Written Answers of 4 March 1992

ENERGY

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the chairman of Nuclear Electric concerning the level of electricity prices to be offered to large industrial electricity consumers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of Nuclear Electric from time to time to discuss a range of issues.

ENVIRONMENT

  Farm Shops
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations or guidelines cover the proportion of the produce sold in a shop attached to a farm or smallholding which is required to have been grown on the farm or holding, in connection with planning requirements.

  Mr. Yeo
  There are no hard and fast rules but guidance is included in the new planning policy guidance note 7, "The Countryside and the Rural Economy". It is normally assumed that the use of a farm shop only for the sale of goods produced on that farm or smallholding is a use which is ancillary to the use as a farm/smallholding not requiring planning permission, whereas use as a farm shop selling a significant amount of "imported" produce amounts to a use on its own account and is therefore subject to planning control.

  Sir Walter Raleigh Statue
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the relocation of Sir Walter Raleigh's statue in Whitehall; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  A study has been commissioned to consider the siting of the proposed new statue of Lord Alanbrooke on Raleigh green, Whitehall. Although the study is not yet complete, there are no current plans that include the relocation of Sir Walter Raleigh's statue elsewhere. However, it is clear that a repositioning within the green will be needed. The siting plans emerging from the study will shortly be ready for consultation with interested parties, including the Royal Fine Arts Commission, English Heritage and Westminster City Council and no final decision will be taken until that is complete.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the revenue support grant and standard spending assessment for Dorset for 1992–93 as compared with 1991–92.

  Mr. Key
  The standard spending assessment for Dorset county council at £369·8 million for 1992–93 is 8·2 per cent. above that for 1991–92 at £341·8 million. Revenue support grant at £125·1 million is 23·7 per cent. higher than the sum of RSG and community charge grant for 1991–92 of £ 101·2 million.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the impact of outstanding rating appeals both domestic and non-domestic on local authority finances in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: Rating appeals under the new non-domestic rating system have no impact on local authority finances. Within any given level of aggregate external finance, any variation in rates yield due to such appeals would be matched by a corresponding variation in the level of revenue support grant. Figures are not available nationally on the effects for those years of appeals in respect of the 1973 valuation lists. The effect of these appeals on local authorities' budgets and charges will depend on their own past budgeting decisions. As I announced on 27 February, we have decided to issue supplementary credit approvals totalling some £9·5 million to assist those authorities most affected in 1991–2 by the results of rating appeals notified to them after 1991–92 budgets had been set.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet a delegation of residents from Coventry to discuss the effect of the standard spending assessment for 1992–93 on the level of education provision and social services in the city.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: No. Within Coventry's budget, the spending priorities given to education and social services are a matter for the city council.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings or other discussions his officials have had with local government officers or councillors from Coventry about the city's standard spending assessment in 1991 and 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 4 March 1992]: Coventry City Council made representations on standard spending assessments for 1991–92 and I met a delegation from the West Midlands joint committee, including Coventry, to hear representations on the SSA for 1992–93. For 1992–93 Coventry's SSA increases by 5·8 per cent. and is, at £1,080 per adult, one of the highest of any metropolitan district.

  Nuclear Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will next meet the European Commissioner for environmental matters to discuss the impact of the Sellafield reprocessing plant on the Irish sea and the surrounding environment.
  161
  Mr. Baldry
  Mr. right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  New Towns (Land Sales)
  Sir Charles Irving
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to extend to other new towns his recent decision to allow the Commission for the New Towns to make land available at Telford at a price intended to facilitate the construction of low-cost housing.

  Sir George Young
  The Commission for the New Towns is a disengagement authority, charged with maximising the receipts obtainable from the sale of its assets. Disposal of housing land at less than the best price reasonably obtainable can normally be justified only where this can be expected to lead to an overall enhancement in the value of its remaining assets.

  Sir Charles Irving
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend to the Commission for the New Towns the power of local authorities to sell land for less than the market price.

  Sir George Young
  The role of the Commission for the New Towns is disengagement and to maximise the receipts for the Exchequer obtained from the sale of its assets. It is the responsibility of the local housing authorities to co-ordinate arrangements to ensure that the social housing needs of their areas are met.

  United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newport West, 24 January,Official Report, column 347, when he received the non-governmental organisations' report of the Paris planning meeting for the forthcoming United Nations conference on environment and development; and which proposals made in the report have been included in the United Kingdom submissions for UNCED.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend has not yet received a formal report from the Paris meeting.

  Long Leasehold Flats
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he plans to make to the proposals for the enfranchisement of long leasehold flats, which he announced last July; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Following extensive consultation the scheme for enfranchisement in England and Wales, which I announced last year, is to be modified and extended.

  The main framework of the scheme to give long-leaseholders of flats the collective right to buy their freehold will not be changed. Nor will the compensation arrangements. But we shall simplify the criteria for qualification of long-leaseholders and buildings, and give a right to former freeholders to lease back parts of buildings let direct to renting tenants or used for business purposes.

  In addition, we will give flat owners in blocks which are not eligible for enfranchisement a right to extend their leases, at market price. The details of this proposal will be subject to consultation.
  162
  We will also remove the rateable value, and rental equivalent value, limits on eligibility of houses for enfranchisement. Long leaseholders of houses of any value will be given the right to buy their freeholds at market value.

  A revised information leaflet will shortly be available to the public on request from the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office. I will be placing copies of text, together with a brief resume of our proposals, in the Library. We will introduce this legislation when parliamentary time permits.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the present and planned sites for monitoring of air quality, stating for each which pollutants are measured.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department of the Environment is currently operating the following number of air pollution monitoring sites:

  Number

  Ozone:

  18

  Carbon monoxide:

  6

  Nitrogen oxides:

  12

  Acid deposition:

  32

  Atmospheric hydrocarbons:

  4

  Trace gases:

  3

  Smoke and sulphur dioxide:

  258

  Lead:

  17

  The enhanced urban monitoring initiative will place monitoring sites in 24 more towns and cities across the United Kingdom by the end of the decade. Each will measure ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, small particulate matter—PM10—and toxic hydrocarbons.

  The first 10 sites will be in Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, London, Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds and Aberdeen, the Government are awaiting independent scientific advice before choosing the locations of the remaining sites.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on data for air quality in Greater London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol at similar periods in each year from 1980 to 1991.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 28 February 1992]: Data for the cities and years requested are available only for smoke and sulphur dioxide.

  The 98-percentile daily mean smoke and sulphur dioxide concentrations for representative urban sites in Greater London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol are given in the table. The values can be compared with the EC directive limits for smoke and sulphur dioxide of 213 and 350 B5;gm-3, respectively.

  Smoke µgm-3

  SO2 µgm-3 as 98-percentile daily mean

  Birmingham

  1980–81

  51

  156

  1981–82

  107

  237

  163

  Smoke µgm-3

  SO2 µgm-3 as 98-percentile daily mean

  1982–83

  59

  115

  1983–84

  68

  128

  1984–85

  55

  123

  1985–86

  46

  111

  1986–87

  58

  87

  1987–88

  64

  96

  1988–89

  64

  180

  1989–90

  65

  91

  1990–91

  65

  93

  Bristol

  1980–81

  66

  115

  1981–82

  80

  134

  1982–83

  —

  —

  1983–84

  —

  —

  1984–85

  —

  —

  1985–86

  45

  83

  1986–87

  44

  90

  1987–88

  46

  76

  1988–89

  55

  49

  1989–90

  43

  60

  1990–91

  29

  43

  Leeds

  1980–81

  51

  110

  1981–82

  87

  115

  1982–83

  78

  125

  1983–84

  89

  139

  1984–85

  87

  158

  1985–86

  69

  129

  1986–87

  68

  98

  1987–88

  62

  94

  1988–89

  71

  82

  1989–90

  47

  79

  1990–91

  54

  101

  London (Enfield)

  1980–81

  48

  134

  1981–82

  56

  138

  1982–83

  39

  101

  1983–84

  49

  113

  1984–85

  49

  111

  1985–86

  41

  97

  1986–87

  37

  94

  1987–88

  49

  137

  1988–89

  17

  78

  1989–90

  28

  90

  1990–91

  26

  93

  London (City)

  1980–81

  54

  184

  1981–82

  67

  212

  1982–83

  62

  176

  1983–84

  58

  95

  1984–85

  51

  85

  1985–86

  53

  117

  1986–87

  49

  142

  1987–88

  49

  97

  1988–89

  40

  66

  1989–90

  41

  64

  1990–91

  62

  88

  London (Croydon)

  1980–81

  63

  144

  1981–82

  37

  82

  1982–83

  19

  58

  1983–84

  13

  44

  1984–85

  16

  42

  1985–86

  16

  54

  1986–87

  47

  84

  1987–88

  26

  62

  1988–89

  20

  62

  1989–90

  22

  66

  1990–91

  32

  66

  Manchester

  164

  Smoke µgm-3

  SO2µgm-3 as 98-percentile daily mean

  1980–81

  54

  180

  1981–82

  98

  250

  1982–83

  73

  180

  1983–84

  84

  181

  1984–85

  81

  155

  1985–86

  66

  122

  1986–87

  71

  112

  1987–88

  75

  151

  1988–89

  116

  204

  1989–90

  91

  126

  1990–91

  89

  106

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, on 11 February 1991,Official Report, column 295, concerning council debts.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: I have arranged for the available information to be laid in the Library of the House.

  Manchester Olympic Bid
  Mr. Denis Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the report commissioned by the Government from financial consultants as to the feasibility of the Manchester Olympic bid.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: The studies were commissioned by the Manchester Olympic bid committee with the financial support of the Government. It is not proposed that they should be published.

  Repossessions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many repossessions have been stopped as a result of the agreement reached between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and mortgage lenders, as announced on 19 December.

  Mr. Maples
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is too early to provide an estimate of the number of repossessions which have been prevented as a result of the measures agreed with the Council of Mortgage Lenders. However, excellent progress is being made on the implementation of the package. The Bill to suspend stamp duty on properties valued at up to £250,000 has received royal assent and the Bill to make income support payments of mortgage interest direct to lenders has passed all its Commons stages. In addition, the major lenders have committed themselves to helping borrowers in difficulties through mortgage rescue schemes involving funding of up to £3/4 billion. Such schemes are now coming into operation. The various measures will have a substantial impact on the level of repossessions this year.

PRIME MINISTER

  Charities (Europe)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Departments will be involved in consultations on the proposal for a European Community regulation on the statute for a European association.

  The Prime Minister
  The Home Office will be taking the lead with the Charity Commission, bringing in other Departments in respect of their particular interests in the proposed statute.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Bolivia
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs where in Bolivia the land now being used for soya bean production, under a World bank programme, is situated; what acreage is involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The land involved is the eastern lowlands region in the department of Santa Cruz. The area cultivated for soya bean production in 1989, when the project started, was 110,000 hectares. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 January, at column 679, and my answers to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 27 January, at column 421, and 28 January, at column 531.

WALES

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dwellings have been sold under the improvement for sale scheme by each local authority in Wales in each year since 1988.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Since 1988 a total of 21 dwellings have been sold under the improvement for sale scheme. A breakdown is given in the table:

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Ogwr

  9

  3

  6

  —

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Carmarthen

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many properties have been sold under home leasing schemes in each local authority area in Wales for each year from 1988; and what is the total amount granted in improvement grants and mortgage finance within each local authority area for participants in such schemes.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Since 1988 a total of 12 properties have been sold under home leasing schemes, a breakdown of which is provided in the table. Information is not centrally available on improvements grants and mortgage finance issued for these properties.

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Arfon

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Carmarthen

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Delyn

  —

  —

  1

  —

  166

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Ogwr

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Vale of Glamorgan

  3

  2

  —

  —

  Source: Welsh Office housing returns.

  Discount Housing Schemes
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the total number of vacancies released to date under each transferable discount housing scheme operational in Wales; and how many vacancies are(a) two bed, (b) three bed, (c) four bed and (d) over;

  (2) what is the total number of (a) formal grant applications, (b) grants approved, (c) grants paid, (d) applications withdrawn and (e) grants refused under each transferable discount scheme application in Wales to date;

  (3) of the lettings released under each transferable discount scheme operational in Wales to date, how many were allocated to (a) those transferred from other local authority property (b) households accepted as homeless under part III of the Housing Act 1985 and (c) households from the authority's waiting list;

  (4) if he will publish an anonymised list of all grant purchasers under transferable discount housing schemes showing in each instance (a) the amount of grant, (b) the property prices, (c) the location, (d) the household type and (e) household weekly income.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Agricultural Development Advisory Service
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans ADAS has to withdraw from Llandrindod Wells, Dolgellau new town, Brecon, Pontypool, Haverfordwest and Lampeter and to shed jobs at Caernarfon, Carmarthen and Trawscoed; and if he will make a statement on the future development of ADAS in Wales(a) prior to the setting up of the new Government agency and (b) from April onwards.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  When ADAS becomes a Government agency on 1 April 1992 its organisation in Wales will be based on consultancy centres at Cardiff and Ruthin, and a research centre at Pwllpeiran. As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on 23 July 1991, Official Report, column 454, ADAS will continue to operate after April 1992 from the existing locations, though the precise number and location of offices required to meet its business needs, and the needs of its clients, are being reviewed. The future development of ADAS in Wales will depend on the business it is able to secure for its customers.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much VAT was paid per annum by a family consisting of a married man on half of average male earnings, his wife, and two children in 1978–79; and what is the most recent estimate.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that reliable estimates of amounts of indirect taxes paid by families are available
  167
  only for those earning between three quarters and one and a half times average male earnings. Outside this range error margins are too large for estimates to be meaningful.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amounts of VAT paid in Wales during 1990–91; and what is the estimated figure for the current financial year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: Precise figures for VAT paid in Wales are not available, but it is estimated that the contribution to United Kingdom VAT in 1990–91 was around £11/2 billion. The estimate for 1991–92 is about £1·3 billion to £1·4 billion.

