Written Answers of 30 November 1992

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information Her Majesty's Government possess on the current operational status of(a) the Al-Qaim uranium processing factory, (b) the Qa Qaa explosives factory and (c) Samarra factory 10, in Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Al-Qaim was badly damaged during the Gulf conflict and has not been repaired. The Qa Qaa explosives plant is part of the Al Qa Qaa state establishment. This is a vast enterprise covering aspects of explosives, propellant and primer production. Much of its work is not prohibited under the terms of Security Council resolution 687. The facility was extensively bombed during the Gulf conflict. Reconstruction has been taking place at the establishment which has been visited by UN inspectors on several occasions. It is believed that part of the explosives and ammunition plant was severely damaged by an explosion in late October. The Government are not aware of any facility known as Samarra factory 10.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons; if he will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if he will implement an equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office already has a policy on its use of ozone-depleting substances. It commits the Department to eliminating the use of such substances where they are non-essential and where acceptable alternatives offering value for money are available. It also stipulates that when such substances are replaced they should be recycled in products where no alternatives are available.

  Further policy measures, including targets for the reuse and recycling of ozone-depleting substances, will be introduced following completion of an environmental audit of the Department now being carried out by our environmental management consultants.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by his Department; if he will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has already taken the necessary steps to prevent leakages 2
  of ozone-depleting substances by introducing a programme of regular inspection and servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. In the event that such equipment was no longer serviceable, or there was a risk of leakage, the refrigerants would he extracted and returned for recycling.

  Kosovo
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether authorisation for further United Nations monitors in Kosovo has been sought; and how many of these are British.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. The monitors now in Kosovo are under the auspices of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. None is British.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Nations monitors are in place in Kosovo; and from which countries.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. The monitors now in Kosovo are under the auspices of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. The mission is led by a Norwegian ambassador, with four monitors from Canada, Switzerland, France and Greece.

  Mr. George Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place restrictions on the export of armaments from the United Kingdom which might end up in Kosovo.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations arms embargo, in place since 25 September 1991, prohibits the delivery of weapons and military equipment to former Yugoslavia. Defence exports to other destinations are considered case by case. All considerations, including the risk of diversion to prohibited destinations, are taken into account.

  EC Committee of the Regions
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members the United Kingdom will have on the proposed European Community committee of the regions; and how many of these will represent(a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Article 198a of the Maastricht treaty allocates 24 seats on the committee of the regions to the United Kingdom. Twenty-four alternate members will also need to be appointed. The treaty makes it clear that it is for Governments of member states to nominate national candidates to the committee and to decide how seats should be allocated. No decision has yet been made about how the United Kingdom seats will be divided between the regions of the United Kingdom.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from the United Nations or from the United Nations Protection Force concerning violations of the no-fly zone in Bosnia; and when that information was received.
  3
  Mr. Douglas-Hogg
  We have received from the United Nations, through the various sources available to that organisation, reports of the following numbers of unauthorised flights:

  24 from 22 October to 4 November;

  34 from 5 to 12 November;

  73 from 13 to 19 November.

  There is no evidence that any of these have been combat flights.

  Macedonia
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the European Community has to render economic assistance to the state of Macedonia; and what further consideration is being given to formal recognition of Macedonia by European Community members.

  Mr. Douglas-Hogg
  The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia already benefits from humanitarian and technical assistance under the EC's PHARE programme and also receives a share of the EC's humanitarian assistance for the former Yugoslavia as a whole. Mr. Robin O'Neill, as the Foreign Secretary's personal representative, has regularly visited Athens and Skopje in his mission to establish how the republic might be recognised in conformity with the terms of the Lisbon declaration of 27 June. He will shortly report to the Foreign Secretary.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the declaration by the Falkland Islands Government on whale and dolphin sanctuaries within their waters.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  On 5 June the Falklands Legislative Council passed the Marine Mammals Ordinance—No. 8 of 1992—which"prohibits the killling, wounding or taking of marine mammals on land or in the internal waters, territorial sea or fishery waters of the Falkland Islands".
  This protects all cetaceans, including whales and dolphins, within the 200-mile exclusive fisheries zones of the Falklands waters.

  Passports
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice is being issued to British overseas posts regarding the requirements, from January 1993, on British citizens, and non-EC nationals settled in the United Kingdom, to present passports on entry to EC states, other than Denmark and Eire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Immigration procedures are a matter for the individual member states concerned. We have not been informed of any forthcoming changes in such procedures. It follows that travellers to those countries should continue to have passports, with visas where applicable for non-EC nationals, available for checking as they do now.

  Albania
  Mr. George Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to refuse any applications for export of British armaments to Albania; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Applications for exports of British Armaments are considered case by case. All relevant considerations are taken into account. In the case of Albania, a major consideration is that it remains a proscribed destination under the rules of the co-ordinating committee on multilateral strategic export controls—COCOM.

  Ascension Island (Feral Cats)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the eradication of feral cats on Ascension Island.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Feral cat culling programmes continue. An eradication programme may lead to an increased bird population. We wish to assess a survey carried out in 1992 by the United States Air Force bird strike team on the likely effect of this on aircraft activity. Once we have received the team's report we shall discuss the conclusions with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and other interested parties.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Women (Treatment in Law)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received for establishing a royal commission on the treatment of women in law.

  Mr. Jack
  To date we have received no such representations.

  Underground Facilities
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the uses currently being made of the underground facilities pending their disposal as a result of the ending of the cold war.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The sites had one function only and are not put to other uses.

  Fire Cover, Windsor
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what alterations in fire cover including fire-fighting personnel, appliances and response time have been made in the town of Windsor over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows alterations to the establishment of the Royal Berkshire fire and rescue service based at Windsor fire station over the past 10 years:
  5

  Wholetime

  Retained (part-time)

  Firefighters

  Pumping appliances

  Special appliances

  Firefighters

  Pumping appliances

  Special appliances

  1 January 1982

  29

  1

  —

  12

  1

  —

  6 April 19831

  37

  1

  1

  12

  1

  —

  1 July 19852

  41

  1

  1

  12

  1

  —

  1 February 19873

  29

  1

  —

  12

  1

  —

  31 March 1988

  29

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 January 1992

  29

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Turnable ladder and crew transferred from Langley fire station to Windsor fire station.

  2 Improvement to the crew available to mobilise the turntable ladder.

  3 Turntable ladder and crew transferred from Windsor fire station to Slough fire station.

  999 Calls
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what aproaches and representations he has received from the emergency services and police authorities over the future management of 999 calls.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) on Wednesday 25 November at cols 648–49.

  Squatting
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to introduce a Bill to make squatting illegal; and what proposals he will make to rehouse those thereby displaced.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government are committed to strengthening the protection which the law gives to people whose property is occupied by squatters. We are currently considering how best this should be done, in the light of the responses received to a discussion paper on this subject. It is not possible to say, at this stage, when legislation might be brought before the House.

  Policy relating to the rehousing of those displaced as a result of changes in the law is a matter for the Department of the Environment. But consideration of individual cases will fall to be carried out in exactly the same way as those who are evicted under the law as it stands.

  HM Inspector of Constabulary
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the practice of his Department to publish all reports of Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary as soon as practical after any inspection has taken place; and in under what circumstances no report would be issued following an inspection by Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It is the practice to publish all reports of inspections in England and Wales by HM inspectorate of constabulary except for any which are withheld on security grounds. The reports are made public as soon as possible after the inspection.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons; if he will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if he will implement an 6
  equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In accordance with the principles set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance", Cm. 1200, my right hon. and learned Friend has set in hand a review of the Department's policy on the purchase and use of ozone-depleting chemicals and of goods manufactured with these substances. The Department does not presently have sufficient information to publish targets for reuse and recycling.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by his Department; if he will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department already seeks to prevent leakages of ozone depleting refrigerants through the regular servicing of its refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

  Concealed Weapons (Searches)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to reduce restrictions on conducting random searches for concealed weapons.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave her on 19 November at column 347.

  Betting Offices
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is being given to allowing betting offices(a) to open during evening hours and (b) to issue and receive pools coupons.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have been considering the options for evening opening of licensed betting offices following the consultation document issued last year and will announce our conclusions as soon as possible. Proposals to amend the law on the distribution and collection of pools coupons are now being considered in the light of representations received in response to the Government's White Paper, "A National Lottery Raising Money for Good Causes", Cm. 1861.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are to allow betting offices to install amusement machines with prizes on the premises.
  7
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no present plans to amend the law to allow amusement-with-prizes machines to be installed in licensed betting offices.

  Joyriding
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) injured and (b) killed by joyriding in 1991–92.

  Mr. Jack
  The term "joyriding" is generally taken to relate to the aggravated offences created by the Aggravated Vehicle-Taking Act 1992. This includes circumstances in which, following the taking and driving of a vehicle, an accident occurs causing death or injury of any person. Between the commencement of the Act on 1 April 1992 and June, police records show that three people have been killed as a result of accidents occurring in such circumstances. No information is held centrally on the number of persons injured in such circumstances. Full information about prosecutions resulting from the Aggravated Vehicle-Taking Act 1992 will become available in the autumn of 1993.

  Minority Languages
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of all submissions made by the United Kingdom delegation to the Ministers Deputies conference of the Council of Europe on the subject of the European convention on minority languages.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No written submissions were made to the meeting of Ministers' Deputies on 29 June 1992 which considered the convention on regional and minority languages.

  "Summer Time" (Consultation Document)
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations have taken place since the responses to the Green Paper "Summer Time-A Consultation Document", Cm. 722, 1990; and when it is intended to bring forward proposals on this matter.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Green Paper consulted on certain options for future summer time arrangements, and revealed deep differences of opinion on them; national consultation on those options has not been repeated. As I explained in the Standing Committee debate on the draft Summer Time Order 1992 on 7 July, the European Commission is reviewing its position on summer time and that may affect the options. We shall bring forward our own proposals when the Commission's approach is clear.

  Channel Islands
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, column 528, when he will be

  Sentenced females1 in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 June 1992: by nationality and type of offence

  Nationality

  United Kingdom

  Foreign

  Not recorded

  All

  Offence

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Drugs offences

  120

  15

  125

  57

  13

  9

  258

  22

  Other offences

  570

  70

  85

  38

  60

  42

  715

  61

  Offences not recorded

  120

  15

  11

  5

  71

  49

  202

  17

  8
  making a statement regarding his Department's records relating to the wartime Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: The review of files relating to this period has been completed and most of the files will now be opened to public scrutiny. The Ministry of Defence will continue to hold a small number of files on extended closure under section 5(1) of the Public Record Act 1958 on the grounds of personal sensitivity. The Home Office will also hold a few records on extended closures. Other records being released by the Home Office will be available for public inspection at the Public Record Office, Kew, from Tuesday, 1 December.

  Female Prisoners
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the country of origin of foreign female prisoners in British prisons.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 17 November 1992]: Countries of birth outside the British Isles are no longer separately identified. The only information readily available, which relates to nationality, is given in the table.

  Female population1 of Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 June 1992: by nationality Number of persons

  Nationals of

  Number

  Colombia

  19

  Ghana

  12

  India

  10

  Irish Republic

  14

  Jamaica

  50

  Netherlands

  10

  Nigeria

  77

  United Kingdom

  1,053

  United States of America

  13

  Other2

  78

  Nationality not recorded

  200

  All nationalities

  1,536

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 With fewer than five prisoners.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of foreign women prisoners are convicted for(a) drugs importation and (b) other drug related offences.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 17 November 1992]: Information by type of drug offence is not readily available separately for foreign women prisoners. The available information for foreign women prisoners is given in the table. Out of a total of 300 female prisoners on 30 June 1990 who had been sentenced for drugs offences, it is estimated that 250 had been sentenced for unlawful import-export.
  9

  Nationality

  United Kingdom

  Foreign

  Not recorded

  All

  Offence

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  All offences

  810

  100

  221

  100

  144

  100

  1,175

  100

  1 Including those committed to custody in default of payment of a fine. Provisional figures.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign women are held(a)

  Female population1 in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 June: by type of prisoner and nationality, 1989–92

  Type of prisoner and nationality

  1989

  1990

  1991

  19922

  Untried:

  United Kingdom3

  —

  —

  184

  171

  Foreign3

  —

  —

  57

  51

  Not recorded3

  —

  —

  45

  44

  All nationalities

  378

  280

  286

  266

  Convicted unsentenced:

  United Kingdom3

  —

  —

  79

  70

  Foreign3

  —

  —

  7

  9

  Not recorded3

  —

  —

  15

  14

  All nationalities

  98

  77

  101

  93

  Sentenced:4

  United Kingdom

  876

  784

  719

  810

  Foreign

  269

  291

  257

  221

  Not recorded

  134

  178

  172

  144

  All nationalities

  1,279

  1,253

  1,148

  1,175

  1 Excluding two non-criminal prisoners.

  2 Provisional figures.

  3 Nationality was not recorded for untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners prior to 1991.

  4 Including those committed to custody in default of payment of a fine.

TRANSPORT

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

  Mr. Norris
  Since 9 April 1992, my Department has caused a number of regulations to be put into effect. Many of these consolidate or update existing regulation.

  The main areas in which new regulations have been made include emission standards for new vehicles; changes in axle and gross weights for heavy goods vehicles; the introduction of new drink and drugs offences relating to railways, tramways and prescribed systems of guided transport; the introduction of the extended driving test for certain disqualified drivers; and the packaging of some categories of dangerous goods. Four sets of regulations have been introduced following recommendations in the marine accident investigation branch report into the loss of the Marchioness, setting out requirements for improved standards of bridge visibility, stability and construction, life-saving appliances and fire protection on passenger craft.
  10
  on remand and (b) as convicted prisoners in British prisons at the latest available date; and how many were held in each category for each of the last three years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 17 November 1992]: The readily available information is given in the table.

  Local Safety Schemes
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of funding for local road safety schemes for 1992–93.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The sum of £42·7 million was allocated to local safety schemes for 1992–93 as part of the transport supplementary grant settlement announced to Parliament on 19 December 1991 by the Secretary of State for Transport.

  This represents an increase of 38 per cent. in the amount of £31·2 million earmarked for such schemes for 1991–92 and reflects the importance which the Government attach to their target of reducing road casualties by a third by the year 2000, and their belief that local safety schemes can make a significant contribution to achieving this.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures have been taken to ensure that only chemicals that cause the least depletion to the earth's ozone layer are used in the cooling system of the channel tunnel; and if he will intervene to halt the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons for this purpose.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 24 November at column 562.

  British Rail Timetables
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effects on British Rail timetables of(a) the reductions to the railway maintenance programme recently announced and (b) the citizens charter.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have provided BR with an extra £239 million external finance over the next two years. Allocation to specific programmes, including maintenance, is for BR, although I understand no final decisions have been made. It will doubtless take due account of any implications its decisions might have for its timetable.

  The standards and compensation provisions set out in the charter give BR a greater incentive to deliver the published service.

  Freight Transport
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specific targets have been set by his Department to modify the rail infrastructure to ensure that continental gauge freight traffic can be transported through the United Kingdom rail network; and if he will make a statement on the progress to date.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail is currently upgrading its lines between the channel tunnel and nine regional freight terminals. This work will enable over 90 per cent of European containers and all standard European swap-bodies to be carried between the tunnel and the regional terminals.

  The Department has recently produced a paper "Moving Freight By Rail: Loading Gauge" which sets out the practical and other problems associated with further upgrading. Copies are available in the House Library.

  British Rail (Employees' Facilities)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that existing pension rights and travel facilities will be protected for employees and former employees after British Rail is privatised.

  Mr. Freeman
  Detailed arrangements to implement the policy in the White Paper "New Opportunities for the Railways", Cm 2012, on pension rights and travel facilities are currently under consideration. A consultation paper on pension arrangements will be published soon.

  Midland Metro
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has made to the representations received from the Labour and Conservative leaders of the West Midlands passenger transport authority concerning funding for an early go-ahead for the midland metro line 1 project.

  Mr. Freeman
  I will reply to these representations shortly.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Church Commissioners (Female Staff)
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what proportion of the Church Commissioners are women; and what plans there are for more women to be appointed to senior staff positions.

  Mr. Alison
  Excluding clergy and ex-officio commissioners, six out of 25 elected or appointed commissioners are women. Promotion of the commissioners' staff is based on merit and I am pleased to say that women currently hold grades up to and including grade 6 (senior principal).

  Women Priests
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what is the latest estimate of the sum of money earmarked as compensation for clergy and others who resign following the General Synod's decision on the ordination of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what estimate he has made of the financial effects of changes in clergy numbers resulting from the General Synod's decision on ordination of women.

  Mr. Alison
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady Olga Maitland).

  Pensions
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what provision the Commissioners have made for early retirement in the pension arrangements for incumbents.

  Mr. Alison
  The clergy scheme makes provision for early retirement with an immediate pension in two situations. First, clergy may take voluntary early retirement up to five years before the minimum normal pension age of 65, with benefits based on actual service but reduced for early commencement. Secondly, clergy may take ill health retirement at any age, subject to medical evidence, with benefits based on actual plus prospective service.

  Baptismal Certificates (Fees)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what is the percentage increase in the income of stipendaries' fees for baptismal certificates in the last five years.

