regulations amending the orange badge scheme; and when the new arrangements will be brought into force.

  Mr. Chope
  Amending regulations were placed before Parliament on 11 December 1991. They will come into effect on 2 March 1992.

  Motor Cyclists
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost of research carried out by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory on leg protectors for motor cyclists; and what results have been obtained.

  Mr. Chope
  The cost of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory's research on motor cycle leg protection has averaged some £300,000 per year, in current prices, over the past 10 years. This should be set against the estimated current cost of motor cycling accidents at £654 million per year.

  The research shows that properly designed leg protectors could eliminate or reduce the severity of at least 25 per cent. of leg injuries without increasing injuries to other parts of the body or to the head.

  Continental Freight
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans exist for the dispersion of freight arriving from the continent to areas outside London.

  Mr. Freeman
  In general this is a matter for the freight distribution industry.

  British Rail has announced plans to develop seven regional rail freight terminals outside London specifically to cater for European freight traffic when the channel tunnel opens next year. The sites chosen by BR are:

  Cardiff

  Birmingham

  Wakefield

  Trafford Park, Manchester

  499

  Seaforth Docks, Liverpool

  Mossend, Ianarkshire

  Wilton, Teesside

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the number or road accidents involving heavy goods vehicles in the last year.

  Mr. Chope
  The Department collects information only on accidents involving personal injury. In 1990, the last year for which information is available, there were 15,063 injury accidents involving at least one heavy goods vehicle, of which 791 were fatal accidents and 3,387 were serious accidents. More detailed statistics on heavy goods vehicle involvement in road accidents are published in "Road Accidents Great Britain 1990", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Train Drivers (Alcohol Limits)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to bring forward proposals to make it a criminal offence to drive a train with a blood alcohol concentration of up to 80 mg/100ml.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have no current plans to do so. The Transport and Works Bill currently before the House provides for a criminal offence if certain prescribed persons, including train drivers, work on a transport system with blood alcohol concentrations exceeding 80 mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The proposed limits will be kept under review and the Bill provides for them to be amended by regulations. It will also be an offence under clause 28(1) for a train driver to work when he is unfit through drink, even if he is below the prescribed alcohol limit.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will bring in proposals for train drivers to be temporarily detained if their breath tests are positive.

  Mr. Freeman
  The provisions in the Transport and Works Bill reflect our view that the decision to reinstate a train driver to duty is best made by the operator rather than the police. There will be no question of operators allowing safety staff to return to duty while they are still under the influence of drink.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline the proposed limits of alcohol for train drivers and those for drivers of motor vehicles.

  Mr. Freeman
  The alcohol concentration limits are prescribed in clause 39(2) of the Transport and Works Bill and in section 11(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and are both as follows:

  (a) 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath,

  (b) 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, or

  (c) 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine.

  Drivers are also subject to employers' disciplinary codes.

  Road Schemes (Environmental Assessment)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate at what stage during the preparation of a road scheme the advice of the Department of the 500
  Environment is sought regarding the need for, and the scope of, an environmental assessment; at what stage the decision is taken on whether the EC directive on environmental assessment is applicable; and how the decision on whether the EC directive applies is made public.

  Mr. Chope
  Environmental appraisal is an essential part of the development of all schemes. Advice is sought from the Department of the Environment, and statutory environmental organisations among others, from the earliest stages of route proposals. That advice is taken into account by the Secretary of State for Transport in making his decision on the need for, and scope of, an environmental statement before publication of draft line orders. A public notice is issued at this point.

  Air Fares
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking following the European Commissioner's decision on the cases referred to recently by his Department in respect of the "double disapproval" arrangements on air fares.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Commission has announced that it has taken a decision on certain air fares which we referred to them under the current EC air fares regulation, but the formal decision has not yet been received and we shall need to study it carefully once we have it.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases have been referred to the European Commission by his Department under the "double disapproval" arrangements on air fares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  A total of 106 fares have been referred to the Commission under the current EC air fares regulation.

  Folkestone-Honiton Trunk Route
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many separate road schemes are contained within the Folkestone-Honiton trunk route; and whether this route falls within the EC directive on environmental assessment;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the strategic impact of the Folkestone-Honiton trunk route.

  Mr. Chope
  The Folkestone-Honiton route is the only east-west trunk route across the south-east of the country south of the M25, and it forms an important access into the south-west. Traffic levels vary from section to section along the route. Proposals for individual improvement schemes are considered on their merits, and are designed to standards which reflect the forecast traffic flows for the particular sections concerned. The national roads programme currently includes 19 schemes for improvements to sections of the A259 and A27 between Folkestone and the M27 motorway, and another 14 schemes for sections of the A31 and A35 westwards from the M27 to Honiton. I announced on 8 January 1992 the addition to the programme of a scheme to increase the capacity of the M27 between junctions 4 and 12. The needs of the trunk road network are kept under constant review, and schemes may be added to the programme as needs are identified.
  501
  Directive 85/337/EEC applies to projects likely to have a significant effect on the environment. All schemes in the national programme are subject to full environmental appraisal. Environmental Statements have been or will be published where the environmental impact is judged to be significant within the terms of the EC directive.

  M25 (Upgrading)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the proposed upgrading of the M25, and the provision of a collector-distributor road, will be considered within a single environmental statement.

  Mr. Chope
  No.

  Road Schemes (Environmental Assessment)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the road schemes contained in the current programme for which it has been agreed that the EC directive on environmental assessment applies.

  Mr. Chope
  All schemes in the national programme are subject to a very full environmental appraisal. An environmental statement will be produced for all schemes where the environmental impact is judged to be significant within the terms of the EC directive.

  RENAVAL
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of his decision to proceed with the sale of the Tees and Hartlepool trust port on receipts from the RENAVAL programme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Commissioner Millan announced on 5 April 1991 a RENAVAL programme for the districts of Langbaurgh-on-Tees and Middlesbrough. Applications for grant under this programme include projects in which the Tees and Hartlepool port authority proposed to participate, in anticipation of its being released from the restrictions imposed by its local trust port legislation, and the new company will inherit these proposals.

  Speed Limits
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the interim report of the joint study into speed limits will be available; and which environmental bodies will be consulted in connection with this study.

  Mr. Chope
  The joint working party of officials from the Department and the County Surveyors Society on speed in villages is concerned primarily with developing technical measures for reducing vehicle speeds. It is planned to produce an interim report in April. This study is not a consultation exercise but we shall be consulting shortly on proposed revisions to departmental guidance on setting speed limits. The consultation document will be freely available.

  High Speed Rail Network
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland officials have met to consider the proposals for a European high speed rail network prepared by the European Commission working group.
  502
  Mr. Freeman
  A meeting took place last summer.

  Marchioness
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his written answer to the hon. Member for Battersea, 19 December,Official Report, column 237, what form the proposed inquiry into safety of vessels on rivers and inland waterways will take and under what statute; what incidents other than that concerning the Marchioness have been drawn to his attention; what is the name and qualifications of the expert adviser; and what are Mr. John Hayes's qualifications, other than legal, for conducting the inquiry.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Mr. Hayes's inquiry is an independent investigation which is not bound by statutory provisions or procedures. The precise conduct and form of the inquiry is a matter for Mr. Hayes, but departmental papers are being made available to him and he will shortly be inviting views from interested parties.

  So far, the following accidents on the River Thames have been specifically drawn to Mr. Hayes' attention by the Department:

  Collision between

  Date

  Bowtrader and Hurlingham

  18 October 1981

  Shell Distributor and New Southern Belle

  8 June 1983

  Bowbelle and Pride of Greenwich

  9 June 1983

  Shell Distributor and Royalty

  1 September 1983

  Rosewood and John Marriott

  14 September 1986

  Vita and Fordson

  29 September 1986

  The expert adviser will be appointed shortly, and his name and qualifications will be announced at that time. Mr. Hayes will bring to the inquiry the important attributes of an independent mind and a distinguished record as a solicitor in local government.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what distinction he is making on the modified requirements in hull design and construction between vessels operating in tidal waters and those on shallow canals and non-tidal rivers of limited depth and width, consequent on the action he has taken in response to the report of his marine accident investigation branch into the Marchioness disaster.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The modified requirements for hull design and construction which are being developed, in consultation with industry, will make a clear distinction between vessels operating in tidal waters, those operating in the sheltered non-tidal reaches of rivers operating on shallow rivers and canals. In general a higher standard of survivability, in the event of hull damage, will be required in tidal waters whilst other requirements will apply to vessels operating in shallow waters such as canals.

