Written Answers of 23 October 1992

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Drug Addiction
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the drug addicts notified to the Home Office in 1991 were resident in Wales; and how many of those in Wales were(a) new addicts, (b) under 25 years and (c) new addicts under 25 years.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is contained in tables Al, A3, A9 and A10 of the area tables of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1991", a copy of which is in the Library.

  South African Security Personnel
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct an immediate investigation into the activities of South African government security personnel in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No. Any such activities are subject to the normal process of law.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given to deporting Captain Pamela du Randt and Mr. Leon Flores under the prevention of terrorism Acts.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  None. The exclusion powers under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 may be used only in respect of people involved in terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland.

  Asylum
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sikhs have applied for political asylum since 1984; and how many have been successful.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The statistics on persons applying for asylum do not identify the ethnic origin of the applicant, but are analysed by citizenship. From January 1984 to September 1992 inclusive, some 5,900 Indian citizens, excluding dependants, applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. It is likely that the majority of these applications have been made by Sikhs. Since 1984, no applicants have been found to be genuine refugees and granted asylum. but nearly 800 of those refused asylum have been granted exceptional leave to remain.

  No. 8 Regional Crime Squad
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from chief constables in Wales, police authorities in mid and south Wales and other bodies in Wales regarding the future of No. 8 regional crime squad.
  384
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend recently received a letter from Mr. Hugh Thomas, the clerk to the South Wales police authority, on behalf of the three police authorities—South Wales, Dyfed-Powys and Gwent—which make up No. 8 regional crime squad, asking whether I will receive a deputation on this subject.

  Foreign Entrants
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been allowed to enter the United Kingdom from Somalia and the former Yugoslavia in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Provisional figures show that in the 12 months to the end of August 1992, some 3,600 nationals of Somalia and 50,800 nationals of the former state of Yugoslavia were given leave to enter at United Kingdom ports. The vast majority of these persons were visitors, students, transit passengers or passengers returning. In addition, during the same period, some 665 nationals of Somalia and 500 nationals of the former state of Yugoslavia applied for asylum at the ports and were given temporary admission.

  Visas
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to curtail or abolish the right of appeal for those refused a visa to visit the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The Asylum and Immigration Appeals Bill, introduced on 22 October, contains provisions to amend part II of the Immigration Act 1971, to remove the right of appeal against certain immigration decisions, including the refusal of a visa to come to the United Kingdom as a visitor.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken on the findings of the Commission for Racial Equality that young black people, particularly in inner cities, were substantially more likely to be charged than whites for similar offences.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: I have recently received this report and will be looking closely at its findings. The report suggests that further data are needed to establish the reasons for differences in prosecution rates, and that these data can be obtained only through permanent ethnic monitoring. The Home Secretary now has a duty under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 to publish information on race and the criminal justice system, and the first booklet containing such information was published in September this year.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people over the past year, to date, from former states of Yugoslavia, have applied to enter the United Kingdom; how many applied(a) to visit, (b) to study, (c) to settle as a dependent relative, (d) to join a relative, (e) for political asylum and (f) for other

  385
  reasons; how many applications, in each category, have (i) been granted, (ii) been refused, (iii) are still being considered, (iv) are subject to appeal, or (v) the applicant has been removed from the United Kingdom to return to country of origin.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: The available information relates to nationals of the former states of Yugoslavia admitted or refused at United Kingdom ports, and is given in the table.

  Nationals of the former stales of Yugoslavia

  January to August 19921

  Total admissions (ie, persons given leave to enter Of whom:

  33,200

  visitors

  21,900

  students

  1,680

  spouses, fiance(e)s, children

  50

  others2

  9,540

  Persons refused leave to enter and removed3

  429

  Persons applying for asylum at United Kingdom ports4 5

  930

  Notes:

  1 Figures are provisional.

  2 Mainly passengers returning and transit passengers.

  3 The majority of those refused and removed were seeking entry as a visitor or student. No asylum seekers have been returned to Yugoslavia; 43 have been removed to safe third countries.

  4 Covers period January to September 1992.

  5 Such persons are given temporary admission while their application is being considered. Nearly all of these persons are still awaiting a decision. The figure excludes dependants.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agricultural Tenancies
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what stage has been reached in the discussions with the industry on the reform of agricultural tenancy legislation; and when he will lay new legislation before the House.

  Mr. Gummer
  The consultations that I announced to the House on 12 February 1991,Official Report, column 391, have led to a wide measure of agreement within the industry on the principle of reform of the legislation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I remain convinced that new simpler and leaner legislation is needed to enable farmers and landowners to adapt to changing conditions in agriculture and the economy of the countryside. We have refined our proposals in the light of the consultations and we intend to complete discussions on the outstanding points by the end of the year with a view to introducing legislation as soon as parliamentary time becomes available.

EDUCATION

  School Meals
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a table showing the latest figures on the take-up of school meals broken down into(a) all schools meals, (b) free school meals and (c) paid school meals, for (i) primary school children and (ii) secondary school children separately.
  386
  Mr. Forth
  Provisional information about school meals take up in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England in January 1992 is shown in the table.

  (Thousands)

  Paid

  Free

  Total

  Primary (including nursery)

  1,139

  681

  1,820

  Secondary

  866

  294

  1,160

  University Technicians
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to ensure consistency in the application of new pay structures for university technicians in different parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Forman
  The pay of university technicians, and the consistency of applications of any new pay structure, is entirely a matter for their employers. The Government have no intention of becoming involved in the negotiating arrangements.

  Further Education
  Ms. Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many full-time 16 to 18-year-old students in England and Wales fail to complete A-level courses.

  Mr. Forman
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Ms. Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many 16 to 18-year-olds stay in full-time education; what proportion takes(a) A-levels, (b) vocational courses and (c) other courses; and what are the corresponding figures five years ago.

  Mr. Forman
  The information requested is given in the table for young people aged 16 and 17 at 31 August at the start of each academic year:

  1986–87

  1991–921

  Total aged 16 and 17 in full-time education

  571,000

  677,000

  A/AS level—per cent.

  54

  57

  Vocational courses—per cent.

  22

  25

  Other courses2—per cent.

  24

  19

  1 Percentages do not add to 100 because of rounding.

  2 Includes GCSE, courses leading to no explicit qualification and college certificates and diplomas.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received about the schools' reorganisation proposals published in October 1991 and January 1992 by the Roman Catholic diocese of Arundel and the Brighton Schools Commission; and when he now expects to announce his decision on these proposals.

  Mr. Forth
  A substantial number of written objections to the proposals have been received and I have also listened to arguments put forward by deputations led by a number of my right hon. and hon. Friends.

  The proposals are complex and wide ranging but I hope that our decision can be announced very shortly.

WALES

  Environment Wales
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what organisations have been supported by his Environment Wales grant scheme; and what criteria he adopts in awarding grants.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The following organisations have been supported by Environment Wales:

  Association of Welsh Wildlife Trusts

  Amelia Trust Farm

  Brecknock Wildlife Trust

  British Trust for Conservation Volunteers

  Cardiff City Farm

  Centre for Alternative Technology

  Community Service Volunteers

  Field Studies Council

  Flat Holm Society

  Friends of the Earth

  Friends of Forest Farm and the Glamorgan Canal

  Greenfield Valley Heritage Trust

  Groundwork

  Gwent Wildlife Trust

  Harvest Trust

  Keep Wales Tidy Campaign

  Montgomery Wildlife Trust

  National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners

  National Trust

  North Wales Wildlife Trust

  Offa's Dyke Association

  Open Spaces Society

  Pengwern Hall

  Pentre Ifan Environmental Centre (Urdd Gobaith Cymru)

  Presteigne Recyling Scheme

  Prince of Wales Committee

  Prince of Wales Committee—Environmental Education Group

  Rambler's Association

  Royal Society for Nature Conservation

  South Glamorgan Play Resource Centre

  Track 2000

  Treescene

  Wales Wildlife and Countryside Link

  Welsh Historic Gardens Trust

  West Wales Energy Group

  Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

  The policy for awarding grants under the initiative is outlined in the Environment Wales policy statement, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Environmentally Friendly Farming
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress made with the Tir Cymen scheme for environmental friendly farming in Wales; and what resources have been committed to the scheme to date.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Tir Cymen scheme was launched on 21 July 1992. The application period for entry to the scheme in 1992 ends on 30 October.

