Written Answers of 19 October 1992

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Cultural Heritage
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage under what criteria areas of cultural heritage are to be classified as being areas of European significance, under the proposed article 128 of the treaty of Rome.

  Mr. Brooke
  Criteria will be agreed over time at meetings of the Council after the normal process of consultation among EC member states, the Commission and other interested parties has taken place.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Key
  There is no specific financial provision for deregulation in the Department of National Heritage for the current financial year. This Department is fully committed to the Government's deregulation policy and will keep this under review in the policy areas for which it is responsible.

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what evidence his Department has gathered on the effects of national lotteries in other countries on public funding of the arts, sports and charities.

  Mr. Brooke
  Many countries have lotteries and the effects on public funding vary accordingly to the policies of those countries' Governments. The position set out in the United Kingdom Government's White Paper, "A National Lottery: Raising Money for Good Causes" was that"the Government will not make any case by case reduction in conventional expenditure programmes to take account of awards from the lottery proceeds".

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what research his Department has undertaken or plans to undertake into the effects of a national lottery on(a) donations to charities, (b) small lotteries and (c) low income families.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Department has commissioned consultants to carry out research and advise on a number of aspects of the national lottery, including the matters raised by the hon. Member.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the dual viability of the proposed national lottery and the premium bond prize draw; and if he will make a statement.
  6
  Mr. Brooke
  The products offered by these two schemes are very different. Premium bonds are a savings instrument. We expect both schemes to be viable.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the contents of submissions he has received on the subject of the national lottery; and if he will place copies in the Library.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have no plans to do so.

  Television Licences
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the code of practice governing the behaviour of television licence officers in respect of the carrying out of their work with full regard for courtesy and crime prevention.

  Mr. Brooke
  Under the Broadcasting Act 1990 responsibility for issuing TV licences and enforcing the licensing requirement was transferred to the BBC with effect from 1 April 1991. The question should accordingly be re-directed to the secretary of the BBC.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to review the regulations surrounding concessionary television licences for those resident in accommodation for short and long-term physically and mentally disabled persons.

  Mr. Brooke
  We have no plans to review the regulations governing the concessionary licence scheme.

  "A Vision for Vauxhall Gardens"
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to "A Vision for Vauxhall Gardens" to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Key
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the Exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 16 to 20 November 1992.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the total sum given by cigarette manufacturers in sponsorship for(a) sport and (b) other cultural activities in the latest year for which figures are available; and what proportion (a) and (b) represent of the total sponsorship from non-government sources in each case.

  Mr. Brooke
  Sponsorship of sport in the United Kingdom by the tobacco industry was worth £7.630 million for the year ending 31 March 1991. The total value of sports sponsorship is estimated to be in excess of £200 million a year.

  Annual business sponsorship of the arts, including corporate membership, was more than £57 million on 1990–91, the latest year for which firm figures are available. Neither the Department nor the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts holds information on spending on arts sponsorship by the tobacco industry.

EDUCATION

  Adult Guidance Service
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the adult guidance service.

  Mr. Forman
  Guidance for adults is provided in a variety of ways, including by LEA's as part of the careers service and in the form of free-standing services. LEA's are building up links with TECs in the provision of these services. We hope that LEA services will play an important part in the Government's assessment and guidance credits initiative, announced in the White Paper "People, Jobs and Opportunity".

  Discretionary Grants
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will require local education authorities to make education discretionary grants with regard to the further education of residents within the local education authority's area at a college or university outside its area, in cases where the course undertaken by the student is not available within the authority's own area.

  Mr. Forman
  It is for local education authorities to decide their own policies when exercising their discretionary powers. My right hon. Friend has no power to require authorities to exercise their discretion in particular ways.

  National Curriculum Technology
  Mr. Malone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) whether, after the review of national curriculum technology has been completed, the definition of construction materials as contained in the present order governing national curriculum technology shall still apply;

  (2) if he will consider the widening of the definition of construction materials contained in the present order governing national curriculum technology.

  Mr. Forth
  The independent review of national curriculum technology aims to clarify the learning requirements for the subject. It would be inappropriate to comment until my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and for Wales have received the review group's report and published joint proposals for consultation. A full statement will be made in due course.

  Spelling Standards
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to make the grant of mandatory awards for university students conditional upon individual achievement of satisfactory spelling standards.

  Mr. Forman
  No. My right hon. Friend has recently reminded the higher education institutions of their responsibility to require appropriate entry standards—including standards in basic skills—and to make those clear to schools and potential students.

  Departmental Objectives
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Harwich of 15 July,Official Report, column 726 when he expects to
  8
  complete the review of these objectives of each branch and division within his Department; and if he will set these objectives out separately for each division and branch in the Official Report when his review is complete.

  Mr. Forman
  I have written to my hon. Friend. A copy of my reply is available in the Library.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Forman
  Deregulation issues are dealt with within current resources: the Department is responsible for very few regulations affecting businesses.

  Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Education
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received regarding the funding of Rudolf Steiner Waldorf education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has received 120 letters from hon. Members and 20 letters from others interested in Steiner education. A deputation led by Mr. Brien Masters, chairman of the Steiner Schools Foundation was also received by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education—my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman)—in September. Steiner schools offer a distinctive approach to education and one which is clearly valued by parents and supporters of the schools. They thus contribute to the richness and diversity which is the hallmark of independent school provision in this country. There is, however, absolutely no justification for supporting this particular group of independent schools from public funds either now or in the future.

  Schools, Greenwich
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to be able to approve the application for capital approval for extra forms of entry for St. Thomas More and St. Paul's schools in the London borough of Greenwich.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to be able to announce his decision on these proposals within the next few weeks.

  School Budgets
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will set out for each local education authority the percentage of the aggregate schools budget represented by(a) the potential schools budget, (b) GM-related expenditure and (c) the general schools budget in the most recent year for which information is available.

  Mr. Forth
  The tables set out, for each authority, the aggregated schools budget as a proportion of the potential schools budget, and other information relating to the extent to which resources are retained for spending by the authority and the extent to which resources are allocated
  9
  to schools on the basis of their pupil numbers. Figures for spending on local authority schools of a type which governors of grant-maintained schools have to make

  Table: The extent of LEAs' delegation to schools (1992–93)

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Local education authority (LEA)

  PSB delegated to schools

  PSB not delegated per pupil

  Central administration as proportion of PSB

  Central administration per pupil

  1992–93

  (1991–92)

  1992–93

  1992–93

  (1991–92)

  1992–93

  per cent

  per cent

  £

  per cent

  per cent

  £

  All LEAs where LMS in operation before April 1992

  1 Berkshire

  89.11

  (87.68)

  190

  2.14

  (2.78)

  40

  2 Sefton

  88.78

  (87.86)

  210

  2.41

  (2.71)

  40

  3 Bolton

  88.52

  (88.31)

  210

  1.49

  (2.06)

  30

  4 Stockport

  88.34

  (88.69)

  220

  2.23

  (3.15)

  40

  5 Sunderland

  88.31

  (88.40)

  200

  2.14

  (2.15)

  40

  6 Rochdale

  88.31

  (88.46)

  200

  2.32

  (2.37)

  40

  7 Bexley

  88.27

  (81.32)

  210

  2.88

  (5.06)

  50

  8 Cheshire

  88.26

  (87.35)

  200

  1.83

  (1.71)

  30

  9 Barking

  87.85

  (85.20)

  230

  3.22

  (3.27)

  60

  10 Northamptonshire

  87.62

  (86.01)

  220

  1.66

  (2.23)

  30

  11 West Sussex

  87.38

  (87.67)

  220

  2.25

  (2.09)

  40

  12 Devon

  87.31

  (87.14)

  220

  2.73

  (2.53)

  50

  13 Cambridgeshire

  87.22

  (87.45)

  230

  2.10

  (2.03)

  40

  14 Manchester

  87.19

  (88.03)

  240

  2.94

  (3.54)

  50

  15 Northumberland

  87.17

  (88.16)

  200

  2.68

  (2.37)

  40

  16 Hertfordshire

  87.14

  (86.19)

  240

  3.75

  (3.81)

  70

  17 Bury

  87.08

  (85.31)

  230

  2.29

  (2.00)

  40

  18 Warwickshire

  87.03

  (86.72)

  220

  3.07

  (3.19)

  50

  19 Suffolk

  87.01

  (87.56)

  240

  1.23

  (0.78)

  20

  20 Brent

  86.91

  (83.51)

  290

  4.04

  (4.26)

  90

  21 Croydon

  86.83

  (81.00)

  290

  2.97

  (4.15)

  60

  22 Leeds

  86.79

  (86.26)

  250

  3.31

  (4.22)

  60

  23 Cumbria

  86.72

  (85.41)

  240

  2.27

  (3.02)

  40

  24 Hampshire

  86.56

  (086.11)

  250

  2.39

  (3.16)

  40

  25 Enfield

  86.39

  (84.68)

  270

  2.89

  (3.69)

  60

  26 Lincolnshire

  86.34

  (85.46)

  250

  2.29

  (2.21)

  40

  27 Shropshire

  86.31

  (86.09)

  270

  1.83

  (2.00)

  40

  28 Norfolk

  86.24

  (84.37)

  260

  2.36

  (3.35)

  40

  29 Ealing

  86.14

  (82.92)

  280

  2.95

  (5.86)

  60

  30 Havering

  86.09

  (85.09)

  270

  2.08

  (1.93)

  40

  31 South Tyneside

  85.98

  (85.94)

  240

  1.90

  (2.06)

  30

  32 Oxfordshire

  85.91

  (84.68)

  280

  3.48

  (2.85)

  70

  33 Isle of Wight

  85.76

  (83.75)

  270

  1.90

  (1.92)

  40

  34 Solihull

  85.76

  (85.59)

  270

  1.15

  (1.93)

  20

  35 Wirral

  85.75

  (85.73)

  250

  1.39

  (2.59)

  20

  36 Surrey

  85.68

  (84.61)

  270

  3.79

  (4.85)

  70

  37 Walsall

  85.68

  (85.50)

  260

  3.11

  (3.40)

  60

  38 Westminster

  85.63

  (34.88)

  370

  4.44

  (5.59)

  110

  39 Somerset

  85.61

  (85.48)

  280

  2.29

  (2.69)

  40

  40 Calderdale

  85.58

  (85.46)

  250

  3.73

  (2.39)

  60

  41 Kingston

  85.57

  (84.35)

  310

  3.51

  (4.11)

  80

  42 Sandwell

  85.56

  (82.74)

  280

  2.37

  (4.51)

  50

  43 Kirklees

  85.46

  (84.96)

  260

  3.34

  (3.65)

  60

  44 Hereford/Worcester

  85.46

  (83.99)

  270

  2.45

  (3.18)

  40

  45 Staffordshire

  85.41

  (84.84)

  250

  2.75

  (4.10)

  50

  46 North Yorkshire

  85.39

  (84.16)

  270

  1.95

  (2.37)

  40

  47 St. Helens

  85.39

  (84.53)

  280

  3.56

  (3.65)

  70

  48 Leicestershire

  85.37

  (84.28)

  280

  2.62

  (2.89)

  50

  49 Durham

  85.30

  (82.16)

  260

  2.28

  (4.79)

  40

  50 Buckinghamshire

  85.29

  (86.58)

  270

  2.98

  (3.55)

  60

  51 Barnsley

  85.27

  (85.91)

  240

  2.40

  (2.88)

  40

  52 Bedfordshire

  85.23

  (83.29)

  280

  2.93

  (3.66)

  60

  53 East Sussex

  85.23

  (85.37)

  270

  1.95

  (2.20)

  40

  54 Barnet

  85.20

  (83.68)

  310

  4.22

  (4.96)

  90

  55 Humberside

  85.20

  (84.60)

  280

  3.08

  (3.01)

  60

  56 Isles of Scilly

  85.12

  (83.17)

  530

  3.85

  (6.41)

  140

  57 Essex

  85.08

  (85.08)

  270

  2.87

  (3.52)

  50

  58 Nottinghamshire

  85.06

  (83.96)

  270

  3.15

  (3.41)

  60

  59 Dudley

  85.06

  (84.47)

  270

  3.30

  (3.64)

  60

  60 Richmond

  85.03

  (82.58)

  300

  4.10

  (4.82)

  80

  61 Redbridge

  85.03

  (83.13)

  270

  2.68

  (5.10)

  50

  62 Cornwall

  85.02

  (83.95)

  260

  2.64

  (3.52)

  50

  63 Newcastle

  84.89

  (82.38)

  280

  3.45

  (5.09)

  60

  64 Hounslow

  84.83

  (83.26)

  310

  3.04

  (4.46)

  60

  65 North Tyneside

  84.78

  (84.55)

  290

  2.40

  (3.99)

  50

  66 Salford

  84.74

  (86.03)

  280

  4.29

  (2.64)

  80

  67 Tameside

  84.74

  (83.80)

  260

  1.96

  (2.16)

  30

  10
  themselves could only be calculated for all local education authorities at disproportionate cost. I will write to my hon. Friend with a detailed explanation of the factors involved.
  11

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Local education authority (LEA)

  PSB delegated to schools

  PSB not delegated per pupil

  Central administration as proportion of PSB

  Central administration per pupil

  1992–93

  (1991–92)

  1992–93

  1992–93

  (1991–92)

  1992–93

  per cent

  per cent

  £

  per cent

  per cent

  £

  68 Bradford

  84.74

  (86.68)

  280

  3.41

  (3.55)

  60

  69 Rotherham

  84.70

  (85.43)

  290

  3.54

  (3.76)

  70

  70 Sutton

  84.70

  (85.15)

  280

  3.56

  (3.84)

  60

  71 Trafford

  84.69

  (83.94)

  250

  2.48

  (3.68)

  40

  72 Bromley

  84.67

  (84.88)

  300

  3.51

  (5.70)

  70

  73 Kent

  84.54

  (85.84)

  270

  3.78

  (4.61)

  70

  74 Liverpool

  84.47

  (82.92)

  290

  3.97

  (4.65)

  70

  75 Derbyshire

  84.46

  (83.97)

  260

  1.94

  (3.04)

  30

  76 Cleveland

  84.45

  (83.37)

  280

  3.54

  (4.64)

  60

  77 Wiltshire

  84.42

  (83.26)

  290

  3.47

  (3.18)

  60

  78 Knowsley

  84.41

  (83.24)

  290

  4.76

  (4.99)

  90

  79 Hillingdon

  84.38

  (83.91)

  290

  3.81

  (6.17)

  70

  80 Lancashire

  84.32

  (82.74)

  290

  1.63

  (3.46)

  30

  81 Merton

  84.31

  (84.86)

  330

  2.97

  (3.33)

  60

  82 Oldham

  84.30

  (83.14)

  290

  2.50

  (4.53)

  50

  83 Birmingham

  84.26

  (83.41)

  290

  3.66

  (3.85)

  70

  84 Doncaster

  84.20

  (84.00)

  300

  2.19

  (2.29)

  40

  85 Dorset

  84.16

  (85.16)

  270

  3.26

  (3.72)

  60

  86 Wigan

  84.11

  (83.03)

  300

  3.65

  (4.18)

  70

  87 Sheffield

  84.08

  (85.92)

  300

  3.48

  (3.26)

  70

  88 Wakefield

  84.05

  (84.28)

  280

  1.66

  (1.49)

  30

  89 Gateshead

  83.91

  (83.92)

  300

  1.57

  (2.99)

  30

  90 Haringey

  83.84

  (83.77)

  370

  3.78

  (4.78)

  90

  91 Avon

  83.56

  (82.78)

  310

  3.60

  (3.87)

  70

  92 Gloucestershire

  83.19

  (84.47)

  290

  3.13

  (3.37)

  50

  93 Coventry

  83.01

  (82.76)

  330

  5.06

  (4.37)

  100

  94 Harrow

  83.75

  (82.45)

  350

  4.94

  (5.05)

  100

  95 Waltham Forest

  82.09

  (80.22)

  390

  5.10

  (6.60)

  110

  96 Newham

  82.07

  (79.46)

  360

  3.37

  (5.94)

  70

  97 Wolverhampton

  80.94

  (81.55)

  370

  5.19

  (5.33)

  100

  Averages

  85.57

  (84.89)

  270

  2.84

  (3.44)

  50

  Inner London LEAs where LMS in operation from April 1992

  1 City of London

  87.05

  360

  9.67

  270

  2 Islington

  85.19

  390

  4.53

  120

  3 Wandsworth

  84.16

  390

  3.69

  90

  4 Camden

  83.20

  420

  4.04

  100

  5 Hammersmith-Fulham

  81.70

  480

  3.84

  100

  6 Lewisham

  81.09

  440

  5.66

  130

  7 Hackney

  79.77

  490

  5.27

  130

  8 Lambeth

  79.68

  510

  6.40

  160

  9 Greenwich

  79.63

  470

  7.98

  180

  10 Southwark

  79.12

  480

  7.10

  160

  11 Tower Hamlets

  77.16

  590

  5.66

  150

  136

  12 Kensington-Chelsea

  76.13

  760

  9.00

  290

  Averages

  80.59

  480

  5.78

  140

  National Averages

  85.31

  (84.89)

  270

  2.99

  (3.44)

  60

  Footnotes to table showing the extent of delegation.

  1. All 109 local education authorities (LEAs) in England have LMS schemes in operation and are required to publish budget statements showing planned expenditure, under section 42 of the Education Reform Act. The LEAs are ranked, according to the percentage of funds delegated to schools, with those delegating more at the top of the ranking order. Schemes for the 12 inner London LEAs other than Westminster came into operation later than the rest, on 1 April 1992. These LEAs are listed separately.

  2. The potential schools budget (PSB) consists of the major part of the general schools budget (GSB)—ie the GSB less planned expenditure on certain excepted items: capital expenditure; expenditure supported by central government grants; and expenditure on school meals, home to school transport and transitional exceptions (eg grounds maintenance). The amount which the schools themselves decide how to spend, as a proportion of the PSB, is a percentage used as an indicator of the extent to which LEAs have delegated resources to their schools. A new requirement from April 1993 (1995 for the 12 inner London authorities listed separately) is that this percentage should be a minimum of 85 per cent. The percentage for the previous year 1991–92 is given in brackets. Where a figure is not given in brackets the LMS scheme was not in operation during that year.

  3. The proportion of the PSB held back by each LEA (ie not delegated to schools) expressed as a cash amount per pupil—rounded to the nearest £10. LEAs are not required to state the price base used in their estimates and no adjustment has therefore been made: comparisons between LEAs should consequently take into account that a different price base may have been used. Pupil numbers have in most cases been taken from LEAs' section 42 statements.

  4. Planned expenditure on central administration—one of the discretionary exceptions included in the PSB—expressed as a percentage of the PSB. The previous year's percentage is given in brackets. Following the publication of accounting guidance by CIPFA this year, LEAs may have changed from last year their method of calculating central administration expenditure. In addition, not all LEAs have followed CIPFA's guidance this year. Consequently, there may not be a consistent basis for comparisons between years and between LEAs.

  5. Planned expenditure on central administration expressed as a cash amount per pupil—rounded to the nearest £10. The qualifications on price base and the basis of LEAs' calculations of central expenditure (see notes 3 and 4) apply to these figures as well. NB The percentages stated may differ from the percentages calculated by individual LEAs because of the effects of rounding.

  12 13

  Table: Percentage of aggregated schools budget (ASB) based on pupil numbers (1992–93)

  1

  2

  Local Education Authority

  Pupil-led funding as a percentage

  (LEA)

  ASB

  All LEA where LMS in operation before April 1992

  1992–93 Per cent.

  (1991–92) Per cent.

  1 Isle of Scilly

  93.22

  (93.21)

  2 Dudley

  89.63

  (90.00)

  3 South Tyneside

  88.68

  (88.33)

  4 Wigan

  86.84

  (86.40)

  5 Lincolnshire

  86.82

  (88.51)

  6 Gateshead

  86.72

  (87.04)

  7 Tameside

  86.62

  (85.33)

  8 Bexley

  86.46

  (85.39)

  9 Barking

  86.45

  (88.36)

  10 Bolton

  86.42

  (86.16)

  11 Oldham

  86.24

  (84.69)

  12 Northumberland

  85.56

  (86.07)

  13 Newcastle

  85.16

  (81.66)

  14 Bromley

  84.90

  (84.43)

  15 Brent

  84.75

  (86.00)

  16 Northamptonshire

  84.72

  (82.62)

  17 Sefton

  84.58

  (83.79)

  18 Redbridge

  84.32

  (84.00)

  19 Trafford

  84.25

  (84.40)

  20 Knowsley

  84.22

  (83.50)

  21 Rotherham

  84.05

  (82.87)

  22 Stockport

  83.99

  (80.31)

  23 Harrow

  83.56

  (83.49)

  24 Kingston

  83.54

  (76.67)

  25 Barnsley

  83.52

  (81.98)

  26 Leicestershire

  83.46

  (83.19)

  27 Hereford/Worcester

  83.42

  (81.95)

  28 Kent

  83.28

  (84.93)

  29 Sunderland

  83.24

  (82.25)

  30 Devon

  83.08

  (82.78)

  31 Suffolk

  83.01

  (82.29)

  32 Rochdale

  83.00

  (80.00)

  33 Enfield

  82.97

  (80.40)

  34 Calderdale

  82.88

  (83.19)

  35 North Yorkshire

  82.66

  (82.02)

  36 Bury

  82.62

  (81.42)

  37 Coventry

  82.48

  (83.57)

  38 Cambridgeshire

  81.94

  (81.00)

  39 Avon

  81.93

  (82.91)

  40 Manchester

  81.79

  (82.14)

  41 Isle of Wight

  81.71

  (81.85)

  42 Cheshire

  81.34

  (80.16)

  43 Cornwall

  81.33

  (83.75)

  44 Cleveland

  81.19

  (80.33)

  45 Westminster

  81.17

  (83.32)

  46 Solihull

  80.95

  (81.70)

  47 Lancashire

  80.94

  (79.60)

  48 Waltham Forest

  80.92

  (81.66)

  49 Wiltshire

  80.90

  (81.56)

  50 Richmond

  80.89

  (79.79)

  51 Sutton

  80.83

  (80.53)

  52 Cumbria

  80.64

  (78.83)

  53 Ealing

  80.63

  (80.53)

  54 Nottinghamshire

  80.53

  (76.34)

  55 Durham

  80.47

  (80.20)

  56 Wirral

  80.39

  (79.55)

  57 Dorset

  80.38

  (79.94)

  58 Bedfordshire

  80.23

  (78.50)

  59 Leeds

  80.10

  (80.26)

  60 Humberside

  80.02

  (80.42)

  61 Liverpool

  80.00

  (80.00)

  62 Shropshire

  79.76

  (77.86)

  63 Kirklees

  79.41

  (77.27)

  64 Newham

  79.32

  (79.85)

  65 Gloucestershire

  79.25

  (80.64)

  66 Warwickshire

  79.10

  (79.02)

  67 St. Helens

  79.00

  (76.50)

  68 Berkshire

  78.92

  (79.31)

  69 Haringey

  78.91

  (77.37)

  70 Hounslow

  78.76

  (77.82)

  14

  1

  2

  Local Education Authority

  Pupil-led funding as a percentage

  (LEA)

  ASB

  All LEA where LMS in operation before April 1992

  1992–93 Per cent.

  (1991–92) Per cent.

  71 Salford

  78.67

  (82.02)

  72 Staffordshire

  78.67

  (79.34)

  73 Sheffield

  78.64

  (77.30)

  74 Derbyshire

  78.48

  (75.32)

  75 Hillingdon

  78.45

  (77.93)

  76 West Sussex

  78.23

  (82.29)

  77 Somerset

  78.17

  (79.09)

  78 Walsall

  78.14

  (77.87)

  79 Bradford

  78.12

  (77.66)

  80 North Tyneside

  78.00

  (78.00)

  81 Surrey

  77.91

  (76.58)

  82 Hampshire

  77.90

  (76.35)

  83 Oxfordshire

  77.59

  (77.60)

  84 Birmingham

  77.55

  (78.69)

  85 Merton

  77.45

  (77.99)

  86 Barnet

  77.29

  (76.86)

  87 Essex

  77.07

  (76.56)

  88 Havering

  76.61

  (75.09)

  89 Doncaster

  76.50

  (76.66)

  90 Norfolk

  76.43

  (75.31)

  91 Hertfordshire

  76.43

  (75.33)

  92 East Sussex

  76.41

  (76.29)

  93 Buckinghamshire

  76.32

  (79.06)

  94 Croydon

  75.66

  (80.22)

  95 Wakefield

  75.63

  (75.76)

  96 Wolverhampton

  75.33

  (74.88)

  97 Sandwell

  75.01

  (79.03)

  Averages

  80.54

  (80.17)

  1

  2

  Local Education Authority (LEA)

  Pupil-led funding as a percentage

  ASB

  Inner London LEAs where LMS in operation from April 1992

  1992–93 Per cent.

  (1991–92) Per cent.

  1 Wandsworth

  85.04

  2 Islington

  84.00

  3 City of London

  82.11

  4 Kensington/Chelsea

  81.64

  5 Southwark

  80.84

  6 Hammersmith/Fulham

  80.68

  7 Camden

  80.66

  8 Lewisham

  77.64

  9 Lambeth

  77.51

  10 Hackney

  77.27

  11 Tower Hamlets

  76.70

  12 Greenwich

  76.56

  Averages

  79.55

  National Averages

  80.49

  (80.17)

  Footnotes to table showing the extent of pupil-led funding.

  1. The LEAs are ranked according to the proportion of funds allocated to schools on the basis of pupil numbers and ages, with those allocating a greater percentage of pupil-led funding at the top of the ranking order.

  2. The aggregated schools budget (ASB) is that part of the potential schools budget which is delegated to the school level. The current requirement is that at least 75 per cent. of an LEA's ASB is based on pupil numbers and ages. From April 1993 (1995 for the inner London authorities which only started LMS this year) the minimum percentage will be raised to 80 per cent. (but that will include any pupil-led funding allocated in respect of special needs which does not currently count towards the 75 per cent. minimum). The percentage of pupil-led funding in 1991–92 is given in brackets. Where a figure is not given in brackets the LMS scheme was not in operation last year. All figures are derived from LEA's published budget statements, but

  15
  the percentages stated may differ from the percentages calculated by individual LEAs because of the effects of rounding and other adjustments.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that local management of schools' budgets fairly takes account of the extra costs to a school with long-term stable staffing.

  Mr. Forth
  Within the national local management of schools framework, LEA schemes may provide for small school budget shares to reflect actual staff costs for as long as the LEA considers necessary. LEAs may also extend the transitional period to larger schools which face exceptional difficulties because of higher than average salary costs. We have said that we will review the policy of funding teachers' salaries within LMS schemes. However, it remains our view that governors should be responsible and accountable for the financial implications of their decisions.

  School leavers statistical file 1990–91 revised 3 July 1992 Maintained schools only

  Percentage of school leavers with five or more GCSE/O/CSE grades A-C

  1988–89 to 1990–91

  1987–88 to 1989–90

  1986–87 to 1988–89

  1985–86 to 1987–88

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Buckinghamshire

  43.5

  1

  41.2

  2

  36.0

  5

  33.4

  6

  Surrey

  42.9

  2

  40.7

  3

  38.0

  4

  36.4

  3

  Harrow

  42.8

  3

  44.1

  1

  38.6

  3

  38.3

  2

  West Sussex

  42.2

  4

  39.6

  4

  35.5

  6

  32.5

  8

  East Sussex

  40.5

  5

  36.5

  9

  31.4

  13

  27.4

  23

  Hertfordshire

  39.6

  6

  36.1

  10

  31.9

  11

  30.3

  12

  Barnet

  39.5

  7

  39.0

  5

  38.9

  2

  41.5

  1

  Sutton

  39.4

  8

  37.0

  8

  39.1

  1

  34.9

  4

  Stockport

  38.9

  9

  34.9

  11

  28.6

  25

  24.9

  43

  North Yorkshire

  38.1

  10

  37.6

  7

  34.5

  7

  32.8

  7

  Solihull

  38.0

  11

  33.4

  16

  31.7

  12

  30.8

  11

  Somerset

  38.0

  11

  31.4

  29

  27.1

  39

  24.5

  46

  Gloucestershire

  37.9

  13

  34.3

  13

  31.2

  14

  29.1

  17

  Trafford

  37.5

  14

  32.8

  20

  30.7

  15

  31.1

  10

  Kingston upon Thames

  36.8

  15

  34.2

  14

  32.2

  10

  34.1

  5

  Hampshire

  36.8

  15

  32.8

  20

  29.6

  21

  27.7

  21

  Wigan

  36.4

  17

  34.6

  12

  30.2

  18

  29.4

  15

  Northumberland

  36.0

  18

  33.4

  16

  30.7

  15

  29.8

  13

  Cheshire

  35.5

  19

  33.3

  18

  29.1

  23

  28.3

  19

  Richmond upon Thames

  35.4

  20

  38.0

  6

  32.4

  8

  29.6

  14

  Bolton

  35.3

  21

  31.9

  26

  28.7

  24

  26.0

  36

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  35.3

  21

  33.8

  15

  30.1

  19

  27.2

  24

  Warwickshire

  35.1

  23

  30.9

  31

  28.5

  26

  26.6

  28

  Havering

  35.0

  24

  28.6

  46

  24.4

  57

  23.3

  52

  Sefton

  34.8

  25

  33.3

  18

  28.5

  26

  26.4

  31

  Dorset

  34.7

  26

  31.5

  28

  27.6

  35

  27.2

  24

  North Tyneside

  34.4

  27

  30.3

  33

  27.5

  36

  23.3

  52

  Bromley

  34.3

  28

  31.7

  27

  29.9

  20

  32.0

  9

  Shropshire

  34.3

  28

  32.4

  23

  30.3

  17

  27.7

  21

  Wirral

  33.7

  30

  32.5

  22

  27.8

  31

  25.9

  39

  Cambridgeshire

  33.6

  31

  29.8

  37

  28.0

  29

  26.0

  36

  Enfield

  33.5

  32

  31.4

  29

  26.9

  41

  24.8

  44

  Hereford and Worcester

  33.4

  33

  32.1

  25

  29.2

  22

  28.5

  18

  Wiltshire

  32.8

  34

  30.1

  36

  25.9

  45

  23.9

  48

  Devon

  32.7

  35

  29.5

  40

  26.3

  44

  24.4

  47

  Merton

  32.5

  36

  28.7

  45

  24.6

  54

  23.4

  49

  Berkshire

  32.5

  36

  32.4

  23

  32.3

  9

  29.3

  16

  Essex

  32.5

  36

  30.9

  31

  27.4

  37

  26.3

  32

  Kirklees

  32.4

  39

  28.2

  49

  25.6

  46

  25.1

  42

  Bexley

  32.2

  40

  30.2

  34

  28.5

  26

  27.8

  20

  Leicestershire

  32.2

  40

  28.4

  48

  25.1

  51

  23.4

  49

  Avon

  31.9

  42

  30.2

  34

  27.8

  31

  26.1

  35

  Rotherham

  31.8

  43

  28.6

  46

  23.0

  63

  19.5

  73

  Kent

  31.5

  44

  28.9

  43

  27.3

  38

  26.5

  30

  Lancashire

  31.5

  44

  29.4

  41

  26.8

  42

  25.6

  40

  Norfolk

  31.4

  46

  27.8

  51

  24.5

  56

  22.7

  55

  Oxfordshire

  31.2

  47

  29.8

  37

  27.7

  33

  26.2

  34

  Cumbria

  31.0

  48

  29.6

  39

  28.0

  29

  26.9

  27

  Hillingdon

  30.7

  49

  27.3

  54

  22.7

  65

  20.0

  70

  Tameside

  30.7

  49

  29.1

  42

  27.1

  39

  24.7

  45

  Staffordshire

  30.

  49

  26.6

  60

  24.9

  52

  23.4

  49

  Examination Statistics
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a list of local education authorities in England in rank order by the percentage of pupils achieving five higher grade GCSEs in the last year for which information is available, showing in each case(a) that percentage and (b) the rank order position and percentage for each of the previous four years.

  Mr. Forth
  The attached table gives details of the estimated percentage of school leavers achieving five or more GCSE/O/CSE grades A-C in rank order. The latest available data based on a 10 per cent. sample of school leavers aggregated over three years—1988–89 to 1990–91—in order to reduce sampling errors. The aggregated figures for the earlier years are also shown.
  17

  1988–89 to 1990–91

  1987–88 to 1989–90

  1986–87 to 1988–89

  1985–86 to 1987–88

  Per cent

  Rank

  Per cent

  Rank

  Per cent

  Rank

  Per cent

  Rank

  Calderdale

  30.6

  52

  27.8

  51

  21.5

  75

  20.0

  70

  Northamptonshire

  30.3

  53

  27.8

  51

  22.8

  64

  21.7

  61

  Isle of Wight

  30.2

  54

  28.1

  50

  19.5

  83

  17.1

  86

  Lincolnshire

  29.9

  55

  26.6

  60

  25.2

  49

  25.2

  41

  Cleveland

  29.6

  56

  27.3

  54

  26.5

  43

  27.1

  26

  Bedfordshire

  29.3

  57

  27.3

  54

  24.9

  52

  26.0

  36

  Dudley

  29.1

  58

  28.9

  43

  25.5

  47

  22.3

  59

  Derbyshire

  29.1

  58

  26.9

  57

  24.6

  54

  22.4

  58

  South Tyneside

  28.2

  60

  26.8

  59

  22.2

  68

  18.3

  79

  Durham

  28.1

  61

  26.3

  63

  23.4

  59

  21.0

  66

  Hounslow

  28.0

  62

  25.2

  67

  25.2

  49

  21.5

  63

  Suffolk

  27.6

  63

  26.6

  60

  24.2

  58

  22.7

  55

  Redbndge

  27.5

  64

  25.3

  66

  25.5

  47

  26.6

  28

  Sheffield

  27.3

  65

  25.9

  64

  22.2

  68

  20.1

  69

  Bury

  26.8

  66

  23.1

  76

  27.7

  33

  26.4

  31

  Walsall

  26.7

  67

  25.5

  65

  23.4

  59

  20.9

  67

  Brent

  26.6

  68

  23.3

  75

  20.6

  78

  19.1

  75

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  26.5

  69

  22.3

  80

  21.6

  74

  17.4

  84

  Leeds

  26.4

  70

  24.3

  71

  22.0

  71

  21.3

  65

  Sunderland

  26.1

  71

  24.1

  72

  21.8

  72

  18.7

  77

  Nottinghamshire

  26.1

  71

  24.7

  69

  23.4

  59

  21.6

  62

  Croydon

  25.9

  73

  22.9

  77

  22.1

  70

  22.7

  55

  Barnsley

  25.8

  74

  26.9

  57

  19.7

  82

  16.9

  87

  Rochdale

  25.7

  75

  24.5

  70

  20.9

  77

  18.7

  77

  Salford

  25.3

  76

  24.9

  68

  23.2

  62

  21.8

  60

  Doncaster

  25.3

  76

  23.6

  73

  21.7

  73

  18.7

  76

  Gateshead

  25.2

  78

  20.7

  85

  20.4

  80

  19.8

  72

  Ealing

  24.9

  79

  21.5

  82

  22.5

  67

  19.2

  74

  Wakefield

  24.5

  80

  20.3

  87

  17.5

  87

  17.6

  83

  Manchester

  24.4

  81

  20.2

  88

  16.4

  90

  15.9

  90

  Coventry

  24.0

  82

  21.3

  83

  21.2

  76

  20.7

  68

  Humberside

  23.1

  83

  23.4

  74

  22.6

  66

  21.5

  63

  Birmingham

  22.7

  84

  22.7

  79

  19.1

  85

  18.3

  79

  Oldham

  22.2

  85

  21.7

  81

  18.1

  86

  15.5

  91

  Wolverhampton

  21.8

  86

  21.2

  84

  19.9

  81

  17.8

  82

  St Helens

  21.1

  87

  22.9

  77

  20.5

  79

  23.2

  54

  Hanngey

  20.9

  88

  19.8

  89

  16.6

  89

  17.3

  85

  Wdltham Forest

  20.9

  88

  17.7

  91

  12.7

  94

  11.3

  95

  Liverpool

  19.7

  90

  20.7

  85

  19.4

  84

  17.9

  81

  Bradford

  19.1

  91

  17.8

  90

  16.9

  88

  16.0

  89

  Sandwell

  19.0

  92

  17.4

  92

  15.5

  92

  14.6

  92

  Inner London Boroughs'

  18.6

  93

  17.4

  92

  15.9

  91

  16.1

  88

  Knowsley

  16.6

  94

  11.6

  96

  8.5

  96

  10.0

  96

  Newham

  14.5

  95

  14.3

  94

  14.9

  93

  14.3

  93

  Barking and Dagenham

  12.4

  96

  13.6

  95

  11.3

  95

  11.8

  94

  Total

  30.9

  28.6

  25.8

  24.4

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a list of local education authorities in England in rank order by the percentage of pupils achieving three A levels in the last year for which information is available, showing in each case(a) that percentage and (b) the rank order position and percentage for each of the previous four years.

  School leavers statistical file 1990–91 revised 3 July 1992 Maintained schools only

  Percentage of school leavers with three or more A/AS level passes

  1988–89 to 1990–91

  1987–88 to 1989–90

  1986–87 to 1988–89

  1985–86 to 1987–88

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Buckinghamshire

  21.8

  1

  18.5

  1

  15.6

  2

  13.5

  3

  Barnet

  21.3

  2

  18.1

  2

  18.0

  1

  17.7

  1

  North Yorkshire

  18.6

  3

  16.9

  3

  13.8

  3

  12.9

  4

  Sutton

  18.3

  4

  13.3

  11

  13.8

  4

  14.4

  2

  Stockport

  16.7

  5

  14.0

  8

  12.4

  8

  10.5

  17

  Wirral

  16.5

  6

  15.2

  4

  12.8

  6

  11.1

  11

  Cheshire

  16.4

  7

  14.2

  6

  11.6

  15

  11.2

  10

  Northumberland

  16.2

  8

  14.7

  5

  12.5

  7

  11.4

  9

  Kingston upon Thames

  16.1

  9

  12.3

  17

  11.6

  15

  10.7

  14

  Cambridgeshire

  15.6

  10

  13.0

  13

  10.3

  21

  7.9

  41

  Hertfordshire

  15.4

  11

  13.7

  9

  11.8

  13

  9.9

  19

  Solihull

  15.2

  12

  12.0

  20

  11.7

  14

  11.7

  7

  Enfield

  14.7

  13

  12.3

  17

  10.1

  24

  8.9

  29

  18
  Mr. Forman
  The attached table gives details of the estimated percentage of school leavers achieving three or more A/AS level passes in rank order. The latest available data are based on a 10 per cent sample of school leavers aggregated over three years (1988–89 to 1990–91) in order to reduce sampling errors. The aggregated figures for the earlier years are also shown.
  19

  1988–89 to 1990–91

  1987–88 to 1989–90

  1986–87 to 1988–89

  1985–86 to 1987–88

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Trafford

  14.7

  13

  12.4

  15

  12.4

  8

  12.3

  5

  Berkshire

  14.6

  15

  14.2

  6

  12.9

  5

  11.5

  8

  Warwickshire

  14.5

  16

  13.0

  13

  11.9

  11

  10.6

  16

  West Sussex

  14.3

  17

  12.4

  15

  10.6

  18

  9.5

  21

  Sefton

  13.6

  18

  12.3

  17

  10.4

  20

  11.0

  13

  Gloucestershire

  13.6

  18

  12.0

  20

  10.6

  18

  9.3

  25

  Cumbria

  13.3

  20

  11.7

  23

  11.0

  17

  10.1

  18

  Surrey

  13.3

  20

  13.1

  12

  11.9

  11

  12.0

  6

  East Sussex

  12.9

  22

  11.1

  29

  10.1

  24

  8.7

  32

  Leicestershire

  12.8

  23

  11.5

  27

  10.3

  21

  9.6

  20

  Bromley

  12.7

  24

  13.4

  10

  12.2

  10

  11.1

  11

  Bedfordshire

  12.7

  24

  9.6

  43

  9.0

  36

  8.6

  34

  Hereford and Worcester

  12.7

  24

  11.7

  23

  10.1

  24

  9.4

  23

  Kent

  12.7

  24

  11.1

  29

  9.6

  30

  9.4

  23

  Bolton

  12.5

  28

  10.7

  31

  9.1

  34

  9.3

  25

  Cleveland

  12.5

  28

  10.4

  35

  9.1

  34

  8.4

  37

  Rotherham

  12.3

  30

  11.6

  26

  9.3

  32

  7.9

  41

  North Tyneside

  12.1

  31

  10.6

  32

  8.2

  46

  7.3

  51

  St. Helens

  12.0

  32

  10.1

  39

  9.2

  33

  8.5

  35

  Calderdale

  12.0

  32

  11.3

  28

  9.0

  36

  8.9

  29

  Kirklees

  12.0

  32

  11.9

  22

  9.8

  28

  9.0

  27

  Redbridge

  11.7

  35

  10.6

  32

  10.2

  23

  10.7

  14

  Leeds

  11.6

  36

  9.3

  47

  8.3

  45

  7.8

  44

  Essex

  11.4

  37

  10.0

  40

  8.6

  40

  7.7

  45

  Lincolnshire

  11.3

  38

  9.5

  44

  8.9

  38

  8.4

  37

  Bexley

  11.1

  39

  10.3

  36

  7.9

  50

  8.5

  35

  Manchester

  11.1

  39

  9.9

  42

  8.6

  40

  7.5

  48

  Wigan

  11.1

  39

  10.2

  37

  9.7

  29

  9.0

  27

  Shropshire

  11.1

  39

  10.5

  34

  9.4

  31

  8.8

  31

  Staffordshire

  11.1

  39

  9.5

  44

  8.6

  40

  7.6

  46

  Dorset

  10.8

  44

  8.6

  54

  7.2

  59

  6.8

  59

  Croydon

  10.7

  45

  9.5

  44

  7.2

  59

  7.4

  49

  Hampshire

  10.6

  46

  9.1

  49

  8.0

  48

  7.3

  51

  Oxfordshire

  10.4

  47

  10.2

  37

  10.0

  27

  9.5

  21

  Isle of Wight

  10.3

  48

  11.7

  23

  8.6

  40

  6.2

  66

  Salford

  10.1

  49

  6.8

  75

  8.2

  46

  7.9

  41

  Tameside

  10.1

  49

  10.0

  40

  8.7

  39

  8.1

  39

  Nottinghamshire

  10.1

  49

  9.3

  47

  8.0

  48

  7.0

  56

  Ealing

  10.0

  52

  8.1

  63

  7.7

  53

  6.1

  70

  Wiltshire

  10.0

  52

  8.3

  60

  7.0

  64

  5.8

  73

  Birmingham

  9.7

  54

  8.5

  57

  6.7

  68

  5.8

  73

  Avon

  9.6

  55

  8.8

  52

  7.7

  53

  7.0

  56

  Hillingdon

  9.5

  56

  7.7

  69

  6.1

  77

  5.6

  75

  Merton

  9.5

  56

  8.3

  60

  7.5

  56

  7.6

  46

  Havering

  11.4

  58

  7.2

  74

  6.3

  75

  6.7

  60

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  9.3

  59

  7.4

  73

  6.1

  77

  5.3

  82

  Walsall

  9.1

  60

  8.9

  51

  7.9

  50

  7.4

  49

  Sheffield

  9.1

  60

  7.6

  71

  7.2

  59

  6.3

  63

  Derbyshire

  9.1

  60

  9.0

  50

  7.8

  52

  7.1

  54

  Devon

  9.1

  60

  7.7

  69

  6.7

  68

  6.3

  63

  Doncaster

  9.0

  64

  8.5

  57

  8.4

  44

  7.3

  51

  Norfolk

  8.7

  65

  7.5

  72

  6.5

  72

  6.1

  70

  Lancashire

  8.4

  66

  7.8

  68

  6.3

  75

  6.2

  66

  Bradford

  8.3

  67

  6.4

  78

  5.9

  79

  5.2

  83

  Humberside

  8.3

  67

  7.9

  66

  7.2

  59

  6.9

  58

  Northamptonshire

  8.3

  67

  8.4

  59

  6.7

  68

  6.6

  61

  Suffolk

  8.3

  67

  8.2

  62

  7.4

  57

  26.

  66

  Dudley

  8.2

  71

  8.7

  53

  7.0

  64

  6.1

  70

  Oldham

  8.2

  71

  8.1

  63

  7.2

  59

  5.5

  77

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  8.2

  71

  8.6

  54

  6.8

  66

  6.2

  66

  Wolverhampton

  8.0

  74

  6.7

  77

  6.5

  72

  5.6

  75

  Hounslow

  7.9

  75

  8.0

  65

  7.4

  57

  6.3

  63

  Brent

  7.7

  76

  8.6

  54

  6.4

  74

  5.4

  78

  Waltham Forest

  7.4

  77

  5.5

  83

  3.6

  89

  3.8

  90

  Liverpool

  7.2

  78

  7.9

  66

  7.6

  55

  7.1

  54

  Coventry

  7.0

  79

  5.9

  81

  6.7

  68

  5.4

  78

  Gateshead

  7.0

  79

  4.2

  88

  4.7

  84

  4.7

  85

  Somerset

  7.0

  79

  5.3

  84

  4.2

  88

  3.9

  88

  Harrow

  6.5

  82

  6.3

  79

  5.5

  82

  8.0

  40

  Durham

  6.4

  83

  5.8

  82

  5.5

  82

  5.4

  78

  Sunderland

  5.7

  84

  6.0

  80

  4.3

  87

  3.4

  91

  Sandwell

  5.6

  85

  4.1

  89

  2.9

  93

  2.6

  94

  Rochdale

  5.2

  86

  6.8

  75

  6.8

  66

  6.4

  62

  Wakefield

  5.0

  87

  5.3

  84

  4.5

  86

  4.3

  87

  Bury

  4.9

  88

  3.7

  91

  5.6

  81

  8.7

  32

  Inner London Boroughs

  4.5

  89

  4.4

  87

  4.6

  85

  4.5

  86

  Haringey

  4.2

  90

  3.9

  90

  3.6

  89

  3.9

  88

  20 21

  1988–89 to 1990–91

  1987–88 to 1989–90

  1986–87 to 1988–89

  1985–86 to 1987–88

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Rank

  Barnsley

  4.0

  91

  5.2

  86

  5.7

  80

  5.4

  78

  Barking and Dagenham

  3.7

  92

  3.5

  92

  3.3

  91

  3.4

  91

  Knowsley

  3.1

  93

  2.3

  95

  1.3

  95

  2.0

  95

  Newham

  2.0

  94

  2.4

  94

  2.6

  94

  2.9

  93

  South Tyneside

  1.3

  95

  2.8

  93

  3.2

  92

  4.9

  84

  Richmond upon Thames

  0.0

  96

  0.0

  96

  0.0

  96

  0.0

  96

  Total

  10.8

  9.6

  8.5

  7.8

  Note: The figures used in this reply have been estimated from the School Examination Survey, formerly the School Leavers Survey. This survey is based on a 10 per cent. sample and therefore the estimated LEA figures have been aggregated over three years in order to reduce the effect of sampling errors.

  Some local education authorities provide a substantial proportion of their A level teaching in tertiary or other establishments than secondary schools. The tables do not include statistics showing results arising from such provision.

  Pre-school Education
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received concerning the standard spending assessment criteria for under-fives provision in Lancashire.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has received letters from several hon. Members who represent Lancashire constituencies, including the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms. Anderson).

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of three and four-year-olds are in nursery education in Britain.

  Mr. Forth
  Nursery education in Wales and Scotland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland. Fifty-one per cent. of three and four-year-olds attended maintained and independent schools in England in January 1991. The figure for maintained schools alone was 48 per cent., that for maintained nursery schools and nursery classes of primary schools was 25 per cent.

  Student Numbers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has had from the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals concerning the real-terms increase in funding required to cope with growth in student numbers as regards(a) buildings, (b) plant and equipment, (c) academic and (d) non-academic staff.

  Mr. Forman
  My right hon. Friend received the CVCP's statement on the 1992 public expenditure survey which was published last May, covering all of these areas. The CVCP's views will be taken into account alongside advice from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and others.

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consultations he has had, or intends to initiate, with statutory, religious, professional, charitable, and voluntary organisations whose current function or roles are of significance in the operation of the schools system, as presently in operation, prior to the publication of a Bill designed to implement the proposals descrilbed in Cm. 2021.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has already received some 850 responses to his White Paper proposals. He, his 22
  ministerial colleagues and his officials at the Department for Education have also held meetings with representatives of the local authority associations, the churches and other interested bodies. All these responses and comments will be carefully considered before the publication of a Bill.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his statement concerning the savings he expects to accrue from the reduction, or elimination, of claimed surplus places in schools, on page 57 of Cm. 2021, if he will state the approximate amount of actual expenditure he hopes to save, together with the relevant arithmetical calculations.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department is currently consulting LEAs on the scope for removing surplus places on the basis of its estimate that in 1991 there were up to 1.5 million surplus places in England. The costs associated with surplus places vary considerably according to the particular circumstances, and not all of them can practicably be removed. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested at this stage.

  School Reports
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the local education authorities that issued a school report to parents of their child's progress at the end of the 1991–92 school year.

  Mr. Forth
  The duty to send all parents an annual written report on their child's progress rests with the head teachers of all maintained schools. In 1992, head teachers were required to send written annual reports in respect of all school pupils of, and above, compulsory school age.

  School Sizes
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education in the calculation of teaching space per pupil place in secondary schools, what add-on factor of space he requires to permit teaching of small classes or groups, minimum movement of staff or pupils, and flexibility in construction of the timetable.

  Mr. Forth
  The requirements as to minimum teaching area in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 apply to the school as a whole based on the number and age of the pupils. The only specific requirement for the disposition of this area relates to study and social accommodation for pupils who have attained the age of 16. The details of the organisation of the teaching area are a matter for the school. No minimum area standard is
  23
  specified for the movement of staff or pupils but the regulations do require that school buildings shall be adequate for the "convenient passage of persons".

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will state the current area of floor space now constituting a place within each primary and secondary school, respectively, together with the minimum areas he expects or requires to be allocated to teaching, circulation, assembly, kitchen and eating, staff, storage, and convenience or other non-teaching space, as an actual proportion of floor space for both categories of school.

  Mr. Forth
  The minimum teaching areas for maintained and grant-maintained schools are set out in schedule 4 of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981. They are related to the number and age of pupils in the school. There are no statutory minimum area requirements for circulation, assembly, kitchen and eating, staff, storage or other non-teaching space, which are a matter for local discretion, subject to the general requirements of the regulations.

  Mature Students
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations she has received about tuition fees and grant aid for mature students who withdrew from courses in the past, and who now wish to recommence further education; and if he will make a statement relating to award regulations.

  Mr. Forman
  My right hon. Friend receives representations from time to time on this matter. Under the present regulations, a mandatory award is not normally available for a second higher education course if a student has previously attended a higher education course of more than two years' duration with the help of an award. But, exceptionally, a student whose previous attendance did not exceed one term and seven weeks of a second term, or was at a long term residential adult education college, is eligible for another mandatory award. The regulations also allow a student to transfer with a mandatory award from one course to another, in certain circumstances. A student ineligible for a mandatory award may apply to his local authority for a discretionary award.

  Religious Education
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 713, what plans he has for funding the standing advisory committees for religious education, or their equivalents, if plans described in Cm. 2021, are implemented.

