Written Answers of 21 May 1992

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  UNCED
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contribution on science and technology will be made by his Department to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June; what has been the cost of preparation for UNCED by his Department, and previously at the Department of Education and Science.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Preparation for UNCED is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The Office of Science and Technology, the Department of Education and Science and the research councils have helped the Department of the Environment in these preparations, but the cost of this is not readily available.

  Research Council
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Research Council on 29 April.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I represented Her Majesty's Government at the meeting of the Council of Ministers (Research) in Luxembourg on 29 April 1992.

  The Council adopted the two outstanding programmes under the third EC framework programme for research and development: measurement and testing, and the dissemination and exploitation of results. It also adopted the joint research centre's programme for 1992–94. The Council had a general discussion on the future shape of Community research and development, and invited the Commission to bring forward its proposals concerning the framework programme as soon as possible.

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Shortages
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to mitigate the effects of water shortages both on consumers and on river and wetland environments.

  Mr. Maclean
  Primary responsibility for maintaining public water supplies rests with the water companies. The National Rivers Authority (NRA) also has a general statutory responsibility for conserving, redistributing and augmenting water resources and securing their proper use. This responsibility extends, in particular, to protecting river and wetland environment. My Department has for some months been holding regular meetings with the NRA, the Office of Water Services and the water 192
  companies to ensure necessary liaison and that we arc aware of action (such as the consideration of applications for drought orders) that will be needed by the Department.

  I am writing to all Members of Parliament in the areas which may be affected by water shortages this summer to explain the situation in greater detail.

  Noise Abatement Zones
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce changes in noise abatement zone procedures.

  Mr. Maclean
  Following the noise review recommendation that the procedures for establishing noise abatement zones should be reviewed, my Department commissioned the Building Research Establishment to carry out a survey of local authorities which have established noise abatement zones.

  Thirty-seven local authorities which have established, or attempted to establish, noise abatement zones have been consulted during this work. An interim report from BRE is due shortly.

  Isle of Dogs
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the number of jobs which have been sited in the enterprise zone in the Isle of Dogs from its inception to the latest convenient date, together with the total transferred there from existing locations outside that zone, the numbers of jobs related to completely new enterprises founded in that zone and the approximate expenditure of public funds, including remissions, for each of the latter categories of job so created.

  Mr. Squire
  By December 1989 there were 9,600 jobs in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone, an increase of 8,959 since the designation of the zone. It is not possible to state how many jobs have been transferred from outside the zone, nor how many relate to new enterprises in the zone. Consequently, public expenditure on jobs in either category cannot be estimated.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will have any responsibility to promote(a) combined heat and power stations, (b) the use of combustible waste as fuel and (c) industrial energy efficiency programmes following the abolition of the Department of Energy.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department is now responsible for the work of the Energy Efficiency Office.

  Energy Efficiency Office programmes relevant to industry are: the best practice programme covering research, development, demonstration and dissemination of energy technologies in the industrial, commercial and buildings sectors, including the promotion of all types of combined heat and power plant; the energy management assistance scheme (EMAS) for organisations with fewer than 500 employees; and the "Making a Corporate Commitment" campaign which is aimed at chairman and directors in industry, commerce and public sector organisations.

  Primary responsibility for the use of combustible waste as fuel now rests with the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Office Rents
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will institute a survey of the difference in the office rental levels available for government leasing between(a) routine property company transactions and (b) receivers or administrators thereof.

  Mr. Baldry
  No. It is already established practice within Government to negotiate the best available terms, including rental levels, for any new office lease requirement, regardless of who might be the landlord.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to improve protection for sites of special scientific interest.

  Mr. Maclean
  The additional safeguards for sites of special scientific interest announced by this Government in September 1991 came into effect on 2 January 1992. Further details of the many steps we have taken to conserve our natural heritage, and how our policies on conservation are to be reflected in land use planning, are set out in a draft planning policy guidance note, which was issued for public consultation on 27 February. The response to that consultation exercise are now being considered.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what initiatives he has to reduce the impact of air pollution on health and amenity.

  Mr. Maclean
  These are conveniently summarised on pages 42 to 44 of the White Paper, "This Common Inheritance—the First Year Report", published in September 1991. Twenty-three separate commitments to further action are listed.

  Local Government Boundaries
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the Local Government Boundary Commission's proposal to transfer Thamesmead East ward from the London borough of Bexley to the London borough of Greenwich; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Squire
  Ninety-one representations from Members, local groups, members of the public and other interested persons have been received. We are considering all the points made and will make public our decision as soon as possible.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities which came within 1 per cent. of the expenditure criteria he laid down for charge capping for 1992–93.

  Mr. Squire
  There are 126 authorities-94 charging and 32 precepting authorities—which have set budgets for 1992–93 within 1 per cent. of the limit implied by the principles which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has adopted for community charge limitation for 1992–93. These are as follows:
  194
  Precepting authorities

  Avon

  Bedfordshire

  Berkshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Cheshire

  Cleveland

  Cornwall

  Cumbria

  Derbyshire

  Devon

  Dorset

  Durham

  East Sussex

  Hereford and Worcester

  Hertfordshire

  Humberside

  Isle of Wight

  Lancashire

  Leicestershire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  Northamptonshire

  Northumberland

  Nottinghamshire

  Oxfordshire

  Shropshire

  Somerset

  Staffordshire

  Suffolk

  Surrey

  Wiltshire

  Charging authorities

  Adur

  Barking and Dagenham

  Barnet

  Barnsley

  Barrow-in-Furness

  Birmingham

  Blackburn

  Bolton

  Bradford

  Brighton

  Bristol

  Burnley

  Bury

  Calderdale

  Cambridge

  Camden

  Coventry

  Crawley

  Darlington

  Derwentside

  Doncaster

  Dudley

  Eastbourne

  Enfield

  Gateshead

  Gloucester

  Hackney

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Haringey

  Harlow

  Harrow

  Hartlepool

  Hastings

  Havering

  Hillingdon

  Hounslow

  Hyndburn

  Ipswich

  Islington

  Kingston upon Hull

  Kingston upon Thames

  Kirk lees

  Knowsley

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Lewisham

  195

  Liverpool

  Manchester

  Merton

  Milton Keynes

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Newham

  North Tyneside

  Norwich

  Nottingham

  Oxford

  Pendle

  Plymouth

  Preston

  Reading

  Richmond upon Thames

  Rochdale

  Rossendale

  Rotherham

  Salford

  Sandwell

  Sefton

  Sheffield

  Shepway

  Solihull

  South Tyneside

  Southampton

  Southwark

  St. Helens

  Stevenage

  Stockport

  Sunderland

  Sutton

  Tameside

  Thurrock

  Tower Hamlets

  Wakefield

  Walsall

  Waltham Forest

  Wansbeck

  Watford

  Wear Valley

  Welwyn Hatfield

  West Wiltshire

  Wigan

  Wirral

  Wolverhampton

  York

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to make a statement before the summer recess on the outline 1993–94 financial settlement for local authorities.

  Mr. Redwood
  Although it has been the custom to announce in July each year the Government's proposals for total standard spending and aggregate external finance, there are exceptional circumstances this year in relation to the revenue support grant settlement for 1993–94. First, in fixing these aggregates we shall want to take into account the implications for the level of council tax and for the transitional arrangements. These will in part turn on the results of the valuation of properties, which will not be available until September. Secondly, we shall want to look closely at the financing of community care. We have therefore decided to postpone an announcement of total standard spending and aggregate external finance until the autumn when our detailed proposals for the revenue support grant settlement will also be announced. I believe that it is to the advantage of local government that we should postpone these decisions this year. Similar considerations apply in Scotland and Wales and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales will also be postponing decisions on the aggregates of the settlements for Scotland and Wales until the autumn.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to prohibit the import of illegally extracted timber from tropical rain forests.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government believe that restrictions or bans on tropical timber imports would be counterproductive. We are pursuing an effective policy of helping developing countries to put their forest management onto a sustainable basis.

  Private Sector Forum for London
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the timing and agenda for the first meeting of the private sector forum for London; and whether the forum will have its own staff and budget;

  (2)if he will make a statement indicating which organisations and individuals have been invited to become members of the private sector forum for London; and what position has been given in this process to nominations from London representative organisations and to local authority representatives.

  Sir George Young
  We are still considering the detailed arrangements for the new private sector forum for London. We will announce our conclusions in due course.

  Housing Investment
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to develop further the new approach introduced last year to the allocation of resources within the local authority housing investment programme process.

  Sir George Young
  I intend to carry forward the new arrangements made last year with two significant new points of development. First, I propose to extend the emphasis on ensuring that the processes for allocating capital funds to local authorities are focused on the vital issue of improving the performance of authorities and getting best value from the money that is available for social housing. Secondly, in association with this and consistent with the need for a strategic approach, I intend to draw together, at a local level, both the housing investment programme (HIP) process, which applies to local authorities, and the approved development programme (ADP) process, which is used for the allocation of funds through the Housing Corporation to housing associations.

  A consultation paper has today been sent to the relevant local authority associations and their members; to the National Federation of Housing Associations and the major developing associations; and to the Institute of Housing, seeking views and comments on these and other proposals to develop the local authority HIP round. The proposals involve the preparation by local authorities of comprehensive housing strategies and the way in which resources will be allocated by central Government.

  The Government's overall objective is to secure the best value for money from the considerable volume of resources allocated to local authorities within the HIP process. All the proposals which we have put forward will support this aim by encouraging local authorities to be

  197
  efficient and effective in their roles as landlords and enablers of social housing and in promoting better co-ordination and closer partnership at local level between authorities, housing associations and the private sector.

  Last year, housing Ministers attended a number of successful presentations from local authorities, based on their housing strategics and HIP proposals. These occasions heightened the awareness and involvement of tenants and other local people in the HIP round, and pointed to the scope for partnership between local authorities, the private sector, and the Housing Corporation and housing associations in the provision of social housing. We propose to continue this initiative during the coming year, by inviting some authorities to give presentations in the course of Ministers' regular round of visits, and others to give more structured presentations in the course of the HIP round.

  A copy of the consultation paper has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Views and comments arc invited by 26 June. I intend to report back to the House shortly thereafter.

  Waste
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, when the process guidance notes for the waste disposal and recycling sector processes prescribed under part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will be available.

  Mr. Maclean
  I am pleased to report that chief inspector's guidance to inspectors are expected to be published on 27 May for 1 I processes in the waste disposal and recycling sector. These notes have been drawn up following completion or research reviews; and relevant industries and other bodies have been given the opportunity to put forward their comments. The notes will provide a sound framework within which inspectors can assess applications for the authorisation of new processes and existing processes. They represent a further stage in the introduction of integrated pollution control.

  A set of the notes will be placed in the Library as soon as they are published.

  The preparation of guidance notes for the remaining processes to come under control is well advanced. Further notes will be published in the next few months.

  Water Industry (Competition)
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has taken the necessary steps to make public the responses to consultation on the measures to promote competition in the water industry which are now incorporated in the Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992.

  Mr. Maclean
  Copies of 45 responses to the consultation paper, "Proposed legislation on competition in the water industry", issued jointly by the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office in October 1991, are available to the public in the Department of the Environment's Library until 30 September 1992. A list of the bodies which submitted these responses has been placed in the Library of the House. In a further four cases, the body submitting a response asked that it be treated as confidential and that has been respected.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future programme of large-scale voluntary transfers of local authority housing stock to housing associations.

  Sir George Young
  The Government are committed to a continuing programme of large-scale voluntary transfers. I will issue a consultation paper shortly setting out my proposals for the implementation of the manifesto commitment to limit the number of properties transferred in a single batch and on other possible changes to the arrangements for transfers. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will also be issuing a consultation paper.

  It makes sense for future applications for consent for large-scale transfers under sections 32 to 43 of the Housing Act 1985 to be considered on the basis of the new arrangements arising out of the consultation exercise. However, I am aware that a small number of authorities have already issued a formal consultation notice to the tenants in accordance with the procedure set out in schedule 3A to the Housing Act 1985 or are on the point of issuing such a notice and have already incurred significant expenditure in preparing for transfer. These authorities are: East Cambridgeshire, Surrey Heath, Breckland, Woodspring and West Dorset district councils and the London boroughs of Hillingdon and Kingston upon Thames. I will be prepared to consider applications for large-scale transfers by these authorities under the existing guidelines, once they have completed consulting their tenants.

  Asbestos Pollution, Armley
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will make available grants to assist home owners in the Armley area of Leeds to remove from their homes the asbestos pollution from the former Roberts factory.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 20 May 1992]: Under part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, local authorities are able to give mandatory renovation grants for works to make a property fit for human habitation. This may cover asbestos removal where the presence of asbestos causes a dwelling to fail the fitness standard, for example, as a result of serious disrepair, structural instability or poor ventilation. In other circumstances, authorities may offer discretionary grants for asbestos removal where works are required to put a dwelling into reasonable repair, or in conjunction with other works.

  Somerset House
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what plans he has for the future of Somerset house.

  Sir George Young
  None at present, I am considering how best to take forward the challenge issued last December by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for an imaginative alternative use for Somerset house.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to lay before Parliament and publish the annual report of the Serious Fraud Office for the year 1991–92.

  The Attorney-General
  The report was laid before Parliament at 11 o'clock this morning. I have caused a copy of the report to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General how many countries the Serious Fraud Office has visited in connection with the BCCI inquiry.

  The Attorney-General
  It is the practice of the director of the Serious Fraud Office not to divulge operational details relating to criminal investigations by the Serious Fraud Office.

TRANSPORT

  A1
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the purpose of the works which have caused traffic lights and one-way operations to be set up on the A 1 Haggerston, south of Berwick upon Tweed; for how long the obstructions will remain; and whether they will remain in place during weekends and English and Scottish holidays.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The traffic signals on the A1 at Haggerston south of Berwick have been introduced so that essential maintenance and improvement works to the carriageway can be undertaken. The work is programmed for completion at the beginning of August.

  The traffic signals will normally remain in place at weekends, but arrangements have been made for them to be removed on Thursday 21 May for the bank holiday weekend.

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for Government funding of the extension of the Jubilee line through to London docklands; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 18 May.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what parameters have been given to British Rail for the definition of the route of the channel tunnel rail link.

  Mr. MacGregor
  We attach importance to encouraging the transfer of freight from road to rail, so we have 200
  provisionally asked British Rail to allow for the new line to take freight as well as passenger services if demand warrants it.

  The additional cost of extra dedicated tracks along the route for freight would be substantial and would not be justified by the anticipated demand, even on optimistic forecasts.

  So we have also asked British Rail to define a route which will allow the construction of a two-track railway with a freight capability, built to continental loading gauge standards. BR would consider the potential for the addition of passing loops and other facilities.

  We will confirm our view on these points after consulting the relevant local authorities and others who have an interest.

