Written Answers of 15 April 1993

HEALTH

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research is currently funded by her Department into myalgic encephalomyelitis; and what research has been completed by her Department into myalgic encephalomyelitis since 1979;

  (2) what attempts she has made to ensure that all GPs are aware of the research and diagnostic criteria developed to ensure the proper health care for sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis;

  (3) what representations she has received from the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association in regard to counselling and support offered by the national health service to myalgic encephalomyelitis sufferers;

  (4) what information she has on the occurrence of myalgic encephalomyelitis in teenagers.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the occurrence of myalgic encephalomyelitis in teenagers is not available centrally.

  The Department has received correspondence on various aspects of ME from the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association, its members and supporters. Ministers and officials have had meetings with representatives of the association and other ME voluntary bodies.

  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research in the United Kingdom is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MRC is currently funding a study at the Institute of Psychiatry. The MRC is always willing to receive and consider soundly based research proposals in competition with other applications. The Department also keeps in touch with research being funded by bodies such as the Linbury Trust.

  Medical practitioners keep in touch with developments in diagnosis, health care and treatment through professional journals, post graduate education, attending scientific seminars and the activities and publications of the medical royal colleges. The Department is supporting a task force, including representatives from the ME voluntary bodies, the Royal College of General Practitioners and experts involved in research and patient management. The task force will be considering matters such as the publication of guidance on ME which will be of help to medical practitioners.

  General Practitioner Fund Holders
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the oral statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville), on 24 March,Official Report,
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  column 1208, if she will indicate the evidence underlying the statement that in April 1991 the baseline cost of general practitioner fund holders' prescribing of medicines was 10 per cent. less than that of non-fund holders' prescribing.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Prescription Pricing Authority data show that in April 1991 the cost of non-fund holders' prescribing was £3·88 per person and that of fund holders was £3·49 per person.

  Schizophrenia
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what international co-operative projects exist in the field of schizophrenia research;

  (2) what research is being undertaken by or being financed by her Department into the causes of and possible cures for schizophrenia; what projects exist for rehabilitation and training of people suffering from schizophrenia; what crisis centres with 24-hour support her Department finances; what planned allowances of beds in hospitals is made for those with recurring mental illness; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Department is not involved in international projects or financing research. The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Health authorities, working with local authorities and the independent sector, should provide a comprehensive range of local services for mentally ill people, including in-patient beds and crisis intervention accommodation. The provision of rehabilitation and training for the long-term mentally ill is also part of the comprehensive district service. The level of provision is a matter for local management to determine, taking into account local priorities and available resources.

  Telecommunications Equipment
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies the National Radiological Protection Board is undertaking of the effects of telecommunications equipment.

  Mr. Sackville
  The National Radiological Protection Board advises Government on risks to human health from non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, including emissions from telecommunications equipment. The board's advice is that the radio frequency energy emitted by telecommunications equipment does not constitute a cancer hazard on the basis of available research evidence. The research work of the NRPB's non-ionising department encompasses biological research, programmes of physical measurements and theoretical dosimetry and health hazard assessment. The Department of Trade and Industry, together with the Science and Engineering Research Council and a number of industrial participants, are funding a research study of the physical interaction of electromagnetic fields and the human head. The results from this and other studies will enable a better assessment of the extent to which emissions comply with recommended restrictions on human exposures.
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  Doctors' Hours
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors by hospital district health authority and region were working more than an average of 83 hours per week at 1 April.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We expect to receive reports from regional task forces shortly showing the number of junior hospital doctors and dentists in England who were contracted for more than a maximum average of 83 hours per week at 1 April.

  Cot Deaths
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest annual number of recorded cot deaths; what the figure was in 1988; and what further research is planned into cot deaths.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The latest annual numbers of recorded cot deaths for 1988 and for 1991 are shown in the table.

  Research into cot deaths is commissioned through the national health service research and development programme. The Department, together with the Anne Diamond Cot Death Appeal, is currently funding research into cot deaths in Avon. Funding for another proposal is under consideration. Work in this area commissioned by the Department of Health complements research by other agencies, including the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths and the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Since 1979 the MRC has spent just over £4·2 million on research into sudden infant death, respiratory distress syndrome and related projects.

  The confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy, which is a long-term strategic initiative, also includes in-depth inquiries into cot death, in selected regions, in its current programme.

  Cot deaths1 in England and Wales, 1988 and 1991

  1988

  1991

  Under one year of age

  1,467

  935

  One year and over

  32

  39

  1 In this table cot deaths refer to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, ICD 9th revision 798·0) where the death certificate identified SIDS as either being (i) a main cause of death (deaths under 28 days of age) or (ii) the underlying cause of death (28 days and over).

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Religious Affiliations
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual cost of monitoring the religious affiliation of the employees of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  The annual cost is negligible.

  Social Fund
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Northern Ireland social fund discretionary budget will be for 1993–94.
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  Mr. Hanley
  I am glad to be able to announce that the social fund discretionary budget for 1993–94 will be £28·5 million. This is an increase of £3·5 million over the original amount allocated to districts for 1992–93. Details of the allocations are being placed in the Library of both Houses together with a note explaining their basis.

  Child Support Agency
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in establishing the child support agency for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  I am pleased to announce that the Child Support Agency for Northern Ireland was established as an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Services on 5 April 1993. The Child Support (NI) Order 1991 gives effect in Northern Ireland to a new system for the provision of child support. Under this system, the agency will have responsibility for the assessment, collection and enforcement of child support maintenance payment in Northern Ireland.

  I am certain that the new arrangements will be a significant improvement on the present system, which is fragmented, discretionary and, consequently, inconsistent in setting levels of maintenance. The agency has a crucial part to play in the efficient implementation and effective functioning of these new arrangements. I have delegated full managerial authority for the agency's day-to-day operations to its chief executive. The policy and resources framework of the agency is set out in the framework document, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  In addition, I have set challenging targets for the agency in its first year of operation. These are to achieve the following:

  60 per cent. of people with the care of children making eligible applications to the CSA to have maintenance arranged;

  annual benefit savings of £12·8 million;

  to manage the agency's resources so as to deliver its business plan within a total budget of £5·1 million;

  65 per cent. of clients to regard the service as satisfactory;

  to meet a set of milestone targets set by the Minister, which relate to major initiatives.

ENVIRONMENT

  Broadmoor Hospital (Noise and Nuisance)
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislative protection there is for residents of Broadmoor hospital who are disturbed by intrusive noise and nuisance; and what plans he has to enforce the protection contained in section 68 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 in respect of Broadmoor hospital.

  Mr. Maclean
  Local authorities may take action requiring the abatement of noise emitted from premises, including land, under part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Any complaints about noise at Broadmoor hospital should therefore be addressed to the local authority in the first instance. Section 68 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 enables my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to make regulations to control noise from plant or
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  machinery. My right hon. and learned Friend has not made any regulations under the provisions of section 68 of the Control of Pollution Act.

  Reservoirs (Grazing)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to ensure that water companies follow the recommendations of his Department's letter of advice dated 5 October 1990, concerning action to be taken to prevent the grazing of grass-covered surface reservoirs by livestock.

  Mr. Maclean
  The drinking water inspectorate has made detailed checks on the progress that water companies have made in preventing livestock from grazing on grass-covered service reservoirs. Most service reservoirs with previously unrestricted access to livestock have now been fenced. A few companies have encountered difficulties in obtaining permission to fence reservoirs located in national parks and other areas where restrictions apply. In these cases the inspectorate is encouraging companies to investigate less obtrusive fencing and other means that might be acceptable to the relevant authorities.

  Housing Investment Programme
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much housing investment programme grant each London borough applied for; and how much they were awarded for the financial year 1993–94 and for each year since 1980–81.

  Mr. Baldry
  Information on housing investment programme bids, HIP allocations and housing capital expenditure since 1980–81 for each of the London borough councils and the City of London has been prepared and the tables deposited in the House of Commons Library.

  Urban Air Quality
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to reduce the level of pollutants in London's air listed in his Department's report "Urban Air Quality in the United Kingdom."

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government have taken action to reduce urban air pollution on a number of fronts. The implementation of European Community directives on vehicle emissions will substantially reduce the level of pollution from road transport. The national plan for implementation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe protocol on volatile organic compounds is designed to ensure that the levels of pollution from solvents in paints, ink and glues and from evaporation of liquid fuels will fall. Other measures which will act to reduce urban air pollution include the implementation of European legislation on emissions from large boilers and on fuel composition.

  Road Building
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects his Department to publish research it has undertaken on the effect of road building on the inner-city economy.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department commissioned a literature review on the impact of transport investment 674
  upon the inner city from Dr. Margaret Grieco of the transport studies unit, Oxford university. The review offered mixed views on the effects of roadbuilding in inner cities. The contractor has been invited to publish the work under licence from HMSO.

  First-time House Buyers
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of first-time buyers who have entered the housing market as a result of the measures announced in the autumn statement.

  Sir George Young
  The housing market package, announced in the autumn statement, included £50 million for additional grants under the cash incentive scheme and tenants incentive scheme. These have enabled 3,300 tenants of local authorities and housing associations to buy homes of their own on the private market, freeing their previous homes for families in housing need.

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the incinerators of which he is aware in Germany that are suitable to dispose of the toxic waste which he has requested his German counterpart not to allow to be exported to the United Kingdom for incineration by ReChem.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available. I am aware that Germany does have high temperature incinerators which are capable of disposing of this toxic waste.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes have been provided each year under the housing associations managing agents scheme; and how much central Government grant has been involved.

  Sir George Young
  The housing associations as managing agents scheme was set up to encourage private owners to rent out their property. HAMA has been running with five pilot housing associations operating in Oxford and the south-east since 1992.

  During the first year of the scheme, up to 31 March 1993, 308 homes were brought into management. An additional 515 homes have been provided by one of the pilot housing associations which found leasing arrangements, as opposed to management agreements, more attractive to private landlords operating in their area. During 1992–93 a total of £300,000 was made available to run the HAMA pilot scheme.

  On 6 January, I was pleased to announce that HAMA will be extended to provide national coverage with another 22 housing associations managing schemes. These housing associations will be working with 140 local authorities throughout England. A further £1·25 million has been allocated to these associations which will allow for two staff plus running costs during 1993–94.

  I now hope to see 5,000 private sector homes brought into management and used to house families in need within the next year or so; this will take us a long way towards the target of 10,000 homes under HAMA by 1996.
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  There are housing associations not in receipt of grant aid under HAMA which have set up their own projects based on the principles of HAMA. We do not, however, hold information on these projects.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance clarifying the extent to which housing associations assisted with public funds apply the provisions of the public procurement directive.

  Mr. Baldry
  The relevant provisions apply to contracting authorities carrying out civil engineering works or building works for hospitals, facilities intended for sports, recreation and ledisure, school and university buildings or buildings for administrative purposes. I would therefore not expect housing activities which housing associations carry out with public subsidy to be affected.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times the task force on Government Departments' empty houses has met; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  The task force on Government Departments' empty houses has met twice since it was established on 8 December 1992. It has made good progress on the work necessary to deliver its remit of helping to bring empty Government residential properties back into housing use. The third meeting of the task force is due to take place on 28 April.

  Charity Homes (Tax Exemption)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the impact of ending the local tax exemption of residential homes run by charities.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government and Inner Cities to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 31 March,Official Report, columns 290–91.

  Housing Co-operatives
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many consents have been given to housing authorities under section 27 of the Housing Act 1985.

  Sir George Young
  Since the provisions of section 27 of the Housing Act 1985, as amended by section 10 of the Housing and Planning Act 1986, came into force, the Secretary of State has given 116 consents to management agreements entered into under these powers.

  Water Meters
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is held by OFWAT as to the percentage of domestic houses that have a water meter installed, region by region, at the most recent date for which information is available and the same date 12 months perviously.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not available by region. Information for each water company for 1991–92 is 676
  shown in the table. For similar information for 1992–93, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 2 April, Official Report, column 521.

