Written Answers of 2 November 1992

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to take a decision on whether to prosecute the SPUC under the Representation of the People Act 1986 in connection with the last general election in the constituency of Halifax.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions is considering allegations that an offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983 has been committed by the SPUC in connection with the last general election in constituencies in West Yorkshire—Halifax—Avon—Weston-super-Mare—and Lancashire—Hyndburn. The Director is seeking the advice of counsel and a decision on whether any offence appears to have been committed by any person will be taken in the light of that advice.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Murderers
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average number of years which have been served by prisoners convicted for murder who have been released in the last two years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  According to the records held centrally, which are approximate, the average time served under sentence in prison service establishments by murderers first released on licence in 1990 was 12·4 years. The provisional estimate for 1991 is 12·1 years.

  These figures are published annually in "Prison Statistics England and Wales"—table 8·5 of the volume for 1990, Cm 1800.

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees, and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The readily available information about the appointments for which my Department is responsible, including salary details, is given in "Public Bodies" which is published annually and in "Public Appointments: A Handbook for Women's Organisations" which also gives information on the period of appointments and the qualifications and background required of candidates. Copies of both publications are in the Library. The 1992 editions of both publications, with information about the most recent appointments, are due to be published in December.

  Fire Brigades (Fleet Maintenance)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fleet mechanics are employed within each fire brigade area in Wales; and how many are also employed as part-time fire fighters.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The figures supplied by brigades on 23 October 1992 are as follows:

  A Brigade

  B Number of brigade fleet mechanics

  C Number in column B who retained firefighters

  Clwyd

  nil (local authority staff)

  nil

  Dyfed

  6

  5

  Mid Glamorgan

  11

  nil

  South Glamorgan

  4

  nil

  West Glamorgan

  nil (local authority staff)

  nil

  Gwent

  nil (local authority staff)

  nil

  Gwynedd

  5

  nil

  Powys

  4

  2

  —

  —

  Totals

  30

  7

  Animal Abuse
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to update and increase as appropriate the penalties for offences of animal abuse in the relevant legislation from 1822 to 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The maximum penalties available to the courts for offences in legislation relating to animal abuse for which my right hon. and learned Friend, the Home Secretary, is responsible are kept under regular review. However, the Government have no plans at present to increase existing penalty levels.

  Under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, the monetary values of the levels on the standard scale of fines for offences tried in magistrates courts, which will include many animal abuse offences, were uprated from 1 October 1992.

  Stolen Property
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the value of property recorded by the police as stolen in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage of this was recovered.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: Information for 1990 is published in tables 2·13 and 2·15 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1990", a copy of which is available in the Library. Information for 1991 has not yet been finalised.

  Prison Deaths
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all deaths that have occurred in 1991 of persons detained in prison department establishments, stating, in each case, the age and sex of the inmates and cause of death, the inquest verdict, whether the inmate was sentenced or on remand, the establishment where the inmate was detained, whether the death occurred there or
  3
  in an outside hospital and, for where the death occurred within the prison, whether the inmate was segregated either in the hospital wing or in the punishment block.

  Death of prisoners in Her Majesty's Prison Service custody in 1991

  Date

  Establishment

  Age

  Sex

  Status1

  Cause of Death

  Inquest Verdict

  Location at lime of death2

  6 January

  Gloucester

  42

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  7 January

  The Mount

  19

  M

  S

  Hanging Uraemia

  Suicide

  GOAD

  14 January

  Lincoln

  62

  M

  S

  necrosis

  Natural

  OH

  16 January

  Norwich

  36

  M

  S

  Hanging Myocardial

  Suicide

  OL

  18 January

  Blundeston

  34

  M

  S

  dysplasia

  Natural

  OL

  19 January

  Wandsworth

  29

  M

  S

  Cut throat

  Suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed and aggravated by lack of care

  OH3

  25 January

  Full Sutton

  35

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  PH

  4 February

  Maidstone

  64

  M

  S

  Heart failure

  Natural

  OH

  11 February

  Manchester

  22

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  19 February

  Stafford

  40

  M

  S

  —

  Unlawfully killed

  OH4

  22 February

  Cardiff

  23

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  VPU

  2 March

  Brixton

  37

  M

  R

  Heart failure

  Accidental Suicide in circumstances brought about by

  OH

  6 March

  Liverpool

  22

  M

  R

  Hanging

  lack of care

  OL

  10 March

  Bristol

  32

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide aggravated by lack of care

  PH

  21 March

  Wakefield

  59

  M

  S

  Cardiac arrest

  Natural

  OL

  23 March

  Wormwood Scrubs

  56

  M

  S

  Haemoperi-cardium

  Natural

  PRES Hostel

  7 April

  Oxford

  29

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Accidental

  OL

  8 April

  Manchester

  31

  M

  R

  Overdose

  Not yet held

  PH

  9 April

  Wandsworth

  25

  M

  S

  Cerebral infarction

  Natural

  OH

  17 April

  Garth

  38

  M

  S

  Cut wrists

  Suicide

  OL

  19 April

  Leeds

  31

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Open

  OL

  10 May

  Camp Hill

  51

  M

  S

  Heart attack

  Natural

  OH

  13 May

  Liverpool

  30

  M

  S

  Heart/lung failure

  Suicide

  OH5

  13 May

  Durham

  33

  M

  CU

  Possible dystonic reaction to haloperidol

  Open

  PH6

  21 May

  Wakefield

  49

  M

  S

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  OL

  22 May

  Littlehey

  46

  M

  S

  Cardiac arrest

  Natural

  PH

  27 May

  Brixton

  24

  M

  CU

  Hanging

  Suicide in circumstances aggravated by lack of care

  PH

  27 May

  Featherstone

  34

  M

  S

  Hanging Myocardial

  Suicide in circumstances aggravated by lack of care

  Seg(GOAD)

  1 June

  Wandsworth

  64

  M

  S

  infarction

  Natural

  OH

  8 June

  Wormwood Scrubs

  21

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Open

  OH

  13 June

  Haverigg

  31

  M

  S

  Sclerosis of liver

  Natural

  OH

  2 July

  Blantyre House

  27

  M

  S

  Overdose

  Accidental

  OL

  8 July

  Durham

  27

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  18 July

  Pentonville

  54

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed

  PH

  18 July

  Wakefield

  37

  M

  S

  Stabbed

  Not held

  OL

  21 July

  Parkhurst

  29

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide brought about by lack of care

  OL

  26 July

  Full Sutton

  34

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Misadventure

  OH7

  30 July

  Liverpool

  34

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  PH

  31 July

  Grendon

  30

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OH8

  31 July

  Durham

  63

  M

  S

  Acute myocardial infarction

  Natural

  OH

  31 July

  Manchester

  21

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  2 August

  Birmingham

  25

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  PH

  11 August

  Preston

  45

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  PH

  16 August

  Dorcester

  45

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Open

  OL

  18 August

  Wakefield

  31

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  26 August

  Birmingham

  23

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  31 August

  Feltham

  18

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  11 September

  Wakefield

  65

  M

  S

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  PH

  4
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: The information is given in the table. Only one prisoner who died in the prison health care centre was segregated for reasons of good order and discipline—see footnote 6.
  5

  Date

  Establishment

  Age

  Sex

  Status1

  Cause of Death

  Inquest Verdict

  Location at time of death2

  16 September

  Nottingham

  45

  M

  S

  Hanging Drug

  Not yet held

  OL

  21 September

  Winchester

  45

  M

  R

  poisoning

  Misadventure

  OL

  21 September

  Glen Parva

  20

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  22 September

  Feltham

  15

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Accidental

  OL

  1 October

  Norwich

  30

  M

  S

  Asthma attack

  Open

  OL

  5 October

  Kirkham

  54

  M

  S

  Heart attack

  Not held

  OH

  7 October

  Grendon

  37

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  APU

  8 October

  Pentonville

  32

  M

  IA

  Acute cardiac9failure

  Not yet held

  Seg(GOAD)

  16 October

  Cardiff

  33

  M

  R

  Overdose

  Suicide while balance of mind was disturbed

  PH

  18 October

  Winchester

  40

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  PH

  25 October

  Haverigg

  25

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Open

  OL

  25 October

  Leicester

  65

  M

  S

  Lung cancer

  Natural

  OH

  28 October

  Stafford

  29

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Open

  OL

  9 November

  Usk

  52

  M

  S

  Heart attack

  Natural

  OL

  10 November

  Maidstone

  64

  M

  S

  haemorrhage

  Natural

  OH

  12 November

  Birmingham

  44

  M

  R

  Overdose

  Suicide

  OL

  13 November

  Norwich

  49

  M

  R

  Overdose

  Misadventure

  OL

  31 November

  Swaleside

  41

  M

  S

  Pulminary aneurysm

  Natural

  OL

  12 December

  Garth

  49

  M

  S

  Heart attack

  Natural

  OL

  14 December

  Stoke Heath

  19

  M

  CU

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  17 December

  Long Lartin

  52

  M

  S

  Overdose

  Suicide

  OL

  28 December

  Leeds

  30

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL(OP)

  1 Status:-R—Remand.

  CU—Convicted unsentenced.

  S—Sentenced.

  IA—Detained under the Immigration Act..

  2 Location:- OL—Ordinary location within prison.

  GOAD—Good order and discipline wing.

  PH—Prison health care centre.

  VPU—Vulnerable prisoner unit.

  PRES—Pre-release hostel.

  APU—Acute psychiatric unit within prison.

  Seg(GOAD)—Located in the Segregation Unit for reasons of good order and discipline (Rule 430).

  OL(OP)—Located on ordinary location, but segregated for prisoner's own protection.

  3 Prisoner cut throat on ordinary location: death occurred in an outside hospital.

  4 Prisoner was assaulted on ordinary location: death occurred in an outside hospital.

  5 Prisoner set fire to himself in prison health care centre: death occurred in an outside hospital.

  6 Prisoner was located in a special cell in the health care centre following a series of violent oubursts. No anatomical cause of death was found, but it was thought to have resulted from a dystonic reaction to haloperidol.

  7 Prisoner was found hanging in Segregation Unit, where he was located for reasons of good order and discipline: death occurred in an outside hospital.

  8 Prisoner was found hanging in the Acute Psychiatric Unit: death occurred in an an outside hospital.

  9 The post mortem failed to reveal the exact cause of death, but concluded there was a 'strong possibility of acute cardiac failure' and a more remote possibility of asphyxia.

  Criminal Justice Act 1991
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training has been received by probation officers, judges, magistrates, recorders and justices' clerks in preparation for the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: The probation service has undertaken a major training exercise for probation officers in preparation for the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. This training covered full details of the legislation as well as its implications for probation practice. The Judicial Studies Board has provided comprehensive guidance and training on the Act for both the professional and the lay judiciary. Judges of the Court of Appeal and the High Court were given a briefing in the Lord Chief Justice's court, while judges, recorders and assistant recorders sitting in Crown courts received a guide to the sentencing provisions of the
  6
  Act as part of the Crown Court bench book on sentencing. The Judicial Studies Board produced an introduction of the Act and a copy of this document was sent to each magistrate. A comprehensive training package was also produced to assist those, usually justices' clerks, who train the magistrates. The Home Office also held a series of special conferences attended by representatives of the agencies involved in the criminal justice system.

  Crime
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the likely impact of(a) the continued recession and (b) the effect of future levels of benefits or public services on (i) the crime rate and (ii) inner city and other disorder; and what assessment he has made of whether the police will be able to cope with such developments.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: There are very many variables that may affect the crime rate—not least the behaviour of individual offenders. The

  7
  relationship between crime levels and economic activity is analysed in Home Office research study 119 "Trends in Crime and their Interpretation: A Study of Recorded Crime in Post-war England and Wales"—a copy of which is in the Library. Factors which might affect public order in inner cities are kept under constant review. The Government will continue to ensure that the police and other criminal justice services are provided with the necessary resources to respond to crime whatever its source or reason.

  Emergency Planning
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the measure of protection to local authority grant to be given within the diminishing total expenditure on civil defence indicated in his speech to the emergency planning conference on 30 June;

  (2) what steps he has taken to check preparedness and resources available to local emergency planners in the light of the Amsterdam air disaster.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: Since July 1991, when the then Home Secretary undertook to give a measure of protection to local authority civil defence grant provided that certain conditions were met, current grant has been maintained at the same level despite substantial cuts in civil defence expenditure as a whole. In addition, local authorities have been encouraged to use the grant more flexibly to improve local authority response to local peacetime disasters such as that which occurred in Amsterdam.

  The prime responsibility for responding to disasters in this country lies at the local level where the resources and the expertise are to be found. Home Office officials routinely discuss local emergency preparedness as part of the process of monitoring civil defence grant. In addition, the recently published Home Office guidance "Dealing with Disasters" is aimed at assisting the local response.

WALES

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are currently undertaken by his Department to encourage the establishment of credit unions in rural Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The development of credit unions in Wales is a responsibility of the Welsh Co-operative Development Training Centre. My Department has, however, provided assistance for certain credit unions under the urban programme and I am prepared to consider applications for support towards credit unions in rural areas under the rural initiative capital projects programme, where these meet the criteria of the scheme.

  Fishing Fleet
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are being taken to protect the viability of the Welsh fishing fleet.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A number of EC, United Kingdom and local measures have been introduced to conserve fish stocks and thus maintain the viability of the fishing 8
  industry. In February the Government announced a new package of measures, including decommissioning grants and days at sea allocations, designed to control fishing effort and conserve fish stocks.

  NHS Spending
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is NHS spending in Wales, per capita for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the following table, together with a comparable table of per capita figures expressed in 1992–93 prices.

  Year

  Gross NHS per capita expenditure

  £

  At 1992–93 prices £

  1979–80

  171

  415

  1980–81

  220

  450

  1981–82

  251

  468

  1982–83

  277

  485

  1983–84

  294

  491

  1984–85

  319

  506

  1985–86

  339

  511

  1986–87

  363

  531

  1987–88

  400

  553

  1988–89

  444

  573

  1989–90

  47S

  578

  1990–91

  534

  597

  1991–92

  612

  639

  1992–93

  674

  674

  Drugs
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are under way to combat illegal drug use in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government have a comprehensive strategy for tackling drug misuse. The objective is to attack the problem by simultaneous action on five main fronts:

  Reducing supplies from abroad.

  Making enforcement even more effective.

  Maintaining effective deterrents and tight domestic controls.

  Developing prevention.

  Improving treatment and rehabilitation.

  The Welsh Office has specific responsibility for the last two in Wales, but does take a close interest in the others.

  Services are provided on a multi-agency basis by statutory and voluntary organisations, many of which are funded through their district health authority from the central funding initiative, providing a wide range of interventions and prevention campaigns.

  Advice on an all-Wales basis is provided to the Department, and to local agencies by the Welsh Committee on Drug Misuse which was established in 1986.

  Fish Stocks
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action is being undertaken to protect and enhance sea trout and salmon stocks in the rivers of Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In England and Wales statutory responsibility for the maintenance, improvement and development of salmon and sea trout fisheries rests with
  9
  the National Rivers Authority. I have asked Dr. John Stoner, the NRA Welsh regional manager, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Radioactivity
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action is being taken to monitor radioactivity off the coast of Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Directorate of fisheries research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food undertakes monitoring of radioactivity around the coast of Wales on behalf of the Welsh Office. Samples such as fish, shellfish, seaweed and sediments are taken from a number of locations and the results are regularly published. Copies of the reports are kept in the Library of the House. This monitoring work is supplemented by Government-sponsored research on specific aspects of radioactivity in the environment.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cargoes of toxic ash from waste incineration have been brought for storage or burning on landfill sites in Wales during the past five years; and if he will specify the quantity of ash transported in each year.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  Farm and Countryside Grant Scheme
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many claims under the farm and conservation grant scheme have been disallowed by his Department in each year since its inception.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  1989

  19

  1990

  110

  1991

  66

  1 1992

  50

  1 To 30 September.

  Sheep Annual Premium
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many claims for sheep annual premium have been disallowed by his Department in each of the past three years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  1989

  51

  1990

  105

  1991

  285

  19921

  96

  1 to 30 October.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by location and size of site, areas of known contaminated land in Wales; and if he will make a statement on how restorative action will be taken to clean up these sites.
  10
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Surveys of possibly contaminated land in Wales were undertaken on behalf of the Welsh Office in 1982 and 1988. Copies of the later report are held in the Library of the House.

  The Welsh Development Agency is tackling contaminated land as part of its extensive land reclamation programme. Powers are also available to local authorities to ensure the treatment of contaminated land where it poses a threat to the environment or public health. The National Rivers Authority has powers to remedy pollution of controlled waters. In addition, contaminated land is a material planning consideration for local planning authorities to take account of in considering new development.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement listing which hospitals he will invite to apply for trust status in 1994; and what policy considerations he will use in choosing applicants for 1994 trust status.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's statement of 29 October at column 1148. The health units and ambulance services invited to prepare formal applications to become NHS trusts in April 1994 are:

  Gwynedd Health Authority

  Acute Unit (Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor)

  Community Health

  Gwent Health Authority

  North Gwent Acute Unit (Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny)

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  Velindre Hospital

  Mid Glamorgan Health Authority

  Merthyr/Cynon Health Unit (Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil)

  Rhondda Health Unit

  Taff Ely Health Unit (East Glamorgan Hospital, Church Village)

  Rhymney Valley Health Unit (Caerphilly Miners' Hospital)

  West Glamorgan Health Authority

  North Unit (Morriston Hospital, Swansea)

  District Services Unit

  East Dyfed Health Authority

  Mental Health Unit (St. David's Hospital, Carmarthen)

  Ambulance Service

  Clwyd and Gwynedd joint proposal

  East Dyfed and West Glamorgan joint proposal

  Mid Glamorgan

  An application for NHS trust status must demonstrate benefits to patients and quality improvement, management capability and capacity, involvement of key professional staff, especially consultants, in management and financial soundness.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to ensure that appointments he makes of chairman or chairwoman for NHS trusts are made regardless of race, creed, gender or political persuasion.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Appointments will he made on the basis of aptitude and merit.
  11
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on the application for trust status by the South Glamorgan, Powys and Gwent ambulance services;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the applications for NHS trust status by Welsh hospitals.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's statement of 29 October, at column 1148.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for setting the salary of the post of chairman or chairwoman of NHS trusts in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Levels of remuneration for chairmen and chairwomen of NHS trusts in Wales are set in three bands as follows:

  £

  Band 1

  Trusts with turnover in excess of £50 million

  19,285

  Band 2

  Trusts with turnover between £20 million and £50 million

  17,145

  Band 3

  Trusts with turnover of less than £20 million

  15,125

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the representations that have been made with respect to each of the trust applications for operation from 1 April 1993; and if he will categorise them by(a) pro, (b) anti or (c) neutral.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Up to and including 29 October, the number of representations received are as follows:

  Health unit

  In support

  Opposed

  Undeclared

  Total

  Clwyd Acute North

  11

  11

  5

  27

  Clwyd Acute South

  9

  10

  10

  29

  Clwyd Community and Mental Health

  12

  8

  8

  28

  Powys

  5

  15

  8

  28

  South Gwent Acute

  3

  17

  8

  28

  Gwent Community and Mental Health

  5

  12

  8

  25

  Llandough Hospital

  10

  6

  4

  20

  Ogwr

  7

  11

  5

  23

  West Unit, West Glam

  19

  49

  22

  90

  East Unit, West Glam

  2

  13

  5

  20

  Llanelli/Dinefwr

  6

  4

  6

  16

  Carmarthen/Dinefwr

  7

  4

  7

  16

  Ceredigion

  10

  11

  15

  36

  Gwent, Powys and South Glamorgan Ambulance Service

  1

  22

  11

  34

  Total

  107

  193

  122

  422

  National Poisons Centre
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to promote the development of the national poisons centre located at Llandough hospital.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are currently no specific proposals to develop the service provided at the Welsh national poisons unit at Llandough hospital. I would 12
  expect the service provided by the poisons unit to be responsive to the needs of purchasers and health gain priorities.

  Cigarettes
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new measures are being introduced to halt the sale of cigarettes to minors.

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  The latest measures to halt the sale of cigarettes to minors are contained in the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991, the main provisions of which came into force on 1 March 1992. The Act, among other things, strengthens the law on illegal sales of cigarettes to children under the age of 16 and clarifies the duties of local authorities in enforcing the law in this area.

EDUCATION

  Engineering
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to increase the involvement of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in increasing the number of qualified engineers.

  Mr. Forman
  My right hon. Friend is aware of the work which the Institute of Electrical Engineers carries out in schools. Its distribution of careers literature and provision of speakers to encourage young people to study engineering is most welcome.

  The Government are always pleased to welcome any initiatives from those within the engineering profession, to increase the numbers of qualified engineers.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many engineering places are available in advanced education; how many arc unfilled; and what action he is taking to encourage the filling of unfilled places and to promote the teaching of engineering in schools.

  Mr. Forman
  Information on "available" and "unfilled" places in engineering is not collected centrally.

  The Government are taking a number of initiatives to encourage the study of engineering. In schools the introduction of the national curriculum has made the teaching of technology, science and mathematics compulsory for all pupils from five to 16. Schools are also being encouraged to offer a range of vocational courses, both alongside the national curriculum and also for over-16s, particularly the new general national vocational qualifications. Currently, one in five entrants to engineering degrees enter on the basis of vocational qualifications. In addition initiatives such as the higher introductory technology and engineering conversion courses have encouraged those previously without a science background to study engineering.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action he takes to ensure that the advanced education sector promotes engineering degrees.

  Mr. Forman
  The planning and funding of the United Kingdom higher education system is essentially demand led. Higher education institutions are autonomous and
  13
  recruit according to student demand. However, institutions do receive a higher publicly funded fee for students studying laboratory and workshop courses. This should encourage them to promote courses like engineering.

  Adult Students
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding arrangements his Department proposes to put in place to enable adult returner students to take up courses and learning programmes in further education colleges.

  Mr. Forman
  The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 places a duty upon the Further Education Funding Council to secure the provision of further education for adults of a type set out in schedule 2 to the Act; and upon local education authorities to secure provision of all other kinds of further education for adults. These duties may be carried out in further education colleges or other institutions providing for adults. The funding of the Council and of LEAs will take account of these statutory duties.

  LEAs have the power to make discretionary awards to those on further education courses. Access funds have also been made available to allow FE colleges to provide financial help to full-time students aged 19 or over.

  Refugees
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) refugees and (b) those applying for refugee status with temporary leave to remain in the United Kingdom are known to be currently attending courses at further education colleges; and from which countries they have come.

  Mr. Forman
  This information is not collected centrally.

  School Dinners
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total number of schoolchildren who had school dinners in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Forth
  Information about school meal take up in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in England in January of each year is shown in the table.