  M25
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received recently about the M25.

  Mr. Chope
  We continue to receive many representations about the operation and the proposed widening of the M25.

  Trans-Pennine Road Study
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that the Peak park joint planning board does not commence its review of the national park structure plan until the trans-Pennine road study findings are published.

  Mr. Chope
  I understand the review is already under way. It is for the board to decide what account it needs to take of our trans-Pennine study.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the findings of the trans-Pennine road study.

  Mr. Chope
  As soon as possible.

  British Rail
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give, both for Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole, the total investment in British Rail originating from(a) revenue, (b) asset disposals, (c) Government grants, (d) local authority grants, (e) EC grants and (f) borrowings.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail's funding requirements for investment and losses over the period 1992–93 to 1994–95 are currently forecast at some £6·6 billion. Of this, nearly £4·4 billion—some two thirds—would be met from central Government grants and loans, with the remainder coming from passenger transport executive grants and internal sources. Particular sources of finance are not apportioned between investment and other expenditure.

  Bypass Schemes
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will postpone further consideration of the proposed bypass schemes for the A6 at Disley and A628 at Tintwistle until the production of the national park structure plan.

  Mr. Chope
  No. The Peak Park joint planning board is being consulted as these schemes are developed.

WALES

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all those individuals, and emoluments where appropriate, of all those persons whom he has nominated to serve in more than one public body in Wales in the past four years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The names of individuals nominated for public appointments are private and confidential. The information requested cannot therefore be given. However, the names of all those who currently hold public appointments for which I am responsible were provided in my answers to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 12 December 1991, and 19 December 1991, at columns 534–39 and 272–82.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether any financial assistance other than the initial sum of £25,000 was given to Ysbyty Brongluis to assist in drawing up a trust status application and for associated purposes.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The hon. Gentleman is incorrect. To date, no financial assistance has been made available. However, the Welsh Office is prepared to consider on its merits any bid from prospective NHS trusts for a contribution towards the costs of preparing an application for NHS trust status.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether any financial assistance other than the initial sum of £50,000 was given to Pembrokeshire health authority to assist in drawing up a trust application and for associated purposes.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No.

  Schools Inspectorate
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, pursuant to his reply of 19 December,Official Report, columns 266–67, he will give the cost of the Adams report on the future of Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools service in Wales; if he will detail the relevant previous career and consultancy experience of Ms. Adams in the field of education and the inspection thereof; and what was the competitive tendering procedure that led to her selection.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The cost of the report produced as part of my right hon. Friend's review of the role and organisation of HMI in Wales was £7,575. Mrs. Adams has had considerable experience as an administrative civil servant. As a former civil servant she is eligible to be employed without competition. She works for the Welsh Office from time to time on tasks appropriate to her experience when a permanent member of staff is not available.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 December, what policy considerations led to his decision to restrict the circulation of the contents of the Adams report on the future of Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools service in Wales; and if he will now make arrangements for its early publication.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The consultant's report is one element in the much wider consideration my right hon. Friend is giving to the role and organisation of HMI in Wales, alongside other policy initiatives currently being pursued in the education field generally and in the area of inspections in particular. Given this, my right hon. Friend has concluded that it would not be appropriate to publish the report. The report is being taken fully into account in the review of HMI.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of Her Majesty's inspectors currently engaged to report on primary, secondary and further education in Wales; and what changes he proposes in these numbers.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of HMI currently engaged in Wales is 58. Until my right hon. Friend has
  505
  completed his consideration of the future role and structure of HMI in Wales, I am not in a position to say whether there will be any change in numbers. We hope to announce our conclusions shortly.

  Heart Surgery
  Mr Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many heart operations were carried out in each of the last four years in Wales.

  Mr Nicholas Bennett
  The most comprehensive information available centrally is that derived from hospital activity analysis individual patient records. The figures given in the following table are likely to understate the true position in that not all hospitals provide complete clinical details relating to patient discharges and deaths.

  The figures include surgical operations and other procedures on the heart carried out in NHS hospitals in Wales. In particular, contrast radiology is included, where the figures for 1988, 1989 and 1990 are 136, 457 and 1,418 respectively.

  The figures for the years 1988 to 1990 are based on OPCS 4th revision codes for surgical operations and procedures and are not strictly comparable to the 1987 figure which is based on the OPCS 3rd revision codes.

  Number of heart operations and procedures

  1987

  1,254

  1988

  1,408

  1989

  1,986

  1990

  3,083

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the secretary for Wales if he will make a statement concerning heart surgery in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Over £5 million will be made available over the next three years to enable the University hospital of Wales to perform 800 adult open heart operations each year with the associated level of cardiology. A further £2·5 million will be provided for the expansion of the hospital's paediatric cardiac unit which, when complete, will be equipped to undertake the full range of neonatal and infant cardiac surgery. Together, these developments will meet our objective of establishing the University hospital as a centre of excellence in the provision of cardiac services. Additionally, in 1992–93 further central funding of around £1·5 million will be made available to enable health authorities in south Wales to secure additional adult operations from other specialist centres.

  I have also announced that an option appraisal will be undertaken to assess how the balance of our target of 1,200 adult open heart operations per annum can best be met.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his target figure for heart operations in Wales; and what measures he is taking to enable more heart operations to take place in Wales.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Our target remains to increase capacity for cardiac surgery in south Wales such that 1,200 adult open heart operations are performed each year supported by the appropriate levels of cardiology. On 18 December, I announced a £6·5 million package of measures, centres at the University hospital of Wales, to 506
  commence the next phase of that development. Furthermore, an additional £2.5 million is being provided to equip the paediatric cardiac unit at the University hospital over the next three years to undertake the full range of neonatal and paediatric cardiac surgery.

  In north Wales, additional central funding has been made available to secure an appropriate level of cardiac services from specialist centres supplementing that already available to purchase services from Mersey regional health authority.

  Nebulisers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the recent letter from the director of the national health service in Wales to chairmen of the nine health authorities concerning charging for nebulisers.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  No. It is not appropriate that such letters written by officials should be placed in the Library of the House. However, all health authorities have confirmed that they will be providing equipment in accordance with the requirements of the NHS Act 1977 and have undertaken to investigate all cases where charges are alleged to have been made.

  Development Board for Rural Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the board of the Development Board for Rural Wales first considered the payment to Dr lain Skewis, the former chief executive, in respect of untaken leave; and on what date the payment was made.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I understand that the basis of this payment was agreed in late February 1990 between the chairman of the development board and the then chief executive in the belief that it was covered by the latter's contract of employment and terms of service and did not require consideration by the board. Payment was made in March 1991 following Dr Skewis's retirement, and was reported to the board in connection with the 1990–91 accounts.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he proposes to make to recover the cash loss arising from the irregular payment of £15,563 to Dr Iain Skewis, the previous chief executive of the Development Board for Rural Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  A payment of £15,563 to Dr Skewis in compensation for untaken leave during his 13 years employment with the Development Board for Rural Wales was made by the board without the necessary authority from the Welsh Office and the Treasury. The payment was therefore irregular and the Comptroller and Auditor General has qualified his certificate on the board's accounts for 1991–92 accordingly. The board has been unable to enforce recovery or to obtain voluntary repayment of the sum. The Welsh Office, with Treasury agreement, has authorised the write-off of this expenditure as a cash loss.

  Laying Hens
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to improve the welfare of laying hens in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
  507
  Mr. David Hunt
  I shall be seeking the adoption of the highest standards practical for all laying hens when the existing Community legislation is reviewed next year. The Farm Animal Wefare Council has recently published a report on the welfare of laying hens in colony systems and this will be circulated for consultation with the industry and other interested parties.

  Mortgage Repossessions
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of mortgage repossessions in the valleys communities which have been initiated by lenders of second mortgages which are not building societies or banks.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The data collected on repossessions do not distinguish between first or second mortgages or between building societies and banks or other lenders.

  Child Care
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the percentage of children in(a) Wales and (b) each county in Wales for whom child care is provided from public funds between the age of three and school age.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Information on child care facilities provided or paid for by local authorities is contained in tables 11.1 and 11.2 of "Activities of Social Services Departments: Year ended 31/3/90", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Opera House, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish the report he commissioned in January 1991 on the feasibility of the proposed opera house at the Pierhead, Cardiff, and his response to it.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have now received the report of the feasibility study commissioned by the Cardiff Bay development corporation on the proposed opera house in Cardiff bay. It is my intention to publish the report, in due course, after I have completed my consideration of it.