  Mr. Forth
  Under the proposals set out in the White paper, "Choice and Diversity" (Cm. 2021), local education authorities would remain responsible for establishing and funding standing advisory councils on religious education.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will establish a pay review body for higher education academic staff.

  Mr. Forman
  As we have made clear on a number of occasions in the House and elsewhere, my right hon. Friend has no intention of establishing such a pay review body.

  GCSE
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he requested Her Majesty's inspectorate of education to consider and report on the three aspects of the GCSE examinations in its recent report; and if he will indicate the date and nature of similar requests previously made by a Secretary of State and the reference of the relevant published report.

  Mr. Forth
  The recent report on GCSE examining standards in 1992 is the only published report by HMI on the conduct of GCSE examinations. It was not specifically commissioned by my right hon. Friend, but the previous Minister of State did ask HM inspectorate to monitor awarding procedures with especial care following concerns expressed by them in connection with the 1991 examinations.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what evidence he has as to the cost of providing each pupil with the Shakespearian texts he has added to the GCSE syllabuses; and how much extra he is allocating to schools to meet this expenditure.

  Mr. Forth
  The works of Shakespeare have traditionally been included in most GCSE English syllabuses. My right hon. Friend, however, decided that 14-year-olds should be tested on their knowledge of a Shakespeare play—chosen from "Julius Caesar", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Romeo and Juliet"—in the first national curriculum tests of this age group in English in 1993. The plays selected were chosen in part because a supply of at least one of the chosen plays can be found in most schools.

  Some schools may need to top up their current stock. In doing so, schools will be able to draw on the £15 million worth of schools' expenditure specifically on national curriculum books which the Government have supported through the 1992–1993 grants for education support and training programme.

  Special Needs Pupils
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to introduce proposals to amend the Education Act 1981 in order specifically to state which authority has the responsibility for providing therapy back-up for special needs pupils.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department's circular 22/89 on "Assessments and Statements of Special Educational Needs: Procedures within the Education, Health and Social Services" contains guidance on the need for local education authorities to work closely with district health authorities and social services departments on the provision of non-educational services to pupils with special educational needs.

  The addendum to circular 22/89, published in March 1992, offers further advice to authorities on responsibilities for the provision of speech therapy. I do not consider that any further clarification of the responsibility for providing speech and other therapy services is necessary.

  A-Levels
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on his proposals to increase access to higher education for students unable to succeed at the A-level exams.
  25
  Mr. Forman
  Universities and colleges are responsible for setting entry standards to ensure that students have the necessary intellectual competence to benefit from higher education. A-levels are traditional indicators of such competence, but they are by no means the only ones.

  Institutions are becoming more prepared to consider qualifications other than A-levels and their Scottish equivalent. More than 20 per cent. of those entering full-time first degree courses in 1990 did so on the basis of such qualifications. We welcome such flexibility, and are promoting the development of vocational and other routes into higher education.

  We are introducing general national vocational qualifications—GNVQs—which offer a broadly based preparation for work and an alternative ladder to higher education. GNVQs at level 3 will be as demanding as A-levels.

  We have encouraged the development of access courses for mature students without traditional entry qualifications for higher education. There are now well over 1000 such courses.

  Education Expenditure
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of the national income was spent on education in(a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c)

  Mr. Forman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Financial year

  UK general Government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP

  1978–79

  5.4

  1984–85

  5.0

  1991–921

  5.0

  1Estimated.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in respect of determining the current expenditure limit on the basic needs building costs of a new secondary school place, what ratio is assumed between the notional number of pupils in the school and the actual pupil capacity in learning space at any one time which is the minimum necessary to ensure the essential flexibility required in a timetable for a fully occupied school meeting the requirements of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Forth
  In determining the distribution of annual capital guidelines to LEAs, allowance for the provision of new schools places is made on the basis of cost multipliers. These reflect the average cost of providing a new school place. They are based on actual LEA building projects, which are themselves subject to the space provision requirements of the school premises regulations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what proposals he has to obtain relief for British business men whose firms have suffered from the freezing of Iraqi assets held in the United Kingdom;

  (2) what action he intends to take to deal with the release of Iraqi funds held in the United Kingdom for (a) the settlement of United Kingdom creditors' claims in respect of legitimate trade with Iraq prior to the imposition of sanctions and (b) the financing of trade in goods not embargoed under United Nations Security Council resolutions.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  United Nations Security Council Resolution 778 provides for the temporary sequestration of certain unencumbered frozen Iraqi assets to be paid into a UN-administered account to fund UN operations in Iraq and to provide interim funding for the UN compensation commission and fund. The resolution expressly forbids the release of assets for the financing of trade in goods not embargoed, except to the sub-account of the UN escrow account or directly to the United Nations for humanitarian activities in Iraq.

  British companies may claim from the compensation fund for direct losses as a result of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait. Losses resulting from the operation of the UN embargo and related measures are not within the scope of the compensation commission. The same is true of debts and obligations of Iraq arising prior to 2 August 1990, which should be pursued through the normal mechanisms.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that the essential aim of the British Government's action in the post-Gulf war situation should be the establishment of peace and democracy in Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We aim to ensure that Iraq implements its obligations under all the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions in full. These include the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction so that Iraq can never again build a capacity to threaten its neighbours with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons; and arrangements for compensation for those who suffered as a result of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

  We want to see a democratic and pluralistic system in Iraq in which all sectors of the population would enjoy respect for political and human rights. It is difficult to see how this can be achieved while Saddam Hussein remains in power.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the number of Iraqi Shias sheltering in the marshes; what information he has of air attacks on Iraqi Shias in the marshes and of the continued use by Iraqi forces of chemical weapons; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is difficult to obtain accurate information about the number of people in and around the marshes of southern Iraq but we believe that there are about 200,000 people in the area. There have been no flights of Iraqi aircraft over the marshes since the
  27
  imposition of the no-fly zone on 27 August. We have no conclusive evidence of the use of chemical weapons by Iraqi forces.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the safety and protection of the Tamil community during the present military security actions now taking place in Sri Lanka.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have frequently made clear our concern to the Government of Sri Lanka that they should conduct the anti-terrorist campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam with full respect for the security and human rights of civilians. I emphasised this during my recent visit there. We shall continue to watch the situation closely.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Sri Lanka concerning human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have taken every opportunity to raise human rights issues with the Sri Lankan authorities, including during my recent visit there. There has been a marked improvement in Sri Lanka's human rights performance over the last year. We shall continue to watch the situation closely.

  Law of the Sea
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the informal consultations which the United Kingdom Government have been participating in regarding the United Nations convention on the law of the sea.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom Government participated in the last round of informal consultations convened by the Secretary General in August 1992, with a view to resolving the difficulties over the seabed mining provisions of the United Nations convention on the law of the sea (part XI).

  There was some progress in analysing the problem areas and we shall be participating in the next round of consultations.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 June,Official Report, column 410, if he will list the seven research projects, detailing the institutions involved and the value of each project; and what change in the number of these projects in universities and polytechnics there has been since 1979.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The seven research projects referred to in my answer of 29 June were as follows:

  (a) Cambridge university, department of pure mathematics and mathematical studies, research fellowship, £109,683 over three years.

  (b) Oxford university, Merton college research fellowship (this fellowship is with the college as a whole rather than with college department), £109,000 over three years.

  (c) York university, department of electronics, electrical screening measurements, £101,823 over three years.

  28

  (d) York university, department of electronics, induction field wave impedence effects, £53,055 over three years.

  (e) Leicester university, department of physics, development and construction of data collection and processing unit for HF radio propagation measurements, £33,151 over one year.

  (f) Leicester university, department of physics, analysis of HF radio propagation measurements with reference to high latitude effects, £35,392 over three years.

  (g) Leicester university, department of physics, analysis of HF radio propagation measurements, £64,849 over one year.

  All these projects are still current (or have been renewed) except for that with York university on induction wave impedence.

  The foregoing list omitted two recently signed contracts with York university for:

  (h) classification of fax image, worth £5,000.

  (i) research support in the field of communications simulation and modelling, worth £14,547.

  A further contract has since been signed with the Gloucester college of higher education for work on fax image counter orientation image worth £10,000.

  The number of projects is subject to change, but to the best of GCHQ's knowledge in the time available there were four contracts current in 1979, with the universities of Loughborough, Leicester, Birmingham and Surrey. The total value of these was £69,000 in 1979.

  European Union
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attempts he has made to extend the provisions of title VI, article K.3(2) of the Maastricht treaty permitting initiation by member states to cover other aspects of Community policy making.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Article K3.2 is one of the provisions governing intergovernmental cooperation, where the Community institutions operate under different rules than under the treaty of Rome. The article could not therefore he extended to cover areas of Community policy.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to alter the status of the United Kingdom within the United Nations as a result of article J2(3) of the treaty on European union.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The text of the treaty on European union does not necessitate any alteration of the status of the United Kingdom within the United Nations. Article J.5(4) of the treaty safeguards the United Kingdom's ability to fulfil its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council effectively.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the overseas responsibility of the United Kingdom, including the dependencies of Hong Kong and the Falkland islands, and in Cyprus and Belize, of the common foreign and security policy under article J1(1) of the treaty on European union.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Implementation of the common foreign and security policy under article J1(1) of the treaty on European union will not alter the United Kingdom's existing overseas responsibilities. Further, the "Declaration on the representation of the interests of the overseas countries and territories referred to in article 227(3) and (5) (a) and (b) of the Treaty establishing the European Community" (annexed to the Maastricht treaty)
  29
  confirms our right and that of other member states to represent the interests of their dependencies in the exceptional case of a divergence between their interests and those of the union. Nor will the common foreign and security policy affect the United Kingdom's military commitments in Cyprus and Belize.

  European Ombudsman
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government will take to facilitate any inquiries into maladministration by European Community institutions in the United Kingdom which might be made by the Ombudsman of the European Parliament.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Since the ombudsman is to enquire into maladministration by Community institutions or bodies it will be for those institutions and bodies themselves to facilitate his or her inquiries.

  Cyprus
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take during the forthcoming round of talks on Cyprus to be held in New York under the auspices of the Secretary General of the United Nations to effect a resolution of the issue of the Greek Cypriots who have been missing since 1974; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The problem of missing persons is one of the most tragic aspects of the Cyprus dispute. We are making every effort to support the United Nations Secretary General in his work for a just overall settlement in Cyprus.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the response or his Department to Council of Europe Document 6589 on the demographic structure of the Cypriot communities; and if this response will be made when this document is discussed at the Council of Europe meeting in Strasbourg in October.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office regards Council of Europe document 6589 as a useful contribution to the limited knowledge on this subject.

  This response was not given when the report came before the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly as the Members of Parliament who attend it to speak in their own capacities and not as Government representatives.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy as to the extent to which officers of the British High Commission in Cyprus should encourage British parliamentarians on visits to Cyprus to visit the occupied areas in the north; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  As a courtesy to visiting parliamentarians, our High Commissioner in Nicosia offers to arrange appointments with members of either Cypriot community or both.

  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps towards permitting international commercial air services to northern Cyprus direct from the United Kingdom.
  30
  Mr. Garel-Jones
  No. Direct flights to northern Cyprus are permitted by no country except Turkey.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many diplomats serve in the United Kingdom commission in Nicosia, Cyprus; how many of these have previous experience of service in Greece and Turkey; and what is his policy on ensuring a balance of experience in this high commission office.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  There are 15 accredited diplomats in the British high commission, Nicosia. Of these two have previously served in Greece. Our policy on staffing the high commission is to ensure that the best available officers are sent to Nicosia and that both Turkish and Greek speakers are on the staff.

  UK Nationals (Deaths Abroad)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps have been taken to record the number of United Kingdom nationals who die abroad.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our posts report, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office records, the deaths of British nationals abroad in the following circumstances:(a) where substantial assistance of a consular official has been requested, and provided:
  and/or
  (b) where consular death registration has been effected.
  There is no requirement for the death of a British national overseas to be registered at a British consulate.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make further representations to the Spanish Government to secure the prosecution of those responsible for the death of Gary Maher in Tenerife in 1985.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Spanish authorities investigating this case concluded in August 1992 that there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution, and the case was closed. It can be re-opened at any time if new evidence is produced.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to facilitate a second opinion on the diagnosis of Spanish doctors to ensure that they do not misdiagnose the cause of death of United Kingdom nationals in Spain.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  One way of obtaining a second opinion on the cause of death of a British national in Spain, following an inquest in Spain, is to repatriate the body to the United Kingdom. When the body of a British national dying abroad from other than natural causes is repatriated to this country, coroners in England and in Wales must hold an inquest. In Scotland the Procurator Fiscal's office is not obliged to conduct a fatal accident inquiry.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances an autopsy is performed or an inquest held on United Kingdom subjects who have died abroad.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The decision to hold an autopsy or inquest overseas on a United Kingdom subject who has died abroad follows the law of the land in which the person died.
  31
  Where the body of a British national dying abroad from other than natural cause is repatriated to this country, coroners in England and Wales must hold an inquest. In Scotland the Procurator Fiscal's office is not obliged to conduct a fatal accident inquiry.

  A coroner may call for an autopsy should he consider one necessary to complete the inquest.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Spanish Government over United Kingdom nationals who are left untreated in hospital wards pending checks on their insurance cover.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have not been notified of any such cases.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Spanish Government to ensure that a full court hearing is held in Spain on the death of Gary Maher in Tenerife in 1985; and what explanation he has received for the delay.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It would be wrong for us to try to influence Spanish judicial procedures. The Spanish authorities have already decided, after a full investigation, that the criminal case should be closed because of insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution. The civil case, which is a private matter, continues.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he has made or intends to make in the procedures for informing relatives when British citizens die abroad on holiday.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Following a recent case in which the organisation which had undertaken to break the news of a British national's death overseas to the next of kin failed to do so, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has introduced procedures for checking in all cases that such undertakings are met.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to commence BBC World Service broadcasts to Uzbekistan in Uzbeki and to Albania in Albanian.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no plans at present for the BBC World Service to introduce an Uzbek service to Uzbekistan. Broadcasts in Albanian to Albania will commence shortly, as soon as the BBC World Service has recruited the necessary staff. The planned output will be one hour per day.

  CSCE
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the resolutions passed at the first meeting of the CSCE Assembly, held in Budapest.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 9 July 1992 at column 278.

  Association Agreements
  Mr. George Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to proceed with ratification of the association agreements with(a) Poland, (b) Czechoslovakia and (c) Hungary.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Draft Orders in Council designating the EC association agreements with Poland and Hungary as Community treaties under section 1 of the European Communities Act 1972 will be laid before Parliament shortly. United Kingdom ratification will be concluded once the designation procedure has been completed. This requires affirmative resolutions from both Houses of Parliament. No further steps will be taken at this stage on the Czechoslovakia agreement pending decisions on the future of the federation.

  Treaty of Rome
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has made to amend the treaty of Rome to allow non-European states to become EC members.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The treaty of Rome provides that any European state may apply for membership of the Community. There are no proposals to amend the treaty to allow non-European states to become EC members.

  European Security Policy
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he will propose to the structure of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in the light of the implementation of a common European security policy by article. J1 of the treaty on European union.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The position of the United Kingdom as a signatory of the North Atlantic treaty will not be affected by a common foreign and security policy. The Maastricht treaty (article J.4.4) makes it clear that the common foreign and security policy"shall respect the obligations of certain member states under the North Atlantic treaty and be compatible with the common security and defence policy established within that framework."

  Macedonia
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will open diplomatic relations with Macedonia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Since Her Majesty's Government have not recognised the republic as an independent state, the question of opening diplomatic relations has not arisen.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I am not responsible for any regulatory measures.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what actions have been taken at the United Nations to ensure that the proposed referendum in the western Sahara takes place;

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Government of Morocco concerning the referendum in the western Sahara; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  During my visit to Morocco earlier this year, I underlined the need for parties to co-operate fully with the UN Secretary General in his efforts to resolve this dispute. Differences over who should be eligible to vote in the proposed referendum have delayed the implementation of the UN settlement plan, but the Secretary General and his special representative have been working hard to try to overcome these differences. The Secretary General is expected to make a further report to the Security Council in the next few weeks. As a permanent member of the Security Council, we shall continue to give our full support to the Secretary General.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of France concerning the referendum in the western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Officials have regularly discussed the Western Sahara with the French. It has been discussed at ministerial level in the framework of European political co-operation.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Bangladesh concerning the allegations of human rights abuse in the Chittagong hill tracts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We continue to be concerned about reports of human rights abuses in the Chittagong hill tracts. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Department. raised the matter with the Bangladesh Home Minister on 29 September.

  International Investments Ltd., Gibraltar
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate the circumstances which led to the collapse of International Investments Ltd., Gibraltar, and seek compensation for British subjects whose investments were misappropriated.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 14 July 1992 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in reply to a previous question on this subject by the hon. Member for Antrim, East (Mr. Beggs) International Investments Limited was registered in Gibraltar, not in the United Kingdom, and this is therefore a matter for the Gibraltar authorities, not Her Majesty's Government.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conclusions he has reached as a result of studying the recent Argentinian/ Chilean joint declaration concerning territorial disputes; what are the implications for the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  There are no implications for the future of the islands: sovereignty is not for negotiation. We have repeatedly made that clear to the Argentine Government, and have reminded them and the Chilean Government of that since the joint declaration.

  Russia (Seal Culling)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what written representations he has made to the Russian authorities concerning seal culling; if he will make it his policy to place a copy of any such representations in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We continue to draw the attention of the Russian authorities to public concern in the United Kingdom about the seal culling.

  Consular Services
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the circumstances under which he advises British holidaymakers abroad to contact the consular services.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are numerous circumstances in which British holidaymakers abroad may seek help or advice from British Consulates. They include:

  i. heightened danger from civil unrest;

  ii. arrest and/or imprisonment;

  iii. death of a British national or serious injury;

  iv. lost or stolen passports, tickets or money;

  v. need for help with repatriation;

  vi. requests for general information, such as names of lawyers, doctors, dentists, translators;

  vii. requests for travel advice.

  China (Death Penalty)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations have been made to the Government of China about the use of the death penalty in that country for offences other than murder.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have made no specific representations on this point. The Chinese Government have been made aware repeatedly of the widespread concern in this country about human rights abuses of all kinds which occur in China.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when it is intended for names to be put on the list of those held to be responsible for crimes against humanity in the current fighting in the former Yugoslavian state; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  UN Security Council resolution 771 calls on all states to submit substantiated information
  35
  on "grave breaches" of international humanitarian law in the former Yugoslavia to the UN Secretary-General. Her Majesty's Government will submit any such information they receive as requested.

  South Africa
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the British Council on the encouragement of cultural exchanges between Britain and South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The British Council's policy in South Africa is to promote Britain's role as a key partner

  Number of Visits to UK (including British Council fellows)

  Financial support

  Number of Visits from UK

  Financial support

  (£)

  (£)

  1989–90

  English Language

  13

  21,868

  4

  4,893

  Science and technology

  6

  35,024

  —

  —

  Education and social science

  50

  132,433

  8

  15,913

  The arts

  4

  17,314

  2

  2,791

  Total

  73

  206,639

  14

  23,597

  1990–91

  English language

  5

  17,182

  3

  13,844

  Science and technology

  —

  —

  4

  2,508

  Education and social science

  41

  90,121

  18

  38,840

  The arts

  6

  22,016

  5

  10,784

  Total

  52

  129,319

  30

  66,016

  1991–92

  English language

  7

  16,683

  6

  19,376

  Science and technology

  4

  8,826

  1

  1,065

  Education and social science

  47

  96,622

  15

  25,493

  The arts

  6

  16,992

  3

  9,969

  Total

  64

  139,123

  25

  55,903

  British Council
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commomwealth Affairs what are the total funds available to the British Council for supporting cultural exchanges in the current financial year; and if he willl provide a breakdown of the application of these funds by country.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government are giving the British Council grants-in-aid of £116.99 million to support cultural exchanges(including development activities) in the current year.

  British Council country allocations for cultural exchanges in 1992–93 are as follows:

  £000

  Eastern and central Europe

  Bulgaria

  1,463

  Croatia

  1496

  Czechoslovakia

  3,138

  Hungary

  2,902

  Poland

  3,655

  Romania

  1,277

  Slovenia

  1482

  Yugoslavia

  11,093

  Countries with no directorate

  12

  Former Soviet Union and Baltic countries

  Baltic countries

  281

  36
  in education, science, technology and culture by providing British expertise and assistance to those who will be in positions of authority and influence within a democratic, multiracial society. This policy enjoys the full support of the Government.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the cultural exchange visits between Britain and South Africa funded by the British Council in each of the last three financial years; and what was the financial support provided in each case.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is as follows:

  £000

  Russia

  12,870

  Ukraine

  11,481

  Western Europe

  Austria

  750

  Belgium and Luxembourg

  1,370

  Cyprus

  168

  EC: EC Relations Office

  183

  UKRHEEO

  149

  France

  3,266

  Germany

  6,793

  Greece

  1,044

  Ireland

  296

  Italy

  4,240

  Malta

  147

  Netherlands

  823

  Nordic countries

  1,139

  Portugal

  1,343

  Spain

  2,639

  Turkey

  2,622

  Countries with no directorate

  136

  Middle east and north Africa

  Algeria

  792

  Bahrain

  305

  East Jerusalem

  997

  Egypt

  1,334

  Ethiopia

  565

  Israel

  1,336

  Jordan

  634

  37

  £000

  Kuwait

  447

  Morocco

  395

  Oman

  316

  Qatar

  353

  Saudi Arabia

  854

  Sudan

  577

  Syria

  250

  Tunisia

  423

  United Arab Emirates

  353

  Yemen

  189

  Countries with no directorate

  544

  Asia Pacific

  Brunei

  100

  China

  2,105

  Hong Kong

  2,119

  Indonesia

  1,455

  Japan

  5,086

  Malaysia

  1,427

  Philippines

  340

  Singapore

  974

  South Korea

  1,359

  Thailand

  747

  Countries with no directorate

  151

  South Asia

  Bangladesh

  645

  Burma

  248

  India

  4,162

  Nepal

  157

  Pakistan

  1,272

  Sri Lanka

  516

  Countries with no directorate

  0

  South Africa

  South Africa

  847

  Sub-Saharan Africa

  Botswana

  181

  Cameroon

  427

  Ghana

  404

  Kenya

  620

  Lesotho

  216

  Malawi

  300

  Mauritius

  250

  Mozambique

  72

  Namibia

  147

  Nigeria

  1,486

  Senegal

  418

  Sierra Leone

  337

  Swaziland

  63

  Tanzania

  292

  Uganda

  180

  Zambia

  386

  Zimbabwe

  451

  Countries with no directorate

  57

  Latin America and the Caribbean

  Argentina

  856

  Brazil

  2,975

  Caribbean

  378

  Chile

  751

  Colombia

  577

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  January

  299

  346

  357

  313

  337

  February

  353

  344

  359

  345

  342

  March

  374

  269

  368

  344

  381

  April

  266

  351

  358

  284

  213

  May

  348

  342

  390

  406

  415

  June

  380

  363

  426

  409

  557

  July

  424

  364

  532

  492

  564

  August

  309

  338

  390

  414

  443

  September

  274

  321

  342

  420

  474

  October

  332

  373

  397

  44

  —

  38

  £000

  Ecuador

  214

  Mexico

  959

  Peru

  545

  Venezuela

  606

  Countries with no directorate

  163

  North America, Australia and New Zealand

  Australia

  1,214

  Canada

  710

  New Zealand

  496

  United States of America

  670

  Grand total

  116,988

  1Provisional only. All other figures are based on the Council's financial estimates for 1992–93.

  British Council
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the total funds expended by the British Council in each of the past five years in(a) southern Greek Cyprus and (b) northern Turkish Cyprus.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British Council expenditure since 1987–88 is as follows:

  Northern Cyprus

  Southern Cyprus

  £

  £

  1 1987–88

  63,279

  78,635

  1988–89

  193,184

  212,059

  1989–90

  179,912

  218,464

  1990–91

  272,653

  294,468

  1991–92

  236,675

  366,278

  1 Statistics for technical co-operation training programme not available before 1988–89.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records are kept of personal interventions made by hon. Members in respect of visa applications for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No records are available before 1988. The hon. Member will be aware that the correspondence unit of the migration and visa department which was set up in May 1989 deals specifically with inquiries about entry clearance applications made at posts overseas. Details about the Unit were last circulated to hon. Members under cover of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs' letter of 24 April 1992. From 1988 to date the Department and subsequently the unit has handled 20,850 inquiries from hon. Members as follows:
  39

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  November

  282

  421

  354

  374

  —

  December

  234

  279

  288

  335

  —

  TOTALS

  3,875

  4,111

  4,561

  4,577

  3,726

  Whaling
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the effect on Norway's proposed membership of the EC of its policy of continuing commercial whaling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel Jones
  Many members of the public have expressed their opposition to Norway's recent decision to resume commercial whaling. The Government regret this decision, which we hope will be reconsidered. Community legislation prohibits trade in whale products and requires member states to protect whales; new members will be expected to accept this legislation.

  El Salvador
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest information he has on the abuse of trade union members in El Salvador; and if he will make a statement.

  Next Steps—Executive agencies established

  Agency

  Launch date

  Staff1

  Accounts Services Agency

  1 October 1991

  90

  ADAS

  1 April 1992

  2,500

  Building Research Establishment

  2 April 1990

  700

  Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments)

  2 April 1991

  230

  Central Office of Information2

  5 April 1990

  670

  Central Science Laboratory

  1 April 1992

  370

  Central Statistical Office

  19 November 1991

  1,090

  Central Veterinary Laboratory

  2 April 1990

  590

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment3

  2 April 1991

  600

  Civil Service College

  6 June 1989

  230

  Companies House2

  3 October 88

  1,070

  Compensation Agency4

  1 April 1992

  150

  Defence Analytical Services Agency3

  1 July 1992

  150

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre3

  1 July 1992

  180

  Defence Postal and Courier Services3

  1 July 1992

  600

  Defence Research Agency

  2 April 1991

  12,150

  Directorate General of Defence Accounts3

  1 April 1991

  2,130

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  2 April 1990

  4,580

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency4

  1 April 1992

  250

  Driving Standards Agency

  2 April 1990

  2,080

  Duke of York's Royal Military School

  1 April 1992

  100

  DVOIT

  1 April 1992

  590

  Employment Service

  2 April 1990

  38,400

  Fire Service College2

  1 April 1992

  160

  Forensic Science Service

  1 April 1991

  600

  Historic Royal Palaces

  1 October 1989

  330

  Historic Scotland

  2 April 1991

  630

  HMSO2

  14 December 1988

  3,250

  Hydrographic Office3

  6 April 1990

  860

  Insolvency Service

  21 March 1990

  1,470

  Intervention Board

  2 April 1990

  980

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  30 October 89

  340

  Land Registry

  2 July 1990

  9,800

  Medicines Control Agency

  11 July 1991

  300

  Meteorological Office

  2 April 1990

  2,390

  Military Survey3

  2 April 1991

  1,300

  National Engineering Laboratory

  5 October 1990

  390

  National Physical Laboratory

  3 July 1990

  830

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  18 April 1989

  50

  Natural Resources Institute

  2 April 1990

  440

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation3

  1 April 1992

  1,510

  40
  Mr. Garel Jones
  We are deeply concerned by recent reports of deaths of, and threats to, trade unionists and others in El Salvador. We continue to urge restraint on all concerned, to allow full implementation of the peace agreement signed in Mexico City on 16 January.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Next Steps Agencies
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all the next steps agencies and indicate the date on which they began operating, the number of staff each employs and the personnel costs each agency is incurring or is estimated to incur on an annual basis.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  The information requested in respect of launch dates and staff numbers is as follows. Personnel costs for each agency are not held centrally: further details may be obtained from individual agency annual reports or direct from the appropriate chief executive.
  41

  Agency

  Launch date

  Staff1

  NHS Estates

  1 April 1991

  120

  Occupational Health Service

  2 April 1991

  100

  Ordnance Survey

  1 May 1990

  2,380

  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland4

  1 April 1992

  210

  Patent Office2

  1 March 1990

  1,080

  Planning Inspectorate

  1 April 1992

  630

  Public Record Office

  1 April 1992

  440

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  6 July 1989

  60

  Queen Victoria School

  1 April 92

  60

  Radiocommunications Agency

  2 April 1990

  520

  RAF Maintenance3

  2 April 1991

  13,300

  Rate Collection Agency4

  1 April 1992

  270

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

  2 April 1991

  240

  Registers of Scotland

  6 April 1990

  1,280

  Royal Mint2

  2 April 1990

  1,020

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  1 April 1992

  140

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  12 April 1991

  210

  Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)3

  24 April 1991

  2,300

  Social Security Agency4

  1 April 1992

  5,350

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  2 April 1991

  63,100

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  2 April 1991

  8,000

  Social Security Information Technology Services Agency

  2 April 1990

  4,000

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  24 May 1989

  520

  Teachers' Pensions Agency

  1 April 1992

  300

  The Buying Agency2

  31 October 1991

  110

  Training and Employment Agency4

  2 April 1990

  1,670

  Transport Research Laboratory

  2 April 1992

  580

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  2 April 1992

  1,250

  Valuation Office

  30 September 1991

  5,200

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  2 April 1990

  80

  Vehicle Inspectorate2

  1 August 1988

  1,820

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  2 April 1990

  80

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  20 April 1989

  310

  Wilton Park Conference Centre

  1 September 1991

  30

  75 in number

  211,890

  Customs and Excise5 (30 Executive Units)

  1 April 1991

  26,800

  Inland Revenue5 (34 Executive Offices)

  1 April 1992

  62,100

  Total6

  300,790

  TOTAL CIVIL SERVANTS7

  291,050

  1 October 1991 figures for civil servants and armed forces personnel. Casuals are excluded. Part-time staff are counted as half units.

  2 Trading Fund.

  3 Defence Support Agency.

  4 Northern Ireland civil service.

  5 Departments operating fully on 'Next Steps' lines. Staffing figure for Inland Revenue excludes the Valuation Office which is a free standing agency.

  6 Includes 8,440 armed forces personnel in Ministry of Defence Agencies, and 1,300 locally engaged staff in service children's schools, north west Europe.

  7 Includes 7,900 civil servants in agencies of the Northern Ireland civil service.

  Scientists and Technologists
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what efforts are being undertaken by his Department to attract more scientists and technologists into the senior ranks of the civil service.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  Under the policy of fair and open competition for civil service posts the Civil Service Commissioners within my Department see that many appointments for scientists and technologists are widely publicised. These include appointments at senior level, including agency chief executives and heads of research establishments, posts in the scientific and engineering fast stream and, more widely, the full range of opportunities for scientists and technologists to work in the civil service. In addition, Departments, agencies and research establishments publicise their own vacancies.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what research his Department has undertaken concerning the relationship between the use of pesticides and the incidence of atopic illness.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  None. Neither the Agricultural and Food Research Council nor the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid through my office, are supporting any research projects specifically on the relationship between the use of pesticides and the incidence of atopic illness.

  The research councils are always ready to consider, in competition with other applications, soundly based research proposals.

  Civil Research and Development
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to raise the Government's share of the funding of civil research and development and to set a target date for achieving such a goal.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. It would be wrong for the Government to set a target for their share in the funding of total civil research and development—R and D—not least because this share would vary as a result of decisions on R and D funding by the private sector and other bodies. The Government fund the R and D they need on the basis or merit and value for money, consistent with what can be afforded.

  EC Biomedical and Health Programme
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what monitoring he has undertaken of the biomedical and health programme of the EC.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Office of Science and Technology maintains contact with developments through officers of the Medical Research Council, who represent the United Kingdom on the programme advisory committee.

  Table of submissions to Rossendale advisory committee for consideration as Justices and numbers appointed to the Lancashire Commission

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Submissions

  Men

  2

  3

  4

  5

  7

  9

  Women

  4

  2

  2

  2

  13

  7

  Labour

  Men

  1

  1

  1

  2

  Women

  2

  1

  Conservative

  Men

  2

  1

  3

  2

  3

  2

  Women

  2

  1

  2

  2

  6

  5

  Liberal Democrat

  Men

  Women

  1

  Other not declared

  Men

  1

  3

  3

  5

  Women

  2

  1

  4

  1

  Appointments

  Men

  2

  1

  3

  2

  1

  4

  Women

  1

  1

  5

  1

  Labour

  Men

  Women

  1

  I

  Conservative

  Men

  2

  1

  3

  2

  1

  1

  Women

  1

  1

  3

  Liberal Democrat

  Men

  Women

  1

  Other not declared

  Men

  3

  Women

  Deletions by the advisory committee and number remaining for future consideration

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Deletions

  Men

  1

  1

  2

  6

  2

  Women

  1

  1

  2

  1

  6

  4

  Labour

  Men

  1

  1

  Women

  1

  Conservative

  Men

  2

  1

  Women

  2

  1

  2

  3

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I do not have responsibility for any regulatory measures.

  Justices of the Peace
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list for each year since 1987, the number of people submitted for consideration as justices of the peace in Rossendale broken down by(a) gender and (b) political affiliation; if he will indicate how many of these have not been approved, both as a total number and a percentage of all submissions; and if he will specify the criteria for the appointment of justices of the peace.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The statistics requested are set out in the tables.
  45

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Liberal Democrat

  Men

  Women

  Other not declared

  Men

  1

  2

  3

  1

  Women

  1

  1

  3

  1

  Future Consideration

  Men

  1

  1

  3

  Women

  2

  1

  2

  2

  Labour

  Men

  I

  2

  Women

  1

  Conservative

  Men

  1

  2

  Women

  1

  Liberal Democrat

  Men

  Women

  1

  Other not declared

  Men

  1

  1

  Women

  1

  Number of names considered and deleted

  Total names considered

  Names deleted

  Percentage of names deleted

  1987

  6

  1

  16.66

  1988

  5

  2

  40.00

  1989

  6

  3

  50.00

  1990

  7

  3

  42.85

  1991

  20

  12

  60.00

  1992

  16

  6

  37.50

  As regards criteria for the appointment of magistrates, these are set out in a handbook for the guidance of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's advisory committees on the appointment of justices of the peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. This broadly follows the pattern of the handbook from the Lord Chancellor's Department. The deliberations of my advisory committee in Rossendale are, of course, confidential.

  A candidate's political persuasion is neither a qualification nor disqualification for appointment as a magistrate. Political persuasion as well as other factors such as age and experience are taken into account in order to try and achieve a bench which broadly reflects the area it serves.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Trevi Group
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will publish a list of the Trevi group of Ministers and officials;

  (2) if he will list the meetings of the Trevi group since 1990 and the Ministers and officials who attended in each case.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There is one Trevi ministerial meeting held during every EC Presidency, which is attended by the Minister from each EC member state with responsibility for interior and justice matters. In the United Kingdom this is the Home Secretary. Ministers are supported by officials normally from their respective Departments. In the United Kingdom these are from the Home Office.
  46
  Ministers who have attended Trevi ministerial meetings since 1991 are Mr. Kenneth Clarke—Lisbon, June 11–12 1992, Mr. John Patten—The Hague, 1–2 December 1991 and Mr. Kenneth Baker— Luxembourg, 13–14 June 1992.

  Individual Trevi working group meetings are attended by a delegation led by officials from each interior and justice ministry of the EC. United Kingdom delegations comprise Home Office officials and, generally, a police representative.

  I have written to the hon. Member with dates of Trevi working group and ministerial meetings since January 1991, which is when full records are available. These are repeated in the table.

  Records of the dates of meetings of the TREVI group are not held centrally before 1991. The following meetings have taken place since then:

  30 September 1992— I October 1992

  TREVI Working Group III

  18 September 1992

  Ad Hoc TREVI/Immigration Ministers

  3–4 September 1992

  TREVI Working Group I

  20–21 July 1992

  TREVI Working Group III

  9–10 July 1992

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  2–3 July 1992

  TREVI Senior Officials TROIKA

  11–12 June 1992

  TREVI/Immigration Ministers

  14–15 May 1992

  TREVI Senior Officials

  9–10 April 1992

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  19–20 March 1992

  TREVI Working Group III

  27–28 February 1992

  TREVI Working Group II

  30–31 January 1992

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  23–24 January 1992

  TREVI Working Group I

  2–3 December 1991

  TREVI/Immigration Ministers

  21–22 November 1991

  TREVI Senior Officials

  7–8 November 1991

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  24–25 October 1991

  TREVI Working Group I

  7–8 October 1991

  TREVI Working Group III

  26–27 September 1991

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  19–20 September 1991

  TREVI Working Group II

  9–10 September 1991

  TREVI Working Group III

  4 July 1991

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  3 July 1991

  TREVI Senior Officials

  13–14 June 1991

  TREVI/Immigration Ministers

  30–31 May 1991

  TREVI Senior Officials

  18–19 April 1991

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  28 March 91

  Ad Hoc TREVI/Immigration Ministers

  14–15 March 1991

  TREVI Working Group III

  1 March 1991

  TREVI Working Group II

  14–15 February 1991

  TREVI Working Group I

  31 January–1 February 1991

  TREVI 1992 Working Group

  22 January 1991

  Ad Hoc TREVI/Immigration Ministers

  47
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what decisions were taken by the Trevi group of Ministers in the past 36 months; and if he will deposit a copy of the decisions in the Library;

  (2) what was on the agenda for the meetings of the Trevi group of Ministers, during the past 36 months; and if he will place copies of the agenda in the Library.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Successive Secretaries of State for the Home Department have reported to the House on the decisions of Trevi and Immigration Ministers by means of a written answer after each ministerial meeting. I refer the hon. Member to the replies given on those occasions: 7 July 1992, column 132; 20 December 1991, column 351; 20 June 1991, column 242; 18 December 1990, column 110; 4 July 1990, column 582; 20 December 1989, column 276

  Asylum
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions the United Kingdom Government have taken part in relating to EC-wide measures to introduce compulsory fingerprinting for all asylum seekers.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  EC Immigration Ministers meeting in The Hague in December 1991 agreed that a feasibility study should be undertaken of a Communitywide system for matching the fingerprints of asylum applicants in order to detect multiple and successive applications being made in different member states. This work is continuing.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were detained in Her Majesty's prisons during the past 24 months; and what was the most frequent period of custody to the nearest month.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, on 7 October 1992 a total of 138 asylum seekers had been detained in prisons, including Haslar, for more than seven days. Of these 32 had been detained for less than one month, 20 for between one and two months, 46 between two and six months and 40 for over six months.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries immigration officials will be required to make of immigration officials in another member state in order to assure the admissibility of an asylum seeker being returned to another member state under the 1990 Dublin convention, before such person is so returned.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Under the terms of articles 11 and 13 of the Dublin convention (Cm. 1623), where a member state considers that another member state is responsible for examining an application for asylum it may request that member state to take charge of or take back the applicant. That member state is obliged to respond to the request within specified timescales, and in so doing it will indicate whether or not the applicant is admissible to its territory.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of seniority an immigration officer must have to make a decision to return an asylum seeker 48
  to another member state of the European Community as permitted by the 1990 Dublin convention and whether such a decision will be reached and implemented without a reference to the asylum and special cases unit at the immigration and nationality department.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  All decisions to refuse an application for asylum are taken by the asylum and special cases division and not by immigration officers. This will remain the position when such decisions are made under the terms of the Dublin convention (Cm. 1623).

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards will be taken to ensure that all relevant information, including the presence of family members, which affects the member state responsible for determining an asylum application under the 1990 Dublin convention, is obtained and considered before a decision is reached.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Article 15 of the Dublin convention (Cm. 1623) provides that each member state shall communicate to any member state which requests it such information on individual cases as is necessary for determining the member state responsible for examining an application for asylum. The member state that forwards the information must ensure that it is accurate and up to date. The applicant has the right to know what information is being exchanged concerning him or her and to have it corrected or erased if it is inaccurate. Where the removal of an asylum applicant is contemplated on third country grounds the applicant will also be invited as at present to explain why the United Kingdom should be considered the most appropriate country of refuge, and if there are any compassionate factors or family links which weigh against removal. All these matters will be considered before a final decision on removal is made.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what precautions are taken under the 1990 Dublin convention to ensure that all information about the identity of the asylum seeker and the nature of his application are kept confidential and are not revealed to unrelated third parties, including crew members of carriers.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Article 15 of the Dublin convention (Cm 1623) contains safeguards on the transmission and storage of information about asylum applicants. It sets limits on what information may be exchanged between member states on individual asylum applicants for the purposes of implementing the convention and requires that information shall be exchanged only between specially designated authorities in each member state. The article requires all exchanges of information to be recorded and limits the period during which information can be retained. It requires any computerisation of such information to be compatible with the 1981 Strasbourg convention on data protection. Crew members of carriers or other third parties are not informed of the basis of a person's application for admission or further leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest proposals of the group of EC Ministers concerned with immigration on the position
  49
  of a person who is being removed or deported through another member state who applies for political asylum in transit.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No specific proposals have been made, but in general these circumstances are covered by the convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Communities— the Dublin convention, Cm 1623. Article 3.1 of the convention makes it clear that every application for asylum will be considered by one of the member states. Which member state is responsible will depend upon the precise circumstances of the case.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost in producing and processing the Asylum Bill in Session 1991–92.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The readily available information suggests that staff costs of £48,000 were incurred in the Home Office.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the numbers of staff who determine asylum claims; and how many of the proposed number are now in post.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  On 1 October 1992 there were 495 staff in post in the asylum division. Of those, 350 staff, including clerical support, are involved in the determination of asylum claims. Present plans provide for the total number of staff in the asylum division to rise further, to about 550, next year.

  Immigration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what evidence an immigration officer decides that a passenger has arrived from another member state of the European Community.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In some cases, most notably at the channel ports, the immediate point of departure will be self-evident. Otherwise, where there is any doubt, the immigration officer takes into account the passenger's own statement and such documentary evidence as is available, including endorsements in travel documents, travel tickets and carriers' records.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 July,Official Report, column 775, if he will make a statement on progress under the United Kingdom presidency on the work programme of EC Ministers concerned with immigration.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Progress is being made under the United Kingdom Presidency on a number of matters identified in the work programme adopted in December 1991 by EC Ministers concerned with immigration. We are carrying forward the work begun under the Portuguese Presidency on the harmonisation of family reunification policy; and have introduced proposals concerning the admission of non-EC nationals for purposes of employment. We are also working towards an agreement on the expulsion of illegal immigrants and on a resolution on manifestly unfounded asylum applications. There has been continuing progress on practical measures to prepare for the implementation of the Dublin asylum convention and the draft external frontiers convention.
  50
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) further to his answer to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Fraser) of 15 July,Official Report, column 77, what policy implications for United Kingdom immigration law stem from the progress made under the Portuguese presidency on family reunification; and what changes to primary or secondary legislation are required;

  (2) what administrative measures may need to be taken to implement the progress made on family reunification under the Portuguese presidency of the EC Ministers concerned with immigration.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Discussion of family reunification policy did not reach a sufficiently advanced stage during the Portuguese Presidency to enable conclusions to be drawn about the possible implications for United Kingdom law and practice.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of precisely which areas of family reunification discussions are currently taking place in the EC group of Ministers concerned with immigration.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The basic issues being addressed are which family members are to be admitted to join third-country nationals resident in a member state and under what conditions.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been agreed with the other EC Ministers concerned with immigration for the transit through member states of persons removed or deported.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No arrangements have yet been agreed with other EC Ministers. However, draft guidelines have been prepared, which it is intended should be considered by EC immigration Ministers at their meeting at the end of November. These recommend that, where possible, removal of third-country nationals through other EC member states should be avoided; that, where such a removal is necessary, for example in the interests of efficiency, speed or economy, the removing state should make satisfactory arrangements for the individual's onward journey; and that there should be proper consultation with the transit state on such matters as documentation and the use of escorts.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to change the green form legal aid option for immigraiton advice and representations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My noble Friend the Minister of State announced on 10 February in another place, column 459–60, that the Government did not intend to proceed with the proposal to transfer advice on immigration and asylum from the green form legal aid scheme to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service. Green form legal aid continues to be available in immigration and asylum cases.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what matters were discussed by the ad hoc group of Home Affairs Ministers responsible for immigration matters in the European Community at its meeting on 10 and 11 September; and if he will make a statement as to decisions or agreements reached at that meeting, the areas in which discussions are on going, and the form in which conclusions will be presented to Parliament.
  51
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The ad hoc working group on immigration is composed of senior officials. It reports to EC Immigration Ministers, who meet towards the end of each Presidency. At its meeting on 10–11 September, the group discussed a range of issues, including admission for the purpose of employment, implementing work in respect of the draft external frontiers convention and the practices to be followed by member states as regards the expulsion of third country nationals unlawfully present in their territories. Discussions will continue on these and other matters in preparation for consideration by Ministers.

  My right hon. and learned Friend will report to the House in the usual way the conclusions of the meeting of Immigration Ministers due to take place in London at the end of November.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all EC directives, draft directives and other EC proposals which currently pertain to immigration, nationality and asylum.

  Salary scales

  London

  Elsewhere

  Grade

  Number of Staff employed in grade on 30 September 1992

  Range minimum

  Range maximum

  Range minimum

  Range maximum

  Grade 3 (chief inspector)

  1

  51,272

  59,280

  49,920

  57,928

  Grade 5 (director)

  2

  37,589

  49,790

  36,019

  47,921

  Grade 6 (deputy director)

  3

  28,904

  44,390

  27,660

  42,724

  Grade 7 (assistant director)

  16

  25,330

  36,019

  24,239

  34,469

  Inspector

  72

  19,815

  23,082

  19,616

  22,618

  Senior executive officer

  6

  18,082

  22,618

  17,361

  21,715

  Chief immigration officer

  316.5

  16,333

  18,833

  16,004

  18,454

  Higher executive officer

  18

  14,456

  18,454

  13,880

  17,718

  Immigration officer

  1,832

  12,411

  15,682

  12,161

  15,366

  Executive officer

  55

  10,440

  14,753

  10,024

  14,165

  Assistant immigration officer

  49

  9,405

  11,138

  8,790

  10,409

  Administration officer

  133

  9,405

  11,138

  8,790

  10,409

  Administration assistant

  108.5

  7,175

  9,405

  6,706

  8,790

  Senior personal secretary

  1

  12,752

  14,599

  11,917

  13,644

  Personal secretary

  12

  9,405

  11,521

  8,790

  10,768

  Typist

  35

  7,175

  9,405

  6,706

  8,790

  Note: Progression on the salary depends on performance

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the ad hoc group of Home Affairs Ministers in the European Community responsible for immigration matters, what treaties, agreements, resolutions or protocols are currently being considered by the group; when the group will next meet; and if he will publish the names of sub-groups, the person chairing them and the frequency of meetings.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The ad hoc working group on immigration is composed of senior officials. It meets approximately eight times a year and reports to Ministers concerned with immigration matters. The group will meet next on 12–13 November. Work currently in hand in the group under the immigration and asylum work programme agreed at Maastricht in December 1991 includes the preparation of resolutions for adoption by Ministers on manifestly unfounded asylum applications, harmonisation of family reunification policy, and expulsion practice. Other areas under discussion include admission for employment and transit for the purposes of
  52
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The area covered by Community law is that of free movement and residence rights for EC nationals and their families. The operation of these rights is currently governed by Council directives 64/221/EEC; 68/360/EEC; 72/194/EEC; 73/148/EEC; 75/34/EEC; 75/35/EEC; 90/364/EEC; 90/365/EEC and 90/366/EEC; and by regulations EEC No. 1612/68, EEC No. 1251/70 and EEC No. 2194/91. A Commission document, COM(90)108, contains proposals to amend regulation EEC No. 1612/68 and directive 68/360/EEC. These proposals are currently under discussion.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out in tabular form the annual salary scales for those employed in the immigration service up to and including the permanent secretaries and Ministers, giving the numbers employed at each grade.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The information is set out in the tables:

  removal. The current chairman is Mr. A. R. Rawsthorne, an Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the Immigration and Nationality Department of the Home Office.

  There are currently five sub-groups reporting to the ad hoc group, each chaired during the United Kingdom Presidency by a senior official of the Immigration and Nationality Department, as follows:

  Sub group

  Chairman

  Admission/Expulsion

  Mr. N. R. Varney/Mr. C. B. Manchip

  Asylum

  Mr. N. C. Sanderson

  External Frontiers

  Mr. N. R. Varney

  False documents

  Mr. C. B. Manchip

  Visa

  Mr. R. G. Yates

  The frequency of meetings varies, but a total of 22 days had been allocated in total to meetings of the sub-groups during the United Kingdom Presidency.

  Carriers Liability
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the United Kingdom Government have fined airlines under the provisions of the Immigration (Carriers Liability) Act 1987 in the past 24 months.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The total of sums demanded of airlines under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 for the two years up to 31 August 1992 was about £24 million.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the provisions of the carriers liability schemes which exist in the OECD countries.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The following is a list of the OECD countries which we understand have carriers' liability schemes, with the charges which may be imposed on carriers in each case.

  Australia

  $1,000 Aus (approximately £430)

  Belgium

  100,000 BgF (£2,070)

  Canada

  $100–$5,000 Can. (£50£2,500)

  France

  10,000 FF (£1,260)

  Germany

  2,000–5,000 DM (£850£2,135)

  Italy

  170,000–500.000 Lira (£80£240)

  Turkey

  $3,000 US (£1,785)

  United Kingdom

  £2,000

  United States of America

  $300–$3,000 (£175£1,785)

  Schengen Group
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what liaison takes place between the United Kingdom and the Schengen group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There are no formal liaison arrangements between the United Kingdom and the Schengen states, although the Schengen presidency has on occasion briefed British officials on developments in implementing the Schengen convention. There are, however, frequent contacts between United Kingdom Ministers and officials and their counterparts in the Schengen states, both bilaterally and in the course of discussions among the Twelve.

  Commissioner Bangermann
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with EC Commissioner Bangermann.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  At my meeting with Vice-President Bangemann on 1 September, it was agreed that 54
  we should avoid disputes over the interpretation of article 8A of the treaty of Rome and should concentrate instead on practical measures to make it as easy as possible for EC nationals including British citizens to enter and leave the United Kingdom. Discussions with the Commission are continuing.

  Child Abuse
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to change the legislation regarding the cross-examination of child witnesss in cases of alleged child abuse, neglect and sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  None, at present. The Criminal Justice Act 1991 introduced new provisions relating to the taking of evidence from children. These provisions derive from the recommendations of Judge Pigot's advisory group and are designed to reduce the stress of criminal proceedings for child witnesses.

  In particular, video recorded interviews with child witnesses will now be admissible in place of a child's evidence in chief and the availability of live television links for abused children giving evidence and being crossexamined—introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1988 —will be extended. Under no circumstances will the accused be allowed to question a child in person.

  We will be monitoring the effectiveness of these reforms and in the light of experience with them will, of course, consider whether any further changes are needed.

  United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest position over the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service and its replacement; if the UKIAS staff and offices have been retained; if he will name the members of the replacement committee and where appropriate the organisations they represent; what arrangements have been made for the election of an executive of the new body; what funding it will receive from the Government; and what response has been made by the UKIAS staff to the replacement committee.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I announced in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) on 8 July, column 202–3, that Mr. Humfrey Malins had been invited to lead a planning group outside Government to draw up proposals for a new voluntary body to take over UK IAS's general immigration work and in due course to establish such a body. The members of the group are Baroness Flather, Mr. Alf Dubs, Dr. Z. U. Khan and Ms. Rachel Pickavance. All have been invited to participate as individuals, not as representatives of particular organisations. The planning group hopes by the end of the year to put forward recommendations on the constitution and structure of the new organisation. The group would welcome views from any interested party.

