Written Answers of 6 March 1992

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mrs. K. Aidid
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 24 October 1991 from the hon. Member for Woolwich about the case of Mrs. K. Aidid of Chatham house, Rideout street, SE18, reference number K. 427442.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 27 February 1992.

  Prisoners (Ill Health)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances prisoners who have been prematurely released because of ill health are recalled to serve the remainder of their sentences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A prisoner's medical condition is only one of the factors taken into account when assessing his suitability for release on parole. If a prisoner is released on parole, he may be recalled to prison if he breaches any of the conditions attached to his release on licence: he would not be recalled simply because of an improvement in his medical condition.

  Where a prisoner is released on the ground of serious illness by the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy, the sentence is remitted. There is therefore no possibility of being recalled to prison.

  Inquests
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inquests were held into death in prisons, in police custody, psychiatric and special hospitals in the last five years.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information on inquests on deaths in police custody is published annually. The most recent figures, for 1990, are contained in Home Office statistical bulletin 12/91 and in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Figures for earlier years are given in the annual report of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary.

  The only other information available in my Department is the number of inquests on deaths which occurred in prison establishments, during the last five years. These were:

  Inquests

  1987

  80

  1988

  80

  1989

  80

  1990

  87

  1991

  71

  Drugs
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates have been made of the total volume of acquisitive crime committed to finance addiction for the last year for which such information is available; and what estimates have been made of the growth of this form of offending over the last 12 years.

  Mr. John Patten
  Estimates for heroin misusers are published in paragraph 2·4 of the 1991 report "Drug Misusers and the Criminal Justice System Part 1: Community Resources and the Probation Service" by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, a copy of which is in the Library. Estimates for crimes by those addicted to other substances are not available.

  Drug-related Crime
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 42, whether he will place in the Library estimates of drug-related crimes involving people other than heroin misusers.

  Mr. John Patten
  There are at present no reliable data on which such estimates might be based.

  Bomb Warnings
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, and by whom, the earliest warning of a bomb planted at London main line railway stations on 28 February was received; and if he will list the times at which the warning was received by(a) British Rail at London Bridge, (b) the Metropolitan police, (c) the British Transport police, (d) the London ambulance service, (e) the London fire and civil defence authority and (f) the press and broadcasting media.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  At 08.20 hours on 28 February the Metropolitan police were notified by Ulster Television that it had received a telephone warning. The Metropolitan police then tasked the various agencies concerned. I understand that Ulster Television received the telephone warning at 08.15 hours.

  Criminal Justice Liaison Committees
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has reached on the formation of the area criminal justice liaison committees recommended by Lord Justice Woolf in his report on the prison disturbances in 1990.

  Mr. John Patten
  Following consultation with criminal justice services and discussion in the Criminal Justice Consultative Council, the Government have decided that 24 area committees should be set up in England and Wales. The purpose of these committees will be to promote better understanding, co-operation and co-ordination in the administration of the criminal justice system and early tasks are likely to include the overseeing of arrangements for the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and monitoring the implementation of the recommendations of the pre-trial issues working group.

  Members of the committee will include representatives from the probation, prison, police and Crown prosecution

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  services, justices' clerks, magistrates, barristers, solicitors and directors of social services. The committee will be chaired by circuit administrators or, in some cases, court administrators of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Nominations for members of committees will be sought forthwith from representative criminal justice system organisations and invitations will be issued shortly thereafter. The Government hope that the committees will have their first meetings by about May.

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Applications (Publicity)
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the minimum time he is to allow for local authorities to have the text of the new regulations advising of the arrangements for compulsory publicity for all planning applications before they come into force; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  We intend to issue the text of the amending order, and guidance on it, as soon as possible.

  Housing (Redundant Service Men)
  Sir Alan Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to ensure that local authorities accept responsibility for housing redundant service men without requiring evidence of eviction.

  Sir George Young
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has announced a range of measures to help those who will be leaving the forces under "Options for Change". The homelessness code of guidance issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment gives specific guidance to local authorities on dealing with homelessness applications from ex-service personnel. It makes clear that authorities should not insist on a court order for possession before considering an application.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable he intends for the divestment by the statutory joint waste disposal authorities of their waste disposal operations; whether he plans to abolish these authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The statutory joint waste disposal authorities will shortly be sent notices of our intention to direct them to establish separate waste disposal companies or, where they are intending to privatise their waste disposal operations, a proposed timetable for this. All waste disposal authorities will then actively be involved in separating their operations from regulation and contract management. The timetable for each statutory authority will depend on individual circumstances, on which authorities will have an opportunity to make representations, but I expect that divestment will essentially be complete by April 1993. This separation is a major advance, introduced in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, in support of higher waste disposal standards.

  The changes brought by the Environmental Protection Act and the proposed creation of an environment agency,
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  will remove most of these authorities' current responsibilities. I have therefore decided that there is no role, in the medium and long term, for separate statutory joint waste disposal authorities.

  This decision has been reached after consulting each of the six authorities and carefully considering the cases which they have made for their retention.

  I have however been impressed by the concern expressed by each of the authorities that existing beneficial contracts should not be put at risk through abolition. Some authorities have also expressed doubts on whether our current powers for effecting changes to the authorities are satisfactory. Against this background, I shall be seeking an early opportunity for primary legislation to ensure that this reorganisation is achieved in a smooth and effective manner.

  The closer association of waste disposal decisions with those who must meet the costs will, I am sure, lead to more efficient and more responsive waste disposal services for the community.

  Royal William Yard, Plymouth
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans there are for the future of the Royal William yard and other sites in Plymouth.

  Mr. Heseltine
  After detailed discussion with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, I am today offering the local authorities the possibility of a new urban development corporation (UDC) in Plymouth. The new UDC would be responsible for regenerating parts of the defence estate which are surplus to the Ministry of Defence's operational requirements, together with nearby vacant or run-down areas.

  Provided the local authorities respond positively to our proposals and accept the offer of partnership it involves, the UDC's task would be to promote development in its designated area and to help revitalise the local economy. The Secretary of State for Defence and I propose to make available from our budgets £45 million to the new UDC. In addition, the Ministry of Defence will be handing over to the UDC significant amounts of development land surplus to its requirements.

  The new UDC will take a strategic view of the redevelopment of the area. I will be looking to the UDC to prepare a vision for the future of the area which takes account of the potential for employment, infrastructure, environment and leisure opportunities. The new UDC would need to work closely with its partners in the local council and the private sector to ensure that its objective of regeneration can be met.

  One of the jewels in its crown will be the Royal William yard, which comprises one of the most important surviving groups of historic maritime buildings in the United Kingdom. With the rationalisation of the Ministry of Defence's operations in Plymouth dockyards, I am confident that the future of the Royal William yard and other sites would be best served by the comprehensive approach to regeneration which the UDC would be able to offer.

  Methane Gas
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what inquiries his Department has made into the leakage of methane gas from abandoned coal mines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  A review of the extent of natural contamination in Great Britain, including methane emissions from coal mines, is being undertaken for my Department by the British Geological Survey and this is due to be completed in the summer of 1993. Research on the planning response to methane emissions from disused coal mines is in preparation and a contract is due to be placed in the summer of 1992.

  Empty Council Houses
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority dwellings have been reported as vacant in the London borough of Tower Hamlets in each year since 1984; what percentage of the local authority housing stock these figures represent; and what is the comparable percentage in other London boroughs.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 5 March 1992]: The available information on empty local authority dwellings is as follows:

  Tower Hamlets Borough Council

  at 1 April

  Number

  Percentage of stock

  Other London authorities Percentage of stock

  1984

  1,464

  7·7

  3·7

  1985

  1,534

  8·2

  3·8

  1986

  3,200

  6·6

  3·3

  1987

  2,825

  5·8

  3·2

  1988

  2,526

  5·3

  2·8

  1989

  1,840

  4·0

  2·7

  1990

  1,758

  4·0

  2·8

  1991

  1,895

  4·5

  2·4

  Notes:

  (a) Local authorities report the numbers of their own dwellings that are vacant in their annual housing investment programme returns (HIP1).

  (b) In 1986, dwellings previously owned by the Greater London council were transferred to the boroughs. For 1984 and 1985, all GLC dwellings, including those which were subsequently transferred to Tower Hamlets borough council, are included in the dwelling stock of 'other London authorities'.

EMPLOYMENT

  Industrial Accidents
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the number of industrial accidents in the Greater London area for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  The available information is provided in the following table:

  Occupational injuries1 occurring in the Greater London area reported2 to HSE's factory and agricultural inspectorates and local authorities.

  Year3

  Fatal

  4Major

  5Over 3 day

  Total

  1986–87

  52

  3,587

  14,649

  18,288

  1987–88

  66

  3,212

  14,991

  18,269

  1988–89

  66

  2,943

  15,195

  18,204

  300

  Year3

  Fatal

  4Major

  5Over 3 day

  Total

  1989–90

  51

  2,580

  14,605

  17,236

  1990–916 7

  51

  2,312

  13,518

  15,881

  1 Injuries at work to employees, self-employed people and members of the public injured as a result of someone else's work activity.

  2 Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1985 (RIDDOR).

  3 Years commencing 1 April.

  4 As defined under RIDDOR.

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

  6 Includes reports made to the HSE's quarries inspectorate.

  7 Provisional.

  A. H. Marks and Co. Ltd.
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of the notes compiled by the Health and Safety Executive on the death of Louis Drake at A. H. Marks and Co. Ltd., Low Moor.

  Mr. Forth
  No. Notes made by inspectors are riot equivalent to police note books and are not kept with a view to subsequent disclosure or use in evidence.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Departmental Staff
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the number of(a) men and (b) women in his Department in each of grades (i) 1, (ii) 2, (iii) 3, (iv) 4, (v) 5, (vi) 6, (vii) 7, (viii) SEO, (ix) HEO, (x) administrative trainee, (xi) EO, (xii) CO and (xiii) CA.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is as follows:

  The Northern Ireland Civil Service1

  Grade

  Men

  Women

  1

  1

  —

  2

  9

  —

  3

  36

  1

  4

  19

  —

  5

  171

  14

  6

  275

  51

  7

  748

  73

  Deputy Principal

  1,485

  278

  Administrative Trainee

  1

  1

  Staff Officer

  1,781

  538

  EOI

  2,746

  1,082

  EOII

  1,466

  2,041

  AO

  1,882

  5,390

  AA

  1,067

  2,706

  The Northern Ireland Office (Home Civil Service) 2

  Grade

  Men

  Women

  1

  1

  —

  2

  2

  —

  3

  6

  —

  4

  1

  —

  5

  8

  —

  6

  4

  —

  7

  16

  3·5

  SEO

  2

  4·0

  HEO (D)

  4

  1·0

  HEO

  9

  7·0

  301

  Grade

  Men

  Women

  AT

  —

  —

  EO

  11

  10.5

  AO

  10

  14.5

  AA

  5

  8.0

  1 All non-industrial staff as at 1 January 1991.

  2 Non-industrial home civil servants in post as at 1 February 1992 (staff on loan/career breaks are not included).

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No pay and grading reviews have been undertaken in the Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departments or executive agencies over the last 12 months. Reviews have been carried out in two non-departmental public bodies, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards, both by Hay Management Consultants.

  Criminal Damage Compensation
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claims have been made for compensation for criminal damage to agricultural property; and how much compensation has been paid in respect of such claims in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is as follows:

  Financial Year

  Number of claims received

  Amount of compensation paid £

  1987–88

  58

  120,759

  1988–89

  56

  201,577

  1989–90

  58

  214,628

  1990–91

  79

  137,378

  11991

  82

  155,449

  1 To 29 February 1992.

  Suckler Cow Premium
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps will be taken to ensure that Northern Ireland and objective 1 regions are allocated the full finance as stipulated by the European Commission in respect of the suckler cow premium.

  Mr. Hanley
  The rate of suckler cow premium is being increased by £7·95 to £59·64 per cow in the less favoured areas and £55·38 elsewhere. This rate will apply throughout the United Kingdom. Funding was not available to meet the costs of paying the extra £2·40 to all United Kingdom producers.

  Income Support
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many income support claimants there are at each social security office in Northern Ireland; and how many of these are in receipt of sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, unemployment benefit, or retirement pension.
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  Mr. Hanley
  Social security operational matters are the responsibility of Mr. Alec Wylie, chief executive of the Social Security Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman with such information as is available and copies of his reply will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people there are in receipt of each income support premium in each social security office in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  I understand from Mr. Alec Wylie, chief executive of the Social Security Agency that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of dependants in respect of whom income support is paid to claimants by each social security office in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  Social security operational matters are the responsibility of Mr. Alex Wylie, chief executive of the Social Security Agency. However, I understand that no record is held of the numbers of dependants in respect of whom income support is paid to claimants.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are receiving unemployment benefit from each social security office in Northern Ireland showing how many are or are not in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Hanley
  Social security operational matters are the responsibility of Mr. Alec Wylie, chief executive of the Social Security Agency who informs me that no record is held of the number of people receiving unemployment benefit who are also in receipt of income support.

  Political Talks
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what agreements have been reached about future representation of the respective political parties at talks on Northern Ireland's political future.

  Mr. Brooke
  The understanding is that talks would proceed on the basis outlined in my statement to the House of 26 March 1991 at columns 765–66 and involve the four main constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland.

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures or guidelines apply in respect of dyslexic children under school transfer procedures.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 5 March 1992]: None. The arrangements are the same for all children except those for whom a statement of special educational needs is maintained. Such children may not take part in the transfer procedure. If any parents think that their child's grade in the tests does not reflect his or her academic ability they can make a case to the relevant grammar school together with any appropriate information and evidence.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Russia (EC Beef)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what administrative and other costs are deducted by the Russians for every kilogram of EC beef sold under the assistance programme at the price of 60 roubles per kilogram on the Russian market.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The local costs of distribution and administration are met by the Russians. In St. Petersburg—but not in Moscow—they are financed by allocating to them 20 per cent. of the roubles received from the sale of EC beef. The remainder is placed in a counterpart fund, set up by the European Community and the Russian authorities, which is used to help the needy.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what value of bilateral education aid is proposed for Vietnam; and how it will be spent.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We are discussing an economic reform orientated training project with the Vietnamese Government. The cost is not yet settled, but is likely to be of the order of £1 million over three to four years. We are also continuing our support for non-governmental organisation projects, for which we have committed £1·86 million since May 1990. Many of these NGO projects have a practical training component.

  Women in Development
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British aid policy in relation to women in development.

  Mrs. Chalker
  To mark International Womens Day on Sunday 8 March we have published a booklet, "Women in Development", copies of which are in the Library. This explains our "women in development" policy and progress in implementing it.

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding he proposes to make available to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations in 1992–93 through the Overseas Development Administration's joint funding scheme.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I propose to increase the allocation to the joint funding scheme by £5 million to £28 million in 1992–93. This represents an increase of about 22 per cent. on the 1991–92 budget and demonstrates the Government's continuing commitment to, and confidence in, the contribution made by voluntary organisations to developing countries.