  Schools Inspectorate
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the establishment of Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools in Wales; and if he will make it his policy to preserve Her Majesty's inspectorate at or near its existing establishment.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands) on 10 December 1991, at column 405.

  Hospital Construction, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to give approval in principle for the commencement of the new neighbourhood hospital on the site of the former St. David's hospital, Cowbridge road, east Cardiff; and on what date he anticipates that actual construction of the new hospital will start.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  South Glamorgan health authority is responsible for the preparation of an approval 508
  in principle submission for this scheme. A decision will be made in accordance with the usual procedures once a satisfactory submission is received. It will be for the health authority in the first instance to asses the priority to he accorded to this scheme in the light of its other bids for major capital.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the value of beef exports from Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Information on the value of beef exports is not available separately for Wales. The value of beef exports from the United Kingdom in 1990 was about £233 million.

  Hospital Provision (South Glamorgan)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will specify the contents of the strategic review of hospital provision in South Glamorgan to be undertaken in association with Mid Glamorgan health authority and the University of Wales, College of Medicine, its expected date of completion, the consultants appointed and its terms of reference.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The review is a matter for the two health authorities and the University of Wales College of Medicine and requests for futher details should be directed to them.

  Hormone Replacement
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list preparations currently in use in hormone replacement treatment in which two or more drugs are currently packaged as one item together with the proportion of prescriptions(a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area in Wales which specified (i) both or all the constitutent items and (ii) only one of the constituent items in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The preparations currently used in hormone replacement treatment in which two or more drugs are packaged together are as follows:

  Cyclo-Progynova

  Estrapak 50

  Trisequens

  Trisequens Forte

  Prempak-C

  Nuvelle

  Syntex Menophase

  Information is not available on the proportion of prescriptions on which specify both or one of the drugs involved.

  University of Wales college, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects a conclusion to the discussions proceeding with the University of Wales college at Cardiff regarding the college's development proposals referred to in his letter to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West dated 16 December 1991.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The discussions are primarily a matter for the University of Wales college of Cardiff and the other
  509
  principal parties, including South Glamorgan county council, Cardiff Bay development corporation and Tarmac Atlantic Wharf Developments.

  Hospitals (Capital Expenditure)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present procedure for giving approval in principle to hospital capital expenditure projects; how it will alter after 1 April; and whether he proposes any transitional arrangements to projects currently in the pipeline.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Under current management arrangements for the NHS in Wales, district health authorities are responsible for the management and control of health building schemes. In exercising this control, they are required to follow Capricode which provides the mandatory procedural framework for processing NHS capital building schemes. Under these procedures any scheme with a works' cost of £4 million and over requires Welsh Office approval in principle before the authority can proceed with its further planning and design. These procedures will continue in force after 1 April 1992.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on how the new capital allocation system for hospital projects in Wales will work from 1 April with particular regard to capital projects connected with hospital closure proposals he has already statutorily approved.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friend will be announcing details of both capital and revenue allocations to district health authorities for 1992–93 later this month. At the same time, authorities will receive a paper summarising the new capital allocation and management arrangements on which they have already been consulted. I will ensure that a copy of this paper is placed in the Library of the House when it has issued.

  Teachers' Retirement
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers retired from the local education authorities in Wales in 1989; and how many of them took early retirement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A total of 940 full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Wales retired between 1 April 1988 and 31 March 1989. Of these, 706 were below the age of 60. It is not possible without undue cost to determine the exact number that took early retirement.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many replies he received by 1 January to the groundwater consultation exercise following on the Hydrotechnica report on the side-effects of the Cardiff bay barrage; and when he expects Mr. Roy Stoner to complete his report on the groundwater consultation.

  Mr. David Hunt
  By 1 January 1992 a total of 140 representations to the groundwater consultation exercise had been received. I expect Mr. Stoner to complete his report as soon after the end of the consultation period as is consistent with the proper consideration of all the issues raised.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the items currently in common use by GPs or consultants for which more than one prescription charge is made under current legislation and regulations but which are currently packaged as one item by the manufacturers.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  A prescription charge is payable in respect of each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed, unless the patient is exempt. In the case of items supplied in a combination pack, therefore, each separate item carries a separate prescription charge. The fact that for convenience two or more individual preparations may be supplied in one pack does not alter the patient's liability for prescription charges.

  Unless a patient is otherwise exempt, or holds a valid pre-payment certificate, the following items in common use attract more than one prescription charge when supplied against a NHS prescription.

  Betadine Pessaries with applicator and VC Kit

  Betadine Vaginal Gel with applicator and VC Kit

  Canesten Duopak

  Cyclo-Progynova Combination Pack Tablets

  Daktarin Twin Pack

  Diprosone Duopack

  Ecostatin Twin Pack

  Estrapak 50

  Flagyl Compak

  Gyno-Daktarin Combipack

  Gyno-Pevaryl 1 CP Pack

  Gyno-Pevaryl 150 Combipack

  Lasix + K Combination Pack Tablets

  Migraleve Tablets Duo Pack

  Migralift Tablets Duo Pack

  Napratec Combination Pack

  Nuvelle Tablets

  Nystan Triple Pack

  Pabrinex Intramuscular High Potency

  Pabrinex Intramuscular Maintenance

  Pabrinex Intravenous High Potency

  Parentrovite Intramuscular High Potency

  Parentrovite Intramuscular Maintenance

  Parentrovite Intravenous High Potency

  Pranavite Slim Diet Plan

  Prempak-C Combination Pack Tablets 0·625 mg

  Prompak-C Combination Pack Tablets 1·25 mg

  Syntex Menophase Combination Pack Tablets

  Trisequens Combination Pack Tablets

  Trisequens Forte Combination Pack Tablets

  Uvistat Pro-Ski Pack

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy for the proposed administrative arrangements for the identification and collection of payments and disbursements via the Child Support Agency in Wales from 1 April.

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  From 1 April 1992, a child support unit will be established to take over the existing administration of child maintenance collections and payments from the Social Security Benefits Agency, prior to the introduction of the Child Support Agency from April 1993. The agency will introduce a new system for the assessment, collection and enforcement of child maintenance to all families for whom maintenance is an issue. Administration of the system will be carried out by staff based in social security offices, who will provide a local service to customers. Work that does not require face to face contact with customers will be carried out in six centres to be based in Belfast, Birkenhead, Dudley, Falkirk, Hastings and Plymouth.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  New Members
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what preparations have been made for induction courses for new Members after the general election; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  As far as the authorities of the House are concerned, no induction courses for new Members are planned. It is not known what arrangements are being made by individual political parties; and that is a matter for them.

  The Administration Committee and the authorities of the House are, however, preparing a handbook giving guidance to new Members on such things as the work and responsibilities of individual departments of the House asnd the general services at Member's disposal. That handbook will he issued to all Members returned after the general election and is designed to allow a section prepared by individual political parties to be included.

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Hoyle
  To answer the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 11 November 1991,Official Report, column 463, what was the total cost of the new building in Parliament street; and what was the cost of providing the 32 offices in the Palace.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The final account for the construction of the new building in Parliament street is still being discussed with the contractor so it is not possible yet to give the total cost. Expenditure to date, however, including furnishings, fittings and consultants fees, charged to the parliamentary works programme is £32·309 million.

  Work on the main scheme to provide the additional offices in the Palace—the conversion of the former residences of the Serjeant at Arms, Deputy Serjeant at Arms and the Speaker's Secretary—is not scheduled for completion until later this year. The estimated cost of the scheme, and of the conversion of the two officekeepers' flats, the Clerks' Bedroom on Upper Committee Corridor (North), and former Library accommodation on the North Curtain, again including furniture, fittings and consultants fees, is £2·028 million.

DEFENCE

  NAAFI
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1991,Official Report, column 58, on President of the Service Institute and President of the Regiment Institute shops, what steps he is taking to investigate the selling of goods in PSI and PRI shops in competition with NAAFI.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The decision as to what goods can be sold in President of the Service Institute or President of the Regiment. Institute shops rests with commanding officers who are aware that competition with NAAFI is not permitted. There are well-established channels through which NAAFI managers may raise any concerns they may have about the trading activities of PSI or PRI shops.
  512
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1991,Official Report, column 58, relating to NAAFI, if he will list which recommendations have been implemented; what others are being considered; and what is the proposed time scale for implementation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The scrutiny made a number of detailed recommendations concerning the commercial management of NAAFI business. While it has been possible to implement some—for instance, on price lists and discounts—the effect of "Britain's Defence for the Nineties" changes are such that the full effect on NAAFI needs to be analysed before it will be possible to take action on some of the remainder. It is hoped that the position will be clearer later this year. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will then write to the hon. Member.