  On 24 July UKIAS appointed a standing executive committee, separate from the previous executive committee, to administer the organisation while the planning group does its work. This is chaired by the Reverend David Haslam of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland and the members are Mr. Navnit Dholakia of the Commission for Racial Equality, Mrs. Helen Ellis of the Kent Committee for the Welfare of Migrants. Mr. Bob

  55
  Purkiss of the Trade Union Congress and Mrs. Sabiha Shahzad of the National Association of Race Equality Councils. In addition, Mr. Victor Kasinathan is the treasurer and Mr. Andrew Puddephat of Liberty is a co-opted member. The Government are providing funds on a monthly basis so that UKIAS's staff, working from the existing offices, can continue to provide advice and representation for appellants until the successor body is established.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to continue the services currently offered by UKIAS.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) on 8 July,Official Report, column 202–3.

  Faroes Citizens
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules govern the settlement of citizens of the Faroes in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Faroe Islanders are not EC nationals and do not, therefore, enjoy the free movement rights set out in the treaty of Rome. Any applications for settlement in the United Kingdom fall to be decided in accordance with the immigration rules.

  Metropolitan Police
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out in tabular form the annual salary scales for the ranks of commander to commissioner for the Metropolitan police and show for each rank all other allowances payable.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  Table 1 (Salaries)

  Rank

  Salary on promotion

  Salary after one year

  Salary after three Years

  Salary after five years

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Commander

  46,542

  46,542

  47,709

  47,709

  Deputy Assistant Commissioner

  53,031

  53,031

  54,354

  55,683

  Assistant Commissioner

  66,288

  66,288

  67,944

  69,603

  Annual salary with effect from 1 September 1992

  On appointment/promotion

  After 1 year

  After 21 years

  After 3 years

  After 4 years

  After 5 years

  After 6 years

  After 7 years

  After 8 years

  After 12 years

  After 15 years

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Constable

  12,555

  13,425

  15,807

  16,179

  16,713

  17,289

  17,838

  18,390

  18,933

  20,043

  20,952

  Sergeant

  20,043

  20,952

  21,690

  22,407

  22,992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Inspector

  22,992

  23,709

  24,636

  25,368

  26,103

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  24,228

  24,903

  25,785

  26,577

  27,357

  Chief Inspector

  26,103

  26,835

  27,564

  28,299

  29,037

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  27,357

  28,026

  28,749

  29,514

  30,279

  Superintendent

  35,508

  36,414

  37,314

  38,556

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36,414

  37,128

  37,839

  38,556

  56

  Rank

  Salary on promotion

  Salary after one year

  Salary after three years

  Salary after five years

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Deputy Commissioner

  75,138

  75,138

  77,016

  78,894

  Commissioner

  87,620

  87,620

  87,620

  87,620

  Table 2 (Allowances)

  Officers (excluding the Commissioner) may qualify for the following allowances:

  Allowance

  Rate

  Housing Allowance

  £6,529.30 pa Commanders and Deputy Assistant Commissioners

  £7,544.96 pa Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioner

  Rent Allowance

  £7,890.00 pa Commanders and Deputy Assistant Commissioners

  £9,153.00 pa Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioner

  London Allowance

  £1,011.00 pa

  London Weighting

  £1,344.00 pa

  Supplementary rent Allowance

  £726.12 pa

  Uniform Allowance

  £287.00 pa

  Permanent Plain Clothes Allowance

  £284.72 to Commanders and Deputy Assistant Commissioners

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to how many radio control rooms there are in divisional and other units of the Metropolitan police; and what is the total number of police officers and civilians employed in them.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In addition to the central command complex at New Scotland Yard, there are 69 divisional control rooms and 11 others in specialist units, with a total staff of 726 police officers and 477 civilians.

  Police Salaries
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out in tabular form the annual salary scales for the ranks of police constable to chief superintendent with effect from 1 September; and in the case of London, if he will show for each rank and scale point the London allowance, special London allowance and maximum rent allowance payable, respectively.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  57

  On appointment/promotion

  After 1 year

  After 21 years

  After 3 years

  After 4 years

  After 5 years

  After 6 years

  After 7 years

  After 8 years

  After 12 years

  After 15 years

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Chief Superintendent

  39,480

  40,044

  40,941

  41,919

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Entry point for those aged 22 or over, who will move to the next point after three years' service.

  Note: London salaries in italics.

  London Allowance £ 1,011 (for All Ranks)

  London Weighting £ 1,344 (for All Ranks)

  Maximum limits of transitional rent allowance

  Federated Ranks

  Superintendents and Chief Superintendents

  £

  £

  Metropolitan

  5,863.65

  6,802.00

  City of London

  5,864.00

  6,802.00

  Standard rate housing allowance

  Federated Ranks

  Superintendents and Chief Superintendents

  £

  £

  Metropolitan

  4,836.51

  5,610.83

  City of London

  4,807.00

  5,577.00

  New Refugee Unit
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for establishing a network of advice offices for applicants and appellants regarding political asylum status outside London for the new refugee unit.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It is for the refugee legal centre, as the new refugee unit is now called, to decide where it locates its advice offices. I understand that it has no plans to establish advice offices outside London at present, since the great majority of the centre's clients live in the London area.

  Police (BMW Motor Cycles)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police forces that have fleets of BMW 1000cc K100-RT motor cycles; what is the strength of that fleet; how many have been taken out of service during the last 12 months as a precautionary safety measure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Earlier this year, the Association of Chief Police Officers issued advice to forces on measures which could be taken to improve the stability of these and other motorcycles.

  Carl Bridgewater
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long he has had the report from Merseyside police into the Carl Bridgewater murder; and when he expects to reach a decision regarding the cases of the three men who received life sentences for this offence.

  Mr. Jack
  The report was received at the end of July and its findings are now being very carefully considered. Once this exercise is completed my right hon. and learned Friend will decide as soon as possible whether there are grounds for any action on his part.

  Prevention of Terrorism
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce proposals to amend the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 to take account of the role of the press with a view to freedom of expression and the provision of legitimate information to the public.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No.

  Nuisance
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police forces that are currently using the Justices of the Peace Act 1361 instead of the Public Order Act 1986 to combat anyone causing a nuisance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The only extant power from the Justices of the Peace Act 1361 is for magistrates to make binding over orders. Information on the number of orders made under the 1361 Act and on the circumstances leading to the making of those orders is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Probation Officers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals he has to alter the funding arrangements and selection procedures for probation officers; and what consultations he has had with the National Association of Probation Officers, Central Council for the Training of Social Workers and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals regarding such changes and their timing;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the training of probation officers.

  Mr. Jack
  The funding arrangements for students starting courses which would qualify them for entry to the probation service were revised in the summer. This followed a decision by the special commissioners of taxes that Home Office payments to probation students were not
  59
  taxable, with the consequence that national insurance deductions, too, would not be appropriate. Following this decision we reviewed the grant arrangements and concluded that probation students should now receive their grants in the same way as the majority of social work students, but at a higher rate in view of the additional training involved. The selection procedures have not been altered. Discussions about the new arrangements have taken place with the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work and the National Association of Probation Officers. We have received a number of representations from the association and from individual students.

  Lord-Lieutenants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the names and (b) the occupation of each Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lord-Lieutenant currently in post in England and Wales; who is responsible for their nomination; and what (i) salary and (ii) honoraria, allowance or expenses each receives.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend's responsibilities are limited to the reimbursement of certain expenses to Lord-Lieutenants, and the appointment of Deputy Lieutenants, in England. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, upon whose behalf I am also replying, has similar responsibility in Wales.

  Lord-Lieutenants are appointed by the Queen under section 130 of the Reserve Forces Act 1980, on the advice of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Deputy Lieutenants are appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant under section 133 of the Act, subject to Her Majesty's non-disapprobation, which is signified as appropriate by the Secretary of State for the Home Department or the Secretary of State for Wales. There are some 2,250 Deputy Lieutenants in England and Wales and a list of their names and occupations could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Lord-Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants are unsalaried. Lord-Lieutenants, but not Deputy Lieutenants, may claim from central funds reimbursement of the cost of travel, postage, telephone calls and other non-entertainment expenses incurred in the course of their official duties.

  Reginald Dudley and Robert Maynard
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what actions he is taking regarding a referral back to the Court of Appeal of the convictions of Reginald Dudley and Robert Maynard following the fresh evidence submitted by their solicitor at the beginning of July.

  Mr. Jack
  I am considering the representations and material submitted to me in this case and will come to a decision as soon as I can.

  Accidents (Police Vehicles)
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out for each police force in England and Wales for each of the last 10 years, the number of persons killed or injured by police officers when driving motor vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
  60
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information which is available centrally relates to accidents where death or serious injury has arisen in the course of either police pursuits or responses to emergency calls. The information is available only from 1987 and the figures do not show the cause of the accident or the injury.

  Information in respect of the Metropolitan police is as follows:

  Year

  Fatal injury (Civilian)

  Fatal injury (Police)

  Serious injury (Civilian and Police)

  1987

  8

  0

  69

  1988

  8

  0

  103

  1989

  11

  1

  139

  1990

  6

  1

  124

  1991

  3

  0

  82

  For the other police forces in England and Wales information for 1987 is not available by force, but it is as follows:

  Fatal injury (Civilian)

  Fatal injury (Police)

  Serious injury (Civilian)

  Serious injury (Police)

  16

  8

  152

  141

  For those other forces, the information for 1988 to 1991 is set out in the table:

  Police vehicle accidents —fatal injury (police)

  Force name

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  1

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  61

  Force name

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  National summary

  0

  1

  0

  2

  Police vehicle accidents—serious injury (police)

  Force name

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  2

  2

  3

  Bedfordshire

  0

  6

  2

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  2

  0

  2

  0

  Cheshire

  2

  0

  2

  1

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  5

  0

  2

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Durham

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  3

  2

  14

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  2

  2

  0

  Greater Manchester

  5

  6

  5

  1

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  2

  2

  0

  2

  Hertfordshire

  2

  1

  1

  3

  Humberside

  2

  2

  1

  0

  Kent

  3

  2

  2

  4

  Lancashire

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Lincolnshire

  2

  2

  1

  2

  Merseyside

  10

  12

  2

  3

  Norfolk

  0

  3

  0

  0

  North Wales

  1

  5

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  6

  1

  5

  3

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Northumbria

  5

  2

  0

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  4

  0

  2

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  5

  South Yorkshire

  4

  6

  5

  4

  Staffordshire

  3

  2

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  2

  1

  2

  2

  Sussex

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  6

  1

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  West Mercia

  0

  3

  3

  0

  West Midlands

  3

  20

  19

  N/A

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Wiltshire

  2

  0

  0

  0

  National summary

  72

  89

  84

  51

  Police vehicle accidents—fatal injury (civilian)

  Force name

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Avon and Somerset

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  1

  I

  4

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  2

  1

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  3

  10

  2

  3

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Lancashire

  0

  1

  0

  4

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  1

  0

  0

  62

  Force name

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  1

  4

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales

  1

  0

  1

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  2

  2

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  0

  0

  0

  South Wales

  1

  0

  1

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  2

  1

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  1

  West Midlands

  1

  3

  0

  1

  West Yorkshire

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  National summary

  14

  25

  17

  27

  Police vehicle accidents—serious injury (civilian)

  Force name

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Avon and Somerset

  5

  2

  6

  5

  Bedfordshire

  1

  7

  0

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  6

  5

  City of London

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  1

  0

  2

  3

  Cumbria

  3

  3

  9

  2

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  5

  5

  0

  Dorset

  2

  1

  1

  4

  Durham

  0

  3

  1

  2

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  3

  4

  5

  1

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  0

  1

  Greater Manchester

  20

  8

  14

  15

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  3

  7

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  1

  5

  Humberside

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Kent

  3

  3

  3

  2

  Lancashire

  3

  2

  0

  7

  Leicestershire

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Merseyside

  31

  24

  19

  26

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales

  3

  4

  2

  1

  North Yorkshire

  9

  8

  5

  4

  Northamptonshire

  5

  1

  3

  2

  Northumbria

  0

  2

  3

  4

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  2

  0

  3

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  4

  6

  6

  9

  Staffordshire

  3

  2

  3

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  3

  0

  2

  Sussex

  0

  0

  2

  5

  Thames Valley

  0

  2

  7

  6

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  West Mercia

  0

  1

  1

  3

  West Midlands

  4

  14

  0

  n/a

  West Yorkshire

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  National summary

  107

  113

  109

  130

  Drugs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make it illegal for anyone to be in possession of the drugs(a) Clenbuterol, (b) Norditropion and (c) Gonadotrophin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  I have no present plans to do so, but I am willing to support any private Member who brings forward a Bill to make it an offence for an unauthorised person to supply anabolic steroids and related substances to minors. Precise substances to be included would need to be considered.

  Attack Deterrents
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider proposals to amend the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 to allow the importation of deterrent products using pepper against attacks.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 provides the powers for Customs to enforce the prohibition of any goods on their importation.

  Devices capable of discharging a noxious substance are classed as prohibited weapons under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968. Such weapons may be imported only under the authority of an import licence issued by the Department of Trade and Industry to importers who are authorised by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to possess them. If such weapons are imported without a licence, Customs seize them under section 49(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. We consider that spray devices, which are designed to discharge pepper into a person's eyes and face in order temporarily to incapacitate them, are prohibited weapons under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968. They could be used effectively in crime and it would not be in the public interest to permit their importation or possession.

  Mr. David Brown
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the detention by immigration officers of Mr. David Brown, of Shepherd's Bush, London, a British citizen leaving for a holiday in New York.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have written to the hon. Member.

  Drug Couriers
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are currently serving sentences of imprisonment as drug couriers(a) in total and (b) who are foreign nationals either without the right of abode in the United Kingdom, or who would be subject to deportation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information readily available does not distinguish the different types of drugs offence. On 30 June 1992, the latest date for which information is available, about 3,440 prisoners were held under sentence in prison service establishments in England and Wales for 64
  drugs offences, excluding any where drugs offences were not the principal offence. Of these about 1,020 were recorded as foreign nationals and the nationality of a further 140 was not recorded. Information on their liability for deportation on completion of sentence is not recorded centrally.

  Immigration and Nationality Department
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to bring forward proposals to convert the immigration and nationality department into an agency.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have no proposals to change the administration of the Immigration and Nationality Department at the moment.

  Safer Cities Programme
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the expenditure of his Department(a) on the safe cities programme in the past financial year and (b) on each of the cities included in that programme.

  Mr. Jack
  The total expenditure under the safer cities programme in the financial year 1991–92 was £7.2 million of which £2.0 million was for the running costs of the 20 projects including staff salaries, accommodation and other administrative expenditure. A total of £5.2 million was paid in grants to support local crime prevention activity, as follows:

  £000's

  Birmingham

  293

  Bradford

  305

  Bristol

  406

  Coventry

  383

  Derby1

  2

  Hammersmith and Fulham1

  0

  Hartlepool

  309

  Hull

  291

  Islington

  366

  Leicester1

  10

  Lewisham

  413

  Middlesbrough1

  0

  Nottingham

  307

  Rochdale

  315

  Salford

  315

  Sunderland

  264

  Tower Hamlets

  367

  Wandsworth

  274

  Wirral

  320

  Wolverhampton

  299

  1 New project established in 1991–92. There is a lead-in time of several months before new projects have an action plan and systems in place to commence grant making.

  Treaties
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish a list of all treaties, European Community documents and accounts that the United Kingdom has agreed to in the past three years.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I have been asked to reply.

  Such a list cannot be provided in Hansard without disproportionate cost. However, major treaties and agreements signed by the European Community and its

  65
  member states are listed and explained in the six monthly White Papers on "Developments in the European Community", which are deposited in the Library of the House. The most recent was published on 12 October. The Official Journal of the European Communities, which is also placed in the Library of the House, publishes in the "L" series monthly and annual indices listing legislative measures adopted by the Council of Ministers of the European Communities.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in police cells in each of the police forces in England and Wales on the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On Friday 16 October 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, the total number of prisoners held in police cells in each force area was as follows:

  Force area

  Prisoners

  Avon and Somerset

  31

  Cheshire

  33

  Cumbria

  2

  Derbyshire

  10

  Gloucestershire

  10

  Greater Manchester

  238

  Humberside

  21

  I^ancashire

  50

  Merseyside

  87

  North Wales

  7

  North Yorkshire

  11

  South Wales

  24

  South Yorkshire

  9

  Staffordshire

  10

  Surrey

  3

  Sussex

  5

  West Mercia

  38

  West Midlands

  7

  West Yorkshire

  10

  Wiltshire

  10

  Total

  616

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which local authorities and emergency services have been involved in exercises to practise the Government's contingency plan to deal with the effects in the United Kingdom of an overseas nuclear accident;

  (2) what improvements have been made to the original Government contingency plan to deal with the United Kingdom effects of an overseas nuclear accident based on exercises to practise the plan;

  (3) how frequently and on what occasions exercises have been carried out to practise the Government's contingency plan to deal with the effects on the United Kingdom of a nuclear accident occurring overseas.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department has lead responsibilities for responding to overseas nuclear accidents, under the United Kingdom's national response plan arrangements.

  There have been two exercises: the first, held in October 1988, did not involve local authorities. The second exercise was held in November 1991, and three local authorities were involved: Avon county council, Lancashire county
  66
  council and West Midlands metropolitan borough council. Emergency services were not involved in either exercise.

  Lessons learned from these exercises, and from our response to the St. Petersburg incident last March, have resulted in several improvements to internal procedures, but the national response plan itself remains unchanged from the statement made in the House on 30 June 1987, Hansard, columns 65–67, by the then Prime Minister, and subsequently set out in a booklet published by HMSO, entitled "The National Response Plan and Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET), A Statement of Proposals", copies of which are held in the Library.

HEALTH

  Psychiatric Care
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which local social services authorities do not have social workers approved under the Mental Health Act 1983 available on a 24-hour basis to deal with psychiatric emergencies which require consideration of compulsory admission to hospital.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not held centrally.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the post-qualifying system of credit accumulation for social workers and probation officers now being piloted by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.

  Mr. Yeo
  One of the aims of the Government's training strategy launched in January 1991 was to provide a coherent framework for post qualifying education and training addressing the need to improve service provision.

  The Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) post qualifying framework includes the following components:
  credit accumulation and transfer (CAT) system linked to academic awards;
  post qualifying and professional development leading to two CCETSW awards.

  The requirements made by CCETSW to implement the CAT system were developed in consultation with Council for National Academic Awards and other awarding bodies, and can link to other CAT systems including that of the Open university. When fully established, in-house training, programmes of study at educational institutions, and accreditation of prior learning will all contribute "credits" towards the post-qualifying award and the advanced award.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make it her policy to provide an impartial assessment of the adequacy of the relevant authorities' provision of social care to meet the needs of severely mentally ill people;

  (2) if she will make a statement on the finding by the social services inspectorate that in some local authorities evidence of any sense of direction in terms of mental health services is lacking.

  Mr. Yeo
  The care programme approach, implemented as from 1 April 1991, should ensure that mentally ill people
  67
  living in the community receive appropriate social care. We have asked regional health authorities to monitor its implementation consulting the regional offices of the Department's social services inspectorate as necessary.

  Under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, local authorities are required to draw up and publish their community care plans for all client groups, including mentally ill people, after consultation with a range of statutory and independent sector bodies, and users and carers.

  The White Paper "Caring for People" stresses the importance of health and local authority co-operation in planning services, and in the White Paper "The Health of the Nation", this is extended to joint purchasing of mental health services. The Ministerial Committee on Health Strategy will oversee development in respect of "Health of the Nation" and periodic reports on progress will be published.

  We are not aware of a finding by the social services inspectorate that in some local authorities evidence of any sense of direction in terms of mental health services is lacking.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost per week of psychiatric treatment in(a) an acute, (b) a long-stay ward in a specialist psychiatric hospital, (c) similar provision in a local hospital or unit and (d) long-term treatment and care in a high dependency hospital hostel.

  Mr. Yeo
  The average cost per day in 1990–91 for patients in the mental illness specialty was £55. The average costs for groups within the specialty cannot be identified separately.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the "Health of the Nation" White Paper represents a change in Government policy that the transfer of services away from large psychiatric hospitals to a balanced range of locally based services remains dependent on the actual provision of such services by health and local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  District health authorities and local authorities, as purchasers of health care, are responsible for securing a comprehensive range of psychiatric services to meet the needs of their resident populations. Health authorities will secure these services by means of contracts with national health service trusts, directly managed units and the independent sector. Local authorities will effect contracts with voluntary and private organisations, as well as providing their own services.

  The White Paper "Caring for People" stresses the importance of health and local authority co-operation in planning services, and in the "Health of the Nation" White Paper this is extended to joint purchasing of services.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that the monitoring of local authority mental health services by the social services inspectorate should be focused on authorities whose residents, or former residents, are short or long-stay patients served by those specialist psychiatric hospitals with plans to close by 1997.
  68
  Mr. Yeo
  No, since confining monitoring of services only to those mentally ill people who have been in-patients would exclude those services to people who have never been admitted to hospital for treatment.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government plans to replace the services currently provided for many patients in large psychiatric institutions for occupational and recreational therapy, long-term high dependency care, and secure wards for mentally ill offenders and others needing security, including access to fresh air and sheltered gardens or grounds.

  Mr. Yeo
  Ministers have repeatedly made clear that the closure of obsolete psychiatric institutions should be preceded by the development of adequate alternative facilities which address the health, social and security needs of the re-located people.

  The responsibility for providing these services rests primarily with district health authorities and local authority social services departments.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government plans to achieve significant improvement in the health and social functioning of severely mentally ill people.

  Mr. Yeo
  We are preparing detailed guidance to managers in both the health service and in the personal social services on their part in harnessing together the existing initiatives and new developments generated by the White Paper "Health of the Nation", to achieve demonstrable improvement in mental health services by specific target dates.

  Child Psychotherapists
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many child psychotherapists are employed(a) within the National Health Service, (b) within the west midlands region and (c) within north Staffordshire.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The most recent figures available are for September 1991 when the following whole time equivalent child psychotherapists were employed:

  Number

  Great Britain

  198.6

  West Midlands

  6.1

  North Staffordshire

  1.0

  Solvent Abuse
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to report on its proposals for targets for the reduction of solvent abuse.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is considering a broad range of issues relating to the problem of volatile substance abuse, and will report in due course.

  Social Workers (Training)
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work to ensure that approved social workers are trained to deal with the violent and potentially violent mentally ill person.
  69
  Mr. Yeo
  The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work's (CCETSW's) requirements for the training of approved social workers include prescribed training in the management of violent behaviour. CCETSW is currently reviewing its requirements to ensure that they are up-to-date and effective in preparing approved social workers for all aspects of their responsibilities and to emphasise the skills with which they must be equipped through training. The council will be formerly considering the recommendations of the review at its November meeting.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial provisions, and how much, she has made within her Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which she has responsibility.

  Mr. Sackville
  Deregulation considerations form an integral part of the Department's normal working practice in respect of both EC and domestic legislation. It is not possible to provide separate figures for the cost of work on the subject.

  Neuroscience
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the names and distances from Westminster of the nearest six hospitals offering neuroscience services.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is as follows:

  Miles

  The Middlesex hospital

  2.0

  The National hospital

  2.5

  St. Bartholomews hospital

  2.75

  The Maudsley hospital

  3.5

  The Royal London hospital

  4.0

  The Royal Free hospital

  4.5

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she expects decisions following the Tomlinson report to precede major spending on moving neurosciences from Shooters hill to Denmark hill.

  Mr. Sackville
  The South East Thames regional health authority is committed to centralising neuroscience services in the region and moving to a single site service. Its plans will be reviewed in the light of the recommendations of the Tomlinson enquiry.

  Abortions
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what self-help groups are available for survivors of attempted abortions; and what assistance her department gives to such groups.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health does not have information on such self-help groups.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what records are kept of the cost to the NHS of treating a damaged foetus, and subsequent child and adult, in either the physical or psychological sense, where the damage has arisen as a result of a failed abortion attempt.
  70
  Mr. Sackville
  Such information is not collected centrally.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are issued by her Department to doctors on the counselling of pregnant women who attempt to have the foetus aborted, but where the foetus lives.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) where an abortion fails and the foetus survives to a live birth, what specific records are kept of the consequent damage to that child arising out of the unsuccessful abortion attempt;

  (2) what records are kept of attempted abortions which fail and where the foetus survives.

  Mr. Sackville
  Such information would be recorded in the appropriate clinical records of the woman and child concerned.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many attempted abortions in the United Kingdom failed and ended in a live birth for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to doctors in regard to dealing with abortions where the attempted abortion fails and a live birth follows and, in particular, on the advice given to mothers about whether they should disclose this to the surviving person.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the number of people who have attempted to gain legal redress, against the National Health Service or any other body or person, for damages suffered where an abortion failed and the pregnancy resulted in a live birth.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am not aware of any such cases.

  Anaesthetists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by regional health authority the current establishment requirement for anaesthetists; and how many are in post.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are currently no "establishment requirements" set for hospital doctors in the National Health Service. The table gives the provisional number of consultant anaesthetists, expressed in the form of "whole-time equivalent", in England, by region as at 30 September 1991 (the latest date for which figures are available).

  Hospital medical consultants anaesthetists in England and by region —30 September 1991 (provisional figures)

  Whole Time Equivalent

  England

  2,030

  Northern

  130

  Yorkshire

  140

  Trent

  200

  East Anglia

  90

  North West Thames

  110

  71

  Whole Time Equivalent

  North East Thames

  160

  South East Thames

  160

  South West Thames

  110

  Wessex

  120

  Oxford

  90

  South Western

  140

  West Midlands

  250

  Mersey

  120

  North Western

  180

  SHAs

  30

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Seals

  Seals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what beneficial medical by-products of the Greenland, harp, hooded or crested seal are recognised by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Records are held on licensed medicinal products and medical devices rather than medical by-products. These show that there are currently no such products making use of, or containing, extracts of seal.

  Drug Imports
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department's Medicines Control Agency has for proposals for reviewing the introduction of a requirement for all drug imports into the United Kingdom to have documentation certifying their country of origin; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are no plans to review the introduction of such a requirement. The United Kingdom licensing system is kept under constant review and amendments are made when considered necessary.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress her Department is making in respect of extra-contractual referrals being made more readily available for patients requesting them; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have always made clear that general practitioners are free to refer their patients to whichever hospital or other unit best meets the needs of the patient. We remain committed to this principle.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of extra-contractual referrals were refused in each regional health authority in 1991–92.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by regional health authority how many extra-contractual referrals were returned during the financial years(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93 to date.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally.

  West Midlands Air Ambulance Service
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to safeguard the funding of the West Midlands air ambulance service.
  72
  Mr. Sackville
  Air ambulance services are currently under evaluation and, until this has been completed, no investment is being made from central funds. In the meantime, it is for health authorities in West Midlands region, as purchasers, to decide whether to fund this service from their financial allocations.

  Theatre Sessions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the average weekly number of theatre sessions for each regional health authority for the year ended March 1992 and for the current year to date.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is given in the table.

  Operating theatre sessions: average number per week in 1991–92 (provisional)

  RHA

  Scheduled sessions held

  Weekly rate

  Northern

  53,089

  1,019

  Yorkshire

  57,949

  1,112

  Trent

  64,970

  1,247

  East Anglian

  32,242

  619

  North West Thames

  48,558

  932

  North East Thames

  68,513

  1,315

  South East Thames

  63,258

  1,214

  South West Thames

  50,364

  967

  Wessex

  43,165

  829

  Oxford

  34,098

  654

  South Western

  54,799

  1,052

  West Midlands

  79,674

  1,529

  Mersey

  46,532

  893

  North Western

  79,617

  1,528

  Special health authorities

  15,631

  300

  Air Pollutants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what preliminary reports she has received from the advisory committee she set up on the assessment of exposure to air pollutants on health; when she hopes to have the committee's final conclusions; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 June at columns 221–22. The Advisory Group on the Medical Aspects of Air Pollution Episodes was set up to look at the short term health effects of exposure to specific air pollutants.

  The Group's second report on "Sulphur Dioxide, Acid Aerosols and Particulates" is to be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  The group currently studying the oxides of nitrogen and its third report is expected to be published in 1993.

  This year the Department also set up the committee on the medical effects of air pollutants which held its inaugural meeting at the end of May. Its terms of reference are:
  "At the request of the Department of Health,
  (a) to assess and advise Government on the effects upon health of air pollutants both in indoor and outdoor air, and to assess the adequacy of the available data and the need for research.
  (b)to co-ordinate with other bodies concerned with the assessment of the effects of exposure to air pollutants and the associated risks to health and to advise on new scientific discoveries relevant to the effects of air pollutants upon health."
  73
  The Department has asked the committee to advise on the link between exposure to low levels of air pollution and asthma, the effects of exposure to ambient levels of carbon monoxide in urban areas, and the effects of exposure to benzene.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of food poisoning have been notified to the OPCS for England and Wales for each year since 1980; if she will provide a total figure and a regional breakdown of the total; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA), 19802

  19801

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  10,071

  n/a

  10,071

  Wales

  438

  n/a

  438

  Northern

  504

  n/a

  504

  Yorkshire

  1,065

  n/a

  1,065

  Trent

  820

  n/a

  820

  East Anglian

  279

  n/a

  279

  North West Thames

  743

  n/a

  743

  North East Thames

  804

  n/a

  804

  South East Thames

  622

  n/a

  622

  South West Thames

  662

  n/a

  662

  Wessex

  373

  n/a

  373

  Oxford

  636

  n/a

  636

  South Western

  618

  n/a

  618

  West Midlands

  1,190

  n/a

  1,190

  Mersey

  360

  n/a

  360

  North Western

  957

  n/a

  957

  1The number of food poisoning cases 'ascertained by other means' other than formal notification, were first reported to OPCS by local authorities in 1982.

  2Provisional.

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port healt authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA), 19812

  19811

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  9,925

  n/a

  9,925

  Wales

  528

  n/a

  528

  Northern

  810

  n/a

  810

  Yorkshire

  866

  n/a

  866

  Trent

  715

  n/a

  715

  East Anglian

  217

  n/a

  217

  North West Thames

  815

  n/a

  815

  North East Thames

  642

  n/a

  642

  South East Thames

  596

  n/a

  596

  South West Thames

  641

  n/a

  641

  Wessex

  481

  n/a

  481

  Oxford

  583

  n/a

  583

  South Western

  536

  n/a

  536

  West Midlands

  982

  n/a

  982

  Mersey

  469

  n/a

  469

  North Western

  1,044

  n/a

  1,044

  1The number of food poisoning cases 'ascertained by other means' other than formal notification, were first reported to OPCS by local authorities in 1982.

  2Provisional.

  74

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA), 19821

  19821

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  9,954

  4,288

  14,242

  Wales

  598

  68

  666

  Northern

  457

  154

  611

  Yorkshire

  1,247

  471

  1,718

  Trent

  609

  308

  917

  East Anglian

  262

  104

  366

  North West Thames

  923

  281

  1,204

  North East Thames

  912

  435

  1,347

  South East Thames

  659

  96

  755

  South West Thames

  660

  606

  1,266

  Wessex

  457

  258

  715

  Oxford

  574

  207

  781

  South Western

  428

  261

  689

  West Midlands

  875

  454

  1,329

  Mersey

  294

  164

  458

  North Western

  999

  421

  1,420

  1Provisional.

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) authority (RHA), 19831

  19831

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  12,265

  5,461

  17,726

  Wales

  654

  51

  705

  Northern

  913

  148

  1,061

  Yorkshire

  1,592

  463

  2,055

  Trent

  698

  375

  1,073

  East Anglian

  374

  241

  615

  North West Thames

  1,060

  637

  1,697

  North East Thames

  907

  427

  1,334

  South East Thames

  894

  176

  1,070

  South West Thames

  745

  665

  1,410

  Wessex

  726

  205

  931

  Oxford

  705

  191

  896

  South Western

  634

  528

  1,162

  West Midlands

  986

  688

  1,674

  Mersey

  445

  204

  649

  North Western

  932

  462

  1,394

  2Provisional.

  Notifications of food poisoning (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority ( RHA), 198411

  1984

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  13,247

  7,455

  20,702

  Wales

  830

  147

  977

  Northern

  859

  437

  1,296

  Yorkshire

  1,664

  896

  2,560

  Trent

  893

  507

  1,400

  East Anglian

  400

  246

  646

  North West Thames

  1,174

  728

  1,902

  North East Thames

  1,206

  783

  1,989

  South East Thames

  1,024

  227

  1,251

  South West Thames

  620

  689

  1,309

  Wessex

  692

  187

  879

  Oxford

  615

  319

  934

  South Western

  812

  624

  1,436

  West Midlands

  1,081

  861

  1,942

  Mersey

  418

  171

  589

  North Western

  959

  633

  1,592

  1Provisional.

  75

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA). 19851

  19851

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  13,124

  6,091

  19,215

  Wales

  1,167

  164

  1,331

  Northern

  747

  241

  988

  Yorkshire

  891

  409

  1,300

  Trent

  889

  401

  1,290

  East Anglian

  375

  115

  490

  North West Thames

  1,169

  717

  1,886

  North East Thames

  1,174

  480

  1,654

  South East Thames

  1,079

  260

  1,339

  South West Thames

  920

  550

  1,470

  Wessex

  743

  339

  1,082

  Oxford

  661

  208

  869

  South Western

  700

  467

  1,167

  West Midlands

  1,129

  793

  1,922

  Mersey

  391

  260

  651

  North Western

  1,089

  687

  1,776

  1Provisional.

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA), 19861

  19861

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  16,498

  7,439

  23,937

  Wales

  1,234

  179

  1,413

  Northern

  873

  597

  1,470

  Yorkshire

  1,157

  704

  1,861

  Trent

  1,177

  278

  1,455

  East Anglian

  542

  152

  694

  North West Thames

  1,143

  712

  1,855

  North East Thames

  1,591

  599

  2,190

  South East Thames

  1,253

  376

  1,629

  South West Thames

  1,111

  605

  1,716

  Wessex

  893

  413

  1,306

  Oxford

  952

  203

  1,155

  South Western

  1,092

  452

  1,544

  West Midlands

  1,368

  1,074

  2,442

  Mersey

  533

  203

  736

  North Western

  1,579

  892

  2,471

  1Provisional.

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA). 19871

  1987

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  20,348

  8,929

  29,277

  Wales

  1,300

  374

  1,674

  Northern

  1,301

  657

  1,958

  Yorkshire

  1,507

  1,071

  2,578

  Trent

  1,920

  329

  2,249

  East Anglian

  623

  255

  878

  North West Thames

  1,534

  825

  2,359

  North East Thames

  2,073

  583

  2,656

  South East Thames

  1,706

  382

  2,088

  South West Thames

  1,376

  631

  2,007

  Wessex

  848

  690

  1,538

  Oxford

  1,139

  257

  1,396

  South Western

  1,171

  631

  1,802

  West Midlands

  1,426

  1,242

  2,668

  Mersey

  691

  168

  859

  North Western

  1,733

  834

  2,567

  1Provisional.

  76

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA). 19881

  1988

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  27,819

  11,885

  39,704

  Wales

  1,621

  329

  1,950

  Northern

  1,688

  670

  2,358

  Yorkshire

  2,604

  1,723

  4,327

  Trent

  2,763

  805

  3,568

  East Anglian

  923

  215

  1,138

  North West Thames

  1,856

  736

  2,592

  North East Thames

  2,439

  582

  3,021

  South East Thames

  2,315

  405

  2,720

  South West Thames

  1,848

  869

  2,717

  Wessex

  1,085

  800

  1,885

  Oxford

  1,472

  390

  1,862

  South Western

  1,785

  748

  2,533

  West Midlands

  1,798

  2,188

  3,986

  Mersey

  1,557

  239

  1,796

  North Western

  2,065

  1,186

  3,251

  1Provisional.

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA). 19891

  1989

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  38,042

  14,450

  52,492

  Wales

  2,477

  446

  2,923

  Northern

  2,687

  1,214

  3,901

  Yorkshire

  3,582

  1,468

  5,050

  Trent

  4,075

  805

  4,880

  East Anglian

  1,081

  205

  1,286

  North West Thames

  2,205

  852

  3,057

  North East Thames

  3,037

  734

  3,771

  South East Thames

  2,974

  585

  3,559

  South West Thames

  2,314

  724

  3,038

  Wessex

  1,614

  1,101

  2,715

  Oxford

  1,957

  545

  2,502

  South Western

  2,166

  1,197

  3,363

  West Midlands

  2,962

  2,433

  5,395

  Mersey

  2,431

  311

  2,742

  North Western

  2,480

  1,830

  4,310

  1Provisional.

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA), 19902

  19901

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  36,945

  15,200

  52,145

  Wales

  2,528

  495

  3,023

  Northern

  2,881

  1,047

  3,928

  Yorkshire

  3,920

  1,721

  5,641

  Trent

  3,621

  1,247

  4,868

  East Anglian

  1,164

  254

  1,418

  North West Thames

  2,507

  731

  3,238

  North East Thames

  2,756

  775

  3,531

  South East Thames

  2,502

  780

  3,282

  South West Thames

  2,160

  913

  3,073

  Wessex

  1,568

  1,147

  2,715

  Oxford

  2,191

  488

  2,679

  South Western

  2,510

  1,272

  3,782

  West Midlands

  2,831

  2,548

  5,379

  Mersey

  1,670

  143

  1,813

  North Western

  2,136

  1,639

  3,775

  1Provisional.

  77

  Notifications of food poisoning which were: (a) formally notified; (b) ascertained by other means; and (c) total for England and Wales (not including port health authorities) and by regional health authority (RHA), 19911

  19911

  RHA

  a

  b

  c

  England and Wales

  35,289

  17,251

  52,540

  Wales

  2,715

  670

  3,385

  Northern

  2,427

  1,301

  3,728

  Yorkshire

  3,759

  1,903

  5,662

  Trent

  3,196

  1,468

  4,664

  East Anglian

  956

  552

  1,508

  North West Thames

  2,516

  761

  3,277

  North East Thames

  2,550

  752

  3,302

  South East Thames

  2,637

  638

  3,275

  South West Thames

  2,130

  1,262

  3,392

  Wessex

  1,522

  1,367

  2,889

  Oxford

  1,823

  510

  2,333

  South Western

  2,102

  1,377

  3,479

  West Midlands

  3,224

  2,285

  5,509

  Mersey

  1,418

  187

  1,605

  North Western

  2,314

  2,218

  4,532

  1Provisional.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the numbers of patients waiting for in-patient treatment on 31 March, for each individual health authority(a) in total and (b) by main speciality for periods (i) under 12 months, (ii) 12 to 24 months and (iii) over 24 months.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is given in the publication "Hospital Waiting List, In-Patients and Day Cases" (ISBN 1 85839 003 6), a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the numbers of patients waiting for out-patient treatment on 31 March, for each individual health authority(a) in total and (b) by main speciality for periods (i) under 12 months, (ii) 12 to 24 months and (iii) over 24 months.

  Mr. Sackville
  Figures for out-patient waiting times are not collected centrally. All health authorities are required under the patients charter to publish information on the local standards they have set for waiting times for first out-patient appointments and on performance against these targets.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish details of patient waiting lists by regional health authority area for(a) July, (b) August and (c) September of the current year.

  Mr. Sackville
  On 11 August we announced that, in future, provisional waiting time figures would be published on a quarterly basis. Figures for the three months to 30 September 1992 are not yet available centrally.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements exist for the transfer of medical records for the national health service to registered medical practitioners in other European Community countries when British citizens move to other countries in the European Community for work or retirement.
  78
  Mr. Sackville
  General practitioner medical records are the property of the national health service and are retained in the country for NHS purposes including the possible future care and treatment of the patient. Patients who plan to live abroad may approach their GP to obtain a precis of their medical history or a copy of their medical records to give to any practitioner in the new country of residence.

  Leukaemia
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she is yet in a position to publish the findings of the study undertaken by the north London blood transfusion service on behalf of her Department, into the risks associated with blood transfusions involving human T-cell leukaemia; what plans she has to ask other blood transfusion services to carry out similar studies on behalf of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The north London blood transfusion centre (NLBTC) undertook a study on behalf of the United Kingdom blood transfusion services, to determine the prevalence of antibodies to human T-cell leukaemia/ lymphoma virus (HTLV) in the blood of a sample donor population. Preliminary results of that study were published in abstract form at the British Blood Transfusion Society annual meeting, Nottingham 1991 and again in abstract form at the Montpelier symposium on HTLV held in March 1992. I have arranged for copies of those abstracts to be placed in the Library.

  The NLBTC is now undertaking a more detailed analysis of the findings with a view to submitting them shortly for publication in a scientific journal.

  The independent expert advisory committee which advises Ministers on topics relevant to the safety of the blood supply, will keep under review developments concerning HTLV and its detection. It will also review whether further studies or other measures are necessary to maintain the safety of the blood supply. I will write to the hon. Member with further details.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to hold centrally records by regional health authorities of the number of cases of cancer that have been reported that were associated with the virus human T-cell leukaemia, including the number of those cases that proved fatal; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I have no plans to introduce such a policy.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the criteria which need to be satisfied when calling for an ambulance to respond in an emergency.

  Mr. Sackville
  Anyone may call an NHS ambulance following an accident, sudden illness or collapse.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department has concerning the ratio between activated and stand-by time of emergency ambulance areas generally necessary to achieve ORCON standards under different patterns of population and traffic density.
  79
  Mr. Sackville
  The deployment of ambulance personnel and vehicles to meet national emergency performance standards is a matter for local ambulance service providers and their purchasers.

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been conducted by her Department on the effects of the toxic ash particles upon the human lung produced during the burning of orimulsion.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None. Biomedical research is a matter for the Medical Research Council which is funded by the Office of Science and Technology.

  The burning of orimulsion produces relatively high levels of sulphur dioxide, vanadium and nickel compared with other fuels. However, owing to tight controls being implemented as a result of European Community directives, trace quantities of toxic chemicals which are emitted from incinerators and other combustion processes, should not be at levels which would be expected to cause adverse health effects.

  Inflammatory Bowel Disorder
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her practice to hold central records from regional health authorities of the average current delay between patients reporting(a) symptoms starting and (b) diagnosis of patients with inflammatory bowel disorder; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  It would be neither appropriate nor cost effective to collect this information centrally.

  Skin Cancer
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department holds on the United Kingdom morbidity and mortality rates for skin cancer in each year since 1979; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  There has been a rise in the number of cases of skin cancer (non-melanotic cancer and the rarer malignant melanoma) in recent years. On the latest available information there are about 28,000 cases of skin cancer a year and about 1,500 deaths. The main risk factor which is believed to account for the increase in incidence is the increased extent to which people expose themselves to ultraviolet radiation (UV), primarily sunlight.

  Mortality and incidence rates (per 100,000 population) for malignant melanoma of skin (1CD 172), and other malignant neoplasm of skin (ICD 173), for Great Britain 1979–1991.

  Mortality Rate

  Incidence Rate

  172

  173

  172

  173

  1979

  1.63

  0.78

  3.81

  40.32

  1980

  1.65

  0.74

  4.04

  41.75

  1981

  1.74

  0.77

  4.20

  43.65

  1982

  1.90

  0.76

  4.36

  42.91

  1983

  1.72

  0.82

  4.71

  44.80

  1984

  2.00

  0.88

  4.70

  45.78

  1985

  1.98

  0.93

  5.60

  48.08

  1986

  2.08

  0.82

  5.88

  54.34

  1987

  2.05

  0.88

  2—

  —

  80

  Mortality Rate

  Incidence Rate

  173

  172

  172

  173

  1988

  2.14

  0.85

  —

  —

  1989

  2.17

  0.88

  —

  —

  1990

  2.31

  0.86

  —

  —

  11991

  2.30

  0.92

  —

  —

  1 1991 population figures are not available and consequently 1990 population figures have been used to calculate the 1991 mortality rate.

  2 Registration data for the calculation of incidence rates 1987–1991 are not available.

  Source OPCS DH2 Mortality Statistics, MB I Cancer Registrations.

  Scottish Cancer Registration Scheme,

  Information and Statistics Division,

  Common Services Agency.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate Her Majesty's Government has made of projected increases in skin cancer resulting from a 1 per cent. decline in the total column ozone; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) is an important factor influencing the number of cases of skin cancer which develop, and levels of UV at ground level are influenced by changes of levels of ozone in the stratosphere. However, stratopheric ozone levels are just one of the factors influencing the amount of UV reaching the ground. Seasonal variations in solar UV levels and short term variations due to cloud cover and local weather conditions are far in excess of any variations anticipated as a result of ozone depletion. The position is further complicated by variability in people's behaviour in relation to exposure to sunlight. Estimates of increases in skin cancer based solely on an estimate of ozone depletion would be misleading.

  Thyroid Cancer
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by regional health authority, and by year since 1985, including the current year to date, the number of cases of thyroid cancer that have been reported and the number of cases that involved(a) children and (b) adults.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Number of cases of malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland1 for England and Wales, Regional health authority, 1985–87

  1985

  1986

  1987

  England and Wales

  679

  734

  755

  Wales

  58

  39

  60

  Northern

  38

  49

  42

  Yorkshire

  53

  47

  49

  Trent

  55

  84

  65

  East Anglian

  28

  41

  27

  North West Thames

  46

  57

  41

  North East Thames

  28

  39

  44

  South East Thames

  60

  41

  47

  South West Thames

  39

  38

  40

  Wessex

  55

  39

  50

  Oxford

  —

  40

  44

  South Western

  58

  62

  51

  West Midlands

  84

  74

  100

  Mersey

  26

  28

  35

  North Western

  51

  56

  60

  1 International Classification Disease code 193.

  81

  Number of cases of malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland for England and Wales, Regional health authority, 1985–87 by age breakdown

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Under 15

  15+ over

  Under 15

  15+ over

  Under 15

  15+ over

  England and Wales

  4

  675

  6

  728

  6

  749

  Wales

  3

  55

  —

  39

  —

  60

  Northern

  —

  38

  —

  49

  1

  41

  Yorkshire

  —

  53

  —

  47

  —

  49

  Trent

  —

  55

  —

  84

  —

  65

  East Anglian

  —

  28

  —

  41

  —

  27

  North West Thames

  —

  46

  1

  56

  11

  41

  North East Thames

  —

  28

  —

  39

  44

  South East Thames

  —

  60

  1

  40

  47

  South West Thames

  —

  39

  1

  37

  40

  Wessex

  —

  55

  —

  39

  1

  49

  Oxford

  —

  1

  39

  2

  42

  South Western

  —

  58

  1

  61

  —

  51

  West Midlands

  —

  84

  —

  74

  1

  99

  Mersey

  —

  26

  1

  27

  —

  35

  North Western

  1

  50

  —

  56

  —

  60

  1 One case of malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland 1 or 1987 only identifiable as Thames.

  Foster Care
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to introduce a minimum weekly allowance to foster carers on a sliding scale based on the age of the child cared for.

  Mr. Yeo
  No.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trust boards have held(a) one to six or (b) more than six public consultative meetings.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Every national health service trust is required to hold one public meeting every year, other than in the year it became operational.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by NHS trust, the number of staff who are currently in NHS pensions schemes and those who have elected to change to a private pension scheme run on behalf of the trust.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish details of the current level of remuneration for(a) chairs and (b) non-executive directors of NHS trust boards.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Chairmen are remunerated in one of three bands dependent on the revenue turnover of the trust (or its equivalent) in a given financial year (1988–89). The bandings are shown in the table.

  Unit turnover 1988–89

  Current rates

  £

  Band 1

  Turnover in excess of £50 million

  19,285

  Band 2

  Turnover between £20–£50 million

  17,145

  Band 3

  Turnover less than £20 million

  15,125

  Non-executive directors are paid at a flat rate of £5,000 per annum.
  82
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trust boards admit community health council representatives into their meetings.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally. Community health councils have the right to attend any national health service trust meeting which is open to the public. It is up to the individual trust to decide whether to invite the community health council to attend meetings which are otherwise closed to the public.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will determine her decision as between expressions of interest in trust status from south Manchester; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  These expressions of interest will be considered against five criteria, taking into account patient choice and competition, the extent to which clinical services and management are already integrated, size and range of services, effect on purchasing and local views.

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost benefit analyses have been carried out by her Department on the reduction of dental caries in children that would result from fluoridation of the drinking water supply in those areas where no artificial fluoridation is being carried out and where naturally occurring levels are below 1 part per million; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is for individual health authorities to consider whether water fluoridation in their area is cost effective, taking into account local factors. No cost benefit analyses have been carried out by the Department.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department holds on the health risks to consumers through the consumption of potatoes that have been treated with Tecnazene.

  Mr. Sackville
  Tecnazene, as with all pesticides, is approved for use following advice from the statutory advisory committee on pesticides. It has concluded that there is currently no evidence of risk to the health of consumers arising from the use of tecnazene on potatoes but is continuing its review of all the available data.
  83
  The Department holds copies of the scientific papers on this matter that have been put before the committee. Once the committee has completed its review an evaluation document which will contain an assessment of all these data will be published.

  Atopic Illnesses
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of asthma and other atopic illnesses were reported in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) 1992 to date; and how many of these were children under 10 years of age.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally.

  Dentistry
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she intends to take to increase awareness of patients' rights to claim reductions in, or exemptions from, charges for dental treatment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Under the new dental contract introduced in October 1990, dentists are, for the first time, required to display in a prominent position at their practice premises a notice, indicating national health service charges which are payable under general dental services and giving details of entitlement to exemption from and remission of such NHS charges. In addition there are already leaflets available to the public on dental charges and NHS charges more generally. A complementary series of leaflets in ethnic languages is planned for the near future.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the current number of dentists(a) in the NHS, (b) in private practice and (c) practising both privately and in the NHS; what are the comparable figures for the previous five years; and if she will make a statement on the trends.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of dentists providing general dental services in England under the national health service as at 30 September each year was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1987

  14,765

  1988

  15,070

  1989

  15,351

  1990

  15,480

  1991

  15,451

  These figures are consistent with the increase of nearly 30 per cent. since 1978 in the numbers of dentists providing dental treatment under the NHS.

  The figures do not include dentists who provide treatment under the hospital and community dental services.

  The information requested on the numbers of dentists who practise privately, in whole or in part, is not held centrally.

  Smoking
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the actions taken by Her Majesty's Government to assist the work of Action on Smoking and Health in publicising the dangers of cigarette smoking.
  84
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department has a long history of supporting the valuable work carried out by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and awarded it a three year grant of £241,500 per year which began in 1991. In addition, the "Health of the Nation" gives a commitment to continued support to the leading role played by ASH in disseminating information, encouraging action by others and providing advice and support.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to increase awareness of the long-term effects of smoking during pregnancy on children.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department is providing funding of £1 million over two years towards a Health Education Authority project being run specifically for this purpose. In addition, the "Health of the Nation" gives a commitment to achieve a target of a 30 per cent. reduction in the number of women who smoke at the start of their pregnancy by the year 2000.

  Disability Legislation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 which(a) have been implemented and (b) have not yet been implemented.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information requested is as follows:

  a. Implemented on 1 April 1987

  Section 4 (duty on local authorities to assess need)

  Section 8(1) (duty to have regard to abilities of carers)

  Section 9 (provision of information)

  Section 10 (duty to consult organisations of disabled people when making appointments)

  Implemented on 1 February 1988

  Sections 5 and 6 (identification and assessment of disabled school leavers)

  Implemented on 18 December 1989

  Section 11 (report to Parliament on community care for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people)

  b. Non-implemented sections

  Sections 1 and 2 (appointment and rights of authorised representatives of disabled people)

  Section 3 (provision of written statements of assessment)

  Section 7 (identification and assessment of the needs of people leaving hospital after treatment for six months or more for a mental disorder)

  Sections 8(2) and 8(3) (these are linked to section 3)

  The requirements of the non-implemented sections are now, to a very large extent, reflected in our new and wide-ranging reforms of community care, which demonstrate our commitment to high quality care which is responsive to the needs and wishes of service users and carers. The need to implement these sections will be reviewed in the light of several years' experience of the community care arrangements.

  Asbestosis
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she will take to implement an ethical code of practice for the diagnosis and treatment of terminal victims suffering from asbestosis.
  85
  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health has no plans to implement such a code. Ethical issues relating to the diagnosis and treatment of the terminally ill are primarily a matter for the health care professions.

  Clinical Regrading
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each health district in England and Wales the number of applications for clinical regrading still outstanding.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Sir Alan Greengross
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what correspondence she has received from Sir Alan Greengross concerning his resignation as chair of Islington and Bloomsbury health authority; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir Alan Greengross wrote to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 23 June 1992. His decision to stand down as chairman of the Bloomsbury and Islington district health authority with effect from 31 July 1992 has been accepted.

  Tobacco-related Diseases
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the total number of tobacco-related deaths in 1991–92.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is estimated that in the United Kingdom about 110,000 deaths each year are smoking related.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the cost to the NHS of smoking-related diseases in 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Treatment costs to the national health service are estimated to be £437 million annually. This figure is for hospital costs only and does not include the costs of the care given by GPs or at health clinics or other care in the community.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to publish the Smee report; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A study on the effects of tobacco advertising will be published shortly.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the draft EC directive on tobacco product advertising (EC document 6748/91) will be discussed at the Council of Health Ministers on 13 November.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The agenda for Health Council on 13 November is not yet fixed. It is likely that the tobacco advertising directive will be discussed without a vote being taken.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 15 May,Official Report, column
  86
  167, to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn), when and in what form she now expects to make available the report of her chief economic adviser on the impact of banning tobacco advertising; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to make public the findings of the Smee report; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department of Health's report on the effects of tobacco advertising on tobacco consumption will be published shortly.

  Wigan Area Health Authority
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current remuneration of the chairman of the Wigan area health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The figure is £17,145.

  Arts for Health
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proposals she has for ensuring that the arts make the fullest possible contribution to the quality of the health care environment; and if she will make a statement indicating, in particular, what role she sees for Arts for Health, established in 1988 at Manchester polytechnic, as the first centre offering a national service;

  (2) what study her Department has made of the pioneering work and achievements of Arts for Health; what consideration is being given to funding an expansion of its work in hospital and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Ministers have long recognised the valuable contribution the arts can make within the national health service. My department has published three guidance documents on the subject, "Art in the NHS", "The Arts in a Health District" and "Art and Health Care". As part of the NHS management executive's quality initiative, the arts were introduced into the outpatient department demonstration project and have made a valuable contribution. At the "Hospital and Care Premises Management Conference" held in Birmingham between 29 September and 1 October 1992 the arts featured prominently in sessions on "The Caring Environment" and "The International Aspects of Healthcare Design".

  While Ministers are supportive of the many initiatives throughout the country, it is for local decision, NHS trust or directly managed unit, as to whether they use the services offered by "Arts for Health" or any other organisation in this field. No moneys are specifically voted for the arts in my Department.

  Cancelled Operations
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing for each regional health authority area the proportion of operations cancelled in 1991–92 showing the figures in numbers and as a percentage of the total number of operations.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally.

  Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on the lack of provision of magnetic resonance imaging at the midland centre for neurosurgery and neurology; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received a number of representations on this subject. In March we announced the successful bids for additional money for whole body scanners and other medical equipment. This included a proposal for a magnetic resonance imager to support a combined neuroscience facility in Birmingham. Decisions on the provision of these services and location of this equipment are matters for West Midlands regional health authority.

  Charitable Trusts
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in(a) England and (b) London have access to charitable trusts; and what role her Department plays in monitoring the use of those trust moneys.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Very nearly all hospitals in England will benefit from trust funds held by their health authority, national health service trust or special trustees. As charitable funds, these are subject to the supervision of the Charity Commission. The Secretary of State for Health prescribes the format of annual accounts and the financial central environment, and receives any reports produced by statutory auditors relating to these accounts.

  Trust Hospitals
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trust hospitals have(a) public relations budgets and (b) use outside consultants for public relations purposes; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is not available centrally. It is a matter for national health service trusts to decide what use they make of public relations expertise to present themselves and the services they offer as part of the national health service to the authorities who purchase those services and the public who use them.

  American Companies
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the activities of National Medical Enterprises and the Psychiatric Institute of America in relation to health services in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sackville
  National Medical Enterprises and its United States counterpart are parent companies of an independent United Kingdom health care provider but do not, themselves provide health care in the United Kingdom.

  NHS Information
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the categories of information relating to the national health service of which her Department has discontinued publication since 9 April; and if she will make a statement.
  88
  Mr. Sackville
  There are no categories of information for which publication has been discontinued since 9 April.

  The need for the national health service to provide information to the Department of Health is under review. If information which is currently provided is clearly identified as being unnecessary for the management of the health service, that burden will be lifted from the national health service. A consequence of this would be that the information would no longer be available for central publication.

  Lung Cancer
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new initiatives she plans to reduce the incidence of lung cancer in women.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Reducing the incidence of lung cancer in women will mainly depend on reducing the prevalence of smoking. "The Health of the Nation" includes a target to reduce smoking among women from 28 per cent. in 1990 to 20 per cent. by the year 2000. The White Paper sets out a comprehensive strategy to achieve the target, including action on price, health education, ensuring effective controls on advertising and a greater national health service role in reducing smoking.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Iraqi Shias
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is he will provide financial and logistical support for members of the all-party group for Iraqi Shias to monitor the delivery of aid in southern Iraq and related matters.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is no provision within the aid programme or elsewhere within the FCO's financial resources for funding monitoring visits by members of all party groups. ODA is providing finance for assistance to southern Iraq through non-governmental organisations, including those with which my hon. Friend is associated.

  While suitable arrangements for monitoring this aid are important, members of the all party group for Iraqi Shias will be aware of the Iraqi Government's consistent refusal to renew the United Nation's humanitarian operations in Iraq, and of their rejection of the proposal to place United Nations human rights monitors in the south to report on the situation. In these circumstances the United Kingdom Government would not wish to encourage United Kingdom citizens to enter the region.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking for the provision of extra resources to help the recovery of agriculture in the drought-affected areas of southern Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Since the beginning of 1992 we have committed over £60 million including our share of EC food aid, to help the victims of the drought in southern Africa. We are supporting activities in the region to assist recovery of agriculture. These include agricultural research, including local irrigation, livestock, veterinary and pest control schemes in Zimbabwe, seeds and tools
  89
  programmes in Mozambique and Malawi, and a seed multiplication project in Namibia. We are also funding a project in Zambia which, through checking and treatment of imported maize consignments, should help reduce the risk of infestation to future local crops by pests such as the larger grain borer. We shall continue to help, in concert with our partners in the donor community.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support Her Majesty's Government are giving to the United Nations/Southern Africa Development Co-ordination conference appeal for US$854 million; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Her Majesty's Government have so far committed more than £51 million of bilateral aid in response to the drought in southern Africa. This is in addition to an estimated £11.3 million of food aid given by Britain through the EC special food aid programme. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely in consultation with our EC partners and other donors.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to enlarge the social funds to aid the poorest in the drought-affected areas of southern Africa to cope with economic change, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have already committed over £51 million of bilateral aid to help drought victims in southern Africa in the form of balance of payments aid, food and support for non-governmental organisation programmes. More widely we are working closely with the IMF and World bank and both institutions are being flexible in modifying economic reform programme targets to help protect the populations of countries from the worst effects of the drought. Substantial extra multilateral resources have been made available to help cope with present difficulties.

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the value of the British overseas aid programme in deutschmarks on 15 September; and what is its current value in deutschmarks

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The planned aid programme to developing countries for 1992–93 is £1,831 million. At the exchange rate of Dm 2.78/£ on 15 September this was equivalent to Dm 5,090 million, and at an exchange rate of Dm 2.50/£, Dm 4,578 million. Fluctuation in the Deutschmark/sterling exchange rate does not itself materially affect the real value of the aid programme.

  Rain Forests
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to increase awareness of how individuals and communities can assist in the preservation of rain forests.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The individuals and communities best able to help preserve the rain forests are those living in and around the forests themselves. It is an important aim of many ODA-funded projects to encourage and enable these communities, along with their Governments, to participate in and benefit from the conservation and sustainable management of their forests.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives Britain has initiated at the United Nations or the EC to find a long-term solution to Somalia's problems.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have agreed within the EC and proposed to the United Nations, that the UN should develop a strategy for the rehabilitation, both physical and political, of Somalia. We would give this our strong support and have urged partners and other donors to follow the UN lead.

  Poland
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give full details of all assistance given to Poland under the know-how fund, including cost.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The know-how fund for Poland is working well. Over 170 projects have been supported. The actual and anticipated expenditure to the end of this financial year should be over £34 million.

  A list of the activities approved since the beginning of the know-how fund has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  South Africa
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has yet received a full report from the South African Government in respect of the two South African defence force agents arrested in the United Kingdom in April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We received an interim report from the South African authorities in June. Investigations are continuing. One of the two South African officers has been dismissed from service. Other disciplinary action may be taken when enquiries in South Africa are complete. The South African Government have undertaken to provide full details of any links between South Africans and loyalist extremists in Northern Ireland.

  Russia
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total commitment to date to Russia in pounds sterling, against the know-how fund programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The know-how fund has so far committed a total of £15 million for projects to Russia. The figure comprises £6 million spent in financial year 1991–92 and £9 million to date in 1992–93.

  Developing Countries (Debt Relief)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if debt relief and rescheduling agreed for developing countries under the Trinidad terms is accounted for as positive aid receipts by the Overseas Development Administration; and by what criteria the Overseas Development Administration judges that debt relief equates to official development assistance.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Debt relief under Trinidad terms is counted as a positive flow of official development
  91
  assistance in accordance with directives agreed by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Trinidad terms directly benefit developing countries by significantly reducing their foreign exchange obligations. Eight countries have already benefited and we expect more to do so over the coming months.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Male Cattle
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many additional staff will be employed to register male cattle as required by the common agricultural policy; and what is the estimated annual cost of this registration.

  Mr. Curry
  The European Commission has not yet proposed rules for the implementation of the beef special premium scheme after 1 January 1993, and it is therefore not yet clear whether a system of registration and passports will be required for eligible animals. It is not yet possible to estimate the staff numbers or cost of such a system.

  Plant Health and Pesticides HQ
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to announce his decision on which site in York will be used for the new MAFF plant health and pesticides headquarters.

  Mr. Curry
  There is nothing to add to the reply given on this matter on 8 June 1992,Official Report, column 13.

  Tobacco
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which areas of the EC tobacco is the only crop that can be cultivated.

  Mr. Curry
  In parts of southern Europe, and especially in Greece, infertile soils, dry climatic conditions, remoteness and poor transport links mean that no alternative crops can match tobacco's capacity to provide growers with a return.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total level of support, in sterling equivalent, for growing tobacco in the EC under the common agricultural policy in the latest year for which figures are available; and what measures are in hand to reduce this sum.

  Mr. Curry
  In 1991, the EC spent around £930 million (1,330 mecu) on the CAP tobacco regime. The substantial reforms agreed by the Council in the recent CAP reform package should progressively reduce annual EC expenditure on tobacco. The Commission estimates that, by 1997, this reduction should amount to over a quarter of current expenditure. A further review is to take place, effective from the 1998 harvest.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current sum paid per British family to support the common agricultural policy.
  92
  Mr. Curry
  Estimates of the current cost of the CAP to United Kingdom households are extremely difficult and depend critically on the assumptions used. For instance, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has estimated that the transfers from consumers and taxpayers resulting from agricultural policies in the European Community—separate figures for the United Kingdom are not available—were equivalent to some £18 per week for a family of four in 1991. However, as the OECD makes clear, this estimate does not take into account the impact on world prices, and on other variables, if farm support were to be removed. It is likely, therefore, to overstate to a significant degree the true cost to United Kingdom consumers and taxpayers.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will attach environmental conditions to the area payments that compensate farmers for the cuts in arable support under the CAP reforms.

  Mr. Curry
  We believe that direct payments to farmers under the CAP should be subject to appropriate environmental conditions. All farmers claiming area payments on over 15 hectares in England will have to set land aside. The land set aside will be subject to management conditions intended to help protect the environment.

  The Community legislation establishing the new arable regime does not provide a legal basis under which such conditions could be applied to other arable land.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what environmental conditions he intends to apply to land set aside under the CAP reforms; and if those conditions apply to all arable land in the rotation.

  Mr. Curry
  Rules for the management of set-aside land are set out in the explanatory booklet on the arable area payments scheme, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. These include measures specifically intended to help protect the environment.

  The Community legislation establishing the new arable regime does not provide a legal basis under which these conditions could be applied to other arable land.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase in expenditure implementation of the multi-annual zonal schemes in the agri-environment package of the CAP's accompanying measures will require over and above existing expenditure plans on support for agriculture in special areas, capital grants and alternative land uses as published in the Government's expenditure plans 1992–93 to 1994–95.

  Mr. Curry
  No decisions on implementation of the agri-environment regulation have yet been taken. We have until July 1993 to draw up our implementation plans and will consult widely in doing so.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of the CAP to the United Kingdom in 1992–93.

  Mr. Curry
  Details of public expenditure in the United Kingdom under the Common Agricultural Policy in 1992–93 will be contained in "Agriculture in the UK—1992", which is currently being compiled and is expected to be published in March 1993. Copies will be made available to the House.
  93
  The forecast expenditure in the United Kingdom in 1991–92 (the last year for which figures are readily available) is contained in section 9 of "Agriculture in the UK—1991". Actual outturn information for 1991–92 is presently being gathered and will be published in "Agriculture in the UK—1992". In addition, however, the United Kingdom supports CAP spending elsewhere in the Community through our net contribution to the EC budget. This is not allocated to particular elements of the budget, such as agriculture.

  Flags of Convenience
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Dutch fishing vessels sailing under flags of convenience have(a) area 7 beam trawl pressure stock licences and (b) area 4 beam trawl licences.

  Mr. Curry
  As at 9 October, 14 Dutch-owned or largely Dutch-owned United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels hold area VII beam trawl pressure stock licences. Ten of these also hold area IV beam trawl licences and a further five have area IV beam trawl licences only.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many flag of convenience fishery vessels operating from United Kingdom ports have not complied fully with the conditions attached to their licences; and what action has been taken against them.

  Mr. Curry
  Sixteen non-British-owned or largely non-British-owned United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels contravened the conditions of their fishing licence in 1991 and in 1992 to the end of August. In one case there has been a successful prosecution and in two other cases an official warning has been given. One case has been dropped and 12 cases are still pending, while prosecution is considered.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels registered under flags of convenience are licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is providing the hon. Member with a list of the 81 fishing vessels which qualified for registration either pursuant to the interim relief granted by the House of Lords or as a direct result of the Factortame judgment. As at 9 October 1992 all of these held United Kingdom fishing licences.

  Starlings, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the results of the inquiry carried out by his Department into the large number of starlings that have died on a Doncaster housing estate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The incident was reported by local residents on 1 July. It was investigated the same day by an official of the Department together with an environmental health officer from Doncaster metropolitan borough. More than 300 young starlings were found dead. Following enquiries and discussions with other experts, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, it 94
  was concluded that the immature birds probably died as a result of hypothermia caused by the strong cold winds and heavy rain on the previous night and during the morning.

  Organic Farmers
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the extent of unmet consumer demand for organic farm produce; for what reasons organic farmers were included in the latest EC set-aside scheme; and if he will take steps to remove organic farmers from EC set-aside arrangements.

  Mr. Curry
  Demand is difficult to estimate in such a small market but it is clear that there is potential for growth in the organic sector as shown by the high level of imports. We are keen that United Kingdom farmers and growers should meet that demand.

  Under the EC rules, the new arable area payments scheme must be open to all growers who meet the relevant scheme conditions, including the set-aside requirements. It is not possible to remove organic growers from these arrangements.

  Eggs
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now pay the balance of sums due to the Sisters of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Passion; if he will increase the compensation paid to all egg producers after compulsory slaughter of their flocks under the Zoonoses Order 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  All moneys due to the Sisters of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Passion have now been paid. The final payment, as directed by the arbitrator, was made on 20 July 1992.

  Compensation is paid in accordance with the Animal Health Act 1981 for all flocks which are required to be compulsorily slaughtered. Compensation is paid on the value of the birds immediately before slaughter. The Act requires compensation to be paid on poultry other than diseased poultry, and compensation is paid on the total number of birds in the flock less the estimated number of diseased birds. The value of each bird is calculated in accordance with a regularly reviewed scale of values which take into account the age of the birds at the time of slaughter. It is open to any flock owner who disputes the valuation of his flock to take the matter to independent arbitration.

  Whaling
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hon. Members wrote to him regarding whaling during the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Over the last six months, this Department has received and replied to some 5,000 letters. Of these, over 1,000 were from hon. Members on behalf of themselves or their constituents. Very many letters have welcomed the stand we are taking in the International Whaling Commission to help conserve and protect the world's stocks of whales and small cetaceans.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the steps he intends to
  95
  take during his European presidency to press to end all commercial whaling, and protect whales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Trade in whale products by member states is already prohibited by the Community through regulations implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Additionally, Council directive 92/43/EEC, adopted in May 1992, requires member states to take action to protect all species of whales by mid 1994. All forms of whaling within United Kingdom fishery limits are already banned and as far as we are aware, no whaling currently takes place within the fishery limits of other member states. Moreover, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, like the United Kingdom, are members of the International Whaling Commission and, as such, are bound by its moratorium on commercial whaling.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Curry
  Deregulation considerations form an integral part of this Department's normal working practice in respect of both EC and domestic legislation.

  It is not possible, therefore, to assess separately what financial resources are utilised specifically for deregulatory purposes.

  Agricultural Training Board
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food following his Department's inspection of the Agricultural Training Board training services in 1988, what action has been taken to empower the director of ATB to adjust staff grades up to higher executive officer level within overall financial allocations.

  Mr. Curry
  The rules under which the director (now chief executive) of the Agricultural Training Board (ATB) currently operates are set out in the ATB financial memorandum which was signed on 10 May 1989. This gives the director the authority to create posts up to higher executive officer level without the prior consent of the Department. However the terms, allowances and conditions of service applicable must be approved by the Department.

  Oak Dieback Disease
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his current assessment of the incidence and effect of oak dieback disease.

  Mr. Curry
  Oak dieback has been identified at about 40 sites in southern England, mainly in the east midlands. The growth of affected trees first started to decline in the mid 1980s, although the dieback did not become apparent until several years later. Similar problems on oak trees in several other countries in Europe have been recorded during the last decade.

  There is no evidence that the dieback is caused by a contagious disease. Several different factors appear to be
  96
  involved, of which water stress during the severe droughts in the 1980s seems to be the most important. The Forestry Commission is monitoring the situation carefully and so far it seems that oak dieback is unlikely to affect a large number of trees. Although fresh reports of dieback are still being received, the indications are that it has stabilised at most sites. Few new trees have been affected over the last two years, while trees affected in previous years have generally not deteriorated any further.

  Further information is given in the Forestry Commission's Research information note 214, copies of which are in the Library.

  Butterflies
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his conclusions from investigation by Government scientists for the Agricultural Development Advisory Service into the death of tropical butterflies at Fraddam in 1992, and the related matters of imported chrysalids and wind-borne farm pesticides.

  Mr. Soames
  The findings of a field investigation which was carried out on 9 June were inconclusive. No relationship was established between the deaths of the butterflies at Fraddam and the use of pesticides.

  Mink
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms. Jackson) of 29 June,Official Report, column 401, if he will make a statement on the outcome of his consultations on the Mink (Keeping) Order 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  I am considering the responses received to the consultation exercise, and I will make a decision in due course.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  County Courts
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what study he has made of the extent of the backlog of cases in the county courts in Greater London and the south east; and what action he proposes to take to improve the situation.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department monitors closely the throughput of cases in the county courts by a system of performance indicators. The situation varies from court to court but average performance figures against targets are published in the Lord Chancellor's court service annual report.

  Staffing levels have been increased in the London county courts by almost 5 per cent. in the past 12 months and 11 additional district judges have been appointed.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received about the cost of legal aid.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and I receive a good deal of correspondence about a number of aspects of the legal aid scheme, of which cost is one.
  97
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of people who were successful in obtaining legal aid certificates for civil cases during the year ended March 1992 had to pay an amount towards the cost involved; and what was the average cost per person.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  For the year ended March 1992 16.1 per cent. of people granted legal aid certificates in civil cases were assessed as having to pay a contribution towards the cost. The average contribution received from each assisted person was just under £340.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give the number of people who were(a) granted and (b) refused legal aid in civil cases for the year ended March 1992.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  For the year ended March 1992, 339,306 people were granted, and 100,030 were refused, legal aid certificates in civil cases.

  Bankruptcy
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) company bankruptcy debtor petitions and (b) personal bankruptcy debtor petitions were made in each of the last 12 quarters on the Wales and Chester court circuit.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The table shows the number of company winding up petitions and the number of bankruptcy petitions issued by both creditors and debtors in county courts on the Wales and Chester circuit for each of the past 12 quarters—the figures for 1992 are provisional. The company winding up figures include petitions issued in the High Court sitting at Cardiff. The number of petitions issued will not necessarily result in the same number of companies being wound up or individuals being made bankrupt.

  Company winding up,creditors and debtors petitions issused during the past 12 quarters in the Wales and Chester circuit

  Company winding up petitions

  Creditors petitions

  Debtors petitions

  1989 Q3

  24

  141

  31

  Q4

  24

  150

  33

  1990 Ql

  36

  176

  56

  Q2

  32

  162

  48

  Q3

  41

  211

  64

  Q4

  42

  198

  96

  1991 Q1

  46

  287

  167

  Q2

  52

  272

  112

  Q3

  59

  282

  163

  Q4

  108

  403

  204

  1992 Q1

  112

  427

  266

  Q2

  105

  390

  244

  Doncaster Magistrates Court
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the establishment figure of justices of the peace for Doncaster magistrates court; and how many are currently in place.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The establishment figure of justices of the peace for Doncaster magistrates court is 200, and the number of justices on the active list is 190.

PRIME MINISTER

  Pitchford Hall
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what representations he has had on Her Majesty's Government's response to requests to take into public ownership Pitchford Hall and its contents in Shropshire;

  (2) what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with (a)Lord Rothschild of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, (b)Hugh Stirling of the National Trust and (c)Jocelyn Stevens of English Heritage on the future of the contents of Pitchford Hall in Shropshire.

  The Prime Minister
  I have written to the hon. Member and have placed a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Racial Harmony
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will use the United Kingdom presidency to promote a European Community directive on racial harmony;

  (2) what steps he has taken under his presidency of the European Community to promote racial harmony in the Community.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are opposed absolutely to discrimination on grounds of race. This position is reflected in all our discussions with our European partners on these matters.

  The detailed legislative arrangements in other member states are, however, a matter for them, taking account of their particular circumstances.

  During the United Kingdom presidency the Government will be taking any appropriate opportunity to encourage our European Community colleagues to consider best practice in combating racial discrimination. One such opportunity will be the equal opportunities conference to be hosted by the Department of Employment in Birmingham from 7 to 8 December.

  Classless Society
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has brought forward in his presidency of the EC to realise a classless society.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government's policies are aimed, and will continue to be aimed, at widening opportunities for all members of society. The education, health and other public service reforms, including the citizens charter, will take this process forward during our presidency of the EC and beyond. A European conference on public services and the citizen will be held in London in December as part of the United Kingdom presidency.

  Olympic Games
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement detailing the Government's financial commitment to Manchester's Olympic 2000 bid and the timing of its implementation.

  The Prime Minister
  On 26 February I announced a £55 million support package for Manchester's Olympic 2000 bid. Of this, £53 million is towards the provision of facilities in advance of the nomination and £2 million is to support the bid itself. The International Olympic
  99
  Committee will decide the host city in September 1993. If Manchester's bid is successful, the Government will contribute to the provision of necessary facilities for the games.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Protestants and Roman Catholics are employed by the Eastern area health and social services board; and what were the equivalent figures five years ago.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 required employers to monitor the religious breakdown of their work force by establishing the community background of each employee. The first date on which the breakdown of the perceived religious affiliation of the Eastern area health and social services board's work force is available is 1 January 1990 and the latest is 1 January 1992.
  100
  The figure are as follows:

  Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  Not known

  1 January 1990

  16,989

  10,733

  2,495

  1 January 1992

  16,299

  10,878

  3,237

  Criminal Damage and Injury
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the legislative base for the payment of loss assessors and solicitors in Northern Ireland in respect of payments from public funds in(a) criminal damage claims and (b) criminal injury claims.

  Mr. Mates
  The reasonable costs and expenses incurred by applicants in making out and verifying their claims for criminal damage and criminal injuries compensation are payable under article 12(1) of the Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 and article 13(1) of the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which colleges of further education have(a) higher education courses, (b) national diploma courses and (c) B tech courses.

  Mr. Hanley
  All 24 further education colleges offer national diploma and courses validated by the Business Technology Education Council. The following colleges also offer higher education courses:

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  Limavady College of Further Education

  Omagh College of Further Education

  Ballymena College

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  Northern Ireland Hotel & Catering College, Portrush

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  Down College of Further Education

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  Portadown College of Further Education

  Armagh College of Further Education

  Newry/Kilkeel College of Further Education

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time students there are attending each college of further education in Northern Ireland in the current academic year; and what are the figures for each of the past three years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Figures are not available for the 1990–91 or 1992–93 academic years. The table sets out the information that is available as follows:

  1988–89

  1988–89

  (a)

  (b)

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  2,911

  10,210

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  1,368

  3,847

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  589

  1,459

  Limavady College of Further Education

  490

  675

  Omagh College of Further Education

  563

  1,233

  Antrim College of Further Education

  229

  976

  Ballymena College

  975

  2,659

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  606

  2,252

  New Technical College, Ballymoney

  181

  939

  Coleraine Technical College

  574

  1,031

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  327

  557

  Larne College of Further Education

  243

  1,335

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Portrush

  206

  48

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  497

  1,445

  Down College of Further Education

  602

  1,687

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  225

  174

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  332

  1,758

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  705

  1,742

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  555

  673

  Portadown College of Further Education

  839

  1,747

  Armagh College of Further Education

  791

  644

  102

  1988–89

  1988–89

  (a)

  (b)

  Full-time

  Part-lime

  Banbridge College of Further Education

  240

  826

  East Tyrone College of Further Education

  680

  1,716

  Newry/Kilkeel College of Further Education

  891

  1,456

  1989–90

  1989–90

  (a)

  (b)

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  3,472

  11,029

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  1,405

  4,194

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  610

  1,723

  Limavady College of Further Education

  576

  819

  Omagh College of Further Education

  611

  1,122

  Antrim College of Further Education

  214

  964

  Ballymena College

  960

  2,685

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  645

  2,457

  New Technical College, Ballymoney

  169

  1,007

  Coleraine Technical College

  631

  1,169

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  257

  561

  Larne College of Further Education

  257

  1,252

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Portrush

  181

  25

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  664

  1,481

  Down College of Further Education

  721

  546

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  232

  132

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  341

  1,920

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  610

  1,874

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  516

  587

  Portadown College of Further Education

  1,026

  1,588

  Armagh College of Further Education

  904

  691

  Banbridge College of Further Education

  297

  875

  East Tyrone College of Further Education

  750

  1,513

  Newry/Kilkeel College of Further Education

  1,013

  1,408

  1991–92

  1991–92

  (a)

  (b)

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  3,959

  17,509

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  2,063

  3,846

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  811

  1,971

  Limavady College of Further Education

  556

  880

  Omagh College of Further Education

  923

  1,208

  Antrim College of Further Education

  379

  1,522

  Ballymena College

  1,131

  2,592

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  786

  2,780

  New Technical College, Ballymoney

  308

  1,075

  Coleraine Technical College

  671

  1,193

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  514

  797

  Larne College of Further Education

  303

  898

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Portrush

  223

  69

  103

  1991–92

  1991–92

  (a)

  (b)

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  757

  2,473

  Down College of Further Education

  880

  2,081

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  368

  742

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  693

  2,429

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  1,218

  4,654

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  528

  1,033

  Portadown College of Further Education

  876

  2,120

  Armagh College of Further Education

  1,002

  1,048

  Banbridge College of Further Education

  337

  1,159

  East Tyrone College of Further Education

  867

  1,558

  Newry/Kilkeel College of Further Education

  1,284

  2,947

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums he has provided in the current financial year, and what are his projections for each of the next three financial years, for extensions or rebuilding work at each of the colleges of further education in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  For major works in 1992–93, £350,000 was allocated for Fermanagh college and £2,157,000 for North Down and Ards college. The projected expenditure on North Down and Ards college for the next three years is as follows:

  Year

  Amount

  £

  1993–94

  4,058,000

  1994–95

  2,425,000

  1995–96

  1,045,000

  Decisions have yet to be taken on new projects starting beyond 1992–93.

  In addition the education and library boards are planning to spend some £394,000 of their minor works budgets in 1992–93 on adaptations and maintenance in colleges.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of full-time equivalent students at each college of further education in Northern Ireland; and what was the number of students for which the college was intended to cater.

  Mr. Hanley
  The initial capacity of many colleges is not known. In any case, adaptations of premises over the years to meet changing curricular needs have modified original intentions. However, the information that is available is as follows:

  1990–91

  College

  Number of full-time equivalent students

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  8,604

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  3,105

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  1,063

  Limavady College of Further Education

  831

  104

  College

  Number of full-time equivalent students

  Omagh College of Further Education

  979

  Antrim College of Further Education

  611

  Ballymena College

  1,625

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  1,673

  New Technical College, Ballymoney

  517

  Coleraine Technical College

  959

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  670

  Larne College of Further Education

  552

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College

  203

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  1,378

  Down College of Further Education

  1,114

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  658

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  1,298

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  2,001

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  798

  Portadown College of Further Education

  1,505

  Armagh College of Further Education

  1,171

  Banbridge College of Further Education

  571

  East Tyrone College of Further Education

  1,087

  Newry-Kilkeel College of Further Education

  1,605

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the funding for full-time equivalent students at colleges of further education in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  The latest year in respect of which audited accounts are available is 1990–91. The funding per full-time equivalent student in that year was:

  Education and Library Board—Funding per full-time equivalent student

  £

  Belfast

  2,427.25

  Western

  2,177.57

  North-Eastern

  2,525.80

  South Eastern

  2,363.56

  Southern

  2,282.56

  Figures include the cost of students on the youth training programme based in the colleges.

  Special Care Costs
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums were spent per child in each of the last three years on special care in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools.

  Mr. Hanley
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Electricity Arrears
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total sums of arrears due to Northern Ireland Electricity; how much of this is for domestic property; and how much the corresponding figures were for one and three years ago.

  Mr. Atkins
  The arrears due to Northern Ireland Electricity at 30 June 1992 totalled £5.022 million. The corresponding figures for 1989 and 1991 were £6.064 million and £5.33 million, respectively. The proportion relating to domestic property generally remains constant at approximately 98 per cent. of the total arrears.

  EC Students
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students from(a) the Irish Republic, (b) Great Britain, (c) other EC countries and (d) elsewhere were at each college of further education in Northern Ireland in the current academic year and in each

  1988–89

  Republic of Ireland

  Great Britain

  Other EC

  Elsewhere

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  30

  10

  6

  51

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  323

  0

  0

  6

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  78

  0

  0

  4

  Limavady College of Further Education

  2

  2

  0

  18

  Omagh College of Further Education

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Antrim College of Further Education

  0

  4

  3

  2

  Ballymena College

  0

  1

  2

  12

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  1

  0

  0

  6

  New Technical College, Ballymoney

  0

  1

  2

  2

  Coleraine Technical College

  1

  10

  0

  33

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  2

  0

  0

  1

  Larne College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Portrush

  4

  0

  0

  0

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  0

  7

  1

  8

  Down College of Further Education

  3

  18

  0

  7

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  6

  0

  0

  25

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  1

  2

  1

  20

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  5

  0

  0

  7

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  0

  0

  1

  5

  Portadown College of Further Education

  3

  0

  0

  8

  Armagh College of Further Education

  3

  0

  0

  4

  Banbridge College of Further Education

  1

  0

  0

  1

  East Tyrone College of Further Education

  1

  0

  0

  2

  Newry/Kilkeel College of Further Education

  79

  0

  2

  3

  Note: Figures include full-time and part-time students,

  1989–90

  Republic of Ireland

  Great Britain

  Other EC

  Elsewhere

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  45

  8

  18

  79

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  391

  2

  2

  4

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  85

  0

  1

  5

  Limavady College of Further Education

  1

  9

  0

  16

  Omagh College of Further Education

  8

  0

  0

  2

  Antrim College of Further Education

  1

  5

  0

  3

  Ballymena College

  0

  1

  0

  12

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  0

  0

  2

  11

  New Technical College, Ballymoney

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Coleraine Technical College

  20

  5

  0

  19

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Lame College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Portrush

  7

  1

  0

  0

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  3

  5

  1

  9

  Down College of Further Education

  0

  1

  0

  18

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  1

  1

  0

  36

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  6

  0

  0

  18

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  1

  1

  6

  17

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  2

  0

  0

  2

  Portadown College of Further Education

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Armagh College of Further Education

  4

  0

  0

  1

  Banbridge College of Further Education

  1

  0

  0

  5

  East Tyrone College of Further Education

  5

  1

  0

  12

  Newry/Kilkeel College of Further Education

  97

  0

  2

  12

  Note: Figures include full-time and part-time students.

  1991–92

  Republic of Ireland

  Great Britain

  Other EC

  Elsewhere

  Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

  37

  2

  0

  2

  North-West Institute of Further and Higher Education

  734

  4

  1

  4

  Fermanagh College of Further Education

  175

  0

  0

  0

  Limavady College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  5

  106
  of the last three years; and what is his estimate of the cost to United Kingdom funds of the studenss from other EC nations in each of those four years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although it is not possible to calculate costs, the table sets out the information regarding student numbers over the past three years as follows. Figures are not available for the 1992–93 academic year.
  107

  1991–92

  Republic of Ireland

  Great Britain

  Other EC

  Elsewhere

  Omagh College of Further Education

  13

  0

  0

  0

  Antrim College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ballymena College

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Newtownabbey College of Further Education

  1

  0

  1

  20

  New Technical College, Ballymoney

  5

  0

  0

  0

  Coleraine Technical College

  4

  0

  0

  0

  Magherafelt College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Larne College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Portrush

  6

  0

  0

  0

  Lisburn College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Down College of Further Education

  1

  0

  5

  3

  Newcastle College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  32

  Castlereagh College of Further Education

  2

  1

  0

  0

  North Down and Ards College of Further Education

  56

  0

  0

  1

  Lurgan College of Further Education

  17

  0

  0

  0

  Portadown College of Further Education

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Armagh College of Further Education

  23

  0

  0

  1

  Banbridge College of Further Education

  0

  0

  0

  0

  East Tyrone College of Further Education

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Newry/Kilkeel College of Further Education

  231

  0

  0

  0

  Note: Figures include full-time and Part-time students.

  General Election
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the(a) average, (b) shortest and (c) longest period of time taken to carry out the count for constituencies in Northern Ireland at the general election in 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) average time

  :

  5 hours 40 minutes

  (b) shortest time

  :

  4 hours

  (c) longest time

  :

  7 hours 45 minutes

  Remedial Teaching
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums have been spent per child in each of the last three years in(a)secondary schools and (b)primary schools for remedial teaching.

  Mr. Hanley
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.

  Access Funds
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of access funds allocated to each education and library board of each college of further education in Northern Ireland for(a)1990–91 and(b)1991–92; and what are the amounts paid out to date.

  Mr. Hanley
  Access funds were introduced at the start of the academic year 1990–91, with the sums allocated to each education and library board and the amounts disbursed by each board to students in colleges of further education being as follows:

  Amount allocated to board

  1990–91

  1991–92

  £000

  £000

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  29

  85

  Southern Education and Library Board

  29

  59

  North-Eastern Education and Library Board

  29

  35

  Western Education and Library Board

  28

  59

  South-Eastern Education and Library Board

  29

  55

  108

  Amount disbursed to colleges of further education by board

  1990–91

  1991–92

  £

  £

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  College of Business Studies1

  10,287

  85,000

  College of Technology1

  5,226

  Rupert Stanley1

  940

  Total

  16,453

  Southern Education and Library Board

  Armagh

  5,521

  10,936

  Banbridge

  822

  2,737

  East Tyrone

  6,435

  11,555

  Lurgan

  1,860

  4,106

  Newry

  10,038

  19,589

  Portadown

  561

  5,968

  Total

  25,237

  54,891

  North-Eastern Education and Library Board

  Antrim

  —

  2,150

  Ballymena

  1,816

  8,285

  Ballymoney

  —

  2,962

  Coleraine

  1,340

  3,289

  Larne

  600

  2,376

  Magherafelt

  700

  941

  Newtownabbey

  2,227

  12,907

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Portrush

  1,430

  1,512

  Total

  8,113

  34,422

  Western Education and Library Board

  North West Institute of Further and Higher Education, Londonderry

  12,632

  22,592

  Omagh

  4,816

  14,073

  Limavady

  1,656

  4,151

  Fermanagh

  1,569

  19,252

  Total

  20,673

  60,068

  South-Eastern Education and Library Board

  North Down and Ards

  3,260

  10,604

  Castlereagh

  6,002

  12,544

  Downpatrick

  5,581

  7,995

  Lisburn

  1,858

  8,553

  Newcastle

  6,615

  7,354

  Total

  23,316

  47,050

  109
  1 From 1991–92, Belfast Institute and Higher Education.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase the amount of access funds available to students in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Department of Education for Northern Ireland, in making annual allocations for access funds available to students in Northern Ireland, follows the principle of parity with Great Britain. The amounts available for this purpose have been increased by 1.56 per cent. in 1992–93.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of access funds allocated to teacher education colleges and universities in Northern Ireland for(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1991–92; and if he will give the amounts paid out to date.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ thousands

  1990–911

  1991–921

  allocated

  disbursed

  allocated

  disbursed

  Stranmillis college of education

  15

  4

  22.7

  12.2

  St. Mary's college of education

  14

  14

  22.0

  22.0

  Queen's university Belfast

  169

  169

  169.6

  169.6

  University of Ulster

  150

  150

  150.8

  150.8

  1 Figures for universities relate to their financial year, August to July, whilst figures for colleges of education relate to the Government financial year, April to March.

  Under-fives
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report on the interdepartmental review of policy and services for under-fives will be completed and ready for publication.

  Mr. Hanley
  The outcome of the under-fives review is expected to be announced later this year.

  Quarrying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the creation of coastal super-quarries.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is unlikely that the Northern Ireland coastline has the geological and marine conditions necessary for a coastal super-quarry.

  However, should such a proposal come forward, an environmental impact assessment would be required as an integral part of the relevant planning application, which would be determined on its merits, if necessary after a public inquiry.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the present proposals for reforms by the Northern Ireland milk marketing board were discussed with the European Commission; and if those proposals have the approval of the European Commission.
  110
  Mr. Hanley
  The proposals for reforms from the Northern Ireland milk marketing board were sent, along with the proposals from the other United Kingdom milk marketing boards, to the European Commission in June. There have been no discussions with the Commission on the details of the Northern Ireland board's proposals. However in a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Vice-President of the Commission, the right hon. Sir Leon Brittan, has said that the competition aspects of proposals presented by the Northern Ireland board do not have a real Community dimension and that the arrangements should be dealt with by the competent United Kingdom authorities.

  Patients (Transfers)
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients have been transferred from Northern Ireland health board waiting lists to private health care surgeries in the Republic of Ireland; and what has been the total cost of this exercise since its commencement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Northern health and social services board has contracted with Blackrock clinic, Dublin to provide plastic surgery for 32 patients on its waiting list. So far seven patients have been treated at a cost of £7,000. In addition one patient from the Southern health and social services board has received cardiac surgery at Blackrock clinic at a cost of £7,000.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Legislation
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what proportion of the time spent by the House in Report stages of Government Bills during the Session 1990–91 was taken up by debates on new clauses and amendments which did not conclude with a Division.

  Mr. Newton
  The total amount of time spent in Session 1990–91 on the Report stages of Government Bills was 95 hours and 47 minutes. The time taken up by debates on new clauses and amendments which did not conclude with a Division was 48 hours and 37 minutes, or 51 per cent. of the total time taken on Report stages of Government Bills.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on her policy on the continuation of wages councils.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Government have made it clear on many occasions that the wages councils have no permanent place in the labour market.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers are covered by each of the two largest wages councils.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is estimated that, in March 1992, 736,000 workers were covered by the retail trades (non-food) wages council and 538,000 by the licensed non-residential establishment wages council.

  Unemployment
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployment.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In September 1992, the latest date for which claimant unemployment figures are available, the level of seasonally adjusted unemployment in the United Kingdom was 2,843,300.

  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were unemployed in each standard economic region, including Greater London, in June 1979, and in the latest monthly figures available, adjusted for seasonality and for discontinuities.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Table 1

  Male claimant unemployment (not seasonally adjusted)

  April 1990

  April 1991

  April 1992

  Number

  Rate1

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Blaenau Gwent constituency2

  Total

  2,270

  —

  2,589

  —

  2,698

  —

  Unemployed for more than six months

  1,194

  —

  1,282

  —

  1,629

  —

  Unemployed for more than 12 months

  830

  —

  775

  —

  1,095

  —

  Wales

  Total

  63,859

  8.4

  86,694

  11.4

  99,071

  13.1

  Unemployed for more than six months

  31,170

  4.1

  39,104

  5.2

  55,276

  7.3

  Unemployed for more than 12 months

  19,746

  2.6

  21,247

  2.8

  33,633

  4.4

  England

  Total

  909,664

  6.7

  1,342,355

  9.9

  1,739,063

  12.8

  Unemployed for more than six months

  458,048

  3.3

  583,211

  4.3

  935,204

  6.9

  Unemployed for more than 12 months

  302,390

  2.2

  330,398

  2.4

  552,585

  4.1

  1 Percentage of male work force (the sum of unemployed claimants, employees in employment, self-employed, Her Majesty's forces and participants on work-related Government training programmes).

  2 Official unemployment rates are not available for parliamentary constituencies.

  Note: Claimant unemployment figures by duration are produced quarterly for the months of January, April, July and October, and are on the unadjusted basis.

  Source: Employment Department quarterly analysis of unemployed claimants.

  Table 2

  Female claimant unemployment (not seasonally adjusted)

  April 1990

  April 1991

  April 1992

  Number

  Rate1

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Blaenau Gwent Constituency2

  Total

  598

  —

  552

  —

  525

  —

  Unemployed for more than six months

  262

  —

  206

  —

  240

  —

  Unemployed for more than 12 months

  170

  —

  129

  —

  146

  —

  Wales

  Total

  20,698

  3.8

  23,810

  4.4

  26,590

  4.9

  Unemployed for more than six months

  8,567

  1.6

  8,810

  1.6

  11,754

  2.2

  Unemployed for more than 12 months

  4,860

  0.9

  4,379

  0.8

  5,803

  1.1

  England

  Total

  328,568

  3.2

  429,595

  4.2

  529,478

  5.2

  Unemployed for more than six months

  145,209

  1.4

  160,519

  1.6

  239,461

  2.4

  Unemployed for more than 12 months

  84,340

  0.8

  81,173

  0.8

  118,719

  1.2

  1 Percentage of female work force (the sum of unemployed claimants, employees in employment, self-employed, HM forces and participants on work-related Government training programmes)

  2 Official unemployment rates are not available for parliamentary constituencies Claimant unemployment figures by duration are produced quarterly for the months of January, April, July and October, and are on the unadjusted basis.

  Source: Employment Department

  Quarterly analysis of unemployed claimants
  112
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many men aged 16 to 64 years were registered as unemployed on 1 May 1992, 1 May 1991 and 1 May 1990 in(a) Blaenau Gwent, (b) Wales and (c) England; how many of them had been unemployed for more than six months and for more than 12 months; how many registered unemployed claimants in (i) Blaenau Gwent, (ii) Wales and (iii) England fail to qualify for unemployment benefit; and if she will present the unemployment figures as a percentage of all economically active males and provide comparable figures for unemployment rates and benefit entitlement for females.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available information is contained in the tables.
  113

  Table 3 Unemployed claimants not in receipt of unemployment benefit (not seasonally adjusted)

  May 1990

  May 1991

  May 1992

  Wales

  62,000

  79,000

  91,000

  Percentage of unemployed claimants

  78 per cent

  74 per cent

  76 per cent

  England

  920,000

  1,256,000

  1,617,000

  Percentage of unemployed claimants

  79 per cent

  73 per cent

  74 per cent

  (i) Figures for the number of claimant unemployed not in receipt of unemployment benefit are produced quarterly for the months of February, May, August and November, and are on the unadjusted basis. These figures are not available by gender or for parliamentary constituency areas.

  (ii) Because of slight definitional and methodological differences the figures in the above table do not equate exactly with the figures in tables 1 and 2 relating to the total number of unemployed claimants.

  (iii) The above figures include cases where entitlement to unemployment benefit has been exhausted and cases which, on the day of the count, had not been rated for benefit.

  Source: Department of Social Security

  Quarterly analysis of unemployed claimants.

  Social Policy
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which provisions on social and employment legislation defined by the agreement on social policy concluded between 11 member states of the European Community at Maastricht are also covered by articles 118a and 100a of the treaty of Rome.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Article 118a of the treaty of Rome provides for the adoption of directives establishing minimum requirements as regards workers' health and safety. Article 100a provides for the adoption of measures to assist the establishment or functioning of the internal market, but provisions"relating to the rights and interests of employed persons"

  are among those excluded from its scope.

  The United Kingdom is not a party to the separate agreement on social policy concluded between the other member states. The coverage and interpretation of that agreement's provisions are matters for the member states that signed it and, in the final analysis, for the European Court of Justice once the Maastricht treaty has entered into force.

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  (a) Fatal injuries in construction

  Employees

  99

  103

  101

  100

  96

  Self-employed

  26

  40

  36

  54

  28

  Members of the public

  14

  15

  14

  11

  9

  All persons

  139

  158

  151

  165

  133

  (b) Major injuries1 in construction

  Employees

  2,736

  2,767

  2,907

  3,180

  2,907

  Self-employed

  443

  561

  753

  927

  931

  Members of the public

  162

  153

  132

  113

  123

  All persons

  3,341

  3,481

  3,792

  4,220

  3,961

  1As defined under regulation 3(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), 1985.

  The Government and the Health and Safety Commission have recognised for some years that there needs to be a new approach to improve the management of health and safety in construction. Today, the commission is launching a major consultative document

  Youth Training
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make it her policy to increase the weekly allowance offered to non-employed 16 and 17-year-olds on youth training placements.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There are no plans at present to increase minimum YT allowances. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment believes that the current minimum allowances are sufficient to meet the normal requirements of trainees living in the parental home. Trainees who live independently may apply for income support if they consider their income is insufficient to meet their needs. Employers benefit considerably from Government expenditure on YT and are strongly encouraged to supplement trainee incomes wherever possible.

  Accidents
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give for each year since 1984 details of the number of times incidents have occurred at sites covered by the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984 which required the activation of off-site emergency plans made under those regulations.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Health and Safety Executive does not hold information on the number of times incidents have occurred at sites covered by the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984 which required the activation of off-site emergency plans made under those regulations.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the number of(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on construction sites for each of the past five years and the names of those who were labour only sub-contractors; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available information for Great Britain is provided in the following tables—extracted from Occasional Supplement No. 3 of the September 1992 Employment Gazette Data for the latest year commencing 1 April 1991 are not yet available. Information identifying specific individuals is not released.

  on proposed new construction (design and management) regulations and an approved code of practice. These will implement the design and management aspects of the European Community's temporary or mobile construction sites directive, adopted in June this year. The timing of the

  115
  document is appropriate in view of the European Year of Safety's focus on construction as a high risk area. The regulations should help make construction sites much safer places to work in the future.

  Social Action Programme
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list each initiative under the EC social action programme, indicating in each case(a) action and directives proposed or agreed by the Council of

  Title

  Date published Date agreed/adopted

  Implementation date

  Directive on the organisation of working time

  Published 25 July 1990

  —

  Directive on the introduction of a form to serve as proof of an employment contract or relationship

  Published 5 December 1990 Adopted 14 October 1991

  30 June 1993

  Revision of the directive of 14 February 1975 on the approximation of the laws of member states pertaining to collective redundancies

  Published 15 November 1991 Adopted 24 June 1992

  24 June 1994

  Commission opinion on an equitable wage

  Published 11 December 1991

  n/a

  Memorandum on the social integration of migrants from non-member countries

  Published 4 September 1990

  n/a

  Two directives on contracts and employment relationships other than full-time open-ended contracts

  Published 13 June 1990

  —

  Revision of part II of regulation on the clearance of vacancies and applications for employment and the related procedural decisions (SEDOC)

  Published 5 September 1991 Adopted 17 July 1992

  regulation 1 January 1993 programme ongoing

  Commission communication on the living and working conditions of Community citizens residing in frontier regions and of frontier workers in particular

  Published 4 December 1990

  n/a

  Commission communication on supplementary social security schemes (complementary retirement schemes)

  Published 18 July 1991

  n/a

  Revision of regulation of 29 June 1970 on the right of workers to remain on the territory of a member state after having been employed in that state

  Not yet published

  —

  Proposal for a regulation extending regulation 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community and regulation 574/72 (laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation 1408/71 to all insured persons)

  Published 19 December 1991

  1 January 1993

  Directive concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services

  Published 19 June 1991

  —

  Proposal for a Community instrument concerning the introduction of a labour clause into public contracts

  Withdrawn by Commission

  n/a

  Directive on the procedures for the information, consultation and participation of workers in European-scale undertakings

  Published 5 December 1990

  —

  Council recommendation on equity sharing and financial participation by workers (PEPPER)

  Published 3 September 1991 Adopted 16 July 1992

  n/a

  Communication on the role of the social partners in collective bargaining

  Not yet published

  n/a

  Third community action programme on equal opportunities for men and women

  Published 6 November 1990

  Ongoing

  Directive on the protection of pregnant women at work

  Published 12 September 1990 Adopted 19 October 1992

  19 October 1994

  Council recommendation concerning child care

  Published 8 July 1991 Adopted 31 March 1992

  n/a

  116
  Ministers, (b)in which EC countries it has been adopted and implemented and (c)in which EC countries it has not been adopted and implemented.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is provided in the table.

  Not all of the proposals in the EC social action programme are binding instruments required to be implemented by member states. Where binding instruments have been adopted, there is in every case some time still to elapse before they are required to be implemented in the domestic legislation of member states.
  117

  Title

  Date published Date agreed/adopted

  Implementation date

  Recommendation concerning a code of good conduct on the protection of pregnancy and maternity

  Withdrawn—covered by other measures

  n/a

  Communication on the rationalisation and coordination of Community action programme in the field of initial and continuing vocational training

  Published 12 September 1990

  n/a

  Council decision amending earlier decision concerning an action programme for the vocational training of young people (merger of young workers exchange programme and PETRA)

  Published 9 November 1990 Adopted 22 July 1992

  n/a

  Council decision to extend the third young workers exchange programme (merged with PETRA: see above)

  Published 9 November 1990 Adopted 22 July 1992

  n/a

  Council decision on the second phase of the youth for Europe programme

  Published 22 November 1990 Adopted 29 July 1991

  n/a

  Commission memorandum on vocational training in the EC in the 1990s (modified form of the revision of the 1963 measure initially proposed)

  Published 13 January 1992

  n/a

  Community instrument on access to vocational training

  Not yet published

  —

  Directive on protection of young people at work

  Published 15 January 1992

  —

  Council decision on an initiative on the elderly (including action programme)

  Published 30 April 1990

  ongoing

  Directive on the introduction of measures aimed at promoting an improvement in the travel conditions of workers with motor disabilities

  Published 6 February 1991

  —

  Council decision establishing a third Community action programme for disabled people for 1992–95 (HELIOS II)

  Published 2 October 1991

  n/a

  Council recommendation on sufficient resources in social protection

  Published 7 May 1991 Adopted 24 June 1992

  —

  Council recommendation on convergence of policies in the social protection field

  Published 26 June 1991 Adopted 16 July 1992

  n/a

  Recommendation to member states on the adoption of a European schedule of industrial diseases

  Published 22 May 1990 Adopted 26 June 1990

  n/a

  (a) for reporting

  (b) for compensation

  Directive on health and safety of temporary workers

  Published 13 June 1990 Adopted 25 June 1991

  31 December 1992

  Directive amending directive 83/447 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work

  Published 30 June 1990 Adopted 25 June 1991

  1 January 1993

  Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements to encourage improved medical assistance on board vessels

  Published 25 July 1990 Adopted 31 March 1992

  31 December 1993

  Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements for work at temporary or mobile construction sites

  Published 31 July 1990 Adopted 24 June 1992

  31 December 1993

  Directive on minimum requirements for health and safety signs at the workplace

  Published 31 January 1991 Adopted 24 June 1992

  24 June 1994

  Directive on minimum requirements to be applied in improving the health and safety of workers in the drilling industries

  Published 30 January 1991 Common position 30 April 1992

  —

  Directive on minimum requirements to be applied for improving the health and safety of workers in the extractive industries for the exploration and exploitation of minerals in mines and quarries

  Published 21 February 1992 Common position 24 June 1992

  —

  Council regulation establishing a European Institute of Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Health

  Published 30 September 1991

  n/a

  Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements for fishing vessels

  Published 6 December 1991

  —

  Directive on minimum safety and health requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks caused by physical agents

  Not yet published

  n/a

  118 119

  Title

  Date published Date agreed/adopted

  Implementation date

  Directive on the minimum safety and health requirements of activities in the transport sector

  Not yet published

  —

  Directive defining a system of specific information for workers exposed to certain dangerous industrial agents to be replaced by:

  Withdrawn by the Commission

  —

  Directive concerning information on health and safety to be provided to workers at work

  Not yet published

  —

  Disabled People
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of firms have complied with the quota for disabled people as laid down in the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944, supplying figures for each year since 1979 and by size of firm;

  (2) what proportion of firms have been issued with block exemptions under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944, supplying figures for every year since 1979 and giving figures by size of firm.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Questions on operational matters in the Employment Service executive agency are the responsibility of the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred this question for reply.

  Table 1

  Percentage of firms in Great Britain with 20 or more employees and who have employed a 3 per cent, quota of registered disabled people

  per cent.

  1979

  35.3

  1980

  35.1

  1981

  33.6

  1982

  31.8

  1983

  31.4

  1984

  30.3

  1985

  28.1

  1986

  26.8

  1987

  25.3

  1988

  23.9

  1989

  22.8

  1990

  21.8

  1991

  20.4

  1992

  1—

  1 Not yet available.

  Table 2

  Percentage of employers in Great Britain with 20 or more employees, issued with bulk permits

  per cent.

  1979

  45.1

  1980

  46.5

  1981

  47.6

  1982

  46.3

  1983

  48.4

  1984

  49.9

  1985

  1—

  1986

  55.5

  1987

  56.1

  1988

  56.7

  1989

  57.1

  1990

  58.2

  120

  per cent.

  1991

  55.1

  1992

  2—

  1 Unavailable.

  2 Not yet available.

  Employment Agencies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals she has to strengthen her regulatory powers to register, monitor and supervise employment agencies; and what proposals she has to increase the supervisory powers she has over model agencies and to increase the minimum age at which young people can work as models without chaperones.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has no proposals to strengthen her powers over model agencies or employment agencies. There are no regulations which specifically govern the minimum age at which young people can work as models without chaperones. The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968 are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and are enforced by local education authorities.

  Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on the progress of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications programme and its implementation.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The National Council for Vocational Qualifications is making good progress in meeting the target set by my right hon. and learned Friend, the previous Secretary of State for Employment, that by the end of 1992 national vocational qualifications covering 80 per cent. of the work force up to NVQ level 4 are available, and in all the most important occupational areas.

  There are currently some 430 national vocational qualifications accredited by the council covering about 73 per cent. of the work force in over 40 major industries. The council is well on course to achieve the 80 per cent. target.

  The council is taking a leading role in helping to ensure that awareness and take up of national vocational qualifications is raised. The council's national communications strategy, which was launched by the Prime Minister in January 1992, is involving employer and other organisations in promoting NVQs.

  Employment (Over-50s)
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new proposals her Department has to promote employment among unemployed people over 50 years of age.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We believe that it is in employers' own interests to make effective use of the skills and experience that older people possess. Our new advisory group on older workers will meet later this autumn. It will identify and encourage examples of good employment practice with regard to older workers, and seek to persuade employers to treat all applicants on their merits.

  Euroform Initiative
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 3 July to the hon. Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman),Official Report, column 714, which person or bodies are responsible for choosing successful applicants for the Euroform initiative; how many applicants were unsuccessful; by what means the fund was advertised; and if he will place in the Library a document showing the amount of grant made to each of the 175 projects mentioned in the answer naming the recipient organisation and the purposes to which the grant will be put.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A Euroform programme committee has been set up, comprising of representatives from local authorities, higher education institutions, voluntary bodies, training and enterprise councils, the European Commission and Employment Department. This committee made the selection of projects to be funded under Euroform. Out of 277 bids, 102 were unsuccessful.

  Information about the Euroform initiative was made available through the existing European social fund committee structures, through Community action programme networks—FORCE and EUROTECHNET—and to all organisations which registered an interest.

  Of the 175 projects originally given approval in principle, 62 have yet to be formally approved due to delays in applicants providing the necessary financial information and/or confirmation of transitional partnerships. Once these projects are cleared, a complete list will be placed in the Library detailing the projects to be assisted.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what calculations or assumptions are made of the consequential effects of redundancies, and reduced purchasing power, on employment in the supply of other goods or services; what studies have been made of such effects in areas of local employment offices where major redundancies in shipbuilding, coal mining, engineering or other employment concentrations have taken place; and what conclusions have been drawn from such studies.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The effect of redundancies varies with the circumstances involved. The Department does not therefore use any standard assumptions in assessing any knock-on effects of redundancies on the localities in question or on the economy overall.

  Since 1990, the Department has commissioned two studies looking at the broader effects of large-scale
  122
  redundancies on local economies. The first entitled "Sellafield Redundancies: Labour Market Effects" examined the rundown of construction activity at British Nuclear Fuel's Sellafield site. The research, which was undertaken by the Planning, Industrial and Economic Development Advisers (PIEDA) consultancy, indicated that for every 100 jobs disappearing at the Sellafield construction site, about 20 additional jobs would disappear in the rest of the west Cumbrian economy. The second study, entitled "Research into Redundancies at VSEL, Barrow", was also undertaken by PIEDA. This study looked at the effects of the expected fall in employment at the VSEL shipyards in Barrow on the local travel-to-work area. The consultants estimated that for every 100 jobs lost at the shipyards, an additional I I jobs would disappear in the local economy. The studies did not examine the broader effects, either positive or negative, outside these localities on the United Kingdom economy overall.

  Industrial Disputes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many days were lost through industrial action by staff in higher education in(a)1978 and(b)1992; and how many separate incidents were involved.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  A breakdown of industrial action by staff specifically in higher education is not available for 1978. However, a total of 1,000 days were lost in six stoppages of work by staff in all educational services in 1978. This compares with a loss of 27 thousand days in 22 stoppages in 1991, the latest calendar year for which data are available.

  As a result of changes in the industrial classification system, data on higher education have been available since 1982. On this basis, a provisional total of 4,000 days have been lost in three stoppages of work by staff in higher education in the eight months to August 1992, the latest period for which statistics are available.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, how many acres of dormant, vacant and derelict land are currently in the Church Commissioners' ownership; and how many offices and houses are currently vacant.

  Mr. Alison
  At 30 June, excluding woods, roads and verges, et cetera, 600 acres of our land were unlet as were 15 offices—or parts of offices—and 85 houses or flats.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the commissioners have to change the conditions under which they let church land.

  Mr. Alison
  The commissioners have no such plans in respect of their own land. Letting of other church land is a matter for the diocese or parish concerned.

WALES

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make an announcement following the consultation on trust status applications from health units in Clwyd.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend is still considering the representations made during public consultation and hopes to announce his decisions shortly.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what policy considerations he will utilise in relation to whole health authority national health service trust applications.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The decision whether to seek national health service trust status is a matter for individual health units and the ambulance service. Each application for national health service trust status must demonstrate benefits to patients and quality improvement, management capability and capacity, involvement of key professional staff, especially consultants in management and financial soundness.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen and women of the Welsh health authorities, community health councils and family health service authorities regarding policy on community health services trust status applications.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Each application for national health service trust status is subject to public consultation, which statutorily includes the relevant community health councils. In addition, health authorities and family health service authorities are among a range of consultees who are invited to comment on proposals contained in an application.

  Beaches
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are being taken to ensure that all Welsh beaches attain the highest standards of cleanliness.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A major investment programme is in hand by Dwr Cymru to enable all waters in Wales identified under the EC Bathing Waters Directive to meet the directive's mandatory bacteriological standards.

  In addition, the Government have introduced provisions in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which place local authorities and others under a duty to keep beaches clear of litter and refuse.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he intends to introduce to curb the increase in Welsh unemployment.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Office and agencies which already operate a range of measures to increase employment opportunities will continue to look for further opportunities which will increase employment prospects.

  Housing
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the figure for the total amount in local authority housing capital receipt accounts across Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest information available relates to 31 March 1991, when local councils held £32.7 million of housing capital receipts and this sum may be re-used by the councils.

  At the same date, after allowing for redemption, Welsh local councils had outstanding loan debt of £976.3 million on their housing revenue accounts.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the chairman of Tai Cymru concerning the impact of the proposals contained in his consultation paper on the future development of Welsh housing associations on(a) smaller housing associations, (b) housing associations specialising in infill and refurbishment and (c) small builders;

  (2) what standards of (a)building development and(b)management capabilities he proposes to set as a minimum quality threshold for Welsh housing associations; what consultations he has had with (i) Tai Cymru, (ii) the Welsh Federation of Housing Associations and (iii) the Welsh Association of District Councils concerning the relationship between the development of new-build housing association development and the management of the housing association-owned estate; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what consultations he has had with the chairman of Tai Cymru concerning the reduction of the number of housing associations in Wales approved and grant aided for (a)building new affordable housing and (b)managing estates.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  These are matters which it is for the board of Housing for Wales to consider in the light of the consultation process currently under way.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning supplementary credit approvals for local authority housing estate partnership programmes in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Under the estate partnership programme an initial supplementary credit approval of £3 million has recently been offered to Cardiff city council and one of £ 1.5 million to Merthyr Tydfil borough council to help them fund remedial works on the Ely West and Gurnos estates respectively. Discussions with Arfon borough council continue as regards their proposals for Tai Station estate, Bangor.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on the modernisation of aging council housing stock in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter for local authorities to address when deciding their priorities within the framework provided by "Housing in Wales: An Agenda for Action".

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of Welsh households in 1991(a)lacked or shared a bath or shower,(b)had no inside WC,(c)had no central heating or(d)lived in a density of more than one per room.
  125
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) has to date published only a selection of 1991 census results in the county monitor series (CEN 91 CM). The Wales percentages given as follows for 1991 are provisional as they are derived directly from the rounded statistics in those monitors. National level results will be released by OPCS in November 1992 and more detailed results published in county reports later this year and in 1993. Percentages for 1981 are also given in the following table.

  Percentage of households in Wales

  Per cent.

  11991

  1981

  a. and b. which lacked exclusive use of a bath or shower and/or an inside WC

  1.7

  6.7

  c. which lacked central heating

  18.5

  (2)

  d. with more than 1 person per room

  1.6

  2.8

  1 Provisional.

  2 This question was not asked in 1981.

  Health Services, South Glamorgan
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the future of hospital services in Cardiff.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Our officials are in close touch with the authority about its strategic plan and my right hon. Friend expects to be in a position to consider it in the spring of next year.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the recommendation to the health authority at its meeting of 16 July that(a) all accident and emergency services and (b) all paediatric hospital services should be moved to the University hospital of Wales, the Heath, Cardiff; what assessment he has made of the need to review his acceptance of the authority's 10-year strategic plan; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the withdrawal of the third district general hospital from the authority's 10-year strategy;

  (3) what consultations he has had with the vice-chair of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the date of review of the South Glamorgan health authority 10-year strategic plan.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The health authority was asked in 1989 to review its strategic plan. The outcome is likely to be submitted to my right hon. Friend before Christmas. Until then, the proposals in the plan are a matter for the authority; and my right hon. Friend has not consulted the chairman or vice-chairman of the authority on any aspect of this issue, though naturally officials are in close touch.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to appoint a new chair of the South Glamorgan health authority; if he will advertise the post; and what proposals he has to ensure the appointing procedure achieves compliance with equal opportunities legislation and principles.

  Mr. David Hunt
  On 23 July I announced the appointment of Mr. Ian Grist as chairman of South 126
  Glamorgan district health authority for a four-year term commencing on 1 August 1992. Public appointments are not normally filled as a consequence of advertising. All public appointments are made irrespective of sex on the basis of aptitude and merit.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the date for decision on the application for waiting list initiative capital approval by South Glamorgan health authority for a third orthopaedic operating theatre at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar at Cardiff.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I announced on 6 October an allocation of £94,350 to support the development by South Glamorgan health authority of a third operating theatre at the Prince of Wales hospital.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the suspension on full pay of the unit general manager of the Cardiff royal group of hospitals.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has had no consultations with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority on this matter. This is an internal management issue for the authority.

  District Council Boundaries
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when next he plans to meet the leaders of local authorities in mid Glamorgan to discuss the realignment of district council boundaries in that county.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has already met delegations from each of the Mid Glamorgan district councils during the present phase of consultation.

  Family Expenditure
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average expenditure of a family consisting of two parents and two children in(a) Blaenau Gwent and (b) Wales; and what is the current level of income support for such a family.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Estimated average expenditure for all types of Welsh households for the two year period 1989 to 1990 was £212 per week. The average weekly income support of recipients in Wales who have dependants was estimated to be £66 in May 1991. More detailed breakdowns of these estimates, either by area or type of household, are not available.

  Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children under school-leaving age had been injured in road traffic accidents in Wales(a) prior to the launch of his Department's target to reduce road casualties by one third by the year 2000 and (b) for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is as follows:
  127

  Child Road Casualties1

  Number

  1981–85 average2

  2,326

  19863

  2,181

  19914

  2,344

  1 Children under 16 years of age.

  2 Baseline for reduction target.

  3 Year preceding target launch.

  4 Provisional.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total number of road traffic accidents in Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and how many such accidents resulted in head injuries, according to each standard age cohort.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  In 1991, the total number of road traffic accidents in Wales was 10,824. Information relating to head injuries resulting from road accidents is not collected centrally.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what has been the total expenditure over the last three available years by the Welsh Development Agency on projects involving the redevelopment of town centres;

  (2) what was the total sum spent by the Welsh Development Agency in the latest available year on the acquisition of properties;

  (3) what has been the total expenditure so far paid by way of the Welsh Development Agency to outside consultants in respect of the agency's involvement in the southern area project in Llanelli;

  (4) what was the total expenditure of the Welsh Development Agency in the latest available year on outside consultancy services;

  (5) what has been the total expenditure so far by the Welsh Development Agency on the southern area project at Llanelli;

  (6) who are the representatives of the Welsh Development Agency on the joint committee set up by the agency and Llanelli borough council to oversee the management of the redevelopment of Llanelli town centre;

  (7) What is the estimated likely total expenditure at current prices of the southern area project at Llanelli carried out by the Welsh Development Agency;

  (8) what has been the total amount spent so far by the Welsh Development Agency on the acquisition of properties in connection with (a) the south Llanelli project and (b) the redevelopment of Llanelli town centre;

  (9) whether he will list the names of all the outside consultants who have so far been engaged jointly by the Welsh Development Agency and Llanelli borough council in connection with the redevelopment of the Llanelli town centre;

  (10) whether he will list the names of the three outside consultancies which received most remuneration by way of fees from the Welsh Development Agency in the latest available year;

  (11) what is the limited contribution of the Welsh Development Agency to the joint venture between the agency and Llanelli borough council for the redevelopment of the Llanelli town centre.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Operational issues are a matter for the Welsh Development Agency. I have therefore arranged for 128
  the chief executive of the agency to write to the right hon. Gentleman and for a copy of his response to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list the outside directorships of each member of the board of the Welsh Development Agency.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not kept centrally. However, it is a condition of board membership that no outside interests are maintained which would be likely to conflict with such membership.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total sum spent by the Welsh Development Agency in the latest available year on the clearance of derelict land.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In 1990–91 the WDA spent £24 million on the reclamation of derelict land. Accounts for the year 1991–92 will be published shortly.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people currently awaiting places on youth training schemes in Wales are currently in receipt of bridging allowance; and what is the total value of the allowance.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of young people in receipt of bridging allowances at August 1992 in Wales was 515.

  The value of the allowance is £15 per week per person.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many trainees are currently on youth training schemes in Wales; and how many were deemed to need assistance with(a) numeracy and (b) literacy.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The most recent information available (estimates at 13 September 1992) indicates that there were approximately 14,300 trainees on youth training schemes in Wales.

  Training and enterprise councils have an obligation to provide for young people with a numeracy or literacy need, but are not required to collect statistics indicating the numbers involved. The figures requested are, therefore, not available.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the percentage level for unemployment amongst youth training leavers in Wales in each year since 1989–90.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information relating to the percentage level of unemployment amongst youth training leavers in Wales is provided in the table.

  Unemployment amongst youth training leavers (Wales)

  per cent.

  April 1989 to March 1990

  15.9

  April 1990 to March 1991

  22.5

  April 1991 to December 19911

  26.2

  1 Latest period for which information is currently available.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the overall budget allocated for youth training in Wales during 1991–92 and 1992–93; if he will publish the
  129
  estimated budget level for 1993–94; and how much has been allocated per youth training place on average in each instance.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The youth training budget for 1991–92 was £52.152 million and for 1992–93 is £48.441 million; information relating to budgets for 1993–94 is not yet available.

  The average price per filled place was £53.80 per week for 1991–92 and is £49.40 per week for 1992–93.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of trainees on youth training placements achieved qualifications as part of their placement in each training and enterprise council area in Wales during each of the last three years; and what percentage of placements were brought to an end within three months in each training and enterprise council area.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information relating to the achievement of qualifications on youth traning and numbers of youth training leavers within three months is provided in the tables.

  Table 1

  Qualifications obtained during 1990–91

  Full qualification

  Part qualification

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Gwent

  26

  17

  Swansea

  35

  21

  Cardiff

  29

  19

  Wrexham

  40

  23

  The figures relate to the four areas of Wales which existed prior to the setting up of training and enterprise councils (TECs). Reliable figures on qualifications obtained are not available for TECs for 1990–91, since TECs in Wales were mostly operational for only a small part of the year.

  Table 2

  Qualifications obtained April-November 1991

  Full qualification

  Part qualification

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Gwent

  26

  15

  West Wales

  36

  22

  Mid Glamorgan

  27

  19

  South Glamorgan

  26

  15

  North West Wales

  46

  24

  These are the latest available figures for TECs, since follow up of YT leavers is undertaken six months after leaving.

  Figures for north east Wales and Powys are not available owing to the low number of respondents to the follow up survey in those areas.

  Table 3

  Leavers staying less than three months with a training provider

  Per cent.

  1990–91

  Gwent

  34

  Swansea

  28

  Cardiff

  32

  Wrexham

  26

  130

  Per cent.

  April 1991 to November 1991

  Gwent

  30

  West Wales

  30

  Mid Glamorgan

  29

  South Glamorgan

  34

  Powys

  23

  North East Wales

  7

  North West Wales

  15

  The figures show the percentages of all leavers who spent less than three months with a training provider. They include those who transferred from one provider to another during the period.

  Information is not available on the number of placements brought to an end within three months.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department will publish an estimated figure for the number of 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales who are without a job or a place on a training scheme and who are not in full-time education.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have recently introduced new measures which will enable this information to be collected on a monthly basis. The first monthly count has only just been completed and we intend to publish this information as soon as we are satisfied that it is both comprehensive and accurate.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many 16 and 17-year-olds have been(a) killed and (b) seriously injured in work-related training placement accidents on youth training and youth training schemes in Wales in each year since 1983.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of individuals who have been killed or injured on youth training schemes in Wales in each year since 1983 is given in the following table. Separate figures, by age, are not available.

  Wales

  YT(S) Accident statistics

  Year

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  11983

  0

  2

  40

  1984

  0

  20

  162

  1985

  0

  17

  161

  1986

  2

  26

  173

  1987

  1

  27

  224

  1988

  1

  46

  265

  1989

  0

  43

  214

  1990

  0

  36

  189

  1991

  1

  37

  140

  21992

  0

  8

  61

  1 The data for 1983 covers only the period 1 April to 31 December 1983.

  2 The data for 1992 covers only the period 1 January to 30 June 1992.

  Notes

  (a) Employment Department figures for trainees have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive for employed persons. However, the Employment Department's figures include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments, and road traffic accidents, which would not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.

  (b) Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985. These regulations, which came into force on 1 April 1986, re-classified

  131
  fractured wrists and ankles as major injuries. These were not classed as major injuries in the previous regulations, the Notifications of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980 (NADOR).

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which training and enterprise councils in Wales are currently not fulfilling the Government's guarantee of a training place on youth training schemes for all 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have recently introduced new measures which will enable information to be collected regularly to help identify localised difficulties, and which will encourage closer liaison between training and enterprise councils and careers services. The first monthly count under the new arrangement has only just been completed and it is therefore too early for the full picture to emerge. However, we have made it abundantly clear that we regard meeting the YT guarantee by TECs as of paramount importance and have said that no TEC will be prevented by lack of resource from meeting the guarantee.

  Health Education
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what work is currently undertaken by his Department into the teaching of the dangers of alcohol abuse within the school curriculum in Wales;

  (2) what research work is currently undertaken by his Department to evaluate the teaching of sex education in schools in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Teaching about the dangers of alcohol abuse and sex education are part of the cross curricular theme of health education within the national curriculum. It is subject to inspection by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools who have undertaken several surveys of provision in counties in Wales. Our new arrangements for inspections by registered inspectors will ensure more published reports on all aspects of the life of a school.

  The Welsh Office provides funding for the appointment of local education authority health education coordinators who are closely involved in teaching in schools and make regular reports on provision and practice.

  Weight Statistics
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of young people between the ages of 16 and 19 years are(a) normal weight, (b) 8 per cent. overweight, (c) 1 per cent. obese and (d) under normal weight in each health authority in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, a survey carried out in 1990 by the Health Promotion Authority for Wales found that in the 18 to 24 year age group, 24 per cent. of men and 27 per cent. of women in Wales were overweight.

  For the purpose of the study a person was considered to be overweight if that person's weight (measured in kilograms) divided by the square of their height (measured in metres2) is greater than 24 in the case of men or 23 in the case of women.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have made all my staff aware of the need to consider the potential for deregulation of existing regulatory measures and of the need to assess compliance costs of any new regulations in Wales. I have provided £54,000 for my departmental deregulation unit to co-ordinate this work in my Department and with Departments in England since the Government introduced their deregulation initiative in 1985.

  Job Creation Schemes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to conclude his attempts to produce a comparable methodology for the evaluation of job creation schemes undertaken by the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Welsh Office Industry Department; what consultancy assistance he is using for this exercise; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The development of evaluation techniques is a continuing process which the Department and other bodies will take forward in the light of the recent report by the Public Accounts Committee (HCP 76), calling on external consultancy advice as necessary.

  Smoking
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the percentage of(a) males and (b)females between the ages of 16 and 19 years in Wales who are regular smokers.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest available estimates are given in the table:

  Daily smokers per cent.

  Smoking at least weekly per cent.

  Male

  16

  21

  Female

  19

  29

  Tourism
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the total earnings from tourism in Wales in each year since 1981; and if he will break the figures down according to(a) earnings from United Kingdom staying visitors, (b) overseas visitors and (c)day visitors.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Estimates of expenditure by overnight visitors to Wales are given in the table. Estimates of expenditure by day visitors are available only for the financial year ending on 31 March 1989 when an estimated £22 million was spent in Wales.

  (Source: The leisure day visits survey 1988–89, conducted by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on behalf of the Department of Employment and the British Tourist Authority.)
  133

  Expenditure by overnight visitors to Wales1

  Year

  United Kingdom visitors2

  Overseas visitors

  £ million

  £ million

  1981

  n/a

  50

  1982

  n/a

  55

  1983

  n/a

  85

  1984

  n/a

  90

  1985

  n/a

  95

  1986

  n/a

  100

  1987

  n/a

  120

  1988

  n/a

  100

  1989

  985

  120

  1990

  900

  130

  1991

  900

  130

  Sources: United Kingdom Travel Survey, International Passenger Survey.

  1 These estimates, derived from sample surveys and thus subject to potential random sampling errors, have been rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  2 Since 1989 information has been obtained from the United Kingdom Tourism Survey (UKTS), sponsored jointly by the statutory tourist boards from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. It is not possible to make a direct comparison between the results of this latter survey and those of earlier surveys.

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the percentage of young people between the age of 16 to 19 years who drink alcohol at least once a week in each health authority area in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest available best estimates from the Health Promotion Authority for Wales are as follows:

  Estimated percentage drinking alcohol at least weekly by District Health Authority, Wales 16 to 19 year olds, 1990

  Male

  Female

  Clwyd

  58.0

  51.5

  Dyfed

  57.6

  53.7

  Gwent

  61.0

  47.7

  Gwynedd

  66.3

  49.7

  Mid Glamorgan

  66.1

  49.2

  Powys

  58.5

  47.7

  South Glamorgan

  59.8

  47.7

  West Glamorgan

  61.9

  57.1

  Wales

  61.1

  50.6

  Pregnant Girls
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many girls under 16 years became pregnant in each health authority area in Wales in each year since 1981.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Data on conceptions are not available at district health authority level. However, the number of conceptions to girls aged under 16 usually resident in Wales, which led to a maternity or were terminated by abortion under the Abortion Act 1967, are presented in the table. Conceptions which led to an illegal or spontaneous abortion are excluded.

  Conceptions (aged under 16)

  1981

  455

  1982

  547

  1983

  558

  134

  Conceptions (aged under 16)

  1984

  553

  1985

  577

  1986

  510

  1987

  545

  1988

  536

  1989

  460

  1990

  523

  Source: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  Road Safety
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met representatives of local councils in Wales to discuss levels of provision for road safety measures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Local government finance issues are discussed at the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance, a meeting of which I chaired on 6 July.

  Ecstasy
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to undertake detailed research on the use of MDMA (ecstasy) in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Data are currently collected on the incidence of drug misusers presenting for treatment in Wales. A specialist sub-committee of the Welsh Committee for Drug Misuse is already looking at methodologies for undertaking prevalence studies.

  Children's Hospital
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of Welsh health authorities concerning the provision of a specialist children's hospital for Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None. I am aware, however, that South Glamorgan health authority has commissioned the King's Fund to assess the feasibility and viability of a proposal to establish a comprehensive child health service providing specialist services to children across Wales.

  Bruce Report
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the Bruce report on careers guidance and education.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The review of careers guidance was an internal review carried out by the Employment Department. It is not customary to publish and release internal reviews. The review was taken into account in the consultation exercise which led to proposals for developing careers advice and guidance published in the White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century" (Cm. 156, Volume 1, Chapter 7).

  Disability
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest available figures for the number of disabled people in Wales between the ages of 16 years
  135
  and 64 years indicating the total number currently in work/training and the total number registered as unemployed.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  At 31 March 1991 there were 147,918 people on the register of handicapped people in Wales. No information is held centrally on the numbers of disabled people between the ages of 16 and 64, nor the numbers in work/training or registered unemployed.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been allocated by his Department to each local authority in Wales, in the latest year for which figures are available, to provide portable ramps to assist physical access into buildings; if he will list the buildings which have been granted funds in each local authority area; and if he will indicate which of these buildings were utilised as polling stations during the last general election.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Expenditure on portable access ramps is a matter for individual local authorities in the light of the overall resources available to them and their service priorities.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what statistics he has concerning increased waiting lists for the fitting of adaptions and aids for the physically disabled under the disabled facilities grant scheme since 1 April; and what were the numbers on Welsh local authority waiting lists on(a) 1 January 1991, (b) 1 July 1991, (c) 1 January 1992 and (d) 1 July 1992, respectively.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on such waiting lists is not held centrally.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people with disabilities are registered with the Employment Service and therefore qualify for a green card in Blaenau Gwent; what percentage of these people is registered unemployed; and what are the comparable figures for Wales as a whole.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number of people registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 and who are therefore eligible to receive a certificate of registration (green card) in the Blaenau Gwent constituency is 504. The comparable figure for Wales is 21,998. These are the latest figures, based on a count conducted in April 1992.

  Information is not available about the percentage of registered disabled people in Blaenau Gwent and Wales who are registered unemployed.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the Welsh Office working party on secure accommodation for young offenders to present its report.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The working party under the chairmanship of the chief executive of West Glamorgan county council, is charged with taking forward the detailed design and planning of the new secure unit and I look forward to the provision of secure accommodation being pursued as quickly as possible.

  European Centre
  Mr.Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make representations to the European Community for additional structural fund monies so as to allow more Welsh companies and organisations to subscribe to the European centre project.

  Mr. David Hunt
  It would not be appropriate for me to seek specific additional structural fund resources from the European Commission to support such initiatives. It would be for the relevant programme committee to determine whether or not applications submitted by sponsors for assistance with their contributions to the Wales European centre were eligible for structural fund support and, if so, whether these should be afforded sufficient priority to secure a part of the available resources.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many visitors have called at the Wales European centre in Brussels to date; and what are the estimated targets for visitor numbers in 1992–93.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number of visitors calling at the Wales European centre from April 1992 to September 1992 was 260. This compares favourably with initial estimates for the number of visitors during 1992–93 of 400.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the companies and organisations which have subscribed to the Wales European centre project to date.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The following organisations have subscribed, or have agreed to subscribe, to the Wales European centre: the Welsh Development Agency, the Assembly of Welsh Counties, 34 of the district councils, six of the training and enterprise councils, the development Board for Rural Wales and the University of Wales College, Cardiff.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children and young people were admitted to local authority care in each Welsh local authority area in both 1990 and 1991; and if he will express this both as total numbers and as a proportion per thousand children.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The numbers of children and young people admitted to local authority care for the years ended 31 March 1990 and 1991 are shown in the table.

  All admissions were of children aged under 18 years.

  Number of children and young persons admitted to local authority care during the 12 months ended 31 March

  1990

  1991

  Number

  Rate1

  Number

  Rate1

  Clwyd

  218

  2.3

  216

  2.3

  Dyfed

  191

  2.4

  203

  2.6

  Gwent

  396

  3.8

  359

  3.5

  Gwynedd

  120

  2.2

  135

  2.5

  Mid Glamorgan

  435

  3.4

  315

  2.5

  Powys

  40

  1.6

  53

  2.1

  South Glamorgan

  313

  3.2

  308

  3.2

  West Glamorgan

  239

  2.9

  237

  2.9

  Wales

  1,952

  2.9

  1,826

  2.8

  1 Rate per thousand population aged 0–17 years.

  Slate
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made by his Department to date on the promoting of the sale of Welsh slate within other member countries of the EC.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Office does not promote specific products. However, Government agencies like the Welsh Development Agency and the Development Board for Rural Wales offer help to individual companies with marketing and sourcing of their products and services both within the United Kingdom and overseas.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy not to change the formula for allocating central government finance to local authorities in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The formulae for distributing resources within the local government revenue settlement have been agreed annually between the Welsh Office and the Welsh local authority associations through the forum of the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance. The formulae for 1993–94 need to take account of changes in local government functions from 1 April 1993 and the introduction of the council tax on the same date. The distribution formulae will be set out in the Welsh Local Government finance report 1993–94 to be laid before the House in the new year.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what policy considerations underlay his decision to change the financial allocation to local authorities for expenditure

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation—board attendance record

  October 1990

  October 1990 S*

  November 1990

  December 1990

  February 1991

  March 1991

  G. D. Inkin

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  Lord Brooks of Tremorfa

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  P

  Mrs. M. Barnes

  P

  P

  A

  P

  P

  P

  J. A. Beveridge

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P. Chapple

  A

  A

  Deceased

  Mrs. H. Chapman

  A

  P

  A

  A

  P

  A

  A. G. Cox

  A

  P

  P

  A

  P

  P

  B. H. R. Hudson-Davies

  p

  P

  P

  p

  P

  p

  T. Hunter Jarvie

  P

  W. P. Kitson

  P

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  J. R. Phillips

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  J. P. Sainsbury

  H. R. Silverman

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  L. S. Smith

  B. K. Thomas

  R. E. Watkiss

  P

  A

  P

  P

  P

  A

  A = Absent. S* = Special board meeting. P = Present.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation—board attendance record

  April 1991

  May 1991

  June 1991

  July 1991

  September 1991

  October 1991

  G. D. Inkin

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  Lord Brooks of Tremorfa

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  Mrs. M. Barnes

  A

  P

  A

  A

  P

  A

  J. A. Beveridge

  A

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P. Chapple

  Deceased

  Mrs. H. Chapman

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  A. G. Cox

  P

  P

  P

  A

  P

  P

  B. H. R. Hudson-Davies

  P

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  T. Hunter Jarvie

  P

  A

  A

  Not re-elected to Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council

  W. P. Kitson

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  J. R. Phillips

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  J. P. Sainsbury

  P

  138
  on the disabled facilities grants scheme from the basic credit approval sector to the supplementary credit approval with effect from 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Resources for disabled facilities grant are already provided within local authorities' basic credit approvals. This allows for the necessary flexibility of operational response in providing the support best suited to the needs of disabled people.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been undertaken to date by his Department to assist economic development and training in(a) Estonia, (b) Lithuania, (c) Slovenia, (d) Ukraine, (e) the Russian Federation and (f) Slovakia.

  Mr. David Hunt
  A delegation from the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic visited Wales in 1990. Although my Department has not taken any special initiatives, I am aware that considerable efforts have been made by others, including the Welsh Development Agency, in assisting economic development and training in some of the former eastern bloc countries.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the attendance record of the board members of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation for each of the past two years at all full board meetings.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  139

  April 1991

  May 1991

  June 1991

  July 1991

  September 1991

  October 1991

  H. R. Silverman

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  L. S. Smith

  P

  P

  B. K. Thomas

  P

  P

  P

  P

  R. E. Watkiss

  P

  Deceased

  A=Absent. S*=Special board meeting. P=Present

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation—board attendance record

  November 1991

  November S*

  December 1991

  February 1992

  March 1992

  April 1992

  G. D. Inkin

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  Lord Brooks of Tremorfa

  P

  P

  A

  P

  P

  A

  Mrs. M. Barnes

  P

  P

  Retired from CBDC Board

  J. A. Beveridge

  A

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P. Chapple

  Deceased

  Mrs. H. Chapman

  P

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A. G. Cox

  P

  P

  A

  P

  P

  P

  B. H. R. Hudson-Davies

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  T. Hunter Jarvie

  Not re-elected to Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council

  W. P. Kitson

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  J. R. Phillips

  P

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  J. P. Sainsbury

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  A

  H. R. Silverman

  A

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  L. S. Smith

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  A

  B. K. Thomas

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  P

  R. E. Watkiss

  Deceased

  A=Absent. S*=Special board meeting. P=Present

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation—board attendance record

  May 1992

  June 1992

  July 1992

  September 1992

  October 1992

  Per cent.2

  G. D. Inkin

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  100

  Lord Brooks of Tremorfa

  P

  P

  P

  A

  P

  74

  Mrs. M. Barnes

  Retired from CBDC Board

  64

  J. A. Beveridge

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  83

  P. Chapple

  Deceased

  0

  Mrs. H. Chapman

  P

  P

  A

  P

  A

  65

  A. G. Cox

  P

  P

  A

  A

  A

  70

  B. H. R. Hudson-Davies

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  91

  T. Hunter Jarvie

  Not re-elected to Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council

  50

  W. P. Kitson

  P

  P

  P

  A

  P

  87

  J. R. Phillips

  P

  P

  P

  P

  P

  91

  J. P. Sainsbury

  P

  A

  P

  A

  P

  67

  H. R. Silverman

  P

  P

  A

  P

  P

  83

  L. S. Smith

  A

  P

  A

  P

  A

  62

  B. K. Thomas

  P

  P

  P

  P

  A

  87

  R. E. Watkiss

  Deceased

  71

  1 A = Absent. S* = Special board meeting. P = Present

  2 Per cent, covers tables 1 to 4.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made for the auditing of the accounts of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation; what reserve powers the National Audit Office has, for involvement in the auditing process of the corporation's accounts; what proposals he has to change the arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have nothing to add to the letter that I wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 28 September.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made or proposes to make for public consultation on the Wallace Evans and Partners study of the potential of de-watering wells for the combating of waterlogging of land areas within the protected property line published by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation in connection with the proposed Cardiff bay barrage; and if he will make a statement.
  140
  Mr. David Hunt
  As I indicated to the hon. Gentleman on 24 June at col.217, I have sought the views of Mr. Roy Stoner. Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, Cardiff city council and the National Rivers Authority on the results of the report. Copies were also sent for information to petitioners against the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill and other bodies with a known interest.

  Special Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children in special schools were without a statement of needs in(a) January 1986 and (b) January 1991. in each county in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information relating to January 1986 is not available. Data for the next available year and 1991 are shown in the table:
  141

  Non-statemented pupils

  1987

  11991

  Clwyd

  0

  49

  Dyfed

  0

  0

  Gwent

  16

  0

  Gwynedd

  0

  2

  Mid Glamorgan

  1

  1

  Powys

  0

  8

  South Glamorgan

  49

  85

  West Glamorgan

  0

  0

  Wales

  66

  145

  1 From 1989 onwards, information on statemented pupils in special schools was collected at September.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on his policies for children in special schools;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the working of the Education Act 1981 concerning children in special schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Our policy for children in special schools, as with other children, is to provide them with the opportunities to make the most of their potential. The Government have undertaken a fundamental review of the relevant provisions of the Education Act 1981 and we are bringing forward proposals to improve the current assessment and statementing process, to give parents the right to express a preference for their child's school and to provide a new appeal system. The details are in the consultation document "Special Education Needs—Access to the System" which was published on 15 July and a copy of which is in the Library of the House. These proposals will benefit not only children in special schools but all children with special educational needs.

  Minerals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning his approach to the review of the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Minerals) Act 1981: Old Mineral Permissions.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The responses to the consultation paper issued in March on old mining permissions are under consideration. Further consultation is likely before any detailed proposals are implemented.

  Speed Traps
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contracts he has awarded to BEAMAX for the installation and maintenance of radar camera and security systems speed traps on the M4, Severn bridge and trunk roads; when they were awarded; by what process of competitive tender; and for how long.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Department has not awarded any contracts to BEAMAX.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many milk producers in Wales currently deal with the Milk Marketing Board.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The figure is 5,289 as at August 1992.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National 142
  Farmers Union and the Farmers Union of Wales in Wales concerning the future of the Milk Marketing Board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am in regular contact with the National Farmers Union and the Farmers Union of Wales and both unions have responded to the consultation document on the future of the England and Wales Milk Marketing Board. These responses will be considered along with others I have received.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the numbers of patients waiting for in-patient treatment on 31 March for each individual health authority(a) in total and (b) by main speciality for periods (i) under 12 months, (ii) 12 to 24 months and (iii) over 24 months.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information on waiting lists in Wales as at 31 March 1992 was published in "Welsh Hospital Waiting List Bulletin: 1992 No. 2" on 23 September and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The percentage of in-patients waiting over 12 months are shown in tables 1.1–1.10 and those waiting over 24 months are shown in table 2.1.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the numbers of patients waiting for out-patient treatment on 31 March for each individual health authority(a) in total and (b) by main speciality for periods (i) under 12 months, (ii) 12 to 24 months and (iii) over 24 months.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information on waiting lists in Wales as at 31 March 1992 was published in "Welsh Hospital Waiting List Bulletin: 1992 No. 2" on 23 September and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Information is available only on the percentage of out-patients waiting over three months and is shown in tables 1.1–1.10.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the male and female populations aged 16 years and over are economically active in (a) Blaenau Gwent and (b) Wales.

  Mr David Hunt
  The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) have to date published only a selection of 1991 census results in the county monitor series (CEN 91 CM). The Wales percentages given in the following table are provisional as they are derived directly from the rounded statistics in those monitors. National level results will be published in November 1992.

  Percentage of Working Age Group Economically Active, 1991

  Males (16–64 Years)

  Females (15–59 Years)

  per cent.

  per cent.

  a. Blaenau Gwent

  77.1

  58.1

  b. Wales

  81.2

  62.5

  143
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest male unemployment figure in (a) the Shotton travel-to-work area, (b) the Alyn and Deeside constituency and (c) the county of Clwyd.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The September 1992 male unemployment claimant figures are 5,965, 2,345 and 12,345 for the Shotton, Flint and Rhyl travel-to-work area, Alyn and Deeside constituency and county of Clwyd respectively.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the number of people in Wales(a) who have two jobs and (b) who are counted more than once in the employment figures.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Estimates derived from the Labour Force Survey of 3,000 households in Wales in spring 1992 suggest that 4.3 per cent. of employees had second jobs. Such estimates are subject to sampling variability.

  The exact number of people who are counted more than once in compiling the official estimates of employees in employment is not known. These latter estimates are based on figures collected from employers who do not generally know if an employee is filling the post as an additional job.

  Welsh World Trade Centre
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to occupy space in the Welsh world trade centre in 1993.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department has no current plans to take office space at the Welsh world trade centre. We will consider taking space at any relevant exhibitions which are held there.

  Farming Enterprises
  Mr. Morgan To
  ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the NFU Wales and the Farmers Union of Wales regarding the viability of Welsh farming enterprises in Wales following the collapse of the auctioneers and mart-owners King Thomas Lloyd-Jones.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received a number of letters on this matter but have had no formal consultations on this issue with the farming unions.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a progress report on the identification, monitoring and classification of private water supplies in Wales for nitrate.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authorities are responsible for private water supplies in their areas. Paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8 of Welsh Office circular 68/91 (copies of which are in the Library of the House) specify the timescale for providing me with reports. The information the hon. Gentleman is seeking will not be available centrally until after June 1993.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the surveys that are being carried out to identify the vulnerability of aquifers in Wales;

  (2) if he will publish a list of contaminated land sites in Wales which threaten groundwater quality.
  144
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Rivers Authority is currently producing a series of groundwater vulnerability maps, which will be based on geological and soil characteristics. These will enhance the N RA's ability to assess the risks from a number of factors, including those arising from contaminated land. In addition the authority routinely monitors groundwater, principally that used for potable supplies.

  Surveys of potentially contaminated land have been undertaken on behalf of the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency, the most recent of these in 1987–88. A copy of this survey is available in the Library of the House.

  Investment
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of his current and forthcoming overseas visit or visits to attract inward investment to Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have recently returned from an inward investment mission to the United States, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. I have not yet arranged further visits.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of public investment in Clwyd since 1980; and if he will list the main headings of such investment.

  Mr. David Hunt
  County estimates of gross domestic fixed capital formation by function of government have, so far, only been prepared for 1987 and 1988. These estimates were published in the Regional Accounts article of the November 1990 issue of Economic Trends (No. 445). The publication of figures for 1989 and 1990 is scheduled for the December 1992 issue.

  Dentists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of dentists now leaving dentistry in Wales and in the United Kingdom for practices abroad.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of dentists in the national health service in Wales who are not accepting new patients.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally. General dental practitioners are independent contractors who are free to decide which patients to accept or reject.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dentists are awaiting determination of or have declared bankruptcy in Wales in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave him on 2 June 1992 at cols.433–35.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he proposes to improve working conditions of dentists in the national health service in Wales.
  145
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The working conditions of general dental practitioners at their practice premises are their own responsibility, subject to health and safety regulations. In broader terms, the Government have initiated a fundamental review of the dental remuneration system. This review is being undertaken by Sir Kenneth Bloomfield who is to report by the end of the year.

  Employment Initiatives
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new financial initiatives he intends to introduce to attract new jobs to Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Regional selective assistance continues to prove an effective instrument and remains the cornerstone of our efforts which have already succeeded in securing considerable inward investment and helped many Welsh businesses to expand. Initiatives such as the financial services initiative and IT Wales are kept under review to ensure that they achieve the maximum effect in their target sectors.

  Textiles
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made by his Department to date on the promotion of Welsh textiles within other EC member states.

  Mr. David Hunt
  There are no specific programmes to promote Welsh textiles in other EC member states. However, as part of its garment initiative the WDA is active in helping to develop the Welsh clothing industry.

  Anaesthetists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by regional health authority the current establishment requirement for anaesthetists; and how many are in post.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No establishment requirement figure is set by the Department. The Royal College of Anaesthetists issues guidance to individual hospital units on the numbers and experience of anaesthetists required to satisfy the range of services provided.

  Bids for new posts are received by the Department and advice is sought from the Welsh Medical and Dental Manpower Committee.

  Provisional figures as at 30 September 1991, the latest figures which are available, show that there were 146 consultant anaesthetists in post in Wales (including locums) with a whole-time equivalent of 131.0.

  Brick Making
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit the Butterley brick works, Lane End, Buckley.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have no plans to visit Butterley Brick's operation at Buckley at the present time.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in each county in Wales are employed in brick making.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Brickmaking is not separately identified in employment estimates. In September 1989 146
  there were 800 people employed in Wales in the manufacture of all structural clay products. Figures at a county level may not be published because to do so would breach the guidelines for protecting confidential data relating to a small number of businesses.

  Car Leasing Schemes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with the chairmen of the non-departmental public bodies in Wales to examine the costs of their executive car leasing schemes.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total annual cost of executive car leasing schemes for(a) chairmen and vice chairmen, (b) senior executives and (c) middle management executives of each of the non-departmental public bodies in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not held centrally. However, my Department has recently reminded NDPBs of the criteria which they must follow to ensure the cost-effectiveness of any car leasing arrangements.

  South Glamorgan Family Health Services Authority
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the terms and conditions and length of working week for Mrs. Janet Sainsbury as chair of the South Glamorgan family health services authority; what other candidates were considered for the post; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The chairman of South Glamorgan family health services authority receives £11,720 for a time commitment of not less than 2½ days per week. A wide range of candidates was considered but their names are confidential.

  Local Government
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the structures working group of the Welsh county and district councils and his own officials regarding the most effective future patterns of local government in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government, of which I am chairman, has received and discussed reports from the structures group and its sub-groups on this matter. I am now giving further consideration to the issues raised.

  Road Relief Schemes
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the completion date of the Brynglas tunnels, Malpas road relief schemes.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The current contract completion date is July 1994.

  Quarrying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state his Department's policy towards the creation of coastal super-quarries.
  147
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The potential for coastal super-quarries will be taken into account in the current review of mineral planning guidance note 6 on the provision for aggregates in England and Wales. Individual applications will of course be considered on their merits, having full regard to all environmental considerations.

  Long-term Illness
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of Welsh households in 1991 included someone with a long-term limiting illness.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  These figures are not available centrally. However, the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) have published a selection of 1991 Census results in the county monitor series (CEN 91 CM). A provisional figure for Wales as a whole can be derived from these rounded county statistics; it is that respondents in 32 per cent. of households adjudged that there were one or more persons in the household with a long-term limiting illness or disability. This included persons whose long term illness or disability was due to old age. National level results are expected to be released by OPCS in November 1992.

  Wales Promotional World Tour
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the costs to(a) his direct departmental budget, (b) the Welsh Development Agency, (c) the Wales Tourist Board and (d) other public bodies of the current Wales promotional world tour; if he will specify how many persons from each body are attending each leg of the tour; if he will publish a list of (a) business meetings, (b) cultural events, (c) exhibitions and (d) social events being undertaken by each group on each leg of the tour; what special literature has been printed for the tour and what arrangements have been made for shipping it; if he will place a copy in the Library of the prior cost-benefit analysis of the resourcing and purposes of the exercise; if he will institute an evaluation of the exercise after its completion and place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have just returned from an inward investment mission to North America, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong leading a team of up to four officials from the Welsh Office. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman with the costs when I have full details, but I expect them to be in the region of £75,000.

  The Welsh Development Agency was represented by three people in the United States, two in Korea, three in Japan and two in Hong Kong. Several of the WDA representatives are based overseas and would have been overseas anyway irrespective of the mission itself.

  The Wales Tourist Board was not involved in the mission and no other public bodies were involved.

  For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it would not be appropriate to list each engagement, but in the 12 days I undertook 56 official engagements, 32 of which were directly business-related and four were cultural. The remainder consisted of engagements such as ministerial meetings, seminars and media interviews.

  No special literature was prepared for the mission. All such missions are carefully planned to ensure good value for money, and locations and engagements are chosen in order to maximise the potential benefits to Wales. Full
  148
  results will take time to become apparent, but I am confident that the mission will help significantly to maintain Wales's excellent inward investment record.

  River Loughor
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will serve a notice on the Welsh region of the National Rivers Authority requiring the stretch of the River Loughor which is categorised as level 3 of the national water classification scheme to meet a system of statutory water quality objectives.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Rivers Authority (NRA) recently published its recommendations for a scheme of water quality classification for setting statutory water quality objectives. The authority's recommendations are currently being considered by the Government and we expect to be consulting widely in due course about our own proposals for implementing the scheme with the aim of starting to introduce statutory water quality objectives gradually from 1993.

  In the meantime the NRA is determined to prevent any deterioration in the quality of the River Loughor and to achieve improvements, where possible, consistent with the existing non-statutory river quality objectives.

  Flood Defences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce new protective measures to avoid inundation by tidal waters of the Peterstone/St Brides and Crindau areas of Newport. Gwent.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Rivers Authority, relevant local authorities and Caldicot and Wentlooge Drainage Board have powers to undertake sea defence works to protect from inundation by tidal waters the Peterstone/St. Brides and Crindau areas of Newport, Gwent. The Department is prepared to grant aid eligible schemes for the improvement of defence in these areas.

  Business Projects in Africa
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the work undertaken by his Department in developing Welsh business projects in Africa; and if he will list the projects concerned.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Office does not promote individual overseas business projects. The Department's overseas trade services branch does, however, provide a range of advisory and information services, as well as practical help to Welsh companies who intend to export their goods and services overseas including the continent of Africa.

  Air Routes
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the new air routes that have been established linking Cardiff-Wales airport with other European destinations during 1991 and to date in 1992; and what progress has been made by his Department in the development of further new air routes linking Wales with mainland Europe.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  New European air routes established out of Cardiff-Wales airport during 1991 and to date in 1992 are as follows:
  149
  1991—Scheduled

  Belfast City

  Brussels

  Dublin

  Düsseldorf (subsequently cancelled)

  Guernsey

  Isle of Man

  Jersey

  Paris

  1992—Scheduled

  Aberdeen

  1992—Chartered

  Turkey

  Channel Islands

  Lyon

  Series of European city day trips (Berlin, Vienna, Rome).

  The development of further air routes is primarily for the commercial judgment of the airlines and the airport management. However, I understand that new scheduled services to Düsseldorf and Stuttgart may be introduced by the spring of next year.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the departments spending projects that will not be executed or completed because of alterations in the public spending per head formula relating expenditure per head in Wales preferentially to that in England.

  Mr. David Hunt
  When decisions about future levels of public expenditure have been made, they will be announced in the autumn statement in the normal way.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what have been the outturn sums paid to community health councils in each of the past 10 years and the amount planned for the next financial year; and if he will publish a table showing the sums indexed with the 1981–82 expenditure expressed as 100.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested on outturn expenditure over the past 10 years is given in the table. It should be noted that this relates to accrued expenditure not simply to cash payments. Planned cash provision in 1992–93 amounts to £1 million; but it is not possible, at this stage of the financial year, to make reliable forecasts of outturn expenditure in either accruals or cash terms. Provision for 1993–94 has not yet been determined.

  Community Health Councils: Expenditure

  Financial Year

  Outturn Expenditure1

  Index1 (1981–82 = 100)

  1981–82

  391,973

  100.00

  1982–83

  446,085

  106.24

  1983–84

  459,334

  104.55

  1984–85

  494,656

  107.22

  1985–86

  532,667

  109.42

  1986–87

  555,632

  110.51

  1987–88

  585,557

  110.45

  1988–89

  619,690

  109.02

  1989–90

  664,475

  109.67

  1990–91

  727,760

  111.07

  1991–92

  2937,288

  133.38

  Source: Health authorities annual accounts

  1Calculated by converting outturn expenditure to constant 1981–82 prices using the GDP deflator index and forming the 1981–82= 100 indices as presented.

  2Provisional pending finalisation of 1991–92 accounts.

  Faraday Centres
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Faraday centres established to date in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  At present there are no Faraday centres in the United Kingdom. The Government are currently considering proposals for such centres and is seeking views from industry.

  Crown Buildings, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for occupation of the space in the Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, vacated by NCM of Amsterdam.

  Mr. David Hunt
  During the two years before NCM Credit Insurance Ltd is due to vacate the Crown Building at Cathays Park, my Department will be considering future use in consultation with the Department of Environment (Property Holdings) which is ultimately responsible for re-letting the space.

  Orthoptic Services
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on orthoptic services in (a) the Clwyd health authority and (b) Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The management and provision of Orthoptic services in Wales is the responsibility of the district health authorities who assess local need and seek to make appropriate provision.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of homeless people in (a) Clwyd, (b) Alyn and Deeside district council area and (c) Wrexham Maelor borough council area.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The numbers of persons in households accepted as homeless during the quarter ending 30 June 1992 under part III of the Housing Act 1985 is given as follows:

  Number of persons

  Clwyd

  602

  Alyn and Deeside

  160

  Wrexham Maelor

  250

  Hospital Catering
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he had from the Gardner Merchant subsidiary of Forte plc prior to his awarding the South Glamorgan health authority catering contract at three hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It is a matter for South Glamorgan health authority to award the contract but departmental guidance indicates that unless there are compelling reasons otherwise, the contract should be awarded to the lowest tenderer. In this case, the Department has indicated that the lowest tender should be accepted. Gardner Merchant sought clarification of tender procedures and how long it
  151
  would take to resolve the matter. There was no discussion between the Department and Gardner Merchant on the details of its tender.

  Development Board for Rural Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales concerning the recovery of sums spent without authority on the board's executive car leasing scheme.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None. However, my Department has written to the chief executive of the developmental board requesting that he consider the recovery of any excess costs incurred as a result of the unauthorised payments.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to reply to the letters to him dated 11 and 13 August from the hon. Member for Cardiff, West regarding the Welsh Development Agency's employment of unlicensed model agency. SHAPES.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State replied in my absence on 27 August.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the monthly totals and average percentage of the unemployment figures for (a) Wales and (b) the areas covered by the valleys inititative for each year from 1987.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The unemployment data requested for Wales are available from the NOMIS database, which can be accessed on-line by House of Commons Library staff. Unemployment figures for the Valleys area are given in the table:

  Unemployment in the Programme for the Valleys area

  Number1

  Rate2

  1987

  January

  44,703

  18.2

  February

  43,281

  17.7

  March

  42,001

  17.1

  April

  41,817

  17.1

  May

  41,183

  16.8

  June

  39,682

  16.2

  July

  39,646

  16.2

  August

  38,963

  15.9

  September

  40,237

  16.4

  October

  37,998

  15.5

  November

  36,888

  15.0

  December

  37,073

  15.1

  1988

  January

  37,797

  15.4

  February

  37,122

  15.1

  March

  36,234

  14.8

  April

  37,556

  15.3

  May

  35,675

  14.6

  June

  34,435

  14.0

  July

  33,558

  13.7

  August

  33,138

  13.5

  September

  33,391

  13.6

  October

  30,907

  12.6

  November

  30,354

  12.4

  December

  30,292

  12.4

  1989

  January

  30,963

  12.6

  152

  Number1

  Rate2

  February

  29,812

  12.1

  March

  29,095

  11.8

  April

  28,543

  11.6

  May

  27,411

  11.2

  June

  26,279

  10.7

  July

  26,291

  10.7

  August

  25,714

  10.5

  September

  25,928

  10.5

  October

  24,091

  9.8

  November

  23,296

  9.5

  December

  23,677

  9.6

  1990

  January

  24,764

  10.3

  February

  24,183

  10.0

  March

  23,797

  9.9

  April

  23,474

  9.8

  May

  22,922

  9.5

  June

  22,417

  9.3

  July

  23,146

  9.6

  August

  23,330

  9.7

  September

  23,647

  9.8

  October

  23,411

  9.7

  November

  24,052

  10.0

  December

  25,559

  10.6

  1991

  January

  27,077

  11.1

  February

  27,746

  11.4

  March

  28,995

  11.9

  April

  30,309

  12.5

  May

  30,274

  12.5

  June

  30,144

  12.4

  July

  31,557

  13.0

  August

  31,635

  13.0

  September

  31,751

  13.1

  October

  30,808

  12.7

  November

  31,130

  12.8

  December

  31,987

  13.2

  1992

  January

  33,469

  13.8

  February

  32,934

  13.6

  March

  32,271

  13.3

  April

  32,200

  13.3

  May

  31,443

  12.9

  June

  30,845

  12.7

  July

  31,438

  12.9

  August

  31,901

  13.1

  September

  32,310

  13.3

  Source: Employment Department.

  1 Unadjusted numbers of unemployed claimants.

  2 Unemployed claimants expressed as a percentage of the work force. 1987 rates use the 1988 work force, 1992 rates use 1991 work force figures.

  Valleys

  Wales

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  1990

  January

  24,764

  10.3

  90,349

  6.9

  February

  24,183

  10.0

  88,851

  6.8

  March

  23,797

  9.9

  86,638

  6.6

  April

  23,474

  9.8

  84,557

  6.5

  May

  22,922

  9.5

  81,194

  6.2

  June

  22,417

  9.3

  79,103

  6.1

  July

  23,146

  9.6

  83,202

  6.4

  August

  23,330

  9.7

  84,609

  6.5

  September

  23,647

  9.8

  85,858

  6.6

  October

  23,411

  9.7

  86.03

  6.6

  November

  24,052

  10.0

  89,923

  6.9

  December

  25,559

  10.6

  95,662

  7.3

  1991

  January

  27,077

  11.1

  101,452

  7.8

  February

  27,746

  11.4

  104,889

  8.1

  March

  28,995

  11.9

  108,049

  8.3

  153

  Valleys

  Wales

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  April

  30,309

  12.5

  110,504

  8.5

  May

  30,274

  12.5

  110,237

  8.5

  June

  30,144

  12.4

  109,783

  8.4

  July

  31,557

  13.0

  115,993

  8.9

  August

  31,635

  13.0

  118,469

  9.1

  September

  31,751

  13.1

  118,952

  9.1

  October

  30,808

  12.7

  117,089

  9.0

  November

  31,130

  12.8

  119,696

  9.2

  December

  31,987

  13.2

  122,910

  9.4

  1992

  January

  33,469

  13.8

  128,755

  9.9

  February

  32,934

  13.6

  128,105

  9.8

  March

  32,271

  13.3

  125,871

  9.7

  April

  32,200

  13.3

  125,661

  9.7

  May

  31,443

  12.9

  122,902

  9.4

  June

  30,845

  12.7

  120,512

  9.3

  July

  31,438

  12.9

  125,156

  9.6

  August

  31,901

  13.1

  128,391

  9.9

  September

  32,310

  13.3

  129,317

  9.9

  Source: Employment Department

  Disabled Facilities Grants
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will allocate disabled facilities grants expenditure by local authorities, under the heading of supplementary credit approvals.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I shall be taking decisions on the 1993–94 allocations for housing capital provision in due course.

  Abandoned Mines
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he will be making for public inspection of the duplicates of the British Coal abandoned mine records in Wales at his office; what charge will be made for consulting and copying thereof; what account he has taken of the present British Coal charges for the same service; what consultations he has had with the local planning authorities and construction industry professional groups; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Extensive consultations took place with interested parties prior to the publication of Command Paper 2034. The duplicate copy of the catalogue of plans is available for public inspection in the land use records office of my Department in Cardiff. There is no charge for this service.

  Caldicot Levels
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress achieved in the survey of alternative feeding grounds for wading birds on the Caldicot levels, being undertaken for the Cardiff Bay development corporation; and what provisions he has made of compulsory purchase powers for land assembly.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The current feasibility study into alternative mitigation measures for birds is in line with the advice of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Countryside Council for Wales. The study is examining the creation of a variety of wetland habitats. The consultants carrying out the study have made an interim presentation and will be making their final report 154
  later this year. Cardiff Bay Development Corporation commissioned the study jointly with the Land Authority for Wales. I have made no special provisions for compulsory purchase powers, though the land authority has such powers itself.

  Usk Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Government policy on the Usk barrage proposal.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  When the River Usk Barrage Bill was given a Second Reading in another place on 13 July the Government indicated that they had no objection in principle to the powers being sought by Newport borough council. The borough council has now withdrawn the Private Bill and has indicated that it will consider seeking the necessary authority for the construction of the barrage through the order-making provisions of the Transport and Works Act 1992. In view of my possible involvement in the consideration of the Usk barrage proposal under these provisions it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

  Severn Bridge Tolls
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to introduce amendments to the Severn Bridges Act 1992 in order to reduce the levels of tolls.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Government have no plans to reduce the level of tolls at the Severn bridge from the amounts already provided for under the Severn Bridges Act 1992.

  Carers in Wales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of carers in Wales are currently over the age of 65 years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There is no centrally held information on the ages of carers in Wales. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys carried out a study in 1985 and published results for Great Britain1 which showed that 19 per cent. of male carers and 17 per cent of female carers were aged 65 or over.

  1Informal Carers: a study carried out on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Security as part of the 1985 General Household Survey.

  Means-tested Education Benefits
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children in Wales qualified for free school meals, uniform or clothing grants and other means-tested educational benefits in 1990–91 and 1991–92; and if he will also provide these figures as a percentage of the total school roll.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of pupils who qualified for free school meals in 1990–91 and 1991–92 is as follows:

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Number of Pupils

  75,753

  87,913

  Expressed as the percentage of total on roll

  16.1

  18.5

  155
  Information on uniform or clothing grants and other means-tested educational benefits is not held centrally.

  Higher Education Academic Staff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to set up a pay review body for Welsh higher education academic staff.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None.

  Raw Milk
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the new arrangements for the sale of raw milk off farms in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The labelling and testing requirements introduced in 1990 for the sale of raw milk appear to be working well. Interested parties have been consulted on the Milk Marketing Board's proposals for the future of milk marketing. I am considering the responses.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends regularly to publish a list of schools considering grant-maintained status.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No.

  Roads
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning his policy on strategic roads in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend's policy on roads is set out in "Roads in Wales: Progress and Plans for the 1990s", the 1992 Supplement and in the Welsh Office Department Report (Cm. 1916).

  Wages
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the(a) male and (b) female Welsh work force receive wages below the national average.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In April 1992, the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time employees in Great Britain was £304.60.

  Information from the April 1992 new earnings survey shows that the proportion of full-time male employees in Wales (on adult rates whose pay was unaffected by absence) earning less than £300 per week was 59.3 per cent. (GB 51.3 per cent.).

  The proportion of full-time female employees in Wales earning under £300 per week was 80.9 per cent. (GB 75.9 per cent.).

  In interpreting the figures for Wales, it should be borne in mind that because of the shape of the earnings distribution, the percentage of the work force receiving less than national average earnings is more than 50 per cent. even for Great Britain as a whole.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employees in Blaenau Gwent(a) are paid less than £3.40 per hour, (b) have weekly or hourly earnings falling below 68 per cent. of adult mean earnings and (c) have weekly earnings which do not exceed the lower earnings limit for national insurance liability.
  156
  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is not available below county level.

  Industrial and Economic Development
  Mr. Roger Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take measures to maintain industrial and economic development in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have today published my consultation paper on the Welsh Economic Council, which I am placing in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I have also arranged to send a copy to every Member representing Welsh constituencies.

DEFENCE

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department's contribution to the Government's deregulation initiative will be provided from within existing resources.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ask the working group on safety of United Kingdom nuclear weapons to review immediately the procedures for dealing with accidents involving nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Aitken
  In their report of the 13 July, the working group noted that there are well-developed procedures for dealing with accidents involving nuclear weapons. We regularly practise these arrangments which are overseen by the nuclear weapons safety committee, my Department's permanently constituted senior source of independent advice on nuclear weapon safety.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to cease production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium in the United Kingdom, as part of Her Majesty's Government's efforts to halt nuclear weapon proliferation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 16 July,Official Report, column 932–33.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he is yet in a position to publish his Department's scientists' review of nuclear weapon safety, with particular reference to accidents involving nuclear weapons road convoys; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) further to his answer on 12 June, Official Report, column 317, if he is yet in a position to publish his Department's scientists' review into the safety of nuclear warheads in the wake of the Drell report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 13 July at column 521, in which publication of the working group's report was announced.
  157
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of the date of decision on the formal tenders for contractorisation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment pursuant to the passage of the Atomic Weapons Establishment Act 1991 and his letter of 4 June 1992 to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West.

  Mr. Aitken
  We expect to announce the successful tenderer in early 1993.

  RAF Stations
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the RAF personnel transferred from RAF Brawdy to RAF Valley will be accommodated in MOD property;

  (2) how many of the RAF personnel that will be transferred from RAF Brawdy to RAF Chivenor will be accommodated in MOD property.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All those transferring to both stations will eventually be accommodated in MOD property.

  Mr. Ainger
  Toask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many RAF personnel are planned to be transferred from RAF Brawdy to(a) RAF Chivenor, (b) RAF Valley and (c) elsewhere;

  (2) how many RAF personnel have been transferred from RAF Brawdy to (a) RAF Chivenor, (b) RAF Valley and (c) elsewhere following the ending of tactical weapons training at RAF Brawdy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Twenty seven RAF personnel from Brawdy out of an eventual total of 41 have already transferred to RAF Chivenor and 30 out of an eventual total of 44 have been transferred to RAF Valley; 161 service men have been posted elsewhere out of an eventual total of 394.

  RAF Stations
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD properties in the vicinity of RAF Valley have been sold in the last (a) 10 years, (b) five years and (c) three years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Sixty-seven have been sold in the past 10 years—two in 1983, five in 1991 and 60 in 1992.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD properties in the vicinity of RAF Chivenor have been sold in the last (a) 10 years, (b) five years and (c) three years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his best estimate of increased accommodation costs to his Department as a result of the transfer of former RAF Brawdy personnel to (a) RAF Chivenor and (b) RAF Valley.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The estimated cost in excess rent allowance thus far is £5,500 at RAF Chivenor and £1,500 at RAF Valley.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the RAF personnel already transferred from RAF Brawdy to RAF Valley have been accommodated in MOD property;
  158
  (2) how many of the RAF personnel already transferred from RAF Brawdy to RAF Chivenor have been accommodated in MOD property.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Of those personnel already transferred from RAF Brawdy, 11 have been accommodated in MOD property at RAF Chivenor and 23 at RAF Valley.

  Corporal Mark Travis
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for St. Helens, North, sent to him on 18 June concerning the imprisonment of RAF Corporal Mark Travis.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence wrote to the hon. Member on 28 July.

  Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the future military requirement for the Queen Elizabeth military hospital;

  (2) if he will have discussions with the South East Thames health authority about the future availability of the Queen Elizabeth military hospital.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The future requirement for all service hospitals in the United Kingdom, including the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, is still under review. There have, however, been exploratory talks with the South East Thames regional health authority.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) armed service and (b) civilian observers from his Department are currently with the United Nations transitionary authority in Cambodia: what are their rank; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are currently 121 UK military personnel in the United Nations transitionary authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). The full breakdown by service and rank is as follows:

  no.

  Royal Navy:

  Lieutenant Commander

  1

  Lieutenant

  6

  Warrant Officer

  1

  Chief Petty Officer

  17

  Petty Officer

  20

  Leading Hand

  6

  Royal Marines:

  Captain

  5

  Colour Sergeant

  1

  Sergeant

  14

  Army:

  Lieutenant Colonel

  8

  Major

  15

  Captain

  11

  Staff Sergeant

  2

  Sergeant

  2

  Corporal

  7

  159

  no.

  Royal Air Force:

  Wing Commander

  1

  Squadron Leader

  1

  Flight Lieutenant

  3

  No civilians from my Department are serving with UNTAC in Cambodia at present.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is yet in a position to measure the noise levels generated by the F-15E aircraft at low level; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A trial to measure the noise generated by the F-15E aircraft at low level took place in September and the information obtained is being analysed.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date for the last 12 months the number of complaints of alleged illegal low flying by army helicopters which have been received at Royal Air Force Pitreavie; what were the comparable total figures for(a) 12 months, (b) 24 months, (c) 36 months and (d) 48 months ago; how many complaints have subsequently been substantiated; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Only one complaint has been received by RAF Pitreavie about low flying by an Army helicopter in the past four years.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) by date and (b) by location the number of complaints of alleged illegal low flying by Army helicopters that have been received in the eastern district in the last 12 months; what were the comparable total figures for (i) 12 months, (ii) 24 months, (iii) 36 months and (iv) 48 months ago; how many complaints have subsequently been substantiated; and if he will indicate the helicopter squadrons concerned and the types of helicopter involved.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not held in the form requested.

  Air Crash, North Sea
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the result of the air accident report into the Royal Air Force Buccaneer which crashed into the North sea on 9 July; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The RAF board of inquiry into this incident is not yet complete. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will forward a copy of the military aircraft accident summary to the hon. Member as soon as this is available.

  Air Misses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the result of the air accident report on the two Tornado F3 jets from Royal Air Force Leeming which were involved in a mid-air incident over Alnwick, Northumberland on 16 July; what was the nature of the sorties being carried out; at what height were the aircraft flying at the time of the incident; and if he will make a statement.
  160
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The RAF board of inquiry into this incident, which took place some 10 nautical miles west of Alnwick, is not yet complete. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member in due course with a summary of its findings. The aircraft were practising interceptions at some 2,000 feet above ground level when the incident occurred.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the results of the Civil Aviation Authority investigation into the near air-miss over Lincolnshire on 19 August, involving Royal Air Force Tornado aircraft and a civilian light aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This incident is under investigation by the joint airmiss section of the National Air Traffic Services and will then be considered by the joint airmiss working group. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will forward the hon. Member a copy of the group's findings as soon as these are available.

  "Riders"
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is yet in a position to give the costs and formal charges that are being raised by his Department for the use of the Household Cavalry giving assistance to Anglia TV during that company's production of "Riders"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A sum of £210.61 has been recovered in payment for 10 one-hour long riding lessons given to members of the cast.

  Bomb Incident, Golspie
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 July,Official Report, column 184, in respect of a practice bomb being dropped on 4 June by a United States Air Force jet on to a site of special scientific interest at Golspie, if he will send a copy of the report that his Department received from the United States Air Force to the hon. Member for Don Valley; and if he will now give full details of the amount that has been agreed in way of compensation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member regarding the United States air force report. My Department has agreed to pay some £1,000 to Sutherland Estates for time and costs incurred as a result of this incident.

  US Air Bases
  Mr. Redmond
  To asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of(a) Royal Air Force Bentwaters and (b) Royal Air Force Woodbridge, after the US Air Force leaves these bases in 1993.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for the future use of the Bentwaters air base after the American departure in 1993.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It was announced locally on 21 August that the RAF had no future use for the twin US bases of RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge. Alternative
  161
  defence uses are currently being examined. Should none be identified the bases will be declared surplus and disposed of following consultation with local authorities and other interested parties.

  Catterick Army Base
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the result of the short notice visit carried out by Russian military inspectors at the Catterick army base on 22 July under the CFE arms control treaty.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The inspection at Catterick was carried out satisfactorily. The Russian inspection team were content with the conduct and outcome of the inspection.

  Munitions Dumping
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with environmental, fishing and maritime representative organisations regarding the proposed dumping of redundant munitions off Porcupine hank; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None. Ministry of Defence sea dumping activities are consistent with international agreements and are carried out in a strictly controlled manner to ensure that they do not cause damage to the marine environment, or interfere with fishing or other legitimate uses of the sea. MOD will terminate all sea dumping of redundant munitions by 1 January 1993 in line with international agreements.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the final date for submission of tenders for the contractorisation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West, dated 4 June.

  Mr. Aitken
  The final date for submission of tenders for full contractor operation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment was 1 September 1992.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation he has made of the prospects for the continued use of the Nevada test site by the United Kingdom for its nuclear testing programme, following the vote in the United States Senate to restrict the use of the test site and to halt all nuclear tests by September 1996.

  Mr. Aitken
  The hon. Member will know that the United States Congress has now enacted legislation imposing a moratorium on nuclear testing until July 1993, with a final end to testing in 1996. The legislation provides for continued use of the Nevada test site by the United Kingdom up to that date. The position after 1996 will depend upon whether any other country tests after that date.

  Electro-magnetic Pulse Phenomena
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what study he has made of the potential advantage or threat from the development of weapons utilising electro-magnetic pulse phenomena.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has been aware for many years of the effects of electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) and has conducted and sponsored research into this phenomenon. The MOD has no operational requirement at present for a weapon specifically designed to create EMP effects.

  Military Personnel Overseas
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel are stationed in the United States of America; how many are located in Washington DC; and what is the estimated cost to public funds.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  On 1 October 1992 there were 403 British military personnel based in the USA at an estimated cost of some £25 million in 1992–93; 154 are located in and around the Washington DC metropolitan area and of these 54 are directly attached to the British embassy.

  Army Personnel Centre
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is considering York currently as a potential location for some or all of the staff of the proposed integrated Army personnel centre; and when he intends to make a decision about which location or locations will be used for this centre.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  York is one of a number of sites under consideration. The report examining the case for establishing an Army personnel centre is due in November, and I hope to be able to take a decision, subject to consultation with the trade unions, as soon as possible thereafter.

  United Nations
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries where troops from member countries of the European Community are stationed under the mandate of the United Nations, stating which those countries are and the size and nature of the commitment.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table. EC military contributions cover a wide variety of tasks including the provision of infantry, monitors and observers, and logistics, medical and communications units. The provision of more detailed information on individual contingents would involve disproportionate cost and effort.
  163

  EC military contributions to UN operations as at 30 September 1992 (numbers of personnel

  Cyprus

  Cambodia

  W. Sahara

  Iraq/Kuwait

  Croatia

  Bosnia*

  UNFICYP

  UNTAC

  MINURSO

  UNIKOM

  UNPROFOR I

  UNPROFOR II

  Belgium

  2

  620

  100

  Denmark

  352

  44

  900

  110

  France

  1,187

  30

  15

  2,619

  2,000

  Germany

  125

  Greece

  1

  Ireland

  8

  6

  Italy

  6

  Luxembourg

  40

  Netherlands

  1,244

  400

  Portugal†

  Spain

  2

  5

  400

  United Kingdom

  789

  121

  15

  15

  360

  2,400

  Lebanon

  Jerusalem

  El Salvador

  India/Pakistan

  Angola

  UNIFIL

  UNTS0

  ONUSAL

  UNMOG1P

  UNAVEM

  Belgium

  2

  2

  Denmark

  11

  7

  7

  France

  500

  24

  Germany

  Greece

  7

  Ireland

  755

  20

  8

  15

  Italy

  52

  8

  5

  8

  Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  15

  15

  Portugal2

  Spain

  15

  United Kingdom

  1Estimates of contributions pledged but not necessarily deployed.

  2Have offered a surgical team for UNPROFOR II. Precise numbers not yet known.

  Research Establishments
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the full texts of announcements or statements made by the Ministry of Defence since 16 July in relation to the defence research establishments.

  Mr. Aitken
  I have asked the chief executive of the Defence Research Agency to place copies of all of his agency's press releases since 16 July in the Library of the House.

  Antares
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Admiral in Chief Fleet has yet completed consideration of what further disciplinary action is necessary following the sinking of the Antares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The commander in chief has completed his consideration of whether further disciplinary action is appropriate and in the light of this and legal advice has concluded that there are no grounds for disciplinary action against any other members of the crew of HMS Trenchant.

  Kuwaiti Tank Contract
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the decision by the Kuwaiti Government to award their tank contract to a US supplier; and what estimate he has made of the consequences to Vickers.

  Mr. Aitken
  My department has not received any official notification of a decision by the Government of Kuwait to buy M1A2 in preference to Challenger 2.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current deployment of the forces assigned for convoy support in Bosnia.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The principal elements comprising the United Kingdom's contribution to UNPROFOR II, shortly to deploy to Bosnia, are 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, 9th/12th Royal Lancers and 35 Engineer Regiment who are all based in Germany. The rest, the support element, are drawn from forces based in Germany and the United Kingdom.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current position regarding the involvement of the Governments of(a) Germany, (b) Italy and (c) Spain in the European fighter aircraft project; what further discussions he plans with the Defence Ministers of each of the three Governments; and when he expects to be able to report the full position to the House.

  Mr. Aitken
  All four partners are continuing to participate in the development phase of EFA which is proceeding according to the previously agreed programme except that, as agreed by the four Governments on 4 August, no new contracts are being let while studies into ways of reducing the cost of the programme are in progress. Germany has indicated that it does not intend to join the production phase of the project as presently proposed but it was not the intention in any case to take decisions on production until mid-1993 at the earliest.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State plans to meet his German, Italian and Spanish colleagues

  165
  in December to discuss the results of the studies commissioned on 4 August. My right hon. and learned Friend will report to the House when there are any significant developments.

  Procurement
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report all statements made by the Ministry of Defence on defence procurement matters since 16 July.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has issued three press releases on defence procurement matters since 16 July:

  a. 21 July. on greater competition in defence procurement;

  b. 29 July, on the seeking of tenders for a new Ocean Survey vessel;

  c. 2 August, on a £300 million contract award to British Aerospace for Harrier training aircraft.

  I will place copies of these in the Library of the House.

  Trident
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to complete his consideration of the arrangements for refitting and servicing Trident submarines; if he will make the outcome public through an oral statement in the House; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  Consideration of the options for the future arrangements for refitting Trident submarines is continuing. I hope that we shall be in a position to announce proposals before the end of the year. The House will be kept informed.

  North Channel Incident
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the incident in the north channel involving the USS Sturgeon and the FV Lupina; what action is being taken in relation to this incident; and if he will make a statement

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The submarine USS Sturgeon snagged the nets of the FV Lupina at approximately 10.00 pm on 16 September while operating submerged in the Clyde submarine exercise areas. The submarine surfaced and contacted the fishing vessel to ensure that the boat and her crew were safe. There were no injuries and the fishing vessel was able to proceed under its own power. The submarine's presence had been notified under the SUBFACTS arrangements and the crew of the US submarine were briefed on the operating procedures to be observed when in the proximity of fishing vessels. The incident is currently being investigated by the US authorities. When their report has been completed, we will consider whether any changes to procedures, beyond those already discussed with the fishing industry in the fishing industry safety group, are warranted.

  Search and Rescue
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the result of his consideration of the search and rescue services in Scotland.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I hope to make an announcement about the future provision of military search and rescue around the UK very shortly.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Burt
  The Department's deregulation activities are co-ordinated by a departmental deregulation unit which is staffed by a senior executive officer, with management and clerical support. In addition, other parts of the Department assess, as necessary, the impact on business of policy and procedures for which they are responsible and the potential for deregulation. Separate figures on the cost of this activity are not available.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the number of staff required to deal with the present level of claims for disability living allowance; and how many are actually in post;

  (2) how many staff have been transferred from the invalid care allowance unit to the disability living allowance unit to assist in dealing with claims since January 1991; and if he will list the dates of transfer and the number transferred on each of those dates;

  (3) whether staff transferred from the invalid care allowance unit to the disability living allowance unit to assist in dealing with claims will return to their previous post once the backlog has been reduced.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people in the Warwickshire, North constituency submitted claims for disability living allowance more than three months ago whose claims are still outstanding;

  (2) how many claims for disability living allowance from people living in north Warwickshire are still outstanding; and what is the anticipated average length of time before they will be determined.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for(a) the care component, (b) the mobility component and (c) both components of disability living allowance have been received in each month to date; how many were decided in each month; and how many remained outstanding at the end of each month.

  Mr. Scott
  The information for(a) and (b) is not available in the form requested.
  167

  DLA claims received

  DLA claims decided1

  DLA claims outstanding

  February

  72,000

  2,000

  71,000

  March

  124,000

  15,000

  179,000

  April

  68,000

  22,000

  225,000

  May

  59,000

  32,000

  251,000

  June

  47,000

  48,000

  248,000

  July

  44,000

  66,000

  221,000

  August

  41,000

  71,000

  185,000

  September

  44,000

  78,000

  148,000

  Notes:

  1 Claims decided = awards plus refusals; does not include cases withdrawn, defective or otherwise disposed of. Includes new and top up claims. Rounded to nearest thousand.

  All figures are provisional and may be subject to amendment.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list, in monthly order, the number of claimants still awaiting for their claims to be actioned by his Department's disability living allowance unit in Blackpool; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list by month for the last 12 months the number of claims that have been actioned by his Department's disability living allowance unit in Blackpool; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will list for the last 12 months the average time taken by his Department's disability living allowance unit in Blackpool to complete a claim; and if he will make a statement.

  New claims—number of awards made

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  1,100

  7,700

  8,800

  11,000

  15,400

  26,200

  25,900

  30,100

  Reasons for refusal186 per cent on disability grounds.

  13.5per cent on age grounds.

  0.5 per cent on other grounds.

  Rate of awards (February—September)

  Higher rate care only

  4,300

  Middle rate care only

  6,100

  Lower rate care only

  12,600

  Higher rate mobility only

  35,100

  Lower rate mobility only

  9,600

  Higher rate care and higher rate mobility

  14,400

  Top up claims from existing beneficiaries of AA and Mob A—number of awards made

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  200

  2,600

  5,600

  11,800

  18,500

  18,700

  21,400

  19,700

  Reasons for refusal1 99. per cent. on disability grounds.

  0.5 per cent. on age/other grounds.

  Rate of awards (February—September)

  Higher rate care

  3,800

  Middle rate care

  13,000

  Lower rate care

  34,100

  Higher rate mobility

  5,300

  Lower rate mobility

  42,200

  Notes:

  1 Percentage of those cases where a reason for refusal was recorded.

  All figures have been rounded to nearest hundred. Figures should be treated as provisional and may be subject to amendment.

  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, by parliamentary
  168
  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of claims for disability living allowance were cleared in 30 days in each month to date at each disability benefit centre; and what was the success rate for claims at each centre.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to allow people of all ages to apply for disability living allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to amend the age conditions for claiming disability living allowance.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the decisions on claims for each component of disability living allowance in each month to date were favourable; how many awards were made at each rate and, for those which were unfavourable, what were the reasons for refusal.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is as follows:

  Rate of awards (February—September)

  Higher rate care and lower rate mobility

  2,800

  Middle rate care and higher rate mobility

  7,800

  Middle rate care and lower rate mobility

  6,700

  Lower rate care and higher rate mobility

  12,900

  Lower rate care and lower rate mobility

  13,900

  constituency, the number of applications for disability living allowance so far approved under the new regulations and the number of applications still outstanding; and if he will indicate the average length of time between application and approval.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the meeting of the chief executive of the Benefits Agency about his
  169
  meeting in September with representatives of disability organisations to discuss their complaints about the administration of the disability living allowance; when he now expects the agency's backlog of work on the processing of claims to be cleared.

  Mr. Scott
  We do not receive formal reports of the meetings attended by Mr Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member about this and the administration of disability living allowance. Copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what study he has made of complaints to the Benefits Agency about delays in processing claims for the disability living allowance; how many of such complaints he and the agency received in each whole month since claims for the allowance were invited; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information office.

  Attendance and Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for attendance or mobility allowance under review or subject to appeal have been waiting for up to 18 months to be determined.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is riot readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Road Accident Compensation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what efforts are being undertaken by his Department to ensure improved compensation settlements and speedy decisions on benefit entitlement for victims of road accidents.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Decisions on benefit entitlement are made as quickly as possible. The Benefits Agency customer charter defines the standards of service and the clearance times which its customers can expect. The agency is continually looking for ways to improve its service.

  The Department cannot intervene in settlement negotiations between the accident victim and the compensator.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total numbers of maternity payments made from the social fund in Wales in 1989–90 and 1990–91; and what was the total value of the payments made in each year.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much in total has been deducted from social security benefits paid to lone parents as a direct result of the new regulations on maintenance payments.

  Mr. Burt
  The new child support scheme and its associated regulations do not come into force until 5 April 1993.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy to strengthen regulations to prevent harassment of lone parents by social security officials to name and pursue absent parents for maintenance payments;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to replace the current benefits penalty on lone mothers refusing to co-operate with the Child Support Agency in detecting fathers with a small disregard in income support.

  Mr. Burt
  There is currently no requirement for a mother to name the father of her child when claiming benefits, though more than three-quarters of never-married mothers do so voluntarily. I have recently reinforced guidelines to social security offices to ensure best possible practice in relation to sensitive inquiries. From April 1993, when the Child Support Agency becomes operational, there will be a legal requirement for parents getting prescribed benefits to co-operate in obtaining maintenance for their children, unless compliance would risk causing harm or undue distress to the parent with care or to any child living with her.

  A disregard of maintenance, in income support, would not be helpful for the majority of lone parents, who want to work now or in the near future.

  We have no plans to change our policy on these matters.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to restore the real value of one-parent benefit to its 1990 level.

  Mr. Burt
  No. All lone parents gained at least £2 a week (extra) from last year's increase in child benefit, and from April this year we increased both child benefit and one parent benefit in line with prices.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to restore the value of child benefit to its 1985 level.

  Mr. Burt
  No, although child benefit will of course remain the cornerstone of our policies for family support and will continue to be paid to all families in respect of all children.

  Benefit Offices, Manchester
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list which of his Department's benefit offices in Greater Manchester have underspent their budgets so far this year for(a) emergency payments and (b) emergency loans; and which have overspent;

  (2) which benefit offices in Greater Manchester consider that being forced out of the family home by domestic

  171
  violence is sufficiently high a priority to warrant the payment of a grant to provide furniture to establish a new home; and which have set criteria which restrict any help in such circumstances to a loan.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Income Support
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of people over the age of 60 years in Wales who are currently in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Burt
  The number of claimants and their partners over age 60 receiving income support in Wales is 98,000.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people between the ages of 18 years and 24 years and living away from home are currently in receipt of the full over 25 years rate of income support.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 2 June at col.483.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many, and what percentage, of working claimants have had their income support withdrawn as a consequence of the introduction of the 16-hour rule in (a) Ebbw Vale benefit office, (b) Abertillery benefit office, (c) Wales and (d) England.

  Mr. Burt
  No one who was working, or whose partner was working, between 16 and 24 hours a week and receiving income support at the point of change has had that benefit withdrawn as a consequence of the change in the hours threshold in income support and family credit, unless he has claimed family credit and receives more than he did from income support.

  Vaccine Damage
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce proposals to amend the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 to allow discretion in awarding payments outside the established time limits to those who were not aware of the provisions of the Act.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so. The time limits in the scheme are already generous. Claims can be made within the six years following vaccination or, in the case of a child vaccinated before the age of two, the six years following the second birthday. To extend the time limits for claiming would increase the problems of obtaining medical and other relevant evidence, making it more difficult to confirm entitlement.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research on invalidity benefit is being carried out by or for his Department; and when it is due for completion.
  172
  Mr. Scott
  The Department has commissioned a programme of research about the growth in the numbers of people receiving invalidity benefit. The programme consists of a number of related studies: a small scale preliminary study of invalidity benefit recipients and GPs; large scale surveys of current recipients and new claimants; a comparative study of the growth of incapacity benefit caseloads in the UK and other countries; and an in-depth study of the GP's role in relation to the benefit. Field work for some of these studies was completed earlier in the year; other elements are expected to be completed in the course of 1993.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in the constituency of Caernarfon qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in Birmingham, Northfield qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the Social Fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Ms. Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many householders in the Birmingham, Yardley constituency qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Benefits, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each of the benefits for which his Department is responsible in the Doncaster area during the current 12 months, the percentage of claimants who were successful in their claim; and if he will give comparative figures for(a) 24 months, (b) 36 months and (c) 48 months ago.

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

  Disability Payments
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to grant payments of severe disability income support premiums regardless of whether the claimant is living alone.
  173
  Mr. Burt
  No. The disability or higher pensioner premiums are included in the calculation of income support, housing benefit or community charge benefit for disabled people, whether or not they live alone. The severe disability premium is, and always has been, intended to give additional help to those severely disabled people who, because they live independently and do not have a carer receiving invalid care allowance, are most likely to need to rely on bought-in care. We have no plans to change this policy.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost for 1992–93 of(a) disability living allowance and (b) disability working allowance, respectively.

  Mr. Scott
  The estimated costs were published in the 1992 departmental report. These figures will be revised in due course to reflect actual experience of the new benefits.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for(a) disability working allowance and (b) disability living allowance received from claimants in Wales are still awaiting a decision; what is the average delay in processing such claims; and what are the comparable figures for England and Scotland.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability working allowance and disability living allowance are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Awards made

  162

  314

  317

  295

  296

  284

  446

  Claims disallowed

  3,046

  3,534

  2,349

  2,402

  2,545

  1,675

  1,300

  The information requested about reasons for refusal is extracted from an analysis of weekly data and converted to monthly periods:

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Not in remunerative work

  1,669

  2,253

  1,339

  1,362

  1,728

  984

  684

  Income exceeds DWA level

  118

  314

  268

  274

  379

  245

  253

  No qualifying benefit

  578

  1,289

  548

  453

  632

  395

  393

  Other reasons

  287

  189

  75

  69

  82

  51

  60

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for disability working allowance have been received in each month to date; how many were

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Claims received

  4,153

  4,124

  2,570

  2,700

  2,344

  2,081

  2,085

  Claims decided

  3,208

  3,848

  2,666

  2,697

  2,841

  1,959

  1,746

  Claims outstanding

  870

  1,011

  834

  743

  678

  693

  758

  The claims outstanding at the end of each month are awaiting the outcome of further enquiries about the claim; there have been no delays in dealing with claims.

  Information was not available before the benefit commenced to make a reliable estimate of the number of claims which might be expected.
  174
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for(a) disability working allowance and (b) disability living allowance have been received from residents in Blaenau Gwent; if he will publish a breakdown of how many of these claims have resulted in an award, been unsuccessful or are still awaiting a decision; and how many awards are actually in payment.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) Blaenau Gwent and (b) Wales have received payments from the disabled living fund.

  Mr. Scott
  Information is not available in the form requested. However, on 6 October the independent living fund had 97 clients in Gwent and 877 in Wales as a whole.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the decisions on claims for disability working allowance in each month to date, were favourable; and for those which were unfavourable, what were the reasons for refusal.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested on decisions for each month is as follows:

  decided in each month; how many remained outstanding at the end of each month; and what were the comparable numbers expected before the benefit commenced.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested for each month is as follows:

  Pensions
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to consult further on the equalisation of the state pension age for men and women; and if he will indicate the expected timetable for progress.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have been meeting the representatives of various interested organisations and
  175
  while doing so have continued to receive representations which arrived after the consultation period finished on June 30. After considering the views expressed, we will announce our proposals in due course.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will introduce proposals to amend the Social Security Act 1975 relating specifically to the Persons Abroad Regulations SI 1975/563 so that those of ethnic minority backgrounds who leave Britain to live abroad permanently have their pensions index-linked;

  (2) if he will make a statement concerning the countries excluded from index-linked pension increases to individuals.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have no plans to amend the regulations in the way suggested. Annual pension increases are payable to British pensioners living in 32 countries outside Great Britain. We have no plans to extend payment of such increases to pensioners living elsewhere.

  Severe Hardship Payments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many severe hardship payments were awarded to young people(a) living at home with their parents and (b) living away from home, in each year since 1988–89.

  Mr. Burt
  The available information is in the table. Details of housing status were first collected from December 1990.

  Awards of Severe Hardship

  at home

  away from home

  December 1990—March 1991

  1,440

  8,387

  April 1991—March 1992

  11,548

  43,289

  April 1992—August 1992

  10,388

  26,119

  Source: Severe Hardship Claims Unit

  Child Support
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if guidelines will be given to social security officers to ensure that exemptions from naming fathers under the Child Support Act 1991 are granted with consistency.

  Mr. Burt
  Guidance and training will be given.

  Departmental Staff
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the staffing levels in his Department's offices in(a) Mid-Derbyshire and (b) South Derbyshire in 1990–91 and 1991–92 and what they will be in 1992–93, broken down by benefit type and by grade of staff.

  Mr. Burt
  The resourcing of offices are matters for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency and Ms. Ros Heppelwhite, the chief executive of the child support unit. I have asked Mr. Michael Bichard to reply.

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the level of the Christmas bonus would have been in 1992 if it had been increased annually at(a) the rate of increase in prices and (b) the rate of increase in earnings.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Christmas bonus, which is paid regardless of need and which no Government have increased, would now be worth £62.30 had it been increased annually since 1972 in line with prices; £87.90 had it been increased annually in line with average earnings.

  Fraud
  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were successfully prosecuted for social security fraud in the London borough of Camden between January and December 1991.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The investigation of social security benefit fraud is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He wrote to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definitions he intends to use and what guidelines he intends to produce to enable his Department's staff to distinguish between a scrounger and a genuine social security claimant.

  Mr. Burt
  Parliament has laid down the conditions of entitlement to benefit. Decisions on entitlement to benefit are taken by independent adjudication officers. It is for the chief adjudication officer, rather than the Secretary of State, to advise how they should interpret the legislation.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the totals of money recovered as a result of social security fraud investigations in the past 10 years; and what sums were recovered in each of the past 10 years expressed as a percentage of the numbers of staff employed to detect fraud.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not held. However, the Benefits Agency fraud investigations in 1991–92 employed 2,853 staff at a cost of £62.7 million and detected fraud to the estimated value of £416 million.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, whether he will publish tables similar to those in his answer of 11 May,Official Report, columns 43–44, showing the combined value of child benefit and child dependency increases, including figures for April 1992 and showing equivalent values at April 1992 instead of 1991 prices.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the tables.
  177

  National insurance widows and invalidity pensioners

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  Uprating date

  Rate of child benefit plus child dependency increases

  Equivalent value of column B amounts at April 1992 prices

  Gross male weekly average earnings, with amounts in column B as percentage

  Equivalent weekly earnings net of income tax and National Insurance contributions, with amounts in column B as percentage

  Single person

  Married couple

  £

  £

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  November 1979

  11.10

  25.57

  114.10

  (9.7)

  79.90

  (13.9)

  83.60

  (13.3)

  November 1980

  12.25

  24.47

  135.10

  (9.1)

  93.40

  (13.1)

  97.80

  (12.5)

  November 1981

  12.95

  23.11

  149.50

  (8.7)

  101.00

  (12.8)

  105.40

  (12.3)

  November 1982

  13.80

  23.17

  160.60

  (8.6)

  107.40

  (12.8)

  112.50

  (12.3)

  November 1983

  14.10

  22.58

  172.40

  (8.2)

  115.50

  (12.2)

  121.30

  11.6

  November 1984

  14.50

  22.13

  187.40

  (7.7)

  125.90

  (11.5)

  132.50

  (10.9)

  November 1985

  15.05

  21.78

  199.50

  (7.5)

  134.40

  (11.2)

  141.60

  (10.6)

  July 1986

  15.15

  21.56

  210.90

  (7.2)

  143.80

  (10.5)

  151.20

  (10.0)

  April 1987

  15.30

  20.86

  224.00

  (6.8)

  155.90

  (9.8)

  163.00

  (9.4)

  April 1988

  15.65

  20.53

  245.80

  (6.4)

  174.80

  (9.0)

  182.00

  (8.6)

  April 1989

  16.20

  19.67

  269.50

  (6.0)

  191.30

  (8.5)

  198.90

  (8.1)

  April 1990

  16.90

  18.75

  295.60

  (5.7)

  212.80

  (7.9)

  221.10

  (7.6)

  April 1991

  117.95

  18.72

  318.90

  (5.6)

  230.00

  (7.8)

  238.30

  (7.5)

  October 1991

  218.95

  19.47

  330.00

  (5.7)

  237.20

  (8.0)

  245.50

  (7.7)

  October 1991

  318.20

  18.70

  330.00

  (5.5)

  237.20

  (7.7)

  245.50

  (7.4)

  April 1992

  219.40

  19.40

  337.50

  (5.7)

  235.30

  (8.2)

  301.30

  (6.4)

  April 1992

  318.65

  18.65

  337.50

  (5.5)

  235.30

  (7.9)

  301.30

  (6.2)

  1 Where the new higher rate of child benefit for the eldest qualifying child applied, the child dependency increase was adjusted so that the total level of support remained the same for all children.

  2 Rate for the eldest or only child.

  3 Rate for each other child.

  War widows

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  Uprating date

  Rate of child benefit plus war widow's child's allowance

  Equivalent value of column B amounts at April 1992 prices

  Gross male weekly average earnings, with amounts in column B as percentage

  Equivalent weekly earnings net of income tax and National Insurance contributions, with amounts in column B as percentage

  Single person

  Married couple

  £

  £

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  November 1979

  14.00

  32.25

  114.10

  (12.3)

  79.90

  (17.5)

  83.60

  (16.7)

  November 1980

  15.35

  30.66

  135.10

  (11.4)

  93.40

  (16.4)

  97.80

  (15.7)

  November 1981

  16.10

  28.73

  149.50

  (10.8)

  101.00

  (15.9)

  105.40

  (15.3)

  November 1982

  17.10

  28.71

  160.60

  (10.6)

  107.40

  (15.9)

  112.50

  (15.2)

  November 1983

  17.45

  27.95

  172.40

  (10.1)

  115.50

  (15.1)

  121.30

  (14.4)

  November 1984

  17.90

  27.32

  187.40

  (9.6)

  125.90

  (14.2)

  132.50

  (13.5)

  November 1985

  18.55

  26.84

  199.50

  (9.3)

  134.40

  (13.8)

  141.60

  (13.1)

  July 1986

  18.65

  26.55

  210.90

  (8.8)

  143.80

  (13.0)

  151.20

  (12.3)

  April 1987

  18.85

  25.70

  224.00

  (8.4)

  155.90

  (12.1)

  163.00

  (11.6)

  April 1988

  19.25

  25.25

  245.80

  (7.8)

  174.80

  (11.0)

  182.00

  (10.6)

  April 1989

  19.85

  24.10

  269.50

  (7.4)

  191.30

  (10.4)

  198.90

  (10.0)

  April 1990

  20.65

  22.91

  295.60

  (7.0)

  212.80

  (9.7)

  221.10

  (9.3)

  April 1991

  121–90

  22.84

  318.90

  (6.9)

  230.00

  (9.5)

  238.30

  (9.2)

  October 1991

  222.90

  23.53

  330.00

  (6.9)

  237.20

  (9.7)

  245.50

  (9.3)

  October 1991

  322.15

  22.76

  333.00

  (6.7)

  237.20

  (9.3)

  245.50

  (9.0)

  April 1992

  223.40

  23.40

  337.50

  (6.9)

  235.30

  (9.9)

  301.30

  (7.8)

  April 1992

  322.65

  22.65

  337.50

  (6.7)

  235.30

  (9.6)

  301.30

  (7.5)

  1 Where the new higher rate of child benefit for the eldest qualifying child applied, the war widow's child's allowance was adjusted so that the total level of support remained the same for all children.

  2 Rate for the eldest or only child.

  3 Rate for each other child.

  Benefits
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to substitute selectivity for the principle of universality as the basis for payment of any social security benefits; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  None.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Ecu Loan
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the ecu worth in sterling at the time that the 10 billion ecu loan was negotiated.
  179
  Mr. Nelson
  The revolving credit facility agreed on 4 September was for the equivalent of ecu 5 billion. At the date of the agreement the closing ecu: sterling market rate was 1.3919 to the pound.

  Currency Reserves
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of the currency reserves on(a) 14 September and (b) 18 September.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of currency reserves on(a) 14 September and (b) 16 September.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was in the foreign reserves on 14, 15, 16 and 17 September.

  Mr. Nelson
  The level of the United Kingdom's foreign exchange reserves at the end of each month are published on the second working day of the next month. The level at the end of September was published on Friday 2 October. There are no plans to publish these figures more frequently.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who audits the use of foreign exchange reserves; and when they will report on the use of the funds during the period 14 to 16 September.

  Mr. Nelson
  Transactions affecting the United Kingdom foreign exchange reserves are made through the exchange equalisation account. The EEA is audited by the National Audit Office. The account is not published but is certified each year by the Comptroller and Auditor General, when the accounts of the Consolidated Fund and the National Loan Fund are published.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the gain/loss from the reserves for each month from April and the total up to and including 16 September.

  Mr. Nelson
  The overall change in the level of the United Kingdom foreign exchange reserves at the end of each month between April and September 1992 is given in the table:

  1992

  $ millions

  April

  +748

  May

  +29

  June

  -104

  July

  +50

  August

  -1,300

  September

  -1,773

  There are no plans to publish these figures more frequently.

  Foreign Exchange Markets
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make it his practice to answer questions on the extent to which it has intervened in the foreign exchange markets in support of its exchange rate objectives.

  Mr. Nelson
  No.

  Sterling
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Treasury has made as to the causes of the recent pressure on sterling and the degree to which it reflected (a) speculation and (b) underlying economic factors.

  Mr. Nelson
  The main underlying cause of tensions in the ERM has been the persistence of high interest rates in Germany, imposed to counter the inflationary effects of reunification, combined with the lowest interest rates in 30 years in the USA. Speculation, in the lead-up to the French referendum, caused these tensions to come to a head on 16 September.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now accept the recommendations of Session 1988–89 from the third report of the Treasury and Civil Service Committee on international monetary coordination (HC 384) about making public the amount of the intervention, gains and losses to the United Kingdom Exchequer of measures to support the pound sterling.

  Mr. Nelson
  No.

  ECOFIN
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was discussed at the last meeting of ECOFIN; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  The Economic and Finance Council met twice in formal session during the Recess. The meeting on 27 July was reported to the House by means of a report deposited in the Library. The Council also met on 28 September in Brussels with the Chancellor presiding. I represented the United Kingdom. Members of the Council also met informally in Bath on 4 to 6 September.

  On 28 September, the Council discussed the future financing of the Community. A majority of member states made clear that they continued to believe that the Commission's proposals were excessive and the Council was close to a consensus on the need to make cuts in the Commission's proposals for internal spending and for administration. But wide divergences of opinion remain on major items such as agriculture, cohesion, the structure of own resources, and thus the overall level of spending. There was also some discussion of the Commission's report on the United Kingdom abatement. I made clear that we would not accept any adverse change to the abatement.

  The Council agreed to establish a working group of officials with the aim of enhancing the fight against fraud against the Community budget and to report back to ECOFIN in November. The Council also set a work programme for officials to examine the proposed carbon/energy tax and to report back to ECOFIN in December.

  A balance of payments loan to Bulgaria was also discussed but without agreement.

  The Council also discussed recent monetary events in preparation for the Special European Council.

  Currency
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters relating to currency he discussed at the meeting he attended in Brussels on 12 and 13 September.
  181
  Mr. Nelson
  The Chancellor did not attend any meetings in Brussels on 12 and 13 September.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was spent on advertising of privatisation sales for each sale since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The table shows the cost to the Government of advertising in each privatisation by flotation or secondary share sale since BT. Information on the advertising costs of earlier sales is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Advertising costs in privatisations

  £ million

  Share Offer

  Year

  Advertising cost (ex. VAT)

  BT

  1984

  9.7

  Britoil

  1985

  3.0

  Cable & Wireless

  1985

  2.2

  British Aerospace

  1985

  1.7

  British Gas

  1986

  21.4

  British Airways

  1987

  2.8

  Rolls-Royce

  1987

  1.6

  BAA

  1987

  4.9

  BP

  1987

  18.3

  British Steel

  1988

  4.9

  Shareholdings1 in Privatised and Former Government-Controlled Companies

  Size of share register

  Company

  Date of Privatisation

  Initial

  Highest since Privatisation3

  Current

  Proportion of shares retained by HMG

  Proportion and dates of subsequent disposals

  percentage

  percentage

  British Petroleum

  December 19772

  n/a

  550,821 (31 Dec 91)

  51

  4 5.17/Nov 79: 7.12/ Sep 83: 31.5/Sep87: 0.09/ Oct 90 on 1.1.91 HMG held about 1.88

  British Aerospace

  February 1981

  27,179

  120,200 (Dec 86)

  87,700 (31 Dec 91)

  48.43

  48.43/10.5.85

  Cable and Wireless

  October 1981

  27,320

  210,994 (31 Mar 86)

  166,179 (31 Mar 90)

  50.64

  27.54/Nov83: 23.1/ Dec 85

  Amersham International

  February 1982

  10,051

  5,243 (29 May 92)

  nil

  NFC

  February 1982

  10,300

  60,000 (Feb 92)

  nil

  Britoil

  November 1982

  37,257

  245,556 (31 Dec 85)

  owned by BP

  49.0

  49.0/8.8.85

  Associated British Ports

  February 1983

  37,205

  14,694 (26 June 92)

  48.5

  48.5/17.4.84

  Enterprise Oil

  June 1984

  13,695

  14,166 (June 85)

  10,811 (31 Dec 90)

  nil

  Jaguar

  July 1984

  125,000

  owned by Ford

  nil5

  BT

  November 1984

  2,139,520

  2,931,570 (1 Feb 92)

  2,758,996 (26 Aug 92)

  49.8

  0.8/Dec 87: 25.9/ Nov9I

  British Gas

  December 1986

  4,407,079

  2,285,325 (31 Mar 91)

  3.3

  1.6/Jan90: 1.6/July 90

  British Airways

  February 1987

  1.2m

  314,039 (15 May 90)

  2.5

  1.0/June87: 1.0/ March 90

  Rolls-Royce

  May 1987

  1,988,966

  640,055 (31 Dec 90)

  0.4

  0.4 sold during 1987

  BAA

  July 1987

  2,187,500

  798,643 (1 June 90)

  4.36

  1.42/Aug 90

  British Steel

  December 1988

  650,553

  335,224 (30 Mar 91)

  0.05

  0.04 disposed of during 1989. On 12.11.90 HMG held about 0.002

  Water and Sewerage Companies

  December 1989

  2.65m6

  l,106,5647 (27 June 91)

  1.62

  Regional Electricity Companies

  December 1990

  8.86m6

  2,975,1197 (7 Aug 92)

  n/a

  182

  Share Offer

  Year

  Advertising cost (ex. VAT)

  Water

  1989

  15.3

  Regional Electricity Companies

  1990

  14.2

  Generating Companies

  1991

  5.6

  Scottish Electricity Companies

  1991

  5.3

  BT

  1991

  17.1

  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of debt written off in each privatisation and sale of Government assets since 1979 for each company privatised.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's answer of 3 March,Official Report, col. 124.

  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current number of shareholdings in each of the companies privatised since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The table shows the number of shareholdings in each of the companies privatised since 1979. Where Her Majesty's Government retained a shareholding on privatisation, together with the size and date of any subsequent share disposals, this has also been shown.
  183

  Size of share register

  Company

  Date of Privatisation

  Initial

  Highest since Privatisation3

  Current

  Proportion of shares retained by HMG percentage

  Proportion and dates of subsequent disposals percentage

  Generating Companies

  March 1991

  1.91m8

  1.7m7(Jan 92)

  40

  Scottish Electricity Companies

  June 1991

  1.81m9

  1.6m7(June 92)

  3.5

  1 For single company privatisations, these figures are not an exact guide to the number of shareholders because some shareholdings are held jointly in more than one name (e.g., for members of employee share schemes only the trustees are shown on share registers).

  2 HM Government obtained a majority holding in 1914 but this never reached 100 per cent. The 1977 sale is shown as the first disposal of recent times.

  3 Where the largest register of shareholdings was not immediately following privatisation (this usually followed a secondary offer).

  4 These proportions do not sum to 51 per cent because of rights issues.

  5 Subsidiary of BL plc.

  6 The offer allowed for holdings by individuals in any or all of the companies in the offer and therefore holders may appear on more than one register.

  7 Shareholders may appear on the register of more than one company.

  8 The offer required pulic applicants to apply for shares in both companies and the figure shown is that of allocations in the offer.

  9 The offer required non-customer public applicants to apply for shares in both companies and the figure shown is that of allocations in the offer.

  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown of administrative costs set out in a similar manner to that in his answer to the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) of 5 March,Official Report, column 244, for the share offers relating to (a) British Gas, (b) the electricity generating companies, (c) the electricity distribution companies, (d) the two Scottish electricity companies and (e) the water companies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to page 18 of the report by the National Audit Office on the sale of British Gas (House of Commons paper 22 published June 1987) and to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy on 31 January 1992 at column 723; by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland on 31 January 1992 at column 722; and by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 3 April at column 570–71.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures will he required to ensure uniformity of European central bank notes under article 16 of the protocol to the Maastricht treaty on European central banks.

  Mr. Nelson
  There is no requirement under article 16 for uniformity of bank notes, whether issued by the European central hank or other banks within the Community. Article 16 requires the ECB to respect as far as possible existing practices regarding the issue and design of bank notes.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules and practices the Government propose to change in the field of statistical collection pursuant to article 5 of the protocol to the Maastricht treaty relating to European central banks; and what will be the role of the European central bank.

  Mr. Nelson
  No proposals have yet been made to ministers on the statistical requirements relating to the role of the European central bank. The role of the ECB in this area would be as set out in Article 5 of the protocol to the treaty on the statute of the European system of central banks and the European central bank.
  184
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have to make the Bank of England independent under article 7 of the protocol to the Maastricht treaty relating to European central banks.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government have no plans at present to make the Bank of England independent under article 7 of the protocol to the Maastricht treaty setting out the statute for the European central banks. According to the protocol to the Maastricht treaty on certain provisions relating to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, article 7 would only apply to the United Kingdom if, at some future date, the United Kingdom were to notify the Council of Ministers that it wished to move to stage 3 of the European economic and monetary union.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Chancellor's departments have a number of staff dedicated to looking at the potential for deregulation throughout the economy. These total 11 at an annual salary cost of about £340,000. In addition, other staff also spend some of their time working on deregulation issues as part of their duties. It is therefore not possible to quantify exactly the total effort devoted to this subject.

  Developing Countries (Debt Relief)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what additional foreign exchange savings would accrue to developing countries if the Trinidad terms originally proposed by the Prime Minister had been accepted by the Paris club compared to the terms currently in use;

  (2) what foreign exchange savings have been achieved by developing countries whose debt has been processed by the Paris club under the Trinidad terms.

  Mr. Nelson
  The debt reduction provided under Trinidad terms is assessed in present value terms and this
  185
  cannot he reliably translated into estimates of foreign exchange earnings. Trinidad terms are designed to deliver up to 50 per cent. reduction in the present value of debts consolidated under the agreements. It is not possible to anticipate the outcome of consideration of reduction, of the whole stock of debt, which creditors are committed to undertake provided that certain conditions are met.

  The debt relief agreed to by creditors at the Paris Club is informed by and related to an independent estimate of the future foreign exchange financing needs of individual debtors.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each country benefiting from debt: relief under the Trinidad terms,(a) how the debt to be dealt with is calculated, (b) the percentage of total external debt of each country that this constitutes and (c) the level of relief and rescheduling that has been given.

  Mr. Nelson
  The details of individual debtors' positions are confidential to the country concerned. Debts eligible for Trinidad terms debt reduction are medium and long term bilateral official debt which are contracted before a specified cut-off date and which have not previously been subject to a concessional debt restructuring agreement at the Paris Club. The amount of relief provided is dependent upon the distribution of debt between individual creditors and the method of debt relief chosen by each creditor.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many developing countries have benefited from the Trinidad debt relief terms; which countries are due to be dealt with by the Paris Club; and when such action will be taken.

  Mr. Nelson
  Eight countries have so far benefited from Trinidad terms debt reduction at the Paris Club. The future programme of the Paris Club is driven by requests from the debtor countries.

  Developmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet issued guidance to Departments about the general responsibilities of the boards of new developmental public bodies, pursuant to the note to the Public Accounts Committee [PAC 69] dated 28 February; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Some guidance on the responsibilities of boards of non-departmental public bodies (NDP Bs) is already contained in the recently revised NDPB Guide for Departments. A copy has been placed in the Library. As noted in the Treasury minute, on the 11th report Of the Public Accounts Committee, which is being laid before Parliament today, it is proposed to provide additional guidance shortly. The Treasury is currently consulting departments on content and coverage.

  Canary Wharf
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Treasury, Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise jobs he proposes to move to Canary Wharf.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Customs and Excise plans to relocate the 130 staff in its Straford excise and VAT office to Docklands, but not necessarily Canary Wharf, in August 1993.

  London Transport
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net effect on the public sector borrowing requirement of £100 million extra funding of capital investment by London Transport, including tax receipts, national insurance payments, and reductions in social security payments; and if he will estimate any crowding out.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the net effects.

  Public Service Pensions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will specify which categories of public servants and service men with preserved pension rights have the right to transfer to personal pension plans and indicate from which earliest date of leaving public service employment that entitlement stands.

  Mr. Nelson
  All former public servants and members of the armed forces whose last day of pensionable service was on or after 1 January 1986 may transfer their preserved public service pension rights to an appropriate personal pension plan.

  Those in post on or after 6 April 1988 who choose to opt out of their occupational pension scheme without leaving public service employment or the armed forces may transfer their preserved rights in respect of service from 6 April 1988 to an appropriate personal pension plan. If they subsequently leave the public service or the armed forces, they may transfer the value of any benefits remaining in their occupational scheme to an appropriate personal pension plan.

  These arrangements are fully in accordance with the Social Security Acts 1985 and 1986.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table giving the number of officials in the top four grades of the civil service in the Department of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Defence, the Treasury, the Foreign Office, Inland Revenue, the Home Office and the Departments of the Environment, Employment, Transport, Health, Social Security and Education, and the number and percentage in each case from Oxbridge colleges and the number of women and of disabled people in each case.

  Mr. Lamont
  The table gives the total number of staff and the number of women in grades 1–4 in the selected Departments. Complete information relating to colleges attended and the number of disabled people in these grades is not held centrally.

  Grades 1–4 staff in post at 1 April 1992, by selected department

  Total

  Women

  Department of Trade and Industry

  62

  6

  Ministry of Defence

  103

  3

  HM Treasury

  39

  2

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  143

  6

  Inland Revenue

  65

  —

  Home Office

  42

  9

  Department of the Environment

  77

  8

  Department of Employment

  24

  2

  Department of Transport

  42

  —

  187

  Total

  Women

  Department of Health

  66

  18

  Department of Social Security

  31

  6

  Department of Education and Science

  31

  3

  Ministry Objectives
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether each division and branch in the Treasury is given individual specific annual objectives along the lines of those specified in the MINIM system in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Mr. Nelson
  Although the Treasury has no equivalent to MAFF's MINIM system, the Treasury's internal annual resource allocation system requires each group and division to set objectives for their future work programmes. These objectives are drawn up within the framework of the roles and strategic objectives for the department as a whole and which are published on pages 14 to 21 of the 1992 Departmental Report for the Chancellor's Departments—CM 1918.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how statistics relating to the consumer price index of the member states of the European Community are to be adjusted so as to take into account differences in national definitions under the protocol of the convergence criteria referred to in article 109j of the treaty establishing the European Community.

  Mr. Nelson
  The European Community Statistical Office (Eurostat) is planning to set up a working party of representatives of member states statistical offices to consider the technical issues involved in producing harmonised consumer price indices.

  Tilbury/Gravesend Ferry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, in accordance with section 1(4) of the Crown Estate Act 1961, use his good offices to determine the dispute about the ancient rights of ferry between Tilbury and Gravesend, between the Crown Estate Commissioners and Whitehorse Ferries Ltd.; and if he will direct the restoration and continuation of the service until such times as the dispute has been resolved.

  Mr. Lamont
  The service was restored by Whitehorse Ferries Ltd. within a few days and I understand that the Crown Estate Commissioners and Whitehorse Ferries Ltd. reached agreement on the ferry franchise in early August.

  Crown Estate Commissioners
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Crown Estate Commissioners are subject to value added tax in respect of all revenues they accrue and transactions they enter into from leases, licences and rents relating to property they control and manage in respect of the Crown estate.

  Mr. Lamont
  The Crown Estate Commissioners are registered for value added tax for their business activities. They account for VAT according to the normal rules, which would include transactions involving land and property.

  VAT
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it remains Government policy to retain permanently the ability to apply a zero rate of VAT to books, newspapers and periodicals.

  Sir John Cope
  Yes. The Government remain committed to the permanent retention of the right to maintain all existing zero rates.

  Third-world Debt
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total tax relief for banks against written-off third-world debt in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Provisions for doubtful sovereign debt by banks operating in the United Kingdom are estimated to have reduced corporation tax receipts in the last five years by the following amounts:

  £ million

  1987–88

  240

  1988–89

  550

  1989–90

  360

  1990–91

  720

  1991–92 (provisional)

  180

  I regret that further information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total level of bad debt to the private sector in the third world; and what are the comparative figures for the past five years.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. Information on provisions made by British banks for their exposure to problem country debtors is contained in the Bank of England's annual Banking Act report, copies of which are available in the Library.

  National and Provincial Building Society
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the claim by the National and Provincial building society for the repayment of £29 million allegedly overpaid as tax on savings in 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A number of representatives have been received. The issues were fully considered during the Finance Bill debates.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how many points United Kingdom interest rates have been reduced(a) since leaving the ERM and (b) between joining the ERM and August 1992.

  Mr. Nelson
  Between joining the ERM and August 1992, United Kingdom bank base rates were reduced by 5 points, from 15 to 10 per cent. They have since been reduced to 9 per cent.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to close down the premium bond draw on the introduction of the national lottery; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr Nelson
  I have no such plans.

  Voluntary Organisations (Taxation)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to offer parity for voluntary organisations with local government in taxation matters.

  Mr. Nelson
  No. I see no reason why voluntary organisations should be treated as if they were local authorities.

  Non-departmental Bodies
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consideration has been given by Her Majesty's Treasury to the need to draw to the attention of non-departmental bodies the rules governing payment for untaken leave and the obtaining of the prior approval of the Treasury Solicitor before the making of agreements with employees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr Portillo
  Establishment officers of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) were reminded of the need to ensure observance of the general principles of sound management and the provisions relating to payment for untaken leave in a letter circulated by the Treasury on 5 October.

  NDPBs, as employers in their own right, seek legal advice whenever necessary. It would not be appropriate to require NDPBs to obtain legal advice specifically from the Treasury Solicitor but it would be open to the sponsor department, if a matter were raised with it, to consult its own lawyers or the Treasury Solicitor.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the ending of the Barnett formula relating to public expenditure per head in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to that in England and the United Kingdom average.

  Mr. Portillo
  No decisions have yet been taken about future levels of public expenditure. When they are, they will be announced in the autumn statement in the normal way.

  Foreign Exchange Markets
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his practice to answer questions on the level of Government intervention in the foreign exchange markets in support of exchange rate objectives.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have no plans to change the long-standing practice of successive Governments not to provide details of intervention operations.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it remains his policy to tax invalidity benefit.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It remains the Government's intention to bring invalidity benefit into taxation at a suitable opportunity.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the proposed date for the start of the final stage of economic and monetary union agreed to in the Maastricht treaty; and what stage the United Kingdom has reached.

  Mr. Nelson
  The starting date for the third stage of economic and monetary union will be set in accordance with the provisions of article 109j of the treaty on European union. Along with all other member states, the United Kingdom is presently participating in the first stage which began on 1 July 1990.

  First-time Home Buyers
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to develop a scheme to stimulate the housing market by increasing mortgage interest tax relief and reducing stamp duty for first-time buyers only; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government have received a number of such suggestions in recent weeks, all of which are considered carefully.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the form of competitive tender arrangements for the supply of estate agency services for the valuation and banding exercise for the introduction of the council tax in Wales; and if he will give the cost of the exercise, broken down by payments to each firm of estate agents or chartered surveyors employed and in which local authority area they were employed.

  Mr. Nelson
  The competitive tendering arrangements for the award of contracts to private sector firms for the valuation banding of domestic properties for the council tax in Wales were undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency.

  The exercise was based on the established public sector procurement process of press advertising, pre-qualification and sealed bid tendering. The process throughout was the subject of consultation with the main valuers' professional institutions.

  The pre-qualification stage involved an operational assessment by the agency of firms who registered an interest in assisting with the valuation banding, and an assessment of financial viability by independent consultants. Those firms successful at this stage were invited to tender.

  The evaluation of bids and the authorisation of the award of contracts to successful firms was undertaken by a tender evaluation board. The board comprised representatives from the agency, the Welsh Office and the professional institutions.
  191
  The total cost of the contracts awarded to private sector firms, which were completed earlier this year, amounted to £1,406,142. It is not possible to disclose the payments to each contractor, on the grounds of commercial confidence.

  The district council areas in Wales where contracts were awarded, and the contractors employed in these areas is shown in the table.

  District council area

  Contractor

  Aberconwy

  Nationwide Estate Agents; J. Hampson & Co.

  Alyn and Deeside

  Dixon Webb

  Blaenau Gwent

  Morgan Knight; Scotts

  Brecknock

  King Thomas Lloyd-Jones & Co.

  Cardiff

  Connell Estate Agents;

  Black Horse Agencies;

  Peter Alan Ltd;

  James Jones & Henton

  Ceredigion

  Evans Bros; King Thomas Lloyd-Jones & Co.

  Colwyn

  Kitching Bell; J. Hampson & Co.

  Cynon Valley

  Lanyon Davies & Evans

  Delyn

  Kitching Bell; J. Hampson & Co.

  Dwyfor

  Bob Parry & Co. Ltd.

  Glyndwr

  Kitching Bell

  Islwyn

  Morgan Knight

  Llanelli

  W. Griffiths Son & Lewis

  Lliw Valley

  Foote & Halfpenny;

  Fairwood Surveyors & Valuers

  Meirionnydd

  Farmers Marts (R. G. Jones) Ltd.

  Merthyr Tydfil

  William Graham & Co.

  Monmouth

  William Graham & Co;

  Russell Baldwin & Bright;

  Colleys Professional Services

  Montgomeryshire

  Farmers Marts (R. G. Jones) Ltd;

  Norman R. Lloyd & Co;

  Morris Marshall & Pool

  Neath

  Foote & Halfpenny;

  Peter Alan Ltd.

  Newport

  William Graham & Co;

  Black Horse Agencies

  Ogwr

  Payton Jewell Caines & Hurry;

  Peter Alan Ltd; CRGP Bute UK

  Port Talbot

  Payton Jewell Caines & Hurry

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  Evans Bros; King Thomas

  Lloyd-Jones & Co.

  Radnor

  King Thomas Lloyd-Jones & Co.

  Rhuddlan

  J. Hampson & Co.

  Rhymney Valley

  William Graham & Co.

  South Prembrokeshire

  Evans Bros

  Swansea

  Fairwood Surveyors & Valuers

  192

  District council area

  Contractor

  Taff-Ely

  CRGP Bute UK

  Torfaen

  William Graham & Co.

  Vale of Glamorgan

  Kemps; Martin Cotsen & Co.

  Ynys Môn—Isle of Anglesey

  N. W. Burnell & Associate; Swetenhams Royal Life Estates

  Average Family Income
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the relative position of Wales on the table of average family incomes compared with other standard regions of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nelson
  Estimates of gross normal weekly household income for Wales and the standard regions of the United Kingdom are shown in the table. The estimates are based on two years results from the 1989 and 1990 family expenditure surveys.

  Average gross normal weekly household income1 1989 and 1990

  Region

  £/week

  North

  265.62

  Yorks and Humberside

  263.53

  North East

  289.75

  East Midlands

  311.67

  West Midlands

  295.87

  East Anglia

  325.08

  Greater London

  402.22

  South East except Greater London

  391.51

  South West

  317.36

  Wales

  263.09

  Scotland

  227.48

  Northern Ireland

  232.69

  All United Kingdom

  319.36

  1Gross normal weekly household income is the total of wages and salaries, self-employment, income, investment, pensions and other sources for all household members. It also includes an imputed income component for owner occupiers and those who occupy their dwelling rent-free.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made of the revenue which would be obtained by taxing child benefit.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The estimated direct revenue yield in 1992–93 from making child benefit liable to tax would be about £600 million. This assumes that child benefit received by married couples would be taxed as the mother's income.

  Currency Changes
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give figures for the percentage change in the retail prices index and the percentage change in the level of sterling compared with(a) the deutschmark and (b) the US dollar for each calendar year since 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  Recent annual figures for retail prices and exchange rates can be found in the Economic Trends

  193
  published by the Central Statistical Office, and figures for earlier years are published in corresponding tables in Economic Trends annual supplement.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff his Department currently employs; what are the total personnel costs; and what were the staffing levels and personnel costs in 1970.

  Mr. Nelson
  [pursuant to his answer, 14 July 1992, c. 527]:The answer unfortunately used incorrect figures for average staff in post for 1991–92. The correct figure is 2,928 and not 3,192 as stated.

SCOTLAND

  Water and Sewerage
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, for each region, the water supply zones where the water authorities have assessed that there is a risk of United Kingdom standards for lead in water not always being met stating for each the expected date for compliance; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The public water supply zones in Scotland where mainland authorities have reported that, after the end of 1991, there was a risk of the United Kingdom standard for lead not always being met and where, consequently, further action was required by the regulations, are listed in the table. The expected date for compliance is also stated where this has been agreed.

  In almost half of the 77 zones listed, remedial action has either been taken, or is planned to be taken before the end of this year.

  Following earlier improvements by water authorities, statutory random sampling last year indicated that, compared with 1990, samples failing the lead standard dropped from more than 4 per cent. to under 2 per cent. However, compliance with the standard cannot be guaranteed until lead pipes and fittings, mainly within consumers own properties, are removed.

  Authority/Supply Zone

  Expected Date for Compliance or Date Completed

  Borders

  Cockburnspath

  —1

  Earnscleugh

  1994

  Hawick—Acreknowe

  —1

  Innerleithen

  1993

  Oxton

  —1

  Philiphaugh

  1992

  Selkirk

  —1

  Tweedsmuir

  1993

  West Linton

  1992

  Yarrowfeus

  1992 (completed)

  Central

  Alloa

  1992 (completed)

  Dumfries & Galloway

  Castle Douglas

  19932

  Creetown

  19932

  Landheads

  19932

  Langholm

  19932

  Moffat

  19932

  New Abbey

  19932

  Newton Stewart

  19932

  Palnure

  19932

  194

  Authority/Supply Zone

  Expected Date for Compliance or Date Completed

  Sanquhar

  19932

  Fife

  Newburgh

  1992 (completed)

  Grampian

  Aboyne

  1992 (completed)

  Airyhall, Aberdeen

  —1

  Ballater

  —3

  Banff

  1992 (completed)

  Craigie East, Aberdeen

  —1

  Dufftown

  1993

  Forres

  1992 (completed)

  Mannofield South, Aberdeen

  —1

  New Pitsligo

  —3

  Tomintoul

  1992 (completed)

  Highland—assessment not yet available

  Lothian

  Alnwickhill—Joppa

  1991 (completed)

  Alnwickhill—Leith

  1991 (completed)

  Alnwickhill—Newington

  1991 (completed)

  Alnwickhill—Portobello

  1991 (completed)

  Chalkieside

  1991 (completed)

  Deans

  1992 (completed)

  Dechmont Law

  1992 (completed)

  Eastcraigs

  1992 (completed)

  Fairmilehead Direct

  1991 (completed)

  Firhill Mid

  1991 (completed)

  Firhill North

  1991 (completed)

  Firhill South

  1991 (completed)

  Firhill West

  1991 (completed)

  Humbie

  1992 (completed)

  Kinleith

  19953

  Marchbank/Harlaw

  19953

  Rosebery East

  —3

  Rosebery West

  —3

  Turduff

  19953

  Tayside

  Aberfeldy

  19963

  Acharn

  19963

  Balnaguard

  19963

  Benachally

  19963

  Camserney and Weem

  19963

  Clash

  19963

  Fearnan

  19963

  Fingask

  19963

  Glenfarg

  19963

  Glenogil

  19963

  Grandtully

  19963

  Kenmore

  19963

  Kinloch Rannoch

  19963

  Pitagowan and Calvine

  19963

  Pitlochry

  19963

  Strathclyde

  Ardeer

  1992

  Barrhead/Auchenback

  1993

  Crookfur/Newton Mearns

  1993

  Girvan North

  1992

  Inverclyde West

  —3

  Irvine

  1992

  Kilmarnock South

  1992

  Leven Valley

  —3

  Prestwick

  1992

  Troon and Kilwinning

  1992

  Saltcoats/North Stevenston

  1992

  Whiting Bay

  —3

  1 Further investigation of treatment required.

  2 Further assessment of risk to be carried out by the date given.

  3 Further information required from water authority.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate, for each region, what
  195
  investment is needed at 1992 prices to meet the requirement to end dumping of sewage sludge at sea after 1998; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Only Strathclyde and Lothian regional councils are affected by the ending of sewage sludge dumping at sea. Councils are presently completing reviews of their sludge disposal strategies. At current prices, possible investments associated with the cessation of dumping are estimated by the regional councils at £70 million for Strathclyde and £21 million for Lothian.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of food poisoning have been notified in each year since 1979; and if will make a statement.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The numbers of cases of food poisoning notified in Scotland since 1979 are as follows:

  Year

  Notifications

  1979

  2,657

  1980

  2,299

  1981

  2,920

  1982

  2,880

  1983

  2,632

  1984

  2,331

  1985

  1,967

  1986

  2,436

  1987

  2,480

  1988

  2,998

  1989

  3,197

  1990

  3,024

  1991

  2,938

TRANSPORT

  Rail Services
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the chairman of British Rail about rail services to and from Darwen, Lancashire.

  Mr. Freeman
  None. The level of service on the line is a matter for British Rail and the Greater Manchester passenger executive.

  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the reduction in Sunday rail services to and from Darwen, Lancashire, Following publication of the citizen's charter.

  Mr. Freeman
  One. The level of service on this line is a matter for British Rail and the Greater Manchester passenger transport executive.

  Coal
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the number of million tonne miles of coal carried by railways and coastal and inland shipping in or around the United Kingdom in 1990 and 1991, and his estimate of the amount likely to be carried thereafter, following implementation of the current plans for reduced use of coal.
  196
  Mr. Freeman
  Statistics of coal and coke movements in 1990 and 1991 are given in table 1.9 of Transport Statistics Great Britain 1992, which was published in September. The figures for rail and water, including coastal and inland waterway movements, are as follows:

  Billion tonne-kilometres

  1990

  1991

  Rail

  5.0

  15.0

  Water

  1.4

  21.7

  1 1991–92 financial year

  2provisional

  It is for British Rail Trainload Freight and the shipping industry to make their own estimates of the amount of coal and coke they expect to carry.

  Car Safety
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is currently undertaken by his Department to encourage car manufacturers to take into account the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists when designing their cars.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The United Kingdom is at the forefront of moves within Europe to make the fronts of cars less harmful to pedestians, cyclists and motorcyclists in the event of a collision and is currently co-operating in the drafting of an EC directive. The Government welcome the fact that manufacturers are already incorporating in their cars some of the measures which are proposed in the directive and hope that they will be able to move further in this direction.

  Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of children under school-leaving age were involved in road traffic accidents in the United Kingdom in 1991; and what information he has on the equivalent figures for each European Community and European Free Trade Association country.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  There were 46,126 reported road casualties aged under 16 years in the United Kingdom during 1991, which represents a rate of 0.40 per 100 population. Comparable data for other EC and EFTA countries are not available. Instead, the table shows road fatalities aged under 15 in those countries and the corresponding fatality rates per million population in that age group.

  Child1 road fatalities and fatality rates:

  EC and EFTA countries: 1990

  Number/rate per million population

  Country

  Fatalities

  Fatality rate

  EC

  Belgium2

  94

  52

  Denmark

  48

  54

  France

  524

  46

  Germany

  554

  44

  Greece

  93

  346

  Ireland

  46

  48

  Italy

  247

  26

  Luxembourg2

  5

  78

  Netherlands

  100

  37

  Portugal2

  190

  94

  Spain

  399

  51

  197

  Country

  Fatalities

  Fatality rate

  United Kingdom

  394

  36

  EFTA

  Austria

  67

  50

  Finland

  45

  47

  Iceland

  3

  47

  Norway

  18

  22

  Sweden

  35

  23

  Switzerland

  47

  41

  1Aged under 15.

  21989 data.

  3 Based on 1988 population.

  Source: IRTAD database (OECD) and UNECE,

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of children under school-leaving age were injured in road traffic accidents in each United Kingdom region in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The table shows the number of reported road accident casualties aged under 16 in each United Kingdom region in 1991, and the corresponding casualty rates per 100 population in that age group as follows:

  Child1 casualties and casualty rates2, by region:

  United Kingdom 1991

  Number/rate per 100 population

  Regions

  Number of casualties

  Casualty rate

  England

  North

  2,591

  0.42

  North West

  6,554

  0.50

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4,230

  0.42

  East Midlands

  3,205

  0.40

  West Midlands

  4,303

  0.40

  East Anglia

  1,557

  0.38

  South East

  12,798

  0.37

  South West

  2,854

  0.32

  England total

  38,092

  0.40

  Wales

  2,343

  0.40

  Scotland

  4,156

  0.41

  Northern Ireland

  1,535

  0.36

  United Kingdom total

  46,126

  0.40

  1 Aged under 16. Excludes age not reported.

  2 1990 population estimates used to calculate rate.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a figure showing the average cost to the Exchequer of each road traffic accident, including a figure for the average cost of medical care.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The total costs of road accidents are updated each year and published in the Department of Transport publication, "Highways Economic Note No 1" and in "Road Accidents Great Britain".

  Direct costs to the Exchequer include medical costs, social security payments, police costs and lost revenue from taxation due to loss of earnings. The table shows average total cost, average cost to the Exchequer excluding lost taxation revenue for which no estimate is available, and also medical costs.
  198

  Average total cost

  Average cost to Exchequer

  Average medical and ambulance costs

  £

  £

  £

  Fatal accidents

  762,800

  12,600

  1,620

  Serious accidents

  26,500

  4,600

  2,970

  Slight accidents

  2,500

  500

  150

  All injury accidents

  20,400

  1,400

  700

  Ports
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will be taking in the remainder of 1992 to promote investment into British ports within the wider investment infrastructure of the Community, to place British ports in a position level to that of ports in other Community countries.

  Mr. Norris
  This Government's policies have led to a vigorous flow of private sector investment into United Kingdom ports. We welcome the initiative by the European Commission to set up a member states' group on ports and trans-European networks, to identify opportunities for expanding the role of ports and shipping services in freight transport within the Community. We also welcome the statement, in the working documents circulated to the first meeting on 1 October, stressing the need to maintain the principle of free and fair competition between ports.

  Car Advertisements
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what efforts are being undertaken by his Department to discourage car manufacturers from referring to the aquisition of speed as a central feature of their advertising campaigns.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Advertising Standards Authority and the Independent Television Commission have responsibility for setting standards for acceptable advertisements. These standards prohibit any advertisement which places undue emphasis on speed or encourages unlawful or unsafe driving practices. The Advertising Standards Authority issued further advice to advertising practitioners, following discussions in 1990. This advice has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of advertisements found to be in breach of the standards. At a further meeting last July, the authority agreed to maintain its close monitoring of the use of speed in car advertising.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Norris
  It is not possible to place a financial figure on the Department's involvement with deregulation. The Department is continually seeking opportunities for deregulation in transport and a high proportion of its current policies are directed at this aim. In addition, whenever new legislation or regulation is being considered by the Department, the Department examines closely the cost impact of such measures, especially on business.

  Regional Airlines
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to paragraph 13.53 of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report MMC2, BAA plc, published in 1991; if he will make it his policy that interests of United Kingdom regional airlines could be safeguarded under section 41 of the Airports Act 1986; what plans he has to act to protect the interests of such airlines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend has noted the view the MMC expressed on the structure of charges at BAA plc's London airports.

  The Government look for healthy competition in the aviation market and seek to protect the interests of both consumers and operators against anti-competitive practices. Section 41 of the Airports Act 1986 gives the Civil Aviation Authority the power to impose conditions on an airport operator to remedy specific conduct which unreasonably discriminates against any class of airport user or unfairly exploits that operator's bargaining position.

  Road Works
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimates he has made of the potential benefits to road users of the use of trenchless technology;

  (2) what research he has funded into the cost benefit of trenchless technology.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  In 1989 the Department commissioned the transport research laboratory to assess the use of trenchless construction methods in road works in a three-year project, at a cost of £90,000. The project is intended to provide details of the potential savings to road users as a result of more widespread use of trenchless methods, and to provide information about what, if any, additional direct costs would be incurred by using trenchless methods. An interim report was produced in July 1991, and a final report, covering evaluation of methods, economics and potential for application, is due in the spring of 1993.

  Associated with this project is another one, begun in May 1992, which is being carried out by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association under the title "RP 456: Planning and Investigation for the Use of Trenchless and Minimum Excavation Technology in the Installation, Replacement and Renovation of Underground Services". The report on this project is expected in 1993.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is his policy to encourage highway authorities and undertakers to take account of delays to road users when planning road works.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Yes. The relevant provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 will come into force on 1 January 1993. They will require street authorities, normally the local highway authorities, to co-ordinate undertakers' street works and works for their own road purposes, and will impose a duty on undertakers to co-operate with the street authority and other undertakers, one of the aims being to minimise inconvenience to users of the street. We shall shortly be publishing a code of practice giving practical guidance on the carrying out of these duties.
  200
  I expect these provisions to prove effective in reducing delays associated with undertakers' and highway authorities' works in the road. I shall be monitoring the situation closely.

  The Act provides an additional reserve power to make regulations imposing charges for occupation of the highway where undertakers' works are unreasonably prolonged. We shall not hesitate to implement this provision if we need to do so.

  High Winds
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the information available to him on the incidence and effect of high winds on the Dartford/Thurrock bridge.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Since the Queen Elizabeth II bridge came into use in October 1991, it has only once been closed because of high winds. Speed restrictions and lane closures due to high winds have been imposed for a total of some 71 hours.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fishing vessels are registered in the United Kingdom but beneficially owned in each other EC member state.

  Mr. Norris
  There are now some 57 Spanish, 21 Dutch and two Danish fishing vessels registered in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) to what degree a fishing vessel is required to show a genuine economic link with the United Kingdom to qualify for registrations and licensing with United Kingdom authorities;

  (2) what information he has on the names of fishing vessels registered in the United Kingdom and beneficially owned in other EC member states of the owners of these boats and the United Kingdom link which allows them to be British registered.

  Mr. Norris
  Any vessel fishing for profit is required to give certain details including details of ownership and management and the name of vessel before it can be registered in the United Kingdom.

  In line with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 we continue to require that any fishing vessel on the United Kingdom register must be managed and the operations directed and controlled from within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the claim for compensation by fishing vessels from his Department for the period deregistered will be based on the net earnings of the British companies which owned the vessels concerned prior to 31 March 1989.

  Mr. Norris
  The applicants seek damages under three heads; expenses, losses consequent on the sale of vessels and losses consequent on the need to provide bonds, fines and legal expenses. The Government do not, however, accept that they are under any liability to pay compensation.

  Railway Tracks
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss British Rail's plans to sell redundant and little-used railway track.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Secretary of State and I meet the chairman of British Rail regularly to discuss various matters. The board's objectives require it to divest itself of all underused or surplus land and property as rapidly as possible, at a proper commercial price.

  The procedure currently followed by BR for the disposal of disused trackbed is as follows:

  (i) Discussions with the various BR businesses to establish that the land is no longer required for operational purposes and that no future operational use has been identified by them. The land is then handed over to the British Rail Property Board (BRPB) for disposal.

  (ii) Notification by BRPB to local authorities that it intends to sell the land so that they can approach the board with their requirement to purchase at the earliest possible date.

  (iii) If there is no approach from the local authority, BRPB notifies statutory undertakers, MOD, British Coal and the Department to see if there are any objections to the sale.

  (iv) If there are no objections, BRPB proceeds with the sale.

  Motorway Accidents
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of accidents which have occurred on motorways as a result of vehicles hitting tyre debris or swerving to avoid such debris.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The information requested is not available. However of the 6,287 motorway injury accidents in Great Britain in 1991, 209 involved vehicles hitting an object on the carriageway that was not a vehicle load, a previous accident or an animal. This accounts for 3 per cent. of all motorway injury accidents.

  Air Misses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his Answer of 12 June,Official Report, column 298, when the hon. Member can expect to receive the report of the CAA/Ministry of Defence investigation into the air near-miss that occurred on 1 July over Currock hill gliding site.

  Mr. Norris
  I am advised by the Civil Aviation Authority that this incident, involving a Cadedonian Airways triStar and a glider, over Currock hill gliding site on 31 May 1992, has been examined by the independent joint airmiss working group. The findings of the group will be available in the spring of next year. It will feature in the Civil Aviation Authority's regular publication "UK Airmisses Involving Commercial Air Transport". Arrangements have been made for the hon. Member to receive a copy when it is available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 July,Official Report, column 109, when the hon. Member can expect to receive the report from the joint CAA/Ministry of Defence investigation into the air near-misses that occurred on (a) 26 June over south Wales and (b) 25 June, 15 miles north of Grimsby.
  202
  Mr. Norris
  The air miss report filed with the Civil Aviation Authority in respect of the incidents involving respectively:

  1. An Air UK Fokker 27 and a Royal Air Force Tornado, north of Grimsby on 25 June 1992; and

  2. A United Airlines boeing 767 and a Venezuelan-registered Falcon 50 south west of Ebbw Vale on 26 June 1992;

  have been examined by the independent joint air miss working group. The group's assessment of each incident will be published along with others by the Civil Aviation Authority in the spring of 1993 and I have made arrangments for the hon. Member to receive a copy of this document when it is available.

  Passenger Ferries
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with his counterpart in the Irish Republic concerning the vetting of sewerage system safety in design and operation on Welsh-Irish passenger ferry services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  My officials have been in regular contact with the Irish Department of the Marine, and the Polish authorities, since the tragic accident on the Celtic Pride on 12 August. My surveyors agreed with the operators and the Irish administration a programme for the implementation of modifications to the sewerage system, to provide a permanent solution to the venting problems which caused the accident. Following completion of these modifications, and subsequent tests on the ship in an operational condition, the ship has now been allowed to continue operations. However, monitoring of the situation on board the ship continues on a regular basis.

  My Department, and the Irish administration, have circulated an urgent notice to all ferry companies operating from United Kingdom and Irish ports, about the checks to be made on sewerage systems. The Irish administration is currently conducting an inquiry into the tragedy, and will provide my Department with full details of its findings and any recommendations.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last visited Oxleas wood; when he last had communication with the European Commission regarding the east London river crossing; and if he will make a statement

  Mr. Norris
  I visited Oxleas wood in May. The United Kingdom sent its response to the European Commission's article 169 letter in December 1991. The Commission announced on 31 July that it will be proceeding to reasoned opinion on the alleged non-compliance with the EC Directive on Environmental Assessment. No further communication has been received.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the original estimate of the cost of construction of the east London river crossing; what is his current estimate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The original estimated cost of the east London river crossing, as set out in the White Paper "Policy for Roads: England 1980" Cmnd. 7908, was £90 million, for construction works only, at 1978 prices.
  203
  Following detailed development of the scheme, including substantial changes discussed at the two public inquiries, the current estimated cost including land is about £300 million at 1989 prices.

  Air Routes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what concessions his Department made to allow an American airline to have a direct air route between Glasgow and Washington; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Under the Bermuda 2 air services agreement, the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom each have the right to designate an airline or airlines to operate services on routes between Glasgow and a number of United States gateway cities, including Washington. These rights were negotiated as part of the original agreement in 1977.

  £ million cash

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Bus purchase

  3.1

  8.5

  15.3

  15.7

  23.8

  London Underground Limited (inc new lines)

  213

  215

  302

  458

  368

  Disaggregated figures for the next two years are not available, but the total London Transport investment implied by the 1991 settlement was £1,519 million in 1993–94 and £1,370 million in 1994–95.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what investment plans he approved in 1991 for London Transport.

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend does not approve LT investment plans. However, the levels of capital investment implied by the 1991 autumn statement for LT, including new lines, for the next three years are:

  Year

  £ million cash

  1992–93

  1,197

  1993–94

  1,519

  1994–95

  1,370

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the change in unit costs for bus travel in London over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Norris
  The following figures show local bus operating costs in London over the past 10 years. They comprise services operated under contract to London Transport, and all operations by London Buses Limited, other than commercial services by London Coaches Limited. They exclude depreciation and renewals, and are rounded to the nearest five pence.

  Year

  Cost per bus kilometre (£) 1990–91 prices

  1980

  2.15

  1981

  2.15

  1982

  2.20

  1983

  2.20

  1984–85

  2.20

  London Transport
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to alter the capital programmes of London Transport.

  Mr. Norris
  London Transport's external financing requirement for the three years ahead is reviewed annually. I cannot anticipate the Chancellor's autumn statement announcement on the financial provision for the years 1993–94 to 1995–96.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what capital spending has been authorised for London Transport on(a) bus replacement and (b) the underground railways in each of the last five years; and what sums have been published for the next two years.

  Mr. Norris
  The appointment of capital spending between bus purchase, the undergound railways and other types of investment is a matter for London Transport not the Government. The table which gives the information on spending for the past five years is as follows:

  Year

  Cost per bus kilometre (£) 1990–91 prices

  1985–86

  2.05

  1986–87

  1.90

  1987–88

  1.80

  1988–89

  1.80

  1989–90

  1.70

  1990–91

  1.65

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the extension and the returns on bus priority and selective vehicle identification schemes for buses in London.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport issued advice on bus priority measures last December, and a number of schemes are now being prepared by the London boroughs in conjunction with London Transport. The Government have allocated £1 million for these schemes in the current year.

  A selective bus identification trial scheme in the south-east London—north-east Kent area is producing substantial benefits to buses and their passengers. London Buses is now fitting its buses with the equipment necessary to extend the benefits to other parts of outer London.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the economic effects on the efficiency of London Transport's capital programmes of short-term changes in authorised spending.

  Mr. Norris
  Careful cash control and management of the large stock of projects which LT has in various stages of development enables LT to adjust its capital investment programme from time to time in the light of available resources, as any other business may have to do.
  205
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the changes in bus miles and in bus passenger numbers for London Transport bus services compared with out-of-London services.

  Mr. Norris
  For the past five years, the information requested is as follows:

  Bus miles (millions)

  London

  Outside London

  1986–87

  173

  1,169

  1987–88

  171

  1,283

  1988–89

  177

  1,306

  1989–90

  181

  1,337

  1990–91

  189

  1,330

  Passenger journeys (millions)

  London

  Outside London

  1986–87

  1,164

  4,179

  1987–88

  1,240

  4,081

  1988–89

  1,240

  4,001

  1989–90

  1,207

  3,881

  1990–91

  1,197

  3,654

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the average age of London Transport's buses in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Norris
  The average age of London Buses Ltd.'s fleet is heavily influenced by the presence of around 650 routemaster vehicles whose average age in 1991 was 27 years. I understand from it that the information is as follows:

  Year

  Average age (years)

  1987

  9.6

  1988

  9.5

  1989

  9.9

  1990

  10.3

  1991

  10.3

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his responsibilities, objectives and targets for public transport in London.

  Mr. Norris
  The Secretary of State's objectives, targets and responsibilities are set out in the Departmental Report "The Government's Expenditure Plans for Transport 1992–93 to 1994–95". A copy of the report has been placed in the House Library.

  Since that report was published, there have been two major developments. First, new quality of service objectives for London Transport bus and underground services were announced. I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 2 June, Vol 208, col. 524–26 and on 29 June, Vol 210, col. 388–90.

  Secondly, following publication of the white Paper, Cmd. 2012, "New Opportunities for the Railways", a consultation document—"The Franchising of Passenger Rail Services"—was published on 12 October. A copy has been placed in the House Library. This gives further information on how the franchising system will work and
  206
  seeks views from prospective franchisees. This is in pursuit of the Government's overall objective for British Rail to extend the involvement of the private sector in the operation of the railways, ensure continuity of services, assure safety, and provide value for money.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in which years since 1972 the capital spending by London Transport has maintained asset standards.

  Mr. Norris
  Information in the form requested is not held by the Government or by LT.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list link London Transport's(a) higher priority projects and (b) lower priority projects included in his consideration of capital spending plans.

  Mr. Norris
  No. It is for LT and its subsidiaries, not the Government, to decide what priority is given to specific investment projects.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sum of money is neded to prevent an increase in the average age of London Transport's buses.

  Mr. Norris
  It is not possible to give a precise figure. London Buses Ltd's bus replacement programme is not driven by the aim of maintaining a particular average age of the fleet.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which conclusions and options of the central London rail study have been accepted by him and by London Transport.

  Mr. Norris
  The central London rail study recommended a major upgrading programme to make the best use of existing infrastructure and proposed two options for new lines. Since then investment in existing infrastructure has been raised to record levels, a Bill has been deposited in Parliament for Crossrail and the route of the Chelsea-Hackney line has been safeguarded.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the import share in London Transport's capital spending.

  Mr. Norris
  No such calculation is made or could meaningfully be made. It is for London Transport to place orders where best value for money can be obtained.

  Canary Wharf
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the numbers who will live within 40 minutes travel time of Canary Wharf if the Jubilee line extension is(a) built or (b) not built.

  Mr. Norris
  This information is not available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Department of Transport
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have held the position of(a) Secretary of State for Transport, (b) Minister for Public Transport, (c) Permanent Secretary and (d) Deputy Secretary for Public Transport since January 1989.

  Mr. Norris
  Four people have held the position of Secretary of State for Transport since January 1989. Two
  207
  people have held the position of Minister of State for Public Transport since January 1989. Two people have held the position of permanent secretary and three people have held the position of deputy secretary for public transport since January 1989.

  Bus Deregulation
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider modern stored value and integrated ticketing before deregulation of buses in London.

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that London Transport is currently undertaking a trial of stored value ticketing on bus route 212 in north London. London Underground is also developing a stored value ticketing system and London Transport intends that both systems should be compatible. On British Rail services, stored value ticketing is not so appropriate because of the cost and safety implications of providing ticket gates at all stations.

  Capital Spending
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates or research his Department has published on the economic and financial effects of sudden changes in capital spending.

  Mr. MacGregor
  None.

  London Underground
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sustained level of investment in London's underground was endorsed or recommended in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report.

  Mr. Norris
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission report of 5 June 1991 into London Underground Limited, LUL, did not endorse or recommend any specific level of investment in London Underground.

  Transpennine Roads
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he proposes to take regarding transpennine road links following publication of the recent study undertaken on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  There are a number of schemes in the national roads programme to improve transpennine road links. These include widening M62 between junctions 18 and 24; provision of a new Ml/M62 link; improvements to A628/A616 from M67 to Stocksbridge and improvements to A66.

  I will be better placed to make a statement regarding transpennine roads strategy once the public consultation period has finished on 5 March and all responses have been considered. At this stage the Government are not committed to any of the strategies in the consultants' report.

  A140
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities have occurred on the A 140 between Norwich and the A45 in the last 10 years.
  208
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Forty-nine. The figures for the years 1982 to 1992, to 30 September, are as follows:

  Year

  Number of fatalities

  1982

  3

  1983

  6

  1984

  7

  1985

  1

  1986

  2

  1987

  3

  1988

  3

  1989

  12

  1990

  3

  1991

  5

  1992

  4

  These figures relate to the road between its junctions with the Norwich outer ring road and the A45.

  Bus Stops (Information Systems)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated financial return and the estimated value to passengers and potential passengers of real time information systems at bus stops.

  Mr. Norris
  London Transport plans to start trials of Countdown in November. The purpose of those trials is to establish the cost, benefits and practicability of real time passenger information systems.

  Victoria Line
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has has made of the economic value of the Victoria line.

  Mr. Norris
  None. The practice of carrying out backchecks on investments for which Government approval has been given is a relatively new one, and this has not been done in the case of the Victoria line.

  Transport Security Annual Report
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the 1991–92 annual report of the director and co-ordinator of transport security.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Red Star
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of the British Railways Board parcels service, Red Star.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have received representations from the British Railways Board seeking approval to the early trade sale of Red Star, and on 7 October I announced my agreement to that proposal. The detailed sale arrangements will be drawn up by the board, subject to Government scrutiny in the usual way. I welcome the board's commitment to Red Star privatisation. An early sale is the best way to revitalise the business and return it to profitability.

  Passenger Railway Services
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he plans to consult potential franchisees on his proposals for franchising passenger railway services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I published a consultation document on 12 October with the aim of seeking the views of potential franchisees on the areas, geographically and in terms of specific activities, which may be of interest, and on the ways in which the franchising of passenger services might best be carried out. This should ensure that we implement franchising in the most market oriented way, so maximising competition and ensuring value for money. I have placed copies of this document in the Library.

  DVOIT
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of the DVOIT executive agency.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Following a review of its activities, DVOIT will be the first next steps agency to be privatised. Under the citizens charter we are committed to improving service to the public. This means introducing the market to many areas of government. Privatisation brings choice and efficiency, and I am confident that the privatisation of DVOIT will lead to continuing improvements in value for money in the IT services provided for my Department.

  A1 Red Route
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken on the Transport Research Laboratory technical paper TD/TP/173/92 about the patronage of businesses on the A1 red route.

  Mr. Norris
  I have noted with interest that the shopping activity section of the technical paper reproduces the findings published in the autumn monitoring report on the red route pilot scheme. Those findings support the view that trading activity depends more on the type of business being conducted and the economic climate than on red route measures.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish his Department's estimates of the change in patronage of businesses along the Al red route between its opening and the latest available date.

  Mr. Norris
  All monitoring reports including surveys of shopping activity at sites along the pilot red route have been published and copied to the hon. Member.

  East Suffolk Railway Line
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the expressions of interest he has received from potential operators wishing to franchise the East Suffolk railway line.

  Mr. Freeman
  Before the issue of the consultation document on 12 October we had received expressions of interest about running franchised passenger railway services from around 50 companies. I am sure that the consultation document will engender further interest. At 210
  this early stage, it is for the companies themselves to indicate publicly whether they are interested in particular services.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will visit and travel upon the east Suffolk railway line to study the possibilities for its future development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I would be delighted to travel on the east Suffolk line when I am next visiting my hon. Friend's constituency.

  Rail Accident, Walton-on-the-Naze
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the report of the inspector of railways on the accident at Walton-on-the-Naze in August 1987 will be published; when the inspector's inquiries were completed; when the report was completed; what are the reasons for the delay in publishing the report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Although the inspector's inquiries were completed in 1988 it has not yet been possible to publish a report due to continuing pressure of work. His principal findings were published in the Official Report on 21 October 1991, col. 466, and he discussed them with British Rail shortly after the completion of his inquiries. BR have taken remedial action to prevent any recurrence.

  I have asked the Health and Safety Commission to ensure publication of more detailed recommendations and conclusions by 31 December 1992.

  Transport, London
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his latest estimates for the respective construction and running costs and the contribution to London's economy and to London's transport system of(a) Crossrail, (b) the Hackney to Chelsea underground line and (c) the Hackney, Chelsea and East Putney underground line.

  Mr. Norris
  The latest estimates for the construction and operating costs of Crossrail, at 1990 prices, but reassessed in 1991, are £1,704 million for construction and £14.5 million per annum for operating costs. The latest estimates for the construction and operating costs of the Chelsea-Hackney line, at 1990 prices, are £1,776 million for construction and £31 million per annum for operating costs. The latest estimates for the net present value—NPV—of the costs and benefits of the two schemes, made in October 1990 for the Chelsea-Hackney line and in 1991 for Crossrail are reproduced in the table as follows:

  (Cost)-Benefit

  Crossrail

  Chelsea-Hackney line

  £ million

  £ million

  (March 1990 prices, NPV at 1 October 1990)

  (March 1990 prices NPV at 31 March 1990)

  Capital cost

  (1,354)

  (1,300)

  Operating cost

  (95)

  (204)

  Extra revenue to LUL/NSE

  321

  358

  Funding gap

  (1,128)

  (1,146)

  Passenger benefits

  1,170

  1,182

  Road user benefit

  393

  395

  211

  (Cost)-Benefit

  Crossrail

  Chelsea-Hackney line

  £ million

  £ million

  (March 1990 prices, NPV at 1 October 1990)

  (March 1990 prices NPV at 31 March 1990)

  —

  —

  ——

  ——

  Net benefit

  435

  431

  Benefit:cost ratio

  1. 30:1

  1. 29:1

  There are currently no plans for a Hackney, Chelsea and East Putney underground line. London Underground Limited is, however, reviewing the costs and benefits of an alternative alignment of the Chelsea-Hackney line via Sands End and Wandsworth and expects to report on the outcome in 1993.

  Pedal cycle casualties: by severity of casualty

  Great Britain 1987–91

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Killed

  280

  227

  294

  256

  242

  Seriously injured

  4,851

  4,652

  4,836

  4,344

  3,946

  Slightly injured

  21,063

  20,970

  23,383

  21,822

  20,615

  All casualties

  26,194

  25,849

  28,513

  26,422

  24,803

  Pedal cycle casualties: by severity of casualty and time of day

  Great Britain 1987–91

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Day

  Dark

  Day

  Dark

  Day

  Dark

  Day

  Dark

  Day

  Dark

  Killed

  209

  71

  173

  54

  226

  68

  179

  77

  173

  69

  Seriously injured

  3,858

  993

  3,669

  983

  3,841

  995

  3,436

  908

  3,156

  790

  Slightly injured

  17,323

  3,740

  17,008

  3,962

  19,146

  4,237

  17,870

  3,952

  16,752

  3,863

  All casualties

  21,390

  4,804

  20,850

  4,999

  23,213

  5,300

  21,485

  4,937

  20,080

  4,723

  Vehicle Registration
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many inquiries have been made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency by the police service to establish the name and address of the registered keeper of a motor vehicle leading to the detection of a hit-and-run driver.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The police normally obtain names and addresses of the present keepers of vehicles direct from the police national computer, PNC, which contains extracts from the central register maintained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. During the past 12 months the police made some 47,000 enquiries of the agency for details of previous keepers not available from the PNC but it is not known how many, if any, of these related to detection of hit-and-run drivers.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current estimate of the effect on the accuracy of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's register of keepers of the failure to notify a change of

  Cars
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of(a) Welsh and (b) English households in 1991 (i) had no car available to them and (ii) had two or more cars.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Information on car ownership is given in Transport Statistics Great Britain. Table 3.13(b) of the recently published 1992 edition showed that, in 1989, 30 per cent. of Welsh households had no car available to them and that 17 per cent. had two or more cars available to them. The equivalent figures for English households were 33 and 19 per cent. respectively.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cyclists were(a) killed and (b) injured in each of the last five years; and how many in each category were cycling without lights during lighting up times.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Cycling casualties over the past five years are given in the table as follows:

  Cycle light use is unknown, but cycle casualties occurring during daylight and darkness are shown in the table as follows:

  ownership; and what research is ongoing to establish an improved method for the recording of ownership or keepership of vehicles.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is estimated that less than 3 per cent. of people acquiring vehicles fail to comply with the legal requirement to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. When offenders are caught using unlicensed vehicles the agency prosecutes both for the offence of failing to notify acquisition of the vehicle and for evading payment of vehicle excise duty. The police have been asked to consider prosecution in other circumstances. Improved methods of recording vehicle keepership are currently being looked at as part of a study into possible further uses of new technology in the vehicle registration and licensing system.

  Cannon Street Railway Accident
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when copies of the report of the Health and Safety Commission on the Cannon street railway accident
  213
  were (a) made available to the media, with or without an embargo, (b) published by HMSO, (c) placed in the Library and (d) made available in the Vote Office.

  Mr. Freeman
  The inspector's report was published by HMSO on 2 September. Unembargoed copies were made available to the media and placed in the House Library on the same day. There is no arrangement to place copies in the Vote Office.

  Public Transport
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals Her Majesty's Government have for increasing access to public transport for women with young children.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department has a long-standing commitment to improve access to public transport for people with mobility problems. This includes very large numbers of women with young children who are dependent on public transport, as well as elderly people and those with disabilities. We work closely with vehicle designers and manufacturers, public transport operators, local authorities and people with mobility problems as consumers, to promote and encourage greater recognition of their needs. One current example is the Department's support for a demonstration project of low-floor buses, which will provide easier access for all people with mobility problems and which will be of particular benefit to those travelling with prams and baby buggies.

  Bus Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to improve bus services in England.

  Mr. Freeman
  Last December I announced a package of measures to help promote bus use, including financial support for bus priority measures.

  European Airspace
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to avoid congestion in European airspace and to increase capacity.

  Mr. Norris
  The previous Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Edinburgh.. Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) chaired a meeting of Transport Ministers of the member states of the European civil aviation conference, ECAC, in London on 17 March. They reached agreement on a number of points, in particular to reaffirm the European en-route strategy, which was launched in 1990 to harmonise and integrate the operations of each country's individual air traffic control systems; to extend that strategy to include central and eastern European members of ECAC; to launch a new ECAC airports strategy to increase air traffic management capacity in the vicinity of airports; and to initiate work on investigations of new technologies and their impact on the later stages of the harmonisation and integration programme.

  The United Kingdom continues to play a full part in the implementation of this work in co-operation with other bodies, including EUROCONTROL and the EC Commission. A further major European project is the
  214
  creation by EUROCONTROL of a central flow management unit near Brussels. This will take on the functions of the national flow management units at London and four other European centres, and should bring major benefits to the management of traffic flows in Europe.

  In the United Kingdom, the Civil Aviation Authority has embarked on its largest and most ambitious investment programme, totalling some £750 million, to provide the equipment, facilities and systems which will enable the increasing volume of air traffic to be handled. The two most significant projects are the new en-route centre, NERC, and the central control function, CCF. NERC, near Fareham, will provide a significant increase in airspace capacity in England and Wales. CCF is a radical change in the way in which airspace in London and south-east England is managed, and will also notably improve capacity. Additionally, recruitment of air traffic controllers by the CAA has increased from 67 in 1988–89 to a record level of 290 in 1991–92.

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the estimated cost at 1992 or other prices of the proposed Jubilee line extension, together with the amount of that sum falling on public expenditure or contributed from other sources under specific conditions, either in respect of an approved scheme, or one approximating most closely to the requirements of Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Norris
  The current estimated cost of the Jubilee line extension in cash prices is £1,853 million, £1,415 million of this would fall on the public sector and £438 million on the private sector, based on the contributions originally promised. The particulars of those contributions are contained in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 23 June. to which I refer the hon. Member.

  Cargo Flights
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the implications of the E1 A1 flight crash in Amsterdam for the disposition of cargo flights at United Kingdom airports; if he will give consideration to the safety aspects at United Kingdom airports where the flight paths are over densely populated areas; if he will consider recommending increased use of airports where the flightpaths are over sea and countryside, for cargo flights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport has taken advice from the CAA, including the National Air Traffic Services on this important matter.

  Cargo flights by United Kingdom airlines are subject to the same airworthiness, maintenance and operational requirements as passenger flights, thus there is no reason to treat them differently from the point of view of the safety of third parties on the ground. Most of the major airports are near large centres of population and some of the flight paths unavoidably pass over built-up areas. The safety implications of the E1 A1 accident for United Kingdom airports have been studied carefully by the

  215
  National Air Traffic Services. It will maintain its policy of giving the pilot of an aircraft in distress whatever help he requests to effect a safe landing.

ENVIRONMENT

  Homelessness
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households were accepted as homeless in each standard economic region, including Greater London, in each year since 1979 to the latest date available.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 17 June,Official Report, column 569.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider how best to help homeless persons who do not qualify for housing benefit because they are not in rented accommodation and cannot afford the deposit and advance rent to enable them to obtain rented accommodation; and if he will discuss with the Housing Corporation whether a starter loan or grant scheme could be devised under its auspices.

  Mr. Baldry
  Under the Government's rough sleepers initiative, my Department is funding the Notting Hill housing trust to operate a rent deposit fund. Our grant enables NHHT to provide homeless people with the deposits they need to gain access to accommodation in the private rented sector.

  This is a 15-month pilot project which is due to finish at the end of June 1993. We will then evaluate the results.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless people were recorded in(a)1990 and(b)1979 by English local authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  The available information represents the numbers of homeless households for whom local authorities in England accepted responsibility for securing permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1985.

  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Households accepted as homeless

  1979

  55,530

  1990

  140,350

  A new reporting system was introduced for non-metropolitan districts from the fourth quarter 1980 and for the other authorities from the third quarter of 1982. Figures are therefore not strictly comparable over the whole period.

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his Department plans to distinguish between genuine pregnancies and pregnancies conceived purely for purposes of gaining access to priority housing waiting lists.

  Mr. Baldry
  The homelessness legislation, which can confer priority need for accommodation on pregnant women, makes no such distinction.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Redwood
  All of my staff with responsibility for particular aspects of policy have the task of seeking opportunities for deregulation. It is not practicable to identify the separate financial and staff provision. I have asked them to identify licences for abolition, and develop less bureaucratic procedures for grants and regulatory action.

  Recycled Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to introduce a duty of care for recycled materials.

  Mr. Maclean
  The duty of care introduced on 1 April under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 covers all controlled waste, including material intended for recycling.

  Housing Improvement Grants
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority area in England and Wales the number of mandatory housing improvement grants approved and granted in each year since 1987; and if he will indicate the percentage in respect of housing stock in the private sector.

  Mr. Baldry
  Two grant systems have been in operation during this period. The first, under the Housing Act 1985, ended in March 1990, although payments continue for grants approved before that date. The second, under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, largely came into force from July 1990 in England and Wales.

  Under the earlier system, mandatory grants were given to meet the cost of improving homes by putting in missing standard amenities such as baths, hot and cold water supplies and inside WCs. Discretionary grants were made towards the costs of improving homes to a good standard or to provide additional housing through conversions. In effect all intermediate grants and some special and repair grants were mandatory.

  The current system also involves different types of grant. The mandatory elements are renovation grant for repairs required to bring a property up to the fitness standard; disabled facilities grant for essential works to make a dwelling more suitable for occupation by a disabled person; and both the houses in multiple occupation (HMO) grant and the common parts grant where a statutory repairs notice has been served. Grants are otherwise discretionary. All renovation, common parts and HMO grants are payable solely to the private sector.

  Tables have been deposited in the Library showing the numbers of mandatory grants paid under the old system from 1987 to 1989. They also show for intermediate grants only the amounts paid to the private sector; a similar breakdown is not available for special or repair grants.

  Total payments of intermediate, special and repair grants in 1990 and 1991 are shown in table 4 of "Local Housing Statistics" issue No. 101, a copy of which is in the

  217
  Library. Information about the mandatory component of special and repair grants is not available for this period nor can payments of intermediate grants to the private sector be separately identified.

  There is no information available about grant approvals under the earlier system.

  Mandatory grants paid under the new system are also shown in table 4 of "Local Housing Statistics". Local authority level information about grants approved and of payments of disabled facilities grant to the private sector are not published, and tables have been deposited in the Library showing the available information.

  The answer covers English local authorities as the Department is responsible for housing policy only in England.

  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority area in England and Wales the number of mandatory housing improvement grants approved but not yet granted; and what the cost to each local authority of meeting those grants will be.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department does not collect this data directly. However information is collected on both approvals and grants paid under the improvement grant system established by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, and this question can be answered for some local authorities by comparing the cumulative totals of the grants they have approved with grants paid.

  A table prepared on this basis, covering those authorities which have provided the Department with complete information about their grant approvals and payments for the whole period from the start of the scheme in July 1990 to end-June 1992, has been deposited in the Library. The table covers mandatory renovation, houses in multiple occupation, common parts and disabled facilities grants. It relates to English local authorities as the Department is responsible for housing policy only in England.

  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the need to review the standard spending assessment criteria for north-east Lancashire to reflect the demand for mandatory housing improvement grants.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We have had a number of representations from local authorities in the north-east Lancashire area concerning the resources available to meet demand for mandatory housing improvement grants. None of these, however, was specifically concerned with standard spending assessments.

  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority area in England and Wales the percentage of their annual expenditure relating to the payment of mandatory housing improvements grants for each year since 1987.

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

  Information for Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities in England and Wales about meeting the 218
  demand for mandatory housing improvement grants; and what information he has on the number of authorities that are reducing non-statutory provision of services in order to meet that demand.

  Mr. Baldry
  Advice was issued to all local housing authorities in England in the Department's Circular 12/90 about the funding arrangements for house renovation grants and the flexibility these provide to help authorities to meet the demand for mandatory grants. It is for authorities to decide the balance between their statutory and non-statutory expenditure within the total resources available to them. Information on this is not systematically collected by the Department. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for giving advice to local authorities in Wales.

  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority area in England and Wales the number of mandatory housing improvement grant applications awaiting approval.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not available in the Department.

  City Challenge Bids
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish(a)the criteria used to decide which of the city challenge bids were to be supported and which rejected and(b)the technical assessments made on each of the city challenge bids.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The second round of city challenge, for which bids were required by 22 April, was open to all 57 urban priority areas. Fifty-four bids were received and each was assessed against the aims and criteria set out in the "City Challenge Bidding Guidance 1993–94", which was published in February 1992. A copy of the guidance is in the Library of the House. The assessment process included consideration of the written bids and analysis of projected outputs involving all the relevant Government Departments, regional presentations to officials and meetings with Ministers.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Roger Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the best estimates of the amount of loss of hedgerows in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and what proportion of the total amount of hedgerow the same represent.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not available in this form. The survey carried out by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology as part of my Department's countryside survey 1990 contains the most up to date figures. These indicate that between 1984 and 1990 there was a net loss of some 121,000 km—around 76,000 miles—of hedgerows in Great Britain, making up 22 per cent. of the total hedgerow stock. This includes losses due to poor management as well as deliberate removal. There are no figures currently available for Northern Ireland.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration the EC Environment Council has given to the proposal drafted by the European
  219
  Commission concerning the effect of the Swedish Government's proposed ban on the use of products containing CFCs and HCFCs on Sweden's plans to join the European Community.

  Mr. Maclean
  None.

  Marine Pollution
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent meeting of the Paris convention on marine pollution; and if he will arrange for the United Kingdom papers presented to the meeting to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Commission established by the Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Land-Based Sources (the Paris Convention) held its annual meeting at official level in Paris on 15, 16 and 19 September, and its annual joint meeting with the Commission established by the Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft (the Oslo Convention) on 17 to 19 September. The progress of work by the Paris Commission was reviewed and the final texts of a number of decisions and recommendations were established. I am placing in the Library of the House copies of the papers submitted by the United Kingdom to those meetings.

  A joint meeting of the Oslo and Paris commissions at ministerial level was also held in Paris on 21 and 22 September.I represented the United Kingdom. At this meeting we agreed a new Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North east Atlantic. I welcome the co-operation and commitment of all the constracting parties which have allowed us to achieve an agreement which establishes an effective framework for future protection of the marine environment from all kinds of pollution. We also adopted a declaration setting out the aims we shall all pursue under the convention and an action plan for protecting our seas into the next century.

  In addition we adopted the decisions and recommendations whose texts had been prepared by the official meetings the previous week. The United Kingdom did not present any papers to this meeting.

  Tameside Unitary Development Plan
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to set up a public inquiry into the Tameside unitary development plan.

  Mr. Baldry
  Tameside metropolitan borough council will, in due course, put their unitary development plan on deposit and invite formal representations. If objections are made at this time the council will arrange an inquiry and the Secretary of State will be asked to appoint an inspector.

  Opencast Mining (Asthma)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the report by J M F Temple and A M Sykes on asthma and opencast mining in the British Medical Journal of 15 August 1992 before completing his review of MPG3.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department will take into account all representations received that are material to revising the guidelines.

  Household Statistics
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of English households in 1991(a)lacked or shared a bath or shower,(b)had no inside wc,(c)had no central heating or(d)lived in a density of more than one per room.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) has to date published only a selection of 1991 census results in the county monitor series (CEN 91 CM).

  The England percentages given are provisional as they are derived directly from the rounded statistics in those monitors. National level results will be released by OPCS in November 1992 and more detailed results in county reports later this year and in 1993.

  Household percent

  a) +b) lacking/sharing a bath/shower and/or an inside wc

  1.7

  c) lacking central heating

  18.5

  d) living in a density of more than one per room

  2.1

  European Inspectors
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with the concept of an inspectorate of European inspectors.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom put a proposal for such an inspectorate to the Environment Council last December. It has attracted support from several quarters including a number of member states. The European Commission is considering whether to make a formal proposal; we shall continue to encourage them to do so.

  Waste Water Directive
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the definition of sensitive waters to be applied in compliance with the European Community municipal waste water directive.

  Mr. Maclean
  A consultation paper on the criteria for identifying sensitive areas and less sensitive areas under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and polluted waters under the Nitrates Directive was issued in March this year. We plan to publish the decisions made following consideration of responses in the autumn as part of a second consultation paper. This second paper will make proposals on the basis for identifying sensitive areas (UWWTD) and designating vulnerable zones (Nitrates Directive).

  Coastal Superquarries
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy towards the creation of coastal superquarries.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department considers that coastal superquarries may be able to make a useful contribution to future aggregate requirements in England. Their potential will be taken into account in the current review of "Mineral Planning Guidance Note 6" on the provision for aggregates in England and Wales. Individual applications will of course be considered on their own merits, having full regard to all the environmental implications.

  THORP Plant (Discharges)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish, and in what form, the decisions or authorisation of discharges from the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield, including any authorisation for Krypton 85; when such decisions will be made public; and whether he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Maclean
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will shortly issue draft authorisations relating to the BN FL site at Sellafield, including the thermal oxide reprocessing plant (THORP) and Krypton 85 emissions, providing in accordance with normal practice the opportunity for local authorities, public bodies and members of the public to comment. Full consideration will be given to views that are expressed.

  I will arrange for copies of the draft authorisations, when issued, to be placed in the Library.

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to set efficiency standards of between 95 and 100 per cent. efficiency for all electrostatic precipitators which will be operated by the power generators in conjunction with the burning of orimulsion; and if he will ensure that no power station can commence with the burning of orimulsion until such efficiency standards are fully met.

  Mr. Maclean
  The burning of orimulsion or other fuels at a power station requires an authorisation from HMIP. They set conditions and standards consistent with t he use of the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost to prevent or minimise pollution. These normally include limits on the concentration of particulate matter released, as this provides effective protection of the local environment and is easily checked. Efficiency standards for arrestment equipment may also be included, particularly if the process generates a significant amount of particulate matter.

  I therefore do not propose to set efficiency standards for electrostatic precipitators. No power station will be authorised unless the enforcing authority considers that it will be able to comply with the conditions which would be included in the authorisation.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made by his Department on the levels of vanadium and nickel to be released into the atmosphere from the proposed burning of orimulsion at the Pembroke power station.

  Mr. Maclean
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) is currently considering the application from National Power to burn orimulsion at Pembroke power station. HMIP has a duty to consider fully all available facts in coming to a decision on the determination of an application. In determining the application, an assessment of harm, and the question of limits and consents for releases, including vanadium and nickel, to all media are all being studied by HMIP, as are the techniques and cost implications for means of prevention.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects Her Majesty's222
  inspectorate of pollution to announce its decision on the National Power application to burn orimulsion at Padiham power station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  HMIP has agreed to a request from National Power for an extension of the determination period so that they may present further information to assist its application. In agreeing to this extension, HMIP has indicated to National Power that on the information presented so far it does not believe that the burning of orimulsion at Padiham power station would be justified without further measures to protect the environment.

  Toxic Waste Incinerator, Howdon
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be in a position to announce his decision on the application to build a toxic waste incinerator at Howdon.

  Mr. Maclean
  The decision will be announced shortly.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions his Department has had with its French and German counterparts concerning(a) the import of Australian origin PCB toxic waste into the European Community in August and (b) the transfrontier trade in hazardous waste between member states of the European Community.

  Mr. Maclean
  The transfrontier movement of hazardous wastes, including movements within the Community, is being discussed during the negotiations on the draft EC Waste Shipments Regulation. There have been no discussions with our Community partners about Australian PCB wastes.

  Landfill Sites
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the date of publication of his Department's guidance to the regulatory authorities on the nature of the completion certificate that will be issued to the owner of landfill sites.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department has not yet published this guidance. We shall shortly be issuing a draft of advice on the subject of how surrender of licences should be judged, and we will be inviting comments on that draft.

  Oxleas Wood
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last visited Oxleas wood, south-east London; when he last had communication with the European Commission regarding the east London river Crossing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  English Nature, my right hon. Friend's advisor on matters relating to sites of special scientific interest, has visited Oxleas wood on several occasions, most recently on 16 July 1992.

  There have been a number of exchanges between the Government and the Commission on the East London river crossing in connection with the application of the EIA directive, 85/337 EEC. In July 1992 the Commission announced its decision to issue a reasoned opinion under article 169 of the treaty of Rome. This has not yet been received.

  Drinking Water Inspectorate
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to enhance the independence of the drinking water inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 15 July 1992 to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones),Official Report, column 858.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses in the network installer area including the Birmingham, Northfield constituency have been improved under the home energy efficiency scheme since its inception in 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,740 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

  Business Rates
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications have been made for relief of hardship under section 49 of the Local Government and Finance Act 1988 from small businesses for each year since the introduction of the uniform business rate.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on the number of applications for relief which have been received by local authorities is not available. In 1990–91, 13 authorities granted hardship relief totalling £23,582. Of the 346 authorities which have so far submitted returns for 1991–92, 47 have granted relief totalling £166,501.

  Housing Corporation
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy not to cut the Housing Corporation's £2 billion projected approved development programme.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's public expenditure plans will be announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his autumn statement.

  Special Housing
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the level of development of special housing units for the elderly and disabled from 1980 to 1992.

  Mr. Baldry
  Estimates of starts and completions of specialised housing units for the elderly and disabled in England are shown in the publication "Housing and Construction Statistics".

  Figures for 1980 to 1990 are in table 6.7 of "Housing and Construction Statistics, Great Britain—1980–1990" and figures for 1991 and the first six months of 1992 are in table 1.5 of "Housing and Construction Statistics, Great Britain June Quarter 1992"—issue 50.

  Copies of all these publications are in the Library.

  Housing Associations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how rents are set by housing associations in relation to average income, by region.

  Mr. Baldry
  For tenants of registered housing associations whose tenancies commenced after 15 January 1989, rents are set by individual housing associations in accordance with their overall rent policy. In setting rents for property provided with the help of public subsidy, associations must have regard to the tenants' guarantee, issued by the Housing Corporation, which requires them to set rents within the reach of those on low incomes, whether or not they are in receipt of housing benefit.

  For tenants of registered housing associations whose tenancy began before 15 January 1989 rents are set by the rent officer under the Rent Act 1977. He or she will take into account the age, character, locality and state of repair of dwelling whilst disregarding any shortage of similar accommodation in the area. Rent officers must disregard the personal circumstances—including incomes—of an individual.

  Peat Bogs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to save peat bogs from destruction and to treat the threat as a national heritage crisis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government fully recognise the need for conserving peat bogs which are of nature conservation importance and are actively taking steps to resolve conflicts between peat extraction and nature conservation. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary announced on 7 July 1992 in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson)Official Report column 158, my Department has set up a working group to advise on peat extraction and related matters. We have also commissioned research to prepare guidance on the rehabilitation of peatlands affected by peat extraction and, supported a number of initiatives to safeguard key bogs in England and Wales from further peat extraction.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had about council tax reductions for blind people; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has received three letters about council tax reductions for blind people. One of these was from the right hon. Gentleman. A copy of my right hon. Friend's reply of 2 October is being sent to all local authorities. I will also arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  RECHAR
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the status of Nottinghamshire bids for RECHAR moneys from the EC currently blocked by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department is not blocking bids for RECHAR moneys in Nottinghamshire. The East
  225
  Midlands RECHAR programme committee has recently approved 16 projects which will attract grant worth approximately £2 million.

  Groundwater Levels
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consultations he has had with the National Rivers Authority, the local authority associations and the water companies concerning statutory responsibility for monitoring and regulating rising and falling levels of groundwater underneath urban areas of England and Wales;

  (2) what representations he has had concerning responsibility for monitoring and regulating changes in groundwater level.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department has regular contact with the National Rivers Authority (NRA) which, under the Water Resources Act 1991, has responsibilities for the general management of water resources in England and Wales. It monitors the quality and levels of groundwater, and regulates abstraction through licences. We receive representations about groundwater matters from time to time.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken by his Department in support of European Community policy on groundwater protection with particular regard to(a) education and training schemes and (b) improvement in public awareness.

  Mr. Maclean
  Following the EC ministerial declaration on groundwater in the Hague last year, continued work in England and Wales is being undertaken by the National Rivers Authority. The NRA published a consultation paper in November 1991 setting out proposals for the protection of groundwater, which has increased public awareness of groundwater.

  Second London Forum
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received since his announcement of 14 July of the establishment of a second London forum; by what means he expects the knowledge and opinion of London borough councils, all London statutory bodies and agencies, and London civic and amenity organisations will be represented on his proposed body: and if he will reconsider its proposed title.

  Sir George Young
  We have received a number of representations about our proposals for the London Forum. They include some from civic and amenity societies about the proposed name, and we have undertaken to consider this issue further. The forum will need to establish close working links with other organisations in London in the private, public and voluntary sectors, and we have proposed a formal consultative group to facilitate this process.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the present position of the application by UK Nirex Ltd. to seek permission to(a) sink bore holes and (b) construct an
  226
  underground rock research laboratory, in connection with plans to assess the suitability of the area adjoining Sellafield for a radioactive waste repository.

  Mr. Maclean
  Following UK Nirex's appeal against the Lake District Special Planning Board's refusal to allow its application for planning permission to drill boreholes 8 and 9 in the national park, and Cumbria county council's refusal of planning permission to drill borehole 11 outside the national park, a public inquiry is due to start on 24 November. I understand that the Lake District Special Planning Board has also refused permission to drill borehole 9A in the national park and that Cumbria county council has not yet reached a decision on Nirex's application to drill borehole 13. No application to construct an underground rock research laboratory has been made by Nirex.

  Environment Know-How Fund
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list and give full details of projects agreed under the environment know-how fund announced in June 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  The environmental know-how fund, which is a dedicated section of the know-how fund for central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, is going well. Some £315,000 has now been spent or committed to over 25 projects, with a further £700,000 or so in the pipeline. Other western Governments are using the know-how fund as a model for their own.

  A list of the activities approved since April 1992 under the environmental know-how fund is currently being compiled and I will write to the hon. Member.

  Ozone-destroying Chemicals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new measures he intends to introduce to reduce the use of ozone-destroying chemicals.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom, together with the EC, will be pressing for the phase out dates in the Montreal protocol for the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances to be brought forward to 1 January 1996 at the latest. We will also be pressing for strict controls on HCFCs to be included in the revised protocol and for methyl bromide to be made a controlled substance. The United Kingdom is also seeking agreement, within the EC, to new phase out schedules for ozone depleting chemicals, which will be included in a revised EC regulation.

  Nottingham City Council
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much capital receipts from council house sales and so on are currently held and unable to be spent by Nottingham city council due to current restrictions; and what were the figures for each of the years since the restrictions were introduced.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Separate figures for set aside capital receipts are not held centrally. Such receipts are included within an authority's provision for credit liabilities. That provision is available for repaying debt and meeting payments under credit arrangements. The provision for credit liabilities, and the outstanding debt, reported by Nottingham city council were as follows:
  227

  Provision for Credit Liabilities

  Outstanding Debt

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  1 April 1990

  41

  1—

  1 April 1991

  52

  355

  1 April 1992

  61

  356

  1Not available.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will lift restrictions on Nottingham city council to allow it to spend the capital receipts which it currently holds.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Local authorities may currently spend 25 per cent. of their capital receipts from the sale of council houses and 50 per cent. of most other receipts. The balance may be used to meet credit liabilities. If authorities were allowed to spend a larger proportion of their receipts, the total of spending by the public sector and the public sector borrowing requirement would be increased. We therefore have no plans to change these arrangements.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the second report from the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment; and if he will make a statement on progress made to date in implementing the actions Her Majesty's Government agreed to undertake arising from recommendations made in the first Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment report.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government received the second report of the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment (ACBE) in July and published it together with the Government's response on 22 September. A separate report on progress in implementing the recommendations of ACBE's first report was published the same day. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of both publications, which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Environmental Schemes
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the proportion of awards to applications made by industries, respectively, to the(a) environmental management options scheme, (b) environmental technology innovations scheme and (c) Euroenviron scheme, as managed by his Department; and if he will indicate for each scheme the average lead time, respectively, between application and award or notification of rejection.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department's three environmental technology support schemes all entail a two stage application process. The figures given below therefore indicate the proportion of applications rejected at each stage. The average lead times quoted include the time taken to find project partners and the time taken by applicants to submit Stage 2 applications and provide information needed to enable the appraisal to take place, as well as the time taken to undertake technical and financial appraisals by DTI and the scheme consultants.228
  The environmental technology innovation scheme (ETIS) is jointly administered by DTI and DoE and figures for applications referred to DoE are also included. The information requested is as follows:

  Departmental Environmental Management Options Scheme

  (Demos)

  Applications approved

  Proportion of stage 1 applications invited to stage 2:

  36 per cent.

  Of these, proportion as yet received by DTI:

  30 per cent.

  Stage 2 applications approved:

  19 per cent.

  Average lead times

  Stage 1 application to final approval:

  11 months

  Rejected at stage 1:

  9 weeks

  Rejected at stage 2:

  7 months

  Environmental Technology Innovation Scheme (ETIS)

  DTI

  Applications approved

  Proportion of Stage 1 applications invited to stage 2:

  19 per cent.

  Of these, proportion as yet received by DTI:

  35 per cent.

  Stage 2 applications approved:

  38 per cent.

  Average lead times

  Stage 1 application to final approval:

  10 months

  Rejected at stage 1:

  7 weeks

  Rejected at stage 2:

  5 months

  DoE

  Applications approved

  Proportion of stage 1 applications invited to stage 2:

  16 per cent.

  Of these, proportion as yet received by DoE:

  20 per cent.

  Proportion of stage 2 applications approved:

  86 per cent.

  Average lead times

  Stage 1 application to final approval:

  10 months

  Rejected at stage 2:

  None

  Note: At stage 1, a joint decision is taken as to which Department will deal with the application. Broadly speaking, DoE deal with applications which are standards related and DTI with the rest.

  Euroenviron

  Applications approved

  Proportion of stage 1 applications invited to stage 2:

  100 per cent.

  Of these, proportion as yet received by DTI:

  17 per cent.

  Proportion of stage 2 applications approved:

  75 per cent.

  Note:There are a number of applications in the pipeline which may yet proceed to stage 2.

  Average lead times

  From stage 1 to final approval:

  9 months

  Rejected at stage 1:

  None rejected

  Rejected at stage 2:

  None

  Note: If applicants invited to stage 2 do not proceed any further with their application after 12 months, they are notified that no further action will be taken until such time as they decide to resurrect their project proposal.

  Cleaner Technology Database
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for establishing a clearing house database of information on cleaner technology.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department intends to support the establishment of a centre to provide information and advice on cleaner technology. A feasibility study carried
  229
  out this year showed a demand for it and work is currently in hand to determine the services to be offered and the mechanisms of operation.

  Industrial Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of his new departmental publication "Cutting your Losses" on industrial waste minimisation have been printed; to whom they have been distributed or made available; and at what total cost to date.

  Mr. Eggar
  A total of 30,000 copies of "Cutting Your Losses 2" have been printed.

  They have been distributed or made available to a wide range of companies and organisations across the United Kingdom. These include targeted companies in the waste producing and waste management industries and in potentially highly polluting sectors of industry, trade associations and chambers of commerce, local authorities and waste disposal authorities, national business organisations, environmental voluntary organisations, technological institutions and research establishments, DTI regional offices, DoE and other Government Departments. In addition many companies and individuals requesting the booklet have received copies on an ad hoc basis.

  The total cost to date of producing and distributing the publication is £87,887.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what commitments were made by the United Kingdom to provide financial and technical aid to the nuclear industries of eastern European countries during the meeting of OECD member states in Brussels held in mid-September.

  Mr. Eggar
  The meeting of the G24 nuclear safety working group on 14 and 15 September was held to develop further the arrangements for the coordination of nuclear safety assistance to the countries of eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and not for the purpose of making additional commitments of assistance. The United Kingdom will be playing an important part in the provision of such assistance both bilaterally and through the European Community's PHARE and TAXIS programmes.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Llew Smiith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many reportable incidents at the 8205 reprocessing plant at Sellafield have been brought to the attention of his Department and predecessor departments with responsibility for British Nuclear Fuels, since the system of reporting radiological incidents was established.

  Mr. Eggar
  The arrangements for reporting nuclear incidents at civil nuclear installations to my Department and its precursor were most recently revised in 1987. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) to a question from the then Member for Sherwood, Mr. Stewart,Official Report, 30 April 1987, c. 203–4.

  Since April 1987 there have been four "formally reportable" incidents involving Building B205. These
  230
  occurred in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992. Details have been contained in weekly site newsletters which have been made available to the Library of the House.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what communications his Department has received in regard to the environmental safety issues posed by the movement of plutonium since 10 August.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has received a number of such communications. The carriage of plutonium is only allowed subject to compliance with stringent international standards. Appropriate measures are taken to ensure the security of these movements.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial provisions, and how much, he has made within his Department in order to look at the potential for deregulation of each of the regulatory measures for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Responsibility for identifying and exploiting the potential for deregulation is shared by Ministers and by all those advising Ministers on the formulation, implementation and enforcement of regulations. DTI has a departmental deregulation unit which is responsible to me for promoting progress within DTI under the Government's deregulation initiative. For the current financial year, the unit's running costs are approximately £100,000. The central deregulation unit is also located in my Department. It is responsible for driving forward the Deregulation Initiative across the whole of Whitehall generally by assisting all departmental deregulation units. The aim of the deregulation initiative is to reduce significantly administrative and regulatory burdens on business. The initiative has three main objectives: better existing regulation, by cutting unnecessary burdens on business and reducing compliance and enforcement costs; effective new regulation, by ensuring that potential costs and the views of business are accounted for in framing and implementing new regulation; and greater official awareness of the views and needs of business.

  Secondments
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the number of civil servants seconded from his Department to the private sector in each year since 11 June 1987 and the number of those from the private sector seconded to his Department in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  The number of DTI staff on secondment to the private sector in each year since 11 June 1987 and the number of those from the private sector on secondment to DTI over the same period were as follows:

  11 June 1987–31 December Calendar Year

  Secondments to DTI

  Secondments from DTI

  1987

  35

  26

  1988

  37

  28

  1989

  44

  49

  1990

  44

  70

  1991

  43

  62

  Privatisation
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list in respect of each privatisation since 1979 within his Department and the Department of Energy(a) the loss or profit of each company in the five years prior to privatisation and (b) the grants and loans made to the companies over the same period.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. Such information as is readily available on the finances of privatised bodies when they were in the public sector can be found in the following published sources:

  For the years up to and including 1989: Parts 2 of the annual volume "The Government's Expenditure Plans".

  For 1990 and 1991: the annual Statistical Supplement to the Autumn Statement.

  These were published by HMSO in the Command series and are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Car Industry Exhibition
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the car and car component industry to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall during the week starting 7 December.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Yes, I look forward to opening the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall on 7 December 1992 in celebration of their 90th anniversary.

  Mersey Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received concerning the use of the non-fossil fuel levy and the Mersey barrage project and funding proposals for it;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the funding of the Mersey barrage project; what representations he has received concerning funding instruments for the project; what proposals he has for a government contribution towards the cost of final design studios; and what consultations he has had with the private sector shareholders in the Mersey Barrage Company, shipping navigation and nature conservation interests concerning outstanding objections.

  Mr. Eggar
  Results of the work undertaken to date on the Mersey barrage, indicate that the construction of a tidal energy barrage across the river Mersey could generate electricity at 8.2 p/kWh (8 per cent. discount rate, 1991 prices). It now seems very unlikely that these costs could be substantially reduced by further work.

  The financing plan developed by the Mersey Barrage Company (MBC) is detailed in its phase III report. This envisages a 25-year contract with a purchase price of 6.75p/kWh as part of the a future round under the non-fossil fuel obligation. The plan assumes that the equivalent of 2p/kWh of this, to be discounted at zero per cent. in real terms, would be paid as advance payments during construction. This advance payment equates to a £700 million contribution towards the barrage's estimated construction costs of around £1 billion. The remaining 4.75p/kWh would be paid over the first 25 years of the barrage's operation.
  232
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I met representatives of the MBC, including shareholders, to discuss possible ways forward for further studies into the proposed Mersey barrage, last July. We discussed suggestions by the MBC for a fourth stage of studies. It is estimated that these would cost £12 million, and would take the barrage up to the stage of requiring parliamentary approval for construction, subject to the availability of an appropriate funding mechanism.

  As well as electricity generation, a Mersey barrage has a number of non energy costs and benefits, such as improved leisure facilities and an effect on local wildlife and shipping, that need to be considered. The most recent studies of the barrage were aimed at reducing the uncertainty associated with these issues, and I was aware of the findings of the work. In coming to a decision on further funding for the barrage there was a need to weigh the cost to the electricity consumer of financing the barrage, with consideration of the other costs and benefits of the barrage. On balance my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I told the MBC that we could not justify the expenditure of public money for the studies they suggested.

  We await the final report of the most recent studies into the proposed barrage, and will, of course, consider any further proposals from the MBC.

  European Energy Chapter
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the basic protocol of the European energy chapter was signed on behalf of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  The basic agreement of the European energy chapter is currently under negotiation.

  Companies House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the terms of reference, method of appointment and cost of the consultancy study into the future operation and role of Companies house.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Terms of reference for the consultancy study on the future operation and role of Companies house were contained in a Department of Trade and Industry press notice issued on 14 October. Consultants for this work were engaged using the Department's normal competitive tendering procedures, under which consultancy costs remain commercially confidential.

  Research and Technology
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much funding is currently allocated by his Department towards long-term research programmes for research and technology organisations; and if he will list the research and technology organisations currently given funding for such research.

  Mr. Leigh
  The funding currently committed for research programmes at research and technology organisations is £29 million during the current year and the following two years. The organisations currently receiving support for their research programmes are shown on the attached list.
  233
  Research and Technology Organisations currently receiving DTI funding:

  AMTRI: Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Institute

  BHRA: British Hydromechanics Research Association

  BCRA: British Ceramic Research Association

  BCIRA: British Cast Iron Research Association

  BGIRA: British Glass Industry Research Association

  BLC: British Leather Confederation

  BMT: British Maritime Technology

  BTTG: British Textile Technology Group

  BNF Metals Technology Centre

  CATRA: Cutlery Allied Trades Association

  Contract Flooring Association

  ERA Technology Ltd.

  FCRA: Fabric Care Research Association

  Fulmer Materials Technology

  FIRA: Furniture Industry Research Association

  MIRA: The Motor Industry Research Association

  NCC: National Computing Centre

  PERA: Production Engineering Research Association

  PIRA: Paper., Printing Packaging Research Association

  PRA: The Paint Research Association

  Rapra Technology Ltd.

  Ricardo Consulting Engineers Ltd.

  SATRA Footwear Technology Centre

  SCRATA: Steel Castings Research Trade Association

  SIRA Ltd.

  SRAMA: Spring Research & Manufacturers Association

  TWI: The Welding Institute

  TRADA: Timber Research and Development Association

  Mr. Wigley
  'To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to establish an Industrial Research and Technology Council.

  Mr. Leigh
  No plans exist to establish such a council.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make it his policy to require Faraday centres to operate as a network, to include other research and technology organisations and to provide a full service of assistance with innovation;

  (2) what steps are being undertaken by his Department to enhance the status, role and capability of intermediate organisations engaged in technology development and transfer.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department is currently consulting widely on the needs of industry which could be met by intermediate organisations and on what improvements, if any, are necessary to enhance their present capabilities. The Faraday proposals, presented to Government by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's working group on innovation, and their possible networking are being considered as part of this process.

  A pilot programme has already been initiated to test the feasibility of enhancing the training and technology transfer role of five intermediate organisations via the training of postgraduate students. I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my Department's press release of 4 June 1992 (P/92/346).

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the work that his information unit has commissioned for Segal Quince Wickstead on the difficulties technologists have in convincing providers of finance of the merits of their case; and what action he is taking to encourage the development within banks of the expertise needed to recognise the soundness of technological proposals.

  Mr. Leigh
  Following discussions about support for innovative firms between the then Secretary of State and 234
  the clearing banks, the DTI innovation unit commissioned, in April 1992, a market assessment study of smaller firms' needs for better information about lending. The consultants, Segal Quince Wickstead, reported in August 1992 that whilst there is already a considerable amount of helpful information and advice already available in the market, little is directed towards the specific requirements of technology-based firms.

  The Segal Quince Wickstead report has been circulated to about 30 key providers of capital and advice to small firms for their comments which are presently being received. When these have been analysed, my Department will discuss the conclusions with a consortium of banks and venture capital sources to determine what further action might be taken, hopefully on a joint basis.

  My Department's innovation unit, in common with other parts of the Department such as small firms division and the regional offices, maintains a constant dialogue with providers of capital for small firms. The Department has supplied speakers for training courses organised internally by banks for their own staff and also to a wide range of other seminars and events concerned with improving understanding of this important topic.

  Innovation and Manufacturing
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what efforts are being undertaken by his Department to strengthen the ties between innovation and manufacturing in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Leigh
  DTI continues to encourage innovation in manufacturing industry through regional and development grant schemes, technology transfer and best practice awareness programmes and through the work of its innovation unit. The unit works closely with industry to educate the financial and business community about the importance nationally of innovation. The president's recent reorganisation of the Department has created sectoral divisions which, through an active dialogue with companies, will be better placed to champion the needs of industry throughout Government. This joint approach with industry is geared to improve United Kingdom firms' competitiveness, both nationally and internationally.

  Civil Research and Development
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures are currently undertaken to encourage increased expenditure by United Kingdom companies on civil research and development.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Government seek to encourage companies to invest more in research and development by creating the right economic climate, for example, by reducing the tax burden on business. The main rate of corporation tax, at 33 per cent. is now the lowest in any G7 or EC country. In addition, the Government provide some £300 million per annum to United Kingdom companies through a variety of schemes designed to stimulate additional expenditure on research and development. The Government also seek to educate the financial community about the importance of research and development through, for example, the work of the DTI's innovation unit.

  Airports
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the cross-subsidies that Stansted airport receives from Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the effect on other regional airports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no plans to refer this question to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. Under the Airports Act 1986 the economic regulation of airports is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. The authority has discretionary powers to prevent subsidies which might harm other airports.

  Postal Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade over what parts of the United Kingdom and over approximately what proportion of the area of the United Kingdom the delivery of letters and parcels is still combined at the point of final delivery.

  Mr. Leigh
  The information is not readily available to answer the hon. Member's question precisely. In major conurbations most, if not all, deliveries are exclusively letter or parcel. Parcel Force currently chooses to contract out parcel delivery to Royal Mail where this makes economic sense. The combined service mainly occurs in predominantly rural areas of the United Kingdom and, despite covering fairly large areas of the country, only relates to a very low population density.

  Assisted Area Status
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning assisted area status for the boroughs of Rossendale and Blackburn.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My noble Friend Baroness Denton met a deputation of Members of Parliament and local government officials on 5 October. Written representations which include Rossendale and/or Blackburn have been received from the following organisations:

  Lancashire county council;

  Blackburn borough council;

  Hyndburn and Rossendale borough councils (for Accrington and Rossendale travel-to-work area);

  Rossendale borough council;

  A consortium of East Lancashire boroughs (Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, and Rossendale).

  In addition, numerous letters of support from local businesses were included with the submissions from Blackburn, Hyndburn and Rossendale.

  Footwear
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has now received from the European Commission an analysis of the economic case for the proposal to impose quantitative restrictions on imports of Chinese footwear;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the European Commission's proposal to impose quantitative
  236
  restrictions on imports of Chinese footwear; and what has been the balance of those representations between support for and opposition to the proposal.

  Mr. Needham
  I have received many representations about the Commission's proposal divided broadly between footwear manufacturers who, with the exception of the largest United Kingdom producer, supported it and consumer, retail and importing interests who opposed it. I have recently written to all hon. Members who have expressed an interest in the matter to explain why, in the light of these representations and of the Commission's further economic analysis presented in late July, the Government have decided to oppose the proposal. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Cloth Imports
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the import of cloth treated with pentachlorophenol into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Needham
  We have received a number of letters calling for a ban on imports of pentachlorophenol-treated cloth and for a relaxation of effluent emission standards. We do not regard an import ban as practicable or consistent with the polluter-pays principle. Effluent emission standards are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the United Kingdom's trade in each of the past five years was in (1) US dollars, (2) sterling, (3) ECUs, (4) French francs, (5) German marks, (6) Danish kroner, (7) Irish punts, (8) Italian lire, (9) Greek drachmas, (10) Dutch guilders, (11) Spanish pesetas, (12) Belgian francs and (13) Portuguese escudos.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is not available. For purposes of official statistics all United Kingdom trade is valued in sterling.

  Wind Power
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's assessment of the proportion of United Kingdom energy requirements that could be supplied by wind power; and what action is being taken by the Government to make maximum use of this energy source.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government is encouraging the exploitation of the potential for wind energy in the United Kingdom consistent with economic and environmental constraints, through measures including a comprehensive programme of research, development and demonstration and the orders under the non-fossil fuel obligation. The contribution from wind power is subject to many uncertainties including future fuel prices. My Department has estimated it could be equivalent to up to 10 per cent. of current electricity consumption by 2025.

  CYPRUS
  CYPRUS
  HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTION: TENTH PROTOCOL
  HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTION: TENTH PROTOCOL
  IRAQ: CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT BREACHES
  IRAQ: CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT BREACHES
  TIBET: WILDLIFE RESERVE
  TIBET: WILDLIFE RESERVE
  GENEVA CONVENTIONS: PROSECUTION OF BREACHES
  GENEVA CONVENTIONS: PROSECUTION OF BREACHES
  RELIEF OPERATIONS: RAF FLIGHTS
  RELIEF OPERATIONS: RAF FLIGHTS
  EMERGENCY FOOD AID FROM EC INTERVENTION STOCKS
  EMERGENCY FOOD AID FROM EC INTERVENTION STOCKS
  BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: PROTECTION OF RELIEF FLIGHTS
  BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: PROTECTION OF RELIEF FLIGHTS
  POLAR RESEARCH
  POLAR RESEARCH
  CONTRACEPTION RESEARCH
  CONTRACEPTION RESEARCH
  MEDICAL PROFESSION: INCOME LEVELS
  MEDICAL PROFESSION: INCOME LEVELS
  MEDICAL PROFESSION: PRESCRIPTION STATISTICS
  MEDICAL PROFESSION: PRESCRIPTION STATISTICS
  MEDICAL PROFESSION: PRESCRIPTION COSTS
  MEDICAL PROFESSION: PRESCRIPTION COSTS
  ITC: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING
  ITC: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING
  ITC: RELIGIOUS ADVERTISING
  ITC: RELIGIOUS ADVERTISING
  SOMERSET HOUSE
  SOMERSET HOUSE
  CYCLING
  CYCLING
  DEBT STATISTICS
  DEBT STATISTICS
  CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: CHILDREN'S EVIDENCE
  CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: CHILDREN'S EVIDENCE
  EUROPEAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
  EUROPEAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
  UK MILITARY FACILITIES: DEFENCE
  UK MILITARY FACILITIES: DEFENCE
  ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION: DRAFT DIRECTIVE
  ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION: DRAFT DIRECTIVE
  CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER: RESPONSIBILITIES IN SCOTLAND
  CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER: RESPONSIBILITIES IN SCOTLAND