Written Answers of 16 January 1992

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Repossessions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General what information he has concerning the number of repossessions adjudicated in the Crown courts in Wales in each of the last four quarters up to 31 December 1991.

  The Attorney-General
  Possession actions are dealt with in the county court, not in the Crown court. The figures for the number of repossessions are not collected. The only information available on mortgage possession is the number of actions entered and orders made in each county court. The table gives the information for Welsh county courts for the first three quarters, and October and November of 1991, the latter being the latest data available. Not all the orders will have resulted in the issue and execution of warrnts of possession.

  Mortgage possession—actions entered and orders made in the Welsh county courts

  1991

  Total number of actions entered

  Total number of orders made

  January to March

  2,236

  1,644

  April to June

  2,591

  1,754

  July to September

  3,050

  1,990

  October to November

  1,769

  1,455

TRANSPORT

  Freight Terminal, Isle of Grain
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the new freight terminal at Thamesport, Isle of Grain, is to be opened; and what assessment he has made of the benefits it will bring to residents of Medway.

  Mr. Freeman
  I visited Thamesport on 7 January to inspect the start of work on the new rail freight terminal which has attracted a £1·77 million grant under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974. I understand that the terminal will be operational by the end of the year and should enable up to 35 per cent. of container traffic to be carried by rail bringing relief to roads in this part of Kent and in particular the A228 which links the port to the A2/M2.

  Brownhills Roundabout, Iancashire
  Mr. Carr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made on the improvement scheme to Brownhills roundabout, A666/A6119 intersection, and the A6119 bridge over the railway nearby; what has caused the delays; and when Lancashire county council will be enabled to go ahead with the scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  Compulsory purchase orders are to be published shortly. Some of the land to be acquired is 608
  public open space and there has been some difficulty in identifying suitable replacement land. We hope that work will start during the 1992–93 financial year.

  Vehicle Statistics
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list, using the data in the south-east regional brief published by his Department on 4 December 1991, the number of cars per 1,000 of the population in England excluding the south-east region in 1989 and the number of vehicles per mile of surfaced road in 1989 in(a) the south-east Region and (b) the rest of England.

  Mr. Chope
  The information requested is as follows:

  (i)In 1989 there were 354 cars per 1,000 of the population in England, excluding the south-cast region;

  (ii) In 1989 there were 149 vehicles per mile of surfaced road in the south-east Region

  (iii) In 1989 there were 122 vehicles per mile of surfaced road in the rest of England.

  Hastings-Ashford Line
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the electrification of the railway line between Hastings and Ashford has been included in British Rail's programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand from British Rail that it is examining proposals for the electrification of the railway line between Hastings and Ashford, for inclusion in its programme of work scheduled to commence in 1994–95.

  Bedford Bypass
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position of(a) the southern bypass for Bedford including a Norse road connection and (b) the western relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  I hope to be able to make a further announcement shortly.

  Clyde Port Authority
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the names of the parties which have formally expressed their intention to seek to acquire the Clyde port authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No. That is a matter of commercial confidence between the Clyde port authority, as vendor of the port undertaking, and the parties concerned.

  Speed Limit Order, Essex
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department received the Borough of Chelmsford (A414 Main Road and Maldon Road, Danbury) (Speed Limit) Order from Essex county council for confirmation; and when his Department's confirmation is expected.

  Mr. Chope
  The application for consent to these speed limit proposals which is currently with the Department was effectively lodged in August 1991 when detailed supporting information was received from Essex county council. This followed earlier lengthy discussions and correspondence leading to my Department's approval in principle being given in December 1990.
  609
  There are a number of legal issues in respect of the order itself still to be resolved before the Secretary of State can give formal consent. The Department's regional office has brought these to the attention of the county council.

  Progress is dependent on the county council's resolution of these legal problems and I am therefore unable at this stage to specify a date by which consent may be given. Immediate consideration will be given however to the council's response, when received.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he intends to make to the recommendations made by the International Atomic Energy Agency that no further flights of plutonium should take place until the agency's review panel on safety and security of plutonium transport completes its recommendations for new standards for international carriage.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The International Atomic Energy Agency has made no such recommendation.

  Buses
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to promote the use of buses.

  Mr. Freeman
  I announced recently a series of measures to promote the use of the bus:provision of at least 10 million over the next two years to fund specific local authority bus schemes;
  publication through HMSO of the Department's "Keeping Buses Moving"—a guide for local authorities on the provision of bus priority measures;
  more resources to the traffic commissioners to check that local bus services run in accordance with their published timetables;
  a review by the Department of current arrangements for passenger information with a view to providing guidelines for local authorities and bus operators;
  the Department will seek to fund a local authority demonstration project which utilises fully accessible low floor buses;
  the introduction in 1992 of an instrumented smoke emissions test for in-service vehicles, together with tough road side enforcement.

  These measures have been widely welcomed by the Bus and Coach Council and local authority associations.

  Coastguards
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the amount of money spent on providing the coastguard service for each of the years for the period 1979 to 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 13 January 1992]: The amount of money spent on providing the coastguard service during the years 1983–84 to 1991–92 is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1979–80

  6·99

  1980–81

  7·92

  1981–82

  10·88

  1982–83

  11·91

  1983–84

  14·06

  1984–85

  18·66

  1985–86

  21·57

  1986–87

  21·80

  1987–88

  23·99

  610

  Year

  £ million

  1988–89

  25·85

  1989–90

  28·58

  1990–91

  29·63

  11991–92

  31·00

  1 Forecast.

  The level of past and planned expenditure on Her Majesty's coastguard is consistent with the commitment to provide a modern, efficient and effective search and rescue service for the United Kingdom.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Single European Currency
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement upon the naming of a new single European currency.

  Mr. Maude
  Under the terms of the proposed treaty on European monetary union, the single currency would be the ecu.

  Business Investment
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of GDP at factor cost and in current prices is accounted for by business investment also at current prices; and what was the percentage in 1979.

  Mr. Mellor
  At current prices, the ratio of business investment to GDP at factor cost was 14·8 per cent. in 1990 and 14·3 per cent. in 1979.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was Britain's share of main manufacturing countries exports of manufactures in(a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) in the lastest available quarter.

  Mr. Mellor
  As I said earlier today in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey), the UK's share has risen in each of the last three years after decdes of decline, as shown in the autumn statement. Based on a measure that includes the exports of all market economies, the share was 7·2 per cent, in 1979 and 6·1 per cent. in 1985. It is likely to have been 6¼ per cent. in 1991.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United Kingdom's share of the world trade in manufactured goods; and what has been the trend in recent years.

  Mr. Mellor
  The United Kingdom's share stabilised in the mid-1980s, increased in 1989 and 1990, and looks most likely to have increased again in 1991. Its current level is 6¼ per cent., almost ½per cent. higher than in 1988.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to secure the location of the proposed European central bank in Britain.

  Mr. Maude
  The Maastricht summit concluded that it was not necessary to reach a decision now on the sites of the European central bank; that will be decided at a future date.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in the level of manufacturing investment between the third quarter of 1990 and the third quarter of 1991.

  Mr. Mellor
  A fall of 12 per cent. in volume terms.

  Taxation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about tax levels.

  Mr. Maude
  Since 1978–79, the combined burden of taxation and public sector borrowing had been reduced by over 1 per cent. of GDP.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the changes which have taken place in the standard rate of income tax since 1978–79; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  Since 1979 we have reduced the basic rate in stages from 33 to 25 pet cent. We will move towards a rate of 20 per cent. when it is prudent to do so.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much a cut of 1p in the pound off income tax would cost; how much the raising of the top rate of tax to 50 per cent. would yield to the revenue; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  At 1992–93 levels of income a 1p reduction in the basic rate of income tax would cost about £1·95 billion in a full year. Raising the higher rate of income tax to 50 per cent. would yield about £3·4 billion in a full year.

  These estimates, however, do not allow for any behavioural effects that might result from such changes to the tax system and do not include capital gains tax.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what would be the loss of revenue from raising the income tax threshold for all income tax payers to £100 per week;

  (2) how many extra persons would be exempt from income tax if the tax threshold were raised to £100 per week.

  Mr. Maude
  At 1992–93 levels of income, the cost of raising the personal allowance to £5,200, compared with the amount due under the illustrative assumption of 4 per cent. indexation given in the Autumn Statement 1991, would be about £10½ billion. About 3·8 million people would be taken out of tax by this change.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when was the last time he held discussions with the CBI to discuss interest rates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My right hon. Friend last met CBI representatives at the National Economic Development Council on 8 January. A number of general economic issues were discussed.

  Economy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage growth in the economy for the last quarter for which figures are available.

  Mr. Mellor
  Gross domestic product rose by 0·2 per cent. in the third quarter of 1991, the latest period for which figures are available.

  Inflation
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the business representative bodies regarding the Government's anti-inflation policy.