  Army Regiments
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if will list the total service personnel strength of the regiments currently recruited in Scotland and the anticipated full strength numbers of the 10 regiments to be in existence after restructuring on a regimental basis.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  HMS Challenger
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current lay-up costs of HMS Challenger pending its sale.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The identifiable additional costs associated with HMS Challenger's berthing at Portsmouth naval base since her decommissioning are negligible.

  Unused Sleeping Accommodation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sites in Greater London where there is unused sleeping accommodation in the control of his Department.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Spearhead Battalion
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions over the past five years spearhead battalion has been deployed during its tour of duty.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The battalion on a spearhead tour of duty has been deployed once in the last five years. Other battalions have also been deployed during this period to meet various short notice requirements when they were considered to be best suited to undertake the task.

  Menwith Hill
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution the American Government have made towards the cost in each of the past five years to date of providing (a) external and (b) internal security at Menwith Hill Station, north Yorkshire.
  513
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Security at Menwith Hill Station is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence Police, but the majority of the costs are reimbursed by the United States.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who employs the civilian patrolmen deployed at Menwith Hill.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The small number of civilian patrolmen working at Menwith Hill Station are Ministry of Defence employees. They are engaged on general duties, and are not responsible for station security.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many people, in each of the last five years, to date, have been arrested at Menwith Hill and Hunter's Stone Tower for byelaw offences; how many have been reported for summons process; and how many people have been(a) convicted and (b) had summonses dismissed by the courts;

  (2) how many complaints have been lodged, in each at the last five years, to date, against Ministry of Defence police officers serving at Menwith Hill; how many such complaints have been (a) rejected and (b) upheld; and what disciplinary action was taken in respect of officers against whom complaints were upheld;

  (3) who issued instructions not to arrest peace campaigners for breaches of byelaws at Menwith Hill Station; and on what date they were issued.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what powers American military personnel at Menwith Hill are permitted to carry weapons; and in what circumstances such personnel are permitted to fire their weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  United States personnel at Menwith Hill Station do not carry firearms.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proposals he has to improve protection for occupational pensioners against improper use of the assets of the pension funds of which they are beneficiaries;

  (2) what proposals he has to improve protection for occupational pensioners against improper use by companies and their directors of the assets of pension funds.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 20 December 1991 at columns 374–75.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to bring forward legislation to prevent the misuse of occupational pension funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 9 December 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 20 December 1991 at columns 374–75.

  Pension Fund
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what restrictions at present exist on a company's employees acting as trustees of its pension fund; whether he plans any changes; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The trust deed under which an occupational pension scheme is set up will specify who will be the trustees of the scheme and how they will be appointed. There is nothing to prevent employees of the company being included.

  Disability
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that claim packs for the disability living allowance will be available in bulk to all agencies who advise persons with a disability.

  Mr. Scott
  We have arranged that all citizen's advice bureaux will receive stocks of a version of the disability living allowance claim pack. In addition, we intend to arrange distribution of these packs to welfare rights organisations, and other groups advising disabled people, who ask for them.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that reviews will not be made by adjudication officers based on medical evidence obtained over the period 1992 to 1993 arising from the transfer of attendance allowance and mobility allowance claims to disability living allowance claims.

  Mr. Scott
  The transfer of existing attendance allowance and mobility allowance awards to their equivalent levels in disability living allowance will be automatic, without review. No medical evidence will be sought to confirm the validity of an existing award.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the date of claim for the new disability working allowance will be the date on which the coupon is sent in, or the date of despatch of the claim form.

  Mr. Scott
  Claim packs for disability working allowance will be widely available in post offices, social security offices, jobcentres and advice centres. Therefore, in common with most other benefits, the date of claim will be the date the claim is recieved in an office of the Department of Social Security or Department of Employment.

  Newcastle Office
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently employed in the DSS at Newcastle; and what number are expected to be transferred to other departments.

  Miss Widdecombe
  At 30 September 1991, the Department and its agencies employed about 14,000 people in the Newcastle area. As part of normal career progression 22 staff transferred to other Government Departments in the period 31 March 1991 to 30 September 1991, and similar numbers can be expected to transfer in the future.

  Councillors (Attendance Allowances)
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what authority local concillors' attendance allowances are treated as earned income for benefit purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The definition of "employed earner" in section 2(1)(a) of the Social Security Act 1975 includes a person who is gainfully employed in an elected office with emoluments chargeable to income tax under schedule E.

  EC Social Policy
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those items agreed at Maastricht which have implications for policy on or administration of social security.

  Mr. Jack
  No changes to the treaty of Rome were agreed at Maastricht affecting the European Community's powers in relation to social security. A protocol to article 119 was agreed clarifying the Barber judgment.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all those offices that have had additional sums allocated to their social fund budgets this financial year; and the dates the new allocations were made.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is available in the Library.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the total numbers who have received cold weather payments; and if he will make a statement on the operation of the automatic scheme.

  Mr. Scott
  Under the improved arrangements for cold weather payments introduced in November, 1,424,671 people have received cold weather payments so far this winter.

  Income Support customers with deductions—by number and percentage of total customers

  August 1991

  November 1991

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Total number of Income Support recipients

  4,939,936

  4,942,479

  Number of Social Fund deductions

  523,600

  (10·60)

  569,000

  (11·51)

  Direct payments for:

  Community Charge arrears

  90,224

  (1·83)

  129,653

  (2·62)

  Fuel charges

  262,322

  (5·31)

  263,140

  (5·32)

  Rent arrears and service charges

  100,350

  (2·03)

  108,663

  (2·20)

  Water charges

  83,964

  (1·70)

  98,835

  (2·00)

  Notes:

  1. The figures used are based on the DSS Management Information Statistics collected at the end of August and November 1991. These figures are provisional and may be subject to amendment.

  2. The social fund figures are based on the number of people making repayments over the whole of August and November and not at the end of the statistical month. It is not possible to exclude from the figures repayments made by people not in receipt of income support.

  3. The information for rent arrears and service charges, fuel, and water includes cases where a deduction is being made for current charges only.

  Income Support
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total number of items which can now be directly debited from income support prior to claimants' receipt of the benefit; and if he will list the date of implementation of each item.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The items which may be deducted at source in prescribed circumstances from income support are as follows:

  (a) Housing costs.

  (b) Residential care, nursing home and Polish resettlement home fees.

  (c) Rent arrears and service charges paid with rent.

  (d) Hostel service charges.

  (e) Fuel charges (electricity and gas).

  (f) Water charges.

  (g) Community Charge arrears.

  (h) Social Fund loan repayments.

  (i) Overpayment recovery.

  Not all these deductions can apply in a single case. There are ceilings on the amounts that can be deducted for debts. With the exception of those for social fund and community charge, all deductions listed were carried forward from the supplementary benefit scheme, when it was replaced by income support in April 1988. The social fund scheme was introduced from April 1988, while community charge deductions were introduced firstly in Scotland from April 1989, and England and Wales from April 1990.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list (i) the numbers of claimants of income support, (ii) their partners, and (iii) their dependants for each of the last six months of 1991; and what numbers and percentages were liable to deductions of benefit for(a) social fund loan repayments, (b) poll tax arrears, (c) fuel arrears, (d) rent arrears, and (e) water charge arrears.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information is in the table. Monthly figures and those for partners and dependants could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the official engagements of each Minister in his Department for Wednesday 18 September 1991.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Those Ministers available on that day each had a number of meetings about a variety of subjects.

  Members' Correspondence
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether it is his Department's policy to pass on correspondence received from a member of the public to the hon. Member in whose constituency the person resides.

  Miss Widdecombe
  It is not our policy to do so. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, perhaps he would like to write to me.

  (A) Equivalent value at April 1991

  (B) Average real value at April 1991

  £

  £

  £

  Gratuity

  15 November 1978–13 November 1979

  1,166·00

  3,023·42

  2,820·37

  14 November 1979–25 November 1980

  1,391·50

  3,073·82

  2,842·13

  26 November 1980–24 November 1981

  1,622·50

  3,108·14

  2,946·53

  25 November 1981–23 November 1982

  1,765·50

  3,020·62

  2,922·12

  24 November 1982–22 November 1983

  1,958·00

  3,152·73

  3,094·03

  23 November 1983–27 November 1984

  2,029·50

  3,116·84

  3,053·78

  28 November 1984–26 November 1985

  2,134·00

  3,122·96

  3,031·21

  27 November 1985–29 July 1986

  2,282·50

  3,167·27

  3,136·79

  30 July 1986–7 April 1987

  2,310·00

  3,152·93

  3,102·54

  Weekly Pension

  15 November 1978–13 November 1979

  3·19

  8·27

  7·72

  14 November 1979–25 November 1980

  3·80

  8·39

  7·76

  26 November 1980–24 November 1981

  4·45

  8·52

  8·08

  25 November 1981–23 November 1982

  4·83

  8·26

  7·99

  24 November 1982–22 November 1983

  5·36

  8·63

  8·47

  23 November 1983–27 November 1984

  5·56

  8·54

  8·37

  28 November 1984–26 November 1985

  5·84

  8·55

  8·30

  27 November 1985–29 July 1986

  6·25

  8·67

  8·59

  30 July 1986–7 April 1987

  6·32

  8·63

  8·49

  8 April 1987–12 April 1988

  6·45

  8·43

  8·36

  13 April 1988–11 April 1989

  6·72

  8·45

  8·22

  12 April 1989–10 April 1990

  7·12

  8·29

  8·08

  11 April 1990–9 April 1991

  7·66

  8·15

  7·92

  10 April 1991–7 April 1992

  8·49

  8·49

  —

  DNA Testing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any proposals for the use of DNA testing in the identification of responsible fathers for maintenance payments in the work of the Child Support Agency from 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr Jack
  Under the provisions of the Child Support Act 1991, the resolution of disputes about alleged paternity will remain a matter for the courts when the Child Support Agency comes into operation in 1993.

  Family Expenditure
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been in percentage terms, the proportion of the gross income of a family on average earnings of husband, wife, and two children aged five and 10, and

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 December,Official Report, column 89–90, if he will give the rates of disablement gratuities and pensions since 1979, at 1991–92 prices.

  Mr. Scott
  The rates of disablement gratuities and pensions since 1979 at 1991–92 prices are shown in the table.

  Column A refers to the equivalent value of benefit at April 1991 prices at the date of annual uprating.

  Column B refers to the average real value of benefit at April 1991 prices and calculated over the period between the uprating dates.

  For awards from:

  living in a council house, for each year since 1979, that was needed for (a) rent of the council house, after allowing for housing benefit, (b) rates and community charge, allowing for any rate rebate or community charge benefit, (c) income tax, (d) national insurance contributions and (e) water and sewerage rates.

  Mr Jack
  [holding answer 16 December 1991]: The figures in the table are for a standard tax benefit model family with children aged four and six. Although they are unlikely to be much—if at all—different, figures for the family type specified could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.

  It is not possible to include figures for water and sewerage charges as some local authorities include sewerage charges in their rates/community charge while others do not.
  519

  Date

  Average weekly earnings (gross)

  Rent

  Rates/CC

  Tax

  NI

  Rent as per cent.

  Rates as per cent.

  Tax as per cent.

  NI as per cent.

  November 1979

  114·00

  6·50

  2·80

  23·01

  7·41

  5·70

  2·46

  20·18

  6·50

  November 1980

  135·00

  8·80

  3·55

  28·13

  9·11

  6·52

  2·63

  20·84

  6·75

  November 1981

  149·00

  12·10

  4·45

  32·33

  11·55

  8·12

  2·99

  21·70

  7·75

  November 1982

  161·00

  14·20

  6·40

  33·89

  14·00

  8·82

  3·98

  21·05

  8·70

  November 1983

  175·00

  14·75

  6·85

  36·38

  15·75

  8·43

  3·91

  20·79

  9·00

  November 1984

  187·00

  15·60

  7·35

  37·90

  16·83

  8·34

  3·93

  20·27

  9·00

  November 1985

  199·00

  16·50

  7·95

  39·77

  17·91

  8·29

  3·99

  19·98

  9·00

  July 1986

  211·00

  17·50

  8·85

  40·81

  18·99

  8·29

  4·19

  19·34

  9·00

  April 1987

  224·00

  18·35

  9·40

  40·78

  20·16

  8·19

  4·20

  18·21

  9·00

  April 1988

  246·00

  19·90

  8·20

  41·81

  22·14

  8·09

  3·33

  17·00

  9·00

  April 1989

  269·00

  21·80

  9·00

  46·22

  24·21

  8·10

  3·35

  17·18

  9·00

  April 1990

  296·00

  23·43

  13·22

  51·28

  23·42

  7·92

  4·47

  17·32

  7·91

  April 1991

  321·00

  26·03

  9·40

  56·14

  25·25

  8·11

  2·93

  17·49

  7·87

HEALTH

  Health Service Refund Scheme
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlie his respective policies in respect of the inclusion or otherwise in the health benefits low income scheme of refunds of(a) dental charges, (b) prescription charges and (c) optical charges, other than the hospital eye service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government's policy on NHS charges is that those who can afford to contribute towards their treatment costs should do so whilst those who may have difficulty in paying should be protected. Extensive exemption arrangements on grounds of health or status are underpinned by the NHS low income scheme. The review of the administration of the low income scheme has re-examined the existing arrangements for charge remission including the availability of refunds.

  Maternity Services
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) pursuant to his answer of 5 November,Official Report, column 102, what progress his Department is making with improving the quality of the maternity hospital episode system; and whether the information requested will be available in respect of the financial years 1990–91 and 1991–92;

  (2) whether reliable information about method of onset of labour, method of delivery, use of anaesthetic for labour and delivery, the place of delivery and the person conducting the delivery, will be available for deliveries to residents of NHS regions and districts in the financial years 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is too early to make a precise assessment of maternity hospital episode statistics (HES) coverage in 1990–91, but indications are that about 70 per cent. of birth episodes and 60 per cent. of delivery episodes will be covered. Until the data are finalised, processed, and examined in depth, it will not be possible to comment on the quality and completeness of the data in these records, or to tell whether the specific information requested will be available.

  The NHS management executive monitors the data provided by regional health authorities and regularly meets with regional directors of information to discuss the quality of the data. The difficulties surrounding the completeness of maternity data have been identified as a
  520
  priority. This initiative has resulted in real improvements in most regions. Work has now been successfully completed in the area of linking maternity to other systems and an improvement will be evident when 1991–92 data are available.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the numbers of women resident in(a) Dacorum local government district and (b) St. Albans local government district who gave birth in 1990 in (i) St. Albans City hospital, (ii) Luton and Dunstable hospital, (iii) Queen Elizabeth II hospital, Welwyn Garden City, (iv) Watford General hospital, (v) Royal Buckinghamshire hospital, (vi) RAF Halton maternity unit, (vii) other hospitals, (viii) at home and (ix) elsewhere.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Infant Deaths
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, columns 183–84, what pilot studies his Department is doing to test the feasibility of the proposals for the confidential inquiries into stillbirths and deaths in infancy set out in the report published on 2 July 1991; and whether the results of the pilot studies will he ready in time to be taken into account in finalising plans for the inquiries themselves.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The working group on confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy, set up by the Chief Medical Officer, gave advice about how the enquiry should proceed. That advice was based on experience gained from numerous locally based enquiries and did not recommend pilot studies.

  Link System for the Deaf
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement about the device known as the Link, details of which have been sent to the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People;

  (2) if he will consult with the organisations of and for the deaf and hard-of-hearing about ways of making the device known as the Link as widely available as possible to people who can benefit from the new aid.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We are always pleased to learn of new equipment coming on to the market which has the potential to assist people who have disabilities. It would
  521
  not, however, be appropriate for the Department to promote this or other individual products. It is open to the manufacturer of the Link device to consult consumer organisations about ways in which to promote it.

  Tobacco
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on the European Commission's proposal for a total ban on tobacco advertising in the European Community.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Government consider the proposed EC directive on tobacco advertising is unnecessary for completion of the single market. It believes the present voluntary agreements with the tobacco industry on advertising and promotion provide an effective system of controls. There are other tobacco related issues in the Community which deserve a higher priority than advertising, in particular the need to cut back support progressively for tobacco growing under the common agricultural policy.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when children's playgrounds will be included in voluntary agreements on tobacco advertising.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Children's playgrounds were included in the provisions of the voluntary agreement on tobacco advertising and promotion published on 9 September 1991, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the Government's assessment of the effects of the banning of tobacco advertising in Canada.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The effects of the ban are not clear. Steep rises in the real prices of cigarettes in Canada account for most of the decrease in consumption.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has consulted with the Government of the Netherlands on the report issued regarding their voluntary agreements on the advertising of tobacco.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No. We have not yet seen a copy of this report.

