Written Answers of 19 April 1993

DEFENCE

  Iraq Captives
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the provisions of interim compensation payments to those service personnel who were held captive by the Iraqi Government after the invasion of Kuwait; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It has been the policy of successive Governments that payments should not be made from public funds to claimants against a foreign Government in anticipation of the payment of compensation from that Government.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the provision of interim compensation payments to foreign service personnel who were held captive by the Iraqi Government after the invasion of Kuwait; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I am not aware of any foreign Government who have made interim compensation payments.

PRIME MINISTER

  Honours System
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister how many individuals have written to him since his statement of 8 March proposing themselves as recipients of honours.

  The Prime Minister
  Over 1,600 names have been put forward to the honours nominations unit since I made my statement to the House on changes to the honours system. Based on a check of a sample of the nominations, it is likely that about a dozen are self-nominations.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister how many staff were employed at No. 10 Downing street to administer the honours system in 1992: and what increase in their number is planned.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 April 1993]: The honours section in 10 Downing street consisted of six staff in 1992. Numbers will be kept under review in the normal way to reflect changes in the work load.

  Sir John Cuckney
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Prime Minister what Government tasks are currently carried out by Sir John Cuckney.

  The Prime Minister
  Sir John Cuckney is currently chairman of the Maxwell Pensioners Trust and adviser to 2
  the Department of Social Security's Maxwell pensions unit. Both appointments were made by the Secretary of State for Social Security. In addition, Sir John serves as a trustee of the Royal Air Force museum, an appointment made by the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit Pakistan.

  The Prime Minister
  I am keen to take up an invitation from the Pakistan Prime Minister to visit Pakistan, and will do so when time permits.

  Political Parties (Donations)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to prevent the use of bank loans from offshore tax havens to political parties in the United Kingdom.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 18 March, at column 357.

  BCCI
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received concerning compensation for the victims of BCCI.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received numerous representations.

  Royal Bank of Scotland
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Prime Minister what Government Departments hold bank accounts with the Royal Bank of Scotland; and which of those accounts are at Drummonds branch.

  The Prime Minister
  No central records are maintained showing which Departments use which banks. Government Departments may use the services of clearing banks without reference to the Treasury when the arrangements offer good value for money.

  India
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Indian High Commissioner following the bomb blasts in Bombay in March.

  The Prime Minister
  I expressed my personal sympathy to the Indian high commissioner as soon as I heard of the explosions and loss of life in Bombay, and also sent messages to the Indian Prime Minister and the Governor of Bombay conveying condolences and offering practical help.

  Local Authorities (Private Capital)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to lift restrictions governing the use of private capital by local authorities, laid down in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

  The Prime Minister
  We have no such plans. However, it is already open to local authorities to enter into partnerships with the private sector and draw upon private finance.
  3

  Mr. Salman Rushdie
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister when he now expects to meet Mr. Salman Rushdie.

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to meet Mr. Rushdie shortly.

EDUCATION

  English Tests
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if it remains his policy to conduct English tests for 14-year-olds following decisions by teachers about boycotts.

  Mr. Forth
  Yes. The English tests for 14-year-olds to be conducted this summer are the product of three years of trials in schools, involving hundreds of teachers and thousands of pupils. It is the statutory duty of head teachers to implement them, and the professional and contractual duty of teachers to carry them out.

  Bangladeshi Population
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps have been taken since 1986 to improve educational standards and opportunities for the Bangladeshi population in Britain.

  Mr. Forth
  Successive educational reforms since 1986, including the Education Bill now before Parliament, have been designed to raise standards and improve opportunities for all pupils, whatever their ethnic or cultural background. As they take effect, Bangladeshi pupils are sharing in the benefit. Grants paid to local authorities under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 are supporting projects designed to meet the particular educational needs of Bangladeshi pupils, including English language support.

  Bengali may now be studied in schools in fulfilment of the national curriculum requirement that all pupils aged 11 to 16 must study a modern foreign language. Funding has been provided through GEST—grants for education support and training—for three projects specifically for Bangladeshi pupils. Bangladeshi community groups are also benefiting from the ethnic minority grant introduced in April 1992 to give ethnic minorities equal access to training and enterprise opportunities.

WALES

  Local Plans
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those local authorities in Wales which have no local plan.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The following local planning authorities have no adopted local plans.

  Alyn and Deeside District Council

  Carmarthen District Council

  Ceredigion District Council

  Glyndwr District Council

  Montgomeryshire District Council

  Neath Borough Council

  Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council

  Rhuddlan Borough Council

  South Pembrokeshire District Council

  Taff-Ely Borough Council

  4

SCOTLAND

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 19 March,Official Report, column 438, if he will give comparable figures for the cost of administering legal aid in Scotland through the local legal aid committees in each of the five years prior to the establishment of the Scottish Legal Aid Board in 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Unlike the Scottish Legal Aid Board, the former Law Society legal aid central committee and the local legal aid committees dealt only with the merits of civil legal applications. The committees did not undertake assessments of the means of applicants for civil legal aid, which were assessed by DHSS and latterly the Scottish Office. Nor did they have any responsibility for summary criminal legal aid applications, which were dealt with by the courts. Comparable administrative cost figures are therefore not available.

  Saztec Europe Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what industrial grants or support have been paid to Saztec Europe Ltd., Ardrossan.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 15 April 1993]: Saztec Europe Ltd., formerly Saztec Scotland Ltd., received assistance in 1986 under the now terminated regional development grants scheme. This scheme offered automatic grants if the applicant met the appropriate criteria.

  The conditions attaching to the grant were met.

HEALTH

  Warner Report
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she now expects to make a statement on the Warner report.

  Mr. Yeo
  The responses to the consultation exercise are being considered. I hope to announce the Government's response to the report next month.

  Drugs Trials
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on her policy on the use in the NHS of post-marketing surveillance trials by drugs companies;

  (2) if she will list the drugs used by the NHS in post-marketing surveillance trials in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Post-marketing surveillance studies are the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies and not the NHS or the Department of Health. These studies are designed to gain information on the safety of medicines in everyday clinical practice and therefore could not be done without the involvement of the NHS. Voluntary guidelines on the conduct of company-sponsored PMS studies have been in force since 1988. Under these guidelines, companies are requested to provide information on these studies to the Medicines Control Agency.
  5
  The MCA has reviewed PMS studies conducted under the guidelines and their findings were published in the British Medical Journal in June 1992. In the light of these findings, the guidelines are now being reviewed.

  Information supplied by companies to the MCA is considered confidential under section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968. A list of individual drugs on which PMS studies are being conducted cannot therefore be published by the Department of Health.

  Zoladex
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued in relation to the prescribing of Zoladex by(a) hospital consultants and (b) general practitioners; and what proposals she has for further actions on this front.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Prescribing information on Zoladex is available to all doctors in the British National Formulary, which the Department issues free of charge to all prescribers, and in the data sheet for this product, which is produced by the manufacturer and authorised by the licensing authority. This information is applicable to both hospital consultants and general practitioners. There are no plans at present to issue additional guidelines on Zoladex, but, as with all medicines, its safety is monitored by the Medicines Control Agency.

HEALTH

  Comfrey
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he proposes to carry out further research on the toxicological data on comfrey, with a view to determining a level of safe use; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what pyrrolizidine alkaloids are found in comfrey; and if he will indicate which of these is of proven toxicity.

  Mr. Sackville
  I have been asked to reply.

  Common comfrey (symphytum officinale) and Russian comfrey (symphytum X uplandicum) are believed to be the varieties commonly used in herbal food supplements. The following pirrolizidine alkaloids have been identified and reported in the scientific literature as being present in either common or Russian comfrey or in both.

  Symphytine1

  Echimidine1

  Acetyl-echimidine3

  Lycopsamine1

  7-acetyl lycopsamine1

  Symlandine1

  Echinatine3

  Heliosupine3

  Acetyl-heliosupine3

  Intermidine1

  7-acetyl intermidine1

  Uplandicine2

  Viridiflorine1

  1 in common comfrey but not in Russian comfrey.

  2 in Russian comfrey.

  3 in both common and Russian comfrey.

  The majority of alkaloids found in comfrey have not been tested for toxicity. The results of studies on symphtine suggest that it may be genotoxic and carcinogenic. There is some evidence to suggest that
  6
  echimidine and echinatine may be genotoxic. Whilst the toxicity data on the individual alkaloids found in comfrey are limited, there is evidence from studies using laboratory animals that the dried leaves and roots of common comfrey are potentially carcinogenic.

  The Government's independent expert advisory committee, the Committee on Toxicity of Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, reviewed data including that on four cases of human liver damage associated with the consumption of comfrey preparations. It considered the data to be of sufficient concern to warrant action in the interests of public safety and recommended that action should be taken to reduce the intake of comfrey and its potentially toxic constituents.

  It is for the manufacturers of preparations using comfrey to submit to the Government the results of research into the safety of other products if they so wish. The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment advised that further toxicological testing would provide results of limited use in toxicological evaluations.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Electricity
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under which vote sub-head the proceeds of the sale of the former NIE generating stations were accounted for.

