Written Answers of 29 October 1992

TRANSPORT

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many foreign fishing vessels are currently applying to be registered as British.

  Mr. Norris
  Twelve.

  M25
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement regarding his plans for the widening of the M25.

  Name of appointee

  Body to which appointed and remuneration

  Period of the appointment

  Mr. A. H. C. Broadbent1

  Dover Harbour Board

  1 May 1992–30 April 1995

  Mr. A. Worthington

  Deputy Traffic Commissioner

  —£172 per day

  18 May 1992–17 May 1994

  Mrs. M. Kendrick1

  Acting Conservator of the River Mersey

  —£8,223 pa

  1 June 1992–31 May 1993

  Mr. K. Brown1

  London Transport

  —£9,150 pa

  29 June 1992–28 June 1994

  Mrs. H. Robinson1

  London Transport

  —£9,150 pa

  29 June 1992–28 June 1994

  Mrs. M. K. Davies

  Port of Tyne Authority

  1 July 1992–30 June 1995

  Mr. R. D. Peters

  Dover Harbour Board

  27 July 1992–30 April 1993

  Sir Peter Baldwin1

  Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (unpaid)

  1 August 1992–31 July 1993

  Mr. J. S. Fair1

  Dundee Port Authority

  1 September 1992–31 December 1994

  Mr. B. G. Duncan1

  Dundee Port Authority

  1 September 1992–31 December 1994

  Dr. A. K. Watkins

  London Transport

  —£100,000 pa

  1 October 1992–30 September 1997

  Mr. M. J. Bealing

  Ipswich Port Authority

  1 October 1992–30 June 1994

  Mr. J. Stephenson1

  Deputy Traffic Commissioner

  —£172 per day

  1 October 1992–31 March 1994

  Mr. R. W. A. Cake

  Poole Harbour Commission

  1 November 1992–31 October 1995

  1 Reappointments.

  Remuneration of port authority appointees is a matter for the authorities themselves. It is not considered practicable or appropriate to list the many and varied qualifications of individual appointees, but my right hon. Friend will have satisfied himself as to their relevance before making the appointments.

  M27
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on his Department's study into the widening of the M27.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Final decisions on the timing of an invitation to consultants to submit bids to undertake this commission have yet to be taken.

  Dangerous Substances
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what level of consultation he has undertaken with representatives of emergency services and trades unions concerning European harmonisation governing labelling and safety codes of dangerous substances;

  (2) what response he has given to proposals for European harmonisation of United Kingdom hazchem regulations;
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  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Implementation of the general strategy announced on 6 September 1991 is continuing. Announcements of progress with the development of individual schemes for widening the existing carriageway to dual four-lane standard within existing boundaries are made at appropriate stages. Proposals for link roads between junctions 12 and 15 are the subject of public consultation. Decisions on the need for and feasibility of supplementary carriageways on other sections of the route remain to be taken when the studies are completed.

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Mr. Norris
  Details of public appointments made by my right hon. Friend since 10 April 1992 are set out in the table.

  (3) what meetings he has had with emergency services' chief officers concerning EEC directives for harmonising current regulations governing the carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail;

  (4) if he will make a statement on the implications of the new European agreement concerning the movement of dangerous substances;

  (5) what response he has made to concerns expressed by the Fire Brigades Union regarding the replacement of the United Kingdom hazchem system with ADR;

  (6) if European harmonisation of hazchem will exclude current domestic safety codes and procedures for the protection of fire brigade personnel and the general public;

  (7) if ADR will be achieved without undermining the current system of labelling dangerous substances within the United Kingdom;

  (8) if the introduction of ADR, as a replacement of the United Kingdom hazchem system, satifies current safety criteria for civilian evacuation;

  (9) what effect ADR introduction will have on risk minimisation within the operation of emergency services.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  There are no EC directives requiring the harmonisation of road and rail regulation for the transport of dangerous goods. However, our intention is that United Kingdom regulations for the domestic
  759
  transport of dangerous goods by road will be harmonised with the European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road—ADR—from 1 January 1995. This should result in no lowering of existing safety standards. The regulations will be drafted by the Health and Safety Executive which will consult all interested parties.

  As a result of representations from the Fire Brigades Union and others, the United Kingdom is currently negotiating the inclusion of United Kingdom emergency action codes in the hazard warning panel requirements of ADR for road tankers carrying dangerous goods. These codes give an immediate indication to the emergency services of how they should react at the scene of an incident and whether evacuation of people nearby is advisable.

  Travellers Charter
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, as part of his quality of service objectives, he will require the publication of the responses of all bodies consulted in the preparation of the travellers charter.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Central Transport Consultative Committee, the statutory consumer body which represents the users of British Rail services, were consulted in the course of the preparation of the passengers charter. Its comments on the charter are summarised in the committee's annual report for 1991–92, published on 4 August. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

  Preserved Railways
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of his consultations concerning implementation of the Transport and Works Act 1992 in so far as they relate to preserved railways.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have consulted widely on all the rules, regulations and orders needed to implement part I of the Transport and Works Act. The many responses received, including those from the railway preservation movement, have been taken into account in finalising subordinate legislation.

  Schedule 7 of the Applications and Objections Procedure Rules will set out the table of fees for applications for orders under part I. The proposed fees for transport projects, such as preserved railways, which do not involve the compulsory acquisition of land are:
  £ 750 where the area of the proposed works does not exceed 1 hectare;
  £ 750 plus £ 250 for each 0.5 hectares (or part thereof) in excess of 1 hectare.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if, as part of his quality of service objectives, he will require the publication of all reports relating to the numbers of people eligible for legal aid commissioned since 1985 using public money.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Estimates of numbers of people eligible for civil legal aid were contained in the document 760
  "Review of Financial Conditions for Legal Aid: Eligibility for Civil Legal Aid: a Consultation Paper" which was issued in June 1991. There is no fixed upper financial eligibility limit for criminal legal aid.

  Asylum
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the totals of individuals in each relevant category in the past year for which figures are available who have used their right to appeal against refusal in cases for which the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Bill would require a mandatory refusal.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Immigration and Asylum Appeal Bill does not require mandatory refusal of any immigration-related applications. It follows that in the last year no appeals can have been lodged on any such refusals.

  Clause 10 of the Bill removes the right of appeal in those cases where dismissal of the appeal is mandatory. No separate records are kept of such mandatory dismissals and details of such cases could only be obtained at disproportionate expense.

  Clause 9 of the Bill, however, removes existing rights of appeal against refusal of entry clearance in the case of visitors, short-term and prospective students and their dependents. In the year ending 30 September 1992 there were a total of 12,643 appeals registered against refusal of entry clearance for temporary purposes of all kinds except those by husbands, wives and financé(e)s. No breakdown is made of the types of appeal falling within this category, but by applying proportions obtained from a sample of cases approximately 9,607 visit visa and 1,712 student visa appeals were included in the total.

  Criminal Justice Act 1991
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance the Judicial Studies Board will be offering to judges and magistrates on the interpretation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Judicial Studies Board has already issued guidance on the Criminal Justice Act 1991 to both the professional and the lay judiciary. Judges of the Court of Appeal and the High Court were given a briefing in the Lord Chief Justice's court. Judges, recorders and assistant recorders sitting in Crown courts received an 81-page guide to the sentencing provisions of the Act as part of the "Crown Court Bench Book on Sentencing" and attended conferences at which there were lectures and discussion on the Act. The board produced an 18-page introduction to the Act and a copy of this document was sent to each magistrate. A comprehensive training pack was also produced to assist those, usually the justices clerks, who train the magistrates.

  Duress
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has for reforming the law relating to the defence of duress in criminal cases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no proposals for reforming this area of the criminal law.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 29 October.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 29 October.

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

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Cells
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many convicted prisoners and how many remand prisoners are currently being held in police cells in England; and how many of these are in the north-west region;

  (2) what steps he is taking to ease the problem arising from holding convicted and remand prisoners in police cells; and when he expects a reduction in the numbers of such prisoners;

  (3) what steps he has taken to alleviate problems caused to families and legal representatives in gaining access to prisoners held in police cells; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 26 October, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 497 prisoners in police cells in England. Of these 346 were in police cells in the north-west, as shown in the table.

  Police force

  Number of prisoners in police cells on 26 October 1992

  Cheshire

  1

  Cumbria

  1

  Greater Manchester

  233

  Lancashire

  37

  Merseyshire

  74

  Total

  346

  Information collected centrally does not differentiate between remand and convicted prisoners, but surveys have confirmed that most such prisoners are on remand. There has been a very substantial reduction in the number of prisoners being held in police cells. On 31 March, 1,882 prisoners were held in this way in England and Wales as a whole. The total number on 26 October was 524. A new joint initiative involving close co-operation between the police and prison service management has proven to be very effective in achieving reductions in police cell use against the background of a fall in the total population in custody.

  The police are aware of the importance of legal and family visits for prisoners in police cells. The vast majority of legal visits take place without difficulty, although practical constraints may arise at individual police stations from time to time. Liaison prison governors are available to advise the police. Facilities for family visits at some police stations are limited, and there may also be special
  762
  security considerations which have to be taken into account. Guidance to the police provides that preference should be given to unconvicted prisoners to receive visits more frequently than convicted prisoners if a choice has to be made.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the retrial and subsequent release of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, he will arrange for a similar process to apply in the cases of women victims of domestic violence currently in prison for killing their partner; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  I understand that Mrs. Ahluwalia was released following a retrial ordered by the Court of Appeal as a result of her original appeal to that court.

  My right hon. and learned Friend had no involvement with any of these proceedings. He is always ready to consider representations that in a particular case there has been a miscarriage of justice, and to take such action as may be appropriate including, where something new appears to touch the safety of a conviction, using his power under section 17(1)(a) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 to refer a case to the Court of Appeal; but he has no plans to initiate a general review of the cases of women who have been imprisoned after conviction for the murder of their partner.

  Animal Experiments
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will apply the code of practice for the Housing and Care of Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to breeding establishments;

  (2) if he will bring forward proposals for stricter controls of the standards for the housing and care of animals in breeding, supply and research establishments.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have no current plans for amending the Home Office code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures or for applying the code as it stands to breeding and supplying establishments. However, we are considering whether the guidelines issued by the Laboratory Animal Breeders Association, currently used by the Home Office inspectorate in respect of breeding and supplying establishments should, updated as necessary, be given a more formal basis in the context of the operation of the 1986 Act.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the rights of appeal which apply to visitors, settlers and asylum seekers to the United Kingdom and other categories of applicant; and what information he has on the comparable provisions in each EC country;

  (2) if he will list the current rights of appeal which apply to visitors, settlers, asylum seekers and other immigration and nationality department categories; and what changes he proposes.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Part II of the Immigration Act 1971 confers rights of appeal against virtually all categories of adverse immigration decisions. The main
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  rights of appeal which apply to visitors and persons seeking to settle in the United Kingdom are against refusal of an entry clearance at a British post abroad; refusal of leave to enter at a United Kingdom port—a person refused leave to enter is not entitled to appeal until he has left the United Kingdom unless he holds a current entry clearance or work permit—and refusal to vary a person's limited leave in the United Kingdom—provided that the application was made during the currency of the limited leave. The rights of appeal available to asylum seekers currently depend on their immigration status at the time of their application.

  The Asylum and Immigration Appeals Bill contains provisions that would give unsuccessful asylum seekers specific new rights of appeal to a special adjudicator, exercisable while in the United Kingdom. The Bill also provides that persons seeking entry as visitors, students enrolled on courses of six months or less, and prospective students would no longer be entitled to appeal against a refusal of entry clearance, or against the refusal of leave to enter if they do not hold an entry clearance; and that persons refused entry clearance, leave to enter or a variation of leave on the grounds that they do not meet certain mandatory requirements of the immigration rules would also no longer be entitled to appeal.

  The Bill does not affect the rights of appeal of persons refused entry clearance for settlement, or in categories leading to settlement; of persons refused leave to enter when in possession of an entry clearance or work permit; or of illegal entrants or persons subject to deportation decisions.

  Rights of appeal in other member states of the European Community are a matter for the Governments concerned. I understand, however, that no other member state has a specialised system of immigration appeals.

  Correspondence
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Mr. Aame-Diga Aakpa's file has been located; and when the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford can expect to receive a reply to her letter of 8 October 1991.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Mr. Aakpa's file has not yet been located. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as it is possible to take a decision.

  DNA
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to give a DNA profile the same status as a fingerprint for the purpose of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; and what response he intends to make to the comments made by the registrar in his annual report on DNA profiles.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Royal Commission on criminal justice has been asked to examine the issues surrounding the collection, storage and use of DNA material obtained by the police during the course of an investigation. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider the need for legislation in the light of the royal commission's recommendations.
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  The retention of DNA profiles for research purposes by the Metropolitan police, which the Data Protection Registrar refers to in his report, is a matter for the Commissioner.

  Primary Purpose Rule
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 June,Official Report, column 524, to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden), how many spouses have been admitted to the United Kingdom under the primary purpose rule.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The available information is the number of persons accepted for settlement as a spouse under the immigration rules, given in table 3 of the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 29/92 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—First and Second Quarters 1992", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Drug Prevention Initiative
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to draw on the successful elements of the 20 drug prevention projects currently sponsored by his Department under the drug prevention initiative in order to make adequate provision of such services in each town and city in England and Wales which has a drugs problem.

  Mr. Jack
  The work of the 20 local drugs prevention teams and of the central drugs prevention unit is being evaluated. Given the innovative nature of this work, it is at present too early to consider a possible broadening of the drugs prevention initiative.

  Probation Committees
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources his Department has provided for the probation service in England and Wales and to each probation committee to meet the costs of new responsibilities under the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  The Home Office annual report published in February set out the actual and projected resources for the Probation Service in England and Wales as follows:

  1990–91 (actual)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Central Government support (£ million)

  228

  272

  290

  314

  338

  Total staff provision

  12,851

  13,641

  14,234

  14,713

  15,100

  Resources, which are now subject to cash limits, are allocated to the 55 individual probation areas through an agreed formula and the overall increase of 25.7 per cent. for 1992–93, compared with 1990–91 outturn, was not spread evenly because the allocation formula adjusted the proportion of national provision allocated to each area according to objective indicators of need and work load. The lowest increase was 20.8 per cent. while the highest was 30.3 per cent.

  Prisoners (Licences)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional prisoners will be supervised on licence as a result of changes contained in the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  We are expecting a gradual build-up of cases as offenders are sentenced and released from prisons under the Act and a corresponding decrease in the numbers released under the former parole arrangements. Current best estimates are that when the transitional period comes to an end in 1996, some 5,500 more ex-prisoners will be supervised on licence. Extra probation officer resources have been provided to allow for the increased caseload and to enable longer and more intense periods of supervision with offenders on licence. The numbers under voluntary supervision are expected to fall sharply.

  Voting
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will conduct a national survey into the accessibility of polling stations to disabled people with the aim of identifying problems which they encounter;

  (2) if he will take steps to ensure that all electors who wish to vote at their polling stations have the ability to do so.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A national survey would not be a good use of our resources in this area, which are better directed towards providing financial support. Councils have a statutory obligation to designate as polling places, wherever practicable, only places which are accessible to disabled people. We have provided guidance for returning officers to remind them of their obligations, and shall continue to do so. It is our long-term aim that all polling stations should he accessible to disabled electors but, where it is not possible to use a building affording easy access, we make grants available towards the cost of providing temporary ramps.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what local government funding is earmarked for the implementation of the Representation of the People Act 1983 towards disabled persons access to the voting system.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Details of local authority spending on access for the disabled to the electoral process are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been undertaken to identify the number of disabled people who failed to vote in the 1992 general election; and if he will conduct an inquiry into potential obstructions presented to the disabled at polling stations and by alternative voting methods.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the number of electors who are disabled is not collected centrally. We are conducting a full review of electoral law and practice in the light of experience at the general election in April. That review will include all aspects of access for disabled people to the electoral process.
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  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the postal vote system;

  (2) if he will simplify postal vote application forms and review the timetable for postal voting.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A full review of all aspects of postal voting procedures is being conducted in the light of experience at the general election. We have held preliminary meetings with the political parties and the local authority associations. A working group of Home Office officials and local authority representatives to look at absent voting arrangements will begin work shortly. Another working group will look at forms.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he will ensure that disabled voters have equal privacy to able-bodied voters when exercising their right to vote at polling stations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Returning officers are required to provide each polling station with a sufficient number of compartments in which electors can vote screened from observation. A number of manufacturers provide compartments or polling screens which are suitable for people in wheelchairs. We provide 80 per cent. grants towards the purchase of special polling screens.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenditure was devoted to publicising the right of elderly and disabled people to obtain a postal or proxy vote, during the last available financial year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We spent £ 11,210 in 1991–92 on a poster and leaflet campaign to let elderly and disabled people know about their right to an absent vote. In the period leading up to the general election we also spent about £ 1.5 million on television and newspaper advertising to tell people how to obtain an absent vote.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many disabled people are reliant on the postal vote system.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the number of disabled people on the postal voters list is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many electors, in the 1992 general election, voted by postal vote; and how many persons lost their vote due to late return of ballot papers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the number of people voting by post will be published in the "Return of the Expenses of each Candidate at the General Election" later this year. Information on the number of postal ballot papers returned after the close of the poll is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the number of disabled persons voting at national and local elections has altered since the 1979 general election.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the number of disabled people voting at national and local government elections is not collected centrally.

  Asylum
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have applied for asylum; how many have had their applications accepted; how many have been granted exceptional leave to remain; and how many have been returned to safe third countries, giving the figures in each case since 1985, by year.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information on asylum applications and decisions in 1985–90 is given in table 1.2 of Home

  1. Summary Tables

  Table 1.2 Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, decisions and percentages, 1981 to 1991

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  11989

  1 21990

  1 21991

  Excluding dependants

  Applications received3

  —

  —

  —

  2,905

  4,389

  4,266

  4,256

  3,998

  11,640

  22,000

  44,840

  Decisions

  Total

  —

  —

  —

  1,431

  2,635

  2,983

  2,432

  2,702

  6,955

  4,015

  4,685

  Grants of asylum4

  —

  —

  —

  453

  574

  348

  266

  628

  2,210

  900

  420

  Grants of exceptional leave

  —

  —

  —

  631

  1,559

  2,102

  1,531

  1,578

  3,860

  2,400

  1,860

  Refusals5

  —

  —

  —

  347

  502

  533

  636

  496

  890

  710

  2,410

  Percentage of total decisions

  Total

  —

  —

  —

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  Grant of asylum

  —

  —

  —

  32

  22

  12

  11

  23

  32

  22

  9

  Grants of exceptional leave

  —

  —

  —

  44

  59

  70

  63

  58

  55

  60

  40

  Refusals5

  —

  —

  —

  24

  19

  18

  26

  18

  13

  18

  51

  Applications withdrawn

  —

  —

  —

  175

  201

  164

  200

  281

  350

  360

  500

  Including dependants6

  Applications received3

  2,425

  4,223

  4,296

  4,171

  6,156

  5,714

  5,863

  5,739

  16,776

  30,315

  —

  Decisions

  Total

  2,358

  2,942

  2,950

  2,011

  3,802

  4,045

  3,479

  3,888

  10,270

  6,265

  —

  Grants of asylum4

  1,473

  1,727

  1,185

  689

  915

  543

  464

  975

  3,335

  1,510

  —

  Grants of exceptional leave

  278

  311

  939

  802

  2,156

  2,815

  2,229

  2,289

  5,840

  3,900

  —

  Refusals5

  607

  904

  826

  520

  731

  687

  786

  624

  1,095

  850

  —

  Percentage of total decisions

  Total

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  —

  Grants of asylum

  62

  59

  40

  34

  24

  13

  13

  25

  32

  24

  —

  Grants of exceptional leave

  12

  11

  32

  40

  57

  70

  64

  59

  57

  62

  —

  Refusals5

  26

  31

  28

  26

  19

  17

  23

  16

  11

  14

  —

  Applications withdrawn

  211

  234

  217

  227

  261

  209

  252

  360

  435

  405

  —

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5, percentages rounded to the nearest whole per cent.