  Water Company

  Metered Supply Households

  Proportion Percentage

  (000)

  Anglian Water Services Ltd

  30

  2·1

  Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Company

  4

  2·5

  Bristol Water plc

  10

  2·5

  Cambridge Water Company

  3

  3·0

  Chester Waterworks Company

  1

  2·3

  Cholderton and District Water Company Ltd

  <1

  1·5

  Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig

  29

  2·8

  East Surrey Water plc

  2

  1·6

  East Worcester Water plc1

  13

  14·7

  Essex Water plc

  6

  1·1

  Folkestone and Dover Water Services Ltd

  1

  1·6

  Hartlepools Water Company

  <1

  0·1

  Mid Kent Water plc

  3

  1·5

  Mid Southern Water plc

  8

  3·2

  North East Water plc

  3

  0·6

  North Surrey Water Ltd

  7

  4·0

  North West Water Ltd

  29

  1·1

  Northumbrian Water Ltd

  1

  0·2

  Portsmouth Water plc

  < 1

  0·1

  Severn Trent Water Ltd

  94

  3·6

  South East Water Ltd

  7

  3·0

  South Staffordshire Water plc

  9

  1·9

  South West Water Services Ltd

  19

  3·4

  Southern Water Services Ltd

  84

  9·9

  Suffolk Water plc

  3

  3·1

  Sutton District Water plc

  <1

  0·3

  Tendring Hundred Water Services Ltd

  2

  3·5

  Thames Water Utilities Ltd

  72

  2·5

  Three Valleys Water Services plc

  16

  1·8

  Wessex Water Services Ltd

  16

  3·9

  Wrexham and East Denbighshire Water Company

  2

  3·6

  York Waterworks plc

  <1

  0·1

  Yorkshire Water Services Ltd

  29

  1·7

  England and Wales

  503

  2·6

  1> For 1992–93, figures for East Worcester Water plc have been included with those for Severn Trent Water Ltd.

  Note Proportions may not tally exactly due to rounding.

  Advisory Council for Business and the Environment
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the future of the Advisory Council for Business and the Environment.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment was established in May 1991 for a two-year term. The Government are currently considering the future of the committee.

  Water Supply
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to require water companies to make open to the public any investigative report of a major fault in the water supply which has put water supplies to the public at risk.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 require water undertakers to notify the
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  relevant local authority and district health authority of any event which by reason of its effect or likely effect on the water supplied by it gives rise to, or is likely to give rise to, a significant risk to health, and to supply such information relating to the event and its consequences as the authorities may reasonably require.

  Directions given under section 202 of the Water Industry Act 1991 require water undertakers to report such events to the Secretary of State. The conclusions of consequent investigations by the drinking water inspectorate are made available to the relevant local authorities and district health, and to any other concerned parties who have expressed an interest.

  I have no plans for further legislation.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the current number of homeless families in each London borough; and what is the current number of homeless people in bed and breakfast accommodation in each London borough;

  (2) what is the current total number of homeless people in London; and if he will list the figures by borough.

  Mr. Baldry
  Information on the number of households for which local authorities in England accept responsibility to secure permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985 is reported in part E of the quarterly P1 return.

  Details of the numbers of homeless households are published quarterly in a DOE Information Bulletin—"Households found accommodation under the homeless-ness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act 1985: England". Tables 1(a) and 4(a) of the latest bulletin, which gives statistics for the fourth quarter 1992, contain figures on total homeless households and households temporarily accommodated in bed-and-breakfast hotels in London. Details of figures reported by individual local authorities in London can be found in the suplementary table to the bulletin. Copies of both are in the Library.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's current estimate of the number of people sleeping rough within the Greater London area.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department does not make estimates of the numbers of persons sleeping rough. The 1991 census recorded the numbers of persons found sleeping rough at pre-identified sites in Greater London on census night, 21–22 April 1991; the total number recorded was 1,197.

  A count conducted in November 1992 by voluntary organisations that work with homeless people found 419 homeless people sleeping rough in central London; this compares with a figure of over 1,000 prior to the introduction of the Department's rough sleepers initiative in 1990.

  Housing Starts
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of new local authority and housing association housing starts for the last three years for which figures are available; and what is his Department's estimate of the number of new housing starts for each of the next 10 years in each London borough.
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  Mr. Baldry
  Estimates are shown in the table for the total number of housing association and local authority housebuilding starts in England during the last three years. Housing associations are now the main providers of additional social sector housing.

  Number of dwellings

  Year

  Housing associations

  Local authorities

  1990

  14,400

  6,500

  1991

  15,700

  3,000

  1992

  27,400

  1,400

  Estimates of housebuilding starts for each London borough are published in "Local Housing Statistics". Issue No. 103 contains annual figures up to 1991; issue No. 104 contains estimates for the first nine months of 1992. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  The Department does not prepare forecasts of housebuilding activity.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice and guidelines on environmental protection, Iand and wildlife conservation his Department has given to London-wide bodies; and how often he updates the advice.

  Mr. Baldry
  Advice and guidance is issued, and revised as required, nationally and sent to London-wide bodies where appropriate to their statutory functions.

  Forestry
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reply to the first report of Session 1992–93 from the House of Commons Environment Committee on forestry and the environment.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The Government expect to respond within two months.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities which are assuming less than a 98 per cent. success rate in levying council tax for the year 1993–94.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: There are 228 authorities which have assumed a collection rate of less than 98 per cent. I have arranged for the available information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Private Rented Homes
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average weekly rent for rented accommodation in London, the south-east, the midlands and the private sector which has been let in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: On the basis of data from the 1991 family expenditure survey it is estimated that the average weekly rent in 1991 for all households in rented accommodation that they had moved into in the previous 12 months was £47. The average for

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  those households renting in the private sector, excluding housing association properties, was £65. The sample on which these figures are based is relatively small and the estimates are, therefore, subject to quite large sampling error. The sample size of the FES is too small to provide satisfactory estimates for individual regions.

  Construction Industry (Merseyside)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he has to improve the unemployment situation in the construction industry on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: My Department has a substantial programme of capital spending on Merseyside which will create new opportunities for employment in the construction sector. In housing almost £100 million will be provided in 1993–94 through the estate action and housing investment programmes, while the Housing Corporation will support about £95 million of housing association expenditure. The Liverpool housing action trust will be spending over £100 million over the next seven to 10 years on improvements to tower blocks. The three Merseyside city challenges currently anticipate the creation of over 200,000 person weeks of construction employment, and further opportunities will be created by the ongoing programme of Merseyside development corporation.

  In addition, the Liverpool city action team is working with a wide range of agencies and organisations to improve access to construction employment opportunities for local residents.

  Archaeologists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by local authority the number of archaeologists currently in post; and what the corresponding figure was 10 years ago.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not held centrally. However, English Heritage estimates that approximately 300 archaeologists are employed by county councils and about 30 by district councils. It is estimated that in 1980 approximately 50 archaeologists were employed by local authorities.

  Global Technology Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the benefits to British business of the global technology partnership conference in Birmingham, 23 to 25 March.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom's global technology partnership conference aimed to encourage greater technology co-operation between businesses in the United Kingdom and those in the more industrialised developing countries. Representatives of British business had the opportunity to establish contact with key business men and women from over 40 different developing countries, to learn of their local needs and difficulties and to offer solutions. The conference also discussed sources of help and funding available to United Kingdom and developing country businesses to assist technology co-operation. It generated
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  much interest overseas and created opportunities for business follow-up. This should be facilitated through the three year follow-on initiative.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many companies from(a) Wales,(b) England,(c)Northern Ireland,(d) Scotland,(e) other nations of the European Community and(f)other nations outside the European Community were represented at the global technology partnership conference in Birmingham, from 23 to 25 March; what revenues were raised from the participation of these companies; and what benefits accrued from their attendance.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  Representatives of companies from all areas of the United Kingdom were invited to the United Kingdom's global technology partnership conference. In addition, key individuals from businesses in 44 developing countries were invited.

  There were 189 participants from the United Kingdom, including speaker/participants. Most were present for the three days of the conference, although a number exercised the option to attend for one day only. There were three participants from Wales, 178 from England, one from Northern Ireland and seven from Scotland. A total of 106 key business men and women attended from non-EC countries overseas. In addition, there were four speakers from EC member states.

  Revenue raised from these delegates was approximately £26,000 with further sums raised through industrial sponsorship.

  There are both potential commercial and environmental benefits for all businesses involved. United Kingdom participants were able to learn first hand of the environmental problems faced by businesses in developing countries and to discuss the solutions available in the United Kingdom. The conference also discussed sources of help and funding available to United Kingdom and developing country businesses to assist technology co-operation.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the weekly cost to BNFL of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant remaining idle.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc has said that it assesses the reduction in profit arising from the delay in the THORP project at about £2 million a week.

  Electrolysis and Massage
  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the fees charged by each of the local authorities in the United Kingdom for licences to operate premises offering special treatments such as electrolysis or massage for which a licence is required by law.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Radiation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the health effects of radioactive discharges from(a) Amersham International plc in Cardiff and (b) the atomic weapons establishment at Llanishen.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Discharges of radioactive wastes may only be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960.

  Authorisation is dependent upon the operators demonstrating that discharges will be below levels set by the Government to ensure that the public is not exposed to any significant radiological risk. Regular monitoring by the regulatory authorities has consistently shown that the discharges are made within such levels.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to increase radiation protection measures for members of the public in Wales following the details of radioactive contamination in the Principality included under each of tables 4.01 to 4.06 and 4.08 to 4.35 of the Environmental Digest for Wales 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The environmental monitoring exercises detailed in the digest form part of a routine monitoring programme which provides an additional check that members of the public are not being exposed to unsafe radiation levels. The data show that radioactivity levels from artificial sources are generally very small and declining, are in total substantially less than the levels resulting from natural sources and present no significant risk to public health. It is not therefore necessary to take steps to increase radiation protection measures for members of the public in Wales.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the answer of 24 March by the Secretary of State for the Environment to the hon. Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Hawksley),Official Report, column 633–34 on the creation of registers of potentially contaminated land under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, how he will update table 1.48 on potentially contaminated sites by district in the Environmental Digest for Wales 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information in table 1.48 of the Environmental Digest for Wales 1992 is based on a survey of potentially contaminated land undertaken in 1988 on behalf of the Welsh Office. The survey information continues to provide a helpful guide to local authorities in undertaking their statutory duty to identify and tackle sites which pose a public health or environmental hazard; and the need to update it will be kept under review.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much and on what basis general practitioners are paid per head in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body has responsibility for making 682
  recommendations to Government on the level of remuneration it considers appropriate for doctors and dentists in the national health service in Great Britain. Specifically, it is responsible for:

  (i) the provision to be made for estimated practice expenses for the average GP;

  (ii) intended average net income per GP;

  (iii) the application of a balancing correction where appropriate;

  (iv) a scale of fees and allowances designed to deliver the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) (intended average gross income) to the average GP.

  Following the decision that it would not be appropriate for the review body to make recommendations for 1993–94, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 3 December 1992, and in line with the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his autumn statement that public sector pay settlements for 1993–94 will be restricted to no more than 1·5 per cent., the intended average net income for general medical practitioners in England and Wales from 1 April 1993 is £40,610.

  Council Tenants (Welfare Services)
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to consult on the future funding arrangements and powers for local authorities to provide welfare services to council tenants in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office issued a consultation paper to local authorities, their associations and other interested bodies on 5 April. I have placed copies in the Library of the House.

  The paper sets out proposals for the longer-term funding and provision of welfare services for tenants of local housing authorities. It proposes that housing authorities should retain powers to provide these services, which are being considered as part of the Housing and Urban Development Bill, until after local government re-organisation. The paper also sets out options for the exclusion of welfare services from the housing revenue account and the possible timing of such changes.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is consulting separately on these matters in England.

EMPLOYMENT

  Travel-to-Interview Scheme
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the maximum financial assistance that can be claimed for overnight subsistence by unemployed people under the travel-to-interview scheme; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what are the maximum travelling expenses that can be claimed by unemployed people who are given assistance under the travel-to-interview scheme when they travel by (a) public or (b) private transport; and how many interviews they can claim assistance for.

  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.
  683
  Letter from Mr. M. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 15 April 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Questions to her about the Travel to Interview Scheme (TIS). This is something which falls within the responsibilities she has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  It may be helpful if I explain the background to the scheme. TIS was introduced in 1986 to help with travel costs for unemployed people to attend job interviews in the United Kingdom but 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 applicants at a cost of some £950,000. A few basic conditions must be met before assistance can be granted, to ensure that the limited funds available are concentrated on those unemployed people in most need. A leaflet outlining the scope of the scheme is enclosed.
  People who are eligible for help with fares may also qualify for the cost of up to two nights stay which is unavoidable. The actual cost of the overnight accommodation is reimbursed up to a fixed limit which is currently £27·20 per night.
  Eligible applicants may choose to travel by public transport or private vehicle. If they choose public transport the full costs of the cheapest convenient service are met by the scheme. Travel by private vehicle is reimbursed at a fixed rate of 16p per mile (increased from 15p on 5 April 1993). However the amount is limited to what it would have cost by convenient public transport.
  You also asked about the maximum expenses which may be claimed. There is no ceiling as such on the total expenses which may be paid but any applicant failing to get a job after 20 interviews using TIS assistance would be counselled. Each subsequent interview which required TIS assistance would be considered carefully and assistance refused unless it was felt the applicant had a reasonable chance of getting the job.
  I hope this is helpful.
  As agreed in the Government's reply to the 1990 Treasury and Civil Service Committee Report "Progress in the Next Steps Initiative", I will place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House and in its Public Information Office.

  ACAS
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she expects to receive the annual report of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received the ACAS report for 1992, which will be laid before both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 20 April. The report is also to be published on that day and copies will then be available from the Vote Office.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Iraqi Students
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to making direct payments from frozen Iraqi Government accounts to Iraqi students and their host academic institutions in the United Kingdom for fees and support.

  Mr. Nelson
  We have always considered applications to debit Iraqi accounts for living and educational expenses of residents of Iraq in the United Kingdom. Reasonable amounts are normally permitted. However, the permission of the account holder must also be obtained before accounts can be debited.

  Data Protection Act 1984
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many certificates have been signed under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Nelson
  I am aware of none so far as the Treasury is concerned.

  Research Institutions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current practice on the effect of the receipt of grant income to Government research institutions from EC research programmes on the available resources of those institutions; and what arrangements are made for research institutions which are "next steps" agencies.

  Sir John Cope
  Payments from EC research programmes are available in full to add to the resources of Government research institutions. The precise level of resources available to a Government research institution is a matter for decision by the departments which are responsible for them. This is so whether or not the research institutions are "next steps" agencies.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what income the Government derived from EC research framework programme grants placed in Government research institutions and agencies in each year since 1990–91.

  Sir John Cope
  The bulk of EC research framework programme grants coming to the United Kingdom are paid directly to the private sector, including universities. Details of receipts to the private sector are not held centrally. Expenditure in relation to contracts with Government departments, agencies and research councils, which count as public sector receipts, was as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1990–91

  5·0

  1991–92

  9·5

  11992–93

  8·6

  1 estimated outturn

EDUCATION

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answers of 29 March to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers),Official Report, columns 66–75, if he will list the payments made and the average payment per student under the assisted places scheme to (a) Dame Allans Boys, (b) Dame Allans Girls, (c) Central Newcastle High, (d) Kings, Tynemouth, (e) La Sagesse Convent School, (f) Newcastle upon Tyne Church High and (g) the Royal Grammar, Newcastle.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is as follows:
  685

  School name

  Payments made in academic year 1991–92

  Average payment per assisted pupil

  £

  £

  Dame Allans Boys

  207,082

  1,755

  Dame Allans Girls

  251,519

  2,096

  Central Newcastle High

  218,220

  1,898

  Kings, Tynemouth

  27,533

  2,753

  La Sagesse Convent

  352,868

  2,352

  Newcastle upon Tyne Church High

  33,586

  2,239

  Royal Grammar, Newcastle

  487,375

  1,853

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  North Korea
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the security implications for the Korean peninsula and south-east Asia of North Korea's announcement of its intended withdrawal from the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Goodlad
  There is widespread concern about the North Korean announcement of its intention to withdraw. We are working actively with other concerned Governments to encourage North Korea to retract its announcement.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the representatives of the civil community which the British high commissioner met during his visit to Jaffna on 18 February; and what issues were discussed at these meetings.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The high commissioner did not meet representatives of the civil community during his visit to Jaffna on 18 February.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the maximum economic independence of the Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Apart from the costs of defence, the Falkland Islands are economically independent of the United Kingdom.

  Data Protection Act 1984
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many certificates have been signed under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 since June 1992.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I am aware of none so far as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is concerned.

  Channel Islands
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made with the German Government 686
  concerning the claims for compensation by Channel Island detainees deported to German internment camps during world war II; if he will make it his policy to raise also the position of merchant seamen from elsewhere in the United Kingdom who were similarly detained; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Representatives of the British and German Governments have, since German unification, been discussing the settlement of our claim in respect of the Channel Islanders illegally deported by the German occupation authorities. We have raised this with the Germans on many occasions and at many levels, including that of Foreign Secretary.

  The German Government have told us definitively that they are not prepared to give the Channel Islanders any form of compensation or settlement. We are disappointed by the decision, but I regret that we see no realistic prospect that their claims can be met.

  Merchant seamen detained by the Germans during the second world war fall into an entirely different category. Their detention was proper according to the rules of war. There is no question of claiming compensation.

  Iraq
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that, either through the United Nations Secretary-General or unilaterally, monitors are sent into northern Iraq under resolution 688, to verify the human rights situation throughout the country.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have consistently supported the proposal, put forward by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Iraq in his report of February 1992, for the positioning of human rights monitors throughout Iraq. With our European Community partners we co-sponsored the resolution passed at the Commission on Human Rights on 10 March 1993 which called on the Secretary General to take the necessary measures to send human rights monitors to Iraq. We will continue to do all we can to support him in carrying out this mandate.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps British diplomatic staff in the United States are taking to inform the people there, and in particular the incoming Congressmen, of the true situation in Northern Ireland and of the activities of members of the IRA.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Our diplomatic staff in the United States, in close conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, make every effort to ensure that key opinion-formers in the United States, including Congressmen, are aware of the true situation in Northern Ireland. Our information activities there include written and oral briefings, interviews and speeches by British officials, and visits to Northern Ireland by selected American opinion-formers.

  China
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communications Her Majesty's Government have had with the People's Republic of China on(a) nuclear testing and (b) nuclear non-proliferation.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have recently had discussions with Chinese authorities about the announcement by North Korea of her intention to withdraw from the non-proliferation treaty. We have had no recent bilateral communications with the Chinese on nuclear testing, but both subjects are discussed regularly in United Nations and other multilateral forums.

  South Korea
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Republic of Korea.

  Mr. Goodlad
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary paid a successful visit to the Republic of Korea last week. He had full and useful exchanges with, among others, the President, the Foreign Minister, and the Defence Minister. As well as bilateral matters, their discussions covered regional and international issues including North Korea, market access, trade, technology co-operation, investment and the European Community. This was a very good opportunity to establish contact with the new South Korean Administration. My right hon. Friend also met and had useful discussions with representatives of the British business community.

PRIME MINISTER

  South Africa (Arms Shipments)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers) of 18 March,Official Report, column 357, if he will list the appropriate authorities to whom evidence on unlawful shipments of arms to South Africa should be submitted.

  The Prime Minister
  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Domestic tourists in the United Kingdom/Great Britain Percentage figures for type of location stayed at on all holidays trips are shown below:

  Type of location stayed at

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Seaside

  34

  35

  31

  36

  —

  40

  40

  Small town

  18

  17

  17

  18

  —

  17

  18

  Large town

  12

  14

  14

  14

  —

  18

  18

  London

  7

  7

  8

  6

  6

  5

  5

  Countryside

  26

  25

  27

  22

  —

  23

  23

  Unspecified

  6

  6

  5

  7

  —

  *

  *

  Sources: 1985 to 1988 figures—British Tourism Survey Monthly.

  1989 to 1991 figures—United Kingdom Tourism Survey.

  Notes

  1. The British Tourism Survey Monthly (covering the period 1985 to 1988) refers to holidays in Great Britain.

  2. The United Kingdom Tourism Survey (covering the period 1989 to 1991) refers to holidays in the United Kingdom.

  3. London is not included in the category "Large Town".

  4. Holidays by location type were not covered by the 1989 United Kingdom Tourism Survey.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 15 April.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 15 April.

  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 this House I shall be having further meetings later today.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Bail
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications were made for bail to(a) the Crown court, (b) the High Court and (c) the Court of Appeal, during the last two years for which figures are available by persons whose application for bail had been refused by a lower court.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  This information is not collected.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Data Protection Act 1984
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many certificates have been signed under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 since April 1982.

  Mr. Key
  My Department was formed in April 1992 and I assume that the question relates to the period since then. No certificates have been issued so far as the Department of National Heritage is concerned.

  Tourism
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what percentage of holidays were undertaken by British domestic tourists in the United Kingdom in each year since 1985(a) at the seaside, (b) in a small town, (c) in a large town, (d) in London, (e) in the countryside and (f) other.

  Mr. Key
  The available information is contained in the following table:
  689
  5. The symbol (*) is used to indicate a percentage of less than 0·5 per cent.

  6. An individual year's percentages may sum to more than 100 per cent. This occurs because on any single holiday, it is possible to stay at more than one type of location.

  Advisory Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National heritage if he will list the membership of the heritage advisory agencies; what were the dates of appointment and terms of office for each individual; and what qualification was required for appointment.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have two bodies to advise me on issues relating to the built heritage: the Historic Buildings and

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission (English Heritage)

  Commissioners

  Appointed

  End of appointment

  Jocelyn Stevens CVO (Chairman)

  11 September 1991

  31 March 1997

  Terry Farrell OBE

  16 July 1990

  15 July 1993

  Sir David Wilson

  16 July 1990

  15 July 1993

  Sir Hugh Cubitt CBE

  11 January 1989

  31 December 1994

  Candida Lycett-Green

  9 March 1992

  8 March 1995

  Roger Suddards CBE

  9 March 1992

  8 March 1995

  Geoffrey Wilson

  9 March 1992

  8 March 1995

  HRH The Duke of Gloucester

  21 October 1983

  30 September 1995

  Dr. Ronald Brunskill OBE

  11 October 1989

  30 September 1995

  Dr. Neil Cossons OBE

  1 1 October 1989

  30 September 1995

  Lord Cavendish of Furness

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1995

  Bridget Cherry

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1995

  Julian Seymour

  1 October 1992

  30 September 1995

  Jennie Page

  15 April 1991

  14 April 1996

  Notes:

  1 Indicates second term of appointment.

  2 Indicates third term of appointment.

  Current number of commissioners: 14

  Maximum number of commissioners: 17

  Minimum number of commissioners: 8

  Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME)

  Commissioners

  Appointed

  End of appointment

  Baroness Park of Monmouth, CMG (Chairman)

  1 October 1989

  30 September 1994

  Professor Richard Bradley

  3 February 1987

  2 February 1994

  Dr. Derek Keene

  3 February 1987

  2 February 1994

  Professor Geoffrey Martin, CBE

  3 February 1987

  2 February 1994

  Bridget Cherry

  2 September 1987

  1 September 1994

  Dr. Richard Gem

  2 September 1987

  1 September 1994

  Professor Martin Biddle

  1 1 December 1984

  31 December 1995

  Trevor Longman

  14 March 1989

  13 March 1996

  Anne Riches

  23 September 1991

  22 September 1996

  Robert Yorke

  23 September 1991

  22 September 1996

  Professor Charles Thomas, CBE

  130 March 1983

  29 March 1997

  Professor Gwyn Meirion-Jones

  l3 June 1985

  2 June 1997

  1 Indicates second term of appointment.

  Note: Appointments made by the prime minister

  National Transcommunications Ltd.
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many people applied and signed for the information memorandum for the sale of National Transcommunications Ltd.

  Mr. Brooke
  Fifty copies of the confidential information memorandum were sent out.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many competitive bids were(a) considered and (b) investigated for National Transcommunications Ltd.
  690
  Monuments Commission, commonly known as English Heritage, and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. The members of these two bodies and their terms of office are listed in the tables.

  Details of the qualifications for appointment to these bodies are contained in schedule 3 to the National Heritage Act 1983 for English Heritage, and in the royal warrant issued in 1992 for the royal commission. Copies of both documents are held in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Brooke
  Three indicative bids were shortlisted; two continued preparation for bidding up until the final deadline.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much National Transcommunications Ltd. was sold for on privatisation; and how much it was valued at before sale.

  Mr. Brooke
  £70 million. This was towards the top end of the indicative valuation of the company. The National Audit Office report, published on 27 November 1992, concluded that the price was satisfactory.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the planned summary allocation of Arts Council spending for 1993–94 by regional arts board areas and on a per capita basis.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: The figures requested are as shown in the table. It includes all Arts Council spending regionally:

  Regional arts board area

  Arts Council and RAB spending1 1993–94

  Population2

  Per capita

  (£000)

  (000)

  (£)

  London

  372,254

  6,794

  10·63

  Southern

  4,778

  4,548

  1·05

  South Eastern

  3,196

  3,945

  0·81

  South West

  5,377

  3,779

  1·42

  Eastern

  7,125

  5,708

  1·25

  East Midlands

  4,701

  3,342

  1·41

  West Midlands

  415,361

  5,219

  2·94

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  10,256

  4,952

  2·07

  North West

  11,202

  6,474

  1·73

  Northern

  6,361

  3,075

  2·07

  1 Includes grants to national companies. Does not include touring, for which no regional breakdown is available.

  2 Based on OPCS figures, 1990.

  3 Includes estimate of £3·332 million for support for the Royal Shakespeare Company's London activity.

  4 Includes estimate of £5·138 million for support for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what weight is given to population and to cultural deprivation in the assessment of Arts Council allocations to regional arts boards.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: In assessing allocation to RABs, the Arts Council takes population and cultural deprivation into account along with a range of other factors, one of which is the level of direct funding by the council to organisations within the RAB area.

TRANSPORT

  Traffic Congestion
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to provide guidance on the interpretation of the phrase "severe traffic congestion" in section 7 of the Transport Act 1985.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department intends to issue guidance to traffic commissioners on their use of traffic regulation conditions under section 7 of the Transport Act 1985 as soon as possible after a decision has been reached on the current appeal to the Secretary of State about the use of these powers in Sheffield. Interpretation of the phrase "severe traffic congestion" is a matter for the traffic commissioner in the light of prevailing traffic conditions.

  London Buses
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the ages of the current fleet of full-sized buses in London; what provision 692
  for investment has been made for the future for buses; and what was the level of past investment in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Norris
  The current average age of full-sized buses in the LBL fleet is 13·1 years. Bus investment expenditure is given in the table:

  £ million

  Year

  Investment expenditure 1993–94 prices

  1983

  52·5

  11984–85

  31·7

  1985–86

  20·9

  1986–87

  13·1

  1987–88

  3·7

  1988–89

  8·5

  1989–90

  15·2

  1990–91

  15·7

  1991–92

  24·9

  1992–93

  26·0

  1 1984–85 was a 15-month year.

  I understand that LBL plans to invest £12 million on new buses in 1993–94, which will be the last full year before the completion of privatisation of the LBL subsidiaries.

  Transport Policy (Sustainability)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department is(a) carrying out and (b) commissioning into the sustainability of transport policy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Department has established a group to monitor longer term and transport research. Projects are currently under way or have recently been completed in the following areas:

  —demand management and forecasting;

  —network modelling;

  —transport and the environment;

  —transport safety.

  Environmental Achievements
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the environmental achievements of the designated Green Minister in his Department during the past year.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Speed limiters for new heavy goods vehicles were introduced on 1 August 1992. Certain existing vehicles over 16 tonnes will be required to have speed limiters from 1 August this year. These measures will improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

  Since 31 December 1992 most new cars have required catalytic converters to meet tighter EC emission standards. The United Kingdom Government continues to press for even tighter emissions and noise standards for vehicles and to discuss with other member states and the Commission measures to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars.

  In 1992–93 some £4 million was allocated for bus priority measures, which will encourage the use of buses. A further £15·5 million has been allocated for 1993–94.

  At the beginning of March the Department published "The Good Roads Guide". The guide is aimed at professionals involved in the design of trunk roads. It is essentially a checklist and source book covering many of the issues that have to be tackled in designing roads to make them as environmentally satisfactory as possible.
  693
  We are working on a number of other initiatives for 1993–94, including the publication of: an updated "Manual of Environmental Appraisal", "The Wildflower Handbook" and "The Design Guide for Environmental Barriers".

  Pedestrian Routes, London
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what overall strategy for London his Department has undertaken to improve and increase pedestrian routes;

  (2) what overall strategy for London his Department has undertaken to co-operate in the improvement and proliferation of pedestrian routes;

  (3) what overall strategy for London his Department has undertaken with the Metropolitan police to advise or co-operate with London boroughs on the upgrading, improvement and proliferation of pedestrian routes in the interests of safety.

  Mr. Norris
  Local authority circular 5/92 (copy in the House of Commons Library) states the Department's policies with respect to facilities for pedestrians in London. The main responsibility for pedestrian routes rests with the London boroughs. Borough schemes that enhance pedestrian safety may be eligible for transport supplementary grant as a local safety scheme. Additionally, the traffic director for London will fund the development and introduction of pedestrian facilities which he approves as part of the priority (red) route local plan process.

  DVOIT
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the names of the companies shortlisted in the tender for the privatisation of the Drivers, Vehicles and Operators Information Technology Agency.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Companies interested in purchasing DVOIT have put forward their responses to the advertisement in the EC Official Journal, and to subsequent requests for information, in confidence, and it would not be right for me to list them.

  M11 Link
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Hackney M11 link plan.

  Mr. Norris
  The scheme will provide a strategic link between the A102(M) east cross route at Hackney Wick and the junction of the M11, the Al2 and the A406 North Circular road at the Redbridge roundabout east of Wanstead. It will comprise about 3·75 miles of continuous, dual-carriageway trunk road.

  It will relieve existing unsuitable roads of strategic traffic. Stratford, Leyton, Leytonstone and Wanstead will all benefit when the heavy through traffic is removed from residential and shopping streets.

  Following the recent successful defence of a challenge to the scheme in the High Court, tenders have been reinvited. We aim to start work in Wanstead in the autumn. The whole scheme will take about four years to complete.

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many additional aircraft movements he estimates as a result of the construction of a fifth terminal at Heathrow.
  694
  Mr. Norris
  My Department does not produce forecasts for aircraft movements. The number of aircraft movements at Heathrow and its relation to terminal capacity may well be a matter for debate at the public inquiry into a fifth terminal.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's estimate of the number of passengers transferring to the new rail link from Paddington to Heathrow from(a) private cars, (b) tube and (c) road public transport.

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that the Heathrow link is expected to carry about 6 million passengers a year. The Department has not produced detailed estimates of transfer from each alternative mode.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many additional passenger journeys to and from Heathrow airport he estimates will result from the construction of a fifth terminal at Heathrow by(a) rail and (b) road; and what is his estimate of the numbers travelling by road by (a) public transport and (b) private cars.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department will be working on figures as part of its examination of the British Airports Authority's proposals for a fifth terminal.

  Some estimates of this kind have been prepared by BAA and are contained in the environmental statement issued in connection with its planning application for a fifth terminal. I am putting a copy in the House Library.

  Strategic Authority, London
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has had from outside bodies calling for a single strategic authority to oversee transport, land use and environment in London; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Norris
  We have received a number of representations suggesting that some sort of agency is required to oversee transport, planning and related issues.

  These have included the former National Economic Development Council in its "Amber Alert" report and the CBI's London region in the interim report of its transport task force.

  Aircraft Movements
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many additional aircraft movements he estimates at Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Heathrow and London City on a year on year basis until 2010.

  Mr. Norris
  My Department does not produce forecasts for aircraft movements in the format requested. However, the RUCATSE working group on runway capacity to serve the south east will be considering assumptions about aircraft movements. Its report will be published later this year.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the future of the British Transport police following(a) publication of the consultative document, "The Future Status of the British Transport Police" and (b) 2 February; and if he will make a statement.
  695
  Mr. Freeman
  Some 50 responses to the consultation document have been received, two of them since 2 February. In addition, I have met representatives of the British Transport Police Federation. Many of the comments we received emphasised the desirability of the force remaining under public sector control, and the importance of standards of law and order being maintained. The consultation period has now closed and we will publish our conclusions shortly.

  I have already announced that it is the Government's intention to ensure that the British Transport police will remain in the public sector as a single unified force. There is no intention to split "L" division from the rest of the force, so policing of the London Underground will continue largely as at present. We propose, through licensing, to make it compulsory for operators to use BTP for law and order purposes.

  Railway Investment
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what moves he is considering to create a framework to maximise private sector investment in the railway network; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the autumn statement on 12 November 1992,Official Report, column 996, the Government's support for joint ventures between the public and the private sector for the construction of infrastructure, along with a £150 million special leasing arrangement for BR in respect of new rolling stock. My right hon. Friend has since announced in the Budget on 16 March 1993, Official Report, column 194, the Government's commitment to joint ventures for the channel tunnel rail link, crossrail and Heathrow express.

  These new measures are set in the overall context of the Government's proposals to privatise and liberalise the railway, which will encourage the development of an efficient and modern industry responsive to customer requirements, and thus encourage private sector investment.

  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what positive representations he has received from the private sector to build new railways following publication of the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department has received a number of representations from private sector parties interested in the financing and construction of new railways; the details are commercially confidential.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specific criteria he has established for companies seeking grants under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Applications for freight facilities grants under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974 have to meet both environmental and financial criteria. Applicants have to demonstrate that the provision of rail facilities will result in the traffic in question being moved by rail, rather than over unsuitable roads, and that the proposed facilities could not be justified commercially without assistance.
  696
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received following his proposal to sell the British Rail freight business; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department has received a number of expressions of interest in the Government's plans for privatising and liberalising rail freight.

  Discussions with interested parties have been on a commercially confidential basis.

  Railway Heritage Trust
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the future of the Railway Heritage Trust; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I met Mr. Leslie Stone, a director of the Railway Heritage Trust, on 11 February to discuss future funding for the trust. I expect discussions to take place between the Railway Heritage Trust and those concerned in British Rail with the formation of Railtrack to cover future funding of the trust.

  Steam Railways
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure the future operation of Britain's steam railways following publication of the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Railways Bill contains powers for the Secretary of State to exempt railways individually or by class from the requirements for licensing, franchising and open access it imposes. The Government will grant appropriate exemptions to preserved railways, and will consult interested parties on the form of exemption.

  Rail Fares
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the future of the present range of reduced fares and railcards since publication of the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about these matters.

  After privatisation, the offer of railcards and discounted ticketing arrangements will be a matter for operators' judgment, as it is now for BR. Through tickets will continue to be available in a range of ticket and fare types, but it will be for operators to determine their price by negotiation. In a competitive environment there will be every incentive for operators to seek to attract custom and maximise revenue by offering discounted tickets.

  The Government therefore see no need to impose specific requirements on operators to offer particular types of discount facility, with the exception of the disabled persons railcard which is provided voluntarily by British Rail and does not make a profit. We have announced our intention that all passenger rail franchisees should be obliged to offer common discount facilities to disabled people on broadly similar lines to the present arrangements.

  Railway Pensions
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received following the publication of "Railway Pensions after Privatisation"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave on 1 April to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson),Official Report, column 362.

  Motorways
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals his Department has for(a) new additional motorway service areas and (b) lighting additional sections of unlit motorways; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 1 April 1993]: Under a new policy announced on 6 August 1992, it is now for the private sector rather than the Government to identify where there is a need for further motorway service areas and to secure their development. There are, however, sites on the M6, M11, M20, M25 and M40 (two) where planning clearance for motorway service area use was granted to the Department before the new policy was announced. We are continuing to pursue development of these sites jointly with the private sector.

  Motorway lighting is provided, subject to environmental appraisal, where it can be justified on safety grounds, taking account of the savings in night-time accidents. When motorways are widened to four lanes it is general policy to install lighting. Over the period to 1996 I expect lighting to be installed on more than 90 miles of motorway.

SCOTLAND

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department and the Lord Advocate's office last conducted surveys of(a) ethnic origins and (b) the number of women among their employees; when they next plan to do so; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My Department conducted a voluntary survey of the ethnic origins of staff in 1987 with a follow-up, reminder exercise in 1989 and thereafter all new entrants have been invited to complete questionnaires.

  Following the 1987 survey, the employment of persons from ethnic minorities is also constantly monitored by the Lord Advocate's Department.

  Neither Department has any plans to conduct additional surveys of ethnic origins.

  In both Departments surveys of women employees are unnecessary as the sex of all employees is clearly identified in staff records.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to recruit women, members of ethnic minorities and disabled people, respectively, in top grades of employment at the Scottish Office and at the Lord Advocate's Department.

  Mr. Lang
  Recruits to the senior grades (as to any grade in the civil service) are selected on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, unless one of the exceptions 698
  permitted under the Civil Service Order in Council 1991 applies. Various steps have been taken by the civil service commissioners to aid recruitment from all sectors of the community including:

  extending links with higher education institutions;

  equal opportunities training for those involved in selection;

  using validated selection procedures.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of officers in each grade from 1 to 7 and overall in his Department and in the Lord Advocate's Office are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled people.

  Mr. Lang
  The number and percentage of officers in grades 1–7 and in total in my Department who were(a) women (as at 1 April 1992), (b) from ethnic minorities (as at 1 April 1992) and (c) disabled persons (as at 1 July 1992), are as follows:

  Grade (and equivalents)

  Women

  Percentage

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  3

  3

  11·5

  4

  1

  6·2

  5

  17

  12·6

  6

  36

  17·1

  7

  68

  14·7

  Total (head count)

  2,828

  44·9

  The total number of officers employed in my Department who described themselves as belonging to an ethnic minority was 27 or 0·4 per cent. Of that number one grade 7 is so described (0·2 per cent. of that grade).

  At 1 July 1992 there were two registered disabled officers at grade 6 level in my Department which represented 1 per cent of staff in that grade.

  The total number of registered disabled staff was 86 which represented 1·4 per cent. of the total staff. In addition there were eight officers who described themselves as disabled, which represented a further 0·1 per cent. of staff. Two of these staff were at grade 7 level.

  In the Lord Advocate's Department, the number and percentage of officers in grades 1 to 7 and in total who were (a) women (as at 1.4.92), (b) from ethnic minorities (as at 1.4.92) or (c) disabled persons (as at 1.7.92) are as shown below:

  Grade

  Women

  Percentage

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  5

  3

  10

  6

  4

  10

  7

  63

  49

  Total (head count)

  768

  70

  There were no officers in the Lord Advocate's Department who described themselves as belonging to an ethnic minority, nor were there any registered disabled persons in grades 1 to 7 of the Department. There were, however, seven registered disabled officers in the Department in total, which represented 0·6 per cent. of the total staff.

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the appointments made by him as listed in "Public Bodies 1992" came within the categories set out in paragraphs 49 and 50 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" and required a submission to the Prime Minister.

  Mr. Lang
  Twenty-four.

  Dental Care
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many non-exempt patients had dental check-ups in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information is recorded on individual courses of treatment rather than patients treated. The total number of dental examinations for non-exempt patients is contained in the table.

  Number of dental examinations carried out for non-exempt patients in Scotland

  Year

  Number of examinations

  1990

  1,587,607

  1991

  1,794,750

  1992

  1,815,098

  Data Protection Act 1984
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many certificates have been signed under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Lang
  No certificates have been signed by myself or my predecessor, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind), under section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 in the period since 1987.

  Statutory provision

  Offence

  Maximum sentence

  1. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982

  (a) section 51(1)

  Displaying obscene material in a public place.

  On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding the prescribed sum (currently £5,000) and 3 months' imprisonment. On conviction on indictment, a fine and 2 years' imprisonment.

  (b) section 51(2)

  Publishing, selling or distributing or, with a view to its eventual sale or distribution, making, printing, having or keeping obscene material.

  As above.

  (c) section 51(2A)

  Including obscene material in a programme included in a programme service or, with a view to its eventual inclusion in such a programme, making, printing, having or keeping obscene material.

  As above.

  (d) section 52

  Taking, or permitting to be taken, an indecent photograph of a child; or distributing or showing such a photograph; or possessing such a photograph with a view to distributing or showing it; or publishing or causing to be published any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying that the advertiser distributes or shows such a photograph.

  As above.

  700

  Huntington's Chorea
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much money and resources the Lothian and Strathclyde health boards are providing for sufferers of Huntington's disease;

  (2) how many cases of patients with Huntington's disease there are in Lothian and Strathclyde; and how many are in need of constant care;

  (3) how many chronically ill Huntington's disease patients in constant care are in charitable institutions in Lothian and Strathclyde.

  Mr. Stewart
  At 31 December 1992 there were 30 patients in hospital with a diagnosis of Huntington's Chorea who were normally resident in Lothian and Strathclyde. The other information requested is not held centrally.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria he has given to health boards on alternative use of vacant hospitals or institutions prior to closure.

  Mr. Stewart
  Current guidance requires that consideration is given to alternative health related use for vacant hospital or other NHS property before it is regarded as surplus to NHS requirements.

  Obscenity (Sentences)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the sentences available to courts in dealing with obscene, violent and pornographic material; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  (holding answer 2 March 1993]: The table summarises the main statutory offences and maximum penalties in relation to obscene, violent and pornographic material. Additionally, common law offences such as shameless indecency may be relevant. The maximum sentence for a common law offence on conviction on indictment in the sheriff court is an unlimited fine and three years' imprisonment, or in the High Court an unlimited fine and life imprisonment.
  701

  Statutory provision

  Offence

  Maximum sentence

  (e) section 52A

  Possessing any indecent photograph of a child.

  On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).

  2. Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981

  (a) section 1

  Publicly displaying, or causing or permitting the public display of, indecent matter.

  On summary conviction, in the district court a fine of £200 and in the sheriff court a fine of the prescribed sum (£5,000). On conviction on indictment, a fine and 2 years' imprisonment.

  3. Video Recordings Act 1984

  (a) section 9

  Supplying, or offering to supply, an unclassified video recording.

  On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding £20,000.

  (b) section 10

  Possessing an unclassified video recording for the purpose of supply.

  As above.

  (c) section 11

  Supplying a classified video recording in breach of its classification.

  On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding level 5 (£5,000)

  (d) section 12(1)

  Supplying or offering to supply, at a place other than a licensed sex shop, any classified video recording whose supply is restricted to licensed sex shops.

  As above.

  (e) section 12(3)

  Possessing a classified video recording, the supply of which is restricted to sex shops, for the purpose of supplying it at any place other than a sex shop.

  As above.

  (f) section 13

  Supplying, or offering to supply, a video recording in breach of labelling requirements.

  As above.

  (g) section 14(1)

  Supplying, or offering to supply, an unclassified video recording that contains a false indication as to its classification.

  As above.

  (h) section 14(3)

  Supplying, or offering to supply, a classified video recording that contains a false indication as to its classification.

  As above.

  4. Post Office Act 1953

  (a) section 11

  Sending indecent or obscene material in a postal packet.

  On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding the prescribed sum (£5,000) On conviction on indictment, 12 months' imprisonment.

  HM Prison, Greenock
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the visitor facilities for disabled visitors to Her Majesty's prison, Greenock.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 March 1993]: A general refurbishment of the reception area for those visiting prisoners was completed at the end of 1992. A ramp provides access for the disabled. Plans have been drawn up for the provision of a toilet for disabled visitors. The installation will be completed by the end of June 1993.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the results of the Income Support Statistics Annual Inquiry May 1992 will become available.
  702
  Mr. Burt
  An announcement will be made shortly on the publication date via the Central Statistical Office's monthly press notice on the release dates of statistical series.

  Education Courses
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether unemployed income support claimants can undertake courses of higher education under the 21-hour rule; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  People in higher education who are not students following a full-time course of study may receive benefit under the income support 21-hour rule provided they fulfil the normal conditions laid down.

  Fuel Bills
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to raise the level of invalid care allowance and the carer premium in light of the introduction of value added tax charge on domestic fuel.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so.
  703
  VAT on domestic fuel will be introduced in April 1994 and extra help will be given to people on low incomes. An announcement giving details of this extra help will be make this autumn.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to extend entitlement to the carer premium to carers over the age of 65 years, following the introduction of a value added tax charge on domestic fuel.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 25 January at col.583.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many copies of his information folder, "Introduction to Council Tax Benefit," have been published; at what cost; and to whom it has been distributed.

  Mr. Burt
  The information pack, "Introduction to Council Tax Benefit," was produced primarily for advisory bodies. It has been sent to all Members of Parliament, Citizens Advice Bureaux area offices, War Pensioners Welfare Services offices, DSS information officers, and other interested parties. 1,200 copies have so far been produced at a total cost of £5,835.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Energy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultancy contracts his Department has placed with BDO Binder Hamlyn to evaluate nuclear costs over the past year.

  Mr. Eggar
  None. BDO Binder Hamlyn's report, which verified information provided by Nuclear Electric on the costs of the company's Magnox stations and was used by Ernst and Young in its study for the coal review, was carried out by BDO as external auditors to Nuclear Electric.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what material is used in the Sizewell B vessel head penetrations.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: This is a matter for Nuclear Electric plc.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the lessons to be drawn from vessel head penetration cracking in VHPs made of Inconel 600 in French PWR reactors; and what is their application to Sizewell B.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate will consider any implications for Sizewell B arising from the discovery of cracking in vessel head penetrations in French PWRs during the pre-operational assessment of the power station which it is currently undertaking. The NII will not allow Sizewell B to start up until it is assured that it is safe to do so.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral statement of 25 March,Official
  704
  Report, column 1227, what changes have been made in the planned scope of the nuclear review originally announced by his predecessor in November 1989 following his decision to bring it forward.

  Mr. Eggar
  As stated in the White Paper, "The Prospects for Coal", a further announcement about the review of the future prospects for nuclear power will be made later this year.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the definitions of avoidable and unavoidable costs as used in his Department's assessment of the economics of nuclear energy.

  Mr. Eggar
  The avoidable costs associated with Nuclear Electric's Magnox power stations were defined in Ernst and Young's study to be the difference between the entire future cash outflows of total closure and each of the other scenarios. The unavoidable costs were those costs which were not avoidable.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he received from Nuclear Electric to exclude details of financial costing of its magnox programme from the version of the review of magnox avoidable and unavoidable costs by Ernst and Young prepared for his coal review.

  Mr. Eggar
  I made clear in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 26 October last year that my intention is to publish all evidence and the findings of the coal review to the fullest extent possible except where information had been provided in confidence and was commercially sensitive. On this basis, my Department agreed with Nuclear Electric to remove such commercially confidential material from Ernst and Young's report. The full report was, however, provided on a confidential basis to the Trade and Industry Committee.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many tonnes of spent Magnox nuclear fuel have been contracted to British Nuclear Fuels and its predecessor company by Nuclear Electric and its predecessor since the first Magnox reprocessing contracts were agreed.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a commercial matter for the companies concerned.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the studies he commissioned by Ernst and Young and BDO Binder Hamlyn on magnox costs took into account the liabilities that would be incurred in an accident at a magnox nuclear plant involving a breach of containment of the reactor core.

  Mr. Eggar
  Nuclear Electric's liabilities under the Nuclear Installations Act for public compensation as a result of an incident at a Magnox station are covered by insurance. The related insurance premiums were included in the costs covered by the Ernst and Young and BDO studies and treated as avoidable.

  Data Protection Act 1984
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many certificates have been signed under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 for each year since 1987.
  705
  Mr. Eggar
  Inquiries completed within the time available indicate that no exemptions under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 have been signed by the President of the Board of Trade or his predecessors in the period since 1987. Three exemptions were approved by the Secretary of State for Energy in 1987, one in 1988 and none after that up to the merger with the Department of Trade and Industry. If my further inquiries identify that any additional exemptions have been authorised I will respond further to the hon. Member.

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many of the appointments made by him as listed in "Public Bodies 1992" came within the categories set out in paragraphs 49 and 50 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" and required a submission to the Prime Minister.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend is responsible for a total of over 800 public appointments. Of these 17 require a submission to the Prime Minister.

  BNFL
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the offices British Nuclear Fuels plc has, or plans to, set up in eastern European countries;

  (2) what contracts BNFL has signed or been offered under the TACIS and PHARE programmes.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the purpose of the BNFL-run information centre in Moscow.

  Mr. Eggar
  British Nuclear Fuels plc does not operate such an information centre.

  Environmental Achievements
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what have been the environmental achievements of the designated Green Minister in his Department during the past year.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has designated me as the Green Minister for the Department. During the past year, we have as part of the departmental objective adopted a clear commitment to: take proper account of environmental issues in the development of its policies; stimulate an effective business response to environmental developments; and ensure that the Government's overall environmental policy takes proper account of the impact on business.

  DTI's recently published annual expenditure plans report for 1993–94 to 1995–96 highlights a number of our specific environmental achievements. These include the technology partnership initiative, launched by the Prime Minister at a major conference in March, which aims to encourage the transfer of environmental technology and expertise to industrialising developing countries. The
  706
  Department continues to undertake substantial awareness-raising activities; for example, nearly 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises attended DTI roadshows last year.

  Also, DTI operates a number of major grant schemes for supporting innovation in environmental technology, with grants of around £12·5 million committed to date. In relation to its estate, the Department has recently adopted a green housekeeping policy.

  In formulating our policy in the environmental area in general, I attach importance to the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment. The committee also provides a useful forum for business to influence the environmental debate and promote better environmental performance.

  Civil Servants (Secondment)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of' the Board of Trade if he will list the number, grade and destination of civil servants in the Department of Trade and Industry who have been seconded to manufacturing industry for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  The number of DTI staff on long-term secondments to business organisations, including manufacturing industry, in each of the calendar years from 1979 to 1992 were as follows:

  Number

  1979

  30

  1980

  33

  1981

  25

  1982

  35

  1983

  41

  1984

  43

  1985

  44

  1986

  37

  1987

  34

  1988

  31

  1989

  40

  1990

  52

  1991

  55

  1992

  53

  Additional details on each of these secondments can be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list, for each of the last five years, the duration, value and nature of contracts awarded by his Department to Arthur Andersen, Andersen Consulting, KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock, Touche Ross, Ernst and Young and Price Waterhouse.

  Mr. Eggar
  The consultancy contracts awarded by the DTI to KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock, Touche Ross, Ernst and Young and Price Waterhouse in the periods 23 March 1988 to 22 March 1989, 23 March 1989 to 22 March 1990, 23 March 1990 to 22 March 1991, 23 March 1991 to 22 March 1992 and 23 March 1992 to 22 March 1993, giving the duration and nature for each, are listed in the table. The values of individual contracts are commercially confidential. No contracts have been awarded to Arthur Andersen, or Andersen Consulting.
  707

  Price Waterhouse

  Nature of study/contract

  Start date

  End date

  1988–89

  Management and Change Study

  3 November 1988

  20 January 1989

  Japan Tourism Study

  23 January 1989

  28 March 1989

  Japan 'Body Products' Market Study

  31 January 1989

  24 May 1989

  1989–90

  Telecom Market Advisor

  18 May 1989

  17 May 1990

  Patent Office Accounting Study

  8 May 1989

  31 July 1989

  English Unit Consultancy

  2 January 1990

  31 January 1990

  Accountancy Consultancy: the Patent Office

  23 March 1990

  31 October 1990

  1990–91

  Companies House: development of a commercial accounting systems

  1 October 1990

  7 December 1990

  Introduction of quality system complying with BS5750

  25 October 1990

  31 March 1991

  British Technology Group: financial advice

  17 December 1990

  31 December 1990

  Patent Office: accountancy consultancy

  1 January 1991

  31 March 1991

  1991–92

  Financial Advice on BTG privatisation (Phase II)

  1 April 1991

  31 March 1992

  Market Study: market opportunities for producers of carpets

  5 August 1991

  29 February 1992

  Inward Investment: tax study

  1 October 1991

  26 November 1991

  Implementation of Fairs and Promotions Branch Scrutiny Report

  28 October 1991

  20 December 1991

  TQM Programme for DTI North East

  26 February 1992

  31 August 1992

  Privatisation of BTG

  11 February 1992

  6 March 1992

  1992–93

  Privatisation of BTG: Portfolio of Technologies

  16 March 1992

  31 March 1992

  Study of Parcelforce

  24 August 1992

  31 October 1992

  Information and Library Services: Information Systems Strategy

  9 November 1992

  29 January 1993

  Market Testing: Pay Section and Payroll

  25 February 1993

  30 September 1993

  Updating of Guide to Tax Aspects of Inward Investment

  26 February 1993

  13 April 1993

  Total value

  £2,364,765

  The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.

  Touche Ross and Co.

  Nature of study/contract

  Start dale

  End date

  1988–89

  Frequency Planning Organisation: Trial

  18 October 1988

  6 January 1989

  Advice on the National Engineering Laboratory privatisation; British Aerospace Launch Aid; and Ferranti Mess Levies

  2 September 1988

  30 April 1989

  National Engineering Laboratory Study

  29 November 1988

  30 June 1992

  British Business

  13 February 1989

  20 February 1989

  1989–90

  Assessment of Consultancy Initiatives in Industry

  4 December 1989

  9 February 1990

  1990–91

  Speech & Natural Language Consultancy

  11 July 1990

  31 December 1990

  Study of International Environmental Negotiations

  4 January 1991

  21 January 1991

  1991–92

  Market Opportunities Task Force: Policy Study

  20 June 1991

  16 August 1991

  Speech & Natural Language Programme: Rationale, Objectives, Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (ROAME) Statement

  22 April 1991

  16 September 1991

  Knowledge Based Systems Technology Transfer Programme

  11 July 1991

  31 May 1992

  Study on Technology Transfer in Conservation of Biological Diversity

  10 July 1991

  26 July 1991

  Information Systems Strategy Study

  5 August 1991

  20 December 1991

  Market Opportunity Task Force Policy Study: Market Change Analysis

  29 November 1991

  13 December 1991

  708 709

  Nature of study/contract

  Start date

  End date

  1992–93

  Study of Chlorofluorocarbons Usage in Solvent

  15 June 1992

  25 September 1992

  British National Space Centre Space: Telecommunications Strategy

  1 October 1992

  7 April 1993

  Registry of Information Sources

  14 September 1992

  6 November 1992

  Neural Computing: Awareness Programme

  21 September 1992

  30 September 1995

  Technology Partnership Initiative

  4 November 1992

  19 December 1992

  Comparative Study on Freight/Shipping Costs and Services

  4 January 1993

  28 February 1993

  Preparation Production & Printing pf Guidance Manual

  5 March 1993

  9 April 1993

  Total value

  £4,115,209

  The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.

  Ernst and Young

  Nature of study/contract

  Start date

  End date

  1988–89

  Mineral Intelligence Evaluation

  2 February 1989

  31 August 1989

  1989–90

  Inward Investment

  30 March 1989

  3 May 1989

  DTI Enterprise Initiative Scheme: Contractors Review

  18 September 1989

  30 November 1989

  USSR: Consultancy Opportunities

  31 July 1989

  23 October 1989

  Industrial Minerals and Metals Market

  18 December 1989

  16 March 1990

  Arbitration project

  30 January 1990

  31 October 1992

  1990–91

  Electronics Components: purchasing policies

  5 April 1990

  29 June 1990

  Yorkshire & Humberside Development Association Review

  11 September 1990

  23 November 1990

  Manufacturing Intelligence Newsletter

  28 September 1990

  30 June 1993

  Training Needs Analysis for Insurance Division

  3 December 1990

  31 January 1991

  Investment in the UK Market

  28 January 1991

  13 March 1991

  Yorkshire & Humberside Development Association

  7 January 1991

  31 March 1991

  1991–92

  Returns Made Under the Insurance Companies Act

  25 March 1991

  31 May 1991

  Comparative Advantage Location Study

  18 August 1991

  31 October 1991

  Study of European Legislation Affecting Businesses

  22 October 1991

  30 April 1992

  Promotional Material: Electronics

  5 December 1991

  6 March 1992

  Promotional Material: Automotive Components

  5 December 1991

  6 March 1992

  Promotional Material: Information Technology

  5 December 1991

  6 March 1992

  Advanced Robotics Programme Review

  17 February 1992

  30 July 1992

  English Unit Strategy: 1992/93

  3 February 1992

  20 March 1992

  England: Fact File

  3 February 1992

  20 March 1992

  1992–93

  Devon & Cornwall Development Board Review

  18 September 1992

  14 December 1992

  Services Sector: Opportunities for Inward Investment

  22 July 1992

  14 October 1992

  Analysis of Structure and Activities of other European Inward Investment Agencies

  9 September 1992

  30 October 1992

  Statistical Analysis of Foreign Investment in the UK from 1986/91

  9 September 1992

  30 October 1992

  England - The Investment Opportunity: Revised Brochure

  23 October 1992

  15 January 1993

  Coal Review 1992: Report on the Efficiency of British Coal as an Organisation

  10 November 1992

  31 December 1992

  Insolvency Service: Market Testing

  8 February 1993

  16 April 1993

  Determination of Location Factors

  8 January 1993

  16 April 1993

  Nuclear Electrics Operations

  2 December 1992

  8 January 1993

  Separate Studies of INWARD and Yorkshire & Humberside Development Agency

  18 January 1993

  12 March 1993

  North West Venture Club

  4 January 1993

  31 March 1993

  Key Location Factors Study

  26 January 1993

  31 March 1993

  Production of Two Service Sector Promotional Brochures

  8 March 1993

  18 June 1993

  Total value

  £1,943,799

  710 711
  The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.

  KPMG Management Consultancy

  Nature of study/contract

  Start date

  End date

  1988–89

  Higher Education and Industry Guide

  24 March 1988

  3 November 1989

  Project Management of the Commercial Computer Security Centre, Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern

  13 April 1988

  4 May 1989

  Management Best Practice: Awareness programme

  22 August 1988

  30 September 1988

  FINMIS Post Implementation Review

  14 March 1989

  7 July 1989

  Performance Measurement in Manufacturing Companies

  12 January 1989

  31 March 1989

  Information Systems in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

  13 February 1989

  12 May 1989

  Market Assessment Study

  24 February 1989

  22 March 1989

  1989–90

  Overseas Trade Information Systems Study

  29 August 1990

  19 April 1991

  1990–91

  Perceptions of England

  16 August 1990

  30 September 1990

  Open Distributed Processing

  14 January 1991

  12 April 1991

  Open Systems Technology Transfer

  1 January 1991

  30 June 1991

  1991–92

  New Product Introduction Activities

  1 July 1991

  16 August 1991

  Market Assessment Study: Longer Term Open System Needs

  1 March 1991

  20 September 1991

  Wirral Task Force; Enterprise Study

  9 September 1991

  24 January 1992

  Export Intelligence Review

  23 September 1991

  20 December 1991

  Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme

  1 November 1991

  31 March 1992

  Technical Support to the Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme

  1 January 1992

  31 December 1992

  Education Training Committee Strategy

  27 January 1992

  30 April 1992

  European Futurewatch

  14 February 1992

  15 March 1992

  Survey of Electronic Sources of Information on EC Legislation

  18 February 1992

  6 March 1992

  Teaching Company Senior Academics Scheme

  3 February 1992

  2 March 1992

  Evaluation Review of British Screen Finance Limited

  3 March 1992

  16 May 1992

  1992–93

  Open Systems Programme 2

  13 April 1992

  30 June 1993

  Delivering Information Solutions to Customers through International Standards Management Efficiency Study

  8 June 1992

  31 July 1992

  Identification of Current and Long Term Issues in the Security Market and Policy Implications

  3 August 1992

  9 April 1993

  Assist the London East Training and Enterprise Council in the Development of a Common Standards programme

  1 July 1992

  31 December 1992

  Validation of Seven Information Technology Futures Sector Scenario Reports

  17 July 1992

  30 November 1992

  Teaching Company Scheme: Review of the contract between the Science and Engineering Research Council and Cranfield Institute of Technology

  27 July 1992

  14 August 1992

  Post Office

  11 September 1992

  31 March 1993

  Production of a Guide to British Companies in the Environmental Field

  23 November 1992

  17 February 1993

  Literature Searches for Branch 7 of DTI Posts and Telecommunications Division

  21 December 1992

  30 September 1993

  Preparation of Seven Sector Reports on Key Applications for Information Technology

  11 January 1993

  5 March 1993

  Customer Care Training

  29 January 1993

  22 March 1993

  Market Testing: Export Market Information Centre

  8 March 1993

  8 April 1993

  Total Value

  £2,228,790

  The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.

  Defence Industries (Conversion)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the benefits that will accrue to the United Kingdom from the European Community's Konver programme for the conversion of defence industries to civilian activities.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No decision has been taken on the financial allocation to member states under the Konver programme. We are currently considering the Commission's proposals for its implementation.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of. Trade what response he has made in the Energy Council to the Commission requests to the Council for assent on the Commission draft decision establishing community rules for state aid for the coal industry (SEC(92)2553 Final) of 27 January.

  Mr. Eggar
  The document has not yet been discussed by the Council.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has made to publish on a regular basis the subsidies given to British Coal in terms of the arrangements announced in his White Paper.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: Details of financial assistance to British Coal will be published in my Department's annual expenditure plans report which is presented to Parliament.

  Energy Production (Efficiency)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the comparative average efficiency of(a) all United Kingdom power plants, (b) gas-fired power plants and (c) combined heat and power schemes.

  Mr. Eggar
  In 1991–92, the average gross thermal efficiency of fossil fuel-burning power stations in the United Kingdom was 34·1 per cent.

  [Source: Digest of UK Energy Statistics, Table 52]

  The efficiency of combined cycle gas turbines is generally expected to be around 45 per cent.

  The efficiency of combined heat and power schemes varies considerably depending on their particular circumstances. Most such schemes in the United Kingdom are thought to have efficiencies in the range 70 per cent to 80 per cent.

  Coal Review
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what remit was given to Ernst and Young in its preparation of the report on Magnox avoidable and unavoidable costs, undertaken for his coal review, dated 5 February.

  Mr. Eggar
  I gave a summary of the terms of reference for Ernst and Young's study in an answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 14 December last year,Official Report, column 25. The full terms of reference are included in appendix A of the Ernst and Young report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  British Technology Group
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the sale of the British Technology Group.

  Mr. Leigh
  It was announced last year,Official Report, 11 March 1992, columns 559–60, that the British Technology Group had been sold to a management-led consortium. I can now inform the House of the final outcome of discussions to settle the initial proceeds of the sale.

  In accordance with clause 6 of the share purchase agreement, completion accounts were prepared by the purchasers for the purpose of determining the consideration to be paid for the purchase of the shares in BTG. It has not been possible for the Government and the purchasers to agree the completion accounts, but it has nevertheless been agreed that no payment should be made either way under the provisions of clause 6 of the agreement. The initial proceeds therefore remain at £27·75 million.

  A copy of the letter expressing the agreement of the parties, and the completion accounts as originally submitted by the purchasers, has been placed in the Library of the House. Members will wish to note that the completion accounts were prepared for the sole purpose of determining the consideration to be paid for the purchase of the shares in BTG; they should not be interpreted as describing the trading position of BTG during 1991–92. A report and accounts were published by the company in August 1992, a copy of which has also been placed in the Library of the House.

  The House may also wish to be reminded that additional proceeds may arise if over the five years to 31 March 1997 the business performs at a level in excess of the net revenues forecast by BTG management in its 1991 business plan. Further proceeds may also arise from clawback on the proceeds of sale of real property.

  One-stop Shops
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the development of the one-stop shops for business support.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The six areas that will have the first pilot one-stop shops are Birmingham, Halton (North Cheshire), Hertfordshire, Manchester, South and East Cheshire and Tyneside.

  Together, these areas provide a range of different models of the one-stop shop concept. Some offer single centres to serve a particular business community like Birmingham, and others offer hub and spoke networks to cover a larger geographical area like Hertfordshire. In total there will be 23 one-stop shops in these six areas. My Department has committed £5·57 million to funding these first pilots over three years.

  There are several other areas whose plans have nearly reached the required standard but need some further development. My Department is in discussion with those areas and I look forward to receiving revised plans from them. I hope that this will lead to pilot one-stop shops being established in up to another nine areas in the course of this financial year.

  My Department will also be providing support for the development of proposals for a London-wide approach to

  715
  the establishment of one-stop shops in the capital. A partnership of key organisations in the provision of business support services has already come together to produce initial ideas for a London-wide approach and the development funding will enable detailed proposals to be worked up for a comprehensive network of services with local outlets across London.

  I am grateful to the one-stop shop national assessment panel for its help in assessing the shortlisted bids. The standard of bids was high. I hope that all areas will continue to build on the partnerships that have been established.

  With this announcement of the first pilot one-stop shops, the plan to revolutionise the delivery of support services for business in England has taken an important step forward. I am confident that those areas selected will deliver a quality of service which will match or better that available to our industrial competitors in Europe and beyond. I am keen to see these first pilots operational as soon as possible and my Department will work closely with them to ensure they are a success.

  Laboratory Work
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of work commissioned by his Department placed with(a) the Warren Springs Laboratory, (b) the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, (c) the National Engineering Laboratory and (d) the National Physical Laboratory in 1992–93; and what is the value of work planned to be placed in 1993–94.

  Mr. Eggar
  The following table shows the value of work DTI placed with these laboratories in 1992–93 and the value of work they are aiming to win from DTI in 1993–94.

  Laboratory

  1992–93

  1993–94

  (£)

  (£)

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  3,190,000

  2,750,000

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  7,200,000

  5,509,000

  National Engineering Laboratory

  9,764,000

  8,840,000

  National Physical Laboratory

  43,230,000

  41,057,000

  Domestic Fuel Supplies
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's estimate of the number of wholly 65-plus-year-old households that have(a) gas and (b) electricity connected to their homes, for the latest available year.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: My Department estimates that in 1991 the numbers of wholly 65-plus-year-old households connected to (a) gas and (b) electricity were 3·6 million and 5·1 million respectively.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's estimate of the total income for(a) gas and (b) electricity undertakings from domestic and standing charges.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: My Department estimates that the total amounts raised by gas and electricty undertakings in 1992 from standing charges on domestic customers in the United Kingdom were £0·6 billion and £1·1 billion respectively.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) of 17 March,Official Report, column 271, what documents his Department has been asked to provide to Lord Justice Scott; what documents he has supplied; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: Lord Justice Scott has requested a wide range of documents from my Department and no document requested is being withheld. It would not be appropriate to list them in detail.

  Undersea Electricity Link
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation he has had with the members of the European Commission responsible for energy policy and regional development, and with his opposite number in the Irish Republic in relation to the funding of the undersea electricity transmission link between the national grid and the Irish electricity system: and what is his current estimate of a start date.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: There have been no discussions with the European Commission or with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's opposite number in the Irish Republic on the question of funding of the United Kingdom-Ireland electricity link. Further studies need to be undertaken before a reliable estimate of a start date can be given.

  Plutonium (Air Transport)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the date and route of the next plutonium flight from Carlisle.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: This is a matter for the operators concerned.

  Recycling
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a study of the German waste disposal system whereby there is an advantageous financial incentive to return used bottles to manufacturers.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: Deposit systems were among the mechanisms examined by Environmental Resources Ltd. as part of its study of "Economic Instruments and Recovery of Resources from Waste", commissioned by my Department and the Department of the Environment. This study was published by HMSO in December last year, and copies were placed in the Library of the House. It built on earlier work carried out by ERL on deposit/refund systems for beverage containers, which included an examination of deposit schemes being operated in Germany. Consultation on both these studies has taken place and the comments received will be taken into account by the Government in the development of recycling policy.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to promote a returnable outer crate system, and the re-usable MTS Tengelmann container system.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: It is for the judgment of those directly involved in distribution and

  717
  retailing to decide whether to use returnable outer crates, such as the MTS Tengelmann container system. I expect environmental impact and commercial advantage to be among the considerations that they take into account when reaching a decision.

  Plastic
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to promote the depolymerising of plastic.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: My Department is currently supporting a number of projects in the plastics recycling area, although none relating specifically to the polymerising of plastics. I am aware, though, of work in this area being undertaken within industry, both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, which my Department is following closely.

  Electricity
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning amendments to the Electricity Act 1989.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: The Trade and Industry Select Committee made a number of recommendations in its 1992–93 report "British Energy Policy and the Market for Coal" which could, if accepted, have required amendments to the Electricity Act 1989. The Select Committee's recommendations, and the Government's responses, are set out in chapter 16 of the recent White Paper, "The Prospects for Coal".

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning amendment of the Electricity Act 1989 to make the duty to protect the interests of the consumer one of the Secretary of State's primary statutory responsibilities; and what response he has given.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: The Trade and Industry Select Committee recommended that the duties of the Director General of Electricity Supply should be amended to make the protection of consumers one of his primary duties. The Director General has said that he does not believe such an amendment would be necessary to enable him to protect the interests of customers. Chapter 16 of the Government's recent White Paper, "The Prospects for Coal", makes it clear that the Director General already has a duty to protect consumers in terms of prices and other terms of supply and that the main protection for consumers is the development of effective competition. The promotion of competition is one of the Director General's primary duties.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to amending the Electricity Act 1989 to ensure the full costs of radioactive waste management and nuclear decommissioning associated with nuclear generated electricity are charged to electricity consumers on their electricity bills.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Electricity Act 1989 already allows the Secretary of State to make regulations to impose a levy on all licensed suppliers of electricity in order to compensate the regional electricity companies for the additional costs incurred in contracting with Nuclear Electric, and the
  718
  non-fossil generators, rather than fossil-fuelled sources. The premium paid to Nuclear Electric, together with income from electricity sales at the market price, enable the company to meet the full costs of generating electricity from its stations, including the full costs of radioactive waste management and decommissioning.

  Mixed Oxide Fuel
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the mixed oxide fuel demonstration facility (MDF) is expected to be operational.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: This is a matter for the Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels plc.

DEFENCE

  Upholder Class Submarines
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) of 15 February,Official Report, column 71, when he expects to reach a decision about the future of Upholder class submarines.

  Mr. Aitken
  We are still considering some aspects of our future force structure to ensure that it aligns with our commitments and available resources. Decisions will be taken when our deliberations are complete.

  Helicopters Adriatic
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when four of the 846 Naval Air Squadron Sea Kings were withdrawn from HMS Ark Royal; by what means they were returned to the United Kingdom; for what reasons they have been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Four Sea King helicopters from 846 Naval Air Squadron deployed to the Adriatic as part of the HMS Ark Royal group in January returned to the United Kingdom on board RFA Fort Austin in mid-March. The return to the United Kingdom of the light gun battery personnel enabled the helicopters to be released for other duties.

  RFA Fort Victoria
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when RFA Fort Victoria was taken to FMRO Portsmouth; what unprogrammed work is required, and at what cost; what penalties will be applied to the contractor; when the ship is currently programmed to be accepted by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  RFA Fort Victoria was accepted from her builders, Harland and Wolff, on 24 March, and arrived at Portsmouth on 7 April where she will be based for a six-month programme of trials before entering service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. A number of defects remain and others may emerge during the trials. These will be rectified using the resources of FMRO Portsmouth as part of a co-ordinated programme. The cost of this work will be met by Harland and Wolff.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new crime prevention initiatives his Department will be taking in 1993.

  Mr. Jack
  New major developments are the setting up of a National Board for Crime Prevention and the reconvening of the ministerial group on crime prevention. We shall also be working on the expansion of our successful safer cities programme and we have commissioned a new good practice guide to help communities tackle their local crime problems in the most effective way.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future political control of the Metropolitan police.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have already received representations about this subject from a large number of hon. Members. As I announced on 23 March, I propose to establish new police authority arrangements for the Metropolitan police. I will be developing my proposals in more detail over the next few months and set out more details when I publish my White Paper.

  Police Funding
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to improve the system of police funding.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend's proposals include giving police authorities and police forces greater freedom to manage their own resources within a cash limit.

  Operation Jackpot
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next plans to visit Stoke Newington police station to discuss Operation Jackpot.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit Stoke Newington police station.