  Mr. Maude
  I regularly receive representations from business on all aspects of economic policy. They consistently endorse the Government's objective of reducing inflation and keeping it down.

  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the current level of inflation.

  Mr. Maude
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Mitchell).

  VAT
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much VAT has been raised since November 1990.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  On 1 April 1991 the standard rate of VAT was increased from 15 to 17½ per cent.

  Income Statistics
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish an estimate of per capita income in the United Kingdom in 1991 and 1990.

  Mr. Maples
  Data in respect of income per head are published regularly in table 8 in "Economic Trends", copies of which are available in the Library. The latest available data, for periods up to the third quarter of 1991, will be included in the December issue, due for publication later this month. However, this information is already available on the CSO database which can be accessed by the House of Commons Library.

  Repossessions
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's policies on the level of house repossessions in 1992.

  Mr. Maude
  Lenders estimate that the measures my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced to the House on 19 December will reduce the number of repossessions in 1992 by about 40,000—half the anticipated number.

  Football Pools Betting Duty
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the Government's total income from the football pool bettings duty for each of the years 1979–80 to 1990–91 and as a total over the same period.
  613
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Receipts from pool betting duty were as follows:

  £ million

  1979–80

  136·1

  1980–81

  157·0

  1981–82

  176·0

  1982–83

  199·3

  1983–84

  204·9

  1984–85

  218·0

  1985–86

  235·3

  1986–87

  254·2

  1987–88

  277·0

  1988–89

  279·0

  1989–90

  303·8

  1990–91

  303·9

  Total

  2,744·5

  Cigarette Duty
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the increase in duty, including value added tax on cigarettes in the 1991 budget had on the retail prices index.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The RPI impact effect was an increase of 0·3 per cent.

  Bloodstock Industry
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current negotiations taking place within the EC Council of Finance Ministers to seek an agreed reduction in VAT for the breeding and sales of bloodstock in the United Kingdom after 1993.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: The discussions currently taking place are to decide which goods and services may be subject to a reduced rate of VAT within the European Community after 1992. The present list includes goods and services used and supplied by farmers. It has yet to be decided finally whether horses will fall within any of the reduced rate categories.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list details of any alternative schemes being considered by Her Majesty's Government to assist the bloodstock industry in the United Kingdom after 1993.

  Mr. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: Detailed discussions are currently taking place between officials and interested parties on the merits of an agricultural flat rate scheme for the United Kingdom.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cohesion Fund
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which regions of the United Kingdom will benefit from the cohesion fund agreed at the Maastricht summit; and which of the six objective regions in the European Community will(a) benefit from and (b) be excluded from the benefits of this fund.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The cohesion fund will benefit those member states with a per capita GNP of less than 90 per 614
  cent. of the Community average—that is, Spain, Portugal, Greece and the Republic of Ireland. The fund will provide finance for projects in the fields of the environment and trans-European transport infrastructure.

  East Timor
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate discussions with the other countries of the European Community to consider what joint action needs to be taken in relation to the occupation of East Timor by Indonesia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are already in contact with our EC partners on this matter. We continue to believe that the best hopes for a solution lie in the hands of the United Nations Secretary-General.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Portugal regarding the situation in East Timor; and what further discussions he proposes.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs sees his Portuguese colleague regularly and has discussed East Timor with him on several occasions, most recently during his visit to Lisbon on 7 January. We remain in close contact on this issue, together with our EC partners.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the United Nations the continuing repression by Indonesia of the people of East Timor with a view to agreeing appropriate joint action.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  This issue will be considered at the forthcoming session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva from 27 January to 6 March.

  Falklands Islands
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Argentina about the future constitutional position of the Falkland Islands.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  There have been no recent discussions; nor is it the Government's intention to engage in any.

  Gulf War
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in obtaining compensation from Iraq for losses suffered by British nationals and companies during the Gulf war.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Work has gone ahead well in the governing council of the United Nations Compensation Commission in Geneva which will administer the fund established by Security Council resolution 687: the United Kingdom is playing a leading role. Very good progress is being made in drawing up criteria for eligibility of claims. The commission has also prepared claim forms for expedited claims by individuals up to US$ 100,000. We are now sending them to claimants who have notified us of their losses. Advertisements will be placed in the national
  615
  press so that the opportunity to make claims is widely known. The commission hopes to begin assessing claims in July this year.

ENERGY

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what provisions have been made for the long-term storage, management or disposal of(a) high, intermediate and low-level radioactive wastes arising from foreign reprocessing contracts signed by British Nuclear Fuels plc up to 31 December 1975 and (b) low level radioactive waste arising from foreign reprocessing contracts signed by British Nuclear Fuels plc since 1 January 1976 for processing of spent nuclear fuel in the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  All wastes arising from overseas reprocessing contracts signed by British Nuclear Fuels plc before 1976 will be dealt with in accordance with the United Kingdom's national waste strategy.

  Since 1976, contracts for reprocessing overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes. The Government intend that these options will be exercised and wastes returned. As envisaged in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) on 2 May 1986 at columns 500–01, the option of substituting for less radioactive wastes an equivalent quantity, in radiological terms, of higher level wastes is being considered.

  Any low-level wastes retained as a result of such substitution would be disposed of in the same way as equivalent United Kingdom waste.

WALES

  EC Committee of Regions
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the representatives from Wales who will sit on the Committee of the Regions within the European Community; and if he will consider making hon. Members of Parliament eligible for such positions.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The treaty giving effect to the new Committee of the Regions is not intended to come into force until 1 January 1993. No decisions have therefore yet been taken on membership. The Government will however be considering in the course of 1992, the question of allocation of the United Kingdom seats and how individual members will be chosen.

  Transplants
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients in Wales are now awaiting transplant surgery; and if he will separately distinguish these by organ by district health area and by length of time they have been waiting.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The requested information is not available centrally.

  Land Acquisition
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each of the last 12 years, and for each county in Wales, the area of land that has been used for major highway construction and ancillary purposes; and if he will indicate the total compensation paid to landowners.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not held centrally.

  St. David's Hospital, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department received the application for approval in principle for the new neighbourhood hospital on the site of the St. David's hospital, Cardiff; when the reply to South Glamorgan health authority was sent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Application for approval in principle for a neighbourhood hospital on the St. David's hospital site, Cardiff, was made by South Glamorgan health authority on 13 November 1991. A reply was sent on 20 December 1991. South Glamorgan health authority is currently reviewing the position in the light of that response.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of Welsh Water to discuss the purity of the drinking water in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for the Environment have jointly appointed the drinking water inspectorate to monitor and report to them on water company performance. The inspectorate's report to them of its first round of inspections, including that of Dwr Cymru, was published in July 1991 and confirmed that 99 per cent. of samples taken by Dwr Cymru met the stringent statutory requirements of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989—SI 1989 No. 1147. A second round of inspections, during which Dwr Cymru is again being inspected, is ongoing and the results will be published later this year. My officials are, of course, regularly in contact with Dwr Cymru on various aspects of drinking water quality.

  TB Eradication Scheme
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been paid in compensation in respect of cattle slaughtered in Wales under the tuberculosis eradication scheme in each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Payments made under the bovine tuberculosis compensation scheme are detailed in the table. The information is only available on a financial year basis.

  Year

  Total compensation

  (£'s)

  1980–81

  35,911

  1981–82

  7,105

  1982–83

  6,918

  617

  Year

  Total compensation

  (£'s)

  1983–84

  13,626

  1984–85

  28,680

  1985–86

  37,068

  1986–87

  42,491

  1987–88

  58,233

  1988–89

  37,045

  1989–90

  35,785

  1990–91

  86,159

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Diumide-K (a diuretic with potassium) or a similar preparation has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed(a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area;

  (2) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Burinex A or a similar preparation (bumetanide with amiloride hydrochloride) has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed (a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area in Wales;

  (3) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Caprozide or a similar preparation has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents—Captopril and hydrochlorothiazide—has been prescribed (a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area in Wales;

  (4) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Prempak-C or a similar preparation has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents—conjugated oestrogens/norgestrel—has been prescribed (a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Valleys Programme
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the percentage unemployment rate for the valleys programme area, for Wales, for each year from November 1988 to November 1991, inclusive.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Unemployment rates1

  November

  Valleys programme area

  Wales

  1988

  12·4

  9·2

  1989

  9·5

  6·5

  1990

  10·1

  6·9

  1991

  13·1

  9·2

  Source: Employment Department, Welsh Office.

  1 Unadjusted rates, expressed as a percentage of the work force.

  Kinnerton Primary School
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit Kinnerton county primary school; and if he will meet(a) the parent teacher association and (b) the staff and governors.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Neither my right hon. Friend nor I has any plans at present to do so.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on the sale of school playing fields; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Authorities are encouraged to dispose of land and buildings which are surplus to requirements.

