Written Answers of 14 May 1992

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Company Cars
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to eliminate favourable tax treatment of company cars.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Government's policy is that, so far as possible, there should be broad neutrality in the tax treatment of remuneration paid in cash and in kind. In keeping with that policy, the aim has been to ensure that the statutory income tax scale charges realistically reflect the value to an employee of the benefit of the availability of a car for private use. That has involved substantial increases in the level of the scales since 1979.

  With a view to further improvements in the neutrality and fairness of the car scales, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget statement that he proposes to introduce price-based scale charges for company cars as soon as practicable. The Inland Revenue will be publishing a consultative document on this in the summer.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been both the revenue produced by capital gains tax and the cost of raising that tax in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Nelson
  The most recent published figures of capital gains tax yield and the cost of administration for years up to 1990–91 are set out in the table.

  £Million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  11989–90

  11990–91

  Cost of administration2

  25·1

  26·6

  34·3

  39·0

  Yield

  1,379·0

  2,323·0

  1,854·0

  1,852·0

  1 Manpower usage and costs of administration for 198–0 have been adjusted to reflect a new basis of costing. Direct comparison of these and later figures with those of earlier years may be misleading. More detail regarding this adjustment is given in the board's report for the year ending 31 March 1991.

  2 Costs are based on total departmental expenditure.

  Notes:

  Capital gains tax receipts in 1991–92 are provisionally estimated at £1,140 million.

  The receipts figures quoted exclude tax on gains made by companies included in corporation tax.

  Electronic Aids (VAT)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had in respect of the removal of VAT from all electronic aids for blind and visually disabled people; and what plans he has to remove VAT from such aids.

  Sir John Cope
  Treasury Ministers receive occasional individual representations about the liability to VAT of a164
  variety of electronic aids for blind and visually disabled people. There is already relief from VAT for goods designed solely for use by the blind, but there are no plans to extend this relief.

  Life Assurance (Tax Rules)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the tax rules for life assurance companies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A few life assurance companies are contesting the long-standing interpretation of the law which allows the Inland Revenue to tax the investment return accruing for the benefit of policy holders when the company makes a trading loss. Income and capital gains taxed in this way are reflected in benefits which are received, by most policy holders, without any further tax charge.

  If the challenge were successful, the Exchequer cost in the current year would be around £450 million because tax liabilities for a number of past years have not been finalised. The ongoing Exchequer cost would be up to £100 million a year.

  Recent reforms of the taxation of life assurance have been designed to remove distortions and differential distributions of the tax burden between companies. The Government believe that the interpretation put forward by the life assurance companies concerned would lead to an uneven incidence of taxation between companies and in the benefits going to policy holders; and awaiting the outcome of the companies' challenge would result in considerable uncertainty, possibly over a period of years.

  The Chancellor therefore proposes to bring forward in the forthcoming Finance Bill legislation which will have retrospective effect to confirm the existing long-standing basis of taxing proprietary life assurance companies. It is the Government's intention to introduce a new clause in Committee together with any necessary Ways and Means resolution.

  Multinational Companies
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any changes are proposed to the tax treatment of multinational companies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A recent decision of the special commissioners ruled that certain payments made under equity notes—perpetual debt instruments where the loan is not repaid—were interest for tax purposes.

  The two main grounds on which the special commissioners gave their decision were that the particular wording of the relevant double taxation agreement did not prevent such payments being interest for the purposes of that agreement and that section 209 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 did not treat such payments as distributions.

  If no action were taken there could be a loss to the Exchequer of up to £150 million a year. The Government therefore propose to bring forward legislation in the forthcoming Finance Bill.

  The legislation will have two components. First, it will restore the general understanding of certain of the United Kingdom's double taxation agreements to what it was before the decision. Second, it will establish the relevant

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  domestic law to include payments made under equity notes in the definition of distributions. The legislation will apply to all payments made from midnight tonight.

  Treaty of European Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what examination his Department has made of the treaty of European union signed at Maastricht for incompatibility with existing EEC law; and what discrepancies have been discovered.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 11 May 1992]: My Department examined the treaty on European union very thoroughly throughout the negotiations leading to its signature, but since the purpose of the treaty is to add to or amend the provisions of the treaty of Rome, which is the basis of all Community law, the issue of incompatibility with existing EC law does not arise.

  Parliamentary electors registered in each constituency in Greater Manchester, 1983 to 1987

  Parliamentary constituency

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Altrincham and Sale BC

  66,838

  67,330

  67,591

  67,775

  68,407

  68,531

  68,284

  67,838

  67,135

  66,985

  Ashton under Lyne BC

  59,568

  59,611

  59,217

  59,140

  59,019

  59,168

  59,071

  59,320

  59,221

  59,170

  Bolton North East BC

  59,719

  60,286

  60,340

  59,939

  60,149

  59,841

  59,490

  59,782

  59,997

  59,209

  Botlton South East BC

  68,394

  67,676

  67,170

  66,879

  66,803

  66,564

  66,117

  66,471

  66,671

  66,245

  Bolton West CC

  68,221

  69,081

  69,739

  70,208

  70,722

  70,699

  71,448

  72,526

  72,820

  72,067

  Bury North BC

  66,960

  67,553

  67,899

  68,170

  68,830

  69,390

  69,612

  70,411

  70,172

  70,313

  Bury South BC

  65,642

  65,607

  65,681

  65,672

  65,785

  66,154

  65,641

  66,157

  66,122

  66,456

  Cheadle BC

  67,334

  67,810

  68,456

  68,876

  69,137

  69,434

  68,995

  68,085

  67,276

  66,934

  Davyhulme BC

  65,790

  66,153

  66,060

  66,227

  66,331

  66,017

  65,221

  64,449

  63,695

  63,279

  Denton and Reddish BC

  69,430

  69,612

  69,457

  69,735

  70,218

  70,586

  70,303

  70,041

  69,462

  69,048

  Eccles BC

  68,016

  67,977

  67,502

  67,639

  67,529

  67,179

  66,466

  66,334

  65,760

  65,326

  Hazel Grove CC

  64,348

  64,896

  65,046

  65,499

  66,506

  66,635

  66,309

  66,003

  65,344

  65,034

  Heywood and Middleton CC

  60,348

  60,973

  61,204

  61,008

  60,111

  59,451

  58,175

  58,112

  57,697

  57,796

  Leigh BC

  68,764

  69,056

  68,954

  69,407

  69,925

  70,236

  70,257

  70,708

  70,492

  70,706

  Littleborough and Saddleworth CC

  64,660

  65,490

  66,257

  66,597

  66,795

  66,446

  66,134

  66,564

  66,316

  66,304

  Makerfield CC

  69,935

  70,308

  70,850

  71,289

  71,549

  71,637

  71,316

  71,798

  71,803

  72,034

  Manchester, Blackley BC

  60,861

  60,814

  60,769

  60,482

  59,799

  58,521

  56,100

  55,669

  55,902

  55,701

  Manchester, Central BC

  70,088

  68,637

  66,903

  65,767

  64,000

  61,374

  57,296

  56,319

  57,176

  56,907

  Manchester, Gorton BC

  65,394

  65,183

  64,991

  65,023

  65,221

  64,613

  62,290

  62,380

  62,710

  62,848

  Manchester, Withington BC

  65,354

  65,407

  65,297

  66,178

  66,295

  65,846

  64,103

  64,054

  64,138

  64,313

  Manchester, Wythenshawe BC

  61,876

  61,234

  60,646

  60,314

  59,403

  57,982

  55,903

  55,061

  54,807

  54,045

  Oldham Central and Royton BC

  67,818

  67,309

  67,214

  66,630

  65,845

  64,041

  62,960

  62,840

  62,177

  61,902

  Oldham West BC

  58,077

  58,428

  58,507

  58,228

  57,698

  56,694

  55,474

  55,252

  54,779

  54,519

  Rochdale BC

  67,456

  68,158

  69,169

  69,019

  69,477

  69,309

  69,875

  70,127

  70,301

  70,297

  Salford East BC

  64,649

  63,506

  61,089

  59,687

  58,518

  56,925

  55,007

  54,271

  53,199

  52,928

  Stalybridge and Hyde CC

  68,654

  68,679

  68,405

  68,638

  68,720

  68,452

  68,177

  68,491

  68,739

  68,772

  Stockport BC

  59,389

  59,904

  59,806

  60,292

  60,618

  60,654

  60,219

  59,920

  58,997

  58,558

  Stretford BC

  58,108

  58,593

  58,432

  58,419

  58,246

  57,188

  55,567

  55,013

  54,903

  54,874

  Wigan BC

  73,100

  72,888

  72,584

  72,472

  72,842

  72,989

  73,274

  73,680

  73,506

  73,381

  Worsley CC

  72,941

  73,616

  73,608

  73,721

  73,918

  74,062

  73,660

  73,917

  72,974

  72,841

  Total

  1,967,731

  1,971,775

  1,968,843

  1,968,929

  1,968,416

  1,956,618

  1,932,744

  1,931,593

  1,924,291

  1,918,792

  Note:

  BC =Borough constituency.

  CC =County constituency.

  Source: Population Estimates Unit, OPCS.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many out-patients were waiting for a first out-patient appointment on 31 March in each individual health authority in England.

HEALTH

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of overseas voters registered for each constituency on the electoral register currently in force.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested has been placed in the Library. It will be included in the publication "1992 Electoral Statistics", series EL No. 19, in the summer.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the total number of electors registered in each constituency in Greater Manchester(a) on the current electoral register and (b) on the registers in force for each of the years 1983–84 to 1991–92.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Royal Pharmaceutical Society
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 22 to 26 June.

  Agencies
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has identified any further candidates for agency status under the next steps initiative within her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  Following a detailed feasibility study, we have identified the Department's NHS superannuation branch as a candidate for executive agency status.