  Illegal Weapons (Advertisements)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning problems arising from the distribution of magazines containing advertisements for illegal and offensive weapons.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of letters from hon. and right hon. Members, and from members of the public, about a mail order catalogue distributed here from the United States. He has also answered four parliamentary questions on this subject, and he has noted the concern expressed in an early-day motion.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about measures to reduce juvenile crime.
  720
  Mr. Jack
  I have received a number of representations from hon. Members and others concerned about offences committed by juveniles. The statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend on 2 March gave a clear indication of the nature of the Government's response by committing it to the development of a new policy particularly aimed at dealing with the persistent juvenile offender.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders have been held in cells without window glass at Glen Parva young offenders centre in the last six months; and for what periods of time they were being held in those cells.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Mr. Mike O'Brien, dated 14 April 1993 I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the numbers of young offenders held in cells without window glass at Glen Parva Young Offenders Institution.
  There are no statistics available to show how many young offenders are located in cells without window glass or for how long they are held in those cells. Most cell windows are broken by prisoners arid on many occasions by those due to attend court and who hope they will not be returning. If the prisoner responsible for the damage to the cell is returned to Glen Parva he will be normally located in the same cell until repairs can be done. However, it is local policy to avoid placing young offenders newly allocated to Glen Parva in cells with broken window panes. There is a continuous replacement programme for broken windows and the cost in the last financial year was over £14,000.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning his proposals to provide secure accommodation for young offenders.

  Mr. Jack
  As I stated in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 17 March 1993,Official Report, column 248, before my right hon. and learned Friend made his statement on 2 March Ministers and officials considered representations and views about the problem of persistent juvenile offenders from a wide range of individuals and organisations. Since 2 March, meetings have been held at official and ministerial levels with representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors. A series of further meetings is planned. In addition, my right hon. and learned Friend has specifically invited the comments of more than 40 organisations in the field of working with juvenile offenders including the views of both sentences and also potential providers of secure accommodation.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to deal with young offenders.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given earlier today to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner).

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for increasing the provision of secure accommodation.
  721
  Mr. Jack
  The provision of secure accommodation for juveniles is the responsibility of local authorities who are overseen in this regard by the Department of Health. We are currently working on plans for the provision of the secure accommodation that will be necessary for persistent juvenile offenders subject to the secure training orders referred to by my right hon. and learned Friend in his statement on 2 March.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to make parents more accountable for the behaviour of their children.

  Mr. Jack
  The Criminal Justice Act 1991, which came into force on 1 October last year, strengthened the powers of the courts to make parents more accountable. Courts can now bind over the parents of juvenile offenders to look after their children properly where they are satisfied that this would help prevent further offending; and, order parents to attend court with their children and to pay their children's fines. We are monitoring the effects of these provisions.

  Prison Staff (Portland)
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed directly and indirectly by the Prison Department on Portland; and how many inmates and staff are planned for the future.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the director general that there are two establishments on Portland, the Young Offender Institution and the Verne prison.

  The combined total employed at both establishments is 567½, of which 27½ are indirectly employed by the Prison Department, the balance of 540 being directly employed. A further 61½ people are engaged on a sessional basis providing essential educational, religious, medical, dental and ophthalmic services.

  The combined inmate population is approximately 1,000.

  There are no current plans to change established staffing levels or inmate numbers.

  Police Committees
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what canons of selection he will establish for appointments to police committees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has not yet decided how the members of the new police authorities will be chosen. He will want to make sure that the membership of the police authority as a whole broadly reflects the experience and expertise which it needs.

  Terrorism
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has in hand to review the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 forms an essential part 722
  of the Government's response to terrorist crime. The powers which it provides are kept under regular review and the operation of the Act is reviewed each year by a person appointed for that purpose.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It is difficult to measure the effectiveness of what is essentially a preventative measure but the Prevention of Terrorism Act plays an important part in the prevention and investigation of terrorist crime and in restricting the movement of terrorists and their equipment. In 1992, 497 persons were charged in the United Kingdom following detention under the Act.

  Sunday Trading
  Sir George Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give further details of his plans for the reform of the law on Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary gave on 22 March to my right hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler); we shall publish a draft Bill before the summer recess.

  Police Reform
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has held since his oral statement of 23 March,Official Report, column 765, on reorganising police forces in Wales using conterminous boundaries with the other emergency services.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None.

  Wiltshire Police Force (Merger)
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning a possible merger of the Wiltshire police force.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None. I have no view at present on whether or not Wiltshire should amalgamate.

  Immigration (USA)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will visit the United States of America to discuss immigration policy.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no present plans to do so.

  Prison Service Dog Section
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff and dogs are currently employed and used in the prison service dog section; and what plans the Home Office has for the dogs in the event of a decision to contract out the section.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  723
  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 15 April 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the staff and dogs used in the Prison Dog Service and our plans for the dogs in the event of a decision to contract out the dog service.
  A total of 434 staff are employed as dog handlers and 441 dogs are used for this work.
  If the work of the dog service were to be contracted out all dog handlers would be asked whether they wished to keep their dogs. Any dog not taken on by their handlers would be offered to the Armed Forces, Customs and Excise or the Police in an effort to find them suitable work placements. If sufficient work placements could not be found then consideration would have to be given to having the dogs destroyed. While every effort would be made to avoid this position these are working dogs trained to bite and the options for suitable placements are limited.

  Medomsley Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the prison department made available for sale the former HM prison Medomsley; how the sale particulars are described; what is the asking price; how much money has been spent on this establishment in each of the past five years; what have been its previous usages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 15 April 1993:

  Former HM Prison Medomsley

  I have been asked by the Home Secretary to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question about the former HM Prison Medomsley.
  The property was placed on the market for sale as being surplus to requirements in December 1990 with Agents, Messrs Chesterton of Newcastle, and is described in the sale particulars as a 35 acre site with the opportunity for refurbishment or development. The property is offered for sale by private treaty and offers are invited. No purchase price has been quoted but the Agents are advising that offers should be in excess of £500,000.
  The establishment formerly operated as a Detention Centre for Young Offenders until early 1987. It was then used temporarily as a Category C Prison for male adults until closing in November 1987. There has since been some occasional use for Control and Restraint training.
  The expenditure in each of the past five years, mainly on skeleton staff and essential maintenance, was as follows:

  £K

  1988–89

  53

  1989–90

  47

  1990–91

  22

  1991–92

  20

  1992–93

  nil

  I hope this is helpful.

  London Fire and Civil Defence Authority
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is to be the precise nature of the market testing exercise he proposed should be undertaken in repect of the work of the fire brigades' workshops currently run by the London fire and civil defence authority; and when he expects it to begin.
  724
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Officials of my Department are currently discussing with representatives of local authorities and chief fire officers the precise nature of the market testing exercise and how it will be carried forward.

  Prison Education Service
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make education in prison compulsory for all offenders under the age of 25 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Young Offender Institution Rules 1988 currently provide that arrangements shall be made for inmates under the age of 17 to participate in education and training courses for at least 15 hours a week. The Prison Service will be considering, as part of its work on the development of a code of standards, what education facilities and entitlements should generally be available to prisoners.

  Not all prisoners under the age of 25 years require education programmes, but they may benefit from opportunities to address their offending behaviour and other needs. The extension of sentence planning is directed to ensuring that prisoners' individual needs are increasingly identified and, where possible, met.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) 1992 took public examinations; and what was the pass rate.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Mr. Harry Green way, dated 15 April 1993:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about prisoners taking public examinations.
  The available information held centrally is as follows:

  Academic Year

  Inmates Entered

  Pass Rate

  Per cent.

  Education and vocational training1

  1990–91

  9,826

  87

  1991–92

  8,977

  82

  Other Examinations2

  1990

  3,436

  66

  1991

  4,251

  90

  1992

  4,159

  93

  1 Organised and supervised by education departments.

  2 Construction industry training, Catering, other industrial and farms and gardens qualifications.

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to improve the waiting facilities for visitors to inmates being held in Wandsworth prison; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 15 April 1993:

  725
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about visitors' waiting facilities at Wandsworth Prison.
  Work is soon to begin converting a property which is close to the prison. We expect this work to be completed within two months.

  Police Horses
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police horses are currently in service in the metropolitan area; how many were in service(a) in 1983 and (b) in 1973; what is the future of Imber Court training centre under his projected proposals for police reorganisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There are currently 190 horses in service with the Metropolitan police. At 31 December 1983 there were 176, at 31 December 1973 195.

  It is not possible to say at this stage what impact the proposed reorganisation will have on Imber Court.

  Veterinary Surgeons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that anyone with a commercial interest in a designated establishment is not appointed as named veterinary surgeon for the establishment under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, to avoid conflicts of interest.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend cannot lawfully exclude all veterinary surgeons with a commercial interest in a designated establishment from being considered for appointment as named veterinary surgeon. The suitability of every proposed named veterinary surgeon is considered before inclusion in a certificate of designation; where my right hon. and learned Friend has any reason to doubt the suitability of the proposed appointment, he will require a new name to be suggested.

  Employment Protection
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make it his policy to seek external legal advice on the application of the transfer of undertakings regulations in every case where contracting out is contemplated or may be contemplated for future action.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No. Home Office legal advisers will be consulted about the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make available existing scoping reports on potential market testing exercises to the relevant staff associations and unions; and if he will place copies of the reports in the Library.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Scoping Study reports will be made available to Home Office trade unions, except where they contain classified material. As the reports are internal management documents I do not consider it appropriate to place them in the Library.
  726
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the financial implications of the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 to Home Office functions which have been identified for market testing during 1993–94.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Potential contractors will he required to take account of the implications of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the EC Acquired Rights Directive in their bids. Only at that stage will it be possible to make any assessment of the financial implications.

  Port Controls
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the security implications of contracting out of any port control functions of the immigration and nationality department; and what safeguards would be introduced.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There are no plans to market test the work of immigration officers at ports of entry.

  Remands Contract Unit
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are employed in the remands contract unit at the Home Office for the latest date available; and how many of them are legally trained.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Mr. Alan Michael, dated 15 April 1993:

  Remands Contract Unit

    REMANDS CONTRACTS UNIT STAFF
    The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question about the staffing of the Remands Contracts Unit.
    The Unit currently has 29 members of staff of whom 7 are engaged in on the spot monitoring of contract performance and associated work. None of its staff are legally trained; like other Home Office divisions, the Unit looks to the Department's Legal Adviser's Branch to meet its need for assistance or advice on any legal matter.

  Prisoners (Childhood Background)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the proportion of sentenced male and female prisoners respectively who spent some or all of their childhood in care.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 15 April 1993:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the proportion of the prison population who have been in care.

  727
  In answer to the question "were you ever taken into Local Authority care as a child up to the age of 16?" in the National Prison Survey, which was carried out in January and
  728
  February 1991, 25 per cent. of sentenced male and 21 per cent. of sentenced female prisoners said they had been taken into care.

  PRISON SERVICE WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION
  PRISON SERVICE WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION
  HORSE WATCH SCHEMES: LIAISON
  HORSE WATCH SCHEMES: LIAISON
  FLATS: COUNCIL TAX BANDING
  FLATS: COUNCIL TAX BANDING
  ONE STOP SHOPS
  ONE STOP SHOPS
  WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT (SECTION 43): REPRESENTATIONS
  WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT (SECTION 43): REPRESENTATIONS
  OIL PRODUCTS: IMPORTS AND EXPORTS
  OIL PRODUCTS: IMPORTS AND EXPORTS
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: VPC ADVICE
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: VPC ADVICE
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: VPC ADVICE
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: VPC ADVICE
  ANNEX PAPERS CONSIDERED CONCERNING SHEEP DIPS
  ANNEX PAPERS CONSIDERED CONCERNING SHEEP DIPS
  GRANT-MAINTAINED SCHOOLS: DEFICITS
  GRANT-MAINTAINED SCHOOLS: DEFICITS
  SCHOOLS: FINANCIAL MONITORING
  SCHOOLS: FINANCIAL MONITORING
  TOMLINSON COMMITTEE
  TOMLINSON COMMITTEE
  PENSIONS: PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
  PENSIONS: PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
  COUNTERFEIT £50 NOTES
  COUNTERFEIT £50 NOTES
  RIVER SAFETY: COMMITTEES
  RIVER SAFETY: COMMITTEES
  TAXATION
  TAXATION