Written Answers of 13 March 1992

ENVIRONMENT

  Zoos
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many zoos are licensed in England and Wales under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981; if he will publish a list of these zoos; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Zoo licences are issued by local authorities. The information they have supplied to my Department indicates that 284 zoos are currently licensed in England under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. The corresponding information for zoos in Wales is held by the Welsh Office. I have placed a list of zoos licensed in England under the 1981 Act in the Library of the House.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make further statements on the measures which he has taken to reduce homelessness.

  Mr. Yeo
  We have spent £311 million on a two-year programme to help homeless families in the pressure areas of London and the south-east. We also plan to spend £96 million over three years to create 900 new hostel spaces and 2,500 places in permanent accommodation for single homeless people in London and £20 million on grants to organisations helping homeless people all over the country. In addition, development of low-cost housing is rising substantially as a result of increases in public expenditure through the Housing Corporation to more than £2 billion a year by 1993–94 and housing associations' ability to attract private finance. The deregulation of the private rented sector has also led to a welcome increase in private investment in rented housing.

  Countryside Protection
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect planning policy guidance note 7 has on the Government's policy of protecting the countryside for its own sakeg as set out in circular 16/87.

  Sir George Young
  Planning policy guidance note 7 reaffirms the Government's policy that the countryside should be protected for its own sake. It states that the planning system helps to integrate development necessary to sustain the rural economy with protection of the countryside for the sake of its beauty, the diversity of its landscape, the wealth of its natural resources and its ecological, agricultural and recreational value. Planning policy guidance note 7 cancels DOE circular 16/87.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recommendations he has received from the chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee 674
  on the European Commission's proposals for measures accompanying the reform of the common agricultural policy, particularly the agri-environment action programme, COM 91 415.

  Mr. Baldry
  None.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recommendations he has received from the chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the European Commission's proposals for reforming the common agricultural policy, COM 91 258.

  Mr. Baldry
  None.

  UN Conference on Environment and Development
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on(a) the seminar hosted by Her Majesty's Government on 5 February on the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and (b) the reception given to his presentation to the final preparation committee meeting for UNCED in New York on 2 March.

  Mr. Baldry
  On 5 March my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met representatives of leading environment, development and business organisations who made presentations on their objectives for UNCED. This was followed by a general discussion. The speech which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment gave to the meeting of the UNCED preparatory committee on 2 March was very well received.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the latest figures available, stating whether they are final outturns, provisional outturns or budget figures, for 1988–89 to 1991–92 on the statistical basis of table 1—summary of gross expenditure and income, excluding double counting of flows—table 2 —capital and revenue expenditure by service—table 3—local authority income by source—and table 4—general fund revenue account by service—of "Local Government Financial Statistics, England".

  Mr. Portillo
  The information for 1988–89 is published in "Local Government Financial Statistics England No. 2 1990" which is in the Library of the House. The information for later years cannot be provided in this form as detailed gross expenditure and income figures on all accounts are not yet available.

  Toxic Products
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will obtain for his departmental library copies of the documents(a) "Environmentally Sound Management of Toxic Chemicals and Prevention of Illegal International Traffic in Toxic and Dangerous Products and Wastes", (b) "Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes" and (c) "Safe and Environmentally Sound Management of Radioactive Waste" which were submitted for consideration to the final preparatory committee meeting for UNCED in March.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department already has copies of the documents.

  Bushy Park
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which contractors have been appointed to work in Bushy park to maintain trees, shrubs, grass and clearance of waste; what conditions are in the contract in relation to trees and shrubs; how long is the contract; what sanctions exist to uphold quality of work; and if he will set out, in relation to the 18 former park employees, other than the gamekeeper, how many applied for interview with the contractor and how many are employed.

  Mr. Yeo
  Glendale Industries Ltd. has been appointed to carry out the garden and landscape maintenance work in Bushy park for a period of four years. Thirteen former parks staff applied and were interviewed for jobs with Glendale, of whom nine were successful.

  The contract specification sets down in detail all the planting and maintenance duties required of the contractor for Bushy park, including maintenance of trees and shrubs. The work will be instructed and closely monitored by the Department's site supervisors, and will be approved for payment only if it has been completed to the high standards that we have specified.

  Nitrous Oxide
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an estimate of annual United Kingdom emissions of nitrous oxide broken down by source; and of the relative global warming effect of nitrous oxide in comparison with other United Kingdom emissions of gases with global warming potential.

  Mr. Trippier
  Provisional estimates made by Warren Spring Laboratory for my Department are as follows:

  United Kingdom emissions of nitrous oxide—provisional estimates for 1990 (thousands of tonnes per year)

  Source

  Emission

  Per cent.

  Production of adipic acid for nylon manufacture

  90

  57

  Emissions from soil

  65

  41

  Road transport

  3

  2

  Other fuel combustion

  2

  1

  Total

  160

  100

  These estimates are very uncertain, but they suggest a direct global warming effect equivalent to about 7 per cent. of that from current United Kingdom emissions of carbon dioxide.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Water Act 1989 to enable the Director General of Water Services to ensure that the water companies follow a least-cost policy in respect of their environmental obligations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Under the Water Industry Act 1991, a consolidating measure, the Director General of Water Services already has a duty to promote economy and efficiency on the part of a water, or water and sewerage, company in carrying out its functions.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to issue tax amending orders for the advertising of planning applications before 20 March; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The need for local planning authorities to publicise planning applications under the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 will not require the issue of tax amending orders.

  Planning and Compensation Act 1991
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to implement the provisions of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 in England and Wales; which provisions are not yet in force; and when it is proposed to implement them.

  Sir George Young
  In the eight months since it received Royal Assent on 25 July 1991, almost all the major provisions of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 have been brought into effect in England and Wales in four commencement orders. The main compensation pro-visions, together with a number of the planning and development control measures, came into operation two months after Royal Assent on 25 September 1991. The Act provided for home loss payments improvements to be backdated to 16 November 1990. The bulk of the enforcement provisions commenced on 2 January 1992, and the new development plans system became operative on 10 February 1992. A direction relating to publicity for, and notification of departures from development plans came into force on 28 February.

  Where appropriate, advice and policy guidance for local authorities and other agencies, and existing advice, has been brought up to date to reflect the provisions of the 1991 Act as follows:

  DOE Circ 14/91

  August 1991

  Planning and Compensation Act 1991

  DOE Circ 15/91

  September 1991

  Land Compensation and Compulsory Purchase.

  MPG8

  September 1991

  Interim Development Order Permissions (IDOs) Statutory Provisions and Procedures.

  DOE Circ 16/91

  October 1991

  Planning Obligations.

  DOE Circ 23/91

  December 1991

  Awards of Costs in Planning Proceedings Following Late Cancellation of an Inquiry or Hearing.

  DOE Circ 18/91

  December 1991

  New Development Plans System: Transitional Arrangements (England and Wales).

  DOE Circ 21/91

  December 1991

  Implementation of the Main Enforcement Provisions.

  PPG 18

  December 1991

  Enforcing Planning Control.

  PPG7

  January 1992

  The Countryside and the Rural Economy.

  PPG 12

  February 1992

  Development Plans and Regional Planning Guidance.

  MPG9

  March 1992

  Interim Development Order Permissions (IDOs) Conditions.

  PPG1

  March 1992

  General Policy and Principles.

  PPG3

  March 1992

  Housing.

  PPG 19

  March 1992

  Outdoor Advertisement Control.

  DOE Circ 5/92

  March 1992

  Town and Country Planning Control of Advertisement Regulations 1992.

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  The remaining provisions of the Act are scheduled to take effect in the spring and summer of 1992, within a year of Royal Assent as follows:

  Remaining provisions on enforcement powers (sections 2, 4 (part) and 10).

  Remaining provisions on planning obligations (section 12, sections 106A and 106B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990).

  Demolition of buildings (section 13).

  Notices etc. of applications for planning permission (section 16).

  Land of interested planning authorities and development by them (section 20).

  Simplified planning zones (section 28).

  DLA and DWA
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he proposes to make to the test of resources for house renovation grants to take account of the new disability living allowance and disability working allowance.

  Mr. Yeo
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales and I have today given to local housing authorities advance notice of amendments to the test of resources applied to applicants for house renovation grants including those to help provide facilities for disabled people. These regulations under part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 come into force on 6 April. They introduce disability living allowance and disability working allowance as qualifying conditions for a number of premiums used to calculate the applicable amount in the test of resources. Disability living allowance will replace the current mobility allowance and, where the disability arose before age 65, attendance allowance. As with the two allowances it replaces, this new allowance will be disregarded in full as income in the test.

  Pollution
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the number and type of notifiable pollution incidents in(a) Cornwall and (b) Cumbria in each year since 1979; what companies or organisations were involved; and what has been done to restore the ecological balance of the environment in each county.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 24 January 1992]: I will write to the hon. Member.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail ("Organising for Quality")
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of British Rail's reorganisation known as "Organising for Quality".

  Mr. Rifkind
  Substantial progress has been made with the implementation of this reorganisation. The process will be substantially completed on 6 April 1992 with the abolition of the railway regions. The British Railways Board has recently submitted a report on this reorganisation, which I have accepted. I have today laid this report before both Houses.

  Vehicle Testing Fees
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes the vehicle inspectorate is proposing to make to vehicle testing fees.

  Mr. Chope
  On 9 March, I laid before the House a draft order which contains the fees which the vehicle inspectorate proposes to charge from 30 March. The fees will need to be reviewed again later to take account of the incorporation into the heavy goods vehicle test from I September of measured checks of smoke emission. I have also asked that we should seek views on a revised structure for fees which reflect more closely the increased costs to the inspectorate of vehicles with a higher number of axles. Consultation on these matters will take place in the summer.

  London Underground
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the level of capital expenditure by London Underground during each of the last five years; and what is the planned level for 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  London Underground investment £ million 1990–91 prices

  £ million

  1987–88

  259

  1988–89

  234

  1989–90

  328

  1990–91

  459

  1991–92

  1353

  1992–93–94

  2—

  1 Forecast outturn.

  1 Estimated combined total for these years—over £2 billion.

  M1/M62 Link
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the time period for consultation on his proposals for an M I /M62 link in west Yorkshire to enable the proposals to be exhibited in the Horbury area of Wakefield.

  Mr. Chope
  Special arrangements have already been operated for people in the Horbury area. Nevertheless. I am arranging for additional exhibitions of the MI/M62 link road proposals to be held next week both in the Horbury and Thornhill Lees areas, subject to the availability of suitable venues.

  There seems no case for extending the consultation period which does not expire until I May, but any comments received after that date will still be taken into account.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the projected date for announcing the preferred route for the proposed MI/M62 motorway link in west Yorkshire.

  Mr. Chope
  No date has been set for announcing the outcome of the public consultation, into the options for a proposed link between the M1 south-west of Wakefield and the M62 east of Huddersfield, which started on 27 February 1992. This is because it is impossible to anticipate at this stage how long it will take to assess fully the large number of responses we expect to receive from the public and representative bodies.

  Initial Response Teams
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those initial response teams he expects to be operating on 1 April without official vehicles.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  On 1 April 1992 there will be a total of 65 initial response teams.

  Initial response teams operating without official vehicles are listed below. These stations have not previously operated with an official vehicle, prior to redesignation as IRTs. The implementation period for the review is four years, and alterations to the current plan could occur over this period, should circumstances change significantly.

  Aberdeen SRR:

  Outskerries

  Whalsey

  Bressay island

  Huxter

  West Burra island

  Noness

  Gloup

  Balta Sound

  North Roe

  Melvich

  Papa Westray

  Westray

  Long Hope

  Rousay

  Eday

  Stronsay

  Sanday

  North Ronaldsay

  Flotta

  Deerness

  Shapinsay

  Gourdon

  Collieston

  Portsoy

  Nairn

  Crail

  Fisherrow

  Cockburnspath

  St. Abbs

  Yarmouth SRR:

  Holy Island

  Newton

  Ravenscar

  Burniston

  Speeton

  Wrangle

  Sheringham

  Sea Palling

  Sutton Bridge

  Dover SRR:

  Shingle Street

  Swansea SRR:

  Instow

  Mortehoe

  Portishead

  Port Talbot

  Llanstephan

  Wooltack Point

  Moylegrove

  Penrhyn

  Gwbert

  Borth

  Fairbourne

  Harlech

  Aberdaron

  Cemaes Bay

  Hilbre Island

  New Brighton

  Morecombe

  680

  Workington

  Clyde SRR:

  Port Ellen

  Ardpatrick

  Cumbrae

  Stranraer

  Griminish

  Staffin

  Dunvegan

  Kilchoan

  Coastguards
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current responsibilities of Her Majesty's coastguard; and if he will implement the sector review in accordance with the definition contained in paragraph 2.12 of that report.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply I gave to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Harris) on the same subject on 9 March 1992.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what preventive and educational measures are required by Her Majesty's coastguard of sector officers; and what proportion of their time they are required to spend on education and preventive work.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Her Majesty's coastguard sector officers are primarily responsible for the management, training and operational efficiency of the several auxiliary coastguard companies within their sectors, including maintenance of buildings and equipment.

  As part of their workload, sector officers will provide both solicited and unsolicited safety and educational advice in the course of their duties, including presentations at local schools, local public events, yachting and other organisations which use the sea, as well as routine daily contact with the general public. This is done in concert with the auxiliary coastguard companies under their charge. There is no requirement for a specific number of hours per month to be spent on this aspect of work.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of his study of auxiliary operations room assistance; what are the cost implications of employing administrative assistants to replace auxiliary coastguards; and when the recommendations will be implemented.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The recommendation that a separate study of auxiliary operations room assistance be undertaken formed part of the long-term aims of the coastal review. Although some preliminary work was put in hand it was considered that this item was secondary in importance to other recommendations contained in the review, and no conclusions have yet been reached.

  Shipping Industry
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to increasing the total amount of money allocated to the Government assistance for training scheme for the shipping industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In accordance with Treasury guidelines, a policy review of the Government assistance for training scheme was conducted last year by my
  681
  Department. This review highlighted GAFT's success in revitalising cadet recruitment. It did not identify an immediate need to increase the target of 500 cadets per annum for which the scheme has been designed although it acknowledged the possibility of reviewing the GAFT budget to coincide with future public expenditure surveys.

  Cycling
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what directions he has given to the London traffic director concerning cycles.

  Mr. Chope
  The Secretary of State's draft traffic management and parking guidance which he issued for consultation on 11 March sets out his aims for cycling in London and possible measures to assist cyclists in relation to red routes. It will be for the London traffic director and the London local authorities to have regard to the final guidance when meeting their respective traffic management responsibilities.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the budget for cycle schemes within the traffic division for 1992–93; and what is the proportion of the total budget for the traffic division of cycle schemes.

  Mr. Chope
  The traffic policy division of the Department of Transport has no executive responsibilities for providing cycling facilities, and so has no budget for cycle schemes. Cycle schemes are funded from other budgets as is the work on the 1,000-mile cycle route for London.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specific schemes are planned(a) within the Department's bypass scheme and (b) within the Department's trunk road programme for cycling.

  Mr. Chope
  The answer is:

  a) The Department's bypass demonstration project was launched earlier this year. Work is being undertaken with the local authorities in six towns. It will implement measures such as traffic calming, traffic management and environmental improvements so as to show how the fullest possible benefits to the local community can be realised. The schemes are likely to include improved provision for cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

  Site

  Applicant

  Capacity

  Date of consent

  Charterhouse Street, London EC1

  Citigen Ltd.

  90 MW

  26 February 1992

  Spondon

  Derwent Cogeneration Ltd. (formerly Courtaulds)

  318 MW

  10 March 1992

  Medway

  Medway Power Ltd.

  450 or 660 MW

  10 March 1992

  Sutton Bridge

  Independent Power Generators Ltd.

  700 MW

  11 March 1992

PRIME MINISTER

  Nurses and Midwives Pay Review Body
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Prime Minister when the supplement to the ninth report of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and the Professions Allied to Medicine will be published.
  682

  b) The Department takes the needs of cyclists into account from the outset when planning new trunk road construction or major reconstruction. Where demand exists, consideration is also given to measures that would enable cyclists to cross the trunk road more safely. The information asked for on individual schemes is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research is being conducted by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory on cycles and cycle safety.

  Mr. Chope
  The Transport and Road Research Laboratory has begun to evaluate the effectiveness of current pedal cycle helmets in reducing head injuries.

ENERGY

  Dounreay Processing Plant
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the decision announced by the European Commission and EURATOM on 4 March to prohibit the reopening of the MTR 1203 reprocessing plant at Dounreay until nuclear materials accountancy procedures have been satisfactorily approved.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Commission decision of 4 March applied a "warning" to Dounreay. This requires Dounreay to rectify failures in the implementation of accounting and records systems before the plant resumes normal operations. To this end, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is vigorously implementing the recommendations of its internal inquiry, and is consulting with the Commission as necessary.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the licences he has issued for gas-fired power stations giving the location and date in each case.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 24 February at columns 398–400.

  Since then, four further section 36 consents have been granted, details of which are given herewith.

  The Prime Minister
  The review body's report, which deals with the pay of senior nurses and senior midwives, is being published today. The Government are grateful to the review body for the additional work it has undertaken to prepare this report.

  The report recommends that with effect from I September 1991 the senior nurse and senior midwife pay spine should be increased by approximately 6 per cent. to

  683
  the level of the senior manager pay spine and that senior nurses should each receive a single non-superannuable cash payment of £300.

  The Government have accepted the review body's recommendations but have decided that the single cash payment should be superannuable, in order to comply with the provisions of the NHS superannuation regulations.

  China
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his plan to send a human rights fact-finding team to the People's Republic of China.

  The Prime Minister
  In January in New York I proposed to Premier Li Peng that a high-level delegation should visit China later this year to look into human rights issues. My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Sir G. Howe) has agreed to lead this mission, which will take place later this year.

  Planning (Countryside)
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his approach to planning in the countryside in the light of the publication of the revised planning policy guidance note 7.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are not, and never have been, in favour of uncontrolled development. Planning is essential. Our commitment to it was demonstrated through our introduction of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991, and the implementation of the plan-led system it provides for. We have made clear the role of the planning system in ensuring that development and growth are sustainable.

  Balanced decisions within the planning system require various points of view to be heard and weighed. The views of those who oppose development are often got across very effectively indeed to those taking planning decisions. But weight must also be given to the views of individuals submitting planning applications. For them, especially those in the farming community, success may make all the difference as to whether they can continue to live and work in the countryside. In my speech to the Oxford farming conference, I was speaking on behalf of those individuals—who sometimes feel that their voice counts for relatively little—when I encouraged planning authorities to balance the need to protect the countryside with the need for jobs and houses.

  This position is clearly set out in the revised planning policy guidance note 7 on the countryside and the rural economy. This note explains this Government's policy of encouraging rural enterprise, while ensuring that the environment is protected. It reminds planning authorities of the need for a balanced approach to rural development and conservation. The planning system helps to integrate development necessary to sustain the rural economy with protection of the countryside for the sake of its beauty, its diversity of landscape, its wealth of natural resources and its ecological, agricultural and recreational value. When paragraph 2.5 of the PPG says that "little weight" should normally be attached to the loss of lower grade agricultural land it means little weight in terms of agricultural value; other factors such as landscape and nature conservation need to be taken fully into account.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the United Kingdom is making towards the development of southern African countries faced by severe drought.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have substantial and continuing programmes of development aid for countries of the southern Africa region amounting to some £165 million in 1990. As my hon. Friend is aware, I announced a package of additional assistance last week in response to the drought comprising £2 ½ million of balance of payments support each for Zambia and Zimbabwe plus 15,000 tonnes of food aid for Mozambique and for Mozambican refugees. I am able to announce today a further £1 million in the form of a contribution to the world food programmes's targeted feeding programme for vulnerable groups in Malawi.

  Know-how Fund
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by project the amount of know-how fund grant committed to date under the two schemes to encourage the establishment of British investment operations in central and eastern Europe, the Baltic states and the former Soviet Union; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  So far over £3 million has been committed to 150 successful applicants under the two schemes. The first scheme provides up to 50 per cent. grant towards the cost of pre-investment feasibility studies (PIFS) into proposed British investment operations; the second scheme finances, on a pump-priming basis, the costs of providing training in management and business skills to key indigenous personnel who will run British investment operations (the training for investment personnel scheme—TIPS). There has been a good response from a wide cross-section of British industry and service sector firms and organisations and the schemes appear to be achieving their aims. Forty-nine pre-investment feasibility studies supported by the know-how fund have so far been completed; in 35 of these, applicants have decided definitely to proceed with their investment; in a further five a final decision has not yet been taken.

  Information on the grant committed by project is as follows:

  Pre-investmenl feasibility studies (PIFS) scheme

  Proposed Investment Operation

  Grant Approved £

  Poland

  Airport terminal

  41,000

  Bulk liquids storage terminal

  12,500

  Interpreter/translation service

  2,946

  Poultry breeding

  14,350

  Fuel efficiency etc instrumentation

  13,383

  Coffee production

  21,725

  Engineering consultancy

  5,097

  Bulk sugar terminal

  50,000

  Disposable medical equipment

  43,996

  Business/accountancy forms

  11,775

  Bulk liquid storage terminal

  47,500

  Carpet manufacture

  50,000

  Printing inks manufacture

  20,215

  685

  Proposed Investment Operation

  Grant Approved £

  Business Centre

  11,323

  Training/consultancy for financial sector

  6,656

  Technology (CAD/CAM) centres

  50,000

  Navigation, surveying and vehicle products

  35,484

  Soft drinks production plant

  22,325

  Handbags manufacture

  12,950

  Joint venture with survey, mapping etc company

  24,190

  Non-woven material manufacture

  11,970

  Medical indemnity insurance joint venture

  20,670

  Fruit, vegetable processing plant

  6,924

  Environmental management consultancy

  12,122

  Management consultancy

  4,925

  Mining equipment manufacture

  24,690

  Hungary

  Gas-fired generation plant

  15,000

  Bed manufacture

  8,244

  Poultry breeding

  10,740

  Rack shelving

  23,815

  Technology transfer/development

  25,000

  Project consultancy

  9,736

  Business centre/consultancy

  10,500

  Business intelligence service

  9,500

  Water/environmental engineering consultancy

  13,010

  Alcoholic beverages

  50,000

  Management training

  6,676

  Corrugated board manufacture

  50,000

  Pre-fabricated housing

  8,425

  Tractor manufacture

  50,000

  Consulting engineering/environmental consultancy

  17,643

  Knitwear, knitted fabric manufacture/trading

  27,911

  Training/consultancy for financial sector

  5,625

  Timber building system manufacture

  9,031

  Water control, monitoring equipment joint venture

  3,348

  Financial advisory service

  1,400

  Pig breeding

  21,210

  Leisure/learning project

  50,000

  Funeral services joint venture

  27,611

  Czechoslovakia

  Architectural practice

  19,395

  Castings

  20,393

  Warm air ducting

  2,260

  Coal tip washing

  6,631

  Clothing manufacture

  14,992

  Quarrying

  50,000

  Plasterboard manufacture

  50,000

  Software development

  41,737

  Hotel

  50,000

  Business centre

  11,088

  Electronic and technology training equipment

  4,061

  Copper smelting

  50,000

  Investment castings foundry

  23,842

  Hand tools manufacture

  26,542

  Deer breeding

  7,654

  Diesel engines manufacture

  50,000

  Historic residential property restoration/development

  13,126

  Electronic components manufacture

  50,000

  Mining venture

  32,986

  Dolomite etc. mining

  15,435

  Chemical manufacture

  50,000

  Clay production

  47,954

  Commercial TV channel consortium

  40,037

  Motor industry research and development etc. joint venture

  40,603

  Clay production

  21,508

  Bulgaria

  Industrial training joint venture

  29,035

  Technical training joint venture

  3,945

  Waste oil reclamation plant

  47,625

  Consultancy joint venture with institute

  6,167

  Ski resort development

  46,553

  Electronic products (civil markets)

  36,800

  Healthcare company

  33,125

  Offshore exploration support facility

  2,750

  686

  Proposed Investment Operation

  Grant Approved £

  Romania

  Mushroom farming

  2,950

  Diesel engines manufacture

  50,000

  Plant hire joint venture

  20,413

  Russia

  Oil/gas industry training centre

  18,049

  Small business development

  50,000

  Advertising/marketing etc. consultancy

  34,726

  Mining industry software

  6,467

  Dairy food processing equipment manufacture

  10,162

  Vehicles manufacture

  18,385

  Vehicles joint venture

  22,019

  Food processing joint venture

  27,354

  Agricultural spray equipment etc. joint venture

  10,289

  Bakery operation

  33,857

  Ukraine

  Coal washing plant

  31,477

  Bakery operation

  32,743

  Kazakhstan

  Poultry breeding

  14,264

  Mining project

  50,000

  Training for investment personnel scheme (TIPS)

  Investment operation

  Grant approved £

  Poland

  Bulk packaging manufacture

  6,050

  Language/business skills training

  8,420

  Boiler manufacture

  8,644

  Consulting engineers practice

  8,900

  Management training school

  25,642

  Open learning centres

  50,000

  Dental products manufacture

  8,966

  Property/asset valuation, consultancy

  4,139

  Pharmaceutical products

  50,000

  Business computer systems

  25,921

  Hungary

  Management consultancy

  33,264

  Water and effluent consultancy

  18,922

  Marble quarrying

  28,276

  Pallet racking/shelving manufacture

  22,862

  Quantity surveying

  23,961

  Printing business

  12,388

  Bed manufacture

  24,120

  English language training

  14,185

  Sewing thread manufacture

  26,424

  Business centre/consultancy

  29,205

  Property development

  7,165

  Risk assessment consultancy

  17,480

  Bar code systems

  5,835

  Management consultancy

  12,269

  Shopping complex joint venture

  8,500

  Medical indemnity insurance operations

  16,205

  Czechoslovakia

  Machine tool manufacture

  1,646

  Warm air ducting

  4,000

  Business consultancy

  7,550

  Property consultants/chartered surveyors

  28,839

  Management/engineering consultancy

  23,900

  Mechanical seals manufacture

  50,000

  Building and construction joint venture

  10,916

  Bar code systems

  4,690

  Pipe and cable locating equipment

  14,434

  Mineral water bottling plant

  8,104

  Plant and tool hire joint venture

  40,000

  Investment castings foundry

  45,234

  Investment consultancy

  9,376

  687

  Investment operation

  Grant approved £

  Bulgaria

  CAD/CAM sytems

  11,863

  Romania

  Mushroom farming

  27,380

  Estonia

  Retail fabric shop

  15,600

  Russia

  Machinery design and manufacture

  30,610

  Fuel filtration systems manufacture

  23,984

  Supermarket bakery

  22,311

  Bar code systems

  8,345

  Design, management services consultancy

  30,312

  Home study language training joint venture

  15,523

  Tourism joint ventures

  24,776

  Ukraine

  Tampon manufacture

  29,064

  Ex-German Democratic Republic(approved before unification in October 1990) Consulting engineers practice

  20,265

  Western Samoa
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the assistance given by the United Kingdom to western Samoa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We do not have a regular country aid programme for western Samoa, but have provided disaster relief after recent cyclones. This included £115,000 for emergency supplies, help with reconstruction and 1,125 tonnes of rice following cyclone Ofa in February 1990; and £120,000 for emergency supplies and other relief activities following cyclone Val in December 1991.

  China
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on how the overseas aid criterion about good government is applied to the People's Republic of China.

  £

  Years

  Youth Opportunities Programme

  Youth Training Scheme

  Community Programme

  Job Training Scheme

  Employment Training

  Technical and Vocational Education Initiative

  Local Collaborative Project1

  Open Tech/Open Learning

  Open College

  1979–80

  Cash

  123

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Constant price

  268

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1980–81

  Cash

  214

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Constant price

  392

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1981–82

  Cash

  396

  —

  57

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Constant price

  662

  —

  145

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1982–83

  Cash

  543

  —

  160

  311

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Constant price

  849

  —

  251

  486

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  688
  Mrs. Chalker
  In allocating aid we consider recipient countries' needs, their ability to use aid well, their economic and social policies, other good government considerations and the scope for supporting activities which promote better government. These considerations apply to China where our programme includes a project to improve investment appraisal methodology and introduce social and environmental analysis into project appraisal and United Kingdom training in a range of subjects including public administration and law. We also discuss human rights concerns frequently with the Chinese Government, including most recently during the Chinese Foreign Minister's meeting with the Secretary of State on 9 March.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training Programmes
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment since 1979, what has been the annual expenditure on the programmes:(a) work experience on employers' premises, (b) youth opportunities programme, (c) youth training scheme, (d) community programme, (e) job training scheme, (f) employment training, (g) technical and vocational education initiative, (h) local collaborative programme and (i) open tech and open college, expressed (i) in cash terms, (ii) in constant 1991 prices and (iii) as a figure which indicates the amount of EC funding included in each programme.