THE ARTS

  Heritage Objects
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what is his response to the recommendation of the export reviewing committee about the introduction of a list of heritage objects for which export licences would not be granted.

  Mr. Renton
  The Committee's report makes a range of recommendations for improving the system of controlling the export of heritage objects. I have asked for comments on the report to reach me by 31 March. A list was recommended by the committee, but only on the assumption that new sources of funding would not be available. If the national lottery makes available, as I hope it will, new funds that will help keep in this country works of art that are important to our heritage, then a list should not be necessary for this purpose.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General 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.

  The Attorney-General
  The legal secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office have retained no private sector consultancy firms. The Crown Prosecution Service has retained P E International to advise on the service's market testing programme. This appointment was not the result of a competitive tender.

  Magistrates
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Attorney-General how many magistrates are(a) men and (b) women.

  The Attorney-General
  As at 1 January 1992 there were 16,105 men and 13,336 women sitting as lay magistrates in England and Wales.

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list those parts of his Department, including executive agencies, carrying out reviews over the last 12 months intro the pay and grading of staff; and the firm of consultants engaged, where appropriate.

  The Attorney-General
  My departments have not carried out any such reviews over the last 12 months.

  Judiciary (Retirement Age)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he has any plans to bring forward proposals to reduce the retirement age for the judiciary.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor has today written to bodies representative of the judiciaries in
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  England and Wales and Northern Ireland seeking their views on reducing the retirement age of the judiciary to 70. The text of his letter is as follows:
  "I am writing to seek views on the appropriate maximum retirement age for the judiciary. I believe that the time has come to reduce the retirement age for the judiciary, and also to introduce a standard retirement age for all judges and judicial officers. What I would propose therefore is that all judges and judicial officers from the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary and Heads of Divisions downwards should, in future, be required to retire at the latest on their 70th birthdays.
  I intend that the new retirement age of 70 for full-time service should apply to those who are appointed to full-time judicial office after it comes into force. Anyone in full-time judicial office on the relevant day, and who remains in the same office, will be able to retain his or her existing maximum retirement age.
  I would welcome your views on the position of someone holding judicial office on the relevant day who is subsequently appointed to a different, usually more senior, judicial office. The two main possibilities here would seem to be to treat the change of office as a new appointment, with the consequence that the new retirement age of 70 will apply, or to allow the person concerned to retain the entitlement to retire at the present maximum retirement age of the junior office.
  A change in the retirement age will require primary legislation. Subject to the results of this consultation, I would intend to make any changes at the same time as the new judicial pension scheme is introduced.
  I propose that these changes should apply to Northern Ireland as well as to England and Wales. The Secretary of State for Scotland will be consulting on similar proposals for Scotland.
  I would welcome your views on these proposals. It would be helpful if they could be sent to Mr. S. F. Smith, Lord Chancellor's Department, Room 204, Trevelyan House, 30 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2BY to arrive no later than 31 March 1992."

  Cases (Abandonment)
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Attorney-General what consultation, and with whom, has to take place before a judge can decide to abandon a case; and whether members of the jury are included in such discussions.

  The Attorney-General
  A trial judge in criminal proceedings may in appropriate circumstances make any one of a range of orders the effect of which is that the whole or part of a prosecution cannot be proceeded with. The most frequently encountered of such orders is a directed acquittal following a submission of "no case to answer" or, under section 17 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, where the prosecution has offered no evidence. Trial judges also have some inherent powers to stay proceedings and in certain circumstances may order that some or all of the counts in an indictment lie on the file.

  The relevant parties to the proceedings are entitled to be heard before any such order is made. The making of any such order is the responsibility of the trial judge alone.

  Estates (Winding-up Procedures)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will put forward proposals to impose time limits within which solicitors will be required to complete the procedures for the winding-up of estates, varying the time limits according to the values of the estates concerned.

  The Attorney-General
  The amount of work involved in the administration of estates varies too much from case to case to allow fixed time limits to be imposed for winding 306
  up: the degree of complexity of an estate is not necessarily related to its size. The quick and efficient administration of estates is best achieved by encouraging high standards on the part of solicitors. This is a matter for their professional body, the Law Society, as they are a self regulating profession. The Law Society offers guidance to practitioners on best practice; and has recommended ways in which practitioners might streamline the administration of estates, in their recently published "Probate Practitioners Handbook". Failure to act with due dispatch when dealing with a client's affairs is a ground on which a complaint can be made to the Solicitors Complaints Bureau.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Small Firms (Coalfield Areas)
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about new business support measures to assist small firms in coalfield areas.

  Mr. Lilley
  As foreseen in my statement on 17 February and following the European Commission's approval of the RECHAR programmes on 26 February, I am introducing in the English RECHAR areas a new £14 million scheme for business support measures, which will contribute to those programmes. This is subject to the Commission's approval under the state aids section of the EEC treaty.

  Department of Trade and Industry regional offices will respond flexibly to the needs of each coalfield area, selecting the most suitable assistance from a range of authorised measures.

  This scheme which will be additional to the Government's existing assistance for small firms, will help diversify the economy of ex-coalmining areas by providing assistance for business start-ups and for small to medium-sized companies seeking growth and innovation development.

  The authorised measures are:
  Support for economic promotion agencies and local community initiatives, e.g. local task forces and business clubs and for specialist consultancy support not otherwise provided.
  Support for the provision of common services and feasibility studies relating to the provision of managed workspace and move-on business accommodation.
  Encouragement for innovation in industry and its commercial application in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
  Assistance for risk appraisal by non-profit making organisations.
  Support for the provision of information to SMEs to improve their access to relevant markets.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will be inviting the local enterprise companies in Scottish RECHAR areas to promote business development schemes of their own tailored to local circumstances. Such schemes will be eligible for support from the European regional development fund and matching funding will be provided by the Government, under transitional arrangements for 1992–93.

  In addition to the agreed new arrangements for regional innovation grants which will apply to all Great Britain, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be extending regional investment grants into the designated RECHAR areas in Wales.

  Kimberly-Clark Factory, Humberside
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress on Kimberly-Clark's proposed project to build a factory at Barton-on-Humber.

  Mr. Lilley
  On 20 February, Glanford borough council resolved to grant planning permission to Kimberly-Clark to build a factory at Barton-on-Humber unless the Secretary of State for the Environment decided to call it in for his own determination.

  I am very pleased to say my right hon. Friend has now written to say he will not be doing so. The way is now open for the council to proceed.

  Over 770 jobs will be created directly by this project, which was won for the United Kingdom amid fierce competition from other European countries. It is another example of the success of this Government's policies in attracting investment from abroad.

  Regional Enterprise Grants
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the future of the regional enterprise grants scheme.

  Mr. Lilley
  On 1 April 1992, subject to European Commission approval, the following changes will be made to regional enterprise grants. There are two types of assistance under this scheme—innovation and investment grants.

  Regional innovation grants (RIN):
  will be extended to Intermediate and EC objective 2 areas not already covered;
  firms will be able to apply for more than one innovation grant;
  grants will now be available to firms employing under 50 people instead of below 25.
  >additional advice will be provided to encourage business planning and the exploitation and marketing of successful projects.

  Regional investment grants (RIG) will be subject to a simple additionality test which will require applicants to show that the grant is necessary if the project is to go ahead.

  Additional signposting and advice will be provided for both grants to encourage business planning and exploitation and marketing of successful projects.

  Regional innovation grants have proved to be cost-effective and an important trigger for new developments. These changes open the doors to many more firms to take up innovation opportunities.

  Courts and Legal Services Act 1990
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the Government's proposals for implementing the tying-in provisions of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

  Mr. Leigh
  I have today issued a consultative document setting out the Government's revised proposals for the subordinate legislation required to bring into force the provisions in the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 on the tying-in of services to residential property loans. Following suggestions made during the earlier consultation, we propose to supplement legislation under the Courts and Legal Services Act by also making regulations under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  308
  Our proposals have two parts. First, lenders and brokers will have to make clear to their customers if there is a link between a loan and the sale of some other service. This information would have to be provided to every customer inquiring about the availability of a loan secured on a home, regardless of the purpose of the loan.

  Secondly, lenders will have to give borrowers a comprehensive statement of the impact of the terms and conditions of the loan of the decision whether or not to take any other service with it. This information would have to be provided with the lender's offer of a loan to buy a home.

  I want to ensure that borrowers are not coerced or misled into buying services from mortgage lenders that they either do not want or would prefer to buy elsewhere.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  National Music Curriculum
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will meet a delegation from the Incorporated Society of Musicians to discuss the national music curriculum; and if he will make a statement on his response to their representations.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how long after the close of the consultation period on his proposals for music in the national curriculum final orders will be laid before Parliament;

  (2) whether he intends to amend his proposals for music in the national curriculum to take account of the submission he has received from the Incorporated Society of Musicians;

  (3) how many submissions, and from which organisations, he has received on his proposals for music in the national curriculum.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received around 800 representation on his proposals for music in the national curriculum, as set out in the draft order published on 27 January. These have come from a wide range of organisations including local education authorities, educational, subject and professional associations.

  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to meet a delegation from the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM). He will make the final order for music in the national curriculum after taking due account of the points made in the responses to the consultation exercise, including those from ISM.

  GCSE
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many letters he has received criticising the proposed changes to GCSE; how many of these were from parents and governors; what response he has made to the criticisms expressed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  As I said in my reply of 24 February to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) at column 377, varying views have been expressed in the letters we have received from different interested groups and individuals on the subject. My right hon. and learned

  309
  Friend and I have said that in order to maintain public confidence in GCSE, and given the difficulties of ensuring that course work is conducted under sufficiently uniform conditions and marked against nationwide standards, its course work element needs to be kept within agreed limits.

  Stratford School
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will place in the Library correspondence received from the former governors of Stratford school, prior to its change to grant-maintained status, and copies of the formal application for that status made by the persons responsible for the application, together with other official communications made to him, or from him to them, since their assumption of office.

  Mr. Eggar
  No.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the sums he calculates as being due to him from any London borough, or other education authority, in respect of registered pupils at Stratford school, the sums already paid, or due, from each authority, together with the basis of calculation for each and the method of verification of attendance that they may use.

  Mr. Eggar
  The annual maintenance grant (AMG) of Stratford school has been calculated on the basis of regulation 8 of the Education (Grant-Maintained Schools) (Finance) Regulations 1991, (SI 1991 No. 353). The whole of the final AMG for the school of £1,533,311 is a charge on Newham local education authority. To the extent that any pupils at the school belong to the area of another LEA, it is for Newham to recover their costs directly from any such LEA.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the occasions since 1 January when any inspector visited Stratford school together with the purpose and the duration of each visit.

  Mr. Eggar
  HMI makes regular termly visits to the school and keep in close contact with the progress being made. The last such visit was in December, the next will be later this month.

  School Attendance Officers
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what person or body has the responsibility of school attendance officer for any grant-maintained school; and what reports they are required to make to him or to the local education authorities from which moneys or fees are due by virtue of a pupil's attendance at such schools.

  Mr. Eggar
  Responsibility for enforcing the school attendance legislation rests with local education authorities to which all schools, other than independent schools for boarders only, have a duty to report regular absentees. It is for each grant-maintained school to keep its register and to decide what action it should take to encourage regular attendance by its pupils.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the legal provisions concerning the power of governors of grant-maintained 310
  schools to nominate a person to whom moneys may be paid by him or from other persons or bodies; and what obligation is placed on any body of governors for auditing of annual accounts; and for what period.

  Mr. Eggar
  Money from the Department is paid direct to each grant-maintained school by placing it in its bank account, not by giving it to individuals. The schools are required to maintain rigorous controls over the drawing down of grant and other funds from their bank accounts. Schools are also required to appoint independent professional auditors and ensure their accounts are audited every year. Audit appointments are made for one year, renewable at the governing body's discretion.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what powers he has given to governors of grant-maintained schools to delegate their authority for appointment of any staff.

  Mr. Eggar
  The governing body of a grant-maintained school has power to delegate its functions under the articles of Government with respect to the appointment of staff. Whether or not the governing body has delegated any of its responsibilities with regard to the appointment of staff, the body or person whose responsibility it is must consider any advice given by the head teacher before determining to appoint any member of staff, except the head teacher's successor. There are of course a large number of statutory requirements which apply generally to the appointment of staff.

  Funding Applications, Bradford
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, South on 25 February,Official Report, column 803, if he will list the deficiencies in the applications from Bradford for central Government funding.

  Mr. Eggar
  The deficiencies I had in mind included Bradford's initial failure to bid for a supplementary credit approval in 1991–92 to support additional capital expenditure on its schools; an initially unrealistic bid against the raising standards in inner city schools activity in the Department's 1992–93 grants for education support and training programme; and a bid for section 11 grant for 1992–93 which required a substantial amount of re-working to meet the new criteria for section 11. I have on a number of occasions made my concerns known to representatives of the authority. However, yesterday I announced that the submission by Greenhead school in Bradford under the technology schools initiative was one of the 21 best bids received by the Department.

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

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: The main agency through which the Government support

  311
  medical research in this country is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC receives grant-in-aid from this Department, but is an independent body and decides how its money should be spent in the light of its judgment of

  Research institution

  Principal researcher

  Title of grant

  Duration of grant

  University of Bristol

  Professor C. D. Stephens

  Development of an expert system for the planning of simple orthodontic treatment

  1 July 1988 to 30 June 1992

  University of Leicester

  Dr. I. S. Roberts

  Molecular analysis of the effect of b. gingivalis secreted protease on pmnl. function and fibroblast proliferation

  1 November 1988 to 31 January 1992

  London Hospital Medical College

  Dr. H. N. Shan

  Nitrogen metabolism of oral spirochaetes involved in periodontal disease

  1 May 1990 to 30 April 1992

  University of Leicester

  Dr. I. S. Roberts

  Molecular approaches to the study of b. gingivalis capsule in attachment and resistance to host defence mechanisms

  1 October 1989 to 30 September 1992.

  University of Newcastle upon Tyne

  Professor J. J. Murray

  Clinical and laboratory durability studies of glass polyalkenoate cement and composite resin in paediatric dentistry

  1 October 1990 to 30 September 1993

  University of Bristol

  Dr. D. F. G. Poole

  Formation of carious lesions in dental tissues and caries prevention by fluoride

  1 October 1990 to 30 September 1993

  University of Bristol

  Dr. R. P. Shellis

  Saliva/plaque/tooth equilibria and the reduction of dental caries

  26 November 1990 to 25 November 1993

  Queen Mary and Westfield College, London

  Professor K. Brocklehurst

  Characterisation and physiological function of proteinases produced by the key periodontal pathogens

  July 1991 to June 1993

  University of Leeds

  Dr. C. Robinson

  Control of biological apatite crystal growth in a rodent incisor model, implications for enamel hypoplasia

  1 February 1991 to 31 January 1994

  University of Sheffield

  Mr. I. M. Brook

  Ultrastructural and xray microanalytic study of the interface between bone and ceramic or glass ionomer implants

  February 1992 to January 1993

  Utd. Medical/Dental School Guy's and St. Thomas's, London

  Dr. A. M. Edwina Kidd

  Assessment of caries activity related to microbiology at the enamel-dentine junction during cavity preparation

  August 1991 to July 1992

  Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge

  Dr. J. J. Reynolds

  Cellular control mechanisms in the regulation of connective tissue degradation

  1 April 1982 to 31 March 1993

  University of Manchester

  Dr. S. L. Schor

  Fibroblast heterogeneity and the control of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in the oral mucosa

  1 February 1989 to 31 January 1992

  University of Newcastle upon Tyne

  Dr. R. B. Russell

  Dextranases and dextranase inhibitors of mutans streptococci

  26 November 1990 to 25 November 1993

  University of Manchester

  Dr. P. T. Sharpe

  Hox 7.1 Gene expression and tooth development

  August 1991 to July 1994

  University of Dundee

  Mr. G. R. Ogden

  Identification of cytokeratin in oral disease, using exfoliative cytology

  July 1991 to June 1992

  312
  priorities, opportunities and quality of research applications. MRC is supporting the following dental research projects:
  313

  Research institution

  Principal researcher

  Title of grant

  Duration of grant

  Institute of Dental Surgery, London

  Dr. Patrizia Ferretti

  A molecular approach to the study of jaw regeneration in urodeles

  October 1991 to September 1993

  Royal College of Surgeons of England, London

  Dr. C. T. Teo

  Epstein-barr virus genomic activity in the oral cavity of normal and HIV infected individuals

  1 April 1991 to 31 March 1994

  University of Liverpool

  Professor O. H. Petersen

  MRC secretory control group

  1 October 1988 to 30 September 1993

  University of Manchester

  Professor R. M. Case

  Bicarbonate transport and the anionic basis of salivary secretion

  1 July 1989 to 8 November 1992

  The MRC also supports dental research on a longer term basis at its dental research unit directed by Professor N. W. Johnson at the London Hospital medical college, and through a group of dental researchers on its external scientific staff at the University of Bristol. Their research has been focused as follows:

  MRC dental research unit
  IGG antibodies to bacteroides gingivalis, b. intermedius, fusobacterium nucleatum and wolinella recta in patients with severe destructive periodontitis.
  Detection of IGG antibodies in human sera to outer membrane components of bacteriodes species with reference to protease activity.
  Perification and characterisation of bacteroides proteins identified as possible markers of periodontal disease susceptibility or activity.
  Interaction of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and specific IGG opsonins to b. gingivalis in patients with severe destructive periodontitis.
  Identification of markers of disease activity in gingival crevicular fluid.
  Responsiveness of human gingival epithelial cells to inflammatory stimuli.
  Statistical methods for data from periodontal research.
  A longitudinal cohort study of the natural progression of periodontal breakdown in adults.

  MRC dental group (Principal Researcher Dr. D. F. G. Poole)
  Fluoride in the oral environment for controlling the initiation and progress of carious lesions.
  Physiochemical and biochemical equilibria in the salivaplaque-tooth system.

  Research, including dental health research, is also conducted in universities using grants from the Universities Funding Council which is funded by the DES.

  Details of specific projects are not held centrally.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update his answer of 27 March 1990,Official Report, columns 165–66, to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), concerning the numbers dependent on income support.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of claimants in receipt of Income Support.

  Year

  Great Britain

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  1989

  4,161,000

  3,429,000

  246,000

  486,000

  1990

  4,180,000

  3,451,000

  248,000

  481,000

  314

  Number of partners and dependent children of claimants in receipt of Income Support

  Year

  Great Britain

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  1989

  2,862,000

  2,381,000

  167,000

  313,000

  1990

  2,843,000

  2,370,000

  177,000

  296,000

  Notes:

  All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not therefore sum.

  The figures for 1989 may differ from those previously given. The earlier figures were based upon provisional estimates from the quarterly statistical enquiry for May 1989.

  Source:

  Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiries, 1989 and 1990.

  Staffing
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update his answer of 16 March 1990,Official Report, columns 406–7, concerning the number of staff per 100,000 claimants.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The total number of staff administering the social security programme per 100,000 receiving benefits for the years 1979–80 to 1990–91 is in the table.

  Number

  1979–80

  384

  1980–81

  372

  1981–82

  353

  1982–83

  339

  1983–84

  325

  1984–85

  311

  1985–86

  316

  1986–87

  314

  1987–88

  326

  1988–89

  326

  1989–90

  307

  1990–91

  295

  Seafarers (National Insurance)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the estimated cost in a full tax year of restricting the employer's national insurance contribution to the level of the employee's contribution in the case of United Kingdom seafarers.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not available.

  Pensions
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of(a) doubling and (b) quadrupling the premium payable to pensioners over the age of 80 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The gross extra cost of doubling and quadrupling the retirement pension age addition would be £28 million and £84 million respectively. These costs do not take into account the savings in income-related benefits.

  Resettlement Units
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement regarding the further replacement of resettlement units.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The development of replacement provision for the resettlement units at Stormy Down in South Wales and Southampton are considerably advanced. During the next 12 months the proposals for each of these units are expected to be complete. I have therefore agreed that our direct operation of these units should cease by 31 March 1993. As with all replacement schemes we will need to be satisfied, at that date, that sufficient suitable alternative accommodation is being provided.

  Together the proposals for these two units will produce over 200 bed spaces which is far in excess of those in the respective units.

  This announcement together with my earlier one, on 5 February at column 210, on the transfer of the units at Camden and Newbury also by March 1993 will considerably advance our intention to withdraw from the direct operations of resettlement units.

  National Insurance
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much would be raised by abolishing the ceiling on national insurance contributions.

  Mr. Jack
  We estimate that if the upper earnings limit for employees' contributions was abolished, the revenue yield for 1992–93 would be about £2·7 billion. If the self-employed upper profits limit was also abolished the additional yield would be about £0·5 billion.

WALES

  Usk Bypass
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding proposals for an Usk bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. This is a county road matter and one for Gwent county council as the local highway authority.

  Usk (Heavy Lorries)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding a ban on heavy lorries through Usk and over the River Usk in Usk.
  316
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has recently received a letter from Usk town council. This is a county road matter and one for Gwent county council as the responsible highway authority.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current level of unemployment in the Clwyd South-West constituency among school leavers in the 16 to 19 years age range.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In January 1992 there were 314 unemployed claimants in the Clwyd, South-West constituency aged under 20 years. A separate count of school leavers is not available.

  Latchkey Children
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent in Wales on pilot schemes to cater for the care of latchkey children in 1991–92; and how much is budgeted to be spent in 1992–93.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  In April 1991, under the Department's scheme of support for child and family services, a grant was awarded to the Kids Clubs' Network for a new out of school care development project in Wales. The project development officer was appointed on 22 July 1991 and grant paid in 1991–92 amounts to £24,022. On 19 February 1992, I announced a grant award of £40,812 for this project in 1992–93.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the hospitals in Wales now considering applying for trust status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  There is increasing recognition from within the national health service in Wales that NHS trust status is the natural organisational model for the delivery of patient services. The Pembrokeshire NHS trust will become operational on 1 April. The statement by the hon. Gentleman at the Welsh Labour conference that Pembroke NHS trust would be brought back within the NHS under a Labour Government betrays either extreme ignorance of the fact that such trusts are, as their name implies, part of the NHS or an attempt to mislead the people of Wales.

  In addition, 14 health units have been invited to prepare applications for NHS trust status from April 1993. The details were given by my right hon. Friend on 19 December 1991. The eventual decision whether to submit a formal application is a matter for the individual hospital or health unit in the light of local circumstances.

  Special Protection Areas
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many proposals for special protection area designation have been formally submitted to his Department by the statutory conservation agencies or transferred from the Department of the Environment and not yet progressed to designation; and if he will list the dates on which those submissions were made.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The department has four proposals for special protection area designation which
  317
  have not yet progressed to designation. They were all transferred from the Department of the Environment on 13 January 1992.

  Local Government
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he had received by 2 March in favour of amalgamating the borough of Wrexham and the district of Alyn and Deeside, as a result of his recent consultation on the future of local government in Wales; how many of these representations were from individuals; and how many were from representative bodies.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Nine of which four were from local branches of the Conservative party, Plaid Cymru and the Green party and five from community or town councils. No representations were received in favour of this proposal from the Labour party.

  Roads
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will respond to the first report of the Welsh Affairs Committee, Session 1991–92, "Roads in Wales", House of Commons paper 89.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am pleased to announce that the response has been published today as Command Paper 1851.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each private sector consultancy firm which hs 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. Maples
  Touche Ross has been appointed to provide the private sector input to the study being undertaken to determine the scope for further market testing in Treasury in accordance with the White Paper, "Competing for Quality", (Cm. 1730). The appointment was made following the evaluation of proposals from six firms.

  Rural Post Offices
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had proposing changes in the law to enable rural post offices to provide banking services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  I have not received any representations along the lines described. Post offices already provide banking services on art agency basis for Girobank. There are no plans at present to further extend the Post Office's powers in this area and the Government are reluctant to see any extension of the public sector, not least because of concern for fair competition.

  Investment and Research
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in detail the action taken by Her Majesty's Government to encourage investment and research.

  Mr. Mellor
  The key role played by the Government in encouraging investment and research is a commitment to a stable, low-inflation environment, to free and open markets and a lack of burdensome social and industrial regulation. There is, however, a role for Government support where there is evidence of market failure.

  Full details of the Government's schemes for encouraging investment and research can be found in the recently published departmental reports for 1992–93 and in the annual review of Government-funded research and development, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  PSBR
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the public sector borrowing requirement each year since 1974 at 1992 values; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The figures requested are set out in the table. Between 1974–75 and 1978–79, the PSBR averaged 6¾ per cent. of GDP. Since 1979–80, by contrast, it has averaged 1¾per cent. of GDP.

  Public sector borrowing requirement (£ million)

  Cash

  at 1991–92 prices1

  1974–75

  8,001

  38,939

  1975–76

  10,251

  39,765

  1976–77

  8,263

  28,234

  1977–78

  5,381

  16,172

  1978–79

  9,174

  24,857

  1979–80

  9,926

  23,040

  1980–81

  12,519

  24,559

  1981–82

  8,631

  15,447

  1982–83

  8,904

  14,877

  1983–84

  9,678

  15,454

  1984–85

  10,134

  15,411

  1985–86

  5,622

  8,102

  1986–87

  3,559

  4,966

  1987–88

  -3,406

  -4,508

  1988–89

  -14,657

  -18,097

  1989–90

  -7,932

  -9,197

  1990–91

  -465

  -498

  1991–92

  210,500

  10,500

  1 Using the GDP deflator

  2 Autumn Statement forecast

  Income Tax
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the yield from income tax against the basic rate for each year from 1985–86 to 1990–91.

  Mr. Maude
  The information is in the table:
  319

  £ billion

  Tax liability

  Year

  Total tax liability

  At the basic rate

  At the higher rate

  Of which excess over the basic rate

  1985–86

  38·8

  33·5

  5·2

  2·1

  1986–87

  42·8

  36·2

  6·6

  2·8

  1987–88

  45·3

  37·4

  7·9

  3·7

  1988–89

  46·5

  38·0

  8·5

  3·2

  1989–90

  53·4

  43·0

  10·5

  3·9

  1990–91

  59·4

  46·8

  12·6

  4·7

  1 Latest estimate based on a projection of the 1989–90 Survey of Personal Incomes.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what would be the reduction in disposable income in an average size constituency in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) the United Kingdom, assuming average levels of income from savings and employment as a result of (i) introducing a 9 per cent. surcharge tax on (ii) all savings and (iii) savings over £30,000 and (iv) increasing the top rate of income tax to 50 per cent;

  (2) what would be the increase in disposable income in an average size constituency in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) the United Kingdom, assuming average levels of income from savings and employment as a result of (i) increasing all tax allowances by the rate of inflation and (ii) reducing the rate of income tax by 1p.

  Mr. Maude
  Available estimates at 1991–92 levels of income, which exclude any behavioural effects which might result, are given in the table. I regret that separate data for England, Scotland and Wales are not available.

  Total change in disposable income in United Kingdom (£ billion)

  Average change per constituency1 (£ million)

  9 per cent. surcharge on all investment income

  -2·6

  -3·9

  9 per cent, surcharge on income from savings of over £30,000

  -1·3

  -2·0

  Increase in higher rate of tax to 50 per cent.

  -3·3

  -5·0

  Increase in all income tax allowances and thresholds by 4·5 per cent.

  + 1·5

  + 2·3

  Reduction of lp in basic rate

  + 1·9

  + 3·0

  1 Column 1 divided 650— the number of parliamentary constituencies.

  "Next Steps"
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the progress of "next steps" in the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  On 1 April the Inland Revenue will be setting up within the Department 34 executive offices covering the whole of its operational work in assessing and collecting taxes, and also important internal support services. This follows the establishment of the Valuation Office as an agency last year. As a result, the Inland Revenue will then be operating on "next steps" lines, with 96 per cent. of its staff working either in the Valuation Office Agency or in the 34 executive offices. This will mean less direct involvement from the centre, and 320
  more responsibility and accountability for heads of executive offices and their local managers. The purpose of these changes is to give taxpayers a better service, and to organise work more efficiently.

  As a part of its major programme of change the Revenue set up two teams to review its organisation and structure and its management and grading. The principal aims were to achieve significant further improvements in service to the public, in operational effectiveness and in cost efficiency, and to ensure the fullest commitment of those who work in the Department. They have now completed their work. Copies of a summary of their reports will be placed in the Library.

  The review teams envisage a slimmer and rather differently organised Department. Their proposals are designed to carry forward the policy set out in my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement of 16 May 1991 on the Fraser report, in the Citizen's Charter and in the White Paper "Competing for Quality."

  A number of the changes, if implemented, would take several years to complete. As a result, in 10 years time the Department might be 10 to 15 per cent. smaller than it is now. Further detailed planning and consultation will, however, be required before the future shape of the Department, and the way it does its work, can finally be settled. In addition to consultation with staff, the Inland Revenue is undertaking a major survey of taxpayers' views to ensure that the new arrangements properly reflect their priorities.

  Meanwhile, however, there are a number of specific changes which we shall be carrying forward now.

  First, the Inland Revenue is already engaged in introducing or testing a number of changes which are designed to improve the service it provides. We shall want to expand on this by examining proposals for moving, over a period of years, towards a new office structure. Taxpayer assistance offices would provide better local facilities, where the public could get inquiries dealt with, and problems resolved, on the spot. Other offices would deal with specialist and compliance work. And service offices would bring together, in a more efficient way, the bulk of the day-to-day work. Our aim is to move towards a single point of contact for every taxpayer. These changes will build on the existing experiments designed to remove the need for separate tax and collection offices in the same area.

  Secondly, the Department will be taking forward for wider consultation—and, where appropriate, negotiation —proposals for a new performance and reporting system for staff of the Inland Revenue, and, linked to it, a new system for pay and grading, with a larger proportion of pay depending on an assessment of performance. These proposals would be consistent with moving to a single staff group, within the civil service, for most Revenue staff.

  Thirdly, there will be a number of important changes to the relationship between the Department's head office and the new executive offices, in accordance with "next steps" principles. These include enhancing further the delegated authority and responsibility of managers; identifying opportunities to improve efficiency through market testing and internal charging; shortening lines of accountability and management; and making changes in management and reporting arrangements, including bringing operational functions more closely together.

  Fourthly, to assist the Board of the Inland Revenue in managing the new departmental structure, a new

  321
  management board will be formed, comprising the existing board members, other senior managers, and a number of members from the private sector in a part-time capacity. These last will impart valuable management expertise, experience and advice.

  These changes represent together an important new beginning for the Inland Revenue. It will become a slimmer and more effective organisation, more interesting and satisfying to work for, providing ever better service to the public.

  Overnight Subsistence Allowances
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis standard overnight subsistence allowances are calculated for civil servants travelling abroad.

  Mr. Maples
  Overseas subsistence allowances reflect the costs of accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner (including service charges and taxes) plus a small element to cover extra incidental expenses. Rates are based on the cost of reasonable quality and acceptable hotels in the particular locality and reflect discounts which are negotiated for visiting officials.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the standard overnight subsistence allowance expressed in pounds sterling which is payable to a civil servant of(a) grade 5, (b) grade 3 and (c) grade 1 travelling on official business to (1) Berlin, (2) Bonn, (3) Brussels, (4) Lisbon, (5) Luxembourg, (6) Madrid, (7) Paris, (8) Rome and (9) Washington.

  Mr. Maples
  Overseas subsistence allowances are calculated in local currency and the sterling equivalent depends upon the exchange rate available at the time of an official's visit. The table gives the current rates for the grades in question, together with approximate sterling equivalents.

  Local currency

  £

  Berlin

  DM

  249

  (86)

  Bonn

  DM

  209

  (73)

  Brussels

  BFr

  6,610

  (111)

  Lisbon

  Esc

  21,600

  (87)

  Luxembourg

  BFr

  7,080

  (119)

  Madrid

  Pts

  20,100

  (1ll)

  Paris

  FFr

  996

  (102)

  Rome

  L

  242,000

  (112)

  Washington

  US$

  161

  1(92)

  Washington

  US$

  185

  2(105)

  1 Grade 5.

  2 Grades 1 and 3.

  Child Care Tax Allowance
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer in a full tax year of introducing a child care tax allowance on the first(a) £1,000, (b) £2,000 and (c) £5,000 of taxable income for (i) working single parents and (ii) couples where both spouses are working.

  Mr. Maude
  Estimates of the cost of introducing allowances against taxable incomes of (i) working single parents and (ii) the higher earner in a two earner family for 1992–93 are as follows:
  322

  Cost (£ million)

  Allowance of

  £1,000 per year

  £2,000 per year

  £5,000 per year

  Working single parents

  60

  120

  220

  Higher earner in a two earner family with children

  900

  1,800

  4,300

  Cost of Living (European Community)
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has about the comparative cost of living in the capital cities of the EC member states.

  Mr. Maples
  Following are the comparative costs of living in the capital cities of EC member states as of October 1991 (London = 100).

  Comparative cost of living

  Copenhagen

  111·0

  Rome

  104·1

  Paris

  101·7

  Madrid

  101·1

  Brussels

  100·8

  London

  100·0

  Dublin

  96·8

  Bonn

  95·0

  Athens

  93·2

  Luxembourg

  89·3

  The Hague

  88·7

  Lisbon

  88·4

  Source: P-E International of Egham, Surrey.

  Profit-related Pay Schemes
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average income and the distribution of income of those in profit-related pay schemes, in the United Kingdom, since the schemes began.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: The estimated average annual earnings of participants, including those working part-time, in registered profit-related pay schemes, in each year since schemes began are as follows. Information on the distribution of earnings is not available.

  Live registered

  Average annual earnings of participants (£)

  March 1988

  12,700

  March 1989

  12,000

  March 1990

  12,500

  March 1991

  11,500

  January 1992

  13,300

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Overnight Subsistence Allowance
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the standard overnight subsistence allowance expressed in pounds sterling which is payable to an hon. Member travelling on official business to (1) Berlin, (2) Bonn, (3) Brussels, (4) Lisbon, (5) Luxembourg, (6) Madrid, (7) Paris, (8) Rome and (9) Washington.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The standard overnight subsistence allowance payable to an hon. Member travelling on official
  323
  business is the class A rate payable to senior staff in the home civil service. The rates are fixed by Her Majesty's Treasury and are regularly reviewed; they are normally expressed in the currency of the country to which they refer. For the current rates, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

HEALTH

  Waiting Lists
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to reduce waiting lists at hospitals in the East Anglia region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Provisional figures show for January 1992 that since last March, East Anglian health authority, backed by £1·36 million from the waiting list fund, has reduced the number of patients waiting over two years by 75 per cent. and the number waiting over one year by 43 per cent. in January alone the number of patients waiting over two years fell by 51 per cent. The authority expects to have no patient waiting over two years by 31 March.

  Dentists
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what survey has been undertaken by his Department in the London borough of Wandsworth of dentists who practise in the borough but who no longer provide dental treatment under the national health service; and if he will make a statement.

  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 on the Merton Sutton and Wandsworth dental list who took part in the survey indicated they would continue NHS treatment.

  Vitamins and Minerals
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to limit the supply of any vitamins and minerals by making them available only on prescription.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Mr. Hague) on 27 February at column 611.

  A number of vitamin and mineral preparations are currently licensed medicines, some of which are already available only on prescription. There are a small number of essential vitamins and minerals sold as food supplements, which may have adverse effects when consumed in excess. We believe that, for these substances, safety concerns may indicate a need for limitations on the maximum freely available dose.

  A United Kingdom outline proposal for a possible EC directive notes that the relationship between supplements sold as foods and those sold as medicines, including medicines on general sale, may need to be addressed. It is not yet clear whether this will form part of any EC measure.

  Drug Addicts
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the present number of registered drug addicts in the Greater London area.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Home Office maintains an index of people notified by doctors as addicted to one or more of a range of drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The number of new and renotified drug addicts in the Greater London area notified to the addicts index was 5,500 in 1990, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Patients, Huddersfield
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide for the Huddersfield health authority for each year since 1979(a) the numbers of in-patients trea ted and (c) the number of out-patients treated.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is given in the table. In addition, the number of day cases treated in Huddersfield district health authority over the period 1979 to 1991 increased by 26 per cent. from 1,951 to 2,459.

  NHS hospitals Huddersfield District Health Authority

  Year

  In-patient waiting list at 31 March

  In-patient cases treated

  New out-patients

  Total out-patient attendances

  1979

  3,863

  121,289

  26,859

  153,470

  1980

  2,731

  122,581

  28,143

  162,182

  1981

  2,159

  123,196

  28,510

  159,268

  1982

  2,044

  122,126

  29,204

  153,846

  1983

  2,920

  124,351

  30,866

  163,206

  1984

  2,655

  125,075

  32,578

  158,091

  1985

  2,770

  126,710

  32,268

  160,868

  1986

  2,697

  127,637

  33,122

  161,506

  1987

  2,175

  —

  —

  —

  1987–88

  1,793

  130,869

  35,150

  152,706

  1988–89

  2,215

  128,544

  38,841

  165,550

  1988–89

  2,215

  232,364

  38,841

  165,550

  1989–90

  2,153

  230,785

  36,304

  168,607

  1990–91

  1,982

  233,704

  36,873

  171,110

  1 Hospital discharges.

  2 Finished consultant episodes.

  Crutches and Walking Frames
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total cost of equipment such as crutches and walking frames which are not returned to hospitals by patients; and if he will make it a requirement for those using this equipment to pay a refundable deposit before being allowed to remove it from hospital grounds.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The cost to the NHS of unreturned equipment is not collected centrally. As with other services, it is the provider units themselves who are responsible for managing effectively the supply and control of such equipment.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average general practitioner list size in South Derbyshire district and Trent region in 1982 and the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  At 1 October 1982, the average general practitioner list size in Derbyshire family
  325
  health services authority's area was 2,289 and the figure for Trent region was 2,251. At 1 April 1991, (the latest year for which figures are available) the average list size for Derbyshire family health services authority was 2,004 and the Trent region was 1,985. Figures are not available for the South Derbyshire district alone.

  Hospital Statistics Bulletin
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he published last year's national health service hospital activity statistics bulletin;

  (2) when he received the draft of the new national health service hospital activity statistics bulletin; and when he intends to publish the bulletin.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The bulletin containing statistics of NHS hospitals activity and facilities in 1989–90 was published on 12 December 1990.

  I received the draft bulletin giving comparable figures for 1990–91 on 19 February, and intend to publish it shortly, as drafted.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients were removed from waiting lists(a) by admission for treatment and (b) for reasons other than treatment in each district in each of the four Thames regional health authorities in each six month period since September 1988;

  (2) when the honourable Member for Peckham may expect a substantive reply to her question on waiting lists of 10 February.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 10 February 1992]: We do not routinely collate information on all district health authorities centrally. For the relevant information at regional level, I refer the hon. Member to

  NHS directly employed staff in post by specific staff groups as at 30 September 1986 England by regional health authorities Whole-time equivalent1

  Region

  Nursing and midwifery2

  Medical and dental3

  General managers

  Admin and clerical staff

  Ancillary staff

  Ambulance staff

  Northern RHA

  27,390

  2,820

  40

  6,220

  9,200

  1,400

  Yorkshire RHA

  30,290

  2,970

  30

  6,990

  9,870

  1,640

  Trent RHA

  37,120

  3,780

  50

  8,850

  12,970

  1,970

  East Anglia RHA

  15,590

  1,590

  30

  4,000

  4,490

  770

  North West Thames RHA

  28,670

  3,310

  30

  7,710

  7,790

  490

  North East Thames RHA

  34,340

  4,170

  30

  9,760

  11,060

  590

  South East Thames RHA

  30,370

  3,510

  50

  8,900

  10,110

  960

  South West Thames RHA

  24,350

  2,540

  20

  5,890

  6,410

  670

  Wessex RHA

  23,060

  2,060

  30

  5,410

  6,620

  990

  Oxford RHA

  16,950

  2,030

  20

  4,640

  4,480

  810

  South Western RHA

  26,980

  2,630

  30

  6,710

  8,060

  1,470

  West Midlands RHA

  42,520

  4,400

  60

  11,220

  13,190

  1,940

  Mersey RHA

  22,330

  2,230

  30

  5,280

  6,700

  950

  North Western RHA

  37,860

  4,040

  60

  9,510

  11,640

  1,670

  London post graduate special Health Authorities

  4,880

  1,160

  10

  1,670

  1,490

  —

  England Total4

  402,690

  43,250

  510

  110,840

  124,270

  18,970

  1 All figures are rounded to the nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalent.

  2 Includes agency staff.

  3 Includes permanent paid, honorary and locum staff. Differences in the sum of numbers of staff for all regions are due to duplication of staff holding appointments in more than one region. Such staff are included separately in each region.

  4 Includes staff at the Dental Estimates Board, Prescription Pricing Authority, London Ambulance Service, and Family Practitioner Committees.

  Source: Department of Health (SMI3) annual census of NHS medical and non-medical manpower.
  326
  the reply I gave the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 29 January at columns 599–602. In the three years to March 1991, nearly 2·1 million patients were admitted from waiting lists in the Thames regions. In the same period the names of a further 290,122 were removed for other reasons, for example, because they had already been treated, had moved, or no longer needed treatment. This is good practice in line with the Royal College of Surgeons guidelines.

  NHS Staff
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for(a) each regional health authority and (b) each district health authority the number of (i) nurses and midwives, (ii) medical staff, (iii) general and senior managers, (iv) administrative and clerical staff, (v) ancillary staff and (vi) ambulance staff for 1986 and for 1990.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 13 February 1992]: Regional health authority data are shown in the table. District data could not be produced without incurring disproportionate cost.

  The new grades of general and senior manager were introduced following the recommendations of the 1983 Griffiths report to strengthen accountability for the delivery of health authority objectives. An expansion in numbers occurred from 1989 following the extension of senior manager arrangements beyond the most senior posts in regions and districts and their introduction to units and family practitioner committees. Staff employed in these grades generally hold posts which were previously occupied by staff in other groups such as administrative and clerical or senior nursing grades.
  327

  National Health Service directly employed staff in post by specific staff groups as at 30 September 1990 England by Regional Health Authorities

  Whole-time equivalent1

  Region

  Nursing and midwifery2

  Medical and dental3

  General and senior managers4

  Administration and clerical staff

  Ancillary staff

  Ambulance staff

  Northern Regional Health Authority

  27,310

  2,990

  550

  6,940

  7,330

  1,320

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority

  30,140

  3,120

  930

  7,870

  7,000

  1,560

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  38,220

  4,170

  600

  10,120

  10,760

  1,890

  East Anglia Regional Health Authority

  16,420

  1,810

  480

  4,070

  3,920

  790

  North West Thames Regional Health Authority

  27,560

  3,480

  80

  8,160

  5,460

  540

  North East Thames Regional Health Authority

  34,170

  4,250

  1,030

  10,450

  8,290

  550

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  30,110

  3,800

  780

  10,030

  8,020

  860

  South West Thames Regional Health Authority

  23,070

  2,650

  520

  6,340

  4,390

  660

  Wessex Regional Health Authority

  23,690

  2,540

  610

  5,840

  5,360

  940

  Oxford Regional Health Authority

  17,310

  2,180

  420

  5,150

  3,470

  800

  South Western Regional Health Authority

  27,490

  2,780

  610

  6,980

  6,370

  1,460

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority

  43,220

  4,800

  1,060

  11,950

  11,100

  1,850

  Mersey Regional Health Authority

  21,180

  2,440

  500

  5,810

  4,690

  880

  North Western Regional Health Authority

  37,120

  4,450

  690

  10,070

  8,020

  1,580

  London Post-graduate Special Health Authorities

  4,970

  1,380

  130

  1,840

  1,080

  —

  ENGLAND TOTALS5

  402,070

  46,900

  9,680

  120,040

  95,690

  18,130

  Source: Department of Health (SM13) Annual Census of National Health Service medical and non-medical manpower.

  1 All figures are independently rounded to the nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalent.

  2 Includes agency staff.

  3 Includes permanent paid, honorary and locum staff. Differences in the sum of numbers of staff for all regions are due to duplication of staff holding appointments in more than one region. Such staff are included separately in each region.

  4 Senior managers were progressively introduced from 1987.

  5 Includes staff at the Dental Estimates Board, Prescription Pricing Authority, London Ambulance Service, Family Practitioner Committees and other Statutory Authorities (eg. public Health Laboratory service and the Health Education Authority).

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Health in the last year for which figures are available, what was the number of patients awaiting cataract operations in England and Wales; and what percentage of them had been on the list for(a) six months, (b) a year, (c) two years and (d) more than two years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 24 February 1992]: Waiting time information for specific conditions is not collected centrally. The latest information available centrally for the ophthalmology specialty as a whole in England is given in the table. This shows that fewer than 2 per cent. of patients had been waiting more than two years for ophthalmology treatment and 87 per cent. waited less than one year. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Ophthalmology waiting list at March 1991

  England—All cases March 1991

  Numbers

  Percentage

  Total waiting

  95,210

  100

  0–6 months

  58,125

  61·0

  6–11 months

  24,454

  25·7

  12–24 months

  11,094

  11·7

  Over 24 months

  1,537

  1·6

  Hospital Beds, York
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) acute and (b) long-stay hospital beds York health authority had open in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 27 February 1992]: Figures relating to acute beds are given in the table. Information relating to long-stay beds is not collected
  328
  centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Pratt, the chairman of York district health authority, for details.

  National health service hospitals, York health authority

  Total number of

  Year

  Average daily number of acute available beds

  In-patients

  Day cases

  1979

  763

  27,296

  4,444

  1980

  767

  28,085

  4,658

  1981

  771

  28,330

  4,548

  1982

  750

  27,071

  3,796

  1983

  743

  29,641

  4,444

  1984

  726

  30,020

  4,469

  1985

  725

  31,646

  4,801

  1986

  716

  32,596

  5,686

  1987–88

  691

  34,062

  4,549

  1988–89

  689

  134,176

  5,523

  1988–89

  —

  238,184

  5,523

  1989–90

  673

  39,434

  5,626

  1990–91

  652

  39,530

  5,425

  1 Discharges and deaths.

  2 Finished consultant episodes.

  Notes:

  In-patients 1979 to 1988–89 discharges and deaths.

  In-patients 1988–89 to 1990–91 finished consultant episodes. 1990–91 figures provisional.

  Between 1979 and 1990–91 in York health authority the numbers of in-patient cases treated in the acute sector increased from 19,460 hospital discharges to 26,726 finished consultant episodes, an increase of 31 per cent. on a comparable basis, and for all sectors increased by 30 per cent. from 27,296 hospital discharges to 39,530 finished consultant episodes.

SCOTLAND

  House Completions
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new houses were completed in Scotland in each year since 1978.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the number of new houses completed in Scotland for each year since 1978 is set out in the following table.

  New dwellings completed in Scotland

  Year

  Total

  1978

  25,759

  1979

  23,782

  1980

  20,611

  1981

  20,015

  1982

  16,423

  1983

  17,931

  1984

  18,838

  1985

  18,411

  1986

  18,637

  1987

  17,711

  1988

  18,272

  1989

  20,172

  11990

  19,906

  1 Figures include estimates.

  Housing
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by district council the number of council houses sold since October 1980; if he will also show this as a percentage of total stock at the start of that period; and if he will show the number of new build houses in that period.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information by district council on the number of council houses sold since October 1980, expressed as a percentage of the total local authority stock, is set out in the following table.

  Information on new building within each district is regularly published in the statistical bulletin—"Housing Trends in Scotland", available in the Library. The latest information is in table 5 of the bulletin HSG/1991/7.

  Number of dwellings sold' by local authorities
  October 1980 to 30 June 1991

  Local Authority District

  Total sales

  Percentage of stock2

  Total, all local Authorities

  171,858

  19·2

  Borders

  Berwickshire

  725

  25·4

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  1,290

  25·9

  Roxburgh

  1,337

  21 3

  Tweeddale

  394

  24·2

  Central

  Clackmannan

  1,952

  20·4

  Falkirk

  6,996

  20·8

  Stirling

  2,891

  22·1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,429

  27·9

  Nithsdale

  2,305

  26·5

  Stewartry

  782

  30·1

  Wigtown,

  1,163

  24·3

  Fife

  Dunfermline

  6,170

  26·5

  Kirkcaldy

  6,323

  24·0

  330

  Local Authority District

  Total sales

  Percentage of stock2

  North East Fife

  2,844

  35·2

  Grampian

  Aberdeen

  5,787

  14·9

  Bun IT and Buchan

  3,053

  23·9

  Gordon

  1,633

  26·7

  Kincardine and Deeside

  83·1

  22·7

  Moray

  3,001

  27·3

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  400

  36·7

  Caithness

  888

  20·6

  Inverness

  1,650

  23·1

  Lochaber

  935

  26·8

  Nairn

  269

  24·3

  Ross and Cromarty

  997

  15·8

  Skye and Lochalsh

  200

  27·4

  Sutherland

  310

  17·9

  Lothian

  East Lothian

  4,294

  26·4

  Edinburgh

  14,744

  26·2

  Midlothian

  3,686

  27·9

  West Lothian

  3,956

  17·9

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  1,516

  18·0

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  532

  29·2

  Clydebank

  2,428

  20·5

  Clydesdale

  1,510

  15·5

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  884

  20·1

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  1,471

  14·2

  Cunninghame

  4,247

  18·6

  Dumbarton

  1,883

  14·3

  East Kilbride

  497

  30·6

  Eastwood

  545

  27·3

  Glasgow

  23,274

  13·4

  Hamilton

  4,515

  19·6

  Inverclyde

  2,478

  12 5

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  2,948

  16·1

  Kyle and Carrick

  4,662

  25·5

  Monklands

  4,088

  14·3

  Motherwell

  4,938

  12·4

  Renfrew

  7,522

  19·0

  Strathkelvin

  2,642

  23·9

  Tayside

  Angus

  3,243

  22·2

  Dundee

  6,977

  17·4

  Perth and Kinross

  4,395

  26·8

  Islands Councils

  Orkney Islands

  425

  28·1

  Shetland Islands

  417

  16·7

  Western Isles

  586

  23·7

  1 All sales of dwellings by local authorities.

  2 Stock of local authority dwellings as at 30 September 1980.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 25 February,Official Report, column 478, on the treatment of candidiasis and myalgic encephalomyelitis, what is the annual cost of treatment by each health board after such patients are referred by general practitioners.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  As stated in my previous answer of 25 February, at column 487, costs for the treatment of these conditions cannot be identified separately.

  Scottish Office Superannuation Division
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce his decisions on the recent report by management consultants on the Scottish Office superannuation division.

  Mr. Lang
  The consultants made a number of recommendations about the future status, organisation and management of the Scottish Office superannuation division. One of these was that the division should be designated as an executive agency within the Scottish Office under the Government's "next steps" programme. I have now decided that that recommendation should be accepted, with a view to launching the new agency by the autumn of this year. I shall announce a firm date in due course. Other recommendations from the review are at various stages of consideration and implementation.

  NHS
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Scottish gross domestic product was spent on the national health service in each of the last 25 years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on a consistent basis is readily available only for the financial years 1974–75 to 1989–90 and is set out in the following table:

  NHS expenditure as percentage of GDP

  1974–75

  6·4

  1975–76

  6·8

  1976–77

  6·6

  1977–78

  6·6

  1978–79

  6·8

  1979–80

  7·1

  1980–81

  7·9

  1981–82

  8·2

  1982–83

  8·1

  1983–84

  8·0

  1984–85

  8·1

  1985–86

  7·9

  1986–87

  7·7

  1987–88

  7·7

  1988–89

  7·8

  1989–90

  7·8

  Planned gross expenditure on the national health service in Scotland for 1992–93 is £3,725 million. This represents a real terms increase in expenditure on the NHS in Scotland of 44 per cent. since 1979–80.

DEFENCE

  Royal Fleet Reserve
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has made for replacement of missing or inadequate items of home retention scale of kit, as presented by Royal Fleet reservists, consequent on the abolition of the annual reporting bounty.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  When the annual reporting grant was withdrawn with effect from 1 November 1991, kit replacement was suspended. In the event of call up any replacement kit will be issued to reservists at their mobilisation centres.
  332
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he introduced the system of annual reporting for(a) Royal Fleet reservists and (b) army reservists; what bounty has been payable in each case, and for how long; and what is the purpose of (i) annual reporting and (ii) the bounty payable.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Annual reporting was introduced for Royal Fleet reservists in 1986 and for Army reservists in 1981. Since 1986, those reservists serving in their first year of the Royal Fleet Reserve (Special Category) received a payment of £100 before tax for attending the Reservist reporting unit. Those serving in the second and third year of the Royal Fleet Reserve (Ordinary Category) received a payment of £80 before tax. Since 1981 all Army reservists who took part in the annual reporting exercise (ARCEX) received a payment of £100 before tax although ARCEX is currently suspended. The purpose of annual reporting is to ensure that health, kit and personal details of each reservist could be properly checked and updated so that reservists can be mobilised quickly and effectively when required. The purpose of the payment of the annual reporting grant was to (i) compensate those reservists who(a) had to take time off work without pay to report and (b) needed to purchase replacement kit; and (ii) provide an incentive for reservists to report to ensure that the purpose of annual reporting described above was achieved.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Royal Fleet reservists attended their annual reporting centre in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what proportion of annual reporting bounties payable have been withheld to cover the cost of replacement kit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The proportion of Royal Fleet reservists who reported to the reservist reporting unit in each of the last five years was as follows:

  Year

  Percent

  1987

  85·2

  1988

  85·5

  1989

  83·2

  1990

  85·3

  1991

  80·5

  Approximately 1 per cent. of the annual reporting grant was withheld to cover kit replacement costs, over the last five years.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and for what reason he decided to cease payment of the annual reporting credit to Royal Fleet reservists; what was the total of Royal Fleet reserve annual reporting grant in the last year for which figures are available; and what effect he expects it to have on attendance of Royal Fleet reservists at annual reporting centres.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The annual reporting grant was withdrawn with effect from 1 November 1991. The total of the annual reporting grant paid out to the Royal Fleet Reserve in financial year 1990–91 was £474,804·58 after tax and after abatements for replacement items of kit. Since the annual reporting grant was withdrawn attendance of Royal Fleet reservists reporting to the reservist reporting unit has fallen.

  Defence Establishments, Germany
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all United Kingdom-owned defence establishments in Germany.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Generally, facilities for visiting forces in Germany have been provided by the host nation. Exceptionally, buildings were purchased by the Ministry of Defence from the private sector to meet the accommodation requirements at the following establishments:

  Vehicle Workshops, Redcar Barracks Bielefeld.

  Material and Medical Depot, Bielefeld.

  United Nations Peace-keeping Operations
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel have been killed or wounded in action while participating in United Nations peace-keeping operations in each year since 1961; what memorials exist to commemorate those British service personnel who have served with the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Redundancies
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 675, if he will list the public announcements of redundancies referred to in the answer, giving the date, the name of the company involved and the number of redundancies announced.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The announcements referred to are those made by the companies concerned.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kenya
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold talks with the high commissioner for Kenya on the detention of Dr. Josephat Karanja and others.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Dr. Josephat Karanja is one of a number of Kenyan citizens arrested for alleged participation in a press conference held on 10 January at which President Moi was accused of planning an imminent military coup.

  Dr. Karanja has been charged with publishing false rumours under section 66 of the Kenyan penal code and has been released on bail. There are no grounds for raising the case with the Kenyan authorities.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the Council of Ministers there have been since the beginning of 1990; and if he will list the Ministers who attended each of these meetings.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  There have been 177 meetings of the Council of Ministers since 1 January 1990. The United Kingdom is represented in the Council by the Secretary or Minister of State responsible for the subject matter under discussion.

  Brussels (Secondees)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were seconded to the United Kingdom's permanent representation to the European Community in Brussels in 1990 and 1991; and if he will break these figures down by Department of origin.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  In 1990 and 1991 there were 22 seconded staff in addition to the 18 diplomatic service staff at the office of the United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Community, as follows:

  Department

  1990

  1991

  DTI

  7

  7

  MAFF

  4

  4

  Treasury

  2

  2

  Employment

  1

  1

  Environment

  1

  0

  Customs and Excise

  2

  2

  Agriculture (Northern Ireland)

  0

  1

  Scottish office

  1

  1

  Transport

  1

  1

  ODA

  1

  1

  NIO

  1

  1

  Bank of England

  1

  1

  22

  22

  From the end of 1991 there have been additional temporary secondments in preparation for the United Kingdom presidency in July to December 1992.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 2 March.

  Mr. Hurd
  My right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Minister for Trade and the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council on 2 March.

  The Commission Vice-President, Mr. Andriessen, reported to the Council on his recent visit to several states of the former Soviet Union. The Council agreed that the Commission should continue its exploratory talks on enhanced trade and co-operation agreements with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. It also agreed that the role of the EC task force monitoring the distribution of EC food aid should be expanded and the the EC should participate in the proposed international science and technology centre for retraining and redeploying nuclear scientists from the former Soviet Union.

  Ministers agreed on the need for an early conclusion to the GATT Uruguay round and invited all participants to speed up negotiations.

  President Delors presented the Commission's future financing proposals for 1993 to 1997. Member states gave their initial reactions. I questioned the Commission's proposals to increase the ceiling on our own resources and on agricultural spending, drawing attention to the extra funds that would in any case be available between now and 1997 within the existing limits on the Community's own resources.

  The Council reviewed the negotiations on a European economic area in the light of the Commission's request to

  335
  the European Court of Justice for a second opinion on the revised draft agreement. The Council expressed the hope that the court's opinion would be made available as soon as possible.

  Ministers discussed EC relations with Morocco and invited the Commission to make proposals on economic and technical co-operation and the Political Committee to examine ways of strengthening political dialogue.

  Ministers issued a statement condemning the recent violence in Sarajevo following the referendum on the future status of Bosnia-Herzegovina. They agreed that the Commission should begin exploratory talks with Slovenia on a trade and co-operation agreement.

  The fifth meeting of the EC/Tunisia Co-operation Council was held in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council.

TRANSPORT

  Roads
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the High Court challenges to road schemes that have been heard in each of the past five years, with the date when the motion was served in each case, and the date on which the action lapsed or was determined;

  (2) what is the average, greatest and lowest number of sitting days in the High Court taken by challenges to the Secretary of State for Transport on road schemes in the past five years.

  Mr. Chope
  We do not hold such information. I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he gives to local authorities about the maintenance of retaining walls of roads under their control.

  Mr. Chope
  Retaining walls are included within the scope of the Department's procedures for the inspection and maintenance of structures on motorways and other trunk roads. Local authorities are encouraged to adopt these procedures in maintaining retaining walls on their own roads.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the proposals for United Kingdom legislation: relevant to EC directive 89/684 EEC and the content of the necessary training courses needed to meet the requirements of the directive to be finalised by the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I expect to receive recommendations for regulations from the Health and Safety Commission shortly. Requirements for course content were notified to interested parties on 20 February. Further copies are available from the Health and Safety Executive.

  Railway Investment
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what British Rail investment plans for new trains and rolling stock Her Majesty's Government 336
  (a) have authorised and which are awaiting completion and (b) are currently considering; and if he will make statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail projects for new train and rolling stock builds, authorised by the Government and yet to be fully completed, are as follows:

  Class

  Number authorised

  Diesel multiple unit vehicles:

  158 (tranches 2 and 3)

  200

  159/165

  69

  165

  180

  165/6

  59

  Electric multiple unit vehicles:

  4651

  588

  466

  86

  Diesel locomotives:

  60

  100

  Electric locomotives:

  92

  37

  High speed train sets:

  Channel Tunnel Services

  21

  Loco-haul coaches:

  Mark IV for ECML

  31

  CT Night Services2

  139

  1 188 have not yet been ordered by British Rail.

  2 This is total order—BR's share is likely to be some 85 coaches.

  The only investment scheme currently under consideration by the Department is for 550 car-carrying wagons for Channel tunnel freight services.

  Rail Modernisation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much state aid there will be on track and train modernisation on the west coast main line to Glasgow.

  Mr. Freeman
  We would expect British Rail's proposals for the moderation of the west coast main line to Glasgow to earn an 8 per cent. return. They should not. therefore, require subsidy.

  Car Engine Capacity
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average cubic capacity of engines of cars registered in the last year for which figures are available, for(a) United Kingdom-produced cars and (b) imported cars.

  Mr. Chope
  The information, as requested, is not available.

  However, the distribution of cars first registered in Great Britain in 1991 by engine size is as follows:

  Cars first registered in 1991

  Cubic capacity

  Great Britain produced thousands

  Imported thousands

  up to 1000

  32

  71

  1001 – 1200

  106

  61

  1201 – 1300

  65

  74

  1301 – 1400

  153

  94

  1401 – 1500

  1

  21

  1501 – 1600

  191

  106

  1601 – 1800

  53

  173

  337

  Cubic capacity

  Great Britain produced thousands

  Imported thousands

  1801–2000

  95

  199

  2001–2200

  0

  4

  2201–2500

  11

  31

  2501–3000

  4

  31

  over 3000

  14

  9

  Total

  726

  874

  Average c.c.

  1492

  1606

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of children he estimates travel in cars without wearing seat belts as required by law.

  Mr. Chope
  Children under 14 travelling in rear seats are required to use a seat belt or a child restraint appropriate to their age and weight only where one is fitted and available to be used. The latest survey of wearing rates, conducted by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in October 1991, found that 12 per cent. of children were unrestrained in post-1987 cars—those fitted with seat belts at manufacture.

  All front seat passengers are required to be restrained. The wearing rates for children and adults are very similar. Only 5 per cent. of children travel unrestrained.

  Nuclear Transport Ships
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what notification his Department has received from Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd. over the intended transfer of the Pacific Crane nuclear transport ship to sail under the Japanese flag.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Any shipping company transferring a ship from United Kingdom registry is obliged to notify the registrar of the ship's home port. No such notification has been received.

  Adviser

  Purpose of employment

  Period

  Mr. D. Walker

  Department's adviser on market testing

  February to March 1992

  Mr. P. Davies

  Department's purchasing adviser

  1987 to 1992

  Samuel Montagu

  Advice on privatisation of British Rail

  November 1988 to date

  Price Waterhouse

  Appointed to advise Secretary of State on the privatisation of the National Bus Company

  1985 to date

  Mr. A. Thorning

  Seconded from the Civil Aviation Authority to advise Ministers and the Department on civil aviation safety matters and a range of related technical issues

  1 April 1992 to 31 December 1993

  Civil Aviation Authority

  Advice on various technical issues concerning aircraft noise and missions

  Ongoing

  Warren Springs Laboratory (DTI)

  Advice on technical issues concerning aircraft emissions

  Ongoing

  Defence Research Agency (MOD)

  Advice on technical issues concerning aircraft noise and emissions

  Ongoing

  Price Waterhouse

  Advice on privatisation of Trust Ports

  July 1991 to date

  British Rail
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the chairman or representatives of the board of British Rail on the future of British Rail; what issues were discussed; what future meetings are scheduled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on the future of BR. We shall publish our proposals as soon as we are ready.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the future of British Rail; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. friend regularly meets the chairman of British Rail to discuss a range of issues. We shall publish proposals for the future of BR as soon as we are ready.

  Advisors
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the main advisers employed by his Department, the purpose for which they have been recruited and the period for which they have been employed.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In common with my predecessors, I have a political adviser who is employed by the Department on terms approved by the Treasury. My present political adviser, Mr. P. Miller, was appointed on 2 January 1991.

  The following list shows the other main advisers currently or recently employed by my Department. A wider range of advice is also acquired as and when needed through a number of consultancy contracts. The devolved nature of the Department means there is no central record of consultancies, and that information could only be assembled within the timescale at disproportionate cost.

  ScotRail
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the future of ScotRail; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have received a number of representations about ScotRail's services.

  Bus Safety
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve safety in England and Wales for school pupils transported by bus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Draft regulations are being finalised which will require all buses in Great Britain, when carrying children to or from school, to display a distinctive sign. This will indicate to other road users that children are present and may be crossing the road in the vicinity of these vehicles. These proposals will also permit the use of hazard warning lights, in conjunction with the signs, when children are boarding or alighting.

  We intend to put these regulations before Parliament shortly.

  London Transport
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out in tabular form(a) London Transport's fixed asset investment for each year since 1962, at current prices and (b) the total grant, the total capital grant, and the total revenue support grant paid to London Transport in each year since 1962, at current prices.

  Mr. Freeman
  The following table shows London Transport's investment and grant from 1974 until 1991–92. Information is not available in the form requested prior to 1974.

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  All crimes

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,583

  1990

  1,275

  1,280

  1,383

  1,177

  1,225

  1,467

  1,543

  1,314

  1,291

  1,298

  1,286

  1,106

  15,645

  1991

  1,397

  1,112

  1,513

  1,340

  1,511

  1,355

  1,436

  1,268

  1,120

  1,073

  1,126

  1,041

  15,292

  Assaults on staff

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  14

  20

  12

  6

  10

  6

  11

  12

  13

  1104

  1990

  12

  13

  11

  10

  9

  12

  9

  14

  8

  21

  9

  12

  140

  1991

  13

  8

  12

  9

  14

  7

  17

  11

  13

  9

  15

  10

  138

  Assaults on passengers

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  49

  51

  55

  52

  48

  39

  56

  58

  77

  1485

  1990

  54

  64

  67

  43

  34

  39

  55

  35

  48

  47

  36

  47

  569

  1991

  31

  44

  46

  37

  46

  34

  32

  39

  45

  43

  43

  34

  474

  Indecent assaults

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  31

  39

  28

  23

  26

  22

  15

  21

  14

  1219

  1990

  21

  23

  30

  21

  31

  32

  23

  23

  15

  18

  21

  17

  275

  1991

  18

  13

  14

  14

  17

  25

  30

  19

  18

  22

  16

  8

  214

  Rape

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  14

  1990

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1991

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Robberies

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  58

  60

  53

  59

  78

  58

  73

  52

  41

  1532

  1990

  54

  46

  58

  50

  50

  67

  48

  37

  44

  48

  37

  48

  587

  1991

  75

  38

  56

  50

  46

  45

  45

  43

  56

  31

  48

  30

  563

  1 April to December.

  340

  London Transport investment and grant

  £ million (1990–91 prices)

  Investment

  Grant

  Revenue

  Capital

  Total

  1974

  218

  112

  212

  324

  1975

  209

  348

  196

  544

  1976

  241

  282

  233

  515

  1977

  181

  178

  135

  313

  1978

  168

  129

  163

  292

  1979

  224

  113

  216

  329

  1980

  231

  166

  209

  375

  1981

  249

  135

  222

  357

  1982

  199

  286

  194

  480

  1983

  250

  257

  241

  498

  11984–85

  244

  208

  147

  355

  1985–86

  280

  166

  262

  428

  1986–87

  308

  85

  293

  378

  1987–88

  356

  56

  234

  290

  1988–89

  344

  44

  192

  236

  1989–90

  473

  51

  255

  306

  1990–91

  634

  84

  451

  535

  21991–92

  559

  114

  503

  617

  115 month period.

  1Forecast Outturn.

  London Underground Crimes
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the total number of(a) crimes, (b) assaults on staff, (c) assaults on passengers, (d) indecent assaults, (e) rapes and (f) violent robberies which have occurred on London Underground, (i) in each month since April 1989 and (ii) in each year since 1971.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand from London Underground that the information is as follows:
  341

  Year

  All crimes

  Assaults on staff

  Assaults on passengers

  Indecent assaults

  Rape

  Robberies

  1971

  4,918

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1972

  7.766

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1973

  8,163

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1974

  11,410

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1975

  10,557

  —

  1383

  78

  —

  144

  1976

  10,189

  —

  1254

  60

  —

  118

  1977

  11,692

  —

  1335

  56

  —

  173

  1978

  12,342

  —

  1373

  67

  —

  207

  1979

  16,562

  —

  1578

  65

  —

  222

  1980

  16,150

  —

  1519

  71

  —

  307

  1981

  18,614

  —

  1480

  105

  —

  402

  1982

  14,937

  —

  1535

  115

  —

  453

  1983

  15,073

  —

  1599

  101

  —

  361

  1984

  15,552

  —

  1747

  87

  —

  606

  1985

  15,979

  —

  1837

  87

  —

  694

  1986

  16,217

  —

  11,014

  160

  —

  685

  1987

  19,136

  —

  11,045

  182

  —

  883

  1988

  16,387

  —

  11,165

  194

  —

  1,128

  1989

  15,583

  135

  673

  300

  4

  476

  1990

  15,645

  140

  569

  275

  2

  587

  1991

  15,292

  138

  474

  214

  3

  563

  1 Reported as violence against the person.

  n/a = Not avaiable.

  The statistics for assaults on passengers between 1975 and 1988 also include assaults on staff. The same situation applies to indecent assaults and rapes. The statistics for robberies cover instances where only threats were used as well as cases of violence.

  Footway Parking
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to amend the Road Traffic Act 1974 to enable local authorities to designate areas in which footway parking can be prohibited.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: The provision in the Road Traffic Act 1974 was repealed by the Road Traffic Act 1991. We are committed to seeking effective alternative powers to enable local authorities to deal with the problem of parking on footways when a suitable legislative opportunity arises. Meanwhile, general parking restrictions and in some cases local Act provisions, can offer a remedy. The use of high kerbs and other road engineering measures such as bollards can also prove a highly effective deterrent to footway parking, provided proper provision is made for the needs of pedestrians with disabilities.

  A6 (M) Bypass, Stockport
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to meet a deputation from the Stockport metropolitan borough council in connection with the proposed Stockport north-south A6 (M) bypass.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 2 March 1992]: We are considering a request from Stockport MBC for a meeting and will be contacting the council shortly.

  Badgers
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions are being made by his Department for the construction of badger crossings.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 5 March 1992]: I have been asked to reply.
  342
  The provision of badger crossings on trunk roads in England is the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Our aim, where possible, is to design trunk roads to avoid interfering with badgers. Where setts or runs may be affected advice is obtained from English Nature and local badger groups about steps to be taken to move badgers or maintain their runs. Badger-proof fencing alongside the road and badger culverts under the carriageway are provided where appropriate.

  The Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for the provision of badger crossings on roads for which they are the highway authority. For local roads, responsibility lies with the relevant local highway authority.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out by local authority, at 1991–92 prices(a) the transport supplementary grant and (h) the total capital allocation for each year from 1987–88 to 1991–92.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 5 March 1992]: The information requested is not available at a fixed price base but is as attached with the price level appropriate to each year.

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations London Boroughs—1987–88

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  City of London

  0·479

  1·320

  Barking and Dagenham

  0·800

  2·590

  Barnet

  0·475

  1·340

  Bexley

  0·451

  1·835

  Brent

  0·311

  1·120

  Bromley

  0·429

  1·710

  Camden

  0·107

  1·430

  Croydon

  0·202

  1·180

  Ealing

  1·911

  5·145

  Enfield

  7·413

  1·6325

  Greenwich

  1·980

  5·160

  Hackney

  0·200

  1·675

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·118

  0·360

  343

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Haringey

  1·478

  3·400

  Harrow

  1·609

  4·130

  Havering

  1·284

  3·510

  Hillingdon

  2·421

  7·300

  Hounslow

  0·623

  1·960

  Islington

  0·103

  0·800

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0·261

  0·710

  Kingston upon Thames

  4·737

  9·770

  Lambeth

  0·288

  1·140

  Lewisham

  0·299

  1·840

  Merton

  2·719

  7·780

  Newham

  1·164

  3·510

  Redbridge

  1·048

  2·800

  Richmond upon Thames

  0·205

  0·920

  Southwark

  0·734

  2·970

  Sutton

  0·843

  2·180

  Tower Hamlets

  0·169

  0·970

  Waltham Forest

  1·091

  2·670

  Wandsworth

  2·442

  6·880

  Westminster

  0·383

  2·360

  Transport supplementary grant and capital allocations Metropolitan districts—1987–88

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Bolton

  2·050

  4·600

  Bury

  0·332

  1·140

  Manchester

  2·275

  6·600

  Oldham

  0·270

  1·360

  Rochdale

  0·250

  1·010

  Salford

  3·301

  6·880

  Stockport

  0·284

  1·240

  Tameside

  0·247

  0·900

  Trafford

  1·446

  3·492

  Wigan

  1·650

  3·710

  Knowsley

  0·143

  0·630

  Liverpool

  2·267

  6·190

  St· Helens

  0·150

  0·630

  Sefton

  0·207

  1·060

  Wirral

  0·377

  1·300

  Barnsley

  0·473

  1·990

  Doncaster

  0·226

  1·310

  Rotherham

  0·167

  1·290

  Sheffield

  2·105

  6·020

  Gateshead

  0·800

  2·440

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1·715

  5·720

  North Tyneside

  0·421

  1·390

  South Tyneside

  0·970

  2·440

  Sunderland

  1·100

  2·750

  Birmingham

  3·913

  10·980

  Coventry

  1·626

  4·100

  Dudley

  0·644

  2·600

  Sandwell

  0·595

  2·440

  Solihull

  0·275

  0·990

  Walsall

  1·370

  3·940

  Wolverhampton

  2·844

  6·790

  Bradford

  4·579

  1·0150

  Calderdale

  0·120

  0·840

  Kirklees

  0·773

  2·480

  Leeds

  0·553

  2·770

  Wakefield

  0·180

  1·000

  Transport supplementary grant and capital allocations Metropolitan districts—1987–88

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Avon

  1·973

  6·550

  Bedfordshire

  2·616

  6·660

  Berkshire

  3·102

  9·110

  Buckinghamshire

  2·035

  4·610

  344

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Cambridgeshire

  4·474

  10·030

  Cheshire

  1·905

  5·800

  Cleveland

  2·211

  7·080

  Cornwall

  1·488

  5·500

  Cumbria

  0·775

  3·080

  Derbyshire

  0·748

  5·600

  Devon

  3·185

  9·502

  Dorset

  5·377

  13·990

  Durham

  2·409

  6·420

  East Sussex

  0·964

  5·290

  Essex

  8·050

  19·780

  Gloucestershire

  0·942

  2·600

  Hampshire

  4·248

  13·650

  Herefore and Worcester

  1·690

  5·680

  Hertfordshire

  1·800

  8·800

  Humberside

  1·967

  7·360

  Isle of Wight

  0·883

  2·130

  Kent

  5·813

  18·640

  Lancashire

  6·375

  16·510

  Leicestershire

  4·425

  11·150

  Lincolnshire

  1·750

  4·80

  Norfolk

  2·155

  5·130

  Northamptonshire

  4·357

  12·660

  Northumberland

  1·075

  2·970

  North Yorkshire

  3·552

  8·870

  Nottinghamshire

  1·850

  5·700

  Oxfordshire

  0·801

  4·890

  Shropshire

  1·294

  4·290

  Somerset

  1·287

  3·580

  Staffordshire

  3·015

  10·000

  Suffolk

  0·899

  5·010

  Surrey

  3·058

  8·260

  Warwickshire

  1·459

  4·300

  West Sussex

  3·089

  7·200

  Wiltshire

  1·429

  4·100

  Transport supplementary grant and capital allocations London boroughs—1988–89

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  City of London

  0·183

  0·720

  Barking and Dagenham

  2·836

  6·210

  Barnet

  0·400

  1·110

  Bexley

  0·649

  2·870

  Brent

  0·436

  1·370

  Bromley

  3·883

  8·S80

  Camden

  0·131

  0·710

  Croydon

  0·234

  0·800

  Ealing

  1·938

  6·820

  Enfield

  11·255

  15·550

  Greenwich

  0·816

  3·460

  Hackney

  0·427

  1·910

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·065

  0·285

  Haringey

  3·662

  8·475

  Harrow

  3·578

  9·690

  Havering

  0·320

  1·330

  Hillingdon

  1·957

  10·710

  Hounsiow

  0·758

  1·050

  Islington

  0·072

  0·480

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0·069

  1·170

  Kingston upon Thames

  0·331

  5·690

  Lambeth

  0·247

  0·850

  Lewisham

  0·970

  2·530

  Merton

  2·529

  6·850

  Newham

  0·343

  2·850

  Redbridge

  0·403

  1·980

  Richmond upon Thames

  0·186

  0·850

  Southwark

  0·997

  4·470

  Sutton

  0·778

  2·830

  Tower Hamlets

  0·068

  0·740

  Waltham Forest

  0·494

  1·870

  Wandsworth

  0·554

  2·800

  Westminster

  0·210

  1·840

  345

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations Metropolitan Districts—1988–89

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Bolton

  1·343

  4·150

  Bury

  1·010

  2·330

  Manchester

  3·145

  8·135

  Oldham

  1·120

  5·540

  Rochdale

  0·285

  1·550

  Salford

  3·846

  8·790

  Stockport

  0·180

  1·270

  Tameside

  0·310

  1·220

  Trafford

  0·642

  2·130

  Wigan

  2·315

  4·810

  Knowsley

  0·242

  1·210

  Liverpool

  1·235

  3·740

  St. Helens

  0·635

  1·780

  Sefton

  0·171

  1·910

  Wirral

  1·230

  2·930

  Barnsley

  0·400

  2·040

  Doncaster

  0·471

  2·110

  Rotherham

  0·223

  1·340

  Sheffield

  0·380

  3·080

  Gateshead

  1·995

  4·450

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2·285

  5·630

  North Tyneside

  0·380

  1·080

  South Tyneside

  0·360

  1·870

  Sunderland

  1·577

  4·000

  Birmingham

  3·903

  10·670

  Coventry

  1·942

  4·710

  Dudley

  0·692

  3·155

  Sandwell

  0·917

  2·340

  Solihull

  0·510

  1·320

  Walsall

  1·578

  5·300

  Wolverhampton

  3·461

  8·130

  Bradford

  1·686

  4·630

  Calderdale

  0·210

  1·560

  Kirklees

  1·319

  3·880

  Leeds

  1·523

  4·840

  Wakefield

  0·263

  2·110

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations Countries—1988–89

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Avon

  4·306

  10·600

  Bedfordshire

  3·249

  7·110

  Berkshire

  2·688

  10·540

  Buckinghamshire

  0·707

  2·890

  Cambridgeshire

  2·255

  7·220

  Cheshire

  1·364

  4·830

  Cleveland

  3·162

  9·320

  Cornwall

  2·270

  7·320

  Cumbria

  1·400

  3·720

  Derbyshire

  0·683

  5·960

  Devon

  3·501

  11·280

  Dorset

  4·320

  10·690

  Durham

  1·938

  4·800

  East Sussex

  2·121

  7·180

  Essex

  8·730

  19·320

  Gloucestershire

  1·077

  4·720

  Hampshire

  4·115

  11·620

  Hereford and Worcester

  1·976

  4·740

  Hertfordshire

  3·095

  8·860

  Humberside

  4·518

  12·479

  Isle of Wight

  0·727

  2·060

  Kent

  9·255

  21·441

  Lancashire

  4·683

  16·320

  Leicestershire

  4·945

  14·460

  Lincolnshire

  1·139

  3·830

  Norfolk

  2·150

  5·500

  Northamptonshire

  3·235

  1·1180

  Northumberland

  0·544

  1·940

  North Yorkshire

  1·925

  6·440

  Nottinghamshire

  2·037

  5·850

  346

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Oxfordshire

  0·713

  4·920

  Shropshire

  1·750

  5·810

  Somerset

  3·211

  9·370

  Staffordshire

  2·822

  8·670

  Suffolk

  1·753

  4·940

  Surrey

  2·236

  7·998

  Warwickshire

  1·746

  4·470

  West Sussex

  2·730

  7·460

  Wiltshire

  0·361

  2·770

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations London Boroughs—1988–89

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  City of London

  0·194

  0·630

  Barking and Dagenham

  1·895

  4·580

  Barnet

  0·291

  0·790

  Bexley

  1·118

  2·780

  Brent

  0·450

  1·190

  Bromley

  3·833

  8·580

  Camden

  0·086

  0·810

  Croydon

  0·294

  1·110

  Ealing

  2·820

  6·450

  Enfield

  11·958

  24·120

  Greenwich

  0·023

  2·590

  Hackney

  0·410

  1·550

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·142

  0·410

  Haringey

  5·812

  11·592

  Harrow

  3·050

  8·980

  Havering

  0·207

  0·960

  Hillingdon

  4·530

  3·262

  Hounslow

  0·714

  1·630

  Islington

  0·148

  0·530

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0·633

  1·570

  Kingston upon Thames

  1·661

  4·120

  Lambeth

  0·182

  0·610

  Lewisham

  5·314

  5·955

  Merton

  4·280

  9·400

  Newham

  0·497

  3·620

  Redbridge

  0·339

  0·900

  Richmond upon Thames

  0·163

  0·610

  Southwark

  1·952

  5·610

  Sutton

  0·682

  2·930

  Tower Hamlets

  0·070

  1·020

  Waltham Forest

  0·476

  1·500

  Wandsworth

  0·433

  3·940

  Westminster

  0·750

  2·270

  Transport supplementary grant and capital allocations Metropolitan districts—1989–90

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Bolton

  0·043

  2·020

  Bury

  1·698

  3·620

  Manchester

  1·328

  4·985

  Oldham

  1·097

  2·700

  Rochdale

  0·263

  1·160

  Salford

  2·791

  4·900

  Stockport

  0·018

  0·600

  Tameside

  0·566

  1·775

  Trafford

  1·765

  4·240

  Wigan

  0·998

  3·210

  Knowsley

  0·273

  0·750

  Liverpool

  1·762

  4·420

  St. Helens

  2·304

  4·700

  Sefton

  0·327

  1·020

  Wirral

  0·709

  2·610

  Barnsley

  0·545

  1·730

  Doncaster

  0·661

  1·900

  Rotherham

  0·688

  2·020

  Sheffield

  0·585

  2·330

  347

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Gateshead

  2·050

  4·760

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2·763

  6·258

  North Tyneside

  0·310

  0·830

  South Tyneside

  0·215

  1·290

  Sunderland

  0·965

  2·740

  Birmingham

  3·954

  11·700

  Coventry

  3·053

  6·500

  Dudley

  0·368

  1·905

  Sandwell

  0·943

  2·550

  Solihull

  0·526

  1·270

  Walsall

  1·072

  2·352

  Wolverhampton

  1·548

  4·300

  Bradford

  2·928

  6·240

  Calderdale

  0·084

  1·670

  Kirklees

  0·500

  1·840

  Leeds

  1·541

  4·300

  Wakefield

  0·308

  1·300

  Transport supplementary grant and capital allocations Counties—19,1989–90

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Avon

  4·196

  10·140

  Bedfordshire

  4·103

  9·050

  Berkshire

  1·195

  4·880

  Buckinghamshire

  1·229

  2·730

  Cambridgeshire

  2·298

  5·710

  Cheshire

  2·776

  6·310

  Cleveland

  4·492

  9·720

  Cornwall

  1·743

  4·390

  Cumbria

  0·640

  2·005

  Derbyshire

  1·515

  4·730

  Devon

  1·743

  4·900

  Dorset

  3·102

  7·540

  Durham

  1·915

  4·640

  East Sussex

  2·482

  6·720

  Essex

  5·074

  15·469

  Gloucestershire

  1·563

  4·180

  Hampshire

  4·832

  9·800

  Hereford and Worcester

  0·346

  2·300

  Hertfordshire

  3·050

  7·950

  Humberside

  5·221

  11·920

  Isle of Wight

  0·525

  1·470

  Kent

  11·256

  23·920

  Lancashire

  6·035

  12·820

  Leicestershire

  3·971

  9·440

  Lincolnshire

  1·189

  3·030

  Norfolk

  1·416

  4·160

  Northamptonshire

  4·125

  9·340

  Northumberland

  0·363

  2·380

  North Yorkshire

  2·653

  7·330

  Nottinghamshire

  2·054

  5·830

  Oxfordshire

  0·023

  3·560

  Shropshire

  1·679

  4·050

  Somerset

  3·785

  8·680

  Staffordshire

  2·992

  7·910

  Suffolk

  1·935

  4·350

  Surrey

  4·684

  11·400

  Warwickshire

  3·209

  7·422

  West Sussex

  1·526

  3·300

  Wiltshire

  0·109

  1·430

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations London Boroughs—1990–91

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  City of London

  0·101

  0·461

  Barking and Dagenham

  1·748

  3·622

  Barnet

  0·161

  0·571

  Bexley

  2·134

  2·869

  Brent

  0·007

  0·736

  348

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Bromley

  3·834

  4·328

  Camden

  0·189

  1·095

  Croydon

  0·888

  1·890

  Ealing

  2·429

  4·913

  Enfield

  4·881

  6·909

  Greenwich

  0·019

  1·149

  Hackney

  0·186

  0·791

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·148

  1·303

  Haringey

  2·721

  3·441

  Harrow

  3·214

  5·668

  Havering

  0·215

  0·568

  Hillingdon

  2·742

  7·214

  Hounslow

  0·279

  0·819

  Islington

  0·168

  0·549

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0·285

  0·694

  Kingston upon Thames

  0·566

  1·881

  Lambeth

  0·154

  0·280

  Lewisham

  1·987

  3·081

  Merton

  7·100

  7·282

  Newham

  1·791

  2·869

  Redbridge

  0·134

  0·598

  Richmond upon Thames

  0·172

  0·633

  Southwark

  0·249

  1·701

  Sutton

  0·590

  3·198

  Tower Hamlets

  0·091

  1·007

  Waltham Forest

  0·056

  0·726

  Wandsworth

  1·011

  3·429

  Westminster

  0·367

  4·589

  Transport supplementary grant and capital allocations Metropolitan districts, 1990–91

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Bolton

  1·342

  1·945

  Bury

  0·849

  1·315

  Manchester

  4·816

  8·385

  Oldham

  0·614

  2·443

  Rochdale

  0·189

  1·036

  Salford

  2·548

  3·882

  Stockport

  0·458

  0·959

  Tameside

  0·403

  1·438

  TrafFord

  0·389

  2·188

  Wigan

  0·872

  2·065

  Knowsley

  0·896

  1·397

  Liverpool

  0·750

  2·506

  St. Helens

  2·941

  3·257

  Sefton

  0·369

  0·951

  Wirral

  0·450

  1·519

  Barnsley

  1·574

  4·142

  Doncaster

  0·707

  1·897

  Rotherham

  1·243

  1·908

  Sheffield

  5·546

  6·426

  Gateshead

  0·972

  1·991

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  0·062

  2·920

  North Tyneside

  0·153

  0·542

  South Tyneside

  0·700

  1·242

  Sunderland

  0·847

  3·033

  Birmingham

  7·895

  11·564

  Coventry

  1·474

  2·362

  Dudley

  0·575

  2·481

  Sandwell

  0·752

  2·672

  Solihull

  0·428

  1·325

  Walsall

  2·751

  1·067

  Wolverhampton

  2·842

  3·818

  Bradford

  2·467

  4·242

  Calderdale

  0·096

  1·428

  Kirklees

  0·060

  0·735

  Leeds

  2·632

  3·953

  Wakefield

  0·157

  2·457

  349

  Transport supplementary grant and capital allocations Countries— 1990–91

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Avon

  6·714

  7·305

  Bedfordshire

  2·591

  3·791

  Berkshire

  1·882

  5·962

  Buckinghamshire

  1·153

  2·087

  Cambridgeshire

  1·932

  4·316

  Cheshire

  4·154

  6·174

  Cleveland

  5·442

  6·351

  Cornwall

  2·797

  4·670

  Cumbria

  2·326

  3·326

  Derbyshire

  0·582

  4·353

  Devon

  3·394

  8·029

  Dorset

  2·866

  4·544

  Durham

  2·410

  2·932

  East Sussex

  3·071

  5·742

  Essex

  6·686

  11·906

  Gloucestershire

  1·933

  3·215

  Hampshire

  7·639

  8·126

  Hereford and Worcester

  1·338

  2·585

  Hertfordshire

  3·025

  4·700

  Humberside

  5·312

  7·677

  Isle of Wight

  0·414

  1·202

  Kent

  12·550

  18·722

  Lancashire

  12·873

  16·496

  Leicestershire

  3·047

  4·558

  Lincolnshire

  1·574

  2·481

  Norfolk

  5·673

  7·317

  Northamptonshire

  2·849

  5·115

  Northumberland

  1·481

  2·265

  North Yorkshire

  3·444

  4·909

  Nottinghamshire

  1·914

  3·986

  Oxfordshire

  2·462

  5·352

  Shropshire

  1·566

  3·540

  Somerset

  3·156

  4·486

  Staffordshire

  2·913

  4·390

  Suffolk

  3·187

  5·782

  Surrey

  6·330

  10·402

  Warwickshire

  0·492

  2·412

  West Sussex

  4·532

  6·045

  Wiltshire

  2·985

  4·714

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations London Boroughs—1991–92

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  City of London

  0·309

  0·455

  Barking and Dagenham

  1·835

  2·255

  Barnet

  0·515

  0·803

  Bexley

  1·250

  1·858

  Brent

  0·693

  2·557

  Bromley

  3·055

  4·404

  Camden

  0·644

  1·220

  Croydon

  0·769

  1·452

  Ealing

  1·586

  2·690

  Enfield

  4·500

  4·666

  Greenwich

  0·000

  0·521

  Hackney

  0·524

  1·143

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·429

  0·859

  Haringey

  1·066

  1·577

  Harrow

  3·283

  6·651

  Havering

  0·639

  0·903

  Hillingdon

  6·352

  9·537

  Hounslow

  0·472

  0·926

  Islington

  0·362

  0·953

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0·230

  0·890

  Kingston upon Thames

  0·613

  1·184

  Lambeth

  0·298

  0·421

  Lewisham

  4·270

  8·371

  Merton

  0·009

  1·651

  Newham

  0·815

  2·948

  Redbridge

  0·416

  0·727

  Richmond upon Thames

  0·408

  0·620

  350

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Southwark

  0·449

  2·530

  Sutton

  0·991

  2·330

  Tower Hamlets

  0·495

  1·277

  Waltham Forest

  0·389

  0·687

  Wandsworth

  2·174

  2·963

  Westminster

  0·846

  4·384

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations Metropolitan Districts—1991–92

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Bolton

  1·264

  1·468

  Bury

  0·433

  0·578

  Manchester

  9·395

  10·074

  Oldham

  1·948

  2·864

  Rochdale

  0·464

  0·605

  Salford

  1·569

  3·064

  Stockport

  1·740

  1·844

  Tameside

  0·690

  1·309

  Trafford

  0·138

  1·531

  Wigan

  1·846

  2·800

  Knowsley

  1·670

  1·806

  Liverpool

  0·000

  2·711

  St Helens

  7·781

  8·740

  Sefton

  0·619

  0·823

  Wirral

  0·000

  1·298

  Barnsley

  2·671

  3·236

  Doncaster

  2·292

  4·474

  Rotherham

  0·662

  0·908

  Sheffield

  5·012

  8·680

  Gateshead

  0·756

  1·042

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  0·989

  2·829

  North Tyneside

  0·315

  0·409

  South Tyneside

  0·961

  1·097

  Sunderland

  1·913

  2·542

  Birmingham

  10·256

  15·524

  Coventry

  2·793

  3·301

  Dudley

  1·444

  2·522

  Sandwell

  1·180

  1·557

  Solihull

  0·442

  1·752

  Walsall

  0·440

  2·120

  Wolverhampton

  6·160

  7·486

  Bradford

  2·280

  3·442

  Calderdale

  0·367

  0·491

  Kirklees

  0·949

  1·605

  Leeds

  1·987

  3·260

  Wakefield

  1·213

  2·745

  Transport Supplementary Grant and Capital Allocations Counties— 1991–92

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Avon

  8·855

  10·568

  Bedfordshire

  3·228

  3·481

  Berkshire

  2·707

  4·779

  Buckinghamshire

  1·849

  2·385

  Cambridgeshire

  1·870

  2·606

  Cheshire

  5·501

  6·797

  Cleveland

  3·689

  4·804

  Cornwall

  3·958

  5·512

  Cumbria

  3·312

  3·634

  Derbyshire

  1·158

  6·332

  Devon

  5·062

  6·838

  Dorset

  2·770

  3·687

  Durham

  3·659

  4·060

  East Sussex

  5·231

  6·963

  Essex

  6·448

  8·569

  Gloucestershire

  2·091

  2·840

  Hampshire

  12·179

  13·099

  Hereford and Worcester

  3·227

  3·981

  Hertfordshire

  3·253

  5·655

  351

  Authority

  Grant paid £ million

  Capital allocation £ million

  Humberside

  5·589

  8·307

  Isle of Wight

  0·971

  1·282

  Kent

  37·229

  39·538

  Lancashire

  11·232

  13·594

  Leicestershire

  5·643

  6·532

  Lincolnshire

  1·840

  3·530

  Norfolk

  4·732

  6·326

  Northamptonshire

  3·864

  5·098

  Northumberland

  3·143

  3·993

  North Yorkshire

  6·157

  9·321

  Nottinghamshire

  5·555

  7·267

  Oxfordshire

  2·984

  3·998

  Shropshire

  4·355

  5·621

  Somerset

  3·013

  4·166

  Staffordshire

  3·927

  6·182

  Suffolk

  9·298

  11·715

  Surrey

  5·121

  8·947

  Warwickshire

  0·951

  2·765

  West Sussex

  4·126

  4·882

  Wiltshire

  2·688

  4·429

ENERGY

  Colombian Coal
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with British Coal on whether to refer the importing of Colombian coal to the European Commission.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None. I am aware that British Coal has submitted a complaint to the European Commission about dumping of coal by Colombia, United States of America and China.

  (a)EC expenditure in public storage

  £ million

  January to December

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Cereals

  672

  865

  377

  888

  989

  Rice

  3

  8

  43

  40

  24

  Oils/fats

  44

  60

  33

  -17

  1-13

  Wine

  46

  459

  230

  147

  176

  Tobacco

  19

  19

  69

  63

  38

  Milk and milk products

  716

  499

  328

  726

  723

  Beef

  708

  805

  367

  648

  1,604

  Pigmeat

  34

  29

  41

  52

  12

  Delayed reimbursement for disposal of 1988 stocks

  —

  841

  945

  966

  555

  1 Represents sales out of intervention at a price greater than the depreciated value.

  Sources:

  1987–90: EAGGF Financial reports.

  1991: Provisional outturn.

  (b) United Kingdom expenditure on public storage

  £ million

  April to March

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Cereals

  -29·0

  33·2

  -22·5

  15·3

  19·6

  Butter

  128·8

  -53·6

  -11·8

  55·6

  8·3

  Skimmed milk powder

  -17·5

  -1·1

  -0·1

  9·0

  -5·2

  Beef

  66·3

  17·7

  -1·2

  297·4

  300·7

  Others

  —

  -0·4

  —

  1—

  1—

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he has made for the introduction of veterinary supervision at slaughterhouses; what agreements have been reached on the subject at the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  On 29 July 1991, the Council of Ministers adopted a directive (91/497/EEC) introducing common public health rules, including rules on veterinary supervision, for all slaughterhouses with effect from I January 1993.

  The Department will shortly be consulting publicly on the draft regulations which will implement this directive in Great Britain.

  Storage
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was spent on public storage and food aid and for each commodity in(a) the EC and (b) the United Kingdom, for each year since 1987, including 1991.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information is given in the following tables.

  It should be noted that the tables for expenditure on public storage in the EC and the United Kingdom are not compatible because EC budget costs cover depreciation losses, whereas member states pay out the full buying-in price and carry the depreciated value until sale.

  Expenditure on food aid cannot be broken down by commodity, and the EC total figure for 1987 cannot be provided within the time available. Figures for 1991 are not available.
  353

  1— Figure is less than £50,000.

  Source: Appropriation Accounts 1987–88 to 1990–91 and Spring Supplementary Estimate 1991–92, for Class IV. vote 1, 1987–88 to 1989–90 and Class III, vote 1, 1990–91 to 1991–92.

  Notes:

  Expenditure includes intervention purchases, incidental costs (including storage) less sales. At times sales receipts are greater than payments.

  This expenditure excludes receipts from the EC budget for depreciation on entry, losses on sales, etc.

  (c) Expenditure on food aid

  £ million

  January to December

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1900

  1991

  United Kingdom total

  21·6

  19·3

  31·4

  15·9

  28·7

  EC total

  —

  333

  292

  341

  N/a

  N/a—Not available.

  Notes:

  Figures for 1987–90 taken from British Aid Statistics. The figures for 1991 are provisional

  United Kingdom figures do not include United Kingdom contributions to EC food aid which are reflected in EC figures.

  EC Regulation No. 866/90
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the implementation of EC regulation No. 866/90 in the United Kingdom, including the type of projects which have received assistance and the amount spent.

  Mr. Gummer
  EC regulation 866/90 has been fully implemented in the United Kingdom and the first round of awards was approved by the Commission on 13 December 1991. This allocated grants totalling £15·2 million to 53 marketing and processing projects in the redmeat, pigment, milk, horticulture, potatoes, cereals, protein crops, poultry and egg sectors. The first claims for grant have only recently been received and are now being checked before payment.

  Commodity Prices
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the prices, in £ per tonne, in the United Kingdom for the main agricultural commodities for the latest available date.

  Mr. Gummer
  United Kingdom market prices for the main agricultural commodities are set out in the table.

  Selected average market/wholesale prices United Kingdom Prices are for week ending 29 February 1992 unless otherwise stated

  £/tonne

  Wheat (Grower to merchant price, all purchases, England and Wales)

  1128

  Barley (Grower to merchant price, all purchases, England and Wales)

  1120

  Sugar (Refined bulk granulated)

  605

  Butter (GB salted)

  2,066

  Liquid Milk

  1174

  Cheddar Cheese (English mild white creamery)

  2,430

  Fat Cattle (GB all clean cattle, liveweight)

  11,063

  Fat Sheep (Estimated dressed carcase weight)

  2,154

  Fat Pigs (All pigs, deadweight)

  1,217

  Poultry Meat (Broilers, liveweight)

  556

  Eggs (Size 3, packer to producer price)

  493

  Potatoes (Maincrop)

  98

  1 W/e 20 February: prices are inclusive of co-responsibility levy.

  2 Provisional average price for the month of January.

  3 W/e 22 February.

  Note: A wide range of price quotations exists for individual
  354
  commodities depending on quality, presentation, stage of marketing etc. Those shown arc intended to be illustrative of prices paid by wholesalers or received by producers. Some prices are highly seasonal.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the latest figures available for(a) the levies applicable in the United Kingdom and (b) the notional world prices for the main traded agricultural commodities in £ per tonne.

  Mr. Gummer
  The concept of "notional world prices", as represented by the lowest offer prices underlying the Commission's calculations of variable import levies, is misleading. Such prices reflect, among other things, the particular level of supplies on the residual international market encouraged by agricultural support policies pursued throughout the world. They cannot be viewed independently of existing support policies. If support policies did not exist, I would expect "world prices" to be higher. Subject to these important qualifications, "lowest offer prices" are shown in the table, together with the information requested on import levies.

  Levy applicable in the United Kingdom and "lowest offer price"1 on 5 March 1992 for the main traded agricultural commodities

  Levy2 applicable in United Kingdom £ per tonne

  "Lowest offer price" £ per tonne

  £ per tonne

  £ per tonne

  Common wheat

  115

  79

  Barley

  114

  63

  Maize

  103

  73

  Rice

  303

  153

  Sugar

  3362

  149

  Olive oil

  578

  993

  Butter

  41,966

  659

  Skimmed milk powder

  924

  626

  Cheese (Cheddar)

  1,753

  1,003

  Beef and veal

  51,988

  1,087

  Pigmeat

  530

  760

  Sheepmeat

  6 n /a

  n/a

  Poultrymeat

  281

  910

  Eggs

  275

  685

  1 "Lowest offer prices" have been calculated by subtracting the levy applicable on 5 March 1992 from the threshold/guide price. The beef price is also adjusted for duty. In the case of pigment, poultrymeat and eggs, the "world" price has been taken as the sluicegate price for the headings defined in 2 below. The resulting estimate has been converted from ecu/t at the appropriate market rate of exchange £0·812568 = 1 ecu.

  355

  2 The rates of levy vary for different tariff headings. The rates quoted are: beef and veal—carcase; pigmeat—carcase; poultrymeat—70 per cent. chickens; rice—husked long grain; olive oil—virgin lampante; eggs—in shell.

  3 In practice the United Kingdom's imports from third countries are normally covered by the Lome convention and enter the Community levy-free.

  4 A special lower rate of levy is applicable to imports of butter

  356

  from New Zealand.

  5 Most imports of beef from third countries are subject to special arrangements allowing entry at reduced levy rates.

  6 Imports of lamb under voluntary restraint arrangements with principal suppliers and related agreements enter free of charge. Any imports outside these arrangements are subject to levies which cannot exceed the 20 per cent. tariff bound in the GATT.

  IRANIAN MILITARY PROCUREMENT OFFICE
  IRANIAN MILITARY PROCUREMENT OFFICE
  IRAN: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT SALES BAN
  IRAN: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT SALES BAN
  COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND WEU PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLIES: REPORT OF UK DELEGATION
  COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND WEU PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLIES: REPORT OF UK DELEGATION
  JUDICIARY: RETIREMENT AGE
  JUDICIARY: RETIREMENT AGE
  TREASURY OFFICIALS AND ADVISERS: QUALIFICATIONS
  TREASURY OFFICIALS AND ADVISERS: QUALIFICATIONS
  LONDON UNDERGROUND BILL: PROMOTERS' AGREEMENT
  LONDON UNDERGROUND BILL: PROMOTERS' AGREEMENT
  AREA CRIMINAL JUSTICE LIAISON COMMITTEES
  AREA CRIMINAL JUSTICE LIAISON COMMITTEES
  SMALL BUSINESSES IN COALFIELD AREAS: SUPPORT
  SMALL BUSINESSES IN COALFIELD AREAS: SUPPORT
  COURTS AND LEGAL SERVICES ACT 1990: TYING IN PROVISIONS
  COURTS AND LEGAL SERVICES ACT 1990: TYING IN PROVISIONS
  REGIONAL ENTERPRISE GRANTS
  REGIONAL ENTERPRISE GRANTS
  EDUCATIONAL TRUSTS: SUNDAY SCHOOL FUNDS
  EDUCATIONAL TRUSTS: SUNDAY SCHOOL FUNDS
  STUDENTS: FINANCIAL SUPPORT
  STUDENTS: FINANCIAL SUPPORT