  Mr. Alison
  The fee payable to the incumbent for a certificate of baptism has risen from £2·50 in 1987 to £4 in 1992, an increase of 60 per cent.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council Tax
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to alter the council tax multiplier to 3/6 at band A, 6/6 at band D and 18/6 at band H.
  13
  Mr. Robin Squire
  No.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide for an A 1 band for council tax for properties worth less than £30,000, in areas where 50 per cent. of properties are in band A.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals against valuation banding are expected or planned for after 1 April; how quickly appeals will be heard after 1 April by the Inland Revenue; and what is the expected wait for a hearing on average.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Appeals against council tax banding will start life as proposals to alter banding lists. It is impossible to predict the number of such proposals which will be made after 1 April 1993, and it is therefore pointless to speculate on the length of time it will take to deal with them.

  We have, however, made administrative plans to deal with the eventuality of up to 950,000 initial proposals (5 per cent. of domestic properties), earmarking sufficient funds for this purpose in the recent public expenditure survey. We will review our plans when we have a clearer view of the likely workload.

  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect the proposed council tax levy on nursing and residential care homes will have on residents of these homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The council tax bills faced by care home owners will generally be modest, especially when compared to the total running costs of such homes. They will benefit from the banding arrangements, which mean that the council tax bill for the most expensive dwelling is limited to twice that for a band D home in the same area. Many care home owners will also receive reductions for disabilities, 50 per cent. personal discounts and transitional reductions. Taking account of all these reductions, the council tax is likely to add only a few tens of pence a week per resident to the costs of running a home—a tiny fraction of total costs.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his office will produce details of(a) national average council tax band D equivalent, (b) the percentage of winners and losers in each region, (c) council tax benefit tapers and (d) the transitional relief scheme.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: The answer to (a) can only be calculated after local authorities have set their council tax for 1993–94 next spring. We have no intention of making any predictions of national average council taxes. Similarly, on (b), we shall be making no predictions of winners and losers in each region.

  On (c), the Secretary of State for Social Security announced the details of the council tax benefit scheme on 28 November 1991. The scheme includes a taper of 20 per cent. which means that for those with income above their appropriate applicable amount, council tax benefit will be reduced by 20p for every £1 of excess income.
  14
  On (d), the details of the transitional relief scheme were announced in the statement my right hon. and learned Friend made on 26 November.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how single person households will be better off under the council tax, ignoring transitional relief, than under the poll tax.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: This will depend on the council taxes which local authorities set in the spring. Local taxes are a matter for local authorities to determine in the light of their local circumstances.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much funding Leicester has received under the urban programme at 1992 prices for each of the last three years; how many projects have been supported; and how many people have been employed by them in jobs and in training schemes.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested on Leicester's urban programme is as follows:

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  UP funding (£ million) 1992–93 prices

  5·74

  5·34

  4·70

  Projects supported1

  122

  138

  112

  Jobs created/preserved1

  190

  164

  154

  Training places supported1

  1,540

  3,494

  1,875

  1Sources: Leicester UP annual report 1990–91 and Leicester IJP submissions 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  UP funding for 1990–91 and 1991–92 are actuals, adjusted by GDP deflator indices. UP funding for 1992–93 is the current allocation.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of people who were employed in each of the last three years by schemes funded by the urban programme in(a) jobs and (b) training schemes; and what was the number of people whose employment depended indirectly on the existence of these schemes, in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number of people employed by schemes funded by Urban Programme

  1Jobs

  1Training Schemes

  1990–91

  29,660

  86,528

  1991–92

  34,242

  68,551

  1992–93

  33,973

  74,097

  1Sources: Annual reports 1990–91 and urban programme submissions 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Information is not held on the number of people whose employment depended indirectly on the existence of these schemes.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of schemes funded by the urban programme for each of the last three years; and what was the total funding at 1992 prices for each of the last three years.
  15
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested on the urban programme is as follows:

  UP funding (£ million) 1992–93 prices

  1Total number of schemes funded

  1990–91

  271·4

  9,855

  1991–92

  258·4

  6,911

  1992–93

  237·2

  8,782

  1Sources: Urban programme annual report 1991 and urban programme submissions 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Urban programme funding for 1990–91 and 1991–92 are actuals, adjusted by GDP deflator indices. Urban programme funding for 1992–93 is the initial allocation, excluding district health authority projects.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had before deciding to abolish the urban programme.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The urban programme has not been abolished. We have made provision of £176 million for the urban programme in 1993–94 which will enable existing commitments to be honoured and approved projects to continue. In addition, some £20 million in uncommitted urban programme resources for 1993–94 will be available in urban programme areas to promote urban regeneration through the urban partnership fund. The urban partnership fund will complement the extra power to spend capital receipts which local authorities will enjoy following the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 13 November 1992.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on what provisions are being made for consideration of schemes currently funded by the urban programme when their funding comes up for renewal.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is for local authorities and project managers to consider in the normal way how to fund projects when their period of urban programme support expires.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the accepted length of time before appeals lodged now with the Salford valuation office regarding business rates are heard.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  An appeal about business rates starts life as a proposal to alter an entry in a non-domestic rating list, made to the local valuation office. If the matter is not resolved within six months, it is automatically referred to a valuation tribunal as an appeal. Those proposals lodged with the Salford valuation office are referred as appeals to the Manchester, South valuation tribunal.

  Month

  Secretary of State

  Mr. Atkins

  Mr. Mates

  Lord Arran

  Mr. Hanley

  Total

  May

  14

  9

  11

  13

  16

  63

  June

  8

  11

  10

  13

  12

  54

  July

  11

  10

  11

  10

  9

  51

  August

  7

  3

  13

  10

  5

  38

  September

  13

  9

  10

  9

  11

  52

  October

  17

  8

  9

  11

  11

  56

  TOTAL

  70

  50

  64

  66

  64

  314

  16
  Valuation tribunals are independent bodies and the priority and timing of cases is a matter for them.

  Following the non-domestic revaluation on 1 April 1990, Manchester South valuation tribunal initially received about 15,800 substantive appeals. Most of these were received towards the end of that financial year. By the end of September 1992, some 18 months later, 9,300 appeals had been cleared. This is consistent with the national plan to clear original list appeals within three years of their receipt.

  Unitary Status
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Local Government Commission will examine requests from areas within existing metropolitan districts for unitary status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We intend to ask the Local Government Commission to look at boundary issues in the metropolitan counties when it has completed its programme of reviews in the shires. If the commission finds evidence that metropolitan district boundaries need to be looked at before then, my right hon. Friend can consider this in relation to the commission's programme.

  Local Government Review
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what relationship or link there is between the review of local government and the work of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: So far as practicable, the Boundary Commission for England should avoid recommending constituencies which cross county or London borough boundaries. The Commission is due to submit its next report to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary by 31 December 1994 on the basis of the local government boundaries effective at 1 June 1994. We hope to implement the first changes following reviews by the Local Government Commission for England of local government structure, boundaries and electoral arrangements on 1 April 1994. The Local Government Commission is required to consult the boundary commission on its draft recommendations.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nights each Minister of his Department stayed in Northern Ireland in each of the months of May, June, July, August, September and October.

  Mr. Mates
  The information is:

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many public interest immunity certificates were issued by him or his predecessors in relation to court cases in Northern Ireland since 1972;

  (2) how many public interest immunity certificates were issued by him or his predecessors in relation to coroners' inquests in Northern Ireland since 1972.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  No central record is held of public interest immunity certificates issued in relation to court cases or coroners' inquests in Northern Ireland since 1972.

  Glen Road Travellers' Site
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much money has been spent by the Department of the Environment (NI) on the upkeep of the unauthorised Glen road travellers' site over the past five years;

  (2) how much money has been spent by the Belfast city council on the upkeep of the unauthorised Glen road travellers' site over the last five years.

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand that Belfast city council has spent approximately £50,000 and the Department of the Environment has not spent any money on the upkeep of the unauthorised site in the last five years.

  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been spent by Belfast city council on the provision and maintenance of the official travellers' site at Glen road.

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand that provision of the official travellers site at Glen road has cost Belfast city council £915,000 to date, which will be reimbursed by the Department of the Environment, and that approximately £9,000 has been spent by the council on maintenance.

  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effect on the timetable for the provision of Northern Ireland Housing Executive houses is being caused by the presence of the travellers on the unauthorised Glen road site.

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand from the Housing Executive that no delay has been caused on the timetable for provision of houses by the executive.

  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the immediate plans for the unauthorised site at Glen road and the travellers currently camped there.

  Mr. Atkins
  Belfast city council proposes to move the travellers from the unauthorised site to an interim site on Glen road. The site will then be secured. lit the longer term these travellers will be reallocated permanent sites planned by Belfast city council.

  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of their future plans for the Glen road site.

  Mr. Atkins
  Future capital spend on the Glen road travellers site is estimated by Belfast city council as £50,000.
  18
  The estimated cost of the first phase of the Housing Executive's public housing scheme at Glen road is £2 million.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Training
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor next intends to meet the Council for Legal Education to discuss the training in the legal profession.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has no plans to meet the Council for Legal Education at present.

  Judges
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will bring forward proposals to establish a review panel in order to monitor the performance of judges.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has no plans to do so.

  Magistrates Courts, Wales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates courts have been closed in each of the counties of Wales in each of the last three years; how many are scheduled for closure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  This information is not collected centrally. The decision to close a magistrates courthouse is a local decision for the magistrates courts committee concerned after consulting with its local paying authority. There is no requirement for my Department to be kept informed of closures unless a paying authority appeals to the Lord Chancellor against a magistrates courts committee's decision. A magistrates courthouse is usually owned by the paying authority, not my Department.

  Divorce Law Reform
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will bring forward legislation to implement in full the Law Commission's proposals on reforms of the divorce law.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is considering the Law Commission's recommendations for reform of divorce law. He has no immediate plans for legislation but he welcomes any views on the appropriate response to these recommendations.

  Family Mediation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to establish and fund a United Kingdom-wide network of family mediation services.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is considering the role and funding of family mediation services in England and Wales as part of the wider review of family law announced earlier this year and has no immediate plans to establish and fund a national network of such services.
  19
  Meanwhile, local family mediation services in England and Wales are funded by the voluntary and private sectors with assistance in some areas from the probation service and local authorities. Separate arrangements operate in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Legal Aid, Wales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many legal aid certificates which were valid up to and including trial were issued in each of the counties of Wales for each of the last six years.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Legal Aid Board publishes statistics on the number of certificates issued in respect of civil proceedings in its annual reports (Tables "Civil 6" and "Civil 7" on pages 52 and 53 of the 1991–92 report). The number of defendants and appellants receiving legal aid in the Crown court are itemised in the Department's annual publication "Judicial Statistics" (Table 10·6 of the 1991 edition). In neither instance is it possible to distinguish between assisted persons residing in Wales or England.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is his estimate of the amount of legal aid moneys granted in magistrates courts in Wales in the years 1990–91 and 1991–92:

  (2) what is his estimate of the amount of the legal aid budget expended in Wales for each of the last four years.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Legal Aid Board records statistics on legal aid expenditure by reference to its area offices. Wales is served by two Legal Aid Board area offices, which are situated in Cardiff and Chester respectively. The Chester area office also serves parts of north-west England and the west midlands. It is not therefore possible to assess what proportion of legal aid expenditure, either generally or in relation to magistrates' courts, is attributable to assisted persons residing in Wales.

PRIME MINISTER

  Commercial Whaling
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed Norway's decision to resume commercial whaling with Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I made quite clear to the Norwegian Prime Minister our views on commercial whaling. I set out the position in the Community on whaling and the trade in whale products. We would expect Norway to apply existing Community legislation should she accede to the Community.

  Home Rule, Scotland
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for East Lothian dated 23 October concerning the case for subsidiary home rule for Scotland.

  The Prime Minister
  I will reply to the hon. Member's correspondence shortly.

  Matrix Churchill
  Mr. George Robertson
  To ask the Prime Minister when he was first informed that Matrix Churchill was involved in the exports of machine tools to Iraq.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: As I said in my letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 23 November, which has been placed in the Library, I first became aware of the investigation into Matrix Churchill in October 1990.

  Some other papers in connection with Matrix Churchill were copied to my office at the Treasury in June and July of that year. Treasury records do not indicate whether I saw those documents, but I have no recollection of doing so. A meeting of Ministers under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was held on 19 July 1990 to discuss defence sales policy to Iran and Iraq. That meeting was attended from the Treasury by my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Ryder). The public expenditure Cabinet was held on the same day and would have been my principal preoccupation at the time.

  At the beginning of August 1990, following the invasion of Kuwait, I did see a copy of a minute about the implications of the invasion for trade with Iraq, which referred to Matrix Churchill as one company with potential exports that would need to be prevented.

SCOTLAND

  Sport
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 16 June,Official Report, column 516, what is the division of responsibility between his Department and the Department of National Heritage in respect of sport in Scotland; and what further decisions and changes have been made in respect of the relationship between the two departments since June.

  Sir Hector Monro
  While my right hon. Friend is responsible for all matters relating to sport in Scotland, the Department of National Heritage takes the lead on United Kingdom and international sports matters. My right hon. Friend is responsible also for the built heritage in Scotland, but the funding and sponsorship of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, which operates on a United Kingdom basis, is a matter for the Department of National Heritage. As with arts and broadcasting, to which my answer of 16 June 1992 referred, my right hon. Friend's responsibilities for sport and the heritage were not affected by the creation of the Department of National Heritage and none of these responsibilities has been changed subsequently. The Scottish Office continues to liaise closely with the Department of National Heritage on all matters of common interest.

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

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 25 November 1992]: The amount spent by the Nature Conservancy Council for

  21
  Scotland for the purchase of national nature reserves in 1991–92 was £124,275. It is estimated that the expenditure by Scottish Natural Heritage for this purpose in 1992–93 will be £62,350.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of grant was made by the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland or Scottish Natural Heritage 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 Hector Monro
  [holding answer 25 November 1992]: The provisions of section 38 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 have been replaced in turn by section 134 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and, in respect of Scotland, section 9 of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. The amount spent by the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland for these purposes in 1991–92 was £106,592. It is estimated that the expenditure in 1992–93 by Scottish Natural Heritage on such grants will be £175,000.

  Holyroodhouse
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if sprinkler systems are installed throughout Holyroodhouse;

  (2) if he will review fire precautions at Holyroodhouse.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Extensive fire precautions are in place in the Palace of Holyroodhouse which are kept under constant review and are updated from time to time. These do not include a sprinkler system. On 23 November, the chief executive of Historic Scotland, which is responsible for the fabric of Holyroodhouse, commissioned a review of the fire precautions which will take account of the Windsor castle fire.

  Drugs
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the misuse or abuse of prescribed drugs in Scotland; what studies are currently

  Bathing Waters Directive Scottish Results

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Nairn (East Beach)

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Pass

  Cullen

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fraserburgh

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Aberdeen

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Montrose

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Arbroath

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Carnoustie

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  St. Andrews (West Sands)

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Kinghorn (Pettycur)

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Aberdour (Silversands)

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Gullane

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Yellowcraigs

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Pass

  North Berwick (Milsey Bay)

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Dunbar (Belhaven)

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pease Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Sandyhills

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Pass

  Girvan

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Fail

  Turnberry

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Ayr (South Beach)

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Prestwick

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Troon (South Beach)

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Irvine-Gailes (New Town)

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Salcoats/Ardrossan (South Beach)

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Fail

  22
  being undertaken; what plans he has to introduce measures to reduce the illegal sale and use of prescribed drugs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: The misuse of prescribed drugs is a significant problem in Scotland. The Scottish drug misuse database bulletin for the year ending 31 March 1992, a copy of which is in the Library, shows that of 2,653 drug misusers seen for the first time by a range of services, 1,439 were misusing benzodiazepines and 957 were misusing buprenorphine—Temgesic. Many of those seen were misusing a number of different drugs.

  Action is being taken on a number of fronts. In particular the police are continuing their efforts to identify those who traffic unlawfully in prescribed drugs; we published a description of the harmful effects of misusing prescribed drugs in the booklet "Drugs: A Guide for Young People in Scotland", which was issued as part of the public education material in connection with European Drug Prevention Week; and the chief medical officer in Scotland has drawn the problem to the attention of health board chief administrative medical officers. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is also considering whether further measures should be recommended in respect of Temazepam, which is the most frequently misused of the benzodiazepine drugs.

  Bathing Water
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the results of the current year's bathing water quality monitoring for Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: The bathing water monitoring results for the 1992 season and for earlier seasons are reproduced in the table. A detailed report is being prepared by my Department and will be placed in the House of Commons Library as soon as it is available.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current theoretical projections used as target figures for the total numbers of acute beds for(a) orthopaedic surgery, (b) general surgery and (c) general medicine (i) for each Scottish health board and (ii) in total for Scotland for 2001.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: Projected bed requirements for all surgical and medical specialties are decided by individual health boards and there is no agreed formula for calculating them. Health boards take account of local needs and priorities when formulating their planning assumptions. The total estimated requirement for Scotland in these specialties in 2001, allowing for potential increases in the use of day surgery and other developments in medical practices, is set out in the table.