  Thousands

  Nursery/Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  All maintained schools

  11989

  1,836

  1,105

  66

  3,007

  21990

  1,845

  1.088

  59

  2,992

  21991

  1,808

  1,111

  57

  2,976

  31992

  1,820

  1,160

  59

  3,039

  1 Includes boarding pupils.

  2 Day pupils only.

  3 Provisional.

  Unemployed Students
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps are being taken by his Department to assist further education colleges in inner London to 14
  recruit more students, and in particular unemployed students; and if he will take steps to reduce the financial disincentives which currently apply where colleges enrol a high proportion of unemployed students.

  Mr. Forman
  Access funds have been made available to further education colleges to enable them to assist full-time and sandwich home students aged 19 or over who might otherwise be unable to participate in further education because of financial difficulties. The determination of college budgets, including the account taken of any fee remission schemes for students such as those who are unemployed, is currently a matter for the maintaining local education authority. From 1 April 1993, colleges will be transferred to a new further education sector arid funded direct by the Further Education Funding Council. They will have a financial incentive to increase participation and respond flexibly and quickly to demand from all members of the community.

  Harris City Technology College, Upper Norwood
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the current level of annual expenditure per child at Harris city technology college, Upper Norwood.

  Mr. Forth
  The level of recurrent grant notified to Harris city technology college for the current academic year, 1992–93, is £3·327 million for 830 pupils under the school-leaving age and 98 pupils over school-leaving age. This includes provision for diseconomies of scale during the college's build-up to full capacity and for services provided centrally by local education authorities to their schools.

  Secondary Education
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the average spending per child for secondary education in an inner London borough.

  Mr. Forth
  The latest year for which actual spending information is available is 1990–91. In that year, average funding in secondary schools in inner London boroughs was some £2,470 per pupil. This figure includes unspent balances held by schools at the year end under local management schemes. It does not include the cost of services provided centrally by local education authorities such as home to school transport, school meals, LEA central administration, and financing costs of capital expenditure.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to provide ring-fenced funding to grant-maintained schools to cover the cost of educating children with special educational needs who have not received statements from their local education authority.

  Mr. Forth
  The Education Reform Act places a duty on the governors of every grant-maintained school to use their best endeavours to secure the special educational provision that any individual pupil might require. It is for the governors to decide how to allocate the funds available to them in order to fufil this duty.
  15
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information he is collecting on the money spent by local education authorities to publicise GCSE and A-level examination results.

  Mr. Forth
  Local education authorities have been required to publish information about their schools' examination results in school prospectuses since 1981. No information is collected about the cost to them of so doing. My right hon. Friend is himself responsible for the compilation and publication of the comparative tables of school examination results which will be issued later this month.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will name those schools which have received grant-maintained status with an admissions' policy approved by him which allows for places to be allocated on the basis of ability or aptitude.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has approved the following schools for grant-maintained status with the selective admission arrangements under which they operated as local education authority-maintained schools.

  School

  Authority

  Adams' Grammar School

  Shropshire

  Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

  Lancashire

  Beaconsfield High School

  Buckinghamshire

  Bournemouth School

  Dorset

  Bournemouth School for Girls

  Dorset

  Caistor Grammar School

  Lincolnshire

  Carre's Grammar School

  Lincolnshire

  Chatham Grammar School for Girls

  Kent

  Chelmsford County High School for Girls

  Essex

  Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

  Lancashire

  Colyton Grammar School

  Devon

  Cranbrook School

  Kent

  Dartford Grammar School

  Kent

  Dartford Grammar School for Girls

  Kent

  Handsworth Grammar School for Boys

  Birmingham

  Heckmondwike Grammar School

  Kirklees

  Herschel Grammar School

  Berkshire

  King Edward VI Grammar School (GM)

  Essex

  King Edward VI School

  Lincolnshire

  Lancaster Girls Grammar School

  Lancashire

  Lancaster Royal Grammar School

  Lancashire

  Langley Grammar School

  Berkshire

  London Oratory School

  Hammersmith

  16

  School

  Authority

  Marling School

  Gloucestershire

  Newstead Wood School for Girls (GM)

  Bromley

  Nonsuch High School for Girls

  Sutton

  Oakwood Park Grammar School

  Kent

  Parkstone Grammar School

  Dorset

  Pate's Grant Maintained Grammar School

  Gloucestershire

  Queen Elizabeth Upper Atherstone GM School

  Warwickshire

  Queen Elizabeth's GM Grammar School

  Lincolnshire

  Queen Elizabeth's GM Grammar School

  Lincolnshire

  Rainham Mark Grammar School

  Kent

  Reading School

  Berkshire

  Ribston Hall High School

  Gloucestershire

  Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys

  Kent

  Sir Roger Manwood's School

  Kent

  Skegness Grammar School

  Lincolnshire

  St. George's Grant-Maintained School

  Lincolnshire

  Stroud High School

  Gloucestershire

  Sutton Grammar School for Boys

  Sutton

  The Crossley Heath School

  Calderdale

  The Crypt School

  Gloucestershire

  The Gartree Grant Maintained School

  Lincolnshire

  The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington

  Kent

  The Kings School Grantham

  Lincolnshire

  The North Halifax High School

  Calderdale

  The Skinners' School, Tunbridge Wells

  Kent

  Westcliff High School for Boys

  Essex

  Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

  Kent

  Wilsons School

  Sutton

  Wolverhampton Girls High School

  Wolverhampton

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list each of the responses to the White Paper on the future role of local authorities, referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) on 20 October 1992,Official Report, column 266.

  Mr. Forth
  Responses to the White Paper are treated as private communications from their authors. It would not be appropriate to make them public. There is nothing to prevent respondents from making their comments more widely available if they wish to do so.

  Student Loans Company
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the Student Loans Company will publish its annual report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  The Student Loans Company is publishing today its report for the academic year 1991–92. It includes the company's accounts for the financial year 1991–92. I have placed a copy of the report in the Library. The report describes a very solid year of achievement on the part of the company, and is a tribute to its board, management and staff.

ENVIRONMENT

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to introduce a mechanism for appeal against inclusion on the contaminated land register;

  (2) what plans he has to introduce mechanisms for ensuring removal from the contaminated land register of land which has been cleaned up and is no longer contaminated;

  (3) what plans he has to support the investigation and clean up of land included on the contaminated land register; and what funding arrangements will be available, with particular reference to cases where the polluter is no longer in existence;

  (4) what guidance he proposes to issue on the relationship between parts A and B of the contaminated land register; and how they are to be cross referenced for ease of inspection;

  (5) what steps he is taking to ensure that unlicensed and unrecorded contaminated land users are identified in the contaminated land register.

  Mr. Maclean
  Under our current proposals, on which we completed a period of consultation in early October, local authorities would be required under section 143 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to compile public registers of land which is, or has been, subject to contaminative uses. The proposals include prior notification of owners and occupiers of sites which are to be registered, with arrangements for them to challenge factual errors before registration takes place.

  As it is proposed that registers should record the facts of past or present contaminative uses of sites rather than actual contamination, it would not be consistent to remove sites from registers after contamination had been treated. Complete decontamination is in any case rare, and there can, in some circumstances, be continuing effects on water or adjacent land.

  Financial assistance is available to local authorities in the form of supplementary credit approvals for the costs of investigation of contamination and of any necessary remedial measures where it is not practicable to recover the costs of treatment from those responsible. Local authorities can still bid for approvals for 1992–93.

  Both parts of the registers would record only sites subject to contaminative uses which would be listed in regulations. Part B would record those registered sites which had been investigated or treated. The regulations defining the particulars to be included in registers would set out the criteria for inclusion in parts A and B.
  18
  Guidance to be published on information requirements for registers would recommend a method of cross-referencing between the two parts.

  The registers would contain sufficient information to identify each site and its contaminative use or uses. The past or current identity, licensing or authorisation of any particular site user would occur, if at all, only incidentally to the purposes of the register. Licensing authorities might well refer to registers and make inquiries about the status of any current use or user of a site.

  I am grateful to the more than 400 organisations and individuals who have responded to our current proposals. We are fully considering the various representations we have received, and will decide in the light of them our next steps in relation to the powers in section 143.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the expected annual consumption of ozone-destroying substances by the buildings evaluated earlier this year as possible new headquarters for his Department; and what quantitative method was used to incorporate the consumption of ozone-destroying chemicals in the evaluation of buildings considered as possible new headquarters for his Department.

  Mr. Maclean
  Consultants have carried out a preliminary environmental assessment of the buildings in question. That included identification of likely ozone-depleting substances. However, the assessment was not sufficiently detailed to quantify fully the various environmental effects.

  Mortgage Payments
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much average new mortgage repayments per month were in(a) May 1988 and (b) April 1992.

  Mr. Baldry
  The average new mortgage repayment on a building society loan is estimated as £250·45 per month in the second quarter of 1988 and £346·10 per month in the second quarter of 1992, based on the average advance and average mortgage interest rate in each period and an assumed mortgage length of 25 years.

  Motor Vehicles (Pollution)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much(a) carbon monoxide, (b) nitrogen oxides and (c) carbon dioxide pollution from motor vehicles there was in (a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Maclean
  Our most recent estimate of emissions of air pollutants from road transport in 1979 is as follows:

  (a) carbon monoxide—3·84 million tonnes;

  (b) nitrogen oxide—772 thousand tonnes, and

  (c) carbon dioxide—21·2 million tonnes.

  The equivalent figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make available to hon. Members on request press releases issued by his Department on the day of release.
  19
  Mr. Howard
  Copies of press releases issued by my Department are delivered on the day of issue to the press notice desk of the reference division of the House of Commons Library where they are available to hon. Members.

  Council Housing (Tendering)
  Ms. Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consult the views and wishes of tenants in implementing compulsory competitive tendering for local authority housing stock.

  Mr. Baldry
  More than 100 tenants' organisations responded to the Government's consultation paper, "Competing for Quality in Housing". The Housing and Urban Development Bill now before the House provides for effective tenant involvement in the drawing up and monitoring of contracts for the management of local authority housing, and tenant organisations will be consulted on the necessary subordinate legislation in due course.

  Waste
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the inconsistencies in the definition of waste by different local authorities and the interpretation of regulations as they relate to the transport of materials classified by some authorities as waste.

  Mr. Maclean
  Whether or not a substance is waste within the meaning of section 75(2) and (3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 depends on the facts of each case; and interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts. General guidance on the definition of waste has been given to local authorities in DOE circular 14/92—paragraphs 4 to 18. The Department's guidance draws attention to judgments on this issue by the European Court of Justice and by English courts.

  Local Government Boundary Commission
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of the recent review by the Local Government Boundary Commission of the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk boundary around Newmarket.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is not possible to separate the costs of an individual review from the total costs of the Local Government Boundary Commission.

  Crown Leases
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the enfranchisement of residential long leases held from the Crown.

  Sir George Young
  The various Crown authorities will, in most cases, agree to the voluntary enfranchisement or extension of long leases, under the same qualifications and terms as will apply under statute—the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 and the Housing and Urban Development Bill if enacted—to leaseholders whose landlord is not the Crown.

  Enfranchisement of property which would otherwise qualify will however be refused where the land is inalienable or in certain circumstances specific to the Crown. These circumstances are:
  20

  (i) where the property or the area in which it is situated has a long, historic or particular association with the Crown (including parts of the Isles of Scilly and central Dartmoor);

  (ii) were the property is within (or intimately connected with) the historic Royal Palaces and Parks (including properties adjacent to Regents Park); or

  (iii) where there are special security considerations.

  When enfranchisement is refused on these grounds, the Crown will be prepared to negotiate new leases.

  Additionally the Crown will be eligible to apply for and operate schemes of estate management, and will be prepared to be bound by arbitration on disputes over the terms of (a) enfranchisement, or (b) the grant of new leases by analogy with the statutes.

  This undertaking supersedes that given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Housing on 31 May 1967, at column 42.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide increased funding to the National Rivers Authority to cope with the pollution consequences of pit closures.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: The cost of the National Rivers Authority's work relating to the regulation of discharges or overflows from mines is taken into account as necessary in determining the financial needs of the authority from year to year.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his estimate of the actual total yield from the national non-domestic rate for(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) the current financial year.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 29 October]: Estimated yield from non-domestic rates in England:

  £ billion

  1990–91

  10·7

  1991–92

  12·0

  1992–93

  11·6

  These estimates include the yield from the City of London's locally determined rate. They take into account the provisions of the Non-Domestic Rate Act 1992 which had the effect of reducing the rates paid by occupiers or owners of properties benefiting from the transitional arrangements. The estimates are on an accruals basis—that is, they represent the aggregate rate liability for each year rather than the cash actually collected during the year—except that adjustments to liability, for instance following appeals, have been attributed to the year in which they occurred rather than to each year for which liability was reduced.

  Radioactive Waste (Sewers)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he plans to review definitions for low-level standards of radioactive materials discharged into sewers;

  (2) if he has plans to review current arrangements for authorising and monitoring discharges of low-level radioactive waste into sewers;
  21
  (3) what action he is taking to monitor potentially dangerous levels of radioactivity, resulting from authorised discharges of low-level, radioactive waste into sewers, accessible to water workers and consumers;

  (4) what measures are available to ensure that both water workers and consumers are not exposed to potentially dangerous levels of radioactivity resulting from authorised discharges of low-level radioactive waste into sewers;

  (5) if he will improve public access to information dealing with the discharge of low-level radioactive waste into sewers;

  (6) what definition he uses for low-level radioactivity and safe levels of radioactive waste, for substances currently discharged into sewerage systems;

  (7) what projected long-term environmental impact is expected if current level discharges of low-level, radioactive waste into sewers continue; and how this is monitored;

  (8) if he will take steps to ensure regular checks are made on water workers to establish personal contamination levels resulting from the disposal of radioactive materials into sewers.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: Discharges of low-level radioactive waste to the public sewerage system are strictly regulated by means of authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960—RSA60—by her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution—HMIP. Authorisations are issued only after a careful radiological assessment, and impose strict conditions and activity limits which ensure proper protection from such disposals for all members of the public, including sewer workers. I am satisfied that the current arrangements, which are kept under constant review, provide a fully satisfactory regime for regulating radioactive waste disposals and I have no plans to make changes at present. Since 1 January 1991 the public have had the right of access to information on applications and authorisations issued under RSA60. These documents are held at local authority offices and at the three principal HMIP offices in Bedford, Leeds and Bristol.

  Results of a research study conducted on behalf of HMIP by the National Radiological Protection board into the exposure of sewer workers associated with radioactive discharges from hospitals was published in June 1991. It found that doses of radiation to those sewer workers with long exposure near to hospital discharge points are approximately one hundredth that of natural background levels.

  Further research conducted on behalf of HMIP by St. Bartholomew's medical college into the levels of Iodine 125 in drinking water show that actual radiation exposure to the public is less than one hundredth that of natural background levels. I-125 is a principal component of discharges from hospitals. I am arranging for copies of both of these reports—DOE/HMIP/RR/91/030 and 031—to be placed in the Library of the House. The studies form part of an HMIP-commissioned programme of research into the environmental behaviour of radionuclides. These studies demonstrate that the dose levels are so low that no further precautions need to be taken either by sewer workers or other members of the public. A programme for monitoring radioactivity in public water supplies in England and Wales has operated for many years. Results from this programme are published in the
  22
  Department's "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library. Results to date show levels below the World Health Organisation guideline values. This confirms that the water is potable on radiological grounds and thus there is no hazard to the public. Selective monitoring of private water supplies is also undertaken under contract to this Department.

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to promote the banning of EC funding of fish farming in sensitive wetland habitats during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EC.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  A framework for protecting sensitive wetland habitats within the Community is already provided by the EC birds directive—79/409/EEC—and the new EC habitats directive—92/43/EEC. In the United Kingdom, the Fisheries Ministers have a duty under the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992 to consider nature conservation in the exercise of their functions and to strike a reasonable balance. The Fisheries Departments do not encourage projects in sensitive areas.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the principle of subsidiarity in article 3(b) proposed by the Maastricht treaty can be used retrospectively.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Although as a matter of law, article 3(b) applies prospectively, there is nothing to prevent the application of the principle in that article to a review of existing Community measures. The Birmingham declaration notes that the first results of such a review will be examined at the Edinburgh European Council.

  Visas
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when charges for visas for applicants wishing to rejoin their families in the United Kingdom came into operation; and what is the charge per person.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Charges for visas for aliens were introduced in 1825 by the Act relating to the salaries and fees of consular officers. No distinction was made relating to applicants wishing to rejoin their families.

  Charges for visas for Commonwealth citizens, including charges for those wishing to join their families in the United Kingdom were introduced on 1 January 1985 by the Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 1986.

  Charges for visas for applicants wishing to rejoin their families in the United Kingdom were last revised on 14 January 1991.

  Current fees per person are:

  £

  (a) Husband, wife, child or other dependant relative

  80

  (b) Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode

  80

  (c) Returning resident

  20

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all of the reports his Department has commissioned from external consultants in each of the past three years; for each of the past three years, how many reports from external consultants to his Department led to further consultancy

  Year

  Report commissioned

  Consultants

  Further consultancy work

  1989

  Car pool operations

  ASO Management

  None

  1989

  Organisation and work of Personnel Operations Department

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Michael Armstrong Associates—Assessment

  1990

  Travel Centre Quality Control Audit

  Cleverdon Steer

  None

  1990

  Review of Non-financial Management Information

  Coopers & Lybrand

  None

  1991

  Management Information Systems Preliminary Study

  JM Consulting

  Full study also by JM Consulting

  1991

  Heavy Baggage Contract

  Ernst & Young

  None

  1992

  Introduction of Quality Management Systems

  Neville Clarke Ltd.

  None

  1992

  Office Accommodation—Advantages of new buildings over old

  Symonds

  None

  1992

  Activities suitable for Market Testing

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Capita management Consultancy—Market Testing Methodology and Training

  1992

  Installation of Secure Communications Systems

  BT Tallis

  None

  1992

  Long Hours: Attitude Survey

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Follow-on work by same consultants

  1992

  Organisation and Implementation of Top and Senior Management Courses

  McNeil Robertson

  None

  Cyprus
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent meeting at the United Nations concerning the Cyprus problem.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Talks on Cyprus reconvened on 26 October in New York, and moved to face to face discussion between President Vassiliou and Mr. Denktash on 28 October. Limited ground has as yet been covered, but both sides appear to be taking a constructive approach. We continue to give full backing to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the kingdom of Morocco about the holding of a referendum on the future of western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have taken every opportunity to urge on the Moroccan Government the importance of supporting the United Nations settlement plan for western Sahara and the need to keep to a minimum the delay in holding a referendum on the future of the territory.

  Sanctions
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries against which the United Kingdom is applying economic sanctions, indicating in each case the international and national authority for the sanctions, the extent of the sanctions, their duration and the terms under which they would be lifted.
  24
  work being commissioned, stating for each of these who were the original and subsequent consultants and briefly describing the subject matter of the consultancy work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Consultancies are awarded, after a competitive tendering exercise, to the company considered best able to provide value for money in terms of quality of work and price. The information requested is set out in the table.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom currently applies economic sanctions against the following countries:

  (a) Iraq: Comprehensive economic sanctions, excluding only supplies for medical purposes, foodstuffs and goods for essential humanitarian needs. Imposed under United Nations Security Council resolution—UNSCR—661 of 6 August 1990. Conditions for lifting these sanctions are set out in section C of UNSCR 687.

  (b) Libya: Arms embargo, ban on air links and some aviation-related trade. Imposed under UNSCR 748 of 15 April 1992. Lifting of sanctions is contingent on Libyan compliance with UNSCR 731.

  (c) Serbia and Montenegro: Comprehensive trade embargo, except food, medicines and humanitarian goods. Imposed under UNSCR 757 of 30 May 1992. Sanctions will be reviewed following Serbian compliance with UNSCR 752.

  The schedule list national authority for implementing these resolutions.

  United Kingdom legislation implementing United Nations sanctions against Iraq, Libya and Serbia and Montenegro
  Legislation was created by the passage of Statutory Instruments through Orders in Council to implement in the United Kingdom the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 661, 748 and 757.

  Iraq

  The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1990: SI No. 1651 (8 August).

  The Export of Goods (Control) (Iraq and Kuwait Sanctions) Order 1990: SI No. 1640 (8 August).

  The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions (Amendment) Order 1990: SI No. 1768 (29 August).

  The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 1990: SI No. 1987 (5 October).

  Separate legal directions were issued by HM Treasury on 2 and 4 August to freeze certain Iraqi and Kuwaiti assets:

  The Control of Gold, Securities, Payments and Credits (Kuwait) Directions 1990: SI No. 1591 (2 August).

  The Control of Gold, Securities, Payments and Credits (Republic of Iraq) Directions 1990: SI No. 1616 (4 August).

  The Bank of England issued Notices on 7 August:

  Emergency Laws (Re-enactments and Appeals) Act 1964: Kuwait.

  25

  Emergency Laws (Re-enactments and Appeals) Act 1964: Iraq.

  Libya

  The Libya (United Nations Prohibition of Flights) Order 1992: SI No. 973.

  The Libya (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1992: SI No. 975.

  Serbia and Montenegro

  The Serbia and Montenegro (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1991: SI No. 1302.

  The Serbia and Montenegro (United Nations Prohibition of Flights) Order 1992: SI No. 1304.

  Nuclear Testing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 October,Official Report, column 341, what was the date of the most recent discussions his Department had with the French Government on nuclear testing; and what aspects of nuclear testing were discussed.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Nuclear testing was discussed at a meeting of British and French officials on 9 September. The discussion covered a range of issues, including recent developments in nuclear testing policy and future prospects.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many parties to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty called for the negotiation of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty at the nonproliferation treaty review conference 1990.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The national positions of NPT parties at the 1990 review conference are set out in part III of the conference's final document, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to resume direct negotiations towards a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty before September 1996.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 23 October, at column 407.

  European Community
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what veto powers are currently available to EC member states on matters of national interest under the Luxembourg compromise.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Luxembourg compromise states:"Where, in the case of decisions which may be taken by majority vote on a proposal of the Commission, very important interests of one or more partners are at stake, the Members of the Council will endeavour, within a reasonable time, to reach solutions which can be adopted by all the Members of the Council while respecting their mutual interests and those of the Community, in accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty".

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period 26
  for which the appointments were made, relevant qualifications of the appointees and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor makes some 1,800 public appointments, excluding judicial appointments. Full details can be provided only at disproportionate cost but the table shows the public bodies to which he appoints and the number of appointees as at September 1992.

  Public appointments

  Body

  Number of appointments

  Insolvency Rules Committee

  4

  County Court Rule Committee

  9

  Supreme Court Rule Committee

  12

  Land Registration Rule Committee

  6

  Family Proceedings Rule Committee

  10

  Crown Court Rule Committee

  8

  Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax

  532

  Advisory Committees on JPs in England (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster) and Wales

  1,031

  Judicial Studies Board

  54

  Advisory Council on Public Records

  11

  Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct

  17

  Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board

  6

  Legal Aid Advisory Committee

  8

  Legal Aid Board

  12

  Council on Tribunals

  19

  Law Commission

  5

  Northern Ireland Court Service—Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax (NI)

  15

  Advisory Committees on JPs in Northern Ireland

  57

  Advisory Committees on Juvenile Court Lay Panel

  11

  Legal Aid Advisory Committee (NI)

  11

  Fact-finding Visits
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the fact-finding visits made in the last 12 months by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible; and what were the findings resulting from each visit.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is responsible for two agencies—the Public Record Office and the Land Registry. In the past 12 months the chief Executive of HM Land Registry made one fact-finding visit, to Australia and New Zealand. As a result of his visit the Land Registry has enhanced its information services and is adopting simplified computerised mapping techniques.

  Since the launch of the PRO as an agency on 1 April 1992 the chief executive has made three fact-finding visits. On 7 July she attended the Anglo-American conference of historians, which increased the PRO's awareness of the current use of archives by historians interested in Anglo-American records. On 12 August she visited the National Audit Office, which improved the PRO's knowledge of the services the NAO can offer to agencies and of the way in which the NAO will expect agency accounts to be presented. On 2 September she attended a presentation by Her Majesty's Stationery Office intended to inform the PRO of the range and variety of publishing services which HMSO now offers to Government Departments.

  Counsel's Fees (Taxation)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the delay between trial and taxation of counsel's fees by central taxing units.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The central taxing teams were established in March 1991 to give a consistent approach to the determination of large claims for legal aid or central funds. Targets were set that 75 per cent. of claims should be determined within three months of becoming ready to tax—that is to say when all related claims have been lodged—and that all claims should be determined within six months of becoming ready to tax. In relation to their own workload, all circuits, except the south eastern, are currently meeting the first of these targets, and all but the south eastern and midland and Oxford are meeting the second. On the south eastern circuit, the backlog of claims is being reduced by the release of claims to other teams and, where appropriate, to determining officers in the courts, for a speedier determination with the aim of bringing all the teams within their targets by January 1993.

  House Sales (Defaults)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received calling for a system to protect buyers and sellers of homes from default once a sale is agreed.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None; the law already allows buyer and seller to enter into a binding contract once its terms have been agreed.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) for those cases of husbands or wives now being heard by the immigration appeals tribunal, how long on average they have had to wait from the appeal being lodged; and how long he expects those applying now have to wait;

  (2) for those cases of fiancé(e)s now being heard by the immigration appeals tribunal, how long on average they have had to wait from the appeal being lodged; and how long he expects those applying now have to wait.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Unless the adjudicator gives leave to appeal, there are two stages to an appeal to the immigration appeals tribunal against the adjudicator's determination, leave to appeal and the substantive appeal. The average time for the immigration appeals tribunal to grant leave to appeal is 11½ weeks, and 10 weeks thereafter for the appeal to he heard, if leave is granted. Steps are being taken to shorten these times where possible.

HEALTH

  Ultra-violet Radiation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department holds on the effects of increased UV-B exposure in suppressing the immune system; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  UV-B radiation exposure varies greatly from person to person, day to day and year to year. The 28
  extent of any immune suppression in humans and the disease implications are as yet poorly understood. A number of centres around the world are studying this phenomenon.

  Strelley Health Centre, Nottingham
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work is currently being undertaken by the nursing development unit at the Strelley health centre, Nottingham; what progress has been made; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Strelley health centre is one of 30 nursing development units receiving development funds made available by the Department to further excellence in nursing practice. The work undertaken by health visitors at Strelley health centre includes accident prevention, women's health and domestic violence through community participation. The work is subject to evaluation and will contribute to the Health of the Nation strategy.

  Mobile Oxygen Packs
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will reconsider the practice by which mobile oxygen packs which are fitted with a mask, the latter being unprescribable, results in the whole kit becoming unprescribable; what is the cost of a mobile oxygen pack and refills; and what help is given to patients on a low income to purchase a mobile oxygen pack and refills.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have no plans to change the present arrangement whereby a hospital consultant decides whether a patient would benefit from the free provision under the national health service of a portable oxygen set. Financial assistance given under the social security system does not extend to payment for medical care. The small portable cylinder may be refilled from a larger one which GPs may prescribe under the domiciliary oxygen service. There are three elements in the cost of a portable oxygen set. The set is rented at a cost of £1·70 a month and the cylinder contains about £2 worth of oxygen. The cost of delivery varies according to the quantity delivered. Under the domiciliary oxygen service the rental charge for the set with the larger cylinder is £1·94 a month. The oxygen in it costs £6·15. The cost of delivery by a pharmacist to a patient's home varies according to the distance involved.

  Dentists
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to resolve the dentists' dispute.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The revised scale of fees for general dental practitioners, which took effect on 8 July 1992, is expected to deliver a net income of about £40,000 to the average dentist in 1992–93, as compared with the £35,815 recommended by the dentists' independent pay review body. Dentists' practice expenses have also been increased by 11·6 per cent., to £47,228. This means that in 1992–93 the average dentist will have a gross income of about £88,000. We believe this is fair and reasonable for dentists, patients, other health service professionals, and taxpayers more generally.

  For the future, we have asked Sir Kenneth Bloomfield to conduct a fundamental review of the dental

  29
  remuneration system. The review is being conducted independently of the Government and will identify a number of options for change. Sir Kenneth has been asked to report by the end of 1992. In the meantime, we have asked dentists to think long and hard before taking any action which might jeopardise the interests of their practices or patients.

  Patients Charter
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, as part of her quality of service objectives, she will require the publication of the responses of all bodies consulted in the preparation of the patients charter.

  Mr. Sackville
  No. We did not seek views on the basis that they would be published.

  Regional Information Systems Plan
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that Wessex regional health authority takes all necessary steps to recover funds from all companies which undertook work on the regional information systems plan project and which have been criticised by the district auditor; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28 October at column 733.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what moneys have been transferred from hospital asset sales and cuts in spending to primary care over the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Total spending on the non-cash-limited family health services has increased by £2·2 billion, or 11·8 per cent. in real terms, over the five years since 1987–88. Some primary/community care services are also provided by the hospital and community health services, whose spending has increased by £8·8 billion or 20·8 per cent. in real terms over the same period. Proceeds from capital sales are retained within the hospital and community health services, and are used for either hospital or community based services, according to decisions taken locally.

  Temazepam
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will change the prescription arrangements for temazepam along the lines currently in force for methadone;

  (2) what plans she has to speed up the process of revising the prescription arrangements for temazepam.

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  Temazepam is currently controlled under schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has recently considered the problem of temazepam misuse and has made recommendations by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary on measures to be taken to combat its misuse.

  We are now considering the council's recommendations.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  London Tourist Board
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the future of the London tourist board.

  Mr. Key
  The London tourist board is an independent, non-statutory body, and I am therefore not in a position to make a statement on its future. I understand, however, that discussions about a proposed merger of the London tourist board and the recently announced London Forum are currently taking place. Given the common interests which these bodies have, I welcome this.

  English Heritage
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultations English Heritage undertook with its advisory committees and other interested groups in preparing its current plan to dispose of sites of archaeological importance; and what were the results of such consultation.

  Mr. Brooke
  English Heritage proposes to categorise certain of its buildings, monuments and sites as of regional importance, fully meriting continued protection but more suited to local management. It has not yet been decided how many properties will be so categorised and English Heritage will consult its own advisory committees, both on the general criteria and on a case-by-case basis, before such decisions are taken.

PRIME MINISTER

  South Africa (Plutonium)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Government of the Republic of South Africa concerning the transport of plutonium by sea from the proposed thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) of 22 October,Official Report, column 358, if he will take steps to distribute widely throughout the United Kingdom the paper on subsidiarity prepared by the European Commission once it has been submitted to the Council of Ministers.

  The Prime Minister
  The Commission's paper on subsidiarity will be deposited today in accordance with the usual procedures. There are no current plans for wider distribution.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Prime Minister how many political advisers are in post in Her Majesty's Government; in what department they are in post; and what is the total salary bill of such posts.

  The Prime Minister
  There are currently 30 special—political—advisers to Ministers employed in the civil service. The number in each Department is as follows:
  31

  Number

  Cabinet Office (including No. 10)

  8

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  1

  Ministry of Defence

  1

  Department of Education

  1

  Department of Employment

  1

  Department of the Environment

  2

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  2

  Department of Health

  1

  Home Office

  2

  House of Lords

  1

  Northern Ireland Office

  1

  Privy Council Office

  1

  Scottish Office

  2

  Department of Social Security

  1

  Department of Trade and Industry

  1

  Department of Transport

  1

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  2

  Welsh Office

  1

  The approximate current total salary bill is £1,188,742.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Prime Minister how many staff are employed in his Office; and what was the cost of running his Office, broken down into salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs and the cost of office services in the current year.

  The Prime Minister
  There is the equivalent of 85·5 staff employed in my office. The cost of running my office in the last financial year was £8,816,949.

  The costs break down as follows:

  Salaries and wages—£2,236,699.

  Notional pension liability—£259,967.

  Administration costs—£5,670,868.

  Office services—£649,415.

  Grant in aid to the Chequers trust is included in the figures. My salary is excluded.

  Putting Britain First
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the practical consequences for Government policies of his commitment to put Britain first.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: The Government have always put Britain first in their policies and will continue to do so.

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister when the report from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council into bronchitis and emphysema in metal workers and coal miners will he published; if he will set out the responsibilities of each Government Department in respect of consideration of the issues and recommendations involved; and if he will make a statement on the proposals in relation to the report.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's report will be published in the usual way. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security is giving the report the most careful consideration and will make an announcement in due course.

  European Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many authentic copies of the treaty of European union were made available to the media and to members of the public before 9 April.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: Copies of the treaty on European union were made available to members of the public and media on demand from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office between signature on 7 February and the Treaty's publication as a Command Paper, Cm. 1934, on 7 May. About 100 copies were distributed.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many authentic copies of the treaty of European union were made available to hon. Members.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: A stock of the text of the treaty of European union printed as Cm. 1934 is kept by the Vote Office and is available on demand by right hon. and hon. Members.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received since 15 October concerning the coal industry; how many supported pit closures; how many opposed pit closures; how many telephone calls concerning the coal industry were made to his office; how many callers supported pit closures; and how many opposed pit closures.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: I have received a substantial number of representations about the coal industry.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to take advantage of the provisions of article XIX of GAT to impose restrictions on imports of coal causing serious injury to domestic producers.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: The hon. Member will be aware that the President of the Board of Trade is now reviewing these matters.

  Colombian Coal
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister when the bilateral investment committee between Her Majesty's Government and Colombia was established; which British Ministers or departmental officials are represented on this committee; and what subjects are being considered by the committee.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: When I visited Colombia in June, I agreed with President Gaviria to set up a trade facilitation group to encourage bilateral trade and investment. The group, which is led by business men and has no Ministerial involvement, held its first meeting on 29 September. One Department of Trade and Industry official, with responsibility for trade relations with Colombia, sits on the committee. The aims of the group are to encourage and suggest ways of increasing bilateral trade and investment across a wide range of sectors.

  Economic, Advisers Council
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will consider hiving off the economic section of the Treasury and that of the Bank of England to an independent council of economic advisers consisting of nine advisers representative of the different schools of economic thought, to be appointed in consultation with the political parties and the economics profession, to take written and oral evidence on matters relevant to their work, and to issue quarterly and annual reports on the performance and prospects for the British economy.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: I have no such intention. The hon. Member may be unaware that no other major country hives off its economic advice in the way suggested. Certainly in the United States, the Council of Economic Advisers is not a substitute for economic policy advice provided by Government Departments and the Federal Reserve all of which employ their own economists. It is vital that the Treasury and the Bank of England retain the capacity for giving high-quality economic advice.

  But the Government have always paid close attention to the views of independent commentators and analysts and will continue to do so. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced yesterday his intention to strengthen the process of outside consultation by establishing a panel of independent forecasters to report to him on the economic prospects.

  Colombia
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting on 10 June in Cartagena, Colombia with President Cesar Gaviria.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: I visited Colombia on 9 and 10 June. In my meetings with President Gaviria and his Ministers, we discussed a wide range of matters of mutual interest.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Prime Minister what British assistance has been given or promised for Colombia's exports of coal into the European Community during the British presidency.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: None.

  Common Travel Area
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning proposals by Her Majesty's Government to require EC nationals, travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, to carry passports from next January; if the Government of the Republic of Ireland have indicated that they intend to take reciprocal action; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: I have received no such representations. We have made no proposals to amend the common travel area between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Timber
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how timber will be labelled to ensure that it is derived from sustainable sources.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Reliable and effective labelling systems are at an early stage of development. The Overseas Development Administration is financing international work on incentives for sustainable timber production, including the viability of labelling schemes.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that tropical timber imported into the United Kingdom will be derived from only sustainable sources by the year 2000.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The key to a sustainable timber trade lies in the sustainable management of forests. Our policy is to work for the negotiation and implementation of international forestry agreements to provide a framework for the sustainable management and use of forest resources; to help to identify practical and effective incentives to curb deforestation and promote reafforestation; to encourage and assist with the adoption of national guidelines and best practices in developing countries; to assist countries develop their policies and capacities by financing projects including research, conservation, institution building and sustainable harvesting of forest resources.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the Overseas Development Administration's bilateral aid programme specifically deals with combating the adverse effects on tropical rain forests stemming from unsustainable and unplanned cultivation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1991–92 the ODA spent some £18 million, or 2 per cent. of bilateral aid, on forestry projects. Present estimates are that aid for forestry will increase to around £35 million this financial year, about 4 per cent. of bilateral aid. Information on aid specifically related to combating the adverse effects of unsustainable agriculture on tropical rainforests is not held centrally. We also help reduce pressure on rainforests through work in other sectors, such as improving the productivity of tropical agriculture and helping reduce population growth rates.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he considers to be the main agents of tropical rain forest destruction.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The main cause of tropical rain forest destruction is conversion of forest land to agriculture. Others include unsustainably managed timber production, fire, mining, and industrial and infrastructure developments. Pressures from overgrazing by livestock and fuel wood collection are also significant problems in the dry tropical forests.

  International Development Association
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when proposals for the 10th replenishment of the International Development Association will be laid before Parliament.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Subject to the successful completion of the present negotiations, the Government would expect to seek parliamentary approval for our contribution to IDA's 10th replenishment early next year.

  World Bank (Projects)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are taken to ensure that the full range of potential social and environmental impacts are adequately considered prior to the approval of projects funded by the World bank.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The World bank prepares a paper based on its policy guidelines, which are published, containing a full assessment of any significant social and environmental impact of a planned project well in advance of executive board consideration. This assessment is circulated to members of the board and is available to non-governmental organisations in the country concerned.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on reporting its views and voting position on World bank projects.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The proceedings of the World bank board's consideration of projects are confidential, in order not to inhibit full and frank discussion in the board.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Ecu Loan
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current value in sterling of the 10 billion ecu loan and what it was on 14 September.

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Number (average staff inpost)

  Cost (actual) £

  Number (average staff' in post)

  Cost (estimate) £

  Grade 3

  1·00

  59,822

  1·00

  60,083

  Grade 5

  3·00

  138,875

  3·00

  147,873

  Grade 7

  9·00

  309,141

  9·50

  322,231

  Insolvency A

  0·75

  20,625

  —

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  5·00

  123,705

  3·50

  96,506

  Higher Executive Officer

  6·25

  133,261

  8·00

  173,184

  Executive Officer

  3·50

  59,208

  3·00

  51,861

  Administrative Officer

  4·00

  57,340

  4·00

  54,144

  Administrative Assistant

  7·25

  81,824

  7·00

  67,571

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1·00

  16,414

  1·00

  18,334

  Personal Secretary

  3·00

  50,183

  3·00

  43,125

  Typist

  1·25

  14,117

  2·00

  22,908

  Total

  45·00

  1,064,514

  45·00

  1,057,820

  36
  Mr. Nelson
  The Government announced on 3 September their intention to borrow an amount equivalent to 10 billion ecu in foreign currencies. Five billion ecu equivalent of the announced borrowing was drawn down in the revolving credit facility in September, with the remaining 5 billion ecu to be raised subsequently.

  The value in sterling at 4 pm on 29 October of 5 billion ecu was £4·06 billion. The value in sterling on 14 September was £3·59 billion. However, the sterling value when the borrowing comes to be repaid will depend on the sterling exchange rate at that time.

  Economic Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for Germany, France and the United Kingdom the increase in gross domestic product less North sea oil and gas, the increase in manufacturing output and the increase in unemployment in the decade 1979 to 1989.

  Mr. Nelson
  Data for the period 1979–89 for GDP and manufacturing output in France and Germany can be found in the OECD's "National Accounts Volume II." Data for United Kingdom non-oil GDP and for manufacturing output can be found on the Central Statistical Office database. Unemployment figures can be found in the OECD's labour force statistics.

  Staffing Costs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by grade and number employed, the staffing costs for the year 1991–92 and the estimate for 1992–93 for the financial services division.

  Mr. Nelson
  The financial services division transferred from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Treasury on 7 June 1992. It is now called the securities and investment services group. The figures given in the table are based on average staff in post in 1991–92 and during the first three months of 1992–93. The staff costs include pay and earnings-related national insurance contributions.

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all of the reports his Department has commissioned from external consultants in each of the last three years; for each of the last three years, how many reports from external consultants to his Department led to further consultancy work being commissioned, stating for each of these who were the original and subsequent consultants and briefly describing the subject matter of the consultancy work; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. To produce the data in this format would involve disproportionate time and cost.

  Charities (VAT)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's position regarding the possible imposition of value added tax on charities after 1997.

  Sir John Cope
  Agreement has been reached that the United Kingdom's zero rates, including those specifically designed to benefit charities and charity shops, can be maintained until at least 1997 without prejudice to their future thereafter. Any new agreement will require a unanimous decision by the Council of Ministers. There is, therefore, no question of the United Kingdom being forced to implement unwelcome proposals from 1 January 1997 and we have no plans to alter these provisions.

  European Community (Expenditure)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of public expenditure under all headings, and known income of the United Kingdom, of membership of the Common Market for each year since the year of joining; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  The United Kingdom's contributions to and receipts from the European Community budget for the years 1973 to 1991 together with the forecast for 1992 as published in the "Statement on the 1992 Community budget" Cm. 1948, in June are given in the table:

  £ million

  Year

  Gross contribution after abatement and refunds

  Public sector receipts

  Net contribution after abatement refunds and public sector receipts

  1973

  181

  79

  102

  1974

  179

  150

  29

  1975

  342

  398

  -56

  1976

  463

  296

  167

  1977

  737

  368

  369

  1978

  1,348

  526

  822

  1979

  1,606

  659

  947

  1980

  1,669

  963

  706

  1981

  1,481

  1,084

  397

  1982

  1,844

  1,238

  606

  1983

  2,169

  1,522

  647

  1984

  2,676

  2,020

  656

  1985

  3,713

  1,905

  1,808

  1986

  2,792

  2,220

  572

  1987

  4,049

  2,328

  1,721

  1988

  3,544

  2,182

  1,362

  1989

  4,431

  2,116

  2,315

  38

  Year

  Gross contribution after abatement and refunds

  Public sector receipts

  Net contribution after abatement refunds and public sector receipts

  1990

  4,658

  2,183

  2,475

  1991

  3,309

  2,765

  545

  1992

  5,489

  2,890

  2,599

  Nuclear Submarines (Refitting)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies have been made by his Department of the cost-effectiveness of rival proposals by the managements of Rosyth and Devonport dockyards for the refitting of Britain's nuclear submarines.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Ministry of Defence, in consultation with the Treasury and other Government Departments, is considering future requirements for ship refitting and repair. Options under consideration include proposals put forward by each of the royal dockyard management companies. The final decision will take into account all relevant factors, including cost-effectiveness.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many VAT inspection visits are currently planned for the year 1993–94; what was the figure announced in 1991; and what are the reasons for the change.

  Sir John Cope
  Current plans are for 300,000 VAT control visits in 1993–94, against a figure of 540,000 envisaged in the 1991–92 management plan. The reduction can largely be attributed to the Department's move towards fewer but longer and more thorough visits.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state for the VAT inspection control programme for year 1991–92(a) the number of staff years used, (b) the running costs, (c) the additional tax discovered and (d) the unit cost ratio of cost to revenue.

  Sir John Cope
  In 1991–92 a total of 5,461 staff years were used on VAT control visiting, and running costs amounted to £126·8 million. A total of £1,464 million was discovered as gross additional liabilities, producing a unit cost—pence per £—of 8·7. Over declarations of £500 million were also identified, giving net additional liability of £964 million producing a unit cost—pence per £—of 13·2.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much on average each VAT inspector raised in additional VAT liability in the last financial year; and what is the average cost of employing a VAT inspector.

  Sir John Cope
  In 1991–92 each VAT control officer identified on average about £270,000 in gross additional liability and £90,000 in over-declarations made by traders. The average running cost involved in employing each officer was around £23,000.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff years are planned for VAT control visiting for the year 1993–94.
  39
  Sir John Cope
  Current plans are for 5,562 staff years for VAT control visiting in 1993–94.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total cost to public funds of the publication of the annual reports of HM Customs and Excise executive units.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: HM Customs and Excise estimate that the total cost of printing and distributing the 1991–92 reports of the 30 executive units was £45,800.

  Cohesion Fund
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much assistance the United Kingdom will qualify for under the EC's proposed cohesion fund through having a gross national product which is less than 90 per cent. of the EC average.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: The cohesion fund envisaged in the Maastricht treaty will be a structural fund; and the method of calculating relative wealth for these funds is to use purchasing power parities. The United Kingdom would not qualify for any assistance from the cohesion fund on that basis.

  MV Maureen
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive a reply from French customs regarding their treatment of the vessel MV Maureen owned by Mike and Penny Rowley; and how long after receiving the French reply he would expect to publish a full report on the inquiries by British Customs and Excise.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 30 October 19921 HM Customs and Excise have now received a reply from the French authorities. I will be writing to my hon. Friend very shortly.

  Gross National Product
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the United Kingdom's gross national product was the European average gross national product each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 30 October 19921 Figures in respect of gross domestic product per head of the population at current prices and current purchasing power parities with respect to the Community are published by Eurostat in table R.2 on page 103 of its publication "National Accounts ESA aggregates 1970–1990"—theme 2 series C. Copies of this publication are available in the House of Commons Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  EC Agriculture Budget
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proportion of the United Kingdom's EC agricultural budget is spent on administration;

  (2) what proportion of the total EC agriculture budget is spent on administration.

  Mr. Curry
  The administration costs of providing support under the common agricultural policy are the responsibility of the member states and are not funded from the EC budget.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the closure of abattoirs.

  Mr. Soames
  Since the relevant EC directive 91/497/EEC was adopted in July last year, my right hon. Friend the Minister and I have received some 120 letters about its potential impact on British abattoirs.

  The question of closure of abattoirs in the south-west was raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) in the Adjournment debate on 21 October 1992, Official Report, column 538.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the new EC regulations on existing small abattoirs; what action he will take to minimise the effects of such regulations; and if he will monitor how the regulations are being adopted, implemented and supervised by each EC country.