  Mr. Lamont
  Northern Ireland estimates 1992–93, Department of Economic Development, vote 4.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters in regard to investment in environmental protection were discussed and decided at the G-7 meeting of Finance Ministers in Tokyo on 14–15 April.

  Mr. Nelson
  Nuclear safety in Russia and dumping of radioactive waste at sea were discussed at the meeting. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the G7 to the full and timely implementation of the multilateral programme of action to improve nuclear safety in Russia agreed at the Munich summit.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters he has received concerning compensation for the victims of BCCI.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Treasury has received some 800 letters about BCCI since the bank was closed. It would be possible to identify how many of these were about compensation only at disproportionate cost.

  Tax Changes
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update, to take account of the 1993 Budget, the information on tax changes contained in his answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) of 29 June 1992,Official Report, column 380.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Latest estimates of the annual change in income tax liability resulting from the changes in tax rates,
  7
  allowances and thresholds announced in the 1993 Budget are in the table. The 1978–79 income tax regime has been indexed to 1993–94 levels by reference to the statutory formula, and allowing for independent taxation.

  For the purposes of these calculations the indexed regime of 1978–79 is applied directly to the income base of 1993–94. In practice, retention of the regime indexed as appropriate, for the intervening years would have led to changes in the income base.

  Average reduction in income tax per individual1 in 1993–94 compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime

  Range of individual's income in 1993–94 (£)

  Number of individuals 1993–941 (million)

  Total reduction (£ million)

  Average reduction (£ per annum)

  Under 5,000

  3·20

  450

  140

  5,000 to 10,000

  8·00

  3,000

  380

  10,000 to 15,000

  6·10

  4,500

  740

  15,000 to 20,000

  3·70

  4,000

  1,100

  20,000 to 30,000

  3·30

  5,400

  1,620

  30,000 to 50,000

  1·20

  3,000

  2,520

  50,000 to 80,000

  0·28

  2,100

  7,730

  Over 80,000

  0·14

  6,400

  45,500

  Total

  26·00

  28,900

  1,100

  1 Individuals liable to income tax under the 1978–79 indexed regime.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what reports have been produced by the Northern Ireland court service with regard to the operation of the legal aid scheme in Northern Ireland; and if he will place these reports in the Library.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No reports have been produced by the Northern Ireland court service with regard to the operation of the legal aid scheme in Northern Ireland. Such reports are produced annually by the Law Society of Northern Ireland and are referred to the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Aid in Northern Ireland for consideration and advice pursuant to article 23(3) of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. These reports and the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee reports are placed in the Library.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what progress has been made by the Northern Ireland court service in consolidating Northern Ireland's legal aid regulations; and what has been the reason for the time taken in consolidating these regulations.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Considerable progress has been made by the Northern Ireland court service in preparation of the regulations which will revise the Legal Aid (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1965. This exercise, which is at an advanced stage, involves primarily a consolidation of existing provisions, but the opportunity is also being taken to improve and modernise the regulations in some respects. The exercise has been held in abeyance pending the resolution of a number of points of detail. It is expected 8
  that these will be resolved within the next month, and that it will be possible to bring forward the new regulations later this year.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, whether he intends to set up a Legal Aid Board for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the light of the establishment of independent legal aid boards for England and Wales and Scotland, the Lord Chancellor has been reviewing the arrangements for the administration of legal aid in Northern Ireland with the aim of effecting improvements to the present system. One of the options for consideration is the establishment of an independent legal aid board. There have already been preliminary discussions with the Law Society of Northern Ireland and it is expected that these will continue. Following the completion of the review, the Lord Chancellor will bring forward proposals.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans he has to extend to Northern Ireland the research he has commissioned into the operation of legal aid in respect of eligibility, the green form scheme and advice and assistance at police stations.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Legal Aid Board in England and Wales has commissioned research which has touched on these subjects, but no research has been commissioned recently on them by the Lord Chancellor's Department. As a general principle, the Lord Chancellor's Department would consider extending any research it commissioned to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish the research undertaken by the Northern Ireland court service into advice at police stations; what other research has been undertaken or funded by the Northern Ireland court service into legal aid and legal advice and assistance; and when this research will be published.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The results of a survey undertaken by the Northern Ireland court service into legal advice and assistance at police stations, have been forwarded to interested parties, but there are no plans to publish the results of this survey. No other research has been undertaken or funded by the Northern Ireland court service into legal aid and legal advice and assistance.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the steps taken to co-ordinate the Northern Ireland court service research schedule on legal aid with his Department's research programme.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department and the Northern Ireland court service will continue to liaise closely in respect of any research on legal aid.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what proportion of the population in Northern Ireland is currently eligible for legal aid and legal assistance; what proportion of these is eligible(a) with a financial contribution and (b) without a financial contribution; what proportion of the Northern Ireland population will be eligible for legal aid and advice

  9
  and assistance under the new legal aid regulations laid down by his Department; and what proportion of these is eligible (i) with a financial contribution and (ii) without a financial contribution.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Estimates of eligibility that have been made are based on family expenditure survey data and relate to households. The proportion of households currently eligible for civil legal aid, is likely to be somewhere between 50 and 55 per cent. in England and Wales. Only a small proportion of Northern Ireland households are included in the family expenditure survey. However, Northern Ireland household incomes are estimated to be 82 per cent. of the incomes in England and Wales. It is therefore estimated that somewhere between at least 60 and 65 per cent of households in Northern Ireland are currently eligible for civil legal aid. As a result of the distribution of incomes in Northern Ireland, the effect of the introduction of the new regulations will be a small decrease in the proportion of households eligible for legal aid. It is estimated that this reduction will be in the region of two percentage points.

  The proportion of households eligible for legal advice and assistance will be virtually unchanged under the new regulations, although more will be required to make a contribution.

  Information regarding the proportion of the population that is currently eligible for legal aid and legal assistance with a contribution and the proportion that will be so eligible under the new legal aid regulations, is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In 1991–92, of those persons granted civil legal aid, 89 per cent. were eligible with no contribution. The comparative figures for legal advice and assistance and assistance by way of representation were 97 per cent. and 89 per cent. respectively.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Market Testing)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons currently in use will be market tested during the next three financial years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No decisions have yet been made.

  Life Sentences
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table to show for as many years for which the information is conveniently available the number of persons sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of(a) police officers, (b) prison officers, (c) military personnel and (d) civilians who have been in each year released from prison; whether the life sentence had a minimum recommendation imposed by the court which was not fully served; and in which cases there was a terrorist involvement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information for 1981 to 1991 is shown in the table. Murderers of military personnel cannot be separately identified nor is the minimum recommendation of the court recorded centrally. There was no known terrorist involvement by any of the life sentence prisoners released during 1981 to 1991.
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  Lifers sentenced for murder who were released on licence between 1981 and 1991 in England and Wales

  1

  2

  3

  4

  Year of release on licence

  Murderers of prison officers

  Murderers of police officers

  Total number of murderers of all types first released on licence1

  1981

  —

  —

  57

  1982

  1

  —

  79

  1983

  —

  —

  83

  1984

  —

  —

  52

  1985

  —

  —

  51

  1986

  —

  —

  36

  1987

  —

  —

  47

  1988

  —

  —

  54

  1989

  —

  —

  69

  1990

  —

  —

  57

  1991

  —

  1

  55

  1 Including those in columns 2 and 3.

  Note: This table excludes those who released on appeal, transferred our of prisons in England and Wales or who died.

  Immigration and Nationality Department
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Immigration and Nationality Department solicits information on individual cases from local authorities without the express consent of the individual.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There are various circumstances in which the Immigration and Nationality Department may ask local authorities for information about an individual. It is not always appropriate to seek to express consent of the person concerned.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Immigration and Nationality Department receives information on individuals from the Department of Social Security passed on without the individual's express consent.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Yes. Liaison between the Departments may be necessary in particular cases and it is not always appropriate to seek the express consent of the individuals concerned.

  Child Abduction
  Mr. Diner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to improve police training and to produce guidelines for police forces on child abduction.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It is for individual chief officers of police to determine what action should be taken to investigate offences under the Child Abduction Act 1984 and to decide what training is required. My right hon. and learned Friend is aware of the recent report of the parliamentary working party on child abduction and is ready to consider any proposals for amending the existing guidelines.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the criteria used by the Home Office to evaluate outside tenders for Home Office tasks which are the subject of market testing exercises.
  11
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Evaluation criteria will be contained, where appropriate, in the EC Journal notice advertising the relevant market tests, or in the invitation to tender documents.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Home Office unions and staff associations have been consulted on the method and content of market testing exercises since January 1992.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Yes, on both a formal and an informal basis.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of all Home Office market testing exercises to date.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The total cost of the Home Office market testing programme, including consultancies, since November 1991 has been approximately £1,036,000.