  21990 figures may understate and 1991 decision figures are likely to be incomplete because of delays in recording.

  3See footnotes 2 and 3 to Table 2.1.

  4Excluding South East Asian refugees: see Tables 3.1 and 9.1.

  5Includes refusals on third country grounds, and those under paragraph 101 of the Immigration Rules: see footnote 1 to Table 3.3.

  6Including dependants who applied with the principal applicant and those who arrived subsequently but before the principal application was decided.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances he uses his discretion to allow asylum applications in the country of the applicant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees defines a refugee as someone who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion is outside the country of his nationality and is unable, or owing to such a fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country. Where a person falls within this definition and has such close ties with the United Kingdom as to make it the most appropriate country of refuge for them, we are prepared to grant entry clearance for the purpose of their applying for asylum in the United Kingdom. Entry clearance for this purpose would not normally be granted to a person who remained within their own country and did not, therefore, fall within the definition of a refugee.
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  Office statistical bulletin issue 12/92 "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1990–91", a copy of which is in the Library. Figures for refusals on safe third country grounds are not separately identifiable prior to 1991. For information for 1991 and the first three quarters of 1992 I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 20 October 1992, at columns 261–62.

  Colombia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates he visited Colombia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The visit between 8 and 11 September took place in an itinerary over 6 to 14 September which also included Venezuela and Peru.

  It was principally concerned with drugs and had three main objectives: to see local problems at first hand; to explore the scope for further effective bilateral co-operation; and to consider the implications for policy in the United Kingdom.

  In each of the three countries, I discussed with the President and senior Ministers the many aspects, domestic and international, of the drugs problem. In Colombia, I was able to see for myself some of the valuable results of our programme of assistance to the Colombian Government in their fight against drugs. In Peru, in addition to drugs issues, I took the opportunity to raise other matters such as human rights and the forthcoming elections.

  Police Inquiry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what salary, per diem, or other emoluments the chairman and other members of the inquiry into the role of the police officer will be entitled to receive as a consequence of the membership of the inquiry committee.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The chairman and other members of the inquiry into police responsibilities and rewards are entitled to receive fees in accordance with the appropriate daily rate set by HM Treasury. But the chairman and each of the members of the inquiry have waived their entitlement to remuneration.

  Immigration
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many short-term and would-be students refused(a) entry clearance and (b) entry to the United Kingdom, by country, have lodged appeals against refusal in each quarter since January 1991; and in each category how many such appeals were (i) withdrawn, (ii) granted and (iii) dismissed;

  (2) how many visitors refused (a) entry clearance and (b) entry to the United Kingdom by country, have lodged appeals against refusal in each quarter since January 1991; and in each category how many such appeals were (i) withdrawn, (ii) granted and (iii) dismissed.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This subject is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department; my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, will write to the hon. Member.

  Ireland (Travel Documents)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has put to the European Commission for amending the common travel area between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom under the single market from next year; whether EC nationals will be required to show their passports and to submit to spot checks prior to entry into Great Britain; whether all travellers from the Republic of Ireland into the United Kingdom will be required to carry passports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have made no proposals for amending the common travel area arrangements.

  Squatting
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the consultations on changes to the law on squatting; and when he expects to introduce legislation to change the law.

  Mr. Jack
  As my hon. Friend knows, the Government have a commitment to strengthen and improve the law against squatting, and the Home Office published a consultation paper on this subject last October. We are still considering the best way forward in the light of the responses received and we will announce our conclusions in due course.

  Sheehy Inquiry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the paid employments of members of the Sheehy committee of inquiry into the role of the police officer.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Sir Patrick Sheehy, chairman of the inquiry into police responsibilities and rewards, is chairman of BAT Industries. The other members of the inquiry are Mr. John Bullock, joint senior partner of Coopers Lybrand, Professor Colin Campbell, vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham, Mr. Eric Caines, director of personnel for the national health service and Sir Paul Fox, lately managing director of BBC Television.

EDUCATION

  Hertfordshire College of Art and Design
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make an order under section 16 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 to incorporate Herefordshire college of art and design into the new further education sector on 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Forman
  Herefordshire college of art and design will be among the colleges joining the new further education sector on 1 April 1993. A corporation will be established for the college by means of an order under section 16 of the Further and Higher Education Act as soon as possible. A draft order was issued for consultation on 26 October.

WALES

  Public Footpaths
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to offer financial compensation to farmers who are actively involved in improving public footpaths through their land.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Responsibility for the maintenance of public rights of way rests with county highway authoriies, not with my right hon. Friend. Farmers have certain duties in relation to the maintenance of paths which cross their land and are entitled to grant assistance from the highways authorities for fulfilling part of those duties. The Countryside Council for Wales is, however, piloting projects in Wales which include an incentive payment to farmers to undertake maintenance of footpaths where it is in the public interest and it is cost effective to do so.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received from district councils in Wales to date concerning the proposed changes in education; and how many representations(a) expressed objection to the extension of grant-maintained status for schools and (b) expressed objections to changes proposed for the Welsh Joint Education Committee.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Representations have been received from 12 district councils and from the Council of Welsh
  771
  Districts. Of these, five commented on our proposals for grant-maintained status and three referred to the proposals relating to the Welsh Joint Education Committee.

  Disabled Trainees
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the training providers within each training and enterprise council in Wales, indicating the number of training places offered, and the number of disabled trainees currently granted placement;

  (2) if he will list the large company unit schemes offering training within each training and enterprise council area in Wales indicating the number of trainees on each scheme, and the proportion of disabled trainees on each scheme.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not available centrally. Local training provision is the responsibility of individual training and enterprise councils which are under contract to make sufficient suitable places available to meet the demand from disabled persons.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the total numbers of disabled trainees currently on(a) employer led training schemes and (b) voluntary sector training schemes within each training and enterprise council area in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not collected centrally. The type of training provision made available locally is the responsibility of individual training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the total number of trainees on youth training schemes within each training and enterprise council in Wales; how many disabled trainees there are within each area; and if he will indicate the numbers of disabled trainees according to training occupational classification.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of trainees on youth training at 13 September in each TEC area in Wales is set out in the table.

  Information on the numbers of disabled young people in training and their occupational routes is not collected separately but over the six months to September, 1.2 per cent. of those commencing youth training were disabled.

  Numbers on youth training on 13 September 1992

  TEC

  Number in training

  Gwent

  2,456

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,548

  South Glamorgan

  1,685

  North East Wales

  1,355

  North West Wales

  1,851

  Powys

  533

  West Wales

  3,803

  WALES

  14,231

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the 1989–90 and the 1990–91 trainee intake on to youth training placements within each training and enterprise council area in Wales are currently in full-time employment; and what proportion of disabled trainees over the same period are currently in full-time employment.
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  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information as requested is not available.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the basis of his policy to support differential funding for different sectors of the education service in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Government's policies for the support of the education service are set out in the joint Department for Education and Welsh Office education White Paper, "Choice and Diversity: A New Framework for Schools", Cm. 2021, published on 28 July, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Hospital Catering
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 150, what consultations he has had with the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the suspension of redundancy notice consultations to in-house catering; when he expects to confirm decisions on the legal issues raised between the health authority and the catering workers' trades unions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  South Glamorgan health authority has asked the Department for its views on the legal issues arising and these are now under consideration. A reply will be sent as soon as possible.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 150, what guidance was given by his Department to Gardner Merchant by way of clarification of tender procedures and on the minimum service standards relative to previously achieved standards required to comply with (a) the terms of the contract and (b) relevant European Community law.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Department gave guidance on two specific points only in clarification of tender procedures—first, that the authority had amortised redundancy costs over the period of the contract in accordance with current guidelines; secondly, that information provided to all contractors must be accurate and current and sufficient to enable the submission of realistic tenders, that is, that all necessary details should be made readily available.

  Visual Impairment
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will conduct a review into the supply and cost of low vision aids to visually impaired children and the provision of training on the use of aids within health authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  At present, my right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue guidelines to social services departments in Wales concerning advising parents of visually impaired children on adequate lighting provision in the home.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  General guidance on services for people with disabilities was issued in 1990. It specifically
  773
  mentioned the possible need to advise the visually disabled, or their carers, about lighting equipment. Local authority social services departments' rehabilitation officers are available to provide advise about lighting requirements appropriate to the individual circumstances of those who are visually impaired.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local authorities in Wales which have appointed a social services officer with specific responsibility for visually impaired people.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  All social services authorities in Wales have such officers.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what efforts are currently undertaken by his Department to ensure that health authorities are fulfilling their statutory responsibility of providing information to parents of a visually impaired child concerning possible sources of assistance from other statutory agencies and voluntary organisations.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Existing guidance on services for people with disabilities draws attention to their information needs. It encourages the training of staff to gve clear and accurate advice on how services provided by other agencies can be obtained. It is for health authorities where appropriate to reflect that guidance in their local strategies for health which are submitted to the Department for approval.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue guidelines to health authorities in Wales on the issuing of information, medical advice, and counselling to parents following the discovery of visual impairment in their child.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  General guidance on services for people with disabilities was issued in 1990, as was the report of the working group on co-ordinating services for visually handicapped people. In 1991, the Welsh Health Planning Forum issued advice to the NHS in Wales on physical and sensory disability in the form of a protocol on health gain.

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of new build local authority and housing association dwellings have been built to appropriate standards for people with disabilities in Wales in each year between 1979 and 1991.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The percentage of new local authority and housing association dwellings built for people who are chronically sick or disabled is shown in the table. Figures for 1979 are not available.

  Year

  Percentage

  1980

  0.7

  1981

  1.2

  1982

  3.0

  1983

  7.6

  1984

  7.2

  1985

  4.8

  1986

  6.7

  1987

  21.8

  1988

  6.5

  1989

  1.9

  774

  Year

  Percentage

  1990

  3.8

  1991

  4.1

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what aspects of responsibility currently held by local education authorities in Wales will be transferred to the proposed funding agency.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Details of the duties of the proposed Schools Funding Council for Wales are contained in the White Paper "Choice and Diversity: A New Framework for Schools", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  NHS Employees
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to protect the right of free speech in relation to employees of the national health service concerning the quality of patient care; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Department has recently issued, for consultation, draft guidance which clarifies the rights and duties of NHS employees in raising matters of concern about patient services and the responsibilities of local management. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Community Care
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local authorities in Wales whose draft community care plans include references to services for multiple-disabled people.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Although all local authorities' social care plans include services for physically and/or sensorially disabled people, only West Glamorgan makes specific reference to people with multiple disabilities.

  Education White Paper
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the evidence on which he based the proposals set out in the White Paper, "Choice and Diversity: A New Framework for Schools", that a greater quality of educational provision in Wales will result from a greater diversity of type of school.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The reforms that we have already implemented—more parental choice, rigorous testing, external inspection of standards in schools, local management of schools, grant-maintained schools, and the national curriculum—are helping to shape a more open, a more responsive, and a more demanding system of education. The White Paper seeks to build on these solid foundations.

  Central Control of Schools
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new central powers he will gain over the direct control of schools when the new arrangements for education governance are in place.
  775
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The White Paper, "Choice and Diversity: A New Framework for Schools" is not about increasing the powers of the Secretary of State but about rationalising certain arrangements to ensure best use of limited resources for the benefit of children and the education service generally. There are no proposals to give the Secretary of State new powers with regard to direct control of schools.

  Electronics Companies
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of components purchased by electronics companies in Wales which are produced in Wales; and what information he has in respect of individual companies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not collated by my Department. Information held on individual companies is commercially confidential.

  Nurses
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of nurses who have achieved state registered nursing qualifications in 1992 to the latest available date within the Merthyr Tydfil and Cynon health district; and how many have been employed by the health districts.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  So far this year, 38 student nurses from the Merthyr Tydfil and Cynon Valley health district have qualified. Of these, 26 have subsequently been employed by the Mid Glamorgan health authority; information about the remainder is not available.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated cost of(a) a visit by a health visitor to administer insulin to a diabetic and (b) self-administration using a Novopen, including the cost of the Novo needle.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the cost of a visit by a health visitor is not held centrally. The cost of a Novopen and needle is commercial-in-confidence. However, many diabetics use disposable syringes to inject themselves with insulin and these are already prescribable. The use of injection pens and needles entails a real additional cost to the taxpayer. This factor has to be taken into account when considering whether to authorise their prescribing by general practitioners.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy that Novo needles shall be available on prescription for people who suffer from diabetes and require insulin treatment.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  We are continuing to consider the case for authorising general practitioners to prescribe both insulin injection pens and needles, and a final decision will be reached bearing in mind all other priorities.

  Unitary Councils
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will set out in detail the costs of establishing the new unitary councils in the areas of(a) personnel including
  776
  recruitment and relocation, (b) property costs, (c) transference to new information technology systems and (d) shadow councils and extra election costs;

  (2) if he will set out in detail the one-off costs of setting up the new unitary councils in the Principality.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have engaged Touche Ross management consultants to advise me on the nature and magnitude of transitional costs which might arise in moving to a structure of unitary authorities in Wales. I will publish the consultants' report when it is available.

  Deeside Industrial Park
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning the earliest likely date on which permanent employment on the Deeside industrial park will reach 10,000.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I regularly meet the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received in relation to the proposed Severn bridge toll increase in January 1993(a) generally and (b) in relation to future validity of books of season tickets available for sale at the present time.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what duties of policy co-ordination he has given to the relevant training and enterprise councils in Wales in relation to job creation in the areas affected by proposed pit closures.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have agreed with the chairmen of the TECs affected by coal closures that they should produce action plans or contingency plans as appropriate and that these plans should cover not only labour market issues but, in conjunction with the Welsh Development Agency, proposals for job creation.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Association of Welsh Training and Enterprise Councils in relation to funding earmarked for additional training and enterprise operations in areas affected by proposed pit closures in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I met the chairmen of Mid Glamorgan, West Wales and North East Wales TECs on 19 October 1992 to discuss the situation regarding colliery closures. I have informed the chairmen that £ 4.8 million is being made available over the next 18 months for retraining and other services and support for enterprise in the areas affected.

  I am awaiting proposals from the chairmen on the most effective use of these resources.

  Steel
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his statement on 21 October,Official Report, columns 527–28, in relation to the closure of Shotton

  777
  steelworks heavy end in 1980, what is his most up to date estimate of the numbers of people employed in premises at the Deeside industrial park in each year since 1985, the numbers permanently employed at British Steel Corporation Shotton (a) prior to the 1980 heavy end closure announcement, (b) in 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) at the most recent convenient date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Information on employment numbers at Deeside industrial park is not collected by my Department.

  Butetown Link Road
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received, and what consultations he has had, concerning the funding of the annual maintenance costs of the Butetown link road.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No such representations have been received.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Longford Hall
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he has taken to ascertain that Longford hall, Stretford is being maintained in a way which does not prejudice its status as a listed building; when a physical inspection of this property was last conducted; and what were the conclusions.

  Mr. Brooke
  Officials of the Departments concerned have been in regular touch with the owners, Trafford metropolitan borough council, about the state of the building. I understand that, pending decisions on the building's long term future, the council has authorised the carrying out of repairs, and tenders are due to be submitted by 30 October.

  Computer Projects
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish a table setting out for the period since 9 April(a) each tender issued by his Department for projects requiring the supply of (i) computer hardware and (ii) computer software, (b) a description of the services required, (c) the number of companies who were invited to tender, (d) the number of companies who submitted a hid without prior invitation by his Department, (e) which company was awarded the contract, (f) the value of each contract and (g) the length of period over which the contract will run.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: The information requested is as follows:

  (a) My Department has not yet issued any significant tenders for the supply of computer hardware and software. However, it has advertised a single major requirement in the Official Journal of the European Communities and is currently evaluating proposals. It has also purchased a number of personal computers to meet urgent interim needs.

  (b) The services required are:
  (i) the supply, configuration, installation, imple-mentation and maintenance of hardware and software to support the office-based functions of the Department;
  778
  (ii) the provision of services including system operation and administration, user support and training, system design and development and migration of existing systems.

  The Department plans to implement an integrated information system network, which will provide staff with desk-top access to a variety of services, will support specific business applications and will allow communications with external facilities.

  (c) All companies that expressed an interest by the advertised due date were invited to submit proposals in response to an "operational requirement".

  (d) Not applicable.

  (e) and (f) The contract has not yet been awarded.

  (g) 18 months with an option to extend and amend.

  Gambling
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will estimate the level of(a) satisfied and (b) unsatisfied unstimulated demand for gambling.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  Net consumer expenditure—estimated at about £ 3 billion in 1991–92—provides the best indication of the level of satisfied demand for gambling. By its nature, it is not possible to estimate the level of any unsatisfied demand.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested. However, summary details of appoint-ments made by my right hon. Friend the Minister, including details of remuneration, are contained in "Public Bodies" published annually by the Cabinet Office. A copy of the 1991 edition is available in the Library of the House.

  Genetically Engineered Food
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to ensure that all food which contains items that have been genetically engineered are so labelled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Not at present. The Food Advisory Committee—FAC—which is one of the Government's committees of independent advisers, considers the need for special labelling of foods produced using genetic modification on a case-by-case basis taking account of advice from the advisory committee on novel foods and processes and the committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment.

  The FAC committee has developed a set of guidelines for the labelling of food produced using genetic modification that are used to assist it in deciding whether special labelling is required. These guidelines are currently being reviewed by the committee and the results of this review will be made public.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the exact ages in years and months of BSE-infected cattle, both clinically diagnosed and confirmed histologically, in the period 1 June to 30 September.

  Mr. Soames
  During the period 1 June to 30 September 1992, a total of 12,528 cattle were slaughtered or died while clinically suspected of having BSE. Of these, 8,621 have been confirmed at histopathological post-mortem exami-nation and the results of 2,334 are not yet available. The dates of birth and dates of clinical onset of disease of these animals are collected on-farm as part of the ongoing epidemiological study of the disease.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the tissues involved in the cow itself as the infective agent for BSE migrating from the intestine after ingestion to the brain.

  Mr. Soames
  More than 50 different tissues have been collected from confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathies and are being assayed for infectivity by mouse inoculation. Infectivity has so far been detected only in brain.

  The following tissues have given negative results:
  Spleen, semen, buffy coat, musculus diaphragma, musculus semitendinosus, bone marrow, placenta, prefemoral lymph nodes, milk and udder, supramammary lymph nodes, mesenteric and carcase lymph nodes.

  Other results are awaited.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the amount of infective material required to be eaten to cause BSE in cattle.

  Mr. Soames
  A study is in progress to address this question.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on new types of BSE identified during the current year.

  Mr. Soames
  No new types of BSE have been identified in the current year following the histopathological examination that is applied to all confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the age at which BSE-infected cattle first show infectivity in the brain or in any other tissue.

  Mr. Soames
  A study is in progress to indicate when infectivity can be first detected in the brain and possibly in other tissues.

  GATT
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what requests have been received by the Agricultural Council of the European Community from the European Commission concerning its negotiating activities as representing the Community in the general agreement on tariffs and trade; what consultations the Commission has had with the Council on these matters; and what was the last date when they provided the Commission with a negotiating mandate.
  780
  Mr. Curry
  The Agriculture Council regularly discusses the GATT negotiations. At the Council on 26 and 27 October, the Commission reported that it was continuing to work within guidelines approved by member states, including in particular those laid down by Heads of Government at Birmingham earlier in the month.

  Beef (Import Restrictions)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many countries place restrictions on imports of cattle, calves, or beef from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  Certification of health status is a normal requirement for international trade in animals and animal products. Recommended standards are agreed by the Office International des Epizooties, which publishes the international health code.

  Scrapie
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on experiments designed to determine whether vertical transmission of the scrapie agent can occur in sheep.

  Mr. Soames
  Evidence published in the early 1970s confirmed that the foetal membranes collected from scrapie-affected ewes were capable of transmitting infection to sheep and goats following oral challenge. Observations of scrapie incidence in well recorded flocks demonstrate a strong familial pattern of cases in female lines.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Fuel Supplies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the EC Energy Commissioner in regard to the implications for European Community fuel supply and energy policy of his pit closure programme.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have discussed this matter with Commissioner Cardoso e Cunha informally on several occasions.

  British Coal
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received in regard to the extent to which British Coal has applied the citizens charter to its operations.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have received no specific representations on this point. British Coal aims to act in accordance with the principles of the citizens charter by providing all its customers with cost-effective, clean and convenient products and services.

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans the Government have for the building of nuclear power stations in Britain which are able to use as fuel the plutonium recovered in reprocessing;
  781
  (2) to what uses the plutonium recovered in reprocessing spent fuel from British nuclear power stations at the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield will be put; and whether any will be exported.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is expected that the material will ultimately be burnt in reactors to generate electricity. This could involve fast reactors, as and when they are needed, or plutonium could be used as mixed oxide fuel in conventional reactors—especially light water reactors such as Sizewell B. Studies are continuing as to whether plutonium fuels could be used economically in advanced gas-cooled reactors. While it is not axiomatic that United Kingdom civil plutonium needs to be burnt in United Kingdom reactors, this material will be transferred overseas only if Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that it will not be misused. The conditions for this include the application of safeguards and assurances covering peaceful use, physical protection and controls on re-transfer.

  It is not envisaged that fast reactors will be needed for a number of years. Nuclear Electric will not be granted capital expenditure approval for any new nuclear power stations beyond Sizewell B pending the outcome of the 1994 review of the prospects for nuclear power.

  Coal Mines (Ministerial Visits)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the deep mine coal pits he and other Ministers in his Department visited during the recent parliamentary recess; and how many coal faces were visited in those pits.

  Mr. Heseltine
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy visited Whitemoor colliery on 17 July when he saw one production face and one development face. My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Denton, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms, visited Silverwood colliery on 28 August when she saw one production face.

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will review urgently the use of orimulsion by PowerGen and proposed use of that fuel by National Power at Padiham and Peabroke for the generation of electricity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The use of orimulsion must meet the requirements set by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. The review announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will, in considering the energy policy implications of the prospects for the pits concerned, need to examine the economic implications of importing fuel for electricity generation.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made by the European Commission to him concerning complaints of the dumping of Colombian coal in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Following the standard practice for anti-dumping complaints the Commission consulted member states including the United Kingdom as to 782
  whether they should open an investigation into British Coal's complaint, which concerns imports from Colombia, the United States and China. The Government have told the Commission that we have no objection to their doing so.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give figures for the average price of imported coal(a) prior to 15 September and (b) currently; and what is the percentage change.

  Mr. Eggar
  The latest available information on the average price of imported coal is for August 1992, when the average price was £ 28.4 per tonne, including the cost of insurance and freight. Figures for September and October will not be available until the publication of the monthly overseas trade statistics by the Central Statistical Office on 12 November and 11 December respectively.

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what level of VAT will be charged to customers of the Post Office's Parcelforce business following privatisation.

  Mr. Leigh
  Following my right hon. Friend's announcement on 15 July of his intention to privatise Parcelforce, VAT is one of the many issues which is being looked at.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount his Department took into account of the likely effects of the loss of value added tax exempt status before announcing plans to privatise Parcelforce; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  My right hon. Friend's announcement to the House on 15 July was of his intention to privatise Parcelforce and took account of the key issues involved in that decision. Detailed work is now under way to establish the best way to privatise Parcelforce.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received on the competitive framework for Parcelforce following privatisation.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: As would be expected with a planned privatisation, a number of interested parties have made their views known to the Department on a wide range of issues. All such points are being given full consideration in the current study into the method of timing of sale.

  Miners Pension Fund
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average pension paid out by the miners pension fund; and if the Government will ensure that the surplus in that fund is used for the benefit of the miners.

  Mr. Eggar
  These are matters for the trustees of the miners pension fund.

  Electricity
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken, pursuant to his undertaking of 19 October,Official Report, column 236, to

  783
  place in the public realm his memorandum of 9 June containing his response to the conclusions and recommendations in the report of the Fourth Select Committee on Energy (HC 113 of 1991–92) and the associated memorandum of the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: These Memoranda are already in the public domain. They were announced by parliamentary question, placed in the Library of the House and released to the press on 9 June, and have been made available to the public on request by my Department and the Office of Electricity Regulation.

  Coal Exports
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will arrange for consideration to be given to the potential for the sale and supply of United Kingdom coal to generate electricity in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere in the European Community; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will undertake discussions with appropriate Ministers representing the Government of the Republic of Ireland regarding the sale and supply of United Kingdom coal to generate electricity in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: Sales of coal by British Coal are a matter for the corporation. I understand that British Coal exported some 175,000 tonnes of coal to Eire in 1991–92.

  Project number

  Type of services

  Number of companies invited to tender

  Company awarded contract

  Duration of contract

  1

  Hardware

  3

  Satelcom UK Ltd

  —

  2

  Software

  2

  Ingres Ltd

  —

  3

  Hardware and software

  3

  Computacenter Ltd

  —

  4

  Hardware and software

  3

  Computacenter Ltd

  —

  5

  Hardware and software

  4

  Digital Equipment Company Ltd

  —

  6

  Hardware and software

  5

  ESRI (UK)

  —

  7

  Hardware

  1

  Satelcom UK Ltd

  —

  8

  Software

  2

  Ingres Ltd

  —

  9

  Hardware

  1

  Satelcom UK Ltd

  —

  10

  Software

  4

  Not yet awarded

  —

  11

  Software

  9

  Cedar Data PLC

  —

  12

  Hardware and maintenance

  4

  Sequent UK

  3 years maintenance

  13

  Hardware and software

  6

  Not yet awarded

  —

  14

  Hardware and software

  12

  Not yet awarded

  —

  15

  Hardware

  5

  4 GL Computing Ltd

  —

  16

  Hardware, software and maintenance

  3

  Digital Equipment Company Ltd

  3 years maintenance

  17

  Development of applications software

  1

  AMP Systems Ltd

  12 months plus 6 years maintenance

  Agencies and Trading Funds
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, columns 276–77, if he will state the final outturn figures for 1991–92 for the agencies and trading funds responsible to his Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: Annual reports and accounts containing full financial details for 1991–92 for the agencies for which my Department is responsible have been published and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. Some financial details are also available in the Department's appropriation accounts 1991–92—volume 4: classes IV and V—trade and

  Departmental Tenders
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table setting out for the period since 9 April(a) each tender issued by his Department for projects requiring the supply of (i) computer hardware and (ii) computer software, (b) a description of the services required, (c) the number of companies who were invited to tender, (d) the number of companies who submitted a bid without prior invitation by his Department, (e) which company was awarded the contract, (f) the value of each contract and (g) the length of period over which the contract will run.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: The Department undertakes a wide range of computer projects, some of which may result in single purchases of low value off the shelf products and others requiring major procurements following EC/GATT procedures, possibly involving development of software as well as purchase of goods.

  The provision of a tabulation covering all tenders for administrative computer systems and software cannot be made available within the existing cost limits for answering parliamentary questions. However, a more limited tabulation covering tenders for purchases exceeding £ 20,000 is set out as follows. For reasons of commercial sensitivity contract values are not shown. Procurement procedures do not allow for bids to be considered unless in response to an invitation or EC Journal advertisement. All contracts are for supply only except where stated.

  industry and energy. I shall be preparing a consolidated table of their results in the next trade and industry expenditure plans report, which is due for publication in February 1993.

  Postal Services
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to clarify the application of article 13a(1)(a) of the EC sixth VAT directive to private and privatised postal services; and if he will make a statement.
  785
  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: It is not apparent that such legislation is necessary. If required, it would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to article 30 of the protocol to the Maastricht treaty on European central banks what is the maximum sum in pounds sterling that the United Kingdom would be requested to contribute to the European central bank, under present conditions, under article 30 of the protocol to the Maastricht treaty on European central banks.

  Mr. Nelson
  No contribution of foreign reserve assets would be made unless the United Kingdom were to participate in stage 3 of economic and monetary union. The United Kingdom share of any initial contribution if we did participate could only be calculated nearer the time, under articles 30.1 and 29.1. This amount could also be increased subsequently under article 30.4.

  Executive Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 161 of the Treasury Minute Cm 2074, what proposals he has for amending the statutes of those executive non-departmental public bodies, where the Comptroller and Auditor General does not have the primary duty of audit nor a reserve duty of regularity and propriety audit. in order to provide such rights.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Establishing inspection rights for the Comptroller and Auditor General in such cases need not involve the amendment of statutes. Sponsor Departments will use their best endeavours to secure such rights by agreement.

  Business Expansion Scheme Lettings
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new lettings from investments under the business expansion scheme there were in(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1991–92 in (i) the south-east and (ii) the United Kingdom; and what percentage these figures represent of (1) all privately rented property and (2) all rented property.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Provisional estimates for new lettings under the business expansion scheme in 1990–91 and 1991–92 are as follows. A reliable estimate of the proportion of new lettings in south-east England in 1991–92 is not available.

  Tender subject

  Number of tenders

  Winning company

  Approximate value £

  Years

  Supply of microcomputers

  68

  Tandon/Compstand

  800,000

  3

  Asset Management System

  2

  Ground Modelling Systems

  80,000

  1

  Sun Computer System

  6

  Productivity Computers

  30,000

  1

  In all these tenders, the companies that submitted a bid were invited to tender.
  786

  New lettings as a percentage of:

  Total number

  all privately rented property per cent.

  all rented property per cent.

  1990–91

  South East England

  2,500

  0.42

  0.11

  United Kingdom

  5,700

  0.33

  0.07

  1991–92

  United Kingdom

  8,500

  0.49

  0.11

  Balance of Payments
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual balance of payments position of each Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country at the last available date.

  Mr. Portillo
  Data on OECD countries' current account balances for 1991 are in the OECD's "Economic Outlook", June 1992.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the United Kingdom's balance of payments position on manufacturing goods in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Portillo
  Information on the balance for manufactured goods is published in the Central Statistical Office's "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" and is also available on the Central Statistical Office databank which may be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Computer Projects
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table setting out for the period since 9 April(a) each tender issued by his Department for projects requiring the supply of (i) computer hardware and (ii) computer software, (b) a description of the services required, (c) the number of companies who were invited to tender, (d) the number of companies who submitted a bid without prior invitation by his Department, (e) which company was awarded the contract, (f) the value of each contract and (g) the length of period over which the contract will run.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: The Treasury has completed three tender exercises since 9 April 1992. Some of these were started before 9 April but were awarded after that date. The table does not include tenders that were let by CCTA on Treasury's behalf or tenders let by CCTA and Chessington computer centre for their own purchases. These tenders will be part of the Office of Public Service and Science's reply to this question.

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he intends to ensure that Parcelforce, when privatised, will be on an equal value-added tax footing with its competitors.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: The various options for achieving the privatisation of Parcelforce are still under consideration. One of these considerations is the desirability of achieving greater parity of VAT treatment between competitors in the postal sector.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the value-added tax status of Parcelforce following privatisation.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: My right hon. Friend has received no direct representations on this subject, but I have received representations from the Association of International Courier and Express Services proposing that the privatised Parcelforce should be "fully registered" for VAT.

  Postal Services
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had or intends to have with EC finance Ministers and the Commission on article 13 a (1)(a) of the EC sixth VAT directive on exemption to public postal services; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 29 October 1992]: My right hon. Friend has had no discussions with EC Finance Ministers or the Commission about the VAT exemption for public postal services. Although the EC Commission, like the Government, is currently considering the impact of this exemption on competition within the postal sector, it is too early yet to say if and when any discussions at ministerial level will take place.

  Magnetic Tape (VAT)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of VAT applies to the supply of magnetic tape and related apparatus to the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the National Listening Library and other similar charities.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: Supplies to the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the National Listening Library and other similar charities, of specially adapted magnetic tape, related apparatus, and special pre-recorded tapes for use by the blind and severely handicapped are zero-rated for VAT.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to encourage businesses to provide information on tape for use by the blind or severely handicapped by ensuring that such tapes are taxed in the same way as the supply and production of such information in printed form.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: There is already a wide measure of VAT zero-rating relief for the purchase of specialised equipment for use by blind and severely handicapped people. In addition, supplies of pre-recorded tapes to the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the National Listening Library and other similar charities are zero-rated.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the names of public appointments that he has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees, and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The details requested are as follows:

  Public appointments

  Public body and Name

  Appointment expires

  Remuneration

  Anglo-Irish Encounter

  Sir David Goodall, GCMG

  Indefinite

  Nil

  D. M. S. Cape, CMG

  Indefinite

  Nil

  Commonwealth Foundation

  Dr. J. B. Wood

  1993

  Nil

  Commonwealth Institute

  Mr. Stephen Cox

  1996

  £45,000 pa

  Mr. R. A. Fyjis-Walker

  1993

  £15,000 pa

  Sir Mark Russell

  1992

  Nil

  Mr. D. A. Thompson

  1992

  Nil

  Mr. Stuart Maclure

  1994

  Nil

  Mr. Cy Grant

  1994

  Nil

  Mr. G. Oakes

  1995

  Nil

  Mr. C. Shepherd

  1994

  Nil

  Dr. Ann Robinson

  1995

  Nil

  Miss Diane Warwick

  1993

  Nil

  Sir Victor Garland

  1993

  Nil

  Hon. David Douglas-Home

  1993

  Nil

  Lady Reid

  1993

  Nil

  Dame J. Barrow

  1992

  Nil

  Mr. James Lemkin

  1992

  Nil

  Diplomatic Service Appeal Boards

  Sir Derek Day

  1994

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. Frank Trew

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Sir David Calcutt

  1993

  Per diem expenses

  Sir Mark Russel

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Mrs. Jacqueline Dyson

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine

  Sir William Harding, KCMG CVO

  1993

  Nil

  Major John Surtees, OBE, MC

  1995

  Nil

  Mr. David Cossart

  1994

  Nil

  Mr. Anthony Hanson

  1994

  Nil

  Mr. Mark Savage

  1995

  Nil

  Imperial War Museum

  Sir E. Jackson

  1993

  Nil

  Mr. I. Smart

  1994

  Nil

  Irish Pensions Appeals Tribunal

  Dr. Gregg

  Indefinite

  £145 per diem

  Mr. R. J. Tierney

  Indefinite

  £151 per diem

  Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission

  Sir Donald Tebbit, GCMG

  Indefinite

  Nil

  Miss Sheila Browne, CB

  1993

  Nil

  Prof. Sir James Ball

  1993

  Nil

  Prof. H. T. Dickinson

  1994

  Nil

  Sir Roger Bannister, CBE

  1994

  Nil

  Ms. Sue MacGregor

  1995

  Nil

  Sir Arthur Bryan

  1994

  Nil

  Dr. K. J. R. Edwards

  1993

  Nil

  Prof. Christine Bolt

  1995

  Nil

  Prof. Lord Desai

  1995

  Nil

  789

  Public body and Name

  Appointment expires

  Remuneration

  London University School of Oriental and Arician Studies

  Lord Wilson of Tillyorn

  1997

  Nil

  Sightsavers

  Mr. A. R. Rushford

  1997

  Nil

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy

  Sir James Spicer

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. George Robertson, MP

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Sir Russell Johnston, MP

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. Tony Clarke

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing, MP

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Prof. Peter Frank

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. Timothy Garton-Ash

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Lady Howe, JP

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. Gavin Laird

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. Ralph Land, OBE

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. Patrick Nicholls, MP

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Dr. Michael Pinto-Duschinsky

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Mr. Ian Taylor, MP

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Miss Carol Tongue, MEP

  Indefinite

  Per diem expenses

  Wilton Park Academic Council

  Mr. Michael Kaser

  1995

  Nil

  Mr. John Drew

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Mr. John Scates

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Dr. Connie Martin

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Prof. Jack Spence

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Dr. Janet Morgan

  1995

  Nil

  Mr. Bruce George, MP

  1995

  Nil

  Mr. John Lyons, CBE

  1995

  Nil

  Mrs. Liliana Archibald

  1995

  Nil

  Miss Norvela Forster

  1992

  Nil

  Mr. Robert MacLennan, MP

  1992

  Nil

  Dr. Edwina Moreton

  1992

  Nil

  Mr. John Pinder, OBE

  1992

  Nil

  Mr. Peter Temple-Morris, MP

  1993

  Nil

  Sir Julian Bullard, GCMG

  1993

  Nil

  Ms. Brenda Dean

  1994

  Nil

  Wilton Park Departmental Board

  Miss Valerie Le Moignan

  1995

  Nil

  Miss Ruth Watts Davies

  1995

  Nil

  Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

  Sir Michael Caine

  1993

  Nil

  Dr. A. Sloman

  1993

  Nil

  Prof. R. A. Howie

  1994

  Nil

  Prof. B. Clayton

  1993

  Nil

  Prof. J. G. G. Ledingham

  1995

  Nil

  Mrs. D. L. Wedderburn

  1994

  Nil

  Prof. S. Marks

  1995

  Nil

  Prof. Gillian Beer

  1993

  Nil

  Dr. C. Booth

  1995

  Nil

  Dr. R. O. Iredale

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Dr. P. Parsloe

  1992

  Nil

  Prof. A. Little

  1993

  Nil

  Prof. D. Jennings

  1993

  Nil

  Mr. R. Francis

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Prof. A. Diplock

  1994

  Nil

  Overseas Service Pension Scheme

  J. V. Kerby

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  D. S. Fish

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  C. D. Stenton

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  Miss D. R. Phillips

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  D. H. Loades

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  Indian Family Pension Scheme

  D. S. Fish

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Maj. Gen. D. T. T. Horsford

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  Major R. J. Henderson

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  790

  Public body and Name

  Appointment expires

  Remuneration

  Lt. Col. P. Kemmis-Betty

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  Major R. Mottram

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  R. V. Fenton

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  J. M. Phelps

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  J. P. C. Coventry

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  G. E. D. Walker

  Unspecified

  Per diem expenses

  Commonwealth Development Corporation

  Sir Peter E. Leslie

  1995

  £12,000

  Sir Michael Caine

  1994

  £5,001-£10,000 band

  Mrs. A. E. Wright, JP

  1994

  £l-£5,000 band

  Prof. M. L. O. Faber

  1994

  Mr. M. McWilliam

  1992

  Mr. E. B. Waide

  1992

  Prof. I. D. Carruthers

  1995

  J. B. Zochonis

  1995

  Crown Agents1

  Mr. D. H. Probert

  1993

  £30,000

  Dr. A. I. Lenton

  1993

  £5,001–10,000 band

  P. F. Berry

  1994

  £65,1002

  Mrs. D. Miller, MBE, JP

  1993

  £5,000-£10,000 band

  Miss K. Mortimer

  1993

  Mr. A. K. Stewart-Roberts

  1993

  Mr. F. Cassell, CB

  1994

  Mr. J. D. Andrews

  1995

  Mr. F. I. Sumner

  1995

  ODA Advisory Committee on Economic and Social Research Overseas

  Mr. J. B. Wilmshurst

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  R. Allen, MA

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Dr. S. Conlin

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Dr. R. Thomas

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Ms. C. Coppard

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Mr. A. Hall

  Ex-officio

  Nil

  Prof, the Reverend Roland Moss

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Dr. C. O. N. Moser

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Prof. A. W. Rew

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Dr. F. Stewart

  1992

  Per diem expenses

  Prof. J. F. J. Toye

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Dr. H. Afshar

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Prof. P. Blaikie

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Prof. K. Davey

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Ms. D. Elson

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Dr. J. Heyer

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  Prof. N. Stern

  1995

  Per diem expenses

  1 When members are appointed to this board they are also appointed to the Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board.

  2 Excluding pension contributions.

  Note: For Crown Agents and Commonwealth Development Corporation, figures are taken from 1991 published accounts.

  Information on the exact period for which each appointment was made and the relevant qualifications of the appointees is not held centrally.