  Organ Transplants
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 11 November,Official Report, column 408, about organ transplants, if he will make a statement about the meetings between the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority and members of the medical profession about improving the distribution of organs as effectively and equitably as possible among the health regions.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The United Kingdom transplant support service authority has set up a number of professional groups to advise it on a number of matters concerned with the transplantation of different organs. The first meetings of some of these advisory groups have already taken place. Advice they gave is being taken into account in running the national organ distribution system.

  Community Care
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to set national standards for community care;
  522
  (2) if he will extend the principle of the citizens charter to include the setting of national standards for community care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is for individual authorities to set standards on the service which should be provided. Extensive national guidance and advice is available to help them do this.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors will be taken into consideration in deciding the level of funding for community care in each local authority area.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It will be for each local authority to decide the appropriate level of funding for community care in its area, taking account of the available resources. The Government will take a view in the next local authority expenditure round of what is appropriate and affordable for the totality of local authority expenditure, having obtained the views of the local authority associations. This will include the sums to be transferred from the social security system to local authorities for community care. The White Paper, "Caring for people", set out the factors which will be taken into account in calculating those sums. Each social services authority receives a standard spending assessment (SSA) for personal social services comprising three separate elements namely services for children, the elderly and other adults. The way in which SSAs are currently calculated, including the factors taken into account, is set out in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England), a copy of which is available in the Library. The Government will shortly be having formal discussions with the local authority associations on whether any changes will be needed to the method of calculation of SSAs to take account of local authorities' new responsibilities for community care.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to make available ring-fenced funds for community care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No.

  Presciption Charges
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the percentage change in the level of prescription charges between 1979 and 1991.

  Mrs Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) on 5 November at column 99.

  Health Authority Membership
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names, occupations and addresses of the chairmen and members of(a) the Northern regional health authority, (b) Sunderland health authority, (c) Hartlepool health authority and (d) Durham health authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The names of the chairman and members of the Northern regional health authority, and the chairmen of Sunderland, Hartlepool and Durham health authorities, are given in the table. Information concerning district health authority members may be
  523
  obtained from the regional health authority. Up-to-date information about the occupations of health authority chairmen and members is not held centrally.

  It is not our policy to give the private addresses of members of health authorities.

  Northern RH A

  Chairman: Mr. P. D. Carr CBE.

  Non-executive members: Mr. A. G. Brown, Prof. Rawlins,

  Mr. P. H. Reay, Mr. B. C. Spoor (and one vacancy);

  Executive members: Prof. L. J. Donaldson, Mr. A. Doran,

  Mr. T. G. Smith.

  Sunderland HA

  Chairman: Mr. F. S. Cronin.

  Hartlepool HA

  Chairman: Cllr. Mr. B. Hanson OBE.

  Durham HA

  Chairman: Prof. J. I. Clarke JP.

  Cancer
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will obtain a copy of the report entitled "From the Billboard to the Playground" published by the Cancer Research Campaign on the effect advertising has on children.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I understand that a copy of this report was sent to every Member of the House.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of the privately insured population who also use national health service facilities for the majority of their hospital stays.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No such estimate has been made.

  Nurses' Grading
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the policies of Her Majesty's Government on regrading for nurses.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A new grading structure for clinical nursing and midwifery staff was agreed by the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council (NMNC) in 1988, and staff were regraded on the basis of the new structure. Appeals against regrading decisions are being dealt with under agreed procedures, and the NM NC is currently considering whether any changes can be made to those procedures in order to expedite the hearing of appeals. I understand that the management side of the NMNC has no current plans to propose any changes to the grading structure itself.

  Operating Theatre Staff
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the ratio of trained theatre staff to patients.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is not available centrally in the format requested.

  The number of trained theatre staff for whom information is held is shown in the table. The provisional number of in-patient and day cases treated in hospitals in 1990–91 (finished consultant episodes) for all acute specialities was 7,014,000.
  524

  Trained Theatre Staff working wholly or partly in Theatres Hospital Medical and Dental staff at 30 September 1990 (England)

  Specialty

  Number

  WTE

  General Surgery

  3,786

  3,522·8

  Cardio-thoracic Surgery

  368

  352·5

  Otolaryngology

  1,135

  943·4

  Neurosurgery

  258

  246·2

  Opthalmology

  1,551

  1,155·7

  Paediatric Surgery

  135

  127·6

  Plastic Surgery

  285

  258·8

  Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery

  2,444

  2,199·2

  Urology

  537

  500·3

  Cardiology

  560

  437·3

  Paediatrics

  2,603

  2,316·2

  Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  3,409

  2,814·9

  Anaesthetics

  5,047

  4,497·4

  Radiology

  1,663

  1,552·0

  Radiotherapy

  522

  451·2

  Histopathology

  952

  839·5

  Oral Surgery

  1,111

  719·9

  Total of above specialties

  26,366

  22,934·9

  Hospital Non-Medical staff at 30 September 1990 (1)

  Number

  WTE (2)

  Qualified Nurses

  12,410

  10,880

  Grand Total

  38,776

  33,814·9

  Note: (1) Technical staff (including Operating Assistants (ODAs) and Perfusionists) play an important role in operating theatres but are not identified separately on statistical returns.

  (2) All figures are independently rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source: Department of Health (SM 13) Annual Censuses of NHS medical and non-medical manpower.

  HIV and AIDS
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions the Chief Medical Officer has given port medical inspectors with regard to incoming foreigners who have, or are suspected of having, HIV or AIDS.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department reissued guidance to port medical inspectors of health in the form of an executive letter (PL/C MO(9 1)1 5) in October 1991. A copy of which is available in the Library.

  The guidance provides information for port medical inspectors of health on the action to take should the immigration service ask for a report upon a passenger seeking entry to the United Kingdom who has, or is suspected to have, AIDS or other illnesses associated with HIV infection.

  The guidance informs port medical inspectors of health that HIV infection (including AIDS) should not in itself be considered justification for a recommendation on public health grounds to refuse leave to enter the United Kingdom. It provides information on how the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Amendment Regulations 1988 apply to HIV and AIDS services. It seeks to ensure that confidentiality is maintained where a passenger with HIV infection is referred to a port medical inspector.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the conclusion of his Department's report on AIDS and life insurance on whether people are
  525
  deterred from having an HIV test or counselling by the nature of the questions asked by life insurance companies on proposal forms; what representations he has made to the life insurance companies on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs Virginia Bottomley
  The report by the British Market Research Bureau jointly commissioned by the Government and the Association of British Insurers, concluded that thousands and possibly tens of thousands of people were put off taking an HIV test because of the questions on insurance proposal forms. We recognise that the insurance industry requires information for risk assessment, but believe that this can be obtained in ways which do not deter people from seeking testing or help. Discussion of this important matter is continuing with the Association of British Insurers.

  Teenage Mothers
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by year from 1980 to 1990 the number of illegitimate births by year to teenage mothers by age.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The numbers of births outside marriage to women aged 19 and under in the United Kingdom for the years 1980–1990 were as follows:

  Age of mother at birth

  Year

  15 and under

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Total under 20

  1980

  1,418

  3,527

  7,040

  8,553

  8,544

  29,082

  1981

  1,276

  3,668

  6,808

  9,056

  8,943

  29,751

  1982

  1,306

  3,628

  7,607

  9,719

  10,249

  32,509

  1983

  1,397

  3,807

  7,715

  10,212

  11,243

  34,374

  1984

  1,469

  4,059

  8,529

  11,156

  12,303

  37,516

  1985

  1,544

  4,408

  9,328

  12,719

  13,829

  41,828

  1986

  1,517

  4,442

  9,907

  13,840

  15,345

  45,051

  1987

  1,458

  4,622

  10,099

  14,906

  16,655

  47,740

  1988

  1,444

  4,764

  11,018

  15,355

  18,034

  50,615

  1989

  1,472

  4,549

  10,417

  15,435

  17,502

  49,375

  1990

  1,454

  4,454

  10,590

  15,295

  18,716

  50,509

  Artificial Sweeteners
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of adverse reactions to the artificial sweetener Aspartame have been reported by Nutrasweet since 1983.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Nutrasweet company has submitted to this Department anecdotal complaints from consumers in the United Kingdom of adverse reactions to the artificial sweetener Aspartame on a quarterly basis since the end of 1988.