  Emergency Planning College
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the security implications of contracting out the emergency planning college; and what safeguards would be introduced.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are not aware of any security consideration which would prevent the contracting out of the work of the emergency planning college. Whether safeguards would be necessary is something which would be considered in any contracting-out study.

  Donald Treshman
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current immigration status of Donald Treshman; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Mr. Treshman left the United Kingdom voluntarily on 14 April. In accordance with the directions given by the Home Secretary on 26 March, he is now excluded from the United Kingdom on the ground that his presence is not conducive to the public good. Before he left Mr. Treshman appealed against the decision to deport him; that appeal will now proceed in his absence.

  Mr. Tom Metzger
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions he has issued to United Kingdom immigration authorities to exclude from entry to the United Kingdom Mr. Tom Metzger, an American citizen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend is awaiting information about Mr. Metzger's background, to enable him to consider whether to exclude him from the United Kingdom on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good. In the meantime immigration officers at ports of entry have been instructed not to admit him without reference.

  Prison Escort Service
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend privatisation of the court escort service to London; and if he will make a statement.
  12
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the further contracting out of prison escort services.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) on 16 February, column 139.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of the contract with Group 4 for prison escort duties; what monitorings carried out of whether the contract is being adhered to; 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 Derek Lewis to Mr. Graham Allen, dated April 1993:

  GROUP 4 COURT ESCORT SERVICE

  The Secretary of State has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the terms of the contract with Group 4 for prison escort duties and what monitoring is carried out or whether the contract is being adhered to.

  Details of the operational requirements of the contract were included in the operational specification for the Court escort service for Humberside and the East Midlands placed in the Library of the House at the time of issue of the tender documents. The contract, which is initially for 5 years, covers 7 counties: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and Humberside. The contract includes financial remedies to withhold payment for unsatisfactory service, with the option of termination of the contract on default. I attach a summary of the contract conditions and some additional background material.

  A Home Office monitor has been appointed, as required by the Criminal Justice Act 1991, to oversee the operation of the service in the area. He is assisted by a deputy.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to the Exchequer for police time in pursuing prisoners who have escaped or have been wrongfully released by Group 4 Security.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 19 April 1993:

  GROUP 4 COURT ESCORT SERVICE

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the cost to the Exchequer for police time in pursuing prisoners who have escaped or have been wrongfully released by Group 4 Security.

  The nature and circumstances of incidents of escapes differ widely from one case to the next and the Prison Service is not charged for costs incurred in recapturing prisoners. The information requested is not, therefore, available.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisoners who have escaped or been wrongfully released by Group 4 Security since they began escort duties; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 19 April 1993:

  GROUP 4 COURT ESCORT SERVICE

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for a list of prisoners who have escaped or been wrongfully released by Group 4 Security since they began escort duties.

  2. Full investigations into the circumstances of each escape are continuing. However we know that:

  i. on 5 April a defendant escaped from the dock of Hull Magistrates' Court.

  ii. on 6 April a prisoner escaped from a hatch in a four cell van by kicking the secured safety exit from its mountings and climbing out. All similar vehicles have now been modified.

  iii. on 8 April a prisoner kicked out the window of a 7 cell van. Again, all similar vans used by the company have now been modified to prevent a recurrence.

  iv. on 15 April a defendant escaped by vaulting over the top of the dock at Ilkeston Magistrates' Court.

  v. on 16 April in an insecure courtroom at Sheffield Magistrates' Court, a defendant received from bail was sentenced to a custodial sentence. Following a struggle both inside and outside the courtroom, he escaped from two prisoner custody officers who were trying to escort him to the custody area.

  In addition to these escapes two further incidents have occurred:

  vi. on 8 April a defendant was released in error from Mansfield Magistrates' Court. The clerk has exonerated Group 4 of blame for the incident which arose from administrative error by the court and the prosecuting authorities.

  vii. on 10 April a defendant was bailed from Leicester Magistrates' Court on conditions which included a £50 surety. A misunderstanding on the part of Group 4 meant that the defendant was released before the surety had been accepted. Subsequently the court amended the bail conditions to remove the need for a surety.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct an inquiry into the escape and wrongful release of prisoners entrusted to Group 4 Security.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The director-general has on his own initiative conducted such an inquiry.

  Election Deposits
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the deposit for a candidate in a General Election was last set; what is the current figure; and what plans he has to increase the sum.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The deposit for a candidate at a parliamentary election was set at £500 in 1985. I have no plans to increase this sum.

  UKIAS (Director)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 113, if he is now in a position to state when it is likely that the post of chief executive or director to the successor body to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service will be duly advertised.
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  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This is a matter for the planning group established by my right hon. and learned Friend, but I understand that the post of director will be advertised shortly.

  Wolds Remand Centre
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the two recent incidents which involved an assault on a police officer at the Wolds remand centre.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated April 1993:

  Wolds Prison: Incidents of alleged assaults on police officers

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about two incidents which involved alleged assaults on police officers at HM Prison Wolds.

  There have been two separate unconnected incidents of alleged assault on police officers. The first incident involved an officer who was visiting a prisoner in an official capacity. The prisoner has been charged and is currently awaiting trial.

  The second incident occurred when a prisoner was being escorted into the prison's admissions building. Witness statements were taken, but to date no charges have been laid.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is being provided for custody officers at HMP Blakenhurst; and who is providing that training.

  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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 16 April 1993.

  HM PRISON BLAKENHURST STAFF TRAINING>

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question about the nature and provision of training for prisoner custody officers at HM Prison Blakenhurst.

  The training requirement is set out in Schedule 3b of the Operational Specification which formed part of the invitation to the tender for the management of the prison. A copy of the Specification was placed in the Library of the House and I enclose a further copy of the relevant schedule.

  It is for UKDS to determine how the required training is delivered and the bulk of it has been provided by their own staff. However a certain amount has been bought in, including control and restraint training from the Prison Service, and part of the First Aid training from specialist medical sources. The West Mercia police have provided an input on drug recognition and control. In addition the Chairman of the Board of Visitors and the Home Office Controller have given sessions on their respective roles and functions.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Astra plc
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the names and positions of those who requested the investigation into Astra plc.
  15
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The inspectors were appointed following an application of the company, made by letter dated 27 June 1990, signed by the chairman, Mr. Roy Barber.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of his Department's inquiry into Astra plc. to date.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  A total of £2,170,000, inclusive of VAT.

  British Coal Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. O'Neil
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what indemnities Her Majesty's Government have offered British Coal for any court costs incurred through legal action by the trustees of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme; if he will detail the full extent of past and present indemnities offered to British Coal; and if he will publish the external legal advice and the terms and conditions upon which any indemnity was offered.

  Mr. Eggar
  No indemnity has been given or offered to British Coal for such legal costs.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals his Department has made to British Coal in relation to using part of the surplus in its pension scheme to meet the cost of additional contributions to its staff superannuation scheme in respect of early pensions and pensions for redundant miners.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has made no such proposals. It has, however, because of its responsibilities for the proper use of public funds, asked British Coal to explore the possibility of applying its share of the surplus to the staff superannuation scheme in discharge of its obligation to meet the cost of additional contributions to that scheme. The corporation intends to seek a court direction before taking any final decision.

  Company Law
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to reform company law to prevent overseas companies that are operating in the United Kingdom with the same names as existing United Kingdom companies from abusing their matching identity.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  All overseas companies opening a branch or place of business in the United Kingdom are required to register with the Registrar of Companies. If the corporate name of such an overseas company is the same as, or too like, an existing name on the Great Britain register, section 694 of the Companies Act 1985 already gives the Secretary of State power to serve notice requiring the overseas company to cease using that name in Great Britain within two months. There are similar powers in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to reform company law to tackle fraud by corporate directorships held in the name of a company registered abroad and to prevent such companies avoiding punishment under United Kingdom law.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None. Where fraud has been committed in the United Kingdom, existing legislation 16
  enables proceedings to be commenced against a company and the directors involved, even where these are overseas companies. There is also a number of bilateral and other arrangements with overseas regulators which provide for assistance with inquiries into offences involving directors and companies located overseas. Provisions in the new Criminal Justice Bill will make it easier to prosecute persons—whether companies or individuals—involved in cases of international fraud.

  Regional Development
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when the decision was made to locate his Department's east midlands regional development organisation in Nottingham;

  (2) whether he will reconsider his decision to locate the east midlands regional development organisation in Nottingham rather than in Leicester.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: The decision was made on 25 March when my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade made a statement on the conclusions of the Government's coal review. The new east midlands regional development organisation is not part of my Department, but will be supported in part by a grant in aid linked to the performance of specific inward investment promotion activities on behalf of the Invest in Britain Bureau.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Potatoes
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of one tonne of British potatoes in(a) 1975, (b) 1985 and (c) 1993; at what average price potatoes were sold to the public in the same years; and if he will also provide the figures at 1991–92 constant prices.

  Mr. Curry
  The following tables give information in respect of 1975 and 1985. Information about 1993 is not yet available so I have supplied figures for 1992.

  1975 (a) £

  1985 (b) £

  1992 (b) £

  United Kingdom average price per tonne paid to producers

  56·80

  47·17

  170·60

  Index of producer prices in real terms (1992=100)

  325·8

  97·8

  100

  1 Forecast.

  Price sources: (a) Annual Review of Agriculture.

  (b) Agriculture in the United Kingdom.

  1975 (pence)

  1985 (pence)

  1992 (pence)

  Average retail price of loose and pre-packed maincrop pota-toes (Great Britain) (p/lb)

  4·4

  6·3

  12·0

  Index of retail prices in real terms (1992=100)

  148·7

  77·6

  100

  Price Source: National Food Survey.
  17

  Food Prices
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received during recent months on the pricing policies of food retailers in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  I received from time to time representations from members of the public about retail prices of a wide range of foodstuffs.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Care Homes
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the projected admissions to residential and nursing homes in the various districts of the Eastern health and social services board for the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not available. In Northern Ireland as a whole, based on the numbers used in the calculation of the sum transferred from the social security system to the health and personal social services budget, it was estimated that in each of the years in question the number of claimants expected to enter independent homes would grow by 2,135 per annum. From 1 April 1993, the number of actual admissions to residential and nursing home care will be determined by the outcome of the assessment of need which boards will be required to carry out on individuals.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the number of people in care in independent homes in the area of the Northern Ireland Eastern health and social services board on which the budget for community care will be calculated from 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The projected number of people in independent care homes in the Eastern board area at 1 April is not available. However, the number of people expected to enter independent homes in Northern Ireland as a whole under the previous arrangements was projected to grow by 2,135 per annum. In 1993–94, £29·5 million, including £24·63 million transferred from social security, has been allocated to the four boards in Northern Ireland on the basis of the capitation formula giving the Eastern board additional community care resources of £12 million. The deployment of these funds together with the existing community care resources is for the board to take forward through its purchasing plans.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in care in independent homes in the area of the Northern Ireland Eastern health and social services board will qualify for preserved rights under the community care reforms.

  Mr. Hanley
  All those in care in independent homes in the Eastern health and social services board area on 31 March 1993 have a preserved right to claim the higher rates of income support under the community care reforms.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were recorded as in care in independent homes in Northern Ireland by the Eastern health and social services board on 31 March.
  18
  Mr. Hanley
  A provisional total of 5,932 beds were available in independent homes in the Eastern board area at 31 March 1993. It is not known how many of these beds were occupied. Prior to 1 April the majority of residents made private arrangements for admission to these homes and the Eastern board does not have a record of their numbers.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what system was used to obtain the projected number of people in care in independent sector homes in the area of the Eastern health and social services board as at 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Projections of the number of people in care in independent sector homes were made for the purposes of the transfer of resources from social security and therefore reflected numbers of demands in social security districts and not individual board areas. These projections were derived from numbers collected from two surveys of all income support claimants and updated by computerised scans of resident numbers in independent homes. Projections do not include residents who were not relying on income support for help with the cost of their accommodation.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what department will make the necessary assessments under the community care reforms for people applying for residential and nursing home care in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  Health and social services boards, through their units of management, are responsible for carrying out an assessment of need for any individual living within their area who requires community care services, including residential care and nursing home accommodation.

  Community Care
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland have to meet the needs of those people admitted to community care from 1 April for all the costs of care required to be covered where the applicant is on income support.

  Mr. Hanley
  Each board, through its units of management, is responsible for assessing the needs of individuals living within its area who require community care services. The costs of providing the necessary community care services will be met by boards. Where this includes residential or nursing home accommodation boards will seek to recover the cost from the person according to his ability to pay, irrespective of whether income support is in payment. Boards must, however, ensure that individual residents are left with at least an amount equivalent to the personal expenses element of income support payable to those in registered independent sector homes.

  Cardiac Surgery
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients, in each of the health board areas, have been waiting for cardiac surgery for more than(a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years and (d) four years.
  19
  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. The numbers waiting for cardiac surgery as recorded by board of residence at the end of February 1993 are as follows:

  Board

  Number 18–23 months

  Number 24 months +

  Total

  Eastern

  37

  183

  220

  Northern

  12

  43

  55

  Southern

  9

  23

  32

  Western

  3

  24

  27

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients were offered cardiac surgery outside the Province in 1992; and of those offered, how many refused.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I can say that some 230 patients have been treated in Great Britain during the last 18 months.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 8 December, to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East (Mr. Ross)Official Report, column 601–02, how much additional money will be made available for heart operations in the financial year 1993–94; and how it will be allocated between the four health boards.

  Mr. Hanley
  A total of £1·62 million additional money will be made available for cardiac surgery-in 1993–94. This will be divided among the four health and social security boards as follows:

  Eastern—£1,011,348

  Northern—£283,458

  Southern—£189,318

  Western—£ 135,876

  Clinical Care
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been carried out of the quality of clinical care in Northern Ireland hospitals; and if he will publish the results.

  Mr. Hanley
  Clinical care is constantly being assessed by clinicians. Arising from the NHS reforms additional funds have been made available to boards to assist in the process of audit and the Department has centrally funded various medical audit projects. A regional audit advisory committee and area audit advisory committees in each board are all required to produce annual reports which are presented to the Minister. There are no plans to publish these.

  In addition Northern Ireland has been an active participant in national studies such as the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths and the confidential inquiry into perioperative deaths. These inquiries are conducted in a formal way and are published widely.

  Northern Ireland is also participating fully in the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy. It is a rolling programme and will be published annually.

  Bangladeshi Population
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps have been taken since 1986 to improve employment and training opportunities for the Bangladeshi population in Britain.
  20
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Employment Department is committed to the principle of equality of opportunity in all its employment and training programmes. This policy is implemented through the race relations advisory service (RREAS), which helps to improve opportunities for all ethnic minority groups, and training and enterprise councils (TECs). TECs have a contractual obligation to ensure equality of opportunity in all their activities.

  The Employment Act 1989 encouraged wider use of positive action training both in training providers and employers. The RREAS helps by publicising what the special provisions allow and encouraging employers to use them.

  The Government recognise that those with little English language or low levels of literacy skills will face significant barriers to getting the skills and qualifications to help them get jobs. Those with such needs are eligible to start training for work, the main programme for unemployed adults, without having to be unemployed for six months.

  TECs are uniquely placed to work with local communities and all relevant agencies to help address specific needs and overcome barriers. Since their launch in 1989, some TECs have developed provision specifically for local Bangladeshi communities, and others provide a wide range of support for all ethnic minority groups, to which members from Bangladeshi communities have equal access. The ethnic minority grant, administered by the Home Office, has been successful in providing TECs with extra help in overcoming language or cultural barriers in particular.

  Advertisements (Age Bar)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she intends to introduce legislation to ban advertisements for job vacancies which place an age bar.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Employers who refuse to consider people purely because of their age miss out on the skills, experience and commitment which older people can bring to a job. Banning age limits in job advertisements, however, would do nothing to prevent discrimination occurring later on at the interview or selection stages. The way forward is to persuade employers who discriminate that it is in their own best interests to treat everyone on their merits, regardless of age.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iran (Death Sentence)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Iran as long as the death sentence on a British citizen living in the United Kingdom is not withdrawn.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We remain greatly concerned by the continuing failure of the Iranian authorities to repudiate the incitement to murder Mr. Rushdie and the bounty on him offered by an Iranian organisation. This failure inevitably prevents the establishment of full and friendly relations with Iran.
  21

TRANSPORT

  Railway Stations (Staffing)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss the safety aspects of staffing levels at railway stations with the chairman of British Rail.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Secretary of State regularly meets the BR chairman and board members to discuss a wide range of matters relating to the railways, including the safety and security of the travelling public. Staffing levels at railway stations are a matter for the board.

  Freight Traffic
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what support the Government are giving to encourage the transfer of freight traffic from the roads to the railways.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I recently announced three important new measures to boost the prospects for rail freight. These provided for improvements to the existing freight facilities grant scheme; the introduction of a new grant scheme to assist with Railtrack's charges; and the publication of a paper on the potential for weight incentives for lorries used in combined transport.

  These measures taken together with privatisation, open access, and substantial investment in channel tunnel services, will provide the best prospects for encouraging more freight traffic to the railways.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent performance levels on the west coast main line are affected by the age of the infrastructure and the age of the rolling stock.

  Mr. Freeman
  I recognise that the age of equipment on particular lines can affect performance. That said, British Rail intends to start work soon on renewing the infrastructure on the west coast main line. The precise timing will be decided later in the spring when British Rail has finalised its spending plans. New stock for the line is, as I announced earlier, one of two options under consideration for the planned £150 million leasing facility announced at the time of the autumn statement.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations the British Government have made to European institutions with a view to securing financial support for investment in the west coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  The west coast main line is included in the outline plan for the European high speed train network. The Commission has requested further information on such projects. The Commission is at present assessing the likely demand for the proposed networks fund rather than inviting bids for funds.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the economic potential of the west coast main line to carry intercontinental freight and passenger services via the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  It would be for British Rail, not the Department, to make such an assessment. British Rail's22
  current assessment underlies their proposals for international freight and passenger services using the west coast main line.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail to discuss services on the west coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport regularly meets the chairman of British Rail to discuss a variety of railway issues.

  Bus Services (London)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding deregulation of bus services in London.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) earlier today.

  Motorway Repairs
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many working hours he estimates were lost in 1992 due to motorway repairs.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  All motorway repairs are planned so as to keep delays to a minimum.

  A40 (Feeder Routes)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to develop improvements to the feeder routes into the A40 in the Northolt and Ealing area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter for the London borough of Ealing which has responsibility for the roads in question.

  West Midlands (Continental Rail Links)
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to improving rail links between the west midlands and the continent.

  Mr. MacGregor
  British Rail is investing over 1·4 billion in rolling stock and infrastructure for their channel tunnel services. Projects particularly benefiting the west midlands include the upgrading of the existing freight terminal at Birmingham. This will enable high-quality rail freight services to operate from the region to the continent and allow goods to transfer from road to rail. British Rail is also investing in rolling stock to provide a direct day service for passengers linking Manchester, Birmingham, Stockport and Crewe to both Paris and Brussels and a passenger night service via Lancaster, Preston and Crewe to those cities.

  Disabled People (London)
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department will take to facilitate travel by the disabled in London.

  Mr. Norris
  My Department's disability unit works closely with the unit for disabled passengers at London Transport in promoting a wide range of accessible mainstream and specialist transport services.
  23
  Dial-a-ride services in London are funded by my Department and administered on our behalf by London Transport. The level of funding for this year is £12 million —which represents a real increase of 60 per cent. since 1985–86, the last year of GLC funding.

  Traffic Congestion (London)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his current estimate of the annual cost of traffic congestion on London's roads.

  Mr. Norris
  No single figure can be quoted because there is no generally accepted norm against which any measure of congestion can be compared. However, it is an aim of the Department's expenditure and policies to reduce congestion and make the best possible use of available road space.

  Pilotage (The Minches)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider a compulsory pilotage scheme in the Minches.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 17 March,Official Report, column 262.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the most recent figures for progress towards the aim of reducing the numbers of road accidents between the years 1985 and 2000.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The aim is to reduce road accident casualties by one third by the year 2000, compared with the annual average for 1981–85. The provisional figures for 1992 show that fatalities are down by 24 per cent., serious injuries by 34 per cent. and all casualties by 3 per cent. on the target baseline.

  North Nottinghamshire Coalfield
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for further investment in road and rail links in the north Nottinghamshire coalfield.

  Mr. Freeman
  Central Government investment for road infrastructure proposals in north Nottinghamshire ranges from direct investment in motorway and all-purpose trunk road improvement schemes, such as widening the M1 and A1, to possible support through transport supplementary grant for local highway improvements. Assistance towards the construction of Bosford and Balwell stations on stage 1 of the Robin Hood rail line has also been given.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the franchising of Great Western main line passenger services.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have so far received four expressions of interest in a franchise for the Great Western main line inter-city services. As promised in our consultation document, we are treating all expressions of interest as strictly confidential.
  24

  British Rail Rolling Stock
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much capital was spent on rolling stock at British Rail in(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1991–92 prices expenditure on rolling stock by British Rail in 1979 was £226 million and in 1991–92 was £331 million.

  Roads (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road schemes in North Yorkshire were approved for 1993–94 and their costs; and which schemes are under consideration for construction in 1994–95.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Two major trunk road schemes have been approved to start construction in 1993–94. A contract has just been let for one and construction works are about to start. Together they are currently estimated to cost over £80 million.

  Two trunk road schemes may start construction in 1994–95 at an estimated cost of over £14 million subject to the completion of statutory procedures and the availability of funds.

  Thirty-seven smaller trunk road improvement schemes are programmed to start in 1993–94 costing about £1 million overall and a similar number is under consideration for 1994–95, costing about £1·5 million.

  My right hon. Friend is supporting six major local authority schemes in North Yorkshire in 1993–94, costing nearly £48 million.

  Support for local authority schemes for a start of construction in 1994–95 will be considered after North Yorkshire county council submits its transport policies and programme bid in July.

  Helicopter Sites (London)
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the working party on helicopter sites in London will report.

  Mr. Norris
  The Secretary of State hopes to receive the report of the London heliport study working group in late summer, and to publish the report as soon as possible thereafter.

  20 mph Zones
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has that the experimental 20 mph zones are reducing accidents; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Preliminary indications are that 20 mph zones reduce casualties by well in excess of 50 per cent. There have also been small reductions on surrounding roads. It is particularly pleasing that they seem to be especially effective in reducing accidents to children.

  Buses (Disabled Access)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase the number of low floor buses for use by people with disabilities.
  25
  Mr. Freeman
  Decisions on the purchase of buses are a matter for the commercial judgment of bus operators. However, the Government wish the merits of low-floor buses to be fully assessed. I have therefore allocated resources for a trial of such vehicles in North Tyneside. London Transport have also decided to purchase 68 low-floor buses at a cost of £8 million, the first of which will come into service shortly. Both these schemes will be monitored and the results made widely available.

  Climate Change Policies
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department have responsibility for implementing climate change policies arising out of Agenda 21.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Agenda 21 raises a wide range of environmental policies which fall within the responsibility of many of the Department's divisions. It is not therefore possible to specify the precise number of staff concerned with this issue. Work on implementing policies arising out of agenda 21 is co-ordinated by the transport policy unit.

  Mail Services
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the security of the conditions under which the royal mails are conveyed by train; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is an operational matter for the British Railways Board and the Post Office.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents involving theft of mail bags from trains have occurred in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  1988

  602

  1989

  564

  1990

  337

  1991

  224

  1992

  123

  Maritime Transport (Safety)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received from, and what recent meetings he has had with, Lloyd's Register regarding environmental safety in maritime transport.

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) his official engagements and (b) those of the Minister for Aviation and Shipping on (i) 30 March, (ii) 31 March and (iii) 1 April.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: On 30 March, I met Mr. Israel Kessar, the Israeli Minister of Transport. Later that day I attended a lunch hosted by the British Ports Association and in the evening I had to be in
  26
  the House of Commons for important votes. On 31 March, I announced the publication of the Department's report on options for city congestion charging. On 1 April, I attended Cabinet. Over these three days, I also chaired some 15 meetings with officials from my Department. On 30 March, my right hon. and noble Friend was in Shetland to open a conference on "Managing the Marine Environment", organised by the Shetland islands council. On 31 March and 1 April he was overseas.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fuel Bills
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy to increase the level of all benefits for disabled people and carers to fully compensate them for their higher gas and electricity bills as a result of the introduction of a value added tax charge on domestic fuel;

  (2) what measures his Department will take to compensate disabled people and carers, other than those on income-related benefits, for the introduction of a value added tax charge on domestic fuel.

  Mr. Scott
  In his Budget statement the Chancellor said that there would be extra help for poorer pensioners and those on low incomes; this includes many disabled people and carers. Also, this help would be additional to the uprating of benefits. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be announcing the details of this extra help in the autumn.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department is taking to measure the impact of a value added tax charge for domestic fuel on recipients of disability and carer's benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  The Department sponsors surveys which identify people with disabilities and the pattern of their expenditure.

  The impact of a VAT charge for domestic fuel will be considered and our conclusions made public in the normal way in the autumn statement on benefit uprating. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made it clear that extra help will be given to poorer pensioners and others on low incomes.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the impact of the social fund's policy with respect to help with work-related expenses on the ability of claimants to take up work.

  Mr. Scott
  Help with work-related expenses is specifically excluded from the social fund. Some assistance is available from the Department of Employment and might also be given by employers. Generally the fund seeks to avoid duplicating help which is available elsewhere.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost(a) to business and (b) to the Exchequer of implementing the second protocol of the Maastricht treaty.
  27
  Miss Widdecombe
  Assuming the Maastricht treaty is ratified, this protocol will limit retrospective application of the ruling of the European Court of Justice in the case of Barber v. Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance Group to pensionable service from 17 May 1990, the date of that ruling. In that case the court ruled that occupational pensions were pay and so must be equal between men and women according to article 119 of the treaty of Rome. The question of the retrospective effects of the Barber ruling is also under consideration by the European Court of Justice in the case of Coloroll Pensions Trustees Ltd. v. Russell and Others.

  There is no cost to either business or the Exchequer arising from the protocol. On the contrary, it will save British industry the estimated £51 billion cost of a fully retrospective interpretation of the Barber ruling.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many copies of his Department's information pack on the Child Support Agency have been published; at what cost; and to whom it has been circulated.

  Mr. Burt
  The Child Support Agency has published 10,000 copies of the information pack, containing the agency's framework document, business plan, charter and brochure. The cost, which includes publication and distribution of a further 10,000 brochures and 10,000 charters, was £66,400.

  The pack has been issued to a wide range of advisory, voluntary and statutory bodies with an interest in child maintenance matters; to representatives of the legal profession; to Members of Parliament and to the agency's staff.

  Mr. F. Ellis
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to respond to the application by Mr. F. Ellis for disability living allowance made on 23 October 1992.

  Mr. Scott
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member regarding this matter on 11 February 1993.

  Margaret Edwards
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the office of determination of contribution will reach a decision on the case of Margaret Edwards (NI No. ZA 090204 D; ref. No. RM 171 M/C0999/72/402/4).

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Secretary of State's decision, on review, will be given as soon as current inquiries with the Contributions Agency have been completed and Mrs. Edwards has been given the opportunity to make representations on the Secretary of State's proposals resulting from those inquiries.

  Pneumoconiosis and Silicosis
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for industrial injuries compensation from sufferers of emphysema or bronchitis caused by pneumoconiosis or silicosis have been withdrawn due to bereavement of claimants since August 1992.
  28
  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Ten-minute Bills
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what proposal he has to change the procedure concerning ten-minute Bills.

  Mr. Newton
  I have no proposals to change the current procedure in relation to Bills presented under Standing Order No. 19.

  Sitting Hours
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what further representations he has received in respect of the changes in hours for the House; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on the progress of sitting hours reform.

  Mr. Newton
  Further representations are made to me regularly at business questions. Discussions are continuing through the usual channels, but I am not yet in a position to make a further statement.

  Divisions
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to review the procedure governing time available for hon. Members to reach the Lobby at times of a Division of the House.

  Mr. Newton
  There are no plans to review the current procedure, but my hon. Friend may care to write to the Procedure Committee if he has any specific proposals.

  Standing Committee on Regional Affairs
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals for a meeting of the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Pickthall).

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many staff are employed in his Department; for what purposes and at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The Privy Council Office has 32 staff. Of these, 12 are employed in the private offices of the Lord Privy Seal and the Lord President. The remaining staff provide administrative support for the Privy Council, including the Judicial Committee. In 1992–93, the cost of staff salaries was £720,000.
  29

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what alterations he will propose to the procedures of the House to allow increased parliamentary discussion of the operations and accounts of nationalised industries.

  Mr. Newton
  I have no plans to propose alterations to existing procedures relating to the operations and accounts of nationalised industries.

  Disabled Visitors
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what consideration has been given to the financial implications of the need to protect the architectural heritage of the Palace of Westminster in meeting the requirements of disabled visitors.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  A report by consultants into the scope for improving facilities for the disabled in the Palace of Westminster is expected to be considered by the Accommodation and Works Committee shortly after the Easter recess. It is therefore not yet possible to determine the financial implications of safeguarding the historic fabric of the building.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if references were taken up from the Falkland Islands Government before the new general manager of the St. Helena Development Agency was appointed.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The general manager-designate of the proposed development agency is an employee of the consultants, Pieda plc, who were appointed by the Overseas Development Administration to help set up the agency. Any question of references would have been for them. The general manager had previously worked in the Falkland Islands, but was not employed by the Falkland Islands Government.

  Development Aid
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the announcement by the European Commission on 24 March of five priority areas for member states' policies on development aid.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Council of Development Ministers chaired by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development in November 1992 set out overall objectives for Community and member states' aid and a timetable for future work. This included a review by the Commission of Council resolutions and conclusions adopted since 1981. The results of this review have now been sent by the Commission to the Council and are summarised in the announcement made by the Commission on 24 March. The Council will consider them at its next meeting on 25 May.

  We welcome much of the Commission's paper, but have questions about some aspects of it which we shall raise with other member states and the Commission.
  30

  EC Development Council
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek at the next EC Development Council meeting on 28 May to press for(a) the establishment of a recovery budget line of at least 100 million ecus in the 1994 budget and (b) immediate use of unspent resources particularly with Lomé.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Development Council on 25 May will discuss a Danish initiative on African recovery and rehabilitation. We believe that the EC and its member states should continue to support effective programmes in the area; but we are not convinced that additional transfers of resources away from member states aid programmes to those administered by the European Commission would be helpful.

  Aid Schemes
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of how many co-financed projects under the joint funding scheme the Government have requested a reimbursement on grounds of unsatisfactory performance, listed(a) by country and (b) by non-governmental organisation concerned.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There has been one occasion when the Government requested a reimbursement of funds received by an NGO from the joint funding scheme. This occurred in 1989. The project was based in Indonesia and the agency concerned was World Vision UK. The project was carrying out activities which had not been described in the proposal and to which we had not agreed. We are, however, continuing to fund World Vision projects in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Bali, Peru, Senegal and Vietnam and are satisfied that these are being implemented properly.

  Forestry
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans exist for further bilateral aid support for the tropical forestry action plan.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The Overseas Development Administration proposes to continue to assist in the preparation and implementation of national forest action plans under the tropical forests action programme in a number of developing countries, including those referred to in my answer to the hon. Member of 7 December, column 494, as part of our wide-ranging programme of forestry projects.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if information collected by the World Conservation Union on threatened tropical timber species with funding from the Overseas Development Administration will be used by the International Tropical Timber Organisation to help to achieve the environmental projection aspect of its mandate.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: Information originally collected by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre was with Japanese funding. ODA subsequently funded work to refine the database and develop a methodology to identify endangered species. We are considering, with the WCMC

  31
  and the International Tropical Timber Organisation proposals for further work on threatened tropical timber species. This could help the ITTO to meet its environmental objectives.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the World bank and the United Nations Development Programme to encourage their support and sponsorship for the proposed consultative group on the tropical forests action programme.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: We have made clear to the United Nations Development Programme and the World bank that we believe that the tropical forests action programme would benefit significantly from their participation in the proposed consultative forum.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the findings of the investigation conducted into rates of tropical deforestation published on 8 March by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The FAO estimates the annual global rate of tropical forest loss to be 15·4 million hectares. There is a continuing need for international support for the strengthening of sustainable forest management practices by tropical countries.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation there has been of completed national forest action plans undertaken as part of the revamping of the tropical forests action programme.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: We do not know of any evaluation reports on national forest action plans carried out under the reformed tropical forests action programme.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the African development bank to publish the final version of its new forestry policy.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: We understand that the African development bank intends to submit a draft forestry policy paper to its board of directors in May. The draft will take account of comments received from interested non-governmental organisations on a preliminary draft.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 8 March,Official Report, column 456, if he will publish the results of review and monitoring exercises carried out in respect of British support for the tropical forestry action plan.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The written reports of monitoring and review of projects under implementation are internal working documents; we do not publish them.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on 32
  measures so far adopted to improve the performance of the tropical forestry action plan as a result of mechanism's revamping.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The tropical forests action programme's goal and objectives have been redefined; its operational principles have been revised to give increased emphasis to priorities as seen by tropical countries. There has been a renewed emphasis on consultation with local forest communities and non-government organisations. Action is under way to improve policy analysis and planning capacities in a number of developing countries.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the tropical timber trade seminar attended by Overseas Development Administration and Forestry Commission officials in Brussels on 17 and 18 March.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The seminar was organised primarily by the Scottish Hardwood Charter and attended by participants from a wide range of countries and interest groups. Many different opinions were expressed on the need for the certification and labelling of sustainably produced timber and how best this might be undertaken.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will publish a list of approved forestry projects supported by the Commonwealth Development Corporation;

  (2) if he will publish a list of completed forestry projects to be presented for approval by the board of the Commonwealth Development Corporation before July.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: Details of projects currently supported by CDC are shown in the table. At the moment CDC does not expect any other forestry projects to be considered for approval by the CDC board before July.

  Company

  Country

  Activities

  Usutu Pulp Co Ltd

  Swaziland

  Pine plantation and pulpmill

  Shiselweni Forestry Co Ltd

  Swaziland

  Eucalyptus and pine plantations and associated sawmills

  Tanganyika Wattle Co Ltd

  Tanzania

  Wattle plantation and factory and tea plantations

  Kilombero Teak Co Ltd

  Tanzania

  Teak plantations and natural forest management

  Kibo Match Corporation Ltd

  Tanzania

  Match factory

  Societe pour le Developpement des Plantations Forestieres

  Ivory Coast

  Plantations of fine hardwoods

  Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Ltd

  Zambia

  Pine and eucalyptus industrial plantations

  Forest Industries Development Ltd

  Jamaica

  Pines and associated processing

  Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd

  Solomom Islands

  Fine hardwood plantations

  33

  Company

  Country

  Activities

  Fiji Pine Ltd

  Fiji

  Pine plantations and sawmill operation

  Tropik Wood Industries Ltd

  Fiji

  Pine sawmills and wood chip processing

  Soon Hua Seng Group

  Thailand

  Eucalyptus plantations with village participation

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the African development bank in relation to the adoption of that organisation's new forestry policy.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: We have supported the African development bank's intention to adopt a forestry policy and to involve informed non-governmental organisations in preparation of the draft policy paper.

  Tapajos National Forest
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken to ensure the full participation of local people in the development and implementation of the Tapajos national forest project funded by the Overseas Development Administration in Brazil.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The project is intended to test controlled, selective, sustainable logging within less than 1 per cent. of the total area of the national forest. No people inhabit the project area.

  The project management has established a consultative committee which includes representatives from the community, the Rural Workers Union, and from two local non-government organisations active in the region as well as local government officials. It will meet quarterly and will help define methodologies for the implementation of the project as well as evaluating project progress. A Tapajos community working group has also been established, comprising 20 members of which about half are representatives of local people, to enable the local community to participate in the management of the whole national forest.

  The Overseas Development Administration has engaged a social development consultant to ensure that the needs of local people are not overlooked in any of our operations in Brazil.

  Chandrapur Electricity Plant
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the potential for Overseas Development Administration withdrawal from the Chandrapur electricity plant project following an environmental assessment of the proposal.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The offer of aid for the Chandrapur HVDC project was subject to ODA's usual appraisal and approval procedures which include environmental assessment.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support has been given 34
  to GEC Alsthom's bid for the Chandrapur electricity plant in India from the main part of the British bilateral aid budget; what consideration was given to providing the grant under the aid and trade provision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: An offer of £63 million of aid was made in support of GEC Alsthom's bid for the Chandrapur HVDC project in India, subject to usual Overseas Development Administration appraisal and approval procedures. It was decided that this aid should come from the bilateral programme with India, rather than the aid and trade provision, because the project was consistent with the energy efficiency objectives of our India aid programme.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the scope and eventual availability of the environmental assessment for the current Chandrapur electricity plant project proposal.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The environmental assessment of the Chandrapur HVDC project will be conducted in accordance with the Overseas Development Administration's manual of environmental appraisal. The first step will be an initial assessment which will determine the need for and scope of subsequent investigation. The environmental appraisal will inform the Overseas Development Administration's decision on the project. Environmental impact assessments cover issues of potential sensitivity to overseas Governments and material which is commercial in confidence; they are not generally made available.

  Aid and Trade Projects
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the criteria employed in awarding a company tender credit support through the aid and trade provision.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: Tender credit support is not provided to companies through the aid and trade provision.

  Bilateral Aid Projects
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will place in the Library details of British bilateral aid project allocations and expenditures since 1989 by country within each sector;

  (2) if he will place in the Library details of British bilateral aid project allocations and expenditures in each year since 1989 by sector within each country.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answers 2 April 1993]: Because of current developments in the ODA's management information systems it is not presently possible to provide this information in the form requested except at disproportionate cost. Details of our aid allocations, by country and by sector, are given in "British Aid Statistics", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the project cycle for the approval and implementation of British bilateral aid projects.
  35
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the results of consultations with potentially affected communities about particular bilateral aid projects are made available to the public, both in the recipient country and in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: Working documents relating to the appraisal or implementation of projects, which may include the results of such consultations, are not generally made available. The results of such consultations may however be covered in published project evaluation reports.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Overseas Development Administration requests that the sponsors of bilateral aid projects consult potentially affected communities as part of the project cycle.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: For projects which have a direct impact on local communities ODA seeks to ensure full consultation with and participation by those directly affected by the project. This applies throughout the project cycle, with particular efforts to involve women and poor people. Written guidance and training is given to ODA staff and ODA often provides specialist advice to the project sponsors in developing countries.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which proposed or approved British bilateral aid projects have been withdrawn following an environmental assessment;

  (2) whether an environmental assessment is produced for British bilateral aid projects before the projects and evaluation committee gives a proposal the go-ahead.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answers 2 April 1993]: ODA projects, including those considered by the projects and evaluation committee, are subject to environmental assessment according to the procedures described in ODA's manual of environmental appraisal, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. ODA does not keep central records of project proposals which do not reach the approval point.

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the 10 largest recipient companies of aid and trade provision-related finance since April 1990.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The 10 largest aggregate commitments of funds from the aid and trade provision by lead contractor since April 1990 are as follows:

  Company

  ATP commitment £ million

  Balfour Beatty

  243·987

  Foster Wheeler Energy

  53·850

  Snamprogetti UK

  47·179

  Phillips Radio Communication System

  34·111

  36

  Company

  ATP commitment £ million

  Marconi

  26·911

  NEI Parsons

  23·485

  TQ International

  23·363

  Coppee UK

  22·250

  John Laing International

  21·049

  Siemens Plessey Radar

  20·340

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library details of all aid and trade provision projects awarded since April 1991 and all those currently in operation or under negotiation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: Aid agreements involving aid and trade provision funds which have been concluded with Governments of developing countries since April 1991 have been placed in the Library. All the projects are still in operation.

  A list of projects for which ODA has made a current offer of aid and for which ECGD cover remains available has also been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will place in the Library a list of all aid and trade provision-related environmental consultancy contracts awarded since 1980;

  (2) if he will place in the Library a list of the environmental consultancies currently engaged in aid and trade provision-linked assignments.

  Mr. Lennnox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: ODA's central records do not indentify separately all environmental consultancy contracts related to the aid and trade provision since 1980. A number of consultancies have contained environmental components, although most environmental appraisal work on ATP projects is carried out by the ODA's in-house advisers in accordance with ODA's manual of environmental appraisal. Monitoring is done both in-house and using consultants.

  Since 1990 Environmental Resources Ltd. has undertaken the following environmental studies, of which only the last is current:
  Appraisal of Fushun and Dalian power projects, China Monitoring of Samanalawewa Dam project, Sri Lanka Appraisal of Pergau Hydro Electric project, Malaysia Monitoring of Pergau Hydro Electric project, Malaysia

  World Bank
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the action plan to be prepared by the management of the World bank in relation to the recent report of the portfolio management task force; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: We understand the action plan perepared by World bank management in response to the report of the task force on portfolio management will be discussed by the bank's board of directors in early May. Subject to board agreement on publication, which we support, we will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.
  37

  Biwater UK
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of Biwater UK's involvement in British bilateral aid projects for the last five years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993: Contracts funded under the bilateral aid programme have been placed with the company or its subsidiaries by overseas Governments or the Overseas Development Administration for the following projects:

  Malaysia rural water scheme (1986–1992)

  Sir Lanka water supply (1989–1991)

  Uganda turbine spares (1992–1993)

  Egypt—Cairo wastewater (1992-current)

  Information on aid-funded contracts which the company may have received through sub-contracting by other companies implementing bilateral aid projects is not held.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made this year in reviewing and updating the environmental procedures employed by the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: CDC aims to introduce revised environmental guidelines, discussed with ODA, in June.

  Brazil
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent meetings with Senator Coutinho Jorge, Environment Minister for Brazil, in respect of British support for the pilot programme for the conservation of Brazil's rain forests and if he will provide details of the United Kingdom's bilateral support for the programme.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) at col. 488, 22 March 1993.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid is given to Brazil; and if he will give details of the funded projects.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The latest available figures for gross bilateral aid to Brazil for the last three years are 1989–90 £2·4 million, 1990–91 £3·3 million, 1991–92 £2·7 million. For details of current forestry projects in Brazil, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 7 December 1992,Hansard, column 494–96.

  Further projects which are or were active during the last year are as follows:

  (i) Recife Environmental Control Project. The project involves consultancy visits by United Kingdom experts in industrial waste treatment and environmental assessment/management and pollution control, to give seminars and lectures; and short-term training of Brazilians in Britain. The objective is to enhance the capability of three organisations in environmental control in Recife, the Pernambuco State Pollution Control Agency (CPRH), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) and Pernambuco State Technical Institute (ITEP). Project cost £270,000.

  (ii) Technological Enhancement of Sewage Treatment for Sao Paulo Metropolitican Region. This project is in support
  38
  of SABESP (the water treatment and supply company for Sao Paulo State). The objectives are to transfer and provide training in the knowledge and technology necessary for improving sewage treatment in large plants, and to find a solution to the problem of sludge disposal. Project cost £170,000.

  (iii) Capibaribe River Pollution Project. This project provides advice to the authorities on their programme for the control of pollution in the Rio Capibaribe, Recife. Project cost £110,500.

  (iv) English for Specific Purposes. This project supports the development of English training for technicians and scientists who can use English to gain access to international scientific and technical literature. Project costs £91,500.

  (v) United Kingdom training programme, support for study in the United Kingdom for Brazilians employed in priority development areas. Annual value of training around £700,000.

  (vi) In addition under the Joint Funding Scheme 63 projects costing £477,000 are currently funded through Non Government Organisations targeting assistance to street-children, indigenous peoples, mother and child welfare and health.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the most recent assessment of the extent of destruction of Brazilian rain forest; what steps he takes to ensure that aid to Brazil is not used to support projects which entail destruction of rain forests; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Figures provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment estimate deforestation at 8·4 per cent. of the original rain forest area. Figures of up to 12 per cent. are given by some sources and depend on interpretation of the original area and degree of deforestation. According to the Brazilian Space Research Institute, the trend in recent years is downward. In 1991 about 11,000 square kilometres was deforested, this was a reduction by 20 per cent. on the figure for 1990, itself a reduction of 27 per cent. on 1989.

  All United Kingdom-supported projects in Amazonia are intended to contribute to reducing deforestation.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the environmental impact assessment and the results of consultations undertaken with local interest groups for the British aid-funded Malaysian rural water study project announced in April 1984.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: This project comprised 134 sub-projects. ODA commissioned environmental assessments of two of the larger sub-projects which involved construction of dams. No changes in project design were indicated.

  Environmental impact assessments cover issues of potential sensitivity to overseas Governments and material which is commercial in confidence; they are not made generally available.

  Amlohri Coal Mine
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the environmental impact assessment and the results of consultations undertaken with local interest groups for the British aid funded Amlohri opencast coal mine, Madhaya Pradesh, India, announced on 25 March 1991.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: The British aid for the Amlohri opencast coal mine in India,

  39
  announced on 25 March 1991, consisted of technical co-operation and spare parts for existing equipment. ODA's assessment was that this aid would offer a number of environmental benefits by improving the management of the mine and assisting the mine management to implement an environmental management plan. This plan was prepared for Northern Coalfields Ltd. in India and covers issues of potential sensitivity to the Indian Government and material which is commercial in confidence; such documents are not made generally available.

  Urumqi Petrochemical Complex
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the environmental impact assessments and the results of consultations undertaken with local interest groups and communities for the British aid-funded Urumqi petrochemical complex, Xinjiang Province, China, announced on 10 September 1992.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: ODA commissioned an environmental assessment by a specialist consultant in 1991. On the basis of that assessment ODA has allocated aid funds to assist with the establishment of up-to-date environmental protection and safety standards.

  Environmental impact assessments cover issues of potential sensitivity to overseas Governments and material which is commercial in confidence; they are not made generally available.

  Kelantan Power Station
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the environmental impact assessment and the results of consultations undertaken with local interest groups for the British aid-funded Pergau hydro-electric power station, Kelantan, Malaysia, announced on 15 July 1991.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 2 April 1993]: ODA commissioned an environmental assessment by specialist consultants in 1990. On the basis of that assessment and following consultations with the Malaysian authorities ODA has allocated aid funds to assist environmental monitoring and the preparation of an environmental management plan.

  Environmental impact assessments cover issues of potential sensitivity to overseas Governments and material which is commercial in confidence; they are not made generally available.

  Angola
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has of South African involvement in the Angolan war; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: We are aware of allegations of South African Government involvement in the war in Angola. This has been denied by the South African Government. We have seen no firm evidence to support those allegations.
  40

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the overseas aid budget, for the last three years for which figures are available, had no tying commitments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: Commitments not tied to the procurement of British goods and services, as a percentage of total bilateral official development assistance 1988–91, were as follows:

  Per cent.

  1988

  17·5

  1989

  24·0

  11990

  n/a

  1991

  26·5

  1The figure for 1990 is not available.

  It is not our policy to impose tying requirements on our multilateral aid commitments, although multilateral agencies commonly restrict offshore procurement access to companies from member states.

  Population Control
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 1992,Official Report, columns 577–78, what sums were given to (a) the International Planned Parenthood Federation and (b) the United Nations Population Fund in 1992.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 16 April 1993]: The Overseas Development Administration contributed £8 million to IPPF and £9·423 million to UNFPA in 1992.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the specific projects mounted by the Chinese Family Planning Association and funded by the International Planned Parenthood Federation; and what visits have been made by his officials to China to monitor the work of the Chinese Family Planning Association.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 16 April 1993]: IPPF contributes some US$1 million per annum in technical and financial support to the China FPA. These funds are used for audio-visual equipment, information/ education materials and logisitics support.

  IPPF is responsible for monitoring the activities of its family planning associations in over 130 countries, including China. ODA is in regular contact with IPPF about the performance of these FPAs and receives additional information from a number of sources including our diplomatic missions overseas.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report he has received from the general secretary of the International Planned Parenthood Federation regarding his visit to China in February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 16 April 1993]: Dr. Mahler has been invited to discuss his visit to China with ODA officials.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made
  41
  of (a) the activity of the Chinese Family Planning Association in Tibet and (b) the application of coercive methods of population control in Tibet; what action his Department has taken in response; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 16 April 1993]: The British Government are deeply concerned about reports of human rights violations in Tibet and elsewhere in China. We are opposed to any form of coercion in population programmes. We take every opportunity to bring our concern to the attention of the Chinese authorities and will continue to do so.

  We believe that the China Family Planning Association has an important role to play in monitoring the implementation of family planning programmes throughout China and resisting any systematic abuse of human rights by officials.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market Testing
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance is given to Government Departments on market testing; and whether such advice is made available to staff.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Her Majesty's Treasury's public competition and purchasing unit guidance note No. 34, "Market Testing and Buying In", issued in March 1992, is available to Departments and their staff. Copies have already been placed in the Library. My Department plans to publish revised guidance, which will be widely available to those involved in market testing, including the staff of Government Departments.

ENVIRONMENT

  City Grant (Bradford)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current status of the application by 3Ds Ltd. for city grant in connection with the west end scheme in Bradford.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 18 February 1993,Official Report, columns 307–8.

  Housing, Chelmsford
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing units have been purchased by housing associations under the housing market package, announced in the autumn statement in November 1992, in the Chelmsford local authority area.

  Mr. Baldry
  Seventy eight properties have been purchased in Chelmsford.

  Bangladeshi Population
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken since 1986 to improve housing provision and standards for the Bangladeshi population in Britain.
  42
  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's aim for housing is to bring a decent home within reach of every family, and our policies work towards that end regardless of the ethnic origin of individual households.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment what will be the timetable for introducing compulsory competitive tendering for local authority construction-related and corporate services.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We intend that the first of the construction-related and corporate services in English local authorities will come into the CCT regime from October 1995. From that date work can be carried out by local authorities' own staff only if it has been awarded following competitive tendering. Local authorities will therefore wish to begin seeking tenders for the first services in summer 1994. CCT for all the new services will be in place by the start of 1997–98.

  The first corporate service to be the subject of CCT will be legal services. This will be followed in a phased programme by IT services, housing management, finance, personnel, and corporate and administrative services.

  CCT will be introduced for all the construction-related services simultaneously—this will include local authorities' engineering, architectural, and property management services which the Government had proposed to be treated as separate activities. Authorities are increasingly integrating these services, and the Government have agreed to bring them together as a single activity under the CCT regime to give authorities maximum flexibiilty and discretion in how they deal with and contract for this work —on either an integrated or a single-discipline basis.

  For each new service in the CCT programme, the Government will prescribe the proportion of work which must be market tested. The Government's preliminary proposals are 33 per cent. for legal services and 90 per cent. for construction-related services. The exact figures are now being discussed with local government and others.

  Authorities will be required to submit the prescribed percentage of each service to competition before it can be carried out in-house. For legal services, the prescribed percentage will apply immediately from October 1995. For construction-related services, covering the three separate disciplines of engineering, property management and architectural services, authorities will be required to market test a third of the prescribed percentage from October 1995, rising to the full percentage from October 1996.

  The Government are still considering the detailed timetable for CCT for housing management. Ministers will make further announcements about this shortly. Separate announcements will also be made about the timetable for authorities in Scotland and Wales.

  This announcement will help both local authorities and private sector suppliers of the services to prepare for CCT. The arrangements have been worked out following very helpful discussions with local authority representatives, which are continuing. I am confident that CCT will raise standards and improve value for money in local authorities' professional services, as it has done for construction work and blue collar services.
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  Water Charges
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he collects on levels of charges for water supply.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Director General of Water Services has responsibility for the economic regulation of the licensed water companies and publishes details of average household bills for measured and unmeasured water supply each year.
  44

  Toxic Waste
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the forms of toxic waste exported from British industries, the destinations, identifying third world destinations separately and the quantities involved over the last 12 months.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I refer the hon. Member to my answers to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis) on 9 November 1992, Official Report, columns 587–88, and 2 March 1993, Official Report, column 102, and to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 29 March 1993, Official Report, column 61, all of which are relevant to the question.

  BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY
  BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY
  FORMER SOVIET UNION: PRESENTATION OF SCIENTIFIC DATA
  FORMER SOVIET UNION: PRESENTATION OF SCIENTIFIC DATA
  ELECTRICITY: ESTIMATED ACCOUNTS
  ELECTRICITY: ESTIMATED ACCOUNTS
  WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT 1985: REPRESENTATIONS
  WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT 1985: REPRESENTATIONS
  BEER MEASURE: EC COMPARISONS
  BEER MEASURE: EC COMPARISONS
  BEER CONTAINERS: CAPACITY
  BEER CONTAINERS: CAPACITY
  BRITISH AND ISO STANDARDS: COST COMPARISON
  BRITISH AND ISO STANDARDS: COST COMPARISON