Written Answers of 2 July 1992

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the public sector borrowing requirement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The PSBR in 1991–92 was £14.0 billion. The Financial Statement and Budget Report forecast for 1992–93 is for borrowing of £28.1 billion.

  Crown Estate
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Excheqher what payments have been made to the Consolidated Fund in each year since 1962 in respect of the net surplus of the Crown estate.

  Mr. Lamont
  Payments made by the Crown Estate Commissioners to the Consolidated Fund from 1962 are as follows:

  £000s

  1961–62

  2,190

  1962–63

  2,380

  1963–64

  2,470

  1964–65

  3,200

  1965–66

  3,525

  1966–67

  3,600

  1967–68

  3,725

  1968–69

  4,050

  1969–70

  3,800

  1970–71

  3,850

  1971–72

  4,550

  1972–73

  4,700

  1973–74

  5,200

  1974–75

  5,450

  1975–76

  5,300

  1976–77

  5,000

  1977–78

  6,500

  1978–79

  8,250

  1979–80

  10,000

  1980–81

  11,400

  1981–82

  14,000

  1982–83

  16,000

  1983–84

  19,000

  1984–85

  23,000

  1985–86

  26,500

  1986–87

  30,000

  1987–88

  35,000

  1988–89

  41,000

  1989–90

  55,000

  1990–91

  61,000

  11991–92

  70,000

  1 Estimate.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the method of scrutiny and verification of the surplus paid into the Consolidated Fund by the Crown Estate Commissioners.

  Mr. Lamont
  Under section 2 of the Crown Estate Act 1961, the Crown Estate Commissioners are required to 656
  prepare, for each financial year, statements of account in a form directed by the Treasury. These are submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General for examination and certification. A coy of the certified accounts is laid before Parliament.

  Inflation
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is currently(a) the underlying rate of inflation, (b) the rate of inflation if the costs of mortgages are excluded, (c) the rate of inflation if the costs of gas, water and electricity charges are excluded and (d) the rate of inflation if both the costs of mortgages and the costs of gas, water and electricity charges are excluded.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 30 June 1992]: There is no official measure of the underlying rate of inflation in the United Kingdom. In May this year, the annual inflation rates, as measured by the retail prices index, for the other series were:

  Per cent.

  All-items excluding mortgage interest payments

  5.3

  All-items excluding water, gas and electricity charges

  4.3

  All-items excluding mortgage interest payments, water, gas and electricity

  5.3

  Market Testing
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost so far of the market-testing initiative in his Department since November 1991.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 1 July 1992]: The full cost of the market-testing initiative in my Department since November 1991 is estimated at £150,000.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he has made for ensuring payment of vehicle excise duty by travelling people; what prosecutions for non-payment by such persons have taken place in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency with the assistance of the police is responsible for enforcing the payment of vehicle excise duty—VED. In 1991–92, 420,000 motorists were penalised for VED evasion. No separate figures are available for prosecutions taken against travelling people, but there is no evidence to suggest that they contribute disproportionately to the loss of revenue through VED evasion.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants were employed on 1 October 1981, 1985, 1989 and 1990, respectively.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There were 679,924 civil servants at 1 October 1981; 595,764 at 1 October 1985; 565,075 at 1 October 1989 and 556,250 at 1 October 1990.

  Inheritance Tax
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer on 18 June,Official Report, columns 629–30, if he will make a statement about his five-yearly reviews of land exemption from inheritance tax; and what action follows such a review.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The five-yearly reviews of cases of land exempted from inheritance tax which are undertaken by the Inland Revenue are in addition to the regular monitoring of such cases by the heritage advisory agencies. The Inland Revenue makes separate inquiry of the landowners to determine whether the undertakings are being observed. Any issues arising are resolved in discussion between the agencies and landowners. If a landowner breaks an undertaking given in respect of conditionally exempt land inheritance tax is chargeable on the current value of the property.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any time limit on agreements on exemption from inheritance tax for granting public access to land; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Once granted, conditional exemption from inheritance tax will continue provided the owner complies with the terms of the undertakings to maintain and preserve the land and provide reasonable public access to it. A sale of the land will trigger an inheritance tax charge on the current value of the land. If the land changes hands on death or by gift, the exemption can continue, provided the new owner enters into appropriate undertakings. If the new owner does not, there will again be an inheritance tax charge on the current value of land.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whose responsibility it is to inform the public about the right of access to land exempted from inheritance tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The owner of land that has been conditionally exempted from inheritance tax is required to publicise the agreed public access arrangements. In addition, the appropriate heritage advisory agency is able to supply information about public access to heritage land including conditionally exempt land, although land will not be identified as conditionally exempt.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement about the monitoring of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax by the heritage advisory agencies in England; how often each area of land affected by each agreement is visited; and how many man hours are devoted to this annually;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the monitoring of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax by the heritage advisory agencies in Wales; how often each area of land affected by each agreement is visited; and how many man hours are devoted to this annually;

  (3) if he will make a statement about the monitoring of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax by the heritage advisory agencies in Scotland; how often each area of land affected by each agreement is visited; and how many man hours are devoted to this annually.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The heritage advisory agencies routinely monitor compliance by landowners with the undertakings 658
  which they give in return for conditional exemption from inheritance tax. The level and type of monitoring will depend on the facts of each particular case. Details of the number of man hours devoted to the monitoring of such cases are not available.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement about the definition of what constitutes reasonable public access by the heritage advisory agencies in England with regard to exemptions from inheritance tax;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the definition of what constitutes reasonable public access by the heritage advisory agencies in Wales with regard to exemptions from inheritance tax;

  (3) if he will make a statement about the definition of what constitutes reasonable public access by the heritage advisory agencies in Scotland with regard to exemptions from inheritance tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The heritage advisory agencies advise the Inland Revenue as to what constitutes reasonable public access: each case is considered individually on the basis of its own facts.

  The heritage advisory agencies take into account all relevant factors, including, for example, existing rights of way. Additional access may involve formalising existing informal access to open land or extending or joining public paths to make a through route. New access may be needed to areas of particular landscape interest if none exists already. For some scientific land it might be necessary to limit public access in order to preserve its character.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how the heritage advisory agencies in England make available to the public the land management plans prepared by landowners on land exempted from inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how the heritage advisory agencies in Wales make available to the public the land management plans prepared by landowners on land exempted from inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) how the heritage advisory agencies in Scotland make available to the public the land management plans prepared by landowners on land exempted from inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The heritage advisory agencies do not make the land management plans available to the public since they contain information which is covered by the normal rules ensuring taxpayers' confidentiality.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  EC Legislation
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the cases currently proceeding against the United Kingdom for alleged non-implementation of EC legislation, stating for each at what stage the proceedings are currently; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The following cases against the United Kingdom have been referred to the European Court of Justice by the European Commission for alleged non-implementation of EC legislation, and are currently
  659
  proceeding: Cases C56/90, C337/89, C40/92 and C279/89. Details of these cases, and the stage the proceedings have reached, are set out in the annex.

  Annex

  ECJ case number

  Details of case

  Stage of proceedings

  C279/89

  Imposition of conditions by United Kingdom as to operation and crewing of fishing vessels.

  Oral hearing took place on 17 March 1992 in ECJ. Advocate General's Opinion delivered 12 May 1992. Judgment of ECJ awaited.

  C337/89

  Alleged failure by United Kingdom to implement Council Directive 80/778/EEC relating to quality of drinking water and levels of concentrations of nitrates and lead in water in certain areas of the United Kingdom.

  Oral hearing has taken place. Advocate General's Opinion delivered on 21 January 1992. Judgment of ECJ awaited.

  C56/90

  Alleged breach by United Kingdom of Council Directive 76/160 concerning the quality of bathing water in relation to the bathing area in Blackpool and adjacent to Formby and Southport.

  Oral hearing in ECJ set for 27 October 1992.

  C40/92

  Alleged breach by United Kingdom of requirements of Community law with regard to production and marketing of processed milk.

  United Kingdom has lodged defence to Commission's application. Commission has until 6 July 1992 to file a reply if it wishes. Application by Commission for interim measures dismissed by President of Court on 22 May 1992.

EDUCATION

  Access Funds
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the institutions which have already dispersed their allocation of the current year's access funds as at 26 June.

  Mr. Forman
  The information is not kept centrally It is for individual institutions to decide how best to distribute their access funds allocations over the academic year. The Department's guidance advises institutions to consider holding back some of their access funds until late in the academic year. We will be monitoring in the autumn the proportion held back to assist students in this summer term and long vacation.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Courts (Docks)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will consider abolishing the use of the dock in criminal courts when the defendant is on bail or not in custody.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The use of the dock is one of the issues under consideration by the Royal Commission on criminal justice. My Department will consider the matter in the light of any recommendations the royal commission may take.

TRANSPORT

  Motorway Service Areas
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average number of motorway service areas per 100 miles on British motorways.
  660
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Motorways in Wales and Scotland are the responsibilities of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland. In England there are on average 2.6 motorway service areas per 100 miles of motorway.

  Grove Green Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents, including fatal ones, there have been in Grove Green road, Leyton and Leytonstone in each of the last three years; and what plans he has to reduce their incidence.

  Mr. Norris
  On Grove Green road from its junction with High road, Leyton to its junction with Church lane, excluding end junctions, there were 10 accidents in 1989. 21 in 1990 and 15 in 1991 giving a total of 46; of these one was fatal, eight serious and 37 slight. We are already looking at the Ruckhold road and Grove Green section of the A106 in Waltham Forest to identify the need for accident prevention measures. The implementation of red route measures should also help to reduce incidents. When completed the planned link road between Hackney Wick and the M11 motorway should relieve Grove Green road of most of its through traffic, and help to improve road safety.

  Itchen Navigation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 June,Official Report, columns 29–30, now navigation rights for vessels will be maintained along the section of the Itchen navigation placed in a tunnel.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  An undertaking has been given to excavate a new channel for craft to use if positive steps are taken to restore the Itchen navigation as a navigable waterway.

  M25
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a list of those properties that would have to be acquired if his plans to improve the M25 motorway between junctions 12 and 15 are implemented;

  (2) if he will publish a full list of addresses of properties that have been sent the official leaflet setting out his plans to improve the M25 between junctions 12 and 15;

  (3) if, following his announcement on 25 June of improvements to the M25 between junctions 12 and 15, he will now publish the proposals for linking a new fifth terminal at Heathrow airport to the M25 motorway.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Twenty-four residential and eight commercial properties would need to be demolished under the current preferred proposal for link roads between junctions 12 and 15 of the M25. The gardens of a further seven properties would also be affected. The occupiers of these properties have been notified of the proposals. Detailed plans of the proposals showing the affected properties will be available at exhibitions to be held locally.