  There are five appointments vacant across three committees.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when a decision is to be taken on an entry clearance application made by Noreen Akhtar, born 7 February 1974 (Ref. IMM/B1438), at the post in Islamabad;

  (2) when a decision is to be taken on an entry clearance application made by Azhar lqbal, born 1 January 1968 (Ref. IMM/93512), at the post in Islamabad.
  791
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the absence of any information about these cases, I have asked the high commission in Islamabad for a full report. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

  European Parliament
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the cost of the European Parliament not having a single seat.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Clearly the costs of the present arrangements for the European Parliament are higher than they would be if it had a single seat. We are not, however, aware of any single, official estimate.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he is making to the proposal of the hon. Member for Northampton, North for the provision of independent scrutiny of the Government's proposed leaflet on the Maastricht treaty before its publication.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. The Government's pamphlet will set out in objective fashion the benefits of Community membership, how the Community operates and the changes introduced by the Maastricht treaty.

  Caribbean
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the review of policy and management of the Caribbean dependent territories.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I have reviewed our policy towards, and the management of, our business with the Caribbean dependent territories—Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

  Our record in assisting the economic development of these territories is good, but their economies are weak. They need to attract more sound private investment, and to develop their infrastructures, so as to stand more securely on their feet. Sustained economic progress will only come through the strengthening of good government.

  I have decided that we should make changes in our existing arrangements for these territories. As the Minister responsible, I will chair a ministerial board of management for the territories to bring together those Government Departments and agencies which have a part to play in the territories' affairs to improve co-ordination within Whitehall. A new secretariat for the territories will be set up in the region to co-ordinate all official funding programmes and provide on-the-spot support and advice for Governors and territory Governments.

  We wish to encourage the elected Governments of the territories to work closely with us in a spirit of partnership and common enterprise. Our Governors will play a vital part in achieving that aim.

  I also propose to introduce jointly agreed country policy plans for each aid-receiving territory. The Governments of the territories will have an important say
  792
  in drawing up these plans, in discussions with governors and the regional secretariat. Together they will agree the priorities for development and improvements needed in the administration of the territories over a three-year period, to be reviewed annually. These plans will represent a joint public commitment by the British and dependent territory Governments to the future development and good government of the territory.

  I believe that these measures will significantly strengthen our ability to assist the Caribbean dependent territories in their efforts to develop their economies and societies in an increasingly challenging environment.

  Solo Greenpeace
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to secure the release of Helena Sierakowski and the other crew members of the NV Solo Greenpeace ship arrested by Russian authorities in the Kara sea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 22 October 1992]: The Greenpeace ship Solo was intercepted by the Russian authorities in the sea of Kara on 12 October. The ship's dinghy had allegedly entered Russian jurisdiction. The Solo was escorted into a naval bay north of Murmansk, arriving on 18 October. In accordance with Russian law, the ship was held for three days while the Russians decided whether to press charges. On 21 October, the ship was released with all crew members on board. No charges were laid.

  The Netherlands consular representative was the only consular official permitted to board the vessel, which was registered in the Netherlands and captained by a Netherlands national. He did so on 18 October, and reported to the British consulate general in St. Petersburg that all crew members were safe and well.

  European Economic Area
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when it is intended that the European economic area agreement signed on 2 May will come into force.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I have been asked to reply.

  The agreement establishing the European economic area provides for it to come into force from 1 January 1993. Before it comes into force it will require ratification by all the EC and EFTA member states and the assent of the European Parliament. To this end the Government introduced a Bill to the House of Lords on 22 October. Subject to parliamentary progress, the Government intend to ratify the EEA as soon possible.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Public Bills
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many amendments have been proposed to public Bills in Committee this session by(a) the Government and (b) the Opposition; and how many have been agreed to.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Payroll Giving
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members currently take advantage of the payroll giving scheme by deduction from their Parliamentary salaries.

  Mr. Newton
  There are currently 41 Members who have authorised deductions from their parliamentary salaries under the payroll giving scheme.

ENVIRONMENT

  Groundwater Protection
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to encourage the widening of the scope of the proposed European Community directive on groundwater protection to include management of water catchments.

  Mr. Maclean
  The EC ministerial declaration at the Hague in November 1991 invited the Commission to elaborate proposals to improve the management and protection of groundwater in the Community. These proposals are awaited.

  EC Environment Policy
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, during the United Kingdom's presidency of the European Community, he will seek to encourage the European Community to take environmental considerations into account in its structural funds monitoring procedure; and if he will introduce a new article into the structural fund regulations guaranteeing freedom of information;

  (2) if he will make it his policy during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EC to encourage the European investment bank to integrate environmental assessment into its decision-making process;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to promote the amendment of structural fund regulations so that (a) any actions affecting land use and resource consumption must promote conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in order to receive funding and (b) payments under the fund are cancelled where there is clear evidence that EC laws have been breached;

  (4) if he will make it his policy during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EC to secure (a) the establishment of a European environmental agency (b) evaluation by environmental audit of each directorate general (c) environmental assessments of all new EC initiatives and regulations, with regulations to be accompanied by an environmental statement and (d) rapid progress with the proposed directive on environmental assessment for programmes and plans;

  (5) if he will take steps to ensure that the European Community's fifth action programme on the environment addresses fishery issues;
  794
  (6) what efforts will be undertaken by his Department to ensure that the EC's fifth action programme on the environment (a) addresses trade issues and (b) contains clear targets and timetables, including targets for transports.

  Mr. Maclean
  In the EC, the fifth action programme itself, as well as the initiation and enforcement of measures such as the structural fund regulations are primarily a matter for the Commission. It has undertaken, in putting forward proposals, to assess their environmental impact and the Community as a whole will promote sustainable growth which respects the environment. As presidency, we are playing our part in giving effect to the treaty obligation that environmental protection shall be a component of the EC's other policies. We are doing this through, for example, a Council resolution on the fifth action programme which will highlight the importance of the integration of the environment into other policies and of the need for effective review; in our approach to the revision of the structural fund regulations; and through discussion of the environment in a number of other policy areas. We are also seeking the early establishment of the European environment agency. The Community as a whole is committed to greater openness.

  10 Downing Street
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of the refurbishment currently being carried out at No. 10 Downing street; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  There is no refurbishment currently being carried out at No. 10 Downing street. Works to improve security at Nos. 10, 11, and 12 Downing street are nearing completion. Their cost is estimated at £ 7.6 million.

  EC Habitats Directives
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being undertaken to accelerate the designation of protection areas tinder the European Community birds directive; and if he will bring forward legislation to implement the European Community habitats directive during the United Kingdom's presidency of the European Community.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department and the statutory nature conservation bodies are affording high priority to the designation of special protection areas for birds and are working together on an accelerated designation programme. As a result, 21 special protection areas have been designated in the past 12 months, bringing the United Kingdom total to 61 sites. The Government are currently considering the measures necessary to implement the habitats directive; the legal framework for which is required to be in place by June 1994.

  EC Habitats Directives
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made to the EC to secure that agro-environmental schemes utilised by the EC are interlinked with the objectives laid out in the birds and habitats directives.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food worked together closely in pressing for the integration of agricultural and environmental objectives within the common agricultural policy during the recent reform negotiations. The reform package includes an agri-environment measure that requires all member states to operate programmes to encourage environmentally friend farming. The preamble to the agri-environment regulation—Council regulation EEC No. 2978/92—says that measures must contribute towards certain specific environmental goals set out in Community legislation, while article 4.5 provides a link between agri-environmental aid schemes and other Community provisions.

  Government Cars
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who won the tender to supply vehicles for the Government's secure car scheme fleet; how many organisations submitted tenders; and when the tender will next be advertised.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government car service vehicles are generally purchased through Government call-off contracts with the vehicle manufacturers concerned. The advertising of the tenders for these contracts is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of vehicles by make and type that are currently in the Government's secure car scheme fleet.

  Mr. Baldry
  The GCS car fleet comprises some 180 vehicles which is made up of the following car makes and types:

  Car makes and types

  Number

  Jaguars

  14

  Rover 800 Series

  47

  Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.0 litre

  33

  Rover Montego 2.0 litre

  23

  Rover 400 Series

  48

  Range Rover

  1

  Daimler Limousine

  2

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for the last 12 months the number of times a vehicle from the Government's secure car scheme fleet has been used by Government Ministers for private use.

  Mr. Baldry
  Ministers, except where it is justified on security grounds, do not normally use GCS cars for private purposes. For private use of a non-security nature, Ministers would be charged for the use of the car by their own Department. No central record is maintained.

  Renovation Grants
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the actual amount spent in each region on mandatory renovation grants in 1991–92; and what is the expected outturn by region on mandatory renovation grants for 1992–93.

  Mr. Baldry
  Expenditure by local authorities on mandatory grants in each standard region of England for 1991–92 under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 is shown in the table.

  Mandatory grants: Final payments 1991–92 (Under Local Government and Housing Act 1989)

  £ million

  Region

  Renovation grants

  All mandatory grants1

  North

  16.3

  18.4

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  17.1

  24.6

  East Midlands

  18.5

  22.2

  East Anglia

  7.7

  9.5

  Greater London

  15.0

  19.8

  Rest of South East

  26.6

  35.4

  South West

  20.1

  25.3

  West Midlands

  25.5

  31.7

  North West

  37.9

  44.8

  England

  184.6

  231.6

  Source: As reported by local authorities on the housing statistics return PID.

  Note:

  1 Total of mandatory renovation, Houses in Multiple Occupation, common parts and disabled facilities grants.

  Information about mandatory grants paid under the previous system, under the Housing Act 1985, is not available.

  Estimates from this year's HIP2 forms, which include local authorities' expected outturns for 1992–93, have not yet been finalised.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds were allocated in each region for mandatory renovation grants in the years 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Baldry
  Resources are not allocated to local authorities in each region solely for expenditure on mandatory renovation grants. Each authority receives an overall allowance for specified capital grant, as part of its annual housing investment programme—HIP—alloca-tion, to support private sector renewal work, including house renovation grants. This covers the Exchequer contribution towards the expenditure—75 per cent. in the case of grants. Allocations of specified capital grant to local authorities in each region for 1991–92 and 1992–93 are set out in the HIP allocation tables for local authorities in England for those years, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Housing Associations
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to representations from the National Federation of Housing Associations about the retention of the £ 2 billion grant for housing associations; and if he will make it his policy that no cuts in expenditure will be made to the budget for the west midlands.
  797
  Mr. Baldry
  The chairwoman of the National Federation of Housing Associations wrote to my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, on 7 September.

  In replying on their behalf, my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning said that the Government could not comment on the discussions that are currently taking place about future public expenditure.

  Next year, as this, resources will be allocated to the Housing Corporation's regions in accordance with the housing needs indicator.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for each water company supplying water to domestic customers in England, the supply zones where one or more drinking water inspectorate sample in 1991 exceeded 10 micrograms of lead per litre of water; arid if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not readily available in the form requested and could he made available only at disproportionate cost. However I draw the hon. Member's attention to "Drinking Water 1991", the second annual report by the chief drinking water inspector, and to the document, "Nitrate, Pesticides and Lead, 1989 and 1990", published by the drinking water inspectorate in July 1992. These reports contain considerable information about lead concentration in water supplies. I regret that the hon. Member has misinterpreted information from these documents in his report "Poison in the Pipeline?"

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to respond to representations concerning local government finance made to him by Sefton borough council on 13 August.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I replied to Sefton borough council's letter on 21 October.

  Radioactive Waste (Aquatic Life)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has undertaken in order to evaluate effects of low-level radioactive waste on aquatic life.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 October,Official Report, column 320, where in Somalia the 19,100 tonnes of British food aid and 105,000 tonnes of EC food aid were delivered; to whom the aid was delivered and on what dates; and what were the commodities.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Information on United Kingdom food aid for Somalia is given in the table. I shall write to 798
  the hon. Gentleman with details of EC food aid to Somalia when we receive the relevant information, which we have requested from the European Commission.

  United Kingdom aid to Somalia

  Tonnes

  Agency

  Town-area

  Period of distribution

  (Rice)

  30 January to 28

  12,000

  Kisimayo region

  February 1992

  Liboi

  2 May to 29 May 1992

  (Lentils)

  6 March to 5 June

  1,250

  ICRC

  Mogadishu region

  1992

  (vegetable oil)

  10 March to 5

  850

  Merca

  June 1992

  14,100

  (wheat)

  5,000

  WFP

  Berbera

  Late August 1992

  19,100

DEFENCE

  Royal Navy Supertanker
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is planned to replace or install a command and control system in the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria in 1996; what arrangement for command and control will endure during the intervening period; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The ship is designed to be fitted with a command system at a later date. The exact nature of this will depend upon the finally approved equipment fit. The ship will be able to operate its existing weapons in the interim period.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria was designed to be equipped with the Sea Wolf defence system; if this will now be installed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The ship has been designed to be fitted with the vertical launch Sea Wolf system at a later date, if necessary. The operational requirement to fit the system is currently under review, but no decision has yet been taken.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what protection and computerised control systems will have been installed when the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria goes into service.

  Mr. Aitken
  The machinery control and surveillance system for the computerised control of the ship and its machinery will be fully operational when the ship enters full service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The ship is designed to be fitted with a command system at a later date.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original budget for the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria; what is the current budget; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The original contract for Fort Victoria was valued at £ 127.2 million at 1985–86 prices. A final settlement has not yet been reached; our estimate of the cost is commercially confidential.
  799
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original expected delivery date of the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria; what it is now; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The original in-service date for Fort Victoria was 1990. Because of problems experienced by the contractor, it is now forecast that the ship will be fully accepted into service in 1993.

  Diversification Agency
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his policy to evaluate the benefits of establishing a defence diversification agency to protect jobs in companies currently involved in military equipment and armament production.

  Mr. Aitken
  No.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the amounts of money which have been and are estimated to be spent on(a) developing and (b) producing the European fighter aircraft for each financial year, by each country involved in the project; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jonathan Aitken
  It is not my Department's policy to give details of estimated project expenditure, derived from the long-term costing, which is designed for internal planning purposes. Expenditure by the United Kingdom each year since the beginning of the European fighter aircraft project is as follows:

  Financial year

  Expenditure £ million revalued to 1992 economic conditions

  1984–85

  2

  1985–86

  3

  1986–87

  30

  1987–88

  68

  1988–89

  127

  1989–90

  151

  1990–91

  208

  1991–92

  366

  11992–93

  162

  1 The figures for 1992–93 is expenditure to date.

  We do not maintain records of the progress of expenditure by our partners. The total cost to the four partner nations of developing EFA is estimated at about £8.5 billion, of which the United Kingdom share is about £2.7 billion.

  Sea Training
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will indicate the number of(a) Royal Navy ships and (b) NATO ships that undertake a period of sea training at Portland on an annual basis; and what level of income is generated by these arrangements.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In 1991–92, a total of 43 Royal Navy, 17 Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and 12 ships from NATO nations undertook a period of sea training at Portland.
  800
  Over this period cash receipts for training to foreign navies amounted to some £0.1 million. Some nations provide services in support of sea training rather than cash.

  Defence Commitments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the estimated attributable costs of defence commitments for 1992–93 for(a) strategic nuclear deterrent, (b) defence of home base including Northern Ireland, (c) defence of central fronts, including (i) British Army of the Rhine, (ii) RAF Germany and (iii) Berlin and (d) maritime operations including (1) eastern Atlantic, (2) channel, (3) amphibious capability, (4) Allied Command Europe mobile force, (5) United Kingdom mobile force, (6) Belize, (7) Cyprus, (8) Falkland Islands, (9) Gibraltar, (10) Hong Kong and (11) operational HQ costs.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is no longer possible to provide the information in the form requested. Table 1.3 of "Defence Statistics 1992" shows a breakdown of the defence budget by programme for the years up to 1991–92, but in order to reflect the way in which defence expenditure is now controlled under the new management strategy, this table has been superseded by table 1.3A showing how the defence budget is distributed among top and high level budget holders.

  Naval Bases
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those who are being consulted about the review of United Kingdom naval bases, including both national and international bodies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is no single review of United Kingdom naval bases. A number of measures potentially affecting particular bases are being examined as part of continuing work to match support to a smaller front line. Other Government Departments are consulted as necessary. The trades unions will be consulted on any proposals, and local authorities will have the opportunity to give their views so that all relevant factors can be considered before final decisions are announced.

  The provision of support facilities is a national responsibility. NATO authorities are, however, aware of our strategy for ensuring cost-effective support of the Royal Navy.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will amend the therapeutic earnings rule to enable people undertaking a specified and limited amount of voluntary work to continue obtaining invalidity benefit or severe disablement allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  People receiving invalidity benefit or severe disablement allowance may undertake work, including work for a voluntary organisation, if it is likely to benefit their health; and as long as their earnings do not exceed £40.50 a week. We have no plans to amend these conditions.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he intends to implement to
  801
  reduce the number of occasions on which responses are unavailable on an application for disabled living allowance because the file has been lost.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Alun Michael, dated 28 October 1992.

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about what arrangements he intends to implement to reduce the number of occasions on which responses are unavailable on an application for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) because the file has been lost.

  I regret that there have been occasions when telephone enquiries could not be answered because the file has been unavailable but I am sure you will appreciate that when vast numbers of cases are being handled it may sometimes be difficult to locate a particular file. When files have been temporarily mislaid, a special search is instigated as soon as possible so that the enquiry can be answered.

  The measures we have introduced to clear the backlog of DLA claims have already reduced the number of outstanding cases and location of files should be more straightforward in future. There will always be a steady volume of outstanding work, for instance where further enquiries have to be made, but with the clearance of the backlog this will reduce to manageable proportions.

  I hope you will find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration his Department has given to implementing the recommendations of the 1990 report of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, entitled "Hard Labour".

  Mr. Scott
  The Department considered this report in full and replied in detail to the national association explaining how existing and planned procedures addressed the report's concerns.

  Income Support Claimants
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether an unemployed person claiming income support may participate in a part-time education or training course; what conditions they have to satisfy; whether people leaving employment training or employment action can immediately take advantage of the 21-hour rule concession; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Unemployed income support recipients can participate in part-time education or training courses provided that the supervised study element of the course does not exceed 21 hours a week and they are prepared to give up the course if a suitable job vacancy becomes available. In order to take advantage of this people have to be aged 18 or older and satisfy the following conditions:

  (a) they must have been unemployed and in receipt of unemployment or sickness benefit or income support because of unemployment or sickness, or participating in Youth Training for three months, or at least three months in the previous six if they have been in temporary employment between spells of unemployment, after the terminal date for Child Benefit and before they start the course; and

  802

  (b) the course is defined as part-time and does not consist of more than 21 hours a week (based solely on periods of supervised study and course requirements); and

  (c) the course is an education course run by a college, school or equivalent recognised institution or is a training course analogous to one for which a training allowance is payable; and

  (d) they are prepared to leave the course immediately a suitable vacancy becomes available; and

  (e) they continue to actively seek work while attending the course.

  People who leave the employment training or employment action programme have to satisfy the qualifying conditions before they can take advantage of the 21-hour rule concession.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of income support payments were made to unemployed families in each year since 1990–91.

  Mr. Burt
  Expenditure on income support to unemployed families for the years 1990–91 is shown in the table. Statistics for 1992 are not yet available.

  Annual expenditure £ million

  Average weekly payment £

  1990

  899

  77.94

  1991

  1,319

  84.04

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the administrative cost for benefit payments to unemployed families, for each year since 1987–88.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 28 October.

  Benefits Expenditure
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total benefit payment expenditure, for each social security benefit, for each year since 1979–80.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is published in the Government expenditure plans for the relevant years, copies of which are in the Library.

  Industrial Injury
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many miners, having been diagnosed as suffering from bronchitis and emphysema, have been refused compensation for industrial injury; and how many of them would be entitled to claim if it was recognised as an industrial injury.

  Mr. Scott
  Since bronchitis and emphysema are not in the list of diseases prescribed for industrial injuries disablement benefit—IIDB. No information on diagnoses is held. The number of potential recipients of IIDB is not known.

