Written Answers of 14 July 1992

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months relative to the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  The Attorney-General
  The Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance. My Department, however, does not operate any speciffic programmes in this area.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  The Attorney-General
  No such public appointments have been made.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Attorney-General how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  The Attorney-General
  The current numbers of civil servants and total personnel costs are:

  Number

  Cost

  (£ million)

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  24·0

  0·90

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  464·5

  15·70

  Crown Prosecution Service

  5,978·0

  1122·59

  Serious Fraud Office

  2135·0

  4·10

  1 1991–92.

  2 In addition 59 temporary staff are currently employed. The number varies with operational requirements.

  Details of staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970 cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate expense.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.
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  The Attorney-General
  No such advisers have been retained.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Euopean Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has for his Department to celebrate in 1993, the European Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13 July 1992 at columns 430–31.

  Crown Courts (Witnesses)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in what percentage of Crown court centres an information point for witnesses has been established.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information in the form requested is not available. All Crown court centres have arrangements which enable court users to make inquiries when they attend court. This duty is undertaken by a particular official in some courts and in others, particularly the larger courts, by way of a separate reception desk at the entrance to the building. The design guide for courts includes specifications to ensure that counters at which enquiries can be made are easily visible and accessible to people when they enter a court building. In line with the citizens charter, we will continue to look for means of improving the ways in which necessary information can be supplied to all those who use the courts.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information on the background of individual public appointments is not held centrally and could he provided only at disproportionate cost. My right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor takes all relevant factors into account when considering appointments and he knows of no person appointed by him who has been criticised in published reports of DTI inspectors.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information on the background of individual advisers retained by the LCD since 1987 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. My right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor knows of no person retained by his Department who has been criticised in published reports of DTI inspectors.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The number of staff employed in the Lord Chancellor's Department on the 1 July 1992 was 11,670 and the total personnel costs for the current financial year are £216 million. 1970 pre-dates the creation of the Department, but those areas for which the Lord Chancellor was then directly responsible employed 7,416 staff and the personnel costs were at that time £12·6 million.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Recycling
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to give a tax advantage to recycled products and a tax penalty upon the landfill of waste which could be recycled.

  Sir John Cope
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has no current plans to do so.

  Physiotherapy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances physiotherapy is excluded from the scope of tax relief on premiums for health care insurance for the elderly; and what other exclusions are made.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Premiums on private medical insurance contracts for the over-60s may qualify for tax relief provided they offer only some or all of the treatments and medical services specified in Treasury regulations. Physiotherapy is one of the services the cost of which can be indemnified. At present it must be associated either with hospital treatment or with surgical procedures performed by a general practitioner. Regulations laid before the House of Commons on 7 July will allow insurers to include physiotherapy in an eligible contract where it is associated with other forms of general practitioner treatment, including diagnosis.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the Inland Revenue's published standards for replying to taxpayers' letters in 1991–92; and to what extend these standards were met in practice.

  Mr. Dorrell
  1991–92 was a transitional year. The previous system for targeting post for tax and collection offices was expressed in terms of post worked and based on post over 14 days old at the year end. This system was internally focused and provided little useful information on the service being provided to the public. A new system based on turnaround times for correspondence, which is also designed to provide customers with better quality replies to their letters, was trialled in 1991–92. It came fully into operation in 1992–93. The target for tax and collection offices is to respond to all letters within 28 days. In at least 90 per cent. of cases, the aim is to deal with the letter within that time scale. In the remaining cases, the response will tell the customer when the letter will be dealt with.

  Redundancy
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the average loss to the Exchequer in income tax, employee's national insurance contributions and reduced VAT payments and excise duties resulting from a redundant Ministry of Defence worker being unemployed for 12 months.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The effect on the Exchequer would depend on the income and expenditure of the particular workers concerned. It is not possible to provide a meaningful average.

  Insurance
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it remains the Government's policy that Departments and non-departmental public bodies should not normally insure commercially; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Government have reviewed the question whether Departments and non-departmental public bodies should insure commercially. They have decided to retain the existing general rule that decisions whether to insure with commercial insurance companies should normally be decided on value-for-money grounds. Across the Government as a whole, the cost of paying premiums could be expected to exceed the value of claims met by insurance companies. Use of commercial insurance companies is, therefore, likely to be confined to cases where there are special reasons; for example where insurance in respect of equipment such as boilers is part of an inspection/maintenance services agreement, where large volumes of claims handling work are involved, where evidence of insurance may be needed to obtain prompt medical treatment for employees abroad and, in the case of NDPBs, where there is a legal requirement to insure.

  Inheritance Tax (Exemptions)
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the procedure by which his Department informs the public of works of art where inheritance tax exemptions have been agreed for granting of public access; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 July 1992]: Public access to works of art granted exemption from inheritance tax may be provided in a number of ways. The publicity arrangements will differ depending on the way chosen.

  The owner may arrange to exhibit the object in a house or room which is open to the public for an agreed number of days each year; appropriate publicity for the opening of the house would be required. The owner may lend the object to a public collection for display on a long-term basis: publicity would then be the responsibility of the curator of this collection.

  Alternatively, the owner may arrange viewing by appointment provided he is also willing to lend the object on request to a public collection. All objects which can be viewed by appointment are publicised by means of an entry in the register of conditionally exempt property held by the National Art Library in the Victoria and Albert museum in London. Copies of this register are also available for consultation in the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, the National museum of Wales in

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  Cardiff and the Ulster museum in Belfast. The Inland Revenue is currently carrying out a review, with the Department of National Heritage, of ways in which improvements can be made to the publicity given to this register as well as improvements to the quality of the entries and accessibility to the register. The conclusions of this review will be announced before the end of this year.

  Customs Searches
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics are kept on the(a) numbers, (b) sex arid (c) racial origin of persons stripped by customs officers at Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 9 July 1992]: Statistics on personal searches carried out each year by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are published in the annual report of the commissioners. Information is collated on the type of search—rub-down, strip or intimate—goods found at the time, appeals against search, and complaints but not on the sex or racial origin of persons searched.

  Trust Law
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has received from the Securities and Investments Board about conflicts between the Financial Services Act 1986 and trust law.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have looked into the recent allegations that the Investment Management Regulatory Organisation warned the Government that it could not do its job properly because of problems over the relationship between the Financial Services Act regime and trust law. Neither the Securities and Investments Board nor I have found any evidence to substantiate these allegations. IMRO and the SIB made representations to the DTI over a number of years about the legal uncertainty they believed was created by the interaction of the Financial Services Act and trust law. However. there was no suggestion that this uncertainty posed a threat to investor protection. The SIB's conclusion is that neither legal uncertainties created by the relationship between the Financial Services Act and trust law nor the existence of IM RO's special occupational pensions scheme regime made any material difference to IM RO's regulation of the Maxwell pension fund companies.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. Nelson
  The average staff in post in 1991–92, the latest full year for which figures are available, was 3,192. Total pay cost were £63·1 million. In 1970 HM Treasury employed 720 full-time staff. The figure for pay costs are not available as they were not recorded separately at that time. The staff figures for 1970 and 1991–92 are not comparable due to machinery of government and other changes.

  DTI Inspections
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors;

  (2) if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. My Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Bankers (Code of Practice)
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to monitor the implementation of the British Bankers Association—BBA—code of practice.

  Mr. Nelson
  It is for the review committee that was established under the independent chairmanship of Sir George Blunden to monitor the implementation of the banks and building societies code of banking practice. The committee reported to the BBA in May that all major retail United Kingdom banks had agreed to adhere to the code but it was concerned that a number of smaller, mainly overseas, banks which may be conducting retail business had not adopted the code. My officials are kept informed on these and other matters through regular informal contacts with the British Bankers Association.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, how much money has so far been paid to ex-depositors of BCCI under the deposit protection scheme.

  Mr. Nelson
  I understand that up to close of business on 10 July 1992 payments have been made by the Deposit Protection Board to some 4,000 depositors of BCCI, involving total protection payments of some £22 million.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Green Minister
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. Robert Jackson
  Over the next and subsequent years as green Minister for the Office of Public Service and Science, OPSS, I will have responsibility for seeing that environmental concerns are taken into account where appropriate in the policies and work of the Department. I will also be responsible for publicising environmental initiatives. The OPSS is committed to reducing its direct and indirect consumption of non-renewable resources by, for example, improving energy efficiency wherever practicable; considering the purchase of environmentally friendly products where available; minimising pollution; and adopting environmental performance as an integral part of internal audits.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months relative to the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance. My Department is responsible for ensuring that the principles of the citizens charter and other public service reform initiatives are implemented. These are designed to improve the standards of service that Government Departments and other public sector organisations provide to their customers, including the owners of small businesses.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. Jackson
  The number of staff currently in my Department, excluding the agencies, is 542. The annual estimated total staff costs are £14·5 million. As my Department did not exist in its present form in 1970, it is not possible to provide any comparative staffing levels and staff costs.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list any advisers retained by his Department or its predecessor offices since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  None.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list any public appointments by his Department or its predecessor offices since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. My Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Asteroid Survey
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the work of the Anglo-Australian near-Earth survey on asteroids.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  I am replying as the AngloAustralian near-Earth survey on asteroids is a civil, rather than a defence, research project.

  The aim of the survey, which is being carried out at the Anglo-Australian observatory at Siding Spring, Australia,
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  is to identify any asteroids which could possibly strike the Earth. The survey is supported by Australian Research Council funds and uses photographs from the United Kingdom Schmidt telescope there.

  In the two years that the project has been under way. no asteroids posing any significant threat have been discovered.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  European Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for his Department to celebrate in 1993 the European Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13 July at column 430.

  Carl Bridgewater Murder Convictions
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to pursue regarding the completed Merseyside police report into the Carl Bridgewater murder convictions.

  Mr. Jack
  The report from the Merseyside police is still awaited. Once it has been received my right hon. and learned Friend will decide as soon as possible whether any action on his part is appropriate in this case.

  Contracting-out Procedures
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the extent and nature of proposed openness in relation to contracting-out procedures in his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It has been and will continue to be the Home Office's practice to ensure fair and open competition in public procurement. My Department follows the advice given in administrative circulars issued by the central unit on purchasing in Her Majesty's Treasury. These incorporate best practice drawn from existing EC directives which in turn replicate United Kingdom best practice.

  Procurement practice is however necessarily constrained by issues of commercial and contractual confidentiality.

  Firearms
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory or other definitions of blank ammunition are used by him in discharging his responsibilities for the regulation of firearms.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Blank cartridges of more than one inch in diameter are subject to certificate control under section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968. Blank ammunition is not defined in the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1992. but is generally understood to he ammunition which contains no projectile.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces are currently co-operating with speed cameras.
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  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A recent survey by the Association of Chief Police Officers' traffic committee indicated that 18 forces in England and Wales were actively considering acquiring speed cameras or traffic light cameras or both and that in addition three police forces expected to be equipped with speed cameras from 1 July.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost of installation for a speed-detecting camera and related computing equipment

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The costs vary with the type of equipment chosen. The cost for a radar speed camera is about £24,600. The related computing equipment for processing the information from the cameras costs about £5,000 to £7,000.

  Prisons
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the prisons in England, giving the number of prisoners they were designed to hold and how many prisoners they currently hold.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the certified normal accommodation—CNA—and the number of prisoners for each establishment in England on 3 July 1992.

  Establishment

  CNA

  Population

  Acklington

  676

  600

  Albany

  309

  291

  Aldington

  127

  123

  Ashwell

  404

  394

  Askham Grange

  129

  107

  Aylesbury

  241

  236

  Bedford

  170

  249

  Belmarsh

  841

  782

  Birmingham

  567

  963

  Blantyre House

  95

  94

  Blundeston

  410

  338

  Brinsford

  336

  346

  Bristol

  374

  395

  Brixton

  621

  779

  Brockhill

  160

  155

  Bullingdon

  635

  456

  Bullwood Hall

  126

  102

  Camp Hill

  481

  429

  Canterbury

  207

  161

  Castington

  300

  273

  Channings Wood

  594

  589

  Chelmsford

  244

  365

  Coldingley

  222

  215

  Cookham Wood

  120

  118

  Dartmoor

  599

  527

  Deerbolt

  422

  406

  Dorchester

  139

  218

  Dover

  312

  232

  Downview

  286

  280

  Drake Hall

  261

  174

  Durham

  542

  662

  East Sutton Park

  90

  79

  Eastwood Park

  134

  101

  Elmley

  635

  388

  Erlestoke

  218

  212

  Everthorpe

  228

  219

  Exeter

  317

  452

  Featherstone

  599

  547

  Feltham

  874

  719

  Finnamore Wood

  112

  94

  Ford

  536

  510

  Frankland

  332

  316

  Full Sutton

  624

  437

  Garth

  512

  459

  Gartree

  245

  237

  530

  Establishment

  CNA

  Population

  Glen Parva

  854

  711

  Gloucester

  107

  195

  Grendon

  226

  194

  Guys Marsh

  240

  160

  Haslar

  110

  110

  Hatfield

  180

  168

  Haverigg

  315

  313

  Hewell Grange

  136

  137

  Highpoint

  747

  719

  Hindley

  323

  400

  Hollesley Bay

  569

  304

  Holloway

  517

  450

  Holme House

  649

  331

  Hull

  269

  372

  Huntercombe

  225

  220

  Kingston

  96

  94

  Kirkham

  632

  505

  Lancaster

  186

  258

  Latchmere House

  131

  78

  Leeds

  591

  890

  Leicester

  200

  345

  Lewes

  301

  403

  Leyhill

  410

  404

  Lincoln

  392

  636

  Lindholme

  800

  744

  Littlehey

  543

  536

  Liverpool

  931

  1,210

  Long Lartin

  362

  353

  Low Newton

  199

  312

  Maidstone

  517

  512

  Manchester

  350

  346

  Moorland

  620

  631

  Morton Hall

  168

  162

  The Mount

  484

  391

  New Hall

  122

  135

  North Sea Camp

  204

  194

  Northallerton

  148

  195

  Northeye

  160

  161

  Norwich

  421

  369

  Nottingham

  218

  211

  Onley

  460

  425

  Oxford

  121

  160

  Parkhurst

  286

  194

  Pentonville

  756

  774

  Portland

  439

  430

  Preston

  331

  422

  Pucklechurch

  56

  56

  Ranby

  347

  340

  Reading

  184

  91

  Risley

  417

  400

  Rochester

  306

  246

  Rudgate

  300

  292

  Send

  113

  108

  Shepton Mallet

  158

  201

  Shrewsbury

  168

  265

  Spring Hill

  210

  215

  Stafford

  657

  718

  Standford Hill

  384

  367

  Stocken

  396

  392

  Stoke Heath

  300

  270

  Styal

  189

  196

  Sudbury

  506

  461

  Swaleside

  504

  487

  Swinfen Hall

  172

  169

  Thorn Cross

  300

  192

  Thorp Arch

  163

  139

  The Verne

  580

  589

  Wakefield

  638!

  620

  Wandsworth

  965

  1,200

  Wayland

  580

  566

  Wellingborough

  314

  265

  Werrington House

  110

  102

  Wetherby

  196

  170

  Whatton

  204

  206

  Whitemoor

  518

  231

  Winchester

  458

  454

  The Wolds

  320

  117

  531

  Establishment

  CNA

  Population

  Wormwood Scrubs

  472

  714

  Wymott

  768

  760

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what latest estimate he has made of the average cost of building a new prison; and if he will give the approximate number of prisoners a prison costing this amount is designed to hold.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The cost of building a new prison varies depending on the type of prisoners it is to hold, its location, the ground conditions, the level of security required and other factors. The current estimated average cost of a new local prison for 600 prisoners is about £75 million, but in any particular case the actual cost will depend on the outcome of a competitive tendering exercise.

  Wolds Prison
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the contract struck between Group 4 and the French-owned private medical firm AM I for the provision of health care at Wolds prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. This is a matter for Group 4.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the prison service charges Group 4 to keep inmates from Wolds prison in custody and to provide them with food when they are delivered to Crown court.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The prison service has responsibility for guarding and feeding prisoners at the Crown court. No question of charging arises.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Group 4 will meet the cost of damage caused by inmates as a result of the disturbance at Wolds prison on 27 June.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Yes.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to hold an inquiry into the most recent disturbance at Wolds prison; and when he expects the results to be published.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 8 July, at column 199.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Group 4 staff delivered two sick prisoners from Wolds prison to Doncaster crown court on 29 June.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Only one prisoner from Wolds was taken ill at Doncaster Crown court on 29 June. He had been seen by medical staff at the prison for treatment to a cut arm before leaving for court. He was prescribed antibiotic tablets and pronounced fit to travel. His illness at court was diagnosed as a reaction to the antibiotic tablets, which he was advised to stop taking.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Group 4 employees were 532
  used to deal with the disturbance which took place at the Wolds prison between Saturday 27 June and Sunday 28 June; and how many of these employees were certified prisoner custody officers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Twenty-four staff were deployed and all were certified prisoner custody officers.

  Bail
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were released on bail in England in(a) 1991, (b) 1981 and (c)

  Mr. Jack
  Information is not yet available for 1991, and was not published in 1971. The readily available information relates to England and Wales in 1990 and 1981 and is published in table 8.5 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1990".

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will set out the current advice given to magistrates about releasing on bail someone who has been arrested for a further offence while out on bail on a previous offence;

  (2) if he will set out the current advice given to magistrates on releasing persons on bail;

  (3) what advice is given to magistrates as to the number of times persons should be released on bail when they have already been arrested for previous offences and been released on bail for all of those offences.

  Mr. Jack
  Subject to the provisions of the Bail Act 1976, as amended, the decision whether to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the judicial discretion of the court. Decisions are taken in the light of all the available information about the defendant and the alleged offence. Magistrates have been advised about the provisions of the Act via Home Office circulars sent to clerks to justices; copies of the circulars are available in the Library. In addition, all magistrates receive training under the auspices of the Lord Chancellor's Department and this covers the bail decision-taking process. The 1976 Act specifically provides that bail may be withheld if the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that, if released on bail, the defendant would commit an offence.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons released on bail by Harwich magistrates court, have been arrested for another offence, released on bail again, arrested for another offence, released on bail again, and been arrested and bailed for four or more offences;

  (2) how many persons released on bail by Harwich magistrates court, have been arrested for another offence, released on bail, and again arrested for a third offence;

  (3) how many persons released on bail by Clacton magistrates court, have been arrested for another offence, released on bail again, and arrested for a third offence;

  (4) how many persons released on bail by Clacton magistrates court were arrested for another offence while still on bail in 1991, 1981 and 1971;

  (5) how many persons released on bail by Harwich magistrates court, were arrested for another offence while still on bail in 1991, 1981 and 1971;

  (6) how many persons released on bail by Clacton magistrates court have been arrested for another offence,

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  released on bail again, arrested for another offence, released on bail again, and been arrested and bailed for four or more offences.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of the State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about the situation in which persons on bail are arrested for a further offence and are released on bail again; and what reply he has made.

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. and learned Friend has noted the publicly expressed concern of the Association of Chief Police Officers about offending on bail. He has received representations on the subject from a Lincolnshire county councillor and from nine hon. Members, five of whom wrote after the councillor's approach to them. In addition, it has been referred to in a number of letters which have been concerned with crime more generally. Replies to these representations have acknowledged the strength of the concerns being expressed and have referred to the various steps that either have been taken or are being taken to reduce the risk of offending on bail.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what current plans he has to review the situation under which persons released on bail are arrested for a further offence while on bail; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  As part of a wider programme of work to tackle the problem of offending on bail, my Department has convened a group which is widely representative of the different organisations and agencies involved in the criminal justice system. This group is currently reviewing the bail decision taking process. In a separate forum, concerns about the arrangements for police bail are also being examined.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons were arrested for another offence while on bail(a) two, (b) three and (c) four or more previous offences in (i) a 1991, (ii) 1981 and (iii) 1971, in England;

  (2) how many persons were re-arrested for another offence while on bail in (a) 1991, (b) 1981 and (c) 1971, in England.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is not collected centrally. In February this year, the Home Office published a survey of research into offending on bail—research and planning unit paper 65—a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the number of reported crimes in(a) Harwich and (b) Clacton for each of the last 20 years;

  (2) if he will list the number of reported crimes in Essex in each year for the last 20 years.

  Mr. Jack
  Information on the number of recorded offences in the Essex police force area are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". The latest figures for 1991 are published in Home Office statistical bulletin 2/92. Copies of all these publications are available in the Library.
  534
  Separate figures for Harwich and Clacton are not collected centrally.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the prison population in(a) England and (b) Wales, at the latest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On Thursday 9 July the prison population in England was 44,831 and in Wales, 920. These figures do not include the 1,367 prisoners being held in police cells on that day.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners on remand exercised their right to vote in the last general election.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No record was kept by the Prison Service of the number of prisoners who voted in the last general election.

  Prison Mother and Baby Units
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places are currently available in mother and baby units in prisons.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are 38 places currently available in prison mother and baby units.

  Police Cells
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in police cells in each of the police forces in England and Wales on the last convenient date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The position on 9 July was as follows:

  Police force

  Number of prisoners

  Avon and Somerset

  37

  Bedfordshire

  24

  Cambridgeshire

  21

  Cheshire

  38

  Cleveland

  7

  Cumbria

  15

  Derbyshire

  23

  Devon and Cornwall

  6

  Durham

  3

  Dyfed

  19

  Essex

  42

  Gloucestershire

  9

  Greater Manchester

  263

  Gwent

  17

  Hampshire

  7

  Hertfordshire

  24

  Humberside

  27

  Lancashire

  74

  Leicestershire

  23

  Lincolnshire

  5

  Merseyside

  85

  Metropolitan

  140

  North Wales

  10

  North Yorkshire

  21

  Northamptonshire

  27

  Northumbria

  56

  Nottinghamshire

  20

  South Wales

  68

  South Yorkshire

  34

  Staffordshire

  10

  535

  Police force

  Number of prisoners

  Suffolk

  15

  Surrey

  9

  Sussex

  15

  Thames Valley

  20

  Warwickshire

  8

  West Mercia

  28

  West Midlands

  31

  West Yorkshire

  81

  Wiltshire

  5

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department paid each police force for holding people in police cells in 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The amounts paid to each police force holding prisoners in police cells during 1990 and 1991 are shown in the table.

  Police force

  1990–91

  1991–92

  £

  £

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  2,992,791

  Bedfordshire

  —

  596,010

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  1,673,619

  Cheshire

  1,843,386

  2,658,450

  City of London

  38.818

  225,689

  Cleveland

  421,101

  376,773

  Cumbria

  288,643

  181,300

  Derbyshire

  528,641

  691,645

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  687,452

  Durham

  237,793

  802,560

  Dyfed

  —

  1,437,798

  Essex

  350,560

  1,176,095

  Gloucester

  62,001

  453,446

  Greater Manchester

  15,931,767

  20,522,278

  Gwent

  —

  1,236,786

  Hampshire

  —

  1,252,012

  Hertfordshire

  156,124

  3,562,244

  Humberside

  3,309,716

  3,309,549

  Kent

  160,984

  1,843,171

  Lancashire

  3,785,273

  6,127,386

  Leicestershire

  570,304

  1,997,202

  Lincolnshire

  753,405

  637,272

  Merseyside

  2,936,037

  2,683,711

  Metropolitan

  4,786,233

  11.316,943

  North Wales

  303,878

  496,536

  North Yorkshire

  —

  1,676,589

  Norfolk

  —

  634.553

  Northamptonshire

  237,479

  602,855

  Northumbria

  2,496,433

  2,730,444

  Nottinghamshire

  447,112

  610,263

  South Wales

  624,067

  3,138,284

  South Yorkshire

  2,784,105

  3,110,568

  Suffolk

  —

  542,205

  Surrey

  —

  433,548

  Sussex

  —

  320,430

  Thames Valley

  153,368

  1,620,820

  Warwickshire

  729,730

  596,031

  West Mercia

  386,300

  1,294,179

  West Midlands

  1,812,584

  2,823,517

  West Yorkshire

  6,591,246

  5,425,886

  Wiltshire

  —

  241,072

  Camera Technology
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's estimate of the potential of new camera technology to reduce road accidents.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It is too early to evaluate from road accident statistics the contribution to any reduction 536
  that may be made by the new camera technology. But inappropriate speed is a factor in about one third of all fatal road traffic accidents and 13 per cent. of injury accidents at junctions in urban areas are associated with jumping red traffic lights. The new camera technology can be expected to have a beneficial effect in both of these areas.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects all police authorities to be co-operating in speed camera technology;

  (2) what steps he is taking to encourage the use of speed cameras on roads.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The decision to equip police forces with speed camera equipment rests with the chief officers and their police authorities. We will be monitoring that position and ensuring that the effectiveness of the equipment is known to chief officers.

  Wratness Mine Depot
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what price the Wratness former Royal Naval mine depot was sold earlier this year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Negotiations are still in progress with a prospective purchaser of this site.

  Armley Prison
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were held under rule 43 (GOAD and own protection) in Armley prison, Leeds during May.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A total of 216 prisoners were held under prison rule 43 at Her Majesty's prison Leeds during May. Of these, 209 were held for their own protection and seven were for the maintenance of good order or discipline.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether mentally ill people are held in solitary confinement in Armley prison, Leeds.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No prisoners in England or Wales are kept in solitary confinement. This is a type of punishment designed to deprive a prisoner of all human contact and is not available under the prison rules. At HM prison Armley, Leeds all mentally ill inmates are held in the health care centre in single rooms or on an open ward. Those allocated a single room spend the normal daytime hours in association with other inmates.

  Air Guns
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to increase the regulation and control of the ownership or use of air guns.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth) on 22 May 1992, at column 312.

  Pregnant Prisoners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Holloway were pregnant on the last date for which figures are available.
  537
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 9 July there were 25 pregnant women detained in Holloway.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were pregnant on the last date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A survey on 10 July 1992 indicated that 52 prisoners in establishments in England and Wales were known by health care staff to be pregnant.

  Speeding Offences
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many speeding offences there were in 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  Provisional figures for 1990 show that, in England and Wales, 633,828 alleged speeding offences were dealt with by the police. These comprise 12,285 written warnings, 448,380 fixed penalty notices and 173,163 court proceedings. Statistics for 1991 are not yet available.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts are made to ensure that remand prisoners may exercise their right to vote.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Only unconvicted prisoners, including civil prisoners and fine defaulters, who are at least 18 years of age and who are registered as electors can vote, by means of a postal vote. An instruction to prison service establishments includes guidance on prisoners' eligibility to vote, and on handling applications for postal votes from prisoners. Consideration is now being given to supplementing this with a reference in the prisoners' information pack, which is given to prisoners on reception into prison, about the right of unconvicted prisoners to vote.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice is given to magistrates and judges about the extent to which they should have regard to the number of places in the prison system when considering whether to impose a custodial sentence.

  Mr. Jack
  No such advice has been issued.

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications are outstanding from women prisoners who seek a place for their children in mother and baby units.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Applications for a place on a mother and baby unit are considered by a multi-disciplinary team at a case conference. There are seven very recent applications which are awaiting consideration.

  Animal Research
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's role in the Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods in relation to animal research.
  538
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods is a new body established by the European Commission, and is concerned with the validation of alternatives to the use of animals in research.

  The United Kingdom remains committed to the search for ways of refining, reducing or replacing the use of living animals in scientific procedures. It stands ready to play a full part in the work of the centre.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors;

  (2) if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  From the information available to us, we have no knowledge of any appointments made by my Department of persons criticised by DTI inspectors.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration has been given to the introduction of identity cards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ravensbourne (Sir J. Hunt) on 18 June, at column 1022.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Home Office currently employs 46,303 non-industrial staff and 3,050 industrial staff. This includes those staff working in agencies. The forecast staffing costs for the year 1992–93 are £951,688,000.

  In January 1970 the Home Office employed 16,889 non-industrial staff and 3,975 industrials. These figures are taken from the 1970 publication of "Civil Service Statistics". Figures are not available for staffing costs.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) of 30 June,Official Report, column 517, how many and what proportion of his Department's employees were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In 1989, 143 members of staff in the Home Office were registered disabled, representing 0·3 per cent. of all staff. In 1990, the number was 147·5, again approximately 0·3 per cent. No record has been kept of staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.

  Mass Trespass
  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 to deal with the criminal offence of mass trespass.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his question on 10 July 1992, at column 372.

  Primary Purpose Rules
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make changes in the primary purpose rules following the recent judgment of the European Court.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I see no reason to do so.

  Primates
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the standards set out in the code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures with regard to primates.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures is based closely on guidelines drawn up jointly by the Royal Society and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. The code of practice contains a section on the special considerations which should be taken into account in the housing and care of primates. We have no plans to amend the code.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of remand prisoners brought to trial since 30 September 1991(a) in magistrates courts had spent more than 56 days in custody since their first appearance and (b) in the Crown court had spent more than 70 days from first appearance before magistrates to committal in the Crown court.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not readily available centrally. According to the February 1992 time interval survey of magistrates courts, 34 per cent. of custodial remands for indictable offences—that is, no bail—took more than 56 days from first listing to completion at the magistrates courts.

  Criminal Justice Act 1991
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish information pursuant to section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  Passenger admissions and persons refused leave to enter and removed, for selected nationalities

  1st quarter 1991

  2nd quarter 1991

  3rd quarter 1991

  4th quarter 1991

  Year 1991

  1st quarter 1992

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions1

  Refused and removed

  Jamaica

  4,700

  102

  6,640

  102

  9,220

  90

  5,470

  98

  26,000

  392

  4,700

  100

  Turkey

  13,800

  80

  18,700

  86

  24,200

  75

  17,400

  85

  74,100

  326

  13,900

  57

  Morocco

  2,720

  36

  3,790

  47

  6,640

  92

  3,890

  59

  17,000

  234

  3,150

  21

  USA

  341,000

  286

  670,000

  270

  778,000

  315

  555,000

  291

  2,340,000

  1,162

  475,000

  228

  Australia

  71,500

  74

  118,000

  59

  136,000

  68

  93,400

  49

  419,000

  250

  64,000

  65

  Malaysia

  11,400

  126

  20,700

  375

  29,200

  157

  21,000

  140

  82,200

  798

  11,300

  70

  540
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 I am required to publish each year information to enable those engaged in the administration of criminal justice to become aware of the financial implications of their decisions, and to assist them in the performance of their duty to avoid discrimination on the grounds of race, sex or any other improper ground.

  To fulfil this requirement, I propose to publish in mid-September information on race and gender. In mid-October I propose to publish a third set of information on finance. In all three cases this material will be widely disseminated among the judiciary, stipendiary and lay benches and lawyers; and to members of the Crown prosecution service and magistrates courts, police and probation services.

  I shall place copies of each of these publications in the Library.

  The publications this year will provide broad brush information in respect of race, gender and finance issues. As required by section 95 of the Act, I will publish further material on these subjects on an annual basis. In the light of comments from the recipients of this year's information, and of improvements in our own monitoring arrangements, future publications will add more detail.

  Naturalisation
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time taken to process applications for(a) registration and (b) naturalisation; and how long those applying in both of those categories in December 1991 can expect to wait.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: The average time taken in June 1992 to grant applications for registration and naturalisation was 15 and 27 months respectively.

  Those who applied in December 1991 for registration can expect on average to wait nine months for a decision and for naturalisation between 15 and 18 months.

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of(a) Jamaica, (b) Turkey, (c) Morocco, (d) the USA, (e) Australia, (f) Malaysia, (g) Hong Kong, (h) Guyana, (i) Trinidad, (j) Colombia and (k) Algeria were (i) granted and (ii) refused permission to enter the United Kingdom at ports of entry in each quarter since January 1991 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: The information requested is given in the table.
  541

  1st quarter 1991

  2nd quarter 1991

  3rd quarter 1991

  4th quarter 1991

  Year 1991

  1st quarter 1992

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions1

  Refused and removed

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s)

  14,200

  35

  16,900

  70

  35,200

  60

  13,700

  58

  79,900

  223

  12,500

  34

  Guyana

  990

  13

  1,280

  14

  2,070

  14

  1,280

  16

  5,630

  57

  920

  9

  Trinidad and Tobago

  3,030

  27

  4,050

  16

  5,910

  9

  3,510

  18

  16,500

  70

  2,500

  13

  Colombia

  3,450

  103

  5,010

  148

  5,900

  109

  4,130

  119

  18,500

  479

  3,290

  102

  Algeria

  2,140

  47

  3,620

  51

  5,660

  48

  3,160

  80

  14,600

  226

  2,260

  60

  1 Provisional figures.

  Returning Residents
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, by nationality, have requested entry to the United Kingdom as returning residents, in each quarter since May 1990; how many have been(a) readmitted as such, (b) been readmitted for a limited period and (c) been refused entry to the United Kingdom.

  Table 1

  Persons1 admitted as returning residents

  Number of admissions

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1991

  1991

  1991

  1992

  Europe

  26,990

  38,160

  24,420

  26,600

  Austria

  2,360

  2,840

  2,100

  2,370

  Bulgaria

  70

  110

  70

  100

  Cyprus

  1,390

  2,580

  1,190

  1,280

  Czechoslovakia

  150

  190

  120

  190

  Finland

  1,630

  2,400

  1,390

  1,650

  Germany (Democratic Republic)

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Hungary

  260

  560

  250

  300

  Malta

  1,670

  3,140

  1,610

  1,740

  Norway

  3,020

  3,720

  2,620

  2,930

  Poland

  1,880

  3,340

  1,500

  1,880

  Romania

  80

  120

  70

  90

  Sweden

  6,760

  7,600

  6,110

  6,510

  Switzerland

  4.26

  5,003

  3,840

  3,920

  Turkey

  2,110

  4,610

  2,470

  2,280

  USSR

  170

  310

  260

  260

  Yugoslavia

  1,190

  1,640

  830

  1,110

  Americas

  49,480

  57,140

  43,400

  46,960

  Argentina

  330

  340

  280

  340

  Barbados

  520

  570

  430

  380

  Brazil

  780

  1,000

  700

  890

  Canada

  8,520

  10,620

  7,540

  7,700

  Chile

  450

  620

  390

  530

  Colombia

  640

  750

  410

  620

  Cuba

  —

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Guyana

  290

  400

  250

  270

  Jamaica

  1,730

  2,160

  1,550

  1,940

  Mexico

  310

  370

  270

  330

  Peru

  190

  250

  160

  220

  Trinidad and Tobago

  880

  1,100

  660

  1,000

  USA

  34,550

  38,660

  30,530

  32,420

  Uruguay

  60

  50

  30

  60

  Venezuela

  220

  250

  180

  250

  Africa

  13,280

  19,890

  12,650

  15,820

  Algeria

  440

  720

  370

  330

  Egypt

  930

  1,240

  740

  870

  Ethiopia

  50

  70

  70

  90

  Ghana

  1,650

  2,270

  1,740

  2,060

  Kenya

  1,070

  1,510

  910

  1,000

  Libya

  220

  380

  180

  140

  Mauritius

  1,040

  1,460

  780

  1,040

  Morocco

  790

  2,460

  1,000

  1,010

  Nigeria

  2,600

  4,010

  3,150

  4,400

  Sierra Leone

  220

  280

  220

  320

  Somalia

  40

  30

  20

  40

  South Africa

  2,460

  2,790

  1,840

  2,560

  Sudan

  170

  280

  150

  170

  Tanzania

  390

  701

  360

  380

  542
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 6 July 1992]: The available

  information is given in the tables. Information is not available on persons seeking admission as

  returning residents who were found not to satisfy the relevant requirements of the immigration

  rules but who were admitted for a limited period under another category.
  543

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1991

  1991

  1991

  1992

  Tunisia

  260

  490

  260

  270

  Uganda

  140

  230

  130

  180

  Zambia

  240

  300

  230

  270

  Zimbabwe

  570

  660

  504

  680

  Asia

  41,950

  50,170

  35,450

  46,330

  Bangladesh

  1,880

  2,580

  1,520

  2,200

  China

  190

  200

  160

  230

  Hong Kong BDTC

  1,040

  1,350

  800

  1,220

  India

  13.29

  14,230

  11,170

  16,460

  Indonesia

  180

  200

  120

  140

  Iran

  3,440

  5,220

  3,210

  3,340

  Iraq

  310

  640

  480

  440

  Israel

  1,750

  2,070

  1,510

  1,690

  Japan

  5,710

  6,770

  4,980

  5,550

  Jordan

  420

  560

  360

  390

  Kuwait

  110

  150

  140

  110

  Lebanon

  1,420

  1,720

  1,180

  1,290

  Malaysia

  2,520

  3,200

  2,110

  2,800

  Pakistan

  4,600

  4,960

  3,770

  5,450

  Philippines

  1,630

  1,590

  1,160

  1,620

  Saudi Arabia

  200

  320

  190

  230

  Singapore

  670

  810

  600

  730

  Sri Lanka

  1,600

  2,370

  1,210

  1,350

  Syria

  200

  350

  180

  220

  Thailand

  800

  880

  600

  850

  Australasia

  19,460

  21,490

  16,690

  17,930

  Australia

  12,170

  13,400

  10,210

  11,250

  New Zealand

  7,280

  8,090

  6,480

  6,680

  Others

  6,690

  9,580

  5,660

  6,560

  British Overseas Citizens

  950

  1,300

  840

  1,090

  Other countries not elsewhere specified

  2,400

  3.6

  2,200

  2,790

  Stateless

  3,340

  4,680

  2,620

  2,680

  All Nationalities

  157,840

  196,440

  138,270

  160,180

  1 Excluding EC nationals to whom the immigration rules on returning

  residents do not apply.

  2 Ceased to be a separate nationality following the unification of

  Germany.

  3 5 or fewer.

  Table 2

  Persons1 seeking admission as returning residents

  who were refused and removed

  Number of persons

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1991

  1991

  1991

  19923

  Europe

  Austria

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Bulgaria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cyprus

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Czechoslovakia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Finland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Germany (Democratic Republic)

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Hungary

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Malta

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Norway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Poland

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Romania

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sweden

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Switzerland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Turkey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  USSR

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yugoslavia

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Americas

  3

  2

  3

  1

  Argentina

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Barbados

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Brazil

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Canada

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Chile

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Colombia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cuba

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Guyana

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Jamaica

  —

  —

  1

  1

  544 545

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1991

  1991

  1991

  19923

  Mexico

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Peru

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Trinidad and Tobago

  —

  —

  —

  —

  USA

  2

  2

  1

  —

  Uruguay

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Venezuela

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Africa

  4

  4

  6

  2

  Algeria

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Egypt

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Ethiopia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ghana

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kenya

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Libya

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mauritius

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Morocco

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nigeria

  1

  3

  2

  2

  Sierra Leone

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somalia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Africa

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Sudan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tanzania

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tunisia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Uganda

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Zambia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Zimbabwe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Asia

  5

  7

  6

  5

  Bangladesh

  1

  4

  2

  2

  China

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hong Kong BDTC

  —

  1

  1

  —

  India

  1

  1

  2

  —

  Indonesia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Iran

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Iraq

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Israel

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Japan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Jordan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kuwait

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lebanon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Malaysia

  —

  —

  —

  I

  Pakistan

  2

  1

  —

  1

  Philippines

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Saudia Arabia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Singapore

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sri Lanka

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Syria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thailand

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Australasia

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Australia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  New Zealand

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Others

  1

  1

  —

  —

  British Overseas Citizens

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other countries not elsewhere specified

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Stateless

  —

  1

  —

  —

  All Nationalities

  13

  16

  16

  9

  1 Excluding EC nationals to whom the immigration rules on returning

  residents do not apply.

  2 Ceased to be a separate nationality following the unification of

  Germany.

  3 Provisional.

  Table 3

  Persons1 admitted as returning residents

  Number of admissions

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1991

  Europe

  27,000

  38,1000

  24,000

  22,600

  Austria

  2,320

  2,700

  1,860

  1,970

  Bulgaria

  40

  150

  50

  40

  Cyprus

  1,380

  2,870

  1,290

  1,020

  Czechoslovakia

  110

  160

  120

  110

  Finland

  1,600

  2,310

  1,400

  1,450

  546 547

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1991

  Germany (Dem. Rep)

  20

  70

  2—

  2—

  Hungary

  160

  420

  180

  220

  Malta

  1,870

  3,300

  1,650

  1,470

  Norway

  3,120

  3,700

  2,560

  2,460

  Poland

  1,550

  2,840

  1.28

  1,420

  Romania

  60

  80

  40

  50

  Sweden

  6,690

  7,330

  6,100

  5,590

  Switzerland

  4,420

  4,920

  3,770

  3,500

  Turkey

  2,060

  4,840

  2,330

  2,040

  USSR

  130

  220

  160

  140

  Yugoslavia

  1,350

  2,220

  1,230

  1,090

  Americas

  51,200

  57,900

  40,300

  41,800

  Argentina

  280

  330

  260

  270

  Barbados

  580

  810

  440

  430

  Brazil

  770

  940

  660

  750

  Canada

  9,060

  10,800

  7,370

  7,000

  Chile

  440

  570

  390

  480

  Colombia

  660

  760

  450

  710

  Cuba

  —

  +

  +

  +

  Guyana

  340

  440

  290

  290

  Jamaica

  2,030

  2,640

  1,840

  2,010

  Mexico

  320

  370

  230

  280

  Peru

  190

  210

  140

  160

  Trinidad and Tobago

  940

  1,180

  690

  1,010

  United States of America

  35,300

  38,500

  27,300

  28,200

  Uruguay

  50

  50

  50

  50

  Venezuela

  230

  260

  160

  200

  Africa

  12,800

  18,300

  11,700

  13,100

  Algeria

  370

  580

  400

  280

  Egypt

  880

  1,220

  730

  740

  Ethiopia

  90

  90

  50

  60

  Ghana

  1,690

  2,110

  1,640

  1,840

  Kenya

  1,200

  1,460

  910

  1,020

  Libya

  170

  210

  130

  120

  Mauritius

  1,120

  1,570

  890

  900

  Morocco

  630

  2,540

  920

  730

  Nigeria

  2.18

  2,990

  2,460

  3,140

  Sierra Leone

  240

  260

  190

  340

  Somalia

  40

  60

  30

  20

  South Africa

  2,320

  2,530

  1,750

  2,230

  Sudan

  190

  270

  140

  160

  Tanzania

  360

  580

  350

  350

  Tunisia

  260

  450

  280

  210

  Uganda

  160

  240

  100

  130

  Zambia

  260

  280

  205

  240

  Zimbabwe

  690

  880

  530

  650

  Asia

  44,700

  49,600

  33,500

  39,900

  Bangladesh

  2,480

  3,020

  1,500

  2,000

  China

  130

  160

  160

  150

  Hong Kong BDTC

  950

  1,370

  810

  1,220

  India

  14,600

  14,100

  10,600

  14,700

  Indonesia

  160

  180

  100

  110

  Iran

  3.34

  4,600

  3,060

  2,780

  Iraq

  910

  840

  260

  110

  Israel

  1,620

  1,930

  1,350

  1,170

  Japan

  5,480

  6,180

  4,500

  3,950

  Jordan

  500

  550

  320

  230

  Kuwait

  110

  120

  100

  70

  Lebanon

  1,440

  1,690

  1,230

  1,070

  Malaysia

  2,430

  2,960

  2,090

  2,560

  Pakistan

  5,080

  5,700

  3,650

  5,080

  Philippines

  1,740

  1,530

  1,060

  1,540

  Saudi Arabia

  260

  270

  170

  200

  Singapore

  610

  730

  550

  600

  Sri Lanka

  1,950

  2,660

  1,260

  1,480

  Syria

  190

  300

  170

  180

  Thailand

  680

  730

  530

  680

  Australasia

  22,100

  22,400

  17,400

  17,000

  Australia

  13,900

  14,100

  10,600

  10,400

  New Zealand

  8,210

  8,350

  6,790

  6,600

  Others

  6,760

  9,080

  5,760

  5,840

  British Overseas Citizens

  910

  1,240

  800

  740

  548 549

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1991

  Other countries not elsewhere specified

  2,400

  3,210

  2,110

  2,360

  Stateless

  3,450

  4,620

  2,850

  2,740

  All Nationalities

  164,000

  195,000

  133,000

  140,000

  Table 4

  Persons1 seeking admission as returning residents

  who were refused and removed

  Number of persons

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1991

  Europe

  —

  —

  3

  1

  Austria

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Bulgaria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cyprus

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Czechoslovakia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Finland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Germany (Democratic Republic)

  —

  —

  2—

  2—

  Hungary

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Malta

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Norway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Poland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Romania

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sweden

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Switzerland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Turkey

  —

  —

  1

  —

  USSR

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yugoslavia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Americas

  3

  2-

  2

  2

  Argentina

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Barbados

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Brazil

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Canada

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Chile

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Colombia

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Cuba

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Guyana

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Jamaica

  3

  1

  —

  —

  Mexico

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Peru

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Trinidad and Tobago

  —

  —

  —

  —

  USA

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Uruguay

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Venuzuela

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Africa

  2

  2

  3

  2

  Algeria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Egypt

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ethiopia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ghana

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Kenya

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Libya

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Mauritius

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Morocco

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Nigeria

  1

  —

  2

  —

  Sierra Leone

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somalia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Africa

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Sudan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tanzania

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tunisia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Uganda

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Zambia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Zimbabwe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Asia

  6

  9

  10

  8

  Bangladesh

  3

  5

  4

  2

  China

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hong Kong BDTC

  —

  —

  2

  2

  India

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Indonesia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Iran

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Iraq

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Israel

  —

  —

  —

  —

  550 551

  Nationality

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  1st quarter

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1991

  Japan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Jordan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kuwait

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lebanon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Malaysia

  2

  —

  2

  1

  Pakistan

  1

  3

  1

  —

  Philippines

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Saudi Arabia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Singapore

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sri Lanka

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Syria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thailand

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Australasia

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Australia

  —

  —

  —

  1

  New Zealand

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Others

  4

  —

  —

  —

  British Overseas Citizens

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other countries not elsewhere specified

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Stateless

  3

  —

  —

  —

  ALL NATIONALITIES

  15

  13

  18

  14

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Select Committees
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, when the firm responsible for preparing verbatim reports of minutes of evidence taken before Select Committees was appointed; what opportunities have been given to other firms to provide this service; and on what basis the charges payable to the firm are determined.

  Mr. Beith
  The appointment of a shorthand writer to the Houses of Parliament is made by the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Clerk of the House of Commons pursuant to Resolutions agreed to by both Houses in 1813. The present incumbent, like her predecessors since that time, is the senior partner in the firm of W. B. Gurney and Sons. The structure of charges for parliamentary work is renegotiated periodically: such a review took place in 1989, and a further one, initiated by the Clerks of both Houses, is currently in progress. These reviews take into account the likely cost and efficiency of alternative suppliers of this service. Interim adjustments to the level of charges are made by reference to the fees negotiated by the Institute of Shortland Writers with Her Majesty's Treasury for Government work.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months relative to the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Key
  The Department of National Heritage was formed in April 1992 and covers the arts, formerly the 552
  responsibility of the Office of Arts and Libraries; broadcasting, formerly the responsibility of the Home Office; film, formerly the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry; tourism, formerly the responsibility of the Department of Employment; heritage, formerly the responsibility of the Department of the Environment; and sport, formerly the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science. There are, therefore, no statistics covering the Department of National Heritage for the period in question.

  The Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programes of support and assistance. Although the Department of National Heritage has no programmes aimed specifically at small businesses, the Department is fully committed to the Government's deregulation initiative and will seek to ensure that regulatory burdens within its areas of responsibility are kept to the minimum that is necessary.

  Radio 3
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will raise with the chairman of the BBC his proposals for improving the reception quality of Radio 3 in the area of North Wiltshire.

  Mr. Key
  I will draw my hon. Friend's concern to the attention of the chairman of the BBC.

  The BBC has an extensive programme for building new FM radio transmitters to extend the coverage of its national services. It has recently introduced new transmitters for Wiltshire listeners at Caine, Chippenham and Westwood and aims to bring a transmitter at Marlborough on the air early next year. But the rate and order in which the BBC proceeds with this programme is for the BBC to determine in the light of its other engineering priorities and competing demands upon its financial and technical resources.

  Naze Tower
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what aspects of the Naze tower on the Naze at Walton-on-the-Naze, a listed building, he is responsible for.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. and learned Friend's responsibilities in relation to listed buildings were outlined in a reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 19 May 1992,Official Report, column 110. A circular giving further details will be issued shortly.

  Pitchford Hall
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what discussions he has had with English Heritage with regard to Pitchford hall, Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what action he has taken to save Pitchford hall, Shrewsbury for the nation;

  (3) what discussions he has had with the National Heritage Memorial Fund with regard to Pitchford hall, Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what representations he has had from the National Trust with regard to Pitchford hall, Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: Neither my right hon. and learned Friend nor I have had any discussions with either English Heritage or the National Heritage Memorial Fund—NHMF—or representations from the National Trust specifically with regard to Pitchford hall, Shrewsbury. However, I am aware that the National Trust is in discussion with the NHMF about the substantial funds which would be needed to enable them to acquire and endow Pitchford hall, its contents and lands. It is for the trustees of the NHMF to decide on the merits of the proposal and whether they are able to offer assistance from the funds available to them.

  South Yorkshire Arts
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has for encouraging the arts in South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 10 July 1992]: This year's allocation of central Government funding, through the Arts Council, to the Yorkshire and Humberside Arts Board is £4·5 million and represents a 13·9 per cent. increase over 1991–92.

  The Government's urban programme has contributed to the cultural industries quarter in Sheffield, which is a model of urban regeneration. This has contributed to a lively arts scene, which includes the refurbished Lyceum theatre, the Crucible theatre and the Ruskin gallery.

  Yorkshire and Humberside Arts is presently working with the local authority in Barnsley on the preparation of a Barnsley arts plan. Opera North's community outreach programme already has strong links with the Barnsley arts group and has undertaken several projects in the town.

EDUCATION

  School Inspectors
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what formula will be used for the withdrawal of money from the standard spending assessment of local authorities to be allocated to Her Majesty's inspectorate for the inspection of schools under the terms of the Education (Schools) Act 1992.

  Mr. Forth
  The Government are considering the expenditure needs of local education authorities next year and are currently taking the views of the local authority associations on the range of factors bearing on local education authorities' spending, including the new arrangements for school inspection. We have estimated the funds to be transferred from local government finance for 1993–94 in respect of school inspections beginning in September 1993 at £19 million—1992–93 prices. Details of the local authority finance settlement for 1993–94, including education's share of total standard spending and individual authorities' standard spending assessments, will be announced in the autumn.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much money his Department has provided in its budget to raise awareness and advertise the new system of inspection of schools; and if he will list the actual expenditure items and any proposed expenditure.

  Mr. Forth
  Professor Sutherland will be responsible for the new inspection system from 1 September 1992. Budgeted expenditure in this financial year for which my Department is responsible up to that date is as follows:

  National advertising campaign—£105,000;

  Leaflets and related promotional material—£10,000.

  The new system was announced in the citizens charter, and sample copies of the parents charter were sent to all schools in September 1991 at a cost of just under £2 million.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months relative to the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Forman
  The Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses through improvements in the business climate, deregulation, and specific programmes of support and assistance. My Department encourages small firms to tender for contracts; each contract also includes a requirement to pay subcontractors promptly. In the first three months of 1992–93 the Department placed contracts with small firms amounting to 39 per cent. of total departmental expenditure on goods and services, a slightly higher percentage than for a comparable period in 1991–92.

  Training Grants
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 23 June,Official Report, column 126, if he will list (a) the local education

  555
  authorities who have confirmed that their claims have been based on the correct criteria and (b) those authorities who have been unable to confirm that their claims have been made on the correct criteria.

  Mr. Forth
  Local education authorities in list A have indicated that their claims for grants for education support and training included only eligible expenditure they themselves incurred. Those in list B have not yet responded, or have indicated that claims may have included other expenditure. The Department is seeking replies or clarification from LEAs in list B. It has issued clear guidance to all LEAs, and has asked auditors to check that claims have been prepared on the correct basis.

  List A

  Havering

  City of London

  Hillingdon

  Camden

  Hounslow

  Greenwich

  Kingston upon Thames

  Hackney

  Merton

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Newham

  Islington

  Redbridge

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Richmond upon Thames

  Lambeth

  Sutton

  Wandsworth

  Waltham Forest

  Barking and Dagenham

  Birmingham

  Barnet

  Dudley

  Bromley

  Sandwell

  Croydon

  Walsall

  Ealing

  Wolverhampton

  Enfield

  Liverpool

  Haringey

  St. Helens

  Harrow

  Sefton

  Wirral

  Derbyshire

  Bury

  Devon

  Manchester

  Dorset

  Oldham

  Durham

  Rochdale

  East Sussex

  Salford

  Essex

  Stockport

  Gloucestershire

  Tameside

  Hampshire

  Trafford

  Hereford and Worcester

  Wigan

  Hertfordshire

  Barnsley

  Humberside

  Doncaster

  Isle of Wight

  Rotherham

  Kent

  Sheffield

  Leicestershire

  Bradford

  Lincolnshire

  Leeds

  Norfolk

  Wakefield

  North Yorkshire

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Northamptonshire

  North Tyneside

  Northumberland

  Sunderland

  Nottinghamshire

  Avon

  Oxfordshire

  Bedfordshire

  Shropshire

  Berkshire

  Somerset

  Buckinghamshire

  Staffordshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Suffolk

  Cheshire

  Surrey

  Cleveland

  Warwickshire

  Cornwall

  Wiltshire

  Cumbria

  List B

  Knowsley

  Lewisham

  Bolton

  Southwark

  Calderdale

  Tower Hamlets

  Kirklees

  Westminster

  Gateshead

  Bexley

  South Tyneside

  Brent

  Isles of Scilly

  Coventry

  Lancashire

  Solihull

  West Sussex

  School Administration
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has had about the administrative burden placed on head teachers(a)under
  556
  current grant-maintained school arrangements and (b) under current local management of schools arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The feedback I have received suggests that head teachers welcome the greater flexibility which the new arrangements bring and the increased responsibilities they now have. Managing budgets should not place an unacceptable burden on head teachers' time.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the current initiatives and reforms being undertaken by grant-maintained schools for raising education standards; and what legal obstacles exist which would prevent non-grantmaintained schools from undertaking similar initiatives and reforms.

  Mr. Forth
  The National Curriculum and assessment provisions together with the new arrangements for school inspections are designed to raise standards in all maintained schools. GM schools enjoy greater flexibility to channel expenditure away from administration and into teaching. The Government believe that this, coupled with an increased sense of independence and ownership, gives GM school heads and governors additional opportunities to raise standards.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what figures he has for the average pupil-teacher ratio during 1991–92 for schools which had achieved grant-maintained status by 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Forth
  The figures requested by my hon. Friend are not yet available. We hope to be able to publish figures in the spring. Recently published figures show that, in January 1991, when 50 secondary schools were GM, there were 36,450 pupils and 2,385 full-time equivalent teachers at GM schools, which gives a pupil-teacher ratio of 15.3.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is(a) the total number of ballots held on grant-maintained status, (b) in how many the proportion of parents voting yes has been more than 50 per cent. of the number of parents eligible to vote, (c) in how many the margin between the percentage voting yes and that voting no has been 60:40 or closer and (d) how many of those in (b) and (c) have been approved for grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested by the hon.

  Member is as follows:

  (a) There have been 504 ballots on grant-maintained status.

  (b) In 200 of these the proportion of parents voting yes has been more than 50 per cent. of the number of parents eligible to vote.

  (c) In 56 the margin between those voting yes and those voting no has been 60:40 or closer.

  (d) 132 of the schools detailed at (b) and 44 of the schools detailed at (c) have been approved or are currently minded to approve.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many ballots on grant-maintained status have been conducted over or during a school holiday period; and how many ballots have been held during each school term since September 1988.
  557
  Mr. Forth
  The dates of school holidays vary from institution to institution. The information requested is not therefore held centrally. However, out of a total of 504 ballots on GM status to date, five have closed in the month of August.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list(a) the number of schools in each education authority which have obtained grant-maintained status and (b) the number of such applications which he is still considering.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a)

  Number

  Kent

  33

  Essex

  23

  Lincolnshire

  22

  Norfolk

  16

  Surrey

  14

  Gloucestershire

  13

  Bromley

  10

  Berkshire

  9

  Hertfordshire

  8

  Hillingdon

  8

  Cumbria

  7

  Dorset

  7

  Northamptonshire

  7

  Hampshire

  6

  Lancashire

  6

  Warwickshire

  6

  Cambridgeshire

  5

  Ealing

  5

  Sutton

  5

  Birmingham

  4

  Buckinghamshire

  4

  Derbyshire

  4

  Wandsworth

  4

  Bedfordshire

  3

  Calderdale

  3

  Wiltshire

  3

  Avon

  2

  Barnet

  2

  Bexley

  2

  Bolton

  2

  Brent

  2

  Cheshire

  2

  Kirklees

  2

  Somerset

  2

  Walsall

  2

  Wolverhampton

  2

  Bradford

  1

  Croydon

  1

  Devon

  1

  Dudley

  1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1

  Humberside

  1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1

  Lambeth

  1

  Leicestershire

  1

  Liverpool

  1

  Newham

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  Rochdale

  1

  Sandwell

  1

  Sheffield

  1

  Shropshire

  1

  Southwark

  1

  Tameside

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  1

  Waltham Forest

  1

  Total

  275

  558
  The table includes 217 schools that are operating as GM; 56 that have been approved but are not yet open; and two that are "minded to approve" for GM status.

  (b)
  There are 39 applications still under consideration.

  Music
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give an estimate of the number of school hours devoted to music in state schools and the total number of music teachers for each year since 1981; and if he will make a statement on the future of music teaching in state schools.

  Mr. Forth
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  A primary school staffing survey was undertaken in 1987 and secondary school staffing surveys in 1984 and in 1988. These surveys indicated that there were 15,200 full-time teachers with a post A-level qualification in music in maintained nursery and primary schools in England in 1987. In maintained secondary schools in England, there were 9,300 music teachers in 1984, and 7,100 music teachers in 1988. In maintained primary schools in 1987, 4·8 per cent. of time in junior classes was devoted to music. In maintained secondary schools in England in 1988, the proportion of pupil periods devoted to music varied by year group as follows:

  Year group

  Percentage of pupil periods devoted to music

  7

  5·1

  8

  4·5

  9

  3·4

  10

  0·9

  11

  0·7

  12–13

  0·8

  A further secondary schools staffing survey was undertaken in 1992. It is hoped to publish the findings early in 1993.

  The introduction from autumn 1992 of statutory attainment targets and programmes of study for music will provide a rigorous and challenging framework for the teaching of music in maintained schools, within which aspirations and standards will be raised and the range of skills, knowledge and understanding widened.

  European Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for his Department to celebrate in 1993, the European Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13 July 1992, at columns 430–31.

  Primary Schools (Funding)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received over the funding arrangements for primary schools, in connection with developments in the curriculum and teaching methods; and if he will make a statement.
  559
  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations commenting on the report, "Curriculum Organisation and Classroom Practice in Primary Schools", and in particular on the issue raised in the report of the current disparity between levels of funding for pupils at the upper end of primary education and pupils at the lower end of secondary education.

  This is a matter for local education authorities, which may themselves suggest amendments to the age-weighted allowances in their formulae for the distribution of resources under local management of schools. I am glad to say that some authorities are examining this question, and I would encourage more to do so.

  Student Rents
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the average rents paid by students in Wales, both on and off campus.

  Mr. Forman
  Information about the average cost of student accommodation in university institutions in Wales is set out in the table. This information is taken from the results of a survey carried out by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals based on data provided by individual institutions. Comparable information for other institutions in the higher education sector and institutions in the further education sector is not collected centrally.

  Academic year 1991–92

  Cost per week £ exclusive of all meals

  Undergraduates

  University halls of residence

  27·90

  Other university owned accommodation

  27·65

  Other non-university owned accommodation

  30·45

  Postgraduates

  University halls of residence

  27·40

  Other university owned accommodation

  27·20

  Other non-university owned accommodation

  30·05

  School Buildings
  Sir Malcolm Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many primary and secondary schools in England and Wales were built before(a) 1914, (b) 1939 and (c) 1960; and what estimate his Department has made of renovation costs to modernise such schools.

  Mr. Forth
  "A Study of School Building", a report by an interdepartmental group of the Department of Education and Science and the Welsh Office, assisted by local government officers using information from a school building survey of maintained schools, was published by HMSO in 1977 and gives the latest information on the age of the school building stock. On the basis of a 10 per cent. survey of primary and secondary schools in England and 10 per cent. of primary schools and 20 per cent. of secondary schools in Wales, there were in 1976 8,300 schools built before 1903, 10,200 schools built before 1918 and 12,600 schools built before 1946. A further 10,600 schools were built between 1946 and 1976, in which one third of the places were completed by 1960.

  The survey of school buildings published by the Department in 1987, based upon a survey of one in 30 county and voluntary controlled primary and one in six
  560
  secondary schools in England only, reported estimated national costs, at November 1986 prices, of about £2,000 million to bring buildings up to a defined standard for 1991 projected pupil numbers. Some of these costs will have been met from recurrent expenditure and from capital investment on county, controlled and aided schools of £3,300 million since the survey.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the value of a mandatory student grant for 1992–93; and what was the value in 1972–73 at current prices.

  Mr. Forman
  The basic mandatory grant for students living away from the parental home and studying outside London in the academic year 1992–93 will be £2,265. Students in those circumstances will be able to take out loans from the Student Loans Company of up to £715, making a total of £2,980. In 1972–73 the value of the corresponding mandatory grant was £2,723 at 1991–92 prices.

  School Examination Results
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many responses were received to his Department's letter of 10 January consulting on the further implications of the parents charter; and how many of these responses were in favour of his Department analysing data and publishing performance tables in schools' comparative examination performance;

  (2) to whom the work to analyse and produce comparative tables of school examination results has been contracted out;

  (3) what estimate has been made of the cost of centrally managing the task of analysing and publishing comparative tables of school examination results; and what provision was made for this expenditure in the original estimate of his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  Ninety-five responses were received to the consultation letter on the phased implementation of parents charter proposals. The consultation letter did not propose that the Department should itself undertake the task of producing comparative tables of schools' examination performance; that decision was taken in the light of the consultation responses.

  Information respecting departmental contracts is normally treated as commercial in confidence.

  We estimate that some £650,000 will be required to compile, publish and distribute the comparative tables this year. The money will be found from within the Department's existing allocation.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 have been taken into account in determining the method by which information will be obtained in order to produce comparative tables of school examination results;

  (2) by what legal authority he will be given access to personal machine-readable data being held by examination boards of individual candidates' examination results in order to produce comparative tables of school examination results.

  Mr. Forth
  The terms under which both the Department for Education and the examining bodies are
  561
  registered under the Data Protection Act allow for the examining bodies to pass examination results data to the Department for the purpose of calculating and publishing aggregate examination results, as has been done in recent years. The comparative tables themselves will consist of aggregated data only for each school.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how a late regrading of an individual's examination paper will be taken into account in the publication of comparative tables of school examination results;

  (2) what account the comparative tables he intends to publish on school examination performance will take of the differential performance of boys and girls.

  Mr. Forth
  All examinations data relating to pupils registered at a particular school will be sent to that school in October for checking. Schools will therefore have an opportunity to notify the contractor preparing the tables of any changes to grades on appeal which are known by the time of the deadline for return of the information.

  The comparative tables will not distinguish between the performance of boys and girls. Examinations data in school prospectuses will, however, continue to show results of boys and girls separately, alongside national averages.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Forman
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. My Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Assisted places scheme: numbers of pupils in APS schools in A Y 1990–91

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Percentage of assisted pupils to pupils on roll

  Abbey school, Reading

  920

  53

  5·76

  Abingdon school

  730

  84

  11·51

  Ackworth school, Pontefract

  460

  10

  2·17

  Aldenham school, Elstree

  370

  26

  7·03

  Alice Ottley school, Worcester

  670

  81

  12·09

  Alleyns school, Dulwich

  920

  197

  21·41

  Ardingley college, Haywards Heath

  480

  8

  1·67

  Arnold school, Blackpool

  800

  73

  9·13

  Ashford school, Kent

  700

  42

  6·00

  Ashville college

  670

  3

  0·45

  Austin Friars school

  310

  3

  0·97

  Bancrofts school, Woodford

  710

  78

  10·99

  Barnard Castle school

  610

  3

  0·49

  Bath high school GPDST

  590

  97

  16·44

  Batley grammar school

  630

  240

  38·10

  Bedales school, Petersfield

  410

  9

  2·20

  Bedford group:

  Bedford high school

  1,030

  103

  10·00

  Bedford modern school

  1,200

  151

  12·58

  Bedford school

  1,120

  96

  8·57

  Dame Alice Harpur school

  1,030

  138

  13·40

  Belvedere school GPDST Liverpool

  550

  171

  31·09

  Berkhamsted school

  800

  27

  3·38

  Berkhamsted school for girls

  560

  19

  3·39

  Birkenhead high school GPDST

  950

  261

  27·47

  Birkenhead school

  990

  235

  23·74

  Bishop's Stortford college

  360

  44

  12·22

  Blackheath high school GPDST

  570

  93

  16·32

  Bloxham school, Banbury

  370

  8

  2·16

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people are employed on the management of the assisted places scheme.

  Mr. Forth
  A total of 7·7 full-time equivalent staff are directly engaged in the management of the assisted places scheme in the current financial year.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much has been spent on the assisted places scheme and for how many pupils for each year since 1989, in cash and constant prices.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is shown in the following table and relates to England only:

  Year

  Pupil numbers (Academic Year)

  Cash cost (£ million)

  In real terms1 (£ million—constant 1991–92 prices

  1989–90

  27,008

  56·5

  64·4

  1990–91

  26,740

  63·4

  67·2

  1991–92

  27,641

  78·9

  78·9

  1 The real terms series has been derived on the basis of the GDP deflator assumptions published in the Budget with the most recent year as the price base.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the schools involved in the assisted places scheme, with(a) the total number of pupils on rolls and (b) the number of assisted pupils, and the percentage which (b) bears to (a) in each school for the latest year which figures are available.

  Mr. Forth
  The information is as follows. The latest year for which complete details are available is the academic year—AY—1990–91.
  563

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Percentage of assisted pupils to pupils on roll

  Bolton school (Boys)

  1,000

  246

  24·60

  Bolton school (Girls)

  1,100

  237

  21·55

  Bootham school, York

  320

  10

  3·13

  Bradfield college, Reading

  530

  3

  0·57

  Bradford girls grammar

  900

  53

  5·89

  Bradford grammar school

  1,150

  219

  19·04

  Brentwood school

  1,080

  82

  7·59

  Brighton and Hove high school GPDST

  740

  133

  17·97

  Brighton college

  500

  107

  21·40

  Bristol Cathedral school

  460

  143

  31·09

  Bristol grammar school

  1,200

  254

  21·17

  Bromley high school GPDST

  690

  90

  13·04

  Bromsgrove school, Worcestershire

  560

  9

  1·61

  Bruton school for girls

  580

  115

  19·83

  Burgess Hill school for girls

  580

  6

  1·03

  Bury grammar school (Boys)

  750

  191

  25·47

  Bury grammar school (Girls)

  1,120

  235

  20·98

  Canford school, Wimborne

  530

  28

  5·28

  Carmel college, Wallingford

  290

  84

  28·97

  Casterton school, Cumbria

  380

  38

  10·00

  Caterham school

  720

  107

  14·86

  Central Newcastle high school GPDST

  780

  107

  13·72

  Charterhouse, near Godalming

  700

  10

  1·43

  Cheadle Hulme school

  1,000

  131

  13·10

  Cheltenham ladies college

  840

  6

  0·71

  Chigwell school

  620

  65

  10·48

  Christ's hospital

  830

  10

  1·20

  Churchers college, Petersfield

  460

  115

  25·00

  City of London school

  850

  136

  16·00

  City of London school for girls

  660

  105

  15·91

  City of London Freemans school, Ashtead

  650

  4

  0·62

  Clifton college, Bristol

  700

  64

  9·14

  Clifton high school, Bristol

  750

  37

  4·93

  Colfes school, London SE12

  860

  175

  20·35

  Colston's school, Bristol

  340

  77

  22·65

  Colston's girls school

  660

  162

  24·55

  Coventry school, Bablake

  2,750

  256

  9·31

  Cranleigh school

  570

  37

  6·49

  Croham Hurst school, Croydon

  590

  9

  1·53

  Croydon high school, GPDST

  1,040

  89

  8·56

  Culford school. Bury St. Edmunds

  710

  49

  6·90

  Dame Allans boys school, Newcastle upon Tyne

  440

  118

  26·82

  Dame Allans girls school

  420

  134

  31·90

  Dauntseys school, Devizes

  590

  50

  8·47

  Denstone college, Uttoxeter

  360

  106

  29·44

  Derby high school

  500

  5

  1·00

  Douai school, Reading

  300

  6

  2·00

  Dover college

  310

  10

  3·23

  Downe House school, Newbury

  460

  3

  0·65

  Dulwich college

  1,430

  277

  19·37

  Durham school

  380

  10

  2·63

  Edgbaston C of E college for girls

  470

  9

  1·91

  Edgehill college, Bideford

  500

  138

  27·60

  Ellerslie school, Worcestershire

  250

  10

  4·00

  Ellesmere college

  370

  3

  0·81

  Eltham college, London SE9

  700

  86

  12·29

  Emanuel school, London SW11

  760

  269

  35·39

  Epsom college

  650

  20

  3·08

  Exeter school

  680

  169

  24·85

  Farnborough hill school

  520

  146

  28·08

  Felixstowe college

  320

  10

  3·13

  Felsted school, Dunmow

  500

  40

  8·00

  Forest school, London E17

  450

  130

  28·89

  Framlingham college

  680

  3

  0·44

  Francis Holland school, London NW1

  360

  9

  2·50

  Friends school. Saffron Walden

  270

  77

  28·52

  Giggleswick school, Settle

  300

  3

  1·00

  Godolphin school, Salisbury

  320

  10

  3·13

  Godolphin and Latymer school, London W6

  700

  165

  23·57

  Greshams school, Norfolk

  480

  10

  2·08

  Guildford High school for girls

  580

  7

  1·21

  Haberdashers' Aske's school, Elstree

  1,300

  208

  16·00

  Haberdashers' Aske's schools for girls, Elstree

  1,100

  112

  10·18

  Haileybury and Imperial Service college

  690

  4

  0·58

  Hampton school

  870

  179

  20·57

  Harrogate college

  400

  17

  4·25

  564 565

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Percentage of assisted pupils to pupils on roll

  Headington school, Oxford

  680

  3

  0·44

  Hereford Cathedral school

  600

  217

  36·17

  Highgate school

  300

  31

  10·33

  Hipperholme grammar school

  370

  3

  0·81

  Holy Child school

  370

  5

  1·35

  Hulme grammar, boys, Oldham

  860

  207

  24·07

  Hulme grammar, girls, Oldham

  590

  183

  31·02

  Hurstpierpoint college, Hassocks

  570

  8

  1·40

  Hymers college, Hull

  870

  144

  16·55

  Ipswich high school GPDST

  600

  106

  17·67

  Ipswich school

  630

  77

  12·22

  James Aliens girls school

  850

  156

  18·35

  John Lyons school, Harrow

  490

  90

  18·37

  Kent college, Canterbury

  650

  82

  12·62

  Kimbolton schools, Cambridge

  690

  10

  1·45

  King Edwards school at Bath

  690

  112

  16·23

  King Edwards school, Birmingham

  780

  213

  27·31

  King Edward VI High school, Birmingham

  560

  118

  21·07

  King Edward VII school, Lytham

  650

  222

  34·15

  King Edward VI school, Norwich

  760

  110

  14·47

  King Edward VI school. Southampton

  940

  225

  23·94

  King Edwards school, Witley

  520

  70

  13·46

  Kings college school, Wimbledon

  650

  79

  12·15

  Kings high school for girls, Warwick

  990

  140

  14·14

  Kingsley school

  550

  5

  0·91

  Kings school, Bruton

  330

  7

  2·12

  Kings school, Chester

  560

  88

  15·71

  Kings school, Macclesfield

  1,040

  145

  13·94

  Kings school, Rochester

  440

  50

  11·36

  Kings school, Tynemouth

  910

  3

  0·33

  Kings, school, Worcester

  860

  167

  19·42

  Kingston grammar school

  570

  157

  27·54

  Kingswood school, Bath

  480

  40

  8·33

  Kirkham grammar school

  510

  78

  15·29

  Lady Eleanor Holles school, Hampton

  810

  50

  6·17

  La Sagesse convent school, Newcastle upon Tyne

  340

  139

  40·88

  Latymer upper school, London W6

  1,030

  319

  30·97

  Laxton school

  150

  2

  1·33

  Leeds girls high school

  950

  86

  9·05

  Leeds grammar school

  1,180

  188

  15·93

  Leicester grammar school

  550

  13

  2·36

  Leighton park school, Reading

  360

  10

  2·78

  Leys school, Cambridge

  380

  34

  8·95

  Liverpool college

  700

  181

  25·86

  Lord Wandsworth college, Basingstoke

  440

  81

  18·41

  Loreto convent grammar school, Altrincham

  820

  50

  6·10

  Loughborough grammar

  880

  124

  14·09

  Loughborough high school

  520

  95

  18·27

  Magdalen college school, Oxford

  500

  113

  22·60

  Malvern college group

  600

  57

  9·50

  Manchester grammar school

  1,460

  261

  17·88

  Manchester high school

  970

  163

  16·80

  Marist convent senior school. Ascot

  500

  3

  0·60

  Maynard school, Exeter

  530

  150

  28·30

  Merchant Taylors, Liverpool

  770

  206

  26·75

  Merchant Taylors girls, Liverpool

  810

  180

  22·22

  Merchant Taylors, Northwood

  700

  59

  8·43

  Mill Hill school

  540

  60

  11·11

  Monkton Combe school, Bath

  340

  38

  11·18

  Mount Carmel school, Cheshire

  590

  10

  1·69

  Mount St. Mary's college, Nr. Sheffield

  280

  53

  18·93

  Mount school, York

  290

  10

  3·45

  Newcastle under Lyme school, Staffordshire

  1,350

  437

  32·37

  Newcastle upon Tyne church high school

  610

  10

  1·64

  Northampton high school

  770

  155

  20·13

  North London collegiate school, Edgware

  850

  88

  10·35

  Norwich high school GPDST

  840

  152

  18·10

  Nottingham girls high school GPDST

  1,050

  182

  17·33

  Nottingham high school

  830

  146

  17·59

  Notting Hill and Ealing high GPDST

  770

  114

  14·81

  Oakham school, Rutland

  986

  10

  1·01

  Old Palace school, Croydon

  760

  183

  24·08

  Oxford high school GPDST

  650

  86

  13·23

  Pangbourne college, Reading

  330

  8

  2·42

  Perse school for boys, Cambridge

  490

  60

  12·24

  Perse school for girls

  710

  58

  8·17

  566 567

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Percentage of assisted pupils to pupils on roll

  Plymouth college

  700

  186

  26·57

  Pocklington school, near York

  710

  129

  18·17

  Polam hall school. Darlington

  470

  13

  2·77

  Portsmouth grammar school

  1,020

  186

  18·24

  Portsmouth high school GPDST

  670

  130

  19·40

  Prior park college, Bath

  390

  10

  2·56

  Putney high school GPDST

  830

  86

  10·36

  Queen Elizabeth grammar, Blackburn

  1,200

  255

  21·25

  Queen Elizabeth grammar, Wakefield

  980

  144

  14·69

  Queen Elizabeth hospital school, Bristol

  480

  167

  34·79

  Queen Mary school, Lytham

  700

  240

  34·29

  Queens college Taunton

  610

  63

  10·33

  Queens college, London W1

  400

  67

  16·75

  Queens school, Chester

  580

  71

  12·24

  Ratcliffe college, Leicestershire

  420

  68

  16·19

  Redland high school, Bristol

  630

  80

  12·70

  Red Maids school, Bristol

  480

  157

  32·71

  Reed's school, Cobham

  350

  10

  2·86

  Reigate grammar school

  870

  99

  11·38

  Rendcomb college, Cirencester

  280

  10

  3·57

  Repton school, near Derby

  560

  49

  8·75

  Rossall school, Fleetwood

  480

  43

  8·96

  Royal grammar school, Guildford

  800

  105

  13·13

  Royal grammar school, Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,130

  254

  22·48

  Royal grammar school, Worcester

  870

  263

  30·23

  Ryde school

  620

  3

  0·48

  St. Albans school

  670

  110

  16·42

  St. Albans high school for girls

  690

  56

  8·12

  St. Ambrose college, Altrincham

  640

  73

  11·41

  St. Anselms college, Birkenhead

  850

  190

  22·35

  St. Bede's college, Manchester

  870

  220

  25·29

  St. Bees school, Cumbria

  370

  75

  20·27

  St. Benedict's school, Ealing

  590

  74

  12·54

  St. Catherine's school, Bramley

  620

  34

  5·48

  St. Dunstan's college, Catford

  830

  151

  18·19

  St. Edmund's college. Ware

  460

  69

  15·00

  St. Edward's college, Liverpool

  850

  395

  46·47

  St. Felix school, Southwold

  360

  6

  1·67

  St. George's college, Weybridge

  600

  31

  5·17

  St. Helen's school, Northwood

  880

  33

  3·75

  St. John's college, Southsea

  860

  163

  18·95

  St. John's school, Leatherhead

  460

  11

  2·39

  St. Joseph's college, Ipswich

  740

  72

  9·73

  St. Joseph's convent, Reading

  530

  113

  21·32

  St. Joseph's college, Stoke-on-Trent

  480

  5

  1·04

  St. Lawrence college, Ramsgate

  360

  10

  2·78

  St. Margaret's school, Bushey

  460

  8

  1·74

  St. Margaret's school, Exeter

  450

  7

  1·56

  St. Mary's college, Crosby

  800

  239

  29·88

  St. Mary's convent, Cambridge

  550

  101

  18·36

  St. Mary's hall, Brighton

  390

  65

  16·67

  St. Maur's convent, Weybridge

  470

  49

  10·43

  St. Paul's school, Barnes

  640

  82

  12·81

  St. Paul's girls school, Hammersmith

  630

  59

  9·37

  St. Peter's school, York

  480

  126

  26·25

  St. Swithun's school, Winchester

  410

  0

  0·00

  Salesian college, Farnborough

  450

  52

  11·56

  Scarborough college

  390

  10

  2·56

  School of St. Helen and St. Katherine, Abingdon

  520

  80

  15·38

  School of St. Mary and St. Anne

  270

  5

  1·85

  Sedbergh school

  680

  40

  5·88

  Sevenoaks school, Kent

  920

  4

  0·43

  Sheffield high school GPDST

  680

  76

  11·18

  Shrewsbury high school GPDST

  570

  77

  13·51

  Silcoates school

  570

  1

  0·18

  Sir William Perkins school, Chertsey

  490

  83

  16·94

  Solihull school

  980

  12

  1·22

  South Hampstead high school GPDST

  670

  61

  9·10

  Stafford independent grammar school

  290

  5

  1·72

  Stamford school

  950

  75

  7·89

  Stamford high school

  1,010

  80

  7·92

  Stockport grammar school

  1,270

  243

  19·13

  Stoneyhurst college, near Blackburn

  430

  27

  6·28

  Stowe school, near Buckingham

  610

  4

  0·66

  Streatham Hill and Clapham high GPDST

  500

  148

  29·60

  Surbiton high school

  600

  9

  1·50

  568 569

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Percentage of assisted pupils to pupils on roll

  Sutton high school GPDST

  820

  64

  7·80

  Sutton Valence school, near Maidstone

  410

  65

  15·85

  Sydenham high school GPDST

  650

  115

  17·69

  Talbot Heath school, Bournemouth

  600

  134

  22·33

  Taunton school

  590

  50

  8·47

  Teesside high school

  540

  2

  0·37

  Tonbridge school

  660

  1

  0·15

  Tormead school, Guildford

  550

  6

  1·09

  Trent college, Derbyshire

  610

  122

  20·00

  Trinity school of John Whitgift, Croydon

  800

  140

  17·50

  Truro school

  860

  115

  13·37

  Truro high school

  500

  59

  11·80

  University College school, London NW3

  770

  63

  8·18

  Upton Hall Convent school

  600

  158

  26·33

  Ursuline Convent school, Kent

  330

  10

  3·03

  Ursuline high school, Ilford

  410

  124

  30·24

  Wakefield high school

  760

  135

  17·76

  Walthamstow Hall, Sevenoaks

  530

  67

  12·64

  Warwick school

  990

  129

  13·03

  Wellingborough school

  830

  58

  6·99

  Wellington college, Berkshire

  830

  34

  4·01

  Wellington school, Somerset

  800

  207

  25·88

  Wells Cathedral school

  590

  68

  11·53

  West Buckland school, Barnstaple

  530

  78

  14·72

  Westholme school, Blackburn

  950

  10

  1·05

  Westminster school

  600

  46

  7·67

  Whitgift school, Croydon

  900

  108

  12·00

  William Hulme grammar school, Manchester

  790

  220

  27·85

  Wimbledon high school GPDST

  700

  68

  9·71

  Winchester college

  660

  21

  3·18

  Wisbech grammar school

  600

  297

  49·50

  Withington girls school, Manchester

  560

  71

  12·68

  Wolverhampton grammar school

  640

  260

  40·62

  Woodbridge school, Suffolk

  540

  112

  20·74

  Woodhouse Grove school, Bradford

  410

  135

  32·93

  Worksop college, Nottingham

  390

  10

  2·56

  Wrekin college

  380

  2

  0·53

  Wycliffe college, Stonehouse

  330

  41

  12·42

  Yarm school, Cleveland

  420

  13

  3·10

  Average proportion 1308

  1Numbers of pupils on roll are rounded to the nearest 10 pupils.

  2Numbers of Assisted Pupils at start of school year 1990–91.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list, for each year since 1989, the number of assisted places available, the number taken up and the percentage of those taken up which were free places.

  Mr. Forth
  The information is given in the following table:

  School year

  Places available

  Places taken up

  Percentage of free places

  1989–90

  33,280

  27,008

  31

  1990–91

  33,289

  26,740

  32

  1991–92

  33,296

  27,641

  35

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average cost per pupil of an assisted place for each year since 1989.

  Mr. Forth
  The average cost of an assisted place in the academic year 1989–90 and the two following years was £2,364, £2,691 and £3,100 respectively.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for placing the management of the assisted places scheme in private hands; and if he will make a statement.
  570
  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) on 1 July 1992, at column 570.

  Residential Properties
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by his Department; if he will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accomodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and the intended future use.

  Mr. Forman
  None.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. Forman
  The Department currently employs 2,723 civil servants. This figure includes 385 Her Majesty's inspectors of whom the majority together with their support staff will transfer to the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector—OHMCI—which is to be constituted as a
  571
  separate non-ministerial department from 1 September. The figure also includes 323 civil servants based in the Teachers Pensions Agency. The total net running costs for the DFE and OHMCI for 1992–93 are expected to be in the region of £103 million.

  On 1 July 1970 the Department employed 3,195 civil servants. The total net running costs for 1969–70 were £6,549,000.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Forman
  None of the advisers retained by this Department has been criticised in reports by DTI inspectors published since 1982.

  Schools Branch 4
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff are now employed in schools branch 4, division B; and what was the cost of this branch in 1990–91 and 1991–92 and the budgeted cost for 1992–93.

  Mr. Forth
  As of 13 July, there were 69 civil servants employed in schools branch 4 division B. The running costs of the division for the years in question is as follows:

  £

  1990–91 outturn

  372,000

  1991–92 outturn

  706,000

  1992–93 budget

  1,375,000

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education for each year from 1986 what has been the number of surplus school places proposed to be removed as a result of local education authority reorganisation plans(a) submitted to the Secretary of State and (b) (i) approved by the Secretary of State and (ii) rejected by the Secretary of State as a consequence of a parallel proposal for grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a)1

  (b)(i)1

  1986

  74,691

  62,828

  1987

  54,951

  45,326

  1988

  56,474

  27,170

  1989

  57,297

  41,831

  1990

  157,735

  145,748

  1991

  101,605

  79,814

  1 These figures include proposals determined by LEAs.

  To date, 43 proposals have been rejected where there was an associated grant-maintained application, but it is not possible to say without disproportionate cost how many places would have been removed.

  Admission Limits, Birmingham
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the primary schools in Birmingham where his Department has increased the admission limit 572
  for September; if he will detail how many will have class sizes above 30 pupils as a result; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  From September 1992 all primary schools will be required to admit children up to their "standard number", a minimum admission number designed to reflect the capacity of the school. We are aware that certain primary schools in Birmingham will have higher admission numbers in 1992 than in 1991 as a result of this requirement, by virtue of the fact that proposals by Birmingham LEA to reduce the standard numbers for these schools have been rejected by my right hon. Friend. These schools are listed in the table.

  The proposals to reduce the standard numbers at these schools were rejected in each case either because the school is already accommodating the total number of pupils implied by the existing standard number or because the standard number has been set on the basis of a simple assessment of the school's physical capacity. This assessment assumes that a maximum of 30 pupils can be accommodated in each standard size classroom with an appropriately smaller number in smaller rooms.

  Actual class sizes reflect decisions about staffing levels by individual schools, taken in the light of the resources available to them. The average pupil teacher ratio in Birmingham in 1990–91 was 23·5:1, slightly higher than the national average. The total budget for education set by Birmingham LEA for 1992–93 is £52 million less than the total allowed for by the Government under the standard spending assessment mechanism.

  School

  Admission limit September 1991

  Standard number ( minimum number of admissions for September 1992)

  Adderley JI School

  60

  68

  Anglesey Infant School

  90

  91

  Anglesey Junior School

  90

  96

  Arden JI School

  60

  74

  Aston Tower JI School

  60

  61

  Barford JI School

  60

  62

  Bellfield Junior School

  60

  70

  Billesley Junior School

  90

  92

  Birches Green Infant School

  60

  61

  Birches Green Junior School

  60

  62

  Blakesley Hall JI School

  90

  92

  Broadmeadow Infant School

  90

  98

  Brownmead JI School

  30

  32

  Calshot Infant School

  60

  69

  Calshot Junior School

  60

  65

  Chilcote JI School

  60

  69

  Christchurch CE JI School

  30

  33

  City Road JI School

  60

  64

  Colmers Farm Infant School

  60

  64

  Colmers Farm Junior School

  60

  64

  Colmore Infant School

  90

  91

  Colmore Junior School

  90

  92

  Conway JI School

  60

  63

  Cottesbrooke Junior School

  90

  93

  Elms Farm JI School

  30

  61

  Erdington Hall JI School

  60

  64

  Firs Infant School

  60

  67

  Firs Junior School

  60

  62

  Great Barr JI School

  60

  69

  Green Meadow JI School

  60

  64

  573

  School

  Admission limit September 1991

  Standard number (minimum number of admissions for September 1992)

  Grendon JI School

  60

  61

  Grove Infant School

  90

  105

  Hall Green Infant School

  90

  93

  Harborne Junior School

  90

  91

  Hawthorn JI School

  30

  32

  James Watt Infant School

  60

  61

  James Watt Junior School

  60

  65

  Leigh JI School

  60

  64

  Manor Park JI School

  60

  76

  Mapledene Junior School

  60

  68

  Marlborough Junior School

  90

  110

  Meadows JI School

  60

  65

  Moseley CE JI School

  30

  34

  Nelson JI School

  30

  33

  Nonsuch JI School

  60

  62

  Northfield Manor JI School

  60

  62

  Park Hill JI School

  60

  70

  Percy Shurmer JI School

  60

  64

  Perry Beeches Infant School

  90

  109

  Prince Albert JI School

  90

  99

  Raddlebarn JI School

  60

  61

  Rednal Hill Infant School

  90

  101

  Shaw Hill JI School

  60

  73

  Shirestone JI School

  60

  66

  Springfield Junior School

  90

  110

  Stechford JI School

  30

  32

  Stirchley JI School

  30

  32

  Timberley JI School

  60

  72

  Twickenham JI School

  60

  65

  Wattville Junior School

  90

  109

  West Heath Infant School

  90

  98

  West Heath Junior School

  90

  100

  Westminster Infant School

  60

  86

  Westminster Junior School

  60

  89

  Wheelers Lane Junior School

  90

  93

  Wilkes Green Junior School

  90

  96

  Woodthorpe JI School

  30

  32

  Wychall Farm Infant School

  60

  68

  Table 1

  Local education authority

  Net institutional expenditure1 per secondary pupil2

  Number of schools which have balloted on grant maintained status3

  1989–90 (£)

  Secondary

  Primary

  Inner London

  2,745

  12

  7

  Waltham Forest

  2,490

  1

  0

  Ealing

  2,345

  8

  2

  Newham

  2,310

  1

  0

  Brent

  2,225

  4

  0

  Barking

  2,200

  0

  0

  Coventry

  2,180

  0

  0

  Salford

  2,140

  0

  0

  Kingston Upon Thames

  2,120

  1

  0

  Sandwell

  2,115

  2

  0

  Liverpool

  2,110

  2

  0

  Knowsley

  2,105

  1

  0

  Rochdale

  2,050

  2

  1

  Hillingdon

  2,010

  10

  2

  South Tyneside

  2,010

  0

  0

  Wigan

  2,000

  1

  0

  Walsall

  1,995

  6

  1

  574

  School

  Admission limit September 1991

  Standard number (minimum number of admissions for September 1992)

  Yardley Junior School

  90

  93

  Yew Tree JI School

  60

  62

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) of 30 June 1992,Official Report, columns 452–53, how many and what proportion of his Department's employees were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Forman
  The number and percentage of the Department's full-time equivalent staff who were registered disabled on 1 June in 1989 and 1990 were:

  Number of RDPs

  Per cent, of total staff

  1989

  66·0

  2·6

  1990

  65·5

  2·6

  There were other staff in the Department with disabilities who chose not to register and are not therefore included in the figures.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list local education authorities in rank order of expenditure per pupil on secondary education for the last year for which figures are available, giving in each case(a) the number of (i) secondary and (ii) primary schools which have held ballots on grant-maintained status and (b) the number of (i) secondary and (ii) primary schools which have voted to apply for grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Forth
  The tables rank LEAs by school based spending per secondary pupil in 1989–90, the latest year for which information on actual spending is available. Table 1 lists the number of secondary and primary schools per LEA which have held ballots on grant-maintained status and table 2 lists the number which have voted for grant-maintained status.
  575

  Local education authority

  Net institutional expenditure1 per secondary pupil2

  Number of schools which have balloted on grant maintained status3

  1989–90 (£)

  Secondary

  Primary

  Havering

  1,990

  1

  0

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  1,980

  0

  0

  Harrow

  1,975

  1

  0

  Wirral

  1,975

  1

  0

  Derbyshire

  1,975

  6

  4

  Wolverhampton

  1,975

  2

  1

  St. Helens

  1,970

  0

  0

  Bromley

  1,955

  13

  2

  Dudley

  1,955

  3

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  1,955

  3

  0

  Barnet

  1,945

  2

  1

  Croydon

  1,935

  2

  0

  Merton

  1,925

  0

  0

  Trafford

  1,920

  1

  0

  Sheffield

  1,920

  2

  5

  Cleveland

  1,915

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,900

  10

  5

  Leicestershire

  1,900

  3

  0

  Gateshead

  1,865

  1

  0

  Stockport

  1,860

  0

  0

  Bury

  1,860

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  1,855

  1

  2

  Rcdbridge

  1,855

  1

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  1,850

  4

  3

  Cumbria

  1,845

  6

  3

  Sunderland

  1,845

  0

  0

  Sutton

  1,840

  5

  0

  Bolton

  1,840

  1

  1

  Solihull

  1,835

  2

  1

  Tameside

  1,835

  2

  0

  Birmingham

  1,835

  5

  0

  Bexley

  1,820

  1

  2

  Lancashire

  1,820

  10

  1

  Suffolk

  1,820

  0

  0

  Enfield

  1,815

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  1,815

  3

  1

  Oxfordshire

  1,810

  1

  0

  Rotherham

  1,810

  0

  0

  Kirklees

  1,810

  3

  2

  Norfolk

  1,810

  11

  12

  Doncaster

  1,805

  1

  0

  Essex

  1,800

  33

  9

  Avon

  1,800

  2

  1

  Barnsley

  1,795

  2

  1

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,790

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  1,790

  8

  9

  Staffordshire

  1,790

  2

  0

  Warwickshire

  1,770

  7

  0

  East Sussex

  1,765

  0

  0

  Oldham

  1,765

  1

  0

  North Yorkshire

  1,760

  1

  1

  Humberside

  1,760

  1

  1

  West Sussex

  1,745

  1

  0

  Somerset

  1,745

  1

  2

  Gloucestershire

  1,735

  22

  1

  Berkshire

  1,735

  9

  3

  Durham

  1,735

  1

  0

  Cheshire

  1,725

  5

  3

  Sefton

  1,715

  0

  0

  Leeds

  1,715

  0

  0

  Devon

  1,710

  4

  1

  Cornwall (including Scilly Isles)

  1,700

  0

  1

  Wiltshire

  1,700

  4

  1

  Northamptonshire

  1,685

  13

  4

  Lincolnshire

  1,680

  21

  7

  Surrey

  1,675

  10

  10

  Calderdale

  1,665

  2

  1

  Northumberland

  1,645

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  1,640

  7

  8

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,635

  1

  0

  Dorset

  1,635

  11

  1

  Bradford

  1,635

  1

  0

  Isle of Wight

  1,575

  0

  0

  Kent

  1,570

  44

  6

  North Tyneside

  n/a

  0

  0

  576 577

  Local education authority

  Net institutional expenditure1 per secondary pupil2

  Number of schools which have balloted on grant maintained status3

  1989–90 (£)

  Secondary

  Primary

  Hounslow

  n/a

  0

  0

  Wakefield

  n/a

  0

  1

  Manchester

  n/a

  0

  0

  Haringey

  n/a

  0

  0

  Table 2

  Net institutional expenditure1 per secondary pupil2 1989–90

  3Number of schools which voted to apply for grant maintained status

  LEA

  £

  Secondary

  Primary

  Inner London

  2,745

  9

  5

  Waltham Forest

  2,490

  1

  0

  Ealing

  2,345

  6

  2

  Newham

  2,310

  1

  0

  Brent

  2,225

  3

  0

  Barking

  2,200

  0

  0

  Coventry

  2,180

  0

  0

  Salford

  2,140

  0

  0

  Kingston Upon Thames

  2,120

  1

  0

  Sandwell

  2,115

  1

  0

  Liverpool

  2,110

  1

  0

  Knowsley

  2,105

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  2,050

  0

  1

  Hillingdon

  2,010

  10

  2

  South Tyneside

  2,010

  0

  0

  Wigan

  2,000

  1

  0

  Walsall

  1,995

  2

  0

  Havering

  1,990

  0

  0

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  1,980

  0

  0

  Harrow

  1,975

  0

  0

  Wirral

  1,975

  1

  0

  Derbyshire

  1,975

  3

  2

  Wolverhampton

  1,975

  2

  0

  St. Helens

  1,970

  0

  0

  Bromley

  1,955

  12

  2

  Dudley

  1,955

  2

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  1,955

  1

  0

  Barnet

  1,945

  2

  0

  Croydon

  1,935

  1

  0

  Merton

  1,925

  0

  0

  Trafford

  1,920

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  1,920

  1

  4

  Cleveland

  1,915

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,900

  7

  4

  Leicestershire

  1,900

  2

  0

  Gateshead

  1,865

  0

  0

  Stockport

  1,860

  0

  0

  Bury

  1,860

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  1,855

  1

  2

  Redbridge

  1,855

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  1,850

  4

  2

  Cumbria

  1,845

  6

  3

  Sunderland

  1,845

  0

  0

  Sutton

  1,840

  5

  0

  Bolton

  1,840

  1

  1

  Solihull

  1,835

  1

  1

  Tameside

  1,835

  1

  0

  578 579

  Net institutional expenditure1 per secondary pupil2 1989–90

  3Number of schools which voted to apply for grant maintained status

  LEA

  £

  Secondary

  Primary

  Birmingham

  1,835

  4

  0

  Bexley

  1,820

  0

  2

  Lancashire

  1,820

  6

  1

  Suffolk

  1,820

  0

  0

  Enfield

  1,815

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  1,815

  2

  1

  Oxfordshire

  1,810

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  1,810

  0

  0

  Kirklees

  1,810

  3

  0

  Norfolk

  1,810

  8

  10

  Doncaster

  1,805

  0

  0

  Essex

  1,800

  30

  7

  Avon

  1,800

  2

  0

  Barnsley

  1,795

  0

  1

  Richmond Upon Thames

  1,790

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  1,790

  6

  7

  Staffordshire

  1,790

  1

  0

  Warwickshire

  1,770

  6

  0

  East Sussex

  1,765

  0

  0

  Oldham

  1,765

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  1,760

  0

  0

  Humberside

  1,760

  0

  1

  West Sussex

  1,745

  0

  0

  Somerset

  1,745

  1

  1

  Gloucestershire

  1,735

  16

  1

  Berkshire

  1,735

  9

  3

  Durham

  1,735

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  1,725

  1

  3

  Sefton

  1,715

  0

  0

  Leeds

  1,715

  0

  0

  Devon

  1,710

  2

  0

  Cornwall including Scilly

  1,700

  0

  1

  Wiltshire

  1,700

  3

  1

  Northamptonshire

  1,685

  10

  3

  Lincolnshire

  1,680

  21

  5

  Surrey

  1,675

  10

  8

  Calderdale

  1,665

  2

  1

  Northumberland

  1,645

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  1,640

  5

  7

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,635

  0

  0

  Dorset

  1,635

  11

  0

  Bradford

  1,635

  1

  0

  Isle of Wight

  1,575

  0

  0

  Kent

  1,570

  40

  5

  North Tyneside

  n/a

  0

  0

  Hounslow

  n/a

  0

  0

  Wakefield

  n/a

  0

  1

  Manchester

  n/a

  0

  0

  Haringey

  n/a

  0

  0

  1Net institutional expenditure covers spending on salaries and wages, recurrent premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and services. It excludes spending on LEA administration, home to school transport, school meals and financing costs of capital expenditure.

  2Per pupil expenditure figures are derived from LEA's returns of their spending to the Department of the Environment and their pupil numbers to the Department for Education. Figures are for 1989–90, the latest year for which actual spending information is available.

  3Figures include all ballots on grant-maintained status up to 13 July 1992.

  4n/a indicates that a return was not received from the LEA.

  580

  University Staff (Pay Agreement)
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will ratify the 1992 pay agreement between the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Association of University Teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  The proposal for a pay settlement for university academic staff, made by the parties to committee A of the negotiating machinery, will be considered at a meeting of committee B—which includes officials from my Department—on Thursday 16 July. It would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on the proposal in advance of that meeting.

  Access Funds
  Mr. John Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what resources will be available for the access funds in 1992–93.

  Mr. Forman
  A total of £26·2 million will be available for the access funds in Great Britain for the 1992–93 academic year.

  My Department's share will be £23·37 million. This sum is being allocated between the three access funds; allocations for the 1991–92 academic year are shown in parenthesis:
  582

  £ million

  £ million

  Undergraduate Fund

  13·27

  (13·00)

  Postgraduate Fund

  5·90

  (5·84)

  Further Education Fund

  4·20

  (4·17)

  Visits
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many education establishments he, the Minister of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth), have visited since 9th April.

  Mr. Patten
  I, my noble Friend the Minister of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) have visited the following schools so far during our periods in office:

  17 primary schools, including one middle school;

  22 secondary schools, including three grant-maintained schools;

  Two special schools;

  Three CTCs; and

  One sixth form college.

PRIME MINISTER

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will transfer responsibility for the construction industry from the Department of the Environment to the Department of Trade and Industry.

  The Prime Minister
  No. The Department of the Environment is also responsible for housing and planning and for property holding. The interactions between all these responsibilities mean it makes sense to leave sponsorship of the construction industry where it is.

  Earth Summit
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to ensure that the "Agenda 21" agreement at the Earth summit is given equal status in legal terms to the general agreement on tariffs and trade.

  The Prime Minister
  Governments agreed agenda 21 as a dynamic framework for action reflecting political commitment at the highest level. It is not, however, intended to be a legally binding document. My EC and G7 colleagues have endorsed my plan for ensuring that agenda 21 and the other Rio agreements are implemented effectively, including through the preparation of national reports for the UN Sustainable Development Commission.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister what consideration he has given to establishing the ministerial interdepartmental committee to address the issue of homelessness.

  The Prime Minister
  I am satisfied that the present arrangements provide for appropriate interdepartmental discussions of homelessness as necessary.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  The Prime Minister
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. My Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Mr. Chazanfer Ali
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Bradford, West concerning Mr. Chazanfer Ali if he will give an assurance that Mr. Ali will be given every assistance to return to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
  584
  The Prime Minister
  Any entry clearance application from Mr. Ali will be considered on its merits and in accordance with the immigration rules.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister what information he has received from the British post in Islamabad about Mr. Chazanfer Ali.

  The Prime Minister
  On 29 June the British High Commission in Islamabad made inquiries of the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs about Mr. Chazanfer Ali's circumstances. Once a substantive response has been received I will write to the hon. Member.

  Babcock and Wilcox
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 29 June,Official Report, column 593, about the European Council in Lisbon what discussions he had with the Italian Prime Minister on the letter from Babcock and Wilcox.

  The Prime Minister
  I am pursuing the matter with the Italian Prime Minister. The sanctions imposed by the United Nations against Libya consist of a ban on air links and an embargo on trade in arms and in aircraft and aircraft components. There has been no suggestion that Italy is not applying those sanctions. I am aware of the concern expressed in the letter from Babcock that British companies risk losing trading opportunities in Libya. But we cannot allow the promise of commercial favours to deflect us from our determination to ensure that the Libyans comply in full with United Nations Security Council resolutions 731 and 748.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 14 July.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 14 July.

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

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Convention for a Democratic South Africa
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what are the criteria which determine with which Convention for a Democratic South Africa participants he or his officials have contact;

  (2) if he will list those CODESA participants with which he or his officials have had no contact; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for this;

  (3) with which CODESA participants he or his officials have had contact since the beginning of the process.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There are 19 bodies represented at CODESA. We have had contact with many of them informally in the margins of the negotiations. Our policy on formal contacts within South Africa remains unchanged.

  European Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for his Department to celebrate in 1993, the European Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13 July, at columns 430–31.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Duncan-Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy on the use of challenges before the European Court of Justice on measures taken by the European Commission or the Council of Ministers which in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government are contrary to the principle of subsidiarity, following the treaty of Maastricht.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Lisbon European Council conclusions invited the Commission and the Council to undertake urgent work on the procedural and practical steps to implement the principle of subsidiarity. We hope that these steps will help to ensure that measures adopted by the Community in future will fully comply with the principle of subsidiarity. When the Maastricht treaty enters into force it will be open to any member state, or the Commission, to challenge a member state, or the Commission, to challenge a measure on the grounds that it violates article 3b.

  The Government anticipate that the principle will have its intended effect upon the legislative process, but do not rule out challenges before the court if necessary.

  Iraq (Hostages)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made by Her Majesty's Government of the psychological and economic effects upon the British citizens caught up in Kuwait and Iraq in August 1990 and subsequently held hostage by Iraq.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following advertisements in the national press in October 1990, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been gathering information on loss, damage, or injury, including mental pain and anguish, suffered by British nationals and companies as a direct result of Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait. The first submission of British claims will be made to the United Nations compensation commission in early August. The Maudsley and Middlesex hospitals have provided special counselling facilities.

  Nuclear Proliferation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives on nuclear proliferation in European Political Cooperation are planned for the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Preventing nuclear proliferation is high among our foreign policy objectives. During our presidency of EPC—European Political Co-operation—586
  we shall work with partners to extend and reinforce the nuclear non-proliferation regime, in particular by working for further accessions to the non-proliferation treaty—NPT—and an indefinite extension to the treaty at the 1995 extension conference; a strengthened International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards regime; and stricter supplier controls on nuclear material and technology.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives are planned by (i) Her Majesty's Government and (ii) European political co-operation under the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council, in support of the declaration made at the Munich Group of Seven summit to combat nuclear proliferation and enhance safeguards on nuclear materials.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the prominence given to non-proliferation in the political declaration of the Munich summit. During our presidency of EPC we shall work with other EC member states and with Group of Seven members to extend and reinforce the nuclear non-proliferation regime, in particular by working for further accessions to the NPT and an indefinite extension to the treaty at the 1995 extension conference; a strengthened IAEA safeguards regime; and stricter supplier controls on nuclear material and technology.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which states agreed upon the common list of nuclear goods and nuclear-related dual-use goods to be controlled by member states, when exported, referred to in paragraph 15 of the conclusions of the presidency on the European Council in Lisbon; and how long ago European Political Cooperation began its comparison of national policies on arms exports.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The 12 member states of the European Community agreed the common list of nuclear goods and nuclear-related dual-use goods. European Political Co-operation began its work on comparing national policies on arms exports during the first half of 1991.

  Drapchi Prison, Tibet
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about ill-treatment of women in Drapchi prison, Tibet in March; and what representations he has made.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have no independent corroboration of these disturbing reports, though British diplomats attempted to visit Drapchi prison in May. We take every opportunity to express to the Chinese our deep concern about human rights abuses in Tibet and indeed throughout China, most recently to the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister in London last week.

  Foreign Forces (Training)
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to provide training to foreign forces known to be in breach of international human rights.

  Mt. Douglas Hogg
  We see the provision of military training as an opportunity to increase awareness of the
  587
  importance of good government, democracy, self-discipline and respect for human rights. Governments sending students recognise this.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in achieving accession to the non-proliferation treaty and application of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to nuclear materials by each of the non-Russian republics and, in particular, Kazakhstan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Following extensive lobbying by a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, all of the republics of the former Soviet Union have now undertaken to accede to the NPT as non-nuclear weapons states. Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus recently made a formal undertaking in signing the protocol to the strategic arms reduction talks. We have emphasised to them that it is important that they act on these commitments as soon as possible.

  Lhasa
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about demonstrations in Lhasa, Tibet, since the beginning of May, including the number of persons detained and injured, respectively, on each occasion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Much of the information of this kind comes from the findings of organisations such as Amnesty International and the Tibet Information Network. Two British diplomats visited Tibet in May. They reported that demonstrations had occurred earlier that month but were unable to obtain details.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) of 29 June 1992,Official Report, column 409, how many and what proportion of his Department's employees were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.
  588
  Mr. Goodlad
  In 1989, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office employed 45 registered disabled persons: 25 in the diplomatic wing—0·48 per cent. of its work force—and 20 in the Overseas Development Administration—1·29 per cent. of its work force. The figure for 1990 was 46·5: 23 full-time and one part-time member of staff in the diplomatic wing—0·4 per cent. of its work force—and 23 in the ODA—1·47 per cent. of its work force.

  United Nations HQ
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those right hon. and hon. Members who have participated in the annual visit to United Nations headquarters in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The following right hon. and hon. Members have participated in the annual all-party visits to the United Nations in New York in the last five years:

  1987:

  Mr. Robert Boscawen (C)

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley (C)

  Mr. Tim Smith (C)

  Mr. Michael Jack (C)

  Mr. Barry Jones (La)

  Mr. Frank Haynes (La)

  Mr. Charles Kennedy (SD)

  1988:

  Mr. David Lightbown (C)

  Mr. Greg Knight (C)

  Mr. Jacques Arnold (C)

  Mr. Tim Rathbone (C)

  Mr. Allen Mckay (La)

  Mr. Jim Cousins (La)

  Mr. Alex Carlile (SLD)

  1989:

  Mr. Alastair Goodlad (C)

  Mr. Peter Viggers (C)

  Mr. Alistair Burt (C)

  Mr. Ian Gow (C)

  Mr. John Battle (La)

  Mr. Tony Banks (La)

  Mr. Menzies Campbell (SLD)

  1990:

  Mr. Sydney Chapman (C)

  Mr. Ian Taylor (C)

  Mr. Jeremy Hanley (C)

  Mr. Gwilym Jones (C)

  Mr. Jeff Rooker (La)

  Dr. Norman Godman (La)

  Rev. Martin Smyth (UUP)

  1991:

  Mr. John M. Taylor (C)

  Mr. Michael Irvine (C)

  Mr. Barry Field (C)

  Mr. Phillip Oppenheim

  Mr. Don Dixon (La)

  Mr. Frank Haynes (La)

  Mr. Archie Kirkwood (Lib Dem)

  India
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning human rights in India.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: As I made clear to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Mr. Watts) on 1 July 1992, at column 587 there are a number of areas of concern and we have regularly raised these with the Indian Government.

  Cameroon
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by his Department concerning democratic elections in Cameroon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: We have consistently made clear to the Government of the Cameroon our support for the introduction of a multi party democracy. As a result of constant pressure, President Biya agreed to multi-party national elections which took place in Cameroon on 1 March 1992, contested by 32 of the 48 registered opposition parties in Cameroon. Presidential elections are to be held in April 1993.

  ODA contributions to United Nation organisations real terms 1979 to 1991 (1991 prices)

  (£ thousands)

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  World Food Programme1

  16,788

  4,981

  3,330

  5,665

  1,314

  1,576

  717

  693

  13,725

  5,631

  18,137

  4,325

  14,140

  Food and Agricultural Organisation

  5,938

  6,441

  6,498

  9,339

  9,829

  12,371

  9,727

  10,201

  7,608

  10,560

  9,964

  10,332

  10,096

  United Nations Development Programme

  68,265

  30,033

  31,449

  30,897

  29,352

  28,829

  30,131

  29,115

  30,378

  30,372

  30,085

  29,101

  28,560

  United Nations Childrens Fund2

  17,661

  9,993

  13,219

  9,992

  9,629

  9,142

  12,052

  11,519

  15,849

  15,153

  14,117

  9,966

  9,019

  United Nations Relief and Works Agency

  10,527

  9,010

  8,985

  6,680

  7,933

  9,104

  7,174

  6,932

  6,934

  6,508

  6,525

  6,053

  6,000

  United Nations High Commission for Refugees

  21,501

  13,963

  10,526

  10,413

  5,903

  10,765

  24,191

  19,438

  19,548

  24,137

  22,351

  20,924

  23,475

  International Fund for Agricultural Development

  —

  —

  1,583

  3,524

  5,636

  6,438

  7,820

  4,865

  4,332

  3,179

  3,718

  2,817

  2,381

  United Nations Fund for Population Activities

  9,271

  4,004

  4,043

  4,426

  4,284

  4,552

  6,457

  6,239

  6,604

  6,508

  3,364

  3,220

  10,500

  United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,306

  2,533

  2,597

  2,402

  2,704

  2,469

  World Health Organisation Research Programmes

  5,340

  3,574

  1,731

  2,338

  3,165

  3,710

  4,061

  4,997

  4,794

  14,141

  6,988

  12,813

  10,965

  Other United Nations development agencies3

  4,316

  3,059

  2,104

  2,455

  2,494

  1,848

  2,302

  2,663

  3,198

  2,797

  1,699

  3,130

  1,007

  1 Contributions to the World Food Programme include subscription payments, commodity purchase and, from 1987, food aid. Prior to 1987 the food aid channelled through WFP could not be distinguished from other food aid, and therefore is not included in this table.

  2 The UNICEF figures do not include payments to UNICEF for emergency relief (e.g. £4·608 million in 1991–92).

  3 Other United Nations development agencies include:

  United Nations University Endowment Fund

  United Nations Development Fund for Women

  United Nations Drug Control Pakistan

  United Nations Centre for Human Settlements

  United Nations Fund for Volunteers

  United Nations Border Relief Operation

  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

  United Nations Education and Training Programme (South Africa)

  Source: British Aid Statistics.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Sir F. Montgomery) of 24 June,Official Report, column 237, if he will make a statement on how (a) the recommendation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the Commonwealth Development Corporation that its financial structure be changed and (b) the other recommendations, will affect his Department's quinquennial review of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  All the recommendations of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the Commonwealth Development Corporation will be considered as part of the quinquennial review.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid and Human Rights
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the relationship between the provision of United Kingdom aid and the recipient country's human rights record.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Respect for human rights is a part of good government and therefore among the important factors which we take into account in providing aid.

  UN Agencies
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list Overseas Development Administration contributions to United Nations agencies for the years 1979 to 1991 in real terms.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Contributions at 1991 prices were as follows:

  Iraq
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he intends to respond to the representations he has received from Save the Children concerning the situation in Iraq.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has written to Save the Children on this matter. We deplore threats to the safety of United Nations personnel and other relief workers in Iraq, and my right hon. and noble Friend raised our concerns with the United Nations in New York last week. We will continue to monitor events in Baghdad and New York very closely. We support the United Nations in its efforts to negotiate a new memorandum of understanding.

  Population Control
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 578, what steps he has taken to ensure that grants given to the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the United Nations Population Fund do not result in the encouragement of forced abortion or sterilisation in (a) China and (b) Tibet.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: Neither the UNFPA nor the IPPF nor the British Government support population activities in which there is any element of coercion of individuals to practise family planning, or to accept any particular type of contraception. The UNFPA and IPPF provide no support for forced abortion or sterilisation in China or Tibet. It is the established policy of both agencies that their programmes fully accord with the human rights principles set out in the world population plan of action, that
  "population policies should be consistent with internationally and nationally recognised human rights, and that all couples and individuals have the basic right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information, education and means to do so".

  The ODA is an active member of UNFPA's governing council and participates fully in the IPPF's annual donors meeting. These fora enable donors to examine closely the policies and activities of both organisations. Through such bodies and regular contacts with UNFPA and IPPF officials, the ODA and other donors satisfy themselves that the UNFPA and IPPF continue to maintain the principles of the world population plan of action.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Investment Companies
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what representation has been made to the Government of the Irish Republic to protect future investors from Northern Ireland who invest in companies in the Irish Republic which have links with investment companies in jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic;

  (2) what discussions have taken place with the authorities of the Irish Republic about International Investments Ltd. (Gibraltar);

  (3) whether he will request the Government of the Irish Republic to investigate the International Investment Ltd. fraud.

  Mr. Mates
  No discussions have taken place with, or representations made to, the Government of the Irish Republic in respect of International Investments Limited. As I understand the position, this company was registered in Gibraltar and not in the United Kingdom and is now in liquidation. The liquidation is, therefore, a matter for the Gibraltar authorities and the responsibility for making representations to other Governments regarding International Investments Ltd. does not lie with Her Majesty's Government.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the prison population in Northern Ireland at the latest available date.
  592
  Mr. Mates
  The total prison population in Northern Ireland on 8 July 1992 was 1,834. This figure was compiled as follows:

  HM prison, Belfast—511 prisoners

  HM prison, Maghaberry—351 prisoners, including 42 females

  HM prison, Magilligan—311 prisoners

  HM prison, Maze—483 prisoners

  HM young offenders centre—178 inmates including 28 on remand

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. Mates
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. Mates
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

WALES

  Special Needs
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications for placements have been made by people with special needs to each training and enterprise council in Wales in each year since the establishment of the councils; and how many have successfully received placements in each instance.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to issue guidelines to local education authorities requiring them to issue specific statements for children with special educational needs.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Welsh Office circular 54/89 and its addendum issued in March 1992 give detailed guidance to local education authorities on the form and content of statements of special educational needs. These advise that, if an authority considers a statement to be warranted, it should specify in detail each of a child's needs and the appropriate provision to meet those needs.

  The Government have announced their proposal to issue further guidance on the criteria to which authorities should have regard in considering whether to start assessment procedures which may, in the light of the information received, lead to a statement.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to issue guidelines requiring all training and enterprise councils in Wales to establish special needs advisory groups.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Training and enterprise councils in Wales have established a variety of mechanisms for
  593
  consulting their local communities about special training needs. Training and enterprise councils are required to set out in their corporate and business plans how they will cater for people with special needs.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what improvements he will initiate to enhance access to schools by children who suffer disabilities.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Local education authorities are responsible for educational buildings, and for questions of access to them by disabled persons. Advice and guidance is available to authorities in Design No. 18 "Access for Disabled People to Educational Buildings" and in Building Bulletin 61 "Designing for Children with Special Educational Needs" issued by the Department for Education.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he proposes to cater for special educational needs in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State will be making an announcement very shortly.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to introduce proposals for shortening the procedure in Wales for assessing special educational needs; what is the average cost of producing a statement of special educational needs in Wales; and what is the average length of time it takes to produce a statement of special educational needs in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The responsibility for carrying out assessments and preparing statements of special education needs rests with individual local education authorities. Information on the time taken on these processes and the associated costs is not available centrally; practice varies between authorities. The Government have announced proposals to ensure that these procedures are conducted within specific timescales. which will extend to Wales as well as England.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many salaried dentists there are in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The latest figures available, as at 30 September 1990, show that there were 292 salaried dentists employed by district health authorities in the hospital and community service.

  There are no salaried dentists employed by family health service authorities in Wales at present.

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

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None. The Department issues guidance on cross-infection control from time to time and I refer to the answer given to the hon. Gentleman on 10 July 1991,Official Report, column 388.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning NHS dental patients in Wales.
  594
  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government are committed to maintaining a comprehensive NHS dental service. It is for family health services authorities, in consultation with district health authorities, to manage general dental services in their areas. Should a family health services authority experience difficulty in securing adequate NHS provision from independent contractors to meet the needs of local residents, it can apply to my Department for approval to employ salaried dentists.

  Any unregistered patient seeking NHS dental treatment can contact the local family health services authority for advice and assistance. Community dental services also provide a safety net for those patients who are unable to obtain treatment under the general dental services.

  Trainees
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of trainees currently on(a) youth training schemes and (b) employment training schemes in Wales; and, of these trainees, how many are in receipt of (i) communication services for deaf or blind people, (ii) essential taxi fare payments, (iii) adaptations to premises and equipment and (iv) loans of special equipment as part of their traineeships.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of trainees at 24 May 1992 on youth training schemes and employment training schemes in Wales was:

  Training scheme

  Number

  Youth

  15,906

  Employment

  9,585

  Support for people with disabilities is provided as an integral part of the Government's training programmes. Separate figures are therefore not available on the numbers of people with disabilities in receipt of special assistance.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sheltered training places are offered to trainees with special needs by each training and enterprise council in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Support for people with disabilities is provided as an integral part of the Government's training programmes.

  The detailed information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to issue guidelines requiring all training and enterprise councils in Wales to offer further assessment programmes and pre-vocational training facilities to trainees with special needs.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Training and enterprise councils are under a contractual obligation to ensure that individual needs are assessed prior to entry to training programmes and that people receive training that is tailored to those needs. They are also under a specific obligation to ensure that suitable high-quality training shall be available for all trainees who are shown by assessment to have special training needs. Guidance has been issued to training and enterprise councils highlighting best practice in assessment and pre-vocational training. There are no plans to issue further guidelines at this stage.
  595
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total cost of providing(a) communication services for deaf or blind trainees, (b) essential taxi fare assistance, (c) adaptation of premises and equipment and (d) loans of special equipment for trainees on (i) youth training schemes and (ii) employment training schemes for each training and enterprise council in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Support for people with disabilities is provided as an integral part of the Government's training programmes. Separate figures for the cost of such support is not held centrally.

  General Medical Practitioners
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ask general medical practitioners in Wales to seek to place their annual reports in the local public library.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The terms of service for doctors require GPs to provide family health services authorities (FHSAs) an annual report relating to the provision of personnel medical services. This is a confidential report to the FHSA which is not empowered to disclose its contents to any other person.

  I see no merit in seeking an amendment to this arrangement which would, in any case, require to be negotiated with the representative body of the profession.

  Caravan Sites
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ensure that grant aid given to councils which have yet to fulfil obligations under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 are not reclaimed by his Department.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No, if the circumstances require recovery, then grant will be reclaimed.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the total cost to each district council in Wales of abortive attempts to locate gipsy sites within the council area during each of the last five years;

  (2) what was the total cost incurred by West Glamorgan county council in the abortive attempt to locate a gipsy site at Velindre.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which district councils in Wales have yet to fulfil their obligations under the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Section 6 of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 places a continuing obligation on county councils to determine the need for gipsy sites and so far as may be necessary to provide adequate accommodation for gipsies residing in or resorting to their area.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many district councils have been designated under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 concerning travellers.

  Mr. David Hunt
  One—Arfon borough council.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to review the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.
  596
  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans) on 30 June,Official Report, column 498.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authorities in Wales are considering designation matters in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not held centrally. No applications for designation under section 12 of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 are before me at this time.

  Housing Development, Clwyd
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received from residents concerning a proposed housing development at Drury, Clwyd.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received representations from one resident regarding a proposed housing development on land at Drury new road, Drury.

  Green Belts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the need for green belts in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received letters from various organisations about the need for green belts in Wales.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the effectiveness or otherwise of green barriers as opposed to green belts as they might apply to Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am not aware of any monitoring or evaluation of the effectiveness or otherwise of green barriers as opposed to green belts. I have invited the Assembly of Welsh Counties, as part of its review of strategic planning guidance in Wales, to consider the potential contribution of green belts to the proper planning and development of Wales. When I receive its advice later this year, I will give it careful consideration.

  Psychotherapy
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer of 22 June,Official Report, column 68, if he will publish details of the numbers of staff allocated for the provision of psychotherapy in Gwynedd and their location.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There is no specified psychotherapy service available in Gwynedd. However, a number of experts within the various mental health disciplines are able to provide psychotherapy as part of the NHS's general psychiatric services in Gwynedd.

  Valleys Initiative
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the projects which have been funded to date through the valleys initiative; how much funding has been provided in each case; and which projects have been brought to an end prematurely.
  597
  Mr. David Hunt
  The detailed information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what monitoring procedures are used by his Department to ensure that money allocated to local authorities under the valleys initiative to fund local authority-led initiatives is actually spent on such initiatives; and if he will list the incidents where money has been allocated to local authority-led schemes under the valleys initiative but the local authority have later withdrawn from the scheme.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Funding for projects which contribute to the programme for the valleys is channelled to local authorities through various grant schemes, each of which is subject to monitoring arrangements. In some cases, funding has been switched from one project to another. The achievement of objectives is monitored at six-monthly intervals. Reports are published regularly, most recently on 19 February 1992.

  Breast Feeding
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to provide additional ring-fenced allowances to midwives to help them attain set targets on numbers of breast-feeding mothers.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No, but it is our policy aim that pay arrangements for all NHS staff groups should become more flexible and more explicitly related to performance as measured in terms of deliverable objectives and quality of service to patients.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the current targets set by midwives in Wares for numbers of mothers undertaking breast feeding; and what financial support is currently granted by his Department to assist in the attainment of such targets.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I am aware of no targets set by midwives in Wales for numbers of mothers breast feeding. However, one the health gain targets of the "Protocol for Investment in Health Gain: Maternal and Early Child Health", published in August 1991 by the Welsh Office's NHS directorate, was that each district should reduce to 20 per cent. by 1997 the failure rate among women choosing to breast feed and to 5 per cent. by 2002.

  The Government are committed to encouraging mothers to breastfeed. In the current financial year, the Welsh Office is giving a grant of £16,400 to fund a Welsh co-ordinator for the joint breast-feeding initiative. The aims of the initiative are to improve support for breast-feeding mothers and to stimulate a wish to continue breast feeding.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the effects upon health of smoking and tobacco advertising.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am very concerned about the damage that smoking can do. This has been reflected in the protocols for investment in health gain in the areas of cancers, cardiovascular disease and respiratory diseases and in the Health Promotion Authority for Wales' strategy documents which I have endorsed. I am determined that we should reach the targets proposed in these documents.
  598
  The Government have consistently taken the view that the best way to control the promotion and advertising of cigarettes is through a continuation of the successful and recently enhanced system of voluntary agreements between the Government and the tobacco industry. Although complex, the system is comprehensive in its coverage. It is designed to ensure that tobacco advertising is not aimed specifically at the young and, combined as it is with a total ban on television advertising of all tobacco products, the Government believe it is effective.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to set a target for Wales of a 40 per cent. reduction in the number of people who smoke by the year 2000.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Health Promotion Authority for Wales has recently published targets for reductions in smoking in its document "The Agenda for 1992–94".

  This includes a target reduction of 43 per cent. in adult women smokers—from 30 per cent. in 1985 to 17 per cent. by the year 2000—and a reduction of 43 per cent. in adult men smokers—from 35 per cent. in 1985 to 20 per cent. by the year 2000.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the cost to date of preparing the application for trust status by(a) Clwyd community and mental health services, (b) Glan Clwyd district general hospital and associated hospitals and (c) Wrexham Maelor hospital; and, in each case, who is meeting the cost of the application.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not held centrally, but the Department has made a financial contribution towards the costs incurred in the application process.

  Health Authority Chairmen
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will name his nominee for the posts of chairmen of the Clwyd, Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan and West Glamorgan family health service authorities from 31 August together with the qualifications and experience of each candidate that is relevant to the post;

  (2) if he will name his nominees for the posts of chairman of the East Dyfed, Gwynedd, Mid-Glamorgan and South Glamorgan health authorities from 31 July, together with the qualifications and experience of each candidate that is relevant to the post.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The names of individuals nominated for public appointment are private and confidential: the information requested cannot therefore be given. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes to announce shortly the names of those who have accepted invitations to serve as chairmen of the eight authorities to which the hon. Gentleman refers.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 328, if he will specify the form of the congratulation that he has bestowed on the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority for the professionalism of presentation of waiting times policy; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
  599
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Secretary of State applauded South Glamorgan's efforts to involve the public in eliminating its two-year waiting list at his meeting with chairmen on 7 July.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In 1991–92 the average number of staff employed by my Department was 2,399, at a total pay cost of some £40 million. In 1969–70 the average number of staff in post was 766: the total pay cost cannot be disaggregated from departmental running costs for this period.

  The staff numbers are not directly comparable due to machinery of Government changes which have occurred in the intervening period.

  Education White Paper
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to issue a White Paper on education in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Shortly.

  Pupil Testing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the streamlined package of tests for seven-year-olds in schools in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This year's national tests for seven-year-olds have recently been conducted in all schools in Wales. Results for individual pupils will be made available to parents as part of the pupil's annual school report. National aggregate data for each subject covered by the tests will be published in the autumn. As with the 1991 tests, this year's exercise will be fully evaluated by the School Examinations and Assessment Council.

  Commonwealth Games
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 July,Official Report, column 8, if he will list (a) the 12 recommendations contained in the Sports Council for Wales report on the management and administration of the Welsh team in Auckland in 1990 which have not been implemented in full and (b) the three recommendations which have been implemented in full.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 7 July,Official Report, column 136. This is a matter for the Sports Council for Wales.

  Obesity
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to set a target for Wales to reduce the proportion of overweight people to 6 per cent. of men and 8 per cent. of women by the year 2005.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The English strategy has set targets for the small number of people who are clinically obese.600
  However, in Wales we have concentrated on the larger number of people who are either overweight or obese, and have set targets for reducing the mean body weight of the population as a whole as well as addressing the numbers of those overweight or obese.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the levels of resourcing for education in Wales; and if he will make it his policy to establish guaranteed minimum levels of funding to assist in the establishment of the national curriculum and local management of schools.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The local government finance settlement for 1992–93, approved by the House on 12 February, enables all local authorities in Wales to maintain and develop services for which they are responsible to an acceptable standard. The settlement is supplemented by the grants for education, support and training and Welsh language grant programmes under which specific grants are available to local education authorities for the support of the national curriculum and local management of schools.

  Religious Education
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools feature religious education for the 14 to 16-year-olds' timetables; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Under the Education Reform Act 1988 the curriculum for every maintained school must include provision for religious education for all registered pupils at the school.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to obtain the advice of the Audit Commission on the restructuring of local government in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Audit Commission has received copies of the consultation papers I have issued, and has submitted comments.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has asked the Audit Commission to undertake a full assessment of the costs and benefits of all the different options in regard to the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Independent consultants have made an assessment of the financial implications of a unitary authority structure in Wales. A copy of their report is in the Library of the House. An Audit Commission representative attended meetings between my officials and officials representing the Assembly of Welsh Counties and the Council of Welsh Districts at which the methodology for this work was considered.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish all the responses he has received on the subject of the internal management of local authorities in Wales since November 1991.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Copies of these responses were placed in the Library of the House last February.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester West, (Mr. Janner) 30 June,Official Report, columns 498–99, (a) how many of his Department's employees and (b) what proportion of his Department's employees, were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The details, based on staff in post at 1 June, are given in the table:

  Number of registered disabled people

  Percentage of Departmental total

  1989

  26

  12

  1990

  32

  13

  Notes:

  (1) Includes equivalent and professional grades.

  (2) Includes industrial staff

  (3) Part-time staff count as one unit.

  Health Service Data Collection
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 328, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter DGM(90)123 regarding the commencement of separate data collection on patient episodes, inclusive of separate enumeration of tertiary and cross-specialty referrals.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have placed a copy of the letter DGM(90)123 in the Library of the House.

  Health Gain Protocols
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish the protocols for health gain during 1992 as promised in his Department's "Agenda for Action 2".

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The protocols for cancer; cardiovascular diseases; maternal and early child health; physical disability and discomfort: physical and sensory disability; and respiratory diseases have already been published. The remaining protocols are those for injuries; learning disabilities; physical disability and discomfort: discomfort and pain management; physical disability and discomfort: oral health; mental distress and illness; emotional health and relationships; and healthy environments. All but the last two should be published during 1992. The last two will be published in early 1993.

  Departmental Appointments
  Mr. Frank Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of Statefor Wales (1) if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors;

  (2) If he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Port Talbot Office
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will quantify the savings arising from the transfer of processing staff from his Port Talbot office to Bridgend for each of the next three years.

  Mr. Burt
  The resourcing of offices is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why the visit of Sir Michael Partridge to the Port Talbot offices of the DSS was cancelled; and what cost was incurred, directly or indirectly, in the cancellation.

  Mr. Burt
  Sir Michael Partridge had to defer his visit to the Department of Social Security office in Port Talbot because he was required by his other duties to remain in London on that day. No direct costs were incurred. Indirect costs are estimated to be in the region of £10.

  European Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for his Department to celebrate the European Year of the Elderly in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13 July at column 430–31.

  Benefit Take-up Rates
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what figures are available on the proportion of social security benefits actually claimed by people eligible to receive them; and what are the comparable figures for the previous years for which information is available.

  Mr. Burt
  The latest available information is contained in the estimates of take-up of income-related benefits for 1987; these relate to housing benefit, family income supplement and supplementary benefit. Comparisons with previous years are included. Copies are available in the Library.

  Post Office Payments
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his latest estimate of the number of persons receiving payment of child benefit through the Post Office;

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the number of pensioners receiving their pensions through the Post Office.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of child benefit, widows benefits and retirement pensions are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Residential Care Homes
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will indicate the extent to which his Department's budget will be altered to reflect the transfer to local councils of responsibility for people in nursing and residential homes.

  Mr. Burt
  The transfer of responsibility will be matched by a transfer of resources from this Department for distribution to local authorities. The amount of the transfer has not been decided.

  Mortgage Interest Payments Information
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the provisions by which information on benefit recipients affected by the consequences of the Social Security (Mortgage Interest Payments) Act 1992 is exempted from the Data Protection Act 1984.

  Mr. Burt
  Disclosure is required by the Social Security (Mortgage Interest Payments) Act 1992 which provides for income support for mortgage interest to be paid direct to qualifying lenders. The consequential regulations also specify information about income support recipients' mortgages to be provided by qualifying lenders in order to ensure that the correct amount of benefit is paid direct to them.

  These enactments provide exemption from the non-disclosure provisions through section 34(5) of the Data Protection Act 1984.

  The Department of Social Security registration under the Data Protection Act in respect of its benefits provides for disclosure of information to qualifying mortgage lenders.

  Pensioners (London Weighting)
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce proposals to amend the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 to introduce London weighting for pensioners.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to introduce London weighting to the state retirement pension. Retirement pensions and other contributory benefits are part of a national scheme of contributions and benefits.

  Benefit Recoupments
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money has been recovered by his Department in the first year of the recoupment of benefits under section 22 and schedule 4 of the Social Security Act 1989.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In the year to 31 August 1991 the compensation recovery unit recovered £11·4 million.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to his Department of recouping benefits under section 22 and schedule 4 of the Social Security Act 1989.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 15 June at col.387.

  Benefits Service Targets
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what national targets for benefits services have been published since July; and what reports have been published by the Benefits Agency on how it performed against these targets.

  Mr. Burt
  The publication of national targets for benefits services and reports on performance against them are matters 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.

  Local Offices (Hours)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of benefits offices have adopted more flexible opening hours since July 1991.

  Mr. Burt
  The opening hours of Benefits Agency offices 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.

  Contributions Agency Conference
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Social Security Contributions Agency held its 1991–92 annual conference; how national insurance contributors were informed of this event; and how many national insurance contributors attended it.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Questions concerning the Contributions Agency's annual conference are matters for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors;

  (2) if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Burt
  Information is not held centrally in the form requested. The Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and if he will calculate the staffing level of the Social Security section of the former Department of Health and Social Security and the associated personnel costs, immediately before its separation.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table:
  605

  DHSS 1988–89 £ million

  DSS 1991–92 £ million

  Staff in Post

  184,667 (March 1989)

  78,277 (April 1992)

  Personnel Costs

  923·570

  1,117·481

  Notes:

  1. Included in personnel costs are salary costs of both permanent and casual staff, overtime as well as employers National Insurance costs.

  2. The 1991 figures are the latest available as personnel costs for 1992–93 are not yet available.

  3. The staff in post data is based on manual returns.

  4. Separation of the Departments of Health and Social Security took place April 1989.

  1 DSS staff only

  Pension Age
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the outcome of the discussion document, "Options for Equality in State Pension Age."

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) on 2 July at column 700–1.

  Pension Funds
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will propose legislation under which the administrator of a pension fund would be required to(a) send a summary of the fund's accounts, as soon as they are available, to all beneficiaries and (b) notify all beneficiaries as to how to obtain a copy of the latest year's accounts;

  (2) what plans his Department has to make the Occupational Pensions Board the main supervisory body for the pensions industry;

  (3) if he will draw up proposals under which pension fund investment assets would (a) be held by independent custodian trustees and (b) have their ownership clearly designated upon them;

  (4) what proposals he has to strengthen the role of the Occupational Pensions Board to enable it to carry out the task of running any pensions compensation scheme that may be recommended by the pensions law review committee;

  (5) if he will draw up proposals under which letters of representation obtained in pensions fund audits would be required to leave the directors and trustees of those funds in no doubt as to their responsibilities with regard to the ownership, appropriateness, valuation and custody of investments;

  (6) if he will make it Government policy to ensure that beneficiaries of pension funds have an annual opportunity of questioning the trustees on their administration of those funds;

  (7) if he will propose legislation which would establish a pension compensation fund;

  (8) whether the pensions law review committee under the chairmanship of Professor Goode QC intends to examine the practicalities of the idea that each pensioner should have the annual right of transferring his entire assets from his pension scheme into another recognised financial institution;
  606
  (9) if he will make it his policy to ensure the Occupational Pensions Board monitors (a) the appointment of pension fund trustees, (b) the winding-up of pension funds and the division of their assets and (c) the annual reports and accounts of pension funds lodged with the board;

  (10) if he will issue guidelines codifying (a) the specific obligations of pension fund trustees to maintain proper accounting and (b) the form which auditors' reports to pension fund trustees should follow so that future areas of risk are qualified and explained;

  (11) if he will make a statement as to how the Government consider the Inland Revenue can best fit in the work of the superannuation funds office in monitoring pension funds with the work of the Occupational Pensions Board in policing those funds;

  (12) if he will make it his policy to issue guidelines to actuaries of pension funds advising them on what is their role in ensuring the nation's pension funds are safe, secure and run in a fit and proper manner;

  (13) if he will instruct the Occupational Pensions Board to begin urgent discussions with the Investment Management Regulatory Organisation to discover how many pension funds entrust assets to managements whose ultimate control lies outside the jurisdiction of Great Britain;

  (14) what steps he intends to take to bring about a co-ordination of (a) pensions industry regulatory bodies and (b) the checks carried out on pension funds by the different professional advisers.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In accordance with their manifesto promise the Government set up a Pension Law review committee on 8 June under the chairmanship of Professor Goode QC. The wide terms of reference given to the review committee will enable it to look at the overall framework of occupational pensions. The recommendations will form the basis for the Government to bring forward any detailed changes which are found to be necessary in order to give added protection to occupational pension schemes. The conclusions of the Select Committee report and points raised by the hon. Member and others will be among the issues the review committee will wish to take into account in deciding on its recommendations.

  Working Hours Rule
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claimants have been disallowed income support because the weekly working hours regulation has been reduced from 24 hours to 16 hours;

  (2) if he will review the regulation that disallows claimants income support and therefore mortgage interest payment because their partner works more than 16 hours per week;

  (3) how many claimants have been refused income support and mortgage interest payments from his Department because their partners work between 16 and 24 hours per week; and how many have subsequently re-applied and been allowed benefit because (a) their partners have stopped work or (b) work less than 16 hours per week;

  (4) how many home owners are (a) having their homes repossessed or (b) in arrears of more than two months

  607
  with their mortgage because they are not in receipt of mortgage interest payments from his Department because their partners work more than 16 hours per week.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available. The change in the income support hours rule from 24 to 16 hours a week was made in April 1992 as part of a package of measures aimed at helping working families with children, and lone parents in particular. By reducing the number of hours it is necessary to work in order to qualify for family credit, many more families are able to claim that benefit and many will be better-off than they would have been on income support, even after paying for their mortgage.

  Those people who were working, or whose partners were working, between 16 and 24 hours a week and receiving income support at the point of change were able to continue to receive income support including any help with their mortgage interest.

  It is too soon to say how the rule is working in practice but we are monitoring its effects.

  Disabled Employers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) of 30 June,Official Report, column 503, how many and what proportion of his Department's employees were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Burt
  The information for the Department and its executive agencies is in the tables:

  Grade

  Total

  Registered disabled

  Percentage

  As at 1 June 1989

  1 to 7

  703·0

  1·0

  0·1

  Others

  81,751·0

  1,262·0

  1·5

  Total

  82,454·0

  1,263·0

  1·5

  As at 1 June 1990

  1 to 7

  730·5

  2·0

  0·3

  Others

  79,377·0

  1,374·5

  1·7

  TOTAL

  80,750·5

  1,376·5

  1·7

  Notes:

  1. The figures do not include staff with disabilities who choose not to register or chose not to disclose their registration.

  2. The figures do not include registered disabled people employed under the sheltered placement scheme.

  3. For each grade, all non-industrial staff in equivalent grades are included.

  4. The figures for grades 1 to 7 have been grouped together as the numbers of registered disabled staff in these grades are very small and they risk identifying an individual.

  5. All figures are full-time equivalents.

  Social Fund
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 29 June,Official Report, column 433, of the 65 applications for discretionary social fund awards which were refused by the Lewisham and Brixton office, how many applicants lived in Lewisham, Deptford.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the members of the disability living allowance advisory board; how often the board has met; whether it has yet given any advice to Ministers; when it expects to issue its first report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The names of the members of the disability living allowance advisory board are in the table. It has met four times in full and nine times in quorum. So far, the board has given Ministers valuable advice on the content of the disability handbook—all of which has been acted upon. The board is due to produce its first report in April 1993.

  Members of the disability living allowance advisory board

  Professor J. Marshall CBE, DSc, MD, FRCP, DPM

  Mrs. J. Allen-King MBE

  Mrs. J. Ashcroft

  Mrs. P. Case CBE, BA

  Dr. A. K. Clarke BSc, MBBS, FRCP

  Miss E. Fanshawe OBE, DipCOT

  Mrs. J. Franklin CQSW

  Mr. S. R. Gallop MA

  Mrs. C. Henry RGN

  Dr. C. F. Herridge MA, MB, BChir, FRCPsych. DPM

  Dr. J. A. Hunter BSc, MBChB, FRCP

  Miss S. Knibbs CQSW

  Mr. P. Large CBE

  Dr. I. McKinlay BSc, MBChB, FRCP

  Dr. T. J. G. Phillips MBBS, FRFPS, MRCP. MFOM

  Mrs. S. A. Philbrook

  Dr. M. Piper MB, BS, FRCP

  Dr. M. Richards BSc, MB, BCh, FRCGP

  Professor H. Simpson MD, FRCP, DCH, DRCOG

  Mr. A. Williamson LLB, MA(Ed), CQSW

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of claims for A8 and A4 prescribed diseases for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to implement the recommendation of the May 1992 report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (Cm. 1936).

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Mrs. Knight) on 21 May at column 241.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the average cost to the Exchequer over 12 months of an unemployed former civilian Ministry of Defence employee in unemployment benefit, income support, mortgage interest payments or housing benefits, free dentistry and prescriptions and poll tax rebates.

  Mr. Burt
  A reliable estimate is not possible.

SCOTLAND

  DNA information
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the provision of DNA information about patients to insurance companies.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information obtained from DNA testing is confidential and should be treated in the same way as other personal health information. It should not be disclosed to insurance companies without the prior consent of the patient.

  Genetics
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what policy conclusions have been drawn in relation to genetic therapy and genetic counselling from the conference "Our Genetic Future" held at BMA house on 30 June.

  Mr. Stewart
  The conference was an important contribution to the debate about the issues surrounding developments in genetic research. The Government recognise the importance of counselling for both sufferers and their families and are currently considering their response to the report of the Committee on the Ethics of Gene Therapy. Cm 1788.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) doctors and (b) nurses are currently trained in the detection and treatment of genetic disorders; and what plans he has to increase the numbers.

  Mr. Stewart
  (a) The information collected centrally records only the main specialty of a doctor. The numbers—whole-time equivalent—of doctors in the specialty of medical genetics at 30 September 1991, the latest date for which information is available, are given in the table.

  Whole time equivalent

  Consultants

  4·2

  Associate specialists

  1·0

  Senior registrars

  3·2

  Registrars

  4·4

  Total

  12·8

  (b) Information on nurses trained in medical genetics is not available centrally.

  The numbers of doctors in the training grades of registrar and senior registrar reflect health boards' plans for staffing the specialty.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to promote the early adoption of new techniques of diagnosis management, and treatment of the effect of genetic disease, including proven gene therapy;

  (2) what strategy he has to use new molecular knowledge in surgery and treatment; and what training is given to those who use manipulative techniques in this field.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government consider that it is important that applications of new molecular biological techniques to the diagnosis, management and treatment of patients should be subjected to stringent evaluation before 610
  they are adopted for use in clinical practice. In Scotland, new techniques are kept under close review by the Scottish Molecular Genetics Consortium, established in 1984, one of whose purposes is the co-ordination of approaches towards the diagnosis of genetic disorders.

  The committee on the ethics of gene therapy was set up in 1989 to provide advice to the United Kingdom Health Ministers on scientific and medical developments which have a bearing on the safety and efficiency of human gene modification. The committee's report was published in January this year and a public consultation on its recommendations ended on 18 May. The Government are currently considering their response to the report.

  Each of the royal colleges and faculties takes the lead on professional training within its own speciality. Training in molecular biological techniques is available for clinicians in training programmes organised by the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and other bodies.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision he is making to provide genetic counselling for(a) individual patients, (b) family groups and (c) relatives of victims of genetic disorders.

  Mr. Stewart
  Specialist genetic counselling is provided by clinical geneticists based in the four genetic advisory centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. In addition, other clinicians, including obstetricians, paediatricians and GPs play an important role in counselling those suffering from genetic disorders, their families and those whose future children may suffer from such disorders.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the practice of payment from one health authority to another in paying for tests relating to genetic disorders.

  Mr. Stewart
  No such study has been undertaken.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the need of central laboratories for clinical geneticists.

  Mr. Stewart
  A review last year of the four laboratories which comprise the Scottish Molecular Genetics Consortium identified a need for two additional consultant clinical geneticist posts. Both should be filled in the near future. The need for any further increase is under discussion with the consortium.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the provision of genetic registers, and enabling such registers to play a role in the elimination of potential carriers of disease.

  Mr. Stewart
  The first computerised genetic register in the United Kingdom, RAPID—Register for the Ascertainment and Prevention of Genetic Disease—was developed and established in the department of human genetics at Edinburgh university in 1970. All four of the major medical centres in Scotland now have such registers.

  Thalassaemia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made for those suffering from thalassaemia.

  Mr. Stewart
  Thalassaemia can be detected by pre-natal tests, and the Scottish Molecular Genetics Consortium
  611
  offers such a service. Individuals suffering from thalassaemia major are treated mainly by blood transfusion coupled with iron-reducing drugs.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discretion local authorities have over the collection of small amounts of outstanding community charge debt where costs of collection are greater than the amount due.

  Mr. Stewart
  Local authorities must consider each case on its merits and be prepared to explain the reasonableness of their approach to their auditors if necessary.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give figures showing, for each local authority, the number of cases of community charge collection where the amount collected was less than the costs of collection;

  (2) if he will give figures showing the costs for each Scottish local authority of enforcement action for the recovery of community charge debt and the amounts so recovered;

  (3) if he will give figures showing the costs for each Scottish local authority of enforcement action for the recovery of community charge debt in cases where the costs of collection are greater than the amount due.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information is not held centrally.

  Speech Therapy
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much of the speech therapy provision announced on 24 February is to be distributed to(a) under-fives, (b) children in mainstream education and (c) children with mental handicaps;

  (2) what is the estimated cost of speech therapy provision for children with records of needs in each of the regional council areas; and how many such children there are in each.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As soon as the information is available I will reply to the hon. Member in writing.

  Sheriff Ewen Stewart
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now considered the findings of the investigation undertaken by the Lord President and Lord Justice Clerk of the fitness for office of Sheriff Ewen Stewart; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a decision on the case of Sheriff Ewen Stewart before 16 July.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 7 July 1992]: As I announced last year, following representations, including representations from Members of this House, and in the light of the observations of Sheriff Principal R. A. Bennet QC in a particular case, I concluded that it would be appropriate for an investigation to be undertaken of the fitness for office of Sheriff Ewen Stewart. I therefore asked the Lord President and Lord Justice Clerk to carry out such an investigation under the provisions of section 12 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971. I received their report on 10 February 1992.
  612
  In the report, their lordships noted that this was the third occasion that an investigation had been undertaken into the fitness for office of Sheriff Stewart. Their lordships concluded that a general investigation would be appropriate into the sheriff's conduct since the date of the last report. Following preliminary inquiries, their lordships provided Sheriff Stewart with a list of the cases relevant to his conduct which they were to investigate and invited him to answer specific questions relating to these cases as well as to offer any general observations which he cared to make. On receipt of the sheriff's responses, further inquiries were made and their lordships interviewed Sheriff Stewart before completing their report.

  The conclusion of their lordships' very detailed report was that Sheriff Stewart was unfit for office by reason of inability to perform the judicial functions which are expected of a sheriff by virtue of his office and in terms of his judicial oath. On receipt of their lordships' report I arranged for a copy to be sent to Sheriff Stewart and invited him to comment on its findings. I have given very careful consideration to Sheriff Stewart's detailed response which he submitted to me on 4 May 1992, but I have decided, in all the circumstances, to bring forward an order removing him from office.

  I am arranging, to be placed in the Library of both Houses of Parliament, their lordships' letter of 10 February 1992, together with appendix A and appendix C thereto, under deletion from appendix A of two cases which their lordships decided, having considered Sheriff Stewart's response, did not merit further investigation. Appendix B, which contains Sheriff Stewart's responses to their lordships, has not been placed in the Library. As indicated by their lordships in appendix C to their letter, much of what is said by Sheriff Stewart is irrelevant to the cases which were under investigation. In addition, some parts of appendix B appear to be potentially defamatory.

DEFENCE

  Sexual Harassment and Assault
  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of complaints by British service women of alleged sexual harassment and sexual assault against British service men for the latest year for which information is available; what action was taken as a result; and what procedures exist for reporting and investigating such instances.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of complaints made by British service women about alleged sexual harassment and assault involving British service men could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All complaints by service personnel of harassment of any nature are dealt with under normal redress of grievance procedures and, if substantiated, appropriate action would be taken against the offender. Normally, a complaint is dealt with by the commanding officer, but if it cannot be resolved at that level or the complainant is dissatisfied, it may be referred up the chain of command and ultimately to the Navy, Army, or Air Force board.

  If a service woman wishes to make a complaint of sexual assault, she should report the incident to her superior officer for action through the chain of command.

  613
  Depending on the seriousness of the offence, the matter would then be dealt with by the military authorities or civil police.

  Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the guardships which attended the Port of Dartmouth royal regatta in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement as to which ship will be present at the 1992 regatta, to be held between 26 and 30 August.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:

  1982—HMS Alfriston

  1983—HMS Achilles

  1984—HMS Euryalus

  1985—HMS Diomede

  1986—HMS Hermione

  1987—HMS Plymouth

  1988—HMS Avenger

  1989—HMS Cardiff

  1990—HMS Active

  1991—HMS Battleaxe

  HMS Sirius is currently scheduled to attend the 1992 regatta.

  Mr. Steen
  'To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for(a) HMS Alacrity or (b) HMS Gloucester to attend the 1992 Port of Dartmouth royal regatta as guardship between Wednesday 26 August and Sunday 30 August.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The provision of a guardship for the Dartmouth royal regatta depends on the availability of a suitable vessel after taking account of operational training commitments which must take precedence. Neither HMS Alacrity nor HMS Gloucester will be available; HMS Sirius is currently scheduled to attend the regatta.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will be represented at the session on restoration of militarily contaminated lands of the United Nation's conference on indigenous peoples in Geneva at the end of July.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Korea
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current United Kingdom military commitment in Korea, its present annual cost and the cost for each year since it began, both in actual and current prices.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The United Kingdom's military presence in Korea comprises two defence attaches, a first secretary (defence supply) and their supporting staff in the British embassy in Seoul; members of the Commonwealth Liaison Mission to the United Nations Command, headed by the British defence attache; and a platoon of infantry as part of the United Nations honour guard. The full costs of the commitment are not normally separately identified within the Defence budget, but it is estimated that in 1991–92 they amounted to £1·9 million at 1991–92 outturn prices. Figures for previous years could not be made available without disproportionate effort.

  Armaments (Dumping at Sea)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy to set a target date for the banning of the practice of dumping armaments at sea around the coast of the United Kingdom;

  (2) if he will publish a list of all the sites utilised for dumping surplus armaments in the sea around the coast of the United Kingdom at present;

  (3) what mechanisms are utilised by his Department to monitor sites used for the dumping of armaments at sea, including environmental effects;

  (4) if he will publish a list of the materials contained in surplus armaments dumped around the coast of the United Kingdom over the last 10 years.

  Mr. Aitken
  Ministry of Defence will terminate all sea dumping of redundant ammunition and explosive stocks by 1 January 1993. This is in line with the Government's general policy that where safe and practicable waste should be disposed of on land, in preference to dumping at sea. Dumping is carried out in a strictly controlled manner to ensure that it does not cause damage to the marine environment, or interfere with fishing, or other legitimate uses of the sea. Preparation of stores for dumping includes the removal of components containing toxic heavy metals which are not permitted to be disposed of in this manner. There has been no sea dumping of redundant ammunition and explosive stocks around the coast of the United Kingdom during the last 10 years. The only dump site in use is some 400 miles off Lands End in the Atlantic at a depth of some 4,500 m. The depth of this site precludes effective monitoring but there is no evidence to suggest that controlled dumping of conventional ammunition and explosives in this manner constitutes a risk to the marine environment.

  Overseas Equipment Sales
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role British military attaches play in the sale of British defence equipment overseas.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his earlier question on British military attaches,Official Report column 671.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 1 July to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill),Official Report, column 656, what additional costs are incurred by his Department from preparing separate forms of statistics on defence expenditures for the annual statement on the defence estimates and the United Nations report on military expenditures.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information on defence expenditure provided to the United Nations and that contained within the annual statement on the Defence estimates are both based on information collected within the MoD for financial management purposes. It is not possible to quantify any additional costs.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table of expenditure on equipment purchased by his Department, cross-referenced to
  615
  standard regions, showing Greater London as a separate region, for each year since 1987–88 (a) at current prices and (b) at 1987–88 prices.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department's expenditure on equipment between 1985–86 and 1990–91 broken down by region, together with estimates of the associated direct employment, is published in table 1.11 of the 1992 edition of "Defence Statistics". Separate figures for Greater London could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort. The published figures may be recast to the price base desired by the use of published indices.

  Residential Properties
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by his Department; if he will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and the intended future use.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence currently owns 12 residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham, all of which are occupied.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr Aitken
  Following is the information:

  Full time equivalent Civil servants (Number)

  United Kingdom

  Locally employed overseas

  Cost at 1991–92 price £ million

  1 April 1970

  257,906

  68,400

  4,140

  1 April 1992

  139,454

  27,000

  2,853

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors;

  (2) if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. My Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering public appointments and the engagement of advisers.

  RAF Brawdy
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate of the number of civilian employees who will lose their jobs when fast jet training ceases at RAF Brawdy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We have issued 42 redundancy notices so far, with a further four to follow. In addition, a total of 10 employees are to be transferred either to other Government Departments or within MoD.
  616
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to his Department of redundancy and other linked payments to those civilian employees who will lose their jobs when tactical weapons training ceases at RAF Brawdy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The total cost to the Department is estimated to be in the region of £440,000.

  Redundancy
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his best estimate of the average cost to the Exchequer for redundancy and related payments including any enhancements and payments in lieu of notice for a civilian Ministry of Defence employee.

  Mr. Aitken
  Civil service redundancy payments are paid under the compulsory early retirement terms of the principal civil service pension scheme and are based on an individual's age, length of service and rate of pay at the time of leaving. It is, therefore, not possible to give a meaningful average figure.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 688, to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner), (a) how many of his Department's employees, and (b) what proportion of his Department's employees, were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Ministry of Defence employed 1,202 and 1,210 registered disabled persons in 1989 and 1990 respectively. This represented 1 per cent. and 0·9 per cent. of the total civilian work force.

  Departmental Property (Extensions)
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on consultations with the appropriate local parliamentary representatives when extensions to his Department's property are proposed which may have detrimental consequences for the area concerned.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Except where security considerations are over-riding, it is my Department's policy to consult fully with local planning authorities (or, in Northern Ireland, the planning service) about any development proposals. Only in exceptional circumstances would it be our practice to notify the constituency MP.

  RAF Regiment
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for the future organisation of the RAF regiment.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As part of our programme to create a more efficient structure for the RAF, studies have been made into the future size and shape of the RAF regiment.

  The restructuring of RAF Germany removed the requirement for two of the United Kingdom based RAF regiment light armoured squadrons (LAS), which in time of war would have provided ground defence of forward operating bases in Germany. Following the disbandment

  617
  of 58 squadron LAS at Catterick earlier this year, 51 squadron LAS—also at Catterick—will disband with effect from 31 March 1993. This will leave the RAF regiment with three light armoured squadrons and a field squadron. Further economies will be achieved by replacing the armoured vehicles with soft-skinned wheeled vehicles, scaled with mortars for fire support. The new field role for the squadrons will provide them with greater operational flexibility than hitherto. The Queen's Colour squadron will also assume additional operational duties as a war-roled field squadron.

  These changes, together with the reduction in the number of Rapier squadrons from 10 to eight earlier this year, will reduce the need for the existing level of the RAF regiment's headquarters organisations. With effect from 1 October 1992, therefore, HQ 3 wing at Catterick and HQ 33 wing at Gutersloh will be disbanded.

  Our studies have looked carefully into rationalisation of the RAF regiment bases in the United Kingdom. The results have shown that cost savings and greater efficiency can be achieved through the maximum degree of collocation possible of the regiment's activity in the United Kingdom. In early 1994, HQ 6 wing RAF regiment, No. 66 sqn RAF regiment and the Rapier training unit will move from RAF West Raynham to Honington, involving the relocation of just over 200 service men. This is in line with the rationalisation measures announced in the 1991 Defence White Paper. No final decision has yet been made about the West Raynham base. Apart from a short term requirement for married quarters and domestic accommodation, the RAF has no future requirement for the base. Other possible defence uses for West Raynham are being considered.

  It is further proposed that the RAF regiment depot and No. 2 sqn RAF regiment will move from Catterick to Honington. The move is planned to take place in late 1993/early 1994 and would involve the relocation of about 500 service men.

  Everything possible would be done to avoid redundancies of the civilian work force employed at the bases affected by these changes. Army use of RAF Catterick could provide job opportunities for the existing civilian employees. There may also be opportunities for alternative employment at Catterick garrison. In the absence of a future defence requirement for West Raynham some redundancies are likely to be necessary. Anyone made redundant would be compensated under the terms of the appropriate pension scheme. The MoD would establish close contact with employers in the areas affected, including other Government Departments, and any staff leaving prematurely under voluntary or compulsory redundancy terms would be eligible for the services provided by the MoD counselling and outplacement service. The trade unions will be consulted in the usual way.

  Army Static Workshop Organisation
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the Army Static Workshop Organisation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The changes in the size and shape of the Army following from "Options for Change" will result in a considerable reduction in the volume of repair work undertaken by the Army's base and district workshops. Accordingly, a wide ranging review has been 618
  undertaken to assess the numbers and locations of workshops which will be required to support the Army in the future from the financial, engineering and operational viewpoints.

  The main recommendations of that review are that 39 district workshop, Bridgend, 41 district workshop, York, and 42 district workshop, Liverpool, should close by 31 March 1993; and that 23 base workshop at Wetter in Germany should close by 31 March 1994. These closures will remove surplus capacity from the organisation and they will also lead to a substantial increase in the volume of contract repair undertaken by British industry. Overall, they are expected to achieve savings in operating costs of some £7 million per year.

  The German authorities have been informed of our intention to close 23 base workshop. We will consult with them fully throughout the closure process and we will follow normal procedures with the Works Council. In the United Kingdom we are about to start a full period of consultation with the relevant trade unions over all the proposed closures. A final decision will be taken in the light of any representations.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fish Catches
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the figures showing the landings in tonnes of(a) cod, (b) sole and (c) haddock in each year from 1970 onwards.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested relating to all landings into the United Kingdom is given in the table.

  Landings into the United Kingdom by British and foreign fishing vessels (tonnes landed weight). The figures include landings from fishing grounds in the North Atlantic which have, over the period, been closed to British fishermen

  Year

  Cod

  Sole

  Haddock

  1970

  366,674

  1,624

  179,527

  1971

  326,034

  1,372

  183,642

  1972

  323,545

  1,372

  157,988

  1973

  290,424

  1,473

  154,991

  1974

  290,576

  1,168

  132,690

  1975

  272,344

  1.312

  116,064

  1976

  260,809

  1,588

  130,639

  1977

  175,380

  1,490

  124,229

  1978

  168,970

  1,804

  87,606

  1979

  160,271

  2,133

  82,542

  1980

  148,024

  1,937

  94,664

  1981

  147,988

  1,865

  106,864

  1982

  141,610

  2,271

  134,371

  1983

  135,959

  2,383

  126,989

  1984

  113,816

  2,596

  109,741

  1985

  112,447

  2,980

  135,113

  1986

  94,422

  3,426

  133,628

  1987

  108,866

  3,560

  105,378

  1988

  94,396

  3,372

  100,885

  1989

  84,941

  3,401

  75,184

  19901

  74,526

  3,612

  52,115

  1 The figures for 1990 have not yet been published but have been finalised.

  Source: Sea Fisheries Statistical Tables.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what efforts are currently being undertaken by his Department to eliminate the practice of discarding unwanted fish by fishermen.

  Mr. Curry
  The increase in mesh sizes and the use of square mesh panels which formed important parts of the
  619
  EC and United Kingdom conservation measures introduced on 1 June 1992 are designed to lead to a reduction in discards by allowing more juvenile fish to escape from nets. Following discussion in the Community the EC Commission are preparing detailed proposals to tackle aspects of the problem further. In addition most of the gear research work funded by United Kingdom fisheries departments is concerned with gear selectivity.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what figures he has of the number of fisheries inspectors employed, at the latest available date, by each relevant European Community country, apart from the United Kingdom;

  (2) what figures he has of the number of fishing protection vessels deployed at the latest available date in each relevant country in the European Community, other than the United Kingdom; and how many personnel were engaged on such vessels of each such authority.

  Mr. Curry
  The Commission's report on the common fisheries policy, dated 6 December 1990—reference SEC(90) 2244 final—includes the following information

  Number of land based inspection staff

  Inspection vessels longer than 15 metres

  Belgium

  3

  6

  Denmark

  200

  7

  Germany

  20

  10

  Spain

  12

  23

  France

  20

  9

  Ireland

  7

  7

  Netherlands

  180

  12

  Portugal

  12

  26

  The report notes that the resources which some member states devote to control and enforcement are inadequate, and the Government will be pressing for improvements as part of the mid-term review of the common fisheries policy.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 25 June,Official Report, column 387, if he will set out the information available to his Ministry on the performance by private contracted vessels of the maritime fishery protection service in Scotland.

  Mr. Curry
  Surface fishery protection duties in Scotland are carried out partly by the Royal Navy and partly by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency using civilian vessels. The SFPA will shortly publish its first annual report. This will analyse performance and the effectiveness of the fisheries protection services provided. A key indicator of fisheries protection performance is the number of boardings achieved. The number of boardings of fishing vessels by civilian-manned vessels of the SFPA has increased from 1,125 in 1985–86 to 2,100 in 1991–92.

  Renderers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of licensed renderers in each year since 1987.
  620
  Mr. Soames
  The statutory requirement for renderers to register their premises with this Department was introduced in 1989 in the Processed Animal Protein Order 1989.

  The number of renderers premises registered under that requirement in each year since then has been:

  Number

  1989

  67

  1990

  63

  1991

  67

  1992

  57

  Bare Fallow Option
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether a bare fallow option will be allowed to farmers, under the set-aside rules, so as to cultivate weeds out.

  Mr. Curry
  We will consider the scope for some form of bare summer fallow once the Commission implementing regulations, on which national scheme rules must be based, have been adopted, are, however, likely to require a winter green.

  Fish Quotas
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what latest estimate he has made of the percentage of United Kingdom fish quotas which are caught by vessels on the United Kingdom fishing register which are beneficially non-British owned; and if he will list such percentages by fish stock.

  Mr. Curry
  I regret that the information requested cannot be extracted except at disproportionate cost.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about the percentage cut in the number of fishing vessels to be required of all relevant European Community countries, other than the United Kingdom, under the same requirement as requires the United Kingdom to cut its number by 30 per cent; and if he will make a statement on what requirements each relevant European Community country, other than the United Kingdom, is placing on its fishing fleet parallel to the measures proposed in the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill.

  Mr. Curry
  Negotiations between member states and the Commission on the targets to be set in the 1993–96 multiannual guidance programme are not yet complete. The Commission has, however, indicated that targets will be comparable between member states and will involve a combination of capacity and effort reductions. Targets will also be segmented with more severe reductions set for those sections of the fleet prosecuting the more heavily exploited fisheries and the lighter reductions for sectors where the stock position is relatively satisfactory. No figure has been agreed yet for the United Kingdom.

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what efforts have been undertaken by his Department to enforce the United Nations ban on the use of large-scale drift nets.
  621
  Mr. Curry
  From 1 June 1992 the United Kingdom, in common with other European Community states, applied Communitywide measures which, with certain exceptions not relevant to the British fishing fleet, prohibit the use by EC vessels of drift nets longer than 2·5km wherever they fish. These measures go further than the United Nations resolution which only dealt with drift nets used on the high seas.

  Sea Mammals
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what efforts are currently being undertaken by his Department to monitor the number of dolphins and other non-target animals killed in fishing gear, and to control fisheries with a high incidence of kills; and if he will make it his policy to set a target date for the reduction of by-catch non-target species to zero.

  Mr. Curry
  A voluntary reporting scheme was introduced on 1 January 1992. On information available whilst accidental catches occur in our waters these are limited and not of the substantial numbers as have been seen in the east Pacific yellow fin tuna fishery. Our policy is that accidental catches should be avoided as far as possible. Further research to assist this is in hand.

  The Naze
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list what European Community financial aid, under what headings, will be available for the prevention of erosion of the Naze at Walton-on-the-Naze.

  Mr. Curry
  Essex is not an area eligible for assistance from the European regional development fund. However, actions to protect soil damaged by coastal erosion may be eligible for support under EC's LIFE programme, the Community's financial instrument for the environment.

  Earth Summit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what matters arising from the decisions taken at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development are due to be discussed at the European Agriculture Council on 13 and 14 July.

  Mr. Curry
  None at this Council. However, the integration of environmental considerations into agricultural policy will be a priority for the United Kingdom presidency in line with UNCED conclusions.

  Livestock (Minerals)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment has been made of the impact of the withdrawal of calcium, magnesium, phosphate and dextrose on the welfare of livestock; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  A number of medicinal products containing calcium in combination with these other substances are currently being examined by the Veterinary Products Committee as part of a review of pharmaceutical products licensed before 1 January 1984, to ensure that they meet modern day standards of safety, quality and efficacy. It is for the individual pharmaceutical companies 622
  involved to make a commercial decision whether or not to provide the data to support their products through the review process. If such data demonstrates that the necessary scientific criteria have been met, then a licence may be granted.

  Such calcium combination products continue to be available, but the Veterinary Medicines Directorate maintains regular contact with the British Veterinary Association and the National Office of Animal Health, to ensure that it receives an early warning where a loss of products in any group might lead to a problem with animal welfare.

  Badger Culling
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to ordering an immediate moratorium on badger culling as a way of eradicating cattle tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  This idea has been closely examined, notably within the Ministry's consultative panel on badgers and tuberculosis. There are at present no plans to introduce a moratorium.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. The Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Organic Foods
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to make representations to the European Commission calling for a postponement of any decision relating to the EC directive on organic foods at the Commission's meeting on 23 July.

  Mr. Curry
  The Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed at its meeting on 13 and 14 July to postpone the effective starting date of the regulation on organic foods, from 23 July 1992 to 1 January 1993.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to seek amendments to the European directive on organic foods to ensure that permanent safeguards for small shops and operators are built into the directive.

  Mr. Curry
  The EC regulation on organic foods applies to anyone engaged in the growing, processing and importing from countries outside the Community, of food to be labelled as "organic". The regulation will provide safeguards to consumers, as well as to bona fide growers and processors, that food sold as organic has been grown according to a recognised standard. We have no plans to seek special arrangements for any group.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline Government funding of organic farming and conversion schemes for the last two years; and if he will make a statement.
  623
  Mr. Curry
  No specific schemes are currently available for organic farmers although of course they can make full use of support schemes available to farmers generally. The agri-environment part of the CAP reform agreement will provide a framework within which aid could be given to existing organic farmers and those wishing to convert. Proposals for such scheme are currently under consideration.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. The Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. Curry
  The total staff employed by the Department is as follows:

  Number

  1 April 1970

  16,246

  1 July 1992

  10,583

  The total pay provision for 1992–93 is £210·7 million. The comparable figure for 1970 could be determined only at disproportionate cost.

  Cormorants
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 19 June,Official Report, column 683, if he has yet obtained figures from his Ministry's north-east regional service centre regarding the number of licences for the killing or taking of cormorants in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Soames
  I have now received the required details from the Ministry's north-east regional service centre. No applications have been received and no licences issued for the killing or taking of cormorants in this region in the last five years. The table provided in my previous reply therefore remains unchanged.

  Year

  Applications received

  Licences issued

  1987

  6

  3

  1988

  4

  2

  1989

  3

  2

  1990

  9

  4

  1991

  8

  3

  Milk Marketing
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy that all interested buyers of milk and dairy products, including 624
  secondary users, will be fully consulted on proposals to change the current United Kingdom milk marketing arrangements and to supply details of the planned timetable for consultations.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government are currently considering the milk marketing boards' proposals for its transformation into non-statutory structures. We intend to introduce legislation to facilitate this change this parliamentary Session. We are committed to full consultation of all interests affected beforehand.

  Lobsters
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to European Commissioner Marin to challenge the imposition on British shell fishermen of an EC change in the method of measuring lobsters from carapace length to overall length, resulting in a reduction in minimum landing size; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Our industry was consulted about the change in the EC rule for measuring lobsters, designed to remove ambiguity in the original EC regulation and to help fishermen by generally only requiring one measurement. We have already alerted the Commission to our concerns and have now prepared data to press the case for further and urgent modification of the rule to remove the inadvertent effect of allowing smaller lobsters to be landed than under the original regulation.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 1 July,Official Report, column 643 (a) how many of his Department's employees, and (b) what proportion of his Department's employees, were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Curry
  Counting part time staff as half units, MAFF and its agencies employed 140·5 registered disabled staff in 1989 and 139·5 in 1990. These figures represent 1·4 per cent. of total staff, but do not take into account staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.

  Apple and Pear Research Council
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has completed his consultation on the future of the Apple and Pear Research Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am pleased to announce that, having consulted the council and representative organisations in England and Wales, I have decided that the Apple and Pear Research Council should continue with its present constitution and functions for a further five years.

  Our consultations with the industry have clearly demonstrated that the Apple and Pear Research Council is held in high esteem by it and that it commands a high level of confidence from the levy paying growers. This unequivocal response from the industry ensures that the council will be in the strongest possible position to take forward the research and development role which is so vital to the industry's needs.
  625
  I have decided that when a suitable opportunity occurs one change should be made to the Apple and Pear Research Council Order 1989 which has been endorsed by the council and the industry's representative bodies. The maximum levy the council is empowered to collect will be increased from £25 to £30 per hectare of orchard area. Although the current levy rate is below the permitted maximum, I believe that it is sensible to allow for developments over the new life of the council.

EMPLOYMENT

  Special Needs
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for placements have been made by people with special needs to each training and enterprise council in England in each year since the establishment of the councils; and how many have successfully received placements in each instance.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will publish a range of estimates of the economic effects of wages councils on levels of payment, employment, unemployment and economic activity.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  A number of studies which estimate the economic effects of wages councils have been published. They are based on differing research methods and have been conducted at different times, so their results may not be directly comparable. For this reason it is not sensible to present a range of estimates.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether she proposes to issue a consultation paper on the roles, functions and operations of wages councils.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she has commissioned a survey of opinion on wages councils among(a) employers and (b) employees in wage council industries.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There are no plans to carry out a further consultation exercise. Full public consultation took place in 1988.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost to her Department of(a) wages councils and (b) enforcement of minimum pay rates.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  For the financial year ended 31 March 1992 the cost of administering the wages councils was £197,000 and the cost of enforcement of minimum pay rates was £2,080,000.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who has been consulted on the future of wages councils.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Full public consultation took place in 1988.
  626
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the Government last announced a reassessment of their policy on wages councils; and when it became her policy to abolish all wages councils.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. and learned Friend, the previous Secretary of State, announced on 6 March 1990 that, following the last consultation exercise, the wages councils' system has no permanent place in the labour market and their operation would be kept under close review. This remains the Government's policy.

  European Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has for her Department to celebrate in 1993, the European Year of the Elderly; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13 July 1992 Official Report, columns 430–31.

  Job Vacancies (Wages)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether jobcentres accept vacancies from employers where the wages offered fall below the relevant wages council minimum.

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

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidance has been given to training and enterprise councils to enter into short-term contracts, and on what basis, and with what criteria, that guidance is to be applied.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend has not issued any guidance to training and enterprise councils about entering into short-term contracts.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of Employment Service local offices displayed an up-to-date list of all services offered by their office on 1 April;

  (2) what percentage of the population was served by an Employment Service one-stop shop; and what percentage was served by separate employment and benefit offices at 1 April;

  (3) what percentage of local offices offered freephone services for job seekers on 1 April.

  Mr.McLoughlin
  Questions on operational matters in the Employment Service executive agency are the responsibility of the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred these questions for reply.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff her Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel cost in 1970.
  627
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The total number of staff employed by the Department at 1 July 1992 was 59,684 at a total salary cost provision for 1992–93 of £1,037·2 million. The staffing level in 1970–71 was 27,872 at an annual salary cost of £41·8 million.

  DTI Inspections
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she will list any public appointments by her Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors;

  (2) if she will list any advisers retained by her Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. The Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Residential Properties
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by her Department; if she will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and the intended future use.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department does not own any residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham.

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers have been prosecuted under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 since 1 January 1989.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Prosecutions under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 may be taken against employers, employees or the self-employed. Details of the number of employers prosecuted are not held centrally. However, during the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1991 the Health and Safety Executive's factory and agricultural inspectorates initiated proceedings which resulted in 55 informations laid or complaints taken in England, Wales and Scotland during this period. This is the latest figure available.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many incidents of exposure to or contact with harmful substances occurred in workplaces registered with(a) the factory inspectorate, (b) the quarries inspectorate, (c) the agricultural inspectorate, (d) the nuclear inspectorate and (e) the mines inspectorate in each year since 1989;

  (2) how many incidents of exposure to or contact with harmful substances occurred in workplaces registered with the railway inspectorate in each year since 1989;

  (3) how many people were reported to have been exposed to or in contact with a harmful substance in each year between 1986 and 1991;

  (4) how many fatal accidents have been associated with exposure to or contact with hazardous substances in 1989, 1990 and 1991.
  628
  Mr. McLoughlin
  Fatalities arising from accidents involving contact with or exposure to a harmful substance reported to all Health and Safety Commission enforcing authorities under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1985 for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are given in the table:

  11989–90

  11990–91

  Employees

  7

  8

  Self-employed

  1

  3

  Members of public2

  3

  1

  TOTAL

  11

  12

  1 Years commencing 1 April.

  2 Members of the public killed as a result of someone else's work activity.

  Occupational injuries arising from exposure to, or contact with a harmful substance reported to HSE's factory and agricultural inspectorates and to local authorities, for years' between 1986 to 1991 are given in the table.

  Year2

  Fatal

  Major3

  Over 3 day4

  Total

  1986–87

  7

  535

  1,198

  1,740

  1987–88

  11

  421

  1,307

  1,739

  1988–89

  7

  397

  1,167

  1,571

  1989–90

  11

  452

  1,312

  1,775

  1990–915

  12

  499

  1,250

  1,761

  1 Injuries at work to employees, self—employed persons and members of the public injured as a result of someone else's work activity reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1985 (RIDDOR).

  2 Years commencing 1 April.

  3 As defined under RIDDOR.

  4 An injury causing incapacity for work for more than three days and reportable for employed persons only.

  5 Includes reports made to the HSE's Quarries Inspectorate.

  Apart from a small number of specific dangerous occurrences, the RIDDOR require injuries rather than incidents to be reported. Information on the number of incidents involving exposure to or contact with a harmful substance is therefore not available.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment she has made of the quality of the suppliers' information on hazardous substances; and what measures the Health and Safety Executive is planning to improve the quality of manufacturers' data sheets.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Manufacturers are required to provide information on hazardous substances under section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Compliance with this requirement is routinely monitored by inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive during visits to manufacturers and their customers. A special survey, by HSE's inspectors, on compliance with section 6 was carried out during 1991–92. Information on this will be available by the beginning of 1993.

  I am pleased to be able to say that on 13 July the Health and Safety Commission published proposals for new regulations dealing with the provision of information on hazardous chemicals. Among other requirements the proposed Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations will, for the first time, oblige suppliers of dangerous chemicals to provide the recipient with a safety data sheet. The standard of the safety data sheet is specified in the draft regulations and is based on an EC

  629
  directive. A code of practice will accompany the regulations and give advice on the completion of the safety data sheet.

  I have made arrangements for the hon. Member to be provided with a copy of the consultative document.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what groups are exempt from the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The duties imposed by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 do not extend to normal shipboard activities carried out by a ship's crew under the direction of the master, nor do they apply to work outside Great Britain: for example, extractive work in the North sea.

  Regulations 6 to 12, which protect persons against risks to their health, do not apply to work underground in a mine.

  The self-employed are exempt from the requirements for monitoring exposure and health surveillance, regulations 10 and 11.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers have been prosecuted under regulation 12 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations for not providing adequate employee training in each year since 1989.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Details of the number of employers prosecuted under regulation 12 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 are not held centrally. The only details available are for informations and complaints initiated by the Health and Safety Executive's factory and agricultural inspectorates. Their records show no informations were laid in England and Wales nor any complaints taken by procurators fiscal in Scotland under regulation 12 during April 1989 to March 1990. During April 1990 to March 1991, nine informations were laid in England and Wales or complaints taken by procurators fiscal in Scotland under this regulation.

  These are the latest figures available.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average fine levied on employers in breach of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 for each year since 1 January 1989, including the latest figure for 1992.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Details of the number of employers prosecuted under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 1988 during the period April 1989 to March 1991 are not held centrally. However, the average fine levied per information in England and Wales or complaint taken by procurators fiscal in Scotland for breaches of COSHH during April 1989 to March 1990 was £600. During April 1990 to March 1991 the figure was £648. Figures are not available for 1992.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many different substances hazardous to health are estimated by the Health and Safety Executive to be at use in the workplace.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Health and Safety Executive officials estimate that 20,000 to 30,000 pure chemicals and :50,000 to 100,000 proprietary mixtures would be hazardous to 630
  health. An accurate estimate of the number of substances hazardous to health cannot be given except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when regulation 6 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 came into force; and what action the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure employers comply with the regulation.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Regulation 6 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) come into force on 1 October 1989, but compliance with the requirement for employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment—regulation 6·1—was deferred until 1 January 1990.

  The Health and Safety Executive has committed substantial resources to promoting awareness and understanding of the regulations throughout Great Britain. It has produced a wide range of guidance material, given lectures, held seminars and made site visits to promote COSHH. The HSE surveys show that over 80 per cent. of people in Great Britain work for companies aware of the regulations.

  Where it has been necessary, enforcement action for breaches of the regulation 6 of COSHH has been initiated by the HSE.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 633 to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) (a) how many of her Department's employees, and (b) what proportion of her Department's employees, were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is as follows. 1,464·5–2·7 per cent—at 1 June 1989; and 1,544 at 1 June 1990–3·2 per cent.

  Note

  1. Staff working fewer than 10 hours per week arc not included.

  2. Staff working between 10 and 30 hours per week are counted as half staff units.

  Shell Oil, Merseyside
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will place in the Library a copy of the Health and Safety Executive report on the toxic emissions at Shell Oil on Merseyside.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Health and Safety Executive has not prepared a report for publication on any toxic emissions at Shell Oil, Merseyside.

  Factory Inspections
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many premises registered with the factory inspectorate have not been inspected in the last 10 years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information about the number of fixed premises registered with the Health and Safety Executive's factory inspectorate that have not been inspected in the last 10 years is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mining Accidents
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information she has available about accident and injury rates in the deep mining industry broken down into those directly employed by British Coal and those employed by sub-contractors; if she will arrange to collect information on accident and injury rates which will allow comparison to be made of the relative safety of employees in the industry on an up-to-date basis; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The following information has been supplied to the Health and Safety Executive by the British Coal Corporation for the year 1991–92.

  Accident rate per 100,000 manshifts

  British Coal "Men on Colliery Books"

  Contractors

  Fatal injuries

  0·07

  0·06

  Major injuries

  2·60

  5·62

  Plus 3 day injuries

  18·52

  23·23

  Contractors normally work in the higher risk areas of the mine. A comparison between underground workers employed by British Coal Corporation and contractors' employees in similar occupations shows a major injury accident rate per 100,000 manshifts of 5·83 for contractors and 5·71 for BCC employees.

  The Health and Safety Executive will continue to collect or receive information which will allow the effective direction of resources to safeguard the health and safety of all workers in the mining industry.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answers of 8 July,Official Report, column 243, whether the information given for

  (a) Derelict land grant expenditure by DOE region since 1987–88 (prices at date of approval)

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  North

  13·520

  10·950

  8·228

  8·425

  8·279

  North West

  21·150

  17·980

  15·582

  11·745

  18·137

  Merseyside Task Force

  8·330

  8·000

  5·989

  7·813

  7·504

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  9·750

  13·660

  12·052

  14·499

  19·109

  West Midlands

  16·630

  16·200

  12·753

  14·728

  17·190

  East Midlands

  8·230

  8·280

  8·457

  10·475

  11·417

  South West

  1·400

  1·680

  0·793

  1·638

  2·525

  South East

  0·610

  0·450

  0·138

  0·247

  0·212

  Eastern

  0·100

  0·140

  0·399

  0·524

  0·228

  Greater London

  1·050

  0·770

  1·042

  1·248

  1·633

  Total

  80·770

  78·110

  65·433

  71·342

  86·234

  (b) Derelict land grant expenditure by DOE region since 1987–88 at 1987–88 prices

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  North

  13·520

  10·212

  7·200

  6·814

  6·258

  North West

  21·150

  16·768

  13·634

  9·499

  13·709

  Merseyside Task Force

  8·330

  7·461

  5·240

  6·319

  5·672

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  9·750

  12·739

  10·546

  11·726

  14·444

  West Midlands

  16·630

  15·108

  11·159

  11·912

  12·993

  East Midlands

  8·230

  7·722

  7·400

  8·472

  8·630

  South West

  1·400

  1·567

  0·694

  1·325

  1·909

  South East

  0·610

  0·420

  0·121

  0·200

  0·160

  Eastern

  0·100

  0·131

  0·349

  0·424

  0·172

  Greater London

  1·050

  0·718

  0·912

  1·009

  1·234

  Total

  80·770

  72·846

  57·255

  57·699

  65·181

  632
  1992–93 in her answers of 9 June, Official Report, column 139, and of 23 June to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central, (Mr. Cousins) Official Report, column 164, is subject to the same degree of commercial confidentiality as the comparable information for each TEC.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Yes. All TECs need the assurance of commercial confidentiality to safeguard their negotiations with their providers.

  Upper Limb Disorder
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, if she will list, for the most recent year for which figures are available, and for each of the five years before, the number of working days lost due to work-related upper limb disorder.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The data requested is not available. However, the accident and ill-health trailer to the 1990 labour force survey will provide estimates of the number of cases for different categories of work-related illness, and of work days lost, based on individuals' reports. The results of the survey are currently being analysed and will be published later this year.

ENVIRONMENT

  Derelict Land Grant
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a table of expenditure on derelect land grant, cross-referenced to standard regions, showing Greater London as a separate region, for each year from 1987–88(a) at current prices and (b) at 1987–88 prices.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Derelict land grant expenditure in the period, by Department of the Environment administrative regions, is shown in the table.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the number of process applications received by local authorities under(a) block one processes, (b) block two processes and (c) block three processes to date, pursuant to the requirements of part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and what evaluation he has made of the adequacy of resources available to local authorities to carry out their new pollution control responsibilities under the Act.

  Mr. Maclean
  The provisional total number of block one applications made to local authorities under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 up to 31 March this year is 3,049, according to the statistical returns sent to my Department by local authorities. The total of block two applications received by local authorities up to that date will be available soon and I will write to the hon. Member with that figure as soon as I can.

  The period for applications for block three processes began on 1 April this year; no statistics are yet available for these. The cost recovery charging scheme set up under section 8(2) of the Act is intended to recover the local authorities' relevant expenditure attributable to authorisations.

  In reviewing the level of fees and charges for 1992–93, my Department took into account the written submissions of the local authority associations on the charging scheme, as well as the views of industry. The Department has asked the local authority associations to submit evidence on the charging scheme again for this year's annual review of the scheme.

  Environmental Information
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to update pollution paper No. 23, 1986, on public access to environmental information.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department will be consulting shortly on draft regulations and guidance to implement EC directive 90/313/EC on the freedom of access to information on the environment.

  Ozone-depleting Substances
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals Her Majesty's Government are putting forward at the current discussions at the United Nations in Geneva to tighten the Montreal protocol on substances damaging to the ozone layer.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to press for a specific target date for the introduction of HCFCs to be included within the Montreal protocol at the forthcoming conference on the revising of the Montreal protocol in Geneva.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom, together with the EC, is proposing that the phase out dates in the Montreal protocol be brought forward to the end of 1995. This is an advance on the current phase out schedules of four years for CFCs, halons and carbon tetrachloride and nine years for 1,1,1 trichloroethane. We are also proposing that HCFCs should be included in the protocol with strict 634
  controls on their areas of use, a quantitative limit on their total consumption and a final phase out date. The details of the controls will be decided by the parties during the review of the protocol in November.

  New Houses, South-West
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since 1986 the number of houses built in each of the districts of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall(a) by local authorities and (b) by housing associations.

  Mr. Baldry
  Estimates of housebuilding completions by local authorities and housing associations for each local authority area in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall are shown in the publications "Local Housing Statistics" and "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas". Figures for 1986 to 1988 are in tables 1·7 to 1·9 of "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas: 1980 to 1989". Revised 1989 figures are in table 1(b) of the April 1991 edition—issue No. 97—of "Local Housing Statistics" and figures for 1990 and 1991 are in tables 1(a) and 1(b) of the April 1992 edition—issue No. 101. Copies of all these publications are in the Library.

  European Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for his Department to celebrate in 1993, the European Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, [Official Report, columns 430–31].

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he intends to review his policy of uniform business rate with respect to outdoor advertising companies;

  (2) what representations he has received regarding the effect of the uniform business rate on outdoor advertising companies.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I have received a number of representations on this subject since April 1990. Hoardings and other advertising stations constitute non-domestic property and will continue to be rateable, as they have been since the last century.

  Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to increase the transparency in environmental policy formulation in the European Community during his presidency of the Environment Council.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom welcomes in principle proposals in the fifth environment action programme to improve consultation with environmental groups, business and others during the formulation of draft legislation. We will be asking the Council to endorse the programme during the United Kingdom presidency.

  Draft EC Legislation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress made in draft environmental legislation inherited by the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom assumed the presidency on 1 July. Since then the Council's environment working group has had preliminary discussions on various matters. The first meeting of the Environment Council under the United Kingdom presidency will be on 20 October.

  Coalite Plant, Derbyshire
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether HM inspectorate of pollution will publish the results of air sampling in and around the Coalite plant in Derbyshire.

  Mr. Maclean
  Yes. The results of the air sampling being commissioned by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will he published.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will acquire for his Departmental library a copy of the articles on ozone depletion and ultra-violet radiation, details of which had been sent to him.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department of the Environment Library already acquired a copy of the article when it was first published.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the level of essential use attributed to CFCs and HCFCs.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) and to the answer I gave on 16 June to my hon. Friend, the Member for Bury, South (Mr. Sumberg),Official Report column 443, in which I explained that the Department has commissioned a study on CFC use within the United Kingdom refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The study will identify areas of CFC use which need to continue and for which alternative technologies are not yet available. The Department of Trade and Industry has commissioned a similar study into the use of CFCs as solvents.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to quantify the use of CFCs in the United Kingdom and the extent to which current demand can be met by recycling rather than from existing production.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 June to my hon. Friend, the Member for Bury, South (Mr. Sumberg),Official Report column 442. In that answer I announced that the Department has commissioned a study of the use of CFCs by the United Kingdom refrigeration and air conditioning industry. This will seek to quantify the level of CFCs that the industry will need until the year 2000 and the extent to which this can be met from recycled material. The Department of Trade and Industry has commissioned a similar study into the use of CFCs as solvents.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the rough sleepers initiative beyond 1992–93.

  Mr. Baldry
  We are currently considering the future of the initiative. My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing has had a number of useful meetings with voluntary organisations and others.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total level of poll tax arrears outstanding at the end of 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Inner Cities on 7 July to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett),Official Report column 163.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how council tax arrears will be treated within local authority financial arrangements; and whether he has any plans to treat such arrears or interest incurred on them as expenditure for the purpose of calculating capping levels.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It will be the responsibility of each billing authority to collect its arrears of council tax; we intend that any costs of collection and associated interest charges incurred in a year by the authority should fall to be met from its budget for the year, which under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 will be subject to any capping regime.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all measures which a local authority may take to collect poll tax and arrears of poll tax.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Once it has obtained a liability order from a court an authority may collect unpaid community charges by any of the following methods: an attachment of earnings order; distress; deductions from income support; charging orders (for collective community charges only); bankruptcy and winding up. An authority may not pursue more than one of these remedies at the same time.

  If, having attempted to levy distress, an authority is unable to find any or sufficient goods to distrain, it may seek to have the chargepayer committed to prison.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the measures which a local authority may take to collect council tax and any arreas of council tax.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Once it has obtained a liability order from a court an authority may collect unpaid council taxes by any of the following methods: an attachment of earnings order; distress; deductions from income support; charging orders; attachment of councillors' allowances; and bankruptcy and winding up. An authority may not pursue more than one of these remedies at the same time.

  If, having attempted to levy distress, an authority is unable to find any or sufficient goods to distrain, it may seek to have the chargepayer committed to prison.
  637
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of poll tax arrears which will exist at the end of 1992–93.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My Department has not made any estimate of the level of community charge arrears at the end of 1992–93.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how poll tax arrears, outstanding at the end of 1992–93 and interest incurred on them, will be treated in future financial years; and whether he has any plans to treat outstanding arrears or interest incurred on them as expenditure for the purposes of calculating capping levels.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is the responsibility of each billing authority to collect its arrears of community charges outstanding at the end of 1992–93; we intend that any costs of collection and associated interest charges incurred by the authority in 1993–94 and subsequent years should fall to be met from its budget for the year, which under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 will be subject to any capping regime.

  Year

  Average weekly rent

  Private and Housing Association

  Unfurnished

  Furnished

  Housing Benefit

  Average weekly Housing Benefit per property

  Number of properties at 31 December (private rented only)

  Great Britain

  England

  £

  £

  £m

  £

  thousands

  1983–84

  —

  —

  483

  4·10

  1,849

  1984–85

  12·30

  21·00

  614

  5·30

  1,778

  1985–86

  13·80

  24·80

  784

  6·90

  1,709

  1986–87

  19·80

  30·40

  875

  7·90

  1,641

  1987–88

  18·80

  35·20

  891

  8·20

  1,580

  1988–89

  22·50

  36·90

  915

  8·60

  1,532

  1989–90

  21·90

  40·80

  1,159

  10·90

  1,507

  1990–91

  30·50

  53·30

  1,360

  12·50

  1,507

  1991–92

  —

  —

  1,886

  117·10

  11,506

  1Provisional.

  The source of the rent information is the "Family Expenditure Survey" (FES). The rents relate to the nearest calender year to each financial year—1983 rents are shown for 1983–84, etc. As the FES is a sample survey the estimates of rent are subject to sampling error.

  Information on housing benefit is available for tenants of private landlords and housing associations together but not separately.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to seek to amend legislation or regulations relating to the transfer of homes from local authority to other forms of ownership and the terms and conditions under which such transfers took place.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 21 May 1992 to my hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr. Willets),Official Report, column 198. The consultation paper will be published shortly.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for housing association properties for each of the last 10 years(a) the average rent levels, (b) the total housing benefit paid, (c) the average benefit paid per property and (d) the number of properties at the year end.
  638
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria his Department uses to determine a council's standard spending assessment.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The method by which standard spending assessments are calculated for all authorities is set out in the "Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England)" as amended by subsequent amendment reports. These are debated and approved by the House annually and copies are available in the Library.

  Housing
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for private rented properties by type of housing for the last 10 years(a) the average rent levels, (b) the level of housing benefit paid, (c) the average benefit paid per property and (d) the number of properties at the year end.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information available is as follows:

  Mr. Baldry
  The information available covering rent levels and stock is set out in the table. Housing benefit statistics do not identify payments to housing association tenants separately.

  Year

  Average housing association rents including service charges (£/week)

  Housing association stock at 31st December (thousands)

  Registered rents2

  Assured tenancies3

  1981

  14

  —

  420

  1982

  16

  —

  428

  1983

  17

  —

  441

  1984

  19

  —

  455

  1985

  20

  —

  472

  1986

  21

  —

  482

  1987

  23

  —

  496

  1988

  25

  —

  515

  1989

  27

  —

  544

  1990

  30

  34

  589

  1991

  33

  39

  1619

  1Provisional.

  2Fair rents registered or re-registered by Rent Officers in the period.

  3Assured tenancy rents for lettings in the period.

  Source: National Federation of Housing Associations.

  BNFL, Sellafield
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent information he has received from the Health and Safety Executive following its
  639
  completion of its report on the Health and Safety Executive investigation into the safety and status of radioactive waste management at British Nuclear Fuels' Sellafield plant.

  Mr. Maclean
  No further information has been received from the Health and Safety Executive following the publication of its report and its receipt by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Council Tenants
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of council tenants have transferred their tenancy away from local authority control since July 1991.

  Mr. Baldry
  Approximately 7,700 local authority dwellings in England arc known to have been transferred from local authority control to housing associations and other bodies between July 1991 and March 1992, the latest date for which detailed information is available. This represents about one fifth of one per cent. of local authority housing stock in England. In addition a further 14,800 dwellings were transferred in two block transfers in April 1992.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list for council housing for each of the last 10 years(a) the average rent levels, (b) the total housing benefit paid, (e) the average benefit paid per property and (d) the number of properties at the year end;

  (2) if he will list for properties transferred by agreement with the tenant to other forms of ownership for all years since transfers began (a) the average rent levels, (b) the total housing benefit paid, (c) the average benefit paid per property and (d) the total number of payments at the year end.

  Mr. Baldry
  The available information is as follows:

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  (e)

  Year

  Average weekly unrebated rent

  Total housing benefit paid

  Average weekly benefit per property

  Number of properties at 31 December

  £

  £ million

  £

  000s

  1983–84

  14·03

  1,659

  6·66

  4,788

  1984–85

  14·79

  1,789

  7·31

  4,705

  1985–86

  15·63

  1,902

  7·91

  4,627

  1986–87

  16·48

  1,980

  8·36

  4,556

  1987–88

  17·40

  2,029

  8·74

  4,465

  1988–89

  19·01

  2,172

  9·66

  4,325

  1989–90

  20·86

  2,351

  10·87

  4,161

  1990–91

  23·94

  2,586

  12·33

  4,034

  1991–92

  27·41

  2,687

  112·91

  14,004

  1 Provisional.

  Corresponding information on properties transferred by agreement to other forms of ownership is not available.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new rights have been introduced for council tenants since July 1991 to simplify and strengthen their ability to get minor repairs affecting health, safety or crime prevention carried out by their landlord.

  Mr. Baldry
  Subject to enactment of the necessary legislation, we propose to introduce a new right to repair scheme. Details will be published later this year. The new scheme will enable council tenants to get small urgent repairs, affecting health, safety and security, done quickly.

  Departmental Properties
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by his Department; and if he will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and the intended future use.

  Mr. Baldry
  No residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are managed by the Department of the Environment. Information in respect of any of residential properties in the borough held and managed by other Departments as part of their departmental estate is for Departments themselves to list.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in the network installer area containing the Bridgend constituency have benefited from home energy efficiency scheme grants since 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 2,341 homes have benefited from home energy efficiency scheme grant since 1 January 1991.

  City Challenge
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the decisions on city challenge applications before 16 July.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No.

  Leeds Task Force
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, North-West (Dr. Hampson), 6 July,Official Report, column 79. if he will list the businesses assisted by the task force and show whether the assistance was (a) financial aid, (b) advice, (c) provision of information of (d) other.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A list of the individual businesses assisted by the Government's former Leeds task force is maintained by the bodies providing the assistance and no central record is kept. Businesses in the task force area were assisted on over 417 occasions. Assistance took the form of advice (350 occasions), financial help (241 occasions), use of premises either purchased or refurbished by the task force (172 occasions) and help to attend or exhibit at events such as trade fairs (71 occasions). The figures total more than 417 because, in some instances, the assistance given covered more than one of the categories.

  International Bible Students Association
  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received expressing opposition to the proposal by the International Bible Students Association to make further developments to the site on which the Watchtower House, Mill Hill, is located; whether these proposals infringe the Government's green belt policy; and if he will order a
  641
  public inquiry for the purpose of collecting local objections before making any decision on matters relating to any International Bible Students Association appeal.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend has received four representations and one petition.

  The applicants have appealed to my right hon. Friend who will appoint an inspector to examine the merits of the case.

  The principle parties to an appeal are normally consulted about whether to hold a public inquiry or to proceed on the basis of written representations. In this case they have opted for written representations but the local residents will have an opportunity to make their views known in writing to the inspector.

  London Forum
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the London Forum.

  Mr. Howard
  In the Conservative Manifesto for the general election the Government undertook to convene a private sector forum to promote London internationally. I can now announce the Government's proposals in more detail.

  The members of the forum will be drawn from the private sector. We intend to convene a first-class chairman and members, totalling about 12 in all, who can bring their entrepreneurial and presentational expertise to the business of promoting London.

  The key functions of the forum will be to promote London internationally with a view to maximising business investment and growth in the capital, and to expanding London's role as a centre for tourism and culture. The forum will also wish to become involved in significant developments to maintain its position as one of the world's leading capital cities.

  To drive this work forward, the forum will need to be supported by a strong chief executive backed by a small but high calibre team of staff. Private enterprise in London will benefit from the activities of the forum, and it will be appropriate for the forum to look to the private sector for its funding.

  The forum will need to establish strong working relationships with business organisations in London, with training and enterprise councils and with existing bodies charged with arts and tourism responsibilities, particularly the London tourist board and the British Tourist Authority. It will also need to co-operate closely with local authorities and other public sector bodies in London. As well as informal links with all these bodies, it will need to establish a formal mechanism for consulting key organisations on a regular basis. A consultative group comprising all the key bodies will be set up for this purpose.

  I will be taking forward these proposals for the forum over the summer, in consultation with key organisations with an interest in promoting London. A further announcement will be made in the autumn.

  Pollution Information
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those categories of information in regard to pollution that his Department or predecessor 642
  Departments have asked to be withheld from public disclosure under section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1967.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 30 June 1992]: None.

  Second Hand Cars
  Mr. Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to prohibit the use by organisations of the highway outside residential properties for displaying second hand cars for sale.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 8 July 1992]: I have been asked to reply.

  Part III of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 already enables district councils to take powers to control the selling, exposing or offering for sale, of any article on any road or footway.

  Where the display of cars for sale on the highway takes place in association with off-highway land which is being used for the sale of second-hand cars in breach of planning control, local planning authorities have adequate powers to take enforcement action under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The parking of such vehicles on the highway may also constitute an offence if waiting restrictions apply or if the vehicles are parked dangerously or obstructively; in such circumstances, action would be a matter for the police or traffic wardens, as appropriate.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady) on 9 June,Official Report, columns 146–47, if he will set out the methods by which the Government intend to carry out the option to return radioactive waste from British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.'s reprocessing activities for overseas customers; and whether reprocessing contracts signed by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority with overseas customers contain parallel return-to-sender options for nuclear waste arising from reprocessing.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since 1976, all contracts signed by British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for reprocessing overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes. As envisaged in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) on 2 May 1986 at columns 500–01, the option of substituting for less radioactive wastes an equivalent quantity, in radiological terms, of higher level wastes is being considered. BNFL has put forward proposals on these lines and the Radioactive Waste Management advisory committee has been asked for its views on the likely radiological and environmental impact for the United Kingdom.

TRANSPORT

  Shipping
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the main financial and other advantages to the owners of beneficially(a) British owned and (b) non-British owned vessels of registering in the United Kingdom register, as opposed to the registers of the Crown

  643
  dependencies, of registering in Crown dependencies as opposed to the United Kingdom register, of the Crown dependencies registers as opposed to the British dependent territories registers, of the British dependent territories registers as opposed to the Crown dependencies registers, of the United Kingdom register as opposed to British dependent territories registers, and of the British dependent territories register as opposed to the United Kingdom register.

  Mr. Norris
  The advantages which shipowners receive from any particular register will depend to a great extent upon the individual circumstances under which each shipowner is operating.

  The United Kingdom aims to ensure that all British shipping registers are operated under similar rules and conditions and, in particular, that all comply with proper safety standards. The advantage of high-quality operation, plus access to British consular services and protection form the Royal Navy, apply to vessels registered on any British register.

  Within this framework, the dependent territories and Crown dependencies are largely free to make such fiscal arrangements as they consider appropriate in relation either to companies generally or specifically to companies operating vessels on their registers.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what comparative examination he has made of the British tax regime as it affects(a) the Merchant Navy and (b) seafarers relative to the tax regimes of (i) France, (ii) Germany, (iii) Greece, (iv) Norway and (v) Denmark; if he will list the main differences; and what conclusion he has reached as to, respectively, the advantages and disadvantages to the British Merchant Navy of each difference;

  (2) what latest comparative examination he has made of the requirements and the consequences of merchant ships registered in the (a) French, (b) German, (c) Greek, (d) Norwegian and (e) Danish registers as opposed to the United Kingdom register; if he will list the main economic and other differences for merchant ships in both requirements and consequences; and if he will list the main economic and other advantages and disadvantages in each case.

  Mr. Norris
  We monitor the different forms of direct and indirect subsidies granted by other countries and it is our policy in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and EC to press for the removal of any forms of subsidy which have the effect of distorting competition.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the continuing reduction in the number of vessels on the British register; and what further action he has in mind to increase the size of the British Merchant Navy.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: My Department is constantly monitoring the state of the British shipping industry and, in close liaison with the industry itself, is prepared to consider any measure to encourage and facilitate registration in the United Kingdom which falls within its remit.

  The Merchant Shipping (Registrations etc.) Bill which is to come before this House early in 1993 offers opportunities to simplify ship registration law and make provision for the registration of vessels on bareboat
  644
  charter. Subject to the precise provisions of this private Member's Bill, the Government will wholeheartedly support this important measure. My Department is also participating with the industry in a thorough review of the structure of United Kingdom maritime examinations and certificates of competency. In international fora, we continue to press strongly for the removal of subsidies, restrictions on trade, and poorly enforced safety standards, in order that British shipping is given greater opportunity to compete on a fair and equal basis.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many fishing vessels have been registered in, respectively, England, Wales and Harwich for each of the last 20 years;

  (2) how many vessels from Northern Ireland have been registered in the United Kingdom fishing vessel register each year for the last 20 years.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department maintains records of the registration of United Kingdom fishing vessels only since 1989 and not in the form that can readily provide the information requested. I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as the information has been extracted.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the number and the percentage of fishing vessels on the United Kingdom register of fishing vessels which are beneficially non-British owned; and if he will list such vessels by the country of beneficial ownership.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  Spain

  56

  Holland

  18

  Denmark

  2

  Belgium

  1

  Total

  177

  1 Less than 1 per cent, of the total registered fleet.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on how many persons have been employed as(a) skippers, (b) second hands and (c) engineers on registered United Kingdom fishing vessels in (i) England and (ii) Harwich, for each year since 1972.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department does not maintain such statistics.

  Orange Badges
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the regulations which apply to the issuing of orange badges with a view to enabling hospital consultants to issue a dated, temporary sticker to patients who in their medical opinion require such a facility.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Under the existing legislation, only local authorities are empowered to issue badges. The possibility of issuing temporary badges was considered during the recent review of the scheme. It was rejected in the light of representations received and difficulties that would have arisen in the successful operation of the scheme.

  M25
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transort, pursuant to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 664, (1) if he will list the addresses of the 2,300 properties which received brochures about his plans to enlarge the M25 between junctions 12 and 15;

  (2) if he will list the addresses of the 24 residential and eight commercial properties that would need to be demolished if his plans to enlarge the M25 between junctions 12 and 15 go ahead.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state what is the maximum volume of traffic he expects the M25 and the new proposed feeder roads together to take.
  646
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: My Department has produced forecasts of traffic flows on the M25 between junctions 12 and 15 for the year 2015. On the basis of high growth assumptions, the volumes of traffic expected to use this section of the motorway and the proposed new link roads expressed as average annual daily traffic, are as follows:

  Junctions 12–13—210,000

  Junctions 13–14—228,000

  Junctions 14–15—220,000

  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the paper outlining the different options for solving the congestion on the M25.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider making catalytic converters compulsory on all new cars.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  To meet the stricter EC emission limits that will come into force on 31 December, virtually all new petrol-engined cars first used from that date will need to make use of three-way catalytic converters, whereas new diesel-engined cars will not. EC directive 91/441, which prescribes the limits, does not specify the technology by which those limits are met.

  European Year of the Elderly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for his Department to celebrate in 1993, the European Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Throughout the Year of the Elderly, the Department of Transport will continue to work with the transport industry to plan and provide for the increasing numbers of elderly people, and those with disabilities, and to introduce measures of positive benefit to them.

  Vehicle Fire Resistance
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to improve the fire resistance of car and bus interiors as outlined in the non-statutory regulations issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to car manufacturers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The European Commission has recently published a proposal for a directive relating to the burning behaviour of materials used in the construction of certain categories of motor vehicles. The proposal has not yet been considered by the Council. Although it does not cover the full range of vehicle interiors, it would be premature to act nationally before discussions have taken place.

  Railway Stations (Accidents)
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents there were in the last five years involving persons falling down the gap between train and platform on railway stations.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not readily available as the Health and Safety Executive's annual report on railway safety does not classify accidents in this way.

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the level of transport supplementary grant in(a) Wiltshire and (b) Thamesdown in each of the last 10 years for which figures arc available.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The figures for Wiltshire county council are:

  Year

  Transport Supplementary Grant (£ million)

  1983–84

  1·399

  1984–85

  2·488

  1985–86

  1·391

  648

  Year

  Transport Supplementary Grant (£ million)

  1986–87

  1·448

  1987–88

  1·429

  1988–89

  0·361

  1989–90

  0·109

  1990–91

  2·985

  1991–92

  2·688

  1992–93

  1·493

  Transport supplementary grant has not been paid to Thamesdown. It is paid to local highway authorities. The local highway authority for Thamesdown is Wiltshire county council.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in 1991–92 what proportion of Network SouthEast trains(a) arrived within five minutes of the published time, (b) arrived within five minutes of the published time within the morning and evening peak and (c) were cleaned inside and out each day.

  Mr. Freeman
  The answer is:

  (a) 91 per cent.

  (b) 85 per cent.

  (c) 79 per cent.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in 1991–92 what proportion of Network SouthEast passengers were served by booking offices(a) within three minutes and (b) within five minutes in the peak.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1991–92, British Rail estimates that 97·4 per cent. of passengers were served by booking offices within three minutes and within five minutes during the peak.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in 1991–92 what proportion of telephone inquiries about Network SouthEast trains were answered within 30 seconds.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1991–92, British Rail estimates that 91 per cent. of telephone enquiries about Network SouthEast trains were answered within 30 seconds, an improvement of 3 per cent. on the previous year.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff. Central (Mr. Jones) of 3 July,Official Report, column 729, what is the source of the data his Department provided to the International Atomic Energy Agency on the shipments of nuclear materials in 1990.

  Mr. Norris
  Information supplied by British Nuclear Fuels plc., Nuclear Transport Ltd., Nuclear Electric, Scottish Nuclear and AEA Technology.

  Life Jackets
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to make the wearing of life jackets compulsory for all users of pleasure craft under 10 m, when under way.
  649
  Mr. Norris
  Her Majesty's Coastguard has issued a brochure which states that life jackets for all on hoard are essential and should be worn at all times.

  National Travel Card
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will establish a national travel card allowing pensioners to travel at concessionary rates on different forms of public transport without having to make arrangements with separate local or transport authorities.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have no plans to change the present arrangements for travel by pensioners on local bus services. Both British Rail and long-distance coach operators have their own commercial travel concessions for elderly people.

  Light Dues
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has reached following the publication of the British Ports Association study on extending light dues to pleasure craft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) on 2 June,Official Report, column 512.

  Greater Crested Newts
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his discussions with English Nature about the future of great crested newts at Barnfield pond in the Huntingdon constituency, in relation to land construction.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  A meeting was held with English Nature on 23 June to discuss proposals for protecting the newt colony at Barnfield pond. Although the Department's preferred option is translocation of the newts, English Nature asked for an assessment of whether it would be possible to realign the road locally. Our consultants are to make the assessment and further discussions will take place.

  British Rail Performance
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of British Rail stations display daily figures for their performance on punctuality and reliability of local services.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail does not publish daily figures for punctuality and reliability. However, in keeping with the passengers charter commitment to keep passengers informed of how services perform, "TrackRecord" displays showing details of punctuality and reliability are displayed at major stations. These are updated every four weeks.

  London Underground
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on London Underground(a) what percentage of scheduled mileage was run in April, (b) what percentage of passengers had to wait more than one and a half times the scheduled interval in April, (c) what percentage of
  650
  trains were cleaned internally every day and externally every three days in April and (d) what percentage of passengers had to wait more than three minutes for their tickets in April.

  Mr. Norris
  In the four week period up to 25 April, London Underground operated 98 per cent. of scheduled train mileage, 6 per cent. of passengers waited longer than one and a half times the scheduled interval for an underground train, 97 per cent. of underground trains were cleaned internally every service day and 82 per cent. were cleaned externally every three service days, and 1 per cent. of passengers waited longer than three minutes to purchase a ticket. In May, the Government set the Underground a new series of quality of service objectives for the next two years.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of people taking their driving test in March had waited more than six weeks for their test.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have asked the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Vehicle Emissions
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor vehicles have been checked for dirty emissions during 1991; how many prosecutions resulted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Annual roadworthiness tests of cars, goods vehicles and buses, of which there are some 19 million a year, include an emissions check. Such checks were introduced for cars and light goods vehicles in November 1991. Vehicles fail tests if emissions exceed the relevant limits. In addition, in 1991–92 the vehicle inspectorate checked smoke emission during inspections of 313,781 heavy goods vehicles and 32,441 public service vehicles, and 4,778 heavy goods vehicles were subject to smoke-only checks. The inspectorate's policy is to prohibit a vehicle which is smoking excessively, although separate figures for prohibitions for this defect arc not available. The police also have the power to inspect vehicle emissions and to prosecute if they see fit.

  Plastic Waste
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory provisions relate to the disposal of plastic waste at sea; and if he has any plans to review current legislation.

  Mr. Norris
  The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulations 1988 prohibit the discharge of plastics into the sea; these regulations are amended as necessary to implement any new MARPOL—marine pollution—73/78 convention requirements.

  Accidents at Sea
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents have been reported for each of the last five years in British waters, involving professionally qualified crews.
  651
  Mr. Norris
  The statistics maintained do not distinguish between accidents within and outside United Kingdom territorial waters.

  The number of reported accidents worldwide involving United Kingdom registered merchant vessels over 100 gross tonnes or fishing vessels for the period 1987 to 1992 is:

  Year

  Accidents to vessels

  Accidents to crew

  1987

  471

  709

  1988

  641

  680

  1989

  786

  690

  1990

  799

  718

  1991

  577

  729

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pleasure craft are registered to use British waters; and how many accidents have been reported for each of the last five years involving such pleasure craft.

  Mr. Norris
  There are 73,000 pleasure craft currently registered in the United Kingdom.

  The Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation) Regulations 1987 define, among other things, the term "pleasure craft" as a vessel primarily used for sport or recreation. The regulations do not require such vessels to report accidents.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the events surrounding the discovery of an empty fishing boat Springbok off the north Devon coast on 8 July, with particular reference to the role of the coastguard.

  Mr. Norris
  The empty fishing dory Springbok was reported to Swansea Coastguard on the morning of 8 July 1992. Swansea Coastguard immediately initiated the standard course of search-and-rescue action based on the initial information.

  By late evening on 8 July, it was established that on 5 July Milford Haven Coastguard had received a report by the owners that the Springbok had gone missing.

  Watch officers at Milford Haven did not however associate this information with the request by the marine rescue co-ordination centre, Swansea on 8 July that record be checked for reports of missing craft.

  HM Coastguard, while satisfied that MRCC Swansea acted correctly in this incident, accepts that a mistake was made, and has carried out an internal inquiry to determine the reasons why the recorded information was not identified and passed on by MRSC Milford Haven on 8 July. Action has been taken in the light of this inquiry to remind officers of the correct procedure.

  Rail Maintenance Grant
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the grant for permanent way maintenance and replacement on British Rail for the last financial year; and how much was actually spent.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail estimates that total permanent way maintenance and replacement costs were some £620 million for the last financial year, including £249·7 million for the public service obligation (PSO) grant supported sectors, Network SouthEast and regional railways. PSO grant is paid as a total to the board by the 652
  Government to compensate BR for maintaining its loss-making passenger services. The latest BR annual report shows that PSO grant for 1991–92 totalled £890.7 million.

  Empty Housing
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by his Department; if he will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and the intended future use.

  Mr. Norris
  My Department owns 22 residential properties acquired for a trunk road improvement and all are currently let. In addition, five residential properties were transferred to the Department from the National Bus Company on its dissolution in 1991. These five are currently vacant. Three are to be demolished to enable a housing development to take place. The other two are required for the trunk road improvement scheme and consideration is being given to the possibility of letting them in the meantime. It is not my Department's practice to release publicly the address of vacant properties.

  The Department also owns 14 commercial properties, with integral living accommodation, all acquired for the trunk road scheme. Twelve of these are let on a commercial basis and attempts are being made to find suitable commercial tenants for the other two.

  DTI Inspections
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Norris
  Such information is not available centrally but my right hon. Friend takes account of all relevant factors in making appointments.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.

  Mr. Norris
  The devolved nature of my Department means that no central record of advisers is maintained. However, full account is taken of all relevant factors when the employment of advisers is being considered.

  Ferry Tariffs
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to meet other EC representatives to discuss policy on ferry tariffs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  I have no such plans.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 29 June to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner),
  653
  Official Report, column 393 (a) how many of his Department's employees and (b) what proportion of his Department's employees were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Norris
  The numbers and proportion of registered disabled staff employed in the Department in 1989 and 1990 are:

  Year

  1989

  Number

  188

  Percentage

  1·35

  1990

  Number

  186

  Percentage

  1·28

  Nuclear Fuel Rods
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 June,Official Report, column 343, which Government Department keeps records of the import by air of nuclear fuel rods into the United Kingdom; and whether this information is published.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise keeps records of such imports into the United Kingdom and compiles aggregated trade statistics which are published monthly by the Central Statistical Office—overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom: M MM20 of the business monitor series. The safeguards office of the Department of Trade and Industry receives information on imports of safeguarded nuclear material, including fuel rods, and forwards this to Euratom. Information for safeguards purposes is supplied in confidence. Neither the overseas trade statistics nor the information held by safeguards office identifies separately movements by air.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom, by type, giving the radius of the emergency planning zone in each case.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows:

  Nuclear power station

  Type

  Emergency planning zone (Km)

  Chapelcross

  Magnox

  2

  Calder Hall

  Magnox

  2

  Torness

  AGR

  3

  Huntcrston A

  Magnox

  2·4

  Hunterston B

  AGR

  Dounreay

  Prototype fast reactor

  5

  Hartlepool

  AGR

  1

  Heysham 1

  AGR

  1

  Heysham 2

  AGR

  Wylfa

  Magnox

  1·6

  Trawsfynydd

  Magnox

  2·5

  Berkeley

  Magnox

  1

  Oldbury

  Magnox

  1

  Hinkley A

  Magnox1

  3·5

  Hinkley B

  AGR

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  Nuclear power station

  Type

  Emergency planning zone (Km)

  Sizewell A

  Magnox

  2·5

  Bradwell

  Magnox

  2·4

  Dungeness A

  Magnox

  2·4

  Dungeness B

  AGR

  The distances quoted are the radii of the detailed emergency planning zones around each nuclear power station in the United Kingdom. The size of these zones, formally approved by the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate, is based on a "reference" accident for the reactor type in question. The reference accident is the maximum size of an accident that can reasonably be foreseen. On this basis, the size of the detailed emergency planning zone for steel pressure vessel Magnox stations is larger than for concrete pressure vessel Magnox and AGR stations. In the case of steel pressure vessel Magnox stations which have been de-fuelled—for example, Berkeley—the zone has been reduced. Some distances have also been extended where necessary to take into account local circumstances, topography and population distribution. This is particularly the case in Scotland.

  Pottery and Ceramics
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will identify the posts and locations of officers dealing with the pottery and ceramics industry.

  Mr. Eggar
  Depending on the subject matter, officers in various parts of my Department will have dealings with the pottery and ceramics industry. Further details of the restructuring of the Department, including the revised sponsorship responsibilities, will be available soon.

  British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the purchase cost around the Sellafield reprocessing plant owned by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. was met from public funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Land acquisition by British Nuclear Fuels plc is a commercial matter for the company. The Government have made no grants to BNFL for this purpose.

  Wearmouth Colliery
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the value of capital investment at Wearmouth colliery for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation.

  Power Demand
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's estimate of the current demand for power set against supply(a) currently, (b) by 2000 and (c) by 2010; and how the future estimates are reached.

  Mr. Eggar
  The latest estimates of electricity supply and demand are available in my Department's publication
  655
  "Energy Trends". Provisional 1991 figures for total electricity available for consumption, from both public distribution and other generators, in the United Kingdom amounted to some 315 TWh which, after transmission, distribution and other losses, provided for some 290 TWh of electricity consumption.

  The Department does not produce specific estimates of future energy demand, although some analysis of the energy market is carried out in order to produce scenarios for United Kingdom carbon dioxide emission. Details of the revised scenarios, including their underlying assumptions, are being prepared for publication.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to increase his Department's export control office to support the agreement made at the G7 summit in Munich to extend co-operation between the G7 member states on sensitive export controls and to tighten existing arrangements on export licensing.

  Mr. Needham
  I am confident that the resources currently allocated to export controls are adequate. However, I would consider increasing them in the future if the United Kingdom's international export control obligations made it necessary to do so.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 761, on safeguarded withdrawals of nuclear materials, if he will set out (a) how many of the 41 withdrawals were permanent, (b) what was the type of nuclear material involved in each case and the purpose of each withdrawal, (c) which nuclear facilities were involved and (d) whether Euratom and the International Atomic Energy Agency, respectively, were informed in advance about each withdrawal.

  Mr. Eggar
  Details of withdrawals of material from safeguards under the tripartite safeguards agreement are supplied in advance to the IAEA and Euratom on a confidential basis. It would not be in the public interest to publish this information.

  Blue Arrow plc
  Mr. Duncan-Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the nature of the representation which caused his predecessor to delay publication of the inspector's report on Blue Arrow plc; and in what circumstances publication will now be appropriate.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 30 June,Official Report, column 527. It would be inappropriate for me to indicate the nature of the representations or to comment further.

  Company Accounts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proposals he has under which public limited companies would be required to file their accounts at Companies house within three months of year end;

  (2) if he will draw up proposals under which all private companies would be required to file their annual accounts at Companies house within six months of year end.
  656
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no immediate plans to reduce the period allowed for laying and delivery of accounts from the present 10 months for private companies and seven months for public limited companies. My priority has been to improve levels of compliance with the existing requirements.

  Prior to the introduction of late filing penalties for accounts on 1 July, over 91 per cent. of active companies. that is, those not in liquidation or in course of dissolution, had provided Companies house with the latest accounts due. I shall, however, be seeking further improvements.

  Market Values
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will propose legislation under which all large companies would be required to show market values of their assets in the balance sheet.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no plans to do so.

  Accounting Standards Board
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for increasing the full-time membership of the Accounting Standards Board.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Membership of the Accounting Standards Board is a matter for the Financial Reporting Council.

  Financial Reporting Council
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the financing arrangements for the Financial Reporting Council currently in place and the arrangements which will apply from 1993–94.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  At present, broadly one third of the funding of the Financial Reporting Council is provided by the Government, one third by the accountancy profession through the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies and the final third by bodies representing City interests. The chairman of the FRC is currently engaged in setting up the arrangements for 1993–94 onwards.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much is his contribution to the Financial Reporting Council's costs(a) in 1991–92 and (b) proposed for 1992–93.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Department's contribution to the costs of the Financial Reporting Council and its associated bodies in 1991–92 was £907,793. Its contribution for 1992–93 is expected to be £620,000. The figure for 1991–92 included an element towards the financial reporting review panel's legal costs fund, for which no further contribution is required in 1992–93.

  Auditing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date he first became aware that the going concern auditing guideline urged auditors to be passive.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have noted, but do not necessarily accept, the hon. Member's view, from which I assume that he welcomes the exposure draft on this subject issued by the Auditing Practices Board on 12 May.
  657
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade under which parts of the Companies Acts company auditors owe a duty of care to individual shareholders.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The question whether auditors owe a duty of care in respect of their functions under the Companies Acts, and to whom, is a matter for the common law. I refer the hon. Member to the judgment of the House of Lords in Caparo Industries plc v Dickman and others.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will produce proposals to amend the Partnership Act 1890 to require auditing firms to publish information about their affairs.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will appoint an independent commission to investigate the handling of auditor regulation by the recognised supervisory bodies.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which parts of the Companies Acts require auditors to inform shareholders on the effectiveness of internal controls.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The expression "internal controls" does not appear in the Companies Acts. So far as company accounts are concerned, however, the duties of auditors set out in section 237 of the Companies Act 1985 include a requirement to report if they are of opinion that proper accounting records have not been kept by the company.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will propose legislation under which a company's auditors would be prevented from acting as receivers for that company.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy that his Department will offer no consultancy work to any auditing firm criticised in the inspectors' report for a period of at least five years after that report.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No. However, in considering the appointment of auditing firms any criticisms which may have been made in this way will be taken into account.

  Recognised Supervisory Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will propose legislation under which unelected persons would not be able to sit on the councils of the recognised supervisory bodies under the Companies Act 1989.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No.

  The Bestwood plc
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will be in a position to publish his Department's inspectors' report relating to The Bestwood plc.
  658
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend will consider whether to publish the inspectors' report when criminal proceedings relating to the conduct of the affairs of The Bestwood plc have been concluded.

  Interests (Capitalisation)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which sections and schedules of the Companies Acts refer to or require the capitalisation of interests; and whether he has these matters under review.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Paragraph 26(3)(b) of schedule 4 to the Companies Act 1985 permits interest to he included in the production cost of an asset. I have no plans to review this sub-paragraph which implements a provision in the EC fourth directive.

  Petrol Market
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his response to the Petrol Retailers Association's representations concerning the review of oil company undertakings in the United Kingdom retail petrol market by the Office of Fair Trading.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Director General of Fair Trading will in due course he advising the President on whether any changes should be considered in the existing undertakings given by the oil companies following earlier MMC reports on the supply of petrol. When such advice is received, the President will consider it very carefully.

  DTI Inspections
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade ( 1 ) if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by his Department's inspectors;

  (2) if he will list any advisers retained by his Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by his Department's inspectors.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. My Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Consumer Organisations
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take, during the United Kingdom presidency of the EC, to establish the right of United Kingdom and other EC consumer organisations to play an active role in EC trade and anti-dumping procedures.

  Mr. Needham
  It is for the European Commission to seek the views of consumer organisations on particular cases being considered under EC trade policy instruments. Commission proposals put to the Council of Ministers should include an assessment of the impact on consumers. During its presidency the United Kingdom will ensure that the views of member states, including any views on consumer aspects, are taken into account when considering Commission proposals. My Department has regular contact with consumer organisations in the United Kingdom on trade policy matters.

  Disabled Employees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) of 29 June,Official Report, column 405, how many, and what proportion of his Department's employees, were registered disabled in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Eggar
  The figures for the Department, including the Business Statistics Office, 1989 only, its executive agencies and the former Department of Energy are:

  Date

  Number of registered disabled staff

  Percentage of staff

  1 June 1989

  165

  1·2

  1 June 1990

  153

  1·2

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. Eggar
  A total of 12,214 staff were employed in the Department of Trade and Industry on 1 June 1992. The planned expenditure on pay for 1992–93 is £254·2 million.

  Details of the staffing levels of the Department of Trade and Industry at its creation on 15 October 1970 are not readily available. The manpower provision of the Department's constituent parts six and a half months earlier, at 1 April 1970, totalled 26,483 with a pay provision for 1970–71 of £53·5 million.

  Radio Spectrum Reviews
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the series of radio spectrum reviews is to continue.

  Mr. Leigh
  My colleagues in the Home Office, Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Office and I are pleased to

  Group

  Royal Mail

  Parcelforce

  PO Counters

  1989–90

  Target percentage

  As announced

  2·4

  1·0

  2·5

  6·0

  After interest flexing

  2·4

  1·0

  2·5

  9·4

  Actual percentage

  3·7

  2·2

  0·6

  10·0

  1990–91

  Target percentage

  As announced

  6·3

  6·3

  5·0

  7·0

  After interest flexing

  6·3

  6·8

  4·8

  11·0

  Actual percentage

  1·5

  8·2

  (67·5)

  12·0

  1991–92

  Target percentage

  As announced

  10·6

  11·8

  10·0

  8·0

  After interest flexing

  11·0

  12·2

  10·0

  9·5

  Actual percentage

  11·8

  17·5

  (10·6)

  10·5

  The annual average percentage return for the three-year period—the actual averages being calculated on the same basis as the targets—was:
  660
  announce that an independent committee, chaired by Sir Colin Fielding, will review the radio spectrum in the range 28MHz to 470MHz. This frequency range is one of the most intensively used parts of the radio spectrum and demand for access is increasing. The aim of the review, which will be the third in the current series of reviews, is to examine existing and planned use of the radio spectrum within the review range and make recommendations on that use in the light of national and international developments in radiocommunications. The committee intends to consult widely. The previous two reviews produced reports which have been widely welcomed as making major contributions towards our commitments to make more efficient use of the spectrum and my colleagues and I look forward to the report of the committee on this key frequency range.

  Post Office
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Post Office's performance against the financial and efficiency targets set for the three years 1989–90 to 1991–92.

  Mr. Leigh
  On 18 January 1990 the Secretary of State, in agreement with the Treasury announced profit targets for the Post Office.

  The targets were set as an annual average percentage return on mean capital employed—ROCE—for the three-year period to 1991–92. The returns are determined before taxation and interest receivable on accumulated past surpluses.

  The targets are flexed if the actual interest rates differs significantly from that assumed when targets were set.

  The overall targets were an expression of a Government requirement that each of the Post Office businesses and the Post Office Group as a whole should be in 1991–92, work up to a profitability consistent with a real rate of return of 8 per cent. in line with Government policy on the rate of return that public sector industries should achieve on their investment. Yearly group and business targets on this basis were set and announced to the House on 18 January 1990. The Post Office achievement against these annual targets has been:
  661

  Three-year period average to 1991–92

  Target as announced Per cent.

  Target after interest flexing Per cent.

  Actual Per cent.

  Group

  6·4

  6·6

  5·7

  Royal Mail

  6·4

  6·7

  9·3

  Parcelforce

  5·8

  5·8

  (25·8)

  PO Counters

  7·0

  10·0

  10·8

  The three-year group achievement reflects the After change in measurement system consequences of plans formulated in 1990–91 to change significantly the geographical and administrative structures of the Royal Mail and Parcelforce businesses, thereby focusing more sharply on the customer. Future costs of restructuring and development together with accelerated depreciation, in total amounting to £106 million, were provided for in that year. If these exceptional items are ignored, the average performance over a three-year period to 1991–92 at group level was 7·4 per cent. against a 6·6 per cent. target.

  Also in 1990–91 the basis of apportioning stamp and meter income between Royal Mail and Parcelforce was revised. A new methodology using direct measurement of parcel volumes transacted at Post Office Counters resulted in an income transfer from Parcelforce to Royal Mail and revised charging arrangements for costs. While this did not affect group results, Royal Mail and Parcelforce ROCE were affected.

  If the changes had not been made the ROCE results for 1990–91 would have been:

  1990–91

  Target performance (per cent.)

  1Actual performance (per cent.)

  Royal Mail

  6·8

  4·9

  Parcelforce

  4·8

  (35·8)

  1 Before income transfer and revised charging arrangements for costs.

  Because there was a change of methodology in one year, it is not possible to produce data on a comparable basis for 1989–90 and 1991–92.

  The Secretary of State also announced on 18 January 1990, following consultation with the Post Office, real unit cost—RUC'—targets for Royal Mail and Post Office Counters. These businesses were targeted to achieve in 1991–92 a 1 per cent. and 2 per cent. reduction respectively in RUC against a 1988–89 base. Counters target was flexed to a 2·4 per cent. reduction to reflect movement in interest rates. No RUC targets were set for Parcelforce or for the Group.

  Actual achievement against target is:

  1991–92

  Real unit cost achievement per cent.

  Reduction target per cent.

  Royl Mail

  1·0

  1·0

  PO Counters

  2·7

  2·4

  If the improve method for apportioning stamp and meter income between Royal Mail Letters and Parcelforce introduced in 1990–91 had not been effected, Royal Mail Letters' RUC performance to 1990–91 would have been different:
  662

  Reduction/ (Increase)1

  Interim Target

  (0·5)

  Result before exceptional items Without change in measurement system

  2·0

  After change in measurement system

  3·5

  Result after exceptional items Without change in measurement system

  0·5

  After change in measurement system

  2·1

  1Against a 1988–89 base

  Because relevant data are not available for 1988–89 and 1991–92, no reliable assessment can be made of the effect of the changes in the measurement system on the achievement reported for RUC for 1991–92.

  Insurance Company Agents
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what complaints he has received alleging insurance companies are refusing to appoint agents in the United Kingdom who are of ethnic minority origin; what inquiries are being conducted into these allegations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 July 1992]: No complaints have been received by the Department.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of duty on the import of cycle components by the British cycle industry; what is the level of duty on the import of finished bicycles from China; and if he will make it his policy to equalise the treatment of British manufacturers and their Chinese competitors.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: The European Community's common external tariff on bicycle components is currently 8 per cent. The tariff on finished bicycles is currently 17 per cent. Following representations earlier this year from the United Kingdom, supported by other member states, duty was reimposed on finished bicycles from China under the generalised system of preferences—GSP—scheme, for the remainder of 1992.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to seek the automatic enforcement of a 17 per cent. tax on the import of Chinese cycles to Britain once their quota is exceeded.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: There are agreed Community procedures for requesting the reimposition of duty on products which would otherwise be entitled to duty-free treatment under the generalised system of preferences scheme. The operation of the GSP scheme is due for review this year and the concerns of the bicycle manufacturers, along with those of other sectors of industry, will be considered during discussions in the Community.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the cycle industry about dumping practices in Britain.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: The Department has received a number of representations

  663
  from the United Kingdom bicycle industry about the alleged dumping of bicycles from China and Taiwan. The European Commission, which is responsible for investigating anti-dumping complaints, is currently investigating one from the European Bicycle Manufacturers' Association which also represents United Kingdom firms. We are currently waiting for the Commission to consult us on the preliminary findings of its investigation.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 July 1992]: Details of non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department, including audit information, are set out in "Public Bodies 1991", a copy of which is in the library of the House.

  Audit arrangements for the bodies which are not audited by the National Audit Office are:

  Public Body

  Auditor

  British Hallmarking Council

  BDO Binder Hamlyn

  National Consumer Council

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Gas Consumers' Council

  Coopers & Lybrand

  English Industrial Estates Corporation

  Ernst & Young

  Hearing Aid Council

  Grant Thornton

  Policyholders' Protection Board

  Touche Ross & Co.

  Appointments to audit are made after a competitive tender except where the size of the audit and the likely fee is small. Reappointments are usually on an annual basis. Performance of the auditors is regularly reviewed and a new competition would be held if the findings indicate that there would merit in again testing the market.

  Gas and Electricity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the impact of European Community-wide transparency in gas and electricity markets on United Kingdom gas and electricity consumers at(a) domestic tariff levels, (b) medium-sized commercial consumers and (c) heavy industry.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: The European Community directive on the transparency of gas and electricity prices—Council directive 90/377/EEC—covers only prices charged to industrial end-users. A commentary on the prices charged at 1 July 1991 was included in the May 1992 issue of "Energy Trends", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the change in real terms in electricity prices paid by industry as a whole between 1986 and 1991.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: Average electricity prices paid by industry fell in real terms by 15·6 per cent. between 1986 and 1991.

  Iraqi Funds
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has received for the release of blocked Iraqi funds for the purposes of funding trade in goods not embargoed under United Nations Security Council resolutions 706 and 712; and what advice his Department has given to United Kingdom firms on such trade.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: I have received several inquiries concerning the release of Iraqi funds from restricted accounts in the United Kingdom to pay for the supply of humanitarian goods to Iraq.

  Responsibility for administering restricted Iraqi accounts is delegated by Her Majesty's Treasury to the Bank of England.

  When my Department considers whether to grant a licence to export humanitarian goods to Iraq, such as foodstuffs and medicines, the question of means of payment is not one of the criteria which is necessary for that decision. How the goods will be paid for is a matter for the exporter and the customer, bearing in mind the restrictions imposed by United Nations sanctions against Iraq.

  Pyramid Selling
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider the use of the term "legal pyramid selling scheme", with regard to multi-level marketing companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 8 July 1992]: This term "legal pyramid selling scheme" is not used in the Pyramid Selling Schemes Regulations 1989, and it is not for me to prescribe when it should or should not be used. In common use, the terms "pyramid selling", "multi-level marketing" and "network marketing" appear to be interchangeable. The promoter may choose how to describe his own scheme.

  Deregulatory Unit
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress his deregulatory unit has made during 1992.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 July 1992]: A report on progress under the deregulation initiative for the period up to 30 June 1992 is currently in preparation. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House when it has been completed. A report of the achievements under the initiative over the past 18 months is planned for publication in the autumn.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the total discharges of radioactivity, in terms of total activity, from the Sellafield plant in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  The data requested by the hon. Member are in British Nuclear Fuel's annual report of "Radioactive Discharges and Monitoring of the Environment", copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Bankers Charter
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to adopt the bankers charter proposed by the EC Competition Commissioner into his own citizens charter proposals.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  No. As I told the House on 3 June at column 927, while the Government fully support the intention of improving the speed and efficiency of cross-border payments, which lie behind the EC Commission's proposed charter, we believe that the emphasis—as stressed in the Commission's report—should be on the banks introducing their own initiatives in this sector.

HEALTH

  Dentistry
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she next proposes to meet the British Dental Association to discuss dentists' contracts.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My Department is in frequent contact with the British Dental Association on a range of issues. The principles of the dental contract are firmly in place, but we have always been prepared to make changes where necessary.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the current situation regarding dentists' fees and remuneration.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government remain firmly committed to dentistry within the national health service and we shall take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the NHS dental services remain available. For the future, we are looking to the fundamental review to produce a system which will more fairly and more effectively remunerate all NHS dentists for the important work they do.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will pay an official visit to south Cumbria to discuss provision of dental treatment within the national health service.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are keeping in touch with all parts of the country about the provision of dental treatment within the national health service.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the consequence for children's dental health of(a) the reduction in orthodontic multiband fees and (b) the lowering of the limit on prior approval.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We do not believe there will be any consequence for children's dental health. The range of treatments available to children under the national health service remains the same, and the changes to the prior approval requirement will not significantly increase total treatment time.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many additional staff will be employed at the Scottish and English dental practice boards to process prior approval estimates following the introduction of the £200 limit;
  666
  (2) how many days, on average, it will take to process prior approval requests for dental treatment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 13 July. Information relating to Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of orthodontic courses of treatment, excluding examination, diagnosis and retention will be subject to the new prior approval restriction.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Dental Practice Board has estimated that some 30 per cent. will require prior approval.

  NHS Building Projects
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many national health service building projects have been completed in England since 1979; and how many are under way.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  More than 600 capital schemes, each costing more than £1 million, have been completed in the national health service since 1979. A further 400 such schemes are in various stages of planning. design and construction, of which 105 are currently under construction.

  Learning Disabilities (Trusts)
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the appropriateness of granting trust status to hospitals caring for persons with learning disabilities.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the appropriateness of granting trust status to hospitals caring for persons with learning disabilities.

  Mr. Yeo
  All units applying for national health service trust status are carefully assessed by a stringent set of criteria. These include:

  identifying the benefits and improved quality of service;

  ensuring the management has the skills to run the trust:

  ensuring that senior professional staff, including consultants are involved in the management of the trust;

  and assessing the financial viability of the trust.

  Patients Charter
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further improvements in waiting times the Government intend to make under the patients charter.

  Mr. Sackville
  On 12 May 1992, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, announced our intention to follow up the successful introduction of the two year guarantee with a new and additional guarantee that, from 1 April 1993, no-one should have to wait more than 18 months for a hip or knee joint replacement, or a cataract operation.

  Life Expectancy
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average life expectancy in the United Kingdom; and what figures she has for(a) life expectancy in 1979 and (b) the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average.
  667
  Mr. Sackville
  In 1990 the average life expectancy at birth in the United Kingdom was 72·8 years for men and 78·5 years for women. This compares with 70·1 and 76·2 years respectively in 1979.

  Due to lack of information for certain countries an average figure for all OECD countries is not available. However, in 1989 the average life expectancy for men across 19 OECD countries was 72·8 years, and for women 79·2 years.

  AIDS
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much specific grants to local authorities for spending on AIDS and mental illness services will increase in 1992–93 and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The specific grant available nationally to local authorities for people with AIDS/HIV increased by £5·1 million, or 43·5 per cent. in real terms, between 1991–92 and 1992–93. The grant for people with mental illness increased by £10·4 million, or 43·1 per cent. in real terms, over the same period.

  Community Care
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she last met the Association of Directors of Social Services to discuss the implementation of the community care reforms.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I last met with the Association of Directors of Social Services on 8 June.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had from home owners, residents and local authorities about the funding to be made available for the implementation of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Many representations about community care funding have been received from individuals, home owners, local authorities and representative organisations. Announcements about funding for the personal social services in 1993–94, including resources for community care and their distribution, will be made in the context of this year's local authority expenditure settlement.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of social services clients had an individual care plan on 1 April.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that the provision of care for the highly dependent client remains the statutory responsibility of district health authorities; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The role of health authorities in providing services for highly dependent people was reaffirmed in "Caring for People". As purchasers of health care, health authorities have a duty to secure the best possible services for all their residents, including highly dependent people, taking into account local circumstances, priorities and available resources.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the average hours worked in any week by a junior hospital doctor in 1979 and the most recent year available; and what plans she has to reduce the figure.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1979 junior hospital doctors in England and Wales were contracted to be on duty for an average of 89 hours per week. At 30 September 1990, the latest date for which information is available, this average had fallen to 79 hours per week.

  Following the launch of the new deal for junior doctors in June 1991 we have an agreed timetable for reducing the hours of duty of doctors and dentists in training. Our target is to reduce maximum average contracted hours of duty to 83 per week for those working on-call rotas, 72 per week for those working partial shifts and 60 per week for those working full shifts by 1 April 1993. They are to be reduced further by 31 December 1994, to 72 per week for those working on-call rotas in hard-pressed posts, 64 hours per week for those working partial shifts and 56 hours per week for those working on full shifts. Subject to review, our aim is to reduce the maximum average contracted hours of junior doctors working on-call rotas in posts which are not considered to be hard-pressed to 72 per week by 31 December 1996. However in certain circumstances higher specialist trainees may continue to contract for up to 83 hours after this date. These measures will further reduce the average weekly contracted hours of junior doctors.

  Regardless of the contracted hours of duty for individual posts we intend that from 31 December 1994 junior doctors should not normally be expected to work for more than an average of 56 hours per week.

  Complaints Procedure
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the national health service complaints procedure.

  Mr. Sackville
  We keep the hospital and family health service complaints procedure under review, and are encouraging management and staff to respond more positively to oral and written complaints. The procedure was last updated by the patients charter, which introduced the right to have any complaint about NHS services investigated and to receive a full and prompt written reply from the chief executive or general manager. Authorities will also have to record the number of complaints received and the response time. We are looking at ways to make complaints procedures more friendly and responsive to the needs of individual patients.

  Smoking
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new initiatives she intends to introduce to reduce illnesses and deaths caused by smoking.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The "Health of the Nation" White Paper commits us to ambitious targets to reduce smoking further. It sets out a comprehensive strategy to achieve these targets, including action on price, health education, ensuring effective controls on advertising and a greater national health service role in reducing smoking.

  Health Service, London
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress on the Tomlinson inquiry into London's health service.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir Bernard Tomlinson and his team are making excellent progress and are due to report to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Health and for Education in the autumn.

  Metabolic Disease
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make it her policy to maintain the symbiosis of research and service provision in the detection of inherited metabolic disease;

  (2) if she will make it her policy to establish mandatory quality assessment schemes to ensure adequate standards of service for the detection of inherited metabolic disease;

  (3) what representations she has received from the British Inherited Disease Group concerning the SAS system; and if she will make a statement on the operation of the SAS system and its relevance to regional services for the detection of inherited metabolic disease.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received no such representations. The supra regional assay service (SAS) contracts with purchasing authorities to provide rare or infrequently requested laboratory tests. It is for purchasing authorities to ensure that they specify in contracts, and monitor, the quality elements which they require.

  The national health service management executive is currently reviewing issues arising from contracting for specialised services, including genetic services.

  Infant Medication
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of whether enough information is now available to the public to justify the introduction of the 5ml dilution of infants' medication.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The 5ml dilution convention ended on 1 July. Where a dose of less than 5ml is prescribed the patient will be supplied with an oral syringe. We are satisfied that sufficient information is available to the public to explain the change.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps she has taken to ensure that there is adequate monitoring of general practitioner fund holders by family health service authorities where they provide services other than general medical services including(a) ophthalmology and (b) physiotherapy services; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) if she will impose on family health service authorities an obligation to monitor the standards of all services provided by general practitioner fund holders, including services other than primary care; and if she will arrange for the results of such monitoring to be publicly available locally.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 gave family health service authorities a duty to monitor the expenditure of general 670
  practitioner fund holders (for whatever purpose) and to institute audit and review where appropriate. Publication of the outcome is for local decision. Additionally, regional health authorities must ensure compliance with the terms of recognition of a general practitioner as a fund holder, including fund holders' obligation to satisfy themselves that the provider of any service they purchase is competent and has appropriate qualifications, training and experience.

  Regional Funding
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will reassess the method chosen to allocate funds to regions and districts in England so as to implement a different method of allocation which reflects more closely the differing health needs of each of those regions and districts; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The principle of funding health authorities in proportion to the number of people for whom they are responsible is well-established. The Department keeps under review the details of the method by which population figures are weighted to allow for differences between populations of the same size. This method rests on a statistical analysis of census and national health service data. The 1991 census will provide the opportunity for reassessment when the results are available in a suitable form in 1993.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will increase levels of staffing and resources for community health councils to meet the increased demands on its service resulting from the citizens and patients charters.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regional health authorities are responsible for allocating resources to community health councils (CHCs), and for determining the appropriate staffing levels. The deputy chief executive of the national health service management executive wrote to regional general managers on 6 March about the role of CHCs and reminded them to ensure that CHCs were properly resourced.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to review cases where a community health council considers that its observers are being unreasonably excluded from(a) trust, (b) district health authority and (c) regional health authority meetings; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Community health councils (CHCs) have the right to attend any national health service authority or trust meetings which are open to the public. It is matter for decision by authorities and trusts whether CHCs will be invited to attend meetings which are otherwise closed to the public. We have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department is currently carrying out to increase the public's awareness of community health councils; and if she will make it her policy to fund a campaign for this.

  Mr. Sackville
  Community health councils (CHCs) are independent statutory bodies and are responsible for their own publicity.
  671
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will reconsider extending the current terms of office of community health councils to three four-year terms; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Members of community health councils (CHCs) are ineligible for reappointment after the completion of two consecutive four-year terms of office. We believe that this encourages a combination of experience and fresh enthusiasm among the membership of CHCs. We have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation to improve the statutory rights of community health councils in their relationship with(a) purchasers, (b) improved access to information, (c) automatic observer status on district and regional health authorities public and closed meetings and (d) membership of appropriate health authority working groups.

  Mr. Sackville
  Legislation is not necessary. My hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and the deputy chief executive of the national health service management executive have both written to regional health authorities to remind them of the importance of ensuring that community health councils play a full part in the reformed NHS.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy for community health councils to have full responsibility for their non-staff budget with full details of budgets being submitted in annual reports of the community health councils; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regional health authorities are responsible for allocating resources to community health councils. The detailed arrangements for managing community health council budgets are for local decision.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will amend the Community Health Council Regulations 1985 to provide those councils with the right of inspection of those parts of general practitioners' premises where minor surgery is performed under general practitioners' contracts; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Community health councils do not have a statutory right of access to general practitioners' premises, and we have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will issue immediate guidance to health authorities regarding their relationship with community health councils.

  Mr. Sackville
  Existing guidance was issued in 1990. In addition, my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and the deputy chief executive of the national health service management executive wrote to health authorities in February and March about the role of community health councils in relation to health authorities.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action she is taking to ensure that community health councils have sufficient knowledge of the terms of 672
  the relevant contracts covering patients who are placed with national health service funding under trusts or privately-run services; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) if she will issue guidelines to health authorities encouraging them to supply community health councils with the relevant terms of contracts so as to facilitate accurate monitoring by them of the care of patients being treated by a particular service; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Contracts between health authorities and providers are public documents available to community health councils. The deputy chief executive of the national health service management executive wrote to health authorities in March emphasising the importance of community health councils having access to district health authority contracts with providers.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation so that community health councils could nominate specific members to monitor the national health service purchaser/provider split in local planning and purchasing functions with different specified members to monitor the providing process; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Existing legislation enables community health councils (CHCs) to monitor all services purchased and provided by the local district. It is for individual CHCs to decide how to deploy their members on different tasks.

  Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will launch an investigation into the circumstances under which a number of height-deficient children were injected with Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease during clinical trials conducted by the national health service.

  Mr. Yeo
  The background to this problem is already well documented in medical journals: the article "Friendly fire in medicine: hormones, homografts and Creuzfeldt Jakob disease" in The Lancet (vol. 340: July 4 1992) includes a history and a full list of references. We are supporting research into the origins and transmission of CJD and keep all relevant developments under review.

  A copy of The Lancet is available in the Library.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her latest estimate of the extent of the contamination of human growth hormone with Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease.

  Mr. Yeo
  So far six cases of Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) have been confirmed among the 1,908 patients treated with human derived pituitary growth hormone and two more are suspected, one of them a patient who has recently died. I am advised that further cases are possible, but no reliable estimates of the extent of the problem can be made until we know more about the origins of CJD and its transmission.

  Human Growth Hormones
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received about the indiscriminate removal of pituitary glands by mortuary technicians for human growth hormone processing.
  673
  Mr. Yeo
  None.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the need for guidelines on the safe selection of glands used to make human growth hormone was first identified; when the guidelines were issued; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The need for selectivity in the collection of pituitaries was recognised from the time the treatment was first used. At the start of its trial, in 1958, the Medical Research Committee issued a direction that diseased pituitaries should not be collected. In 1977 it issued more specific criteria which excluded the collection of pituitaries from donors believed to have been suffering from various communicable or degenerative diseases. In 1981 the Department, which by then had taken over arrangements for the supply of the growth hormone, issued a new direction which specifically mentioned Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease among the exclusion criteria.

  Treatment Assessments
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment has been made of the expected demand for hospitals or community-based health service treatment over the next decade in Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Calderdale;

  (2) what assessment has been made of under or over capacity in the provision of hospital-based care over the next decade in Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Calderdale; and what capital developments are proposed.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally. Planning for the development of local health and community services is a matter for the health authorities concerned. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Calderdale health authorities for details.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that the orders arising from section 30(9) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 will be laid before Parliament before 16 July.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is our intention that these regulations, which are currently in preparation, will be subject to a wide consultation in the autumn before they are laid before Parliament.

  Census
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the progress of the 1991 census.

  Mr. Sackville
  Counts of the population present on census night were published in the preliminary reports in July 1991. These provisional figures were obtained from summaries prepared by the local field staff.

  Computer processed results from the 1991 census are being processed on a county-by-county (England and Wales) or region-by-region (Scotland) basis, and monitors containing summary statistics on the census topics for which answers were fully processed have been published for 11 counties and one Scottish region.

  "Census Newsletter, No. 22," which is due to be published during July. will contain the planned
  674
  publication dates for the remaining monitors. A copy will be placed in the Library. The newsletter will also include a timetable for the availability and publication of the other main products, such as the small area statistics, county reports and national reports, and reports on specific census topics. There are two small changes from the timetable given in my reply to the hon. Member for Sherwood (Mr. Tipping) on 18 June at column 672. The last county monitor is now scheduled to be published in October, and the last small area statistics released in November.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the overall percentage of forms returned under the 1991 census.

  Mr. Sackville
  The census validation survey will report on census coverage later this year. This work will be published in the autumn.

  Nursing and Residential Homes
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will indicate the extent to which the national health service budget will be altered to reflect the transfer to local councils of responsibility for people in nursing and residential homes.

  Mr. Yeo
  Funding for health authorities in 1993–94 and later years will be decided in the public expenditure survey in the normal way.

  Resources
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the current and projected levels of hospital and community-based resources within Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Calderdale available to meeet current and expected health needs.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Brian Askew, the chairman of Yorkshire regional health authority, for details.

  Rampton Hospital
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died in Rampton hospital during the last 10 years; and from what causes.

  Mr. Yeo
  A total of 46 people have died while patients of Rampton hospital in the past 10 years. The causes of death recorded are:

  Number

  Natural causes

  36

  Suicide

  5

  Open verdict following inquest

  3

  Final inquest not yet held

  2

  HIV
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements she is making to enable payments to be made under the special scheme for people infected with HIV as a result of national health service blood transfusion or tissue transfer.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Parliamentary approval to this new expenditure, announced on 17 February, will be
  675
  sought in a supplementary estimate for the Department of Health administration, miscellaneous health services and personal social services, England vote (class XIII vote 3). Pending that approval, expenditure estimated at £1·2 million will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the implications for Government policy of the recent case in Birmingham of the transmission of HIV infection.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government recognise that HIV/AIDS is perhaps the greatest new public health challenge this century. The Government have consistently identified the threat of HIV/AIDS. This country is a recognised world leader in the action it has taken.

  Between 1985–86 and 1992–93 the Government have allocated nearly £700 million to health and local authorities for the development of HIV-related services as well as over £73 million to developing a national AIDS public education campaign.

  Establishing better sexual health—within which context the spread of HIV can best be minimised—is one of the five key target areas in the "Health of the Nation" White Paper. This reflects the importance the Government attach to combatting the spread of HIV.

  The Birmingham case has highlighted the fact that heterosexuals cannnot ignore the risk of HIV. Past and present experience of sexually transmitted diseases indicates that the public health, and that of individuals, is best served if people at risk of infection and their sexual partners can come forward freely for confidential advice, testing and help.

  The Government will take the issues raised by the Birmingham case, and other recent developments, carefully into account. These issues will be reflected in the current work of the ministerial AIDS action group which is due to report in the autumn.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will publish the fifth annual report of the Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship has submitted its fifth report to the United Kingdom Health Ministers and to the Secretary of State for National Heritage. Copies have been placed in the Library. I am very grateful to the committee, and particularly the chairman, Sir John Blelloch, for their valuable work in continuing to monitor the agreements. The report shows that the industry has continued to honour its commitments.

  Geneticists
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the need of central laboratories for clinical geneticists.

  Mr. Sackville
  Most clinical genetics laboratories are based in regional genetics centres. Laboratory services in respect of complex or rare disorders are provided by a national centre, such as the National Haemoglobinopathy 676
  reference laboratory. This laboratory is the national reference centre for carrier diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of complex haemoglobinopathies, notably the thalassaemias and sickle cell disease. The pattern of provision will depend to a large extent on the pace of developments.

  Genetic Disorders
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proposals she has for the provision of genetic registers, and enabling such registers to play a role in the elimination of potential carriers of disease;

  (2) what provision she is making to provide genetic counselling for (a) individual patients, (b) family groups and (c) relatives of victims of genetic disorders.

  Mr. Sackville
  Genetic registers and genetic counselling are integral components of the rapidly developing speciality of national health service genetic services. The level of provision of health care services, including genetic services, is a matter for health authorities to decide. As purchasers of services, health authorities are in the best position to make these decisions on the basis of their assessment of local needs.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) doctors and (b) nurses are currently trained in the detection and treatment of genetic disorders; and what plans she has to increase the numbers.

  Mr. Sackville
  The care and treatment of patients suffering from genetic disorders is shared between a range of professionals including hospital specialists, GPs and nurses. In 1990, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 76 hospital doctors (47·4 whole time equivalent) specialising in the treatment of genetic disorders in England. Quotas for the number of training posts are set on the basis of advice from the joint planning advisory committee which includes representatives of the Royal colleges, the medical profession and the national health service.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the United Kingdom suffer from genetic disorders.

  Mr. Sackville
  Genetic factors are present in all human disorders to varying degrees, even in conditions as relatively minor as colour blindness. It is therefore not practicable to analyse all disorders in genetic terms. One of the most common and most serious single gene disorder is cystic fibrosis which is estimated to be present in one in 2,000 unborn children.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study she has made of the practice of payment from one health authority to another in paying for tests relating to genetic disorders.

  Mr. Sackville
  The first point of contact for patients requiring genetic advice is usually their GP, who will refer them for tests, if appropriate. The funding arrangements are therefore the same as for any other GP referral. The national health service management executive has agreed with general managers that regions should develop appropriate arrangements to assure the purchase of specialist services, both in NHS trust hospitals and in those managed directly by districts.
  677
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to promote the early adoption of new techniques of diagnosis management, and treatment of the effect of genetic disease, including proven gene therapy;

  (2) what strategy she has to use new molecular knowledge in surgery and treatment; and what training is given to those who use manipulative techniques in this field.

  Mr. Sackville
  An important part of the Department's research and development strategy is to ensure that the best use is made of the high quality of our medical research to improve patient care. The Government consider that it is important that applications of new molecular biological techniques to the diagnosis, management and treatment of patients should be subjected to stringent evaluation before they are adopted for use in clinical practice.

  The Committee on the Ethics of Gene Therapy was set up in 1989 to provide advice to the United Kingdom Health Ministers on scientific and medical developments which have a bearing on the safety and efficacy of human gene modification. The committee's report was published in January this year when the Government announced that they would be consulting professional, scientific and lay bodies on the committee's recommendations. The consultation process was completed on 18 May and the Government are currently studying the responses.

  Each of the Royal colleges and their faculties takes the lead on professional training within its own specialty. Training in molecular biological techniques is available for clinicians in training programmes organised by the Medical Research Council. the Wellcome Trust and other bodies.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that opted-out hospitals maintain responsibility for training and research for medical and nursing staff.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Trusts are expected to play a full role in teaching and training, including both undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental education and other

  Percentage of hospital discharges after abortion (not legally induced) to livebirths for 1967. 1968, 1979 and 1985 England and Wales (except 1985, England only)

  Year

  ICD

  Description

  Number of discharges

  Number of livebirths

  Rate per 100 livebirths

  1967

  650·0 + 651·0

  Spontaneous abortion

  67,816

  832,164

  8·15

  650·2 + 651·2

  Abortion induced for other reasons1

  285

  832,164

  ·03

  650·3 + 651·3

  Other abortion

  1,800

  832,164

  ·22

  1968

  642

  Abortion induced for other reasons1

  550

  819,272

  ·07

  643

  Spontaneous abortion

  5,951

  819,272

  ·73

  644

  Abortion not specified as induced or spontaneous

  60,824

  819,272

  7·42

  645

  Other abortion

  2,068

  819,272

  ·25

  1979

  634

  Spontaneous abortion

  26,641

  638,028

  4·18

  636

  Illegally induced abortion

  72

  638,028

  ·01

  637

  Unspecified abortion

  25,501

  638,028

  4·00

  19852

  634

  Spontaneous abortion

  32,716

  619,301

  5·28

  636

  Illegally induced abortion

  93

  619,301

  ·02

  637

  Unspecified abortion

  18,789

  619,301

  3·03

  1 Reasons other than legal or medical indications.

  2 England only.

  Note:

  Data for 1967 are based on the seventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases. Data for 1968 are based on the eighth revision, and data for 1979 and 1985 are based on the ninth revision. The data for the three periods in question are not necessarily comparable.
  678
  professional training and research. Health authorities or purchasers are expected to take account of teaching and research interests in their purchasing decisions.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of beds are sold to the private sector by opted-out hospitals.

  Mr. Sackville
  National health service hospital trusts have powers to authorise the use of beds for private patients, subject to the statutory requirement that there is no significant interference with the performance by the trust of its obligation under NHS contracts. Beds are not sold to the private sector and remain available to NHS patients.

  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what legal limits there are on the number of pay beds in hospital trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) earlier today.

  Abortion
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress in addressing the conclusions about the workings of the conscience clause of the Abortion Act 1967 made by the Select Committee for Health in its tenth report of Session 1989–90.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government's response to the Select Committee's report was published in May 1991. The action promised in paragraph 10 of the report was undertaken immediately, and the monitoring referred to in paragraphs 5 and 12 of the response continues.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the percentage of hospital discharges, after abortion not legally induced, to live births for 1967–68, 1979 and the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 7 July 1992]: The information requested is shown in the table.
  679
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the percentage of legal abortions to live births for 1967–68, 1979 and the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 7 July 1992]: The information requested for 1968, 1979 and 1991 is shown in the table.

  Percentage of legal abortions, under the Abortion Act 1967, to livebirths for 1968, 1979 and 1991—England and Wales

  Year

  Number of abortions

  Number of livebirths

  Rate per 100

  19681

  23,641

  539,259

  4·38

  1979

  149,746

  638,028

  23·47

  19912

  177,642

  699,217

  25·41

  1 The number of abortions for 1968 is for the period 27 April 1968 (when the Act came into force) to 31 December 1968. The number of livebirths for 1968 is for 1 May 1968 to 31 December 1968.

  2 The number of abortions for 1991 is a provisional figure.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to distinguish in the annual abortion statistics between abortions conducted solely with RU486 and those conducted with RU486 and in addition prostaglandins or D and C and D and E.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 13 July 1992]: Published statistics state the method of termination used. From 1992, statistics will include terminations using antiprogesterone (RU486) with prostaglandin.

  Genetic Therapy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what policy conclusions have been drawn in relation to genetic therapy and genetic counselling from the conference "Our Genetic Future" held at BMA House on 30 June.

  Mr. Sackville
  The conference made a valuable contribution to discussion of the implications of gene therapy and genetic counselling. The Government are currently considering their response to the report of the Committee on the Ethics of Gene Therapy (Cm 1788) and will take account of the conclusions reached at the conference.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the recent letter from the chief medical officer to public health authorities on genetic therapy.

  Mr. Sackville
  The most recent letter on gene therapy sent to the health authorities was issued on 16 January 1992. It invited comments on the recommendations in the report of the Committee on the Ethics of Gene Therapy (Cm 1788). A copy of the letter is attached to Department of Health press release H92/20 which is available in the Library.

  DNA Information
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the provision of DNA information about patients to insurance companies.

  Mr. Sackville
  Any information which is obtained as a result of DNA testing is no less confidential than other personal health information and should not be disclosed to insurance companies without the patient's prior consent.

  Thalassaemia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made for those suffering from thalassaemia.

  Mr. Sackville
  Health care for those suffering from thalassaemia is provided by district health authorities in the light of the health needs of their resident populations.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has any plans for hospital closures in the London area; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir Bernard Tomlinson is currently carrying out a review of the health and medical education needs of the capital. His report will form the basis for decisions about the future pattern of hospital provision in London.

  Domiciliary Care
  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to monitor the provision of domiciliary care to ensure it is of an adequate standard.

  Mr. Yeo
  Local social services authorities are responsible for the provision and management of personal social services including domiciliary care services. It is for each authority to ensure that services they supply or arrange are of adequate standard.

  Care Homes
  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide information on the unit costs of residential places provided by each local authority in England and Wales, with the comparable unit costs for private homes.

  Mr. Yeo
  The local authority analysis of gross weekly cost per place filled excluding capital charges in local authority homes for elderly people in 1989–90, the latest date for which information is available, is given in "Key Indicators of Local Authority Social Services 1989–90", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  These unit costs, which relate to England only, are based on data collected by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

  Information relating to local authorities in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Information about costs in the independent sector was produced in the Price Waterhouse report commissioned by the Department of Social Security, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about how residents and potential residents and their next of kin will be informed of which services and facilities, as laid down in regulation 10 of SI (1984) No. 1345, should be provided and what complaints procedure will operate in a regulated small home.

  Mr. Yeo
  We are considering responses to the consultation document issued earlier this year about the regulations which should apply to small residential care
  681
  homes once the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 is brought into force. Our intention is that the regulations should require that local authority registers should show whether a home is registered as a small home. Those consulting the registers will then be able to see which statutory requirements apply. More detailed information about individual homes will generally be available from the people running those homes and from other, independent sources.

  We intend that the same requirements about complaints procedures should apply to registered small homes as already apply to larger homes.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide statistics on the proportion of elderly people aged over 75 years who die within three months after being moved from one residential home to another.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 regulations and commencement order will be laid before the House.

  Mr. Yeo
  Regulations amending the Residential Care Homes Regulations 1984 for the purpose of their application to small homes will be laid in the next few weeks. We hope to make the commencement order specifying when the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 will be brought into force at about the same time.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what precautions she intends to take to safeguard residents from eviction as a result of an owner of a small home being evicted himself for rent or mortgage arrears, by fraudulently obtaining multi-mortgages in order to run a number of small homes.

  Mr. Yeo
  It is for local authorities to ensure that anyone in need of residential care not otherwise available is properly provided for.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps after 1 April 1993, a local authority would have to take to safeguard elderly residents, before refusing or terminating a contract with a home owner.

  Mr. Yeo
  It will he for local authorities to devise their procedures for placing and reviewing contracts. The Government will expect local authorities to behave reasonably and sensitively, and give sufficient notice of their contracting policies and decisions. This could include providing any suitable assistance to minimise inconvenience to existing residents caused by the failure of the home in which they live to gain or retain a contract.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health after 1 April 1993, if the choice of potential residents in nursing and residential homes will be confined to those homes selected by local authorities, unless the residents can afford to pay the full charges.

  Mr. Yeo
  From April 1993 local authorities will place contracts with residential care and nursing homes on behalf of individuals who are assessed as needing such care and need to he publicly supported. We have made it clear that authorities should take into account people's preferences for the home they enter and not unreasonably 682
  restrict people's choice. We have also made it clear that local authorities' arrangements should be sufficiently flexible to allow relatives and friends to contribute, if they so wish, towards the cost of a place in a more expensive home than the authority would normally contract with.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what qualifications a person running a registered small home should have other than not having been found guilty of a criminal offence.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Registered Homes Act 1984 provides that registration in respect of a residential care home for four or more people may be refused if a person is not considered fit to be involved in running the home. The same will apply to applications for registration from those planning to run small homes once the Registered Homes (Amendment Act) 1991 is brought into force. It is for registration authorities to interpret and apply this requirement.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of how many of the existing private nursing and residential homes will close by 1994.

  Mr. Yeo
  Information about the number of independent nursing and residential care homes that close is not collected centrally.

  Generic Drugs
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of prescriptions was written generically in 1991; what percentage was dispensed generically; what percentage of the total drug bill related to generic items; and whether she can give an estimate of the figures expected to apply in the current year.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1991, 41 per cent. of all prescriptions were written generically and 35·2 per cent. were dispensed generically. Information on the percentage of the total drug bill which relates to generic items is not available. However, 26·6 per cent. of the basic cost of drugs (that is, the net ingredient cost, excluding remuneration for dispensing, VAT, container costs and discounts) related to items written generically and 13·9 per cent. of the net ingredient cost related to items dispensed generically.

  In the first quarter of 1992 generic prescribing increased to 43·2 per cent.

  Marriages (Immigration Purposes)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 748, on marriages for immigration purposes, how many of the cases in the London borough of Lewisham which were reported to the Registrar General, were passed on to the Home Office; and how many of those complaints were proven.

  Mr. Sackville
  Of the 21 cases reported to the registrar general, information in respect of 10 was passed to the Home Office. I understand that in two of the 10 cases notified the marriage has yet to take place. In a further six cases, the marriage was followed by an application to the Home Office for leave to remain as a foreign spouse of which two have been granted and four are the subject of ongoing inquiries. Applications to remain on the basis of marriage have yet to be received in respect of the remaining two cases.

  Child Minders
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will(a) list the number of child minders registered in each local authority in 1991 and (b) list the number re-registered under the Children Act 1989 in each local authority to date; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Information about the number of child minders registered by each social services department at 31 March 1991 was published in "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March 1991 England"; a copy of which is available in the Library.

  The number of child minders who have re-registered in the period to 30 June 1992 is being collected as part of a national exercise to monitor local authority implementation of the Children Act 1989 which will be reported to Parliament by the end of 1992.

  Dentists Fees
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the mean fee earnings per dentist in the Cumbria family health services authority in each year since 1987 at current prices.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The table shows the mean gross earnings of general dental practitioners on the dental list of Cumbria family health services authority over the five financial years from 1987–88 to 1991–92, at 1991–92 prices.

  Mean gross fee earnings per DRSG dentist at 1991–92 prices

  Financial year

  Cumbria FHSA (£)

  1987–88

  75,192

  1988–89

  82,893

  1989–90

  76,979

  1990–91

  80,503

  1991–92

  87,554

  These means relate only to earnings through fees and to general dental practitioners in the population used by the dental rates study group. They exclude seniority payments, maternity payments, long-term sickness payments, postgraduate education allowances and other such allowances. They relate only to those general dental practitioners who were in contract for the complete financial year in question.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff her Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and if she will calculate the staffing level of the health section of the former Department of Health and Social Security and the associated personnel costs immediately before its separation.

  Mr. Sackville
  For 1991–92 the Department's estimated outturn pay costs were £100 million for 4,659 staff; for 1987–88 (prior to the split of the former DHSS), outturn paycosts were £60 million for 3,932 staff. The 1987–88 figures have been adjusted to reflect staff numbers and costs as they would have related to the present organisation. All paybill costs include employers' earnings related national insurance contributions.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list any public appointments by her Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors;

  (2) if she will list any advisers retained by her Department since 1987 who have been criticised in published reports by DTI inspectors.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally in the form requested. The Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering such appointments.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps have been taken by the Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work to ensure that the training of social workers approved under the Mental Health Act 1983, includes a knowledge of mental illness and its treatment;

  (2) what steps are being taken by the Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work to ensure that social workers in training for approval and those already approved are aware of the contents of the letter about inaccuracies in the code of practice under the Mental Health Act 1983 sent to local authorities on 18 February;

  (3) what guidance approved social workers receive about implementing the policy of using resources for early and appropriate intervention to prevent deterioration of a mentally ill person's condition.

  Mr. Yeo
  All local authorities have access to approved training programmes for those social workers they wish to approve to carry out duties under mental health legislation. The Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work has a responsibility to approve these courses of training and has set out full guidelines on course content in their paper 19.19; "Regulations and Guidance for the Training of Social Workers to be considered for Approval in England and Wales under the Mental Health Act 1983" which was published in January 1987. This guidance is currently under review.

  Although their primary purpose is to prepare such social workers for the specific duties they are to carry out under the Mental Health Act 1983 they may also be used to meet more general staff development needs in relation to mental health social work.

  The letter of 18 February was circulated widely. with instructions that it should be drawn to the attention of all staff concerned with the implementation of the Mental Health Act 1983.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by the Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work to prepare social workers and probation officers for work with mentally disordered offenders and similar patients in secure settings.

  Mr. Yeo
  The joint Department of Health and Home Office review of health and social services for mentally disordered offenders has considered relevant aspects of the training of social workers.

  The report of the review's staffing and training advisory group was published for consultation on 2 June. A number

  685
  of its recommendations, if accepted by Ministers, would require action by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.

  Departmental Properties
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by her Department; and if she will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant and the intended future use.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally. The management of the national health service residential estate is the responsibility of health authorities and NHS trusts.

  NHS Accounting System
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the quality of the accounting system operating within the national health service; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has with the approval of Her Majesty's Treasury issued directions under the National Health Service Act 1977 which establish the framework for NHS financial management and the form of the accounts. It is the responsibility of NHS bodies to implement local systems for maintaining sound financial management, which are subject to statutory audit arranged by the Audit Commission.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she has given to local authorities in relation to taking account of receipt of a mobility component of disability living allowance in determining either the provision of services or charging for services; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Guidance was provided for local authorities in local authority circular (92)4, a copy of which is available in the Library, to the effect that awards of the mobility component of disability living allowance should be disregarded in full in the charging assessment for people receiving residential care.

  Guidance about the treatment of the mobility component of disability living allowance in charging for domiciliary and day services is to be issued later this year.

  Consultants
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average age of consultants at the time of appointment, for each specialty and for each category of merit award.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 10 July 1992]: The table gives the average median age of consultants a t first appointment and the average age at which consultants receive each category of distinction award by broad specialty group for the latest year for which information is available.
  686

  Average median age of consultants on (A) first appointment and (B) obtaining merit award

  A

  B

  Years

  A +

  A

  B

  C

  Accident and Emergency

  37

  —

  —

  52

  48

  Anaesthesia

  36

  54

  50

  49

  46

  Dentistry

  40

  59

  57

  54

  50

  Medicine

  38

  56

  54

  49

  46

  Surgery

  38

  57

  54

  52

  49

  Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  39

  61

  55

  52

  47

  Pathology

  36

  58

  54

  50

  46

  Psychiatry

  37

  60

  54

  50

  45

  Public Health Medicine

  41

  55

  59

  49

  49

  Radiology

  35

  54

  51

  52

  46

  Radiotherapy

  39

  56

  56

  48

  45

  All specialties

  37

  57

  54

  50

  47

  A Source: Medical and Dental census—28 September 1990.

  B Source: Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards—31 December 1991.

  Distinction Awards, Mersey Region
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will break down the level of award and the distribution across disciplines of distinction awards for the Mersey region into the individual health authorities.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 10 July 1992]: The tables have been placed in the Library.

  Some consultants have contracts with more than one authority and where this occurs they have been counted in each authority. The total number of awards held in the Mersey region by grade is 5A +, 31A, 68B and 152C.

CATERING COMMITTEE

  Press Facilities
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is the annual cost of providing(a) the Press Bar and (b) dining and refreshment facilities in the press section at the House; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  The management accounts of the Refreshment Department do not provide for the separate allocation of costs between(a) the Press Bar, and (b) the Press Cafeteria and Dining Room.

  In the year ended 31 March 1992, a trading surplus of £25,000 was returned from the Press Gallery refreshment facilities. However many of the overhead costs of the Refreshment Department including most staff costs, are borne on the votes for House of Commons: Administration and House of Commons: Accommodation Services. None of these costs are apportioned directly to the Press Gallery facilities.

  Refreshment Department facilities in the Press Gallery are also open to staff of the Official Report who make significant use of them.

ACCOMMODATION AND WORKS COMMITTEE

  Press Facilities
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the number of rooms in the Palace of Westminster allocated to
  687
  the press lobby; how many telephones, desks and chairs are provided; what is the estimated total capital costs of this provision and the annual cost of maintenance; and what revenue is received from this provision.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  It is not possible to separate from the Press Gallery accommodation that part available to the 688
  Press lobby. There are 17 rooms allocated for use by reporters in the Press Gallery which contain approximately 121 telephones, 90 desks and 90 chairs. The estimated capital and annual costs maintenance of these facilities cannot be identified from the overall totals for the Palace of Westminster without disproportionate cost. No revenue is received from their provision.

  TIBET: ALLEGED FORCED ABORTIONS
  TIBET: ALLEGED FORCED ABORTIONS
  MOLDOVA: UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE.
  MOLDOVA: UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE.
  NORTHERN IRELAND: UK SUBVENTION.
  NORTHERN IRELAND: UK SUBVENTION.
  ROYAL PARKS REVIEW: RESPONSE
  ROYAL PARKS REVIEW: RESPONSE
  OPTOMETRY: FUNDING OF CLINICAL TRAINING
  OPTOMETRY: FUNDING OF CLINICAL TRAINING
  REGULATED TENANCIES
  REGULATED TENANCIES
  THAMES WATER: DONATION TO POLITICAL PARTY
  THAMES WATER: DONATION TO POLITICAL PARTY
  HOUSING REPOSSESSIONS
  HOUSING REPOSSESSIONS
  SIXTEEN AND SEVENTEEN YEAR OLDS: LEGAL STATUS
  SIXTEEN AND SEVENTEEN YEAR OLDS: LEGAL STATUS
  COMMUNITY CARE FOR THE HOMELESS.
  COMMUNITY CARE FOR THE HOMELESS.
  ELIZABETH GARRETT ANDERSON HOSPITAL: BED CLOSURES
  ELIZABETH GARRETT ANDERSON HOSPITAL: BED CLOSURES
  ASYLUM: PROPOSED LEGISLATION
  ASYLUM: PROPOSED LEGISLATION
  SUNDAY TRADING
  SUNDAY TRADING
  JUVENILE PRISONERS IN POLICE CELLS
  JUVENILE PRISONERS IN POLICE CELLS
  CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1991, SECTION 95: PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION
  CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1991, SECTION 95: PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION
  EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE: CASES AGAINST THE UK
  EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE: CASES AGAINST THE UK
  LONDON: COMPARATIVE JOURNEY TIMES
  LONDON: COMPARATIVE JOURNEY TIMES
  MOTORWAY WIDENING: LIGHTING
  MOTORWAY WIDENING: LIGHTING
  CYCLE SCHEMES
  CYCLE SCHEMES