Written Answers of 25 November 1992

HOME DEPARTMENT

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

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Information on reports produced by external consultants working in the Home Office during the past three years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) hows many unaccompanied children aged 1 under 18 years applied for refugee status in 1991; and what was the country of origin of these children;

  (2) how many unaccompanied children under 18 years have applied for refugee status on a monthly basis since 1 January; and what was the country of origin of these children;

  (3) how many asylum applications made by unaccompanied children aged under 18 years were determined in

  Table B. Unaccompanied1 children2 applying for asylum on their arrival in the United Kingdom, by nationality, 1992

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Afghanistan

  —

  3

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  1

  Angola

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ethiopia

  1

  —

  6

  —

  —

  1

  2

  1

  —-

  Ghana

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Iran

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Iraq

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lebanon

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Malaysia

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pakistan

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sierra Leone

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somalia

  2

  4

  2

  4

  —

  2

  9

  5

  3

  Sri Lanka

  4

  3

  3

  2

  1

  3

  1

  4

  5

  Turkey

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  2

  1

  Uganda

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yugoslavia

  1

  —

  2

  —

  2

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Zaire

  2

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Total

  15

  14

  14

  8

  11

  8

  14

  16

  15

  1 Unaccompanied at the point of their arrival, and not known to be joining a close adult relative in the United Kingdom.

  2 Age 17 or under.

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  1991; and how many of these were determined (a) by the granting of refugee status, (b) by the granting of exceptional leave to remain or (c) by the refusal to either;

  (4) how many asylum applications were made by unaccompanied children aged under 18 years in the calendar year 1990; how many of these applications have now been determined; and how these were determined.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The available information on unaccompanied children applying at the ports in 1991 and in January to September 1992 is given in tables A and B. Corresponding information for 1990 is not available. Information on in-country applications by unaccompanied children is not available in this form.

  Information on decisions on applications by unaccompanied children is not readily identifiable and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Table A. Unaccompanied1 children2 applying for asylum on their arrival in the United Kingdom, by nationality, 1991

  Number

  Afghanistan

  5

  Angola

  5

  Bangladesh

  1

  Ethiopia

  13

  Ghana

  1

  India

  1

  Iran

  1

  Somalia

  22

  Sri Lanka

  66

  Turkey

  7

  Uganda

  1

  Yugoslavia

  2

  Zaire

  3

  Total

  128

  1 Unaccompanied at the point of their arrival and not known to be joining a close adult relative in the United Kingdom.

  2 Aged 16 or under. Information on those aged 17 is not available.

  999 System
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received regarding proposed changes in the 999 system; and if he will make a statement;
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  (2) what discussions he is having, and with whom, regarding proposed changes in the 999 system.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The review of the 999 system is primarily a matter for the Director General of OFTEL. Any representations that we have received against OFTEL's proposals for a call handling agency have therefore been passed to his office. Some organisations have represented to us that changes should not lead to any deterioration in the service to the public. We share their views, as does the Director General of OFTEL.

  Matters relating to 999 calls are discussed by the Home Office's 999 liaison committee which has representatives from the emergency authorities and the public telecommunications operators as well as from OFTEL. There are also bilateral discussions, as appropriate, between the Home Office and the police and fire services.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the adequacy of the powers of the courts to deal with juvenile offenders; what proposals he has for a change in the law; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  We have received a number of representations about juvenile offending, especially about frequent offending by what appears to be a comparatively small number of youngsters. My right hon. and learned Friend and I understand and share the concerns that have been expressed. We are therefore looking urgently at the existing arrangements for responding to this kind of offending behaviour before deciding what new measures, including possible changes in the law, it might be sensible to introduce.

  Primary Purpose Rule
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for permanent residency in the United Kingdom have been refused under the primary purpose rule in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information on reasons for refusal, and thus on refusals under the primary purpose rule, is only available centrally for the Indian sub-continent and is given in the table. It is known that the vast majority of refusals under the primary purpose rule relate to persons applying in the Indian sub-continent.

  Number of persons refused1 entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom under the primary purpose rule, 1986–92

  Number of persons

  Primary purpose refusals

  Solely for this reason

  Partly for this reason

  1986

  1,080

  130

  1987

  1,090

  210

  1988

  1,240

  420

  1989

  1,550

  1,170

  1990

  1,280

  1,040

  1991

  1,260

  550

  1 Refusals minus successful appeals.

  Prisons (Payphones)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the London prisons which now have payphones that can be used by inmates.
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  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Cardphones are available for prisoners' use at all the London prisons save Wormwood Scrubs, where installation work is in progress and should be completed shortly.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Minister in his Department is responsible for the oversight of deregulation of regulatory matters which fall within the responsibility of his Department.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I am.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted entry to the United Kingdom from former Yugoslavia (a) in the two weeks prior to 5 November and (b) from 5 November to 19 November.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Comprehensive information on admissions of passengers to the United Kingdom is collected on a monthly, but not a weekly basis.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the main measures of deregulation, or simplification of regulation, which his Department has carried out, or caused to be carried out, since 9 April.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Deregulatory measures have been taken to improve immigration controls.

  Service standards for the time taken for passenger clearance at Heathrow and Gatwick were published in July 1992. A separate channel for the rapid clearance of cars occupied by European Community nationals was introduced at Dover on 1 July 1992.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the main measures increasing regulation in any area for which his Department has responsibility, which his Department has caused to be put into effect since 9 April.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No measures increasing regulation have been put into effect since 9 April 1992.

  Oxford Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has as to the long-term future role of Oxford prison; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Oxford prison is currently being used on a temporary basis to hold prisoners from London establishments while refurbishment work is carried out, and from Cardiff prison to avoid use of police cells. It is intended to return the buildings to Oxford county council but no decision has yet been taken on when this will be.

  Music
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to treat live and recorded music in pubs in the same way in respect of licensing.
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  Mr. Charles Wardle
  At present, music and singing may take place without a public entertainment licence in a public house where they are provided solely either by the reproduction of recorded sound, or by not more than two performers. We have no plans to amend this exemption.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into prisons while visiting a prison inmate at a prison in England or Wales during the period 1 January to 1 November.

  Jack
  Information is not available on the number of persons charged. The number of visitors suspected of involvement in such offences and apprehended by the police in this period is 202.

  House Burglaries
  Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many house burglaries were recorded in the Blyth and north Tyneside areas in 1990 and 1991; and how many arrests were made in each of those areas in each year in connection with house burglaries.

  Jack
  The information requested is not collected centrally for the Blyth and north Tyneside areas. The table shows the number of prosecutions at Blyth Valley and north Tyneside petty sessional divisions for burglary in a dwelling in 1990 and 1991 (provisional).

  Number of prosecutions at Blyth Valley and north Tyneside magistrates courts for burglary in a dwelling, 1990–911

  Petty sessional division

  Burglary in a dwelling

  Aggravated burglary in a dwelling

  Blyth Valley

  1990

  80

  2

  19911

  43

  5

  North Tyneside

  1990

  122

  1

  19911

  106

  10

  1 Provisional.

  Operation Container
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he now expects to be the total cost of Operation Container in looking after remand prisoners in police cells in Greater Manchester and elsewhere.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is given in the following table which relates to the whole police cells operation in England and Wales. Separate figures for remand prisoners are not collected centrally.

  Financial period

  Payments to Greater Manchester police £

  Payments to other police forces £

  1990–91

  15,931,767

  37,581,143

  1991–92

  20,522,278

  74,217,700

  Current year to 27 October 1992

  10,225,349

  32,374,518

  Total

  46,679,394

  144,173,361

  Immigration (Members' Inquiries)
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review process has been undertaken of the direct telephone answer service for right hon. and hon. Members who have inquiries relating to immigration and asylum applications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Details of the direct telephone answer service to Lunar house for Members who have inquiries relating to immigration and asylum applications were outlined in my letter of 26 May to all Members.

  I am not aware of any problems arising from those arrangements which might call for a review and I encourage my colleagues to make full use of this facility.

  Interpretation Services
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what statutory obligations the prison department lies to provide interpretation services to serving prisoners in appropriate circumstances in gaols in England and Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The prison service is not under any statutory obligations to provide interpretation services to prisoners, but makes every effort to meet such needs where they arise.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what statutory obligation the police authorities in England and Wales lie to provide interpretation services in appropriate cases for persons being interviewed in pursuance of criminal investigations.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The codes of practice issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 prescribe that a person who has difficulty in understanding English may not be interviewed by police officers except in the presence of an interpreter.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what statutory obligation the Crown or magistrates courts lie to provide interpretation services in appropriate circumstances in criminal proceedings in England and Wales.

  Mr. Jack
  Section 3 of the Welsh Courts Act 1942 allows the Lord Chancellor to make rules for the provision of interpreters of the Welsh and English languages for the purposes of proceedings before courts in Wales, while section 1(1) of the Welsh Language Act 1967 requires that provision for interpretation shall be made in legal proceedings in Wales. In other circumstances the provision of interpreters is not governed by statute. I understand, however, that an interpreter is provided as a matter of course when required and that a trial of a defendant who was unable to speak or understand English and who was not provided with a suitable interpreter would be a nullity.

  Emergency Underground Facilities
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the underground facilities for war-time or emergency use in the regions of England and Wales which are to be(a) retained and (b) sold.
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  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are two protected sites in each of the nine home defence regions in England and Wales, except for London (region 5), which has one. We do not plan to retain any. Only four can be sold; the other 13 are leasehold.

  Regional Crime Squads
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each regional crime squad in England and Wales the dates of publication of each report.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Before April 1992, reports of inspections of regional crime squads were confidential.

  The first published report was that of the inspection of No. 8 regional crime squad. It was published on 15 September 1992. The inspection report of No. 9 regional crime squad is expected to be published on 27 November 1992.

  Sirens
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sirens are being disposed of as a result of reviewing civil defence requirements; and of these, how many are hand-held and how many are fixed units.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are some 6,700 power sirens and 9,760 hand sirens. All will be disposed of except for an estimated 300 power sirens which are used for flood warning purposes where the local authorities concerned wish to retain them.

  False Statements
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place under the Magistrates Courts Act 1980 for false statements made in witness statements, taken pre-trial, or under any similar legislative provision re-enacted in the 1980 Act since 1980.

  Mr. Jack
  The information, available centrally for the years 1980 to 1991 (provisional), is given in the table. It is not possible to distinguish offences under section 106 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, from other offences of perjury involving untruthful written statements or unlawful statements under oath.

  Number of prosecutions for perjury involving untruthful written statements or under oath1 1980 to 19912

  England and Wales

  Number of prosecutions

  1980

  57

  1981

  84

  1982

  75

  1983

  59

  1984

  85

  1985

  55

  1986

  48

  1987

  72

  1988

  86

  1989

  120

  1990

  37

  21991

  89

  1 Perjury Act 1911, Section 1; Criminal Justice Act 1967, Section 89; Magistrates' Court Act 1980, Section 106.

  2 Provisional.

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  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many underground facilities for use in wartime or emergencies in England and Wales are to be(a) retained and (b)disposed of.

  Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: I plan to dispose of as many as possible of the 17 sites.

  Departmental Records
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many years his Department holds files before shredding or other means of disposal.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: The Home Office reviews and disposes of its records in accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 and 1967. The majority of files are destroyed after five to 10 years and most of the remainder after 30 years.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public interest immunity certificates he has signed in each of the past six months; and in what circumstances.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: I signed two certificates, one in June and the other in September, in connection with the proceedings in R. v. Henderson and Others. They related to the disclosure of any oral or documentary evidence relating to certain aspects of the work of the security and intelligence services. In July, I siged a certificate relating to communications between police forces or prosecuting authorities in connection with the detection and investigation of crime and the apprehension of offenders, in proceedings brought for judicial review of a decision by magistrates to commit a defendant on charges of dishonesty. I signed another certificate in July, relating to the disclosure of certain categories of information contained in the Prison Service Control and Restraint Manual, in proceedings for damages for personal injuries brought by prison officers.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in employment in Northern Ireland are covered by wages council agreements.

  Mr. Atkins
  A total of 34,310 at 31 December 1991.

TRANSPORT

  Private Detectives
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what use his Department has made of private detectives in each of the last five years; at what cost; and if he will list the firms involved.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  My Department has used private investigators and similar firms:

  (a) to hand serve summonses when taking prosecutions for failure to pay vehicle excise duty;

  659

  (b) to hand serve papers on people who have trespassed on the Department's land and to photograph trespassers;

  (c) to establish the whereabouts of people believed to have caused damage to the Department's roads and structures for the purpose of making claims against them;

  (d) to trace former employees who were overpaid before they left the Department's employ and

  (e) in one case to investigate the activities of an employee

  Several firms have been used and the full cost for each year could be established only at disproportionate cost but the cost of tracing an individual is usually in the range of £60 to £90 per case.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since 1979 his Department has engaged private detective agencies to investigate the activities of British citizens; and if he will list the date and purpose of each investigation.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 18 November 1992]: As far as can be established without disproportionate cost, my Department has engaged a private detective on only one occasion since 1979 to investigate the activities of a British citizen. A detective was employed in 1992 to investigate a member of staff following complaints received from members of the public.

  M3, Winchester
  Mr. Malone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that the contracts for the work of the final link of the M3 at Winchester are able to proceed effectively;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the progress on the measures to preserve the ecology on the M3 road scheme at Winchester.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  This work is not progressing as well as we would have expected. Work to facilitate the removal of valuable plant material from the Itchen valley water meadows and replanting at an alternative site in the Test valley has been completed, but similar rescue work in the Dongas has been hampered by protestors. If this rescue work is not completed, valuable plants will be lost, and damage is already being done to these plants by the trespassers on the Dongas site.

  It is of much regret that these disruptive forces are now affecting our main works contract which started on 19 October. The schedule for completion is very testing for our contractors in line with our aims of completing this missing section of the M3 motorway, reducing the harmful effects of congestion and improving road safety. In respect of both the ecological rescue work and the main construction, we and our contractors will be using all reasonable means to remove trespassers.

  Illegal action of this sort jeopardises effective rescue and puts both workers and protestors at risk.

  Untaxed Vehicles
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to change the law relating to untaxed vehicles parked or abandoned on the public highway so as to allow them to be removed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Local authorities and the police have powers to remove vehicles that are illegally, obstructively or dangerously parked, abandoned or broken down. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 660
  works closely with local authorities in cases where unlicensed vehicles appear to be abandoned. We have no plans to introduce powers to enable untaxed vehicles to be removed from the road.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proportion of his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances becomes controlled waste in terms of section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;

  (2) what measures have been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances in use by his Department identified as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 do not reach the atmosphere;

  (3) what action has been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances consumed by his Department are identified as controlled wastes when they are no longer in use.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Records are not kept centrally for the disposal of controlled waste. The Department's policy is to comply with the duty of care which came into force on 1 April 1992 under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The duty makes producers of controlled waste responsible for ensuring that it is disposed of safely and legally.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the departmental green Minister has promoted protection of the ozone layer with specific policy measures; which possible measures have been considered and rejected; and on what grounds.

  Mr. MacGregor
  My Department participates in interdepartmental discussions about measures to protect the ozone layer. Our Procurement Manual specifically covers the need to avoid ozone—depleting substances. These substances will also be covered in the environmental guidance which we are preparing for the management of our properties. It is already our policy to phase out all halon fire extinguishers in the accommodation we occupy.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon installations are contained within his Department's buildings; and how many CFC domestic fridges are contained within his Department buildings;

  (2) what quantity of HCFC 22 is purchased by his Department per annum;

  (3) how many refrigeration and air conditioning systems in his Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems;

  (4) if he will provide details from the maintenance arid servicing record of the quantity and type of ozone-destroying chemicals used annually in his Department's refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for servicing and in leakages; and what proportion is removed for recycling;

  (5) what is the quantity of ozone-depleting substances recycled within his Department and returned to the manufacturer.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Department does not keep central records of plant and equipment installed or held in premises used by its staff; or items subject to local
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  procurement and recycling arrangements. It is the Department's policy to phase out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals as soon as possible.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance has been sought and received on alternatives or substitutes for the ozone-destroying chemicals in use by his Department.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Department of the Environment is the main source of guidance. Its advice is circulated to all procurement and property managers in the Department.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) by what date his Department's use of ozone-depleting chemicals will conform to EC regulations on limits on these chemicals;

  (2) which current uses of ozone-depleting chemicals by his Department are considered essential.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Department's policy is to phase out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals as soon as possible. The Department is reviewing the detailed application of the policy with the managers responsible for property and procurement.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been allocated or spent to deal specifically with measures to reduce his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Measures to reduce the consumption of ozone-depleting substances are included in the Departments general maintenance programme. The costs are not recorded separately.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances have occurred within his Department buildings in the last five years.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Department does not have records going back five years. There was a failure at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre, Swansea in May 1991. An air-conditioning unit failed and released 800 kg of refrigerant R12 into the atmosphere.

  Speed Limiters
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to make representations to the car industry concerning the installation of mechanical speed limiters on all new cars.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No. This should be a decision for vehicle manufacturers and purchasers.

  Rail Services (Franchising)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the individuals and organisations who responded to the consultation document, "The Franchising of Passenger Rail Services"; and if he will publish a summary of the views expressed by each respondent, within the limits of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Freeman
  In inviting responses to the consultation document, we undertook that all responses would be 662
  treated as strictly confidential. It would not be appropriate, therefore, for me to list those who have responded or to summarise their views.

  Shipping Records
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy for new arrangements for the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen to include requirements which specifically protect the whole range of interdependent records currently held by the office in their entirety and in perpetuity.

  Mr. Norris
  The records are retained under Public Records Office (PRO) rules and we will want to ensure that this continues to be the case in the future.

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the need to satisfy the provisions of the Acquired Rights directive and the protection of employment rights in the event of any transfer of undertakings operated by his Department or responsible to his Department.

  Mr. Norris
  The provisions of EC Directive 77/187 ("The Acquired Rights Directive") are given effect in the United Kingdom by the Tranfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, 1981. These regulations provide that transfers which fall within their scope will not operate to terminate the employees' contracts of employment, which will continue as if made between the transferee and the employees. Whether any particular transfer is covered by the regulations will depend on the circumstances of each case.

  Disabled Passengers
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specific protection he intends shall be provided for disabled people in the event of any change in the organisation, structure or funding of the rail network.

  Mr. Freeman
  Our privatisation proposals envisage a duty on the rail regulator to take into account the interests of persons with disabilities which would be reflected in obligations imposed on railway operators through the regulator's licensing regime.

  British Rail
  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Her Majesty's Government were informed of British Rail's decision to make 5,000 staff redundant.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department was aware that the British Railways Board was considering a voluntary severance scheme to enable it to reduce costs in line with falling income. The specific plans were advised to my Department on 19 November 1992.

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the planned subsidy for British Rail for each year in the period 1993–94 to 1995–96 in real terms.

  Mr. Freeman
  The specific allocation of the planned external financing limits for British Rail for 1993–94 to 1995–96 between grant and borrowing has yet to be agreed and will be announced, as usual, in due course.
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  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on the Government's current plans for the privatisation of the British Rail network.

  Mr. Freeman
  We continue to make good progress on the detailed arrangements for rail privatisation based on the principles set out in the White Paper "New Opportunities for the Railways" (Cm. 2012). Legislation will be introduced in this session.