  Number

  Orthopaedic surgery

  2,000

  General surgery

  2,500

  General medicine

  4,000

  Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was (i) the total cost, adjusted to 1992 prices, of the wildlife incident investigation scheme for Scotland and (ii) the proportion of the total cost contributed by the agrochemical industry levy, in each of the last five years.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: Prior to 1990 figures for the cost of the wildlife incident investigation scheme for Scotland were included in those provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  The information for subsequent years is set out in the table.

  £000 at 1992 prices

  1990–91 (covering 15 month period)

  186

  1991–92

  166

  1992–93 (forecast)

  152

  The major part of the cost is borne by the industry. The cost of other work, particularly the time of departmental staff in investigating incidents is not readily available.

  Seals
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many headless bodies of seals have been recovered in Scotland during the past 12 months; what investigations have been carried out; and with what results.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: Between 1 January 1992 and 31 October 1992 there were 29 confirmed reports of decapitated seals. Only three of these have occurred since July. Police investigations
  24
  included joint surveillance with the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There have been no prosecutions to date.

  Environmental Education
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the funding provided by Government Departments for the support of information sesrvices for environmental education.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: Information services for environmental education are supported by the Scottish Office in a number of ways; the Scottish Office provides information directly; funding support is given to non-departmental public bodies with an environmental education remit; and grant aid is provided to voluntary environmental organisations. Specific funding for information services is not separately identified.

  A working group on environmental education has been established by the Secretary of State, and it has considered the provision of information services for environmental education. The working group is due to report shortly and my right hon. Friend will carefully consider its recommendations.

  Drug Trafficking
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing for each police authority area(a) the number of arrests for drug trafficking, (b) the number of cautions issued for minor forms of drug trafficking and (c) the number of convictions for drug trafficking in each of the past four years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 16 November 1992]: Information on the number of arrests is not collected centrally. In Scotland the police have no power to issue cautions. The information requested on convictions for drug trafficking offences, based on returns from police forces to the Home Office, is set out in the table.

  Number of convictions in Scotland where at least one charge was drug trafficking1

  Police authority area

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Central

  12

  21

  26

  16

  Dumfries and Galloway

  7

  7

  6

  13

  Fife

  14

  22

  19

  25

  Grampian

  23

  32

  39

  47

  Lothian and Borders

  61

  42

  80

  107

  Northern

  7

  6

  14

  13

  Strathclyde

  179

  238

  296

  351

  Tayside

  36

  29

  50

  53

  Other authorities2

  1

  2

  1

  0

  HM Customs and Excise

  17

  17

  19

  15

  Total

  357

  416

  550

  640

  1 Unlawful import or export, unlawful production (excluding cannabis), and being concerned in unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply unlawfully.

  2 Includes offenders dealt with by British Transport Police and British Airports Authority.

WALES

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) 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;

  (2) 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. David Hunt
  No such measures have been introduced by the Welsh Office since the last general election. Regulation and deregulation measures introduced by other Government Departments are usually applicable in both England and Wales.

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

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State.

  Young People Leaving Care
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales have established independent units for 16 and 17-year-olds leaving care; and how many young people can be accommodated in each unit.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Young people who leave care, and who do not return to their family, are generally accommodated in a range of accommodation from bedsits to supported lodging and council accommodation. I t is for individual authorities to determine the scale and range of such services and information about such provision is not held centrally.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of Wales if he will list the local authorities in Wales which(a) employ a named person to assist young people leaving care and (b) have established telephone help-lines to assist such young people.

  Mr. Gwilyn Jones
  Those young people who leave care usually remain the responsibility of the social worker who had responsibility while there were in care. This is normal procedure in each authority in Wales. The Department is not aware of any telephone help-lines set up specifically to assist young people leaving care in Wales.

  GATT Agreement
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the consequence of the GATT agreement for his set-aside proposals in Wales;

  (2) what is the consequence of the GATT agreement for creameries and the dairy industry in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The EC has not yet tabled its revised sector-by-sector GATT offer; however, the Commission has firmly stated that the EC-US GATT deal is compatible with the reforms to CAP regimes agreed earlier this year.

  Housing Management Tendering
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to delay the full introduction of compulsory competitive tendering in housing management until all pilot surveys are completed and their results fully evaluated.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to delay the introduction of competitive tendering in housing management until the new shadow unitary authorities are fully established and elected.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I shall be making an announcement in due course.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his current timetable for the implementation of the four new environmentally sensitive areas that he announced earlier this year.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I shall be making an announcement on the timetable as soon as possible.

  Farmers (Conservation Advice)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to charge farmers for conservation advice tendered by the Agricultural Development Advisory Service or by the Welsh Office agriculture department.

  Mr. David Hunt
  ADAS provides general conservation advice to farmers free of charge. During 1992–93 I have provided some £296,000 to meet the cost of such ADAS free conservation advice to farmers in Wales. I am considering what provision should be made for such free advice in 1993–94. Farmers obtain detailed and specific advice from a number of sources, including ADAS, al a price negotiated between the parties concerned. Advice provided to farmers directly by WOAD is free of charge.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue guidelines to training and enterprise councils ensuring an early declaration of moneys to be made available to training agencies with which the councils have made annual contracts.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State has already indicated to the training and enterprise councils in Wales an important new development under which they will be guaranteed a minimum level of funding for 1994–95 and 1995–96 for training for work and business and enterprise support. This will be introduced next year and should facilitate TECs' longer-term planning with training and enterprise support providers. Negotiation of the prices which the Government will pay TECs for training and enterprise support in 1993–94 will begin next month.

  Valleys Initiative
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 November Official Report, columns 323–24, if he will specify what proportion of the

  27
  annual departmental expenditure on printing costs is accounted for by the cost of pamphlets, leaflets and publicity material in relation to the valleys initiative; and in which financial year or years this expenditure falls.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The proportion of printing costs detailed in my answer of 19 November accounted for by the programme for the valleys is as follows:

  Year

  Proportion per cent.

  1988–89

  Approximately 5·0

  1989–90

  Nil

  1990–91

  Approximately 3·0

  1991–92

  Approximately 0·5

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce the findings of the 1992 hill livestock compensatory allowance review.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The outcome of the review together with the HLCA payment arrangements to apply from 1 January 1993 will be announced as soon as possible.

  Training
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average amount of time spent by applications for(a) youth training and (b) employment training awaiting placement on training programmes within each training and enterprise council area in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information on average waiting times is not collected because, with the importance of placing young people and adults in training which suits their individual needs, the speed at which a place is made available will naturally vary from case to case.

  Dairy Crest Factory, Marchwiel
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make an official visit to the Dairy Crest factory at Marchwiel, Clwyd.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have no current plans to do so.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amounts of Government money and EC money have been made available for the construction and the development of the Dairycrest factory, Marchwiel, Clwyd.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Regional development grant amounting to £74,815 was paid to the company in respect of a project at its Marchwiel factory in March 1989. No EC funds have been provided.

  Job Creation
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to create jobs for unemployed craftsmen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Office and agencies operate a range of measures to increase employment opportunities. Increasingly, these are being targeted on better quality opportunities which will improve employment prospects 28
  for skilled workers in engineering industries. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer included in his autumn statement a series of measures to promote recovery in the construction sector. As a result, an additional £38 million is available for housing in Wales in this financial year, of which I have allocated £35 million for spending by housing associations. I expect them to secure additional private finance of around £15 million, taking the total value of this initiative to about £50 million.

  Hill Farming
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the prospects for hill farming in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am currently reviewing the economic conditions and prospects for our less-favoured area farmers as part of the hill livestock compensatory allowance autumn review and as part of this process I have met representatives from the National Farmers Union (Wales) and the Farmers Union of Wales. The outcome of this review and the HLCA payment arrangements to apply from 1 January 1993 will be announced as soon as possible.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of people working in creameries and cheese factories in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  According to the latest available estimates, for September 1989, there were 2,300 people employed in the milk and milk products industry, which includes creameries and cheese factories.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the impact upon dairy farming of the reform of the Milk Marketing Board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The ending of the present milk marketing scheme will mean that producers will be free to make their own arrangements for selling milk and to seek outlets which best suit their business requirements.

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the guidance letter dated 9 November sent to all national health service unit managers in relation to the impact of the EC acquired rights directive on compulsory competitive tendering; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A copy of the Department's letter has been placed in the Library of the House. The Department is continuing to examine the legal implications.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Cardiff Bay development corporation concerning the employment of Bechtel Corporation as liaison consultants in relation to the construction contract on the proposed barrage.
  29
  Mr. David Hunt
  Cardiff Bay development corporation has kept my officials informed on its plans to let a project management consultancy for the proposed barrage.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Cardiff Bay development corporation regarding the date of issuing invitations to tender for the construction of the proposed barrage; what indicative price will be specified in the invitations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I understand that the Cardiff Bay development corporation intends to issue invitations to tender for the construction of the proposed barrage in the new year. The tender documents will make it clear that the award of the contract is dependent, amongst other things, on Royal Assent for the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill. The development corporation does not propose to include an indicative price.

  Primary Schoolchildren
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of children of primary age being taught by one teacher in classes of (i) up to 30 pupils, (ii) 31 to 35 pupils, (iii) 36 to 40 pupils, and (iv) over 40 pupils for each year since 1986.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not held centrally. Information on the size of registered classes in primary schools in Wales is available in the Welsh Office publication "Statistics of Education in Wales: Schools", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  North East Wales TEC
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 17 November,Official Report, column 144, if he will give details of the operational surpluses that the North East Wales TEC has accrued.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Companies House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 232, if he will give the name and business address and the directors of the successful bidders for the Companies House future operations and role consultants.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 23 November 1992]: The consultants appointed to study the future operations and role of Companies house are SRU Limited, 70–80 St. John street, London EC1M 4HR. The directors are P. B. Askew, J. Carr, N. J. Cross, C. W. Fisher, C. E. M. Gray, J. F. Krelle, Lord McIntosh of Haringey, H. D. Stevenson CBE, P. R. Wallis and R. C. Watson.

  Fast Reactor Programme
  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 British Nuclear Fuels plc, Scottish Nuclear and Nuclear Electric to the fast reactor programme.
  30
  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: The three companies support work for the European fast reactor collaboration. The level and nature of their contribution is a matter for the companies themselves.

  RECHAR
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the successful bids for money from the European Community's RECHAR programme made by publicly funded bodies will result in a future reduction of their funds as a consequence.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 30 June 1992 at columns 525–26.

  Foreign Investors
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of United States and Japanese investment in EC countries is currently vested in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the north-east.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  In 1991 the United Kingdom had 41 per cent. by value of the stock of Japanese investment in the EC (source: Japanese Finance Ministry) and 36 per cent. by value of the stock of United States investment in the EC (source: United States Department of Commerce). It is not possible to say how much is vested by value in the north-east, however, figures from my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau show that by number rather than value since 1981 the north-east has had 53 inward investment projects from Japan from a United Kingdom total of 302 (17·5 per cent.) and 80 projects from the United States against a United Kingdom total of 1,274 (6·3 per cent).

  The IBB figures given above are based on information provided by the companies to the Invest in Britain Bureau at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest and take no account of subsequent developments.

  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many direct investment projects by foreign companies in(a) Britain and (b) the north east are currently in existence; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list the total number of jobs both directly and indirectly dependent on inward investment in the north-east; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  According to figures produced by my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, 3,106 projects from foreign-owned companies have come to the United Kingdom since 1981, of which 285 are in the north-east creating or safeguarding 38,158 jobs for the area. The number of jobs created indirectly is unavailable.

  The figures given above are based on information provided by the companies to the Invest in Britain Bureau at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest and takes no account of subsequent developments. The number of known closures in the last few years is extremely small.

  Partnerships
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will review the law with regard to partnerships so as to require accounts to be audited and registered for public reference; and if he will make a statement on the level of fraud arising from defaulting partners(a) among solicitors and (b) otherwise.
  31
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Disclosure of accounts is regarded as part of the price of limited liability, and I therefore have no plans to require such disclosures for the majority of partnerships in which the partners jointly and severally have unlimited liability. As regards partnerships where all the members are limited liability companies, I refer my hon. Friend to the consultative document on the EC partnerships directive which my Department issued on 10 November. Questions about solicitors are a matter for my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department. I have no information about levels of fraud committed by members of partnerships.

  Retex Initiative
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which areas of the country his Department proposes should benefit from the Retex initiative.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The European Commission has decided that grants under the Retex initiative should be available only within areas designated for objective 1, 2 and 5(b) of the structural funds. Many of the United Kingdom's textile-dependent areas are not objective 1, 2 or 5(b) areas.

  We intend that applications for grants will be invited from textile areas in all eligible regions. Because of the limited funds available, only the best projects can expect to be successful.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how long he expects Lord Justice Scott to be away from his normal duties while carrying out the current inquiry.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Lord Justice Scott will be away from his normal duties for however long it takes to complete his inquiry.

  Gas and Oil Structures
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his plans for removal of gas and oil structures from the southern and northern sectors of the North sea in the next 50 years.

  Mr. Eggar
  On the assumption that current practice continues over the period envisaged by my hon. Friend, the then Secretary of State will, pursuant to his powers under the Petroleum Act 1987, require an abandonment programme to be submitted to him in respect of each UKCS oil and/or gas installation as it approaches the end of its useful life.

  Programmes will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in the light of the circumstances at the time and taking account of consultations with relevant interested parties, including environmental and fishing interests.

  Our requirements will be consistent with the guidelines and standards for the abandonment of disused offshore installations and structures adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in October 1989. These provide that the norm in water depths less than 75 m will be entire removal of all installations weighing less than 4,000 tonnes. After 1 January 1998 that requirement is extended to installations in up to 100 m of water. For installations standing in deeper water, partial removal is an option, subject to 55 m of clear water being left above any submerged remains.
  32
  Application of the IMO guidelines and standards to the UKCS is likely to result in entire removal of all shallow water southern basin platforms. In the central North sea, the decision whether or not to permit partial removal to 55 m below the surface will be taken on the merits of each case. The same case-by-case approach will be applied to installations in the deeper waters further north, but in the interests of safety of navigation of the large submarines operating in that area a minimum clearance of 75 m above any remains will be required.

  Oil Refining
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on the oil refining sector.

  Mr. Eggar
  My policy toward the oil refining sector, as for other business sectors, is to maintain a close liaison and dialogue with the sector and thus acquire an awareness of its needs and of the influences upon its competitiveness from both at home and abroad. I aim to ensure that those needs are taken into account by Government and within the European Community. I shall continue to encourage the maintenance of open markets in the trading of oil and oil products.

  While I expect the oil refining sector to respond effectively to environmental developments, I shall ensure that the Government's environmental policies take proper account of their impact on the sector. The European Energy Council, under the United Kingdom presidency, has today invited the Commission to consult the industry fully and at an early stage in the development of environmental measures, particularly on the cost implications.

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department has given to the oil refining sector in(a) Cheshire and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Eggar
  There has been no financial assistance from my Department to the oil refining industry in(a) Cheshire and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom in the past three years.

  Telephone Cloning
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration has been given to the need to introduce new criminal legislation to cover the fraudulent cloning of mobile and car telephones; and if he will make a statement on the current position.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 4 November 1992]: I am not persuaded that new legislation is necessary. The police have made several arrests this year in connection with cloning offences. The mobile telephone industry is taking its own steps to reduce and minimise the practice of fraudulent cloning, and Oftel is also examining whether further action is justified.

  Power Station, Staythorpe
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to announce his decision on the inspector's report following the public inquiry into a new gas-fired power station at Staythorpe, Nottinghamshire.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend informed the House on 21 October that,

  33
  as part of the wider Government review into the coal industry, he would review the use of his consent powers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Until the review of the use of his consent powers is completed, my right hon. Friend proposes to defer his decisions on outstanding applications for his consent under section 36 for new power stations.

  LINK Scheme
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many programmes have been approved under the LINK scheme since its establishment; if he will list the organisations involved; what the expenditure was for 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: Thirty programmes have been announced so far under the LINK initiative; a further two have been approved by the LINK steering group and await announcement. There are over 400 companies and 200 academic research groups involved in the 315 projects under way or completed; it is not possible to list these organisations individually as the information is commercially confidential. Total Government expenditure on LINK in the financial year 1991–92 was £18 million; industry would have spent at least a similar amount as Government meets 50 per cent. of the costs of LINK projects.

  EUREKA Programme
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many new projects were authorised under the EUREKA programme in 1991–92 in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Community as a whole; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: A total of 43 new EUREKA projects with United Kingdom participation were authorised in the EUREKA year 1991–92.

  This compares with an overall total of 90 new projects involving EUREKA members from the European Community and with 102 new projects in EUREKA as a whole.

  Electricity
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to alter the electricity generation regime to provide that electricity produced from new gas-fired stations is sold through the non-franchise market and to prevent favoured access to the base load of the national electricity supply by those gas-fired power stations which produce at higher prices than 2·8 pence per therm.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: The coal review is presently considering the market prospects for coal and the relative costs of coal and gas-fired generation. It would be wrong to prejudge the outcome of that review.