  Mr. Soames
  The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations, published on 10 September, extend to the domestic market the rules on the production and hygiene of meat which have existed for intra-Community trade since 1964. There is nothing in the regulations that is not in the EC directive or the existing Great Britain legislation and there are many areas where we have interpreted the directive as liberally as possible to minimise the compliance burden.

  In addition, we successfully negotiated for extra time to be made available after 1992 for slaughterhouses which are committed to achieving the new structural standards, and for less onerous requirements for low throughput premises.

  The abattoir industry has been rationalising steadily during the last 20 years. Slaughterhouse numbers have fallen from 1,890 in 1972 to some 600 now. It is clear that the trend towards fewer but larger and more efficient slaughterhouses would continue irrespective of the new legislation.

  Each member state is required to implement the EC directive by 1 January 1993. The Commission has a team of inspectors who visit all member states to check compliance. If there is substantive evidence that another member state is failing to apply the rules correctly, I am ready to take these issues up with the Governments concerned and, when necessary, the Commission.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to incorporate his oral undertaking of 14 July,Official Report, column 1027, concerning the circumstances in which days at sea limitations will be proposed to Parliament, into the Sea Fish Conservation Bill.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to my Department in another place on 26 October:"I intend to introduce an amendment to the Bill at a later stage which will require the Government to make an affirmative resolution order each time they intend to make overall reductions in days at sea allocations."—[Official Report, House of Lords, 26 October 1992; Vol. 539, c. 914]

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what advice his Department has given to fish farmers on the potential impact of ozone depletion on fish stocks in United Kingdom waters; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will estimate the effect on crop production in the United Kingdom of levels of ozone depletion expected under current United Kingdom proposals for phase-out dates of ozone-depleting chemicals; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what assessment his Ministry has made of which crops commonly grown in the United Kingdom are most sensitive to UV-B radiation; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what advice his Department has given to farmers on the potential impact of ozone depletion on (a) animal health and (b) crops; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what research is being carried out, or is planned by his Department, on the effects of ozone depletion on (a) animal health and (b) crop yield; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what Ministry recording schemes are in existence, or are planned, for conditions in farmed fish and farm animals which are associated with UV-B; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department is very conscious of the potential relevance to global and United Kingdom agricultural production of an increase in the level of UV-B radiation. It is not possible to make sensible estimates of the effects of an increase, however, as the research base on UV-B and plants and natural ecosystems is far from well-developed. To help develop our understanding the Government partially funded an international meeting of specialists at Lancaster university earlier in the year on "stratospheric ozone depletion and UV-B effects on biota". In addition, building on work undertaken by the Department of the Environment, this Department is carefully considering the possibility of further research specifically into the effects of UV-B radiations on crops and on eggs and larvae of commercially important fish species. On the basis of current knowledge, there is no need to issue specific advice to farmers and fish farmers but we will keep the matter under review.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of(a) red meat animals and (b) poultry which are electrically stunned in slaughterhouses are stunned with currents intended to induce cardiac arrest at stunning.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information is not available.

  Market Inspections
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many market visits were made by local veterinary inspectors in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Gummer
  Statistics are available for the last five years. The number of visits made were

  Number

  1987

  3,745

  1988

  4,421

  1989

  3,616

  1990

  4,548

  1991

  4,186

  Appointments and re-appointments to public bodies

  Code

  Name

  Public body name

  Category

  Position

  Date of appointment

  Date of expiry

  Department of Economic Development

  58

  Professor D. V. McCaughan

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Chairman

  1 April 1992

  31 March 1993

  19

  Professor F. C. Monds

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1994

  640

  Mr. F. S. Graham

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1994

  1198

  Mr. P. H. McKie

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Deputy-Chairman

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1994

  2216

  Professor E. K. Beatty

  Industrial Resarch and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1994

  2389

  Mr. J. McCusker

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1995

  2981

  Mrs. J. E. Ruddock

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1995

  3685

  Mr. J. J. Collins

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1995

  4334

  Mrs. G. M. Gracey

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1994

  4603

  Dr. W. T. Little

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1995

  4604

  Mr. K. T. G. Atkins

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1995

  4605

  Mr. W. H. Morris

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1995

  4634

  Mr. S. Quinn

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  A

  Non-Executive Director

  25 June 1992

  31 August 1993

  2085

  Dr. W. G. H. Quigley

  Fair Employment Commission

  A

  Member

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  2553

  Mr. J. P. M. Donaghy

  Fair Employment Commission

  A

  Member

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  3672

  Mr. J. O'Hara

  Fair Employment Commission

  A

  Member

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  4213

  Dr. D. Kennedy

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  A

  Member

  I July 1992

  30 June 1995

  2228

  Mr. R. L. Hurchinson

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  A

  Non-Executive Director

  10 July 1992

  31 August 1993

  2981

  Mrs. J. E. Ruddock

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  A

  Non-Executive Director

  10 July 1992

  31 August 1995

  1271

  Mr. W. Devlin

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  A

  Non-Executive Director

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1993

  1360

  Mrs. J. M. Eve

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  A

  Member

  1 September 1992

  30 June 1995

  1408

  Mrs. J. R. Smyth

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  A

  Chairman

  1 September 1992

  30 June 1995

  1815

  Mr. P. H. McWilliams

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  A

  Chairman

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1995

  2081

  Mr. R. G. Cooper

  Fair Employment Commission

  A

  Chairman

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1995

  2147

  Mr. R. W. R. McNulty

  Industrial Development Board

  A

  Member

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1995

  2397

  Mr. T. Carlin

  Industrial Development Board

  A

  Member

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1995

  3721

  Mr. R. Alridge

  Industrial Development Board

  A

  Member

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1995

  3775

  Dr. M. V. Moloney

  Industrial Development Board

  A

  Member

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1995

  4704

  Mr. J. G. Lyttle

  Labour Relations Agency

  A

  Member

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1995

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The following are the names of all public appointments I have made since becoming Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The period of each appointment is also shown.

  In making public appointments the prime consideration is the appointees' ability or potential to contribute to the work of the particular body to which they are appointed. Details relating to the remuneration each currently receives are readily available in "Public Bodies and Public Appointments: A Handbook for Women's Organisations", copies of which are in the library.
  45

  Code

  Name

  Public body name

  Category

  Position

  Dale of appointment

  Date of expiry

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  3085

  Mr. J. H. Stanley

  Lay Observer under the Solicitors (NI) Order 1976

  A

  Member

  1 May 1992

  28 February 1994

  Department of Health and Social Services

  246

  Mr. A. J. Gibson

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital H&SS Trust

  A

  Non-Executive Member

  1 April 1992

  31 March 1996

  1119

  Mr. J. Carson

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital H&SS Trust

  A

  Non-Executive Member

  1 April 1992

  31 March 1996

  1815

  Mr. P. H. McWilliams

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital H&SS Trust

  A

  Non-Executive Member

  1 April 1992

  31 March 1996

  2085

  Dr. W. G. H. Quigley

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital H&SS Trust

  A

  Chairman

  1 April 1992

  31 March 1996

  4408

  Sister M. Turley

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital H&SS Trust

  A

  Non-Executive Member

  1 April 1992

  31 March 1996

  4528

  Dr. G. A. Baird

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital H&SS Trust

  A

  Non-Executive Member

  1 April 1992

  31 March 1996

  3490

  Mr. H. E. Pierce

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  A

  Chairman

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1994

  985

  Professor R. W. Stout

  Eastern Health and Social Services Board

  A

  Non-Executive Member

  1 October 1992

  31 March 1995

  1369

  Mrs. D. Dunlop

  Eastern Health and Social Services Council

  A

  Member

  14 October 1992

  31 May 1993

  2210

  Rev. E. Smyth

  Eastern Health and Social Services Council

  A

  Member

  14 October 1992

  31 May 1993

  Department of the Environment (NI)

  2977

  Ms. J. O'Dempsey

  Planning Appeals Commission

  A

  P/T Commissioner

  1 May 1992

  30 April 1995

  901

  Professor P. J. Newbould

  Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside

  A

  Chairman

  18 May 1992

  17 May 1995

  1642

  Mr. R. J. Hanna

  Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside

  A

  Deputy Chairman

  18 May 1992

  17 May 1955

  2276

  Mr. L. D. Hasson

  NI Railways Ltd

  A

  Non-Executive Director

  1 June 1992

  31 May 1995

  416

  Mrs. M Spence

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  705

  Duke of J. H. Abercorn

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Chairman

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  2096

  Dr. B. Feeney

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  2732

  Mr. F. Cobain

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  2918

  Mr. R. N. M. Empey

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  3237

  Mr. G. R. Irwin

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  3563

  Mr. J. J. Fitzpatrick

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  4635

  Mr. J. Jaworski

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  4636

  Mr. E. Airey

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  14 June 1992

  13 June 1995

  137

  Ms. H. E. Roulston

  Ulsterbus Ltd/Citybus Ltd/Flexibus

  A

  Non-Executive Director

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  473

  Mr. J. L. O'Hagan

  NI Railways Ltd

  A

  Non-Executive Director

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  756

  Mr. R. S. McCulloch

  NI Airports Ltd

  A

  Chairman

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  952

  Mrs. M. M. Craig

  NI Airports Ltd

  A

  Member

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  4531

  Mr. J. W. Rainey

  NI Airports Ltd

  A

  Executive Director

  1 August 1992

  31 July 195)5

  4647

  Mr. D. Price

  NI Railways Ltd

  A

  Executive Director

  1 August 1992

  31 July 1995

  4665

  Mrs. L. M. L. Blakiston Houston

  Laganside Corporation

  A

  Member

  10 August 1992

  13 June 1995

  1380

  Mr. A. Keery

  NI Transport Holding Company

  A

  Member

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1995

  3534

  Mr. J. H. Armstrong

  Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

  A

  Chairman

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1995

  3236

  Mr. A. F. D. Crawley

  Planning Appeals Commission

  A

  Member

  6 October 1992

  30 September 1995

  4037

  Mr. W. J. Mitchell

  Planning Appals Commission

  A

  P/T Commissioner

  6 October 1992

  30 September 1995

  Northern Ireland Office

  145

  Mr. R. C. Hill

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  A

  Chairman

  1 July 1992

  30 June 1995

  4534

  Mrs. J. S. Corr

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  A

  Member

  17 July 1992

  16 July 1994

  4682

  Professor S. Lee

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  A

  Member

  1 September 1992

  31 August 1994

  506

  Mrs. M. B. Clark-Glass

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  A

  Member

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1994

  1408

  Mrs. J. R. Smyth

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  A

  Member

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1994

  2325

  Mrs. J. I. Harbison

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  A

  Member

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1994

  2968

  Mr. R. T. Mullan

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  A

  Member

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1994

  46

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in each month since June.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 26 October the information is as follows:

  Month

  Number

  June

  19

  July

  25

  August

  25

  September

  27

  October

  31

  There are approximately 1·5 million cattle in Northern Ireland and a total of 542 confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy have been reported to 26 October 1992.

  Fact-finding Visits
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the fact-finding visits made in the last 12 months by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible; and what were the findings resulting from each visit.

  Mr. Mates
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the following agencies under their respective chief executives.

  Training and Employment Agency—Mr. J. Crozier

  Rate Collection Agency—Mr. D. Gallagher

  Social Security Agency— Mr. A. Wylie

  Ordnance Survey Agency— Mr. M. Brand

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency— Mr. J. Watson

  Compensation Agency— Mr. J. Robinson

  I have asked them to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from J. S. Crozier to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 29 October 1992:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to list the fact finding visits made in the last 12 months by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible; and what were the findings resulting from each visit.

  Date of visit

  Location

  Purpose

  29 October 1991

  Paid Order Unit, Lisahally, Londonderry

  To attend official Opening of POU and meet management and staff

  14 November 1991

  Carrickfergus SSO

  To meet management and staff

  22 November 1991

  Strabane SSO

  To meet management and staff

  28 November 1991

  Pensions Branch, Castle Buildings

  To meet management and staff

  5 December 1991

  Lisburn SSO

  To meet management and staff

  15 January 1992

  Bangor SSO

  To meet management and staff

  21 January 1992

  Portadown SSO

  To meet management and staff

  29 January 1992

  Newtownards SSO

  To meet management and staff

  4 February 1992

  Holywood Road SSO

  To meet management and staff

  6 February 1992

  ROSIT, York House

  To meet management and staff

  13 March 1992

  Newtownabbey SSO

  To meet management and staff

  48
  As Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency (Northern Ireland) (T&EA), I made two fact finding visits in the last twelve months, one to Brussels and one to Germany.

  The Brussels visit was to meet senior officials of DG XVI, DG V and the Task Force, Human Resources. The visit provided an update on the Commission's strategic thinking on training and employment which will assist the T&EA to match best practice elsewhere in the European Community (EC) and to take maximum advantage of EC programmes. Potential for the secondment of T&EA staff to the Commission was also identified.

  The aim of the German visit was to examine employment prospects and training opportunities for Northern Ireland people in Germany. Links were established with the Bundesanstalt fur Arbeit (Federal Labour Office) and contacts were made with German firms offering the prospect of advanced apprenticeship training.

  Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  As I am responsible for the Northern Ireland Rate Collection Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to some Parliamentary Questions recently put down by you. These related to papers published by the Agency during the last 12 months and any fact-finding visits undertaken by myself during the same period.
  As you may know, the Rate Collection Agency was established on 1 April 1992. During the last 12 months I have issued the Agency's 1992/93 Business Plan. Our 1991/92 Annual Report will be published shortly.
  I would also advise that I have not undertaken any fact finding visits over the same period.
  I hope this information answers your questions but please let me know if I can be of any further help.

  Letter from A. Wylie to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  Your recent Parliamentary Question asking for a list of fact finding visits made in the past 12 months by the Chief Executive of each Executive Agency and the findings resulting from each visit has been passed to me as Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency for reply.
  In summary, I have undertaken 19 fact finding visits during the past 12 months, all of which were to Agency locations. I have enclosed a table setting out the date, location and purpose of my visits.
  The visits to Social Security Offices and Benefit Branches gave me the opportunity to meet local management and staff and obtain their views on a wide range of issues such as resourcing, accommodation and communication. These visits have been extremely useful when developing high level plans for the Agency.
  I hope that this is helpful.
  49

  Date of visit

  Location

  Purpose

  20 March 1992

  Larne SSO

  To meet management and staff

  16 April 1992

  Lisnagelvin SSO

  To meet management and staff

  16 April 1992

  Foyle SSO

  To meet management and staff

  2 June 1992

  Armagh SSO

  To meet management and staff

  16 June 1992

  CBB, Castle Court

  To meet management and staff

  18 June 1992

  Knockbreda SSO

  To meet management and staff

  14 September 1992

  Belfast Benefits Centre

  To meet management and staff

  8 October 1992

  Antrim SSO

  To meet management and staff

  Letter from J. F. Codd to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  You have asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the fact finding visits made in the last 12 months by the Chief Executive of each Executive Agency for which he is responsible; and what were the findings resulting from each visit.
  Mr. M. J. D. Brand was appointed Chief Executive and Director of Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland on 1 April 1992. Since that date he has not undertaken any fact finding visits.

  Letter from J. B. Watson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992
  I am responding to your recent Parliamentary Question about fact finding visits made by Agency Chief Executives over the past 12 months.
  The Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency was established on 1 April 1992. Since then I have been on two fact finding visits to the Vehicle Inspectorate Agency, Bristol and the Driving Standards Agency, Nottingham. Both of these Agencies are involved in similar work to my own Agency and the visits allowed me to obtain information on a range of operational, financial and personnel issues.
  The visits were valuable as they established useful contacts, informed debate and have assisted with subsequent policy formulation.

  Letter from J. Robinson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992
  I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question about fact finding visits made in the last 12 months by Chief Executives of Northern Ireland executive agencies. The Secretary of State has asked me to provide the information in respect of the Compensation Agency.
  I have not made any fact finding visits since this Agency was established on 1 April 1992.

  Students Unions
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply of 20 October,Official Report, column 273, how much of the payments of £1,427,900 in the academic year 1991–92 was allocated to the students' union at each university and college of education in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  £

  Queens University, Belfast

  664,000

  University of Ulster

  686,000

  Stranmillis College

  43,900

  St. Mary's College

  34,000

DEFENCE

  Bosnia
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigation he has made of the means by which 755 bombs manufactured by Hunting Engineering Ltd., Bedfordshire came to be used by the warring factions in Bosnia; and what information he has on other United Kingdom-built armaments being used in that conflict.

  Mr. Aitken
  The BL755 bombs were exported legitimately by Hunting Engineering Ltd. to a number of countries between 1977 and 1985. Until the outbreak of the current conflict, when an embargo was placed on such exports, individual export licence applications for Yugoslavia were scrutinised carefully and approved or rejected on a case-by-case basis.

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees, and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I refer the hon. Member to "Public Bodies 1991", issued by the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service in December 1991; pages 10 to 13 list Ministry of Defence appointments. Relevant information is also in "Public Appointments: A Handbook for Women's Organisations"; pages 31 to 37, published by the Women's National Commission. Copies of these publications are available from the Library.

  Ultra-Violet Radiation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been taken to warn and protect military personnel serving in areas with high levels of harmful ultra-violet radiation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All service personnel serving in areas of high levels of harmful ultra-violet radiation and excessive sunlight receive health education briefing and appropriate protective equipment such as eye protectors, screening cream and climatic clothing.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recommendation has been made by the Navy Board in relation to the best location for refitting of nuclear submarines.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our practice to disclose any recommendations which the Navy Board may make in confidence to Ministers.

  Search and Rescue
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has carried out into predicted rescue times in the North sea the effect on his plans to transfer the helicopter search-and-rescue unit from RAF Coltishall to RAF Wattisham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There was no requirement for such research, as the new basing structure for the RAF search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopter force took into account the established civil SAR criteria.

  Army Housing
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army personnel currently returning from Germany to be deployed in Northern Ireland are on waiting lists for married quarters; and how many families or spouses are being accommodated in hostels in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are 39 Army personnel from Germany who are on waiting lists for married quarters in Northern Ireland. A total of 28 Army families are in hostel accommodation in the United Kingdom.

  RAF Brawdy
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of operations flown by B flight, 202 Squadron RAF Brawdy in each of the last five years; and how many operations in each year were in response to a military incident.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The table details the total number of call-outs—civil and military—of B flight 202 Squadron over the past five years and the number of these call-outs that were to military incidents. The figures in brackets show the number of call-outs which involved the rescue of people, including incidents such as the transfer of sick or injured people from ship to hospital.

  Year

  Total Call-outs

  Military Call-outs

  1987

  134 (52)

  17 (2)

  1988

  154 (69)

  13 (4)

  1989

  148 (65)

  5 (0)

  1990

  172 (72)

  9 (3)

  1991

  162 (69)

  7 (3)

  11992

  110 (35)

  4 (1)

  1 To end August.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the operating costs of B flight 202 Squadron based at RAF Brawdy for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 and the estimated costs for 1992–93 and 1993–94.
  52
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The operating costs requested are:

  £ million

  1990–91

  2·32

  1991–92

  2·48

  1992–93

  1 2·58

  1993·94

  1 2·67

  1 Estimated.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish the risk analysis study carried out by his Department into the need to respond to civilian emergencies before the decision on ending search-and-rescue operations from RAF Brawdy;

  (2) if he will publish the risk analysis study prepared for his Department of the need to respond to civilian emergencies before the decision on ending the search-and-rescue operations at RAF Brawdy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There was no requirement for such a study, since the new basing structure for the RAF search-and-rescue helicopter force took into account the established civil search-and-rescue criteria.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions Her Majesty's Government had with the Irish Government concerning the withdrawal of search-and-rescue operations from RAF Brawdy in April 1994.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The British embassy in Dublin notified the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on 21 October of the change in search-and-rescue cover.

  Sea King Helicopters
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the length of time a search and rescue Sea King takes to travel 40 nautical miles in usual conditions of(a) calm, (b) a 10 knot headwind, (c) a 20 knot headwind, (d) a 30 knot headwind, (e) a 40 knot headwind and (f) a 50 knot headwind.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Assuming an aircraft air speed of 120 knots, and excluding standby times, the information requested is:

  Condition

  Ground speed knots

  Time minutes

  Calm

  120

  20·0

  10 knot headwind

  110

  21·8

  20 knot headwind

  100

  24·0

  30 knot headwind

  90

  26·7

  40 knot headwind

  80

  30·0

  50 knot headwind

  70

  34·3

  Army Recruits (Ill-treatment)
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on alleged incidents of ill-treatment of Army recruits at Whittington barracks and Sennybridge training camp.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The commanding officer initiated an investigation by the special investigations branch of the Royal Military police as soon as the allegations came to
  53
  light. Its report has now been submitted to the commanding officer. I would not wish to prejudice the outcome of any disciplinary action which might be taken by commenting further at this stage.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 October,Official Report, column 403, how his Department will determine whether or not another country has tested nuclear weapons after 1996; and for what reasons the United Kingdom will resume nuclear testing if another country tests nuclear weapons after 1996.

  Mr. Aitken
  Since the issue arises from United States legislation regarding testing in the United States, it will be for the United States authorities to make any determination concerning testing by another country after 1996. Our position on a resumption of testing in that event would be decided in the light of circumstances at the time.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 October,Official Report, column 403, on alternative technologies what is his Department's assessment as to the ability of alternative technologies to ensure the safety of the United Kingdom's nuclear warheads after 1996.

  Mr. Aitken
  We believe that underground testing remains the best means of ensuring the safety and credibility of nuclear weapons. Alternative techniques are not at present an adequate substitute. It is too early to assess how effective they may have become after 1996.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his answer of 23 October,Official Report, column 403, if he will provide details of the numbers and types of alternative technologies for proving nuclear warheads that his Department has been involved in working on; and what additional financial resources will be provided for such work in the future;

  (2) what alternatives to nuclear testing exist as means of developing new warheads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  There is a range of technologies which might assist the proving and developing of nuclear warheads in the absence of nuclear tests. These include computer modelling and various forms of simulation using lasers and hydrodynamics. We already make extensive use of them, to keep nuclear testing to a minimum; the question of resources for their development will be considered as part of the normal process of determining the forward defence programme.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom is prohibited from conducting an underground nuclear test in Nevada before July 1993 under the terms of the United States energy appropriation legislation.

  Mr. Aitken
  The legislation makes no provision for a United Kingdom nuclear test before 1 July 1993 and it is not practicable for the United Kingdom to test while the United States Government are themselves unable to do so.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Charters
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will ensure that charter standards are regularly reviewed and improved if necessary.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Yes. The citizens charter is a programme of continuous improvement. As targets are set, and met, we aim to improve on them over time. Charters will be reviewed and improved year-by-year. Our White Paper later this month will set out the future development of the charter programme.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on Government spending on research and development in the coming year.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  Government spending on research and development in 1992–93 is £5,587 million. The figure for 1993–94 will be announced in the autumn statement.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of gross domestic product the United Kingdom Government spends on civil research and development; and what are the comparable figures for France and Germany.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  In 1990 the United Kingdom Government spent 0·51 per cent. of GDP on civil R and D. The corresponding figures for France and Germany were 0·85 per cent. and 0·9 per cent. respectively. The figures for USA and Japan were 0·44 per cent. and 0·43 per cent.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the price of the Maastricht treaty published by HMSO; what is the price of the English text published in Luxembourg for the European Community on sale in HMSO shops; what is the reason for the difference in price; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  The English language version of the treaty on European union published by the office for official publications of the European Communities is priced at 9 ecu. HMSO, which is the appointed sales agent in Britain for publications of the European Community, has translated this into a selling price of £6·50, using a conversion table provided by the European Community.

  HMSO has also published the treaty on European union, including the protocols and final act with declaration, as Cm. 1934. This publication has a cover price of £13·30, determined by reference to a pricing scale applied to all monochrome Command Papers. The pricing scale ensures consistency in the prices of items of similar size and appearance, regardless of their relative popularity.

  Publishing Restrictions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he will publish a complete list of statutory restrictions which he has identified as preventing the publication of information known to the Government.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I hope to announce conclusions of the review of specific statutory restrictions on the disclosure of information early in the new year.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list, for the last 12 months, the titles of papers published by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the chief executives of the Central Office of Information, the Civil Service College, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, the Occupational Health Service and the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from Mike Devereau to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in connection with papers published by the Chief Executive of each Executive Agency. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply direct to you with regard to the Central Office of Information.
  The only paper I have published in the past year is COI's Annual Report and Accounts 1991–92, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Letter from Marianne Neville-Rolfe to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1992:
  You asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he would list for the last twelve months the titles of papers published by the chief executive of each agency for which he is responsible. I attach a list of the publications which have been issued by the Civil Service College since October 1991.

  Civil Service College publications since October 1991

  Prospectus 1992–1993

  Training for Trainers and Training Managers

  Equality of Opportunity Training

  Equality of Opportunity Training (Private Sector)

  Training in Purchasing and Supply

  IPM Professional Education Scheme

  Systems and Project Management

  R and D Management

  Policy Programme for Managers

  Senior Finance Training

  Training in Personnel Management

  Training for Auditors

  European Community and International Relations

  Senior Training

  Management Development Programmes

  Fast Stream Training

  Training for Lawyers Training in Market Testing

  Personnel Management Training

  Node Programmes

  Report and Accounts 1991–1992

  Letter from Paul Freeman to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  I am responding, in respect of HMSO, to your question to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on papers published by the executive agencies for which he is responsible.
  HMSO normally publishes around 9,000 titles per year in its capacity as Government Publisher. I enclose a copy of our booklet "Getting HMSO Books", which explains the various means of keeping track of HMSO publications.
  I assume, however, that your question is directed towards publications which relate to HMSO's own activities as an Executive Agency. These would be the HMSO Trading Fund Accounts 1991 and HMSO Review 1991, and I am pleased to enclose complimentary copies.

  Letter from Dr. George Sorrie to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  As you know I have been asked to respond to your question to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster about papers published by Chief Executives of Executive Agencies.
  56
  In my capacity as Director of the Civil Service Occupational Health Service I have published no papers in the last 12 months.

  Letter from Michael D. Geddes to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply for Recruitment and Assessment Services to your Question asking him to list, for the last 12 months, the titles of papers published by the Chief Executive of each executive Agency for which he is responsible.
  The information for RAS is as follows:
  Annual Report 1991–92.

EMPLOYMENT

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she expects the Health and Safety Executive to complete its review of procedure of preserving Crown notices for infringement of health and safety legislation by public bodies; and when she expects the Health and Safety Commission to present its report.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Health and Safety Executive hopes to present the findings of its review of the crown notice procedure to the Health and Safety Commission before the end of the year. Depending on its views of the findings, the HSC may make recommendations to Ministers in the new year.

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list all of the reports her Department has commissioned from external consultants in each of the last three years; for each of the last three years, how many reports from external consultants to her Department led to further consultancy work being commissioned, stating for each of these who were the original and subsequent consultants and briefly describing the subject matter of the consultancy work; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Jobseekers Charter
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on the implementation of the jobseekers charter.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms. Joyce Quin, dated 2 November 1992:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question about implementation of the Jobseeker's Charter. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Jobseeker's Charter was launched in December 1991. The main elements are now in place and are an integral part of the day to day work of all 1,350 ES local offices across Great Britain. They are:

  details of ES services displayed in each local office;

  57

  national targets for service delivery published each year; local standards for the level of service to clients displayed in all local offices;

  the name of the local and area managers displayed in each local office, and everyone wearing name badges;

  comprehensive information on the services provided by the ES set out in a series of leaflets;

  national annual customer satisfaction surveys supplemented by customer surveys at local level;

  new easy-to-use complaints procedure.

  All my local offices now have set their own standards of service (against national minimums I have set). These include waiting times (within 10 minutes), how quickly the telephone is answered (within 30 seconds), paying the right money on time (normally within 3 working days of signing); and the numbers of people they aim to place into jobs.
  We bring the Charter to the attention of all new clients and copies of it are available for people to keep.
  We are constantly seeking improvements in the service we give to our clients. For example, large print, braille and minority language versions of the Jobseeker's Charter leaflets are now available. We are also extending Jobseeker Charter principles to our external service providers (eg contractors running Jobclubs and Job Review Workshops for us). A new clause requiring contractors to adhere to Jobseeker's Charter principles is being included in all new contracts. My local poeple are meeting all their contractors to explain what is needed and to ensure that contractors implement Charter standards.
  Individual offices are piloting local customer satisfaction surveys. They will use the results to improve the services they provide locally. We plan to carry out local surveys annually and to make public key results.
  The complaints and suggestions procedure mentioned earlier is explained in a booklet called "Help us to get it right … and how to complain". This includes a target that. we will respond to complaints within 5 working days.
  I enclose copies of the suggestions and complaints leaflet and also of the leaflet "Jobseeker's Charter" which you may be interested to see. They are displayed in every Employment Service local office.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps she is taking to monitor the progress of the jobseekers charter.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. F'ogden to Mr. Jimmy Wray, dated 2 November 1992:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question about monitoring the progress of the Jobseeker's Charter. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Jobseeker's Charter was launched in December 1991. All my local offices now have set their own standards of service (against national minimums I have set). These include waiting times (within 10 mins), how quickly the telephone is answered (within 30 secs), paying the right money on time (normally withing 3 working days of signing); and the number of people they aim to place into jobs.
  Local managers already monitor their performance against their own standards and we are developing ways in which we can monitor these results nationally.
  The Employment Service (ES) also has national targets for key areas of performance set by the Secretary of State each year. These are published in the ES Annual Performance Agreement and ES performance against them is published in the ES Annual Report.
  58
  The complaints and suggestions procedure mentioned earlier is explained in a booklet called "Help us to get it right … and how to complain". This includes a target for responding to complaints within 5 working days. Complaints and suggestions are monitored centrally on a quarterly basis.
  The 1991 survey showed high levels of satisfaction with our offices—from 79 per cent. satisfaction with Jobcentres Services to 87 per cent. with benefit services in new integrated offices combining the service of Jobcentres and Unemployment Benefit Offices. I have agreed with the Secretary of State a target of achieving an increase of 3 per cent. in the level of customer satisfaction in each type of ES office.
  Individual offices are piloting local customer satisfaction surveys. They will use the results to improve the services they provide locally. We plan to carry out local surveys annually and to keep results.
  We are also extending Jobseeker's Charter principles to encourage our external service providers (eg contractors running Jobclubs and Job Review Workshops for us) to operate to Charter standards. A new clause requiring contractors to adhere to Jobseeker's Charter principles is being included in all new contracts. My local people are meeting all their contractors to explain what is needed and to ensure that contractors implement Charter standards.
  I am responsible to the Secretary of State for the progress on the Jobseekers Charter. The Secretary of State meets the Prime Minister every six months to discuss progress on the Jobseeker's Charter and Employment Service officials meet members of the Employment Department and the Citizen's Charter Unit regularly to discuss progress.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Offshore Installations (Standby Vessels)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 318, if she will make a statement on the monitoring undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive since the end of June of the presence of adequate numbers of emergency standby vessels for offshore installations.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I made clear to the hon. Member in my answer of 9 July 1992, at column 318, that it is the responsibility of each individual operator to ensure that there is adequate standby vessel cover available at all times to provide the necessary safeguards.

  Since June I have taken further action to remind industry of this responsibility. I issued a press statement on 6 August reminding operators that they must plan ahead to ensure that by the end of the year all their installations are supported by vessels which comply fully with the code on the assessment of the suitability of standby vessels attending offshore installations.

  The Health and Safety Executive has made it clear that there can be no slippage in implementation, and dispensations will not be granted. I fully support this.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment on what date her Department became aware that British Coal proposed to give less than the statutory 90-day notice of redundancy to miners affected by the current round of proposed pit closures.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department received first notifications of the proposed redundancies from British
  59
  Coal on 15 October 1992. British Coal subsequently withdrew these notifications and has now submitted new ones.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her Department's estimate of the number of women in the travel-to-work areas affected by the proposed pit closures; and what estimate she has made of the proportion who are employed by county or district local authorities.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The table shows the number of women, aged 16 years and over, resident in each of the travel-to-work areas affected by the proposed pit closures. The data are taken from the 1981 census of population and is the latest information available. Information relating to the numbers employed by local authorities is not available in the form requested.

  Travel-to-work area

  Total females aged 16+

  Alfreton and Ashfield

  53,528

  Barnsley

  78,999

  Chesterfield

  68,869

  Doncaster

  101,609

  Llanelli

  42,524

  Mansfield

  61,755

  Merthyr and Rhymney

  63,106

  Nottingham

  282,727

  Retford

  19,033

  Sheffield

  248,953

  Shotton, Flint and Rhyl

  77,647

  South Tyneside

  65,225

  Stoke

  185,402

  Sunderland

  170,783

  Wakefield and Dewsbury

  103,692

  Wigan and St. Helens

  190,788

  Source: OPCS, 1981 Census of Population.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what information she has on the number of women covered by wages councils who are married, living with a partner, single or widowed respectively;

  (2) how many of the women covered by wages councils are the principal source of family income.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many establishments covered by wages councils are located in the travel-to-work areas directly affected by the pit closure programme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Opencast Coal
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information her Department has on links between asthma and opencast coal mining; and what role her Department is playing in the current review of the coal industry.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Health and Safety Executive, which is concerned with the health and safety effects of work activity on both employees and others, has no 60
  information that establishes a link between asthma and opencast coal mining. The Health and Safety Commission is always prepared to advise on health and safety matters, but it has no direct role in the current review of the coal industry which is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he plans to publish the study on renewable energy commissioned by his predecessor in 1991.

  Mr. Eggar
  I anticipate that the report of the Renewable Energy advisory group will be submitted to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in the near future. It will be published soon thereafter.

  Animal Experiments
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement outlining his Department's and the Council of Ministers' response to proposals from the European Parliament and Commission to end cosmetic tests on animals.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Government's policy in the negotiations on the proposed sixth Council amendment to the cosmetics directive is wherever possible to eliminate animal testing and if this does not prove possible to keep animal testing to a minimum consistent with human safety. In recognition of the progress made in developing skin and eye irritancy tests, the United Kingdom has called on the European Community to set 1998 as a target date for the replacement of animal tests in those areas subject to there being validated alternatives. We will continue to press for a reduction in animal testing and we hope that during our presidency member states will agree to the phasing out of testing on animals when they can be replaced with suitably validated non-animal alternatives.

  Hospital Radio
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 989, when he will announce his plans for frequencies for hospital radio.

  Mr. Leigh
  As the Radio Authority informed the National Association of Hospital Broadcasting Organisations on 24 September, the members of the authority have decided that, in the light of the results of the previous experiment and before any further steps are taken, a detailed assessment should be made of the wider implications of freely radiating transmission for hospital and student radio upon spectrum availability. It is for the Radio Authority to determine how best to use the frequencies available for independent broadcasting, determining in particular the priorities to be accorded to permanent stations, short-term restricted services, and longer term restricted services, like hospital and student radio.

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all of the reports that his Department has commissioned from external consultants in each of the last three years; for each of the last three years, how many reports from external consultants to his Department led to further consultancy work being commissioned, stating for each of these who were the original and subsequent consultants and briefly describing the subject matter of the consultancy work; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Power Generation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assumptions have been made as to the cost of generating electricity by nuclear power and coal respectively; and if he will publish for each year since 1962 the average cost of electricity produced by such stations compared with the average cost of base-load coal-fired stations.

  Mr. Eggar
  The comparable capital and full fuel costs per kilowatt hour of power stations using different fuels depend significantly upon the contractual terms of fuel purchase, and the contractual terms under which the power station is constructed and operated. These are commercial matters for the companies concerned. Figures for the average cost of generating electricity by nuclear power and coal for each year since 1962 are therefore not available. Nuclear Electric has published the operating costs of its stations since 1989–90 in its annual report.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy that all Her Majesty's Government's evidence and material to be presented to his inquiry relating to the colliery closures should also be available to the Trade and Industry Select Committee; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement on this point that my right hon. Friend made in the House on 26 October.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether a full cost benefit analysis was made of the implications of the closure of coal mines as announced in his statement on 21 October.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: As my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, indicated on 21 October, we considered a wide range of issues in reaching our conclusions.

  Energy Research
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of Her Majesty's Government's energy research budget in 1989 was spent on(a) coal technology and (b) energy efficiency.

  Mr. Eggar
  The percentage of Her Majesty's Government energy research budget that was spent on coal technology in 1989–90 was I per cent: The equivalent figure for energy efficiency was 4·7 per cent.
  62
  Energy efficiency expenditure now falls within the remit of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Institution of Electrical Engineers
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how often he has met representatives of the Institution of Electrical Engineers; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  To date, my right hon. Friend has had no meetings with representatives of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Officials, including those from the new industry sector division, are in contact with the LEE on a number of industrial issues.

  Electricity
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the value of work undertaken overseas by companies in the electricity industry for the latest convenient period.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a commercial matter for the companies concerned.

  Coalfield Communities
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade over what time scale the £165 million package he announced to assist coalfield communities will be allocated; what part of this sum is in addition to existing departmental spending plans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The employment package of up to £75 million announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Employment, will be spread over this financial year and the next. The £5 million coalfield areas fund will be spent over the same period. The English Estates £85 million programme of premises and sites provision will be spread over three or four years. These programmes will provide additional assistance for the areas affected.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how the citizens charter will apply to the mining community.

  Mr. Eggar
  The citizens charter will apply to the mining community as individual members of the public who are entitled to receive high-quality public services.

  Press Notices
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to make available to hon. Members on request press notices issued by his Department on the day of release.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department's press notices, along with those of other Departments, are already available to hon. Members on the day of release, through the Palace of Westminster's computerised parliamentary on-line information system—POLLS—which subscribes to the Central Office of Information's electronic news distribution system and receives all press notices released in this way within minutes of their origination. The POLIS system is available to all hon. Members either through the Library
  63
  or through hon. Member's own computers. In addition, the Library receives paper copies of all press releases distributed by the Central Office of Information on the day of release.

  Emergency Vessels
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the names of all emergency or standby vessels which have been ordered in each of the last three years for service in the United Kingdom's offshore oil and gas industry from shipyards located in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  One new-build emergency or stand-by vessel has been ordered for service in the United Kingdom offshore oil and gas industry in the last three years. The order was placed this year by Seaboard Marine of Aberdeen, with the Yorkshire Dry Dock Company. The vessel is due for delivery in December 1993 and is intended for a long-term charter with Amerada Hess on the Scott field. It has not yet been formally named.

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance is given by his Department to the chairmen of nationalised industries about contact between employees and their local Members of Parliament about matters of national and local importance.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department offers no advice to the chairmen of the nationalised industries for which it is responsible as to contact between their employees and Members of Parliament. Members of the boards of these industries are advised that they should abstain from controversial political activity.

  Silverhill Colliery
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has concerning the number of employees, the tonnage of coal mined, and the profit or loss made at the Silverhill colliery in the financial years made in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992; and what was the average cost per gigajoule of this fuel in each of those years.

  Mr. Eggar
  These are matters for British Coal.

  Opencast Mining
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the need to ensure that opencast coal is included in the current review of coal and energy policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, announced the terms of the review in the House on 26 October. So far, no representations on the inclusion in the review of open cast coal mining have been received.

  Emergency Call Review Group
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the members of the OFTEL 999 emergency call review group.

  Mr. Leigh
  The following organisations were represented on the independent emergency call review group established by OFTEL:64

  Regional Ambulance Officers Group

  Fire Services Inspectorate

  Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Policy Authority for Northern Ireland

  Office of the Chief Coastguard

  Department of Health

  Department of Trade and Industry

  OFTEL

  Home Office

  Scottish Office

  Northern Ireland Office

  BT

  Mercury Communications Ltd

  Racal-Vodafone Ltd

  Telecom Securicor Cellular Radio Ltd

  Kingston Communications (Hull) Ltd

  The Cable Television Authority

  Phonepoint Ltd

  Post Office Privatisation
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place a copy of the Kleinwort Benson report on Post Office privatisation feasibility in the Library.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: Any reports produced by the Government's advisers on the Post Office are internal Government documents. I do not intend, therefore, to place such documents in the Library.

  Reductions and Placement
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has made to the reports by Touche Ross and March Consulting Group respectively on reductions and replacement, as commissioned by his Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: My Department commissioned the report by Touche Ross on the use of CFCs and 1, 1, 1, Tri-chloroethane as solvents. The report by March Consulting Group on the use of CFCs in the refrigeration sector was commissioned by the Department of the Environment. Both reports are primarily intended to inform decisions on the timetable for phasing-out ozone-depleting substances. These decisions will be taken, by agreement between EC member states, in the context of the review of the Montreal protocol later this year.

  Business Consultancy Development Initiatives
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give(a) the total expenditure on business consultancy development initiatives for each of the standard regions and Great Britain and for each of the years 1989–90 to 1991–92 inclusive and (b) the total expenditure for business consultancy development initiatives in each of the assisted areas in Scotland for the years 1989–90 to 1991–92.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: Total payments on enterprise initiative consultancy projects for each DTI region for each of the years 1989–90 to 1991–92 are shown in the table. A breakdown of expenditure in assisted areas in Scotland is not available.

  Expenditure on the CI's by region 1989–90 to 1991–92

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  North East

  1,709

  2,287

  3,119

  North West

  6,192

  7,002

  6,905

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  3,987

  4,723

  5,969

  65

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  West Midlands

  4,343

  4,963

  6,912

  East Midlands

  2,136

  2,654

  3,694

  South West

  2,491

  2,981

  3,795

  East

  1,922

  2,316

  3,227

  South East

  6,905

  7,751

  11,157

  Scotland

  3,631

  3,137

  4,248

  Wales

  2,278

  2,418

  3,108

  Total

  35,594

  40,232

  52,134

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Beard of Trade if he will list, for the last 12 months, the titles of papers published by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible.

  Mr. Eggar
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the chief executives of the 10 agencies for which my Department is responsible. I have therefore asked Mr. Mike Hoddinott, Accounts Services Agency; Mr. David Durham, Companies House; Mr. Peter Joyce, Insolvency Service; Dr. Richard Worswick, Laboratory of the Government Chemist; Mr. William Edgar, National Engineering Laboratory; Dr. Peter Clapham, National Physical Laboratory; Dr. Seton Bennett, National Weights and Measures Laboratory; Mr. Paul Hartnack, Patent Office; Mr. John Michell, Radiocommunications Agency; and Dr. Doug Cormack, Warren Spring Laboratory, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Hoddinott to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 26 October 1992:
  Your recent Parliamentary Question addressed to the President of the Board of Trade asked for the titles of papers published by DTI agencies. I have been asked to reply in respect of Accounts Services Agency for which I am Chief Executive.
  The only paper published by ASA over the last 12 months was the Annual Report and Accounts for 1991–92 issued in August.

  Letter from David Durham to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  You recently put down a Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade asking him to list, for the last 12 months, the titles of papers published by each agency chief executive. Following the answer given by Mr. Eggar. I am replying in respect of Companies House.
  As you may imagine, Companies House publishes a great variety of forms and notes for guidance for the use of companies and individuals. There are in addition regular newsheets circulated to our customers, and other publicity, on developments in our services. These are in order to help companies and others understand and meet the obligations all limited companies have to place certain documents on the public record. I have assumed that your question is not addressed at such publications, though I would be happy to list them should you so wish.
  Apart from these, the only document which I believe falls within the scope of your question is as follows:
  Annual Report and Accounts for 1991–92.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  1. I am replying at Mr. Eggar's request to your recent Parliamentary Question in which you asked the President of the Board of Trade to list, for the last 12 months, the titles of papers published by the Chief Executive of each executive agency.
  66
  2. In the last 12 months the following documents have been published by the Insolvency Service:

  A Guide to Bankruptcy

  Insolvency General Annual Report 1990

  Insolvency Service Executive Agency Annual Report 1990–91

  Accounts 1990–91

  Insolvency General Annual Report 1991

  Insolvency Service Executive Agency Annual Report 1991–92

  Directory of Authorised Insolvency Practitioners 1992

  Letter from R. D. Worswick to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  I am writing to you in reply to your PQ asking the President of the Board of Trade for the titles of papers published within the last 12 months by the Chief Executives of the Department's Agencies.
  Within the last 12 months I have had published the papers listed below:

  (i) "Quality Assurance in the European Community", Presented to a Meeting of the American Laboratory Managers Association on 24 October 1991

  (ii) "The Laboratory of the Government Chemist: Past and Future"

  Opening lecture at an International Conference on Analytical Chemistry (SAC 92), 20–26 September 1992

  I hope this is useful.

  Letter from W. Edgar to Mr. Martin Redmond. Dated 26 October 1992:
  I would refer to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 21 October to the President of the Board of Trade in which you asked if he will list, for the last 12 months, the titles of papers published by the Chief Executive of each Executive Agency for which he is responsible.
  As Chief Executive of NEL I attach a listing of the publications issued in 1991 together with a partial listing for 1992 to date, I trust that you will find this information to be satisfactory for your purposes.
  A list of the documents has been placed in the Library.

  Letter from Dr. P. B. Clapham to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question addressed to the President of the Board of Trade requesting titles of papers published by Agency Chief Executives. I have been asked to respond regarding my own Agency, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).
  NPL has recently published its Annual Report and Accounts for 1991–92 and copies were laid before the Houses of Parliament on 24 September 1992. In addition, the Laboratory has had published a large number of scientific papers in the technical press, various pamphlets describing NPL's measurement services, and also our "House Journal", NPL News. Finally, I have recently had published a paper entitled, "Measurement—for what it's Worth" discussing the value of NPL's measurement work to the United Kingdom economy. Most of these publications are freely available from the Laboratory's Information Services, and I should he glad to arrange for copies to be sent to you if you would like to indicate your particular interests.