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to abolish the subsidy for Network SouthEast.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend will be discussing in due course with the chairman of British Rail objectives for the board in the period from 1 April 1993. Our policy is to invite the private sector to operate BR services through franchising. This will bring greater responsiveness to passengers' needs, better services and improved efficiency. Should subsidy still be required for socially necessary services it will be provided.

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the level of Government subsidy to British Rail in real terms in each year since 1987–88.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is in the following table:

  £ million—1992–93 prices

  PSO grant

  Level crossing grant

  Total

  1987–88

  1,031

  31

  1,062

  1988–89

  676

  29

  705

  1989–90

  592

  31

  623

  1990–91

  669

  32

  701

  1991–92

  930

  28

  958

  Market Testing
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to subject the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen to market testing.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: The registry will be market tested in line with the White Paper Cmnd 1730, "Competing for Quality", which set out the Government's intention to give new impetus to the drive for better value for money and improved service to the public.

  The functions will be tested against the quality of service and value for money available from alternative sources and the tender process will follow the Department's normal rules for competitive tendering.

  The existing staff at RSS will have the opportunity to put forward an in-house bid on the same basis and timescale as outside bidders.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy for market testing which involves any part of his Department or a body responsible to his Department to include the status quo as one of the options, against which any other options are to be measured before any decision is taken.
  664
  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend will follow the procedures for market testing Department of Transport functions set out in the White Paper, "Competing for Quality", (Cmnd 1730).

  Road Schemes, East Anglia
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the prospects for road schemes in Suffolk and Norfolk in 1993–94, particularly the A12 and the A47, in the light of the autumn statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: The settlement announced in the autumn statement should enable my Department to maintain spending on new trunk road provision at record levels. While I expect all schemes planned to start works next year to go ahead I cannot at this stage confirm the exact position on individual schemes as other factors, such as the completion of any remaining procedures, have to be taken into account.

  Schemes to improve the A12 and A47 in Norfolk and Suffolk are currently at varying stages of development largely at the beginning of processes. The timing of future events could be influenced by this and by competing demands on available resources.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take on the representations he has received from the Magistrates Association for stronger enforcement and penalties for overloaded and unsafe heavy goods vehicles, including penalty points on operators' licences.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]:I am concerned to ensure that enforcement in respect of heavy goods vehicles, including the penalties imposed on offenders for overloading and operating vehicles in a mechanically unsafe condition, should provide an adequate deterrent. I will give careful consideration to proposals I receive from the Magistrates Association which will help to ensure that operators fulfil their obligations under the Licensing regime.

  Road Signs (Tourism)
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons his Department has not yet responded to(a) applications made in September 1991, for permission to have tourist directional signs erected saying Historic Harwich and Harwich Redoubt on the roadside at the Parkeston junction A120 and (b) an application made in April 1992, for signs at Main Road/Barrack Lane A136 in Harwich; if he will now give permission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: On 13 August this year my Department received a request from Essex County Council for authorisation of a tourist sign saying "Harwich Redoubt" to be erected at the junction of Main road and Barrack lane in Harwich, not at the A120 Parkeston roundabout. Authorisation was given on 28 August.

  The Department has received no other applications for similar signs but we understand that Essex county council

  665
  has been in correspondence with the promoters of such signs, and the county surveyor is writing to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications for permission to erect tourist directional signs are currently pending with his Department; and if he will state for how long each has been pending.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: There are currently 22 applications pending. Applications frequently call for detailed negotiation with the tourist board, the local highway authority, and the attraction operator. These negotiations can take some time; successful conclusion requires the agreement of all parties. At present pending applications have been with the Department as follows:

  Applications

  Less than 1 month

  9

  Between 1 and 3 months

  5

  Between 3 and 6 months

  3

  Between 6 and 12 months

  3

  Over 12 months

  2

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he considers when asked to approve or reject applications for tourist directional signs to be erected.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: To be eligible for signing, tourist attractions must be recognised by the appropriate regional tourist board and the highway authority. The criteria used to consider applications are set out in the Department's circular, Roads 1/91, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Nuclear Material
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had concerning the principle of unlimited and absolute state liability for damage to citizens and the environment in the event of an accident involving the proposed shipment of plutonium from Sellafield to Japan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  No arrangements have been made at this stage for the shipment of plutonium from the United Kingdom to Japan. Liability for an accident arising from shipments of plutonium would be governed by relevant domestic and foreign law.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Correspondence
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Delyn of 15 July, acknowledged on 1666
  September, concerning the rights of claimants of the disability living allowance under the citizens charter where there is a delay in processing their application for disability living allowance.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  This case was referred to the Department of Social Security on 22 July and acknowledged by them on 1 September. Any further questions should be directed to that Department.

  Leukaemia
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much Government funding is available for research into leukaemia.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  The Medical Research Council, the main Government agency for the promotion of medical and related research in the United Kingdom, is funded by grant-in-aid from the science budget through this Department, and is an independent body which normally decides its research priorities on its own expert judgment. In the last financial year, 1991–92, the council's expenditure on projects directly on and related to leukaemia research was £5·4 million. Information on expenditure on leukaemia research by university departments and medical schools or health departments and authorities is not collected centrally.

  Citizens Charter
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress toward the implementation of the citizens charter.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A White Paper on the citizens charter will be published today. This will give details on progress so far. I shall be making a statement this afternoon.

  Research Centres
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list(a) the interdisciplinary research centres established to date by each research council and those planned to be established in the future, (b) the percentage of the total budget of each research council spent on interdisciplinary research centres each year since the programme began and (c) the total number of staff employed in interdisciplinary research centres and the percentage of those staff who are seconded to interdisciplinary research centres from universities; and if he will make a statement on interdisciplinary research centres.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 3 November 1992]: The Government recognise the value of interdisciplinary research across classical discipline boundaries, and have already provided substantial additional funding of £75 million for such research through the interdisciplinary research centre (IRC) initiative.

  The information requested is as follows:
  667

  (a) Interdisciplinary research centres established to date

  Research council

  Name of interdisciplinary research centre

  Date established

  Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC)

  Centre for Genome Research, University of Edinburgh

  January 1990

  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

  Human communications research centre, Edinburgh and Glasgow universities

  April 1989

  Centre for research on micro-social change, Essex university

  April 1989

  Centre for economic performance, London School of Economics

  April 1990

  Medical Research Council (MRC)

  Molecular science, Oxford university

  April 1989

  Centre for protein engineering, Cambridge university

  January 1990

  Cell biology, University College, London (UCL)

  January 1992

  Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

  Centre for population biology, London university

  April 1989

  Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC)

  Superconductivity in Cambridge, Cambridge university

  March 1988

  Surface science, university of Liverpool

  June 1988

  Centre for molecular sciences, (15 per cent. funded by Medical Research Council), Oxford university

  October 1988

  Engineering design, Glasgow university (closed November 1991)

  February 1989

  IRC for semiconductor materials, University of London

  April 1989

  Process engineering, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London university/University College, London

  August 1989

  Polymer science and technology, Leeds, Bradford and Durham universities

  October 1989

  High performance applications, Birmingham university

  October 1989

  Optoelectronics research centre, Southampton university and University College, London

  October 1989

  Biomedical materials, University College, London

  October 1991

  Advanced centre for biomedical engineering, university College, London

  October 1991

  Centre for neuroscience, Sussex university

  October 1991

  Only the MRC has current plans for additional IRCs. The human toxicity IRC at Leicester university is due to open in March 1993, and an IRC in brain repair is planned for Cambridge.

  (b) Percentage of total budget each Research Council spent on IRCs

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  11992–93

  AFRC

  —

  —

  1·00

  1·20

  1·20

  ESRC

  0·17

  3·20

  5·80

  6·30

  6·30

  MRC

  0·19

  0·72

  2·28

  3·80

  3·23

  NERC

  —

  0·75

  1·07

  0·45

  0·47

  SERC

  0·43

  2·78

  3·84

  2·41

  3·70

  1 Provisional.

  (c) 868 staff (in full-time equivalents) are employed in IRCs. These are generally employees of the host university.

ENVIRONMENT

  Emissions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take on the decision of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to allow public access to emissions data of power stations run by PowerGen and National Power.

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 19 November 1992,Official Report, column 304.

  Caravan Sites
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many spaces have been provided at sites for travellers, under the Caravan Sites Act 1968, in each local authority area since 1979.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) on 23 November 1992,Official Report, column 536.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total capital expenditure on the provision of sites under the Caravan Sites Act 1968, listed by local authorities since 1979.

  Mr. Baldry
  Information is not available in the form requested. A total of £56·2 million was expended on the provision of local authority gipsy sites in England between 1979–80 and 1991–92 inclusive. £12·5 million has been allocated for gipsy sites grant in England for the current financial year.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the changes to the urban programme will have on voluntary organisations in Lancashire.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Commitments arising from voluntary sector projects approved as part of Blackburn, Burnley and Preston's urban programmes in 1992–93 and previous years will be honoured.

  In addition, the urban partnership fund, part of the capital partnership programme which was announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment on 13 November 1992, will provide up to £20 million in 1993–94 in uncommitted urban programme resources to support capital and directly linked revenue projects in the 57 urban priority areas. It is open to local authorities to involve voluntary organisations in particular projects.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources have been made available, under the Government's urban programme, to meet the housing needs of Wythenshawe.

  Northern region

  1992–93 Annual Capital Guideline, Estate Action new and continuation resources, and Energy Efficiency Programme

  1991 Local authority stock

  Allocations per local authority dwelling

  Local authority

  £ thousands

  Number

  £

  Alnwick

  2,316

  2,556

  906

  Berwick

  470

  3,238

  145

  Blyth Valley

  1,891

  8,888

  213

  Castle Morpeth

  478

  3,600

  133

  Chester-le-Street

  1,254

  6,499

  193

  Darlington

  953

  7,681

  124

  Derwentside

  5,925

  11,201

  529

  Durham

  3,403

  9,852

  345

  Easington

  6,685

  16,087

  416

  Gateshead

  5,527

  31,387

  176

  Hartlepool

  6,368

  9,674

  658

  Langbaurgh on Tees

  3,897

  14,143

  275

  Middlesbrough

  3,995

  15,960

  250

  Newcastle

  16,683

  42,201

  395

  North Tyneside

  9,268

  24,874

  373

  Sedgefield

  2,027

  13,291

  152

  670
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The urban programme has offered substantial help with the regeneration of run down private sector housing and local authority estates but it is not the Government's policy that UP resources are used for direct housing investment. The urban programme has complemented other initiatives such as support for environmental improvements and enterprise initiatives on estates benefitting from estate action or equivalent treatment, and to secure benefits for the community as a whole rather than individual households.

  This year over £700,000 has been specifically marked from the urban programme for Wythenshawe of which £17,000 is to fund a strategic action plan for the economic regeneration of the Benchill area to complement estate action work. The action plan will recommend a range of measures to improve local resident's access to employment and training.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the(a) gross and (b) net capital allocation in outturn figures for local authority housing in each district council in the north-east, expressed as a cost per dwelling unit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The table shows the allocation of annual capital guideline and estate action resources in 1992–93 to local authorities in the Northern region and expresses this as an amount per local authority dwelling (based on 1991 estimates). Allocations reflect the varying condition of local authority stock throughout the region, and the impact of targetting resources on the worst housing estates through the estate action programme.

  The table does not include resources allocated during the year under other special initiatives such as the rural housing initiative and "Living over the Shop", which are channelled through the local authority to enable housing associations to develop new or improved dwellings. Allocations are also made to local authorities to deal with the improvement of the private sector stock.
  671

  1992–93 Annual Capital Guideline, Estate Action new and continuation resources, and Energy Efficiency Programme

  1991 Local authority stock

  Allocations per local authority dwelling

  Local authority

  £ thousands

  Number

  £

  South Tyneside

  5,276

  26,483

  199

  Stockton on Tees

  6,451

  16,750

  385

  Sunderland

  15,315

  47,077

  325

  Teesdale

  246

  1,227

  200

  Tynedale

  633

  4,218

  150

  Wansbeck

  1,087

  8,234

  132

  Wear Valley

  1,562

  7,007

  223

  TOTALS

  101,710

  332,128

  306

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the raising borrowing limits on local authority housing activity in real terms for the financial years 1979–80 to date, excluding the use of capital receipts.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 16 November 1992]: The available information, which relates to housing investment programme (HIP) allocations, is given below. The figures for the years up to 1989–90 are borrowing approvals for housing capital expenditure. Changes were made to the capital control regime at the beginning of 1990–91 which mean that borrowing approvals are no longer issued for capital expenditure on specific services; borrowing approval is now conveyed by a single, all service credit approval. The HIP allocations are now an assessment of relative need for housing capital expenditure. The table also gives figures for local authority housing capital expenditure.

  Housing investment programme allocations and local authority gross housing capital expenditure, England, 1979–80 to 1992–93

  £ million

  Allocations1

  Gross capital expenditure2

  Cash

  1992–93 prices3

  Cash

  1992–93 prices3

  1979–80

  2,544

  6,144

  2,947

  7,117

  1980–81

  2,203

  4,496

  2,729

  5,569

  1981–82

  1,795

  3,341

  2,632

  4,898

  1982–83

  2,192

  3,808

  3,235

  5,619

  1983–84

  2,233

  3,708

  3,571

  5,929

  1984–85

  1,852

  2,927

  3,501

  5,532

  1985–86

  1,605

  2,406

  3,023

  4,529

  1986–87

  1,459

  2,117

  3,017

  4,380

  1987–88

  1,400

  1,926

  3,272

  4,502

  1988–89

  1,331

  1,707

  3,604

  4,623

  1989–90

  1,095

  1,318

  5,126

  6,169

  New capital finance system

  1990–91

  1,889

  2,105

  3,164

  3,526

  1991–92

  1,861

  1,940

  42,720

  42,836

  1992–93

  1,827

  1,827

  52,600

  52,600

  1 Allocations for the years up to and including 1989–90 are final allocations, ie the initial allocation plus any increases to the initial allocation made in-year. The allocations figures for 1990–91 and subsequent years are the HIP allocations (housing annual capital guidelines plus specified capital grants) issued prior to the start of the financial year. They exclude any subsequent increases approved through the issue of supplementary credit approvals (SCAs). SCAs issued for 1990–91 and the provisional total for 1991–92 are £216 million and £317 million respectively. A total of £464 million has been set aside for 1992–93 for distribution as SCAs.

  2 Includes housing capital expenditure within the Urban Programme.

  3 Cash figures converted to 1992–93 price levels by excluding the
  672
  effect of general inflation as measured by the GDP market prices deflator.

  4 Provisional.

  5 Estimated.

  Housing for the Elderly
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Ernst and Young management consultative study commissioned by his Department into the housing needs for the elderly to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department anticipates that the study of the housing needs of elderly and disabled people currently being undertaken by Ernst and Young management consultants will be completed by the end of this year. It is expected that there will then be a series of reports covering different elements of the study with the first being published at the beginning of next year. The Department does not consider it necessary to make a statement at this stage but may do so when the first report is published.

  Mortgage Arrears
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a mortgage benefit or mortgage-to-rent scheme to assist home owners who are in arrears with their mortgage and who face the prospect of their homes being repossessed and the prospect of homelessness.

  Mr. Baldry
  Lenders have introduced a range of measures this year, following the discussions between the Government and the Council of Mortgage Lenders in December 1991, including mortgage-to-rent to help borrowers at risk of repossession. Lenders estimate that these measures will save some 55,000 repossessions this year.

  Interest rates have been reduced by 3 per cent. in the last two months, bringing the total reduction since October 1990 to 8 per cent. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his autumn statement a package of £750 million for the purchase of empty properties overhanging the housing market.

  We have no plans to introduce a mortgage benefit scheme.

  Housing, North-west England
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the regional housing needs indicator figures published by the Housing Corporation for the north-west; and how far the housing investment programme is meeting the urgent need for local authority homes to be improved and repaired in the Wythenshaw constituency.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Housing Corporation recently published the Housing Needs Indicator (HNI) for 1993–94. The score for the corporation's north-west region has risen from 10·39 per cent. this year to 10·8 per cent. next year. After compensation for the differing costs between regions, the share of the corporation's annual development programme (ADP) allocated to the north-west will be 9·21 per cent. in 1993–94 compared with 8·92 per cent. this year.

  The HNI is a composite, relative indicator of the incidence of housing needs in different geographical areas in England. It is reviewed annually by a working group of the Department of the Environment, the Housing Corporation and the National Federation of Housing Associations.

  Manchester's housing investment programme allocation for 1992–93 was £34·867 million. The need for local authority homes to be improved and repaired is taken into consideration when determining the size of this allocation. It is for the Manchester city council to decide how best to distribute these resources to meet the needs of the city.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a current estimate of the numbers of sheltered housing units which exist in England; how many more units will be built in the years 1993–94 to 1994–95; and if he will provide details of how many of these units will be provided by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations.

  Mr. Baldry
  Local authorities report numbers of their annual housing investment programme (HIP1) returns of their own sheltered dwellings, and estimates of those owned by housing associations, by other public sector organisations and in the private sector.

  The estimated total of such dwellings in England at 1 April 1992 appears in column A2a5 of "1992 HIP1—Regional Grossing", a copy of which is in the Library.

  The Department has no information about future provision.

  Urban Development Councils
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each urban development council the budget now to be provided for 1993–94, compared with the budget for 1992–93 and previously planned budget of 1993–94; and what changes have been made in the planned lifespan of any urban development council.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The allocation of resources among urban development corporations has yet to be finalised. No changes have yet been made to the planned lifetimes of the corporations.

  West Midlands (Grants)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which parts of Staffordshire currently fall within the west midlands intermediate area for assisted area status; how much grant was awarded to these areas for each of the last three years; how that money was spent; and how much assistance from EC funds was subsequently available.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 20 November 1992]: Assisted area status applies to those parts of Staffordshire lying within the Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Dudley travel-to-work areas.

  RAS grant is awarded to support capital investment projects which create or safeguard jobs and grant offered to the above areas over the last three years was as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  986,500

  1990–91

  991,500

  1991–92

  89,500

  totalling £2,067,500 in all.

  None of these awards has been assisted from EC funds.

  Superstore, Greenwich
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what considerations will affect his decision to order a public inquiry into the planning applications for superstores at(a) Well Hall and (b) Shooters Hill in London SE9.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 20 November 1992]: The general approach to calling in applications is as stated in circular 2/81. Applications will in general be called in only if planning issues of more than local importance are involved. Such cases may include, for example, those which in our opinion could have wide effects beyond their immediate locality, which give rise to substantial regional or national controversy, which may conflict with national policy on important matters, and those where the interests of national security or of foreign Governments may be involved.

  PSA Projects
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now give final details of the sums paid for the purchase of PSA Projects.

  Mr. Redwood
  Final details of the sums paid in respect of the purchase of PSA Projects will not be available for some considerable time as this will depend on the number of transferred staff remaining with the business for more than five years from the date of the sale.

  When contracts were exchanged for the sale of PSA Projects to Tarmac, the negative consideration payable to Tarmac at completion was estimated at £49·75 million, subject to changes in the net liabilities to be transferred which should be finalised by October 1993. The most recent changes will mean that at completion Tarmac will receive the benefit of a cash subscription for shares in the privatised company of £44·4 million and a cash asset of £13·3 million for which Tarmac will pay the Government £2·8 million—a negative consideration of £54·9 million.
  675
  The net cash asset of £10·5 million relates to the excess of the estimated value of amounts owed by PSA Projects to sub-consultants and others for work done up to the point of sale over the estimated value of assets being transferred to Tarmac.

