Written Answers of 22 October 1992

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will state the hourly rates for all types of legal aid over each of the last 20 years and also give the figures in real terms.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The available figures are as follows. Prescribed hourly rates for solicitors undertaking criminal legal aid work in the magistrates courts and the Crown court were introduced in October 1982. The paying authority has the power to allow fees higher than the prescribed hourly rates where these rates would not reflect

  Criminal legal aid hourly rates (£) 1982–1992

  Type of work

  Year

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  (a) magistrates' court proceedings

  Preparation

  24.00

  25.00

  26.00

  27.00

  28.50

  32.50

  34.50

  36.50

  39.25

  42.00

  43.25

  Advocacy

  29.00

  30.00

  32.00

  33.00

  35.00

  40.50

  43.00

  46.00

  49.50

  53.00

  54.50

  Attendance at court where counsel assigned

  15.00

  16.50

  17.00

  18.00

  19.00

  21.50

  23.00

  24.50

  26.25

  28.50

  29.50

  Travelling and waiting

  16.00

  16.50

  17.00

  17.00

  18.00

  19.00

  19.50

  20.50

  22.00

  23.50

  24.25

  (b) Crown Court and Court of Appeal proceedings

  Preparation:

  Senior solicitor

  29.00

  30.00

  30.00

  31.00

  33.00

  38.00

  40.00

  42.50

  46.00

  50.00

  51.50

  Solicitor/legal executive/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  23.00

  24.00

  26.00

  27.00

  28.50

  32.50

  34.50

  36.50

  39.50

  42.25

  43.50

  Articled clerk/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  14.00

  15.00

  17.00

  18.00

  19.00

  21.50

  22.50

  24.00

  26.00

  28.00

  28.75

  Advocacy:

  Senior solicitor

  31.00

  32.00

  32.00

  33.00

  35.00

  40.50

  50.00

  53.00

  57.00

  61.00

  62.50

  Solicitor

  27.00

  28.00

  32.00

  33.00

  35.00

  40.50

  43.00

  46.00

  49.50

  53.00

  54.50

  Attendance at court where counsel assigned:

  Senior solicitor

  26.00

  26.00

  26.00

  27.00

  28.00

  31.00

  33.00

  35.00

  37.50

  40.00

  41.25

  Solicitor/legal executive/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  20.00

  20.00

  20.00

  21.00

  22.00

  24.50

  26.00

  27.50

  29.50

  32.00

  33.00

  Articled clerk/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  12.00

  12.00

  12.00

  13.00

  14.00

  15.50

  16.00

  17.00

  18.25

  19.50

  20.00

  Travelling and waiting:

  Senior solicitor

  18.00

  18.00

  17.00

  17.00

  18.00

  19.00

  19.50

  20.50

  22.00

  23.50

  24.25

  Solicitor/legal executive/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  13.00

  13.00

  17.00

  17.00

  18.00

  19.00

  19.50

  20.50

  22.00

  23.50

  24.25

  Articled clerk/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  8.00

  8.00

  8.00

  9.00

  9.00

  9.50

  9.75

  10.25

  11.00

  11.75

  12.00

  Criminal legal aid hourly rales (£) 1982–1992 expressed at 1992–1993 prices

  Type of Work

  Year

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  (a) magistrates' court proceedings

  Preparation

  41.87

  41.68

  41.29

  40.63

  41.52

  44.91

  44.46

  44.13

  43.88

  43.78

  43.25

  Advocacy

  50.60

  50.02

  50.81

  49.66

  50.99

  55.97

  55.42

  55.62

  55.34

  55.25

  54.50

  Attendance at court where counsel assigned

  26.17

  27.51

  27.00

  27.09

  27.68

  29.71

  29.64

  29.62

  29.35

  29.71

  29.50

  Travelling and waiting

  27.91

  27.51

  27.00

  25.58

  26.23

  26.26

  25.13

  24.79

  24.60

  24.50

  24.25

  334
  the exceptional competence and dispatch with which the work was done, or the exceptional circumstances of the case.

  In 1988 standard fees replaced hourly rates for the majority of Crown court criminal work. Prescribed hourly rates were introduced for legal advice and assistance in police stations in 1986 and for matrimonial work in 1988. Non-matrimonial civil work is not covered by prescribed rates.

  The duty solicitor scheme providing legal advice and assistance in magistrates' courts is based on an average of the prescribed hourly rates for advocacy and preparation—before April 1992 travelling and waiting—for criminal legal aid work in the magistrates' courts. Since 1989 separate hourly rates have been prescribed for care proceedings, for mental health review tribunal work and for non-care proceedings under the Children Act.

  The prescribed hourly rates from 1982–92 for criminal work, for matrimonial work and for legal advice and assistance in police stations are set out in the tables. The tables give basic rates only and do not include London weighting. Each table is followed by a table giving the figures in real terms.

  The figures have been uprated to 1992–93 prices using the GDP deflator.
  335

  Type of Work

  Year

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  (b) Crown Court and Court of Appeal proceedings

  Preparation:

  Senior solicitor

  50.60

  50.02

  47.64

  46.65

  48.08

  52.51

  51.55

  51.39

  51.43

  52.12

  51.50

  Solicitor/legal executive/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  40.13

  40.02

  41.29

  40.63

  41.52

  44.91

  44.46

  44.13

  44.16

  44.05

  43.50

  Articled clerk/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  24.43

  25.01

  27.00

  27.09

  27.68

  29.71

  29.00

  29.02

  29.07

  29.19

  28.75

  Advocacy:

  Senior solicitor

  54.08

  53.36

  50.81

  49.66

  50.99

  55.97

  64.44

  64.08

  63.73

  63.59

  62.50

  Solicitor

  47.11

  46.69

  50.81

  49.66

  50.99

  55.97

  55.42

  55.62

  55.34

  55.25

  54.50

  Attendance at court where counsel assigned:

  Senior solicitor

  45.36

  43.35

  41.29

  40.63

  40.80

  42.84

  42.53

  42.32

  41.93

  41.70

  41.25

  Solicitor/legal executive/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  34.89

  33.35

  31.76

  31.60

  32.05

  33.86

  33.51

  33.25

  32.98

  33.36

  33.00

  Articled clerk/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  20.94

  20.01

  19.06

  19.56

  20.40

  21.42

  20.62

  20.55

  20.40

  20.33

  20.00

  Travelling and waiting:

  Senior solicitor

  31.40

  30.01

  27.00

  25.58

  26.23

  26.26

  25.13

  24.79

  24.60

  24.50

  24.25

  Solicitor/legal executive/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  22.68

  21.68

  27.00

  25.58

  26.23

  26.26

  25.13

  24.79

  24.60

  24.50

  24.25

  Articled clerk/fee-earner of equivalent experience

  13.96

  13.34

  12.70

  13.54

  13.11

  13.13

  12.57

  12.39

  12.30

  12.25

  12.00

  Civil legal aid in matrimonial proceedings hourly rates (£) in High Court and County Court

  1988–1992

  Type of work

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  Preparation1

  34.00

  30.00

  36.00

  32.00

  39.00

  34.50

  41.75

  37.00

  43.00

  38.20

  Travelling and waiting

  25.00

  23.00

  26.50

  24.50

  28.50

  26.25

  30.50

  28.00

  31.50

  28.75

  Attending counsel in conference/attendances with counsel at any trial, hearing or appointment

  30.00

  26.50

  31.00

  27.00

  33.00

  29.00

  35.50

  31.00

  36.50

  32.00

  Attendances without counsel at any trial, hearing or appointment

  42.00

  38.00

  46.00

  43.00

  50.00

  47.00

  53.50

  50.50

  55.00

  52.00

  1 Paid for preparation other than writing routine letters, receiving routine letters and routine telephone calls. A rate of plus 50 per cent, is paid for general care and conduct of the proceedings.

  Civil legal aid in matrimonial proceedings hourly rates (£) 1988–92 in High Court and County Court expressed at 1992–93 prices

  Type of Work

  Year

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  High Court

  County Court

  Preparation

  43.82

  38.66

  43.53

  38.69

  43.61

  38.57

  43.52

  38.57

  43.00

  38.20

  Travelling and waiting

  32.22

  29.64

  32.04

  29.62

  31.87

  29.35

  31.80

  29.19

  31.50

  28.75

  Attending counsel in conference/ attendances with counsel at any trial, hearing or appointment

  38.66

  34.15

  37.48

  32.65

  36.90

  32.42

  37.01

  32.32

  36.50

  32.00

  Attendances without counsel at any trial, hearing or appointment

  54.13

  48.97

  55.62

  51.99

  55.90

  52.55

  55.77

  52.65

  55.00

  52.00

  Advice and assistance at police stations hourly rates (£) 1986–1992

  Type of work

  Year

  19861

  19862

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Availability during duty period (standby payment)

  2.50

  2.60

  2.85

  2.90

  2.95

  3.15

  3.40

  3.50

  (maximum)

  (60.00)

  (62.40)

  (68.40)

  (69.60)

  (70.80)

  (75.60)

  (81.60)

  (84.00)

  Advice and assistance:

  duty solicitor unsocial hours

  36.00

  38.00

  43.00

  45.00

  48.50

  52.25

  56.00

  57.50

  duty solicitor all other hours/own solicitor

  27.00

  28.50

  32.50

  34.50

  36.50

  39.25

  42.00

  43.50

  Travelling and waiting:

  duty solicitor unsocial hours

  36.00

  38.00

  43.00

  45.00

  48.50

  52.25

  56.00

  57.50

  336 337

  Type of work

  Year

  19861

  19862

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  duty solicitor all other hours

  27.00

  28.50

  32.50

  34.50

  36.50

  39.25

  42.00

  43.50

  own solicitor

  17.00

  18.00

  19.00

  19.50

  20.50

  22.00

  23.50

  24.25

  1(January to April)

  2(from April)

  Advice and assistance at police stations hourly rates (£) 1986–92 expressed at 1992–93 prices

  Type of work

  Year

  11986

  21986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Availability during duty period (standby payment)

  3.76

  3.79

  3.94

  3.74

  3.57

  3.52

  3.54

  3.5

  Advice and assistance:

  duty solicitor unsocial hours

  54.18

  55.37

  59.42

  57.99

  58.64

  58.42

  58.38

  57.5

  duty solicitor all other hours/own solicitor

  40.63

  41.52

  44.91

  44.46

  44.13

  43.88

  43.78

  43.5

  Travelling and waiting:

  duty solicitor unsocial hours

  54.18

  55.37

  59.42

  57.99

  58.42

  58.42

  58.38

  57.5

  duty solicitor all other hours

  40.63

  41.52

  44.91

  44.46

  44.13

  43.88

  43.78

  43.5

  own solicitor

  25.58

  26.23

  26.26

  25.13

  24.79

  24.6

  24.5

  24.25

  1 January to April.

  2 From April.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what investigations he has made into the numbers and proportions of solicitors' firms that accept legal aid work; and if he will state the findings of such investigations.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No statistics are available on the number of firms of solicitors undertaking legal aid work at any one time. The Legal Aid Board does, however, publish a figure showing the number of offices receiving payment. For the last five years these were as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1987–88

  11,617

  1988–89

  11,558

  1989–90

  11,455

  1990–91

  11,125

  1991–92

  11,060

  The Legal Aid Board also publishes statistics which show that although the number of offices receiving payment has fallen, the number of legal aid payments made to solicitors has risen.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what provision he intends to make in the legal aid fee structures for listening to tape recordings of police interviews with suspects.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Listening to tape recordings of police interviews forms part of the preparation of a criminal case, and is remunerated as such under the present arrangements. Under the proposed system of standard fees for solicitors' criminal legal aid work in the magistrates' courts, it is intended that payment for listening to tape recordings should be included in the standard fee, since it forms part of the normal preparation of a case.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what account he has taken of representations made to him by the Law Society concerning the question of fixed fees for legal aid.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Fixed fees have not been proposed. The consultation period on the proposed 338
  standard fee system for solicitors' criminal legal aid work in the magistrates courts is planned to continue until the end of October.

  Discussions with the Law Society on standard fees began in July 1991. As a result, the Lord Chancellor has made several changes to his proposals. These include a fee structure based on the amount of work done, rather than hearing time as originally suggested, and allowing waiting time to be claimed separately.

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current backlog of appeals for(a) the immigration tribunal and (b) the immigration appeal tribunal in each of the appeal centres.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As of this month 23,000 cases were outstanding before immigration adjudicators and 322 before the immigration appeals tribunal. In order to break down the first figure regionally it is necessary to consider cases listed, cases awaiting instructions from one of the parties and the balance which, alone, is in the control of the administration/judiciary and to employ some apportionment. This approach produces the following figures:

  Numbers

  Thanet House

  13,730

  Birmingham

  2,230

  Leeds

  1,010

  Harmonsworth

  3,510

  Manchester

  1,860

  Glasgow

  660

  Legal Advice
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the rates have been for green form legal advice for each of the last 10 years; and if he will give the figures in real terms.
  339
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Before 1989, solicitors' bills for legal advice and assistance were assessed by the Law Society. The hourly guideline rates from 1982 to 1988 were:

  Year

  Rate

  Rate expressed at 1992–93 prices

  1982

  24.00

  41.89

  1983

  25.00

  41.70

  1984

  26.00

  41.31

  1985

  27.00

  40.65

  11986

  28.50

  41.54

  21986

  30.50

  44.46

  1987

  32.50

  44.93

  1988

  34.50

  44.48

  1April

  2 October

  Since 1989 the rate paid to solicitors for legal advice and assistance is the same as that for work in criminal proceedings in the magistrates court. The prescribed hourly rates since 1989 have been:

  Year

  Rate

  Rate expressed at 1992–93 prices

  1989

  36.50

  44.15

  1990

  39.25

  43.89

  1991

  42.00

  43.98

  1992

  43.25

  Figures have been uprated to 1992–93 prices using the

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action he has taken and intends to take to increase the proportion of blacks and Asians in the judiciary.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's policy is to appoint to judicial office those best qualified, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, political affiliation or religion. Without prejudice to this overriding principle, the Lord Chancellor has stressed publicly, and will continue to do so, that he would like more black and Asian practitioners who are suitably qualified to be appointed to the judiciary. A major factor has been the lack of such candidates in the legal profession in the relevant age groups. There are now more ethnic minority practitioners within the legal profession who the Lord Chancellor hopes will come forward for consideration. To encourage this, he has made the booklet on the judicial appointments system widely available to ethnic minority practitioners and representative groups. Particular consideration is given to reviewing ethnic minority candidates in the field for particular appointments and ethnic recording arrangements were introduced for applications for judicial appointment made after 1 October 1991. The Lord Chancellor and his officials also have periodical meetings with groups representing the interests of black and Asian practitioners where matters relating to the judicial appointments system are discussed.

  Law Centres
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what amount of central Government funding has been given to law centres for each of the last 20 years; and if he will give the figures in real terms.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Grant £'000

  At 1992–93 prices

  1974–75

  50

  254

  1975–76

  100

  405

  1976–77

  150

  535

  1977–78

  225

  706

  1978–79

  273

  773

  1979–80

  381

  923

  1980–81

  445

  911

  1981–82

  535

  1,000

  1982–83

  583

  1,017

  1983–84

  618

  1,030

  1984–85

  649

  1,031

  1985–86

  675

  1,016

  1986–87

  695

  1,013

  1987–88

  712

  984

  1988–89

  730

  941

  1989–90

  768

  929

  1990–91

  822

  919

  1991–92

  841

  877

  This Department made no grants to law centres before 1974–75. The figures from then to date are set out in the table. At various times during the past 20 years some law centres have received central Government funding from sources other than the Lord Chancellor's Department. These figures do not include income from the Legal Aid Fund.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement in respect of the governor of Hong Kong's emergency meeting held on 25 September, in connection with threats to the colony's marine police officers by Chinese security officials in the colony's waters.

  Mr. Goodlad
  On 25 September, a Hong Kong fishing vessel was boarded by Chinese security officers within Hong Kong territorial waters. This was a serious incident and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised it with the Chinese Foreign Minister on the same day. On 29 September, Chinese officials made clear to the Hong Kong Government that the action of the Chinese officers concerned had been incorrect, and offered apologies for the incident. This response underlines the shared interest of Hong Kong and China in effective cooperation to combat smuggling.

  UN Assembly Speech
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out in the Official Report the main points he made in his speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations in September; and what was the response he received from his counterparts.
  341
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The main purpose of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs' speech, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, was to offer a response, on behalf of the European Community and its member states, to the Secretary-General's report "An Agenda for Peace". In the subsequent debate in the general assembly there was widespread agreement that the report was welcome, and that it provided a quarry of ideas to be followed up on a case-by-case basis and in the relevant UN bodies.

  Test Ban Talks
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to discuss with his French counterpart the resumption of multilateral nuclear test ban treaty talks.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have regular discussions with the French Government on a range of nuclear defence issues, including nuclear testing. We have always accepted a comprehensive test ban as a long-term goal, but we continue to believe that nuclear testing is the best means of ensuring the safety and credibility of our nuclear deterrent.

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current backlog in each of the queues at the following posts(a) Bombay, (b) New Delhi, (c) Islamabad, (d) Karachi, (e) Dhak, (f) Nairobi and (g) Dar-es-Salaam; and what is the average length of time in each queue from application to interview.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  As at 31 August the number of people waiting for interviews for entry clearance were:

  Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  Total

  Bombay

  0

  163

  424

  205

  792

  New Delhi

  0

  297

  295

  134

  726

  Islamabad

  3

  166

  52

  465

  686

  Karachi

  5

  108

  34

  8

  155

  Dhaka

  350

  1,679

  212

  277

  2,518

  There are no queues in Nairobi or Dar-el-Salaam. The estimated waiting times, in months, are:

  Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  Bombay

  —

  4

  9

  10

  New Delhi

  —

  3

  7

  10

  Islamabad

  3

  3

  6

  10

  Karachi

  2

  2

  3

  7

  Dhaka

  3

  6

  7

  9

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 19 October Official Report, columns 34–35, on war crimes in former Yugoslavia, if Her Majesty's Government will consider submitting information to the United Nations on the actions of Slobodan Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic in connection with crimes against humanity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave to him on 19 October, at columns 34–35.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Clenbuterol
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he will introduce legislation to ban the possession of the drug Clenbuterol for sporting purposes.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Government have no plans at present to do so.

  Sports Sponsorship
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage by what date the pound-for-pound business sports sponsorship incentive scheme announced on 19 December 1991 will be established; how much funding will be allocated to the scheme; over what time scale it will operate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Government remain firmly committed to Sportsmatch. I shall soon make an announcement on its launch date and funding. It will be to the benefit of the scheme and all those involved in it if Sportsmatch can he launched with a secure future. No time scale has been set for the operation of the scheme. This will depend very largely on its success.

EDUCATION

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give the approximate costs arising in his Department from the direct administration of grant-maintained schools for the year 1992, or 1991–92, and the estimated costs he expects to arise either in 1993, or the financial year 1993–94, stating the actual or expected number of schools in respect of each period.

  Mr. Forth
  The running costs of staff employed on the direct administration of GM schools and associated policy were £706,000 in 1991–92. Estimated outturn for 1992–93 is £1,450,000. Budgets for 1993–94 have not yet been set. In March 1992 there were 143 GM schools operating. There are currently 278 GM schools operating, with 30 more approved or minded to approve.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what arrangements he has made for allocating costs of the national fund for in-service training of teachers in grant-maintained schools for the year 1992–93; and what is the approximate expenditure for this purpose which he expects to allocate in the year 1993–94, expressed as an aggregate sum, and as the amount per teacher eligible for such training.

  Mr. Forth
  In 1992–93 each grant-maintained school is eligible for a special purpose grant (development) allocated at the rate of £42.50 per pupil. Schools are expected to spend at least half of this grant on staff training and development. Grant-maintained schools may also meet such costs out of their annual maintenance grant. Decisions have not yet been taken about special purpose grant (development) allocations for 1993–94.

  University Research
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of gross domestic product is devoted to research in universities; and what information he had for the comparative figures in other EC countries.

  Mr. Forman
  Data in the 1992 annual review of Government-funded research and development indicate that in 1990 0.3 per cent. of United Kingdom GDP was spent on research and development in higher education, compared with 0.4 per cent. in Germany, 0.3 per cent. in France and 0.25 per cent. in Italy.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of research in British universities is funded by charities; and what information he has on the comparable figures in other European countries.

  Mr. Forman
  United Kingdom charities provided 22.3 per cent. of the income from research grants and contracts of United Kingdom universities in 1990–91. Comparable information for other countries is not available.

  Universities (Clerical Staff)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to ensure comparability in the rates of pay and conditions of work of the clerical staff of universities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  The pay of clerical staff employed by the universities is entirely a matter for their employers. The Government have no intention of becoming involved in the negotiating arrangements.

  Defence Research
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of Government-funded research in British universities is devoted to defence issues.

  Mr. Forman
  Data in the 1992 annual review of Government-funded research and development show that in 1990–91 research and development spending by the Ministry of Defence accounted for 6.5 per cent. of all specific Government funding for research and development in higher education institutions.

  University Staff Pay
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what role the trade unions will have in the operation of new pay structures for university staff at university and college levels.

  Mr. Forman
  The Government expect employers in higher education to settle their own future negotiating arrangements including any arrangements for trade union involvement.

  Non-maintained Special Schools
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from St. Vincents school for blind and partially sighted children in Liverpool in respect of the consultative paper on special 344
  educational needs; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement on the future of such non-maintained special schools.

  Mr. Forth
  I have replied to several Members about the future of non-maintained special schools under our proposed legislation. Schools such as St. Vincent's should continue to offer high-quality special education. Their future is not threatened by our legislative proposals.

  Child Care and Nursery Education
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the relative positions of each member state of the European Community in respect of the provision of child care and nursery education.

  Mr. Forth
  It is not possible to offer comprehensive comparisons across the European Community but statistical comparisons of educational and group day care provision in a majority of EC states are available for 1987. Figures for participation in public and private sector provision in that year are as follows:

  Percentages1

  Education

  Day Care

  3–4

  3–5

  3–4

  3–5

  Belgium

  96

  97

  5—

  5—

  France

  98

  99

  5—

  5—

  Germany

  56

  66

  5—

  5—

  Ireland

  30

  354

  n/a

  14

  Italy (Estimated)

  78

  81

  5—

  5—

  Luxembourg (Estimated)

  49

  65

  6n/a

  6n/a

  Netherlands

  51

  67

  25

  417

  Spain

  53

  70

  5—

  5—

  United Kingdom

  45

  64

  241

  227

  1Percentages of population, aged at 1 January.

  2Estimated (avoiding double counting with education).

  3For 1985.

  4For 1983.

  5—nil or negligible.

  6n/a not available.

  Only the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have compulsory full-time education from the age of five; in the other countries quoted this begins at six.

TRANSPORT

  Buses, London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what surveys or investigations he has made concerning the location, capacity, and management of bus stands in central London after the proposed deregulation and privatisation of its bus services.

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter for which the London Bus Executive will be responsible. The Government do not anticipate that deregulation will cause any significant changes in the provision and usage of bus stands. However, this is a point which can be considered further by the Department's consultative forum, whose first meeting I announced on 13 May, as part of its remit to advise on the practical aspects of implementing deregulation in London.

  Cannon Street Collision
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations in the report on the collision of 8
  345
  January 1991 at Cannon Street station that legislation should be introduced making it an offence for railway employees with safety responsibilities to be impaired by the consumption of alcohol or drugs.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Transport and Works Act, which received Royal Assent on 16 March 1992, contains new comprehensive provisions to deal with drink and drugs offences on the railways. The offences, penalties and police testing powers are similar to those under the Road Traffic Act. The new provisions will come into force on 7 December 1992.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will request the British Railways Board to report on the practicality of introducing a rail service between Clapham and Willesden junctions on the west London line, calling at appropriate intermediate stations, subsequent on the completion of its electrification.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is being examined by a working group of officials representing British Railways, London Transport, the Department of Transport, four London boroughs, and the local business community. I expect its report shortly.

  Akatsuki Maru
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has received from his Japanese counterpart in regard to safety and security arrangements made for the voyage of the Akatsuki Maru carrier-ship between Japan, La Hague in France and Sellafield transporting plutonium.

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  British Rail Freight
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what fee was ageeed by Mercer Management Consulting to advise his Department and British Rail on the sale of British Rail's freight operations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Lester
  s: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to take external advice on the privatisation of British Rail's freight operations.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department of Transport and the British Railways Board have jointly commissioned Mercer Management Consulting to provide detailed advice on structural options for the transfer to the private sector of British Rail's domestic and international freight services, including the rail express systems parcel business. Work on the study commenced on 28 September.

  Safety Schemes
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the expected average rate of return from the £31 million transport supplementary grant earmarked for local safety schemes in the financial year 1991–92.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Returns provided by local authorities indicate that the sum earmarked for local 346
  safety schemes in the transport supplementary grant settlement for 1991–92 produced an average first year rate of return of 76 per cent., and over the first three years a rate of return of 213 per cent.

ENVIRONMENT

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of staff changes in each of the National Rivers Authority regions as a result of the proposed environment agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The number and distribution of staff within the environment agency will be matters for its management.

  Recycling
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ensure that the United Kingdom meets its recycling target of 25 per cent. of household waste by 2000.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are undertaking a wide range of measures to ensure that we reach our recycling target. In particular, we are setting a legislative and economic framework designed to make recycling the preferred choice when it is the best environmental option.

  The Environmental Protection Act 1990 introduces the most favourable legal framework for recycling ever provided in this country. To help authorities in England to implement their recycling strategies, we have introduced a programme of supplementary credit approvals. In order to assist industry to overcome technical and market barriers to recycling, the Government provides funding for research and development through the ETIS scheme, operated jointly by my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry, and the DEMOS and EUROEN VI RON schemes, administered by the Department of Trade and Industry. We have introduced an economic incentive in the form of recycling credits; my noble Friend Lord Strathclyde announced on 30 September that the value of credits will double from 1 April 1994.

  Ozone-destroying Chemicals
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the continued production of ozone-destroying chemicals.

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has received many representations on this issue.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the quantity of(a) chlorofluorocarbons, (b) halons and (c) methyl chloroform produced in (i) 1990–91, (ii) 1991–92 and (iii) proposed for 1992–93.

  Mr. Maclean
  An estimated 681 kilotonnes of CFCs were produced world-wide in 1991. Figures are not yet
  347
  available for 1992, but are expected to show a sharp decline. Figures are not available for world-wide production of halons or methyl chloroform.

  Montreal Protocol
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation he has undertaken with industry prior to the Montreal protocol renegotiation in Copenhagen from 17 to 25 November.

  Mr. Maclean
  Officials from this Department and the Department of Trade and Industry meet representatives from the relevant industry sectors on a regular basis to discuss issues related to the Montreal protocol.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation he has undertaken with environmental groups prior to the Montreal protocol renegotiation in Copenhagen from 17 to 25 November.

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State receives many communications from such groups. He met representatives of Greenpeace on 21 September when the Montreal protocol, together with various other environmental issues, was discussed.

  Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for an increase in the production of the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons as transitional substances.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom Government support the tightest possible limits on the use of HCFCs consistent with achieving the fastest possible elimination of the consumption of CFCs. The details of these controls will be worked out with other Montreal protocol parties in Copenhagen.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement relating to the effect on the environment of continued production of HCFCs and other chemicals.

  Mr. Maclean
  In the forthcoming revision of the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer we will promote provisions to ensure the HCFCs are used only in those applications where they are the only practicable alternative to use of the much more damaging CFCs. The use of HCFCs instead of CFCs in these applications will be beneficial for the ozone layer.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what communications he has had with the Federal German Environment Ministry as regards to the acceptability to Germany of implementing the radiological equivalence plan for the return of radioactive wastes arising from reprocessing as announced to Parliament on 2 May 1986,Official Report, column 500.

  Mr. Maclean
  The question of the substitution of radioactive wastes remains under consideration. The views of the German government on any proposals made by British Nuclear Fuels plc will be a matter to be taken up as appropriate with the German Government by BNFL's customers.
  348
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to his reply of 14 July,Official Report, columns 643–4, if he has now received from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee its views on the implementation of the radiological equivalence proposals for the return of radioactive wastes after reprocessing.

  Mr. Maclean
  Yes, and I am considering the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's report.

  Probation Hostels
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether planning permission is required for a mainly probation hostel to switch to a mainly bail hostel.

  Mr. Baldry
  The conversion of a building used mainly as a probation hostel to one used mainly as a bail hostel would probably not require planning permission, unless the building were enlarged or the exterior substantially altered.

  Rents
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assumption he proposes to apply in respect of the maximum increase in guidelines rents to take effect from April 1993, under the housing revenue account subsidy determinations.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will consult local authorities and other interested organisations in November on the proposed HRA subsidy determinations for 1993–94, including the proposed maximum increase in rent guidelines. His final decisions will be announced in December.

  Housing Funds
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the place, manner or mode in which he has placed restrictions on the expenditure of local authorities on new municipal housing from funds accrued by them from sales of residential premises, together with the statutory basis of such restriction, and the approximate total sums of such funds now available for such building; and if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the future use of these funds.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Under part IV of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, local authorities may use 25 per cent. of their capital receipts from the sale of council houses, and 50 per cent. of most other receipts, to finance new capital expenditure on any service. They are required to set aside the balance as provision to meet credit liabilities. The total of the amounts set aside under the present capital finance system, including receipts from council house sales, was about £5.5 billion at 31 March 1991. If authorities were allowed to spend a larger proportion of their capital receipts, their net indebtedness would rise and the total of spending by the public sector and the public sector borrowing requirement would be increased. The present system has also enabled a greater proportion of capital receipts to be recycled in the form of new credit approvals to those authorities where needs are greatest. We therefore have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Municipal Mutual Insurance
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions and meetings he has had concerning Municipal Mutual Insurance and local government insurance.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None.

  City Challenge
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has so far been awarded under the city challenge programme.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Subject to satisfactory performance by pacemakers and the approval of authorities' action plans for round 2, city challenge expenditure on pacemakers and round 2 winners will be £82.5 million and £150 million per annum respectively for five years. No decisions on future rounds of city challenge have yet been taken.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the next round of the city challenge awards is to be announced.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Twenty local authorities, with their partners, bid successfully in the second round of city challenge and are currently preparing five year action plans for ministerial approval with a view to implementation from April 1993. They have been asked to submit their completed plans by 31 December 1992 and it is intended that approval decisions will be announced in February 1993. A decision about subsequent rounds of city challenge will be made in due course.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much extra Government grant he has determined he will need to provide to compensate for the fact that average house prices are lower than the Government estimated for the council tax valuation.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The provision for Government grant each year depends on a large number of factors. These include the Government's view of the appropriate total of revenue spending by local authorities, the estimated amount of non-domestic rates, the implications for local taxes and what the country can afford. Average house prices are not a material consideration, either under the present system or under the forthcoming council tax.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has carried out into the costs or savings of compulsory competitive tendering.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has commissioned two studies by the Institute of Local Government Studies at the university of Birmingham to evaluate the effects of the competitive tendering provisions in the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988 on local authorities' direct service organisations. The studies include consideration of the costs and savings.

  A report summarising the initial findings of the evaluation of the 1988 Act was published in February
  350
  1991. Copies are available in the House Library. I anticipate that final reports for both studies will be published in the new year.

  Letchworth Garden City Corporation
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the long-term future of Letchworth garden city corporation.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Corporation was established as a statutory body under the Letchworth Garden City Corporation Act 1962 to manage the garden city estate. The Department recently invited the corporation to consider how best to undertake its functions within the private sector, while retaining the fundamental aims and objectives of the garden city movement.

  The corporation has indicated that it intends to place a Bill before Parliament this November to transfer the assets, liabilities and activities of the corporation to a new charitable organisation to be called the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation. The corporation is currently undertaking a consultation exercise on its proposals.

  The Department supports the corporation's proposed way forward.

  Poll Tax
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide the total and a breakdown of the costs so far of the implementation of the poll tax.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) on 15 July 1992,Official Report, column 1132.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total expenditure so far by his Department on publicising the poll tax and related information.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Since enactment, my Department has produced, distributed, and maintained a series of leaflets on the community charge system. At various times advertising was taken to draw the attention of the public to these leaflets and to the availability of community charge benefit and transitional relief and how to claim them. The costs to date are £5,710,500.

  Tarmac Construction
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all funds paid to Tarmac Construction in connection with its takeover of the Property Services Agency; and if he will give a statement of how these sums were arrived at.

  Mr. Redwood
  No funds have been paid to Tarmac Construction as yet. The amounts to be paid over in connection with Tarmac's purchase of PSA Projects were determined by open competition and will depend on the numbers of staff choosing to transfer on sale with the business, the completion audit and thereafter on the numbers of any redundancies should there he insufficient work in the future to sustain employment levels as planned.

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proposals he has to amend the passage in mineral planning guidance 3 of 1988 on opencast which says that it is in the national interest to maximise coal production;

  (2) if he will withdraw mineral planning guidance 3 on opencast and let local councils decide whether they want opencast in their area.

  Mr. Baldry
  I announced on 15 July that the guidelines will be revised. My Department expects to bring forward a draft for public consultation next year. I hope that the hon. Member will appreciate that I cannot pre-empt what the revised guidelines will say.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consideration he will give to the level of overall coal production in taking the decision on whether an opencast site should be allowed at Baddesley Ensor in Warwickshire;

  (2) when he expects to announce his decision on the application for an opencast site at Baddesley Ensor in Warwickshire.

  Mr. Baldry
  I shall take account of all considerations which are material to the planning decision. The decision will be announced as soon as possible.

  Sludge Incinerators
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning applications for sludge incinerators are currently being considered by planning authorities in England and Wales; and if he will name those which he has called in for public inquiry.

  Mr. Baldry
  There is no mechanism whereby the Secretary of State for the Environment or the Secretary of State for Wales are automatically informed of all planning applications for sewerage sludge incinerators, as planning applications are primarily a matter for the local planning authorities. However the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) Directions 1992 require local planning authorities to notify the Secretaries of State of development proposals which would significantly prejudice implementation of a development plan. We are therefore aware of only two applications currently before local planning authorities. These are Thames Water's incinerator proposals at Crossness in the London borough of Bexley and at Beckton in the London borough of Newham. Neither of these applications has been called in. There may be other applications of which we are unaware.

  In addition to these current applications, Northumbrian Water and International Technology Europe Ltd. have appealed to the Secretary of State in respect of their incinerator proposals at East Howden in North Tyneside and at Portrach in Stockton-on-Tees; a public inquiry has been held and the Secretary of State is considering the inspector's report.

  Local Government
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has conducted or intends to conduct into the relative costs of two-tier and single-tier structures for local government.
  352
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Local Government Commission will assess the costs and benefits of changes to local government structure in the shire counties as it carries out its reviews area by area. In 1984 we estimated that some £100 million long-term savings per annum resulting from staff reductions should follow abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils. We later estimated that some 6,300 posts had been saved immediately on abolition.

WALES

  Manufacturing Trainees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) apprenticeships and (b) trainee posts in manufacturing industry were available in Wales in each year from 1979 onwards.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Estimates from the Employment Department's short-term employment surveys are given in the table. Welsh data from this source are available only from 1981 up to 1990 after which this inquiry was discontinued. The labour force survey sample in Wales does not allow for reliable estimates of manufacturing apprentice numbers for Wales, but the 1992 results showed that an estimated 206,000 people of working age across all industries in Wales had received a job-related training in the four weeks prior to the survey compared with a figure of 95,000 in 1984, when this information was first recorded.

  Manufacturing industries

  Year

  Number of apprentices (thousands)

  Number of other trainees (thousands)

  1981

  6.0

  1.9

  1982

  4.7

  1.8

  1983

  3.6

  1.2

  1984

  3.1

  1.4

  1985

  2.8

  0.9

  1986

  2.3

  1.1

  1987

  2.3

  1.4

  1988

  2.4

  1.3

  1989

  2.2

  1.3

  1990

  2.2

  1.7

  Source: Short Term Employment Surveys, Employment Department.

  Jobs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of all jobs that have transferred from companies in Wales to companies operating in other EC countries in the last four years including dates, company names and totals of jobs lost to Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not available.

  DWR Cymru
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many prosecutions of DWR Cymru have been made since September 1991; and what pollution incidents were involved.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information regarding prosecutions brought by the National Rivers Authority against pollution incidents occurring in its Welsh region during
  353
  1991 is contained in the authority's report "Water Pollution Incidents in 1991" published in September 1992, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. This is the second report. which is updated annually.

  Paediatric Occupational Therapy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will grant special funds to Clwyd health authority for the establishment of a paediatric occupational therapy service in Clwyd.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Clwyd health authority is required to formulate a local strategy for health jointly with the family health services authority and to use the resources which it has at its disposal for the health care needs of its resident population in accordance with its own locally determined priorities. If it wishes to see a new service offered by service providers in Clwyd, it should explore with those providers and local GP fund holders the viability of developing such a service.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many paediatric occupational therapy services there are in each of the health authorities of Wales.

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

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking concerning the assessment and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office, in common with other Government health Departments, accepts myalgic encephalomyelitis—ME—as a debilitating and distressing condition.

  The protocol for investment in health gain, pain, discomfort and palliative care, launched by the Department earlier this month, recognises ME as a cause of pain and discomfort, and acknowledges the need for research on the nature and pattern of this illness, and on possible treatments.

  The protocol was developed by the Welsh Health Planning Forum mainly to assist health authorities in developing their local strategies for health. ME will, therefore, be considered by all health authorities as they devise individual strategies.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the incidence of myalgic encephalomyelitis in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilyrn Jones
  Information on the incidence of myalgic encephalomyelitis in Wales is not held centrally.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of public expenditure in those areas which have assisted area status for each of the years since 1980.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is not available in the form requested. To produce the data in this format would involve disproportionate time and cost.

  Orthoptics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many orthoptic patients were treated outside the Clwyd health authority area because of lack of staff or facilities in the past 12 months; and what is his estimate of the figures for the next 12 months.

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

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he intends to take to improve waiting time for treatment in orthoptic departments in(a) Clwyd health authority and (b) Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Funding is not made available specifically for improving orthoptic waiting lists as the setting of priorities is a matter for health authorities. However, central funding has been provided which will assist authorities in the reduction of overall waiting times.

  A total of £1 million has already been allocated to Welsh health authorities under this year's waiting times initiative: Clwyd received £140,300. Funding is not aimed at specific specialities, but at those people who have been waiting more than two years for non-urgent treatment; 18 months for hip or knee replacement or cataract operations and one month for urgent treatment.

  Central funding of £2.1 million has been made available to Welsh health authorities under the treatment centre initiative: provision for Clwyd health authority has been made for 110 cataract operations at the ophthalmic treatment centre in Bangor at a cost of £91,630.

  The authority has also received £164,806, from £1.6 million set aside to assist health authorities in developing their day surgery facilities; £12,500 of this allocation is being used to improve the provision of ophthalmic day case facilities.

  Housing, Buckley
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet representatives of Alyn and Deeside district council to discuss the provision of specific additional funding for the refurbishment of the houses of Terring crescent, Buckley; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  We have no plans to do so. It must be for the district council to decide what priority to give the refurbishment of these homes within the resources avaialble to it.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in each county in each month since June.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information as requested for Great Britain is as follows—some of these confirmed cases will have a date of clinical onset and date of report before 30 May 1992.
  355

  County/region

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  (30 May-26 June)

  (27 June-31 July)

  (1 August-28 August)

  (29 August-25 September)

  (26 September-16 October

  England:

  Avon

  68

  78

  42

  62

  18

  Bedfordshire

  7

  5

  3

  5

  10

  Berkshire

  17

  23

  16

  20

  4

  Buckinghamshire

  23

  36

  19

  21

  9

  Cambrideshire

  7

  9

  7

  7

  4

  Cheshire

  109

  215

  98

  127

  118

  Cleveland

  3

  4

  0

  6

  3

  Cornwall

  285

  189

  184

  126

  170

  Cumbria

  129

  89

  97

  73

  75

  Derbyshire

  70

  97

  62

  74

  29

  Devon

  410

  280

  236

  162

  262

  Dorset

  252

  167

  129

  137

  69

  Durham

  26

  13

  8

  18

  8

  Essex

  14

  22

  6

  9

  10

  Gloucestershire

  69

  65

  63

  67

  26

  Hampshire

  76

  86

  56

  39

  38

  Hereford and Worcester

  65

  55

  28

  72

  32

  Hertfordshire

  12

  17

  6

  5

  15

  Humberside

  22

  7

  3

  10

  6

  Isle of Wight

  18

  14

  9

  8

  18

  Kent

  43

  40

  32

  18

  12

  Lancashire

  137

  115

  126

  61

  87

  Leicestershire

  56

  51

  59

  65

  14

  Lincolnshire

  20

  25

  16

  17

  10

  London

  3

  4

  1

  1

  1

  Manchester

  3

  7

  4

  1

  10

  Merseyside

  7

  4

  2

  3

  0

  Norfolk

  108

  88

  59

  44

  22

  Northamptonshire

  17

  14

  28

  16

  10

  Northumberland

  31

  21

  8

  24

  16

  Nottinghamshire

  16

  32

  19

  14

  1

  Oxfordshire

  49

  52

  33

  27

  22

  Shropshire

  119

  87

  63

  81

  51

  Somerset

  313

  253

  186

  186

  80

  Staffordshire

  134

  85

  42

  119

  74

  Suffolk

  37

  44

  35

  26

  23

  Surrey

  24

  28

  21

  18

  10

  Sussex East

  47

  39

  18

  35

  6

  Sussex West

  56

  53

  44

  48

  21

  Tyne and Wear

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1

  Warwickshire

  42

  35

  12

  17

  14

  West Midlands

  4

  6

  1

  2

  2

  Wiltshire

  156

  179

  95

  109

  91

  Yorkshire North

  166

  134

  84

  164

  80

  Yorkshire South

  15

  13

  5

  11

  9

  Yorkshire West

  24

  13

  3

  25

  8

  Wales:

  Clwyd

  56

  42

  33

  46

  36

  Dyfed

  218

  147

  146

  152

  88

  Glamorgan North

  2

  1

  6

  4

  0

  Glamorgan South

  6

  9

  11

  10

  6

  Glamorgan West

  5

  2

  4

  5

  1

  Gwent

  20

  17

  17

  14

  18

  Gwynedd

  13

  14

  14

  12

  11

  Powys

  52

  62

  23

  34

  28

  Scotland:

  Borders

  4

  5

  9

  12

  5

  Central

  1

  4

  1

  4

  3

  Dumfries

  45

  57

  36

  47

  23

  Fife

  7

  0

  4

  2

  1

  Grampian

  23

  25

  22

  24

  22

  Highland

  4

  1

  4

  8

  4

  Lothian

  3

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Orkney

  0

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Strathclyde

  28

  47

  25

  38

  34

  Tayside

  8

  3

  6

  15

  12

  Western Isles

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bananas
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to consult with his European Community colleagues on the question of future EC banana quotas; what the effects are likely to be for the United Kingdom's trade with Belize; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The Agriculture Council will discuss the Commission's proposals for a common organisation of the market in bananas at its next meeting on 26 and 27 October. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has discussed with the Prime Minister of Belize the proposed distinction to be drawn between traditional and non-traditional exports. We shall ensure that discussions in the Community take account of his concerns.

PRIME MINISTER

  Single Market
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Prime Minister what measures are outstanding to complete the single market.

  The Prime Minister
  Of the 282 measures in the Commission's White Paper, "Completing the Internal Market", only 25 have not yet reached at least a common position or political agreement.

  Of these, six fall into the agriculture area; five deal with intellectual property; five are related to VAT; four are on company law; two on financial services; two on tax; and one on rights of residence.

  India
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the latest text of the extradition treaty with India.

  The Prime Minister
  The extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and India was signed on 23 September 1992 and copies placed in the Libraries of both Houses on that date.

  Western Shoshone Indian Land
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what correspondence Her Majesty's Government have received from Chief Raymond Yowell of the Western Shoshone National Council, Nevada, concerning the continued use by the United Kingdom of the Department of Energy nuclear weapons test site on Western Shoshone Indian land.

  The Prime Minister
  The only correspondence I have received was in October 1991. The British ambassador in Washington replied on my behalf. A copy of Sir Robin Renwick's letter was placed in the Library of the House.

  United Nations Day
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have to mark United Nations Day on 24 October.

  The Prime Minister
  The flag of the United Nations will be flown in Parliament square on 24 October.
  358
  Our commitment to the United Nations, as a founder of the organisation and a permanent member of the Security Council, remains as firm as ever. The end of the cold war and successes in, for example, Namibia and Kuwait have given the United Nations new authority. We welcome that and will continue to work for a stronger, more effective United Nations which can meet the challenges of the 1990s.

  EC Commissioners
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will be making a statement on the appointment of the United Kingdom's EC Commissioners.

  The Prime Minister
  As announced on 20 October, I have nominated Sir Leon Brittan and Mr. Bruce Millan to serve in the Commission of the European Communities taking office in January 1993.

  Ministry of Justice
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to abolish the Lord Chancellor's Department to make way for a Ministry of Justice.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Goverment Consultants
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish guidelines concerning the appointment of consultants by his Government.

  The Prime Minister
  A guidance booklet on seeking help from management consultants was published by HM Treasury in May 1990. This booklet, copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses, also identifies central sources of advice and guidance for other types of consultancy, for example, information and technology and purchasing.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the 22-page document including a draft inter-institute agreement relating to the principle of subsidiarity forwarded to him by the President of the Commission of the European Communities.

  The Prime Minister
  The President of the Commission made a substantial presentation on subsidiarity at the Birmingham European Council, but he has not yet formally submitted a Commission paper. When the Commission submits a paper to the Council it will, of course, be published and deposited in the normal way.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 22 October.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 22 October.

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

EMPLOYMENT

  Disabled People
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current percentage of disabled people in employment.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Figures covering all disabled people are not readily available; however, we do have information for disabled people of working age.

  Research commissioned by the Department and published in 1990 found that 78 per cent. of people in Great Britain who were occupationally handicapped, economically active and of working age, were in work.

  The labour force survey for the spring quarter of 1992 found that 80 per cent. of people in Great Britain who had a health problem or disability which limited the kind of work they could do, were economically active and were of working age, were in work.

  Direct comparison between these findings is difficult, because they do not always use the same definitions, in particular the definition of disablility.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the expenditure on youth training in the London East training and enterprise council area in 1991; and what it is in the current year.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Expenditure on youth training in the London East TEC area in the period 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992 was £10,051,191. Figures from 1 April 1992 are not yet available. The budget for expenditure for YT in the LETEC area for the current financial year is £13,056,731.

DEFENCE

  Festival Sites
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the disused sites owned by his Department which might be available for free festivals following the request to his Department for suitable sites to be identified; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans to make available MOD sites for free festivals.

SCOTLAND

  Water and Sewerage
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the replacement costs of the assets of each Scottish water authority; if he will estimate for each authority what percentage of the population are supplied with(a) mains water and (b) sewerage by that authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Details of the assets of each Scottish water authority are not held centrally. The percentages of population receiving public mains water and public sewerage are given in the table.
  360

  Authority

  Proportion of population receiving mains water Per cent.

  Proportion of population receiving sewerage Per cent.

  Regional Councils

  Borders

  86.4

  81.5

  Central

  98.7

  96.7

  Dumfries and Galloway

  89.8

  85.0

  Fife

  98.9

  98.0

  Grampian

  93.0

  87.5

  Highland

  97.5

  80.4

  Lothian

  100.0

  98.0

  Strathclyde

  99.8

  98.4

  Tayside

  97.1

  92.9

  Islands Councils

  Orkney

  98.0

  47.3

  Shetland

  99.0

  65.0

  Western Isles

  98.0

  75.0

  Scotland (weighted average)

  98.1

  94.8

  Source: The UK Water Industry—Water Services and Costs 1990/91, published by the Centre for the Study of Regulated Industries.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Allan Stewart
  All Departments within the Scottish Office have an ongoing responsibility to identify potential areas for deregulation and any Department proposing new legislation or regulations which are likely to impose a burden on business must carry out an assessment of the cost to business of compliance. No separate financial provision has been made within the operating costs of the Scottish Office departments for those purposes.

  Bellwin Formula
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities claimed assistance under the Bellwin formula, following the storm damage of December 1991 and new year's day 1992; and how much was(a) claimed by and (b) paid to each authority under the scheme.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  I announced the triggering of the Bellwin scheme on 10 January. On that occasion, the triggering applied to the Shetland, Orkney, and Western Isles islands council areas, and Highland and Central regions. Only Shetland islands council has submitted a claim for financial assistance this totals £83,000. Payment will be made once the council has provided some outstanding information to establish the eligibility of the expenditure incurred.

  Water Industry
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the representations received regarding the future arrangements for the organisation of the water industry in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Some 1,400 representations have been received to date.
  361
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the meetings or discussions held between his Department and(a) English water companies and (b) French water companies in the last two months.

  Sir Hector Monro
  One meeting has been held with an English water company, at its request, to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the consultants' report on the future of the water industry in Scotland will be published.

  Sir Hector Monro
  A consultation document setting out a range of options for the future structure of the water and sewerage service in Scotland will be published shortly. The consultants' report itself will not be published.

  Hampden Park
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish a list of tenderers for the upgrading of Hampden park;

  (2) by what date tenders are to be submitted for the upgrading of Hampden park;

  (3) if he will ensure that at least one independent construction company with its administrative base in Scotland is included on the list of tenderers for the upgrading of Hampden park;

  (4) how much the Scottish Office has invested in the joint venture with the Scottish Football Association and the Football Trust for the upgrading of Hampden park.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Government are providing £3.5 million as a cash-limited contribution towards a £12 million project being undertaken by the national stadium committee to make Hampden park all-seated, in line with Taylor report requirements. The national stadium committee, set up by Queen's Park FC, the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Football League to respond to Scotland's national football stadium needs, is solely responsible for all matters relating to the contracts for work to make Hampden all-seated.

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

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: The remit of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications does not extend to Scotland. The equivalent body, which is responsible for the accreditation and award of vocational qualifications in Scotland, is the Scottish Vocational Education Council.

  The Scottish programme is designed to make available vocational qualifications which are broadly compatible with those being developed by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications. Scottish vocational qualifications—SVQs—embrace industry-determined standards to meet the needs of specific occupations. The target set by the Government was to have these qualifications in place for 80 per cent. of the Scottish work force by December 1992. The Scottish Vocational Education Council is well on course towards meeting this target, 288 individual SVQs having been accredited to date.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has received on the cause and cost of the technical problem that resulted in the shut-down for an indefinite period of the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay; and when is it expected to re-open.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  We receive regular reports from the Atomic Energy Authority on the performance of the prototype fast reactor. It has been shut down since 29 June 1991 when a leak of oil into the primary sodium cooling circuit was discovered. The major cost has been the loss of electricity revenue. The amount involved is commercially confidential. I understand from the AEA that it hopes to restart the reactor by the end of January.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Collapsed Holiday Firms
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received seeking increased powers to deal with holiday firms which have collapsed without bonding and assistance to those people who have lost money or their holiday.

  Mr. Leigh
  I have had a number of such representations. I shall shortly be laying before Parliament regulations which will require all organisers of packages, including package holidays, to have security for prepayments in the event of insolvency.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people were affected by the collapse of Land Travel.

  Mr. Leigh
  The exact number of people affected by the collapse of Land Travel is not known since claims are still being received by the liquidator. In the region of 40,000 claims have been submitted so far but many of these are for multiple bookings.

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the implications for United Kingdom civil nuclear reprocessing at Sellafield and Dounreay of the provisions of articles 107a to 107c on the amendments concerning Euratom in the treaty on European Union (Cm 1934).

  Mr. Eggar
  There are none. These articles bring the Euratom treaty into line with the treaty of Rome, as amended by the treaty of European union.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 6 July,Official Report, column 28, if he has now received a response from The Independent newspaper in regard to export licences.

  Mr. Needham
  No.

  Wave Energy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report on wave energy by Tom Thorpe commissioned by his predecessor in April 1989.
  363
  Mr. Eggar
  The report on the wave energy review is in preparation, and I expect to receive a copy by the end of the year.

  Radioactive Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will investigate the discovery of radioactive materials on 11 October at an unlicensed site in Cranbrook, Kent, in regard to the application of safeguards to the materials.

  Mr. Eggar
  A small radioactive source was discovered at an address in Cranbrook, Kent on 11 October and was taken to Dungeness power station for analysis. If the substance is confirmed to be subject to safeguards legislation it will be declared to Euratom.

  Municipal Mutual Insurance
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings and discussions he has had concerning Municipal Mutual Insurance.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department has been in constant contact with Municipal and Mutual Insurance Limited since the company informed the Department in March 1992 that it might have failed to maintain its required minimum solvency margin.

  Displays (Safety)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has concerning consultations in preparation for, or draft of, a regulation of the European Economic Community prohibiting the inclusion of artificial or real grapes in floral or similar displays, on the grounds of child or other safety considerations.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: I am not aware of any consultations at present concerning any EC regulations prohibiting the inclusion of artificial or real grapes in the products mentioned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to reply to the recommendations of the Third Report of the Procedure Committee, Session 1990–91 on Parliamentary Questions.

  Mr. Tony Newton
  I am considering the report and will reply in due course.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Monetary Co-operation
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which states at present qualify for co-operation under the terms of the declaration on monetary co-operation with non-Community countries.

  Mr. Nelson
  Whether or not the Community would consider that a particular country qualified for monetary co-operation is a matter for the Council of Ministers. It is therefore not possible to provide a definitive list.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to publish the Bingham report into BCCI in full.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. Friend has concluded that the balance of public interest lies in favour of publishing not only Lord Justice Bingham's recommendations and conclusions, but the report in full.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to the Exchequer of the Bingham inquiry into BCCI.

  Mr. Nelson
  The total direct costs of Lord Justice Bingham and his inquiry team to date are some £595,000. These costs are shared equally between the Treasury and the Bank of England. The overall cost to the taxpayer also includes the administration and legal costs of the Government Departments concerned. To provide an estimate of these costs would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims have been paid by the deposit protection board to former depositors with BCCI by(a) number and (b) value.

  Mr. Nelson
  I understand that at 19 October 1992 some 9,500 claims had been processed involving payments of some £51.7 million.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England concerning the Bingham report into BCCI since he received a copy of the report.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. Friend meets the Governor of the Bank of England frequently and they discuss a wide range of issues.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the Bingham report into BCCI.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the Bingham report on the failure of BCCI.

  Mr. Nelson
  The report of Lord Justice Bingham's inquiry into the supervision of BCCI has been published today, in response to an unopposed motion for the return of papers.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to announce the name of the next Governor of the Bank of England.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Governor of the Bank of England is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. The present Governor's term of office expires on 30 June 1993. The name of the next Governor will be announced in due course.

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on inflation of the withdrawal from the ERM.
  365
  Mr. Nelson
  The easing of monetary policy which has occurrred since sterling's withdrawal from the ERM is consistent with keeping downward pressure on inflation. I shall be publishing a revised forecast of prospects for inflation in the autumn statement, in the usual way.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Burn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made in the rules on travel, subsistence and relocation expenses for civil servants.

  Mr. Dorrell
  As part of our ongoing programme for delegating to departments and agencies greater responsibility for managing personnel management policies, departments and agencies have been given the freedom to determine within defined limits their own rules and rates for subsistence and the use of private cars on official business.

  The rates for subsistence will continue to reflect the principle of reimbursement of necessary additional costs. The rates for motor mileage allowance may go beyond reimbursement of motoring costs and provide an incentive for staff to use their cars on official business but only where it is cost effective for the department to do so. We will also be extending the range of measures available to departments and agencies to meet motoring costs incurred on official business by giving departments and agencies the freedom to offer eligible staff an interest free loan towards the purchase of a car needed for official business.

  Such loans may be made only in circumstances where this is the most cost effective approach for departments. The package of measures for new recruits has been extended to provide for refund of relocation expenses on the same basis as existing staff, provided it is limited to shortage and hard-to-fill posts.

  The use of these additional measures is at the discretion of departments and agencies, and they must be contained within existing resources.

  Economic and Finance Council
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest meeting of the European Community's Economic and Finance Council.

  Sir John Cope
  The Economic and Finance Council of the European Community met in Luxembourg under my presidency on 19 October.

  The Council discussed three issues related to the current review of the Community's future financing: overseas loan guarantees; aspects of the cohesion fund agreed at Maastricht; and the inter-institutional agreement on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure, between the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament. On loan guarantees, the Council agreed in principle to establish a self-standing fund, to make provision against liabilities on loans to third countries guaranteed by the Community. Payments into the fund would be set as a proportion of the value of new loans, and would be financed by a reserve in the financial perspective and the Community budget.

  Of the cohesion fund the Council discussed the rules of eligibility and allocation criteria for the fund, and how the provisions of the Maastricht cohesion protocol on macroeconomic conditionality should be applied. All member states agreed that the criterion laid down in article
  366
  104c of the Maastricht treaty, on excessive budget deficits, should be the basis of the macroeconomic test; on other aspects no conclusions were reached.

  The Council also had the opportunity to give first reactions to the Commission's proposal for a new inter-institutional agreement. The Council agreed that the Commission draft formed a good basis for discussion, and that the Presidency should report member states' initial reactions to the European Parliament.

  The Council discussed the need for improved offers of market access for financial services from a number of countries in the GATT round and agreed that the presidency and the Commission should lobby those countries accordingly on behalf of the Community and its member states.

  The call for a review of recent economic and financial events in the conclusions of the special European Council was remitted to the Committee of Central Bank Governors and the Monetary Committee for further work.

  The Council agreed to the release of the remainder of Russia's share of the Community's 1.25 becu loan to the former Soviet Union for food and medical aid. The Council also adopted a balance of payments loan to Bulgaria but the first tranche will not be released until Bulgaria has reached satisfactory rescheduling agreements with its creditors in the Paris Club. A request from Poland for a structural adjustment loan was remitted to the Monetary Committee for further consideration.

  The Council discussed future relations with Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia with Mr. Attali, the President of the EBRD in preparation for the presidency's meeting with those countries on 28 October. The Council also agreed in principle to continue to provide technical assistance funding from the PHARE and TACIS programmes to be administered by the EBRD.

  Following the resolution of outstanding problems, the Council adopted the package of eight indirect tax proposals on the structures and rates for VAT and excise duties provisionally agreed at the 27 July meeting of Finance Ministers. This was a key objective for the United Kingdom presidency as agreement was necessary for the introduction of the single market on 1 January 1992.

  The agreement includes an undertaking from the United Kingdom that we will progressively reduce the duty differential, between intermediate products (fortified wines) exceeding 15 per cent. alcohol by volume (abv) and those intermediate products up to 15 per cent. abv, to 25 per cent. by the end of 1995. The undertaking also provides for the use of the names "British Sherry", "Irish Sherry" and "Cyprus Sherry" to end by 1 January 1996. In return Spain will discontinue their present action against the United Kingdom in the European Court of Justice.

  There was no substantive discussion of the 7th VAT Directive on second-hand goods, including works of art. The Commission explained why such a directive was necessary and it was agreed that the proposal should he remitted to working groups for further discussion.

  Research Contracts
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the contracts the Treasury has placed with non-governmental advisory bodies on research and forecasting matters, together with information on the value of all contracts for the last 15 years.
  367
  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 21 October 1992]: Details of project expenditure from the Treasury's macroeconomic research budget for 1983–84 to 1991–92, and of planned expenditure for 1992–93 have been placed in the Library of the House. Corresponding information for the micro-economic research budget is also provided. Information could not be obtained for earlier years.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to carry out the recommendations of the Social Security Advisory Committee that the DSS reviews the procedures for young people claiming income support.

  Mr. Burt
  Social security administration is subject to continuous review. Procedures for young people are part of this process.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Social Security Advisory Committee in its sixth, seventh and eighth reports that the full rate of income support should be restored for young people under 25 years of age living away from home; and what was his conclusion.

  Mr. Burt
  We have studied these reports by the Social Security Advisory Committee. We have no plans to change the level of income support personal allowances paid to people aged under 25 years.

  Children
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the latest figures showing how many(a) families with children and (b) children are living on income support.

  Mr. Burt
  There are 1.3 million claims which include one or more children under 16. The total number of children in families receiving income support is 2.4 million.

  Source: Income support annual statistical inquiry, May 1991.

  Benefits
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the updating of pensions and other benefits.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The House will be informed in due course.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the failure-to-claim rate in respect of social security benefits; and what savings to social security expenditure this represents.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the latest figures for the take-up of income-related benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  We will publish the latest available estimates for take-up of the income-related benefits shortly.

  Pensioners
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people living in residential care will not receive an increase in their pension from 5 October; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The income support pensioner premiums were increased on 5 October. People living in residential care and receiving the higher income support limits do not receive premiums.

  Social Fund
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he intends to make to the social fund in light of the "Evaluating the Social Fund" report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We are carefully considering the report on the social fund by the university of York's social policy research unit. No decisions have been made about the future operation of the social fund.

HEALTH

  Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what grant the supra-regional services advisory group has recommended for the Newcastle general hospital in respect of severe combined immune deficiency syndrome care.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 June at columns 53–54.

  Diet
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, as part of her quality of service objectives, she will require the publication of all reports related to the cost of a healthy diet commissioned since 1986 using public money.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am not aware of any such reports which have been commissioned by central Government and are awaiting publication.

  Secure Places
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will indicate the number of secure places for young people aged under 18 years in England and Wales and their percentage occupancy in 1991–92; and whether she has plans to increase the number of places within the next two years.

  Mr. Yeo
  On 30 September 1992 there were 290 secure places in local authority community homes in England. In addition, the youth treatment service runs two youth treatment centres providing 60 secure places.

  Information about the use of local authority secure units, including numbers accommodated at the end of each month, is in the annual statistical publication "Children accommodated in secure units during the year ending 31 March". The latest available information covers the 12 months ending 31 March 1991. Copies are available in the Library.
  369
  Discussions are currently being held with a range of local authorities to determine how the additional secure accommodation which will be required to implement fully the revised juvenile remand arrangements in the Criminal Justice Act 1991 might most effectively be provided.

  The information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to discuss with West Midlands regional health authority its treatment of offers of voluntary part-funding for an magnetic resonance imaging scanner at the Midland centre for neurology and neurosurgery.

  Mr. Sackville
  The acceptance of voluntary funding is a matter for West Midlands regional health authority.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the terms of reference and the time scale for the involvement of Sir Roy Griffiths in the West Midlands regional health authority; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what plans she has for an investigation into the activities of the West Midlands regional health authority; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir Roy Griffiths has been asked to work with West Midlands regional health authority to help it discharge its role efficiently and effectively for the future. This work is already underway and Sir Roy will be keeping me in touch as this develops. No time scale has been set for the completion of his work and I have no plans to set up any further investigation into the activities of the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the operation of the West Midlands regional health authority's computerised hospital supply system.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I understand that the Audit Commission is looking into this matter and is to report to West Midlands regional health authority.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give for England the numbers of people on waiting lists on 30 September 1987 and at the end of each subsequent six-month period, for admission for(a) in-patient and (b) day case treatment and the numbers on each occasion who were categorised as (i) self-deferred, (ii) waiting under 12 months, (iii) waiting 12 to 24 months and (iv) waiting over two years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is given in the Department of Health's statistical bulletins which are available from the Library. From March 1992, self-deferred cases are included in the total number waiting.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the reasons for the differences between the figures given for the numbers of people on waiting lists in March and September of 1988 to 1991 in her Department's statistical bulletin 2(5)92 and those given in statistical bulletin 2(8)92.

  Mr. Sackville
  In statistical bulletin 2(5)92 and in previous bulletins, figures for self-deferred cases were 370
  shown separately. From March 1992, self-deferred cases are included in the overall total waiting. This is consistent with the provisional figures from regional health authorities published quarterly.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish her estimates for each six-month period from April 1987 of(a) the numbers of people admitted from waiting lists to hospital for in-patient treatment, (b) the numbers of people removed from in-patient waiting lists for reasons other than treatment, (c) the numbers of people admitted from waiting lists for day case treatment and (d) the numbers of people removed from day case waiting lists for reasons other than treatment.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested, which is only available from 1988, is given in the table.

  Most removals are due to health authorities validating their waiting lists. It is good management practice to validate lists regularly to ensure they include only those who need treatment. Many patients on waiting lists no longer need to be admitted for treatment because, for example, they have moved or had their treatment elsewhere. Validation leads to fewer cancelled operations and faster treatment for those who need it.

  Patients waiting for admission: England

  Thousands

  Figures—six months period ending

  Number treated from waiting list

  Number removed for other reasons (not admitted)

  Ordinary admissions

  1987 September

  1—

  1—

  1988 March

  924.7

  69.2

  September

  941.4

  72.1

  1989 March

  938.9

  86.3

  September

  939.5

  92.7

  1990 March

  934.2

  1030

  September

  910.6

  101.6

  1991 March

  888.3

  125.4

  September

  918.4

  115.4

  1992 March

  938.8

  157.8

  Day cases

  1987 September

  1—

  1—

  1988 March

  353.3

  15.9

  September

  359.2

  18.4

  1989 March

  392.6

  23.9

  September

  420.5

  26.8

  1990 March

  454.3

  31.0

  September

  465.6

  36.4

  1991 March

  496.6

  43.5

  September

  535.0

  47.6

  1992 March

  601.3

  67.3

  1 As Korner based figures were first collected in September 1987 six months flow data was not available until March 1988.

  Mersey Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the visit of the Minister for Health to the Mersey regional health authority headquarters on 21 September; what subjects were discussed; and what proposals were made.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I visited Mersey regional health authority headquarters on 21 September as part of my programme of visits to regions throughout the country. While in Mersey, I also visited the Countess of Chester
  371
  hospital and the Liverpool drug dependency clinic. I met a cross-section of staff and discussed a range of different subjects.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the visit of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health to the Mersey region on 1 October.

  Mr. Sackville
  I visited Mersey region on 1 October as part of my programme of visits to regions throughout the country. I visited the regional headquarters, Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery NHS Trust, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust and Princes Park health centre. I met a cross-section of staff and discussed a range of different subjects.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to publish the report of the oral health strategy group on proposed changes to dental policy; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The oral health strategy group was asked, among other things, to advise on the development of an oral health strategy for England. Work on the strategy is still being carried forward.

  Home Care Services
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received urging legislation requiring the inspection of private home care services; if she has any proposals to introduce such legislation; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  A small number of representations have been received urging statutory or voluntary control of independent sector domiciliary care agencies. We have no proposals to introduce controls at present.

  London Health Care
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to publish the Tomlinson report; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Soon.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Drug Prevention
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the drug prevention initiative fully participates in European drug prevention week.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The central drugs prevention unit and the 20 local drugs prevention teams have been actively involved in the planning of events for European drug prevention week. In co-operation with local agencies and community groups, the local teams have devised full and varied programmes. The drugs prevention initiative will make a major contribution to the international seminar and workshop to be held in London on 17 and 18 November.
  372
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what commercial support has been received by his Department's drug prevention initiative.

  Mr. Jack
  In addition to cash donations, commercial support for the drugs prevention initiative has been given in the form of in-kind contributions of a number of specific events and projects. Between 29 October 1990, when the first local drugs prevention team began work, and 31 August 1992 the estimated total amount of quantifiable commercial support was £140,000, in cash and in kind.

  Extradition
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek amendment to the rules on international extradition regulations, with a view to clarifying the legal position of Libyans suspected of the Lockerbie bombing.

  Mr. Kenneth Clark
  The legal position is not in doubt. By its resolution 748, the Security Council of the United Nations decided that the Libyan Government must surrender the accused for trial, either in Scotland or in the United States. Under the United Nations charter this obligation prevails over any other obligation which Libya might have under any other international agreement.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy not to extradite persons to India who would be liable to capital punishment there.

  Mr. Jack
  It is already Government policy in all cases in which an extradited person might be subject to capital punishment to obtain a satisfactory and acceptable guarantee from the requesting state that the death penalty will not be imposed or carried out. That policy is underpinned by provisions in both the Extradition Act 1989 and the new extradition treaty with India.

  Primates
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the standards set out in the code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures with regard to primates.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures is based on guidelines drawn up jointly by the Royal Society and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. We have no present plans to amend the code.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of primates used in scientific procedures in the United Kingdom are single housed in isolation from their fellows.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We are not aware of any cases where primates used in scientific procedures are being singly housed in isolation from their fellows—that is, without any opportunity to see and hear other primates held in the same room.

  Holding primates in isolation would need special scientific justification and would require specific authority on project and personal licences issued under Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
  373
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of primates used in the United Kingdom in scientific procedures in each of the last five years for which figures are available were(a) wild caught, (b) captive bred outside the United Kingdom and (c) captive bred in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not collected on a regular basis, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Guildford and Woolwich Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects Sir John May to complete his inquiry into the Guildford and Woolwich bombings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Sir John May has completed his examination of the circumstances surrounding the convictions of the Maguire family and their co-defendants. I expect shortly to receive his final report on that part of his inquiry. He announced on 31 July how he intends to examine the Guildford and Woolwich case without prejudicing the impending trial of three Surrey police officers. I expect to receive his report on this next year.

  Prisons (Overcrowding)
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to find a solution to the problem of overcrowding in prisons generally and Cardiff prison in particular.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The existing prison building programme is intended to provide sufficient places for those sent to prison. It was begun in the early 1980s and will have delivered in excess of 11,000 places when it reaches completion in 1994. I hope very much to be able to provide additional accommodation in Cardiff prison, but it is not yet possible to announce our conclusions on this matter.

  Police
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the level of expenditure on police, excluding police salaries, over the last five years; and how much of this amount was specifically for crime prevention equipment.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Between 1986–87 and 1990–91 central and local government spent £4 billion on non-pay expenditure in the police service. No specific expenditure is allotted by the police for crime prevention equipment.

  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for the Home Department what was the estimated cost of overtime payments to police officers in the financial year 1991–92 in respect of the holding of prisoners in police cells in England and Wales, the Metropolitan police district, Greater Manchester and west Yorkshire, respectively.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the cost of overtime payments to police officers is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The table shows the total payments made in 1991–92. The sums paid covered police salary costs, and all other costs arising from the operation including food, medical facilities, repairs to accommodation and transport.
  374

  Payment made to police forces, 1991–92

  Police force

  Total paid

  £

  Greater Manchester

  20,522,278.17

  Metropolitan

  11,316,943.02

  West Yorkshire

  5,425,866.08

  England and Wales total

  94,739,978.00

  Travellers
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding new age travellers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We have received several hundred letters from Members of Parliament and the public over the last few months.

  Vehicle Marking
  Mrs. Chaplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have adopted vehicle-marking schemes.

  Mr. Jack
  There are now 32 vehicle watch type schemes operating in different police force areas in England and Wales.

  Traffic Congestion, London
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis the problem of traffic congestion in London.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no current plans to discuss the subject with the Commissioner.

  Special Constabulary
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include the special constabulary in his review of the police service.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No.

  Law and Order
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on questions relating to law and order over the past three months.

  Mr. Jack
  I have received very many representations on a wide variety of issues which are covered by the term law and order from hon. Members, organisations and the public.

  Frontier Controls
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the European Commission the implications of article 8A of the treaty of Rome for frontier controls after 1 January 1993.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Government's views on article 8A are well known to the Commission, and vice
  Z
  375
  versa. In my right hon. and learned Friend's discussion with Vice-President Bangemann, however, we have agreed to concentrate on practical measures to make it as easy as possible for EC nationals to enter and leave the United Kingdom. My right hon. and learned Friend will report to the House in due course on the outcome of these discussions.

  Cheshire Police Stations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been housed in Cheshire police stations after conviction since 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information available centrally enables me to provide for each month since April 1990 a figure for the average daily total of inmates, both convicted and unconvicted, who should have been in prison but were held instead in police cells in the Cheshire force area. I will arrange for a table, setting out this information, to be placed in the Official Report.

  On 21 October, the latest date for which information is available there were 27 prisoners in police cells in Cheshire of whom one was convicted and sentenced.

  Average daily total of inmates locked out to the Cheshire Constabulary

  Month

  Daily average

  April 1990 (w.e.f 9/4/90)

  21

  May 1990

  17

  June 1990

  10

  July 1990

  9

  August 1990

  9

  September 1990

  13

  October 1990

  20

  November 1990

  20

  December 1990

  20

  January 1991

  23

  February 1991

  24

  March 1991

  24

  April 1991

  28

  May 1991

  25

  June 1991

  26

  July 1991

  31

  August 1991

  33

  September 1991

  33

  October 1991

  32

  November 1991

  42

  December 1991

  36

  January 1992

  38

  February 1992

  42

  March 1992

  47

  April 1992

  47

  May 1992

  39

  June 1992

  40

  July 1992

  40

  August 1992

  41

  September 1992

  36

  Prisons (Children)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of children in prison with their mothers, their ages and the establishment in which they reside.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 8 October 1992, there were a total of 26 babies in the three prison mother and baby units. The 10 babies at Holloway were all under nine months; the 376
  seven babies at Styal were between two months and 18 months and the 11 babies at Askham Grange ranged from one month to 18 months.

  Criminal Offences
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal offences were recorded in the first six months of 1992; and what was the number for the first six months of 1979.

  Mr. Jack
  Information for the first six months of 1992 is not yet available, but in the 12 months to the end of March 1992, 5.4 million notifiable offences were recorded by the police. But this is not directly comparable with 2.5 million recorded notifiable offences in 1979, because of the new counting rules introduced at the beginning of 1980.

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed wheel clamping with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no specific discussion with the Commissioner on that subject. Officials, however, maintain regular contact with the Metropolitan police about the wheel clamping operation.

  United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the replacement of the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement outlining the proposed organisation, structure and services provided by the United Kingdom Immigration Advisory Service; and if he will ensure no final decisions are made until the House has had an opportunity to debate his proposals.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer my hon. Friend and 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, at columns 202–3.

  Crime
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of each category of crime were committed in each of the police divisions of the South Wales constabulary in the year ending March 1992; and what percentage this represented compared to(a) the year ended March 1991 and (b) the year ended March 1990.

  Mr. Jack
  The information available centrally for the year ending March 1992 relates to the South Wales constabulary as a whole and is contained in the table. Information on total crime recorded in each police division for calendar years can be found in the annual report of the chief constable for South Wales.
  377

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in the South Wales police force area

  Number of offences in year ending ' March 1992

  Percentage change year ending March 1992

  Over year ending March 1991

  Over year ending March 1992

  Violence against the person

  5,180

  16

  15

  Sexual offences

  521

  -1

  6

  Robbery

  358

  47

  44

  Burglary

  37,618

  27

  48

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  82,642

  7

  30

  Fraud and forgery

  3,615

  14

  26

  Criminal damage

  33,466

  13

  40

  Other offences

  786

  11

  38

  Total

  164,186

  13

  35

  Repatriation
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give the number of voluntary repatriations over the past 12 months showing(a) how many of those who were repatriated suffered from mental illness and (b) to what countries they were repatriated;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the legal and administrative processes involved in the decision to authorise repatriation.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Between September 1991 and October 1992 there have been 44 cases of voluntary repatriation under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971, involving 56 individuals. None of these individuals was suffering from any form of psychiatric illness at the time of departure. Under the section 29 scheme, financial assistance is available in certain circumstances from public funds for non-British citizens settled in this country who wish to return permanently to their country of origin. This scheme is administered on behalf of the Home Office by the International Social Service of the United Kingdom, which assesses each application for assistance on its merits, according to certain conditions. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, he is invited to write to me and I shall send a substantive reply.

  Immigratiion
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to ensure that proposals and resolutions presented for adoption by the immigration Ministers of the member states of the EC meeting inter-governmentally on 30 November and 1 December are in compliance with the international obligations of the member states and Community law.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The proposals and draft resolutions do not constitute legally binding instruments and cannot override Community law or the other international obligations of member states.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals or resolutions are being presented to the immigration Ministers of the member states of the EC meeting inter-governmentally on 30 November and 1 December; what is the status of such proposals; and if he will place copies in the Library;

  (2) what steps have been taken to inform Parliament
  378
  about the contents of proposals and resolutions which will be considered for adoption by the immigration Ministers of the member states meeting inter-governmentally on 30 November and 1 December and the extent to which such proposals or resolutions will affect United Kingdom immigration control, policy and law.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave to his previous questions on this matter on 19 October 1992 at columns 45–50. Parliament will be informed in the normal way of decisions or resolutions adopted by Ministers.

  Blasphemy Laws
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the blasphemy laws.

  Mr. Jack
  We have no plans to legislate in this area.

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he consulted in creating the information pack sent to judges to increase their awareness of their duty to avoid racial discrimination.

  Mr. Jack
  The publication "Race and the Criminal Justice System" published under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and drawing on statistics and research findings currently available was published after consultation with the Judicial Studies Board and in particular the chairman of its ethnic minorities advisory committee.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend legislative protection from racial discrimination to cover religious discrimination.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In its second review of the Race Relations Act 1976 the Commission for Racial Equality has recommended that consideration be given to legislation on religious discrimination. The Government are currently giving careful consideration to all the recommendations which were put forward in the review.

  Race Relations
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the recommendations of the Commission for Racial Equality in the second review of the Race Relations Act 1976.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Commission for Racial Equality has put forward wide-ranging recommendations in its second review of the Race Relations Act 1976. The Government are now giving these careful consideration.

  Racial Harassment
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Race Relations Act 1976 to make racial discrimination and harassment of one private household by another an offence.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: Sanctions against threatening, abusive as anti-social

  379
  behaviour, which clearly could include racial harassment, are contained in several Acts of Parliament. Sections 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 may be used where appropriate.

  The Government are currently giving careful consideration to the recommendations which were put forward last month by the Commission for Racial Equality in its second review of the Race Relations Act 1976.

  Crime Squad Report
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the report of Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary on No. 8 regional crime squad.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I was pleased to note the recent report of Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary which attested to the effectiveness of the existing No. 8 regional crime squad. However, I share the inspector's view that the region would be better served by amalgamating the No. 7 and No. 8 regional crime squads.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will withdraw the project licence authorising the University of Glasgow's department of neurophathology to undertake research on guinea pigs.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend is required by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to consider the scientific justification for research involving living animals, alongside any adverse effects on the animals involved. He is satisfied that the work authorised at the university of Glasgow meets this test.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the trends in the numbers of animals used in scientific procedures.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There has been a long-term downward trend in the number of experiments using animals, although there are bound to be fluctuations from year to year. For example, the 1991 statistics, published in July, showed that animal testing for cosmetics safety was down on the previous year and so was the number of experiments involving primates, but that there had been a slight increase in the total number of procedures carried out. The main reasons for the latter increase were the development of new techniques involving genetically modified material, and the clarification of rules controlling the number of times individual animals may be used in research.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reasons underlay his decision to discontinue the listing of statistics for the LD50 and LC50 tests on live animals separately from other statistics relating to laboratory procedures on animals.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The change in the published statistics in 1990 and 1991 was for the sake of clarity, the objective being to ensure that all acute lethal toxicity tests were clearly identified, and not just the formal LD50 and LC50 tests.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to announce the name of the next chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I hope to make an announcement in the near future.

  Suspects' Rights
  Mr.Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that the leaflet which police must give all suspects explaining their rights can be understood by the average suspect.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend recognises that some suspects have reading or learning difficulties. It is in their best interests to tell the custody officer about their problem so that he can explain their rights to them. For those who are reluctant to admit a disability, he is considering the issue of a simplified leaflet which could complement the existing notice of entitlements.

  Suspects whose main language is other than English are offered a leaflet in one of the 29 languages now available.

  Trial By Jury
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict defendants' rights to trial by jury.

  Mr. Jack
  We have no current plans to restrict the existing rights of defendants to elect trial by jury.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new appointment has been made to the Police Complaints Authority.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Mr. John Cartwright, the former Labour and Social Democrat Member for Woolwich, has accepted my invitation to serve as a member of the Police Complaints Authority. He will take up his post on 26 October.

  British National Party
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he intends to make to the statement by police in Woolwich and Plumstead concerning the effect of the activities, of the British National party on the level of racial harassment, intimidation and attacks in the area.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I am not aware of any such statement. The number of reported racial incidents in Woolwich and Plumstead is much lower this year than it was last.

  Of the 103 racial incidents reported this year, only two were directly attributable to the activities of the British National party. I have every confidence in the ability and determination of the local police to respond effectively whenever any individual steps outside the law with regard to racial harassment.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. Charles Wardle
  No separate financial provision has been made. Identifying the potential for deregulation is an integral part of this Department's work.

  Fire Services (Wales)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangments he envisages for the organisation of fire services in Wales following the planned introduction of unitary authorities.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  These matters are still under discussion.

  General Election
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost of the general election to public funds in constituencies in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Great Britain; and what were the three highest and three lowest in each case.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the cost of the general election in each constituency will not be available until all returning officers' accounts have been submitted and settled. Returning officers have 12 months from the date of the general election in which to submit their claims.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the(a) average, (b) shortest and (c) longest period of time taken to carry out the count for constituencies in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Great Britain at the general election in 1992.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the time taken to count the votes at parliamentary elections is not collected centrally.

  Police Shootings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the people shot dead by police officers for each year since 1979 giving the date in each case.

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

  Year and Date

  Name

  1979–21 March

  Paul Andrew Howe

  1980–12 June

  Gail Kinchen

  1985–24 August

  John Shorthouse

  382

  Year and Date

  Name

  1987–6 February

  Denis Bergin

  19 July

  Nicholas Payne

  19 July

  Michael Flynn

  22 November

  Glyn Davis

  23 November

  Tony Ash

  1989–13 April

  James Farrell

  Terence Dewsnap

  1990–26 April

  Michael Alexander

  27 November

  Kenneth Baker

  Ian Garfield

  1991–12 August

  Gordon

  12 October

  Derek Wallbanks

  10 December

  Keith Carrott

  1992–1 January

  Ian Charles Bennett

  27 February

  Barry Clutterham

  23 June

  Peter Swann

  Immigration Records
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what records of passengers arriving at United Kingdom ports of entry, by category of admission, are placed on the immigration and nationality department electronic computer system—INDECS—computer; what actions are recorded about individuals; what criteria are used when considering whether passenger details should be entered on INDECS; and how many entrants to the United Kingdom have had any details entered on INDECS.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: INDECS contains records of passengers given a limited leave to enter the United Kingdom although most people admitted for short-term purposes are not entered on the system. Details on the landing card are recorded with the expiry date of the leave to enter. Any subsequent variations to that leave, and the person's departure from the United Kingdom, are also recorded. Of the 8.1 million admissions of non-EC nationals in 1991, 1.2 million were recorded on INDECS.

  Convictions (Safety)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received into the safety of the conviction of Frank Johnson; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: My right hon. Friend is considering representations about this case received recently from the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair). Representations have previously been received from Mr. Johnson, from a number of hon. Members and former hon. Members and from the National Association of Probation Officers in conjunction with the organisations Conviction and Liberty; but no grounds for intervention in the case could be found after consideration of any of these particular representations.

  SEA LOCHS: POLLUTION MONITORING
  SEA LOCHS: POLLUTION MONITORING