  Fossil Fuel Levy
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what purposes the fossil fuel levy has been used since it was introduced; and what sums have been spent upon each of these purposes.
  34
  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: The fossil fuel levy has been used to finance the above-market element of the price paid by the regional electricity companies for electricity purchased from generators contracted under the non-fossil fuel obligation. The levy receipts paid to nuclear and renewable generators have been as follows:

  (£ cash basis)

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Nuclear

  1,218

  1,284

  Renewables

  6

  15

  Electricity Imports
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the appropriate regulatory authority the matter of pricing of electricity imported from France.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: Enforcement of regulatory obligations is a matter for the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  Orimulsion
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of orimulsion have been imported in the last available year; and where it is consumed.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: Imports of orimulsion in 1991 were 465,000 tonnes and in 1992 to date (January to October) were 1,039,000 tonnes. Orimulsion is currently burnt at Ince B (Cheshire) and Richborough (Kent) power stations.

  Collieries
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the collieries that were assessed as being viable in the Boyd report.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: The Boyd report prepared for my Department earlier this year did not assess the viability of individual collieries. It looked at the scope for productivity improvements and cost reductions in a group of representative collieries chosen by British Coal.

  Point of Ayr Colliery
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a direction to British Coal to grant access to Oakes and Associates to assess the viability of the Point of Ayr colliery on behalf of Clwyd county council.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend has no powers to issue such a direction.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 18 November,Official Report, column 223, if he will set out the information on fresh nuclear fuel pins in each sections (e) and (f) of the question, which is not published in the annual plutonium figures.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: Information on the imports and exports of civil plutonium in the form of fresh nuclear fuel pins is currently included under separated plutonium in the annual figures.

EDUCATION

  English (Key Stage 3)
  Ms. Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many schools are involved in the pilot scheme for the assessment of English at key stage 3;

  (2) what is the timetable for the announcement of the detailed nature of testing of key stage 3 English;

  (3) what consultation will take place following the completion of pilot tests for key stage 3 English, before a final decision on the design of the tests is announced;

  (4) who is responsible for making the decision about the nature of testing of English at key stage 3; who has acted as advisers to those making the decision; and what evidence is being used to support the decision;

  (5) what consultation has taken place on the assessment and testing of key stage 3 English;

  (6) how responses to the pilot tests of assessment of English at key stage 3 are to be collected; and what part those responses will play in determining the final shape of the tests.

  Mr. Forth
  The first national tests of English for 14-year-olds will take place in June 1993. The decision on the exact content of those tests rests with my right hon. Friend. In making his decision he will be drawing on advice from the School Examinations and Assessment Council (SEAC) under its chairman, Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach.

  Under the direction of SEAC, pilot tests were conducted in schools in 1990, 1991, and 1992. At each stage there has been careful evaluation with the views of teachers being taken into account. The lessons learned have fed into further improvement and refinement.

  This month SEAC tried out the 1993 test materials in 32 schools involving approximately 3,000 pupils. A second trial will be held in January 1993. A full evaluation of these trials, including the comments of the schools themselves, will inform the content of the national tests.

  Preliminary guidance on the 1993 tests was issued by SEAC to schools in September. Further and more detailed guidance for teachers about the nature and format of next year's tests is being distributed. More information will be sent to schools as early as possible next year.

  Pupils in one teacher classes in maintained primary schools in England by size of class

  Classes of size:

  up to 30

  31–35

  36–40

  41 and over

  January 1986

  Inner London Boroughs1

  120,505

  3,554

  36

  147

  Outer London Boroughs

  240,912

  56,950

  4,444

  508

  Metropolitan Districts

  665,406

  171,742

  17,664

  2,899

  County Councils

  1,481,240

  564,750

  59,172

  4,847

  All England

  2,508,063

  796,996

  81,316

  8,401

  January 1987

  Inner London Boroughs1

  124,900

  3,159

  0

  0

  Outer London Boroughs

  246,163

  53,952

  2,746

  372

  Metropolitan Districts

  676,861

  169,260

  16,808

  3,745

  County Councils

  1,523,464

  542,902

  52,216

  3,800

  Examination Results
  Ms. Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how the A-level results for students registered with one school but taught at another school under a consortium arrangement are recorded for the purposes of the publication of the examination league table.

  Mr. Forth
  All examination results for individual pupils should be credited to the school at which the pupil is registered, regardless of where they were taught. Clear instructions were given to schools as to how the results of candidates on roll at one school but taking examinations at another could be claimed back by the school at which they were on roll. Some schools seem none the less to have encountered particular difficulties in doing this in this first year of the new arrangements. We shall be examining the position to see whether it can be made easier for schools in this position to claim back their candidates' results in future.

  Schools (Concern)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list by local education authority the number of schools which Her Majesty's inspectors have identified as causing concern.

  Mr. Forth
  Since HMI has never inspected all schools on a regular basis, it would be invidious to identify particular local education authorities in which there are schools known to HMI which give cause for concern. The system of regular inspections arranged by OFSTED, which come into operation from September 1993, will ensure that schools failing, or likely to fail, to give their pupils an acceptable standard of education are identified in reports published on all maintained schools every four years.

  Primary Classes
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the number of children of primary age being taught by one teacher in classes of (i) up to 30 pupils, (ii) 31 to 35 pupils, (iii) 36 to 40 pupils and (iv) over 40 pupils in(a) inner-London boroughs, (b) outer-London boroughs, (c) metropolitan districts and (d) county councils, for each year from 1986.

  Mr. Forth
  The table shows the number of pupils taught by one teacher in classes of sizes one to 30, 31 to 35, 36 to 40 and 41 and over in maintained primary schools in England for the categories requested, for each year 1986 to 1991, the latest date for which information is available.
  37

  Classes of size:

  up to 30

  31–35

  36–40

  41 and over

  All England

  2,571,388

  769,273

  71,770

  7,917

  January 1988

  Inner London Boroughs1

  124,567

  3,089

  36

  97

  Outer London Boroughs

  249,191

  50,060

  2,584

  355

  Metropolitan Districts

  684,268

  158,734

  15,860

  2,634

  County Councils

  1,558,813

  524,199

  43,212

  3,615

  All England

  2,616,839

  736,082

  61,692

  6,701

  January 1989

  Inner London Boroughs1

  125,997

  4,316

  112

  0

  Outer London Boroughs

  248,284

  54,495

  2,541

  822

  Metropolitan Districts

  685,710

  167,894

  15,645

  2,742

  County Councils

  1,598,245

  596,597

  44,851

  3,867

  All England

  2,658,236

  733,302

  63,149

  7,431

  January 1990

  Inner London Boroughs1

  123,101

  5,819

  150

  86

  Outer London Boroughs

  253,494

  49,685

  2,490

  417

  Metropolitan Districts

  683,311

  191,698

  18,328

  3,284

  County Councils

  1,616,673

  521,370

  41,903

  4,235

  All England

  2,676,579

  768,572

  62,871

  8,022

  January 1991

  Inner London Boroughs

  131,063

  5,757

  267

  142

  Outer London Boroughs

  248,749

  64,703

  2,248

  492

  Metropolitan Districts

  681,304

  201,725

  21,837

  3,926

  County Councils

  1,605,189

  559,036

  46,514

  4,571

  All England

  2,666,305

  831,221

  70,866

  9,131

  1 Inner London Education Authority until 1 April 1990.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the average class size of primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom for each year since 1980.

  Mr. Forth
  The average size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary and secondary schools in England for the years requested is shown in the table. Information on schools in other parts of the United Kingdom is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Average size of one teacher classes in maintained primary and secondary schools in England Position as at January each year

  Year

  Primary

  Secondary

  19921

  26·4

  20·6

  1991

  26·3

  20·3

  1990

  25·9

  20·0

  1989

  25·7

  19·9

  1988

  25·4

  19·9

  1987

  25·4

  20·

  1986

  25·5

  20·3

  1985

  24·9

  20·4

  1984

  24·7

  20·4

  1983

  24·8

  20·6

  1982

  25·1

  20·7

  1981

  25·2

  20·8

  1980

  25·4

  20·9

  1 Provisional.

  Special Schools
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what will be the terms of reference of his general review of policy with regard to special schools with section 56 status, arising from the case of Scotforth house, Lancaster; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has no plans for a policy review arising from the Scotforth house case. However he has received a copy of the report of the inquiry and will consider carefully whether there are lessons of general applicability to be learned from it.

  Electrical Engineering
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans his Department has to promote electrical engineering at university level.

  Mr. Forman
  The Government have promoted science and technology subjects by setting the publicity funded fee for laboratory and workshop courses at 50 per cent. higher than the classroom rate. We are planning to widen the differential between these two fee levels further in order to increase the incentive to provide laboratory and workshop-based courses. The Higher Education Funding Council for England has been asked to consider ways to encourage continuing expansion of engineering and technology at all levels through its funding, and to provide incentives for two-year vocational diplomas. Electrical engineering can expect to benefit from all these measures.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information his Department has on the
  39
  non-completion rate for students undertaking electrical engineering courses in (a) universities and (b) other institutes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  Information which is available on non-completion rates relates to all engineering and technology subjects.

  For universities, the estimated non-completion rate for engineering and technology, averaged between 1989 and 1991, was 16 per cent. (Source: University Management Statistics and Performance Indicators in the United Kingdom, 1992.)

  For other institutions, available data are for the first year of the course only, for 1987–88. They show that the exit rate for engineering and technology degree courses was 24 per cent. (Source: Department of Education Statistical Bulletin 9/92, 1992.)

  Text Books
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his estimate of the expenditure per pupil on text books in the United Kingdom for 1980, 1985 and 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  Average expenditure per pupil in nursery, primary and secondary schools in England on books and equipment for 1980–81, 1985–86 and 1990–91 was £22, £35 and £57 respectively. The real terms increase on spending per pupil between 1980–81 and 1990–91 was 40 per cent. Not all local authorities separate expenditure between that on books and that on equipment. Expenditure on schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Hospital Education
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make it his policy that the Further Education Funding Council and local education authorities should co-ordinate arrangements to ensure that further education continues to be provided in long-stay hospitals;

  (2) if the Further Education Funding Council will be responsible for the provision of further education in long-stay hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 the duty to secure adequate further education provisions for adults, including those with learning difficulties, will be shared between the Further Education Funding Councils and LEAs. The scope of the funding councils' duty in relation to such provision is set out in schedule 2 to the Act; LEAs' duty is to secure adequate provision of a kind not covered by schedule 2. It will be a matter for the councils and local education authorities to determine what facilities, including those in long-stay hospitals, they should support in pursuit of their respective duties. Guidance from my Department on the Act makes clear the need for collaboration between all the agencies involved in making provision for students with learning difficulties, in order to ensure the best possible response to their needs.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of secondary schools are grant maintained.

  Mr. Forth
  Ten per cent. of eligible secondary schools have decided in favour of grant-maintained status. Six per cent. are already operating, a further 1 per cent. are approved but not yet operating, and an additional 3 per cent. have published or are publishing proposals.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools have(a) held ballots on grant-maintained status and (b) opted for grant-maintained status; and of those schools which have voted for grant-maintained status what percentage of the parents who voted voted in favour.

  Mr. Forth
  To date, 726 ballots on grant maintained status have been held. Of these, 569 have resulted in a vote for grant maintained status. In those 569 cases, 77 per cent. overall of the parents who voted did so in favour of grant-maintained status.

  Women Undergraduates
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of people entering universities in 1992, from schools and as mature students, were women.

  Mr. Forman
  Information from the normal statistical sources—the USR 31 December census and the FESR 1 November census—will not be available fully until the middle of 1993, although provisional figures may be available by April.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the number of students who have taken up loans since the introduction of the scheme, the total that has been loaned, and the amount that has subsequently been repaid.

  Mr. Forman
  As at 24 November 1992, some 371,000 students had taken out loans, worth some £264 million, since the start of the scheme. Nearly £5 million had been repaid; this figure includes accrued interest.

  Engineering
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans his Department has to promote engineering within the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The national curriculum provides a broad and balanced education for all pupils to the age of 16 as a basis for a wide range of further education, training and career aspirations. A number of national curriculum subjects, including mathematics, science, technology and art, offer pupils the opportunities to acquire fundamental knowledge, skills and understanding appropriate for the study of engineering post-16. The flexibility now available in the curriculum for 14 to 16-year-olds will allow those who wish to pursue vocationally related courses to do so at that stage.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the total number of
  41
  (a) engineering and (b) electrical engineering graduates from (i) universities and (ii) other institutions for each year for the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Universities (United Kingdom)

  Engineering and technology of which

  8,801

  9,114

  9,349

  9,662

  9,485

  Electrical engineering

  409

  503

  499

  505

  443

  Polytechnics and colleges (England and Wales)

  Engineering and technology of which

  6,176

  6,192

  4,898

  5,357

  5,573

  Electrical engineering

  1,251

  1,363

  1,028

  952

  1,072

  Note:

  Due to a change in subject codes, graduate numbers from polytechnics and colleges for 1988 and earlier years are not directly comparable with data for 1989 and later years.

  Sources:

  University statistics, volume 2, table 3; examination results and first destinations survey, pack ref. 72/92.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans his Department has to reduce non-completion rates of students on(a) engineering and (b) electrical engineering courses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  Universities and colleges have the prime responsibility to make their engineering courses attractive and their teaching effective so that completion rates are high. In his initial guidance to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, my right hon. Friend asked the council to make arrangements to monitor completion rates in all subjects in higher education and to consider, in due course, whether these should be reflected in the allocation of funds to institutions.

  Unqualified Teachers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the increase of unqualified teachers teaching specialist subjects in the United Kingdom; and what measures he plans to remedy this situation.

  Mr. Forth
  The latest secondary school staffing survey undertaken this year shows that, compared with the previous survey in 1988, there has been a small reduction in the proportion of tuition given by teachers who do not hold an appropriate qualification in the subject being taught. Only 19 per cent. of tuition was delivered in such circumstances, and of this about half was by teachers who had substantial expertise in the subject gained through teaching it for more than five years. We will continue to seek improvements in the match of qualifications to task through increased funding for in-service training and by recruiting teachers with qualifications relevant to the national curriculum.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons; if he will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if he will implement an
  42
  Mr. Forman
  The numbers are as follows:

  equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  My Department will develop a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy when it moves into its new premises.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by his Department; if he will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  My Department is not currently in a position to introduce a leakage prevention programme as it does not own or operate refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

  Gymnastics
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the specific financial grants made available by this Department in support of the sport of gymnastics for the current year.

  Mr. Brooke
  Most Government funds for sport are channelled through the Sports Council, which allocates these according to its policies and priorities. In the current financial year, the Sports Council has allocated a total of £398,000 in grant to gymnastics. This includes £322,000 to the British Amateur Gymnastics Association in support of the programmes identified in its four-year plan; £53,000 towards the costs of staging the world artistic gymnastics championships in Birmingham in April 1993; £13,000 to the British Schools Gymnastics Association; and £10,000 towards the costs of staging an international Brevet course in January 1993. In addition, the Foundation for Sport and the Arts has provided £1,649,992 for various projects associated with the development of gymnastics since September 1991.

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

  Mr. Key
  I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans) on 13 November 1992 at columns 997–98.

  Hill Walking
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps are being taken to promote hill walking and rambling in Lancashire's hill country.

  Mr. Key
  The North West tourist board, which receives funding from my Department via the English tourist board—around £531,000 in this financial year—is responsible for the promotion of tourism in the North West region, which includes Lancashire. Its activities include the promotion of outdoor pursuits.

  Royal Palaces
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if his Department will carry out and publish an inventory of the contents of the historic royal palaces, indicating what items are public property.

  Mr. Brooke
  The royal household has for some time been preparing a computerised inventory, to replace existing manual records, of all the works of art in the occupied royal palaces. These are part of the royal collection which is owned by the sovereign in right of the Crown.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if it is to be proposed that betting offices will be allowed to sell national lottery tickets.

  Mr. Brooke
  I intend to publish the Bill to establish the national lottery at the earliest opportunity. This will establish the arrangements for operation and regulation which will apply.

  English Heritage
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what duty is imposed upon English Heritage to survey and, or inspect refurbishment, rewiring and other works on grade 1 listed buildings; and what rights of access exist for English Heritage to fulfil duties in this regard.

  Mr. Brooke
  English Heritage has a duty under section 33 of the National Heritage Act 1983, so far as practicable, to secure the preservation of historic buildings situated in England. In appropriate cases, inspections could fall within the scope of this duty.

  Under section 88 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, any persons authorised in writing by the Secretary of State for National Heritage, the Secretary of State for the Environment or a local planning authority may enter on land for various specified purposes including ascertaining whether any listed building is being maintained in a proper state of repair; officers of English Heritage could be authorised under this provision. In addition, English Heritage itself has power to authorise such entry in London.

  Windsor Castle
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which parts of Windsor castle are listed grade 1; and what consideration has been given to listing Windsor castle as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage site.
  44
  Mr. Brooke
  Windsor castle and all the buildings within its walls are listed in grade 1.

  Windsor castle has been considered for nomination to UNESCO as a world heritage site, but as there are already a number of other strong candidates for world heritage site status I have no present plans to nominate this site.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what parts of the Chester tower at Windsor castle were maintained, redecorated or refurbished by his Department, or its predecessor, over the past five years; and what was the cost of this work to the Exchequer;

  (2) what surveys were made to the Chester tower, Windsor castle, since the fire at Hampton Court; what additional or alternative fire precautions and installations were recommended which were subsequently installed or implemented; and what was the cost to the Exchequer of those improvements.