  Car Tax
  Mr. Willian Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons and companies in Northern Ireland are registered for car tax; and, of these, how many make the vehicles on which tax is due.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Three companies in Northern Ireland are registered for car tax, one of which manufactures chargeable vehicles.

  PAYE
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he issues on the treatment in the PAYE system of payments made to employees by way of compensation for breach of contract when they are not allowed to work their notice period; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The Inland Revenue publication "Employer's Further Guide to Pay As You Earn" gives guidance in section L on the tax treatment of lump sum payments, including payments in lieu of notice, and advises employers who are uncertain about the position on any particular payment to contact their tax office. I have arranged for a copy of the employer's guide to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Debtor Countries
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current total of outstanding debt owed to the United Kingdom by each of the groups of countries defined by the World bank as (i) Trinidad-eligible debtors, (ii) other low income debtors and (iii) middle income debtors; and what is the combined debt owed to the United Kingdom by all three groups of countries.

  Mr. Maples
  The World bank does not define a group of debtor countries eligible for the Trinidad terms. The World bank classifies those countries where per capita income in 1990 was no more than $610 as low-income countries. Middle-income countries are those where per capita income in 1990 was more than $610 but less than $7,620. The amount owed to the United Kingdom Government by the low-income debtors is about £4 billion. This comprises £3·75 billion owed in claims and oustanding interest on those claims owed to the Export Credits Guarantee Department and £1/4 billion owed to the Overseas Development Administration. The amount owed to the United Kingdom Government by the middle-income debtors is also about £4 billion, comprising a little over £31/2 billion in claims and outstanding interest on those claims owed to the ECGD, and about £350 million owed to the ODA.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what staffing implications were envisaged in 1989 by the board of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise on the implementation of the review of anti-smuggling controls; and what is the current assessment of the staffing implications.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The review of anti-smuggling controls initiated a move away from static controls to controls applied according to risk. No central estimate of the staffing effects of the review was made in 1989. Instead local senior managers were asked to reassess their staffing levels taking account of the principles of the review, the main theme being a move away from the 24 hour rostered attendance to flexible attendance by better-equipped, better-informed anti-smuggling teams—FASTs. FAST attendance depends very much upon an informed assessment of the risk at each location and on account of each movement.

  The current assessment of the staffing implications is that between 370 and 396 posts can be saved in the four year period from 1991 to 1995. However, these savings do not represent a net loss to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and must be viewed in the light of additional posts to be used on anti-smuggling work in connection with the channel tunnel and funds for the provision of extra equipment—£1 million in 1991–92 to 1992–93—extra training—£0·4 million in 1992–93—and extra intelligence gathering—£0·6 million from the seized assets fund in 1992–93. Her Majesty's Customs and Excise is also involved in numerous international initiatives and a further sum of about £125,000 will be provided in 1992–93 as part of the commitment to a European customs information system.

  Civil Service Relocation
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what future relocations of Government Departments and agencies are planned(a) by which Departments, (b) by number of jobs involved and (c) to which locations.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The table lists, with likely timings, the plans for relocations or locations away from the south-east which have still to be implemented or completed which Departments and agencies have announced.

  Department and dispersal location

  Number of posts

  Likely timing

  Inland Revenue

  Middlesbrough

  185

  1991–92

  Sunderland

  190

  1991–92

  Barnsley

  170

  1992

  Birkenhead

  170

  1992

  Dundee

  160

  1992

  Falkirk

  160

  1992

  Hull

  180

  1992

  Leicester

  160

  1992

  St. Austell

  160

  1992

  Swansea

  165

  1992

  Wrexham

  180

  1992

  Nottingham

  1,800

  1992–95

  Washington

  60

  1992–93

  3,740

  169

  Department and dispersal location

  Number of posts

  Likely timing

  Social Security

  Leeds

  662

  1992–93

  Belfast

  500

  1993

  Birkenhead

  500

  1993

  Dudley

  500

  1993

  Falkirk

  500

  1993

  Plymouth

  500

  1993

  3,162

  Defence

  Bristol

  3,000

  1995–96

  Home Office

  Ruddington

  120

  1992

  Birmingham

  12

  1992–93

  Derby

  1,700

  1993–95

  1,832

  Customs and Excise

  Liverpool

  1,290

  1990–95

  Manchester

  390

  1990–95

  Newry

  94

  1992–93

  1,774

  Employment Group

  Runcorn

  400

  1990–93

  Sheffield

  848

  1990–93

  Aberdeen

  85

  1992–94

  Bootle

  56

  1992–94

  1,389

  Health

  Leeds

  1,200

  1992–93

  Average change in 1991–92 (£)

  Compared with 1978–79 indexed regime

  Compared with 1987–88 indexed regime

  Range of individuals income in 1991–92 (£)

  Income Tax

  Income Tax and National Insurance

  Income Tax

  Income Tax and National Insurance

  Under 5,000

  110

  160

  40

  70

  5,000–10,000

  310

  290

  100

  180

  10,000–15,000

  640

  520

  170

  300

  15,000–20,000

  970

  720

  240

  380

  20,000–25,000

  1,370

  930

  330

  470

  25,000–30,000

  1,830

  1,360

  420

  540

  30,000–40,000

  2,340

  1,880

  380

  500

  40,000–50,000

  3,900

  3,430

  930

  1,030

  50,000–60,000

  6,600

  6,150

  2,020

  2,100

  60,000–70,000

  10,050

  9,590

  3,520

  3,600

  70,000–80,000

  13,300

  12,800

  5,450

  5,520

  Over 80,000

  45,600

  45,100

  18,800

  18,800

  Average

  1,010

  880

  310

  410

  I regret that a reliable analysis of taxpayers with incomes over £100,000 is not available.

  For the purpose of the calculations in the first two columns of the table, the indexed regime of 1978–79 has been applied directly to the income base of 1991–92. In practice, retention of the 1978–79 regime, indexed as appropriate, for the intervening years would have led to changes in the income base.
  170

  Department and dispersal location

  Number of posts

  Likely timing

  MAFF

  York

  1,000

  1994–96

  Land Registry

  Birkenhead

  110

  1992–93

  York

  110

  1992–94

  220

  Treasury

  Norwich

  200

  1992–95

  TOTAL

  17,517

  Taxation Changes
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average individual cumulative gain(a) in cash prices and (b) in 1991–92 prices to those earning (i) £5,000, (ii) £10,000, (iii) £15,000, (iv) £20,000, (v) £25,000, (vi) £30,000, (vii) £40,000, (viii) £50,000, (ix) £60,000, (x) £70,000 and (xi) £100,000, as a result of changes in (1) income tax and (2) income tax and national insurance, giving changes since 1979 and 1987, in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: Latest estimates of the reductions in income tax liability resulting from the changes in tax rates, allowances and thresholds are in the table. The 1978–79 and 1987–88 income tax regimes have been indexed to 1991–92 levels by reference to the statutory formula, and allowing for independent taxation.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Charities (Europe)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given to the proposal for a statute for European associations in the preparation of the discussion paper "The Individual and the Community: The Role of the Voluntary Sector".

  Mr. John Patten
  In preparing this paper, we noted that such a proposal has been made by the European Commission; it is mentioned in part 8.3 on page 40.
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  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 February,Official report, column 93, whom his Department intends to consult on the proposal for a European Community regulation on the statute for a European association; and when he intends to undertake the consultation.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  We will seek views from the main bodies representing the interests of the voluntary and charitable sectors and will take account of comments from any interested parties. Consultations will begin once the text of the statute has been formally communicated to us.

  Hong Kong
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the governor of Hong Kong has yet submitted his first report on the discharge of his functions under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Governor of Hong Kong submitted his report to me on 3 February 1992. A copy has been placed in the Library.

THE ARTS

  Libraries
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many county councils have cut library opening times since 1979.

  Mr. Renton
  This information is not available. However, the number of libraries open in English counties for over 10 hours a week has increased in the last 10 years by 3·6 per cent. and those open for 10 to 44 hours a week have increased by 4·3 per cent. in some cases, opening hours have been changed to reflect changing needs and also to make better use of resources.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what he expects to be the net expenditure on legal aid and advice in the current financial year and the next two financial years, in cash terms and at 1991–92 prices.

  The Attorney-General
  Legal aid expenditure for 1991–92, excluding administration, is expected to be around £900 million net. The current provisions for 1992– 93 and 1993–94 are £857 million and £885 million respectively, although, in view of the statutory demand-led nature of the fund, additional funds may be requested as necessary. These figures are expressed in cash terms as the legal aid fund is not calculated in constant price figures.

  Family Law
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the Government's programme for the reform of family law.

  The Attorney-General
  During the passage of the Children Bill my right hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General announced the establishment of an 172
  interdepartmental working party to oversee a rolling programme of work directed at improving family law and business. Its terms of reference were particularly directed towards the implementation and operation of the Children Bill. That legislation is now in operation, and my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has decided that the working party's terms of reference should be amended to the following:

  The Working Party shall oversee a programme of work directed at improving all aspects of family law and business. In particular, it shall:

  (a) oversee, co-ordinate and monitor progress of the review of the family justice system set out below;

  (b) report to and advise the Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary, the Secretaries of State for Health and Social Security, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other interested Ministers on that review; and

  (c) assess and monitor the resources implications.

  Review of the family justice system

  Responsible Departments shall consider and formulate advice on:

  (a) the reform of divorce law and practice, including any part which might be played by conciliation and mediation services and how they might be organised and funded:

  (b) the reform of the law governing civil remedies for domestic violence and rights to occupy the family home;

  (c) the functions and organisations of the support services in family proceedings;

  (d) the reform of adoption law;

  (e) the extension of the concurrent jurisdiction of the Magistrates' and county courts and the High Court under the Children Act 1989 to other family proceedings;

  (f) the rules governing access to and the reporting of family proceedings;

  (g) the rules governing financial and property division on family breakdown;

  (h) the law relating to the care and upbringing of children and in particular the future role of wardship, and any matters arising from the operation of the Children Act 1989;

  (i) such other reforms of family law as seem appropriate and in particular necessary to the creation of a unified jurisdiction; and;

  (j) such other changes in the rules of evidence and procedure as seem desirable to ensure uniform and appropriate means of dealing with family business in all levels of court.

TRANSPORT

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider moving the approach road to the east London river crossing from the A2 further to the east to avoid Oxleas wood.

  Mr. Chope
  The alignment of the road was thoroughly considered at very lengthy public inquiries in 1985–86 and before the then Secretaries of State took their decision in 1988. There are no grounds for re-considering that decision.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if a cut and cover road tunnel south from Shooters Hill to the A2 in Eltham would require land outside the existing orders.
  173
  Mr. Chope
  No. But the new design would need to be published and could involve a further public inquiry, particularly if it required deletion of the slip roads at Shooters Hill interchange.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the traffic effects of dropping the southern slip roads where Shooters Hill crosses the proposed approach road to the east London river crossing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  This issue was thoroughly considered by the then Secretaries of State in 1988. They concluded that the benefits of a tunnel through part of Oxleas wood did not justify the additional cost and loss of traffic benefits from deletion of the slip roads. No new evidence has emerged which would justify any change to that decision.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the additional net cost of a cut and cover tunnel south from Shooters Hill to the A2 in Eltham if the southern slips were dropped.

  Mr. Chope
  The estimated additional cost of a cut and cover tunnel about 400 m long would be about £20 million at current prices.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons and companies in Northern Ireland who are registered for vehicle excise duty are(a) wholesalers and (b) retailers.

  Mr. Chope
  This information is not available. Responsibility for the payment of vehicle excise duty rests on the keeper of the vehicle. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's register of vehicle keepers does not contain business or occupational details.

  A262
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are his Department's plans for the improvement of the A262 link between the A21 and Ashford; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish the most recent traffic statistics on the A262 between the A21 and Ashford stating when these were measured; and what plans he has for further data collection.

  Mr. Chope
  Possible improvements along the A262–A28 route between the A21 and Ashford are a matter for Kent county council as the local highway authority responsible for both of these roads.

  Last April the consultants preparing a traffic model for the south-east region counted traffic at points on the A262 and A28, and following is the information:
  A262 Goudhurst, 23 April 1991–16 hour day (6 am—10 pm) Eastbound 3,234 vehicles and westbound 3,209 vehicles of which, in each case, some 1·5 per cent. were HGVs.
  A28 Tenterden, 26 April 1991–16 hour day (6 am—10 pm) Eastbound 3,720 vehicles, of which 2·9 per cent. were HGVs. Westbound 3,663 vehicles, of which 2–6 per cent. were HGVs.

  My Department also conducts an on-going national census of traffic covering all major road links on a six year cycle. The next counts for sections of the A262 and A28 are scheduled for 1992 for 1993 respectively.

  Market Testing Programme
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each private sector consultancy firm, which has been retained by each agency within his Department, and for his Department as a whole, for the purposes of advising on the market testing programme and whether the appointment in each case was the result of competitive tendering.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells) on Monday 2 March 1992, at columns 63–64.

  A1
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusion he has reached as a result of the interdepartmental study on the future of the A1.

  Mr. Chope
  In a statement issued on 2 March the Secretary of State announced the Government's conclusion that it would be desirable for the A1 to be fully dualled from Newcastle to Edinburgh. Future planning will take this into account.

  Bournemouth Central Station
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the restoration of Bournemouth central station.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am asking British Rail to review options for the future of Bournemouth station, including options for restoration and the scope for commercial development in partnership with the private sector. As far as funding is concerned, British Rail will have an opportunity to review requirements for the period to 1995–96 in the annual public expenditure round this year.

  Railway Investment
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received about the timing of the investment for British Rail's 465 Networkers; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he received the investment submission from British Rail for the 465 Networkers; when the Government made their response to British Rail; and when he expects British Rail to place the order.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have received a number of representations about BR's class 465 Networkers.

  The then Secretary of State received on 10 August 1989 a submission seeking approval in principle for investment in 676 class 465 vehicles. On 31 August 1989 approval in principle was given. Firm authority was given for 400 of these vehicles. The first of these vehicles will be introduced into service with the May timetable.

  On 23 January 1991 my right hon. and learned Friend received a submission seeking approval for investment in 86 class 466 vehicles—the 466 is a two-car version of the 465—and in 188 further 465s. My right hon. and learned Friend gave approval for the former on 9 May and BR has ordered these vehicles. My right hon. and learned Friend gave approval for the 188 vehicles on 19 June, but BR is not yet in a position to say when the order for these vehicles will be placed.
  175
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held with the chairman of British Rail about the placing of the order for the 465 Networkers; and what was the outcome.

  Mr. Freeman
  I meet the chairman of British Rail regularly to discuss current issues. BR is not yet in a position to say when the order for a further 188 Networker vehicles will be placed. Already some 486 Networker orders have been placed and are under construction at a total cost of £364 million.

  Motorways
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of motorway there are in England.

  Mr. Chope
  There were 1,692 miles of motorway in England at 1 April 1991.

  Liverpool Airport
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had about the future of Liverpool airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In the past few days we have received correspondence drawing attention to the effect of British Midland's recent decision to end its service between Liverpool and Heathrow. That decision was one for the commercial judgment of the private sector airline concerned. The operation and marketing of Liverpool airport, to encourage airlines to provide services appropriate to meet demand, is a matter for its management.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest information he has as to(a) how many people presently have cars registered in a company's name and (b) how many are women and how many are men; and what is the regional distribution of these figures.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: The records kept at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that, at 31 December 1990, there were 2,579,000 licensed cars in the PLG tax class registered in a company name.

  Table 1

  London Transport investment and funding

  £ million (1990–91 prices)

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  11984–85

  London Transport investment

  London Underground Limited

  141

  150

  126

  161

  164

  London Buses Limited

  90

  99

  73

  89

  60

  Other2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  Funding

  Grant

  209

  222

  194

  241

  147

  Internal resources

  13

  21

  1

  5

  98

  1 15-month period.

  2 Includes investment by the DLR, LT Trading, LT Property and LT Central Services.

  176
  The regional breakdown is as follows:

  Number of licensed cars in PLG tax class registered in a company name

  Region

  Thousand

  Northern

  81

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  182

  East Midlands

  168

  East Anglia

  110

  South East

  1,012

  South Western

  174

  West Midland

  328

  North West

  280

  Scotland

  171

  Wales

  70

  Not known

  5

  Total Great Britain

  2,579

  No information is available from this source about the sex of the driver.

  Subsidies
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the total of capital investment in(a) London Underground, (b) London Buses, (c) Network SouthEast and (d) British Rail in each year from 1980–81 to 1994–95 (estimated), showing the financing sources for such subsidy in each year.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 28 February 1992]: Investment by London Underground is funded by a combination of Government grant and internal resources such as property receipts and contributions from third parties. Grant is not paid separately in respect of London Transport's subsidiaries. It is not possible to apportion particular sources of finance for British Rail and Network SouthEast between investment and other expenditure. Details of overall funding are given in the "Department of Transport Annual Report 1992".

  Table 1 shows London Transport investment broken down by London Underground, London Buses and other together with the amounts of Government grant and other funding. Table 2 shows British Rail and Network SouthEast investment levels.
  177

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Investment

  London Underground Limited

  179

  219

  259

  234

  328

  London Buses Limited

  53

  46

  24

  28

  30

  Other1

  48

  43

  73

  82

  115

  Funding

  Grant

  262

  293

  234

  192

  255

  Internal resources

  17

  15

  123

  162

  218

  1 Includes investment by the DLR, LT Trading, LT Property and LT Central Services.

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Investment

  London Underground Limited

  459

  2353

  Total for London Transport £3·5 billion3

  London Buses Limited

  28

  236

  Other1

  147

  170

  Funding

  Grant

  451

  2503

  41,082

  41,202

  4999

  Internal resources

  183

  56

  1 Includes investment by the DLR, LT Trading, LT Property and LT Central Services.

  2 Forecast outturn.

  3 Estimated.

  4 EFLs announced in 1991 Autumn Statement.

  British Rail and NSE investment 1990–91 prices (£ million)

  BR

  NSE

  1980

  566

  n/a

  1981

  2464

  n/a

  1982

  381

  179

  1983

  378

  169

  11984–85

  399

  157

  1985–86

  542

  151

  1986–87

  559

  171

  1987–88

  672

  285

  1988–89

  682

  356

  1989–90

  776

  387

  1990–91

  834

  302

  1991–92

  3950

  n/a

  1992–93

  41,301

  n/a

  1993–94

  n/a

  n/a

  1994–95

  n/a

  n/a

  1 1984–85 was a 15 month period. The figure for investment is a 12 month equivalent.

  2 Figures for 1981 to 1990–91 are for rail investment.

  3 DTp estimate.

  4 Ceiling—source: Department of Transport Report 1992.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make arrangements to enable city technology colleges to participate in the schemes for articled and licensed teachers.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Licensed teachers are employed in accordance with regulations made under section 218 of the Education Reform Act 1988. By virtue of section 218(12), these regulations do not apply to CTCs. I propose to bring forward legislation when the parliamentary timetable allows to enable CTCs to employ unqualified teachers under a licence leading to the award of qualified teacher status on the same terms and conditions as in maintained and grant-maintained schools.

  There is no statutory impediment to CTCs' participating in the articled teacher scheme, which is a pilot
  178
  programme for the development of school-based teacher training. My officials will be consulting CTCs on how best they can play their part in this and other forms of school-based training.

  Sport
  Mr. Denis Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy for the provision of facilities of excellence for British sports and on the financial arrangements for them.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: Our sports policy statement "Sport and Active Recreation" published in December 1991 identified, among the Government's primary objectives for sport, the achievement of higher standards of performance amongst participants and encouragement to those with potential to excel.

  The continued development of the sports councils' national centres of sporting excellence will provide an essential element of this strategy. Responsibility for the centres in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will lie with the home country sports councils, with the United Kingdom Sports Commission controlling the English centres and providing overall co-ordination. To complement these and existing world class local authority sports facilities, the Government's initial investment of £55 million in Manchester's bid to host the millennial Olympics will create major new facilities to encourage sporting excellence.

  Human Genome
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom position on patenting of sequences of the human genome.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The United Kingdom Government recognise that work on human genome sequencing has great potential both for the advancement of the understanding of human biology at the most fundamental level and for the delivery of medical advances for the
  179
  public good. They wish to promote a climate in which the scientific and industrial communities in the United Kingdom and internationally can play a full part in realising that potential, while recognising that there are genuine ethical concerns which must be respected.

  It is accepted that research will be most rapidly and effectively progressed in a spirit of full international collaboration. The Government take the view that this would be greatly facilitated by an international agreement that no country should seek patents on genome sequences of unknown utility identified as a result of publicly-funded research. The United Kingdom will pursue an international agreement to that end.

  In the absence of such agreement, however, a decision by the United Kingdom Medical Research Council not to seek patents when researchers funded by public bodies in other countries have or may do so could place the United Kingdom at a relative disadvantage. The Medical Research Council has, therefore, decided that it should file patent applications on certain sequences in order to protect the United Kingdom position, while allowing researchers early access to its sequence data. The council has made clear that if and when an international agreement not to patent is reached, it will waive its actual or potential rights in this area.

EMPLOYMENT

  Unemployment Costs
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest estimate of the overall cost to the Exchequer of unemployment(a) in 1991 and (b) in 1992.

  Mr. Jackson
  Figures for calendar years are not available. Gross benefit payments to the unemployed in financial year 1990–91 were £5·04 billion. The cost of administering unemployment benefit was calculated at £182 million for the same period. Administration costs for other benefits paid to the unemployed cannot be separately identified and we do not calculate estimates of foregone tax revenues. The latest estimate of benefit payments to the unemployed for the financial year 1991–92 is £7·36 billion.

  Departmental plans for 1992–93 currently allow for expenditure in the region of £7·9 billion.

  Employees (Statutory Protection)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the statutory provisions relating to(a) protection against unfair dismissal, (b) rights for those with family responsibilities and (c) a right to trade union representation.

  Mr. Forth
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Part V of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 provides employees with protection from unfair dismissal, including dismissal on grounds of pregnancy or membership or non-membership of a trade union. They may have additional protection against dismissal under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Race Relations Act 1976.

  (b) The employment protection legislation does not specifically cover family responsibilities as this is an area best left for agreement between companies and their employees to suit individual needs and circumstances. However, women who are pregnant
  180
  and who satisfy the qualifying conditions are normally protected against unfair dismissal and have the right to return to work after confinement. They also have the right to reasonable paid time off for antenatal care regardless of length of service and hours of work. Employees may have additional rights under the Sex Discrimination Act depending on the circumstances.

  (c) There is no statutory right to trade union representation.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the statutory provisions relating to the protection of(a) part-time, (b) temporary, (c) sub-contracted and (d) home workers.

  Mr. Forth
  All workers—that is, those who work under a contract of employment or service or who have a contract personally to execute any work or labour—are protected against discrimination on grounds of race, sex and being married, regardless of whether they a:re part-time, temporary, sub-contracted or home workers. They are also covered by the provisions of the Equal Pay Act and the Wages Act 1986.

  Similarly, all employees—that is, those who work under a contract of employment or service—are protected against discrimination on grounds of trade union membership or non-membership and are entitled to certain payments under the insolvency provisions and to reasonable paid time off for antenatal care.

  Employees who are trade union members are also protected against unjustifiable discipline by their trade union and other abuses of union power. Employees who work for at least 16 hours a week are also eligible for the employment protection rights listed in the table, in the same way as full-time employees, provided they satisfy any required qualifying conditions of service. If they work at least eight but fewer than 16 hours a week they can qualify after five years' service.

  Written statement of main terms and conditions

  Right to itemised pay statement

  Right to guarantee payment

  Medical suspension provisions

  Time off for carrying out trade union duties and for trade union activities

  Time off for public duties

  Time off to look for work or make arrangements for training

  Right to return to work after confinement

  Right to notice

  Right to written statement of reasons for dismissal

  Right not to be unfairly dismissed

  Right to redundancy payment

  Departmental Measures, Bournemouth
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those measures taken by his Department since 1987 which have benefited employment, training, small businesses and tourism in Bournemouth.

  Mr. Jackson
  A wide range of measures which benefit employment, training, small businesses and tourism are provided by this Department in Bournemouth, as elsewhere.

  The Department funds a wide range of training and enterprise programmes including youth training, employment training, training credits, high technology national training, career development loans, opening learning, the loan guarantee scheme and loan funds of the Prince's Youth Business Trust.
  181
  The establishment of the network of 82 training and enterprise councils in England and Wales, and 22 local enterprise companies in Scotland, to plan and deliver training locally, ensures that the needs of the labour market are considered in identifying and targeting training to meet skill needs. The TECs also encourage and support new and existing small businesses through locally tailored counselling and consultancy schemes and the enterprise allowance scheme.

  The Government's commitment to the success of the tourist industry includes direct funding of tourist boards, support of the seaside resorts campaign and grants to other organisations such as English Heritage and the Countryside Commission. The relaxations in the liquor licensing laws, the introduction of brown and white signs for tourist attractions, facilities for the disabled, care of the environment and improvements in training are among other measures which are benefiting the industry.

  Travel-to-work Areas
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will separate for statistical purposes the Barnstaple and Ilfracombe travel-to-work areas.

  Mr. Jackson
  A review of all travel-to-work areas will be undertaken when the relevant 1991 census of population data become available in the second half of 1993.

  Health and Safety Commission
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which bodies are entitled to nominate candidates to the Health and Safety Commission.

  Mr. Forth
  No bodies are entitled to nominate candidates to the Commission. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State, is required by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to consult such organisations representing employers, employees, local authorities and such other bodies, including professional bodies, as he considers appropriate before making appointments to the commission.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade, Hungary
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the latest trade figures between the United Kingdom and Hungary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Information on United Kingdom visible trade is regularly published in "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", which is available in the Library of the House.

  In 1991 the United Kingdom had a crude trade surplus with Hungary of £28·5 million.

  British Technology Group
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the Government's plans for the sale of the British Technology Group.

  Mr. Lilley
  Following consideration of the final bids, the Government have decided to enter a period of 182
  exclusive negotiation with a consortium led by managment and employees and CIN Venture Managers. The terms of their bid maximise the proceeds consistent with the best prospect of the continuation of BTG's existing technology transfer activities. Parliament will be informed of the outcome of the negotiations in the usual way.

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list each private sector consultancy firm which has been retained by each agency within his Department, and for the Department as a whole, for the purposes of advising on the market testing programme; and whether the appointment was the result of competitive tendering.

  Mr. Leigh
  No such consultancy appointments have been made.

  London Docklands
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department spent on the promotion of(a) London docklands and (b) London as a whole in each year from 1980–81 to 1991–92 (estimated).

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 28 February 1992]: The DTI's Invest in Britain Bureau and English unit actively promote inward investment to the United Kingdom and to the English regions respectively. In dealing with individual enquiries from potential inward investors, the IBB and the DTI south-east regional office can draw attention to particular sites or premises in London docklands or other London locations, as appropriate. The DTI keeps in close touch with the London Docklands development corporation and the economic development units of individual London boroughs. The Invest in Britain Bureau publication "Britain, the Urban Opportunity", carries information about London docklands and other London urban areas. It is not possible to estimate what proportion of DTI's total expenditure on inward investment could be attributed to promotion of London.

  Weapons Exports
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department's export control office has had with the German Zollkriminalinstitut in Cologne about the application of the new law, the Kriegswaffenkontrollgesetz, on sensitive export control and how the new arrangements will affect the operation of the single European market.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 28 February 1992]: The German Kriegswaffenkontrollgesetz, which controls the export of specifically military goods, was last amended in November 1990.

  On 23 January this year the Bundestag adopted a new law on export controls which significantly extends the powers of the customs authorities.

  The Department's Export Control Organisation has not had formal discussions with the German Zollkriminalinstitut on the application of the new German legislation on sensitive export controls. It is too early to tell how these new controls will affect the operation of the

  183
  single European market: the EC is currently trying to reduce the number of border controls across the Community.

  Additionality
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will indicate whether the Government intend to apply the full additionality criteria for EC funds or whether the money will be top-sliced from existing initiatives.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: I refer to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment to the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Enright) on 2 March and 28 February respectively, Official Report, columns 18–19 and 642.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each private sector consultancy firm which has been retained by each agency within his Department, and for his Department as a whole, for the purposes of advising on the market testing programme; and whether the appointment was the result of competitive tendering.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department approached several firms on an informal basis, in order to assess their approach to a step change in market testing.

  Further to these discussions, the Department has decided to award a contract covering a preliminary exercise to assist with the selection of areas for more detailed examination.

  In view of the small size of this contract, it was felt to be not cost effective to carry out a formal competitive tendering exercise.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those parts of his Department, including executive agencies, carrying out reviews over the last 12 months into the pay and grading of staff; and the firm of consultants engaged, where appropriate.

  Mr. Curry
  Pay and grading issues are kept under review within the Department and within its executive agencies. KPMG has done some work in relation to ADAS which is due to become an agency on 1 April 1992.

  Meat Inspection
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total cost to the industry of inspection charges in Great Britain for(a) beef, (b) pork, (c) lamb and (d) poultry meat.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government do not collect information on the levels of charges since these are the responsibility of individual local authorities. However, we estimate the total cost to the industry for 1990–91 at about £31 million. Of this amount approximately 73 per cent. relates to red meat and 27 per cent. to white meat. It is not 184
  possible to estimate, from the information available to us, the percentage of the red meat costs which relate to beef, pork and lamb.

  Model Farm, St. Petersburg
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to commence construction of the model farm near St. Petersburg.

  Mr. Curry
  A team of British experts will shortly be visiting St. Petersburg to carry out a detailed pre-investment feasibility study on the model farm. Their advice will inform the timetable for further work.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list current and past rates of payment, at 1991 prices, per hectare for each of the environmentally sensitive areas which have been in existence for more than three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  For the current rates of payment, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him earlier today. The former rates of payments in the stage I areas under the schemes which terminated on 31 December 1991 were as follows:

  £

  Broads

  Tier 1

  125

  Tier 2

  200

  Pennine Dales

  Tier 1

  100

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  Tier 1

  82

  Tier 2

  120

  South Downs

  Tier1

  35

  Tier 2—Arable conversion

  160

  West Penwith

  Tier 1

  60

  The payments in the former and the revised stage I schemes are not strictly comparable since the revisions to the scheme introduced variations in the conditions and some totally new measures.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the payment per hectare in each environmentally sensitive area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The current payments per hectare in each environmentally sensitive area are as follows.

  Areas designated in 1987 (stage I) and revised in 1992

  £

  Broads

  Tier 1

  125

  Tier 2

  220

  Tier 3

  250

  Tier 4—Arable reversion

  200

  Tier 4—Grassland margins

  280

  Conservation Plan (up to a ceiling of £3,000 over 2 years)

  75

  185

  £

  Pennine Dales

  Tier 1—Pasture

  90

  Tier 1—Hay meadows

  125

  Tier 2

  210

  Woodland supplement

  25

  Conservation Plan (up to a ceiling of£3,000 over 2 years)

  100

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  Tier 1

  120

  Tier 2

  180

  Tier 3

  350

  High water level supplement

  70

  Conservation Plan (up to a ceiling of £3,000 over 2 years)

  75

  South Downs

  Tier 1

  40

  Tier 2

  40

  Tier 3—Arable reversion to chalk downland

  240

  Tier 3—Arable reversion to grassland

  200

  Tier 3—Conservation headlands

  60

  Conservation Plan (up to a ceiling of £3,000 over 2 years)

  75

  West Penwith

  Tier 1

  65

  Conservation Plan (up to a ceiling of £4,000 over 2 years)

  100

  Areas designated in 1988 (stage II):

  £

  Breckland

  Section 1 —

  100

  Section 2 —

  125

  Section 3—Uncropped wildlife strips

  300

  —Conservation headlands

  100

  North Peak

  Tier 1 —

  10

  Tier 2 —

  20

  Shropshire Borders

  Tier 1 —

  30

  Tier 2 —

  8O

  Suffolk River Valleys

  Tier 1 —

  70

  Tier 2 —

  180

  Tier 3 —Arable reversion

  200

  Test Valley

  Tier 1 —

  80

  The payments in respect of stage I areas will apply to new agreements made in response to applications under the revised schemes introduced on 15 January 1992.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the new environmentally sensitive areas that he intends to designate and how many existing environmentally sensitive areas he intends to expand; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [pursuant to the reply, 11 November 1991, c. 420]: I am today issuing for public consultation proposals on the boundaries, aims and operation of six new environmentally sensitive areas. They cover:

  The Avon Valley (south of Salisbury)

  Exmoor

  Lake District

  North Kent Marshes

  South Wessex Downs (Wiltshire and Dorset)

  South West Peak

  The areas proposed will add some 417,000 hectares to the 387,000 hectares currently within ESAs in England.
  186
  They vary in character from coastal marshland to mountain and moorland, and include some of Britain's most beautiful countryside and important wildlife habitats. I am making copies of the consultation documents available in the Library of the House.

  ESAs help farmers to conserve and enhance special habitats, landscapes and features of historic interest. They have been widely acclaimed by both farmers and environmentalists. I am therefore delighted to be able to announce proposals for this major extension to the farmland covered by ESAs.

  The six new schemes covered by the proposals will open for applications in the summer, after the results of the consultation have been analysed and the detailed arrangements finalised. A further six ESAs will be introduced next year.

  Farm Shops
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards farm shops attached to farms and smallholdings.

  Mr. Curry
  In line with our policy of encouraging appropriate forms of farm diversification my Department gives farmers investing in farm shops free advice and grants towards the costs of detailed feasibility studies, capital expenditure and marketing costs.

  Coastal Protection, Bournemouth
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much grant aid for coastal protection and beach replenishment has been provided to Bournemouth since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Since 1979, the borough of Bournemouth has received £5·6million in grant aid for coastal defence works. This sum includes in excess of £1·2 million paid for beach replenishment.

  Government funding for flood and coastal defence work in England has risen substantially since 1986–87 and further increases have been agreed as part of the 1991 Public Expenditure Survey. Grant to the National Rivers Authority (flood and sea defence) will rise from £21·6 million in 1990–91 to £48·2 million in 1994–95. For local authority schemes (flood and sea defences and coast protection) the grant available will increase over the same period from £18·2 million to £22·7 million.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now take steps further to control the use of nutrition claims in food labelling and advertising, as recommended by the Food Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Maclean
  Following the continuing absence of proposals from the European Commission, the Government are to consult on further controls on the use of nutrition claims in food labelling and advertising. These controls are based on advice from the Food Advisory Committee.

  Nutrition claims can provide a useful source of information for consumers seeking a healthy, balanced,

  187
  diet but there is a continuing need for them to be fully protected from misleading claims and for all claims to be made on the same basis.

  The Government have therefore issued, for consultation, draft regulations to implement the Food Advisory Committee's recommendations as part of its general policy to ensure that consumers are properly informed about the foods they buy and eat.

  The draft regulations lay down conditions for making claims such as "low fat", "no added sugar", and "high fibre".

  The intention is that these regulations will add the necessary pressure on the Commission to come forward with proposals soon.

  I have arranged for a copy of the consultation letter and draft regulations to be placed in the Library of the House.

  BSE
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the experimental host range of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Maclean
  It has been known for some time that, under experimental conditions, BSE can be transmitted to a range of species—mice, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. In most cases, this has been accomplished only by direct inoculation of large doses of infectious material from cows affected with BSE, although mice have also succumbed after being fed with large quantities of infected cattle brain material.

  As part of this programme of work designed to clarify the range of species susceptible to BSE, an experiment conducted by the Medical Research Council and MAFF has resulted in BSE being transmitted to a marmoset, following inoculation of cattle brain material derived from a BSE affected cow into its brain and body cavity.

  Although it was already known that marmosets were susceptible, under similar artificial laboratory conditions, to other spongiform encephalopathies, the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. David Tyrrell, was immediately asked to advise on the implications of this experiment. The committee concluded that the results of the experiment were not surprising and had no implications for the safeguards already in place for human and animal health. I am arranging for a copy of this advice to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Agriculture Council held on 2 and 3 March.

  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting of the Council accompanied by my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry) Parliamentary Secretary in my Department.

  Discussion concentrated on the proposals for reform of the CAP. The presidency presented a new compromise document which was, however, seriously questioned by most delegations, among them the United Kingdom. After an initial table round the President concluded that a satisfactory basis for continuing negotiations at this
  188
  meeting did not exist. Discussions will continue at official level and the President suggested the Council might come back to this dossier at its next meeting on 30–31 March.

  In an informal joint meeting with trade ministers consideration was given to draft schedules on agricultural support and protection, drawn up by the Commission for submission in Geneva as a Community contribution to the current GATT negotiations. The Commission said that it would probably submit these schedules later this week, taking account of points made in discussion.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he proposes any changes relating to occupational pensions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement that my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State made to the House on 27 February 1992 at columns 1131–38.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those parts of his Department, including executive agencies, carrying out reviews over the last 12 months into the pay and grading of staff and the firm of consultants engaged, where appropriate.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Benefits Agencies (BA), Contributions Agency (CA) and Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA) have been carrying out reviews into the pay and grading of staff. CA and ITSA received limited assistance from, respectively, Price Waterhouse and PA Consulting.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the total amount of money paid out from the social fund by his Department's local offices in the London borough of Wandsworth; and how many people received payments.

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

  Pensioners' Costs
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the figures on pensioners' expenditure in the regions given in his answer of 13 March 1991,Official Report, columns 536–37 to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan, (Mr. Salmond).

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 27 February 1992]: The information for 1989, the latest year available on this basis, is in the table:

  1. Pensioners' average weekly annual expenditure 1989

  Fuel, light and power

  £ per week

  Region

  North

  8·12

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  8·20

  East Midlands

  8·50

  East Anglia

  8·10

  189

  Fuel, light and power

  £ per week

  Greater London

  7·70

  South East, excluding London

  18·60

  South West

  7·60

  Wales

  8·50

  West Midlands

  9·30

  North West

  19·60

  Scotland

  9·30

  Northern Ireland

  111·60

  All United Kingdom

  8·50

  2. Pensioners' average weekly winter expenditure 1989

  North

  18·40

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  19·40

  East Midlands

  18·70

  East Anglia

  18·40

  Greater London

  18·50

  South East, excluding London

  19·90

  South West

  18·40

  Wales

  9·40

  West Midlands

  110·30

  North West

  110·10

  Scotland

  19·30

  Northern Ireland

  110·10

  All United Kingdom

  9·20

  Notes:

  1. The tables are based on data from the Family Expenditure Survey for 1989.

  2. Estimates marked with ' are derived from samples smaller than 100 units. They are, therefore, less reliable than the other data presented and should be treated with caution.

  3. The figures are for pensioner households which are defined as those occupied by one pensioner tax unit only. This may be a single pensioner or a couple where the head of the tax unit is over pensionable age.

  4. The regions shown are the standard breakdown. Any further disaggregation could not be supported by sample sizes.

  5. Winter has been defined as the five months of the year when higher fuel bills might be paid (January to May).

  6. Figures will be affected by the receipt of rebates relating to earlier periods.

  Income Support
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claimants had mortgage interest included in assessment of income 190
  support; what was the annual equivalent mortgage interest included in assessment of income support for each year since 1979 for assessments during the first 16 weeks of the claim, and others beyond that period; and what is his estimate of the current number of claimants affected, and the current total amount of mortgage interest included.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 27 February 1992]: The table gives estimates from 1979 to 1990, the latest year for which information is available:

  Year

  Number of claimants receiving help with mortgage interest (000's)

  Amount includes in assessments £ million

  1979

  98

  —

  1980

  134

  —

  1981

  196

  —

  1982

  235

  —

  1983

  242

  —

  1984

  277

  219

  1985

  1—

  1—

  1986

  356

  351

  1987

  334

  335

  Year

  Number with half mortgage interest

  Amount £

  Number with full mortgage interest

  Amount £

  1988

  38

  33

  262

  253

  1989

  30

  34

  251

  319

  1990

  40

  71

  270

  483

  Source: Supplementary Benefit/Income Support Statistical Enquiries 1979–1990.

  1: No enquiry was undertaken for 1985.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Roads Budget
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he plans to take to ensure that funds are allocated to the roads budget which will enable major reconstruction to take place.

  Mr. Needham
  Following the recent announcement of the Government expenditure plans, more than £140 million has been allocated in each of the next three years to maintain and improve the road system, with priority being given to maintenance work.

  Air Quality, Belfast
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the air quality results for central Belfast, for January, June, October and December each year from 1985 to the present for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and low level ozone and any other relevant measurements for which he has results.

  Mr. Needham
  Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and low-level ozone have not been monitored in Belfast to date, although carbon monoxide and ozone are to be included amongst the pollutants measured at a new city centre monitoring station which will come into operation shortly.

  Sulphur dioxide is monitored at nine sites throughout Belfast, including the city centre, by the Warren Spring laboratory and Belfast city council. Smoke levels are also measured. The results from April to March are published annually. The figures for the months requested are set out in the table, and include provisional, unpublished data for June, October and December 1991.