  The resources committed to the scheme are £500,000 in, 1992–93.

  Special Protection Areas
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional resources have been committed to establish the five new special protection areas to which reference is made in chapter 18, paragraph 18.5 of "Britain's Environmental Strategy", Cm 2068.
  388
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Department has allocated no additional resources specifically related to the designation of the five special protection areas in question.

  Singleton Hospital
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations resulted from the consultation on the proposed trust status for Singleton hospital; and how many of these supported the proposal and how many opposed it.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A total of 90 representations have been received in response to the public consultation on the application from the west unit, West Glamorgan health authority to become an NHS trust in April 1993. Where a clear view was expressed, 19 supported the proposal for trust status and with 49 did not.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Action
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give for the most recent date for which figures are available the number of employment action places proposed and filled for each region and for Great Britain.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Employment action plans to help 60,000 people in Britain in 1992–93. Figures for planned places are not available by region. Information from the Employment Service indicates that as at 10 September the number of employment action participants was as follows:

  ES Region

  Participants

  Northern

  1,658

  North-west

  3,644

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,945

  West Midlands

  2,250

  East Midlands

  2,600

  London and south-east

  6,251

  South-west

  1,908

  Scotland

  2,741

  Wales

  1,790

  Great Britain

  25,787

  Source:—Employment Service benefit-related payment system

PRIME MINISTER

  Sir Peter Kemp
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the reasons for Sir Peter Kemp's departure as Permanent Secretary at the Office of Public Service and Science.

  The Prime Minister
  When Sir Peter Kemp was appointed Second Permanent Secretary in 1988, the main responsibility of his post was to lead the "next steps" project, which he did with distinction. The formation of the Office of Public Service and Science after the general election created a new department with wider responsibilities, demanding different qualities in the Permanent Secretary. Since no suitable alternative post was available at Permanent Secretary level, the Head of the Civil Service decided to ask Sir Peter to take early retirement on the favourable terms available in those circumstances.
  389
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the details and grounds of enhancement on pension and other departure terms afforded to Sir Peter Kemp, following his departure as Permanent Secretary at the Office of Public Service and Science;

  (2) how many years' service Sir Peter Kemp had left, before normal retirement age, prior to his departure as Permanent Secretary at the Office of Public Service and Science.

  The Prime Minister
  Sir Peter Kemp was asked to take early retirement, with effect from 14 September 1992, from his post as Second Permanent Secretary of the Office of Public Service and Science.

  The terms under which he left were those appropriate to a compulsory early retirement as set out in the civil service pay and conditions of service code. He received six months' pay in lieu of notice and a lump sum compensation payment; he will also receive payment of his pension and lump sum enhanced by two years and 25 days—the period between his date of leaving the service and the normal retirement age of 60.

  Fort Victoria
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister what completion date was given by(a) Swan Hunter and (b) Harland and Wolff, in bidding for the contract to construct the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The original acceptance date for Fort Victoria based on Harland and Wolff's tender was January 1990. The date offered by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders was later that year.

  Thames Path
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the facilitating of the Thames path along the Albert embankment: and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Two—from Lambeth council and the Ramblers Association, in relation to part of the proposed Thames path to which the public do not enjoy access at present.

  London Police Forces
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the non-Home Office police forces operating within Greater London, and their responsible Minister.

  The Prime Minister
  A full list of all such organisations operating within Greater London is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The forces concerned range from large organisations such as the British Transport police, the Ministry of Defence police and the Royal Parks constabulary to small groups of constables sworn in by local authorities for specific areas or undertakings. Responsibility for non-Home Office forces rests with the appropriate Government Minister, Department, local authority or the private company concerned.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy not to agree to an increase in the United Kingdom contribution to the EC budget under the treaty on European union.

  The Prime Minister
  The draft treaty on European union does not of itself provide for an increase in the European Community budget. In the review of Community future financing now in progress, the Commission has proposed significant increases in Community expenditure and in the own resources ceiling. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has indicated, these increases are not acceptable.

  European Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will invite Lord Mackenzie Stuart, the retired President of the EC Court of Justice, to discuss with him the effect of article 3b of the treaty on European union.

  The Prime Minister
  No. As I told the hon. Gentleman on 20 October,Official Report, column 326, I share the Lord Chancellor's view that subsidiarity is a principle enforceable by the European Court of Justice.

  Government Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister within what period it is his policy to achieve(a) full employment and (b) a sustainable rate of growth.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government's policies are designed to achieve sustained non-inflationary growth. This is the best means of promoting sustainable, long-term growth in employment.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his plans to return to member states some of the power which the EC institutions at present exercise over them; and if he will list the provisions of the Maastricht treaty which he will use for this purpose.

  The Prime Minister
  The Community exercises only those powers conferred on it by the Community treaties, signed and ratified by all member states. The principle of subsidiarity, as expressed in article 3b of the Maastricht treaty, is designed to ensure that the Community does not go beyond those powers, and that where the treaty allows a choice between Community level action and action at the level of the member state there will be presumption in favour of the latter.

  Death Row, Jamaica
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will protest to the Prime Minister of Jamaica about the number of Jamaicans held on death row for long periods.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: We have told the Jamaican Government of our concern about the prisoners on death row. I understand the legislation on the death penalty is at present before the Jamaican parliament.

  Next Steps Agencies
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the next steps agencies established by this Government since 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The information requested is set out.

  Next Steps—executive agencies established since 1979

  Agency

  Launch date

  Accounts Services Agency

  1 October 1991

  ADAS Agency

  1 April 1992

  Building Research Establishment

  2 April 1990

  Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments)

  2 April 1991

  Central office of Information

  5 April 1990

  Central Science Laboratory

  1 April 1992

  Central Statistical Office

  19 November 1991

  Central Veterinary Laboratory

  2 April 1990

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment

  2 April 1991

  Civil Service College

  6 June 1989

  Companies House

  3 October 1988

  Compensation Agency

  1 April 1992

  Customs and Excise (30 Executive Units)

  1 April 1991

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  1 July 1992

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre

  1 July 1992

  Defence Postal and Courber Services

  1 July 1992

  Defence Research Agency

  2 April 1991

  Directorate General of Defence Accounts

  1 April 1991

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  2 April 1990

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency

  1 April 1992

  Driving Standards Agency

  2 April 1990

  Duke of York's Royal Militarv School

  1 April 1992

  DVOIT

  1 April 1992

  Employment Service

  2 April 1990

  Fire Service College

  1 April 1992

  Forensic Science Service

  1 April 1991

  Historic Royal Palaces

  1 October 1989

  Historic Scotland

  2 April 1991

  HMSO

  14 December 1988

  Hydrographic Office

  6 April 1990

  Inland Revenue (34 Executive Offices)

  1 April 1992

  Insolvency Service

  21 March 1990

  Intervention Board

  2 April 1990

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  30 October 1989

  Land Registry

  2 July 1990

  Medicines Control Agency

  11 July 1991

  Meteorological Office

  2 April 1990

  Military Survey

  2 April 1991

  National Engineering Laboratory

  5 October 1990

  National Physical Laboratory

  3 July 1990

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  18 April 1989

  Natural Resources Institute

  2 April 1990

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation

  1 April 1992

  NHS Estates

  1 April 1991

  Occupational Health Service

  2 April 1990

  Ordnance Survey

  1 May 1990

  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

  1 April 1992

  Patent Office

  1 March 1990

  Planning Inspectorate

  1 April 1992

  Public Record Office

  1 April 1992

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  6 July 1989

  Queen Victoria School

  1 April 1992

  Radiocommunications Agency

  2 April 1990

  RAF Maintenance

  2 April 1991

  Rate Collection Agency

  1 April 1992

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

  2 April 1991

  Registers of Scotland

  6 April 1990

  Royal Mint

  2 April 1990

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  1 April 1992

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  12 April 1991

  Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)

  24 April 1991

  Social Security Agency (NI)

  1 April 1992

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  2 April 1991

  Social SecOrity Contributions Agency

  2 April 1991

  392

  Agency

  Launch date

  Social Security Information Technology Services Agency

  2 April 1990

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  24 May 1989

  Teachers' Pensions Agency

  1 April 1992

  The Buying Agency

  31 October 1991

  Training & Employment Agency (NI)

  2 April 1990

  Transport Research Laboratory

  2 April 1992

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  2 April 1991

  Valuation Office

  30 September 1991

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  2 April 1990

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  1 August 1988

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  2 April 1990

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  20 April 1989

  Wilton Park Conference Centre

  1 September 1991

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Currency Speculators
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he will be making to the EC to curb the activities of speculators in the currency market.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have no plans to propose controls aimed at curbing the activities of speculators in the currency market.

  VAT
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce value added tax to 15 per cent.

  Sir John Cope
  No. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to ensure that day care and domiciliary care services provided under contract to statutory bodies are not liable to value added tax charges.

  Sir John Cope
  No. My right hon. Friend has no plans to extend the current relevant exemption which is for supplies of welfare services if they are supplied by a charity or public body otherwise than for profit.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any officials from the Bank of England supervision department have been suspended pending investigations by the Serious Fraud Office into allegations of bribery in relation to the BCCI affair.

  Mr. Nelson
  The allegations have, at the request of the Bank of England, been investigated by the Serious Fraud Office which announced on 20 October that its investigations had revealed no evidence to substantiate any of the claims made.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to Senator John Kerry's report into the supervision of BCCI; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: My right hon. Friend has seen Senator John Kerry's subcommittee's report of its investigation of BCCI, which goes a good way beyond the supervision of the bank. He

  393
  notes, that unlike Lord Justice Bingham, Senator Kerry's sub-committee had no access to the Bank of England's documents, took no evidence from the bank or BCCI's auditors, and failed to check any conclusions or findings with either of them.

  Revenue Implications
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue lost from(a) income tax, (b) value-added tax and (c) other revenues to the Exchequer for a reduction in employment of 20,000 employees, for a range of different assumptions of average income of such employees.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The effect of job losses on tax revenues will depend on a large number of factors in addition to the level of income of the employees affected and cannot therefore reliably be calculated.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Ms. Liz Lynne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans there are for the taxation of invalidity benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) on 19 October, Official Report, column 190.

HEALTH

  Bail Hostels
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the operation of catering, sanitary and medical facilities, and so on at bail hostels are subject to the normal inspection of health and safety officers.

  Mr. Sackville
  Local authorities are responsible for normal inspection of hostels including sanitation facilities, and catering facilities where food is provided to bail hostel residents rather than self catering.

  Health and Safety Executive inspectors are responsible for enforcing provisions on the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 at bail hostels. These premises are subject to the same considerations as others for which HSE has enforcement responsibility and may be visited for a variety of purposes, including planned inspection and the investigation of incidents and complaints.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women in the national health service have agreed to their names being put on a confidential list to be used by her Department to assist NHS managers in a drive to get more women into top positions; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A total of 973 women have requested that their names be placed on the NHS women's national career development register.

  This programme is an innovation, not just for the NHS but for other public and private sector employers. In this respect the NHS is leading the field in women's
  394
  employment and development by providing a programme of positive action and career development at this level of the organisation.

  Creuzfeld-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of possible, probable and confirmed(a) new cases of and (b) deaths from Creuzfeld-Jakob disease in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Miss Nicholson) on 23 June at columns 155–56.

  National Incontinence Helpline
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has made a section 64 grant for the current year to the national incontinence helpline operated by the Newcastle Dene centre; and what similar grants were given in previous years.

  Mr. Yeo
  A section 64 grant has not been paid to the Dene centre incontinence helpline for 1992–93. Previously £20,000 was awarded over two years from 1988–89. This service has now been secured with the help of the Continence Foundation, which also receives our financial support.

  Dentists
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the number of dentists in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale health authority withdrawing national health service treatment from their existing patients; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Since 3 July 1992, the Lancashire family health services authority, which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, has not reported any dentists asking for their names to be removed from the family health services authority list. Over the same period, nine dentists in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale area have notified the family health services authority of their intention to remove 68 adult patients and one child from their patient lists. I am informed by Lancashire family health services authority that there are no patients who have contacted it for assistance in obtaining national health service dental treatment for whom such treatment could not be arranged.

  Supra-regional Services
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make available a summary of the funding and levels of activity agreed for 1992–93 with centres designated to provide supra-regional services.

  Mr. Sackville
  A summary of this information has been placed in the Library as an addendum to the document "Supra regional services 1992–93: announcement by the Secretary of State for Health".

  Learning Disabilities
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she proposes to issue guidance on the development of services for people with learning disabilities.
  395
  Mr. Yeo
  I will be issuing guidance on 26 October to health and local authorities on the development of services
  to meet the health and social care needs of people with
  learning disabilities. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Students (Health Care)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what criteria are used to decide whether a full-time student is eligible to receive full financial assistance with dental and other national health service charges;

  (2) if it is Government policy to include a national student loan in their calculations concerning full financial assistance to full-time students for health care.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Dental treatment and other national health service services are provided free to patients, including full-time students in higher education, who are eligible for charge exemption on grounds of health or status, or who qualify for full charge remission under the national health service low income scheme. Full or partial help from this scheme is income related taking account of all resources available to individual patients, including student loans.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the retirement pension for a single person and a couple would be in April 1993 if it had continued to he uprated with earnings or prices, whichever was the higher, since the link was broken.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Figures for April 1993 are not yet available. The current—April 1992—rates of basic
  retirement pension would be £71 for a single person and £113.65 for a couple. This would cost a man on average earnings and his employer an extra £11.20 per week
  between them in national insurance contributions.

  Note:

  There are no "single" or "couple" rates of Retirement Pension. The standard pension is calculated on the basis of individual contribution records or, in the case of some married women, on the basis of their husbands' contributions. Adult dependency additions may be awarded where the wife of a pensioner is under pension age. The rates quoted are those which would be payable (a) on the basis of a person's own contributions (assuming the contribution conditions were fully satisfied) and (b) the total of (a) plus a pension based on a husband's contributions or an adult dependency increase.

  Therapeutic Earnings
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the rules surrounding the treatment of therapeutic earnings in(a) the income support regulations and (b) the housing benefit regulations; and what discretion is available to DSS officers and housing benefit officers, respectively, when assessing income from therapeutic earnings.

  Mr. Burt
  Neither income support nor housing benefit has specific rules about therapeutic earnings.

  In income support, both disabled and able-bodied people may work part time—under 16 hours a week—and £5 or £15 a week of their earnings will be disregarded. In
  396
  the case of a person who is entitled to, or has an underlying entitlement to, the disability premium, the higher, £15, disregard applies.

  In addition, certain disabled people—those whose
  earning capacity is reduced to 75 per cent. or less of what it would be but for their disability, and people in residential care—can work for more than 16 hours a week and still be entitled to claim income support.

  Unlike income support, housing benefit is payable irrespective of the number of hours worked. In housing benefit, a person who is entitled to, or has an underlying entitlement to, a disability premium will similarly receive the £15 earnings disregard. Otherwise, the amount of earnings disregarded will generally be £10 in the case of a couple, or £5 in the case of a single person.

  Benefits
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women were in receipt of the housewives non-contributory invalidity pension; how many men were in receipt of the non-contributory invalidity pension from the date of their introduction until 1983; and how many people were in receipt of severe disablement allowance broken down into men and women since 1983.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is given in the tables.

  Table 1

  Non-contributory invalidity pension (NCIP) and housewives non-contributory invalidity pension (HNCIP) beneficiaries (in 1000s)

  Date

  NICP Beneficiaries (Male)

  HNCIP Beneficiaries (Female)

  4 June 1977

  55

  n/a1

  3 June 1978

  57

  40

  2 June 1979

  61

  43

  31 May 1980

  63

  45

  30 May 1981

  69

  49

  29 May 1982

  75

  49

  2 April 1983

  79

  49

  Table 2

  Severe disablement allowance beneficiaries (in 1000s)

  Date

  Male

  Female

  Total

  30 March 19852

  100

  152

  252

  5 April 1986

  103

  158

  261

  4 April 1987

  102

  158

  260

  2 April 1988

  103

  160

  263

  1 April 1989

  109

  166

  275

  31 March 1990

  112

  172

  285

  30 March 1991

  116

  178

  293

  1 Figures not available for 1977. HNCIP was introduced on 17 November 1977.

  2 Figures not available for 1983. SDA was introduced on 29 November 1984.

  Figures for 1991–92 not yet available.

  Numbers rounded to nearest thousand.

  The total number of beneficiaries is shown at a point in time for each year from the introduction of the benefit. Beneficiaries in each year are not necessarily the same people.

  National Insurance Benefits
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth), of 6 July,Official

  397
  Report, columns 85–86, if he will make an estimate of the cumulative spending and savings made on the various national insurance benefits since 1979.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Reliable estimates are not possible because there have been significant changes in the number and characteristics of beneficiaries, and in general economic circumstances, since the measures were introduced.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures based on the households below average income statistics which show the numbers and proportions of people living below 50 per cent. of average income before and after housing costs in each region of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Burt
  A reliable regional breakdown of the numbers and proportions living below half average income could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics for the United Kingdom as a whole are available in "Households Below Average Income", copies of which are available in the Library.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail Stations
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department of the number of stations on the British Rail network that can be safely operated without staff during hours when the stations are open.

  Mr. Freeman
  Staffing levels are a matter for British Rail and it is for BR to assess, on a station-by-station basis, which stations can be operated without staff. Before reaching a decision to operate a station without staff BR takes full account of any possible implications for safety. A code of practice for unstaffed stations has also been agreed between BR and the Central Transport Consultative Committee, which provides for prior consultation between BR and the relevant area committee before a station is destaffed.

  Bridges (Corrosion)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations of(a) the motorways and (b) the trunk roads on which his Department is inspecting bridges with tensioned steel reinforcing that may be suffering from corrosion from de-icing.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  All bridges and other structures on the truck road and motorway network in England are inspected at least once every two years. In addition to these regular inspections, each of the post tensioned structures on the network, of which there are approximately 600, will be given a special, more detailed inspection in the course of the next five years.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evaluation he has made of the employment implications for road haulage and rail freight of Her Majesty's Government's decision to contract the coal mining industry with pit closures.
  398
  Mr. Freeman
  The demand for haulage of coal by road and rail depends on the amounts, types and sources of coal required by power generators and other users. It is for British Rail to assess the impact of changes in the scale and pattern of demand on its operations and staff requirements. No comparable assessment can be made for the road haulage industry because of the great number of flows and operators concerned.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance is given by his Department to local planning authorities about planning applications for the creation of accesses from trunk roads.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Circular Roads 4/88 "The Control of Development on Trunk Roads", dated November 1988, to chief executives of local authorities sets out the policy and principles which guide the Department in exercising its powers under the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988 and in offering views on planning applications. The guidance covers creation of accesses.

  The circular is also widely available to developers along with Circular Roads 6/91, "Development in the Vicinity of Trunk Roads, Agreements under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980", dated October 1991. Copies of both circulars are in the Library.

  New proposals for developers' contributions to highway works were announced on 14 August and are currently the subject of public consultation.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the expenditure which has been incurred to date(a) on planning and design work, (b) on preliminary works currently being undertaken in the vicinity of Westminster station and (c) on other preliminary works which have been undertaken to date, in preparation for the extension of the Jubilee line to Stratford.

  Mr. Norris
  To 10 October 1992, expenditure of(a) some £79 million has been incurred on planning and design; (b) some £2 million on the preliminary works at Westminster station; and (c) some £62 million on other preliminary works, in preparation for the extension of the Jubilee line to Stratford.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to approve the construction of the Jubilee line extension.

  Mr. Norris
  Talks are continuing on the promised £400 million contribution from the private sector. I cannot speculate on the future of the Jubilee line extension in advance of the conclusion of those talks.

  North Circular Road
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received concerning access to side roads from the north circular road.

  Mr. Norris
  A large number of representations concerning access to side roads from the north circular road are currently being considered by the Department in relation to proposed major road improvements.

ACCOMMODATION AND WORKS COMMITTEE

  Old Palace Yard
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) what sum has been expended on the refurbishment on 6–7 Old Palace Yard since 9 April;

  (2) what is the present cost of the refurbishment and alterations at 6–7 Old Palace Yard.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The expenditure on refurbishment of 6–7 Old Palace Yard since 9 April 1992 was £4,700. In addition £7,200 was spent on replacement furniture and essential routine maintenance continued as necessary.

  As a consequence of the transfer of the buildings to the other place, the cost of any future conservation and restoration will be the responsibility of that House.

  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the estimated cost of refurbishment and alteration to the premises at 7 Millbank to receive the secretaries who presently work at Old Palace Yard.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  As plans for the refurbishment of relevant accommodation at 7 Millbank have not yet been finalised, it is not possible to provide this information.

  Palace of Westminster
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what sums were spent on the Palace of Westminster and its associated offices during the summer vacation.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The cost of the 1992 summer works programme in the Palace of Westminster and its associated buildings was some £5 million.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Works of Art (Export)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art, 1991–92, will be published.

  Mr. Brooke
  The reviewing committee's annual report, 1991–92, has been published today, and copies have been laid in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the funds available to local authorities for the maintenance of listed buildings owned by themselves; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be announcing details of the local government finance settlement in November, which will take into account the pressures falling on local authority expenditure in 1993–94.

  Listed Buildings, Buxton
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the current position in respect of the listed crescent in Buxton, Derbyshire which his Department has ordered should be repaired or face compulsory purchase; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Following the visit of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Buxton in September, there have been discussions between English Heritage and the owners of the former St. Ann's hotel. But the owners have not so far put forward convincing plans for carrying out restoration work to an acceptable timetable. Work is therefore in hand on the preparation of a repairs notice under section 48 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

  On 19 October, I met a delegation from Buxton who handed me a petition signed by many local residents. I assured them of my determination to see the crescent restored.

ENVIRONMENT

  Tenanted Houses (Transfers)
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the consultation paper on the future arrangement for the voluntary transfer of tenanted houses from local authorities to other landlords.

  Mr. Baldry
  Soon.

  British Coal Opencast
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the procedures whereby British Coal Opencast is given preferential treatment over other mineral operators, and bring British Coal into line with other operators; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Yes. We are bringing British Coal's permitted development rights for opencast exploration into line with those available to other mineral operators by amendment to the General Development Order. Other matters are under review.

  Roads (Planning)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement clarifying the role of an inspector when presiding over an appeal against a decision by a local planning authority to refuse permission for the construction of an access from a trunk road to a side road in those cases where the authority concerned had been directed by the Department of Transport to refuse such an application.

  Mr. Baldry
  The role of a planning inspector in such circumstances is to visit the site, review all the material considerations made in writing or in person at the public inquiry and produce a report with recommendations on whether the appeal may be allowed, subject to conditions, or dismissed. It is then for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to decide the appeal in the light of that report.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance about the impact
  401
  upon businesses is given by his Department to local planning authorities when considering applications to retain accesses to side roads from trunk roads.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department's planning policy guidance note 13 gives advice on highways considerations in development control, including the question of access to primary routes. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that note.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 19 October, to the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms. Jackson),Official Report, column 215, what plans he has to amend homelessness legislation to end the alleged practices of women becoming pregnant in order to obtain council house tenancies.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government have no immediate plans for further legislative change, although the operation of the homelessness legislation is monitored closely.

  Drinking Water Inspectorate
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if it remains his policy to transfer the drinking water inspectorate to the proposed environmental protection agency.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend on 15 July 1992 to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones),Official Report, column 858.

  Tarmac plc
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he is making to protect the security of defence establishment and royal palace records following the transfer of PSA Projects to Tarmac plc; and whether Tarmac employees will receive any security vetting.

  Mr. Howard
  Records on work completed by PSA Projects have been archived within government and will not be transferred with PSA Project Ltd. on sale to Tarmac plc. Classified records for current projects will be loaned to PSA Projects Ltd. but will be returned to Government once work is completed. Government Departments will continue to be responsible for security arrangements on their establishments and the same procedures will be followed in the future as has been followed in the past. The private sector, including Tarmac Construction Ltd., has worked on Government defence contacts for many years and is aware of the rules governing the control and access for classified documents. In general, existing PSA Projects staff will continue to work on the projects on which they are currently engaged. Security vetting of any new employees of PSA Projects Ltd. will be organised as necessary after completion of the sale. PSA Projects does not hold records on royal palaces.

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what performance targets he has set for the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre executive agency for 1992–93.
  402
  Mr. Baldry
  The key performance measure for the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre is the net balance on its operating account. The target for 1992–93 is an operating deficit of £1.49 million.

  The centre has also projected room occupancy levels for the year of 1,242 days usage and revenue from catering commission and presentational facilities, expressed as a percentage of room hire, of 15 per cent. and 18 per cent. The centre will be expected to meet or better these projections.

  Mersyside Development Corporation
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the exit plan of the Merseyside development corporation will include the transfer of land and assets to community development trusts; and whether the Merseyside development corporation will be allowed to negotiate during the current period of the transfer of land and assets to community development trusts.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The exit plans of Merseyside development corporation will, at the appropriate time, consider all options and assets will be transferred to the appropriate body. M DC is encouraged to dispose of land and assets throughout its lifetime, but is required to obtain market value in relation to the use proposed.

  Vehicle Pollution
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet with the Institution of Environmental Health Officers and the National Society for Clean Air to discuss an effective framework for vehicle nuisance control that would include noise, smoke and gaseous pollution detection from road vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  As the matter falls within the remit of the Secretary of State for Transport, I have been asked to reply.

  Provisions for enhanced emission testing and control at annual testing and spot checks have already been implemented for petrol-powered cars and diesel-powered heavy vehicles as part of an already comprehensive and established framework for curbing nuisance from noise and emissions from vehicles in use. The provisions for emission control will be expanded to remaining diesel-powered cars and light vehicles from 1 January 1993, with further reductions planned in line with our obligations under the European Community roadworthiness directive, 92/55/EEC. Noise controls also form an integral part of current and planned future action, backed by appropriate research at the Transport Research Laboratory, to improve enforcement of this particularly intrusive nuisance. All interested parties, including EHOs and the NSCA, will be fully consulted prior to making new regulations.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Euthanasia
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if, following the conviction of Dr. Cox for attempted murder, he will carry out a review of the law regarding euthanasia.
  403
  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have no plans to carry out a review of the law in this area.

DEFENCE

  Vacant Property, Northern Ireland
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many units of personnel accommodation are vacant awaiting sale, vacant for letting and vacant awaiting repair in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As at 30 September 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 32 MOD-owned service married quarters vacant awaiting sale, 179 vacant for letting to entitled service personnel and 108 vacant awaiting works in Northern Ireland. This excludes barrack and mess accommodation.

  Nuclear Testing
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his Department plans to maintain the safety of the United Kingdom's nuclear warheads following the withdrawal of underground nuclear testing facilities in September 1996.

  Mr. Aitken
  If testing ends in 1996, we shall have to rely on alternative methods to ensure the safety of our weapons. Alternative technologies exist, but are not at present an adequate substitute for underground testing. Their development is a matter which we will now be considering.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the circumstances under which the United Kingdom would continue underground nuclear testing after September 1996.

  Mr. Aitken
  Assuming the current United States legislation is not amended, the prohibition on testing at Nevada will be lifted if another country tests after September 1996.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department is undertaking regarding the testing of nuclear weapons without resort to underground nuclear testing.

  Mr. Aitken
  We have been involved with work on alternative technologies for proving nuclear warheads for many years. However, they are not at present an adequate substitute for underground testing.

  US Energy Appropriation Laws
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications of the United States energy appropriation legislation for(a) the United Kingdom's Trident warhead programme, (b) the WE177 replacement programme and (c) the ability of the United Kingdom to develop new nuclear warheads.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no implications for the Trident warhead programme, the tests for which have been completed. No decision has been taken on WE177 replacement, but development of a suitable warhead could be completed even assuming that we are unable to test beyond 1996. It remains our view that a minimum programme of testing is the best means of ensuring the continuing safety and credibility of our deterrent.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Fast Timor
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Affairs if the Government will exert their influence in the European Community and the United Nations Security Council to urge the imposition of concerted trade sanctions against Indonesia until such time as a United Nations monitored referendum for independence is held in East Timor.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Government do not believe that the imposition of trade sanctions against Indonesia would be an appropriate or effective way of promoting a solution to the East Timor question.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government have taken as current President of the European Community to advance Portugal's legal and political efforts to address the political and human rights situation in East Timor.

  Mr. Goodlad
  As current President of the Community, the United Kingdom has made representations and taken action with the Indonesians on the situation in East Timor on the basis of agreed Community views and policies. We have made clear continuing Community concerns about the human rights situation in East Timor and about disparity in the sentencing of those involved in last year's Dili incident. We have welcomed the recent resumption of a dialogue between Portugal and Indonesia, under the United Nations Secretary-General's auspices, about East Timor.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to raise the problems of clandestine nuclear materials sales and the import of red mercury from the Commonwealth of Independent States into the European Community in the next meeting of European political co-operation under his presidency.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is this Government's policy to take every appropriate opportunity to raise with other Governments the problem of sales of clandestine nuclear materials from the CIS and elsewhere. We discuss this issue both with our European partners and, in a wider context, with other nuclear suppliers.

  Punjab and Kashmir
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of India regarding abuse of human rights by security forces in Punjab and Kashmir; and what was their response.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Both bilaterally and with our European Community partners, we have regularly raised with the Indian Government our concerns about abuses by security forces in Punjab and Kashmir. They have told us of their determination to investigate allegations of abuses and to bring wrongdoers to justice, and that over 250 members of the security forces in Kashmir and Punjab have been punished.

  European Community
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the United Kingdom has put to the European Council to make more transparent its decision-making processes in the European Communities.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  As presidency, the United Kingdom proposed an initiative at the Birmingham European Council to increase transparency in the Community's decision-making processes. It was agreed that Foreign Ministers would come forward with suggestions before the Edinburgh European Council, including the possibility of some open Council discussion. The Commission also offered to consult more widely before proposing legislation.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the existing and (b) the proposed legislative acts of the EC which he proposes to seek to have withdrawn as offending against the principle of subsidiarity.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  It is too early to specify which items will pass or fail the subsidiarity test. We are working to put procedures in place in the Commission and Council to ensure all proposals for legislation in future comply with the principle of subsidiarity. The Birmingham declaration called for decisions on this at Edinburgh, where the Commission will also present the first results of its review of existing Community legislation.

  EC General Affairs Council
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the General Affairs Council on 21 September.

  Mr. Hurd
  I chaired an extraordinary session of the General Affairs Council in New York on 21 September. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs—my right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)—represented the United Kingdom.

  The Council met to consider the way forward after the French referendum on the treaty on European union. The Council noted that ratification procedures were well advanced in most member states and agreed the importance of a speedy and successful conclusion of the process, without reopening the present text, on the timing foreseen in article R of the treaty.

  The Council welcomed the statement issued on 20 September by Economic and Finance Ministers meeting in Washington. Ministers agreed that the preoccupations which had been expressed in the wider debate in all member states over recent months should be addressed in the future internal and external development of Europe. They welcomed the presidency's decision to convene a special European Council in October to consider these issues.

  The Council also welcomed the presidency's determination to make progress on other urgent business, including the completion of the single market and negotiations on the Community's finances.

  A copy of the declaration issued by the Council on 21 September has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 5 and 6 October.

  Mr. Hurd
  I chaired the Foreign Affairs Council on 5 October with the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs—my right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)—representing the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend took the chair for the session on 6 October, attended by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade.

  Foreign Ministers received a report from the Committee of Permanent Representatives on work in hand to follow up the remit from the Lisbon European Council to undertake urgent work on procedural and practical steps to implement the principle of subsidiarity. It was agreed that COREPER should press on with this work, including the adoption of new procedures for addressing subsidiarity in the Council, and report back to the Foreign Affairs Council on 9 November. I also briefed colleagues on the presidency's objectives for the Birmingham Special European Council.

  Ministers had a general discussion of the Commission's future financing proposals. I explained how the United Kingdom presidency intended to handle negotiations between now and the Edinburgh European Council.

  The Council welcomed the Commission's opinions on the applications from Austria and Sweden to join the Community, and instructed work on the Community's general negotiation framework for the European Free Trade Association applicants to continue. The Council recalled the importance of developing relations with Turkey, Cyprus and Malta in accordance with the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council.

  Ministers discussed recent developments in the former Yugoslavia. They expressed full support for the efforts of Lord Owen and Mr. Vance, and agreed that the Community should continue to increase pressure on the Serbs, who were failing to honour the commitments given at the London conference. Ministers agreed on the need for increased help for refugees and displaced persons and called for an end to atrocities and for the investigation of war crimes.

  The Council discussed the Uruguay round and agreed that a final effort was needed to conclude the negotiations by the end of the year. It urged the Commission to continue to negotiate constructively and to report to the Birmingham European Council. The Council approved the Commission's mandate for negotiations with third countries for extension of the multi-fibre arrangement. The Council noted with concern the large number of anti-dumping and countervailing duty cases filed by US industry against EC steel products, and called for an early resumption of talks on the multilateral steel arrangement. The Council discussed the establishment of the single market in bananas, and re-affirmed the aim to renew agreement by the end of this year.

  The Council agreed the negotiating directives for new partnership and co-operation agreements with the states of the former Soviet Union. The Council heard an account from my noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on the visit of the troika of Development

  407
  Ministers to Somalia. Ministers agreed a statement expressing sympathy for the victims of the air crash near Schiphol airport.

  Ministers met the Foreign Ministers of Poland, Hungary and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council and issued a joint statement welcoming the process of strengthening dialogue and co-operation between them.

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement in the Official Report on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 20 July.

  Mr. Hurd
  I chaired the first Foreign Affairs Council of the United Kingdom presidency in Brussels on 20 July. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs—my right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)—represented the United Kingdom.

  The main item on the Council's agenda was the follow-up to the Lisbon European Council. I explained how the United Kingdom presidency intended to handle negotiations on the Community's finances over the next six months, and there was broad support for our approach. On subsidiarity, President Delors reported on the Commission's planned new working procedures and on its review of existing Community rules. The Council instructed the Committee of Permanent Representatives to examine possible new Council procedures. On enlargement, the Council agreed to consider the available Commission opinions on the European Free Trade Association applicants on 5 October. Ministers discussed a presidency paper on developing EC relations with Turkey. I briefed EC partners about the presidency's plans to invite the Foreign Ministers of Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia to a meeting in the margins of the October Foreign Affairs Council and to host a meeting with Heads of State or Government of these countries in London on 28 October.

  Ministers had a full discussion on the former Yugoslavia and issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to Lord Carrington's conference. I reported on my visit to the region. Ministers decided that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia should not be regarded as the sole successor of the former Yugoslavia and that it should therefore be excluded from international bodies. Ministers agreed that an additional 120 mecu package of emergency EC aid should be made available immediately for use in the former Yugoslavia. They welcomed the decision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to convene an international conference on refugees in and from the former Yugoslavia. The Council adopted a Commission proposal to amend the seventh directive on aid to shipbuilding. It had a preliminary discussion of the Commission's negotiating mandates for partnership and co-operation agreements with the former Soviet Union. It also discussed the Commission's mandate for a revised co-operation agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a proposal by the European Court of Justice to transfer a range of cases from its jurisdiction to that of the court of first instance.

  Ministers agreed a statement marking the third anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention. I reported on plans to arrange a visit by the troika of Foreign Ministers to South Africa in early September.

  A Co-operation Council with Egypt was held in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council.

  Nuclear Tests
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards a moratorium on United Kingdom nuclear tests.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Rather than declare unilateral moratoria, we believe the right approach is to restrain testing to the minimum level necessary to ensure the safety and credibility of nuclear weapons. In our case, this has meant testing less than once a year.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment of the potential impact of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty on the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons arsenal.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We believe a limited programme of nuclear tests continues to be the best means of ensuring the safety and credibility of our nuclear deterrent.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the maximum number of underground nuclear tests that the United Kingdom is permitted to carry out under the terms of the United States energy appropriation legislation.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Three.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions are placed on the purposes for which the United Kingdom may conduct underground nuclear tests under the terms of the United States energy appropriation legislation.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  None.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the negotiation of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have always accepted the long-term goal of a comprehensive test ban, to be achieved on a step-by-step basis.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's assessment of the potential impact of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty on the prospects for agreement at the non-proliferation treaty extension conference in 1995.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The case for extension of the non-proliferation treaty stands irrespective of the state of progress towards a comprehensive test ban.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom will resume direct negotiations towards a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  When we believe it would be in the best interests of our security to do so.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the conditions under which the United Kingdom may be entitled to conduct a nuclear test under the terms of the United States energy appropriation legislation.
  409
  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act requires the United States President to determine that nuclear tests conducted by the United Kingdom are in the interests of United States national security.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what alternative sites are being considered by his Department for conducting underground nuclear tests.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  None.

  EC Treaties
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those topics which under the current treaties of the European Community, as amended by the treaty on European union, will be within the exclusive competence of the Community, with an authority for each item on the list.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General's answer to his question of Tuesday 19 May 1992. The European Community has exclusive competence where that is conferred upon it by treaty provision or measures taken under the treaty. It is not possible to draw up an exhaustive theoretical list. Current examples include the common agricultural policy, the common commercial policy and the external tariff.

  Human Rights Mission (China)
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the forthcoming human rights mission to China by Lord Howe of Aberavon.

  Mr. Goodlad
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister proposed to Premier Li Peng in January that a delegation should visit China to exchange views on human rights issues and to study China's provisions and practices in this area. The Chinese People's Institute for Foreign Affairs has invited my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Howe to lead a delegation to China between 1 and 8 December. Lord Howe has invited three hon. Members and a number of experts in the relevant field to accompany him. Details of the programme are under discussion.

  European Year of Elderly People
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek an increase in the budget allowed to the Commission for the European year of elderly people.

  Sir John Cope
  I have been asked to reply.

  When the Budget Council met on 23 July, to establish its first reading draft budget for 1993, it agreed the figure of 3.5 million ecu for the programme for the elderly and the European year of older people and solidarity between generations, judging this to be appropriate provision for 1993.

SCOTLAND

  Anaesthetists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by regional health board the current establishment requirement for anaesthetists; and what is the number in post.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  No establishment requirement figure is set by the Scottish Office. The numbers—whole-time equivalent—of consultant anaesthetists in post in Scotland at 30 September 1991, the latest date for which information is available, are given in the table:

  Consultant anaesthetists in post by health board as at 30 September 1991

  Whole-time equivalent

  Scotland

  294.9

  Argyll and Clyde

  15.6

  Ayrshire and Arran

  19.6

  Borders

  5.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  6.5

  Fife

  14.0

  Forth Valley

  13.0

  Grampian

  26.9

  Greater Glasgow

  86.9

  Highland

  8.5

  Lanarkshire

  24.5

  Lothian

  47.8

  Orkney

  —

  Shetland

  —

  Tayside

  25.6

  Western Isles

  1.0

  Water and Sewerage
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of his advisory committee on water, stating for each their relevant qualifications and any shareholdings held in the private water companies in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend has no advisory committee on water.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to bring forward amendments to section 1(a) of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Alternative forms of organisation for water and sewerage services in Scotland are currently being considered. A consultation paper will be issued shortly.

  Property Law Report
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the Scottish Law Commission on property law and abolition of the feudal system.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Law Commission is at present analysing responses received to its discussion paper No. 93, "Property Law: Abolition of the Feudal System", published in July 1991, and will publish a final report thereafter. Since several substantial issues have been raised by consultees, the commission is unable to give a precise indication of when the report will be available.

  Youth Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the latest figures on the youth training guarantee defined from the careers service management returns supplement of 10 September, and in particular(a) the number of clients who have left full-time education and are maintaining contact with the careers service, (b) the number of clients in the guarantees and currently seeking a youth training place and (c) the number of clients know to be endorsed for special training needs including 1991 and 1992 leavers and others for each of the regions and islands authority areas and for Scotland.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The arrangements for obtaining management information from the careers service in relation to the youth training guarantee are still developing. Discussions are taking place to ensure that the data are reliable and consistent. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment told the Select Committee on Employment on 21 October that she would make available to the Select Committee final figures from the October return when they are available. I shall write to the hon. Member with the figures for Scotland as soon as I am in a position to do so.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to make available resources to non-governmental organisations to travel to, attend and participate in the public inquiry beginning on 1 December into Scottish Nuclear's proposals to build a dry store for nuclear waste at Torness.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  [holding answer 23 October 1992]: It remains the Government's policy that it is for non-governmental organisations and individuals attending public inquiries to meet their own expenses.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) abroad in regard to plans to export plutonium from Sellafield to (i) Japan and (ii) Europe.

  Mr. Eggar
  No arrangements have been made at this stage for the shipment of plutonium from the United Kingdom to Japan. My Department has received a number of communications on the export of plutonium. Plutonium arising from civil reprocessing at Sellafield is transferred overseas only subject to the application of safeguards and on receipt of assurances covering peaceful use, physical protection and controls on re-transfer.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria are used by the Government to decide which countries are suitable to receive exports of plutonium from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  All applications for the export of nuclear materials from the United Kingdom are given careful consideration before an export licence is granted. The 412
  guidelines for British policy on exports and transfers of nuclear materials, including plutonium, were first announced by the then Foreign Secretary, now Lord Callaghan, on 31 March 1976 at columns 515–16 and have been applied by successive Governments.

  Particular attention is paid to whether the receiving country is a party to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty or has an equivalent commitment or has concluded a full-scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Consideration is also given to other factors such as strategic concerns, the risk of diversion or a lack of effective export controls of the receiving country.

  Coal
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what investment has been made by his Department and previously by the Department of Energy into the combined-cycle clean coal-burn topping prototype plant at Grimethorpe since the inception of the project; what investment has been made by foreign investors in the project; and if he will make a statement on the future of the project.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department and the former Department of Energy have provided approximately £11.6 million towards the funding of the clean coal-burn topping cycle prototype plant at Grimethorpe. Overseas commitments to the topping cycle programme at Grimethorpe amount to approximately £.1.4 million. Government funding ensured the successful completion of experimental work at the Grimethorpe facility earlier this year.

  Experimental work to further advance various technical aspects of the topping cycle is currently being undertaken at the coal research establishment, Cheltenham. Meanwhile, my Department has provided £170,000 towards an independent expert review of the topping cycle concept to assess whether and how this technology should be taken forward. A report on the findings of this review is currently being considered by my Department.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many pits there were in Leicestershire in 1962, 1970, 1980, 1990 and to date; and how many jobs there were in those pits.

  Mr. Eggar
  The number of deep mines in Leicestershire, and the number of men employed at those collieries, has declined sharply due to exhaustion of economic reserves. The figures are as follows:

  Number of deep mines

  Number of men employed

  1962

  12

  9,545

  1970

  9

  7,280

  1980

  9

  7,328

  1990

  2

  1,099

  1992

  1

  419

  The one remaining mine, Asfordby, is a new colliery with extensive reserves and has benefited from £217 million of capital investment to date. It is expected to commence production in 1993–94.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of coal were imported in each of
  413
  the years 1985 to 1991 and the current year to date; and how much in each year was not suitable for use in power stations.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows:

  Quantity (thousand tonnes)

  Year

  Total coal imports

  Not suitable for use in power stations1

  1985

  12,732

  8,357

  1986

  10,554

  6,852

  1987

  9,781

  7,065

  1988

  11,685

  7,886

  1989

  12,137

  8,763

  1990

  14,783

  9,282

  1991

  19,491

  10,281

  21992

  14,469

  6,316

  1 Coking coal and anthracite.

  2 January to August.

  Source: Customs and Excise.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much German coal was imported into Britain in 1991 and so far in the current year.

  Mr. Eggar
  The amount of coal imported into the United Kingdom from Germany in 1991 and January to August in 1992 was as follows:

  Year

  Quantity (thousand tonnes)

  1991

  220

  11992

  160

  1 January to August.

  Source: Customs and Excise.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that surpluses within the mineworkers' pension scheme are not utilised to pay for forthcoming redundancy packages in the coal mining industry.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for the trustees of the mineworkers' pension scheme.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the response of Her Majesty's Government to the proposal of the European Commission permitting use of natural gas for the generation of public electricity supplies; what assessment he has made of the implications for the use of indigenous coal resources; and what notification of adopting such a policy was given to the House or the public in his related memorandum.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The European Commission's 1975 directive, 75/404/EEC, restricting the use of natural gas in electricity generation was repealed on 18 March 1991 by directive 91/148/EEC in the light of the increased availability of gas and the need for generators throughout the Community to be able to switch to low-polluting fuels. This information was conveyed to the House in a reply by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy, the hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 16 April 1991, Official Report, column 134.
  414
  The choice of fuel for use in power stations is a matter for the operators of those stations, subject to meeting emission limits set by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, and other relevant statutory requirements.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans of the Central Electricity Generating Board for future production of electricity from coal-burning stations were abandoned, subsequent to arrangements concerning privatisation; and what would be the approximate cost per unit of such generation at(a) current coal costs and (b) costs expected in 1993.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The CEGB planned the construction of three 1,800 MW coal-fired power stations in the period prior to privatisation. No application for consent was made for Kingsnorth B in Kent, and the application for Fawley B in Hampshire was subsequently withdrawn. West Burton B in Nottinghamshire was granted consent in March 1990, but construction was not begun.

  The cost of electricity from these stations would depend on the contractual terms under which the stations were constructed and operated as well as coal costs.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the total value of stores, machinery, materials and other contracts made by British Coal with other bodies or persons, and supplied for the 31 coal pits now proposed for closure, for each of the calendar or financial years 1989 to 1991.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: My Department does not receive management information from British Coal at the level of detail requested. These are matters for British Coal.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing(a) the lowest price per gigajoule at which any supplier of gas or coal produces or supplies its fuel to electricity generators at 1992 prices, followed in no less than 10 categories by similar prices at equal steps to the highest price at which he expects production costs or contracts for future generating stations in the next 10 years, (b) the installed capacity for which it would be economic to generate at each respective price for coal, (c) new coal generation capacity contracted for, but not in production, (d) with minimum burn requirement on the basis of those contracts already made, (e) and (f) repetition of the two preceding columns in respect of new gas generation capacity not operating, but for which statutory approval has already been given and (g) and (h) the approximate respective capacities of gas and coal generation expected to be used in 1993, in respect of each price in that year, using levels of demand and supplies of electricity from other sources, of 1991, at each price shown in (b) and (c)

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: Under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and preceding legislation, consents have been given that allow for the construction of around 13 GW of major—above 50 MW—gas-fired plant in England and Wales, in addition to that currently available for generation. Possession of a construction consent does not automatically mean that a project will proceed.

  There is no new coal generation capacity contracted for but not currently available for generation.
  415
  The other matters on which information is requested are commercial matters for the generating companies and fuel supply companies.

  World Uranium Hearings
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department was represented at the world uranium hearings held in Salzburg in Austria, on 13 to 19 September.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department was not represented.

  Nuclear Industry (Privatisation)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to privatise the Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels.

  Mr. Eggar
  No decisions have been taken on whether any parts of the nuclear industry should be privatised.

  Electricity
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last discussed electricity pricing with the Director General of the Office of Electricity Regulation; and what decisions were taken.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have consultations with the Director General of Electricity Supply from time to time on a range of issues. Licence conditions, including the electricity price controls, are a matter for the director general.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has made to the public statement of the chief executive of PowerGen on the relative costs of coal and gas-fired electricity production and on the policy of regional electricity companies on contracts for electricity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The relative costs of coal and gas-fired electricity depend significantly upon the contractual terms of fuel purchase and the contractual terms under which the power station is to be constructed and operated. These are commercial matters for the companies concerned. My Department will be assessing the evidence available on the comparative costs of power stations using different fuels as part of the Government's review. It is for the Director General of Electricity Supply to ensure that regional electricity companies comply with their obligation to purchase electricity from the most economic source available.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will specify the statutory authority by which the suppliers of natural gas to undertakings using such gas

  Programme

  Start Date

  Projects approved by 31 March 1991

  Projects approved by 31 March 1992

  Projects approved since 31 March 1992

  Molecular Electronics

  3 February 1988

  4

  0

  0

  Advanced Semiconductor Materials

  3 February 1988

  9

  2

  1

  Industrial Measurement Systems

  3 February 1988

  23

  9

  3

  Eukaryotic Genetic Engineering

  3 February 1988

  6

  3

  1

  Nanotechnology

  3 February 1988

  9

  7

  6

  416
  for generation for sale to the electricity pool are permitted to charge for gas that may not be consumed; and if he will give consideration to introducing legislation to prohibit any such practice.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The contractual arrangements between suppliers of natural gas and customers engaged in electricity generation are a commercial matter for the companies concerned.

  Government Intervention
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all occasions(a) since April 1992 when the Government intervened to assist British industries and (b) since January 1982 when the Government intervened to assist British computer and computer component manufacturers.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has created a number of new industry sponsorship divisions within the Department whose role is to assist individual sectors of industry to compete in world markets. The Department also operates a wide range of schemes providing specific help to industry, including research and development support, regional selective assistance, export support and a range of support for small and medium-sized companies. Companies in the computing sector have obtained substantial benefit from these schemes over the past decade and will continue to receive support and help from my Department where this is appropriate.

  LINK Initiative
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the programmes and projects approved under the LINK initiative as at 31 March 1991, 31 March 1992 and currently.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: The table below lists—in date order of announcement—each of the programmes under the LINK initiative, together with the number of projects approved in each programme for the financial years ending 31 March 1991 and 31 March 1992, and, according to information available to date, those which have been approved so far during the current financial year, ending 31 March 1993. To list all projects individually would incur disproportionate cost. Twenty-seven programmes were announced up to 31 March 1991 and a further three were announced up to 31 March 1992: no new programmes have been announced so far during the current financial year. Four hundred and fifty-nine projects have been approved to date.
  417

  Programme

  Start Date

  Projects approved by 31 March 1991

  Projects approved by 31 March 1992

  Projects approved since 31 March 1992

  Biotransformations

  15 April 1988

  12

  2

  0

  Personal Communications

  13 June 1988

  8

  8

  1

  Selective Drug Delivery and Targeting

  14 June 1988

  4

  0

  2

  Construction Maintenance and Refurbishment

  14 June 1988

  7

  2

  2

  Food Processing Sciences

  7 September 1988

  21

  1

  3

  Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

  17 April 1989

  7

  2

  2

  Optoelectronic Systems

  26 April 1989

  18

  9

  2

  Design of High Speed Machinery

  10 May 1989

  15

  6

  2

  Structural Composites

  16 May 1989

  14

  6

  4

  Protein Engineering

  12 June 1989

  7

  4

  3

  Biochemical Engineering

  15 June 1989

  16

  9

  1

  New Catalysts and Catalytic Processes

  19 June 1989

  6

  1

  4

  Power Electronic Devices and Derived Systems

  27 July 1989

  4

  10

  1

  Control of Plant Metabolism

  19 September 1989

  4

  2

  0

  Molecular Sensors

  27 September 1989

  11

  6

  4

  Technology for Analytical and Physical Measurement

  27 September 1989

  17

  7

  10

  Transport Infrastructure and Operations

  2 April 1990

  4

  9

  1

  Asymmetric Synthesis

  13 June 1990

  0

  1

  19

  Crops for Industrial Use

  26 June 1990

  1

  5

  3

  Enabling Technologies for Advanced Rotorcraft

  22 October 1990

  0

  2

  1

  Medical Implants

  11 December 1990

  0

  2

  3

  Agro-Food Quality

  18 December 1990

  0

  14

  3

  Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

  30 April 1991

  —

  5

  2

  Technologies for Sustainable Farming Systems

  1 July 1991

  —

  12

  0

  Enhanced Engineering Materials

  17 September 1991

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  227

  147

  85

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish tables showing the cumulative and annual total of expenditure under the LINK initiative as at 31 March 1992, together with the projected outturn for 31 March 1993, together with a breakdown of those tables showing regional expenditure.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: The table gives the cumulative and annual DTI expenditure on advanced technology programmes as at 31 March 1992 together with the projected outturn for the financial year to 31 March 1993. Information on a regional basis could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  ATP/DTI Expenditure

  Amount £

  Cumulative to 31 March 1992

  47,285,663

  Annual 1991–92

  17,741,694

  Forecast Expenditure 1992–93

  23,460,000

  Advanced Technology Programme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the programmes and projects approved under the advanced technology programmes as at 31 March 1991, 31 March 1992 and currently.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: The table lists the programmes approved under the advanced technology programmes as at 31 March 1991, 31 March 1992 and currently. The number of projects approved under each programme is also shown. Details of the individual projects could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
  419

  ATP Approved Projects to 15 October 1992

  Programme

  Programme approved

  Projects approved by

  31 March 1991

  1991–92

  1992–93

  31 March 1991

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Gallium Arsenide

  Y

  —

  —

  13

  1

  —

  Advanced Robotics

  Y

  —

  —

  7

  4

  1

  National Electronics Research Initiatives

  Y

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Wealth From The Oceans

  Y

  —

  —

  7

  8

  2

  Superconductivity

  Y

  —

  —

  6

  1

  4

  Information Engineering

  Y

  —

  —

  99

  21

  —

  Computer Aided Engineering

  Y

  —

  —

  20

  8

  3

  Systems Technology and Integration

  Y

  —

  —

  26

  4

  —

  Safety Critical Systems

  Y

  —

  —

  1

  15

  1

  Parallel Applications

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  4

  —

  Open Distributed Systems Architecture

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Manufacturing Organisation, People and Systems

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  4

  5

  Compounds Semiconductor Technology

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  1

  2

  VLSI Design Automation

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  6

  Advanced Silicon Technology

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  2

  Speech and Language Technology

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  2

  Total

  9

  4

  3

  180

  73

  29

  Other Approved Programmes (No Project)

  Tracked Transport Systems

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  —

  Competitive Manufacturing

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  —

  Intelligent Systems

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  —

  Innovation in Industrial Lithography

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  —

  Computer-supported Co-operative Work

  —

  —

  Y

  —

  —

  —

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish tables showing the cumulative and annual expenditure on advanced technology programmes as at 31 March 1992, together with the projected outturn for 31 March 1993 and a breakdown of those totals showing regional expenditures.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 19 October 1992]: The table details the cumulative and annual Government expenditure on collaborative research under the LINK initiative for the financial year ending 31 March 1992 and the projected outturn for the financial year ending 31 March 1993. Also shown is the cumulative expenditure at 31 March 1991, 31 March 1992 and 31 March 1993. Total expenditure should be double the Government expenditure by virtue of industry's own expenditure on LINK projects. Information on a regional basis could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  1988–89–1990–91 Out-turn

  1991–92 Out-turn

  1992–93 Projected Out-turn

  £

  £

  million

  Government expenditure (£)

  9,796,800

  17,762,600

  127

  Government cumulative expenditure (£)

  9,796,800

  27,559,400

  155

  1 Rounded

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce legislation to privatise Parcelforce; and if he will make a statement.
  420
  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 20 October 1992]: I have no plans to introduce legislation to privatise Parcelforce and see no need for a statement at this stage.

  British Coal Pension Scheme
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in what circumstances funds from the British Coal pension scheme may be used for expenditure incurred in connection with pit closure other than payments for the exclusive benefit of retired and serving miners.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: This is a matter for the trustees of the British Coal pension schemes.

  Trentham Colliery
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) pursuant to his statement of 19 October, if he will give details of the anticipated production, seam by seam, projected for the second half of the financial year 1992–93 at Trentham colliery;

  (2) if he will give details of each development for which there was a prior approval at Trentham colliery at the commencement of the 1992–93 financial year, and specify which have been shelved and the reasons in each case.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The issues which the hon. Member raises are matters for British Coal.

  Skelton Grange Power Station
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Skelton Grange power station, Leeds is due to close.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: This is a commercial matter for National Power, the station's owner.