  Mr. Brooke
  Following the Hampton court fire, a detailed survey of electrical services and fire precautions was carried out at Windsor castle, including Chester tower. In addition, in 1988 the PSA surveyed every part of the interior of the castle and recorded its findings in drawings, photographs and written reports. A photogrammetric record was also produced of the castle from Edward III tower to the Brunswick tower, including the private chapel.

  As a result of the survey which followed the Hampton court fire, a works programme costing over £20 million was started in 1988 and is now nearing completion. The Chester tower work had been completed. The fire prevention measures included:

  complete rewiring of the main castle buildings;

  automatic fire detection system;

  installation of new fire resisting doors to staircases and in corridors;

  upgrading of existing doors to provide fire resistance; infilling or upgrading of openings in staircase enclosures or escape corridors;

  replacement of combustible linings to services, to staircase enclosures;

  upgrading of enclosing elements of construction to plant rooms, store rooms, workshops, kitchens, lifts, ducts, shafts, tank rooms and access doors;

  enclosure of builders work ducts and service shafts;

  enclosure of light well features to internal corridors and state rooms;

  sealing of disused shafts, ducts and service openings;

  upgrading of floors relative to change of use;

  fire protection to exposed steel members, if newly installed;

  provision of fire breaks in some extensive voids;

  fire stopping of duct surrounds and service penetrations;

  fire sealing of the junctures of connecting cavities;

  infilling of openings or gaps in structural elements, especially in party walls;

  replacement of combustible service duct covers;

  installation of non-combustible false ceilings with cavity barriers;

  removal and replacement of combustible insulation or covers to air conditioning ductwork;

  installation of fire dampers in A/C systems;

  insulation of metal ducting in proximity of timber;

  removal of combustible waste materials from underfloor voids; and

  sealing of underfloor voids in the proximity of wall panelling.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a further statement on the effectiveness of denying direct broadcasting access to spokesmen of certain political organisations.

  Mr. Brooke
  The reasons for imposing the notices remain valid and I have no plans to announce any changes.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Personal Debts
  Sir Patrick McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the latest figures available relating to the level of personal indebtedness of all adults aged 18 years and over, and as a percentage of the total population, in respect of(a) mortgages, (b) personal loans, (c) credit cards and (d) small business loans.

  Mr. Nelson
  The available statistics on lending to the personal sector do not include any information relating to the age of the borrowers. For the sector as a whole, which includes individuals, unincorporated businesses, charities and other private non-profit-making bodies, the levels outstanding as at 30 June 1992 were as follows:

  £ billion

  Loans for house purchase (mortgages)

  330·8

  Bank credit cards

  9·6

  Othere consumer credit (personal loans)

  43·1

  Other borrowing from banks

  40·6

  Total personal sector borrowing

  424·1

  The figure for other borrowing from banks is mainly that of unincorporated businesses—some of which may be relatively large—but it also includes an element of borrowing by charities and other private non-profit-making bodies classified to the sector. The figure for credit cards relates only to bank credit cards; borrowing on other cards—for example, on some store cards—is included in the figures for other consumer credit and cannot be separately identified.

  The Council of Mortgage Lenders estimates that the number of mortgages outstanding at the end of the first half of 1992 was 9·8 million.

  The latest estimate of the adult population of the United Kingdom in mid-1991 is 44·5 million.

  Mortgage Lenders
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for requiring mortgage lenders to offer capital and interest mortgages as well as endowment mortgages and for advising customers that alternative insurance advice should be sought when an endowment mortgage is preferred.

  Mr. Nelson
  The choice of products offered by mortgage lenders is a matter for their commercial judgment. However, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade proposes to make new quotations regulations under the Consumer Credit Act to improve consumer protection in this area. These include a requirement to ensure that borrowers taking out loans to 46
  purchase residential property are informed of their rights under the "tying in" provisions of the Courts and Legal Services Act which, when brought into force, will make it an offence to refuse to grant a loan on the grounds that a prospective borrower declines another service, for example life insurance, offered by the lender or his associate.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for requiring mortgage lenders with tied insurance arrangements to display warnings that only one specified company's products are on sale in their branches.

  Mr. Nelson
  SIB and LAUTRO published detailed new rules on disclosure and standards of advice in connection with the marketing of life assurance on 22 July. These include requirement relating to prominent display of status in the premises of "tied intermediates", if customers have regular access to them. SIB and LAUTRO have stated that they will not be bringing the new rules into force until after they have been considered by the Director General of Fair Trading.

  EURO PROD COM
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what treaty or directive the EURO PROD COM inquiry has been instituted; and at which meeting the United Kingdom Government gave its consent to the EURO PROD COM inquiry.

  Mr. Nelson
  On December 1991, the EC Internal Market Council of Ministers passed the PRODCOM Regulation (No. 3924/91). The United Kingdom voted against adoption of the regulation.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many enterprises are being asked to submit returns under the EURO PROD COM inquiry; and what assessment he has made of comparability of the sampling frame and statistical base of EURO PROD COM in each country where it is pursued.

  Mr. Nelson
  So far 18,000 enterprises—24,000 contributors—have been informed that they are likely to fall within the scope of the annual and quarterly PRODCOM inquiries for the reference year 1993. Work is being carried out to establish a sample of smaller businesses to be included in the 1993 inquiries. It is expected that this will increase the number of contributors by 5,000.

  The Central Statistical Office has compared the methodology of its current product inquiries—as well as its planned implementation of PRODCOM—with that of other national statistical offices in Europe. The most up-to-date published study of product survey methods in European countries (Eurostat's "Industrial Production" booklet; Theme 4, series E) has provided a starting point on the methods currently employed. The PRODCOM regulation allows a two-year transition period during which each country must move its current product statistics inquiries onto the PRODCOM basis. The CSO continues to gather information about the latest plans of other European countries from their representatives on the Statistical Programme Committee for PRODCOM.

  Manufacturing and External Trade
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, on the basis of July to December 1983 = 100, the United Kingdom terms of trade for finished manufactures together with (i) the volume of imports and exports of finished manufactures and (ii) the surplus/deficit on trade in manufactures at 1992 prices.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information from which terms of trade in finished manufactures on a 1985 base may be derived is available on the Central Statistical Office databank which may be accessed through the Library of the House. Information relating to volumes is only calculated at 1985 prices. An index giving the volume of imports and exports of finished manufactures on a 1985 base is published regularly in the Central Statistical Office's "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" and is also available on the Central Statistical Office databank. From these the imports, exports and balances at 1985 prices can be calculated.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish a table showing, on the basis of July to December 1973 = 100, the increase in United Kingdom relative export unit values in dollars for each year since 1970 together with the United Kingdom share of the volume of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries;

  (2) what is his estimate of the percentage fall in the real exchange rate since the fourth quarter of 1986 and the second half of 1973 in terms of trade-weighted relative export unit values in dollars;

  (3) what is his estimate of the percentage fall in the real exchange rate against the deutschmark and the dollar respectively since the fourth quarter of 1986 and the second half of 1973 in terms of relative export unit values in dollars.

  Sir John Cope
  The latest figures for both relative export unit values and volume shares of manufacturing exports for the main manufacturing countries are available on the CSO databank which may be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the effect of the appreciation in the nominal value of sterling between the fourth quarter of 1986 and the third quarter of 1990 on the rate of inflation, manufacturing output and employment.

  Mr. Nelson
  The level of the nominal exchange rate is one of many factors that will have affected inflation, manufacturing output and employment.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the trade-weighted reduction in the value of sterling, the dollar, the deutschmark and the yen since 1985; and if he will publish a table showing in each case to the latest available date the corresponding change in(a) the unit cost of labour, (b) producer prices and (c) consumer prices.

  Mr. Nelson
  Data for the effective exchange rates, consumer prices and producer prices of Germany, the 48
  United Kingdom, the United States and Japan can be found in the IMF's International Financial Statistics. Data on unit labour costs can be found in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics". Figures for the United Kingdom can also be found in CSO's "Economic Trends".

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons; if he will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if he will implement an equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  I have recently signed a declaration of corporate commitment on energy efficiency on behalf of the Treasury. The Treasury's strategy for environmental good housekeeping includes a commitment to cease to use, wherever possible, ozone-depleting substances. The Treasury is making arrangements to monitor, evaluate and set performance levels and targets.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by his Department; if he will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  I have recently signed a declaration of corporate commitment on energy efficiency on behalf of the Treasury. The Treasury's strategy for environmental good housekeeping includes a commitment to cease to use, wherever possible, ozon-depleting substances. The Treasury is making arrangements to monitor, evaluate and set performance levels and targets. We are considering the introduction of a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned by the Department.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total number of(a) established and (b) unestablished civil servants, including those in next steps agencies, on 1 January 1980 and on 1 September 1992, including those on short-term contracts.

  Mr. Nelson
  The number of civil servants, including those in next steps agencies, was 707,620 on 1 January 1980 and 565,319 at 1 April 1992, the latest published data. We do not collect information for 1 September. Data for 1 October will be available shortly. No breakdown between numbers of established and unestablished staff is available: the concept of unestablished service was abolished with effect from 1 April 1991.

  Building Societies (Interest Rates)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that building societies are passing on interest rate reductions to their customers; and if he will make a statement.
  49
  Mr. Nelson
  The setting of mortgage rates is a matter for the commercial judgment of individual mortgage lenders, taking into account a range of factors including their overall financial position and the interests of both depositors and borrowers.

  At a recent meeting with the Council of Mortgage Lenders my right hon. Friend the Chancellor made it clear that he hoped that the recent cut in base rates would be reflected in lower mortgage rates as quickly as possible.

  The building societies gave their assurance that reductions would be made as soon as possible consistent with the prudent management of the societies. The main societies have announced reductions in their basic mortgage rates to around 8·5 per cent.—their lowest level since the 1970s. The new rates already apply to new borrowers and will be implemented for most existing borrowers by 1 January 1993.

  VAT (Job Losses)
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs will be lost in south east Essex by the move of the value added tax central unit from Southend.

  Sir John Cope
  Around 830 VAT central unit posts are to be relocated from Southend in phases between October and March 1995. Over the same period, some 110 Customs Directorate posts will be moved from London to Southend. This will mean that 320 posts have been moved in total from London to Southend and will complete the implementation of the Customs relocation programme announced in 1989 following a comprehensive internal study undertaken in the context of the Government's overall relocation policy.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the proceeds from privatisation for each year since 1988–89; and what is the expected figure for 1992–93.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Privatisation proceeds since 1988–89 and the forecast for 1992–93 are shown in the attached table.

  Privatisation proceeds

  £ billion

  1988–89

  7·1

  1989–90

  4·2

  1990–91

  5·3

  1991–92

  7·9

  1992–93

  8·0

  Debt
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives he has undertaken during the United Kingdom's presidency of the European Community to assist the developing world to reduce its external debt.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 19 November 1992]: Following the Prime Minister's Trinidad terms initiative, the Paris Club has been giving enhanced debt relief to the poorest and most indebted countries since the beginning of this year. Twelve countries have so far benefited. The enhanced terms include cancelling 50 per cent. of the debt payments falling due over the period of the debtor's IMF
  50
  programme, and offering the possibility of a 50 per cent. reduction in the entire stock of debt after three to four years if the debtor keeps to its IMF and Paris Club agreements. The United Kingdom has consistently pressed for these terms to be made more generous still, in line with the Prime Minister's original Trinidad terms proposals, involving an immediate two thirds reduction in the entire stock of debt. At the Munich summit in July, the United Kingdom joined with the rest of the G7 in calling for the Paris Club to recognise the special situation of some highly indebted lower middle income countries on a case-by-case basis.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the countries which have received debt relief under the Trinidad terms; and if he will give details in each case of(a) the debt cancelled by the United Kingdom and (b) the debt cancelled by all Paris club Governments;

  (2) what percentage of official bilateral debt owed to Great Britain by developing countries has been cancelled under the Trinidad terms.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: Twelve countries have benefited from Trinidad terms so far. They are Benin, Bolivia, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Republic, Honduras, Mali, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia.

  Around £1 billion has been written off, of which the United Kingdom's share is some £65 million.

  Under the terms of the rescheduling agreements, debt payments due over the period of each debtor's IM F programme have been reduced by 50 per cent., though the United States and, on occasion, Australia, have adopted a non-concessional rescheduling option. The rescheduling agreements also include a good will clause committing the Paris Club to consider giving relief on the whole stock of debt after three to four years if the debtor adheres to Paris Club and IMF agreements.

  Figures for the actual debt owed by or cancelled for any individual country are confidential. We cannot publish these figures without the consent of the authorities in both debtor and creditor countries. For several debtor countries discussions on detailed terms are, in any case, still under way.

  Early progress is very unlikely on any of these fronts owing to the resolute opposition of other creditors, especially the United States and Japan.

  There has been a certain amount of pressure from the aid lobby for the United Kingdom to
  "deliver on its commitment to the unilateral implementation of Trinidad terms".

  But it would not be in our interests, nor really in the interests of the poorest countries, to go beyond the multilateral compromise. Debts to the United Kingdom are only 5 per cent. of the debts of the poorest, and going beyond the consensus would sacrifice leverage of the kind effectively deployed at Harare, and only succeed in marginally increasing the recoverability of other's claims at our expense.

  Debts cancelled under Trinidad terms result from insurance claims paid out to United Kingdom exporters by ECGD after a sovereign default. Debts to export credit agencies constitute the majority of developing country debts, and, unlike most aid loans, are at commercial interest rates. Many countries have forgiven substantial amounts of aid debts, including the United Kingdom.

  51
  About half of the $1 billion relief provided by the Overseas Development Administration represents the conversion of Indian hard currency debt into a local currency obligation.

  EC Trade
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the expected growth in United Kingdom trade with EC countries after January 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: The forecast growth in the volume of United Kingdom-non oil exports in 1993 is 7 per cent. world wide. Separate forecasts for trade with individual geographical areas are not available.

  Brady Initiative
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the effect of the Brady initiative on(a) the total debt owed by developing countries and (b) the debt service payable by developing countries.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: As noted by the IMF/World Bank Development Committee on 21 September, arrangements for debt and debt service reduction measures have now been reached with 12 countries and account for more than 90 per cent. of the commercial bank debt of the major debtor nations. These arrangements involve a variety of debt and interest rate reduction measures which, on average, are equivalent to a debt reduction of more than one third of their commercial bank debt.

  Developing Countries
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the measures employed by the International Monetary Fund and the World bank to ensure that economic policy reforms in developing countries do not resultt in adverse social and environmental impact.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]:The Government strongly support the policy of the IMF and the World bank to pay full regard to the impact of adjustment programmes on the poor and the environment. The measures taken by the two institutions to achieve this are described in detail in their 1992 annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Table 1

  Average number of inspectors 1979–1986

  Division

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  London (East)

  13·0

  13·5

  9·5

  9·0

  8·0

  8·0

  6·0

  12·0

  London (West)

  13·0

  14·0

  12·0

  12·0

  11·0

  7·0

  8·0

  1—

  South East

  11·0

  13·0

  11·0

  9·0

  10·0

  10·0

  9·0

  6·0

  Southern

  11·0

  10·0

  8·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  5·0

  Eastern

  9·0

  11·0

  8·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  6·0

  South West

  10·0

  11·0

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  Midlands (East)

  11·5

  9·5

  8·0

  6·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  5·0

  Midlands (West)

  11·5

  12·0

  9·0

  10·0

  10·0

  10·0

  12·0

  7·0

  North West (East)

  11·0

  8·0

  8·0

  8·0

  7·0

  6·0

  80·

  6·0

  North West (West)

  10·0

  10·0

  9·0

  5·0

  8·0

  9·0

  8·0

  6·0

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  15·0

  13·0

  10·0

  10·0

  9·0

  10·0

  10·0

  9·0

  Northern

  10·0

  9·0

  7·0

  6·0

  6·0

  7·0

  8·0

  7·0

  Scotland (East)

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  7·0

  5·0

  Scotland (West)

  8·0

  8·0

  4·0

  6·0

  6·0

  6·0

  6·0

  5·0

  Wales

  7·0

  6·0

  5·0

  5·0

  4·0

  5·0

  6·0

  4·0

  1 Included in London (East) figure.

  52
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the measures taken by the United Kingdom Government to encourage British commercial banks to provide debt relief to those developing countries which have benefited from the Trinidad terms, and on the effectiveness of those measures.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: The Government have supported and funded their share of the World bank's facility which supports voluntary arrangements on debt relief between debtors and banks. Two such operations have been agreed so far for Mozambique and Niger resulting in the retirement of $231 million of principal along with interest arrears totalling $90 million. The World bank expects that three further operations—for Bolivia, Guyana and Uganda—will be agreed shortly. Twelve other countries have expressed interest in taking advantage of this facility.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 19 November,Official Report, column 332, when and how the Government's conclusions to the 1988 consultation document were published; and how many employer bodies are represented on the six largest councils.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Results of the 1988 consultation were given in a reply on 21 March 1989,Official Report, column 556. There are 43 employers organisations represented on the six largest wages councils.