  Nineteen complaints have been received. The symptoms reported by UK consumers are generally mild in nature and range from sickness and headache to depression, all of which are common in the general population.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the official engagements for each Minister in his Department for Wednesday 18 September 1991.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Two of the Department's Ministers were on holiday that day. The other two had a number of official engagements.

  Birth Control
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the three pilot studies set up in 1986 to evaluate voluntary organisations such as the Brook advisory centres; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department financed three family planning and pregnancy counselling projects for young people under 25 in three separate health districts. The aim of the projects was to help to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy among young people. The projects were independently evaluated by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) and a report of the findings was published in November 1991. The report titled "Family Planning and Pregnancy Counselling Projects for Young People" provides a valuable contribution to the current family planning debate. Copies are available in the Library.

  NHS Trusts
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research was instituted by Her Majesty's Government before they introduced hospital trusts and other reforms within the national health service review.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Since the publication of the White Paper "Working for Patients" in January 1989, there has been considerable work going on throughout the national health service to develop all the proposals contained in it into practical actions. We have always made clear that in implementing the reforms we are aiming for steady incremental progress over a number of years, informed by the lessons of experience.

  Accidental Injury
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people die on average, per day, from accidental injury; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In 1990, the latest year available, there were recorded 9,848 accidental deaths due to injuries in England and Wales (excluding accidental poisoning and surgical and medical misadventures). This represents, on average, 27 deaths per day.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the number of vehicles and staff available for 999 calls in the London ambulance service for the period 1 October to 31 December 1991, per shift.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. James Harris, the chairman of the London ambulance service for details.

  Hormone Replacement
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for health if he will list preparations currently in use in hormone replacement treatment in which two or more drugs are currently packaged as one item together with the proportion of prescriptions(a) in England and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area which specified (i) both or all the constituent items and (ii) only one of the constituent items in each of the past five years.
  527
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The preparations currently used in hormone replacement treatment in which two or more drugs are packaged as one item are given in the table:

  Cyclo-Progynova

  Estrapak 50

  Trisequens

  Trisequens Forte

  Prempak-C

  Nuvelle

  Syntex Menophasc

  Information on the proportion of prescriptions on which different numbers of ingredients are listed is not available.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the items currently in common use by GPs or consultants for which more than one prescription charge is made under current legislation and regulations but which are currently packaged as one item by the manufacturers.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A prescription charge is payable in respect of each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed, unless the patient is exempt. In the case of items supplied in a combination pack, therefore, each separate item carries a separate prescription charge. The fact that for convenience two or more individual preparations may be supplied in one pack does not alter the patient's liability for prescription charges.

  Unless the patient is otherwise exempt, or holds a valid prepayment certificate, the following items in common use attract more than one prescription charge when supplied against a NHS prescription:

  Betadine Pessaries with Applicator and VC Kit

  Betadine Vaginal Gel with Applicator and VC Kit

  Canesten Duopak

  Cyclo-Progynora Combination Pack Tablets

  Daktarin Twin Pack

  Diprosone Duopack

  Ecostatin Twin Pack

  Estrapak 50

  Flagyl Compak

  Gyno-Daktarin Combipack

  Gyno-Pevaryl 1 CP Pack

  Gyno-Pavaryl 150 Combipack

  Lasix + K Combination Pack 'Tablets

  Migraleve Tablets Duo Pack

  Migralift Tablets Duo Pack

  Napratec Combination Pack Tablets

  Nuvelle Tablets

  Nystan Triple Pack

  Pabrinex Intramuscular High Potency

  Pabrinex Intramuscular Maintenance

  Pabrinex Intravenous High Potency

  Parentrovite Intramuscular High Potency

  Parentrovite Intramuscular Maintenance

  Parentrovite Intravenous High Potency

  Pranavite Slim Diet Plan

  Prcmpak-C Combination Pack Tablets 0·625 mg

  Prempak-C Combination Pack Tablets 1·25 mg

  Syntex Menophase Combination Pack Tablets

  Trisequens

  Uvistat Pro-Ski Pack

  Sickle Cell Disease
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training general practitioners receive in the control of pain and the nature of sickle cell crises.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 20 December 1991] : Responsibility for the curriculum for undergraduate medical education rests with the General Medical Council
  528
  and the Universities. We would expect haematology, pain control and the role of counselling and screening in genetic disease to be covered during the undergraduate syllabus. General practitioner training is decided by the trainer and trainee on the basis of the needs of the trainee and delivered either through direct tuition from the trainer or from formal vocational training sessions. Advice is readily available to general practitioners from local consultant haematologists who can involve other colleagues with expertise in relevant areas such as pain control. The Standing Medical Advisory Committee working party on sickle cell disease includes a general practitioner and so will be able to consider this aspect of treatment.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on sickle cell and thalassaemia services; and what representations he has received about these services; (2) what action he has taken to ensure that people with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia, and carriers, have access to appropriate services; and what guidance has been issued to district health authorities; (3) if he will adopt the 10-point charter on sickle cell and thalassaemia drafted by sickle cell and thalassaemia organisations with community health councils and other user representatives.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 20 December 1991]: The Government are fully aware of the importance of sickle cell and thalassaemia services. We aim to ensure that a good standard of service is provided by health authorities and others interested in the support and care of people with these conditions and their families. The deliberations of the working party of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee which will meet in the new year will provide a useful basis for developing service further.

  The Department is currently providing section 64 funding to the sickle cell (£35,000) and United Kingdom thalassaemia (£28,000) societies. Funding is to help in the provision of information and education material for sufferers and their families, the health care profession and the wider general public, including teachers and employers of the effect which sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia can have on the lives of those affected. Funding has also been provided to assist in the production of a video aimed at teaching children about sickle cell disease, and for one on thalassaemia featuring an Asian family and dubbed in various Asian languages. It is hoped that the former will be useful for teachers whilst the Asian language video will be a useful source of information and a teaching aid for people of Asian orgin.

  Health authorities are responsible for ensuring that appropriate services are provided to meet the needs of their resident populations, including those with sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. Evidence from health authorities suggests that genetic screening and counselling facilities are available in those areas where the local population is likely to be susceptible to haemoglobinopathies. Counsellors give advice on services for patients as well as often being the link with local authorities on housing and other problems. The recommendations in the 10-point charter are primarily for consideration by health and local authorities, taking account of advice from health care professionals and other interested bodies.

  Regional Health Authorities (Revenue Allocation)
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce regional health authorities' revenue allocations for 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [pursuant to his reply. 19 December 1991, column 262–63]: Regional health authorities have now been formally notified of their 1992–93 allocations for cash-limited general medical services. The equivalent 1991–92 figures published previously were provisional; the table has now been updated to include final 1991–92 allocations for comparative purposes and is as follows:

  GMS cash·limited allocations 1992–93

  Allocation

  Real growth per cent.

  1991–921£ million

  1992–93 £ million

  Northern

  33·268

  36·414

  4·74

  Yorkshire

  44·481

  47·237

  1·62

  Trent

  55·422

  59·193

  2·20

  East Anglian

  32·520

  34·427

  1·31

  North West Thames

  44·837

  48·657

  3·85

  North East Thames

  44·556

  48·688

  4·57

  South East Thames

  47·407

  51·144

  3·24

  South West Thames

  36·915

  39·865

  3·34

  Wessex

  38·904

  41·552

  2·21

  Oxford

  34·349

  36·627

  2·04

  South Western

  49·468

  52·886

  2·31

  West Midlands

  54·250

  59·060

  4·18

  Mersey

  28·566

  30·208

  1·19

  North Western

  39·094

  42·717

  4·56

  Expenditure

  £ million

  1988–89 Outturn

  1989–90 Outturn

  1990–91 Provisional Outturn

  1991–92 Estimate

  Youth Training (cash)

  1102

  1100

  183

  2103

  Youth Training (1991–92 cash prices)3

  126

  116

  89

  103

  Employment Training (cash)

  1134

  1111

  1106

  2102

  Employment Training (1991–92 cash prices)3

  166

  129

  113

  102

  Youth Training Places

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Total number of planned places4

  51,976

  50,268

  38,862

  37,469

  Total number of filled places4

  46,417

  45,268

  34,301

  6—

  Employment Training Places

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Total number of planned places5

  41,473

  28,931

  25,544

  18,555

  Total number of filled places5

  21,215

  26,380

  22,234

  6—

  1 These figures are taken from "The Government Expenditure Plans: 1991–92 to 1993–94: Employment Department Group" (Table 6.5).