  Average Concentrations of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Smoke Recorded at College Street, Belfast Between 1986 and 1991

  CONC (UG/M3)

  January

  June

  October

  December

  1985

  SO2

  108

  44

  63

  60

  Smoke

  73

  16

  66

  48

  1986

  SO2

  69

  37

  44

  57

  Smoke

  40

  10

  22

  50

  1987

  SO2

  96

  49

  77

  117

  Smoke

  59

  23

  47

  85

  1988

  SO2

  91

  37

  NRR

  NRR

  Smoke

  48

  12

  NRR

  NRR

  Sheltered dwellings built

  Constituency

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  11991–92

  Antrim East

  67

  35

  —

  —

  —

  Antrim North

  —

  49

  —

  —

  31

  Antrim South

  —

  —

  23

  —

  —

  Belfast East

  —

  51

  —

  30

  25

  Belfast North

  40

  —

  45

  —

  31

  Belfast South

  37

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Belfast West

  —

  31

  40

  —

  72

  Down North

  31

  35

  —

  92

  —

  Down South

  41

  43

  —

  —

  25

  192

  CONC (UG/M3)

  January

  June

  October

  December

  1989

  SO2

  N

  23

  42

  122

  Smoke

  N

  13

  27

  106

  1990

  SO2

  58

  23

  37

  99

  Smoke

  39

  5

  25

  77

  1991

  SO2

  68

  120

  12

  136

  Smoke

  37

  113

  113

  141

  N = indicates sampling criteria not met—usually due to a shortage of daily results.

  NRR = no results were received for that month.

  1 = provisional data—not yet published.

  Source:— Warren Spring Laboratory, Summary Tables.

  Training Schemes
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the latest information he has about the number of people who are participating in(a) the youth training programme, (b) the job training programme, (c) the enterprise allowance scheme and (d) job clubs.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is as follows:Youth training programme—14,702 trainees at 31 January 1992.
  Job training programme—3,559 trainees at 31 January 1992.
  Enterprise allowance scheme—752 participants at 21 February 1992.
  Job clubs—3,286 participants during the period 1 April 1991 to 31 January 1992.

  ACE
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the latest available date how many people were employed on action for community employment; how many of them were employed part-time or full-time; and how many were(a) male or (b) female.

  Mr. Needham
  At 21 February, 5,128 men and 4,522 Women were employed on ACE. Of these, 4,375 men and 1,744 women were in full-time employment and 753 men and 2,778 women were employed part time.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sheltered dwellings have been built in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and if he will break down the figure by constituency.

  Mr. Needham
  The information for publicly-funded dwellings, all of which were built by registered housing associations, is set out in the table. There are no statistics held centrally on the number of sheltered dwellings built by the private sector.
  193

  Constituency

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  11991–92

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  23

  —

  —

  61

  —

  Foyle

  59

  39

  —

  51

  62

  Lagan Valley

  —

  39

  23

  —

  —

  Londonderry East

  44

  40

  23

  26

  —

  Mid Ulster

  —

  23

  29

  —

  24

  Newry and Armagh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strangford

  —

  27

  —

  41

  36

  Upper Bann

  34

  40

  105

  31

  38

  Total

  376

  452

  288

  332

  344

  1 Figures for 1991–92 are estimated.

  Teachers
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teachers have been unemployed in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is as follows:

  Unemployed claimants who last worked in the teaching profession January 1987–1992

  Number

  January 1987

  1,693

  January 1988

  1,573

  January 1989

  1,521

  January 1990

  1,285

  January 1991

  1,147

  January 1992

  1,311

  Belfast Airport
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 644, on which dates the Conservative party hired the facilities at Belfast international airport; on which dates the Conservative party was issued with invoices for the hire rental; and if all rents have been paid by the Conservative party.

  Mr. Needham
  I am informed by the management of Northern Ireland Airports Ltd. that the Conservative party hired the facilities at Belfast international airport on 1 June 1991 and on 1 February 1992. The invoices for the hire rental were issued on 1 June 1991 and 1 February 1992 respectively and both invoices were paid promptly.

  Squatters
  Mr. Peter Robilison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were occupying Housing Executive properties without a tenancy agreement in each of the last five years.

  Number of recorded meetings of the Northern Ireland Housing Council

  1989

  1990

  1991

  8

  11

  10

  District council

  Members

  Attendance

  Antrim

  S. Dunlop

  2(4)

  —

  —

  J. Allen

  3(4)

  10

  10

  Ards

  H. J. S. Gibson

  1 (4)

  —

  —

  D. S. Smyth

  3(4)

  8

  8

  Armagh

  J. Speers

  7

  9

  9

  Ballymena

  A. Spence

  8

  8

  9

  Ballymoney

  W. J. Logan

  8

  11

  10

  Banbridge

  S. Cowan

  4(4)

  —

  —

  J. Dobson

  3(4)

  5

  6

  Belfast

  S. Wilson

  2

  5

  0

  Carrickfergus

  S. J. Stewart

  12(4)

  9

  9

  Castlereagh

  W. Abraham

  2(4)

  3(6)

  —

  194
  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised by its chief executive that the number of Housing Executive properties occupied without a tenancy agreement at 31 March in the years 1988 to 1991 was as follows:

  Number

  1988

  932

  1989

  838

  1990

  736

  1991

  592

  The number of such properties at 31 December 1991 was 589.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many squatters have been evicted by the Housing Executive in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised by its chief executive that one squatter was evicted by the Housing Executive during each of the following years: 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90. No squatters were evicted during 1990–91, but two were evicted during 1991–92 (up to 31 December 1991).

  Housing Council
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of the members of the Northern Ireland housing council; on how many occasions the council has met during the past three years; and how many of these meetings were attended by each member of the council.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is as follows:
  195

  1989

  1990

  1991

  8

  11

  10

  District council

  Members

  Attendance

  I. Robinson

  —

  3(5)

  4

  J. Clarke

  0(4)

  —

  —

  Cookstown

  A. Kane

  4

  5

  6

  Coleraine

  P. Armitage

  5

  6

  7

  Craigavon

  S. Cairns

  5

  10

  4

  Derry

  S. T. Carlin

  3(4)

  —

  —

  G. Peoples

  4(4)

  9

  10

  Down

  W. Brown

  4(4)

  —

  —

  E. O'Neill

  4(4)

  8

  6

  Dungannon

  M. Morrow

  2

  6

  5

  Fermanagh

  T. Maguire

  0(4)

  —

  —

  C. McClaughry

  0(1)

  —

  —

  W. C. Noble

  3(3)

  10

  10

  Lame

  T. Baxter (deceased)

  0(1)

  —

  —

  J. McKee

  0(2)

  —

  —

  R. McKee

  1

  11

  9

  Limavady

  S. Gault

  7

  8

  9

  Lisburn

  W. Belshaw

  6

  3

  5

  Magherafelt

  M. McSorley

  7

  9

  10

  Moyle

  A. P. McConaghy

  4(4)

  —

  —

  G. Kane

  4(4)

  10

  7

  Newry/Mourne

  J. McCart

  4(4)

  —

  —

  A. Ruddy

  4(4)

  7

  7

  Newtownabbey

  J. Smith (deceased)

  5

  7(19)

  10

  W. Snoddy

  .—

  —

  2(4)

  A. Beattie

  —

  —

  5(5)

  North Down

  D Vitty

  2(4)

  2(5)

  —

  G. Green

  3(4)

  5(5)

  10

  Omagh

  C. McFarland

  3(4)

  3(5)

  5(6)

  B. McGrath

  2(4)

  —

  —

  L. McQuaid

  —

  2(6)

  0(4)

  Strabane

  I. Barr

  0(3)

  —

  —

  E. Turner

  4(5)

  11

  8

  Note: Figures in parenthesis show the possible number of meetings which the member could have attended during the period of appointment.

  1 indicates that the District Council did not appoint a representative for a period of time.

  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to encourage the use of independent bodies to undertake environmental impact assessments.

  Mr. Needham
  None.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many environmental impact assessments have been(a) undertaken and (b) brought to a conclusion in Northern Ireland; how many in each case were carried out by (i) the developer (ii) an independent body and (iii) his Department; and how many of the conclusions reached by (1) the independent body and (2) his Department have been at variance with the assessments carried out by the developer.

  Mr. Needham
  Twenty environmental impact assessments (EIAs) have been undertaken, of which 13 have been brought to a conclusion.

  In all cases the developer provided an environmental statement which was considered by the relevant Department. No independent body was involved. No case where an EIA was carried out has been refused.

  Environmental Issues
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide an update for the table on page xv of the Environment Committee's first report of Session 1990–91 entitled, "Environmental Issues in 196
  Northern Ireland", providing a list of known legislative commitments for the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  Copies of the legislative programme prepared by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland during February 1992 have been placed in the Library.

  Environmental Protection Agency
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to establish an environmental protection agency in Northern Ireland: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  When details of the proposed agency in England and Wales are available careful consideration will be given as to whether or not any proposals for change in Northern Ireland should also be made.

  Job Creation
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show for each of the last six years and the current year the number of jobs created and the number of firms setting up in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each year were the result of investment from outside Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  The figures for jobs promoted by the industrial development agencies for the last six financial years are as follows:
  197

  Total jobs promoted

  Jobs promoted through inward investment

  Industrial Development Board

  1985–86

  2,910

  224

  1986–87

  4,187

  415

  1987–88

  5,300

  867

  1988–89

  5,653

  1,856

  1989–90

  5,131

  1,977

  1990–91

  4,402

  1,294

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  1985–86

  3,888

  n.a.

  1986–87

  4,244

  n.a.

  1987–88

  4,047

  n.a.

  1988–89

  4,581

  n.a.

  1989–90

  5,510

  n.a.

  1990–91

  6,004

  n.a.

  The number of firms setting up in Northern Ireland as indicated by VAT registrations over the past six calendar years are as follows:

  Number

  1985

  3,700

  1986

  3,300

  1987

  3,400

  1988

  3,600

  1989

  3,900

  1990

  3,600

  1991

  n.a.

  n.a.= Not available.

  The place of origin of a firm and the initial number of jobs created cannot be determined from VAT returns.

  Dental Practitioners
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are being made to provide regular continued training in resuscitation techniques for general dental practitioners as recommended in the Poswillo report; and what funding is being provided for such training.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Department of Health and Social Services will be entering into discussions shortly with the Northern Ireland Council for Postgraduate Medical Education on the nature, extent and cost of the training required for dentists and their teams as recommended in the Poswillo report. The resource implications of this training have not yet been quantified and no funds have been allocated.

  Vehicle Imports
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years and the current year, how many new motor vehicles have been imported into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic.

  Mr. Needham
  The information set out in the table relates to new vehicles registered for the first time on importation to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.
  198

  Number

  1988–89

  305

  1989–90

  145

  1990–91

  120

  11991–92

  183

  1 To end of January.

  Planning Proposals
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining what redress is available to an objector whose duly submitted and duly acknowledged objection was not known to, or considered by, the relevant planning officers when making their decision on a planning application.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: In such circumstances the objector could lodge a complaint with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for Northern Ireland who may carry out an investigation. The objector could also make application to the courts for leave to apply for a judicial review of the Department's decision.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the standards promised by the citizens charter and their relevance to the treatment of planning proposals and objections by the planning service, development offices and road services.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: The citizens charter is about providing a high standard of public service. Accordingly, the Department of the Environment has adopted an objective of normally consulting district councils on planning applications within eight weeks.

  In determining applications, the Department considers objections and has regard to the development plan and other material considerations.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement clarifying where responsibility lies for ensuring liaison or co-ordination between the different offices and services of the Department of the Environment when they are each involved in particular development proposals.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: Responsibility for such matters rests with the Permanent Secretary of the Department.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give at 1991–92 prices the gross cost of uprating the retirement pension by average earnings, whole economy, in each year since 1980–81.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 27 February 1992]: The estimated costs are as follows:

  Financial year

  Gross cost (£ million)

  November 1980–81

  3

  November 1981–82

  11

  November 1982–83

  14

  November 1983–84

  16

  November 1984–85

  30

  November 1985–86

  34

  199

  Financial year

  Gross cost (£ million)

  November 1986–87

  53

  November 1987–88

  78

  November 1988–89

  95

  November 1989–90

  114

  November 1990–91

  123

  November 1991–92

  126

HEALTH

  Hospital Costs, Merseyside
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to the Mersey regional health authority for a patient spending a week in hospital.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Financial returns submitted to the Department by district health authorities in the Mersey region for 1990–91 indicate the average treatment cost for all specialties to be approximately £80 per bed day (i.e. in-patients and day care).

  This figure is provisional. It covers all direct clinical and diagnostic costs but excludes expenditure on support and hotel services.

  Dental Fillings
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will initiate an education campaign to warn patients of the potential health implications of leaching mercury from amalgam fillings in teeth;

  (2) what advice he makes available for dentists and the general public as to the safe level of mercury which can be absorbed from leaching amalgam fillings;

  (3) when a product licence was issued for mercury for use in the manufacture of dental amalgams;

  (4) what is the quantity of mercury that has been planted in teeth in the United Kingdom for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Current advice from the committee of toxicity is that the use of dental amalgam is free from the risk of systematic toxicity and only a few cases of hypersensitivity occur. Dental mercury is not a medicinal product, and a product licence is not required. Information is not available on the quantity of mercury planted in teeth in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has indicating that mercury from dental amalgam fillings are capable of compromising the immune system, reducing total T-cells by a substantial percentage.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have no such evidence.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will give guidance to health authorities on the advertising of senior posts in order to promote equal opportunities; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will recommend health trusts to advertise all vacant senior posts in order to promote equal opportunities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The NHS is committed to equal opportunities in employment. Individual appointments are a matter for the relevant employing authorities,200
  who are aware that we expect that all NHS posts, including those at senior level, should normally be advertised and openly competitive.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior posts in the NHS between April and December 1991 were filled by means other than by open advertisement; how many(a) men and (b) women were appointed to these posts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  GP Training
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many course organisers for general practitioner trainees were employed in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and for the most recent point in 1992; what was the cost of employing such course organisers; and to which part of the national health service budget these costs are charged.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The table gives the numbers of course organisers employed in 1990 and 1991. Figures for 1988, 1989 and 1992 are not available.

  Course organisers (England)

  1 October 1990

  326

  1 October 1991

  330

  The twenty-second report of the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration estimated that the cost of employing 368 course organisers in England and Wales was £1·56 million per annum. The cost of employing course organisers is at present part of the general medical services budget. In line with the recommendation of the review body, this sum will be transferred to a medical education budget in April this year.

  Dentists
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the General Dental Service Committee concerning the proposed payment system for dentists.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The proposed increase in target net income of 8·5 per cent. which was recommended by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) was accepted by the Government. To ensure that the level at which fees are pitched in the coming year will deliver this proposed increase in dentists' net income, the Health Departments consulted the General Dental Services Committee (GDSC). Following discussions between the GDSC and the Health Departments agreement was reached to hold a joint inquiry to review the level of payments to dentists in 1991–92, the results of which will be considered by the Health Departments and the GDSC in May when they reconsider the appropriate fee scale for 1992–93; simultaneously, they will begin a more fundamental review of the structure of dentists' remuneration.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in the Durham area have indicated that they will no longer treat people aged 18 to 64 years who are not eligible for free service.
  201
  Mr. Dorrell
  Last September we asked family health services authorities to conduct on our behalf a sample survey of 20 per cent. of dentists on their dental lists. All the dentists in Durham who took part in the survey indicated they would continue NHS treatment for adults, including those who pay charges.

  Whitley Nursing Agreements
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many national health service trusts have agreed to opt out of the Whitley agreements in relation to nursing staff; and what is the total of nursing staff involved overall.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for health if he will list those parts of his Department, including executive agencies, carrying out reviews over the last 12 months into the pay and grading of staff and the firm of consultants engaged, where appropriate.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A study into the pay and career structure in the Medicines Control Agency is currently being conducted by consultants Price Waterhouse.

  Hip Operations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients awaiting hip operations were on the waiting list of Leighton hospital, Crewe, in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Waiting time information on individual hospitals is not collected centrally.

  Market Testing Programme
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each private sector consultancy firm which has been retained by each agency within his Department, and for his Department as a whole, for the purposes of advising on the market testing programme; and whether the appointment in each case was the result of competitive tendering.

  Mr. Dorrell
  One consultancy firm has been retained by the Department to advise on the market testing programme; it is KPMG Management Consulting which was appointed as a result of competitive tendering.

  Neither of the agencies within the Department have retained any consultancy firms to advise on the programme.

  Diabetics
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities provide Novapen needles free to diabetics.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Nurseries
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each local authority(a) the number of local authority-provided day nursery places
  202
  and (b) the number of places in registered day nurseries and express these as a percentage of all children aged under five in the local authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested on the number of places in local authority and registered day nurseries is published in "Children Day Care Facilities, England". The latest publication is for March 1991 and is provisional, a copy of which is available in the Library. These numbers expressed as a rate per 1,000 children under five in the local authority are set out in the table.

  Places in day nurseries at 31 March 1991 as a rate per 1,000 children under five

  Local authority

  Places in local authority day nurseries rate per 1,000 population

  Places in registered day nurseries rate per 1,000 population

  Cleveland

  6·62

  28·24

  Cumbria

  4·97

  19·79

  Durham

  3·92

  8·30

  Northumberland

  2·21

  3·31

  Gateshead

  12·32

  18·56

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  9·61

  11·86

  North Tyneside

  18·02

  1·72

  South Tyneside

  10·31

  6·11

  Sunderland

  15·06

  4·08

  Humberside

  0·00

  55·58

  North Yorkshire

  0·00

  31·88

  Barnsley

  0·00

  4·87

  Doncaster

  2·45

  9·24

  Rotherham

  0·00

  0·68

  Sheffield

  10·88

  11·38

  Bradford

  14·99

  18·01

  Calderdale

  4·41

  61·04

  Kirklees

  5·64

  27·10

  Leeds

  26·60

  16·80

  Wakefield

  0·94

  15·76

  Cheshire

  7·23

  34·85

  Lancshire

  16·94

  31·31

  Bolton

  9·80

  42·49

  Bury (1990)

  8·93

  30·21

  Manchester (1990)

  37·54

  13·83

  Oldham

  13·51

  21·81

  Rochdale

  20·43

  23·17

  Salford

  27·52

  11·81

  Stockport

  2·14

  15·56

  Tameside

  29·03

  9·06

  Trafford

  18·37

  48·81

  Wigan

  11·89

  19·30

  Knowsley

  0·00

  7·93

  Liverpool

  26·51

  30·80

  Sefton

  15·35

  24·83

  St· Helens

  3·41

  12·28

  Wirral

  10·61

  21·66

  Hereford and Worcester

  2·91

  29·10

  Shropshire

  0·00

  25·86

  Staffordshire

  5·97

  37·92

  Warwickshire

  0·00

  27·48

  Birmingham

  19·64

  32·73

  Coventry

  17·52

  25·95

  Dudley

  0·00

  17·56

  Sandwell

  0·00

  18·90

  Solihull

  0·00

  34·14

  Walsall

  6·55

  1·91

  Wolverhampton

  14·07

  7·18

  Derbyshire

  8·02

  13·03

  Leicestershire

  11·29

  20·54

  Lincolnshire

  2·12

  18·47

  Northamptonshire

  2·68

  42·83

  Nottinghamshire

  7·57

  16·63

  Bedfordshire

  7·28

  28·99

  Berkshire

  0·00

  33·50

  203

  Local authority

  Places in local authority day nurseries rate per 1,000 population

  Places in registered day nurseries rate per 1,000 population

  Buckinghamshire

  0·00

  18·13

  Cambridgeshire

  3·69

  19·42

  Essex

  2·76

  21·13

  Hertfordshire

  0·00

  0·18

  Norfolk

  0·00

  25·63

  Oxfordshire

  0·95

  22·88

  Suffolk

  0·41

  12·88

  Camden

  41·48

  95·39

  Greenwich

  25·82

  11·31

  Hackney

  33·49

  30·85

  Hammersmith

  31·14

  37·43

  Islington (1989)

  54·40

  40·00

  Kensington

  44·02

  129·74

  Lambeth

  38·73

  36·02

  Lewisham

  20·18

  27·28

  Southwark

  36·76

  32·95

  Tower Hamlets

  29·24

  13·73

  Wandsworth

  37·55

  106·49

  Westminster

  42·74

  55·48

  City of London

  622·22

  1,111·11

  Barking

  15·19

  9·67

  Barnet

  14·63

  1·57

  Bexley

  2·98

  12·40

  Brent

  18·52

  63·80

  Bromley

  0·00

  21·27

  Croydon

  6·91

  14·80

  Ealing

  17·06

  26·14

  Enfield

  0·00

  2·41

  Haringey

  19·34

  39·89

  Harrow

  6·29

  5·92

  Havering

  10·52

  11·13

  Hillingdon

  12·04

  30·17

  Hounslow

  11·47

  27·56

  Kingston upon Thames

  9·27

  32·45

  Merton

  8·63

  7·50

  Newham

  13·16

  5·79

  Redbridge

  0·00

  19·20

  Richmond upon Thames

  12·05

  25·83

  Sutton

  5·72

  43·56

  Waltham Forest

  17·15

  13·54

  Hampshire

  0·00

  0·00

  Isle of Wight

  13·06

  0·00

  Kent

  0·24

  47·11

  Surrey

  1·07

  14·87

  East Sussex

  0·00

  41·04

  West Sussex

  0·00

  26·17

  Avon

  9·40

  29·25

  Cornwall

  0·00

  11·17

  Devon

  0·00

  20·46

  Dorset

  3·58

  16·65

  Gloucester

  2·86

  38·32

  Isles of Scilly

  0·00

  0·00

  Somerset (1990)

  3·27

  27·06

  Wiltshire

  0·00

  7·51

  Note: Where an authority has not made a return for 31 March 1991 the most recent years return has been quoted and the year of return shown in brackets.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will detail the number of child minders registered by local authorities and the number of places available with child minders, for each year since 1979 to date;

  (2) if he will detail the number of places in local authority day nurseries for each year since 1979 to date;

  (3) if he will detail the number of registered day nursery places for each year since 1979.
  204
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Day care provision at 31 March in England

  Year

  Number of registered child minders

  Number of places with registered child minders

  Number of places in LA day nurseries

  Number of places in registered day nurseries

  1979

  1—

  1—

  28,313

  22,381

  1980

  1—

  1—

  28,437

  22,017

  1981

  1—

  1—

  28,252

  22,031

  1982

  44,145

  98,495

  28,383

  21,131

  1983

  47,912

  106,429

  28,630

  21,889

  1984

  53,041

  116,331

  28,872

  23,124

  1985

  58,390

  126,847

  28,904

  25,242

  1986

  64,160

  137,732

  28,920

  27,923

  1987

  69,244

  150,643

  28,880

  30,867

  1988

  74,588

  163,700

  28,951

  36,252

  1989

  83,904

  186,356

  28,789

  45,026

  1990

  93,074

  205,567

  27,978

  57,669

  1991

  103,300

  229,800

  26,900

  76,600

  1 Information about child minders for years 1979 to 1981 is not reliable.

  Data for 1991 are provisional.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 18 February,Official Report, column 108, when he expects the electoral registration figures for each parliamentary constituency in England and Wales to become available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Statistics relating to the 1992 electoral registers are still being collected by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from local electoral registration officers. An OPCS monitor containing all constituency electorate figures which have been received and verified will be published before the general election.

  Compensation
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in the last five years how many awards there have been for compensation from national health service hospitals and trusts because of negligence with radiotherapy exposure;

  (2) which regional health authorities have set up pooling schemes to share the burden of large compensation awards between health districts in the region;

  (3) if he will list regional health authorities in rank order according to (a) the number of negligence awards made against them and (b) the total amount of the negligence awards in the last year for which figures are available;

  (4) in 1991, which district health authorities had awards against them totalling more than (a) £1 million and (b) £2 million for negligent death or damage to their patients;

  (5) what was the total amount of compensation for negligence awards made against all district health authorities in each of the last five years, including awards made against national health service doctors insured by the medical defence organisations;

  (6) how much extra money has been allocated to the regional health authorities to meet the cost of negligence awards after the introduction of crown indemnity on 1 January 1990.
  205
  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: Information is not currently held centrally about the numbers, the type of damage and the level of settlements arising in connection with medical negligence which would enable the Department to single out specialties or to rank regional health authorities in order of payments. The Department in consultation with NHS Management, is reviewing arrangements for the central collection and publication of improved figures from the NHS with regard to the number of claims for medical negligence, contingent liability and settlements.

  Between the introduction of NHS indemnity on 1 January 1990 and March 1991 it is estimated that English health authorities spent about £60 million on costs associated with legal claims for negligence against doctors and dentists in NHS hospitals. This includes payments of damages to plaintiffs, legal and other fees, and in-house expenses. Information is not available prior to January 1990 when these liabilities were borne by the medical defence organisations.

  The Government provided substantial extra resources to the NHS which should help health authorities to meet the costs of medical negligence. In addition the NHS has access to funds set up by the medical defence organisations as part of the agreements when these liabilities were passed to the NHS. Between January 1990 and March 1991 payments of some £9 million were authorised from these medical defence organisation funds. Most regional health authorities operate pooling or other arrangements to assist district health authorities with the cost of large settlements and are keeping these under review in the light of experience.

  Hospital Discharges and Deaths
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital discharges or deaths have occurred in England, in the age groups up to four years and five to 14 years, in the international classification of diseases (ICD) categories, in each of the years 1986 to 1991,(a) acute glomerulonephritis, (b) 581 nephrotic syndrome, (c) 582 chronic glomerulonephritis, (d) 583 nephritis and nepropathy, (e) 584 acute renal failure, (f) 997.5 acute postoperative renal failure, (g) 585 chronic renal failure, (h) 779.80 chronic renal failure in newborn, (i) 586 renal failure (unspecified), (j) 788.9 uraemia, (k) 587 renal sclerosis, (l) 590 infections of kidney, (m) 591 hydronephrosis, (n) 753.2 congenital hydronephrosis, (o) 753.1 congenital cyst of kidney, (p) 593.6 postural proteinuria,

  (q) 593.7 vesicoureteric reflux, (r) 595 cystitis, (s) 599.0 urinary tract infection, site not specified and (t) 599.7 haematuria.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: The information available centrally is given in the table.

  Estimated numbers of ordinary and day case admissions: Completed episodes by main diagnosis in NHS hospitals in England

  1989–90

  ICD code

  0–4 years

  5–14 years

  580. Acute glomerulonephritis

  Male

  8

  33

  Female

  13

  19

  581. Nephrotic syndrome

  Male

  218

  294

  Female

  134

  143

  206

  1989–90

  ICD code

  0–4 years

  5–14 years

  582. Chronic glomerulonephritis

  Male

  0

  15

  Female

  0

  8

  583. Nephritis and nephropathy, not specified as acute or chronic

  Male

  34

  138

  Female

  18

  81

  584. Acute renal failure

  Male

  19

  13

  Female

  13

  6

  585. Chronic renal failure

  Male

  83

  143

  Female

  20

  109

  586. Renal failure unspecified

  Male

  23

  14

  Female

  14

  69

  587. Renal sclerosis unspecified

  Male

  0

  16

  Female

  1

  6

  590. Infections of kidney

  Male

  30

  63

  Female

  41

  149

  591. Hydronephrosis

  Male

  122

  83

  Female

  48

  27

  593.6. Postural proteinuria

  Male

  1

  0

  Female

  0

  0

  593.7. Vesicoureteric reflux

  Male

  259

  89

  Female

  177

  193

  595. Cystitis

  Male

  5

  13

  Female

  5

  36

  599.0. Urinary tract infection, site not specified

  Male

  2,293

  1,019

  Female

  2,804

  1,706

  599.7. Haematuria

  Male

  109

  455

  Female

  59

  118

  753.1. Cystic kidney disease

  Male

  231

  16

  Female

  65

  6

  753.2. Obstructive defects of renal pelvis and ureter

  Male

  566

  50

  Female

  179

  28

  779.8. Other (other and ill-defined conditions originating in the perinatal period)

  Male

  882

  0

  Female

  636

  0

  788.9. Other (symptoms involving urinary system)

  Male

  13

  17

  Female

  10

  12

  997.5. Urinary complications

  Male

  30

  21

  Female

  2

  1

  Source: Hospital episodes statistics.

  Administration Expenditure
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the amount of administration expenditure by his Department in each year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 18 February 1992]: Net current expenditure for the years 1986–87 to 1991–92, as published in the Departmental Report (Cm. 1913, table 3), is as follows. The figures for 1986–87 to 1988–89 are an estimated apportionment to the Department of Health in the period before the split of DHSS. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

  Outturn

  £ millions

  1986–87

  139

  1987–88

  144

  1988–89

  153

  1989–90

  166

  1990–91

  201

  1 1991–92

  235

  1 Estimated outturn.

  207
  The increased expenditure in 1990 and 1991–92 is accounted for as follows:

  £ million 1990–91

  Changes in charging basis for Accommodation costs

  6·3

  Real rises in accommodation and related costs

  7·0

  Pay and price inflation

  13·2

  NHS review

  5·6

  Other

  3·0

  35·1

  1991–92

  Pay and price inflation

  13·4

  Accommodation and related costs

  7·0

  Relocation to Leeds

  9·5

  Project

  Duration

  Research director

  Institution

  1. Dental needs of an ageing population

  1 December 1990 to 30 November 1993

  Dr. A. W. G. Walls

  Newcastle university

  2. A clinical study to evaluate a simple radiographic quality assurance programme in general dental practice

  1 June 1991 to30 September 1992

  Mrs. V. E. Rushton

  Manchester university

  3. The changing pattern of use and difficulties associated with the use of non-sterile gloves in general dental practice

  17 April 1989 to 30 September 1992

  Mr. F. J. T. Burke

  Manchester university

  4. A qualitative assessment of the laboratory

  1 September 1990 to

  Dr. Barsby

  London hospital

  stages of complete denture construction

  29 February 1992

  Dr. Schwarz

  medical college

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EC Developments
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had in the foreign affairs troika of the EC about EC developments and initiatives for the remainder of 1992.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Troika discussions cover political co-operation and other intergovernmental business, such as justice/home affairs. We have regular discussions with the Portuguese presidency and with the Dutch on these issues.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government take to promote respect for human rights abroad.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Her Majesty's Government make frequent representations on human rights both bilaterally and jointly with others. We play an active role in United Nations and European human rights forums, including the current session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Further information is given in the foreign policy document, "Human Rights in Foreign Policy", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Cyprus
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effort he will make to assist the United Nations initiative in Cyprus.
  208

  1991–92

  other

  4·2

  34·1

  Dental Health Projects
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in tabular form details of all dental health projects receiving funding from his Department; and if he will specify the nature and duration of each project, the name of the principal researchers and the institution at which the work is being carried out.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: The Department is currently funding the following dental health related research projects:

  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Cyprus.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We continue to give full and active support to the United Nations Secretary-General's efforts to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution of the intercommunal dispute.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had, and with whom, as to the opening up of Famagusta as an open town under United Nations auspices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Varosha will be a key element in any settlement of the intercommunal dispute in Cyprus. All parties to the dispute are well aware of our strong view that there should be no change in the status of Varosha nor any settlement of the area in contravention of United Nations Security Council resolution 550 of 11 May 1984.

  Russia and Ukraine
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his counterparts in Russia and Ukraine to discuss relations with western countries.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Kozyrev, in New York on 31 January and in Moscow on 20 January. He last met Mr. Zlenko, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, on 19 January in Kiev. A wide range of subjects, including relations with western countries, was covered at each of these meetings.

  Eastern Europe (Embassies)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many new embassies have been established in east European countries during the past 12 months; and in which countries.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Four—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine.

  EC Presidency
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what particular initiatives and objectives are planned for the forthcoming United Kingdom presidency of the European Community.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are Her Majesty's Government's objectives for the United Kingdom presidency of the European Community.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Our first task is to run an efficient presidency.

  Top policy priorities are completion of the single market; preparations for EC enlargement; support for democracy and reform in the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe; and preparing the ground for implementation of the Maastricht treaty.

  Burma
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Burma.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We deplore the continuing intransigence of the Burmese military authorities. Their human rights record, and their failure to fulfil their avowed commitment to the democratic process, makes them an international pariah. We urge them to respond to the growing criticism of their policies.

  Libya
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek improved relations with Libya.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There can be no prospect of any improvement in relations with Libya until Libya complies with Security Council resolution 731 which endorsed the demands made by the United States, United Kingdom and France on 27 November.

  East Timor
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the question of human rights in East Timor.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are in regular contact with our European Community partners on this question, and with other western countries at the current session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. The EC issued a further statement on the East Timor question on 13 February.

  Conflict Resolution
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have made any proposals for increasing the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  At the high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 31 January, we successfully proposed that the Secretary-General prepare a major report, by the first of July, in the United Nation's work in preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacekeeping. We shall contribute ideas to it.

  Republic of Ireland
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise in international forums the Republic of Ireland's territorial claim over part of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hurd
  No. Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom is fully recognised in national and international law.

  International Co-operation
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Baker, to discuss mechanisms for co-operation between the developed countries in international matters.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is often in touch with Secretary Baker and hopes to meet him again at the CSCE review conference in Helsinki on 24 March.

  Middle East
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Israeli ambassador to discuss the Israel-Palestine peace proposals.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the ambassador briefly last week. We are in frequent contact with the Israeli Government at the highest level to discuss the peace process.

  Sir Dennis Walters
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on progress towards a middle east peace settlement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The peace process continued in a fourth round of bilateral negotiations in Washington last week. A regional settlement remains an important and realistic aim. It is encouraging that all parties remain determined to continue the process. I applaud Secretary Baker's continued commitment to a settlement. We will maintain our full support.

  South Africa
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the South African ambassador to discuss prospects for a multiracial constitution.
  211
  Mrs. Chalker
  When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Foreign Minister Botha on 9 February, the South African ambassador was present. They discussed the constitutional negotiations that are taking place in South Africa.

  EC Cohesion Fund
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the anticipated cost to the United Kingdom of the EC cohesion fund.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  No decisions have yet been reached on the size of the EC cohesion fund, and the cost to the United Kingdom cannot be estimated at this stage. Details will be considered in the context of the forthcoming review of Community finances, based on Commission proposals published on 12 February.

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he can give further details of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The foundation was incorporated on 26 February. Its board of governors was appointed on 4 March, and will be holding its first meeting on 9 March.

  Lockerbie Bombing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British interests section in the Italian embassy is represented at the trial of the suspects for the Lockerbie bombing in Tripoli.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are not aware of any trial that has taken place or which is taking place in Tripoli of those accused of the bombing of flight Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie.

  Lebanon
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Lebanon and the implementation of United Nations resolution 425.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The situation in south Lebanon appears to have stabilised in the last few days. We condemned the acts of violence which took place in south Lebanon and in northern Israel over the period 14 to 21 February. They served no purpose and led only to needless suffering. We supported the statement by the President of the United Nations Security Council on the 19 February which reaffirmed Security Council resolution 425. We want to see the removal of all foreign troops from Lebanon, the effective deployment of the Lebanese army throughout the country, and the cessation of attacks from Lebanon on Israeli targets.

  Vietnamese Migrants
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest situation relating to Vietnamese migrants in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The current position remains as set out in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for 212
  Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs' reply of 18 February to the hon. Member for Streatham (Sir W. Shelton). Since the orderly repatriation programme was agreed last October, the camp population in Hong Kong has fallen from 64,314 on 5 October 1991 to 58,762 now. Only four Vietnamese migrants have arrived in Hong Kong so far this year. In total, more than 20,000 migrants have now returned to Vietnam from first asylum countries in the region; there has not been one substantiated case of persecution.

  Visas
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the provisions of international agreements which restrict the kind of information regarding visa applications which may be entered by officials on behalf of one Government in passports issued by another Government.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We are not aware of any such international agreements.

  Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming CSCE Helsinki follow-up meeting and the summit meeting in July; and what are Her Majesty's Government's proposals for them.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Her Majesty's Government attach importance to, and will play a constructive part in, the CSCE follow-up meeting in Helsinki from March to July 1992. Her Majesty's Government will work to promote stability, human rights, democracy and economic transition in the participating states; we will also advocate increased emphasis on the implementation of CSCE commitments and the further development of CSCE institutions in order to help achieve these objectives.

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each private sector consultancy firm which has been retained by each agency within his Department, and for his Department as a whole, for the purposes of advising on the market testing programme; and whether the appointment was the result of competitive tendering.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have retained the services of Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte to advise on market testing. They were chosen through competitive tender.

  The chief executive of Wilton Park, the FCO's only executive agency, decided not to retain a private sector consultancy in response to the Government's White Paper "Competing for Quality" because of the small size of the agency.

  The Overseas Development Administration has separately retained Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte, but without competition. The Natural Resources Institute, an executive agency of ODA, retained KPMG Peat Marwick without competition.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those parts of his Department, including executive agencies, carrying out
  213
  reviews over the last 12 months into the pay and grading of staff; and the firm of consultants engaged, where appropriate.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Neither the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Overseas Development Administration nor their respective executive agencies have carried out a review of pay and grading over the last 12 months. Decisions on these matters will be taken in the light of Government policy on pay and grading.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider using BBC World Service Television for the purposes of the dissemination of Government information.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We are not considering such a move, which would not be possible without compromising the editorial independence of the BBC.

  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the purpose of the new service to be provided by Worldwide Television News for Her Majesty's Government; and who will have editorial control.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has retained the services of Worldwide Television News to provide short topical news items for transmission by satellite direct to TV stations abroad for their use in news bulletins. The service will be under the FCO's editorial control. It will form part of the FCO's overseas information effort aimed at explaining and winning support for the United Kingdom's policies.

  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial support he has given to BBC World Service Television.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have given no financial support to BBC World Service Television, which is now broadcasting on a commercial basis throughout Europe, Asia and the middle east.

  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial support he intends to give Worldwide Television News; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We do not intend to give Worldwide Television News any financial support. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has signed a contract with the company for a specific service, the provision of a TV news service for satellite transmission overseas. Worldwide Television News tendered successfully for the project in competition with others.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will agree to meet Dr. Ibrahim Rugova of the Democratic League of Kosovo.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have kept in regular touch with Dr. Rugova both in Kosovo and on his visits to London. We shall continue to do so.

  Albania
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the procedures by which an Albanian citizen resident in Albania can secure a visa for entry to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom has no resident mission in Albania and does not run an entry clearance operation there. Visa applicants resident in Albania or their sponsors may apply by post or in person to any of our visa-issuing posts of which there are several in neighbouring countries.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements exist for the protection of the interests of British citizens travelling in Albania.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is no British representation in Albania. The resident missions of other European Community members can give help to British visitors in a serious emergency.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which British overseas diplomatic mission takes responsibility for Albania.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None at present. A decision has yet to be announced on the form of our representation in Tirana. Until it is, the Foreign Commonwealth Office will continue to communicate directly with the Albanian Foreign Ministry.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees makes of the return of Tamil refugees from India; and what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take to ensure the safety of the refugees.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The UNHCR is not involved in the repatriation programme agreed between India and Sri Lanka, but the UNHCR is helping people displaced by fighting in northern Sri Lanka and is aware of the situation in the areas where refugees returning from India are being resettled. We are monitoring the situation, and have pledged £20 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the north and east when conditions permit.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the effects on child mortality of the ban on medicine and food items by the Government of Sri Lanka in northern Sri Lanka, including in the camp managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Contrary to the reports of a ban, our information is that the Sri Lankan Government are arranging the provision of basic food and medical supplies to the north, including to UNHCR relief centres, via the UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Government of Sri Lanka
  215
  for the removal of the economic blockade on the north-east and the banning of items including fuel and medicine.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have frequently expressed to the Sri Lankan Government our concern that it should ensure the welfare of all its citizens, and we welcome the efforts it has made to supply basic food and medicines to areas held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. We could not expect the Sri Lankan Government to lift their ban on other items until the LTTE has renounced its terrorist campaign.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will now make representations to the Government of Sri Lanka to accept an immediate ceasefire in the civil war and a return to negotiations with mediation by the United Nations Secretary-General.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  No, we do not believe it would be right to press the Sri Lankan Government to declare an unconditional ceasefire with the LTTE, which broke off negotiations and initiated the present round of fighting in 1990. We have, however, urged the Sri Lankan Government to continue to pursue a political settlement, and would support any efforts they might make to seek the good offices of an external mediator.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with the Government of Sri Lanka on their reasons for refusing the offers of mediation from the Commonwealth and from other Governments to help to settle the conflict in the island.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We regularly discuss the prospects for a settlement of the conflict in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan authorities, both in London and in Colombo. The Sri Lankan Government have indicated that they doubt whether mediation would be successful while the LTTE continues to show no readiness to negotiate on its demands.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to ensure the implementation of UN resolution 690/1991 on western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Security Council resolution 690 (1991) approved the establishment of a United Nations mission for the referendum in the western Sahara (MINURSO). We have contributed towards the cost of MINURSO and provided 15 military observers. We continue to give the Secretary-General our full support in seeking an early settlement of the western Sahara dispute.

  Commonwealth (Elections)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department has been asked to give to Commonwealth countries on the holding of elections in the past year.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have agreed to provide the Lesotho Government with a chief election officer for their forthcoming elections, and have responded to requests from the Governments of Bangladesh, Zambia and Guyana for Commonwealth monitors and advisers.

DEFENCE

  United States Army (Machrihanish)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the last 12 months the types of aircraft that have operated from the United States army special forces airfield at Machrihanish.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The following types of aircraft have used the airfield at RAF Machrihanish since February 1991:

  Military Aircraft

  Nimrod

  Tornado GR1

  Tornado GR1a

  Hawk

  C-130

  Bulldog

  Jetstream

  Jaguar GR1

  Jaguar T2

  Harrier GR5

  Buccaneer

  HS 125

  HS748

  Devon

  Dominie

  Shackleton

  Canberra

  Hunter

  Jet Provost

  Wessex

  Sea King

  Lynx

  Gazelle

  Puma

  MBH-5

  CH47

  Tornado F3

  Scout

  C-12

  C-141

  P-3

  VP-3A

  KC-135

  Harrier T4

  Alpha Jet

  C-21

  F-16

  A-10

  C-9

  C-2A

  Mirage F1

  An 26

  C-160

  ND-16

  CP-140

  Atlantique

  FK-27

  C-20

  CH-53

  Civil Aircraft

  SH-360

  DHC-6

  C172

  PA28

  PA23

  PA42

  E121

  B105

  C525

  SAAB 340

  Luscombe

  BN-2

  Seneca

  C152

  PA38

  217

  PA 31

  Beech 35

  Beech 200

  Beech 90

  ATP

  C421

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying complaints the regional community relations officer for the Borders region has had to deal with since taking up his appointment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  In response to the recommendations made in the Defence Committee's report on low flying, HC 120, the Government have, on a trial basis, appointed regional community relations officers for the Lake district and the Borders. These appointments serve areas remote from RAF stations and provide the local community with a focal point for their enquiries on low-flying matters.