  These assets exclude the estimated £40 million owed by customers to PSA Projects at the point of sale which will be collected by PSA and retained in Government. In addition to the net liabilities at the point of sale, the negative consideration reflects PSA Projects' requirements for financing working capital, investment in new systems, marketing and training and forecast losses on existing work pending PSA Projects restructuring itself to become fully competitive.

  The negative consideration will be adjusted pound for pound upwards or downwards as appropriate, after preparation of a completion statement to compare actual net liabilities at the point of sale with the estimate o f£10·5 million. It will be further increased by between £3·1 million and £6·3 million after one year depending on the number of ex-civil service staff still in the business. The sale agreement also provides for the completion statement to be reopened for up to two years after the sale in the event of late submission of sub-consultant bills for which accruals were not included in the completion statement as the income for any related work would have been retained within government.

  The Secretary of State's liability for severance payments to PSA Projects staff now in the business, whether or not they transfer to Tarmac, is limited to £40·33 million. Of this, severance payments by the Government to staff not willing to transfer permanently with the privatised business are likely to fall in the range of £30 million to £35 million and therefore the balance of payments to Tarmac to reimburse severance payments for up to approximately 165 ex-civil servants who did transfer are expected to fall in the range £5 million to £10 million.

  The Government have previously announced their commitment to guarantee the redundancy entitlements of transferring staff against the purchaser's bankruptcy for up to five years post-sale. The maximum value of this contingency liability is now estimated at £30 million. The departmental minute laid on 26 June 1992 indicated that the maximum contingent liability to be undertaken in the course of sale negotiations was estimated not to exceed £70 million.

  The replacement pension scheme will be fully funded as at the point of sale. The value of the bulk transfer from the principal civil service pension scheme is not yet known, as it depends on the number of staff opting to transfer their pension rights to the new scheme. PSA will add 6 per cent. of the transfer value to the pension fund to take account of differences in the forecast average retirement age and commutation arrangements.

  Community Care
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific resources have been made available to local authorities to assist them in meeting the special needs of the elderly and physically disabled people, drug and alcohol misusers, people with learning disabilities, and people with HIV or AIDS under the community care legislation which comes into force in April 1993.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have been asked to reply.
  676
  A special transitional grant of £539 million will be made available to local authorities in England next year for their new responsibilities for community care. This covers all relevant client groups, and will be additional to authorities' general funding through the revenue support grant and specific grants for mental illness, HIV/AIDS and alcohol and drugs misuse of £34·4 million, £12·4 million and £2·3 million respectively.

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister if briefing material for the Ministry's folder for Question Time while he was(a) Chief Secretary to the Treasury, (b) Foreign Secretary, (c) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (d) Prime Minister still exists; and if he will make it available to the Scott committee of inquiry.

  The Prime Minister
  The briefing material prepared for my use at Question Time while I was Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer and since I have been Prime Minister is still in existence. Not all the briefing material prepared for me for Question Time while I was Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has been retained, although that which relates to Iraq still exists. Material which is asked for by Lord Justice Scott's inquiry will be made available to him.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Prime Minister how the Iraqi defence procurement network's activities in relation to United Kingdom-based companies were monitored by the Government in the period(a) 1985 to December 1988 and (b) since December 1988.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: It is not the Government's practice to comment on intelligence matters.

  Devaluation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of(a)the degree to which the sterling price of imports has been maintained and (b) the change in demand for imported manufactures, following the fall in the value of sterling.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not possible to separate the impact of the recent fall in the value of sterling from other factors influencing the sterling price of United Kingdom imports. Nevertheless, improved competitiveness is expected to restrain the growth of manufactured import volumes in 1993.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the benefits of devaluation to the financing needs of the coal industry.

  The Prime Minister
  The new external financing limits for British Coal announced last week, which are provisional pending decisions on the coal review, already take account of recent changes in exchange rates.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what account he took in agreeing to the pit closures of the expenditure implications as regarding unemployment
  677
  benefit; if he will publish a table showing for each mine in the current year and for each of the next five years (a) the estimated direct and indirect costs to the Exchequer of those made unemployed, (b) the estimated operational loss at each mine in 1991 and in the current year to date and (c) the estimated loss in 1993 of disposing of surplus production on the international market at the world price.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 October 1992]: I had regard to the likelihood that, in the light of market assessments, continuing to mine coal for which there was no economic market would involve a substantial ongoing cost to public expenditure and that we were proposing a wide range of measures to help those made redundant secure new jobs and to enhance job prospects in the areas affected. I have asked the chairman of British Coal to write to the hon. Member about the information at (b). On (c), this too would be an operational matter for British Coal but even in the event that a suitable contractual arrangement could be established on commercial grounds there would also be the matter of compliance with the United Kingdom's GATT and other international trade obligations.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Prime Minister how many public interest immunity certificates were signed by Ministers(a) from 1974 to 1979 and (b) since 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: Public interest immunity certificates were signed by Ministers periodically throughout the period in question, but no central record is held of the number involved.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Budget Figures
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the figures for his budget for 1992–93 broken down by the arts, heritage, sport, film, broadcasting, tourism and departmental administration.

  Mr. Brooke
  The information requested is as follows:

  1992–93

  £ million

  Museums and galleries

  214

  Performing arts

  236

  Libraries

  141

  The heritage

  200

  Sport

  50

  Film

  22

  Broadcasting

  19

  Tourism

  46

  Administration

  10

  Central Government total

  938

  Local authorities credit approvals for sport and recreation

  30

  Total departmental programme

  968

  However, provision for 1992–93 is subject to amendment by winter Supplementary Estimates and changes to cash limits. In particular, subject to
  678
  parliamentary approval, a Supplementary Estimate of £42 million is being sought to provide funds for the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority, as well as an Estimate for an increase in administration costs. Assets accepted in lieu of tax will continue to be a claim on the Reserve.

  Royal Parks
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish a list of all the new capital projects in the royal parks referred to in his Department's news release of 12 November, together with the estimated cost of each such project.

  Mr. Key
  Final decisions have not been taken yet on next year's programme of capital projects in the Royal parks, and design work is still in hand in some cases. However, I envisage that as a result of the additional allocation of funds announced on 12 November it will be possible to carry out the following projects:

  map and signposting in all the parks;

  restoration of Speakers corner, Hyde park;

  floodlighting the lake in St. James's park;

  subject to satisfactory design and acceptable costings.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the main measures of deregulation, or simplification of regulation, which his Department has carried out, or caused to be carried out, since 9 April.

  Mr. Key
  The Department of National Heritage took over responsibility for a small number of regulations when it was formed after the last general election. Although the Department's responsibilities in this area are not extensive, officials are reviewing the modest scope for deregulation and simplification of regulation in consultation with the deregulation unit of the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which Minister in his Department is responsible for the oversight of deregulation of regulatory matters which fall within the responsibility of his Department.

  Mr. Key
  I am the Minister responsible for the oversight of deregulation of regulatory matters which fall within the responsibility of the Department of National Heritage.

  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the main measures increasing regulation in any area for which his Department has responsibility, which his Department has caused to be put into effect since 9 April.

  Mr. Key
  None.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Guyana
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of assistance provided by the United Kingdom Government to Guyana; what additional assistance was already committed or programmed prior to the elections; and which additional types and levels of assistance Her Majesty's Government expect to offer as a consequence of Guyana achieving democratic status.
  679
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Between 1989–90 and 1991–92 we provided to the Government of Guyana £13·7 million in programme aid and a continuing programme of technical assistance running at approximately £1·5 million per year. For 1992–93 no new capital aid commitment was made because of delays in holding free and fair elections. The technical assistance programme continued, albeit at a slightly reduced level. We also contributed £60,000 to the Commonwealth Secretariat Guyana elections monitoring mission. We have started discussing future assistance with the new Guyana Government, but no decisions have yet been reached.

  Iraq
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessments of humanitarian needs have been conducted for Iraq outside the safe haven and Kurdish areas of northern Iraq and of the numbers of people affected; what funding his Department will provide; and by what mechanisms aid will be delivered.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 20 November 1992]: In September of this year, the director of UNICEF and the under-secretary for the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs visited Iraq to assess needs in preparation for a United Nations plan of action covering the whole country, which was published in November. In view of the grave difficulties of access to many areas of southern Iraq, the United Nations has been unable to conduct a detailed needs survey in the south, or to provide detailed estimates of the numbers of people in need of assistance.

  But the United Nations needs to further consider how to channel assistance to the more inaccessible areas, following their signature of a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Iraq. WHO and UNICEF have procured drugs and medical supplies for distribution in the south.

  We maintain regular contacts with the non-governmental organisations, which are able to gain access to parts of the south. They report that conditions are grim, particularly in the marshes, mainly due to the actions of the Iraqi armed forces.

  We continue to support the work of NGOs such as Iraqi civilian aid and the Amar appeal which provide valuable, though of necessity small scale, assistance to some of the most needy people in southern Iraq, and in the refugee camps of Iran. So far in 1992 we have provided nearly £2 million to such agencies, including a recent contribution of £255,000 to the Amar appeal for work in the marshes. We have agreed with Iraqi civilian aid that they will spend the final portion of their £625,000 grant to buy winter clothing for refugees. We are currently considering further medical aid through NGOs to the south. We stand ready to respond to further requests for assistance if conditions permit.

WALES

  Phosphate Pollution
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the sites of special scientific interest in Wales that have been damaged by phosphate pollution.
  680
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Three terrestial SSSIs in Wales have been subjected to phosphate pollution. These are Rhyd y Foel (Clwyd), Coedydd a Chorsydd Aber Teifi (Dyfed) and Gweunydd Ty-brith (Powys).

  Road Safety
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what resources he has set aside for local safety schemes for trunk roads in Wales for 1993–94.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend will shortly decide the allocation of resources for 1993–94.

  Forestry
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities currently have structure plans including policies on afforestation; and how many such policies give guidance on the types of species to be planted.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Clwyd, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan and Powys have policies dealing with afforestation in their approved structure plans. All counties in Wales have policies relating to tree planting in forests and woodlands in their approved structure plans. None give guidance on the types of species to be planted.

  Rural Parishes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many classified rural parishes there are in Wales; how many such parishes do not have(a) a permanent shop, (b) a post office, (c) a school, (d) a village hall and (e) a daily bus service; and if he will publish the equivalent figures for (i) 1961, (ii) 1971 and (iii) 1981.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number of civil parishes in rural districts in Wales in 1961 and 1971 was 899. Rural districts and civil parishes were abolished in 1974. Information on amenities is not collected centrally.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils there are in each grant-maintained school in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is as follows:

  Pupils on roll 1September 1992

  Cwmcarn grant-maintained school

  330

  Bishop Vaughan catholic comprehensive school

  927

  Brynmawr comprehensive school

  477

  1 Provisional.

  Fluoride
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those district health authorities that have requested Welsh Water plc to increase the fluoride content of water supplies, indicating (i) those that have had their request met, (ii) those whose applications are pending and (iii) those whose applications have been refused.
  681
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Gwynedd health authority have a long-standing agreement with Welsh Water dating from 1955 to fluoridate water supplies on Anglesey. They have requested Welsh Water plc to replace the equipment used to fluoridate the water supply on Anglesey which has not been in operation for about four years. The company has not yet acceded to that request. The Department is not aware of any other requests of Welsh Water plc by health authorities concerning fluoridation.

  Dentists
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide specific funding for citizens advice bureaux in Wales to launch local publicity campaigns to enable the general public to know which general dental practitioners are taking on new national health service patients.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This action is not necessary nor would it be appropriate. The management of general dental services is the responsibility of family health services authorities which have up-to-date information on the services available in their areas. That information is readily available to members of the public and citizens advice bureaux. The decision on whether a publicity campaign is required rests with the authority in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidelines issued by health authorities and family health service authorities in Wales to ensure that the ratio of community dentists to salaried dentists is appropriate throughout Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It is for the district health authorities to determine the appropriate number of community dentists in the light of local needs. The number of salaried dentists employed by family health services authorities is dependent on local circumstances and endorsement by the Department in the light of the criteria laid down in WHC(92)55, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Both authorities are expected to liaise with one another in considering appointments needs and circumstances.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it a requirement of family health service authorities in Wales to inform all national health service patients de-registered by a general dental practitioner of the locations and operating times of the community dental service.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This decision is one which should he taken by family health services authorities in the light of local needs and circumstances. Normally, authorities would direct "de-registered" patients to another general dental practitioner still accepting patients under the NHS. Only if this option is in some way unsuitable or impracticable would authorities direct patients to the community dental service in its "safety net" capacity. In those circumstances, authorities would supply patients with all relevant information.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will summarise the decision-making process which determines whether family health service authorities employ a salaried dentist or the area health authority employs a community dental officer.
  682
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It is for the family health services authority to decide whether to apply to the Department for permission to employ salaried dentists. Each application is considered in light of the criteria outlined in circular WHC(92)55. Briefly, these are that the numbers of independent practitioners are not sufficient to ensure adequate provision of general dental services and that the FHSA should give a clear indication of the geographical area where the deficiency exists, along with reasons why the deficiency cannot be met by other methods. Similarly, a district health authority is responsible for determining the number of community dental officers it employs. I expect the authorities to liaise with one another in considering appointments which should be made in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken to attract more dentists to the county of Gwynedd who are able to treat national health service patients.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter for the Gwynedd family health services authority. The authority has applied for permission to employ salaried dentists and my right hon. Friend has given permission for four whole-time equivalent salaried dentists to be employed. The authority has also attracted general dental practitioners to its area by utilising the Department's location incentive grants and by local initiatives.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dentists in Gwynedd currently provide services under the national health service.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  As at 30 June 1992, the latest available date, there were 63 general dental practitioners in contract with Gwynedd family health services authority.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Gwynedd are unable to register with dental practices.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken to re-open the emergency dental treatment centre in Bangor, Gwynedd.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It is the responsibility of general dental practitioners to ensure that emergency treatment is available for those patients registered with them. Discussions are now taking place between the Gwynedd family health services authority and Gwynedd health authority with a view to providing a weekend emergency service in Bangor for those patients who are not registered with a general dental practitioner.

  National Museum
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the director of the national museum of Wales to discuss the continuance of the museum's school lending service.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I am aware of the Director's views on funding for the museum school service in Wales. In considering this matter in the public expenditure round, I am taking into account that five local education authorities already fund the service, and the possibility of continued support from these and other sources.

  Bad Smells
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many complaints have been made to environmental health officers in Wales concerning bad smells in each of the last 10 years; and what are the numbers of such complaints relating to(a) industrial processes and (b) agricultural practices.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office does not hold this information.

  Pollution Monitoring
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to designate additional monitoring sites in(a) urban and (b) rural areas of Wales to assess levels of (i) sulphur dioxide and (ii) nitrogen oxides.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In line with the commitment in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" (Cm 1200) the Government recently extended the United Kingdom's urban air monitoring network. Among new urban stations opened was one in Cardiff which became operational in May 1992. More stations are planned and will monitor sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide as well as other pollutants.

  There are no plans to extend rural monitoring from its present level which, on the basis of current expert advice, is considered adequate.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures for emissions of(a) sulphur dioxide, (b) black smoke, (c) nitrogen dioxide, (d) volatile organic compounds and (e) carbon monoxide in Wales, by sector and, where appropriate, by fuel type.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on these emissions, by sector and fuel type, is available for the United Kingdom as a whole only. The latest published data is in the Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics No. 14, copies of which are held in the Library of the House.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether Welsh local authorities will be allowed to use capital receipts from the sale of council houses for the purposes of new build.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  We do not encourage authorities to undertake new build themselves when better value for money can be obtained by other means.

  Pen y Gelli Quarry
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what costed proposals Clwyd county council have forwarded to his Department in relation to proposals to develop Pen y Gelli quarry, Lloc, near Holywell, as an itinerant transit camp; and what has been his response to date.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Clwyd county council applied in September 1990 for approval in principle of grant aid for the establishment of this transit gipsy site. They were asked to reconsider the proposals and are currently doing so.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what commitments his Department has given with regard 684
  to the costs of the compulsory purchase order and the potential public inquiry with regard to the proposal to develop Pen y Gelli quarry, Lloc, near Holywell, as an itinerant transit camp; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No such order has yet been submitted to my right hon. Friend and no commitments have been given.

  Pensioners (Transport)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local authorities in Wales who(a) allow pensioners to travel free of charge on public transport in Wales, (b) allow pensioners to travel at discounted rates and (c) offer no concessions to pensioners travelling on public transport.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  All local authorities in Wales operate concessionary fares schemes which give discount rates to pensioners. Those allowing free travel are Cardiff city council for persons over 75 years of age and Rhuddlan borough council which provides a free bus service for pensioners holding concessionary passes.

  Sand Dredging
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the volume of sand dredged off the Welsh coast over each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the volume of sand dredged off the Welsh coast is not available. Figures on the amount of all sea-dredged aggregates entering Welsh ports are given in the table.

  One-port traffic: sea-dredged aggregates entering Welsh ports1

  Thousand tonnes

  1982

  1,230

  1983

  1,504

  1984

  1,503

  1985

  1,412

  1986

  1,400

  1987

  2,305

  1988

  2,019

  1989

  2,450

  1990

  2,161

  1991

  1,687

  Source: Department of Transport and British Ports Federation.

  1 One-port traffic comprises off-shore traffic, sea-dredged aggregates and materials shipped for dumping at sea. Sea-dredged aggregates comprise dredged sand, gravel etc. landed at a port for commercial purposes.

  Road Repairs
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to meet local authorities in Wales to discuss the financing of repairs to Welsh bridges and minor roads.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have no plans to do so. Local authorities fund such projects from unhypothecated resources.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the results of the consultation on the role of the Welsh language development committee of the Welsh joint education committee.
  685
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Nearly 30 organisations and individuals responded to the consultation paper issued in August, representing a broad range of opinion. I will be announcing our conclusions very soon.

  Energy Saving
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what efforts are currently being undertaken by his Department to encourage applications for THERMIE programme money from companies involved in energy saving and renewable energy sources in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  For the past five years my energy efficiency office has held annual seminars on THERMIE which have attracted large audiences from all sectors of the economy. Prior to this year's seminar, held in July, they also wrote to all engaged in energy research in Wales promoting this programme in particular. After the event they followed up with a further letter to offer further assistance in particular cases if required.

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which geographical areas of Wales are currently served by water supplies that have been fluoridated.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Parts of Mid Glamorgan, Powys and Anglesey are served by water supplies which have previously been fluoridated. However, none of these water supplies are currently fluoridated.

  Child Protection Registers
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children appeared on child protection registers in Wales in each year since 1981.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the number of children in Wales on child protection registers was not centrally collected prior to 1988. Information for the years from 1988 to 1991 is given in the following table:

  Year ended 31 March

  Number of children

  1988

  1,903

  1989

  2,062

  1990

  2,302

  1991

  2,460

  Information on the registers is used by local authority social services departments to manage their child protection work. It is not intended specifically to establish the extent of child abuse and comparisons between years may be affected by changes in the administrative arrangements of local authorities.

  Housing
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will appoint a representative from Welsh district councils to serve on the board of Tâi Cymru.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Appointments to the board of Housing for Wales are not made on a representational basis.

  A55
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what improvements he intends to make to roads which feed onto the A55 in north Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Plans for improvements are set out in the 1992 supplement to "Roads in Wales: Progress and Plans for the 1990s".

  Police
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the organisations and individuals who have(a) responded to his invitation to be consulted or (b) submitted comments, suggestions or representations about the future structure and funding of police authorities in England and Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  These matters are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. Future arrangements for the police, following local government reorganisation in Wales, were, however the subject of advice submitted to the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government by the Home Office and electoral issues sub-group. Copies of that advice are in the Library of the House.

  Health Service Waiting Lists
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what mechanism his Department uses to ensure that the 1992–93 waiting times initiative moneys allocation to area health authorities is not used for extra contractual referrals.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The allocation of waiting times initiative funds in Wales are based on application from district health authorities which specify the nature and amount of treatment to be purchased for their residents, and indicate the effect upon immediate hospital waiting times for those residents.

  The exact way in which this is achieved is a matter for the authorities themselves. An evaluation of the expenditure is undertaken on behalf of the Department at the end of each year.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the planned allocation of funds by his Department for each health authority in Wales for the waiting times initiative for 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No decision has yet been taken on resources for waiting times initiatives in Wales in 1993–94.

  Nature Reserves
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of public money was spent by the Countryside Council for Wales for the purchase of national nature reserves in 1991–92; and what is the expected spend for 1992–93.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Countryside Council for Wales expenditure on the purchase of national nature reserves was £631,562 in 1991–92 and is expected to be £201,000 in 1992–93.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of grant was made by the Countryside Council for
  687
  Wales under section 38 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to voluntary conservation bodies for the purposes of land purchase in 1991–92; and what is the expected spend for 1992–93.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Section 38 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was repealed on 1 April 1991. The Countryside Council for Wales operates its land purchase grant scheme under the provisions of section 134 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and section 9 of the Local Government Act 1974, which enable the Countryside Council for Wales to provide grants to partners in the voluntary and public sectors to purchase land for nature and landscape conservation. The amount of grant for land purchase provided in 1991–92 to voluntary conservation bodies was £232,106. Grants totalling £333,325 have been offered for 1992–93.

  Emergency Medical Treatment
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each of the Welsh health authorities the number of patients who received(a) emergency in-patient treatment and (b) any emergency treatment who resided outside the particular health authority area where they

  Duty Unit

  Duty Rates

  1978–79

  1992–93

  Percentage changes in real terms

  Hydrocarbon oils

  Leaded petrol

  pence per litre

  6·60

  27·79

  120·2

  Unleaded petrol

  pence per litre

  6·60

  23·42

  95·4

  Derv

  pence per litre

  7·70

  22·85

  73·6

  Sparkling wine of fresh grape

  £ per hectolitre

  87·22

  208·00

  51·8

  Cider and Perry

  £ per hectolitre

  5·32

  21·32

  112·6

  Tobacco

  Cigarettes

  £per 1,000

  17·70

  67·53

  105·4

  Cigars

  £ per kilogram

  20·94

  67·89

  83·9

  Hand rolling

  £ per kilogram

  20·28

  71·63

  94·8

  CFCs
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the use of fiscal incentives in connection with capital costs involved in the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The existing tax regime provides relief for capital investment on machinery and plant, including equipment used in the production of CFC-free products. By providing a broadly neutral tax system for businesses, with a common rate of capital allowances for investment in most equipment, we allow businesses to decide where investments should be made. The increase in first-year capital allowances from 25 per cent. to 40 per cent. which was announced in the autumn statement, will provide an additional incentive for investment by businesses in the year to October 1993.

  Statistical Returns
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the range of penalties possible under section 4 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947 for failure to make 688
  were treated in the quarters of 1990, 1991 and the first three quarters of 1992; and if he will divide up the figures by specialty.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: In the light of the size and number of tables of information which are available, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the information in the Library of the House.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxes and Duties
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all indirect taxes and duties which have increased by more than the rate of inflation since 1978–79, giving for each(a) the rate in 1978–79 and 1992–93 and (b) the real increase since 1978–79.

  Sir John Cope
  The information is given in the table. The question is taken to refer to specific excise duties rather than ad valorem taxes and duties. Exceptionally the figures shown for cigarettes comprise both ad valorem and specific duty. Aviation gasoline was not subject to duty in 1978–79.

  statistical returns; and in how many cases in the year 1991–92 action was taken on his behalf that could have led to such penalties being incurred.

  Mr. Nelson
  The maximum penalty under section 4 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947 for failure to make statistical returns is a fine of a £1,000.

  The number of cases taken on the Chancellor's behalf in the year 1991–92 that could have led to such penalties being incurred was 884. Of these, 877 responded to this action and only the remaining seven were prosecuted.

  Taxation
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number and percentage of standard rate and higher rate taxpayers in(a) each county, (b) each region and (c) the United Kingdom for the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Estimates for 1989–90 are as shown in the table. Married couples are counted as one unit in this last year before independent taxation.
  689

  Basic and higher rate taxpayers 1989–90

  Regions and counties

  Taxpayers liable at only basic rate

  Taxpayers liable at higher rate

  Thousands

  Percentage

  Thousands

  Percentage

  United Kingdom

  20,100

  92·0

  1,750

  8·0

  North

  1,020

  96·2

  40

  3·8

  Cleveland

  141

  95·5

  7

  4·5

  Cumbria

  189

  96·8

  6

  3·2

  Durham

  209

  95·4

  10

  4·6

  Northumberland

  107

  95·6

  5

  4·4

  Tyne/Wear

  374

  96·8

  12

  3·2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,670

  94·0

  106

  6·0

  Humberside

  295

  92·0

  26

  8·0

  North Yorkshire

  266

  91·6

  24

  8·4

  South Yorkshire

  411

  94·9

  22

  5·1

  West Yorkshire

  694

  95·3

  34

  4·7

  North West

  2,140

  94·0

  136

  6·0

  Cheshire

  355

  91·6

  33

  8·4

  Greater Manchester

  824

  94·3

  50

  5·7

  Lancashire

  513

  94·6

  29

  5·4

  Merseyside

  445

  94·8

  24

  5·2

  East Midlands

  1,350

  92·7

  107

  7·3

  Derbyshire

  319

  92·4

  26

  7·6

  Leicestershire

  317

  92·2

  27

  7·8

  Lincolnshire

  214

  94·7

  12

  5·3

  Northamptonshire

  188

  90·0

  21

  10·0

  Nottinghamshire

  317

  93·9

  21

  6·1

  West Midlands

  1,780

  93·9

  116

  6·1

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  251

  92·4

  21

  7·6

  Shropshire

  143

  93·6

  10

  6·4

  Staffordshire

  403

  95·1

  21

  4·9

  Warwickshire

  189

  89·2

  23

  10·8

  West Midlands

  793

  94·9

  42

  5·1

  East Anglia

  767

  93·5

  54

  6·5

  Cambridgeshire

  255

  92·9

  19

  7·1

  Norfolk

  280

  94·3

  17

  5·7

  Suffolk

  232

  93·2

  17

  6·8

  South East

  6,260

  88·0

  850

  12·0

  Bedfordshire

  176

  88·1

  24

  11·9

  Berkshire

  245

  86·4

  39

  13·6

  Buckinghamshire

  210

  82·0

  46

  18·0

  East Sussex

  287

  92·1

  25

  7·9

  West Sussex

  314

  89·3

  37

  10·7

  Essex

  534

  89·0

  66

  11·0

  Greater London

  2,480

  88·5

  321

  11·5

  Hampshire

  546

  90·2

  59

  9·8

  Hertfordshire

  397

  85·5

  67

  14·5

  Kent

  517

  89·8

  59

  10·2

  Oxfordshire

  161

  87·2

  23

  12·8

  Surrey

  337

  80·6

  81

  19·4

  Isle of Wight

  53

  93·6

  4

  6·4

  South West

  1,590

  92·9

  121

  7·1

  Avon

  303

  93·1

  23

  6·9

  Cornwall

  149

  95·8

  7

  4·2

  Devon

  383

  95·6

  18

  4·4

  Dorset

  240

  93·5

  17

  6·5

  Gloucestershire

  190

  89·7

  22

  10·3

  Somerset

  146

  89·4

  17

  10·6

  Wiltshire

  180

  90·8

  18

  9·2

  Wales

  903

  94·7

  50

  5·3

  Dyfed

  106

  93·4

  7

  6·6

  Clwyd

  161

  96·3

  6

  3·7

  690 691

  Regions and counties

  Taxpayers liable at only basic rate

  Taxpayers liable at higher rate

  Thousands

  Percentage

  Thousands

  Percentage

  Gwent

  142

  92·8

  11

  7·2

  Mid Glamorgan

  165

  95·9

  7

  4·1

  South Glamorgan

  132

  95·3

  6

  4·7

  West Glamorgan

  99

  95·8

  4

  4·2

  Gwynedd

  69

  92·8

  5

  7·2

  Powys

  29

  91·9

  3

  8·1

  Scotland

  1,940

  93·9

  126

  6·1

  Border

  44

  91·9

  4

  8·1

  Central

  96

  92·4

  8

  7·6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  46

  92·6

  4

  7·4

  Fife

  135

  95·7

  6

  4·3

  Grampian

  231

  92·7

  18

  7·3

  Highland

  69

  97·3

  2

  2·7

  Island Authorities

  17

  90·3

  2

  9·7

  Lothian

  312

  93·4

  22

  6·6

  Tayside

  138

  95·3

  7

  4·7

  Strathclyde

  849

  94·1

  54

  5·9

  Northern Ireland

  453

  93·8

  30

  6·2

  Duty Free Allowances
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the change in revenue which will result from the changes in duty free allowances from 1 January 1993.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: The completion of the single market on 1 January 1993 will not result in any change in duty free allowances for excise goods. The main change for travellers will be the abolition of duty paid allowances for intra-EC travellers. As shown on page 56 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1992–93 published in March 1992, we expect the increase in personal importation of drink and tobacco products will result in a revenue loss to the United Kingdom Exchequer of around £250 million.

  As an unrelated issue, negotiations have been taking place for some time with our EC partners over an increase
  692
  in the "other goods" allowance for non-excisable projects, currently set at 45 ECU (£32). An objective of our presidency has been to make progress in this area. A provisional agreement has now been reached increasing the allowance to 175 ECU (£139) for third country travellers and to 90 ECU (£71) for intra-EC travellers, subject to reserves by Germany and Denmark. These increases would cost the United Kingdom exchequer around £35 million in a full year.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to seek to remove from liability for VAT payments made for the private care of elderly persons.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend has no plans to change United Kingdom VAT law relating to the domiciliary care of elderly people by private care agencies.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency, Yorkshire
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the full range of furniture and household goods which social fund officers in the York Benefits Agency office were being advised to treat as high-priority items in October in each year since 1988.

  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 and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 24 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 priority levels for furniture and household goods in the Agency's York office.
  Social Fund Officers (SFO) decide the overall priority of individual applications by looking at all the circumstances of the case. They are obliged to take account of guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Social Security, and by the District Manager acting as Area Social Fund Officer (ASFO).
  Since 1988, guidance issued by the Secretary of State has indicated that only those items of furniture and household equipment that are essential to the applicant, should be afforded high priority. Over the same period the ASFO has also indicated that high priority should generally be afforded to essential items. However, I should point out that, since SFOs look at all the circumstances surrounding an application, what is an essential item for one applicant may not be for another.
  Budgeting Loans are aimed at those on Income Support who find it difficult to budget for intermittent expenses, but Community Care Grants are targeted on specified circumstances. The Secretary of State guidance on the level of priority for grants is therefore in terms of the circumstances of the applicant, rather than the item requested. No advice is therefore provided on the level of priority accorded to grant applications for furniture and household equipment. This is for the SFO to decide.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in the benefits agency district covering Kilmarnock and Loudoun qualify for payment under the cold weather scheme.

  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 M. Bichard to Mr. William McKelvey, dated 24 November 1992:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many households in the Benefits Agency District covering Kilmarnock and Louden qualify for payment under the cold weather scheme.
  694
  Kilmarnock and Louden is covered by the Agency's Irvine and Kilmarnock District. It is not possible to give an exact figure of how many customers would qualify for a Cold Weather payment except at disproportionate cost. However, based on figures for those claiming Income Support in August 1992 it is estimated that approximately 11,000 customers in that District may qualify for a Cold Weather payment should the area be triggered. Parliamentary Constituencies and District boundaries do not correspond however and therefore a proportion of these may live outside the constituency.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cold weather payments were made in each region in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Scott
  All the information available on cold weather payments made since 1987 is held in the Library.

  State Earnings-related Pension Scheme
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing the annual costs in each year since 1988–89, along with estimates for 1992–93, of the national insurance rebates, tax refunds and other incentives paid in respect of personal pensions used for contracting out of SERPS.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 23 June,Official Report, columns. 138–39. Estimates for 1992–93 are in the table.

  £ million

  NI rebates

  Incentives

  Tax refunds

  Total

  1,950

  650

  225

  2,825

  Family Credit
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing the proposed family credit ceilings in 1993–94 for(a) a married couple with one child aged under five years, (b) a married couple with two children aged under 11 years, (c) a married couple with two children aged over 11 years, (d) a married couple with three children aged under 11 years, (e) a married couple with three children aged over 11 years and (f) a married couple with two children aged under 11 years and two children over 11 years.

  Mr. Burt
  At the new benefit levels proposed for April 1993 the family credit ceilings represented by the highest amount of net earnings and other relevant income a family can have and still qualify for family credit at the minimum payment of 50p will be as follows:

  £

  Married couple with one child under 5 years

  144·36

  Married couple with two children under 11

  159·71

  Married couple with two children over 11 (but under 16)

  180·00

  Married couple with three children under 11

  175·07

  Married couple with three children over 11 (but under 16)

  205·50

  Married couple with two children under 11 and two children over 11 (but under 16)

  210·71

  Industrial Diseases
  Dr. Blackburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council report on bronchitis and emphysema in coal miners and metal production workers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today laid the council's report before Parliament (Cm 2091). As with all IIAC reports, we will give it careful consideration. We will announce our decision about implementing the recommendations once the medical, administrative and financial issues raised by the report have been examined.

  Pensioners Resident in Spain
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from groups representing British pensioners resident in Spain; what reply he has given; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have received two representations concerning British pensioners resident in Spain, including the one from the right hon. Member for Wythenshawe dated 22 October. This was transferred to the Secretary of State for Health as the matters raised were mainly for her consideration.

EDUCATION

  School Performance Tables
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to develop the comparative tables of school performance in future years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Patten
  Under the parents charter, the information about schools' performance made available to parents in comparative tables will build up systematically over the remainder of the decade.

  Public examination results

  The Department published this month the first comparative tables of GCSE and A/AS examination results in all maintained schools and those independent schools which volunteered to take part. From 1993, the published information will cover all secondary schools in England, including all independent ones. The Department will also be considering how to incorporate information about the vocational qualifications obtained in each school as increasing numbers of pupils try for these.

  National curriculum test results

  The Department will shortly publish the national results of the 1992 national curriculum tests of seven-year-olds in English, mathematics, science and technology and an analysis of the results in each LEA. The results in each LEA will be set alongside information about expenditure per nursery/primary pupil in the LEA so that judgments can be made about value for money at local level. Equivalent national and LEA analyses of the results of NC tests will be published every year after this as the assessment arrangements are extended to new subjects and key stages. The Department is also publishing this year a national analysis of the results of the 1992 pilot tests of 14-year-olds in mathematics and science in which 75 per cent. of secondary schools took part.
  696
  The Department published for consultation on 21 October proposals for the inclusion of information about the results of the tests of 7, 11 and 14-year-olds in the comparative tables of school performance. Under these proposals information will be published annually, school by school, about the proportion of pupils in each age group reaching or exceeding a target level. The information will cover every maintained school and those independent schools which participate in the tests.

  This means that the publication of comparative information about NC test results will be introduced to the following schedule:

  from 1993 and subsequently:

  the results of 7-year-olds in English, mathematics, science, technology, history and geography;

  the results of 14-year-olds in English, mathematics, science and technology.

  from 1994 and subsequently:

  the results of 11-year-olds in English, mathematics, science and technology;

  the results of 14-year-olds in history and geography;

  from 1995 and subsequently:

  the results of 11-year-olds in history and geography;

  the results of 14-year-olds in modern foreign languages.

  The proposals do not envisage the publication of comparative information about results in music, art and PE because these subjects will not be assessed on the NC 10 level scale.

  Comparative information about the enhancement of pupils' learning over time achieved by schools

  The Department's October proposals also foreshadow the publication in comparative tables of a standard measure of the extent to which schools have enhanced pupils' attainments between one key stage of the National Curriculum and another—the "value-added". These measures will be phased in as and when pupils assessed at one age are assessed again at another. This implies the following timetable:

  from 1995 and subsequently:

  the enhancement between testing at seven (key stage 1) and at 11 (key stage 2);

  the enhancement between testing at 14 (key stage 3) and at 16 (key stage 3).

  from 1997 and subsequently:

  the enhancement between testing at 11 (key stage 2) and 14 (key stage 3).

  from 1999 and subsequently:

  the enhancement between testing at 11 (key stage 2) and 16 (key stage 4).

  Attendance rates

  From 1993, it is intended that the comparative tables will contain information about the annual unauthorised pupil absence, and the numbers of pupils involved, in all maintained and independent schools.

  Pupils' routes to further and higher education, training and employment

  From 1993, it is intended that the comparative tables will contain information about the routes taken by pupils at age 16. The information published will cover both maintained and independent schools.

  Further information

  In addition to the comparative tables, each maintained school is required to produce a prospectus each year. The school can include any information which it feels would be helpful, but must include:

  full details of all public examinations taken by pupils, including vocational qualifications, broken down by

  697
  subject and gender;

  rates of unauthorised absence for each term and each year group;

  and, from 1993, we propose:

  national curriculum test results;

  routes taken by pupils once they reach school leaving age.

  The prospectus must also summarise curriculum and examination policies and arrangements made for pupils with special educational needs. We propose to require in addition a statement about how the school promotes the moral, spiritual, social and cultural values of pupils.

  From September 1993 full inspection reports on every maintained secondary school will be published every four years. Four-yearly inspections of other maintained schools will start in 1994. The inspections will be arranged by OFSTED (the Office for Standards of Education) and will report on the quality of education, standards achieved, efficiency of management and development of values in the school. All parents will be sent a summary of the report on their children's school. The full report on each school will be available at the school and in local libraries.

  School Inspectors
  Mr. Hawksley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what criteria have been used for the selection of those being currently trained as registered secondary school inspectors;

  (2) how many registered secondary school inspectors are to be appointed for the school year 1993–94;

  (3) how many registered secondary school inspectors currently being trained and employed are currently (a) local educational advisers and (b) former local educational advisers.

  Mr. Forth
  The training and registration of inspectors under the Education (Schools) Act 1992, and the arrangements under which they will carry out inspections under section 9 of that Act, are all the responsibilities of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools.

  Pupil Assessments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of the children who are tested at the key stage one national curriculum assessment are aged(a) seven and (b) six at the time of the test.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is not held centrally. In 1992 teachers were able to administer the end of key stage 1 tests from the mid-point of the spring term until the mid-point of the summer one. Estimates based on quarterly birth rate statistics recorded by OPCS reveal that by the end of this testing period less than 25 per cent. of pupils tested would not have reached their seventh birthdays.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many hours of teacher time he expects to be allocated to the administration and management of key stage one tests in primary schools(a) currently and (b) when the full range of national curriculum subjects is tested.