  Air Fares (Northern Ireland)
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairmen of British Airways and British Midland to discuss a reduction in fares between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Norris
  No, although meetings with United Kingdom airlines are held periodically in the course of departmental business.

  The evidence suggests that there is, on a fare per mile basis, quite a wide variation in fares amongst the various routes to Northern Ireland. But taken as a whole the Northern Ireland fares do not differ markedly from those on routes between regional airports in other parts of the United Kingdom.

  All United Kingdom fare tariffs, including those to Northern Ireland, are filed with the Civil Aviation Authority, which has the powers to act against fares which are clearly excessive. The level they are filed at is a matter for the commercial judgment of the airline concerned.

  British Rail Investment
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list British Rail's completed infrastructure investment capital and revenue, in Scotland for the financial years 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92 and projected similar investment for each financial year until 1994–95.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail keeps only limited historic information on investment on a geographical basis, and as BR plans on a business sector basis there is no information for future years.

  London, Tilbury and Southend Line
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the resignalling projects on the London Tilbury and Southend line will be completed and operational.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that the new signalling is expected to be operational in 1995.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail about the reliability of trains on the Fenchurch Street, Tilbury and Southend loop line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail has told me that the current £50 million resignalling programme is the key to improving reliability on this line.
  201
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safeguards exist to ensure that British Rail remains able to improve rolling stock, signalling and upgrading of station facilities on the Fenchurch Street, Tilbury, Southend line pending the British Coal and British Rail (Transfer Proposals) Bill receiving Royal Assent.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for British Rail to set priorities for expenditure within the funds available to it. For our part, we are doing all that we can to help it maintain its investment programme. In June 1991 an extra £400 million was provided to help British Rail maintain services and continue its investment programmes despite falling revenue. The Autumn Statement announced the addition of £1 billion to British Rail's plans for 1992.

  I am pleased that British Rail has been able to begin the resignalling project on the London, Tilbury and Southend line.

  M4
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about extended delays to those travelling westbound on the M4 towards London Heathrow as a result of the coning-off of lanes on the motorway on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  One hon. Member telephoned my right hon. Friend's office and another telephoned the Department. No other representations have been received.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the reduction of the westbound carriageway of the M4 at the Heston service station from three lanes to one lane on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May; how many people were working on the M4 at Heston; and what repairs were being carried out.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Extended delays occurred on the westbound carriageway of M4 in outer London last weekend following a local failure of the concrete carriageway on Friday 15 May. Traffic was immediately restricted to one lane to protect motorists and a 20 mph speed restriction was imposed. The centre lane was reopened temporarily for the Friday evening peak period, following emergency repairs, but was then closed again for more substantial remedial measures.

  Concrete was broken out for 8 metres either side of a damaged lateral joint and was replaced by asphaltic material. The M4 westbound carriageway was fully reopened to traffic by 5·30 am on Monday 18 May. The Department's agent and contractor are to be congratulated on the speed and efficiency with which they tackled this emergency, which could not have been anticipated. The number of people working on site varied throughout the weekend depending on the operations being undertaken. At the peak, 22 engineering, supervisory and operative staff were employed. Most work was complete by midday on Sunday but time was needed for the asphalt to cool and harden before traffic could be allowed to run on it.

  Commuter Trains, Kent
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his decision on British Rail's request for permission to enter into a leasing arrangement in order to fund a new fleet of commuter trains for north Kent.
  202
  Mr. Freeman
  An order for the 188 Networkers necessary to complete the replacement of rolling stock for Kent link services was placed by British Rail on 10 April 1992. There is therefore no need for a leasing arrangement to fund new trains for Kent link routes.

  British Rail (Policing)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for the provision and costing of policing of British Rail stations, lines and services following franchising.

  Mr. Freeman
  The appropriate future arrangements for policing the railways are under consideration as part of the development of our proposals for privatisation. Our proposals will be set out in more detail in a White Paper which we aim to publish later in the summer and brought forward in legislation to be introduced later this Session.

  Earth Summit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specific contributions his Department made to Her Majesty's Government's submissions to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June; and what was the cost to his Department in preparing the submissions.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The conference will take a wide-ranging view of a variety of complex and interlinked environment and development issues. Transport has an important role to play in issues such as climate change, the protection of the atmosphere and the promotion of sustainable human settlements.

  My Department has played a full part in developing the Government's policy on these issues. It is not practicable to separate out the cost of carrying out this work.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Car Service Volunteers
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated annual revenue to the Exchequer from the taxation of mileage allowance paid to car service volunteers with the national health service.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Volunteers who drive for the hospital car service are taxed on motor mileage allowances only to the extent that they exceed the actual costs incurred in driving for the national health service. I regret that information is not available about the tax collected as a result of taxing this profit element.

  European Community Economic and Finance Council
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters in regard to financing environmental protection and restoration were discussed at the ECOFIN Council in Brussels on 19 May.

  Sir John Cope
  The only environmental issue raised at ECOFIN on 19 May was a brief announcement by the Commission that a draft directive proposing a carbon-energy tax would be published soon. There was no discussion.

  Alcohol Taxation
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the recommendations of Her Majesty's Government to their European Community counterparts on tax harmonisation for alcohol, with particular reference to the export market for Scotch whisky; and if he will make a statement on current negotiations and the likely date for the reaching of a final conclusion.

  Sir John Cope
  In the 1992 Budget Statement my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated that he was not prepared to accept any deal in Brussels that would force other member states to put up duties on spirits. At the 19 May 1992 ECOFIN the United Kingdom objected to the currently proposed 1,000 ecu minimum rate for spirits. No conclusion was reached, and the subject will be discussed again as part of wider discussions on indirect taxation in ECOFIN in June.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to implement a capping mechanism whereby current differentials in European Community member states on tax levied on different alcoholic beverages will, as a minimum, be retained, or as a maximum be harmonised; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  A capping mechanism would constrain the ability of member states, including the United Kingdom, to determine their own fiscal policies. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer met representatives of the spirits industry on 15 May 1992 to discuss the EC proposals. He advised them that, for this reason, he was not prepared to argue for capping. However, he assured them that he would not agree to any minimum rate which forced other member states to increase their rate of duty on spirits to the detriment of United Kingdom exports.

  Earth Summit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what particular contributions his Department made to Her Majesty's Government's submissions to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June; and what was the cost to his Department in preparing the contributions.

  Sir John Cope
  Submissions made to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development reflect the policies of Her Majesty's Government. A number of departments, including the Treasury, are involved in the preparations for the summit in Rio de Janeiro. The cost of the Treasury's contribution has not been separately assessed.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the public sector borrowing requirement for each financial year since 1974–75 expressed in actual pounds, constant pounds and as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 19 May 1992]: The table shows the figures:
  204

  PSBR

  PSBR as per cent. of GDP

  Real PSBR1 at 1985 prices

  1974–75

  8,001

  9·1

  26,723

  1975–76

  10,251

  9·4

  27,275

  1976–77

  8,263

  6·5

  19,365

  1977–78

  5,381

  3·6

  11,093

  1978–79

  9,174

  5·4

  17,056

  1979–80

  9,926

  4·8

  15,816

  1980–81

  12,519

  5·4

  16,857

  1981–82

  8,631

  3·4

  10,599

  1982–83

  8,904

  3,2

  10,207

  1983–84

  9,678

  3·2

  10,603

  1984–85

  10,134

  3·1

  10,573

  1985–86

  5,622

  1·6

  5,559

  1986–87

  3,559

  0·9

  3,407

  1987–88

  -3,406

  -0·8

  -3,092

  1988–89

  -14,657

  -3·1

  -12,411

  1989–90

  -7,932

  -1·5

  -6,302

  1990–91

  -468

  -0·1

  -344

  1991–92

  13,898

  —2

  —2

  1 Real PSBR is current price estimate divided by the GDP deflator.

  2 GDP and GDP deflator are not yet available for 1991–92.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with east European leaders regarding potential dangers of aging nuclear power stations in eastern Europe; and what funds will be available to promote safety at these plants.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following discussions between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Czechoslovakian Foreign Minister last December, assistance has been allocated from the know-how fund for nuclear safety projects in Czechoslovakia. Similar assistance has been allocated to Bulgaria. On funding, the EC has to date allocated 18·5 mecu from its PHARE programme to Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia for technical assistance to improve nuclear safety, and further funds will be allocated to eastern European countries from the 1992 PHARE budget.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Visas
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the entry clearance officer, Islamabad, will issue the entry clearance visa to Zafar Iqbal of Pakistan, fiance of Miss Nasreen Akthar Younis of Blackburn, following the refusal of the immigration appeal tribunal on 5 February to grant leave to the entry clearance officer to appeal against the adjudicator's determination to issue the visa; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in issuing the visa.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the absence of any details about this case, I have asked our high commissioner at Islamabad for a full report. I shall send the hon. Member a substantive reply as soon as possible.

  Arms Control
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policies to control the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and conventional weapons will be put forward by the United Kingdom at the Foreign Ministers' meeting on the future co-ordination of policies towards the Commonwealth of Independent States in Lisbon on 22–23 May.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We will continue to press all non-parties in the CIS to accede to the non-proliferation treaty and to pursue responsible policies on the transfer of conventional weapons. We have already made clear the importance we attach to signature of the 1925 Geneva protocol on the use of chemical weapons, and adherence to Australia group guidelines on the export of chemical precursors. We look forward to the conclusion at the Lisbon conference of an agreement to establish an international science and technology centre in Russia to fund and co-ordinate the peaceful employment of former Soviet military scientists.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on progress made in the multilateral negotiations on curbing arms proliferation in the middle east.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the written reply that I gave to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 18 May at column 11.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the freezing of the assets of Serbia and Montenegro; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Her Majesty's Government will take a position on individual measures in the light of the situation on the ground and in the context of discussions in the EC and in the United Nations. The EC continues to withhold from Serbia the trade and aid benefits extended to the other five republics of the former Yugoslavia. The Council has asked the Commission to report on the other possible economic sanctions.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's current policy towards(a) Croatia, (b) Serbia and (c) Montenegro in respect of the imposition of economic sanctions.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Her Majesty's Government will take a position on individual measures in the light of the situation on the ground and in the context of discussions in the EC and in the United Nations. The EC continues to withhold from Serbia the trade and aid benefits extended to the other five republics of the former Yugoslavia. The Council has asked the Commission to report on other possible economic sanctions.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Government of Bosnia-Herzgeovina; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.
  206
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the Bosnian Foreign Minister on 7 May to discuss recent events in Bosnia.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the ambassador of Yugoslavia; and what subjects were discussed on that occasion.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I met the Yugoslav ambassador on 30 April to discuss recent developments in Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the representatives of the Croatian Government in London; and what subjects were discussed on that occasion.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government of Croatia have no diplomatic or consular representative in London. However, the head of the Croatian information office is in regular touch with officials.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in respect of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We remain in close touch with the United Nations Secretary-General through our mission to New York. We welcome the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 752 on 15 May and call upon all parties and others concerned in the fighting in Bosnia-Herzegovina to comply with it.

  Maastricht
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates the treaty on European union signed at Maastricht on 7 February and laid before Parliament on 6 May,(a) comes into effect or (b) is ratified as respects (a) the Preamble, (b) Title I (Common Provisions), (c) Title V (Provisions on a Common Foreign and Security Policy), (d) Title VI (Provisions on Co-operation in the field of Justice and Foreign Affairs), and (e) Title VII (Final Provisions); whether the Ponsonby rule applies to (i) the whole of that treaty, (ii) certain provisions of that treaty and in the case of (ii) if he will specify which provisions.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave on 14 May to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing). The treaty on European union can be ratified only in its entirety; there is no procedure for ratifying different parts. Provided that Parliament has passed the necessary legislation in respect of the titles amending the Community treaties, an instrument of ratification will be deposited with the Italian Government in accordance with article R of the treaty.

  Since it is a treaty signed subject to ratification, the Ponsonby rule will apply to the union treaty as a whole. The rule requires that such a treaty should not be ratified until 21 days after it has been laid before the House following signature. This requirement will have been more than fulfilled.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid and Advice
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department if he will state for each year between 1979–80 and 1990–91 the contributions in(a) cash

  Contributions for civil and criminal legal aid and legal advice and assistance in cash and 1990–91 figures for the years 1979 to 1991

  £million

  Civil

  Criminal

  Advice and assistance

  Year

  Cash

  1990–91

  Cash

  1990–91

  Cash

  1990–91

  1979–80

  4·6

  9·9

  1·5

  3·3

  0·5

  1·0

  1980–81

  5·4

  9·9

  1·9

  3·5

  0·6

  1·1

  1981–82

  5·7

  9·6

  2·0

  3·3

  0·9

  1·5

  1982–83

  6·4

  10·0

  1·8

  2·9

  1·1

  1·7

  1983–84

  7·1

  10·6

  1·9

  2·9

  1·3

  2·0

  1984–85

  7·5

  10·7

  1·8

  2·5

  1·7

  2·4

  1985–86

  8·2

  11·1

  1·7

  2·3

  2·0

  2·7

  1986–87

  8·8

  11·5

  2·0

  2·6

  2·1

  2·7

  1987–88

  11·2

  13·8

  2·7

  3·4

  2·5

  3·0

  1988–89

  12·0

  13·8

  3·3

  3·8

  2·5

  2·9

  1989–90

  13·3

  14·4

  4·4

  4·8

  2·8

  3·1

  1990–91

  13·8

  —

  4·9

  —

  3·1

  —

  Community Charge
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department if he will state the number of summonses issued and number of liability orders obtained for non-payment, or arrears, of community charge for the year 1991–92 for each local authority in England and Wales.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have arranged for this information to be made available in the Library of the House.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current expenditure on legal aid; and what it was 10 years ago.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  After the recovery of contributions, the estimated outturn of expenditure on legal aid in 1991–92 is £969 million, inclusive of administration costs. Expenditure in 1981–82 was £170 million net.

  Social Security Commissioners
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department what steps the Lord Chancellor takes to ensure geographical representation for the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom in the appointment of social security commissioners.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Most cases are determined on paper but commissioners sit regularly in all four regions of the United Kingdom when a particular case requires them to do so.

  To ensure that only the best candidates are appointed, ability and experience, rather than regional origin, are the criteria for appointment as a social security commissioner.
  208
  terms and (b) at 1990–91 prices of those receiving (i) civil legal aid, (ii) criminal legal aid and (iii) legal advice and assistance.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The figures requested are in the table. They show contributions retained in each financial year. The cash prices have been uprated to 1991 prices using the GDP deflator.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Kwazulu Police Commissioner
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the visit to Britain of the Kwazulu police commissioner, General Jack Buchner.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand that General Jack Buchner came to Great Britain in a private capacity in May and arranged a visit to Humberside police, which was subsequently cancelled. Her Majesty's Government were not aware of these arrangements.