  The regional community relations officer for the Borders was appointed at the beginning of January 1992. By the end of February he had received 64 inquiries or complaints on matters relating to military low-flying training.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by month for the last 12 months(a) the number of German air force sorties, and (b) the aircraft type, that have operated on low-flying sorties from (i) RAF Leuchars and (ii) RAF Lossiemouth.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The information requested is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort.

  Aurora
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department has given to the United States armed forces operation Aurora; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The existence of any such operation would be a matter for the United States authorities.

  Fallingbostel (Bullying)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will instigate a full inquiry into bullying at Fallingbostel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. Inquiries are instigated only when specific allegations are made.

  Type 22 Frigates
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answers of 13 February,Official Report, column 632 and 20 February, Official Report, columns 291–92, what impact the provision of extra accommodation for young officers has had on the ships' military, logistic or other capabilities; where the accommodation space has been found; by how much the normal ship's company will be reduced as a result, and in what branches; and if he will set out the arrangements by
  218
  which ships' companies will maintain the operational effectiveness of these ships in between officer training periods.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The provision of extra accommodation for young officers—YOs—has no impact on the military, logistic and other capabilities of the type 22 Frigates designated for initial sea training—IST. The additional accommodation has been provided in the largest junior rates mess deck. Depending on the number of YOs to be taken on board for their period of IST, each ship's commanding officer will land up to 20 ratings, from a variety of branches, taking into account the ship's current drafting state and programme. On completion of IST, all ratings landed will be re-embarked. In the periods when the type 22 frigates are not required to carry YOs, they will maintain their operational effectiveness through regular operational sea training and exercises.

  Nuclear Proliferation
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) all measures taken by his Department in the last 12 months to prevent nuclear proliferation, (b) the number of personnel in his Department working to prevent nuclear proliferation and (c) his Department's total expenditure on control of nuclear proliferation in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence, together with other Departments, has worked consistently during the last 12 months to prevent nuclear proliferation. Among measures taken, the Ministry has supported the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in its attemps to increase support for the non-proliferation treaty; participated in discussions in COCOM and other international non-proliferation groupings to prevent transfer of relevant technologies; provided a member of the commission and several inspectors for the United Nations special commission set up to oversee the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, together with support personnel and equipment for International Atomic Energy Agency inspections of Iraq's nuclear capability; agreed to provide hardware and consultancy advice to Russia to assist in former Soviet nuclear weapons reductions; and provided technical advice to the Department of Trade and Industry on export licensing.

  The answers to the other parts of the question could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Local Overseas Allowance
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes there have been over the past 12 months in the local overseas allowance payable to(a) Royal Marine and (b) Army personnel currently serving in Norway; why these changes have been made with retrospective effect; under what authority these changes have been made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Rates of local overseas allowance for service personnel stationed permanently in Norway were increased on 1 September 1991 following a full review. A reduction in the rate of local overseas allowance payable to some service personnel on temporary deployment to Norway was implemented without the normal period of notice. This reduction has now been rescinded.

  Queen Alexandra's Royal Navy Nursing Service
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why he proposes(a) to increase the maximum number of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service personnel which may be maintained during financial year 1991–92, as shown in House of Commons Paper 225, and (b) to increase the maximum number of such personnel which may be maintained during the financial year 1992–93, as shown in House of Commons paper 227.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence votes A represent the maximum numbers of personnel authorised by Parliament to be maintained in the individual armed services. During 1991 it was discovered that nearly 200 QARNNS medical assistants had been included in the RN figures in error. Added to this, intake to the QARNNS increased unexpectedly and exceeded the forecast figure which had been based on the previous poor intake. A supplementary vote for 1991–92 was therefore presented, increasing the QARNNS figure and reducing the RN figure. The 1992–93 votes included a further increase for the QARNNS in anticipation of the improvement in recruitment being maintained.

SCOTLAND

  Nebulisers
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the arrangements concerning charging for NHS nebulisers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Certain hand operated nebulisers may be prescribed by general practitioners, and where the patient is not exempt, a normal prescription charge is levied. Powered nebulisers are provided free for domiciliary patients through the hospital service if they are considered by a hospital consultant as being clinically necessary.

  Prestwick Airport
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) representations, (b) requests for assistance and (c) general inquiries he has received regarding the future ownership of Prestwick airport; what have been his responses; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 January 1992]: My right hon. Friend has received a small number of representations from local interested parties regarding the future ownership of Prestwick airport. Details of any requests for assistance are commercially confidential. The future ownership of Prestwick airport is a matter for its owners, BAA plc.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the proportion of male employees in Scotland who work part-time.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 27 January 1992]: In September 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, 7·4 per cent. of all male employees in
  220
  employment in Scotland worked part-time. This information comes from the 1989 Employment Department census of employment.

  Development Areas
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the work force in each of the regions of Scotland live within the boundaries of development areas.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 6 February 1992]: Information in the form requested is not available. However, information is available on the proportion of employees in employment in each of the regions of Scotland who are employed within the boundaries of development areas. This information, taken from the 1989 Employment Department census of employment, is given in the following table.

  Proportion of employees in employment employed within the boundaries of development areas by region in September 1989

  Region

  Percentage employed within development areas

  Borders

  —

  Central

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3·7

  Fife

  —

  Grampian

  —

  Highland

  —

  Lothian

  13·0

  Strathclyde

  92·2

  Tayside

  58·8

  Islands

  —

  Scotland

  47·1

  Source: 1989 Employment Department of Census of Employment

  Note: There are no development areas in Borders, Central, Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Islands.

  Scottish Refugee Council
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will respond positively to the application by the Scottish Refugee Council for increased funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 31 January 1992]: The Scottish Refugee Council's application has been carefully considered along with other competing applications. While we are unable to provide the full increase sought, the Scottish Office has today written to the Scottish Refugee Council offering to continue providing the salary costs of a part-time case worker up to a limit of £5,957 in 1992–93, an increase of 4·5 per cent. on the present year's grant.

  Management Agreements
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of management agreements under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which have been entered into in Scotland in(a) national nature reserves and (b) sites of special scientific interest for each year since 1981, indicating in each case whether the proposed damage was done to (i) agriculture or (ii) forestry; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1992]: The information is as follows:

  221

  National nature reserves

  Sites of special scientific interest

  Number of management agreements

  Threat of damage

  Number of management agreements

  Threat of damage

  Year

  Forestry

  Agriculture

  Forestry

  Both

  1982

  1

  1

  2

  1

  0

  0

  1983

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1984

  0

  0

  10

  6

  2

  0

  1985

  0

  0

  22

  9

  9

  1

  1986

  0

  0

  31

  14

  8

  2

  1987

  0

  0

  49

  22

  12

  0

  1988

  0

  0

  39

  17

  14

  1

  1989

  0

  0

  51

  24

  8

  3

  1990

  0

  0

  45

  12

  9

  0

  1991

  0

  0

  13

  4

  7

  1

  TOTAL

  2

  2

  264

  109

  69

  8

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the 10 sites of special scientific interest and (b) the 10 national nature reserves in Scotland which have the most expensive management agreements giving the name of the site, region in which it is located and the amount which has been or is due to be paid out and if the landowners are required to enhance the site as part of the conditions of payment; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1992]: Details of individual management agreements are confidential to the parties.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of management agreements that have been entered into under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Scotland where payments have been given in the following ranges(a) up to £9,999, (b) £10,000 to £19,999, (c) £20,000 to £29,999, (d) £30,000 to £39,999, (e) £40,000 to £49,999, (f) £50,000 to £59,999 and (g) over £60,000.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1992]: Agreements may involve either annual or capital payments. An analysis of the information by both categories is set out in the following table.

  Range of costs

  Type of cost

  Annual

  Capital

  No costs

  73

  79

  Up to £9,999

  176

  130

  £10,000 to £19,999

  11

  12

  £20,000 to £29,999

  4

  11

  £30,000 to £39,999

  1

  12

  £40,000 to £49,999

  1

  6

  £50,000 to £59,999

  0

  1

  Over £60,000

  0

  15

  Table 1: Residents in mental handicap hospitals as at 31 December each year

  Health Board

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Argyll and Clyde

  378

  360

  358

  353

  348

  346

  344

  337

  337

  328

  Ayrshire and Arran

  74

  73

  75

  68

  74

  67

  65

  61

  59

  62

  Borders

  85

  81

  77

  65

  61

  59

  59

  58

  55

  54

  Fife

  455

  472

  468

  463

  436

  417

  381

  355

  333

  312

  Forth Valley

  1,109

  1,074

  1,055

  1,022

  962

  893

  858

  764

  726

  680

  Grampian

  696

  692

  692

  682

  641

  628

  574

  540

  506

  458

  Greater Glasgow

  1,407

  1,354

  1,290

  1,193

  1,147

  1,067

  1,009

  968

  930

  885

  Highland

  222

  229

  230

  228

  227

  197

  169

  162

  158

  146

  Lanarkshire

  612

  591

  520

  517

  513

  496

  519

  506

  501

  492

  Lothian

  856

  847

  756

  705

  679

  661

  634

  606

  575

  569

  Tayside

  535

  534

  530

  525

  497

  454

  402

  381

  356

  299

  SCOTLAND

  6,429

  6,307

  6,051

  5,821

  5,585

  5,285

  5,014

  4,738

  4,536

  4,285

  222

  Range of costs

  Type of cost

  Annual

  Capital

  266

  266

  Mental Handicap
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements for transfer of dowry funds with resettled mental handicap patients to local authorities have been made in each health board; under what terms these payments are made; and if he will list by health board the sums transferred each year on this basis.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 February 1992]: Arrangements for transferring funds between health boards and local authorities were first set out in 1985 in circular NHS(GEN)18. This enabled boards to provide support finance to social work departments to develop community-based services.

  On 13 January this year a consultation paper was issued on cash and other transfers between health boards and local authorities. A circular will be issued after the consultation period ends on 28 February.

  The information sought on the amount transferred by each health board in past years is not held centrally.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number, for each health board, of in-patient residents in health service facilities for patients with a mental handicap for each year since 1981; and what proportion of the reduction in numbers is due to discharge and what proportion due to death, for each health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 February 1992]: The information is contained in the following tables.
  223

  Table 2: Status by 1990 of Residents in Mental Handicap Hospitals in 1981

  Health Board

  Percentage Died

  Percentage Discharged

  Percentage Still Resident

  Argyll and Clyde

  13·0

  54·2

  32·8

  Ayrshire and Arran

  8·1

  43·2

  48·6

  Borders

  11·8

  28·2

  60·0

  Fife

  8·4

  43·1

  48·5

  Forth Valley

  14·8

  30·0

  55·3

  Grampian

  15·4

  38·4

  46·3

  Greater Glasgow

  17·9

  28·5

  53·6

  Highland

  9·5

  43·2

  47·3

  Lanarkshire

  15·4

  26·3

  58·3

  Lothian

  9·7

  40·4

  49·9

  Tayside

  12·3

  42·2

  45·4

  SCOTLAND

  13·8

  35·6

  50·6

  In Scotland the 1990 residents were made up of 76 per cent. from 1981 and 24 per cent. from admission since 1981.

  Patients with mental handicaps resident in establishments dealing primarily with other client groups are excluded from these figures. The numbers are likely to be small.

  Diabeties (Syringes)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total number of plastic syringes supplied on free prescription to sufferers from diabetes in the last available year for which statistics are available; and what was the total cost of these supplies;

  (2) what is the estimated total cost of the needles required for insulin pen injectors if these were supplied free on prescription to all sufferers from diabetes who are currently supplied with plastic syringes.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: The total estimated number of plastic syringes and needles supplied to diabetics in Scotland in 1990 is 4·5 million at a total cost of £414,000. The needle is an integral part of the plastic syringe.

  The Department of Health is presently negotiating with manufacturers the specification and cost of pen injecting systems and associated needles. It is therefore not possible to estimate the cost of needles for pen injectors.

  Nursery Education
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply of 3 February to the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Ms. Armstrong),Official Report, column 77, if he will inquire into the
  224
  reasons for the Western Isles having no children between the ages of three and four years in nursery schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: It is for education authorities themselves to decide the level and mix of provision they make for pre-school children in their area. Although the Western Isles has no children aged three and four attending nursery schools, in 1991, over 50 per cent. of children under four received day care of some form; the second best outcome in Scotland.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of whether the designation of sites of special scientific interest is the best option for the protection of extensive envirionmentally sensitive areas in Caithness and Sutherland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: The system for notifying sites of special scientific interest is vital for the continuing protection of environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland. In response to concerns that other forms of protection might be more appropriate for large areas of land a provision was included in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 for the designation of Natural Heritage areas. Such designations will allow the adoption of land use policies and practices which recognise the interdependence of the economic, social and environmental well-being of communities.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland about alternative mechanisms for the protection of large environmentally sensitive areas in Caithness and Sutherland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: None. The Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 provides that my right hon. Friend may designate Natural Heritage areas on recommendations from Scottish Natural Heritage, the successor body to the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, which assumes office on 1 April 1992.

  In addition the proposed land use and development strategy for Caithness and Sutherland to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member on 29 January 1992 at column 624 should, once formulated and agreed, strengthen the protection given to important areas of nature conservation interest by reducing the potential for conflict in these areas.

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