  We are confident that the move to agency status will be beneficial, enabling the agency to operate with greater freedom and clearer responsibility within an agreed framework of objectives, performance targets and resources, thus improving the service provided to the pension scheme members.

  Detailed discussions on an agency framework document have been set in hand with a view to establishing NHS Pensions as an executive agency in the second half of 1992.

  Shigella Sonnei
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures her Department is taking to control the current epidemic of shigella sonnei infection in schools; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Reports of shigella sonnei have recently shown a marked increase in some localities, as previously occurred in 1977 and 1984. Action for dealing with local outbreaks of such diseases is the responsibility of both the environmental health department and the district health authority's consultant in communicable disease control. An environmental health officer will normally visit the school or other establishment affected and provide on the spot advice.

  The Public Health Laboratory Service also provides advice and assistance for the control of outbreaks of shigella sonnei via its 52 area and regional public health laboratories. A working group has been established by the PHLS to determine whether further steps might be taken.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she now expects to table a motion to the House on the proposed ban on tobacco advertising in EC document 6748/91.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The House's scrutiny of this document was not completed before the Dissolution. It will be for the Select Committee on European Legislation, when established, to decide what further scrutiny is required in this Parliament.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.

  Mr. Mates
  The home civil service is fully committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all applicants, including any from ethnic minorities. The Northern Ireland Office is an equal opportunity employer and this is emphasised in all our recruiting campaigns and advertising. If direct recruitment for certain senior posts in the Northern Ireland Office were to be necessary, it would be conducted with guidance from the Civil Service Commission. The Northern Ireland civil service has not taken any specific action to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment. All recruitment is on the basis of merit in fair and open competition.

  Housing Waiting Lists
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applicants are on the priority waiting list for homes in the boroughs of(a) Ards and (b) Castlereagh; and how many new homes are planned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in each of the boroughs in 1992, 1993 and 1994, respectively.

  Mr. Atkins
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive whose chief executive has advised me that at 30 April 1992 there were 140 applicants in the priority category on the executive's waiting list in the borough of Ards and 109 in Castlereagh. The number of new homes planned by the executive is as follows:

  Ards borough

  Castlereagh borough

  1992–93

  146

  30

  1993–94

  133

  25

  1994–95

  129

  5

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Seekers Estate Agencies
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry into the Seekers estate agency franchise business.

  Mr. Leigh
  I cannot comment on the affairs of individual companies or persons. I am prepared to consider any information the hon. Member may provide which might warrant an inquiry.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when his Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Voluntary surveys were last conducted in 1988 (DTI) and 1990 (Department of Energy). The resulting databases have been continuously updated with
  169
  information on new staff and leavers. As part of departmental initiatives for action on race, an exercise aimed at improving the positive response rate was conducted in both Departments during 1991–92. A total of 88 per cent. of staff currently employed by the Department —including its executive agencies and the former Department of Energy—have declared their ethnic origin.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, and overall in his Department are members of ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Eggar
  The figures for the Department, including its executive agencies and the former Department of Energy, as at 1 January 1992 are—from an 88 per cent. positive response rate to ethnic survey:

  Grade level

  Number of respondents

  Percentage of staff

  Grade 1–4

  Nil

  —

  Grade 5

  2

  1

  Grade 6

  6

  3

  Grade 7

  25

  2

  All respondents, including industrial grades

  1,287

  9

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to set a target to ensure that 10 per cent. of total electricity supply stems from renewable sources by the year 2000 within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  Targets for the exploitation of renewable energy are under consideration as part of the current review of the Government's renewable energy programmes.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each year from 1982 to 1992 what financial contribution has been made by industrial sources to the research, development and demonstration programmes for renewable energy run by the energy technology support unit; and if he will break down these figures for each of biofuels, wind power, solar power, small scale hydro, geothermal, tidal power and wave power.

  Mr. Eggar
  Annual external contributions to the renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme from the private sector, generating boards and the European Commission are listed. A breakdown of the figures by technology is not available.

  Per cent.

  1981–82

  1·9

  1982–83

  3·2

  1983–84

  2·0

  1984–85

  3·3

  1985–86

  2·1

  1986–87

  3·1

  1987–88

  3·9

  1988–89

  4·7

  1989–90

  5·3

  1990–91

  7·0

  A figure for 1991–92 will be available shortly.

  Radioactive Substances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives he intends to make to increase the public access to information on radioactive substances.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is the Government's policy to assist Parliament and the public by being as open as practicable in relation to information about civil radioactive substances, subject to considerations of security, commercial confidentiality and the costs of preparing the information.

  Berkeley Nuclear Power Station
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the defuelling of the Berkeley nuclear power station will be complete; what additional radiation exposures to the work force were incurred during the defuelling; how many fuel rods remain in the spent fuel cooling ponds at the Berkeley site; and what plans exist for the decommissioning of the spent fuel cooling ponds at the site.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is an operational matter for Nuclear Electric plc.

  Nuclear Research and Development
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on the future of the consultation process begun in August 1991 by the Department of Energy, on the review of nuclear research and development programmes.

  Mr. Eggar
  The consultation process on the review of the nuclear research and development programmes of the Department of Energy—now the Department of Trade and Industry—was completed in October 1991. I intend to publish a strategy for these programmes in due course.

  Radioactive Contamination
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has any plans to make an agreement with the Russian Federation to help clean up radioactive contamination at nuclear facilities along the lines of the co-operation agreement signed by his German and Russian counterparts in mid-March.

  Mr. Eggar
  During a visit to Russia in March, my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal put in hand negotiations with the Ministry of Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation for a framework agreement to encourage technical cooperation on civil nuclear energy. The exact scope has yet to be decided.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made of development of new technologies in coal burning power stations, including combined heat and power, in reducing carbon dioxide emissions over the next 10 years;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the contribution of renewable energy over the next seven years towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the contribution of gas fired power stations towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions over the next 10 years.
  171
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the background paper concerning the revised forecast of carbon dioxide emission in the United Kingdom for the years 2000 and 2005.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answers 13 May 1992]: On 6 December 1991 the then Secretary of State for Energy provided the House with the results of further work on scenarios for United Kingdom carbon dioxide emissions. This took account of helpful developments such as proposals for more efficient gas-fired electricity generation and improvements in energy efficiency. Details of these scenarios, including their underlying assumptions, will be published in the near future.

PRIME MINISTER

  Whaling Ban
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to support a ban on whaling for commercial purposes on a permanent basis at the forthcoming Earth summit.

  The Prime Minister
  The Earth summit has a full agenda on a range of environmental issues; it will not be the place for detailed consideration of whaling. The United Kingdom has taken a lead in protecting whales and strongly supports the moratorium on commercial whaling, agreed by the International Whaling Commission, which has operated since 1985. The IWC is the proper place to consider the future of the moratorium; it will be discussing the matter at its next meeting in June.

  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those Ministers in each Department responsible for considering the environmental implications of his or her Department's policies and spending programmes; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  An updated list is currently being prepared and will be published as soon as possible.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what correspondence he has received from Mr. Frank Machon regarding the alleged breach of export control restrictions over the sale of military sensitive materials to Iraq by British companies; and what response he has made.

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, the last correspondence from Mr. Machon was February 1991 and a reply was made on 26 February.

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now give the names and composition of all Cabinet committees and sub-committees.

  The Prime Minister
  A full list of ministerial Cabinet committees, with their terms of reference and membership, will be published shortly.

  Interception of Communications Act 1985
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Lord Justice Lloyd's sixth and final report, covering 1991, has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(7) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The confidential appendix to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 8(8) of the 1985 Act. I am grateful to the commissioner for his work since 1986 in reviewing the issue of warrants. I note in particular his observations that the Secretaries of State take great care to satisfy themselves that the warrants are necessary for the purposes stated in the Act, and that the system for the issue of warrants is working as intended by Parliament.

  Careful consideration is being given to both parts of the commissioner's report.

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

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

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Community Radio Stations
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans his Department has as to the issue of new community radio station licences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Broadcasting Act 1990 created a framework for the development of a wide range of types and sizes of new independent radio services. Licences are awarded by the Radio Authority.

  I am pleased to see that so far the authority has awarded 14 local radio licences and aims to continue to advertise about two further licences each month. During 1991 the authority also issued 178 short-term restricted radio licences, which a number of community groups used for special local events and to gain experience and assess audience reaction to their programmes.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he will meet representatives of pensioners' organisations to discuss free television licences.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I consider that no useful purpose would be served by a meeting with representatives of pensioners' organisations to discuss free television licences. Our policy is clear and well-known to the hon. Member. We have no plans to change the present concessionary arrangements.

  Free licences for pensioners, irrespective of ability to pay, would deprive the BBC of over £500 million a year.

  173
  If the remaining licence holders had to make this up, they would face an increase of over 50 per cent. to more than £120 per annum for a standard licence.

  Sports Council
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the proposed restructuring of the Sports Council to form a United Kingdom sports commission and sports council for England, and on the chairmanships of these bodies.

  Mr. Mellor
  In the policy statement "Sport and Active Recreation", published on 19 December 1991, the Government announced their intention to replace the Sports Council of Great Britain with a United Kingdom sports commission and a sports council for England, subject to the approval, by the Queen in Council, of the royal charters for the two new bodies.

  Following the transfer of responsibility for sport and recreation to the Department of National Heritage, the Government remain fully committed to this restructuring. I intend to appoint Peter Yarranton as chairman of the United Kingdom sports commission, and Ian Beer as chairman of the sports council for England. Mr. Yarranton is presently chairman of the Sports Council of Great Britain and will continue in that capacity until the transition to the new arrangements has been effected.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Science Strategy
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he plans to outline his strategy for science; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The creation of the Office of Science and Technology by the Prime Minister underlines the Government's commitment to a strong science and technology—S and T—base in the United Kingdom. Its establishment will enable me to take an overview of S and T policy from the heart of government. I look forward to taking stock of the United Kingdom's fine record of scientific and technological achievement and of how we might best sustain and develop that in the future.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he received the interim report from the Institute of Psychiatry about the fatigue aspects of myalgic encephalomyelitis; and what action he is taking.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 12 May 1992]: I have received no such report. The Medical Research Council is funding this research. It is not its normal practice to request interim reports from project grant holders and I understand that it has not done so in this case.

DEFENCE

  Green Rover
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review his decision to sell the former Royal Fleet Auxilliary supply ship, the Green Rover, to Indonesia.
  174
  Mr. Aitken
  The RFA Green Rover is a replenishment ship for fresh water, fuel and refrigerated goods. She has no offensive capability. There are no grounds for reviewing the decision to sell the ship.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will close the Defence Export Services Organisation in Indonesia.

  Mr. Aitken
  No.

  United Nations Forces
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British service personnel have been deployed with the United Nations peace-keeping force in Yugoslavia; and what other units have been deployed with this force.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  At the United Nations' request, the United Kingdom is providing three military observers and a field ambulance unit of some 260 personnel for the United Nations peacekeeping force in Yugoslavia. Of these, 41 personnel, including the three military observers, are already in theatre; the main United Kingdom contingent is expected to be deployed by the first week in June. Additionally a platoon of some 40 Royal Engineers may deploy with the field ambulance for about the first two months, to prepare accommodation and services. The total United Nations force of around 14,000 should comprise 12 infantry battalions, 100 military observers, 500 civilian police monitors and service and civilian support personnel.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional pay or allowances service personnel deployed on United Nations duties in(a) Yugoslavia and (b) Cambodia will receive.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Military personnel deployed in support of the United Nations do not receive additional pay and allowances other than the standard daily separation payment for those married unaccompanied personnel who qualify under normal service regulations. It is normal practice for the United Nations to meet service men's in-country costs direct but where this cannot be done, a United Nations mission subsistence allowance is paid either to the unit or, as in the case of Cambodia, direct to the individual to meet the extra cost of living in-theatre. The daily United Nations subsistence rate for Cambodia is US$110 per man.

  Ceremonial Duties and Uniforms
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to acquire further information about the costs of(a) ceremonial duties and (b) ceremonial uniforms.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Equipment Orders
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy relating to the release of information on in-service dates for equipment currently on order.

  Mr. Aitken
  The forecast in-service date of equipment will normally be unclassified. Although it is my
  175
  Department's policy to be as open as possible about these matters, there are two categories of exception to this rule. The first is when the release of a forecast in-service date may constitute an intelligence advantage to a potential enemy. The second is when the release of the in-service date of equipment procured collaboratively is the subject of an international agreement with our partners.

  North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart regarding the strengthening of the European contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend met his United States counterpart in Washington on 11 and 12 May. They discussed a wide range of current defence topics.

  Ethnic Monitoring
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's review of the policy relating to ethnic monitoring within the armed forces has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The armed forces are equal opportunity employers under the Race Relations Act 1976 and have undertaken a range of measures to increase recruitment from ethnic minority communities. To underline our commitment to equal opportunities for all ethnic groups, we have now decided to extend to serving personnel our present practice of monitoring the ethnic origins of applicants to join the armed forces. The information gathered will be used solely for monitoring our equal opportunity policy and individual's ethnic records will be guaranteed confidentiality. We have set further work in hand to draw up detailed proposals for a monitoring scheme. We intend that this will be implemented as soon as practicable.

EDUCATION

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what response he has made to the report of the Engineering Council on technology within the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  I welcome the Engineering Council's report as a useful contribution to the monitoring and review of the implementation of the national curriculum order on technology.

  The National Curriculum Council keeps all the national curriculum subjects orders—including that for technology—under review and advises the Secretary of State accordingly. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider any such advice and make a statement in due course.

  School Cleaning
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure that school cleaning is not compromised by the local management of schools; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Forth
  I see no reason why school cleaning should be compromised by local management of schools. Local education authorities are required to delegate funds for cleaning by April 1993 or as initial contracts expire, using a formula which is clear and objective. It will then be for governors to decide the level of cleaning they wish to have at their school. Some LEAs have already delegated those funds to schools and I am aware of no evidence to suggest that the quality of school cleaning is being adversely affected.

SCOTLAND

  Coastal Protection
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to tighten the laws preventing the exploitation of the natural assets and wildlife of the seashore by private extraction companies.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The general principles which the Government pursue in relation to environmental issues are set out in the White Paper on the Environment "This Common Inheritance" (Cm 1200). The Government memorandum to the Environment Committee of the House of Commons, Session 1991–92, sets out the comprehensive nature of the present arrangements for protection of the coast.

  The second report of the Environment Committee on coastal zone protection and planning (No. 17) is still under consideration and the Government response will be made in due course.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made over the last decade of the damage to estuaries, its implications for estuarial flora and fauna, as well as adherence to international wildlife conventions; and whether he has any proposals for the protection and improvement of estuaries.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 13 May 1992]: The general principles which the Government pursue in relation to environmental issues laid down out in the White Paper on the Environment "This Common Inheritance" (Cm. 1200). The Government memorandum to the Environment Committee of the House of Commons, Session 1991–92, sets out the comprehensive nature of the present arrangements for protection of the coast.

  The second report of the Environment Committee on Coastal Zone Protection and Planning (No. 17) is still under consideration and the Government response will be made in due course.

  In 1991, the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC), the Government's adviser on nature conservation issues, published a major report "Nature Conservation and Estuaries in Great Britain". Scottish Natural Heritage—the successor organisation to the NCC in Scotland with effect from 1 April 1992—is taking forward the report's findings and proposals at local level to identify priority estuaries and action required. It is for Scottish Natural Heritage to consider which estuarial sites require to be notified as sites of special scientific interest and to make recommendations to my right hon. Friend for the designation of sites in fulfilment of the United Kingdom's international nature conservation obligations.
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  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to improve the protection of the coastline and offshore waters; and when he expects to implement them.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 13 May 1992]: The general principles which the Government pursue in relation to environmental issues are set out in the White Paper on the Environment "This Common Inheritance" (Cm 1200). The Government memorandum to the Environment Committee of the House of Commons, Session 1991–92, sets out the comprehensive nature of the present arrangements for protection of the coast.

  The second report of the Environment Committee on coastal zone protection and planning (No. 17) is still under consideration and the Government response will be made in due course.

  Lockerbie Bombing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy towards the release of official information relating to the Lockerbie air explosion investigation in cases where the information has already become public.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is generally for the Lord Advocate to determine, after consultation with any relevant Minister in the case of official information, whether information from the criminal investigation relating to the Lockerbie disaster should be released. The question whether public interest immunity restrains the giving of evidence when material relating to the Lockerbie investigation has become public or has apparently become public is one which is expected to be considered in proceedings currently before the High Court of Justice arising from the civil litigation in the United States in the Lockerbie case.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the police inquiring into the Lockerbie bombing incident have taken to seek information on the lie detecting tests undertaken by Kilin Tuzcu and Roland O'Neill at Frankfurt airport in January 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The circumstances of this matter were investigated by the German and United States authorities in consultation with the police and Crown Office. It would not be proper for any comment to be made on behalf of the Lord Advocate on the outcome of these inquiries, in particular while criminal proceedings are active. However, it has been established judicially in Scotland that the results of so-called lie detector tests are wholly inadmissible in criminal proceedings.

  Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the criteria on which his office and the Lord Advocate will base a decision to issue a public interest immunity certificate in relation to proceedings before the courts.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Public interest immunity is claimed where the Secretary of State or the Lord Advocate considers that it would be injurious to the public interest for particular matters to be the subject of evidence. The particular interest to be protected will vary according to the particular circumstances of the case.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to take capping action against any Scottish local authority in the current year.

  Mr. Lang
  I have now analysed the 1992–93 budget estimates of all Scottish local authorities. All authorities have budgeted at or below the expenditure limits implied by the provisional capping principles which I announced on 14 October 1991. In these circumstances, I do not propose to take capping action against any Scottish local authority this year.

  Overall, authorities plan to increase their expenditure in 1992–93—as compared with the budget estimates for 1991–92—by 5·6 per cent. and the excess of budgets over grant-aided expenditure (GAE) has been reduced from 2·1 per cent. in 1991–92 to 1·2 per cent. this year. This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of my strengthened capping powers in constraining the growth in local authority expenditure and it is my intention to issue later this year provisional capping principles for 1993–94.

  Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans there are for improving the environmental representation on the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee (HGTAC) is the principal statutory body responsible for advising the Forestry Commissioners on forestry matters in Great Britain. The HGTAC already has two members representing environmental interests, and I am pleased to announce that it has now decided to set up a sub-committee to provide a wider forum for informed and constructive consideration of the environmental aspects of forestry. The HGTAC has invited leading representatives from environmental organisations and the forestry industry to become members of the sub-committee. We greatly welcome this initiative, which should further improve understanding between the interests concerned and assist the Forestry Commissioners in fulfilling their statutory duty to balance the needs of productive forestry with those of the environment.

  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many environmental impact assessments have been presented with planning applications in each of the last three years; and what assessment has been made of their compliance with the European Community directive on environmental impact assessment.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 13 May 1992]: The number of environmental statements which have been notified to the Scottish Office is as follows:

  Number

  15 July 1988 to 14 July 1989

  7

  15 July 1989 to 14 July 1990

  17

  15 July 1990 to 14 July 1991

  26

  The planning authority to which the planning application is made is the competent authority for the purposes of European Community directive 85/337/EC on

  179
  environmental assessment. It is the responsibility of that authority to ensure that an environmental statement meets all relevent requirements as part of the process of considering the associated planning application. Where an application is the subject of an appeal, or is called-in, the responsibility transfers to my right hon. Friend.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.

  Mr. Curry
  Recruitment to senior grades is undertaken by the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency on behalf of the Civil Service Commissioners. Recruitment to all posts in the Civil Service is conditioned by the principle of fair and open competition. Steps have been taken in publicising opportunities and through making recruitment rules more flexible to help tap the ethnic minority work force.

  Forestry Policy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received proposals from Wildlife Link on environmentally based forestry policy for the 1990s.

  Mr. Curry
  I received a copy of Wildlife Link's report "Future Forestry: A New Direction for Forest Policy" at the end of April.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what standards he will press the EC to adopt in relation to(a) keeping of battery hens, particularly with respect to size of cage and (b) care of animals in transit, particularly with respect to feeding and watering intervals for such animals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government believe that the current Community minimum standards for battery cages are unacceptable. We shall be arguing for a substantial increase in space allowances for each hen and other improvements to the cages together with the highest possible standards for alternative systems. We are now awaiting the report and conclusions of the Commission's review of egg-laying systems.

  On transport of animals, we will be pressing for the excellent rules which apply in the United Kingdom to be reflected in the further decisions to be taken by the Community.

  Marine Environment
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to press for the amendment of the common fisheries policy to ensure that all decisions taken under the policy take into account the prevention of effects of ecosystems and marine wildlife.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government are most concerned to seek the avoidance of incidental catches of marine 180
  mammals. In the context of the new agreement under the Bonn convention, we shall be seeking to monitor further the small cetacean populations in the North sea and the Baltic and the impact of fisheries.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the length of time that will have to pass before there will be no restriction on the movement of farm animals arising from high levels of radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

  Mr. Curry
  While it is not possible to say when all restrictions on sheep from the parts of Cumbria affected by the Chernobyl accident will finally be lifted, considerable progress has been made since 1986. Only 138 of the 1,670 holdings originally subject to controls remain under restriction. We are continuing our monitoring and research efforts with the aim of releasing the remaining area at the earliest opportunity consistent with the need to ensure that the food chain remains fully protected.

  I will be reviewing the results later this year and considering the possibility of further relaxation of restrictions. In the meantime, we shall continue with our "mark and release" and compensation arrangements which allow normal farming practices with minimum disruption.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  High Court Proceedings
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will outline the provisions relating to the circumstances in which proceedings in the High Court may be held in camera.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hearing of civil or family proceedings to which the public would normally be admitted may be held in camera only where, in the opinion of the court, a public hearing would defeat the ends of justice. In criminal proceedings, a prosecutor or a defendant may apply to the court for all or part of a trial to be held in camera for reasons of national security or the protection of a witness or other person.

  "On the Trail of Terror"
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration the Lord Chancellor has given to the book "On the Trail of Terror," a copy of which has been sent to him; and what assessment he has now made of the Adjournment debate of 20 January,Official Report, column 153, initiated by the hon. Member for Linlithgow, in respect of the references to the documents referred to in the book.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has not yet received a copy of the book "On the Trail of Terror", and has not therefore had an opportunity to consider it. The Adjournment debate, to which the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, replied, does not appear to raise issues within the Lord Chancellor's responsibility.

  Social Security Commissioner
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will take steps towards the appointment of a social security commissioner resident in Wales.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No. The Cardiff office of the social security commissioner was closed in 1986 as there were insufficient hearings to justify its full-time status. The present arrangements for regular hearings in Cardiff by a visiting commissioner adequately meet present demands.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will restore the income support entitlement of young people aged 16 and 17 years.

  Mr. Burt
  The Government's policy of providing a guarantee of a youth training (YT) place to all young people who want one, instead of their depending on social security benefits, is the most effective way of encouraging young people to make the most of their opportunities. However, income support is available to those vulnerable groups of young people who are unable to participate in YT and to those seeking a YT place who would otherwise be at risk of severe hardship. We have no plans to restore general entitlement to income support, but we are monitoring closely the operation of these rules with a view to streamlining their administration where possible.

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for the disability living allowance have been received by his Department; and if he will provide a breakdown by(a) the number and percentage of these that resulted in an award, (b) the number and percentage that were refused and (c) the number and percentage refused by grounds for refusal.

  Mr. Scott
  The total number of new claims received by 30 April 1992 was 130,262.

  (i) Number

  (ii) As percentage of new claims decided per cent.

  Number of new claims decided1

  29,453

  Awards and refusals made on new claims

  Awards

  17,562

  59·6

  Refusals

  11,891

  40·4

  Grounds for refusal

  Disability conditions not satisfied

  3,853

  13·08

  Other2

  8,033

  27·27

  1 Excluding claims from people already in receipt of mobility allowance or attendance allowance.

  2 Includes age and residence and presence conditions.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications have been received for the disability working allowance; and if he will provide a breakdown by(a) the number and percentage of these
  182
  that resulted in an award, (b) the number and percentage that were refused and (c) the number and percentage refused by grounds for refusal.

  Mr. Scott
  Disability working allowance is a new benefit introduced in April for some disabled people who work but have limited earning capacity. Up to 8 May, 9,017 claims had been received. Of these, 588, or 6·5 per cent. resulted in an award and 7,188, or 79.7 per cent. were unsuccessful. The grounds for refusing benefit in the unsuccessful cases were as follows:

  Number

  Per cent.

  Claimant not in remunerative work

  4,230

  58·8

  Earnings above limit

  471

  6·6

  No "qualifying" benefit

  2,000

  27·8

  Claimant receiving family credit

  173

  2·4

  Other reasons

  314

  4·4

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown by(a) average hourly earnings, (b) average hours worked, (c) average age, (d) sex, (e) type of disability and (f) qualifying benefit of (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful applications received for disability working allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  Not all the information is available. Such information as is available is in the table and is derived from a provisional analysis of the claims received up to 12 May.

  Recipients

  Unsuccessful claims

  Average number of hours worked

  29

  Not available

  Average age

  35

  42

  Sex-men

  332

  4,658

  women

  276

  2,774

  Qualifying benefits:

  Not available

  Invalidity benefit

  60

  Severe disablement allowance

  32

  Income support with disability premium

  88

  Housing benefit with disability premium

  52

  Disability living allowance

  64

  Mobility allowance, attendance Allowance and other benefits

  492

  Note: Customers may have more than one qualifying benefit.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number and outcome of applications received for(a) the lower rate care component or (b) the lower rate mobility component of the disability living allowance broken down by (i) people previously in receipt of either attendance allowance or mobility allowance and (ii) people not previously in receipt of either of these two benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  In general, claims for disability living allowance are made for the benefit as a whole, rather than for individual rates of components—although customers may choose to supply details about only one of the two components if they wish. An adjudication officer then determines whether there is entitlement to the benefit and, if so, at which rate or rates.

  Initial statistics show that by 30 April 1992 the number of people who were not previously in receipt of either mobility allowance or attendance allowance and had been awarded either one or both of the new lower rate components was 10,392. In addition, there were

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  respectively 4,786 lower rate mobility awards and 1,406 lower rate care awards made to people previously in receipt of attendance allowance and mobility allowance.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for the mobility component of the disability living allowance were received in February, March and April 1992(a) from people aged 66 years or over and (b) in respect of children under five years of age; and how many applications for the mobility allowance were received in February, March and April 1991 (i) from people aged 66 years or over and (ii) in respect of children under five years of age.

  Mr. Scott
  The requested information about the number of applications received for the mobility component of disability living allowance is not available.

  The number of claims for mobility allowance received in February, March and April 1991 from people aged 66 and over and in respect of children under five is in the table:

  Month

  Number of claims

  February 1991

  967

  March 1991

  1,084

  April 1991

  1,256

  Total

  3,307

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for the care component of the disability living allowance have been received from people aged 66 years or over.

  Mr. Scott
  In general, claims for disability living allowance are made for the benefit as a whole, rather than for individual components—although customers may choose to supply details about only one of the two components if they wish. An adjudication officer then determines whether there is entitlement to the benefit and, if so, at which rate or rates. The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what number and proportion of all applications for the disability living allowance were either(a) from a claimant who has requested a medical examination in preference to completing the self-assessment claim form or (b) where the adjudication officer has required a claimant to undergo a medical examination.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, as at 1 May 1992, out of a total of 29,453 disability living allowance claims decided, 1,305, or 4 per cent., included, as part of the evidence before the adjudication officer, a report by an examining medical practitioner.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to replace the independent living fund after June 1993; and if applications to the fund will continue to be accepted up to and including June 1993.

  Mr. Scott
  The independent living fund will continue to make new awards until the end of the current financial year. From April 1993 local authorities, which are best 184
  placed to assess need and allocate local resources, will be responsible—in conjunction with users, carers and other interested agencies—for assessing individual needs and arranging flexible and innovative care packages under the community care arrangements. We are, however, committed to maintaining after that date a fund which supports the most severely disabled people. Details of these arrangements will be announced in due course.

  Appeal Tribunals (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was the average waiting time for appeals to the social security appeal tribunal in(a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991;

  (2) what was the average waiting time for appeals from (a) Orkney claimants and (b) Shetland claimants to the social security appeals tribunal in (i) 1989, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1991.

  Mr. Burt
  Administrative statistics for social security appeal tribunals are not available for areas smaller than a former social security region. The relevant information for the former Scotland region and Great Britain is in the table. For both, the latest information available is for the first six months of 1991.

  Average waiting time from lodgement of an appeal to the date of hearing for all appeals to social security appeal tribunals:

  Year

  Great Britain weeks

  Scotland weeks

  1989

  25·4

  28·4

  1990

  23·1

  20·4

  January to June 1991

  23·6

  22·3

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the frequency of sittings of the social security appeal tribunal in(a) Kirkwall and (h) Lerwick in (i) 1989, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1991.

  Mr. Burt
  Responsibility for the administration of social security appeal tribunals lies with the president of the independent tribunal service, His Honour Judge Holden, and the hon. Member may wish to contact his office direct to obtain this information.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what increases are to be paid to pensioners annually.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We are committed to uprating retirement pensions annually in line with price increases. Additionally, pensioners in receipt of income support and some other benefits will find these reviewed annually.

WALES

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department carried out a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees in May 1988. The
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  ethnic origin of all new entrants and leavers is monitored and there is no need for another survey. Since 1990, my Department has concentrated on the implementation of a programme of action to consolidate the equality of opportunity offered to people of ethnic minority origin.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency, acting on behalf of the civil service commissioners, is responsible for most recruitment into senior grades in my Department. It has taken a number of steps to encourage applications from and aid recruitment of members of ethnic minorities. Those include increasing contacts with minority communities; extending links with polytechnics, universities and tertiary colleges to attract a wider range of applicants generally, and specifically from ethnic minority communities; increasing ethnic minority representation among careers liaison staff and on selection panels; ensuring that relevant recruitment literature reflects a multiracial work force; equal opportunities training for those involved in selection; and using validated selection procedures to ensure that selection is fair and non-discriminatory.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, and overall in his Department are members of ethnic minorities.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The details, based on staff in post figures at 31 March 1992, are given in the table:

  Number

  Per cent

  Grades 1–6

  —

  —

  Grade 7 (1)

  2

  1·2

  Department Total (2)

  32

  1·3

  (1) Includes equivalent professional grades

  (2) Includes agency and industrial staff. Part-time staff each count as one unit.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what emergency provisions exist for south Wales in the event of a total breach of containment taking place at(a) reactors and (b) spent fuel cooling ponds at (i) Berkeley, (ii) Oldbury and (iii) Hinkley Point nuclear plants.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The rigorous safety arrangements at United Kingdom nuclear sites render extremely unlikely the kind of nuclear emergency postulated. Co-ordinated plans based on the worst case scenario which can reasonably be predicted have been devised by the operators of the nuclear sites on Severnside in consultation with the police, local authorities and other emergency services, and also involve liaison with central Government Departments, including the Welsh Office. Those procedures, which are regularly tested in simulated exercises, entail measures to safeguard public health and to protect food and water supplies on both sides of the Severn estuary.

  Development Area Status (Pembrokeshire)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will support appeals by Preseli Pembrokeshire district council and Dyfed county council to give Fishguard and Haverfordwest travel-to-work areas development area status.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government announced before the election that a review of the assisted area map would be conducted in this Parliament. We are now considering how to take that forward. The needs and problems of all areas will be fully taken into account during the course of the review.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that the application form and all information concerning student loans are available in the Welsh language.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The responsibility for student support matters rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education. I am in touch with him about producing more of the literature on student support matters, including student loans, in the Welsh language.

  Countryside
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any new proposals for protecting the countryside.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Any new proposals for protecting the countryside will be announced at the appropriate time. "The Rural Initiative", which was published by my right hon. Friend last December, included a number of relevant proposals, including plans for a countryside stewardship scheme "Tir Cymen", being developed by the Countryside Council for Wales.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new youth training places he is providing and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The numbers of youth training places provided are the responsibility of the training and enterprise councils. Under the terms of their operating agreements and contracts TECs are obliged to offer a training place to every 16 and 17-year-old not in full-time education who seeks one.

  Household Waste
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken to meet the target of recycling 25 per cent. of all household waste by the end of the century; and if he will make a statement outlining the present percentage of household waste that is recycled in Wales and by how much it has changed since 1990.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The measures being taken nationally to promote recycling are outlined in the first year report on the Environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance" (Cm 1655).

  In Wales the action taken comprises
  guidance to local authorities on devising and implementing recycling
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  strategies in the form of waste management paper No. 28; a request to authorities to submit recycling plans by 1 August in accordance with section 49 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; the introduction of a system of recycling credits under section 52 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 together with associated advice and guidance to authorities on the scheme in the form of Welsh Office circular 10/92.

  Reliable estimates of the percentage of household waste that is recycled in Wales are not available, but steps are being taken nationally to obtain more accurate data.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new policies he intends to adopt to ensure that school leavers without a job obtain employment.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The careers service and the employment service offer help to school leavers who wish to take up employment. School leavers need the opportunity to acquire skills and qualifications if they are to take their place successfully in the labour market, and all 16 and 17-year-olds leaving full-time education are entitled to a youth training place. By 1996, all such 16 and 17-year-old leavers will be able to claim a training credit, and the value of the training credit will be an incentive to employers to engage them.

  Radiotherapy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects his detailed radiotherapy facilities appraisal for north Wales to report; who are the members of the appraisal committee; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The investment appraisal of the options available for the establishment of a dedicated cancer treatment centre, including radiotherapy facilities, in north Wales is to be conducted by independent consultants. I expect them to report their conclusions by the end of 1992.

  INMOS
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he has taken to recover from the INMOS company, Newport sums of money paid to them by the Welsh Office or the Welsh development agency.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Such information must be treated as commercial in confidence.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the length of time that will have to pass before there will be no restriction on the movement of farm animals arising from the high levels of radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

  Mr. David Hunt
  It is not possible to estimate how long radioactivity from the Chernobyl nuclear accident will require the maintaining of controls on the sale of and movement of sheep from the restricted area of Wales. However, our "mark and release" arrangements and associated compensation payments are designed to ensure the minimum disruption to normal farming practices while controls remain in force.
  188
  Following intensive monitoring and assessment programmes, I was able to lift controls from two small areas in Gwynedd and Clwyd last year. We are continuing with those types of programmes with a view to lifting controls in further parts of the remaining restricted area as soon as it is possible to do so without compromising food safety.

  Pembroke Power Station
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will order a full public inquiry into the proposals to change from the burning of oil at Pembroke power station to the burning of orimulsion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  National Power requires two separate approvals in order to proceed with its plans—from the Department of Trade and Industry for planning permission to extend the power station, and from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution for authorisation to burn orimulsion fuel. Those applications are under consideration. The planning procedures allow for the holding of a public inquiry and this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Rod Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to charge-cap any Welsh authorities for 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have carefully scrutinised all Welsh local authority budgets for 1992–93. I have decided in all the circumstances not to exercise my capping powers.

  Most authorities have repaid the confidence which I placed in them by budgeting in line with the settlement. A few authorities could have done better. I therefore intend to announce provisional capping criteria in the autumn, in advance of the 1993–94 local government budgetary round. This will assist authorities as they take their budgetary decisions next year.

TRANSPORT

  Runway Capacity
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made by the working group, chaired by his Department, which is taking forward the Civil Aviation Authority's advice on south-east runway capacity in the longer term.

  Mr. Norris
  The working group is making good progress. It was established to consider the wider implications of runway development at 10 airports which had been identified by the Civil Aviation Authority, in its report CAP 570 published in July 1990, as potentially able in air traffic control terms to handle growth in south-east air traffic forecast after 2005, and to consider the regional airport contribution. It draws its membership widely from industry, environmental, local authority and consumer interests, as well as from central Government.

  The working group has carried out a substantial volume of work but has a considerable amount remaining and does not expect to be in a position to offer advice before the end of this year. Its report will be published. Runway Capacity to Serve the South-East—RUCATSE

  189
  —is not a decision-making body or an alternative to the normal planning processes, and it is not preparing actual development proposals. Before there could be a major runway development at any airport, a promoter would need to work up a specific detailed proposal and apply for planning permission in the usual way, with opportunity for anyone wishing to comment to do so.

  By July the group expects to have taken a view on which options should be taken forward for detailed study in its further work. At that point it proposes to undertake further consultation on the notional runway alignments which would appear most suitable for those sites.

  Irradiated Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the resolution passed on the sea transport of irradiated nuclear fuel at the marine safety committee of the International Maritime Organisation at its 60th annual conference in London in April.

  Mr. Norris
  The maritime safety committee of the International Maritime Organisation did not pass a resolution on the sea transport of irradiated nuclear fuel at its 60th session. The draft code on the carriage of INF is subject to consultation between the IMO and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Foreign Vessels
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the numbers of(a) Spanish and (b) Dutch vessels registered as British and the ports of registration.

  Mr. Norris
  For ships and large pleasure craft the information requested is as follows:

  (a) Three, at Yarmouth, London and Poole;

  (b) Four, at London (2), Harwich and Southampton.

  Some 46 Spanish and about 15 Dutch owned fishing vessels have been registered since the European Court judgment referred to in my answer to the hon. Member on 11 May, Official Report, column 17. The majority of these vessels are registered in the south-west ports, Lowestoft and Grimsby, and Aberdeen in Scotland.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many foreign fishing boats are registered as nationals in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Denmark, (d) Holland and (e) France.

  Mr. Norris
  Some 65 since the European Court judgment; seven in Scotland, the remainder in England and Wales.

  I have no information on registration in other EC countries.

  London Bus Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representation he has received from the London tourist board concerning his proposals to privatise and deregulate London bus services.

  Mr. Norris
  Like many other bodies, the London tourist board responded to the consultation paper "A Bus Strategy for London" last year. I am not aware of any subsequent representations from it.

  Radioactive Aggregate
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any radioactively contaminated rubble or spoil has been used as aggregate for the construction of roads in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  The disposal of radioactive waste or material of any kind contaminated with radioactivity in England and Wales is subject to authorisation by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. There have been no cases where this authorisation process has permitted disposal of such waste for use as road building materials. The control of radioactive material and waste in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the respective Secretaries of State.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EC Treaties
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means he intends to notify the appropriate authorities of the ratification of titles I-VII of the draft treaty on economic union; and if he will list the relevant means and authority in respect of each of those draft titles and the subsequent protocols and declarations.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Provided that Parliament has passed the necessary legislation, I shall deposit with the Italian Government an instrument of ratification in accordance with article R of the treaty of European union. The ratification will relate to the treaty documents signed on 7 February, namely, the treaty and the protocols. The declarations are not part of the treaty. There is no procedure for ratifying different parts of the treaty.

  Macedonia
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with the Republic of Macedonia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We and our European Community partners have not yet recognised the Republic of Macedonia. We hope that a common position can soon be found so that recognition can go ahead. We fully support President Gligorov's moderate Government.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and decisions taken at the European Foreign Affairs Council held in Guimares on 1 and 2 May.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The main subjects discussed by EC Foreign Ministers at the informal Foreign Ministers meeting in Guimares on 1 to 2 May were the situation in Yugoslavia, the evolution of the middle east peace process, preparations for the implementation of the common foreign and security policy provided for in the Maastricht treaty, the situation in South Africa and the EC's relations with Turkey. EC Ministers also agreed the solemn declaration on the protocol on the right to life of the unborn in Ireland and had a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

  World Commission on Culture and Development
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution he intends to make to the World Commission on Culture and Development under the chairpersonship of Mr. Perez de Cuellar when it opens its three-year inquiry in the summer.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the appointment of Mr. Perez de Cuellar as chairman of the World Commission on Culture and Development, but we have no plans to make a contribution at this stage.

  Cyprus
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the United Nations regarding future British contributions to United Nations operations in Cyprus.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We are in regular contact with the United Nations secretariat and other contributors about the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus. It plays a valuable role in preserving the peace, thereby assisting the Secretary-General's efforts to bring about a just and lasting settlement. The size of the force remains under review.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to reduce the British contribution to United Nations operations in Cyprus.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We are in regular contact with the United Kingdom secretariat and other contributors about the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus. It plays a valuable role in preserving the peace, thereby assisting the Secretary-General's efforts to bring about a just and lasting settlement. The size of the force remains under review.

  UN Economic Commission for Europe
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the United Kingdom has made to the forty-seventh session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe since it opened in Geneva on 7 April.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom was represented at the 47th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe by the ambassador and permanent representative of the United Kingdom mission to the United Nations at Geneva, supported by others in the United Kingdom mission and a member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Those representatives participated in the plenary and sessional committee proceedings of the 47th session and in concurrent informal negotiations on the drafting of decisions sponsored by the European Community and by non-EC member countries of UNECE. They also played and active part in the drafting of statements made by the Portuguese presidency, on behalf of the European Community and its member states.

  Iraq
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the range of weapons in Iraq in each category which have now been 192
  destroyed arising from resolutions of the United Nations Security Council; what weapons are now left to be destroyed; when this will occur; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Inspectors have so far supervised the destruction of:

  Ballistic Missiles

  62 ballistic missiles

  10 ballistic missiles

  18 fixed scud launch pads

  32 ballistic missile warheads

  127 missile storage support vehicles

  Tons of rocket fuel

  Assembled 350 mm supergun

  Components for 350 mm and 1000 mm superguns

  1 tonne of supergun propellant

  54 items of ballistic missile production equipment

  10 buildings related to ballistic missile production

  Chemical Weapons

  11 800 unfilled chemical munitions

  463 unstable 122 mm rockets, some filled with chemical agent

  Nuclear Programme

  29 items of equipment connected to the nuclear weaponisation programme

  8 buildings used in the nuclear programme

  Iraq claims to have unilaterally destroyed equipment covered by SCR687 during the summer of 1991. The special commission is verifying these claims.

  The special commission plans to continue the destruction of nuclear facilities and ballistic missile production equipment in the course of upcoming inspections. The large scale destruction of chemicals will begin in June.

  Until Iraq complies with its obligation to provide a full, final and complete disclosure of its weapons of mass destruction, there can be no final list of items for destruction.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what latest warnings have been given to the Iraqi regime over any future aggression or armed action against its own citizens within the borders of Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 14 April, coalition Governments told the Iraq Government that they should cease repressive actions against the people of Iraq in violation of United Nations Security Council resolution 688.

  In a further démarche on 7 May we reminded the Iraqis that we had not received and still expected a full and effective response to our demarche of 14 April. We shall continue to press them to respect the basic human and political rights of the Iraqi people.

  Iran
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the state of current relations between Iran and the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We hope that relations with Iran will evolve in a positive direction. But as the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman)"There will be no dramatic or immediate change"— [Official Report, 18 December 1991: Vol 201, c. 259.]

  193
  in the relationship. In our contacts with the Iranian authorities we continue to make clear that the death sentence on Salman Rushdie is an unacceptable infringement of his rights as a British citizen.

  Security
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the workers employed at the Regalian building site at Vauxhall Cross, which will be occupied by his Department, have been security vetted.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is not usual or sensible to comment on security measures taken at Government buildings.

  BCCI
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the Abu Dhabi Government's proposals for the settlement of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International issue; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government recognise the difficulties and hardship the BCCI crisis has created for depositors. The Government have stated that they would like to see the depositors get back as much of their money as possible. We have repeatedly made it clear that the Government are not a party to the proposed settlement. It is for the creditors and courts to judge the merits of the proposals put forward by the liquidators and majority shareholders.

  Teheran
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken following the execution in Evin prison in Teheran on 18 March of the leading Baha'i, Mr. Bahman Samandari; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are concerned by reports about the execution of Mr. Samandari. We hope that the EC presidency will soon make a démarche, on behalf of the Twelve, to the Iranians. Actions like that will only reinforce international concern at the human rights situation in Iran.

  Lockerbie Bombing
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests for information and documents relating to the Lockerbie bombing have been put to, or referred to Her Majesty's Government or its agencies in connection with the legal case in the USA involving Pan Am and relatives of persons killed in the bombing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Requests, both formal and informal, have been received for a number of Crown servants, a former Crown servant and police officers to be made available as witnesses in connection with the civil case in the United States. Those persons have been made available for giving evidence in the United Kingdom, subject to restrictions and conditions designed to ensure that national security and the criminal investigation and proceedings are not prejudiced. A request for the examination of a journalist and for an order for him to 194
  produce documents is presently the subject of proceedings before the High Court and it would not be proper for further comment to be made on that matter.

  European Union Treaty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reference to"the desire for modulation of the levels of Community participation in programmes and projects"
  referred to in the protocol on economic and social cohesion to the treaty on European union; what was the original French text for this; and which body was responsible for the translation.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have been asked to reply.

  The reference relates to an agreement among member states, recorded later in the protocol to allow higher rates of structural funds grant in the less prosperous member states "with a view to avoiding excessive increases in [their] budgetary expenditure". I expect precise provisions to be included in the new regulations on the funds due to take effect in 1994, but discussion of these has not yet begun.

  The original French text of the reference was
  "le souhait d'une modulation des niveaux de la participation communautaire aux programmes et aux projets".
  The translation into English was made by the Council secretariat.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Lockerbie Bombing
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will specify the nature and outcome of recent hearings in the High Court to which Her Majesty's Government have been a party initiated by representatives of the Pan Am company relating to the deposition of forensic experts and the supply of technical advice relating to the Lockerbie bombing; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Her Majesty's Government have recently intervened in two matters brought before the English courts which have arisen from civil proceedings in the United States in connection with the Lockerbie disaster. One concerns a request for the examination of a former Crown servant involved in the investigation into the disaster; the other concerns a request for the examination of a journalist. Questions of law relating to the former request are the subject of an appeal from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, whose formal judgment is expected shortly. Questions of law relating to the latter request are still to be determined by the High Court. Both cases are therefore sub judice and it would not be appropriate for me to make further comment.

ENVIRONMENT

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively, and overall in his Department are members of ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Howard
  Following is the information as at 1 February 1992:
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  Grade

  Number of Ethnic Minorities

  Percentage of Ethnic Minorities

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  5

  2

  1·3

  6

  2

  0·7

  7

  5

  0·6

  Total

  9

  0·8

  All grades

  471

  7·0

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  As part of the Department's implementation of the 1990 Office of the Minister for the Civil Service programme for action on race, a survey of staff whose ethnic origin was then unrecorded was carried out in 1991. A further survey is about to be launched.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.

  Mr. Howard
  When the Department needs to fill a senior post requiring a special combination of experience and qualifications it runs an open recruitment supervised by the civil service commissioners. The recruitment literature states that the civil service is an equal opportunity employer. Selection is based on suitability for the post.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he adopts when determining planning applications referred to him, or for decision by him following an appeal, that relate to the excavation of pits for the extraction of aggregates and other minerals.

  Mr. Baldry
  Each called-in application and planning appeal is determined on its merits, having regard to the provisions of the approved development plan and any other material considerations.

  Recycling
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will require the implementation of waste collection authorities' recycling plans after 1 August; and if he will make a statement on the timetable.

  Mr. Maclean
  Under section 49 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, my right hon. Friend does not have the power to require waste collection authorities to implement their recycling plans. However, the authorities are required to publicise them, which will mean that they are subject to public pressure for implementation.

  Supplementary credit approvals of £12 million were distributed to local authorities for 1991–92 and £15 million have been allocated for 1992–93 to help the capital costs of establishing recycling schemes.
  196
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance is available to national parks to set up recycling programmes.

  Mr. Maclean
  Local authorities with responsibilities for the collection of waste, including those who serve national parks, have a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to prepare recycling plans. The plans should be submitted in draft to my right hon. Friend by 1 August this year. To assist them in implementing the plans we have made available a programme of supplementary credit approvals worth £60 million over four years. Authorities are also able to claim recycling credits from waste disposal authorities in respect of household waste recycling operation in their areas; the credits are equivalent to the net savings of disposal costs and will help to finance the running costs of recycling projects.

  We are investigating whether any other economic measures are necessary in order to reach our target of recycling 50 per cent. of household waste by the end of the century.

  Many recycling industries are looking for ways of developing their existing operations. There is likely to be scope for them to approach the national park authorities with a view to establishing jointly collection facilities for, for example, glass and cans, in the areas most used by the public.

  A recent research project was carried out for the Department on recycling in rural areas; the study area covered part of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. The report is available to any interested parties.

  Coastal Protection
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to tighten the laws preventing the exploitation of the natural assets and wildlife of the seashore by private extraction companies.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Secretary of State has no plans to ammend the current legislation, but will be considering whether further advice should be given in the draft planning policy and guidance notes on coastal planning.

  Reptile Conservation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what conclusions his scientific advisers have reached concerning evidence from the Indonesian authorities relating to the conservation and population status of lizards and pythons in that country; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when the next meeting of the EC Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) committee will take place; if the United Kingdom delegation will seek a reservation in respect of the trade of those lizard and python species whose import into the EC has been temporarily banned; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The question of the temporary ban on the import into the EC of certain species from Indonesia was discussed at a meeting of EC member states at the conference of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species parties in Kyoto in March. The Indonesian delegation to the conference had agreed that arrangements should be made urgently for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to work with them to assess the sustainable yield of indigenous
  197
  species in trade, and draw up quotas based on the results of this work. No such quotas have yet been produced for the United Kingdom scientific authority to consider.

  The next meeting of the EC CITES committee is taking place today. Until the Community decides that the ban may be lifted, there is no question of the United Kingdom taking unilateral action to resume trade with Indonesia in the species concerned.

  Small Cetaceans
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much is currently spent by his Department on research into small cetaceans in the coastal waters around the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  The sum of £86,396 has been allocated in this financial year for United Kingdom cetacean research.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to promote the protection of small cetaceans at the forthcoming Earth summit.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government support international and regional efforts to promote the conservation of small cetaceans. They recently signed, and will finance the interim secretariat to, the agreement for the conservation of small cetaceans of the North and Baltic seas under the Bonn convention. I expect the Earth summit to recognise the importance of such measures.

  Marine Environment
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a body within Government responsible for developing a co-ordinated approach to the regulation of activities in the coastal and maritime environment around the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have noted the recent recommendation of the report of the House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment on coastal zone protection and planning that a national coastal zone unit be set up within Government to provide an overview of coastal policy. We will be responding to this recommendation, and the others made by the Committee, in due course.

  Environment Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the issues discussed and matters decided at the Environment Council ministerial meeting in Brussels on 5 May.

  Mr. Maclean
  The joint Environment and Development Council ministerial meeting on 5 May considered specific elements of the Community's strategy for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. The conclusions of this meeting record the agreements reached on the Rio declaration, the agenda 21 action programme, financial resources, technology co-operation, institutions, atmosphere, forests, desertification, biodiversity and biotechnology. Some of those issues were previously addressed in the conclusions of the Environment Council held on 12 December 1991.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes there have been in the commitments set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in regard to publication of the registers of information on contaminated land sites.

  Mr. Maclean
  Section 143 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 created a requirement for local authorities to compile and publish public registers of land which is or has been subject to contaminative use. Regulations would define the uses of land to be covered and other statutory requirements for registers.

  It was originally proposed that the duty for local authorities to compile registers would commence in April 1992. Regulations were to have been published early in 1992, together with other guidance on aspects of registers. Implementation of section 143 has however been delayed to enable further consideration to be given to the detail of the proposals and further consultation to be undertaken.

  East London Thames Corridor
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for strategic planning of the area he designated as the east London Thames corridor.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter),Official Report, column 610.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps by planning restrictions or other measures to end the destruction of any hedgerows pending the introduction of legislation to implement the proposed hedgerow protection scheme.

  Mr. Maclean
  Most hedgerow loss is the consequence of poor maintenance rather than deliberate removal. In advance of wider legislation on protection, the Government plan to introduce a new hedgerow incentive scheme to promote the improved care and management of that important landscape feature.

  Pollution Agency
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his plans for a single environmental agency to control pollution in England and Wales.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones),Official Report, column 125.

  Household Waste (Recycling)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to meet the target of recycling 25 per cent. of all household waste by the end of the century; and if he will make a statement outlining the present percentage of household waste that is recycled and by how much this has changed since 1990.
  199
  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are taking a wide range of measures to promote recycling, many of which are outlined in the first year report on the Environment White Paper "This Common Inheritance" (Cm. 1655).

  In particular, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides a legislative framework to encourage recycling. Waste collection authorities now have a duty to prepare recycling plans. Draft plans should be submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State by 1 August. To help authorities in England to implement their recycling strategies there is a programme of supplementary credit approvals worth £60 million over four years. I announced allocations for £15 million in 1992–93 on 27 April. Authorities and other recycling collectors may also claim recycling credits from waste disposal authorities for household waste recycling operations; the credits are equivalent to the net savings of disposal costs and will help to finance the running costs of recycling projects.

  The Advisory Committee on Business arid the Environment has recommended a number of measures to increase recycling, including raising landfill prices further and the introduction of capital allowances on recycling equipment. We are currently conducting studies on landfill pricing and the use of economic instruments to promote the recovery of waste.

  The Government have identified a need for better waste statistics. We have therefore established a national household waste analysis project, the first results from which are expected later this year. We are also working with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy to revise its statistical returns on waste collection and disposal. A new survey will start in the middle of 1992. Until the results of those initiatives are available, precise information about the proportion of household waste which is recycled will not be available. Studies indicate that overall no more than 5 per cent. of household waste is recycled. The advances since 1990 in, for example, plastics and aluminium recycling have yet to be shown in the national statistics.

  Countryside
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any new proposals for protecting the countryside.

  Mr. Maclean
  In February the Government issued "Action for the Countryside", a comprehensive statement of our policies for the English countryside. It gave a clear statement of our policies for supporting the rural economy and protecting the countryside. It introduced a number of new initiatives and extended existing ones designed to encourage action to stimulate the rural economy, protect wildlife, protect and enhance landscapes and promote access and public enjoyment of the countryside. I am fully committed to this initiative. The initiatives will be introduced throughout this year and beyond to carry forward and further develop the policies announced in "Action for the Countryside".

  Ozone-depleting Substances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for publishing United Kingdom production figures of ozone-depleting substances.
  200
  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 13 May 1992]: Figures for United Kingdom production of these chemicals are supplied to the Government and the EC on a confidential basis. Consumption figures are collected for the European Community but are not broken down between member states. However, a 1990 study for the Department of Trade and Industry indicated that United Kingdom consumption fell by 50 per cent. between 1986 and 1989, a rate faster than that claimed by any other developed country.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners there are currently in police cells in Greater Manchester.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Today, 260 prisoners are being held in police cells in Greater Manchester.

  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were in prison at the most recent count.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On Wednesday 13 May 1992, the prison population stood at 45,805. In addition, 1,598 prisoners, who should have been accommodated in prison service establishments, were held in police cells.

  Drug Trafficking
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on recent progress on his policy to combat drug trafficking.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Police and customs continue to undertake very successful operations against drug trafficking, with growing quantities of drugs seized and drugs traffickers brought to justice. We plan to bring forward a Bill, later this year, to strengthen the powers of the courts to confiscate the assets of drug traffickers. I propose to give high priority to strengthening still further our efforts in this field.

  Travellers
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the recent actions taken by his Department concerning changes to the law regarding the illegal occupation of private and public land by traveller families; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  After a thorough public review of section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986 which deals with aggravated trespass on land, my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary concluded in May 1991 that no change to the law on public order was appropriate.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is currently undertaking a thorough review of the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

  War Crimes
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to bring forward proposals to amend the War Crimes Act 1991.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of Victim Support.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government attach high importance to the work of those who provide emotional support, practical help and advice to victims of crime. There are currently about 385 local branches and schemes, with some 7,500 volunteer visitors, covering about 97 per cent. of the population of England and Wales. They handle over 600,000 cases a year. Home Office support for this activity, by way of grant to the national voluntary organisation, Victim Support, has risen by 85 per cent. over the past three years to £7.3 million in the current year.

  Convictions
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of males aged 15, 20 and 30 years have been convicted of at least one indictable offence.

  Mr. Jack
  Based on information from the offenders' index, a study of a cohort of males born in 1953 has shown that 11 per cent. aged 15, 23 per cent. aged 20, and 33 per cent. aged 30 had received at least one conviction for "standard list" offences, which include all indictable offences.

  Traffic Pollution
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he intends to have with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the problems of pollution and congestion caused by traffic.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The problem of pollution caused by traffic is not primarily one for the Commissioner or for my Department, although the police are aware that technological developments may be able to help them to detect unlawful exhaust emissions.

  Metropolitan Police
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next plans to visit the Metropolitan police to discuss its establishment.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. Friend had an introductory discussion with the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis on 14 April and met him again at the launch of EU ROW, in aid of Save the Children, on Tuesday 5 May. He also plans to visit the command and control suite at New Scotland Yard.

  Police (Civilianisation)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of police officers returned to operational duties by the policy of civilianisation since 1979.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Since records were first started in 1983, some 5,700 police officers have been freed for operational duties by civilianising posts which do not require the powers or skills of a police officer. This represents an efficiency saving of some £110 million a year at 1991–92 prices.

  Rape Within Marriage
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include in legislation a measure to make rape within marriage illegal.

  Mr. Jack
  The House of Lords confirmed in October 1991, in the case of R v. R, that a husband can be convicted under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 for the rape of his wife. In January 1992, the Law Commission published a report proposing that this position should be consolidated and amplifed in new legislation. Its recommendations are being carefully considered.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the numbers of illegal immigrants attempting entry through Dover port during the last 15 years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Comprehensive figures covering the last 15 years are not available. So far this year up to 7 May, 44 clandestine illegal entrants have been detected at the port of Dover, compared with 20 detected during the whole of 1991.

  Operation Bumblebee
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preliminary report he has received on Operation Bumblebee.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Operation Bumblebee was set up on 1 June 1991 in the No. 1 area of the Metropolitan police service. During the period 1 June 1991 to 10 April 1992, 2,397 people, including 445 juveniles in the area were charged with burglary or related offences. Since the start of this operation, the increase in the burglary rate in the No. 1 area has slowed dramatically to 2 per cent.

  Operation Bumblebee was extended to the No. 5 area of the Metropolitan police on 6 January 1992.

  Police Specials
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many specials his Department recruited in the first quarter of the current year.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Special constables are recruited locally by police forces. Recruitment figures are collected annually and are not available for the period requested. I understand that nearly 1,000 applications to join the special constabulary were received in the first three months of this year. There was an overall rise in numbers of special constables during 1991 of nearly 2,200, to a total of just over 18,000.

  Voluntary Sector
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to encourage the extension and greater co-ordination of the voluntary sector.

  Mr. Jack
  The voluntary services unit in my Department will be continuing its task in 1992 of supporting those bodies whose role it is to both encourage and extend the work of the voluntary sector.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to ensure sufficient places are available to those given custodial sentences by the courts.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The existing prison building programme is intended to provide sufficient places for those sent to prison. It was begun in the early 1980s and will have delivered in excess of 11,000 new prison places when it reaches completion in 1994. Fifteen new prisons have opened so far. Three more will be opening later this year.

  School-age Crime
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to reduce the level of crime committed by young people of school age.

  Mr. Jack
  We pursue a wide range of policies against crime. Most are relevant to offenders of school age, including action to reduce the opportunities for crime. Local initiatives aim to prevent offending, and include police schemes for activities for school children during the holidays, projects funded through the safer cities programme, and approximately 350 youth crime prevention panels. The Government are examining the effectiveness of local schemes, in order to pull together experience from all over the country and help local people to translate it into good practice.

  Polish Nationals
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to announce the review of visa requirements for Polish citizens wishing to visit the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend will review the need for the visa requirement later this year by which time the impact on other member states of the Community of abolishing the visa requirement may have become more apparent.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will end the requirement for Polish nationals to have visas to enter the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I shall review the need for the visa requirement later this year by which time the impact on other member states of the Community of abolishing the visa requirement may have become more apparent.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many juveniles were remanded in custody in the last year for which figures are available;

  (2) how many people under 21 years of age were remanded in custody in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is given in the table:
  204

  Persons1 aged under 21 received into prison service establishments in England and Wales as unsentenced prisoners in 1991: by age on reception and type of reception.

  Numbers of persons

  Age on reception

  Type of reception

  Under 17

  17 and under 21

  Total under 21

  Untried

  1,073

  16,841

  17,914

  Convicted unsentenced2

  124

  3,839

  3,963

  1 Provisional figures

  2 Including persons initially received as untried prisoners

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many juveniles received a custodial sentence after being remanded in custody in the last year for which figures are available;

  (2) how many young people under 21 years of age received a custodial sentence after being remanded in custody in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The readily available information relates only to those aged under 17 or 17 and under 21 years on initial remand into a prison service establishment in England and Wales. Provisional figures for 1990 were published in table 2.6 of "Prison Statistics England and Wales 1990" (Cm 1800), a copy of which is in the Library. Final data for 1990 and provisional data for 1991 are not yet available.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police force operating at the privatised port of Tilbury will be subject to the Police Complaints Authority.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This will be a matter, in the first instance, for agreement between the Police Complaints Authority and the authority maintaining the police force concerned.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria have been applied in deciding which non-Home Office forces shall be included within the jurisdiction of the Police Complaints Authority; and how those criteria have been applied in the case of(a) Dover Harbour police and (b) the Royal Parks Constabulary.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It would be, in the first instance, for the Police Complaints Authority and the authority maintaining the police forces concerned to reach agreement, with the approval of the Home Secretary, for the establishment of procedures corresponding to those set out in part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Such an agreement has been approved in the case of the Royal Parks Constabulary. Whether it would be appropriate for the PCA to make an agreement with the smaller Dover harbour police is a matter which is still being explored.

  Police Officers (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of(a) men and (b) women from ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom serving as police officers in each police force in England and Wales.
  205
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  At the end of February 1992 there were 1,631 officers from ethnic minorities. The information requested for each force in England and Wales is set out in the table:

  Ethnic Minorities

  Force

  Men

  Women

  As at 28 February 1992

  Avon and Somerset

  18

  6

  Bedfordshire

  27

  11

  Cambridgeshire

  18

  8

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  Cleveland

  10

  2

  Cumbria

  2

  —

  Derbyshire

  20

  4

  Devon and Cornwall

  2

  —

  Dorset

  3

  —

  Durham

  3

  1

  Dyfed Powys

  —

  —

  Essex

  20

  2

  Gloucestershire

  10

  2

  Greater Manchester

  104

  21

  Gwent

  7

  —

  Hampshire

  13

  2

  Hertfordshire

  13

  5

  Humberside

  5

  1

  Kent

  9

  2

  Lancashire

  25

  5

  Leicestershire

  49

  5

  Lincolnshire

  1

  2

  Merseyside

  48

  9

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  17

  2

  Northumbria

  12

  2

  North Wales

  1

  —

  North Yorkshire

  4

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  41

  11

  South Wales

  20

  1

  South Yorkshire

  24

  4

  Staffordshire

  14

  5

  Suffolk

  4

  2

  Surrey

  12

  1

  Sussex

  12

  3

  Thames Valley

  43

  10

  Warwickshire

  7

  2

  West Mercia

  14

  4

  West Midlands

  144

  47

  West Yorkshire

  72

  17

  Wiltshire

  11

  2

  City of London

  6

  2

  Metropolitan

  431

  130

  Total

  1,297

  334

  Lollipop People
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to expand the number and improve the pay of lollipop people in Greater London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that at 30 April the number of school crossing patrol people which had risen by 22 since 11 February stood at 1,164, against an establishment of 1,350. School crossing patrol pay is based on rates agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Services and is reviewed annually.

  Immigration Cases (Members' Interventions)
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the arrangements currently in force concerning the intervention of Members of the House of Commons in immigration cases.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None.

  Treaty on European Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new legislative, regulatory or administrative actions, or similar steps based on existing statutory authority, he expects to be necessary in order to implement the agreed objectives of the proposed European union, consequent on title VI, articles K and K1–9 of the draft treaty agreed at Maastricht, relating to home and judicial affairs.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Title VI of the Maastricht treaty establishes a framework for future co-operation between the member states of the EC in the areas listed in article KI. Where conventions are drawn up to give effect to action between the member states, they will need to be ratified individually by Parliament in the usual way.

  South Africa (Electors)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people resident in the Republic of South Africa were registered as electors for the United Kingdom Parliament for the recent general election; how many actually voted; and how their votes were distributed between the 651 constituencies.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information is not held centrally on the number of overseas electors living in particular countries abroad, or on the number of proxies who voted on behalf of overseas electors in the recent general election.

  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to increase the current strength of his inspectorate with responsibility for enforcing the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There are currently 21 members of the Home Office animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate which is now at full strength. There are no plans to increase the size of the inspectorate as I am satisfied that its present strength is adequate.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to extend greater animal welfare and independent representation within the membership of the animal procedures committee; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In making appointments to the animal procedures committee, I am required by section 19 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to have regard to the desirability of ensuring that the interests of animal welfare are adequately represented. The current composition of the committee is in line with that requirement, and I know from its good work that the committee as a whole has proper regard for animal welfare in carrying out its deliberations and in advising me.

  Forensic Science Agency
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he has set for the Forensic Science Agency for 1992–93.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The 1992–93 targets expect that the FSS will improve its effectiveness and efficiency maintaining its high standard of scientific work. The financial targets are recovery of full costs, a unit cost of £482, with a unit cost productivity gain of 4.3 per cent. The service level targets include improved turnround times to secure an average reduction of the 11 per cent. in casework delivery dates compared with those achieved last year.

  Passport Agency
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance targets he has set for the United Kingdom Passport Agency in 1992–93.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  During 1992–93 I shall expect the Passport Agency to continue to seek improvements in the standard of service it provides to customers, and in achieving value for money.

  I have set the agency the following key targets:

  (i) to process properly completed, straightforward applications within a maximum of 20 working days in the periods of peak demand between January and June, 15 working days in July and August, and 10 working days at other times,

  (ii) to process such applications within an overall average of 9 working days for the year as a whole,

  208

  (iii) to reduce unit costs by a further 1·6 per cent. in real terms over the previous year's target.

  The chief executive will remain directly accountable to me for the performance of the Passport Agency. An advisory board, including two private sector members with experience of delivering services to the public, will continue to help me in assessing the agency's performance.

  Football
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about the implementation of the Taylor report.

  Mr. Mellor
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for sports ground safety, including the implementation of all-seating, is to be transferred from the Home Department to the Department of National Heritage.

  Since the beginning of 1992, the Home Secretary has received 47 letters from hon. Members and 68 letters from members of the public. The Secretary of State for National Heritage has received 12 letters from hon. Members and 18 letters from members of the public. In addition, the Football Supporters Association wrote on 1 February to the Home Secretary and on 24 April to the Secretary of State for National Heritage enclosing a copy of its document "The Preservation of Standing Accommodation at Football Grounds".

  EMPLOYMENT SERVICE: OPERATIONAL MATTERS
  EMPLOYMENT SERVICE: OPERATIONAL MATTERS
  LONDON VACANT OFFICE SPACE
  LONDON VACANT OFFICE SPACE
  PSA PRIVATISATION: PROGRESS
  PSA PRIVATISATION: PROGRESS
  SOUTH-EAST RUNWAY CAPACITY WORKING PARTY: PROGRESS
  SOUTH-EAST RUNWAY CAPACITY WORKING PARTY: PROGRESS
  UN SECURITY COUNCIL: MANDATORY RESOLUTIONS
  UN SECURITY COUNCIL: MANDATORY RESOLUTIONS
  IRAN: NUCLEAR WARHEADS
  IRAN: NUCLEAR WARHEADS
  TIRANA: UK DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION
  TIRANA: UK DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION
  BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: AID
  BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: AID