  Mr. Forth
  The test of reading expected, teachers were able to administer the 1992 statutory tests for seven-year-olds in English, mathematics and science in 24 hours, on average, for each class. This was well within the maximum of 30 hours allowed for. In addition teachers took on average nine hours to test individual pupils'698
  reading ability by hearing them read aloud. Teachers were able to choose to administer the tests at any time between the mid-point of the spring term and the mid-point of the summer term.

  The 1993 tests in English, mathematics and science will be to the same model and should take the same time.

  Assessments in the other foundation subjects will be based on teachers' own assessments of pupils' school work, although teachers will have available voluntary tests in technology, history and geography to use at their own discretion.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils received free school meals in Blyth Valley and Northumberland at(a) primary and (b) secondary schools for each year since 1988.

  Mr. Forth
  Information for schools in Blyth valley is not available centrally. The numbers of children taking free school meals in maintained primary and secondary schools in Northumberland local education authority for each year from 1988 to 1992 (provisional) are given in the table.

  Pupils taking free school meals

  Northumberland LEA

  1Primary

  Secondary

  Total

  21992

  3,210

  2,403

  5,613

  1991

  2,814

  2,162

  4,976

  1990

  2,563

  2,017

  4,580

  1989

  2,512

  2,036

  4,548

  1988

  2,181

  1,991

  4,172

  1 Primary figures 1989 to 1992 include pupils in nursery schools. Primary figures in relation to 1988 do not include such pupils.

  2 Provisional.

  Education Associations
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the number of different schools he expects to be conducted by a single education association constituted under section 194 of the Education Bill.

  Mr. Forth
  The number will vary according to factors such as the timing of the identification of failing schools and their location. The Education Bill sets no upper limit.

  "15000 Hours"
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what public funding was used for Professor Sir Michael Rutter's study "15000 Hours" into successful schools; and if he will list the names of the schools in the study.

  Mr. Forth
  The report on this project was published in 1979. The Department made grants of £71,045 to support the work which was also supported by the former Inner London education authority. The identities of the schools involved in the study were not made known to the Department.

  Parents Meetings
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of annual parents' meetings; and if he will make a statement.
  699
  Mr. Forth
  Annual parents' meetings are an important aspect of involving parents in the life of their children's schools. Research commissioned by the Department has added weight to anecdotal evidence that, in general, parental attendance is disappointing, whilst also finding instances of very successful meetings. We are considering how this might be followed up.

  Ozone-depleting Substances
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding has been allocated or spent to deal specifically with measures to reduce his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

  Mr. Forth
  A total of £4,911 has been spent in the current financial year to replace halon fire extinguishers with environmentally friendly alternatives.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance has been sought and received on alternatives or substitutes to the ozone-destroying chemicals in use by his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  Property Holdings, or their appointed contractors, maintain all the Department's refrigeration and air-conditioning plant, under their standard option arrangements. The Department depends on these arrangements to control the use of ozone-destroying chemicals, and to introduce suitable alternative or substitute materials in our premises.

  In addition, for more general applications like the use of cleaning materials etc, the Department adheres to guidance and advice disseminated by the Department of the Environment.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many portable halon fire extinguishers are contained within departmental buildings; and what measures are being taken to ensure their recycling and replacement.

  Mr. Forth
  There are 45 portable halon fire extinguishers contained within the Department. All these extinguishers will be replaced by the end of 1992 and be properly recycled.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what targets have been set for the recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals within departmental buildings.

  Mr. Forth
  A replacement programme for Halon fire extinguishers will be completed by the target date of December 1992. All other ozone-depleting chemicals which have to be replaced are properly recycled under the terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances have occurred within Department buildings in the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  None.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what proportion of his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances becomes controlled waste in terms of section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;
  700
  (2) what action has been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances consumed by his Department are identified as controlled wastes when they are no longer in use;

  (3) what measures have been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances in use by his Department identified as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 do not reach the atmosphere.

  Mr. Forth
  The disposal of controlled waste is governed by the Duty of Care Regulations which came into force on 1 April 1992 under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These regulations make producers of controlled waste responsible for ensuring that it is disposed of safely and legally. There is no Crown immunity from these regulations and the Department takes care to observe them.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many refrigeration and air conditioning systems in his Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems.

  Mr. Forth
  None.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) by what date his Department's use of ozone-depleting chemicals will conform to EC regulations on limits on these chemicals;

  (2) which current uses of ozone-depleting chemicals by his Department are considered essential.

  Mr. Forth
  Both the Montreal protocol and EC regulations seek to control the production but not the use of substances which deplete the ozone layer. However, the Department is helping to phase out ozone-depleting substances by refraining from purchasing or using them unless no suitable alternative is available.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will provide details from the maintenance and servicing record of the quantity and type of ozone-destroying chemicals used annually in his Department's refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for servicing and in leakages; and what proportion is removed for recycling.

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not collected centrally. Property Holdings, or its appointed contractors, maintain all the Department's refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and keep associated service records, under its standard option arrangements.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many CFC and HCFC installations are contained within departmental buildings; and how many CFC domestic fridges are contained within departmental buildings.

  Mr. Forth
  Property Holdings is responsible for the maintenance of the air-conditioning and refrigeration plant in all the Department's buildings. Technical information on these installations is not held by the Department.

  The Department has 57 CFC domestic fridges.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what quantity of HCFC 22 is purchased by his Department per annum.
  701
  Mr. Forth
  The Department does not make any direct purchases of HCFC22. Property Holdings, or its appointed contractors, is responsible for making purchases of such material for the Department under its Standard Option arrangements.

  Ozone Layer
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how the departmental green Minister has promoted protection of the ozone layer with specific policy measures; which possible measures have been considered and rejected; and on what grounds.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department's policy is not to purchase new materials which are known to be harmful to the ozone layer as set out in the Montreal protocol and its revisions. Where existing equipment containing substances harmful to the ozone layer is to be renewed or subject to major maintenance it will be replaced by materials which are understood to be ozone friendly wherever this is possible.

  No specific measures have been considered and rejected.

  Teachers' Salaries
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list teachers' salaries as a percentage of average non-manual earnings for each year since 1974.

  Mr. Forth
  The figures are given in the table:

  Table 1: Trends in school teachers relative pay 1974–92 Average gross weekly earnings (£) at April each year of full-time men and women workers on adult rates whose pay was not affected by absence.

  Teachers £

  All non-manual £

  Teacher/non-manual ratio

  1974

  47·0

  43·4

  108

  1975

  65·2

  56·2

  116

  1976

  81·4

  67·5

  121

  Numbers of students and net institutional expenditure per FTE student in further and higher education1 1979–80, 1985–86 and 1989–90

  1979–80

  1985–86

  1989–90

  UGC/UFC-funded universities

  FTE students (thousands)

  266·1

  274·2

  304·8

  Unit funding per FTE student (£ cash terms2 3)

  3,215

  5,335

  6,410

  LEA maintained establishments4

  FTE students (thousands)

  735·1

  794·1

  692·0

  Net institutional expenditure per FTE student (£ cash terms2)

  1,725

  2,590

  2,790

  PCFC institutions4

  FTE students (thousands)

  —

  —

  297·7

  Unit funding per FTE student (£ cash terms2)

  —

  —

  3,910

  1 Territorial coverage is as follows: LEAs and PCFC—England; UGC/UFC—Great Britain.

  2 Rounded to nearest £5.

  3 Includes funding for research.

  4 Figures reflect the transfer of a number of institutions formerly maintained or assisted by local education authorities to the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council (PCFC) in April 1989.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the level of expenditure in 1992–93 on tertiary and further education and those related services to be transferred from local authority responsibility in 1993 by each local authority; and what reduction in standard spending assessment for each local authority will occur in 1993–94 as a result of this transfer of responsibility.
  702

  Teachers £

  All non-manual £

  Teacher/non-manual ratio

  1977

  86·2

  73·6

  117

  1978

  94·2

  82·5

  114

  1979

  98·1

  92·2

  106

  1980

  115·5

  115·4

  100

  1981

  156·9

  133·6

  117

  1982

  159·4

  145·7

  109

  1983

  172·2

  159·1

  108

  1984

  180·8

  172·2

  105

  1985

  191·2

  184·6

  104

  1986

  211·0

  200·9

  105

  1987

  225·2

  217·4

  104

  1988

  259·4

  240·7

  108

  1989

  277·7

  264·9

  105

  1990

  305·7

  291·2

  105

  1991

  349·8

  312·5

  112

  1992

  394·2

  335·0

  118

  Source: New Earnings Survey.

  Further Education
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students in further and higher education there were in(a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c) the last year for which figures are available; and what was the average amount of money spent by the Government per student in each of those years.

  Mr. Forman
  Data are shown in the table for financial years 1979–80, 1985–86 and 1989–90, the latest year for which data are available. Further details are available from table 8 of Statistical Bulletin 10/92, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not currently available. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be announcing shortly his proposals for the 1993–94 local government settlement, including proposals for standard spending assessments. He also intends to announce proposals to specify a relevant notional amount for each authority to be used as the basis of comparison for the exercise of his capping powers for 1993–94 reflecting, inter alia, his estimate of authorities'
  703
  budgeted expenditure in 1992–93 on those functions which will become the responsibility of the Further Education Funding Council from 1 April 1993.

  Examination League Tables
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what amounts were paid to(a) Bath university and (b) PMS Communications Ltd. for compiling the recently published schools examination league tables.

  Mr. Forth
  The value of the contracts for the compilation of the school performance tables was as follows:(a) Bath university, £90,046; (b) PMS Communications Ltd., £65,000. These sums are exclusive of VAT.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the contract to compile the schools examination league tables was advertised; how many organisations submitted tenders to carry out the work; which body carried out the tender evaluation; who drew up the tender specifications; and who was responsible for the award of the contract.

  Mr. Forth
  The procedures adopted in inviting tenders for this work and deciding on the award of contract were fully in line with established Government purchasing policy. It is not the Department's policy to advertise all contracts. In the case of the school examination results data preparation contract the Department was aware, through extensive supplier research, of 18 potential tenderers with the right level of expertise to undertake the work. This was felt to be a sufficient number to ensure a high level of competition and good value for money, without the need to advertise.

  The tender specifications were drawn up by officials from a number of branches within the Department, who offered professional guidance on specific issues. Eighteen invitations were sent out, and five tenders were received for the work. These were evaluated by a project board comprising Departmental officials, also from a number of branches. The decision to award the contract to PMS Communications Ltd. was taken by the project board.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action he is considering against Bath university and/or PMS Communications Ltd. under their contract for the compiling of the schools examination league tables in relation to inaccuracies in the work carried out.

  Mr. Forth
  All alleged inaccuracies in the examinations data for individual schools are being investigated individually. Where definite inaccuracies are proved to be the fault of the contractors, these will be rectified free of charge, in accordance with their contractual obligations. As at 24 November, this has happened in five cases only. About half the alleged inaccuracies have been supplied or agreed by schools themselves; the others relate to cases where the amendments sought were invalid, unsubstantiated or arrived after the given deadline.

  "Choice and Diversity"
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a list of the respondents to the White Paper "Choice and Diversity".

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has today placed in the Library a list of respondents to the White Paper 704
  "Choice and Diversity: A New Framework for Schools", and to the two related consultation documents on special educational needs and religious education.

  As well as those included on the list, a further 750 responses were received from governing bodies, head-teachers, teachers, parents and members of the public. It would not be appropriate to list such respondents, some of whom may not wish their names to be disclosed.

  Delinquency
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the current per capita spending on children in special schools for delinquents in London; and if he will outline the measures taken to reduce delinquency and its consequences.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is one young offender institution in the London area, at Feltham, Middlesex. The per capita cost of running that establishment was £456 per week in the 1991–92 financial year.

  Measures taken with juvenile offenders at Feltham YOI to help them to avoid further offending include group work on drug and alcohol abuse, temper control and sexual behaviour and relationships. In addition, members of a local victim support scheme come in to discuss the effects of offending on its victims, and members of inmates' families are invited in once a month to engage in discussion groups which deal with offending among other issues.

DEFENCE

  Contractors
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the top 100 contractors to his Department in terms of size of the total contracts.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information for 1990–91, which is the latest available, is published at table 1.17 of the 1992 edition of "Defence Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the future sales potential of the European fighter aircraft.

  Mr. Aitken
  We expect that the EFA project will result in an even more exportable aircraft than Tornado which has created tens of thousands of jobs in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the capacity of the United Kingdom defence industry to construct the European fighter aircraft on its own.

  Mr. Aitken
  We are confident that our requirement for a new fighter aircraft can continue to be met through collaboration with our European allies. In the now unlikely event that this is not possible it would be technically feasible to complete the project on our own, although the cost implications would need careful consideration.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution Ministers or officials of his Department will make to the forthcoming seminar held by the Export Control Organisation on a practical guide to United Kingdom export controls.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department's officials regularly attend such seminars to provide guidance to industry on the export of defence and defence-related equipment. They participated in the seminar held on 20 November for this purpose.

  Unexploded Bombs
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each of the past five years and for each maritime county in England, Scotland and Wales the number of unexploded bombs and shells that have been rendered safe by units within his Department.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Fylingdales
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was(a) the capital cost of the new installation at Fylingdales moor and (b) the annual running cost.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The total capital cost of the modernised ballistic missile early warning system at RAF Fylingdales was £160 million. It is estimated that the annual running cost will be around £15 million.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will support the transfer of responsibility for inspections under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty from the International Atomic Energy Agency to a United Nations special commission under the direction of the Security Council.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government believe that the IAEA continues to be the appropriate agency to verify that states meet their commitments for the safeguarding of nuclear materials under the NPT and similar treaties.

  Nuclear Proliferation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the United Nations Security Council concerning improved intelligence-gathering procedures in world-wide nuclear proliferation.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made no representations to the United Nations Security Council on this issue.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the Government of North Korea regarding obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.
  706
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no personal contacts with representatives of North Korea. The United Kingdom continues to stress in international forums the importance we attach to North Korea abiding by her obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. We also did so in talks with North Korean officials in June.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make representations to the United Nations Security Council to ensure that the non-proliferation regime is based on the possession of nuclear explosive materials as distinct from completed nuclear devices.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is no need for such a step. The treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons represents the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and the obligations it places on states parties cover both nuclear devices and nuclear materials.

EMPLOYMENT

  Disability Quotas
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what steps she is taking to encourage employers to meet the disability quotas of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944;

  (2) if she will list the criteria to be met by an employer before a permit to engage people not registered disabled can be issued; and in what circumstances such a permit can be renewed;

  (3) how many permits to engage people not registered disabled are issued by her Department each year.

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

  Letter from M. Fogden to Mr. Eric Illsley, dated 25 November 1992:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to her about the steps being taken to encourage employers to meet the disability quota of the Disabled Persons Employment Act 1944 and two Parliamentary Questions about permits. These are matters which fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  We put a considerable amount of resource into persuading employers to recruit and retain suitable registered disabled people that is people who count towards the 3% quota under the Disabled Persons Employment Act.
  My Disability Advisory Service (DAS) and the Disablement Resettlement Officers (DROs) have been brought together to form Placing Assessment and Advisory and Advisory Teams (PACTS). These teams provide a professional integrated and trained network of help and advice for both employers and people with disabilities.
  There are seventy one Placing Assessment and Counselling Teams (PACTS) nationwide. An important part of their duties is to encourage employers to try to recruit registered disabled people thus helping employers towards meeting the 3% Quota. PACTs can offer employers practical assistance towards helping employers recruit registered disabled people through our Special Schemes. Two schemes give specific help to employers through:

  (i) grants of up to £6,000 to enable employers to adapt their premises or equipment to employ a person with a disability;

  707

  (ii) a Job Introduction Scheme providing a grant towards a person's wage for a trial period of usually six weeks.

  Other Special Schemes provide particular help for the individual through:

  (i) assistance with fares to work for people with disabilities who are unable to use public transport;

  (ii) special tools and equipment that a person needs to do their job;

  (iii) financial aid for certain visually handicapped people towards the cost of setting up a business.

  We also produce the Code of Good Practice for employers which is available from the PACT. This is a reference document which gives guidance about recruiting and retaining people with disabilities.
  Our Disability Symbol was launched in September 1990. It helps employers who are committed to good practice in employing people with disabilities to communicate that fact to potential job applicants. The Symbol is being strengthened both by the addition of a strap line "Positive about Disabled People" and from the 1 June 1993 requiring employers who use the symbol to make five specific commitments to action.
  There is a press advertising campaign under way aimed at raising employers interest in employing people with disabilities. The campaign aims to encourage employers to adopt good policies and practices in the recruitment, training, career development and retention of people with disabilities and to generate more vacancies for people with disabilities. The campaign is backed up both by advice and information including a new booklet "Employing People with Disabilities".
  I enclose copies of both the Code of Good Practice and Employing People with Disabilities for your information.
  I now turn to your questions about the criteria for issuing a permit and the numbers of permits issued each year.
  There are two types of permit. The basic test applied for both is whether suitable registered disabled people are available. An individual or immediate permit authorises the engagement of one or more people who are not registered disabled, to fill actual vacancies when no suitable registered disabled people are available. Bulk permits give the employer authority in advance to engage a specified number of people who are not registered as disabled (usually based on the employer's estimate of their likely vacancies), in particular occupations for a specific period of time. Bulk permits are issued on the understanding that, the employer will notify vacancies to the Jobcentre and will sympathetically consider the engagement of any suitable registered disabled people who may become available. These conditions apply whether an employer is applying for a first or a subsequent permit.

  We do not keep centralised records of the numbers of permits that are issued and I am unable to say how many permits are issued each year. However I hope it will be helpful if I give the total number of employers issued with permits during each of the last five years for which data is available. The figures relate to a twelve month period ending 1 June each year.

  Employers issued with permits in twelve month period ending 1 June

  Number

  1987

  18,577

  1988

  18,594

  1989

  18,530

  1990

  18,038

  1991

  17,649

  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive Replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.
  708
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she will list the local authorities to which permits to engage people not registered disabled have been issued this year;

  (2) for how long permits to engage people not registered disabled have been issued to Barnsley metropolitan borough council.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It has been the policy of successive Governments to treat as confidential, information about the issue of permits in accordance with the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 to individual employers, and not to disclose such information without their agreement.

  Ingol Rehabilitation Centre
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations she has received regarding the proposed closure of Ingol rehabilitation centre; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Department has recieved representations from some hon. Members and from Lancashire county council. Preston borough council and one or two groups representing people with disabilities suggesting that the proposed closure of Ingol rehabilitation centre be reconsidered.

  I believe that the major changes we are making in employment rehabilitation, of which the proposed closure is part, will lead to a better service for people with disabilities. Those changes involve replacing most of the Employment Service's network of centres with a network of local rehabilitation agents which has wider geographical coverage and which harnesses sources of commitment and expertise in the community. Adequate alternative provision, including residential provision, is now available, through agents, for clients of Ingol rehabilitation centre, and we are therefore satisfied that the closure should proceed.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many checks were carried out by the wages inspectorate which found workers underpaid in each region for each year since 1979.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 22 May 1992 to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden),Official Report, columns 339–46, tables 7 and 8.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many establishments in each region since 1979 have been(a) found failing to post wages council notices, (b) found failing to keep adequate records of wages paid, (c) found failing to keep adequate records of hours worked and (d) the subject of criminal prosecutions against employers under the Wages Act 1986.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is shown in the tables. In most cases the information is divided into two tables of changes in divisional boundaries in 1986.
  709

  Table 1

  Establishments found failing to post Wages Council notices 1979–1986

  Division

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  London (East)

  620

  612

  413

  415

  295

  429

  288

  700

  London (West)

  346

  365

  277

  343

  314

  375

  438

  1—

  South East

  623

  843

  457

  759

  906

  1,058

  859

  1,108

  Southern

  529

  534

  375

  302

  295

  548

  591

  433

  Eastern

  358

  580

  683

  425

  414

  652

  616

  644

  South West

  846

  981

  783

  647

  756

  853

  781

  670

  Midlands (East)

  444

  485

  420

  434

  652

  473

  347

  258

  Midlands (West)

  451

  451

  243

  374

  406

  695

  781

  504

  North West (East)

  555

  419

  240

  296

  367

  388

  447

  688

  North West (West)

  621

  558

  376

  340

  489

  629

  605

  685

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  990

  770

  675

  726

  934

  763

  638

  668

  Northern

  389

  540

  421

  267

  271

  394

  466

  528

  Scotland (East)

  644

  689

  370

  437

  489

  495

  524

  409

  Scotland (West)

  530

  679

  394

  299

  371

  329

  386

  289

  Wales

  609

  682

  695

  502

  429

  444

  603

  473

  TOTALS

  8,555

  9,188

  6,822

  6,566

  7,388

  8,525

  8,370

  8,057

  1 Included in London (East) figure.

  Table 2

  Establishments found failing to post wages council notices 1987 to 1991

  Divisions

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  London

  480

  540

  304

  371

  672

  South East

  1,049

  725

  910

  575

  629

  Eastern

  935

  1,127

  863

  692

  474

  South West

  983

  1,265

  1,354

  1,297

  1,185

  Midlands

  512

  928

  1,145

  1,075

  1,350

  North West

  894

  1,395

  1,686

  2,223

  1,710

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  485

  673

  857

  803

  934

  Northern

  413

  474

  593

  693

  932

  Scotland

  524

  821

  887

  929

  1,052

  Totals

  6,275

  7,948

  8,599

  8,658

  8,938

  Table 3

  Establishments found failing to keep adequate records of wages paid 1979–1986

  Division

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  London (East)

  446

  377

  226

  144

  214

  150

  85

  128

  London (West)

  143

  122

  82

  72

  62

  54

  89

  1—

  South East

  361

  459

  242

  368

  375

  270

  148

  190

  Southern

  440

  358

  200

  138

  159

  161

  144

  69

  Eastern

  224

  270

  324

  159

  140

  181

  152

  129

  South West

  223

  268

  176

  137

  117

  114

  96

  66

  Midlands (East)

  127

  125

  94

  90

  121

  127

  77

  37

  Midlands (West)

  160

  166

  94

  137

  128

  139

  83

  51

  North West (East)

  244

  163

  118

  102

  134

  71

  69

  81

  North West (West)

  220

  135

  117

  59

  86

  93

  82

  106

  Yorks and Humberside

  514

  428

  354

  312

  583

  193

  136

  99

  Northern

  231

  210

  159

  92

  86

  54

  131

  141

  Scotland (East)

  143

  174

  91

  120

  106

  96

  84

  81

  Scotland (West)

  206

  264

  124

  95

  131

  105

  123

  111

  Wales

  376

  409

  350

  292

  158

  91

  99

  44

  Totals

  4,058

  3,928

  2,751

  2,317

  2,600

  1,899

  1,598

  1,333

  1 Included in London (East) figure.

  Table 4

  Establishments found failing to keep adequate records of wages paid 1987–1991

  Divisions

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  London

  47

  32

  18

  20

  73

  South East

  348

  304

  301

  240

  273

  Eastern

  155

  211

  207

  119

  58

  South West

  108

  183

  155

  181

  266

  Midlands

  71

  120

  175

  176

  235

  North West

  168

  258

  336

  324

  399

  710 711

  Divisions

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  133

  161

  184

  197

  259

  Northern

  95

  97

  127

  152

  228

  Scotland

  124

  181

  196

  139

  182

  Totals

  1,249

  1,547

  1,699

  1,548

  1,973

  Table 5

  Establishments found failing to keep adequate records of hours worked 1979–86

  Division

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  London (East)

  1,522

  1,326

  911

  693

  752

  686

  349

  899

  London (West)

  707

  628

  486

  585

  615

  625

  829

  1—

  South East

  1,180

  1,465

  790

  1,302

  1,631

  1,558

  1,277

  1,739

  Southern

  1,718

  1,609

  947

  814

  779

  1,003

  1,056

  771

  Eastern

  821

  985

  1,124

  658

  680

  1,001

  942

  903

  South West

  1,474

  1,538

  1,172

  940

  1,229

  957

  924

  659

  Midlands (East)

  652

  671

  576

  438

  513

  695

  564

  338

  Midlands (West)

  581

  527

  449

  513

  508

  597

  630

  485

  North West (East)

  782

  687

  453

  474

  473

  448

  490

  713

  North West (West)

  1,031

  828

  451

  381

  588

  738

  650

  733

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,771

  1,380

  1,185

  1,070

  1,240

  1,108

  854

  877

  Northern

  1,049

  907

  664

  434

  452

  478

  687

  734

  Scotland (East)

  1,008

  957

  676

  594

  798

  847

  917

  780

  Scotland (West)

  1,099

  1,065

  575

  437

  470

  408

  448

  395

  Wales

  1,045

  1,202

  1,048

  879

  638

  467

  618

  432

  Totals

  16,440

  15,775

  11,507

  10,212

  11,366

  11,616

  11,235

  10,458

  1 Included in London (East) figure.

  Table 6

  Establishments found failing to keep records of hours worked 1987–1991

  Divisions

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  London

  430

  269

  111

  151

  310

  South East

  1,404

  1,010

  1,141

  808

  963

  Eastern

  1,011

  1,119

  1,009

  732

  460

  South West

  759

  970

  911

  743

  771

  Midlands

  511

  649

  675

  714

  995

  North West

  926

  1,254

  1,211

  1,189

  1,162

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  548

  647

  609

  686

  825

  Northern

  432

  422

  487

  580

  857

  Scotland

  722

  889

  816

  757

  1,048

  Totals

  6,743

  7,229

  6,970

  6,360

  7,391

  Table 7

  Prosecutions under the Wages Councils Act 1979 and the Wages Act 1986 for the period 1979 to 1991

  Divisions

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  London

  4

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  South East

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  4

  2

  0

  Eastern

  1

  1

  2

  3

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  South West

  4

  2

  4

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1

  2

  Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  1

  1

  0

  1

  North West

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  1

  2

  8

  Northern

  1

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  2

  Scotland

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Totals

  12

  8

  10

  7

  2

  2

  2

  3

  8

  11

  10

  9

  17

  Training
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 17 November,Official Report, column 155, on work-related training programmes, if she will give figures for every year since 1985.
  712
  Mr. Michal Forsyth
  The information is shown in the following table.
  713

  Participants on work-related government training programmes as a percentage of the civilian workforce in employment by region

  June 1985

  June 1986

  June 1987

  June 1988

  Region

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  South East2

  31,000

  0·4

  36,000

  0·4

  47,000

  0·6

  50,000

  0·6

  Greater London

  10,000

  0·3

  12,000

  0·3

  15,000

  0·4

  17,000

  0·4

  East Anglia

  6,000

  0·7

  7,000

  0·9

  10,000

  1·2

  10,000

  1·1

  South West

  13,000

  0·7

  17,000

  0·9

  24,000

  1·2

  25,000

  1·2

  West Midlands

  19,000

  0·9

  30,000

  1·4

  41,000

  1·9

  41,000

  1·8

  East Midlands

  16,000

  1·0

  17,000

  1·0

  25,000

  1·5

  26,000

  1·5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  18,000

  0·9

  22,000

  1·1

  34,000

  1·7

  40,000

  1·9

  North West

  23,000

  0·9

  31,000

  1·2

  45,000

  1·7

  49,000

  1·8

  North

  10,000

  0·9

  20,000

  1·6

  26,000

  2·1

  30,000

  2·4

  Wales

  10,000

  1·0

  13,000

  1·3

  18,000

  1·7

  21,000

  1·8

  Scotland

  21,000

  1·0

  24,000

  1·2

  34,000

  1·6

  44,000

  1·9

  June 1989

  June 1990

  June 1991

  June 1992

  Region

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  WRGT S1

  Per cent. of CWIE

  South East2

  64,000

  0·7

  67,000

  0·8

  56,000

  0·7

  57,000

  0·7

  Greater London

  29,000

  0·7

  31,000

  0·8

  25,000

  0·7

  29,000

  0·8

  East Anglia

  12,000

  1·2

  9,000

  0·9

  8,000

  0·9

  8,000

  0·9

  South West

  31,000

  1·5

  27,000

  1·3

  23,000

  1·1

  22,000

  1·1

  West Midlands

  52,000

  2·2

  44,000

  1·8

  37,000

  1·6

  32,000

  1·4

  East Midlands

  32,000

  1·8

  31,000

  1·7

  22,000

  1·2

  22,000

  1·3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  57,000

  2·6

  48,000

  2·2

  38,000

  1·8

  34,000

  1·6

  North West

  65,000

  2·3

  55,000

  2·0

  46,000

  1·7

  46,000

  1·7

  North

  50,000

  3·9

  45,000

  3·5

  35,000

  2·9

  32,000

  2·6

  Wales

  31,000

  2·6

  28,000

  2·4

  21,000

  1·8

  20,000

  1·7

  Scotland

  59,000

  2·6

  56,000

  2·5

  46,000

  2·0

  43,000

  1·9

  1 Includes all participants on Government training and employment programmes who are receiving some work experience on their placement but do not have a contract of employment.

  2 Including Greater London.

  Gas Regulations
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she expects to start the process of consulting publicly about the new edition of the Gas Installation and Use Regulations; how long she expects the process to take; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is expected that the Health and Safety Commission will publish a consultative document about the revision of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984 in spring 1993 and that the consultative document will allow for a three-month consultation period.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when copies of the discussion document on the reorganisation of Scottish local government were sent to(a) the Scottish press and (b) Scottish hon. Members, giving the exact time and date of dispatch in each case.

  Mr. Stewart
  Copies of the consultation paper on the structure of local government in Scotland were sent out by first class post to all right hon. and hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies on Monday 12 October, the date on which the paper was published. Copies were made available on arrival to members of the press who attended the public launch of the paper at 3 pm that day.
  714
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the dangers at open disused quarries, particularly those which are filled with water; what further representations he has received regarding the incident at Bellrock quarry, resulting in the deaths of two schoolchildren; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Apart from the hon. Member's own representations in September, only one other letter has been received about the Bellrock quarry incident. There have been no representations about the dangers generally of open, disused quarries. As my letter of 21 October to the hon. Member confirmed, local authorities in Scotland already have sufficient powers under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897. Indeed, I understand that Kyle and Carrick district council has now erected fencing around the quarry.

  Police (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the police are from ethnic minorities.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As at 31 December 1991, the latest date for which figures are available, 0·2 per cent. of police officers in Scotland were from ethnic minorities.

  Green Issues
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who in his Department has been appointed to oversee and develop green issues; how many civil servants have been allocated new or additional responsibilities to deal with the management and development of green issues; and what additional allocation of resources has been made to support programmes related to green issues in his Department.

  Sir Hector Monro
  As the green Minister at the Scottish Office I have overall responsibility for the environmental aspects of policies and programmes and for progressing initiatives which relate to the Environment White Paper "This Common Inheritance" (Cm. 1200). I am assisted by a Division within The Scottish Office Environment Department which has a general co-ordinating role on environmental issues. However, because of the diverse nature of the work of The Scottish Office, all its officials contribute either directly or indirectly to the environmental aspects of its responsibilities. Full details of the financial provision for environmental programmes are contained in the departmental report published each year.

  Appointments
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he collates centrally on the political affiliations of appointees to public bodies and quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  None.

  Renfrew (Development)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote the strategic economic development of Renfrew district; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government's principal agents for the promotion of local economic development are the local enterprise companies. Their business plans, completed

  Education authority schools (including nursery and special schools)

  1992

  1991

  Number

  As percentage of pupils present Per cent.

  Number

  As percentage of pupils present Per cent.

  Pupils present on census day

  695,201

  —

  698,554

  —

  Pupils taking school meals:

  On payment

  227,740

  32·8

  230,378

  33·0

  Free

  107,186

  15·4

  101,915

  14·6

  Total

  334,926

  48·2

  332,293

  47·6

  Pupils bringing their own food to school1

  115,681

  18·5

  106,110

  16·9

  1 Excluding Grampian region, for which results for 1991 are not available.

  NB

  A number of pupils took neither school meals brought food to school. These pupils would generally either have gone home for lunch or have eaten out locally.

  A detailed statement of the returns from education authorities from which these national figures are derived is being placed in the Library.
  716
  each year and covering a three-year rolling period, set out their strategic and operational aims and objectives for their area.

  The local enterprise company responsible for Renfrew district, Renfrewshire Enterprise, is involved in a range of initiatives and activities—often with other public and private sector bodies—to promote the development of skills, employment and economic prosperity in the area. The Glasgow airport initiative, which has very substantial potential employment and economic benefits for the area, is one example of the enterprise company working with others in a co-ordinated, complementary and strategic way to the benefit of the local community. I am sure the local enterprise company would be happy to discuss with the hon. Member the other aims and activities for the area set out in its business plan.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to give enterprise zone status to any part of Renfrew district; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans. The district does, however, have the advantage of development area status; and, of course, the full range of powers and functions available to the local enterprise company, Renfrewshire Enterprise, are deployed to the benefit of the district.

  School Meals
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the results of the annual census of school meals in Scotland held in January 1992; and what changes these show compared with the corresponding 1991 results.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table. The number of pupils taking school meals has continued to increase, despite a fall in the number of pupils present on census day. Almost half the pupils present on census day took school meals with a further estimated 19 per cent. bringing their own food to school. Free meals formed 32 per cent. of the total meals provided. Cafeteria style meals remain more popular than two-course fixed meals.

  The following table shows, as a percentage of pupils attending their respective sectors, those primary and secondary pupils taking meals or bringing their own food.
  717

  Primary1

  Secondary2

  1992 per cent.

  1991 per cent.

  1992 per cent.

  1991 per cent.

  Pupils taking school meals

  52·9

  52·9

  46·1

  44·2

  Pupils bringing own food3

  27·6

  25·0

  6·8

  6·5

  1 Includes 14 special departments in 1992 and nine special departments in 1991 where data have been included in primary school figures.

  2 Includes 17 special departments in 1992 and 10 special departments in 1991 where special data have been included in secondary school figures.

  3 Excluding Grampian for which 1991 comparisons were not available.

  Almost 70 per cent. of meals served are cafeteria style:

  1992

  1991

  Paid

  Free

  Total

  Per cent, of pupils present

  Paid

  Free

  Total

  Per cent, of pupils present

  Pupils taking fixed meals

  71,824

  35,260

  107,084

  15·4

  76,252

  33,849

  110,101

  15·8

  Pupils taking cafeteria meals

  155,916

  71,926

  227,842

  32·7

  154,126

  68,066

  222,192

  31·8

  Water and Sewerage
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is his policy on contacts between officials of his Department and private sector firms and other bodies about water and sewerage services in Scotland before a decision on the future of these services is announced.

  Mr. Lang
  The day-to-day work of my Department necessarily involves contact with a wide range of private sector firms and other bodies about aspects of water and sewerage provision. These contacts will continue. The future structure of the services is discussed in the consultation paper I issued on 17 November. The preparation of this document has required contact with a number of bodies and, now that it has been issued, consideration of the options it sets out will involve discussions and exchanges of views with a variety of interested parties, whether at the initiative of the Department or of those parties themselves. These contacts are likely to take a variety of forms. A list of those responding to the consultation paper will be available in due course in the usual way.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make his policy to publish the waiting times at Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS trust for(a) removal of gall bladder, (b) removal of bunions, (c) trigger finger, (d) varicose veins, (e) hip joint replacement, (f) knee joint replacement, (g) trapped nerve in hand or foot, (h) haemorrhoidectomy, (i) peptic, gastric or duodenal ulcers, (j) cataract removal and (k) hernias;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to publish the waiting times at Woodend hospital, Aberdeen for (a) removal of gall bladder, (b) removal of bunions, (c) trigger finger, (d) varicose veins, (e) hip joint replacement, (j) knee joint replacement, (g) trapped nerve in hand or foot, (h) haemorrhoidectomy, (i) peptic, gastric or duodenal ulcers, (j) cataract removal and (k) hernias.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: It is our intention to publish waiting times for these, and other hospitals in Scotland, for (e) hip joint replacement, (f) knee joint replacement and (j) cataract removal. These, and geriatric assessment, are the procedures for which all
  718
  health boards in Scotland have set maximum waiting time guarantees for their residents in pursuance of the commitment given in the patients charter.

  Postgraduate Awards
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many postgraduate students received an award from the Scottish Education Department for the academic year 1992–93.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 November 1992]: In session 1992–93 to date, the Scottish Office Education Department has offered awards to 3,385 postgraduate students under the postgraduate students' allowances scheme and to 158 students under the Scottish studentship scheme, which caters for postgraduate higher degree study.

  Offshore Hydrocarbons Unit
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had about the future ownership of the offshore hydrocarbons unit and the British geological survey core store and the implications for employment in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 12 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from what previous figure the formula for setting Scottish expenditure relative to provision in England has been raised to 10·66 per cent.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: The figure, previous to 10·66 per cent. by which changes to the Scottish block were determined in relation to English provision was 11·76 per cent.

  Patients (Mileage Rates)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the current mileage rate paid to patients travelling by car by each health board in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: The existing guidance explains that, in general, travel expenses should be restricted to the cost of travelling by the cheapest

  719
  form of public transport available. In certain circumstances, health boards may reimburse patients travelling by private car on the basis of the lesser of the estimated cost of petrol actually used or the equivalent public transport cost. Information is not collected on mileage rates but a survey undertaken in 1991 showed that some Boards had not been adhering to the guidance given but had been using a standard mileage rate varying from 5p to 8p per mile. Boards were reminded again in June 1992 of the guidance on the calculation of costs.

  Tendering
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the criteria laid down for the acceptance of bids from organisations tendering as part of compulsory competitive tendering and in particular the grounds on which a local authority can select a bid other than the lowest.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 23 November 1992] It is for local authorities in the first instance to decide on the award of a contract. In doing so, they must have regard to the compulsory competitive tendering provisions of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988, and particularly to the requirement not to act in a manner having the effect or intended or likely to have the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition. The Scottish Office Environment Department issued guidance to local authorities in March 1991 (Scottish Office Environment Department Circular 6/1991) on what does or does not constitute anti-competitive practice, and guidance regarding the non-acceptance of the lowest bid. That guidance will be superseded by new guidance and regulations, the terms of which have recently been the subject of consultation.

  Nursing
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the quality and the objectivity of the civil service nursing advice provided in respect of(a) the national nursing audit development project and (b) the recently funded £120,000 nursing diagnosis/nomenclature project; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: These projects seek to improve the information available about nursing treatments and to improve patient care by helping nurses to develop ways of critically reviewing their work. The relevant funding decisions were taken with the benefit of a range of advice from both within and outside the civil service.