  South African Police
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue advice to police forces that they should not receive delegations from the South African police without consulting his Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The majority of visits to United Kingdom police forces by overseas police personnel are arranged on a Government-to-Government basis. Where this is not the case, chief officers of police are regularly reminded of the need to consult my Department and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office if there are likely to be political or other sensitivities.

  Immigration Rules
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will propose changes to the immigration rules to accommodate the free movement provisions of the European Economic Community/European Free Trade Association treaty.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I envisage doing so during the second half of this year. Subject to satisfactory progress towards ratification by the parties concerned, the target date for the European economic area agreement to come into force is 1 January 1993.

  Wolds Private Remand Prison
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of payment per annum the Government are giving to Group 4 for the running of the Wolds private remand prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Details of the payments to Group 4 are subject to commercial confidentiality and cannot therefore be made public.

  Miscarriage of Justice Tribunal
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking in the creation of a miscarriage of justice tribunal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Present arrangements for the consideration and investigation of alleged miscarriages of justice are being reviewed as part of the work being carried out by the Royal Commission on criminal justice. The Government will give careful consideration to the findings of the Royal Commission on all matters arising from its examination of the criminal justice system.

  Firearms
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the number of firearms and shotguns reported stolen in the years 1986 to 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The available information relates to the number of notifiable offences of burglary and theft recorded by the police in which firearms, including shotguns, were reported to have been stolen. More than one weapon may have been stolen during each offence. The figures for 1986 to 1989 are contained in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1989" which is in the Library. The total figure for 1990 is 2,024. Figures for 1991 are not yet available.

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by nationality. January to December 1991 and January to April 1992

  Number of principal applicants

  1991

  Nationality

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  Europe and Americas

  Bulgaria

  15

  45

  40

  40

  55

  45

  30

  Colombia

  20

  15

  15

  10

  15

  —

  5

  Romania

  25

  65

  80

  50

  35

  25

  40

  Turkey

  370

  205

  180

  205

  145

  160

  205

  USSR

  10

  35

  10

  25

  25

  10

  10

  Others

  +

  5

  15

  15

  10

  25

  10

  Total

  440

  370

  340

  350

  285

  260

  295

  Africa

  Angola

  420

  370

  600

  940

  530

  440

  520

  Congo

  30

  15

  30

  40

  —

  20

  20

  Ethiopia

  245

  150

  130

  195

  195

  120

  165

  Ghana

  195

  225

  245

  330

  370

  230

  230

  Nigeria

  20

  25

  25

  30

  30

  25

  30

  Somalia

  240

  190

  170

  260

  190

  180

  160

  Sudan

  70

  40

  35

  40

  40

  35

  135

  Togo/Ivory Coast

  65

  50

  80

  200

  175

  50

  190

  Uganda

  305

  225

  275

  200

  80

  25

  55

  Zaire

  435

  375

  615

  1,150

  550

  520

  625

  Others

  —

  —

  130

  330

  240

  155

  330

  210
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has of the number of illegally held firearms and shotguns; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The number of persons found guilty of possessing firearms or shotguns without the necessary certificate are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales", copies of which are in the Library. In 1990, the latest year for which figures are available, 441 persons were convicted of possessing shotguns without a certificate and 383 of possessing other firearms or ammunition without a certificate.

  These figures do not show the whole picture. Although only 0·2 per cent. of notifiable offences recorded in 1990 involved a firearm combating armed crime remains a top priority. My Department has commissioned a research project by Oxford university into the source of firearms used in crime. I shall consider the results carefully to see whether further measures could be taken to reduce armed crime.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms and shotgun certificates were issued in each year between 1986 and 1991.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The number of applications for new firearm and shotgun certificates granted and the number of certificates renewed are shown for each year between 1986 and 1990 in tables 1 and 3 of Home Office statistical bulletin number 23/91. A copy of this bulletin is in the Library. Figures for 1991 are not yet available.

  Asylum
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom in each month in 1991 and 1992 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is given in the table:
  211

  1991

  Nationality

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  Total

  2,020

  1,665

  2,330

  3,715

  2,395

  1,805

  2,460

  Middle East

  Iran

  65

  55

  35

  65

  35

  35

  35

  Iraq

  125

  75

  110

  70

  55

  25

  45

  Lebanon

  295

  145

  65

  40

  25

  15

  15

  Others

  —

  —

  25

  45

  30

  20

  40

  Total

  485

  275

  235

  225

  145

  95

  135

  Asia

  china

  20

  50

  45

  60

  55

  40

  55

  India

  260

  185

  160

  165

  170

  175

  165

  Pakistan

  400

  255

  305

  320

  305

  290

  245

  Sri Lanka

  600

  450

  385

  355

  360

  275

  255

  Others

  —

  —

  85

  85

  90

  55

  115

  Total

  1,275

  940

  980

  990

  975

  835

  830

  Other nationalities2

  240

  195

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grand Total

  4,455

  3,445

  3,885

  5,275

  3,805

  3,000

  3,725

  1991

  1991

  1992

  Nationality

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  total

  January

  February

  March

  April

  Europe and Americas

  Bulgaria

  20

  30

  15

  20

  15

  375

  25

  10

  5

  10

  Colombia

  10

  20

  5

  15

  15

  140

  30

  10

  10

  10

  Romania

  65

  60

  30

  45

  35

  555

  35

  45

  40

  25

  Turkey

  155

  145

  125

  125

  95

  2,110

  205

  120

  170

  135

  USSR

  20

  25

  25

  20

  25

  245

  20

  15

  20

  15

  Others

  25

  50

  70

  110

  110

  450

  130

  130

  110

  130

  Total

  295

  335

  275

  335

  300

  3,875

  440

  325

  355

  325

  Africa

  Angola

  360

  360

  600

  465

  170

  5,780

  40

  15

  20

  15

  Congo

  25

  70

  50

  65

  15

  370

  10

  +

  +

  —

  Ethiopia

  110

  150

  115

  65

  45

  1,685

  65

  40

  30

  50

  Ghana

  145

  145

  115

  105

  70

  2,405

  140

  110

  140

  130

  Nigeria

  40

  25

  35

  25

  20

  335

  30

  25

  25

  35

  Somalia

  140

  145

  135

  110

  80

  1,995

  125

  95

  110

  105

  Sudan

  160

  155

  175

  150

  120

  1,150

  100

  75

  65

  40

  Togo/Ivory Coast

  185

  185

  360

  315

  45

  1,910

  35

  15

  15

  20

  Uganda

  15

  55

  65

  50

  90

  1,440

  15

  15

  +

  20

  Zaire

  420

  555

  725

  625

  410

  7,010

  105

  95

  80

  75

  Others

  305

  470

  710

  600

  135

  3,405

  70

  40

  60

  35

  Total

  1,900

  2,320

  3,090

  2,580

  1,205

  27,490

  730

  530

  550

  520

  Middle East

  Iran

  35

  50

  35

  50

  35

  530

  50

  20

  5

  25

  Iraq

  75

  55

  70

  110

  85

  915

  125

  60

  80

  45

  Lebanon

  35

  20

  35

  30

  35

  755

  35

  20

  15

  35

  Others

  30

  35

  50

  35

  30

  340

  40

  35

  40

  30

  Total

  175

  170

  190

  225

  180

  2,540

  250

  140

  140

  140

  Asia

  China

  25

  50

  50

  35

  45

  525

  35

  40

  30

  25

  India

  155

  160

  190

  135

  165

  2,045

  245

  115

  155

  115

  Pakistan

  240

  235

  290

  210

  150

  3,195

  160

  140

  175

  140

  Sri Lanka

  285

  205

  225

  235

  135

  3,750

  255

  110

  160

  150

  Others

  265

  50

  65

  40

  35

  890

  55

  25

  35

  25

  Total

  970

  700

  815

  655

  530

  10,405

  745

  435

  550

  455

  Other nationalities2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  435

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grand Total

  3,340

  3,525

  4,375

  3,790

  2,210

  44,840

  2,165

  1,420

  1,595

  1,440

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 5 with + = 1 or 2.

  2 Includes applications in January and February 1991 from nationalities not specifically identified above. From March 1991 these are included in the "other" category for the relevant geographical area.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of 212

  213
  applications for asylum in the United Kingdom in the years 1989 to 1991, showing applications by country of origin.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is given in the table:

  Applications1 received in the United Kingdom for asylum, excluding dependants, by nationality, 1989 to 1991

  Number of principal applicants

  Nationality

  19891 2

  19901 2

  1991

  Europe

  Bulgaria

  30

  135

  375

  Romania

  20

  300

  555

  Turkey

  2,415

  1,185

  2,110

  USSR

  30

  100

  245

  Other Europe

  135

  65

  360

  Total

  2,630

  1,780

  3,645

  Americas

  Colombia

  90

  170

  140

  Other

  45

  75

  90

  Total

  135

  245

  230

  Africa

  Angola

  235

  1,160

  5,780

  Congo

  20

  70

  370

  Ethiopia

  560

  1,975

  1,685

  Ghana

  330

  1,020

  2,405

  Nigeria

  20

  115

  335

  Somalia

  1,850

  1,920

  1,995

  Sudan

  110

  255

  1,150

  Togo/Ivory Coast

  20

  110

  1,910

  Uganda

  1,235

  1,905

  1,450

  Zaire

  525

  1,730

  7,010

  Others

  205

  560

  3,405

  Total

  5,095

  10,820

  27,500

  Middle East

  Iran

  350

  365

  530

  Iraq

  215

  890

  915

  Lebanon

  180

  1,020

  755

  Others

  35

  80

  340

  Total

  780

  2,355

  2,540

  Asia

  China

  85

  240

  525

  India

  630

  1,430

  2,075

  Pakistan

  250

  1,315

  3,245

  Sri Lanka

  1,790

  3,215

  3,765

  Others

  130

  285

  890

  Total

  2,885

  6,490

  10,495

  Other nationalities and nationality not recorded

  110

  315

  435

  Grand Total

  11,640

  22,000

  44,840

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5.

  2 Figures are provisional 1990 figures may understate because of delays in recording.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted(a) asylum and (b) indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom in each year from 1981 to 1991.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information is given in the table for those granted asylum. Information on the number of persons granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kindom, that is, the total accepted for settlement under 214
  the Immigration Act 1971, is published in table 10 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1990" (Cm 1571), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Persons granted1 asylum in the United Kingdom

  Granted asylum1

  1981

  1,473

  1982

  1,727

  1983

  1,185

  1984

  689

  1985

  915

  1986

  543

  1987

  464

  1988

  975

  1989

  3,335

  1990

  1,510

  1991

  670

  1 Including dependants who applied with the principal applicant and those who arrived subsequently but before the principal application was decided.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to determine asylum applications in the United Kingdom; and how many claims currently await determination.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  For cases decided in the first quarter of 1992, excluding those under paragraph 101 of the immigration rules for failure to provide evidence in support of the asylum claim, the estimated average length of time between the receipt of the asylum application and the decision was 171/2 months.

  At 30 March 1992 around 61,000 cases awaited action in the asylum and special cases division.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from the conflict in Yugoslavia have been given permission to stay in the United Kingdom; what assistance they are being given; and what plans he has to assist possible arrivals of further refugees from that country.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It is estimated that about 750 citizens of the former state of Yugoslavia have sought asylum in the United Kingdom up to the end of April this year on the basis of claims associated with the various conflicts in that area. All these applicants will be allowed to stay while their claims are considered. They, and any future applicants, are eligible to claim income support and housing benefits.

  Hertfordshire (Boundaries)
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Parliamentary Boundary Commission's initial proposals for Hertfordshire to be published.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand that the Boundary Commission for England has not yet decided when it will publish its provisional recommendations for the county of Hertfordshire, although it is likely that this will be towards the end of the review.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inspections the local fire brigade had made of the holiday home at Capel Curig, Snowdonia,
  215
  recently subject to a fire leading to two deaths; what recommendations it had made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Gwynedd fire service inspected the Meadows outdoor centre, Capel Curig, Snowdonia on 15 March 1990. The brigade made a number of recommendations to the owners, Malborough college, Wiltshire, which dealt among other things with the means of escape in case of fire, smoke alarms, emergency lighting and general fire precautions.

  Following the fire, an investigation by the brigade revealed that its fire safety requirements had not been implemented. The brigade is now preparing a full report for submission to the coroner for the purposes of the inquest.

  Although the building in which the fire took place is not subject to current fire safety legislation, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) on 20 May 1992 at column 142 concerning proposed new regulations that will apply to most places of work. This will include holiday centres where staff are employed. The regulations are due to come into force on 1 January 1993.

  Haverigg Prison
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish details of the funding applications currently held by his Department in respect of improvement to HMP Haverigg; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Extensive improvements to HM Prison Haverigg (costing some £3.4 million) have been carried out in the last four years and the following additional work is planned during the next five years:

  Re-roof officers' club

  Refurbish living units

  Repair cladding to weavers shop

  New gas supply

  Refurbish dining halls

  Renew drains

  The following schemes are also under consideration, but no firm starting dates have yet been allocated:

  Repair pathways/roads to quarters

  Provision of new staff canteen

  Provision of visitors' centre

  Sports hall extension

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall, North dated 27 January, concerning a constituent, to which the hon. Member received an interim reply on 18 March from an assistant private secretary.

  Mr. Jack
  I have written to the hon. Member today.

  Bail
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to bring forward proposals to amend the law relating to bail.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 19 May 1992 at column 95.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had in respect of the amount of progress made by Britain towards achieving the United Nations target for overseas aid.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The funds allocated to aid for the developing countries is often discussed within international organisations. A number of British organisations have made specific representations. The Government have reaffirmed that while they accept the United Nations target and have made provision for aid to developing countries to increase in real terms, we are not in a position to set a timetable for achieving the target.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the total budget for the United Kingdom aid programme has been spent for each year since 1979 to date.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Outturn of aid for developing countries, including aid administration, as a percentage of cash limit, has been as follows:

  Per cent.

  1979–80

  97·53

  1980–81

  99·18

  1981–82

  94·40

  1982–83

  99·10

  1983–84

  97·81

  1984–85

  97·02

  1985–86

  97·31

  1986–87

  99·95

  1987–88

  99·94

  1988–89

  99·98

  1989–90

  99·98

  1990–91

  99·74

  These figures exclude non-voted attributions for the United Kingdom share of spending on aid from the European Community budget.

  St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice has been given to the St. Helena Government on the question of derecognition of the RMT trade union.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The decision to withdraw recognition was taken by the St. Helena Government and formally conveyed to RMT by the St. Helena Shipping Company on behalf of the St. Helena Line (a company wholly owned by the St. Helena Government), which is the immediate employer of the crew. The St. Helena Government consulted ODA and the St. Helena Shipping Company about the wording of the instruction.

