Written Answers of 5 November 1992

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the management of the electricity companies in connection with the pit closure programme, under the Commissioners' investment policy guidelines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Alison
  The Commissioners take an active interest in those businesses in which they invest and this includes regular discussions with the chairmen of companies in which they have substantial holdings, primarily to discuss a range of ethical questions. From time to time, on matters where the Church has expressed concern, they can use their position as shareholders to reinforce that concern with these chairmen and this is what they are doing in the case of the proposed pit closures.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime, Northumbria
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet representatives of the Northumbria police authority to discuss the continuation of urban crime fund resources.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 22 October, at column 553. My right hon. and learned Friend is currently considering a request from Northumbria police authority for a meeting.

  Le Trong Khai
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to reply to the letters of 19 February and 22 April from the hon. Member for Sunderland, South regarding the family of Le Trong Khai (ref. L301037/PO4731/92).

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This case is one of about 30 cases involving Vietnamese boat people raised with hon. Members by Ms. Frances House, all of which are being considered together. We are awaiting further information from Ms. House on some of the cases, but I hope that this will be forthcoming and that I will be able to send the hon. Member a substantive reply to his letters shortly.

  Mrs. Zarqa Begum
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the application for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom by Mrs. Zarqa Begum (Ref. IMP B490251/2/S) submitted to him 318
  by the hon. Member for Bradford, West; when the application was refused; when the hon. Member for Bradford, West was notified of the refusal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The application was received on 22 January 1992. My hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lloyd) wrote to the hon. Member on 11 March explaining that inquiries were being made and that the compassionate circumstances would be taken into account when a decision was reached. The application was refused on 21 July; it was subsequently reconsidered but again refused on 10 September. I have agreed to meet the hon. Member to discuss this case on 5 November.

  Immigration and Nationality Department
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department after what interval a right hon. or hon. Member can expect a substantive reply to letters concerning the immigration and nationality department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In most cases 35 days.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to establish an independent complaints procedure for the immigration and nationality department.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The arrangements for dealing with complaints are currently under review in the light of the principles in the citizens charter. The arguments for introducing an independent element, which have not hitherto been found persuasive, will be considered in the course of that review.

  Fire Regulations
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the Fire Precautions (Places of Work) Regulations 1992 and associated guidance.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend is still considering the many comments on the proposed regulations and guidance received during the consultation period which ended on 1 September. He is concerned to give proper consideration to those comments before deciding on the form which the regulations and guidance should take.

  Terrorist Suspects (Interviews)
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the tape recording of interviews with terrorist suspects.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The full tape recording of interviews with terrorist suspects will begin, on a trial basis, on Tuesday 1 December 1992. All forces in England and Wales will tape record interviews with terrorist suspects in line with current practice for other criminal suspects under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. These trials, which will run for up to two years, will be carefully evaluated before any decision is taken to extend formally the code of practice on tape recording under the 1984 Act to cover terrorist cases.

  Asylum
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name each of the asylum seekers who have died in detention since 1990; what public reports were made on the circumstances of their deaths; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Two asylum seekers have died in detention during this period. On 16 June 1990, Mr. Kimpua Nsimba died in the Harmondsworth detention centre. The coroner's inquest into his death recorded on 4 March 1991 a finding of suicide by asphyxia and hanging. On 8 October 1991, Mr. Omasase Lumumba died in Her Majesty's prison Pentonville. I understand that the coroner's inquest is due to take place on 8 February 1993.

  Changes in the number of notifiable offences recorded by the police by offence group

  England and Wales

  Number of offences

  Offence group

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Change in numbers compared with previous year

  Violence against the person

  7,887

  2,286

  2,961

  8,488

  2,647

  2,845

  7,544

  3,768

  15,543

  17,206

  18,714

  7,703

  5,674

  Sexual offences

  -524

  -736

  -1,683

  305

  681

  -188

  1,234

  1,228

  2,470

  1,375

  3,204

  -689

  379

  Robbery

  -668

  2,524

  5,276

  2,555

  -718

  2,771

  2,573

  2,557

  2,613

  -1,196

  1,726

  3,032

  9,128

  Burglary

  -16,072

  74,353

  99,991

  87,008

  2,952

  84,582

  -26,226

  64,923

  -31,516

  -82,312

  8,138

  180,883

  212,651

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  -25,110

  47,326

  139,682

  152,702

  -49,929

  102,057

  76,088

  119,804

  48,132

  -120,731

  81,486

  361,649

  386,710

  Fraud and forgery

  -4,134

  -12,787

  1,425

  16,430

  -1,310

  4,302

  8,674

  -1,336

  -455

  897

  617

  13,419

  26,833

  Criminal damage

  14,197

  38,981

  27,277

  31,087

  25,502

  54,524

  41,124

  44,624

  5,373

  4,962

  36,161

  103,361

  87,696

  Other notifiable offences

  -338

  -449

  597

  86

  4,783

  1,184

  1,765

  -41

  2,631

  3,365

  4,935

  3,505

  3,491

  Total notifiable offences

  -24,762

  151,498

  275,526

  298,661

  -15,392

  252,077

  112,776

  235,527

  44,791

  -176,434

  154,981

  672,863

  732,562

  Public Houses (Violence)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (i) how many prison sentences were imposed on persons found guilty of physical violence against landlords or landladies of public houses in 1991;

  (2) how many orders of exclusion from public houses have been enforced on persons found guilty of physical violence against landlords or landladies in 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: Information is not held centrally on the number of offenders convicted of offences of violence against landlords or landladies of public houses.

  Data held centrally show that in 1990 there were 101 exclusion orders made excluding offenders from licensed premises. This information may be under-recorded, because police forces are not always able to supply us with the relevant details. Provisional data for 1991 will be available before the end of 1992.

  Accommodation Agencies Act 1953
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of prosecutions under the Accommodation Agencies Act 1953 each year since 1962.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: Information is given in the table. Data for 1962 to 1974 and 1990 are not available. Information collected centrally for 1990 does not identify offences committed under this specific Act from other summary offences. This will also apply to 1991 data when available.

  Duty Psychiatrists
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made towards using the funds announced in the "Autumn Statement 1991" to finance the establishment of duty psychiatrist schemes.

  Mr. Jack
  Arrangements for administering the financial provision designated for local, court-based duty psychiatrist schemes have been worked out in consultation with the Department of Health, and we hope shortly to be in a position to invite bids for funding to support the operation of such schemes.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the change in numbers of each serious crime since 1979.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 3 November 1992]: The information is contained in the table:

  Number of prosecutions under the Accommodation Agencies Act 1953, 1962–90 England and Wales

  Year

  Prosecutions

  1962–74

  1—

  1975

  2

  1976

  2

  1977

  9

  1978

  2

  1979

  —

  1980

  4

  1981

  3

  1982

  5

  1983

  4

  1984

  5

  1985

  3

  1986

  221

  1987

  5

  1988

  2

  1989

  5

  1990

  1—

  1 Not available.

  2 12 of these cases were heard on the same day in Sheffield.

  Smoking and Drinking (Young People)
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many publicans have been prosecuted over the last 10 years for selling alcohol to persons under the age of 18 years;

  (2) how many shopkeepers have been prosecuted over the last 10 years for selling cigarettes to children under 16 years.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: The table shows the formation held centrally on the number of

  321
  prosecutions for the illegal sale of alcohol on licensed premises to persons under the age of 18 and for the sale of tobacco to children under the age of 16. We are unable to distinguish the number of publicans and shopkeepers involved.

  Defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts for illegal sales of alcohol and tobacco to children 1981–90

  England and Wales. Number proceeded against

  Year

  Alcohol1

  Tobacco2

  1981

  410

  17

  1982

  323

  7

  1983

  307

  29

  1984

  314

  45

  1985

  274

  28

  1986

  296

  17

  1987

  333

  18

  1988

  673

  29

  1989

  747

  66

  1990

  574

  83

  1Licensing Act 1964, Section 169(1); Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983, Schedule (Section 3) para 4(1).

  2The Children and Young Persons Act 1933, Section 7.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration is being given to providing bus priority designated lanes with priority at traffic signals on main routes in Belfast.

  Mr. Atkins
  An experimental scheme was introduced on Ormeau road earlier this year and a further scheme is planned for 1993.

  Irish Republican Army
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representation has been made by him and his predecessors to eastern European states and the former Soviet Union to obtain information on the supply of weapons and explosives to the Irish Republican Army.

  Mr. Mates
  Discussions have taken place with several eastern European Governments and with the Government of Russia. Concern about the supply by Libya of Czechoslovak-made Semtex explosive to PIRA led to the conclusion of the convention on the marking of plastic explosives. The Government will continue to pursue all leads about the supply of weapons and explosives to the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Community Charge
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish a table showing for each county court, and in total, the costs incurred by his Department since 1990 in actions taken recovering community charge arrears.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The enforcement of community charge is dealt with by the magistrates courts. The estimated cost of community charge enforcement in magistrates courts from 1 April 1990 to 30 June 1992 was £8·2 million. It is not possible to break this figure down between individual magistrates courts.

  Terrorist-related Crimes
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many bail applications for terrorist-related crimes were lodged in Northern Ireland in each of the past two years; how many were successful; and what was the total cost to the Exchequer for each year of these applications.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The number of bail applications made in respect of scheduled offences in 1990 and in 1991; and the number of such bail applications which were successful were as follows:

  Applications for bail in respect of scheduled offences

  1990

  1991

  Applications made

  1,035

  1,573

  Applications successful

  562

  746

  The cost to the Exchequer of these applications is not available and could not be made available except at disproportionate cost.

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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 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. John M. Taylor
  The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. I will not make a statement.

  Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93 for each executive agency for which he is responsible.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is responsible for two agencies,—the Public Record Office and Her Majesty's Land Registry. Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the chief executives of both agencies and I have asked them to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from W. Arnold to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1992:

  The Chief Executive is presently absent from the Office and, as Principal Establishment Officer of the Public Record Office, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question as set down below, since this is a matter delegated to the Office under the terms of the Agency's Framework Document.

  I enclose tables giving the information you seek in respect of the Public Record Office.

  If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask me.
  323

  Public record office

  Staff in post: 1 April 1992

  Number

  Grade 3

  1·0

  Grade 5

  3·0

  Grade 6

  6·0

  Grade 7

  21·0

  Grade 8

  20·0

  Grade 9

  20·5

  Grade 10

  44·5

  Grade 11

  48·5

  Grade 12

  4·5

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1·5

  Typing Manager

  1·5

  Personal Secretary

  3·0

  Typist

  6·5

  Conservation Officer D

  1·0

  Conservation Officer E

  4·0

  Conservation Officer F

  13·0

  Conservation Officer G

  11·0

  Museum Support Grade 2

  1·0

  Museum Support Grade 3

  7·5

  Support Manager 1

  1·0

  Support Manager 2

  8·0

  Support Manager 3

  16·0

  Support Grade Band 1

  41·5

  Support Grade Band 2

  141·0

  Total

  426·5

  Casual staff

  Typist

  1·0

  Support Grade Band 2

  2·5

  Staff costs 1991–92

  £6·742 million

  Public record office

  Estimated staff in post: 1 April 1993

  Number

  Grade 3

  1·0

  Grade 5

  3·0

  Grade 6

  4·0

  Grade 7

  24·0

  Grade 8

  22·5

  Grade 9

  25·0

  Grade 10

  54·0

  Grade 11

  62·0

  Grade 12

  5·5

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1·5

  Typing Manager

  1·5

  Personal Secretary

  3·0

  Typist

  8·0

  Conservation Officer D

  1·0

  Conservation Officer E

  4·0

  Conservation Officer F

  16·0

  Conservation Officer G

  8·0

  Museum Support Grade 2

  1·0

  Museum Support Grade 3

  8·0

  Support Manager 1

  1·0

  Support Manager 2

  8·0

  Support Manager 3

  16·0

  Support Grade Band 1

  38·0

  Support Grade Band 2

  151·0

  Total

  467·0

  Casual staff

  Support Grade Band 2

  6

  Estimated costs 1992–93

  £7·200 million

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1992:
  324
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your question concerning staff numbers by grade and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figure for 1992–93 in the Land Registry.

  The table attached indicates the permanent staff in post by grade at the beginning and end of 1991–92 and an estimate of the total at 1 April 1993. Costs, both inclusive and exclusive of superannuation expenditure, for permanent staff in 1991–92 and an estimate for 1992–93 are also shown in the table.

  Her Majesty's Land Registry

  1. Staff in post

  Actual staff in post

  Estimated staff in post

  1 April 1991 Permanent

  1 April 1992 Permanent

  1 April 1993 Permanent

  Grade 2

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 3

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 4

  0·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Grade 5 (legal)

  14·0

  17·0

  17·0

  Grade 6 (legal)

  18·0

  19·0

  20·0

  Grade 7 (legal)

  89·5

  84·0

  81·5

  Legal officer

  7·0

  4·0

  2·5

  Grade 5

  4·0

  4·0

  3·0

  Grade 6

  20·0

  23·0

  23·0

  Grade 7

  45·0

  46·0

  47·0

  SEO

  295·0

  290·5

  282·0

  HEO

  601·0

  592·5

  580·0

  EO

  2,152·0

  2,103·5

  2,050·0

  AO(SDP)

  53·5

  44·0

  30·0

  AO

  3,236·0

  3,137·0

  2,996·0

  AA(DP)

  316·0

  284·0

  267·0

  AA

  1,158·5

  966·0

  865·0

  Chief typing manager

  12·0

  11·0

  11·0

  Typing manager

  73·0

  72·5

  72·5

  Senior personal secretary

  2·0

  1·0

  2·0

  Personal secretary

  8·0

  7·0

  8·0

  Typist

  786·0

  776·0

  770·0

  Trainee typist

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Support manager 1

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Support manager 2

  4·0

  4·0

  2·0

  Support manager 3

  51·5

  54·5

  53·0

  Support grade band 1

  204·0

  188·0

  166·0

  Support grade band 2

  890·0

  822·0

  783·0

  Night watchman

  4·0

  3·5

  3·5

  Total

  10,047·0

  9,557·0

  9,139·0

  Note: These figures relate to permanent staff, part-timers are counted as half.

  2. Staff costs

  1991–92 £ million

  1992–93 (estimate) £ million

  124·221

  129·100

  (144·031)

  (149·450)

  Note: The figures in brackets include superannuation costs.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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.
  325
  Mr. Waldegrave
  This information is not held centrally and can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Citizens Charter
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which organisations, in each principal sector, have been targeted to receive a copy of the citizens charter; and what progress has been made to date in ensuring that all public bodies affected by the charter's recommendations have a copy of Cm 1599.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In July 1991 the head of the home civil service, Sir Robin Butler, wrote to permanent secretaries of civil service Departments about the citizens charter and its implementation. Copies of the White Paper were made available to them. In addition, agency chief executives, the chairmen of British Rail and London Regional Transport, the Association of District Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of County Councils, the London Boroughs Association, the Association of London Authorities and the Convention of Scottish Authorities were also sent copies.

  Many other bodies were informed of the White Paper's availability including the general managers of the regional health authorities, district health authorities, family health services authorities, special health authorities, chief executives of national health service trust hospitals. the chief officers of police, the chief probation officers and the secretaries of clerks of magistrates courts committees. The White Paper was advertised widely. To date, 20,246 copies of the White Paper have been sold; 455,617 copies of the popular version—"A Guide to the Citizen's Charter"—have been distributed, free of charge.

TRANSPORT

  M40
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken regarding congestion at junction 9 of the M40 motorway.

  Vehicle inspectorate staff numbers and costs 1991–92 and estimates for 1992–93

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Grade 4

  1

  60,979

  1

  62,098

  Grade 5

  1

  50,290

  1

  53,285

  Grade 61

  4

  275,143

  4

  188,081

  Grade 7

  24

  820,042

  25

  877,616

  Senior Executive Officer

  9

  243,497

  11

  304,923

  Higher Executive Officer

  17

  379,147

  23

  530,432

  Executive Officer

  44

  768,546

  58

  1,048,324

  Administrative Officer

  168

  2,093,197

  208

  2,681,370

  Administrative Assistant

  270

  2,569,375

  251

  2,570,298

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer

  43

  1,194,976

  40

  1,182,348

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  106

  2,412,859

  101

  2,377,924

  Professional and Technical Officer

  457

  8,901,040

  456

  9,101,455

  Assistant Vehicle Examiner

  77

  1,209,971

  90

  1,426,562

  Enforcement Manager2

  0

  0

  7

  174,300

  Senior Traffic Examiner2

  0

  0

  31

  694,418

  Traffic Examiner2

  0

  0

  175

  3,046,378

  Senior Personal Secretary

  2

  32,708

  2

  34,753

  Personal Secretary

  3

  49,981

  3

  46,572

  Typist

  34

  398,861

  35

  453,804

  Support Grades

  8

  81,660

  8

  95,486

  Industrials

  345

  4,826,892

  314

  3,806,833

  Casuals

  0

  0

  30

  211,083

  Total

  1,613

  26,369,164

  1,874

  30,968,343

  326
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  My Department has invited Oxfordshire county council to undertake a study to investigate and determine measures to improve traffic conditions at this junction.

  M11
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the construction of a motorway services area by Trust House Forte at Birchanger on the M11.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The chief executive of Forte Restaurants wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State on 6 March to explain that his company had stopped work at Birchanger pending completion of the Government's review of motorway service area policy. My right hon. Friend announced the outcome of that review on 6 August, and my officials are to meet the company shortly to discuss a resumption of work at the site.

  Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93, for each executive agency for which he is responsible.

  Mr. Steve Norris
  The numbers of staff for each of the Department of Transport's Agencies, by grade and their cost for 1991–92, and the estimated figures for 1992–93 are shown in the tables. TRL and DVOIT became agencies on 1 April 1992; the 1991–92 figures for DVOIT are included in DVLA's figures for that year. All staff costs shown include superannuation and earnings-related national insurance contribution provision.
  327
  1 1991–92 figures include Early Retirement costs

  2 The Traffic Examiner Organisation have been funded from the Inspectorate since 1 April 1992

  Driving standards agency staff numbers and costs 1991–92 and estimates for 1992–93

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Grade 5

  1·0

  53,233

  1·0

  56,496

  Grade 6

  2·0

  90,844

  1·3

  58,746

  Grade 7

  6·0

  217,608

  6·0

  225,040

  Senior Executive Officer

  14·0

  380,407

  13·0

  384,706

  Higher Executive Officer

  25·0

  523,385

  25·0

  552,171

  Executive Officer

  39·0

  655,921

  40·0

  712,271

  Administrative Officer

  111·0

  1,444,832

  113·0

  1,620,782

  Administrative Assistant

  201·0

  1,910,364

  168·0

  1,763,372

  Chief Driving Examiner

  1·0

  34,778

  1·0

  36,691

  Deputy Chief Driving Examiner

  2·0

  59,083

  2·0

  62,332

  Assistant Chief Driving Examiner

  12·0

  318,276

  11·0

  284,563

  Supervising Examiner

  108·0

  2,370,956

  105·0

  2,342,088

  Senior Driving Examiner

  372·0

  7,105,903

  345·0

  7,084,897

  Driving Examiner

  1,158·0

  20,204,213

  1,071·0

  19,296,820

  Personal Secretary

  2·4

  34,758

  2·0

  30,348

  Typist

  7·0

  78,072

  8·0

  89,346

  Telephonist

  1·0

  11,468

  2·0

  22,337

  Paper Keeper

  4·0

  31,186

  4·0

  32,901

  Support Grades

  32·0

  290,097

  22·0

  210,664

  Industrials

  2·0

  20,616

  2·0

  20,880

  Total

  2,100·4

  35,836,000

  1,942·3

  34,887,451

  Transport research laboratory staff numbers and costs 1991–92 and estimates for 1992–93

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Grade 3

  1

  59,237

  1

  81,504

  Grade 4

  1

  55,354

  1

  59,668

  Grade 5

  6

  292,719

  5

  269,082

  Grade 6

  23

  1,000,564

  23

  1,087,824

  Grade 7

  80

  2,800,284

  81

  3,036,259

  Senior Executive Officer

  4

  126,557

  3

  105,490

  Higher Executive Officer

  9

  209,587

  10

  225,796

  Executive Officer

  19

  335,997

  21

  347,787

  Administrative Officer

  46

  588,189

  44

  612,250

  Administrative Assistant

  5

  61,885

  4

  52,507

  Senior Scientific Officer

  84

  2,209,828

  82

  2,330,767

  Higher Scientific Officer

  69

  1,477,665

  72

  1,651,953

  Scientific Officer

  80

  1,301,621

  79

  1,395,699

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  12

  163,398

  15

  211,476

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer

  10

  265,760

  11

  315,238

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  11

  219,678

  10

  233,630

  Professional and Technical Officer

  12

  228,673

  15

  283,396

  Senior Librarian

  1

  28,270

  1

  30,318

  Librarian

  4

  79,598

  4

  85,932

  Assistant Librarian

  3

  40,075

  3

  43,127

  Senior Information

  1

  21,481

  1

  23,038

  Senior Personal Secretary

  2

  35,166

  2

  38,237

  Personal Secretary

  20

  302,429

  19

  315,976

  Typing Manager

  1

  17,575

  1

  18,821

  Typist

  6

  78,653

  6

  84,212

  Telephonist

  3

  35,775

  3

  38,367

  Support Grades

  26

  508,015

  25

  494,968

  Industrials

  97

  1,188,111

  84

  1,177,610

  Casuals

  8

  42,000

  10

  50,000

  Total

  644

  13,774,144

  636

  14,700,932

  Vehicle certification agency staff numbers and costs 1991–92 and estimates for 1992–93

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Grade 5

  1·0

  48,509

  1·0

  49,623

  Grade 6

  1·0

  42,560

  1·0

  43,900

  Grade 7

  4·0

  138,546

  4·0

  140,981

  328 329

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Senior Executive Officer

  0·5

  12,136

  0·0

  0

  Higher Executive Officer

  3·0

  58,711

  2·0

  44,486

  Executive Officer

  8·0

  132,771

  8·0

  139,847

  Administrative Officer

  17·5

  183,241

  16·0

  199,715

  Administrative Assistant

  4·0

  51,126

  3·0

  38,899

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer

  10·0

  232,035

  11·0

  277,858

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  25·0

  520,122

  21·0

  495,578

  Professional and Technical Officer

  3·0

  56,539

  2·0

  35,100

  Personal Secretary

  1·0

  16,235

  1·0

  13,298

  Typist

  4·0

  48,463

  3·0

  31,593

  Support Grades

  1·0

  11,690

  1·0

  10,064

  Industrials

  1·0

  9,995

  1·0

  9,525

  Total

  84·0

  1,562,679

  75·0

  1,530,467

  Driver and vehicle licensing agency staff numbers and costs

  1991–92 and estimates for 1992–93

  Vehicle inspectorate staff numbers and costs 1991–92 and estimates for 1992–93

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Grade 3

  1

  61,557

  1

  64,729

  Grade 4

  1

  59,023

  0

  0

  Grade 5

  5

  252,521

  4

  213,071

  Medical Officer

  7

  302,809

  8

  370,431

  Grade 6

  7

  305,831

  6

  278,631

  Grade 7

  37

  1,268,700

  24

  874,580

  Senior Executive Officer

  87

  2,386,372

  45

  1,288,161

  Higher Executive Officer

  275

  6,135,751

  170

  3,925,551

  Executive Officer

  683

  11,862,833

  437

  7,905,676

  Administrative Officer

  1,735

  23,014,092

  1,676

  23,257,112

  Administrative Assistant

  1,962

  20,959,503

  1,838

  20,716,748

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  1

  26,774

  1

  28,388

  Professional and Technical Officer

  2

  43,653

  2

  43,475

  Assistant Librarian

  1

  17,598

  1

  18,067

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1

  17,484

  1

  18,229

  Personal Secretary

  21

  327,518

  18

  297,515

  Chief Typing Manager

  1

  22,340

  1

  23,290

  Typing Manager

  6

  99,824

  5

  86,726

  Typist

  96

  1,283,031

  89

  1,263,097

  Telex Operator

  1

  13,213

  1

  13,774

  Support Manager

  17

  263,926

  16

  266,223

  Support Grades

  243

  2,822,448

  226

  2,771,040

  Casuals

  85

  729,466

  61

  545,766

  Stores Officer

  4

  75,733

  4

  79,720

  Total

  5,279

  72,352,000

  4,635

  64,350,000

  DVOIT staff numbers and costs estimates for 1992–93

  1992–93

  Grade

  Numbers

  Costs £

  Grade 4

  1

  61,928

  Grade 5

  1

  55,269

  Grade 6

  3

  142,444

  Grade 7

  14

  510,125

  Senior Executive Officer

  39

  1,240,394

  Higher Executive Officer

  93

  2,478,385

  Executive Officer

  246

  5,292,263

  Administrative Officer

  44

  682,330

  Administrative Assistant

  42

  555,744

  Personal Secretary

  4

  65,592

  Total

  486

  11,084,474

  Marine Directorate
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many inspectors are employed by the Marine directorate; and if he will give details of the number of(a) United Kingdom-flagged vessels and (b) flag-of-convenience tonnage covered by inspectors of the Marine directorate in 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Norris
  There are at present 190 marine surveyors employed within the marine directorate.

  The numbers of inspections of United Kingdom vessels were:

  Numbers

  1989–90

  4,021

  1990–91

  3,503

  1991–92

  4,174

  331
  The numbers of foreign ships inspected were:

  Numbers

  1989–90

  1,782

  1990–91

  2,197

  1991–92

  2,397

  Commuter Fares
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the level of commuter fares in London relative to other EC capital and major cities; and if he will make a statement on Government policy with regard to this situation.

  Mr. Norris
  It is difficult to compare fare levels internationally because each transport system has a different fare structure and few European cities are as large and complex as London. In 1991–92 fares on London Buses and the Underground were 17 per cent. and 7 per cent. higher in real terms than 10 years earlier; Network SouthEast fares were 19 per cent. higher. Over the same period, average real weekly earnings have increased by 40 per cent. in London. So fares increases have been more than matched by increased ability to pay. The Government believe that it is right to strike a balance between contributions from users, and subsidy from taxpayers. If one pays less, the other of necessity pays more.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what submissions his Department has made to the International Maritime Organisation on the subject of the maritime transport of plutonium.

  Mr. Norris
  None.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93 for each executive agency for which he is responsible.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to both Wilton Park under its

  Natural Resources Institute staff numbers and costs by grade

  1991–92 (actual)

  1992–93 (estimated)

  Grade

  Man years

  Cost £

  Man years

  Cost £

  Unified Grade 3

  1·00

  65,248

  1·00

  68,770

  Unified Grade 5

  4·00

  204,697

  3·51

  188,438

  Unified Grade 6

  21·77

  964,275

  23·60

  1,091,842

  Unified Grade 7

  96·21

  3,327,165

  100·59

  3,645,976

  Senior Scientific Officer

  79·04

  2,110,342

  96·65

  2,424,496

  Higher Scientific Officer

  68·51

  1,377,374

  66·63

  1,406,194

  Scientific Officer

  45·50

  697,428

  41·65

  673,708

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  20·59

  253,641

  21·20

  273,289

  Senior Research Officer

  10·86

  231,353

  11·34

  242,115

  Research Officer

  1·10

  20,082

  0·37

  6,997

  Librarian

  0·20

  6,733

  —

  —

  Assistant Librarian

  1·75

  23,063

  2·00

  27,384

  Higher Mapping and Charting Officer

  1·00

  22,004

  1·00

  23,020

  332
  chief executive, Geoffrey Denton, and to the Natural Resources Institute under its chief executive, Anthony Beattie. I have asked them to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Geoffrey Denton to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 4 November 1992

  Thank you for your question asking Wilton Park to list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93.

  The answer to your question is as follows:

  Listing of staff 1991–92

  Numbers

  DS4

  1

  DS5

  5

  EO

  3

  AO

  4

  SPS

  11

  PS

  2

  Cat Man III

  2

  Chef II

  3

  Industrial

  28

  Total costs

  £503,503

  Forecast 1992–93

  Numbers

  DS4

  1

  DS5S

  1

  DS5

  4

  EO

  3

  AO

  4

  PS

  3

  11

  Cat Man III

  2

  Chef II

  3

  Industrial

  28

  Total costs

  £536,545

  Increase year on year

  3·76 per cent.

  1Part time.

  2Four part time.

  Letter from Anthony Beattie to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1992:

  Lady Chalker has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about staff and their costs in executive agencies.

  I enclose a table giving the information you require.
  333

  1991–92 (actual)

  1992–93 (estimated)

  Grade

  Man years

  Cost £

  Man years

  Cost £

  Mapping and Charting Officer

  1·00

  19,574

  1·00

  20,478

  Professional/Technology Officer

  2·00

  32,555

  2·00

  34,055

  Experimental Worker

  17·34

  156,074

  7·53

  72,674

  Senior Information Officer

  1·00

  26,031

  1·00

  27,272

  Information Officer

  2·30

  39,904

  2·00

  36,344

  Assistant Information Officer

  1·24

  17,371

  1·00

  15,047

  Higher Graphics Officer

  1·00

  21,527

  1·00

  22,521

  Senior Executive Officer

  3·00

  84,547

  2·41

  69,721

  Higher Executive Officer

  7·68

  164,872

  10·12

  226,023

  Executive Officer

  21·75

  365,557

  19·08

  333,389

  Administrative Officer

  43·10

  501,709

  43·25

  532,170

  Administrative Assistant

  3·02

  22,414

  2·27

  17,350

  Support Grade Band 1

  5·61

  63,882

  7·50

  91,896

  Support Grade Band 2

  10·76

  92,238

  14·24

  143,029

  Personal Secretary

  12·14

  177,530

  14·14

  214,957

  Technical Grade 1

  —

  —

  5·00

  68,668

  Typing Manager

  2·00

  32,999

  2·00

  34,324

  Typist

  7·94

  99,077

  9·39

  121,963

  College Sandwich Course Students

  6·43

  55,112

  3·66

  32,419

  Graphics Officer

  0·07

  916

  0·50

  6,517

  Mapping and Charting Technical Grade 1

  0·58

  8,559

  1·00

  15,125

  Agricultural Advisory Officer I

  19·21

  795,323

  17·80

  770,215

  Agricultural Advisory Officer II

  7·36

  217,088

  5·00

  153,611

  Economic Adviser

  1·00

  33,602

  0·51

  17,532

  Deputy Regional Veterinary Officer

  2·00

  105,881

  2·00

  111,111

  Chargehand

  0·87

  10,163

  0·17

  2,209

  Craftsman

  5·03

  55,505

  0·84

  10,531

  TOTALS

  537·04

  12,503,415

  535·95

  13,273,280

  Visiting Musicians (Visas)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when visas were issued by the United Kingdom post in Islamabad to five musicians, led by Qadi Muhammad Tufail, born on 10 July 1935, to tour the United Kingdom at the invitation of the Al Falah Youth Organisation of Bradford; when that post was notified that all members of the group had been issued with work permits by the overseas labour section of the Department of Employment; when visit visa applications were made on behalf of the group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the absence of any information about this case, we have asked the high commission in Islamabad for a full report. We shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to accommodate the request by Denmark for amendments to the treaty on European union.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As presidency, the United Kingdom will use the proposals submitted by the Danish Government as the basis for discussion with partners on agreeing the framework for a solution at Edinburgh.

  International Atomic Energy Agency
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether the International Atomic Energy Agency has the authority to conduct 334
  special investigations at facilities that have not been previously reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what assessment has been made by his Department of the effectiveness of the non-proliferation safeguards set out in the International Atomic Energy Agency document INFCIRO/153; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  An assessment of the effectiveness of IAEA safeguards is provided in the agency's annual report. The 1991 report stated:
  "it is considered reasonable to conclude that the nuclear material placed under safeguards remained in peaceful nuclear activities or was otherwise adequately accounted for".

  Previous annual reports have recorded similar findings.

  The agency's report also recorded, however, that:
  "Inspection activities carried out pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 reveal that Iraq had not complied with the obligations under its safeguards agreement to declare certain nuclear activities and place all relevant nuclear material under safeguards".

  In the light of the discoveries in Iraq and other recent developments, the board of governors has considered at length ways in which the agency's safeguards system might be further strengthened. As part of this exercise the February board of governors reaffirmed the agency's right, under safeguards agreements concluded under the non-proliferation treaty, to undertake special inspections including locations other than those declared by states. A proposal for the early provision of design information on new and modified facilities was also accepted.

  At its June and September board of governors meetings, the IAEA examined proposals which would give the agency important additional information on exports and imports of nuclear material and on exports of certain relevant equipment and non-nuclear materials. The agency's member states are examining options for providing such information.
  335
  The agency's board will continue to examine improvements in the strength and cost effectiveness of the agency's safeguards activities from time to time. The United Kingdom attaches great importance to the subject and will continue to play a full part in these discussions.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communications his Department has had with his counterparts in Russia and other states in the Commonwealth of Independant States relating to the funding of the International Atomic Energy Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  Officials have frequent bilateral contact with counterparts from the Russian Federation and CIS states during meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency's general conference and board of governors at which various matters are discussed including the funding of the IAEA.

PRIME MINISTER

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that concessions to Denmark on citizenship in relation to the treaty on European union will be extended to the United Kingdom.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom is committed to ratifying the treaty on European union as it stands.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to the Danish Government's proposals relating to article 8 of the treaty on European union.

  The Prime Minister
  A Danish proposal was agreed by the Folketing on 30 October. This will now be discussed by EC member states. The presidency's task is to take forward this discussion, and to reach a framework agreement on a solution for Denmark at the Edinburgh European Council.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what tax advantages nationals of other member states resident in the United Kingdom who take advantage of the provisions of article 8b of the treaty on European union will continue to enjoy.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom tax position of nationals of other member states will continue to depend on their individual residence and domicile status. This status is not expected to be significantly affected by the provisions of article 8b of the treaty on European union.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy towards ratification by other member states of the treaty on European union in the absence of ratification by Denmark.

  The Prime Minister
  The Birmingham European Council reaffirmed the importance of concluding ratification of the Maastricht treaty as soon as possible. All member states, including Denmark, are working towards this. The treaty cannot, however, enter into force until all member states have ratified.

  Citizenship
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received in favour of British citizens becoming European citizens.

  The Prime Minister
  None. European citizenship is supplementary to national citizenship and in no way replaces it. We in the United Kingdom remain responsible for deciding who shall be nationals of this country.

  East Timor
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Prime Minister if, as President of the European Council, he will make further representations to the Indonesian Government to stop all repressive actions in East Timor around the 12 November anniversary of the massacre in Santa Cruz cemetery.

  The Prime Minister
  The Indonesians are already fully aware of the views of the British Government and of our European Community partners.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Prime Minister if, as President of the European Council, he will request the Indonesian authorities to allow a diplomatic mission to Dili, East Timor, for the period including 12 November.

  The Prime Minister
  No. Diplomatic Missions in Jakarta are able to visit East Timor and do so.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Government will ensure that the principle of subsidiarity is applied to fiscal and monetary policy.

  The Prime Minister
  The principle of subsidiarity is set out in article 3b of the treaty on European union and applies to all areas of Community competence.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 5 November.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 5 November.

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

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Credit
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effect of minimum wages fixed by wages councils on the number of recipients of and sums spent on family credit in 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Burt
  It is not possible to identify families receiving family credit whose wages are covered by wages councils. The benefit is payable to any low-income family with children irrespective of whether or not their wages are fixed by wages councils. The biggest determinant of the size of a family credit award is the number and ages of the children rather than variations in the level of wages.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the costs involved in setting up the compensation recovery unit; and what were the unit's running costs in 1991–92.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 15 June at column 387.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines are issued to local DSS offices in assessing victims of domestic violence when they seek access to social fund loans or grants.

  Mr. Scott
  National guidance on dealing with social fund applications is contained in the social fund guide, a copy of which is in the Library. Paragraphs 5400 to 5405 provide guidance on applications for community care grants to help an applicant move to different accommodation. Paragraph 5404 states that, where an applicant is moving out of the accommodation following a breakdown of a relationship, a higher priority may be given to cases where there has been domestic violence, if a payment will help to protect the applicant and any children from risk. No specific guidance is given in relation to budgeting and crisis loans.

  District managers as area social fund officers are also required to give guidance to social fund officers on both the nature, extent and urgency of needs within the locality and the high, medium and low priority needs which may be met from the district budget. This guidance may include advice on the priority of applications from victims of domestic violence.

  In addition, social fund officers, in determining applications, are required to consider the individual circumstances of each case. Where domestic violence is relevant to the application, this will be taken into account.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in east Edinburgh have qualified, or do qualify, for payments under the cold weather payments scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund 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 Michael Bichard to Dr. Gavin Strang, dated 4 November 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 how many households in East Edinburgh have qualified, or do qualify, for payments under the cold weather payments scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Edinburgh East constituency is covered by the Agency's East Lowlands and Lothian Central Districts. During 1991, only customers of the Galashiels office, which forms part of the East Lowlands District, qualified for Cold Weather Payments. Details are available in the Library. It is not possible to give an exact figure of how many customers may
  338
  have future entitlement except at disproportionate cost. However, based on figures for those claiming Income Support in November 1991, it is estimated that approximately 25,100 customers claiming from those Districts may qualify for a Cold Weather Payment should the area be triggered. Parliamentary constituencies and District boundaries do not correspond however and a proportion of these will live outside the constituency.

  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.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General 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.

  The Attorney-General
  The Treasury Solicitor's Department has commissioned two reports from external consultants in the last three years. In 1990, KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock reported on a time recording and billing system for the department and in 1992, BDO Binder Hamlyn was commissioned to report on financial and accounting systems for the department.

  The Crown prosecution service has commissioned six reports from external consultants in the last three years. In 1990, Scoll Ltd. reported on computer security policy and KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock reported on the training and development needs of CPS managers. In 1991, Yale Consulting reported on local area network strategy. In 1992, Intact Ltd. reported on the cabling specification for the new CPS headquarters building. This led to the further commissioning of the same consultants to provide technical monitoring of the cabling installation. Axsis Ltd. was commissioned to do a telecommunications strategy scoping study and this led to the further commissioning of a full telecommunications strategy study. Also in 1992, Energy Conscious Design performed an energy and environmental audit of the new headquarters building.

  The Serious Fraud Office commissioned five reports from external consultants in 1992, and none in 1990 and 1991. They are as follows:

  Information systems strategy scoping study: Hedra.

  Information systems security study: Admiral plc.

  Information systems architecture study: Systemhouse International (Europe) Ltd.

  Accommodation space planning study: Morgan Lovall.

  Analysis of system faults at Citygate House: systemhouse.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Hens
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to improve the welfare of laying hens.

  Mr. Soames
  Improved welfare standards need to be set on a European Community basis. We are currently expecting Commission proposals on the welfare of laying hens.

  Fishing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to protect the catch allocated to British fishermen from quota hoppers.

  Mr. Curry
  The United Kingdom's registration and licensing arrangements restrict access to our quotas.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the entire EC budget is spent on the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  The common agricultural policy accounts for approximately 60 per cent. of the EC budget.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government are taking to encourage the growing of alternative crops on set-aside land; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The EC rules on the new arable area payments scheme allow a wide range of crops to be grown on set-aside land for specified non-food uses. Although member states are not required to implement these arrangements in full in the first year of the scheme, the United Kingdom has done so. I know that a number of growers will be taking advantage of this opportunity.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to implement the revised set-aside arrangements in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  An explanatory booklet on the arable area payments scheme was published in early September and copies were placed in the House Library. The booklet contains detailed information about what growers must do if they wish to claim area payments in 1993 and about the related set-aside requirements, including the management conditions and the arrangements under which crops can be grown on set-aside land for non-food use. Claim forms will be available next year.

  Dietary Supplements
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made to date on the preparation of the draft directive on dietary supplements.

  Mr. Soames
  We are still awaiting proposals from the Commission.

  Marketing Boards
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to introduce his proposed legislation to reform marketing boards.

  Mr. Gummer
  We intend to introduce legislation to promote improvements in agricultural marketing when the parliamentary timetable permits.

  Diversification
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what specific measures he has undertaken to assist Britain's farmers to diversify.
  340
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken by his Department to encourage farmers to diversify their businesses.

  Mr. Curry
  Since the farm diversification grant scheme was introduced in 1988, farmers in England have received free advice and £7·6 million in grants to help them to diversify. Over 40 per cent. of farmers are now diversified. We are backing this up with a number of regional seminars to encourage planning authorities to follow through the revised planning guidance issued earlier this year by the Department of the Environment.

  Ewe Premium
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the decision to investigate farm partnerships after the special ewe premium was due for payment.

  Mr. Curry
  Before making payments under the 1992 sheep annual premium scheme we are required by European Community regulations to examine claims from partnerships to establish that they satisfy the headage payment limit rules. This work is being done as quickly as possible.

  Footpaths
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next plans to meet members of the Ramblers Association to discuss footpaths over agricultural land.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have no such plans at present, but I am always ready to meet the Ramblers Association to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Food Manufacturing
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what support his Department is giving to food manufacturing companies.

  Mr. Gummer
  We provide support for the food industry through financial assistance and by promoting its interests at home and abroad.

  Sea Bass
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made with his studies into the stocks of sea bass.

  Mr. Curry
  Studies are well in hand to ensure a proper assessment of the effects of the new management measures introduced in 1990.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what date he expects bovine spongiform encephalopathy to be eradicated from cattle.

  Mr. Soames
  I am confident that the measures taken by the Government should be sufficient to bring about the disappearance of BSE. There are already encouraging signs to support this view, but it is impossible to predict how long this process will take.

  Farm Incomes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on farm incomes.

  Mr. Curry
  Forecasts of 1992 income will be published in the new year, together with revised estimates for 1993.

  Plant Health and Pesticides HQ
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent correspondence his Ministry has had with York city council, and property developers in York about the site for his Department's new plant health and pesticides headquarters.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department received last week, and has already replied to, a general inquiry on this matter from York council development services. There has been no other recent correspondence between my Department and interested parties in York.

  Wildlife Conservation
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effects of the set-aside regulations on the conservation of wildlife, both flora and fauna.

  Mr. Curry
  We are currently funding a range of studies on the agronomic and environmental effects of short and longer-term set-aside, including changes in the botanical composition of set-aside land, the effects on wildlife habitats and the potential for conserving and restoring such habitats on set-aside land. This involves assessing a number of complex factors over time and final results are not yet available.

  Imported Wild Birds
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information is available on mortalities in imported wild birds.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Department's latest report on mortalities in imported captive birds, relating to imports in 1991, is now available and copies are being placed in the Library of the House. The figures show a fall in the number of birds imported from 176,000 in 1990 to 129,000 in 1991, but the average mortality rate in transport and post-import quarantine rose from 12–3 to 14·8 per cent. Although variation in mortality rates is to be expected, this increase is unacceptable and urgent improvements are clearly needed.

  There is a clear correlation between mortality and the size of individual consignments. We are therefore pursuing vigorously proposals for limiting the size of consignments with the International Air Transport Association, whose live animal regulations are to become mandatory under Community law. We are also opening consultations with interested organisations on the introduction of consignment limits in the United Kingdom. From this month new checks are being made on all commercial imports of birds into Great Britain. We are pressing the European Commission to introduce proposals for further specific measures for wild birds under the directive on protection of animals during transport. The United Kingdom
  342
  presidency is also giving high priority to discussions in the Environment Council on a proposed new Community regulation on the wildlife trade which would provide for specific controls on species are particularly vulnerable to transport.

  The Department will be discussing with interested parties a programme to recognise the competence of quarantine operators. In addition, further training courses will be held for veterinarians supervising quarantine premises.

  The Government fully appreciate the concern about this issue and is determined that any trade in wild birds is conducted in humane conditions and in accordance with strict conservation safeguards.

  Sheep and Goats
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the random slaughterhouse survey of blood samples from sheep and goats carried out under directive 91/68/EC was concluded; if he will publish the findings of the survey; if any samples taken as part of the survey under directive 91/68/EC were screened for maedi visna; and if he will publish the results.

  Mr. Soames
  The slaughterhouse survey for brucella melitensis and contagious agalactia in sheep and goats and for brucella ovis in sheep was concluded in June 1992. None of the diseases was confirmed. A total of 3,234 of the samples taken were screened for maedi visna, and these results will be made available to the sheep and goat health scheme advisory group.

  Equines
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken by his Department to check values of equines being submitted to his Department for export; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The Department ensures that the valuations are determined by qualified valuers or the appropriate judges of breed societies.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to implement fully the EC directive on the welfare of animals in transit.

  Mr. Soames
  Proposals were issued for public consultation on 15 October 1992.

EMPLOYMENT

  Health and Safety
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she expects to lay the regulations relating to the EC directive on health and safety in the workplace relating to(a) health and safety (general provisions), (b) provision and use of work equipment, (c) manual handling operators, (d) workplace (health, safety and welfare), (e) personal protective equipment at work and (f) health and safety (display screen equipment).

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations—previously referred to as the
  343
  Health and Safety (General Provisions) Regulations—were laid before Parliament on 8 September 1992. The other regulations relating to the EC directive on health and safety in the workplace are expected to be laid before Parliament by early next month.

  European Community Funds
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much financial assistance has been given to(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Glasgow and (c) Strathclyde by way of each of the four objectives of the European Community's social fund in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not available in the form sought, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Training
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what responses she has received to the proposals in the White Paper "People, Jobs and Opportunity", in respect of(a) giving employees information about company training policy and (b) making training contracts more easily enforceable; and what further action she intends to take.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Department has received some 75 responses from a range of organisations and individuals, including a number of firms. I am most grateful to all those who commented.

  Many respondents saw the first proposition as an important adjunct to the "Investors in People" standard. They believed that employers would welcome guidance on effective policies for developing and training their employees, and communicating these policies throughout the work force. However, many replies pointed out that a major strength of the "Investors in People" standard is that it is voluntary, driven by business needs and by real commitment from top managers. It is also flexible enough to be relevant to individual circumstances. Accordingly, the Department plans to involve employers in drawing up detailed guidance on creating and communicating effective training policies. We do not propose to introduce legislation, as a clear majority of respondents opposed this.

  The great majority of respondents did not support the idea of changing the law on the enforceability of training contracts. Most considered there was not a widespread problem and, even among respondents from the main sector where problems had been reported, there was no general agreement that legislation was required. Given the prevailing view, we propose not to take further action on this proposition.

EDUCATION

  Special Needs
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children in Essex have had statements of special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the situation in Essex.
  344
  Mr. Forth
  In January 1992, Essex local education authority was responsible for 4,923 children with statements of special educational needs—around 2·3 per cent. of the county's school population.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children in special needs schools in Essex have not had statements.

  Mr. Forth
  In January 1992, there were 2,606 pupils registered at special schools in Essex local education authority. Approximately 7 per cent. of these pupils did not have statements of special educational needs, most of whom were undergoing formal assessment prior to a statement being issued.

  Research
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to publish all research sponsored by his Department.

  Mr. Forman
  No; most research reports are published, but the Department needs to consider each case on its merits and no blanket undertaking to publish can be given.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list for each education authority the number and proportion of mandatory student grants which had not been paid at 31 October.

  Mr. Forman
  This information is not collected centrally. I am, however, most concerned by any reports of delays in making payments, and my officials will investigate vigorously any complaints which are received.

  Four-year-olds
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list in rank order the proportion of four-year-olds in each local education authority who start school at the beginning of the academic year.

  Mr. Forth
  Information is not available in the form requested, but details of pupils aged four admitted to infant classes between September and December 1990 are given in statistical bulletin 5/92 which is available in the Library.

  LINC Projects
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish the discussion papers prepared for the development of the LINC projects, 1989–92, which received a grant from his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  Proposals for the development of the language in the curriculum—LINC—project were set out under category XXIX in the education support grant circular sent to all local education authorities in England in July 1988, a copy of which is available in the Library. This followed publication of the Kingman report in March 1988 which recommended that an in-service training scheme be undertaken to increase teachers' knowledge about language.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will state the number of pupils excluded from each grant-maintained school for the school years 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on permanent exclusions from LEA and grant-maintained schools over a two-year period starting with the summer term 1990 has been collected under the national exclusions reporting system—NERS. The purpose of NERS is to provide a basis on which to review the working of the existing statutory procedures on exclusions. The information received is currently being analysed. NERS returns were made on a confidential basis and it would not be appropriate for me to disclose information on individual schools without the agreement of their governing bodies.

  Open University
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice he has received from the Open university's visiting committee concerning the university's grant needs for 1993.

  Mr. Forman
  The visiting committee's advice is contained in a report which has been placed in the Library.

  College

  Title

  Name

  Date of appointment

  Kingshurst

  Principal

  Valerie Bragg

  January 1988

  Macmillan

  Principal

  John Paddick

  January 1989

  Djanogly

  Principal

  Matt Andrews

  September 1988

  Dixon's

  Principal

  John Lewis

  September 1989

  Leigh

  Principal

  Virginia Waterhouse

  January 1990

  Emmanuel

  Principal

  Bill Smith

  September 1992

  Harris

  Principal

  Lyndon Jones

  January 1990

  Bacon's

  Principal

  Peter Jenkins

  September 1990

  Britschool

  Principal

  Anne Rumney

  January 1990

  Brooke

  Principal

  Gareth Newman

  September 1990

  Haberdashers'

  Director

  Roy Baldock

  November 1990

  Thomas Telford

  Headmaster

  Kevin Satchwell

  January 1991

  ADT

  Chief Executive

  Richard Painter

  October 1990

  Landau Forte

  Principal

  Peter Shackleton

  September 1990

  The only new appointment is that of the principal at Emmanuel college. The appointment or departure of a principal is a matter for the college itself.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the pupil-teacher ratios for each local education authority in England for(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools, in the years 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Forth
  Pupil-teacher ratios for maintained primary and secondary schools in each local education authority in England in January 1991 are published in statistical bulletin 2/92 which is available in the Library. Information for January 1992 is not yet available.

HEALTH

  Ozone
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account she has taken of the implications for health care of continuation of ozone depletion(a) at present rates for 20 years and (b) thereafter at an exponential rate.
  346
  A copy of the report has been passed to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which will be responsible for determining the Open university's grants from 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library the latest report of the visiting committee for the Open university.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish the final report of the Open university's visiting committee.

  Mr. Forman
  A copy has been placed in the Library.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will update his answer of 15 July,Official Report, columns 722–23, on principals of CTCs; and if he will list the colleges which have changed principals and the reasons for the departure of the original principals.

  Mr. Forth
  The names and dates of appointment of the current principal, or equivalent, of each CTC are as follows:

  Mr. Sackville
  The possibility of long-term depletion of the ozone layer is of serious concern and Government policy remains the earliest possible phasing out of the production of ozone-depleting chemicals. The achievement of this will mean that depletion does not continue at present rates for 20 years.

  Exposure to ultraviolet radiation—UV—is an important factor in the number of cases of skin cancer which develop and levels of UV at ground level are influenced by changes of levels of ozone in the stratosphere. However, these are only one factor influencing the numbers of skin cancers. Seasonal variations in solar UV levels and short term variations due to cloud cover and local weather conditions are far in excess of any variations anticipated as a result of ozone depletion. The main risk factor which is believed to account for the increase seen in the incidence of skin cancer is the increased extent to which people expose themselves to the sun. The programme of work following the publication of "Health of the Nation" in July includes work to halt the increase in skin cancers.

  Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on human health of continuing production of HCFCs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am advised that while HCFCs do have some ozone-depleting potential, they cause less damage than CFCs even in the short term. Further, HCFCs are, of course, needed to ensure that they are only used where they are vital to replace CFCs. The European Community will therefore be seeking to bring HCFCs under strict control in this month's review of the Montreal protocol.

  With regard to the health effects of ozone depletion, I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on 19 October 1992 and 30 October 1992 at columns 79–80 and 939 respectively.

  Listeria
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to prevent imports of food products contaminated with listeria.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Food Safety Act 1990 and its subordinate legislation provide a statutory framework to protect the public from food which fails to meet food safety requirements, whatever its origin. We are not aware of any evidence of a problem with listeria contaminated food imports requiring special steps.

  Broomfield Hospital
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the closure of a ward at Broomfield hospital; and what action can be taken to reopen the ward.

  Mr. Sackville
  Broomfield hospital is one of six hospitals which comprise the Mid Essex hospital services NHS trust. Through much greater efficiency, the trust exceeded its contract performance by more than 1,000 cases during the first six months of the current year. As a result ward B8, a general surgical ward, has been closed temporarily as it is not needed to maintain contracted levels of patient treatment.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide details of the reason for the delay in the joint trust application by Walsgrave and Coventry and Warwickshire hospitals; and what assessment he has made of the need to change the legal position in this regard.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The decision on Walsgrave and Coventry and Warwickshire's application has been deferred along with two other applications because of the need for the Walsgrave national health service trust to undertake further internal consultation with its staff. Consideration is currenty being given to an amendment to the National Health Service Trusts (Consultation on Dissolution) Regulations 1991.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 18 May,Official Report, column 63,
  348
  if she will analyse the figures stated for expenditure on establishing NHS trusts into the different categories of expenditure linked in her answer.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on 26 October 1992 at columns 478–80 and on 3 November 1992 at column 180.

  Waterlogged Soils (Infant Mortality)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has available on links between waterlogged soils and variations in the infant mortality rate; if she will commission further studies into the theory of such a link; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has no plans to commission research in this area, although we are always willing to consider suitable proposals.

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will suspend the chairman of the West Midlands health authority with immediate effect.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No. Sir James Ackers has welcomed Sir Roy Griffiths' assistance in looking at management within West Midlands and is working closely with him to ensure arrangements are in place for the most effective management of the health services for the people of the west midlands.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the audits, reports and investigations commissioned by her Department concerning the West Midlands regional health authority or any of its component districts in the past two years; and if she will itemise(a) those whose final report has been received with dates, (b) those whose draft report has been received with dates and (c) those which have not yet reported.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department frequently receives a wide range of reports on health and management matters from West Midlands regional health authority, districts and family health services authorities.

  Child Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the application of the purchaser/provider split to local authority child care provision.

  Mr. Yeo
  It is for local authorities to determine the appropriate structure for the delivery of children's services having regard to their child protection duties and the general child care requirements imposed upon them by the Children Act 1989 and associated regulations and guidance.

  Royal Northern Hospital
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on the future of the Royal Northern hospital site in Islington; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. The North East Thames regional health authority is currently in discussion with the
  349
  Bloomsbury and Islington district health authority regarding the future ownership and use of the Royal Northern site. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Chessels, the regional chairman, for further information.

  Medical Audit Commission
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will state(a) the annual budget of the Medical Audit Commission for 1991–92 and 1992–93 and (b) the main categories of its expenditure.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: The medical audit initiative, which was introduced and funded by the Government as part of the national health service reforms, is funded by the NHS Management Executive, health care directorate.

  Medical audit has received a substantial investment, which remains necessary to accomplish the major transformation in professional attitudes and working practices which it entails. The sums allocated in the years in question were:

  (i) £60 million in 1991–92, and

  (ii) £42 million in 1992–93.

  A capital allocation was made for two years, ending in 1991–92 for comupters and software. Family health service audit funding has been built into normal allocations from 1992–93. The same will happen to HCHS funding when it has become firmly established, except for about £10 million retained centrally to fund work by the medical royal colleges and others to establish standards of best practice.

  Most of the money is spent on employing medical audit support staff, a new profession within the NHS which is already demonstrating the potential to make a major contribution to improving patient care. Funds also pay for computers and doctors' time spent organising audit and continuing medical education. The above sums do not include the cost of doctors' time—about a half clay a month—spent attending audit meetings.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he consulted with the charities in commissioning the consultants GAH Group to advise on aspects of a national lottery on charitable donations; when he proposes to meet them to discuss the advice; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Government do not as a rule consult third parties before commissioning research advice. I plan to meet representatives from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations next week for general discussions on the national lottery; and we are continuing consultations with other organisations in the charity and voluntary sector.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he consulted with the football pools companies, in commissioning the consultants GAH Group to advise on aspects of a national lottery on the football pools industry; when he proposes to meet them to discuss the advice; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Government do not as a rule consult third parties before commissioning research advice. I plan to meet soon representatives from the pools industry for general discussions on the national lottery.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, column 914, where the contract for the research work awarded to GAH Group was advertised; when it was advertised; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Government competitive tendering procedures do not invariably require the advertising of invitations to tender. Selected firms were invited to tender for the contract. The invitation was issued on 24 July 1992, and the contract was let on 10 August.

  Pitchford Hall
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the current position in relation to Pitchford hall.

  Mr. Key
  I do not propose to do so.

SCOTLAND

  Murderers
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many individuals convicted for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment have been released and thereafter convicted for a further murder since 1985.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 November 1992]: A total of four individuals, having been convicted of murder and subsequently released from life imprisonment, have thereafter been convicted of a further murder since 1985.

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: As the information sought is extensive, I shall provide the hon. Member with a list of those I have appointed since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland and who currently hold their appointments. I am also arranging for copies of the list to be placed in the Library of the House. It shows the body on which they serve, the length of the appointment and, where appropriate, the remuneration. Information on relevant qualifications held, and on appointments, other than those of chairmen and deputy chairmen, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Home and Health Department
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment has been made of the extent to which the grants awarded by the Home and Health Department are giving value for money; and if projects are being vetted adequately.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: Grants are awarded by the Scottish Office Home and Health Department for many projects falling under that Department's areas of responsibility. In each case, strict guidelines and conditions are laid out relating to the use of grant aid and must be accepted in writing by prospective recipients prior to any funds being advanced. Thereafter, projects are monitored and evaluated on a regular basis throughout the life of the grant aid and, where appropriate, the annual accounts of the recipient bodies are required to be submitted to the Department. Increasingly, grant recipients are being required to produce business plans and are being set performance targets. All these measures serve to assist value-for-money examination and I am content that the projects are being vetted adequately.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93 for each executive agency for which he is responsible.
  352
  Sir John Cope
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executives of the Royal Mint, Central Statistical Office, and Valuation Office agencies. A copy of the question has been passed to each and they have been asked to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Letter from A. D. Garrett to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1992:

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to respond to your above Written Question concerning the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and estimates for 1992–93.

  The information you require is set out on the attached sheet.

  Royal Mint

  Numbers Employed and Employment Costs

  1991–92 (Actual)

  1992–93 (Estimated)

  1. Staff Costs

  a. Wages/Salaries

  £16,883,000

  £17,595,000

  b. Other employment costs

  £3,274,000

  £3,681,000

  Total

  £20,157,000

  £21,276,000

  2. Staff Numbers

  a. Industrial

  656

  647·5

  b. Non-Industrial

  384

  379·5

  Total

  1,040

  1,027·0

  Non-Industrial Grade Breakdown

  3. Grade

  Numbers

  Numbers

  G3

  1·0

  1·0

  G4/5/6

  5·0

  5·0

  G7

  11·0

  11·0

  SEO/SPTO/SSO

  28·0

  27·0

  HEO

  17·0

  17·0

  EO

  50·0

  53·0

  AO

  95·0

  93·5

  AA

  16·5

  13·5

  SPS

  1·0

  1·0

  PS

  6·0

  6·0

  Typing Manager

  1·0

  1·0

  Typists

  8·0

  8·0

  Telephone Operator

  1·0

  1·0

  Senior Messenger

  2·0

  2·0

  Car Driver

  3·0

  3·0

  Messenger

  5·0

  5·0

  Cleaner

  5·0

  4·5

  Curator 'F'

  1·0

  1·0

  HPTO/HPO

  19·0

  21·0

  PTO/PO

  79·0

  76·0

  HSO

  4·0

  3·0

  SO

  15·0

  15·0

  TG1

  1·0

  2·0

  P and GSD

  3·0

  3·0

  Laboratory Assistant

  0·5

  0·5

  Engraver 2

  5·0

  5·0

  Engraver 3

  1·0

  0·0

  Total

  384

  379·5

  Letter from W. McLennan to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 4 November 1992.

  As Chief Executive of the Central Statistical Office I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary Question of 28 October to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about staff numbers and costs.

  The attached gives numbers of staff for the CSO by grade and their salary costs for 1991–92, and estimates for 1992–93 as requested.

  I also enclose a summary of the CSO financial account for 1991–92, and our provision for 1992–93, which show a breakdown of running and capital costs.
  353

  Central Statistical Office staff numbers and costs 1991–92

  Grade

  1991–92 Average staff1 in post (numbers)

  1991–92 Salary costs2 (£s)

  Grade 1A

  1·0

  78,665

  Grade 2

  1·0

  59,434

  Grade 3

  3·0

  157,748

  Grade 4

  1·0

  46,908

  Grade 5/6

  22·0

  950·157

  Grade 7

  69·0

  2,012,780

  Senior Executive Officer

  35·5

  886,350

  Senior Assistant Statistician/ Assistant Statistician

  23·5

  446,252

  Higher Executive Officer

  139·5

  2,661,887

  Executive Officer

  277·5

  4,147,744

  Administrative Officer

  387·5

  3,878,150

  Administrative Assistant

  65·00

  581,052

  Higher Graphics Officer

  1·0

  20,446

  Graphics Officer

  3·0

  53,256

  Senior Information Officer

  1·0

  23,582

  Information Officer

  1·0

  19,301

  Assistant Information Officer

  1·0

  12,411

  Mapping and Charting Officer

  1·0

  18,588

  Librarian

  1·0

  18,423

  Assistant Librarian

  1·0

  10,092

  Typing Manager

  2·0

  33,243

  Senior Personal Secretary

  3·0

  51,799

  Personal Secretary

  22·0

  327,706

  Typist

  16·0

  158,073

  Support Manager III

  1·0

  11,101

  Support Grade Band I

  6·0

  64,690

  Support Grade Band II

  17·5

  142,415

  Proof Reader

  —

  3,439

  Sandwich Students

  —

  48,644

  Total

  1,103

  16,924,336

  Central statistical office staff numbers and costs 1992–93

  Grade

  1992–93 average staff1 in post projected (numbers)

  1992–93 salary costs2 (£s)

  Grade 1A

  1·0

  81,375

  Grade 2

  1·0

  63,106

  Grade 3

  3·0

  165,992

  Grade 4

  1·0

  49,588

  Grade 5/6

  25·0

  1,097,079

  Grade 7

  75·5

  2,291,149

  Senior Executive Officer

  46·0

  1,098,966

  Senior Assistant Statistician/ Assistant Statistician

  725·5

  433,386

  Higher Executive Officer

  156·5

  3,062,872

  Executive Officer

  325·0

  4,942,119

  Administrative Officer

  435·0

  4,536,299

  Administrative Assistant

  66·0

  553,072

  Higher Graphics Officer

  1·0

  21,121

  Graphics Officer

  3·0

  52,506

  Senior Information Officer

  1·0

  24,403

  Information Officer

  1·0

  20,388

  Assistant Information Officer

  1·0

  13,358

  Mapping and Charting Officer

  1·0

  18,328

  Librarian

  1·0

  19,317

  Assistant Librarian

  1·0

  15,582

  Typing Manager

  2·0

  28,498

  Senior Personal Secretary

  3·0

  54,264

  Personal Secretary

  22·5

  331,926

  Typist

  16·0

  183,073

  Support Manager III

  1·0

  11,668

  Support Grade Band I

  6·0

  62,306

  Support Grade Band II

  19·0

  164,363

  354

  Grade

  1992–93 average staff1 in post projected (numbers)

  1992–93 salary costs2 (£s)

  Total

  1,240

  19,396,104

  Notes:

  1 Part-time staff counted as 0·5

  2 Salary costs include:

  (i) basic salary

  (ii) allowances

  (iii) London weighting (where applicable)

  (iv) casual salaries

  (v) overtime/travel time

  Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 March 1992 and Provision for year ending 31 March 1993

  1991–92 Outturn £'000

  1992–93 Provision £'000

  Running Costs

  Staff Costs

  18,995

  23,020

  Post and telecommunication

  692

  950

  Accommodation

  4,167

  4,604

  Computers and office machinery

  1,746

  1,556

  Stationery and supplies

  197

  210

  Printing and binding

  224

  203

  Library and publicity

  225

  262

  Consultants fees

  300

  676

  Payments for statistical surveys

  299

  277

  Payments to other government departments

  4,892

  5,724

  Other expenses

  32

  108

  Total running costs

  31,769

  37,590

  Capital

  Computers

  2,032

  3,744

  Telecommunications and office machinery

  67

  81

  Furniture and supplies

  297

  939

  Total capital

  2,396

  4,764

  Payments to civil superannuation vote

  79

  114

  Total gross payments

  34,244

  42,468

  Less receipts appropriated in aid

  1,151

  2,231

  Net cost of operation

  33,093

  40,237

  Letter from R. R. B. Shutler to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1992:

  In your question to the Chancellor ref: 203 you ask for a list by grade of the number of staff within the Agency and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated 1992–93 details.

  The information you have requested is detailed on the attached table.

  Valuation Office Agency

  Average staff in post by grade

  Actual 1991–92

  Estimated 1992–93

  Professional staff

  Chief executive

  1·00

  1

  Grade 3

  2·00

  2

  Grade 4

  3·33

  3

  Grade 5

  22·17

  22

  Grade 6

  171·00

  180

  Grade 7

  429·95

  444

  355

  Actual 1991–92

  Estimated 1992–93

  Senior valuer

  629·83

  671

  Valuer

  261·87

  281

  Graduate valuer

  159·41

  113

  Assistant valuer

  171·59

  167

  Cadet valuer

  281·29

  265

  Sandwich course student

  39·40

  75

  Vacation student

  3·16

  —

  HEO technician (casual)

  —

  107

  Total

  2,176·00

  2,331

  Non professional staff

  Grade 6

  5·00

  5

  Grade 7

  15·08

  12

  Senior valuation executive

  42·25

  40

  Staff officer

  199·75

  200

  Valuation technician

  937·41

  930

  Valuation clerk

  870·04

  850

  Revenue assistant

  1,045·33

  1,384

  Secretarial/typing posts

  340·32

  340

  Support grades

  21·82

  23

  Total

  3,477·00

  3,784

  Grand total

  5,653·00

  6,115

  £ million

  £ million

  Staff costs

  Salaries, wages and allowances and social security costs

  96·554

  112·241

  Other pension costs

  14·406

  15·200

  110·960

  127·441

  Inland Revenue (Headquarters)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the revised cost estimates of the new Nottingham headquarters building for the Inland Revenue; and what are the expected annual savings to the Treasury.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The construction work for the project for a new Inland Revenue building in Nottingham is currently at the tendering stage. Consequently the cost estimates for the various work packages remain, at present, commercial-in-confidence. It is fully expected that the outturn will be within the agreed budget for the project.

  The currently estimated annual net accommodation and pay savings are around £12 million from 1996–97 following completion of the project.

  Housing Loans
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of mortgage interest relief at source payments are currently made to households earning(a) over £50,000 per annum, (b) over £35,000 per annum, (c)under £20,000 per annum, (d) under £10,000 per annum and (e) under £5,000 per annum.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Provisional estimates for 1992–93 based on projected information from the 1990 family expenditure survey and the 1989–90 survey of personal incomes are in the table.

  Range of total income with percentage of total cost of mortgage interest relief

  £

  Per cent.

  Up to 5,000

  4

  5,001 to 10,000

  6

  10,001 to 20,000

  38

  356

  £

  Per cent.

  20,001 to 35,000

  37

  35,001 to 50,000

  9

  Over 50,000

  6

  Total

  100

  Inheritance Tax Exemptions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make it his policy to allow public access to information on successful applications for conditional inheritance tax exemption where the conditions referred to within the application refer to public access to land.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Reasonable public access is required to all scenic land which is conditionally exempt from inheritance tax. The heritage advisory agencies, including the Countryside Council for Wales, can supply information about public access to heritage land including conditionally exempt land. To protect taxpayers' confidentiality, the conditionally exempt land cannot be separately distinguished.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to overturn conditional exemptions from inheritance tax payments where it has been proved that the conditions set out concerning public access have not been fulfilled.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The undertakings providing for public access to land and buildings which have been conditionally exempted from inheritance tax are monitored by the relevant heritage advisory agencies. Where breaches cannot be resolved in discussion between the agencies and landowners, the agencies will notify the Inland Revenue. To date, there has been no occasion on which they have had to do this. Undertakings providing for public access to conditionally exempt chattels are monitored directly by the Inland Revenue.

  If an owner refuses to observe any undertakings given in respect of conditional exemption, inheritance tax is charged on the current value of the property. This provides a powerful incentive for the owner to honour the terms of the undertakings.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to ensure that all public rights of way granted as part of conditional exemptions from inheritance tax appear on subsequent editions of ordnance survey maps.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Definitive public rights of way which result from the conditional exemption from inheritance tax of scenic land will appear on subsequent Ordnance Survey maps. Decisions on what other paths or forms of public access are shown on the maps are a matter for the chief executive of Ordnance Survey.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to apply the definition of public access outlined in the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 when evaluating applications for inheritance tax exemptions under the Inheritance Tax Act 1984.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No. The heritage advisory agencies advise the Inland Revenue as to what constitutes reasonable
  357
  public access to land for which conditional exemption from inheritance tax is claimed. The access arrangements for each case are considered individually on the basis of its own facts. Adopting the approach in the 1949 Act would allow the landowner to deny public access in some circumstances where it is currently sought in return for the conditional inheritance tax exemption.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state for each year since 1986, in Wales,(a) the number of successful applications for conditional exemption from inheritance tax, (b) the number of such applications related to land and (c) the minimum total estimated value of such land.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The number of designations for conditional exemption from inheritance tax of all types of heritage property in Wales could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Since 1976 there have been five successful applications for conditional exemption of heritage land in Wales. Where conditional exemption from inheritance tax is granted it is not necessary to establish the value of the land.

  Energy Review
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution his Department will be making to the energy review; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  My Department will be playing a full part in the review.

  Drug Seizures
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by type, number of seizures and weight all drug seizures made by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise at Heathrow airport during each of the past 12 quarters.

  Sir John Cope
  The number of drug seizures by type and weight made at Heathrow Airport in each of the past 12 quarters is as shown in the table.

  Schedule

  Period and type

  Seizure numbers

  Weight (in grammes)

  Numbers

  December 1989

  Amphetamine

  3

  12·016

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  127

  536,326·400

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  2

  4,401·500

  —

  Cannabis resin

  88

  14,194·204

  —

  Cocaine

  32

  22,307·420

  —

  Diamorphine

  44

  39,507·421

  —

  LSD

  3

  —

  973

  Other

  11

  232·580

  —

  March 1990

  Amphetamine

  5

  8·880

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  116

  229,290·850

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  2

  41·000

  —

  Cannabis resin

  113

  104,705·080

  —

  Cocaine

  31

  23,635·880

  —

  Diamorphine

  28

  18,173·790

  —

  LSD

  1

  —

  1,000

  Other

  17

  214·180

  —

  June 1990

  Amphetamine

  4

  500·610

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  113

  37,348·640

  —

  Cannabis resin

  90

  10,809·129

  —

  358

  Period and type

  Seizure numbers

  Weight (in grammes)

  Numbers

  Cocaine

  31

  45,814·310

  —

  Diamorphine

  25

  30,995·307

  —

  LSD

  1

  —

  2,000

  Other

  24

  19,847·900

  —

  September 1990

  Amphetamine

  7

  52·630

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  117

  73,209·380

  —

  Cannabis resin

  96

  5,989·670

  —

  Cocaine

  43

  28,081·270

  —

  Diamorphine

  28

  16,315·237

  —

  Other

  28

  513·380

  —

  December 1990

  Amphetamine

  5

  18·420

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  97

  62,694·410

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  1

  1,000·000

  —

  Cannabis resin

  100

  13,400·642

  —

  Cocaine

  49

  66,001·440

  —

  Diamorphine

  37

  28,521·501

  —

  LSD

  5

  —

  8,000

  Other

  23

  1,869·346

  —

  March 1991

  Amphetamine

  2

  2·860

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  91

  90,643·710

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  3

  400·000

  —

  Cannabis resin

  98

  28,377·849

  —

  Cocaine

  41

  25,902·270

  —

  Diamorphine

  26

  33,554·600

  —

  LSD

  7

  —

  17,931

  Other

  27

  2,612·600

  —

  June 1991

  Amphetamine

  7

  7·000

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  102

  124,899·773

  —

  Cannabis resin

  110

  9,054·729

  —

  Cocaine

  44

  46,080·060

  —

  Diamorphine

  18

  18,539·900

  —

  LSD

  3

  —

  500

  Other

  22

  1,377·980

  —

  September 1991

  Amphetamine

  8

  183·300

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  96

  36,512·832

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  1

  2·000

  —

  Cannabis resin

  93

  8,897·526

  —

  Cocaine

  52

  85,184·410

  —

  Diamorphine

  14

  25,041·096

  —

  LSD

  4

  —

  12

  Other

  21

  4,548·513

  —

  December 1991

  Amphetamine

  8

  10·000

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  78

  209,314·390

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  2

  11·900

  —

  Cannabis resin

  60

  7,209·640

  —

  Cocaine

  53

  39,960·895

  —

  Diamorphine

  12

  9,332·050

  —

  LSD

  2

  —

  4

  Other

  18

  626·910

  —

  March 1992

  Amphetamine

  3

  863·700

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  103

  150,090·401

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  1

  250·000

  —

  Cannabis resin

  84

  5,422·590

  —

  Cocaine

  55

  34,487·361

  —

  Diamorphine

  20

  26,574·310

  —

  LSD

  2

  —

  1,646

  Other

  12

  332·600

  —

  June 1992

  Amphetamine

  1

  1·000

  —

  Cannabis herbal

  66

  63,873·070

  —

  Cannabis liquid

  3

  531·500

  —

  Cannabis resin

  58

  17,988·348

  —

  359

  Period and type

  Seizure numbers

  Weight (in grammes)

  Numbers

  Cocaine

  33

  47,032·780

  —

  Diamorphine

  11

  7,445·892

  —

  LSD

  1

  —

  520

  Other

  22

  18,711·380

  —

  September 1992

  Cannabis herbal

  98

  211,494·040

  —

  Cannabis resin

  45

  7,101·980

  —

  Cocaine

  41

  53,366·000

  —

  Diamorphine

  20

  17,087·500

  —

  LSD

  3

  —

  3,006

  Other

  25

  1,914·100

  —

  1 For LSD the number of tablets rather than weight is shown.

  Footpaths and Bridleways
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new(a) footpaths and (b) bridleways in Wales have been created as a direct result of granted exemptions on inheritance tax, since the Inheritance Tax Act 1984, in each year since 1984; and if he will list the location of the footpaths and bridleways in each instance.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The public have access to approximately 20 miles of footpaths and bridleways over scenic land in Wales which is conditionally exempt from inheritance tax. A breakdown of this figure by year of designation cannot be provided due to the taxpayer confidentiality rules.

  Public access was already allowed to some of these paths and bridleways before the exemption was given, but the conditions attached to the exemption will have put the access on a more secure basis.

  The Countryside Council for Wales is able to supply information about access to heritage land, including conditionally exempt land, although the land will not be identified as conditionally exempt.

  VAT Penalties
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the findings of his review into value added tax penalties on companies.

  Sir John Cope
  The reviews of misdeclaration penalty and default surcharge are due to report in time for decisions to be taken as part of the 1993 Budget strategy.

  Taxpayers (Interviews)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Inland Revenue staff are permitted to make tape recordings of interviews with taxpayers without the knowledge or consent of the taxpayer; and if he will include provisions in the taxpayers charter and in departmental guidance manuals so as to preclude such recordings being made.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Existing guidance for inspectors of taxes tells them that they should not make a tape recording of an interview.

  Self-employment (Tax)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the simplification of tax for the self-employed.
  360
  Mr. Dorrell
  A further consultative paper entitled "A Simpler System for Assessing Personal Tax" has been published by the Inland Revenue. This takes forward the discussions on simplification of the personal tax system. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he intends to introduce to implement paragraph 2 of proposed article 130R of the treaty of Rome, included in the Maastricht treaty on European union.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: I have been asked to reply.

  It falls to the European Commission to make proposals for measures to implement obligations under the treaty of Rome. The Government fully endorse the considerations set out in the second paragraph of article 130R as it will be amended by the Maastricht treaty. During the United Kingdom's presidency of the Environment Council, we have been laying particular emphasis on the need to integrate environmental protection requirements into other policy areas.

  Smuggling
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are being taken to counter the extra opportunities for smugglers as a result of EC measures which will make movement through EC countries easier.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 3 November 1992]: It is a central objective of all changes to customs controls for the single market, that effectiveness against smuggling should be maintained. Following a thorough review of their anti-smuggling controls, customs have been creating new flexible anti-smuggling teams and important results have come from the risk-based targeting methods which they employ.

  Customs are working with other enforcement agencies, trade associations and individual transport companies to sign memoranda of understanding under which they assist customs to detect drug smugglers who are using their facilities. Customs are also developing closer co-operation with our Community partners. They have signed maritime and aerial surveillance memoranda of understanding with France and Spain and are in the process of concluding one with the Netherlands. The fight against smugglers will be further assisted in the single market by the customs information system. This network, which I launched in October allows information to be exchanged electronically between all 12 member states.

  VAT
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what limit the recent agreements in the EC on the harmonisation of rates of VAT place on the amount by which the VAT starting threshold can be raised.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: The recent agreements in the EC will not affect the level of the VAT registration threshold which is governed by the EC Sixth VAT Directive and current United Kingdom legislation.
  361
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider raising the VAT threshold to £50,000 and beyond.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: The EC Sixth VAT Directive which the then United Kingdom Government agreed in 1977 constrains increases in the VAT registration threshold to what is needed to maintain its value in real terms.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is currently giving to problems relating to the current VAT penalty regime.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: The second phase of the review of the serious misdeclaration penalty regime was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in his Budget statement in March 1992. Wide ranging consultations have since taken place with the relevant trade and professional bodies. In addition, Customs have issued a consultative paper on default surcharge inviting comment on how the system might be made both more effective and acceptable.

ENVIRONMENT

  Ozone-destroying Substances
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution when assessing the best available technology not entailing excessive cost for the prevention of the release of ozone-destroying substances.

  Mr. Maclean
  HMIP is responsible for authorising releases from those processes prescribed under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  The Act requires an operator of a prescribed process to either prevent releases of prescribed substances or where not practicable, to minimise releases and to render them harmless. In implementing this requirement, a balance must be made between the costs of these techniques against the potential environmental harm, such as possible damage to the ozone layer, resulting from proposed releases. This is the basis of the requirement to use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost—BATNEEC.

  In granting authorisation HM inspectorate of pollution will have regard to the advice provided in the relevant chief inspector's guidance note including the need to use BATNEEC.

  One of the most significant industry sectors as far as potential releases of compounds posing a threat to stratospheric ozone levels, most notably some volatile organic compounds, is that covering the production and storage of chemicals.

  The first nine guidance notes covering this sector will be published shortly. They will provide detailed guidance on the release of VOCs and in particular will place extremely tight release limits on those substances, covered by the Montreal Protocol which have been identified as posing a threat to ozone levels. Guidance is also given on preventing fugitive releases from all parts of such processes.

  On publication, copies of all chief inspector's guidance notes are placed in the House Library.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which companies have made applications to 362
  release ozone-destroying substances under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and how many have been turned down.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by his Department in utilising the powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to outlaw the release of ozone-destroying chemicals.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1991 set out the industrial processes and the main substances to be controlled under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  The regulations are enforced by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and local authorities who are required to ensure industry uses best available techniques not entailing excessive cost to prevent, or minimise and render harmless the release of prescribed substances. The substances prescribed for release into the air include oxides of nitrogen, organic compounds and halogens and their compounds, which are ozonede-depleters.

  To date HMIP has received just over 500 applications and local authorities some 6,300 in England and Wales. Details of all these applications and authorisations issued as a result are not held centrally.

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many shipments of clinical waste have been imported for incineration within the United Kingdom in each of the past five years; and if he will specify the tonnage imported in each instance.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department has no record of clinical waste being imported before 1 January 1992. Since then, 463 tonnes in 71 separate shipments have been notified to the Department under the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Wastes Regulations 1988 as having been imported for incineration in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to prohibit the incineration of wastes containing heavy metals, organochlorines and other organic halogens.

  Mr. Maclean
  Waste incineration processes are tightly controlled under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Since 30 September 1992, operators of all existing waste incinerators have had to apply under the Act to either Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution or their local authority, depending on the size of the plant or the sort of waste being incinerated, to obtain authorisation to undertake the process. Any authorisations given will include conditions covering such matters as combustion conditions and release limits to ensure the protection of public health and the environment. These conditions must be designed so as to ensure the use of the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost—BATNEEC—to prevent or minimise releases of prescribed substances from the plant, and to render all unpreventable releases harmless. I, therefore, see no grounds for a general prohibition on the incineration of wastes containing heavy metals, organochlorines and other organic halogens.
  363
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to undertake a full assessment of problematic waste streams going into incineration.

  Mr. Maclean
  There is already a considerable amount of research into the incineration of various types of waste. The objective is to determine the conditions required to minimise the release of pollutants, and to render harmless any unpreventable releases.

  Chlorine (Stratosphere)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what level of chlorine loading in the stratosphere is regarded as the maximum that the United Kingdom will accept as a condition for signing a revised Montreal protocol in Copenhagen;

  (2) what are the maximum periods of stratospheric chlorine loading (a) above 2ppbv and (b) above 3ppbv that the United Kingdom is prepared to accept as a condition for signing the revised Montreal protocol in Copenhagen.

  Mr. Maclean
  We will be pressing for the Montreal protocol's controls to be tightened to require the earliest possible phase out of ozone-depleting substances, in order to achieve the lowest possible level of chlorine loading in the stratosphere.

  Waste Streams
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to set goals and time scales for the reduction of priority waste streams.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom is participating in several European Community "priority waste streams" groups comprising representatives from business, national and local government, consumer and environmental organisation. The groups aim to agree common targets and objectives within the Community for the treatment and handling of a number of difficult waste streams, including used tyres, chlorinated solvents, scrap vehicles, clinical waste and demolition material. The United Kingdom is leading on clinical waste, and has also initiated a research project on the recycling of demolition wastes.

  Members' Correspondence
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are issued to his Department for the processing of correspondence from hon. Members; and what is the average delay between receipt of correspondence from, and the date of response to, an hon. Member.

  Mr. Howard
  Guidelines to officials in my Department stress that all ministerial correspondence should be dealt with as soon as possible, and every attempt is made to achieve my Department' objective of replying to hon. Members' letters within three weeks of receipt.

  It is not possible to identify from my Department's records, an arithemetical average length of time taken to reply to hon. Members.' letters. However my Department's objective of a reply within three weeks of receipt, was achieved for 60 per cent. of letters from hon. Members' received in the first six months of this year. Seventy-seven per cent. were replied to within four weeks, and 90 per centre within six weeks.

  March Consultancy Group
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what policy changes he will implement as a result of research undertaken for the Department by March Consulting Group.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department has commissioned four studies from the March Consulting Group. Three of these are for Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and concern pollution control for petrochemical and petroleum processes, and for processes involving sulphonation. The group is required to identify both the various processes being undertaken and the best available techniques being used worldwide to control polluting releases. The results of these studies will be used by the inspectorate in the chief inspector's guidance notes covering those processes. The fourth is on the use of chlorofluorocarbons in the United Kingdom refrigeration and air conditioning industries. The Government are committed to the earliest possible phase out of CFCs, and are now considering what further action might be taken in the light of March Consulting Group's report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what essential uses of hydrochlorofluorocarbons his Department has identified in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

  Mr. Maclean
  HCFCs are needed in the short to medium term in this sector to ensure the swiftest possible move away from the use of CFCs.

  Clinical Waste
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are currently provided by his Department to companies involved in the incineration of clinical waste concerning the safe deposit of toxic ash following the burning of such waste.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department is satisfied that ash from incinerators burning clinical waste can be safely deposited at landfill sites licensed and designed to accept such waste without risk to public health or the environment. Waste disposal authorities formulate licence conditions and monitor sites to ensure that no hazard arises.

  My Department has published definitive guidance on the landfilling of waste in waste management paper No. 26 and on disposal licensing in waste management paper No. 4. Copies of both these documents have been placed in the Library of the House. Guidance will shortly be issued on the management of clinical waste in the revised version of waste management paper No. 25.

  Rural Development Commission
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much grant in aid the Rural Development Commission received in(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Maclean
  In 1979–80 the development commission was issued a grant of £16·126 million to meet expenditure of £18·257 million. For 1992–93 grant in aid of £11·969
  365
  million was approved by Parliament, prior to the 1992 summer recess, for the Rural Development Commission enabling it to spend up to £38·939 million. In both years, the balance between grant in aid and gross expenditure is accounted for by receipts.

  Biodiversity Agreements
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to encourage the involvement of non-governmental organisations in the drafting and negotiation of future treaties and agreements related to biodiversity.

  Mr. Maclean
  Non-governmental organisations were involved throughout the preparations leading up to the agreement of the convention on biological diversity, in particular through the Advisory Group on Biological Diversity.

  We will continue to involve non governmental organisations in taking forward this convention and in other biodiversity-related work.

  Hazardous Waste (Imports)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of imports of hazardous waste in(a) 1981 and (b)

  Mr. Maclean
  There was no requirement for information on hazardous waste imports to be supplied to the Secretary of State until the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988 came into force on 1 October 1988. During the 1988–89 financial year, approximately 52,000 tonnes of hazardous waste were imported. This figure comprises estimates from 1 April to 30 September 1988, and collected data thereafter.

  Water Pollution
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many incidents of water pollution on Britain's bathing beaches were reported in(a) 1980 and (b)

  Mr. Maclean
  No data are held centrally for 1980. The results for the 1992 bathing water survey are not yet available. In 1991, 76 per cent. of the United Kingdom's 453 identified bathing waters met the mandatory coliform bacteria standards of the EC bathing water directive.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people in Britain are supplied with water that does not reach the EC regulated standard.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on drinking water quality in England and Wales is contained in "Drinking Water 1991", the second annual report by the chief drinking water inspector, published in July 1992. Copies have been placed in the Library. It is planned to publish shortly a similar report on drinking water quality in Scotland.

  Controlled Wastes
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action has been taken by his Department and other relevant authorities to clarify to users of ozone destroying substances the circumstances in which these chemicals are to be considered controlled wastes for the purposes of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;
  366
  (2) what guidance has been issued, and when further guidance will be available to users of ozone destroying substances that are considered controlled wastes, concerning their obligations under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;

  (3) which authorities are responsible for enforcing section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as it applies to ozone destroying substances that are considered controlled wastes; and what action they have so far taken to enforce section 33 so far as it applies to ozone destroying substances.

  Mr. Maclean
  Section 33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which came into force on 1 April this year, makes it an offence to treat, keep or dispose of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health. Controlled waste is defined in section 75 of the Act. The Controlled Waste Regulations, which refine and extend the definitions of controlled waste, were also brought into force on 1 April. Guidance on those regulations was issued to local authorities, including waste regulation authorities, in a joint circular from the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and my Department—DOE circular 14/92—published on 21 May 1992.

  Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a duty of care on those holding controlled waste to take reasonable steps to prevent a breach of section 33. Guidance for waste holders on how to discharge this duty, including advice on how to decide whether a substance is controlled waste, was issued in a code of practice published jointly by the three Departments in December 1991. The definition of controlled waste and the provisions of sections 33 and 34 of the Act are not specific to particular substances or sectors of industry, nor is the advice on those sections.

  It is intended that section 33 together with the waste management licensing system in the Act will be brought fully into force on 1 April 1993, and further advice on the operation of waste management licensing will be issued before then.

  Waste regulation authorities, as the authorities who will have the duty of granting waste management licences, will be mainly responsible for the enforcement of section 33 of the Act, but there is no restriction on the right to instigate prosecutions for offences under section 33.

  Bird Pests
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the proposed general licences to kill or take certain birds will fully discharge United Kingdom obligations so far as they relate to his Department's responsibilities under the 1979 EC birds directive;

  (2) if he has consulted the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the proposed general licensing system to control the shooting of bird pest species under section 16(1) (c), (d) and (i) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and whether the committee has approved the form and scope of the proposed licences;

  (3) whether the constituent bodies of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee had submitted their opinions on the proposed general licensing system to control the shooting of bird pest species by the final date of submission; and what steps have been taken to obtain them;
  367
  (4) if he has consulted the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the proposed general licensing system to control the shooting of bird pest species under section 16 (i), (j) and (k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and whether the committee has approved the form and scope of the proposed licences.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are satisfied that the proposed general licensing system for pest bird control will meet the requirement of the EC birds directive and provide a sensible basis for pest control in the United Kingdom.

  Officials of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee have been fully involved with those from my Department in the development of the licensing system and have provided the scientific advice on which the licences will be based. In discharging the special function of the country councils to jointly advise on nature conservation matters affecting Great Britain as a whole, committee officials have liaised with their counterparts in the country councils. The councils received the public consultation paper, issued in July, setting out the Government's proposals. The Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage have responded directly to the Department.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 22 October,Official Report, column 347, if he will set out a summary of the advice on radiological equivalence of radioactive wastes from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; and when he expects to reply to the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee report.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's report offers advice on the technical basis of British Nuclear Fuels' proposals and their likely radiological and environmental impact for the United Kingdom. I expect to reply to the report after consulting colleagues.

  Neighbour Noise
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue new guidelines on neighbour noise to local authorities.

  Mr. Maclean
  Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 contains provisions for controlling statutory nuisances, including noise. In September, my Department and the Home Office issued joint guidance to local authorities and the police on the control of noise from parties.

  Wildlife Habitats
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new measures he is proposing to provide greater protection to sites of special scientific interest in order to prevent destruction of wildlife habitats.

  Mr. Maclean
  The additional safeguards for sites of special scientific interest announced by this Government in September 1991 came into effect on 2 January 1992. Guidance to local authorities and others on how our policies for the conservation of our natural heritage are to be reflected in land use planning, and development control, are to be set out in a planning policy guidance note, which will be published shortly.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, how many households in the network installer area including the Lancashire, West constituency qualify and have been improved under the home energy efficiency scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit or disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.

  Within the network installer area that contains the hon. Member's constituency, 2,494 homes have benefited from home energy efficiency scheme grant since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in the network installer area covering the Falkirk, East constituency have been improved under the home energy efficiency scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  Within the network installer area that contains the hon. Member's constituency, 2,119 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  City Challenge
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what analysis was made of the benefits to local communities of the first round of city challenge pacemaker authorities before deciding to embark on a second round.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The decision to go ahead with the second round of city challenge was announced in February 1992. The pacemaker authorities began implementing their action plans in April 1992. However, analysis of pacemaker bids helped to inform the decision to embark on a second round and on the bidding guidance for that round. The guidance stated that one of the main aims of city challenge was to support the development and implementation of locally devised and time limited plans for the regeneration of disadvantaged areas within our cities which will significantly benefit the residents of those areas.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which urban development corporations have enterd into agreements with developers which require them to employ local labour.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. Although the use of local labour is encouraged, a contractual requirement specifying that local labour must be used would be in contravention of United Kingdom legislation, the treaty of Rome, and European Community works and supplies directives.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the occasions on which boards of urban development corporations have met in public.
  369
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The boards of the urban development corporations do not meet in public.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each urban development corporation the total amount of Government finance they have received since their inception.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The total amount of Government grant in aid the urban development corporations have received, up to 31 March 1992, is as follows.

  £ million

  Birmingham Heartlands

  Nil

  Bristol

  35·233

  Black Country

  141·643

  Central Manchester

  43·500

  Leeds

  39·038

  London Docklands

  1,347·500

  Merseyside

  291·386

  Sheffield

  49·725

  Teesside

  160·071

  Trafford Park

  91·581

  Tyne and Wear

  142·066

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to require the boards of urban development corporations to meet in public.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We have no plans to require the boards of the urban development corporations to meet in public. UDCs have the discretion to admit the public to discussions on land use planning matters and most choose to do so.

  London Forum
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his plans for the London forum.

  Sir George Young
  My hon. and learned Friend announced on 21 October that Sir Allen Sheppard had agreed to be the first chairman of the London forum, and that Sir Hugh Bidwell has agreed to be a deputy chairman. The Secretary of State and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage have' agreed in principle with Sir Hugh that the forum should merge with the London tourist board, of which Sir Hugh is the chairman. The merger will create a single powerful private sector body to promote London overseas, with the aim of maximising business investment in the capital and expanding London's role as a centre for tourism and culture.

  The London forum will share an executive organisation with London First, a new private sector initiative of which Sir Allen is also the chairman. London First is a private and public sector partnership harnessing business skills to enhance London's attractions. It will improve the "product" which it will be the forum's job to promote internationally. A common supporting organisation under chief executive Stephen O'Brien will ensure close coordination of the efforts of the two bodies.

  Sir Allen is now taking forward the development of a business plan for the forum, with a view to launching the new body around the turn of the year.

  Environmental Information
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish an independent body to oversee the implementation of procedures under the EC directive on the freedom of access to information on the environment.

  Mr. Maclean
  No.

  Council Tax
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to ensure that disabled persons living in band A properties will be entitled to a reduction in their council tax liability; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The scheme of council tax reductions for people with disabilities will ensure that no one pays more council tax in respect of additional accommodation which they need because of a disability. If a dwelling is allocated to band A, any additional accommodation cannot have resulted in an increase in council tax liability, and no reduction is therefore appropriate.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department spent in total on transitional relief and the community charge reduction scheme; and what was the original estimate of the amount required.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My Department has so far paid out £1,950 million in transitional relief and community charge reduction scheme grant. Further grant payments totalling about £500 million will be paid this and next year. Early estimates put the cost of the schemes at about £2,830 million.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish a table showing for each collecting local authority in England the latest figures available of uncollected community charge and the percentage of the total community charge that this figure represents;

  (2) if he will publish a table showing for each collecting local authority in England the amount of uncollected domestic rates in 1989–90 and the percentage of the total rate that this figure represented.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My Department does not collect figures for the amounts of domestic rates and of community charges outstanding. Figures for community charge arrears outstanding at 31 March 1991 were published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in "Revenue Collection Statistics 1990–91 Actuals", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Figures for uncollected domestic rates are not available, although the chartered institute has published gross arrears of domestic and non-domestic rates at 31 March 1990 in "Rate Collection Statistics 1989–90 Actuals", a copy of which is also available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each collecting local authority in England how much was bid by
  371
  that authority for Government funds to cover the set-up costs of the council tax and how much his Department gave to each authority in 1992–93.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Authorities were not asked to bid for funds to cover the costs of implementing the council tax. Independent consultants, CSL Ltd., were employed to advise on these costs. They estimated that the revenue costs of implementing the council tax would be £114·6 million. The Government agreed to pay 75 per cent. of these costs by way of a special grant of which £56·74 million will be paid to authorities this year, and a further £29·23 million will be paid in 1993–94 on receipt of audited claims. The allocation to billing authorities of this grant is given in Special Grant Report (No. 4) approved by the House in June this year, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. The other 25 per cent. of costs will be met through revenue support grant.

  In addition, supplementary credit approvals to the value of £41·2 million are available to authorities in respect of capital expenditure they incur on implementing the council tax.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what items of local authority expenditure were included in the Government's calculations of council tax set-up costs.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This Department employed independent consultants CSL Ltd to advise on the total cost of preparing for the introduction of the council tax by April 1993. The costs, both revenue and capital, taken into account by the consultants covered staffing, accommodation, computer hardware, computer software, stationery, publicity and training.

  Capital Receipts
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each housing authority in England the amount of unapplied capital receipts from(a) housing sales and (b) other capital sales.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I have arranged for the available information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Separate figures for housing receipts and other capital receipts are not available.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each county council in England the total amount of unapplied capital receipts.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The total usable receipts for each county council in England as at 31 March 1992 are shown in the table.

  £000s

  Avon

  2,150

  Bedfordshire

  1,250

  Berkshire

  1,500

  Buckinghamshire

  600

  Cambridgeshire

  1,000

  Cheshire

  1,500

  Cleveland

  55

  Cornwall

  1,400

  Cumbria

  1,250

  Derbyshire

  2,175

  Devon

  3,000

  372

  £000s

  Dorset

  1,000

  Durham

  1,132

  East Sussex

  1,178

  Essex

  726

  Gloucestershire

  2,075

  Hampshire

  5,000

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,549

  Hertfordshire

  6,000

  Humberside

  1,000

  Isle of Wight

  250

  Kent

  3,800

  Lancashire

  2,000

  Leicestershire

  2,100

  Lincolnshire

  4,005

  Norfolk

  1,225

  North Yorkshire

  1,350

  Northamptonshire

  3,000

  Northumberland

  600

  Nottinghamshire

  1,500

  Oxfordshire

  4,000

  Shropshire

  1,000

  Somerset

  4,800

  Staffordshire

  1,500

  Suffolk

  1,000

  Surrey

  4,000

  Warwickshire

  2,100

  West Sussex

  8,100

  Wiltshire

  1,191

  Montreal Protocol
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals Her Majesty's Government will make at the forthcoming preparatory meeting for the Montreal protocol.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government, together with our EC partners, will be proposing that the phase-out dates for production and consumption of CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride and 1,1,1 trichloroethane be brought forward to 1 January 1996 with an interim cut of 50 per cent. for 1,1,1 trichloroethane and 85 per cent. for the other substances by 1 January 1994. In addition, we shall be pressing for tight controls on HCFCs to be introduced and a freeze on the production and consumption of methyl bromide at 1991 levels by 1995.

  House Condition Survey
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 July to the hon. Member for Crosby (Sir M. Thornton),Official Report, column 833, if he will make a statement on the reasons for the time taken to prepare the report on the 1991 English house condition survey.

  Sir George Young
  The 1991 English house condition survey began in September last year and has involved three separate surveys—a physical inspection of 25,000 dwellings, interviews with households and a postal survey of local authorities and housing associations. Data collection for the last of these surveys will be completed this month. Results will be published just as soon as the analysis is completed.

  Crown Immunity
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue a public consultation paper on the removal Crown exemption from planning legislation.

  Sir George Young
  My right hon. and learned Friend has today issued a public consultation paper on the removal of Crown immunity from planning law. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales also propose shortly to issue public consultation papers as regards Scotland and Wales.

  The consultation paper proposes that all Crown bodies should be required to apply to the local planning authority for planning permission, listed building consent, conservation area consent, and hazardous substances consent, and to the Secretary of State for National Heritage for scheduled monument consent in the normal way.

  There will be some exceptions to these requirements, principally where national or prison security is involved, and for trunk road proposals, which are already subject to statutory procedures equivalent to town and country planning procedures. In the case of national security, it is intended to make provision in the legislation for a certification system whereby the appropriate Minister or official would certify projects which would be exempt from the legislation on grounds of national security. A similar procedure will apply to prison security.

  The Government consider that it would be inappropriate for the enforcement provisions of the planning legislation, particularly those which contain criminal sanctions or permit the local authority to enter land, to apply to the Crown. It is proposed that in lieu of the enforcement provisions and injunctive or criminal proceedings the "enforcing" authority would be able to apply to the High Court for a declaration of the rights of the parties. If the Crown is shown by a declaration to have acted in breach of planning control, it would, of its own accord, remedy the position.

  One consequence of the proposals will be that Crown developers will be legally required to undertake environmental impact assessments of their proposals, as required by EC Directive 85/337, in the same way as other developers, replacing the non-statutory arrangements in DOE circular 15/88, Welsh Office 23/88.

  The statutory regimes in part VIII of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for outdoor advertisement control and tree protection will also apply to Crown land, subject to certain modifications and exceptions.

  These proposals will be embodied in primary legislation when a suitable opportunity arises.

  Supplementary Credit Approvals
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the supplementary credit approvals for(a) improvement grants and (b) other purposes.

  Mr. Howard
  Provisional awards of supplementary credit approvals—SCAs—for mandatory house renovation grants will be notified to local authorities shortly. On the SCAs issued by my Department for other purposes, we have already announced to local authorities our intentions for 1992–93. The SCAs themselves will be issued by 30 September 1993.

  Rating Revaluations
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional resources will be made available to the Valuation Office in connection with outstanding rating appeals from the 1990 revaluation of non-domestic property.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department's existing expenditure plans in respect of Valuation Office agency rating services are set out in figure 119 of the Department's annual report for 1992. This shows the following provision over three years:

  Year

  £ million

  1992–93

  115·3

  1993–94

  115·4

  1994–95

  118·2

  This provision covers work on outstanding and new rating appeals against the 1990 rating list, and work in connection with the 1995 general revaluation.

  Darwin Initiative
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in relation to the Darwin initiative.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: Consultations with interested institutions and organisations are continuing. I expect to make a statement later this year.

  Household Waste
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the first results will be available from the national household waste analysis project, currently being undertaken by Warren Spring laboratory and Aspinwalls on behalf of his Department.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: The first phase of the project—developing the methodology —has been completed and a report should be available by the end of 1992. Preliminary results from the first samples will be available from Warren Spring laboratory from the beginning of 1993. A full report of the 1992–93 results will be available in the late summer of 1993.

  Recovery and Recycling
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any consideration has been given to making a cradle-to-grave analysis of potential benefits to be gained from combining recovery and recycling facilities with incineration and energy recovery facilities.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: My Department and the Department of Trade and Industry have been studying the concept of combining recovery and recycling facilities with incineration and energy recovery facilities. The DTI's energy technology support unit started a five year research programme on the concept in 1991. Preliminary results will be published in due course.

  Water Supplies
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment the Office of Water Services has made of the health and safety danger posed by
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  pre-payment water meters in domestic properties in the event of an accident in the home or of heating systems running dry.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: I understand that OFWAT will be closely monitoring inter alia the health and safety aspects of a trial of pre-payment meters by Severn Trent Water Limited. OFWAT has asked the company to produce a leaflet for the customers concerned, giving advice about the precautionary action customers should take if they interrupt their supply by not inserting a pre-paid card to buy further units. However, I understand that all electronic pre-payment water meters enable water to be taken on credit in the event of an emergency.

  Contaminated Land Register
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will improve the clarity of the definition of the areas of land that are to be included in the proposed regulations relating to the contaminated land register.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: It would be our intention to accompany any regulations made under section 143 of the Environment Protection Act 1990 with guidance about their implementation, including criteria for defining areas of registrable land.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider his proposals to include land that has been used for mineral extraction from the contaminated land register.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: Our recent consultative draft of regulations proposed under section 143 of the Environment Protection Act 1990 did not include mineral extraction as a registrable use of land; the proposed regulations would apply only to the most contaminative uses of land.

  Methane Emissions
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the contributions to the United Kingdom total methane emissions from landfills in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be.

  Mr. Maclean
  Direct estimates of total methane production from landfills in Scotland and Northern Ireland have not been made. An estimate based on population and waste arising statistics suggests that the figure is likely to be between 10 and 15 per cent. of the total for England and Wales, or between 100,000 and 150,000 tonnes per annum.

  Geopathic Stress
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department is currently carrying out into geopathic stress; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department is supporting studies at Lancaster university to determine the sensitivity in the United Kingdom of vegetation and of plant pathogenic micro-organisms to increased fluxes of ultraviolet-B radiation which may result from depletion of the 376
  stratospheric ozone layer. These studies will feed into the periodic reassessment of available scientific, environmental, technical and economic information required under article 6 of the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Procedure
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to bring proposals for reform of parliamentary procedure before the House.

  Mr. Newton
  I informed the House during the debate on the report of the Select Committee on Sittings of the House on 13 July that I hoped to identify a basis of agreement for discussion through the usual channels, with the aim of being in a position to bring forward substantive motions at an early stage once the House returned.

  That remains my intention.

WALES

  Arable Support Scheme
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the arable support scheme for Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received a number of representations concerning the arable support scheme. The rates (converted using the green rate applicable on 22 September 1992) payable in Wales for the main scheme in 1993–94 are:

  Notional compensation

  Payment per hectare

  ECU per tonne

  ECU

  £

  Cereals1 (including sweetcorn)

  25

  116·25

  95·20

  Oilseeds

  152

  477·65

  391·15

  Proteins (including vining peas)

  65

  302·25

  247·51

  Set-aside

  45

  209·25

  171·35

  1 Producers in the simplified scheme (less than 19·78 ha in production) willl receive the cereals rate for all crops grown.

  I have made it clear in my discussions with the farming unions in Wales that this is for one year only and I have asked my Department, in consultation with industry representatives, to examine the available data in order to decide whether for future years a different regionalisation plan might be more appropriate.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to exclude local authorities' grants to charities and voluntary organisations from charge-capping calculation arrangements.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authorities in Wales should keep their budget requirements for 1993–94, including provision for grants to charities and voluntary organisations, in line with my right hon. Friend's expenditure plans. My right hon. Friend will announce his proposals for the 1993–94 local government revenue settlement in due course.
  377
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to tell local authorities in Wales their allocations of money for collecting the council tax for the next financial year.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The cost of council tax administration is one of the categories of expenditure taken into account in determining local authorities' standard spending assessments. My right hon. Friend's proposals for the 1993–94 local government revenue settlement will be announced in due course.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each collecting local authority in Wales the latest figures available of uncollected community charge and the percentage of the total community charge that this figure represents.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Arrears of community charges at 31 March 1992

  Amount1 (£000)

  As a percentage of the total debit2

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,866

  10

  Colwyn

  1,148

  8

  Delyn

  983

  6

  Glyndwr

  890

  8

  Rhuddlan

  1,069

  7

  Wrexham Maelor

  2,711

  10

  Carmarthen

  467

  5

  Ceredigion

  801

  7

  Dinefwr

  393

  6

  Llanelli

  978

  7

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  439

  4

  South Pembrokeshire

  521

  7

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,395

  11

  Islwyn

  1,046

  9

  Monmouth

  1,229

  7

  Newport

  3,734

  12

  Torfaen

  1,115

  6

  Aberconwy

  596

  5

  Arfon

  1,117

  11

  Dwyfor

  230

  3

  Meirionnydd

  353

  4

  Ynys Mon

  1,113

  7

  Cynon Valley

  1,072

  11

  Merthyr Tydfil

  547

  6

  Ogwr

  1,130

  5

  Rhondda

  498

  5

  Rhymney Valley

  1,822

  10

  Taff Ely

  1,676

  9

  Brecknock

  279

  3

  Montgomeryshire

  325

  4

  Radnorshire

  113

  2

  Cardiff

  6,560

  10

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,131

  5

  Port Talbot

  704

  7

  Lliw Valley

  449

  4

  Neath

  804

  6

  Swansea

  3,057

  7

  Total Wales

  44,361

  8

  1 The arrears shown include both 1990–91 and 1991–92 charges.

  2 The total debit is the amount actually billed to chargepayers, net of deductions, in respect of 1990–91 and 1991–92 charges.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each Welsh district council the amount of unapplied capital receipts from(a) housing sales and (b) other capital sales.
  378
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Usable capital receipts at 31 March 1992

  Housing £000

  Other £000

  Alyn and Deeside

  24

  0

  Colwyn

  585

  42

  Delyn

  0

  0

  Glyndwr

  863

  160

  Rhuddlan

  469

  16

  Wrexham Maelor

  41

  21

  Carmarthen

  609

  0

  Ceredigion

  0

  137

  Dinefwr

  0

  746

  Llanelli

  0

  0

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  1,122

  243

  South Pembrokeshire

  1,264

  327

  Blaenau Gwent

  488

  641

  Islwyn

  0

  0

  Monmouth

  826

  46

  Newport

  6,309

  1,433

  Torfaen

  0

  0

  Aberconwy

  678

  431

  Arfon

  230

  116

  Dwyfor

  71

  0

  Meirionnydd

  0

  0

  Ynys Mon

  82

  84

  Cynon Valley

  0

  0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  1

  169

  Ogwr

  672

  2,086

  Rhondda

  0

  0

  Rhymney Valley

  802

  76

  Taff Ely

  469

  0

  Brecknock

  692

  200

  Montgomeryshire

  1,348

  22

  Radnorshire

  343

  59

  Cardiff

  749

  0

  Vale of Glamorgan

  6,436

  0

  Lliw Valley

  939

  467

  Neath

  548

  210

  Port Talbot

  656

  553

  Swansea

  420

  1,758

  Total

  27,736

  10,043

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each Welsh county the total amount of unapplied capital receipts.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Usable capital receipts at 31 March 1992

  £000s

  Clwyd

  0

  Dyfed

  267

  Gwent

  7,080

  Gwynedd

  333

  Mid Glamorgan

  414

  Powys

  27

  South Glamorgan

  1,551

  West Glamorgan

  236

  Total

  9,908

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each collecting local authority in Wales how much was bid by that authority for Government funds to cover the set-up costs of the council tax and how much his Department allocated to each authority in 1992–93.
  379
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Welsh charging authorities did not bid for funds to cover council tax preparation costs. The Government commissioned the consultants CSL Group Ltd to estimate the costs to local authorities in England and Wales of preparing for the council tax. CSL estimated that Welsh authorities would spend £9·2 million–£7·98 million on revenue costs and £1·24 million on capital costs. My right hon. Friend accepted CSL's conclusions for Wales in full and has made £5·985 million special grant available to Welsh charging authorities to cover 75 per cent. of the revenue costs. The remaining 25 per cent. of the estimated revenue cost is supported through revenue support grant. My right hon. Friend has also issued supplementary credit approvals totalling £1·24 million to cover capital costs.

  Details of the special grant are set out in the Special Grant Report (Wales) 1992 which received the approval of the House on 24 June 1992. Special grant and supplementary credit approval allocations for each charging authority in Wales are as follows:

  Council tax preparation costs 1992–93: allocations to charging (district) councils

  Special grant £

  Supplementary credit approvals £000

  Alyn and Deeside

  146,626

  30

  Colwyn

  122,360

  25

  Delyn

  134,515

  28

  Glyndwr

  91,011

  19

  Rhuddlan

  133,456

  28

  Wrexham Maelor

  233,138

  48

  Carmarthen

  118,574

  25

  Ceredigion

  144,829

  30

  Dinefwr

  82,613

  17

  Llanelli

  157,876

  33

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  152,842

  32

  South Pembrokeshire

  96,950

  20

  Blaenau Gwent

  159,840

  33

  Islwyn

  133,882

  28

  Monmouth

  161,964

  34

  Newport

  274,682

  57

  Torfaen

  184,770

  38

  Aberconwy

  121,682

  25

  Arfon

  118,074

  24

  Dwyfor

  71,289

  15

  Meirionnydd

  87,750

  18

  Ynys Mon

  156,168

  32

  Cynon Valley

  135,366

  28

  Merthyr Tydfil

  122,073

  25

  Ogwr

  264,744

  55

  Rhondda

  163,052

  34

  Rhymney Valley

  203,908

  42

  Taff Ely

  188,813

  39

  Brecknock

  89,027

  18

  Montgomeryshire

  112,828

  23

  Radnor

  53,689

  11

  Cardiff

  580,797

  120

  Vale of Glamorgan

  234,950

  49

  Port Talbot

  104,260

  22

  Lliw Valley

  129,254

  27

  Neath

  134,317

  28

  Swansea

  383,031

  79

  Total

  5,985,000

  1,240

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each collecting local authority in Wales the amount of uncollected domestic rates in 1989–90 and the percentage of the total rate that this figure represented.
  380
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is not collected centrally. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the CIPFA publication "Rate Collection Statistics 1989–90 Actuals" which provides figures for combined domestic and non-domestic rate arrears.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the outstanding amount of money uncollected on the poll tax.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authorities in Wales reported that, at 31 March 1992, arrears of community charges for the financial years 1990–91 and 1991–92 totalled £44 million that is equivalent to about £20 for each chargepayer.

  Housing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many housing association houses have been built in Alyn and Deeside since 1979;

  (2) how many council houses have been built in Alyn and Deeside since 1979.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A total of 404 council houses and 168 council flats were built in Alyn and Deeside between 1 January 1980 and 31 August 1992. A total of 103 houses and 114 flats were built by housing associations in the area in the same period.

  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of unfit homes in Wales in 1979 and in each of the past three years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Such information is only available from house condition surveys. From these, the estimated numbers of unfit dwellings were 90,900 in 1981 and 79,900 in 1986.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the forecast for the number of new rural housing units to be built in Wales for the year 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available centrally.

  Household Statistics
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of households in Wales where the classified head of the household is over the age of 65 years; what percentage of such households are(a) owner-occupied (i) with or (ii) without a mortgage or (b) renting from (i) a local authority or (ii) a housing association; and what percentage rent is from private landlords.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The 1986 Welsh inter-censal survey indicated that 299,000 households were headed by a person aged 65 or over. Of these households 59·6 per cent. were owner-occupiers (of which 7·4 per cent. were with a mortgage and 92·6 per cent. were owned outright), 31·3 per cent. rented from local authorities or new towns, 1·7 per cent. from housing associations and 7·4 per cent. from private landlords and other tenures.

  Food Premises
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of food premises in Wales were inspected by each local enforcement authority in each year since 1988;
  381
  and what were the equivalent percentage figures for (a) food manufactures, (b) restaurants and caterers and (c) food retailers.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the percentage of food premises inspected or visited has been held centrally only since 1991 and is given in the following table (1). Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House with equivalent percentage figures for (a) food manufacturers (b) restaurants and caterers and (c) food retailers.

  Percentage of food premises inspected or visited

  Enforcement authority

  Percentage

  County Councils

  Clwyd1

  13

  Dyfed1

  24

  Gwent1

  12

  Gwynedd

  9

  Mid Glamorgan

  33

  Powys1

  27

  South Glamorgan1

  16

  West Glamorgan

  44

  District Councils

  Aberconwy1

  25

  Alyn and Deeside

  98

  Arfon1

  12

  Blaenau Gwent1

  53

  Brecknock1

  84

  Cardiff1

  57

  Carmarthen1

  40

  Ceredigion1

  55

  Colwyn1

  40

  Cynon Valley1

  47

  Delyn1

  51

  Dinefwr1

  48

  Dwyfor

  26

  Glyndwr

  59

  Islwvn

  44

  Llanelli1

  25

  Lliw Valley

  97

  Meirionnydd1

  51

  Merthyr Tydfil1

  44

  Monmouth

  37

  Montgomeryshire

  73

  Neath

  67

  Newport1

  43

  Ogwr1

  32

  Port Talbot

  79

  Prcseli Pembrokeshire

  77

  Radnor1

  92

  Rhondda

  100

  Rhuddlan1

  23

  Rhymney Valley

  38

  South Pembrokeshire1

  26

  Swansea1

  56

  Taff Ely1

  58

  Torfaen1

  53

  Vale of Glamorgan1

  71

  Wrexham Maelor

  39

  Ynys Môn1

  79

  Port Health Authorities

  Barry1

  100

  Beaumaris

  66

  Caernarfon

  2 Nil

  Cardiff1

  64

  Chester1

  Nil

  Milford

  89

  Newport1

  96

  Swansea1

  64

  1 Excludes figures for the first quarter of 1991. This was only required on a voluntary basis.

  2 Arfon borough council act as port health authority for Caernarfon.

  Nursing Appeals
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of state for Wales if he will publish the number of clinical regrading nursing appeals that are yet to be determined in Wales; and what is his target for completion.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The numbers of clinical grading appeals outstanding in Wales are as follows:

  Number

  At employing authority level

  403

  At regional level (Welsh Appeals Committee)

  1,310

  At national level (Negotiating Council)

  170

  Employing authorities are on course to have completed appeals at the local level by the end of this year. Efforts are being made to speed up the appeals process at regional and national levels, but while further appeals continue to be lodged it is not feasible to forecast when the entire process will be completed.

  National Parks
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to introduce environmentally sensitive area-type payments within all the national park areas of Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have previously announced my intention to designate Preseli, which includes part of the Pembrokeshire coast national park, as an environmentally sensitive area. The Tir Cymen scheme which offers grants for the conservation of the farm landscape is also available to farmers in parts of the Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons national parks. In addition national park authorities have the discretion to enter into agreements with farmers which encourage environmentally friendly farming.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed in the aerospace industry in Wales; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of those figures.

  Mr. David Hunt
  According to the latest available estimates, for September 1989, there were 9,300 people employed in the aerospace industry in Wales. A geographical breakdown of these figures would breach the guidelines for protecting confidential data relating to a small number of businesses.

  Rents
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average housing association rent in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average council house rent in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The average council house rent in Wales in 1992·93 is £29·74p per week.

  "Women First"
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many copies of "Women First: a guide to health services for Women in Wales" have been(a) produced and (b) distributed by his Department to date.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A total of 350,000 copies of the booklet have been produced and to date, approximately 325,000 have been distributed.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the councils in Wales who have appointed crime prevention co-ordinators to date; how many local authorities have submitted bids for crime prevention moneys under the urban programme; and what is the total value of these bids in accordance with each local authority area.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Crime prevention co-ordinators have been appointed by seven of the county councils, the exception being South Glamorgan. Information is not held centrally about such appointments by district councils.

  I have received the following bids for 1993–94 for funding of crime prevention and related initiatives under the urban programme:

  Authority

  No. of schemes

  Bid for 1993–94 £

  Clwyd county council

  2

  45,122

  Alyn and Deeside district council

  1

  16,400

  Dyfed county council

  1

  57,290

  Gwynedd county council

  1

  40,000

  Cynon Valley borough council

  2

  61,904

  Taff Ely borough council

  3

  108,422

  South Glamorgan county council

  2

  307,000

  Vale of Glamorgan borough council

  2

  163,000

  Number of establishments subject to

  Enforcement authority

  Number of inspections of food premises2

  Issue of improvement and emergency prohibition notices

  Written warnings

  Closures (Voluntary and compulsory)

  County Councils

  Clwyd3

  935

  0

  79

  0

  Dyfed3

  3,019

  0

  3

  0

  Gwent3

  1,015

  0

  0

  0

  Gwynedd

  441

  0

  14

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  39

  0

  8

  0

  Powys3

  235

  0

  22

  0

  South Glamorgan3

  744

  0

  0

  0

  West Glamorgan

  1,444

  0

  265

  0

  District Councils

  Aberconwy3

  303

  47

  50

  0

  Alyn and Deeside

  585

  326

  516

  0

  Arfon3

  93

  19

  69

  0

  Blaenau Gwent3

  201

  89

  29

  0

  Brecknock3

  412

  13

  109

  0

  Cardiff City3

  1,794

  34

  546

  0

  Carmarthen3

  383

  58

  389

  0

  Ceredigion3

  594

  9

  543

  0

  Colwyn3

  402

  70

  99

  0

  Cynon Valley3

  251

  19

  0

  0

  Delyn3

  457

  0

  228

  0

  Dinefwr3

  225

  5

  104

  1

  Dwyfor

  150

  2

  68

  0

  Glyndwr

  410

  67

  196

  0

  Islwyn

  230

  75

  102

  8

  Llanelli3

  101

  25

  56

  1

  384

  Authority

  No. of schemes

  Bid for 1993–94 £

  West Glamorgan county council

  2

  38,670

  Port Talbot borough council

  2

  109,500

  Lliw Valley borough council

  2

  6,900

  Swansea city council

  3

  57,950

  Total

  23

  1,012,158

  Bids under the urban programme normally cover a three year period; the figures show the bid for the initial year.

  Proposed Legislation (Representations)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to present copies of all official representations on proposed legislation made to his Department, in the form of deposited papers to the Library unless the body or individual making the representation demands otherwise.

  Mr. David Hunt
  It is usual practice to deposit such representations in the Library of the House.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many inspections of food premises have been carried out by each local authority in Wales under the Food Safety Act 1990; and how many of such inspections have resulted in(a) the issuing of improvement and emergency prohibition notices, (b) informal warning letters or (c) the voluntary closure of companies.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  At present information is available only for 1991. This is given in the following table1.
  385

  Number of establishments subject to

  Enforcement authority

  Number of inspections of food premises2

  Issue of improvement and emergency prohibition notices

  Written warnings

  Closures (Voluntary and compulsory)

  Lliw Valley

  180

  24

  166

  0

  Meironnydd3

  155

  28

  107

  0

  Merthyr Tydfil3

  169

  13

  137

  6

  Monmouth

  227

  50

  39

  1

  Montgomeryshire

  475

  188

  235

  2

  Neath

  411

  72

  57

  0

  Newport3

  368

  66

  209

  0

  Ogwr3

  231

  108

  142

  0

  Port Talbot

  329

  11

  72

  0

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  1,220

  26

  281

  2

  Radnor3

  210

  58

  39

  0

  Rhondda

  413

  83

  137

  1

  Rhuddlan3

  156

  24

  13

  0

  Rhymney Valley

  214

  31

  158

  4

  South Pembrokeshire3

  144

  70

  23

  2

  Swansea3

  396

  157

  262

  0

  Taff Ely3

  227

  74

  219

  0

  Torfaen3

  212

  15

  60

  0

  Vale of Glamorgan3

  444

  2

  87

  0

  Wrexham Maelor

  293

  124

  97

  1

  Ynys Môn3

  541

  61

  255

  1

  Port health authorities4

  Barry3

  23

  0

  0

  0

  Beaumaris

  15

  0

  0

  0

  Caernarfon

  Nil return—Arfon BC act as port health authority for Caernarfon

  Cardiff3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Chester3

  Nil return

  Milford

  2,186

  0

  11

  0

  Newport3

  63

  0

  0

  0

  Swansea3

  700

  0

  40

  0

  1 These statistics cover work carried out by local authorities under the Food Safety Act 1990, regulations made under it and the Official Control of Foodstuffs Directive. They exclude:

  meat hygiene inspections carried out under EC veterinary legislation;

  milk hygiene inspections of production plants;

  inspections carried out by the Wine Standards Board under EC wine legislation.

  2 The number of food hygiene and food standards inspections covers:

  inspection of premises;

  inspection of equipment including cleaning and maintenance equipment;

  inspection of a process or operational procedure;

  inspection of the hygiene or practices of personnel;

  inspection of food (including ingredients, additives and products at any stage of manufacture) or contact materials;

  inspection of labels, labelling equipment and advertising matter and/or

  inspection of records.

  These figures exclude all other visits eg revisits to check compliance with notices, sampling visits and visits to follow up complaints.

  3 Excludes figures for first quarter of 1991. This was only required on a voluntary basis.

  4 For port health authorities this includes the number of consignments and of number of ships kitchens inspected.

  Acid Rain
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the effects of acid rain deposition on wildlife habitats in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  At present, no comprehensive information is available on the effects of acid rain deposition on wildlife habitats throughout Wales. The Welsh Office is currently funding research, with the Department of the Environment and the Countryside Council for Wales, aimed at providing a better overall picture of the situation.

  Departmental Meetings
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) meetings with external organisations and (b) public hearings were conducted by his Department both within the Cardiff headquarters and externally in the latest year for which figures are available; how many
  386
  requests were made for translation facilities at such meetings; and what proportion of such requests were fulfilled.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not held centrally.

  Refuse Collection
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many tenders for refuse collection or street cleansing are currently(a) run in-house and (b) put out to private companies in Wales; and how many tender-holders have made pre-tax losses in the latest accounting year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average annual incidence of epilepsy due to road traffic accidents in Wales between the year 1989 and 1991; and what percentage this represents of epilepsy from all causes.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The requested information is not held centrally.

  Special Needs Education
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average cost of special needs education per child per annum.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The average expenditure for each pupil education in maintained special schools and special education provided elsewhere than at school, is available in table 12.17 of "Statistics of Education in Wales: Schools", No. 5 1991. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Tourism, Clwyd
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of income in Clwyd is generated by tourism.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not available centrally.

  Road Traffic Injuries
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of referrals for behaviour or emotional problems requiring the services of psychologists or psychiatrists in Wales between 1989 and 1991, resulted from injuries sustained in serious road traffic accidents.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The requested information is not held centrally.

  Head Injuries
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children in Wales were assessed from 1980 to 1991 as having special educational needs due to severe head injuries(a) sustained in road traffic accidents and (b) from all causes after the neonatal period.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was paid in Wales annually between 1989 and 1991 in(a) attendance allowance, (b) mobility allowance and (c) carers' allowance for disabilities due to serious head injuries (i) as a result of road traffic accidents and (ii) from all causes.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made to reduce the hours junior doctors work.
  388
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest progress report on junior doctors' hours shows that, at the end of August, the number of junior doctors in Wales still working in hard pressed posts in excess of 83 hours per week has been reduced to below 5 per cent.

  The Welsh task force is striving to ensure that the target date for reducing all junior doctors hours to a maximum of 83 per week by 1 April 1993 is met.

  Building Industry
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are currently employed in the building industry in Wales; and what was the equivalent number in each of the past five years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In June this year there were 37,000 employees employed in the construction industry. The equivalent number for each of the last five years is given in the table.

  Employees in the construction industry in Wales

  Thousands1

  1987

  43

  1988

  44

  1989

  46

  1990

  46

  1991

  42

  1 Quarterly estimate series.

  Source: Employment Department.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for central funding for the Welsh museum schools service.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I am considering this in the public expenditure round but in doing so I am taking into account that five local education authorities already fund the service and the possibility of continued support from these and other sources.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the council of the National Museum of Wales regarding the rules for the generation of income from European Community research grants by the national museum and any compensatory withdrawal of grant-in-aid under additionality arrangements; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what arrangements he will make to strengthen the incentives for the National Museum of Wales to undertake European Community research projects, without loss of income generated.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Our officials have provided advice to the museum on specific queries in relation to a proposed application for European Community research funding.

  The public expenditure arrangements provide scope and flexibility, within the public expenditure survey, for proper consideration of the implications for domestic expenditure of European Community research and development, for the setting of priorities and obtaining value for money. Our officials stand ready to discuss these arrangements with bodies in Wales.

  Health Service
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the specialties for which the Welsh Office will be funding capital costs for the new Neath and Port Talbot hospital.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend's statement on 29 October underlined his determination that there will be a new hospital on the site at Baglan.

  The review of health services to be undertaken by West Glamorgan health authority will ensure that the scheme is consistent with the possible need for further investment, including in primary and community health services, in West Glamorgan as a whole and Neath and Port Talbot in particular.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue guidelines on the procedure to be followed by the chairmen and non-executive directors of newly-appointed national health service trusts in Wales in appointing to the post of chief executive, as regards advertising the vacancy(a) where a general manager is already in post, (b) where a trust crosses pre-existing unit or health authority boundaries and (c) where there is no general manager in post or where he or she is near retirement or on extended sick leave.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Department has issued general guidance on the appointment of executive directors of national health service trusts. The appointment of chief executives is a matter for the chairman and non-executive directors of each trust.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the annual budgets of the training and enterprise councils in West Wales, Mid Glamorgan and Gwent in each year since their creation; and what is the percentage annual change in the central government contribution to each of these TEC budgets.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Comparative information is only available for financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93. This indicates that in the TECs concerned expenditure, budgetsand percentage changes were as follows:

  1991–92 expenditure

  1992–93 budget

  Change Per cent.

  Gwent

  17,390

  17,909

  +2·98

  Mid Glamorgan

  20,039

  20,561

  +2·60

  West Wales

  29,295

  27,911

  -4·72

  Mr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many training places at West Wales TEC, Mid Glamorgan TEC and Gwent TEC there were in each year of their operation; what are the latest current estimates; and what is the percentage year-on-year change in training places at each of those TECs.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Valleys Programme
  Mr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number and percentage rate of long-term unemployed in Wales and the valleys programme area, on a seasonally adjusted basis, for(a) June 1988, (b) June 1990 and (c) September 1992.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number and percentage rate of long-term unemployed in Wales and the valleys programme area are not available on a seasonally adjusted basis. The following table shows unadjusted numbers and rates of those unemployed for more than 52 weeks.

  Valleys area

  Wales

  1July

  Number

  2 Rate

  Number

  2 Rate

  1988

  12,775

  5·2

  47,638

  3·8

  1990

  6,648

  2·8

  23,026

  1·8

  1992

  11,765

  4·8

  41,456

  3·2

  1Unemployed figures by duration are produced on a quarterly basis. The months, for which data have been produced, closest to those requested are given in this table.

  2The long-term unemployed expressed as a percentage of the total workforce.

  Mr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the value of grant paid by year at constant prices and the associated job creation or job safeguarding effects for(a) regional development grant, (b) regional selective assistance and (c) regional enterprise grant in the valleys programme area in each year since 1988–89.

  Mr. David Hunt
  It is not possible to link payments of grant on a yearly basis to the number of jobs created or safeguarded over the lifetime of projects.

  Payments of grant made to projects in the Valleys Programme Area since 1988–89 are as follows:

  £ million

  Scheme

  1988–89

  1989–901

  1990–911

  1991–921

  RSA

  14·3

  9·5

  7·6

  13·0

  RDG II

  17·3

  8·9

  7·4

  2·8

  REG

  0·1

  0·2

  0·5

  0·3

  1 At 1991–92 prices.

  For projects to which some payment of grant has been made the number of jobs created or safeguarded during the period 1988–89 to 1991–92 is as follows:

  Scheme

  Jobs Created

  Jobs Safeguarded

  RSA

  10,861

  4,301

  RDG II

  10,513

  —

  Note:—Some payments may have been made towards such projects in previous years, some may be made in subsequent years with more jobs created and safeguarded in subsequent years.

  The REG scheme does not specifically require job creation.

  Mr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the percentage male unemployment rate in Wales and the valleys programme area, on a seasonally adjusted basis, for(a) June 1988, (b) June 1990 and (c) September 1992.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Rates for the valleys programme area and Wales are given in the table. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates are only available for Wales.
  391

  Male unemployment rates expressed as a percentage of the work force

  June 1988

  June 1990

  September 1992

  Valleys1

  17·5

  12·8

  18·7

  Wales1

  12·3

  8·0

  13·3

  Wales2

  12·1

  8·3

  13·5

  1 Unadjusted.

  2 Seasonally adjusted.

  Ely Estate, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on a second tranche of financial assistance to Cardiff city council by way of supplementary credit approval for further housing improvements on the Ely council estate.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Decisions on this matter will be taken in due course after discussion about progress with the local authority.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his current estimate of the value of depleted uranium stockpiled at nuclear facilities operated by British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a commercial matter for the owners of the material.

  Ozone-depleting Substances
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of what precentage of companies in the(a) electronics, (b) precision cleaning, (c) metal cleaning and (d) dry cleaning sectors view hydrochlorofluorocarbons as the only alternative to the use of chlorofluorocarbons or methyl chloroform; and what is the current level of emissions of ozone-depleting solvents from the (i) electronics, (ii) precision cleaning, (iii) metal cleaning and (iv) dry cleaning sectors.

  Mr. Eggar
  Latest information on the use of CFC 113 and methyl chloroform in these sectors and on the proportion of companies which are considering the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons as an alternative is contained in a report recently commissioned by my Department from Touche Ross management consultants. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House. Information on emissions of ozone-depleting substances from the sectors concerned or on companies which view hydrochlorofluorocarbons to be the only alternative is not available.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what position his Department has taken with regard to proposals by CEN, the European Committee for Standardisation, for a regulation on hydrocarbon refrigeration.

  Mr. Eggar
  The European Committee for Standardisation brings together the national standards bodies of the European Community and the European 392
  Free Trade Association countries. The British Standards Institution is the United Kingdom national member of the European Committee for Standardisation. Through its technical committee structure, the British Standards Institution acts as the main channel for the United Kingdom's input into European standards-making. The determination of the United Kingdom's position on the European Committee for Standardisation proposals concerning hydrocarbon refrigeration is therefore the responsibility of the appropriate British Standards Institution technical committee.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department has taken to promote the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants; and how much funding his Department has spent or committed to research and uptake of hydrocarbon refrigeration technology.

  Mr. Eggar
  Hydrocarbon refrigerants are among the alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons identified in a booklet on refrigeration and air conditioning published recently by my Department in a series entitled "Protecting the Ozone Layer and Safeguarding Your Business".

  No funds have been spent on or committed specifically to the research and uptake of hydrocarbon refrigeration within the past three years. However, my Department and the Department of the Environment operate schemes of financial support for the research, development and diffusion of sound environmental technologies in general and the replacement of ozone-depleting substances is a priority area within those schemes.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department has taken to promote the use of alternatives to HCFCs in(a) refrigeration and air conditioning, (b) foams and (c) solvents.

  Mr. Eggar
  HCFCs cause less damage to the ozone layer than CFCs and their availability is enabling industry to move out of CFCs more quickly than would otherwise have been the case. However, booklets on refrigeration and air-conditioning, foam blowing and solvents published recently by my Department in the series "Protecting the Ozone Layer and Safeguarding Your Business" provide information and sources of advice on alternatives to the use of ozone-depleting chemicals in the sectors concerned.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the percentage of demand for HCFCs within the refrigeration and air conditioning industry which results from servicing, maintenance and leaks.

  Mr. Eggar
  None. However, the problem of loss of refrigerants resulting from servicing, maintenance and leakage is addressed in general terms in a report by March Consulting Group on "CFCs in the UK: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industries", commissioned recently by the Department of the Environment.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what essential uses of HCFCs his Department has defined in solvent cleaning; and what is the current and projected demand during the next 10 years of ozone-depleting substanes in solvent cleaning.

  Mr. Eggar
  No uses of HCFCs in solvent cleaning have yet been defined as essential for the purposes of exemption from future controls currently under discussion in the context of a review of the Montreal protocol.
  393
  The latest available forecasts of future demand for ozone-depleting substances in solvent cleaning are contained in two recent reports commissioned by my Department: figures for HCFCs are contained in a "Study of Ozone Depleting Substances" by Coopers and Lybrand; estimates for other ozone-depleting substances are contained in a report on "The Use of CFC 113 and 1,1,1 Tricholorethane as Solvents in UK Industry" by Touche Ross, management consultants. Copies of both reports have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with ICI and Rhôone Poulenc regarding their production and export of HCFC22.

  Mr. Eggar
  Officials in my Department hold regular meetings with both those companies on the question of phasing out ozone-depleting chemicals. Both ICI and Rhone Poulenc are participating in international consortiums evaluating the toxicology and environmental impact of HFC32 as potential replacement for HCFC22. ICI announced KLEA32, a new ozone-benign refrigerant, on 1 July 1992.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions his Department has had with Sainsbury's regarding the use of HCFCs;

  (2) what discussions his Department's officials have had with United Kingdom domestic fridge manufacturers regarding the use of hydrocarbons;

  (3) what discussions his Department has had with supermarkets regarding ammonia and absorption refrigeration technology.

  Mr. Eggar
  Officials in my Department and the Department of the Environment have regular meetings with producers and users of ozone-depleting substances. Trade associations representing the interests of supermarkets, and United Kingdom manufacturers of domestic refrigerators and the refrigeration servicing sector are represented at these meetings. The meetings aim to ensure that manufacturers and users are aware of all current and potential options for accelerating the reduction of dependency on ozone-depleting substances.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research his Department has undertaken or commissioned on refrigeration systems in Sweden; and what discussions the Department has had with the Swedish authorities regarding legislation restricting the use of HCFCs in refrigeration systems.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has commissioned no research into refrigeration systems in Sweden though information on relevant technological developments in Sweden and other countries is made available to it from time to time in its regular meetings with United Kingdom producers and users of ozone-depleting substances.

  The United Kingdom and Sweden are both participating in discussions on future controls on the use of HCFCs in the context of the current review of the Montreal protocol.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice his Department has given industry with regard to hydrochlorofluorocarbon phase-out dates; and what representations his Department has recieved from(a) industry, (b) trade associations and (c) HCFC producers regarding phase-out dates of HCFCs.
  394
  Mr. Eggar
  No dates have been agreed for the phasing-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, but my Department has given advice to industry that HCFCs are transitional substances which are likely to be subject to control and eventual phase-out. A range of views have been received from industry, trade associations and producers of HCFCs concerning the timetable for phasing out HCFCs and discussions are continuing.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with German counterparts regarding hydrocarbon refrigeration technology; and if he will instruct departmental officials to visit the German company DDK Scharfenstein to investigate their domestic hydrocarbon fridge.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is for industry to develop the technologies to replace ozone-depleting substances and my Department and the Department of the Environment operate schemes of financial support to assist industry to do this. I understand that organisations representing producers of refrigeration equipment are aware of recent publicity concerning a domestic hydrocarbon fridge under development in Germany.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contacts his Department has made with the German company Aerotech regarding ammonia refrigeration systems.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what policy changes he will implement as a result of recent research on the use of solvents for the Department by Touche Ross.

  Mr. Eggar
  The report by Touche Ross was primarily intended to inform decisions on the timetable for phasing out of ozone-depleting substances which have yet to be taken. My Department will continue to advise and assist industry to switch to alternatives to ozone-depleting substances by the deadlines agreed within the European Communitty and earlier where this is practicable.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice his Department has issued to industry with regard to section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the use of ozone-depleting substances; and what particular industrial processes involving the use of ozone-depleting substances are covered by section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department's advice to industry on section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is contained in a booklet on refrigeration and air conditioning published in the series "Protecting the Ozone Layer and Safeguarding Your Business". However, section 33 of the Act deals with the treatment, keeping or disposal of controlled waste. It is not specific to any particular process or processes.

  Point of Ayr Colliery
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the details of the criteria on which British Coal originally decided to close Point of Ayr colliery in north Wales; and in what respects the criteria on which its future will now be assessed differ from these.
  395
  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I accepted British Coal's advice that in order to meet its estimate of its potential market economically, it needed to reduce its present levels of production urgently and subsequently. We also accepted British Coal's advice as to the particular pits that should be closed. The detailed criteria used in making that decision are a matter for British Coal.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe) (Mr. Lester) on 26 October, Official Report, columns 522–23, announcing the terms of reference of the review of the prospects for the 21 pits, including Point of Ayr, proposed for closure by British Coal but not subject to the statutory consultation currently being undertaken by it.

  Staffing Costs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 business task force.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested for 1991–92 is as follows. No figures for 1992–93 are available: the business task forces were abolished as part of the reorganisation of the Department of Trade and Industry this summer.

  Business task forces

  Average cost of employing number of staff in grade (including ERNIC)

  Grades

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Grade 3

  2·0

  118

  Grade 5

  7·6

  367

  Grade 6

  2·0

  86

  Average cost of employing number of staff in grade (including ERNIC)

  Grade

  Manufacturing technology division 1991–92

  Information and manufacturing technologies division 1992–93

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Grade 3

  1·0

  59

  1·0

  62

  Grade 5

  5·8

  280

  8·5

  428

  Grade 6

  7·0

  300

  14–5

  648

  Grade 7

  25·5

  842

  51·5

  1,773

  Senior executive officer

  5·6

  141

  11·5

  302

  Senior scientific officer

  9·4

  240

  14·0

  373

  Senior professional and technical officer

  12·3

  336

  18·5

  526

  Higher executive officer

  17·6

  362

  34·0

  727

  Higher professional and technical officer

  0·6

  14

  0

  0

  Higher scientific officer

  1·8

  37

  1·0

  21

  Executive officer

  27·8

  456

  42·0

  716

  Professional and technical officer

  1·0

  19

  1·0

  20

  Information officer

  0·4

  8

  0

  —

  Administrative officer

  19·2

  265

  36·0

  516

  Administrative assistant

  17·7

  194

  35·0

  398

  Senior personal secretary

  1·0

  18

  1·0

  19

  Personal secretary

  10·0

  144

  18·0

  270

  Typist

  1·6

  19

  5·0

  63

  Total

  165·3

  3,734

  292·5

  6,862

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 telecommunications and posts division.
  396

  Grades

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Grade 7

  27·6

  911

  Senior Executive Officer

  5·4

  136

  Senior Scientific Officer

  2·8

  72

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer

  0·6

  16

  Senior Examiner

  0·4

  16

  Higher Executive Officer

  25·7

  528

  Higher Scientific Officer

  1·0

  21

  Executive Officer

  25·0

  410

  Scientific Officer

  2·0

  34

  Administrative Officer

  13·4

  185

  Administrative Assistant

  24·0

  264

  Senior Personal Secretary

  2·0

  36

  Personal Secretary

  8·0

  116

  Typist

  5·0

  61

  Total

  154·5

  3,377

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 manufacturing technology division.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows. The significant increase in size in 1992–93 follows the reorganisation of the Department of Trade and Industry in the summer, as a result of which the manufacturing technology division took on extra responsibilities in respect of information technology.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows. Policy responsibility for the film industry was transferred from the telecommunications and posts division to the Department of National Heritage after the general election.
  397

  Telecommunications and posts division

  Average cost of employing number of staff in grade (including ERNIC)

  Grade

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Manpower

  £000

  Manpower

  £000

  Grade 3

  1·0

  59

  1·0

  62

  Grade 4

  1·0

  54

  1·0

  56

  Grade 5

  4·9

  237

  5·0

  252

  Grade 6

  1·0

  43

  1·0

  45

  Grade 7

  17·6

  581

  15·3

  527

  Senior executive officer

  1·0

  25

  2·0

  52

  Senior scientific officer

  1·0

  26

  1·0

  27

  Higher executive officer

  12·2

  251

  13·0

  278

  Higher professional and technical officer

  1·0

  23

  1·0

  24

  Executive officer

  14·4

  236

  13·5

  230

  Administrative officer

  4·6

  64

  3·0

  43

  Administrative assistant

  12·2

  134

  12·5

  142

  Senior personal secretary

  1·0

  18

  1·0

  19

  Personal secretary

  6·4

  92

  7·0

  105

  Typist

  1·0

  12

  1·0

  13

  Total

  80·3

  1,855

  78·3

  1,875

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 competition policy division.

  Insurance division

  Average cost of employing number of staff in grade (including ERNIC)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Grade 3

  1·0

  59

  1·0

  62

  Grade 5

  3·0

  145

  3·3

  166

  Grade 6

  0·6

  26

  1·0

  45

  Grade 7

  10·3

  340

  10·5

  361

  Senior executive officer

  1·2

  30

  1·0

  26

  Higher executive officer

  6·4

  131

  7·0

  150

  Executive officer

  4·0

  66

  4·5

  77

  Administrative officer

  2·6

  36

  2·0

  29

  Administrative assistant

  6·6

  73

  7·0

  80

  Senior personal secretary

  1·6

  29

  2·0

  37

  Personal secretary

  3·4

  49

  2·0

  30

  Typist

  1·0

  12

  2·0

  25

  Total

  41·7

  996

  43·3

  1,088

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 companies investigation branch.

  Companies investigation branch

  Average cost of employing number of staff in grade (including ERNIC)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Grade 4

  1·0

  55

  1·0

  56

  Grade 5

  2·0

  97

  2·0

  101

  Grade 6

  3·0

  129

  3·0

  134

  Grade 7

  4·0

  132

  5·0

  172

  Insolvency Grade A

  3·0

  139

  3·0

  145

  Insolvency Grade B

  13·0

  471

  15·0

  567

  Insolvency Grade C

  25·0

  700

  24·5

  714

  Insolvency Grade D

  3·0

  70

  3·0

  73

  Investigation Officer

  2·0

  41

  1·0

  21

  Senior Executive Officer

  2·0

  50

  3·0

  79

  Higher Executive Officer

  1·5

  31

  1·5

  32

  Executive Officer

  5·0

  82

  5·0

  85

  Administrative Officer

  10·0

  143

  12·0

  172

  Administrative Assistant

  5·0

  55

  5·0

  57

  Personal Secretary

  6·0

  87

  6·0

  90

  Typist

  1·0

  12

  1·0

  13

  398
  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows:
  399

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Total

  86·5

  2,342

  91·0

  2,511

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 insurance division.

  Insurance division

  Average cost of employing number of staff in grade (including ERNIC)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Manpower

  (£000)

  Grade 3

  1·0

  59

  1·0

  62

  Grade 5

  4·1

  198

  3·5

  176

  Grade 6

  1·0

  43

  1·0

  45

  Grade 7

  13·3

  439

  13·5

  465

  Senior executive officer

  2·4

  60

  2·5

  65

  Higher executive officer

  19·1

  392

  26·5

  567

  Executive officer

  26·2

  430

  24·0

  409

  Librarian

  0·2

  4

  0

  0

  Administrative officer

  13·6

  188

  11·0

  158

  Administrative assistant

  10·2

  112

  10·5

  119

  Senior personal secretary

  0·2

  4

  1·0

  19

  Personal secretary

  4·2

  61

  3·0

  45

  Typist

  0·4

  5

  1·0

  13

  Total

  95·9

  1,995

  98·5

  2,143

  Power Generation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether power is still being generated for supply to the national grid on the basis of merit order of power stations based on generating cost; and whether he will publish the most recent list of power stations by that merit order, together with their generating capacity, power produced and fuel consumption.

  Mr. Eggar
  The National Grid Company is required by its transmission licence to schedule and dispatch plant in accordance with a bid price merit order system, under which generators submit price bids for their stations daily and the cheapest plant hid is used first, within the technical constraints of the transmission and distribution system. Price bids are a matter for the generators. Daily information on bid prices and capacity available is not published but may be obtained from National Grid Company Settlements Ltd. Figures for power produced and fuel consumption are commercially confidential.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list by date the meetings he, Ministers or officials of his Department, have had with external bodies or expert consultants on the coal industry since 15 April.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend and I, and our officials, have had numerous meetings with external bodies and expert consultants on the coal industry since 15 April.
  400
  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows.

  Nuclear Materials Review Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what submissions on physical protection, inventory control and enhanced security were put forward by Her Majesty's Government to the review conference on the physical protection on nuclear materials held between 29 September and 1 October; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of the review conference.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: The Government's aim at the review conference was to ensure that the high standards of physical protection required by the convention on the physical protection of nuclear material were maintained and to urge states which had not already done so to accede to the convention.

  The conference endorsed the important role of the convention in providing an international framework for the physical protection of nuclear material. I am placing a copy of the final statement of the conference in the Library of the House.

  EC Coal Subsidy
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last had discussions with Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan about the differing levels of subsidy on coal production in the EC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 3 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend and I meet both Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan and Commissioner Cardoso from time to time to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Energy Select Committee
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 29 October,Official Report, cols. 784–85, to the hon. Member for Newham,

  401
  South concerning availability of his reply to the Fourth Report of the Select Committee on Energy 1991–92 (HC 113), by what means his memorandum, and that of the Director General of Electricity Supply, were released to the press; and if he will list the names of journals to which it was sent without a request.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 3 November 1992]: My Department's memorandum was circulated using our standard method of distribution for press notices, which covers around 450 newspapers, journals, media and other companies and individuals. The Office of Electricity Regulation circulated its press release to its standard distribution list of more than 500 newspapers and other contacts, and sent a copy of the director general's memorandum to the majority of press and media contacts.

  Gas Reserves
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the reserves of gas which he has estimated will meet Britain's requirements have yet to be proved; and what proportion he estimates will come from smaller fields than those which currently provide supplies to the home market.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: My Department's latest estimates of United Kingdom gas reserves were published in the Brown Book—"Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom"—in April 1992. About 37 per cent. of the total are reserves which have yet to be proved by drilling. Reserves in future fields will fall within a wide range, but it is not expected that any will compare in size with the largest fields currently supplying the United Kingdom market.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received in the last three months from businesses wishing(a) to reopen closed pits in Wales and (b) to maintain existing pits under new management; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: My Department has not received any representations in the last three months from businesses wishing to reopen closed pits in Wales. It has received a number of representations in relation to taking over existing pits in Wales for operation under new management.

  Expressions of interest in pits are a matter for British Coal, which has a duty to consider carefully applications from responsible organisations seeking licences to mine.

DEFENCE

  Reserve Forces
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to use members of the reserve forces in support of current operations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence reported to the House by notice last month the call-out of a small number of willing officers of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve to support current operations.
  402
  A further need for specialist support available only from the reserve forces has now become apparent, and a number of individuals from the Territorial Army's intelligence and security group (volunteers) have offered to serve on duties in the United Kingdom. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has made the Queen's order required by section 12(1) of the Reserve Forces Act, 1980, and has formally called them out under section 11(1) of the Act.

  A number of officers of the Royal Naval Reserve have also volunteered to serve, and they are being called up under the provisions of an Order in Council made in May 1982.

  Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93, for each executive agency and defence support agency for which he is responsible.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter delegated to my Department's executive agencies under their framework documents. I have therefore asked each chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 5 November 1992:

  I am responding to your written parliamentary question, "to ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93, for each executive agency and defence support agency for which he is responsible."

  The answer is as follows:

  The number of staff in each grade is given in the table attached. The staff cost (including superannuation) was £59·4 million in 1991–92 and is expected to be £62·9 million in 1992–93.

  Meteorological office staff numbers

  Grade

  Average 1991–92

  Estimated Average 1992–93

  2

  1

  1

  3

  1

  1

  4

  2

  2

  5

  9

  9

  6

  28

  31

  7

  137

  142

  Senior Scientific Officer

  338

  355

  Higher Scientific Officer

  449

  458

  Scientific Officer

  475

  486

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  542

  506

  Senior Telecommunications Technical Officer

  7

  8

  Higher Telecommunications Technical Officer

  35

  36

  Telecommunications Technical Officer

  47

  47

  Assistant Telecommunications Technical Officer

  33

  36

  Senior Professional and Technology Officer

  5

  6

  Higher Professional and Technology Officer

  20

  21

  Professional and Technology Officer

  6

  7

  Senior Executive Officer

  5

  5

  Higher Executive Officer

  11

  12

  Executive Officer

  26

  30

  Adminstrative Officer

  81

  90

  Administrative Assistant

  45

  50

  Clerical/Support

  122

  114

  403

  Grade

  Average 1991–92

  Estimated Average 1992–93

  Industrial

  32

  28

  Locally Entered Overseas

  42

  39

  2,499

  2,520

  Letter from J. A. R. Chisholm to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 5 November 1992:

  In today's written answer the Under Secretary of State for Defence informed you that, as Chief Executive of the Defence Research Agency, I would be replying directly to your question concerning numbers and costs of staff in Executive Agencies.

  The number of personnel employed by DRA on 1 April 1991 was 12,027 and the total staff costs for 1991–92 were £206 million. On 1 April 1992 total personnel numbered 11,187 for whom the costs in 1992–93 will be £211 million. Staff numbers as at 1 October 1992 are 11,267. This number will reduce slightly by the end of the year as a result of my recently announced voluntary redundancy scheme.

  My colleague Roger Warren wrote to you on my behalf in July listing the DRA staffing levels by grade as at 1 April 1992. I have repeated that information below for your convenience. I am afraid a breakdown by grade is not available for 1 April 1991.

  Numbers

  Non industrial staff

  Grade 2

  1

  Grade 3

  8

  Grade 4

  6

  Grade 5

  40

  Pay costs by grade

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Strength in grade

  Pay/allotment/OT/ERNIC £

  Superannuation £

  Total £

  Strength in grade

  Pay/allotment/OT/ERNIC £

  Superannuation £

  Total £

  Military

  Col/Lt. Col

  1

  44,080

  12,649

  56,729

  1

  46,105

  12,811

  58,916

  Non-Industrial

  Deputy Head

  2

  65,447

  4,287

  69,734

  2

  73,822

  5,484

  79,306

  Teacher

  46

  1,133,407

  68,046

  1,201,453

  47

  1,297,338

  86,490

  1,383,828

  Bursar

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1

  26,104

  4,109

  30,213

  RO2

  1

  15,892

  2,518

  18,410

  1

  17,229

  2,731

  19,960

  Doctor/Medical/Consultant

  1

  36,660

  5,785

  42,445

  0·5

  12,888

  1,612

  14,500

  EO

  1

  15,208

  2,409

  17,617

  1

  15,854

  2,511

  18,365

  Librarian

  1

  22,100

  3,508

  25,608

  0·3

  6,981

  1,110

  8,091

  HIO

  1

  16,918

  2,680

  19,598

  1

  18,083

  2,867

  20,950

  IO 1

  3

  46,238

  7,333

  53,571

  3

  49,195

  7,794

  56,989

  IO 2

  0·5

  11,165

  1,764

  12,929

  0·5

  11,640

  1,839

  13,479

  Admin Officer

  2

  22,209

  3,511

  25,720

  2·5

  28,952

  4,590

  33,542

  Typist

  3

  34,082

  5,387

  39,469

  3

  32,139

  5,100

  37,239

  SOG(C)

  1

  16,097

  2,551

  18,648

  1

  16,897

  2,678

  19,575

  PIGS(E)

  1

  13,608

  2,154

  15,762

  1

  14,284

  2,261

  16,545

  SG(1)

  1

  9,866

  1,584

  11,450

  1

  10,807

  1,706

  12,513

  School Nurse

  2

  28,926

  969

  29,895

  2

  39,383

  1,336

  40,719

  House Matron

  10

  97,387

  15,502

  112,889

  10

  104,792

  16,692

  121,484

  Industrial

  Senior Store Keeper

  1

  8,315

  1,255

  9,570

  1

  8,718

  1,313

  10,031

  Store Keeper

  1

  8,038

  1,213

  9,251

  1

  8,437

  1,272

  9,709

  L/H Lab

  1

  7,743

  1,179

  8,922

  1

  8,298

  1,250

  9,548

  Labourer

  2

  17,087

  2,275

  19,362

  2

  17,976

  2,396

  20,372

  Housemaid

  8

  68,392

  10,324

  78,716

  8

  71,898

  10,875

  82,773

  Wardmaid

  1

  8,494

  1,137

  9,631

  1

  7,958

  1,198

  9,156

  Exp Wkr (1)

  1

  8,803

  1,329

  10,132

  1

  8,989

  1,355

  10,344

  Exp Wkr (3)

  2

  16,007

  2,416

  18,423

  2

  16,894

  2,543

  19,437

  Exp Wkr (5)

  0·5

  5,796

  875

  6,671

  0·5

  6,030

  922

  6,952

  Caretaker

  1

  7,536

  1,137

  8,673

  1

  7,958

  1,198

  9,156

  Steward (1)

  0·5

  5,969

  902

  6,871

  0·5

  6,192

  946

  7,138

  404

  Numbers

  Grade 6

  197

  Grade 7

  857

  SSO/SPTO/SEO

  1,285

  HSO/HPTO/HEO

  1,558

  SO/PTO/EO

  1,501

  ASO/AO/AA/Sec

  1,160

  Others

  894

  Sub Total

  7,507

  Industrial staff

  Craft

  2,047

  Non-craft

  1,443

  Sub Total

  3,490

  Military staff

  All ranks

  190

  Total

  11,187

  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Letter from Colonel G. H. Wilson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 November 1992:

  I refer to your parliamentary question, received on 29 October, which asked the Secretary of State for Defence to list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for each Executive Agency for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93.

  The Duke of York's Royal Military School was established as an Executive Agency of the MOD on 1st April 1992. Attached are staff numbers and costs for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93.
  405

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Strength in grade

  Pay/allotment/OT/ERNIC £

  Superannuation £

  Total £

  Strength in grade

  Pay/allotment/OT/ERNIC £

  Superannuation £

  Total £

  Swim Bath Att

  1

  8,200

  1,198

  9,398

  1

  8,372

  1,261

  9,633

  Totals

  97·5

  1,799,670

  167,877

  1,967,547

  98·8

  2,000,213

  190,250

  2,190,463

  Letter from Mr. J. D. Hankinson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 4 November 1992:

  I have been asked to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question.

  Date of Order Paper: 28 October 1992

  Queen Victoria School: Estimated staff and their costs, 1992–93

  Grade

  Number

  Basic pay

  ERNIC

  Overtime

  Superannuation

  Total

  Senior management team

  5·5

  160,589

  14,004

  2,500

  14,326

  191,419

  Teaching and instructional staff

  28·0

  648,923

  49,365

  —

  52,965

  751,253

  Support staff" NI

  20·5

  202,034

  14,091

  22,018

  30,247

  268,390

  1

  13·0

  121,627

  7,614

  5,226

  15,222

  149,689

  67·0

  1,133,173

  85,074

  29,744

  112,760

  1,360,751

  I trust this answer is helpful. Further instructions can be supplied if required.

  Letter from Rear Admiral J. A. L. Myres to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 4 November 1992:

  Hydrographic Office DSA—Parliamentary question

  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence to list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93, for each Executive Agency and Defence Support Agency for which he is responsible. The Minister has asked me, as Chief Executive, to reply in respect of the Hydrographic Office Defence Support Agency.

  The information you requested is at the Annex. I hope this is helpful.

  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Letter from I. S. Mitchelson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 November 1992:

  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked him to list by grade, the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93, for each Executive Agency and Defence Support Agency for which he is responsible.

  I attach a table which sets out the information you requested, in relation to SCS (NWE).

  If you require further information or feel that I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

  Grade

  Financial year 1991–92 Numbers in post

  Financial year 1992–93 Numbers in post

  Administrative staff

  Chief Executive

  1

  1

  Deputy Chief Executive

  1

  1

  Other UK based Civilians

  4·2

  8

  Total cost

  £240K

  £364K

  Professional support staff

  Chief Inspector Adviser

  1

  1

  Principal Educational Psychologist

  1

  1

  Senior Careers Adviser

  1

  1

  Senior Inspection Adviser

  0

  2·75

  S02 (Education)-Major

  1

  0

  Inspector Adviser

  8

  5·8

  406
  Mr. Martin Redmond (Don Valley)
  "31. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93 for each executive agency for which he is responsible.

  "Answer: This School has been an Executive Agency since April 1st, 1992, hence it is appropriate to provide the estimated figures for 1992–93. They are as follows:

  Grade

  Financial year 1991–92 Numbers in post

  Financial year 1992–93 Numbers in post

  Advisory Teachers

  12·8

  14·7

  Educational Psychologists

  5·8

  6·4

  Senior Social Workers

  3

  3·4

  Careers Advisers

  3

  3

  Staff Development Officers

  3

  3

  Total cost

  £1,197K

  £1,298K

  Educational staff

  Head teachers

  84

  77·7

  Deputy Headteachers

  78·1

  75·4

  UK based Assistant Teachers

  817·9

  800·2

  UK based Support

  10·8

  11

  Total cost

  £26,588K

  £28,798K

  Locally employed civilians

  Teachers

  286·9

  278·8

  Other Grades1

  946·3

  962·4

  Total cost

  £13,762K

  £13,813K

  1 This category includes miscellaneous support staff such as cooks, cleaners, secretaries etc.

  Letter from D. R. French to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 November 1992:

  MAINTENANCE GROUP DEFENCE SUPPORT AGENCY

  1. In response to Parliamentary Question 7256F, seeking the numbers of staff making up the subject Agency and their costs for financial year 1991–92 as well as the estimated figures for this financial year, you are advised that the outturn cost for the Service element in financial year 1991–92 was £126 million with the estimate for this financial year being £123 million. For the civilian element the outturn cost for financial year 1991–92 was £80 million and the estimate for this year is currently £84 million.

  2. Please find at Annexes A and B the required detailed breakdown by rank/grade and number.

  Annex:

  A. Numbers of Service Staff for 1991–92 and Estimated Figures for 1992–93.
  407
  B. Number of Civilian Staff for 1991–92 and Estimated Figures for 1992–93.

  The details have been placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. J. Dymond to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 5 November 1992:

  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence for details of the number of staff in each grade and their costs in 1991–92 and 1992–93 for each MOD executive agency. As Chief Executive of DGDA I have been asked to reply for my Agency. The table at Annex A (attached) sets out the information requested.

  DGDA staff numbers

  Grade

  Actual average 1991–92

  Forecast average 1992–93

  United Kingdom non-industrial staff

  Numbers

  Numbers

  Open Structure Grade 4

  1

  1

  Open Structure Grade 5

  3

  3

  Open Structure Grade 6

  9

  9

  Open Structure Grade 7

  15

  15

  Senior Executive Officer

  53

  52

  Higher Executive Officer

  176

  165

  Executive Officer

  447

  427

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1

  1

  Administrative Officer

  1,023

  1,006

  Administrative Assistant

  325

  319

  Typing Manager

  2

  4

  Personal Secretary

  2

  3

  Typist

  10

  29

  Support Grade 1

  12

  12

  Support Grade 2

  46

  52

  Support Manager 2

  —

  2

  Support Manager 3

  1

  3

  Total United Kingdom non-industrial staff

  2,126

  2,103

  United Kingdom industrial staff

  7

  8

  Locally entered personnel

  9

  9

  Total non-industrial staff

  2,142

  2,120

  Actual costs £000

  Forecast outturn £000

  Total staff costs (includes pensions and gratuity liability)

  31,464

  33,710

  Letter from Dr. Graham S. Pearson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 5 November 1992:

  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their costs for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93 for each Executive Agency and Defence Support Agency has been passed to me for reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  NARO DSA Numbers and cost

  Non industrial grades

  1991–92 Numbers

  1991–92 Cost £

  1992–93 Numbers

  1992–93 Cost £

  Unified Grade 7

  4

  115,781

  4

  120,607

  Senior Executive Officer

  2

  71,123

  2

  50,778

  Higher Executive Officer

  10

  168,768

  10

  186,668

  Executive Officer

  12

  190,232

  12

  268,531

  Administrative Officer

  59

  637,628

  57

  680,919

  Administrative Assistant

  39

  211,779

  36

  233,640

  Personal Secretary

  1

  12,262

  1

  12,691

  Typist

  9

  94,644

  9

  93,707

  Senior Professional Technical Officer

  16

  389,141

  16

  426,713

  408
  2. The number of staff in post at the end of 1991–92 and their salary/wage costs for that year were 603 and £10·08M respectively; a grade breakdown is provided in the Annex.

  3. Our staff target for 1992–93 is 639½ and the estimated cost of their salary/wage costs in this year is £11·31M; a grade breakdown is also in the Annex. The difference in staff in this year numbers arises from a number of vacancies on 1 April 1992 and from additional repayment work being undertaken by this Establishment.

  Chemical and biological defence establishment

  Grade

  1991–92 End of year strength

  1992–93 Target

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Non-industrial staff

  Defence science group

  260·5

  282·0

  Medical officers (research)

  5·0

  7·0

  Veterinary officers

  1·0

  1·0

  Defence engineering service

  19·0

  21·0

  Professional photographical class

  7·0

  8·0

  Process and general supervisory

  15·0

  16·0

  Officer support grades

  6·0

  6·0

  Graphics officer class

  2·0

  2·0

  Occupational health nurses

  —

  3·0

  Administration class

  64·0

  61·0

  Secretarial class

  12·0

  12·0

  Stores officer

  3·0

  3·0

  Retired officers

  3·0

  3·0

  Librarian class

  1·0

  1·0

  Investigating officer

  1·0

  1·0

  Fire service officer

  1·0

  1·0

  Total non-industrials

  400·5

  428·5

  Service officers

  13·0

  12·0

  Other ranks

  7·0

  7·0

  Total service staff

  20·0

  19·0

  Industrial staff

  Craft grades

  26·0

  27·0

  Non-craft grades

  156·5

  165·0

  Total industrial

  182·5

  192·0

  Total staff

  603·0

  639·5

  Letter from Major General R. Wood to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1992:

  Reply to Parliamentary Question 7256F

  Details of Military Survey DSA staff numbers and costs for 1991–92 and 1992–93 are attached.

  The details have been placed in the Library.

  Letter from Captain D. E. Symonds to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 5 November 1992:

  The response to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning a listing by grade of the numbers and costs of staff employed in the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO) DSA, is shown at the Annex to this letter.
  409

  Non industrial grades

  1991–92 Numbers

  1991–92 Cost £

  1992–93 Numbers

  1992–93 Cost £

  Higher Professional Technical Officer

  51

  1,141,447

  45

  1,164,847

  Professional Technical Officer

  260

  4,772,213

  241

  4,734,241

  Stores Officer Grade 'B'

  1

  22,651

  1

  23,670

  Stores Officer Grade 'C'

  4

  69,963

  4

  88,229

  Stores Officer Grade 'D'

  16

  273,354

  16

  272,160

  Instructional Officer

  1

  16,565

  1

  17,458

  Support Grade 1

  4

  43,815

  4

  45,871

  Support Grade 2

  2

  16,200

  2

  16,378

  Processing & General Supervisory Grade 'C

  1

  2,648

  1

  17,000

  Processing & General Supervisory Grade 'D'

  2

  39,620

  2

  30,349

  Processing & General Supervisory Grade 'E'

  1

  35,377

  1

  21,838

  Communications Officer 3

  1

  16,699

  1

  21,776

  Communications Officer 4

  3

  31,686

  3

  32,804

  Senior Photographer

  1

  18,142

  1

  18,531

  Total Non Industrial

  500

  8,193,801

  470

  8,578,686

  Craft

  651

  9,218,268

  626

  8,955,819

  Non Craft

  325

  3,790,171

  308

  3,735,192

  Apprentices

  152

  1,036,890

  147

  1,104,014

  Total Industrial

  1,128

  13,814,523

  1,081

  13,795,025

  Total Civilian Staff

  1,628

  22,008,324

  1,551

  22,373,711

  Captain RN

  1

  43,626

  1

  47,163

  Commander

  3

  123,559

  3

  133,577

  Lieutenant Commander

  5

  147,349

  4

  127,437

  Lieutenant RN

  1

  23,352

  1

  25,245

  Captain Army

  1

  25,206

  1

  27,250

  Chief Petty Officer

  1

  28,224

  —

  —

  Total Military

  12

  391,315

  10

  360,672

  Grand Total

  1,640

  22,399,639

  1,561

  22,734,383

  Letter from Mr. P. Altobell to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 4 November 1992:

  Minister of State (DP) asked me to write to you about my Agency staff numbers and their costs.

  Defence Analytical services Agency

  Staff numbers and costs 1991 to 1993

  Number of staff in full-time equivalents

  Estimated staff costs in £'000

  1 April 1991

  1992

  1993

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Grade 4

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  50

  60

  Grade 5

  2·0

  2·0

  2·0

  90

  100

  Grade 6

  1·0

  2·0

  2·0

  40

  80

  Grade 7

  21·0

  19·5

  17·0

  680

  660

  Senior/Assistant Statistician

  6·0

  6·0

  6·0

  100

  100

  Senior Executive Officer

  2·0

  2·0

  3·0

  50

  60

  Higher Executive Officer

  21·0

  20·0

  18·0

  400

  440

  Executive Officer

  45·0

  45·0

  43·0

  750

  780

  Administrative Officer

  35·5

  33·5

  31·5

  430

  430

  Administrative Assistant

  8·5

  7·0

  7·5

  80

  70

  Personal Assistant

  3·0

  2·0

  2·0

  40

  30

  Higher Scientific Officer

  1·0

  1·0

  0

  20

  20

  Warrant Officer (RAF)

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  20

  30

  College Based Sandwich Course Student

  8·0

  4·0

  10·0

  60

  70

  Totals

  156·0

  146·0

  144·0

  2,810

  2,930

  Note:—Staff costs comprise basic salary plus Earnings Related National Insurance Contributions (ERNIC).

  Letter from D. Leadbeater to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1992:

  In his reply of 5th November, the Secretary of State for Defence referred to agency chief executives the question:

  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93, for each executive agency and defence support agency for which he is responsible.
  410
  I have provided this information in the attached table. However, because of restructuring, we do not have a complete record of our costs on a compatible basis before we became an Agency in July 1992. In consequence the cost figures for both 1991–92 and 1992–93 are estimates, and I have therefore rounded the figures to the nearest £10,000.

  The Defence Operational Analysis Centre was formed as a Defence Support Agency on 1 July 1992; so a comparison of numbers within the agency over the two years is not possible.

  Notwithstanding the above limitation on the use of manpower numbers, I can tell you the numbers by grade and costs for year 1991–92 prior to agency status and my projections for year 1992–93 as follows:
  411

  Rank/Grade

  Average Actual Number 1991–92

  Estimated Number 1992–93

  Scientific Staff

  Grade 4

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 5

  2·0

  2·0

  Grade 6

  8·0

  8·0

  Grade 7

  20·3

  19·5

  SSO

  15·9

  16·0

  HSO

  14·0

  16·0

  SO

  8·5

  7·0

  ASO

  4·2

  3·0

  Services

  Captain RN

  0·9

  1·0

  Commander RN

  1·0

  1·0

  Lieutenant Commander RN

  2·0

  2·0

  Lieutenant WRNS

  0·3

  —

  Colonel (Army)

  1·0

  1·0

  Lieutenant Colonel (Army)

  3·7

  2·0

  Major (Army)

  12·0

  11·0

  Group Captain (RAF)

  1·0

  1·0

  Wing Commander (RAF)

  3·0

  2·0

  Squadron Leader (RAF)

  —

  —

  Support Staff (Non-Industrial)

  Grade 7

  1·0

  1·0

  SEO

  —

  1·0

  HEO

  4·0

  4·0

  EO

  3·7

  4·0

  AO

  12·3

  13·0

  AA

  7·8

  7·5

  SPS

  1·0

  1·0

  PS

  3·0

  3·0

  TM

  1·0

  1·0

  Typist

  2·2

  2·0

  EO/ADP

  2·0

  2·0

  AO/ADP

  2·9

  3·0

  AA/ADP

  1·0

  3·0

  S/Lib

  1·0

  1·0

  Assistant Lib

  1·0

  1·0

  Staff numbers

  Costs

  Grade/Rank

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  MILITARY

  Brigadier

  1·00

  1·00

  49,193

  55,140

  Colonel

  2·00

  2·00

  81,687

  93,622

  Lieutenant Colonel

  3·00

  2·40

  104,252

  96,507

  Major

  8·00

  8·25

  223,849

  265,183

  Captain

  7·00

  7·00

  157,958

  192,427

  Lieutenant

  1·50

  1·00

  33,848

  26,268

  Warrant Officer 1

  6·00

  4·75

  161,887

  128,532

  Warrant Officer 2

  10·00

  12·58

  220,755

  253,899

  Staff Sergeant

  10·00

  9·00

  216,667

  203,912

  Sergeant

  30·00

  33·70

  625,472

  687,164

  Corporal

  69·50

  53·42

  1,136,479

  831,653

  Lance Corporal

  53·00

  52·00

  715,001

  707,354

  Private

  90·50

  70·50

  924,923

  680,837

  Total Military

  291·50

  257·60

  4,651,971

  4,222,498

  CIVILIAN

  Non Industrial

  Grade 7

  1·00

  1·00

  34,161

  34,572

  HEO

  3·00

  3·00

  59,782

  62,136

  EO

  4·50

  4·40

  77,411

  76,107

  AO

  15·50

  18·73

  179,894

  237,034

  AA

  7·50

  8·00

  71,443

  80,100

  Personal Secretary

  1·00

  1·00

  14,474

  15,289

  Typist

  4·00

  4·00

  44,703

  54,030

  Support Grade 1

  33·00

  31·23

  386,614

  415,371

  Support Grade 2

  119·00

  112·79

  307,080

  144,576

  Support Manager 2

  1·00

  1·00

  16,324

  16,358

  Support Manager 3

  2·00

  2·84

  26,010

  36,132

  Defence Couriers

  39·50

  36·33

  627,677

  643,962

  412

  Rank/Grade

  Average Actual Number 1991–92

  Estimated Number 1992–93

  TG1

  1·0

  1·0

  SG1

  1·0

  1·0

  SG2

  1·0

  1·0

  P Photo

  2·0

  2·0

  HPTO

  2·0

  2·0

  PTO

  —

  1·0

  Civilian Staff Total Numbers

  148·1

  150·0

  Cash Costs

  2,937K

  131,678K

  Service Staff Total Numbers

  30·8

  27·0

  Cash Costs

  1,326K

  21,250K

  Total Staff Numbers

  178·9

  177·0

  Cash Costs

  4,263K

  4,418K

  1Costs include basis pay, ERNIC and allowances

  2 Costs include basic pay, ERNIC and overtime

  Letter from Brigadier M. A. Browne to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 5 November 1992:

  In response to your question of the Secretary of State for Defence concerning staff numbers by grade and costs for 1991–92 and the estimated figures for 1992–93 for each executive agency and defence support agency I am replying in respect of the Defence Postal and Courier Service—Defence Support Agency as Chief Executive.

  The staff figures for 1991–92 are the average strength in each grade for the year and the associated costs are the actual outturn figures.

  Those for 1992–93 are the estimated average strength for the year and the costs are my forecast as at 31 September 1992.
  413

  Staff numbers

  Costs

  Grade/Rank

  1991–92

  1992–95

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  Industrial

  Chief Steward 1

  2·00

  2·00

  20,148

  24,638

  Steward 1

  2·00

  2·00

  19,115

  20,564

  Steward 2

  2·00

  1·15

  18,598

  11,459

  Mess Hand

  11·75

  11·59

  109,264

  122,139

  Senior Storekeeper

  0·50

  —

  4,823

  —

  Storekeeper

  2·00

  2·41

  17,737

  20,987

  Assistant Storekeeper

  0·50

  —

  4,305

  —

  Driver

  1·00

  1·00

  8,610

  10,438

  Labourer

  —

  2·00

  18,598

  21,535

  Total Civilian

  252·75

  246·47

  3,066,771

  3,047,427

  I hope this information meets your requirements and is helpful in building the overall picture for staffing and costs for Ministry of Defence executive and defence support agencies.

  Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. Aitken
  The information requested is not held centrally and could not be compiled without disproportionate cost and effort.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to seek amendment of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to make the stockpiling of weapon-ready plutonium illegal for signatory members.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is our policy to seek an indefinite extension to the non-proliferation treaty, without amendment.

  Naval Emergency Monitoring Organisation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the role and function of the Naval Emergency Monitoring Organisation; what is its annual budget; how many personnel are assigned to it; in what year it was first established; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Achie Hamilton
  The role of the Naval Emergency Monitoring Organisation is to provide rapid and effective monitoring advice in the event of a defence radiological incident. It was established in 1961 and currently consists of around 40 full-time and 60 part-time personnel. Because the constituent teams are integrated into other MOD and naval establishments, a full cost breakdown is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Submarines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements exist covering the use of extremely low frequency radio transmitters in the United States of America for the purpose of communicating with Royal 414
  Navy submarines; and what plans he has to negotiate an agreement for the use of extremely low frequency radio transmitters in the United States of America for the purpose of communicating with Royal Navy submarines.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We have no such agreements with the United States and no plans to negotiate any.

  RAF Jets (50th Anniversary)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what ways the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the introduction of jet aircraft to the RAF will be commemorated.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are currently no plans to commemorate this anniversary.

  Scottish Regiments
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received since 9 April about the proposed amalgamation of Scottish regiments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since 9 April this year, my Department has received some 40 letters which were primarily about the amalgamation of Scottish regiments.

  Search and Rescue
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each local government region the number of rescues carried out by search and rescue crews from RAF Leuchars in each of the years(a) 1987, (b) 1988, (c) 1989, (d) 1990, (e) 1991 and (f) 1992 to date.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Statistical data are not recorded in the form required.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions in each year between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 1991 search and rescue helicopters from RAF Leuchars have been involved in operations which required them to begin or to continue flying during the hours of darkness;

  (2) on how many occasions since 1 January search and rescue helicopters from RAF Leuchars have been involved in operations which required them to begin or to continue flying during the hours of darkness.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of such operations is:
  415

  Number

  1987

  32

  1988

  33

  1989

  21

  1990

  13

  1991

  19

  11992

  15

  1 Between 1 January and 31 August 1992.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current mandatory training requirements for night flying airmen which are applicable to search and rescue crews based at RAF Leuchars.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Each crew member should complete a minimum of two hours of night flying per month, which includes navigation training, cliff winching training, mountain training and approaches to night landing sites. Crews at RAF Leuchars are exempt from these requirements during the months of May, June and July provided they complete a minimum of one hour of night flying during the previous two calendar months.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rescue missions have been flown by search and rescue aircraft from RAF Leuchars in the years(a) 1987, (b) 1988, (c) 1989, (d) 1990 and (e) 1991; how many of them have involved the rescue of civilians; and how many have involved the rescue of military personnel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The table details the total number of rescues—including incidents such as the transfer of sick or injured people from ship to hospital —carried out by the Wessex search-and-rescue flight at RAF Leuchars in the years in question:

  year

  Military callouts

  Civilian callouts

  Total callouts

  1987

  2

  47

  49

  1988

  3

  57

  60

  1989

  7

  38

  45

  1990

  2

  38

  40

  1991

  —

  66

  66

  Equipment Exhibition
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the Royal Navy and British army equipment exhibition will be held; and on which days it will be open to(a) overseas customers, (b) the press and (c) the public.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Royal Navy and British army equipment exhibition will be held in Aldershot from 5 to 10 September 1993. The exhibition will be open to overseas visitors from 6 to 10 September, to the national press on 5 September only, and to the technical press for the whole week. The exhibition will not be open to the public.

  Defence Research Agency
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the Defence Research Agency's premises in Dyfed have been used for development or test firing of the RAYO multiple launch rocket system.

  Mr. Aitken
  Management of the Aberporth range was transferred from the Defence Research Agency to the newly formed Directorate General of Test and Evaluation on 1 April 1992. For reasons of commercial confidentiality we do not release details of individual test firings by manufacturers at Aberporth or any of our ranges.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those countries that have used the DRA's facilities at Aberporth in Dyfed in the past five years.

  Mr. Aitken
  Three countries have used the Aberporth range's facilities directly during the past five years: Germany, the Netherlands and the USA. In addition, in 1988, the RAF's central tactics and trials organisation sponsored a major NATO trial involving aircraft from the following NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the USA. We cannot, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, release details of trials in which the range's customer was United Kingdom industry but sales, or potential sales, to foreign countries were involved.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all accidents involving airborne missiles that have occurred at the DRA facility in Aberporth, Dyfed since 1979 indicating the country of origin of the missiles involved.

  Mr. Aitken
  There have been no such incidents.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the visit by General Pinochet of Chile to Government property in Britain in 1991.

  Mr. Aitken
  The general did not visit Government property.

  Aviation Industry
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 24 September regarding the aviation industry.

  Mr. Aitken
  I replied to the hon. Member's letter—which was passed to me by the Department of Trade and Industry—on 3 November.

  DISABLED PERSONS TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: REPORT
  DISABLED PERSONS TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: REPORT
  "GIVE-AS-YOU-EARN" DEDUCTIONS TO CHARITIES
  "GIVE-AS-YOU-EARN" DEDUCTIONS TO CHARITIES
  CURRENCY SPECULATION GAINS: TAX
  CURRENCY SPECULATION GAINS: TAX
  LEGAL AID REPORT
  LEGAL AID REPORT
  RESERVE FORCES: CALL-OUT
  RESERVE FORCES: CALL-OUT