  2 These figures are taken from Supply Estimates 1991–92 Class XV Scotland Vote 3.

  3 The figures expressed at 1991–92 cash prices arc derived by applying the GDP deflator to the figures for previous years.

  4 Youth Training places are calculated on the basis of trainee weeks; the figures shown represent the average number of young people in training per week

  5 The Employment Training places information provided gives the planned and actual numbers in training at 31 March for each of the financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90, the planned average number in training for 1990£91 and 1991–92 and the actual average number in training for 1990–91.

  6 Not yet available.

  Liver Transplants
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to commence a liver transplant centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I expect to be able to make an announcement on this subject shortly.
  530

  Allocation

  Real growth per cent.

  1991–921 £ million

  1992–93 £ million

  Total

  584·039

  628·675

  3·01

  1 Figures in this column do not sum to the total because of roundings.

SCOTLAND

  Training
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for(a) employment training and (b) youth training in each of the years since 1988–89, and for 1992–93 and 1993–94 the (i) total outturn expenditure of estimated planned expenditure in both cash and real terms and (ii) the total number of planned and filled places in Scotland.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Decisions about the allocation of planned provision for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for 1992–93 and 1993–94 to specific budget blocks have not yet been taken. Figures for 1992–93 will be published in February 1992 in the departmental report for the departments of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Information for previous years is set out in the tables.

  Hospital Beds (Highland Region)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the weekly cost of a bed for care of the elderly in (a) Highland health board as a whole and (b) Skye.
  531
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The weekly cost per bed for care of the elderly, excluding the elderly with dementia, in Highland health board's area is £499. The equivalent cost in Skye is £418.

  Brittania Life Assurance
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance, other facilities and resources were given to Britannia Life Assurance when the company obtained premises within the Inverclyde enterprise zone; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  No assistance was offered to Britannia Life Assurance in respect of premises within Inverclyde enterprise zone. However, assistance was previously offered to Crusader Insurance in respect of these premises, under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. My officials are considering carefully the status of this assistance.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advance notice and information he was given by the Britannia Life Assurance concerning the decision to vacate the company's premises in the Inverclyde enterprise zone; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  My Department was given less than two days notice by Britannia Life Assurance in advance of that company's announcement.

  Poll Tax
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his Department's estimates of how much local authorities have spent on publicity and advertising in connection with the poll tax.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The costs of publicity and advertising are not separately identified in local authorities' returns to the Scottish Office of their expenditure on administering the community charge system.

  Fallen Animals
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the respects in which the provisions in Scotland for the disposal of fallen and diseased animals diverge from those applying in the EC for(a) animal health and food hygiene and (b) the environment with particular reference to the possible pollution of water resources through on-farm burial and how it is monitored.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Directive 90/667/EEC requires the carcases of fallen animals and those killed in the context of disease control measures to be disposed of by rendering, burning or proper burial. By means of a derogation the directive also permits the continuation of the traditional knacker trade until 1995 at least. The same disposal arrangements apply to such carcases in Scotland. Water pollution is monitored by the river purification authorities and it is an offence to dispose of animal carcases in a manner which causes such pollution.

  Sheriffs
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were(a) the total number of full-time sheriffs and (b) the numbers of newly appointed full-time sheriffs in each of the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The full-time shrieval complement and the number of new appointments over the period 1986–1991 are set out in the table:

  Year

  Initial complement

  Final complement

  New appointments

  1987

  90

  93

  3

  1988

  93

  95

  5

  1989

  95

  97

  4

  1990

  97

  97

  4

  1991

  97

  99

  5

  Holyrood Palace
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the recent attempted break-in at Holyrood palace; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There has been no recent attempted break-in at the palace of Holyroodhouse. On 28 June 1991 the security system at the palace detected that an intruder had gained access to the palace grounds and I received a full report on the incident at the time from the chief constable of Lothian and Borders police.

  Student Statistics
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the Government projections for student numbers in Scotland to the year 2000 based on the assumptions used in paragraph 2.4 of "Higher Education: Meeting the Challenge" (Cm 114).

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 25 November 1991]:information in the exact form requested is not available. Projections for student numbers in higher education in Scotland to the year 2000 are given in the "Statistical Bulletin: Higher Education Projections for Scotland (1991) (No Edn/J1/1991/13)" a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of days in each of the last five years when duties in the sheriff courts in Scotland were carried out by temporary sheriffs; and what plans he has to appoint additional sheriffs.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of temporary sheriff days provided in each of the last five years to enable the courts to deal timeously with increasing workloads is given in the table:

  Temporary Sheriff Days Provided

  1987

  1,982

  1988

  2,855

  1989

  4,046

  1990

  4,236

  1991

  5,100

  The need for additional full-time sheriffs is kept under constant review.

  Scottish National Heritage
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which organisations, including voluntary conservation organisations, he consulted before appointing the members of Scottish Natural Heritage.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend sought the views of a wide range of relevant organisations, including national voluntary conservation organisations, before appointing the members of Scottish Natural Heritage.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost to Scottish Natural Heritage of establishing its own science division in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Scottish Natural Heritage will have a research and advisory services directorate to provide advice based on commissioned and in-house research for the formulation of policy and the management of the natural heritage. The directorate will be formed in part from the merger of the research and development divisions of the Countryside Commission Scotland and the Nature Conservancy Council Scotland; its costs will be met from within the allocated grant-in-aid.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the likely cost of management agreements in respect of sites of special scientific interest in Scotland in 1992–93.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The cost of management agreements will emerge as they are negotiated and concluded by Scottish Natural Heritage. It will be contained within the budget provided through grant in aid by the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take if the cost of management agreements on sites of special scientific interest exceeds the amount allowed for in the budget of Scottish Natural Heritage.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  Scottish Natural Heritage is required to manage its budget and determine its priorities in paying management agreements on sites of special scientific interest. I do not expect Scottish Natural Heritage to exceed its budget.

  Scottish National Liberation Army
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the activities of the Scottish National Liberation Army.
  534
  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The Government deplore any action by any subversive organisation which seeks to undermine the democratic process.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to the Irish Government in connection with persons purporting to represent the Scottish National Liberation Army.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  There have been no recent representations made to the Irish Government.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the value of section 94 consents for school buildings in constant and cash price terms since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Local authorities in Scotland receive an allocation of consent to incur capital expenditure on schools, further education colleges and community education buildings. Within their overall level of consent, they are free to determine which educational building projects will proceed. I refer the hon. member to the answer given on 6 December 1991.

  Lockerbie Bombing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the charges against Libyans accused in relation to the Lockerbie bombing were first ready in the Crown Office.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The charges against Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah were ready in their final form in the Crown Office on 12 November 1991.

  Student Statistics
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the Government projections for student numbers in Scotland to the year 2000 based on the assumptions used in paragraph 2.4 of "Higher Education: Meeting the Challenge" (Cm 114).

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 25 November 1991]: Information in the exact form requested is not available. Projections for student numbers in higher education in Scotland to the year 2000 are given in the "Statistical Bulletin: Higher Education Projections for Scotland (1991) (No Edn/J1/1991/13)" a copy of which is available in the Library.

  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 23rd DECEMBER
  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 23rd DECEMBER
  WEU: TURKISH MEMBERSHIP
  WEU: TURKISH MEMBERSHIP
  WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME IMMEDIATE RESPONSE ACCOUNT
  WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME IMMEDIATE RESPONSE ACCOUNT
  KNOW-HOW FUND
  KNOW-HOW FUND
  NORTHERN IRELAND: ESPOO CONVENTION
  NORTHERN IRELAND: ESPOO CONVENTION
  HOUSES FOR RENT
  HOUSES FOR RENT
  MORTGAGE REPOSSESSIONS, LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING
  MORTGAGE REPOSSESSIONS, LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING
  ESPOO CONVENTION
  ESPOO CONVENTION
  SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE: ADDITIONAL FUNDING
  SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE: ADDITIONAL FUNDING
  NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948: CONSOLIDATION
  NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948: CONSOLIDATION
  DEMENTIA SUFFERERS: AVAILABILITY OF HOSPITAL BEDS
  DEMENTIA SUFFERERS: AVAILABILITY OF HOSPITAL BEDS
  FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE AUTHORITIES: REMIT
  FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE AUTHORITIES: REMIT