  Letter from Seton Bennett to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:
  I have been asked by the President of the Board of Trade to let you have details of papers I have published during t he last twelve months.
  In my capacity as Chief Executive of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory I have published the Agency's Corporate Plan in March 1992 and its 1991–92 Annual Report in July. NWML also publishes a number of technical documents and type approval certificates.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:

  67
  I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question number 180 of 21 October 1992 about titles of papers published in the last year.
  2. I have published no papers on a personal basis, but in seeking to stimulate interest in intellectual property matters I have made a number of speeches to a variety of audiences. By way of example, I enclose a copy of a speech I made last week at a conference on global technology transfer, which was printed as one of the conference papers.
  3. More generally, details of patent applications, and of applications for the registration of trade marks and designs are published by the Patent Office as part of the statutory process. My Annual Report as Comptroller General is also published, and copies are laid in the library of the House of Commons, as are copies of the Patent Office's approved Corporate Plan.
  4. Finally I should mention that we publish a large number of pamphlets, monographs, and other literature, including videos and self-education packages, aimed at informing the public on different aspects of intellectual property. If you would like a complete set of this material please let me know and I will arrange for it to be sent to you direct, or placed in the library of the House of Commons.
  A copy of the speech has been placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. J. Michell to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  You have recently tabled two Parliamentary Questions to the President of the Board of Trade, concerning papers published and fact finding visits by the Chief Executive, of DTI Agencies. The President has asked me to write to you on these matters in relation to the Radiocommunications Agency.
  I have not myself published any papers since this Agency was established in 1990. However the Agency as such has published a large number of technical papers, reports and so forth. I am not sure this kind of publication is what you had in mind in your Question but I have enclosed details of publications over the past 12 months should these be of interest. I am also enclosing a copy of the Agency's latest annual report.
  In the last twelve months I have not made any fact finding visits as such. During the course of my work I have visited a number of United Kingdom companies to discuss matters of business, as well as visiting different Agency establishments. I have made one overseas visit to Australia and New Zealand, to discuss with the authorities there certain radical changes in radio spectrum management policy they have introduced or are in course of introducing, in order that I may better advise Ministers on future policy in this country. As you may know, the Government has announced its intention of issuing a consultative document on future radio spectrum management in due course.
  I hope this is helpful.
  A list of the documents has been placed in the Library.

  Letter from D. Cormack, chief executive of the Warren Spring Laboratory, to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 26 October 1992:
  In response to your question to the President of the Board of Trade, I list below the papers I have had published during the period in question.
  Effluent Treatment: Technologies for Decontaminating Industrial Waste Waters

  Paper given at Financial Times conference 'The
  European Water Industry', 10–11 March 1992.

  The Management of Acute Risks. Oil Spill Contingency Planning and Response

  Co-author of chapter in the book 'North Sea Oil and the Environment', published by Elsevier Applied Science, 1992.

  Scientific and Technical Aspects of Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution
  68

  Paper in the Journal 'Marine Policy', December 1991, in section entitled 'Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution: Marine Issues for the Earth Summit'.

  I also enclose lists of this Agency's publications for the period in question. This list does not of course, include those publications with a Commercial-in-Confidence designation.
  A list of the documents has been placed in the Library.

  Plessey-Siemens Pensioners
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from Plessey-Siemens pensioners on changes in benefits from GEC; and what response he has made.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have received some 40 or 50 letters from, or on behalf of, Plessey pensioners. In response, we have explained that arrangements for splitting the Plessey fund have been submitted to the High Court for approval and that, in the meantime, all former Plessey pensioners have received increases amounting to 31 per cent. over the past 16 months. We have also explained that the withdrawal of a free private health care plan is a matter for the company as employer, rather than for the pension scheme.

SCOTLAND

  Water
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the water supply zones in each region where one or more samples exceeded 10 micrograms of lead per litre of water in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The table lists zones where results from regulatory sampling in 1991 indicate that one or more samples exceeded 10 micrograms of lead per litre of water. More than 98 per cent. of these samples met the regulation standard of 50 micrograms per litre.

  Region and zone

  Borders

  Acreknowe

  Bonchester

  Broughton

  Earnscleugh

  Innerleithen

  Philiphaugh

  Stow

  Tweedsmuir

  Walkerburn

  Central

  Callander

  Crianlarich

  Kilsyth, Croy, Banton, Twechar, Queenzieburn

  West Stirlingshire

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Auchneel

  Black Esk South

  Creetown

  Kettleton/Kettleton Borehole

  Killylour/Terregles Borehole

  Langholm

  Moffat

  Newton Stewart

  Sanquhar

  Winterhope

  69
  Fife

  Auchterderran

  Buckhaven

  Cleish

  Cowdenheath

  Dunfermline

  Dumferline

  South East Neuk

  Falkland

  Glenrothes North

  Glenrothes South

  Kinross

  Kirkcaldy

  Newburgh

  North East Fife

  North Fife

  St. Andrews/Pipelands

  Tayport

  Grampian

  Aboyne

  Airyhall

  Auchengoul

  Auchleven-Everton

  Ballater

  Blackburn Spring

  Bluehill (including Kincardine/Deeside)

  Brideswell

  Cairnie-Riggins

  Clatt

  Clerkyhill

  Collieston (1)

  Collieston (2)

  Crathie

  Dinnet

  Drummuir

  Easterton

  Fortie

  Fraserburgh/Hillhead

  Glendye

  Hatton of Cruder(

  Kennethmont

  Kintore

  Largue

  Lossiemouth (Low Level)

  Mannofield South

  Marypark

  Montgarrie-Whiteside

  Morriston/Woodlands

  Muir Fowlis

  Muiralehouse

  Newbigging (Inverurie)

  New Pitsligo-Turlundie

  Oyne/Old Rayne

  Oyne Springs

  Pineshaw (Port Elphinstone)

  Ryhnie

  Rothes-Drumbain

  Sandhaven

  Strathdon

  Tarland

  Tarland-Raw

  Traves

  Tomnavoulin

  Turriff

  Turriff Distribution

  Highland

  Balmacara

  Beauly Firth

  Brora

  Caithness Regional

  Dores

  Easter Ross and Black Isle

  Easter Ross (River Glass)

  Fort Willian-Claggan

  Foyers

  Invergarry

  Inverness/Balmore

  Inverness/Oldtown

  70

  Kentallen

  Kingussie

  Kinlochleven

  Laggan Bridge

  Nairn

  Spey Valley (Loch Einich)

  Lothian

  Alnwickhill Joppa

  Alnwickhill Leith

  Alnwickhill Newington

  Alnwickhill Portobello

  Belstane

  Chalkieside

  Dechmont

  Dechmont Law

  East Craigs

  Fairmilchead Direct

  Fairmilehead Gilmerton

  Firrhill Mid

  Firrhill North

  Firrhill South

  Firrhill West

  Fountain hall

  Garleton

  Harburnhead

  Harlaw/Marchbank

  Hillend

  Humbie

  Kinleith

  Latch

  Lawhead

  Pateshill Direct

  Pateshill District

  Pateshill Longridge

  Preston

  Roseberry East

  Roseberry Gourlaw

  Roseberry West

  Stobshiel

  Torduff

  Traprain

  Waterston

  West Mains

  Strathclyde

  Allanton and Shotts

  Ardeer

  Arrochar/Tarbet/Kilcreggan

  Auchenlongford

  Barrhead/Auchenback

  Bearsden/Milngavie/Hillfoot/Kessington/Drumchapel

  Biggar

  Brodick

  Cairndow

  Cardross

  Catacol

  Darvel Valley

  Douglas and Lesmahagow

  Furnace/Minard

  Glasgow-Cardonald/Hillington/Mosspark/Penilee

  Glasgow-Carntyne/Springboig/Shettleston

  Glasgow-Cockmuir

  Glasgow-Cranhill/Easterhouse/Lethamhill/Ruchazie

  Glasgow-Crossyloof/Pollock/Pollockshields/Nitshill

  Glasgow-Dennistoun/Haghill/Possilpark/Ruchill

  Glasgow-Drumchapel/Knightswood/Yoker

  Glasgow-Hutchesontown/Rutherglen

  Glasgow-Kelvinside/Maryhill

  Glasgow-Langside/Newlands

  Glenbuck

  Howwood/Johnstone/Kilbarchan

  Kilberry

  Kilchattan Bay

  Kilmaurs

  Lanarkshire (South East)

  Larkhall and Hamilton

  Leven Valley

  Motherwell (North)

  Muirkirk

  71

  Pirnmill

  Rankinston

  Renfrewshire (South)

  Strachur

  Tiree

  Tayside

  Aberfeldy

  Ballinluig

  Balnaguard

  Bridge of Cally

  Clatto East

  Clatto North

  Dunkeld Region

  Grandtully

  Kenmore

  Kinloch Rannoch

  Perth

  Pitlochry

  Turret

  Orkney

  Note:—Although Orkney zones met the prescribed standard in the Regulations, the data presented are indeterminate in terms of whether 10 micrograms per litre was exceeded. No results, however, exceeded 20 micrograms per litre.

  Private sector improvements—Amount of grant approved for lead plumbing work only1

  District

  Amount of grant approved in financial year £000

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  SCOTLAND

  2,508

  2,896

  2,820

  1,957

  Borders

  Berwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Roxburgh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tweeddale

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Central

  Clackmannan

  23

  19

  9

  16

  Falkirk

  4

  5

  11

  18

  Stirling

  5

  2

  24

  25

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  3

  1

  4

  2

  Nithsdale

  3

  5

  8

  7

  Stewartry

  1

  2

  3

  7

  Wigtown

  5

  3

  5

  8

  Fife

  Dunfermline

  2

  8

  11

  6

  Kirkcaldy

  37

  93

  76

  23

  North-east Fife

  —

  2

  3

  2

  Grampian

  Aberdeen

  239

  219

  207

  156

  Banff and Buchan

  11

  6

  4

  4

  Gordon

  10

  18

  18

  7

  Kincardine and Deeside

  4

  8

  21

  12

  Moray

  3

  2

  7

  23

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  6

  5

  8

  1

  Caithness

  —

  4

  5

  5

  Inverness

  5

  8

  3

  4

  Lochaber

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Nairn

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ross and Cromarty

  8

  12

  5

  4

  Skye and Lochalsh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sutherland

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Lothian

  East Lothian

  67

  37

  109

  90

  Edinburgh

  746

  949

  1,116

  209

  Midlothian

  14

  17

  22

  41

  West Lothian

  30

  41

  4

  18

  72
  Shetland

  Mid Yell

  Skerries

  Western Isles

  Achmore

  Balallan

  Islivig

  Leurbost

  Northton

  Sollas

  Tarbert/Scalpay

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of grants paid by each district council in Scotland for replacement of lead water supply pipes in each financial year since 1988–89 and for the current financial year to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table gives figures, for each full year since 1988–89, of grants approved for the replacement of lead plumbing only. Plumbing replacement is, however, often included in other works of repair and improvement; the cost of this cannot be identified separately. No full information is yet available for any part of the current financial year.
  73

  District

  Amount of grant approved in financial year £000

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  39

  49

  112

  90

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  43

  60

  128

  245

  Clydebank

  1

  3

  3

  4

  Clydesdale

  4

  4

  5

  9

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  1

  —

  —

  7

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  4

  6

  4

  6

  Cunninghame

  29

  30

  38

  32

  Dumbarton

  13

  17

  14

  22

  East Kilbride

  4

  —

  6

  13

  Eastwood

  98

  45

  79

  1

  Glasgow

  669

  666

  36

  184

  Hamilton

  4

  4

  1

  2

  Inverclyde

  35

  18

  48

  74

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  16

  15

  34

  45

  Kyle and Carrick

  76

  65

  50

  70

  Monklands

  21

  39

  64

  39

  Motherwell

  5

  3

  3

  7

  Renfrew

  83

  173

  253

  133

  Strathkelvin

  51

  66

  127

  115

  Tayside

  Angus

  2

  7

  3

  1

  Dundee

  —

  2

  —

  6

  Perth and Kinross

  74

  50

  126

  161

  Islands Councils

  Orkney Islands

  7

  3

  3

  2

  Shetland Islands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1 Amount of grant approved where the repair is solely for the replacement of lead plumbing. Grants for repairs/improvements where part is for lead plumbing work has been excluded.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the new rules announced by the Prime Minister about the use of the private sector for public sector projects will allow the private sector to invest in local authority controlled water services.

  Mr. Lang
  As indicated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, we are keen that the public and private sectors should work closely together to invest in Britain's future. As announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Gollie) on 8 July 1992,Official Report, columns 266–67.I appointed consultants to advise me on alternative forms of organisation for water and sewerage services in Scotland including ways in which the private sector might contribute enterprise and investment to this vital public service. I intend to publish a consultation paper shortly.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons the brief given to consultants Quayle Munro to inquire into the Scottish water industry has not been published; if he will make it his policy for the completed report from the consultants to be published; and if he will publish the list of consultants asked to tender for the consultancy contract covering the future of the water industry in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The consultants' brief concerned advice sought by the Government under conditions of commercial confidentiality for the purpose of informing policy. As such, it is not appropriate for publication. The same constraints apply to the consultants' report itself. That report, however, will form the preparation of the consultation paper which will
  74
  be published shortly and which will set out a range of options for the future structure of the water and sewerage services in Scotland. The consultation paper and not the consultants' report will be the appropriate document to serve as a basis for public discussion and comment.

  The list of firms invited to tender for the consultancy was as follows:

  Barclays de Zoete Wedd

  British Linen Bank

  Coopers and Lybrand

  County NatWest

  Ernst and Young

  Kleinwort Benson

  National Economic Research Associates

  Price Waterhouse

  Quayle Munro

  Schroders

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretaru of State for Scotland how many people were employed in manufacturing in Scotland in 1979; and how many there are at the present time.

  Mr. Stewart
  In June 1979, there were an estimated 604,000 employees employed in manufacturing in Scotland. In June 1992, the latest date for which information is available, this figure was 368,000. Both of these figures are taken from the civilian work force in employment estimates complied by the Employment Department.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) percentage and (b) numbers of

  75
  employees in manufacturing in Scotland were in (i) home-owned firms and (ii) overseas-owned firms in 1979; and what are the percentages at the present time.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is given in the table. The latest year for which such information is available is 1990.

  Percentage and number of employees1 in home-owned and overseas-owned manufacturing plants in Scotland, 1979 and 1990

  Home-owned plants

  Overseas-owned plants

  1979

  Percentage of all employees

  80·8

  19·2

  Number of employees

  455,100

  108,100

  1990

  Percentage of all employees

  75·5

  24·3

  Number of employees

  264,000

  85,800

  Source: The Scottish Register of Employment.

  1The Scottish Register of Employment only holds information for manufacturing units with 11 or more employees.

  Current Expenditure (£'000) (Cash)

  River Purification Board

  Year

  Clyde

  Forth

  Highland

  North East

  Solway

  Tay

  Tweed

  1979–80

  821

  723

  210

  361

  146

  185

  109

  1980–81

  1,036

  881

  288

  444

  189

  225

  133

  1981–82

  1,095

  1,051

  309

  500

  227

  256

  151

  1982–83

  1,311

  1,183

  331

  546

  251

  286

  156

  1983–84

  1,313

  1,237

  362

  595

  275

  316

  181

  1984–85

  1,285

  1,168

  399

  665

  338

  329

  199

  1985–86

  1,381

  1,401

  423

  700

  347

  377

  215

  1986–87

  1,566

  1,462

  437

  754

  358

  490

  236

  1987–88

  1,703

  1,575

  464

  808

  389

  682

  275

  1988–89

  1,843

  1,893

  654

  1,159

  501

  774

  580

  1989–90

  2,124

  1,668

  544

  905

  432

  622

  313

  1990–91

  2,575

  2,227

  821

  1,186

  617

  887

  448

  1991–92

  2,945

  2,405

  968

  1,298

  702

  1,133

  512

  Source:

  (1) 1979–80 to 1988–89: First Policy Review Report of RPBs.

  (2) 1989–90 to 1991–92: information from RPBs.

  Current Expenditure (£000) (1991 prices)

  River Purification Board

  Clyde

  Forth

  Highland

  North East

  Solway

  Tay

  Tweed

  1979–80

  2,012

  1,772

  515

  885

  358

  454

  267

  1980–81

  2,086

  1,774

  580

  894

  381

  453

  268

  1981–82

  1,968

  1,889

  555

  898

  408

  460

  271

  1982–83

  2,153

  1,943

  544

  897

  412

  470

  256

  1983–84

  2,073

  1,953

  572

  940

  434

  499

  286

  1984–85

  1,929

  1,754

  599

  998

  508

  494

  299

  1985–86

  1,939

  1,967

  594

  983

  487

  529

  302

  1986–87

  2,134

  1,992

  595

  1,028

  488

  668

  322

  1987–88

  2,227

  2,059

  607

  1,056

  509

  891

  359

  1988–89

  2,319

  2,098

  684

  1,138

  507

  782

  394

  1989–90

  2,473

  2,204

  761

  1,350

  583

  901

  442

  1990–91

  2,740

  2,369

  874

  1,261

  656

  944

  477

  1991–92

  2,945

  2,405

  968

  1,298

  702

  1,133

  512

  Note: Adjusted by reference to RPI.

  Capital Expenditure (£000) (Cash)

  River Purification Board

  Clyde

  Forth

  Highland

  North East

  Solway

  Tay

  Tweed

  1979–80

  16

  51

  31

  —

  32

  —

  2

  1980–81

  —

  —

  15

  51

  82

  6

  —

  1981–82

  —

  —

  21

  —

  67

  8

  2

  1982–83

  15

  —

  59

  —

  57

  23

  11

  1983–84

  —

  —

  8

  47

  145

  19

  13

  1984–85

  —

  71

  21

  34

  48

  29

  11

  Gripparod, Glengarnock
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring his Department has carried out of Gripparod plc's closure of Carpet Systems in Glengarnock.

  Mr. Stewart
  None.

  River Purification Boards
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the resources provided for each of the river purification boards in each year since 1979, expressed in both cash terms and at current prices; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The river purification boards are financed by precept on the regional councils within their areas and through income from cost-recovery charging schemes introduced this year.

  The table gives current and capital expenditure.
  77

  Capital Expenditure (£000) (Cash)

  River Purification Board

  Clyde

  Forth

  Highland

  North East

  Solway

  Tay

  Tweed

  1985–86

  92

  25

  49

  1

  33

  25

  32

  1986–87

  42

  —

  40

  5

  36

  156

  29

  1987–88

  35

  —

  116

  —

  24

  272

  27

  1988–89

  163

  130

  163

  245

  48

  81

  66

  1989–90

  167

  95

  62

  156

  64

  49

  50

  1990–91

  95

  24

  65

  44

  99

  101

  39

  1991–92

  148

  164

  82

  15

  58

  86

  42

  (1) 1979–80 to 1988–89: First Policy Review Report of RPBs.

  (2) 1989–90 to 1991–92: information from RPBs.

  Capital Expenditure (£000) (1991 prices)

  River Purification Board

  Clyde

  Forth

  Highland

  North East

  Solway

  Tay

  Tweed

  1979–80

  39

  125

  76

  —

  78

  —

  5

  1980–81

  —

  —

  30

  103

  165

  12

  —

  1981–82

  —

  —

  38

  —

  120

  14

  4

  1982–83

  25

  —

  97

  —

  94

  38

  18

  1983–84

  —

  —

  13

  71

  228

  30

  21

  1984–85

  —

  107

  32

  51

  72

  44

  17

  1985–86

  129

  35

  69

  1

  46

  35

  45

  1986–87

  57

  —

  55

  7

  49

  213

  40

  1987–88

  46

  —

  152

  —

  31

  356

  35

  1988–89

  205

  164

  205

  308

  60

  102

  83

  1989–90

  195

  111

  72

  182

  75

  57

  58

  1990–91

  101

  26

  69

  47

  105

  107

  41

  1991–92

  148

  164

  82

  15

  58

  86

  42

  Note: Adjusted by reference to RPI.

  Unemployment
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans his Department has for reducing the number of unemployed persons in(a) rural areas of Scotland, (b) mainland highland communities and (c) island communities.

  Mr. Stewart
  The main instruments for promoting the full range of the Government's training, employment and economic development initiatives in Scotland are Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and their associated networks of local enterprise companies. The Government have provided the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise networks with a combined budget this year of some £540 million. In addition, the networks have at their disposal their own resources and European Community funding. All of this is available to encourage economic development and to help people secure employment.

  Each of the communities in the highlands and islands benefits from a local enterprise company which is able to tailor its activities to the needs of the local economy; and, outwith the Highlands and Islands, local enterprise companies are also able to plan better than in the past for the distinctive needs of rural communities, even where the area for which they are responsible is not predominantly rural.

  Youth Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the best information he has about the number of people who were participating in youth training in Scotland in each month since November 1991; and if he will make a statement.
  78
  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is shown in the table, which is based on returns from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise as at 29 October 1992.

  Number of people participating in Youth Training in Scotland

  Number

  November 1991

  37,222

  December 1991

  37,094

  January 1992

  38,780

  February 1992

  38,451

  March 1992

  38,072

  April 1992

  36,603

  May 1992

  35,241

  June 1992

  36,143

  July 1992

  35,596

  August 1992

  35,772

  September 1992

  35,846

  Prisoners
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 287, which person will have the authority to cancel the supervision condition in a former prisoner's licence under the terms of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Bill [Lords]; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Under clause 12(3) of the Bill, it is the Secretary of State who has authority to cancel the supervision conditions in a former prisoner's licence. He must, however, consult the board before doing so in the case of a long-term prisoner; and may only do so in respect of a discretionary life prisoner in accordance with the recommendations of the board.
  79
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many men are serving life sentences in Scottish prisons.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As at Thursday 29 October 1992, there were 451 males, including both adults and young offenders, serving life sentences in Scottish prisons.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of prisoners serving life sentences were released on licence in each of the past five years; and if he will give the numbers in percentages.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers of life sentence prisoners releases on licence and as percentages of the total life sentence prisoner population are as follows:

  Released

  Percentage

  1987

  21

  5·2

  1988

  12

  2·7

  1989

  34

  7·8

  1990

  29

  6·7

  1991

  29

  6·6

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) men and (b) women imprisoned in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As at 23 October 1992, the number of(a) men and (b) women imprisoned in Scotland, including those held on remand was:

  Men

  Women

  Adults

  4,058

  134

  Young Offenders

  1,128

  19

  Total Population

  5,186

  153

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners serving life sentences, released on licence from Scottish prisons, are recalled back into prison; and if he will give that number as a percentage of those released.

  Project

  Description

  Companies invited to tender

  Unsolicited bids

  Contract awarded to

  Contract value (excluding VAT)

  Contract length (years)

  £

  Historic Scotland

  Financial Accounting System

  17

  0

  McKeown software

  433,000

  5

  Directorate of Administrative Services

  Directory production and enquiry System

  5

  0

  Axiom Business Computers

  25,000

  5

  Note: Both contracts included the supply of hardware and software.

  Mr. John Gallagher
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce his decision of the request for a fatal accident inquiry by the parents of John Gallagher, who died in Lennox Castle hospital on 23 May 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: My noble and learned Friend the Lord
  80
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers are given for the period 1987 to 1991.

  Recalls

  Released

  Percentage

  1987

  5

  32

  15·6

  1988

  8

  39

  20·5

  1989

  8

  39

  16·1

  1990

  4

  33

  12·1

  1991

  5

  40

  12·5

  Stobhill Hospital
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the future of Stobhill hospital as a provider of acute services.

  Mr. Stewart
  I am aware that Greater Glasgow is reviewing the pattern of acute services which can best meet the needs of its population in the future. Any resulting proposal for the closure of hospitals or for major changes in the existing pattern of services would have to be referred to the Secretary of State. No such proposals are currently before Ministers.

  Computer Projects
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table setting out for the period since 9 April(a) each tender issued by his Department for projects requiring the supply of (i) computer hardware and (ii) computer software, (b) a description of the services required, (c) the number of companies who were invited to tender, (d) the number of companies who submitted a bid without prior invitation by his Department, (e) which company was awarded the contract, (f) the value of each contract and (g) the length of period over which the contract will run.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: The information sought is set out in the table.

  Advocate informs me that a fatal accident inquiry into the circumstances of the death of John Gallagher is to be held on 7 December 1992 in Glasgow sheriff court.

  Regional Enterprise Grants
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total expenditure on regional enterprise grants in each of the assisted areas in Scotland from 1989–90 to 1991–92.
  81
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: The information requested is given in the table.

  Gross expenditure on regional enterprise grants in Scotland 1989–90 to 1991–92

  Travel-to-work area1

  Expenditure £000

  Alloa

  —

  Arbroath

  89·7

  Bathgate

  517·2

  Cumnock and Sanquhar

  75·3

  Dumbarton

  161·5

  Dundee

  454·0

  Dunfermline

  41·9

  Glasgow

  3,855·1

  Greenock

  65·7

  Irvine

  326·5

  Kilmarnock

  229·8

  Kirkcaldy

  25·0

  Lanarkshire

  1,077·2

  1 Only eligible travel-to-work areas are shown. In the period covered by the table, regional enterprise grants were available only in development areas and, since December 1990, the parts of intermediate areas within the Fife RENAVAL area.

TRANSPORT

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list, for the past 12 months, the titles of papers published by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible;

  (2) if he will list the fact-finding visits made in the last 12 months by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible; and what were the findings resulting from each visit.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the chief executives of each of my Department's executive agencies. I have asked each of the chief executives to arrange for a reply to be given. The reply from the chief executive of the Transport Research Laboratory contains a list of tables that are being placed in the Library.

  Letter from J. Wootton, chief executive of the Transport Research Laboratory to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1992:
  I am replying to your two recent Written Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport.
  I list below titles of papers published by me.
  The Better Use of Road Space

  17th International Study Week on Traffic Engineering and Safety—Warsaw, September 1992

  Transport for People—Some research topics

  PTRC XXth Summer Annual Meeting, University of Manchester, September 1992

  United Kingdom Contribution to research in road transport informatics

  IHT Presidential Conference, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, September 1992

  Transport in Europe—Demand, energy and environment

  Institute of Energy: Energy, Transport and the Environment Conference, London, November 1992

  82
  IVHS—An international perspective

  Australian Road Research Board Conference, Perth, November 1992

  With reference to titles of papers published by the whole of TRL, please see the attached list.

  In answer to your Question regarding fact finding visits made in the last 12 months by the Chief Executive these are as follows:

  Number

  Companies

  13

  Research laboratories

  22

  Professional bodies

  21

  Detailed findings resulting from each visit would cost too much in staff time to prepare. However, the Laboratory has been thoroughly reorganised to become customer focussed as the result of feedback from outside bodies. These visits also produce a major input to the studies on business opportunities.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1992:
  Please find attached information in response to your questions concerning:

  (i) List of publications produced by the Vehicle Inspectorate over the past 12 months;

  (ii) Fact-finding visits paid by the Chief Executive from November 1991 to October 1992.

  I trust that these will be of interest to you

  Publications— Vehicle Inspectorate 12 Months to October 1992

  £

  Manuals

  New since 1 October 1991

  MOT Inspection Manual—Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles

  15·95

  MOT Inspection Manual—Private Bus Testing (Class 5)

  18·00

  MOT Testing Guide

  3·50

  A Guide to ADR 1

  12·00

  A Guide to TIR 1

  22·00

  On-Going

  HGV Inspection Manual

  8·75

  HGV Amplification Notes1

  18·00

  PSV Inspection Manual

  8·00

  PSV Amplification Notes1

  15·00

  Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (HGV/PSV)

  3·00

  MOT Inspection Manual—Motor cycles

  3·75

  MOT Vehicle Testing Regulations 1981

  5·30

  MOT Inspection Check Lists (pad of 100)1

  4·75

  Vehicle Safety Recalls Response Rate Bulletin1

  15·00

  How Safe is Your Car?

  4·95

  How Safe is Your Motor cycle?

  4·95

  Information Leaflets—all free of charge

  Will Your Car Pass the MOT Test?—new items late 1991

  Tread Carefully—Improve your Grip on the Road—new tread depth

  Do your Headlamps Point the Right Way?—new regulations

  Code of Practice on Vehicle Safety Defects—January 1992

  The Work of the Vehicle Inspectorate

  Metered Diesel Smoke Testing

  MOT Publications order form

  Changes in the MOT Test—with effect from 1 January 1993

  (October 1992)

  Do you want to be an MOT Tester? (October 1992)

  1 Published by the Vehicle Inspectorate; others produced by Vehicle Inspectorate but published by HMSO. The Business Plan and Annual Report and Accounts of the Vehicle Inspectorate are printed by HMSO and published by the Vehicle Inspectorate.

  83

  Visits—Mr. R. J. Oliver 1 October 1991 to 30 October 1992

  Date

  1991

  13 November

  Meeting with Traffic Commissioner—Cardiff Feedback on customer needs/satisfication

  20 November

  Meeting with Mr. Parle (VI non-Executive Director)/Swindon Identification of business options

  2 December

  Meeting with management consultant—Bristol Scope for consultancy advice on financial systems

  1992

  8 April

  Meeting with KPMG—London Options for development of an Information Systems Strategy

  22 April

  Visit to Traffic Commissioner—Manchester Feedback on customer needs/satisfaction

  27 April

  Meeting with IPMS Union—London Possible Union reaction to draft Management proposals

  5 August

  Meeting with Mr. Parle, Mr. Grimsey and Mr. Fuhr—dinner

  Experience of handling major change

  6 August

  Meeting with Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association

  Consultation on proposed fee structures/increases

  25 August

  Visit to Traffic Commissioner—Eastbourne Feedback on customer needs/satisfaction

  14 September

  Visit to Traffic Commissioner—Bristol Feedback on customer needs/satisfaction

  8 October

  Sainsbury, Basingstoke—operational system in the private sector

  Management information system development

  To

  Purpose

  Findings

  MIRA. Nuneaton

  To establish position of MIRA in relation to VCA's customers based in USA.

  Clearer lines of communications established to mutually assist MIRA and VCA.

  TUV, Munich

  To establish methods of working of German vehicle test organisations.

  Similar approach found to VCA, leading to establishment of working relationship.

  Nissan, Cranfield

  To establish Nissan's type approval requirements over coming 2–3 years.

  Strong programme with VCA drawn up.

  INTA, Madrid

  To establish working methods of Spanish and other authorities as regards forthcoming European Type Approval.

  Some common working practices identified as well as others requiring more discussion.

  SMMT, London

  To establish SMMT's view on the certification of quality systems in the automotive industry.

  Determined need for greater commonality of United Kingdom and European practices.

  Saab, Marlow

  To establish Saab's ideas on application of ISO 9000 in automotive industry.

  Determined need for greater commonality of United Kingdom and European practices.

  Volvo Trucks, Irvine

  To establish Volvo's needs for type approval and quality system certification and their view on long term systems for vehicle certification.

  Outline programmed framed. Some common ideas agreed for longer term.

  Rover, Warwickshire

  To establish Rover's type approval needs.

  Outline programme agreed. Future co-operative training programmes identified.

  COI, London

  To determine whether a common Executive Agencies' marketing network could be set up.

  Probably not for VCA.

  Towers Perrin, London

  Investigation of computer aided jobs evaluation techniques.

  Possible future application even to small group like VCA.

  I should be pleased to provide further information if that would be helpful.

  Letter from Stephen Curtis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  84

  Date

  13 October

  Meeting with David Parr—Essex Water Exchange of information on the process of management of change

  Letter from Derek Harvey, chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 29 October 1992.
  I have been asked by Mr. Kenneth Carlisle to write to you directly in response to two Parliamentary Questions.
  In PQ 883/92/93 you asked for the titles of papers published over the last 12 months by the Chief Executives of each agency in the Department of Transport. During that period I have published (via the House of Commons library) the following titles:

  1. 1990–91 VCA Annual Report (February 1992).

  2. 1992–93 VCA Business Plan (March 1992).

  3. 1991–92 VCA Annual Report (September 1992).

  4. New Car Fuel Consumption (July 1992).

  Other documents circulated to most VCA customers, but not "published" in any wider sense were:

  1. "How to complain" (leaflet October 1992).

  2. Information notice—vehicle type approval legislation (February 1992, May 1992, July 1992).

  3. Guide to EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval (June 1992).

  In PQ 898/92/93 you asked about the fact finding visits made in the last 12 months by the Chief Executive of each agency in the Department of Transport.
  During that period I have made the following fact finding visits.
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to Parliamentary Questions you have tabled about papers published and fact finding visits made by Chief Executives within the last 12 months.
  PO883
  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has published its

  85
  annual Business Plan and Annual Report and Accounts. Each of these include financial and non financial objectives and targets and the Agency's performance against these targets.
  In the summer of 1991 we issued the first in a series of publications called DVL TODAY. The publication is issued half yearly and is designed to introduce and explain the work of this organisation to its many and varied customers and to invite suggestions for improving the service. The most recent edition was used to launch our customer service guides.
  The Agency has also published a number of consultation papers.
  PQ898
  DVLA has done much to improve the delivery of services to its customers. I keep in touch with our customers in a variety of ways. In the last year, this has included visits; to the AA, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

  Date

  Event

  Results

  4 November 1991

  Meeting of Commission Internationale des Exames, de Conduite Automobile (CIECA) secretariat in Brussels

  Arrange details of CIECA Congress meeting for April 1992

  22 January 1992

  Lex Motoring Symposium in London

  Discuss the latest Lex research about drivers

  27–30 April 1992

  CIECA Congress meeting in York

  Discuss developments in driver testing with European driver testing organisations

  23 July 1992

  Eurosafe Conference in London (organised by the London Boroughs road safety officers)

  Give talk and participate in discussion on developments in driver testing

  14 September 1992

  Driving Instructor Association Annual Conference in Solihull

  Discuss the recently issued Theory Testing Consultation Paper

  12 October 1992

  CIECA secretariat meeting in Paris

  Discuss plans for next Congress

  PO 883/92/93

  DSA have produced seven papers and publications in the last 12 months. These include two book in our "Driving Skill" series and two public consultation papers. These are listed below:

  Title

  Date

  Retesting Disqualified Drivers—Consultation Paper

  October 1991

  Theory Testing for Learner Drivers— Consultation Paper

  August 1992

  The Driving Manual ISBN 0 11 551054 0

  May 1992

  The Motorcycling Manual (2nd Edition) ISBN 0 11 550974 7

  September 1992

  Customer Survey—Summary of Findings

  April 1992

  Business Plan 1992–93

  June 1992

  Annual Report and Accounts 1991–92

  September 1992

  Letter from David Evans to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  The DVOIT has been an Executive Agency in its own right since April of this year. Formerly, it was the IT arm of the Driver and Vehicles Licensing Agency. I have been in post since March.
  Since that time, I have not published any papers. Whilst I have not been on any formal fact finding visits I have visited all of DVOIT's Customers, some potential Customers and also potential business partners.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions or correspondence the Minister has had with Eurotunnel regarding the use of ozone-depleting substances in the operation of the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what discussions or correspondence he has had with Eurotunnel regarding the use of HCFCs in the air conditioning system in the channel tunnel.
  86
  More widely, I have visited my counterparts in Dublin and Germany to discuss European developments on driver licensing and vehicle licensing and registration. And on 23 October last year I visited the Rijksdienst voor het Wedverkeer, Veendam, Holland in order to sign an agreement with the Dutch registration authorities to set up an exchange of vehicle registration information with DVLA.

  Letter from C. M. Woodman, chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency, to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:
  As you know, the Secretary of State has asked individual Chief Executives to reply to the Parliamentary Questions you have tabled for written answer about the Department's Executive Agencies.
  PO 898192193
  In the past 12 months I have undertaken six fact-finding visits. These are detailed below:

  Mr. Freeman
  The binational intergovernmental commission—IGC—and safety authority SA—were established under the treaty of Canterbury to supervise the construction and operation of the tunnel on behalf of the United Kingdom and French Governments.

  The IGC decided in December 1989—Official Report, 19 December 1989, col 195, that Eurotunnel could continue to develop its shuttle system on the basis of non-segregation of drivers and passengers of cars and coaches from their vehicles during transit through the tunnel. Among the conditions attached to that decision was one requiring that a fire extinction system using halon 1301 or other agent with the same extinguishing capacity should be available either when passengers had been evacuated or as a last resort when the lives of passengers were endangered in spite of the use of other means of extinction provided for in the decision. The SA's paper "Non-segregation of drivers and passengers from their vehicles" which reviews the factors on which the SA based its advice to the IGC is available from the Library of the House.

  In the response—Cm 1853, March 1992—to the report of the Home Affairs Committee on fire safety and policing of the channel tunnel, it is made plain that it is important that Eurotunnel continue to work on alternatives to halon 1301 for use in the tunnel. If however, nearer the time of phase out of halons, no suitable replacement has been found, the Government stated that they would consult the French Government with a view to persuading the international community that the tunnel should be included in the list of possible essential uses for which extra production of halons may be allowed.

  In the case of the sealed tunnel cooling system, Eurotunnel proposes to use HCFC 22 which has a low ozone-depleting potential and low toxicity whilst being effective for the purpose. The use of this material, too, has been approved by the IGC. Eurotunnel has been required

  87
  to design the cooling system to accept without great modification, the possible replacement of HCFC 22 by more ozone-friendly fluids which become available.

  Nuclear Fuel Transportation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representation will be made by his Department to the International Maritime Organisation in its review of current international safety standards on the carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel in December; and if his Department will be represented at the meeting.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department supports the present provisions for the carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel in the international maritime dangerous goods code and has also taken part in the development of additional requirements in the proposed International Maritime Organisation code for the safe carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel. It will take full part in the joint discussions at the IMO/International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in December and will be represented by specialists in this field.

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all of the reports his Department has commissioned from external consultants in each of the last three years; for each of the last three years, how many reports from external consultants to his Department led to further consultancy work being commissioned, stating for each of these who were the original and subsequent consultants and briefly describing the subject matter of the consultancy work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Rail Freight Privatisation
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for the publication of the results of consultation with private sector freight operators undertaken by Mercer Management Consultants as part of their study into rail freight privatisation.

  Mr. Freeman
  Most discussions with private sector rail freight customers or operators are undertaken by officials of the Department of Transport; and the results fed into Mercer's work. To ensure frankness, all discussions are held on a commercial-in-confidence basis.

  M6
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when work on the Witton viaduct of the M6 motorway will be completed; when it was originally planned to be completed; and if compensation will be made to those businesses of the Brookvale trading estate, Moor lane, Birmingham, which have been adversely affected during the work.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Work beneath the Witton viaduct was completed on 18 October 1992. The contract completion date was 14 June 1992. A significant part of the delay was caused by the need for extra work beyond that originally expected.

  There are no statutory rights to compensation for business loss due to disruption from road works, provided these are carried out in a proper manner and access is maintained.

  Halon Fire Extinguishers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to ensure that the requirements for halon fire extinguishing systems in aircraft cockpits will be met from existing stocks or recovered materials; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Halons are in use on aircraft in portable fire extinguishers and in fixed systems for engine and cargo compartment fire protection. Halons possess remarkably good fire fighting properties but their production will be phased out because of their effect on the ozone layer. Although replacements are being developed, none is likely to be suitable as a straightforward substitute.

  The Government are in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and the aviation industry, investigating the possibility of setting up a scheme for the banking and recycling of existing halon stocks. Any such scheme would apply to halon users in other industries.

  Ports
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve integrated road and rail links to ports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The planning of railway intermodal freight services to ports is a matter for British Rail.

  Light Dues
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will abolish light dues;

  (2) if he will apply the user pays principle to light dues; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the EC about light dues; and what steps he will take to apply single market principles to light dues.

  Mr. Norris
  The Government have no plans to abolish the system of light dues. But they have drawn the European Commission's attention to the differing practices among member states for funding maritime navigational aids, and has urged the extension of the "user pays" principle throughout the European Community. Within the United Kingdom system, recent reforms have extended light dues to certain previously non-paying users.

  Emergency Vessels
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answers of 30 June,Official Report, column 451, if he will update the figures given on numbers of emergency standby vessels found to be satisfactory or unsatisfactory, or which are still being assessed, under the revised code.

  Mr. Norris
  Eighty-five standby vessels, representing 49 per cent. of the current fleet, have been assessed and comply with the revised code. A futher 41 vessels are at various stages of assessment.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the names of all emergency or standby vessels currently certificated engaged in the off-shore oil and gas industries, the year of build and the date of the last survey of each vessel.
  89
  Mr. Norris
  The number of vessels certificated for use in the United Kingdom standby vessel industry is at present 162.

  The table lists these vessels, including the year of build and the date of the last survey.

  Shipname

  Year of build

  Date of last survey

  Aberdonian

  1977

  >1 June 1992

  Alexandra Tide

  1974

  20 December 1991

  Andrew Viking

  1990

  3 September 1992

  Atlantic Defender

  1980

  2 December 1991

  Atlantic Guardian

  1979

  1 September 1992

  Black Isle

  1973

  13 October 1992

  Black Watch

  1977

  20 March 1992

  Blue Flame 1

  1976

  5 March 1992

  Britannia Challenger

  1964

  16 April 1992

  Britannia Champion

  1980

  20 May 1992

  Britannia Chieftain

  1973

  19 June 1992

  Britannia Cobra

  1978

  20 April 1992

  Britannia Conquest

  1974

  17 July 1992

  Britannia Crusader

  1976

  16 September 1992

  Britannia Endeavour

  1975

  29 September 1992

  Britannia Fury

  1972

  14 October 1992

  Britannia Gazelle

  1978

  29 April 1992

  Britannia Harvester

  1972

  16 September 1992

  Britannia Knight

  1976

  15 April 1992

  Britannia Monarch

  1973

  26 August 1992

  Britannia Venturer

  1965

  1 July 1992

  Britannia Vixen

  1978

  10 July 1992

  Britannia Warrior

  1973

  19 February 1992

  Cam Civet

  1960

  4 February 1992

  Cam Defender

  1983

  30 October 1991

  Cam Guardian

  1970

  28 July 1992

  Cam Protector

  1983

  20 December 1991

  Cam Puma

  1966

  30 April 1992

  Cam Ranger

  1983

  28 July 1992

  Cam Retriever

  1972

  25 November 1991

  Cam Seeker

  1967

  8 May 1992

  Cam Sentinel

  1982

  7 October 1992

  Cam Supporter

  1983

  26 May 1992

  Cam Valiant

  1939

  12 February 1992

  Cam Vanguard

  1955

  12 August 1992

  Cam Vedette

  1970

  14 January 1992

  Cam Venturer

  1973

  5 August 1992

  Cam Viceroy

  1958

  8 January 1992

  Cam Victor

  1969

  8 May 1992

  Cam Vigilant

  1957

  19 February 1992

  Cam Viking

  1972

  14 October 1992

  Cam Viper

  1966

  1 April 1992

  Cam Viscount

  1971

  18 August 1992

  Cam Vulcan

  1958

  14 February 1992

  Cam Zebra

  1960

  21 April 1992

  Chudleigh

  1962

  27 February 1992

  Dawn Blazer

  1965

  2 September 1992

  Dawn Patrol

  1970

  8 May 1992

  Dawn Shore

  1967

  29 April 1992

  Dawn Sky

  1967

  8 October 1992

  Dawn Warbler

  1966

  1 July 1992

  Dea Supporter

  1970

  27 December 1991

  Evans Tide

  1974

  18 June 1992

  Far Baronet

  1986

  9 July 1992

  Far Earl

  1986

  18 September 1992

  Far Searcher

  1986

  10 December 1991

  Far Seeker

  1986

  20 December 1991

  Far Sovereign

  1982

  18 March 1992

  Far Stream

  1982

  29 April 1992

  Grampian Chieftain

  1976

  7 May 1992

  Grampian City

  1976

  22 November 1991

  Grampian Concord

  1961

  11 June 1992

  Grampian Dawn

  1962

  29 April 1992

  Grampian Dee

  1975

  2 October 1992

  Grampian Eagle

  1975

  16 April 1992

  Grampian Endeavour

  1966

  7 April 1992

  Grampian Fame

  1975

  30 June 1992

  Grampian Forest

  1962

  1 May 1992

  Grampian Freedom

  1957

  18 August 1992

  Grampian Harrier

  1967

  27 May 1992

  90

  Shipname

  Year of build

  Date of last survey

  Grampian Haven

  1981

  21 May 1992

  Grampian Highlander

  1976

  12 June 1992

  Grampian Monarch

  1968

  2 September 1992

  Grampian Orcades

  1991

  14 August 1992

  Grampian Osprey

  1937

  19 May 1992

  Grampian Otter

  1983

  7 July 1992

  Grampian Pioneer

  1981

  14 September 1992

  Grampian Protector

  1983

  14 January 1992

  Grampian Quest

  1959

  1 May 1992

  Grampian Rose

  1949

  14 January 1992

  Grampian Sabre

  1975

  10 April 1992

  Grampian Shield

  1974

  4 June 1992

  Grampian Sprite

  1983

  22 May 1992

  Grampian Venture

  1982

  23 April 1992

  Grampian Warrior

  1977

  14 January 1992

  Grampian Wood

  1976

  17 March 1992

  Hatherleigh

  1961

  1 July 1992

  Kronbas

  1975

  1 May 1992

  Maersk Mariner

  1986

  21 February 1992

  Maersk Pacer

  1991

  3 June 1992

  Maersk Provider

  1991

  23 March 1992

  Maersk Rover

  1982

  25 September 1992

  Magdelan Sea

  1977

  29 July 1992

  Normand Skipper

  1975

  30 December 1991

  Nova

  1969

  29 April 1992

  Putford Acasta

  1972

  5 March 1992

  Putford Achates

  1976

  30 April 1992

  Putford Ajax

  1976

  9 September 1992

  Putford Athena

  1975

  23 September 1992

  Putford Guardian

  1967

  20 March 1992

  Putford Osprey

  1960

  1 July 1992

  Putford Petrel

  1961

  26 March 1992

  Putford Skua

  1967

  9 September 1992

  Putford Snipe

  1969

  3 January 1992

  Putford Teal

  1969

  24 June 1992

  Putford Tern

  1967

  19 August 1992

  Safe Carrier

  1968

  21 May 1992

  Safe Protector

  1974

  10 April 1992

  Safe Transporter

  1971

  16 March 1992

  Safe Truck

  1976

  16 October 1992

  Scott Protector

  1974

  20 July 1992

  Sea Sapphire

  1973

  3 April 1992

  Seaboard Capella

  1968

  14 August 1992

  Seaboard Castor

  1947

  24 April 1992

  Seaboard Illustrious

  1966

  24 April 1992

  Seaboard Implacable

  1964

  12 August 1992

  Seaboard Integrity

  1968

  13 August 1992

  Seaboard Intrepid

  1968

  11 August 1992

  Seaboard Sapphire

  1980

  6 April 1992

  Seaboard Sceptre

  1981

  27 August 1992

  Seaboard Scout

  1975

  4 August 1992

  Seaboard Sentry

  1979

  30 September 1992

  Seaboard Skua

  1972

  30 March 1992

  Seaboard Snipe

  1972

  26 June 1992

  Seaboard Sovereign

  1979

  7 July 1992

  Seaboard Support

  1979

  18 March 1992

  Seaboard Supreme

  1981

  29 July 1992

  Seaboard Swallow

  1972

  2 March 1992

  Seaboard Swan

  1971

  30 April 1992

  Seaboard Swift

  1972

  1 July 1992

  Shetland Service

  1973

  2 September 1992

  St. Elizabeth

  1962

  5 October 1992

  St. Kitts

  1964

  20 December 1991

  St. Louis

  1962

  25 August 1992

  St. Patrick

  1975

  9 October 1992

  St. Paul

  1961

  17 January 1992

  St. Phillip

  1975

  23 September 1992

  Tempest

  1977

  9 March 1992

  Toisa Conqueror

  1976

  7 November 1991

  Toisa Lynx

  1983

  1 October 1992

  Toisa Petrel

  1983

  2 September 1992

  Toisa Plover

  1979

  28 February 1992

  Toisa Sentinel

  1982

  12 March 1992

  Toisa Teal

  1981

  1 May 1992

  Toisa Tiger

  1983

  6 July 1992

  Toisa Widgeon

  1981

  10 December 1991

  Umberleigh

  1960

  22 July 1992

  91

  Shipname

  Year of build

  Date of last survey

  Veesea Diamond

  1979

  13 February 1992

  Veesea Emerald

  1980

  7 May 1992

  Veesea Garnet

  1975

  3 September 1992

  Veesea Hurricane

  1975

  21 August 1992

  Veesea Sapphire

  1977

  27 July 1992

  Veesea Storm

  1975

  9 October 1992

  Veesea Tempest

  1974

  29 September 1992

  Veesea Topaz

  1978

  23 October 1992

  Veesea Tornado

  1974

  16 September 1992

  Veesea Typhoon

  1976

  2 October 1992

  Veesea Zircon

  1976

  7 August 1992

  Viking Fighter

  1986

  9 December 1991

  Winkleigh

  1961

  29 March 1992

  Woodleigh

  1960

  9 October 1992

  Search and Rescue Helicopters
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost to his Department of the Bristow's search and rescue helicopter based at(a) Sumburgh, (b) Stornoway and (c) Lee-on-Solent for the years 1990–91, 1991–92 and the tender price for 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Sumburgh £'000

  Stornaway £'000

  Solent £'000

  1990–91

  1,874

  1,934

  1,943

  1991–92

  1,860

  1,999

  1,868

  1992–93 1

  1,968

  2,250

  2,035

  1993–94 1

  2,079

  2,434

  2,363

  1 Forecast.

  Helicopters
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the members and the organisations they represent of the helicopter coverage group.

  Mr. Norris
  The numbers of the United Kingdom civil rescue helicopter coverage working group, who all signed the report on 28 October 1986, were as follows:

  Capt. P. K. C. Harris CBE MNI RN (Retd)

  Chairman, Chief Coastguard

  Lt Cdr H. J. Neill RN (Retd)

  Chief Operations Officer HM Coastguard

  Mr. B. d'Oliveira OBE

  Department of Transport, Civil Aviation Safety Adviser

  Cdr D. B. Cairns RD MNI RN (Retd)

  Chief of Operations Royal National Lifeboat Institution

  Mr. M. Haworth

  MOD Sec (NATO/UK) Commitments

  Wing Cdr I. H. R. Robins MBE MRAeS MBIM RAF

  Wing Commander HELS/SAR HQ Strike Command

  Cdr D. Scott RN

  MOD Directorate of Naval Warfare

  Mr. M. J. Woodhead

  Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Fisheries Inspectorate

  Mr. J. Tarvit

  Deputy Chief Inspector of Fisheries

  92

  Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Scotland)

  Mr. W. Hay

  President Scottish Fishermen's Federation

  Mr. D. R. Brooks

  SEC UK Committee, DTp

  Royal National Lifeboat Institution
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution about siting fast afloat boats at Tenby, Angle, St. Justinians and Fishguard by April 1994; and if he will make a statement on their response;

  (2) what discussions he has had with the board of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution over the withdrawal of search and rescue operations from RAF Brawdy in April 1994.

  Mr. Norris
  As a significant provider of dedicated United Kingdom search and rescue—SAT—assets, the RNLI was consulted by my Department on the implications for civil SAR consequent upon the Ministry of Defence future provision of military helicopters, including the withdrawal of such facilities from RAF Brawdy. The decision of the location of their vessels is for them, but the RNLI said that priority would be given to an early allocation in South Wales during 1994 of its new fast afloat boat—FAB. Firm decisions are expected during the first part of 1993 following normal RNLI internal consultation processes and the initiation of procurement procedures.

  The RNLI informs us that fast afloat lifeboats will only be stationed at a location where they can be supported. Tenby, Angle and St. Davids (St. Justinians) are slip-launch facilities and the RNLI has no intention of stationing FABs at these stations.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people received mobility allowance in 1979; and how many now receive it.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In 1979, a total of 95,000 people received mobility allowance; by 1992 this figure had risen to 600,000—a more than sixfold increase. The introduction of disability living allowance will extend help with mobility costs even further.

  Retirement Pension
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to means test the basic state retirement pension; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  None.

  Severe Disability Premium
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will amend the income support regulations to extend entitlement to the severe disability premium to claimants living with non-dependants.
  93
  Mr. Burt
  Some people living with non-dependants already have entitlement to the severe disability premium, but I have no plans to extend the premium to everyone who lives with non-dependants.

  Fraud
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress his Department has made to reduce the level of fraudulent claims for social security benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  We have stepped up the fight against fraud and abuse by introducing a number of organisational changes. More are planned. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has set a target of £460 million savings in this area for this year.

  Social Fund
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes his Department is considering to the operation of the social fund.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the operation of the social fund.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to publish a detailed response to the recent report from York university social policy research unit on the social fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I am carefully examining the various reports about the social fund. No decisions have been made about any changes in the future operation of the fund. As. I told the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) earlier, I am announcing today increases in social fund budgets for every district.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration he has given to the introduction of an appeals procedure for those refused help from the social fund; and what was his conclusion.

  Mr. Scott
  Social fund maternity, funeral and cold weather payments already have an appeal procedure. For discretionary social fund payments, I believe that the existing specialised review procedure provides an effective and independent means of redress.

  I am pleased to say that both the Social Security Advisory Committee and independent research from the Policy Studies Institute support my view.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact on charitable organisations of the operation of the social fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Evidence from the recent report by the university of York's social policy research unit suggests that few people approach charities as an alternative to the social fund.

  In many other European Community countries the schemes for one-off payments are organised at a regional or local level, and greater emphasis is often placed on help from charities and voluntary organisations.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the delay in the payment of attendance allowance; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have received many letters about claims to attendance allowance. The chief executive of the Benefits Agency wrote to all hon. Members on 19 October setting out the positive steps which the agency has taken to accelerate the processing of claims to attendance allowance and disability living allowance.

  Pensioners (Income Support)
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many old-age pensioners are currently in receipt of income support.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There are 1·4 million people over pension age claiming income support and our increases last month in income support for pensioners, at an additional cost of £300 million, will no doubt have benefited yet more.

  Benefits System (Computerisation)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has of improvements in the service offered by the social security offices as a result of a computerisation of the benefits system.

  Mr. Burt
  The first stage of a major programme to bring computers to the Department's local offices was completed in July 1991.

  This has led to significant improvements in the service provided to the public. The time taken to process income support and retirement pension claims is much reduced and many routine activities such as benefits uprating and Christmas bonus payments are now automated.

  These improvements have been achieved without additional cost to the taxpayer.

  Low-income Families
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of low-income families which faced marginal reduction rates in excess of 100 per cent. in 1978–79 and the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Burt
  In 1985, a total of 70,000 families had deduction rates of over 100 per cent. These are the earliest figures available. As a result of the social security reforms, almost no families have marginal deduction rates of over 100 per cent. in 1992–93.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the payment of disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, wrote to hon. Members on 19 October setting out the positive steps which the Benefits Agency is taking to accelerate the processing of claims to disability living allowance and attendance allowance; he is confident that work outstanding will soon be at normal levels.

  Benefits
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the amount of money currently spent on social security benefits.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Our plans show that total expenditure on benefits in 1992–93 will be over £71 billion.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much family credit increased in April 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  As well as increasing family credit rates by 7 per cent., the other changes we introduced in April 1992 made the benefit available to more people. By July 1992, an extra 75,000 families were receiving family credit compared with July 1991.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the level of Government pensioner provision for those over 80 years and for disabled pensioners.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Older and disabled pensioners have gained considerably from benefit increases. Since the 1988 reforms this group alone has received £360 million per year over and above normal upratings. This demonstrates our commitment to help those pensioners most in need.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what fresh initiatives he proposes to introduce to safeguard the means of older people who lack a private income or personal pension other than the state pension and benefits.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Premiums for pensioners receiving income-related benefits were increased last month. Since 1989, these pensioners have received nearly £700 million a year above the normal uprating. We remain committed to safeguarding their interests.

  Social Security Policy
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement outlining major new announcements on Government social security policy announced since the end of July.

  Mr. Scott
  On 7 August, we announced measures to crack down on unemployed people, including new age travellers, who claim benefit but make no real effort to find work.

  In addition, on 17 September we published a consultation paper on the law and practice of occupational pensions schemes.

  Pregnant Women (Benefits)
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will meet the Equal Opportunities Commission to discuss his views about women who deliberately become pregnant to gain benefit advantages.

  Mr. Burt
  Ministers meet representatives of the Equal Opportunities Commission as necessary to discuss issues 96
  of mutual concern. I am, of course, willing to receive representations from the commission concerning issues which come within my ministerial responsibilities. My officials are also in regular touch with the commission.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the numbers of income support claimants in private care or nursing homes whose personal resources, including income support, do not meet the fees they are expected to pay.

  Mr. Burt
  The number of residents in all voluntary and private homes whose total income support does not meet the fees is about 92,000. Separate estimates for private and voluntary homes are not available.

  Information is not available on how many of these have disregarded benefits, income or capital with which to meet any shortfalls.

  Pensioners (Central Heating)
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner households had central heating in 1979 and in 1990.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The percentage of pensioner households with central heating in 1979 was 43 per cent., increasing to 74 per cent. in 1990.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to increase the social fund budget in areas affected by mining closures.

  Mr. Scott
  Social fund budget allocations are based on income support caseloads. Changes in the number of unemployed people claiming income support in individual districts will influence their future allocations. In this way allocations respond to local circumstances overall rather than to changes in any single industry.

  Appointments
  Mr Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is responsible for a large number of public appointments. The information requested for each of these could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, information is available from the Cabinet Office publications "Public Bodies" and "Public Appointments: A Handbook for Women's Organisations", copies of which are in the Library.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the training bonus paid to an unemployed person participating in employment training at the completion of their course is taken into account when assessing a subsequent claim for income support from that person; and if he will make a statement.
  97
  Mr. Burt
  Any payment not exceeding £200 received as a training bonus is disregarded. The whole of any bonus payment in excess of this amount is treated as capital but would only affect entitlement to benefit if the total capital held is more than £3,000.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of income support is the ceiling set by the Community Charges (Deductions from Income Support) (No. 2) Regulations 1990—SI 1990, No 545—for deductions ordered by courts for arrears of poll tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The regulations provide for an amount to be deducted equal to 5 per cent. of the income support personal allowance for a single claimant aged 25 years or more, currently £2·15 per week, or, in the case of a court order made against a couple, 5 per cent. of the income support personal allowance for a couple where both members are aged 18 years or over, currently £3·35 per week. It is not possible to say what proportion of an individual's income support these amounts represent, as entitlement varies from case to case.

  Correspondence
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements have been made since the letter of 6 October from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Henley, to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford to provide a better service for correspondence on operational issues.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms. Joan Ruddock, dated 30 October 1992:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised m your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what arrangements have been made since the letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Henley, in connection with a constituency case, to provide a better service for correspondence on operational matters.
  In relation to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), the matter you raised in your earlier correspondence, we have received over four thousand enquiries from MPs about the progress of their constituents' claims and consequently we have not been able to respond as quickly as we would have liked. We have targeted considerable extra resources into this area and are pursuing the clearance of outstanding written enquiries as quickly as possible.
  As I explained in my letter of 6 July and 19 October to all MPs, I appreciate that you will have constituents who are seriously concerned about the progress of their claim to DLA. To facilitate your enquiries on their behalf the telephone hotline remains available for MPs who have very urgent enquiries and this service will be maintained until at least the end of the year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (I) if he will list by month for the past 12 months 98
  the number of unemployed 16 and l7-year-olds in the Doncaster area who received financial support due to non-availability of places on a training scheme;

  (2) if he will list by month for the past 12 months how many unemployed 16 and 17-year-olds in the Doncaster area received income support under the severe hardship provision.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of benefits 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 a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1992:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking if he will list by month for the last 12 months the number of unemployed 16 and 17 year olds in the Doncaster area who received financial support due to non-availability of places on a training scheme and those who received Income Support under the severe hardship provision.
  I have detailed below the total number of applications under the severe hardship provisions and the number in which payment was awarded. Unemployed 16 and 17 year olds who receive payment due to non-availability of places on a training scheme form the same group of customers.
  Details of the total number of claims to severe hardship payments do not equate with the number of customers. This is because the statistics cover the number of applications, rather than the number of individuals who have claimed. Some customers may have made more than one application.

  Total applications

  Successful applications

  1991

  October

  36

  26

  November

  41

  30

  December

  28

  22

  1992

  January

  54

  39

  February

  43

  37

  March

  43

  27

  April

  56

  38

  May

  48

  29

  June

  48

  40

  July

  39

  31

  August

  42

  30

  September

  53

  39

  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  Local Office, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local office in the Doncaster area benefit agency how many staff, full-time equivalent, were employed for each quarter in 1991 and(a) income support, (b) contributions, (c) direct payments, (d) social fund, (e) fraud, (f) child support and (g) total, respectively; and what is the position for the latest available date.

  Mr. Scott
  The resourcing of offices is a matter for Mr. Michael Richard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1992:

  99
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many staff, full time equivalent, were employed by the Benefits Agency's Doncaster District for each quarter in 1991; and what is the position for the latest available date.
  The number of staff employed in the Doncaster District for each quarter in 1991; and at 30 September 1992, the latest date for which information is available, are attached at Annexes A to E.
  The staffing figures have been broken down as far as possible. For operational reasons it is not possible to identify separately staff on Income Support, Social Fund and Contributory Benefits within each site.
  I should explain that Mexborough Office, which was previously included in the Doncaster District, is now part of the Rotherham District. The staffing levels of that office have therefore been excluded from the attached Annexes.
  Information about staffing levels in the Contributions Agency and Child Support Unit has been provided by their respective Chief Executives, Miss Ann Chant and Ms. Ros Hepplewhite.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Pensioners' Incomes
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the average pensioner's income comes from occupational pensions, savings and earnings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest information held on pensioners' income shows that 74 per cent. of pensioners have income from savings, 57 per cent. have occupational pensions and 9 per cent. have earnings from work.

  Note: Based on pensioner units ie single pensioners at or over state pension age and married couples where the husband is at or above state pension age.

  Source: 1988 Family Expenditure Survey.

  Mirror Group
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action is currently being considered by his Department as a result of the unlawful removal of pension funds of the Mirror Group Newspapers plc; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North-East(Mr. Congdon)on 27 October at columns 643–46.

  Social Security Expenditure
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of total Government expenditure he estimates the social security budget will represent in this current financial year; and what were the figures for the previous three years.

  Mr. Scott
  Total social security spending as a proportion of general Government expenditure is given in the table.

  Per cent.

  1989–90

  26·57

  1990–91

  27·38

  1991–92

  28·97

  1992–93

  29·14

  100
  Note—1991–92 based on figures for estimated outturn 1992–93 based on planned expenditure.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he next intends to review the level and operation of cold weather payments.

  Mr. Scott
  Very significant improvements to the cold weather payments scheme were introduced last winter, including the automatic payment of eligible people without the need to make a claim. The scheme is kept under regular review, and some further refinements in individual areas' links with weather stations are planned for introduction this winter.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the employers' financial responsibility will be for maternity pay under the EC directive on the protection at work of pregnant women.

  Mr. Scott
  We are considering the directive's implications for maternity benefits and will make an announcement in due course.

  Income Statistics
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the increase in real average income before and after housing costs, for each of the decile groups, in the upper half of the population between 1979 and 1988–9.

  Mr. Burt
  Real increases in the income beteen 1979 and 1988–89 combined for the decile groups in the upper half of the income distribution are given in the table. These figures relate to the United Kingdom and are based on income equivalised for household size and composition.

  Percentage changes in real income by decile group 1979 to 1988–89

  Decile group

  Income before housing costs

  Income after housing costs

  Sixth

  22

  24

  Seventh

  25

  27

  Eighth

  28

  30

  Ninth

  35

  37

  Tenth (top)

  44

  46

  Unemployment
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the level of benefit payment expenditure to unemployed people for each year since 1979–80, and the average benefit entitlement per claimant annually.

  Mr. Burt
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: Expenditure on benefits to unemployed people since 1979–80 is shown in the table. The average benefit payment per claimant is not available. Unemployed people may receive all, one or any combination of unemployment benefit, income support, housing benefit, community charge benefit or a loan from the social fund. So the actual number of claimants who receive benefits for unemployment is not known.
  101

  Annual expenditure £ million

  1979–80

  1,470

  1980–81

  2,530

  1981–82

  4,022

  1982–83

  5,011

  1983–84

  5,701

  1984–85

  6,139

  1985–86

  6,963

  1986–87

  7,308

  1987–88

  6,647

  1988–89

  5,235

  1989–90

  4,309

  1990–91

  5,036

  1991–92

  7,362

  Note: Benefits for unemployed people include Unemployment Benefit, the principal income-related benefits and payments from the Social Fund to unemployed people and their families. The table does not include child benefit, one parent benefit, maternity benefits, widows' benefits or any of the disability benefits to which unemployed people may also be entitled.

  Communications
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will make it his policy that communications from the North Fylde central office of the DSS shall provide(a) the date of the communication, (b) the name of the official responsible, (c) the telephone and extension number of that official and (d) a clear statement of the current position of the application.
  102
  Mr. Scott
  Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, has replied to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Alun Michael, dated 29 October 1992:
  As chief executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking whether it would become policy that communications from the Fylde Benefits and War Pensions Directorate of the DSS (North Fylde Central Office prior to April 1991) would provide (a) the date of the communication, (b) the name of the official responsible, (c) the telephone and extension number of the official and (d) a clear statement of the current position on the application.
  I can confirm that it is the policy of all branches of the Fylde Benefits and War Pensions Directorate to provide the date of the communication together with the name, telephone and extension number of the official concerned on correspondence issued to customers, although where the outcome of a claim is notified via a computer system, it is not currently possible to include the name of an official nor a telephone extension.
  For Disability Living Allowance, we have set up a Central Enquiry Service for the handling of telephone calls from customers. The use of extension numbers for customers contacting this service is not generally appropriate since the overwhelming majority of calls are answered without further referral. Staff on this service routinely give their name when answering the telephone.
  Statements on the current position of an application for a benefit or pension administered at Fylde Benefits and War Pensions Directorate are also provided where appropriate.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  EC SUMMIT MEETINGS: COST
  EC SUMMIT MEETINGS: COST
  CARIBBEAN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: POLICY AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW
  CARIBBEAN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: POLICY AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW
  INCOME SUPPORT RECIPIENTS
  INCOME SUPPORT RECIPIENTS
  ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY
  ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY
  MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983: AMENDMENTS TO CODE OF PRACTICE
  MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983: AMENDMENTS TO CODE OF PRACTICE
  REPROCESSED PLUTONIUM: WEAPONS USE
  REPROCESSED PLUTONIUM: WEAPONS USE
  SOUTH CHINA SEA: JURISDICTION
  SOUTH CHINA SEA: JURISDICTION
  NUCLEAR TESTS: US POSITION
  NUCLEAR TESTS: US POSITION
  NUCLEAR TESTS: EFFECTS OF US DECISION
  NUCLEAR TESTS: EFFECTS OF US DECISION
  EUROPEAN COMMISSION: CRITERIA FOR ACTION
  EUROPEAN COMMISSION: CRITERIA FOR ACTION
  CHINA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  CHINA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  SOUTH AFRICA: UN OBSERVERS
  SOUTH AFRICA: UN OBSERVERS
  SOMALIA: RELIEF
  SOMALIA: RELIEF
  BARK ESTONE SCHOOL FOUNDATION: TRUSTEES
  BARK ESTONE SCHOOL FOUNDATION: TRUSTEES
  UNEMPLOYMENT IN GREATER LONDON
  UNEMPLOYMENT IN GREATER LONDON
  PIT CLOSURES: ECONOMIC EFFECTS
  PIT CLOSURES: ECONOMIC EFFECTS
  CHANNEL TUNNEL RAIL LINK: CONSULTATION
  CHANNEL TUNNEL RAIL LINK: CONSULTATION
  BR LONDON, TILBURY AND SOUTHEND LINE: IMPROVEMENTS
  BR LONDON, TILBURY AND SOUTHEND LINE: IMPROVEMENTS