  Some 2,300 explanatory brochures have been distributed by hand to properties within 300 m of the scheme.

  Proposals for access to a new terminal at Heathrow airport would be for the British Airports Authority to bring forward in the first instance.

  Bus Deregulation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state for each of the areas subject to bus deregulation, what were the estimated bus passenger miles in(a) 1984 and (b) 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Estimates of bus passenger miles in each of the areas subject to bus deregulation are not available. However, estimates of local bus passenger journeys are as follows. Overall, the number of local bus passenger journeys outside London fell by an average of 3½ per cent. year between 1984 and 1990–91, in line with long-term trends.

  1978

  1984

  1990–91

  English metropolitan areas

  —

  2,047

  1,528

  English shire counties

  —

  1,604

  1,396

  Scotland

  —

  669

  583

  Wales

  —

  168

  147

  GB outside London

  5,325

  4,488

  3,654

  Rail Electrification
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what levels of investment he anticipates for the electrification of the west coast main line; and when work on this is likely to commence.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail is currently considering the extent and timing of work to update the infrastructure of the line.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for the executive agencies in his Department.
  662
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The following key targets for 1992–93 have been set for the six executive agencies in my Department. Additional targets are contained in the agencies' business plans; copies of which will be placed in the Library, except for that of the DVO1T—the Drivers, Vehicles and Operators Information Technology Agency —which is commercial in confidence and will not be published.

  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's key targets are to make an overall efficiency improvement of 2.5 per cent. as measured by the agency's aggregate efficiency index; deliver 90 per cent. of vocational—non-medical—cases to the customer within 11 working days of receipt; deliver 90 per cent. of provisional driving licence cases within 12 working days of receipt; deliver 90 per cent. of ordinary driving licence—non-medical—eases within 13 working days of receipt; deliver 95 per cent. of changes to vehicle registration documents to the customer within 13 working days of receipt; deliver 95 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles to the customer within 15 days of receipt; answer 80 per cent. of telephone calls within 30 seconds and callers to be told they are in a queue after 10 seconds; and successfully complete a minimum of 430,000 VED enforcement cases.

  The Driving Standards Agency's key targets are to achieve, or better, unit costs of £22.48 for car tests; £52.44 for bus, coach and lorry tests, and £31.72 for motor cycle tests; cover full costs with income from customers; achieve a national average waiting time of six weeks for car tests and four weeks for motor cycle, bus, coach and lorry tests; and answer 90 per cent. of telephone calls to booking offices within 60 seconds.

  DVOIT's key targets are to fulfil service level agreements with its customers; cover full costs with income from customers; reduce prices for existing services to current customers by RPI minus 3 per cent.; increase revenue per employee by 10 per cent. a year; achieve an annual rate of return of 6 per cent. on total assets employed.

  The Transport Research Laboratory's key targets are 90 per cent. of projects to be completed to customer satisfaction; net revenue per person per year to be a minimum of £40,000; production costs as a percentage of total costs to be greater than 55 per cent.; to recover full economic costs from revenue, while meeting the net control total in supply estimates.

  The Vehicle Certification Agency's key targets are to achieve, or better, a unit cost of £94.31; cover full costs with income from customers; technically clear and issue approval certificates within 27 days on average for 90 per cent. of system and component work, and within 63 days on average for 90 per cent. of whole vehicle work.

  The Vehicle Inspectorate's trading fund key targets are to make a gross efficiency improvement of 2.5 per cent. as measured by the agency's aggregate cost efficiency index; to break even, taking one year with another; and achieve an annual rate of return of 6 per cent. on total assets employed.

  Dockers (Dismissal)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contribution the Government are making towards the £1,028,000 compensation payment made by the Port of London authority to the 102 dockers dismissed in 1989.
  663
  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department authorised the settlement between the Port of London authority and the 102 dockers dismissed in 1989.

  Mr. Norris
  This matter is within the responsibilities of the authority and no Government consent was needed.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what, to date, are the total legal costs to the Exchequer excluding compensation payments, arising from the dismissal, and subsequent tribunal and appeal hearings, relating to dock workers dismissed by the Port of London authority in 1989; and how much of the total cost is a charge on the Government.

  Mr. Norris
  The only charge to the Exchequer was the cost of these cases to the industrial tribunal and employment appeal tribunal system: I understand this is estimated at around £376,000.

  Tilbury-Gravesend Ferry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take following the instruction by the Crown Estate Commissioners to White Horse Ferries Ltd. immediately to stop operating the ferry service between Tilbury and Gravesend.

  Mr. Norris
  The arrangements for the continued operation of the ferry are matters for the bodies concerned.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department first learnt of the instruction by the Crown Estate Commissioners to White Horse Ferries Ltd. immediately to stop operating the ferry service between Tilbury and Gravesend.

  Mr. Norris
  This is not a matter for my Department and we had no foreknowledge of the Crown Estate Commissioners' intentions.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent communications his Department has had with the European Commission over the extension of the 1 January 1993 deadline for all cars sold after that date to be fitted with catalytic converters.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 5 June 1992]: The EC Directive, 91/441, does not allow extensions for new cars entering into service from 31 December 1992 to meet standards other than those specified. Neither does this Government want one, since this directive is at the core of our strategy for improving local air quality. We have routinely notified the European Commission of the changes that we are making to our national regulations that will apply this directive on the effective dates. In so doing, we have made separate inquiries of the Commission as to its detailed interpretation of the term "entry into service" so that the United Kingdom's application of the directive will be fully harmonised with those of other member states.

  M40
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the terms of reference for the consultants carrying out the environmental appraisal of the widening of the M40 between the M25 and junction 4.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 1 July 1992]: The initial stages of the commission require the consultants to assess the need for widening and to report on the feasibility of the possible options for meeting that need, taking into account the engineering, operational and environmental considerations.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated total cost of the widening of the M40 between the M25 and junction 4; what is the estimated cost of(a) compensation for loss of property value under the Land Compensation Acts, (b) the provision of noise insulation under the noise insulation regulations and (c) measures to protect the environment against intrusion of the widened road.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 1 July 1992]: Consideration bf the possible options for widening this length of motorway is not yet complete. The requested estimates are therefore not yet available.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom will respond to the United Nations Secretary-General's appeal for assistance to Afghanistan.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government will make an immediate pledge of £7.55 million. This sum will be allocated as follows:United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, £4 million, to support its programme of assistance to the refugees who are now returning in large numbers.
  International Committee of the Red Cross, £1 million, of which £0.5 million has already been provided earlier this year.
  United Nations Office of the Co-ordinator for Afghanistan, £0.5 million, for mine clearance.
  Afghanaid, a British non-governmental organisation, 1.6 million, for reconstruction and development work, £0.9 million of which has already been provided.

  Other NGOs, £0.45 million.

  Britain has provided nearly £80 million humanitarian aid since 1980 to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan peoples. We shall continue to monitor needs closely and play our part in Afghanistan's reconstruction.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Sefton Park Palm House
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consideration his Department is giving to the role of the Sefton Park palm house, in Liverpool, as a tourist attraction.

  Mr. Key
  The development and promotion of individual tourist attractions is a matter for the English tourist board, in conjunction with the regional tourist boards, and the British Tourist Authority.

  Market Testing
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate he has made of savings in his Department as a result of the market-testing programme.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 1 July 1992]: None.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the total cost so far of the market-testing initiative in his Department since November 1991.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 1 July 1992]: As this is a newly formed Department, no costs have yet been incurred on the market-testing initiative.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will give a date when he will announce the areas of work in his Department to be market tested; and whether all relevant information will be made publicly available.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 1 July 1992]: I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) on 22 June 1992, Official Report, column 102.

WALES

  Youth Training Scheme
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people in Wales have been on weekly bridging allowances awaiting YTS placements in the last three years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of young people in Wales in receipt of bridging allowances is provided on a monthly basis from January 1989 to December 1991 in the table.

  Numbers in receipt of bridging allowances (Wales)

  Number

  1989

  January

  767

  February

  832

  March

  774

  April

  671

  May

  569

  June

  583

  July

  621

  August

  630

  September

  514

  October

  526

  November

  476

  December

  460

  1990

  January

  563

  February

  763

  March

  704

  April

  585

  May

  526

  June

  577

  July

  599

  August

  585

  September

  591

  October

  575

  November

  582

  December

  550

  666

  Number

  1991

  January

  656

  February

  919

  March

  977

  April

  890

  May

  804

  June

  703

  July

  724

  August

  747

  September

  613

  October

  562

  November

  564

  December

  492

  Rural Initiative
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown of the spending so far on his rural initiative.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Full expenditure details for work undertaken in 1991–92 under the rural initiative are not yet available. Allocations for 1991–92 under the rural initiative comprised: an increase of £6 million to £32 million in Housing for Wales' support for housing in rural areas; an increase in provision from £1 million to £3 million in reserve to assist local authorities with rural housing, supplemented by an additional in-year allocation of £4.5 million.

  These allocations, together with core and other allocations to local authorities will mean that total investment in rural housing is expected to be over £85 million.

  In addition to the £20 million Welsh Development Agency expenditure in support of mainstream activities in rural areas, a further £5 million was allocated to the agency for specific measures in rural areas and related core activities.

  Funding totalled £1.2 million under the projects of regional or national importance—PRNI—scheme, for leisure and sports centre development at Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells; and £5 million was allocated to support projects put forward by local authorities likely to be of most benefit to rural communities.

  Allocations for 1992–93 under the initiative are £35 million for Housing for Wales for rural housing; £4 million for local authorities from the rural housing reserve; £6 million for local authorities from other central reserves which will benefit rural areas. This, together with the £4 million for local authority rural housing and £2 million of the Housing for Wales provision, makes up the £12 million on top of core allocations announced by the Secretary of State in December 1991.

  a

  These allocations, together with core allocations to local authorities are expected to bring total investment in rural housing to over £112 million.

  There has been an increase of £3 million in funding of the Countryside Council for Wales, to £17 million. Some £0.5 million of this has been provided to develop a new pilot scheme, "Tir Cymen", for management of rural landscapes and habitats.

  Some £400,000 has been directed by the Wales tourist board to new rural tourism marketing and project programmes.
  667
  The Welsh Development Agency's expenditure in rural areas will increase by £7.5 million to £32.5 million.

  There will also be a £6 million programme of local authority capital projects designed specifically for the benefit of rural communities.

  This package is in addition to the extra £2.2 million provision for the Development Board for Rural Wales, announced in December 1991; and to the extra £1.4 million for the three Welsh national parks, also announced in December 1991.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that district and borough councils in Wales received sufficient cash from central Government to enable them to meet their responsibilities for refuse disposal; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that Welsh district and borough councils received sufficient cash from central

  Appeals at employing authority level

  Appeals at all-Wales level

  Appeals at national level

  Health authority

  Number outstanding

  Percentage of total appeals submitted

  Number outstanding

  Percentage of total appeals submitted

  Number outstanding

  Percentage of total appeals submitted

  Clwyd

  0

  99

  62

  12

  100

  East Dyfed

  42

  7

  79

  72

  11

  92

  Gwent

  5

  —

  294

  71

  26

  96

  Gwynedd

  0

  —

  134

  42

  47

  100

  Mid Glamorgan

  510

  38

  208

  83

  13

  81

  Pembrokeshire

  0

  56

  100

  0

  —

  Powys

  0

  151

  70

  1

  20

  South Glamorgan

  0

  252

  86

  20

  100

  West Glamorgan

  0

  86

  64

  29

  100

  Wales

  557

  9

  1,359

  70

  159

  95

  House Repair Grants
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will up-date by the appropriate percentage the level of those means-tested house repair grants based on 1991 benefit rates; and make equivalent adjustment to renovation and disabled facilities grants.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The uprating of allowances and premiums for house renovation grants is being considered along with other adjustments to the test of resources following the recent review of the grant system. We expect to make a further announcement shortly.

  Brymbo Site
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in securing the Brymbo steelworks site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This site is still in the ownership of United Engineering Steels Ltd. Its future is under active consideration.

  A-level and GCSE
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he envisages of A-level and GCSE courses in Wrexham following the termination of their provision at the North East Wales institute.
  668
  Government to enable them to meet their responsibilities concerning economic development; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what steps he has taken to ensure that Welsh district and borough councils received sufficient central Government cash to enable them to meet their responsibilities concerning environmental health; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The local government finance settlement for 1992–93, approved by the House on 12 February, enables local authorities in Wales to maintain and develop services for Which they are responsible to an acceptable standard.

  Nurses' Grading
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many nurse clinical grading appeals are outstanding in each health authority in Wales; and what percentage this is of the total number of appeals submitted in each county in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested on outstanding appeals is as shown in the table:

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The provision of A-level and GCSE courses in schools and further education colleges is the responsibility of the local education authority. As from 1 April 1993 a new independent further education sector will be established, comprising further education colleges, tertiary colleges and sixth form colleges. The Further Education Funding Council for Wales will be responsible for securing the provision of adequate facilities for post-16 education in the new sector, including the provision of A-level and GCSE courses. Clwyd LEA will retain responsibility for the provision of A-level and GCSE courses in its schools.

  Forensic Psychiatric Service
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money is being made available to the forensic psychiatric service in Wales to fund the capital costs of developing medium secure accommodation and to support its essential manning costs in the initial period until its development has been secured.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1991–92, the Welsh Office fully funded the capital and revenue costs of developing the Caswell clinic at Glanrhyd hospital, Bridgend. Revenue support will continue to be available in 1992–93 to help the clinic move to a contractual relationship with purchasing health authorities.

  Community Councils
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his proposals for the role of community councils following the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am publishing today a consultation paper on the future role of community and town councils under the unitary authority structure which I will be putting in place. My earlier statements to the House have made clear the importance I attach to the work of these councils and the advantages I see in enhancing their representational role as the voice of their communities. My consultation paper invites views on how this may be achieved.

  The consultation paper will be circulated widely. I am inviting responses by 30 September 1992, and I propose to take account of the comments received in preparing the White Paper which I shall be publishing later this year.

  Health and Social Care Research
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has received to the consultative document "Health and Social Care Research, Wales".

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  We have received 33 responses from a range of research institutions and other interested bodies. The majority were broadly in favour of the approach recommended in the document, which was to maintain the current arrangements for supporting health and social care research and development in Wales, within the context of a more clearly defined strategy and closer co-ordination at all levels. While some respondents called for a separate Welsh research and development function, most favoured continued participation in the joint England and Wales programme although all wished Welsh interests to be clearly and properly represented. We intend therefore to proceed in line with the recommendations made in the consultative document, including the drawing up of a formal agrement between the Welsh Office and the Department of Health regarding activity under the joint programme. The NHS Wales research and development strategy which is being developed during this year will be a core element of the overall strategy for health and social care research in Wales.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Sea Fish Conservation
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what considerations have taken place with the fish producers organisations in Northern Ireland in relation to the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Northern Ireland fishing industry has been included in the consultation on the implementation of a package of measures which includes effort control, and its views will be considered carefully. The purpose of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill is to provide the necessary enabling powers for the effort control element of the package.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average time taken to process an application form for disability living allowance.
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  Mr. Hanky
  Social security operational matters are the responsibility of the chief executive of the Social Security Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman and copies of his reply will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively and overall in his Department are registered disabled people.

  Mr. Mates
  At 1 January 1992 there were 1,262 staff in the Northern Ireland civil service—4.3 per cent. of the service—who reported themselves as having a disability. Of these, 431–1.5 per cent. of the service—were, or had been, registered as disabled. In addition, 45 registered disabled poeple are working in the Northern Ireland civil service under the sheltered placement scheme.

  The number and percentage of staff with disabilities in each grade 1 to 7 were:

  Grade

  Number who reported a disability (SRD)

  Percentage SRD

  Number registered as disabled (RD)

  Percentage RD

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  2.4

  1

  2.4

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  5

  2.6

  —

  —

  6

  13

  3.7

  3

  0.9

  7

  22

  2.6

  3

  0.4

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the expenditure per head in Northern Ireland of(a) hospital and community health services, (b) general practitioner services, excluding the cost of prescriptions, (c) dental services, gross and net of charges and (d) general practitioner-prescribed prescriptions, in 1991–92.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested will not be available until 31 August 1992.

ENVIRONMENT

  City Challenge
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment When he intends to make an announcement on the results of the city challenge; how many local authorities will receive such funding; and what is the planned total amount over the next five years.

  Mr. Redwood
  The results of the second round of the city challenge competition will be announced on 16 July 1992. The planned total amount for the 20 authorities in the second round over the next five years is £750 million.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences for the storage of radioactive waste have been issued since 1979 for the Blaenau Gwent constituency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and its successor Acts.
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  Mr. Maclean
  There are currently no authorisations under section 7(1) of the Act in force for the accumulation of radioactive waste at premises in Blaenau Gwent. A study of available records has not revealed that any authorisations have been issued since 1979 in respect of premises in this district.

  Organotin Products
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect(a) the EC marketing and use directive and (b) the treaties and protocols signed at the United Nations conference on environment and development will have on the use of all organotin products.

  Mr. Maclean
  (a) The eighth amendment to the EC marketing and use directive prohibits the use of organotin-based antifouling products on boats less than 25 m and on aquaculture equipment. It exends to other member states controls which have operated in the United Kingdom since 1987. The directive also prohibits the use of organotins for treatment of industrial waters and this provision was implemented in the United Kingdom in February 1992. This use has not been identified in the United Kingdom, but has caused environmental problems in other member states.

  (b) UNCED "Agenda 21", although not a binding convention, sets out a broad programme for improvement of the oceans including a reference to reducing pollution caused by organotin compounds used in antifouling paints. This is in line with a resolution adopted in 1990 by the International Maritime Organisation which aims to reduce the impact of the use of such paints on large vessels and to encourage the development of environmentally safe substitutes.

  Rent Arrears
  Mr. George Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide, in relation to rent arrears for each metropolitan borough and district council in England and Wales for 1987–88 and each succeeding year for which the information is available,(a) the number of tenants in rent arrears and this figure as a percentage of all local authority tenants, (b) the average and total amounts due and (c) the total amount as a percentage of local authorities' revenue from rents.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have today placed in the Library a table showing the total amount of rent arrears due to each local authority in England, at the end of financial years 1987–88 to 1990–91 inclusive, and the percentage this represents of total rent due. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy publication "Housing Rents Statistics at April" contains information about the number of tenants in arrears with rents, rates and other charges in England and Wales; copies are available in the Library. For information on total rent arrears in Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Methane
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from how many active sites in England and Wales the estimate of methane emissions from landfills in the "Digest of Environmental Protection and 672
  Water Statistics" No. 14 is derived; how many other landfills in England and Wales are estimated to emit methane; and what is their total annual contribution.

  Mr. Maclean
  The landfill gas methane emissions estimate in the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" No. 14 is derived from data on 453 sites in England and Wales.

  There are many additional landfill sites in which methane may be generated to some extent, but biological conditions in these sites are much less favourable for methane generation and it is thought unlikely that they constitute a significant additional source.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment at the sites where gas control and capture measures are in place, what are the realistic figures from field studies of(a) the efficiency of capture and (b) the escape of methane through leaky pipeworks, valves and burners.

  Mr. Maclean
  Field studies suggest that methane capture efficiencies of between 50 and 90 per cent. are achieved by landfill gas control and capture measures. The escape of methane from leaky pipe work, valves and burners is likely to be negligible.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what eligibility criteria are applied to select local authorities for urban programme status;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the reasons for his decision not to confer urban programme status on Pendle.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In 1986, urban programme resources were concentrated on 57 local authority areas which had the greatest needs in terms of scale and intensity of deprivation as measured mainly by unemployment and 1981 census data. At that time, Pendle did not show either the scale or intensity of deprivation to justify urban programme status. The criteria for assessing urban needs will be reviewed towards the end of the year in the light of data derived from the 1991 census.

  Sefton Park Palm House
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the future of Liverpool's Sefton Park palm house; what grants are available for its renewal; and what consideration his Department and the Merseyside development corporation have given to its role in developing environmental awareness.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In the last 12 months the Department has received very few representations on Sefton Park palm house.

  Liverpool city council is exploring all avenues for the eligibility of grants for the restoration of Sefton Park palm house, including possible grants from English Heritage or the urban programme.

  The original application by Liverpool city council envisaged a restored palm house as an integral part of a wider concept for a Victorian heritage trail in south Liverpool. We will give careful consideration to proposals that meet these wider aims and objectives of environmental awareness and are consistent with the relevant grant regimes.
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  Although Liverpool city council has held discussions with Merseyside development corporation, the palm house lies outside MDC's designated area and due to other priorities the corporation is unable to consider support.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in processing the application made to his Department by Liverpool city council in connection with Liverpool palm house; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The application has been deferred, pending the outcome of a study being undertaken by English Heritage. When this is known Liverpool city council will re-assess its proposals before resubmitting them to my Department.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Barnsley qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income suport, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Figures for the number of homes treated tinder the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,492 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Leyton qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disablilty working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 238 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in North Warwickshire qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.
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  Mr. Maclean
  In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,066 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Burnley are estimated to qualify for grant aid under the home efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved in Burnley under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  In order to he eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt or one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 245 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Coventry, North-East qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under this scheme since 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,066 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Lewisham, Deptford, qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her
  675
  spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. 'Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 106 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in the Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 1 July 1992]: In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the right hon. Member's constituency, 986 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Business Rate
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the methods of business rate evaluation of small businesses which operate for only part of the year.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. Rents for property, which are the basis for rateable value assessments, take into account local seasonal use, which is therefore already reflected in annual rates bills.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to publish the regulations for the procedure for an appeal against the valuation of a property for the purpose of the council tax.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I expect to issue draft regulations for consultation later this month.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make the banded valuations for the purposes of the council tax the basis for assessment of water charges, where(a) new properties are being built and (b) properties were incorrectly valued in the last available valuation under the rating system.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for individual water companies to decide on their preferred future system of charging for 676
  their services, subject to the overriding requirement, contained in their licence of appointment, that their charges do not show undue preference to, or unduly discriminate against, any class of customers or potential customers. The Director General of Water Services has recently issued guidance to the companies on the suitability of the available alternatives.

  Energy Conservation
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce grants for energy conservation in the domestic sector, including grants for cavity wall insulation.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 June 1992]: The Department provides grants to householders on low incomes for energy efficiency measures through the home energy efficiency scheme. Finance to encourage energy efficiency measures in housing is also made available through house renovation grants and minor works assistance, local authorities' council housing repair and improvement programmes, the green house demonstration programme and estates action.

  The Energy Savings Trust announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 13 May, Official Report, at column 136, is also expected to make grants available to improve energy efficiency.

  Management Agreements
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to revise his Department's circular 3/84 on financial guidelines for management agreements.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 29 June 1992]: We will make such revisions as are necessary following the forthcoming review of the financial guidelines.

SCOTLAND

  Factor 8
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation of the Medicines Act (Exemptions from Licences) (Importation) Order 1984—SI, 1984, No. 673—in relation to named patient arrangements for the supply of unlicensed factor 8 preparations and other unlicensed pharmaceutical products.

  Mr. Stewart
  I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Health on 1 July 1992.

  Responsibility for the operation of the Medicines Act (Exemptions from Licences) (Importation) Order 1984 is a matter for the Medicines Control Agency.

  Immunologists
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultant immunologists there are in each Scottish health board area.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information collected centrally records only the main specialty of a doctor and shows that there were no consultant immunologists employed in the NHS in Scotland at 30 September 1991, the latest date for
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  which information is available. No information is available centrally on the number of doctors who work in immunology and for whom this specialty constitutes an area of special interest.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for 1988, 1989 and 1990(a) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service staff employed on the terms and conditions of the national health service administrative and clerical staffs Whitley council in Scotland, (b) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service general and senior managers and (c) the number of health staff employed at the Scottish Home and Health Department.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) National Health Service administrative and clerical staff (whole-time equivalent) at 30 September employed under Whitley Council terms and conditions (1,2)

  Number

  1988

  14,713.2

  1989

  15,111.9

  1990

  15,577.8

  (b) NHS general and senior managers (whole time equivalent) at 30 September

  1988

  1989

  1990

  General managers

  62.0

  62.0

  65.0

  Senior managers(3)

  28.0

  49.0

  281.0

  (c) Staff employed in the Scottish Home and Health Department on health matters at 1 April

  Number

  1988

  355

  1989

  356

  1990

  379

  Hospital Directors
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the salaries and other benefits for each executive and non-executive director of the South Ayrshire district general hospital and the Foresterhill hospital.

  Mr. Stewart
  The chairman of the South Ayrshire NHS trust is paid £17,145 per annum and the chairman of the Aberdeen Royal Hospitals trust £19,285 per annum. Non-executive directors are paid £5,000 per annum. The chairman and non-executive directors of both trusts also qualify for travelling and other allowances identical to those for members of health boards. Salaries and other benefits for executive directors are the responsibility of the trusts themselves.

  Departmental Expenses
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of official(a) hospitality and functions, (b) visits outwith Scotland and (c) gifts, etc. attributable to the Scottish Office in each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 11 June 1992]: The information requested is as follows:
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  (a) Hospitality and Functions

  Year

  Amount spent on hospitality(£)

  1980–81

  19,427

  1981–82

  20,762

  1982–83

  31,588

  1983–84

  26,287

  1984–85

  27,301

  1985–86

  35,815

  1986–87

  38,315

  1987–88

  41,983

  1988–89

  42,987

  1989–90

  60,173

  1990–91

  65,123

  1991–92

  62,800

  (b) Visits outwith Scotland

  Scottish Office Ministers and officials incur travel and subsistence costs on journeys outwith Scotland, particularly to England, in the normal course of duties and functions placed on them by Parliament. It is not possible to identify those costs separately from the total Scottish Office travel and subsistence expenditure, which was £4,972 million in 1991–92.

  (c) Gifts etc.

  Records in relation to gifts attributable to the Scottish Office go back only to 1988–89. The cost of gifts incurred by the Scottish Office since then are:

  £

  1988–89

  109

  1989–90

  403

  1990–91

  330

  1991–92

  450

  Superannuation Division
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the timetable for the establishment of the Scottish Office superannuation division as a "next steps" agency; and whether both the administration and the policy side of the division will be incorporated within it;

  (2) if he will place in the Library the framework document for the establishment of the Scottish Office superannuation division as a "next steps" agency;

  (3) if he will make a statement on his reasons for setting up the Scottish Office superannuation division as a "next steps" agency; what measures he will take to protect the standards of service provided by the superannuation division; and what will be the performance criteria for the agency.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 30 June 1992]: The Government's declared policy under its "next steps" programme is that units within government carrying out executive functions should be established as agencies operating within frameworks which enable them to improve their performance. Key aims of the programme are to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agencies and the standard of services which they provide.

  The Secretary of State announced on 6 March, Official Report, column 335, that the Scottish Office superannuation division is to be established as an agency by the autumn. A firm date will be announced as soon as possible. The new agency will assume all the functions undertaken at present by the superannuation division, including advising Ministers on policy issues. The framework document under which the agency will operate will include a clear statement of its functions and responsibilites. It will

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  be published on the launch of the agency and a copy will be placed in the Library. Performance criteria arid key performance targets will also be published at that time.

PRIME MINISTER

  Tibet
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will use the opportunity of the British presidency of the EC to co-ordinate a community response to the claims of Tibet to self-determination.

  The Prime Minister
  No state recognises Tibet as independent. Successive British Governments have, however, consistently regarded Tibet as autonomous, while recognising the special position of the Chinese there. We have urged the Chinese authorities to allow that autonomy. During our presidency we shall continue to take up with the Chinese authorities human rights abuses both in Tibet and in China.

  Earth Summit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made in establishing the United Kingdom national consultation committee on sustainable development as agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development did not agree to set up a United Kingdom national consultation committee on sustainable development. UNCED did agree to recommend that the United Nations General Assembly set up, within the UN system, a Commission for Sustainable Development. The United Kingdom welcomed this, and we have undertaken to report regularly to the commission on our own progress towards sustainable development. In preparing those reports, we shall want to consult fully with interested people and organisations.

  War Crimes
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Prime Minister what current consideration Her Majesty's Government are giving to evidence of atrocities at the Sylt camp on Alderney and elsewhere in the Channel islands during the second world war.

  The Prime Minister
  The War Crimes Act 1991 gives United Kingdom courts jurisdiction over acts of murder, manslaughter or culpable homicide committed as violations of the laws and customs of war in territory which was part of Germany or under German occupation during the second world war by people who are now British citizens or resident in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel islands, but who did not have British nationality at the material time.

  There is no reason to believe that anyone responsible for atrocities/war crimes committed in the Channel islands is in the United Kingdom.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 July.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 July.
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  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 he having further meetings later today.

  Environment
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 18 June from the Minister for the Environment and Countryside,Official Report, column 664, when he expects to receive a response from the Group of Seven colleagues to his eight-point plan relating to global forecasting; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I wrote to G7 leaders proposing that they should commit themselves to action to follow up the agreements reached at the Earth summit. One of my specific proposals was that we should each commit ourselves to preparing and publishing national plans for action on biological diversity.

  I hope we shall discuss these matters at the forthcoming summit in Munich.

HEALTH

  Baby Food
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will review the United Kingdom voluntary code on direct advertising of infant formula to parents; and if she will consider including within the code formulae which are manufactured for older babies.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The United Kingdom delegation was at the forefront of ensuring that the principles of the World Health Organisation international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes—the WHO code—were incorporated into the EC directive—91/321/ EEC—on infant formulae and follow-on formulae agreed in May 1991. National legislation to implement the directive is in preparation and will require a review of the voluntary UK code, including the products that are covered. The Government are committed to ensuring that the existing restrictions on marketing and advertising are, at least. maintained.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Finnish baby milk manufacturer Young Nutrition about the application of the United Kingdom voluntary code on direct advertising of infant formulae to parents.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Discussions between representatives from Young Nutrition and officials about the operation of the code of practice for the marketing of infant formulae in the United Kingdom took place before the company launched its products in the UK. As a result, Young Nutrition joined the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association of the Food and Drink Federation and has representation on the code monitoring committee that oversees compliance with the code in the UK.

  Haemophilia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she has received from the United Kingdom Regional Haemophilia Centre directors' committee about the licensing of pharmaceutical products
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  used in the treatment of people with haemophilia; if she will make it her policy that all people with haemophilia A should be treated with licensed monoclonal high purity products; and if she will make central funds available for this purpose;

  (2) if she will make it her policy not to allow unlicensed factor 8 products for the treatment of haemophilia to be imported or used within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received no such representations from the United Kingdom Regional Haemophilia Centre Directors' Committee. It is normal practice in the United Kingdom for clinicians to use licensed medicinal products. It is also possible for clinicians, under sections 9 and 13 of the Medicines Act, to prescribe an unlicensed product on a "named patient" basis.

  It is for clinicians to decide the most appropriate product indicated for the treatment of each individual patient.

  Orthodontic Treatment
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total numbers, the total cost and the average cost of a chargeable course of orthodontic treatment in the financial years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 in each health region and England as a whole.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Over 95 per cent. of orthodontic treatment is given to patients under 18 years of age and even some adult orthodontic treatment is likely to be on patients who are also charge-exempt. The amount of chargeable orthodontic treatment is, therefore, very small.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give for 1988 and 1989(a) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service staff employed on the terms and conditions of the national health service administrative and clerical staffs Whitley council in England, (b) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service general and senior managers and (c) the number of staff employed at her Department.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  At 30 September 1988 and 1989 the numbers of whole-time equivalent administrative and clerical staff employed in the national health service in England were 114,720 and 116,840 respectively. Corresponding figures for general and senior managers are 1,240 and 4,610. It is not possible to present accurate staffing figures for the Department of Health before 1 January 1989 following its separation from the Department of Social Security in October 1988. Figures for permanent staff in post in 1989 were 8,794 at 1 January and 8,712 at 1 October—part-time staff being counted as half units.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing for each region, and nationally the numbers on the waiting lists as at April and October 1990, 1991 and 1992.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department's statistical bulletins are published every six months. These include the total 682
  number of people waiting for hospital treatment by region and nationally. The most recent information for the six months to 30 September 1991 was published on 4 June. For provisional figures for the year to March 1992, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 12 May at columns 489–92. These show that between 31 March 1990 and 31 March 1992 the total number of patients waiting fell by over 43,000 or 4.5 per cent.

  Obsessive Compulsions
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatment is now available under the national health service for obsessive compulsion disorder sufferers; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  National health service treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder sufferers is a matter for the clinical judgment of the responsible health professional. Current approaches include the use of behaviour therapy and anti-depressant medication.

  Community Care
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions she proposes to make to establish the amount of social security transfer to local authorities for community care that will be made available from April 1993 onwards following the disbanding of the Algebra group.

  Mr. Yeo
  The social security transfer will be calculated in accordance with the formula, and the factors affecting it, which were the subject of the completed discussions in the so-called "Algebra group". The transfer will be announced in the context of this year's local authority expenditure settlement. It will be transparent, separately identifiable and local authorities and others with an interest will be able to see how the calculations were done.

  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of financial considerations on the ability of local authorities to implement the Children Act 1989 and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

  Mr. Yeo
  Personal social services—PSS—standard spending for 1992–93 has been set at £4,850 million, an increase of 7.7 per cent—3.1 per cent. in real terms—over 1991–92 standard spending, and 6 per cent. higher than 1991–92 budgets. Over the two years 1990–91 to 1992–93, PSS standard spending will have increased by nearly one third—19 per cent. in real terms. The settlement provides a realistic increase in resources for PSS taking account of falling inflation, and allows for the first full year costs of implementing the Children Act, phase 2 of community care, new and increased specific grants, inflation and demography. PSS expenditure has increased by 67 per cent. in real terms since 1978–79.

  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra funds she will grant to health authorities in order that community health services. including district nurses, collaborate with local authorities in implementing care in the community.

  Mr. Yeo
  District health authorities are working with social services departments to develop strategies for the
  683
  provision of community health services. Health authorities are already funded for their responsibilities, including preparation for implementing "Caring for People" in April 1993. Resources for 1993–94 will be determined in the public expenditure survey in the usual way. Regional health authorities, when allocating these resources to districts and GP fund holders, will take account of special needs resulting from agreed plans for collaboration between national health service and local authority staff.

  NHS Estates
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the plans of the National Health Service Estates executive agency.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am pleased to report that National Health Service Estates has had a successful first year as an executive agency of this Department. I have agreed the agency's 1992–93 three-year corporate plan, and annual business plan.

  Objectives/key tasks for the agency for 1992–93 are:

  1. To keep within agreed running cost/cash limits and recover budgeted income flow by increasing efficiency, reducing costs and improving revenues saving 4 per cent on the agency's 1992–93 running cost allocation, producing 100 per cent. of services within time and cost agreed and assessing requirements for eventual move to the most suitable financial regime.

  2. To facilitate the release of capital and revenue resources for improved health care through increasing uptake by NHS customers of agency asset management, estate utilisation, option appraisal and design products. Target for 1992–93 —£250-£500 million.

  3. In the light of the health reforms, to agree with existing and new customers their changing requirements for products and services while identifying a further 30 per cent. of area 3 services for untying.

  4. Manage the agency's relocation to Leeds by March 1993 maintaining service levels, credibility and morale.

  5. To facilitate improved productivity by reviewing pay/performance and staff management requirements making recommendations by March 1993.

  6. To improve product quality by implementing a programme to achieve BS 5750 quality assurance accreditation in 1993–94.

  Health Service Commissioner
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to receive the annual report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1991–92.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Health Service Commissioner has, as in previous years, made a report on the performance of his functions in England, Scotland and Wales. My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales and I presented the report to the House on 1 July. It was published today—HC82—and copies have been placed in the Library. Copies are also available from the Vote Office.

  Pen Injection Systems
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in her Department's review about the provision of needles for pen injection systems for diabetics through general practitioner prescription; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Discussions are continuing with suppliers about the price and technical specification of pen 684
  injection systems and their needles. When these discussions have reached a satisfactory conclusion, we aim to make pens and needles prescribable at the earliest opportunity.

  Clinical Grading
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her best estimate of the time it will take to resolve outstanding clinical grading by nurses(a) in England, (b) in Wales and (c) in Scotland, (i) at the current rate of progress and (ii) given the current proposals for speeding up the process.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 30 June at columns 462–63.

  Foetal Parts
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement regarding the uses to which foetal parts from aborted pre-born babies are put when they are not incinerated.

  Mr. Sackville
  A code of practice on the use of foetal tissue is contained in the Polkinghorne report on the review of the guidance on the research use of foetal and foetal material, a copy of which is in the Library. Health authorities and places approved under section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967 have been asked to ensure that the code of practice is fully adhered to.

  Domestic Fires
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths she estimates could be avoided each year if smoke alarms were installed in all homes.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  Precise estimates are difficult to make. If all homes were fitted with correctly sited and properly maintained smoke detectors, between 100 and 150 lives might be saved each year in fires in the United Kingdom.

DEFENCE

  Submarines
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fuel core assemblies from nuclear-powered submarines are being kept at Sellafield; and what are his plans for reprocessing or providing for long-term storage of this material.

  Mr. Aitken
  Currently some 36 nuclear submarine used fuel cores are stored at BNFL Sellafield. No decision has yet been taken on whether to reprocess this used fuel which will continue to be held in safe storage.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively and overall in his Department are registered disabled people.

  Mr. Aitken
  The MOD employs 1,164 registered disabled staff which represents 0.9 per cent. of the total work force. At present, none of our registered disabled staff is employed in grades 1 to 7.

  Frigates
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Royal Navy's future frigate combat management system.

  Mr. Aitken
  Following competition, contracts were placed with three companies, Dowty Sema, Ferranti Naval Systems and Thomson CSF in February 1992 for feasibility studies into the combat management system for the future frigate. These are due to compete in 1993. In addition, discussions are being conducted with the French to examine the possibilities for collaboration with France on the future frigate, including the combat management system.

  Surface-to-Air Missile
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the result of the competition for the medium-range surface-to-air missile.

  Mr. Aitken
  The evaluation of tenders is currently under way. Consideration of procurement options following the completion of the evaluation will need to be carried out in the context of United Kingdom air defence requirements as a whole. We hope to announce a decision in the first half of 1993.

  Defence Research Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets have been set for the Defence Research Agency in 1992–93.

  Mr. Aitken
  The targets recently set for the Defence Research Agency in 1992–93 and subsequent years are as follows:(a) To keep within budget for 1992–93 and subsequently to meet profit and cash targets as a trading fund;
  (b) To achieve overall time utilisation of 40 per cent. and utilisation of direct booking staff of 68 per cent. in 1992–93 and to improve these to 48 and 70 per cent. respectively by 1994–95;
  (c) To reduce administrative and general overhead (AGO) to 25 per cent. of direct costs in 1993–94 and to reduce this progressively to 15 per cent. in 1996–97;
  (d) To increase the percentage of DRA's turnover formally subject to market testing to at least 50 per cent. by 1996–97. Activities to the value of £25 million to be market-tested in 1992–93;
  (e) To achieve 60 per cent. of milestones within one month of the due date in 1992–93 and to improve this by 5 per cent. per annum for four years;
  (f) To achieve an improvement in quality of service in 1992–93 as measured by the management parameters in the customer satisfaction survey as compared with overall satisfaction—81 per cent. of average level of all parameters in 1992–93;
  (g) By 31 October 1992, to demonstrate the DRA's ability to operate as a trading fund, and
  (h) By 31 March 1993, to develop a definitive programme for asset rationalisation against which targets will be set in future years.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Utility Charges
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to require the public utilities to change their level of standing charges to help low users of their services.
  686
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The nature and level of charges for services and supplies by the utilities are matters for the companies, subject to the conditions in their licences. Enforcement of licence conditions, which can include price controls, is a matter for the utility regulators, who also have responsibility and powers to protect the interests of customers. The Government have no powers to vary directly the type of level of charges, and no plans to take such powers.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Maurice Bland
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the application by Maurice Bland for parole, and consider what rehabilitation plans will be appropriate.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Mr. Bland is serving a discretionary life sentence. His case has been reviewed seven times by the Parole Board—most recently in December 1990, but the board has not yet recommended that Mr. Bland is safe to release. My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to release a life sentence prisoner without a positive Parole Board recommendation.

  The next review of Mr. Bland's case by the Parole Board will take place under new arrangements contained in section 34 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 which comes into force from 1 October this year. Under these new arrangements, responsibility for release decisions will rest solely with the Parole Board. In the meantime, prison staff continue to work with Mr. Bland in tackling his problems.

  Passports
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the adult population hold a British passport.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This has been passed to the chief executive of the Passport Agency who will reply shortly. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Racial Crimes
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the operation of the police's Thamesmead race unit in its activities against racial harassment; if he will indicate by ethnic group the numbers arrested and the number of victims; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that two police constables employed on Plumstead police division, which includes the Thamesmead area, are dedicated to the investigation of racial incidents. These officers maintain close liaison with the London borough of Greenwich, and with the Greenwich action committee against racial attacks.

  A total of 203 substantiated complaints of racially motivated crime in 1991 were made to Plumstead division, of which 77–40 per cent.—were solved by these two officers.
  687
  Of the 203 victims, 104 were Asian, 49 white, and 44 Afro-Caribbean and six victims were from other ethnic groups. Forty-one white and eight Afro-Caribbean suspected were arrested.

  I commend the work of these officers. The level of racially motivated crimes which have been cleared up on the division is good evidence of this initiative's success in tackling racially motivated crime.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has not yet responded to the letter to him dated 21 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. S. Reategin, following the forwarding to him of relevant correspond-ence by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary last April.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend wrote to the right hon. Member on 29 June.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the levels of robbery, burglary and theft from a vehicle crimes in the Coventry, North-East constituency for the most recent available year; and what is the percentage change for each category from the previous year.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, the information for the Coventry division as a whole is published in the annual report of the chief constable of the West Midlands police.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to consider applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and what was the comparable time taken five years ago.

  Mr. Jack
  The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board does not record centrally the average time taken to process applications. However, percentages of cases completed within certain periods are shown in the board's annual reports, copies of which are held in the Library.

  Local Government Act 1966
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 in order to widen its scope.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We accept the need to bring forward legislation on this point when there is a suitable opportunity.

  Wrongful Conviction
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegations of wrongful conviction upon indictment being considered by C3 division of the Home Office with a view to a possible reference to the Court of Appeal under section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 have been outstanding for more than six months.
  688
  Mr. Jack
  Forty-two.

  Fire Brigade Inspectors
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to publicise the results of annual brigade inspections carried out by Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Applying the principles of the citizens charter, we will in future be publishing all reports of this kind. I have decided that reports of all inspections undertaken since the beginning of this year will be published.

  I believe that this will be a small but significant step in increasing the accountability of the fire service to the general public for the quality of the service which it provides. I would welcome any public response to points made in the inspectors' reports, as well as any comments that local authorities might choose to make. The first of these reports covering the inspection of the West Sussex fire brigade has been published today, and copies have been placed in the Library of both Houses.

  Crime
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to making improvements to the information available about crime, including more frequent publication of the "British Crime Survey"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government take seriously their responsibility to ensure that Parliament and the public are provided with the best available information about crime. We have considered how the collection, analysis and dissemination of this information can be improved.

  At present, published recorded crime figures are based on the summaries sent to the Home Office of the number of offences recorded by the 43 police forces in England and Wales. Recorded offences include indictable/triable either way offences and certain summary offences.

  That information is collated by Home Office statisticians and published in summary form each quarter in Home Office statistical bulletins, and only annually with supporting analysis in the series of Command Papers, "Criminal Statistics in England and Wales."

  The statistics of offences recorded by the police provided a measure of the amount of crime with which they are faced. But many offences go unrecorded.

  A more complete picture of crime is provided by the British crime survey, in which a large sample of the public is interviewed about their experience of crime in the previous year. We think it right that this valuable work be made available more regularly and we propose, therefore, that the British crime survey be published at two-yearly intervals in the future.

  This will give better information about trends, against which to interpret figures of recorded crime. The results of a further sweep of the British crime survey now taking place, relating to the amount of crime experienced in 1991, will be published in the autumn.

  We also believe that the recorded crime statistics should be accompanied by fuller analysis of their significance. To give time for this to be done, the present quarterly summary reporting cycle will be replaced by statistics accompanied by analysis on a six-monthly publication cycle.
  689
  This will provide more, not less, information. It should go some way to reduce the considerable and untoward fear of crime among the public generated by the current quarterly publications which was highlighted by the working group on the fear of crime, chaired by Mr. Michael Grade, in December 1989.

  We will publish the first bulletin on the six-monthly publication cycle, covering the statistics of notifiable offences recorded by the police in the period July 1991 to June 1992 to coincide with the publication of the British crime survey results in the autumn.

  By these changes we seek to further the Government's aim of providing a better quality of information to the public. We believe that a more rounded picture will be provided. It should facilitate better analysis of trends and so help ensure that future action against crime is based on an improved shared understanding of the problems which face us.

EMPLOYMENT

  Naval Shipbuilding
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the naval shipbuilding industry in(a) 1970, (b) 1979 and (c)

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The number of employees in employment in the shipbuilding and ship repairing industry in Great Britain were as follows:

  Number

  June 1970

  171,000

  June 1979

  135,000

  1Sept 1989

  51,000

  1 Latest available.

CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Science
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff directly report to him on scientific issues; and what is his relationship with the Advisory Committee on Science and Technology.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  The total number of staff in the Office of Science and Technology is 89. I am considering what advisory structure would enable me to carry out my responsibilities for science and technology most effectively, and seeking views from all interested parties on the best way of achieving this.

  Duchy Income
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how much annual income from the Duchy of Lancaster is retained by the sovereign for her personal use;

  (2) what proportion of the income to the privy purse from the Duchy of Lancaster has been retained by the sovereign in each year since 1962.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The application of moneys paid by the Duchy of Lancaster to the Keeper of the Privy Purse is a690
  matter for the Privy Purse Office. The amounts are shown in the Duchy's accounts, which are placed in the Library of the House each year.

  Human Genome Project
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what computer science research is being supported by public funds to improve United Kingdom capability to process the data generated by the human genome project.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  The Government made available to the Medical Research Council an extra £11 million over three years to enable it to play a major role in the United Kingdom Human Genome Mapping Project—HGMP. The MRC has provided support for the installation of computing facilities at the HGMP resource centre, Northwick park, Harrow and, among others, to its National Institute for Medical Research and Laboratory of Molecular Biology for the development of software to process and store genome mapping data. The MRC has also agreed to contribute to the support of the human genome database—GDB—in the John Hopkins university, Baltimore, USA, and has contributed to the establishment of a GDB node at the Resource Centre, the first outside the USA.

  There is no central information on other relevant work which the universities, medical schools or medical research charities may be supporting.

  Contracting-out
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the extent and nature of proposed open government provisions to contracting-out procedures in Government Departments.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  It has been this Government's established practice to ensure non-discrimination and fair competition in public procurement, as set out in administrative circulars issued by the central unit on purchasing in Her Majesty's Treasury. From December last year, EC rules, which in large part replicate United Kingdom best practice, were written into the United Kingdom legislation which will implement a further EC directive to ensure compliance throughout the EC.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consult the National Audit Office on measures to test the value-for-money considerations on any proposals to contract-out civil service work.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Comptroller and Auditor General has statutory powers to audit Government Departments and conduct value-for-money studies on the way they have used their resources in discharging their functions, which may include contracting out civil service work.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects an announcement to be made on the areas to be market tested in each Government Department; and what plans he has to publish this information.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) on 22 June 1992, at column 102.
  691
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the total cost to date of the market-testing initiatives in each Government Department since November 1991.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what savings he expects each Government Department will make as a result of the market-testing programme.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No such estimate has been made.

  Private Sector Contracts
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if it is his intention that private sector contractors who undertake civil service work will remain within the scope of public scrutiny; and will members of the public still have recourse to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in respect of activities which are contracted out.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Where civil servant work is contracted out following a market-testing exercise, the accountability of Ministers to Parliament remains unchanged. The Comptroller and Auditor General will continue to audit the Departments concerned. The jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration is unaffected.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if foreign employees of private sector contractors will have to conform to established civil service practices on the confidentiality of information they may handle; and whether they will be required to sign the Offical Secrets Act 1989.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Private sector contractors undertaking classified work for Government Departments are obliged, through contract conditions, to conform to standard procedures for the protection of classified information. It is for contractors to enforce those obligations on their staff. Where the Official Secrets Act 1989 applies, employees receive notice that they are subject to the Act, and are normally required to sign a declaration acknowledging their obligations under it.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Commissioner Ripa di Meana
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request the United Kingdom ambassador to the European Community to seek an explanation from Commissioner Carlo Ripa di Meana as to why he has failed to reply to letters dated 1 March and 23 April, and to numerous telephone calls since that date from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, concerning an environmental issue of concern to the Manchester, Gorton constituency.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Signor Ripa di Meana has been appointed Minister for the Environment in the new Italian Administration with immediate effect. However, I have asked our permanent representation to ask the Commission services whether a reply to the right hon. Member's letters has been sent.

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

  Mr. Hurd
  The Economic and Finance Council will meet on 13 July to conduct a multilateral surveillance of the economies of member states, including the examination of a national convergence programme. The Council will also consider the Commission's proposals for the future financing of the Community—Delors II—and work programme for meetings of the Economic and Finance Council for the next six months.

  The Agriculture Council will meet on 13 and 14 July. Ministers will discuss CAP reform and Newcastle disease controls and possibly the review of sugar cane import arrangements. The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 20 July. It will consider the follow-up to the Lisbon European Council, including how to take forward preparations for enlargement, subsidiarity and the Community's future financing. The Council may discuss the state of negotiation on the GATT Uruguay round and the EC/US oilseed dispute and the negotiating mandate for a new EC/ASEAN co-operation agreement. The Council will also consider EC relations with the former Soviet Union, including trade and co-operation agreements; and may discuss the state of negotiations on the Romania and Bulgaria association agreements. Ministers will discuss the former Yugoslavia and the development of the Community's relations with Turkey. A co-operation council with Egypt will also be held in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council.

  The Budget Council will meet on 23 July to consider the 1993 preliminary draft budget submitted by the Commission and to establish the Council's 1993 draft budget.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific duties are to be imposed on citizens of the union including those in the United Kingdom under article G of the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The provisions added to the treaty of Rome by the Maastricht treaty—articles 8 to 8e—which establish citizenship of the union refer to "duties" imposed by the treaty of Rome, but do not themselves impose any specific duties. The treaty of Rome in general, as amended by the Maastricht treaty, imposes no duties which do not flow from the direct effect of EC law.

  Entry Clearance Applications
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often the deputy high commission in Karachi has asked for information or files from the high commission in Islamabad to deal with applications for entry clearance during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested could not be provided except at disproportionate expense. The deputy high commission in Karachi would need to check manually 25,000 case files.

  British Nationals (Overseas)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the present holder of a British Hong Kong passport, who is issued with a replacement British national (overseas) passport, will need to apply, as appropriate, for a visitor visa or work permit to enter the United Kingdom; and whether the holder of a BN(O) passport will need a permanent identity card for entry to and exit from Hong Kong(a) currently and (b) after 1997.

  Mr. Goodlad
  As far as admission to the United Kingdom is concerned, the holder of a BN(O) passport is treated in an identical manner to the holder of a British dependent territory citizen's passport. He does not require a visa to visit the United Kingdom, but, with limited exceptions, would require a work permit if he intended to come to this country for employment.

  At present, BN(O) passport holders may use either their passports or their permanent identity cards to leave or enter Hong Kong. We expect that this arrangement will continue after 30 June 1997.

  International Treaties
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the cases involving the United Kingdom in which there have been adjudications of enforceability of declarations or agreements appended to international treaties, including EC treaties.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  In the case of the EC treaties and the treaties amending them, there has been a practice of annexing protocols to the treaties and of adopting declarations in connection with conclusion of the treaties. By article 239 of the treaty of Rome, protocols annexed to the treaty form an integral part of it. They are, therefore, enforceable in exactly the same way as treaty provisions. A case involving the United Kingdom where this was done is Lord Bruce of Donington v. Aspden, case 208/80, applying the protocol on privileges and immunities of the European Communities. Conference declarations do not form an integral part of the treaty to which they relate, but, in accordance with the law of treaties, they are part of the context of the treaty for the purpose of its interpretation. I am aware of no decision of the European Court of Justice in which conference declarations of this kind have been pronounced upon.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will extend the disability living allowance so that people can claim whatever their age.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the cost of extending the disability living allowance scheme to cover people over the age of 65 years.

  Mr. Scott
  The annual cost of extending disability living allowance to all people who become disabled after the age of 65 is estimated, at 1992–93 prices, to be in excess of £2 billion.
  694
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what compensation can be claimed by applicants for disability living allowance, where the processing of(a) their claim or (b) successful appeal against a decision by the Benefits Agency on their claim has taken an excessive period of time;

  (2) what is the average length of time taken by the Benefits Agency to process a claim for disability living allowance;

  (3) what is the target maximum time within which a claim for disability living allowance should be processed.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance is 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. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken to consider applications for(a) attendance allowance and (b) disability living allowance; and what are the target times laid down by his Department.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance and attendance allowance is 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.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what dates cold weather payments were triggered during the winter of 1991–92; and how many households received payment on each occasion.

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

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in Lewisham, Deptford qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme; on what dates and in what parts of Lewisham, Deptford the cold weather payments system was triggered during the winter of 1991–92; how many households received payments on each occasion; on what dates cold weather payments were made in Lewisham, Deptford in response to a forecast of a qualifying period; and if he will indicate the period taken for payments to be made once the system had been triggered.

  Mr. Scott
  Such information as is available concerning the areas that have triggered and consequently the payments made are in the Library. Information concerning the number of customers who may qualify for a payment will he provided in writing from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what dates, and in which parts of Barnsley, the cold weather payments scheme was triggered during the winter of 1991–92; and how many households received payments on each occasion;

  (2) on what dates cold weather payments were made in Barnsley in response to a forecast of a qualifying period; and if he will indicate the period taken for payments to be made once the system had been triggered.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what dates, and in what parts of
  695
  north Warwickshire the cold weather payments system was triggered during the winter of 1991–92; and how many households received payments on each occasion;

  (2) on what dates cold weather payments were made in north Warwickshire in response to a forecast of a qualifying period; and what was the average period taken for payments to be made once the system had been triggered.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what dates in 1992 cold weather payments were made in Coventry, North-East in response to a forecast of a qualifying period; and what was the average period taken for payments to be made following the trigger;

  (2) on what dates and in what parts of Coventry, North-East the cold weather payments system was triggered during the winter of 1991–92; and how many households received payments on each occasion;

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what dates, and in what parts of Leyton the cold weather payments system was triggered during the winter of 1991–92; and how many households received payments on each occasion;

  (2) on what dates cold weather payments were made in Leyton in response to a forecast of a qualifying period; and what were the periods taken for payments to be made once the system had been triggered.

  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what dates and in which parts of Rochdale the cold weather payments system was triggered during the winter of 1991–92; and how many households received payments on each occasion;

  (2) on what dates cold weather payments were made in Rochdale in response to a forecast of a qualifying period; and if he will indicate the period taken for payments to be made once the system had been triggered.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what occasions and in what parts of Dundee, East constituency the cold weather payments scheme was triggered during the winter of 1991–92; and how many households received payments on each occasion;

  (2) on what dates cold weather payments were made in the Dundee, East constituency in response to a forecast of a qualifying period; and if he will indicate the period taken for payments to be made once the system had been triggered.

  Mr. Scott
  Such information as is available is in the Library.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in the Burnley constituency, subject to appropriate weather conditions, his Department estimates qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in Barnsley qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in Coventry, North-East qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.
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  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in Leyton qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in north Warwickshire qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in the Dundee, East constituency qualified for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Members with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many copies of the Benefits Agency business plan have been produced and circulated; and at what cost.

  Mr. Burt
  The Benefits Agency business plan is 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.

  Allowances
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what current delays there are in requests for reviews of attendance allowance, mobility allowance and disability allowance; and what the position was 12 months ago.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance, mobility allowance and attendance allowance 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.

  State Pension Age
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he plans to take following the end of the discussion period on the equalising of state pension age.

  Mr. Lilley
  The Government are committed to the equalisation of state pension age, and as a first step we published our discussion paper "Options for Equality in State Pension Age" in December last year. The paper invited comments and views on various approaches to equalisation including differing common pension ages and models for a flexible pension age.

  The discussion period ended on 30 June and we have received more than 3,000 responses. I now intend to examine those responses in detail and I will also be taking the opportunity of meeting the representatives of various interested organisations to discuss their views. I am also prepared to take into account any late responses.

  I will be announcing the Government's proposals on the complex and important issues covered by the paper in

  697
  due course after full consideration of the views expressed. No decisions have yet been taken as to what approach should be adopted.

  I should like to make it very clear at the outset that no one expecting to retire in the next few years will be affected by these changes. Whichever option is chosen is likely to be phased in over a long period, and employees and employers will be given ample time to adjust their plans.

  Appeals
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the time within which an appeal against a decision of the Benefits Agency must be heard; and what provision is made in the citizens charter for this.

  Mr. Burt
  There is no statutory time limit within which appeals against decisions of adjudication officers in the Benefits Agency should be heard. However, both the Benefits Agency and the independent tribunal service are committed to handling appeals as expeditiously as possible. There is no specific provision in the citizens charter on time limits for hearing such appeals.

  Students
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he proposes to take to help students who are unable to find vacation work and have no other form of income during the summer period.

  Mr. Burt
  The social security system is not intended as a means of educational funding. Most students should look to the educational maintenance system for their financial support. Income support and housing benefit are still available to certain groups of students including disabled students and those with dependent children.

  Benefit Deductions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total number of organisations, bodies or companies approved for the purposes of making deductions from benefit either for(a) current consumption or (b) repayment of accumulated debt.

  Mr. Burt
  Third parties in the following general categories may, in prescribed circumstances, receive direct payments from income support for current charges or repayment of debts:

  Mortgage lenders,

  Landlords

  Fuel companies,

  Water and sewerage companies,

  Local authority community charge collection departments,

  Residential care and nursing homes1,

  Hostels.1

  Independent adjudication officers are responsible for determining whether a deduction may be made in an individual case.
  1 Current charges only.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to set a maximum level of deductions from income support and other state benfits for the payment of current consumption and repayment of accumulated debt owing to water, gas, electricity and other utilities, crisis loans and other bodies approved for deduction and direct payment.

  Mr. Burt
  There are already limits to the amounts which may be deducted from a person's income support.
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  Deductions to repay arrears of housing. gas. electricity and water debt may not exceed 3 x 5 per cent. of the income support personal allowance for a person aged 25 or over —currently £6.45 a week. Deductions for the repayment of community charge debt are not subject to this limit because income support was adjusted to take account of this liability.

  Deductions to cover current charges for gas, electricity and water may be made in addition to this limit. These deductions, together with those for the repayment of housing and utility debt, may not exceed 25 per cent. of the total income support entitlement for the family, less housing costs, without the consent of the claimant. The current income support housing costs allowance may also be paid to the creditor in certain circumstances.

  We have no plans to amend these limits.

  Social fund officers take account of a person's existing commitments, which may include other deductions from benefit, before deciding on repayment terms for social fund loans.

  Maxwell Pensions
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has so far been paid out to Maxwell pensioners from the fund created by the Government; and how much money remains from the Government's initial allocation.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A grant of £228,000 has been made to trustees of the Maxwell Communication works pension scheme and one of £52,834 to trustees of the Headington pension plan. These grants were made from the up to £2.5 million in emergency funding announced on 8 June.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he expects the trust fund for Maxwell pensioners to be set up by his Department.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Maxwell pensions unit is discussing urgently the terms of the Maxwell pensioners trust with its trustees. Once these terms have been agreed, the trust deed will be prepared and the trust set up. The Department has opened a bank account to hold voluntary contributions to the trust pending its establishment.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will amend regulation 64(2) of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 to enable housing benefit, payable in the form of a rent rebate or rent allowance and amounting to less than 50p a week, to he paid in a lump sum annually, quarterly or monthly.

  Mr. Burt
  We have no plans to do so.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fisheries Decommissioning
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to introduce an improved decommissioning scheme for fishermen.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government's proposals for effort control and decommissioning were set out in a consultation document which was issued to the industry on 29 April.

  "Health of the Nation"
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had over his Department's reaction to "Health of the Nation".

  Mr. Soames
  The Department of Health has consulted fully with my Ministry over those policies in "Health of the Nation" where we have responsibility.

  Hens
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about poultry battery cages.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry receives a good deal of correspondence and other representations on this matter from many and varied interests.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to improve the welfare of laying hens.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government wish to see major improvements in European Community welfare standards for laying hens.

  Soil Erosion
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the letter deposited in the Library from Earl Howe to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, when he will state his policy on soil erosion.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Agricultural Development Advisory Service provides advice to farmers on how to avoid this localised problem. This will also be covered in the code of good agricultural practice for the protection of soil to be published next year.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Farmers Union to discuss the implications of the CAP reform proposals on United Kingdom agriculture.

  Mr. Gummer
  On 24 June.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the expected numbers of additional staff in the United Kingdom and EC needed to administer the reformed common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) on 12 June 1992,Official Report, column 322.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to ensure consumer benefit from price cuts under common agricultural policy reform.

  Mr. Curry
  The retail food market in the United Kingdom is a highly competitive one, and no Government action is needed to ensure that consumers benefit from the significant reduction in support prices agreed as part of the CAP reform package. By the end of the reform period, I700
  would expect the costs of agricultural support to consumers in the United Kingdom to he lower by some £1 billion.

  Whaling
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will report on the meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Glasgow.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning the Government's policy towards the International Whaling Commission meeting in Glasgow at the end of this month.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to maintain and improve the welfare of whales.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan).

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the International Whaling Commission meeting in Glasgow.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan).

  Fish Conservation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for national conservation measures and selective gear requirements to improve fish conservation and British waters.

  Mr. Curry
  A substantial package of EC and United Kingdom conservation measures was introduced from 1 June and there will be a ban on the use of twin-rig and multi-rig trawls in most nephrops fisheries from 1 January 1993. We are expecting further EC proposals to reduce discards and a report on industrial fisheries in the North sea.

  General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the latest progress on reaching an agreement on agriculture within the GATT talks.

  Mr. Gummer
  The European Community and the United States are continuing their talks on the GATT agriculture dossier.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest progress on his Ministry's research into BSE.

  Mr. Soames
  A report by the spongiform ence-phalopathy advisory committee—the Tyrrell committee —on spongiform encephalopathy research in the United Kingdom was published on 30 June. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  "Agriculture in the UK"
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of his Ministry's document "Agriculture in the UK".

  Mr. Curry
  It will continue to be published.

  EC-USA Trade Dispute
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the value of United Kingdom food and drink exports which would be hit in the current trade dispute between the United States of America and the EEC.

  Mr. Gummer
  It is estimated that United Kingdom exports of food and drink worth up to £160 million annually could be affected if the United States Government decide to introduce punitive tariffs on EC products as a result of their dispute with the Community over oilseeds.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to secure the encouragement of extensification in agriculture and organic food production during the United Kingdom presidency of the EC Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Curry
  The new agri-environment regulation agreed as part of the recent common agricultural policy reform package will provide for schemes to encourage extensification and organic food production.

  Tomatoes
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has received from tomato growers on the reference price system and the system of offer prices for tomato imports from Spain and third countries, such as Morocco.

  Mr. Curry
  We have received representations from and on behalf of tomato growers about the effect on early season market prices of the recent extension of the offer price system to imports from the Canary islands. We have received no representations about third country imports.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the measures his Ministry is taking to improve food safety in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  Since the establishment of the Food Safety Act 1990, we have continued to demonstrate a commitment to the highest possible standards of food safety and consumer protection. We operate a comprehensive food monitoring and surveillance system and have produced an attractive series of publications for consumers. The latter inform consumers about the action the Government have taken on food safety, and also the action they can take for themselves. This recognised that consumers have an important part to play in ensuring that food remains safe between purchase and consumption.

  Arable Regime
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decisions have been taken on the detailed arrangements for area payments and set-aside under the new arable regime.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Council of Agriculture Ministers this week adopted the legal texts governing the new system of area payments for producers of cereals, oilseeds and protein crops. These are part of the package of measures agreed in principle in May which aim to bring cereal prices down by some 30 per cent. over three years. The price cuts will bring producers nearer the marketplace and, together with the new area payments, mark a major step in reform of the common agricultural policy.

  The area payments will apply to cereals, oilseeds—rapeseed, soya and sunflower seed—and protein crops—peas for harvesting dry, field beans and sweet lupins—including fodder crops. Producers will be able to claim payments based on the area of cereals, oilseeds and protein crops grown, provided that they meet the conditions of the scheme, including the requirement to set aside a proportion of their land. Separate arrangements will apply for those claiming aid on a small area—less than around 15 or 16 hectares. The transitional EC oilseeds support scheme will be integrated into the new system.

  The United Kingdom, like other member states, will not be able to draw up detailed rules for the scheme until the European Commission's implementing regulations are tabled and agreed. I want to get these adopted as soon as possile but they will deal with important and difficult issues, including the effective prevention of fraud across the whole Community, and inevitably it will be a few weeks before they are settled as the United Kingdom and other member states will need to make sure that they are satisfactory. However, the scheme applies to cropping in 1992–93 and farmers should begin planning now on the basis of the information that is available. To help them, a short leaflet is available on demand from the Ministry's regional service centres and the offices of the other Agriculture Departments. I have also placed copies in the Library of the House. Once further details are available, the Agriculture Departments will issue an explanatory booklet to all known cereals, oilseeds and protein producers.

  Two schemes will be available. Under the simplified scheme, there will be no set-aside requirement, but claims will be limited to around 15 or 16 hectares: the payment rate for 1992–93 will be around £116 per hectare whether the crop is cereals, oilseeds or proteins.

  The general scheme will offer payments of around £116 per hectare for cereals, £301 per hectare for proteins and £375 per hectare for oilseeds for 1992–93. In order to claim these aids, farmers will have to set aside 15 hectares of land for every 85 hectares of cereals, oilseeds and proteins they intend growing. Thus the set-aside area should equal 15 per cent. of the total of the arable area on which aid is being claimed and the area set aside. Land must be set aside from this autumn to qualify for payment of area aid and set-aside compensation in the autumn of 1993. Payments of around £208 per hectare will be made on set-aside land but only up to the area needed to satisfy the 15 per cent requirement. These figures are approximate and based on average United Kingdom yields. The actual payment rates will depend on historic regional yields. Land which was in permanent grass—including rough

  703
  grazing and moorland—woodland, permanent crops or non-agricultural use at 31 December 1991 will not be eligible for area or set-aside payments.

  Claims for aid will have to be submitted by 15 May 1993—possibly earlier for oilseeds. Claim forms will be available later this year. It is likely that, in the first year of the scheme, claimants will have to submit a 1:10,000 Ordnance Survey map, or in Northern Ireland the equivalent survey map, of their holding. We shall need these to ensure that area aids are not claimed on land that is ineligible. This is in producers' own interests too, because the aid per hectare may be reduced if more land comes into arable production. Farmers may wish to order or buy maps now. Payments will probably be made in November and December 1993. There may continue to be separate arrangements for oilseed payments.

  Although there is no restriction on individual farmers expanding their areas of cereals, oilseeds and protein production, regional base areas will equal the average annual area of cereals, oilseeds and proteins grown and land fallowed under set-aside in the region concerned over the period 1989–1991. If claims for area payments—including set-aside—exceed the regional base area in any one year, claimants will have the area on which their claims are paid reduced proportionately that year. The following year there will he an additional uncompensated set-aside requirement.

  Producers will not be able to count any land already set aside under the five-year set-aside scheme towards their new set-aside commitment, but they will be given the opportunity to opt out of the five-year scheme if they so wish. Further details will be sent to five-year set-aside participants when they become available.

  The next stage will be the tabling and adoption of Commission implementing regulations. Once this legal framework is clear, we shall announce the payment rates. Further details. including the management conditions for the set-aside land, will also depend on the implementing regulations. We shall notify farmers of the relevant rules as soon as possible. A statutory instrument will be laid before the House to implement those details of the scheme that are not contained in Community legislation.

  Animals for Slaughter
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, during the United Kingdom presidency of the EC, he plans to try to secure an overall journey time limit for slaughter animals.

  Mr. Soames
  In our presidency role, we will be seeking to ensure that the Council reaches agreement on the additional rules which need to be adopted before 1 January 1993, when directive 91/628 on protection of animals during transport comes into effect. The United Kingdom delegation will emphasise in particular the need for a strict limitation on the time that animals can travel without rest, food or water.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many horses, ponies and other equines were exported for slaughter during the past year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  No licences for the export of equines from Great Britain for slaughter have been issued. The 704
  European Community has recognised the special needs of equines and this is reflected in directive 91/628 on the protection of animals during transport.

  Inheritance Tax (Exemptions)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Ministry will reduce the level of payments under the environmentally sensitive areas scheme where the land involved is subject to exemptions to inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  No.

  Thames Flood Defences
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement outlining how future maintenance costs of the Thames flood defences, including the Thames barrier will be funded;

  (2) what representations he has received from the Thames regional flood defence committee over the possible future maintenance costs of the Thames flood defences by the turn of the century and the limited time period over which it will be necessary to carry out this work; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is the Government's policy towards maintenance by the Thames regional flood defence committee of its financial balances; and what account has been taken of the case for a contingency fund to pay for future essential maintenance work.

  Mr. Curry
  The maintenance costs of flood defences which are the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority (NRA), such as the Thames flood defences, are normally funded through levies on local authorities, while capital works may be eligible for grant aid from this Department. In 1989, the Thames region of the NRA inherited substantial financial balances from its predecessor, the Thames Water Authority, in respect of future work on the Thames barrier, and these balances have been the subject of detailed discussions between NRA Thames region and the Government. Public sector bodies such as the NRA do not normally hold financial reserves in anticipation of future expenditure, since public sector accounting rules lay down that funds should not be sought in advance of need. The Government and the NRA therefore agreed that the Thames region balances should be used to fund maintenance and renewal works on the Thames flood defences over the next few years, with a view to running them down no later than March 1997. Thereafter, work on the Thames flood defences will be financed as normal through a combination of levies on local authorities and, where applicable, MAFF grant.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the National Rivers Authority's estimate of the likely maintenance cost of the Thames flood defences, including the Thames barrier, at the turn of the century; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The National Rivers Authority estimates that the cost of the recurring annual maintenance of the Thames tidal defences, including the Thames and Barking barriers, at the turn of the century is £3.5 million.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to remove discimination for tenant farmers in the sale or transfer of milk quotas.

  Mr. Curry
  The current EC negotiations on the consolidation and simplification of the milk quota regulations will include consideration of landlord/tenant issues in relation to quota transfers. We will seek to ensure that any provisions agreed take account of the interests of all parties concerned, including tenants.

  Spongiform Encephalopathies
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food for those animals involved in his Department's research programmes on spongiform encephalopathies, how many were(a) fed infected offal and (b) not fed infected offal; and how many in each case (i) developed and (ii) have not developed spongiform encephalopathy, distinguishing between (1) cattle and (2) other animals.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is contained in my letter to the hon. Member in reply to his question of 12 June, in respect of those animals to which BSE has been transmitted successfully. Copies of my letter are placed in the Library of the House.

  DENTISTS' INCOMES: DATA
  DENTISTS' INCOMES: DATA
  CHILDREN'S HOMES: SECURE PLACES
  CHILDREN'S HOMES: SECURE PLACES
  JUBILEE LINE: FUTURE
  JUBILEE LINE: FUTURE
  TAX RELIEFS: CHARITIES AND PENSION SCHEMES
  TAX RELIEFS: CHARITIES AND PENSION SCHEMES
  CHARITY TRUSTEES: POWER OF SALE
  CHARITY TRUSTEES: POWER OF SALE
  COURT DUTY PSYCHIATRIST SCHEMES
  COURT DUTY PSYCHIATRIST SCHEMES
  CRIME FIGURES: DISSEMINATION
  CRIME FIGURES: DISSEMINATION
  EC PARLIAMENT AND COMMISSION: PAY AND ALLOWANCES
  EC PARLIAMENT AND COMMISSION: PAY AND ALLOWANCES
  AFGHANISTAN: UK ASSISTANCE
  AFGHANISTAN: UK ASSISTANCE