PRIME MINISTER

  "Our Country, the Planet"
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister when he received the copy of "Our Country, the Planet" by Sonny Ramphal which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
  217
  The Prime Minister
  I have received a copy of "Our Country, the Planet" by Sonny Ramphal. We are committed to ensuring the success of the Earth Summit in Rio. I was the first world leader to announce my intention of attending and I am continuing to press my colleagues to confirm their attendance. I particularly welcome the recent statement by President Bush that he will be joining us in Rio. The Government have very clearly set out their objectives for the summit. I expect to be able to agree a number of important conventions, agreements and declarations which will represent a worthwhile first step in the world's quest for sustainable development.

  Earth Summit
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister how many officials and Ministers are attending the Earth Summit in June; which Departments they represent; what is the estimated cost of their travel and subsistence; and if he will make it his policy for all those representing the United Kingdom to use, wherever possible, British airlines.

  The Prime Minister
  The information is not yet available. I will write to my hon. Friend when it is.

  Lockerbie Bombing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has had from the Government of Malta about the Libyan nationals accused of the Lockerbie bombing.

  The Prime Minister
  We have maintained regular contacts with the Government of Malta on all aspects of the Lockerbie bombing.

  EC Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms. Quin) on 11 May,Official Report, column 21, if he will make it his policy that the representatives of Wales on the proposed European Community committee on the regions (a) include no one who has not been elected in Wales and (b) reflect the political balance within Wales.

  The Prime Minister
  As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms. Quin) on 11 May, Ministers are considering United Kingdom membership on the Committee, including the question of how best to ensure an adequate balance of interests.

  EC Rebates
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  Q.7. To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the question of whether the Council of Ministers or any other EC institution has the power to withdraw the rebates negotiated at Fontainebleau without the agreement of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so. The abatement for the United Kingdom agreed at Fontainebleau is enshrined in Community law. It cannot be amended except by unanimity, and with the approval of national Parliaments.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 21 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 this House I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the sections of the Maastricht treaty which are subject to declarations or protocols concerning particular member states, and the other provisions of the treaty which do not apply to all member states, giving the names of the member states concerned in each case.

  The Prime Minister
  On entry into force, all the provisions of the Maastricht treaty on European union will apply to all member states, subject to relevant protocols concerning individual member states detailed below. The protocols agreed at Maastricht will become an integral part of the treaty of Rome under article 239 and will have equal legal force. Those referring to particular member states are as follows. The protocol on "the acquisition of property in Denmark" and the protocol "annexed to the Treaty of European Union and to the Treaties establishing the European Communities" relate to Denmark and Ireland respectively: the first applies to all provisions of the EC Treaties, the second to these and the provisions of the Treaty on European Union. The protocols on "Denmark", "certain provisions relating to the United Kingdom", and "certain provisions relating to Denmark" all make clear the treaty articles to which they refer. The protocols on "Portugal" and "France" are designed to preserve the interest-free credit facility afforded to the Azores and Maderia by the Banco de Portugal and France's privilege of monetary emission in its overseas territories and sole entitlement to determine the parity of the CFP franc.

  Acts adopted under the protocol and social policy expressely shall not apply to the United Kingdom.

  The declarations agreed by the member states and adopted at the time of signature of the treaty are not part of the treaty and do not have that legal status. Two refer to the positions of named member states, that on "monetary relations with the Republics of San Marino, the Vatican City and the Principality of Monaco" (France and Italy) and that on "the Directive of 24 November 1988 (Emissions)" (Spain and Portugal).

  Environmental Guide
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister which will be the lead Department to ensure effective implementation of the Department of the Environment's publication, "Green Rights and Responsibilities: A Citizen's Guide to the Environment", issued in February.

  The Prime Minister
  The green rights and responsibilities guide was part of the citizens charter initiative. Similar guides were published in Wales and Scotland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is considering the issue of a separate version. The Department of the Environment is responsible for developing the citizens charter in relation to environmental services in consultation with interested Departments.

  Privy Council
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps towards the abolition of the Privy Council.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to discuss methods to enhance the control of the proliferation of nuclear weapons during his meeting with the United States Secretary of State on 22 May.

  The Prime Minister
  We frequently discuss prevention of nuclear proliferation with American colleagues at all levels. I shall be discussing a number of foreign and security policy issues with Mr. Baker on 22 May.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 May,Official Report, column 494, if he will state what representations at the highest level, and to whom, were made regarding the deaths of British soldiers in the Gulf; and which British officials made the representations.

  The Prime Minister
  As I indicated in my answer to the hon. Member on 12 May at column 494, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, during his visit to Washington last week, drew the attention of Mr. Cheney to a letter from the families. Throughout the last 15 months the British Government have maintained close contact with the United States Administration at all levels about this tragic incident.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to deliver a protest to the United States Administration at the decision not to require United States pilots to give evidence or be examined in respect of the deaths of British soldiers killed by friendly fire in the gulf war.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) on 19 May at columns 142–43.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Inspectors' Reports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will provide a list of the unpublished DTI inspectors' reports which have been given to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales but are not available to hon. Members.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  It would be inappropriate for me to discuss details of unpublished inspectors' reports. Such reports are disclosed, where appropriate, under the Companies Act 1948, as amended, under part XIV of the Companies Act 1985, as amended, and under the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Accountancy Organisations (Royal Charters)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers he has to make recommendations to the Privy Council on the terms of the royal charters of the accountancy bodies.
  220
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no express power to make such recommendations, although it would be normal for him to offer advice when consulted by the Privy Council in relation to applications from chartered accountancy bodies for changes in their royal charter.

  Private Coal Mines
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state by year since 1962 the sum paid(a) in cash terms and (b) at today's values, to the former owners of private coal mines, as compensation under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 and associated legislation.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have no record of any payments being made to former owners of private coal mines since 1962 in respect of compensation under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946.

  Renewable Energy Advisory Group
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to publish the report of the Renewable Energy Advisory Group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave him on 13 May at column 138.

  Trawsfynydd
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the present estimated cost of complete decommissioning, including post-institutional surveillance and radioactive waste storage and disposal of Trawsfynydd nuclear power station to(a) a green field site within the reasonable short term, (b) to a green field site but deferred for 100 years or thereabouts and (c) for the various partial decommissioning options leaving the main reactor structures in situ for an indefinite period in future; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Responsibility for estimating the costs of decommissioning Trawsfynydd nuclear power station is a matter for Nuclear Electric plc.

  British Coal
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the productivity of(a) the coal industry in Germany and (b) British Coal in 1990, 1991 and the current year.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information is as follows:

  Calendar Year Productivity, (kg per man hour underground)

  (a) German coal industry

  (b) United Kingdom coal industry

  1990

  673

  704

  19911

  695

  794

  1992

  n/a

  2921

  1 The figures for 1991 and 1992 are provisional.

  2 Figures for British Coal show an increase of 16 per cent. for the first three months of 1992 over the comparable period of 1991.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the specific collieries which his Department's advisers, NM Rothschild, predict will close following privatisation of British Coal.
  221
  Mr. Eggar
  Rothschilds have not made any predictions on specific collieries closing following privatisation of British Coal. They were asked to analyse options for privatisation and inevitably had to do this against a range of possibilities about the demand for coal.

  Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his Department's policies on promoting the use of waste materials(a) as fuel in energy-from-waste incinerators and (b) in recycling after separation.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department of Trade and Industry promotes the recovery of energy and materials from waste, wherever such schemes have the potential to be economically attractive and environmentally acceptable.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the actual forecast financial contributions from industrial sources of the research, development and demonstration programmes for renewable energy run by the energy technology support unit for the years 1991 to 1998 broken down for each of the seven research programmes, biofuels, wind power, solar power, small-scale hydro, geothermal, tidal and wave power.

  Mr. Eggar
  Forecast external financial contributions from the renewables programme in total were £7·1 million for 1991–92 and £7·8 million for 1992–93. These totals were not broken down into individual technologies in line with the strategy published in Energy Paper 55. Targets for beyond 1992–93 will be considered as part of the current review of renewable energy strategy.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for(a) bringing forward the Renewables Order 1992 and (b) updating the guidance available for the encouragement of combined heat and power.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have under review the timing and policy for the next renewables order. The promotion of combined heat and power is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations with the Commission of the European Communities on extending the 1988 time limit for the application of the non-fossil fuel obligation with respect to sources of renewable electricity generation.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department is in discussion about this with the European Commission.

  Coal and Rail Privatisations
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what properties or services of the relevant corporations, subject to the British Coal and British Rail (Transfer Proposals) Bill, are situated or provided in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Eggar
  The British Coal Corporation's statutory duties do not extend to Northern Ireland, but the corporation owns two properties and has interests in 222
  Northern Ireland in the Coal Advisory Service, the contract maintenance of solid fuel heating installations and activities associated with such installation.

  I understand that British Rail has ticket offices and offices and depots related to its parcels operation, situated in Northern Ireland.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the profit or loss of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for the last 15 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Needham
  The trading results of the Export Credits Guarantee Department are reported in Trading Accounts which are laid before Parliament annually. Copies of the Trading Accounts are placed in the Library.

EDUCATION

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list in rank order by individual local education authority the number of schools in each local education authority that have gained grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Forman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Numbers

  1. Kent

  33

  2. Lincolnshire

  20

  3. Essex

  16

  4. Surrey

  14

  5. Norfolk

  12

  6. Gloucestershire

  11

  7. Bromley

  10

  8. Berkshire

  8

  Hertfordshire

  8

  Hillingdon

  8

  9. Northamptonshire

  7

  10. Cumbria

  6

  Dorset

  6

  Hampshire

  6

  Lancashire

  6

  Warwickshire

  6

  11. Ealing

  5

  Sutton

  5

  12. Birmingham

  4

  Buckinghamshire

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  4

  Derbyshire

  4

  Wandsworth

  4

  13. Bedfordshire

  3

  Calderdale

  3

  14. Avon

  2

  Barnet

  2

  Bexley

  2

  Bolton

  2

  Brent

  2

  Cheshire

  2

  Kirklees

  2

  Somerset

  2

  Walsall

  2

  Wiltshire

  2

  Wolverhampton

  2

  15. Bradford

  1

  Croydon

  1

  Devon

  1

  Dudley

  1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1

  Humberside

  1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1

  223

  Numbers

  Lambeth

  1

  Leicestershire

  1

  Liverpool

  1

  Newham

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  Rochdale

  1

  Sandwell

  1

  Sheffield

  1

  Shropshire

  1

  Southwark

  1

  Tameside

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  1

  Waltham Forest

  1

  255

  The table includes 217 schools that are operating as GM; 33 that have been approved but are not yet open; and five that are "minded to approve" for GM status with effect from September 1992.

  Primary School Admissions
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance he issues to local education authorities on the definition of a primary school deemed to be full for the purpose of refusing admissions.

  Mr. Forth
  All primary schools are required to comply, from September 1992, with the requirements of the more open enrolment provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988. Under these provisions each school has a standard number, up to which it must admit each year subject to demand. Primary school standard numbers were redefined by order in May 1991. The standard number is whichever of the following is the higher:

  (i) the number derived by applying a simple formula to calculate the school's capacity at 1 May 1991;

  (ii) the total number on roll on 1 May 1991 divided by the number of year groups;

  (iii) the number published by the LEA or the governors as the number intended to be admitted in September 1990; and

  (iv) if applicable, the admission number included in any published reorganisation proposals implemented before 1 May 1991.

  The formula for assessing capacity used as part of the standard number determination is set out in DES circular 6/91. A copy of the circular can be found in the Library or supplied by the Department.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education in what circumstances heads of local education authority primary schools may refuse to admit prospective pupils on the grounds of the pupils being outside the school's catchment area.

  Mr. Forth
  Primary and secondary schools must admit pupils up to their standard number for the year of entry. Where the number of pupils whose parents wish them to attend school exceeds the number of places available, places must be allocated in accordance with criteria published at the time parents express their preference. Prospective pupils must be admitted unless the schools has already admitted up to its standard number and those admitted have a better case for admission under the published criteria. Schools can have criteria for admissions which give priority to pupils living within a certain area, known as the school's catchment area. If the number of pupils admitted from the catchment area is less than the 224
  school's standard number, however, other pupils whose parents have requested places must be admitted in accordance with the school's admission criteria.

  School Inspections
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he will inform local education authorities of their prospective funding loss arising from charged school inspection arrangements.

  Mr. Forman
  The Government are considering the expenditure needs of local education authorities next year and are currently taking the views of the local authority associations on the range of factors bearing on local education authorities' spending, including the new arrangements for school inspection. Details of the local authority finance settlement for 1993–94, including education's share of total standard spending and individual authorities' standard spending assessments, will be announced in the autumn.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Refurbishing
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans exist to replace the carpets in the Palace of Westminster and in the buildings which contain hon. Members' offices; and what are the current arrangements for cleaning them by(a) electric Hoover and (b) shampoo equipment.

  Mr. Beith
  Carpets in the Palace of Westminster and its outbuildings are replaced on the basis of a rolling programme of planned maintenance, or whenever necessary. A new cleaning contract for the Palace and its outbuildings is being prepared. It will include among its specifications required standards for cleaning carpets.

  The Serjeant at Arms includes among his responsibilities oversight of arrangements for cleaning those parts of the Palace and its outbuildings under the control of the House. Any matters of specific concern about these matters should be addressed to him.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Woolwich Arsenal
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the national importance of the listed buildings on the Woolwich arsenal site; and what plans he has for their future.

  Mr. Key
  Eighteen buildings on the Woolwich Arsenal site have been assessed, against the normal national criteria, as being of special architectural or historic interest and placed on the statutory list. Responsibility for those buildings lies firstly with their owner, the Ministry of Defence, which has engaged consultants to advise on future uses of the site, since it is becoming surplus to operational requirements. I understand that the MoD is also consulting closely with the Crown Estates, as owners of some of the land, the Department of the Environment's
  225
  conservation unit and English Heritage over options for the future use of the site which, as far as possible, recognise the importance to the heritage of the listed buildings there.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he has any plans to visit the Woolwich arsenal site and inspect the listed buildings.

  Mr. Key
  No.

SCOTLAND

  Electoral Register
  Mr. John Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many attainers, whose 18th birthday falls during the period of the current electoral 226
  register, were eligible to vote in Scotland on 9 April; and how many of them cast their votes at the general election on that day.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of attainers in Scotland on the 1992 electoral register shown in the monitor EL 92/1 published by the Office of Population Censuses and Statistics on 2 April is 47,732. Information about how many of them were eligible to vote and actually cast their vote on 9 April is not held centrally.

HEALTH

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the numbers of patients waiting for in-patient treatment on 31 March in England for each individual health authority(a) in total and (b) by main specialty for periods under 12 months, 12 months to 24 months and over 24 months.

  Mr. Sackville
  Waiting time information by individual health authority and specialty at 31 March 1992 is not yet available centrally.

  Computer Procurement
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on measures to prevent fraud in health service computer procurement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Each health authority is responsible for establishing sound financial controls to safeguard its resources. Directions to this effect were issued to all health authorities within health circular HC(91)25.

  The Department issued specific guidance in 1987, "Buying information technology goods and services", on good practice in NHS computer procurement. This guidance is currently being reviewed by a joint working party of the Department and the NHS supplies authority. The work should lead to the issue of revised guidance later this year.

  All procurement is monitored by internal auditors, and by external statutory auditors appointed by the Audit Commission.

  Copies of the current guidance are available in the Library.

  Smoking
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1), pursuant to her answer of 12 May,Official Report, column 84, when she expects to have information or indications on the proportion of smokers in the United Kingdom and in each other European Community country later than the 1989 figures in the British Medical Journal;

  (2) what information she receives from the European Commission on the trends in smoking in each or any parts of the European Community.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Statistics on smoking prevalence in the United Kingdom are collected biennially by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in the general hospital survey and published in the following year. The 1990 figures, which showed that adult smoking had declined to 39 per cent., were published in November 1991. The 1992 figures will be available in 1993.

  The European Commission does not publish regular information on trends in smoking and has not published

  Distribution of dentists in general dental service in England from 1987–1991 Number of dentists1 2

  Region

  30 September 1987

  30 September 1988

  30 September 1989

  30 September 1990

  30 September 1991

  Northern

  799

  809

  849

  869

  881

  Yorkshire

  1,013

  1,044

  1,078

  1,094

  1,092

  Trent

  1,133

  1,171

  1,200

  1,218

  1,257

  East Anglia

  545

  578

  594

  605

  604

  North West Thames

  1,540

  1,530

  1,552

  1,512

  1,436

  228
  more recent figures on the proportion of smokers in the member states of the Community than the 1989 statistics published in the British Medical Journal. We know of no plans to do so.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has any plans to develop Red Bank secure unit for young offenders in Newton Le Willow; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  I understand that negotiations are under way about a proposal for St. Helens metropolitan borough council to take over from Lancashire county council as the controlling authority for Red Bank community home. Any plans for the development of the community home —including the secure accommodation—will be a matter for the controlling authority and the trustees of the home.

  Later this year, the Government will be announcing plans for the secure accommodation needed nationally to meet its obligations under the Criminal Justice Act 1991 to abolish juvenile remands. It is too early to say whether or not Red Bank will be affected.

  Dentists
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase the number of dentists in the NHS.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A joint Health Departments and British Dental Association review of dental manpower needs is currently in progress. It will consider the number of dentists which will be needed over the next 40 years. There are currently 27 per cent. more dentists than there were in 1979.

  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on performance-related pay for dentists after the proposed changes in dentists' fees.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government's position on performance pay was set out in the citizens charter in July last year. The Government are committed to extending performance-related pay within the public sector. We will be discussing this issue with the profession's representatives and submitting evidence to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body later this year. The Government have already announced that there will be a fundamental review of the dentists' remuneration system.

  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the number of dentists practising in the NHS in each region of England for each year since 1987.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of dentists practising in the general dental services in each region of England for each year since 1987 is shown in the table.
  229

  Region

  30 September 1987

  30 September 1988

  30 September 1989

  30 September 1990

  30 September 1991

  North East Thames

  1,228

  1,223

  1,251

  1,226

  1,222

  South East Thames

  1,308

  1,347

  1,319

  1,341

  1,334

  South West Thames

  1,216

  1,242

  1,249

  1,240

  1,242

  Wessex

  886

  907

  938

  949

  939

  Oxford

  777

  804

  808

  826

  828

  South Western

  1,150

  1,167

  1,195

  1,209

  1,217

  West Midlands

  1,335

  1,352

  1,373

  1,395

  1,396

  Mersey

  701

  728

  745

  764

  765

  North Western

  1,134

  1,168

  1,200

  1,232

  1,238

  TOTAL

  14,765

  15,070

  15,351

  15,480

  15,451

  1 Number of general dental practitioners includes principals and assistants.

  2 Each general dental practitioner is recorded by the family health services authority in which the majority of their earnings were incurred.

  Central Middlesex Hospital
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she received the report of the Mental Health Act commissioners following their inspection of the Central Middlesex hospital's mental health unit on 9 April.

  Mr. Yeo
  Reports by the Mental Health Act commissioners are confidential management documents, which are sent directly to local management for their consideration and further action. We have not seen the report to which the hon. Member refers.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits the Mental Health Act commissioners have made to the Central Middlesex hospital's mental health unit in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Yeo
  Three.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she last met the chairman of the Parkside health authority to discuss the Central Middlesex hospital's mental health unit.

  Mr. Yeo
  We have not met the chairman of Parkside district health authority to discuss the Central Middlesex mental health unit.

  Improvement Programme, Darlington
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the annual cost improvement programme in Darlington health authority in each financial year since 1988–89.

  Mr. Sackville
  The figures are:

  £000s

  1988–89

  585

  1989–90

  614

  1990–91

  367

  1990–91 was the last year for which this information was collected centrally.

  Mental Health
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the members of the task force to further the development of locally based mental health services; what are their terms of reference; when they will report; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  We are currently considering the membership and terms of reference of the task force.
  230
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the statistical bulletin containing data on mental illness for the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 will be published.

  Mr. Yeo
  A statistical bulletin "Personal Social Services: provision for people with mental illness in England 1980–90" was published in December 1991. In addition, a bulletin on "NHS Hospital Activity Statistics for England" was published in February 1992, providing information on the number of in-patients, out-patients, beds, ward attenders in the mental illness specialty up to 1990–91. "Information on NHS day care facilities", containing data on mental illness from April 1987 to March 1990 was published in September 1991. Copies of these publications have been placed in the Library. More detailed figures relating to mental illness are planned for publication later this year and next year.

  Buxton Chair
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the outcome of the investigation into the use of the Buxton chair to restrain patients.

  Mr. Yeo
  A press report earlier this year about the Buxton chair was prompted by a discussion document published by the organisation Counsel and Care on the use of restraint in residential care. Counsel and Care found no evidence of the chair being used incorrectly. Misuse should not occur in a care home where the principles underlying the Registered Homes Act 1984 have been adopted and where the guidance issued under the Act is being followed. The possibility of the inappropriate or unnecessary restraint of any resident is a matter for serious concern. This is recognised in the Act which gives registration authorities power to act against any establishment where bad care practice is found.

  Cost Improvement Programmes
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the cost improvement programmes for the current year for each district health authority in the Northern region; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally. The regional health authority is responsible for monitoring cost improvement programmes of individual districts. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Peter Carr, chairman of the Northern regional health authority, for details.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in dealing with the unforeseen consequences of the confidentiality provisions in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government yesterday introduced in another place a Bill to make certain specified relaxations in the restrictions on the disclosure of information by licensed clinicians imposed by section 33(5) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The Bill has been published today.

  Since the 1990 Act came into force, practical experience has shown that the restrictions were in some respects too tightly drawn and they have led to unintended risks and difficulties. The Bill therefore proposes to put matters right by making carefully limited changes in one section of the Act, which in other respects is working well. It seeks to ease the restrictions on the release of information about patients who receive infertility treatment. The circumstances in which disclosure would be permitted would be closely defined.

  The Bill is solely about the disclosure of information falling within section 31(2) of the 1990 Act by a licensed person. Except in specified circumstances the patient's consent will be required before any identifying information can be disclosed.

  Births, Islington
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has as to the numbers and proportions of types of childbirth occurring under the auspices of the different hospitals serving the Islington area.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Community Health Councils
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Health if she will make a statement on the future of community health councils.

  Mr. Sackville
  Community health councils (CHCs) will continue to carry out their role of representing the interests in the health service of the public in their districts. My hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State wrote to health authorities earlier this year to ensure that they were fully aware of what is expected from their relationship with CHCs. A copy of the letter (M L(92)1) is available in the Library.

  HIV Infection
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many payments have been made to non-haemophiliacs infected with HIV as a result of NHS blood/tissue transfers, or to families of the deceased, following the announcement by his Department on 17 February that special provisions would be made.

  Mr. Sackville
  The first applications for payment were received by the Department on 12 May. Applications are being considered individually and decisions will be made as soon as possible.

WALES

  Fluoride
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made in artificially increasing the fluoride content of the water supply in Wales during the most recent 12-month period for which information is available.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There has been no increase in the area covered by fluoridation during the 12-month period ending 31 March 1992. Fluoridation is a matter for local determination.

  Hotel Grants
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has has with the chairman of the Wales tourist board concerning the number of cases agreed for staged payments from hotel proprietors and hotel companies to the board under the reclaim procedure in the last three years; what impact this will have on(a) the availability of funds for hotel grants to other applicants, (b) on jobs in the tourist industry and (c) on the annual government grant to the Wales tourist board.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The terms and conditions of grants, including the repayment arrangements, made by the Wales tourist board under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 have been approved by the Welsh Office. Individual decisions regarding the terms of repayment of grant are at the discretion of the board and each case is considered on its merits.

  Provided the WTB otherwise fulfils its annual target for the repayment of loans and grants, a decision by the board to allow staged repayments would have no effect on the availability of grants to other applicants or the level of Government grant to the board.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of the grant for improvements paid in 1989–90 to the Ynyscedwyn Arms hotel, Ystradgynlais by the Wales tourist board; in what circumstances such grants are reclaimed by the Wales tourist board; and what arrangements, under what authority, have been made for staging repayment of grant by the Ynyscedwyn Arms hotel.

  Sir Wyn Roberts: In July 1989 the Wales tourist board approved grant under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 of £17,500 for the Ynyscedwyn Arms hotel. Only £16,592 has been taken up.

  The board will normally seek full recovery of grant in cases where the relevant assets are sold within three years of the last payment of grant. Where the assets are sold between three and 10 years after the final grant payment, the board may seek only part recovery. Individual decisions regarding the terms of repayment are at the discretion of the board and each case is judged on its merits.

  In this case, I understand that the hotel has not yet been sold and that the board is still in discussion with the owners about the terms of any repayment.

  Trawsfynydd
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present estimated cost of maintaining Lake Trawsfynydd in a condition sufficient to minimise
  233
  future radiation exposure of people nearby, following the closure of Trawsfynydd nuclear power station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Nuclear Electric owns the lake and is responsible for maintaining it to the required standards. The costs of the Government's monitoring programme will be only a small part of the total cost of maintaining the lake—and are wholly recoverable from Nuclear Electric.

  Public Sector Housing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to increase supplementary credit approvals for public sector housing estate management and improvement programmes; and what provision increased tenant participation will play in such initiatives.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Under the estate partnership programme, up to £6 million will be available in this financial year to support projects aimed at alleviating exceptional problems on local authority housing estates. I would expect successful schemes to incorporate solid arrangements for tenant participation and consultation.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the livestock slaughtering industry in Wales to determine the impact on small abattoirs of the new EC standards; and if he will press for further exemption by raising the current weekly limit of 12 livestock units.

  Mr. David Hunt
  EC directive 91/497 has provision for derogations from some of its structural standards for abattoirs processing up to 12 livestock units per week. The directive also contains provision for similar derogations for abattoirs with a throughput of up to 20 units per week provided they fall into a limited number of specific categories and subject to the approval in each individual case of the Standing Veterinary Committee. It is expected that very few abattoirs in Great Britain would qualify for this treatment, but any applications wil be considered on their individual merits.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the current levels of capital receipts from the sale of council houses held by Welsh local authorities.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest information available relates to 31 March 1991. At that date, local councils held £21·5 million of usable capital receipts from council house sales that they had not yet spent.

  Youth Agency
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the full membership of the newly established Youth Agency in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The chairman and vice-chairman of the Wales Youth Agency were appointed on 1 April 1992. We expect to be able to announce the full membership of the agency's management board shortly.

  Bryn Deva School
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will visit the Bryn Deva county primary school, Connah's quay, Deeside, Clwyd;

  (2) if he will meet the governors, parent-teacher association, and staff of the Bryn Deva county primary school, Deeside, Clwyd.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have no plans at present to do so.

  School Surplus Land
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue guidance to local education authorities that funds raised from the sale of surplus land at a school should be spent on improvements at that school.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have no plans to interfere with local education authorities' freedom to reinvest capital receipts derived from the disposal of school land as they see fit or to alter the present legal requirement that 50 per cent. of such receipts be set aside for the redemption of debt.

  Llwyncelyn Centre, Swansea
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received, and on what date, for a meeting about Llwyncelyn Centre, Swansea, since his answer of 13 May,Official Report, column 121.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  Community Hospital, Holywell
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of his response to the submission by Clwyd health authority for a new community hospital in Holywell, Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Clwyd health authority is currently revising its approval in principle submission to reflect more closely the requirements of the mandatory health building procedures for the NHS in Wales and, in particular, to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of the preferred option and its financial viability.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide details of the timetable for consideration of the Clwyd health authority submission for a new community hospital in Holywell, Clwyd.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter for the health authority which is currently finalising its approval in principle submission.

  Female Family Doctors
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many family doctors are female in each of the health authorities in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information which relates to 1 October 1991, is given in the table:

  Family health service authority

  Female

  Clwyd

  39

  Dyfed

  50

  Gwent

  51

  235

  Family health service authority

  Female

  Gwynedd

  20

  Mid Glamorgan

  48

  Powys

  14

  South Glamorgan

  65

  West Glamorgan

  35

  (a) Notifications of measles

  (b) Notifications of whooping cough

  1989

  1990

  11991

  1989

  1990

  11991

  Clwyd

  89

  52

  114

  67

  98

  36

  East Dyfed

  205

  31

  17

  85

  118

  36

  Pembrokeshire

  42

  21

  19

  22

  21

  25

  Gwent

  485

  120

  116

  34

  195

  46

  Gwynedd

  42

  20

  57

  52

  158

  40

  Mid Glamorgan

  325

  221

  130

  78

  201

  34

  Powys

  71

  5

  4

  20

  15

  0

  South Glamorgan

  512

  89

  67

  67

  210

  45

  West Glamorgan

  100

  39

  30

  254

  145

  31

  WALES

  1,871

  598

  554

  679

  1,161

  293

  1 1991 figures are provisional.

  Source: 1991 OPCS

  1990 OPCS Monitor Series MB2 (quarterly)

  1989 Communicable disease statistics (OPCS series MB2 No. 16)

  Pension Allowances
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current guidance issued to the non-departmental public bodies in Wales concerning the criteria and prior departmental authorisation required for the payment of ex-gratia, severance, redundancy or early retirement pension allowances or bonuses for departing middle and senior management; when it was issued; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The founding legislation for a non-departmental public body requires its terms and conditions, which include superannuation and early retirement compensation schemes, to be approved by the Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister for the Civil Service. Approval is arranged individually for each body.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of submissions for trust status from within Clwyd and the dates by which he expects to determine them.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Following the submission of expressions of interest last year, the three health units in Clwyd health authority are among the 14 invited to prepare applications for NHS trust status in April 1993. Decisions on whether to proceed are entirely a matter for the individual units in the light of local circumstance. In the event that applications are received, statutory public consultation will be undertaken before any decisions are reached. I would expect an announcement on the outcome of the application process to be made this autumn.

  Measles and Whooping Cough
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of(a) measles and (b) whooping cough occurred in each of the health authorities in Wales in the last three years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number of notifications of(a) measles and (b) whooping cough for each of the health authorities in Wales for the last three years are shown in the table:

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioner fund-holding practices there are in each of the health authorities in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  There are 26 general practitioner fund-holding practices in Wales, including 10 in Clwyd; four each in Gwent, Mid Glamorgan and West Glamorgan; two in Dyfed; and one each in Powys and South Glamorgan.

  Family Doctor Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the amount of cash given to the family doctor service for each of the last three years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Cash expended on the general medical services in Wales for the financial year 1989–90 and 1990–91 was as follows:

  1989–90: £95·3 million

  1990–91: £114·6 million

  Figures for 1991–92 are not yet available.

  Source: Appropriation accounts

  School Meals
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the local education authorities in Wales which provide a cooked lunchtime meal for pupils; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make a statement concerning his policy as to the quality and nutrition of school meals; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not held centrally. Local education authorities are responsible for determining the content and presentation of school meals.
  237
  Improving the diets of schoolchildren is a very important part of the Government's overall commitment to raising nutritional standards.

  The catering staff of each local education authority are aware of developments in dietary and nutritional research and have access to a range of expert advice. A number of authorities have introduced healthy eating options on school meals menus.

  Buses
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning his policy towards subsidy for bus routes in rural Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Local authorities determine levels of subsidy for socially necessary services in rural areas. Assistance towards certain items of capital expenditure is also available from the Department to bus operators under the rural transport innovation grant scheme.

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will announce the names of the members of the Further Education Funding Council for Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts: The following have accepted my invitation to become members of the Further Education Council for Wales:

  Mrs. Penelope Ryan: Principal, Gorseinon College, West Glamorgan.

  Jeff Cocks: Principal, Pontypridd Technical College, Mid Glamorgan.

  Dr. Ken Thomas: recently retired from HM Inspectorate of Schools in South West England.

  Dr. John Walters: Open University, Cardiff.

  Mrs. Susan Stansford: Chair of Governors, Yale Sixth Form College, Clwyd.

  Grant Walshe: South Wales Regional Director, Barclays Bank plc.

  Huw Jones: Chief Executive, Barcud and Sain Cyf, Gwynedd.

  David Margetts: Chairman, Elkay Electrical Manufacturing Ltd., Chief Executive, Powys TEC.

  Richard Webster: Managing Director, Mideast Engineering (Wales) Ltd., Maesteg; Member of Mid Glamorgan TEC.

  Stephen Dunster: Treasurer, West Glamorgan CC; Financial Adviser, Assembly of Welsh Counties.

  Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to give extra money to under-funded health authorities in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Spending on the NHS in Wales has risen from £481 million in 1979–80 to 1,946 million in 1992–93, representing an increase of 67 per cent. above inflation. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave on 4 February at columns 125–28 for detailed information about allocations to individual district health authorities.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by region and for Great Britain as a whole, separately for males and females, how many 16 and 238
  17-year-olds for each month since September 1991 have made applications for income support on grounds of extreme hardship; how many have been granted or refused; if he will give the information he has about the grounds on which applications were turned down; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  No information is held as to the sex of applicants for income support under the severe hardship provision. Applications for income support from young people who are not at risk of severe hardship are unsuccessful. Such information as is available is in the tables:

  Scotland

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  1,189

  927

  262

  October

  1,349

  1,106

  243

  November

  1,153

  940

  213

  December

  927

  791

  136

  1992

  January

  1,656

  1,386

  270

  February

  1,593

  1,337

  256

  March

  1,676

  1,363

  313

  North Eastern

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  932

  738

  194

  October

  1,044

  812

  232

  November

  936

  757

  179

  December

  709

  584

  125

  1992

  January

  1,434

  1,204

  230

  February

  1,283

  985

  298

  March

  1,231

  1,008

  223

  North Western

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  671

  517

  154

  October

  710

  555

  155

  November

  640

  515

  125

  December

  497

  406

  91

  1992

  January

  1,100

  918

  182

  February

  956

  790

  166

  March

  1,125

  934

  191

  Midlands

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  695

  547

  148

  October

  697

  550

  147

  November

  700

  558

  142

  December

  512

  446

  66

  1992

  January

  1,158

  980

  178

  February

  1,030

  879

  151

  March

  1,094

  876

  218

  Wales and South Western

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  685

  558

  127

  October

  687

  549

  138

  November

  710

  591

  119

  December

  512

  446

  66

  1992

  239

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  January

  1,007

  883

  124

  February

  927

  780

  147

  March

  967

  814

  153

  London North

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  579

  475

  104

  October

  617

  509

  108

  November

  542

  451

  91

  December

  420

  365

  55

  1992

  January

  823

  725

  98

  February

  797

  675

  122

  March

  875

  736

  139

  London South

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  657

  539

  118

  October

  677

  532

  145

  November

  608

  505

  103

  December

  449

  382

  67

  1992

  January

  958

  812

  146

  February

  882

  741

  141

  March

  964

  818

  146

  Great Britain

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1991

  September

  5,408

  4,301

  1,107

  October

  5,781

  4,613

  1,168

  November

  5,289

  4,317

  972

  December

  4,093

  3,442

  651

  1992

  January

  8,136

  6,908

  1,228

  February

  7,468

  6,187

  1,281

  March

  7,935

  6,551

  1,380

  Source: Severe Hardship Claims Unit Database.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each region and for Great Britain as a whole for each quarter since September 1991 how many income support and unemployment benefit claimants have (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully claimed income support under the hardship rules, showing those whose claim was in doubt due to(a) not actively seeking work, (b) refusing suitable employment, and (c) availability for work.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the rules on income support whereby money due, but not yet paid to a claimant, is taken into account in assessing that benefit.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have today introduced regulations to ensure that where an occupational pension scheme has suspended or reduced payments because it has insufficient funds, the amount of the then unpaid entitlement will not be taken into account as a resource.240
  This removes a technical obstacle which might have prevented pensioners, payment of whose pension was interrupted, from claiming income support under the normal rules.

  Pensions
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many weekly pensions paid by post constitute a lesser sum than the stamp used to despatch them.

  Mr. Burt
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. It would, however, be very exceptional for payment to be made in this way.

  If the payable rate of retirement pension is £2 per week or less, payment is made once a year in arrears and usually paid by automated credit transfer. The annual payment is made shortly before Christmas by the Benefits Agency in Newcastle and includes payment of the Christmas bonus.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to extend the industries and occupations to which claims for disablement benefit arising from vibration white finger can be made; and whether he will make a statement.

  (2) when he expects the review by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council into the current terms of prescription for hand/arm vibration syndromes to be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I am advised on occupational diseases by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. The council is expected to report on hand/arm vibration syndrome, which includes vibration white finger, towards the end of this year. We have no plans at present to extend current provisions for this condition.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage disability was awarded for each person granted disablement benefit as a consequence of vibration white finger during the last 12-month period for which statistics are available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information about awards of disablement benefit are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Maxwell Pension Funds
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 12 May,Official Report, column 95, what advice he has given to the National Westminster bank in connection with the pensioners of Mirror Group Newspapers and other Maxwell Group pensioners in response to the second report of the Social Security Committee, Session 1991–92, on pension funds.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have given the National Westminster bank no advice in connection with pensioners of Maxwell pension schemes.

  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response he will make to the recommendations of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council regarding industrial disablement benefit for carpal tunnel syndrome.

  Mr. Scott
  We have received the report from the council and we are studying the recommendations.

  Mrs. Pauline Bettinson
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will institute an inquiry into the handling of the mobility allowance application from Mrs. Pauline Bettinson, Lynton gardens, Lowestoft by the Benefits Agency, including delays by the agency in answering letters from the hon. Member for Waveney, the procedures for handling the claim and the request for compensation for the inconvenience caused by delays in processing of the claim.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Following Mrs. Bettinson's successful appeal to the medical appeals tribunal, full arrears of mobility allowance were sent to her on 23 April 1992. I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that he wrote to my hon. Friend on 15 May 1992. He has arranged for the full circumstances of Mrs. Bettinson's claim to be investigated and will write further to my hon. Friend as soon as this has been completed.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Political Settlement
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about progress towards a political settlement in Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The current political talks recommenced on 29 April. 1 welcome their continuance.

  Cross-Border Security
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on cross-border security.

  Mr. Mates
  Cross-border security is regularly considered at meetings of the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental conference. At the meeting on 27 April both Governments re-affirmed their determination to enhance and strengthen security co-operation.

  Residents Parking
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration has been given to introducing a residents parking scheme for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  No legal power currently exists in Northern Ireland to permit the introduction of a residents' parking scheme, but consideration is being given to the inclusion of such powers in future legislation.

  Political Talks
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to conclude the talks he is holding with Northern Ireland political party leaders; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The talks, which resumed on 29 April, have a three-month period available to them.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in the talks involving the political parties in Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain).

  Constitutional Reform
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he proposes to recommend any change in the constitutional position of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls).

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he proposes to recommend any changes in the constitutional position of Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain).

  Terrorist Groups
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence has emerged over the last 12 months of new supplies of weapons, ammunition, or finance being provided to the Provisional IRA and other terrorist groups from foreign nations or agencies controlled by such nations; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I am aware of no evidence of such supplies in the past 12 months, but a number of the atrocities committed in that period have undoubtedly involved arms and explosives supplied by the Libyans before the seizure of the Eksund in 1987.

  Education (Selection)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy towards selection at 11-plus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  While I will always be willing to consider carefully any scheme for reorganisation which emerges through the statutory development proposal procedures, I have no plans to require school authorities to change their current arrangements.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the privatisation of electricity in Northern Ireland.
  243
  Mr. Atkins
  Contracts for the sale of the four power stations formerly owned by Northern Ireland Electricity were signed on 6 March. Transfer of ownership of two of them is subject to the completion of financing arrangements which is expected shortly. The flotation of Northern Ireland Electricity plc is planned for late autumn.

  DHSS Tenderers
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the names of firms removed from the list of selected tenders by the DHSS and subsequently restored.

  Mr. Hanley
  One firm was temporarily removed from the health and personal social services select list of tenderers for the market testing of support services. This firm was reinstated within the past two months and my noble Friend does not think it would be proper to disclose details of the firm concerned.

  Tourism
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on tourism within Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  Last year, 1991, was the third record year in a row for the industry, with an 18 per cent. increase in pure holiday visitors. Extra resources have been given to the Northern Ireland tourist board to promote the area as a holiday destination and improve its tourist product, and the board's corporate plan for the next three years will be published shortly. I am confident that the tourist industry can make an increasing contribution to economic development in Northern Ireland.

  Urban Centres (Bombings)
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider taking additional measures to restore the fabric and commercial life of urban centres hit by major terrorist bombs.

  Mr. Mates
  The Government continue to keep under review the very extensive measures designed to restore the fabric and commercial life of urban centres hit by major terrorist bombs, but there are no plans to initiate any additional measures at this time.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which major road schemes are planned in the next three years for the constituency of Strangford.

  Mr. Atkins
  Stage 1 of the improvement of the Purdysburn road, Belfast is programmed to start in 1994–95.

  Terrorism (Financing)
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the past six months in tackling the financing of terrorism.

  Mr. Mates
  The Government attach a very high priority to cutting off sources of terrorist finance and are pressing 244
  on to implement the hard-hitting confiscation scheme contained in the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991. The other financial provisions of that Act have already been brought into use.

  Housing Executive
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he intends to take to ensure that funding levels are increased for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to a level equal to housing need.

  Mr. Atkins
  The total resources available to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 1992–93 will be about £486 million. I am confident that this will be sufficient to enable the executive to continue the progress that it has made in recent years both in reducing the urgent waiting list and in improving housing conditions in Northern Ireland.

  Disabled Facilities Grant
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when his Department plans to announce the outcome of the recent review of the disabled facilities grant system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1983, grants for disabled facilities are available within the provision of the renovation grants scheme. While there has been no recent review relating specifically to the disabled facilities grant in Northern Ireland, a draft housing order will shortly be laid before Parliament which will, among other things, seek to introduce a revised renovation grants scheme for private sector dwellings. The revised scheme will, in the main, mirror the scheme that has operated in England and Wales since July 1990 under the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, and will contain a specific disabled facilities grant.

  Expenditure and European Community Transfers
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was(a) the total public expenditure and (b) the estimated European Community transfers in Northern Ireland in each of the latest five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Mates
  The total expenditure within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for the past five complete financial years was as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1987–88

  4,828

  1988–89

  5,436

  1989–90

  5,724

  1990–91

  5,870

  1991–92

  6,449

  Northern Ireland's largest single source of European Community funding is the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund. The bulk of such receipts are disbursed centrally by the Intervention Board Executive Agency—IBEA—and details on a regional basis are not available. The following amounts, however, have been identified as receipts from the three structural funds:

  245

  Year

  £ million

  1987–88

  111

  1988–89

  96

  1989–90

  95

  1990–91

  110

  1991–92

  156

  Note: Figures for 1991–92 are, in both cases, provisional.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will respond to the proposals by the Northern Ireland milk marketing board to reform the board; when he will table the new legislation; and if he will make a statement about the future of the Northern Ireland milk marketing board.

  Mr. Hanley
  In common with its Great Britain counterparts, the milk marketing board for Northern Ireland has submitted its proposals for reform to the Government. These proposals are currently being considered.

  Employment training4

  YT34

  Enterprise allowance scheme4

  Jobclubs5

  Restart courses5

  Year

  Cash

  Constant

  Cash

  Constant

  Cash

  Constant

  Cash

  Constant

  Cash

  Constant

  1987–88

  1,328·0

  1,756·9

  1,007·3

  1,332·6

  189·9

  251·2

  14·8

  19·5

  6·8

  8·9

  1988–89

  1,290·0

  1,591·6

  993·2

  1,225·4

  191·5

  236·2

  17·4

  21·4

  5·0

  6·1

  1989–90

  1,106·6

  1,281·0

  976·0

  1,129·8

  167·2

  193·5

  23·4

  27·0

  5·1

  5·9

  1990–91

  1,076·0

  1,151·32

  816·5

  873·6

  127·7

  136·6

  26·5

  28·3

  5·4

  5·7

  1991–921

  848·6

  848·6

  2848·5

  848·5

  94·9

  94·9

  38·5

  38·5

  10·1

  10·1

  1 Provisional.

  2 The 1991–92 figure includes costs for YT and credits.

  3 YT figures do not include cost for community industry.

  4 Figures include the associated marketing and evaluation and research costs for each programme.

  5 Inclusive of VAT where appropriate.

  Notes:

  1. The figures relate to total expenditure on externally provided job clubs and the stall costs associated with those run by the employment service.

  2. Restart courses, all of which are run by outside providers, were introduced in the 1986–87 financial year. It is not possible to identify separately the restart element of the programme prior to 1988–89. The figures for 1987–88 are the best estimate of restart course expenditure in those years.

  3. Constant prices were calculated by the use of GDP deflator index from the Chancellors "Financial Statement and Budget Report" published in March 1992.

  Training, Darlington
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what number of employment training and youth training places were available in Darlington for each financial year from 1988–89; and what number will be available during 1992–93.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  At 29 March 1992, there were approximately 3,400 people on employment training and approximately 4,400 people on youth training in the Durham training and enterprise council area, of which Darlington is a part.

  Trade Union Commissioner
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost of running the office of the Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members in the 1991–92 financial year and the amount of money spent on publicity for this office in 1991–92; and how many cases
  246
  The Government intend to introduce legislation this Session to facilitate the transformation of the milk marketing boards into non-statutory organisations to bring benefits to both producers and consumers.

EMPLOYMENT

  Expenditure
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will show for Great Britain how much expenditure, excluding administration costs, at cash and constant prices, has been spent in each year since 1987–88 on(a) employment training and the earlier programmes it replaced, (b) youth training and the earlier YTS, (c) enterprise allowance scheme, (d) job clubs and (e) restart courses; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The following table shows expenditure for Great Britain at cash and constant 1991–92 prices, excluding administration costs. on each year since 1987–88, on(a) employment training, (b) youth training, (c) enterprise allowance scheme, (d) job clubs and (e) restart.

  were (a) taken up by the office, (b) taken to court by the office and (c) won in court by trade union members supported by the office in 1991–92.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I understand that the total cost of running the office of the independent Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members in the 1991–92 financial year was £289,701. Of this, £12,749 was spent on publicity. I also understand that during this period the commissioner granted assistance to 14 applications; that court proceedings were brought in six of these cases; and that all six cases resulted in orders from the court in favour of the assisted persons.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether she will publish a table showing the proportions of(a) men and (b) women broken down by ethnic origin who are working as (i) full-time employees, (ii) part-time employees and (iii) self-employed.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available estimates are given in the table.
  247

  Persons in employment by sex and ethnic origin; average, spring 1989–91

  Great Britain

  Persons of working age (16–59/64)2

  Per cent.

  All origins3

  White

  Ethnic minority groups

  All

  West Indian/Guyanese

  Indian

  Pakistani/Bangladeshi

  All other origins5

  Men in employment4 (thousands = 100 per cent.)

  14,399

  13,710

  592

  112

  207

  102

  171

  Full-time employees

  78

  78

  72

  81

  69

  67

  73

  Part-time employees

  3

  3

  5

  1—

  1—

  1—

  7

  Self-employed

  17

  17

  20

  11

  26

  24

  18

  Women in employment4 (thousands = 100 per cent.)

  10,750

  10,279

  399

  108

  134

  31

  126

  Full-time employees

  53

  52

  62

  69

  62

  48

  59

  Part-time employees

  39

  39

  26

  25

  25

  1—

  27

  Self-employed

  7

  7

  9

  1—

  11

  1—

  11

  Source: Labour Force Surveys

  1 Less than 10,000 in cell: estimate not shown.

  2 The upper age limit is 64 for men and 59 for women.

  3 Includes those who did not state origin.

  4 Includes those of mixed origin.

  5 Including those on Government employment or training programmes and employees not stating whether full-time/part-time. The full-time classification is based on respondents self-assessment.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether she will publish a table showing unemployment rates by sex, age and ethnic origin for the period 1989 to 1991 using the latest labour force survey.

  ILO unemployment rates by sex, age and ethnic origin: average, spring 1989–1991

  Persons aged 16 and over

  Great Britain

  Per cent.

  Ethnic minority groups

  All origins2

  White

  All

  West Indian/ Guyanese

  Indian

  Pakistani/Bangladeshi

  All other origins3

  All persons

  All aged 16 and over

  7

  7

  13

  14

  10

  21

  11

  16–24

  11

  11

  20

  24

  16

  25

  18

  25–44

  7

  6

  11

  11

  8

  19

  10

  45–59–64

  6

  6

  11

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  60 65 and over4

  5

  5

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Men

  All aged 16 and over

  8

  7

  13

  15

  10

  21

  11

  16–24

  12

  12

  22

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  25–44

  7

  6

  11

  1—

  8

  19

  10

  45–64

  7

  7

  12

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  65 and over

  7

  6

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Women

  All aged 16 and over

  7

  7

  12

  12

  10

  24

  11

  16–24

  10

  9

  19

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  25–44

  7

  7

  10

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  45–59

  5

  5

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  60 and over

  4

  4

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Source: Labour Force Surveys.

  1 Less than 10,000 in cell: estimate not shown.

  2 Includes those who did not state origin.

  3 Includes those of mixed origin.

  4 Includes those over state retirement age.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether she will publish a table showing employment by industry and ethnic origin for the period 1989 to 1991 for(a) men and (b) women broken down into (i) whites and (ii) ethnic minorities.
  248
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available estimates are given in the table.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available estimates are given in the table.
  249

  Employment+ by industry and ethnic origin; average spring 1989–91

  Great Britain

  Persons in employment2 aged 16 and over

  Thousands

  SIC 19801

  Males

  Females

  White

  Ethnic minority groups

  White

  Ethnic minority groups

  All industries4

  13,726

  580

  10,600

  393

  0 Agriculture, forestry, fishing

  420

  4—

  117

  4—

  1 Energy and water supply

  472

  4—

  88

  4—

  2 Extraction of minerals, metal manufacture, etc

  590

  15

  188

  4—

  3 Metal goods, engineering and vehicles

  1,887

  74

  520

  22

  4 Other manufacturing

  1,369

  62

  844

  44

  44/55 Footwear, clothing and leather goods

  83

  12

  208

  20

  5 Construction

  1,725

  29

  187

  4—

  6 Distribution, hotels, catering and repairs

  2,235

  168

  2,651

  96

  61/63 Wholesale distribution

  582

  20

  279

  11

  64/65 Retail distribution

  1,101

  87

  1,626

  57

  66 Hotels and catering

  323

  53

  710

  28

  7 Transport and communications

  1,158

  65

  351

  18

  79 Postal services and telecommunications

  331

  21

  125

  4—

  8 Banking and finance, etc

  1,404

  59

  1,328

  45

  83 Business services

  803

  36

  681

  23

  9 Other services

  2,431

  100

  4,301

  156

  91 Public administration, national defence, etc

  870

  23

  627

  25

  93 Education

  502

  15

  1,144

  22

  95 Medical/health/veterinary services

  243

  29

  994

  59

  96 Other services to the public4

  288

  19

  1,112

  41

  Source: Labour Force Surveys.

  1 Less than 10,000 in cell: estimate not shown.

  2 Excluding those on Government employment and training programmes.

  3 Results are shown for all SIC 1980 divisions, and for classes accounting for at least 30,000 persons from ethnic minority groups.

  4 The totals include those who did not specify industry.

  5 Comprises all other public services excluding sanitary, research and development, recreational and domestic services.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether she will publish a table showing employment by broad occupation by ethnic origin and by sex for the period 1989 to 1991.

  Employment2 by broad occupation, ethnic origin and sex: average: spring 1989–1991

  Great Britain

  Employees and self employed aged 16 and over

  Per cent.

  All origins3

  White

  Ethnic minority groups

  All

  West Indian/Guyanese

  Indian

  Pakistani/Bangladeshi

  All other origins4

  All persons

  All (thousands = 100 per cent.)

  25,467

  24,326

  8,916

  217

  337

  127

  291

  All non-manual occupations

  57

  57

  57

  47

  60

  45

  67

  Managerial and professional

  33

  33

  34

  26

  37

  27

  43

  Clerical and related

  16

  16

  16

  17

  16

  10

  17

  Other non-manual

  8

  8

  8

  4

  7

  8

  7

  All manual occupations

  43

  43

  42

  52

  40

  54

  33

  Craft and similar

  16

  16

  15

  16

  14

  17

  8

  General labourers

  1

  1

  1

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Other manual

  27

  27

  27

  36

  25

  36

  24

  Men

  All (thousands = 100 per cent.)

  14,401

  13,726

  580

  108

  205

  100

  167

  All non-manual occupations

  48

  48

  49

  32

  59

  40

  64

  Managerial and professional

  36

  36

  36

  20

  43

  28

  48

  Clerical and related

  5

  5

  6

  1—

  9

  1—

  8

  Other non-manual

  6

  6

  7

  1—

  6

  1—

  7

  All manual occupations

  52

  52

  51

  68

  41

  59

  36

  Craft and similar

  25

  25

  24

  28

  16

  17

  12

  General labourers

  1

  1

  1

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Other manual

  26

  26

  26

  39

  24

  41

  24

  Women

  All (thousands = 100 per cent.)

  11.066

  10,600

  393

  109

  133

  27

  124

  All non-manual occupations

  68

  68

  68

  63

  62

  64

  72

  Managerial and professional

  29

  29

  31

  33

  28

  1—

  35

  Clerical and related

  30

  30

  29

  26

  27

  1—

  30

  250
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available estimates are given in the table.
  251

  All origins3

  White

  Ethnic minority groups

  All

  West Indian/Guyanese

  Indian

  Pakistani/Bangladeshi

  All other origins4

  Other non-manual

  10

  10

  9

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  All manual occupations

  32

  31

  31

  37

  38

  36

  28

  Craft and similar

  4

  4

  4

  1—

  11

  1—

  1—

  General labourers

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Other manual

  28

  28

  27

  33

  27

  1—

  25

  1 Less than 10,000 in cell; estimate not shown.

  2 Including those not stating employment status.

  3 Includes those who did not state origin.

  4 Includes those of mixed origin.

  Source: Labour Force Survey.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether she will publish a table showing unemployment rates by ethnic origin in Greater London for people aged 16 years and over in 1991.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is as follows:

  ILO unemployment rates in Greater London by ethnic origin(persons aged 16 and over)

  Average spring 1989–91

  Per cent.

  All origins1

  7

  White

  7

  Ethnic minority groups

  13

  West Indian/Guyanese

  11

  Indian

  12

  Pakistani/Bangladeshi

  12

  All others2

  14

  Source: Labour Force Surveys.

  1 Includes those who did not state origin.

  2 Includes those of mixed origin.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Rabies
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a vaccine now exists which can guarantee complete immunity against rabies.

  Mr. Soames
  Modern vaccines are effective. However, no vaccine can guarantee complete immunity in all animals.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the European Commission to publish its proposals on the harmonisation of rabies prevention measures in the EC.

  Mr. Soames
  We expect a proposal shortly.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy towards the rabies orders currently in force in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of how effective they have been in preventing the outbreak of rabies over the last 20 years.

  Mr. Soames
  Our present rabies orders have been 'very effective in preventing any outbreak of rabies outside quarantine and provide us with the means to control an outbreak should one occur. They reflect the Government's determination to maintain this country's freedom from rabies.

  Bee Disease
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make available to bee-keepers supplies of products for the suitable treatment of bees infected with the parasite varroa jacobsonni.

  Mr. Curry
  Supplies of a suitable product are already available from my Ministry to bee-keepers with colonies in which the presence of the varroa jacobsoni mite has been confirmed and where immediate treatment is considered necessary.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been undertaken by his Department into the use of the pesticides atrazine and simazine; and if he will make a statement on their use in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  The agricultural use of atrazine and simazine is monitored through the studies carried out by the MAFF Pesticide Usage Survey Group. Recent reports show that in England and Wales approximately 41 tonnes of atrazine are used per year, primarily on maize. The major uses of simazine are on beans, peas and in orchards where approximately 140 tonnes are used annually. In addition there are major non-agricultural uses of both atrazine and simazine.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the new EC abattoir standard regulation on the United Kingdom slaughtering industry; if he will make a statement on the exemption proposed for the United Kingdom; and what are the exemptions applicable in each of the other EC countries.

  Mr. Soames
  The EC abattoir standard is set out in an EC directive (91/497/EEC) on the hygiene and marketing of fresh meat which will be implemented in the United Kingdom by the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992 the draft of which has recently been circulated for consultation. Over half of British meat is already produced in abattoirs approved as meeting the EC standard. We anticipate there will be no shortage of slaughtering capacity in Great Britain after 1992 although some rationalisation of the industry is inevitable.

  There are no exemptions in the directive for slaughtering operations. "Low-capacity" slaughterhouses processing up to 12 livestock units per week are subject to

  253
  less onerous rules on structure and layout of premises, although they must comply with the hygiene requirements. There are also provisions for the EC's Standing Veterinary Committee to approve the extension of the "low throughput" rules to slaughterhouses processing between 12 and 20 livestock units per week provided certain criteria are met. We anticipate that very few premises in Great Britain will meet the criteria laid down but any applications received will be considered on a case by case basis.

  A separate directive (91/498/EEC) provides for additional time to be granted to businesses unable to meet all of the EC requirements on structure and layout of premises by 1 January 1993. A large number of operators have applied to take advantage of this provision for temporary derogations whilst they upgrade their premises.

  Any applications from other member states for extending the "low throughput" rules must be authorised by the Standing Veterinary Committee so we shall be aware of them in due course. Commission inspectors will monitor applications of the directive in all member states. If there is any substantive evidence that any member state is not applying the rules correctly, the Government will raise the matter with the Commission.

  Consumers Committees
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the numbers of consumers committees in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the number of(a) paid staff and (b) volunteers who work for them.

  Mr. Soames
  Full details of the United Kingdom's consumer committees are available in the HMSO publication "Public Bodies 1991" (ISBN 0–11–430064-X) including their membership and, where appropriate, their remuneration.

  Food and Farming Festival
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution his Department made to the national festival for food and farming held in Hyde park in May; what was the cost of his Department's contribution; and what environmental matters were taken into account in preparing and establishing the contribution.

  Mr. Curry
  MAFF took part in the ASDA festival of food and farming as part of its overall exhibition programme for 1992–93, the cost of which is met from within the Department's paid publicity budget for the year. The various elements of the Hyde park exhibit were designed for this year's exhibitions programme as a whole which will take in other major venues. One section was devoted to environmental issues and was designed especially to encourage understanding of environmental matters.

  BNFL
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure that British Nuclear Fuels plc makes a full statement about the findings of recent monitoring of the coastline in west Cumbria; and if he will make a statement.
  254
  Mr. Curry
  I have sought and received assurance from British Nuclear Fuels plc that it will continue to release full information on this matter as it becomes available. The Government's own monitoring programme confirms there is no threat to the public.

  Swine Influenza
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of recorded cases of pigs with swine influenza caused by virus strain type HI 195852 by region.

  Mr. Soames
  Although the Department is aware of a recent apparent increase in the incidence of respiratory disease in pigs, swine influenza is not a notifiable disease, so comprehensive data are not maintained.

DEFENCE

  Interdisciplinary Research Centres
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has any plans(a) to renew its funding of the interdisciplinary research centre on semiconductor materials which ended in March and (b) to fund any other interdisciplinary research centres.

  Mr. Aitken
  The answers arc(a) yes, and (b) no.

  Research
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the 11 polytechnics and 43 universities referred to in his answers to the hon. Member for Brent, East on 20 January,Official Report, column 16 and to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 12 February 1985, Official Report, column 141 at which his Department has funded research in the last three years.

  Mr. Aitken
  I will place a list of the bodies concerned in the Library of the House.

  Chemical and Biological Warfare
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location of all facilities shared by Britain with any other countries in the field of chemical and biological warfare; and what is the nature of their work.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No facilities are shared with any nation for chemical and biological warfare or defence. The United Kingdom abandoned all offensive chemical and biological weapons in the late 1950s. Since then the United Kingdom has been wholly concerned with chemical and biological defence, ie the provision of effective protective measures for the United Kingdom armed forces.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are on the Chemical and Biological Defence Board of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 11 December 1991,Official Report, column 476; how many on the Chemical and Biological Defence Board are from universities and polytechnics; and what are the occupations and backgrounds of the others on the board.
  255
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Chemical and Biological Defence Board comprises up to 22 members, including 12 independent members from industry, universities and institutions of higher education, and 10 official members from the civil service and the armed forces. The current strength is nine independent members—five from universities and four from the private sector—and 10 official members—six service officers, of whom four are medically qualified, plus four senior scientific civil servants from various Government Departments.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year Britain stopped producing chemical and biological weapons; for what reasons this decision was taken; which committees within the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet Office were involved in making the decision; and whether the papers are openly available to be seen in the Public Records Office.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Britain stopped producing biological weapons in 1943 and chemical weapons in 1945. Biological weapon production, which was very limited, ended when the required stockpile had been achieved. Production of chemical weapons ceased because there was a sufficient stockpile, including captured German stocks. The United Kingdom unilaterally abandoned all offensive chemical and biological weapons over 30 years ago in the late 1950s and since then our role has been to ensure that the United Kingdom armed forces are effectively protected against chemical and biological weapons. Relevant papers are not available in the Public Records Office.

  The rest of the question could be answered only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the names of the general defence agreements in which information in the field of chemical and biological defence is passed between Britain, the United States of America and other allies; and when each of these agreements was signed.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are a number of agreements with NATO allies covering research, development, deployment and standardisation of chemical and biological defence equipment. The following international agreements include chemical and biological defence in their scope:

  a. The United Kingdom-United States-Canada memorandum of understanding on chemical and biological (CB) defence which addresses research, development, production and procurement of chemical and biological defence equipment. This was signed in 1980 and has been an extremely effective means of ensuring close collaboration between the three countries.

  b. NATO army armaments group (NAAG) panel VII on nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) defence and its sub-panels and working groups are the main NATO fora. CB defence is.also discussed by other NATO panels and by the NATO defence research group.

  c. The United Kingdom-United States-Canada-Australia American, British and Canadian Armies (ABCA) agreement between the Armies of the four countries. This includes a group known as the Quadrupartite Working Group (QWG) which has a panel on NBC defence.

  d. The United Kingdom-United States-Canada-Australia air standardisation co-ordinating committee agreement which also has a sub-group addressing CB defence.

  e. The United Kingdom-United States navies have an information exchange agreement which includes NBC defence in its scope.

  f. The technical co-operation programme which involves the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is concerned with collaboration in defence research and has a sub-group that is active on CB defence.

  256

  g. The Anglo-French defence research group allows the exchange of information and collaboration on research for CB defence.

  h. The Anglo-Netherlands-Norwegian collaboration project exchange of information and collaboration on research for CB defence.

  i. FINABEL, an army-army agreement covering CB defence information exchange between Britain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Belgium.

  Suicides
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department's research and development establishments have committed suicide since 1985; and if he will list them according to the date and the establishment where each was working.

  Mr. Aitken
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Genetic Engineering
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts and agreements currently exist between his Department and universities and other institutions of higher education for the research related to genetic engineering referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 30 June 1988,Official Report, column 313.

  Mr. Aitken
  One, sponsored by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  Forces Welfare Funds
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to increase the level of British forces welfare funds.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The funding and resources made available for the wide variety of activities grouped together under the general term of "welfare" are kept under continual review.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list of Ministry of Defence research projects in universities and polytechnics which are unclassified.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our practice to give details of individual research contracts.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many research projects in British universities and polytechnics have been funded since December 1985 through the United States strategic defence initiative programme; what has been the total value of these projects; and how many universities and polytechnics in Britain have received funding through the strategic defence initiative programme since December 1985;

  (2) how many research projects in British universities and polytechnics are currently being funded under the United States strategic defence initiative programme; what is the total value of these projects; and how many British universities and polytechnics are currently receiving funding for research from the strategic defence initiative programme.
  257
  Mr. Aitken
  Since the signing of the memorandum of understanding on SDI between the United States and the United Kingdom, we understand that some 41 such contracts worth over $10·7 million in total have been awarded by the United States, benefiting 23 United Kingdom academic institutions. Nineteen of these contracts are still current, valued at approximately $6·4 million. Thirteen universities and polytechnics are involved in this current research work.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many scientific papers the staff of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down have published in open scientific journals and literature in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. Therefore, I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Monoclonal Antibodies
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts and agreements currently exist between his Department and universities and other institutions of higher education for research related to the production or application of monoclonal antibodies, referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 30 June 1988,Official Report, column 314.

  Mr. Aitken
  Two, sponsored by the Defence Research Agency.

  Careers Liaison Officers
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff from the Atomic Weapons Establishment have been appointed careers liaison officers to universities or polytechnics in the last three years; and which universities or polytechnics have been involved.

  Mr. Aitken
  The MOD nominates suitable members of staff to act as recruitment liaison officers with universities and polytechnics on its behalf. Over the last three years nine staff serving at AWE have been so nominated.

  Private Anthony Evans
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the investigation into the case of Private Anthony Evans lately of the Royal Regiment of Wales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Ex-Private Evan's allegations of racial abuse by members of his battalion have been investigated by the special investigations branch of the Royal Military Police and subsequently by a board of inquiry.

  The findings of the board of inquiry will next be considered by the Army Board.

  Playgroups
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual grant to pre-school playgroups for children of service families.
  258
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is no direct MOD grant to individual pre-school playgroups for children of service families. The Ministry of Defence does fund a number of posts within the Pre-School Playgroups Association to provide co-ordination of the support to the PPA network of fieldworkers in British Forces Germany, and general support and guidance to playgroups in other overseas commands. This co-ordination ensures appropriate training and development of fieldworkers to promote good practice in pre-school playgroups in service locations. The grant made available to the PPA in the current financial year is £116,000.

  Submarines
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects tenders to be invited for the ordering of batch 2 Trafalgar class submarines.

  Mr. Aitken
  Studies into the design of a batch 2 Trafalgar class are in progress. Subject to the outcome, we expect to invite tenders for design and build of the first submarine during the course of next year.

  Collaborative Projects
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the collaborative projects on military equipment currently being undertaken by the United Kingdom and other countries in the Western European Union.

  Mr. Aitken
  The following is a list of collaborative projects currently being undertaken by the United Kingdom and at least one other country which is a member of the Western European Union:

  Collaborative project

  Country(s)

  IN PRODUCTION OR SERVICE

  Naval equipment

  Other participants

  NATO Ships Inertial Navigation System

  Canada, Netherlands, Spain

  Land equipment

  FH70 Howitzer

  Germany, Italy

  M483A1 Artillery Shell

  Netherlands, Turkey, United States

  Scorpion Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Belgium

  Multiple-Launch Rocket System Phase I

  France, Germany, Italy, United States

  Multiple-Launch Rocket System Phase II

  Germany

  Missiles

  Martel Air-to-Surface

  France

  Sidewinder Air-to-Air

  Germany, Italy, Norway

  Milan Anti-Tank (including improvements)

  France, Germany

  Air Systems

  Jaguar

  France

  Lynx

  France

  Puma

  France

  Gazelle

  France

  Tornado

  Germany, Italy

  Other Equipment

  Other Participants

  Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS)

  Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United States

  259

  Collaborative project

  Country(s)

  IN DEVELOPMENT OR EARLIER STUDY PHASES

  Naval equipment

  Other participants

  The Future Frigate

  France

  NATO Improved Link Eleven

  Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, United States

  Land equipment

  COBRA(Counter Battery Radar)

  France, Germany

  Multiple-Launch Rocket System Phase III

  France, Germany, United States

  Aimed Control Effect Anti-Tank Mine

  France, Germany

  Future Tank Main Armament

  France, Germany, United States

  Missiles

  TRIGAT (Third Generation Anti-Tank Guided Weapon)

  Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands

  Family of Anti-Air Missile Systems

  France, Italy

  Air Systems

  Airborne Radar Demonstrator System

  France, United States

  European Fighter Aircraft

  Germany, Italy, Spain

  EH101 Helicopter

  Italy

  RTM322 Helicopter Engine

  France

  Other Participants

  Allied Standard Avionics Architecture Initiative

  France, Germany, United States

  Other equipment

  NIS Question and Answer Component Development

  France, Germany, Italy, United States

  ADA Computer Language

  Canada, Denmark, France,

  Project Support

  Germany, Italy,

  Environment

  Netherlands, Norway, Spain, United States

  Allied Data Systems Interoperability Agency NATO Procedural Interoperability Standards

  France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, United States

  Army Cadet Force
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army Cadet Force units are operating in Scotland.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  216.

  Naval Craft
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which(a) Leander class frigates and (b) Ton class minehunters are currently in service in the Royal Navy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Navy currently has six Leander class frigates, Andromeda, Argonaut, Hermione, Juno, Scylla and Sirius, and six ton class minehunters, Brinton, Iveston, Kellington, Nurton, Sheraton and Wilton.

  Ministerial Visit, Washington
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) matters discussed and (b) decisions taken, during his meeting with his United States counterpart on his recent visit to Washington.
  260
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence discussed a wide variety of issues of mutual interest with Mr. Cheney during his visit to Washington.

  UNCED
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what particular contributions his Department has made to the United Kingdom submissions to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June; and what has been the cost of his Department's input.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In common with other Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence has been consulted on preparatory work for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development but has not been required to make any particular contributions.

  Arms Fairs
  Mrs. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the arms and military equipment fairs in which his Department has participated since 1 April 1991; what has been the cost of participation in each respective fair; and what financial or logistical support has been given by his Department to United Kingdom arms and military equipment manufacturers to attend these fairs.

  Mr. Aitken
  In the period from 1 April 1991, the Defence Export Services Organisation exhibited at the following arms and military equipment exhibitions:

  Exhibition

  Extra cost to MOD£

  DCEE Birmingham

  10.000

  Paris Airshow

  200,000

  Dubai International

  18,000

  LIMA, Malaysia

  7,000

  Defence Seoul

  6,000

  AIDEX, Canberra

  18,000

  Asian Aerospace, Singapore

  8,000

  Defence Services Asia, Malaysia

  6,000

  In addition the Royal Navy equipment exhibition was held in September 1991. All extra costs incurred in this exhibition were recovered from participating companies.

  No financial or logistical support was given by MOD to United Kingdom arms and military equipment manufacturers to enable them to attend these exhibitions.

  REME Workshops, Liverpool
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the letter of 29 April from the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby, respecting the future of No. 42 command workshops, REME in West Derby, Liverpool.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 20 May 1992.

  Woolwich Arsenal
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the listed buildings, and their grading, on the Woolwich arsenal site, with the estimated costs of refurbishment.
  261
  Mr. Aitken
  The listed buildings at the Royal Arsenal site together with the gradings are as follows:

  Gradings

  1. The Brass Foundry (in DOE ownership)

  I

  2. Verbruggens House

  II

  3. The Main Guard House

  II

  4. Dial Arch Block

  II

  5. Riverside Guard Rooms (2 No.)

  II

  6. Royal Laboratory Pavilions

  II

  7. Old Military Academy

  *II

  8. Officers Block

  II

  9. Grand Store complex (4 No.)

  II

  10. Shell Foundry Gatehouse

  II

  11. Middle Gate House (part only)

  II

  12. Royal Carriage Factory

  II

  13. Armstrong Gun Factory

  II

  14. New Laboratory Square

  II

  Preliminary estimates of the cost of refurbishing those buildings in MOD ownership to a reasonable standard is likely to be in the order of £12 million.

  Army Air Corps
  Mr. Home Roberston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent to date on works at Dishforth to accommodate the Army Air Corps; what plans he has for Army Air Corps deployment at Dishforth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  To date, some £39 million has been spent on works to accommodate the Army Air Corps at Dishforth.

  Under the plans for restructuring the Army announced in "Britain's Army for the 90s" (Cm 1595) an Army Air Corps Regiment will continue to be based at Dishforth.

  Household Division
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the review of the performance of public ceremonial duties in London by the Household Division.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Public duties are not exempt from the reduction in the size of the Army, and we will seek to reduce the manpower bill for such duties wherever it is sensible and practical to do so. There is no question of putting security or major ceremonial occasions at risk.

  Ark Royal
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the bombing of the Ark Royal aircraft carrier by a Royal Navy Sea Harrier during a training exercise on 20 April; what will be the cost of repair to the ship; and what steps have been taken to avoid a repeat of such an accident.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During a routine training exercise on 20 April a small practice bomb, released by a Sea Harrier aircraft, struck and penetrated the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal. The exercise involved the practice bombing of a surface target which was being towed some 500 yards astern of Ark Royal.

  There were six casualties who suffered injuries, mainly burns; damage to the ship was minor. Immediate repairs were carried out allowing the ship to proceed with its task; further repairs are being undertaken during the ship's current stay in Portsmouth. The cost of these repairs is around £60,000.

  A board of inquiry was convened and its final report is awaited. The board of inquiry will make recommendations on any action which it considers necessary; in the interim, as a prudent precaution, all Royal Navy Sea Harrier practice bomb attacks against towed targets have been suspended.

  MOGADISHU AND KHARTOUM: SAFE ACCESS
  MOGADISHU AND KHARTOUM: SAFE ACCESS
  SOUTHERN AFRICA: AID FUNDING
  SOUTHERN AFRICA: AID FUNDING
  KENYA: REFUGEE CARE
  KENYA: REFUGEE CARE
  SOUTHERN AFRICA: UK FOOD AID
  SOUTHERN AFRICA: UK FOOD AID
  AFRICA: UK ASSISTANCE
  AFRICA: UK ASSISTANCE