  Maxwell Pensions
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the latest position over what moneys have been paid out to former employees, now retired, of Maxwell companies; and what further sums are to be paid out.
  803
  Miss. Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 26 October, at column 492. Further grants totalling £ 393,000 are being made from the £ 2.5 million emergency funding to assist with payment of November pensions. In addition, state additional pensions are being paid and will continue to be paid to members of Maxwell pension schemes who have been brought back into the state earnings-related pension scheme. The Maxwell Pensioners Trust, which is chaired by Sir John Cuckney, has so far made payments of some £ 17,000 to 47 ex-employees of Maxwell companies who are not members of Maxwell-linked pension schemes. The trustees are considering how best to provide this particularly vulnerable group with long-term financial security.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fair Employment
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Fair Employment Commission to discuss progress on fair employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  As the responsible Minister, I meet the chairman of the Fair Employment Commission every six months to review the implementation of fair employment legislation and the work of the Commission. I last met the chairman on 22 June 1992; the date of the next meeting has not yet been fixed.

  Education Costs
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost per capita for education of a child in(a) secondary and (b) primary schools in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the 1990–91 financial year £ 1,179 was the cost of a primary school child and £ 1,852 for a secondary school child.

  Constitutional Talks
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had regarding new political initiatives from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current talks.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current circumstances surrounding the all-party talks on Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in resolving the United Kingdom dimension of the constitutional problems of Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) and for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick).

  Small Firms
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has further to boost the small firms sector.

  Mr. Atkins
  LEDU, the small business agency, is currenty implementing its strategy for the period up to 1994 and has introduced recently a number of new programmes which are aimed at improving competitiveness and growth in the small firms sector. In December it will launch a further major initiative in the business growth and development programme.

  Special Needs Education
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils in Northern Ireland schools have been statemented.

  Mr. Hanley
  At January 1992, 6,365 children were receiving special educational provision in Northern Ireland. Normally I would expect such children to have statements of special education needs. However, a recent report in Great Britain claimed that numbers of children attending special schools in some local education authorities did not have statements. I have therefore asked the five education and library boards for detailed information on the position in Northern Ireland and I will write to the hon. Member when this information has been received.

  Cross-border Security
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on cross-border security.

  Mr. Mates
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend).

  Job Creation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new jobs need to be created in 1992–93 in Northern Ireland to provide jobs for school leavers in 1993.

  Mr. Atkins
  About 9,000 school leavers are expected to enter the labour market in 1993. Some of these will take newly created jobs and some will find jobs vacated by others, for example people retiring, changing employment, or moving from Northern Ireland. Those 16 and 17-year-olds who do not find a job immediately are guaranteed a place on the youth training programme.

  Abortion
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received about abortion in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the past six months 30 representations have been received from individuals and bodies, of which four were in favour of the extension of the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland and 26 were opposed to any reform of the existing laws on abortion in the Province.

  Drugs Prevention Week
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what initiatives he plans for the Province in support of European Drugs Prevention Week between 16 and 22 November.

  Mr. Hanley
  The range of initiatives planned for Northern Ireland in support of European Drugs Prevention Week include an open forum on solvent misuse to be held on 16 November followed by a conference entitled Young People and Drugs on 17 and 18 November. The opportunity will also be taken during the week to publish a booklet for parents on solvent misuse, to issue fresh guidance to doctors on the clinical management of drug misuse and to announce the findings of a youth health survey on the attitudes amongst young people to drugs.

  Belfast Airport
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on future plans for Belfast international airport.

  Mr. Atkins
  On 20 November 1991, my predecessor announced the Government's plans to sell the publicly-owned company which operates Belfast international airport. Legislation is being prepared to give effect to the privatisation and a draft order will be published in May 1993. The timetable envisages the order being made in the spring of 1994 with the sale of the company taking place during the summer of that year.

  Security
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Since my predecessor answered a similar question on 26 February 1992 there have been 36 deaths as a result of the security situation in Northern Ireland, including 30 civilians, four soldiers, and two RUC officers.

  I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning the continuing terrorist crimes. The Government will continue to give their full support to the police and armed forces in upholding the rule of law, striving to protect the community from terrorism, and bringing those who commit terrorist crimes to justice. Up to the end of September this year some 310 people have been charged with terrorist related offences, including 83 with murder or attempted murder.

  Tourism
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what growth in the level of tourism he projects for 1992–93.

  Mr. Atkins
  Firm estimates for 1992 are not yet available but the Northern Ireland tourist board estimates, at this stage, an increase for 1992 of 3 per cent. in total visitors above the record 1991 level of 1.186 million.

  Transport Links
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the EC Commission on surface transport links between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  Mr. Atkins
  None.

  Security
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost of security operations to counter terrorism in Northern Ireland during the current financial year.

  Mr. Mates
  The cost of security operations to counter terrorism in Northern Ireland could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new undergraduates have been enrolled at(a) the Queen's university of Belfast and (b) the university of Ulster for the academic year 1992–93; how many of these at each of the two universities come from (1) Northern Ireland, (2) Great Britain, (3) Republic of Ireland and (4) other European countries.

  Mr. Hanley
  Final undergraduate enrolment figures are not yet available for 1992–93. However, it is estimated that:

  (a) 2,670 new full-time and 240 new part-time undergraduates have enrolled at Queen's university, Belfast and

  (b) 4,092 new full-time and 1,085 new part-time undergraduates have enrolled at the university of Ulster.

  The country of domicile for new full-time and part-time undergraduates at each of the universities is estimated as follows:

  Country of domicile

  Full-time undergraduates New entrants

  Part-time undergraduates New entrants

  (a) Queen's University Belfast

  (1) Northern Ireland

  2,343

  229

  (2) Great Britain

  76

  1

  (3) Republic of Ireland

  170

  2

  (4) Other European countries

  15

  8

  (b) University of Ulster

  (1) Northern Ireland

  3,215

  1,024

  (2) Great Britain

  126

  0

  (3) Republic of Ireland

  508

  61

  (4) Other European countries

  212

  0

  Terrorism
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has investigated recent allegations of army involvement with terrorists in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mates
  The inquiry conducted by Mr. John Stevens into allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and members of the security forces concluded that, while such collusion had occurred, it was neither widespread nor institutionalised. The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland asked for a report from
  807
  the Chief Constable of the RUC following the "Panorama" programme on 8 June, and that this is awaited.

  Belfast Institute
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many administrative staff were employed in the former Belfast colleges; how many are employed in the new merged institute; and, of these three how many are former teaching staff who were channelled into administrative duties.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: The number of administrative staff in the former Belfast colleges was 130. The number in the new institute is 128. No former teachers have been channelled into administration posts in the institute.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the(a) time allowance and (b) travelling expenses of staff travelling between the different sites of the Belfast Institute.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: This information is not available in the form requested.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the principal differences between the duties informed by the three vice-principals of the former separate colleges and the duties carried out by the deputy directors of the Belfast Institute.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: The senior management structure of the new institute is very different to that at each of the three former colleges. Deputy directors have wider ranging responsibilities, encompassing the duties of the five former vice-principals as well as other duties associated with such a large

  Table 1: Contracts awarded directly by departments

  Department

  Project

  Suppliers invited to tender

  Awarded to

  Contract period

  Cost £'000

  Environment

  Replacement equipment in Ordnance Survey

  2

  Sys Scan UK

  2 months

  128

  Agriculture

  Office Automation System

  8

  Sybex

  7 months

  350

  Health and Social Services

  Mainframe Backing Store

  1

  ICL

  3 weeks

  11

  Provision of Epic Licences

  1

  Planning Sciences

  2 weeks

  8

  Provision of PCs and Server

  3

  PC Consultants

  3 weeks

  14

  Specialist Software

  1

  Sybex

  3 weeks

  44

  Provision of PCs and Printer

  4

  PC Consultants

  2 weeks

  16

  Provision of Windows and Database Software

  3

  Software Paradise

  2 weeks

  11

  Education

  Change Control for McDonnell Douglas Software

  1

  McDonnell Douglas

  3 weeks

  28

  Provision of an Asset Register System

  6

  Britannia Software

  6 weeks

  6

  Rates Collection Agency Specialised Software Requirement

  1

  Occam

  6 weeks

  100

  Ordnance Survey Accounting System

  6

  Microcare

  6 weeks

  23

  Ordnance Survey—Word Processing System

  9

  Digital Equipment Company

  1 week

  11

  Water Services CAD Project

  8

  Photonic

  3 months

  188

  808
  organisation. The three deputy director posts cover, respectively, corporate services, learning programmes and cross-curricular support.

  Computer Projects
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table setting out for the period since 9 April(a) each tender issued by his Department for projects requiring the supply of (i) computer hardware and (ii) computer software, (b) a description of the services required, (c) the number of companies who were invited to tender, (d) the number of companies who submitted a bid without prior invitation by his Department, (e) which company was awarded the contract, (f) the value of each contract and (g) the length of period over which the contract will run.

  Mr. Mates
  [holding answer 27 October 1992]: The business development science (BDS) of the Department of Finance and Personnel, acting as agent for the Northern Ireland Government Departments, purchased the bulk of the information technology equipment acquired by those Departments during the period in question. Details of these projects are given in table 1. In addition some Departments purchased equipment either directly or via the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency in Norwich. Details of these projects are given in table 2. A number of low value items have been excluded since they could be produced in the requested format only at disproportionate cost.

  No companies were permitted to submit bids without prior invitation.

  All hardware contracts awarded contained a 12 month on-site warranty provision and consequently no service contracts were entered into.
  809

  Department

  Project

  Suppliers invited to tender

  Awarded to

  Contract period

  Cost £'000

  Finance and Personnel

  Stormont Castle—Upgrade of Microvax

  4

  Digital Equipment Company

  7 weeks

  27

  Provision of Notebook PC's for social Research interviews

  11

  Crown Computers

  2 weeks

  46

  Valuation and Lands Office—Registry System

  7

  Digital Equipment Company

  8 weeks

  9

  Health and Social Services

  Replacement Word Processing Equipment

  9

  Advec

  2 weeks

  63

  Cabling—Royston House

  3

  ICL

  4 weeks

  10

  Estate Services Directorate—Networking

  3

  ICL

  10 weeks

  21

  Note: The contract period is defined at the time from the award of the contract to the date of acceptance of the equipment by the customer.

  Table 2:

  Contracts awarded by Department of Finance and personnel on behalf of the Northern Ireland Government Departments Period 9 April 1992 to 23 October 1992

  Department

  Project

  Suppliers invited to tender

  Awarded to

  Contract period

  Cost £'000

  Economic Development

  Replacement equipment-Typing Service—DED HQ

  5

  Data General

  3 weeks

  38

  Supply of Terminal Servers

  10

  ICS

  2 weeks

  30

  Supply of SCO Unix Systems

  9

  Siemens Nixdorf

  3 weeks

  26

  Call off contract for PC's and Terminals

  24

  ICL and Siemens Nixdorf

  12 months

  143

  Environment

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency—Data Capture

  7

  ICL

  2 weeks

  12

  Supply of Unix Development Machine to the Information Systems Unit

  9

  Data General

  4 weeks

  61

  Works Design Project

  7

  AMT

  6 weeks

  41

  Highway Modelling Project

  6

  AMT

  4 weeks

  49

  Supply of Equipment to DOE Training Branch

  8

  Siemens Nixdorf

  2 weeks

  12

  1 To date after 3 months.

SCOTLAND

  Solvent Abuse
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Scotland how many(a) males and (b) females have been referred to the reporter to the children's panel in each local authority in Scotland under the Solvent Abuse (Scotland) Act 1983 in each year since the Act came into effect.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The table details the number of solvent abuse referrals to reporters by local authority area.

  Number of solvent abuse referrals to reporters by local authority area (1983–1991)

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Total

  Total

  Total

  Total

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Berwickshire

  4

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  —

  —

  1

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  Roxburgh

  —

  2

  —

  11

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  1

  Tweeddale

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Borders total

  4

  3

  1

  20

  3

  1

  2

  3

  —

  1

  —

  6

  1

  Clackmannan

  1

  8

  8

  12

  2

  5

  —

  1

  1

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  —

  18

  31

  11

  11

  33

  —

  2

  —

  5

  5

  5

  1

  Stirling

  3

  4

  8

  4

  1

  5

  —

  4

  —

  1

  —

  6

  —

  Central total

  4

  30

  47

  27

  14

  13

  —

  7

  1

  9

  5

  11

  1

  810
  A breakdown by sex is only available for the years 1988 to 1991. The number of children referred is unavailable and the referrals may include some children referred more than once in the year.
  811

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Total

  Total

  Total

  Total

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Annandale and Eskdale

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Nithsdale

  —

  6

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Stewartry

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wigtown

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway total

  —

  6

  3

  1

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  Dunfermline

  6

  5

  11

  8

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  2

  1

  Kirkcaldy

  2

  18

  14

  9

  7

  3

  1

  2

  —

  3

  —

  1

  2

  North East Fife

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife total

  8

  24

  26

  17

  10

  6

  1

  2

  —

  7

  —

  3

  3

  Aberdeen (City of)

  12

  8

  32

  12

  4

  3

  2

  2

  3

  12

  —

  8

  4

  Banff and Buchan

  5

  14

  31

  15

  3

  —

  —

  3

  —

  11

  5

  9

  4

  Gordon

  3

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  1

  Kincardine and Deeside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  1

  —

  —

  4

  1

  —

  1

  Moray

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  5

  2

  —

  —

  11

  —

  14

  2

  Grampian total

  20

  24

  63

  30

  12

  11

  6

  5

  3

  40

  6

  33

  12

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Caithness

  —

  —

  1

  3

  9

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  7

  —

  Inverness

  9

  18

  8

  —

  1

  6

  —

  5

  —

  1

  —

  3

  —

  Lochaber

  1

  —

  —

  4

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Nairn

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ross and Cromarty

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  5

  —

  —

  5

  —

  Skye and Lochalsh

  —

  —

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Sutherland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Highland total

  12

  21

  14

  7

  13

  7

  1

  7

  6

  1

  —

  16

  1

  East Lothian

  2

  4

  11

  8

  2

  5

  2

  5

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  Edinburgh (City of)

  22

  59

  12

  10

  9

  9

  —

  5

  —

  4

  3

  7

  2

  Midlothian

  4

  3

  1

  5

  4

  5

  3

  8

  2

  7

  2

  3

  —

  West Lothian

  —

  3

  5

  6

  2

  2

  —

  4

  —

  7

  1

  6

  3

  Lothian total

  28

  69

  29

  29

  17

  21

  5

  22

  3

  19

  8

  16

  5

  Orkney total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  —

  4

  2

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  12

  2

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Clydebank

  —

  1

  —

  10

  10

  3

  —

  2

  3

  5

  2

  3

  —

  Clydesdale

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  3

  —

  6

  —

  7

  1

  7

  1

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  —

  1

  3

  —

  8

  1

  2

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  —

  5

  10

  7

  3

  —

  —

  5

  —

  —

  —

  4

  6

  Cunninghame

  —

  21

  18

  4

  20

  15

  4

  11

  —

  10

  6

  8

  3

  Dumbarton

  —

  2

  5

  2

  17

  —

  2

  4

  —

  1

  —

  5

  —

  East Kilbride

  —

  2

  5

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  —

  1

  1

  Eastwood

  —

  3

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Glasgow (City of)

  10

  258

  206

  227

  170

  87

  9

  70

  3

  56

  21

  55

  12

  Hamilton

  —

  26

  6

  10

  3

  5

  3

  19

  1

  1

  2

  7

  —

  Inverclyde

  5

  43

  45

  22

  23

  11

  3

  11

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  —

  14

  8

  36

  3

  3

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  8

  3

  Kyle and Carrick

  —

  6

  6

  10

  4

  1

  —

  13

  1

  5

  3

  8

  3

  Monklands

  —

  5

  6

  5

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  5

  —

  Motherwell

  —

  9

  5

  9

  8

  13

  1

  3

  1

  11

  1

  16

  3

  Renfrew

  2

  55

  60

  46

  45

  11

  1

  10

  2

  29

  10

  18

  —

  Strathkelvin

  —

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  4

  4

  2

  Strathclyde total

  17

  458

  386

  391

  329

  158

  25

  161

  18

  138

  51

  162

  38

  Angus

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  5

  —

  3

  1

  Dundee (City of)

  9

  34

  20

  6

  9

  1

  1

  11

  6

  4

  7

  15

  1

  Perth and Kinross

  —

  3

  7

  3

  —

  1

  —

  6

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside total

  9

  37

  31

  9

  9

  2

  1

  20

  6

  19

  7

  18

  2

  Western Isles total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young males and females and adult 812

  813
  males and females have died in each local authority in Scotland in each year since 1982 as a result of abusing solvents.

  Deaths from solvent abuse, by age, sex and Region and Health Board Area, Scotland, 1982–911

  Aged under 16

  Area

  Sex

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Scotland

  M

  3

  4

  3

  12

  3

  4

  8

  6

  3

  6

  F

  1

  —

  1

  2

  4

  1

  —

  1

  2

  4

  Borders Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Central Region (Forth Valley HBA)

  M

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries & Galloway Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife Region & HBA

  M

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Highland Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  F

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Strathclyde Region

  M

  1

  1

  3

  6

  3

  3

  4

  4

  2

  3

  F

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Tayside Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Orkney Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Western Isles Island Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde Health Areas

  Argyll & Clyde HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Ayrshire & Arran HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Glasgow HBA

  M

  —

  —

  3

  2

  2

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  F

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Lanarkshire HBA

  M

  1

  1

  —

  3

  —

  1

  3

  1

  1

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1 Includes those deaths coded to the WHO International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision) codes 304.6, E860-E869, E891 and E951 and where the death was due to vapour inhalation.

  Aged 16–17

  Area

  Sex

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Scotland

  M

  4

  3

  —

  4

  3

  7

  2

  5

  4

  3

  F

  —

  —

  l

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Borders Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Central Region (Forth Valley HBA)

  M

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries & Galloway Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Highland Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian Region & HBA

  M

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde Region

  M

  2

  2

  —

  —

  2

  3

  1

  2

  1

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Orkney Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Western Isles Island Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde Health Areas

  Argyll & Clyde HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  814
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  The figures requested are given in the tables.
  815

  Area

  Sex

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ayrshire & Arran HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Glasgow HBA

  M

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Lanarkshire HBA

  M

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1 Includes those deaths coded to the WHO International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision) codes 304. 6, E860-E869, E891 and E951 and where the death was due to vapour inhalation.

  Aged 18 and over

  Area

  Sex

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Scotland

  M

  6

  3

  4

  5

  3

  4

  9

  1

  1

  6

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Borders Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Central Region (Forth Valley HBA)

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries & Galloway Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife Region & HBA

  M

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Highland Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian Region & HBA

  M

  2

  1

  —

  3

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  2

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde Region

  M

  2

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  5

  —

  1

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Orkney Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Western Isles Island Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde Health Areas

  Argyle & Clyde HBA

  M

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ayrshire & Arran HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —,

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Glasgow HBA

  M

  2

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lanarkshire HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Includes those deaths coded to the WHO International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision)codes 304.6, E860-E869, E891 and E951 and where the death was due to vapour inhalation.

  All ages

  Area

  Sex

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Scotland

  M

  13

  10

  7

  21

  9

  15

  19

  12

  8

  15

  F

  1

  —

  2

  3

  4

  2

  2

  1

  2

  4

  Borders Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  816

  817

  Area

  Sex

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Central Region (Forth Valley HBA)

  M

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  3

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries & Galloway Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife Region & HBA

  M

  1

  2

  1

  1

  —

  3

  1

  1

  1

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian Region & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Highland Region & HBA

  M

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian Region & HBA

  M

  2

  2

  —

  6

  1

  1

  2

  1

  2

  4

  F

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Strathclyde Region

  M

  5

  4

  4

  7

  7

  7

  10

  6

  4

  5

  F

  1

  —

  —

  1

  3

  2

  1

  —

  2

  2

  Tayside Region & HBA

  M

  2

  —

  —

  3

  1

  2

  2

  1

  —

  2

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Orkney Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland Islands Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Western Isles Island Area & HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde Health Areas

  Argyll & Clyde HBA

  M

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  2

  3

  2

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Ayrshire & Arran HBA

  M

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Glasgow HBA

  M

  4

  1

  3

  3

  3

  3

  1

  1

  2

  3

  F

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Lanarkshire HBA

  M

  1

  2

  —

  3

  —

  2

  5

  2

  2

  2

  F

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1 Includes those deaths coded to the WHO International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision) codes 304.6, E860-E869, E891 and E951 and where the death was due to vapour inhalation.

  Tertiary Education
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans there are to extend the principles of the citizens charter to cover tertiary education.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Market research has been commissioned to sample the views of students, potential students and people in the wider community in respect of further and higher education in Scotland. The results will inform our ideas on the contents of a charter covering further and higher education.

  Post-graduate Awards
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many post-graduate students received an award from the Scottish Education Department for study outwith Scotland.
  818
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In Session 1992–93 to date, the Scottish Office Education Department has offered 324 awards under the postgraduate students' allowances scheme and 67 awards under the Scottish studentship scheme to students studying outwith Scotland.

  Scottish Universities
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scots are attending Scottish universities; how many students attending Scottish universities are from other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will list the regions that all students attending Scottish universities are from.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested on students attending the eight traditional Scottish universities in the academic year 1991–92 is given in the table.
  819

  Students attending Scottish universities in academic year 1991–92

  Full-time students

  Part-time students

  GRAND TOTAL

  Domicile of student

  Post-graduate

  Under-graduate

  Total

  Post-graduate

  Under-graduate

  Total

  TOTAL (all domiciles)

  8,539

  49,989

  58,528

  5,549

  1,299

  6,848

  65,376

  SCOTLAND

  3,388

  31,741

  35,129

  4,162

  1,140

  5,302

  40,431

  Borders

  54

  599

  653

  44

  7

  51

  704

  Central

  129

  1,783

  1,912

  180

  159

  339

  2,251

  Dumfries and Galloway

  52

  752

  804

  40

  11

  51

  855

  Fife

  189

  2,028

  2,217

  227

  49

  276

  2,493

  Grampian

  349

  3,099

  3,448

  409

  231

  640

  4,088

  Highland

  70

  1,180

  1,250

  58

  16

  74

  1,324

  Lothian

  711

  4,978

  5,689

  1,023

  119

  1,142

  6,831

  Strathclyde

  1,522

  14,271

  15,793

  1,879

  471

  2,350

  18,143

  Tayside

  271

  2,627

  2,898

  286

  71

  357

  3,255

  Islands

  41

  423

  464

  16

  5

  21

  485

  Not known

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  OTHER UK

  1,848

  13,425

  15,273

  568

  46

  614

  15,887

  England

  1,649

  11,200

  12,849

  534

  39

  573

  13,422

  Wales

  71

  295

  366

  13

  3

  16

  382

  Northern Ireland

  128

  1,930

  2,058

  21

  4

  25

  2,083

  OVERSEAS

  3,303

  4,823

  8,126

  819

  113

  932

  9,058

  Woodlands
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total woodland area planted in Great Britain in 1991; and what were the comparable figures for the previous 20 years.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The total area of woodland planted or grant-aided by the Forestry Commission in the year to 31 March 1992, including woodland replanted after felling, was 33,237 hectares. Of this, 11,259 hectares were planted by the Commission and 21,978 by the private sector. This total is close to the average of the previous 20 years, as shown in the table.

  Total area of woodlands planted or grant-aided by the Forestry Commission

  (hectares)

  Year to 31 March

  Forestry-Commission

  Private sector

  Total

  1972

  26,235

  24,010

  50,245

  1973

  23,158

  23,774

  46,932

  1974

  21,723

  22,790

  44,513

  1975

  23,155

  21,347

  44,502

  1976

  20,511

  12,241

  32,752

  1977

  18,703

  9,156

  27,859

  1978

  17,192

  8,299

  25,491

  1979

  15,409

  10,799

  26,208

  1980

  21,499

  11,167

  32,666

  1981

  16,648

  11,399

  28,047

  1982

  16,488

  15,912

  32,400

  1983

  14,684

  15,629

  30,313

  1984

  15,135

  19,740

  34,875

  1985

  11,021

  19,095

  30,116

  1986

  11,630

  23,358

  34,988

  1987

  13,380

  23,618

  36,998

  1988

  13,129

  28,675

  41,804

  1989

  12,580

  29,942

  42,522

  1990

  11,946

  21,531

  33,477

  1991

  11,137

  22,542

  33,679

  20-year average

  16,768

  18,751

  35,519

  Arts and Crafts
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to provide further assistance to graduate artist craftsmen and women in Scotland;

  (2) what policy the Government have for the promotion of the applied arts in Scotland; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will consider making funds available to organisations which could provide advice for young graduate artist craftsmen and women in Scotland;

  (4) if he will list schemes available to assist graduate artist craftsmen and women in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 October 1992]: Through Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise we have established Made in Scotland Ltd. which provides marketing support for the crafts sector. In addition, graduate artist craftsmen and women may qualify for any of the business support, training or employment measures available through the enterprise bodies. Details and advice on these can be obtained from local enterprise companies.

  These arrangements are kept under review, but we have no plans to extend support in this area meantime.

  Water and Sewerage
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the capital benefit allocation by the Government for water and sewerage services to each of the regional and island councils in every year since 1979, in cash and in constant 1991–92 prices.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 21 October 1992]: Water and sewerage services form the major part of authorities' water and sewerage programmes which also include flood prevention and coast protection. Allocations to regional and islands councils for their capital programmes in cash and adjusted to constant 1991–92 prices are given in the tables.

  821

  Capital Allocations for Scottish Water and Sewerage Programmes

  £ thousand

  Borders

  Central

  Dumfries & Galloway

  Year

  Cash Prices

  1991–92

  Cash Prices

  1991–92

  Cash Prices

  1991–92

  1979–80

  1,600

  2,893

  3,000

  5,425

  1,700

  3,074

  1980–81

  1,500

  2,129

  3,800

  5,394

  1,900

  2,697

  1981–82

  1,700

  2,313

  4,900

  6,668

  2,200

  2,994

  1982–83

  1,800

  2,475

  5,000

  6,875

  2,500

  3,438

  1983–84

  1,800

  2,501

  5,200

  7,225

  2,300

  3,196

  1984–85

  1,800

  2,475

  4.400

  6,050

  2,500

  3,438

  1985–86

  2,000

  2,640

  4,630

  6,112

  3,160

  4,171

  1986–87

  2,200

  2,792

  5,000

  6,346

  3,250

  4,125

  1987–88

  2,300

  2,785

  4,800

  5,813

  3,400

  4,117

  1988–89

  2,500

  2,946

  4,600

  5,421

  4,000

  4,714

  1989–90

  2,700

  2,874

  5,000

  5,323

  4,800

  5,110

  1990–91

  3,500

  3,726

  7,200

  7,665

  5,500

  5,855

  1991–92

  4,500

  4,500

  7,800

  7,800

  7,000

  7,000

  Capital Allocations for Scottish Water and Sewerage Programmes

  £ thousand

  Fife

  Grampian

  Highland

  Year

  Cash Prices

  1991–92 Prices

  Cash Prices

  1991–92 Prices

  Cash Prices

  1991–92 Prices

  1979–80

  4,500

  8,137

  13,000

  23,507

  3,400

  6,148

  1980–81

  5,000

  7,097

  10,700

  15,187

  4,200

  5,961

  1981–82

  7,000

  9,526

  15,000

  20,412

  5,300

  7,212

  1982–83

  6,800

  9,350

  14,000

  19,250

  5,000

  6,875

  1983–84

  6,100

  8,476

  15,500

  21,537

  4,900

  6.808

  1984–85

  5,400

  7,425

  15,900

  21,863

  4,500

  6,188

  1985–86

  5,500

  7,260

  17,100

  22,572

  4,700

  6,204

  1986–87

  6,200

  7,869

  17,800

  22,592

  5,250

  6,663

  1987–88

  7,300

  8,840

  17,300

  20,950

  5,700

  6,903

  1988–89

  7,700

  9,075

  15,300

  18,032

  6,800

  8,014

  1989–90

  8,800

  9,368

  15,500

  16,500

  7,500

  7,984

  1990–91

  9,500

  10,113

  16,000

  17,032

  8,500

  9,048

  1991–92

  11,500

  11,500

  18,500

  18,500

  10,000

  10,000

  Capital allocations for Scottish water and sewerage programmes

  £ thousand

  Lothian

  Strathclyde

  Tayside

  Year

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  1979–80

  17,500

  31,644

  27,500

  49,726

  5,700

  10,307

  1980–81

  17,500

  24,839

  31,000

  44,000

  6,000

  8,516

  1981–82

  15,300

  20,821

  33,000

  44,907

  7,800

  10,614

  1982–83

  13,200

  18,150

  29,500

  40,563

  6,900

  9,488

  1983–84

  14,500

  20,147

  31,000

  43,074

  7,800

  10,838

  1984–85

  11,000

  15,125

  29,500

  40,563

  9,000

  12,375

  1985–86

  11,860

  15,655

  30,000

  39,600

  10,300

  13,596

  1986–87

  12,400

  15,738

  33,400

  42,392

  9,850

  12,502

  1987–88

  12,900

  15,622

  35,200

  42,628

  10–100

  12,231

  1988–89

  13,200

  15,557

  37,600

  44,314

  10,400

  12,257

  1989–90

  15,800

  16,819

  45,000

  47,903

  11,000

  11,710

  1990–91

  17,000

  18,097

  53,000

  56,419

  12,000

  12,774

  1991–92

  19,500

  19,500

  65,000

  65,000

  14,800

  14,800

  Capital allocations for Scottish water and sewerage programmes

  £ thousand

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Western Isles

  Year

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  1979–80

  600

  1,085

  2,100

  3,797

  700

  1,266

  1980–81

  700

  994

  1,900

  2,697

  700

  994

  1981–82

  800

  1,089

  1,100

  1,497

  1,200

  1,633

  1982–83

  1,000

  1,375

  1,000

  1,375

  700

  963

  1983–84

  1,000

  1,389

  900

  1,251

  900

  1,251

  1984–85

  700

  963

  700

  963

  900

  1,238

  1985–86

  520

  686

  700

  924

  1,050

  1,386

  822

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Western Isles

  Year

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  1986–87

  880

  1,117

  860

  1,092

  1,240

  1,574

  1987–88

  1,000

  1,211

  800

  969

  1,200

  1,453

  1988–89

  1,000

  1,179

  600

  707

  1,300

  1,532

  1989–90

  1,100

  1,171

  900

  958

  1,400

  1,490

  1990–91

  1,300

  1,384

  1—

  —

  1,700

  1,810

  1991–92

  1,500

  1,500

  1—

  —

  2,100

  2,100

  1 Shetland funds all programme from revenue.

  Capital allocations for Scottish water and sewerage programmes

  £ thousand

  Central Scotland Water Development Board

  All Scotland Allocations

  Year

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  Cash prices

  1991–92 prices

  1979–80

  900

  1,627

  82,200

  148,636

  1980–81

  1,600

  2,271

  86,500

  122,774

  1981–82

  1,600

  2,177

  96,900

  131,864

  1982–83

  1,000

  1,375

  88,400

  121,550

  1983–84

  1,400

  1,945

  93,300

  129,638

  1984–85

  1,800

  2,475

  88,100

  121,138

  1985–86

  1,380

  1,822

  92,900

  122,628

  1986–87

  1,350

  1,713

  99,680

  126,517

  1987–88

  2,000

  2,422

  104,000

  125,495

  1988–89

  2,000

  2,357

  107,000

  126,107

  1989–90

  2,000

  2,129

  121,500

  129,339

  1990–91

  2,300

  2,448

  137,500

  146,371

  1991–92

  2,400

  2,400

  164,600

  164,600

  Notes:

  CSWDB provides bulk supplies to authorities in Central Scotland. 1991–92 prices established using the Non-Roads Public Works Output Price Index.

  White Fish
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will state the quantities of white fish withdrawn from the market under intervention, subsequent to the letter from Lord Strathclyde to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North on 27 January, which have gone for human consumption(a) abroad and (b) via charities;

  (2) if he will state the quantities of white fish withdrawn from the market under intervention, in each of the past 12 months and at what cost;

  (3) if he will state the quantities of white fish withdrawn from the market under intervention in each of the past 12 months, by port of landing.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 28 October 1992]: Since 27 January, none of the whitefish withdrawn from the market under intervention has gone for human consumption either abroad or to charities. Full settlement to the producers organisations of compensation payable for fish withdrawn from the market under the European Community's price support system takes place after the fishing year in question, though advance payments are made. Information on the quantities of whitefish withdrawn from the market in Scotland under intervention in each of the 12 months to end July 1992, being the most recent 12-month period for which information is available, on the ports of landing and on the intervention sums paid, is set out in the tables.

  823

  Compensation paid to producers organisations in each of the 12 months to end July 1992 following the withdrawal of whitefish from the market in Scotland

  £

  1991

  August

  57,400

  September

  43,200

  October

  23,600

  November

  43,600

  December

  133,300

  Withdrawals of Whitefish (tonnes) by port of landing during the period 1 August 1991–31 July 1992

  Port

  August 1991

  September 1991

  October 1991

  November 1991

  December 1991

  January 1992

  February 1992

  March 1992

  April 1992

  May 1992

  June 1992

  July 1992

  Eyemouth

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pittenween

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arbroath

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeen

  16

  9

  5

  17

  28

  31

  20

  —

  4

  5

  25

  97

  Peterhead

  64

  147

  106

  135

  57

  497

  151

  —

  2

  89

  277

  493

  Fraserburgh

  —

  83

  30

  25

  233

  179

  120

  1

  —

  18

  3

  73

  Macduff

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  4

  1

  2

  Buckie

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  4

  2

  Lossiemouth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wick

  5

  4

  —

  5

  19

  5

  —

  —

  —

  19

  8

  10

  Shetland

  5

  11

  5

  3

  16

  1

  24

  —

  —

  1

  2

  13

  Kinlochbervie

  2

  —

  1

  2

  19

  19

  —

  —

  —

  23

  44

  58

  Stornoway

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Ollapool

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mallaig

  —

  —

  4

  —

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  6

  —

  Oban

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Campbeltown

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ayr

  2

  —

  12

  6

  27

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Lochinver

  10

  —

  6

  —

  17

  3

  —

  —

  2

  7

  27

  29

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Councils
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps her Department is currently making to publicise the wages councils system.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Every employer identified as being covered by a wages council is sent notices of wages council minimum rates, which must by law be posted where employees can see them. The Department also publishes a booklet "Wages Councils and Statutory Pay Rates", which explains workers' rights to statutory minimum pay.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her estimate of the number of new jobs that will be created following abolition of wages councils; and if she will publish the evidence on which this estimate is based.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There is a good deal of evidence about the link between pay and jobs at national level both in the United Kingdom and in other countries. This link has also been detected in several studies specifically about the wages council industries. We do not have the information to quantify the number of jobs that are inhibited by statutory minimum rates; and attempts to do so are not likely to be successful.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current adult male unemployment rate for each of(a) Arsenal, (b) Glyndon, (c) Burrage, (d) St. Mary's and (e) Nightingale wards in
  824

  £

  1992

  January

  164,300

  February

  62,900

  March

  13,300

  April

  12,900

  May

  68,700

  June

  166,600

  July

  51,200

  Woolwich; how many of these feature in the worst 10 wards in Greater London; and what specific action she has taken or proposes to take to reduce these figures.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The smallest areas for which unemployment rates are available are self-contained labour markets known as travel-to-work areas, two of which cover the whole of Greater London.

  The Department operates a wide range of measures, including employment and training programmes, which are available throughout Greater London as elsewhere. These include:
  Nearly 1 million places will be available on our employment and training programmes in 1992–93, an increase of 100,000 on this year. This is in addition to the usual advice and assistance to which all unemployed people are entitled.
  Job Search Seminars, directed at executives and managers, give advice on the best way to search out and apply for jobs are available throughout London.
  Specialist Restart courses to help people with literacy, numeracy and language difficulties, ex-offenders, the homeless and people with drug or alcohol problems.
  From April to September 1992, 307,568 people were interviewed through Restart and other adviser interviews in Greater London and 47,184 people had positive outcomes.
  One hundred and eighty-eight Jobclubs in Greater London offering advice and practical help to people to search for and apply for jobs. From April to September 1992, 19,610 people joined Jobclubs and 10,345 had positive outcomes.
  Job Interview Guarantee (JIG) Teams working to equip long-term unemployed people with the confidence and knowledge to succeed at a guaranteed interview. From April to September 1992, 18,441 people have been helped in Greater London by the JIG teams.

  825
  Job Preparation Courses which are similar to Restart courses but with employer participation are held throughout the area. Companies taking part include London Buses, British Rail and the Ambulance Service.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which ward has the highest rate of adult male unemployment in Greater London.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The smallest areas for which unemployment rates are available are self-contained labour markets known as travel-to-work areas, two of which cover the whole of Greater London.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she will show for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for the latest available period, separately for male and female, for each ethnic group, and for those with a disability or health problem, the number and proportion of employment training trainees who three months after leaving were(a) in a full-time job with their work experience employer, (b) in a full-time job with another employer, (c) employed in their own business, (d) in a part-time job, (e) in voluntary work, (f) on another Government training programme, (g) on a full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) in a job club and (k) doing something else;

  (2) if she will show for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, separately for male and female, for the latest available period, the wages earned by employment training trainees who three months after leaving were (a) in a full-time job, (b) in a part-time job and (c) self-employed;

  (3) for each region, and for Great Britain as a whole, and for each quarter since 1989, how many employment training trainees had employment status;

  (4) for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, separately for male and female, if she will give the best information she has showing how many people have entered employment action and how many were participating in employment action in each month since January; if she will give as much detailed information she has about the destination of those participants who have left employment action; and if she will make a statement;

  (5) how many training credits have been issued in the pilot areas to young people; how many young people have taken them up; what other information she has on the take up of credits in those areas; and if she will make a statement;

  (6) if she will publish tables showing the latest available results from the employment training leavers survey for each training and enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company area in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of employment training leavers who were (a) in a full-time job with their work experience employer, (b) in a full-time job with another employer, (c) employed in their own business, (d) in a part-time job, (e) in voluntary work, (f) on another Government training programme, (g) on a full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) in a job club and (k) doing something else;

  (7) if she will give the best information she has about the number of people who were participating in (a) employment training (b) the enterprise allowance scheme and (c) youth training in each month since January; and if she will make a statement;
  826
  (8) for each region, and for Great Britain as a whole, if she will give the latest results of the youth training scheme/youth training leavers survey, to show for male and female trainees and for each separate ethnic group and for those with a disability those in full-time work with the same employer, those in full-time work with a different employer, those in part-time work, those on a full-time course at a college/training centre, those on another youth training scheme, those doing something else, those who were unemployed, those who had obtained a vocational qualification, the number of questionnaires issued, the usable percentage response rate and the percentage of respondents who were early leavers;

  (9) if she will publish tables showing the latest available results from the employment training leavers survey for each training and enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company area in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of employment training leavers who had (a) been entered for a vocational qualification, (b) obtained a vocational qualification, (c) had failed to obtain a vocational qualification and (d) were awaiting their results; and how many of the employment training leavers in the relevant period had completed the training agreed in their initial action plan;

  (10) for Great Britain and for each region, by male and female, at the most recent date, and at one year previously, how many youth training trainees had contracts of employment;

  (11) if she will show for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for the latest available period, separately for male and female, for each ethnic group, and for those with a disability or health problem, the number and proportion of employment training leavers who had (a) been entered for a vocational qualification, (b) obtained a vocational qualification, (c) had failed to obtain a vocational qualification and (d) were awaiting their results; and how many of the employment training leavers in the relevant period had completed the training agreed in their initial action plan;

  (12) if she will give for each region, and for Great Britain as a whole, the latest available information she has on the characteristics of those who have entered employment training showing (a) the number of entrants covered, (b) whether male of female, (c) the duration of unemployment, (d) ethnic origin and (e) whether they have a disability;

  (13) for each region, and for Great Britain as a whole, and for each year since 1989, what has been the average length of participation that trainees have spent on employment training;

  (14) if she will publish tables showing the latest available results from the youth training leavers survey for each training enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company area in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of youth training leavers who were (a) in full-time work with the same employer, (b) in full work with a different employer, (c) in part-time work, (d) on a full-time course at a college or training centre, (e) on another youth training scheme, (f) doing something else, (g) who were unemployed, (h) who had obtained a vocational qualification, (i) the number of questionnaires issued, (j) the usable percentage response rate and (k) the percentage of respondents who were early leavers.
  827
  Mr. McLoughlin
  As the information is contained in a considerable number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member.

  Enterprise Allowance
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give for each region and for Great Britain as a whole for each year since April 1990(a) the number of people who were receiving the enterprise allowance scheme and (b) the amount of expenditure on the enterprise allowance scheme; what is the latest information she has on the survival of those businesses; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information, by region and for Great Britain, on the numbers of people receiving the enterprise allowance at the end of the 1990–91 and 1991–92 financial years and the 1992–93 year to date is shown on table 1. Enterprise allowance scheme expenditure for 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date is shown on table 2.

  There is no information on the survival of the businesses supported in this period.

  Table 1

  Number of people receiving an enterprise allowance

  Region

  1990–91

  1991–92

  11992–93

  London

  6,494

  4,611

  32,385

  South East

  6,142

  3,269

  3,959

  South West

  4,642

  3,991

  3,546

  West Midlands

  5,025

  4,173

  4,471

  East Midlands

  5,653

  4,281

  34,544

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5,658

  4,085

  34,836

  North West

  8,816

  6,805

  6,054

  Northern

  3,257

  2,258

  2,139

  England

  45,687

  33,473

  31,934

  Wales

  3,636

  2,756

  52,619

  England and Wales

  49,323

  36,229

  34,553

  Scotland

  5,277

  2 44,400

  44,254

  Great Britain

  54,600

  40,629

  38,807

  Notes:

  1990–91—"old" National EAS delivered by ED Area Offices.

  1991–92—TEC delivered EAS, England and Wales, lee delivered in Scotland reporting to Scottish Office.

  1992–93—TEC delivered, England and Wales. Welsh TECs reporting to Welsh Office. Scotland as 1991–92.

  1 At mid September.

  2 Estimated.

  3 Understated due to incomplete TEC returns-considerably so in London.

  4 Source: Scottish Office.

  5 Source: Welsh Office.

  Table 2

  Enterprise allowance scheme: expenditure

  £ million

  Region

  1990–91

  1991–92

  11992–93

  London

  n/a

  12.7

  3.3

  South East

  n/a

  11.4

  2.2

  South West

  n/a

  9.6

  3.3

  Enterprise Allowance scheme London region

  Enterprise Allowance scheme participants

  at end of quarter

  AZTEC

  CENTEC

  CILNTEC

  LETEC

  NLTEC

  NWLTEC

  SOLOTEC

  STTEC

  WLTEC

  Total

  6 January 1991

  502

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  502

  31 March 1991

  429

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  429

  23 June 1991

  394

  —

  —

  798

  —

  —

  526

  1,263

  —

  2,981

  15 September 1991

  212

  —

  —

  793

  —

  —

  483

  1,309

  445

  3,242

  5 January 1992

  385

  936

  637

  586

  612

  255

  462

  972

  361

  5,206

  29 March 1992

  367

  637

  621

  513

  580

  259

  450

  820

  356

  4,611

  21 June 1992

  433

  276

  528

  569

  437

  147

  523

  631

  323

  3,867

  828

  Region

  1990–91

  1991–92

  11992–93

  West Midlands

  n/a

  9.9

  3.3

  East Midlands

  n/a

  10.6

  3.8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  n/a

  11.2

  4.0

  North West

  n/a

  16.4

  5.7

  Northern

  n/a

  6.1

  1.7

  England

  n/a

  87.9

  27.3

  Wales

  n/a

  7.1

  32.2

  England and Wales

  n/a

  95.0

  29.5

  Scotland

  n/a

  210.2

  23.9

  Great Britain

  133.0

  105.2

  33.4

  Notes:

  1990–91—"old" National EAS delivered by ED Area Offices.

  1991–92—TEC delivered EAS, England and Wales, lee delivered in Scotland reporting to Scottish Office.

  1992–93—TEC delivered, England and Wales. Welsh TECs reporting to Welsh Office. Scotland as 1991–92.

  1 At mid September.

  2 Source: Scottish Office.

  3Source: Welsh Office.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were receiving the enterprise allowance scheme in each London training and enterprise council in each quarter since they became operational; what was the expenditure on the enterprise allowance scheme in the areas covered by each London training and enterprise council in 1991–92 and the budgets agreed for enterprise allowance scheme with each London training and enterprise council in 1992–93; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The statistical and financial information requested is given in the table.

  Two sets of figures are given for the operating year 1991–92. One reflects total expenditure on business start-ups for the year. It includes expenditure by the Training Agency area offices, which ran the enterprise allowance scheme prior to the London training and enterprise councils commencing operation. The second shows expenditure by the training and enterprise councils alone, of whom all except one became operational during that year.

  The London training and enterprise councils have built on the success of the national enterprise allowance scheme and increasingly tailored their provision in response to local need. Research has consistently shown that those small businesses with access to appropriate advice and training are more likely to remain in business beyond their first year of operation. The London training and enterprise councils therefore, in common with training and enterprise councils in other parts of the country, have developed their own integrated packages which include training and business counselling.
  829

  Enterprise Allowance scheme participants

  at end of quarter

  AZTEC

  CENTEC

  CILNTEC

  LETEC

  NLTEC

  NWLTEC

  SOLOTEC

  STTEC

  WLTEC

  Total

  13 September 1992

  490

  106

  460

  617

  331

  191

  600

  572

  309

  3,756

  EAS expenditure 1991–92 (incl. AOs)1

  764,260

  2,020,200

  1,501,887

  1,441,200

  1,457,548

  577,486

  1,046,240

  2,167,180

  929,200

  11,913,201

  EAS expenditure 1991–92 (TECs only)

  764,260

  969,160

  649,440

  1,441,200

  709,640

  291,900

  1,046,240

  1,794,260

  535,760

  8,201,860

  EAS budget 1992–93

  707,690

  978,540

  1,073,386

  820,550

  991,920

  426,080

  1,110,775

  1,447,240

  625,260

  8,101,441

  1 Includes expenditure by AOs in TEC areas before TECs became operational.

  Employment Service Courses
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether unemployed claimants offered a place at a Restart or other counselling interview have to participate in employment training or employment action, or any of the other programmes provided through the Employment Service, apart from Restart courses, after two years unemployment; if they take up a place on any of these programmes whether they can leave at any time without incurring a benefit penalty; and if she will make a statement.

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

  Letter from A. G. Johnson to Ms. Clare Short, dated 29 October 1992:

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, it is the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the Agency's Chief Executive to answer parliamentary questions about relevant operational matters. In his absence, I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Employment about participation in Employment Department, Employment Training programmes by people who have been unemployed for two years or more.

  It may help if I explain that the purpose of Employment Service advisory interviews is for clients to discuss their individual situation and circumstances with one of our client advisers. The aim is to reach an agreement on an appropriate course of action which, if followed, will offer the best chances of finding work. There is no compulsion on people to at tend any of the employment and training programmes, including ET/EA, which the adviser may offer.

  The only exception to this is the requirement for people who have been unemployed for two years or more to attend a Restart Course if they refuse all other offers of help.

  Our advisers would not encourage clients to attend programmes which are not suitable for their individual needs. Indeed, the basis of our advisory interviews is that the client and their adviser should reach an agreement on a suitable course of action for returning to work. However, all unemployed people must show that they are capable of, available for and actively seeking work. Attendance at an employment or training programme is one way in which our clients can show that they are meeting these conditions.

  There is also no benefit penalty if someone who has accepted a place on a programme decides to leave it. However, everyone who agrees to attend an employment or training programme and fails to start, or starts on a programme and fails to complete it, is asked to attend a follow up interview with a Client Adviser.

  This is to check that the client is continuing to meet the conditions for receipt of benefit and to discuss the reasons for their non-attendance on, or failure to complete the programme.

  The adviser will then agree with the client a further, suitable course of action which, if followed, will offer them the best chances of finding work.
  830
  I hope this is helpful.

  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Youth Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will publish for Great Britain and for each standard region the monthly reports of supply and demand for youth training places which have been sent to her since July 1992; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by region, and for Great Britain as a whole, and shown separately for male and female, how many 16 and 17-year-olds were in receipt of extended child benefit and how many were in receipt of bridging allowance for each month since June 1992; how many young people in each region and in Great Britain exhausted their entitlement to youth training bridging allowance; and if she will make a statement.

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

  Letter from A. G. Johnson to Ms. Clare Short, dated 29 October 1992:

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, it is the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the Agency's Chief Executive to answer Parliamentary Questions about relevant operational matters. In his absence, I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Employment about how many 16 and 17-year-olds in Great Britain as a whole and by region, and shown separately for males and females, were in receipt of extended child benefit, how many were in receipt of bridging allowance, for each month since June 1992 and how many in each region and in Great Britain exhausted their entitlement to bridging allowance.

  The information you have requested is provided in the attached tables. The period of extended child benefit for 1992 summer school leavers begins in September, which explains the rise in numbers between August and September. Unfortunately, a breakdown of the figures by sex and region is not available.

  Terminations of bridging allowance may occur for a number of reasons, for example, a young person may no longer qualify for bridging allowance if they find a Youth Training place or a job; their eight week entitlement is exhausted; or if they are sick.

  The figures that are collected each month show only the total number of terminations of bridging allowance in that period. There is no further breakdown of the figures to give particular reasons as to why the claims to bridging allowance have ceased.
  831
  I hope this is helpful.

  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written

  Numbers in receipt of bridging allowance—by ES region June-September 1992

  Northern

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  London and South East

  South West

  Wales

  West Midlands

  North West

  Scotland

  Total

  June 1992

  667

  932

  1,015

  2,099

  625

  464

  1,080

  1,570

  1,635

  10,087

  July 1992

  713

  946

  1,009

  2,218

  690

  454

  1,144

  1,559

  1,560

  10,293

  August 1992

  609

  1,015

  1,070

  2,432

  793

  515

  1,222

  1,483

  1,325

  10,464

  September 1992

  527

  908

  932

  2,048

  670

  471

  994

  1,384

  1,187

  9,157

  Numbers of mates and females in receipt of bridging allowance—by ES region

  June 1992

  Male

  404

  606

  634

  1,342

  416

  310

  698

  1,031

  1,033

  6,474

  Female

  263

  326

  381

  757

  209

  154

  382

  539

  602

  3,613

  July 1992

  Male

  484

  599

  624

  1,423

  432

  308

  726

  978

  971

  6,545

  Female

  229

  347

  385

  795

  258

  146

  418

  581

  589

  3,748

  August 1992

  Male

  410

  649

  671

  1,527

  515

  371

  765

  938

  810

  6,656

  Female

  199

  366

  399

  905

  278

  144

  457

  545

  515

  3,808

  September 1992

  Male

  342

  586

  599

  1,311

  445

  343

  630

  894

  750

  5,900

  Female

  185

  322

  333

  773

  225

  128

  364

  490

  437

  3,257

  Numbers in receipt of extended Child Benefit June 1992—September 1992

  Month

  Weekly average per month

  June

  4,856

  July

  5,195

  August

  Nil

  September

  24,941

  October

  26,522

  NB: The figure for October does not include week commencing 26 October 1992.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of accidents in the youth training scheme, including fatal, major and minor, for the latest available three-month period; and how many YTS placements were closed or not accepted in that period and in the three preceding months.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The following table gives the YT accident figures.

  Quarter

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  April-June 1992

  1

  66

  395

  Notes:

  (a) Employment Department figures for trainees have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive for employed persons. However, the Employment Department's figures include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments, and road traffic accidents, which would not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.

  (b) Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1985. These regulations, which came into force on I April 1986, reclassified fractured wrists and ankles as major injuries. These were not classed as major injuries in the previous regulations, the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980 (NADOR).

  Separate figures for closures and rejections of YT placements are no longer kept centrally.
  832
  Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Employment Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for Great Britain, for each region and for each training and enterprise council or local enterprise company, what is her best estimate of the number of employment training trainees who(a) are lone parents and (b) have entered the scheme under the lone parent eligibility route; how many are receiving child care allowances; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This information is not held centrally. TECs and LECs are required to deliver programmes that meet the needs of all their client groups. It is for the TECs and LECs to determine which trainee groups, such as lone parents, they support with the costs of childcare.

  Restart
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, how many people have attended a Restart interview since 1 April 1991; and what were the results of those interviews broken down between those who(a) started work, (b) began training under employment training, (c) started a job club, (d) started a Restart course and (e) attended an enterprise allowance awareness day.

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

  Letter from A. G. Johnson to Ms. Clare Short, dated 29 October 1992:

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, it is the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the Agency's Chief Executive to answer Parliamentary Questions about relevant operational matters. In his absence, I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Employment about how many people have attended a Restart Interview since 1 April 1991; and what were the results of those interviews.

  The information you asked for is given in the attached annex. As you will appreciate, these figures reflect only the

  833
  direct results of Restart. We do not know how many people subsequently take up a job or a place on an employment or training programme as a result of the guidance given to them at their interview. It is through these indirect results of the help which advisers give clients in reviewing their options for returning to work that Restart has its effect.

  An indication of the scale of that effect is provided by the report "The Restart Effect" which was recently published by the independent Policy Studies Institute. It is based on an analysis of the largest survey of unemployed people in the UK

  Outcomes of Restart Interviews April to December 1991

  Region

  Interviews

  Job placings

  ET1

  Jobclub

  Restart course

  EAS

  Northern

  97,159

  591

  4,780

  4,429

  10,195

  226

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  128,485

  794

  5,750

  4,507

  11,266

  395

  East Midlands and Eastern

  122,162

  1,777

  4,270

  5,579

  6,641

  459

  London and South East

  354,648

  5,195

  10,863

  18,898

  13,818

  1,675

  South West

  81,877

  827

  3,282

  4,198

  4,330

  542

  Office for Wales

  72,705

  1,091

  4,047

  3,909

  4,735

  320

  West Midlands

  135,376

  1,130

  6,027

  6,095

  10,230

  485

  North West

  222,734

  1,767

  6,411

  10,553

  20,181

  653

  Office for Scotland

  155,130

  1,943

  7,236

  8,036

  15,656

  4X3

  Great Britain

  1,370,276

  15,115

  52,666

  66,204

  97,052

  5,238

  1 The figure for the total number of people starting Employment Training relates to ES generated starts only

  Outcomes of Restart interviews April 1991 to August 1992

  Region

  Interviews

  Job placings

  ET

  Jobclub

  Restart courses

  EAS

  Northern

  193,082

  1,136

  8,970

  8,867

  15,623

  344

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  251,321

  1,879

  11,678

  9,116

  18,015

  834

  East Midlands and Eastern

  263,285

  3,814

  8,799

  12,593

  12,026

  958

  London and South East

  827,892

  12,970

  23,066

  43,963

  29,342

  3,587

  South West

  181,090

  1,801

  7,498

  9,013

  8,156

  1,064

  Office for Wales

  146,335

  2,494

  7,401

  7,676

  8,513

  591

  West Midlands

  287,667

  2,789

  11,767

  12,737

  18,463

  966

  North West

  460,506

  4,153

  13,017

  21,018

  31,943

  1,320

  Office for Scotland

  310,200

  4,481

  13,192

  15,056

  23,423

  907

  Great Britain

  2,921,378

  35,517

  105,388

  140,039

  165,504

  10,571

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for each region and for Great Britain as a whole how many unemployed people have been referred to Restart courses by employment service counsellors since January 1991; how many of them were unemployed for over two years; how many attended and completed the course; what were the outcomes of the participants; how many had benefit penalties imposed for not attending or failing to complete their attendance at the Restart course; and if she will make a statement.

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

  Letter from A. G. Johnson to Ms. Clare Short, dated 29 October 1992:

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, it is the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the Agency's Chief Executive to answer Parliamentary Questions about relevant operational matters. In his absence, I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Employment about Restart Courses.

  As you will know from previous correspondence with Mike Fogden, Restart Courses are short courses aimed at helping people who are having the most difficulty returning to work. They are not an alternative to regular job search or
  834
  since 1980. This showed conclusively that the programme had a major effect in reducing the time it takes people to leave unemployment, to get a job and to enter Employment Training, particularly for those people who were at a disadvantage within the labour market.

  As decided by the Adminstration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  other employment or training programmes. Essentially they provide people with the opportunity to explore all the options open to them and give them confidence to take the next step back to work.

  Since December 1990 people who have been unemployed for 2 years or more who at their Restart interview refuse or fail to take up a place on an Employment Department employment or training programme are asked to attend a Restart Course.

  As your question has raised a number of specific points, I am setting out the information you have asked for in the two tables attached—one deals with all Restart Course attenders, the other just those covered by the requirement to attend. As explained in the previous answer, we collect at a Regional level the number of people who are referred to the course who are also unemployed for 2 years or more. We have however not felt it necessary to keep similar figures for all those referred. The Benefits Agency make the decision on whether an individual's benefit should be reduced for failure to attend or complete the course. Their figures are compiled by their Districts which have different boundaries from those of our Regions. To avoid confusion, I have given the national figure only.

  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Travel-to-interview Scheme
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if expenses for second interviews are paid under the travel-to-interview scheme;

  (2) how many people have claimed help under the travel-to-interview scheme since its inception; what is the cost of the scheme; what proportion of job applicants receive help; what proportion of claims are refused; and what proportion of claims are withdrawn;

  (3) if she will amend regulations to permit backdated claims for interview expenses under the travel-to-interview scheme, where claimants are unable to notify the job centre in advance.

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

  Letter from A. G. Johnson to Mr. John Battle, dated 28 October 1992:

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, it is the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the Agency's Chief Executive to answer Parliamentary Questions about relevant operational matters. In his absence, I am replying to your questions about the Travel to Interview Scheme (TIS).

  It may help if I explain the background to the scheme. It was introduced in 1986 to help with travel costs for unemployed people to attend job interviews beyond daily travelling distance of their home area, thus widening the applicants' jobsearch, improving their chances of obtaining work and encouraging labour mobility. During 1991–92 the scheme helped 31,000 people at a cost of £ 933,000. A few basic

  Travel to interview scheme Numbers assisted by year/cost

  Date

  Number of applications

  Number helped

  Number rejected

  Cost £

  Average cost £

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  1986–87

  28,938

  21,765

  75

  7,173

  25

  1500,000

  22.97

  1987–88

  45,785

  34,136

  75

  11,649

  25

  946,000

  27.72

  1988–89

  41,116

  32,833

  80

  8,823

  20

  920,000

  28.02

  1989–90

  32,953

  25,736

  78

  7,217

  22

  682,000

  26.50

  1990–91

  29,178

  22,112

  76

  7,066

  24

  500,000

  22.61

  1991–92

  41,676

  31,004

  74

  10,672

  26

  933,000

  30.10

  1 Estimated cost.

  Manufacturing Employment
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the work force was engaged in manufacturing in each Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country in 1979 and at present.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The available information is as follows.

  Civilian employment in manufacturing as a percentage of total workforce

  1979

  1990

  Australia

  19

  14

  Austria

  29

  26

  Belgium

  23

  19

  Canada

  18

  15

  Denmark

  22

  18

  Finland

  25

  20

  France

  24

  19

  Germany

  42

  29

  Great Britain2

  28

  19

  836
  conditions must be met before assistance can be granted, to ensure that the limited funds available are concentrated on those unemployed people to most need.

  You have asked if TIS helps with assistance for second interviews. Whilst we realise it would be popular with jobseekers if help was available through TIS to cover the cost of repeat interviews, it could in practice be very costly. It could, for example, lead to the available funds having to be concentrated on a smaller number of people. We therefore limit the assistance to one interview per job. Where a selection process is a lengthy one we have to rely on the employer being sensitive to the costs likely to fall on the applicant and offer help towards them.

  You also ask for the regulations to be amended to allow backdated claims. We normally expect applications for help to be made in advance as we wish to target the limited assistance available on those people who needed this incentive to apply for jobs they would not otherwise consider. However we recognise that on occasions there is insufficient time between arranging and attending an interview and in such cases we would always consider an application if it were made as soon as possible after the interview.

  The scheme is currently under review and many of the eligibility conditions are being looked at to see if within the limited resources there are ways of helping more people.

  Unfortunately we do not keep records of the number of applications withdrawn. However the attached chart provides the rest of the information you asked for.

  I hope this is helpful.

  As decided by the Administrative Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  1979

  1990

  Greece1

  29

  18

  Iceland1

  24

  19

  Ireland

  19

  17

  Italy

  24

  20

  Japan

  24

  24

  Luxembourg

  27

  20

  Netherlands

  21

  17

  New Zealand

  23

  16

  Norway

  20

  14

  Portugal

  23

  24

  Spain

  23

  18

  Sweden

  24

  21

  Switzerland

  32

  25

  Turkey

  10

  13

  United States

  21

  17

  Source: OECD, except Great Britain (Employment Department).

  1 Latest data available is for 1989.

  2 Civilian employment in manufacturing is calculated as the sum of employees and self-employed.

  Note: 1990 is the latest year for which comparable date are available.

HEALTH

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask t he Secretary of State for Health what is the average response time for ambulances responding to emergency calls in the Greater London area; what assessment she has made of whether ambulances are reaching emergency cases quickly enough; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table details the latest figures held centrally on the performance of the accident and emergency service provided by the London ambulance service.

  Patient Transport Services 1990–91 Quality of service for London Ambulance Service Response Times

  Number

  Total number of emergency calls

  456,695

  Number where response within 7 minutes

  50,390

  Percentage of calls where response within 7 minutes

  11.0

  Number where response within 14 minutes

  336,734

  Percentage of calls where response within 14 minutes

  73.7

  Source: KA34 DH Statistics Division 2B 1992

  The response time of an ambulance is the time taken from an emergency call being received to the arrival of a fully equipped vehicle at the patient's location.

  As these figures illustrate, a significant proportion of accident and emergency ambulances from the London ambulance service are failing to meet the performance standards set out in the patients charter. I have discussed with the London ambulance service its plans for raising its performance including the full implementation of the computer aided dispatch system and new staff rosters and I, together with South West Thames regional health authority, which is responsible for the service, will monitor progress over the coming months.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to improve the performance of the London ambulance service; and if she will make a statement.

  Incidence rates (per 100,000 population) for malignant neoplasms of female breast (ICD1 174) and malignant neoplasms of cervix uteri (ICD1 180) for the Northern and Oxford Regional Health Authorities and the United Kingdom, 1983 to 1987 by age breakdown

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Age group

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  Northern Regional Health Authority

  20 to 29

  2.6

  7.1

  5.6

  5.2

  3.4

  6.8

  4.6

  4.2

  4.6

  7.1

  30 to 39

  30.9

  19.5

  41.4

  24.7

  36.6

  33.8

  35.6

  25.2

  38.3

  23.7

  40 to 49

  114.5

  21.2

  103.0

  19.8

  110.9

  39.8

  108.0

  23.8

  122.9

  22.4

  50 to 59

  131.6

  28.4

  156.9

  21.1

  142.3

  20.9

  156.7

  30.3

  152.0

  27.2

  60 to 69

  160.9

  32.6

  204.7

  31.6

  168.9

  24.9

  183.3

  38.8

  204.7

  29.4

  70 +

  201.3

  22.1

  211.6

  27.4

  213.9

  35.2

  210.3

  30.0

  205.8

  20.4

  Oxford Regional Health Authority

  20 to 29

  1.1

  6.0

  2.6

  4.8

  3.5

  7.1

  4.4

  5.4

  3.8

  5.2

  30 to 39

  37.5

  14.0

  35.5

  22.2

  36.2

  23.6

  37.1

  25.3

  44.0

  19.0

  40 to 49

  124.5

  23.6

  123.3

  12.8

  126.8

  20.8

  112.5

  18.2

  129.4

  21.7

  50 to 59

  160.7

  17.9

  158.7

  24.5

  178.3

  18.8

  166.9

  13.8

  217.9

  19.4

  60 to 69

  190.3

  21.2

  211.4

  33.9

  240.9

  21.8

  226.7

  22.4

  231.0

  25.6

  70 +

  283.7

  28.8

  274.9

  17.1

  251.2

  21.4

  252.3

  17.3

  285.7

  14.1

  United Kingdom

  20 to 29

  3.3

  7.4

  3.6

  6.6

  3.0

  7.0

  3.8

  7.0

  3.6

  6.2

  30 to 39

  35.3

  21.0

  34.2

  24.7

  35.1

  25.0

  39.2

  24.5

  35.7

  22.8

  40 to 49

  109.7

  21.0

  108.6

  22.8

  114.5

  22.8

  115.9

  23.6

  115.9

  24.2

  50 to 59

  154.9

  24.1

  154.7

  23.4

  154.8

  23.1

  163.5

  22.5

  162.2

  22.2

  838
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A number of measures have been taken and others are planned to improve the performance of the London ambulance service.

  These include:
  an external inquiry, led by a chief ambulance officer from another metropolitan region into the operation of the Computer Aided Dispatch system;
  a support system involving, where necessary, direct voice contact between the control centre and ambulances, building extra safeguards to ensure that ambulances are on their way;
  a change in the management structure of the service to ensure that Ministers are kept in proper and regular touch with progress;
  increases in the staffing levels in the London ambulance service control room;
  an increase of 9 per cent. over 1991–92 in the funding of the London ambulance service in 1992–93 to nearly £ 70 million.

  Epidemiological Research
  Ms. Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money, expressed as an overall figure and as a percentage of health care expenditure, is currently spent on epidemiological research in Britain.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Cancer
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the incidence of newly diagnosed cases of(a) cervical and (b) breast cancer per 100,000 population for the age ranges 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70-plus years for the Northern regional health authority area, the Oxford regional health authority area, and the United Kingdom area as a whole, for each year since 1983.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is shown in the table; 1987 is the latest year for which the information is available.
  839

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Age group

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  ICD 174

  ICD 180

  60 to 69

  187.6

  30.6

  189.9

  31.1

  198.8

  29.7

  201.8

  30.6

  211.6

  29.6

  70 +

  236.0

  24.0

  235.6

  23.5

  239.3

  21.8

  242.3

  23.4

  260.2

  23.8

  1 International Classification of Diseases.

  Source: OPCS.

  Scottish cancer registration scheme.

  Department of Health and Social Security, Northern Ireland

  Cancer registrations scheme.

  Radon Gas
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients resident in each regional health authority have(a) been treated for, or (b) died as a result of, radon gas exposure in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is not available. The effect of exposure to radon gas can be the later development of lung cancer, but there is no way to detect the difference between lung cancers caused by smoking, by radon exposure, or by other factors. On the basis of research studies, the National Radiological Protection Board estimates that exposure to radon in the home may be responsible for about 2,000 premature lung cancer deaths a year in the United Kingdom, but no regional breakdown of this overall estimate is available.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish figures for each six months since June 1987 for inner London of(a) the numbers of people on waiting lists for in-patient hospital treatment, (b) the numbers of people on those waiting lists admitted to hospital for treatment and (c) the numbers of people removed from those waiting lists for other reasons.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the numbers of people waiting by district health authority is given in the publication "Hospital Waiting List, in-patients and Day Cases" published every six months, copies of which are available in the Library. Information on admissions and removals from waiting lists for all district health authorities is not routinely collated centrally. For the relevant information at national level, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 22 October at columns 369–70.

  Medical Confidentiality
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will introduce regulations or produce guidelines on medical confidentiality covering the subject matter of the draft National Health Service Functions (Preservation of Confidentiality) Regulations which were withdrawn in 1987; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department is preparing draft guidance on the confidentiality, use and disclosure of personal health information which will be issued for consultation shortly.

  Doncaster Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to increase the annual salaries and allowances of the chairman and each member of Doncaster health authority; by what percentage; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A decision will be made in due course about the allowances and expenses paid to chairmen and non-executives.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all financial allocations made by(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) regional health authorities directly to trusts and the reasons for them; why it was decided not to make them to district health authorities instead; what steps she has taken to ensure that these allocations directly to trusts do not contradict the purchaser-provider market; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  No allocations are made to trusts by either this Department or by regional health authorities. Allocations are made solely to health authorities. Both this Department and regional health authorities do, however, contract directly with trusts where the services concerned are most appropriately purchased at a national or regional level. Central and regional contracts with trusts are entirely consistent with the separate roles of purchaser and provider.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the reasons for her decision that there will be no increase for inflation for voluntary organisations seeking renewal of their grant; whether this is an immutable ruling; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I have been asked to reply.

  As part of our review of funding to voluntary organisations under the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 we have been looking at what steps we might take to ensure that the section 64 general scheme budget can be used to benefit a wider range of organisations than has previously been possible. Core funding towards headquarters and administrative expenses currently accounts for approximately 80 per cent. of the expenditure, much of which has been provided on a long-term basis.

  We have decided that in future all core grants will be brought into line with those awarded after April 1990 and will not normally be renewed for more than a maximum of five years. Existing arrangements provide that core grants may be renewed in certain circumstances and our annual guidance in August restated previous policy that any

  841
  renewal awards would not normally include an increase for inflation. In considering any renewal application we will take into account all relevant factors, but the presumption will be that there will not be an automatic increase for inflation. This will enable us to make available a larger proportion of funding for new applicants for core or project grants and to give more to those organisations less able to raise funds from other sources.

  Doncaster district health authority Average daily number of available beds Annual 1990–91 and 1991–92

  Ward classification

  1990–91

  1991–921

  Code

  Wards open overnight

  Wards open day only

  Total

  Wards open overnight

  Wards open day only

  Total

  General patients

  Children

  Normal

  1

  54

  0

  54

  59

  0

  59

  Limited

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Elderly

  Normal

  3

  283

  0

  283

  278

  0

  278

  Limited

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other ages

  Intensive

  5

  24

  0

  24

  25

  0

  25

  Normal

  6

  625

  14

  638

  623

  12

  635

  Limited

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Younger physically disabled

  Spinal unit

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other

  9

  18

  0

  18

  18

  0

  18

  Neonatal

  Flag designated intensive

  10

  24

  0

  24

  24

  0

  24

  Non-maternity

  11

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Maternity

  12

  60

  0

  60

  60

  0

  60

  Maternity

  Consultants

  13

  98

  0

  98

  82

  0

  82

  Mixed

  14

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  GP

  15

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mental illness

  Children

  Short stay

  16

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Long stay

  17

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Elderly

  Short stay

  18

  21

  0

  21

  14

  0

  14

  Long stay

  19

  104

  0

  104

  86

  0

  86

  Other ages

  Secure unit

  20

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Short stay

  21

  76

  0

  76

  80

  0

  80

  Long stay

  22

  83

  0

  83

  119

  0

  119

  Mental handicap

  Children

  Short stay

  23

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Long stay

  24

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other ages

  Short stay

  25

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Long stay

  26

  165

  0

  165

  156

  0

  156

  Total

  27

  1,635

  14

  1,648

  1,629

  12

  1,641

  1 Provisional.

  Source:KMO3.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the number of out-patients treated at Doncaster hospitals by category, for the latest date for which she has figures available; and what was the figure(a) six months and (b) 12 months ago.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested for 1990–91, the latest available centrally, and for 1989–90, is contained in the Department of Health annual publication, "Outpatients and Ward Attenders". Copies are in the Library.

  Health Service, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of beds in Doncaster hospitals, by category,(a) in 1990–91 and (b) at present.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is given in the table. The information for 1990–91 refers to Doncaster Health Authority. The provisional figures for 1991–92 are an aggregation of one directly managed unit and one trust.

  Abortion
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance is issued by her Department to doctors about the techniques which should be adopted in performing those late abortions which are now available until full term; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what guidance her Department has issued to doctors about the use of potassium chloride injections to perform late abortions; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Decisions as to the method by which an abortion is carried out are a matter for the clinical judgment of the operating doctor, taking into account the circumstances of the particular case.
  843
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the methods currently adopted in performing those late abortions which take place beyond 24 weeks; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The notification form which has to be sent to the chief medical officer in respect of each legal abortion requires the practitioner terminating the pregnancy to give details of the method used.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that RU486 is available only under the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967.

  Mr. Sackville
  Use of RU486 to terminate a pregnancy outside the terms of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, would be an offence.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the RU486 pill will be available for general practitioners to prescribe; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will use the discretionary powers in section 37(3) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to license additional premises, such as community family planning clinics near hospitals, for prescription of mifepristone; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no current plans to extend use of this abortifacient drug to places other than national health service hospitals or private sector clinics approved under section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by(a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority the current average budget of general practitioner fund holders.

  Mr. Sackville
  The current average budget for general practitioner fundholders by regional health authority is in the table. The information by district health authority is not held centrally.

  Regional average budget set for first and second wave fundholders combined in 1992–93

  Region

  Average budget set in £ million

  Northern

  1.7

  Yorkshire

  1.7

  Trent

  1.4

  East Anglian

  1.7

  North West Thames

  1.4

  North East Thames

  1.3

  South East Thames

  1.3

  South West Thames

  1.3

  Wessex

  1.5

  Oxford

  1.4

  South Western

  1.4

  West Midlands

  1.4

  Mersey

  1.3

  North Western

  1.4

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fund-holding practices in 844
  each region in England are projecting overspends in the current financial year; how many were allocated additional resources in the first half of the year; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce urgently legislation for a comprehensive system of registration and inspection of all children's homes.

  Mr. Yeo
  Under the Children Act 1989 and the Children's Homes Regulations 1991 private children's homes are subject to registration and inspection by local authorities. Voluntary children's homes are required by the Act to register with the Secretary of State for Health and are inspected by the Social Services Inspectorate. Additionally, guidance issued to local authorities advises that local authority "arm's-length" inspection units should inspect local authorities' own children's homes. Further guidance on inspection of children's homes by local authority independent inspection units is due to be issued shortly.

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all the names of public appointments that she has made, giving the period for which the appointment was made, relevant qualifications of the appointees, and what remuneration each currently receives.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information about public appointments made by the Secretary of State for Health and the remuneration each currently receives is available from the Cabinet Office publications "Public Bodies" and "Public Appointments: a Handbook for Women's Organisations". Copies are available in the Library. Details of the individuals who hold those appointments could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Chris Chapman
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the impact of her new whistleblowers charter on the case of Dr. Chris Chapman; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Dr Chapman has recently taken his case to an industrial tribunal; it would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment on his case at this stage.

  Health Pay Review Boards
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has any plans to suspend the health pay review boards; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Operations
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of operations in each health authority in England were cancelled; what proportion of operations
  845
  were cancelled on more than one occasion; and what proportion of operations were cancelled on the day of admissions in 1991–92.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what number and percentage of patients were assessed immediately in accident and emergency departments in each district health authority area in England under the terms of the patients charter, for the first quarter of 1992–93; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) Which targets specified in the patients charter can now be measured by health authorities; and what responses have been received to the monitoring of the charter in the first quarter of 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  Health authorities will be expected to monitor all aspects of their providers' performance against the rights and standards set out in the patients charter and reflected in contracts. The National Health Service management executive has recently issued guidance on monitoring the charter.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how information collected on the monitoring of the patients charter will differentiate between the performance of trust and non-trust units.

  Mr. Sackville
  All providers—whether trusts or non-trusts—will be required to supply information on performance against patients charter rights and standards to their purchasers.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated cost of(a) a visit by a health visitor to administer insulin to a diabetic and (b) self-administration using a Novopen, including the cost of the Novo needle.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on the cost of a visit by a health visitor is not held centrally. The element of the cost of self-administration attributable to a Novopen and needle is commercial-in-confidence. However, many diabetics use disposable syringes to inject themselves with insulin and these are already prescribable. The use of injection pens and needles entails a real additional cost to the taxpayer. This factor has to be taken into account when considering whether to authorise their prescribing by GPs.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will make it her policy that Novo needles shall be available on prescription for people who suffer from diabetes and require insulin treatment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are continuing to consider the case for authorising general practitioners to prescribe both insulin injection pens and needles but, in reaching a final decision, we shall need to take into account current public expenditure constraints.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is(a) the average and (b) the maximum waiting time between a patient's initial referral and the first appointment with a consultant in each health authority in England; and if she will make a statement.

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

  Emergency Ambulance Calls
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the change in the percentage of emergency ambulance calls being responded to in each district health authority area within the Orcon standard between the first quarter of 1991–92 and the first quarter of 1992–93; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what percentage of emergency ambulance calls were responded to in each district health authority area (a) within eight minutes, (b) within 14 minutes in urban areas and (c) within 19 minutes in rural areas during the first quarter of 1992–93;

  (3) what percentage of urgent journeys by ambulance in each district health authority area in England reached the appropriate treatment centre within 15 minutes during the first quarter of 1992–93; and she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information held by the Department relates to ambulance authorities which may cover more than one district health authority and is collected on a financial year basis and not a quarterly basis. Figures for 1991–92 are currently being assembled for publication and I will arrange for a copy of the summary tables to be sent to the hon. Member as soon as these are available.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district health authorities in each region in England have spent(a) up to or (b) over their budgets for extra-contractual referrals; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the regional health authority chairmen for details.

  Childline
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure the continued operation of the charity Childline.

  Mr. Yeo
  A Government grant of £ 100,000 has been given to Childline in each of the last five years, following an initial grant of £ 50,000 to help launch the organisation. Any further application for financial support will be considered on its merits.

  Salford District Health Authority
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will respond to the request made to her by the Salford community health council and the Hope hospital,
  847
  Salford, support group, for an independent inquiry into the funding and management of the Salford district health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Responsibility for financial allocation to Salford district health authority is a matter for the North Western regional health authority. The requests received from the Salford community health council and the Hope hospital, Salford, support group were referred to the chief executive of the regional health authority on 27 October.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the policy consideration underlying the charging of 50 per cent. council tax on the owners of residential care homes; and if he will reconsider this policy.

  Mr. Redwood
  Further to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Devon, North (Mr. Harvey) on 7 July, col. 157, we have received a number of representations from care homes about the council tax. We are presently discussing these representations with the joint care committee.

  ASYLUM APPLICATIONS: UNFOUNDED CLAIMS
  ASYLUM APPLICATIONS: UNFOUNDED CLAIMS
  ASYLUM SEEKERS: ENTRY VISAS PROVISO
  ASYLUM SEEKERS: ENTRY VISAS PROVISO
  PIT BULL TERRIERS IN POLICE CUSTODY
  PIT BULL TERRIERS IN POLICE CUSTODY
  PLUTONIUM
  PLUTONIUM
  COAL CONSUMPTION
  COAL CONSUMPTION
  COT DEATHS
  COT DEATHS
  ECO-LABELLING
  ECO-LABELLING
  EWE LOSSES: NOTIFICATION
  EWE LOSSES: NOTIFICATION
  AGRICULTURE COUNCIL,26th and 27th OCTOBER
  AGRICULTURE COUNCIL,26th and 27th OCTOBER
  PALACE OF WESTMINSTER: WORKS
  PALACE OF WESTMINSTER: WORKS
  ANGLESEY AND RADNORSHIRE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
  ANGLESEY AND RADNORSHIRE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS