Written Answers of 10 July 1992

EDUCATION

  Access Funds
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total amount of access funds available to(a) universities, polytechnics and institutions of higher education and (b) institutions of further education, for each academic year since the inception of the scheme; and what will be available for the 1992–93 academic year.

  Mr. Patten
  Details of the access funds made available for higher and further education institutions in England since the inception of the scheme in 1990–91 are as follows:

  Academic year 1990–91

  Academic year 1991–92

  £ million

  £ million

  (a) Universities, polytechnics and colleges of higher education

  18·1

  18·7

  (b) Colleges of further education

  4·2

  4·31

  TOTAL

  22·3

  23·01

  Details for 1992–93 will be announced shortly.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the access funds made available to institutions of further and higher education.

  Non-departmental public body

  Audit arrangements

  Method of tendering contract

  Duration

  Executive

  Business and Technical Education Council

  Private firm: Binder Hamlyn

  Renewal subject to AGM review

  1 year

  Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges

  Private firms; Internal audit: Ernst & Young External audit: Knox Kropper

  Competitive tender

  No set period

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

  Private firm: Buzzacott & Co.

  Competitive tender

  1 year

  Council for National Academic Awards1

  Private firm: Price Waterhouse

  Not tendered

  Continuous

  Education Assets Board

  NAO2

  Further Education Unit

  Private firm: Chantrey Vellocott

  Renewal subject ot AGM review

  1 year

  National Council for Educational Technology

  Private firm: Kidsons Impey

  Renewal subject to AGM review

  1 year

  Higher Education Funding Council (England)

  NAO

  National Curriculum Council

  NAO

  National Youth Association

  Private firm: Peat Marwick McLintock

  Currently not tendered—from 1993 competitve tender

  3 years

  346
  Mr. Patten
  The present access funds will meet their purpose if properly targeted to genuinely needy students.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students have applied for assistance from access funds during academic years 1990–91 and 1991–92; how many were successful; what was the average amount of assistance per individual given as(a) grant and (b) repayable loan; and what were the main criteria used.

  Mr. Patten
  The information is not available in the form requested. For the academic year 1991–92, the information will not be available until later in the year.

  Information so far available in respect of academic year 1990–91 is that approximately 70,000 higher education students, or 12 per cent. of all eligible students, received a payment from either the HE or postgraduate access funds; more than 15,500 students, or 18 per cent. of all eligible students, received a payment from the FE access funds; payments averaged just under £200 for undergraduates and about £600 for postgraduates; the average payment for FE students was just over £225.

  The purpose of the funds is to provide financial help to students who face real financial difficulties, for whatever reason. Institutions are free to devise their own criteria provided they are consistent with these requirements and are in line with the general guidance and conditions by the funding councils and, in the case of FE funds, the Department.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Forman
  The information is as follows:
  347

  Non-departmental public body

  Audit arrangements

  Method of tendering contract

  Duration

  Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council

  NAO

  School Examinations and Assessment Council

  NAO

  Teaching as a Career Unit

  Private firm: Saffery Champness

  Not tendered

  1 year

  University Funding Council

  NAO

  Advisory3

  Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

  Open University Visiting Committee4

  Visiting Committee for Cranfield Institute of Technology4

  Visiting Committee for the Royal College of Art4

  1 CNAA will cease to function from March 1993.

  2 NAO—National Audit Office.

  3 Advisory Bodies are subject to the audit arrangements of the Department.

  4 Bodies will cease to function following final report in July.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the numbers of people employed in each industry covered by a wages council in(a) 1970, (b) 1979 and (c)

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Statistical returns of the number of workers in establishments within the scope of the wages councils are not collected but periodic estimates are made. The results of exercises conducted for the years closest to those specified are shown in the tables. The figures for 1987 exclude young people under 21 years of age for whom the councils are not empowered to fix minimum rates.

  Wages Council

  1973

  (All workers)

  Aerated waters (E and W)

  20,000

  Aerated waters (Scotland)

  2,500

  Boot and floor polish

  1,250

  Boot and shop repairing

  12,500

  Brush and broom

  8,000

  Button manufacturing

  4,000

  Coffin furniture and cerement making

  550

  Corset

  13,000

  Cotton waste reclamation

  1,000

  Dressmaking and women's light clothing (E and W)

  125,000

  Dressmaking and women's light clothing (Scotland)

  10,000

  Flax and hemp

  4,000

  Fur

  8,500

  General waste materials reclamation

  26,000

  Hair, bass and fibre

  500

  Haidressing undertakings

  140,000

  Hat, cap and millinery (Great Britain)

  7,000

  Hollow-ware

  1,500

  Industrial and staff canteen undertakings

  218,000

  Keg and drum

  5,600

  Lace finishing

  1,500

  Laundry

  86,000

  Licensed non-residential establishment

  340,000

  Licensed residential establishment and licensed restaurant

  390,000

  348

  Wages Council

  1973

  (All workers)

  Linen and cotton handkerchief and household goods and linen piece goods

  6,500

  Made-up textiles

  5,500

  Milk distributive (E and W)

  75,000

  Milk distributive (Scotland)

  22,000

  Ostrich and fancy feather and artificial flower

  750

  Paper box

  35,000

  Perambulator and invalid carriage

  5,000

  Pin, hook and eye and snap fastener

  1,500

  Ready-made and wholesale bespoke tailoring

  115,000

  Retail bespoke tailoring (E and W)

  7,000

  Retail bespoke tailoring (Scotland)

  500

  Retail bookselling and stationery trades

  25,000

  Retail bread and flour confectionery trade (E and W)

  54,000

  Retail bread and flour confectionery trade (Scotland)

  10,000

  Retail drapery, outfitting and footwear trades

  440,000

  Retail food trades (E and W)

  293,000

  Retail food trades (Scotland)

  36,500

  Retail furnishing and allied trades

  200,000

  Retail newsagency, tobacco and confectionery trades (E and W)

  84,000

  Retail newsagency, tobacco and confectionery trades (Scotland)

  13,000

  Road haulage

  220,000

  Rope, twine and net

  7,000

  Rubber proofed garment making industry

  1,000

  Sack and bag

  3,000

  Shirtmaking

  43,000

  Stamped or pressed metal wares

  20,000

  Toy manufacturing

  40,000

  Unlicensed place of refreshment

  160,000

  Wholesale mantle and costume

  60,000

  Wages councils

  1979

  1987

  (All workers)

  (excluding under 21s)

  Aerated waters

  14,900

  5,500

  Boot and shoe repairing

  7,900

  5,000

  Button manufacturing

  3,300

  1,000

  Clothing manufacture1

  294,500

  147,000

  Coffin furniture and cerement making

  500

  200

  Cotton waste reclamation

  400

  300

  349

  Wages councils

  1979

  1987

  (All workers)

  (excluding under 21s)

  Fur

  5,100

  1,500

  Flax and hemp

  2,300

  500

  General waste materials reclamation

  20,200

  13,000

  Hairdressing undertaking

  128,600

  64,000

  Hat, cap and millinery

  7,800

  4,000

  Lace finishing

  700

  900

  Laundry

  39,200

  26,000

  Licensed non-residential establishment

  470,000

  492,000

  Licensed residential establishment and licensed restaurant

  530,000

  379,000

  Linen and cotton handkerchief and household goods and linen piece goods

  5,600

  2,500

  Made-up textiles

  6,500

  3,000

  Ostrich and fancy feather and artificial flower

  1,500

  500

  Perambulator and invalid carriage

  2,100

  2,000

  Retail bespoke tailoring

  5,000

  4,000

  Retail food and allied trades

  522,800

  465,000

  Retail trades (non-food)

  563,700

  745,000

  Rope twine and net

  4,000

  2,500

  Sack and bag

  1,800

  1,000

  Toy manufacturing

  23,300

  11,000

  Unlicensed place of refreshment

  121,900

  96,000

  1 In 1979 there were seven councils covering the clothing manufacturing trade.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will increase youth training allowances; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are no plans to increase minimum YT allowances. I believe that the current minimum allowances are sufficient to meet the normal requirements of trainees living in the parental home. Trainees who live independently may apply for income support if they consider their income is insufficient to meet their needs. Employers benefit considerably from Government expenditure on YT and are strongly encouraged to supplement trainee incomes wherever possible.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by her Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The non-departmental bodies currently sponsored by the Department of Employment are set out in the tables, with the information requested on their audit arrangements.

  Executive Bodies

  The following executive bodies are audited by the National Audit Office:

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

  Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members.

  Equal Opportunities Commission.

  Wages councils.

  Health and Safety Commission.

  Health and Safety Executive.

  350
  The following executive bodies are audited by private accountants:

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications.

  Currently audited by Coopers and Lybrand, Deloitte. The appointment is made by the NCVQ Council which reviews the contract annually. Renewal is not subject to formal competitive tendering.

  Remploy Limited.

  Currently audited by KPMG Peat, Marwick McLintock. Competitive tendering is used to appoint the auditors and the contract is normally for a duration of five years.

  Industry Training Boards.

  The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board and the Road Transport Industry Training Board arc both currently audited by Touche Ross and Co. The Construction Industry Training Board is currently audited by BDO Binder Hamlyn. These are long-standing arrangements, not subject to competitive tendering.

  Advisory Bodies and Tribunals etc.

  Any costs incurred by the following non-executive bodies are included in departmental expenditure which is audited by the National Audit Office.

  Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.

  National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities.

  National Training Task Force.

  Race Relations Employment Advisory Group.

  Women's National Commission.

  Committees for the Employment of People with Disabilities.

  Employment and Training Advisory Committee for the Resettlement of Ex-Regulars (ETAC).

  Sheltered Employment Consultative Group.

  Central Arbitration Committee.

  Employment Appeal Tribunal.

  Industrial tribunals.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Green Minister
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will outline the priorities for future action of the green Minister in his Department(a) over the next year and (b) over this Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As the green Minister, with a close personal interest in environmental matters, my priorities both for this year and for the duration of this Parliament are that the Department shall continue and intensify its efforts to improve energy efficiency; that the work already begun to maintain and, where appropriate, upgrade the historic buildings on our estate shall be sustained; that the design of new court buildings shall take full account of environmental concerns; and, in the procurement of goods and services, all reasonable steps shall be taken to use recycled and renewable resources.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Eastern and Central Europe
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for Education of 3 July,Official Report, column 714 if some of the know-how funds could be made available to the scouting movement in those countries of eastern and central Europe, and any

  351
  other comparable youth organisation, which were proscribed, or prevented from participating in the international organisation during the period of communist rule and which now wish to rebuild or establish their domestic organisation and rebuild international links.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Limited funds are available to help rebuild the capacity of voluntary organisations in eastern and central Europe through the charity know-how scheme. A number of grants have already been made to help the development of youth organisations in the region, including scouting groups in Hungary and Slovakia. Applications for youth exchanges can only be considered in so far as they are directly linked to the development of specific voluntary organisations based in central and eastern Europe.

  Guyana
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide details of Her Majesty's Government's bilateral and multilateral support for development in Guyana.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]:] We have made it clear to the Guyana Government that no new pledges of capital aid or technical co-operation commitments will be made until free and fair elections have been held and a government with sound economic policies is in place. Bilateral aid commitments already made in support of Guyana's economic reform programme have been fulfilled. The main contributions have been:

  £13·7 million of programme aid in support of the balance of payments.

  a $10·5 million (£6·135 million) short-term loan to assist payment of arrears to the international financial institutions.

  technical co-operation running at about £1·5 million a year.

  a grant of about £3·4 million to meet payments due to British companies for development projects.

  In addition, we have waived about £6 million and deferred about £3 million of aid debt payments, and rescheduled official commercial debts on concessional terms.

  We have supported Guyana's economic reform programme in the relevant multilateral fora. Britain contributes resources to the main multilateral agencies assisting Guyana, but there are no internationally agreed data on multilateral aid received by individual countries and attributable to donor countries.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Secretary of State (Salary)
  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the gross salary of the Secretary of State in his Department or its predecessor for each of the years from 1979 to 1989, inclusive, at 1989 prices.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table.

  Year

  Secretary of Slate salary

  Parliamentary salary

  Total gross salary

  Total gross salaries in 1989 prices

  £

  £

  £

  1979

  19,650

  5,265

  24,915

  55,614

  1980

  23,500

  6,930

  30,430

  59,902

  1981

  27,825

  8,130

  35,955

  59,925

  352

  Year

  Secretary of State salary

  Parliamentary salary

  Total gross salary

  Total gross salaries in 1989 prices

  £

  £

  £

  1982

  28,950

  8,460

  37,410

  55,753

  1983

  29,367

  9,543

  38,910

  53,374

  1984

  30,304

  10,626

  40,930

  53,714

  1985

  31,271

  11,709

  42,980

  53,658

  1986

  32,208

  12,792

  45,000

  53,003

  1987

  33,145

  13,875

  47,020

  53,130

  1988

  34,157

  16,911

  51,068

  51,068

  1989

  34,479

  18,148

  52,627

  52,627

  Source: H M Treasury

  Turner Village Hospital
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that income support payments made towards the cost of residential care provided by the Ling Trust in Essex for former residents of Turner Village mental handicap hospital were made in accordance with regulations allowing such payments to be made only in circumstances where the care provider is independent of a health authority.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support 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.

  Household Incomes
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will be publishing the latest households-below-average-income figures.

  Mr. Burt
  The next edition of "Households Below Average Income", covering the period 1979 to 1988–89, will be published on 15 July.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department: which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department sponsors the following non-departmental public bodies:

  Independent Tribunal Service

  Central Adjudication Services

  Occupational Pensions Board

  Attendance Allowance Board

  Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions

  Industrial Injuries Advisory Council

  Social Security Advisory Council

  War Pensions Committees

  None of these produces separate accounts. Their expenditure is recorded in the Department's administrative vote and audited by the National Audit Office.

PRIME MINISTER

  International Agreements
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all the international agreements, other than the United Nations target for overseas aid, which Her Majesty's Government agreed to in 1974 but have not yet met; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is the practice of the Government to comply with all legally binding obligations under international agreements. There is no international agreement which we concluded in 1974 which we are not implementing, or have not implemented.

  G7 Summit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of the discussion time at the Group of Seven summit in Munich was devoted to environmental matters.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The environment was one of a number of issues discussed at the G7 summit.

  Food Aid
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Prime Minister what fresh initiatives he intends to promote during the period of the British Presidency of the EC in regard to the use of grain and other foodstuffs stored by the EC as emergency food aid for third world countries.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]: The primary aim of emergency food aid must be to reach those who need it as quickly and effectively as possible. European food surpluses, being for the most part perishable, or otherwise not well suited to the purpose, are used only on a modest scale for famine relief. Emergency food aid is generally purchased from open market surpluses or from regions closer to areas in need. Third country purchases also help to encourage regional trade, ensure that food purchased is closely in line with local needs and avoid distortion of local markets. The Government will encourage the Commission to continue to provide food aid in the most efficient way possible, taking full account of local needs.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Prime Minister if he plans to convene any meetings in Wales to discuss the principle of subsidiarity during his presidency of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]: The conclusions of the meeting of the Euopean Council held at Lisbon on 26 and 27 June invited the Commission and the Council
  "to undertake urgent work on the procedural and practical steps"
  to implement the principle of subsidiarity. Both institutions will report to the European Council in Edinburgh. The British presidency will take forward this work.

  Wales will host an informal meeting of the Council of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers on 12 and 13 October. No agenda has been set for that meeting.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  North Sea Oil and Gas
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies involved in oil and gas production in the North sea have sought relief for reimbursement expenditure under abandonment guarantees as provided for under section 106 of part III of the Finance Act 1991.

  Mr. Dorrell
  None.

  Inheritance Tax (Exemptions)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each county of or region in England, Scotland and Wales the number of landowners and estates, where there are five or more such cases, that have benefited under the tax procedures by which tax liability is reduced on condition that there is an undertaking to manage and protect the land from development and allow reasonable public access.

  Mr. Dorrell
  As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 30 June, at columns 469–70, a detailed breakdown by county or region for conditional exemptions from inheritance tax of land and buildings is not readily available.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 7 July, if he will now take steps to collect figures for Scotland and Wales on the area of land where there is exemption from inheritance tax for access purposes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Yes. I will write to the hon. Member with this information when it is available and place a copy in the Library.

  Civil List
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have taken place in the frequency of reports to the House on the civil list and the requirement for the House to approve the civil list with the cessation of annual voted supplements under the Civil List Act 1975.

  Mr. Lamont
  The Civil List Act 1972 enables the royal trustees to report from time to time on relevant matters. In their October 1990 report—HC 629—the royal trustees indicated that they accepted the logic of the views of the 1971 Select Committee on the Civil List that 10 years was an appropriate period over which to operate. For the record, reports were made by the royal trustees in January 1975, December 1983 and October 1990.

  Judge Margaret Jackson
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the treatment at Heathrow airport of Judge Margaret Jackson by customs officials.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]: Ms. Margaret Jackson was questioned and searched by customs at Heathrow Airport on Thursday 11 June. She had arrived at around 10.15 am on a flight which is considered by Customs to be in the high-risk category for drug smuggling. After initial questioning, Customs officers decided to carry out a search. Ms. Jackson was offered the

  355
  opportunity to see a senior officer and her rights under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 were explained. The search was authorised by the senior officer and carried out by a female officer in accordance with the standard procedures. This search, and a subsequent urine test, proved negative. Ms. Jackson was released at 12.02 pm. Throughout her detention Ms. Jackson was made aware of her legal rights and she was offered access to an on-call duty solicitor.

WALES

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his financial memorandum on the updating of the costs of the proposed Cardiff bay barrage, if he will specify which sewer diversion works have already been paid for by Welsh Water and in the course of construction of the Butetown link section of the South Glamorgan county council's peripheral distributor road.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The sewers removed from the table of related expenditure in the note on the comparison of costs provided for the members of Standing Committee F on the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill are as follows:

  i. The Cogan outfall proposals

  These are now within the programme of Welsh Water Plc for diversion by 1994.

  ii. Pierhead combined sewers north of James street

  The main diversion works, including the Harrowby Street Pumping Station, have been constructed by South Glamorgan County Council as part of the Peripheral Distributor Road scheme. The diversion of flows south of the Peripheral Distributor Road remains within the estimate.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the most up-to-date estimate available to him of the cost of(a) the remedial drainage works and (b) basement waterproofing works to compensate for the effects of the Cardiff bay barrage arising from paragraph 7 of the Roy Stoner report published in January and costed on an outturn basis, using the same hypothesis on the timing of start and finish of construction as in his answer of 26 June, Official Report, column 340.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The £440,000 for remedial drainage works mentioned in Mr. Stoner's report would have an outturn cost of £496,000. As Mr. Stoner observed, it can be argued that since the areas involved are inadequately drained at the moment, the whole charge concerned with land drainage should not fall upon the barrage project.

  The cost of remedial works to property based on Hydrotechnica's most likely scenario would be £14·43 million at 1991–92 prices, which would become £17·47 million on an outturn basis. This figure was included in the £167·4 million given in my answer of 26 June. The outturn figure would be increased by a further £11·18 million if Hydrotechnica's "extreme case" of groundwater levels were to arise. However, as Mr. Stoner commented in his report,
  "generally one would expect that the levels experienced in practice would be lower".

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will introduce provisions to enable local highway authorities to provide speed limits in areas where they 356
  deem these to be necessary on county roads irrespective of the volume of traffic or number of pedestrians crossing the road; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Following consultation, a review is being conducted into the criteria used for setting speed limits. The new criteria will be more flexible and will allow greater weight to be given to local factors. Revised guidelines will be issued to local highway authorities.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was(a) allocated and (b) spent by each district council in Wales for the collection of the poll tax, for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information available is given in the table:

  Local authority expenditure on community charge collection1

  £ thousand

  1991–92 estimated outturn2

  1992–93 budgets

  Alyn and Deeside

  633

  685

  Colwyn

  316

  360

  Delyn

  346

  427

  Glyndwr

  342

  365

  Rhuddlan

  413

  399

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,044

  899

  Carmarthen

  484

  423

  Ceredigion

  503

  566

  Dinefwr

  269

  294

  Llanelli

  435

  446

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  327

  288

  South Pembrokeshire

  294

  292

  Blaenau Gwent

  436

  481

  Islwyn

  792

  722

  Monmouth

  420

  396

  Newport

  987

  988

  Torfaen

  540

  431

  Aberconwy

  427

  407

  Arfon

  528

  535

  Dwyfor

  376

  378

  Meirionnydd

  497

  419

  Ynys Mon

  567

  604

  Cynon Valley

  622

  656

  Merthyr Tydfil

  375

  446

  Ogwr

  844

  576

  Rhondda

  717

  678

  Rhymney Valley

  1,079

  1,122

  Taff Ely

  804

  822

  Brecknock

  358

  364

  Montgomeryshire

  535

  536

  Radnorshire

  244

  229

  Cardiff

  2,157

  2,829

  Vale of Glamorgan

  906

  928

  Port Talbot

  493

  498

  Lliw Valley

  636

  595

  Neath

  772

  707

  Swansea

  1,369

  1,524

  TOTAL WALES

  22,887

  23,315

  1 Net current expenditure, as recorded by local authoritiese on form RA9293.

  2 Includes the cost of re-billing following the £140 reduction announced in the 1991 Budget.

  Road Accident Victims
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many road accident victims suffering from(a) fractures to the upper limbs, (b) head injuries, (c) fractures to the

  357
  lower limbs and (d) whiplash injuries in Wales were still reporting problems one year after the accident: and if he will give a breakdown according to age category.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the average length of hospital stay for patients suffering(a) fractures to the upper limbs, (b) fractures to the lower limbs and (c) whiplash injuries resulting from road accidents in Wales; and if he will give a break-down of the figures according to age category.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information given in the table is taken from hospital activity analysis, relating to patients treated in Welsh NHS hospitals during 1990.

  Average length of stay (in days) by age and principal diagnosis

  Age at discharge

  Fracture to upper limb (ICD9 810–819)

  Fracture to lower limb (ICD 820–829)

  Whiplash (ICD 847.0)

  0·14

  7·5

  15·2

  —1

  15·24

  4·6

  14·7

  1·9

  25–44

  11·3

  20·9

  3·4

  Attendances at accident and emergency out-patient departments, 1990–91

  Road traffic accident victims attending accident and emergency departments as percentage of total new attendances at accident and emergency departments, 19901

  New patients

  Total attendances

  Percentage

  Clwyd

  92,608

  128,479

  2·8

  East Dyfed

  56,939

  78,812

  2·3

  Gwent

  108,712

  133,794

  2·1

  Gwynedd

  49,097

  60,293

  2·9

  Mid Glamorgan

  145,524

  212,666

  1·6

  Powys

  26,768

  41,910

  n.a.

  South Glamorgan

  85,213

  97,100

  2·5

  West Glamorgan

  102,402

  132,844

  22·8

  Pembrokeshire

  25,586

  37,708

  n.a.

  1 Data prodived by directors of public health medicine for annual review purpose

  2 April 1990-March 1991.

  n.a = not available.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total number of(a) fatalities and (b) car accidents affecting (i) car occupants, (ii) pedestrians" (iii) pedal cyclists and (iv) motorcyclists involved in road accidents in Wales in each of the last five years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The table gives the numbers of fatalities and all casualties for the requested groups. Information on the number of car accidents affecting different road user groups cannot be derived.

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Fatalities:

  Car occupants2

  101

  80

  110

  119

  109

  Pedestrians

  69

  76

  76

  86

  73

  Pedal cyclists

  10

  10

  10

  6

  9

  Motor cyclists3

  36

  41

  28

  23

  19

  Others

  4

  19

  7

  10

  17

  All fatalities

  220

  226

  231

  244

  227

  358

  Age at discharge

  Fracture to upper limb (ICD9 810–819)

  Fracture to lower limb (ICD 820–829)

  Whiplash (ICD 847.0)

  45·64

  11·7

  21·5

  2·5

  65·74

  16·0

  33·0

  2·0

  75+

  18·8

  26·4

  —1

  All ages

  9·3

  19·2

  2·7

  1 No cases recorded.

  The information is based on cases recorded as road traffic accident victims. These may be understated as not all hospitals provide full details relating to discharges and deaths.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were admitted to casualty departments in hospitals in Wales in each health authority area last year; and how many of such admissions had resulted from road accidents in each instance.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information is given in the table:

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  11991

  All casualties:

  Car Occupants2

  7,908

  8,830

  9,552

  10,182

  9,526

  Pedestrians

  2,536

  2,725

  2,696

  2,721

  2,501

  Pedal cyclists

  842

  805

  945

  873

  784

  Motor cyclists3

  1,867

  1,683

  1,728

  1,471

  1,172

  Others

  1,130

  1,118

  1,241

  1,181

  1,082

  All

  14,283

  15,161

  16,162

  16,428

  15,065

  1 Provisional.

  2 Includes users of invalid tricycles, three-wheelers and purpose-built taxis.

  3 Includes users of scooters, mopeds and motor cycle combinations.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish an estimated figure for the economic cost of injury accidents on Welsh roads during each of the last five years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Economic costs of injury road accidents are not calculated separately for Wales.
  359
  Estimates derived from Department of Transport average costs applied to Welsh accident figures are given in the table:

  Estimated cost of injury road accidents1

  £ million

  1987

  230

  1988

  240

  1989

  240

  1990

  250

  1991

  220

  1At June 1990 prices.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital beds are allocated per day on average in each health authority area, for victims of road accidents.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Hospital beds are not allocated specifically for victims of road accidents. Such patients are treated in beds allocated to the specialty appropriate to each case.

  Pembrokeshire Health Authority (Salaries)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the annual salary range of the general manager of Pembrokeshire health authority for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92, the personnel director of Pembrokeshire health authority for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92, the finance director of Pembrokeshire health authority for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92; and whether those salaries and fringe benefit packages included a car purchase or lease scheme.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  From 1 January 1990 salaries for district general managers have been set within three band ranges. The appropriate band range for the Pembrokeshire general manager post has been:

  Inclusive of Performance Pay

  Minimum—Maximum

  1 January 1990–31 August 1990

  £35,000

  £50,750

  1 September 1990–31 August 1991

  £37,980

  £55,060

  1 September 1991—to date

  £40,260

  £58,370

  The two senior managers referred to have received flat rate salaries on a point on the senior managers pay spine. The spine ranges have been:

  Minimum—Maximum

  1 January 1989–31 August 1990

  £12,560

  £39,170

  1 September 1990–31 August 1991

  £13,560

  £42,290

  1 September 1991—to date

  £14,380

  £44,850

  Senior managers may also receive performance pay up to a maximum of 20 per cent. of salary.

  These salaries do not include other non-pay elements.

  Entitlements to a Crown car or car purchase loan would be a matter for the employing authority having regard to the application of general Whitley council rules.

  Unitary Authority, Vale of Glamorgan
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to preserve the present Vale of Glamorgan district authority as a unitary authority, including Penarth, and to expand the vale to the west by adding Wick, Southerndown, Ogmore and Porthcawl.
  360
  Mr. David Hunt
  The statement I made to the House of Commons on 3 March 1992 included a proposal for an authority for the Vale of Glamorgan. I am at present consulting on that and other proposals and am well aware of my hon. Friend's strong representations on this issue; those consultations include further consideration of boundaries for the new authorities.

  Cataract Treatment Centres
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of patients treated at(a) the cataract treatment centre at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and (b) the cataract treatment centre at Bridgend general hospital his Department requires to be resident in Gwynedd and Mid-Glamorgan respectively.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  For 1992–93 it is proposed that 50 per cent. of patients treated at the ophthalmic treatment centre, Ysbyty Gwynedd and just over 9 per cent. of patients at the eye treatment centre, Bridgend general hospital will be from the centres' host district.

  A494
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the widening of the A494 at Aston Hill, Queensferry, Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department is currently undertaking a public consultation exercise in respect of an improvement for the section of the A494 between the River Dee and Ewloe which traverses Aston hill; 331 representations have been received to date.

  Queensferry Bypass
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what grounds he bases his proposals for widening the Queensferry bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Based on current and projected traffic flow data additional carriageway capacity is needed along the section of the A494 from the River Dee to Ewloe which includes the section known as the Queensferry bypass, to avoid serious congestion and a deterioration in road safety. The proposal to improve the section of road is currently the subject of a public consultation exercise.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he expects to arrange for the publication of the annual report and account of the Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Later this year.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.
  361
  Mr. David Hunt
  The non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Welsh Office are set out in "Public Bodies 1991", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  The Comptroller and Auditor General audits the accounts of all but two of the executive non-departmental public bodies on that list.

  The Cardiff Bay development corporation's accounts are audited by Ernst and Young whose appointment is for up to five years. Housing for Wales auditors are KPMG Peat Marwick whose appointment is for up to three years. Both appointments followed open competition.

DEFENCE

  Liquid Crystal Display
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's current policy on liquid crystal display; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Ministry of Defence funds a research programme by the Defence Research Agency into liquid crystal displays to ensure that the DRA remains at the forefront of this fast developing technology and, consequently, is able to provide expert advice to the MOD on the development and procurement of relevant equipment.

  Electro-magnetic Propulsion
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's current policy on electro-magnetic propulsion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Ministry of Defence funds a research programme by the Defence Research Agency into aspects of electro-magnetic propulsion with the aim of assessing the applicability of this technology to military requirements.

  Defence Research Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list for the last 12 months, the fact-finding visits the chief executive of the Defence Research Agency has made; what were his findings; if he will place a copy of his findings in the Library; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will list by grade his Department's current staffing levels at the Defence Research Agency.

  Mr. Aitken
  These are matters for the Defence Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of the DRA to write to the hon. Member.

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list for the last 12 months, the titles of scientific papers published by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment;

  (2) if he will list for the last 12 months, the fact-finding visits the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has made; what were his findings; if he will place a copy of his findings in the Library; and if he will make a statement.
  362
  Mr. Aitken
  These are matters for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of the CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Green Minister
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the priorities for future action of the green Minister in his Department(a) over the next year and (b) over this Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During the next year my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, will oversee actions arising from the Department's environmental review and the work necessary to meet the requirements of the Montreal protocol and EC regulation 594/91 on ozone-depleting substances. Over the next year and beyond, work will continue to ensure defence activities are undertaken in a manner consistent with the Government's overall environmental policy as outlined in "This Common Inheritance", Cm 1200, that they comply with United Kingdom environmental legislation and that environmental considerations are fully integrated into defence activities, policies and forward planning. I also refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 342 to 348 inclusive of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1992".

  Menwith Hill
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 June,Official Report, column 360, what British Telecom service has replaced the cables laid between Menwith Hill and the British Telecom relay station at Hunterstones tower.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The service previously carried on cables between Menwith Hill station and Hunterstones tower is provided by communications leased exclusively for defence purposes. None of these involves a direct link, on cable or otherwise, between Menwith Hill station and Hunterstones tower.

  Russian Aircraft Technology
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has from within NATO on whether Germany has engaged in negotiations with Russia for the purchase of Russian aircraft fighter technology by way of direct financial payment, debt reduction or otherwise.

  Mr. Aitken
  None.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Aitken
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member shortly.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what encouragement is being given to small Northern Ireland based non-fossil fuel generators of electricity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  A study is currently being undertaken into the potential for the development of renewable energy resources in Northern Ireland. The study's findings are due to be published later this year, following which the Department of Economic Development plans to introduce measures to encourage such generation.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made during the past 12 months to correct the under employment of Protestants within the staff of the Fair Employment Commission.

  Mr. Atkins
  In the 12 months to 1 January 1992 the commission received 1,389 job applications, of which 57 per cent. were from members of the Protestant community; and appointed 17 staff, of whom nine were Protestant.

  In the 12 months to 1 January 1991 the commission received 492 job applications, of which 47 per cent. were from members of the Protestant community; and appointed nine staff, of whom four were Protestant.

  The commission's equal opportunity policy provides for outreach measures including positive encouragement to Protestants to apply in job advertisements.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made to correct the under-employment of Protestants in the Bank of Ireland since it was first investigated by the Fair Employment Agency; when the Fair Employment Commission updated the position in this company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  At the time of the investigation by the Fair Employment Agency in 1985, 222 employees—42·1 per cent.—of the Bank of Ireland were Protestant and 305–57·9 per cent.—were Roman Catholic. In January 1991, 277–44·2 per cent.—were Protestant and 350–55·8 per cent.—were Roman Catholic.

  The bank is required by law to undertake a review of its employment composition and practices by 6 February 1993. If the review shows that members of one community are not enjoying fair participation, the bank must engage in affirmative action.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made to correct the under-employment of Protestants in the Allied Irish Banks Ltd. since it was first investigated by the Fair Employment Agency: when the Fair Employment Commission updated the position in this company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  At the time of the investigation by the Fair Employment Agency in 1985, 164 employees—28·1 per cent.—of the Allied Irish Banks plc were Protestant and 364
  420–71·9 per cent.—were Roman Catholic. In January 1991, 232–31·7 per cent.—were Protestant and 501–68·3 per cent.—were Roman Catholic.

  The bank is required by law to undertake a review of its employment composition and practices by 6 February 1993. If the review shows that members of one community are not enjoying fair participation, the bank must engage in affirmative action.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made to correct the under-employment of Protestants by Post Office Counters Ltd. since it was first investigated by the Fair Employment Agency; when the Fair Employment Commission updated the position in this company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Fair Employment Agency began an investigation in 1987 into the Post Office in Northern Ireland. The investigation covered the three businesses within the Post Office Corporation—Royal Mail, Royal Mail Parcelforce and Post Office Counters Ltd. In 1987, 1,764 employees—53·3 per cent.—were Protestant and 1,545–46·7 per cent.—were Roman Catholic. In January 1991, 1,837–51·6 per cent.—were Protestant and 1,721–48·4 per cent.—Roman Catholic.

  The Post Office is required by law to undertake a review of its employment composition and practices by 1 January 1993. If the review shows that members of one community are not enjoying fair participation, the Post Office must engage in affirmative action.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made to correct the under-employment of Protestants by Derry city council since it was first investigated by the Fair Employment Agency; when the Fair Employment Commission updated the position within this local authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Derry city council invited the Fair Employment Agency to conduct an investigation of its employment composition and practices. In March 1986, 166 of its employees—30·5 per cent.—were Protestant and 378–69·5 per cent.—Roman Catholic. In January 1991, 167–31·3 per cent.—were Protestant and 366–68·7 per cent.—Roman Catholic.

  The council is required by law to undertake a review of its employment composition and practices by 1 January 1993. If the review shows that members of one community are not enjoying fair participation, the council must engage in affirmative action.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made to correct the under-employment of Protestants by Down district council since it was first investigated by the Fair Employment Agency; when the Fair Employment Commission updated the position within this local authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Down district council was not subject to a formal investigation by the Fair Employment Agency.

  The council is required by law to undertake a review of its employment composition and practices by 1 January 1993. If the review shows that members of one community are not enjoying fair participation, the council must engage in affirmative action.
  365
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made to correct the under-employment of Protestants by Newry and Mourne district council since it was first investigated by the Fair Employment Agency; when the Fair Employment Commission updated the position within this local authority; and it' he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  When the Fair Employment Agency began its investigation in October 1986, 50 employees—11·7 per cent.—of Newry and Mourne district council were Protestant and 378–88·3 per cent.—were Roman Catholic. In January 1991, 29–9·5 per cent.—were Protestant and 276–90·5 per cent.—Roman Catholic.

  The council is required by law to undertake a review of its employment composition and practices by 1 January 1993. If the review shows that members of one community are not enjoying fair participation, the council must engage in affirmative action.

  Social Security Agency
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Social Security Agency's targets for 1992–93 will be published.

  Mr. Hanley
  The targets are included in the agency's 1992–93 business plan which was published today and a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The targets present a demanding challenge for the agency and fully support the next steps principles. They are as follows:

  Benefit clearance times1

  Social fund crisis loans—applications cleared on the day the need arises.

  Social fund community care grants—applications cleared on average in seven days.

  Income support new claims—claims cleared on average in four days.

  Sickness and invalidity benefit claims—65 per cent. of claims cleared in 12 days and 95 per cent. in 30 days.2

  Child benefit—65 per cent. of claims in 10 days and 95 per cent. in 30 days.2

  Family credit—60 per cent. of claims in 13 days and 95 per cent. in 45 days.2

  Disability living allowance—60 per cent of claims in 30 days and 95 per cent in 55 days.2

  Disability working allowance (claims from people starting work)—95 per cent. of claims in five days.2

  Retirement pension—65 per cent. of claims in 20 days and 95 per cent. of claims in 60 days.2

  Unemployment benefit—applications cleared on average in 8 days.3

  Benefit accuracy

  Income support—pay the correct amount in 99 per cent. of cases.

  Incapacity benefits4—to pay the correct amount in 98 per cent. of cases.

  Family credit—to pay the correct amount in 96 per cent. of cases.

  Disability living allowance—to pay the correct amount in 96 per cent. of cases.

  Disability working allowance—to pay the correct amount in 95 per cent. of cases.

  Pensions—to pay the correct amount in 99 per cent. of cases.

  Customer satisfaction

  90 per cent. of customers to regard the agency's service as satisfactory or better.

  Resource management

  To manage the agency's resources to deliver its Business Plan within a total budget of £121 million of which £111·4 million relates to departmental running costs (DRC).

  Achieve new efficiency savings worth at least 2·5 per cent. of DRC.

  The budget of £121 million is net of these savings.

  366

  Keep to a gross allocation for social fund loans and grants of £25 million.

  Financial recovery

  Recovery of social fund loans—£13·62 million.

  Recovery of income support overpayments—£l million. Benefit savings from detection and prevention of fraud—£10·4 million.

  Increase number of national insurance contribution surveys of employers by 15 per cent. to 5,000.

  Notes:

  1 Clearance times normally cover the period from date of receipt of the claim in the agency to the formal decision by the adjudication officer or equivalent. Notification of the result is normally issued by the following day. All days refer to working days.

  2 These targets are expressed in the format x per cent. in y days based on the time taken to clear individual cases, thus giving a better indication of the spread of service than a simple average.

  3 The target for clearing unemployment benefit claims has been set at eight days. This is slightly higher than last year's target of seven days. The main reason for this is that over the next 18 months offices will be converting to new computer systems. Sound experience on introducing major new systems in both the public and private sectors is that during conversion there is a period of temporary disruption while records are being transferred from clerical systems and staff are being trained and becoming proficient in the new ways of working. Whilst eight days remains a very challenging target which will require considerable commitment to achieve, performance will be continually monitored in a determined effort to improve upon this.

  4 Incapacity benefits is an overall term used to cover sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, severe disablement benefit and maternity allowance.

  Local Government Boundaries
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has completed his consideration of the final recommendations of the Local Government Boundaries Commission in respect of local government district and ward boundaries in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  Yes. An order under section 50(4) of the Local Government Act (NI) 1972 giving effect to the commissioner's recommendations without modification, was made on 6 July 1992. A copy of the commissioner's report and final recommendations is available in the Library.

  Customs Clearance
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) customs clearance staff work and (b) customs clearance firms operate in Northern Ireland; how many are based in each parliamentary constituency; and what is the estimated annual turnover generated by the customs clearance industry in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  Information from Her Majesty's Customs and Excise indicates that there are 75 businesses in Northern Ireland which provide customs clearance services. However, many of these businesses also have other activities and it is not possible to determine, from the available information, the staff numbers or turnover attributable solely to customs clearance work. The distribution of the 75 businesses by parliamentary constituency is as follows:
  367

  Customs clearance agents in Northern Ireland by parliamentary constituency

  Number

  Belfast, North

  15

  Belfast, East

  3

  Belfast, West

  9

  South Antrim

  12

  Lagan Valley

  1

  East Antrim

  3

  North Antrim

  1

  Foyle

  7

  South Down

  6

  Newry and Armagh

  13

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  5

  Total

  75

HEALTH

  Dentistry
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to settle the dispute with dentists practising in the national health service.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to a private notice question from the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 6 July at columns 21–25.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide a breakdown by health region of the annual running cost of salaried dentists operating within the national health service; and if she will provide a breakdown by health region of the annual cost to the national health service of dental treatment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  For the year ending March 1991 the annual cost of general dental services and the running costs of national health service salaried dentists in each health region are shown in the table.

  Region

  Cost of GDS

  Cost of salaried dentists

  £000

  £000

  Northern

  41,935

  8·056

  Yorkshire

  53,209

  25·585

  Trent

  63,435

  30·599

  East Anglia

  27,323

  23·741

  North West Thames

  52,538

  58·355

  North East Thames

  54,304

  524·161

  South East Thames

  53,390

  238·918

  South West Thames

  43,265

  41·071

  Wessex

  38,703

  29·340

  Oxford

  32,455

  8·178

  South Western

  49,675

  71·389

  West Midlands

  67,381

  124·706

  Mersey

  36,987

  115·541

  North Western

  63,567

  56·105

  ENGLAND

  678,167

  1,355·745

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advisory criteria her Department issues to family health service authorities in England by which cross-infection rates in dental surgeries are measured in both absolute and relative terms.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Family health services authorities may arrange for the inspection of dental surgeries which 368
  includes consideration of cross-infection control. The Department has not issued guidance on measurement of cross-infection rates.

  Tampon-related Illness
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received about the incidence of toxic shock syndrome and other tampon-related illnesses; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  In recent months, we have received a number of letters about toxic shock syndrome. TSS is a rare condition which sadly proves fatal in one or two cases each year. The Government are fully committed to reducing the risk of TSS associated with tampon use to the absolute minimum.

  Psychologists
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified clinical psychologists are employed by the NHS to work in(a) adult mental health services, (b) services for the elderly, (c) services to children and adolescents, (d) services to people with physical disability and (e) services to people with learning difficulty; and how many unfilled vacancies there arc in each of these areas of work.

  Mr. Yeo
  A total of 2,089 whole-time equivalent clinical psychologists were employed in the national health service in England as at 30 September 1991. Information about the numbers employed within particular areas of work and the number of unfilled vacancies is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical psychologists are employed by local authorities to work in(a) adult mental health services, (b) services for the elderly, (c) services to children and adolescents, (d) services to people with physical disability and (e) services to people with learning difficulty; and what information she has on the number of unfilled vacancies in each of these areas of work.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set up a royal commission to consider how the physical and mental well-being of the elderly could be met by statutory and voluntary organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo No.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards there will be for the physically disabled who may choose to have residential care but who may be designated by a local authority as suitable for care in the community.

  Mr. Yeo
  From April 1993 local authorities will be responsible for assessing with people their need for community care and arranging packages of care. Whether these services should be in the form of residential or
  369
  non-residential care will depend on the outcome of the assessment. Both assessments and subsequent care plans should take full account of people's preferences.

  Continuing Care Beds
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on the provision of continuing care beds within the national health service; when she expects to reach a decision about these; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  A number of representations have been received. The points raised will be taken fully into account in setting priorities for the health service and in monitoring health authorities' continuing provision of services for elderly people.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by her Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to pages 33–37 of "Public Bodies 1991", HMSO, 1991, a copy of which is available in the Library. Since publication, additional non-departmental public bodies have been established as follows:

  Youth Treatment Centre Advisory Group

  Medical Manpower Standing Advisory Committee

  The London Enquiry

  Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education

  Aids Action Group

  National Disability Information Project Steering Group

  The Department no longer sponsors the following bodies:

  Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health

  National Development Team for People with Learning Disabilities

  Of the Department's nine executive bodies, eight produce auditable accounts of which six are audited by the National Audit Office. The English National Board is audited by the Audit Commission, and the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting is audited by private accountants Lawrence and Co. of Baird house, 15–17 St. Cross street, London EC1N 8UN. Lawrence and Co. was appointed after a tendering exercise undertaken by the body itself and the contract is of open-ended duration, subject to satisfactory performance.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Wolds Prison
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about recent disturbances at Her Majesty's prison, Wolds; and if he will make a statement.
  370
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 6 July, at column 38, and the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 8 July, at column 199.

  Rave Parties
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the statutory provisions that relate to the holding of rave parties in rural areas; whether he has any plans to revise the existing legislation; and whether he has any plans to introduce further measures to control such events.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Provisions of the London Government Act 1963, the Private Places of Entertainment (Licensing) Act 1967 or the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, all as amended by the Entertainments (Increased Penalties) Act 1990 may, depending on the circumstances of each case, require the licensing of places used for such events. Other, more general, provisions of the criminal and civil law may also apply in particular cases. We have no present plans to amend these provisions or to introduce any new legislation to control events of this kind, but we keep the matter under review.

  Trespassing
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We shall be further considering whether any changes need to be made to the public order law in consultation with other government departments and chief officers of police.

  Metropolitan Police (Accidents)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 553, in what form information is held on accidents involving Metropolitan police.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Accident records are held by local police stations. The accident claims branch record claims made either against or by the Metropolitan police. The driver training branch keep a record of qualified police drivers: this includes a record of all accidents which a driver has been found to be liable for. Statistics, other than the total of accidents and the number of accidents in which Metropolitan police officers were found to be to blame which are published in the commissioner's annual report, are not collected centrally.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to(a) the taxpayer and (b) the community charge payer or ratepayer of policing the Stonehenge area during the period of the summer solstice in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage of the total cost was accounted for by police overtime pay.
  371
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the chief constable of Wiltshire that the additional cost of policing the Stonehenge area during the period of the summer solstice was as follows:

  Year

  Additional cost

  £

  1985

  811,413

  1986

  526,060

  1987

  268,400

  1988

  383,500

  1989

  520,500

  372

  Year

  Additional cost

  £

  1990

  288,000

  1991

  277,000

  1992

  1242,450

  1 Estimate.

  Details of the costs of overtime are not available. It is not possible to assign particular aspects of expenditure to the source of funding.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Details of non-departmental public bodies, including audit information, are published annually by HMSO in "Public Bodies"—ISBN 0-11-430064-X. Audit arrangements in respect of those executive bodies listed whose accounts are neither audited by nor accessible to the National Audit Office are as follows:

  Auditors

  Alcohol Education and Research Council

  Saffrey Champness

  Fire Service Examinations Board

  Touche Ross

  Fire Service Research and Training Trust

  Vale and West of Reading

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Horserace Totalisator Board

  Stoy Hayward

  Refusals1 on grounds of maintenance and accommodation, of after-entry applications by husbands and wives

  Number of persons

  Refusals to grant probationary year on grounds of:

  Refusals of settlement after probationary yaer2

  Accommodation

  Maintenance

  Maintenance and Accommodation

  1990

  Quarter 1

  Husbands

  1

  —

  —

  3

  Wives

  —

  —

  1

  4

  Quarter 2

  Husbands

  3

  1

  2

  8

  Wives

  —

  1

  —

  8

  Quarter 3

  Husbands

  3

  1

  1

  8

  Wives

  —

  1

  —

  5

  Quarter 4

  Husbands

  1

  —

  —

  7

  Wives

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1991

  Quarter 1

  Husbands

  —

  3

  —

  7

  Wives

  —

  —

  —

  7

  Quarter 2

  Husbands

  —

  —

  —

  11

  Wives

  3

  —

  —

  12

  Quarter 3

  Husbands

  —

  1

  3

  6

  Wives

  3

  1

  1

  8

  Quarter 4

  Husbands

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Wives

  1

  —

  —

  5

  1992

  Quarter 1

  Husbands

  1

  —

  —

  8

  Wives

  1

  1

  1

  12

  1 Excluding dependants.

  2 Refusal of settlement after probationary year on general considerations, including recourse to public funds.

  374
  Methods of appointment vary, including annual tender and nomination by local authority associations, as does duration.

  Crime, Halifax
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be replying to the hon. Member for Halifax about a meeting to discuss the increase in crime in Halifax and the urban crime fund.

  Mr. Jack
  A reply is being sent to the hon. Member today.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) husbands, (b) wives and (c) dependent children have been refused (i) extension of stay and (ii) settlement in the United Kingdom on the grounds that the Secretary of State is not satisfied that they can be maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds, in each quarter since January 1990.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 3 July 1992]: The available information relating to after entry cases is given in the table. Information on dependent children is not readily available.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  All the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department are audited by the National Audit Office. They are:

  Civil Service Appeal Board

  Agricultural and Food Research Council

  Economic and Social Research Council

  Medical Research Council

  Natural Environment Research Council

  Science and Engineering Research Council

TRANSPORT

  Trains
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will request the Health and Safety Executive to obtain and publish a report on the responsibilities, training and employment and rules for train crews, with particular reference to safety, before further legislation relating to changes in the operation of railways is introduced.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are asking the Health and Safety Commission to arrange for a study of the safety implications of the Government's proposals for the privatisation of British Rail and to make detailed recommendations. This study will look at all safety-related issues, including the training and certification of train crews.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the approximate proportion of passenger train miles in the last available year where receipts were equal to, or exceeded, the costs that can be ascribed to the total transport service to the passengers.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1991–92 receipts excluding grant exceeded operating costs only for InterCity among British Rail's three passenger businesses. InterCity was responsible for 22 per cent. of British Rail's total loaded passenger train miles.

  Railway Costs
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the approximate proportion of railway costs ascribable to the provision, maintenance and operation of the track and associated stationary features, and those relating to the cost of moving and crewing rolling stock and its associated costs.

  Mr. Freeman
  A breakdown of rail business expenditure last year is provided in note 3 to British Rail's annual report and accounts for 1991–92, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. Expenditure on track, signalling, telecommunications, terminals and operations control amounted to 44 per cent. of the total; train provision, operation, maintenance and catering to 39; and other expenditure to 17 per cent.

  M25
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the estimated cost of his Department's proposal for new feeder roads between the M3 junction and the M4 junction of the M25.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The estimated cost of the proposed improvement between junction 12 (M3) and 15 (M4) of the M25 is £144 million at 1992 prices.

  Bus Project
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make resources available to the boroughs concerned in the south and west London bus priority demonstration project.

  Mr. Norris
  I am pleased to announce the allocation of £300,000 of supplementary credit approvals in 1992–93 for the first stage of the south and west London bus priority demonstration project.

  Air Travel Trust Fund
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Government are taking to address the depletion of the air travel trust fund revealed in the ATT annual report and accounts.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Government intend to legislate, when parliamentary time allows, to allow the Air Travel Trust fund to be replenished.

  In the meantime, I have laid a minute informing Parliament of my proposal to grant a guarantee to enable the fund to borrow to meet its obligations.

  Harbour Authorities
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those harbour authorities where a direction has been given under the provisions of section 22 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990.

  Mr. Norris
  The harbours affected by directions issued to harbour authorities under section 22 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 are listed:

  Scotland

  Aberdeen

  Ardrossan*

  Cairnryan

  Invergordon*

  Leith (Edinburgh)

  Lerwick

  Scrabster

  Stranraer

  Northern Ireland

  Belfast

  Larne

  Wales

  Cardiff

  Fishguard

  Holyhead

  Pembroke Dock

  Swansea

  England

  Brighton

  Dartmouth

  Dover

  Felixstowe

  377

  Fleetwood

  Folkestone

  Harwich, Parkeston Quay

  Heysham

  Kingston upon Hull

  Liverpool

  London

  Newhaven

  North Shields

  Plymouth

  Poole

  Portsmouth

  Ramsgate

  Sheerness

  Southampton

  Tilbury

  Torquay*

  Weymouth

  *=although directions have been served they are at present dormant as no relevant passenger services operate from these harbours.

  In addition, the following harbours have been the subject of directions given to harbour authorities under section 22 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 but are now no longer covered as the direction has been revoked by a further direction given under section 22, as permitted under section 46.

  Scotland

  Lochboisdale

  Oban

  Stornoway

  Ullapool

  England

  Grimsby

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those bodies of constables empowered under section 22(3) of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 to search or enter a private dwelling.

  Mr. Norris
  Constables empowered to search or enter a private dwelling under section 22(3), as qualified by sections 22(4) and (5), of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, are, in the case of England, Scotland or Wales, those from constabularies which are maintained by a police authority or an authority which has entered into an agreement with the Police Complaints Authority under section 96(1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; and, in the case of Northern Ireland, those from constabularies which are maintained by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland or an authority which has entered into an agreement with the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland under article 16 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.

  Such powers exist only where there are extant directions, issued by the Secretary of State under section 22(1) to the harbour authority, for searching to be carried out.

  Airports
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive a progress report from the working group, chaired by his Department, which is taking forward the Civil Aviation Authority's advice on runway capacity in the south-east.

  Mr. Norris
  The working group is making useful progress and will publish next year its advice on future runway capacity. Its timetable is demanding and it has no plans to prepare an interim report.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Green Minister
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will outline the priorities for future action of the green Minister in his Department(a) over the next year and (b) over this Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 15 June concerning the purchasing, energy use and waste management policies of the Departments for which I am responsible.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  The Attorney-General
  The Departments for which I am responsible do not sponsor any non-departmental public bodies.

  Trades Union Congress
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 6 July, if he will publish in the Official Report the letter of 14 February sent by the secretary of the Law Commission to the TUC and the subsequent reply.

  The Attorney-General
  With the consent of the senders, I have caused copies of each of the letters to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Business Sponsorship Incentive Scheme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what information he has regarding awards made for arts projects in(a) Blaenau Gwent and (b) Wales by the business sponsorship incentive scheme in 1992.

  Mr. Key
  To date, 27 awards have been made to arts organisations in Wales in 1992, representing a total of £180,356 in Government money. Of these, two awards have gone to arts projects in Blaenau Gwent. The garden festival, Wales has won an award of £13,000 to match sponsorship by Optrex and Trecco Bay leisure park. The second award of £2,000 is to South Wales Potters for a ceramic display at the garden festival, sponsored by Bath Potters Supplies and Work Shop Gallery.

  Royal Watercolour Society
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions he has had with the Royal Watercolour Society concerning the renovation of its collection of work by British artists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Neither my right hon. and learned Friend nor I have had any discussions with the Royal Watercolour Society, because none have been requested. As a watercolour enthusiast I would be happy to meet them.

  Football
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he is ready to announce the conclusions of his reconsideration of the all-seating requirements at Football League clubs.

  Mr. Mellor
  I am grateful to all those who have so promptly let me have their views following my announcement on 4 June that I was reconsidering certain aspects of the all-seating requirements. I have been struck by the consistency of the views which have emerged.

  I said on 4 June that I was not prepared to review either the principle of or the timetable for all-seating at first division grounds in the Football League, the new premier league. This view has been confirmed by the responses I have received and I have decided furthermore, in the light of consultation, to continue our existing policy for all-seating for clubs in the present second division. Many of these clubs have recently played in the higher division. All of them should aspire to do so. I have no doubt that they will want to prepare themselves to put those aspirations into practice by pressing ahead vigorously with an all-seating policy.

  Having considered the submissions made to me, I can confirm that I am prepared to allow some standing accommodation to be retained at grounds in the third and fourth divisions provided terracing is safe. Clubs in these divisions should not see this as an easy option. They will need to ensure that such accommodation fully accords with the high standards of safety which all spectators have a right to expect. Clubs moving from the third to the second division will continue to have three seasons to convert to all-seater.

  I continue to expect that the vast majority of clubs throughout the league will see as their ultimate goal the achievement of substantially seated grounds as part of their commitment to the principles of improved spectator safety and comfort defined by Lord Taylor.

  Note

  References in the answer to divisions are to the present divisional structure of the Football League.

  Upon the introduction of the premier league on 15 August, the present second division will become the first division and the current third and fourth divisions, divisions two and three.

  Festivals
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money was provided by the Arts Council for the Sheffield festival 1991 and the Sheffield festival 1992; what guidance has been given by his Department to the Arts Council concerning continuity of funding and encouragement for the development of festivals aimed at both entertainment and urban regeneration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Yorkshire Arts provided £14,500 in 1991 and its successor body, the Yorkshire and Humberside regional arts board, £10,750 in 1992. The very helpful contribution which the festival makes to urban regeneration was taken into account in these funding awards.

  Decisions on funding allocations to arts organisations are taken at arm's length from the Government by the Arts Council and the regional arts boards. It is not for my Department to give specific guidance in this area.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Tibet
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it remains his policy to support resolution 1723 of the UN General Assembly 16th session relating to the demand for the cessation of practices which deprive the Tibetan people of their fundamental human rights and freedom, including their rights to self-determination.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The resolution called for the cessation of practices which deprived the Tibetans of their human rights, including their right to self-determination. Her Majesty's Government believe that all peoples have the right to self-determination, but that this right can be expressed in several different ways. In voting for this resolution, Her Majesty's Government, as was made clear at the time in the explanation of vote, was expressing its concern about the sufferings of the Tibetan people, as expressed in the preamble to the resolution.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to Iraq following the refusal of entry to the United Nations Special Commission team to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Security Council issued a presidential statement on 6 July reminding the Iraqis of their obligations under Security Council resolutions 687 and 707 to allow inspection teams immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to all areas they wish to inspect. An envoy from the special commission is in Baghdad and in touch with Iraqi authorities.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Saudi Government regarding the conditions in which refugees from Iraq are being held.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We regularly discuss Iraq-related issues with the Saudi Arabian authorities. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs did so on 2 July with the Saudi Foreign Minister. I understand that the Saudis are investing considerable resources in constructing a new camp to house Iraqi refugees in much improved conditions. This is welcome.

  European Court
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions the European Court of Human Rights has considered cases related to United Kingdom taxation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The European Court of Human Rights has not considered any cases related to United Kingdom taxation.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently sponsors 11 executive non-departmental public bodies and one tribunal. The bodies and their auditors are:

  British Council

  National Audit Office

  Commonwealth Institute

  National Audit Office

  Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission

  National Audit Office

  Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board

  National Audit Office

  GB-China Centre

  Sayers Butterworth

  British Association for Central and Eastern Europe

  B. M. May

  Crown Agents

  Price Waterhouse

  Commonwealth Development Corporation

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

  Knox Cropper

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy

  To be appointed

  Britain Russia Centre

  Gain Jackson Scott

  The auditors for Crown Agents and the Commonwealth Development Corporation are appointed annually by the Secretary of State. A review of audit arrangements involving competitive tendering by leading firms of auditors is normally undertaken every six years.

  Audit of the administrative costs of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is carried out by Knox Cropper as part of the annual audit of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The council of the ACU appoints its auditors annually following an assessment of their performance in the previous year.

  The GB-China Centre, Britain Russia Centre and British Association for Central and Eastern Europe also appoint their auditors annually following an assessment of their performance in the previous year.

  The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a new NDPB, has yet to appoint auditors; it has obtained estimates from three recommended firms of chartered accountants.

  Baltic States
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when visa-issuing facilities will be available at the British posts in Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A final decision has not yet been taken on establishing entry clearance sections at these posts. We are currently reviewing the situation in the light of the availability of suitable accommodation.

  The hon. Member will recall from the answer I gave to his question of 19 June that nationals of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania travelling on national passports do not require visas for visits to the United Kingdom.

  South Africa (Companies)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for reassessment of the EC's code of conduct for companies with interests in South Africa during the British presidency of the EC.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]: Her Majesty's Government continue to believe that the code of conduct fulfills an important function and to encourage companies to comply with its terms. In political co-operation, under the previous presidency, officials began discussion of possible changes to the code's reporting procedures.

ENVIRONMENT

  Peat Bogs and Heathlands
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to improve the protection of lowland peat bogs and heathlands.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to my right hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 7 July,Official Report, column 158.

  Both habitat types are covered by annex I of the EC habitats directive. The means of implementing the directive and the scientific criteria for selecting sites are under consideration.

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of household waste is currently recycled by each district council in England.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the recycling activities of individual local authorities is not held centrally at present. Work is in hand to establish better data, including a national review of waste statistics on which we are working with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and the recycling plans which are now being prepared by every waste collection authority in the country as a result of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Local Government Ombudsman
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the councils which have refused to implement the recommendations of the local government ombudsman from 1991 to date; and what action he intends to take to ensure the recommendations are carried out.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information for the year ending 31 March 1992 will be published in the 1991–92 annual report of the Commission for Local Administration. The citizens charter makes clear the Government's intention to consider making the ombudsman's recommendations legally enforceable if such a step should become necessary.

  Sewerage
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make connection to adopted sewers compulsory for households in areas with(a) sensitive aquifiers and (b) pollution of streams and waterways.

  Mr. Maclean
  None. Septic tanks or cesspits can provide satisfactory drainage if they are properly designed and operated. For isolated properties, the provision of a public sewer might be prohibitively expensive. The National Rivers Authority has powers which it can use to control and prevent pollution from domestic drainage.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has made of the refusal of households to connect to first-time sewage schemes.

  Mr. Maclean
  A local authority would normally not requisition a first-time sewerage scheme unless the majority of householders in the relevant area had indicated that they wished to connect to public sewers. The Department's experience of grant-aiding schemes in rural areas shows that very small schemes usually have a 100 per cent. connection rate. Larger schemes serving whole villages have a lower connection rate because some of the properties will have an adequate septic tank or cesspit which the household can continue to use without problems. Some householders who do not connect when a mains system is first installed may do so later.

  Housing Defects
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) of 13 May,Official Report, column 128, who undertook the efficiency scrutiny report into the housing defects scheme of assistance; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Baldry
  The efficiency scrutiny report of the housing defects scheme of assistance was undertaken by Mrs. Susan Deville, an official in the Department. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Tillingdown Farm, Caterham
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent planning inquiry appeal, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning and Compensation Act 1991, in regard to land use at Tillingdown farm, Caterham.

  Mr. Baldry
  In a decision issued on 22 June, on an appeal under section 174(2)(b) and (c) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, a planning inspector corrected and upheld Surrey county council's enforcement notice requiring the use of land at Tillingdown farm, Caterham, for the deposit of waste materials to cease. It is open to the appellant to seek the leave of the High court, in accordance with the amended provisions of section 289 of the 1990 Act, to appeal to the court, on a point of law, against the inspector's decision.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent applications have been received from Amersham International to dispose of low-activity 384
  radioactive waste under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960, at sites near Amersham other than those currently covered by licences under the Act.

  Mr. Maclean
  No such applications have been received.

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the current number of staff employed by, or seconded to, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee; and whether any posts have yet to be filled.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are currently 53·5 permanent staff on secondment to the committee from the country councils. A further 1·5 permanent posts are filled by fixed-term appointments and four permanent posts vacant. In addition, there are 37 fixed term appointments to undertake work on projects with a limited timetable. The formal staff complement for the JNCC is currently under review.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what role the Joint Nature Conservation Committee will play in advising the Government on the legislation and procedural changes which will be required in order that the United Kingdom can meet its obligations under the new EC directive on the conservation of wildlife and habitats.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are involving the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the country councils closely in the consideration of the measures necessary to implement the habitats directive. The JNCC's particular responsibility will be to ensure that the scientific response to the directive's requirements is consistent across the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the functions and responsibilities of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Joint Nature Conservation Committee was established under section 128(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to discharge the functions set out in section 133 of the Act. These include the provision of advice on nature conservation for great Britain as a whole or outside Great Britain, the establishment of standards for common monitoring and research and the commissioning of research.

  Hostel Deficit Grant
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will obtain from the Housing Corporation a report of its assessment as to whether the use of hostel deficit grant by the Ling Trust in Essex to purchase district health authority staff time in respect of the care of former residents of Turner Village mental handicap hospital is in accordance with the regulations governing the provision of such grants.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Housing Corporation has received a claim for hostel deficit grant in respect of nine schemes managed by the Ling Trust, including accommodation for former residents of Turner Village hospital. The claim is being considered and no grant has been paid.

  Hostel deficit grant is payable in respect of deficits incurred by registered housing associations in the housing

  385
  management of hostels. Welfare costs, such as the cost of care staff, are not eligible for grant and associations need to look to other agencies, such as local health or social services authorities or charities, to support such expenditure.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses in the network installer area including Glasgow, Central constituency have been improved under the home energy efficiency scheme.

  Mr. Maclean
  Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,018 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Local Government Commission
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on which counties the Local Government Commission will consider; in what order and on what time scale.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Robinson) on 3 June,Official Report, columns 545–46.

  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the terms of reference of the Local Government Commission; and what guidance he has given as to the optimum size of a new unitary authority.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The terms of reference of the Local Government Commission are set out in section 13(5) of the Local Government Act 1992.

  The size of authorities is covered in paragraph 10 of our revised policy guidance which was placed in the Library on 3 June. My right hon. and learned Friend intends to direct the commission to have regard to this guidance shortly.

  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Local Government Commission was established; and if he will list the names, qualifications and previous experience of its members.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Local Government Commission was formally established on 1 July. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Local Government and Inner Cities, announced the names of the members we have appointed to the commission on 15 June,Official Report, column 397, and 3 July, Official Report, column 719. Further details about these members are available from my Department's press notice, a copy of which I have placed in the Library.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to appoint an equal number of women and men members to the Local Government Commission.

  Executive NDPB

  External Auditor

  British Board of Agrément

  BDO Binder Hamlyn

  Commission for the New Towns

  Ernst and Young

  Housing action trusts:

  North Hull

  Kidsons Impey

  Waltham Forest

  Pannell, Kerr Forster

  Housing Corporation

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Letchworth Garden City Corporation

  Ernst and Young

  Local Government Commission

  not yet appointed

  London Pensions Fund Authority

  District Audit Service of the Audit Commission

  London residuary body

  District Audit Service of the Audit Commission

  386
  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Local Government and Inner Cities gave to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike), on 15 June,Official Report, column 397, and to my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Field), on 3 July, Official Report, column 719.

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of capital allowances claimed for investment in enterprise zones.

  Mr. Redwood
  The total cost of capital allowances for all enterprise zones in Britain, estimated from eligible private sector investment in construction in the zones as at 31 March 1990, was £600 million in 1989–90 prices.

  Unitary Authorities
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention that any local authority whose boundary is coterminous with that of a shire county will be able to apply for unitary authority status when the position of that shire county is considered by the boundary commission.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Local Government Commission's priority is to examine the structure of local government in the shire counties, as directed by the Secretary of State. Where the commission judges it necessary to make recommendations concerning localities bordering on an area under review, it should ask the Secretary of State to vary his direction requiring the review to be conducted.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Howard
  The Comptroller and Auditor General, who is head of the National Audit Office, has statutory responsibility for auditing the accounts of the Audit Commission, the Countryside Commission, the Nature Conservancy Council for England—English Nature—and the Rural Development Commission. The external auditors of the other executive NDPBs sponsored by the Department are:
  387

  Executive NDPB

  External Auditor

  National Rivers Authority

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Urban development corporations:

  Black Country

  Touche Ross and Co.

  Bristol

  Touche Ross and Co.

  Central Manchester

  Touche Ross and Co.

  Leeds

  Kidsons Impey

  London Docklands

  Ernst and Young

  Merseyside

  Price Waterhouse

  Sheffield

  Price Waterhouse

  Teesside

  Price Waterhouse

  Trafford Park

  Price Waterhouse

  Tyne and Wear

  Coopers and Lybrand

  These appointments are made annually and are renewed subject to satisfactory performance. Formal reviews, involving competitive tendering, are held at least every six years.

  Maintenance Work, Calderdale
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has decided to take against Calderdale metropolitan borough council following the issue of notices under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988 in relation to its decision to assign vehicle maintenance and ground maintenance work to its direct service organisation.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. and learned Friend has given careful consideration to the response which Calderdale metropolitan borough council has made to the notices served on 19 May 1992, and has today given a direction under section 14 of the Local Government Act 1988 in respect of vehicle maintenance work. The direction requires the council to re-tender the contract and to seek the Secretary of State's consent before awarding the work to its direct service organisation.

  Permanent jobs

  Net gain to March 1991

  Net gain to March 1992

  Estimated net increase

  Estimated percentage change

  Urban development area

  (Revised figures)

  (Estimated)

  (Decrease)

  Black Country

  12,600

  3,000

  400

  15

  Bristol

  4,500

  4,483

  (17)

  0

  Central Manchester

  950

  750

  (200)

  (21)

  Leeds

  15,862

  3,875

  (1,987)

  (34)

  London Docklands

  26,000

  126,000

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  4,000

  2,000

  (2,000)

  (50)

  Sheffield

  5,862

  5,902

  40

  1

  Teesside

  4,446

  6,025

  1,579

  36

  Trafford Park

  2,557

  28,231

  5,674

  222

  Tyne and Wear

  4,785

  9,237

  4,452

  93

  TOTALS

  61,562

  69,503

  7,941

  13

  Notes:

  1 No revised estimate made.

  2 May include jobs created in earlier years.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to provide a substantive reply to the question of 20 May from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside regarding the number of jobs created in each urban development corporation to March.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have answered this question today.
  388
  The Secretary of State has decided not to give a direction in respect of the ground maintenance work.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the number of jobs created in each urban development corporation area, including information to March 1992; and if he will include a column of figures indicating the net and percentage increase or decrease of jobs relative for March 1991.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 20 May 1992]: Estimates of employment in urban development areas are derived from surveys commissioned periodically by urban development corporations. Seven UDCs have undertaken such surveys recently and, in a number of UDCs, the estimate of the number of net permanent jobs created to March 1991 has been revised in consequence.

  The information requested is as follows:

SCOTLAND

  Drug Surveillance
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the number of police working on drug surveillance in each police force.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 July 1992]: The number of officers dedicated to drugs duties is as follows:
  389

  Number

  Central Scotland

  4

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2

  Fife

  4

  Grampian

  11

  Lothian and Borders

  24

  Northern

  5

  Strathclyde

  34

  Tayside

  12

  TOTAL

  96

  In addition, there are 40 officers in the drugs wings of the Scottish crime squad engaged in drugs inquiries.

  Police
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet police authorities to discuss manning levels in Scottish police forces.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 July 1992]: My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so. Manpower in each force is primarily the responsibility of the police authority concerned. If an authority decides to change the establishment level it has authorised, it requires my right hon. Friend's consent to the proposed change.

  Number of robberies and crimes and offences involving the alleged use of firearms recorded in divisions K and X of Strathclyde police 1987 to 1991

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  K division, Strathclyde police

  (a) Robberies involving the alleged use of a firearm

  11

  1

  12

  23

  57

  (b) Crimes and offences involving the alleged use of a firearm1

  76

  43

  54

  123

  159

  X division, Strathclyde police

  (a) Robberies involving the alleged use of a firearm

  0

  0

  3

  4

  7

  (b) Crimes and offences involving the alleged use of a firearm1

  20

  12

  20

  22

  34

  1 These figures include robberies involving the alleged use of a firearm shown separately in (a) above.

  Durg-related Crimes
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many drug-related crimes have been committed in Scotland in the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 July 1992]: Information collected centrally on crimes recorded by the police is not held in a form which shows whether or not the crime was drug related. Information on the number of drugs offences, which includes importation, production, supply and possession of drugs, recorded by the police in the last five years is contained in the statistical bulletin "Recorded crime in Scotland 1991" which was published on 22 May 1992 and a copy of which is in the Library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Departmental Select Committees
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to provide a substantive reply to the question from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West on 22 May concerning reports from departmental Select Committees.
  390
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to give the police extra resources to deal with increasing drug problems in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 July 1992]: Police authorities determine the resources allocated to their forces and it is for chief constables to decide how the resources available to them should be deployed. The authorities receive police grant at 51 per cent. of their net expenditure. In addition, in the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93, three extra officers have been added each year to the strength of the Scottish crime squad for drugs-related inquiries.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Strathclyde on the number of police involved in the recent drug operation in Linwood, Renfrewshire, where seven people were charged with drug-related offences.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 July 1992]: No. This is an operational matter which is entirely the responsibility of the chief constable.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) armed robberies and (b) crimes involving weapons have taken place during the last five years in K division and X division of Strathclyde police.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 July 1992]: The available information is given in the table.

  Mr. Newton
  I replied to the hon. Member on Thursday 9 July.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef Premium
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will press for the introduction of a higher rate of premium for cattle stocked at 0·5 or 1·0 livestock units per hectare within the less favoured areas as a complementary measure to the £29 per cow which will be paid to all beef cows stocked 1·5 livestock units per hectare as agreed in the recent common agricultural policy reforms.

  Mr. Curry
  The Council has now reached agreement on the CAP reform package. For beef, the requirements on stocking densities make a valuable contribution to our environmental objectives. It would not be possible or desirable to reopen the CAP reform package to amend these stocking rate provisions.

  Set-aside
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to use the United Kingdom Presidency to widen the choice available to farmers required to join rotational set-aside in order to receive compensation aids for cereals so that farmers who have already set aside land under the farm woodland premium scheme or countryside stewardship are also eligible.

  Mr. Curry
  We have already successfully negotiated arrangements under which we will be able to have non-rotational as well as rotational set-aside. This will increase the range of management options open to farmers under the new arable regime. Under the set-aside, land must normally be taken out of agricultural production in contrast to countryside stewardship which encouraged continued agricultural production in a way that enhances the environment.

  Very few farmers have yet planted land with trees under the farm woodland premium scheme. We are exploring with the EC Commission the scope for set-aside land that has been planted with trees under the old farm woodland scheme or land that will be entered into the farm woodland premium scheme to count towards a farmers set-aside obligation under the new arable scheme. However, it would not be right to allow any element of double payment on that land.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of his study of the evaluation of set-aside conducted by the university of Reading.

  Mr. Gummer
  In accordance with my usual policy, I gave an undertaking to publish this report. This will be fulfilled once the final report is ready, and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Badgers
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if field tests monitoring further destruction of badgers are currently being carried out by or on behalf of his Department.

  Mr. Soames
  The greatest cause of destruction of live badgers, apart from disease, is road accidents, which some estimates indicate are responsible for as many as 47,500 badger deaths per year. The field tests undertaken by Ministry staff are concerned with the development of better methods of dealing with the problem of tuberculosis.

  Fishing, Tendring
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to resolve the dispute brought to his attention by the chairman of the Tendring district sports council concerning anglers and inshore fishermen within the Tendring district; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  A meeting was held on 25 June involving all those concerned, and I understand that a satisfactory solution was found. I welcome this as constructive discussions are the best route to resolve such problems.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

  Mr. Curry
  The non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department are listed in the table. The National Audit Office audits the royal botanic gardens, Kew, in accordance with paragraph 39(6) of schedule 1 to the National Heritage Act 1983. The firms of private accountants who audit the other non-departmental public bodies which are subject to audit are shown next to them.

  Non-departmental public body

  Audited by

  Agricultural Training Board

  Touche Ross

  Apple and Pear Research Council

  Day, Smith & Hunter

  Food from Britain

  Touche Ross

  Home Grown Cereals Authority

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Horticultural Development Council

  Barter & Durgan

  Horticultural Research International

  Robson Rhodes

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Sea Fish Industry Authority

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Wine Standards Board of the Vinters' Company

  Coulthards Mackenzie

  I understand that the auditors were appointed after competitive tendering. The duration of the contract is not normally stated in the contract, but performance is monitored annually and a formal review is undertaken within six years.

  Food Surplus Scheme
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the invitation to organisations to participate in the 1992 surplus food scheme in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I announced to the House on 26 February that the surplus food scheme would be continued and invited applications from eligible organisations interested in taking part in the distribution.

  A very large number of applications was received by the closing date of 10 April and of these I, together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, have been able to designate 1,367 organisations. There are approximately 3,700 tonnes of butter and 3,000 tonnes of beef available to be distributed to the most needy citizens.

  Once again, we have designated more organisations than in the previous years in order to ensure that the food is distributed to as many needy people at possible. But, as the quantities are limited, it will be necessary to place restrictions on the amount of produce available to organisations to ensure a wide coverage of distribution. We have therefore restricted the maximum amount of produce to be allocated to organisations to some 1 kg of packaged butter or tinned beef per individual recipient.

  Priority in allocating this food is being given to organisations providing prepared meals to the homeless and destitute, who will be allocated twice that amount.
  393
  In addition, in order to receive an allocation, the smallest organisations will be asked to co-operate with others to keep the processing and distribution costs to a minimum.

  I am placing a list of the organisations designated in the Libraries and officials will now be writing to all the organisations that applied.

  Molluscs
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the classification of-shellfish harvesting areas which is required under EC directive 91/492 laying down the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of live bivalve molluscs.

  Mr. Gummer
  Officials from the Department have today circulated a preliminary version of the classification to interested parties for comment. I have placed a copy of the consultation letter and classification in the Library of the House.

  All areas where bivalve mulluscs such as oysters, mussels and cockles are harvested are to be classified according to the bacterial contamination present in the mollusc flesh as required by EC directive 91/492/EEC.

  The classification will provide an indication of whether the product can be placed on the market for human consumption or how it must be treated, either by purification, relaying or heat treatment.

  The preliminary classification has been based on samples of bivalve molluscs taken by local authority environmental health officers from 75 known harvesting areas. Sample testing has been undertaken by public health laboratories and the results classified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's fish disease laboratory in Weymouth.

  Food Premises
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statistical information for 1991 on inspection of food premises required by the EC Commission under directive 89/397 is available.

  Mr. Gummer
  The United Kingdom figures for food premises inspections during 1991 have been forwarded to the European Community Commission as required by directive 89/397. They are based on returns received from local authorities. A copy of the return has been placed in the Library of the House together with extracts covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northen Ireland respectively. Returns from individual authorities are available for inspection at my Department; copies can be provided for a small charge to cover expenses.

  Sherwood Forest
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to revive Sherwood forest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The name Sherwood forest is famous throughout the world and the forest is one of Britain's best-known tourist destinations. Little remains, however, of the ancient Sherwood forest, and what survives is subject to intense public pressure.

  The Government believe that the time is now right for a programme of work to improve, and perhaps recreate,
  394
  the Sherwood forest of old. This would enhance the appearance of an area of historic importance, provide an alternative use for agricultural land in a nitrate sensitive area and create valuable leisure attraction for the east midlands.

  I have therefore asked the Forestry Commission to redesign its existing forest areas. This will quickly achieve a considerable visual improvement and restore some of the original heathland. The long-term aim will be to reconstruct and revive areas of mixed woodland of a type native to Sherwood.

  Informal discussions have been held with the local authorities, and other parties, and I am pleased to announce that there is enthusiastic support for the initiative. The proposals I am setting out will draw on the report of a feasibility study "Bringing Back the Sherwood Green" undertaken in 1988 by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, the Conservation Foundation and David Bellamy Associates. The Nottinghamshire county structure plan of 1988 also referred to the development of Sherwood forest. A community forest to the south-east of the Sherwood area has recently been launched.

  As a first step, the Forestry Commission will undertake a number of improvements to its 4,000 hectare landholding. These will diversify the mixture of species and ages of existing woodlands and take advantage of the scope for a degree of heathland restoration. Regeneration of the oak and birch woodlands will be encouraged by careful management and particular attention will be paid to forest areas adjacent to public roads. The commission will also encourage better management of existing woodland and further new planting by private landowners and tenants through the woodland grant scheme. More public access to the forest will be encouraged where it fits in with landowners' objectives.

  To assist in taking these ideas forward, the Forestry Commission will set up a steering group, to include respresentatives of the local authorities, the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, forestry, landowning and farming interests, and others.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Paper Back Campaign
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the Paper Back Campaign of the British Paper and Board Industry Federation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has received various representations about the Paper Back Campaign, as a result of which officials have had discussions with representatives of the British Paper and Board Industry Federation and others in the waste paper industry; further meetings are planned.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to make available new investment funds to Cumbria under the assisted areas scheme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government will consider the needs and circumstances of all areas, including Cumbria, before making decisions later this year under the current review of the assisted areas.

  LASCAR
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many meetings of the LASCAR—large-scale commercial reprocessing plant safeguards—group on nuclear safeguards have been held since June 1990; what issues have been discussed and decided; what United Kingdom representation there has been at LASCAR meetings; which interim reports on LASCAR meetings have been published; and when the final report of the LASCAR group will be made public.

  Mr. Eggar
  Eight meetings of the LASCAR group on large-scale reprocessing plant safeguards have been held since June 1990. Typically one representative from DTI and two from industry have attended for the United Kingdom.

  The issues and conclusions of LASCAR are described in the "Report of the LASCAR Forum". In addition, a paper describing aspects of LASCAR's work was published in July 1990, at the Institute of Nuclear Materials management conference. Copies of both papers are available in the Library of the House.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to order an investigation into the accuracy of the results obtained from the radiation monitor film badges used by the work force at British Nuclear Fuel's Sellafield plant over the past 20 years, following BNFL's recent announcement that significant under-recording has taken place.

  Mr. Eggar
  BNFL has not made any announcement suggesting under-recording of radiation dose assessments by film badges over the past 20 years. An expert review of historical radiation dose assessed by film badges was initiated by BNFL as a result of the litigation process into allegations of Sellafield being responsible for two cases of 396
  childhood leukaemia in the vicinity of the plant. These cases are currently before the courts. The indications from BNFL's expert review are that there are no compelling reasons to adjust the recorded doses from gamma radiation. I therefore see no need to carry out a further investigation of the type requested.

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he plans to privatise the Post Office's Parcelforce business; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]: The Government's policy towards the Post Office remains as set out in the citizens charter and in our election manifesto.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) why he has authorised the Post Office to drop the Royal Mail prefix from the name of its Parcelforce business; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he plans to retain the monarch's cipher on livery and vehicles owned by the Post Office's Parcelforce business, once the Royal Mail prefix has been dropped;

  (3) what consultations there were over the proposal to remove the Royal Mail prefix from the title of the Post Office's Parcelforce business; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]: Details about Parcelforce's name are an operational matter. This decision was taken by Parcelforce management for commercial reasons.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will be replying to the letter sent on 9 June from the hon. Member for Halifax.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I will write to the hon. Member.