  EC Aid
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions he has sought aid for(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow and (b) Strathclyde in each of the past nine years under the terms of article 92(3) (a)> of the treaty of Rome; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: Article 92(3)(a) of the treaty of Rome sets out one of the grounds on which state aid may be considered to be compatible
  720
  with the Common Market. It does not provide a means of seeking EC assistance, and the question of seeking aid under its terms does not therefore arise.

  GP Vacancies
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average number of applicants for vacancies for general practitioner posts in Scotland every year since 1989.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: This information is not available centrally.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Lens Cleaning Solutions
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer manufacturers of contact lens cleaning solutions to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Director General of Fair Trading referred the supply of contact lens cleaning solutions to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on 30 April 1992. The Commission was asked to report by the end of February 1993.

  Computer Games
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer computer games manufacturers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Investigation of anti-competitive practices or monopolistic behaviour is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading. The director general makes references to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission where he considers it appropriate.

  Directors' Emoluments
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to examine a sample of company accounts for compliance with the Companies Acts requirements for disclosures on directors' emoluments.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None.

  Auditors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, column 439, what action he has taken against Ernst and Young for the audit failures identified by the inspectors.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Copies of the reports have been forwarded to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek to amend the Register of Auditors and Information about Audit Firms Regulation 1991 to require the recognised supervisory bodies to record criticisms by the DTI inspectors against the relevant firm's name.
  721
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No.

  Total £

  Fees £

  Disbursements £

  D. Donaldson, QC

  328,000

  285,000

  43,000

  I. G. Watt, FCA, CBE

  1,435,000

  1,185,000

  250,000

  Transcripts of trials (paid direct)

  30,000

  —

  —

  Total cost of inspection to end October 1992

  1,793,000

  1,470,000

  293,000

  All figures include VAT. The fees paid to Mr. Watt include charges for support services provided by KPMG Peat Marwick.

  Company Accounts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby on 3 November,Official Report, column 139, if he will provide the names of the three companies whose accounts he has referred to the financial reporting review panel; and what has been the outcome of such referral.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No. In the interest of fairness the panel does not disclose the names of the companies it inquires into while the inquiries are in train and it normally announces its findings only when it has reached an adverse conclusion. I understand that in one of the three cases the panel concluded that no action was called for and the other two are under consideration. A copy of the procedures of the panel was placed in the Library of the House in June 1991.

  Auditing Standards
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to appoint an inquiry into the setting of auditing standards in the United Kingdom.

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Group

  131·3

  173·5

  257·5

  335

  269

  Letters/Parcels

  101·3

  131·4

  197·8

  257

  —

  Royal Mail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  189

  Parcelforce

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  Post Office Counters

  13·3

  21·6

  21·3

  40

  44

  Girobank

  13·6

  12·6

  10·2

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. Separate accounts for Royal Mail and Parcelforce first published in 1991–92.

  2. Girobank sold in July 1990.

  Projected capital expenditure of the Post Office Group for 1992–093 is £344 million in total the breakdown between the principal constituent businesses remains commercially confidential.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Me. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he was first informed of the costs of the liquidation of BCCI.

  Companies Acts Inspectors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 4 November,Official Report, column 310, if he will indicate the amount paid to each of the Guinness inspectors.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The amounts paid are as follows:

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no such plans.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for legislation under which company auditors would owe a duty of care to creditors.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no such proposals.

  Post Office
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the present methods of financing capital expenditure employed by the Post Office and its subsidiaries; and what changes are proposed following the autumn statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Post Office and its subsidiaries finance capital expenditure from internally generated funds. No changes are proposed following the autumn statement.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the capital expenditure of the Post Office and each of its subsidiaries for each of the last five years; and what are the projections for the current year.

  Mr. Leigh
  Capital expenditure of the Post Office group and its principal constituent businesses for each of the last five years, as stated in the annual accounts, was as follows:

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My officials have been made aware at various times since the winding-up order on 14 January 1992 of some of the detailed aspects of the cost of the liquidation of BCCI. Detailed figures given to the House by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 6 November 1992,Official Report, column 593, were supplied to my officials by the Touche Ross liquidators on 5 November 1992.

  Defence Industries
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives have been taken by the Government since 1990 to encourage the arms and defence industries in the north west region to diversify into other areas.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Diversification is essentially a matter for the commercial judgment of the companies concerned. My Department helps them with its wide range of programmes, including those in the enterprise initiative and "Managing into the 90s". A special seminar was held in Blackburn on 12 May 1992. The north west is benefiting from four projects under the European Community's PERIFRA scheme.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement concerning his discussions with British Coal and the power generators on the provision of British Coal mined coal for the generating market prior to the announced closure of 31 coal mines.

  Mr. Eggar
  As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade made clear to the House on 19 October,Official Report, columns 205–7, he was advised by British Coal before the closures were announced of the need to end production at the pits concerned in order to bring supply in line with demand.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement concerning the recent planning application by British Coal to demolish certain buildings at Easington colliery while this colliery is in the review procedure.

  Mr. Eggar
  I understand that British Coal made an application on 15 October to demolish certain buildings at Easington colliery; and that following my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's announcement on 19 October of a moratorium in respect of 21 pits, which include Easington, British Coal has suspended further action in respect of this application.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the mining consultants Boyd's was requested to assess the viability of the 10 collieries currently in the review process and due to close in January 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Last year John T. Boyd Company was asked to assess the viability of 28 collieries, chosen by British Coal on a representative basis. Of the collieries studied, five are among the 10 collieries which have subsequently become subject to statutory consultation. The five pits are Betws, Parkside, Trentham, Grimethorpe and Houghton Main.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of opencast coal produced in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  The total amount of opencast coal produced since 1979 was as follows:724

  Opencast production

  Year

  Thousand tonnes

  1979

  12,862

  1980

  15,779

  1981

  14,828

  1982

  15,266

  1983

  14,706

  1984

  14,306

  1985

  15,569

  1986

  14,275

  1987

  15,786

  1988

  17,899

  1989

  18,657

  1990

  18,134

  1991

  18,620

  Source: Table 12 of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1992.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of coal from deep mine operations in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The amount of deep-mined coal produced during the last five years was as follows:

  Year

  Opencast production (thousand tonnes)

  1987

  15,786

  1988

  17,899

  1989

  18,657

  1990

  18,134

  1991

  18,620

  Source: Table 12 of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1992.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of coal from deep mine operations in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The amount of deep-mined coal produced during the last five years was as follows:

  Year

  Deep-mined production (thousand tonnes)

  1987

  85,957

  1988

  83,762

  1989

  79,628

  1990

  72,899

  1991

  73,357

  Source: Table 12 of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1992.

  Development Area Status
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the request for the restoration of development area status from Wansbeck district council before the conclusion of the current coal industry inquiry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I am considering all the representations that have been submitted in the current review of the assisted areas map, including the request by Wansbeck district council. Our decision about the Morpeth and
  725
  Ashington travel-to-work area, about which the council is concerned, will be announced when the new assisted areas map as a whole is designated.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his timetable for his review of the assisted area status map; what parliamentary proceedings will be involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 30 October 1992]: I refer the hon. Member to the consultation document on the review of the assisted area map issued on 9 June 1992.

  Section 1(7) of the Industrial Development Act 1982 specified the necessary Parliamentary proceedings. Subject to this minimum requirement the Government will decide on the most appropriate parliamentary proceedings in due course.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received regarding the outcome of the London-Cardiff review of the Export Credits Guarantee Department carried out by the ECGD board of management; when he expects to make a decision on the board's recommendations; and if he will make a statement;

  United Kingdom Imports of Tobacco

  Unmanufactured Tobacco1

  Manufactured Tobacco2

  £ million

  kilos

  £ million

  kilos

  1979

  305·5

  187,119,000

  45·4

  13,776,700

  1980

  179·0

  124,236,000

  56·0

  13,266,500

  1981

  219·7

  139,914,500

  49·7

  13,236,600

  1982

  250·3

  127,787,300

  68·9

  13,145,700

  1983

  279·9

  130,304,700

  64·7

  14,864,700

  1984

  320·0

  131,073,000

  87·1

  21,674,200

  1985

  273·3

  120,406,800

  113·8

  26,338,900

  1986

  219·1

  101,123,700

  119·7

  26,363,900

  1987

  213·0

  109,257,900

  107·1

  23,737,200

  1988

  216·3

  120,059,000

  109·0

  26,359,300

  1989

  238·4

  114,082,100

  107·1

  23,829,700

  1990

  251·0

  128,176,800

  126·5

  26,824,700

  1991

  323·0

  138,946,300

  148·3

  29,966,000

  1 Unmanufactured Tobacco includes Tobacco Refuse and is defined as item 121 of the Standard International Trade Classification.

  2 Manufactured Tobacco (whether or not containing Tobacco Substitutes) is defined as item 122 of the Standard International Trade Classification.

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his best projections of the impact of the single European market on tobacco imports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given on 9 November 1992 by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General, to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn), Official Report, column 544.

  Policy Initiatives
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the initiatives which he has taken on EC regional policy during the British Presidency of the EC; and if he will make a statement.
  726
  (2) what consideration is being given to the board of management of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's review concerning the London-Cardiff review of ECGD operations.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: I have endorsed the recommendation of the ECGD management board that three should be no major change to the distribution of functions between London and Cardiff for at least three years.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for how many years his Department keeps records of export credit guarantees before shredding or other means of disposal.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: The Export Credits Guarantee Department keeps records of each of its guarantees for as long as it has a potential liability under that guarantee, and for a period thereafter which varies according to the nature and details of the case.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the volume of tobacco imports in pound million and kilos for each year from 1979–80.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: The information is given in the table.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: The immediate and overriding issue concerning EC regional policy is the size of the budget for the cohesion and structural funds for the period from January 1994. The United Kingdom Presidency hopes that agreement on this and the other aspects of the future financing of the Community from 1993 will be agreed at the Edinburgh European Council on 11–12 December.

  Steel
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total production of liquid steel in Great Britain in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: Steel production is usually measured in terms of "crude steel production". This measure the crude output that can

  727
  go forward for further processing, and is typically 1–2 per cent. less than the initial output of liquid steel. Information about crude steel production is regularly published by the Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau in "Iron and Steel Industry Annual Statistics", which is available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total quantity of steel imports for(a) the part-year from 1 January 1992 to the most recent record available, (b) the equivalent part-year period for 1991. 1990 and 1985 and (c) the percentage change year oil year.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: The information is as follows:

  Year

  Imports

  Average annual percentage change over previous period

  1985

  2,700,692

  n.a.

  1990

  3,820,593

  7·2

  1991

  4,011,752

  5·0

  1992

  3,979,761

  -0·8

  Covers imports of all United Kingdom steel industry products. n.a. = not applicable.

  Source: Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau.

  Engineering
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he intends to introduce to strengthen the United Kingdom's engineering industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: I refer the hon. member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of trade gave the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey), on 16 November 1992, Official Report, columns 71–72, which described Government action to help manufacturing. Engineering represents a very large proportion of our manufacturing GDP and I hope it will benefit in full measure from the policies my right hon. Friend set out in that reply.

  Oil and Gas Reserves
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the proportion of the United Kingdom oil and gas reserves which have so far been taken from offshore fields.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: Section 2.4 and table 7 of the Brown Book (Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom) published in April 1992 set out my Department's latest estimate, at 31 December 1991, of total potential recoverable reserves of oil and gas in the United Kingdom. These showed that remaining reserves could be up to 3·9 times as much as cumulative production to the same date in the case of oil and up to 4·2 times as much in the case of gas.

  Nuclear Programmes
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what specifically-allocated financial contributions have been made in 1991–92 to 1992–93 by Nuclear Electric, Scottish Nuclear and British Nuclear Fuels plc to the Atomic Energy Authority fusion programme.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: None.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects a commercial prototype fusion reactor to enter service in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on its current development progress.

  Mr. Eggar:
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: Nuclear fusion is not expected to provide the basis for a commercially viable source of energy at least until the middle of the next century. There are no current plans for the development of a commercial prototype fusion reactor in the United Kingdom.

  Photovoltaics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current programme of assessment studies into photovoltaics being undertaken by his Department; what is the cost of the programme; and if he will list the location of the studies.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: There are three assessment studies currently ongoing:

  1. "A feasibility and design study for a photovoltaic building demonstration" by the university of Cardiff (at Cardiff).

  2. "Grid connection of photovoltaic systems" by Halcrow Gilbert Associates (at Swindon).

  3. "Photovoltaic modules as a cladding for commercial building" by British Petroleum (at Leatherhead).

  The total cost of these studies is £232,000.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to launch a programme of demonstration projects into photovoltaics.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: I have no plans to launch a programme of demonstration projects into photovoltaics, but my officials are giving consideration to a proposal for a particular project which would be located at the university of Northumbria.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he intends to meet the new owners of the Severn bridge to discuss toll charges.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have no plans to do so. The charges are governed by the provisions of the Severn Bridges Act 1992.

HEALTH

  Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those agencies in her Department which are being considered for privatisation or contractorisation.

  Mr. Sackville
  None of the agencies in this Department is being considered for privatisation or contractorisation
  729
  at present. As announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary Office of Public Service and Science on 17 November at column 104 privatisation and contractorisation are always considered as alternatives to agency status before any agency is established, and would normally be re-examined as options during the course of each agency's periodic review. Any major change in the status of an agency would be the subject of an announcement.

  Salaries
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what remuneration has actually been paid by each health service trust in England to chairmen and non-executive directors in 1991–2;

  (2) what was the total cost of remuneration of chairmen and non-executive directors of national health service authorities and trusts in each year since 1988–89;

  (3) what remuneration was actually paid to chairmen and non-executive directors in 1991–92 by each regional health authority in England and Wales;

  (4) what remuneration was actually paid by each family health service authority in England to chairmen and non-executive directors in 1991–92;

  (5) if she will provide by district health authority in England details of remuneration paid to chairmen and non-executive directors in 1991–92 detailing (a) fees, (b) other emoluments, (c) pensions and (d) the total.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information from the 1991–92 annual accounts of health authorities, NHS trusts and family health services authorities in England will be available later in the year. Figures which are separately identifiable in the formats of the annual accounts for the earlier years are shown in the table. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  £000 (cash)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Health authorities

  Chairmen's remuneration

  2,753

  2,832

  4,875

  Family health services authorities

  Chairmen's remuneration

  430

  450

  1,003

  Members' remuneration

  —

  —

  2,234

  Notes:

  1. The figures for health authorities relate to regional and district health authorities and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  2. Arrangements to remunerate—essentially to compensate—members of family health services authorities—formerly family practitioner committees—for their time spent on FHSA business were introduced only during 1990–91.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide, by individual health authority in England, details of the increases in management and administrative expenditure together with the variations in in-patients, out-patients, day patients and accident and emergency patients treated since 1 April 1989 and the percentage variations thereof.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information from the annual accounts of health authorities and the relevant statistics for 1991–92 730
  will be available later in the year. This will then enable comparisons to be drawn with the expenditure and activity data held centrally for 1989–90.

  Henderson Hospital, Sutton
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with Wandsworth council social services on the possible effects on that Department of the threatened closure of the Henderson hospital, Sutton, Surrey; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have had no such discussions.

  Skin Cancer
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 19 October 1992,Official Report, column 80, if she will provide the regional breakdown of figures for (a) the incidence of and (b) mortality as a result of non-melanotic and malignant melanoma; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Blood Products
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is her policy in respect of the supply to hospitals of plasma products produced from plasma unscreened for hepatitis C at the individual donor level after 1 January 1993;

  (2) whether plasma products by Bio Products Laboratory conform to the committee on proprietary medicinal products' requirements in terms of source material having been fully screened for hepatitis C at the donor level.

  Mr. Sackville
  Plasma products supplied in this country will meet the requirements of the UK licensing authority and of the EC in relation to screening for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent the Bio Products Laboratory is bound by commercial criteria in its policy on pricing products; and whether it is required to provide a commercial return on its activities.

  Mr. Sackville
  Our intention is that the Bio Products Laboratory should compete fairly in terms of the service, quality and price of its blood products within the Government's policy that this country should be self-sufficient in blood products derived from plasma donated by our voluntary unpaid donors. The Central Blood Laboratories Authority, which is responsible for the Bio Products Laboratory, accounts for its performance and publishes an annual report and financial statement.

  Research Units
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her reply of 3 July,Official Report, columns 743–44, what is the status of the report on the review of research units; who is being consulted; what is the closing date for any comments; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I am considering this report and shall make an announcement shortly.

  Ambulance Responses, Northumbria
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the emergency response times for the Northumbria ambulance authority for each year since 1988 showing the percentage answered within eight minutes and within 25 minutes.

  Total emergency calls1

  Response within eight minutes2

  Response within 14 minutes

  number

  number

  percent

  number

  percent

  1988–89

  61,559

  35,655

  57·9

  59,650

  96·9

  1989–903

  37,355

  19,649

  52·6

  35,637

  95·4

  1990–91

  67,309

  35,674

  53·0

  61,588

  91·5

  1991–924

  66,098

  38,998

  59·0

  64,115

  97·0

  1 Figures for 1991–92 are based on emergency patient journeys.

  2 Figures prior to 1991–92 are based on response within seven minutes.

  3 As a result of industrial action in this period, a complete year's return could not be provided. The figure shown represents approximately half the calls received.

  4 Figures for 1991–92 are provisional.

  Original Pack Dispensing
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish the consultation document on original pack dispensing.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 13 July at column 518.

  Pensioners (Spain)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from groups representing British pensioners resident in Spain; what reply she has given; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  We have recently received a copy of the right hon. Member's letter of 22 October to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. We shall be responding as soon as possible to the points raised for which this Department has responsibility.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing, for men aged 65 years and over and women aged 60 years and over, the number of deaths from hypothermia in each region for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is in the table.

  Number of deaths with mention of hypothermia on the death certificate for men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over by Regional Health Authority of usual residence for the years 1987 to 1991

  Regional Health Authority

  Men aged 65 years and over

  Women aged 60 years and over

  1987

  Northern

  11

  22

  Yorkshire

  15

  19

  Trent

  14

  25

  East Anglian

  4

  14

  North West Thames

  13

  18

  North East Thames

  11

  31

  South East Thames

  8

  33

  South West Thames

  8

  12

  Wessex

  10

  11

  Oxford

  8

  25

  732
  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not collected in the form requested. The available information is as follows:

  Regional Health Authority

  Men aged 65 years and over

  Women aged 60 years and over

  South Western

  9

  18

  West Midlands

  11

  23

  Mersey

  4

  12

  North Western

  5

  25

  Wales

  10

  28

  1988

  Northern

  6

  12

  Yorkshire

  8

  24

  Trent

  8

  20

  East Anglian

  5

  14

  North West Thames

  8

  15

  North East Thames

  17

  16

  South East Thames

  10

  18

  South West Thames

  4

  14

  Wessex

  7

  9

  Oxford

  7

  11

  South Western

  16

  20

  West Midlands

  11

  22

  Mersey

  4

  10

  North Western

  8

  16

  Wales

  10

  16

  1989

  Northern

  4

  8

  Yorkshire

  3

  20

  Trent

  11

  16

  East Anglian

  5

  7

  North West Thames

  4

  14

  North East Thames

  11

  25

  South East Thames

  13

  18

  South West Thames

  6

  19

  Wessex

  5

  12

  Oxford

  9

  10

  South Western

  7

  20

  West Midlands

  11

  14

  Mersey

  2

  10

  North Western

  7

  14

  Wales

  6

  13

  1990

  Northern

  3

  12

  Yorkshire

  14

  21

  Trent

  12

  14

  East Anglian

  4

  9

  North West Thames

  7

  18

  North East Thames

  8

  18

  South East Thames

  10

  14

  South West Thames

  6

  9

  Wessex

  9

  11

  Oxford

  5

  6

  South Western

  5

  17

  West Midlands

  11

  25

  733

  Regional Health Authority

  Men aged 65 years and over

  Women aged 60 years and over

  Mersey

  1

  9

  North Western

  10

  10

  Wales

  6

  15

  1991

  Northern

  7

  20

  Yorkshire

  7

  18

  Trent

  12

  26

  East Anglian

  13

  13

  North West Thames

  12

  21

  North East Thames

  10

  20

  South East Thames

  13

  22

  South West Thames

  5

  24

  Wessex

  2

  21

  Oxford

  6

  16

  South Western

  19

  21

  West Midlands

  23

  37

  Mersey

  2

  10

  North Western

  7

  14

  Wales

  7

  23

  Mid-year population estimates

  (thousands)

  Males aged 65 +

  Females aged 60+

  Year

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  11991

  1987

  1988

  1989

  11990

  1991

  England and Wales

  3,132·8

  3,167·6

  3,203·3

  3,228·8

  3,271·1

  6,116·0

  6,119·7

  6,129·1

  6,127·2

  6,164·1

  Regional health authorities—

  Northern

  186·7

  188·9

  191·3

  192·8

  197·9

  374·0

  374·2

  375·0

  374·8

  381·4

  Yorkshire

  221·0

  223·5

  226·0

  227·5

  232·6

  439·9

  440·1

  441·2

  440·6

  445·3

  Trent

  290·0

  293·7

  297·4

  299·8

  311·7

  546·9

  548·8

  551·4

  552·8

  564·1

  East Anglian

  138·2

  140·8

  143·2

  145·2

  147·9

  247·8

  251·0

  253·7

  256·0

  258·5

  North West Thames

  199·7

  200·4

  202·2

  203·7

  199·2

  383·4

  380·9

  380·1

  378·9

  374·3

  North East Thames

  229·2

  230·4

  231·7

  233·3

  223·6

  446·0

  442·9

  440·3

  438·6

  421·3

  South East Thames

  244·1

  245·3

  246·7

  247·2

  245·4

  486·1

  483·5

  481·4

  478·5

  472·4

  South West Thames

  193·9

  195·0

  196·3

  197·5

  194·3

  388·4

  386·2

  384·9

  383·2

  379·1

  Wessex

  198·6

  201·7

  204·1

  205·9

  212·0

  378·6

  381·5

  383·5

  384·9

  390·7

  Oxford

  133·5

  136·4

  139·2

  141·9

  138·1

  247·8

  250·8

  253·6

  256·0

  253·6

  South Western

  230·9

  233·8

  236·9

  238·4

  246·0

  438·9

  441·6

  444·0

  444·9

  453·5

  West Midlands

  306·5

  311·6

  316·1

  319·5

  328·3

  591·1

  593·3

  595·7

  597·3

  613·1

  Mersey

  139·2

  140·7

  142·4

  143·4

  146·6

  289·3

  289·1

  289·1

  288·2

  294·0

  North Western

  237·5

  238·8

  240·0

  240·6

  248·0

  492·5

  489·0

  486·7

  483·6

  487·8

  Wales

  183·8

  186·6

  189·8

  192·0

  199·4

  365·2

  366·8

  368·3

  368·8

  375·3

  1 The estimates for 1991 have been provisionally rebased using early 1991 census results. Those for 1987–90 are based upon 1981 census data, with allowance for subsequent births, deaths, and migration. They are not consistent with the 1991 estimates, and will be revised next year after final rebased 1991 estimates have been prepared using more complete 1991 census information.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 November,Official Report, column 566, on NHS redundancies, if she will list such figures as are available.

  Reason for Redundancy

  Region

  1989–90

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Total

  Northern

  33

  —

  41

  3

  5

  82

  Yorkshire

  38

  —

  139

  1

  1

  184

  Trent

  6

  —

  167

  3

  3

  179

  E Anglia

  43

  —

  40

  —

  2

  85

  NW Thames

  63

  —

  154

  —

  7

  224

  NE Thames

  72

  —

  66

  2

  10

  150

  SE Thames

  6

  —

  92

  —

  8

  106

  SW Thames

  43

  —

  10

  1

  5

  59

  Wessex

  20

  —

  75

  1

  2

  98

  Oxford

  15

  —

  39

  —

  5

  59

  South Western

  6

  1

  132

  1

  6

  146

  West Mids

  14

  —

  75

  1

  4

  94

  Mersey

  63

  —

  86

  1

  6

  156

  Hospitals (Consultants)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those hospitals in England with 100 or more acute beds that do not have a specialist full-time accident and emergency consultant.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not available centrally.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing the numbers of men aged 65 years and over and women aged 60 years and over in each region for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The data available relate to those redundancies where a benefit is immediately payable under the National Health Service (Compensation for Premature Retirement) Regulations 1981. The table gives numbers by region and by reason for each of the financial years 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92.
  735

  Region

  1989–90

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Total

  North Western

  176

  —

  75

  4

  3

  258

  Wales

  30

  —

  29

  6

  4

  69

  Special Hospitals

  33

  —

  17

  —

  4

  54

  Trusts

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1990–91

  Region

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Total

  Northern

  47

  —

  58

  4

  6

  115

  Yorkshire

  18

  —

  144

  3

  7

  172

  Trent

  9

  —

  152

  2

  3

  166

  East Anglia

  21

  —

  22

  2

  —

  45

  North West Thames

  37

  —

  113

  —

  4

  154

  North East Thames

  32

  —

  155

  2

  4

  193

  South East Thames

  4

  —

  89

  2

  4

  99

  South West Thames

  4

  —

  97

  1

  2

  104

  Wessex

  21

  —

  129

  2

  4

  156

  Oxford

  —

  —

  23

  1

  3

  27

  South Western

  2

  —

  89

  1

  1

  93

  West Midlands

  15

  1

  81

  —

  2

  99

  Mersey

  12

  —

  81

  —

  1

  94

  North Western

  137

  —

  70

  4

  3

  214

  Wales

  17

  —

  34

  4

  —

  55

  Special Hospitals

  —

  —

  47

  —

  1

  48

  Trusts

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991–92

  Region

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Total

  Northern

  28

  —

  61

  11

  4

  104

  Yorkshire

  21

  —

  215

  13

  —

  249

  Trent

  —

  —

  106

  11

  —

  117

  East Anglia

  1

  —

  56

  6

  2

  65

  North West Thames

  30

  —

  169

  11

  3

  213

  North East Thames

  48

  1

  162

  9

  6

  226

  South East Thames

  42

  —

  197

  10

  1

  250

  South West Thames

  34

  —

  87

  10

  1

  132

  Wessex

  —

  —

  57

  11

  3

  71

  Oxford

  23

  —

  60

  16

  3

  102

  South Western

  2

  —

  143

  15

  2

  162

  West Midlands

  25

  2

  254

  8

  —

  289

  Mersey

  10

  —

  117

  5

  1

  133

  North Western

  4

  4

  57

  10

  2

  77

  Wales

  107

  —

  151

  9

  2

  269

  Special hospitals

  1

  —

  43

  1

  4

  49

  Trusts

  68

  —

  233

  3

  4

  308

  1 Competitive tendering.

  2 Patients first. (Voluntary redundancy within the General Whitley Council 1982 arrangements.)

  3 Redundancy. (Due to closure of place of employment.)

  4 Interest of efficiency of service.

  5 Achieving a balance. (Replacement of Senior Consultants posts.)

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are her best estimates of the proportion of NHS staff who receive annual service pay increments; what was the cost of such increments in 1990–91 and 1991–92; and what is the projected cost in 1993–94.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Arts for Health
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 86, if she will provide details of Government funding for the British Health Care Arts
  736
  Centre; and if she will now make it her policy to provide funding by her Department for Arts for Health in recognition of its advisory work on a national scale.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no knowledge of the funding arrangements for the British Health Care Arts Centre. The Department's policy on the arts is as contained the reply I gave the right hon. Member on 19 October, at column 86.

  NHS Estates, an agency of the Department, commissioned advice, on a fee-paying basis, from the British Health Care Arts Centre and others during the preparation of the guidance referred to in my earlier reply.

  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to publish the Reed report on mentally disordered offenders; and if she will make a statement.
  737
  Mr. Yeo
  Soon.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetic Resources
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ensure that intellectual property rights should not be extended to genetic resources except in accordance with the international undertaking on plant genetic resources.

  Mr. Curry
  It is already the Department's policy to oppose the extension of intellectual property rights to plant genetic resources.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is currently being undertaken by his Department to persuade other countries to join(a) the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources and (b) the international undertaking on plant genetic resources.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government continue to argue for increased international collaboration on the conservation of plant genetic resources, in the context of the Food and Agriculture Organisation's commission and international undertaking and in other international forums.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to encourage the adoption of formal national plant genetic resources programmes throughout the world.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government, through the Overseas Development Administration, are a major funder of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources and supports the international centres in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. The United Kingdom is also active in the European co-operative programme on crop genetic resources and we shall continue to participate in international efforts to establish networks of ex-situ plant genetic resource collections.

  Mink
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to lay the next Mink (Keeping) Order following the expiry of the existing Order.

  Mr. Soames
  The Mink Keeping Order 1992 has been laid before Parliament today.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the value of reduction and percentage reduction of agricultural output in each EC country and overall based on constant yields and prices resulting from the MacSharry proposals for CAP reform.

  Mr. Curry
  The package of reform measures, based on the MacSharry proposals and agreed by Ministers in May, is expected to result in a reduction in agricultural output in the EC. Precise estimates of the impact will not be possible until the detailed implementation procedures have been finalised and will in any case depend on how individual farmers react in the light of changes in the 738
  economic environment. The Commission is to bring forward a paper dealing with the compatibility between CAP reform and the GATT outline agreement.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kenya
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about progress toward free and fair elections in Kenya.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We warmly welcome the Kenya Government's commitment to the holding of free and fair elections, as we do their decision to invite both international and domestic observers.

  United States (Trade)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times he and his Ministers have spoken to the United States Government on trade matters in the past six months.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We are in regular touch with the United States Government in trade matters. The frequency of these contacts has increased during the British presidency of the EC, particularly in the context of the GATT Uruguay round negotiations, to reinforce the efforts of the European Commission.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the prospects for the development of democracy in Hong Kong in the light of the Governor's recent proposals.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Governor's proposals respond to a widespread wish in Hong Kong to sec a broadening of democracy. They have been widely and warmly welcomed. We support them as the best way forward for Hong Kong. It will be for the Legislative Council to form a view on them early next year.

  EC (Enlargement)
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on progress in the negotiations to enlarge the EC to include members of EFTA.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The UK Presidency intends to report to the Edinburgh European Council on the completion of the Community's preparatory work for the opening of accession negotiations with EFTA applicants. It will be for Heads of Government to decide there how to proceed with enlargement.

  South Africa
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with Commonwealth and EC colleagues about assisting in meeting the problems of post-apartheid South Africa.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are in touch with our EC partners and other members of the Commonwealth to
  739
  identify ways in which we can assist South Africa during and following the transition to non-racial democracy. Discussions take place bilaterally and in a variety of fora, for example within European political co-operation, through the offices of the secretary-general and at periodic meetings of Commonwealth officials.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on constitutional reform in South Africa.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The hon. Member will recall that my right hon. and noble Friend the Baroness Chalker of Wallasey visited South Africa in September. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President de Klerk on 14 November in London.

  Bosnia-Herzegovina
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had in the Council of Ministers about the situation of the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had in the EC Council of Ministers about the situation of the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The situation in Bosnia has been discussed at every recent meeting of European Community Foreign Ministers, most recently in Brussels on 9 November and with W EU partners in Rome on 20 November. There are also regular discussions between officials of European Community governments.

  President-elect Clinton
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to advise President-elect Clinton of terrorist threats in the United Kingdom and the impact of electoral statements on them.

  Mr. Hurd
  Our ambassador in Washington and his staff are in touch with the president-elect's foreign policy advisers about a range of matters of mutual interest, including security issues.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received from other EC countries on the progress of Britain's ratification of the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The process of ratification of the Maastricht treaty in all member states was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 9 November. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs explained that the Government are committed to ratifying the treaty, and will make a start on the Committee stage of the Maastricht Bill before the Edinburgh European Council.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken to inform the United Kingdom public about the treaty of Maastricht and the single market in the EC.
  740
  Mr. Garet-Jones
  The Government have published the text of the treaty, two memoranda to Parliament and, on 10 November, a short booklet on the Community and the Maastricht treaty, including a section on the advantages of the single market. This is being distributed free on request. A further memorandum explaining the main elements in the treaty will be available to Parliament before the Committee stage starts.

  British Tourists
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to improve information services for British tourists planning visits to potentially dangerous foreign destinations.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Travel advice, issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in consultation with overseas posts, is kept under constant review both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

  It is disseminated quickly throughout the travel industry (and thus to the general public) by electronic information systems, and a selection of notices is available on BBC (Ceefax). Advice is also offered promptly in response to individual enquiries.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made towards ratification of the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Five member states have already ratified the Maastricht treaty: Luxembourg, France, Italy, Ireland and Greece. Others are in the process of ratification. Denmark will hold a second referendum next year, provided the member states can agree a satisfactory means of addressing Danish concerns. The Government will begin the Committee stage of the Maastricht Bill before the Edinburgh European Council.

  European Summit (Edinburgh)
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the main subjects under discussion at the European summit in Edinburgh.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The main items under discussion are likely to include the single market, ratification of the Maastricht treaty, subsidiarity, and openness, future financing, the size of the European Parliament, enlargement, the Community's relations with the countries of central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and the GATT negotiations.

  EC and ASEAN Countries
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the prospects for developing relations between the European Community and the Association of South East Asian Nations countries.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The ASEAN countries are of growing importance to the Community, both in terms of regional stability and trade. We have devoted considerable attention to them during the United Kingdom Presidency; My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has personally attended two
  741
  ministerial meetings with ASEAN in Manila. The outcome of the EC/ASEAN ministerial meeting last month will boost co-operation in a range of fields, including trade, environmental protection, technical co-operation and human rights.

  Council of Europe
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in the Council of Europe.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The House will know that the United Kingdom assumed the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe following the ministerial meeting on November in Strasbourg.

  During the six months of our chairmanship, we intend to give priority to the programmes for assistance to the new democracies of eastern Europe, and to the reform of the human rights machinery. We shall also encourage an objective look at the operation of the Council in terms of its internal structures, its relationships with other organisations and its management procedures.

  General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with other foreign ministers regarding GATT; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has had several such discussions, most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on 9 November, when Ministers urged the Commission to work for agreement with the United States.

  Western European Union
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss with other member states of the Western European Union the contributions to the WEU Assembly of the former Minister for Defence Procurement on 5 December 1990.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Turkey
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Prime Minister of Turkey to discuss the relationship between Turkey and the EC.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Turkish Prime Minister paid a bilateral working visit to London on 23 November, accompanied by the Foreign Minister. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed with him the future development of the relationship between the Community and Turkey, as part of a discussion of a wide range of issues of mutual interest. We have no plans at present for further bilateral meetings with the Turkish Government.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit southern Africa to assess the current political situation.
  742
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. and noble Friend, Baroness Chalker of Wallasey visited southern Africa in September. We have no immediate plans to make further visits to the region.

  EC Council of Ministers
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items he has placed on the agenda of the next General Affairs meeting of the EC Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The major item on the agenda of 7 December Foreign Affairs Council will be preparation for the Edinburgh European Council (including enlargement and future financing). I expect that there will also be discussion of the Uruguay round, former Yugoslavia, migration and central and eastern Europe.

  Cyprus
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the most recent round of talks on Cyprus.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The set of ideas produced by the UN Secretary General, and endorsed by the Security Council as the basis for a settlement, was worked through in full in direct talks from 28 October to 11 November. There are significant areas of common ground. Important differences remain, and we are disappointed that some Turkish Cypriot positions are incompatible with the ideas. We welcome the agreement to resume talks in early March: and will continue to play a full part in encouraging progress.

  Israel
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of the peace process in Israel.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The seventh round of bilateral negotations between Israel and Arab delegations resumed in Washington on 9 November after a break for the US elections. The atmosphere remains good. The negotiations are addressing substance. All sides are in our view seriously engaged. The incoming US Administration have declared their commitment to the process.

  Mr. Allan Nicklin
  Mr. Cormack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest meeting in Saudi Arabia with the Saudi Arabian authorities to discuss the case of Mr. Allan Nicklin.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Her Majesty's ambassador in Riyadh discussed the Nicklin case with the Saudi Minister for Foreign Affairs on 15 November and again with a senior official of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign affairs on 22 November. The Ambassador expressed the deep concern of Her Majesty's Government at Mr. Nicklin's continuing distraint and asked that he be allowed to leave Saudi Arabia as soon as possible.

  Foreign Policy Achievements
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list the foreign policy achievements of the United Kingdom presidency of the European Community; and what further achievements he foresees before the year-end.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The London conference convened in August established a new framework for a negotiated settlement for the former Yugoslavia. We have ensured a substantial EC input to the middle east peace process and on humanitarian aid for Somalia. We have strengthened EC links with the countries of eastern and central Europe, notably through holding a successful EC summit in London last month with the leaders of Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. We have put EC relations with Japan and with the countries of the Association of South East Asian nations on a more constructive footing through the EC/Japan summit in London in July and the EC/ASEAN Ministerial meeting in Manila last month. We have put in place arrangements for an enhanced political dialogue between the EC and Turkey. On GATT, the Presidency's contacts with the negotiating parties served as a catalyst to obtain the recent EC/US deal on agriculture. We are now working for early agreement in Geneva on the Uruguay Round. Before the end of the year, the Presidency will hold EC summits with the United States and Canada which will enhance joint co-operation with both countries. We expect further to strengthen EC relations with central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and to make further 744
  progress towards opening accession negotiations with applicant countries from the European Free Trade Association. At the Edinburgh European Council we also aim to bring to fruition other priorities for the United Kingdom Presidency which I outlined to the House on 24 November.

  Cambodia
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in Cambodia with the international peace accords and in particular with the cantonment and disarming of the troops of the various factions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  There has been considerable progress towards the implementation of the comprehensive political settlement of the Cambodia conflict. Despite occasional ceasefire violations, peace has returned to most of Cambodia. More than 170,000 refugees formerly in the camps on the Thai-Cambodian border have returned to Cambodia without a single fatality as a result of mines; and preparations are well in hand for the holding of free and fair elections in April-May 1993, with more than 1·5 million Cambodians now registered.

  By the end of September some 50,000 soldiers of these factions had been contoned by UNTAC. We regret that so far the Kymer Rouge has not begun to meet its obligations under the Paris agreements to canton 70 per cent. of the forces.

  CITIZEN'S CHARTER: ROAD TRAFFIC
  CITIZEN'S CHARTER: ROAD TRAFFIC
  EUROPEAN UNION: SINGLE CURRENCY
  EUROPEAN UNION: SINGLE CURRENCY
  AGRICULTURE: EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTION
  AGRICULTURE: EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTION
  SEA FERRIES: STABILITY
  SEA FERRIES: STABILITY
  PRIVATE FLOWS TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
  PRIVATE FLOWS TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES