Written Answers of 13 November 1992

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list, for each local authority area in south Yorkshire, how many residential properties are currently owned by his Department; and if he will list, by location, those residential properties which are empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and its intended future use.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department does not own any residential property in south Yorkshire.

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many papers his Department has currently withdrawn from the Public Record Office; if he will list their titles; and when he estimates that they will be returned.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Government Departments have a statutory right to retrieve records temporarily from the Public Record Office for their own administrative use. The Lord Chancellor's Department currently has 45 records out on loan. They will be returned when the current administrative need to keep them is over. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with details of their titles.

TRANSPORT

  Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of Stare for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the health and safety policy of each of the agencies within his Department.

  Mr. Norris
  A copy of the health and safety policy of each of the Department's agencies has been placed in the Library today.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costs have been incurred as a result of the delay in announcing the building of the Jubilee line extension.

  Mr. Norris
  About £10 million.

  Rail Station, Ashford
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards the building of an international passenger station at Ashford.
  976
  Mr. Freeman
  Outline planning consent has been obtained for the new station at Ashford. I am pleased to say that British Rail has confirmed to me that it is now able to progress the first stage of the project which is the track and signalling work necessary before the station itself can be built.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Set-aside
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evaluation his Department has carried out of set-aside policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  In accordance with my Department's standard practice, studies of both the five-year and one-year set-aside schemes were commissioned from independent bodies. I have today placed in the Library of this House a copy of the report by Reading university of its socio-economic study of the first year of the five-year scheme in England, which my Department commissioned in 1989. A copy of the report of a similar evaluation of the scheme in Scotland by the Scottish agricultural colleges was recently placed in the Library by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. I am also placing in the Library today a copy of the report by Wye college, university of London, of its socio-economic evaluation of the one-year set-aside scheme in England, also commissioned by my Department. In addition, I have placed in the Library a summary of the report of monitoring of the public access provisions of the countryside premium scheme, carried out for my Department by independent consultants. I have given all these studies careful consideration, although clearly the European Community's set-aside policy has developed significantly since they were carried out.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime, North Yorkshire
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes of(a) violence against the person, (b) burglary, (c) theft or handling stolen goods and (d) criminal damage, and how many crimes in total, were reported to the North Yorkshire police in the 12-month period July 1978 to June 1979, and in the 12-month period July 1991 to June 1992.

  Mr. Jack
  The available information is for the number of offences recorded by the police in north Yorkshire and is contained in the following table:

  Notifiable Offences Recorded by the Police in North Yorkshire

  North Yorkshire

  Number of offences

  Offence group

  July 1978 to June 1979

  July 1991 to June 1992

  Violence against the person

  873

  2,115

  Burglary

  4,873

  13,804

  Theft and handling goods

  12,061

  30,453

  Criminal damage

  2,486

  5,726

  Other offences

  1,635

  1,975

  Total

  21,928

  54,073

  Wolds Remand Centre
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of each racial incident leading to disciplinary action at the Wolds remand centre since it opened; and if he will outline what action he intends to take to tackle racial tension at the Wolds.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There have been no racial incidents leading to disciplinary action at Wolds remand prison since it opened. Tackling issues based on race, including racial tension, is the responsibility of all staff and they receive appropriate training. In addition, a race relations committee and a race relations officer are specifically charged with the task of ensuring that attention is paid to racial matters.

  Female Prisoners
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for places in mother and baby units in prisons in England and Wales are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Applications for a place on a mother and baby unit are considered by a multi-disciplinary team at a case conference. At present the units have no outstanding applications awaiting consideration.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mother and baby unit places were available(a) at 1 January and (b) at 1 November; how many further places are planned for, in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On both 1 January and 1 November there were 38 places available in prison mother and baby units.

  At Styal, a further house is being converted to create 10 additional places and will be available before the end of the year. Work will commence over the winter months on a new unit at New Hall, which will provide a further nine places.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pregnant female prisoners are currently on remand or sentenced in England and Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 11 November there were 38 pregnant women currently on remand or sentenced in England and Wales.

  Insurance Fraud
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department how many firms have been prosecuted for submitting fraudulent insurance claims for fire-damaged property for each of the last three years.

  Mr. Jack
  Information as to whether prosecutions for fraud offences specifically related to fraudulent insurance claims for fire damaged property is not collected centrally.

  Police Funding
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to discuss with police authorities the report by Richard Kornicki on the future of police funding before any decision is taken on its conclusions.
  978
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Mr. Kornicki's review of police funding is a working document offering internal advice to Ministers. Further work has since been commissioned. No conclusions have yet been reached, but when Ministers have proposals to put forward, we intend that the local authority associations should be among those who are consulted.

  Colin Wallace
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Department if he will refer back to the Court of Appeal the conviction of Colin Wallace for manslaughter following new forensic evidence submitted by Professor Bernard Knight.

  Mr. Jack
  No representations have yet been received containing any such evidence.

  Party Conferences
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the additional policing costs arising out of(a) the Liberal Democrat party conference, (b) the Labour party conference and (c) the Conservative party conference in 1992.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the chief officers of the forces concerned that the estimated additional costs are:

  (a) Liberal Democrat

  (North Yorkshire)

  Nil

  (b) Labour

  (Lancashire)

  £110,000

  (c) Conservative

  (Sussex)

  £2,200,000

  Women
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those crime prevention initiatives and publicity campaigns which have been directly targeted at women in the last five years.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 9 November 1992]: Effective action against crime is of benefit to all citizens, men and women alike. But we know that matters such as personal safety can be of particular concern to women. A range of actions has been taken in recent years to enhance the response of the police and other agencies to rape and domestic violence, and there are a number of crime prevention initiatives specifically directed at improving women's safety. These include more than 200 schemes in the safer cities programme and three innovative projects aimed at tackling domestic violence in Islington, Leeds and Merseyside. These are being developed and evaluated by the Home Office. Most police forces produce material giving information and advice for the victims of domestic violence. In addition the Home Office's crime prevention handbook, "Practical Ways to Crack Crime" deals in detail with aspects of personal safety for women.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for extending the moratorium on takeovers of ITV companies until the BBC charter is renewed.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have been asked to reply.

  None.

ENVIRONMENT

  Community Care
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he will issue to housing authorities on their role in providing community care services from April 1993.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department and the Department of Health jointly issued guidance to local authorities about their role under the new arrangements in circular 10/92, "Housing and Community Care", on 24 September. A copy of the circular was placed in the Library.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the change in the number of kilometres of hedgerow in Great Britain since 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 11 November 1992]: The survey carried out by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology as part of my Department's 1990 countryside survey indicates that in 1984 there was an estimated total length of 549,000 km of hedgerow in Great Britain. By 1990 there had been a net loss of some 121,000 km. This figure includes losses due to poor management as well as deliberate removal.

  The Government are firmly committed to measures that will safeguard hedgerows. Under the Ministry of Agriculture's farm and conservation grant scheme an estimated 2,000 km of hedgerow were planted or improved in 1991. In July we launched the hedgerow incentive scheme with a budget of £3·5 million over three years to promote improved hedgerow management. Furthermore, although pressure on the parliamentary programme for this Session prevented a place being found for a Government Bill on hedgerow protection, we welcome and support the introduction of a Bill with similar objectives by my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Ainsworth).

  Council Tax
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates his Department has made of the effect of the introduction of the council tax on house prices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 November 1992]: I have made no such estimates.

  Local Government Finance
  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
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 November 1992, c. 371]: The total usable receipts for each county council in England as at 31 March 1992 are shown in the table.

  £000s

  Avon

  9,488

  Bedfordshire

  204

  Berkshire

  566

  980

  £000s

  Buckinghamshire

  1,765

  Cambridgeshire

  296

  Cheshire

  0

  Cleveland

  13

  Cornwall

  0

  Cumbria

  822

  Derbyshire

  6,930

  Devon

  0

  Dorset

  0

  Durham

  139

  East Sussex

  3,096

  Essex

  726

  Gloucestershire

  240

  Hampshire

  52

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,318

  Hertfordshire

  853

  Humberside

  5,369

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Kent

  4,432

  Lancashire

  1,961

  Leicestershire

  2,519

  Lincolnshire

  0

  Norfolk

  2,409

  North Yorkshire

  651

  Northamptonshire

  11,829

  Northumberland

  496

  Nottinghamshire

  358

  Oxfordshire

  0

  Shropshire

  1,029

  Somerset

  240

  Staffordshire

  125

  Suffolk

  386

  Surrey

  605

  Warwickshire

  963

  West Sussex

  0

  Wiltshire

  350

  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 and the amount of unapplied capital receipts from(a) housing sales and (b) other capital sales.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 November 1992, c. 371]: I have arranged for the revised information to be placed in the Library of the House.

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

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Charterline
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in the creation of the charterline telephone advice service.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have today appointed consultants Price Waterhouse to develop a pilot charterline service. The pilot will be launched early in 1993; if successful, it will be extended to cover all public services nationwide.

  Our market research shows strong public demand for charterline. People often find it difficult to make complaints, or seek information, about public services. They need up-to-date and reliable information on the services available, and on how to complain if things go wrong. Charterline will provide details of the citizens charter and published statements of service standards; contact numbers to help people find out more about public services; and contact numbers for making complaints.
  981
  Charterline will also link in with existing telephone helplines, and other sources of help such as the ombudsmen.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General how many papers his Department has currently withdrawn from the Public Record Office; if he will list their titles; and when he estimates that they will be returned.

  The Attorney-General
  The Law Officers' Departments occasionally exercise their statutory right to retrieve records temporarily from the Public Record Office for their own administrative use. Neither the legal secretariat to the Law Officers nor the Serious Fraud Office has any records out on loan. The Crown prosecution service has 14 records on loan and the Treasury Solicitor's Department one record on loan. All these records will be returned as soon as departmental action has been completed. I will write to the hon. Member about the titles.

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list for each local authority area in south Yorkshire, how many residential properties are currently owned by his Department or the Crown prosecution service; and if he will list, by location, those residential properties which are empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and its intended future use.

  The Attorney-General
  None of the Departments for which I am responsible own any residential property in south Yorkshire. One house is currently being administered by the Treasury Solicitor's Department pursuant to a grant of letters of administration.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the textile industry, the clothing industry and the mining industry in the west midlands in 1980 and for each subsequent year to date.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available information on regional employment for the industries requested is from the censuses of employment taken in 1981, 1984, 1987, and 1989. Data for the west midlands can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library, subject to the confidentiality restrictions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947.

  Minimum Wage Legislation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions by the wages inspectorate for breaches of the minimum wage rates legislation have been undertaken in(a) Pendle, (b) Lancashire, (c) the north west region and (d) the United Kingdom for each year since 1979.
  982
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information held is for Great Britain, not the United Kingdom, and is detailed in the following table:

  The number of prosecutions by the wages inspectorate for breaches under part 2 of the Wages Act 1986

  Year

  Pendle

  Lancashire

  North west division

  Great Britain

  1979

  0

  0

  0

  12

  1980

  0

  0

  1

  8

  1981

  0

  0

  1

  10

  1982

  0

  0

  1

  7

  1983

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1984

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1985

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1986

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1987

  0

  1

  2

  8

  1988

  0

  0

  2

  11

  1989

  0

  0

  0

  10

  1990

  0

  0

  1

  9

  1991

  0

  0

  1

  17

  11992

  0

  0

  0

  11

  1 To date.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the answer of 6 November,Official Report, column 432, what was the lowest rate of actual payment found by inspectors in 1991–92.

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

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will place in the Library(a) the responses to the 1988 consultative paper on the future of wages councils and (b) representations, including notes of oral or telephone representations, received since 1988 on the future of wages councils which were taken into account in the drafting of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No. We treat responses to consultation exercises, as with other representations, on the basis that they have been offered "in confidence".

EDUCATION

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many children in each English education authority were in classes of 41 pupils or more in each year since 1988;

  (2) if he will list, for each year since 1988, the English education authorities in which no children were in classes of 41 pupils or more.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested for classes taught by one teacher is given in the table for maintained primary and secondary schools for each year up to 1991. Information is not collected centrally on class sizes in either maintained nursery or maintained special schools. The information is derived from a census of schools on one day in January of each year, and may not be representative of classes over the whole academic year.
  983

  Numbers of pupils in classes of 41 and over in Maintained Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools (including Grant-maintained) in England—Position as at January each year

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  City

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Camden

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Greenwich

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Hackney

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  44

  Hammersmith

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Islington

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Kensington and Chelsea

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Lambeth

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  48

  Lewisham

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  108

  Southwark

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Tower Hamlets

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  51

  Wandsworth

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  106

  Westminster

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  ILEA

  97

  —

  86

  n/a

  Barking

  —

  48

  —

  —

  Barnet

  —

  —

  —

  54

  Bexley

  —

  —

  —

  46

  Brent

  —

  —

  41

  —

  Bromley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Croydon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ealing

  —

  58

  47

  —

  Enfield

  —

  —

  41

  —

  Haringey

  46

  —

  47

  93

  Harrow

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Havering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hillingdon

  43

  41

  —

  —

  Hounslow

  72

  41

  —

  —

  Kingston upon Thames

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merton

  —

  177

  —

  41

  Newham

  48

  106

  288

  214

  Redbridge

  —

  139

  —

  —

  Richmond upon Thames

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sutton

  79

  197

  —

  —

  Waltham Forest

  112

  60

  —

  44

  Birmingham

  94

  141

  145

  43

  Coventry

  118

  102

  45

  135

  Dudley

  281

  180

  246

  354

  Sandwell

  —

  41

  143

  53

  Solihull

  —

  —

  —

  90

  Walsall

  —

  —

  89

  44

  Wolverhampton

  101

  83

  85

  —

  Knowsley

  42

  —

  —

  50

  Liverpool

  118

  169

  160

  250

  St. Helens

  41

  —

  —

  —

  Sefton

  —

  82

  —

  89

  Wirral

  49

  —

  73

  52

  Bolton

  403

  349

  366

  479

  Bury

  85

  —

  99

  —

  Manchester

  739

  639

  791

  862

  Oldham

  —

  149

  95

  133

  Rochdale

  97

  —

  —

  41

  Salford

  102

  141

  151

  183

  Stockport

  42

  84

  —

  —

  Tameside

  41

  89

  —

  —

  Trafford

  —

  —

  44

  52

  Wigan

  —

  57

  45

  45

  Barnsley

  41

  —

  45

  45

  Doncaster

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rotherham

  —

  —

  —

  121

  Sheffield

  87

  43

  41

  46

  Bradford

  —

  106

  121

  —

  Calderdale

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kirklees

  131

  157

  172

  132

  Leeds

  87

  135

  285

  620

  Wakefield

  93

  211

  56

  42

  Gateshead

  —

  —

  58

  60

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  —

  —

  52

  69

  North Tyneside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Tyneside

  —

  57

  —

  —

  Sunderland

  —

  44

  —

  43

  Isles of Scilly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Avon

  124

  97

  175

  101

  Bedfordshire

  208

  344

  280

  478

  Berkshire

  67

  218

  93

  95

  Buckinghamshire

  52

  137

  149

  349

  984

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  49

  —

  43

  Cheshire

  167

  311

  319

  184

  Cleveland

  93

  —

  90

  312

  Cornwall

  —

  —

  88

  —

  Cumbria

  94

  128

  48

  111

  Derbyshire

  49

  129

  210

  61

  Devon

  208

  206

  88

  455

  Dorset

  209

  51

  127

  —

  Durham

  82

  86

  42

  135

  East Sussex

  —

  —

  41

  —

  Essex

  42

  —

  —

  189

  Gloucestershire

  41

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  197

  150

  91

  85

  Hereford and Worcester

  86

  —

  —

  43

  Hertfordshire

  47

  —

  105

  143

  Humberside

  585

  605

  676

  560

  Isle of Wight

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  45

  171

  103

  Lancashire

  347

  221

  256

  272

  Leicestershire

  498

  319

  410

  692

  Lincolnshire

  42

  125

  93

  —

  Norfolk

  42

  —

  62

  —

  North Yorkshire

  46

  48

  132

  99

  Northamptonshire

  —

  43

  —

  146

  Northumberland

  —

  43

  —

  146

  Nottinghamshire

  390

  371

  170

  124

  Oxfordshire

  97

  131

  87

  222

  Shropshire

  50

  149

  106

  135

  Somerset

  —

  45

  —

  41

  Staffordshire

  313

  192

  135

  99

  Suffolk

  47

  110

  —

  50

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  191

  Warwickshire

  41

  88

  127

  —

  West Sussex

  140

  53

  47

  42

  Wiltshire

  170

  —

  44

  —

  ENGLAND

  7,906

  8,426

  8,567

  10,783

  Teacher's Pensions Agency
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of the Teachers' Pensions Agency's health and safety policy.

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for health and safety policy has been delegated to the Teachers' Pensions Agency under its chief executive Mrs. Denyse Metcalfe. I have asked her to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Denyse Metcalf to Mr. John McAllion, dated 11 November.

  The Secretary of State for Education has asked me to supply an answer to the following question you tabled about the Teachers' Pensions Agency's health and safety policy:-

  "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Teachers' Pensions Agency's health and safety policy."

  The Agency is committed to complying with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The Agency occupies premises on the same site as the Department for Education in Darlington, and the Darlington Site Controller has oversight of health and safety matters for the site.

  The provision of health and safety advice and compliance with the Act is covered in our service level agreement with the Department. The Department's written policy is still in draft form at the moment.

  Post-16 Education
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to set a target date for achieving an 80 per cent. participation rate in post-16 education.
  985
  Mr. Forman
  The Government's expenditure plans for further education are intended to lift this country towards the top of the international league table in staying-on rates for 16–19 year olds within the next three years.

  Technology
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what efforts are currently undertaken to ensure a progression in content between technology courses in the national curriculum and similar courses in higher education.

  Mr. Forman
  National curriculum technology provides knowledge, skills and understanding which offer a general basis for further study or employment. Post-16 the Government are committed to securing a range of high quality study options leading to well regarded qualifications and further progression, including to higher education. It expects vocational qualifications and A level and AS examinations to build on national curriculum technology. National vocational qualifications (NVQs) are now becoming available in most areas of employment, including those which build on a good basis in technology. The introduction from this year of general NVQs will strengthen still further the vocational route to higher education in technology and related subjects such as engineering and design.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Footpaths
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when plans were first made by the Department of Environment Northern Ireland roads service to provide a footpath on the south side of Upper Greensland road, Carrickfergus between Downview Park and Goldenview Park; and what is the likely start date for a minor works scheme to provide this footpath.

  Mr. Atkins
  There have been no minor works proposals for the construction of a footpath on the southern side of this section of road. A major works scheme which will involve the construction of this section of road and the provision of footpaths on both sides will be undertaken when the necessary funds become available.

  Drugs
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans to establish local drugs prevention teams in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no plans at present to establish local drug prevention teams in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what support is available to district councils for anti-drug or drug awareness campaigns.

  Mr. Hanley
  In Northern Ireland health education on drugs including anti-drug and drug awareness campaigns is a matter for health and social services and education authorities.

HEALTH

  Health Service, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the annual cost improvement programme in Doncaster health authority for each of the last five financial years.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally. The regional health authority is responsible for monitoring cost improvements of individual districts. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Michael Carlisle, chairman of the Trent regional health authority, for details.

  General Practitioners
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average number of applicants for vacancies for general practitioner posts in the United Kingdom every year since 1989.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information available is shown in the table. The figures are based on records kept by the Medical Practices Committee only in relation to general practitioner vacancies advertised by family health services authorities, which are 11 per cent. of the total. They are not comprehensive for England as a whole. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Date

  Average Number of applicants for each vacancy

  30 October 1989

  32

  30 October 1990

  33

  25

  Tomlinson Report
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from St. Bartholomew's hospital about the North East Thames regional health authority's attitude to the implementation of the Tomlinson Report; and what actionm she will take to prevent North East Thames regional health authority from telling purchasers, providers or anyone else in the NHS that decisions have already been taken on Tomlinson and that the negotiations are a mere formality.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have made it clear to everyone in the national health service and to the House the decisions on recommendations in the Tomlinson report will be made only following careful evaluation. I will be visiting the institutions most affected by the report and I will listen carefully to their views.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the registered private and voluntary sector residential homes in Pendle; and what information she has on the fees charged per week in each case.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Nursing Care
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps the Government are taking to ascertain the number of national health service continuing care beds likely to be needed per 1,000 population aged 75 years to 85 years and 85 years plus;

  (2) what steps the Government are taking to ascertain the numbers of elderly people likely to require continuous nursing care per 1,000 population aged 75 years to 85 years and 85 years plus;

  (3) what steps the Government are taking to ensure that adequate provision of national health service continuous nursing care is available in each health authority area.

  Mr. Yeo
  It is the responsibility of local health authorities to assess the health needs of their resident population and to plan their purchasing strategies accordingly. We have made it clear to health authorities that their duty to provide continuing residential health care for those highly dependent people who need it remains unchanged, and that no adjustment to the level of such care should be made except as part of an agreed strategy with the relevant local authorities.

  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to publish the report of the inter-departmental inquiry chaired by Dr. John Reed on mentally disordered offenders; and what are the plans for implementation of the report.

  Mr. Yeo
  The report will be published shortly.

  Community Care
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to make available the additional information on the transfer of resources from the Department of Social Security to local authorities for community care, as indicated in paragraph 8 of her Department's memorandum issued on 2 October.

  Mr. Yeo
  A further memorandum on the social security transfer has been sent today to the local authority associations. A copy has also been placed in the Library.

PRIME MINISTER

  Matrix Churchill
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Prime Minister when the ministers concerned signed public interest immunity certificates in the Matrix Churchill case; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The relevant certificates were signed by the Home Secretary on 16 June 1992 and 29 September 1992, by the President of the Board of Trade on 11 and 26 September 1992, by the Secretary of State for Defence on 7 September 1992 and by the Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) on 3 and 23 September 1992. I explained the basis for issuing these certificates to the House on 12 November.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date it was first brought to his attention that Matrix Churchill exports had been used for military purposes by Iraq.
  988
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Prime Minister when he first knew that Matrix Churchill exports to Iraq had been sanctioned.

  The Prime Minister
  I shall write to the hon. Members as soon as all the relevant records have been checked.

WALES

  Job Creation
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of jobs created in the past 12 months as a result of his Department's efforts.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Office operates a range of programmes and activities which contribute to economic development, many of which cannot be quantified accurately in terms of direct jobs created. But some can: for example, during the past 12 months offers of regional selective assistance accepted by companies in Wales are planned to create nearly 7,300 new jobs as well as safeguarding nearly 4,300 others.

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many papers his Department has currently withdrawn from the Public Record Office; if he will list their titles; and when he estimates they will be returned.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department has 65 records out on loan. It is estimated that they will be returned by 31 December 1992. The records concerned are:

  1. Caernarvon Castle: Acquisition (including land adjoining).

  2. Neath-Abergavenny Trunk Road: Heads of the Valleys Road:

  Section 1 Brynmawr to Abergavenny: letting of contract: contractor's request for financial assistance (Pt 1).

  3. Section 1 Brynmawr to Abergavenny: letting of contract: contractor's request for financial assistance (Pt 2).

  4. Claims in respect of additional costs made by contractor.

  5. Obstetrics and Gynaecology Services: Treatment of cases of abortion (Vol. 1 Pt C).

  6. Tuberculosis Services—Hospital Waiting Lists: Inquiry into irregular use of prescription form EC10(HP).

  7. Glamorgan: Commons Act 1899 and Law of Property Act 1925: acquisition of parts of Coity Anglia and Cefn Hirgoed Commons for hospital building.

  8. Conferences of Heads of Government Departments in Wales: Minutes and Papers 1962.

  9. Cultural Affairs—Welsh Language Panel: Welsh in Agriculture, Industry and Commerce.

  10. Use of Welsh in Local Government; minutes; notes of meetings; correspondence; questionnaire; summary of replies.

  11. Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings—Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire Works (Pt 4).

  12. Finds (Pt 1).

  13. Works (Pt 1).

  14. Works (Pt 2).

  15. Works (Pt 3).

  16. Acquisition (Pt 1).

  17. Local Authorities—Emergency Water Service Zonal Mutual Arrangements under Civil Defence Act 1948: Civil Defence: details of schemes for maintenance of water supplies during an emergency.

  18. Civil Defence: details of schemes for maintenance of water supplies during an emergency (plan cover).

  19. Radiological Hazards to Hospital Patients and Staff: General Correspondence (Vol. 1).

  20. Deputation from Ystradgynlais Rural District Council about closure of Gellinudd and Adelina Patti Hospitals.

  989

  21. Paediatric Services—Smallpox.

  22. Arrangements on modification of outbreaks (1961–62 Vol. 2).

  23. Arrangements on modification of outbreaks (1962 Vol. 2 Pt 1).

  24. Outbreak in South Wales (1966).

  25. Outbreak of smallpox in South Wales (1962–63).

  26. Smallpox outbreak in Rhondda Valley.

  27. Hydatid Disease survey: incidence of disease in persons resident in Wales (plan cover).

  28. Local Authorities: Mid Glamorgan Water Board: Danger to water supply from radioactive waste from REME Camp, Litchard Cross.

  29. Danger to water supply from radioactive waste from REME Camp, Litchard Cross (plan Cover).

  30. Local Authorities: Coast protection and sea defence: Schemes: determination of charges under the Coast Protection Act 1949, section 7(6).

  31. National Library of Wales: Representations against proposal by the Treasury to downgrade the status of the Library from 'intermediate' to 'provincial'.

  32. Status of Monmouthshire: questions as to whether the county is in England or Wales for legal or administrative purposes.

  33. Appointment of Minister for Welsh Affairs.

  34. Function of Minister for Welsh Affairs.

  35. Cultural Affairs—Welsh Language Panel:

  The Place of Welsh in the schools: Welsh Joint Education Committee Language Survey 1961.

  36. The Place of Welsh in the schools: Study in Depth; Report prepared by HM Inspectors, Welsh Department, Ministry of Education.

  37. Welsh in religious worship; correspondence with churches; questionnaire and summary of evidence submitted.

  38. Bilingualism.

  39. Use of Welsh in Government Departments: correspondence and summary of evidence.

  40. Minutes; notes of meetings; correspondence; memoranda and evidence submitted; summary of evidence; Paper on use of Welsh in Primary and Secondary Schools.

  41. Correspondence with General Register Office about 1961 census. Census 1961; Report on the Welsh Speaking Population.

  42. Procedure for the use of Welsh in Courts; correspondence with the Home Office, Clerks of the Peace and County Councils.

  43. Statutory provisions relating to the Welsh language.

  44. Minutes; notes of meetings; general correspondence; notes on Welsh in local government.

  45. Nomination of Lord Snowdon to the University Court and Council of the University of Wales.

  46. Carmarthenshire—Cwmamman UDC: Compulsory Purchase Orders.

  47. Local Government Staff Commission for Wales: Establishment.

  48. Winding up.

  49. Draft report on work.

  50. Appointments to new county councils: Powys.

  51. Appointments to new county councils: removal of restrictions.

  52. Appeals procedure (Part 1).

  53. Appeals procedure (Part 2).

  54. Transfer Schemes and Transfer Orders; correspondence with local authorities and individuals.

  55. Circulars and Bulletins.

  56. Circulated papers (File 1).

  57. Circulated papers (File 2).

  58. Minutes of meetings.

  59. Appeals.

  60. Penybont Rural District Council—Public Footpath Diversion and Extinguishment Orders.

  61. Snowdonia National Park: Designation order.

  62. Designation order—plans (Pouch 1).

  63. Designation order—plans (Pouch 2).

  64. Designation order—correspondence and papers.

  65. Designation order—plans (Pouch).

  Foreign Companies
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimates of the number of(a) Japanese, (b) American and (c) German companies in (i) Clwyd and (ii) Wales; and how many people are employed by each of these companies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The latest estimates are as follows:

  (i) Clwyd: Japan, 9 companies, 2,000 employees; North American, 29 companies, 6,000 employees; Germany, 10 companies, 500 employees;

  (ii) Wales: Japan, 44 companies, 12,000 employees; North America, 130 companies, 32,000 employees; Germany, 50 companies, 5,000 employees.

  Employment figures for individual companies are commercially confidential.

  River Dee Crossing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he plans to have with Clwyd county council concerning the new River Dee crossing; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has no plans for such discussions, although there have been discussions at official level. The scheme has received some £2·75 million Government support to date. Decisions about future provisions for transport grant schemes will be taken in the context of this year's public expenditure survey.

  School Governors
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many school governors in Wales came to the end of their term in office at the end of the 1992 summer term; how many did not seek reappointment; and how many school governor positions remain unfilled in each local education authority area.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Returns from local education authorities indicate that between 12,000 and 13,000 governors completed their term of appointment this summer. Information on the number who sought re-appointment and the number of positions still vacant is not available but I am not aware of any authorities who have experienced difficulties in recruiting adequate numbers.

  Children (Special Needs)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many copies of "Children With Special Needs", the guide produced by his Department, have been distributed to date.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Almost 150,000 copies of the guide have been distributed to local education authorities, schools, interested organisations and in response to enquiries to the Welsh Office.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the likely effect on inward investment of the introduction of contaminated land registers in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The introduction of registers of contaminated land should help remove a possible source
  991
  of uncertainty for developers and would be unlikely to have a significantly adverse effect on the very high levels of inward investment in Wales.

  Clinical Scientists
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to ensure the maintenance of the role and number of clinical scientists following the establishment of the hospital trusts.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  NHS trusts are required to follow Government policy on employing appropriately qualified staff in delivering health care services and the importance of clinical scientists is well recognised. It is intended that future training activity in this and other groups should be related to forecast service requirements.

  Education White Paper
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received supporting his White Paper on the "Future of Education in Wales".

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Some 300 responses were received on the proposals contained in the White Paper "Choice and Diversity: A New Framework for Schools" (Cm. 2021). It is not possible to break these down as requested, since many of those consulted welcomed certain of our proposals but were opposed to others.

  British Aerospace
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to meet the chairman of British Aerospace.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I shall be meeting Mr. John Cahill, chairman of British Aerospace plc shortly.

  Mencap
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the projected governmental expenditure on Mencap in Wales for the year 1992–93.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Under the all-Wales mental handicap strategy in 1992–93, £82,736 has been allocated to Mencap in Wales.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the projected Government funding of Mencap for the year 1992–93 which is allotted to Clwyd; and what are the figures for earlier years since funding was started.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total Government funding for Mencap in Wales in each year since such funding was started.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Under the all-Wales mental handicap strategy a total of £654,544·09 has been allocated direct to Mencap in Wales, since funding started. Details as follows:

  £

  1983–84

  27,038

  1984–85

  46,788

  1985–86

  46,961

  992

  £

  1986–87

  63,931·99

  1987–88

  75,220·10

  1988–89

  68,554

  1989–90

  81,050

  1991–92

  77,655

  1992–93

  82,736

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the real increase in Mencap funding since the all-Wales strategy was introduced.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  An allocation of £27,038 was first given to Mencap in Wales direct from the all-Wales mental handicap strategy in 1983–84. Using the GDP deflator, this equates to £45,083 in 1992–93 prices. The equivalent allocation in 1992–93 is £82,736, which represents an 84 per cent. increase in real terms since 1983–84.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of Mencap funding in Wales is supplied directly from Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1992–93, the direct allocation to Mencap in Wales from the all-Wales mental handicap strategy is £82,736. Figures for the total Mencap in Wales funding are not kept centrally.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what efforts are being taken to improve mental health facilities in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The all-Wales mental illness strategy was launched in 1989 to provide local, accessible and non-stigmatising services and so end reliance on traditional, large hospitals, many built up to 150 years ago. Health authorities, social services departments and the voluntary sector are jointly planning integrated services, with the increasing participation of service users and their carers.

  Once a comprehensive pattern of services has been decided in each of the eight county-based planning units, and the costs identified, the costs will be met from a combination of local investment, reinvestment and Welsh Office funding. However, the Welsh Office is making £6·3 million available this year towards the development of new services.

  Cervical Cancer
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are being taken in Wales to ensure that women have regular check-ups for cervical cancer.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The report of the all-Wales advisory group on cervical screening was submitted to my right hon. Friend in January. After consulting those involved in the programme the report's recommendations have been adopted and guidance is in the process of being issued. A number of improvements to the co-ordination and management of the programme are proposed as well as developments aimed at increasing the number of women who accept the invitation to attend for a test, including the preparation of a common set of letters and leaflets by the Health Promotion Authority for Wales.

  Quangos
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many quasi-autonomous non-governmental bodies there are in the Principality; what the comparable number was on (a) 1 January 1980 and (b) 1 January 1990; and what proposals he has for reducing the number of such bodies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  There are currently 21 executive non-departmental public bodies in Wales. There were 17 executive non-departmental public bodies in 1982 (the first year that this information was collected) and 19 in 1990. In addition, there are nine district health authorities and eight family health services authorities (previously known as family practitioner committees). This number has remained constant.

  The Welsh Office has a policy of financial management and planning reviews. Executive non-departmental public bodies are subject to such a review every five years when the justification for the contiued existence of each of these bodies is considered.

  Nursing Qualifications
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated cost in Wales of training a nurse to reach state-registered nursing qualifications.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The current cost of training a state registered nurse in Wales is estimated at £41,000.

  Fluoride
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the fluoride levels in drinking water for each district health authority area in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on drinking water quality in water supply zones is contained in "Drinking Water 1991" the second annual report by the chief inspector of the drinking water inspectorate, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This shows that of the samples taken of water supplied for domestic purposes in Wales in 1991, only one determination exceeded the concentration for fluoride prescribed by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No. 1147).

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what account is taken of party-political affiliation or membership by his Department in considering the appointment of chairmen of hospital trusts in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each health authority in Wales the money allocated for extra-contractual referrals by(a) non-fund holding general practitioners and (b) hospital consultants.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Health authorities in Wales do not receive specific allocations for extra contractual referrals. It is for each health authority to decide the level of funding to be set aside for this purpose from within its overall 994
  revenue allocation in the light of local circumstances. Information relating to the planned level of spending on extra contractual referrals is given in health authorities' annual financial plans, but these budgets may be subject to revision during the course of the financial year.

  On the basis of the latest information available, the following table identifies the reserves which health authorities in Wales currently have set aside for extra contractual referrals:

  £ million

  Clwyd

  1·8

  East Dyfed

  1·6

  Gwent

  1·6

  Gwynedd

  1·1

  Mid Glamorgan

  1·9

  Pembrokeshire

  0·8

  Powys

  1·0

  South Glamorgan

  2·0

  West Glamorgan

  1·6

  Source of information: Latest available in-year income and expenditure monitoring returns from health authorities in Wales.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales regarding the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill(a) generally, (b) concerning the proposed pumping of fresh water from the Severn tunnel into the irrigation works lagoon at Redwick, Gwent, and (c) concerning the dimensions of the lagoon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have discussed the relevant aspects of the Cardiff Bay barrage proposals with the chairman of the Countryside Council, and my officials are in regular contact with officers of the council on both the Bill and the proposed bird reserve on the Gwent levels. The council is represented on the steering group overseeing the feasibility study of the creation of the reserve. Design of the reserve is still under consideration; the proposals will be published when they are complete.

  Home Fire Fatalities
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the grant awarded to the Cardiff institute of higher education housing studies department in relation to the numbers of home fire fatalities.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A grant of £27,000 has been awarded to the Cardiff institute of higher education under the Welsh Office's housing options Wales small grants scheme which will enable a fire risk and safety assessment project to be undertaken. The project aims to produce a model which can be used by public sector housing managers, in particular, to assist them in assessing the fire risks in dwellings and thus to target resources appropriately.

  Valuation Tribunal Offices
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the proposal to close three valuation tribunal offices in Wales and to reduce the number of staff; and if he will make a statement.
  995
  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received 33 representations in response to my consultation paper "Review of Valuation Tribunal Offices". I am considering these and I will announce my decision in due course.

  Housing Revenue Account
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce his proposals for housing revenue account subsidy for 1993–94; and what proposals he will be making.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office is today consulting local authorities and other bodies on our proposals for the rent guidelines and management and maintenance allowances to be used in calculating next year's entitlement to housing revenue account subsidy. I shall be placing the consultation papers in the Library of the House with a list of the estimated guidelines and allowances for each authority. Our proposals are for an average guideline rent increase of £ 1·84 per week (a smaller cash increase than the average of £2·14 for 1992–93) with a range of increases for individual authorities from £1·25 to £2·75 per week. The new average weekly guideline rent would be £29·17. For management and maintenance, we are proposing to increase allowances by an average of £28 per annum per dwelling over the 1992–93 level.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Tourism
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects to announce his review of tourism.

  Mr. Brooke
  The conclusions of the review are reflected in the announcement I made in the context of the autumn statement. They are as follows:

  The British Tourist Authority's (BTA) role in promoting Britain abroad is an important one in an increasingly competitive environment. It is vital that BTA continues to secure the maximum possible industry contribution to its work and that it applies taxpayers' money in the most effective and efficient way. I shall expect the board to make proposals for improving its use of resources in its next corporate plan.

  The case is now much less strong for central Government funding of the promotion of tourism in England. The English Tourist Board (ETB) has done a great deal over the years to raise standards, to improve access to information, and to show the industry how their products can be developed and marketed. As the industry matures, and the regional tourist boards develop, it is appropriate for other bodies to carry on many of the ETB's central activities.

  However I also believe that central Government support for the regional tourist boards should continue. I believe that this support should be targeted much more closely than at present on areas of need where tourism might be an instrument of economic regeneration.

  The allocations of Exchequer grant for tourism which I announced in connection with my right hon. Friend's autumn statement reflect these priorities. They are as follows:>
  996

  1993–94 £ million

  1994–95 (planned) £ million

  1995–96 (planned) £ million

  British Tourist Authority

  32·0

  32·7

  33·5

  English Tourist Board

  13·9

  10·8

  9·0

  S41

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  1 Residual liabilities under the S4 capital grants scheme, now wound up.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Security Tribunals
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether appellants at social security tribunal hearings are able to make a tape recording of all or part of the proceedings.

  Mr. Burt
  The tape-recording of tribunal hearings is not normally permitted. However, in exceptional cases tape-recording may be permitted at the discretion of the tribunal chairman.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for the future level and taxation of invalidity benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We have given details of invalidity benefit for next year in the reply of 12 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones). The question of taxation is a matter for my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Income Support
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of income support in Pendle for each year since 1987.

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

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 12 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 people were in receipt of Income Support in Pendle for each year since 1987.
  The complete range of information is not available except at a disproportionate cost. This is because statistics of a local nature are destroyed at regular intervals in accordance with standing instructions and the information which is available provides only a snapshot rather than the number of customers in a given period.
  I have listed below the information which is available. The figures quoted are from offices in Burnley and Rossendale which make up the Agency's Burnley, Pendle & Rossendale District. The District boundaries do not, however, correspond with those of the Pendle constituency and it is not possible to break these figures down further. The figures have been supplied by the Income Support Management Information System.
  997

  Current Income Support Claims (year ending)

  Numbers

  August 1989

  18,679

  August 1990

  19,158

  August 1991

  20,888

  August 1992

  22,654

  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.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to raise morale in the Benefits Agency.

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

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 12 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 concerning morale in the Benefits Agency.
  I am sure you will know that one of the Benefits Agency's core values is "caring for staff' and, earlier this year, in order to give new meaning to this, we published our Staff Charter. This sets out in detail what staff have a right to expect of the Agency, and we are committed to producing an Action Update twice a year so that staff can see what progress is being made.
  In producing the first Summer 1992 Action Update recently to all our staff we noted that there are perhaps three major areas in which we have been able to make progress in the first half of this year—the involvement of our staff, equal opportunities, and a new staff appraisal system.
  The Benefits Agency Management Team has particularly welcomed the increased involvement of staff through the use of a half hour set aside in very many Districts for staff discussions, and through other imaginative ways in which staff participation is encouraged. We have provided an additional lm to support the introduction of our new equal opportunities package—that package (and the money) are evidence of our determination to make progress on this front. We have also introduced a new and, we believe, a much better personal appraisal system throughout the Agency.
  In some areas progress has not been as rapid as we would have wished. We are well aware of the fact that staff are expecting much more of us by way of development and training opportunities, and we will be paying particularly close attention to this in the second half of the year. But whether it be in the major areas mentioned above, or in the relatively minor developments such as the start of long service awards and the continued health screening programme, we remain fully committed to supporting, valuing and involving our staff, whatever their grade.
  During the spring of 1992 a Staff Attitudes Survey was conducted throughout the Department of Social Security and its executive agencies. 4,694 questionnaires were completed and returned by Benefits Agency staff spread across a representative sample of grade levels and areas of work. The final results of the survey have only very recently been passed to agencies by the Institute of Manpower Studies (IMS), and we are in the process of analysing them to decide what action needs to be taken. At this early stage of our analysis it is nevertheless worth noting from the overall summary provided to us by the IMS that staff were reasonably satisfied with some
  998
  aspects of work. Job security was a source of satisfaction, along with a friendly working atmosphere, flexible hours and an approachable line manager. We will be considering further those areas where less satisfaction was expressed—such as promotion opportunities and opportunities for training and development.
  I would be the first to admit that we have a lot to do to help improve the morale of our staff, but the evidence received so far suggests that our staff do appreciate what we are trying to do for them. All our units, including Districts, Benefits Directorates and Central Services, will be carrying out their own staff perception surveys as part of their own commitment to caring for their staff. I can assure you that this has equal importance within the Agency with our other core values of customer service, value for money, and bias for action.
  I hope you will find this report helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  Social Fund
  Ms. Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people from the Birmingham, Yardley constituency, in the last two years for which figures are available, appealed against a Benefits Agency decision not to award a social fund grant; and how many appeals were upheld;

  (2) how many people from the Birmingham, Yardley constituency have been refused social fund payments in the last two years for which figures are available.

  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 Mr. Michael Bichard to Ms. Estelle Morris, dated 12 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 Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Social Fund appeals and refusals in the Birmingham, Yardley constituency.
  Applicants who are not satisfied with the Social Fund Officer's decision can apply to have the decision reviewed; there is no right of appeal against Social Fund community care grant (CCG) decisions. Decisions are firstly reviewed within the local office and, if the applicant is still dissatisfied with the decision, by a Social Fund Inspector who is independent of the Department.
  The attached annex gives the number of requests for review against Social Fund CCG decisions and also the number of CCG decisions that were changed, firstly at District level and secondly, by the Social Fund Inspectors. Decisions changed at District level, if not changed wholly in the applicant's favour, may also have been changed by the Social Fund Inspector.
  Details are held by Benefits Agency District, the boundaries of which are not coterminous with Parliamentary constituencies. I have therefore provided figures for the Districts of Birmingham Chamberlain, Birmingham Heartlands and Birmingham South East, each of which deals with some part of your constituency.
  Figures for CCG refusals are given for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92. The information is collated according to the number of applications rather than the number of applicants.
  Figures on social fund refusals by district are in the Library.
  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.
  999

  Social Fund Community Care Grant Review—1990–91, 1991–92

  Birmingham Chamberlain

  Birmingham Heartlands

  Birmingham South East

  1990–91

  Number of review applications

  551

  496

  288

  Revised in District

  227

  188

  101

  Revised by SF Inspector

  33

  31

  18

  1991–92

  Number of review applications

  997

  1,103

  490

  Revised in District

  340

  273

  139

  Revised by SF Inspector

  53

  38

  17

  Benefits
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the delay in processing the benefits claim of the claimant about which the hon. Member for Woolwich wrote Ito the Minister of State on 18 September, national insurance number YP205065D.

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

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 12 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 about the delay in processing the claim for your constituent, National Insurance Number YP 205065 D.

  I should explain that we asked your constituent's representative for a signed request for review for the Community Care Grant to which you refer, and are unable to arrange a review until this is received. I am sorry that your constituent's Income Support claim was not handled as efficiently as it should have been, and offer my sincere apologies for this. I replied on 10 November to your letter of 18 September to the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People and this explains the position in greater detail.

  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.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Drugs
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantities of drugs destined for Northern Ireland have been seized by customs officers in each of the last five years.

  Sir John Cope
  The following show the figures of drugs seized in Northern Ireland:

  Fiscal year ended March (kilos)

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Cannabis

  30·254

  0·283

  0·667

  0·121

  1·207

  Cocaine

  0·010

  —

  —

  —

  5·152

  Note: Figures do not include LSD or amphetamine, seizures of which were negligible during the period. There were no seizures of heroin.
  1000
  However there is no reliable information on areas of intended final destination.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Milligan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the United Kingdom net budget contribution to the EC of the accession of Sweden, Finland and Austria to the European Community.

  Sir John Cope
  Preliminary forecasts suggest that each country is likely to be a net contributor to the EC budget upon accession. If this were to be the case, their accession would tend to reduce the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC budget.

  Matrix Churchill
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations were held by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise about(a) the prosecution of Matrix Churchill and (b) the withdrawal of the prosecution.

  Sir John Cope
  The commissioners of Customs and Excise, in the exercise of their independent prosecuting authority took the decision to initiate criminal proceedings in the Matrix Churchill case following advice of counsel on the sufficiency of evidence. They subsequently agreed with the conclusion of prosecuting counsel, following the evidence given by Mr. Alan Clark, that it would be wrong to continue with the prosecution. Ministers were informed of developments at various stages of the case.

  Pay Review Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future work of the pay review bodies.

  Mr. Lamont
  As I announced yesterday in the autumn statement, public sector pay settlements in the coming year will be restricted to between 0–1½ per cent. to keep the growth in public sector pay bills as low as possible. This policy will apply to the whole of the public sector and related bodies, including those groups whose pay is settled by reference to the recommendations of a review body.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to each of the review body chairmen and asked all except the School Teachers' Review Body (because of its statutory basis) not to recommend basic pay increases for 1993. However, the review bodies have been invited to continue their important work on performance pay and other specific issues as appropriate to their remit groups.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has also written to the chairman of the School Teachers' Review

  1001
  Body explaining the Government's policy, and the Secretary of State for Education has directed it to have regard to the Government's general policy that increases in public sector pay should be restricted to between 0–1½ per cent. in the coming year.

  The Government intend that groups covered by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body, the Nurses Pay Review Body and the Armed Forces Pay Review Body should receive an increase in pay of 1½ per cent. from 1 April 1993. In common with ministerial salaries, Top Salary Review Body groups will receive no pay increase for 1993.

  For TSRB groups, the Government intend to honour the second stage of the 1992 award, under which these groups will receive an increase of 2·9 per cent. from 1 April 1993.

  The Government see a continuing role for the review bodies, whose advice it has greatly valued, although there must be changes from time to time to reflect developments in their remit groups. Policy on public sector pay for future years will depend on a wide range of economic and other factors, including the development of performance pay and more decentralised arrangements. The Government could not accept that a year of pay restraint should be followed by a series of catching-up settlements which would dissipate the benefits achieved.

  EC Declarations
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what penalties will arise for(a) late completion and (b) incorrect completion of (i) the EC sales list and (ii) the intra EC trade statistics: supplementary declaration; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 11 November 1992]: Failure to submit, or failure to complete correctly, EC sales lists and supplementary statistical declarations under Intrastat will render the trader liable to penalties approved by Parliament in the Finance Act 1992.

  The penalty regime for EC sales lists will be a civil penalty regime, with penalties up to £100 for misdeclara-tions and up to £500 for failure to submit.

  For Intrastat there will be a criminal penalty regime. Where enforcement becomes necessary Customs intend to take full advantage of the powers to compound which avoids criminalising administrative error, unless the trader rejects the offer to compound. Provided guilty knowledge or recklessness is not involved, the Commissioners will have regard to the seriousness of the error and the length of time it has remained unreported but in no case will the offer exceed the £2,500 maximum penalty provided for in the legislation.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to require British Nuclear Fuels plc to install krypton 85 retention filters on the new thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  Mr. Eggar
  British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) has made an application under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 to discharge increased levels of krypton 85 from its Sellafield site to take account of the operation of its 1002
  thermal oxide reprocessing plant. The company's view is that a krypton removal system suitable for a full scale reprocessing plant is not currently available and that the environmental benefits of installing such a system would not justify its likely cost. BNFL has however given a commitment to keep the development of such a system under review and fit one should it become available and prove to be cost effective when set against the likely environmental benefits. The application is currently under consideration by the chief inspector of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Car Market
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 19 June,Official Report, column 720, when the Government will decide whether the United Kingdom should be a restricted car market from I January 1993.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement on this matter shortly.

  Iraq (Defence Equipment)
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the use of accounts held in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International by British companies for the export of equipment to Iraq which could be used for defence purposes betwee 1987 and 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  I am not aware of my Department holding such information.

  British Waterways
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the reasons for the postponement of the review by the Monopolies and Mergers Commissioin of the running of British Waterways.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I am considering a possible reference in the near future of the British Waterways Board to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under section 11 of the 1980 Competition Act.

  Offshore Hydrocarbons Unit
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the functions of the offshore hydrocarbons unit and the British Geological Survey core store and their significance to the national interest.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 November 1992]: The British Geological Survey's hydrocarbons unit undertakes studies at the direction of my Department on the hydrocarbon potential of the United Kingdom continental shelf. It also manages the storage of data obtained from licence activity on the shelf in premises which I own at Gilmerton in Edinburgh. These activities assist my Department in its objective of promoting the economic exploration and development of the nation's oil and gas resources.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to dispose of(a) the offshore hydrocarbons unit or (b) the British Geological Survey core store; and if he will make a statement.
  1003
  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 November 1992]: I have no plans to dispose of the core store which I own at Gilmerton in Edinburgh. I am considering what future contracting arrangements might be appropriate for activities currently carried out for my Department by the British Geological Survey's hydrocarbons unit.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with Messrs Simon Robertson about the future of(a) the offshore hydrocarbons unit and (b) the British Geological Survey core store; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 November 1992]: None. As part of the evaluation of the Department's future contracting arrangements in this area, my officials have held some preliminary discussions with the British Geological Survey and other organisations which might be capable of undertaking such work.

  Launch Aid
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what conditions attach to grants under the launch aid schemes; and on what statutory basis such conditions are imposed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 11 November 1992]: Launch aid is granted under section 1(1) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

  The specific conditions attach to any launch aid grant vary from case to case and are contained in a contract negotiated between the Government and the recipient company. The terms of such contracts are confidential, but generally include conditions setting out the work programme and percentage of costs to be covered, the repayment terms and arrangements for monitoring the commercial and technical progress of the project.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list, for each local authority area in south Yorkshire, how many residential properties are currently owned by his Department; and if he will list, by location, those residential properties which are empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and its intended future use;

  (2) if he will set out the numbers and locations of empty service married housing quarters in south Yorkshire.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As at 30 September 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, MoD owned the following service married quarters in each local authority area in south Yorkshire:

  Number

  Barnsley metropolitan district council

  2

  Doncaster metropolitan district council

  446

  Rotherham district council

  0

  Sheffield city council

  22

  The following properties were vacant:
  1004

  Location

  Sheffield

  Finningley

  Total Vacant

  2

  144

  Vacant under one year

  1

  94

  Vacant one to two years

  1

  20

  Vacant over two years

  0

  30

  Ninety-seven of the quarters at Finningley were being considered for disposal, while the majority of the remainder at Finningley and those at Sheffield were undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work to enable them to be re-occupied by service families. The vacant properties were houses with either two or three bedrooms.

  In addition, negotiations were in hand to dispose of 119 properties at Finningley to a housing association at a discount, in return for nomination rights for personnel leaving the services over the next few years.

  Isle of Rona
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 October,Official Report, column 248, what plans he has for the future of his Department's Defence Research Agency's facilities on the Isle of Rona after the island is sold.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter delegated to the Defence Research Agency under its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Letters from Mr. John Chisholm to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 12 November 1992:
  In today's written answer the Minister of State for Defence Procurement informed you that I would be replying directly to your question concerning the future of Defence Research Agency facilities on the Isle of Rona.
  The DRA has recently purchased 140 acres at the northern tip of the island, where its main facilities are located. The sale of the remainder of the island will not affect our activities, which will continue as before.
  I hope you will find this information useful.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report column 159, in what form information is held, in respect of low flying by helicopters and complaints received in Eastern Command; and if he will publish such information as is available.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Information is held by name of complainant not by region or by Army command district. Any complaint about low flying received within eastern district would be passed to the appropriate MOD branch. For Army aircraft this would be HQ staff at Wilton, Salisbury, who assumed this responsibility in April. Since then two complaints have been received about a single incident in the Derby area on 10 June 1992.

  Decompression Chambers
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location of diving decompression chambers in the United Kingdom controlled by his Department.
  1005
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Diving recompression chambers are situated as follows:

  Port Diving Groups: Pembroke Dock: Devonport: Portsmouth: Rosyth: Greenock.

  Marine Services Diving School, Rosyth.

  HMS Cochrane, Rosyth.

  HMS Neptune, Clyde Submarine Base

  HMS Nelson, Portsmouth

  HMS Osprey, Portland.

  HMS Drake, Plymouth.

  HMS Dolphin, (Submarine Escape Training Tank) Gosport.

  Defence Research Agency, Alverstoke.

  Chamber

  Diving Civilian

  Diving Service

  CM Poisoning Civilian

  Total

  Pembroke Dock

  17

  1

  1

  19

  Devonport

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Portsmouth

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Rosyth

  11

  1

  5

  17

  Greenock

  0

  0

  0

  0

  HMS Cochrane

  25

  6

  1

  32

  HMS Nelson

  104

  10

  14

  128

  HMS Osprey

  1

  2

  0

  3

  HMS Drake

  1

  1

  0

  2

  HMS Dolphin

  (Submarine Escape Tank Training Accidents only)

  21

  DRA Alverstoke

  80

  12

  26

  118

  Rescue Helicopters
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the ground speed and wind conditions used in the United Kingdom civil rescue helicopter coverage working group report 1986 to calculate the response times to incidents 40 nautical miles from a search-and-rescue base during daylight.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The working group assumed still air conditions and air and ground speeds of 105 knots for a Sea King and S61 N helicopter and 90 knots for a Wessex helicopter.

  Royal Naval Reserve
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role he envisages for the future of the Royal Naval Reserve in general; whether the volunteer reserves will retain a seagoing role; and what assessment he has made of whether adequate steps have been taken to maintain the morale and motivation of the Royal Naval Reserve volunteers.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Royal Navy's reserve forces, including the Royal Naval Reserve, will continue to have an important role in our defence plans. My right hon. Friend the hon. Member for Bridgewater (Mr. King) the then Secretary of State for Defence published in March 1992 an open government document "The Future of Britain's Reserve Forces" which described proposals for fundamental changes in the management and deployment of reserve forces both in peacetime and on military operations. As part of this process, the future use of the Navy's volunteer and ex-regular reserves, is being examined, including investigation into the future seagoing opportunities of the Royal Naval Reserve, with the aim of establishing enduring and worthwhile tasks to support the
  1006
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals were given emergency decompression or re-compression in each of his Department's decompression chambers in each of the past five years; and how many of those were civilian contractors, leisure divers, military divers or victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested. The table shows the total numbers of service and civilian divers, and victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, treated over the last five years.

  Royal Navy in the very different international climate that now exists. It is, however, too early to predict the outcome of these studies.

  I am satisfied that adequate steps are being taken to keep the Volunteer reservists fully informed of developments. The assistant chief of naval staff signalled Royal Naval Reserve personnel in June 1992 reassuring them that work relating to the open government document was continuing. In addition, he holds regular meetings with senior members of the Royal Naval Reserve to inform them about the future direction of Royal Naval Reserve policy.

  Fishing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place with representatives of the Clyde Fishermen's Association anent fishing vessels being allowed to fish in the exemption area of Loch Long; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Discussions have taken place with local fishermen and the Clyde Fishermen's Association following a number of incidents in which fishing vessels entered the prohibited area of Loch Long and as a result proposals have been put to the Clyde Fishermen's Association to allow a limited number of local fishing vessels to enter the prohibited area when turning with fishing gear extended.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to abrogate the Dockyard Port of Holy Loch Order 1967 in order to allow members of the Clyde Fishermen's Association to commence fishing in the loch; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Action is in hand to revoke the Dockyard Port of Holy Loch Order 1967. This will be completed as soon as possible.
  1007
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place with representatives of the Clyde Fishermen's Association anent fishing vessels being allowed to fish in the exemption area of Loch Long; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All foreign submarines visiting United Kingdom waters, including those belonging to the United States Navy, are briefed on the operating procedures to be complied with when in the vicinity of fishing vessels. Discussions have taken place with the United States Navy following the incident involving the USS Sturgeon on 16 September and further discussions will take place once they have completed their report on the incident.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to commission a research project into the feasibility of commercial and recreational fishing in the Holy Loch; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Iraq
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the use of accounts held in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International for the supply of British-made equipment to Iraq which could be used for defence purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department holds no such information.

  Carver Barracks
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of Carver barracks.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I hope to be able to announce our proposals for the future of Carver barracks shortly.

SCOTLAND

  Unemployment
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the percentage rates of(a) male unemployment and (b) female unemployment in (i) the Greenock travel-to-work area and (ii) Strathclyde were for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 10 November 1992]: The information requested is set out in the table:

  Greenock travel-to-work area

  Strathclyde region

  Male Per cent.

  Female Per cent.

  Male Per cent.

  Female Per cent.

  1987

  25·9

  14·8

  20·7

  11·6

  1988

  24·7

  12·2

  18·1

  9·6

  1989

  20·3

  8·4

  15·3

  7·1

  1990

  18·0

  6·7

  13·6

  5·9

  1991

  18·9

  6·8

  14·6

  5·9

  11992

  19·1

  6·4

  15·8

  6·0

  1 September.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters in regard to enhancing nuclear non-proliferation controls have been introduced by(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other community member states, to the European Foreign Affairs Council during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No specific proposals on nuclear non-proliferation have been discussed by the Foreign Affairs Council during the United Kingdom presidency. However European political co-operation has continued to work on non-proliferation issues and is taking forward a United Kingdom proposal to strengthen IAEA safeguards. This concerns voluntary reporting of information to the IAEA on exports of certain nuclear materials, equipment and specialised non-nuclear materials.

  Iran
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information Her Majesty's Government possess on the purpose of the nuclear centre at Moallem Kalayen in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the Government's assessment of the Iranian nuclear programme and its military aspects.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  An IAEA inspection team which visited Iran in February (including the site at Moallem Kalayen) reported that they had found nothing inconsistent with the peaceful application of nuclear energy. Information about particular nuclear facilities which Iran is obliged to provide to the IAEA is held in confidence by the agency. We have noted Iran's statements that her nuclear programme is entirely for peaceful purposes. We are nevertheless concerned by allegations that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons programme. We have made clear the importance of Iran, and all other states parties to the NPT, abiding fully by their treaty obligations.

  Leonard Peltier
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the case of Leonard Peltier; and if he will make representations to the United States Government about the human rights implications of the case.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A member of the public wrote to the Prime Minister in July this year. Her Majesty's Government do not propose to make representations to the United States Government about this case.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his most recent assessment of the danger posed by military activity affecting the HAK plant at Tuzala in the former Yugoslavia.
  1009
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As the HAK chemical plant at Tuzala in northern Bosnia is in an area of fierce fighting, it is not at present possible to gain access to the plant in order to make any assessment of the impact on it.

  Russian Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his most recent estimates for each ex-Soviet state of the number of scientists with experience in building nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply. The number of scientists in the former Soviet Union with some knowledge of nuclear weapons production is about 10,000 to 15,000; the vast majority are Russians. Only 2,000 to 3,000 of these have access to the most sensitive information. Of the former Soviet republics only Russia has a nuclear weapons production capability.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his most recent estimate of the size of the ex-Soviet nuclear arsenal in terms of numbers of warheads in each republic of the former union.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply. It is estimated that the former Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal consists of some 27,000 or more nuclear warheads. The vast majority are based in Russia but it is estimated that in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus there are about 1,500, 1,200 and 80 warheads respectively.
  1010
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the number of weapons that are no longer under the control of the KGB.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply. The internal functions of the former KGB are now the responsibility of the Russian Ministry of Security. The Ministry of Security controls no major armed forces formations or weapons systems; those formerly under the command of the KGB have been transferred to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

  EC Officials
  Sir. Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of officials employed by the European Commission within each grade are Britons.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The figures for British nationals employed in the European Commission are as follows:

  Grade

  British employees

  Per cent

  Administrative

  413

  12

  Executive

  163

  7

  Clerical

  233

  5

  Manual

  7

  1

  Total:

  816

  7·3