  Mr. Jackson
  The table shows expenditure for Great Britain at cash and constant 1990–91 prices in each year from 1979–80 to 1990–91 on youth opportunities programme (which includes work experience on employers premises), youth training scheme (which includes training credits), community programme, job training scheme (which includes new job training scheme), employment training (which includes the Gateshead garden festival), technical and vocational education initiative, local collaborative projects and open tech and the Open college. I will write to the hon. Member separately on the question of the EC funding.
  689

  Years

  Youth Oppor-tunities Programme

  Youth Training Scheme

  Community Programme

  Job Training Scheme

  Employment Training

  Technical and Vocational Education Initiative

  Local Collabora-tive Project1

  Open Tech/ Open Learning

  Open College

  1983–84

  Cash

  349

  427

  403

  241

  —

  7

  —

  5

  —

  Constant price

  522

  638

  602

  360

  —

  11

  —

  7

  —

  1984–85

  Cash

  —

  836

  534

  233

  —

  26

  —

  18

  —

  Constant price

  —

  1,190

  760

  331

  —

  37

  —

  26

  —

  1985–86

  Cash

  —

  870

  686

  245

  —

  41

  —

  18

  —

  Constant price

  —

  1,173

  925

  331

  —

  55

  —

  24

  —

  1986–87

  Cash

  —

  939

  1,073

  287

  —

  72

  —

  15

  2

  Constant price

  —

  1,226

  1,401

  375

  —

  94

  —

  19

  3

  1987–88

  Cash

  —

  1,065

  1,118

  339

  —

  61

  —

  16

  10

  Constant price

  —

  1,319

  1,384

  420

  —

  75

  —

  20

  12

  1988–89

  Cash

  —

  994

  674

  —

  425

  88

  5

  —

  6

  Constant price

  —

  1,148

  779

  —

  491

  102

  5

  —

  7

  1989–90

  Cash

  —

  976

  —

  —

  1,107

  129

  1

  —

  4

  Constant price

  —

  1,059

  —

  —

  1,201

  140

  2

  —

  4

  1990–91

  Cash

  —

  844

  —

  —

  1,076

  135

  —

  —

  5

  Constant price

  —

  844

  —

  —

  1,076

  135

  —

  —

  5

  Notes:

  1.Figures for each year up to 1987–88 include programme administration costs on a pro rata basis except for CP where all years include administration costs and Open college which includes no administration costs.

  2.Constant prices were calculated by the use of the GDP deflator index from the Chancellor's Autumn Statement published in November 1991.

  1 Expenditure on the local collaborative projects is not separately identifiable between 1987–88 and 1990–91.

  City of Durham
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons under 18 years are in full-time employment in the City of Durham constituency.

  Mr. Jackson
  The 1981 census of population figures represents the latest available. In 1981 there were 2,413 16 to 19-year olds in full-time employment in the then City of Durham constituency.

  Training Guarantee
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he proposes to make to the representation by the London East training and enterprise council in appendix 3 to his evidence to the Employment Committee on 27 November House of Commons Paper 92-i—on the non-fulfilment of the training guarantee for 16 and 17-year-olds mentioned in paragraph 3.8 of Cm 1810 "People, Jobs and Opportunity".

  Mr. Jackson
  Our officials have been in regular contact with London East training and enterprise council (LETEC). As LETEC's evidence to the Employment Committee indicated, agreement was reached on two occasions on additional funds to enable LETEC to contract for more training places. The position on the supply of and demand for youth training continues to be closely monitored in east London as elsewhere. Under its contract with the TEC the Department stands ready to 690
  discuss any further measures that may be needed to ensure that the guarantee of the offer of a suitable training place to all unemployed 16 and 17-year-olds who want one is met.

  Employment and Training
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of people benefiting from special employment and training measures at the latest available date in the constituency of Bury, North; and what is the average cost per person under each.

  Mr. Jackson
  This Department has a number of employment and training measures in the Bury area but it is not possible to provide figures on a constituency basis, and data on different measures is collected on different bases.

  The total number of people who participated in employment service measures (restart and 13-week interviews of claimants, jobclub entrants, participants in restart courses, job review workshops and job search seminars) in the Bury area, in the period April 1991 to February 1992 inclusive was 3,501. In the period April 1991 to 7 February 1992, a total of 610 unemployed people in the Bolton and Bury area were also assisted by the job interview guarantee scheme.
  691
  The number of people participating in measures delivered through the Bolton and Bury training and enterprise council (youth training, employment training, and employment action), at 5 February 1992, was 2,732.

  Information on the average cost per person under each measure is not readily available.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he expects to make to the representations made by young people from the Canning Town and Beckton area of east London in the course of the ministerial interview on 10 March concerning the lack of quality and effectiveness of his youth training scheme.

  Mr. Jackson
  I had a constructive and positive meeting with these young people about a range of concerns going much wider than youth training. I invited them to write further to me through their Member of Parliament, and action will be taken in response.

  TECs
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils in London have not yet signed their 1992–93 operating agreements.

  Mr. Jackson
  As at 12 March none of the London training and enterprise councils had signed their 1992–93 operating agreements.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Social Fund
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated full cost of implementing all of the Social Security Advisory Committee's recommendations on the social fund in Northern Ireland in 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  The recommendations of the Social Security Advisory Committee would entail wide-ranging changes to the social fund and the full information needed to produce a reliable estimate of the cost is not readily available.

  Fund Holding
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the NHS management executive's efforts to canvass interest in general practitioner fund holding in Northern Ireland, detailing dates and venues of presentations to general practitioners or officials, names and roles of experts from Scotland, England or Wales brought over to advise interested parties and the scope of the activity of such consultants or advisers.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 19 February,Official Report, Vol. 204, column 211. Since then, the management executive has held one seminar, on 26 February 1992, for practices expressing an interest in becoming fund holders. Dr. John Steyn, a general practitioner fund holder from Scotland, and Mr. Mark Miller, a deputy director with the NHS management advisory service, spoke to the seminar about the preparatory period and the first year of fund holding.
  692
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether general medical practices which are granted fund holding status will have to specifically inform each patient of this fact and its consequences.

  Mr. Hanley
  Practices which become fund holders are not required to inform their patients; however it is likely that fund-holding practices will wish to explain the details of the scheme to their patients and they will receive every encouragement to do so.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he makes for each year since 1979 of(a) the total population of working age regardless of whether or not they were in work and (b) the percentage of the population which was not in work whether or not they were looking for work.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is as follows:

  Population of working age in Northern Ireland percentage not in employment 1979–19911

  Year

  Population of working age (000s)2

  Percentage not in employment3

  1979

  859

  35·5

  1981

  874

  38·8

  1983

  888

  41·5

  1984

  898

  41·5

  1985

  906

  41·8

  1986

  915

  40·1

  1987

  923

  40·6

  1988

  927

  38·6

  1989

  932

  37·2

  1990

  938

  36·2

  1 Population of working age figures are general registrar's office mid-year estimates. The percentage not in employment is based on estimates from the labour force survey. This surve was not conducted in 1980 and 1982.

  2 Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.

  3 Unemployed plus economically inactive as a percentage of population of working age.

  Harland and Wolff
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the value of the contracts received by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast in 1991 from Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd. for modification of ships owned by PNTL.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a commercial matter between the Harland and Wolff group and Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd. The hon. Member should address his inquiry to one of those companies.

  Road Accidents, Ards Peninsular
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many road accidents in the Ards peninsular during the 24 hours of Tuesday 10 March were reported to the Royal Ulster Constabulary; how many involved injuries; at which locations did these injuries occur; from which locations other ambulances were required to attend each of these road accidents in which personal injuries were involved; and how long it took for the ambulance in each instance to deliver the injured persons to hospital from the time of the initial report of a need for an ambulance.
  693
  Mr. Hanley
  Two. The first occurred in Portaferry road, Cloghy, the second in Ballyvester road, Donaghadee. Both involved injuries. An ambulance from Bangor station attended the Cloghy accident. One hour and 47 minutes elapsed between the initial request for an ambulance and its arrival at the Ulster hospital. Twenty-two minutes were spent at the scene of the accident stabilising the casualty, and a further 52 minutes transporting him to hospital at a restricted speed necessitated by the nature and severity of his injuries. An ambulance from the Donaghadee area attended the second accident. Thirty-two minutes elapsed between the initial request for an ambulance and its arrival at the Ards hospital.

  Social Security
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, persuant to his answer of 9 March 1992 Official Report, columns 399–400, on staff administering the social security programme, if he will give the answer per 1,000 claimants.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Number of staff per 1,000 claimants

  1984

  3·8

  1985

  3·8

  1986

  3·8

  1987

  3·9

  1988

  3·9

  1989

  3·7

  1990

  3·6

  1991–92

  3·2

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would have been the gross additional cost, in cash terms and at 1991–92 prices of uprating child benefit fully in line with inflation, assuming each child in the family receives the same rate, in April of each year from 1988 to 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 27 February 1992]: The information requested is set out.

  Additional Cost

  In Cash Terms

  At 1991–92 Prices

  £million

  £million

  1988–89

  7·3

  9·0

  1989–90

  18·0

  20·8

  1990–91

  32·8

  35·1

  1991–92

  34·8

  34·8

  1992–93

  30·3

  29·0

THE ARTS

  Book Statistics
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list the expenditure on books for public libraries in the United Kingdom for each year since 1981.

  Mr. Renton
  Public library statistics collected by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy 694
  and supplemented with material from local authorities will shortly be published by my Library and Information Services Council (England). They show expenditure on books as follows:

  £million

  1981–82

  44·0

  1982–83

  49·9

  1983–84

  54·3

  1984–85

  56·3

  1985–86

  60·7

  1986–87

  64·2

  1987–88

  68·2

  1988–89

  75·2

  1989–90

  81·4

  Galleries (Admission Charges)
  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Minister for the Arts by what percentage rise or fall attendances at public galleries charging for admission have changed since the charges were introduced.

  Mr. Renton
  The national galleries which I sponsor— the National gallery, the Tate gallery, the National Portrait gallery and the Wallace collection—do not charge for admission to their core collections. Information on charges and attendances relating to other public galleries is not held centrally.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Department of the Environment
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what proportion of time(a) on the Floor of the House of Commons and (b) in Standing Committee, has been spent on matters under the auspices of the Department of the Environment in the current Session.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The total time spent on the Floor of the House this Session up to the adjournment of the House on Friday 6 March 1992 was 649 hours and 37 minutes.

  The amount of time spent on the Floor of the House on matters falling within the responsibilities of the Department of the Environment was 75 hours and 30 minutes, or 11–6 per cent. of total time on the floor.

  The total time spent in Standing Committees up to the adjournment of the House on Friday 6 March 1992 was 491 hours and 13 minutes.

  A total of 137 hours and 7 minutes were taken up by matters under the auspices of the Department of the Environment1. This amounts to 28 per cent. of time spent in Standing Committee this Session.

  1 This figure does not take account of suspensions in Standing Committee. It includes time "shared" with other Departments when a number of statutory instruments are grouped together for debate in a Standing Committee.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  School Buildings
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities seeking approval for urgent building work for schools.
  695
  Mr. Fallon
  We have received representations from six local education authorities about urgent building work at schools since our announcement last December of the distribution of annual capital guidelines to LEAs and the voluntary-aided grant allocations for 1992–93.

  It is for LEAs to ensure that their schools are in a satisfactory condition. They do not need our approval to undertake building work they judge necessary.

  Margaret Ward RC High School
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will reconsider the case of building work approved for St. Margaret Ward RC high school, Stoke-on-Trent.

  Mr. Fallon
  Grant for capital expenditure and repairs at voluntary-aided schools for 1992–93 will increase by 15 per cent., compared with the current year, to £151 million. However, it is not possible to provide grant for all the projects submitted by local education authorities. Whilst my right hon. and learned Friend cannot reconsider his decision, it is open to Staffordshire county council to submit the project again next year.

  Stratford School
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the(a) pupil roll, (b) cost per pupil and (c) annual maintenance grant at Stratford school in each month since April 1990.

  Mr. Eggar
  The school began to receive annual maintenance grant (AMG) only on being incorporated as grant maintained on 1 April 1991: it was funded until that date by Newham local education authority.

  The school's total AMG for the period 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992, which has been paid in 12 instalments, £1,533,311. There were 574 pupils registered at the school in January 1992 as recorded on its annual departmental return: we do not collect monthly pupil data. The school's total AMG divided by 574 pupils produces a per pupil figure of £2,671.

  Performance Levels
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the testing of performance levels of children with special education needs.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government's objective is that the national curriculum testing arrangements should be accessible to pupils with special educational needs. My right hon. and learned Friend and I receive many helpful representations from parents and teachers about how this objective can be met.

  GCSE
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many letters he has recently received from(a) right hon. and hon. Members and (b) members of the public about GCSE coursework.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received 740 letters from Members of Parliament and 2,110 letters from members of the public about GCSE coursework.
  696
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received from(a) the National Association for the Teaching of English, (b) the Northern Examining Association, (c) the Joint Matriculation Board, (d) the National Association of Advisers in English and (e) the joint council for the GCSE, about GCSE coursework; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received various representations from all but the Joint Matriculation Board about GSCE coursework. He is convinced that limits on coursework are needed in order to maintain public credibility in the GCSE, and is satisfied that the limits which he has set will secure that confidence whilst giving sufficient scope for the innovative assessment techniques facilitated by coursework.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement giving details of the evidence which he has considered in reaching his conclusion that changes should be made to GCSE coursework.

  Mr. Eggar
  My decision to limit the coursework element of the GCSE in order to maintain public confidence in that qualification was taken in the light of advice from the School Examinations and Assessment Council (SEAC) and based on evidence in the HMI report "The Introduction of the GCSE in Schools 1986–88", the SEAC report "Examining GCSE: First General Scrutiny Report" and the "Report of the Independent Appeals Authority for School Examinations". All three reports stressed the difficulty of ensuring standardising marking and adequate moderation in coursework. The first also drew attention to the unfairness caused by coursework not being conducted under uniform conditions.

  Barnet
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many out of borough pupils have been educated at Barnet schools during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Fallon
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  January 1987

  5,296

  January 1988

  5,392

  January 1989

  4,747

  January 1990

  5,023

  January 1991

  5,377

  Pupil Expenditure
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent per pupil in(a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools in Durham in each year since 1981.

  Mr. Fallon
  School based spending per pupil in nursery and primary schools, secondary schools and special schools in Durham is shown in the table. The figures show spending from 1980–81 until 1989–90, the latest year for which actual expenditure figures are available.
  697

  School based spending per pupil

  Year

  Nursery and Primary £

  Secondary £

  Special £

  1980–81

  565

  730

  2,700

  1981–82

  635

  810

  3,030

  1982–83

  705

  866

  3,345

  1983–84

  735

  905

  3,735

  1984–85

  750

  965

  4,180

  1985–86

  840

  1,095

  4,640

  1986–87

  935

  1,225

  5,045

  1987–88

  1,050

  1,405

  5,405

  1988–89

  1,160

  1,575

  6,825

  1989–90

  1,225

  1,735

  8,150

  Notes:

  1. School based spending covers the direct costs in schools of salaries and wages, premises and certain supplies and services. It does not include the costs of school meals, home to school transport, LEA central administration, and financing costs of capital expenditure.

  2. The figures in the table are derived from Durham local education authority's returns of its spending to the Department of the Environment and of its pupil numbers to the Department of Education and Science.

  3. Spending on nursery and primary schools was not collected separately for years after 1986–87, so the figures for the years shown in the table cover both nursery and primary schools.

  Local Education Authority Property
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will place in the Library a specimen agreement of a type he has approved between a college of further education and a local education authority regarding the college's leasing of local education authority property.

  Mr. Eggar
  The agreements that have been approved to date have been specific to the particular case. We expect governing bodies and local education authorities, in agreeing arrangements, to cover the following: the length of time the college is to remain on the site concerned; the nature of the occupancy—eg. lease or licence; whether any rent is to be paid; the responsibility for repairs and other outgoings; and the terms for cessation of the occupancy.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a list of nursery school provision by local education authorities in England and Wales.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have arranged that details of nursery provision for each local education authority in England for January 1991 will be published shortly. Details of nursery provision as at January 1990 were published last year in the DES "Statistical Bulletin 7/91", copies of which are available in the Library

  Nursery provision in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  After-school Clubs
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to fund after-school clubs in primary schools in Wigan local education authority.

  Mr. Eggar
  My hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) announced on I March the Government's intention to expand child care for school 698
  age children. The Government plan, through Department of Health programmes, to support a number of new development posts in voluntary organisations, which will work with schools and others to pilot the development of innovative schemes.

  It is important that local education authorities and schools should play their part in the development of out of hours care schemes, and we have encouraged schools to respond accordingly by opening up their premises to meet local needs.

  Technology Schools
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will state the total number of individual applications he received for his technology schools initiative, the number successful and unsuccessful, and of the latter the number he regarded as being of a satisfactory standard and the additional cost to his allocated £25 million of agreeing to those applications, together with the criteria he adopted to distinguish the categories of application referred to in the ministerial speech made at Shenley Wood school on 14 February;

  (2) on what date and in what manner he informed all local education authorities of his schools technology initiative; what criteria he laid down for applications; what maximum costs in capital and revenue were indicated; arid what account was taken of existing provision in maintained schools in the authorities containing successful applicants;

  (3) if he will state the number of local education authorities making applications in respect of the technology schools initiative together with the number of authorities gaining all, some, or none of their applications, respectively, and the names of those authorities whose applications were satisfactory but unsuccessful.

  Mr. Eggar
  On 5 December 1991 chief education officers of local education authorities (LEAs) in England were invited in writing to submit up to two projects for funding under the technology schools initiative (TSI). The letter explained that proposals were to be normally for projects in the region of £250,000, although consideration would exceptionally be given to projects costing up to a maximum of £500,000. Priority would be given to bids from schools committed to making good technology provision whatever their existing level of resources. Amongst the factors stated which would be taken into account in assessing bids were:

  (i) the track record of the school in technology including its use of the technical and vocational education initiative; clear evidence of a commitment to the development of teaching in technology, including plans to develop vocational courses at 14 to 16 and for older pupils;

  (ii) Existing links with industry—where they are demonstrably effective, including the availability of industrial or business funding to match grant; or resources from within the schools budget;

  (iii) Existing skills of the school's teaching staff and their enthusiasm for the project; and evidence of high quality school management.

  Eighty-nine LEAs submitted proposals in respect of 164 schools. In addition, 30 schools submitted projects directly to the Department. In the face of intense competition, the most worthy projects at 62 schools in 50 LEAs have been approved up to a total of £15 million: 12 LEAs received approval for two bids; 38 LEAs received

  699
  approval for one bid and 39 LEAs were unsuccessful. The remaining £10 million was allocated for projects at VA and GM schools.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the schools in Gravesham which have opted to become grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Eggar
  There are two schools in Gravesham operating as GM and a third has recently been approved to become GM in September. The total number of schools operating or approved for GM status in Kent is now 26. I am delighted that so many schools in this area will enjoy the benefits of grant-maintained status.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils applied to go to Hendon grant-maintained school in the years beginning September 1991 and September 1992; and what was the corresponding number of applicants in 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department does not collect centrally information on applications for admissions to grant-maintained schools. However, I understand from Hendon school that it has received 386 applications for admission in September 1992. At this time last year the school had 308 applications for admission to the school in September 1991. The corresponding number in March 1987 was 110.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether in assessing borrowers' claims for deferment, the Student Loans Company will disregard income from disability living allowance and disability working allowance when those benefits are introduced.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Yes, We have today laid before Parliament regulations amending the Education (Student Loans) Regulations 1991 to ensure that these allowances are fully taken into account.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will arrange for the booklet "Student Grants and Loans—a brief guide" to be published in braille.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I am delighted that the Royal National Institute for the Blind has produced, at my Department's expense, a braille edition of the booklet. I have placed a copy in the Library. The Royal National Institute for the Blind's Peterborough office (PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 OWS) will make further copies available on request.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the cost of extending an entitlement to student fees to part-time students on first degree courses, assuming a maximum fee entitlement of £750 and that all such students would be eligible for fees support.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 10 March 1992]: Approximately £87 million, with some 115,000 students
  700
  —the number of part-time first degree students in England and Wales in 1990, including Open university students, and representing some 29 per cent. of the 401,000 part-time students in higher education that year. This assumes that all students are personally eligible for support.

WALES

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Vale of Glamorgan is to be one of the unitary authorities in Wales under his recently announced proposals for local government reform.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Yes, the Vale of Glamorgan is one of the 23 authorities listed in my proposals.

  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the reasons why the boundaries of the Vale of Glamorgan were not specified in his recently announced proposals for local government reform in Wales; and how he intends to determine them.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The boundaries of the Vale of Glamorgan were marked with dotted lines on the map illustrating my proposals so that I can listen to any further representations on their precise locations.

  Local Government Expenditure
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table, covering the years 1986–87 and consistent with Cm 1916, showing by sub-programme(a) total local authority expenditure in Wales, (b) local authority expenditure in Wales on services for which he has policy responsibility and (c) an analysis of the differences between (a) and (b).

  Mr. David Hunt
  Consistent with appendix 3 of Cm 1916, the information is as follows:

  Local authority expenditure in Wales 1986–87 Local authority expenditure within the responsibility of the Secretary of State

  £ million

  Agriculture

  160107 Other agriculture and fisheries

  —

  160108 Support fishing industry

  1

  160114 Land drainage and flood prevention

  1

  160115 Coast protection

  2

  160117 Land drainage and flood prevention

  9

  160118 Coast protection

  —

  Total agriculture

  13

  Industry

  160209 General labour market—capital

  —

  160211 General labour market—current

  5

  Total industry

  5

  Roads and Transport

  160405 Roads new construction and improvement

  67

  160406 Other transport capital

  3

  160407 Road maintenance

  82

  160408 Other transport current

  29

  Total roads and transport

  181

  Housing

  160503 Administration

  7

  701

  £ million

  160504 Expenses of rent officers

  1

  160505 Rate fund contribution to HRA

  2

  160506 Local authority improvements

  79

  160507 Enveloping

  9

  160508 New dwellings

  23

  160509 Land

  3

  160510 Municipalisation

  1

  160511 Repurchase of defective dwellings

  2

  160512 Slum clearance

  1

  160513 Low-cost home ownership

  1

  160514 Improvement grants

  61

  160515 Reinstatement grants

  3

  160516 Home insulation grants

  2

  160518 Local authority lending to others

  4

  160519 Sales

  -53

  160520 Repayments loans—former tenants

  -16

  160521 Repayments loans—others

  -13

  Total housing

  115

  Other environmental services

  160604 CADW grants to local authorities

  1

  160605 Tax and rate collection

  8

  160606 Records, registrations and surveys

  1

  160607 Urban programme

  5

  160609 Other local environmental services

  178

  160610 Urban programme

  21

  160612 Derelict land

  13

  160613 Water services grants to local authorities

  —

  160614 Gypsy sites

  —

  160615 Other local environmental services

  76

  Total other environmental services

  304

  Education

  160702 Higher and further education

  119

  160735 Youth service

  7

  160737 Other education services

  5

  160742 Primary and nursery education

  235

  160743 Secondary education

  291

  160744 Special education

  28

  160745 Administration and inspection

  32

  160746 Other education support services

  2

  160747 School catering

  29

  160741 Capital expenditure

  40

  Total education

  789

  Arts and libraries

  160804 Libraries capital

  2

  160805 Libraries current

  18

  160806 Museums and art galleries capital

  —

  160807 Museums and art galleries current

  2

  Total arts and libraries

  22

  Personal social services

  160910 Personal social services capital

  8

  160911 Personal social services current

  134

  160912 Port health service current

  —

  Total personal social services

  143

  Total local authority expenditure within the responsibility of the Secretary of State

  1,572

  Local authority expenditure outside the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales

  £ million

  Intervention board for agricultural produce

  030102 EC subsidy for school milk

  —

  030103 EC subsidy for school meals

  1

  Total intervention board

  1

  Employment

  040602 Consumer protection

  5

  040702 Sheltered employment and workshops

  2

  Total Department of Employment

  7

  702

  £million

  Transport

  060401 Ports and piers

  —

  060601 Airports

  —

  Total Department of Transport

  —

  Home Office

  090110 Magistrates courts

  10

  090111 Other courts

  1

  090203 Probation and after care

  9

  090204 Probation—bail hostels

  —

  090301 Police

  148

  090304 School crossing patrols

  2

  090400 Civil defence

  1

  090601 Fire service

  40

  090804 Registration of electors

  2

  Total Home Office

  214

  Department of Education and Science

  100203 Universities—EC student fees

  —

  100205 Mandatory student awards

  46

  Total Department of Education and Science

  46

  Department of Social Security—Housing benefits

  121102 Rent allowances

  48

  121104 Rent rebates—discretionary

  1

  121105 Rent allowances—discretionary

  —

  121109 Rent rebates

  134

  121111 Administration of housing benefit

  7

  Total Department of Social Security

  190

  Total Local authority expenditure outside the responsibility of the Secretary of State

  458

  Total Local authority expenditure in Wales

  2,030

  Local Government Expenditure
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table analysing the data in appendix 1 of Cm 1916, showing separately for each line for the years 1986–87 to 1994–95,(a) expenditure within the Welsh block and (b) other expenditure.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh block comprises all Welsh Office programmes apart from agriculture, industry and nationalised industries. With the exception of local authority unhypothecated current grants and credit approvals, expenditure is identified on a programme basis in appendix 1 of Cm 1916. The unhypothecated current grants cannot be allocated to specific programmes. The breakdown of credit approvals between block and other programmes is as follows:

  £ million

  Block

  Other

  Total

  1986–87

  266

  2

  268

  1987–88

  283

  4

  287

  1988–89

  283

  3

  286

  1989–90

  297

  4

  301

  1990–91

  252

  3

  255

  1991–92

  306

  4

  310

  1992–93

  332

  5

  337

  1993–94

  302

  4

  306

  1994–95

  293

  4

  297

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest figures available, stating whether
  703
  they are final outturns, provisional outturns or budget figures, for 1988–89 to 1991–92 on the statistical basis of table 1.1 (summary of revenue expenditure and income), table 1.2 (summary of capital expenditure and income), table 1.3 (revenue accounts outturn summary), table 1.4 (capital accounts outturn summary) and table 2.3 (revenue account summary) of Welsh local government financial statistics.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The tables to which the hon. Gentleman refers are based on final outturn information received from local authorities. Outturn figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 have already been published in Welsh Local Government Financial Statistics volume 14 1990 and volume 15 1991 for these years respectively. Outturn figures for later years are not yet available. Provisional or budget based figures are not available centrally at this level of detail for all accounts.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a reconciliation between(a) the local authority expenditure and its financing figures contained in figures 1.03 and 1.04 and appendices 1 and 3 of Cm 1916 and (b) the figures announced in the latest revenue support grant and other settlements.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Within the aggregate external finance package of £2,352 million for 1992–93 the revenue support grant—RSG—element is £1,621 million, the distributable amount from the non-domestic rating—NDR—account is £536 million and the allocation for revenue specific grants is £195 million.

  The Welsh revenue support grant report 1992–93 (revised) (HC 247), approved by the House on 12 February, set out my decisions on the level of RSG and NDR for 1992–93. The RSG total includes the additional resources of £3.5 million that I am making available in recognition of the school teachers' review body recommendations. This additional sum was announced too late to be included in Cm 1916. Appendix 1 of Cm 1916 refers therefore to my original proposal for an RSG allocation of £1,617 million and provides details of the NDR distributable amount and other revenue grants to local authorities for 1992–93.

  The unhypothecated support to local authorities for 1992–93 of £2,230 million in figure 1.03 of Cm 1916 includes my original proposals for RSG and the distributable amount of NDR together with the other grants itemised in the table.

  Wales summary cash plans: 1992–93 (Cm 1916) Unhypothecated support to local authorities

  £ million

  Revenue Support Grant

  1,617

  Non-domestic rating: distributable amount: 1992–93

  536

  Non-domestic rating collection costs

  4

  Community Charge Grant

  27

  Community Charge Reduction Scheme Grant

  40

  Council Tax Preparation Cost Special Grant

  6

  2,230

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish tables, covering the years 1986–87 to 1994–95 and consistent with Cm 1916, analysing(a) the Welsh block by economic category within spending sector and (b) the Welsh programme by economic category within spending sector.
  704
  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is set out in tables 1 and 2. The definition of economic categories referred to is as follows:

  A10

  Pay and pension costs of staff employed in central government departments which are subject neither to central government trading body or trading fund treatment.

  A20

  Pay and pension costs of Ministers, staff of the Northern Ireland civil and court services, staff of other public bodies (eg NHS, fringe bodies, local authorities), locally engaged staff overseas, and the armed forces.

  B20

  Current expenditure on goods and services ("general administrative expenses") of central Government Departments, the armed forces, the Northern Ireland civil and court services including receipts from central government departments' general administrative expenses and VAT refunds of running costs expenditure.

  B30

  Receipts covering general administrative expenses which come from outside the government sector

  B40

  Current expenditure on goods and services (other than the general administrative expenditure of central government departments) including receipts for the provision of goods and services by one part of government to another where the corresponding payment is classified as B40.

  B50

  Receipts from the provision of goods and services other than those rendered exclusively to another part of general government (ie covered by B20 and B40) or covering general administrative expenses (ie included under B30).

  C10

  Subsidies to the private sector.

  C20

  Subsidies to central government and local authority trading bodies.

  C40

  Subsidies to other public corporations.

  D10

  Current grants to the private sector.

  E10

  Expenditure on the purchase of land an existing buildings.

  E20

  Expenditure on the construction of new dwellings and improvements to existing dwellings.

  E30

  Expenditure on other new construction.

  E40

  Expenditure on the purchase of vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment.

  G10

  Capital grants to the private sector—companies.

  G20

  Capital grants to the private sector—persons and non-profit making bodies.

  G30

  Capital grants to nationalised industries.

  G40

  Capital grants to list I and II public corporations.

  H10

  Net lending to the private sector—companies.

  H20

  Net lending to the private sector—persons and non-profit-making bodies.

  H30

  Long term net lending to nationalised industries and issue of public dividend capital (PDC).

  H40

  Net lending to list I and II public corporations.

  J10

  Long term market and overseas borrowing and financial leasing by nationalised industries.

  J20

  Market and overseas borrowing and financial leasing by list I public corporations.

  J30

  Net temporary borrowing by nationalised industries from the national loans fund, the market and overseas).

  J40

  Deposits by nationalised industries (bank deposits and transactions in interest-bearing securities) plus all borrowing/lending transactions with other natiolalised industries and with public corporations.

  M10

  Current grants to local authorities within AEF/AEG (excluding EC grants and those covered by M20).

  M15

  Current grants to local authorities outside AEF/AEG (excluding EC grants and those covered by M20).

  M30

  Current grants made by the European Communities to local authorities

  M40

  Non-domestic rates.

  N10

  Capital grants to local authorities (excluding EC grants and those covered by N20).

  N40

  Credit approvals.

  705

  1. Welsh office block

  £ million

  1986–87 Outturn

  1987–88 Outturn

  1988–89 Outturn

  1989–90 Outturn

  1990–91 Outturn

  1991–92 Forecast outturn

  1992–93 Plans

  1993–94 Plans

  1994–95 Plans

  1. Central Government's own expenditure1

  A10

  25

  27

  29

  32

  36

  42

  46

  49

  50

  A20

  526

  588

  662

  701

  785

  897

  933

  975

  999

  B20

  10

  11

  12

  14

  14

  16

  18

  19

  19

  B30

  -1

  -

  -2

  -2

  -2

  -3

  -2

  -3

  -3

  B40

  463

  512

  571

  620

  703

  781

  922

  978

  1,055

  B50

  -34

  -37

  -42

  -48

  -53

  -23

  -24

  -25

  -26

  C10

  1

  1

  1

  2

  4

  7

  9

  9

  9

  C20

  12

  11

  11

  18

  22

  12

  14

  45

  51

  D10

  17

  17

  19

  23

  26

  34

  87

  81

  82

  E10

  2

  3

  2

  -2

  6

  -0

  -0

  -1

  -1

  E20

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E30

  133

  165

  178

  174

  217

  223

  249

  290

  301

  E40

  26

  18

  26

  39

  39

  51

  61

  35

  29

  G10

  3

  11

  6

  14

  8

  11

  11

  12

  12

  G20

  59

  61

  69

  99

  153

  175

  171

  168

  171

  G30

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H10

  -0

  -0

  0

  -0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H20

  -0

  10

  13

  1

  -19

  -48

  -38

  -22

  -22

  Total

  1,246

  1,397

  1,556

  1,686

  1,939

  2,175

  2,454

  2,610

  2,727

  2. Local authority elements of the planning total

  M10

  889

  966

  1,035

  1,071

  1,166

  1,530

  1,672

  2,348

  2,449

  M15

  8

  9

  12

  13

  184

  234

  249

  211

  220

  M40

  308

  338

  368

  414

  443

  525

  536

  0

  0

  N10

  30

  31

  29

  30

  149

  140

  190

  196

  210

  N40

  268

  287

  286

  301

  255

  310

  337

  306

  297

  Total

  1,503

  1,631

  1,729

  1,829

  2,197

  2,739

  2,984

  3,060

  3,176

  3. Nationalised Industries

  C30

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G30

  1

  6

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H30

  13

  70

  44

  15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  J10

  2

  -59

  -36

  -34

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  J30

  5

  -7

  -6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  J40

  -4

  6

  5

  33

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  17

  17

  9

  15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4. Other public corporations

  C40

  0

  2

  3

  3

  2

  4

  3

  3

  3

  E10

  -4

  -21

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E20

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E30

  6

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E40

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G40

  0

  10

  15

  26

  31

  29

  32

  42

  46

  H20

  -1

  -0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H40

  -2

  1

  0

  -2

  -1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  J20

  -3

  1

  1

  3

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  -2

  -3

  19

  29

  34

  32

  35

  45

  50

  Grand Totals

  2,764

  3,043

  3,312

  3,559

  4,170

  4,946

  5,473

  5,714

  5,953

  1 Excluding finance to public corporations.

  2. Welsh office programme

  £ million

  1986–87 Outturn

  1987–88 Outturn

  1988–89 Outturn

  1989–90 Outturn

  1990–91 Outturn

  1991–92 Forecast outturn

  1992–93 Plans

  1993–94 Plans

  1994–95 Plans

  1. Central Government's own expenditure1

  A10

  25

  27

  29

  32

  36

  42

  46

  49

  50

  A20

  526

  588

  662

  701

  785

  897

  933

  975

  999

  B20

  10

  11

  12

  14

  14

  16

  18

  19

  19

  B30

  -1

  -2

  -2

  -2

  -2

  -3

  -2

  -3

  -3

  B40

  463

  512

  572

  622

  705

  783

  924

  981

  1,057

  B50

  -34

  -37

  -42

  -48

  -53

  -23

  -24

  -25

  -26

  C10

  83

  66

  77

  76

  101

  143

  163

  175

  177

  C20

  12

  11

  11

  18

  22

  12

  14

  45

  51

  D10

  17

  18

  19

  23

  27

  34

  87

  81

  83

  E10

  2

  3

  2

  -2

  6

  -0

  -0

  -1

  -1

  E20

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  706 707

  1986–87 Outturn

  1987–88 Outturn

  1988–89 Outturn

  1989–90 Outturn

  1990–91 Outturn

  1991–92 Forecast outturn

  1992–93 Plans

  1993–94 Plans

  1994–95 Plans

  E30

  133

  165

  178

  174

  218

  226

  251

  292

  303

  E40

  26

  18

  26

  39

  39

  51

  61

  35

  29

  G10

  116

  90

  101

  81

  61

  87

  78

  85

  87

  G20

  78

  73

  80

  110

  165

  187

  182

  179

  183

  G30

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G40

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H10

  -0

  -0

  0

  -0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H20

  -0

  10

  13

  1

  -19

  -48

  -38

  -22

  -22

  Total

  1,461

  1,553

  1,738

  1,840

  2,104

  2,405

  2,693

  2,866

  2,987

  2. Local authority elements of the planning total

  M10

  890

  968

  1,037

  1,073

  1,167

  1,532

  1,674

  2,350

  2,451

  M15

  8

  9

  12

  12

  183

  233

  248

  210

  219

  M30

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  M40

  308

  338

  368

  414

  443

  525

  536

  0

  0

  N10

  32

  33

  30

  33

  152

  144

  195

  200

  215

  N40

  268

  287

  286

  301

  256

  310

  337

  306

  297

  Total

  1,506

  1,635

  1,732

  1,832

  2,201

  2,746

  2,990

  3,066

  3,182

  3. Nationalised Industries C30

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G30

  1

  6

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H30

  13

  70

  44

  15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  J10

  2

  -59

  -36

  -34

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  J30

  5

  -7

  -6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  J40

  -4

  6

  5

  33

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  17

  17

  9

  15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4. Other public corporations

  C40

  6

  9

  11

  7

  9

  12

  13

  13

  13

  E10

  -4

  -21

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E20

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E30

  6

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E40

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G10

  0

  0

  0

  -0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G40

  36

  63

  80

  103

  118

  121

  110

  108

  114

  H20

  -1

  -0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  H40

  -0

  5

  2

  -4

  -1

  -1

  2

  2

  2

  J20

  -1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  3

  2

  2

  2

  Total

  43

  63

  97

  111

  132

  135

  127

  125

  132

  Grand Totals

  3,028

  3.268

  3,575

  3,797

  4,437

  5,286

  5,809

  6,056

  6,300

  1 Excluding finance to public corporations.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish tables analysing for the years 1986–87 to 1994–95 the data in figure 1.03 of Cm 1916, analysing the component parts of(a) the Welsh block and (b) other

  Public expenditure sub-programmes Welsh Block

  £ million

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Roads and transport

  160401 Motorways and trunk roads new construction/improvement

  97

  116

  137

  118

  163

  146

  174

  —

  —

  160402 Freight facilities and other grants

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160403 Motorways and trunk roads maintenance

  15

  14

  15

  15

  19

  20

  21

  —

  —

  160404 Other central government

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160405 Principal roads grant

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160405 Industrial Development Act grant

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  160408 Loss of redundancy rebate

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160409 Transport grant

  20

  21

  20

  20

  27

  36

  37

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals

  24

  24

  69

  65

  54

  62

  62

  —

  —

  161213 New towns—capital expenditure on roads

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total roads and transport

  159

  179

  242

  220

  264

  267

  298

  329

  342

  Housing

  160501 Subsidies—central Government to local authorities

  12

  10

  10

  16

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  708
  expenditure, by (i) public expenditure (sub)-programme and (ii) the functional classification used in the identifiable expenditure figures (appendix E of Cm 1920).

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is as follows:
  709

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  160502 Subsidies—other

  1

  1

  1

  1

  3

  6

  8

  —

  —

  160504 Other current expenditure

  2

  2

  2

  2

  4

  4

  5

  —

  —

  160506 Renewal areas, OIA's and HAM's

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  3

  —

  —

  160507 Group repair and enveloping

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19

  14

  13

  —

  —

  160511 Repurchase of defective dwellings

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  160512 Slum clearance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160513 Improvement for sale

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160514 Improvement grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  75

  54

  104

  —

  —

  160515 Reinstatement grants for defective dwellings

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  3

  3

  —

  —

  160516 Homes insulation grant

  2

  2

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160522 Miscellaneous central Government capital expenditure

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160523 Housing for Wales—grant-in-aid

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  3

  —

  —

  160524 Housing for Wales capital grants to housing association

  48

  49

  56

  86

  130

  158

  155

  —

  —

  160525 Housing for Wales lending to housing associations

  3

  15

  17

  4

  -14

  -41

  -32

  —

  —

  160526 Housing for Wales grant redemption fund surpluses

  -1

  -1

  -1

  -2

  -1

  —

  -1

  —

  —

  160527 Housing for Wales redemption of grant following sale

  -1

  -1

  -2

  -3

  -4

  -3

  -1

  —

  —

  160528 Housing for Wales—receipts other

  -3

  -5

  -4

  -3

  -5

  -8

  -6

  —

  —

  160529 New housing revenue account subsidy

  —

  —

  —

  —

  179

  170

  210

  —

  —

  160530 Housing for Wales—HAG on deferred interest

  8

  7

  8

  7

  8

  8

  4

  —

  —

  161212 New towns capital expenditure

  -1

  -6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals

  140

  151

  114

  114

  84

  115

  154

  —

  —

  Total housing

  210

  225

  203

  226

  486

  485

  625

  673

  697

  Other environmenlal services

  090400 Civil defence

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160301 Promotion of tourism

  8

  9

  9

  10

  10

  11

  14

  —

  —

  160601 Ancient monuments and historic buildings— CADW

  5

  7

  7

  7

  9

  10

  12

  —

  —

  160602 Central environmental services—cash limited

  6

  6

  6

  7

  7

  23

  30

  —

  —

  160603 Central environmental services—non-cash limited

  2

  9

  4

  10

  3

  3

  3

  —

  —

  160604 CADW grants to local authorities

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  160607 Urban programme/urban development grant— current

  4

  4

  5

  5

  5

  5

  4

  —

  —

  160609 Storm and flood damage

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  160410 Urban programme/urban development grant— capital

  8

  7

  6

  8

  21

  29

  26

  —

  —

  160613 Grants for rural water services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160614 Gypsy sites grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160615 Clean air grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160616 Land Authority for Wales

  -5

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160617 Urban regeneration grant

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  4

  —

  —

  160618 Council tax and rating

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  11

  12

  —

  —

  160619 National parks supplementary grant

  2

  3

  3

  3

  3

  4

  5

  —

  —

  161214 New town capital expenditure

  1

  -14

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161215 Urban development corporation

  —

  11

  18

  29

  33

  32

  35

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals

  65

  59

  42

  60

  53

  60

  46

  —

  —

  Total environmental services

  98

  104

  104

  143

  152

  197

  194

  193

  199

  Educational arts and libraries

  160731 Schools

  2

  4

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  —

  —

  160732 Access funds

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160733 Higher education

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  3

  45

  —

  —

  160734 Further education

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  5

  —

  —

  160735 Youth service

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160736 Welsh language

  2

  2

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  —

  —

  160737 Other educational services

  1

  1

  2

  3

  5

  9

  8

  —

  —

  160738 Education support

  3

  8

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  —

  —

  160739 Bilingual education

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  160748 Other specific grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals (education)

  28

  39

  49

  48

  50

  57

  55

  —

  —

  160801 National Library of Wales

  3

  4

  4

  4

  5

  6

  6

  —

  —

  160802 National Museum of Wales

  8

  9

  12

  16

  16

  15

  14

  —

  —

  160803 Other arts and libraries

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals (arts and libraries)

  2

  3

  1

  2

  1

  2

  3

  —

  —

  Total education and arts and libraries

  56

  76

  91

  99

  107

  122

  168

  167

  168

  Health and personal social services

  160901 Hospitals and community health services

  728

  807

  894

  962

  1,077

  1,232

  1,363

  —

  —

  160902 Other health services

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  710 711

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  160904 Other centrally funded health

  19

  23

  30

  39

  52

  68

  81

  —

  —

  160905 Personal social services

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  3

  3

  —

  —

  160906 Family practitioners services administration

  5

  5

  5

  7

  10

  12

  12

  —

  —

  160907 Family practitioners services

  229

  254

  254

  305

  342

  368

  402

  —

  —

  160908 Welfare food and EC medical costs

  7

  7

  6

  6

  7

  6

  7

  —

  —

  160909 NHS contributions, cost of collection

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  —

  —

  160911 Child care training, etc.

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  160913 GP practice funds

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  10

  10

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals

  6

  8

  7

  6

  9

  10

  11

  —

  —

  Total health and personal social services

  995

  1,106

  1,228

  1,333

  1,501

  1,713

  1,892

  1,960

  2,053

  Departmental/Central Administration

  161001 Departmental running costs

  34

  36

  38

  43

  48

  55

  60

  —

  —

  161002 Contracted-out VAT refunds

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161003 Central administration receipts

  -1

  -1

  -1

  —

  -2

  -1

  -1

  —

  —

  161004 Central administration capital

  2

  1

  2

  3

  2

  2

  3

  —

  —

  161005 Other current expenditure

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total departmental/Central administration

  34

  36

  39

  45

  49

  55

  61

  64

  66

  Unhypothecated support to local authorities

  160620 National non-domestic rate collection cost

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  3

  4

  —

  —

  161302 Revenue support grant

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,411

  1,236

  1,617

  —

  —

  161303 Rate support grant

  576

  950

  1,015

  1,049

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  161304 National non-domestic rate payments

  308

  338

  368

  414

  443

  525

  536

  —

  —

  161312 Community charge grant

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  268

  27

  —

  —

  161305 Rate rebates to disabled people

  4

  4

  6

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161306 Rate rebates in enterprise zones

  3

  3

  4

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161307 Community charge transitional relief

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161311 Community charge reduction scheme

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  62

  40

  —

  —

  161312 Community charge rebilling and administration

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  161314 Council tax preparation costs

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  —

  —

  Total Unhypothecated Support to Local Authorities

  1,193

  1,296

  1,392

  1,474

  1,608

  2,102

  2,230

  2,324

  2,425

  (b) Other Programmes

  £ million

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  160101 Market support under CAP

  39

  22

  38

  33

  54

  82

  103

  —

  —

  160102 National supplement to market support under CAP

  2

  2

  2

  4

  4

  3

  3

  —

  —

  160104 Grants and lr j 7–2oans for capital and other improvements

  13

  9

  8

  8

  9

  9

  13

  —

  —

  160105 Support for agriculture in special areas

  36

  35

  33

  34

  35

  45

  42

  —

  —

  160106 Animal health

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160107 Other agricultural and food services

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  1

  —

  —

  160108 Support for the fishing industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160109 Support for the fishing industry and other fishery services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160110 Other agriculture and food—EC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160111 Support—fishing industry EC

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160112 Compensation to sheep producers

  3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160114 Arterial drainage grants to LAs

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  160115 Coast protection

  1

  1

  1

  2

  3

  4

  4

  —

  —

  160116 Arterial drainage grants to WRA

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  2

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals

  2

  4

  3

  3

  3

  4

  5

  —

  —

  Total Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  99

  77

  86

  87

  112

  154

  175

  185

  186

  Industry

  160201 Regional development grants

  86

  51

  57

  29

  22

  20

  5

  —

  —

  160202 Regional selective assistance

  34

  34

  41

  42

  35

  60

  54

  —

  —

  160206 Regional enterprise grants

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  160207 Other support services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  160208 Small firms measures

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  160210 Careers strengthening scheme

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  161201 Development Board for Rural Wales (DBRW)

  8

  7

  10

  10

  10

  12

  13

  —

  —

  161203 DBRW—housing subsidies

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  3

  3

  —

  —

  161204 Welsh Development Agency

  35

  57

  66

  69

  85

  89

  76

  —

  —

  161301 Credit approvals

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total—Industry

  167

  152

  178

  155

  158

  190

  166

  160

  164

  712 713

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Nationalised Industries

  161101 Welsh Water Authority External Finance Limits

  17

  17

  9

  15

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (ii) Identifiable General Government Expenditure

  It is not possible to analyse the data shown in figure 1.03 of Cm 1916 in terms of the functional classifications used in the identifiable general Government expenditure tables which appear in appendix E of Cm 1920.

  The main reason for this is that, for the local authority sector, general Government expenditure has a different coverage than the planning total (which underlies figure 1.03 of Cm 1916).

  General Government expenditure measures the net expenditure of the local authority sector, including that which is financed from local authorities' own resources, such as income from the community charge and from capital receipts. The planning total covers those elements of local authority spending over which central government has controlߞgrants, non-domestic rate payments and credit approvals.

  Whereas the net out-turn expenditure of local authorities is allocated across the various functions shown in appendix E of Cm 1920, it is not possible to do the same with several components of the planning total, such as revenue support grant.

  Specialised Employment Initiative
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Welsh initiative for specialised employment on the effect of residential costs on the livelihood of people with learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Welsh Office officials have received a letter from the Welsh Initiative for Specialised Employment—WISE—principally concerned with the relationship between income support and earnings in employment. A reply will be sent when consultation with the Department of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has been completed.

  Monmouth Borough Council
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much is allocated for 1991–92 by Monmouth borough council for bed-and-breakfast accommodation for homeless persons.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  The amount budgeted by local authorities for bed-and-breakfast accommodation for homeless persons for 1991–92 is not held centrally.

  Mrs. Maria Hill
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from Mrs. Maria Hill, Burnt Barn road, Bulwark, Chepstow, Gwent regarding the imminent repossession of her property; and what response he has made.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  No representations have been received from Mrs. Maria Hill about the repossession of her property. However, following discussions with the Government last December, mortgage lenders have introduced a range of measures to reduce the number of repossessions and Mrs. Hill should be advised to contact her lender as a matter of urgency.

  Felinteli (Port Dinorwic) Bypass
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the statement by the Minister of State on 27 February,Official Report, column 1206, on what date work on the Felinteli (Port Dinorwic) bypass will commence; what is the estimated target date for completion; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Tenders have been invited. Work is expected to start later this year although the precise date is contingent on the management of the trunk road programme as a whole. The scheme will take approximately two years to complete.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his statement of 27 February,Official Report, column 1152, how much money has been earmarked specifically for the new east Dwyfor and north Meirionydd community hospital whether a location has been determined; what is the planned date to commence work on this hospital; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  A sum of £598,000 has been reserved in the 1992–93 all Wales major capital building programme for the proposed new east Dwyfor and north Meirionydd community hospital. Management responsibility for this development rests with the Gwynedd health authority. It is for the authority initially to determine its location and the planning and construction time scale subject only to the approval in principle of the Welsh Office. No submission has yet been made.

  Agricultural Investment
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales further to his answer of 9 March,Official Report, column 420, if he will give the figures for investment in fixed capital in agriculture in Wales for each of the last eight years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Estimates of investment in gross fixed capital formation in agriculture in Wales in the last eight years for which information is available are as follows:

  Year

  £ million Wales

  1982

  113

  1983

  123

  1984

  133

  1985

  114

  1986

  119

  1987

  94

  1988

  96

  1989

  89

  Singleton Hospital
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he received for and against the West Glamorgan health authority's proposal to stop funding the night casualty service at Singleton hospital.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  Fifty-one letters and a petition opposing the proposal have been received.

  Government
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received about the government of Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Very few individuals and organisations have written to me specifically about the establishment of an elected Assembly. I have received many representations from individuals and organisations about my proposals for local government reorganisation and the establishment of a structure of unitary authorities.

  Sheltered Workshops
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is(a) the total amount of funding currently given by his Department towards the setting up of sheltered workshops for disabled people in Wales and (b) the number of places made available; and what were the corresponding figures for each year from 1979 onwards.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 14 February 1992]: Government funding for sheltered workshops is the responsibility of the employment service and details of its expenditure in Wales which it has provided are shown in the following table. These include an element from revenue support grant paid to local authority by my Department through the employment service. The employment service does not have information on expenditure before 1986–87 nor the number of places before 1981–82.

  Sheltered workshops places and Government expenditure in Wales

  £ million

  Year

  Workshop numbers

  Total Government expenditure (including capital)

  1981–82

  416

  n/a

  1982–83

  431

  n/a

  1983–84

  448

  n/a

  716

  Year

  Workshop numbers

  Total Government expenditure (including capital)

  1984–85

  466

  n/a

  1985–86

  479

  n/a

  1986–87

  480

  1·277

  1987–88

  480

  1·405

  1988–89

  495

  1·491

  1989–90

  486

  1·483

  1990–91

  471

  1·434

  MOT Inspections
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will propose legislation to enable local authorities to tender for carrying out MOT inspections of vehicles owned by other organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No. Existing legislation provides for MOT examinations to be carried out by inspectors appointed by any council designated by the Secretary of State for Transport. There is no restriction on the ownership of the vehicles which may be tested by such councils.

  National Curriculum (Arts and Music)
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to make the orders for art and music in the national curriculum in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have today laid the final orders with associated documents setting out attainment targets and programmes of study for art and music in the national curriculum for pupils aged five to 14. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The orders apply to Wales. My right hon. Friend has already published draft orders for England on 10 March.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bananas
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present position of the European Commission on the question of banana exports from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and GATT tarification, following the Commissioners' meeting on 4 March.

  Mr. Gummer
  I understand that no decision was reached at the meeting on 4 March and that the Commission is planning to discuss this question again on 25 March. The United Kingdom has pressed the importance of a GATT settlement in conformity with our continuing commitments to the Windward Islands and Jamaica.

  Calf Rearing
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the criteria acceptable to his Department before an intensive calf rearing unit can be established in the countryside.

  Mr. Curry
  Anybody wishing to establish an intensive calf rearing unit in the countryside would have to comply with all the appropriate legislation including the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988 (as amended) and the Welfare of Calves Regulations 1987.

  Dietary Supplements
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations occurred between his Department and(a) the International Society for Professional Aromatherapists and (b) the Society for the Promotion of Natural Therapy concerning his Department's initiative on dietary supplements.

  Mr. MacLean
  Our officials sent the European Community discussion paper on dietary supplements to the International Society of Professional Aromatherapists and the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy and received comments from these organisations. The Department will continue to consult both them and other interested groups as EC negotiations progress.

  Oilseed Rape
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the average yield of diesel per acre from oilseed rape;

  (2) how many gallons of diesel are used to produce 15 gallons of diesel from oilseed rape, taking into account that used by machinery, pesticides and fertilisers.

  Mr. Curry
  Diesel fuel from rapeseed oil is not in production in the United Kingdom, so only theoretical estimates can be given. Taking a five-year average (1987 to 1991) of rapeseed yields in the United Kingdom, very approximately 520 litres of diesel might be produced from an acre of rapeseed. Diesel derived from rapeseed could cost around three times as much to produce as diesel derived from inorganic sources. Calculating the ratio between the energy expended on the production of diesel 718
  from rapeseed and the energy released when that diesel is consumed is complex. In particular, the inputs are difficult to quantify comprehensively. The best assessment currently made by my Department is that the ratio of energy expended to energy obtained is possibly in the range 1:1 to 1:1·5.

  Rovral
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban all imports of French wine for vines in vineyards treated with Rovral produced by Rhône-Poulenc.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place Rovral on off-label approval so that it can be used on English vines in English vineyards.

  Mr. Maclean
  Approval for off-label use can be given only where an application supported by adequate data has been received and evaluated. The relevant data have not been received to support such an application.

  Sweeteners
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has made to the EC to ensure that aspartame is not eliminated in the new European directive on additives;

  (2) what representations he has received with regard to the use of high-intensity sweeteners used as flavour enhancers in sugar sweetened chewing gum; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will make representations to the European Commission to ensure that high-intensity sweeteners are not withdrawn until a suitable alternative which permits the manufacture of chewing gum that does not stick to dentures has been found;

  (4) what estimate he has made of the effect on sales of sugar chewing gum of the prohibition of high-intensity sweeteners and of the impact on employment opportunities.

  Mr. Maclean
  The proposals currently under discussion in Brussels would permit continuation of the existing use of intense sweeteners specified by the hon. Friend. The question of a ban or of the need for representations does not, therefore, arise. My officials have, however, discussed with representatives of the industry concerned how their existing position might best be maintained should the present proposals be changed.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on conversion payments for organic farmers; and whether he has any proposals for paying farmers for organic management.

  Mr. Curry
  Organic farmers and those converting from non-organic to organic methods of farming can receive assistance under various MAFF grants including the farm and conservation grant scheme, nitrate-sensitive areas scheme and the set-aside scheme.

  It is hoped that the European Commission's proposals for agriculture and the environment will provide a means whereby direct assistance could be given to existing organic farmers and those wishing to convert.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what recommendations he has received from the chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the European Commission's proposals for reforming the common agricultural policy, COM 91 258;

  (2) what recommendations he has received from the chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the European Commission's proposals for measures accompanying the reform of the common agricultural policy, particularly the agri-environment action programme, COM 91 415.

  Number of rabies cases (1 January 1991—to 30 September 1991)

  Foxes

  Other Wildlife

  Livestock/Horses

  Dogs/Cats

  Humans

  Total

  Netherlands

  —

  112

  —

  —

  —

  112

  Belgium

  14

  —

  5

  1

  —

  20

  Luxembourg

  6

  —

  2

  —

  —

  8

  France

  41,335

  69

  192

  87

  21

  1,684

  Germany

  2,195

  238

  188

  272

  —

  2,893

  Spain

  —

  —

  —

  34

  —

  34

  Portugal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Source: Rabies Bulletin Europe (WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Tiibingen, Germany)

  1 All insectivorous bats

  2 Contracted in Mexico

  3 All in Spanish North Africa—Ceuta and Melilla

  4 Includes one case in a fox in Pas de Calais

  Ostrich Farms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines he has laid down for ostrich farms on spongiform encephalopathy in ostriches.

  Mr. Maclean
  Following recent reports in the German scientific press of a spongiform encephalopathy-like disease in three ostriches which died in Germany in 1986, 1988 and 1989, guidance was issued to known keepers of ostriches in this country. The guidance provided information on these reports and asked that owners' veterinary surgeons be given copies so that they could monitor the birds for neurological symptoms. Procedures in cases of suspicion were recommended, which included in particular informing the Ministry. No reports have been received as a result.

  Birds
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recommendations he has received from the chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee relating to United Kingdom nature conservation and land use policies arising from the publication of the recent reports sponsored by the JNCC on birds and pastoral agriculture in Europe; the conservation of lowland dry grassland birds in Europe and breeding waders on wet grassland.

  Mr. Curry
  No recommendations arising from these reports have been received, but the reports are of interest to my Department in the development of its policies for nature conservation and land use.
  720
  Mr. Curry
  None, but the Earl of Selborne's speech on reform of the common agricultural policy, delivered in the other place on 17 October 1991, was noted with interest.

  Rabies
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of cases of rabies reported in 1991 in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal; how many of these cases arose in areas within 50 km of a main port of entry; and if he will provide separate figures for the Pas de Calais area of France.

  Mr. Maclean
  Precise information on the locality of rabies cases in relation to main ports of entry is not available, but the number of such cases is likely to be small. The other information requested is as follows:

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of BSE confirmed cases by county or region for England and Scotland for the period 1 January 1992 until 28 February 1992.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on 10 March 1992,Official Report, column 453.

  Water Abstraction
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the National Rivers Authority about the provision of funds to compensate the holders of water abstraction licences whose licences have to be revoked in the interest of maintaining river flows at an acceptable level, or to protect groundwater levels.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets the chairman of the National Rivers Authority to discuss the authority's business. The provision of funds for revocation of abstraction licences has not been raised in any recent discussion.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Diplomatic Wing
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he proposes to make any further changes in his Department's diplomatic wing cash limits for 1991–92.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Subject to parliamentary approval of a late spring supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class II, vote 2ߞother external relationsߞwill increase by £105,857,000 from £193,370,000 to £299,227,000. This to take account of a further contribution to the United Nations Advance Mission in CambodiaߞUNAMICߞan initial contribution towards the United Nations Transitional Authority in CambodiaߞUNTACߞand the agreement of the transfer of gold to the Baltic states. This increase is partly offset by a reduction in the cash limit for class II, vote 1 of £4,000,000 from £637,285,000 to £633,285,000. The running costs limit on vote 1 will be decreased by £2,600,000 from £478,460,000 to £475,860,000. The remainder will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Manufactures (Exports)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the volume of exports of manufactures since the second quarter of 1979.

  Mr. Mellor
  Following is the available information:

  United Kingdom exports of manufactures: volume index (1985 = 100)

  Balance of payments basis Seasonally adjusted

  Index

  1979

  Quarter 2

  99

  Quarter 3

  91

  Quarter 4

  94

  1980

  Quarter 1

  96

  Quarter 2

  92

  Quarter 3

  89

  Quarter 4

  88

  1981

  Quarter 1

  83

  Quarter 2

  85

  Quarter 3

  88

  Quarter 4

  88

  1982

  Quarter 1

  88

  Quarter 2

  89

  Quarter 3

  85

  Quarter 4

  87

  1983

  Quarter 1

  86

  Quarter 2

  86

  Quarter 3

  88

  Quarter 4

  88

  1984

  Quarter 1

  93

  Quarter 2

  92

  722

  Index

  Quarter 3

  94

  Quarter 4

  99

  1985

  Quarter 1

  99

  Quarter 2

  102

  Quarter 3

  99

  Quarter 4

  100

  1986

  Quarter 1

  101

  Quarter 2

  105

  Quarter 3

  103

  Quarter 4

  107

  1987

  Quarter 1

  112

  Quarter 2

  109

  Quarter 3

  115

  Quarter 4

  113

  1988

  Quarter 1

  113

  Quarter 2

  118

  Quarter 3

  122

  Quarter 4

  120

  1989

  Quarter 1

  127

  Quarter 2

  127

  Quarter 3

  131

  Quarter 4

  137

  1990

  Quarter 1

  138

  Quarter 2

  143

  Quarter 3

  139

  Quarter 4

  141

  1991

  Quarter 1

  141

  Quarter 2

  146

  Quarter 3

  146

  Quarter 4

  146

  Value Added Tax
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning VAT on house renovation work; and if he will reconsider his policy on charging VAT on these works.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have received a number of representations from the construction industry and individual property owners; our obligations under the EC sixth VAT directive prevent us extending the scope of our current zero-rating.

  Cider
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy in the EC Council of Ministers to resist proposals that cider should be taxed as wine.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The Government support the industry's case for a separate tax category for cider and perry. We shall continue to oppose any proposal which would require cider and perry to be subject to the same rates of duty as wine.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, for the latest year available, identifiable public expenditure by function in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom expressed(a) in cash terms, (b) as an index (United Kingdom total identifiable public expenditure = 100), (c) as an amount per capita and (d) as an amount per capita expressed as an index (United Kingdom amount per capita = 100).

  Mr. Mellor
  Identifiable public expenditure by function and territory for 1990–91 is set out in table E6 of the statistical supplement to the 1991 "Autumn Statement."

  Income Tax
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, columns 322–23 to the hon. Member for Mid Kent (Mr. Rowe) if he will give the answer at 1991–92 prices and at 1991–92 earnings (average gross male earnings).

  Mr. Maude
  The information is in the table at 1991–92 prices. It is not appropriate to apply a gross earnings deflator to total tax liabilities.

  Tax liabilities 1985–86 to 1990–91 at 1991–92 prices

  Year

  Total tax liability

  Tax liability at the basic rate

  Tax liability at the higher rate

  of which Tax liability excess over the basic rate

  (£ billion)

  (£ billion)

  (£ billion)

  (£ billion)

  1985–86

  54·6

  47·2

  7·4

  2·9

  1986–87

  58·5

  49·4

  9·0

  3·8

  1987–88

  59·5

  49·1

  10·4

  4·9

  1988–89

  57·6

  47·1

  10·5

  3·9

  1989–90

  61·3

  49·3

  12·0

  4·5

  11990–91

  62·2

  49·1

  13·2

  4·9

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

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the increase in the basic rate of income tax which would be required to yield the same revenue as his latest estimate of the net yield from the community charge in 1992–93.

  Mr. Maude
  Community charge receipts in 1992–93 are expected to be £8 billion as set out in table 1.2 of the 1992 FSBR. This is equivalent to 4p on the basic rate of income tax.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average mortgage loan in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France and (c) Germany.

  Mr. Maples
  The average outstanding mortgage in the United Kingdom was £27,200 in 1991–92. The average new mortgage in 1991Q4 was around £45,000. No directly comparable figures are available for France and Germany. However, the average mortgage loan issued by a leading lender in France is currently in the region of 370,000 French francs, while the average new loan advanced by the German mortgage banks was 270,000 deutschmarks in 1989.

  Allowances
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the revenue yield in 1992–93 from freezing(a) the married couple's allowance, (b) the additional pesonal allowance and (c) the widow's bereavement allowance, instead of index-linking them.

  Mr. Maude
  The yields in a full year at 1992–93 levels from freezing the married couple's allowance for those aged under 65 would be about £190 million. Corresponding yields for the additional personal allowance and the widow's bereavement allowance are about £10 million and under £5 million.

  Valuation Reviews
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will institute a general valuation review of hotels, guest houses and holiday flats in north Devon.

  Mr. Maples
  I do not intend to institute a general valuation review of hotels, guest houses and holiday flats in north Devon.

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to carry out a general review of the rating valuations of properties used for the accommodation of tourists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  It is not planned to carry out a general review of the rating valuation of properties used for the accommodation of tourists although the valuation officer, Bournemouth, is reinspecting hotels in the Bournemouth area and making adjustments to the rating assessments where necessary.

  National Debt
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the interest on the national debt as a percentage of gross domestic product during the past five years and in 1978–79.

  Mr. Maples
  Figures for both gross and net general Government debt interest during the past five years and in 1978–79 as a percentage of gross domestic product are given below:

  General Government debt interest as percentage of gross domestic product

  Gross

  Net1

  1978–79

  4·3

  2·6

  1986–87

  4·5

  3·0

  1987–88

  4·2

  2·8

  1988–89

  3·8

  2·5

  1989–90

  3·6

  2·2

  1990–91

  3·3

  2·1

  1 Interest payments by general government less interest receipts.

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table, otherwise comparable to table 5.11 of Cm 1920, providing similar analyses for(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information requested for the years 1986–87 to 1990–91 is set out in the table. Corresponding data for later years are not available.
  725

  Local authority expenditure in the United Kingdom by territory1

  1986–87 outturn £ million

  1987–88 outturn £ million

  1988–89 outturn £ million

  1989–90 outturn £ million

  1990–91 outturn £ million

  England

  Total expenditure

  34,726

  37,066

  38,856

  44,415

  47,333

  Less central Government support

  27,207

  29,136

  29,549

  30,783

  34,357

  Equals local authority self-financed expenditure

  7,519

  7,930

  9,307

  13,632

  12,976

  Scotland

  Total expenditure

  5,026

  5,394

  5,724

  6,228

  6,696

  Less central Government support

  4,259

  4,565

  4,885

  5,268

  5,527

  Equals local authority self-financed expenditure

  767

  828

  838

  959

  1,168

  Wales

  Total expenditure

  2,224

  2,398

  2,517

  2,839

  3,182

  Less central Government support

  1,890

  2,040

  2,141

  2,262

  2,589

  Equals local authority self-financed expenditure

  334

  358

  376

  577

  592

  Northern Ireland

  Total expenditure

  130

  134

  152

  155

  163

  Less central Government support

  37

  50

  46

  50

  47

  Equals local authority self-financed expenditure

  93

  84

  106

  106

  117

  1 The split of debt interest figures between territories is partially estimated.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table, otherwise comparable to table 5.5 of Cm 1920, showing separately for local authorities in

  Central Government support for Local Authorities in the United Kingdom By Territory and Department

  £ million

  1986–87 outturn

  1987–88 outturn

  1988–89 outturn

  1989–90 outturn

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 estimated outturn

  1992–93 plans

  1993–94 plans

  1994–95 plans

  England

  Current

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  24

  26

  25

  -59

  -118

  -133

  -164

  -186

  -207

  Department of Trade and Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  12

  15

  11

  12

  Department of Employment

  220

  238

  245

  330

  356

  404

  376

  390

  385

  Department of Transport

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  DOE—Housing

  21

  22

  26

  26

  2,351

  2,602

  2,980

  2,948

  3,076

  DOE—Environment

  93

  75

  66

  64

  61

  66

  87

  79

  82

  DOE—Local government

  17,047

  18,234

  18,817

  19,521

  20,342

  28,022

  30,714

  32,274

  33,761

  Home Office

  1,767

  1,970

  2,103

  2,366

  2,701

  3,074

  3,257

  3,476

  3,670

  Department of Education and Science

  636

  782

  831

  982

  1,529

  2,127

  2,353

  2,511

  2,637

  Department of Health

  —

  —

  7

  21

  29

  57

  84

  80

  78

  Department of Social Security

  4,159

  4,386

  4,153

  4,387

  3,267

  3,034

  3,614

  3,900

  4,200

  Total current

  23,968

  25,734

  26,275

  27,639

  30,520

  39,267

  43,319

  45,500

  47,700

  Capital Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  36

  30

  28

  29

  31

  43

  43

  42

  43

  Department of Trade and Industry

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Department of Employment

  3

  3

  2

  2

  4

  5

  8

  4

  3

  Department of Transport

  487

  594

  670

  626

  747

  912

  1,025

  1,025

  1,048

  DOE—Housing

  1,613

  1,584

  1,508

  1,417

  1,851

  1,962

  1,924

  1,914

  1,964

  726
  England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the source departments for central Government support, distinguishing current from capital.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information requested is set out in the table:
  727

  1986–87 outturn

  1987–88 outturn

  1988–89 outturn

  1989–90 outturn

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 estimated outturn

  1992–93 plans

  1993–94 plans

  1994–95 plans

  DOE—Environment

  533

  607

  439

  474

  408

  496

  573

  571

  589

  DOE—Local government

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  41

  —

  —

  Home Office

  102

  113

  113

  121

  222

  297

  322

  345

  357

  Department of Education and Science

  400

  402

  438

  406

  488

  545

  598

  611

  625

  Department of Health

  65

  69

  74

  69

  86

  109

  131

  128

  131

  Total capital

  3,239

  3,402

  3,274

  3,145

  3,837

  4,369

  4,665

  4,640

  4,760

  Total England

  27,207

  29,136

  29,549

  30,783

  34,357

  43,636

  47,984

  50,150

  52,450

  Scotland

  Current

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  4

  4

  4

  4

  Department of Employment

  6

  6

  7

  14

  16

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Department of Social Security

  507

  589

  560

  629

  697

  680

  825

  850

  900

  Scotland

  3,034

  3,165

  3,533

  3,820

  4,000

  4,912

  5,214

  5,495

  5,728

  Total current

  3,551

  3,763

  4,103

  4,466

  4,716

  5,599

  6,046

  6,350

  6,650

  Capital

  Department of Employment

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Department of Transport

  2

  2

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland

  706

  800

  781

  801

  811

  873

  901

  924

  982

  Total capital

  708

  802

  783

  803

  812

  875

  901

  924

  982

  Total Scotland

  4,259

  4,565

  4,885

  5,268

  5,527

  6,474

  6,947

  7,300

  7,650

  Wales

  Current

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Department of Employment

  12

  10

  10

  14

  16

  17

  18

  17

  18

  Home Office

  85

  96

  103

  109

  132

  150

  157

  167

  177

  Department of Education and Science

  38

  41

  44

  48

  78

  118

  133

  145

  153

  Department of Social Security

  238

  246

  244

  251

  153

  127

  151

  150

  200

  Wales

  1,207

  1,315

  1,416

  1,498

  1,794

  2,291

  2,458

  2,559

  2,670

  Total current

  1,581

  1,709

  1,817

  1,923

  2,174

  2,705

  2,919

  3,050

  3,200

  Capital

  Department of Employment

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Home Office

  9

  11

  7

  5

  8

  12

  17

  18

  19

  Wales

  300

  320

  316

  334

  407

  454

  531

  506

  512

  Total capital

  309

  331

  324

  339

  416

  467

  549

  525

  531

  Total Wales

  1,890

  2,040

  2,141

  2,262

  2,589

  3,172

  3,468

  3,600

  3,750

  Northern Ireland

  Current

  Northern Ireland

  31

  41

  41

  42

  44

  48

  50

  52

  55

  728 729

  1986–87 outturn

  1987–88 outturn

  1988–89 outturn

  1989–90 outturn

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 estimated outturn

  1992–93 plans

  1993–94 plans

  1994–95 plans

  Capital Northern Ireland

  6

  9

  5

  7

  3

  10

  9

  9

  9

  United Kingdom

  33,393

  35,792

  36,621

  38,363

  42,521

  53,340

  58,458

  61,050

  63,900

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table, consistent with table 5.7 of Cm 1920 and showing separately for England, Scotland, Wales, Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, the sources of finance for that expenditure, structuring the analysis to be as closely related as possible to table 5.13 where full comparability is not possible because certain adjustments are not calculated at the level of the territories.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Budgets (Gains)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the average individual cumulative gain in 1992 prices to those with incomes(a) under £5,000 a year, (b) £5,000–10,000, (c) £10,000–15,000, (d) £15,000–20,000, (e) £20,000–25,000, (f) £25,000–30,000, (g) £30,000–40,000, (h) £40,000–50,000, (i) £50,000–60,000, (j) £60,000–70,000, (k) £70,000–80,000 and (l) over £80,000 per year (i) as a result of the Budget on 10 March and (ii) cumulatively as a result of all Budgets since 1979.

  Mr. Maude
  Estimates of liability to income tax compared with statutory indexation and with an indexed 1978–79 regime are given in the table. The 1978–79 and 1991–92 income tax regimes have been indexed to 1992–93 level by reference to the statutory formula, and allowing for independent taxation.

  Range of individuals income in 1992–93 £

  Average gain (+)/loss (-) in income tax in 1992–93 £

  Compared with 1991–92 indexed regime

  Compared with 1978–79 indexed regime

  Under 5,000

  40

  200

  5,000–10,000

  90

  420

  10,000–15,000

  90

  730

  15,000–20,000

  90

  1,060

  20,000–25,000

  90

  1,430

  25,000–30,000

  70

  1,830

  30,000–40,000

  -70

  2,230

  40,000–50,000

  -90

  3,570

  50,000–60,000

  -90

  6,010

  60,000–70,000

  -90

  9,830

  70,000–80,000

  -90

  13,200

  over 80,000

  -90

  45,800

  Average

  70

  1,240

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

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the terms of the alternative financial assistance offered to staff civil servants when they are relocated.

  Mr. Maples
  A discretionary scheme to help civil servants who are permanently transferred and who are reluctant to move for domestic reasons was announced on 15 November 1990 at columns 188–89. The elements of the scheme are taxable. Departments and agencies discretion in offering this scheme will be further widened in 1992 to enable them to meet the cost-of the tax liability of the financial assistance, other than for the advance of salary, where this is cost-effective, and can be met within existing running costs.

CIVIL SERVICE

  "Next Steps"
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on progress in the "next steps" initiative.

  Mr. Renton
  Progress is good. During April we expect the total of agencies launched to grow to 72. About 290,000 civil servants, half the total, will be working in agencies and other organisations operating on "next steps" lines. In addition, 27 candidates have been announced covering over 65,000 more civil servants. Many other areas are under consideration. As Cm 1760—"Improving Management in Government—the Next Steps Agencies, Review 1991"—shows, "next steps" is delivering benefits for customers, staff and taxpayers.

  The list of agencies established or to he established during April 1992 is:

  Staff1

  Accounts Services Agency

  90

  ADAS Agency2

  2,500

  Building Research Establishment

  700

  Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments)

  230

  Central Office of Information3

  670

  Central Science Laboratory2

  370

  Central Statistical Office

  1,090

  Central Veterinary Laboratory

  590

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment4

  600

  Civil Service College

  230

  Companies House3

  1,070

  Compensation Agency2 5

  150

  Defence Research Agency

  12,150

  Directorate General of Defence Accounts4

  2,130

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  4,580

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency2 5

  250

  Driving Standards Agency

  2,080

  Duke of York's Royal Military School2

  100

  DVOIT2

  590

  Employment Service

  38,400

  Fire Service College2 3

  160

  Forensic Science Service

  600

  731

  Staff1

  Historic Royal Palaces

  330

  Historic Scotland

  630

  HMS03

  3,250

  Hydrographic Office4

  860

  Insolvency Service

  1,470

  Intervention Board

  980

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  340

  Land Registry

  9,800

  Medicines Control Agency

  300

  Meteorological Office

  2,390

  Military Survey4

  1,300

  National Engineering Laboratory

  390

  National Physical Laboratory

  830

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  50

  Natural Resources Institute

  440

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation2 4

  1,510

  NHS Estates

  120

  Occupational Health Service

  100

  Ordnance Survey

  2,380

  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland2 5

  210

  Patent Office3

  1,080

  Planning Inspectorate2

  630

  Public Record Office2

  440

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  60

  Queen Victoria School2

  60

  Radiocommunications Agency

  520

  RAF Maintenance4

  13,300

  Rate Collection Agency5

  270

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

  240

  Registers of Scotland

  1,280

  Royal Mint3

  1,020

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency2

  140

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  210

  Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)4

  2,300

  Social Security Agency5

  5,350

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  63,100

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  8,000

  Social Security Information Technology Services Agency

  4,000

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  520

  Teachers' Pensions Agency2

  300

  The Buying Agency5

  110

  Training and Employment Agency

  1,670

  Transport Research Laboratory2

  580

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  1,250

  Valuation Office

  5,200

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  80

  Vehicle Inspectorate3

  1,820

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  80

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  310

  Wilton Park Conference Centre

  30

  72 in number

  210,960

  Customs and Excise6 (30 executive units)

  26,800

  Inland Revenue6 (34 executive offices)

  62,100

  Total7

  299,860

  Number of civil servants in the above total8

  290,490

  The list of candidates for agency status announced by Ministers is as follows:

  1Staff

  Army Logistics9

  12,700

  Chessington Computer Centre

  440

  Child Support Agency5 10

  see note

  Common Services Division9

  1,700

  Defence Animal Centre9

  150

  Defence Operational Analysis Establishment9

  180

  Defence Postal Courier Service9

  600

  Defence Statistics Organisation9

  150

  Directorate Information Technology Bureau Services9

  120

  Equipment Test and Evaluation9

  2,220

  Fuel Suppliers Branch

  20

  Her Majesty's Prison Service

  34,900

  732

  1 Staff

  Human Factors Research9

  390

  Meat Hygiene Service11

  see note

  Ministry of Defence Police9

  4,550

  Naval Training9

  5,040

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  2,150

  Pesticide Safety Directorate

  150

  Property Division

  120

  Property Holdings Portfolio Management

  460

  Royal Air Force Training9

  11,200

  Royal Parks

  580

  Scottish Office Superannuation

  160

  Scottish Prison Service

  4,100

  Social Security Child Support Agency12

  see note

  Valuation and Lands Office5

  350

  Youth Treatment Service

  220

  TOTAL (27 in number)7

  82,650

  Number of civil servants in the above total8

  66,320

  1 1 October 1991 figures for civil servants and armed forces personnel. Casuals are excluded. Part-time staff are counted as half units.

  2 Expected to be launched in April 1992.

  3 Trading fund.

  4 Defence Support Agency.

  5 Northern Ireland civil service.

  6 Departments operating fully on "next steps" lines. Staffing figures for Inland Revenue exclude the Valuation Office, which is a free-standing agency.

  7 Figure for total staff in agencies includes 8,070 armed forces personnel in Ministry of Defence agencies and 1,300 locally engaged staff in service children's schools (north-west Europe). Figure for total staff in candidates includes 16,330 armed forces personnel in Ministry of Defence candidates.

  8 Includes in the totals 7,900 staff in agencies and 350 staff in candidates in the Northern Ireland civil service.

  9 May be launched as a Defence Support Agency.

  10 Estimated to require 550 staff by April 1993. Of these 120 will come from the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency.

  11 Estimated to require 1,800 staff, drawn from a variety of sources.

  12 From early 1993 the agency is estimated to require 4,500 staff, 1,500 of which will come from the Social Security Benefits Agency.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service how many chief executives of "next steps" agencies have been recruited following open competition.

  Mr. Renton
  The Government's objective in appointing agency chief executives is to get the right person for the job. Open competition is now the norm, and about two thirds of chief executives and chief executives-designate —47 out of 74—have been recruited in this way.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Community Charge
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community charge defaulters have been gaoled in England and Wales since the charge was introduced.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  According to the records held centrally, which are approximate, one prisoner was received into a Prison Service establishment in 1990 following committal for non-payment of the community charge.

  Data for 1991 are not yet complete but the provisional figure for such receptions in the year is about 110.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional hours have been worked by prison officers, in each appropriate prison establishment, above those for which they have been contracted, and for which they are currently owed time off in lieu.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The latest readily available figures, for 5 January, show an average balance of 4.84 hours owed per officer. This is 34 per cent. less than the level at 1 September 1991. The situation varies in each establishment in line with a range of factors.

  The overall number of net additional hours per establishment and the average balance of hours owed per officer at each establishment is as follows.

  Establishment

  Balance of hours 5 January 1992 (week 41)

  Balance of hours per office 5 January 1992

  Category B

  Blundeston

  1,266

  8·17

  Coldingley

  -309

  -2·01

  Cookham Wood

  272

  4·86

  Dartmoor

  -787

  -3·27

  Garth

  1,373

  6·18

  Grendon

  452

  2·54

  Kingston

  90

  1·30

  Maidstone

  856

  4·16

  Nottingham

  1,084

  8·74

  Styal

  59

  ·52

  Swaleside

  -204

  -·96

  Total

  4,152

  2·40

  Category C

  Acklington

  -132

  -·71

  Aldington

  146

  3·04

  Ashwell

  196

  2·15

  Blantyre House

  117

  2·35

  Camp Hill

  353

  1·94

  Channings Wood1

  -122

  -·84

  Downview

  -144

  -1·26

  Erlestoke

  434

  4·72

  Everthorpe

  80

  ·85

  Haverigg

  230

  2·23

  Highpoint

  874

  4·14

  Lancaster

  535

  6·15

  Lindholme

  -361

  -1·64

  Littlehey

  1,331

  8·27

  Northeye

  542

  7·63

  Ranby

  720

  6·67

  Risley (F)

  70

  ·69

  Risley (M)

  2,182

  14·64

  Send

  -83

  -1·69

  Shepton Mallet

  330

  3·88

  Stafford

  761

  3·28

  Stocken

  1,046

  7·93

  The Mount

  447

  3·22

  The Verne

  -179

  -1·17

  Thorp Arch

  10

  ·14

  Wayland

  607

  3·94

  Wellingborough

  241

  1·96

  Whatton

  401

  5·49

  Wymott

  117

  ·55

  Total

  10,749

  2·96

  Local and Remand

  Bedford

  66

  0·33

  Belmarsh

  2,530

  6·04

  Birmingham

  -1,009

  -2·37

  Bristol

  246

  0·88

  Brixton

  18,346

  27·38

  Brockhill

  -112

  -0·93

  Bullingdon

  77

  3·35

  734

  Establishment

  Balance of hours 5 January 1992(week 41)

  Balance of hours per officer 5 January 1992

  Canterbury

  1,736

  9·09

  Cardiff

  1,281

  5·74

  Chelmsford

  830

  3·90

  Dorchester

  -215

  -2·01

  Durham

  3,712

  8·78

  Exeter

  568

  2·59

  Feltham

  1,471

  3·89

  Gloucester

  1,620

  12·18

  Haslar

  -186

  -3·96

  Hindley

  204

  1·19

  Holloway

  415

  1·40

  Hull

  139

  0·51

  Latchmere House

  75

  1·27

  Leeds

  2,463

  6·19

  Leicester

  4,088

  17·18

  Lewes

  1,438

  6·82

  Lincoln

  518

  1·90

  Liverpool

  2,973

  5·16

  Low Newton

  996

  8·23

  Manchester

  3,208

  8·89

  Moorland

  -683

  -2·52

  New Hall

  257

  2·16

  Norwich

  824

  3·06

  Oxford

  1,070

  9·39

  Pentonville

  1,308

  -4·42

  Preston

  270

  0·90

  Pucklechurch

  265

  4·14

  Reading

  260

  1·76

  Rochester

  263

  1·50

  Shrewsbury

  2,471

  16·36

  Swansea

  2,047

  13·74

  Wandsworth

  3,668

  7·58

  Winchester

  1,269

  4·63

  Local and Remand

  58,151

  5·90

  Dispersal

  Albany

  4,190

  12·74

  Frankland

  8,763

  21·38

  Full Sutton

  1,214

  2·30

  Gartree

  -399

  -1·33

  Long Lartin

  4,020

  11·59

  Parkhurst

  3,491

  9·49

  Wakefield

  10

  0·02

  Dispersal Total

  21,289

  7·77

  Open

  Askham Grange

  53

  1·23

  Drake Hall

  -305

  -4·62

  Foston/Sudbury

  1,238

  15·28

  Kirkham

  -28

  -0·38

  Leyhill

  -127

  -1·63

  Morton Hall

  117

  3·53

  North Sea Camp

  149

  3·91

  Rudgate

  -18

  -0·34

  Standford Hill

  326

  4·18

  Open Total

  1,404

  2·58

  Closed YOI

  Aylesbury

  310

  1·78

  Bullwood Hall

  65

  0·84

  Castington

  -13

  -0·10

  Deerbolt

  54

  0·37

  Dover

  180

  1·46

  Eastwood Park

  362

  7·54

  Hollesley Bay

  547

  2·99

  Kirklevington

  1,057

  21·57

  Northallerton

  91

  1·01

  Onley1

  1,771

  10·42

  Portland

  -131

  -0·83

  Stoke Heath

  320

  2·19

  Swinfen Hall

  792

  7·84

  Usk/Prescoed

  -452

  -4·91

  Werrington

  -574

  -14·00

  735

  Establishment

  Balance of hours 5 January 1992 (week 41)

  Balance of hours per officer 5 January 1992

  Wetherby

  3

  0·04

  Closed YOI Total

  4,382

  2·43

  Open YOI

  East Sutton Pk

  -318

  -13·83

  Guys Marsh

  -322

  -5·19

  H'Combe/F'Wood

  577

  5·25

  Hatfield

  -41

  -0·69

  Hewell Grange

  113

  2·46

  Thorn Cross

  -96

  -1·30

  Open YOI Total

  -87

  -0·23

  National Total

  100,040

  4·84

  £ million

  Expenditure

  Terms

  1986–87 outturn

  1987–88 outturn

  1988–89 outturn

  1989–90 outturn

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 1outturn

  1992–93 plans

  1993–94 plans

  1994–95 plans

  Home Office—central Government's own expenditure—total voted in estimates

  Cash

  1,072

  1,194

  1,369

  1,631

  1,966

  2,155

  2,227

  2,376

  2,433

  Real

  1,399

  1,478

  1,581

  1,769

  1,966

  2,014

  1,992

  2,048

  2,036

  Total other non-voted

  Cash

  —

  22

  —14

  —16

  2

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Real

  —

  27

  —16

  —17

  2

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Total central Government's own expenditure

  Cash

  1,072

  1,216

  1,356

  1,615

  1,967

  2,156

  2,227

  2,377

  2,434

  Real

  1,399

  1,506

  1,566

  1,752

  1,967

  2,015

  1,992

  2,049

  2,037

  Total central Government grants to local authorities

  Cash

  1,890

  2,092

  2,239

  2,500

  2,964

  3,402

  3,604

  3,846

  4,056

  Real

  2,467

  2,590

  2,586

  2,712

  2,964

  3,179

  3,223

  3,315

  3,394

  Credit approvals

  Cash

  73

  97

  87

  101

  100

  131

  149

  161

  167

  Real

  95

  120

  101

  110

  100

  122

  133

  139

  140

  Total central Government support to local authorities

  Cash

  1,963

  2,190

  2,325

  2,601

  3,064

  3,533

  3,753

  4,007

  4,223

  Real

  2,563

  2,712

  2,686

  2,822

  3,064

  3,302

  3,356

  3,454

  3,534

  Total Home Office

  Cash

  3,035

  3,405

  3,681

  4,216

  5,031

  5,689

  5,981

  6,384

  6,656

  Real

  3,962

  4,216

  4,252

  4,574

  5,031

  5,317

  5,349

  5,503

  5,570

  Of which is voted in Estimates

  Cash

  2,962

  3,286

  3,608

  4,131

  4,929

  5,558

  5,830

  6,222

  6,489

  Real

  3,867

  4,069

  4,168

  4,481

  4,929

  5,194

  5,214

  5,363

  5,431

  Charity Commission— voted in Estimates (administration)

  Cash

  5

  6

  7

  10

  15

  20

  22

  22

  23

  Real

  7

  7

  8

  11

  15

  19

  20

  19

  19

  Total Home Office and Charity Commission

  Cash

  3,040

  3,411

  3,688

  4,226

  5,045

  5,708

  6,002

  6,406

  6,679

  Real

  3,969

  4,223

  4,260

  4,585

  5,045

  5,335

  5,368

  5,522

  5,590

  Total current local authority spending

  Cash

  4,094

  4,474

  4,928

  5,563

  6,207

  6,938

  —

  —

  —

  Real

  5,345

  5,540

  5,693

  6,035

  6,207

  6,484

  —

  —

  —

  Local authority net capital spending

  Cash

  120

  172

  208

  291

  250

  311

  —

  —

  —

  Real

  157

  213

  240

  316

  250

  291

  —

  —

  —

  Total local authority expenditure

  Cash

  4,214

  4,647

  5,136

  5,854

  6,457

  7,249

  —

  —

  —

  Real

  5,501

  5,754

  5,933

  6,351

  6,457

  6,775

  —

  —

  —

  1 Estimated.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the reasons for the differences between the 1991–92 expenditure plans published last year in Cm 1509 and the 1991–92 totals for estimated outturn.

  Community Charge Statistics
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the document which magistrates' clerks return to enable his Department to compile the quarterly progress of community charge enforcement figures and any ancillary explanatory memoranda.

  Mr. John Patten
  I have arranged for a copy of the last return and accompanying notes to be placed in the Library.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will express the totals and sub-totals for planned expenditure given in the cash plans published in Cm 1909 in real terms as well as cash terms.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information requested is as follows. The real term figures are expressed in 1990–91 prices using the gross domestic product deflator.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The difference of £115 million between 1991–92 expenditure plans for the prisons as shown in Cm 1909 and estimated outturn as shown in Cm 1509 is because there has been additional expenditure to pay for the cost of keeping prisoners in police cells, mainly
  737
  due to an increase in prison population. Extra expenditure was also necessary to meet the construction costs of new prisons, due mainly to slippage in the programme, claims from contractors and the accelerated integral sanitation programme.

  Expenditure on the police has risen because estimated outturn now includes £3 million representing the cost of superannuation in the charges made for services and £4 million to meet the cost of centralising the provision of an existing service. The Forensic Science Service estimated outturn also now includes £2 million for the cost of superannuation. The increase of £3 million for miscellaneous services is mainly due to higher than anticipated levels of transfer values and pensions payments.

  The increase of £13 million for immigration and citizenship is mainly attributable to the increased resources made available in the summer supplementary estimate (HC486) for the processing of asylum applications. This also accounts for the £1 million increase for community services, which covers grants to organisations assisting asylum seekers. The £1 million reduction in the estimated outturn for other broadcasting is due to the changed requirements of the loan to the Radio Authority.

  Other changes to the distribution of central Government's own expenditure are caused by reallocations of resources within the overall total.

  1991 Departmental Report

  1992 Departmental Report

  Changes

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Per cent.

  £ million

  Per cent.

  Central Government

  Prisons

  1,290

  1,300

  1,363

  1,399

  73

  (6)

  99

  (8)

  Police

  110

  110

  146

  148

  36

  (33)

  38

  (35)

  Forensic Science Agency

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  (—)

  2

  (—)

  Emergency Planning

  50

  40

  50

  41

  0

  (0)

  1

  (2·5)

  Fire

  10

  10

  15

  112

  5

  (50)

  2

  (20)

  Central Administration

  100

  110

  106

  111

  6

  (6)

  1

  (1)

  Court Services

  30

  30

  38

  38

  8

  (27)

  8

  (27)

  Criminal Injuries Compensation

  130

  140

  137

  150

  7

  (5)

  10

  (7)

  Probation and Aftercare

  60

  60

  68

  80

  8

  (13)

  20

  (33)

  Miscellaneous Services

  10

  20

  19

  22

  9

  (90)

  2

  (10)

  Immigration and Citizenship

  120

  140

  166

  199

  46

  (38)

  59

  (42)

  Passport Department

  50

  60

  58

  60

  8

  (16)

  0

  (0)

  Community Services

  40

  40

  41

  43

  1

  (2)

  3

  (8)

  Other Broadcasting

  0

  0

  1

  -1

  1

  (—)

  -1

  (—)

  Total Central Government

  2,000

  2,060

  2,227

  2,376

  227

  (11)

  316

  (15)

  Central Government grants to local authorities

  Police

  2,770

  2,960

  2,869

  3,058

  99

  (4)

  98

  (3)

  Of which:

  Current

  2,664)

  2,850

  2,752

  2,932

  92

  (3)

  82

  (3)

  Capital

  110

  110

  118

  126

  8

  (7)

  16

  (15)

  Emergency Planning

  20

  20

  27

  28

  7

  (35)

  8

  (40)

  Of which:

  Current

  20

  20

  23

  24

  3

  (15)

  4

  (20)

  Capital

  0

  0

  4

  4

  4

  (—)

  4

  (—)

  Magistrates Courts

  280

  310

  290

  308

  10

  (4)

  -2

  (-1)

  Of which:

  Current

  230

  250

  236

  252

  6

  (3)

  2

  (1)

  Capital

  50

  60

  54

  56

  4

  (8)

  -4

  (-7)

  Probation

  270

  290

  287

  310

  17

  (6)

  20

  (7)

  Of which:

  Current

  260

  280

  273

  294

  13

  (5)

  14

  (5)

  Capital

  10

  10

  14

  16

  4

  (40)

  6

  (60)

  Commonwealth Immigrants

  130

  140

  134

  141

  4

  (3)

  1

  (1)

  Fire

  0

  0

  -3

  0

  -3

  (—)

  0

  (0)

  Total Central Government grants to local authorities

  3,480

  3,720

  3,604

  3,846

  124

  (4)

  126

  (3)

  Of which:

  Current

  3,310

  3,540

  3,414

  3,643

  104

  (3)

  103

  (3)

  Capital

  180

  190

  190

  202

  10

  (6)

  12

  (6)

  738
  The total increases of £168 million in central Government current grants to local authorities are attributable to changed local authority estimates of expenditure and to grant adjustments for previous years. The only difference in the outturn for capital grant is to cover an increase of £1 million in capital expenditure by the Metropolitan police, and was authorised by the summer supplementary estimate (HC486).

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what effect the rise in the estimate of outturn for 1991–92, as recorded in Cm 1909, will have on his Department's expenditure plans for 1992–93.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Some of the developments affecting estimated outturn for 1991–92 can be expected to become a regular feature of the Department's expenditure. To the extent consistent with the resources available to my Department, such developments have been taken into account in planning expenditure in 1992–93.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what differences there are between the planned outturns for 1992–93 and 1993–94 and the planned expenditure for those years as recorded in last year's annual report; and what are the reasons for these differences.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information requested is as follows:
  739

  1991 Departmental Report

  1992 Departmental Report

  Changes

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Per cent.

  £ million

  Per cent.

  Credit Approvals

  130

  140

  149

  161

  19

  (15)

  21

  (15)

  Total Central Government support to local authorities

  3,610

  3,860

  3,753

  4,007

  143

  (4)

  147

  (4)

  Total Home Office

  5,610

  5,920

  5,981

  6,384

  371

  (7)

  464

  (8)

  1 Figure shown is an amalgamation of both the Fire Service College and Other Fire, which are shown separately in the 1992 Departmental Report.

  The main reasons for these differences are that additional provision has been made for extra police manpower; improved security and the ending of slopping out in prisons; increased expenditure to implement the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and continue the programme of diverting offenders from custody; and strengthening the immigration control system. Further details were given in the House Office news release accompanying the Home Office aspects of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's 1991 autumn statement. A copy of this news release was placed in the Library.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional commitments which will involve spending in the years after 1994–95 he has undertaken since the publication of his Department's 1991 annual report.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  In June 1991, I announced the appointment of Mr. Anthony Mullett, QPM as director-designate of the National Criminal Intelligence Service. The service will become operational on 1 April 1992 and will bring together a number of national units

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 estimated outturn

  Change

  Change after gross domestic product deflator

  £ million

  £ million

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Central Government

  Prisons

  1,342·0

  1,447·0

  8

  1

  Police

  96·0

  114·0

  19

  11

  Forensic Science Service

  18·0

  2·0

  -89

  -89

  Emergency Planning

  55·0

  53·0

  -4

  -10

  Fire Service College

  8·0

  6·0

  -25

  -33

  Other Fire

  5·0

  7·0

  40

  40

  Central Administration

  92·0

  100·0

  9

  2

  Court Services etc·

  22·0

  26·0

  18

  8

  Criminal Injuries Compensation

  100·0

  119·0

  19

  11

  Probation and Aftercare

  39·0

  49·0

  26

  17

  Miscellaneous Services

  14·0

  21·0

  50

  40

  Immigration and Citizenship

  91·0

  118·0

  30

  22

  Passport Department

  48·0

  52·0

  8

  2

  Community Services

  36·0

  39·0

  8

  0

  Other Broadcasting

  —

  1·0

  —

  —

  TOTAL

  1,966·0

  2,155·0

  10

  2

  Local Authority Services

  Police1

  2,379·0

  2,783·0

  17

  9

  Magistrates Courts1

  261·0

  294·0

  13

  5

  Probation 1

  228·0

  272·0

  19

  11

  Emergency Planning 1

  22·8

  26·8

  18

  10

  Commonwealth Immigrants 2

  135·5

  4 116·7

  -14

  -20

  Fire 3

  45·0

  47·0

  4

  -2

  TOTAL

  3,071·3

  3,539·5

  15

  8

  740
  such as the national drugs intelligence unit and the Interpol bureau, together with several national intelligence functions at present performed by the Metropolitan police.

  The Home Office will be responsible for meeting the United Kingdom's share of the cost of a new Europe-wide, computer-based information system for immigration control purposes (the European information system).

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategies he has to constrain expenditure if pay increases in 1992–93 are greater than allowed in departmental running costs plans.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  If pay increases in 1992–93 are greater than allowed in my Department's running costs plans. I will reconsider my priorities and seek offsetting savings.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes there have been in the 1991–92 estimated outturn compared with the 1990–91 outturn in(a) percentage terms and (b) after adjustment for the gross domestic product deflator.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information requested is as follows:
  741

  1 Current, capital and special grants, and credit approvals.

  2 Current grants

  3 Credit approvals.

  4 Due to a change from paying grant in advance to paying grant in arrears, only three quarterly payments have been made during 1991–92.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures his Department has for keeping itself informed of the regional distribution of its expenditure and for correcting any significant unintended imbalances which appear.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The nature of Home Office services is such that their provision is generally demand-led, and as the greater part of Home Office expenditure takes the form of grants to local authorities, the mechanism for achieving a fair distribution is inherently self-regulating. So far as the Home Office's own direct expenditure is concerned, it would not he feasible to adopt a policy of ensuring that such expenditure is divided proportionately between the regions because other considerations must take precedence in determining the distribution of resources. In the Prison Service, however, the vote is constructed broadly on the basis of regional structure, and each region bids for its own funds. The financial management system records expenditure against regional budgets. The position is monitored regularly by the central finance committee, which will adjust any imbalance by virement and/or by means of a supplementary estimate.

  Departmental Efficiency
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Deparmtent what percentage growth in aggregate departmental efficiency he estimates will be achieved by the Home Office between 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The latest estimates are that between 1991–92 and 1992–93, the Prison Service will achieve efficiency savings of 1·7 per cent. and the remainder of the Department 1·9 per cent. in the use of its respective running costs.

  Agencies
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to alter current financial arrangements for his Department's agencies;

  (2) if it is his policy for the Passport Agency and the Forensic Science Service eventually to operate as trading funds.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  It is the policy of the Department for the two agencies to operate as trading funds as soon as they have gained sufficient experience and developed appropriate systems. In each case, work is in hand to develop improved financial and management information system.

  The proposed target date for establishing the United Kingdom Passport Agency as a trading fund is 1 April 1994. Achieving this will depend on the successful development of the agency's new computerised accounting system.

  The Forensic Science Service is aiming to introduce in 1992–93 an integrated IT system to support its business activities, and progress has been made in moving to a business-like basis of operation. But the further development necessary to enable the FSS to operate successfully as a trading fund is likely to take at least another three to four years.
  742
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to establish any executive agencies in 1992–93, apart from the Fire Service College.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have no plans to establish any other new agencies during the coming financial year, but, as I said in answer to a question from my hon. Friend yesterday at column 592, I intend that the Prison Service should become an executive agency from 1 April 1993. A number of other areas of the Department are also being considered as potential agencies.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what publicity was given to the publication of his Department's annual report, Cm 1909.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  A Home Office news release was issued on the publication of the Department's annual report, 1909. A copy was placed in the Library.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many copies of his Department's annual report, Cm 1909, have been sold at the latest available date.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I understand that at 5 March 1992, HMSO had sold 1,748 copies of my Department's annual report, Cm 1909.

  Bomb Explosion (Victoria Station)
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for injury from the bomb explosion at Victoria station on 18 February 1991 have still not been settled; when the claim from a constituent of the right hon. Member for Worthing is likely to be met; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The following information about the 42 applications for compensation arising from the bomb incident at Victoria station on 18 February 1991 has been provided by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board:

  Status of applications

  Number of applications

  Yet to be considered by board member

  11

  Currently with board member for initial decision

  5

  Interim payment or payments awarded

  23

  Final award made

  3

  Total

  42

  The board recently agreed an interim award to an applicant from Worthing and an offer letter will be sent shortly. Total compensation in this case cannot be assessed until the final medical position is established and loss of earnings has been agreed.

  Research (Non-human Primates)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received a copy of the response from the Research Defence Society dated January 1992 to the Advocates for Animals report on the use of non-human primates in research in Great Britain.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A copy of the Research Defence Society analysis of the Advocates for Animals report, which it sent to Members of Parliament who had signed early-day motion 214, was received in the Department on 29 January 1992.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department published its response to the Advocates for Animals report into the use of non-human primates in research in Great Britain; and if he will name those organisations to whom it was sent.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Home Office responded to the Advocates for Animals report on 3 February 1992 after detailed consideration of its contents. The Home Office response was made available to the Animal Procedures Committee, but has not otherwise been made available to any organisation.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department consulted(a) the Research Defence Society or (b) any other pro-animal research organisation before responding to the Advocates for Animals report on the use of non-human primates in research in Great Britain.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In the course of the regular contact which the Home Office has with the Research Defence Society, along with other organisations concerned with the use of animals in research, the report by Advocates for Animals was discussed. The Home Office response to the report was however formulated in the light of detailed comments from Home Office inspectors about the research work in question and was not discussed with any outside organisations.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the similarity between the wording used by his Department in its response to the Advocates for Animals' report on the use of non-human primates in research in Great Britain and that contained in the response received earlier from the Research Defence Society.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No. Although the Home Office was aware of the Research Defence Society's views, the responses were prepared separately.

  Crime, Manchester
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to help prevent crime in Greater Manchester.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Government have set up safer cities crime prevention projects in Rochdale and Salford, and drugs prevention teams in Salford and Manchester. My right hon. Friend has also approved an additional 20 posts in Greater Manchester police from 1 April this year. In addition the Government encourage the growth and development of local neighbourhood watch schemes and there are now approximately 9,000 watch schemes in the area, covering 270,000 households.

  Departmental Achievements
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the principal achievements of his Department since June 1987.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Determined efforts have been maintained and developed to counter crime. The number of police posts in England and Wales has increased by 4,257, bringing the total to 127,127. The number of civilians supporting the police has increased by 6,242 to 46,948 and since 1986–87 expenditure on the police has increased by 24·9 per cent. in real terms. Action has been put in place to develop the most efficient use of resources, to enhance the police capacity to deal with crime and the other demands on them and to improve the quality of service to the public.

  Twenty safer cities projects have been set up in inner-city areas supporting over 2,300 initiatives with the objectives of reducing crime, lessening the fear of crime and creating conditions in which economic enterprise and community life can flourish. Crime prevention has been taken forward rigorously with the establishment of "Crime Concern" and initiatives, including on car crime, have been taken.

  Legislation has been passed to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the United Nations convention against the illicit traffic in drugs; to enhance the control of firearms; to strengthen the country's defences against terrorism; to increase the powers available to the courts for dealing with football hooligans; to improve our ability to give effect to our policy of firm but fair immigration control; to create a new and more open and competitive framework for the licensing and regulation of independent radio and television services, leading to greater choice for viewers and listeners while maintaining proper safeguards for programme quality and standards; to remove outdated restrictions on licensing laws; to enable the United Kingdom to participate more effectively an international co-operation against crime, including a major reform of the extradition law; to make provision for courts to order the confiscation of the proceeds of profitable crime; to provide for unduly lenient sentences to be reviewed; to tighten the law on possession of knives and to ban the sale of offensive weapons which have no legitimate use; to strengthen the jury system; to reform the law on official secrets by replacing section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 with provisions protecting just six classes of official information; and to put the Security Service on a statutory basis, with the appointment of a commissioner and provision for complaints to be made to an independent tribunal.

  Legislation has been passed to encourage key Hong Kong personnel and their families to remain there by giving them the assurance of British citizenship in order to help them maintain the future stability and prosperity of the territory. The Criminal Justice Act 1991 strengthened the range and effectiveness of community penalties and provides a new and more coherent legislative framework for sentencing.

  Legislation has also been enacted for England and Wales to create an offence of prison mutiny and to increase the maximum penalty for aiding prisoners to escape and to ensure that anyone guilty of taking a vehicle without consent is liable to a more severe sentence in aggravated

  745
  circumstances. A Bill was introduced to enable applications for asylum in the United Kingdom to be dealt with quickly and effectively.

  A Royal Commission has been established to examine the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in securing the convictions of those guilty of criminal offences and the acquittal of the innocent.

  In addition to a major programme to impose existing prisons, since the beginning of 1987 10 new prisons have been opened, providing over 5,500 places. A further three prisons are due to open in the next three months, giving another 1,600 places, and five are under construction providing over 3,000 more places. Arrangements are being made so that from the end of December 1994 all prisoners in Prison Service establishments will have access to sanitation at all times.

  The White Paper "Custody, Care and Justice", presented to Parliament last September, charts a course for the Prison Service in England and Wales into the next century and plans have been announced for the management of the Prison Service, including a move to agency status for the service. My Department launched two other "next steps" agencies in 1991— the Forensic Science Service and the United Kingdom Passport Agency —and the Fire Service college will become an agency next month.

  Naturalisation Applications
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding applications for naturalisation as a British citizen are(a) less than one year old, (b) between one and two years old, (c) between two and three years old and (d) more than three years old.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As at II March 1992 the number of applications for naturalisation awaiting determination was 41,799. Of these(a) 14,992 were less than one year old, (b) 14,640 were between one and two years old, (c) 5,486 were between two and three years old, and (d) 6,681 applications were more than three years old. In addition, there were about 3,500 applications of all types for citizenship awaiting allocation to caseworkers.

  Child Abuse, Rossendale
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Lancashire on the steps the police are now taking to re-open investigations arising from inquiries made by the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier) in 1987 relating to alleged abuse by Mr. Michael Finn while he was a teacher at a primary school in Rossendale.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. The investigation of criminal offences is an operational matter for chief officers of police.

  Shops Act 1950
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the progress of his consultations about the future of the Shops Act 1950.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I have recently concluded my extensive programme of separate discussions with a wide range of major interest groups on possible ways of reforming the 746
  Shops Act 1950. Once the legal position of the Act in relation to Community law is clear, I hope to be in a position to recommend a way forward to the House.

  Firearms Licensing
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake a review of the firearms licensing system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  New controls on firearms and shotguns were imposed by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. I am sure that these controls are justified and should remain.

  Responsibility for administering the controls currently rests with chief officers of police. The licensing function places an onerous administrative burden on police forces and diverts police officers from skilled police work, which only they can do.

  I have today issued a public consultation paper which suggests that firearms licensing might be administered by a new civilian firearms control board, staffed by trained firearms and crime prevention experts. This is an imaginative proposal: it would put public safety first by providing a licensing system operated expertly, consistently and economically; and it would release police officers for other work. I urge all those involved to study the consultation paper. Their comments will be most carefully considered. I have placed a copy in the Library.

  Inquests
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of inquests into deaths in police custody or in prison where the Government Departments were represented; and how long these inquests lasted during the last five years.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 5 March 1992]: Between 1 January 1990 and 6 March 1992 there were 175 deaths in prison custody. The Prison Service was represented at 44 of the 131 inquests which have so far been held into these deaths. There is no Home Office representation at inquests into deaths in police custody.

  Information on the number of inquests between 1988 and 1990 at which the Prison Service was represented could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on the duration of inquests is not available.

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the results of the 1986 inter-censual survey(a) in south Glamorgan and (b) other areas were used to supplement the results of the 1981 census in determining the factors considered in calculating the number of officers needed by the South Wales constabulary as part of his Department's recent review of police manpower.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1991, c. 508]: I now understand from OPCS that an inter-censual sample survey did take place in Wales in 1986; there was however no survey in England. The results of the Welsh survey could not have been used to calculate the relative establishment need of the South Wales constabulary because the formula used to assess relative need requires comparable information for all force areas in England and Wales.

HEALTH

  North Staffordshire DHA (Radiation Treatment)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the terms of reference of each of the two inquiries into the radiation treatment at the North Staffordshire district health authority; and when he expects each of the reports to be published.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department has assigned an inspector, appointed to enforce the Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Treatment) Regulations 1988, to investigate the circumstances of this incident. He will make recommendations, when he has completed his investigations, to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on what action, if any, is needed and what wider lessons can be learned. In addition, North Staffordshire health authority has appointed two independent experts, Dr. Ash of Cookridge hospital, Leeds and Dr. Bates of St. Thomas' hospital, London, to carry out a clinical review of all cases and West Midlands regional health authority has announced an independent inquiry, chaired by Sir Peter Baldwin, into how the incident occurred. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir James Ackers, the chairman of West Midlands regional health authority, for the terms of reference for both these inquiries.

  Computer Expenditure
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the capital expenditure and (b) the revenue expenditure incurred on computer hardware and software by each individual health authority in England in each year since 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A table showing the information requested for 1987–88, which was derived from the annual accounts of health authorities in England for that financial year, has been placed in the Library. For comparable information for the years since 1987–88 and notes on this expenditure, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28 January at columns 541–43.

  GPs Examination Certificates
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the maximum charge which a general practitioner is entitled to make to provide a doctor's examination certificate for motor insurance for a patient in receipt of invalidity benefit and mobility allowance.

  (2) if he will exempt claimants on disability benefits from insurance certificate charges.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under their terms of service in the NHS, general practitioners must issue free of charge only certain specified certificates needed by patients to meet statutory requirements, such as those needed to support claims for social security benefits. Doctors may make a charge for providing private certificates including those requested by insurance companies; the amount charged in such cases is for agreement between the doctor and the patient.

  General Practice Nurses
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses worked for general practitioners in 1978–79, 1983–84, 1990–91 and at the latest available date, respectively.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of GP practice nurses—whole-time equivalent—in England were: 888 in October 1978; 1,657 in October 1983, and 7,698 in October 1990—the latest figure available.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of hospitals closed in each year since 1979; and what information his Department has on the number of closures in the current financial year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total level of proceeds from the sale of closed hospital sites in each year since 1979; and what information his Department has on proceeds from sales in the current financial year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Total capital receipts from the sale of NHS land and buildings in England since 1979 are shown in the table. The latest estimate available for the current financial year is about £200 million.

  £ million

  1979–80

  9·9

  1980–81

  15·2

  1981–82

  19·4

  1982–83

  18·0

  1983–84

  31·5

  1984–85

  48·4

  1985–86

  82·3

  1986–87

  145·1

  1987–88

  197·8

  1988–89

  265·8

  1989–90

  221·0

  1990–91

  159·4

  All proceeds have been reinvested in the NHS.

  Television
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines or restrictions exist covering the charging by health authorities and health trusts for the use of television by patients; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Provision of communal television sets is a matter left to the discretion of individual trusts and health authorities. Charging is considered appropriate to meet the reasonable cost involved where patients wish to have a TV facility for their own personal use.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by region the ratio of patients to general practitioners in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is given in the table which relates to the average list sizes in England at 1 April 1991, the latest date for which figures
  749
  are available. The information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.

  Region

  Average list size

  Northern

  1,916

  Yorkshire

  1,894

  Trent

  1,985

  East Anglia

  1,820

  North West Thames

  2,036

  North East Thames

  2,015

  South East Thames

  1,977

  South West Thames

  1,991

  Wessex

  1,824

  Oxford

  1,887

  South Western

  1,763

  West Midlands

  1,969

  Mersey

  1,992

  North Western

  1,778

  Low Income Scheme
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to report on the outcome of the review of the health benefits low income scheme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We are giving careful consideration to a number of proposals arising from the review. The results will be announced when this process is complete.

  West Middlesex University Hospital
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have taken place between the Houslow and Spelthorne district health authority and the North West Thames regional health authority concerning a new surgical block for the West Middlesex university hospital; on what date the district is expected to submit the formal application to the region; by what date the region expects to decide; what is the expected gross capital cost; what contribution to the cost will be made from the sale of the site of the former South Middlesex hospital following the grant of planning permission for a Tesco shop; and whether the consent of the Secretary of State for health is required.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I understand that there have been discussions between the Hounslow and Spelthorne district health authority and the North West Thames regional health authority over many months concerning the use of funds of some £29 million from the sale of the former South Middlesex hospital towards the further development of the West Middlesex university hospital. A formal application was submitted in January 1992. Until the final shape and cost of the scheme is decided it is not possible to say whether the scheme will require my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's consent.

  Deaths
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths occurred in 1991 from HIV-related illnesses, measles, meningitis, whooping cough and cot death; and what resources are being deployed by his Department to combat these diseases, respectively.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In 1991, the public health laboratory service communicable disease surveillance 750
  centre reported the number of deaths in reported AIDS cases as 816. The actual number, not yet available because of delays in the reporting system, is estimated to be over 1,250. In addition, 46 deaths were reported in 1991 in HIV infected persons without AIDS. This number may also increase as a result of delayed reporting. In 1991 the Government allocated £11 million for the development of AIDS public education, £147·5 million to health and local authorities for the development of AIDS services including diagnosis, treatment, care and prevention, and nearly £2 million to the voluntary sector. The Medical Research Council has been allocated £31 million over five years for programmes on vaccines and drugs for treatment.

  Provisional reports indicate that there were no deaths from acute measles or whooping cough in England and Wales in 1991. Immunisation against both diseases is included in the national childhood immunisation programme, and at November 1991, coverage was 90 per cent. of children aged two years for measles and 88 per cent. at 18 months for whooping cough. It is not possible to give the precise cost of these vaccines, but the immunisation publicity campaign in 1991–92 has cost 1·8 million with £2·2 million planned for 1992–93.

  Deaths from all forms of meningitis totalled 236 in England and Wales for the first three quarters of 1991. Figures for the final quarter are not yet available. In October a vaccine—"Hib"—against invasive haemophilus disease, one of the main causes of bacterial meningitis, will be added to the programme. A major information and education campaign will precede the launch of Hib vaccine.

  In 1990, the latest year for which figures are available, the number of infant deaths in England and Wales with any mention of sudden infant death on the death certificate was 1,280, a welcome reduction from the peak of 1,629 deaths in 1988. Whilst the causes of sudden infant death remain unknown, recent research showing that placing babies down to sleep on their back or side can reduce significantly the risk of cot death led to the launch of the £2 million "Back to Sleep" campaign in December 1991 and the issue of 3 million leaflets on "Reducing the Risk of Cot Death". We hope that this will lead to a continuation of the downward trend we have recently seen. Since 1979, the Government have spent £3·8 million on research into sudden infant death and respiratory distress syndromes through the Medical Research Council.

  Pharmacist Contractors' Fees
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the amount paid to pharmacist contractors in England and Wales in respect of fees and on-cost, expressed in pence per prescription and as a percentage of the total amount paid per prescription for each of the last 10 years at actual and constant prices.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The requested information is given in the table:

  Fees and oncost—Pence per prescription

  Year

  Actual prices

  Constant prices2

  Percentage of total amount paid

  1981

  76·3

  136·7

  22·4

  1982

  84·6

  141·6

  22·4

  1983

  88·7

  141·8

  21·5

  1984

  1041

  158·5

  23·8

  19851

  97·8

  148·9

  21·9

  751

  Year

  Actual prices

  Constant prices2

  Percentage of total amount paid

  1985–86

  115·6

  166·8

  23·9

  1986–87

  121·9

  170·3

  23·8

  1987–88

  120·6

  159·8

  21·9

  1988–89

  132·0

  1632

  21·9

  1989–90

  145·7

  169·1

  22·7

  1990–91

  138·7

  148·4

  20·8

  11 January 1985 to 31 March 1985.

  2 Constant prices calculated using 1991–92 prices as base.

  Note: Lump sum underpayments are included in the year in which they were paid.

  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of expenditure on primary health care was paid to pharmacist contractors in respect of fees and on-cost for the last 10 years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information is shown in the table.

  Total expenditure on pharmacists' fees and on-costs as a percentage of total expenditure on primary health care services England

  Primary health care

  Pharmacists' fees, etc.

  Fees, etc· as percentage of primary health care

  £ million

  £ million

  per cent.

  1981–82

  2,443

  232

  9·5

  1982–83

  2,832

  264

  9·3

  1983–84

  3,041

  282

  9·3

  1984–85

  3,349

  336

  10·1

  1985–86

  3,527

  359

  10·2

  1986–87

  3,820

  384

  10·1

  1987–88

  4,220

  409

  9·7

  1988–89

  4,801

  457

  9·5

  1989–90

  5,099

  477

  9·4

  1990–91

  5,427

  516

  9·5

  Source: Department of Health Tables (FI): Total cost of services and sources of finance for health and personal social services.

  Note: Primary health care services are those provided by family doctors, dentists, community pharmacists, opticians and community nurses.

  Insulin Injections
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what would be the net extra cost to his Department of supplying insulin injection pen needles for diabetics on prescription.

  Table 1

  Income from charges under the Road Traffic Acts—£000 (Cash)

  Region

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Northern

  216

  296

  398

  391

  424

  349

  398

  397

  384

  390

  Yorkshire

  351

  448

  515

  573

  618

  631

  679

  751

  680

  744

  Trent

  369

  519

  630

  664

  754

  716

  971

  1,005

  931

  994

  East Anglia

  276

  361

  386

  471

  515

  500

  467

  514

  716

  625

  North West Thames

  224

  285

  356

  303

  315

  384

  403

  438

  468

  333

  North East Thames

  271

  326

  364

  363

  390

  331

  436

  430

  391

  418

  South East Thames

  337

  444

  542

  548

  629

  534

  500

  513

  392

  507

  South West Thames

  246

  379

  348

  357

  379

  338

  461

  517

  574

  211

  Wessex

  316

  458

  584

  583

  775

  753

  742

  836

  861

  1,077

  Oxford

  217

  319

  356

  571

  558

  609

  624

  534

  729

  665

  South Western

  335

  473

  678

  690

  725

  691

  824

  720

  890

  741

  West Midlands

  488

  722

  786

  837

  780

  850

  1,020

  929

  1,040

  969

  Mersey

  228

  392

  399

  385

  466

  458

  491

  407

  517

  624

  North Western

  318

  468

  603

  584

  590

  722

  669

  753

  681

  779

  SHAs

  6

  4

  5

  4

  (2)

  5

  2

  4

  2

  3

  England

  4,198

  5,894

  6,950

  7,324

  7,916

  7,871

  8,687

  8,748

  9,256

  9,080

  752
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The addition of insulin injection pen needles to the list of items GPs may prescribe is the subject of continuing negotiations with manufacturers. The price which will be paid for needles when they become prescribable, and therefore the cost to the Department, are part of these negotiations.

  English Wine
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will delay the implementations of all those recent environment and health regulations applying to the production of English wine in English vineries until a full assessment has been made by the deregulation unit of his Department of their impact on the industry and effect on unemployment and the industry of obligatory requirements imposed by local authority environmental health officers.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No new regulations have been introduced relating specifically to the safe production of wine. Wine producers are subject to the general requirements of the Food Safety Act 1990 for hygienic and safe production. As for other food businesses, their premises must be registered with local authorities under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991. Any enforcement measures should relate to the known risks of the product. In the case of wine production, the risks are generally relatively low.

  Road Traffic Accidents
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount charged by each health authority for treatment given to patients following road traffic accidents for each of the last 10 years; and if he will give the comparable figures for NHS trusts.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 14 February 1992]: The information requested, which is derived from annual accounts submitted to the Department, is shown in the tables for the financial years to 1990–91—the latest available. Such information is not collected in-year.

  Table 1 shows the figures for the 10 years by region and table 2 for each health authority for the most recent three years. A complete analysis to each health authority for the entire 10-year period could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  753

  Table 2

  Income from charges under the Road Traffic Acts

  1988–89 (£)

  1989–90 (£)

  1990–91 (£)

  Northern Region

  Hartlepool

  10,779

  18,973

  21,645

  North Tees

  17,948

  21,272

  22,311

  South Tees

  27,630

  47,551

  34,229

  East Cumbria

  39,031

  45,766

  51,260

  South Cumbria

  28,259

  29,854

  37,415

  West Cumbria

  12,349

  13,135

  11,410

  Darlington

  10,209

  10,238

  14,161

  Durham

  26,503

  30,837

  29,808

  North West Durham

  6,826

  21,562

  16,017

  South West Durham

  22,965

  13,040

  25,609

  Northumberland

  20,434

  44,926

  42,923

  Gateshead

  10,734

  12,570

  10,517

  Newcastle

  129,785

  36,664

  36,495

  North Tyneside

  11,842

  8,794

  12,052

  South Tyneside

  9,121

  8,436

  5,702

  Sunderland

  12,215

  19,952

  18,269

  Total

  396,630

  383,570

  389,823

  Yorkshire Region

  Hull

  153,110

  125,621

  152,581

  East Yorkshire

  5,148

  4,302

  4,350

  Grimsby

  20,682

  31,113

  37,678

  Scunthorpe

  13,499

  17,120

  28,640

  Northallerton

  24,201

  15,932

  12,925

  York

  26,556

  38,971

  31,291

  Scarborough

  33,488

  34,655

  55,701

  Harrogate

  27,745

  30,428

  28,731

  Bradford

  47,252

  66,756

  50,563

  Airedale

  29,637

  37,418

  57,086

  Calderdale

  37,74!

  25,640

  35,644

  Huddersfield

  66,754

  35,713

  30,219

  Dewsbury

  28,108

  38,417

  41,807

  Leeds Western

  78,784

  57,920

  38,736

  Leeds Eastern

  117,071

  80,582

  90,796

  Wakefield

  26,002

  19,155

  33,125

  Pontefract

  15,694

  19,835

  13,731

  Total

  751,472

  679,578

  743,604

  Trent Region

  North Derbyshire

  63,128

  39,661

  56,000

  South Derbyshire

  137,672

  138,300

  108,772

  Leicestershire

  172,495

  79,819

  140,508

  North Lincolnshire

  87,372

  74,019

  134,055

  South Lincolnshire

  108,796

  107,585

  131,640

  Bassetlaw

  11,172

  15,307

  19,860

  Central Notts

  61,453

  61,481

  55,035

  Nottingham

  123,754

  133,736

  98,694

  Barnsley

  21,357

  48,687

  30,990

  Doncaster

  81,221

  104,048

  108,534

  Rotherham

  50,955

  44,696

  65,161

  Sheffield

  85,881

  84,061

  44,535

  Total

  1,005,256

  931,400

  993,784

  East Anglian Region

  Cambridge

  46,271

  138,388

  86,301

  Peterborough

  47,584

  109,887

  89,459

  West Suffolk

  37,573

  49,872

  42,756

  East Suffolk

  43,814

  36,469

  31,302

  Norwich

  190,102

  204,360

  213,959

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney

  28,721

  75,331

  41,905

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  95,884

  73,973

  92,552

  Huntingdon

  23,649

  28,080

  26,962

  Total

  513,598

  716,360

  625,196

  North West Thames Region

  North Bedfordshire

  80,820

  86,996

  46,780

  South Bedfordshire

  53,266

  74,524

  68,648

  North Hertfordshire

  41,081

  47,942

  12,698

  754

  1988–89 (£)

  1989–90 (£)

  1990–91 (£)

  East Hertfordshire

  4,405

  20,174

  17,618

  North West Hertfordshire

  58,989

  59,945

  37,027

  South West Hertfordshire

  20,935

  25,478

  16,912

  Barnet

  24,425

  33,575

  22,299

  Harrow

  10,547

  5,328

  10,747

  Hillingdon

  55,837

  40,118

  32,498

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  71,732

  71,828

  51,160

  Ealing

  10,084

  (6,191)

  10,109

  Riverside

  1,815

  3,529

  2,837

  Parkside

  4,374

  4,170

  4,162

  Total

  438,310

  467,416

  333,495

  North East Thames Region

  Basildon and Thurrock

  20,987

  15,315

  15,306

  Mid Essex

  97,613

  67,113

  89,729

  North East Essex

  13,281

  33,168

  28,039

  West Essex

  54,092

  36,825

  23,204

  Southend

  32,672

  13,939

  24,717

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  55,163

  79,143

  56,546

  Hampstead

  23,128

  24,431

  23,913

  City and Hackney

  7,639

  28,122

  12,120

  Newham

  36,878

  25,319

  43,134

  Tower Hamlets

  27,326

  2,601

  26,073

  Enfield

  7,647

  5,860

  16,137

  Haringey

  1,683

  1,848

  2,537

  Redbridge

  8,909

  4,901

  16,064

  Waltham Forest

  16,470

  35,507

  29,963

  Bloomsbury and Islington

  26,787

  17,104

  10,067

  Total

  430,275

  391,196

  417,549

  South East Thames Region

  Brighton

  36,344

  29,647

  29,915

  Eastbourne

  59,396

  36,938

  55.990

  Hastings

  7,102

  8,201

  8,926

  South East Kent

  21,307

  28,065

  49.105

  Canterbury and Thanet

  95,067

  95,510

  76.468

  Dartford and Gravesham

  32,325

  54,094

  21.810

  Maidstone

  28,501

  5,892

  26,755

  Medway

  35,357

  54,143

  124,693

  Tunbridge Wells

  95,992

  44,651

  71,635

  Bexley

  24,187

  (9,522)

  7,358

  Greenwich

  15,015

  15,585

  10,575

  Bromley

  27,992

  5,402

  16,606

  West Lambeth

  30,925

  10,674

  570

  Camberwell

  734

  5,916

  (7,260)

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  2,609

  6,241

  14,304

  Total

  512,853

  391,437

  507,450

  South West Thames Region

  North West Surrey

  23,458

  14,503

  21,760

  West Surrey and North East Hampshire

  32,032

  26,611

  39,082

  South West Surrey

  54,672

  20,440

  44,572

  Mid Surrey

  16,443

  740

  8,715

  East Surrey

  12,679

  14,674

  12,754

  Chichester

  60,350

  49,988

  60,201

  Mid Downs

  60,609

  71,512

  90,627

  Worthing

  190,269

  233,194

  (17,151)

  Croydon

  15,465

  69,794

  32,204

  Kingston and Esher

  10,042

  38,429

  40,102

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  (623)

  930

  (804)

  Wandsworth

  7,898

  2,895

  4,963

  Merton and Sutton

  33,875

  29,760

  32,068

  Total

  517,169

  573,470

  211,093

  755

  1988–89 (£)

  1989–90 (£)

  1990–91 (£)

  Wessex Region

  East Dorset

  121,668

  107,252

  150,008

  West Dorset

  27,559

  33,077

  28,386

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  114,425

  112,389

  121,614

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  151,657

  171,367

  164,717

  Winchester

  85,145

  80,716

  92,925

  Basingstoke

  71,611

  44,390

  99,669

  Salisbury

  84,498

  119,673

  113,194

  Swindon

  59,130

  70,023

  58,485

  Bath

  109,021

  104,188

  212,102

  Isle of Wight

  11,624

  17,524

  36,046

  Total

  836,338

  860,599

  1,077,146

  Oxford Region

  East Berkshire

  43,424

  87,948

  54,094

  West Berkshire

  100,400

  100,611

  142,669

  Aylesbury

  49,064

  57,278

  54,586

  Wycombe

  46,800

  64,532

  21,031

  Milton Keynes

  24,752

  20,647

  18,260

  Kettering

  62,696

  116,378

  69,867

  Northampton

  61,946

  69,051

  55,119

  Oxfordshire

  144,844

  212,922

  248,941

  Total

  533,926

  729,367

  664,567

  South Western Region

  Bristol and Weston

  71,158

  178,126

  101,851

  Frenchay

  35,647

  122,324

  79,091

  Southmead

  40,030

  33,196

  29,645

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  121,422

  140,566

  120,609

  Exeter

  106,093

  99,823

  109,024

  North Devon

  21,775

  18,317

  19,311

  Plymouth

  83,094

  79,930

  81,415

  Torbay

  67,092

  55,320

  60,506

  Cheltenham

  37,104

  16,218

  22,466

  Gloucester

  42,902

  38,907

  36,811

  Somerset

  93,116

  107,007

  80,012

  Total

  719,433

  889,734

  740,741

  West Midlands Region

  Bromsgrove and Redditch

  14,559

  11,200

  19,453

  Herefordshire

  10,657

  23,033

  28,517

  Kidderminster

  26,017

  24,717

  19,991

  Worcester

  15,720

  32,890

  17,955

  Shropshire

  166,282

  161,089

  153,432

  Mid Staffordshire

  25,500

  31,674

  28,908

  North Staffordshire

  150,086

  131,227

  90,594

  South East Staffordshire

  35,257

  92,865

  41,077

  Rugby

  20,813

  24,222

  52,406

  North Warwickshire

  37,985

  34,173

  17,277

  South Warwickshire

  23,730

  20,974

  28,442

  Central Birmingham

  21,679

  6,124

  47,317

  East Birmingham

  37,770

  43,996

  67,506

  North Birmingham

  27,792

  39,839

  31,773

  South Birmingham

  84,783

  98,091

  75,284

  West Birmingham

  6,539

  5,343

  4,350

  Coventry

  36,022

  32,774

  35,276

  Dudley

  59,849

  65,359

  80,807

  Sandwell

  14,041

  30,883

  25,976

  Solihull

  16,657

  10,161

  8,533

  Walsall

  51,118

  36,567

  43,685

  Wolverhampton

  46,439

  82,686

  50,900

  Total

  929,295

  1,039,887

  969,459

  Mersey Region

  Chester

  60,056

  69,636

  86,583

  Crewe

  62,641

  91,408

  74,816

  Halton

  1,605

  2,927

  3,493

  Macclesfield

  14,475

  16,224

  31,067

  Warrington

  40,127

  18,792

  59,658

  756

  1988–89 (£)

  1989–90 (£)

  1990–91 (£)

  Liverpool

  53,831

  88,046

  143,966

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  14,028

  20,060

  31,466

  Southport and Formby

  13,979

  8,018

  12,967

  South Sefton

  65,363

  83,329

  105,334

  Wirral

  80,564

  121,217

  74,492

  Total

  406,669

  519,657

  623,842

  North Western Region

  Lancaster

  24,361

  28,694

  19,253

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

  33,991

  28,575

  26,962

  Preston

  64,692

  67,831

  50,448

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  29,764

  24,677

  42,611

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  49,985

  48,386

  45,247

  West Lanchashire

  37,224

  37,274

  43,768

  Chorley and South Ribble

  6,820

  8,502

  10,352

  Bolton

  31,775

  30,248

  35,816

  Bury

  12,212

  12,488

  13,334

  North Manchester

  40,150

  20,856

  28,968

  Central Manchester

  43,440

  58,256

  59,019

  South Manchester

  45,720

  62,781

  55,148

  Oldham

  35,224

  19,351

  19,910

  Rochdale

  51,859

  19,592

  29,064

  Salford

  81,598

  35,670

  38,929

  Stockport

  89,610

  77,476

  82,642

  Tameside and Glossop

  30,981

  28,699

  51,028

  Trafford

  11,722

  12,186

  12,477

  Wigan

  31,587

  58,882

  114,267

  Total

  752,715

  680,424

  779,243

  Hospitals for Sick Children

  15

  14

  22

  Hammersmith and Queen Charlottes Hospital

  4,369

  2,246

  2,855

  S.H.As Total

  4,384

  2,260

  2,877

  England Total

  8,748,323

  9,256,355

  9,079,869

  Source: Annual accounts of district health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London post-graduate teaching hospitals. (Predecessor authorities for 1981–82).

  Notes:

  1. The annual figures are for total income from charges for emergency and further treatment under the Road Traffic Acts (RTA) and represent sums due for the financial year but not necessarily received.

  2. The figures also reflect accounting adjustments and RTA charges written-off as bad debts in the year of account. Such adjustments and write-offs include RTA sums due from earlier years and a negative income figure may occasionally result for a particular year (figures shown in brackets in the tables).

  3. The annual accounts of the fourteen regionl health authorities (RHAs) in England and six of the eight special health authorities (SHAs) for the London post-graduate teaching hospitals record no income from RTA in the period 1988–89 to 1990–91 and are omitted from table 2.

  Health Service Finance
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish annex B of Cm 1913 adjusted for input unit costs.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 March 1992]: The information requested for the hospital and community health services, family health services and the health service as a whole for the years 1986–87 to 1990–91 is given in the table. Information is not available in this form for other parts of the programme or for later years.
  757
  This information measures changes in total inputs at constant factor cost but ignores the continuing success of the national health service in increasing the efficiency with which it uses resources. Therefore, in order to give a complete picture, figures adjusted by the gross domestic product deflator have also been included.

  It has not been possible to adjust these figures for certain national health service review related changes. Figures for 1991–92 onwards are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years. The main points are:

  Expenditure figures as they appear in Annex B of Cm 1913 adjusted for changes in input unit costs and by the GDP deflator (All at 1990–91 prices)

  £ million

  NHS hospital, community health, family health (cash limited) and related services

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Current expenditure

  Adjusted for change in input unit cost

  gross

  18,790

  19,112

  19,202

  19,241

  20,073

  (a)

  (a)

  net

  18,273

  18,602

  18,687

  18,710

  19,513

  (a)

  (a)

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator

  gross

  17,787

  18,618

  19,285

  19,434

  20,073

  21,582

  22,748

  net

  17,298

  18,120

  18,767

  18,898

  19,513

  21,050

  22,256

  Capital expenditure

  Adjusted for change in input unit cost

  gross

  1,703

  1,697

  1,731

  1,930

  1,864

  (a)

  (a)

  net

  1,491

  1,420

  1,365

  1,638

  1,661

  (a)

  (a)

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator

  gross

  1,642

  1,631

  1,643

  1,878

  1,864

  1,911

  1,731

  net

  1,437

  1,364

  1,295

  1,594

  1,661

  1,698

  1,538

  NHS family health services (non cash limited)

  Current expenditure

  Adjusted for change in input unit cost

  gross

  6,097

  6,306

  6,491

  6,460

  6,275

  (a)

  (a)

  net

  5,454

  5,658

  5,802

  5,704

  5,574

  (a)

  (a)

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator

  gross

  5,616

  5,895

  6,222

  6,164

  6,275

  6,263

  6,535

  net

  5,024

  5,289

  5,561

  5,442

  5,574

  5,552

  5,803

  Total health services

  Current expenditure

  Adjusted for change in input cost

  gross

  25,776

  26,300

  26,536

  26,601

  27,247

  (a)

  (a)

  net

  24,600

  25,130

  25,325

  25,310

  25,960

  (a)

  (a)

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator

  gross

  24,221

  25,337

  26,309

  26,450

  27,247

  28,851

  30,329

  net

  23,117

  24,209

  25,108

  25,166

  25,960

  27,575

  29,069

  Capital expenditure

  Adjusted for change in input unit cost

  gross

  1,774

  1,744

  1,786

  1,981

  1,933

  (a)

  (a)

  net

  1,561

  1,463

  1,394

  1,688

  1,729

  (a)

  (a)

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator

  gross

  1,710

  1,676

  1,695

  1,928

  1,933

  2,080

  1,910

  net

  1,505

  1,407

  1,323

  1,642

  1,729

  1,801

  1,717

  Total expenditure

  Adjusted for change in input cost

  gross

  27,572

  28,069

  28,350

  28,592

  29,180

  (a)

  (a)

  net

  26,179

  26,616

  26,758

  27,011

  27,689

  (a)

  (a)

  Adjusted by the GDP deflator

  gross

  25,931

  27,015

  28,003

  28,377

  29,180

  30,932

  32,239

  net

  24,622

  25,616

  26,431

  26,809

  27,689

  29,376

  30,786

  (a) Estimates are not made for changes in input unit cost until the financial year has ended.
  758

  (i) Sums provided for trust debt remuneration are included in hospital and community health services current in 1991–92 and 1992–93;

  (ii) Trusts' capital spending financed via health authorities' payments for services is included in hospital and community health services current, for 1991–92 and 1992–93;

  (iii) General practitioner fundholders' expenditure on drugs is included in hospital and community health services current in 1991–92 only.

  Agency Staff
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each district health authority, regional health authority, special health authority, and for England as a whole the amount spent on agency staff for each year since 1987 and for the latest available year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: The information, which is derived from annual accounts

  Total revenue expenditure on non-NHS (agency, etc.) staff

  1987–88 £ (cash)

  1988–89 £ (cash)

  1989–90 £ (cash)

  1990–91 £ (cash)

  Northern regional health authority

  122,371

  151,306

  183,836

  96,133

  Hartlepool

  18,733

  5,538

  30,410

  79,736

  North Tees

  16,486

  27,571

  0

  15,008

  South Tees

  435,021

  569,875

  540,069

  360,587

  East Cumbria

  90,628

  97,941

  109,007

  117,503

  South Cumbria

  91,692

  74,880

  109,195

  60,705

  West Cumbria

  54,979

  64,030

  39,999

  54,571

  Darlington

  314,896

  154,067

  246,541

  438,420

  Durham

  85,031

  204,624

  19,661

  50,431

  North West Durham

  50,947

  91,928

  5,042

  27,855

  South West Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  42,835

  29,114

  30,093

  12,440

  Gateshead

  0

  29,977

  105,435

  138,908

  Newcastle

  122,543

  101,775

  159,949

  968,019

  North Tyneside

  89,331

  65,189

  130,367

  166,277

  South Tyneside

  91,772

  45,475

  34,666

  80,841

  Sunderland

  80,465

  89,553

  156,815

  69,338

  Northern region total

  1,707,730

  1,802,843

  1,900,085

  2,736,772

  Yorkshire regional health authority

  68,575

  82,940

  211,022

  186,881

  Hull

  374,644

  257,545

  270,058

  301,040

  East Yorks

  303,707

  242,172

  216,573

  111,846

  Grimsby

  290,769

  243,584

  415,612

  461,954

  Scunthorpe

  181,049

  228,714

  87,796

  94,472

  Northallerton

  0

  0

  0

  98,588

  York

  118,860

  288,820

  279,915

  207,812

  Scarborough

  492,494

  340,459

  337,421

  221,960

  Harrogate

  147,860

  168,457

  179,803

  228,228

  Bradford

  670,368

  726,030

  880,794

  1,025,534

  Airedale

  37,364

  19,939

  15,525

  39,647

  Calderdale

  462,592

  496,776

  370,302

  209,220

  Huddersfield

  23,119

  26,953

  66,526

  57,919

  Dewsbury

  33,946

  5,969

  90,955

  109,696

  Leeds Western

  1,869799

  2,533,830

  3,274,651

  2,629,311

  Leeds Eastern

  506,698

  749,710

  1,152,806

  1,334,620

  Wakefield

  449,460

  348,417

  431,231

  442,089

  Pontefract

  237,028

  147,342

  154,856

  251,802

  Yorkshire region total

  6,268,332

  6,907,657

  8,435,846

  8,012,619

  Trent regional health authority

  294,698

  300,236

  325,810

  202,386

  North Derbyshire

  31,738

  98,581

  234,532

  176,156

  South Derbyshire

  595,635

  477,658

  512,592

  333,341

  Leicestershire

  530,858

  763,651

  1,242,231

  806,257

  North Lincolnshire

  105,119

  120,848

  160,367

  133,818

  South Lincolnshire

  583,200

  623,673

  621,831

  544,590

  Bassetlaw

  0

  42,215

  170,314

  220,211

  Central Nottinghamshire

  65,002

  40,657

  63,406

  232,172

  Nottingham

  501,317

  454,044

  455,369

  757,044

  Barnsley

  65,465

  63,308

  112,928

  117,057

  Doncaster

  224,243

  206,050

  195,525

  259,518

  Rotherham

  146,223

  259,528

  429,098

  590,632

  Sheffield

  1,277,009

  1,849,679

  3,484,517

  3,155,054

  Trent region total

  4,420,507

  5,300,128

  8,008,520

  7,528,236

  East Anglian regional health authority

  475,878

  802,505

  1,374,541

  1,846,612

  Cambridge

  1,521,781

  1,656,476

  2,179,186

  1,565,006

  Peterborough

  676,536

  619,743

  589,200

  509,803

  West Suffolk

  410,296

  491,299

  602,125

  837,760

  East Suffolk

  303,075

  533,803

  655,222

  1,014,282

  Norwich

  1,875,080

  1,555,447

  1,482,742

  1,342,194

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney

  436,536

  359,775

  377,276

  400,635

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  388,409

  452,406

  497,413

  397,316

  760
  submitted to the Department for the financial years 1987–88 to 1990–91-the latest available-is shown in the table.
  761

  1987–88 £ (cash)

  1988–89 £ (cash)

  1989–90 £ (cash)

  1990–91 £ (cash)

  Huntingdon

  90,488

  132,924

  198,498

  764,506

  East Anglian region total

  6,178,079

  6,604,378

  7,956,203

  8,678,114

  North West Thames regional health authority

  2,299,214

  727,892

  729,071

  884,125

  North Bedfordshire

  591,093

  538,398

  519,366

  424,593

  South Bedfordshire

  820,269

  1,022,665

  1,243,620

  1,621,391

  North Hertfordshire

  1,071,328

  1,206,162

  1,555,862

  1,911,468

  East Hertfordshire

  951,014

  882,852

  675,886

  752,335

  North West Hertfordshire

  1,567,927

  1,719,755

  1,919,530

  1,991,275

  South West Hertfordshire

  1,261,893

  1,721,574

  1,729,753

  2,114,156

  Barnet

  3,409,043

  4,372,478

  5,084,348

  5,064,702

  Harrow

  2,289,898

  2,429,707

  2,906,290

  3,269,381

  Hillingdon

  2,796,748

  3,742,080

  4,190,196

  3,348,431

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  3,179,646

  3,830,287

  4,547,753

  3,907,046

  Ealing

  1,597,487

  2,372,980

  3,143,666

  3,253,397

  Riverside

  9,905,227

  13,590,643

  15,020,274

  11,040,240

  Parkside

  7,785,034

  9,436,938

  11,277,056

  9,863,888

  North West Thames region total

  39,525,821

  47,594,411

  54,542,671

  49,446,428

  North East Thames regional health authority

  738,317

  859,563

  937,619

  721,659

  Basildon and Thurrock

  1,576,965

  2,059,683

  2,393,580

  1,363,868

  Mid Essex

  1,206,645

  1,204,844

  1,148,747

  1,007,351

  North East Essex

  393,908

  752,040

  971,582

  861,628

  West Essex

  1,205,271

  1,025,548

  1,371,384

  1,245,951

  Southend

  1,980,270

  2,296,332

  2,120,877

  2,006,720

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  2,812,714

  2,788,896

  2,186,979

  1,793,355

  Hampstead

  3,137,349

  4,238,981

  5,072,956

  4,440,927

  City and Hackney

  4,854,313

  6,802,822

  7,436,144

  7,102,272

  Newham

  3,112,504

  3,232,217

  3,619,816

  4,278,542

  Tower Hamlets

  3,193,918

  4,342,609

  5,293,025

  4,762,839

  Enfield

  2,218,174

  2,022,592

  1,981,352

  2,064,315

  Haringey

  2,737,355

  2,468,426

  3,569,347

  3,493,981

  Redbridge

  2,281,034

  2,486,399

  2,996,419

  2,079,569

  Waltham Forest

  3,979,398

  4,682,746

  5,206,875

  5,673,948

  Bloomsbury and Islington

  14,014,663

  17,711,380

  18,564,424

  16,152,205

  North East Thames region total

  49,442,798

  59,011,078

  64,871,126

  59,049,130

  South East Thames regional health authority

  1,019,536

  1,462,288

  796,115

  590,079

  Brighton

  1,497,134

  2,111,328

  2,600,706

  2,154,798

  Eastbourne

  989,148

  1,052,220

  937,118

  894,674

  Hastings

  765,009

  732,564

  967,282

  817,694

  South East Kent

  596,850

  534,040

  600,897

  357,573

  Canterbury and Thanet

  1,105,938

  1,229,828

  1,225,943

  1,000,535

  Dartford and Gravesham

  2,370,141

  2,177,132

  2,099,310

  1,098,097

  Maidstone

  1,221,563

  965,653

  844,706

  773,787

  Medway

  787,278

  923,396

  1,080,877

  1,912,306

  Tunbridge Wells

  1,515,017

  2,198,385

  2,549,673

  1,364,468

  Bexley

  1,037,467

  1,057,577

  1,311,721

  1,157,721

  Greenwich

  2,220,621

  2,674,043

  2,670,592

  2,444,405

  Bromley

  1,734,511

  2,550,508

  3,098,195

  2,138,229

  West Lambeth

  4,044,238

  5,240,423

  6,131,448

  3,710,181

  Camberwell

  4,381,014

  4,787,608

  6,135,868

  7,039,915

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  4,165,801

  5,631,563

  5,187,217

  4,945,197

  South East Thames region total

  29,451,266

  35,328,556

  38,237,668

  32,399,659

  South West Thames regional health authority

  4,125,246

  3,442,085

  4,090,940

  1,767,941

  North West Surrey

  1,416,863

  1,418,310

  2,547,056

  2,255,178

  West Surrey and North East Hampshire

  1,311,438

  1,584,613

  1,665,467

  1,176,231

  South West Surrey

  1,427,241

  1,938,917

  1,866,119

  1,525,951

  Mid Surrey

  856,057

  1,255,626

  1,566,838

  1,273,307

  East Surrey

  1,880,246

  2,439,164

  2,888,940

  1,900,255

  Chichester

  450,957

  591,739

  805,124

  645,371

  Mid Downs

  1,150,744

  1,384,841

  1,556,396

  1,288,472

  Worthing

  1,311,811

  1,392,828

  1,702,995

  1,540,308

  Croydon

  1,446,044

  2,384,516

  3,467,328

  2,649,097

  Kingston and Esher

  1,666,994

  2,437,871

  3,049,237

  1,748,899

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  2,687,663

  3,097,592

  3,299,278

  3,397,120

  Wandsworth

  5,245,180

  6,200,298

  7,310,733

  4,883,203

  Merton and Sutton

  2,114,184

  2,913,701

  2,852,301

  2,419,863

  762 763

  1987–88 £ (cash)

  1988–89 £ (cash)

  1989–90 £ (cash)

  1990–91 £ (cash)

  South West Thames region total

  27,090,668

  32,482,101

  38,668,752

  28,471,196

  Wessex regional health authority

  538,495

  359,860

  214,285

  667,732

  East Dorset

  1,483,282

  1,703,900

  2,034,615

  1,812,459

  West Dorset

  298,835

  366,168

  461,944

  527,303

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  667,152

  1,023,047

  1,253,703

  1,415,997

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  678,522

  610,280

  1,127,391

  1,053,254

  Winchester

  569,488

  764,819

  702,203

  584,851

  Basingstoke

  832,146

  1,234,165

  1,395,171

  1,071,689

  Salisbury

  433,641

  336,344

  418,191

  437,442

  Swindon

  353,095

  460,172

  711,407

  804,305

  Bath

  268,719

  346,062

  827,694

  979,203

  Isle of Wight

  232,666

  442,206

  974,080

  827,582

  Wessex region total

  6,356,041

  7,647,023

  10,120,684

  10,181,817

  Oxford regional health authority

  129,673

  327,235

  735,085

  527,375

  East Berkshire

  1,964,409

  2,135,708

  2,440,727

  1,997,510

  West Berkshire

  1,259,707

  1,474,065

  1,754,567

  1,790,170

  Aylesbury

  1,057,468

  1,215,867

  1,187,034

  1,041,672

  Wycombe

  587,818

  647,502

  645,455

  522,144

  Milton Keynes

  370,248

  603,210

  690,050

  375,893

  Kettering

  194,847

  223,515

  287,835

  285,144

  Northampton

  284,477

  518,735

  762,548

  630,322

  Oxfordshire

  624,718

  978,589

  1,361,879

  1,084,462

  Oxford region total

  6,473,365

  8,124,426

  9,865,180

  8,254,692

  South Western regional health authority

  484,000

  498,941

  679,450

  835,586

  Bristol and Weston

  870,341

  1,427,086

  1,964,462

  2,086,772

  Frenchay

  191,581

  378,586

  758,969

  1,229,122

  Southmead

  385,695

  405,633

  520,437

  556,042

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  261,374

  263,452

  281,408

  350,875

  Exeter

  493,777

  647,282

  1,028,593

  666,534

  North Devon

  222,920

  193,294

  249,417

  261,510

  Plymouth

  265,221

  336,871

  665,431

  1,106,159

  Torbay

  150,855

  179,697

  221,672

  283,306

  Cheltenham

  175,424

  366,690

  603,368

  545,015

  Gloucester

  70,231

  106,558

  112,332

  157,212

  Somerset

  1,219,532

  1,144,346

  1,275,176

  1,459,015

  South Western region total

  4,790,951

  5,948,436

  8,360,715

  9,537,148

  West Midlands regional health authority

  730,773

  755,235

  791,136

  1,152,371

  Bromsgrove and Rcdditch

  336,575

  187,481

  215,171

  327,382

  Herefordshire

  129,256

  156,257

  285,567

  398,690

  Kidderminster

  100,275

  107,993

  120,621

  165,699

  Worcester

  535,924

  615,610

  1,197,012

  1,622,959

  Shropshire

  184,187

  104,640

  263,915

  488,022

  Mid Staffs

  87,262

  201,680

  259,417

  357,971

  North Staffs

  246,491

  295,718

  280,954

  359,734

  South East Staffs

  169,574

  197,927

  254,502

  255,658

  Rugby

  275,708

  333,652

  369,078

  295,023

  North Warwickshire

  226,802

  181,189

  240,086

  281,029

  South Warwickshire

  386,444

  313,797

  346,493

  493,518

  Central Birmingham

  1,096,622

  1,176,816

  1,926,228

  4,113,048

  East Birmingham

  623,485

  728,890

  1,393,344

  1,504,775

  North Birmingham

  468,028

  286,357

  340,191

  323,158

  South Birmingham

  939,572

  744,906

  982,011

  854,728

  West Birmingham

  686,553

  1,248,416

  1,550,390

  1,367,969

  Coventry

  421,659

  612,652

  861,914

  635,468

  Dudley

  226,484

  541,503

  851,751

  807,849

  Sandwell

  330,893

  477,915

  447,402

  205,281

  Solihull

  315,479

  201,299

  186,268

  342,793

  Walsall

  445,706

  443,617

  533,675

  610,182

  Wolverhampton

  666,328

  634,398

  791,357

  465,332

  West Midlands region total

  9,630,080

  10,547,948

  14,488,483

  17,428,639

  Mersey regional health authority

  244,866

  271,163

  253,517

  288,395

  Chester

  110,888

  24,224

  229,033

  67,143

  Crewe

  496,125

  350,167

  519,320

  639,719

  Halton

  217,425

  353,701

  369,752

  267,952

  Macclesfield

  276,859

  285,794

  538,806

  613,345

  Warrington

  227,261

  219,578

  264,482

  30,584

  Liverpool

  770,672

  375,875

  2,094,580

  2,510,559

  764 765

  1987–88 £ (cash)

  1988–89 £ (cash)

  1989–90 £ (cash)

  1990–91 £ (cash)

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  96,422

  44,602

  81,166

  133,408

  Southport and Formby

  284,061

  258,126

  247,071

  315,320

  South Sefton

  163,903

  439,085

  668,066

  491,794

  Wirral

  92,277

  157,465

  269,355

  285,823

  Mersey region total

  2,980,759

  2,779,780

  5,535,148

  5,644,042

  North Western regional health authority

  18,969

  4,552

  100,542

  94,215

  Lancaster

  43,603

  57,988

  43,165

  74,386

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

  249,381

  286,763

  267,094

  340,762

  Preston

  287,932

  388,428

  335,075

  493,246

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  0

  0

  118,621

  114,180

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  57,073

  276,988

  116,619

  138,652

  West Lancashire

  118,769

  177,447

  570,483

  741,067

  Chorley and South Ribble

  19,142

  27,648

  14,863

  57,141

  Bolton

  526,670

  700,095

  586,073

  413,544

  Bury

  115,890

  71,054

  178,085

  300,077

  North Manchester

  150,309

  320,374

  446,372

  993,235

  Central Manchester

  372,029

  494,026

  816,384

  1,152,637

  South Manchester

  90,689

  675,087

  589,147

  1,245,214

  Oldham

  344,533

  353,911

  273,386

  171,600

  Rochdale

  100,777

  50,608

  60,548

  65,388

  Salford

  363,522

  355,484

  255,378

  525,580

  Stockport

  139,237

  152,253

  163,522

  187,236

  Tameside and Glossop

  212,375

  213,735

  214,070

  166,320

  Trafford

  202,788

  242,912

  112,842

  192,333

  Wigan

  29,689

  42,892

  209,149

  228,576

  North Western region total

  3,443,377

  4,892,245

  5,471,418

  7,695,389

  Hospitals for Sick Children

  3,007,397

  3,929,924

  5,655,215

  5,364,730

  National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

  1,886,045

  2,145,783

  2,706,325

  2,286,274

  Moorfields Eye Hospital

  1,192,738

  1,697,004

  1,580,001

  1,204,326

  Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals

  1,146,088

  1,351,302

  2,316,199

  1,530,689

  National Heart and Lung Hospitals

  1,409,469

  2,272,109

  2,804,712

  3,682,776

  Royal Marsden Hospital

  1,394,752

  1,783,790

  2,295,757

  1,926,012

  Hammersmith and Queen Charlottes Hospital

  3,367,977

  3,675,845

  3,280,373

  3,472,062

  Eastman Dental Hospital

  271,154

  339,793

  380,587

  394,333

  SHA total

  13,675,620

  17,195,550

  21,019,169

  19,861,202

  England

  211,435,394

  252,166,560

  297,481,668

  274,925,083

  Source:

  Annual accounts of regional and district health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  Notes:

  1. The table excludes the similar but comparatively small costs of staff wholly or mainly concerned with capital projects and which are charged to capital expenditure by the health authorities. Such costs totalled as follows:

  £000 (cash)

  1987–88

  2,449

  1988–89

  2,876

  1989–90

  4,612

  1990–91

  4,899

  2. The table also excludes any expenditure incurred by special health authorities other than those for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Scientists
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to establish a United Kingdom body to retrain nuclear scientists and weapon designers from the Atomic Weapons Establishment in civil development projects.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No.

  Hydrographic Office
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for defence what changes he proposes in the budget of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency from 1 April; what consequences for staffing he expects to result; and what consultations have taken place with representatives of the employees.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The 1992–93 business plan for the Hydrographic Office defence support agency is still being prepared, and consequently the budgetary allocation and any staffing implications have yet to be finalised by the
  767
  chief executive. Discussions between the management and representatives of Hydrographic Office staff will continue by means of well-established local Whitley committee machinery.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had over the prospect of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency achieving metrication of charts on a world basis by 1999; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A number of representations have been received concerning the metrication of charts by the Hydrographic Office defence support agency, including some from hon. Members. One of the key targets set for the chief executive of the Hydrographic Office is to reduce the number of imperial unit charts in the inventory by at least 90 per year. This will allow the metrication programme to be completed by 2005. By 1999 all imperial charts relating to EC waters will have been converted to metric units of measurement in accordance with an EC directive covering the territories of EC member states and their territorial waters.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the adequacy of staff numbers employed on marketing by the Hydrographic Office defence support agency.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the automation programme of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency and the likely staff savings(a) before 1995 and (b) after 1995.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Hydrographic Office. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the running costs and (b) the incomes from sales in request of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency in each year since 1971 (i) at current prices and (ii) at 1990–91 prices.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Hydrographic Office. I have asked him to reply to my right hon. Friend.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that the savings required under current proposals from the Hydrographic Office defence support agency should be based on net rather than total running costs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Hydrographic Office defence support agency has been required to achieve a number of economy measures as a contribution to savings needed throughout the fleet support area. The chief executive has been given certain freedoms and flexibilities to deal with these savings measures and will be considering how best to implement them while ensuring that the Hydrographic Office continues to respond effectively to the needs of its customers.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what figures he has been given by the military authorities of the Commonwealth of Independent States forces for 768
  (a) the total number of nuclear warheads in the CIS stockpile and (b) the total amount of nuclear explosive material in warheads or in store in the CIS.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Russian authorities have indicated that the former Soviet nuclear arsenal contains in excess of 27,000 warheads but have given no details of the amount of fissile material they possess.

  Plymouth Development Corporation
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from which defence vote and subhead he proposes to make funds available to the proposed new urban development corporation in Plymouth; how much he proposes to make available; and what value has been placed on the amounts of development land surplus to his Department's requirements which he proposes to hand over to the proposed corporation.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Ministry of Defence has undertaken to provide £20 million and some surplus land to support the proposed Plymouth urban development corporation announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on the 6 March; this forms part of a package for the disposal of the Royal William yard.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he hopes to pay Mr. W. Martin of Blackdown Goat farm, Loddiswell, near Kingsbridge, south Devon, compensation as a result of a low-flying service helicopter on 5 February; if he will make a full investigation into the circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Mr. Martin has only recently submitted a claim to my Department for compensation. The matter will be fully investigated and dealt with as quickly as possible.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children in Scotland were growing up in households dependent on income support or supplementary benefit; and what share of the Scottish population aged 16 years and under this represented, in each year since 1974.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The answer is given in the table. The information requested is not available for the years prior to 1977 and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The figures in the table largely reflect the increased numbers of lone parent families that is a characteristic of Great Britain as a whole and the fact that 60 per cent. of lone parents are either separated or divorced. Members of this group tend to become dependent on income support because of the problems that they face in obtaining appropriate levels of maintenance for their children and also in entering the labour market. This situation will be helped by the two changes in family credit that are to take effect from April; the definition of remunerative work is to be reduced to 16 hours and a £15 disregard is to be

  769
  introduced for child maintenance from absent parents. In the longer term the Child Support Agency will help lone parents obtain the child maintenance that is due to them.

  (A)

  (B)

  (C)

  Year

  Number of children in Scotland aged 16 or under dependent on income support

  (B) expressed as a percentage of the total number of children in Scotland aged 16 or under

  (000's)

  1977

  122

  8·6

  1978

  121

  8·8

  1979

  111

  8·2

  1980

  121

  9·2

  1981

  158

  12·3

  1982

  186

  14·9

  1983

  180

  14·7

  1984

  200

  17·1

  11986

  216

  18·9

  1987

  221

  19·6

  1988

  232

  21·0

  1989

  229

  21·0

  1990

  222

  20·4

  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Sources: Supplementary benefit/income support annual statistical inquiries for 1977 to 1990. Population statistics branch. General Register Office, Scotland.

  1 There was no annual statistical inquiry in 1985: the one due in December that year was deferred until February 1986.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of income support recipients are responsible for a mortgage or home loan and are(a) not in arrears with their payments, (b) more than three months in arrears and (c) more than six months in arrears.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Benefits Agency is currently

  Table 1

  Average payment (at 1991–92 prices) (£ per annum)1

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Retirement Pension2

  2,400

  2,360

  2,330

  2,410

  2,490

  2,540

  2,490

  2,550

  2,590

  2,550

  2,450

  2,450

  2,450

  2,570

  Widows' Benefit2

  2,770

  2,670

  2,640

  2,690

  2,730

  2,800

  2,810

  2,820

  2,880

  2,890

  2,840

  2,640

  2,720

  2,810

  Unemployment Benefit

  3,010

  2,760

  2,620

  2,500

  2,300

  2,350

  2,360

  2,400

  2,410

  2,390

  2,280

  2,270

  2,190

  2,320

  Sickness Benefit

  3,370

  3,110

  2,950

  2,140

  2,350

  2,490

  2,360

  2,490

  2,500

  2,440

  2,260

  2,260

  2,200

  2,230

  Statutory Sick Pay3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,330

  3,220

  3,210

  3,300

  3,230

  3,040

  3,060

  2,840

  2,620

  Invalidity Benefit2

  3,800

  3,730

  3,640

  3,720

  3,810

  3,940

  3,950

  3,920

  3,990

  3,890

  3,770

  3,740

  3,750

  3,970

  Industrial Disablement Benefit

  2,170

  2,100

  2,080

  2,170

  2,160

  2,230

  2,230

  2,220

  2,160

  2,070

  1,890

  1,850

  1,820

  1,820

  Industrial Death Benefit

  2,890

  2,790

  2,750

  2,810

  2,840

  2,880

  2,790

  2,790

  2,840

  2,970

  2,430

  2,280

  2,570

  2,600

  Maternity Allowance

  2,850

  2,530

  2,440

  2,260

  2,030

  2,050

  2,040

  2,060

  2,130

  2,250

  2,220

  1,740

  1,820

  1,950

  Statutory Maternity Pay

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,200

  3,860

  3,690

  4,200

  4,050

  Non-contributory RP

  1,540

  1,520

  1,490

  1,400

  1,490

  1,640

  1,700

  1,690

  1,290

  1,400

  1,270

  1,160

  1,100

  1,060

  War Pension

  2,400

  2,360

  2,310

  2,490

  2,550

  2,660

  2,720

  2,840

  2,940

  2,940

  2,850

  2,810

  2,970

  3,100

  Attendance Allowance

  1,720

  1,640

  1,620

  1,690

  1,730

  1,780

  1,790

  1,780

  1,800

  1,770

  1,700

  1,690

  1,690

  1,760

  Invalid Care Allowance4

  2,170

  1,860

  1,960

  2,150

  1,340

  1,600

  1,670

  1,880

  5,810

  3,050

  2,140

  1,860

  1,650

  1,690

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  1,250

  1,200

  1,210

  1,290

  1,320

  1,390

  1,470

  1,570

  1,500

  1,470

  1,450

  1,430

  1,580

  1,940

  Mobility Allowance

  1,340

  1,310

  1,330

  1,480

  1,490

  1,540

  1,390

  1,450

  1,560

  1,530

  1,490

  1,530

  1,520

  1,610

  Income Support/Supplementary Benefit5

  2,030

  1,940

  2,000

  2,330

  2,510

  2,020

  2,100

  2,230

  2,180

  2,100

  2,170

  2,140

  2,270

  2,470

  Child Benefit (per child)6

  360

  490

  440

  460

  470

  500

  520

  520

  520

  510

  460

  440

  400

  430

  One Parent Benefit

  210

  270

  280

  290

  300

  320

  320

  330

  340

  330

  310

  310

  320

  300

  Family Credit/FIS7

  770

  780

  870

  950

  950

  980

  940

  910

  1,050

  1,080

  1,740

  1,620

  1,650

  1,760

  Rate Rebate5

  150

  150

  160

  180

  170

  280

  270

  300

  310

  320

  320

  310

  —

  —

  Rent Allowance5

  460

  420

  390

  470

  480

  840

  910

  890

  1,130

  1,120

  1,330

  1,420

  1,590

  1,770

  Rent Rebate58

  460

  460

  470

  560

  510

  850

  840

  870

  880

  890

  1,010

  1,080

  1,070

  1,080

  Community Charge Benefits9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  250

  330

  190

  Notes:

  1 Cash values revalued by use of the GDP deflator.

  2 Includes additional pensions.

  3 80 per cent. reimbursement in 1991–92 grossed up to 100 per cent.

  4 Data for 1986–87 and 1987–88 distorted by major increase in numbers of beneficiaries and extensive arrears payments following the extension of entitlement to married women, first announced in 1985–86.

  5 Changes in 1983–84 reflect the transfer of support for housing costs from supplementary benefit to housing benefit.

  6 Increase in 1979–80 reflects the full introduction of child benefit and abolition of most child tax allowances.

  770
  undertaking an exercise to identify claimants in difficulties with their mortgage interest payments and to make those payments direct to lenders. From April all claimants receiving help with mortgage interest will have payments made automatically to qualifying lenders.

  Benefit Expenditure
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the reduction in overall expenditure in all welfare benefits, with the exception of child benefit, if all the adult working population including those currently classified as unemployed were deemed to have earned £100 per week.

  Mr. Jack
  The outcome of the proposal outlined in i he question would not result in a benefit saving.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the average expenditure per claimant for each social security benefit at 1991–92 prices for each year since 1979; and what was the percentage increase or decrease each year.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information is in the tables. In considering this data, it must be borne in mind that wholly beneficial benefit enhancements can, by increasing beneficiary numbers, produce an apparent fall in real average payments whereas in reality household real income from social security can be higher—for example, the growing number of married women receiving pensions in their own right. For income-related benefits, amounts paid reflect other income and other benefits, and changes from year to year are the consequence of increases in various benefits made to reflect the Government's concern to help elderly and sick people and families.
  771

  7 Increase in 1988–89 reflects the introduction of family credit.

  8 Includes expenditure on Department of the Environment and Welsh Office programmes in 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  9 Reduction in 1991–92 reflects effects of the community charge rebate and reduction schemes.

  Table 2

  Percentage change over preceding year

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Retirement Pension2

  -2

  -1

  3

  3

  2

  -2

  2

  2

  -2

  -4

  0

  0

  5

  Widows Benefit2

  -3

  -1

  2

  1

  3

  0

  0

  2

  0

  -2

  -7

  3

  3

  Unemployment Benefit

  -8

  -5

  -5

  -8

  2

  0

  2

  0

  -1

  -4

  -1

  -3

  6

  Sickness Benefit

  -8

  -5

  -7

  -14

  6

  -5

  5

  0

  -3

  -7

  0

  -2

  1

  Statutory Sick Pay3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -3

  0

  3

  -2

  -6

  1

  -7

  -8

  Invalidity Benefit2

  -2

  -2

  2

  2

  3

  0

  -1

  2

  -3

  -3

  -1

  0

  6

  Industrial Disablement Benefit

  -3

  0

  4

  0

  3

  0

  -1

  -3

  -4

  -9

  -2

  -1

  0

  Industrial Death Benefit

  -4

  -1

  2

  1

  1

  -3

  0

  2

  4

  -18

  -6

  12

  1

  Maternity Allowance

  -11

  -3

  -7

  -10

  1

  0

  1

  4

  6

  -1

  -22

  4

  7

  Statutory Maternity Pay

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21

  -5

  14

  -4

  Non-contributory RP

  -1

  -2

  -6

  6

  10

  4

  0

  -24

  8

  -9

  -9

  -5

  -4

  War Pension

  -2

  -2

  8

  3

  4

  2

  5

  4

  0

  -3

  -1

  6

  4

  Attendance Allowance

  -5

  -1

  4

  2

  3

  1

  0

  1

  -1

  -4

  0

  0

  4

  Invalid Care Allowance4

  -14

  8

  9

  -38

  19

  5

  12

  210

  -48

  -30

  -13

  -11

  3

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  -4

  1

  7

  2

  5

  6

  7

  -4

  -2

  -2

  -1

  10

  23

  Mobility Allowance

  -2

  1

  11

  1

  4

  -10

  4

  8

  -2

  -3

  2

  0

  5

  Income Support/ Supplementary Benefit5

  -4

  3

  16

  8

  -20

  4

  6

  -2

  -4

  4

  -1

  6

  9

  Child Benefit (per child)5

  36

  -10

  5

  3

  6

  4

  -1

  -1

  -2

  -8

  -6

  -8

  6

  One Parent Benefit

  31

  3

  4

  3

  6

  2

  1

  3

  -3

  -4

  0

  3

  -8

  Family Credit/FIS7

  2

  11

  9

  1

  3

  -5

  -2

  14

  4

  60

  -7

  2

  7

  Rate Rebate5

  4

  4

  16

  -6

  61

  -2

  9

  4

  4

  -1

  -4

  —

  —

  Rent Allowance5

  -8

  -7

  19

  2

  77

  8

  9

  13

  0

  18

  7

  12

  11

  Rent Rebate58

  -1

  2

  20

  -9

  86

  -1

  3

  2

  1

  14

  6

  0

  1

  Community Charge Benefit9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  -44

  Note: For footnotes see Table 1.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which areas of Lancashire have received cold weather payments in the 1991–92 winter; and for what relevant dates.

  Mr. Scott
  Such information is available in the Library.

  Kidderminster Local Office
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the full cost of temporary accommodation with regard to the closure of the Kidderminster integrated local benefit office will be funded centrally; and if a new integrated local office will be established in Kidderminster.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The provision of benefit offices is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Libary and the Public Information Office.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated full cost of implementing all of the Social Security Advisory Committee's recommendations on the social fund in Great Britain in 1992–93.

  Mr. Scott
  The recommendations of the Social Security Advisory Committee propose wide-ranging changes to the social fund. The full information needed to produce a reliable estimate of the cost is not readily available. We are considering this report carefully, including the basis on which sound estimates might be constructed.

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many(a) posting query cases, (b) receivership cases and (c) refund requests are currently outstanding at Contributions Agency central operations in Newcastle; and when they will be cleared;

  (2) what are the (a) benefit entitlement implications and (b) revenue implications of the current posting query and receivership cases backlog at Contributions Agency central operations in Newcastle.

  Mr. Jack
  The current state of processing work at Newcastle and the implications this has on benefits and revenue is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Benefits Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out(a) the number of claimants, (b) the number of claimants' partners and (c) the number of dependants on supplementary benefit and income support in each year from 1979 to the latest available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information is published annually in the supplementary benefits or income support statistics, copies of which are available in the Library.

  It is regretted that there was a transcription error in one figure of a previous answer to a similar question, on 5 November 1991, columns 85–86. The number of claimants in May 1987 should have read 4,895,525 not 4,095,525.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give for(a) 1979–80, (b) 1983–84,

  773
  (c) 1987–88 and (d) 1991–92 the average number of claimants in receipt of (i) benefits paid to disabled people and (ii) benefits paid to retired people.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Miss Widdecombe), on 9 March 1992 at columns 422–23.

  Income Support
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of raising the income support personal allowance to the level of the personal allowance for those aged 25 years and over for people aged(a) 18, (b) 19, (c) 20, (d) 21, (e) 22, (f) 23 and (g) 24 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The estimated disaggregated costs are shown in the table.

  Benefit (£ million)

  Age

  IS

  CCB

  HB

  Total

  18

  55

  5

  —

  60

  19

  60

  5

  5

  65

  20

  50

  —

  —

  50

  21

  40

  —

  5

  50

  22

  35

  —

  5

  40

  23

  35

  —

  5

  40

  24

  30

  —

  5

  35

  Total

  305

  15

  25

  340

  Source: Data shown from the 1987–89 family expenditure surveys and the 1990 annual statistical inquiry, modelled at 1992–93 prices and benefit levels.

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £5 million. Because of this individual columns or lines do not necessarily sum.

  2. — Indicates a cost of less than £2.5 million.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support who have a child included in their assessment of entitlement are aged(a) 18 to 19, (b) 20, (c) 21, (d) 22, (e) 23 and (f) 24 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Income support recipients who have children

  Age group

  Number of claimants (000's)

  18 to 19

  42

  20

  33

  21

  39

  22

  40

  23

  51

  24

  53

  Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source: Annual statistical inquiry May 1990.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many recipients of housing benefit who are also receiving income support are aged(a) 16–17, (b) 18–19, (c) 20, (d) 21, (e) 22, (f) 23 and (g) 24 years;

  (2) how many recipients of housing benefit are aged (a) 16–17, (b) 18–19, (c) 20, (d) 21, (e) 22, (f) 23 and (g) 24 years.
  774
  Miss Widdecombe
  The available estimates are in the table:

  Number of housing benefit recipients in Great Britain—May 1990

  Age of recipient

  With income support

  Without income support

  All cases

  16–17

  5,100

  2,900

  8,000

  18–19

  37,600

  25,400

  63,000

  20

  32,200

  32,000

  64,200

  21

  38,800

  36,900

  75,700

  22

  43,000

  30,000

  73,000

  23

  52,500

  19,100

  71,600

  24

  50,800

  14,800

  65,600

  Total

  260,100

  161,100

  421,200

  Source: The Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit Management Information System annual 1 per cent. sample.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the extent to which local authorities have complied with the requirements of regulation 66 of Housing Benefits (General) Regulations 1987; what is the effect of non-compliance on voted expenditure for subsidies in respect of authorities' benefit expenditure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  I am aware that in the years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 some local authorities in Great Britain have not complied with the requirements of the regulations and have continued to make awards of benefit without undertaking reviews at the prescribed time. In such cases, the effect of the regulations is that authorities are only entitled to direct subsidy at the rate proper for overpayments resulting from the authorities' error; 15 per cent. of benefit expenditure in respect of allowances and rebates not paid through the housing revenue accounts and nil in respect of rebates paid through the housing revenues accounts. Subsidy which has been paid in excess of these rates has not therefore been paid in accordance with the full requirements of the regulations.

  In the vast majority of cases, however, it is likely that the overrun awards represented the claimants' correct benefit entitlements and would have attracted full subsidy had the awarding authorities complied with the review requirements in the regulations. I therefore propose that authorities should examine all overdue review cases and bring them to account by 5 October 1992. In cases where authorities have awarded more benefit than they would if they had carried out reviews at the prescribed time, they will receive reduced subsidy in the normal way. Where, however there would have been no change in benefit following a review at the prescribed time, I propose to allow full subsidy. From 5 October, I propose to introduce a new subsidy penalty for failure to comply with regulation 66, in addition to those already in place for overpayments. The new penalty will be proportionate to the number of cases outstanding and the length of time they remain unreviewed.

  Subject to consultation with the local authority associations and the local authorities about these proposals, the necessary provisions will be brought forward in the relevant subsidy order and determinations.

  Land Purchase (Blackpool)
  Sir Peter Blaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to be able to announce the result of the negotiations between the Information Technology Services Agency and Blackpool borough council regarding the purchase of land at Peel Corner.

  Mr. Jack
  We are pleased to say that Blackpool borough council has agreed in principle to the sale of land at junction 4 (Peel Hill), Blackpool to the Information Technology Services Agency. Negotiations are continuing and if finalised they should ensure the retention in the area of some 2,500 jobs and the further prospect of some 250 new jobs, over the next few years. We understand that it is hoped that contracts will be exchanged in the next few weeks.

  Pension Funds
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what investigations his Department is undertaking into the pension funds managed by members of the family of Jacob and Jeremiah Harouni; and if he will make a statement.

  Name of company

  Report sent

  Decision notified

  1 Milbury plc Westminster Property Group Ltd.

  26 October 1988

  17 February 1992

  2 Minet Holdings plc WMD Underwriting Agencies Ltd.

  13 August 1990

  3 Alexander Howden Holdings plc

  13 August 1990

  4 The Greenbank Trust plc

  June 1990

  11 June 1991

  5 Aldermanbury Trust plc

  31 January 1991

  6 Sound Diffusion plc

  15 March 1991

  7 The Animal Defence Society Ltd.

  14 March 1991

  22 July 1991

  8 Rotaprint plc

  5 July 1991

  9 The Milford Docks Company

  16 January 1992

  10 BOM Holdings plc

  26 February 1992

  British and Commonwealth
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost so far of his Department's investigation into the collapse of British and Commonwealth.

  Mr. Redwood
  Inspectors were appointed on 15 June 1990 under section 432 of the Companies Act 1985 to investigate and report on the affairs of Atlantic Computers plc and Atlantic Computer Systems plc, companies in the British and Commonwealth group. The cost, so far, of the Atlantic investigation is £3·89 million.

  Inspectors Reports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 25 November,Official Report, column 397, what was the cost of each of the reports listed; what auditing firms were criticised in the reports; and to what interested parties he has supplied the unpublished reports.

  Mr. Redwood
  The cost of the inspections listed in the reply I gave on 25 November is set out below, where available.

  The inspections into Dunlop Holdings Ltd., Euroflame Holdings plc and Hartley Baird plc were carried out by departmental staff and cost information is not available.
  776
  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 5 March 1992]: The Department does not undertake investigations into the management of pension funds. The Occupational Pensions Board monitors the ability of contracted-out schemes to meet their guaranteed minimum pension liabilities. From the limited information available the board is unable to trace a contracted-out scheme in which either Jacob or Jeremiah Harouni is involved.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Institute of Chartered Accountants
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the inspectors' reports which have been passed to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, with the date on which each report was passed to the institute.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is as follows, updating the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 3 July 1991,Official Report, column 160:

  The inspections into British Anzani and Graylaw Holdings Ltd. were linked and cost information is only available for the combined investigation.

  Company name

  Cost (£)

  Bryanston Finance Ltd. (now Ramor Investments Ltd.)

  760,301

  British Anzani plc

  474,045

  Graylaw Holdings Ltd.

  Blue Arrow plc

  3,569,800

  The Bestwood plc

  2,709,446

  BOM Holdings plc

  1,185,343

  Each of these reports is unpublished and it would be inappropriate for me to discuss details of them. Such reports are disclosed, where appropriate, under the Companies Act 1948, as amended, under part XIV of the Companies Act 1985, as amended, and under the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Mr. Austiin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of his Department's inspectors' reports published since 1979 contain evidence of audit failures.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to replies I gave on 19 December 1989 Official Report, column 138 and 139,

  777
  21 February 1990 Official Report, column 789 and 26 October 1990 Official Report, column 328. Four inspectors' reports have since been published which contain criticism of auditing firms:

  Name of company

  Date of publication

  Name of accountants

  Aldermanbury Trust plc

  20 March 1991

  Levy Gee

  South Diffusion plc

  1 May 1991

  Spicer and Peglar, Gibraltar

  Rotaprint plc

  24 July 1991

  Arthur Young Ernst and Whinney

  The Milford Docks Company

  16 January 1992

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Corporate Reports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has opposing the environmental disclosures in annual corporate reports.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Confederation of British Industry and the Association of British Insurers made representations expressing reservations on the practicability of a recent private Member's Bill, the Corporate Safety and Environmental Information Bill, which, among other things, would have required publication of certain environmental impact information in the directors' report.

  Reporting Accountants
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the firms which have acted as reporting accountants on any of the companies privatised by his Department.

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally.

  Cadbury Committee on Corporate Governance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has made to the Cadbury Committee on Corporate Governance.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have made no written representations on matters of substance, but a representative of the Department participates in the committee as an observer.

  Staff Training
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will require companies to publish the amount spent on staff training.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government, through the Secretary of State for Employment's support for the investors in people initiative and by other means, encourage companies to publish their expenditure on training where this is appropriate to the objectives of companies' business.

  Inspectors' Fees
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the fees of his Department's inspectors are agreed.

  Mr. Redwood
  Fee rates are agreed by negotiation between my officials and prospective inspectors.

  Auditing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has plans to propose legislation under which auditing firms would be prevented from designing tax avoidance schemes for their clients and then auditing the same.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. The provision by auditors of other services to their clients is a matter that is best dealt with by professional rules of conduct.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will propose regulations to impose an obligation on the supervisory bodies listed by him in his answer of 22 November,Official Report, column 346,, to allow the public to have access to the minutes of those bodies.

  (2) if he will propose regulations to impose an obligation on the supervisory bodies listed by him in his answer of 22 November, Official Report, column 346, to give the public a right of admission to their council meetings.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to define the expression "true and fair" in audit reports.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Ernst and Young
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list showing the inspectors appointed by him who were partners of Ernst and Young.

  Mr. Redwood
  Mr. J. M. Barney and Mr. D. J. Macleod were appointed as inspectors under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986. Mr. Macleod was also appointed an inspector on 10 February 1987 under section 442 of the Companies Act 1985 to investigate the membership of Bremner plc. No other partners in the firms which combined to form Ernst and Young, or in that firm itself, have been appointed inspectors since 1979.

  Polly Peck
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the Polly Peck administrators.

  Mr. Redwood
  None, apart from those received from the hon. Member.

  Maxwell Companies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate an inquiry into the conduct of the Maxwell auditors.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Serious Fraud Office—SFO—is investigating events leading up to the collapse of the Maxwell group. Whether the role of the auditors may be relevant to those enquiries is a matter for the SFO. If any matters arise which could more appropriately be investigated using my right hon. Friend's powers, we will not hesitate to use them provided this would not impede
  779
  the SFO's work. The Government's response to the report of the Social Security Committee on pension funds, which refers to the conduct of auditors, will be made in due course.

  Intellectual Property Rights
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what intellectual property rights protection is available for companies applying for his Department's funding for research programmes.

  Mr. Leigh
  Applicants for assistance under Department of Trade and Industry programmes are expected to take appropriate steps to protect intellectual property rights arising from the assisted work. The costs of such protection are not normally supported because they form part of the commercial exploitation phase which follows the Government-assisted research phase. However, the particular difficulties facing small independent firms are recognised by allowing necessary patent costs to be assisted.

  Research Funding
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total of his Department's funded research each year since 1979 in cash terms, real terms on 1979, and as a percentage decrease or increase on the previous year.

  Mr. Leigh
  Figures are available from 1981–82 to 1989–90 only, as shown below. They are subject to qualification. Their composition has been altered by changes in the structure of government and transfer to the private sector of public corporations for which my Department was formerly responsible, and from 1987 expenditure of up to £50 million per annum was re-classified to other budgets. Real terms figures are readily available only to a 1989–90 base.

  DTI expenditure on R&D

  £ million

  Year

  cash terms

  real terms 1

  1981–82

  284·9

  440·6

  1982–83

  284·0

  410·1

  1983–84

  313·1

  432·1

  1984–85

  346·7

  455–3

  1985–86

  374·4

  466·4

  1986–87

  362·9

  436·9

  1987–88

  324·4

  370·8

  1988–89

  314·4

  334·4

  1989–90

  310·0

  310·0

  1 base year 1989–90

  Source: Cabinet Office Annual Review of Government Funded R&D 1991, published by HMSO.

  British Telecom
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will hold talks with the director general of OFTEL about the replacement of rural telephone exchanges.

  Mr. Redwood
  British Telecom has invested more than £17 billion since its privatisation in 1984, with the result that more than 75 per cent. of customers' lines are now served by digital or modern analogue exchanges. Ninety-five per cent. of BT's exchanges will have been 780
  digitalised by the end of 1995. I meet the director general of OFTEL from time to time to discuss a wide range of telecommunications issues. He fully shares the Government's view that all customers, including those in rural areas, should benefit from the modernisation and expansion of telecommunications networks and services in the United Kingdom.

  Maxwell Communications
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications he has received concerning actions that could be taken on behalf of constituents involved in pension funds managed by the Maxwell Communications pension fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received a number of letters from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents.

  Forced Labour Products
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what controls exist on the import of products produced by forced labour; if these are being applied to imports from the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are severe practical difficulties in identifying goods allegedly produced using forced labour given the varied and complex channels of production and distribution which exist in international trade. More generally, it is highly doubtful whether the social conditions that give rise to forced labour can be improved by restricting trade: indeed, opening up trade is more likely to contribute to economic growth in the developing world, which is a prime objective of the current GATT Uruguay round negotiations.

  The Government do, however, urge all states which have ratified international instruments covering slavery, servitude, forced labour and similar practices to meet their obligations under those instruments, and also urges those states which have not done so to ratify at the earliest opportunity.

  Trade in goods produced specifically with prison labour is governed by the Foreign Prison Made Goods Act 1897, as amended in 1988. For enforcement of the Act, the Government have to rely in the main on the private sector or others to supply sufficient evidence to HM Customs and Excise.

  English Wine
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make it his policy to serve exclusively English wine at all official receptions and events sponsored by Her Majesty's Government taking place in the British pavilion at Expo 92 in Seville, and in particular on British national day whether in the pavilion or elsewhere in Seville;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to display wines from England in the British pavilion at Expo 92 in Seville without requiring a sponsorship fee from the English wine industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  English wines will be included in the British pavilion restaurant wine lists throughout the
  781
  duration of Expo 92. They will also be offered at official Government receptions in the pavilion, including on British national day.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect of regional selective assistance in the Bury/Bolton travel-towork area.

  Mr. Leigh
  Since 1982–83, 82 projects with total project costs of £48–4 million have been supported by regional selective assistance in the Bury-Bolton travel-to-work area. The amount of grant accepted was £6·1 million and at the time the offer was accepted the projects were expected to create a total of 1,520 new jobs and safeguard a further 1,364.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the figures of injuries caused by fireworks in 1991.

  Mr. Leigh
  According to reports from accident and emergency units in hospitals in England, Wales and Scotland, 723 people required treatment for injuries caused by fireworks during the three weeks leading up to November 5 1991 and the few days after, a decrease of just over 10 per cent. Serious injuries fell by 23 per cent. There was a decrease in injuries to all age groups, but particularly to 16 to 20-year-olds, where the fall was 31 per cent. There were also significant reductions in injuries to those under 16 years of age. There was a decrease of 36 per cent. in injuries from rockets and of 8 per cent. for bangers, but an increase of 9 per cent. from sparklers. Injuries from incidents in the street were down 21 per cent., from large public displays 18 per cent., from small public dislays 3 per cent. and from family firework parties 2 per cent. There were over 110 million fireworks let off in 1990, but we estimate that there were 2 to 5 per cent. less in 1991. The detailed breakdown for 1991 and the preceding four years is as follows:

  Firework injuries in Great Britain (4 week period in October-November)

  Year

  1991

  1990

  1989

  1988

  1987

  Total

  723

  805

  800

  877

  960

  Place of accident

  1. Family or private party

  263

  269

  280

  300

  260

  2. Semi-public display (eg scouts, cricket club)

  57

  59

  71

  69

  88

  3. Large public display

  111

  135

  135

  123

  155

  4. Casual incident in street etc.

  209

  264

  247

  298

  364

  5. Other place

  68

  64

  46

  65

  73

  6. Indoors

  15

  14

  21

  22

  20

  Type of firework

  1. Banger

  146

  158

  136

  162

  163

  2. Rocket

  92

  144

  131

  164

  174

  3. Roman candle, coloured fire etc.

  68

  66

  89

  83

  96

  4. Home-made or extracted powder

  16

  7

  18

  17

  24

  5. Other proprietary fireworks

  68

  73

  125

  86

  109

  782

  Year

  1991

  1990

  1989

  1988

  1987

  6. Sparklers

  101

  93

  83

  102

  95

  7. Unspecified type

  232

  264

  218

  263

  299

  Severity of injury

  1. Fatal injury

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2. Detained for more than one night

  26

  38

  46

  69

  60

  3. Sufficient to cause absence from work or equivalent

  109

  138

  142

  167

  158

  4. Minor injury

  583

  590

  551

  587

  661

  5. Unspecified injury

  5

  39

  61

  54

  81

  Eye injuries (included in 2–5)

  247

  269

  275

  269

  312

  Age group of injured persons

  1. Over 20

  263

  269

  251

  280

  252

  2. 16 to 20

  98

  142

  135

  151

  168

  3. 13 to 15

  122

  134

  152

  266

  220

  4. Under 13

  240

  260

  262

  280

  320

  Inner Cities Task Forces
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what was the budget of the urban task forces covering London councils in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: The budget of the Government's inner cities task forces covering London boroughs in 1991–92 was £5,396,000. This was divided among Deptford £1·2 million, north Peckham £1·5 million, west London £1·25 million, Spitalfields £1·3 million and Hackney—which opened in November 1991—£146,000.

  The budgets for 1992–93 have not yet been set.

  Containerised Cargo Handling
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what is his policy on maintaining competition in containerised cargo handling facilities on the River Thames, east of Tower bridge.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 10 March 1992]: In this as in other commercial activities, the Government's policy is to maintain and promote competition vigorously.

SCOTLAND

  Gaelic Language Examination
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table to show the number of students who passed in Gaelic language at(a) GCSE and 0-level and (b) A-level in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The tables show for the years in question the numbers of awards in bands 1 to 3 for the Scottish certificate of education examinations at ordinary grade and standard grade, and in bands A to C at higher grade.

  Ordinary grade

  Standard Higher grade (introduced 1990)

  Higher

  Gaidhlig (Native Speakers)

  1989

  68

  —

  18

  1990

  56

  13

  30

  783

  Ordinary grade

  Standard grade (introduced 1990)

  Higher

  1991

  13

  65

  31

  Gaelic Learners

  1989

  232

  —

  106

  1990

  184

  38

  106

  1991

  94

  164

  99

  Capital expenditure by local authorities on schools at 1990–91 prices

  £ million

  1978 to 1979

  1979 to 1980

  1980 to 1981

  1981 to 1982

  1982 to 1983

  1983 to 1984

  1984 to 1985

  1985 to 1986

  1986 to 1987

  1987 to 1988

  1988 to 1989

  1989 to 1990

  1990 to 1991

  Borders

  0·701

  1·202

  1·925

  1·545

  1·007

  1·052

  1·301

  1·437

  1·145

  1·179

  1·224

  1·726

  3·162

  Central

  8·904

  7·106

  4·997

  4·058

  2·174

  1·599

  1·543

  1·902

  3·106

  3·469

  5·046

  5·416

  4·687

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2·651

  3·285

  2·892

  2·798

  3·198

  3·593

  3·385

  3·328

  2·746

  0·814

  1·917

  1·962

  1·383

  Fife

  7·853

  4·989

  4·604

  4·145

  3·649

  2·553

  4·105

  5·789

  5·994

  2·575

  5·485

  6·308

  8·639

  Grampian

  18·198

  14·898

  15·928

  19·801

  13·444

  9·730

  8·271

  11·145

  10·358

  2·804

  3·934

  4·246

  5·808

  Highland

  7·523

  5·063

  4·828

  5·373

  4·407

  2·469

  1·164

  1·783

  1·469

  3·125

  4·218

  4·233

  3·113

  Lothian

  22·841

  16·860

  16·045

  11·866

  12·535

  8·830

  8·465

  8·286

  4·874

  10·053

  9·034

  12·549

  9·442

  Strathclyde

  59·035

  37·643

  34·977

  39·370

  29·781

  29·530

  28·451

  27·123

  22·582

  24·444

  28·731

  28·722

  23·533

  Tayside

  5·847

  4·850

  3·170

  3·018

  3·137

  2·170

  3·012

  3·718

  2·627

  4·051

  4·160

  3·819

  3140

  Orkney

  1·057

  0·337

  0·175

  1·010

  1·898

  1·343

  1·786

  1·636

  1·192

  1·214

  1·185

  1·074

  1·288

  Shetland

  4·493

  6·326

  5·690

  5·963

  4·245

  3·754

  2·606

  1·425

  0·655

  0·666

  1·072

  0·784

  0·835

  Western Isles

  1·032

  1·056

  1·152

  2·386

  2·566

  1·372

  1·373

  1·606

  4·237

  4·800

  2·534

  1·718

  2·275

  Scotland

  140·137

  103·615

  96·381

  101·333

  82·043

  67·994

  65·461

  69·178

  60·986

  59·196

  68·538

  72·559

  67·305

  Note: The figures include expenditure on nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  Outturn figures have been converted to 1990–91 prices using the GDP deflator.

  Fur Factory Farms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mink factory farms are currently operating under licence in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are two licensed mink farms currently operating in Scotland.

  Whitson-Fairhurst Houses
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will agree to meet members and officials of Roxburgh district council to discuss ways of financing the re-purchase of the Whitson-Fairhurst houses in Hawick which were sold to sitting tenants under the right-to-buy provisions without notification of the structural design defects;

  (2) what action the Government propose to take to safeguard the interests of the purchases of the Whitson-Fairhurst homes in Burnfoot; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The existing law relating to the sale of defective houses safeguards the interests of the purchasers and I have no power to intervene; any matters concerned with the performance or discharge of the seller's obligations are a matter for the sheriff court. I shall however write to the hon. Member about the sale of Whitson-Fairhurst houses by Roxburgh district council.

  Supplementary housing capital allocations are made available to local authorities specifically to cover their obligations to owners of defective houses, such as
  784
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of capital expenditure on schools in(a) each regional authority in Scotland and (b) Scotland in total in each year since 1978–79 in constant prices.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information given in the table has been compiled from local authority financial returns. The fall in expenditure in real terms during the period reflects a substantial and progressive decline in school pupil numbers which has reduced the requirement for new school building.

  Whitson-Fairhursts, where the circumstances meet the statutory requirements of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. Decisions on repurchasing houses in other cases are a matter for the district council and such repurchases must be funded from the council's general housing capital allocations. In the circumstances, I see no purpose in a meeting with the council during the general election period.

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish a table, analysing the data in appendix 1 of Cm 1915, showing separately for each line for the years 1986–87 to 1994–95(a) expenditure within the Scottish block and (b) other expenditure;

  (2) if he will publish tables, covering the years 1986–87 to 1994–95 and consistent with Cm 1915, analysing (a) the Scottish block by economic category within spending sector, (b) the Scotland programme by economic category within spending sector and (c) the Scotland programme minus Forestry Commission by economic category within spending sector;

  (3) if he will publish a table, analysing the data in the "summary cash plans" of Cm 1915 (page vii), showing separately for each line within the sub-total, total Scottish Office and Departments, for the years 1986–87 to 1994–95 (a) expenditure within the Scottish block and (b) other expenditure;

  (4) if he will publish tables, analysing for the years 1986–87 to 1994–95, the data in the "summary cash plans" of Cm 1915 (page vii), analysing the component parts of (a) the Scottish block and (b) other expenditure, by

  785
  (i) public expenditure (sub) programme and (ii) the functional classification used in the identifiable expenditure figures, appendix E of Cm 1920.

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

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the latest figures available, stating whether they are final outturns, provisional outturns or budget figures, for 1988–89 to 1992–93 on the statistical basis of table 2 (summary analysis of general fund services revenue account), table 3 (summary analysis of housing, trading and special revenue accounts), table 4 (summary analysis of capital accounts) and table 5 (general fund services revenue account: total expenditure) of Scottish local government financial statistics.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested will take a little time to assemble and I shall therefore write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Fish Processors
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he expects to be able to provide application forms to enable small scale fish processors to make applications for the derogation under article 14 of directive 91/493;

  (2) if he will make a statement outlining the Government's position on the provisions of article 14 of EC directive 91/493 dealing with temporary relief from officially set health requirements as they affect small-scale fish processors until January 1996;

  (3) whether member states are required to amend the existing provision of the Food Safety Acts to enable the derogation scheme under article 14 of directive 91/493 to proceed;

  (4) what form of guidance his Department intends to provide to local environmental health officers to enable them to advise prospective applicants for derogations under article 14 of directive 91/493; and how soon he hopes to he able to provide it.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Under article 14 of directive 91/493/EEC, the Commission is to submit a report to the Council on the minimum structural and equipment requirements to be met by small establishments which distribute on the local market and are situated in regions subject to particular supply constraints. It wil; be necessary to consider the Government's position on such matters once the Commission's proposals are seen. Meanwhile we have sought the views of the industry. It should not be necessary to amend existing United Kingdom legilsation to enable derogations under article 14 to be put in place should such derogations be agreed.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish guidelines to encourage careers service partnerships between education authorities and local enterprise companies.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Guidelines on the formation of careers service partnerships are being issued today. Quality careers guidance is vital if young people are to achieve their potential and take full advantage of the numerous 786
  opportunities in education and training. It is also vital that employers play an active and increasing role in the careers service to ensure that the best possible information and advice are available.

  Careers service partnerships are a significant move in that direction. The active involvement of local employers will enable the careers service to offer a valuable and flexible service to its clients and one which is fully attuned to local needs and opportunities to help promote partnerships.

  Education authorities are being invited to submit applications for finance to assist them in meeting initial development costs of partnerships during 1992–93. Support is likely to range from £5,000 in the smallest authorities to £30,000 in the largest.

  The Government are determined to give young people the best possible deal in education and training and in getting themselves a job. The issue of these guidelines is another step towards achieving that goal.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any information about the examination performance of assisted places pupils.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The aim of the assisted places scheme, which was set up by the Government in 1981, is to allow children to attend Scottish independent schools which would otherwise be beyond the financial means of their parents.

  Some 2,900 children now benefit from the scheme in Scotland and I expect that number to rise to 3,000 in the 1992–93 session.

  The examination performance of children on the scheme has also demonstrated once and for all that children from families with low incomes and from a wide social background can, and do, perform just as well as children from better-off families when they are given the same opportunity.

  A survey, which has been commissioned by the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, will I am sure, shortly provide further evidence to confound those who have questioned the merit of the scheme. Final results from the survey are expected in July. The scheme is working well. I look forward with interest to the results of the survey.

  Set-aside Schemes
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount of payments under the set-aside scheme in Scotland which have been recovered or withheld in each region since 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 10 March 1992]: The information is set out in the table. It takes account of developments since my earlier answers on 20 December 1991 and 13 February 1992 which contained some provisional figures.

  Set-aside Scheme: Scotland Payments recovered/withheld

  Region

  1988–89£

  1989–90£

  1990–91£

  Borders

  —

  —

  2,608·80

  Central

  692·00

  4,894·20

  —

  Fife

  —

  1,662·00

  51·00

  787

  Region

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  Grampian

  23,814·74

  13,123·33

  7,926·80

  Highland

  —

  1,031·33

  2,238·00

  Lothian

  2,687·40

  408·00

  —

  Tayside

  4,884·60

  9,754·70

  7,064·50

  Others

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  32,078·74

  30,873·56

  19,889·10

  Infertility Service
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the National Medical Advisory Committee's report on an infertility service for Scotland will be published; and when he expects its recommendations to be implemented.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 11 March 1992]: There are a number of matters about the provision of an assisted reproduction service which call for further investigation and I have sought supplementary advice from the NMAC. When these matters have been resolved, the NMAC report will be published and the issues surrounding implementation addressed.

  Planning (Guidelines)
  Mr. Sahnond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give details of guidelines pertaining to notification times given to third parties in planning matters when a reporter is due to inspect a site; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has had regarding the adequacy of guidelines pertaining to notification times given to third parties in planning matters when a reporter is due to inspect a site; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 March 1992]: There is no statutory obligation for a reporter to notify third parties when he is due to inspect a site and there are therefore no guidelines. But the Scottish Office inquiry reporters unit normally informs third parties as a matter of courtesy. Site inspections can be arranged at short notice, but the unit normally gives parties two weeks' notice.

  The Scottish Office inquiry reporters unit has had representations on a site inspection which was arranged at short notice at Memsie in Banff and Buchan. The two days' notice given to third parties in this case was shorter than normal and arose from the cancellation of another case.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his best estimate of the numbers of single people with incomes of over £40,000 per annum who will qualify for a 25 per cent. discount under his council tax proposals.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: This information is not available.
  788
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish his estimate of the total number of discounts for(a) single person households and (b) other eligible groups he expects to be available under his council tax proposals, shown in aggregate and by region.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: For the illustrative calculations published in 1991, it was estimated that 30·4 per cent. of households were one adult households. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to estimate the incidence of other discounts under the council tax.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each ambulance authority, and for each year since 1987, the number of complaints lodged.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: The information is not held centrally in the form requested.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, for 1987 and 1991, and for each ambulance service in Scotland, the percentage of emergency calls responded to within(a) 7 to 8 minutes and (b) 14 to 20 minutes.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: The information is not held centrally in the form requested.

  Health Service Staff
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the numbers of national health service front-line staff for the national health service in Scotland in 1979, 1983, 1987 and the latest available year; and if he will list the percentage change in these figures between each of those years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 12 March 1992]: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Direct care staff in the NHS in Scotland: Whole-time equivalent (WTE) as at 30 September

  Total1

  Percentage change

  Year

  WTE

  Period

  Percentage change

  1979

  72,320·3

  —

  —

  1983

  79,928·4

  1979–83

  25·1

  1987

  81,588·7

  1983–87

  2·1

  1 1991

  82,550·8

  1987–91

  1·2

  Notes:

  1 Direct care staff include doctors and dentists, nursing and midwifery staff, scientific and PAMs staff, technical staff, hospital pharmacists and opticians, ambulance staff. The figures include some staff who are not involved in direct patient care—for example, those in teaching, administration or public health medicine. Staff in the state hospital are excluded.

  2 Numbers have been adjusted to reflect the change for nursing staff from a 40-hour week in 1979 to a 37–5-hour week in subsequent years.

  3 Provisional

  ENVIRONMENT AGENCY PROPOSAL: RESPONSE
  ENVIRONMENT AGENCY PROPOSAL: RESPONSE
  SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS: DESIGNATIONS
  SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS: DESIGNATIONS
  GUILDFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE: POWERS
  GUILDFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE: POWERS
  LEICESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION: POWERS
  LEICESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION: POWERS
  ERITREA: HUMANITARIAN AID
  ERITREA: HUMANITARIAN AID
  WORLD POPULATION PLANNING
  WORLD POPULATION PLANNING
  BRITISH RAIL REORGANISATION: REPORT
  BRITISH RAIL REORGANISATION: REPORT
  LIFE ASSURANCE INDUSTRY: DISCLOSURE
  LIFE ASSURANCE INDUSTRY: DISCLOSURE
  BBC: DISCUSSION DOCUMENT
  BBC: DISCUSSION DOCUMENT
  CZECH AND HUNGARIAN VISITORS: STATISTICS
  CZECH AND HUNGARIAN VISITORS: STATISTICS
  EXTRADITION: POWERS
  EXTRADITION: POWERS
  PRISONERS: PUBLICATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
  PRISONERS: PUBLICATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
  PENTONVILLE PRISON: PRISONER ADMITTANCE
  PENTONVILLE PRISON: PRISONER ADMITTANCE
  PRISONS: RELIGIOUS VISITS
  PRISONS: RELIGIOUS VISITS
  EC: IDENTITY CARDS
  EC: IDENTITY CARDS
  PRISONS: RELIGIOUS REGISTRATIONS
  PRISONS: RELIGIOUS REGISTRATIONS
  FIREARMS: LICENSING
  FIREARMS: LICENSING
  SANDEEL STOCK: SHETLAND
  SANDEEL STOCK: SHETLAND
  SCOTTISH FISHERIES
  SCOTTISH FISHERIES