  Wages Inspectors
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many wages inspectors there were in each region in each year since 1979; and how many there are currently.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The average number of wages inspectors in each wages inspectorate division is shown in tables 1 and 2. The information is divided into two tables because of changes in divisional boundaries in 1986. The current number of inspectors is shown in table 3.
  53

  Table 2

  Average number of inspectors 1987–1991

  Divisions

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  London

  9

  8

  7·00

  7

  5

  South East

  8

  6

  6·00

  6

  4

  Eastern

  6

  6

  6·00

  5

  3

  South West

  9

  9

  8·00

  8

  8

  Midlands

  11

  11

  10·00

  10

  10

  North West

  11

  11

  10·00

  10

  11

  Yorks and Humberside

  7

  7

  7·00

  7

  8

  Northern

  6

  5

  5·35

  6

  8

  Scotland

  8

  7

  7·00

  7

  8

  Table 3

  Division

  11992

  Southern

  7

  South West

  6

  Midlands

  9

  North West

  12

  Yorks and Humberside

  6

  Northern

  8

  Scotland

  7

  Divisions

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2·48

  —

  South East

  0·88

  1·60

  1·29

  1·50

  1·42

  —

  —

  Eastern

  1·15

  —

  1·23

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South West

  —

  —

  1·55

  1·60

  1·74

  2·18

  1·87

  Midlands

  —

  1·375

  1·20

  2·04

  —

  —

  2·30

  North West

  —

  1·60

  1·75

  —

  —

  1·50

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  —

  —

  1·92

  2·19

  2·00

  1·50

  1·70

  Northern

  —

  —

  —

  1·91

  n/a

  1·25

  2·00

  Scotland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2·48

  1·60

  Car Industry
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of employees in employment in the automotive sector in total and by standard region in 1979 and at the latest available date.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available information is given in the following table:

  Employees in employment not seasonally adjusted Manufacture of Motor vehicles and parts (Class 35)

  June 1979 (000 s)

  September 19891 (000 s)

  South East (including Greater London)

  131

  69

  Greater London

  n.a

  19

  East Anglia

  15

  6

  South West

  13

  8

  West Midlands

  156

  79

  East Midlands

  12

  11

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  20

  16

  North West

  67

  40

  North

  10

  8

  England

  423

  236

  Wales

  23

  12

  Scotland

  17

  5

  Northern Ireland

  3

  3

  United Kingdom

  466

  256

  1 Latest date for which estimates are available at this level of detail.

  54
  Note:

  From November 1991 the London, South East and Eastern Divisions have been merged to form a new Southern Division

  1 as at 31 October 1992

  Wages Act 1986 (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the lowest level of payment for which prosecutions have taken place under the Wages Act 1986 in each region in each year since 1986.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The hourly rates of payment discovered in these cases are listed in the table:

  Shell (Stanlow)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies have been notified to her Department by Shell (Stanlow) since 1 November.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information given to the Department under the redundancy handling provisions of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 is provided in confidence.

  Oil Refining
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the oil refining sector in(a) Cheshire and (b) the north-west region in each of the last three years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Statistics of Trade Act 1947 prohibits the disclosure of information which could be identified as relating to an individual employer. In the circumstances, I cannot provide the information requested.

  Training Agencies
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make it her policy to provide increased support for training agencies in Ellesmere Port and the surrounding area.
  55
  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will continue to provide support for training and enterprise through CEWTEC, the training and enterprise council for Ellesmere Port and the surrounding area. The 1993–94 contract, including the resources available to the TEC, will be negotiated between CEWTEC and the Department over the next few months.

  Domiciliary Care Agencies
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her latest estimate of the number of independent sector domiciliary care agencies.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is estimated that there are 1,388 licensed employment agencies which have indicated that their field of activity may include domiciliary care work.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Alcohol (Ingredients)
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take the opportunity presented by the United Kingdom presidency of the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers to ensure that a full ingredients listing is provided for still and sparkling wine.

  Mr. Soames
  Yes. Ingredient listing for alcoholic drinks, including still and sparkling wines, is already the subject of a European Commission proposal currently being negotiated within the Council. The United Kingdom presidency is seeking to ensure that any measures which are eventually adopted are as comprehensive as practicable and apply consistently to all alcoholic drinks.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action during the United Kingdom presidency of the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers to ensure that the current review of ingredients listing of beers, wines and spirits is extended to include the legalisation of voluntary unit of alcohol labelling of still and sparkling wines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The voluntary labelling of still and sparkling wines to show units of alcohol, which is currently contrary to Community legislation, does not form part of the European Commission's proposal concerning ingredient listing for alcoholic drinks. The matter of voluntary labelling of still and sparkling wines with units of alcohol is being pursued separately with the Commission.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental

  Region

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  Northern

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  North Eastern

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Midlands

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  3

  1

  3

  North Mercia

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  6

  4

  4

  3

  South Mercia

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  —

  —

  Anglia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  South East

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  4

  2

  2

  1

  Wessex

  —

  —

  7

  6

  7

  4

  3

  g

  9

  South West

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  6

  1

  4

  2

  56
  equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons; if he will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if he will implement an equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department disposes of all equipment containing CFCs and HCFCs in accordance with the Duty of Care Regulations which came into force on 1 April 1992 under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These regulations put a responsibility on producers of controlled waste to ensure that it is disposed of safely and legally. Where existing equipment containing CFCs is to be renewed it is replaced by equipment which contains refrigerants which are understood to be less environmentally damaging. The Department considered but rejected replacing all sound equipment containing CFCs because on balance there was seen to be no environmental advantage in this course of action.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by his Department; if he will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department is fully aware of its responsibilities towards equipment containing ozone-depleting substances and has taken appropriate action to meet those responsibilities. All its refrigeration, other than small freezers and refrigerators, and air conditioning equipment is already subject to a rigorous maintenance regime, performance is regularly monitored and defects are attended to promptly.

  Badgers
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licences were granted in 1991 and 1992 permitting(a) interference with a badger sett under the 1991 and 1992 Badgers Acts and (b) the entering of a dog into a badger sett; when the licences were issued; to whom; for what purpose; and for which geographical area.

  Mr. Soames
  Information on licensing has only been collected centrally since February 1992, prior to which very few licences were issued. The number of licences issued since this time is as follows:

  (a)

  licences to interfere with a badger sett under the 1991 and 1992 Badgers Acts (excluding the entry of dogs into setts)—numbers issued by month and by Ministry region:
  57

  Region

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  Totals

  1

  4

  10

  9

  15

  24

  18

  19

  18

  The names and addresses of individual licence holders are confidential.

  While information on the specific purpose of each licence is not collected centrally, the majority of licences have been issued for the purpose of agricultural or forestry operations. Licences have also been issued to prevent serious damage to land, crops, livestock or other forms of property, or for land drainage purposes.

  (b) no licences have been issued at any time to permit the entry of a dog into a badger sett.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for licences to enter a dog into a badger sett his Department has received.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry has received six applications for licences to enter a dog into a badget sett.

  Salmon
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken to ensure the preservation of salmon stocks in English rivers.

  Mr. Curry
  The National Rivers Authority is responsible for the management and regulation of salmon and freshwater fisheries in England and Wales and has a statutory duty under the Water Resources Act to maintain, improve and develop such fisheries. The authority has extensive powers under salmon and freshwater fisheries legislation—which are subject to confirmation by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Secretary of State for Wales, as appropriate—to make byelaws, orders and related measures, arid the duty and means to enforce them. Both the National Rivers Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—which has policy responsibility for salmon and freshwater fisheries in England and Wales—maintain extensive research programmes into salmonid fisheries.

  Sheep Premium
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the action being taken in each other EC country to meet the new EC requirements on sheep premium.

  Mr. Curry
  It is for the Commission to monitor member states implementation of Community legislation on the sheepmeat regime.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the additional checks and requirements that are now required to meet new European Community requirements on those applying for sheep premium in 1992; and what timetable has been imposed.

  Mr. Curry
  The principal changes to the 1992 sheep annual premium scheme requiring additional checking are the application of headage payment limits to partnerships and to shared flocks; the eligibility of leased flocks, shepherds, and employees in the context of a producer group claim; and the need for producers to keep additional records. There is no formal timetable but we aim to complete all checks and pay claims as quickly as possible.

  Fishing Quotas
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the procedures which his Department follows in allocating quotas for the remainder of the year to a vessel which is expelled from a producer's organisation for overfishing and misconduct part through a year; and how a vessel's track record is assessed by his Department.

  Mr. Curry
  Producer organisations (POs) may request the suspension of the licence of a member who has persistently ignored the PO's quota management arrangements. If, after notifying Fisheries Departments of such a request, and following the full range of the PO's own disciplinary procedures, the PO subsequently expels the member, Ministers would not normally issue a fishing licence for the remainder of the quota year in question. If this procedure is not followed by the PO, Ministers may issue the expelled member with a non-sector licence. In these circumstances, a proportion of the PO's allocation based on the expelled vessel's share of the PO's track record would be transferred to the non-sector.

  A vessel's track record is its total reported landings over an agreed reference period. Vessels which are new to the fishery, or have licences aggregated onto them, during the reference period are given track records based on the vessels to which the licences were previously attached.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to administer non-producer organisation sector cod and sole quotas for 1993 on the basis of a quarterly allocation with a roll-over allowed for under fishing and a fishery closure for overfishing, in place of the monthly allocation arid annual shutdown in December; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The management of quotas is not a precise science and we do not want to make the system more complicated to operate both by fisheries departments arid fishermen than is absolutely necessary. Seasonal fishing patterns may be subject to fluctuations from year to year. However, fisheries departments are considering ways of improving the management of non-sector quota allocations with particular reference to seasonal fisheries.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to consider a scheme of individual boat fishing quotas for all boats regardless of length and for all species; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Fisheries departments considered in 1990 whether to introduce individual transferable quotas in order to allow market forces to operate more effectively. Such a regime would be difficult to operate in the common fisheries policy context and difficult to enforce in United Kingdom conditions. I do not believe it would be practical to introduce such a scheme presently.

  Commodities (EC)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food, pursuant to his answer of 25 November, what is the European Commission's estimate
  59
  of the overall level of reduction in each agricultural commodity arising from the assumption made in preparation of its latest GATT proposals; and how that breaks down in volume, percentage and value terms in each EC country and commodity and overall throughout the EC.

  Mr. Curry
  The European Commission has prepared a note on the GATT agricultural negotations with the United States. This analyses the compatibility of the outcome with the reform of the CAP as decided by the Council on 22 May 1992. A copy of the report will be deposited in the Library of the House when it becomes available. It is not possible to assess the level of output in individual member states within the single market without making a large number of assumptions about the development of markets, except for some commodities where quotas set a limit on output.

DEFENCE

  Refit and Repair Contracts
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the Royal Navy refit and repair contracts undertaken by private yards in the latest year for which figures are available, the total costs of such contracts, and the proportion that expenditure represented of the expenditure on all Royal Navy refit and repair work, including work at the royal dockyards and the Fleet Maintenance and Repair Organisation at Portsmouth.

  Mr. Aitken
  During the financial year 1991–92, in excess of 400 contracts were placed. Following competition, for the refit and repair of RN, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service and other small vessels. Such contracts ranged from providing assistance to the RN in rectifying defects on operational vessels to the refitting of RFAs. The major contracts awarded are listed below.

  The total value of these contracts is in the order of £85 million (1992–93 price levels). This excludes those contracts awarded overseas and represents 14·7 per cent. of the total expenditure on all RN, RFA and RMAS refit and repair work. In volume terms, this represents 30·6 per cent. of the total naval production load.

  List of Royal Navy refit and repair contracts placed following competition 1991–92

  Vessel

  Contractor

  Olmeda

  Devonport Management Limited

  Olna

  DML

  Black Rover

  DML

  Regent

  Tees Dockyard Limited

  Resource

  Tees

  Fort Grange

  DML

  Argus

  A and P Appledore

  Sir Bedivere

  Appledore

  Sir Geraint

  Appledore

  Sir Percivale

  Tees

  Sir Tristram

  Tees

  Sir Galahad

  Appledore

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure in the latest financial year for which figures are available on all Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary refit, repair and maintenance.
  60
  Mr. Aitken
  The total expenditure in the financial year 1991–92 on the refit, repair and maintenance of all RN, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service and other small vessels is approximately £580 million at 1992–93 price levels. This covers work carried out in FMRO Portsmouth, the Royal dockyards and private yards and includes support work carried out in aid of such tasks.

  Harrier Squadrons (Support)
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, by squadron or similar unit, the level of dedicated(a) Royal Engineer, (b) Royal Signals and (c) other Army support for the Harrier squadrons based in Germany in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:

  Royal Engineers: 10 Field Squadron based in Gutersloh and 38 Engineer Regiment (comprising 11 Field Squadron, 32 Field Squadron and 15 Field Support Squadron) based in Ripon will continue to provide this support until 1 December 1992. In future, a minimum of 1 squadron of 39 Engineer Regiment, to be United Kingdom based, will take on this role. The remaining 2 field squadrons will provide Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) to RAF Bruggen and RAF Laarbruch. In his statement to the House 10 December 1991 on the Reserve Forces the then Secretary of State announced that TA Royal Engineers would be taking on greater responsibility for ADR and support of the RAF Harrier force; a TA Regiment, 73 Engineer Regiment (V), will be available to provide ADR and combat support to the Rapid Reaction Force (Air) as well as for the Main Defence Forces.

  Royal Signals: From 1979 to 1 April 1992, 21 Signal Regiment provided one squadron to each Harrier airfield in Germany. This task is now undertaken by the RAF Tactical Communications Wing currently based at Brize Norton.

  EH101 Helicopters
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many EH101 Merlin helicopters will be carried on each of the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers; how many were originally planned to be carried in this role; how aircraft carriers not to receive EH101 Merlin will carry out their anti-submarine warfare mission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our policy to discuss numbers of aircraft deployed on individual ships. The 44 Merlin EH101 anti-submarine warfare helicopters ordered last year will enable us to set up training squadrons and introduce the first squadrons of aircraft into service with the type 23 frigate and one carrier. No decision has yet been taken on the size or timing of a second order. We currently envisage each of the aircraft carriers being provided with Merlin EH101 helicopters.

  Bosnia (Mail)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring forward proposals to establish a subsidy scheme to allow a reduced rate, or zero rate, postage for mail to service men and women serving in Bosnia.
  61
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Free aerogrammes can already be sent to and from service personnel serving in the former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make arrangements to ensure that Christmas parcels can be sent out to those service personnel in Bosnia free of charge.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Forces free airletters are delivered to the Bosnian region free of charge. Parcels can be sent at forces concessionary rates which are in line with the United Kingdom inland parcel rate.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the average length of time taken for an airmail letter to reach service personnel in Bosnia from the United Kingdom;

  (2) what is the latest posting date for parcels and letters to be sent to service personnel in Bosnia in time for Christmas;

  (3) how many free airmail letters can be sent and received per week by service personnel stationed in Bosnia.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Defence Postal and Courier Services Defence Support Agency under its chief executive, Brigadier Browne. I have asked him to arrange for replies to be given.

  Letter from Brigadier M. A. Browne to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 30 November 1992:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State in which you ask what is the latest posting date for parcels and letters to be sent to service personnel in Bosnia in time for Christmas.
  The latest recommended posting dates for parcels and letters to be sent to service personnel in Bosnia in time for Christmas are:

  30th November

  Economy Service Parcels

  11th December

  Airmail 2nd class letters, cards, packets and Standard Service (Airmail) parcels

  14th December

  Airmail 1st class letters, cards and Forces Free Airletters.

  Letter from Brigadier M. A. Browne to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 30th November 1992:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State in which you ask what is the average length of time taken for an airmail letter to reach service personnel in Bosnia from the United Kingdom
  At present airmail letters posted in the United Kingdom arrive at the British Forces Post Office in Bosnia within 2–3 days from date of posting. Final delivery to the individual is dependent upon his operational location.

  Letter from Brigadier M. A. Browne to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 30 November 1992:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked how many free airmail letters can be sent and received per week by service personnel stationed in Bosnia.
  There is no restriction on the number of Forces Free Airletters that can be sent and received per week by service personnel stationed in Bosnia.

  Major Peter Cory
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will return to the hon. Member for Basingstoke's constituent, Major Peter Cory (Rtd.), the 196 supporting documents which Major Cory handed to his Department between June 1962 and April 1963.
  62
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Major Cory has already been asked by my Department to write to the office of the Judge Advocate General, giving details of the documents he requires. Once the Judge Advocate General's office has these details, it will attempt to establish the whereabouts of the documents, with a view to returning them if possible.

  Cnewr Estate, Brecon Beacons
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department commenced negotiations for the use of the Cnewr estate in the Brecon Beacons national park; on what date these negotiations were completed; on what date the National Park Authority was informed of these negotiations; on what defence grounds the decision was taken to seek the use of this land; what changes he envisages as a result of his Department's environment manual; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it will cost his Department to use the Cnewr estate in Brecon Beacons; how many days per year it will be used; how it will be used; what public access will be allowed on days when military exercises are not taking place; if he will compensate the national park for loss of access to the Cnewr; and what other land of his Department will be released as a result of this access.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 27 November at column 893.

  Landing Ships Logistics
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the three landing ships logistics that are now over 25 years old.

  Mr. Aitken
  Design studies are under way for the refurbishment and re-equipment of the three older landing ships logistic. It is our current intention to invite competitive tenders for the refit of the first of these vessels in the near future.

  Amphibious Vessels
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role Britain's two amphibious LPD assault ships play in NATO's rapid reaction capability; where the two ships HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid, are currently located; and how quickly they could respond as part of NATO's rapid reaction capability.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid form part of UK/NL Amphibious Force, which is primarily assigned to the defence of NATO's northern flank in Norway, but available for operations anywhere within the NATO area, including with the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps. Both are currently at Portsmouth. For operational reasons we do not disclose response times.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to have completed the evaluation of tenders submitted in respect of the new LPH amphibious helicopter carrier; and when he expects to make a decision to procure the vessel.
  63
  Mr. Aitken
  Evaluation of the tenders for the new LPH amphibious helicopter carrier, which were received in October, will be complete next summer and it is planned to place the order in the autumn of 1993.

  Northern Ireland and Yugoslavia
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what units, other than whole units that have been deployed, are currently contributing men to other units serving(a) in Northern Ireland and (b) in former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The following units are currently contributing personnel to other formed units deployed in Northern Ireland and the former Yugoslavia:

  (a) Northern Ireland

  The Household Cavalry Regiment

  4th Royal Tank Regiment

  1 Royal Horse Artillery (Battery)

  7 Royal Horse Artillery

  47th Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  156 Battery Royal Artillery

  9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers

  2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards

  2nd Battalion Scots Guards

  1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  The Royal Anglian Regiment

  The Light Infantry

  1st Battalion Queen's Own Highlanders

  1st Battalion the Gordon Highlanders

  1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

  The Royal Green Jackets

  (b) former Yugoslavia

  2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  Using soldiers from one unit to reinforce another is not an unusual occurrence.

  Diego Garcia
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom military presence there is on Diego Garcia.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to page 36 of the 1992 Statement on the Defence Estimates, Cm 1901.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the details of all discussions which Ministers or officials of his Department had with International Military Services on its exports to Iraq.

  Mr. Aitken
  [holding answer 25 November 1992]: International Military Services has signed only one export contract with Iraq since 1980. Details of this were given to the House on 2 July 1991.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation has been made by Her Majesty's Government of the effect on Iraq's military capabilities of sales of military equipment or dual-use engineering technology by United Kingdom companies following their attendance at the Baghdad international military equipment exhibition and fair in April 1989.

  Mr. Aitken
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: The Government have studied the Iraqi defence industry and its military procurement activity. Apart from case-by-case assessments of individual export licence applications, no
  64
  specific study has been undertaken by Her Majesty's Government on the effect of exports by united Kingdom companies on Iraq's military capability following the Baghdad exhibition.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's monitoring of the Advanced Technology Institute in connection with military exports to Iraq.

  Mr. Aitken
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: My Department monitors all organisations which we have any reason to suspect may be trying to procure military technology for Iraq.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date all written, telephonic and personal communications Ministers or officials of his Department had with(a) Matrix Churchill Ltd., (b) Alliance International Group, (c) Allivane International Ltd., (d) Ordtech Ltd., (e) Autel Ltd. and (f) Consarc Ltd. in regard to Iraq since 1985.

  Mr. Aitken
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: The information the hon. Gentleman requests is not held centrally and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responses have been made by his Department to requests and reports received from the United Nations Special Commission of Inspection on Iraq or its executive chairman, Rolf Ekeus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: The Government have made a significant contribution to the work of the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq as it seeks to implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. In response to UNSCOM's requests, we have supplied MoD personnel as part of the UNSCOM inspection teams and some specialist equipment. It is not our practice to comment in detail on the information given to us by UNSCOM.

  Astra Holdings
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what papers or records belonging to Astra Holdings plc or its former directors or employees are held by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make these papers available to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.

  Mr. Aitken
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: Lord Justice Scott will have access to all relevant Government papers.

  It is not the practice of Government Departments to itemise publicly documents in their possession.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many documents having a bearing upon the health and safety of participants in Britain's nuclear test programme are being withheld from public scrutiny beyond the 30-year rule; on what grounds this has been done; and if he will now ensure that all such documents are placed in the public domain.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 November 1992]: Much information relating to the health and safety

  65
  of participants in Britain's nuclear test programme has already been released into the public domain. Those documents which continue to be withheld from public scrutiny beyond the 30-year release period of the public records Acts are properly retained on files by the MOD, under section 3(4) of the 1958 Act, for national security and personal sensitivity reasons. The number of such documents cannot be assessed without disproportionate cost, but the files in question will continue to be kept under regular review and will be progressively released as their sensitivity lapses.

  El Alamein Anniversary
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of El Alamein was made by companies; and if he will identify the companies and amounts concerned.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding reply 27 November 1992]: The following companies generously provided sponsorship for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the battle of El Alamein:

  Alvis plc

  British Aerospace Defence Ltd.

  Perkins Engines (Shrewsbury) Ltd.

  Vickers plc

  VSEL

  Land Rover

  British Airways

  Sponsorship was either in the form of a cash donation or the provision of a service in kind. Individual contributions are a matter for the companies concerned.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give full details of all official representatives of Her Majesty's Government who attended the Eighth Army Veterans Association 50th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein held at Commonwealth cemetary, El Alamein on Sunday 25 October with, in each case, their travel and expenses costs.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: Her Majesty's Government were represented at the El Alamein commemoration ceremony by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence. Calculation of their exact travel and expenses costs has not yet been finalised.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution was requested from the 8th Army veterans towards expenses of their attending the 50th anniversary of El Alamein; and if he will refund it.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 November 1992]: The El Alamein commemoration events consisted of the service at Westminster abbey, a ceremony in E,gypt and the refurbishment of the El Alamein museum. The MOD El Alamein project team funded by the MOD, industry and private individuals helped to organise the events. No contributions were requested from either individual veterans or the Eighth Army Veterans Association. All veterans made their own arrangements, and paid for travel to Egypt, most booking packages with travel firms or with the Royal British Legion.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Credit
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to establish a family credit helpline.

  Mr. Burt
  We will fulfil our manifesto commitment by introducing a family credit telephone helpline from March 1993. This expanded service will for the first time be available to potential family credit recipients rather then simply current recipients and will help support yet more working families.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many family credit claimants, since its introduction, have sought a change in their payments arising from a change in their income during the 26 weeks for which the award has been granted.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of family credit claimants since its introduction have had a different income when they have made their second 26 weeks claim from when they made their first.

  Mr. Burt
  Since April 1988, 83 per cent. of family credit recipients, who made a successful claim for a period immediately following a previous award, had a different income at the time of their second claim.

  No comparable information is held about those whose second claim was unsuccesful, or about those whose second award did not follow immediately after their previous award.

  Source: 5 per cent. sample.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to alter the family credit regulations to allow payments to take account of a claimant's change in income during the 26 weeks for which the award has been granted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The majority of family credit claimants receive an increase in their earnings during the 26 weeks of the award. The rule therefore works to their advantage and we have no plans to change it.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what percentage total expenditure on social security has increased since 1979 in real terms.

  Mr. Lilley
  Expenditure on social security increased in real terms by almost 60 per cent. between 1978–79 and now. Included within this total is a 33 per cent. real increase in expenditure on benefits for the elderly and additional spending on the long term sick and disabled which is one and a half times as great as in 1979. In addition—help for low income families has more than doubled-five times as many families now receive family credit as received family income supplement in 1979.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the backlog of applications for disability living allowance to be cleared.

  Mr. Scott
  Steady progress towards achievement of the Benefits Agency's national clearance times for disability living allowance is being maintained and the number of outstanding claims continues to fall.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time taken to process a disabled living allowance application.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the form requested. Clearance is measured against targets and for disability living allowance these are: 60 per cent. of claims cleared in 30 days and 95 per cent. of claims cleared in 55 days.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people will benefit from the introduction of the new disability living allowance.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people will gain from the two new disability benefits introduced in April.

  Mr. Scott
  Around 300,000 people are expected to gain from the introduction of disability living allowance and disability working allowance.

  Low-income Families
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what extra help, over and above normal upratings, he has made available to help low-income families since 1987.

  Mr. Burt
  The measures we have taken since 1988 to help low income families will be worth around £1 billion extra from April next year.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has of the number of low income families facing marginal reduction rates in excess of 100 per cent. in(a) 1978–79 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Elletson) on 3 November at column 94.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the effect on the level of his Department's expenditure on benefits of the proposed public sector pay norm.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We are unable to identify separately numbers of potential beneficiaries who work in the public sector. However, the effect of the policy for public sector pay announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his autumn statement was taken into account when assumptions about future earnings for the whole economy were made for the purpose of forecasting benefit expenditure.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department has taken to maintain support for disabled people.

  Mr. Scott
  Since 1979 we have introduced a wide range of improvements. They include the introduction of severe disability allowance, improvements to income support premium for disabled children, and the extension of invalid care allowance to non-relatives and married women. We have aimed to provide a comprehensive and coherent system giving priority to those disabled early in life, who have least opportunity to work and to save and to promote independence and integration. These improvements culminated in the introduction of disability living allowance and disability working allowance in April this year.

  By the end of 1992–93 planned expenditure on benefits for long-term sick and disabled people will have risen by more than 170 per cent. in real terms to £13·7 billion.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current earnings disregard in invalid care allowance; and what was its value three years ago.

  Mr. Scott
  The earnings limit has been increased each year since 1990, rising from £12 a week in March 1990 to £40 a week in April 1992, a total increase of £28. Subject to Parliament's approval the limit will increase to £50 a week from April 1993.

  New Age Travellers
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects social security payments to cease to new age travellers.

  Mr. Burt
  The Income Support (General) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 1992, which come into effect on 3 December, will remove entitlement to income support from most unemployed single people and childless couples who fail to seek work actively. So-called new age travellers and others who make no effort to look for work will no longer be able to support themselves at the taxpayer's expense.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to provide information about the new Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  We are planning an advertising campaign to begin in mid-January with advertisements in professional journals. This will be followed in mid-February by television and radio advertising, and advertisements in newspapers and magazines.

  Leaflets providing a broad overview of the changes will be available on request from early December. The main leaflet will be available from mid-February; this will explain the changes in more detail and how much child support maintenance might be payable in individual cases.

  In addition, officials are holding a series of training presentations for advisers and lawyers at 23 locations in Great Britain.

  Support for Families
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department has taken to maintain support for families.

  Mr. Burt
  The information follows:

  Date and change introduced

  April 1988

  Introduction of Family Credit

  April 1989

  Extra 50p in IRB child allowances

  April 1990

  £1 on Family Credit adult credit

  Extra 50p on Income Support and Housing Benefit family premium

  Extra 50p on child personal allowances in Income Support, Family Credit and Housing Benefit

  Increase in lone parent premium in Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit

  Increase in lone parent earnings disregard in Housing benefit and Community Charge Benefit

  Extra in disabled child premium in Income Support

  Extra for expectant mothers through Social Fund maternity payment

  October 1991

  Increase for families on Income Support to ensure they gain from Child Benefit increases

  April 1992

  Change in Family Credit hours rule and maintenance disregards for lone parents

  April 1993

  No clawback of amounts included in IRB for Community Charge

  Homeless Families (Cooking Facilities)
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce a boarder premium for homeless households living in temporary accommodation who do not have access to cooking facilities.

  Mr. Burt
  We have no plans to do so.

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

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Stern) on 2 November at column 94.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the methods by which he plans to make savings from invalidity benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  We will streamline the medical control procedures which already apply to all claims for incapacity benefits. People invited for medical examinations will be given more notice, and asked to give reasons if they cannot attend; and improved reports by examining doctors will reduce the number of people who are invited to attend a second examination. This better use of resources will help to ensure that benefit is paid only to those who satisfy the entitlement conditions laid down by Parliament.

  Pensioners (Diet)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement concerning his Department's efforts to enable pensioners to have access to and be able to afford a better diet.

  Miss Widdecombe
  While endorsing the view that everyone should be encouraged to follow a healthy diet, the Government believe that pensioners, like other benefit recipients, should be free to spend their money as they choose.

  Direct Payments
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of his Department's regional offices currently allow direct payments for benefit claimants to water companies.

  Mr. Burt
  Direct payments for water charges are available to people in receipt of income support in England and Wales who meet the criteria in paragraph 7 of schedule 9 the Claims and Payments Regulations 1987. These are that the beneficiary has failed to budget for the charge and that the adjudication officer considers direct payments to be in the interests of the family. These arrangements do not apply in Scotland, where water is paid for through community water charge.

  Water and Sewerage Charges
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that charges for the emptying of cesspits which are over the normal sewerage charge levied by water companies in an area will be wholly or partially met by the Benefits Agency for households living on income support.

  Mr. Burt
  We have no plans to do so. It would be administratively complex and expensive to take account of local or individual variations in the cost of such items.

  Women Claimants
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women, as a percentage of the total female population, claim(a) child benefit, (b) family credit, (c) income support, (d) housing benefit and (e) poll tax benefit; or any combination of these benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  Such information as is available provides that the number of women who claimed the specified benefits, as a percentage of the total female population aged 16 and above in mid-1991, was estimated to be:

  Per cent.

  Family credit

  1

  Income support

  11

  Housing benefit

  6

  Community charge benefit

  9

  Notes:

  1. Information on the numbers of women eligible to claim is not available.

  2. Female population of 23,195,000 is based upon provisional 1991 census estimates.

  3. In housing benefit and community charge benefit cases without income support, the sex of the claimant is not recorded, therefore no information in respect of these cases can be given.
  71
  4. In housing benefit and community charge benefit cases that are also in receipt of income support, only the sex of the income support claimant is recorded, which is not necessarily the same as that of the housing benefit and/or community charge benefit claimant.

  5. Figures provided are for single women and women as heads of households (i.e. claiming for a male partner).

  Recipients of child benefit number 6,717,000, the overwhelming majority of whom are women.

  Multiple-birth Children
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy, as part of a review of the payment of a higher level of child benefit only to first-born children, to conduct a study into the relative costs of raising multiple-birth children in families; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how he assesses the needs of multiple-birth children and their families in determining the levels of all benefits for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Burt
  A range of social security benefits provide increasing help for families with increasing numbers of children, whether of single or multiple births. In the case of the income-related benefits, which help less well-off families, support for children increases as they grow older. These families may in addition receive a maternity payment of £100 from the social fund in respect of each baby expected, born or adopted.

  The higher rate of child benefit applies to the eldest child for whom payment is made at any time, not just the first-born. So it underpins the role of this benefit in recognising that all families with children face additional expenditure compared with other families. We have no plans to review the present structure.

  England

  1Percentage

  Scotland

  1Percentage

  Wales

  1Percentage

  19902

  Community charge

  Nil

  0.0

  2,000

  0·4

  Nil

  0·0

  Social fund5

  284,000

  8·2

  75,000

  15·6

  24,000

  9·7

  Fuel6

  153,000

  4·4

  59,000

  12·2

  11,000

  4·4

  19913

  Community charge

  18,000

  0·5

  13,000

  2·7

  3,000

  1·2

  Social fund5

  333,000

  8·9

  84,000

  17·3

  26,000

  10·1

  Fuel6

  176,000

  4·7

  52,000

  10·7

  14,000

  5·4

  19924

  Community charge

  262,000

  5·7

  52,000

  9·9

  22,000

  7·4

  Social fund5

  495,000

  10·8

  103,000

  19·6

  38,000

  12·8

  Fuel6

  238,000

  5·2

  51,000

  9·7

  17,000

  5·7

  1 As a percentage of the total number of Income Support recipients in each country.

  2 Source: Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiry 1990 (except for the Community Charge figure which is based on Management Information Statistics collected by the Benefits Agency the end of May 1990). All figures have been rounded to the nearest '000.

  3 Source: Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiry 1991 (rounded to the nearest '000).

  4 Source: The figures used are based on Management Information Statistics collected by the Benefits Agency at the end of August 1992. These figures, which have been rounded to the nearest '000, are provisional and may be subject to amendments.

  5 It is not possible to exclude from the Social Fund figures repayments made by people not in receipt of Income Support.

  6 In compiling the figures for fuel, those cases with a deduction for both gas and electricity have been counted twice.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to alter the benefits system so that residents in local authority residential care are treated equally with those in private residential care.

  Income Support
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support are having deductions made from their benefit(a) for poll tax arrears, (b) fuel bills and (c) social fund loan repayments; and what percentage of the total number of claimants this represents.

  Mr. Burt
  The latest information showing the total number of income support recipients with a deduction for community charge arrears, fuel bills and social fund repayments and as a percentage of the total number of recipients is as follows:

  Recipients with deductions

  Number

  Per cent.

  (a) Community charge arrears

  337,000

  6·2

  (b) Fuel bills

  305,000

  5·6

  (c) Social fund repayments

  637,000

  11·8

  Notes:

  1. Source: The figures used are based on management information statistics collected by the Benefits Agency at the end of August 1992. These figures, which have been rounded to the nearest '000, are provisional and may be subject to amendment.