  Local education authorities are responsible for taking decisions about the disposal of school playing fields. In view of public concern about the possible loss of playing fields, I shall be asking local education authorities to consider long-term school and community needs before taking disposal action.

  School Land
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales have had portions of their land and buildings sold since 1979.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Local education authorities are responsible for taking decisions on the disposal of school land and buildings. Information about disposals by these authorities is not held centrally.

  Patient Funding
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the funding of out-of-area patients being allocated operations at the four treatment centres in Wales for the period commencing 1 April 1992.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Decisions on how the treatment centre initiative will be taken forward in 1992–93 will be announced shortly.

  British Aerospace
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last visited British Aerospace, Broughton, Clwyd; and if he will visit British Aerospace to meet apprentices in their final year.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I visited British Aerospace at Broughton, Clwyd on 30 September 1991 to open the new dispatch wing. No date has yet been fixed for my next visit.

  NHS Value-for-money Unit
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the remit of the NHS value-for-money unit and its programme of work for 1992.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The NHS value-for-money unit operates within the framework of the strategic intent and direction for the NHS in Wales which dedicates the organisation to the pursuit of health gain and the continuous development of people-centred, resource effective health services. Within this framework, the unit's mission is to add value to the use of resources and to encourage enterprise in the delivery of health services.
  619
  The main initiatives which the unit will be pursuing in 1992 include: helping providers of service compare their performance with the best; helping managers improve the monitoring of service delivery by focusing on high level indicators; reviewing progress and adding impetus to cash-releasing cost improvement and income generation programmes; undertaking all-Wales reviews; helping the NHS in Wales develop overseas trading activities and the commercial exploitation of innovative ideas and products; establishing the clinical resource utilisation group; reviewing progress and adding impetus to the market testing initiative.

  More information is provided in chapter 9 of the document "NHS Wales: Agenda for Action 2" published in December 1991; a copy of which has been placed in the Vote Office and in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the report from the value-for-money unit on the cost-effectiveness of the treatment centre at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Cardiff; and if he will give the terms of reference for the value-for-money unit's exercise.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The study at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital is part of a wider evaluation of the treatment centre initiative as a whole. The purpose of the study is to assess the potential of treatment centres to deliver health care services cost-effectively and also the options for the future funding of such centres. The aim is to complete this exercise before the end of the current financial year.

  Hospital Services Study
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the terms of reference of the joint study into the supply and demand for hospital services in south and mid Glamorgan, commissioned by South Glamorgan health authority, Mid Glamorgan health authority and the University of Wales College of Medicine.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman o the reply I gave him on 13 January, at columns 510–11

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to clean-up iron oxide and sulphur pollution in streams, rivers and waterways that flow though or close to former mines.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The National Rivers Authority is currently undertaking a study, which includes an examination of the River Pelena in West Glamorgan, to look at the best ways of preventing polluted water from abandoned mines affecting our rivers.

  GPs (Night Calls)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from general practitioners in Wales regarding the problem of excessive night-time calls; and what response he has made.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Since the introduction of the revised contract for GPs, one letter has been received from a GP in Wales about increased demand for night visits to patients.
  620
  The reply explained that the GPs' remuneration system has been revised to reward those doctors who provide the fullest range of services to their patients. This includes paying a higher fee where doctors undertake night visits to their patients personally, rather than using a deputising service or a large rota.

  Cataract Removals
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients have been treated for cataract removal at the new treatment centre at Bridgend hospital since its opening in October 1991; how many were from the Mid-Glamorgan health authority; if he will list all other health authorities from which other patients treated at the treatment centre have originated; and how this compares with his Department's agreement with the treatment centre.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Between 1 October and 31 December 1991 the new ophthalmic treatment centre treated 182 patients, of which 54 per cent. came from Mid Glamorgan. The centre is on target to meet the contract agreement that 50 per cent. of the total throughput of 300 patients in 1991–92 should be referred from health authorities other than Mid Glamorgan. In addition to Mid Glamorgan, referrals have been received from South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, East Dyfed, Powys and Gwent.

  Shotton Steelworks
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last visited Shotton steelworks, Clwyd; and if he will visit Shotton steelworks to discuss the impact of redundancies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I last visited Shotton steelworks on 27 November. I have not yet fixed the date for my next visit. During my visit, I was most impressed by the determination of both management and work force to maintain the steelwork's position as a world leader in steel coatings technology.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  UK World Trade Share
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the United Kingdom's share of world trade, taking visibles and invisibles together, for each of the last 15 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  In terms of the value of overseas transactions, the United Kingdom is the fourth largest trading nation in the world.

  The information is in the table.

  United Kingdom's share of OECD total trade1 1975–90

  (percentage terms)

  Year

  Exports

  Imports

  1975

  9·5

  10·0

  1976

  9·1

  9·1

  1977

  9·3

  9·1

  1978

  9·5

  9·3

  1979

  10·3

  10·0

  1980

  11·3

  10·4

  1981

  11·6

  10·6

  1982

  11·7

  11·1

  621

  Year

  Exports

  Imports

  1983

  11·0

  10·5

  1984

  10·6

  10·2

  1985

  10·8

  10·2

  1986

  10·0

  9·9

  1987

  10·1

  10·0

  1988

  10·0

  10·7

  1989

  10·0

  10·7

  1990

  10·3

  11·1

  1 Visible and invisible trade.

  Source: IMF Balance of Payments Statistics.

  Radio and Television (Interference)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what help is available for radio listeners and television viewers to avoid interference in reception.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department, through the Radiocommunications Agency, provides helpful advice on improving radio and television reception and I am asking the chief executive of the agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Textiles and Clothing
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress made on a conclusion of the negotiations within the Uruguay GATT round on textiles.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart) on 15 January, Official Report, columns 598–99.

  Maastricht
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement outlining the areas of his responsibility in which the EC will have competence following the implementation of agreements at Maastricht.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 17 December 1991]: The treaty agreed at Maastricht contains new chapters relating to industry, consumer protection and trans-European networks. The Community already has competence in these areas. The responsibility for policy on trans-European networks is shared between my Department, the Department of Energy and the Department of Transport.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Football Pool Betting Duty
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the meeting held on 9 January between officials in his Department and representatives of the Football Trust to discuss eligibility of football Premier League clubs for funds released through the reduction in the football pool betting duty; and what further meetings, and on what dates, are planned on this issue involving officials and ministers in his Department.

  Mr. Atkins
  At the request of the Football Trust a meeting was held with officials from my Department and 622
  the Treasury to hear the views of the trust on its handling of grant applications by prospective members of the Premier League and arrangements following the establishment of the league. The trust will be informed shortly of the Government's views. Further meetings will be arranged as appropriate.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science further to his letter of 12 July 1991 to the Football Association, if he will set out the precise conditions necessary for Premier League clubs to be rendered eligible for access to funds released through the reduction of the football pool betting duty.

  Mr. Atkins
  The trust would need to amend its resolution of April 1990 to allow clubs in the Premier League to have access to such funds. My position remains as set out in the letter of 12 July. In supporting such a change I would wish to have regard to how any additional money available to football was to be used for purposes of Taylor implementation throughout the present Football League. I have written to the FA to ask for further information on this objective, together with other relevant matters.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what criteria the national stadiums at Wembley, Hampden park and Windsor park are deemed eligible for assistance through the reduction in the football pool betting duty.

  Mr. Atkins
  Under a resolution passed by the Football Trust in April 1990 the grounds of clubs in the Football League and the Scottish League and the three national stadia are eligible for assistance from the moneys made available by the reduction in pool betting duty for capital works for the safety and comfort of spectators at football grounds in accordance with the recommendations contained in Lord Justice Taylor's final report on "The Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, 15 April 1989". The trustees also resolved to distribute the money fairly having regard to the differing needs of those clubs and the stadia authorities and the resources available to them.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy concerning the repayment of grants made to clubs through the reduction in the football pool betting duty if relegated from the Football League to the Vauxhall conference.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is for the trust itself to decide its grant policy. I myself see no reason why the Football Trust should ask for repayment of grants in such circumstances.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what amendments he intends to make to the statement of case pro forma for school closure proposals to take account of the change in procedure for evaluating possible deficiencies in playing field provision at neighbouring schools; when the amendments will be made; and if he will place a copy of the original and amended statements in the Library.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. and learned Friend will decide what amendments are required to the statement of case pro forma for school closure proposals in the light of any comments received from the local authority
  623
  associations to the consultation letter on the disposal of school playing fields. A copy of the original and amended statements will be placed in the Library.

  Medical Researchers
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the comparative levels of remuneration for medical researchers in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the rest of the EC and (c) the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My Department does not hold details of the levels of remuneration of medical researchers employed by United Kingdom private companies or charities; nor does it have such information covering medical researchers in the rest of the EC or the United States of America. The pay scale for researchers in universities in the United Kingdom extends from £12,129 to £30,447, although some clinical academic staff are linked to national health service scales which range from about £17,000 to £40,000. Clinical academics holding consultant contracts are also eligible for NHS distinction awards.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will make it his policy to increase the funding of research into Alzheimer's disease being carried out at St. Mary's hospital, Paddington;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the funding of research into Alzheimer's disease.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Medical Research Council, the main Government agency for the support of medical research in this country, is funded from this Department's science budget. The MRC's grant-in-aid from the science budget has increased by about 28 per cent. in real terms since 1979–80. It is an independent body, however, and our policy is not to intervene in the MRC's judgment of its research priorities. Last month we announced a planned rising profile for the science budget generally over the next three years. That will enable the MRC to launch its "Neurosciences Approach to Human Health", so expanding its programme of research on the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

  Region1

  Kidney

  Pancreas

  Liver

  Heart

  Lung

  Northern

  242

  0

  0

  38

  38

  Yorkshire

  220

  0

  6

  2

  1

  Trent

  354

  1

  0

  9

  0

  East Anglia

  120

  0

  11

  23

  20

  North West Thames

  233

  1

  8

  152

  48

  North East Thames

  466

  0

  5

  16

  2

  South East Thames

  309

  1

  16

  0

  0

  South West Thames

  81

  1

  0

  9

  0

  Wessex

  108

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Oxford

  93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Western

  216

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  381

  0

  34

  0

  0

  Mersey

  131

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Western

  340

  1

  0

  32

  2

  Total

  3,294

  5

  80

  281

  111

  1 Based on information provided by the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority as at 3 January 1992.

  624
  In addition to research council funding, substantial public funding for medical and other research at universities is provided by the Universities Funding Council as part of its block grant to institutions, which are free to dispose of it in accordance with their academic and research priorities. The distribution of grant between universities is a matter for the UFC. Research funding is also provided through the health departments and health authorities. The Government welcome, moreover, the very important contribution made by the medical research charities and has introduced a more favourable tax regime to encourage support for charities.

HEALTH

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the increase of morbidity in any population following the fluoridation of water to one part per million.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 19 November at columns 126–27. There is no evidence that fluoridation of drinking water at the rate of one part per million has any adverse effect on health.

  Accident Victims (Organs)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward legislation to introduce a scheme whereby accident victims would automatically make their organs available for transplantation unless they have specifically indicated that they wish to opt out.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No.

  Transplants
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in England are now awaiting transplant surgery; and if he will separately distinguish these by organ by health region and by length of time they have been waiting.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The table gives the number of people awaiting transplantation in England by organ and the region in which they expect to be treated. Information on the length of time waiting is not collected centrally.

  Calorie Consumption
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on how many calories(a) employed and (b) unemployed men consume on average daily.

  Mr. Dorrell
  "The Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults" published in 1990 shows average daily calorific intakes for men as(a) employed, 2,520; and (b) unemployed, 2,060. A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  Clinical Standards Advisory Group
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work is being undertaken by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales and I have asked the Clinical Standards Advisory Group to undertake studies with the following terms of reference:To advise on access to, and availability of, selected National Health Service specialist services, with particular reference to the referral of patients across District boundaries to regional and national centres. Your investigations will consider, but not be limited to, the effects of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 in a representative sample of National Health Service regions and boards. The four services you have selected are: neo-natal intensive care; cystic fibrosis; childhood leukaemia; and coronary artery bypass grafting.
  To advise on standards of clinical care for patients admitted to hospital urgently or as emergencies. Your investigations will consider the time patients wait for diagnosis and treatment in the 24 hours after arrival at a hospital, and the factors influencing these times including events prior to arrival, in a representative sample of National Health Service hospitals. You will select several clinical conditions for more detailed investigation, including if possible the effect on health outcomes of variations in the time patients wait.
  To advise on standards of clinical care for women in normal labour. Your investigations will include variations in clinical protocols for and practice in the management of women having their first child in a representative sample of labour wards in National Health Service hospitals. You will also investigate the use of cortico-steroids in cases of premature labour.
  To advise on standards of clinical care for people with diabetes. Your investigations will include reviews of existing statements of clinical standards, of the standards specified in National Health Service contracts, and of arrangements for auditing the delivery of services to contracted standards, in a representative sample of National Health Service districts and hoards.

  I have also welcomed the advisory group's intention to undertake preparatory work on hospital acquired infections and on community health care for the elderly before deciding whether the group wishes to propose studies in these areas; and to keep other areas of clinical care under review.

  Brain Injury
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which sites have been selected for the new funding under the Government's initiative to improve national health service rehabilitation services for people with brain injury.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Twelve sites will lead our £l million initiative to improve services for rehabilitation and 626
  long-term care for people with brain injury. Each one will be a model from which others will learn to improve services to this group throughout the country.

  The selected sites are:

  Funds for 1992–93

  (£ thousands)

  Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Hunters Moor Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  40

  Leeds General Infirmary and Leeds Community Services

  80

  Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and Derby City Hospital

  75

  Nottingham Health Authority

  75

  Central Sheffield University Hospitals

  70

  Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Homerton Hospital, London

  150

  Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre, Oxford

  70

  Rayners Hedge Physical Rehabilitation Service, Aylesbury

  40

  Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit, Royal Cornwall Hospital (City), Truro

  65

  Frenchay Healthcare Services, Bristol

  200

  Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation Unit, St Edward's Hospital, Cheddleton and Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Haywood Hospital, Burslem

  90

  Community Unit, Worcester District Health Authority

  90

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Diumide-K—a diuretic with potassium—or a similar preparation has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed(a) in England and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area;

  (2) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Burinex A or a similar preparation—bumetanide with amiloride hydrochloride—has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed (a) in England and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area;

  (3) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Prempak-C or a similar preparation has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents—conjugated oestrogens/norgestrel—has been prescribed (a) in England and in each region and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area;

  (4) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Caprozide or a similar preparation has been prescribed; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents—Captopril and hydrochlorothiazide—has been prescribed (a) in England and in each region and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. The available data,
  627
  which relate to the estimated number of prescriptions dispensed in each regional health authority over the last four years, have been placed in the Library.

  Deaths (Certification)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will take steps to ensure that every person authorised to certify a human death has first been satisfied that an ether test or an icard test, or similar, has been administered.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Death is certified by registered medical practitioners in accordance with accepted professional practices. Whether or not a particular test is appropriate will depend upon the individual circumstances of a particular case.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's current policies in regard to the treatment of breast cancer.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Our objective is to reduce morbidity and mortality from all forms of cancer. The aim of the national breast screening programme is to detect cancer at an early stage when treatment offers the best prospect of success. The treatment of each individual is a matter for discussion between her and her doctor.

  Developments in treatment are kept under review by the Department's expert advisers on cancer; and the Government are supporting the "Europe Against Cancer" programme, which pools experience across the Community in the fight against this disease.

  Mortality Rates
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing the(a) perinatal, (b) infant and (c) overall mortality rates by social class in London regional health authorities in 1970, 1980 and for the latest date available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 13 January 1992]: The information is not available in the form requested. The available information is shown in the tables.

  Perinatal and infant mortality by social class of father (as defined by occupation) 1980 (births within marriage only). Perinatal deaths per 1,000 total births. Infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

  Social Class

  Perinatal deaths

  Infant deaths

  North West Thames regional health authority

  All

  10·4

  10·4

  I-V

  10·4

  10·2

  I

  8·7

  7·0

  II

  9·1

  9·5

  III

  11·3

  10·6

  IV

  10·7

  11·8

  V

  12·8

  15·5

  North East Thames regional health authority

  All

  13·1

  11·1

  I-V

  13·0

  10·7

  I

  10·5

  8·3

  II

  13·4

  10·7

  III

  12·2

  9·2

  IV

  14·3

  13·4

  V

  19·2

  21·4

  628

  Social Class

  Perinatal deaths

  Infant deaths

  South East Thames regional health authority

  All

  12·0

  11·5

  I-V

  11·9

  11·2

  I

  4·6

  5·4

  II

  10·9

  10·0

  III

  12·2

  9·2

  IV

  15·7

  15·6

  V

  14·8

  15·4

  South West Thames regional health authority

  All

  10·5

  10·4

  I-V

  10·1

  10·0

  I

  7·1

  7·3

  II

  9·5

  9·8

  III

  10·5

  9·4

  IV

  14·3

  15·4

  V

  9·7

  14·6

  Perinatal and Infant deaths by social class of father (as defined by occupation) 1989 (births within marriage only). Perinatal deaths per 1,000 total births. Infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

  Social class

  Perinatal deaths rate per 1,000 total births

  Infant deaths rate per 1,000 live births

  North West Thames regional health authority

  All

  7·9

  7·2

  I-V

  7·6

  6·9

  I

  6·3

  6·3

  II

  6·3

  5·8

  IIIN

  8·1

  7·5

  IIIM

  7·9

  6·5

  IV

  10·7

  8·8

  V

  115·4

  119·1

  North East Thames regional health authority

  All

  7·8

  7·4

  I-V

  7·8

  7·4

  I

  14·1

  5·8

  II

  7·2

  5·7

  IIIN

  8·3

  8·8

  IIIM

  7·9

  8·1

  IV

  10·8

  8·4

  V

  17·1

  110·0

  South East Thames regional health authority

  All

  8·2

  7·6

  I-V

  8·1

  7·5

  I

  16·3

  15·4

  II

  7·7

  6·7

  IIIN

  7·4

  7·6

  IIIM

  8·7

  7·7

  IV

  8·8

  8·8

  V

  19·2

  112·6

  South West Thames regional health authority

  All

  6·8

  6·6

  I-V

  6·8

  6·6

  I

  5·1

  7·2

  II

  5·8

  6·1

  IIIN

  8·0

  14·9

  IIIM

  7·7

  6·7

  IV

  8·7

  10·5

  V

  111·5

  15·8

  629
  1Indicates rates calculated from less than 20 deaths to warn the user that their reliability as a measure may be affected by the number of events.