  2. It is not possible to exclude from the social fund figure repayments made by people not in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support in each region and as a percentage of the total had deductions made from their benefit(a) for poll tax arrears, (b) fuel bills and (c) social fund repayments in (i) 1990, (ii) 1991 and (iii) 1992 to date.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is in the table. The figures show the number of income support recipients with a deduction at the point of survey. Figures showing the total numbers who received a deduction throughout each year are not available.

  Mr. Burt
  Local authorities receive central grant funding through the revenue support grant towards the cost of the services that they provide. It would be inappropriate for people in local authority residential care homes to receive the same levels of income support as people in independent sector homes as it would be double provision of central Government funding.

HEALTH

  Ultraviolet Radiation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to issue detailed advice to the public on the maximum lengths of time people with sensitive skins should be exposed to direct sunlight;

  (2) what material has been produced by her Department in each year since 1989 on the subject of skin cancer and the dangers of over-exposure to UVB.

  Mr. Sackville
  Advice on safe exposure to the sun has been included in a Health Education Authority leaflet "Are You Dying To Get A Sun Tan", and "Smart Cookies Don't Burn" produced by the pharmacy health care scheme. The chief medical officers also issued an information note to directors of public health in May 1992 which gave advice on avoidance of excessive exposure to the sun. As part of the "Health of the Nation" strategy the Department proposes to issue comprehensive guidance on skin cancer prevention in the new year. The Department will also discuss with the Health Education Authority a national public education campaign on exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation. Other departmental initiatives include a review of protection standards for sun screens and sunglasses, the information available to users of sun-tanning equipment, and of research.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her reply of 19 October,Official Report, column 80, what evidence she has of changing patterns of exposure to sunlight since 1979; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department was advised on the health effects of ultraviolet radiation by the expert Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment—COMARE—in June this year and I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) on 1 July 1992 at columns 637–39. COMARE's views that skin cancer risk is determined largely by patterns of exposure to existing levels of UVR was based on consideration of a number of peer reviewed reports published in the medical literature.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will remove budgeting limits for the London ambulance service to allow all overtime offered by staff to be taken up to the extent necessary to avoid shortages in rostered crews.

  Mr. Sackville
  The London ambulance service has had real growth of £1 million 1992–93 with a total budget of £69·7 million for the year. The LAS is expected to operate within the resources available to it and to manage overtime levels effectively. Management and staff agree the need to review jointly the effectiveness of the current rosters in meeting the standards of service expected from the LAS and must work together to achieve that objective.

  Nurses, London
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are currently employed in each of the four London health regions.
  74
  Mr. Sackville
  The information is given in the table. The figures are expressed as whole-time equivalents and have been rounded to the nearest ten. The figures are for 30 September 1991, the latest information held centrally and exclude agency staff and include trusts within the boundary of each region.

  Numbers

  North West Thames Region

  26,480

  North East Thames Region

  32,750

  South East Thames Region

  28,280

  South West Thames Region

  21,590

  Dental Patients
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients who had registered with dentists for NHS dental care have subsequently been de-registered by their dentist.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information shows that between 1 October 1990, when patients first registered with dentists, and 30 September 1992, a total of 7,632,613 patients were removed from the dental lists. During the same period there were 35,993,965 additions to the list. Removal from the list occurs for a variety of reasons, for example, dentists' retirement, patients wanting to change dentists and patients moving area. Removals from the list can be instigated by either the dentist or the patient, but are not separately identified.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by her Department; if she will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) if she will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and ydrochlorofluorocarbons; if she will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if she will implement an equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of individual health authorities and national health trusts to operate and manage equipment in an environmentally conscientious manner. NHS Estates, an executive agency of my Department, plans to issue guidance on refrigerants and air conditioning in 1993. This guidance will address the operation, maintenance and reclamation of refrigerant equipment and will take account of developments on alternative agents.

  AIDS (Dental Equipment)
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research information she has concerning the risk of infection with the AIDS virus from dental apparatus such as air and water lines and head and rotary drills; and if she will make a statement.
  75
  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Bereavement Services
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what bereavement services are funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department currently provides grant aid under the section 64 general scheme towards the central administrative—core—costs of two national voluntary organisations providing bereavement services. They are Cruse—Bereavement Care which receives £114,000 per annum and the Widows Advisory Trust which receives £18,000 per annum.

  Youth Care Services
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of Government support given to young people leaving care;

  (2) what action is being taken to ensure that all local authorities are providing continuing support for young people leaving care.

  Mr. Yeo
  Local authorities have a flexible range of powers and duties through which they may support young people who are no longer being accommodated by them, or other agencies. We are closely monitoring how local authorities are exercising their powers and duties under the Children Act 1989 as a whole, and will be reporting to Parliament on this in the new year. As part of the monitoring exercise, a separate survey on progress in implementing the aftercare provisions of the Act was commissioned. We are carefully assessing the results of this work.

  Cervical Smears
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of women were given cervical smear tests during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Sackville
  The objective of the national health service national cervical screening programme is to screen women between the ages of 20 and 64 at least once every five years. Seventy-four per cent. of the target population in England were screened by 31 March 1991, the latest year for which figures are available. Provisional figures indicate that 80 per cent. of the target population will have been tested by 31 March 1992.

  Public Consultation Responses
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to reply to the letter of 16 November from the hon. Member for Halifax concerning public availability of public consultation responses.

  Mr. Sackville
  I replied on 27 November.

  Deaths (Children)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of deaths among under-fives in England for the year 1991–92.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of deaths among children under five in England for 1991 is 5,750. The figure for 1992 up to and including the end of June is 2,548. The decline in infant mortality, with deaths at the lowest level ever achieved, include the welcome reduction in sudden infant death—cot death.

  Service Contracts
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of budgets placed by health authorities with provider units to fulfil service contracts will have been used up before the end of the financial year.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Pay Review Bodies
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the future of the pay review bodies dealing with the pay of NHS staff.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government are confident that the review body system is the right way of determining the pay of those staff within their remits.

  Asthma
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria must be met before a disease or condition is accorded key area status in the "Health of the Nation" strategy; and in what respects asthma fails to meet those criteria.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Three criteria, set out in "The Health of the Nation" Green Paper, governed the selection of the key areas: the area should be a major cause of premature death or avoidable ill-health; effective interventions should be possible, offering significant scope for improvement in health; it should be possible to set objectives and targets, and monitor progress towards them. Asthma was not selected as a key area because more information is needed for understanding causes and effective interventions before realistic targets can be set.

  West Midlands Ambulance Service
  Ms. Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the response time for 999 calls by the West Midlands ambulance service for the last five years in each district.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir James Ackers, the chairman of West Midlands regional health authority, for details.

  Community Care
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on the possible implications for the continued financial viability of residential drug and alcohol services of new community care arrangements after April 1993; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Department has received a number of representations following our decision to ring fence the whole of the community care special transitional grant. I have met the national voluntary organisations representing alcohol and drug misuse services, and with leading service providers. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is meeting representatives of the Alcohol and Drug Services Alliance today.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what method of algebra group data was used for calculating the amount of community care funding to be transferred to local authorities after April.

  Mr. Yeo
  The formula used and the assumptions made in calculating the amount of the transfer from social security are explained in the Department of Health's memorandum dated 13 November 1992. A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will identify the make-up of the amount allocated for community care support and other service costs, for 1993–94, broken down into(a) costs arising from development of purchasing and contracting, (b) development of financial systems, (c) setting up of assessment and care management systems, (d) information technology, (e) the effect of alignment of charges, (f) inspection of small homes, (g) home care and (h) support to carers.

  Mr. Yeo
  The £140 million additional finance covers all the items listed except inspection of small homes, which was considered in the context of the overall personal social services settlement.

  Renal Dialysis
  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 23 November,Official Report, column 505, if she will introduce into the patients charter a specified time limit within which non-emergency renal patients on dialysis will be guaranteed the disconnect system.

  Mr. Sackville
  Whether and when disconnect dialysis is appropriate is a matter for clinical judgment and the resources available bearing in mind local health needs and priorities.

  Limited List Prescribing
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry in connection with the changes which have been announced to the limited list prescribing system.
  78
  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health met the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on 19 November to discuss the implications of the autumn statement and the proposed changes to the selected list scheme.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement giving details of the changes which she has announced to the limited list system of drugs which may routinely be prescribed; what are the names of those individuals who are to serve upon the advisory committee which is to consider the changes in question; what new categories of products are to be considered for inclusion in the system; what are the reasons for including those categories; and if she will indicate the timetable by which she expects progress to be made on this subject.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave my hon. Friends the Members for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) and for Wimbledon (Dr. Goodson-Wickes) on 24 November at column 589 and on 26 November at columns 808–9 respectively.

  The categories listed were chosen because they covered a range of products at varying price levels and therefore offered scope for savings while enabling all real clinical needs to continue to be met.

  The Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs will in future be asked to take into account in its recommendations in all therapeutic categories the purpose for which the drugs are normally used as well as the indications for which they have been licensed.

  I expect the advisory committee to start reviewing the new categories early in 1993. I hope that changes in the list of non-prescribable drugs will be made before the end of that year.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to meet representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, the medical profession and patient representatives, in connection with her announced changes to the limited list prescribing system.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already met the Association of British Pharmaceutical industry. Requests from other organisations to hold meetings about the selected list scheme wilt be considered in the normal way. I expect that in any case this issue will be on the agenda at many of the regular meetings which Ministers or the Department hold with professional and other organisations.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact upon the British pharmaceutical industry, in terms of profitability, employment and product development, of the changes which have been announced to the limited list prescribing system.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 26 November at column 810. The relative profitability of the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry and decisions on product development depend on factors in both the United Kingdom and other key pharmaceutical markets. It is not possible to assess whether there will be any effect on employment in the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry until decisions on individual products have been taken.
  79
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of the limited list prescribing system(a) in reducing the cost of drugs to the NHS and (b) in promoting improved patient care.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1985–86 the selected list scheme saved £75 million on the drugs bill. It is not possible to make meaningful estimates for subsequent years but we have every reason to believe that significant savings continue to be made. Savings from the recently announced extension of the scheme will depend on the recommendations of the independent Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs. Drugs needed to meet all clinical needs will remain available on NHS prescription. Limiting the rate of growth of the drugs bill will ensure that the overall resources available to the NHS can be put to best use in order to provide the highest possible standards of patient care.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to publish in the form of a consultation document the details of any changes which are to be made to the limited list prescribing system prior to bringing forward the necessary order to this House.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We intend to follow the established procedures for amending the list of drugs which GPs cannot prescribe under the national health service. Recommendations on particular drugs are made by the Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs, which comprises doctors, dentists and pharmacists appointed after consultation with relevant professional organisations. The manufacturers concerned are able to submit representations to the committee before it makes its recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many national health service prescriptions were written for appetite suppressant medicines in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which medicines for appetite suppression currently available will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (2) how many national health service prescriptions were written for anti-diarrhoeal medicines in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which medicines currently available for the treatment of diarrhoea will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (3) how many national health service prescriptions were written for medicines acting on the skin in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which medicines acting on the skin currently available will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  Prescriptions dispensed by chemists and applicance contractors in England (Prescriptions in thousands)

  Group

  1990 total2

  Pensioners

  1991 total3

  Pensioners

  Pensioners as a percentage of total

  Appetite suppressants

  358·0

  1—

  379·3

  50·0

  13·2

  Anti-diarrhoeal

  1,498·5

  1—

  1,377·6

  480·2

  34·9

  Acting on the skin

  25,280·8

  1—

  26,607·3

  7,232·6

  27·2

  80
  (4) how many national health service prescriptions were written for medicines acting on the ear and nose in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which medicines currently available for the treatment of ear and nose condtions will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (5) how many national health service prescriptions were written for medicines for the treatment of vaginal and vulva/ conditions in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for women aged over 60 years; and which medicines currently available for the treatment of vaginal and vulva] conditions will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (6) how many national health service prescriptions were written for contraceptives in 1990 and 1991; and which contraceptives currently available will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (7) how many national health service prescriptions were written for allergic disorders in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which medicines currently available for the treatment of allergic disorders will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (8) how many national health service prescriptions were written for topical anti-rheumatics in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which topical medicines currently available for the treatment of rheumatism will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (9) how many national health service prescriptions were written for hypnotic and anxiolytic medicines in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which hypnotic and anxiolytic medicines currently available will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of new limited list regulations;

  (10) how many national health service prescriptions were written for medicine used in the treatment of anaemia in 1990 and 1991; how many of these prescriptions were for pensioners; and which medicines currently available for the treatment of anaemia will cease to be prescribable on the NHS as a result of the new limited list regulations.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Details of the prescriptions dispensed by chemists and appliance contractors in England in 1990 and 1991 for each of the categories of drug that will be added to the selected list scheme are shown in the table. Information on prescriptions issued to pensioners is not available for 1990. No decisions have been made on which drugs within each groups will cease to be prescribable on the national health service. Such decisions will be based on advice from the independent Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs.
  81

  Group

  1990 total2

  Pensioners

  1991 total3

  Pensioners

  Pensioners as a percentage of total

  Ear and nose

  5,590·8

  1—

  5,773·0

  1,442·4

  25·0

  Vaginal and vulval

  2,553·7

  1—

  2,414·2

  355·8

  14·7

  Contraceptives

  7,036·8

  1—

  7,118·1

  —

  —

  Allergic disorders

  4,901·1

  1—

  5,171·0

  952·2

  18·4

  Anti-rheumatics

  3,979·6

  1—

  4,394·9

  2,501·8

  56·9

  Hypnotic and anxiolytic

  17,634·1

  1—

  16,820·9

  9,586·0

  57·0

  Anaemia

  4,364·1

  1—

  4,229·0

  1,875·4

  44·3

  1 Not available.

  2 1990 data are based on fees.

  3 1991 data (new Prescription Cost Analysis) are based on items.

  Prescription Budgets
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, further to her letter of 23 November to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, if her projections for the indicative prescription budgets for 1992–93 include provision for(a) third wave and (b) other general practitioner fundholders; and what estimate she has made of the provision for those fundholders.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The third wave of the fund holding scheme is not due to start until April 1993. Information for third wave fund holders is therefore unavailable. Information about existing fund holders has been placed in the Library.

  Council Tax
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on the cost of the community care reforms of the proposal to levy council tax on nursing and residential care homes.

  Mr. Yeo
  Residents and patients in residential care and nursing homes will not be counted towards the personal element of the council tax. Where a home has no resident staff, home owners will be required to pay only the property element. This will reduce the bill by 50 per cent. They are likely also to be able to claim further reductions in respect of disabled residents and should in addition benefit from the transitional relief scheme. The cost to care homes and nursing homes is therefore likely to be small and there should be no significant effect on the cost of the community care reforms.

  Payments and Services (West Midlands)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the rules governing payments and levies given to Financial Information Project Systems Ltd by the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Directions to health authorities on the maintenance of systems of sound financial control are contained in health circular HC(91)25. A copy is in the Library. The question of payments to Financial Information Project Systems Ltd is currently under investigation.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what allowance has been made for meeting the shortfall between benefits and charges for residential care in the arrangements for community care funding with effect from April.

  Mr. Yeo
  The £140 million additional finance for community care above the £399 million transfer from social security will ensure that all authorities will be able to purchase appropriate care for people under their new responsibilities. The cost of care to individual authorities will depend on their success in obtaining good contract terms with care homes and in providing non residential services for people who could be better cared for at home.

  AIDS
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what were the levels of social services specific grant for the years 1991–92 and 1992–93 for AIDS/HIV; how many cases of(a) people with AIDS and (b) people with HIV were reported in each of the years 1990–91 and 1991–92; and what are the current estimates for 1992–93 and 1993–94;

  (2) if she will make a statement on the level of social services specific grant for AIDS/HIV for 1993–94.

  Mr. Sackville
  The level of AIDS/HIV specific grant for 1991–92 was £10·2 million and for 1992–93 £15·3 million. For 1993–94 the grant will be £12·4 million. The number of AIDS cases reported and HIV infection reports for England and Wales are as follows:

  AIDS

  HIV infection reports

  1990–91

  1,226

  2,179

  1991–92

  1,260

  2,368

  1992–93

  1756

  11,298

  1First 6 months only.

  The latest predictions are for the period to the end of 1993 and are for AIDS cases only. For 1992–93 the planning projection after adjustments for reporting delay and under-reporting is 2,150 AIDS cases.

  Citizens Charter
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to introduce a citizens charter for carers and users of personal social services.
  83
  Mr. Yeo
  We have no plans to do so at present. Our community care reforms are fully consistent with the principles on which the citizens charter rests. They set new 84
  standards in user and carer involvement in the assessment of individual need; they promote choice; and they ensure users have access to information and the right to complain.

  ROAD PRICING
  ROAD PRICING
  GORDON'S GIN
  GORDON'S GIN
  COMPULSORY COMPETITIVE TENDERING
  COMPULSORY COMPETITIVE TENDERING
  DIRECT SERVICE ORGANISATIONS: CONTRACTS WON
  DIRECT SERVICE ORGANISATIONS: CONTRACTS WON
  DISPENSING BY GENERAL PRACTITIONERS IN WALES
  DISPENSING BY GENERAL PRACTITIONERS IN WALES
  EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN: PROPOSED DIRECTIVE
  EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN: PROPOSED DIRECTIVE
  NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE SUPPLIES AUTHORITY
  NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE SUPPLIES AUTHORITY