  Deaths by social class (as defined by occupation) 1971

  Rates per 1000 population for males aged 15–64

  Social class

  Metropolitan Regional Hospital Area

  Total

  I

  II

  IIIN

  IIIM

  IV

  V

  North West

  5·3

  3·9

  4·8

  5·4

  5·7

  7·4

  9·1

  North East

  5·5

  3·6

  4·9

  5·2

  5·6

  7·1

  8·5

  South East

  4·8

  3·2

  4·2

  4·5

  5·1

  6·4

  8·2

  South West

  4·2

  3·0

  3·8

  4·4

  4·7

  6·0

  7·1

  Deaths by social class (as defined by occupation) 1981

  Rates per 1000 population for males aged 16–64

  Social class

  Regional Health Authority

  Total

  I

  II

  IIIN

  IIIM

  IV

  V

  North West Thames

  4·5

  3·0

  3·7

  4·2

  5·1

  6·1

  8·3

  North East Thames

  4·7

  2·9

  3·7

  4·3

  5·3

  6·5

  8·7

  South East Thames

  4·8

  3·2

  4·2

  4·5

  5·1

  6·4

  8·2

  South West Thames

  4·2

  3·0

  3·8

  4·4

  4·7

  6·0

  7·1

  Notes:

  1. The figures in these tables are based on deaths in the years around the 1971 and 1981 censuses. The top table covers the years 1970–72, the bottom table covers 1979, 1980, 1982 and 1983.

  There was a strike among registrars in 1981 and so no data are available for that year.

  2. Figures in these tables are crude death rates and have not been standardised for age differences between men in different social classes in different regions.

PRIME MINISTER

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has given evidence to the Bingham inquiry.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes.

  Espionage
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Prime Minister what information he has recently received with regard to eastern bloc espionage within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The protection of national security against threats from espionage is a statutory function of the Security Service. It remains my normal practice not to comment in detail on security and intelligence matters.

  Public Records Act 1958
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister what reforms he intends to make to the Public Records Act 1958; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have no plans to reform the Public Records Act or to make changes to the provision whereby public records which are selected for permanent preservation are normally made available to the public after 30 years. The only amendment to the Act which is in prospect, when a suitable legislative opportunity arises, is the removal of the statutory requirement for the Master of the Rolls to be chairman of the Advisory Council on Public Records.

  UN Environment and Development Conference
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the steps taken by each Department of Her Majesty's Government, respectively, to prepare for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June.

  The Prime Minister
  The Department of the Environment is responsible for co-ordinating the Government's approach to UNCED. Within this overall framework other departments have set up their own arrangements for contributing on appropriate matters to preparations for the conference. I am taking a close personal interest as I expect to lead the United Kingdom delegation in Rio de Janeiro.

  Amritsar Massacre
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will authorise the release of official papers relating to the Amritsar massacre of 13 April 1919.

  The Prime Minister
  All official papers relating to the Amritsar massacre on 13 April 1919 have been available to the public since 1968, and are currently held at the Oriental and India Office collection of the British Library.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16 January.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Secret Service
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his practice to give information in reply to parliamentary questions concerning secret intelligence services.
  631
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: It remains my normal practice not to comment on security and intelligence matters.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if privately run prisons will take category A prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  There are no present plans for contracting out the management of prisons intended to hold category A prisoners: neither Wolds remand prison nor Blakenhurst prison will hold such prisoners.

  Special Secure Units
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long on average prisoners spend in the special secure units; what is the longest period a prisoner has spent in a special secure unit; and what was the offence for which he was sentenced.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A figure for the average time spent by prisoners in special secure units is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The longest period a prisoner has spent in special security units is 18½ years, following conviction on charges of murder and possession of firearms with intent.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons prisoners are confined in special secure units; and for what offences they have been sentenced.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The aim of the special security units is to provide a national resource to accommodate the prisoners assessed as category A—exceptional risk—that is, as posing the greatest risks both to the public and of escape, and therefore requiring the very highest conditions of security. Offences for which prisoners currently held in these units have been convicted include armed robbery, murder, drug importation and offences associated with terrorism.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were being held in special secure units in England and Wales on 31 December 1991.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Twenty-two.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the effect, in terms of their prison career, of persons being confined in a special secure unit.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Prisoners in special security units do not have access to prison workshops, but in other respects the regime available to them is comparable to that of other convicted category A prisoners, and includes education, hobbies, exercise, recreation, and association with other prisoners in the unit throughout most of the day.

  Categorisation is kept constantly under review, and any prisoner no longer assessed as category A—exceptional risk—is transferred to some other appropriate part of the prison estate.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the improvements in(a) electoral registration and (b) postal vote availability made since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The number of registered electors in England and Wales has risen from 36,695,180 in 1979 to 38,509,382 in 1991. We provide a variety of publicity material in support of electoral registration officers, and conduct an annual national advertising campaign to encourage people to register. We also carry out annual research into the working methods of electoral registration officers, and produce guidance and advice to assist them in compiling an accurate register.

  We have made it easier to obtain a temporary postal vote for a particular election, by replacing the separate and specific categories listed in the Representation of the People Act 1983 with a single provision entitling an elector to a postal vote if his or her circumstances on the date of the election are such that he or she could not reasonably be expected to vote in person at the allotted polling station. This means that those who are away from home unexpectedly on business, on holiday or visiting sick relatives may now have a postal vote in the United Kingdom. The provisions for postal voting have also been extended to elections for parish and community councils.

  Life Sentences
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many life prisoners who have been sentenced to life imprisonment are currently in prison; and how many of them are held in low-security prisons.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  According to the records held centrally about 3,000 persons in prison service establishments in England and Wales were serving life sentences on 30 November 1991. Of these, about 920 were held in low-security establishments, which for adult males are category C or D establishments.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he decided to answer no further questions on the Birmingham pub bombings investigations; and if he will give the reasons.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The chief constable of the West Midlands Police is responsible for the conduct of these investigations. It would be improper for my right hon. Friend to comment on them while they are continuing, because this might prejudice their outcome.

  Football Spectators Order
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all persons and organisations with whom ministers and officials in his Department have held meetings, and the dates, concerning the extension of the measures outlined in the Football Spectators (Corresponding Offences in Italy) Order 1990 to cover offences committed in Sweden; and what further measure he intends to take to extend these measures to Sweden.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Government are seeking a bilateral agreement with the Swedish Government on
  633
  corresponding offences under the Football Spectators Act

  Date

  Home Office representatives

  Swedish representatives

  18 October 1991

  Officials

  Mr. Jarbourg, Consul General at the Swedish Embassy and Mr. Wibling of the Arlanda Police Service

  28 October 1991

  Officials

  Mr. Sandstrom, Head of the Swedish Police Planning Unit for the 1992 European Championship Finals and Mr. Wibling

  15 November 1991

  Officials

  Mr. Wibling

  2 December 1991

  Minister of State and officials

  Mrs. Hellsvik, Swedish Justice Minister

  Additionally, diplomats in the Stockholm embassy have met Swedish officials.

  Home Office officials will be having further discussions with the Swedish police and with Swedish Ministry of Justice officials next month.

  Rugby
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the views of the Association of Chief Police Officers on the extension of mandatory all-seated accommodation to rugby league and rugby union grounds; and when he expects to make a statement on the extension of mandatory all-seated accommodation to these sports.

  Mr. John Patten
  The views of the Association of Chief Police Officers on the extension of mandatory all-seated accommodation to rugby league and rugby union grounds was received in June 1991.

  We have now completed our consultation procedures. While we still require Football League clubs to move towards all seater grounds as recommended by Lord Justice Taylor, for other sports we see no reason to depart from a voluntary approach. We do not therefore intend to introduce primary legislation. However, we shall continue to keep this matter under review.

EMPLOYMENT

  Hairdressers
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has relating to the average pay for 16, 17 and 18-year-old trainee hairdressers.

  Mr. Forth
  No information is available.

  Emergency Equipment
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, when implementing the workplace directive, he will require the independent certification of all emergency lighting and fire alarms to the appropriate European standard before installation; and if he will make a statement on emergency equipment.

  Mr. Forth
  Independent certification of equipment is not a requirement of the workplace directive and the Health and Safety Commission has made no such proposal in its consultative document containing proposals to implement the directive which was published on 15 January. A copy is in the Library.
  634
  1989. Details of meetings between Home Office Ministers and officials and their Swedish counterparts are contained in the table.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of people registered as unemployed in the Greater London area on 13 January.

  Mr. Jackson
  The latest available data for unemployed claimants relate to 12 December. On this date there were on a seasonally adjusted basis, 385,200 unemployed claimants in the Greater London region. Figures for January will be released on 13 February.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to issue contracts to training and enterprise councils for more than one year to enable TECs to sign contracts with core providers of training for more than one year and to bridge the academic year differential year with the financial year.

  Mr. Jackson
  The process for parliamentary provision of the large sums of public money spent through training and enterprise councils means that it is not possible to agree with them detailed funding for three years ahead. The Department is nevertheless developing a closer understanding with TECs of their longer term activities based on their three-year corporate plans. It is for individual TECs to decide on the duration of contracts with individual training providers.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to ensure that officers dealing with disability living allowance claims during the period February 1992 to April 1993 do not tag computer records with a view to automatically creating subsequent reviews.

  Mr. Scott
  Awards of disability living allowance will be made either for life or for a fixed period. There will be no automatic reviews during the course of an award. As now, clients with fixed period awards will be invited to re-apply towards the end of the period. These arrangements will apply to cases determined during the period of transition and will continue to operate thereafter.

  Heating Costs
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the notional amount for heating costs included in income support.
  635
  Miss Widdecombe
  Benefit rates are not composed of set amounts for specific expenditure items. In April 1992 income support will rise by 7 per cent., nearly 3 per cent. more than the retail prices index for the corresponding period. Those over 80, and younger disabled pensioners, will receive further additions over and above this rise.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in receipt of retirement pensions are caring for dependent members of their family and ineligible for invalid care allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is not readily available. Invalid care allowance is intended for people who forgo work opportunities to provide regular and substantial care, and is not normally available to those over pensionable age. However, where entitlement to invalid care allowance has been established before pensionable age it continues to be payable subject to the overlapping benefit rules.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to adjust the cold weather payment system to take account of climatic variations in different parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Scott
  The system already fully reflects climatic variation around the United Kingdom, through the links to 63 weather stations. This system of linkages is kept under review, and further refinements were introduced as part of our recent package of improvements to the scheme, introduced in November 1991.

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

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans for such a meeting.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the administrative costs or savings in replacing the current system of cold weather payments by a system of cold weather credits, as recommended by the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits.

  Mr. Scott
  The recommendations of the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits do not contain sufficient details For a proper estimate to be made. They would be likely to be more expensive than the current cold weather payments scheme.

  Retirement Pensioners
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the percentage of retirement pensioners whose total incomes are below(a) £60 per week, (b) £70 per week, (c) £80 per week, (d) £90 per week and (e) £100 per week; and for each of these groups what percentage of their gross income is paid in rent and rates/poll tax.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is given in the tables:636

  Table 1: Percentage of pensioner units with net incomes below the level shown

  Net income level less than

  Married pensioner units

  Single pensioner units

  All pensioner units

  £

  60

  —

  35

  22

  70

  —

  60

  38

  80

  9

  74

  49

  90

  22

  79

  58

  100

  36

  83

  65

  Table 2: Gross rent and rates as a percentage of gross income

  Net income level less than

  Married pensioner units

  Single pensioner units

  All pensioner units

  £

  60

  —

  19

  20

  70

  —

  24

  24

  80

  18

  25

  25

  90

  16

  25

  24

  100

  18

  25

  23

  Notes:

  (i) Net income is defined as gross income less National Insurance and income tax.

  (ii) Pensioner units are defined as single people who are at state pension age or over or married couples where the husband is at state pension age or over.

  (iii) Data source is the 1988 Family Expenditure Survey.

  (iv) Fewer than 20 units in the sample.

  Income Support
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether, in the light of Commissioner's decision No. CIS/371/1990, he will amend the Social Security (Hospital In-Patients) Regulations so that nursing home residents are not regarded as being maintained free of charge for the purposes of entitlement to income support.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to do so.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the protocol of the Maastricht agreement which reverses much of the right to equal treatment in occupational pensions that was established by the Barber decision.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The protocol on article 119 of the treaty of Rome clarifies the retrospective effect of the Barber judgment. The implications of the protocol are still being discussed.

  Benefit Payments (Christmas)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what modifications of benefit payment arrangements are made during the Christmas period; and what evidence he has of the extent to which the modified arrangements meet the wishes of claimants.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Arrangements for benefit payments are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress the Social Security Benefits Agency has made towards meeting the targets set out in the published business plan for 1991–92; and whether there have been any changes to the targets.
  637
  Mr. Newton
  I am informed by the chief executive of the Social Security Benefits Agency that if current performance is maintained the agency should meet 19 out of the 21 key targets specified in the published business plan with performance improving in the remaining two areas—war pensions disablement claims, where the number of claims has been much higher than expected, and short-term benefits accuracy. This will represent a substantial achievement in the first year of the agency.

  I have decided to revise four of the Benefits Agency's published key targets for technical reasons. Changes to two of the published social fund targets are necessary following the increase in provision for social fund grants and loans in 1991–92 which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State announced on 6 November. The revised targets are:

  i. to live within a gross budget of £268 million for loans and grants;

  ii. to recover £139 million in loan repayments.1

  The agency's efficiency savings target for the current financial year has been revised to take account of lower than forecast average salaries and a small transfer of savings to the Contributions Agency. The revised target is:
  iii. to achieve cumulative running costs efficiency savings of £182·4 million, reflected in the net Budget figure.

  I have decided to replace the ARMS Phase 2 milestone target. The ARMS—administrative resource management system—project has been subsumed within the FAMIS—financial and management information systems—project which is an overall strategy to integrate and upgrade the Department's finance and management information systems. The new milestone is:
  iv. to complete the FAMIS resource management user requirement by 31 March 1982.

  1The new target represents the higher cash level of loan repayments which the Benefits Agency is expected to achieve as a result of the increased gross allocations for loans. We do not propose to increase the rate of recovery from individual customers or change their repayment arrangements.

  Housing Costs
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what provision exists to enable individuals who leave home to take up places on training schemes to claim housing costs during the period of the scheme;

  (2) what plans he has to make adequate housing costs available through the benefit system to make it possible for trainees to leave home to take up places on schemes in areas of high housing costs;

  County

  August

  September

  October

  November

  Total

  Cornwall

  19

  33

  29

  21

  102

  Devon

  35

  14

  0

  0

  49

  Gloucester

  6

  0

  10

  6

  22

  Wiltshire

  11

  0

  17

  3

  31

  Avon

  9

  9

  8

  10

  36

  Dorset

  9

  15

  16

  9

  49

  Sussex

  33

  0

  0

  0

  33

  Total

  122

  71

  80

  49

  322

  There were no operations in any other county.

  It is estimated that some 20,000 badgers are killed in road accidents each year.
  638
  (3) what research his Department has conducted to establish the level of need to provide adequate housing costs through the benefit system to enable trainees to leave home to take up places on schemes in areas of high housing costs.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 13 January 1992]: Housing benefit is normally payable in respect of reasonable rents incurred by people for their home. This includes trainees on employment training and youth training programmes. Although housing benefit is not normally paid for a second home, couples who need to maintain two homes because one member is absent on a training course are able to claim housing benefit for both their main home and temporary accommodation occupied during the period of the scheme. Single people are also able to claim housing benefit for rented accommodation occupied while on a training course if no other liability to pay rent or mortgage exists. Housing benefit is generally available to meet reasonable market rents throughout the country. It is for local authorities to decide whether the rent payable is reasonable in individual cases.

  In addition, payment of accommodation costs for people who leave home to take up a training opportunity on a Government training scheme can be made at the discretion of the training and enterprise councils in England and Wales and the local enterprise companies in Scotland. In the case of the Government's priority groups for youth training or employment training, where the trainee can only join in or continue in a suitable training place by incurring certain costs, including housing costs, he is entitled to have these costs met or reimbursed by the training and enterprise council or relevant local enterprise company up to a level which is considered reasonable.

  In view of these provisions, there are no plans to conduct any research into the need to provide further housing costs for trainees through the benefit system.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many badgers were culled by his Department for each of the months of August, September, October and November in each county in England and Wales under the tuberculosis eradication scheme.

  Mr. Maclean
  The number of badgers killed as part of official badger control operations in the months August to November 1991 was as follows:

  Beef Special Premium
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average cost per head of cattle for the facilities provided through the intervention board for the beef special premium scheme in markets where there is a throughput of 20 cattle or fewer.

  Mr. Curry
  The estimated average cost per head of cattle for all facilities provided through the intervention board for the beef special premium scheme in markets is £1. Separate information is not available at individual auctions but in general the unit costs at auctions with low throughput would be higher than the average.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many markets he expects to be closed as a result of the intervention board's decision to withdraw facilities from market centres where the average throughput for beef special premium purposes is fewer than 10 cattle units per week.

  Mr. Curry
  The decision to withdraw certification facilities from markets and abattoirs which have an average weekly throughput of fewer than 10 cattle units per week was taken by Agriculture Ministers. It represents the application of long established policy to the circumstances of the ending of the sheep variable premium scheme on 5 January.

  Sheep Exports
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has completed its investigation of the transport and subsequent export of sheep from Kent to Pianella, Italy on 18 September and 24 September 1991: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  An investigation into the transport of certain consignments of sheep to Italy is continuing.

  Fish Hygiene
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the boiling of freshly caught shrimps in seawater would be banned as part of the implementation of the EC directive on fish hygiene; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  It will not. EC Directive 91/493 setting common public health requirements for fishery products contains no provisions on the water to be used for cooking shrimps at sea. It does require shrimps cooked at sea to be rapidly cooled, and states that the water used for this purpose must be drinking water or clean seawater. "Clean seawater" is defined in the directive as"seawater or briny water which is free from microbiological contamination, harmful substances and/or toxic marine plankton in such quantities as may affect the health quality of fishery products".

  Hence, the directive expressly envisages the use of seawater by shrimpers, and recent reports that this will be prohibited are incorrect. The Department of Health has lead responsibility for preparing national regulations which will give effect to the provisions of the Directive by 1 January 1993; the proposed regulations will of course be the subject of consultation.

DEFENCE

  RAF Wittering
  Mr. Mates
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library details of the pilot project at RAF Wittering for the purchase of housing by service personnel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I hope to make an announcement shortly concerning a number of measures affecting provision of housing for service personnel.

  Belize
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Government of Belize about the future of the garrison there; what plans there are to alter the deployment of men or equipment over the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We have made clear to the Belize Government that the Garrison will remain for as long as appropriate. The arrangements for the garrison are kept under review; there are currently no plans to make changes to its size or composition.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current establishment of the garrison at Belize; what changes there have been over the past 10 years; what equipment is deployed there; and what substantive changes there have been in major equipment deployment over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Details about the Belize garrison were given in the Eighth Report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence on British forces in Belize, session 1987–88. There have been no substantive changes in major equipment deployment in the past ten years.

  Antares
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive the report from the Commander-in-Chief, Fleet on his consideration of what action should be taken concerning the culpability of members of the crew of HMS Trenchant as described in the board of inquiry report into the loss of the fishing vessel Antares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Commander-in-Chief Fleet is currently considering the matter and will make a decision in the near future.

  Submarine Reporting Scheme
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the extension of the submarine reporting scheme operating in the Clyde estuary to other fishing areas around the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Work is well in hand and I expect to make an announcement shortly.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions, with whom and on what topics, he had on his recent visit to Indonesia; and what assurances he
  641
  received that equipment and weapons supplied from the United Kingdom will not be used against the people of East Timor.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State visited Indonesia in September last year, when he met representatives of the Indonesian Government. A wide range of issues of mutual interest was discussed. As regards defence sales, all applications to export military equipment are carefully scrutinised on a case by case basis. We do not allow the export of arms and equipment likely to be used for repressive purposes against civilians. In the case of Indonesia, this covers the possible repression of the population of East Timor.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what licences have been approved for the export of arms to Indonesia in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is not our normal practice to disclose details of United Kingdom defence sales to particular countries.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with United Kingdom military equipment and weapons manufacturers concerning exports to Indonesia following his visit there.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  All discussions between my Department and United Kingdom defence suppliers are conducted on a confidential basis.

  HMS Warspite
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the provisions taken for the safe storage of HMS Warspite.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  HMS Warspite has been decommissioned and will shortly be placed in afloat storage at a suitable berth within Devonport naval base pending final disposal. All appropriate safety provision has been made.

  Soldiers (Convictions)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the number of serving British soldiers convicted of offences of(a) dishonesty, (b) involving violence and (c) any other category for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Information on soldiers convicted of offences is given in tables 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the Tri-Service Manpower Statistics Defence Statistics Annual Return TSM32, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library.

  Rowner Housing Estate
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to be in a position to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Gosport dated 19 December in which he asked for a joint ministerial meeting involving Ministers from the Department of Defence and the Department of the Environment in order to discuss the defective housing on Rowner housing estate with a delegation from Gosport.

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

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Veal
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will ensure that all veal supplied to the House of Commons Refreshment Department is produced in Great Britain.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Refreshment Department is aware of the Minister of Agriculture's dissatisfaction with the minimum standards set by the recently agreed Community directive on the rearing of veal calves and of his intention to maintain the British legislation which ensures that calves in this country are reared humanely. In the light of that position, the Refreshment Department will seek to purchase only British veal or veal from other countries where production methods are known to meet the required standards.

  Metal Can Recycling
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to respond to the offer made by the Save-a-Can scheme of a can collection and recovery service for the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  A number of offers of assistance with can recycling have been made and continue to be received. These have been brought to the attention of the authorities of the House who are investigating what arrangements can be made for that purpose in order that the matter can be considered by the Accommodation and Works Committee.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council Tax
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to provide for the registration of council tax payers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  No. There is no need for a register under the council tax.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to run an advertising campaign on his council tax plans within the next six months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have still to decide on the timing of a publicity campaign for the council tax but shall observe all the customary conventions concerning Government publicity.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources will be made available for the urban programme in 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  I am pleased to announce an urban programme funding package for 1992–93 totalling same £260 million. This figure excludes the resources top-sliced for city challenge pacemaker authorities.
  643
  Initial allocations to the 57 urban programme authorities for 1992–93 total £248 million. An additional £11 million will be made available in 1992–93, through the urban programme, to three police authorities for the urban crime fund. This initiative was announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 26 November 1991.

  Urban programme money will be used to support a wide range of projects addressing the issues of job creation, training, health, education, safety and environmental improvement. In 1992–93, it will be targeted to smaller, defined areas of particular need to achieve greater impact.

  The urban crime fund will target additional funds on an experimental basis to three police authorities to help in tackling crime and providing a better environment in inner cities.

  Urban programme funding demonstrates the Government's commitment to a co-ordinated attack on inner city problems in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors. A list of the initial allocations in England for 1992–93 is set out in the table.

  Urban programme allocations 1992–93

  £ million

  Newcastle-Gateshead

  16·207

  Hartlepool

  2·017

  Langbaurgh

  2·050

  Middlesbrough

  5·156

  North Tyneside

  3·371

  South Tyneside

  4·756

  Stockton

  1·686

  Sunderland

  5·052

  Manchester-Salford

  20·789

  Blackburn

  3·819

  Bolton

  3·794

  Burnley

  2·111

  Oldham

  3·785

  Preston

  2·328

  Rochdale

  3·777

  Wigan

  2·638

  Liverpool

  18·278

  Halton

  1·466

  Knowsley

  3·984

  St. Helens

  1·794

  Sefton

  1·665

  Wirral

  3·548

  Merseyside special allocation

  1·000

  Birmingham

  22·496

  Coventry

  4·645

  Dudley

  1·561

  Sandwell

  4·642

  Walsall

  1·748

  Wolverhampton

  5·194

  The Wrekin

  0·961

  Derby

  1·359

  Leicester

  4·728

  Nottingham

  5·087

  Barnsley

  2·064

  Bradford

  4·491

  Doncaster

  2·225

  Hull

  4·884

  Kirklees

  1·083

  Leeds

  5·144

  Rotherham

  2·224

  Sheffield

  5·894

  Hackney

  5·393

  Islington

  8·550

  Lambeth

  8·452

  Brent

  2·660

  Greenwich

  1·534

  644

  £ million

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2·515

  Haringey

  2·930

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1·765

  Lewisham

  2·550

  Newham

  3·100

  Southwark

  2·696

  Tower Hamlets

  4·500

  Wandsworth

  3·120

  Bristol

  1·635

  Plymouth

  1·318

  Municipal Bonds
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to give local authorities the right to raise capital finance by means of issuing municipal bonds with a maturity of more than five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Local authorities are already able to raise capital finance by issuing bonds with a maturity of more than five years. We are not currently contemplating any change in authorities' powers in this field.

  Bedfordshire County Council
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to make a statement on his decision upon the Bedfordshire county council structure plan alterations No. 3.

  Sir George Young
  We have completed the consideration of the 481 objections received to the proposed modifications to the Bedfordshire structure plan alterations No. 3, published in July 1991. We expect to publish the approval of those alterations, subject to modifications, early in February.

  Rowner Housing Estate
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be in a position to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Gosport dated 19 December in which he asked for a joint ministerial meeting involving Ministers from the Department of the Environment and the Department of Defence in order to discuss the defective housing on Rowner housing estate with a delegation from Gosport.

  Mr. Yeo
  A reply to my hon. Friend's letter was sent to him on 15 January.

  Housing Revenue Account
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to require certain local authorities to make a transfer from their housing revenue account to their general fund; if he will list the authorities involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Schedule IV to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires a local housing authority to make a transfer from its housing revenue account to some other revenue account if its housing revenue account subsidy calculation results in a negative amount. The transfer must be equal to that amount. An authority not entitled to housing revenue
  645
  account subsidy may also transfer any end-of-year surplus on its housing revenue account to some other revenue account. In 1991–92 the following authorities are expected to transfer an estimated total of £23,286,882 from their housing revenue accounts:

  Barking and Dagenham

  Newbury

  Swale

  Suffolk Coastal

  South Wight

  St. Edmundsbury

  Wandsdyke

  Medina

  Epson and Ewell

  Sevenoaks

  Tonbridge and Malling

  North Bedfordshire

  Broadland

  East Dorset

  Mid Bedfordshire

  West Oxfordshire

  Wycombe

  South Bucks

  Thamesmead
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Local Government Boundary Commission to submit its recommendations on the future of Thamesmead to him.

  Mr. Key
  The Commission has issued draft proposals covering the Greenwich/Bexley boundary. Public comments have been received and are being considered by the commission, after which they will submit their report to my right hon. Friend.

  Inland Waterways
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce the new membership of the Inland Waterways Advisory Amenity Committee.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Shortly.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislation exists to control(a) toxic mercury vapours from amalgam tooth fillings, (b) radioactive particles from nuclear powered heart pacemakers and (c) PCB contamination from plastic coffin materials given off from crematoria chimneys.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: Under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, crematoria are subject to local authority air pollution control. The Secretary of State's process guidance on the standards of pollution control to be met by crematoria gives guidance on minimising the emission of potentially toxic substances, for example by ensuring complete combustion (clauses 41–44 of PG5/2, available from HMSO). The holding and use of radioactive material and the discharge of radioactive waste is subject to the provisions of the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. It is our understanding that heart pacemakers are removed prior to cremation.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Crumlin Road, Belfast
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what form of inquiry was held into the bomb explosion in HM Prison, Crumlin road, Belfast; in which room of the prison the explosion occurred; how many prisoners died as a result of the explosion; when he expects to receive the results of the inquiry; how many people have been prosecuted in connection with this incident; and if he will make a statement on the present safety arrangements for remand prisoners at this prison.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Two remand prisoners died as a result of injuries received when a bomb exploded in the recreation and dining hall in C wing, HM prison Belfast, on 24 November 1991. To date there have been no prosecutions in connection with the incident. The police investigation is continuing.

  Following the explosion two inquiries were initiated. A senior governor in the Northern Ireland prison service was requested to inquire into the effectiveness of search and other procedures at Belfast prison and to consider what changes, if any, should be made. While Lord Colville was asked to review the operational policy at Belfast prison for the management of paramilitary prisoners from opposing factions and to make recommendations.

  The internal inquiry, which was completed on 10 December, contained a number of recommendations and these are currently being considered with a view to their urgent implementation. Lord Colville is at present taking evidence and I hope to have his report by February.

  The Government are conscious of its duty to take all practical and reasonable steps to ensure the safe custody of all prisoners in the Northern Ireland prisons and safety arrangements are kept constantly under review. In addition to the changes recommended by the internal inquiry, a number of security measures have been introduced at Belfast prison since the explosion to provide greater protection for remand prisoners.

  Low Achievers
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision and resources he has made for low achievers.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  All schools are funded by formulae which allocate additional resources to schools in respect of children with special needs and social deprivation. In addition, under the Making Belfast Work and Londonderry initiatives, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland has targeted almost £3 million over the last three years at selected primary and secondary schools. This is aimed at improving educational standards and the employability of pupils.

  Roads
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the major capital road schemes and the estimated costs of each scheme which are programmed for the years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:
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  Financial year

  Proposed schemes

  Estimated cost

  (£ million)

  1992–93

  Newry bypass, stage 3 (bridge)

  1·9

  1993–94

  Church street/Scotch street, Downpa trick

  1·6

  Newry bypass, stage 2

  3·6

  Newry bypass, stage 3 (roadworks)

  4·2

  1994–95

  M2 Crosskannan slip roads

  0·5

  Purdysburn road, Belfast, stage 1

  0·8

  A4 Ballygawley/Londonderry improvement schemes

  0·3

  Omagh throughpass, stage 2

  2·9

  1995–96

  Killead bypass

  0·9

  Forster Green, Belfast

  1·6

  Ballymaconaghy road, Belfast, stage 2

  0·5

  Greenmouth link, Coleraine, stages 3 & 4

  0·5

  Strand road, Londonderry, stage 2

  1·0

  Balloo road, Bangor, stage 3

  0·5

  Northern distributor, Ballymena

  2·2

  Great Victoria street/Sandy row, Belfast

  1·4

  Comber bypass, stage 2

  2·6

  A26 Antrim/Ballymena, stage 2

  2·7

  The precise timing of all these schemes will depend on the completion of the statutory processes and the availability of finance at the time.

  University Applicants
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply on 19 December 1991,Official Report, column 317, how many applicants from Northern Ireland were refused enrolment for the current academic year, 1991–92, into (a) Queen's university and (b) the University of Ulster.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Republic of Ireland (Education)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost to public funds for students from the Republic of Ireland now receiving their higher education in Northern Ireland as a result of European Community regulations.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the estimated cost to public funds of tuition fees for students from the Republic of Ireland in the 1991–92 academic year will be approximately £3·8 million.

  Urban Development Programme
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether all the expenditure on the urban development programme is included in public expenditure totals in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The urban development programme is a scheme of assistance wholly funded by the International Fund for Ireland. Expenditure under the scheme is not included in public expenditure totals in Northern Ireland.

SCOTLAND

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

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he has made to the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government are already addressing the issues raised by the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits by making significant improvements to the Department of Social Security cold weather payments scheme which came into effect last November. From January 1992, the Department of Energy introduced the home energy efficiency scheme which replaces and improves on community insulation projects and the home insulation scheme; and the Scottish Office "Keep Warm this Winter" Campaign offers free advice and assistance to anyone concerned about the adverse effects of cold weather.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received in support of the introduction of cold weather credits.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We have recently received written representations from Citizens Advice Scotland and West Lothian district council in support of the scheme.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on environmental restoration work carried out at the nuclear power development establishment at Dounreay on radioactive waste seepage from the low-activity waste pits since 1985.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: No seepage of liquid containing radioactivity is known to occur from the low activity waste pits and no environmental restoration work is proposed. Leachate from the radioactive waste disposal pits at Dounreay is collected from the pit drainage system and sampled on a regular basis of radioactivity. The leachate is then pumped to the main effluents tanks from where it is discharged to the sea along with other liquid effluents in accordance with the site authorisation.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will evaluate the requirement for a programme to renovate the shallow-level radioactive waste disposal pits at the nuclear power development establishment at Dounreay along the lines of the restoration work done at similar disposal trenches at Drigg in Cumbria.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: There is no evidence to suggest that remedial or additional restoration work is required on the four filled pits, or the two pits currently in use.

  Coastguards
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of coastguards at each station in Scotland and the number for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement on the future of this service.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 January 1992]: I have been asked to reply.

  The answer to the hon. Member's question with regard to lists of numbers of coastguards at each station in Scotland for each year since 1979 can only be obtained at excessive cost.
  650
  Her Majesty's coastguard will continue to co-ordinate civil maritime search and rescue from the current 21 maritime rescue co-ordination centres and sub-centres for the foreseeable future, including seven in Scotland. Support will continue to be provided by local sector and auxiliary coastguard stations whose effectiveness and efficiency will be enhanced by the formation of 68 additional auxiliary companies at new locations around the coast, including 33 in Scotland. Numbers of pagers and portable radios are being doubled, and improvements in the remuneration, equipment and training of the auxiliary coastguard service are to be made.

  URBAN PROGRAMME ALLOCATIONS 1992/93
  URBAN PROGRAMME ALLOCATIONS 1992/93